Chapter 12: World Turning Up Side Down

I couldn't help but be shocked as I opened my eyes and found myself lying on a bed. I never thought I would wake up again. I was stabbed in my heart with a wooden stake for crying out loud. It was no less than a miracle that I was still breathing. I shot up into a sitting position and immediately felt my head spinning. I looked down at my chest but I couldn't find a single scratch over there, let alone a huge hole or a wound. Did I dream up the entire event? I wish that's what the truth was. But it wasn't.

"You weren't dreaming Riana" spoke up a voice that belonged to none other than Kol Mikaelson. He must have noticed the frown of confusion on my face and figured out what exactly I was thinking. I realized that I was in Kol's bedroom in the Mikaelson mansion. I wasn't surprised a bit that I woke up in here. But something else certainly surprised me.

"How am I still alive?" I asked Kol the most important question right away. Kol however didn't answer me right away. Clearly he was hesitating. "You healed me with your blood, didn't you?"

"I did but-" Kol stopped himself before saying more but I wanted to know what exactly happened.

"But what?" I asked forcefully. I wanted answers this instant. I looked at Kol closely.

"Kol, what happened?" Suddenly I heard voices in my head or in my ear. Someone was talking. I couldn't hear the words clearly but I realized that I could hear someone talking within the house. It was freaky to say the least.

"What the hell?" I said to myself as my eye sight bothered me immensely when I looked at the light.

"Riana." Kol called my name which made me focus back on him. I didn't remember my view being so sensitive and clear before in my life. "Last night, I did heal you but I wasn't able to save you" said Kol with regretful voice.

"What do you mean?" I asked Kol furrowing my brows at him.

"You died last night-" said Kol and he paused for a moment to see my reaction. But I was too stunned to react. "With my blood inside your body." He completed his sentence.

"You are joking right." I said right away not believing what Kol just said to me. I knew very well what happens when a human dies with vampire blood in their system. And that is not happening to me. No way in hell.

"I am not joking Riana. You are in transition right now" said Kol with seriousness that I have never witnessed before. The realization of what is going on with me crashed down on me immediately. I am in transition right now. It means I am turning into a vampire. A drop of tear rolled down my cheek without me realizing about it. I didn't know what to think or what to do anymore. As a result I remained completely silent and still. And god knows for how long.

"Riana, please say something" said Kol when he couldn't bare my silence anymore. I focused my gaze on him once again.

"What do you want me to say Kol?" I asked him instead. I wish I could be in denial of the truth but my heightened senses weren't letting me. And I was too shocked to think straight.

"You are right. You don't have to say anything. You just need to drink blood and complete your transition. We can figure out everything else later" said Kol taking everything in his hands. I however didn't want to follow his orders on this. I got out of the bed slowly and stood on my feet. I felt kind of strong at that moment. There was no way to tell that I was stabbed through my heart not long ago. I looked at Kol right into his eyes.

"I am not completing the transition." I stated with firm tone of voice and started to walk towards the door to get out of the room. Kol was in front of me in a blink of an eye.

"What?" He asked me with disbelieve in his voice.

"You heard me." I said with calm tone of voice and tried to walk by Kol but he held onto my arm and pulled me back in front of him.

"Riana you would die if you don't complete-" I interrupted Kol before he could say more.

"I know that." I said looking straight into his eyes. Letting him know that I knew what I was talking about and planning on doing.

"Then why are you objecting to complete the transition?" asked Kol as if he really didn't know the answer to that question.

"Because I would rather die than be a vampire." I said and pulled my arm out of Kol's grip and walked out of the room. Kol was too stunned and upset to move that moment or stop me from walking away from him. I needed to call my parents. I would like to talk to them for the last time. Or at least hear their voices. I got downstairs and found the rest of the Mikaelson siblings. They apparently heard everything Kol and I said to each other. I had no wish to engage in a conversation with anyone of them so I started to walk towards the main door in order to get out of the mansion.

"Riana." I heard Elijah calling my name. It stopped me in my track. I looked back at him with questioning eyes. "Why did you save Kol when you despise vampires so much, especially him?"

"I saved him because he saved Aria. I owed him. And trust me when I say this, I will regret my action even in my death. Not because I died but because every innocent human being Kol is going to kill from now on, I would be equally guilty for their death." I said with self pity and a heavy sigh escaped my breath. Kol came downstairs as well. He was looking at me angrily this time. Why was he angry? Is it because of what I just said? Or is it because I refused to become a vampire? It shouldn't matter to him if I complete my transition or not. I shouldn't matter to him at all. I am an ordinary mortal. I am not something Kol Mikaelson should be concerned about. And if he is angry at me for regretting the fact that I saved his life, then all I have to say is he should have known better. He couldn't expect me to be thrilled about the fact that many innocent people would loose their lives in both near and distant future because I saved a vampire.

"You are saying you wouldn't have saved Kol, if he hadn't saved your friend first" asked Elijah with his composed tone of voice. I thought about it for a moment. Would I have let Kol die if he hadn't saved Aria the previous day? The answer was quite simple actually.

"Yes." I said straight away without any doubt in my voice. I saw Kol looking away from me. As if he was trying to hide that he is hurt at my confession. My eyes moved from Kol to Elijah to Klaus and then to Rebekah. They were all displeased with my answer. Suddenly I felt a little guilty. Perhaps I shouldn't have said this out loud. Moreover there was a little voice in the back of my mind that was telling me that I would have saved Kol anyway. But I was too proud to apologize or change my statement. I turned around to leave but before I could take a step towards the door, Meredith came running inside. She was looking terrified. I frowned at Meredith and wondered what was she doing at the Mikaelson mansion. My doubts about her must be true after all. However I didn't think Meredith was associating with the originals. Does she know about me? It explained her presence here. However that was really not the case.

"Damon has kidnapped Aria" said Meredith before she could take a breath to calm herself down.

"What? Why? I didn't know Damon even knew Aria." I felt myself getting worried as well. As much as I knew about Damon, he is just as horrible as Kol. What does he possibly want with Aria? I looked at Meredith as she started explaining to me.

"Well Damon and others believe that Kol will kill them all. They took Aria so that you would have no choice but to persuade Kol not to go after them" said Meredith and I felt like my jaws dropping on the floor. I glanced at Kol. He looked amused and pleased as well where others were simply amused. I looked back at Meredith.

"Why did they assume that Kol would listen to me?" I asked still having a hard time believing the reality.

"You saved him Riana. Why wouldn't he?" I understood how everyone was seeing the situation. But that was really not the truth.

"Meredith, listen to me. Kol doesn't owe me anything. Last night Aria was attacked and Kol was there and he saved her. I had to save him because I owed him for saving Aria's life. It's not the other way around." Meredith got shocked and anxious when I explained this to her. Suddenly a ray of sunlight hit my eyes and I had to turn away immediately. It actually hurt me.

"What happened to you?" asked Meredith noticing the movement immediately.

"She is in transition right now." Rebekah spoke up as she approached me. "But Riana doesn't want to complete the transition. I say along with her Aria is as good as dead. Riana wouldn't be able to do anything to stop Kol or save Aria if she is lying in a grave."

"No." Meredith gasped in horror. My heartbeat sped up as well at the thought of Aria's dead body. I looked at Kol. He was looking serious this time. I approached him slowly and stood right in front of him.

"I would do anything. Please save Aria." I pleaded with Kol. He didn't need to think at all. Kol leaned in near my ear and said-

"Complete the transition. Become my vampire and I will not let any harm come to your friend" said Kol and somehow I knew he would ask me to do this. I nodded my head and looked back at Meredith.

"I want to talk to them. Where can I find them?" I asked Meredith figuring she must know about it.

"I can contact with them and they can come here" said Meredith with confidence.

"What bravery! I thought they would be hiding in the shadows. Clearly they are trying to be the better villain" said Klaus with mocking tone of voice.

"Only they know where Damon is keeping Aria. If you kill anyone of them, we will never have Aria back" said Meredith which made sense as to how come they were so unafraid.

"No harm would come to them." I said with calm tone of voice as if giving my word. I looked at Kol again to see if he had any other plans but he lightly nodded his head once which was enough assurance for me that he wouldn't do anything harmful to them. And somehow I knew he is going to keep his word on this.

"I will go inform them" saying that Meredith walked out through the door. I sighed out heavily.

"Now, would you like to drink from the source or plastic bag?" asked Kol. He seemed to be enjoying this. Why was he so thrilled about my turning into a vampire? I would never know.

"Not yet. I will complete my transition when Aria is safely back home." I said at once and I wasn't going to change my mind on this. Kol only smirked and said-

"As you wish darling."

Third Person's POV

The plan was working perfectly. Even though everyone doubted it but Elena knew the plan would work and thankfully Damon believed in her. Aria was Riana's weakness and Riana was Kol's. All they had to do is take the weakest one hostage to control the strongest one. Damon kidnapped Aria according to the plan and escaped town immediately. If Kol tries to kill anyone, Damon would end Aria's life with pleasure. And somehow Elena knew that Riana would never let that happen. It was very diabolical of Elena Gilbert but she was willing to do anything to keep her friends and family safe from Kol. Besides, it was not like Damon was torturing Aria somewhere. He is just keeping her hostage and sacrificing her comfort for sometime nothing more. Aria is Meredith's sister after all. Damon wouldn't kill her unless he has no choice but to kill her. However it was true that if Elena's life is in danger and killing Aria is the only way to save her, Damon would do it in a heartbeat. It wouldn't be anything unexpected though. Everyone knows what Damon could do for Elena.

"I am going to the mansion" announced Stefan. He didn't want anyone else to take the risk.

"I think we all should go. It would be better if we have numbers in case they try to kill us" said Caroline but Stefan objected to it immediately.

"None of you would go there. I will go. And that's final" stated Elena with firm tone of voice.

"Elena you are on Kol's hit list right after Jeremy. You shouldn't be anywhere near him" said Bonnie horrified at the thought that Elena wants to go to the Mikaelson mansion all alone.

"Kol wouldn't touch me. He knows Damon would kill Aria if anything happens to me. And Riana would do anything to prevent that from happening" said Elena with confidence in her voice.

"Elena, you are being over confident about it. What if Kol doesn't care about Riana as much as we are thinking he does" said Stefan hoping to knock some sense into Elena.

"Kol not only cares about Riana, he is in love with her. He would do anything for her. Like Damon would do anything for me" said Elena and it hurt Stefan to say the least. And more when Elena didn't notice that. The girl Stefan fell in love with is really gone. He can't recognize Elena anymore. She has become so much like Damon. Human Elena would never say anything to hurt Stefan or anyone else. When Elena came up with the plan of kidnapping Aria, everyone was shocked except for Damon. He was kind of proud of her to say the least. But it bothered Stefan immensely that Elena was willing to put an innocent's life in danger. His Elena would never do that. Even though Damon promised to keep the girl alive but everyone knew how Damon functions. Aria would be more safer with Stefan, or Caroline or Bonnie. But Damon decided to volunteer and Elena went with it as expected. She reasoned that it would be best for Jeremy if Damon goes out of town as he is still under compulsion of Kol. It was difficult to make Damon leave though. He was still hungry for Jeremy's blood. But Elena's love filled words and Damon's will power made it possible for Damon to get out of the town after kidnapping Aria.

"But we will be around the mansion. In case you need to be saved" said Caroline and saved the moment from getting tensed and awkward between Stefan and Elena.

"You have already made up your mind Elena. There is nothing to discuss anymore" said Stefan and he got up from the couch to leave the room.

"Stefan I know what I am doing" said Elena but Stefan already walked out of the boarding house. Elena sighed out heavily. Things between her and Stefan are only going downwards. Elena doesn't like it a bit but it seemed that there is nothing she could do. She hoped though that one day, Stefan and she will be friends. And Stefan really needs to stay away from Rebekah. The more time he is spending with her the more Stefan is fading away from Elena. Once they are safe from Kol, Elena would make sure Stefan sees what Rebekah really is. A monster who killed her. She is the reason Stefan lost Elena. And Stefan should hate her for it.

Riana's POV

I didn't realize being in transition would be such a horrible experience. My head was constantly hurting. I could hear even an inaudible sound and it was making the headache worse. My eyes were hurting and rest of the senses as well. Everything was heightened and I could barely keep myself from falling apart. And then there is this hunger. I was starving however not for food. But when I imagined myself drinking blood, I nearly puked. I was in a terrible situation. I felt like crying and as my emotions were heightened as well, I continuously shred tears. Kol was watching me cry. He barely removed his eyes from me. Kol wanted to comfort me but didn't dare to come closer to me. Last time he tried to touch my face a while ago, I moved away from him as if he was something poisonous. Kol had sighed out heavily but maintained his distance since then.

"Someone is here" announced Rebekah. I heard footsteps too but faintly. Moments later, Elena Gilbert entered through the doors. Kol's eyes immediately went red and his vampire face came out.

"Kol." His brother Elijah called his name to snap him out of it. "Remember Aria is still with Damon." Slowly Kol's face went back to normal. I however approached Elena immediately.

"What did you do with Aria?" I asked her with firm tone of voice and demanded answer immediately.

"She is safe and she will safely return home if you do as I say" said Elena and I couldn't help but glare at her. I wouldn't be feeling so angry if I weren't in transition at that time but I was angry and there was no denying it.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked with bitterness in my voice.

"I want you to make sure that Kol doesn't come after me or my brother. We want a clean slate from him. Which means he needs to give his word that Jeremy and I can live safely in our home and he wouldn't be a threat to us in anyway. He wouldn't touch me or Jeremy" said Elena and I could see Kol getting angry with each passing moment.

"Anything else?" I asked with sarcasm in my voice.

"Damon is under Kol's compulsion. He needs to take it off" said Elena with demanding tone of voice. If Aria wasn't in danger, I would have killed her myself. Elijah and Kol looked at each and silently understood something.

"Where is Damon? Bring him here" said Elijah to Elena but she looked at me.

"I need his word first" said Elena at once and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I give you my word" said Kol before I could say anything and he really meant it. I couldn't help but be thankful to him. Elena nodded her head and dialed a number in her phone. It was Damon who she called. Elena asked Damon to come back in Mystic Falls and meet her in the Mikaelson mansion. If I weren't wrong, Damon was horrified to learn that Elena is with the original family at the moment. He must really love her. Damon is willing to do anything for her. It was romantic but their romance put Aria's life in danger therefore I wasn't pleased about it a bit.

"Damon is coming" informed Elena. He mustn't be far away then. I closed my eyes shut as I suddenly felt a stringing pain in my head.

"She is running out of time" said Klaus that everyone already knew except for Elena. Meredith mustn't have told her about me.

"You are in transition, aren't you? I have been through this, thanks to someone" said Elena and she openly glared at Rebekah and Rebekah narrowed her eyes at Elena.

"And I am going through this thanks to your brother." I snapped at Elena angrily. I knew Jeremy accidentally stabbed me but I was pissed off nonetheless.

"It was not his fault, you decided to throw yourself in front of Kol. He was going to cut off Jeremy's arm and kill me afterwards. He has killed your sister-" I cut off Elena immediately.

"Don't you dare bring my sister into this." I growled at her with rage. How dare she speak about my sister.

"You saved a monster Riana. Death and pain is what you deserve" said Elena with calm tone of voice this time. But she really meant it.

"And endangering an innocent life, how is that anyway noble Ms. Elena Gilbert. You kidnapped Aria for your selfish gain. She had nothing to do with any of this but still you are making her suffer. How are you any less monstrous than Kol." I spoke with anger and rage in my voice but what I said was true nonetheless.

"I am nothing like him." Elena defended herself right away.

"That is nothing but your delusion." I retorted back. Elena sighed out angrily and remained silent for a moment.

"I thought it is only Kol who is in love with you but the way you are defending him, I guess the feeling is mutual. Well you did die in order to save him. How does it feel being in love with your sister's killer?" Elena said that while looking quite innocent. I felt so angry at that time. It was unimaginable. I didn't lash out though. I slowly took a step closer to Elena. In an intimidating way.

"I think the better question is, would you still be in love with Damon after he kills Jeremy?" saying that I walked away from Elena. She wasn't dumb not to understand that I was calling off the deal we just made. Rebekah went behind Elena in vampire speed and snapped her neck before she could realize anything. I silently thanked her in my mind.

"I was itching to do this" said Rebekah to herself. I felt my head spinning again and I almost lost my balance. Kol steadied me before I could fall over.

"You need to complete your transition now" said Kol with commanding tone of voice. I could only nod my head to him. Klaus went somewhere in vampire speed and came back with a blood bag in his hand. I took the plastic bag from him but hesitated to drink blood from it. Am I really going to like it? The thought alone was disturbing enough. Kol understood my hesitation.

"Close your eyes Riana." I did as he said. I heard Kol ripping the cap off. The smell of blood hit me like a speeding train. Before I knew it I was drinking blood from the bag like a madman. I didn't care that I was making a mess. All I cared about was the delicious red liquid. However I still had my eyes closed. Not because of fear but because of the pleasure I was getting from drinking the blood. To my utmost disappointment, the blood bag got empty sooner than I expected. I opened my eyes and found myself looking straight into Kol's eyes. I saw myself in his eyes. My own eyes were turned red and veins appeared under my lashes. Kol was looking at me with awe. As if I am the most beautiful being he has ever seen. For that moment I let my feelings control me and not my conscious mind. I leaned in and closed the gap between our lips. My bloodied lips touched Kol's soft ones and I kissed him without feeling any hesitation.

"I want more blood." I said against his lips. Kol smirked at me and said-

"As you wish darling."