12. Truth Be Told

She hesitantly opened her eyes and let the light in. The soft mattress on her back was tempting her to let the darkness take her once again but no. She had to know, had to see. Yet, what she saw she could not believe.

Elijah was sitting on the bed next to her, softly caressing her cheek, waiting for the spell to wear off; waiting for her to return to him. The light coming from the window illuminated his form making him look like an angel and tempting as hell.

Elijah noticed the change in her and moved closer to her helping Gia lift her weakened body from the mattress and taking her in his embrace. His scent covered her like a blanket and Gia closed her eyes once more relishing on the feeling. She never noticed the baring of his wrist until he brought it to her lips.

"Gia, darling, open your eyes."

Gia turned into Elijah's arms and let her eyes land on his face.

"Elijah."

"Ssssh. You are still too weak to speak, darling. You need to feed. My blood is significantly stronger than a human's and it will allow you to heal a lot faster than you normally would. So, if you please…" he said as he wove his hand through her hair and guided her mouth to his wrist.

A shock of ecstasy hit her system the moment her teeth penetrated his skin and blood flowed freely into her mouth. His blood vibrated with power and it only took one sip to return her to full strength multiplied tenfold. A thousand years old and more powerful than anything she'd ever met before. The feeling had almost thrown her into unconsciousness. She took more and more letting the power run through her system leaving her almost drunk. She could literally feel her head spin and her cells jumpstart.

Gia unwillingly removed her mouth from his wrist not wanting to lose control over herself. It had already happened once tonight and she never wanted to feel this helpless again. Although, she had to admit, the thought of leaving herself into Elijah's arms allowing him to do as he pleased made her feel all warm inside.

Gia once again turned to look at him.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I can wait." Elijah answered with a smile.

"You don't have to." Gia removed the hair from her neck inviting him in.

Elijah slowly lowered his head giving her time to reconsider. His fingers brushed her neck and Gia felt his breath lightly touching her skin. It made her body shiver and her pulse quicken. Elijah watched her like a hawk and when he saw she was not retreating, he placed a soft kiss on her neck right above the pulse that laid beneath and allowed his fangs to lengthen.

Gia let a moan escape her as his fangs pierced her skin and he started sucking her blood. She gripped at his hair, placing her body in perfect alignment with his. Elijah felt intoxicated. He wanted to keep drinking her to eternity but knowing how fragile she still was he forced himself to release her. He was very careful with how much he allowed himself to take from her; young as she was her body could not replenish all of what he needed. And her blood was not the only thing he wanted from her. Soon, he promised himself. Soon.

Gia was still dazed by the experience. While Elijah was in his office talking to his brother Gia tried to regain her composure. And when she saw him arriving she readied herself. She had always known this day was coming and she could not avoid it anymore. Today was the day Elijah was going to learn the truth about her and her mysterious arrival to New Orleans.

"Gia" Elijah said guiding her to the living room. He sat on a sofa and urged her to sit beside him.

"There has been some disturbing news that has come to my attention that I very much need to discuss with you." He said. "I know you are still feeling weak but this cannot wait."

"I'm fine Elijah. Thanks to you. If you hadn't come when you did I'd be…." Gia let her voice trail off. "Thank you." She said after a pause.

"I will always be here for you, Gia. I am not going to allow any harm come to you. But since you mentioned it, this man, the one that hurt you, he has been spotted in the bayou, looking for Mikael."

"What? What do you mean? What does Phoenix want from Mikael? Are you sure about this? Your information could be wrong."

"It is not. The description that was given to my brother matches the appearance of this man. There is no doubt Gia. Phoenix, as you called him, is looking for Mikael. Who is this man? What is his connection to you?"

Gia blew a long breath and let it all out.

"Phoenix and I, we grew up in the same neighborhood. His house was opposite to mine. We practically grew up together."

"He was your friend."

"No. Not exactly."

"His father was a friend of mine's. He was a martial arts professor and our instructor in the craft. His father was also interested in history and archeology himself and, since I come from a family of archeologists, we all spent a lot of time together. Either it was in the dojo or archeological expeditions. Phoenix and I got along together or better yet I tolerated him. I can't say what it was exactly but this guy had always creeped me out a bit."

"He hurt you."

"No. Not at that point. That came later. Once he became older he started following me around, challenging me and even getting angry with me for no reason at all. I didn't know why. I still don't. Not knowing what to do, I started avoiding him. I stayed as far away from home for as long as I could."

"Why didn't you tell your parents?"

"Like I told you his father was a friend of mine's and I did not want to worry him. Despite Phoenix's actions he had always been nice to me. And I did not want my father to lose his best friend over me."

"Then what did you do?"

"I kept avoiding him until I left for college. I was in another town far from home so I didn't have to see him a lot, only when I visited home."

"He did not come to see you?"

"He did. A couple of times but I never accepted him. And then I met Danny." Gia smiled at the memory.

"Danny? Who is he?"

"Danny─ Danny was my husband." Her voice trembled.

"Was?" Elijah did not want to press her but he had to know. Knowledge was power and he had to know what Phoenix was after.

"Phoenix killed him." Gia said with tear running down her cheek. Elijah saw it and wiped it with his finger.

"I am sorry." He said. "I did not wish to upset you."

"It's ok."

"No. It is not." "Why is he here now? What does he want?"

"Power. Power and death."

"I do not understand."

"He wants the power of the ring and the death of me."

"That is not going to happen. No one and I mean no one is ever going to hurt you."

Gia let a small smile appear on her lips at his words.

"You don't know him. Phoenix is unlike any man you've ever met before. If he wants me dead he'll find a way to kill me; and now that he has the ring he will be unstoppable."

"What is this ring you keep referring to?"

"Merlin's ring. It allows its wearer to control magic. It will not matter that Phoenix is a vampire. With the ring he will be unstoppable and now he has it."

"That was what was hidden in the tomb?"

Gia nodded.

"There must be something we can do to stop him."

"There is. The necklace of protection."

"Which is?"

"A silver necklace with a red stone in the middle. It protects its wearer from magic. Phoenix's magic will not work on you if you wear it but─ he has it too. It was the key to opening the tomb." Gia resigned.

"You mean this necklace?" Elijah reached to his pocket and picked the necklace from the inside giving it to Gia. Her eyes shone at the sight of it.

"How did you get it?" she asked amazed.

"Phoenix was holding it when he tried to kill you. I grabbed it right after I got a hold of you, before leaving the tomb."

Gia gave him an enthusiastic kiss without giving it a second thought.

"You are amazing." She told him. "Amazing. Now, we may actually have a chance."