Shadows

Chapter 14: Calamity

Bonnie lets her book bag slide onto the floor and lies back on her bed. She lifts up her right hand and stares at the beautiful, vibrant sunflower. She had never seen one so bright and so just, full of life! Where had Jeremy found it at this time of year? It was gorgeous.

She brings it up to her face, closes her eyes, and inhales the flower's sweet, fresh scent.

"Bonnie?"

Bonnie quickly sits up at the sound of her cousin's voice and she hastily hides the flower behind her back.

But it was too late.

"That's a pretty sunflower! Who gave it to you?" Lucy gives her a puzzled look.

Bonnie sighs, knowing she'd figure it out eventually; she was a witch after all.

Bringing her arm back around, she answers in a small voice, "Jeremy…"

Lucy's mouth opens in shock. "Bonnie! I don't know how to be clearer hun? Any romantic feelings between you two CAN NOT exist! Nothing can ever happen between you two—ever!"

Bonnie's voice quivers ever so slightly as she replies, "I know what you said! And I'm doing my best to stay away from—but I can't really control what he does or how he feels!"

Lucy roughly grabs Bonnie's arm and stands her up. Glaring intently into her eyes, she sternly says, "Well you must Bonnie! You must do whatever it takes to prevent him from falling in love with you…and you with him. Because if one of you falls in love with the other…. you will be doomed."

Bonnie, wincing slightly at her cousin's grasp, glares back and shouts, "How do you know this is even true? How are you so sure!"

Lucy shoots her an incredulous look. "Think about it Bonnie! Look at the lineage of Gilbert men! Look at Jeremy's own love life! He's cursed and I won't let you be cursed with him!"

She lets go of Bonnie's arm and callously snatches the flower from her hand and crushes it, scattering the petals onto the floor.

Seeing the pain in Bonnie's eyes, Lucy's face softens.

"I'm sorry Bonnie. I really am. I just want to prevent a catastrophe…"

Before walking out of the room, Lucy looks back at her cousin who was staring silently at the ground and reminds her, "Whatever it takes Bonnie."

As soon as Lucy's out of sight, Bonnie kneels down and begins to pick up every petal from the carpet. She feels a tear fall from her cheek and realizes she is crying. She holds back a sob and wipes her eyes angrily.

She won't permit herself to be weak.

She won't.

Bonnie lifts herself off the ground and walks over to her open window. She throws the petals out and watches as the wind takes them away…far away.

That's how Jeremy needed to be; far, far away.

Bonnie had to ensure he didn't fall for her and she would.

Whatever it takes, her cousin had said.

As the petals blow out of sight, Bonnie whispers, "Whatever it takes…."

"Can I open my eyes now?"

Damon chuckles. "Patience is a virtue dearest."

Elena swipes at him but misses by quite a few inches.

"Keep those eyes shut tight missy!" Damon repeats for the fiftieth time.

Elena pouts but clenches them tighter still. She crosses her arms to emphasize the fact that she is annoyed though, secretly inside, she's beaming with joy.

The past couple hours they had spent in the bar had been full of nothing but laughs, playful banter, stolen kisses and, well, she was having fun with Damon! Real, genuine fun!

Elena feels the car come to a stop and resists the urge to open her eyes.

She hears Damon open his door and, a second later, she hears the passenger door open.

"Keep them closed." Damon says quietly as he grabs her warm hand and helps her out of the car.

Elena feels a jolt of electricity as his cool touch and feels heat rush to her face.

When he lets go, she releases the breath she had been holding in and intakes a deep breath of air.

The air.

It smells fresh, yet salty.

She slightly parts her lips, wanting to taste the delicious air.

"What are you doing?" Damon whispers sensually in her ear.

Startled, Elena jumps. She hadn't felt him approach her.

Her body shivers as he wraps his hands around her waist and pulls her close to him.

She sighs feeling her body trembling.

He kisses the top of her head and covers her eyes with his palm while Elena feels his cool breath by her ear.

"Walk straight. I'll be right behind you, leading you."

Elena drowns out the many voices around her and cautiously begins walking forward.

"Don't worry," Damon whispers, "I won't let you run into anything, I won't even let you stumble."

Elena feels her body relax and walks with more confidence; more than anything, the feel of Damon so close comforts her.

They walk for several minutes, until Elena can no longer hear any voices.

She hears silence.

No, it's not silent.

She hears…crickets chirping, birds flapping their wings above and the rushing sound of water.

The ground becomes softer, her Converse sink into it.

The air around is cooler, windier.

Her hair blows around her face and her face becomes slightly misted.

"Damon? Where-?"

Damon smiles and they both come to a halt.

"Elena," Damon breathes into her ear, "Open your eyes…"

He removes his hand and Elena's dark eyes flutter open and immediately grow large in astonishment.

"Damon," Elena says in awe, "this is incredible!"

Damon follows her eyes to the gorgeous sunset in a dramatic sky of golds and purples. The wonderful arrays of colors reflect in the endless ocean and the sounds of calm ocean waves lapping against the shore was exhilarating yet soothing.

"It's like paradise…" Elena mutters.

Damon feels his heart jump seeing the peace in her expression.

"Why is there no one else here?" Elena says looking around. "It's Spring break and we're on a gorgeous beach!"

Damon smirks.

"This particular section of the beach is private property—there's a sign several feet away."

Elena raises her eyebrows.

"Private property! Are we allowed-?"

Damon gives her his wide trademark grin.

"I own this property. Used to come here a lot to think."

Elena is thoughtful for a moment and then bursts out laughing. She sits down on the warm sand pulling Damon down with her.

Damon smiles and holds Elena tenderly. She leans her head back into his chest and Damon feels a sudden chill clench around his heart; it was uncomfortable yet, at the same time, the most comfortable feeling he's ever felt.

Elena feels Damon tense and she tilts her head up.

She furrows her brows and, with concern in her voice, asks, "Damon? What are you thinking about?"

Damon clears his throat and croaks out, "Nothing, just admiring the surroundings. Just trying to enjoy this moment with you, as it may be the only one I ever get."

Elena, taken aback, sits up on her knees facing him.

"What do you mean?"

Damon huffs and rolls his eyes.

"I mean, what I said Elena. Do you really think I was so stupid to believe that this-you and I- would continue when we get back home?"

Elena's jaw drops and she stutters, "Damon? I-I never wanted t-to-"

Damon shakes his head and stares at the darkening sky.

"What Elena? You never wanted to hurt me? Don't worry. I'd be an idiot to feel hurt-to think that even for one second today you were thinking of me! You told me very clearly that it would always be him and I understand. He is someone worth loving—"

Tears well up in Elena's eyes. "How can you say that you aren't worth loving Damon?"

She reaches out her hand to caress his face but he turns away and stands up.

"Because I'm not HIM! I can NEVER be HIM!"

Elena doesn't wince at his shouts and merely stands up, clenching her fists tightly.

"I LOVED being with you all day Elena! I LOVE feeling you near me, feeling you so close to my body! But all of this—of this day—has been but a dream for me. As soon as we get back home, you'll rush to the arms of HIM and I'll be left watching on the sidelines again. I don't know how much more I can take Elena. It's KILLING me inside to know that this whole time, you've been thinking about HIM…"

Damon feels his eyes burn but he refuses to let the tears fall; he wouldn't show more weakness in front of Elena. He wouldn't show her how much it hurt him to have her so close…yet so far away.

Elena can feel the inner struggle Damon was feeling and the desire to comfort him was overwhelming her. Doing so would hurt him, but not doing it, would hurt her.

So Elena did what her heart told her to do.

Elena walks cautiously to Damon and holds out her hand to him.

He looks at her, his lips trembling, and he tenderly grabs her hand.

Elena gives him a small shaky smile as she rubs his palm.

"You can do many things Damon but there is one thing you can't do—"

Damon tilts his head confused.

Elena closes the space between them and jumps onto his chest.

Although surprised, Damon holds her firmly and curiously looks into Elena's dark mischievous eyes.

She hovers her lips over his and whispers, "You can't read minds."

And she kisses him.

Elena didn't know if this act would further complicate things or if she would regret it later but for now, it feels right.

She needs him to feel like she cares. She needs him to feel like he is the only one. Elena's kisses are fierce and passionate and Damon feels his head spinning.

Damon grabs her hand, stopping her, and shakes his head.

"No Elena, " he says roughly, "we can't. You love Stefan!" And he adds in a sad whisper, "Please don't do this to me…"

Elena, breathing heavily, sits up and stares at Damon in awe.

Her tears run down her face as she realizes just how strongly Damon loves her. To have her so close and then push her away for her sake!

She places her hands on either side of her face and, with her tears streaming down, she says, "I don't want to hurt you anymore Damon—but I can't be without you! I'm the one who doesn't deserve you to love me so much!"

Damon's blue eyes water as he stares into the eyes of the woman he has always loved.

"Damon," Elena says in a shaky whisper, "I lo—"

KABOOM!

A sudden explosion startles Elena and she jumps back slightly.

The fireworks illuminate the sky above and Elena tilts her head up to see the wonderful display of colors fall.

Damon feels his heart tighten as he gazes at Elena; her beauty is impeccable. Her eyes shine in wonder and her lips curl in a small smile of satisfaction.

Damon shakes his head, angry with himself for thinking that she—well it didn't matter anymore.

He turns around and begins making his way across the sand.

"It's getting dark," he mutters, "We better get you home."

Elena sadly looks at Damon's retreating back, and runs up next to him.

She reaches for his hand but he pulls away, avoiding her glance.

Elena blinks back tears, knowing she deserves his indifference, and silently follows him.

Tyler pulls on his earlobe, a nervous habit he had developed when he was toddler, as two vampires scrutinize his every move. One mistake and his charade would be discovered.

He glances at his watch—8:02 pm.

"In a hurry Tyler?"

Tyler's knees shake as he shakes his head. "No, of course not! It's um, just been a long day."

Stefan narrows his eyes. "Yeah, I bet."

Caroline places a hand on Stefan's shoulder, gives him a relaxed smile and calmly says, "You promised to not get angry."

Stefan replies, without taking his glare off Tyler, "I'm just waiting for HIM to explode on me the same way he did on you! You didn't deserve that treatment!"

Caroline grabs Stefan's right hand, which was clenched in a fist, and squeezes it gently. "His anger was completely justified. I lied to him, we all did. And a relationship built on lies leads to destruction."

She turns to look at Tyler but he quickly averts his gaze.

Stefan lets out a loud sigh and squeezes her hand back.

Tyler doesn't miss the small smile they exchange and he feels his stomach turn.

In a tense voice he says, "Look, Stefan, I apologized to Caroline earlier. And you are completely right, nothing justifies the way I treated her. But I feel, like I deserve some answers here."

Stefan wrings his hands and glances at Caroline who is staring intently at Tyler.

"You can both trust me. I don't know anyone else like me and there's no one else I can talk to about what I am. If you keep my secret, I'll keep yours."

Stefan straightens up and extends his right hand. "No lies? No secrets?"

Tyler, feeling completely disgusted with himself, shakes Stefan's hand. "Like Caroline said, a relationship built on lies only leads to destruction."

Stefan, though still cautious, nods his head in agreement.

As they let go, Tyler makes the terrible mistake of looking over at Caroline.

He regrets meeting her eyes the second he does so.

Those bright, vivid grey-blue eyes looked at him in a way he has never been looked at before—they seemed comprehensive.

But Caroline didn't understand anything about what he was going through. If she did, those beautiful eyes would be reflecting a completely different emotion—pure hate.

Tyler wasn't stupid. He knew that Klaus wanted information about the vamps because he was planning to hurt them, perhaps even kill them.

And Tyler didn't care. He would be normal again and he would never again suffer that gruesome transformation.

No, he didn't care at all.

But looking at Caroline, his heart wanted to scream something different. His heart wanted to yell that he would care and that he didn't want any harm to come to Caroline; that he would protect her.

Tyler shakes his head.

Stefan looks at him curiously.

"Sorry, headache."

Stefan raises his eyebrows but presses no further.

"So," the demon in angel form said in her sweet deceiving voice, "What exactly do you want to know Tyler?"

Tyler looks up at the pair stiffly sitting on the leather sofa directly across from him.

"Everything. I want to know everything."

A tall dark- haired man kneels behind a Dodge Ram and answers his vibrating phone.

"They are headed your way Josef. Yes, it's just the two of them, no sister in sight. My part is finished; I will not be involved in whatever else happens. Yes, agreed."

The man shuts the phone with a loud snap and disappears.

His job is done.

The pair had no idea what was in store for them.

Elena shivers as she pulls her shawl tighter around her shoulders. She looks around at the darkness, the only light being emitted by the bright moon, in hope that he will be around in the trees.

Her ankles tremble violently as another gust of wind blows around the bottom of her skirt.

"Blasted dress! Oh how I wish sometimes that I were a man!"

She is suddenly grabbed from behind and moist lips graze along the nape of her neck.

"Mmm, no! I would suffer terribly if you were a man since I do so love your womanly self."

"Damon," she says smiling. "Well, I would get to wear men's trousers and wouldn't get so chilled!"

"When we get married and have our own little house," he murmurs in her ear, "you can run around in my trousers whenever you like."

Elena lets out a small giggle as Damon's hands tickle her back.

"Your beauty…it's overwhelming Elena! It captivates me every time. I can't contain myself around you! I love you my sweet darling!"

Elena's body shivers in Damon's arms as he tenderly lies her down on the quilt.

"Relax my love," he murmurs into her lips, "Let my kisses rid your cold and let my love fill you up with warmth."

And soon, Elena is cold no more.

Damon holds a content Elena close to his body as they rest on the quilt.

He plays with a strand of her hair as she nuzzles into his warm chest.

"I always want to be like this Damon, I always want to feel you close."

Damon's heart sinks and he struggles to hold back his tears.

Elena feels Damon tense up and she leans up on her elbows to look at him.

She gasps to see tears welling up in his eyes.

"Damon! Oh Damon what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, of course!"

Elena softly caresses his face.

"Damon…?"

Damon clears his throat and places his hand over Elena's on his cheek.

"Elena, there's something I need to tell you. It's not easy to say…"

Elena feels her own eyes welling up with tears.

"You're scaring me Damon," she says in a quivering voice, "Are you leaving me?"

"Yes…"

Elena gasps and Damon quickly realizes his error.

"No! Yes, but no! Just, let me explain my sweet."

Damon, looking straight into her eyes, tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and sighs.

"My squadron is leaving for battle tomorrow and there is no way to get out of it, especially since I'm trying to rise in rank to assure your father's approval."

Elena's lower lips trembles.

"Tomorrow?"

Damon nods sadly, rubbing her shoulders.

"When will you come back?"

Damon kisses her tears on her cheeks and says, sighing, "I'm not sure. You can never be sure with war. But I will come back Elena. I'll come back and marry you."

Elena heaves a sob and Damon wraps his arms around her small, delicate body.

"I don't want to be away from you Damon! I don't know how I'll survive."

Blinking back tears, Damon replies, "Oh darling, it absolutely kills me that we have to separate! But it's only temporary my love! I'll always come back to you as long as you are waiting for me!"

"Always Damon! I'll always be waiting for you!"

Damon rests his head on her warm shoulder and whispers, "As will I. I'll wait for you forever Elena."

Elena wakes up with a loud gasp and finds herself in a warm, citrus smelling car.

"You okay?"

Elena rubs her forehead as she turns to face the driver's seat. Damon's own brow was wrinkled as he looks at her full of concern.

"Yeah, um, just another memory."

Damon nods in understanding.

"Any important information?"

Elena blushes remembering how much she and Damon had loved each other.

"Um, nope. Just one of my normal daily life."

Damon gives her a questioning look but doesn't press the subject any further.

After a few minutes of silence and stolen glances between the two, Damon says, "I'm sorry—about earlier—I had no right to yell at you like that."

Elena extends her hand to place it over his but he quickly moves it away and she sighs.

"You don't need to apologize. I'm the one who is always making things more complicated between us."

Damon can't stand to hear the pain in her voice; can't stand knowing that he, in large part, is causing so much conflict in her.

"Reach into my coat pocket…"

Elena is shaken out of her thoughts and looks at him.

Damon gives her a humorous smile. "Go on! I swear it's nothing painful."

Elena rolls her eyes and reaches into the pocket of his black leather jacket.

She gasps as she pulls out the wonderful gift; a glimmering blue, red and purple shell.

"Wow! It's the most perfect shell I've ever seen!"

Damon beams at her joy and emotion, once again, rises in his throat. "I'm glad you like it. I found it for you."

Elena looks up at Damon through her long, wet eyelashes and gives him a wide smile.

"Damon, thank—"

And then, it all happened so fast.

One second, Elena and Damon were sharing a cute, intimate moment and the next—Damon was yelling and shielding Elena with his body.

Something heavy and with great force had hit the back of the mustang with such impact, that they spiraled in circles several times before Damon grabbed Elena and jumped out.

Elena barely had time to stuff the shell in her messenger bag before being hauled out of the vehicle.

Damon holds her close as they stand in the middle of the deserted road as he strains his ears to hear the nearby danger.

"Is it a vampire?" Elena whispers fearfully.

Damon nods, "Or vampires. Stay close behind me."

Elena clutches tightly to his waist as Damon's eyes search the perimeter.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Damon yells. "WHO ARE YOU?"

A shot is fired from behind the trees and grazes Damon in the arm. Damon lets out an animalistic growl and bares his fangs.

"I WONT LET YOU TAKE HER!"

Elena yells as another shot is fired and the wooden bullet hits Damon square in the knee.

"STAY BACK ELENA!" Damon growls. Elena steps back a couple feet from Damon, her arms shaking.

"SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD!" Damon roars menacingly.

And, as if on cue, five men surround the pair completely encircling them. All of them vampires and all of them staring at Elena hungrily.

Damon crouches in a pose ready to fight and eyes his rivals. He's taken more but perhaps, none as strong. But they won't touch Elena. He'd make sure of that, even if he died trying.

"NO ONE LAYS A HAND ON THE GIRL!"

The vampires scoff and erupt in laughter invoking cold fear in Elena.

Damon rushes to the nearest demon and, taking him by surprise, rips his heart straight out of his chest. He grabs the vampires' gun and throws it to Elena.

She catches it and holds it straight out in front of her, her arms slightly shaking.

Furious at the loss of one number, three of the vampires gang up on Damon piercing his body with sharp wooden stakes.

Damon wrestles one of the stakes from the shorter, redhead and stabs it straight into the heart.

The other two are slightly awed at the skill of the young vampire—but not enough to spare him.

Over on the other side of the road, Josef approaches Elena with an amused grin.

"Stay away from me! I have a gun!"

Josef lets out a loud, deep bellow.

"You don't really think that little gun could harm me do you?" He tells her mockingly.

"One more step and I will shoot!"

Elena gulps but holds the gun steady in front of her.

Josef takes one more dramatic step and Elena fires.

He doesn't even flinch as he continues walking towards her.

She fires twice more and the gun is out of bullets.

Josef grins and Elena does the only thing she can do—she throws the gun at his face as hard as she can and runs.

Damon grins as he stabs the last of the three vampires straight through the heart.

"I totally still got it." He says to himself proudly.

A loud screech brings him back to reality.

"Elena…"

He turns around and sees a sandy-blonde haired man advancing on Elena—the gun shattered on the road.

Damon picks up two of the dead bodies and chucks them at the back of Josef's head.

He turns around furious and Damon growls at him, both of their eyes glowing red.

Josef pounds Damon in the abdomen with a loud thud causing Elena to wince.

Elena watches the two vampires' wrestle, feeling completely and utterly useless.

She has faith that Damon can win…Damon is strong enough.

But this vampire is different than the others—he's powerful. He has powers that Damon has probably never even heard of before.

Damon feels himself getting weaker and weaker with each blow to his face and stomach.

He feels a sickening crush in his skull and Damon falls to his knees.

Elena lets out an ear-splitting yell and she rushes to him.

Josef pushes her before she can get to Damon and she falls painfully on her back.

Josef towers over her and laughs.

"No mere vampire can match the skills of an Original!"

Damon manages to speed over to Elena and hovers in between Elena and the Original.

His breathing comes out in short shallow gasps and blood protrudes from his various wounds.

Elena's tears spill onto the pavement as she leans up on her elbows to touch his face.

Damon holds her close in his arms and sighs, preparing to meet his fate at Josef raises the stake above him.

Elena shakes her head gasping.

"No! Don't kill him! Please! I'll go with you wherever you want—just don't kill him!"

Josef grins.

"Sorry My Queen, but I've been waiting many lifetimes for this moment!"

And time slows down.

As Josef lowers the stake, Damon caresses Elena's face with a bloody hand and Elena shakes her head in disbelief.

This can't be the end.

Damon can't leave her just when they had been reunited.

He can't leave without knowing…

"I love you Damon."

Tears fall from Damon's blue eyes and Elena lets out a heart-wrenching sob.

The tip of the stake touches Damon's back and then….

Nothing.

Josef lets out a yelp and collapses onto the ground, a stake pierced through his back.

Elena blinks several times in disbelief. Damon is lifted off her by a pair of strong arms and Elena gasps at her rescuers.

"Nikolina! Rose!"

Nikolina grimaces as she helps her sister up.

"I couldn't stay away—I never have been able to."

Elena weeps in her arms but quickly looks around. "Damon!"

"Don't worry," Nikolina says soothingly, "Rose is taking him to the car. We'll take you both home. Now, rest…everything will be alright…"

Nikolina picks her up as if Elena were as swift as a feather and heads to the vehicle.

Once she's settled in and buckled, Elena spots Damon sitting next to her and she rests her head on his shoulders.

"I love you…" She whispers once more before falling into a deep slumber.

Elena slowly walks out of the bathroom feeling unnaturally faint and queasy.

As she makes her way toward her bed, there is a light knock on her door before it opens and Nana shuffles in, her arms full.

"I brought you fresh sheets Missus Elena, just as you had requested." Nana suddenly notices Elena sitting quietly on the edge of her bed and immediately becomes concerned.

She rushes to her and places a hand on her clammy forehead.

"You look awfully pale my deary. Should I call upon the doctor?"

Elena gives Nana a weak, reassuring smile and grabs a sheet to wipe the sweat from her brow.

"I've just been feeling slightly under the weather; I'm certain it's nothing to be concerned about."

Nana wrinkles her forehead and slightly narrows her eyes at Elena.

"Missus…I had thought you requested the sheets due to your flow?"

Elena shakes her head, her brow furrowing. "Oh no, although, I believe I'm overdue for it's visit…"

Nana gasps and places a trembling hand over her chest. "Oh my sweet girl! Heaven forbid you be expecting!"

Elena looks up at the elder woman baffled and asks, "Expecting? Expecting what?'

Nana grasps one of Elena's small, delicate hands and squeezes it gently.

"Is it possible, my girl, that you are with child?"

Elena mouth drops open and, in shock, replies, "Me? With child? No! I mean, it's not entirely impossible, but I can't be! I just can't! Can you imagine what my father would say? Oh Nana! Pray, it simply cannot be!"

Nana strokes Elena's long, dark locks and attempts to calm her down. "Hush now my girl. It wasn't my intention to alarm you. You might just simply be late this month. Now, attempt to get some rest. You're going to need it."

Nana gives Elena a small peck on the cheek before exiting the room.

Elena lets out a deep breath and takes off her white, satin robe, placing it over her armchair.

As she walks around her bed to close her bedroom window, she pauses in front of her dresser mirror.

She stares curiously at her reflection and, after looking around to make sure no one had snuck into her room, lifts up her the skirt of her flowing, white nightgown.

Staring at her flat abdomen, Elena wonders if soon it would begin to bulge.

She laughs silently to herself and lets go of her nightgown, letting it flow over her again.

Elena walks over to the window, and before shutting it, looks out into the stars. She misses him. Damon. He had gone off to battle and Elena misses him sorely. Sometimes, she has the greatest desire to just join Damon on his horse and ride off together into the sunset, leaving the pressures of this social life, and living happily ever after with the love of her life. But, Elena could never do that. She could never abandon her family and break her father's heart the same way her mother's death had. She loves her sisters too much to leave them. Especially Kat. They always had the closest bond and even though lately Kat had distanced herself, Elena would still do anything for her. She would die for her sister…her best friend.

Elena sighs loudly and places her hands over her belly.

"If you are in there little one, I want you to be aware that your mommy already adores you. My heart is already bursting with love for you and, if you are in there, I can't wait to hold you in my arms. You will be so loved by your father and I! Oh your father!"

Elena's eyes water as she looks out into the night sky that was glowing orange from the fire in the faraway distance. She hastily shuts the window but it only barely drowns the sounds of cannon and gunshot fire.

Her tears soon cloud her vision and she presses her face to the window, leaving wet smears.

"Your father can't be with us now and he might not be with us for a very long time. He's fighting a war, a horrible and brutal war…but something tells me…that there's an even greater and more dangerous war ahead."

Elena's voice drops down to a whisper and she throatily mumbles, "Don't fret though, my baby. One day, all three of us will be together and we will live…happily ever after…"