Chapter 14
Elijah opened the door to Dahlia's room silently. Everything seemed to be in order. She was sleeping and the window was closed. She had been very confused about what happened. Elijah had managed to get her eat a little. She had been tired and just wanted to sleep. Elijah closed the door.
"You are sure it was a spell?" he asked.
Cole nodded.
"Some kind of summoning spell would be my guess."
"So you think this person will try again?"
"Yes, this definitely wasn't a work of an amateur."
"Can you stop it?"
"Probably but wouldn't it be better to find out who this person is?"
"What are you suggesting?" Elijah asked.
"A trap", Cole said simply.
"And you want to use her as bait?"
"She wouldn't be in any danger", Cole said quickly. "You and I can make sure of that."
"I don't know…"
"Trust me Elijah, its better if we find that person. That way we can keep your girl safe."
Elijah was about to say that she wasn't his girl but changed his mind. He wanted her to be his. Why couldn't she be? He would definitely kill anyone who would even try to hurt her.
"Alright, we'll find that person."
Cole nodded.
"I'll make some preparations. Just in case."
...
"Dahlia… Hear me… I'm going to help you…"
"What do you want me to do?"
"You must come to me… Right now…"
Dahlia got up and opened the window. She jumped without hesitation. But she didn't just fall, she floated to the ground lightly as a feather. She walked through the garden determinedly. It was dark. Finally she saw a man.
"Dahlia", he said. "I'm going to get you away from here."
"And where are you taking her?" someone asked.
The man turned and saw Elijah and Cole. He stepped in front of Dahlia.
"How much do you want?" he asked tensely.
"She's not for sale", Elijah replied coldly.
The man hesitated.
"There must be something you want in exchange for her freedom."
Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"Freedom? That is a strange choice of words since you are going to sell her to Brady."
"What? I don't know any Brady."
Elijah looked at him. He was maybe in his late twenties; he had light brown hair and brown eyes.
"Who are you?" Elijah asked.
"I'm her brother and I'm not leaving here without her", he stated.
"Castor?"
"Yes", he said surprised.
Elijah turned his head to Dahlia. She was in same kind of trance than before. She just stood there staring in front of her.
"What did you do to her?"
Castor looked confused.
"Nothing."
He turned to Dahlia and snapped his fingers. Dahlia blinked her eyes.
"Cas?" she said insecurely.
"Hi sis."
"Cas!"
Dahlia hugged him tightly.
"But how…"
"I got your message", Castor said. "I know this is probably too little too late but I had to do something."
"It's so good to see you", Dahlia said smiling.
"You too sis."
"So you are here to rescue her?" Elijah asked calmly.
Castor turned back to him.
"Yes. Just name your price."
"She's not my prisoner. I want to protect her."
"Protect her?" Castor repeated disbelievingly.
"It's true Cas", Dahlia said. "He had been very… kind to me. He's not like father."
Castor looked guilty.
"What I did… I know I can never make that up to you but…"
"It doesn't matter", Dahlia interrupted him gently. "You are here now and that means a lot to me."
"So you are a warlock?" Cole said suddenly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Yes", Castor replied calmly.
Dahlia's eyes widened.
"You are?"
"You never knew this sis, but our mother was a witch."
"What? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Castor sighed.
"Well, Alec and Fenton didn't know. I'm not sure about dad but he certainly never talked about it."
"How do you know then?"
"Mother told me some things before she died. At first I thought she was just… well, insane but after I left I met some very interesting people and it turned out that mother was telling the truth."
"Do you know what your sister is?" Elijah asked.
Castor scowled him.
"She's my little sister and I'll look after her for now on."
"She stays here."
"I don't think so. She's coming with me."
"Do you honestly think you can protect her?"
"Yes I can. Come on Dahlia."
Elijah took a step toward him.
"She's not going anywhere."
Castor looked at him angrily.
"She's my sister. Find yourself some other plaything."
"She's not a plaything", Elijah said coldly.
"Oh right, you're just helping her out of the goodness of your heart. But as filthy as she might be, it's my responsibility to help her so we're leaving."
"Filthy?"
Castor rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean. But it's ok sis, I'm not judging you, that's just what you are. Like mother like daughter."
Dahlia looked shocked.
"I thought… I thought you care about me."
"Sure I care and I don't approve what father did to you but he wasn't wrong you know. Just look at yourself, now you are some vampires whore."
Elijah grabbed his throat and lifted him up.
"Don't you dare talk to her like that!"
"Please stop", Dahlia said. There were tears in her eyes.
Elijah let him go reluctantly. Dahlia moved next to Elijah.
"I will stay here", she said quietly.
Castor looked at her disbelievingly.
"You ungrateful little… Fine, be his whore then but don't expect any help from me ever again."
He turned around and walked away. Elijah touched Dahlia's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded.
"I think I'll go to my room now. Good night."
She went back inside as fast as she could.
"Unbelievable…" Cole murmured. "So that was the nice brother?"
Elijah couldn't say anything. He was furious.
"You should go to her", Cole said.
"I don't want to intrude…"
"Trust me, just go."
Elijah went inside and headed upstairs. He knocked Dahlia's door.
"Come in", she said sounding surprisingly calm.
She was lying on the bed. Elijah approached her cautiously. He didn't know what to say. She didn't say anything either. He lied down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes and pressed her head to his chest. In that moment neither of them needed words.