I just realized we've reached over 100,000 words! And so many followers and favorites. Thank you so much to all of you. All the comments and reads. I really do appreciate it.
I didn't mean for this chapter to take so long. But our family is planning to move to another country by the end of the year, so things are a little hectic right now. That, coupled along with some personal issues. Well. It may have caused a little writer's block.
I promise to try and update as fast as I can, with as good quality as I could. I love you all~!
At least one of them was having fun, Aly mused as she watched Caroline and Matt together. She huffed back to her stool chair, trying to keep her pout at bay. God. No doubt the hostess roped him into this little party. It didn't help that nobody outside of four people in the bar even knew of his true nature.
To everyone else, Elijah was simply a charming young man with hair stolen from a 90's magazine.
He'd occasionally flip the fringe when it caught unto his eyes, the soft hair acting incredibly floppy. He would lean a little too casually onto his chair and smile along with Carol's shenanigans. (His suit looked tight, and it was missing a tie with the collar all open, not that Aly was paying attention) Unlike Damon and Alaric, he looked too relaxed up on the stage. Too normal. Like he couldn't rip them all to shreds if he wanted to.
Didn't he have anything better to do than Carol's little bachelor games? What could he possibly gain from attending? There was no reason why he should be there.
"Careful," Katherine whispered from right next to her, "You might kill Carol with your witch-stare."
"Shut up," Aly kicked her evil-twin from under the table. "What are you even doing here?"
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you." Katherine smirked from her seat, raising a brow. "Are you sad that Elijah's attention is elsewhere?"
Aly gaped, her cheeks instantly flaming up. She didn't dare look back towards the stage, knowing that said Original heard everything.
"Is that why you're here?" Aly threw back, "Want someone to pay attention to you?"
It was weird to think that after a couple of days of eating together brought them closer. Katherine had this talent of always getting some sort of rise from her, she knew exactly what to say to get on Aly's nerves, and she always did it in a weird 'ha-ha fuck you' way.
Yet, Aly grew comfortable with her. It was like having a re-wired version of Elena.
Katherine huffed, rolling her eyes. "Please. If I want attention I'll get it." She languidly drank her drink, "You can even ask the boys on the stage."
Aly still refused to look, "I'm pretty sure Damon wants to throw you off a cliff. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't already." She really wasn't, Katherine was 400 years his senior. If Katherine wanted Damon dead, he'd be dead. "And what do you mean by that?"
"By what?" Katherine asked innocently.
"You know what."
"I really don't."
Aly huffed loudly. "You know being a bitch isn't a personality trait."
Katherine sighed like she was an irritating bug she can't swat away. "Then why do you keep acting like one?"
"Girls!" Caroline's loud exclamation brought her two very similar-looking glares. Matt shot them a look, feeling unnerved. "This is supposed to be a fun experience."
"We're having fun," Aly crossed her arms. Both of her cheeks still stained red.
"Speak for yourself," Katherine muttered, swirling the pick on her drink. But something(one) inevitably caught her eye, and she stood up with a sultry smile."Hold that thought."
The trio watched as Katherine sat and began to talk to one of the bars' attendants. "I don't know how you can stand her," Caroline said, disbelief evident on her face. "She's so…"
"She's… different," Aly agreed, calming down a little. Though she knew that the older doppelgänger was only teasing her. "Must be some nurture thing," she muttered mostly to herself, sucking up from her straw.
"You mean that she wasn't raised with the rest of you?" Caroline blurted out, "I mean not that that's bad- but it is kinda sad if you think about it."
"Caroline," Matt called loudly, shooting his girlfriend a look.
Aly shrugged and waved it off, "God, I can't even imagine growing up with her." She pursed her lips and entertained the thought, once again looking towards Katherine's direction.
Or Katerina, as Elijah told her. A peasant girl who lost everything and took everything in return. She broke both Stefan and Damon's hearts and turned them into what they were now. But once upon a time, she was no different from Elena or Aly.
"I mean isn't it weird that she suddenly popped up especially just after your parents died?" Caroline pushed on, "Have you even met her mom? Who is technically your real mom?"
That earned her another look from Matt, but Aly knew that Caroline's meant well. Her intuition was right, Katherine's sudden appearance was too coincidental. Aly had been Caroline's friend long enough to know that she was only worried about how Katherine fit in with their family, and how that news bode to Aly.
"My real mom will always be Miranda Gilbert," Aly said firmly. "That's never going to change."
"Do you want to meet her? I mean you could ask Katherine if you wanted to." Caroline stated, "I'm sure Elena's already dying to find out more about her."
Aly shook her head, "I'm not really interested in the woman who left me and my sister." She said honestly, though she couldn't say the same for her actual sister. "She didn't have to hide away after she left us. Besides, Katherine seemed to turn out fine, so I guess I'll just believe that she's a somewhat decent person."
"That's really mature of you," Matt said appreciatively, looking at her in a new light.
There were so many other things to worry about that her birth parents had been the least of her concerns. But she was still honest with her statement; if Katherine and Isobel were in cahoots with each other, then maybe her bio mom wasn't that bad.
Isobel was only a teenager when she had them, Aly can't hold that against her. If she wasn't ready for a child back then, then she certainly wasn't ready for two.
"Well, maybe she could only raise one accident baby," Caroline said tactlessly, Aly laughed at the comment.
"Caroline."
"Oh come on," Aly rolled her eyes, "It's not like she's wrong."
Technically, Isobel didn't even raise any of them.
"Besides, I'd rather joke than cry about it. We'll never really get an answer unless Isobel comes here herself."
"Do you want her to?" Matt asked, looking concerned for her for the first time.
"Isobel knows where we are. I'm not against meeting her, but I think I can live with myself without ever knowing her. She's just-" Aly trailed off, thinking hard. "I don't really have anything to lose if she does show up, do you know what I mean?"
Aly sucked on her straw one again. Caroline's face turned somber, "Yeah. As you said, you already had Miranda."
"I miss her," Aly admitted softly.
"I'm sure she knows that," Matt said consolingly.
Carol's shrill laughter echoed through her microphone, piercing Aly's ears and making her wince. Their attention snapped back to the bachelor auction. The reason for her joy became imminent when Elijah stood up, the number written down on his waist was written on the piece of paper in Carol's hand.
Husband be damned, apparently, Aly thought, rolling her eyes. Carol was the date of the newest handsome bachelor in town.
~ soulmark ~
It was their first band practice that year.
Everything between her and Jamie was tense and awkward. The boy practically refused to meet her eyes, giving her the bare minimum of small talk, and whenever Jenny would try to engage them both in conversation, he'd instantly focus on something else. Talk about subtlety.
Aly understood that he was freaked out, but it made her feel glad that he had no idea of what actually happened. However, it was beginning to put a bad stint on their usually fun meetings, and after the third failed song, she pulled him aside.
"Will you relax?"
"I'm sorry that my mind keeps on thinking there's somebody outside the door," Jamie snapped, jerking his head outside. "I can't play, okay? I'm too jittery."
Aly bit her bottom lip, eyes going downcast. "I'm sorry," She stammered, "I didn't want any of that to happen, Jamie."
"Well, it did."
"Everything alright there?" Nick called from inside the studio. Aly looked away, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.
"All good." Jamie pulled them both inside, shooting Aly a look that said 'quiet'. "Ready whenever you all are."
Their band continued to push on despite Jamie's obvious antagonistic behavior towards Aly. Though his ill behavior was already excused in Aly's mind. She kept on giving him glances as she sang, wondering just how deep his trauma actually laid.
After a couple of more songs, Aly called over him again, jogging forward when he rushed out of the house.
"Jamie, wait!"
"What now?" He snapped.
"We can talk about what happened," Aly placed a hand on his arm, which he promptly shrugged off. "I'm really sorry about what he did to you, Jamie. But if you need someone to talk to, or if this is bothering you more than it should-"
"Then you'll what?" He blurted out, "What will you do? It's not like you can make me forget about what happened."
Something sour formed its way to the back of her throat. She coughed it out and looked away. "He got me too, you know." She said quietly, "After whatever he did to you, he got me and… hurt me."
It was an umbrella term for 'he drank my blood then tried to kill me'.
"The only reason why he didn't get to hurt me more is because someone killed him, right in front of me. And that's another dose of crazy." Aly sighed and wondered if coming to the practice was a mistake. "It's fucked up, I know. And he never should have gotten you in the first place. But it's good to have someone to talk about it if you need it, Jamie. Especially if he's still… hurting you somehow."
"He didn't hurt me." He said after a moment of silence. "If it wasn't for his monologue about you then I would have thought that locking me in a cellar was a prank. I didn't know he got you too. You didn't tell me that."
"Listen," Aly pursed her lips, "My life right now is pretty dangerous, okay? I can't tell you more than that because it might just get you in more trouble. And if me being here doesn't make you feel safe then-"
"Don't." Jamie shook his head, "That's not it, Al." He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I do have someone to talk to now. My parents took me seriously and got me a therapist. But you're right, I don't like being near you anymore."
Aly looked down to hide the sudden swell of her eyes. "Right."
"But you can still stay here, you know. Sing. I know how much you love it." Jamie continued on casually, "I'm a senior anyway, I won't be here in a couple of months because of college- I'd be far away from whatever else is going on in your life, so you don't have to worry about it."
They both fell silent, with Aly staring awkwardly at the grass and pretending she didn't feel hurt by his words. "Right."
"A little word of advice, though?" Jamie prompted Aly to look at him. "I think you seriously need to sort your life all out before someone actually gets hurt."
"Right." Aly cleared her throat, readjusting her guitar strap. "Well, I'm doing my best to make sure that doesn't happen."
Was she? Mason's body and Tyler's distraught expression flashed through her mind and she grimly watched Jamie's figure go smaller and smaller as he walked away.
"Are you two okay?" Sarah's voice came up behind her, "I wasn't listening in, but you two don't look so good."
Aly gave her a small smile, "I don't think we are."
"If this is about the dance, I'm sure he'll get over it."
Sarah and Aly walked together on their way home. Their arms were linked together as they listened to Sarah's track. Aly forced herself to glide lightly to the beat, pulling Sarah along with her and making the girl laugh. The sound drove away the cloud brewing in Aly's mind.
"Have you listened to Florence?" Sarah asked.
"Hell yeah," Aly nodded."Got any more tracks I could listen to?"
"I have a couple more I think you might like," Sarah supplied, "I can send it over once I get a cd together."
Despite what the mismatched color of her hair would suggest, Sarah was actually soft-spoken. She had a calming effect on everyone, especially on the usually anxious Aly. She was beautiful, and oftentimes Aly wondered why boys didn't pay that much attention to her, with her light-lipped smile and green eyes.
"I actually have a couple of songs I think you'd like, too," said Aly, almost shyly. "I can give them to you if you want."
Aly should plan a girls' night with Caroline, Sarah, and Jenny together. That certainly would be interesting, maybe even invite Nick for the laughs. She's been hanging out more with the latter two more than their 'original' friend group.
Caroline had stopped prying after a lengthy conversation with her, but Aly knew that it bothered the blonde. It was like 8th Grade all over again, except this time, Aly had gone all alone and quietly.
By now, Aly was more hurt over the fact that Elena hadn't really talked to her about it, neither did she seem as bothered. Aly understood that the two were supposedly best friends, but it sucked when your own sister turned a blind eye.
What Aly didn't really understand was why it mattered so much that she was a siphoner.
"Come on," Sarah pulled her to her feet, dragging her along to one of the skating parks in Mystic Falls.
"Oh I don't know about that," Aly laughed nervously, eyeing the skater kids.
Sarah laughed back, "Not that!" She said cheerily, "Over here-" she let go of her hand, running towards one of the giant climbing bars, "Race you to the top!"
"Wait!" Aly shrugged off her bag and let her guitar fall down to the ground with a thud.
"Whoever loses caters the next meeting!"
Luckily for her and unluckily for Sarah, Aly was reasonably athletic. Double sports usually did that to you, especially when you have captains like Caroline and Maggie. Aly heaved as she ran, stretching her legs as far as she could. It didn't take long for her to catch up with the girl, and she laughed vigorously as she vaulted herself upward.
"God- fuck." Aly panted, feeling light-headed for the effort. She leaned her head to one of the bars. "You owe us all."
"I didn't expect you to go that fast," Sarah grumbled, sitting on the bar a couple of feet down from her.
"I don't like losing, babe." Aly grinned, "I prefer the winning side of things."
"Are you alright?" Sarah frowned, watching as Aly continued to breathe in the air harshly.
"Fine," The brunette waved it off, hair flying off her headband due to the wind. "I like it up here."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She nodded, "I've always liked being up from the ground. Feeling the air, liking the sky, you know."
"Is that why you have that necklace?" Sarah shot a pointed look towards the gold dangling on her neck, her little compass star, prompting Aly's hand to shoot towards it.
She blushed lightly, remembering who she got it from and why. "Erm- yeah, totally." She said, "You should see my room, I have glitters and stars all over my ceiling." Aly laughed at herself.
"Really? That's kinda cute." Sarah commented.
Aly thought it was whimsical. "Sure."
They stayed there for a while, talking about everything and nothing. Aly found out that Sarah learned how to play the piano after watching a Broadway musical when she was younger, while Aly told her she learned because the Gilbert's had prompted (forced) all their children to learn an instrument. Both Aly and Jeremy chose the guitar, while Elena chose the piano.
Aly joked that she once thought of playing the harp, but she attended a lesson only once before she quit halfway.
It wasn't until dark where they lowered themselves back down. Aly lightly pushed Sarah away when she teased her about leaving her things on the ground.
"It's not like anyone would take it," she grumbled, leaning onto her guitar to lightly catch her breath again. Perhaps running around exhausted her more than she thought. "Come on, let's go before the lights go completely out."
~ soulmark ~
She's in the hospital. Anemia. Under blood transfusion.
Zach Salvatore passed by.
~ KP.
Why?
Doctors said he usually does whenever she's here.
Keep him there.
Kitty kat dragged ur Alyssandra to the hospital. She looks
pale. She needs ur blood 2 heal
~Ruby M.
I'll be there.
"As of now, the moonstone is under Damon Salvatore's hands." Elijah glanced towards Jonas, shooting him a pointed look, "I've spotted a few wolves running around the last full moon upon Mason Lockwood's death. No doubt that the werewolves will do whatever they can to retrieve it. Get it from him immediately."
"I'll tell Luka," Jonas told him, "He's gotten into their little circle of friends and they're beginning to trust him."
"I'll deal with the older Salvatore," said Sheila, shooting Jonas a glare. She knew he meant his son's relationship with her granddaughter. "He's been getting on my last nerve lately. Leave Bonnie out of this."
"What of the vampires?" Pearl asked, "They're getting restless. The Sun and Moon curse will offer them all the freedom they dreamed of and they want it broken. The werewolves are an obvious barrier to that wish."
"Keep them on watch," Elijah advised, "Tell them to not initiate no matter what." He knew it was futile, younger vampires acted purely on impulse.
But that was what he was counting on. Drawing attention to the 'Sun and Moon curse' in Mystic Falls, the very town it originated from, would no doubt lure his brother towards them without drawing up the fact that the doppelgänger(s) was back or that he was there. The idea was to give them enough time to catch and see what Klaus would do next.
It won't be immediate, as the 'curse war' could look like nothing more but a passing whim between the two species but it would be enough to keep his brother's eyes peeled.
Klaus had plans underneath his plans, and the only way to go properly against him was to do the same. But first, Elijah had to make sure Klaus got in the game under his terms.
There was too much at stake.
"Are you sure that is wise?" Pearl frowned, "You know how they're like. Mystic Falls would turn into a battleground once knowledge about the other species' existence is made known. What of your mate and her friends?"
The table fell silent, and Pearl immediately backed off upon the mention of Alyssandra. For the sake of everything, he decided to ignore the rush of possessive anger at the mere mention of her from the other vampire.
"The main goal is to keep both doppelgängers safe until Klaus' arrival." He intoned, "Outside the upcoming ritual, their protection is our top priority. It is crucial," He lowered a hand to the table and away from his face as he turned to Pearl, "that their existence shall remain a secret."
"As long as it leads to Klaus' death," Sheila said boldly, "What's your plan with the girls? A sacrifice is a sacrifice, nature demands no roundabouts. Surely there's another way to kill your brother without the girls' deaths."
And just like Ayana, her descendants remain glued to what they deemed was right. "That's a conversation between the twins and me." He said clearly, "And that is for you to know if they wish to share it."
Elijah was beginning to regret having the Bennett witch around despite her being a powerful ally. He concluded their meeting when he got sent another mirage of texts from Ruby, all demanding him to get to the hospital.
"Jonas," He called the man just before he left. "Any word on the burial ground?"
"Not yet."
"And the Bennett's?" Elijah narrowed his eyes.
"None-the-wiser."
"Good." Elijah adjusted his coat as he stood. "Get the moonstone before she does," he instructed, looking at the seat where Sheila sat. He inspected it for any trace of magical espionage.
Jonas nodded, looking grim. "You think she's conspiring behind your back?"
"Just a hunch," Elijah claimed, "Let's just hope I'm not right."
He got to the hospital moments after Ruby texted how Damon Salvatore got there before him. He ignored her insistent bullying, telling her that she could go home if she pleases instead. Ruby flashed towards him by the parking lot, exaggeratingly rolling her eyes at him.
"That puts you in second place," She taunted.
"Go home." Elijah answered, shutting his car door. She rolled her eyes again before finally going away.
She was right, however, and immediately soured his mood.
Katherine stood nearby one of the vending machines, pennies and bills on hand. She looked completely unimpressed upon seeing him.
"Took you a while."
"Hush." Elijah focused on the man next to her. "What do you know?"
Zachariah Salvatore stood straighter, "Why do you want to know?"
Elijah admired his courage, "Clearly you know why." He took a step forward, placing his hands in his pockets. Alyssandra was at least honest with him that the Salvatore family knew of their little connection, even if she hadn't told him the true location of the moonstone.
"What happened?"
Zach looked around to see if anybody was listening in before taking a deep breath. "The nature of her magic is tricky," He began to explain, "She's a siphoner, but since she's a doppelgänger she is also a magical creature. My guess is that her blood is magically potent enough for her abilities to act on its own. We've placed her under blood transfusion- Elena's. She was here earlier."
"She needs another power source," Elijah realized. Alyssandra's hospital room was relatively empty, bar from one person. "And what is your great-great-great-uncle doing here?"
"He cares about her a great deal." Zach told him, "More than I ever thought he would to anyone."
Elijah vaguely hears Katherine mutter something about 'leftovers' behind him.
The door to Alyssandra's room opened as if in a queue. Elijah doesn't miss the worried look on Damon's face.
"Got any bright ideas, Romeo?"
"I do, actually," Elijah answered, thinking of magical amulets and bracelets. "Leave it to me."
Damon doesn't budge. "She can't jump in your sacrifice circle if she dies before your brother even gets here."
"Leave it." He repeats coldly. Leave her. "The last thing she needs is more stress from you."
Damon scoffed to his face, "What did you do?" He asked, "Vampire blood doesn't work on her."
Elijah's veins instantly ignited over the fact he gave her his.
"Damon!" Both Katherine and Zach's voices echo both from fright and exasperation. Elijah got Damon pinned against the wall with a loud BANG! He paused when he heard footsteps from Alyssandra's room. He turned when the door swung open.
He hadn't expected her to look so ashen.
Alyssandra still wore her volleyball clothes, and she had a hand holding on to the pole attached to her. Elijah felt his heart skip a beat on how fast the blood bag was draining, and how she leaned on the door frame to stand properly. Her own heartbeat was pounding, struggling to get blood flowing in her body. Despite the gauntness of her face, she manages to send them all a look.
"You guys do realize I could hear you, right?" She looked at Elijah with a frown. "What are you doing?"
He promptly lets go of his hold, ignoring Damon's heaves of breath as he thudded to the ground.
"We should go," Zach said, pulling Damon up. "Let's go."
Elijah ignored the flare of jealousy at Alyssandra's concerned look over Damon as the two Salvatore's walked away.
"Damon's just being a little stupid, as usual." Katherine explained, "I wouldn't worry about it."
Then she was gone too. Leaving Elijah alone with Alyssandra's gaze of disapproval. She pursed her lips before moving back to the bed, Elijah immediately went to her side to assist her. Her hand was cold to the touch.
"Thanks," Alyssandra muttered, sitting back down to her bed. She slowly moved back up to rest her head.
She just had the worst day of her life. She woke up feeling incredibly fatigued, and when volleyball practice came along her body gave up on her. Now her everything hurt, and breathing felt the same way whenever she was worried over something.
Alyssandra vaguely remembered her hospital visits when she was little, no doubt from Grayson's doing. All she had was to trust what Zach told her earlier that day, along with the paperwork the hospital kept as proof of her medical history. The scientist-man (Zach) told her of Grayson's findings, especially with the connection between her magic and blood.
Zach told her it was one of his main reasons why he had magic wiped away from her mind.
So now she was stuck in the hospital for the night, and Jenna, Jeremy, and Elena were all still in their classes, leaving her mostly alone. It was almost comical that Katherine was the one that reacted fast enough to get her to the hospital. She'd have to thank her later.
It was definitely the conundrum, the doppelgänger wanted for blood is chronically anemic.
She stared aimlessly at the ceiling before remembering Elijah's presence next to her. She blinked at him owlishly, "Are you going to attack Damon every time he pisses you off? You might kill him by accident."
Elijah's face remains passive, "Forgive me if I'm a little protective." He lightly moves a stray hair away from her face. Her signature headband was nowhere in sight. "Though you don't have to worry about any accidents from me."
Alyssandra wrung her hands together, "He's just worried."
"With good reason," He conceded. "How are you?"
She gave him a small smile through hooded eyes, "Dizzy." She answered honestly, "It's like I drank ten bottles of beer."
"You can drink my blood." He suggested. If only to make color return to her cheeks. "Alyssandra."
"Damon's blood didn't work," She said quizzically, "Why?"
Elijah moved closer to her, lightly lifting her up to wrap an arm around her, and letting his hand rest on her waist. Alyssandra closed her eyes, leaning back to him. She ended up snuggled against him anyway, feeling too fatigued to protest when he pulled her closer.
It's just a hug, she rationalized.
He leaned his head down to breathe in her scent, and his jaw clenched when he smelled Damon's blood on her.
"A side effect for being an Original's soulmate." He murmured, still breathing her in despite the irritating fact. "Only vampire blood from my sire line would work on you," He bit deeply unto his own wrist and brought it up to her mouth. "Drink, it'll make you feel better."
She latched on, knowing this time the blood would work. Elijah sighed, kissing the top of her head. He stayed still, letting her take as much as she could before the wound inevitably healed. Soon, the natural olive tone of her skin reappeared, and when he moved to check her face, he became relieved to see that her usual blush was back. He idly wiped his thumb on her blood-stained mouth, smirking when her cheeks flushed red even more.
He nuzzled against her neck to check her scent again and hummed when all he could smell was him and her. He felt undeniably pleased when her heart rate picked up from both his blood and actions.
The cold on Alyssandra's fingers was gone and was replaced with heat, which spread throughout her body. She felt way better, her bones no longer ached and she no longer felt drowsy. She cleared her throat, "Is that a side effect, too?"
Elijah pulled himself away in an effort to show restraint. "Vampires are possessive creatures, often to a fault."
"So I've seen." She muttered, thinking of all the times the word 'mate' got thrown around. She remembered Logan and his obsessive behavior towards Jenna.
"Does it bother you?"
Alyssandra shook her head, then felt glad that the world didn't spin when she did. "No," She denied, though she refused to look at him, staring instead at her legs. "It's okay. I didn't mean to offend you."
"You didn't offend me," Elijah said amusedly.
"Well I don't know," She huffed, ruffling the sheets with her hands, "You're kind of from a different race. You are the start of a different race. And all I know about vampire mates is what I see from Stefan, and he's permanently attached to Elena's hip."
When she turned to face him with a slight pout and furrowed brows, Elijah realizes that he's been incredibly soft on her. No one has looked at him like that for a long time.
"You can't attack people just because you feel jealous." She said accusingly, referring to his chokehold on Damon. "It's a bit too much."
"That wasn't jealousy," Elijah denied. "I was concerned."
Alyssandra frowned even more, her brow quirking up. "You were concerned?" She echoed, "Over what?"
"You." Elijah lifted her chin with the gentlest nudge of his fingers. "How many times has that man's actions led you to harm? He lives only because of your kindness, your friendship towards him and his family."
Alyssandra grimaced and looked away. "It's complicated." She answered honestly, thinking of all the times she's been with him. All of her memories around Damon Salvatore revolved around him either being the kindest or the cruelest to her. A couple of months ago he kidnapped her, a couple of moments ago he was making her laugh.
Her face scrunched up when she remembered the early days of their 'friendship'. Her imagination didn't go that far when she thought of how Elijah would react if he knew everything Damon had done in the past.
"It's not kindness," She said slowly, mulling over her own words. "I understand why he does what he does, and despite his actions being wrong and horrifying…" She sighed, already feeling ashamed of what she was about to say. "He still got the vampire tomb opened, he still technically found Katherine. He chooses to do something and gets it done. I just wish he didn't do things at the expense of others."
"That's not an excuse for his brash actions, Alyssandra." He said sternly, "Some people are more trouble than they're worth. Especially when there are far more efficient means to do things."
Alyssandra sighed again, staring at one of the buttons of his shirt. "I know that," she murmured. It was considerately hard for Elijah to reprimand her when she leaned her head down to his chest. "I'm sorry."
Elijah soothingly ran his hand down through her hair. "You are not responsible for what he does, Alyssandra."
"I know that too," She pursed her lips. "But it's wrong that he gets to do what he does just because it's favorable to us."
"So there is an 'us' now?" Elijah quirked up in an effort to make her mood better. Her response was immediate. Wide, doe-like eyes filled with surprise looking at his own. "But that's enough thinking of Damon Salvatore. Has Zachary explained everything about your condition to you?"
"Zachariah." She corrected, "And he has. But I was fine last week and the last few months. I don't get how it suddenly showed up now. I haven't even been doing any magic lately."
"It's possible it's always been there," Elijah said gently. "It could have been gradual. It's not often the world gets siphoners or doppelgängers, the chances of being both is less so. Hiccups along learning are usual to every witch, but you will get through it." He held out his hand, "Try to siphon from me."
She eyed his hand then his face, "Why?"
"It's a working theory, but maybe the reason why your body is indirectly siphoning your blood is because it's looking for magic." He answered simply, "There are ways around that, magical amulets, bracelets, to name a few. You have your bracelet-" he motioned to the dream catcher she was wearing- "but the magic in your blood is most definitely stronger than the enchantment there."
"And by siphoning stronger magic I'll stop being anemic?" Alyssandra tilted her head, "Would that work?"
"It could." Elijah answered, "We can't say for sure. We could go to the Martin's once you feel better, find you a more suitable battery for your magic."
Alyssandra frowned, "I don't know. Siphoning other people hurt them, as far as I could tell."
Hence, the giant stigma around them. "Try it." He prompted, "You can't actually hurt me."
"I can't hurt you permanently." She countered, "That's different."
Elijah keeps his palm open regardless, shooting her a look. Alyssandra lips puckered at his stubbornness, "Well you can't say I didn't warn you," She muttered upon grabbing his hand.
Their joint hands began to glow red, and the first thing Elijah felt was the heat, like placing his hand on top of a fire. But not a complete second later, the feeling grew stronger. His teeth gritted as electricity shot up from his arm, and he subsequently felt something being pulled from him.
She immediately let go of his hand when his eyes fell shut on their own accord, his breath coming in short pants.
"Are you okay?" Alyssandra withdrew from him completely. Her eyes looked far more alert than they did before, but the honey swam with concern and just a hint of fear. "I'm sorry." She stammered. The light flickered.
"Don't." He took in another breath and blinked, the sudden distance between them expanding through every second. "I'm alright, Alyssandra."
Elijah slowly moved his hand closer to her, mostly to not startle her. He reached out to grab her hand. It did not glow again. "You will learn control," He said consolingly, "And perhaps one day you would learn how to take magic and not hurt anyone at all."
She inspected the ring on his finger with both of her hands. "I don't know if I can." She said lamely.
"Of course you can," He soothed, "I'll have the Martin's up to help you. Jonas has a doctorate, himself. I'm sure you'd love to speak with him."
If Jonas was anything like his son, then she just might prove him wrong.
"Okay." Alyssandra bit the inside of her cheek. "Your magic feels different," She commented, "stronger. But I guess that's because you're over a thousand years old and an Original Vampire."
"How does it feel for you?" Elijah asked curiously.
It made her realize why witches disliked the thought of siphoners, taking magic felt good and gave off a temporary euphoria. It felt different from when she took it from herself. Even then she could still feel a heady thrum go through her veins, making her fingers tingle. The magic almost felt intoxicating, and it was almost made her close her eyes just to feel it flow through her. She barely felt like she had taken enough.
"Magical?" She suggested, "Like, taking energy."
Elijah raised a brow, "Essentially that is what you're doing." He said, not unkindly.
"Well duh," Alyssandra rolled her eyes before looking down again, wetting her lips. "It feels… nice. Good. Like, hmm. It's like the I.V." She pointed to her arm, still putting much-needed blood in her. "I could feel the magic, almost like it's alive. Is this what normal witches feel like?" She sounded sad, depraved.
"I was a witch," He admitted, shocking her with the news. "However, I never did take the time or effort to hone my abilities, unlike some of my siblings." He thought back to his much simpler human days.
"Nature, or magic as you call it, has always felt like an extension of my own self. What you have or feel towards magic as a siphoner is simply different. And that does not make your own connection to it any less compared to any witch. If anything, it makes you more unique. And if I can make that connection come into light, then you are free to siphon me as you wish. You can hold my hand anytime."
Alyssandra smiled wistfully, "You're too nice." She said, though she should've known that he really wasn't. "But I don't know… I don't want to hurt you."
"You're talking to a man who drinks blood for a living." Elijah said drily, "You are my dearest Alyssandra, my soulmate, my anchor. The other half of my life. If you need it, take it. Providing you this simple thing is no hardship of mine. And if what you need is a powerful magical totem, an amulet, or simply my hand, then I will give it to you."
He brushed his thumb across her cheek, moving her face to look at him properly. "You will learn," He said firmly, "And grow. It might not feel like it right now, but your abilities will not be limited to what they are now. I assure you."
Elijah had no idea how much she needed to hear that. Alyssandra felt her eyes swell. She looked down and shyly pressed her lips on the palm of his hand to hide her growing tears.
"Thank you."
Elijah turned, hearing her Aunt Jenna's voice from the nurse station. He placed his own kiss against her hands, a smile evident on his face at their growing closeness. "Your Aunt is here," He tells her, "My presence here might raise more concerns, I must go. Perhaps if you feel better tomorrow, then I could properly introduce you to the Martin's."
Alyssandra smirked, "My Aunt will definitely feel concerned if she spots a strange man with me on the bed, especially if it's you, mysterious author-man." Another blush crept to her face but she feigned it off with a laugh, "Tomorrow sounds good if the doctor lets it. I already feel loads better thanks to you."
Elijah stood, a brow was raised as he re-buttoned his suit jacket. "I'm glad to be of service, dearest." He said drily, feeling amused at her humor. "Then I will see you soon."
A/N: Okay so I'm aware Elijah's acting a little hissy towards people but I swear it has plot in it. I promise more would be revealed soon. He's just a little protective, is all. I hope you guys like their interactions! Because it's gonna be a lot. For a while. *wink*
Also, this is very AU. And I'm taking a lot of creative liberties with magic. Like, as you may have noticed, Malivore (from Legacies) doesn't exist here. (Maybe?) So magical creatures may pop up every now and then. As for where they are? Well, hopefully, that's for another plotline in the future.
I pretty much took the TVD-Universe and turned it into the image I want.
In case anyone made the connection, her anemia is directly linked to her recent growing anxiety (not that it was addressed in the story) although to be honest, Aly has a lot of things to be anxious about. She's also subconsciously used her own blood for magic in the past (1st time was when she healed herself after Damon's attack in chapter 6, the very first time she passed out). Can you spot all the times it happened, too?
Things are slowly getting together! (I mean them) Sometimes I feel like it's going TOO slow, but then I think it's TOO fast. Oh well. Thoughts?
