Hey, dear readers!
Before starting with the second chapter of the story, I wanted to thank you all for giving my story a chance. Thank you for reading, the likes, and the comments. I am hoping that you have enjoyed reading the previously updated parts of the story and I hope that you'll enjoy reading the further chapters as well. If you have any questions or any suggestions regarding this story then please let me know about them through your comments.
Not wasting any more of your time, I present you the second chapter of Destined for Eternity.
All-day, Bonnie could stop staring at Caroline and Samara. Apart from the obvious jealousy of getting ignored by her best friend and the differences that have crept between Elena and Caroline, there was something about this new girl, Samara that Bonnie was finding it hard to shake off. It was this strong feeling that has been nagging her all day as she watched Samara and Caroline interact. Was this the "Witch's intuition" that her Grams had told her about?
A few weeks ago, on her 16th birthday, her Grams and Mom had told her that they were the direct descendants of one of the most powerful lines of witches and wizards. They told her that now that she was 16, she would begin receiving her powers from their ancestors. They explained to her what kind of powers she will be wielding, about what all she can do, and the responsibilities that these powers come with. So after her recent discovery about her roots, Bonnie decided to no longer question and overthink her feelings. And as she continued eyeing Caroline and Samara, that intuitive feeling that she was experiencing, intensified. Both the girls had this faint and mysterious, similar but distinct aura around them that became pronounced whenever the two of them shared some kind of physical contact. Like when their hands touched the moment both, Caroline and Samara, had to bend down to pick up a pen.
But what attracted Bonnie's attention the most was the magic that surrounded the two girls. They weren't witches, Bonnie was sure of. They could be 'Fae' – or the fairies in layman's language, the only other supernatural species that can wield magic. She had only read about them in the journals and grimoires that were handed down to her but has never met one in person. Bonnie decided to observe the two for a while to find out what they were because, for certain, Caroline and Samara weren't ordinary humans.
Samara and Caroline had most of the classes together. Though they didn't get much of a chance to have a good conversation considering they had consecutive classes but they still very much enjoyed each other's company. The other person's presence was enough, calming and comforting inexplicably. Caroline almost forgot about her conflict with Elena and the guilt that she felt over it. She had successfully managed to avoid Elena, Stefan, and even Bonnie, and that too without even trying. But it was during lunch that things became a little awkward.
While Elena, Bonnie, and Stefan were seated together, Caroline chose to sit with Samara at a different one. Caroline could feel their stares boring into her back and tried her best to distract herself by focusing on her conversation with Samara.
"So, how's school treating you so far?" asked Caroline as she poured some dressing on her salad.
Samara shrugged. Her voice was tired and bored. "It's okay-ish." she replied before taking a bite of her burger, "Not bad, nothing exciting either. Normal." she frowned, making Caroline chuckle.
"You say 'normal' as if it's a bad thing." said Caroline taking another bite of her salad.
Samara leaned back on her chair and took a sip of her orange juice, "It isn't bad, just overrated. Or maybe it's because it's my first day here. I need some time to adapt to this new environment, not much adaptable to changes you see. Homesickness isn't helping either."
"And.." Caroline drawled, "I am getting this feeling that you aren't comfortable in sharing more about it." she noticed the discomfort in Samara's posture and expressions.
"Yeah." Samara gave her a feeble smile, "I'll tell you about it later when I am comfortable to talk about it."
"Why don't we discuss something more pleasant, like about your hobbies or your academic aspirations?" Caroline tried to divert the uncomfortable conversation and was successful.
"I am into artistic things - painting, music, designing, and such stuff. After school, I am thinking of a degree in fashion or jewelry designing." answered Samara, "I want to do both, actually but not haven't decided on the college though."
"That's cool." Caroline smiled, "I have decided on a journalism major at Whitmore." she added. Both of them continued talking about random stuff till lunch was over.
After school ended, Caroline began giving Samara the tour which she had promised the latter in the morning. Right now, they were in the spacious dance room, "This is where we do cheerleading practice. The trials are coming up; wanna try your hands at some cheerleading?" asked Caroline as she performed a step from her cheerleading routine.
Samara clapped appreciatingly before answering, "Nope. I am not athletic enough for cheerleading. Me being on the team will not only ensure me ending up in the hospital with some broken bones, but I would seriously injure others as well. So for the sake of everybody's safety, I shall refrain from cheerleading."
Her comment made Caroline laugh while Samara chuckled, the color pink of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. She looked so adorable, and Caroline couldn't help but give in to the urge and pinched Samara's cheeks lightly. She was about to say something but stopped when Elena arrived.
"Hey, Care! Can I talk to you for a moment?" asked Elena with a hesitant smile.
Caroline blinked rapidly, a nervous habit of hers, "Um, well, I am busy right now. How about I call you later? It isn't important, is it?" the last bit came out a bit rude causing Elena to wince.
"I'll call you later." was all that Elena said before rushing out.
A sigh escaped Caroline's lips as she leaned against the wall. Guilt came rushing over in waves for hurting her best friend. She didn't want to be spiteful, but Stefan's involvement has complicated things between them, and Caroline's insecurities were like fuel to the fire. She remembered all the happy memories that she had with Elena causing the guilt to intensify so much that it became physically hurtful. She could feel a throbbing headache develop beneath her temples.
"Okay, so what's going on? Why are you avoiding that girl?" Caroline snapped out of her guilt haze and noticed Samara's questioning gaze.
"Nothing." Caroline sounded depressed.
Samara let out a mock chuckle, "Oh, please! Something is definitely going on. That girl has been trying to talk to you all day, but you kept on avoiding her. Even during the lunch, she was staring at you, at me as if I had stolen something precious from her." her last words brought a fond smile on Caroline's face.
"You can share it with me, Caroline. See, we have just met, and I am still kind of a stranger to you, and the good thing about that is that I don't hold any prejudices regarding you or your relationships. So what's the problem? I promise to given an unbiased solution. Well, I will try to give you one." added Samara.
Caroline exhaled a deep breath and thought about it for a few seconds before she began telling Samara the reason behind her conflict with Elena. By the end of her explanation, Samara was looking at incredulously.
"Are you serious?" shrieked Samara making Caroline pout, "You are letting a stupid guy ruin your friendship? Is this Stefan guy even worth it? No guy is worth it if he sees you as a second option, Caroline. All those guys who took you for granted are just plain old jerks who didn't deserve you. And neither do you deserve to be a second choice. Don't settle for these lesser guys. Just wait for the right one to come because that guy would look at you and nobody else. You would be his number one priority, his first choice. You are just 16 years old, and there's a lifetime ahead of you. He'll come to you one day, the one who is meant for you, only you."
"And, it's okay to be jealous of your best friend. That's human nature, darling, but you shouldn't let it strain your friendship with Elena because, just like you said, she's not at fault. Talk to her, Caroline, and mend your relationship before more differences creep up." Samara squeezed Caroline's hand lightly to comfort her new friend.
Caroline covered her face with her hands and groaned, "Ah! I messed up. I should really go and apologize to her."
"Yes, you should." Samara stood up and stretched her hand in front of Caroline to help her stand.
"Thanks, Samara!" Caroline gave her new friend a hug, "We'll continue our tour tomorrow, okay?!"
"We will." smiled Samara.
While Caroline rushed out of the school premises, texting Elena to meet her at the Grill, Samara, on the other hand, decided to complete the last few formalities at school. She got herself registered for additional electives, the clubs, and the committees. Afterward, Samara went to the school library to look for some books on fashion and styling. She chose two of them to take home, her maternal aunt's home, the place where she was staying for the time being.
Rebekah was standing outside the closed door of Klaus's art studio. He's locked himself inside for about three days now, and she was getting worried because, in these three days, he hasn't even fed once. If she could, she would have just broken the door apart and entered, but that would only ensure her confinement for the next century or so. Her brother hated being interrupted while painting in his studio, and Rebekah feared the consequences of interrupting him.
She let out a long-suffering sigh and knocked at the door again, "Nik?" she called but got nothing in response.
Rebekah felt sad, irritated, and worried. No matter how dangerous, unpredictable, controlling, and a jerk Klaus was, she would always worry for him. With a shake of her head, Rebekah raised her hand to knock at the door again, but before she could, Klaus himself came out.
Covered in splatters of paint, Klaus looked haggard. "What in the world were you doing in there, Nik? It's been three fucking days!" she exclaimed.
"Not now, Rebekah." muttered Klaus as he cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck to ease off the stiffness, "I need to shower and feed. Let's save this talk for later." he locked the door to his studio before walking away.
Caroline felt relieved after making up with Elena and Bonnie. She didn't tell Elena the complete truth, the actual reason that made Caroline avoid her. Instead, she told Elena that she was jealous and wanted some time to deal with it. Fortunately, Bonnie didn't say anything about Stefan, and Elena believed and forgave her. Caroline also told her best friends about Samara, her new friend who helped her sort her feelings. That night, Elena and Bonnie stayed at Caroline's house for a sleepover.
On the other hand, Samara's day was standard and uneventful. She had dinner with her aunt Maya and uncle Drew while they discussed her first day at school. When she told them about Caroline, Samara got to know that her aunt and uncle knew of Caroline and that she was the daughter of her uncle's colleague - Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes. After dinner, Samara went upstairs to her room, performed her routine of showering and skincare before changing into her nightclothes.
As she laid down on the bed, Samara placed the infinity brooch on the side table. "I wish to meet you again, Mr. Stranger-rescuer, to thank you for saving my life." she wished as she caressed the edges of the brooch once before turning off the lights.
"I wonder what you must be doing right now." smiled Samara, "Maybe some nice things." she breathed before closing her eyes to sleep.
Unlike Samara's assumption regarding him, Elijah was in Toronto doing the opposite of nice things. He had received information from his sources of a conspiracy regarding his younger brother, Niklaus. A bunch of vampires was planning to attack and kill Niklaus.
Elijah had almost laughed when he learned about the situation. The stupid bunch wasn't aware of the fact that no weapon of theirs could kill an Original. The ambush will not kill his brother, which Elijah was aware of, but it could result in him getting hurt. And Elijah was not the one to take chances with the lives of his siblings. He would not let anybody harm his family. And if someone even thought about it, they would be dead before they even get to try.
That's what he was here for, to kill the potential enemy.
Surrounded by several dead vampires and their hearts that he had pulled out of their chest a few minutes ago, Elijah used a stake to punch holes in the body of the last surviving vampire of the group, Benjamin, the one who started this. If he had time, he would have prolonged the torture, but tonight, Elijah had a charity gala to attend so, he needed to end this quickly.
"Goodbye, dear Benjamin." with a cold and cruel smile curving upon his lips, Elijah dug his hand in Benjamin's chest, his fingers curling around his heart.
Elijah clenched Benjamin's heart and squeezed it tightly before pulling it out of his chest cavity. He threw both the dead vampire and its heart away before ordering his men to dispose of the bodies and clean the area to avoid unnecessary troubles. He then walked over to his car, "Where to, sir?" asked the driver, another vampire working for him.
"The mansion." just another of many properties that the Mikaelsons owned. It was a half an hour drive so, Elijah leaned back on the seat and unlocked his cell phone to check on the messages he had received. First, he opened those that were related to his siblings.
He had his vampires spying over and guarding his siblings all the time. The arrangement became a necessity very quickly because Niklaus tended to create enemies out of, well, most of the people he meets. Rebekah wasn't always discrete either, and not to forget her bad choices regarding romantic partners. And not to forget his other two brothers, the oldest and the youngest. Though Niklaus has them locked away in their coffins with daggers impaled in their chests, they still cause him to worry.
There was only one message that fell under the "family" category.
All good.
A little sigh of relief later, Elijah clicked on the other important message. Though a second priority, a priority nonetheless. The woman who held onto his affections. The one whom he had been secretly protecting from his brother.
Katerina Petrova.
She was the one who could have helped Niklaus break the curse that their mother had placed on him if she hadn't betrayed him by killing herself. Katerina denied Niklaus of the one thing he had desired all his immortal life, and that earned her his ire. Even though this made Katerina be on the run continuously, Elijah would still find some time to meet her, be with her, and rekindle their feelings.
As he read the message, Elijah found out that Katerina was in Morgantown, safe and sound.
The rest of the messages were either about his various businesses or were spam. He deleted the unnecessary ones and replied to a few before putting the phone back in his pocket. They reached the mansion a few minutes later.
A gorgeous architectural creation, the mansion was huge, modern, private, and secluded. It has everything that the Mikaelson siblings required in a house, including a dungeon, a torture room, an armory, and a few secret passages.
Elijah went upstairs to his bedroom to shower and get ready for the charity gala that he's come to Toronto to attend. He chose a deep burgundy colored suit with a white shirt and a black tie. A silver luxury wristwatch, the perfect black leather shoes, cufflinks with the Mikaelson family crest engraved on them, and a feather-shaped diamond-studded brooch. An hour and a half later, Elijah was ready for the gala. Looking at him like this, nobody could tell that this man had murdered several men just a few hours ago.
The noble and honorable Mikaelson, as others liked to address him.
Not interested in anything particular at the venue, Elijah was involved in a random conversation regarding the auction that was the main event for tonight's gala. He had come there to fulfill his part as the business partner of the Cullen's. The organizers of this gala.
Elijah was waiting for the auction to start. He would buy a thing or two for his siblings, participate in the first dance and then leave. He never really enjoyed events like these, especially when he was alone and surrounded by boring humans. Fortunately for him, the host announced that it was time for the auction.
He was seated at the front table with the Cullen family. The attendants handed them the list of auction prizes. Elijah glanced at the items on the list and chose those he was going to bid for tonight.
A signed baseball bat from the Blue Jays; Kol would like that.
Gucci purse, wallet, and wristwatch will be perfect for Rebekah.
Niklaus might appreciate the Storm of Redemption, an oil painting by K. Sharma.
There was nothing on the list that he thought Finn would like. Moreover, it's been almost 900 years since Finn was confined, so Elijah didn't know what to buy for him. There was also nothing on the list that he wanted to buy for himself, so he decided those selected things for his siblings.
Elijah bid for the items and won each bid. He remained uninterested in the rest of the auction until that last item. It was a necklace set consisting of a choker neckpiece, earrings, a bracelet, and a ring. The rubies and diamonds encrusted in a platinum base looked so enchanting that Elijah forgot about his surroundings. His gaze fixed upon the jewelry set in front of him while the host explained the history of it. But Elijah didn't care about it; all that mattered to him was that the jewelry called out to him. Something inside him told him that he needed to get this necklace, and that's what he did.
He bid for the set.
Others wanted the jewelry, but eventually, Elijah was the one to own it at the cost of 5.5 million dollars.
Later that night, during the first dance, Elijah was approached by a woman in a horrible shade of pink. She flirted with him, he flirts back, and just like that, Elijah had the snack he was going to take home to feed.
Elijah led the woman, of whom he didn't even bother to learn the name of, inside a guest suite in his mansion. They had sex, and while the woman was high on orgasmic bliss, Elijah bit her. He drank from her till he felt her heart rate slowing; stopped when he should have. Afterward, he used his vampiric ability to compel the woman.
"You just had a passionate night with a stranger whose face you would forget because you had too many drinks. This bite on your neck is the result of a wild one-night stand. You will cover it and not let anybody see it until it heals." he whispered to the woman while looking into her eyes, his hands running up and down her arms in a comforting manner.
After that woman left, Elijah went back to his room to have a relaxing bath. Laying inside the bathtub, he closed his eyes as he hummed along with the soft tune playing in the background.
Caroline woke up happy the next day. She had made up with Elena, and they were best friends again. No avoiding anybody, none of that guilt. She felt lighter and happier than ever. Once again, Caroline was seated with Elena and Bonnie in the middle rows in class. The only difference being that she reserved an extra seat, the one on her left, for Samara. As Caroline introduced her new friend to her old ones, Bonnie and Elena couldn't help but feel slightly jealous over this new friendship. They had thought that Caroline was trying to ignore them while pretending to be friendly with Samara, they didn't realize that she was genuinely interested in this new girl.
It was just that it has always been the three of them since they were kids. Suddenly this new girl comes, and now she and Caroline are behaving like long-lost friends or something. But Samara seemed to be a nice girl, genuine, and sweet. So, Elena and Bonnie didn't express their feelings regarding this new development. All the day, Caroline included Samara in almost everything. Though it irked Bonnie and Elena, they didn't say anything. They still couldn't comprehend the deep connection, the close friendship that Caroline and Samara shared.
Klaus twirled the glass full of blood-infused wine in his hand as he stared at the painting in front of him. It had taken him a total of 4 days to complete this painting, this reflection of his dream. Though the same thing had filled him with warmth, healed him of pain when he had witnessed the sight in his dream, this painting, however, caused him nothing but pain.
He was contemplating if this dream, this angel of light, was reality or just an illusion. A trap, perhaps. Or just a torturous scheme.
Whatever it was, right now, it felt like a thorn in his path. Something that might be capable of destroying his dreams, deviating him from the path to realize the goals that he had set for himself. Well, he couldn't let that happen. He won't let anything or anyone stand between him and his desires.
Determination steeling his eyes, Klaus threw the glass of blood-infused wine he was drinking at the painting and ordered his minions to destroy it. As he left, he didn't notice that one of his guys had clicked a picture of his now destroyed painting that still reflected the light that he had witnessed in his dream. Neither did he know that Elijah would receive this picture in the daily report he was getting from his spies.
It wouldn't have mattered if it had been one of his regular pieces. It mattered because after so many years, a thousand almost, Klaus had painted something about the light, about life, and not about death and darkness.