Chapter Four

Elena fell into a restless sleep as her dreams once more took over.

She felt the warmth of the sun on her skin as the sound of crashing waves filled the air. She was at the beach. She loved the beach. It was the same one she would go to with her family when she was younger. Jeremy and her would build sandcastles as her parents watched them. She sat up in the lounge chair and smiled at the ocean. The water looked so clear even with the waves crashing down on the sand.

"I got you one of those drinks with the little umbrella in it." She heard his voice and she sighed. Eric stood there bare-chested in a pair of board shorts. He had two drinks in hand.

"I'm dreaming again, aren't I?"

"Oh, come on. You know you like these dreams." He handed her a glass and she rolled her eyes.

"I would much rather dream of something else or better yet someone else."

"Really? Because I think you like looking at me." He raised an eyebrow as he knelt next to her.

"It's only because you did some kind of vampire voodoo on me or something."

"Or it's because you never felt desire like this before and it excites you." He ran his strong hand up her leg and higher up her thigh. She couldn't help the soft moan that left her mouth. His hands felt amazing on her body.

"No. This isn't right." She stood up and then he was right in front of her as she gasped.

"I can feel the quickening of your heartbeat and I can smell your lust." He moved his mouth against her neck and licked her skin seductively. "I know you want to fuck me Elena as much as I want to bury myself deep inside you." He groaned in heavy breaths, and she couldn't help as her body closed in the distance between them.

"Stop teasing me." She pleaded.

Eric and Godric stepped into the bedroom as Elena slept. Soft moans left her mouth.

"I may have given her some of my blood," Eric smirked as Godric shook his head and walked closer to the bed.

"The resemblance is uncanny." Godric brushed a piece of her dark hair out of her face and she gasped as her eyes opened.

Elena looked up at the young guy staring down at her. He looked like a kid, maybe Jeremy's age. She nearly screamed but then he touched her arm and she felt an overwhelming sense of peace come over her.

"It's ok Elena. I will not hurt you."

She looked past the young guy and saw Eric standing behind him.

"My name is Godric. It's very nice to meet you." His voice was soft and calming. She felt completely at ease. It was odd.

She looked between them both.

"Do you mind if I?" He reached out for her hand and she couldn't help herself as she held it out to him. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes. She didn't know what to expect. She was fairly certain he was also a vampire. "Leave us." He kept his eyes closed.

"What?" Eric shook his head in confusion.

"I need a moment alone with Elena." Godric opened his eyes and stared at her. She swallowed hard.

Eric huffed and then left the room.

"Please let me go home." Elena pleaded and he smiled softly as he let go of her hand.

"Did eric tell you about your ancestors?"

"Not entirely but why should I be punished for something someone did centuries ago?"

"Your ancestor Katherine wasn't always evil. Misunderstood perhaps but that was because of the time she was born. She was opinionated and independent. It wasn't a good trait to have as a woman."

"I saw her picture in the closet. The painting. She looks like me."

"She was very beautiful such as yourself but she allowed herself to get drawn into the dark side. You were born into a lineage of witches, Elena. There is a power inside of you. I can feel it."

"How is any of this possible? Were my parents' witches and what about my brother?" She was so confused. To think that all of this was real, was overwhelming.

"Your parents never told you the truth?" He seemed surprised.

"The truth about what?"

"You were adopted, Elena."

"What?" She blinked in shock. "No, you're wrong. My mom gave birth to me in the middle of a hurricane. She told me the story."

"They loved you. There is no doubt in my mind but you were not theirs."

"No, I don't believe you." She stood now as her heart began to race. There was no way that she was adopted. She had baby pictures for god sake!

"I'm sorry to upset you." He stood as well. "I just need you to know where you came from."

"You're a liar! Why are you doing this!" She began to cry and he walked over to her and she backed up. "Don't touch me!"

"I know this is hard to understand."

"I am not adopted! My parents, they wouldn't have... They would have told me." Tears began to fall.

"Let me take away your suffering." He reached for her again and her back hit the wall as she sobbed.

"Just leave me alone!" She cried out and then he touched her arm. She immediately stopped crying as she looked at him in shock. "What did you do?"

"I didn't tell you to upset you. You have a right to know where you came from Elena."

Eric came into the room quickly and immediately looked at them.

"You can't keep her locked up in here Eric. She needs to be able to have a life." Godric looked at him and Elena blinked in shock. She was just getting over the fact that Godric had just flipped her world upside down and completely took away her sadness but now he was telling Eric to let her go.

"What? You know what she is." Eric was in shock as he walked over to Godric.

"I do and I also know that there has been enough death and carnage."

"Were you going to kill me?" She looked at Eric.

He ignored her and looked back at Godric. "You know what happens if I let her go. There will be a war."

"You were? You were going to kill me?" She said more to herself than to him.

"You cannot hold her captive here, Eric. She has done nothing wrong. A little compassion will go a long way."

"Compassion? Her lineage single-handedly killed nearly a million people and they weren't just humans!" Eric yelled.

"She has a right to prove herself. There is warmth and kindness in her."

"She cannot be trusted!"

"Your vendetta has gone on too long. Now it is time to forgive and give this young woman a chance to show us all that we are only a product of our own choices."

"Why are you doing this? If I let her go."

Godric cut him off. "She will stay here under your supervision, but you will give her a place to live and a job. She will have a chance to live her life."

"What?" Both Elena and Eric said in unison.

"How is staying here giving me a chance!" She yelled.

"I can't just let her go. She will leave the second she has a chance and then all hell will break loose."

"She will stay, isn't that right Elena?" Godric looked at her and she went to say, hell no she wouldn't but instead a different word left her lips.

"Yes." She blinked in shock. "What the..." Her voice trailed.

"See. She will not leave this town. Now find her a suitable home and a job." Godric walked to the doorway. "It was very nice meeting you, Elena. I hope to see you again soon." He walked out and Eric stormed off after him.

"Wait! You can't do this." Eric got in front of him.

"I already did and as your maker, I command you." Godric smiled softly and touched Eric's arm. "She will be good for you. You will be good for each other." He began to walk away.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Eric chased after him but then Godric was gone as he stood in the empty hallway. He stormed back into the bedroom. "What did you say to him?" He demanded an answer as he got right in front of her and she gasped.

"You heard what he said. I am allowed to leave here." She mustered up as much strength as she had.

He barred his fangs angrily at her but he wouldn't be able to do anything about it because Godric had commanded him to do so. A maker's command could not be broken. "I will find a suitable home but until then you stay here!" He spun from her and stormed out of the room. Elena let out the breath she had been holding in. the second she could get out of this god-awful town she would!

Eric was livid as he made his way back down to the club. One of the blonde dancers came walking over to him with a smile on her face. She touched his arm and his fangs descended as he hissed at her. A look of fear crossed her face as she gasped.

"Get out." He warned as he shoved her away. "I said GET OUT!" He yelled and everyone in the club looked at him. "Everyone, OUT!" His voice made glasses break as he yelled and soon everyone was piling out of the club.

"Something tells me that things didn't go well with your father?" Pam raised an eyebrow.

"Fuck off Pam!" He stormed into his office. Right now he wanted to drain an entire city of their blood.

Elena was excited to get out of this room. She was already trying to figure out a plan of what she would do once she was out of this god-forsaken place. Her mind went to her family. Did they really forget about her? Surely if once they saw her again they would remember her? They had to remember her, right?

The door opening snapped her out of her thoughts as Pam stood there looking annoyed.

"You need to follow me."

"What? Why?" Elena swallowed hard.

"Listen I don't have all day. Just move your ass." Pam stepped out of the room and Elena walked cautiously behind her. "Have you ever worked at a bar?"

"A bar?"

"Do you need me to use smaller words for you?" Pam rolled her eyes. "Can you bartend?"

"Why?"

Pam stopped walking now and turned. She huffed dramatically. "Because you are going to."

"What? No. Godric said I could leave. Where is Eric?" Elena sighed. She would get to the bottom of this.

"Who do you think sent me to get you?" Pam led her down to Fangtasia and it was empty which was odd especially since it was nearly nine pm. "You will make drinks and smile."

"I am not working here."

"Yes, you are." Eric came out from the hallway and she looked at him.

"Godric said I could get my own place and a job."

"No, he said for me to get you a place and to get you a job. Well, here is your job." He walked past her and she huffed.

"No this isn't fair. I can get my own job. I am not working in a vampire bar!"

"I am not dealing with this every day!" Pam snapped.

"You're working here, end of story." He kept walking away and Elena ran up to him and grabbed his arm. He turned around fast as she gasped. "This is not up for discussion!"

"God I hate you!" She seethed.

"Still doesn't change anything." He stormed across the room. "Oh, and I found you a place. We will go there first thing in the morning so be ready!"

"Your outfit is on the counter. You will wear it and not give me shit about it." Pam walked over to the bar. "We open at eight pm for the public and close at five."

"Fine." Elena walked over the snatched the tiny outfit off the counter. It was barely two scraps of clothing. She rolled her eyes as she looked at it.

"What can I say, Eric likes tits and ass," Pam smirked.

Elena barely slept. She was so excited to get out of this place once and for all.

Eric looked completely annoyed when he came to her door. "Hurry up. I have things to do today." He walked down the hall as she hurried after him.

"I need a phone."

"No." He kept walking.

"It's not safe to be without a phone."

Eric stopped walking and looked at her. "The only one you need to worry about pissing off is me and you are off to a great start." His voice was dry and condescending as they made their way outside.

"Fine, I will buy one myself. You're going to have to pay me. I am not working for free."

"I know what you are trying to do Elena and it's not going to work." He opened the car door and she rolled her eyes. "I can read your thoughts, remember?"

Elena got quiet and huffed. "Whatever." She got into the car and he slammed the door shut. "You know I still don't know what state we're in."

"Louisiana." He didn't look at her as he drove. She swallowed hard. She was a few states away from Virginia. She could probably hitchhike home. "You're still planning the great escape, huh?"

"You know it is rude to read someone's thoughts."

"What's rude is you trying to leave every chance you get." He was nonchalant and she laughed now.

"You are joking, right? I am not here because I want to be!"

"You know you are lucky Godric came when he did otherwise there would be no need for this conversation." His eyes darkened as he looked at her and she swallowed hard. She knew what he was implying. "We're here." He pulled up to a two-story home with a large porch. She was surprised at home beautiful it was. It sort of reminded her of home. They both got out. She walked up to the front door. "It's fully furnished and the fridge is stocked."

"I got it from here. I will take the key." She put her hand out to him as her other hand was on her hip.

He rolled his eyes and pulled a key out of his pocket. He went to hand it to her and before she grabbed it, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and yanked her close.

"Don't try anything stupid Elena. I see everything." He warmed.

"Just give me the key." She snapped angrily.

"Welcome home Elena." He handed it over and she quickly went inside. She locked the door behind her and took a deep breath. She peeked out the window and watched him drive off. She finally relaxed a bit.

She walked through the fully decorated living room and she sighed. It was a two-bedroom home with a large kitchen and two bathrooms. Not that any of that mattered because she was leaving anyways. She walked to the fridge and looked inside. He wasn't lying, it was jammed packed with food and so was the freezer and the cabinets. She grabbed a bottle of water and leaned against the counter. She had no money and no phone not to mention everyone in this fucking town was compelled by Eric so they wouldn't be able to help her. She just needed to get out of the town and then she could get the help she needed. No time like the present.

Elena began walking through town. She had no idea which way to go but she knew eventually she would get to the next town over. She couldn't risk asking anyone for help, for all she knew they were his minions. Part of her wondered f he could tell she was leaving. How far did his mind-reading powers go? One mile or two? She didn't care.

As she walked her mind went to Stefan, she hadn't thought about him in days. Would he remember her? Would his brother Damon? They were vampires, right? Vampires couldn't compel other vampires, or could they? Maybe they could help her. She thought of what Eric said about them starting a war over her. What was it about her ancestor Katherine that made everyone so insane? She thought about what Godric said about a lineage of witches. None of this could be true. It just couldn't and she was going to get to the bottom of it. She didn't even want to think about her parents and the idea that she could be adopted. She wouldn't believe it. She couldn't. Her mind raced with ideas but she couldn't even panic over it. Whatever Godric had done to her had made her oddly at peace with the entire thing.

She saw a sign up ahead and her eyes got wide. You are now leaving Shreveport. She began to run as she headed to the large sign. This was it. She was finally going to be free. As she neared the border of the town something awful began to happen. Her stomach erupted in pain, and it took her breath away. She leaned over and gasped for air. She took a deep breath and shook her head. She needed to leave. She took another step and now she fell to her knees as she cried out in pain. Her hand grasped her stomach and then she vomited but it was red, it was blood. It happened again and she fell forward. What the hell was happening to her? She had never felt pain like this before, it was excruciating. She fell onto her side and curled into a ball as tears pierced her eyes.

"I thought you would wait at least twenty-four hours before you made your great escape." Eric walked over to her, and he looked down.

"What did you do?" She cried.

"I didn't do anything but Godric on the other hand." He raised an eyebrow. She continued to cough up blood as she groaned. "He is not to be messed with." He reached down for her.

"Screw you. I am leaving." She tried to crawl, but the pain was unbearable. She let out a scream of pain and frustration.

"It's useless Elena. You can't leave. Your body literally won't allow it."

"No. NO!" She yelled and then coughed up more blood.

"You're making a mess. Just give up."

"Never!" She tried to crawl again but her legs literally wouldn't move. She screamed.

"As entertaining as all of this is, I have a club to run." He reached down and picked her up as she tried to fight against him.

"Just let me die." She gasped and he rolled his eyes.

"If only it was that easy." He bit against his wrist and shoved it against her mouth. "You're not dying tonight, Elena."