A/N: Please leave me a review and let me know what ya think. This chapter has been edited by my beta Casey.
The next day I sped through my morning routine, rushing to get to the Boarding House and Caroline as soon as possible. After I had left Damon, I had come home to formulate a plan that would ensure Caroline an invite back into her house. Already, Sheriff Forbes was asking when she would be home. She would only be allowed to stay over at 'my' house for so long. All I had to do was get Stefan's approval. Even with Liz pushing for her return home, I didn't want to send her back until she was ready. If Caroline hurt her mom, that would be the end of her; she would never forgive herself.
I finished getting dressed and was about to slip out of my room when I stopped, freezing in my doorway. My hand met my forehead, and I released an annoyed sigh. I had almost forgotten a vital part of my visit with Caroline. I couldn't exactly show up today without a particular piece of jewelry that I had promised her. I wasn't entirely sure she had picked up on what I meant, but there was no way I would let my best friend be trapt indoors by the sun for all eternity.
I dropped my bag on the floor and headed to my closet. I stepped inside and turned on the light, blinking away the white spots in my vision. I looked around, trying to remember where I had hidden it away. Hopping onto the tips of my toes, I reached up toward the top shelf. Straining slightly, I felt around until my fingers met cold metal. With a grunt, I pulled a small silver box from its hiding place. I grinned in triumph, wiping the dust from the lid. Looking down at the box, I caressed it fondly. The top was etched with old Viking letters, spelling out my name. I fell back onto my feet and ran my fingertips over the familiar and heart-achingly beautiful letters. I felt a presence over my shoulder and lightly stroked the script that laid across the top of the box.
"It's been a while. I had almost forgotten how beautiful my name looked in the old language," I said.
I turned around and came face to face with the spectral form of my adopted sister. Rebekah was looking at the box, a tight-lipped frown on her face.
"Who has become one of us?" she asked, knowing exactly what I had hidden away in its depths.
A few centuries back, when I had started to hope for a better future, one where I could possibly escape my curse, I was collecting Lapis Lazuli jewelry. I had always hoped that maybe, one day, I would be able to use a piece for myself. That, of course, was not to be. Yet, even after discovering I couldn't be turned, I still continued to collect whatever jewelry caught my eye. My jewelry collection was the one thing I was able to keep from life to life.
I had spelled the box long ago to stand up against the weathering of time. When I knew I was about to pass on to the next life, I picked a safe place and buried it away. Then, when or if I remembered my past, I would go and dig it up. It wasn't easy, and I didn't always remember, but it was well worth it to have this small piece of my previous lives.
I looked up at Rebekah and felt my expression darken. "Katherine killed Caroline while she had Damon's blood in her system," I said.
Rebekah's face fell, and she reached out, her hand hovering over mine. "I'm so sorry, sister. I know what the human meant to you."
I tilted my head, surveying Rebekah's face. "Means, Bekah. What she means to me. Vampire or not, she is still my friend. Katherine will pay for what she has forced upon her," I said, eyes flashing with power.
Rebekah nodded, stepping out of the closet with me, my collection box in tow. I closed the closet door behind me and sat on my vanity stool.
"Okay, let's choose something for Caroline," I mumbled, opening the lid.
I picked up one of the numerous velvet pouches that held necklaces and clicked my tongue. No, I don't think she would appreciate being forced to wear the same necklace every day. Rebekah stood next to me, her eyes scanning the many things I had collected through the centuries.
"You truly have some beautiful pieces here, Elandra," she said, a smile on her lips.
I glanced up at her and grinned. "I might have a small obsession with the Lapis stone," I said, laughing lightly.
Rebekah ran her fingers over the air around my cheek and smiled lovingly. "I think you just like the color blue," she teased, nose wrinkling.
I rolled my eyes, doing little to deny her statement, and turned back to my hunt. I picked through the rings until my fingers brushed against a vintage ring. It was a beautiful piece that I had picked up from a street vendor sometime around the twentieth century. He hadn't known the treasure he carried, so I had gotten it for a steal. I smiled down at it brightly, picking it up and holding it into the sunlight. The band was silver with a striking design of scrolls, flowers, and leaves. The deep blue Lapis stone was in an emerald cut and had a small diamond-shaped design in the center.
"It's perfect, isn't it?" I said, glancing at Rebekah.
She shrugged, coming to stand on the other side of me. She shrunk away from the sunlight that was shining through the window behind us.
"It is beautiful. Whatever you choose will be perfect. I think you know what she'd like best," Rebekah said.
I nervously nodded, hoping she was right, and that I had chosen correctly. I closed the lid of the box and snapped my fingers, sending it back to the top of the closet. I sat the ring down on my desk, where it could bathe in the sunlight, and stood.
"Okay, here it goes," I said, releasing a rush of air.
It had been at least a century since I had last used this spell, and I was a bit nervous. I looked down at the ring for a moment before closing my eyes, focusing on infusing it with protection against the sun it was soaking in. A moment later, I opened my eyes, clapping my hands together in satisfaction.
"Done,"
Rebekah laughed, shaking her head. "You amaze me,"
I picked up the ring, tossing it into the air and catching it with a grin. "Why, thank you, dear sister. But that was nothing," I said, pocketing the ring.
I was happy that Caroline wouldn't have to go to one of the Bennetts to ask for daylight jewelry. She needed positivity right now, not judgment. Besides, the witch that spells the jewelry can de-spell it, and I would prefer that power in my hands. I didn't like the idea of an angry, hasty Bonnie, killing Caroline for something small and potentially misunderstood. I said my goodbyes to Rebekah and grabbed my bag, heading out the door.
I slid into the Salvatores driveway, parking next to a familiar car. I was only mildly surprised that someone else was visiting today. With all of Katherine's drama, the boys had their hands full. I hopped up the porch steps and pushed open the heavy front door. I made my way into the sitting room, my lips falling into a deep frown as soon as I saw Damon and Alaric, in what appeared to be a serious discussion.
I leaned against the bookshelf, waiting for one of them to acknowledge my presence. It was the easiest way to listen in to what they were discussing, without being accused of eavesdropping.
"Yeah, we were hoping you could shed some light on the Lockwood family," Damon said, handing Alaric a glass of bourbon.
I laid my head back, closing my eyes in exasperation. Damn meddling vampires!
Alaric raised a brow. "Now, why would I know anything about the Lockwood's?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink.
I crossed my arms and tapped my fingers against my elbow. "Well, you wouldn't. But your dead, not-dead, dead again, vampire wife might have," Damon said, wrinkling his nose as if he were thinking over his sentence.
I continued to hide in plain sight as they nursed their drinks. They both turned toward the dining room entrance as Elena and Stefan stepped into the room, heading right past me without noticing my existence. I wanted to laugh at how utterly unobservant they all could be. Still, deep down, I knew how dangerous being so careless was. Elena sent a half glare in Damon's direction before smiling sweetly at Alaric.
"I'm sure Mr. Sensitive here has already mentioned it, but we were wondering about Isobel's research from when you guys were at Duke together," she said.
Alaric ran his fingers through his hair, his head falling forward as he released a deep sigh. He ran his hand over the back of his neck, rubbing roughly. After a few minutes of silence, he lifted his head to meet Elena's doe eyes. He made to speak but was interrupted by the sudden stiffening of her shoulders, her posture briefly straightening as she turned her head in my direction. Her gaze finally settling on my laid back form, her face visibly brightening.
"Ellie? When did you get here?" she asked, reaching out for me.
I was momentarily shocked into silence. It had been a very long time since Elena had been able to feel my presence in an almost supernatural way. It's something that a lot of twins experience - fraternal or otherwise. For us, though, that had stopped long ago. Yet, she had felt I was here when not even the two vampires in the room had noticed. My eyes narrowed uneasily, scanning her, her bright round eyes, petunia pink cheeks, and quirked lips. My magic flared, and I sent a wave of it forward. I felt it wash over her, wrapping around her like an invisible cocoon and released a quiet sigh when I felt her mortality pulse against the barrier. The rubber band of my magic bounced back toward me, absorbing into my skin and assuring me of her identity. At least I knew she wasn't Katherine. I smiled, walking over and allowing her to wrap an arm around me.
"Um, somewhere around shedding light on the Lockwoods, and dead, not-dead, dead again," I said, raising a brow at Damon with a smirk.
The raven-haired vampire rolled his eyes as he threw back his bourbon. He licked his lips and stood, walking to the bar where he sat down the glass before grabbing another. He filled them both and joined me where I stood, handing over the second glass. I lifted it in a salute, smiling gratefully. Elena huffed, her brown eyes glaring at the alcohol in my hand.
"It's ten-thirty in the morning, El!" she protested.
I took a quick sip and hummed in satisfaction. 'Mmm, it's five o'clock somewhere, Lena," I said, chuckling.
Elena placed a hand on her hip and turned to Alaric. I laughed when he raised his hands in the air, shaking his head quickly. "I am no one's parent here, and am officially off the clock," he said.
I downed the rest of my drink and forcefully set it on the table in front of me. The weighty crystal clunked loudly when it met the glass-topped table, and I couldn't help but feel pleased when my sister jumped, her shocked eyes falling on me. I took a breath and tilted my head, hands on my hips.
"Elena Gilbert! I am well over twenty-one. Please remember that," I said, my eyes glowing.
Alaric, the only person in the room who didn't know my story, let out an audible gasp of shock. He stood and took a visible step back. I felt my shoulders droop in sadness. I looked away, blinking a few times so that the glow would recede, and turned to Damon, pointing my thumb in the history teacher's direction.
"I'm sure whatever you are planning will give you plenty of time to talk, so I am leaving it to you to fill him in," I tiredly said.
I chanced a glance back at Alaric and was unhappy to find him still staring at me, eyes round — mouth slightly ajar. I looked away and headed forward, leaving the small group behind me. I casually waved an awkward farewell over my shoulder, smiling weakly.
"Um, I am going to find Caroline now," I meekly said.
Stefan came up beside me, pulling Elena with him, a sad yet amused grin on his face.
"I'll take you to her room," he said, leaning over and kissing Elena on the cheek.
I allowed Stefan to lead the way, my gaze firmly on my feet. I could feel Alaric's eyes on me, his shocked fear burning a hole in my back. It reminded me of my time in the past, when witches were judged as freaks of nature.
I hated it.
I hoped he could get over whatever misjudgment he might have of me. I liked Alaric and didn't want things to be awkward between us. I silently followed Stefan, my mind too consumed by my own thoughts and fears to bother with idle chit chat. I was grateful that Stefan knew me as he did because he allowed me my silence without prodding. With a gentle smile, he stood at my side, leading me past Damon's room and to the floor above, where Caroline had taken residence. The closer we drew to her room, the worse the tightening in my stomach became. It was a fast fluttering of intense nerves that made me feel the need to lean over and empty my stomach. I ran my sweaty palms down my jeans, and let out an irritated sigh, gaining a raised brow of question from Stefan.
I shook my head and held my clammy hands against the back of my neck. I wasn't sure where the sudden bout of nerves had come from, but as we stopped in front of her glossy oak door, I couldn't bring myself to knock. I just stood there, watching my fisted right hand hover uselessly in front of her door — my left dangling beside me. I squeezed my left hand closed tightly, the warm silver of Caroline's daylight ring digging into my skin. My heart was beating erratically, and I turned toward Stefan, a small frown on my lips.
"How is she doing?" I whispered.
It was silly, I knew that as a vampire, she would be able to hear me, but I was afraid that maybe she had finally come to the realization that her new condition was my fault. I wouldn't exactly blame her if she had. It was the truth, after all. Stefan placed his hand on my upper back and leaned in, quirking his eyebrow.
"She is fine, El. And, she can hear you," he said, smiling.
I placed a hand on my forehead and rolled my shoulders, shaking him off.
"I know that! I'm nervous, okay, give a witch a break," I said.
I pressed the hand that held her ring against my chest and nodded toward the door. Stefan shook his head, his lips twitching in amusement. Reaching out, he twisted the knob and stepped past me, leaving the door partially cracked behind him. I could hear whispering and felt my stomach flutter as I took a deep breath. I shook off my nerves and slipped into the room. The natural light that spilled from every window in the rest of the house was noticeably absent. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the semi-dark room, my lashes meeting in quick succession. I pressed my back against the door. The only light in the room came from a small lamp sitting on the bedside table.
I searched the room for my newly immortal best friend and felt the tightening in my stomach return full force when I found her. I quickly took her in, her blonde hair was held up in a messy bun, loose strands scattered around her pale face. She stood, arms crossed, in front of the heavily draped window. She was staring at the dark grey material with disdain.
My eyes ran over her outfit, and I grimaced. She wore a pair of navy blue sweats and a slim-fit white top; her favorite pair of Uggs adorned her feet. She was dressed for comfort, which was only something she did when she was sick or upset.
"I never thought I'd miss the sun as much as I do. I hate this!" she pouted, turning toward me — arms dramatically falling to the side.
I felt the edge of my lips curl at her behavior. I loved the way her lips pursed, and her blue eyes sparkled; it was all so very Caroline. I was at least happy to find that she appeared unchanged. From the corner of my eye, I could see Stefan watching our interaction. His gaze never left her overdramatic form. His back was ramrod straight; he was ready to take action at the slightest misstep.
"I'm here now Care, and as promised, I have exactly what you need to get back out there," I said, holding out my hand, palm up.
Caroline let out a small gasp, clapping her hands — eyes shining. The blue Lapis jewel had caught her attention immediately, and she let out a squeal of excitement, speeding toward me. Before I could do much more than notice my hair fluttering around my face, the red locks blinding me for a moment — Stefan had taken action. He met her speed, and I felt chilled fingers wrap around my elbow. A searing burn grew in my shoulder as I was yanked behind him — my green eyes rounded in both pain and shock.
As the world slowed again, the buzzing in my ears disappeared. I leaned forward, my shoulder protesting fiercely at the rapid motion. My head swirled in confusion, and I blinked, clearing the dizziness from my vision. I held my hands out beside me as I tried to steady my swaying body. I reached out and grasped Stefan's rigid shoulder, glancing around him at Caroline. She was standing in front of us, her hands outstretched, head lowered in an obvious sign of submission.
"I'm sorry Stefan, I was just excited about the ring. I wasn't going to hurt her. I would never hurt Elara," she said, glancing at me with glassy eyes.
I gave Stefan's shoulder a gentle squeeze, ignoring the burning in my own — but made no noise. His posture was still stiff and set in a very predatory stance. His upper body was tilted forward, knees bent. It was the perfect position for him to jump into an attack if needed. He was showing Caroline that he was the alpha vampire in this scenario, and she needed to obey his commands. Caroline's throat constricted as she waited for Stefan to speak, and finally, after a few minutes of silence, he reached out, taking my wrist and pulling me from behind him.
"You need to be careful, Caroline. Elandra may be able to protect herself, but she is Elena's sister." Stefan briefly glanced down at me as he stepped away. "And mine as well," he said.
I smiled at him and rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Cool your jet's super vamp. Care isn't going to hurt me,"
I held out the ring, smiling. "I have had this ring for centuries." Caroline looked down at the vintage ring with confusion, and I held up my other hand to stop her questions. "I'll explain how some other time,"
I slid the ring onto her index finger with a satisfied smile. "I collected Lapis Lazuli jewelry and decided to go through my collection for you. I thought this one would be perfect. It is spelled to protect you from the sun as long as you wear it,"
Caroline looked down at her hand, wiggling her fingers. "And you're sure it will work?"
I walked over to the window and gently wrapped my fingers around the edge of the drapes.
"Let's test it out, shall we?" I said, winking mischievously.
Caroline slowly inched backward, thick wrinkles between her brows. "Okay, but if I'm burnt to a crisp, I am so haunting you!" she said, pointing her pink manicured finger in my direction.
I shrugged, my fingers gripping the drapes tightly. "Wouldn't be the first time I've been haunted," I said, chuckling.
Caroline's face scrunched up, her brow raised in question. With a quick twist of my wrist, I pulled the drapes back in one swift motion. As the sun fell on her skin, Caroline's hands immediately came up to shield her face. A low hiss of air flew past her clenched teeth as her body recoiled, her neck tilting to the side as she jumped out of the sun — vamp speeding to the other side of the room. I giggled in amusement, my cheeks burning. I let go of the drapes and headed toward the dark corner of the room where she had fled. Caroline was hovering behind a snorting Stefan, his face full of mirth. I bit my bottom lip, pulling in another burst of laughter. My tongue ran over my lips as I tried to recover. I took in a deep calming breath and smiled over Stefan's shoulder. Caroline was grasping at his shirt, a real fear present in her blue eyes, and I felt a twist of guilt; my smile quickly fell from my face.
"What the hell? What if the ring hadn't worked?" she hollered.
I took hold of Stefan's arm and leaned around him, smiling reassuringly at my friend.
"Come on! Are you calling my awesomeness into question?" I asked, releasing Stefan and placing a hand on my hip.
Caroline inched out from behind Stefan, her hand held out in front of her, the silver of her daylight ring sparkled in the sunlight that was still pouring in from the window. When she saw that she wasn't going to burst into flame, like some vamp from the Blade movies, she scoffed, tossing her bangs out of her eyes.
"I've never particularly liked fried food Elara, so what makes you think I'd wanna become a piece of bacon?"
I placed a hand on my chest and let off an affronted scoff. "Bacon. Is. Life." I enunciated, sending her a well-practiced glare.
Caroline snorted, stepping around me. She slowly made her way to the window, lifting her hand into a beam of light, a peaceful sigh leaving her lips. Closing her eyes, she stepped fully into the sunlight, lifting her face into its warmth. I joined her vigil, staring out into the beauty of the afternoon. The forest that surrounded the Boarding house was a calming sight. The trees swaying in a gentle breeze, their branches reaching out toward a stunning baby blue sky, only a scattered few clouds in sight. For once, we both stood together in uninterrupted silence, a moment of simplistic peace. I glanced up at Caroline and was grateful to find her smiling. She turned toward me, blue depths meeting my green.
"Thank you, Ellie. I don't know if I could have survived being stuck inside every day."
I bumped shoulders with her, a gentle upturn to my lips. "Well, thank goodness you'll never have to know."
Caroline looked down, shuffling her feet as Stefan joined us.
"Okay, now that you have a daylight ring, it's time you learned to hunt," he said.
Caroline's head shot up, and I could see panic flood her eyes. I placed a reassuring hand on her arm.
"You're gonna do great," I said reassuringly, "Make sure you call me as soon as you get back."
Caroline shot me an alarmed look, pulling me closer, and I winced, my shoulder throbbing again. I quickly and carefully pried her fingers from my arm with a pained grin.
"Easy, Care."
I took her hand and led her toward the door, Stefan hot on our heels. "You and Stefan can handle this, and you know that. You also know why I can't come. It would be a hindrance to your progress, having a human so close. At least during your first few hunts,"
Caroline squeezed my hand, and my bones popped, leaving behind a pulsing ache. Stefan came up beside us and took hold of her shoulders, pulling her away gently.
"We need to get started, Caroline. The sooner we do, the sooner you get back to a semi-normal life," he said, smiling down at her.
She kept hold of my hand as he pulled her away, and I nodded my head. "You can do this," I firmly said.
Her fingers slipped from mine as Stefan took her other hand, pulling her down the hall. I waved them away with a smile, praying to the Gods that Caroline could handle the diet Stefan did, but I had a feeling, in the end, she would go the way of most and feed on humans or blood bags. Either way, I didn't care. Caroline would still be my friend, no matter how she decided to maintain herself. I let out a deep breath and went over my mental checklist. I had several important things I needed to do, many of them involving Katherine, but one of them I needed to get completed tonight. It was the first full moon since Mystic Falls had become occupied by a werewolf. So, first on my checklist was making sure Mason had a safe place to change. I couldn't very well have a wolf out wreaking havoc. Not with vampires around, at least not with ones I cared about.
Once I had Mason taken care of, and the full moon was no longer a problem, I needed to take Tyler out and help him activate his curse. It was starting to feel like my brain was being taken over by my ever-growing checklist. I rubbed my temples and let out a puff of weariness. This was going to be another long day.
I drove to the Lockwoods with my windows rolled down. The burst of warm air helped to clear my head as I mentally shuffled through my list again, adding little stars next to the more essential items. I nodded as I added a giant star next to 'Subdue Katherine.' I needed to get rid of her ASAP. She was becoming an enormous problem. I had initially had 'Kill Katherine' on my list, but after thinking through a few things, I had come up with a better plan for her.
In the long run, she would serve me better if I just subdued her; for now. My cell started vibrating, and I reached over, pulling my bag from my passenger seat. I kept my eyes on the road as I dug around, searching for my phone. Finally, my fingers grazed the smooth plastic of my Ottorbox, and I let out a grunt of triumph, pulling it from the bag with an irritated huff. I slid my finger across the screen and tossed my hair over my shoulder, sitting back in my seat.
"Hello?" I said, slightly out of breath.
A loud thrumming vibrated through the speaker, and I tried to hear past the music that was blaring in my ear, my eyes squinting at the high volume. I pulled the phone away from my face, slightly turning my head with a grimace.
"Hey, Ellie, you coming to the swimming hole!?" Tyler hollered over the music.
I raised a brow and tried to remember anything about a party at the swimming hole. I reluctantly placed the phone back against my ear and focused on the road.
"No, actually, I'm on my way to yours. I wanted to find out what your uncle's plans were for tonight. Ya know, with the full moon and all," I said, reminding him of the bigger picture.
I could hear the music drifting off as Tyler headed away from the party, and my ears were thankful.
"You're going to my house...without me? Why didn't you call? I would have headed home," he said, his tone slightly miffed.
I felt a small smile lift my lips as I shook my head. I took a deep breath as I turned onto his street.
"Tyler, I've got this. I don't need you there. I'm not planning on straight-up telling him I know what he is. I'm just gonna feel him out. Maybe even play spy,"
Tyler huffed, his breathing elevated as he tried to remain calm. "Just… be careful, we don't know what he's capable of yet," he said.
I smiled, pulling into the Lockwoods driveway. "Yeah, well, he doesn't know what I am capable of either. And I can promise you, I am far more dangerous than he is," I said, hanging up before Tyler could further protest my actions.
I'd already had a father this go around, I didn't need another. I slipped my phone into my pocket and hopped out of the car, heading toward the porch. I stepped up to the front door and placed my knuckles on the warm wood, knocking a few times. The gentle raps echoed in the near-silent air around me. I put my hands in my back pockets and listened to the wildlife and the quiet rustling of the trees as the breeze came and went. I nibbled on my lower lip and waited for Mason or Mrs. Lockwood, but as the minutes passed by with no answer, I stepped away from the door and moved to the window. I leaned close to the glass and glanced inside, cupping my hands around my eyes.
"Can I help you?"
I jumped, falling forward, my forehead roughly hitting the glass. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my head and traveling down my nose. I placed both of my hands on either side of my throbbing head, palms down, and pushed myself away from the glass, blinking away the pain.
I slowly turned around, my hand raised, forefinger pointed up.
"Yeah, um, one minute please, while I try to regain consciousness," I half-laughed, my body swaying slightly.
I rubbed my forehead, scrunching up my face and trying to fight a quickly approaching headache. I squeezed the bridge of my nose and checked for any signs of bleeding. When I was sure I hadn't sustained any embarrassing injuries, I inched down the stairs, my arms outstretched beside me to help steady myself. I raised my hand above my eyes to shield them from the glaring sun and glanced up at the man who's sudden appearance had shocked me into smacking my face into the window.
Mason Lockwood stood in front of me, arms crossed, beaming from ear to ear. His short, dark brown hair had a messy ruffled look that suited him. His dark blue eyes shined with mirth at my plight, almost sparkling in the sunlight as he tilted his head to glance down at me. It had been a very long time since I had seen Mason up close, and I had forgotten how good looking he actually was. Years of surfing and other outdoor activities had left him looking tan, muscular, and…mighty fine. What was with this town? Did it just draw in every sexy human and supernatural being around? It just wasn't fair to us semi-normal people. His smile widened at my shock and unarticulated lack of words, and he leaned forward, the muscles in his arms flexing.
"Little Ellie Gilbert. It's been a long time," he said.
My jaw fell open, my tongue a dry and useless thing in my mouth, and I mentally yelled at myself, cursing my stupid teenage hormones.
Come on, this is not the first good looking man we have encountered. Get a hold of yourself, girl!
Mason rubbed his stubble covered chin, his smile falling crooked, and he took a noticeable step back, obviously deciding to grant me mercy.
"So, is there a reason you came over? You looking for Tyler? Because he is at the swimming hole," he said.
I quickly closed my mouth, swallowing roughly and composing myself, hoping to at least scrape up some of my fallen dignity.
"Um, is he? I thought he was going to meet me here so we could go together? My mistake, I guess," I squeaked, kicking at loose dirt and casually glancing at the house.
This was a disaster!
My eyes found the darkening sky and I took the phone from my pocket. I acted like I was sending Tyler a text, an annoyed expression on my face, and decided to follow through with Plan B; follow Mason. As I was finishing off my fake text, Mason stepped closer to me again, leaning toward my phone.
"Are you and my nephew dating?" he asked.
To anyone else, the question would have sounded casual, maybe even playful, but I could hear the apprehension in his tone. The slight fear that I, a normal human girl, could be dating his werewolf nephew, terrified him. I lowered my cell, placing it back in my pocket, and glanced up at the wolf, brow raised.
"Am I dating Ty?" I shook my head, smiling.
My mind was debating several different options, but I decided to stick with the truth. It would be better in the long run.
"No, I am not dating your nephew. We're just friends," I said.
I could visibly see Mason's shoulders relax, and knew his condition really was a curse to him. He even feared Tyler having a normal relationship.
"I should be catching up with him, though. It was good to see you, Mason," I said, waving as I headed back to my car.
Mason nodded, raising two fingers and shooting me a wave as I hopped into my car. I kept my eyes on his figure as I pulled out of the driveway. I drove a few streets over and parked my car in an alleyway at the end of the block. I locked up and slipped my keys into my pocket before heading toward the woods. I quickly found a trail that would lead me back onto the Lockwoods property and ran into the semi-darkness of the tree line. When I was sure I was alone, I closed my eyes and allowed my magic to locate Mason's Aura.
I used it as my guide and headed in his direction. I wasn't far from the Lockwoods property line, but the last thing I needed was to get turned around. I trudged through the woods, stopping every now and then to close my eyes and make sure I was still on Mason's trail. Following someone, using their Aura could be difficult. You have to really focus to see that part of a person — it's essentially like seeing their soul.
Hopping over a fallen tree, I stopped again, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes. I focused on picturing Mason in my mind: his eyes, nose, mouth — every part of him that I could recall with perfect clarity. I tried to focus on the good times I had spent with him; when Tyler and I were younger. As I took in several deep, calming breaths, I found myself falling into memories. I recalled the times my mother had forced me to get out and socialize. Mason had invited me hiking with him and Tyler. I had actually enjoyed the time I spent with them. Which had led to me joining them during their daily runs and on a few camping trips.
My mind ran through all the things I used to do with them before things had gotten weird between Tyler and I. I spent time floating around in the past for a moment until I could sense him again. I felt his very being, his energy — his aura.
I saw the thick, vibrant color of it calling out to me. The red mixed with yellow, like a fire building and raging out of control, much like his emotions. He was heading away from the manor and traveling further onto the property.
I opened my eyes and decided to prep myself. I couldn't exactly expect to follow after a werewolf and not get swiftly caught; it took forethought to trick a wolf. I pushed my magic out from where it resided deep within my core. I watched my fingertips light up, the usual electric blue tint flickering to life. I bent down and started at my feet, whispering a spell to cover-up my scent and make my steps soundproof. I ran my hands up my body and made sure that no creature would be able to detect my presence.
When I was satisfied that no one would be able to sense me, I followed after Mason. The further onto the Lockwoods property I got, the slower my steps became. The entire area gave off a vibe that just screamed, 'stay away.' The property might as well have had large signs scattered around that read, 'Death to all who enter here.'
Reaching down, I double-checked my spells, my blue-hued fingertips glowing in the dimness around me. I stepped behind a tree and looked around for Mason, sensing his presence just beyond my hideout. I didn't remember coming out here with Tyler when we were younger, but there was something about this place that had me on edge, a niggling at the corner of my mind. I heard a rustling nearby, the ground crunching beneath booted feet, and slowed my breathing to near nonexistence. I pressed my back against the tree, wincing as the bark scraped against bare flesh. I held my hands against my chest as Mason unknowingly walked right past me, a large black bag slung over one shoulder. I quietly released a rush of air and slowly crept out from behind the tree, following a few paces behind him.
Finally, after about another fifteen minutes, Mason slowed his stride. I slipped behind another large tree a few feet away and tilted my head, staring out from behind my sanctuary. He headed toward a stone structure covered in thick green foliage. It led to what appeared to be an old cellar. As he climbed down the steps, I moved from behind the tree and made my way toward the cellar. I looked down into the darkness and thought over my options. It was obviously ancient, probably having been used by centuries of Lockwoods for the exact purpose Mason was using it tonight. Sure, it held werewolves in the past, but how safe was it now? I needed to be sure it would contain him. I couldn't exactly holler down and say,
"Knock knock, Mr. Wolf. Don't mind me, I'm just here to make sure you don't escape tonight and make meals out of the townsfolk or my vampire friends. So, could I come down and make sure you've taken the proper safety precautions?"
I shook my head, crossing my arms with a quiet sigh. I guess my best bet would be to charm the outside of the cellar; that way, when he is in his wolf form, there would be no way he could escape. I hated the idea of trapping him in a magical cage, it just didn't sit right with me, but it was better than him murdering anyone. I grimaced as my hands began to glow, the light shimmering in the shadows left behind as the sun faded in the sky. I pushed down the guilt I felt. Obviously, given my past, I was a firm believer that werewolves were not meant to be bound, but I had people to protect. I ran my hand across the empty air, picturing a barrier surrounding the cellar like a bubble. A solid wall of blue energy flashed as it incased the building before disappearing into nothingness. It was done. I nodded my head as I spun on my heel, leaving Mason Lockwood behind as the clouds parted above me, revealing a full moon shining brightly in the night sky.
I pushed open the heavy wooden doors of The Mystic Grill, my stomach rumbling as the smell of warm fried food assailed my senses. The restaurant was bustling with customers, and I bypassed them, avoiding a mom and her angry screaming toddler, as I headed towards my sister. I found her sitting by herself, book in hand, completely oblivious to all else. After taking care of last night's werewolf problem, I had been too tired to deal with much else. So, when I received a call from Elena and Damon shortly after nightfall, I had chosen to ignore them. Stefan and Caroline had both texted me, and I knew that if anything was indeed wrong, they would have told me. I put two and two together and decided that Elena and Damon's calls had something to do with Isobel's Duke research. Once I knew that I sort of tuned them out. I just wasn't up for any more drama.
I had already put in well over my 9 to 5, in what was quickly becoming a supernatural career path. One I wasn't even going to live long enough to fully pursue, not that I would want to. I was like Sam and Dean without the killing, I was saving the supernatural instead of hunting them. Besides, last night I had been too busy making plans. Today was the day I planned to take Tyler into the city. He needed to activate his curse before the next full moon and come to find out, helping your friend plan a murder is pretty time-consuming.
After avoiding my sister last night, I needed to drop in before adding another checkmark on my mental list. I couldn't very well leave Mystic Falls until I knew that she wasn't going to run off and get into trouble. Something she was very good at, especially now that she was dating a Salvatore and had another one trailing after her. Raising my hands, I slipped into the booth, patting the table in a rhythmical pattern as I sat down. Elena jumped, her hands grasping her book tightly in shock. I smiled across the booth at my sister.
"Hola amigo, what's up?" I said, shooting her a wink.
Lowering her book, Elena rolled her eyes. "Oh, now you want to talk," she said, eyes scrunching up in irritation. "But when I called you last night, you sent me straight to voicemail! I even stopped by your room, but you had a damn force field blocking your door! I couldn't even touch the damn knob," she said, leaning forward and glancing from side to side. "What if Jenna had tried, huh?"
I crossed my arms and sat back, shaking my head and sighing. "You're so dramatic, Elena. None of the spells I place on my room effect, Jenna. It would just be another locked door to her."
Elena sat her book down on the table roughly, the sound barely being heard over the noisiness of the patrons around us. I reached out and snagged the book from the table, my eyes narrowed.
"Hey, watch it! No need to take your anger out of the literary world. You treat books with respect!" I said, gently lowering the book to the table.
Elena rolled her eyes and took the book, placing it in her purse with a huff. "What do you want, Elara?"
I tapped the table with my knuckles, shrugging my shoulders. "Just checking in. You obviously had news for me, so what's up?"
Elena sat back, running her tongue over her lower lip nervously. "Well, when we searched through Isobel's work, we found a book that detailed the origins of the werewolf curse. A woman named Vanessa roughly translated the title of the book to the curse of the sun and moon," she said.
My heart hammered, a steady pulsing in my ears, and I lowered my hands into my lap, clasping them closed tightly. "And…?" I whispered.
Elena glanced around us for a moment before continuing. "The book said that an Aztec shaman cursed the werewolves, making them slaves to the moon. Because of that, any person with the curse is forced to change under the full moon, and instinctively they hunt their rivals," she nervously fidgeted with her fingers as she finished. "Vampires… and their bite is fatal to them."
I slowly nodded, nibbling on my lower lip. Elena watched me process the information, picking at her fingernails as her brown eyes trailed my face. Logically I knew that eventually, they would come across the legend of the sun and moon, but I had been hoping for later rather than sooner. Damn Niklaus and Elijah, they just had to create that stupid myth. It had caused generations of werewolves and vampires nothing but trouble. I heard Elena take a deep, sharp breath and cringed, my gaze trailing the table as my eyes rose to greet her accusatory expression.
"Elara… you knew… you knew this whole time that they were real, didn't you?" Elena said, voice small.
I glanced up at her, releasing a heavy breath. "Listen, Lena, werewolves are very rare. They tend to stay away from cities and large areas. Usually, they are a none issue. They know how to handle themselves, and I don't like to reveal their existence to others, especially vampires," I sighed heavily. "They will hate them for no other reason than the fact that they can kill them with a single bite."
Elena's eyes darted back and forth, taking in my features with disbelief. "Mason Lockwood?" she weakly asked.
I nodded, leaning closer. "The curse runs in the Lockwood family, Elena. A lot of what you read in that book is bullshit, but what it said about the rivalry between species is real. Though they can find peace. They don't have to hate one another." I ran my hands over my face and down my neck. "There is no way Damon will let this go, and I can't let him hurt Mason for no reason." I reached out to my sister, taking her hand in mine. "What they have to go through is unimaginable; the pain alone drives many mad. Mason just wants to be free of it. They will both be at each other's throats, quite literally. I can handle Mason as long as you help me with Damon," I said, staring into my sister's wide eyes.
I squeezed her hand before releasing it, giving her a bit of space to contemplate her options. Elena chewed on the corner of her bottom lip as her eyes darted around the mostly bare table. "Okay, I will help you. I always liked Mason, and Tyler already lost his dad, he doesn't deserve to lose someone else just because of some curse they can't help," she whispered.
I smiled proudly, standing up and coming around to sit next to her. I wrapped my arms around my sister and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Elena, I appreciate your help more than you will ever know. I get so tired of doing things on my own," I said, leaning away from her.
Elena's eyes narrowed, and she placed her hand on my cheek. "What are you doing on your own?" she asked.
I turned away from her and placed my elbow on the table, leaning my chin on my fisted hand. "I have a whole mental checklist of crap I have to take care of Elena, and I only have so much time to do it in," I said, a sad sigh slipping past my lips without my consent.
Elena brushed a stray curl behind my ear and pulled me toward her. Her large doe eyes were misty, and her nose wrinkled as she tried to fight back the tears. "You listen to me, Elara Gilbert. You are not going anywhere. I don't care what I have to do to stop this damn curse. I will do it," she fiercely said.
I weakly smiled, unable to give her anymore than that. I had heard those words before, and no matter how sweet they were, they were just that: words. They couldn't and wouldn't stop Esther's curse. Elena laid her head on my shoulder, and I tried to ignore the slight sniffling I could hear. I patted her back and closed my eyes against my own burning eyes. A low creaking from the other side of the booth alerted me that we were no longer alone at the table, and my eyes shot open. I glared at the raven-haired Salvatore that had interrupted our small moment and rolled my eyes at his cocky grin.
"Am I bothering you, Ellie," he said.
Elena sat up, covertly wiping at her eyes, and sent Damon an artful glare of her own. "Yes, you are. Neither of us wants you here, Damon," she said.
Damon laid his arm across the back of his seat, grinning. "Really, Elena? Cause I thought you and I bonded yesterday," he pouted, sticking out his bottom lip.
I ignored the jolt in my stomach and turned to my sister, who was rolling her eyes. "We did not bond. You gave me a book, Damon. That is all," she said, patting my arm and motioning for me to exit the booth.
I raised my brow but did as she asked, sliding out of the booth and stepping to the side. Elena slipped from the booth and took my arm, trying to tug me toward the exit.
"Where are you going," Damon asked, leaning toward her.
I watched as they both stared at each other, new heat in their eyes — and felt a wave of nausea and deja vu. Before Elena could reply, I shook her off and raised my hands out in front of me.
"Whoa, that's enough! I am not standing here in the middle of whatever this is turning into." I motioned between the two and shook my head. "Obviously something happened between you yesterday, and I'm sorry, but I have already been through something like this once, and I refuse to be stuck in the middle of it again. I'm out," I said, using my thumb to point toward the door.
Elena released a shocked gasp, brows furrowed in anger, her grip loosening on my arm. Damon stood to his feet, his blue eyes confused for a moment until recognition brought a new light to their depths. Guilt twisted his features, and he looked down, avoiding Elena's probing gaze. I turned away, and I patted Elena on the arm as I walked past her.
"I have plans with Tyler. Don't forget to handle your side of the agreement, sis. I doubt it'll be that hard for you," I smirked, walking away.
They could handle whatever had happened between them on their own. I had more important things to deal with today. I left the Grill and headed for my car, pulling my sunglasses from my bag and slipping them on my face. I took my phone from my pocket and found Tyler's name. Leaning against my car, I sent him a quick text.
Hey Ty, be ready. I'm on my way. -El
"Elandra?" I looked up at the sound of my name, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
I brushed the hair from my face and raised a brow, glancing up at the stern face of the eldest Salvatore.
"Yes, Damon?" I asked warily, opening my car door.
I stood beside the car, my fingers gripping the door in irritation. Damon casually made his way toward me, his hands in his pockets.
"What are you planning with the Lockwood kid, El?" he said, tilting his head — eyes narrowed.
Turning away from him, I smirked, slipping into my car and slamming the door behind me.
"What I am doing with Tyler is my business, Damon,"
Taking a breath, I put my key in the ignition and started the car, never once looking in his direction. Damon stepped closer, and from the corner of my eye, I could see his dark silhouette standing at my open window, his pale hands gripping the door tightly.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into here, Elandra. The Lockwoods aren't safe," he said between gritted teeth.
Closing my eyes, I clutched the steering wheel, doing all I could to fight against the mounting frustration I was feeling. I loved Damon, I really did, but he was trying my patience. I turned my head, releasing the breath I had been holding, and smiled up at the annoying vampire.
"Damon, listen to me. I know what I am doing. Elena told me what you found at Duke, and it's nothing I didn't already know. The Lockwoods are no threat to me. Just stay out of this, please,"
Damon leaned into the car, his blue eyes steely.
"You knew about the werewolves, and you didn't tell us? You didn't tell me?" he said, a slight tick in his jaw.
I tilted my head to the side and stared up at him. "Would you have honestly believed me? Even with the years, I have on you and Stefan, you still treat me as if I am nothing more than the seventeen-year-old girl you once knew. I am not that girl. I am over a thousand years old, Damon. I have seen things you couldn't even imagine. Of course, I knew about the existence of werewolves," I tiredly said.
Damon leaned back, shaking his head. "Werewolves in Mystic Falls, that should have been something you told us. I would have listened to you, Elandra," he said, pushing away from the car. "We need to do something about them. Will their bites really kill us?" he asked, rubbing his neck.
Lifting the sunglasses from my face, I looked up at him, my eyes hard. "This is exactly why I didn't tell you. There is no reason to go hunting them down, Damon. As long as you stay away from them and be careful on the night of the full moon — you will be fine. They know how to handle themselves, and most will not bother you unless provoked."
Crossing his arms, Damon looked down at me. "We are natural enemies. There is no way I will just sit around and wait for them to attack us," he said.
I bit my tongue and tried to stay calm. I hoped that Elena would be able to control him, at least for a little while. I would be back with Tyler as soon as I could. There was no way I would let him just kill either Lockwood for something they couldn't help.
"Damon, I won't let you kill the Lockwoods. It's not happening," I said, sliding my glasses back down.
Damon grinned, his blue eyes shining. "We'll see about that," he said.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I pulled out of the parking space, glaring as he waved me away.
"Yeah, we will," I said, knowing he would be able to hear it.