XVIII : Fuck ! Not today !

"Kol, right now is not really the time for a little courtesy call." I said, looking at my phone on the speaker before rearranging my research on Samantha Gilbert.

Honestly, I sincerely regretted having given him a phone. My phone to be more exact. Not only did I have to buy another one, but now he felt entitled to call me whenever he wanted. However, I had to admit that I was somewhat grateful to answer his call. It allowed me to take a break from my own little drama. My ancestor's writings were seriously starting to scare me. Not only that, but it turned out that Alaric was probably the killer. Or at least that was what Meredith had managed to get in our head. Hence the reason why I tried to deny the writings of Samantha Gilbert while the good doctor and Elena went to the hospital to have his exams.

"Love, are you still there?"

I curtly closed the leather notebook before letting myself fall back into my chair in exhaustion."Yeah, Kol. I'm still here."

"Why the lack of enthusiasm? And I who thought I was doing you a favor by calling you?"

"Ha, you wish." I lied despite the fact that he was really calming my mind right now. Honestly, I much preferred supporting the arrogance of the vampire than managing the idea that my guardian might be a psychotic killer."Anyway, where are you?"

"Can't tell you I'm afraid but I can tell why I called."

"Oh really? And why that?" I asked in a rather sarcastic manner.

"I was bored. I thought I could check on my favorite little human." Kol stated smooth before continuing with excitement."Plus, I wanted to know if you knew what a shaker was."

I rolled my eyes to his possessive tone before leaving a snort at his specific request."Yes, Kol. I know what a shaker is."

It was honestly fun to see him ask for that kind of thing. It was like I was talking to a baby somehow. Except that he was a thousand-year-old vampire. Ew!

"These are fancy little things that make amazing cocktails."

"Indeed." I hummed in clear oblivious agreement of the little dancing smile on my lips."And can I know in what type of activity you discovered this tool?"

I didn't even have to see him to know that he had that famous pretentious smile on his lips."Ha now no need to be jealous, love."

"Jealous?" I kept repeating in bewilderment as I stared my phone before rolling my eyes."And now I'm going to hang up."

"Wait, wait!" The vampire quickly hastened leaving me to pause with an amused smile before frowning at his request. "Let's play a game."

"A game?"

"Yes, a game."

Honestly, I knew that Kol was unpredictable but he exceeded all my expectations. He was certainly difficult to follow. And yet I found myself strangely drawn to this side of his personality. He held me on my toes in a very different way from his brothers.

"You know you should be careful someone might think that the great homicidal maniac is not that scary after all." I said with a defiant little smile on my lips.

"I'm worse actually." Kol quipped with a smug smile in his voice.

I gave a dubious look on my phone before I crossed my arms over my chest."I would believe it when I saw it with my own eyes. You're not the first vampire I come across. Honestly I hate to admit it but I'm kind of used to violence now."

"You shouldn't be love. A person like you deserves to be preserved." Commented the vampire letting me shake my head a little touched by his concern. "But I have to admit that it makes things easier for me. I don't have to play a role that hardly suits me."

"It was not an invitation, Kol." I remembered with a flat look as I laid my eyes on my phone.

I still couldn't believe I had such a relationship with the vampire. It was totally illogical and ridiculous when you really thought about it.

Honestly, I really didn't recognize myself since the sacrifice. Milana's presence had completely upset my emotions. I was more open and above all more tolerant with the vampires of this damn town. I still couldn't believe that I always found myself rubbing shoulders with the worst vampires.

"I know. I guess with my brother Klaus you must have seen enough horror." Kol said with a slightly acrid tone at the mention of one of his older brothers.

I rolled my eyes at the mention of Niklaus before giving him an annoyed look through my phone."If you are going to complain about the fact that you have been daggered you are addressing the wrong person. I'm not in the mood to be tolerant."

"You know it's not because you're mean that I'm going to stop calling you, gorgeous. I'm rather obsessed with you and dare I admit it rather infatuated. It's very odd." Kol said letting me swallow at his admission sounding really sincere.

"You have to stop calling me, we're supposed to be enemies. If anyone ever finds out that we are in touch ... even that is Klaus-"

"Are you afraid of my brother, love?"

I puckered my lips at his impudence before glancing at my phone. "What I mean is that I may not want to hear you complain about being daggered, but that doesn't mean that I want you to be locked in a coffin again for the next few decades."

"Be careful here, I might think you care about me." Kol replied immediately using one of the pages of my book.

Despite the gravity of our conversation I let a small smile curl my lips."Don't be smug you little dispshit."

Kol gasped at my statement. "I have no idea what you just said but somewhere I'm almost certain it was an insult."

"Stop trying to be funny." I grumbled under my breath despite the smile betraying my amusement.

"And you stop trying to be cute."

"And I'm hanging up." I announced in a sing-song voice.

This time I didn't give him the choice as I slid my finger on the red icon before getting up with the intention of going to check on another vampire. It turned out that our conversation had made me think of another vampire currently in bad shape.

I straightened up and got my brown trench coat before rolling my eyes again when I saw the flashing call on my screen.

It was sure to say that persistence was a family thing among Mikaelson men.

"Hello ? Is there anyone here? Damon? Stefan?" I hailed as I closed the door behind me with my spare hand before throwing a little screech at the sudden sight of the vampire in front of me."For god sake's Stefan, did you have to do this?"

"Mila." Greeted flatly Stefan as he examined me from head to toe visibly surprised by my presence."What are you doing here ?"

I gave a critical look on his tank top sticking to his skin and his wet hair letting me shake my head with a tsik before handing him the second improved coffee I had."Here! That will help you with the cravings."

I ducked under his arm and sliding him into the parlor before turning on my heels to hear his rhetorical question."You bring me coffee?"

"Black with a spoon of sugar, right?" I replied casually before reaching for the collar of my coat before removing it shrugging my shoulders."I see that the nice brother is absent. Probably gone to help the young lady in distress."

"My temper is a bit edgy, Mila." Stefan reminded as he sat on the couch in front of mine before pouring a good supply of alcohol into the take-out cup of coffee."I could get a sudden desire to kill you."

I gave him a flat look at his provocation before I shrugged. "You don't think it is time to stop the teenage crisis and get back on a healthy diet. Maybe a bit of both. A little human blood, a little bunny blood and presto, Saint Stefan is back on track."

"You're particularly spicy today." Snapped the vampire sharply as he lowered the cup from his lips after taking a long sip.

"And you're particularly slow to recover from your little power trip." I replied immediately, leaning with my elbows on my thighs to support his piercing green eyes. The blood brought out the green in his eyes and I had to admit he was even more attractive as well.

Stefan narrows his eyes on me visibly frustrated by my impetuosity before copying my position while playing absently with his cup."Why are you there ? I thought you finally gave up on us."

"Yeah, well you know they said... I have a one in five chance of dying right now so I thought it was time to make amends with everyone before I left this cruel, cruel world."

To my surprise Stefan looked away looking strangely affected by my sudden statement before taking another sip of his hot drink. I raised my eyebrows at his sudden change in behavior before letting myself fall back against the back of the sofa to take a sip of my own drink. I licked my lips to enjoy the exquisite taste still on my mouth before suddenly feeling the look of the vampire on my profile."What?"

Stefan was about to answer only the agreement of three free knocks coming from the entrance challenged us. I immediately frowned knowing that very few people came to the Salvatore and even less people with the decency to knock.

"Stay put." Stefan immediately warns, pointing at me with his hand holding his cup.

"Wh-"

"Don't discuss. The person behind this door is not human." Stefan explained as he walked across the hallway.

"Really? So, werewolf, vampire, fairy maybe?"

He frowned."Vampire."

"Old or new? "

"New to you. But a blast from Damon past." Stefan whispered as he stopped at the door before opening it just to reveal a tall redhead with intense green eyes."Hello Sage."

"Stefan, pleasure to meet you again." She smiled politely. "Your brother to-oof!" She gasped in surprised when she hit an invisible wall trying to cross the threshold.

Stefan chuckled as he recalled. "That's right, you need an invitation to get in now."

"In a vampire house? How ironic." Asked the woman, Sage, astonished. "So, who should I contact to enter?"

"The person you are looking for is not really there." I interjected, stopping by Stefan's side."I advise you to try again later. Bye."

I took the door with the intention of slamming it in her nose only the redhead went ahead of me holding the door with a small deviant smile towards me."My, my, what a feisty one. And who could you be?"

"Mila Gilbert."

"Gilbert? Interesting." Commented the redhead. "And you can't invite me, kid?"

I kept the insult from Milana by her name before I looked at Stefan. Technically I could invite her, but did I want to? Honestly more vampires in this town was the last of my wishes. Nevertheless I assumed that she might as well occupy them. It also meant that maybe I could enjoy my freedom again.

Just like Kol, his family had deserted the city. Well except Rebekah.

So I shook my head before motioning her in. However, I did not wait for her entry as I retraced my steps to retrieve my now half cold drink and my coat. I put the latter on as I passed the vampire duo before greeting Stefan sarcastically. "Well look like your day will be busy."

I ignored the looks of vampires following me closely as I got into my SUV before placing my cup in the cup holder. I attached myself by looking back at the entry just to see Stefan's back following Sage in the boarding house.

I assumed it was not today that I would succeed in bringing back the good Stefan.

I closed the door of the house with my feet before placing my keys in the bowl provided for this purpose. I was about to go upstairs only the sound of voices coming from the kitchen called out to me. I stopped on the first step, leaning my head toward the opening overlooking the kitchen just to frown down the step.

I walked over to the voices just to leave an expression of disgust at the obvious flirtation between Ric and the brunette currently at his side. I assumed it was the Meredith that everyone was talking about.

However, it was not long before I paused with Alaric's agreement to kill Logan Fell. The once obvious tension darkened, letting me turn around almost on tiptoe.

Honestly, I couldn't remember the last time I had the pleasure of having a spare time of supernatural. And yet it was almost that for me. Certainly, we had the Alaric case to manage but Elena seemed to perfectly manage on her own.

So I had the luxury of spending my afternoon advancing on my sketches which I would send to MICEFA. I figured I could still have that simple dream.

Elijah didn't really give me a choice anyway. I had to live.

Knocks. Knocks. Knocks.

I slowed down my pencil stroke by looking up at my door with a slight frown before standing up as Alaric opened my door."Hey, kiddo, can you come down for a moment?"

"Yeah? There's a problem ?"

Alaric left a humorless chuckle."Choice of interesting words. I guess I should have come to you earlier."

"It's okay. You were busy." I replied, raising my eyebrows, suggestive.

"Oh ... uh ... I'm kinda busted." Alaric said with another breath of laughter.

"You weren't very discreet about it."

"Probably." He replied before signing the hallway as an invitation."You come ?"

I nodded my head placing my drawing cases on top of my bed."In a minute."

Alaric closed behind him letting me get out of my bed trying to ignore the strange feeling settling in my chest. If Ric had laughed with me, he seemed strangely solemn in the way he invited me down.

Something was telling me that I was not going to enjoy this conversation. A fact that was soon confirmed when I saw the expression of beaten dog that Elena gave me.

I stopped leaning against the half-open of the kitchen opening before crossing my arms over my chest as I watched the duo sit around the kitchen table."Why do I feel like I have fallen into a trap?"

"I was showing your sister the list of my bank accounts, my passwords and where you can find my will in case it goes wrong for me. I want to make sure you all do fine without me."

"And I was just telling him that we're all going to be fine."

Honestly I was seriously getting tired of Elena's attitude. She still didn't understand that everything was either black or white in our lifestyle. As much as I hated the idea Alaric was right to consider the worst. I just wish he didn't have to.

Unfortunately, the conversation broke down as Elena's phone rang, finally letting me hold Alaric's disillusioned look as he turned to me. I just shrugged with a grin before looking up at Elena's back at Bonnie's name. And seeing my sister's tense posture I assumed she was talking to the witch.

Finally Elena hung up, leaving Alaric and I to turn to her."So ? Good or bad news ?"

"Bonnie thinks she can help you with a spell." Elena explained as she returned to one of the kitchen chairs.

"It's worth a try."

"She needs something you wore before your ring. A personal object."

Just at the same time Meredith decided to make her appearance with a broad smile before taking a break at my sight."Hey, you must be Mila. I'm Meredith. Nice to meet you."

I was eyeing her outstretched hand waiting before ignoring her straight away, pointing to her."Who gave her the right to roam the house as she pleased?"

"Uh, okay?"

"Mila!" Elena exclaimed as Alaric gave me a reprimand look.

I rolled my eyes, keeping my gaze on the brown / blond before raising my hands in annoyance."Fine! Do as you want! If something bad happens, don't call me."

I immediately turned on my heels toward the stairs before I looked up at the ceiling at Meredith's comment."Your little sister is charming, Elena! Are you sure you're related?"

I sat back on my bed before leaning over to the bedside table to retrieve my Beats headset before connecting it to my phone. I then settled against my headboard before taking up my sketchbook just to take a quick break at the sight of my drawing. Or rather the object of my drawing.

There was a trio of brothers so different yet so recognizable."What the hell?"

I immediately crumpled the page in my fist before tearing it off with all my might. I threw it on the ground before shaking my head as I resumed my drawing.

I had been so immersed in my drawing that I had forgotten the world or even the notion of time around me. I was adding the final finishing touch to my landscape sketch before removing my headset around my neck. I was about to put my sketchbook on the top of my bed when the cry called me.

"Mila! Mila"

I jump out of my bed at Meredith's yelps before rushing out of my room just to widen my eyes at the sight of Ric pulling Meredith by the foot, a kitchen knife in his hand.

"Mila!" Exclaimed Meredith at my sight.

"Meredith, quick take my hand!" I intimated in my turn as I hurtled down the few stairs before I gave a sign of my hand in the direction of Alaric.

The brunette holding me let out a new cry at the sight of the knife flying away from Alaric's hand before quickly following me as I was pulling her with me. I rushed into the bathroom, ordering her to close all the doors before rushing to the last one just to throw myself against it as Alaric blocked it with his hand. "Meredith!"

The brunette immediately turned to me before making my eyes widen as she grabbed a chisel on the sink before planting it directly in Alaric's hand. The latter screamed in pain before removing his hand allowing me to flank the door before turning the locks. I stepped back a few steps still breathless after my run before taking a glare at the brunette by my side."I told you not to call me if this kind of thing happened!"

"Seriously?" Hailed the brunette reaching for her hip just to leave a grimace of pain as she pulled off her t-shirt, revealing a bloody knife wound.

"And you're hurt! Awesome !" I exclaimed, raising my hands to the ceiling.

I ignored the doctor's indignant look as I gave a critical look on the bloody scissor lying on the floor before leaning against the sink, crossing my arms over my chest.

"How can you be so calm?" Suddenly asked Meredith visibly frightened.

I looked up, giving her a sarcastic look."It would be nice if we could avoid the bonding time over the attack of my psychotic guardian."

I knew I was a real bitch with her but I couldn't afford to get attached to a new person. Ric was already on the wrong side and his situation made me realize how many people I still had to lose. I could never bear so many deaths. Especially since Elijah made sure to make me selfish despite myself.

There was one thing I had noticed since my twin left, I was becoming more and more disconnected from the world. Hence the reason why I preferred to avoid the doctor's question. Admitting out loud that I was so scared of losing people that I loved exceeded all of my other fears was not particularly healthy.

However it would seem that I didn't really have time to delve deeper into my deep feelings as Meredith suddenly collapsed before my eyes."Meredith! "

I rushed to the doctor just to see one of our bloody towels on the floor. I held back a curse as I finally took into account the loss of blood before grabbing the towel again to rest it on her wound.

"C'mon, don't die!" I croaked as I could feel the tears of frustration coming to my eyes." I don't even know you. You have no right to die!"

"Mila!" Hailed a familiar voice.

I immediately straightened up on the alert before looking at one of the closed doors."Stefan! We're here !"

Soon enough, one of the doors was knocked out of its hinges, letting me lift my hand to protect myself from the debris before immediately giving way to Elena as she rushed to the doctor.

I tried my best to wipe my bloody hands on my jeans at the sight of the vampire before I walked over to him to keep him away. I could see the serpentine veins around his eyes as he approached Meredith before suddenly biting into his wrist to give her his blood. I unconsciously let a sigh leave my lips at the sight of Elena's eyes. However, my attention soon turned to Stefan as he hastened to flee the scene.

I was going down the stairs four by four just to take a break on the last step at the sight of Stefan waiting for me on our porch. I wrinkled my lips in hesitation before shaking my head as I got my car keys. I passed the vampire without a word before taking a break as I realized that he was still planted on our porch."Well? What are you waiting for ? "

"What?"

"C'mon, I need a drink. Preferably outside the town." I said, waving my keys before raising my eyebrows in defiance at the sight of his frown."What? Do you want to let me go alone? As you wish."

I resumed my way to my SUV simply to take a new break as I felt a breeze before seeing Stefan with my keys in hand."I drive."

I left a real smile adorned my lips before following after the vampire.