Chapter Eight
Hello! I am SO SORRY this took so long, but university life has been hectic and second year is an adjustment. Anyway, I finally found the effort to type up this chapter – though there's no real excuse for my laziness – and I'm sorry for the absence. I got inspired for other stories too.
In regards to I'm Gonna Be Strong, I apologise for the long absence there too. I just can't find the inspiration for it. Anyway, thank you for the reviews/follows/favourites for Rings – I am so very grateful to you all :D
I woke up to the feeling of eyes on me, fluttering my own open and smiling. Stefan was propped up on one of his elbows, a small smile on his face as his free hand played with my bedraggled hair. I was surprised he had stayed, fear and jealousy pushing me to believe he would have his fun then run away. It was a pleasant surprise to find him there.
"Good morning," I grumbled and he leaned down, kissing my lips gently yet passionately. Unashamedly, his hand trailed under the sheets and ran over my naked body.
"It really is," he replied smoothly, drawing little circles around my hipbones and I giggled at the ticklish sensation. Naturally, he intensified the motion and I squealed, attempting to scarper but not putting much effort in. Stefan easily grasped hold of me and tickled my sides until I cried with laughter. We collapsed in a tangle of limbs and heavy breathing, faces inches from one another as the euphoria at seeing my family again was mimicked by staring at the light in Stefan's eyes.
"Do you want breakfast? Elijah makes fabulous pancakes when I beg hard enough – and Kol will help. Or you could sneak out like a lady of the night, though good luck with my family," I told him, strangely excitable. Then again, I hadn't experiences a night like the one before since the last time Stefan and I had been together. My afterglow was quite possibly a real, blinding glow.
"I think I'll just walk out with what dignity you've left me with and take a rain check on the pancakes." I pouted and he bit my lip playfully. "Though, if there's syrup . . ." he trailed off suggestively, running his index finger over my sternum with a feather-light caress. I grinned deviously.
"How about I bring some over tonight and we can give your brother an earful to remember?" I suggested and Stefan pressed a full kiss to my waiting mouth.
"Perfect."
We both grudgingly got out of bed after that and I pulled my satin robe over me as Stefan dressed in his shirt, pants and shoes from the night before. I kissed up his neck and all over his face before entering a heated lip lock that almost led back to the bed. We regained our senses long enough to make it downstairs and through Klaus' art room to where Kol was incessantly whining.
"I'm bored, Nik! I need some entertainment," he was complaining as Stefan and I entered the room. Like flicking a switch, his face lit up and he straightened in his chair. "Never mind, some just walked in. Well, well, I heard you two had a lot of fun last night," he teased and I smirked mockingly.
"More than you did. What happened? Did your face scare your date away?" I mocked and he rolled his eyes at me affectionately.
"She was interesting enough to spend more time around, believe me. And mother said no dead locals, so I got rid of her for her own safety," he said easily and I snorted. "As Nik how his date went, I dare you." Rolling my eyes, I escorted Stefan across the room and giggled as he sharply pulled me against him, kissing my cheek.
"I'll see you tonight," he murmured before disappearing in the direction of the front door. Grinning like an imbecile, I revolved and practically skipped over so I was standing behind Klaus.
"How did your date go? Did Caroline brush you off again? And my nose is not that big," I protested, tilting my head as I analysed what was hopefully a cartoonist version of me. Otherwise, I was offended.
"Enough, Teagan. If I fix your nose, will you stop badgering me for details?" he asked and I thought about it briefly.
"That depends. Are you going to entertain Kol and me? Stefan's gone, so we're both bored." Klaus sighed and closed his sketchbook.
"Why not? I didn't have nearly enough to drink last night, what with Kol trying to murder Rebekah's date." I scowled at Kol, who just shrugged. Then an invisible light bulb went off over his head.
"Damon snapped my neck!" he cried and my scowl darkened to dangerous proportions as Klaus stood on top of the small set of steps, watching us. "He broke my neck and threw me over the balcony," Kol continued and I tried to calm myself down. It was not working.
"I'm going to kill him," I snarled viciously but Klaus shook his head.
"No, sweetheart, you're going to shower then come drinking. I doubt Stefan wants his brother dead," he reasoned and I scoffed despite clearly agreeing.
"Every family has issues, darling! Do you want Nik dead?" Kol asked and I shook my head grudgingly. Sadly, Klaus was making his way back into my heart.
"That's always reassuring. Now, Teagan, shower. I will not be taking you anywhere if you smell like a brothel." There was a teasing smirk on Klaus' face that I didn't miss and I grinned back before making my way up to my bedroom. I really did need to shower.
XXX
There was something eerie, I could feel it. Rebekah had stronger intuition than me by far, but I knew when something wasn't right. So, by the time I had finished my fourth drink, I was wishing I was on my fifteenth. I had no idea where Rebekah and Elijah were and the hours were dragging by. Naturally, Kol and Klaus were enjoying themselves endlessly, and I was truly relieved when Elijah's name appeared on my caller ID.
"What can I do for you?" I asked quietly, husky voice portraying my curiosity.
"Are Kol and Niklaus sufficiently distracted?" he asked and I raised an eyebrow, eyes darting to my two companions who seemed to be rebuilding their brotherly bond.
"Yes, they're drinking themselves stupid as I talk. Why?" I queried, cautiously moving further away, just in case. Elijah sighed.
"It seems Esther plans to end our lives, as penance for creating us in the first place. Elena's blood added the key ingredient and I am keeping her hostage to make the Salvatore brothers cooperate." Jealousy sparked within my chest once again as I thought of Stefan doing anything to save precious Elena.
"And that would be Rebekah's location – but where do I come in? As much as I wish it wasn't true, Stefan isn't likely to listen to me if Elena's involved," I retorted, bitterness clear in every letter I uttered. Elijah actually chuckled.
"Teagan, you are so used to being second choice that you do not see when someone truly does love you. Young Stefan is very concerned over you, though it seems I cannot put much hope in his searching abilities – or he would have found you already." I rolled my eyes.
"As enlightening as that was, it does not help us right now. What is it you wish me to do?" I demanded, urgency seizing me as I saw the time nearing half past eight.
"Make sure that any plans Damon has made fall through. Whilst Stefan may not want to see you dead, his older brother is already planning the party," Elijah bit out and I ground my teeth together, agreeing and hanging up. My eyes swivelled around and landed on Klaus following Caroline like a puppy. I skidded in front of the blonde and smiled sickeningly.
"Hello, Caroline. Sorry, my brother and I have some re-bonding to do. Your little chat will have to wait for another night." I could feel the dangerous fire in my eyes and Caroline seemed to immediately understand that I knew what she was up to.
"Sweetheart, you can wait. Young Caroline and I have a lot to do to get to know one another," Klaus interjected and, freshly furious, I whipped my head to glower at him sharply. In the background, I saw Kol approaching some woman, who did not look happy. And I did not trust it.
"I thought your family was the most important thing in your life? Are you just going to leave because this girl presents a challenge?" I snapped. It was a low blow, I knew that, and more likely to turn him away – if he hadn't seen the terror in my eyes. We both knew that I did not readily show my fear, and he knew something was wrong if I was so desperate.
"Apologies, Caroline, but I did promise my siblings I would spend time with them," Klaus said smoothly and Caroline, not hiding her own desperation and disappointed expression very well, left with wide eyes. "Alright, just what is going on here Teagan?" he demanded and I was about to answer when I saw a familiar dagger.
"NO!" I cried, uncaring of any attention I gained s the silver weapon was driven into Kol's heart. Klaus, clutching his own chest, whirled around and his glare was strong enough to bake armies.
"Follow them. I will meet you outside." I nodded immediately, slipping over to the door that the inane hunter and his lady friend had dragged my brother through. It led to an alleyway and I snuck up behind them.
"I have to admire you utter idiocy – didn't think you had it in you," I growled before slamming a kick into the hunter's stomach then smacking the woman hard across her face. Both were sent flying as Klaus appeared and yanked the dagger out of our brother. "I hate this bloody town," I snarled darkly as Damon appeared in the alleyway, accompanied by his brother.
"Your time has just been cut. If you do not tell me where the witches are, I will send Teagan to Rebekah where they will gladly tear Elena apart," Elijah threatened as he appeared, grey skin fading to its regular colour and I realised something had been missing from his quick story.
"You said we had until after nine!" Damon protested as the clock hit half past eight.
"We can make it last for weeks if we want to – choose which body parts you want to save," I told him, completely serious. My eyes did not meet Stefan's pleading gaze.
"Even if we do, we can't stop the ritual taking place. Esther is using all of the Bennett witches," Stefan argued quietly but still I did not look at him. He could have told me, warned me, don't SOMETHING and instead to chose to dagger my brother.
"Teagan, I want you to go to Rebekah. Now," Elijah ordered, though there was no threat in his voice – only fear. I stared at him with wide, angry eyes, furious that he was trying to protect me.
"I'm not going anywhere. Bring Rebekah here. If we die, we die together," I argued loudly, not quite shouting but loud enough that Elijah knew what was bubbling beneath the surface. He didn't look happy.
"No one is dying, Teagan," Klaus reasoned as Kol finally stood up and shook himself.
"Wrong! You are, Nik! All of you are going to die and I'm left here without a family. If you die, I'm going too!" I yelled, eyes blazing as they stared hard at Nik, my brother, and Kol came up beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist.
"How about this? There's only one way to cut off dear mother's connection to the Bennett witches – and that's if one of them is no longer a witch. Teagan turns Mummy Bennett,, stays out of the way, the ritual is stopped and everyone goes home happy except for Bonnie," he suggested too cheekily for someone that had just been daggered again. I had to admit, though, it was a great plan.
"Fine, whatever. Tell us where Elena is and we'll tell you where the witches are," Damon snapped and I tilted my head, catching Elijah's eye. He nodded, so I sprinted at Damon and twisted his arm until it broke. He cried out and Stefan had to be held back by Kol as I slammed Damon into the ground.
"I'll be playing the games here, Damon. Tell me where the witches are and I will not make you destroy Bonnie's life whilst I rip Elena apart piece." I jerked and his shoulder snapped, making him cry out again. "By piece." I stomped on his wrist, making him moan one last time before he caved.
"The old witch burning site," he groaned and I looked at Elijah.
"I know where it is," he answered my silent question. Pleased and smirking, I leapt lithely off of Damon and back to Kol. Stefan tanked himself away from my brother and I averted my eyes as he made his way back to his own brother. "Elena is in the Lockwood tunnels," Elijah continued before making his way up the steps, followed quickly by Kol and Nik. I only took three steps before a hand grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face Stefan.
"We have to get to Elena, Stefan. Save your romantic crap for later," Damon sniped but Stefan didn't appear to hear him. Instead, he just looked at me with a pleading expression.
"Stay," he begged quietly and, completely shocked, I stared at him with a blank expression.
"Teagan, are you coming?" Elijah asked and I looked up at him before Stefan tugged my arm and held my chin.
"I don't want you to die," he said breathlessly and my face twitched.
"You were willing to do anything for your brother – and I am willing to do anything to save my family. I'm sorry, Stefan." I didn't know what I was sorry for, but I said it anyway. I leaned in and kissed him fleetingly before backing away and running to my brothers. When I reached the top of the stairs and looked back, he was gone.
"We're going to survive, darling. I know it," Kol reassured me with a cheeky grin. Smiling, I ran with him and our two brothers, reaching the location of the witch house quickly. Time was ticking and I could hear Esther chanting.
"What happens?" I asked in a remarkably smooth voice, waiting for someone to answer. Naturally, it was Elijah.
"She has bound us all together, so if one dies, then the rest of us perish also," he explained calmly and a fresh wave of fury took over my already shaking form. Kol squeezed my hand.
"I'll deal with the witches. Just make sure that you distract Esther," I said lowly, voice reverberating with danger. Kol smirked darkly and I gave them one last fleeting look, hoping it wasn't the last time I would see them. And, God, the last time I saw Rebekah was at the ball.
Esther had sent Bonnie and her mother inside and I followed sneakily, breezing over the floorboards. Then I felt a strange tingling along my spin before I was bombarded with pain. I felt like my head was being torn apart and I screamed, clawing at my hair to make it stop. The burning only increased and I felt blood pour from my nose, screeching as I collapsed to my knees. Two figures appeared at the end of the corridor and I suddenly remembered my purpose.
The ripping agony was still there, but my family was in danger. I used that motivation to launch myself forward, crying out as I managed to grab the eldest witch. Bonnie tried to fight me off but I hit her hard enough that she fell and knocked herself out.
"Sorry about this," I ground out, more pain assaulting me. I cried out and fell to the ground, my grip dragging the fighting witch with me. I caught my hand on a sharp piece of protruding wood and placed it to her mouth. With a final breath and another tsunami of torture, I snapped her neck. Then I really screamed.
Stake had to be plunging themselves into my every pore, that was the only explanation. I fell onto my back and gripped my head, screeching in agony. Blood continued streaming from my nose and mouth as I sobbed, convulsing on the floor.
"PLEASE STOP!" I begged, choking on my own blood, but it did not stop. It got worse and worse until I was certain they were going to tear me limb from limb. A scream of hysteria, sickening pain and terror ripped itself from my throat as my eyes squeezed shut.
Then there were arms – warm arms, picking me up. In a flash, the pain was taken away, until I was just a sobbing mess on the ground, blood drying on my face and neck as tears fled over my cheeks in endless rivers. I felt weak, unable to open my eyes and see who had saved me.
"Sweet mother of f-." There was a smack, cutting off the familiar sound of my brother's voice. I moaned, attempting to open my eyes.
"Teagan, love, can you hear me? Open your eyes sweetheart," a familiar, rough-yet-smooth voice urged me gently as a hand swept hair from my face. I coughed on blood and the hand immediately sat me up as someone else wiped some of the mess away. My head fell back on Nik's shoulder as I blearily opened my eyes.
I was outside with Kol on my left looking more concerned than I'd ever seen him, then Elijah on my right frowning deeply. At my feet sat my saviour and a weak smile curled my lips.
"Did it work?" I croaked and there were four sighs of relief as Nik helped me sit up more, though I was still as limp as a rag doll against him.
"It worked, Teagan. You did very well," Elijah said proudly, a smile on his mouth. I tried to widen my own but I was too tired. Elijah received the message easily. "Sleep, we'll take care of you." My eyes immediately closed and I felt Nik lift me up as though I weighed nothing more than a toothpick.
"Thank you," he told my rescuer and then I was swept into unconsciousness.
When I woke up in the middle of the night, exhausted and bleary eyed, there was a bottle of syrup on my bedside and I found myself giggling.
There you have it! Hopefully the next chapter will be up within a week, though I make no promises. Love, Bianca :) x