Chapter Five

Plan B

ELIJAH

Seven days. For seven days I forced myself to stay away because I couldn't trust myself around her. She was so broken that I feared she would break me, too. I couldn't allow myself to open that coffin. My monster might have been alive, but I was more than capable of locking him away in his tomb. I didn't have to let him out. Being in Tatia's presence was too triggering. What happened a week ago… that night… much to my guilt, I'd been shamefully aroused. The sadistic beast I had long thought I'd killed, had never died; he was simply sleeping… waiting. His resurrection gutted me inside out.

This is who you are, Elijah. Embrace it. You will never rid yourself of me.

"Good evening, Brother."

I was pulled away from purgatory at the sound of Klaus's voice. He entered my study alone and poured himself a glass of scotch before sitting across from me.

"Is this how you spend your days now?" He swigged back his drink. "Voluntary isolation?"

How could I possibly make him understand? All our lives my brother believed that he was a wicked, monstrous beast. He needed only to look at me—to truly see me… he would've realized that I was the real monster in our family, not him.

"Feel free to make this a two-way conversation, Elijah."

I finished my drink and set it on the coffee table. "I thought we all agreed that it would be best that she does not see me."

"You're right. However, Freya and I never agreed to your self-exile."

"I'm ashamed."

"I know."

"Drowning in guilt, misery… it's complete and utter torment."

"I trust it is, Brother."

"You have no idea how horribly I made that poor girl suffer. The things I did…"

I squeezed my eyes shut, in hopes of blackening the memories. They only became more vivid.

"You must consider the possibility that that might not even be Tatia… For all we know it could be an evil entity preying on your ultimate weakness."

No. He was wrong. It was Tatia. I could feel it with every fiber of my being.

"Why are you telling me these things?" I asked, standing to refill my drink.

"Because Freya spoke to Vincent this afternoon," Klaus replied, "I'm only relaying everything he told her. Whoever has possessed Davina… might not even be Tatia. Even when Elena was possessed—"

"Your theory has flaws." I interjected. "It makes no sense. After all these years… why now? Why me? I'm not negligent to the reality of our list of enemies… but there isn't a shadow of doubt in my mind that it's Tatia. We must figure out a way to lay her spirit to rest. There is no other alternative."

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

I turned to my brother, hiding my distress as I waited for an explanation.

"At least not yet," he added. "Freya must gather her strength for the next ritual. Fortunately, Vincent has agreed to help her this time."

"And what are we to do with Tatia—Davina while we wait?"

"Davina is still on every witch's hit-list. We are responsible for her safety. I promised Marcellus and I nearly broke that promise. She's become so unhinged, which has only increased the risk of her getting in harm's way."

I poured some scotch into his empty glass and sat back down. "What are you suggesting, Klaus?"

"It's not safe for her here. We must take her to a safehouse."

"Does this mean you believe that she hasn't brought this on herself?"

"She's a sweet girl. In the short time that I got to know her… I don't believe she did this. You and Freya were right. We must protect her. She's our 'wild card,' after all."

I felt oddly at ease upon hearing this, but was caught off guard by what my brother suggested next. His proposition was impossible to me.

"I cannot," I firmly stated.

"There is no other choice, Elijah. You must take her."

I didn't want to be alone with her. I simply could not.

"Niklaus, I can't." I looked at him with desperation, praying he would understand without me having to explain.

"You are not the same man you once were, Brother."

He was wrong. I wasn't a man. I was a monster.

"I know it is painful to be around her, but she only listens to you. Freya can't keep her comatose for weeks. She's your pet, take care of her."

"Do not speak of her that way!"

I didn't mean to lose my temper, but it was difficult to keep a level head when everything within me was raging.

Klaus got to his feet and touched my shoulder. "My sincerest apologies—bad joke." He smiled.

I moved away from him and loitered near a window, gazing at the city. "When am I to take her?"

"The sooner the better."

"Tonight?"

"Yes. Freya's spell will keep her knocked out long enough for you to transport her to the safehouse. I have to stay back and arrange some things with Marcelle before joining you. Our sister will arrive there much sooner, by the end of the week."

I felt relieved to know that I wouldn't be entirely alone with Tatia.

"No point wasting any time now," I said, swigging the rest of my liquor. "I'll do it."