Music inspired:

James D. Stark- Realize

Chapter Six

The Safe House

It was almost four in the morning when Elijah arrived in front of an old Victorian mansion. He parked his car in the circular driveway and turned off the ignition. The driver side door of the Audi swung open as the Original stepped out, clad in an expensive Italian suit, per usual. A full moon had risen, offering light in a sea of darkness.

He unlocked the front door of the mansion first before he left it ajar and retraced his steps to the vehicle. Gravel crunched beneath his shoes, quieting briefly when he stopped at the passenger door. Elijah opened it, unfastened the seatbelt, and scooped Davina's unconscious body in his arms before he carried her up a limestone staircase.

~oOo~

She could hear his breathing, the faint sound of his heartbeat drumming away as he carried her up a flight of stairs. As hard as she tried to open her eyes and regain agency over her body, Davina could not win the battle; the other inhabitant was much stronger. She, on the other hand, had been cast away into a dark abyss, given only a small window of freedom into the world she once knew. She could peer through it, but she could never make contact.

Aftershave and musky cologne enticed Davina's senses. She could smell him. He was closer to her than ever as she felt her body being lowered to what she believed was a bed.

Don't leave me, she said, shunned away in a sanctuary of silence. He would never hear her.

She needed to open her eyes. She hated this darkness—this paralysis. At least when Tatia was conscious she could see what was happening around her.

Silence.

Footsteps.

A window cracking opening.

Davina always pitied the blind, but she never understood how strong her other senses would become once her sight was taken away.

Elijah's footsteps drew nearer as she felt the weight of his body sink down the side of the mattress.

This wasn't a fairytale. She wasn't Sleeping Beauty; "true love's kiss" would not wake her from her hundred-year slumber. She was merely paying the consequences for dabbling with dark magic; magic that was beyond her teenage comprehension. The universe had exacted its revenge on her, and now she had to accept her suffering. She felt nothing but regret.

"Tatia."

A hand reached for hers and gently squeezed.

"Forgive me." Elijah's voice was evenly composed, though she could still hear a hint of pain in his confession.

"I know you're in there." He paused for what seemed like the longest minute of Davina's life. "Please understand that I never meant to—" He paused again, squeezing her hand tighter.

She understood his apology.

Davina had seen it. She'd witnessed what he had done to Tatia when Tatia showed her. All that blood… his fangs… his eyes… the torture equipment. Tatia had been in love with the Devil.

"I was never worthy of your love then," Elijah expressed. "and I'm not worthy now. I thought I had purged myself of this darkness after your death, but your return has only revived what had died along with you all those years ago."

A lock of hair was gently brushed away from her face. Davina's skin involuntarily tingled and responded to his touch.

"I will find a way to free you. This I swear to you."

She had never heard Elijah sound so unapologetically vulnerable. He was in pain. She could have sworn she'd heard a stifled sob, but she needed to open her eyes to see—to be sure.

"I love you, Tatia. I never stopped."

She felt a tug at her heart strings when his lips grazed her forehead.

Is this her pain I'm feeling? Davina wondered.

His hand slowly slipped away from hers.

Don't go… don't leave me.

Their voices had blurred and she could no longer tell who had said it first. Was Tatia awake, too? Or was she completely alone in the darkness?

Tatia, Davina called out.

No answer.

Silence.

Before she could make a second attempt, Davina felt her right shoe slip off her foot.

Oh my God. Panic pounded in her brain. Is he really going to undress me?

Thankfully, he only did her the courtesy of removing her boots and socks, so that her feet could breathe.

Elijah, the perfect gentleman, Davina thought. It was such a disturbing contrast when placed beside the man he once was: the monster.

Davina was still embarrassed about standing stark naked in front of the Original last week. She hadn't been in control, of course, but it had still been humiliating to surrender her will and watch Tatia do whatever she wanted. If she jumped off the roof tomorrow, there was no way Davina could stop her. She was completely at her mercy.

The only man she ever thought about stripping for had been Klaus. But that night… it had been the first time she'd ever seen Elijah without a suit on. His naked chest, chiseled abs, the tattoos… that dark look in his eyes. He wanted her. The evidence of his growing erection had betrayed him.

A sweltering heat radiated between her thighs. Davina felt ashamed for acknowledging it. She'd never seen Elijah as anything more than a strong ally. Their awkward encounter last week had made her feel as if she was fumbling in the dark, desperately trying to run away from a dangerous attraction she knew she should not feel. The faster she ran, the stronger the attraction grew, chasing her like a blood hungry bounty hunter.

She was only seventeen—hormones raging, mistaking love for lust, and lust for love. Her bond with Klaus had confused her into believing that she wanted more.

I still love him, Davina thought. I still wish he was mine.

She convinced herself that the only reason why she felt any sort of attraction towards Elijah was because of Tatia's influence.

That must be the only reason.

Elijah had left, and the sound of crickets chirping into the night finally put Davina to sleep.