Chapter eighteen

Feelings

"You're not gonna tell your mom what happened?"

Ruby rolled her eyes at Kassandra as they prepared the bar for business. A few days had passed since Elijah had slaughtered every member of the largest werewolf pack in North America, all just to save Kassandra and Ruby. The witch wanted to move on, to forgive and forget, but Kassandra wasn't so keen on that. She would forever hold a grudge against werewolves.

"Why worry her any more than necessary?" Ruby replied, scrubbing down the bar. "And give her more reasons to hate you?"

"God knows she doesn't lack any of those," Kassandra muttered as she wiped glasses.

Ruby raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Have you talked to Elijah lately?" she asked in a knowing tone.

Kassandra rolled her eyes. "Do you mean have I actually talked to Elijah lately or have I spent any nights in his bed lately?"

"Both," Ruby answered.

"I haven't done either," Kassandra said. "I haven't seen him since he played hero."

The witch frowned at her vampire friend. "Have you said thank you to him yet?" she asked, staring pointedly at her.

Kassandra sighed. "Not technically, no."

When Ruby gave her a look, she rolled her eyes again. "Elijah knows I'm thankful, Ruby," she explained. Kassandra had never been one for saying thank you. She thought words cheapened the actual feeling. She sucked when it came to words, to expressing herself.

"Did you apologize then?" Ruby said, her frown deepening.

Kassandra gave her a look. "What do you think, Ruby?"

She sighed. "Well, I think you should," she said.

She raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"Just because you know you're thankful doesn't mean he does, Kass," she explained.

She shook her head. "Elijah knows, Ruby, trust me," she repeated.

"Fine, whatever you say, Kass," Ruby said in a disbelieving tone, and Kassandra tried to not become frustrated with her friend.

But she knew she should see Elijah soon, that she wanted to. It wasn't that she missed him, exactly. Kassandra didn't miss people, especially originals she had only slept with a handful of times. But she wanted to see him, sometime soon. She just didn't want Ruby to know that.

"What are you two, exactly?" Ruby asked suddenly, and Kassandra tried not to sigh again.

"We've had this conversation before, Ruby," she said, in a tone that made it clear she didn't want to have it again.

"I know, I know, you two are fuck buddies, but… you're telling me there are no real feelings there?" Ruby asked skeptically.

"I mean, I like Elijah. I'd guess I'd say we're friends. Yeah, we are. We're friends who are attracted to each other physically," Kassandra explained, nodding along with herself.

"That's not what I meant Kassandra, and you know it," Ruby said.

"What? Are you asking if I'm in love with Elijah?" She rolled her eyes, scoffing at the idea.

But with the look Ruby shot her, Kassandra realized that her friend was being serious. "Ruby, I don't have feelings for Elijah," she objected. "And he doesn't have feelings for me."

"Really? Because I don't know many people who would slaughter an entire pack of werewolves for a fuck buddy," Ruby shot back.

"Maybe the sex is just that good," Kassandra said, and Ruby rolled her eyes.

"You know, out of all the men and vampires in the world, Elijah is one of the good ones, Kass," Ruby said quietly. "And I think that he does have feelings for you, even if neither of you know it."

Kassandra didn't look at Ruby as the witch left to go take care of the other end of the bar. Her friend was so convinced that whatever she and Elijah had would develop into something real, something like love.

And even though Kassandra didn't believe in love, and didn't welcome it into her life, she grudgingly admitted to herself that, if she had to be in love with anybody, Elijah would be her top choice.

~SYH~

It was starting to snow in New York, causing brown slush to clog the streets and puddles to make Kassandra's shoes wet. And even though actual New York in the winter differed from the movie versions, it could actually be quite beautiful at times.

Kassandra had never been one for snow. It was cold and wet and caused water stains on her precious heels and boots. She preferred the summer, when she could wear low necklines without getting called a whore. Still, as she walked through the streets and fat flakes fell into her hair, she had to admit that there was something attractive about winter.

It wasn't until a few days after her talk with Ruby that Kassandra actually went to see Elijah. Even though she didn't necessarily expect sex, Kassandra still put on some of her best lingerie and made sure she didn't look like a dog. It was better to be safe than sorry.

As she walked down the hallway of his apartment building, Kassandra looked up at Elijah's door, only to see him walking out of it. She stopped in her place as he looked up at her. His eyebrows raised slightly in surprise at the sight of her.

"Hi," Kassandra said finally, pushing a wavy strand of hair out of her face.

Elijah nodded. "Hello," he said.

Kassandra shifted her feet awkwardly. "Uh, I just- I wanted to stop by to say… some things, but if you're busy-" she trailed off. Because she came here to say thank you and to apologize, two things she wasn't fond of. And if she could put it off for another decade or two, she would've been grateful.

"No, I'm not busy," Elijah said almost quickly. "I just am going to visit a witch who might be of some use to me." He studied Kassandra for a moment. "You can come along, if you'd like. You might even be helpful, given your history with magic."

Kassandra tried to stay far away from witches- Ruby being the exception- but she found herself speaking without the permission of her brain. "Sure," she said, too quickly and sounding to eager. To contradict this, she added, "I have nothing else going on anyways."

The corner of Elijah's mouth twitched in slight amusement. He walked towards the exit, Kassandra joining his side as he passed her. "Though I'm not sure that I'll be much help," she said, her mouth pursing in thought. "It's been awhile since I've practiced magic."

"Even so," Elijah said, not sounding disappointed with her. She was sure he even expected this answer. "What you lack in knowledge, you make up for in company."

Kassandra did catch a smile from the original as he pressed the button on the elevator. Her eyebrows furrowed and she narrowed her eyes at him. He was teasing her. Kassandra was surly and bitter and aloof. Most of the words that came out of her mouth were sarcastic and patronizing. She was hardly good company. The bastard was making fun of her.

But before she could come up with a witty retort, the elevator doors opened with a ding, and Elijah made a gesture towards the empty lift. "After you, Kassandra."

She shot him a glare, to let him know that she was aware of his teasing and that he wouldn't get away with it, before she walked past him into the elevator.

Kassandra didn't even stop to consider that Elijah was being partially serious.

~SYH~

"What's the witch's name?" Kassandra asked as the two walked towards an old warehouse, where they were meeting the witch.

"She didn't tell me," he replied. "Not her real name. She told me to call her Lenore. She wants to keep as much anonymity between us as possible. That is why we are meeting at a warehouse and not her actual home."

This whole situation was unnerving Kassandra. She didn't like the idea of this "Lenore". The witch gave her bad vibes.

"How'd you find out about her?" Kassandra asked, wiping snow off her face. It was snowing lightly and speckling both of the vampires with white that melted almost as soon as it came in contact with their skin or clothes.

"My brother, Niklaus, is still in contact with a few witches," he explained. "From when he had been trying to break his curse. He got in contact with one witch who told him about another witch who told him about Lenore. And since she lives in New York, I'm visiting her."

Kassandra remembered Niklaus, from their human days. She remembered the way he would watch Tatia, eyes full of the kind of devotion she still didn't understand. Kassandra also remembered that Elijah used to look at Tatia the same way.

An unpleasant feeling filled her at the thought, of how in love Elijah had been with her old friend. It was a bitter feeling and she didn't like it. Kassandra didn't want to think that it was jealousy. Why would she be jealous of Elijah and Tatia? Tatia was long dead and she didn't like Elijah in the way that would cause jealousy. So she definitely wasn't jealous.

"Does she know you're an original?" Kassandra asked, trying to forget her previous thoughts.

"Yes, she does," Elijah said, frowning at the look on Kassandra's face. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Kassandra said with a shake of her head. "Why would you ask?"

"Because you don't seem so sure of Lenore."

Kassandra let out a sigh. "I don't trust witches," she said bluntly. "And I don't like that this one knows what you are and still agreed to meet you."

"I thought so too," Elijah said with nod. "It seemed out of nature for a witch."

Kassandra looked up at him. surprised. "And you're still agreeing to meet her?"

"I've dealt with more powerful witches than the one we're about to see," Elijah explained. "I will be able to handle myself in the situation takes a turn for the worst."

Kassandra nodded. As long as he was prepared.

When they reached the warehouse, Elijah easily broke the lock on the door and then held it open for her. Kassandra walked inside, and at first it was pitch black and smelled like rat poop and dead homeless people. But after her eyes adjusted, she noticed the light coming from the other end of the building.

She walked towards it, Elijah two steps behind her. When they got close enough, Kassandra saw a woman, probably in her late twenties, with a dark curtain of hair blocking her face. She was standing at a table that had lit candles on it. In the center of the table was the witch's Grimoire. It was old and worn, and the witch was flipping through it with ginger fingers.

She looked up at the sight of the two approaching vampires. Kassandra barely made out the witch's face before she stepped into the shadows.

"You were supposed to come alone," Lenore rang out in an ominous tone, but Kassandra wasn't impressed.

"Oh, don't mind me," she said in a patronizing tone. "I'm just here to observe."

"I hope you won't mind," Elijah said, watching Lenore with cautious eyes.

"You were supposed to come alone," the witch repeated. "I do not know who she is."

"Call me… Gabriella," Kassandra said after a brief pause. If Lenore was going to use a fake name, so would she. And her mother's name was the first that came to her.

Kassandra circled the witch's table slowly, studying what was on it. Next to the spell book was a long silver knife and a small glass jar. Her eyes flickered back to the Grimoire, and she frowned at the familiarity of it.

"I know of a solution to your problems," Lenore said to Elijah, ignoring Kassandra.

"Then by all means…" Elijah gestured for her to tell him the solution, as Kassandra edged closer to the table, her eyes set on the Grimoire.

"All I need is your blood," Lenore said, not explaining her solution. Kassandra stopped at the mention of blood. "Yours and your siblings'."

She looked up at Lenore. "Why?" she said in a suspicious tone.

The witch rolled her eyes at Kassandra. "To unbind them, I need to lift the spell from their blood," she said, as if it was obvious.

"And how do we know that's all you'll do with it?" Kassandra retorted.

Lenore narrowed her eyes at her. "And what are you suggesting I would use it for?"

"Anything and everything," she shot back, gritting her teeth. She didn't like the little bitch, she didn't trust her.

"Vampire blood is tainted," Lenore said, nose wrinkling slightly.

"Vampire blood is powerful," Kassandra corrected. "And the older the vampire, the stronger their blood is. Who knows what you could use it for. Black magic, necromancy, expression…" she trailed off.

Lenore's eyes widened. "You're a witch," she breathed, taking a step back from her.

"I was," Kassandra said rather darkly.

The witch's eyes widened even more. "Kassandra Patrikson," she mouthed, but it was enough to cause Kassandra to go rigid.

Lenore knew who she was. And that just made her even more of a suspicious character.

Kassandra narrowed her eyes at the Grimoire once more, and then, in a flash, she blurred to the table and grabbed the spell book. Her eyes widened at the familiar sigil on the cover, recognizing who's it really was. Then her head exploded in pain.

Kassandra let out a loud gasp, falling to her knees. The Grimoire clattered to the floor next to her as Kassandra clutched her head. She gritted her teeth, the pain unbearable. It only proved that the witch was a powerful one, if she could take down someone as old as her.

"Don't touch it!" Lenore screeched.

Suddenly, the pain was gone. Kassandra let out a sigh of relief as she rubbed her temples. She grabbed the Grimoire as she stood up. When she looked up, Elijah was holding Lenore up by her neck, and the witch was gasping for air.

"Are you alright?" He asked her, and Kassandra shifted uncomfortably at the concern in his eyes. She wasn't used to people caring about her, save for Ruby.

She nodded briskly, not meeting his eyes. Then she held out the spell book. "It's your mother's," she told him, gesturing to the sigil that marked the cover. "I recognize it from when my mother and yours used to practice magic together. She's working with Finn and Esther."

Elijah's eyes flashed with recognition as he studied the Grimoire. He knew it was Esther's too.

He stared at the witch in his grasp with hard eyes. "I would be very careful with the next words that came out of your mouth," he told her harshly.

"She- she doesn't know I took it," Lenore gasped. "Please- I'll tell you anything you want to know."

Elijah looked at Kassandra then, his grip on Lenore relaxing. "Well then," he said, dropping the witch to the floor. "You turned out to be helpful after all."

~SYH~

"I'm returning to Mystic Falls."

It was hours later, and Elijah and Kassandra were standing in an alley beside his apartment. Lenore was locked in a room somewhere where she couldn't escape, waiting for Elijah to take care of her.

Kassandra frowned at him. "What? Why?"

"I need to deal with Lenore with my siblings," he said. "So that we can get as much information about what Esther and Finn are up to as possible."

"Are you… coming back?" Kassandra hoped she didn't sound too upset, but she wasn't sure.

Elijah nodded, and Kassandra hated how relieved she felt. "I'll be back in a few days or so," he said. "New York has things that Mystic Falls can't offer me."

Kassandra fidgeted again, shifting awkwardly under Elijah's intense stare. "Well, I wish you the best of luck," she said.

He nodded, eyes drifting away from her almost disappointedly, like he wished she had said something else. "I'll see you soon, Kassandra," he said finally, walking away from her slowly.

"Wait."

Elijah paused and turned back around to face her. "Thank you," she said honestly, looking him in the eyes.

He arched an eyebrow at her. "What for?"

"For… saving me," she said slowly, as if the words hurt coming out. She hated admitting that she needed help, but Elijah needed to hear it, so that he wouldn't stop saving her when she needed him to. "Both times. And all the future times to come."

The corner of Elijah's mouth twitched in amusement. "You're welcome."

Before she could stop herself, Kassandra blurred to Elijah and brought his head down to hers. Her lips crashed against his, and her lips were warm and soft while his were cool. Elijah's fingers brushed against her face before she pulled away.

"See you in a few days," Kassandra told him, more dazed from the kiss than she would ever admit to anyone, even herself.

"See you in a few days," Elijah repeated in a low voice, looking at Kassandra almost longingly, like he wished she hadn't pulled away.

Kassandra looked away from him then and hastily left the alley.

She wouldn't tell Ruby anything that had happened that night. She couldn't. It would only convince the witch even more that she and Elijah had feelings for each other.

And that just couldn't be true. Kassandra couldn't be having feelings again.

Especially not with how it turned out last time.

~SYH~

A/N: The next few chapters are gonna be about the developing feelings between Elijah and Kassandra. Can you guys guess who's gonna admit their feelings first?

Thank you to: delenawolves, Lady Syndra, Guest, Lotheriel, Lovely Rain Dancer, SomebodyWhoCares, jamiecarterannie, Peace and Luv, Guest, Kat7CA, and bettingonalice01for reviewing!

Review!

~Abby :)