Thank you for all your feedback. About the rating, I'm kind of paranoid with my ratings because I don't want to upset anyone so if you feel that the rating is wrong, please let me know. For now it will be T.
Chapter 15
Unfortunate accident
"You want me to teach you how to use a sword?" Elijah asked disbelievingly. "Why would you possibly want that?"
I chose my answer very carefully. I signed to him that I just wanted to learn. He looked at me closely.
"Annabelle, if someone is scaring you; I want you to tell me. I will protect you, I promise."
I really wanted to tell him but I had no idea how. Yes, there is this secret society that practices dark arts and wants you use me in their creepy ritual. Oh and by the way, I'm not human, sorry for lying to you for all these years. I had no idea what to do. I couldn't accept Klaus' offer either. He would ask questions that I wouldn't want to answer. I forced myself to smile and shook my head. Everything was fine.
"Of course I can teach you if you want but we must start with something less… sharp. I do not want you to hurt yourself", Elijah said.
We went to the garden and he gave me a stick.
"Alright", he said smiling. "Attack me."
My first thought was that I didn't want to hurt him. Then I remembered that he was a vampire, very old one, so the possibility of me hurting him was… Well, there was no way that could happen. I tried to hold the stick like I have seen people holding a sword and tried to aim to his arm. I wasn't even close to hit him. He stepped aside and grabbed the stick from my hand with one fluent move.
"You are being too careful", he said. "Try again."
It didn't work out much better on second time. Or several times after that. I actually lost count. I really was terrible at this.
"Perhaps we should take a break", Elijah suggested after my many pathetic attempts to even touch him with that damn stick.
I nodded. I heard someone calling him from the courtyard.
"Excuse me, I will be right back."
I continued practicing. Stupid stick. I was so concentrated to fight against some invisible enemy that I didn't notice Klaus before he was right behind me.
"Not very impressive sweetheart", he whispered into my ear.
I startled and turned trying to hit him with the stick but he managed to dodge. He looked amused.
"Easy now, I come in peace."
I wasn't so sure about that.
"So, have you thought about what I said?" he asked smiling.
I nodded.
"And?"
I shook my head trying to look as polite as I could.
"Hmm, I see. Are you sure about that? I really could help you."
No, I wasn't sure but I was tired and out of ideas. I didn't want them to use me but I definitely didn't want him to use me either. The risk that he would find out the truth about me was too high. I nodded and continued practicing with the stick. He sighed.
"That is just too sad to watch. Here, let me at least show you how to use that stick."
He moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I tried to move away but he held me still.
"I am trying to help you so pay attention", he said annoyed.
I didn't feel comfortable but I allowed him to guide my hand.
"Like this. Keep a tight grip and do not hesitate."
He moved in front of me and picked up another stick from the ground.
"Now, in real life your opponent will not just hold still and let you stab him. I will show you. Attack me."
I tried my best but all I got was a bruise on my arm. I scowled him.
"And in real life people do not use sticks so you would be dead already. Again", he said calmly.
He definitely didn't go easy on me. But at least he didn't use more than a small amount of his strength. Otherwise all my bones would have definitely been broken. Then it happened. Elijah was coming back.
"Niklaus, be careful with her!" he shouted.
Klaus lost his concentration for a second and that was all it took. I felt the stick hitting on my face so hard that I flew on my back. My blood was spilling on the ground.
"Annabelle!" someone shouted.
I felt dizzy but I managed to get on my feet. I wanted to let Elijah know that I was alright so I raised my head. He and Klaus were both standing few feet away staring at me. Why were they looking at me like that? Then it hit me. I was bleeding. Oh no… I ran. I knew that it was useless but what else was I supposed to do?
I didn't get far when someone grabbed me. If I could spoke I would have begged for mercy but all I could do now was look at them. They didn't seem to recognize me at all. Not even Elijah. All I saw in their eyes was hunger. In that moment they were just vampires who had just caught their prey. Klaus sank his fangs into my neck and Elijah into my wrist. I was panicking but thankfully that didn't last long. At first I started to feel hazy and cold. Then I didn't feel anything.