Witch or vampire? (Helen)
Without a word, by Birdy
"Stand there and look into my eyes
And tell me that all we had were lies.
Show me that to you it don't count
And I'll stand here if you prefer.
Yes I'll leave you without a word,
Without a word.
And you can tell the world
That you're tired,
But your excuses, they won't work.
'Cause I'll know that you're lying.
Every time that I see your face
I notice all the suffering.
Just turn to my embrace,
I won't let you come to nothing."
When woke up the next morning, my eyes were still red from all the crying. They had given me a light tranquilizer, otherwise I wouldn't have slept at all. The x-ray and the ultrasound yesterday had revealed that everything was fine. The baby had still hidden its gender, but my head was okay and I was allowed to leave the hospital. Leaving – whereto? Well, first of all, I would go to the Salvatore mansion – Elena would pick me up later. Last night I had seen the doubt on her face if I would ever manage to convince Damon. I would meet the other witch today. She would notice immediately that I was different and I could only hope that she could keep a secret. Maybe she would be willing to join a secrecy spell? After a while, there was a knock on my door and I sat up. „Come in," I replied. The door opened and Elena walked in. „Good morning, how are you today?" she greeted me. „A lot better, thanks," I said. „I brought your bags. Damon had them." I was delighted to be able to change clothes and rummaged through the travel bag. „Thanks a lot, that's great. I'll get dressed," I replied and carried all necessary pieces to the bathroom.
When I reappeared, I saw Elena sitting on the bed, reading in Damon's journal. She was completely wrapped up in it and jumped when she noticed me. „I'm sorry, I… I just wanted to read that entry again," she said quietly. „You didn't realize back then how much you've hurt him, didn't you?" I replied as quietly. She shook her head. „I just hope he'll be able to forgive me one day," she murmured and put the diary back into the bag. „Are you ready to go?" she asked. „Yes, I think so," I replied and we left. Dr. Fell had finished her ward round early this morning and had already instructed me on how to ensure my recovery. I signed all papers at the reception and we walked outside. The town was covered with snow and the sun bathed everything in a bright glitter. „Wow, I can't remember that much snow from twenty years ago," I mused overwhelmed. Elena laughed. „Yeah, we don't get it that often," she replied. She carried my travel bag and helped me enter the car. Then she pulled out. The town had changed a lot, but then it had been twenty years. „Elena, what kind of a person is this Bonnie?" I wanted to know. „Well, she is conscientious, she's got her rules and sometimes she may be a little bit judgemental, but she is the most loyal friend I've ever had." I was impressed and nodded in understanding. „That sounds like somebody who can be trusted with a secret," I replied. „You're worried about that?" she asked. I nodded. „I believe she will understand the importance," she returned.
When we arrived at the Salvatore estate, I was surprised how huge it seemed. "Wow, this is your home?" I asked. "Not anymore. Stefan and I moved to Richmond a year ago. We only come back for holidays and to meet old friends," she said, getting out. We went inside and Elena put my bag down in the hallway. Stefan came to meet us. "Welcome," he greeted me and kissed Elena. "Thank you for allowing me to stay here," I said. Stefan smiled. "No problem, we have enough free rooms." I returned his smile. "I 'll show you the house first and take you to your guest room afterwards, okay?" Elena took my hand and pulled me along. "Here is the kitchen," she said and led me across the room, "and here is the - well - living room, lounge, whatever you want to call it. Back there is the library." We stood in a very large hall with lots of wood and leather, floor-to-ceiling windows which led to a porch or garden. Bookshelves covered the walls in the back of the room, heavy furniture stood around and a lot of it looked antique. "That's really impressive," I said as I scanned the room with astonishment. "Yes, it's a bit old-fashioned, like a mix of a museum and a living room," Stefan joked. "Come, I'll show you how to get to your room." I followed Elena to the hallway and up the stairs .
The guest room was bright and friendly and had a private bathroom. "Did you renovate recently?" I asked. "Yes, the rooms needed it. Stefan and I had some of them renovated and refurbished, especially this one and a few others." Well done, I thought, they had a talent for interior design and craftsmanship. The room was a good mix of old furniture and modern fabrics and colors. "I'll leave you alone for a while now. If you want, you can come down to the library, or I'll pick you up when Bonnie arrives," Elena offered. I caught her hand. "Elena,... thank you. I know this can't be easy for you, but ..." I started, but she stopped me quickly. "Forget it, Helen. I made a mistake back then, yes, but Damon deserves to be happy, even if I have to force him." I sat down on the bed. "I do not know if he will be happy about it, Elena. A child turns life completely upside down, and God knows I can't imagine him changing diapers." The image in my head made me giggle and Elena chimed in. "That feels good," I said. " Laughing? Yes, that's right," Elena said. "I'll be downstairs. See you later, Helen." She left the room and I was alone again.
I took off my shoes, went to the bathroom and washed my face. A slight ache buzzed in the back of my head and I decided to rest a bit. The lush pillows on the bed appeared inviting and I pushed the cover back. Groaning, I heaved myself in a horizontal position. Seven months, pah. It's at least the thirteenth, that's how heavy I feel, I thought. My head barely touched the pillow and I dozed off already. This bed was so comfortable, was the last conscious thought which shot through my mind. I didn't know how much time had passed when I woke again. I only knew that my cheek was caressed in a very gentle way. The touch was so familiar to me, I knew immediately that it was his hand. "Don't stop," I murmured with closed eyes. "Why are you doing this, Helen?" Damon asked softly. I opened my eyes and looked into his. "Because I want you to know the truth," I said. He swallowed hard and his expression softened. "You don't have to expose yourself to Bonnie like this," he said, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "Yes, I have to," I replied, taking his hand from my face and put it on my rounded belly. "For him - or her, I still do not know what it will be," I said. His hand twitched as if he wanted to pull it away, but he didn't. Promptly, the child started to kick against it. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
I had to smile at his reaction. His features softened even further and a small smile played on his lips. "Hey, pretty powerful kick," he said. He immediately got a reply from my inside. "Ouch," I hissed. Sometimes the kicking hurt quite a bit. He gave me a surprised glance and his eyes fell back on my belly. Then he leaned down and over it. "Stop it at once, you're hurting your mommy," he said firmly. To my endless astonishment, the baby's kicking stopped immediately. "Wow, he listens to you," I whispered amazed. He caressed my belly and smiled. "He better should," he said. The tenderness in his eyes and in his voice clawed at my determination to follow through with everything without emotional outbursts. I took a deep breath and tears pooled in my eyes. "I missed you," I whispered strangled. "I did too," he whispered. I put my hand on his and held it. Neither of us said anything. We just took in this moment and looked at each other. Moisture glistened in his eyes, but there were no tears. We also didn't jump apart when there was a knock at the door and shortly afterwards Elena peeked into the room.
"Oh ... I , uh ... I just wanted to say that Bonnie is here," she stammered and disappeared again. "We're coming," Damon called in her direction. Then he looked at me. "Ready?" I nodded and swung my legs off the bed. As soon as I sat up, I had to pee. "Damn," I muttered. "What is it?" he asked. "I've got to use the bathroom, again," I replied and blushed. He grinned and pulled me up off the bed. "I'll be downstairs. Don't let Bonnie intimidate you," he whispered and again tucked a loose strand of hair from my face. This simple gesture made my heart flutter and I knew he could hear it. Being pregnant really wasn't easy, I thought after I had relieved myself and trudged down the stairs. I went into the parlor and found the library without problems. It was a nice room with a lot of bookshelves on a small platform which ran along the walls. Bonnie was a dark-skinned beauty with a powerful aura. Well, she might find out that I was her equal. At least I hoped so, because I was far from being an experienced witch. She held out her hand to greet me. "Hi, I 'm Bonnie Bennett, Elena's friend," she said. Bennett? Was she a descendant of the Bennett witch in Damon's story? "I 'm Helen Corey," I said and took her hand.
Immediately, the connection between us clicked. It was like a data link. ,You're a witch?' I heard her mental question. She had made it subconsciously, not aloud. ,Yes and no, but don't say anything. I have to clarify something in advance' I replied, letting go of her hand. She gasped and looked at me with astonishment. "Are you okay?" I asked. She nodded with wide eyes. Stefan, Damon and Elena looked a bit dumbfounded at us. I turned around to face them. "I agreed that Bonnie checks the substance of my statements, but what I have to say may not leave this room under any circumstances." I gazed at one after the other. Elena and Stefan nodded to me, Bonnie also. Damon raised an eyebrow. "Why the secrecy?" he asked. "Because my life and my family's lives depend on it," I said. Damon turned to Bonnie. "Is that true?" Although she didn't know everything, she nodded. "I can feel she's not lying to us." He ran a hand through his hair, pondering on it. "Then don't tell us, Helen. If we don't know it, we can't be forced to reveal it." He paced on the spot and finally stopped in front of me. "I just want to know one thing: Is this really... my child?" he asked hesitantly, locking his gaze with mine. "Yes, Damon, it 's yours," I replied in a low voice. "She's telling the truth," whispered Bonnie and paled noticeably. He closed his eyes briefly. "Then I don't care about the ‚how'," he replied and looked at me.
A crackling tension was in the air while we silently looked at each other. "Um, …we're leaving," Elena cleared her throat and tugged at Stefan's sleeve. "I'll head out too," Bonnie said curtly and left the room. The fire in the hall next door crackled loudly and brought me back to reality. "I didn't lie to you back then," he said softly. "I was in a dangerous mood that evening and I drove aimlessly through the area. I wanted to numb my desire for you with blood, but I didn't succeed. I didn't trust my own control any longer and thought you wouldn't want to see me anyway after my slip. That's why I didn't come back." It sounded like a half-truth, but it was a start. "You're such an idiot sometimes," I sighed and slowly moved towards him. "Maybe," he said, and shrugged. "But what about you?" he asked and I stopped. "What do you mean?" His eyes narrowed. "Why did you sleep with me if you knew what could happen?" I shook my head. "That's the point. I didn't know. I only learned all this when it was too late," I replied. "Do you remember the story with my dad?" I asked. He nodded. "My mother asked a vampire friend back then to change my memory," I said. "Lexi Branson." Damon nodded affirmatively. "You know her?" I asked surprised. "Knew," he returned. "I've killed her a few years ago," he said with a blank expression on his face.
I ran my hands through my hair. "I suppose you had a good reason," I simply said. "That's what I thought back then," he replied with a nod. "Maybe you also knew my biological father - a vampire named Ian Slater?" I asked. "You're a … hybrid?" he asked, eyes widening. I nodded. "My mom has been in the same situation like I am now. My father married her although he knew it." His face took on a pensive expression. "Hm, I can't recall an Ian Slater," he replied. "He used to study at the University of Richmond," I added. Recognition flashed in his eyes. "Yes, now I remember, but ... he's dead," he said regretfully. I froze. "Did you ... ?" He shook his head. "No, a vampire named Elijah killed him." I exhaled loudly. "What kind of world is this?" I asked sadly. All those deaths seemed so pointless to me. He came a few steps closer until he was standing directly in front of me. "A world with incredible possibilities, but there's also violence, pain and death," he said softly and looked me in the eyes. "You mean, it would be better if we don't see each other again?" I whispered horrified. "Yes - no, maybe ... I do not know, Helen. I 'm just afraid of what this world could do to you and our child." His brows furrowed with concern. He said our child! My heart should've danced with joy, but his doubts still seemed to prevail.
Perhaps now was the time to reveal another secret at least to him. I took a few steps back and raised my arms over my head, taking a deep breath to collect my power. "No sound will leave this room," I said and the air around us vibrated for a fraction of a second when I dropped my arms again. The room was now soundproof. Damon looked at me aghast. "You're also a witch?" he gasped incredulously. I shook my head. "I am a witch-vampire hybrid, if you will. In my family, there have been witches for centuries. When my father died, my powers were blocked by a spell of my aunt. My biological father was a vampire, but hybrids hardly ever inherit capabilities from this side, except for my speed which is one of them," I told him. He took a deep breath before he asked the next question. "And the other?" I smiled at him and moved over to him quickly. He jumped slightly when I suddenly stood closer to him. "The other is my desire to taste your blood," I whispered and raised my head towards his throat. He closed his eyes and almost imperceptibly stretched his neck towards me. I kissed his throat and he gasped. "I can't bite you, I 'm not like you," I whispered and pulled my head back. "All the better," he whispered and kissed me.