Iris eyes fluttered open and realised that she was in a warm embrace, she groggily sat up but the arm around her waist tightened momentarily
"Elijah" she groaned and saw that the Original was fast asleep, they had both fallen asleep on the couch she wriggled in his hold "Elijah" Iris called again waking him up
"Iris" he sat up and loosened his hold on her allowing her to slid out of his grasp so that she was standing before him, she was watching him curiously causing him to smile slightly
"Nothing has changed Iris, you don't need to be on edge" he advised her. She smiled gratefully she was worried now knowing how she was exactly tied to him and Klaus.
"Can you not tell the others about this? I don't want them to know, it'll freak them out"
He lightly tilted her chin up
"If that is your wish then I won't say a word"
Iris nodded and heard her cell buzz she leant down and plucked it up from her coffee table and saw that it was a message from Elena
"Meeting at the boarding house in an hour" she read out
"Well you better get ready" Elijah told her,
"Ok, erm Elijah your clothes are still in your room, I didn't change anything" she moved towards the staircase
"Why didn't you?" he asked causing her to pause at the bottom step.
"Because I was hoping you would come back" she uttered sincerely, making a smile come across his face
"Thank you" she shook her head and made her way upstairs.
Iris shut her door behind her and kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in her shaggy rug, she walked into her attached bathroom and started to strip out of her clothes. Iris turned the shower faucet and waited till the water had considerably heated up.
She stepped in and stood there for a moment, Elijah's words ringing in her head, in some weird way Iris was sort of happy knowing that she had someone in the world who knew her, Elijah had felt like a part of her she viewed him as family something which Iris yearned for.
The raven head grabbed her wash cloth and lathered it up in strawberry scented soap and proceeded to scrub herself clean, and then moved on to her hair. When she was done Iris reached out for a fluffy towel and dried herself. Iris wrapped it around herself and hurried back into her room. She rummaged through her dresser and pulled out a lacy midnight blue bra and matching panties. She slipped it on and looked through her closet and opted to wear a dark blue polka dot dress, it ended at her knees and cinched in at the waist.
Iris pulled on a pair of thin sheen tights, and blow dried her hair not wanting her dress to get wet.
"Iris" Elijah called
"Coming" she yelled back and slipped on a pair of flats. She grabbed her sweater and ran down stairs, and immediately smelled a gorgeous aroma of food. Iris headed into the kitchen and saw the food laid out before her. "Wow, now this I definitely missed" she grinned
"You missed me for my cooking skills?" he quirked an eyebrow
She blushed "no…not that- I mean you're- ergh you're teasing me again" she said the smirk on his face as he sat down opposite her "now that I haven't missed"
"I find it entertaining though" he countered, as she helped herself to some waffles, the Original definitely knew how to cook
"Hmm" he was amused to see her cheeks bulging with her food; she was an adorable little creature he idly thought.
Once they both had cleared the dishes off the table and piled them into her sink
"Where's my keys?" she muttered to herself
"You won't be needing them" Elijah commented "We'll be taking my car"
"What-ergh fine" Iris knew there was no point of arguing, he chuckled and held out his hand to her to which she took, Iris slammed the door shut behind her and looked back over to house, hoping that she'd return, as Elijah stated unharmed.
They arrived at the boarding house, Iris had settled down next to Stefan on the couch, with Elena sitting on the vampire's other side; Damon had opted to stand by his liquor cabinet whilst Elijah was leaning against the desk behind the couch
"Tonight is the full moon" Elijah told the group "we have to assume that Klaus intends to break the curse tonight"
"Elena told us that the sun and the moon curse was fake" Stefan said, Elijah had called the doppelganger earlier whilst Iris was in the shower explaining what the raven head was told yesterday.
"And that the curse is just placed on Klaus" Iris told him
"KIaus is a werewolf born from a vampire bloodline, the curse has kept his werewolf side from manifesting but if he breaks it he'll become a true hybrid" Elijah explained
"Then why are we letting him break the curse?" Damon asked frustrated about the mere idea about both Iris and Elena being used "why don't we use Bonnie and kill him today"
"That would kill her" Iris argued
"Damon" Stefan warned
"Bonnie, can't use that much power of she'll die" Elena shook her head.
"I'll write a great eulogy" he smirked
"You really are an arse aren't you" Iris scowled folding her arms across her chest "it's not an option"
Damon glared at her which she returned, he gritted his teeth, he didn't even want to contemplate Iris and Elena being put in danger like this, there was a chance that both teen girls won't come out alive living and breathing, regardless what Elijah said.
"Ok" Stefan cut in "how do we break this curse?"
Iris sat up wanting to actually know the process of the ritual that was going to take place tonight.
"The ritual itself is pretty straight forward" the Original said his eyes scanning the rooms occupants "the ingredients, so to speak, you already know" he walked around the table, Iris sighed and stood up needing to stretch her legs and walked over the large display cabinets, examining the trinkets there. But she was listening,
"The moonstone" Stefan said, Elijah spared him a glance then look back over to the raven head.
"A witch will channel the power of the full moon to release the spell that's bound. After that Klaus being both vampire and werewolf would need to sacrifice each"
"Then how do I and Iris fit into this?" Elena asked Iris turned around so that she was facing them as well as Elijah.
"You both are the final part of the ritual" Elijah said "first he will drink the blood of the doppelganger to the point of your death as soon as he's done that, he'll already be in transition, Iris's blood would add a sort of protection" Iris frowned having living with the Original vampire she could see that he wasn't telling her something, was he intentionally hiding something from her?
"But before he can I'd come in" Elijah stated "he'll be in a weakened state as soon as he drinks the doppelganger's blood, so-"
"Then Iris is safe" Damon let out a relieved sigh that was something then.
"Yes" Elijah looked away, causing the raven head to fret; he wasn't telling them something that she was sure of. She was distracted when he lifted the lid of a woodened box, her curiosity got the best of her, and so she walked over to stand next to the Original to see what was in it
"What's that?" she asked as he lifted a small bottle of red liquid
"This is an elixir that I acquired 500 years ago for Katerina, it possesses mystical properties, so resuscitation"
"So I'll be dead?" Elena asked, Iris's eyes brightened
"And then you won't" she smiled at the brunette; Elijah nodded and handed the bottle over to Iris knowing that the raven head would want to examine it closer. Iris was curious how'd he got this, she was sure that there was no known spells or potions that can literally bring back the dead to the living, but then she recalled that said he had gotten it 500 years ago, Iris gently placed it back in the box.
"That's your plan" Damon scoffed shaking his head "a magical potion with no expiration date? Look if you want to come back use John's ring" he told the brunette, Iris could see that Damon was scared to lose Elena; he really did love her she thought.
Iris sighed and looked down, but a warm large hand engulfed her own smaller one, she saw Elijah giving her a reassuring smile, she was soothed by him and his presence.
"Those rings only work on humans, the doppelganger occurrence, odds are it won't work" the Original explained
"Well I'll take those odds over your elixir" Damon snorted causing Iris to roll her eyes "What if it doesn't work Elena?"
Elena sighed and swallowed a lump in her throat "well then I guess I'll just be dead" she was putting up a brave front, but Iris could see that the girl was frightened and she didn't blame her at all. He opened his mouth about to say something but he stormed off.
Iris went to follow after him but there was a loud shout,
"Jenna" Elena muttered and ran out of the room with Stefan and Iris on her heels, Elijah remained behind feeling somewhat guilty deceiving them, but mainly Iris though.
Iris stopped taking in the sight and saw Jenna holding up a crossbow
"Jenna put down the crossbow" Alaric held up his hands in a surrender position "It's me" he pleaded, and took a step forward, but Jenna's grip tightened
"Stay back" she shouted, Iris had to give it to her, and the woman was tough.
"Jenna move back" Elena ordered, but Iris frowned and stepped forward however Elijah who had heard the commotion gripped her arm and pulled her back
"Elena, Iris it's me, I swear Klaus let me go, he let me go" Alaric shouted,
Iris frowned at that "Prove it" the raven head called out
Alaric nodded she was taking precautions; she felt Elijah's hand on her arm tightened.
"Erm ok the first night me and you" he was looking at Jenna "spent together Jeremy walked in when I was about to-"Iris felt her cheeks warming up
"Ok that's him" Jenna shouted over him embarrassed
"Ergh so don't want that in my head" Iris shuddered causing Elijah to smirk "why did he let you go?"
Alaric took a deep breath and looked over at them "he wanted me to deliver a message…the Sacrifice happens tonight" he answered causing the group to fall silent.
They had now all moved over into the parlour par Damon who'd disappeared, Iris sat on an armchair with Elijah sitting on the arm rest, whilst Alaric was sitting opposite them, and Stefan, Elena and Jenna were sharing a couch
"Do you remember anything that happened?" Stefan asked
"No it's like I blacked out and woke up three days later" Alaric replied, "Katherine was there"
"She's under compulsion" Elena said "Damon slipped her some vervaine, but she can't leave till Klaus says"
Alaric nodded and was looking longingly at Jenna, who after a moment got off the couch and gestured for the history teacher to follow so that she and him could talk in private. There was a moment of silence "Where's Damon?"
"Probably upstairs" Iris muttered,
"I'll just go talk to him" Elena muttered and left leaving behind Iris, Elijah and Stefan.
"Elijah Iris-"
"Won't come to harm" he repeated "her part in the ritual is last" once again she saw him look away "so before Klaus gets to her I'll finish him off"
Stefan nodded and looked over to the raven he pulled her into an abrupt hug which startled her but she responded, Elijah stood back and watch he could see that Iris had managed to worm her way into several people's hearts, she had done that to him and his family near a thousand years ago.
"Stefan come on I'll be fine-"
"I know" he whispered "it's just that-" he couldn't find the right words but she knew what he was getting at and smiled warmly at him and launched herself into his arms and kissed his cheek. She felt him stiffen and then was gone leaving Iris utterly confused.
"Am I missing something?" Iris asked looking over to Elijah, as he picked up the wooden box
"It seems Damon took matters in to his own hands" he saw her baffled face "he force fed Elena his blood, so when she does die she would-"
"Return as a vampire?" Iris eyes widened "merlin he took away her choice"
Elijah nodded Iris was disappointed at what Damon had done, the Original could tell that she was upset and pulled her towards him, she rested her head against his chest, his chin sat atop her head
"Iris do you still trust me?" he asked, she looked up at him
"Yes"
"Well I hope you still do after tonight" he uttered before she could ask Elena walked into the room, Iris approached the teen as she sat down, she saw the tear tracks on her face
"Elena?"
"I can't believe he did that" she whispered, Iris dropped down beside her
"He loves you Elena he only did what he thought was best" Iris comforted her, and rubbed her back soothingly.
Stefan entered the room and approached the girls, Iris stood up seeing Elijah gesturing for her to come over.
"We should leave them to it" Iris muttered
"Hmm, seems Stefan will be taking her out I believe" Elijah grabbed the box, "come Iris"
"Where are we-"
"Going to spend the day together" Elijah uttered and with a quick goodbye to Elena and Stefan, he whisked her way.
"This place is gorgeous" Iris murmured having arrived in a meadow with him
"Hmm, it isn't it?" he asked as they strolled over the grassy grounds, linking their arms together
"How'd you come by this place?" she asked when she didn't receive a reply she looked at him and saw a frown marring his face
"Elijah?"
"Iris, what happens tonight is for the best" he told her, eliciting a nervous chuckle from her
"Ok, you're kind of freaking me out" she admitted, he grasped on to her shoulders
"What happens tonight is for the best, and I apologise in advance for what you're about to be put through"
Iris frowned still not understanding "ok you're being cryptic again, which is something you do very well" she chuckled, a bright smile appeared on her face "hmm, how about we play catch? Pass sometime? Not it" and with that the petite raven head ran off, he could hear her giggles ringing around the meadow, Elijah emitted a small sigh
"Iris, you're about to walk into Death's arms again" he murmured, and snapped a twig he was holding in half.
Elijah had dropped Iris off back at the boarding house, but not before once again assuring her about how she'll be fine. Iris entered the house
"Hello?" Iris called and heard a reply come from the kitchen "Jenna" she smiled at the woman who was sitting at the breakfast bar
"Iris" she grinned seeing the raven head
"How are you holding up?" she asked walking over to the freezer, and pulled out a tub of chocolate fudge ice cream, and grabbed two spoons and handed one over to the older woman, she opened the tub of ice cream
"Finding out that creatures I thought were merely part of stories, are real?" Jenna scoffed causing Iris to laugh
"You'll get use to the idea" Iris told her
"So what are you?" she asked causing the raven head to splutter
"What?"
Jenna chuckled "everyone here seems to be something, Ric's a hunter, Stefan, Damon and Elijah are vampires, and Elena is a doppelganger, so what are you?"
"No one" Iris uttered and went to plunge her spoon into the ice cream but Jenna quickly pushed the tub of ice cream away
"You're a rubbish liar, Iris now tell me"
Iris sighed and dropped the spoon onto the table top causing it to clatter loudly "I was a witch" she said after a minute, Jenna gasped and looked at her wide eye, Iris chewed her bottom lip nervously "Jenna-"
"Wait just give me a moment, this is too much" the older woman shook her head in disbelief, she abruptly got up and left
"Jenna please" Iris called and ran after the woman
"No Iris this is-"
"I'm sorry" they were in the parlour
"How could you-"
"Not tell you? Easy I just didn't" Iris blurted out "I left that part of me behind in England, I didn't know what I've got myself into since I came here nearly a year ago"
Jenna froze and saw the heartbroken look on her face, before she could say anything her cell rang loudly.
"Hello?" Iris heard Jenna answer, and went to make her way back into the kitchen to give the woman some privacy but stopped hearing Jenna's panic
"Jenna? What's-"
"It's Elena she's in trouble, I need to get her" and she ran out of the house. Iris was stunned at that; she recalled the brunette was with Stefan.
"Jenna" Iris shouted running out of the house after her she was in the middle of the driveway and saw that there was no sign of her.
She took a step back and went to ran back inside of the house but before she could there was an explosion of pain at the side of her head, she blacked out but not before seeing a pair of eerily familiar blue eyes and then nothing more.
AN: A quicker update, thought i might as well since it's a shorter one.
Next Chap the Ritual so Please REVIEW