Appreciation: Hello All. Thank you for the continuing support for this story.
Individually: Siberia21 : You are such a kind reviewer :).
Thanks again everyone for the support.
CHAP 10:
I felt so happy with myself. Despite having Elijah over me on the floor and undressing me to a degree. That had gone rather well. That door wouldn't keep me locked in tonight. And that hadn't even been my goal in the first place. Not to mention Elijah would have to pay for repairs for the eccentric Michael. I flicked through the channels again before settling on a show and sat down leaning against the glass. I hoped the sun would be out for the whole day. It would really make my day. Good morning indeed.
I stayed by the glass for the rest of the day. Watching the tv and dozing off now and again. It certainly wasn't comfortable. But it was the alternative to Elijah so that was where I stayed. I couldn't help but feel a little foolish about acting out after Elijah said I couldn't talk to Jeremy or Jenna. I understood why I wasn't allowed. But it didn't make me miss them any less. I know it had only been a day. But I'd already lost so much time with them. That combined with the date of the paper just made me more agitated. I also hated being controlled like I was. As I watched the sun move across the sky I decided that I wouldn't try to escape any more. I was here for a reason. But I still wanted to keep my distance from Elijah. It took him an hour to emerge from the bedroom and return to the lounge to finish his paper. Briefly I wondered what he'd been doing but decided I didn't care. Later on he disappeared into the dining room and I could hear his voice as if talking to someone. Standing up I moved to the door that led into the only windowless room in the house. Placing my ear to the door I could hear more clearly, but I couldn't even guess as to what Elijah was talking about. Not that I cared. Elijah's voice paused and within a second the door opened inwards revealing him standing there with a mobile phone in his hand. I gasped in shock and the corner of his mouth turned upwards slightly.
"Did you require something?" He enquired, perfectly hospitable.
"Uh. No. I was just-."
"Satisfying you're curiosity?"
"Yeah." I said sheepishly.
"And is it satisfied?"
"Never." He smiled.
"If you'll excuse me. I need to continue this call." Turning away from the door I sat on the lounge, drawing the blanket up over me. It was four-thirty and the sun no longer cast enough rays through the glass to keep me warm. Elijah being busy meant I had the lounge all to myself in any case, so I took advantage. As the sun set Elijah left the dining room and started cooking. I was glad that he had drunk blood multiple times today. Should he feel inclined to get between me and an urge to escape again. It wouldn't be such a big deal.
I ate dinner with him again. And despite wanting to ignore him the whole time I was going to be here. I was also curious.
"Who's Michael?" I asked.
"A good friend of mine."
"Vampire?"
"No, human."
"Are you two, house mates?"
"No. This is Michael's house alone. However he no longer lives here." Elijah's voice took on a remorseful tone. "He suffers from dementia and was coping fine, generally. But when he began to confuse himself and wasn't able to perform everyday activities safely, he had to take up residence in a nursing home."
"Oh." I paused. I wasn't going to say I was sorry, because I hadn't caused Michael's mental demise. It never made sense to me when people said sorry like that. "How long have you know him for?"
"Since he was fifteen."
"And how old is he now?"
"Eighty-seven."
"That's some friendship." I accredited to him. He smiled.
"Yes." I didn't feel it was my place to question the subject any more. Even though I shouldn't care about how difficult this subject might be for him. I couldn't ignore the melancholy air that had settled over Elijah. He'd mentioned before about the loss his way of life involved. This was just one example. It's not the amount of loss, nor the quality of loss that makes it any worse than anyone's else's. But I had a feeling he was burdened with an immeasurable amount of heartache. Silence had descended between us as I empathised with him. Easily recognising in him exactly why I'd shut myself off from everyone. I grasped a detail of our conversation and steered it elsewhere.
"Knowing that this isn't your house is less confusing." He raised a questioning eyebrow. "I just assumed that you would appreciate dwellings with character. Wether because of their architecture, historical significance, or simply their age." Provoking his features into an expression of fascination.
"So you think you know what sort of housing I prefer?"
"I have a notion, yes."
"I didn't think you wanted to get to know me."
"I don't. But it isn't hard to make some general observations. You've been around a while, so would have seen many different eras of structural design. It's obvious from how you move that you have a certain elegance about you. I would say that elegance is something you like to see reflected in your surroundings. I would also say that because you have heightened senses as a vampire, that you would appreciate texture. Grooves, carvings and what not. Wether to look at or feel. This house has very little texture, apart from the tiles. It's atmosphere is very bland. It's dull and lifeless. Qualities which one of your age would avoid, I'd say. Because life would become old hat without any stimulation from living environments. You have all the time in the world. You can slow down to simply treasure every moment and every surrounding. You seem like a man who would take advantage of such superficial, yet aesthetic aspects of life." Elijah's eyes narrowed as he scrutinised me, glancing around my face again.
"Are you sure our connection is one-sided? For you to have such an understanding on me already. It would seem to me as if you are tapping into our connection."
"I'm not tapping into anything. It's merely general assumptions taking into consideration your age, the things you would have seen and your mannerisms."
"Oh, I think you are. "
"Well then, you're thinking wrong. I am very observant, and it doesn't take a genius to figure a few things out about you." I stated bluntly. Was I picking things up about him from our connection?
"Perhaps. But you're not the sort of person who makes observations and then shares them. Especially not in a detailed explanation to the subject in question. You're usually more reserved, and keep your thoughts to yourself. This is the second time you're voiced your observations of me after all. Yesterday it involved the apron. Today, the house." He finished pointedly. I glared at him. Because he was right. I usually kept my opinions to myself. It was easier that way. It meant I could avoid finding something in common with others which might instigate a friendship that I couldn't handle. Why can't I shut my mouth now?
"I." I was lost for words. Maybe I was tapping into something. Why did I have no restraint on sharing what I'd noticed about Elijah? Frowning I tried to say something. "I. Don't know." Gee that was impressive. I sighed.
"Hmm." Stop with the implying Hmm's! "I have never been a fan of this house. But in planning for the end of Michael's life he had it designed to suit a modern buyer. It certainly isn't suited to Michael's tastes." Elijah turned his whole body toward me on his stool. Connecting his legs with mine. I stiffened. "I have many safe-houses. Perhaps you will see some of my more personal favourites in time." It was an invitation. An open-ended one. But an invitation no less. I wondered why he would need 'safe-houses'. It also drew attention to me being let out of this house.
"You mean, you'll let me leave here?"
"Mmm." The sound vibrated off his vocal chords. The sound gravelly, but smooth.
"To be stuck inside another house?" I surmised.
"That will depend on you."
"Which ultimately depends on you." I said dismally.
After dinner I resigned myself with little fuss to sit with Elijah on the lounge for the remainder of the evening. Again, at nine pm Elijah got up and switched off the television.
"I was watching that." I protested.
"And now you're coming to bed."
"No I'm not." I countered firmly.
"You are." He closed the space on front of me and whipped the blanket off of me like the night before. Any moment and we were going to have a repeat of the previous night to get me into the bedroom.
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait." I appealed with my hands up in front of me. He did. "I will go into the bedroom now. As in, walk in by myself. But I won't be staying there. Because you can't lock me in." I explained.
"I have no objections to you walking in by yourself. I had only assumed that you would be as difficult as your usual self." Elijah agreed with his mouth softly curved upwards.
"Alright." I stood and walked swiftly up the hallway to the bedroom with Elijah following close behind. As I got closer I noticed the doorway didn't look as it had when I'd left. For one thing the door wasn't off it's hinges leaning up against the glass inside the room. It was reattached, and the door frame looked completely undamaged. How? Shocked I stopped in my tracks. Elijah coming to a stop behind me securing an arm around my waist and holding me to his front. "What? How? You broke-." I began confused. Realising that I would be locked in again I stomped my foot down on one of his own. Elijah swiftly lifted me with the arm around my waist and walked us closer to the doorway. With as much strength as I could I used my hands to push down on his arm across my front. Trying to get even a little bit of mobility within his firm hold. "Put. Me. Down!" I yelled angrily. I thought I'd managed to control part of this situation but I was still back where I started. How had he fixed it? Right before Elijah moved us through the doorway I braced my legs and placed my feet either side of the door frame preventing any further movement forward. Sure, I could be forced through the door. But Elijah'd already given me confidence that he didn't want to hurt me.
"Would you mind?" He enquired. His deep voice at my ear.
"Yes, I would."
"Very well." He concluded. I hoped he wasn't just going to push through. Just because I thought he wouldn't. Doesn't mean that would be the case. He could heal me but it's not like I liked pain. His free arm came across the front of my waist then as his fingers gently prodded and poked my stomach around his restraining arm. If it was possible to jump while being held up in his arms, that's exactly what I did. Elijah continued to prod and poke me and I writhed a little in his hold. Finding it difficult to keep my legs steady. His fingers frisked back and forth across my stomach and it was increasingly hard not to writhe around in response. The damn man was tickling me. It was impossible to control my giggling as he continued his assault.
"Stop! Please-! S-Stop!" I managed between laughter. But he didn't and soon my legs were no longer preventing us from going through the doorway. Wriggling in his hold I was having a hard time getting air into my lungs through my laughter. Even after we'd crossed through the threshold he continued to tickle me. When he placed me on the bed I tried to push away from him But ended up on my back again as he continued to tickle me. Worming around on the bed I endured his attack. It was torture. "Elijah!" I managed to call out, trying to appeal to him. He stopped. Looking down at me with gloriously joyous crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
"Yes?" He said, adding syllables to the word with his laughter. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"You stopped. Thank you." He chuckled and walked over to shut and lock the door again. Before replacing the key around his neck as he turned back toward me. I sat up on the bed and fixed a scrutinising gaze on the door. It was as good as new. "That was unexpected." I said dubiously. Referring to the door being fixed as well as Elijah's tickling attack. "I didn't realise vampires favoured tickling their victims over using their strength." I said in jest.
"Unconventional and stubborn maidens require unconventional methods to deal with them at times." Came his flirtatious explanation to match his stare. I found being referred to as a maiden extremely humorous and laughed. Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"You labelling me a maiden just seems like it would suit a lady. I would have thought my behaviour has been rather unladylike."
"There's nothing wrong with strong will and a defiant nature." Elijah's eyes appeared to shine. Great. So he's enjoying himself with my resistance. I mentally rolled my eyes and got off the bed making my way towards the en suite. I changed the subject.
"Did you fix the door?"
"No."
"You had someone come and repair it?"
"Yes."
"How did they get in to do so?" Came my casual query.
"I fear we've had this conversation already Elena."
"Your point?"
"The result will still be the same, no matter how many times we revisit this subject." He said smoothly.
"I can't help the hope that you'll slip up at some point and tell me where a door is." Came my matter of fact reply.
"I seldom slip up sweetheart." He flashed a smug, yet charming smile at me.
"Well I hope you do, because I will go crazy being kept like a caged animal." I went to the en suite to get myself ready for bed. In my case floor.
When I came back out Elijah was in the bed with the covers drawn up to his waist. I walked to the door and tested it just to be sure. Locked. After walking back around to the en suite side of the bed I lay down on the floor and got comfortable.
"Elena?"
"Trying to sleep here." I mumbled.
"Goodnight." I stayed silent. I was awake for quite some time, just thinking about Jenna and Jeremy. How just a few days ago I was normal and didn't know about my role in a sacrifice. I wondered if I should feel more scared about it, but scared really wasn't my stile. Perhaps it was bravery, perhaps stupidity. I am defiant and strong-willed and wasn't going to be all poor me because I was destined to die. We all die at some stage. Something that had bugged me since this morning kept coming to mind.
"Elijah?"
"Mmm.?"
"If I hadn't grabbed the blood bags for you this morning, would you have still healed?" There was a pause.
"Yes. I would still heal. It would have just taken longer." This information relieved me. I needed Elijah he was keeping me safe after all. It was good to know that he actually wasn't as weak as he had seemed this morning. Who knew if the one who was after me would find me? I had to trust Elijah's judgement that wherever we were was safe. Finally I dozed off and was able to escape Elijah for a while at least, in my sleep.
I woke briefly early the next morning. The sky was only just starting to lighten and I was in the bed again, curled up to Elijah no less. I didn't bother moving away from him and drifted back to sleep. When I woke later I opened my eyes to find Elijah staring dotingly at my face. He brought his hand up and stroked the back of two fingers down my cheek. I'm awake. The sun was well up by now and I immediately pushed myself away from him so that we were a metre apart before turning over so I didn't have to look at him. "Stop relocating me into the bed." I said sternly. "Unless you intend to stay out of it.
"I can't help myself from keeping you comfortable." Elijah justified and kept looking at me.
"But you're making me uncomfortable by being so close to you."
"I find that hard to believe. Particularly since while you're on the floor you're almost constantly tossing. Yet as soon as I put you in the bed you sleep so peacefully. Not to mention make yourself at home in my arms." The soft tone of his voice caressed my ears.
"If that's the case, it's the damn connection not me. It's all physical. Besides, you're warm and have good hygiene. End of story."
"It is our connection." He agreed. "When you relent to the pull between us as you sleep it's mesmerising. It gives me such insight into who you really are. When your keen mind doesn't keep everything in check."
"Must you annoy me so early in the day?"
"Must you defy everything involving me?"
"Yes." I said simply. I could feel him watching me. Trying to read me. Even though I was turned away from him it was like he was still able to pick up on things about me just by seeing. Like he was assessing my expression for any hidden truths. I could feel his gaze, but as if he were looking deeply into my eyes.
"Then my annoyance is inevitable." He concluded. I sighed exasperatedly.
"Stop looking at me like that!" I heard Elijah's chuckle behind me.
"Like what?"
"You know what. With that wistful expression on your face. Showing your affection and what not. Do you always have to look so intensely at people?"
"That pleasure is for you alone."
"Pleasurable is not the word I would use to describe it. It's unnerving."
"You mean stirring."Countered Elijah. Frustrated I turned back to face him and held my palm out to him facing the ceiling.
"Key please." I grumbled. He deposited the key into my hand and I let myself out.
Though Elijah had provided me with a range of toiletries, he hadn't included a razor. While I wouldn't mind leaving my legs and other areas go to keep him at a distance. I'd got into such a routine with shaving that to have even the slightest amount of growth just didn't feel right. And letting my bikini area grow would only make me feel even more self conscious in these clothes. I brought it up with him in the afternoon. Getting his attention by clearing my throat Elijah looked up from the book he was reading.
"Uh. I'd like a razor. I haven't seen one anywhere in the en suite." I explained awkwardly.
"Ah. No I didn't give you one, and I'm not yet sure if I can trust you with one." He scrutinised me with his gaze and I saw myself reflected in his deep brown ones.
"Trust me with one? I just want to shave." I said in confusion.
"When I came to you that night in your room. You offered for me to kill you. You had no objection to that path. It does question wether you have suicidal tendencies." I looked at him stunned, finding the notion absurd.
"I'm not suicidal. Never have I wanted to end my own life."
"And yet you offered me to do so for you." He mused.
"With good reason! To prevent who ever's wanting to use me. My life? Or the rest of the human race? I'd chose my life. And so would many other people."
"Hmm. Perhaps. But you have endured a great deal of grieving recently. It wouldn't be surprising if you'd want to be united with your parents before due course."
"I am not suicidal." I insisted. "I would not kill myself. Sure I've lost a lot and in a way, look forward to a day when I can see those I love again. When Jeremy and Jenna are also reunited with my parents in whatever way that occurs after death. I don't necessarily believe in heaven. But I do like the notion that you can be reunited with those you love after death. It's comforting, if stupid. Even if that's not the case and I simply rot away in the ground, it's a nice thought. I do not fear death. Which is why I offered to not fight you if you so chose to kill me." Elijah looked at me with his eyebrows raised at my speech.
"Well. I can organise a razor for you and we'll see." He mused, considering me.
"Thank you."
An hour later Elijah was dressed in a suit and I heard the jingle of car keys as he removed them from his jacket pocket.
"I'll be back shortly. I have some business to attend to and I will organise a razor for yourself while I'm out. Is there anything else you would like?" I was surprised I was given the offer and stopped reading the book I'd found in one of the other rooms. My brain kicked into gear and I got my request organised.
"Can I come with you?" I asked hopefully. Even though I'd be trapped inside another space. It would be good to see other people, just to see some normalcy. Since I'm lacking that at the moment.
"No."
"Why not?" Wanting him to give me a reason. I was hoping he'd let me come and was willing to stay in the car. Where was his car? He has key's but I haven't seen a car outside.
"Because the business I'm taking care of could endanger you. And I do not wish for you to attract attention to yourself whilst out in public. Both so that no one suspects me of having done anything-."
"Like kidnapping perhaps?"
"Precisely." He replied curtly. "And because you are essentially a wanted woman, with two species on the lookout for you."
"Two species?"
"Vampires and Werewolves." Elijah answered simply.
"Werewolves exist too? Why are they a problem?"
"I will inform you of that later. Otherwise I'll be running short on time. Nothing else that you require?" He asked again.
"Some chocolate?" I said hesitantly. The tone of my request timid as my cheeks flushed with warmth. Elijah strode over to me as I sat at the kitchen bench. Closing in, he bent his head and kissed my forehead. I resisted but his hand at the back of my head kept me still. Frowning I looked up at him.
"Easy." He stated walking up the hallway to the bedroom and I thought he must have needed to get something else to take with him. When after half an hour later he still hadn't come out I wandered in confused. There was no sign of him anywhere. I assumed he had left. But was still unaware of any doors. Shrugging I returned to my book.
It was nearly dark when Elijah returned carrying a couple of grocery bags. He'd emerged from the hallway to our bedroom. Our bedroom? It was bizarre how I'd already come to think of it as ours. I didn't bother questioning him about how he'd gotten in as well as out. I'm sure it wouldn't have escaped his attention but he didn't comment on it. I got up and went to him.
"Chocolate." He introduced the block he'd bought with a slight smirk.
"Thanks." I smiled.
"Razor." He removed it from the bag and I reached to grab if from him hand. "Uh-uh." He pulled his arm away out of reach.
"If you're going to tell me I have to be supervised. You have another thing coming." I cut him off from saying anything more. His eyes appeared to be smiling at me.
"I also bought you waxing strips. Just in case."
"Just in case you take my razor hostage as well?" I smirked.
"Yes." He chuckled. I held my hand out for him to give me the razor. He was hesitant about it. I felt a little empowered by his concern.
"Can you please hand it over now? I'm going to take a bath if you don't mind." He did so and I left to run the bath. Once the water was running, I set some clean clothes out for afterwards and went back out to the kitchen to break off some chocolate. As I walked back to the en suite the scent of lavender met my nostrils. Curious I peered in the door to see Elijah tightening the cap on one of the body washes, as foam gathered atop the churning water in the spa.
"I thought you might like a bubble bath." I looked at him awkwardly.
"Uh. Thanks." Elijah left. I felt awkward at his nice gesture. With that he left me to it. Closing the door behind me I leaned against it and inhaled the lovely aroma within the room. Privacy, a hot scented bubble bath, razor, chocolate. It was almost, almost, a relaxing girl's night in. Eagerly I undressed and sank into the bath to soak.
The hot water was so soothing as water whirled around my body. Even the sound of the jets beneath the water was like a massage for my ears. After a while I began shaving. I stuck to my usual routine working from top to bottom. Under arms, bikini area, then legs. I couldn't resist running my hands up my right leg once it was finished. The hair that had grown since Elijah brought me here really wasn't that long, but I treasured my smooth legs. No reason a girl can't enjoy her body. Starting on my left leg my grip slipped on the razor as the blade travelled over my ankle bone and I made a knick with an area of few millimetres.
"Ouch." I noticed the cut start bleeding a little as I continued shaving up my leg. There was a loud bang and the en suite door was slammed against the wall as Elijah stood in the doorway. Startled I turned my torso to face him. He looked tense and desperate as he looked at me aghast. I was more shocked than aghast, but I knew our expressions were similar at this moment.
"What did you do?" He asked concerned instantly by my side looking over my leg propped up on the side of the spa.
"What are you doing?" I asked. Thinking he was out of his mind. His hand took hold of my ankle and turned it so he could look where I'd cut myself. "Elijah!"
"Yes?" His tone calmer now. As he took a last look at my ankle before turning his head to see my face.
"What do you think you're doing? I'm having a bath here. You know. Naked. Requiring some privacy!"
"I could smell blood and thought you'd cut yourself. I was worried you'd done something-." His voice was so harsh that he needn't have told me he was worried. It was obvious.
"Whoa. Stop. Relax,I told you that I'm not suicidal. This," I gestured to the knick. "Was an accident. Everything is fine. Now if you wouldn't mind leaving so I can finish my bath, that would be great." I said easily. Elijah seemed to gather himself together. Except that he looked a little embarrassed. I wasn't sure if it was his over-reaction to the blood, or the realisation that he'd just barged in on a naked bathing woman. He did seem so gentlemanly in nature.
"I apologise. I should have trusted you. This is incredibly rude of me, to just barge in." He'd composed himself by now and was speaking in his usual demeanour.
"It's fine. But could you hurry up and leave please?" I kept my face straight despite the smile that was itching to climb onto my face. I don't know if many others would find this situation funny. But I certainly did. I don't think it's every day that Elijah gets so freaked out. He strode out of the en suite leaving me alone again. Mentally I thanked him for adding the body wash to the water. If there wasn't a layer of bubbles over the top of the water shielding my most private parts, that whole incident would have been far worse to deal with.
When I'd finished my bath and went out to the kitchen Elijah was swift in his apology.
"It's fine. Really. It was a good thing you added body wash to make it a bubble bath. You didn't see anything, so no harm done on that aspect. You do need to believe me when I tell you I'm not suicidal though. But overall. It's fine. If I were anyone else I might think that incident was sweet. Honestly, no harm done." I absolved his actions and downplayed his barging in. Truthfully his actions were kinda sweet. But I didn't need anyone looking out for me. Except with things pertaining to the sacrifice situation. Yet, it made me feel like I belonged somewhere and had an affect on another being's life. Something I'd lost when my parents died and I became a stranger to Jer and Jenna. It was just odd that this particular being was a vampire.
"You looked a vision amongst those bubbles." Elijah said after a while. I could feel his intense gaze on me as he made the compliment. I sighed and ignored him.
