Under the embrace of the night, Sienna and Elijah found themselves outside, surrounded by the symphony of nocturnal sounds. The moon, nearly full, illuminated the world around them with its silver glow, casting shadows that danced with the rustling leaves. The stars above seemed to bear witness to the weight of the decisions that loomed ahead.
Not far from them, Rory was sound asleep in bed, inside a home Sienna could not enter because she had not been invited in. Rebekah was with him, on guard but also resting. Kol and Klaus bickered quietly near the front door.
Elijah's posture remained stiff as he broached a new subject. "Sienna," he began, his voice a steady cadence in the quiet night, "there's something we must address – the matter of a daylight ring."
Sienna met his gaze, and although her expression was stoic, her eyes stormed with more emotion than he could translate. "You can't be outside in the sun until we find a witch to make one for you," Elijah continued, his words carrying the weight of responsibility.
Sienna nodded, the gravity of her new reality sinking in. "I understand," she replied, her mind already racing with the tasks that lay ahead. "I have a busy night, then. I need to eat, find and bury my parents, and find a willing witch to make a magic ring before the sun comes up." She deflated a heavy breath. "No problem."
Elijah's expression remained composed, though concern lingered in his eyes. "I will help you," he said softly.
Sienna bit her lip, biting back the question she wasn't sure she wanted the answer to: Why? Why are you helping me?
The day's events flashed through her mind like a flickering candle. Images and feelings, a kaleidoscope of her pain and hope all at once. The guilt, betrayal, and anger she felt towards her father; the heartbreak and grief she felt for her mother; the fear and uncertainty she felt about being a vampire; the excitement and hope she felt for the new life her and Rory would have; not to mention the unwarranted lust and desire and hunger permeating every feeling.
Sienna took a deep breath, attempting to steady her nerves in the cool night air. She focused on the night sounds that surrounded them, a mix of crickets, distant howls, and rustling leaves. She watched with her new eyes the way the shadows danced among the grass and trees, playing with the rustling leaves in a mesmerizing ballet under the radiant moonlight. The moon had never looked so bright before today.
And yet, as she inhaled, the intoxicating aroma of Rory's life, only a few yards away, wafted through the air. The scent was haunting, a mixture of warmth and innocence that now sent shivers down her spine. The nocturnal breeze carried the scent with a teasing caress, making her new fangs seep lower in her mouth. She could hear Rory's heart drown out all other sounds, every beat echoing in the stillness of the night, a hypnotic drum that tempted every single one of her senses. Thump-thump, thump-thump-thump-thump… louder, and louder, and louder.
Sienna's stomach churned with hunger, her throat burned, her head throbbed, her fingers tingled. Everything was loud and vibrant and desirable. She pulled her hand to her face, trying to subtly cover her nose and focus on Elijah's words.
Elijah noticed her discomfort, watching the veins flare around her eyes, but she remained still and attentive. She was keeping control. He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder, once again serving as a steady presence in the sea of conflicting emotions. "It will get easier," he promised.
Elijah thought back to the moment of her transition. The memory played in his mind like a vivid scene — Rory cutting his finger, placing a small amount of blood on a small wooden spoon, and Sienna drinking only that. In that moment, Elijah wasn't sure if it would be enough to complete her transition. The hunger, the primal need for blood, lingered in his own memory. He could only imagine how insatiable her cravings must be as a new vampire with so little blood in her system.
"We should feed first," Elijah said after a moment of pause. "We'll need the strength and clarity to accomplish everything else."
As Sienna nodded cautiously to Elijah's suggestion of feeding first, the shadows seemed to dance with approval. The moonlight played on her features, highlighting the resilience in her eyes. "I know how to get to the village," she said, her voice carrying a determined calmness. "But I won't take us unless everyone promises not to kill the villagers."
Elijah observed her pointed glance at Kol and Klaus. The night breeze stirred, carrying the unspoken tension that hung in the air. "I will talk to my brothers," Elijah assured her, his words a gentle reassurance in the silent night. "Then we will leave."
As Elijah moved to walk back to his siblings, Sienna reached out and captured his hand. "Wait, Elijah – " Fireworks surged through his fingertips at her touch. The warmth of her contact felt like a revelation in the cool night. "Will you – um…" she hesitated, her vulnerability exposed. "Please… don't let me hurt anyone."
Elijah turned to face her squarely, their eyes locking in an intense moment. The moonlight painted their figures with a celestial glow. "You have my word," he said, his voice carrying a quiet, reassuring strength that echoed in the night.