Kai's POV
Kai's never been plagued by anything as repulsive as emotions like empathy or compassion. He never felt remorse for the cruel things he had done. He liked it that way. Life was simple. If someone got in his way, he'd kill them. Torture was usually saved for those who should have loved him or if he was bored.
Was it his fault there was a flaw in his genetics that forced him to live without his own magic? His family and coven seemed to think so. Growing up as the outcast in the Gemini Coven would have driven most people to madness. Someone told him once that eventually, if you are told something enough, you start to believe it. They called him a freak, an abomination that couldn't be allowed to take over the Coven as its leader. They knew Kai was too powerful and would win the Twin merge with his sister. At the age of 22, he and his twin sister were meant to merge, but they tricked him and sent him to a prison world, permanently stuck at 22. He couldn't die, so he had to spend each day on repeat.
Everything changed when the vampire Damon and witch Bonnie showed up in his prison. She was a Bennett witch. It was perfect. He knew her magic was the ticket out of here. But they quickly found out that the witch didn't have her powers anymore. For three months, Kai watched, waited and was disappointed as she failed to regain her magic. He knew he'd have to find a way to motivate her.
A mix of his 19 years lacking in socialization and his sadistic ways got in the way of making them think he was on their side. At one point, Kai thought Damon was in love with Bonnie, but after listening to him cry and mope over some Elena chick, he knew his feelings were platonic toward the witch. Kai reflected on that mild curiosity. He tried to shake it off and thought of his failed attempts which involved trying to kill Bonnie. He tried more after she had her magic back and sent Damon back to the real world. He blamed her for trying to kill him and leave him behind.
The witch was resourceful. His many attempts to siphon her magic from her no longer phased her. It had been 2 months since Damon was sent back. "Go ahead. Take it all. Kill me. At least I'll die knowing that Damon will find you and make your death slow, painful and make you wish you had never left this hell." Bonnie's words from that last altercation a month ago echoed in Kai's head. He had left her alone for a few days after that. He knew if he was ever to escape, he had to win her trust. And he'd have to learn to trust her. Not an easy feat for two people that have maimed and attempted to kill each other. Plus, Kai hadn't trusted a single person since childhood.
"Earth to Kai," Bonnie said, snapping Kai back to the present.
"Sorry. Was just thinking."
"About what? Thinking is never good for you. Look, if you're going to kill me, just get it over with."
"What? No! That's not it. Just..I.." What the fuck was wrong with him? He never tripped on his words.
"Okay, well. If thats not the issue then what Kai? I thought we were making some progress on the trust front." Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Sparkled? Get it together! You don't notice stupid shit like that.
"I was remembering some childhood memories. From before everything. And yes, we have."
"Oh. I was asking if you wanted to help me clear the dishes and work on the details of our new spell."
The truth was, the last time he had siphoned some of her magic, something else happened. He felt how soft her skin was, how the defiance in her eyes ignited a spark in him that he hadnt expected. Of course she was beautiful. Anyone with eyes could see that. But since when the hell did Kai Parker notice fine details or reminisce about anything other than maybe the giddy feeling he got from terrorizing his family years ago? Feelings were for the weak. Yet here he was, stuck with a pang of guilt for what he had done to her. Guilt?
Kai couldn't help but allow his gaze to wander from her eyes, to her lips, down her neck and admire the oversize flannel shirt she wore with one shoulder exposed.
"KAI! Stop looking at me like that. You're not a vampire. Unless you're thinking of choking me again, you can forget it. You havent siphoned from me lately. I have magic and you don't. I'll knock you out and disappear." Her words were like a punch to the gut.
"Bonnie, I…" his voice broke.
"What's wrong with you. You've hardly touched your food. You keep zoning out. And now you're lost for words?"
Kai panicked. He knew he had to get away from her to clear his head. Without a word, he left the table and went outside to the pool house.
If only I could just hold her without hurting her, without taking her magic. Kai got lost in his inner battle that he didn't hear Bonnie enter the pool house.
"Kai, what's going on? Talk to me. Part of trusting someone is being able to open up to them."
Kai spun around in shock at her voice. The shock quickly turned to anger. Finally, something he understood.
"YOU! ITS YOU! You're the problem! You've done this to me." He rushed at her, backing her against the glass door.
—
Bonnie's POV
His eyes glared above Bonnie's in that all too familiar murder way. She thought about zapping him with a jolt of magic. She fought against her instinct to defend herself. She stood with her back against the cold glass door, waiting for him to choke her or siphon her magic. She couldn't figure him out. He had been acting weird for weeks. But tonight's dinner confirmed her thoughts. Something was definitely different about Kai Parker. The flash of fear on her face must have shocked him back to almost level headed Kai.
"Bonnie, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I don't know what the hell is happening to me. I understand if you don't trust me anymore. Fuck. I know we've worked so hard to build up a trust."
Was that guilt on his face? Regret? Bonnie wasn't sure. Yeah, they had made some progress, but her gut told her there was something more. "Talk to me."
He slowly walked back toward her as if he had just wounded a defenseless animal. To Bonnie's surprise, Kai placed his hands on her cheeks, gentle eyes searching her own. Almost pleading her to understand something.
"I can't, Bon. I really am sorry. I'm still working on my temper. When you've spent your whole life being a certain way, change is difficult. I'm going to bed. I'll wash tomorrow's dishes. I promise. Goodnight."
She was speechless. She hadn't wanted to admit it but when he wasn't his murderous self, he was actually cute. Handsome even. She had caught herself noticing how sweet and sexy he was in the moments that he had genuine kindness. She knew there was no way he would ever return her attraction. But since when did he get nervous, or stumble over his words? Kai was cold, cocky and deceptively charming. He was dangerous. Let it go, Bonnie. You're not psychoanalyzing Kai Parker. Go to bed.
Wide awake in her bed, thoughts of wanting to console Kai looped her brain. If only he wasn't a sociopath, and they had met under normal circumstances, she could see herself dating him. She sighed to herself, and laughed. As if Kai would notice me.
