Chapter 44: Chapter 44

I sigh, wondering what is taking so long for Elijah to wake up. We’ve been like sitting here for years. I mean, how long does it take for an Original to rise from the dead? Plus he’s only been kind of dead for a week or so. It can’t take that long can it.

Hell, even Elena is looking around, bored out of her mind. I’m just hoping Damon and Stefan don’t come down here and see what we are doing…

Suddenly Elijah’s back arches up and he gasps, waking up. I run over to him, looking at him worriedly. He looks around, his eyes wide, and they get even wider when they see me, “Katerina?” he whispers.

I frown as his head falls back, falling unconscious once again. I tentatively reach my hand out, not knowing what I should do. I gasp and jump back when his body convulses once again. I share a panicked look with Elena, not knowing what is happening.

He stands up, breathing heavily. “I-I can’t breathe.” he says, falling to his knees. “What’s happening to me?” he demands, looking at Elena and I. I shake my head not having any answer for him. He tries using his vampire speed to get out of the room, but he doesn’t even make it to the door.

I get up, jogging over to him. “I-I-I can’t be in this house.” he states, as I wrap my arm around his shoulders, helping to steady him. What? Why…oh…oh. He was in this house before Elena and I owned it.

“You haven’t been invited in.” I finish.

“I need to get out of here.” he flashes out of the room, running straight into the wall. He steadies himself before disappearing down the hallway. Elena runs out after him, but I stay in the room. I bend down, grabbing the dagger off the floor. I think I know how to make him trust us.

When I get upstairs, Elijah and Elena are having a silent face off at the door. Elena is standing just behind the doorframe so Elijah can’t touch her. I don’t know why she thinks he will hurt her, he won’t hurt either of us. At least I don’t think so.

“What happened?” he questions.

“Sh!” I gesture upstairs, and that Damon can hear us. Stefan is probably up there too by now.

“Not here.” Elena whispers, “Can we trust you?”

Elijah glares at her, leaning forward as much as he can. “Can I trust you two?”

“Course you can trust me.” I wink, stepping outside. I take the dagger out, and hold it out to him. He looks at it hesitantly, like I’m going to trick him or something. “Are you gonna take it or not?” I sigh, speaking as quietly as I can. He rolls his eyes and takes the dagger out of my hand.

Guess we can all trust each other now.

——————————————————-

“Back to your sexy self.” I smirk, as Elijah finishes his like 20th blood bag. He needed it though, he hasn’t had any for a while.

“Where did you get the dagger?” he asks, ignoring my comment. Wow, how rude of him. I thought he had some manners…

“We’ll tell you everything, but we have to work together Elijah. I need your word.” Elena says, always being so demanding. She should just ask him, and maybe apologize for temporally killing him.

“Your ability to make demands is long past.” Elijah answers, for once not agreeing with Elena’s shit.

“No demands. We will offer you our help and in return, it would be nice if you gave us yours.” I tell him from the back, trying the more friendly approach. As friendly as I can get, okay?

“And why should I even consider this?” he responds, looking between my sister and I. Maybe because we used to be friends before my sister and boyfriend attempted to kill you. Duh.

“The same reason you haven’t killed us, you need our help to kill Klaus. And we need you.” Elena states, damn, she has that sincere thing pretty nailed. Maybe that’s why people like her better than me.

Everyone in the car jumps, even Elijah when my phone starts blasting out Demons by Imagine Dragons. They turn around, glaring at me. I shrug and pull out my phone seeing Damon’s caller ID.

The second I press the phone to my ear, Damon starts questioning me. “Where are you? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m dead.” I answer, sarcasm seeping into my voice.

Damon sighs, “Where’s Elijah?”

“Oh you know, me and him are in the back seat….making out. Hope you don’t mind.” I tease, feeling a smirk come over my face. Damon won’t say it but I know it works him up on the inside.

“Where are you Aria?” he repeats again, more forcefully.

“Sorry, I’m not gonna tell you. Elijah, Elena and I need to spend some quietly time together. With you and Stefan here, it would get way to crowded. One vampire is enough for me.” I answer, shrugging even though he can’t see me.

“He can’t be trusted Aria, how many times do I need to tell you that? He’s using you to get to Klaus.” Damon demands.

“And how many times do I need to tell you that I trust him? He’s my friend Damon, and he’s a good guy. Plus he knows we would all be dumbasses if we crossed him again.” I say, actually keeping my clam. Normally I would be like yelling by now or something. “Damon, I love you and I know you love me, so trust me. Respect my decision and if you can’t, then that tells me a lot. I’ll call you later.” I hang up the phone, looking at Elijah. He holds out his hand, and I instantly know what he wants.  “Seriously? Am I in school right now?” I groan, clutching onto my phone.

“Give him the phone Aria.” Elena commands, handing him hers. I glare at her before handing Elijah my phone.

“If you eat it, I’ll be seriously pissed.” I warn, glaring at him. He tilts his head slightly, arching his eyebrows, an amused expression on his face. “Oh don’t give me that look buddy. You’re an Original, how am I supposed to know what you eat?”

Elena sighs, “I can not believe you are my twin sister. Now, getting back to the conversation Elijah, Klaus is here. In town.” Elena I think he knows here is in town. He’s not stupid unlike somebody. *cough* Elena *cough*

“Klaus is here?” Elijah repasts, horror showing on his face. Guess not even Elijah is ready for his brother.

“Yup.” I say, popping the P, “He’s jumped into Alaric’s body and taken residence their. It’s very disturbing.”

“Of course he has, one of his favorite tricks.” Elijah tells us.

“Well, what are his other tricks? What is he going to do next? You’re the only one who knows him.” Elena presses, desperately trying to get information. Jeez, tone down that desperation there Elena.

“Yes I do…” Elijah whispers.

———————————————————-

“Really Elijah, all the people you could have picked to help us, you pick Mrs. Lockwood?” I groan, as we walk up the steps to her house. I still don’t like Mrs. Lockwood anymore than I did when Tyler and I were dating.

“Calm yourself, Arianna. She will not be staying with us.” Elijah smiles, still freaking calling me my full name. Elijah rings the door bell, and I hear Mrs. Lockwood’s footsteps on the other side of the door. Yay.

“Elijah.” Mrs. Lockwood frowns, “Elena, Arianna? What are you guys doing here? What happened?” she asks, gesturing to Elijah’s shredded suit.

“I had a bit of an incident Carol, I’m hoping you could help.” Elijah smiles. Yeah, he was only dead, dead for a few weeks…

“Well I’m on my way to a meeting so I-“ she stops rambling when Elijah takes a step forward.

“It won’t take but a minute of your time.” Elijah compels, not even needing to say it out loud. Guess he’s compiled a few thousand people in his years…

“Of course.” Carol grins, “Come right in.”

“Thank you.” Elijah steps inside, followed by Elena and I.

“Well, first thing first, Elijah here is going to need a change of clothing. He looks like a hot hobo right now.” I shrug, flicking a piece of dust off his jacket.

“Well, we could try one of my husbands suits? I haven’t boxed them up yet.” Carol frowns, obviously uncomfortable talking about her dead husband.

“Wonderful.” Elijah smiles.

“How did you know she wasn’t on vervain?” Elena whispers to Elijah, as she watches Mrs. Lockwood walk up the stairs.

“Because Elijah is the one who got her off it. Right before you and my idiotic boyfriend killed him. Twice.” I glare, causing Elena to frown. Yes, Elijah told me stuff before she so rudely killed him. We were like BFF’s.

“If you two will excuse me.” Elijah speaks up, nodding at me before walking up the stairs.

He needs to get all glamoured up. Mainly, he needs to do his hair. Yeah, he defiantly needs to do his hair.

————————————————————————

“So I assume that the Marten Witches are no longer with us.” Elijah sighs, once again looking hot in his suit, with his hair all done.

“Nope, we killed them.” I shrug, “So sorry about that.”

“And Katerina? She would have been released from my compulsion when I died.”

“Klaus took her, we think she may be dead.” Elena tells him, not very broken up about the face Katherine may be dead.

“I doubt that. Not Klaus’ style.” Elijah smirks. “Death would be too easy for her after what she did.”

“I don’t understand, you say you want Klaus dead but…but you still made Katherine pay for betraying him.” Elena frowns.

“I have my reasons for wanting Katerina to pay. There was a time that I would have done anything for Klaus. Klaus is my brother.” he states.

“Yeah, we heard that. We’re still trying to process it though.” I respond.

“I’m a little behind on the times, but I believe the term you’re searching for is…OMG.” he says with a completely serious face.  I shake my head, a grin on my face. I love Elijah, he’s so fun isn’t he?  “Oh yes, there is something else you two should now. Klaus and I aren’t the only Originals out there. The rest of our family was turned also.”

“Oh, that’s really amazing. More freaking Originals.” I say, sarcasm coating my voice.

“My Father was a wealthy land owner in a village in Eastern Europe. Our Mother bore seven children.” he explains. Oh there’s seven Originals, just great…

“So your parents were human?” Elena clarifies.

“Our whole family was. Our origin of vampires is a very long story Elena. Just know, we are the oldest vampires in the world. We are the Original family and from us, all vampires were created.” he says.

“Yeah but…Klaus is your brother, and you want him dead?” I frown, not really believing that too well.

Elijah is silent in thought for a moment before responding, “I need some air. Still feeling a tad…” he searches for the right word, a small smirk on his face. “…dead.”

I follow him out the door, Elena trailing behind me. “Haha, Elijah. Real funny.” I glare, smacking him on the shoulder. He smiles, grabbing my wrist before I pull away.

“You should show more restraint around me Arianna.” he warns.

I roll my eyes, pulling my wrist away. “Yeah, I get it, you’re a big, bad Original who’s super quick.”

“Also, I do not die, as you can tell. Not sun, not fire, not even a werewolf bite. Only the wood from one tree, a tree my family made sure to burn.” Elijah tells us.

“That’s where the White Oak ash came from for the Dagger.” Elena puts together, being smart for once.

“Yes, witches won’t allow anything truly immortal to walk the Earth. Every creature needs to have a weakness in order to maintain balance.” Elijah explains.  See, witches, always the downer of the party.

“So if the sun can’t kill an Original, than why is Klaus so obsessed with breaking this Sun and Moon curse?” I ask.

Elijah almost laughs, a smirk coming over his face. “Aria….the curse of The Sun and Moon, it’s all so…biblical sounding, don’t you think?”

“What’s so funny?” Elena questions, giving Elijah a weird look.

“You see my brother wrote up that curse, while he was intoxicated, I may add.” Elijah smiles.

“I don’t get it, so Klaus made up the curse? Why the hell would he do that?” I demand, not liking where this is going.

“We wrote the curse up in every culture we felt like, the Aztec’s, Romans…” Elijah answers, trailing off.

“But why?” Elena repeats.

“Easiest way to discover the existence of a doppleganger, or two, and to get your hands on some long lost moonstone. Is to have every member of two waring species looking for it.” Elijah smirks, casting a look at me.

“So it’s not Aztec at all…?” Elena frowns.

“The curse of the Sun and the Moon, is fake. It doesn’t exist.” Elijah shrugs, continuing on his walk up some little bridge. Elena and I look at each other, completely shocked. What the hell is happening right now? I am so confused at the moment it’s not even funny. Okay…maybe a little funny.

“Wait, did I just hear you right?” I ask, chasing after Elijah.

“Klaus and I faked the Sun and Moon curse, dating back over a thousand years.” he repeats.

“Wait so if there’s no curse-“ Elena starts to hope but Elijah quickly takes it away.

“Their is a curse, just not that one. The real one is much worse, it’s a curse placed on Klaus.” he says casually.

“What are you talking about?” Elena sighs.

“Klaus has been trying to break it for a hundred years, and you Elena are his only hope.” Wow, I’m not his only hope. I feel so freaking loved right now. But I’m the special one.

“Well what is the real curse than? He turns into a ogre at night or something?” I joke, Elijah frowns though not getting what it means. Guess he has never seen Shrek.

“Your phone will not stop its incessant buzzing, answer it.” Elijah holds out Elena’s phone.

Elena takes the phone answering it, “Stefan-“ she stops, a horrified expression coming over her face. Oh crap, this is so not good… “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

“Elena what’s wrong?” I frown.

“Klaus…he went after Jenna, we have to go now.” Elena states. Oh this is so not good.

“That was not part of the arrangement.” Elijah sighs.

“Fine, whatever I’ll stay, it’s not like if I left Damon would let me leave again. Go Elena, if Elijah has a problem with that he can take it up with me.” I glare at Elijah, daring him to challenge me. Elena nods running off and thankfully Elijah makes no move to stop her.

“Your bravery is impressive Aria.” he smiles.

“Most people would call it stupidity. My boyfriend seems to think it is.” I shrug, watching Elena pull away from the house.

“Sometimes it can be.” Elijah agrees.

“You weren’t actually supposed to agree with me Elijah.” I mumble.

“You do not wish for me to be honest with you?” he asks, all innocent like.

I laugh, shaking my head. “I admit it, I missed my big teddy bear Original.” Before I can stop myself I wrap my arms around him. He tenses up, clearly not expecting me to embrace him. After a moment he pats my back gently.

I pull away, grinning. “Like I said, a big teddy bear.”

————————————————————

“Jesus, how long does it take to explain to someone vampires exist?” I mutter, glaring at the front door. Elena has been gone for years it seems like that. She texted me Jenna is fine but shaken up because she knows about vampires. Oh and that Damon is beyond pissed off at me. I figured as much.

“It’s a lot to take in Aria, I’m sure it took you quite a while.” Elijah muses.

“It actually didn’t.” I smirk, “Damon explained it to me in like five minutes and then he drank my blood. It was quite the funny situation.”

Elijah is about to respond but Elena walks in the front door. She looks at us before taking off her coat and taking a seat in one of the chairs, “So, what is Klaus’ curse?” Wow, guess she’s ready to get down to business.

“You know my family was quite close once, Klaus and my Father didn’t get along too well though. When we became vampires, we discovered the truth. Klaus was not my Father’s son.” Uh oh, Klaus has Daddy issues. Maybe that is why he is so evil and mean.

Elijah continues on, “My Mother had been unfaithful many years before, this was her darkest secret. Klaus was from a different bloodline. Of course when my Father discovered this, he hunted down and killed my Mother’s lover…and his entire family. Not realizing that he started a war between species that rages to this day.”

“A war between the species?” Elena questions, not quite getting it. I unfortunately know what he is talking about.

“Vampires, and werewolves.” Elijah answers.

“So Klaus’ real Father was from a werewolf bloodline? But what does that make Klaus, a werewolf or a vampire?” I frown, not liking where this is going.

Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say…”He’s both.” Shit.

“A hybrid will be deadlier than any wolf or vampire. Nature would not stand for such an imbalance of power. Therefore the witches, servants of nature, sought to it that my brothers werewolf side would become dormant.” Elijah explains.

“That’s the curse that Klaus wants to break?” Elena repeats.

“He wants to trigger that part of him that’s a werewolf. If allowed, Klaus would sire his own bloodline. He would build his own race. Endangering not only vampires, but everyone.” Shit is about to get real folks…

“But you helped him…” Elena accuses.

“I helped him because I loved him.” Elijah says honestly. “That’s changed now, he must die.” Elijah looks down at the floor, obviously saddened by this. I would be too if Jeremy turned into a raging monster who wanted to destroy the world and I had to kill him.

“We have the dagger now, we can stop him.” Elena tells him.

“When a werewolf is injured with silver it heals. An Original can’t be killed by anything except a White Oak stake. So you see, the dagger does not work.” Elijah once again ruins our hopes.

“So you’re saying Klaus can’t be killed?” I worry, probably sounding like my sister at the moment.

“There always one way to kill any species, by the hands of a nature servant themselves.”

“A witch, of course it’s a witch, it’s always got to be a witch. That’s even if they could channel enough power.” I roll my eyes, I dislike witches so much.

“The curse must be broken during the full moon, when Klaus is in transition. That is when he will be at his most vulnerable. A witch with enough power can kill Klaus.” Elijah insists.

“What if I told you, I know a witch who can channel that much power.” Elena says.

“Then I would tell you there’s one more thing that you two should know, I have a way of saving the Doppleganger. I found it while I was helping Klaus with the curse.”

“You found a way to save the doppleganger?” Elena repeats. I don’t like how they are only saying it in a singular form.

“Yes Elena, I did. Unfortunately Katerina took matters into her own hands first. I believe you already know how that played out.” Elijah sighs, handing Elena her coat. Oh yeah, Katherine met them a long time ago.

“You cared about her, didn’t you?” I smile.

“It’s a common mistake I am told, it’s not one I will make again.” Elijah promises and I swear he’s looking at me not Elena. Elijah turns around, heading out the front door.

“Can you wait in here for a moment? I need to talk to Elijah quickly. I think talking about Katherine upset him. I feel kind of bad.” I lie.  Elena shrugs, nodding her head. I give her a forced smile before heading out to where Elijah went. “Elijah!” I call, getting his attention. He freezes, stopping. He doesn’t turn around though, giving me the answer I needed. “You can only save one of us, can’t you?”

Elijah turns around slowly, a sympathetic look on his face. “I’m guessing you wish for it to be your sister?”

“It has to be Elijah, okay? Only you and I will know that your cure can only cure one. Everyone else will think Elena and I both live. Even Damon…” I whisper heartbroken.

“It will crush him if you die Aria.” Elijah points out unhelpfully.

“I know but… Elena needs to be here for Jeremy.” My voice cracks a little. Can’t say I like the topic we are talking about very much.

“You know, you will not be sacrificed in the same way your sister will be. Since you are the younger of the two sisters, that means you are the, how do I put it, extra doppleganger.” Elijah states. “Klaus will drain Elena’s blood but for you, it’s worse that that.”

“There’s something worse than that?” I frown not liking where this is going.

“Klaus has a special dagger, spelled by witches just in case a second doppleganger ever appeared. You are suppose to give him more strength and abilities. Your blood is special. But to get his strength, he has to stab you directly in the heart. The blade will apparently absorb your blood in a way. Then Klaus will stab himself with it, taking the power that is in your blood.” Elijah explains.

I open my mouth to respond but shut it right away. I shake my head, before sliding down to my knees. “Klaus…he’s going to stab me in the heart and drain my blood through a knife spelled my witches?” I repeat shakily.

“Unfortunately there is no other way.” Elijah answers.

“I-I don’t want to die like that Elijah.” I cry, burring my face in my hands. I’m not feeling so brave anymore.

I look up when I feel Elijah’s hands lifting me back on my feet. He smiles at me, wiping a tear off my face. “You’re so strong Arianna Gilbert, don’t let my brother break you. Face this like you do everything else, with bravery. You are no coward Arianna. You are one of the bravest girls I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around sometime. This is a lot to ask of you, but I know you like to exceed everyones expectations.”

I look at Elijah, mentally pulling myself back together. “Thank you Elijah.” I mumble.

I’m not going to let myself be afraid of Klaus…or death.

————————————————————

I walk behind Elena and Elijah as they walk towards the Salvatore library room place. We all have some things that we need to discuss. Especially Elijah and Stefan and Damon. Elijah wants an apology from them. I can already tell you, Damon won’t say sorry. He has trouble pronouncing that word.

When we walk into the room, Damon and Stefan are practically strangling each other. “Stop!” I demand, and they instantly push away from each other. I glare at both of them, not in the mood for this. “You two look like two little girls fighting in a middle school girls bathroom. So cut it out before you embarrass yourself more.” I know I’m being bitchy right now but i just found out I’m going to die. It kind of puts you in a shitty mood.

“Now you’ve invited him?” Damon seethes, glaring at Elijah.

“Elijah, Aria, and I have renewed the terms of our deal.” Elena answers stiffly.

“Really?” Damon voice drips with sarcasm.

“The two of you will come to no harm by my hands. I only ask for one thing in return.” Elijah explains.

“What?” Damon snaps.

“An apology.” I sigh, knowing how Damon will react.

“A what?” Damon repeats.

Stefan and Damon share a look before Stefan steps forward. “I’m sorry for the part I played in your death. I was protecting Elena, I will always protect Elena.” Stefan apologizes. Wow thanks Stefan, glad you give a shit about me.

“I understand.” Elijah nods.

We all look over at Damon, Elena and Stefan probably expect him to apologize or actually look sorry. When he doesn’t, I speak up. “The sacrifice is going to happen Damon, Bonnie will be able to kill Klaus without hurting herself and Elijah knows how to save Elena and I’s life.” I lie, hoping my voice sounds steady.

“See Damon, we told you we would find another way, and we did.” Elena almost smirks, awfully proud of herself. If only she knew I’m going to die instead of Bonnie.

“Is that true?” Damon questions, looking over at Elijah.

“It is.” Elijah lies, I know he hates lying but he is doing it for me.

“And you’re trusting him over me?” Damon asks, a betrayed look in his eyes when he looks over at me.

I take a deep breath, looking Damon right in the eye. “Yes, I am.”

“You can all go to hell. Even you Aria.” he sneers before walking out of the room. I suck in a breath, hurt that he said that. I don’t know what else I was expecting. I did push him away.

Elena turns around to look at me, “Ar-“

“I’m going to go home, see ya later.” I say, already walking out the door.

“Aria!” Elena calls out but I ignore her and just walk out the door.

What the hell have I done?