[ BOOK ONE ]
Erin Gilbert believed the worst thing that could ever happen to her was the death of her parents. But when the Salvatore brothers waltz into town, she finds herself longing for the sorrow-filled days of the past.
All too soon, Erin's n...
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A COOL AFTERNOON breeze swept across the front lawn of the Boarding House as the sun dipped toward the horizon. The days were growing longer and warmer, giving way to the late spring and early summer air. What once had been her favorite time of year, now it held too many memories of those she lost.
Why did so many loved ones die at the start of the year?
Erin perched on the brick wall that ran along the entrance of the large home. Her legs pulled up to her chest as she leaned against a pillar, one that held up the awning above her head. She needed the fresh air and distance from what transpired inside.
After all, who would want to stick around in a place where their sister starved beneath their feet?
The decision to jumpstart Elena's humanity came readily after she almost killed Bonnie. They couldn't afford to let her wreak any more havoc on their lives. They needed the real Elena back. But unsurprisingly, she wasn't so eager to return. A few days of starvation should've edged her closer to flipping her switch back on, but it didn't seem to do anything at all. Elena was calm and silent, not giving any indication that she felt a twinge of emotion. Soon, Stefan and Damon would want to move ahead with torturing it out of her, and Erin would have to let them if she wanted her sister back.
As sunset approached, Erin noticed movement along the driveway. She looked up to see a dark car roll down the asphalt. An expensive and all too familiar one. She remained on the brick wall until the vehicle came to a stop behind Damon's, which sat parked under the awning as opposed to the garage where Stefan's stayed.
When the driver's side door opened and the owner stepped out, Erin hopped off the wall and walked toward them. "I thought you would've been long gone by now," she voiced, heading in their direction.
Elijah closed the door and straightened out his suit jacket as faced her. "Not quite yet," he answered in response. "I'm sure my brother's crusade will still be active when I arrive."
Erin didn't doubt it. Klaus wouldn't let something like 'a group of witches conspiring against him' go. Not unless they were all dead, anyway. And it had only been a couple of days. Surely if he had accomplished his task, they would know about it.
But even so, that didn't explain why Elijah hadn't gone after him. At least, not yet. Erin figured he would've already left to stop Klaus from doing something he would regret like always. But there he stood.
"I'm sure it will be, too. I'm just surprised you haven't hightailed it out of here to go after him," Erin replied with furrowed brows.
