Claudia Lockwood-Mikaelson

Chapter 37 - Old enemies

By the time we arrive in Mystic Falls it's nine in the evening. Nik is on edge, he's keenly aware of the time. Only three hours left until midnight. Although we all know we most likely have longer, we have no idea how much longer and Elijah and Nik are not willing to wait and risk my life on guesswork.

We have travelled nearly 8 hours in silence, Nik's last words to me haunt my thoughts repeating in a loop. If you truly love me, you won't refuse to feed. I've had time to reconsider. Ample time to change my decision. I imagine they think I have considering the silent hours I've had to deliberate. But my mind hasn't changed.

Nik believes he will be better off if I transition. What he doesn't realise is I'm actually refusing for his sake. While he will grieve for some time after I die since I am his mate, he will eventually leave me in the past and the burden of my illness and death will be lifted from his shoulders. He will choose another woman to be with and he will be happy.

I can't give him happiness and peace like he deserves when I am alive the way I am now. With heightened emotions exacerbating the hex, I will be destined to cause him pain and suffering always and forever.

It will be excruciating for him, the worst sort of torture to put my mate through. Its unfair of me to demand that of him. While he is furious at me for refusing to feed, he will be better off for it. Even if he disagrees, the never-ending pain of watching me suffer but not die for lifetimes over and over is too much to ask of him.

He is my mate and I love him, I never want to cause him hurt so I choose the lesser of two evils. One day he will understand.

Our car stops in the driveway of their family mansion in Mystic Falls. I see Rebekah walk out to greet Elijah as Nik helps me out of the car. I am weak, so weak now. It's embarrassing.

I take a few steps and have to stop to put all my weight on Nik. Rebekah is shocked at my sickly pale figure as Nik decides to pick me up and carry me into the foyer. I'm wasting precious time and he's counting by the second.

Rebekah has two men chained and glaring at her as we walk in. There is a young girl, who I assume is the doppelgänger, unconscious in between them. If I had more energy I would rush over and check if she is alright. The Mikaelsons don't seem concerned though.

"Oh of course it's you," one of the men sneers at Nik rolling his eyes as he sees him. "I should have known. Who else can control your demented bitch of a sister? Come to make more hybrids? Did the blood you forced Elena to give you last time finally run out?"

"Shut the bloody hell up Damon," Rebekah says slapping his cheek so hard he falls backwards. I conclude this Damon must be a vampire for taking that hard slap on the cheek. Either that or she is trying to kill him. Nik just laughs at their interaction.

"Stefan, it's always a pleasure," Nik calls while walking towards the second man chained up, his hands outstretched in a welcoming gesture. "Can't say the same for your impulsive brother, though" he adds nodding towards Damon.

"What do you want Klaus?" Stefan asks him wearily. I realise this is Stefan Salvatore, the vampire Nik told me about when we discussed his time in the 20s.

"I would have thought that was obvious Stefan," Nik responds humorously.

"Elena, you've come for Elena," Stefan realises aloud.

"Only her blood now, I have no plans to break our little agreement."

"Absolutely not. No way. What do you call this if not breaking our agreement?" Damon questions his temper rising. "How long are you going to terrorise Mystic Falls? You've taken the blood you want, your end of the bargain was for you leave town. Leave Elena alone."