An Elemental Difference - FIRE - Book 2 (Stefan Salvatore)

Chapter 82 - Now we wait

LOCKWOOD CELLAR

Past midnight, the trio—Caroline, Elena, and Aella—sneaked into the ancient, dilapidated Lockwood Cellar. Caroline gingerly plopped Elijah on the dusty floor, her disdain for the place practically oozing from her raised nose. She couldn't help but glance at the cage where Tyler had once thrown himself behind bars during his werewolf debut, with Caroline, the ever-optimist, standing by his side, hoping for the best. Oh, how the tides turn faster than a Kardashian's Instagram feed.

Caroline scrunched up her nose. "The Lockwood Cellar, really? Could we have chosen a more cliché haunted spot?"

Aella plonked her grimoire down next to Elijah before getting up, her hands conjuring the magic to light up the candles Tyler had carelessly left behind. The flickering light illuminated their faces and highlighted Aella's newfound control over her powers. Caroline couldn't help but raise an impressed brow at Aella's mastery over magic that had once been as elusive as a decent Wi-Fi signal in a dead zone. Aella, however, paid her newfound control no mind.

"It's the one place Elijah hasn't nosed around. The last spot Damon and Stefan would check. They haven't been near this place for months," Aella explained.

Despite the cellar's chill, Elena wiped her clammy hands on her jeans.

"What's the game plan?" she inquired, her voice a mix of apprehension and determination.

Aella motioned toward the stairs. "You two skedaddle."

Elena's eyes bulged in disbelief. "What? I thought we were in this together, doing things our way."

Caroline mirrored Elena's incredulity, gesturing toward Elijah's daggered silhouette. "I'm not leaving you alone here with him."

Aella shot them a reassuring smile. "The moment Elijah wakes up, he won't exactly be hosting a tea party for Klaus' one and only hope of becoming a hybrid."

She turned to Caroline, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "And you? Much as you mean the world to me, you mean nothing to Elijah. He'd kill you instantly."

Though Caroline understood the logic, the sting of Aella's words still pricked. "Okay, thanks for the love, but ouch."

Aella clasped their hands, her smile soft but determined. "This isn't about me taking the lead. I can handle Elijah, but first, I'll fortify this place like Fort Knox. You two aren't sidelined; I need you to keep Damon and Stefan occupied."

Elena remained skeptical. "How?"

Aella leveled a pointed look at Elena. "Damon will expect me to avoid him. But if you vanish, he'll smell trouble. And Stefan? That's where Caroline comes in. What better distraction than a TLC girly night with her protective bestie?"

Caroline bobbed her head in agreement, a mischievous twinkle lighting her gaze. "So, are we talking face masks and pedicures or popcorn and romcoms?"

Aella's expression contorted in disgust. "When have I ever willingly subjected myself to face masks and pedicures?"

Caroline rolled her eyes, familiar with Aella's disdain for anything remotely girly, even if it was all just for show. "We all know you'd sooner fight a dragon than sit through a spa day."

Aella let out a dramatic groan. "Stefan would see through that facade in a heartbeat."

Caroline scoffed, wounded by Aella's lack of confidence. "Please, Stefan knows I could charm the stripes off a zebra when I want to."

Aella relented, albeit begrudgingly. "Fine, you've got a point."

Caroline flashed a triumphant grin, savoring her victory. "See? I knew you'd come around!"