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

Chapter 83 - Goonies never say die!

A/N: are we not liking the story anymore? The last chapter got 2 comments and I'm freaking out that all the hard work of making this story AU is being hated. I'm not expecting an essay on your thoughts but a nice 'good job!' or 'I like how different this is from the show, however...' anything other than nothing because I can't improve on nothing. I've been posting on a weekly basis now, which I'd hoped would bring more attention to the story but it's quite the opposite and it's really disheartening. I hope you let me know your thoughts xoxo

LOCKWOOD CELLAR

"There'll be twelve green bottles hanging on the wa-"

Aella's melodic voice echoed faintly through the dimly lit cellar, a stark contrast to the tension that crackled in the air. Suddenly, her song was interrupted by the sharp gasp of Elijah awakening. Aella froze, her breath caught in her throat, as Elijah's instincts led him straight to the scent of blood. With a blur of motion too swift for mortal eyes to follow, he seized the blood bags and drained them in a matter of heartbeats, leaving Aella momentarily stunned.

As Elijah wiped the crimson stains from his face, Aella couldn't resist a dry remark. "You look better."

Before she could register his next move, Elijah darted towards the locked bars, only to be repelled by the barrier she had cunningly erected. Aella rolled her eyes at his futile attempt. "You really think I wouldn't have magicked the hell out of the place before I removed the dagger."

Undeterred, Elijah persisted, the exit this time, only to rebound off another barrier, much to Aella's amusement. Aella couldn't suppress a smirk, relishing the sight of him resembling a human pinball machine.

"That too," she quipped, her amusement palpable.

Groaning in frustration, Elijah finally sat up, a strand of hair falling across his face. With a dismissive gesture, he blew it away before turning his piercing gaze on Aella. "Where did you get it?"

Aella shrugged nonchalantly, relieved that he was engaging in conversation rather than violence. "I'll tell you everything. But we have to work together, Elijah. I need your word."

Elijah's response was a low growl, his demeanor bristling with defiance. "Your ability to make demands has long passed."

Aella shook her head, undeterred. "No demands. I'm offering you my help. And in return, I want yours."

As Elijah stood, brushing off the dust from his trousers, his eyes scanned the cavern, contemplating her proposition. "And why should I even consider this?"

Aella met his gaze squarely, her voice unwavering. "The same reason that you won't kill me now, despite your very angry eyes glaring at me. You need my help to kill Klaus. And I need you. He's here."

At the mention of Klaus's presence, Elijah's posture stiffened, his attention fully captured. "Klaus is here?"

A wry smile tugged at Aella's lips. "And he's taken over Alaric's body."

Elijah's smile in response was grim. "Of course he has. One of his favorite tricks."

Aella arched an eyebrow in skepticism. "Klaus likes to rip off classic movies for his enjoyment? Fun."

Elijah, undeterred by her sarcasm, moved purposefully toward the cage, his attention fixed on the invisible barrier.

"Well, what are his other tricks? What is he going to do next? You're the only one who knows him," Aella pressed, her curiosity tinged with urgency.

Elijah, still focused on the barrier, nodded knowingly. "Yes, I do. You know, not many can keep out an Original."

Aella remained silent, her skepticism evident, but Elijah's smirk spoke volumes about his confidence. "Well, first things first. I'm going to need a change of clothing."