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

Chapter 90 - You wanna go on an adventure?

SALVATORE BOARDING HOUSE

Stefan and Damon stood frozen, their eyes locked on the imposing figure of Elijah. In that charged moment, all attention turned to Elena, who shifted uncomfortably under their stares. She was acutely aware that she alone held the power to invite the ancient vampire into their sanctuary.

"Now you've invited him in?" Damon's voice sliced through the tension, his tone dripping with accusation as he directed his ire at Elena.

Elena met Damon's accusatory glare with a firm nod, refusing to waver under his scrutiny. "I did. He swore to Aella that he wouldn't hurt anyone," she asserted, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation.

Damon's eyes rolled with disdain at the witch and vampire before him. "Really?" he scoffed, skepticism lacing his words as he questioned the sincerity of Elijah's promise.

Jenna, who had been lurking behind Nate, peered around him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She knew firsthand the dangers posed by Elijah, having been the one to dagger him in the past.

"Yeah, really?" Jenna echoed Damon's sentiment, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she sought reassurance from those around her.

Elijah sighed heavily, his gaze sweeping over each individual in the room before settling on Jenna. "None of you will come to harm at my hands. I only ask for one thing in return," he declared, his tone carrying a weight of solemnity that demanded attention.

Damon's laughter broke the tension, his disbelief evident in his sarcastic tone. "What?" he scoffed, unable to fathom that an apology was all Elijah sought in return.

But Elijah remained steadfast, his gaze unwavering as he met Damon's incredulous stare. "An apology," he reiterated calmly, his tone firm yet composed.

Damon's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Elijah's unexpected response. "A what?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend the simplicity of Elijah's terms.

As Damon grappled with the notion of offering an apology, Nate interjected with a nervous question, his hand raised hesitantly. Elijah turned his attention to the young man, "Does that include me because I just tagged along to the cave? I stuck nothing pointy into you but I also don't wanna die like Jenna could."

Jenna, still hidden behind Nate, reacted swiftly, delivering a solid punch to his back in response to his query. Nate winced, feeling the sting of Jenna's retaliation, while Jenna, peeking around him, addressed Elijah with a sincere apology, her words carrying the weight of her protective instincts. "I'm sorry, Elijah, I was just protecting my kids," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret.

Elijah acknowledged Jenna's apology with a nod of gratitude, his expression softening in response to her honesty.

Meanwhile, Stefan approached Elijah with a solemn expression, acknowledging his own role in Elijah's past demise. "I'm sorry for the part that I played in your death. I was protecting Aella. I will always protect Aella," Stefan confessed, his words laced with determination and regret.

Elijah accepted Stefan's apology with a nod of understanding, acknowledging Aella's significance with a heartfelt sentiment. "I understand; she is a rare unpolished gem," he remarked, his tone holding a hint of admiration for the young woman who had captured their attention.

Elijah's compliment to Aella elicited a private smile from her, a silent acknowledgment of the recognition bestowed upon her. Meanwhile, Stefan and Elijah exchanged a handshake, a gesture of mutual respect and understanding, as the tension in the room gradually eased.

All eyes eventually turned to Damon, whose silence spoke volumes. Elena's expression curled into a subtle sneer at his stubbornness, her disappointment palpable as she addressed him directly, her words laden with frustration and determination.