Blood In The Flames (Elijah Mikaelson)

The Choice

Niklaus leads me into the music room, where Marcellus is reading his Shakespeare. "Little Gerard?"

He immediately drops the book and jumps up when he sees me. "Mama Lizzie!" He hugs me tightly and I kiss his head.

I pull away and look him over. "You've gotten taller! And more handsome!" Then, I could hear it. The beating of his heart. I turn way as the veins form under my eyes again.

No! I will not hurt him!

Niklaus realizes what is happening and stands in front of me with his hands on my arms. "Lizzie, focus on my voice. Calm down."

Marcellus starts to worry. "What's the matter with her?"

After I'm calm, I turn back to Marcellus. "Come, Little Gerard. We need to talk."

~Time Lapse~

After explaining everything to Marcellus, Niklaus and I sat there waiting for a response. Little Gerard looks at me, his eyes full of tears. "So if you don't become one of them, you will die. Yet, if you do, you will have to hurt people forever." I confirm this with a slight nod. "I don't want you to have to hurt people Mama Lizzie, but....I don't want you to die."

My eyes sadden. "Marcellus, if you wish for me to stay, I shall stay. I don't want to leave you, but I also don't wish to be a monster.....No offense, Niklaus."

Niklaus just shrugs with a smirk. "None taken, love."

Marcellus looks contemplated for a moment, then he looks at Niklaus and I. "Please, stay." Before I could respond, Niklaus brings the woman from before into the room.

Immediately, I turn around trying to control myself. "You are sure?"

The other siblings join us, Elijah speaking. "Elizabeth, you don't have to do this!"

I turn back to face him. "Yes, I do. I will not leave him. Call me selfish, but dying doesn't tickle my fancy either." I slowly approach the girl, veins appearing under my eyes as her pounding heart fills my ears. "Marcellus, leave. I do not wish for you to witness this." He gets up and leaves, as soon as I feel he is gone I pounce. My fangs dig deep into her neck as I fill my hunger.

Suddenly, it was a if I forgot how to stop. The panic in me sets in, but is silenced by my own growl of hunger from my throat as I continue to feed from the helpless girl.

As if reading my mind, I am suddenly pulled away. "Elizabeth, enough! Niklaus, get the girl out of here! Elizabeth, look at me! Focus on me!" More growls sound out as I try to fight him off to get back to my prey. Niklaus drags the girl away and returns a few minutes later. As his commands sink in, my body calms and my eyes focus on the deep brown I come to love and hate. "That's it. You're okay. Just focus on me and breathe."

My breathing softens and the veins under my eyes retract. Tears form in my eyes. "I.....I almost...K-killed her."

Elijah sighs. "It's alright. We got you in time. You will learn to control it with time."

I break away from him. "No!" A sudden power blasts from my body and Elijah is sent flying backwards into a wall. My eyes widen and I look at my hands. "M-my magic, it's still here! How can this be? When a witch is turned into a vampire, her magic is taken. Yet mine is still with me."

Niklaus comes closer to me. "You were a powerful witch as a human and it was heightened when you transitioned. So you turned into a hybrid of sorts. A witch and vampire all in one."

I fall into his arms crying. "N-niklaus, I'm scared! I don't know how to be a vampire. This was a mistake."

He hugs me close and strokes my head affectionately. "You will not be alone, Lizzie. I will help you every step of the way. I promise."

For the first time, Niklaus Mikaelson actually kept his promise. For the next few years he helped me to learn how to control myself and survive as a vampire. I do not regret my decision. If I didn't make the choice to become a vampire, I would've never had the opportunity to make the memories I am as I watch my Little Gerard grow up.

This is not the end. The next chapter is a time jump!