The Time After (Sequel to Lexi's Twin)

3

"Where is the book?" I pinned the witch against the wall, knowing her coven was the last to have it. "Please, I don't have it. The Bennett witches were the last to have it in possession." I growled, releasing her. I don't want to go back to Mystic Falls, but, I have to do it. For my family. As I arrived back in the quarter, Elijah was waiting for me. "Have you found what you're looking for?" I shook my head, looking down. "I have to go back to Mystic Falls to get it." He hugged me tight, shaking slightly. "I'm not letting you go..." I immediately cut him off, "But I need to. I need this, for us." A sigh fell past his lips. "If you would've let me finish, you would've heard me say that I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you. I don't trust that town." I squealed with joy, hugging him tighter.

As we loaded our things into the car, I felt relief wash over me. I could go back to the town that I had just lived in, to get the thing that can help me truly enjoy the rest of my life. Sure, I'd be happy with Elijah alone, but I wanted more. We jumped into the car, speeding down the road, wind rushing in through the open windows. Soon, we were lost in the passing trees and the gentile music coming from the speakers.

About an hour later, we were still passing by town after town, but finally, we needed to eat. I could feel myself growing weaker with hunger. In New Orleans, I had tried to feed as little as possible to limit the deaths needed. So, with me being low on blood already, we stopped. It was just a small, retro diner but it would work. All I needed to do was lure one away from everyone else. Elijah waited outside while I walked in, swaying my hips. As the late night trucker crowd heard the bell that was perched on the door jingle, they all looked towards me. By this point, I was in tight jeans and a low cut shirt, showing off what I had to offer. I sat down along the counter, allowing the man across the room to move towards me. He seemed hesitant from my silence, but soon sat next to me with one glance at my sweet smile. "What's a girl like you doing here all alone?" I sighed, "I'm not alone if you're here, am I?" I hated how I had to do this to seem casual. I felt like I was being unfaithful to Elijah. "Follow me." As soon as those words escaped my mouth, he smiled at me evilly. That was a look I knew all too well. He though I was some weak, young girl that he could use for his needs. He was dead wrong. I walked out the door, swaying my hips in front of him. When we were behind the building, I looked into his eyes. "You will not scream or try to run." I watched as his eyes dilated and he repeated my words. Within a second, Elijah was with me, attached to the other side of his neck. As I felt his warm blood trickle through me, his body started to go limp. With one last gulp, his body fell to the ground, completely drained. I usually didn't prefer to kill them, but Elijah and I were hungry and this man didn't seem like a great person.

Once we were back on the road, it all seemed to go by quicker. Soon enough, we were in Virginia and about to enter the small town. We were less than ten minutes away and I already felt strange about this. The roads that were usually busy only had one or two other cars on them. The Mystic Falls sign soon approached, revealing why the roads were empty. The population was just barely over 100, meaning something had to have happened. The houses seemed to blur by as we continued driving all the was to the Salvatore Boarding House. Their driveway had at least three cars in it, showing that more people had moved in once again. The cars aren't what distracted me though, it was the silence. What was going on that would make it so quiet? As we got out of the car, I heard people running up what I'm guessing is the stairs. I kept my normal pace, walking to the front door, knocking lightly. The running steps stopped, freezing in their place. A heavier set of footsteps came to the door, opening it slowly. Bonnie came into view, dressed up for what looked like a wedding. "Hello Bonnie, you look beautiful." She smiled, opening the door enough for us to slip in. "Thank you, why are you back here?" Just as she said that I noticed the two little girls at the top of the stairs, watching me. "I needed something from you. Who are these beautiful little ones?" They both started walking towards me, looking from me to Bonnie as if to ask permission. When Bonnie smiled, they introduced themselves. Bonnie, realizing my confusion spoke up. "Alaric was engaged to a woman named Jo, she was killed on their wedding day. The babies were hers but the coven she was a part of did a spell to put them in Caroline." I smiled, looking over to Elijah. He saw the small shine that was now in my eyes as they started to glaze over. If Caroline, a vampire, could have babies without having sex and just a spell, then I can with a spell and sex. "Bonnie, you were given a grimoire by a New Orleans witch coven, do you know where it is?" Her confusion became visible on her face, "What would you need it for so badly that you'd come all this way?" Elijah stepped closer, putting his arm around my waist. "We would like a spell in it that would allow us to have children of our own." She nodded, starting to walk back upstairs with the girls. It wasn't long before I started to sense something was off. Elijah could sense it as well, along with my fear, which was putting him on edge. Next thing I know, a blast rings through the house, knocking us to the ground.