The Fate of Eternity

Chapter Thirty Four

A Few Caring Words

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Evangeline's eyes snapped open as she felt the intense power she held wash over her entire body. As she came to, she noticed Freya doing the same. The two witches had spent the majority of the last week refreshing protection spells and continuing to put up a cloaking spell on the house. With Evangeline's help, the process had gone a lot quicker than if Freya had just done it herself.

"You look exhausted, Evangeline." Freya sighed as she began to tidy up the dining room table. "Go get some rest, or at least relax a little bit."

"I can't." Evangeline sighed, running a hand through her hair. "At least not while those vampires circle the property like a pack of hungry wolves."

"Try to ignore them." Freya sent her a reassuring smile. "I know that sounds ridiculous, but you need to. You've been working so hard with helping to put up spells that I think it's time you earned a break. You need it."

"Fine." Evangeline nodded, finally giving in. "But if anything changes, let me know immediately."

"You know I will."

Evangeline retreated into the living room where Rebekah was stretched out on the couch staring out the front window. She sensed the young vampire's presence and pulled her knees up to her chest to make room on the cushion. Evangeline plopped herself down beside the original and rested her arm on the back of the couch before laying the side of her head down alongside it.

"It's amusing to watch them work." Rebekah commented. "They continue to circle over and over, hoping to find us, and when they don't, they start over again."

"They're definitely determined, that's for sure." Evangeline agreed.

"Freya mentioned earlier that the spell you two did shielded the house."

"It does. We put up a magic veil that blocks it from any outside view. To them, it looks like nothing but open forest."

"Marcel must have them bloody scared off their rockers. I've never seen his men work so hard for something before."

"When I was with him, he ran a pretty tight ship. He didn't take any bullshit, and his guys seemed to respect him for that."

"He's always been that way." Rebekah said. "He was never one for tolerance, and I highly doubt he treats his guys with kindness and compassion."

Evangeline let out a small giggle at the blonde's sarcastic tone. Rebekah smiled at her, holding out her hand to the young vampire.

"I promise, no matter what happens, my family will keep you safe."

"I know you will, and I can't thank you all enough." Evangeline replied, taking her outstretched hand.

"No thanks are necessary." Rebekah grinned. "Now, forget about the stupid minions Marcel has out and about, and go upstairs and get some rest. You look absolutely dreadful."

"Wow, thanks, Rebekah." Evangeline scoffed.

"I just meant you look exhausted. You're practically a walking zombie."

"You sound like Freya. Honestly, I'm fine."

"Get some sleep, Evangeline."

Rebekah and Evangeline whipped their head to see Elijah standing in the hallway leading to the kitchen. He stared at her with a tired look on his face, seeming genuinely concerned with her health. Without another word, Evangeline rose from the couch and headed towards the stairs, pausing the moment she passed Elijah.

"For the record, I'm going to bed because I need the rest. Not because you commanded it."

As she headed up the stairs, she heard Elijah chuckle, and something about hearing the sound caused a warm feeling to wash over her. She hadn't heard him do that in awhile. It was nice.

***

"You got her to go upstairs." Freya commented as Elijah stepped into the kitchen. "I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it." Rebekah chuckled, entering in behind him and sliding onto a barstool at the counter. "I doubt our brother is going to take time out of his busy schedule to speak to Evangeline again any time soon."

"Rebekah," Elijah growled in an annoyed tone, quickly turning on the sink in order to block out their conversation. "I'm not in the mood for your continuous jabs surrounding Evangeline."

"You need to hear it. You're being stupid."

"Excuse me?" Elijah scoffed.

"You want to know what I think, dear brother?"

"Not really."

"I think you need to grow a pair and talk to the poor girl. This rude, passive aggressive, and not to mention extremely vexing person that you've become needs to disappear. Tell her how you really feel. I know there's more there than just the daughter of your past lover."

"We are not talking about this, Rebekah. End of story. Evangeline is nothing more than Céleste's daughter. We are helping her because it is the right thing to do. That's it. No incentives, no feelings, no attachment. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my room."

Rebekah and Freya stood with their mouths open, unable to comprehend the lack of feelings their brother had just displayed. As Elijah disappeared up the stairs to his room, the sisters turned to one another.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" Rebekah scoffed, running a hand through her hair.

"I've never seen him act that way before." Freya agreed. "It's almost like he has denied his feelings for so long that he has begun to believe the ridiculous excuses he tells himself."

"That's because he does. I've seen this happen with every single girl following Céleste. After she died the first time, Elijah never allowed himself to feel anything romantically ever again. He couldn't with Hayley, or that vampire girl Gia, and now he can't with Evangeline."

"I wish he would see that opening up and feeling emotions aren't going to destroy him."

"He's not worried about himself." Rebekah sighed, her eyes trained towards the stairs. "He's worried it will destroy her."

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xx lavender baby 💋