Twisted

Chapter 8

"We all have a fear of the unknown. What one does with that fear will make all the difference in the world." -Lillian Russell 

~~

Shortly after Benjamin begrudgingly agreed, I find myself alone in my room, wondering if I made the right decision. I had sensed that Elijah was telling the truth, but I still don't understand how this works and if this 'power' is even real.

A knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I call.

The door slowly opens, revealing Sara. She is visibly upset and I know it is all my fault, but if she was in my position, I know she would do the same thing. Wouldn't she?

Sara looks at me, her eyes holding a deep sadness. My mind wonders what other emotions I might feel if we were to touch, but I shake it off.

Sara finally walks over to me and I notice a small bag in her hands. She lifts the bag and offers it to me. "Some clothes and toiletries. It should last you two days," she pauses. I can tell she wants to say more, but is contemplating the right way to say it. I softly take the bag from her, avoiding touching her hands, as I don't think I can bare the weight of her emotions right now.

"Elyse, this world is not like the books or the movies. It's dangerous and you need to be careful. Promise me that you will come back."

The raw emotion that accompanies her voice pulls at my heart. Just hours ago, we were in each other's arms, embracing like a mother and daughter, and now it is as if we are strangers.

"Sara, I promise. Please don't be angry with me. I'll explain everything once I understand."

Sara nods before pulling me into a tight hug. "I know. I just feel like I'm losing a child."

"I really wish I could explain what's happening, Sara, but I don't know how." My voice cracks and I can feel tears gathering in my eyes. I don't want to lose her.

"I understand, Elyse." She gives me a smile and pulls a hand up to wipe a stray tear from my cheek. "Come. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you will be back."

Sara grabs my hand and guides me to the front door, that I just a few days prior, I had entered for the first time. We walk through the front door and find Benjamin standing with Elijah near a sleek, black car. I can see a man in the drivers seat and recognize him as the one of the men that had come with Elijah the first time I had seen him.

Elijah looks at me and a large smile appears on his face. He walks to the car and opens the door to the backseat. "Shall we?"

I look to Sara and pull her in for a hug. "Don't worry about me. I will see you soon, I promise."

Sara smiles sadly and returns the hug. "Very soon," she whispers.

I walk towards Elijah and the car, but stop when I am next to Benjamin. "Thank you. For everything."

Benjamin shifts his stance and nods. "We will see you before your birthday," he says sternly.

I murmur an agreement, before turning back to the car. I climb into the backseat with my bag and Elijah closes the door behind me. He quickly climbs into the passenger seat and closes the door. "Elyse, this is Hayes," Elijah states, pointing at the man in the drivers seat.

I smile at Hayes in the rearview mirror and he bows his head in return. Hayes turns the key in the ignition and the car comes to life.

"Our drive will be about forty minutes. Relax and enjoy the scenery." Hayes' voice is deep and rugged, matching his rough features.

The car begins to move and I watch Sara and Benjamin's figures slowly get smaller as we pull away.

•••

The drive passes by slowly and the car stays mostly silent. When we finally reach our destination, my jaw drops. I finally understand why Elijah kept calling it a palace.

We drive through a set of wrought iron gates and a large mansion comes into view. It is absolutely gorgeous. The mansion appears to span the length of a football field and is made of pure white, polished rock. A balcony hangs over, what I believe to be, the front door. Windows adorn almost every surface of the home and I can only imagine how much natural sunlight is streaming inside. A few patches of ivy climb up the side of the mansion at various points.

An archway, leading to an enclosed courtyard can be seen off to the right and I realize that is where we are headed. We pull under the archway and, upon entering the courtyard, I gasp. The fountain at the pack home was beautiful, but the marble fountain in front of me now takes my breath away.

Three marble horses leap out from the bottom of the fountain, their manes appearing to float in the wind. Above the horses, rest three angelic figures facing a large orb, which I can only imagine is meant to be the sun. Water cascades down the sun and from the angels hands, onto the horses below.

"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Elijah asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. He steps out of the car before opening my door and offering a hand.

Knowing what has happened every time our hands meet, I brace myself for his emotions, but they don't come. I stare, with a confused expression, at my hand in his.

"I allowed you to enter my emotions before, but I am able to block you. To prevent you from feeling my emotions when I don't want you too," Elijah answers my unasked question. I stare at him in awe.

Elijah begins to walk towards the mansion, or palace as he likes to call it, and I quickly follow behind. I would easily get lost in this place. My mind drifts to the possibility of other vampires being within this mansion and I shudder thinking of what could happen to me if left alone in this place.

We enter through a set of doors and the interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. The walls are white, but are adorned with exquisite paintings of people and places.

I don't realize my pace has slowed until Elijah calls out to me. "Hurry along, Elyse."

My pace quickens to catch up with him. We come to a stop at a large door that stands out from the rest of the mansion. Instead of the normal, pristine white that runs throughout the house, the door is a deep black with outlines of gold. I realize that there is no handle and stare in confusion, wondering why we stopped at this door and how we would enter.

Elijah swiftly places his hand onto the door. A click rings out around us and the door slowly opens. He walks inside, gesturing for me to follow.

My jaw drops as I take in the room. It is lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves that hold books and many clear boxes holding various objects. The interior is dark, a striking contrast to the white walls of the hallways just outside.

I walk further into the room, approaching a shelf and running my finger along it. My finger collects dust, indicating that the room is not often accessed. Continuing my exploration, I come to a stop at a clear case holding a stunning, golden crown. It is adorned with emerald and opal jewels, intricately placed among the gold.

"It belonged to ancient vampire royalty," Elijah's voice comes from right behind me, causing me to jump.

"Don't do that," I say, pulling my hand to my racing heart.

"Soon enough, my dear Elyse, no one will be able to sneak up on you."

"What does that even mean?" I can hear the uncertainty in my own voice. I'm not sure that I want to know the answer.

"All in due time. Come, we have much to discuss," Elijah urges, leading me to a table holding a large, tattered book.