Chapter 54: Forty Years Later

Elijah woke with his skin taut and dry from the passing time. He sat up stiffly and peered about the darkened room. Suddenly a semi-frozen blood bag landed in his lap.

"My uncle said you would need that," a girl called out from the corner of the room.

He drained the blood bag in seconds. "Forgive me," Elijah stared toward the darkened corner of the room curiously, "but to whom do I owe my gratitude?"

The girl stepped into the light, gripping the white ash dagger hesitantly. Her silky chestnut hair curled at the ends, and her eyes gleamed a deep azure. "Daphne," she murmured softly. "Daphne Mikaelson."

"Mikaelson?" Elijah's gaze furrowed in deliberation. "Then you must be related to the Mikaelson family of Mystic Falls, are you not?"

"Of course," Daphne shrugged matter-of-factly. "I mean, I don't actually live in town, but my uncle insisted I come back to help him out."

"If you don't mind my asking, how did you get in here?"

"Like this." Daphne held her hands up, took a deep breath and closed her eyes, spreading her fingers across the air like an imaginary wall. "I didn't even have to chant or anything. I just… kinda felt the walls dissolve."

Elijah's curiosity was piqued. "And who are your parents, Daphne?"

"Henrik and Lucy Mikaelson."

His mouth dropped open slightly, floored at the realization that he was now face to face with his grandchild.

Daphne approached Evangeline's peaceful figure and looked over her body in wonder. "She's so… beautiful." Elijah was speechless as Daphne took the all too familiar charm bracelet from her own wrist and clasped it onto Evangeline. "I guess this belongs to you," she smiled at her ageless relative. Then she grasped the amulet in her hand, rubbed it with her thumb and chanted softly under her breath.

The pendant glowed brightly, and it's light diffused light infinitesimal shards of glass, spreading through Evangeline's skin.

Elijah drew close to Evangeline's side, taking her hand hopefully. Then a blush of pink filled her cheeks, and suddenly the sleeping siren gasped for air.

She had seen the universe. She'd seen every part of her ancestor's lives, inside and out, but, as she gazed around the room, the visions faded into a dreamlike memory. "Elijah?" she breathed in disbelief. Evangeline's heart stopped as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.

She threw her arms around Elijah and kissed him madly until she realized the two of them were being watched. "Oh…" she muttered embarrassedly.

"Evangeline, this is Daphne, Henrik's daughter." Elijah gripped Evangeline's hand firmly. He finally felt the blood flowing in his veins.

"You freed us?" She gazed in wonder at the beautiful young woman, barely younger than herself.

"I wouldn't have done it if my uncle hadn't persuaded me," Daphne bit her lip, "but I'm glad he did," she added with a smile.

Evangeline creased her eyebrows apprehensively. "But who's your uncle?"

Daphne pouted. "He told me not to say, although he's waiting just outside."

Evangeline's heart beat nervously as she reached the front door. She had the vaguest suspicion she knew exactly who'd be on the other side.

She grasped Elijah's hand tightly as they stepped into the fresh afternoon air, and her heart stuttered at the sight of the man leaning against a tree, a mischievous smirk growing on his lips.

"Welcome back, darling." Kol's heart beat wildly, gazing into the eyes of the woman he loved.

The End of Book One.

Disclaimer Reminder: The Vampire Diaries belongs to L.J. Smith, and the TV rights belong to Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson.

I have to give a shoutout to my reviewers. There were points when I couldn't have finished the story without you. And especially to SweetDementedAlice, my most devoted reviewer and an awesome new friend. :-)

If you're interested in some kind of continuation of this story subscribe to Author alerts. Thanks again!