Chapter 13

Orange shadows flickered over Elizabeth's own eyes. Slowly, she opened them and felt fear course through her.

Large ember flames were dancing around her, licking her skin and dress, emanating heat as they drew closer towards her.

Where am I? she thought, panicked. All she could see were bright orange flames that were greedy for her.

Suddenly, the flames departed and gave way to an approaching shadow. The shadow was cloaked, but it was apparent that the shadow was female. Her body was tall, slim and slender, her movements graceful. Strands of her hair floated around her and as the shadow drew nearer, Elizabeth saw that the woman had golden hair. The same shade as hers. When the woman was close to her, Elizabeth realised that the fire was edging away, as if fearing the woman.

Slowly, the woman pushed off her hood and Elizabeth Davenport stared at Elizabeth Davenport. The woman in the hood was identical to her. Even her eyes were the same shade of emerald green.

' At last,' the woman said softly. ' I finally have the privilege of meeting Miss Elizabeth Davenport, in whose body runs my very essence of power.'

Elizabeth was speechless. The voice was definitely not hers.

The woman suddenly smiled, revealing two long and sharp fangs indenting her full lower lips. ' I thought I would die the other night,' the woman said. ' I thought my plan would fail so I decided on my Plan B. You made a great candidate to carry on my special talents, Elizabeth. But, I'm still alive, so I.....' The woman suddenly looked sad and a tad bit regretful. ' I need to destroy you.'

Elizabeth tried to move or at least say something, but she was frozen on that spot. It was as if something invisible was holding her in place. Her lips moved soundlessly and the woman laughed.

' You have double the size of my powers but you don't even know how to use it, do you?' Danae laughed and her laughter was cold. Lazily, she made a small waving gesture and the flames once again cornered Elizabeth. This time, they were bright red.

' Ironic, isn't it?' Danae drawled, examining her nails as if this wasn't worth her presence. ' Fire is your specialty but they're the ones killing you slowly now.'

Elizabeth saw one particular flame lash out and wrap itself around her wrist, slowly melting her flesh.

' I've marked you, young Elizabeth, and you cannot escape from me now,' Danae declared.

Then everything went pitch black.



' Elizabeth!' Stefan shook her awake. Elizabeth's face was pale and droplets of cold sweat slowly trickled down her white cheeks. She was trembling and screaming. Elena watched from behind, not shocked but interested.

Then, she woke up with a start. Colour slowly returned to her face and she looked fine, all of a sudden. Confused, she stared at Stefan's hand on her arm, which he slowly withdrew.

' Why were you screaming?' he asked her, stopping in front of a beautiful house. It was one level, long and narrow with many windows covering the walls. White gossamer curtains covered the windows and soft orange glows lined the driveway, giving it a romantic aura.

' Nothing,' Elizabeth answered and quickly asked,' Whose house is this?' Stefan gave her a curious look and decided that it was the best and only answer he'd get.

' My aunt's. We need to stay here for a short while until we have a chance to explain things to the Council. It's a good hiding place, though.'

Elizabeth was suddenly struck with a thought. ' And William?' she whispered.

Stefan froze, his hands on the steering wheel. His knuckles were white as he clenched his hands. ' He'll be fine,' he answered curtly.





Stefan's aunt was very nice and she was the only person he trusted. Madeline even knew about vampires and was prepared for the future consequences, but every now and then, she would throw in hints about Stefan and Elizabeth being together.

That night, Elizabeth went to sleep quickly, surprised at how exhausted she was. Just as she drifted off into oblivion, her dreams started to appear.

Her dreams were so vivid...so real..she almost believed it.

William was there in her dreams, holding up the shield for her to escape. The rain splashed down and soaked her through. William was yelling something, but his voice was drowned by the thundering rain.

Then, Stefan was there, pulling her towards his car. Elizabeth twisted impatiently in her seat and saw William collapse slowly as one of the guards shot him with precise aim. Right into William's heart. Elizabeth's heart felt like it was staked with many icy splinters when she saw Danae standing at the fringe of the crowd. Slowly, Danae looked up.

' He's dead because of you, Elizabeth. Good job. You're turning into me with every passing second.'



Elizabeth woke up with a start and felt something painful sear through her wrist. Looking down, she saw an intricate red mark with spiral patterns cover her wrist. At the place where the fire touched her.

There was a soft knock at the door. ' Elizabeth?' came Stefan's muffled call.

' Yeah?' Her voice broke at the very end and she cleared her throat slightly.

' Just wanna tell you that breakfast's ready.'

' I'll be down in a minute.' Panicking slightly, she looked around her for anything to cover her wrist and spotted a long piece of white fabric in the wardrobe. Elizabeth wound it around her wrist and quickly went down to have breakfast.

' What's that?' Elena asked curiously, looking up from her cheese bagel.

Elizabeth ducked into the fridge to avoid Stefan's stare. ' What's what?'

' That thing around your wrist.'

Elizabeth glanced at it vaguely, as if it was there all the time. 'Oh. That. Just a bit of accessory famous during my time.'

Elena looked at her in disbelief. ' You actually wear those?'

Elizabeth couldn't answer so she just nodded, because Stefan's eyes were narrowed at her wrist, confirming her worst fear. Stefan knew what she was hiding.





Miles away, Heather stared at her reflection in the mirror in anger.

William was gone. William Carstairs, the only reason she went to all her trouble of accusing Elizabeth, was no more. He had to rescue her, Heather thought disdainfully. He had to sacrifice his life for her.

A single tear slid down her cheeks and Heather couldn't control herself anymore. Soon, her sheets were wet with her tears for the only man she loved who was now dead.

It was clear to Heather what she must do. Elizabeth Davenport has to be destroyed and rid away from her life no matter what.