Chapter 26

Like most nights in her life, she had expected another terrifying nightmare that could haunt her for the rest of her life. And to her cleverness, she decided not to sleep. Considering the fact that Danae, and God knows who ever else she would bring with her on her probably very last midnight. Her blue satin nightgown was now wet without her realising it. At least not until her palms became sweaty. She ,however, realised that it was cold sweat. A sign showing her fear about something.

It was already ten in the evening and her eyes were still wide awake. Horrible thoughts enter and fade endlessly throughout the last few hours of her consciousness. Defeating Danae and bring Elena back was her only optimistic idea. In fact, that was the best she could come up with. And the worst? It was something even her mind refused to admit. Let alone speak it out loud. She sighed and sat straight on her queen sized bed, staring blankly at the window.

William Carstairs.

The name suddenly appear on her mind. Her eyes, still fixed on her gaze, finally dropped a tear. Reminiscing her memories with Will was just plain sweet. There was no such thing as "complicated matter" in their world. Everything was simple. Not much of an obstacle getting on their way. Until, like what she was told, the Council came to the lovely ball. The ball where she was supposed to achieve her happily ever after with William Carstairs, the man whom she had always loved. But now her dreams had vanished. William Carstairs was now resting in peace. Or so she thought.

Her topaz coloured pendant hung loose on her neck and she smiled. She knew what would calm her down. Her fingers soon lingered on the pendant, as if observing it, and memories soon flooded her. Memories of William Carstairs. Her sorrow faded just like that and a smile was plastered on her flawless white face. The recollections were just too pleasant that she fell asleep with a blissful dream.

She was with William Carstairs in her dream. Not just with him, but living with him. They were a family.

"Elizabeth, will you pass me the newspaper, please?" William asked, with his dazzling 70s look; back at the time they were together a couple of years after the ball incident.

"Why, yes, my husband," Elizabeth had replied in a rather cheerful tone.

Elizabeth and her husband were having their regular breakfast in an average-sized dining room. Two children, a boy and a girl, aged about 3 and 2 respectively, were running and giggling as they entered the room.

"Mommy, daddy!" the boy had said, both hugging Elizabeth and William.

They were such a happy family Elizabeth almost believed her eyes. She was grinning with joy when Danae, or rather, Danae's spirit, joined in.

“What are you doing here?” Elizabeth asked sternly.

“My dear, can you not differentiate between reality and fantasy?” Danae replied, sarcasm filled her voice.

Elizabeth was confused. What was this all about? Before she could think of anything else, the images of Will and her children started to fade. Everything went from sharp to blurry and more blurred and gone.

Elizabeth woke up. Danae’s words were still playing in her mind.
Elena. Elena was in great danger in Danae’s hands. And she was sure Stefan would insist on going with her later to the battle. The one-on-one battle with Danae Vaughan. The one Danae promised would be a win-win battle.

Elizabeth glanced at her alarm clock beside her and the clock just struck eleven. An hour to the battle. She then tiptoed to the kitchen and started planning her strategy. Her neat bun was not messy. She really hoped that Stefan was sleeping. And of course, every other person staying there that night. She doubted anyone was awake, though. So, she began her search.

She found what she had been searching for after about a minute. The kitchen was that small that she could search anything within a minute. The sleeping pill was due to expire the following year. She quickly boiled the water and made a cup of hot milo for Stefan. She knew, this would be the only way for Stefan to not follow her to the battle.

The hot milo, mixed with a sleeping pill, was then put in Stefan’s side table. Just as she suspected, Stefan was snoring loudly, probably feeling very exhausted after a long day. With no weapon in hand, she left the safest place to a place where she would risk herself.



Danae stood perfectly still with an expecting look plastered all over her face. She smirked at Elizabeth’s presence. Somewhat somehow, she found it funny. Everything suddenly seemed slow. The time was ticking slow, the motion was slow as well. Wind was blowing towards Danae making her hair look.. well, blown. She looked just perfect.

But that didn’t matter. What mattered then was saving Elena and get that over with.

“Let me see Elena!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“Give me first what I want,” Danae replied, as calm as ever.

“Fine!” she snapped, slitting her palm with her own, bare nails.

Blood started dripping from her palm and Danae’s expression changed. She had been craving for the blood and Elizabeth was wasting it. Danae ran to her, in an unbelievably high speed, and collected the dripping blood using her fingers. With that, Elena was released.


Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly what happened. Elizabeth had a change of plan. She didn’t go to the Arc. She didn’t come to save Elena. But she was still going.

After she put Stefan to sleep, she ran as quickly as possible to Heather’s house. It wasn’t exactly her house as Heather lived somewhere in the USA. It was where Heather lied unconsciously under Danae’s influence. Elizabeth didn’t know why she headed there, but she had a strong feeling that what she did was right.

Elena was in trouble because of her and God knows what Danae would do if Elizabeth didn't show up right in time.

Elizabeth sneaked into the room and found Heather lying there, probably sleeping. Or unconscious. She wasn't sure how to wake her up, so she tried using the traditional way. Surprisingly, splashing Heather with water did wake her up. But Elizabeth wasn't welcomed with warmth. Heather was as cold as an ice queen. Elizabeth was given the most chilling glare ever.

"Hold on! You have to listen to me. You have to help me, Heather," Elizabeth pleaded.

"What do you want, Elizabeth? Hasn't Danae destroyed you yet?" Heather snapped.

"I just want-" Elizabeth paused, considering. "Did you say.. Danae?"

Heather laughed. "Yes, surprised that I know her?"

"Well, you aren't supposed to know her.."

Heather scoffed. "Then you must be more shocked to hear this; I WORK FOR HER."

Elizabeth couldn't help but flinch. She jerked backwards with her mouth hanging open. Shocked wasn't even the right vocabulary to describe what she was feeling then. She needed a deeper vocabulary that wasn't even stated in her dictionary to describe it.

"B-but.. Why?" was all Elizabeth managed to blurt out.

"Because I hate you!" Heather exclaimed, emphasising the 'hate' word.

Elizabeth was speechless but quickly regained her stability. She had to make sure her plan works. And so, she did the craziest thing in her life. She put on her pendant at Heather's necklace. It was certainly a surprise for both of them. Elizabeth was surprised how she managed to do that. And apparently, Heather was thinking of the exact same thing.

And the unbelievable happened. Heather's hatred towards Elizabeth vanished. She realised working for Danae was a huge mistake, that it wasn't worth it now that Will was dead. More importantly, her sanity had returned.

"Oh my God, what am I doing?" Heather cried.

"Heather, you're back!" Elizabeth replied, sounding rather pleased.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need your help. Danae wants me to give her my blood, and in return, she'll release Elena. She said it would be a win-win situation, but I doubt it."

"What should I do? Keep the pendant on, perhaps she can't control you with that on."

Heather agreed and they went straight to the Arc. It was fifteen minutes to twelve. It was about time for Danae to control Heather, and there they stood, fingers crossed.

"Well, well, well.. Look what we have here." A voice said.

It was a familiar voice; Danae's. But neither Elizabeth nor Heather could see who was talking. Undoubtedly, it sent chills to their spines. It was Danae's spirit.