❛ ACT I ❜
-ˋˏ chapter two ˎˊ-

SOFIA SLOWLY opened her eyes and they adjusted to the dimly lit room. The ceiling she stared at was grey and rotted and Sofia felt a scratchy surface underneath her body.

A vibrant stinging sensation ached in her neck where she was injected. She tried to touch her the area but her hands were bound by rope as well as her feet.

The vampire grunted softly as she tried to use her strength to break free. A huff of irritation left her lips when she failed. The vervain was making her weak. Sofia looked at her attire to see she was still in her dress. Her heels were gone along with her mask.

She blinked again to regain her focus. The vampire looked around at the old house she was in. Pieces of furniture was scattered randomly and dust clung to every surface. Spider webs sparkled in the corner of her eye from the small streams of sunlight entering through the boarded up windows. She sat on a dirty couch and wondered how the hell did she end up in this disgusting place.

Flashbacks of last night played through her head suddenly and Sofia's panic returned. She sat up straighter and looked around again for Elena. But she wasn't here.

Just when Sofia was about to call out for Elena, a unknown man entered. He carried her unconscious sister in his arms up until the couch before dropping her on the opposite side of the one Sofia was seated on. She tensed up.

Sofia realized he was a vampire when she didn't hear a heartbeat from his chest. The man reached towards Elena, and she shouted fiercely. "Hey! Don't touch her!" She struggled against the ropes.

The vampire turned to her, putting his finger to his lips to shush her. Her glare hardened. She watched as he untied her sister and Elena woke up.

"Elena." Sofia sighed in relief but was met with a confused expression.

"Annie?" Elena gasped when she noticed the man her sister was glaring at. "What do you want? Please I'm hurt." She tried to move away.

Trevor took off his sunglasses as veins appeared under his eyes, baring his vampire teeth. "I know, just a taste." He leaned closer to bite her but suddenly fell over harshly. His body hit the dust covered wood with a thud.

Trevor quickly stood up and growled at Sofia who was able to break free from the ropes around her and knock him over, now standing protectively in front of Elena. Sofia didn't think she could have escaped the ropes with the vervain in her system but seeing Elena in danger pushed her to use all her strength. But her body swayed slightly from the sudden movement.

Trevor was about to lunge at her but a sharp accented voice stopped him. "Trevor! Control yourself!"

Sofia looked to her right to see a tall women with a pixie haircut. Her features were sharp and she was very beautiful. She didn't hear a heartbeat from the women either, another vampire.

"Buzzkill." Trevor scoffed and knocked shoulders with Sofia on his way out. The woman glared at his back.

Elena slowly stood up before stepping next to her older sister. "What do you want with us?" She asked the unfamiliar vampire.

Rose looked at Elena in awe." My god, you look just like her." Her face was shock stricken.

Elena stepped forward. "But I'm not. Please, whatever you -"

"Be quiet!" The women snapped.

"But I'm not Katherine. My name is Elena Gilbert and this is my sister Sofia Gilbert. You don't have to do this." Elena continued to plead.

"Elena!" Sofia hissed, sensing that the women was getting irratated.

"I know who you are. I said be quiet!"

Elena stepped closer. "What do you want?"

The women suddenly slapped Elena harshly and Sofia gasped at her unconscious sister on the couch. She looked at the women and without thinking, went to attack her but Rose held up her hand to prevent Sofia from lunging at her. "I wouldn't do that. I am much older than you and I don't want to harm you." Rose warned her.

Sofia watched the woman's eyes narrow when they landed on her collarbones. This made Sofia shift uncomfortably.

The brunette gasped in surprise when Rose sped towards her and grabbed her shoulders. "What are you doing? Let go!" She tried to move away but Rose kept her still with her vice grip.

"What is this?" Ross asked her sharply and pointed to her birthmark, looking shocked.

Sofia gave her an odd look at the question but hesitantly answered her. "It's a birthmark." She slowly said, confused as to why the women looked stunned.

Rose gasped softly before meeting Sofia's curious eyes. "You, you're the girl." She whispered.

The brunette just blinked at her awkwardly. "What girl?" Sofia asked and Rose let her go but kept glancing at her birthmark. "What's so special about it that you keep staring?" Sofia questioned, wishing she had a coat or scarf to cover up.

Rose met her eyes again. "You really don't know how special you are, do you? This changes everything." She whispered to herself, but the Gilbert heard her, making her even more confused.

Rose couldn't believe that she exists. After centuries of the soulmates being a myth, here this girl stands before her. If the doppelgänger isn't enough for their freedom, Rose knew Sofia Gilbert was the key to Elijah's forgiveness.

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked again, noticing the look Rose had, a calculating one.

Rose simply ignored her and walked to the stairs to leave but Sofia's voice stopped her.

"Hey! You just kidnapped my sister and I, you can't just leave! Tell me what is going on!" Sofia yelled, briefly forgetting who was in charge.

"Keep quiet." Rose didn't look back but didn't yell either.

The brunette became irrarated. "If you are going to ignore me at least tell me your name." Sofia paused. "Please."

"Rose." And with that, she left the room.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

1798 - New Orleans

Elijah Mikaelson looked down at the parade from the balcony, deep in thought.

A few hours prior he had a trusted witch do a spell on him after having visions of a women and himself. In the vision he looked happy and content with the laughing women in his arms as they danced under the light of the moon. The mysterious women's face was blurred but Elijah knew what this meant. She was his soulmate.

At first, he didn't believe it. Elijah didn't believe that there was someone out there for him after everything he's done. Someone created for him. It was absurd. But the witch claimed it was true and even gave him small glimpses of the women who would be his everything. Rich chocolate eyes, a dazzlingly smile that could make the sun look like a candle, a brave and caring aura, rosy lips and laugh that made his dead heart beat when he heard it.

Apparently, the birthmark on his chest was their soulmate symbol, a way for him to find her since she'll have one as well. Although just from the small descriptions of her, Elijah would know if it was her or not.

Klaus walked into Elijah's room and smirked at how deep in thought his brother looked. "Thinking hard about her, are you brother?" He hummed.

Elijah sighed at his brother's voice and turned around to walk back inside. "Not now Niklaus." He tiredly said but Klaus just chuckled and walked towards him.

"Oh, come on Elijah. Give it a chance. Rebekah is already planning your wedding and Kol claims that he'll sweep her off her feet before you can." Klaus taunted.

Elijah was not bothered by his younger brother's words, more annoyed than anything. But he couldn't help but clench his fists slightly at the last part of the sentence. "Niklaus, is there a point to your taunting? Or are you just bored?" Elijah questioned, pouring himself a drink.

Klaus rolled his eyes and made his way to the door. "I was just trying to see if you she would be your weakness, brother." Before he left, he smirked at Elijah. "I got my answer."

Elijah glared at the spot his brother stood moments ago.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"She's the one Elijah has been searching for, for centuries, I'm sure of it." Rose explained to Trevor, eyes watching as he halted when moving a box.

"Does she -"

"Yes. I saw it myself." Rose nodded, referring to Sofia's birthmark.

Trevor's eyes lit up with hope. They definitely stood a chance at freedom now that they had her in their possession. But fear replaced the hope in his eyes as he remembered he almost snapped Sofia's neck when she pushed him earlier.

Rose gave him a look after noticing the sudden fear flicker across his face. "You didn't hurt her, did you? Because then he won't have mercy on you and we can forget about ever leaving this house!"

Rose's words made Trevor tremble slightly. "No but I almost did."

Rose glared at his stupidity. "You better hope she doesn't say anything." She scolded before picking up a plank of wood to cover up the window that allowed sunlight to enter.

Trevor sighed, moving further into the dark room. "So, you called him?"

Rose responded tiredly. "No, I called one of his contacts. You know how this works." She looked at him.

"Did you or did you not get the message to Elijah?" Trevor nervously asked.

In the room next door, Elena woke up in her sister's arms only to be shushed by Sofia, the vampire pointing to the exist where Rose and Trevor were talking.

Quietly, the Gilbert sisters creeped up the small set of stairs to enter a corridor lit up by hanging light bulbs. Sofia walked in front of Elena, in case something goes wrong, and she'll need to make sure her sister escaped. Although Sofia was starting to doubt whether the older vampires would harm them after seeing how important both are to them.

The key question was 'why?'

"So that's it Trevor. He either got it or he didn't. We just have to wait." Rose's voice traveled to their ears as they slowly walked forward, careful not to make a sound.

"Look it's not too late. We can leave them here. We don't have to go through with this." Trevor sounded scared.

"I'm sick of running!" Rose exclaimed.

"Yeah, well running keeps up from dying Rose!"

"Elijah's old school. If he accepts our deal, we're free."

Sofia was curious now at the mention of someone new but didn't get time to ponder because Elena stepped on a squeaky floorboard, the sound echoing and immediately alerting the other vampires.

Sofia scolded her sister's big feet lightly before Rose was in front of the two in a blink of an eye. Sofia immediately stepped in front of Elena, eyes watching Ross carefully.

"You two! There's nothing around here for miles. It you think you're getting out of this house, you're tragically wrong. Understand?" Rose snapped.

Sofia knew when to shut up, unfortunately her sister didn't. "Who's Elijah?" Elena asked, feeling Sofia grip her wrist tighter.

Rose's eyes narrowed, solely on Elena. "He's your worst nightmare." Then she turned on her heel to walk away but the sisters hesitantly followed.

"Why are we here?" Elena asked Rose as they entered a large room.

It was dark but dimly lit by a few lamps that had multiple books stacked next to them. The windows were boarded up, a few strands of sunlight peeking through.

Sofia's observant eyes watched as Rose avoided the sunlight as she tried to cover the open gaps with wood. She connected the dots that they didn't have daylight rings. And Sofia felt slightly bad. She couldn't imagine not going out in the sunlight for years, hiding in the shadows.

"You keep asking me questions like I'm going to answer them." Rose moved a heavy box to the side.

"Why won't you?" Elena crossed her arms.

"That's another one." Rose shook her head.

Elena sighed, walking forward as Sofia stayed where she was, realizing Rose wasn't going to do anything harmful, yet.

"You got us, okay? It's not like either of us can go anywhere. At least you can tell us want you want with us."

"I personally want nothing. I'm just a delivery service." Rose answered the human girl, making Sofia speak.

"To Elijah?" But the tone of her voice told Rose it wasn't a question.

Rose chuckled. "Two points to the eavesdropper."

"He's an older vampire, isn't he? Otherwise you two wouldn't be so scared." Sofia continued and Rose smirked at her.

"Smart girl. Yes, he's one of the vampires. The Originals." Rose spoke as if they're royalty.

"What do you mean the originals?" Elena asked, glancing at her sister before looking back at Rose.

"Originals....vampires. They're the first vampires." Sofia pieced it together out loud. Elena gave her sister a surprised look along with Rose.

"Bingo." Ross smirked in her direction, liking how fast she catched on. She looked at Elena. "Has the Salvatores only been teaching your sister your vampire history?"

"So you know Stefan and Damon?" Elena asked, eyebrows furrowing.

Rose started to flip through a book, a small smile on her face. "I know of them. A hundred years back, a friend of mine tried to set me up with Stefan. She said he was one of the good ones. I'm more of a sucker for the bad boys though but I digress." She tutted.

"Who are the originals?" Elena asked again making her sister roll her eyes.

"Did you not hear your sister? Trevor and I have been running for 500 years. We're tired, we want it over. We're using the both of you to negotiate ourselves out of an old mess." Rose explained, shutting the book and tossing it into a pile on the floor.

"But why us?" Sofia asked this time, eyes narrowed.

"You, I can't say right now but you'll find out soon enough." Rose looked from Sofia to Elena. "As for you sister, she's the Petrova doppelgänger. She's the key to breaking the curse."

Sofia frowned at Rose's vague words and Elena raised her eyebrows. "The curse? The Sun and the Moon curse?" Her voice raised an octave.

"Oh, so you do know your vampire history." Rose said mockingly.

Elena frowned. "What do you mean I'm the key? The moonstone is what breaks the curse."

"No, the moonstone is what binds the curse. The sacrifice is what breaks it." Rose elaborated, eyes on Elena.

Sofia moved closer, her voice worried. "Sacrifice?"

"The blood of the doppelgänger. You're the doppelgänger. Which means, in order to break the curse, you're the one who has to die."

Sofia felt her heart sink. As if there were a switch, her protective instincts returned, and she pulled Elena behind her. The doppelgänger didn't protest, stunned.

No, her sister can't die, she won't. Sofia won't let it happen. Elena was only a teenager; she didn't deserve this. Sofia knew what it was like to lose your life before it began. Yes, she's alive but as a vampire. She can't live out the human life she always wanted, and Sofia wouldn't allow her sister to suffer the same fate as her.

Still, behind Sofia, Elena demanded after a minute of uncomfortable silence. "Tell us more."

Trevor walked in behind them to drop off a box and spoke. "Captivity has made her pushy, eh? What do you want to know doppelicious?"

"Who are you running from?" Elena continued to question, Sofia watching the other vampire's movement carefully.

"The Originals." Trevor answered bluntly.

"Yeah, she said that. What does it mean?"

Trevor moved across the room. "The first family, the old world. Rose and I pissed them off."

Rose cleared her throat.

"Correction, I pissed them off, Rose had my back and for half a millennium, they wanted us dead." He finished off.

"What did you do?" Her sister asked.

Rose answered, sounding annoyed. "He made the mistake countless others did, he trusted Katerina Petrova."

"Katherine." The sisters said in unison.

Rose nodded. "The one and only, the first Petrova doppelgänger."

"I helped her escaped her fate and now I've, sorry, we've been marked ever since." Trevor stated, hands resting on his hips anxiously.

Sofia raised an eyebrow at them. "Did it ever occur to you that this powerful family of vampires might have bigger problems to deal with rather than hunt down you two for something 500 years ago? I'm sure if neither of you brought attention to yourselves, like you're doing right now, they wouldn't even care. "

Rose and Trevor blinked, utterly surprised at her words. But Trevor shook his head, fear in his voice. "Possibly, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Sofia felt her sister pull her arm to leave the room. Sofia sat on the couch they were on, and Elena moved to cuddle closer to her sister, feeling protected in her arms.

They heard a crinkle sound underneath Elena's foot and Sofia picked up a ball of paper. She opened it and smiled, hope filling her chest.

Stefan and Damon are
coming for you both
-B

"See? We'll be okay. " Sofia mouthed the reassuring words to her sister, not wanting Rose and Trevor to hear.

Elena just nodded slightly and laid her head on Sofia's shoulder.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"He's here! This was a mistake!" Trevor shouted as he entered the room, terror written as clear as day on his face.

At his words, Sofia immediately stood up, bringing Elena with her and pushing her younger sister gently behind her.

Rose walked to stand in front of him."No, I told you I would get us out of this. You have to trust me." She tried to calm her friend down.

Trevor shook his head. "No! He wants me dead Rose!" He yelled frantically.

"He wants her more." Ross pointed to Elena before pointing to Sofia. "And her even more. We both know she's the key to our freedom."

Sofia's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What could Elijah want with her? She's not a doppelgänger like her sister - at least she hopes. Whatever was so important about her, this man won't get it.

Trevor still seemed unsure. "I can't do this. You give them to him; he'll have mercy on you, but I need to get out of here!"

Rose grabbed his hands. "Hey! What are we?"

Trevor took a deep breathe in. "We're family, forever." He nodded.

A few loud knocks echoed through the old mansion and Sofia watched Rose and Trevor stiffen. If they were so terrified of this man, why wasn't Sofia trembling too? She knew they were in danger and her mind was telling her to grab Elena and ran. But every fiber of her body was screaming at her to stay.

"You're scared." Elena observed from behind her sister.

"Stay here with them and don't make a sound." Rose said before leaving the large room to greet Elijah.

Sofia met Trevor's eyes, feeling a shiver run up her spine from the fear that returned to his eyes once Rose left.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Elijah Mikaelson sat in a dusty armchair, observing a nervous Rose with watchful eyes. He wore a neat, immaculate suit and his demeanor screamed importance and demanded respect.

He eyed the house distastefully before returning his eyes back to Rose.

"I want my freedom. I'm tired of running. You in a position to grant me that?" Rose asked him, making sure to keep a distance from the deadly vampire.

"I have complete authority to grant pardon to you and your little pet. What's his name these days? Trevor. If I see fit." Elijah smirked slightly, titling his head at her. It made Rose feel small.

"Katerina Petrova?" Her voice found her.

Elijah perked up, intrigued. "I'm listening."

Rose smiled slightly. "She didn't burn in the church in 1864."

"Continue."

"She survived."

"Where is she?"

Rose raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem surprised by this."

Elijah sighed. "Oh, when you called and invited me into this armpit of civilization, which is a mere three hours from the town we know as Mystic Falls, I surmised it had everything to do with Katerina. Do you have her in your possession?" He asked calmly.

Rose shook her head. "No, but I have better. I have her doppelgänger."

Elijah scoffed, looking away. "That's impossible, her family line ended with her. I know that for a fact."

"The facts are wrong." Rose bravely stated.

"Well, show her to me." Elijah stood up but Rose quickly spoke again.

"There's more."

Elijah raised an eyebrow impaitaintly. "Yes?"

Rose inhaled a breath before speaking. "It's your soulmate. The girl, we have her here. She has the birthmark."

Elijah's face became stoic and he stood up straight. He looked Rose dead in the eye. "Are you lying to me, Rose-Marie?" His voice low and dangerous.

Rose gulped at his intimidating stance and took a step back.

Many others had falsely claimed to have found his soulmate just to get on Elijah's good side. Let's just say their fate was sealed with that lie.

"No - No. I'm being truthful Elijah. She's the doppelgänger's older sister. Sofia Gilbert." Rose revealed anxiously.

Elijah felt his dead heat beat. He finally found her, after centuries. Sofia. Oh, how he loves that name. So delicate yet alluring. The original knew Rose wasn't lying because his body felt like it was on fire from just hearing her beautiful name.

Elijah stayed silent for a moment taking the information in. As if he heard wrong and was waiting for the woman to correct her words. She didn't.

"Take me to her." Elijah demanded and Rose nodded, leading the older vampire down a hallway.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Stay close and behind me 'Lena, understand?" Sofia sternly told the girl, hands on her shoulders.

Elena nodded before her eyes flickered to the shadows approaching. She immediately gripped Sofia's hand and let her sister stand in front.

Sofia turned around when she heard approaching footsteps, squaring her shoulders, ready to fight, if necessary, no matter if she stood no chance, Sofia would try to fight off Elijah.

But her defences dropped and her breath hitched in her throat.

A man entered from behind Rose. Sofia didn't have to wait for his eyes to meet hers because they were on her even before she saw him. They were dark from what she could see from afar and his features were dashingly handsome. He stood there without fear, his presence demanding the attention of everyone in the room.

She could feel the power and confidence radiating off of him and she had to resist taking a step back.

There was no doubt in her mind that this man was the most attractive person she's ever seen.

His eyes pierced into hers intensely, yet Sofia couldn't look away. She felt a slight burning sensation on her collar bone and resisted the urge to show her pain. And then he smiled at her - and she swears her body warms up from it. Any previous fear vanishes.

Elijah was star-struck. In absolute awe of the woman before him. She was out of a masterpiece and he had the pleasure of gazing at her.

She was tall and strong and he could tell from her posture and stance. Her facial features were sharp - her eyes were soft however. Dark brunette strands of hair framed her ethereal face, the rest flowing behind her shoulders.

She is an exquisite beauty.

Elijah smiled genuinely at her, something he hasn't done for years. He felt his birthmark burn under his suit with exhilaration of finally setting his eyes on his soulmate. The woman he's been waiting for.

Before Sofia could blink Elijah stood in front of her making her body tense. He was uncomfortably close too the point where Sofia became flustered. She lightly squeezed Elena's hand to tell her step away and her sister understood, dropping her hand.

Elijah stared down at her, since she was shorter by a few centimeters. He could feel their connection from how close their bodies were, and he couldn't help but stare into her doe eyes softly.

Sofia too felt the connection, but she didn't understand this feeling. All she knew was that the way he was looking at her wasn't one of someone who wanted to harm her. Quite the opposite actually.

Sofia snapped herself out of whatever the hell that was and stood straighter, eyes turning hard as she stared at Elijah's, trying to match his intimidating stance.

Elijah smiled at her, noticing how she put her guard up. He let out a hum of satisfaction. "Hello, my love." He whispered softly, eyes staring into her soul.

Sofia felt a shocking shiver run down her spine, but she knew better. She stepped back slightly.

Elijah frowned, sensing her fear of him. "I won't hurt you." He told her gently and Sofia felt confused as to why she believed him.

She nodded slowly and instinctively took a small step forward. Elijah smiled at her and gently took her lowered hand in his larger one and kissed her knuckles, maintaining eye contact while doing so. If she could blush, Sofia would be as red as a tomato.

"I'm Elijah." He introduced himself.

"I know." Sofia said before she could think of anything wise. Elijah's smile widened at her voice.

"And you are?" He asked, already knowing but wanting to hear her voice again.

Sofia slowly removed her hand from his, "None of your concern." She responded, not breaking eye contact.

Elijah chuckled at her stubbornness but accepted it anyway, his eyes meeting hers once again. "Give me a moment Sofia."

Her eyebrows shot up at his knowledge of her name, watching his eyes move away from eyes and to her scared sister. Disregarding the feeling that bubbled up when he said her name, Sofia sped to stand in front of her sister before Elijah could touch her.

Elijah raised an eyebrow at her, but Sofia glared at him. "Close enough." She stated, acting as a wall between Elena and Elijah.

Elijah hid a smile of fondness at Sofia's protectiveness over her sister. It reminded him of his own sister, Rebekah.

"Please move, I don't want to harm you." Elijah told her calmly. He knew he would never lay a finger on her, but he needed to see the doppelgänger. He hoped she would move or else he'd look like a fool when he doesn't carry out his threats.

Sofia swallowed her fear but didn't move. Elijah sighed, sensing her doubts. He shouldn't be surprised that she didn't trust him. She just met him, and Elijah can only hope that she'll grow to trust him soon.

"I won't hurt her, I promise." He told her genuinely, eyes locked with hers.

Sofia stared at him for a few seconds to see if he's lying. She found nothing and reluctantly moved to stand next to Elena but still gripping her hand.

Elijah looked Elena curiously. He leaned closer towards her neck and Sofia was about to push him away in fear he'd bite Elena, but Elijah pulled away.

"Human it's impossible. Hello there." He smirked slightly while looking down at Elena, who just stood there, trembling. The moment Elijah stepped away from Elena, Sofia pulled her sister behind her. Elijah locked eyes with Sofia as he spoke. "We have a long journey ahead of us. We should be going."

Sofia clenched her jaw. "We're not going anywhere with you."

Elijah just sent the girl a smirk that irritated her before turning towards Trevor. "One last piece of business and we're done."

Trevor watched anxiously as Elijah walked menacingly towards him. "I've waited so long for this day Elijah. I'm truly, very sorry."

"Oh no your apology's not necessary." Elijah's tone suggested the opposite.

Trevor kept his eyes on the floor. "Yes, yes it is. You trusted me with Katarina, and I failed you."

"Ah yes, you are the guilty one and Rose aided you because she was loyal to you and that I honor. Where was your loyalty?"

"I beg your forgiveness."

"So granted."

It happened so fast. Elijah swung his hand back and the next thing Sofia saw was a Trevor's head removed from his limp body. Rose cried out and Sofia gasped loudly, hiding Elena's face in her shoulder so her sister wouldn't see too much. The vampire stood paralyzed in fear and a shock, looking at Trevor's decapitated head on the floor with glossy eyes.

She covered her mouth with the hand that wasn't holding her sister, locking eyes with Elijah and taking three steps back. Elijah frowned deeply when he recognized the fear in her eyes. Fear of him. He didn't want that. Elijah cursed himself for killing Trevor in front of her because now she feared him.

"You!" Rose snarled, ready to attack him for killing her friend.

Elijah looked away from Sofia's terrified eyes because he couldn't bare it. "Don't. Rose, now that you are free." He turned back to the sisters. "Come."

Sofia was about to snap at him, but Elena quickly moved out from behind Sofia. "No! What about the moonstone?"

Sofia's eyes widen at her sister's words. "Elena." She warned.

Elijah walked closer to the pair, interested. He's eyes locked with Sofia's, but the younger vampire looked away, making him frown. "What do you know about the moonstone?"

"I know that you need it and I know where it is." Her sister revealed and Sofia understood what she was doing.

"Yes?"

"We can help you get it." Sofia finished for her sister making Elijah turn towards her.

"Tell me where it is." He demanded but Sofia only raised an eyebrow, taking a challenging step forward so she was in front of Elena again.

"A deal goes both ways." She stated, hoping to swap the moonstone for her sister's safety. If they needed a doppelgänger, can't they wait a few more years?

Elijah smirked once again at her bravery. Not many could step up to an original. "You're quite brave aren't you, my love? To be able to negotiate with me?"

Elijah looked towards Rose who had an angry expression on her face, but he didn't seem to care.

"It's the first I've heard of it." Rose forced the words out.

Elijah looked back at the sisters and his eyes landed on the human one of the two. He was capable of compelling another vampire like Sofia, but he didn't have it in him to take her away her free will. So, he gently pulled Sofia behind him by her waist to face her sister.

Sofia chose to ignore the weird feeling she got from his touch, instead focusing on how she could take Elijah out if he tried anything. From her position behind him, she could easily snap his neck.

Elijah tried to compel Elena, but her vervain necklace prevented him from it. His eyes landed on the necklace and he scowled. "What is this vervain doing around your neck?"

Elijah ripped the necklace from Elena's neck making her gasp and threw it behind him to get rid of it but Sofia caught it, knowing it meant the world to her sister. Sofia wanted to move forward towards Elena but Elijah kept a strong grip on her waist to keep her still, which annoyed her.

"Tell me where the moonstone is." Elijah compelled Elena.

"In the tomb, underneath the church ruins." Elena replied robotically.

"What is it doing there?"

"It's with Katherine."

"Interesting." Elijah hummed but the sound of glass breaking from upstairs caught everyone's attention. Instinctively, Elijah pushed Sofia behind him, so his body shielded her. "What is that?"

"I don't know." Rose replied, also confused.

"Who else is in this house?" Elijah asked her again.

"I don't know!" Rose said, now sounding irked.

Elijah suddenly pulled the sisters to stand on either side of him. Sofia and Elena shared a look as Elijah pulled them along with Rose to the room the noise was coming from. Elijah pushed Elena into Rose's arms but kept Sofia behind him protectively.

"Rose." Elijah said warningly, as a blur went past them.

"I don't know who it is." Rose said.

"Up here." Stefan's voice called out.

Elijah went up the stairs at lightning speed to find no one. When he turned around, he was shot with a stake through his hand. Removing the piece of wood with ease, Elijah noticed Rose and the sisters gone.

Damon held a hand over both Sofia and Rose's mouths to prevent them from making a sound. Sofia gave him a look and Damon rolled his eyes and removed his hand from her mouth before glaring at Rose to keep quiet.

"Excuse me. To whom it may concern, you're making a great mistake if you think that you can beat me. You can't. Do you hear that?" Sofia heard Elijah say loudly, the sound of wood breaking following after. "I repeat, you cannot beat me. So I want both girls, I'm going to count to three or heads will roll. Do we understand each other?" Elijah threatened.

Elena appeared at the top of the stairs, looking down at Elijah. "I'll come with you, just please don't take my sister or hurt my friends. They just wanted to help me out."

Sofia clenched her jaw when Damon held her against the wall to prevent her from going out to save Elena. Damon sent a warning look.

Elijah sped up the stairs until he was a few steps below Elena, eyes piercing into her own dangerously. "Where is your sister? I won't leave without her."

Elena quickly thew the vervain grenade that she was hiding at Elijah, the original covering his face with a pained yell. Sofia cringed at the sound before rushing to her sister. Just as Sofia moved Elena away, Stefan arrived and started shooting Elijah with wooden bullets. Seeing this had no effect on the original, Stefan threw the weapon to the side and tackled Elijah down the staircase. The two vampires tumbled down the stairs and when they landed on leveled ground, Elijah quickly stood up while Stefan laid on the ground.

Elijah was about to attack the younger Salvatore but Damon ran at him and staked the original, pushing him backwards. They both growled at each other but Elijah didn't get a chance to escape as Damon pushed him against the door of the house harshly, pushing the wood into his heart and killing him.

Rose ran off when she saw Elijah dead and Damon was about to chase after her but Elena stopped him. "Don't, let her go."

Sofia ran downstairs and gasped at the sight of Elijah's grey and lifeless body pinned against the door. Her face paled slightly, and she felt sadness flood into her, not understanding why. She winced when her birthmark burned her skin.

"Sofie!" Damon's voice brought her out of her sad thoughts, and she looked to see him walking towards her, arms out. "Come here."

Sofia smiled and she didn't hesitate to hug him tightly, feeling safe when he hugged her just as tight. "Are you hurt?" He asked gently, chin on top of her head.

"No." She shook her head before stepping back."You know, you could have come sooner." She teased to lighten the mood and Damon laughed.

"And here I thought we were having a moment." He sighed dramatically.

"We are. Thank you."

"Anytime Bambi. Except when I'm on a date. Then don't call me." He playfully poked her sides.

Sofia laughed before being pulled into the arms of Stefan Salvatore. "I'm happy you're okay Sofie." Stefan said as he hugged her before they pulled away.

"Thanks, me too Stef." She smiled at him and walked to stand close to her sister. "But can we go home please? I'm sure Jeremy is going crazy."

Damon chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders protectively as the group walked to the exit. "Good to have you back Sof."

But before she left, Sofia turned her head to look at Elijah's dead body. She felt upset? But why? He wanted to take her sister and herself away. Then kill Elena for the sacrifice. She should be happy he's dead.

But she wasn't. And that confused her.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sofia closed the door behind her in exhaustion, wanting nothing more than to sleep this terrible day off.
"Annie? Elena?" Jeremy called from upstairs, and the sisters shared a smile before ascending the stairs.

Sofia reached their brother first and she smiled at him. "Hey Jer." She greeted softly. Jeremy simply exhaled in relief and hugged his older sister tightly to his chest, tears of his own rolling down his cheeks. "I was so worried Annie." He said into her shoulder.

He already lost her once; he couldn't bear it if something happened to her or Elena again.

"I'm alright Jeremy, I'm right here." Sofia said and held onto him as Bonnie hugged Elena.

"Never leave me again. Okay?" Jeremy said, still holding onto her tightly in fear she'll disappear again.

"I promise Jer."

Once Jeremy pulled away to hug Elena, Sofia was quickly brought into a hug by Bonnie. "I'm so happy you're okay. You have no clue how worried I was." Bonnie sighed in relief as Sofia hugged the smaller girl back.

"I'm here, it's okay. We got your letter." Sofia pulled back to send the girl a proud smile. "You're really getting good with this witchy joo joo stuff huh?"

Bonnie laughed softly and hugged Sofia again.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"For the tenth time Care, I'm okay!" Sofia reassured as she walked out of the bathroom in her pajamas, holding the phone to her ear as the blonde continued to stress over her.

"Fine, but if you need anything, you call me alright?" Caroline said and Sofia threw her towel into the basket and placed her hand on her hip.

"Who's the older one here?" Sofia playfully questioned.

"Just because you're older doesn't mean I shouldn't make sure you're okay!"

"Alright, alright, calm down care bear. I promise you I'm so okay that tomorrow I'll still be okay. Happy?" Sofia chuckled.

"Yep! Now get some sleep, you had a long day and tomorrow I want to go shopping." Caroline said excitingly.

"Tomorrow it is. Goodnight, Care."

"Night Sofie."

Sofia hung up and placed her phone on her nightstand, walking towards her vanity. Sofia brushed her hair out and tied it in a messy braid before exhaling deeply, gazing into her reflection.

Her chocolate eyes landed on her birthmark and they widened. Before, her heart shaped birthmark had a faded half where her skin color was lighter but now the once lighter heart had an even tone of her natural skin color, leaving the heart full.

"What the -?" Sofia touched it and looked at it in confusion.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and Sofia felt like she was being watched. Turning around, her eyes met nothing, but the feeling was still there.

Slowly, Sofia opened the balcony door of her room, stepping outside. Resting her hands against the wooden railing, Sofia's eyes scanned the front yard suspiciously, still feeling like someone was watching her. She sighed in frustration when she picked up nothing with her hearing either and stepped back inside.

"I'm just paranoid after the day I had." The vampire convinced herself and tiredly switched off her lamp to go to bed.

A very much alive Elijah Mikaelson, watched as the light of Sofia's bedroom switched off from his place against a tree in her front yard.

Elijah gazed back up at the balcony where his beautiful soulmate stood on a few seconds ago and smiled softly.

Centuries later and he's found her. Although their interaction was short, Elijah could not wait to learn more about her.

He pushed himself off the tree and stuffed his hands on his pockets, looking up at the vampire's balcony one last time before disappearing into the dark.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Long chapter but they met! I can't wait to write about Elijah and Sofia's connection.

Thank you for reading and I would love to know your opinions?

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