New Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Five

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The next day I sped through my morning routine - rushing to get to the Boarding house and Caroline as soon as possible. After I had left Damon, I had come home to formulate a plan that would ensure Caroline an invite back into her house. Already, Sheriff Forbes was asking when she would be home. She would only be allowed to stay over at 'my' house for so long. All I had to do was get Stefan's approval. Even with Liz pushing for her return home, I didn't want to send her back until she was ready. If Caroline hurt her mom, that would be the end of her — she would never forgive herself.

I finished getting dressed and was about to slip out of my room when I stopped, freezing in my doorway. My hand met my forehead and I released an annoyed sigh. I had almost forgotten a very important part of my visit with Caroline. I couldn't exactly show up today without a very specific piece of jewelry; I had promised her. I wasn't entirely sure she had picked up on what I meant, but there was no way I would let my best friend be stuck inside during the day; for eternity.

I dropped my bag on the floor and headed to my closet. I stepped inside and turned on the light, blinking away the white spots in my vision. I looked around, trying to remember where I had hidden it away. Hopping onto the tips of my toes, I reached up toward the top shelf. Straining slightly, I felt around until my fingers met cool metal. With a small grunt, I pulled a small silver box from its hiding place. I grinned in triumph, wiping the dust from the lid. Looking down at the box, I caressed it fondly. The lid was etched with old Viking letters; spelling out my name. I fell back onto my feet and ran my fingertips over the familiar and heart-achingly beautiful letters. I felt a presence over my shoulder and lightly stroked the script that laid across the top of the box.

"It's been a while. I had almost forgotten how beautiful my name looked in the old language," I said.

I turned around and came face to face with the spectral form of my adopted sister. Rebekah was looking at the box, a tight-lipped frown on her face.

"Who has become one of us?" she asked, knowing exactly what I had hidden away in its depths.

A few centuries back, when I had started to hope for a better future — one where I could possibly escape my curse, I had begun to collect Lapis lazuli jewelry. I had always hoped that maybe, one day, I would be able to use a piece for myself. That, of course, was not to be. Yet, even after discovering I couldn't be changed, I had still continued to collect whatever jewelry caught my eye. It was the one thing I was able to keep from life to life; my small collection.

I had spelled the box long ago to stand up against the weathering of time. When I knew I was about to pass on to the next life, I picked a safe place and buried it away. Then, when or if I remembered my past, I would go and dig it up. It wasn't easy, and I didn't always remember, but it was well worth it, to have this small piece of my previous lives.

I looked up at Rebekah and felt my expression darken. "Katherine killed Caroline while she had Damon's blood in her system," I said.

Rebekah's face fell, and she reached out, her hand hovering over mine. "I'm so sorry sister. I know what the human meant to you," she said.

I tilted my head, surveying Rebekah's face. "Means, Bekah. What she means to me. Vampire or not, she is still my friend. Katherine will pay for what she has forced upon her," I said, eyes flashing with power.

Rebekah nodded, stepping out of the closet. I followed her, the small box in my hands. I closed the closet door behind me and sat on my vanity stool.

"Okay, let's choose something for Caroline," I mumbled, opening the lid.

I picked up the numerous velvet pouches that held necklaces and clicked my tongue. No, I don't think she would like being forced to wear the same necklace every day. Rebekah stood next to me, her eyes scanning the many things I had collected through the centuries.