Chapter 12

Blood and shadows

"𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚,
𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚,
𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪,
𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪"

VIVIENNE’S POV:

Vivienne stood alone in the middle of a lush garden, bathed in the soft glow of the moon. The scent of roses and jasmine filled the air, weaving around her like an intoxicating spell. The world was silent, almost reverent, as though it, too, was waiting for something—something inevitable.

She took a slow breath, the cool night air settling deep in her lungs. A soft wind whispered through the leaves, carrying a familiar presence. The moment she turned, she saw him.

He stood at the edge of the garden, half in the light, half in the shadows, watching her. His dark, intense eyes locked onto hers, filled with something unspoken, something ancient. It was as though he had been waiting for this moment for centuries, for her.

"I’ve been searching for you, Vivienne," his voice was a low murmur, laced with an aching tenderness that sent a shiver down her spine.

He stepped forward, slow and deliberate, his presence overwhelming. The space between them melted away with every heartbeat. When he reached her, he lifted a hand, his fingers barely grazing her arm—a whisper of a touch, but it ignited something deep within her, a warmth that curled through her veins like fire.

Vivienne closed her eyes, tilting her head back as his fingertips trailed along her jaw, his touch reverent, as though she were something fragile and precious.

His other hand cupped her face, his thumb tracing slow circles against her cheek. "You're real," he whispered, almost in wonder.

She opened her eyes, searching his face, trying to understand the gravity of the moment. "Aren’t I always?" she asked, her voice soft, uncertain.

A shadow of something passed through his expression, something unreadable. "Not like this," he murmured. "Not when I can touch you."

Before she could ask what he meant, his lips found hers.

It was soft at first, hesitant, as though testing the reality of it. But then, something deeper took over—a hunger, a desperation that neither of them could control.

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him, and the world around them blurred, fading into nothingness. All that remained was the warmth of his body, the way his hands held her as if she were the only thing that mattered.

The scent of fire and jasmine curled through the air, the wind whispering secrets neither of them could hear.

Vivienne clung to him, her fingers tangling in his hair, the kiss deepening with every second. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, like being lost in a storm she never wanted to escape from.

His grip on her tightened, his breath uneven as he pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers. "Enne," he murmured, her name laced with something raw, something that felt like a plea.

Her heart pounded, her entire body thrumming with something unfamiliar yet terrifyingly familiar at the same time.

But then—

The world around her trembled. His face blurred, his presence flickering like a dying flame. She reached for him, panic seizing her chest, but her fingers met nothing but air.

"No," she breathed, desperate.

The warmth of his touch lingered, the ghost of his embrace still imprinted on her skin. But he was gone.

And then—she woke.

Vivienne sat up, chest heaving, her fingers gripping the sheets. The room was dark, moonlight casting silver streaks across the floor. Her body still burned from his touch, her lips tingling as if the kiss had been real.

She pressed a shaking hand to her mouth, trying to catch her breath.

Who was he?

And why did it feel like she had lost him all over again?

⋆⭒˚.⋆🪐 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

The air in Caroline's room was thick with tension. She sat on the bed, staring at the silver ring on her finger, turning it absentmindedly. The expression on her face was one I recognized well- conflicted, bitter, scared.

"So, I don't even get to choose the ring I have to wear for the rest of my life?" she muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm.

I leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. "It's not about the ring, Care." I said, my voice steady. "It's about what it lets you do. Walk in the sun. Keep living."

Caroline sighed, shoulders slumping slightly, but she didn't argue.

A sharp inhale from across the room made me glance at Bonnie. She was staring at Caroline's hand, eyes widening as realization dawned. "Wait...... You already have a ring?"

Caroline and I exchanged a look. We both knew Bonnie wouldn't take this well.

Bonnie took a step forward, frustration flickering in her eyes. "When were you going to tell me?"

I pushed off the dresser, my patience thinning. "When it mattered."

Bonnie's jaw tightened. "I could've helped."

I let out a cold laugh, my magic humming just beneath my skin. "Could you?" I challenged. "Because so far, all you're done is act like this is some kind of crime. Like Caroline asked for this."

Bonnie stiffened, but I didn't let her speak. "She didn't get a choice, Bonnie. But you do. You can either be here for her, or you can walk out that door."

The room was silent, Bonnie's expression caught somewhere between guilt and defiance.

Stefan, always the mediator, cleared his throat. "We're all trying to help," he said, his voice calm. He turned to Caroline. "And we will. One step at a time."

Caroline gave a small nod, her fingers grazing the ring again. "I guess I just have to get used to it."

I softened slightly. "You will," I promised. "And you won't have to do it alone."

Bonnie finally sighed, rubbing her temples. "I just.... I don't know how to deal with this."

I exhaled sharply. "Then figure it out." My voice was quieter now, but no less sharp. "Because this is Caroline's life. And she's not the one who needs to change."

Bonnie swallowed hard, then nodded, finally meeting Caroline's eyes. "I'm sorry."

Caroline gave a hesitant smile. "Thanks, Bonnie."

The moment held, fragile but intact. But deep down, I knew things between us would never be the same.

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

The forest was still, expect for the faint rustle of leaves. My heartbeat was steady, my senses sharp. But inside, I was reeling.

I had seen many things in my life- witchcraft, vampires, the supernatural stretching far beyond what most people could comprehend.

But this? A werewolf transformation in front of me?
That was something else.

Mason Lockwood had turned into something primal, something vicious. If I hadn't reacted fast enough, he would've ripped me apart.

Caroline was waiting for me when I got back home. Curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over her, but the sheer panic in her eyes told me she was still shaken.

The second I stepped in, her gaze snapped to me. "Are you okay?"

I scoffed. "I should be asking you that."

Her expression twisted. "I almost killed Matt."

I dropped onto the couch beside her. "And you didn't."

"That's not the point, Vivienne!" she snapped, frustration laced in her voice. "The fact that I could have-"

I grabbed her hand, forcing her to look at me. "Care, listen to me. You're going to slip up. You're going to make mistakes. But you are not a monster."

She bit her lip, looking away. "Bonnie doesn't think that."

I let out a humorless laugh. "Bonnie needs to remember her place."

Caroline's eyes widened slightly at my cold tone. I softened just a fraction. "You didn't choose this, Care. And if she can't understand that, then she doesn't get to judge you."

She let out a shaky breath. "I just... I don't know how to do this."

"You don't have to," I said gently. "You just have to keep going."

She nodded slowly. "Okay."

I squeezed her hand. "Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we figure out what to do next.

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

The next morning, my phone buzzed.

Damon.
I stared at the screen, my jaw tightening.

I hadn't spoken to him properly since that night. The night he tried to kill Caroline.

Tried to kill my sister.

I ignored the call.

Caroline's hands were shaking when I found her pacing in her room.

I narrowed my eyes. "What happened?"

She swallowed. "Katherine wants me to keep Stefan and Elena apart."

I went rigid. "And you told her to go to hell, right?"

Caroline hesitated.

I clenched my jaw. "Caroline."

"She said she'd kill Matt," she whispered.

My fury was instant. Of course Katherine would use Matt.

Caroline looked at me, eyes desperate. "What do I do Vivi? If I don't listen to her, she'll hurt him."

I inhaled sharply. Then exhaled.

And then I smirked.

Caroline's expression twisted. "What?"

I crossed my arms. "Then we fight back."
"She's stronger than us," Caroline hissed.

I tilted my head, my magic sparking in my veins. "Who said anything about fighting fair?"

Caroline's lips parted, but I didn't give her a chance to protest.

I turned toward the door. "Stay put. I'll handle this."

Katherine was already inside. Of course she was. She sat on the edge of Caroline's bed, flipping through one of her old diaries like she had every right to be there.

"Ah, Vivienne," she purred without looking up. "Took you long enough."

My fingers twitched as I stepped forward, the air humming with the heat of my magic. "Get. Out."

Katherine finally lifted her gaze, smirking. "Relax. We were just having a little chat." She tilted her head towards Caroline, who sat stiffly on the chair by the window her hands into fists on her lap.

Caroline didn't speak, but the panic in her eyes was enough.

My magic flared, the red glow casting long shadows across the room. "I won't say it again."
Katherine rolled her eyes and rose to her feet. "You're always so dramatic. I was just reminding Caroline of her new place in this world."

"She doesn't need you lessons," I bit out.

She smiled sweetly. "Oh, but she does. And if she listens to me, maybe Matt won't have to suffer for her mistakes."
Caroline flinched. My fury spiked.

The lamp beside the bed shattered, shards of glass raining onto the floor.

Katherine's smirk didn't falter, but her eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Temper, temper."

I took another step forward, the air between us sparking with raw energy. "You want to play games? Fine. But if you ever use my sister as a pawn again, I'll make sure you regret it."

She exhaled, looking almost amused. "You're protective. It's adorable."

"And you're predictable," I shot back. "Pathetic, really. Always playing the same mind games, like a desperate little girl who can't handle being ignored."

For a briefest moment, something sharp passed through her expression. Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

Katherine's smirk widened. "You're going to be fun to break."

With that, she blurred past me, vanishing before I could react.
The room was silent.

Caroline let out a shaky breath. "That was-"

"Handled," I finished, though my heart was still hammering. I turned to her, my magic finally dimming. "She won't touch you again."

Caroline swallowed. "Until she does."

I clenched my jaw.

This wasn't over. Not even close.