Where Secrets Lie

"What I am is human," Kara snapped. She did not appreciate the infatuation Elijah had with her since Alyssa's death.

"Then how do you explain your super strength and speed?" asked Michele, studying Kara like a farmer buying livestock.

"I can," said Elijah, picking up another book with bold golden words on the cover. "Centuries ago a vampire killed a man's whole family..." he cut his eyes to Kara, "brutal. A witch granted this human with vampiric abilities. His name was Arthwyn Camden. The first-ever vampire hunter…"

"Greatttttttttt! Now there are vampire hunters?" Kara rubbed her temples. She wanted nothing more than to be done with the Caswell clan at this point, but something kept dragging her back in. She glanced at Michael. His concerning grey eyes studied hers. He was keeping her there... Her love from him was keeping her there.

Elijah continued reading, ignoring Kara's question. "The legend says that Arthwyn cursed a vampire before he was killed. It says that one day there will be a descendant, with the strength of a vampire and the heart of a human. A Dhampir...half-vampire, half-human."

Kara laughed. "And you think I'm that descendant? Please, it's old folklore. The book literally has children on the front."

Elijah looked down at the picture, "It's not a story if it's true," he said. "This is not the first time that the Caswells have tried to merge with the Powell clan. I was set to marry John Powell's first daughter Catherine. I loved her with all my heart and she was taken away from me." Elijah slammed the book on the table. "She was killed... by Camden." he finally choked out. "You see. I'm the vampire he cursed, right before I separated his head from his body." The look in Elijah's eyes made Kara's stomach turn flips.

"Okay..." she responded cautiously, "but I don't understand. How am I half-vampire?" The disbelief radiated in her voice. "I've been human all my life, you think I would notice something like being part vampire!"

"Not if you are wearing this." Michele pulled out Kara's crystal necklace. "Where did you get this? It is saturated with old magic; I can feel it deep in my bones." The witch had a hiss to her words that made Kara's skin crawl.

"It was my mother's," Kara said as she reached out for the necklace.

"Who was your mother?" Michele asked, throwing it to Elijah, infuriating Kara.

"I don't know," Kara growled, "but she wasn't..."

"It doesn't matter," Elijah interrupted, "we will figure out a way to get the spell off of it."

"But it's your vampire side that has kept you safe, alive even and… " Elijah spoke in a calm manner, only making Kara more ill.

"I killed someone," Kara said, cutting him short. "I couldn't control it and I killed someone."

Elijah set his hand on Kara's shoulder, "Let Michael show you how to stay in control. Then come back to me and we can make a decision on this." Elijah responded. Kara could not stand how mundane all of this seemed to be to him. She knew that arguing with him would get her nowhere.

"Fine," she said, cursing under her breath.

*************************************

A few days later, Henry approached Kara as she was visiting Alyssa's grave.

"Michael would like to speak with you. He's in the gym."

"I don't have time for this. Does he still think I'm his servant? " Kara said as she stormed off.

She approached the gym and walked in, surprised at how dim the lighting was inside. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor and echoed off the walls. One thing being at the mansion has changed for Kara is her feminine side.

"Michael?" She called out, confused. There was no sign of him anywhere. She turned the corner and was blinded by the sudden appearance of lights. Michael, Logan, and Amy stepped out of the shadows with kick balls in their hands.

They all pulled back and threw the balls at her simultaneously. Kara threw her arms around her head and braced for impact. The room filled with bouncing balls in seconds. "Oof," She hunched over as a ball hit her square in the stomach. She then bent down taking cover as ball after ball slammed against her body. She felt herself turning into what she was the night Alyssa had died. She stood up in anger, ready to take them all on but Michael stood in front of her. He was taken back by seeing her ice blue eyes for the first time.

"Your first lesson is recognizing and controlling your anger. As a vampire, all of your senses and emotions are heightened. You have to learn to control it or it will control you." Kara's breath was heavy and Michael knew she was getting ready to pounce "Breathe."

She took in a deep breath and released, then again. She felt herself calming. Kara closed her eyes and took in a few more breaths.

"Good, I'll see you here around the same time tomorrow," Michael said as he turned to leave.

"Tomorrow?" Kara called out to Michael.

"Yeah, no heels either!" He called back.

Kara ran up behind him and grabbed his arm. He spun around and placed his hand against her soft cheek. He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. She had her doubts in the past, but she had never been surer that Grant was wrong about Michael than at that moment

Michael leaned over and whispered in her ear. His breath sending chills down her spine, "By the way, you will always be mine."