Redamancy | Elena Gilbert

Chapter 14

Mason squeezed her shoulder. "Actually, that's good enough for me, Ro. For now." He gestured to Damon. "Meet me at the old Lockwood cellar. Bring a shovel." His eyes flickered toward Alaric. "Come alone."

"What, you're going to bury me alive?" said Damon.

"Don't tempt me," replied Mason. "Come on, Ro."

He led her out of The Grill. "That wasn't an apology," said Rosalind, frustrated. "He killed you. Somehow, you're back, and your first response isn't to bash his head in and murder him, too? He ruined our lives. He tore our family apart. It's because of him that Jules and everyone else died."

Mason stopped in his tracks, standing in front of her and cupping her face. "Rose," he said more gently, "We can't undo what happened, no matter how much we both wish it went differently. I didn't want to die, I didn't want to leave you. And knowing that they tried to convince you that I abandoned you made me feel furious. But I've had months on the Other Side to be alone, watching over you, seeing you suffer, and I don't want you to be consumed with this desire for revenge. Klaus is going to use that against you. He is the one that has to die. You know, I always told you to be careful with people 'cause while some may be nice, some of them only want one thing from you. He's one of those people, but worse. He'll take and take and he'll make you dependent on him, subservient to him. He's trying to shatter the fight in you right now, but if that doesn't work, as I suspect it won't, he'll simply twist it and wield you like a weapon. He'll see your desperation, use it, and turn you into a cold-blooded killer to suit his own needs."

"Like in the Star Wars prequels," mumbled Rosalind.

"Exactly," said Mason. "The Rosalind I knew didn't bow to anyone. And I won't let you be overcome by your own rage, because it'll just turn you into a version of yourself that you'll hate. You'll never recover from it."

"I'm scared," she said, her eyes watering. "I'm scared about my first full moon. I-I want to be able to get used to it so that I won't ever cave and ask Klaus to turn me but I'm so afraid, I don't want to feel pain, I don't want to suffer like that. I don't know what to do."

"Yes, you do, Ro," he said. "You have been helping Tyler for months. You know the process, you just need to follow it through for yourself. Chains, diluted wolfsbane. Focus on your breathing. And know that even when the pain becomes too much, you can handle it. It'll feel like you can't, but you were made for this, your body won't die from it. You gotta trick your mind into thinking everything is okay. Focus on the finish line, on your goal. Being in wolf form. Picture that in your mind, help your own bones break. Push through, let it all in, and just... turn. Your first time is going to hurt like a bitch but it will get easier. You just have to trust in yourself and your own strength."

"I want you to be there with me," she whispered. "I wanted you to talk me through it in the moment."

"I know, sweetheart," he replied, running a hand down her face. "And I wanted to be there. I will be there... you just might not be able to see me or hear me or feel me. But I will be watching over you. I'll always be there. And one day, we'll see each other again, right? I have to hold onto that hope. Come on, let's get to the cellar, we'll find out if I'm right about this weapon to kill Klaus, and with any luck... you will be safe."

"Dad," she said as they began to walk again. "You were trying to keep us safe last time and you ended up dying. I'm worried. I don't trust Damon, I haven't ever trusted him. I only needed his help one time and he was fairly nice but I don't feel safe with him anywhere."

"Don't be, Ro," he said with a smile. "If there's one thing I know about Damon Salvatore, it's that he loves his brother almost as much as I love you. As long as this stands to benefit Stefan, he will work with us."