TVD: The Siphoner

The next day...

The school bell rang, its shrill chime echoing through the hallways like the call of freedom. Students poured out of classrooms, laughter and chatter rising as lockers banged and sneakers squeaked against the linoleum.

Stefan walked beside Elena, a book clutched in one hand.

"I brought it," he said, holding it out to her. "Told you I would."

Elena's eyes lit up as she took it. "Wuthering Heights… by Ellis Bell," she said, reading the name aloud. Her brow furrowed. "You know, I still can't believe she used a pseudonym."

"All the Brontë sisters did," Stefan explained, matter-of-fact. "Back then, female writers weren't taken seriously."

Elena ran her fingers over the worn spine. "Where'd you get it?"

"Oh, it's… a family heirloom," Stefan said with a faint smile. "I have a lot of books."

He offered it again. "Here. It's yours."

"Hmm… no, but I'd really love to re-read it." She grinned. "I promise I'll give it back."

Stefan nodded, almost shy. "Okay…"

"Hi, guys." Bonnie's voice came from behind them.

"Hey, Bonnie." Elena smiled, then noticed Aiken beside her. His gaze was fixed on Stefan—sharp, unreadable.

"Hi to you too, Aiken," Elena added, raising a brow.

"Oh. Hi," Aiken said simply, then turned to Stefan. "Can we talk in private for a moment?"

Stefan blinked. "Why?"

"I have something to ask you," Aiken said, his tone flat, cold. His eyes bored into Stefan like a needle pressing under skin.

"…Okay." Stefan cast Elena a look. "See you later."

As Stefan walked away, Aiken turned and pressed a quick kiss to Bonnie's lips.

"See you later, Bonnie," he said casually.

Bonnie blinked, cheeks flushing. He'd just kissed her—in front of everyone. Sure, he'd done much more in the woods, but no one had been watching then.

Elena arched an eyebrow at her. "Bonnie Bennett. That was not a subtle goodbye."

Bonnie made a face. "What can I say? He's shameless."

Elena grinned. "Mm-hmm. Shameless enough to take your virginity and now kiss you in public in a day? He's hitting milestones."

"He already proposed, actually," Bonnie deadpanned.

Elena laughed. "Oh wow. Should I be your maid of honor?"

...

Inside an empty classroom…

Aiken closed the door behind them—and locked it with a subtle click.

Stefan turned. "Hey, what are you—"

A blinding pain exploded in his head. His knees buckled as agony wracked through his skull. He hit the ground, panting, sweat already dampening his forehead.

Magic, Stefan thought. He's a witch…

Aiken crouched, grabbing Stefan by the hair and forcing him to look up. His voice was low, dangerous.

"Tell me, Stefan. What are you? A vampire?"

"How do you—" Stefan grunted, but the pain intensified, clawing into his brain like fire.

"Answer me," Aiken said coolly, "or I'll make your head burst like an overripe fruit."

With a growl, Stefan surged through the pain and slapped Aiken's hand away with supernatural speed. His upper canines extended—long, predatory.

"Scary," Aiken muttered, unimpressed. He clenched his fist, and the magic crushed down on Stefan again, forcing him back to his knees.

God, this power... It thrilled him. Addicted him.

When he'd returned from the party last night, his pendant had been glowing—brimming with magic. He realized it siphoned magic slowly, subtly, every time he touched someone magical. Hours of intimacy with Bonnie had filled it to the edge.

He hadn't even meant to drain her anymore. He didn't want to treat her like a living battery. She'd cracked something open in him. He wanted her. All of her.

The pendant had done everything by itself.

But when Aiken had tried to use the pendant's power later, the magic inside had resisted—slipping from his grasp, pulled back into the charm like a heartbeat snapping shut.

Only after offering his own blood to the pendant did it obey him. That's when he understood: it wasn't just an Enhanced Object. It was a Cursed Object..

The stolen magic used to make it, had given it a will of its own. It was hungry. Rebellious. Alive.

"Don't waste your energy," Aiken said, his voice like ice as Stefan writhed. "I'll know the truth one way or another."

He leaned in, the pendant glinting at his chest. "Now talk."

"Yes, I am a vampire," Stefan finally muttered through clenched teeth, sweat beading on his brow.

"Good boy," Aiken said, releasing the spell. Instantly, the pain lifted, and Stefan collapsed slightly, gasping as the searing pressure in his skull vanished.

"See? Was it that difficult?" Aiken added with a smirk.

Stefan slowly stood up, his breathing heavy. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to know…" Aiken tilted his head, calm and casual now, "if you knew who the vampire that attacked Matt's sister yesterday was."

Stefan's eyes narrowed. "No. I don't know who it was."

"You sure?" Aiken said, voice sharp again.

"Yes, I'm sure," Stefan answered firmly, brushing past Aiken toward the door.

As he reached the handle, Aiken's voice followed him, low and threatening. "Oh, and if you dare hurt Bonnie… you better find a good place to hide."

Stefan paused for a brief second, then turned just enough to give a faint smile—one that didn't reach his eyes. For a moment, Aiken had truly unsettled him. The pain, the control, the confidence—it had all pointed to someone dangerously unpredictable. But this… this was just a boy in love, trying to protect the girl he cared about. In a strange way, Stefan respected that.

He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.

Inside the empty classroom, Aiken let out a sharp click of his tongue. "Tch! If only I hadn't used up nearly all the magic in the pendant to get that reaction out of him, I could've dug deeper…"

He looked down at the now-dull pendant resting under his shirt.

"So he's a vampire… and he says he doesn't know who attacked Vicky, but…" Aiken frowned, eyes narrowing. "Something tells me he was lying about it."

He clenched his jaw.

"I couldn't risk bluffing. Not with a vampire. They're too fast, too strong. One mistake and I'm dead. I hate taking risks…"

To be continued...

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Also, I want a name for the pendant, could you guys help me?