An Elemental Difference - FIRE - Book 2 (Stefan Salvatore)

The air in the Gilbert house was thick with a silence that screamed. Stefan, his eyes raw and red-rimmed, cradled Aella's cold hand, the lifeless form of his beloved on the landing floor. Lexi, his best friend, moved with a quiet, practiced grace, preparing Aella's body with a somber reverence. The scene was a stark, brutal tableau of loss.

"She's dead, Lexi," Stefan whispered, his voice a ragged gasp, the words tearing at the fragile peace. He couldn't tear his gaze from Aella's vacant eyes, unseeing, unblinking.

Lexi's hand found his, a gentle squeeze. "I'm here, Stefan. But first, we need to take care of her. She doesn't deserve to be left here."

It was then, a flicker of something in his eyes. He pointed numbly towards Aella's bedroom, a silent surrender. Lexi carefully lifted the body, wincing at the tell-tale crack of ribs – a sign of desperate, failed CPR. As she carried Aella into the room, a soft smile touched her lips at the sight of the 'Stefan's Space' sign by the bed. Stefan, as if drawn by an unseen force, moved to that spot, settling down as Lexi gently laid Aella on the bed, arranging her hair as if she were merely sleeping.

The image was a cruel mockery. "I can't be here," Stefan choked out, the words ripped from him as he fled the room, leaving Lexi to sit by Aella's side, stroking her hair, whispering, "He just needs some time alone. I'll be here in the meantime."

Downstairs, Jenna's eyes widened as Stefan bolted from the house. Her gaze fell back to the phone, a leaden weight in her hand. The sick dread of calling Nate and Sheila, of delivering the devastating news, gnawed at her. Just a few more minutes, she pleaded with herself, just a few more minutes where Aella was still alive.