They say that when you are about to die, your whole life flashes before your eyes. Unfortunately, I would have to agree, because six months ago, I was alive.

Six months ago, my mistress, or some called her "master", told me to go to Mystic falls and find Elena Gilbert. My mission was to keep her alive and protect her. I didn't ask for any details at first because the name didn't ring a bell until I heard some of the others whispering about a girl named Katherine Pierce who lived in Mystic Falls. That name rang a bell, because she wasn't a "girl", she was a vampire.

"Mistress, may I ask a question?" I knew I wasn't really allowed to ask questions when orders were given but I was her favorite.

"Yes, Kelsey," she answered kindly. "What is it?"

"Why is this girl so important? I heard some of the others saying that she was related to that vampire that was supposedly killed in Mystic Falls." I wasn't sure how to ask about this girl and her relation to the vampire so I just blurted it all out.

"She is my daughter," her kind eyes went hard at the mention of Katherine. "That is all you need to know about her and her importance." Her voice was harsh but after a deep breath, she sighed and took my hands in hers. "You must keep Elena alive. If she dies, then bad things will happen."

"I understand, Mistress," I said. I could see something in her eyes that I didn't recognize until I was half way to Mystic Falls. It was her humanity that was showing.

After ten hours on the road, I finally made it to the town. My mistress gave me a journal on everything she had about Elena. Who her family was, friends, hang outs, other vampires, witches, even a werewolf in her life. I almost felt sorry for Elena knowing about all these supernatural things, but I didn't have time for that. I needed to find a place called "Mystic Grill" and get a job there so I could watch Elena. I was just barely too old to pass for a teenager. Well, not much. I was 21 and looked like I was much younger. At least, I was old enough to drink.

"Bonnie!" She yelled waving her friend over. I had been watching Elena since she had come in. She was sitting with her friends Matt and Caroline. They had been waiting for Bonnie before ordering their food. I sat at the bar sipping on my whiskey.

"Ya know, you're not supposed to sip whiskey," a deep voice said. I looked up. I instantly recognized that he was a vampire. In fact, he was a Salvatore. I had just finished reading up on them.

"Well, if I had someone to drink with then I wouldn't be sipping," I replied. His deep blue eyes caught me by surprise.

"Well, maybe I can help you with that," he answered with a smile.

"Charming," I flirted backed. I leaned in to just barely touch his ear and whispered, "But I don't drink with vampires."

Startled he leaned back and stared. "And who would you be?" He asked. He wasn't intimidated.

"I am a friend of a friend," I replied. My eyes were back towards Elena's table.

"Really?" He said back. Holding two fingers up to the bar tender. Two shots of whiskey arrived in front of us. "And who would that be?"

"I don't have time to be talking to a Salvatore right now." I took the shot and started to get up, but a strong cold hand stopped me. I looked away from Elena's table to him. Slowly I looked from his hand to his deep blue eyes again.

"Maybe we should have a little chat outside then." And in a flash, we were outside in the back of Mystic Grill. I was up against the wall and he was leaning in.

To be completely honest, it was kind of hot the way he looked at me hungrily. Wondering to himself if I was telling the truth or lying; if he should kill me now or later. I just laughed though.

"I'm guessing you are the nicer of the two brothers?" I stared at him. I wasn't scared. My mistress was a vampire.

"Actually, I'm the badass one," he half chuckled.

"Damon Salvatore," I answered more to myself than him. I took a deep breath. He was the one that wasn't afraid to kill now and ask questions later.

"Yes," he replied. Damon looked me up and down. I was wearing a low cut black shirt and a jean mini with black leather knee high boots. Maybe it seems like a bad outfit to wear when you are killing vampires or in any kind of combat, but I am very confidant that it doesn't matter the outfit as long as you have the skill.

"Look, Salvatore, if you are about to ask a bunch of questions, then unfortunately, now is not the time to answer them. But," I pulled a card out of my black-studded clutch, "I can answer your questions, later." Leaned in close to him. Our lips nearing like a kiss. His blue eyes widened. "Can I please go back inside?"

"You're not afraid of me, are you?" He asked. But it really wasn't a question. It was more of an observation.

"Is there a reason I should be?" Our lips were still kiss-close. He looked hungry, and it wasn't for my blood. He said nothing though to my question. "Then, let me go inside and continue watching Elena and her friends."

"Why are you watching them?" He finally asked. His breath was hot against my skin and smelled like whiskey.

"I'm protecting them," I answered. Then I saw him looking like he was concentrating on something. "Compelling doesn't work on someone like me, Mr. Salvatore."

He chuckled. "Someone like you?" He finally looked down at the card I still had out. He glanced at it and then back at me. "Someone like you, Miss Harlem?" He repeated the question but with my name.

"Mr. Salvatore, unless you are going to kill me or tell me your real plans, then I suggest you let me continue to drink my whiskey and protect Elena." I said firmly. He was cute, but not cute enough to get away with this. Time was getting wasted.

"Damon," he said.

"What?" I asked stupidly.

"Call me Damon," he said stepping back from me. "Mr. Salvatore was my father and I am nothing like him."

"Other than you both are dead?" I asked. He just stared.

"You have balls," he admired.

"I have a lot of things, but balls are not one of them," I replied with a smile. I started to walk away but stopped and turned around. He was just standing there watching me. "My friends get to call me Kelsey."

Damon smiled. In a flash, he was standing next to me. He ran a cold hand down my cheek. "Am I friend, Miss Harlem?" He took a step forward and again we were kiss-close. "Or can I be more than a friend," he let a couple seconds pass and then said, and in a very sexy way, "Kelsey?"

The way he said my name made me shiver just slightly. I didn't bother trying to hide it. I smiled and leaned in to his ear, "We'll see."

Finally, letting me go, I walked back into the Mystic Grill. Lucky for me, Elena and her friends were just getting their food.