Red. All I could remember seeing and feeling was red. Red from the flames that tore through our village. Red from the blood of our people soaking the ground and staining the white gown I wore. Red from the hate and anger that now burned through my soul.
"Daniella!"
Daniella...a word... a name... a name that sounded familiar to me but yet seemed nothing more than a distant memory. Turning my gaze in the direction of the voice, I could faintly make out a blackened figure standing among the flames. Without conscious thought my body slowly turned and began walking to the figure. Reaching a timid and shaking hand towards the owner of the voice that spoke that word in such desperation.
"Daniella...child are you injured?!"
All I could do was raise my eyebrows in confusion. Who was this person...
"Do you know me?" I asked timidly. The fear quite evident in my voice.
"Child now is not the time for games. We must hurry." The figure clasped a stained hand around my wrist and began violently pulling me away from the flames. Away from the blood. Away from the red...
*****************************Daniella'sPOV*************************
"Daniella...Daniella child, it's time to get up."
I reach over grabbing a pillow and cover my face. I sigh and shake my head. "Uncle...remind me why I have to go to school again?"
A grunt was the only response I received before I found myself tumbling onto the hardwood floor. I did nothing more than lay there unmoving.
"Daniella sweetheart you know why. We have found one of our own in this town and we need to be here to welcome them into our pack upon their changing. Now! Get up, get ready and get your ass to school! I'll be in the kitchen."
With a sigh of exasperation, I drag myself off the floor. Flipping my mattress back onto its frame I sulk towards my closet. Pulling the double doors open I begin looking for my outfit for the day.
"Hmm...something that says 'Hey! I'm a bad ass but I can also be friendly too!' Ugh...I think I've finally lost it...gotta stop talking to myself"
I reach up and grab a pair of black jeans, a red t-shirt and black leather jacket. Quickly dressing and slipping on my black combat boots I head for my bathroom. Quick brush of my hair and some eyeliner I make my way downstairs.
"Really Daniella...how do expect to make friends with putting in such little effort into your looks?"
I turn and glare at my cousin Mathias. Sure he's a foot taller than me at 6'0 but I could still kick his ass and he knows it.
"Hey Mat, how do you expect to make friends looking like a hobo?"
He looks down at his ripped blue jeans and ill-fitting blue button up while running a hand through his unruly black hair.
"I go for comfort. At least with me it doesn't look like I tried and then gave up half way through. What's your excuse? Maybe you could...I don't know. Try doing something with that brown mop on top of your head that you try to pass as hair."
I turn to walk into the kitchen flipping my waist length brown hair over my shoulder.
"I'll take your advice when you actually manage to beat me in a hunt. Until then..." I flip him off and walk into the kitchen.
"Hey shorty...are you two at it again?" I turn to my uncle Phillip and shake my head.
"What can I say? We bring out the best in each other. So, who's my target?" He shoves the last bit of his toast in his mouth and reaches into his bag, he pulls out a manila folder and opens it. Glancing down I see a boy around 'my age' talking on a phone.
"He's kind of cute. Tyler Lockwood. Uncle, Mason Lockwood. Wait, Mason?! You're shitting me right?"
"Wish I was shorty. But from what I've gathered he isn't anything like his uncle. He's a good kid. Only fault is being a little short tempered is all." He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his phone.
Holding up one finger in a gesture to give him a minute. Suddenly the Mission Impossible music starts playing.
"Your mission...should you choose to accept it is to befriend him and bring him into our pack." I face palm and shake my head.
"Really? How old are you? Five? Ugh fine I'll do it just please turn that noise off." I shake my head and make my way to the front door.
I look over to my cousin as he is lounging on the couch surfing through channels.
"Try to do something productive today." I grab my keys and my bag and head outside to my '67 Dodge Charger. Pearl white with black interior.
"Hello gorgeous. Ready to shake up this town?" I giggle to myself and slide into the driver's seat. Turning on the car and slipping on my sunglasses I put the car into reverse and start making my way into town. Passing the sign for town and I let out a dark chuckle.
"Mystic Falls. So good to be home."
***********************Elena's POV*************************
"Come on Care we have to get to the office and meet the new girl." I turn and start tapping my feet in exasperation at my best friend.
You would think after becoming a vampire she would learn the meaning behind move your ass but apparently that concept is still lost on her.
"I'm coming Elena. Jeez!" She reaches my side and begins keeping pace with me. "Well you would think after becoming a vampire you would be able to move a bit faster." I snap at her. She grabs my arm and stops me.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I let out a sad sigh and shake my head.
"It's this whole Katherine thing. Stefan and I fighting. Uncle John. It just all has me on edge." I let out my own growl and start heading towards the office.
"Well I can't offer any advice since I've never been in your position but what I can say is that I am here for you. I'll kick any bitch's ass that tries to hurt you or move in on your man." I let out a light chuckle and toss my arm over her shoulder pulling her closer.
"I know you will. Now come on, we're running late."
We quickly make our way to the front of the school and hear the roar of an engine enter the parking lot. Looking behind us we see a white classic car pull into the parking spot next to Stefan's car. Shortly after a girl steps out. She has waist length brown hair that is close to my hair color. She's short though. Possibly no more than 5'2 but that's being a bit generous. She looks in our direction and smiles showing a row of perfect white teeth.
Without even speaking a word to her I could tell I was going to like her. Just something about her screamed safe and familiar. She started making her way towards us while tossing a book bag over her shoulder and spinning her keys around her finger. As she came closer I could see that she was pale but not completely white. There was a hint of olive complexion. Italian maybe?
"Hi! I'm Daniella Esiliare" I was right. Italian. "Hi! I'm Elena Gilbert and this is my best friend Caroline Forbes. Welcome to Mystic Falls High. We will be your tour guides for today. Have you got your schedule yet?" She shakes her head.
"Follow us. We will take you to the office to pick it up and walk you to your first class. So you're a senior huh?" She nods her head and takes off her glasses. She looks at me with her hazel eyes, "Yep. My uncle recently sold his company and he decided to buy a house here. I must admit I was a little nervous at first relocating to a new town but if everyone is as nice as you guys then I think I'll be just fine." I couldn't help but return her smile with one of my own.
"Well there is always something to do around here. Which is surprising for such a small town and..."
"Except shopping. Heaven knows this place is so backwater in decent clothing shops. But! There is always an event of some kind happening which means plenty of trips to Richmond for clothes." I roll my eyes and shake my head.
"Not everything revolves around clothes Caroline. So Daniella, where did you live prior to coming here?"
**********************Daniella's POV***********************
I could already tell I was going to like Elena. Sure she might be the doppelganger of that horrid bitch Tatia but personalities couldn't be any more different if they tried. Caroline seems like she would be a lot of fun to get drunk with or party with. I could already tell she and I will get into a lot of trouble.
"I actually moved here from Seattle. We only stay a few years in any one place since the three of us get bored easily but my uncle seems pretty determined to stick it out here in Mystic Falls."
We walk into the office and I get my schedule. Since they are juniors they don't have any classes with me but we do have lunch for 6th period.
"I have family that lives in Forks, Washington actually." I turn to Elena and raise an eyebrow. There's absolutely no way. "Really? What are their names?"
"Bella and Charlie Swan."
I stop and stare at her in utter shock. There's no way...well this explains a lot.
"Bella is my cousin on Renee's side." Distant cousin at least. Really, really distant cousin. Elena's face starts mirroring mine.
"So wait...does that make you two are like, second cousins?" We both nod our heads.
"Bella was the whole reason we moved to Seattle." Well we were actually secretly hoping she would have shown signs of the wolf genes but that unfortunately was not the case.
Now she was cold one and was blissfully happy with her coven. I should call her and chat. I'm sure she will get excited about this. I find myself pulled from my thoughts by a hug from Elena
. "This is so great. I thought the only family I would have left in Mystic Falls would be Jeremy and Jenna. Please say you'll come over after school to meet them? Maybe you can bring your uncle and cousin?" I couldn't help but cave under her pleading look.
"I'll call Phillip and Mathias at lunch and see what they say." She lets out an ear piercing scream and starts jumping up and down.
Mystic Falls is going to be one hell of a ride. I could already tell. The rest of the day went pretty smoothly. I slowly make my way to the cafeteria keeping an eye out for Tyler. I managed to have one class so far with him but he sat on the opposite side of the room from me so it didn't really give me much of a chance to speak with him but I could tell he wanted to. I mean, I'm not the prettiest girl by any means but I'm not a hag either.
I walk into the cafeteria and start looking for Elena or Caroline.
"Daniella!" I turn towards the voice. Red. I shake my head and start making my way over to Elena with what my cousin Mat dubs my 'innocent smile'. I do a quick scan of the table and saw Caroline. A witch and another vampire. I'll be damned...Ripper...well this should be fun. I take a seat between Caroline and Elena across from the witch.
"Guys this is my cousin Daniella. Daniella this is Bonnie" witch.
"And my boyfriend Stefan." Ripper.
Bonnie reaches out her hand and gives me a fake smile. "Hi Daniella, it's nice to meet you."
I arch an eyebrow at her and glance to her hand and back to her eyes. I reach out and take her hand. I could see her immediately freeze as my past runs through her eyes. She comes out of it so quickly I doubt anyone even noticed. Maybe Stefan but doubtful. She softens her eyes and smile. Ugh...pity...I hate pity.
"I hope we can be friends. I'm sure you and I will have a lot to talk about." Subtle witch. Real subtle.
I turn to Stefan and the second our eyes meet I could tell he immediately remembered me. Only I used to be blonde. Not one of my best decades but hey, at least I had a good time.
"Nice to meet you Daniella. How come I never heard about you before?" I give him a sly smile.
"That's because Elena and I didn't realize we were cousins till today. Her uncle Charlie used to be married to my aunt Renee." He gets a skeptical look on his face and drops the issue.
"Well I hope you enjoy your time in Mystic Falls. I'm sure we all will be hanging out quite often." I nod my head and turn my attention to a loud laugh coming from a couple of tables away.
I turn to look and the laugh was coming from Tyler. Guess I should go introduce myself. "If you guys will excuse me for a second. I'm going to introduce myself to some more people." I stand up quickly and make my way over to his table. Jocks. So he's athletic. Well guess that will be my in. I reach the table and everyone stops talking. Each of them sizing me up.
"Hi. I'm Daniella Esiliare. Just moved here from Seattle. I see you guys are wearing letterman jackets. Would you mind telling me what sports the school offers?"
Tyler stands up and sticks his hand out. "Tyler Lockwood. Well that all depends. What sports are you interested in? Given your build I would peg you for a gymnast but the school doesn't offer that as a sport. Are you into track?"
I nod my head. "I am actually. I really enjoy free running. Guess I'll have to get my gymnastics fix in that way. When does the season start?" I could see his eyes light up with excitement.
"It starts in Spring. It's nice to see a girl take interest in sports. If you make the team you will be the only girl. Hope that isn't too much pressure?"
I give him a suggestive smirk. "Not at all. I've always managed to keep up with the boys so it shouldn't be a problem." I could immediately tell I had him hooked.
"Well Tyler, it was nice meeting you but I should get back over to my cousin. I'll see you around." I turn on my heel and make my way back over to Elena. She and Caroline have confused looks on their face as I take my seat.
Caroline bumps my shoulder, "I really hope you aren't going to try and move in on my man." I internally roll my eyes. "I'm not going to Caroline but if you are asking if I find him attractive then yes I do." She lets out a squeal and giggle. I could see Stefan flinch at the piercing noise.
"Well I bet you will be happy to know that his mom is planning a ball in a few weeks."
Every wolf knows that the Lockwood's are descended from one of the stronger lines. Of course our line were the alphas. Well technically still are but it's kind of hard to stake your claim as alpha when you have to keep your line hidden from the same beasts that slaughtered most of us. As my mind drifts to that family as it so often does I could see my vision blurring over in red. I put my head down and cover my eyes with my sunglasses to hide the change in color. While my eyes are normally hazel when I'm in a good mood and green when I'm sad. When I get that angry they turn blood red. That's how our line stands out from the others as the true alphas. Most have green or yellow but only our line has red.
"Hey Daniella wait up."
I look over my shoulder and see Bonnie running up to me. "What's up Bonnie?"
She gives me a soft smile. "I just wanted to let you know that your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone. I can tell you are one of the goods ones."
I can feel my jaw slacken at her words and she lets out a chuckle. " I mean, I'm not all that excited about your werewolf side or vamp side but it's nice to know I'm no longer the only witch in town."
I give her my own soft smile. "I appreciate that Bonnie. It's nice knowing that there is someone else I can relate to. My uncle and cousin are only wolves/vamps. So I've been pretty isolated in the magic side of things." She nods her head.
"If you aren't busy for dinner, did you want to meet up at the grill and we can get to know each other?" I nod my head. "That sounds really awesome actually. 7 work for you?" She nods her head. "I'll see you then. Later Bonnie." She turns with a wave.
"Later Dani"
I start making my way to my car. As I lean against it waiting for Elena to come out I could feel the hair on the back of my neck begin to stand up. I immediately start searching the trees across the lot. After a few seconds I make eye contact the bane of my existence. Fucking Katherine. I start making my way over. She does her three finger wave and takes off. Shit! If she's in town, my cousin is a doppelganger that only means one thing. Klaus.
Looks like I'm going to have to postpone our visit. She needs to be dealt with immediately. I turn to see Elena coming over towards me holding hands with Stefan.
"Hey, are you ready?" I give her an apologetic smile. "Sorry Elena. Gonna have to rain check. I just saw someone I haven't seen in a long time and let's just say, she always puts me in a foul mood."
Should I let them in that I know? Fuck it.
"She looks exactly like you but shares the same personality as Tatia." I immediately saw the smile drop from her face and Stefan step in front of her. I put my hands up.
"Relax Ripper. I'm not going to hurt her. She really is my cousin. I'll explain everything in due time but know we aren't a threat to anyone. I protect my kin and that includes Elena. But if you'll excuse me, I have a bitch to track." I slide into my car and peel out of the parking lot.
I make the fifteen-minute trip home in 7 and turn onto our long ass drive. Really, who needs a drive way this long. I pull the car to the stop and run into the house.
"Uncle!" He and Mat come running down the stairs. "What is it child?"
I can feel my eyes start glowing and my canines get longer. "Katherine." Both of their eyes start glowing red. "Where did you see her?"
"Across from the school. I could tell she was not expecting to see me. We need to hunt her down. Immediately. If word gets back to Klaus that she has found the doppelganger, then we are screwed."
My uncle holds his hands up to stop me. "Doppelganger? You are saying Elena Gilbert is the Petrova doppelganger?" I nod my head. "She's also Charlie's niece. So that means she's kin and we protect kin." He nods his head and I can see my cousin vibrating in place.
I walk over to him and place a hand on his shoulder. "We will kill her Mat. She will rue the day she crossed us." He nods his head and his eyes turn back to their murky grey.
"We hunt for her tonight. She is our target. No other vampires will be killed unless they provoke us." They both nod to me. "Sunset is at 8:30. I will meet you all at the bar in town at that time. Uncle, please bring my gear."
He nods his head. I make my way upstairs to make a few phone calls. If we are potentially dealing with originals, then we need the whole pack.
"Michael, collect the pack. All of them." I could hear his breath hitch.
"You found him?" I start pacing my room in anticipation.
"He's not here yet but everything is coming together for the curse to be broken. Turns out my cousin is the doppelganger and Katherine is here. We are going to head out to deal with her tonight. I need you by Saturday night. If for some reason, we can't get her tonight." He lets out a dry chuckle.
"One more thing Michael, the Ripper is in town and I stake my car that his brother is here too. They are off limits unless they give us provocation. All vampires with the exception of Katherine are off limits unless we are provoked." He lets out a frustrated whine.
"I'll never understand how you are so accepting of our natural enemy."
"What can I say? I'm a pacifist at heart." I can practically see him rolling his eyes. "Sure boss. Whatever you say."
"Just get the pack and get here." I hang up the phone and toss it on my bed.
Casting my glance to the ceiling I let out a heavy sigh. "Why can't I just be a normal girl?" I see movement at my door and a snort.
"Maybe because you talk to yourself? I mean, any logical person knows that is not by any means normal." I sit up and stare at the brightest baby blue eyes. There's no mistaking who those eyes belong to since I have never seen their like.
"Damon. I figured you were in town considering I've already ran into your brother." He comes have and pulls me up into a hug. "How have you been Ella?" my response was to knee him in the stomach.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?" I cross my arms and scoff at him. "Like you don't know. New York 1943. You ditched me in that vamp nest and I had to fight my way out." He lets out a dark laugh.
"Oh...yeah not one of my finer moments. But hey, look at you. Still in one piece." I shake my head as that trade mark smirk appears on his face.
"Why can't I ever stay mad at you?" He shrugs his shoulders. "Well considering I was your first love, that tends to happen." My mood immediately darkens.
"You weren't my first love Damon. We've been over this." he drops his smirk and pulls me into another hug. "I know Ella. I was just having a bit of fun I didn't mean anything by it." I push him away from me, my hands on his shoulders.
"Damon...when did you turn into such a softie?" His smirk returns and his eyes darken "I'm still me but..." I interrupt him "You flipped the switch didn't you? Is Damon Salvatore actually embracing his humanity?" He scoffs at me and starts looking around my room.
"So, what are your plans?" I immediately know he is referring to Katherine. I take a seat back on my bed.
"I know how you feel about her but this is personal. Don't get in our way." He nods his head.
"Things are different now. She's gone after people I have come to care about. I can't have her hurting anyone else." I could hardly believe what I was hearing. But shit, I wasn't going to push the issue.
"We are going hunting for her tonight. Care to join?" I could see pause in his perusal of my room at my offer. "I'm warning you Damon. Friend or not, I will stop you." He flashed a smile at me over his shoulder. "Don't you mean lover?" I let out a laugh.
"Sure. Former lover if that is what you want to be labeled as. Former lover forever stuck in the friend zone?" He flashes over to me and pushes me back on the bed.
"Oh come on, you know you can't resist me." I can feel my breath quicken at his proximity. I lean up till our lips are nearly touching. "Whatever helps you sleep at night buttercup." He gives me a genuine smile. "And as much fun as this has been Damon, I do have to head out. I'm meeting the local witch for dinner."
I pull up outside the Mystic Grill. Original. I slide out of my car and walk into the building. There was a fair amount of people already in the place. I see Bonnie sitting at a booth by herself. I make my way over and take a seat across from her.
"Hey Dani. I heard your plans fell through with Elena so I was a bit surprised when you said you were still willing to have dinner." I give her a gentle smile.
"Well I had to inform my family of Katherine's presence in Mystic Falls. So, how long have you been practicing?" We proceed to discuss various spells and potions until I notice the time on the clock. It's 8:25.
"Hey Bonnie. I'm gonna have to call it a night. I will see you at school tomorrow okay?" She nods her head and waves as I walk out of the grill. I see my cousin has already taken my car home given that my uncles SUV is sitting in the same spot my car was sitting in. Thank goodness for spare keys. My uncle holds out a bag to me.
I slip into the back seat and change my shirt into a black tank and place my fun holster over my shoulders after verifying my nines are loaded with wooden bullets dipped in vervain. I replace my leather coat and pull my hair into a high pony tail. I place a dagger in my shoes. Once I'm sure I'm ready I exit the car to see my uncle and cousin dressed identical to me.
"You two ready?" We nod our heads. "If we can put her down and take her back for questioning we do that. Only kill if absolutely necessary" I give my uncle a look like he is deranged.
"You're kidding right? We tried that before. Do you remember what happened? Cause I sure as hell do." My uncle rises to his full height at 6'4 and looks down on me. "I'm giving an alpha order. You will obey." I look down in submission and nod my head.
"Alright. Let's move out. We will start from where you saw her today and see if we can pick up her trail."
I lead them to the school and there in the field between the parking lot and tree line is Katherine in all of her slutty glory. She gives us a giggle and smile. "If it isn't my favorite mutts. Hope you are all up to date on your shots. I hear worms can be nasty business." I can feel my eyes shift color.
I give her a smirk to rival Damon's, "If it isn't our favorite skank. Still running around like a bitch in heat?" I could see her eyes narrow at me. "Just because you enjoy my sloppy seconds..." Before she can finish I have one of my guns out and have already put a bullet into one of her knee caps. She lets out a scream of pain and I couldn't help but bask in the sound of it.
Keeping my gun up I begin walking towards her only to be blind-sided by someone tackling me to the ground causing me to drop my gun. I manage to push the person off of me only to see Katherine make a run for it and for my family to give chase. I turn to the person who tackled me. I come face to face with an unknown vampire. I feel my canines grow and the claws on my hands extend. My eye sight turning red. The vampire lunges at me but before it can reach me I already have my hand wrapped around its throat.
He growls at me and punches me in the jaw. I feel my head snap to the side and tighten my hand while meeting its eyes again. Before he can swing again I crush his wind pipe and pull his throat out. His eyes widen as he brings his hands up to cover his wounds. I use my powers to freeze him in place and watch as the life pours from his throat.
"I really hate when people don't answer my questions." I see Damon and Stefan enter the field from the tree line across from me. "Boys, so nice of you to join me. Just in time for the show."