Chapter One: Wicked Games
~*~| A man's character is his fate - Heraclitus |~*~
Bonnie fished her keys out of her pocket. It was a deceivingly brilliant day. Not a cloud lingered in the pale blue sky. It might have been a damn near perfect day even, if it wasn't for the fact she was on her way to see if Elena was doing alright. She wasn't obviously, but who would be after her ex-boyfriend's evil vampire brother had saved her by killing his new friend who'd been bitten by a werewolf (which said evil brother provoked in the first place), and gone delirious from the resulting infection.
Yes, just another day in Mystic Falls, Virginia. Elena was carrying on like nothing was wrong. She seemed more upset by the fact Damon had to kill his new bed bunny to protect her. If she believed for a second it had hurt that monster to do it, she'd allow herself to feel an ounce of pity. But it was just one more body to add to his list, and Rose had been a vampire herself. He might have saved actual living people in the process. She could support her BFF without agreeing with her. It was what friends did. They were there for each other, no matter what.
She sighed heavily, missing the days when her biggest worry was if that new pair of jeans would make her butt look big or if her handbag was in this season.
As Bonnie fingered through her keys for the proper one she sensed movement out of the corner of her eye, and felt the sensation of feathers on her hand. It took her a heartbeat to realize what had happened, she place her hands on her hips and turned around. She glared menacingly at the large black bird perched on top of the traffic sign outside her home. Dangling from its thick black beak were her keys.
Almost playfully it shook the keys, amusing itself with the jingling noise they emitted. It fluffed its dark plumage, making itself look a good third bigger then it actually was, and bobbed its head. If she didn't know any better, Bonnie would have sworn the bird was taunting her.
"Just great," she huffed to herself. She approached the bird carefully. "Here, birdie birdie…" she called to it, moving closer on tip-toe. The bird cocked its head to the side as Bonnie spoke, the bright milky blue of the bird's eyes striking the witch as odd. Just as she was within reach the bird took wing, gliding into a tree covered with white blooms growing in her neighbor's yard. It perched on the lowest branch, just above Bonnie's head. "This isn't funny anymore. Can you please give them back?" she tried, never seriously thinking reasoning with the animal was the answer. The raven cawed, dropping the keys below it in the process. Again it bobbed its head and fluffed its oily feathers, maneuvering its wings to keep its balance.
Bonnie jogged towards the keys, trying to keep her eyes on the bird in the process. As she knelt to grab the keys, she had to look down to determine exactly where they were in the grass. In that split second she thought she saw a woman wearing white standing next to her. Surprised she squeaked with shock and fell backwards onto the ground. Next to her was only the raven. It had descended from its perch, and stood off to her side. It cawed one final time at her, holding Bonnie's gaze with its own. In that brief moment, Bonnie knew there was something almost human looking back at her. Its just a bird he reassured herself. In a flurry of feathers the bird was gone, leaving the witch slightly shaken.
"Strange doesn't even begin to cover that." she said to herself as she picked herself up and jogged briskly to her car. The instant the door shut her inside she rested her forehead on the steering wheel, absorbing what had just happened. After a minute spent collecting herself, Bonnie steeled herself against it. She stirred the engine, and she pulled out of the drive way.
It was definitely something she should share with Elena.
She barely remembered the short drive from her home to the Gilbert residence. She rang the bell. After a few moments the door pulled open, revealing the youngest Gilbert. Elena's kid brother, she reminded herself as she inhaled deeply. Anything that could possibly happen with Jeremy would be a mistake, keeping Elena as a friend was what mattered. It was best to not even think about it.
"Ah… is Elena home?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah she's upstairs, " He turned his head and called up to her. "Elena, Bonnie's here." and he turned back to the witch. Bonnie smiled awkwardly and made an expectant gesture at the door. Jeremy mouthed an 'oh' and opened the door wider to let her inside. As she moved past him she bumped him with her shoulder. Bonnie turned slightly and looked up to apologize, but the emotion she read in his eyes made her swallow her words. She nearly bolted up the stairs to Elena's room.
Bonnie closed the bedroom door behind her as she muttered, "I have the weirdest story to tell you…"
q~*~|~*~p
"Miss, I'm going to have to see some I.D." the waitress held her hand out expectantly.
"Of course," she said fishing through her purse for her wallet. She pulled the card out of the clear sleeve, remembering to keep her movements at human (slow!) speed. As Caroline handed it to the woman, she captured her gaze. "I'm twenty-one, just turned today." the perky blond supplied.
The waitress took the card and puzzled over it for a moment, like she was trying to make out a foreign language. Then she gave the license back with an 'I hope this doesn't effect my tip' smile and said, "Happy birthday, rum and pineapple juice coming right up."
"Oh, do you have any of those little umbrella things?"
"I'll see if I can find any." the waitress said, then moved back to the kitchen to drop off her order.
"God I love that trick," she mused smugly to herself. Stefan wouldn't have approved of course, using her abilities like that. But the alcohol would help her control herself better, it was for the greater good really. Besides what Stefan-the-Bunny-Slayer didn't know wasn't going to hurt him.
Caroline was honestly more worried about what Tyler didn't know that could get him killed.
Tyler had wanted to talk, and she'd agreed to meet him at the Grill. It was a good enough excuse to check in on Matt, she decided. Alright, she couldn't lie to herself, she was there to stalk Matt. But only a little. She knew it had been best to force their break up, that what she'd done had ensured his safety. But it was just so hard to stay away.
Secretly, part of her couldn't help but wonder what Matt would do if he found out. Would he accept her? Or would she just be a monster. Elena was alright with Stefan being a vampire right.
Well that wasn't exactly a stellar example of an open vampire/human relationship. They were still technically broken up.
She pushed those thoughts to the side, and she forced her mind back into the now. Now she had Tyler to deal with. She knew she shouldn't get anymore involved with the werewolf either. Every day they got closer, which increased the chance he'd find out about the other vampires. Damon would kill Tyler in a heartbeat if he thought the Lockwood knew about the Salvatore brothers. Heck, after Rose, Caroline wasn't sure she could blame him, she'd been a stark reminder of what happens when a werewolf bites a vampire. If something was a threat to him, Damon killed it. The predator in him allowed nothing less.
Matt plopped into the seat across from her, still dressed in his work uniform. "Caroline we need to talk,"
"No you need to talk. I'm done." she crossed her arms and leaned back against the booth cushion. She didn't want to be any close to him then necessary.
"Then just listen. I'm sorry I kissed you. I shouldn't have. I just miss you Care," he moved in closer, looking around briefly, checking on the whereabouts of his supervisor.
"The sentiment is noted. But you're the one that broke up with me remember?" she spared a smile to the waitress as she deposited the yellow drink, complete with pink umbrella. She took a sip, it was stringer the then fruity fragrance implied. The sting of the rum down her throat calmed her, knowing that relief would soon find its way into her bloodstream.
"I made a mistake…" as he said that, the door chimed open. She snapped her eyes to the entering patron, to see if it was Tyler. Instead it was a woman in her mid twenties, dressed in a leather bomber jacket, dark denim jeans and a black camisole top with lace at the hems. Her skin was paper white, and her hair platinum blond.
"Someone should tell that girl the albino look is out this year," she said to Matt without thinking, forgetting she was suppose to be listening. The woman threw a look over her shoulder as she moved towards the bar and grinned in Caroline's direction. Almost as if she had heard the comment. That was impossible, she was on the other side of the room.
Unless she was a vampire, of course. It was definitely something that warranted investigation. She'd loath to go to Stefan or Damon with the news of a new vampire in town unless she was one hundred percent sure. They already had a lot on their plates, what with Elena's life blood being the key to breaking an age old curse.
She turned her attention back to Matt, "Look, I don't care. I'm not going to talk about this with you." it hurt her to say it, but this was for the best. She grabbed her drink, and slide out of the booth. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Caroline headed towards the bar, sipping her drink faster then usual. The called it liquid courage for good reason. She slinked though the crowd, her improved senses allowing her to detect when someone on the floor was about to move and strategically maneuver her drink accordingly. Caroline suddenly noticed an enticing smell. The scent was slightly familiar, but it was more delicious then usual.
The closer she got to the woman, the more pungent the tantalizing smell got. Until Caroline rocked on the cusp of her control. She gulped down the rest of her drink as she came abreast of the white haired woman. She decided in that moment that anything that smelled like that couldn't be a vampire. In fact, Caroline decided that if she didn't get away that instant she was going to do something she'd regret, like tear open her pale, tender neck out in a very public place.
"Are you okay? Your eyes look a bit bloodshot." The woman asked, placing a hand on Caroline's shoulder.
"Don't touch me," she hissed, turning on her heel and making for the exit. She moved swiftly, her hand cupped along her temple to minimize the chance of anyone seeing her transformed face. As her hand reached for the door it lurched open.
"Are you okay?" came the familiar voice of Damon. He bent a bit to get a good look at her face. Seeing the state she was in he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her out into the dark street. "Get a hold of yourself. I thought you were past this."
"I thought I was too," she said, weeping. "I was doing so good, then she came in and she smelled so delicious. I wanted to taste her so badly. But I think if I did I wouldn't have wanted to stop. I'd have torn her to shreds to get the last drop." she covered her face with her hands and took several deep breaths between sobs.
Damon opened his mouth to say something harsh, but actually passed it through his internal filter first. "Its okay, you didn't hurt anyone. Did you?" he asked, she shook her head. "Just go home, get some blood. People blood." he said removing his hands from her and straightening his jacket before entering the restaurant. Her eyes were trained on his back. She was distracted to the point that she didn't notice Tyler until he spoke.
"Did he do something to you? Are you crying?" he asked, puffing himself up as if he was about to go after him. Which would be bad, Caroline knew, Tyler didn't stand a chance. She stopped him by grabbing his wrist with her enhanced speed.
"He's not worth it. You wanted to talk, we can talk while we walk. It's a beautiful night out," she suggested.
He nodded as he responded. "Alright. Just be careful Caroline. His brother is okay, but I don't trust that guy."
"Good call," she said. With a small laugh, she coaxed Tyler into the square behind her. The night was young.
q~*~|~*~p
A new day had dawned on Mystic Falls, ushered in by sound of twittering birds. Damon woke with a start, his mind in a fugue. That in itself was distressing, his mind usually worked with remarkable clarity, one of the many perks of being undead. Stranger still when he tried to recall the night before it came to him only in a jumble of bits and pieces. What memories did come forward were hazy, like some sorority girl that woke up on the floor after a night drinking trash can punch. He was in his bed, he couldn't remember how he'd gotten there though. The last thing he remembered was that delicious smelling, odd looking woman at the bar and how succulent she would taste.
He lulled his head to the side, the same woman lay next to him on her back. She lay unnaturally still, dressed in nothing but her camisole top and a black thong. He leaned over her slightly, and sure enough her neck was covered with blood. It still oozed from the wound even.
"Shame, they were Egyptian cotton," he grimaced, nothing really ever got blood out. No use crying over spilt milk. It was another matter entirely that had him concerned. His mind reeled, how had he lost control like this. He was the epitome of control, especially in this area. He'd expect something like this from Stefan maybe, but he demanded better of himself. He rolled off the bed and pulled his haphazardly strewn jeans on.
"Now to put you somewhere until I can dig you a hole." he said turning back to the body. He reached over her, and pulled the sheet out from where it was tucked underneath the mattress. As he tugged on her wrists to position her better, her eyes snapped open.
"Straight to disposal of the body? You truly are one of her creatures," she said, emitting a small giggle as Damon jumped back, frightened that he'd done something stupid he couldn't remember, like feed her his blood.
"You're dead,"
"For a millennium and a half, actually," she chuckled. She sat up gingerly and put a hand to her bloody neck. She pulled the hand away, eyeing the substance for a moment before wiping it off on the white sheet. "Thanks for noticing, though, doll face." she slid her eyes down his frame, gaze settling on his groin. "At least Katie wasn't lying about your endearing traits."
"K-katie?"
"You know, Kather-" The name had barely left her lips before her was on her, pinning her to the blood soaked bed. In his hand was a piece of the headboard, a makeshift stake hovering over her chest. "Look at you, just trying so hard to kill me. Its cute. You can't push it in can you?' she could tell by the strain on his face that he was giving it his all. "See that inability to do me harm? That comes with the overwhelming urge to do as I say. As in, get off me and sit down on the edge of the bed,"
Just as she promised, Damon rigidly removed himself, stake still in hand, and sat on the edge of the bed. He could do nothing but as she had directed, despite his best efforts to the contrary. She rolled off the other side of the bed and came around to face the physically larger vampire. "Your phone," she said, holding her hand out for it. He shoved his hand into his front pocket and pulled out of the device. She eyed the screen as the cell exchanged hands.
"Who is this this 'HotCoco1986'? And why is she asking you what you're wearing? Such a bad boy…" before he could respond she put a finger to her lips in a hushing gesture. "I have a call to make, no talking. Wait who am I kidding no one actually calls each other anymore. Time to try my hand at this texting business." she tapped the keys, dictating aloud as she typed. "Hey bro, get the Scooby squad together and meet me at home. There has been a development. Hurry, smiley face." She cocked her head to the side. "The smiley face is probably a bit too much but I couldn't resist." she pressed the send button.
"Don't move," she instructed. Then she tossed the phone onto the bed before jumping back on it herself. She swung her leg over his lap, straddling Damon with an impish grin locked on her face. She pulled the stake from his hand, and danced the point over his heart. She could feel him fighting against her control. She'd never tell him such, but the more he fought the more of her energy she had to expend to keep him under her thumb. At the first sign of weakness she had no doubt the vampire would finish her, "What's wrong? don't like being the helpless one? This is going to be soooo much fun."
"What are you?" he managed to ask from between clenched teeth. She moved off his lap in a swift, fluid motion and glared curiously at him. He wasn't suppose to be able to move, or talk for that matter. She considered this her warning not to underestimate him. She was going to have to keep a better hold on him if she hoped to live through this. He was much stronger then she had first guessed.
She moved to the window and pulled back the curtains to let in the day. It'd been such a long time since she'd felt rays on her skin. "My kind have many names. Valravn, to the Danish. Valkyrie to the Norse. Morrigan to the Celts. Keres to the Greeks. All mean one thing really: chooser of the slain," She threw him an arrogant look, her pale blue eyes locking onto his with an expression that told just how proud of herself she was. "And I choose you, Pikachu."
Up Next: Damon is bound to this new creature by her blood in his veins, and he is determined to sever the connection. This leads him to the door step of our favorite witch, who is in the middle of doing a little bonding of her own; with the Warlock Luka. Hakuma reveals to Stefan that eventually they will have to let Katherine out of the Tomb, and a monkey wrench gets thrown into everyone's plan. Stay Tuned!
