Damon POV

It was Katherine, I could have sworn it. Her face, her eyes, that sweet smell was all her. I have become angry enough at her to lose my sanity, and that is what I have done... because of her.

But vampires don't bleed this much. They don't keep bleeding either. They heal quickly, she always had. The gun feels heavy in my hand but my fingers are ridged around the hilt, so it remains steady in front of me. How could I have been so stupid!

Stephen does not look up from her body, his eyes glued to the ruby pool forming below her rib cage, the crimson seeping from her. I at least have fed – I'm not hungry, but I can smell his saliva from here. He wants to suck her dry, and it is a struggle for him to hold her carefully. I could pretend that I have just arrived back from... wherever... it will not matter. I could ask what has happened. I could pretend that he has done this to her. I could get angry... I could kill him...

Though the thought is tempting, extremely, I don't think it would serve any purpose. It would not win me her affection, and you never know when dear brother will be useful in the future.

Stephen POV

Elena... oh Elena... Elena speak to me! These are the words I think as I shake her gently. The sound of her body moving in the pool of blood is sickening, but I find myself leaning in closer to hear her heart beating softly.

She is still alive, but for how much longer? How much longer can I be with her before the animal in me takes her? The prickle of awareness around my eyes only confirms my fear that I am too weak to remain crouching over her,

If I let these lips part even only slightly, I will not be able to resist becoming a monster. I can feel my teeth elongate behind my lips, feel them drip with venom and desire. One little bite, the monster whispers reasonably, just one little bite.

The need is strong within me. It's tearing me apart from the inside. I can't take any more blood, she won't survive, I can't...

Damon POV

I don't think. I let my instincts show me what to do. I switched off my ego so I could save her from a fate worse than death.

"Stephen!" I roar, pouncing on him like a wild cat, a tiger. He spun around and I feel almost proud. He looked ghastly, but he also had that hungry glint in his eyes. I remember feeling that way, the feverish blood lust of the unfed.

Katherine was lying on the ground and was convulsing with pain. He had bitten her after all.

"Well done brother," I heard the noise but my lips felt numb. He seemed find it difficult to form sentences, "but I thought it was Elena."

I pounced on her shivering form, teeth out and ready to kill.