The Delivery
"I have no idea what to expect. Did Katherine tell you anything?" Elena asked Isobel.
"Not really, but I've been with her on a couple of these. Pretty simple. You say something about how this is in exchange for a promise. When you're ready, give the box to me. You don't need to go near him."
"How can I say something about the promise when I don't know what it is he has promised?"
"You don't have to be specific. Something like 'remember your promise' should do. There's not much more to it than that."
Elena's curiosity got the best of her. "How does she contact you? In person?"
Isobel shook her head. "Mostly by phone. If I see her, I know something is wrong – she's upset."
"Can you contact her?"
Isobel studied Elena for a second before responding "If she thinks there's a reason, she'll give you a way. I wouldn't rush that. She'll have enough of your time – no need to give her any more."
They were approaching the location – sort of a farm house. No other homes nearby. There were woods and fields and water. Elena removed her necklace.
"We'll be on both sides of you then entire time." Isobel said. "No need to worry."
Damon was silent during most of this. Elena had to wonder why. Was he just putting his bad face on?
"It's different from when I pretended to be her with her there. She was right there when I needed it."
"We will be as well." Isobel said as the car stopped a few yards from them door. "I will pull a shade when we enter so the sun can come in. They will be expecting it. We will stand in the light to show that what we have works. Then you can talk to him and, when you are ready, give me the box to give him. He will put the ring on and enter the same pool of light – slowly, to test the ring. Then remind him of his promise and we will go."
Elena nodded her head. "I understand." She put on her best Katherine face and said "I'm ready."
They exited the car and went to the door. It opened before they knocked..
The door opened fully, something that Elena did not expect, so she was able to stay next to Damon and Isobel as they entered. Not much sunlight entered the room. All the windows had coverings or shades which were pulled close. Isobel stopped a few feet into the room.
Elena raised her chin and let her eyes scan the room. Four – probably all vampires. She hoped Isobel and Damon were enough.
She recalled what Katherine had told her last time – silence was not good.
"Isobel" she said, motioning with her head towards a window which she knew would allow the sun in. And it was large. She would feel safer when standing in the light.
Isobel walked to the window slowly, deliberately. She was staring at the vampire Elena thought was the one in charge and probably the recipient of the ring. She stood by the window briefly and when the vampires did not move, opened it.
It was all Elena could do to hold her position. She waited for Isobel to return to her side, then walked into the light at the same deliberate pace Isobel had used. She wanted to sigh when she entered the light, but knew she couldn't.
She stood looking at the main vampire for a few seconds. She decided to avoid his eyes so she looked at the box and held it up as she spoke.
"You know this comes with a promise. Do you swear to keep it?"
"I swear." He said.
She looked at Isobel. She cold tell she was ready for anything. "Isobel" she said as she handed the box over.
Isobel had take a few steps towards the vampire when he spoke. "I've heard rumors."
Elena said "Wait!". Isobel was still in the light. A head motion from Elena and she was back standing next to her.
"Rumors." Elena said to fill the silence.
"Rumors that Katherine has a double. A human who looks like her. How do I know you are Katherine?"
Elena knew the jig was up. What was Katherine thinking sending her here like this?
"Are you willing to take the risk?"
"Maybe." The vampire said
"Do you think it matters? If you are wrong, you will burn either way. I've changed my mind." Elena said as she took the box from Isobel. "You're not ready."
"And you're not Katherine" the vampire said as he ran past the light to block the door. Another vampire leapt at them. Suicidal or protected? Or maybe he thought he would just knock them out of the light and go through it without much damage.
Elena was instantly being carried in Damon's arms toward the window. He tried to turn around in the air and hit it with his back. He didn't quite make it, though he did get most of the impact. Elena felt some contact as the glass broke around her. Damon landed on his feet with Isobel right behind them. They moved away from the house into bright sunlight and examined Elena. Her eyes were closed, she was bleeding in several places on her arm and head.
Damon moved his head to where he could listen to her breathe. "She's breathing. We need to get out of here."
"Yeah" Isobel agreed as they turned toward their car. They turned just in time to see something roll underneath it. An explosion followed. It didn't look totaled, but they knew they would not be driving it out of there.
"We have hours before sunset." Isobel said. "They can't follow us until then."
Damon nodded, then looked at Elena again. "Do you have the ring?"
"No. Elena took it back. Doesn't she have it?"
They both looked. She didn't have it.
"OK, one of them can follow us." Damon said. "You need to take her and get as far away as possible. I'll stay here in case he comes out."
"No," Isobel argued. "You need to take her and go. I'll stay."
"Please, you. She'll be safer with you."
"Damon, you're not at full strength are you?"
He hesitated.
"This is Elena we're talking about." Isobel said. "Are you up to fighting him if he comes out?"
"No."
"Then take her as far away as fast as you can. Find someplace safe when you need to stop. I'll try to get in touch with Katherine."
"And call Stefan."
"I'm not sure Katherine wants that." Isobel said.
"I don't care. He should be able to come immediately. It's about time he started helping. With any luck, you can burn this place to the ground before sundown."
"OK, OK. Just get going. Do you have a cell?"
"Yeah." Damon said as he ran away from the house.
Isobel dialed the number which had called her earlier. It went to voicemail – not a surprise.
"This is Isobel. It went down bad. Elena is hurt and Damon is carrying her to safety. We need help immediately."
She tried the previous three numbers that Katherine had called from and repeated the message to the two that still worked.
Then she called Stefan.
