"Damon?" I repeated his name and raised a brow in the air. "What kind of name is that? Sounds weird." His face changed, I didn't know if that was good or not. But it looked like he would care now. Maybe because I had questioned his name? It was the truth, it is a weird name.
"And I'm sure that little Miss Perfect has an amazing name." He scoffed ironically and half glared at me. What a gentleman, I thought sarcastically. Why was I still standing here? I needed to run, I hadn't come further than the Rousseau's, the bar where my dad always drinks Bourbon. But I also didn't want let a stranger or Damon or whatever be that rude to me. I was too proud to let him win.
"Well, Hope Mikaelson still sounds better than Damon." I rolled with my eyes and regretted immediately that I had told him my last name. One of the most important rules was that I shouldn't tell any strangers my last name or they'd find out that I'm Klaus Mikaelson's daughter. But then I remembered that rules weren't important for me anymore and that I wanted to be free, that meant no rules.
"Mikaelson?" Damon asked surprisingly and his eyes were widen. He was clearly shocked and showed an emotion. What if he wanted to kidnap me? Or even worse? Ugh, why are you so stupid, Hope?! That guy could be an enemy of dad! "Are you Klaus' daughter?"
"Even if that's right, do you have a problem with that?" I wasn't able to lie, Elijah had taught me to tell the truth. So I tried to avoid the truth instead, although it was stupid. Damn, just a second before I had told myself I should screw the rules and now I was still obeying them. Suddenly, he grabbed after my wrist and it looked like he'd wanted to pull me away. I was overcome by panic and fear and maybe also a bit by my fantasy, so I acted. I shrieked and punched him with my fist in his nose. And I immediately regretted it because I felt an awful pain in my hand. Who would have thought that it hurt that much?!
"OW!" He groaned and let my wrist free. "Why the hell did you do that?! Are you completely insane?!" His nose was bleeding and he tried to hold it back with his hand.
"Says the one who tried to pull me with him to where ever!" I yelled at him and made a step back, just to be careful and safe enough. "That's not just weird, it's creepy! I don't just go with strangers!"
"You're really deaf, are you?! I just told you that Stefan called me and asked me to help because Klaus' 'precious' daughter is gone! You just looked to the ground without saying anything, so I wanted to get your attention, douche bag." He explained and now I realised that he was right. When he had told me about that, I have been absent and tried to figure out if he was an enemy from dad. Stupid Hope.
"Oh. Does it hurt bad?" I asked worryingly and put my hand on his to remove it and look at his nose. But it already healed, there was just blood. At least I knew now that he's a vampire.
"I'm not a baby, I'm fine." He rolled with his eyes but was less annoyed. A good sign. "Your blow's not bad for a human." Damon even almost smirked and wiped the blood away.
"I'm not a human!" I answered back but then my voice got lower and kind of insecure. "I'm... something, I guess."
"What do you mean, 'something'?" He glanced confusing at me. "Aren't you a stinky werewolf like your father?" He scrunched up his face when he mentioned my dad. That meant that they know and obviously don't like each other. It didn't wonder, Damon didn't act like the nicest guy.
"I haven't triggered my curse but I always heal slowly when I get hurt. I haven't been sick yet and my witch power which I inherited from my grandma is in my necklace. So I'm actually a hybrid with witch power." I explained as easy as possible.
"Is there even a name for that?" He frowned and I sighed.
"I don't know what I am." I scoffed. To where do I belong? I'm not even a hybrid, I'm practically the only one of my specie. That thought made me feel sometimes lonely, I don't know how to describe it. Damon didn't say anything about that, and I had the feeling that he reacted like that because he might understand it.
"Let's go." He decided suddenly and I was confounded by him. "I'll bring you back to daddy Klaus." A bit derision was in his voice. My eyes widened and I shook my head, because I totally forgot about that for a moment.
"No." I said directly.
"What?"
"I said no." I repeated. "I haven't left my home for a little shopping tour. I wanted to leave for certain reasons. I don't know for how long, but more than just a day."
"Listen, I don't have time for your daddy issues but if I don't bring you back now, my head will get ripped off by your lovely dad. So move your ass and come or I'll force you. I'm really not in the mood to babysit today." He stated pissed and I just scoffed sarcastically.
"What are you gonna do? Grab me and throw me over your shoulder?" If I knew that he would really do that, I wouldn't have said anything. So he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. I started to struggle and kick him, but he obviously didn't care. "Let me go, you arrogant wanker!" I yelled angrily.
"Dream on, dumb kid." He responded and kept carrying me on his shoulder as he walked to the direction of my home. "You're lucky that I'm carrying you and don't do anything else, so shut up. I don't wanna get killed by a stupid werewolf/ hybrid/ whatever."
"Why did you do that?!" Dad yelled at me and I cringed. "Do you know what could have happened?! People could have seen you and kidnapped or tortured you! And then I'd have lost you! Can you imagine that, Hope?!" Damon had brought me back and now dad, mum, Caroline, Marcel, Stefan, Elena and Damon were with me in the living room. Rebekah who decided to come was with Elijah in the kitchen and cooked the dinner while I was getting scolded by my parents.
"Hope, you know you can tell us everything." Mum said quieter than dad. "So tell us, what was the reason for that?" She glanced sympathetically at me and I'm sure, mum would understand me but we were not alone here.
"Why do I have to be here while these idiots are doing their bloody family therapy?" Damon rolled with his eyes and groaned annoyingly. He sat on the armchair and leaned with his back against it. I sat between mum and Caroline on the couch and Dad stood in front of me. Elena sat on another armchair, Stefan stood next to her and Marcel leaned against the wall. Here were really a lot people.
"Shut up, Damon." Caroline rolled with her eyes and half glared at him. "But your parents are right, Hope. You shouldn't have done this."
"Hope, why did you do that? It was dangerous and careless." Elena started to talk and it was really hard not to roll with my eyes. That wasn't her business and I know that she didn't care much about me.
"Yeah, tell us the reason." Marcel agreed and I got lightly annoyed. Everyone asked me the same question and I didn't have the time to even think about my answer. Should I tell them that I've eavesdropped or a lie? I had no idea.
"Everyone please shut up." Stefan suddenly said and everyone did but was also surprised. "Give Hope a bit time to think about her choices. And don't always ask her the same question, one time is enough." I looked thankfully at him and he half smiled at me.
"Fine." Dad groaned still angrily. The others nodded.
"Come, Nik, we're going to your room." Caroline offered and smiled reassuringly at him, trying to calm him down which luckily worked. They left us and walked as Caroline said to their room. He seemed disappointed and angry with me. Then Marcel and mum went to the kitchen to help Rebekah and Elijah. Mum seemed more sad than angry.
"Thank you, Stef." I thanked him. "I'll get you a bunny for that." I couldn't resist a little smirk.
"I order a white bunny then." He joked and smiled lightly. "But no problem, I just hope that you won't do it again." Then he turned around to Damon. "And thank you for bringing her, Damon."
"Well, I love playing babysitter, brother." Damon responded sarcastically and my eyes got widened. Did I just hear the word 'brother'? Brother like family?
"Did you just say brother?" My voice sounded surprised and Stefan nodded.
"He's my older brother. Have I never told you from him?" He frowned his famous Stefan frowning and I shook my head. What the hell, Damon is Stefan's brother?! His name is Damon Salvatore?! My mouth was a bit open and Damon smirked amusing.
"I'm Damon Salvatore, honey. Didn't you know that?" He mocked me and Elena sighed annoyingly. She probably didn't like his behaviour, so she decided to leave without saying anything and Stefan followed her after he said goodbye. Now I was alone with Damon, how amazing was that, ugh.
"So you're really Stefan's brother and that's not some freak show?" I wanted to know and leaned against the couch. "I mean, no offence, but you have dark black hair and Stefan had brown hair. The eye colours are too different too and also many other things. Is he adopted?"
"Seems like someone missed biology lessons." He gave me a crooked smile. "And no, but even if, why should he be the one that's adopted?"
"Because mostly weirdos are adopted and he's a weirdo because he drinks bunnies." Damon let out a little chuckle because of my explanation of Stefan.
"I start to not dislike you. You know how to make fun of my brother." He stated as a little smirk appeared on his face. I pretended to be shocked by his compliment.
"Did Damon Salvatore just make me a compliment? That's the best day of my life!" I faked fangirl, dripping of sarcasm.
"I bet the best day of your life would be if I spent a night with- " I interrupted him by beating him in his stomach, but he just grinned about that. Although he was in love with himself, he was the only one who didn't judge me for running away and I was thankful for him because of that. And still too proud to say it loudly.
"Dinner is ready." Elijah shouted and we left the living room to go to diner room. Everyone was already there and sat at the table. There were just two free seats, so I had to sit next to Damon. Pretty weird. On the table was turkey and many more stuff, although it wasn't Thanksgiving and I was the only one who actually eats. Bex hadn't said anything about my try to escape. Maybe she understood me because she knew the feeling to be forced to stay with dad?
"Good appetite." I wished everyone and started to eat. That dinner was definitely awkward. I thought the silence was it first, but I was wrong. Sometimes talking is not better than silence, not at all.
"So, Damon, did your heart actually heal after Elena chose Stefan?" Dad provoked Damon and Damon faked a smile, clearly hiding his anger. Stefan sighed, he obviously didn't like that topic and Elena cringed, avoiding this topic. Caroline nudged dad admonitoryly and the others didn't care much. But I was sort of curious, to be honest.
"Why should I even care about that? It's twenty years ago. But how is your relationship with blondie? Does the compulsion still work?"
"Damon!" His brother and Care admonished him and anger was seen on dad's face. Uh oh. Luckily, Elijah took care of that, I didn't want to know what would have happened otherwise.
"Niklaus, please. Behave." His voice was calm. "Please forgive him for his behaviour, I'm sure he'll calm down soon. Enjoy the dinner." Yeah, I'm sure everyone knows my dad and could imagine how he'd react to this.
"That's not fair, brother! Who even invited that jerk?!" He got upset.
"Nik, just shut up." Bex rolled with her eyes and sounded lightly annoyed. "You're acting like a little child." Damon chuckled a bit because Bex wasn't even on dad's side. Caroline sighed and played with her food, keeping out of the fight. It was probably nothing new for her.
"Do you want to feel a dagger in your heart, Rebekah?" Dad threatened his sister and she glared at him.
"Niklaus, enough!" Elijah defended her and got a bit louder. Mum stood up and left the table to get something.
"I'm too sober for that crap."
"Yeah, listen to your big brother, Klausy." Damon made fun of him and dad got this killer face.
"You too, Damon. Just shut up." Stefan looked so done with that while Elena remained as quiet as Marcel which was probably smart. "We're here as guests because Mystic Falls is a magic- free zone right now, so try at least to behave." Now dad laughed at Damon.
"Yeah, listen to your little brother, Damon." He imitated Damon which made him angry. Mum came back with a bottle scotch and poured herself a glass, then Bex, Care and Elena took the bottle too. I wasn't allowed to drink alcohol, although it would be good now.
"Nik, just shut up. Do us that favour." Bex groaned annoyingly and Elijah agreed.
"Ugh, how could you sleep with him, sister? That's even beneath you." Dad complained and I almost choked on my potatoes. I hadn't known that and I seriously was better off without that knowledge.
"What?" I coughed.
"That's two decades ago. As if you never made mistakes." Bex groaned, not noticing me like the others. Damon just rolled with his eyes, like it wasn't a big deal, and I wasn't sure about that but it almost looked like Elena was jealous.
"Rebekah, Niklaus, stop fighting." Elijah demanded of his siblings.
"Let me just name a million people I'd rather sit with right now." Stefan muttered sarcastically. Caroline tried to handle this situation, somehow, while I was still trying to get over the fact that Damon had slept with aunt Bex. It was just... really surprising.
"Guys, could we please- "
"And you're perfect, Elijah." Dad's sarcasm was good to hear. "I could start naming all lovers of our sister, just give me a year." Bex got a fake smile from dad and she was about to freak out. They kept fighting and I just groaned annoyingly. At least Stefan and Damon stopped fighting. But also Caroline gave in and just let out a sigh.
"Now I understand why you wanted to escape." Damon leaned in and whispered it to me, although it wasn't necessary, because the others were too busy with fighting. I couldn't help it and smirked a bit. I really appreciated that he tried to lighten up the situation.
"Damon, what are you doing?" Caroline asked and sounded concerned about me. She had this sceptical look and probably thought Damon would be a danger for me. Which he wasn't, I mean, I'm Klaus Mikaelson's daughter, I knew what a real danger was.
"Just being polite, Care bear. You should try this, too." He did this weird eye thing, it was probably his trade mark. Care got annoyed by that and they started to have a fight too. My eyes laid on Stefan, begging for help and he shook lightly his head, showing he had also given in. Dad, Bex and Elijah yelled at each other as Damon and Caroline did and I was so done. I had to handle this situation, I'm a freaking Mikaelson.
"STOP!" I screamed as loud as possible which was really loud and everyone immediately stopped fighting and stared at me now. "Can't you stop fighting?! Bloody hell, you're acting like brainless idiots!" Elijah, Caroline and Bex looked embarrassed to the ground while Dad sighed and Damon smirked. But now it was at least quiet. Silence is gold. "Thank you for understanding, let's continue the conversation." My voice became calm. "Stefan, why are you with Elena and Damon here? Nobody has told me exactly yet."
"Well, Mystic Falls is a magic-free zone right now, because of the traveler spell. We'd die if we just do a step into Mystic Falls. Bonnie is trying to find a solution there, but we had to leave, so we'd be safe and not dead. That's why, we're gonna stay here till Bonnie finds something." Stefan answered. To be honest, I was kinda shocked about that.
"How long could that take?"
"Not sure." He thought loudly. "Maybe a few weeks or even months." Amazing. The whole time with Elena and Damon. Like I had nothing better to do. Okay, I actually really didn't.
"And here are the rules." Dad started with a smirk. I know how much he loved to be the King. "Whatever happens, Hope's safety goes first. Should something like an attack happen, the fastest person will bring her to the bunker which is in the cellar." He pointed on the west side of the house where the stairs to the cellar were. "If there's enough time, then get her out of the house. Second rule, don't annoy me. Just. Don't. Third rule, you're not allowed to go to the cellar on the east side or to my room. Fourth rule, do what I say or you're dead. Fifth rule, Hope's not allowed to go outside. If anyone sees her trying to escape, he or she has to tell me immediately. Last rule, if you follow those rules, your heads will stay where they are right now. I think the rules are clear. Any questions?"
"Why don't you just put me into a cage, so we don't have to do this unnecessary drama?" I said sarcastically and half glared at him.
"Sweetheart, that's just for your safety." Dad tried to use that excuse, but it didn't really work. Mum groaned and gave dad the 'Seriously?' look, the others just sighed and nodded, agreeing to the rules. Everyone, but Damon.
"These rules suck. Stef, can't I just sleep in a hotel?"
"No, we're staying here. Much safer." Stefan responded strict and Damon looked so done.
"Fine. I don't give a f- "
"No cursing." Elijah interrupted him and Damon seemed to need to destroy something, because he clenched his teeth of anger. Dad was amused by that and I could clearly see that Marcel and Rebekah wanted to leave as soon as possible. That dinner sucked.
At least it got a lot more peaceful now. Rebekah and Marcel were busy with talking about Davina, there seemed to be a problem. Stefan and Elena talked quietly, it looked like Stefan tried to convince Elena to be happy about their new 'home', but Elena was still not content. The problem was my dad, I was to 100% about that. Mum and Elijah might talk about their wedding anniversary or about my birthday, mum laughed happily and Elijah smiled brightly. And dad? He kissed Caroline and she giggled, then she talked about the day in the art gallery. Everyone was busy with the love of their lives. And then, there were Damon and me. And the weird silence.
He poured himself a glass bourbon and I tried to find an interesting topic for a good conversation with him. It shouldn't be small talk, I sort of despised small talk and I was sure he did too. So I started to look trough the room, hoping to find an inspiration for a topic. And then I noticed something. One of the vampire guards that worked for dad took something out of his jacket, but really fast which is why I couldn't recognise it first. Everyone was busy, but Damon and me. And that's the reason, he noticed my shocked look when I recognised the thing that the guard had in his hand. A bomb. Damon followed with his eyes the direction of my look and also saw it now. Everything went so fast. Everyone was busy. It happened within a second, but it felt like an eternity for me. How fast everything could change within a second. I wanted to scream, to warn everyone, but it was too late.
The bomb exploded.
