Disclaimer: As I've said in the last three chapters, I don't own The Vampire Diaries.

Chapter Four - Secrets

As expected, I didn't wake up knowing what to do. If anything, I was more confused than before. While I knew Katherine would turn them against her better judgement and their will, I knew I couldn't keep an eye on them forever, or even for the rest of their natural lives. I jumped out of bed the minute I remembered I still had to talk to Katherine about the deer. I had been so caught up on history repeating itself that I had completely forgotten about our brand new possible problem. I shook my head at myself, wondering why I cared so much about that specific family. For all I knew, other, less protected households, could be the hypothetical danger's target. But then again, the deer had been on Veritas' woods. It could be either a warning or a badly made disposal. I had to look into it. Laughing at myself for repeating my thoughts, I got dressed and ran out of the house, just making sure that Katherine wasn't home before leaving.

I stopped once I realized I didn't have any idea as to what I was searching for. I needed to talk to my disappeared housemate, which I gathered should be my priority, as everything in my investigation depended on her answer. But I also had to make sure that the Salvatores were unharmed, which was a priority as well and so I decided to go to the main building, where I had a reasonable chance of finding either one of them.

Upon entering the house, I heard some strange noises coming from Giuseppe's meeting room. Whispers tainted with fear and anxiety, the kind that you expected to hear from someone who was plotting something against their enemy. I wanted to listen in more closely, but I knew the risk of getting caught wasn't worth it. I could get this information from another source. So I just shook my head and put on a smile, trying to look as laid-back and relaxed as I could. After all, they expected me to be here enjoying all the peace Mystic Falls had to offer, not investigating a possible danger and keeping my roommate from turning the two youngest Salvatores.

With a smile on my face and a happy shine on my eyes, I entered the meeting room. There were three other men inside, all leaning into a large table, eager to see something. I was curious, but I didn't get a glimpse at the object because the minute I was spotted they hid it, trying to make it look like they were just four friends having a nice conversation in a morning like any other. I put on a smile again, masking my slight suspicion behind a cheerful facade. Giuseppe hurried to greet me, his features softening and his lips curving up.

- My dear girl! I thought we had planned dinner together yesterday! - He exclaimed, not looking angry, just pleased to see me.

- I'm sorry, I forgot! My sister and I got into an argument and… you know how it is. - I sighed. I wasn't lying, but I wasn't telling the whole truth either

- Oh, of course, of course. We all have our rough patches, I'm sure it'll pass. Now, this is Mr. Gilbert - He said, pointing to a slender man in the farthest corner of the room. He had one hand behind his back and the other one was hanging to his side holding a book - Mr. Lockwood - He pointed the one at the head of the table, who was standing up and taking the wrinkles off his expensive clothes - and Mr. Forbes - The man was leaning close to the doorway, eager to leave the tension-filled room. I could understand him, as I wasn't very happy to be there either.

- If you excuse us, Miss… - Started Mr. Lockwood, trailing off once he realized he didn't know my name.

- Pierce, sir. And yes, I was just leaving. - I told him, smiling my third fake smile of the day.

I couldn't say I wasn't glad to exit the room. Its air was thick with worry and apprehension, all covered up by a false happiness reserved only for those who weren't supposed to know that something was going on. I leaned against the corridor's wall in exasperation. The meeting they were having wasn't about the civil war, the most common cause for fear in the United States. Mystic Falls wasn't so involved in it, as it was just a small town which posed no threat to anyone. No, they were talking about an immediate danger and I intended to find out what was it.

Standing up straight with newfound determination, I decided to go to the kitchen to see if maybe Stefan and Damon were having breakfast. As I climbed down the stairs I heard the whispers start again in the meeting room. I sighed, wondering who else would know about this meeting so that I could compel them to tell me. Though usually it would bother me, I allowed my steps to be resonate in the empty corridor, showing the men that they could safety continue to discuss their secret agenda. As I arrived at the ground floor, I dimmed all my senses, leaving only my hearing at peak capacity. I smiled as my hopes were confirmed. The Salvatore brothers were happily eating in the kitchen, oblivious to the meeting occurring right above their heads.

It would have been foolish of me to just leave once I believed Stefan and Damon to be safe, so I calmed my crazed thoughts and entered the kitchen. They were laughing and chatting, enjoying each other's company more than I had imagined they would. It seemed like they hadn't talked in quite a while and I almost felt bad about breaking up their conversation, but I knew that it was impossible to be sure that they were safe without actually interacting with them, so I walked in and pulled myself a chair.

- Hey, Julia! I believe you have met Stefan. - Damon greeted me, nodding his head toward his younger brother.

- Stefan- I repeated, smiling in his direction - So, what shall we do today?

- Well - Started Stefan, fiddling with his fingers - I already promised Katherine I would keep her company today. I'm sure my brother will be able to entertain you, though.

- As am I. - I replied, just as politely.

- So, if you'll excuse me. - Stefan asked, getting up from his seat with a smile I couldn't recognize.

The youngest Salvatore bolted out the door, his lips so stretched up I was surprised to see that they didn't reach his eyes. I stared at the door for sometime, my mind working, trying to decide whether he was compelled into enjoying Katherine's company. It was something she used to do a lot when we were traveling together. But Stefan's smile was making me doubt the nature of his desire. Maybe he really did like spending time with her. I wasn't sure.

- Okay, so what are we going to do today? - Damon asked, bringing me back to the real world.

- I was thinking about having a tour of the forest, as we weren't able to complete ours yesterday. I just need to sort something out with Katherine.- Damon opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off- I know I told you the same thing last night, but I will be back, I swear. - And with those words, I was gone.

I wouldn't be able to relax until I had that sorted out. So I ran across the garden, following Stefan's smell, which I knew was going to lead me straight to Katherine. I wanted to talk to her when she was in a better mood, and I was sure that it was now, while she had her newest pet human around. I was curious as to whether he knew what his alleged friend had in mind for him. Turning someone was extremely easy, but if it wasn't carefully planned it could have disastrous consequences. The person had to be ready and know what to expect, otherwise the whole experience could be overwhelming and the newborn could turn against their creator.

I was still thinking about how to approach Katherine when I heard her laughter, followed closely by Stefan's. I smiled, glad that my prediction had turned out to be true. I didn't want to have a fight, neither a shouting match nor a physical conflict, out in the open. There was no telling who may have been watching us.

- What brings you to this end of the woods? - Katherine asked me, her smile becoming bigger.

- I just wanted to see my favorite sister. - I knew she wasn't all that happy to see me, but I also knew she wasn't as angry I had imagined she would be. I turned to Stefan and smiled pleasantly - Would you mind if I borrowed her for a second?

- Go ahead - He replied, his eyes never leaving hers.

I took my roommate's hand and dragged her out of human earshot, eager to ask her the question that had been bothering me since the day before. Though she didn't offer any resistance, I could tell that she was annoyed by my interruption.

- Is this about my plans of turning Stefan? Because if it is, know that I'm still going to wait for a while. Humans are quite entertaining. - Katherine informed me, her eyes shining at the thought of the entertainment humans provided. - They are so innocent, so oblivious...

- No, it isn't. It's about a deer I found dead in the forest. Was that you Katherine? Did you dispose of a deer in a clearing? - I asked her, the questions coming out of my mouth faster than I had expected.