Chapter four : Play with fire

When I woke up that morning, I did not feel the same degree of pain anymore. It was as if talking with Stefan had done a lot. All these bottled emotions had hurt my body and now I felt a little better.

I was no longer so freaked out of the Vampire thing since I got the answers to my questions and had even the slightest protection. I had opted for vervein in a jewel. When my mother died, I inherited a ring with a white stone and had kept it carefully hidden ever since. I was unable to reach it but I thought maybe it was time to do me violence.

As I thought about it, my phone buzzed from my bedside table and I frowned as I rolled to the side to reach it. I unlocked it and could not prevent the spreading smile when reading the message.

Felix: Hey, bitch! I knew you were the type to spend the night without calling back the next day.

Me: Ah! You had unmasked me. Sorry, but I'm too good for you.

I hit my phone against my chin waiting for his answer, surprising me with a smile all the way through and the beep sounded in the silence of my room.

Felix: I'm working at the Grill, later. Come to support a fellow Gay?

Me: Sure, bitch!

I rested my phone on my bedside table and got out of bed towards my dresser. It was brand new to me this friendship, but I recognized to get a taste.

With the last few discoveries I had just made, I felt that my life was taking an important turn and I did not really know what to think about it. I thought getting a little stability would be a good place to start.

From the moment I was ready, I went down the stairs and could hear the TV running from the living room.

So, I went through the open crack and found that Jenna was watching the news.

After what Stefan told me, I was expecting new attacks, but it was just the opposite. I looked in disbelief as it seemed that the attack problem had been solved. A mountain lion had been shot earlier and I was totally speechless. I knew I should talk to Stefan about this later.

But for now, I headed for the kitchen to serve me a lunch worthy of the name. I used a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee and sat on the table in complete silence.

I knew Jenna had not even heard me, but I was used to going unnoticed. It was one of the advantages of being silent.
Just as Jenna screamed obscenities on the television screen, Elena entered the kitchen and gave me a smile as she passed.

"Morning, Mila." She greeted, turning to Jenna, expecting no answer from me at this point.

I was spooning in my mouth as Jenna continued her parade of swearing and barely paying attention to the conversation that followed.

My eyes fell on the ring posing on my right forefinger and a wave of sadness overwhelmed me. My mother had always worn this ring since

I remembered it and it was really a big step for me to reach in my turn.

Jenna got up from the sofa visibly irritated with something and put her eyes on a box that I had not even seen in the first place. I had to pay more attention to my environment. It did not look like me.

"What are you going to do with it?" Asked Jenna, curious, asking my silent question and I continued to enjoy my lunch, listening.

'' I went to pick them up yesterday, they were in the safe at the bank.'' Elena reported. '' Mum was to lend them to Mrs. Lockwood, she's going to exhibit various objects from the founders for the party.''

This immediately caught my attention.

Founders' Day I totally forgot about this part.

Now that I knew the truth behind the lie, I no longer saw things the same way. It probably had a purpose to serve their true cause and I wondered what was happening this time. I had to go to this party.

Jenna looked through the objects in the box and pulled out a familiar ring. I had not seen it in a long time.

"That was not the granny ring that one?" Jenna asked with a raised eyebrow, questioning Elena as she pointed to the ring.

"No, that of the great great-grandmother Marie at the beginning." Elena corrected just as my twin was coming in.

He wore his usual black outfit and leaned over to look in the box as well. He grabbed a pocket watch, probably from the 1800s, and turned it over and over as he examined it.

"Will it bring money back to these things? If we sold them like EBay."Asked Jeremy greedy and I rolled my eyes more jaded than anything else while Elena did not seem that way.

In fact, she seemed a lot angrier.

Well, she was mostly angry when it came to my twin.

I knew he was asking a question in the wind but what interested me most was why he had targeted the watch. He had drawn in the box without even looking at the other objects. It was obvious that he knew the watch and had some interest in it.

"Not even in your dream, ok?" Warned Elena as she took the watch from his hands with an indignant frown.

Jenna put her eyes on me as if she was waiting for me to react or something like that and I just shrugged in indifference before taking a bite out of my cereal.

"Hey, it's mom's ring." Elena came in recognizing as she grabbed my hand before I could close my mouth on my spoon. I frowned, annoyed with her interruption and released my hand. "You decided to put it on, then."

Well, duh!

Jeremy had glanced in our direction at this as he was heading to the refrigerator to see what to eat before closing it. "That's all the parents left us. It is out of the question to part with it.."

"Don't worry, we don't part with anything." Elena snapped, unnecessarily. "It's called lending Jeremy."

This family was just so exhausting. I mean, watching a simple breakfast turned into a little fight.

Just when I thought I could not get out of this clash, the doorbell rang and I immediately got up to go open, leaving both to their argument.

I walked to the door in a leisurely pace and simply opened to cheer at Stefan's sight.

"Just the person I wanted to see." I murmured, wanting to hide my secret and Stefan frowned, perplexed.

I pull his arm to bring him in with a faint smile before closing the door behind him and leading him to the stairwell.

''Why are we hiding? "Asked Stefan and I widened my eyes with my index finger to my lips in a sign of silence.

"Not so loud. They'll hear you."I murmured reprimand fully as I pointed towards the kitchen.

''And that's a bad thing?" He whispered back with a raised eyebrow, questioning.

'' For me? It is. For you? Not so much. "I answered in a tone of fact." Unless you want them to think you're talking alone. "

Stefan frowned, confused. "You didn't tell them you were going to talk again? ''

"Of course not, and you don't have to tell Elena, okay?" I defended, authoritarian." But that's not the point. Don't you have something to say to me? Like oh, I don't know. About a certain mountain lion being shot; return to calm at Mystic Falls. "

"It's Damon. He covers his tracks." Stefan replied with an alarmed expression.

'' Why do I feel that this is a bad thing? ''

"Because it is," Stefan decreed, looking over my shoulder."I'm still looking for a plan but you have to go to the party tomorrow. I will need your help. ''

'' Me? Why? But for-"

'' Stefan?" Hailed Elena staring at us, surprised." What's going on?"

She let out an incredulous little laugh and I looked at Stefan with wide eyes in panic.

I still had a mind full of ideas but now, I did not find a single false explanation that would cover our posture.

I decided to do what I did best in such a situation. To run away.

I went down the stairs and went back to the kitchen and left Stefan with Elena. It seemed that he had found a plausible explanation as they soon went upstairs.

"She just took him upstairs?" Jeremy asked Jenna in a tone of disbelief and I looked up at his dramatic expression.

"Apparently," Jenna replied with a small smile as she continued to pass through the box and I smiled. '' She smiles.''

I jumped at Jenna's playful exclamation and looked up to find the two, Jeremy and Jenna stared at me like they had never seen me smile and frowned.

Okay, I was not the most enthusiastic person but that was not a reason to make all this cinema for a smile. I mean, I had smiled more than I had counted in my last conversations with Stefan and Felix.

I rolled my eyes as I walked over to my empty bowl and cup and took them under the sink before storing them in the dishwasher.

It seems that during this time, Jeremy had left, and Jenna had returned to her notes. This left the object box at hand and I could not help but glanced at Jenna in apprehension before I stepped forward and sneak my amateur pickpocket into the box and take the watch before baking it in the back pocket of my jeans.

From the moment I felt the new weight, I was running almost outside the kitchen and climbed the stairs to Jeremy's room.

I returned to his room without bothering to hit and was not surprised to find him with a headset on his ears and his eyes on a screen. He was just like all boys of his age.

I walked towards him, pulling the watch from my pocket and gave him a last look before placing it in front of him, on his desk. That was enough to stop him in his game and I could see his surprised look landing on me in disbelief.
I just shrugged at his expression and was already making my way to the exit when I heard him move in his chair.

"Mila! Hold on! Hey," He said almost desperately, and I turned with a frown. "Thank you."

I smiled at him with a sincere smile and gave him a nod, which left him totally bewildered and left his room.

Jeremy and I had always had the twin connection and I had to admit that I sometimes missed it. He had always been the only one who was closest to a friend for me, all my life. We had this understanding even bothering to talk, well that was before everything in our lives became a bad TV show scenario.

I looked at my watch and thought I could go to the Grill now. I took my hooded black jacket and my homework to pass the time as Felix worked and came back down, turnkey.

I climbed into my SUV and put my bag on the passenger seat before plugging my iPod into my radio player and left the shuffle play. The air from Alphawezen-Rain began to fill the cabin as I made contact and left for the Grill.

Once on the parking lot, I took my bag, making sure to tidy up my iPod before going down and locked the doors behind me. I threw my bag over my shoulder and began to make my way to the bar with my hands in my jacket pockets.
I passed the entrance and immediately went in search of the brown and found him waiting one of the tables. He wore a printed, round-neck T-shirt revealing part of his chest and had it assembled with a navy blue long-sleeve vest. His jeans were tight as the last time with some chains that went from his belt to his pocket. Even though he was gay, I could certify that he was attractive.

I smiled at his sight and walked to one of the empty booths and sat down waiting for him to notice me. I was going out my trigonometry book since my biggest weakness was my headphones and my IPod.
It seems that Felix had not been slow to find me as he was already in front of me when I raised my head.

''Hello to you, too. '' I greeted him back before raising an eyebrow as he took my iPod from my hands and began to scroll through my playlist.

"So, there's Founders' Day tomorrow, and since I'm a Fell, I'm forced to crash the party." He said absently as he rolled his eyes to his involvement. "I thought that we can go together. "

''You're a Fell? '' I exclaimed, surprised.

"And you, a Gilbert. Don't we make a lovely couple? '' He retorted sarcastically, rolling his eyes again, making me laugh in silence.

That was exactly what I needed. Since Stefan would need me to trap Damon then he could count on me.

The psycho had denounced me, then tormented to finally try to kill me. I was not going to let him run the streets freely without reacting.

Plus, I would not feel safe in that he would still be around.

"Felix! These tables are not going to serve themselves. "Hailed a gruff voice and I turned my eyes to the bar to see what I supposed to be the boss of Felix who stared at us with a disapproving look.

'' Yes !Yes! No need to scream,"Grumbled Felix, resting my iPod as he rolled his eyes, annoyed and got up from his place." Here's one that didn't get its dose. "I smiled hilariously and wondered how he managed to act so freely. "Have fun."

I plugged in my headphones and started my music while I solved my equations, sometimes glancing at Felix.

He would eventually come back to see me and his boss who I knew now was called Robert and had relationship problems with his wife, would call him to order every time.


It was a good two hours since I was bent over my homework when a new presence made itself known by sitting in the seat in front of me.

I raised my head with a smile, thinking it was Felix before wide-eyed in panic and swallowing at the sight of Damon Salvatore, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

I decided to ignore him openly because he could not do much in public and turned my attention back to my book of trigon.

Only it was not counting the persistent pest it was as he leaned over the table and pulled off one of my earphones making me look at him with irritation.

'' Go away, Damon, '' I spat coldly, putting my earpiece back on and resting my eyes on my book just to let out an exasperated growl as he again pulled my earpiece away with that pretentious smile.''Get lost. ''

'' Is that how you thank me?" He asked, feigning a shocked look, and I sighed, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Why should I do that?"I broke, bored." If there is one thing I should do, it would be to want to plant a stake in your heart. "

I whispered the last part, but my tone was still cold and hard. At that, Damon smiled in a big, smug smile and that did not inspire me with anything good.

"So Saint Stefan let you go with your memories," Damon concluded with an arrogant smile spreading on his lips. "I bet he told you everything."

'' Do you want to talk about Katherine?" I take my pretentious tone as he shrinks his eyes on me." Yeah, he told me everything. I guess it sucks to have to share his girlfriend with his little brother. "

I did not know where I had left this, but I regretted it from the moment the words left my lips.

Damon had the gift of getting me out of my hinges with just a few words.

Fortunately for me, Felix chose this moment to make an appearance.

"Can I know what you're doing?" He asked, his tone sounding dramatically betrayed. Well, maybe it was a bad idea. "I leave you two seconds and now I find you flirting with the new hot piece of the town."

There was a long pause as I stiffened in embarrassment and could feel the red rising to the cheek as I went back and forth between Felix and Damon. The latter looked between confusion at the remark of Felix and enough to his compliment.

Then, Felix replaced his scowl with a big smile in the direction of Damon before turning to me.''You could introduce us. ''

With that, he sat beside me, pushing me with his buttocks to get more room and was now in front of Damon with a cajoling smile on his lips.

"And who is your little friend, Mila?" Damon asked with a dangerous smile giving me goose bumps.

"Felix. Felix Fell. "Felix stepped forward, holding out his hand for Damon to squeeze and the vampire took it without ever taking his eyes off me.

I knew I had to get Felix out. He was not under vervein and I had no confidence in Damon. Only, I was not the best to handle things in sweets and I did not see a way to ask him to leave without doing odious.

Finally, I turned to Felix and cleared my throat to get his attention. The brunette was barely looking at me as he was too busy eating his eyes the psychopath vampire with in front of him.

"Felix!" I called tense making smiles even more Damon as Felix broke a shine on me. "You should go back to work."
I sent him a flash as he held my gaze in a silent fight and I narrowed my eyes on him with irritation. I was trying to protect him, all he had to do was listen to me.

''Fine!'' He broke his tone up an octave in exasperation as he stood up, handled.'' You can keep him. Anyway, he's 100% straight, bitch. "

I watched his fleeing back shaking his head, incredulous that he had just said that and could feel the eyes of people staring at us before being reminded of reality by Damon's mocking voice, '' Lovely your friend. ''

'' If you ever dare ... '' I turned to him with a flash of cold stare and he raised his finger with a cynical smile

'' Ah! Ah! I'll stop you right now, your five threats are useless." Damon interrupted me, making me squint at him." Besides, I already have my cheerleader. "

'' What's your problem? "I questioned, stunned by his lightness over the whole thing.

''Hmm. I have a lot of problem. Most of the time, fraternal."He answered with an ironic smile. "But right now, I have an embarrassing witness and I don't know if I have to kill her or leave her alive."

The implication was clear in his voice and I stepped back in my seat staring at him with all the hate I could get out.

I could feel the growing fear along my veins, but I let out the hate instead. I did not understand how I managed to do that because, well, he was talking about my life but it was obvious that when it came to Damon my reactions were always unexpected.

'' Oh sorry! Do you expect me to beg you?" I said scornfully, and Damon's cool blue orbs lit up mischievously.

"It would be a good start." He agreed with a pretentious smile.

I laughed in disbelief and gathered my stuff on a whim before crossing the bar furiously. It was my first mistake. I realized this when I was now alone on the empty parking lot and could feel the fear in my chest.

I gathered the courage that remained to me and took a quick step towards my SUV.

I had almost reached my car and thought I was out of the way of harm when suddenly, I was caught by the throat and found myself violently push against my door driver.

I let out a strangled groan as my back hit the sheet and widened my eyes to meet Damon's bluish orbs.

My first instinct was to scratch his hands to get out of his grip, but I knew that was what he was waiting for me. The satisfaction he felt when his victims struggled. I remained totally stoic. Only my still jerky breaths of the first shock were heard and I plunged my eyes into hers. The cerulean blue met the brown, hazel and tacit silence passed between us.

"Are you planning to kill me or what?" I spit, between two breaths since he still had a tight hand around my throat.

Damon tightened his hand to that, causing me to pant for the air and leaned dangerously on me, like a predator on his prey and I widened my eyes when he lowered his head to my neck. There it was, like in my dream. He was going to tear my trachea like he had done with Tanner.

Or not.

He inhaled deeply, making me shudder exactly as in my nightmares and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. It was worse than anything. He was playing with me and I did not know if he was going to kill me or to leave me alive. It was a game for him. He raised his head with a carnivorous smile and I swallowed in fear.

"I'm not going to kill you," he said softly, his warm breath on my lips. "Yet."

And like that, he was gone. I fell to the ground coughing heavily to catch the air and rubbed my aching neck with wide eyes in a state of shock.


The pop music was playing in the background while I was lying on Felix's bed with my eyes fixed on his ceiling.

I could still feel my blood pounding where Damon's fingers had pressed, and I had to hide strangulation marks with a scarf. I had never been so upset and frightened at the same time. After my return, I called Stefan to tell him what had happened and almost begged him to eradicate his brother from the face of the earth before he did it for me.

I was so in my plausible death thoughts that I had to take a while before recognizing the fingers slamming right in front of my eyes.

'' It's not too early!" Exclaimed Felix with a roll of eyes, annoyed."You know, maybe you should stop this loss of consciousness, people might think you're weird."

I narrowed my eyes at him with his sarcastic humor and shook my head as he shrugged and went to his mirror full foot and contemplated himself with a designer shirt in front of him.

"You aware that this is a party, right?" He asked, glancing over his shoulder, scanning my casual outfit for the second time. I sent him a bored glare, making him sigh. "Just to check. ''

It was not because I was going to the party that I was going to change something.

First, I hated dresses. They were uncomfortable and most importantly, inadequate in a race to escape death and given the recent events, I thought I had to take this into account. Then, I had always had a deep contempt for these parties. So I opted for dark blue skinny jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt with red and black floral prints. My faithful boots with laced feet and my black leather jacket. A casual look and adapted in case of race against death.

'' What do you think about it?" Questioned Felix, turning with the shirt exposed against his trunk.

Honestly, purple was not really its color and it made him a lot paler than he already was. I was shaking my head with a grimace at odds.

Felix let out a tired sigh and threw the shirt to my side before dropping, belly face against the mattress, making me slightly bounce in the process.

'' Remember me why we became friends? You're of no use,"He grumbled in his blankets and I stared at his skull with a deadly glow." Stop looking at me like that and find me a gay outfit. "

I rolled my eyes to his dramatic side but got up all the same and made my way to his wardrobe. I stared at the amount, thinking that even Caroline Forbes probably did not have as much clothing and squinted at Felix with disbelief before shaking my head. It was all him. I went through his shirt door, analyzing each turn and heard the brewing of the covers.

"So are you going to tell me what happened between you and the piece of sex?" Questioned Felix, lust and curiosity clear in his tone and I stiffened immediately to the mention of Damon.

'' Stay away from him, Felix. He's bad news. "I snapped back with a look between panic and authority.

Only, Felix being Felix, "Hum, bad boy then," He said with a smirk. "In your opinion, he's like Christian Gray? ''

I frowned as I continued to pass through the clothes rails. I should have known that Felix would not abandoned so easily, but I also knew that I could not continue to forbid him to approach him. He would probably do the opposite. It was not him but the human kind. From the moment there was something forbidden, they were tempted to transgress. I had observed enough people to know that it worked like this.

"I'm serious, Felix." I just said pulling a shirt to look at it more closely before frowning again, "And who the hell is Christian ... thing?"

There was a gasp and then a shocked cry making me turn around just to look perplexed at the position of Felix.

'' Fifty shades of Gray's, bitch. Why does not it surprise me that you're not reading it." He retorted, getting up and tearing the shirt off my hands to analyze it himself.

"The book of sadomasochism?" I concluded with a raised, incredulous eyebrow.

I had heard Caroline and Elena talk about this damn book for a whole evening and let me tell you that it just looked completely silly.

Honestly, who would like to be beaten and subjected to other ill treatment.

"Hey! This book gave me more orgasm than my last booty call. "He replied, sending me a disapproving glare pointing at me." And don't get me started on Jamie Dornan. ''

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic comment and sat down on the edge of his bed while he changed openly in front of me. Not that it bothered me, but I had never seen a man naked before him except those on TV and I could not help but feel the red on my cheek. I quickly looked away with embarrassment and decided to continue the conversation to entertain myself because he was changing right before my eyes.

'' Yes. Because being hit is totally orgasmic."I said sarcastically as I rolled my eyes.

I had been on the verge of death twice already and I could assure you that it was not a feeling of ecstasy. Adrenaline, maybe, but it was by no means a feeling of pleasure or desire whatsoever.

"One, you didn't read the book. Two, everything is a matter of control and power. "Explained Felix, turning to me." What do I look like? ''

Once Felix was finally ready and that was a task that took us two hours longer, I headed straight for the Salvatore boarding house. Felix was not very happy either. And I knew that Stefan would be in the same mood when he realized that I had taken him with me, but I could not do otherwise. I was not happier to mix him with all that, but he was my friend and my date at it. Of course, I did not intend to tell him that vampires exist and all the secrets. I did not think he could handle it or at least not now.

So, here I am, park in front of the house where rather the red brick mini-manor with wide eyes in amazement. I had never been to this remote corner of the forest until now and when Stefan was talking about a boarding house it was not what I had imagined.

Felix who was equally astonished as he turned to me with attitude." It's their house? "

"Obviously," I replied, still amazed by the sight before quickly unbuckling my belt and turning to Felix, "I wouldn't be long. Stay here.''

''Wh-What ... Whoa! Whoa! Wait! "Felix held me by the arm as I was already going down through my open door.

I looked at him over my shoulder with boredom knowing that I really did not have time for that and started to regret having taken him away.

"Leave that look, Mila," Warned Felix, irritated. "You're just going to leave me here. In the heart of the forest? It's just the screenplay of all horror movies. "

I rolled my eyes to that and tried to handle the situation as cordially as possible."First, we're not in the middle of the forest but in front of the house. Then, if something scares you... "I leaned over him to reach my glove box and pulled out a spray of pepper spray. I bought it before going to Felix's house.

I knew it would not affect Damon, but I still had a hope that it would be a diversion.

At the sight of the spray, Felix widened his eyes, shocked before placing them on me making me roll my eyes again. I took his hand that held my arm and opened it before putting the spray in his hand and going out towards the house. The more I walked, the more I could feel the growing fear in the pit of my stomach. I pulled the edges of my jacket over me in a slight shudder and filled the rest of the space between me and the door. I hit the carillon and glanced over my shoulder at the car to find Felix watching me with a scowl. I shook my head as I turned around and jumped a meter at the sight of a smiling, hilarious Stefan.

"Quit that smile, Salvatore," I said, pointing at him as I still held my panting chest.

"Sorry," He apologized sheepishly, still wearing that damned smile, and I could not believe a single word.

Fucked Vampires.

He glanced back probably to see Felix's presence and put his questioning eyes on me.

"Long story," I replied, sweeping the situation with my hand and stepped in as he stepped aside to let me in.

I heard the door close on me, followed closely by Stefan's almost inaudible footsteps, but I was too much absorbed by the discovery of the board to pay attention to him. It was simply huge and old but still huge. I had the impression of entering an antique museum. There was a staircase on my left leading probably to an infinite number of rooms and I was looking straight ahead to discover a huge open living room.

I was aware of my mouth gaping as I took everything in sight and turned to Stefan, bewildered and for the first time aware of his appearance. He wore a very elegant black suit that only made him look more distinguished and realized how incredibly beautiful he was. He was almost unreal.

"Nice suit. Very dashing. '' I complimented a little more in the open living room.

''Thank you. I guess that's your outfit for the party?" He said with an amused hint in his voice compelling me to turn to him.

"I don't like these party, nor the dresses for info," I replied casually as I shrugged. "Moreover, it seems that I have an annoying habit of finding myself in situations that require the race then ... think it would be better to opt for a suitable outfit. "

"I promise you that Damon will not hurt you anymore." Stefan immediately came to my remark with a sincere expression of excuse and I swept his consideration with one hand.

"No offense to you. I'll be sure of that when we've neutralized it."I snorted wearily before looking at him more seriously, crossing my arms over my chest." That's why I'm here. So, what's the plan? ''

Stefan gauged me for a moment in silence with his tight lips as he thought again the idea of getting me involved in all this before finally leaving a constrained expression on his face and reaching for his inner pocket of his jacket.

He took out a vial containing a yellowish liquid and handed it to me. "I already tried to drug his drink earlier. But tonight, I'll try again. "

''What makes you think he will not be on his guard?" I asked, skeptical frowning on the vial in my hands.

It was very plausible. After all, he had already alerted him of his intentions and Damon was much smarter than that to let himself be. If it did not work the first time, what would make it work a second time?

"He will not be." Assured Stefan, "He doesn't think I'll start again soon. Not after my failure. Only this time, I'm going to drug Caroline's glass. "

I put my eyes on him and frowned, biting my lip in thought. It was a plan left or double. We would have only one leeway and it was still risky. It was based only on the hope that Damon would be fool enough to feed on Caroline at the party and even though I thought he was unpredictable, I had a doubt about trapping him so easily.

'' What am I doing in all this?" I asked, resting my questioning eyes on him.

"I need you to take the flask with you and drug the Caroline's glass. "He said with a slight grimace of excuse and I stared at him in surprise.

"Seriously? '' I exclaimed, bewildered. '' You even know what you're asking me? And if, if I could not, huh? Or, then, he surprise me by doping her glass? "I was up to the minute watching the flask in panic. '' No! No! I'm not the right candidate for that. "

I handed the vial back to him, holding it as if it were a bomb that would explode from one minute to the next and shook my head madly in negation. It was too big a responsibility. The whole plan was resting on me and I was not doing very well in stressful situations.

"Mila! "Called Stefan pushing the vial back to me before taking me by the shoulders to make me look at him." That's the only way. I don't want him to hurt you, but you have to do it if you really want to stop him. "

I went back and forth between the vial and Stefan, knowing that he was right and pressed my lips in indecision. I had much more doubt about this plan than certainty, but Stefan was right. If I wanted to get rid of this sick vampire then I would have to abuse myself.

I stopped on the vial, contrite and let out a deep sigh of surrender before looking up at Stefan.

"I'm going to do it," I said impassively.

"Mila, I promise, nothing will happen to you," He assures, leaning over me with his forest orbs. Sincerity and clear concern in his tone.

"I trust you," I confided, looking away, surprised by my own revelation and cleared my throat to change the subject and especially avoid

Stefan's surprise expression at my statement. "So, you go with Elena. ''

Stefan stared at me a little again with my statement before pulling himself together and watching me with a raised eyebrow. '' And you go with this boy ... ''

"Felix.'' I continued as he did not seem to know his name and I nodded, wrinkling my lips, '' Yeah ... he's a Fell then ...''

'' He and you are... ''

'' Together? "I exclaimed, widening my eyes to the innuendo with continuing briskly." No! No! We're friends. Just friends. "I was looking at

Stefan slowly, embarrassed."If you really want to know, he's gay."

Stefan's eyes widened at this, surprised and rubbed his neck nervously as an awkward silence fell on us. I did not really understand why I felt so nervous in his presence. I trusted him, and I had just plotted a plan to drug his brother.
Moreover, I was in the confidence of his nature, so it should not make us so embarrassed. We could do the little chit chat. We had already done it. I frowned, annoyed by my own thoughts and broke my gaze on Stefan.

'' Okay! Cannot we do that? "I begged, raising my arms, bored and Stefan stared at me, confused."That embarrassed silence. We are friends so act as such. "

Stefan seemed to be considerably relaxing at this as he let out a chuckle. '' Friends, huh? ''

I took a double hold feeling the anxiety mounted as I might have said an error and Stefan's smile immediately fell into a grownup frown.

"We're friends, Mila," He assured himself with a confident little smile, and I was smiling at myself."You know it's probably our first conversation that does not specifically involve... ''

'' Vampires?" I finished for him with a smirk and nodded, grinning with a smile. "It's a first step in our friendship."

I gave him a playful wink, making him laugh silently.

Suddenly, he seemed to stiffen slightly before letting a confused expression settle on his features before resting his puzzled eyes on me."I think you should go there. Your friend is starting to ... become impatient. "

He widened his eyes in shock and I suspected that he must have heard some of Felix's ravings and widened my eyes wide in turn.

'' You can hear him?" I was in disbelief and Stefan turned to me with an arrogant smile.

"I can," He confirmed before frowning and placing his eyes in shock on me, "I think he's planning to kill you with a pepper spray."

I let out a small laugh, amused by Felix's ravings as always and passed Stefan. "In that case, I should go. See you later, Stef. ''

I was making my way back to the car and would smile sheepishly when Felix glared at me.


The trip was made up of death threats and any other question to know what all this was hiding but my thoughts were more centered on the vial that weighed in my pocket. I felt like I had a dead weight on me and I could feel it with every movement. I knew that I had to do it for myself but also for the whole city. Damon was a danger and I doubted he would stop anytime soon. He needed to be neutralized.

Finally, I parked in the parking lot of the huge Lockwood residence and shut down the engine before watching the line leading to the party with apprehension. My hand flicked unconsciously in my pocket and I could feel the shape of the tube under the leather material.

'' Okay! What's the all-serious expression and the scary silence?" Felix exploded, sounding more panicked than anything else, and I turned my gaze away from him.

'' What are you talking about. I'm fine, "I mutter innocently, narrowing his eyes at me suspiciously.

"You never say I'm fine," Supported Felix, crossing his arms over his chest, and I feigned a confused look, making him sigh in defeat."Should I be worried? ''

'' What?" I asked, widening my eyes before swallowing." No! No! Everything is fine.''

I hurried out of the car without waiting for an answer and started walking for the queue. I could hear Felix's quick steps catching me and I swallowed again in apprehension. It was definitive, I was not made for high stress situations.

We walked quickly to the entrance where Carol Lockwood and her husband, the mayor welcomed all the guests. As I had foreseen, the look of judgment at my outfit was very clear on Carol's face but it was nothing compared to the glare she sent to Felix. I could feel the anger mounted to it and wanted more than anything to make her swallow her eyes but reminded me that they all thought that I did not speak.

"Felix ... Mila." Carol welcomed coldly, and I pressed my lips with all the control I could handle.

''Come in, you two. '' We escorted Mayor Lockwood and I was going to continue my way, but Felix, who was still holding my arm, stopped in front of Carol Lockwood with that false smile frowning at me, perplexed.

"Mrs. Lockwood." Hailed Félix, scanning her from head to toe." This dress is lovely. It would almost give you air ... um ... young. "

I could not help but smile to Carol's shocked expression as Felix pulled me into the party and I turned to him.

"It was great," I murmured in admiration and adoration at that moment.

"Carol and I have a long history," He said with a nostalgic smile before leaning over me. "I came out to one of her dinner parties."

I widened my eyes, bewildered by this revelation and could not help but find this guy awesome. He was just so confident and acted as he pleased. He did not care what people could think of and made me laugh.
Felix leads us to the bar when the News guy pops up in front of us with that fake camera smile. He had that boring dick aura and on the other hand, Felix's annoyed expression, I doubted he liked him very much.

"Felix. My nephew. "Hail the news guy with a falsely cheerful tone and turned to me with a bigger smile." Oh! If it's not Mila Gilbert. I am Logan Fell. Uncle Felix but you must know, your aunt had to talk to you about me. "

I raised an eyebrow at that and turned to Felix, my expression shared between uncertainty and total boredom.

"It was a pleasure to see you. As always."Cut short Felix hardly looking at Logan as he pulled me with him, away from the bar and his uncle.

We had spent most of the evening avoiding all the guests and Felix had found it a real pleasure to criticize each of them with all possible hatred. It seems like I was not the only one to have been harshly judged by the city and wondered how it was that we did not find each other before. I mean, we were both, two kinds of outcast and had a facility to support each other. Which given my almost regular silence could be embarrassing. He never pushed me to speak more than I wanted and accepted my facial reactions where gestures to most of his questions. It was like this we had this tacit understanding that did not require unnecessary discussion.

I had spotted Stefan and Elena arrived a little earlier and went to the antiques room just like Damon who was shooting Caroline with a visibly bored expression. His simple sight was enough to remind me of the bottle in my pocket and I could hear my beating become somewhat irregular, my hands were moist, and I was almost certain to have broken a sweat. I hated feeling like that, but anyone would be so if their life had been threatened twice within four days by the same person. This new thought gave me a boost of courage and I sat up with a deep breath.

"Look, new hot piece of town with blonde Barbie." Recognized Felix sarcastic and I turned to him with a smile. "How predictable."

"Jealous much? " I teased with a big smirk and Felix narrowed his eyes on me before smiling in his turn.

"I don't know, you tell me. You were the one who had a little face to face with him." He taunted in his turn and I could feel the heat on my cheeks in spite of myself.

If he took it like that.

'' I'm not the one who has blatantly hit on him.'' I was retorting to get the last word and Felix scoffed.

'' Sweetheart. I would hit on all the cute guys in this town if I could."I grimaced at Damon's cute assemblage and shook his shoulders with a horrified expression. ''What? "

''Nothing." I said as I put my eyes on the couple and darkened my mood when Damon waved his hand in my direction. "It's just that Damon... and cute don't go together. Maniac, crazy, psychopath, maybe, but cute? Certainly not.''

I knew he could hear me since Stefan was able to hear Felix outside his own house, but his reaction was different from what I had hoped for. His smile widened considerably as he stared openly at me and made me a kind of reverence calling out Felix's confused look at me.

'' What was that?" Asked the dark-eyed boy, wide in shock and curiosity.

I shrugged innocently and grabbed a glass of champagne when one of the waiters passed by. It turned out that the short time I had been busy with Felix, was enough for Damon to expel his brother away with Caroline and ended up alone with my sister. I could see Stefan staring at his surroundings and doubting that I was the one he was waiting for. I looked at the cup that was in my hand and felt the weight of the vial again. I had to act intelligently and above all, quickly. In a fraction of a second, I took the jar out of my pocket and poured its contents into the glass of champagne and went back in search of Stefan. Now, I just had to find a way to get the cut to Stefan. Just then, I saw Damon and Elena come out of the hall and knew I had to hurry up.

One of the waiters passed right in front of us with a single glass of champagne and I knew it was the opportunity I needed. I quickly grabbed his arm, questioning him, and he frowned at me with irritation.

'' Can I help you?" He asked gruffly, staring at me from head to toe.

I restrained myself from rolling my eyes since I needed him and put the cup on the tray.

"Can you send those two glasses to the couples there? They're friends of mine, "I said with a fake smile, trying to act as open as possible even if he was literally typing me on the system.

'' These two? "He nodded, and I smiled falsely from one ear to another. I smiled so much that I thought I was going to be stuck like the smile of the joker.

'' Yes. Please."I added, thinking it would make the difference, but he narrowed his eyes at me in boredom.

'' Why not do it yourself?" He asked in a condescending tone.

I was about to give him a piece of my mind when Felix interposed between us and gave me a sharp look.

"You're bad at convincing," He said, shaking his head almost disappointingly at the waiter's confused look before turning back to him with a charming smile.

I watched as Felix whispered something in the waiter's ear and gaped in utter stupefaction as he immediately headed for Stefan and Caroline. Felix stood at my side and I gauged him in amazement before I remembered the cup.

The waiter made a sign to us when he was at a good distance and Stefan stared at me in a secret look.

"Right glass." I whispered in a whisper knowing that he could hear me and Felix broke his confused look on me.

''I don't know why it was important for you to have these glasses but I need an explanation. "Felix asked, narrowing his eyes to me, leaving me no way out.

I swallowed knowing that I could not tell him the truth and could feel panic rise. Did I already say how bad I was under stress? Yeah, well, I was bad. I did not know what to say to explain all this.

I grabbed Felix's arm hastily, escorting him to the lantern-lit garden knowing that he was probably going to make a scene and stood in front of him, rubbing my forehead in search of a plausible explanation.

"I can't tell you anything but ..." Felix sighed heavily, raising his hands in exasperation, stopping in my explanation. "Felix, listen to me, I need you to trust me."

Felix frowned at me as he debated internally, and I had never felt so frightened at losing someone. After the death of my parents, I had developed an unconditional fear of losing the people to whom I was holding and going through the whole pattern of grief and pain. I should have known that I would not end up attaching myself to Felix.

It was too good to last.

'' You know what? It doesn't matter. "

"Come on Felix. "

"I need a drink."

With that, he turned around without even glancing at me and made his way through Lockwood House, leaving me on my own. I let out a groan of exasperation and ran my hand through my almost auburn-brown hair in frustration and simply flipped back to take a step back in fear at the sight of Damon.

'' Surprise!" He exclaimed in a cheerful, exaggerated tone and raised his hands making me immediately turn around in irritation.

Even before I could take a step forward he had my elbow in a tight grip and made me turn around to meet with full force his chest dressed in a black shirt.

'' Let go of me!" I hissed furiously, pulling against him unnecessarily. '' I told you to let me go.''

"It's strange how you keep making requests that you know, will not happen," He mocked, arching his head to the side with an evil smile.

'' What do you want from me? "I growled furiously, trying to put as much distance between us as possible despite his grip.

If only, I had not doped the drink of Caroline, I would be much more exasperated but I knew he was going to make a misstep and I would finally be free of him and all his bullshit.

"Hum ... a lot of things," He replied, surprising me and staring at my stunned eyes as he widened his smirk. "But now, I want you to dance with me."

As soon as the words had left his lips, he dragged me onto the dance floor, in the sight of everyone and I was aware of the eyes on us.

He took my hand in his and placed his other on my fall of kidney sending me a thrill of disgust in all my body. I swallowed in embarrassment and followed his steps despite myself. I had never felt so upset. He took me like his bloody puppet he could walk where he wanted, when he wanted.

'' Why me?" I broke in a low whisper, looking up hating him.

"Collateral damage." He said casually, shrugging his shoulders, nonchalantly. "So, what's the story with the little gay waiter? I thought you didn't have a friend. "

I watched him, dazed, incredulous that he had even asked such a trivial question when he had just forced me to dance with him and called me a collateral damage.

He stared at me expectantly and I tried to examine him in search of his true intentions.

Suddenly, I was fully aware of our proximity. I could feel how cold his hands were against my skin and his icy blue eyes seemed to glow with the lantern reverberations. His jet-black hair was nonchalantly styled to match his unpredictable personality. Some features of Stefan could be found in his face, even tiny and I realized how hard it must be for Stefan to live with a brother like Damon. He had come to set up deceitful plans to protect me and the entire city from his maniacal brother.

"What can it do to you?" I blinked, looking over his shoulder and found Elena staring at us in fear and hatred.

"You have an attitude. I like that."He remarked with his mocking tone and I wanted more than anything to crush his arrogant smile." The casual look was supposed to act rebellious?''

"We call it nonconformist," I said irritably. "And I hate dresses or even this party to be honest then."

'' Why come in then?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, questioning and I noticed that we had stopped dancing.

I raised an eyebrow at my turn in uncertainty and disgust. "Are we having a conversation? ''

Only, he did not have time to answer me as Elena burst out, like a fury and threw Damon back into violence.

I took advantage of my new freedom and Elena's diversion to get out of Damon's clutches and went looking for Stefan. I found him quickly at the back of the house, standing in front of the fountain and rushed straight for him almost in a race.

'' Stefan!" I called, my tone betraying my panic and he immediately turned, alarmed.

"Mila! What's happening?"Asked Stefan, watching me from head to toe in an anxious act, once I was in front of him.

"I'm fine but Elena might not be," I swept quickly to center the subject. "She ..."

'' Excuse me, Stefan, I take everything I said.'' Elena rushes to my side, not even noticing me at first.'' You were right for Damon. ''
Stefan immediately put his worried look on me, alerting Elena of my presence, which was looking at me confused now. "What did he do again?"

"There are bites on Caroline's body, neck, scapula, deep marks and she has confused and completely confused thoughts." Elena enumerated shaking her head, panicked and disgusted not noticing at first the look that Stefan and I were exchanging.

"You don't seem surprised. "She slowly measured her eyes slowly on me." You, too, Mila."

I swallowed, feeling the panic take over and looked anxiously at Stefan. Whatever happened as a result of this conversation would be bad. Very bad even. I really did not know how Stefan could carry the weight of this secret every day. It was barely three days since I knew it and I felt like I was going to explode. I was not made to live under pressure.

"It's ..." Stefan started hesitantly, drawing Elena's attention to him. "It's a problem I'm going to fix."

"What are you going to settle?" Elena indignantly, her eyes widening, troubled. "Stefan is the prison he deserves."

Oh, if only it was that simple. I wish so much that prison is a first choice rather than knowing the true truth.

"No, Elena, please listen to me, I don't expect you to understand." Plaid Stefan at this point and I softened my gaze on him knowing that it was hard for him.

Once again, his brother had screwed everything up and I suspected that in 162 years it was not the first time. Only, it really seemed to reach him.

"Oh, that's right, I don't understand anything." Elena coldly agreed, narrowing her eyes at him in irritation. "But that sounds simple, though. Even Mila seems to know, and she doesn't speak. So, go ahead and explain me. "

Ok, so it was out of line for her.

I frowned, annoyed by this whole conversation and wondered how Stefan could handle all his shit without bursting. If I could talk, I would probably have told her everything I had on my heart at this point.

"Listen, there are things you don't know, things that I wish I could talk to you about but that's impossible for me and I may never be able to. And Mila has nothing to do with it all. "Admitted Stefan with the most heart-breaking look I had ever seen." I'm just asking you to trust me. "

Yeah, I knew first hand that this line was useless. Whether with Felix or worse, again with Elena. She would never stop poking her nose where it was not necessary until she was in the secret. It was just another feature I had to learn to bear.

"Trust is worth it." Moralized Elena while I am rolling my eyes."How do you want me to grant you it blindly?"

My gaze drifted on Stefan sympathetically to Elena's words, but he was soon replaced by a frown as Stefan seemed to look away. I followed his line of sight and found none other than Damon dragged Caroline against her will. The anger turned in my veins at sight and I narrowed my eyes on the duet.

"Excuse me, I'll have to leave you." Excused Stefan distractedly after giving me an alert look and darted after the couple.

I took a step forward to follow him but was restrained by Elena's hand on my arm. God, why should they all do that?

'' Where are you going? " She inquired curtly into her usual sisterly, cop, and frowning over my shoulder.

I raised my arm to free myself from her grip and headed back to Stefan and the duo before she could hold me back.

The more I went into the park and more, I could distinguish a set of voices. I had almost arrived at the familiar Lockwood Estate fountain when I felt a hand on my mouth making my eyes go wide in fear before a familiar voice was heard in my ear.

'' Shhh ! It's me."I relaxed in Stefan's embrace and he released his hand before training away from the branches of a tree.

I widened my eyes at the sight of Damon and Caroline and could feel my heart beating madly against my chest when Damon tilted his head back with his fangs coming out in the moonlight before wildly plunging his fangs into Caroline's neck.

Then, almost as fast as he had planted his fangs in his neck, he fell heavily to the ground, dragging Caroline's soft body into his fall and groaning in pain.

Stefan gave me a nod and I walked to his side to get the vampire back. I watched with satisfaction and relief as Stefan knelt at Damon's height.

"I knew I couldn't put some in your drink," Stefan said condescendingly as he looked up at me, also drawing Damon's attention. "Then I put in her."

The weak vampire with jet-black hair widened his eyes in surprise at my sight before narrowing them. "Little Gilbert. I should have known."

His words were barely audible as he croaked in pain and Stefan lifted him off the floor before throwing him like a vulgar bag on his shoulder.

"You can go home, Mila. I'm taking care of him. "Assured Stefan, reassuring but I could see the pain of his betrayal in his green orbs as well as the one that Elena had probably caused him.

"I'm going to take care of Caroline and I'll join you," I replied, leaving no room for discussion and he seemed to want to object but voices were not long in being heard.

I watched his retirement when Caroline's moan came back to me. I leaned over her figure and she soon opened her eyelids in a feeling of fear and total confusion.

"Hey! Hey! Slowly! "I was gently guiding her to get up and luckily for me, she was too shaken to notice my eloquence.

She seemed to be searching all around her and stooped to retrieve what I assumed was her bag, half of whose contents had been spilled on the floor during her fall.

I guided her to the party, taking care to watch over her sanity even if she was quite disoriented at the moment and was soon assaulted by an Elena, panicked.

'' Caroline! '' Hailed Elena, running to us. ''Finally, I find you, you know I've been looking for you everywhere." She babbled, giving me a weird look before turning to Caroline with concern, "Hey, how are you?"

Caroline's uncertain answer was almost robotized. "Yes, yes ... it's okay."

"But what happened to her?" Elena asked me, probably trusting me a lot more than Caroline now, and I just shrugged in complete silence.

"I'm fine." Caroline insisted in a shameless lie and Elena frowned at the blonde, incredulous.

"No, what happened to you? You're shaking like a leaf. "Elena noticed before taking charge of the blonde and hugging her," Come here, calm down. "

I watched awkwardly as Caroline began to cry in Elena's arms. She gave me a suspicious look over her friend's shoulder and I swallowed, looking away.

As much as Caroline's case was saddening, I had one of my friends to worry about. I left quickly without a glance at the duo and walked straight for my car. I quickly took out my phone knowing that it could be the end of my friendship with Felix and typed a quick SMS.

Me: Sorry, had an emergency! Can you find a return?

I was riding in my SUV from the moment I pressed send and buckled my belt before turning on the ignition. A familiar beep sounded in the cabin and I looked at my phone expectantly.

Felix: You'll see me again, bitch !

I smiled as I typed my answer and made my way to the Salvatore boarding house.

Me: Sure!


I had driven at an unreasonably fast speed and reached the board within fifteen minutes.

Once in the driveway, I shut off the engine and removed the keys, leaning with a sigh in my seat. This evening was crazy to say the least and I knew that once I set foot in this house it would continue. I could easily leave Stefan alone to manage his brother and Elena's anger but as I said, we were friends and that really meant something to me.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not see the figure in front of my door and jumped with a slight cry panic at the sight of a smiling, sheepish Stefan.

''You're crazy !"I cried, holding my heart for the second time today and frowned at him," You really need to stop this."

"Sorry," Stefan apologized sheepishly. '' I saw your car through the window and you didn't come in so ... ''

"Yeah, I was ..." I stopped not really knowing how to formulate my thoughts and I saw the understanding on Stefan's face. '' What if we went for a ride? ''

Stefan raised an eyebrow at that but accepted with a smile anyway.

I watched as he disappeared at an improbable speed and was now in the passenger seat, curled and smiling from one ear to another to my expression stunned. I shook my head as I turned on the engine and steered on the quiet roads of Mystic Falls.