Elena's eyes fly open as the floor boards creak just outside her bedroom door. Silently, she climbs out of bed, arms wrapped around her thin frame as if it will block out the cold and protect her from whatever it is that's making noises inside her house.
"Hello? Jeremy? Hello?" she whispers down the hallway, peeking her head around the frame of her bedroom door, clearly frightened of taking that one extra step out into the open. Shivering with fright Elena tries to turn on the light but unfortunately for her the power is out, leaving her stranded in the dark.
Suddenly the television snaps on, causing the already frightened girl to jump, spinning around to face the local news man who is now talking at her through the screen. "This is Logan Fell coming to you live from the streets of Mystic Falls with breaking news of another deadly animal attack. The wild animal terrorizing the citizens of Mystic Falls has claimed another victim, local high school student Elena Gilbert. Police are certain that forensic evidence will confirm that this is the same animal responsible for recent attacks."
"You know what happens next."
Confused and unable to process this information in her paralyzed mental state Elena quickly runs downstairs and throws open the front door. Upon seeing the dark, looming figure standing outside she slams it shut but it's too late, as she goes to walk back up the stairs the vampire attacks, biting into her neck.
Stefan jolts awake, "Ah!"
"Bad dream?" I question from the corner, holding Elizabeth in front of me. "Do you know how easy it was to get into your head just now? You really need some human blood. It might even the playing field."
Stefan snarls at me, clearly not in the mood for jokes.
"Football reference," I add on just in case he didn't understand. "Too soon?"
Stefan picks up a knife he keeps beside his bed and aims it at Elizabeth and me. Quickly I push her out of the way, taking the weapon straight to the stomach. The veins under Elizabeth's eyes begin to bubble up to the surface, a growl ripping through her throat. With one hand I hold her back from attacking Stefan while I pull the knife out with the other. My brother has never been much of a morning person. I guess some things just don't change.
"All right, I deserved that. But I just wanted to let you know, they caught the culprit. The animal responsible for killing coach Tanner and all those people," I explain hoping this will brighten my little brother's mood.
"What are you talking about?"
Elizabeth yawns, as if the whole thing is boring her, "It was a mountain lion. Really big one. It attacked a hunter this morning. It's all over the news. 'Deadly beast captured. All's well in Mystic Falls."
"Why would you two cover your tracks?" Stefan says, eyebrows scrunched together in a look of confusion.
"We've decided to stay a while," I explain. "And I'm having way too much fun here with you and Elizabeth and Caroline and Elena."
"Can't touch her now," Stefan answers, getting up out of his bed.
"Well, vervain keeps me out of her head. Maybe that's not my target. Believe it or not, Stefan, some girls don't need my persuasion. Some girls just can't resist my good looks, my style and my charm and my unflinching ability to listen to Taylor Swift," I say, holding Elizabeth a little tighter as she nuzzles her head against my chest. God she's a miracle.
Calmly, I let Elizabeth go; taking the knife I've been holding onto and drive it into Stefan's stomach. He gasps, holding onto the handle sticking out of his front as he crumples up on the ground. His animal only diet is beginning to kill him. Blows like that shouldn't faze a vampire.
"This is John Varvatos," I say, pointing towards my not ruined shirt. "Dick move."
Elizabeth and I move down into the kitchen flipping on the television as Zach moves around making himself breakfast. He's slowly becoming a nuance, always lurking around, constantly in our business. He needs to learn his place.
"I can confirm that a 12- Foot puma mountain lion attacked a hunter and was subsequently shot and killed. The hunter is in stable condition," the sheriff says.
Zach looks over at Elizabeth and I, his eyes wide, "You covered things up."
"Duh," Elizabeth answers getting into his face. Of all the vampires that he's ever met, Elizabeth scares Zach the most.
"I don't understand. Uncle Stefan said you were just passing through."
I have to laugh at this. He's so gullible. He'll believe anything "Uncle Stefan" says. It's absolutely pathetic. I can't wrap my head around just how ridiculously stupid Zach is as a person. He gives the human kind a really awful name. Of course Elizabeth and I wouldn't just be passing through. That's not really our thing.
Zach, a look of outrage on his face, stomps out of the kitchen.
"I think I'm going to ask Jeremy to the founder's day ball," Elizabeth announces, looking through the refrigerator.
"I guess I'll invite Caroline," I respond, confused as to why Elizabeth and I wouldn't just got together. Then again I know she always has a plan and a purpose behind everything. Maybe it's to show Stefan that I'm not the only enemy that has infiltrated the Gilbert household.
"Sounds just fine to me," Elizabeth says. "I guess I should probably go look for a dress."
I nod as the brunette walking out of the kitchen. After a few minutes of spinning a glass around in my hands I decide it would probably be best to pay Caroline a visit.
"No yellow. Jaundice. Go for the blue," I instruct Caroline who is standing in front of her mirror wearing this awful, long, flowing yellow dress, Yellow is not a flattering color on anyone. I lay across her bed flipping through a large black book about a vampire, a werewolf, and a human girl. It's a mundane read but it gives me something to do.
"I don't like the blue," Caroline answers, being her usual stubborn self.
"Well, I do. And if I'm going to be your date –"
Caroline cuts me off mid-sentence, "You cannot be my date. My mom is going to be there, and she is a very proud gun owner."
I frown. If I don't take Caroline I go alone or I don't go at all. Neither one of those are a suitable option. I need to be there to keep an eye on Jeremy as well as to annoy the shit out of my brother.
"I went through a lot of trouble to make sure this party wasn't cancelled. It's very important I be there. Please take me."
"You should come to the founder's party with me," Caroline responds cheerfully
"Not if you're wearing that dress," I answer, nodding at the one she still has on. "What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so whipped."
Caroline laughs, pulling on another dress from her closet, "You gotta read the first book first. It won't make sense if you don't."
"Ah, I miss Anne Rice. She was on it."
"I like Edwards best," Caroline answers still under the impression we're talking about this book.
"Well that's a good thing. If you liked the werewolf we'd have some issues."
Caroline laughs, "How come you don't sparkle?"
"Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun."
Blondie does not look pleased with my response, "Yeah, but you go in the sun."
It's going to be one of those days. I should've compelled Caroline not to talk when it was just the two of us. "I have a ring. It protects me. Long story."
"Will these bites turn me into a vampire?" Caroline questions, gently touching the mark that is on her back.
"It's more complicated than that." I answer, closing the book. "You'd have to feed on my blood, then die, and then feed on a human's, it's a whole ordeal. This book –" I nudge the Twilight book with the tip of my shoe " – by the way, has it all wrong."
Reaching up I pull Caroline down onto the bed, rolling her over so that I am on top. She giggles as I gently lay kisses from her lips down to her neck and back up, pulling away in order to gently stroke her face.
Tonight I'm going to try my best to put up with her questions and be as nice to her as possible. I think right now it's what she needs. She's just curious, all this is very new to her and I'm sure it's hard to process. Elizabeth is probably going through the same thing with Jeremy.
"You can be very sweet when you want to be," Caroline mumbles.
"Yes, I can be sweet."
Caroline signs, "Are you going to kill me?"
This girl is much smarter than I originally pegged her for. She's figured out my plan of action rather quickly though I have to admit it shouldn't have been very hard to deduce. I'm a vampire, I eat humans. Simple logic would have worked.
"Mm-hmm, but not yet," I answer back softly, still running my fingers over her soft skin.
"Why not," she questions innocently.
"Because there's something I need you to do for me," I respond.
"Anything," Caroline answers, her voice suggesting that she's willing to do any type of dirty work as long as it means prolonging her life. They're all the same that way, so eager to help as if that will keep them alive longer or make me change my mind. It never works.
"How good are you at getting that little nose of yours where it doesn't belong?" I ask, quickly touching her nose.
Caroline smiles, "Oh, I'm excellent."
"Mmm," I mumble, heading towards the door. "I'll pick you up later, wear that dress."
Returning home I head to the parlor, hoping to find one of Stefan's diaries lying about so that I can finish reading his riveting description of Elena, Elizabeth and myself. I find it funny that he needs to write everything down as if he's actually going to forget something. Then again if he continues on this diet of animal blood he just might. Instead of finding diaries, I find Stefan's school work lying out on the coffee table. It all seems silly and like a big waste of time. He's spent half his life relearning things he's lived through.
A stair creaks as someone enters the room, "I didn't know you were here."
Lifting my eyes from the page I see Zach. He's being his usual nosy self, something I'm not in the mood for today. He better watch what he says. "Just going through Stefan's homework. Boy, this country sure has dumbed down in the last hundred years. Why he wants to go to high school is beyond me. I mean, in the seventies, he went Ivy League. Harvard, I understood. Actually, no, I didn't get that either."
Zach stands there and listens to me go on about school, the whole time shifting his weight from foot to foot. He obviously has something that he wants to ask me.
"Go ahead, purge. Get it out. What's on your mind?"
"Why are you here, Damon? Why did you bring Elizabeth back here?"
I close Stefan's school work and place it on the floor, laying my head back against the arm of the couch, "To spend time with you, Zach, family's important."
"I know you both. You always have a motive. So tell me, what is it this time?"
I move over to Zach and grab him by the throat. He's done a lovely job of pissing me off and he's about to pay drastically for it.
"You are in no position to question me or Elizabeth."
"I didn't mean to upset you," Zach murmurs, his eyes downcast.
"This is not upset Zach," I answer before Stefan walks into the room. Leave it to my brother to ruin all the fun.
"What's going on?"
Sighing, I release Zach, letting him fall back to the ground, "Having a family moment Stefan, spending some quality time."
"Elizabeth's home," Stefan says, eyeing Zach who has now stood up, his fingers massaging his neck. "She wants you to go look at her dress."
Nodding I leave Stefan and Zach behind, walking down the shadowed hallway towards the small bedroom Elizabeth has taken over though most nights she ends up in my room or we fall asleep in the parlor.
"Stefan said you wanted to see me," I announce walking in on Elizabeth who is struggling slightly to get the back of her ruby red dress zipped up.
"Yeah, can you zip this?"
Walking over I take the tiny zipper pull and tug it upwards, letting my fingers trail over the creamy skin of Elizabeth's back. Her breath hitches but she remains with her back to me, not even turning her head. After the dress is zipped I step away allowing Elizabeth to turn to face me.
The red dress hugs her breasts, flowing out as it reaches her hips, the bottom, which reaches her knees, moving like water blown by wind. Elizabeth looks amazing and I'm quite upset that she will not be my date for tonight.
The beautiful vampire in front of my giggles as I stare at her in awe, "What do you think?"
"You look amazing. I definitely won't be able to compete for best dressed with you there," I answer trying to play it cool even though I know she already knows how struck I am by her.
"There's no harm in trying," Elizabeth answers before moving past me towards the bathroom to fix her hair or something else that girls do to in order to get ready for these kinds of things.
Sighing I walk back down the hallway to my room, pulling the tux out of my wardrobe, laying it down across the bed. Slowly I pull off my pants and shirt. Sliding on the tuxedo pants I look at myself in the mirror. I actually don't mind this vampire thing. Being this good looking for the rest of my life won't be a problem at all. I have the girl, can get any girl I could need and I'm the envy of most mortal guys. My life is pretty much perfect.
I walk down the hallway to Stefan's room where he is also getting dressed stopping in front of the mirror. He frowns at me, rolling his eyes as he unties his shoe.
"Do they still wear ties at this thing?" I question.
"Why are you even going?"
"It's only fitting. We were at the very first one, remember? Besides I wanna be there to make sure Jeremy keeps his hands to himself."
"I think it's better if we don't draw attention to ourselves."
I sigh, holding up various ties in front of my bare chest, "So you should stay here. I'll see to it Elena has a good time."
I notice Stefan take a drink from a glass set on the table beside him as well as the decanter he must've brought up with him. Its scotch, something he's never drunken before. Stefan has always been a whiskey man. Something is definitely up. "My goodness, I've driven you to drink."
My brother shrugs as if it doesn't really bother him. His trying to pull of Elizabeth's bored face is quite pathetic and I have to hold back a laugh. "Can't seem to rid myself of you. What else and I supposed to do, besides go about living my life?"
"Go about living my life," I respond back finishing up getting dressed. "See, therein lies your eternal struggle. You're dead, dude. Get over it."
Stefan looks agitated.
"What do you think?" I question, turning so that I'm fully facing him.
My little brother rolls his eyes. He's never liked it that I try to change the subject while he's trying to have important conversations. I just feel like they're a waste of time. He's lived with me long enough to know that I'm not going to change my ways based off of the exchange of a few words.
"It's cool not growing old," I continue as I fix the collar of a black button up shirt I'd put on, "I like being the eternal stud."
"Yes, being a 150-year-old teenager has been the height of my happiness," Stefan answers sarcastically.
"You cracked a funny, Stefan. I should have a drink to celebrate." I answer moving over to the table. Before I pour my drink I pick up Stefan's picture of Katherine. "1864. You and Katherine were the perfect couple. It was hell watching you dance with her."
"My happiness was short-lived as you well know," Stefan answers blankly.
"I remember. I left the party early. I was waiting for her or her sister…whichever. The night you dropped her off, I was waiting just inside. You were such a gentleman, gave her a kiss on the cheek. And what she really wanted was…" I trail off, shrugging. "Oh well. Here's to history repeating itself, huh?"
Taking the bottle Stefan had brought up I pour myself some scotch into Stefan's empty glass. I go to take a sip but just as I put the glass to my lips I inhale, the rich smell of vervain filling my nostrils. I can't believe this. My own brother, my flesh and blood, is trying to poison me. Smiling cruelly, I dump the liquid on the floor, the glass falling after, shattering into a million reflective pieces that cast rainbows around the room where the sun catches them.
"I admire your effort, Stefan. Pouring yourself a drink then spiking the bottle with vervain. I'm not some drunken sorority chick. You can't roofie me and you'd better not try it on Elizabeth because she won't keep her head like I am. I can't help but feel a little used. I thought we were having a moment. I have to go to the party angry. Who knows what I'll do."
With that I push past my little brother, heading towards the front door. I'm going to be late picking up Caroline now.
The blonde is waiting for me on the porch. Her hair is slightly curled and the top layer is pulled back. She's wearing the blue dress matched with a scarf that I bought her to match. Caroline isn't Elizabeth but she doesn't look bad.
"You're late," she says, climbing into the passenger side of my car.
"Maybe your clock is fast," I answer sharply before speeding off towards the Lockwood's house where the ball is being held.
Caroline insists that I'm introduced to everyone at this party as her boyfriend. I humor her, my arm wrapped around her waist, being drug from person to person as we wait in line to be greeted and invited inside by the Lockwoods. I'm in no mood to be polite but I've got no choice. In order to fit in and keep an eye on Jeremy this has to happen.
"Caroline!" a woman standing just inside the door way exclaims. "You look smashing."
Caroline smiles back, "Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood. This is my boyfriend Damon."
"Oh, well, come on in," Mrs. Lockwood answers.
Blondie pushes me forward as if the invitation is revoked a few seconds after it is spoken.
I smile sweetly as the mayor's wife, "Lovely to meet you. I've been looking forward to this party for quite a while."
"Well, enjoy."
With that Mrs. Lockwood walks away, going off to talk to other people who have now begun to enter the house. I'm already bored. Stefan is nowhere to be found and it looks as if Elizabeth and Jeremy haven't arrived yet.
"Let's get a drink."
"Wait here," Caroline responds before walking over to talk with a woman who I'm assuming is her mother.
As I stand waiting Elena and Stefan arrive. He kisses her on the cheek as they enter the house. I glare at him, trying to figure out a way I can get back at my brother for what he did earlier. My thoughts are disrupted when Elizabeth enters the house, escorted by Jeremy. Their elbows are linked, Elizabeth still shorter than Jeremy even though she's wearing heels. Her hair is pinned up, a few curled pieces falling out of the bun that she's created. I'd give anything to be able to go up and kiss her.
Instead I turn towards where Elena and Stefan are, looking over the old guest registry and other relics from the founders of Mystic Falls.
"The founding families in Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural founder's council celebration," Elena ready aloud. "Wow, look, it's the original guest registry. Look at all the familiar names – Sheriff William Forbes, Mayor Benjamin Lockwood. Is that Damon Salvatore? And, Stefan Salvatore?"
Elizabeth walks over to us, her hand resting gently on my arm, "The original Salvatore brothers. The names been passed down."
"Tragic story, actually," I muse, watching as Stefan's eyes grow dark with anger.
"We don't need to bore them with stories of the past," my baby brother answers.
"Isn't that the whole point of the founder's day ball, Stefan, to remember to the past," Elizabeth questions as Caroline walks up.
"It's not boring, Stefan. Elizabeth is right. I'd love to hear more about your family," Elena pipes up, buying right into my trap.
"Well, I'm bored," Caroline announces as if she's the most important person in the room. "And Damon won't dance with me."
"Mm-Mmm."
Elizabeth looks over at Caroline, "Damon has never been much of a dancer."
"Could I borrow your date?" Caroline asks, turning towards Elena, her eyes glued to Stefan. He's the one she's wanted since the beginning.
Elena looks flustered, "Oh, uh…"
"I don't really dance," Stefan answers quickly.
I roll my eyes, "Oh, sure he does. You should see him. Waltz, the jitterbug, the moon walk…"
Elizabeth cuts me off before I can go any further, "He does it all."
"You wouldn't mind, would you, Elena?" Blondie asks, bringing out the puppy dog eyes for affect.
"It's up to Stefan."
Caroline turns to my brother, determination set on her face, "Well sorry, but I'm not going to take no for an answer."
And with that Blondie grabs my brother by the arm and pulls him towards the dance floor right outside of the back doors.
"I should probably go find Jeremy before he gets into trouble or drinks himself to death," Elizabeth announces.
"That's my brother you're talking about," Elena answers sharply.
Elizabeth shrugs, "You know it's the truth."
As Elena goes to say more I cut in, giving Elizabeth time to get out of ear shot. The last thing we need is someone to be attacked here. Everything is being smoothed over; another attack would unravel everything all over again.
"I want to apologize to you for being such a world – class jerk the other night when I tried to kiss you. There's no excuse. My therapist says I'm…acting out, trying to punish Stefan," I explain, rather proud of my ability to think on my feet.
"For what?" Elena asks.
"It's all in the past. I don't even want to bring it up. Let's just say that the men in the Salvatore family have been cursed with sibling rivalry. And it all started with the original Salvatore brothers. The Salvatore name was practically royalty in this town until the war. There was a battle here…"
"The battle of Willow Creek," Elena cuts in.
"Right."
"I know we talked about it in class. Confederate soldiers fired on a church with civilians inside."
So Stefan had told her about the church and the people who were inside. I wonder how much more he told her than that. Usually Stefan is good at coming up with some sort of lie to embellish his history lessons with but with this lack of human blood I doubt his mind is functioning at its full capacity.
"What the history books left out was the people were killed. They weren't there by accident. They were believed to be union sympathizers. So, some of the founders on the confederacy side back then wanted them rounded up and burned alive. Stefan and Damon had someone they loved very much in that church. And when they went to rescue them, they were shot, murdered in cold blood," I explain.
Elena looks horrified at the story I had laid out for her. I guess she didn't realize people could be so cruel to others.
"Who was in the church that they wanted to save?"
I shrug, "A woman, I guess. Doesn't it always come down to the love of a woman?"
"Look, I'm sorry that you and Stefan have this thing between you, but I can't get in the middle of it, Damon. I just…I hope you two can work it out."
"I hope so too."
My eyes search the room for Elizabeth but I guess she's still out looking for Jeremy or else trying her best to keep him out of trouble. I can't imagine how that's going based on my knowledge of how much she enjoys babysitting whiny humans.
Strolling out towards the dance floor I bump into Caroline who has obviously grown tired of dancing with Stefan, either that or he couldn't stand to hear her speak any longer. I'm about done with the blonde bimbo. I can get Elizabeth to do the same thing I was going to use Caroline for.
"What'd we miss?" I question.
"We were just chatting," Stefan answers. "Drink, Damon?"
I frown at him, "No thanks, I'll pass."
"Stefan, do you have another dance in you?" Elena says.
"Absolutely," my brother answers, leading his date towards the dance floor.
For a few minutes Caroline and I stand outside as she drinks her champagne.
"They look so cute together," Caroline swoons.
"Don't talk please."
Aggravated Caroline walks away from me. Turning around I head back inside to the bar. The seat next to mine is soon occupied by a woman wearing a blood red dress. Turning towards her I smile.
"I've not seen enough of you tonight Elizabeth."
"I've been babysitting. Jeremy got himself drunk and has been trying to go after Tyler all night. It's all I can do to not snap his neck right here."
I slide the rest of my drink towards her, figuring she needs it more than I do.
"Do you remember where I put that necklace I hid all those years ago. I gave it to you but we had to hide it the night that everything happened?"
Elizabeth nods, "It's upstairs. If they left things alone it should be in that wooden box a little glass display."
"Thank you my love. Don't leave until I get a dance," I instruct before kissing her temple and heading up the stairs to try and find the heirloom of my past.
"Where have you been?" an ever familiar voice sounds from below me as I reach the second floor landing
Spinning around I flash the blonde girl a fake smile going over and taking her hand, guiding her towards the first room we come to, "Ah…looking for you."
"Your brother barely danced with me for five minutes –" Caroline rages.
"Ok, just a minute. Stand right there," I answer positioning her so that she's looking out the doors that lead into the room.
I search through the various boxes of stuff left up in this room. It has to be here still. No one would just discard something like this. It's a party of history.
Pulling out one of the wooden boxes I open in and laying right inside is the crystal that I'm looking for. Just where I left it.
"Um, you're not supposed to touch," Caroline says, walking over to me. "What is that?"
Blondie goes on blabbing her mouth as I grab the jewel out of a case, heading back down the stairs with her. I really wish I had compelled the girl to keep her mouth shut.
"A very important crystal," I answer.
"Well how did you know that it was there?"
"Because I put it there."
"When?"
"A long time ago," I respond. "Tonight, I'm taking it back, thanks to you."
Caroline looks utterly confused, "Well, what's it for?"
"Never you mind."
"Well, you can't just steal it."
I don't understand why Caroline is being so difficult tonight. Usually she'd just take my word for it and move on. Why all of a sudden does Blondie have to decide to be a good citizen and care so much about Mystic Falls' history and artifacts?
"It's not stealing if it's mine. Come on."
"Well…"
Grunting I tug on Caroline's arm, encouraging her to come with me but letting her know that if she doesn't I have no problem using force in front of all of these people. I'm not used to having my actions questioned by anyone except Stefan and to say it aggravates me would be an understatement.
Eventually I send her off to the bathroom. It's easier to work without her constantly talking in my ear. With the peace and quiet I actually have time to collect my thoughts.
Suddenly Elena appears, her hands connecting with my chest, "There is something seriously wrong with you. You stay away from Caroline or I will go straight to her mother, the sheriff. You got it? Stay away from her."
Growling under my breath I wait for Caroline to come out of the bathroom. Grabbing her by the shoulder I drag her out onto the lawn. She better have a damn good explanation for this.
"Don't! She took it off and I got flustered, okay?! I didn't know what to say. But I swear, ok, I did not tell her. I just told her that you didn't mean to hurt me," Caroline cries.
Turning her around I wrap my arms around her waist, resting my head on her shoulder, "You make me crazy, you know that? It's okay, I forgive you."
"I swear I didn't say…"
"Shh, shh, shh," I try and sooth her. "It's okay. Unfortunately…I am so over you now."
I dig my teeth into her neck but only a few seconds in my throat begins to burn, the pain causing me to fall, bringing Caroline down with me.
"What the hell?" I grunt as Stefan walks over towards me, Elizabeth running across the yard to come kneel at my side.
"You know, I couldn't spike your drink….So I spiked hers," Stefan explains.
Elizabeth glares up at my younger brother, the veins under her eyes bubbling, the fangs pushing through. She snarls, "You're life will be a living hell hole Stefan Salvatore."
Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry it's taken so long to update things have been a little busy. I'll try to get the next chapter up by the end of the week. Shout out to everyone whose been reading, favoriting and commenting. Keep them coming please. To answer the question asked in the comment. yes, Damon is in love with Elizabeth who you will continue to find out more about as things go on. She's been a minor character so far but will actually start appearing more next chapter. Katherine is still a conflict between the boys but for a different reason. You'll have to read and find out. Happy reading. Please feel free to comment or PM me with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
