Firstly I would like to apologise – AGAIN – for taking ages to update :( I've just been really busy practicing for important exams so it has taken me a long time to update.

Secondly, I would like to thank EVERYONE who has either reviewed or favourited or subscribed to this or any of my other stories – I would not write these unless you wanted to read them.

Last but not least – I would like to wish that you all enjoy this chapter after your long wait – thank you for understanding :)

Damon's Point Of View

"And who gave you permission to come in here?" A big, burly human stood in front of the entrance to the 'bar + restaurant' out of town. He looked strong and bulky, but I knew he was no match for me. I smiled smugly at him and replied:

"I did." I pushed past him but he grabbed my arm and held me back. I turned an icy glare with my compelling eyes straight at him.

"Let go", I commanded. As if he were a drone, the man released my jacket. I walked into the bar, deciding not to kill him – for now. It would be interesting to find out what he was being used for.

This place was basically like any other 'bar + grill' – apart from the fact that no-one human dwelled here. Actually, that was a lie; there were many young girls lingering around, offering themselves as blood bags to hungry vampires. Presently such a girl walked up to me and flashed me a smile.

"Would you like a sip?" she flirted, winking. I was tempted – she was quite pretty – but I gave it a pass.

"I prefer mine fresh", I commented (she had probably been compelled until she didn't even remember her name). I waved her away and carried on to the bar.

I was surrounded by an array of vampires, witches, and a few other gifted individuals that I didn't recognise. I think they might've been from "The Other Side" – another dimension.

Behind the bar was another young girl, though she hadn't been compelled like the others. She had an intelligent gaze, pale skin, and goldy-orange hair. She met my gaze straight-on and immediately asked what I wanted to drink.

"I'm not giving you any blood though", she told me. "I'm not one of those 'portable blood banks'."

"Meanie." I pulled a mock sad face, but I appreciated her wit. I liked someone who could enjoy themselves. "Then I'll just have to settle with something strong."

After the girl left me with a drink, I left her to deal with her other customers who kept piling around the bar. They came in swarms, but they left as easily as they came.

While the girl was busy I was left to think about Stefan. My careless, useless younger brother. I supposed that was my fault though. I had got drunk with him the night he had accidently drunk a bag-o-blood that, trust me – I had no idea how it got there – had led him to become a savage, swearing Salvatore brother. Trust me – I would have thrown a house-party if Stefan had finally decided to 'lighten up' – but as long as he was a threat of exposing us as vampires, or a threat to Elena, then he had to be stopped.

I pondered this as I tapped the glass of my drink. I didn't want a vampire hunter – I wouldn't go that extreme – maybe just a spell or a tonic that would calm Stefan down. I know it wouldn't resolve the bloodlust, but it would clear Stefan's head long enough so that he could think.

Just as I thought of this, the girl from the bar sat down next to me.

"My shift's just finished", she explained, pouring a drink for herself.

"Oh goody, I just love the bar-type", I said sarcastically, grinning as I took a swig of my own drink.

"Trust me, I never wanted to work here", she sighed, tracing the tip of her glass with her finger. "But I had to. You would not believe how superstitious the people of my old town were."

"Oh, I would", I muttered, again thinking about what havoc Stefan could cause both of us if Elena let him go. I've just got to hope that Elena has a will of stone.

"Once I moved", the girl continued. "I needed to keep a low profile. This is the only place where humans won't remember me."

"Who are you? What are you?" I asked curiously, leaning closer. "You're not a vampire."

I could tell just by looking at her. Sure, she was pale and rather attractive, but she didn't have that aura – a vampire's strong, distinctive aura. I could tell, however, that she still had a very strong aura. She smiled at me as if she would read my thoughts.

"I'm Faith", she said. "And I'm a witch."

I immediately grunted and gave a silent moan. "I hate witches." Faith was immediately on the defensive.

"Why?" she asked, her jaw set and her narrowed. I raised my eyebrows at her and shrugged, looking away.

"They're just so sneaky", I said, taking another swig of my drink. Faith almost crossed her arms as she glared at me. Instead, she put her hands on her hips.

"And just how many witches have you actually met in your short vampire life? I can tell that you are only 150 years old. That's a little young for a vampire, isn't it?"

I was tempted to laugh. She was now on the offensive. Instead, I put my hands up in a mock surrender.

"Okay, okay! I've met two witches in my lifetime", I admitted, looking away.

"Before or after you became a vampire?" Faith's tone had turned curious as she looked at me with her determined golden-brown eyes.

"One before. Although I didn't know she was a witch until after I was turned into a vampire. The other I met only a few weeks ago."

We sat in silence for a while whilst I thought deeply. I could tell that Faith was a powerful witch, and now she began to show more of her aura – a way of warning me not to try anything funny. Then the pieces just slotted together.

"Faith?" I asked. She turned her head to look at me with those striking eyes, almost glowing in the dim light of the tavern. "I need your help."

While I explained what had happened she listened with an unreadable expression. When I proposed if she would do anything to help she smiled, the corners of her mouth turning up.

"Well, well, well", she said. "Sounds like the vampire who doesn't like witches are asking one for help. How ironic."

Then her smile and her mocking tone disappeared and she turned serious. She faced me head-on and stared deep into my eyes.

"You can trust me", she said, and for the moment all I was aware of was my voice. "I swear by the Sacred Oath you can."

I found myself trapped in her gaze until I gave myself a mental shake and said – "Thank you."

When we got back to the boarding house we found Elena with her head in her hands, her hair all messed up and tangled. When she noticed us she stood straight up and tried to compose herself. I could tell that she had bitten her nails in stress, and was deeply surprised.

I was tempted to point out that I didn't know that she bit her nails; but then again – she had been stuck in a house with her vampire boyfriend who was constantly swearing and cussing in both English and Italian, as well as pounding the door of his cell. It must've taken all of her willpower not to go down to the cell and attempt to comfort him – even though she knew that it would be of no use. So I think she earned a few chipped nails and a messed-up hair 'do. It was better than what would've happened to her if she'd let Stefan out . . .

"Elena, this is Faith", I introduced them. Faith nodded at Elena and gave her an understanding half-smile – Stefan yelling his head off in the basement seemed to be affecting all of us, even the witch who earnt her pay by serving drinks to unruly rude vampires and countless other demons.

"Thank you for coming", Elena greeted her, her voice almost shaking. Faith smiled at her and tried to comfort her to calm her down. She whispered to Elena while I ignored them, giving them their privacy while I concentrated on the sounds of the aggressive Stefan shouting from the basement. He didn't sound calmer at all . . .

Faith stopped whispering to Elena and addressed us both.

"I know what I have to do", she said, sounding as sure as she'd sounded when she was back at the bar when she told me I could trust her. However, I thought I felt a flicker of uncertainty in her aura – but if I did, she covered it up quickly.

We all walked down to the basement, Faith leading the way. I was about to follow, when Elena touched my arm gently.

"Thank you, Damon", she said, her expression grateful. I just nodded awkwardly.

"And good job from you", I mumbled. "I know you must've found it hard to stay up here for all that time."

Elena's eyes began to water again, but then she sniffed and the tears disappeared. I looked away, feeling even more awkward.

"Stay behind me", I said, and led her down to Stefan's cell.

Stefan was waiting for us with a friendly string of assorted Italian swearwords –

"Damon bastardo! È figlio di puttana! Si buco del culo! Si cazzo! È figa! Si dovrebbe andare tutti voi cazzo!"

Faith raised her eyebrows at my brother's extensive swearing.

"Well, I won't say that he has a limited vocabulary . . ." she said. She slipped her coat off and threw it to me.

"What are you going to do?" Elena asked from her space behind me – I didn't dare let her get any closer in case this got out of hand.

Faith looked at her with those sharp, intelligent eyes.

"The only thing that can be done", she replied.

Then, before I could stop her, she unlocked the bolt to Stefan's cell and shut it close behind her. I ran up to the door, trying desperately to open the lock so I could help – but she had spelled it. I could only watch helplessly, with Elena by my side, as Faith took a step towards Stefan, who was now looking at her with hungry eyes. He prowled around her in circles, his eyes growing dark and his canines sharpening. I saw the flash of a predator's anger in his eyes, and I saw his stance change to make him a faster, more deadly hunting machine – and he was about to pounce.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" Elena yelled, trying to yank the useless bolt out of place. But it was too late.

At the sound of Elena's desperate shout, Stefan's anger escalated and he grabbed Faith and bit into the pulsing vein at the side of her neck.

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