Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight related. L.J. Smith and the CW get the Vampire diaries, but the rest is all us!
CHAPTER SIX -
Compromises
Don't say I didn't tell you so
maybe Ii didn't but you've taken it
knew you were faking just a little bit
now that you've tasted
Catch and Release by Silversun Pickups
I could feel my eyes widen in surprise at Caroline's comment. I felt like a fucking lap dog and that wasn't something I liked at all.
"Careful vampire Barbie, I may just find some vervain and shove it down your throat to watch you melt like the wicked witch of the west."
Damon roared with laughter and put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him while I seethed at the blonde across the room.
"Hey, what did I ever do to you?" she pouted, picking up a single kernel and placing it in her mouth.
"That shouldn't be your concern right now, it's what I'm going to do to you that you should worry about."
"I like you," Damon chuckled. He pushed me back down on the couch and fell into the seat beside me. "But we need to talk."
"Oh do we now?" I said bouncing on the couch so my body turned to face him. "I hope you want to talk about boys, because that's about the only topic open to you pretty boy."
Man I wished Jacob would hurry his ass up. He'd told me they had a plan of action in case something happened to me, at this rate, if it was someone like Victoria, I'd be fish food.
That was unfair. Jacob was doing his best. I knew it had to be hard for him to stay so loyal to me after having imprinted. I'd been horrible to him after he'd told me, I'd walked away not saying a word and refused to even open his emails.
Like most things it took time to get over that. I didn't want a relationship with him, even though he'd made it perfectly clear (pre-imprint) that it was what he wanted. I don't think I ever really changed my mind, but the idea of having him around had been growing on me. Then having that option taken away because of some stupid myth and I was ready to bash my head against a wall and give up.
Which ultimately, I had.
Yet here I was, sat in a room with a human and three new bred vampires, and of course I was attracted to one of them. Maybe attracted was a bit of an overstatement, or understatement depending on how you looked at things. My hormonal imbalance was pushing me onward while my brain was bitch slapping me for yet again being pathetic.
It was a moot point anyway, Jake and the others would find me and they would rip these fuckers to pieces. Crunchy on the outside, smooth on the inside.
"Why are you so impossibly stubborn?" Damon asked sardonically, bringing me back into the here and now.
"Who me?"
"No, the vixen of a brunette behind you."
I rolled my eyes. I wasn't sure I was the most stubborn person in the room to be honest. I mean a girl could only say no so many times before it got old and I was heading toward archaic. Old had been left long ago.
"I'm not stubborn, I said no. End of story. It's you guys that keep pushing the issue."
"Can we ask who Jacob is to you?" Elena asked timidly from beside Stefan. His fingers were brushing the end of her hair absentmindedly.
I stayed silent. My eyes moving to each of the people in the room. Caroline was watching incredulously like I was about to lash out at her again. She apparently didn't like being snapped at. I gave her a smile that was neither apologetic nor sarcastic and let her read what she liked into it.
I was getting tired of this, and the only thing I could think to do was compromise. I just hoped they would go for it.
"Okay look, how about this, you ask me one question and I will answer it, as long as you answer one question of mine first."
Stefan and Elena looked at one another while Damon snorted contemptuously, his eyes on my neck. If I'd had a napkin on hand I'd of given it to him, he was clearly watching my artery. Being the bitch that I am, I shifted my hair over the other shoulder and tilted my head slightly so it was more obvious to him.
"Okay," Elena said, sitting with Stefan on the coffee table which seemed to get a shit load of action from these fools.
"Excellent. I'll go first . . ." I said sitting forward, but it seemed Damon had other ideas.
"Wait just a minute. We're not stupid. What's to say that when we answer your question, you're not gonna pull another mute on us?"
I was a bitch, but I wasn't a liar. I had never reneged on a promise before and I didn't intend to start now. My word was all I had. Insulting me wasn't exactly the way to make sure I kept my word, but if they answered my question, I would answer theirs with the best of my ability. It's all I had.
"You just have to trust me."
"Unlikely, princess."
I sat back and straightened myself out, crossing my arms over my chest. "Fine. Then I withdraw the offer."
"Damon, shut up," Elena snapped as he opened his mouth to talk. "We trust you, Bella. Just ignore him and ask your question."
"Fools . . ."
"Shut. Up."
I gave Damon a smug smile and looked back at the two perched side by side on the table. Caroline moved from the edge of the couch and shuffled up closer behind Damon so she could see exactly what was going on.
"What do you mean when you say you're half vampires?"
Stefan sat forward and smiled. "We didn't know there were other vampires out there either. Our race is very old and we do have elders but we've always had the understanding that it was just us. We were the myth. Then we discovered there were different vampires, older, stronger . . ."
"Get back to the subject at hand, brother," Damon said with a smile of warning.
"Right, so we did some research on our pasts. We weren't sure where to start, but there was a point when the two histories met. One of the vampires had met a witch and he became obsessed with her. They ended up having some kind of a relationship and she became pregnant. Afraid of how the other vampires would react, he hid her from view. She didn't like that much and swore he would regret it.
"When the child was born he seemed normal, but the witch warned the vampire to stay away. On the son's twentieth birthday, the vampire hunted him down and bit him. The legends say the blood was tainted and the boy stopped aging. He began to feed from the people in the village he lived in and would only show his face at night. He was cursed, his teeth grew long and he would feed. One of the girls he bit fought back and bit him hard to get away, but his blood was infused with hers and she became like him."
"Sounds unlikely," I said, sitting back and crossing my arms. "You're basing all this on the theory there are such things as witches."
I sat back impressed with myself. Wolves and vampires weren't supposed to be real yet they existed, that alone should be basis enough to believe in witchcraft, but I was a pretty practical person. I believed in what I could see, and I had yet to stumble across a witch.
"Oh, there are, our friend . . ."
"Will. You. Shut. Up," Damon growled. "You're giving her more information than she asked for."
"Oh right," Caroline said, shrugging.
"Whatever," I sighed. "I still don't understand how a vampire can have a child, but I'm not getting into the biology lesson here. What's your question?"
Stefan looked to Elena and she nodded. I guess they'd already come up with a question. I just hoped it would be enough to boost me from here.
"How do you know the Cullens?"
I sat stunned, watching them, my eyes moving between each of them. Of all the questions they could have asked, that was the one they went with? It seemed like a waste of a damn good opportunity if you asked me, but that was their call.
"Are you sure? It's a pretty lame question and I believe I've answered it vaguely."
"You did, but we were hoping for a more specific answer."
"It's still lame."
"Stop stalling and answer the question, princess."
I tried to think of how to do this as honestly as I could without giving anything away. These guys had speed and strength from what I could tell so I could use that information but as for the everything else, I'd have to be careful.
"I met them in high school. I sat next to Edward in Biology and he got all weirded out and left. When he came back, he tried talking to me but I was freaked out so I was hostile. Still, it didn't stop him from trying.
"One day before school, it was all icy and stuff and one of my friends swerved and hit a patch of ice. The van came for me, but Edward was fast and strong. He got me out of there and to the hospital where I met Carlisle."
I sighed thinking back on the days when everything had seemed so difficult, where trying to figure out what they were consumed my every thought. It hurt, I couldn't deny that. It was a memory that had stuck with me because it was those days that made me fall in love with Edward. Even when he was being overbearing and protective.
"Okay and so you realized they were vampires, the end?"
"Not that simple, he denied it, made me feel crazy, I did some research and questioned one of my friends. Finally I put the pieces together, and when he helped me and stopped me from being attacked we talked, he gave me the story and their history. We started dating after that."
"Edward, huh," Caroline smiled. "He must be the one that ripped your heart out and ran over it a couple times with a car."
"Caroline, you don't have to put it like that," Elena chastised.
"What? It would have to be pretty brutal to explain the bitterness in her. Am I wrong?" Caroline leaned over and asked me.
"No, not wrong, in fact I think that was a little bit understated."
"I am that damn good."
I rolled my eyes and started to close in on myself now. Those were the kinds of memories I kept locked away, deep down behind the wall I'd put up to spare myself that kind of pain.
Damon
This girl had no idea how tempting she was… or so I though until she decided to move her hair off her neck, making me have to fight every instinct to drink from her. Little minx.
Her explanation of how she knew the Cullens definitely had my feathers ruffled. How they could introduce her to the Supernatural world and simply leave her to her own devices made me sick. Even I knew the importance of Purebloods keeping the secret. Not to mention the fact that the prick broke her heart. I found myself wondering what Bella was like before this Edward Cullen broke her, but supposed I would never know.
Being no stranger to being played for a fool I found myself feeling something very foreign for me… sympathy.
Bella rolled her eyes at Caroline's complete lack of filter but didn't seem too bothered by it. There were no tears, which I had thought was the normal for a girl reliving heartbreak. She was quite the surprise in more ways than one.
"So, how were you…" I began but was immediately cut off.
"Sorry, Damon, one question was the agreement. It's not my fault that your brother and his girlfriend chose to ask one that is irrelevant to what you really want to know." Bella shook her head and smirked while waving a finger in my face. I snapped my teeth at her and she giggled. She fucking giggled at me.
I turned my glare on Stefan for being such an absolute fool and he refused to meet my eyes. He had one chance to ask anything and he decides to be a girl and go for the gossip. Jackass.
"Look, princess, I'll make you another deal. If you answer my questions, I won't kill you." I smiled my best panty-dropping smile while baring my fangs at her.
"Ha! Did you not just hear how bad my life sucks? Death doesn't scare me! It's only a matter of time before I am killed for my knowledge anyway. And let's not forget what a danger magnet I am. No, I came to terms with the thought of death a long time ago. So, do what you need to do, handsome." Bella fucking winked and smiled but I could hear the sadness she was trying to hide. So, I chose to get her angry again. At least the fire would replace that pitiful look in her eyes.
"Well, if you're not afraid of death then why are you so intent on your friend coming to rescue you?" I snapped.
"Well, two reasons, actually. One, being that I made a promise to him to stay safe and call if I was in trouble, and two, I think it would be fun to watch him kick your ass." She folded her arms across her chest looking triumphant.
"Yes, well, I think the truth is that you are much more afraid than you are letting on, princess."
"Of you? Ha! Hardly, pretty boy. I have faced much worse. There is nothing about you that scares me in the least."
"Well, I don't believe you. I think there is one thing about me that definitely scares you. Wanna' see it?" I waggled my eyebrows at her to which she rolled her eyes.
"Like I said, nothing about you that scares me."
"Would you two just freaking do it already and get it over with?" Caroline whined but I could see the amusement in her eyes.
"Well, I won't deny that would be very pleasant for both of us. What do you say, princess? I bet you're a firecracker in the sack."
"You're disgusting, you know that? What in the hell makes you think I would ever touch you?" She was pissed, but I had a feeling that she was secretly enjoying our banter.
"Well, the way you rubbed yourself all over me in the car was a clear indication of how hot you are for me. But I think all the lip biting and the permanent blush is what really gives you away."
"Listen here you sick fuck…" She stood up and I could practically feel her vibrating in anger, but Stefan chose to pull me out of the room… again.
"Damon, I am going to ask you one more time to back off. You are only making things worse for all of us." Stefan paced the floor as he spoke.
After another lecture that lasted for half an hour (I still couldn't tell you what he said) we made our way back into the living room.
"Okay, since it seems that no one is thrilled with the way I am behaving myself, then I will remain quiet, for now. But there must be some other way that we can all come out of this satisfied." No one missed my double meaning, but they all ignored me just the same.
"Damon, I know you mean well," Bella and Stefan both snorted at Elena's words, "but your innuendo isn't going to get us anywhere and whether you like it or not, we need Bella."
"Sure, just talk about me like I'm not sitting right-fucking-here," Bella mumbled under her breath causing me to laugh loudly.
"And what would you suggest, Elena? Bella doesn't seem to care much for you either. Am I wrong, Bella?" I turned to her.
"Frankly, you are all a pain in my ass. The only one who doesn't give me a headache is Vampire Barbie over there, and that's because her lack of filter is amusing. The rest of you are just like a broken record. We need to know… Please help us… blah blah blah…" Bella did a perfect impression of Elena.
"Oh, do Damon next!" Caroline clapped causing Bella to chuckle.
"As much as I would like to go full on SNL and imitate everyone here, I think we've all wasted enough of one another's time." Bella then yawned and turned to walk out the door.
"Wait!" Stefan called and Bella took a deep breath.
"No!" She yelled. "We had a deal that I would answer one question. It's not my fault that you're a fucking idiot and picked the question most irrelevant to your situation. I don't give a flea on a monkey's ass about how much you need my help or what Kitty Kat is doing with the Volturi. That's your problem and maybe a few years ago I would have loved to help you, but now I could just care less. I have my own fucking problems!" Bella threw her hands up and stalked out the front door.
"Well, I guess I can't be blamed for that one," I smirked and followed Bella outside.
I didn't say a word or make a sound, But somehow Bella knew I was there anyway.
"Look, either kill me or let me go. I'm tired, Damon." And she sounded tired. As much fun as I had been having with her, I did feel slightly guilty about dragging her back into a world she wanted nothing to do with.
"I get that, Bella, I do… but what you have to get is that I would do anything," I stopped before I could say anything else to make myself seem like a pussy.
"You would do anything to keep Elena safe? Yeah, I got that, but I really don't see how knowing about Purebloods is going to save any of you. If they want you dead, then there is no stopping them."
"You sound like you have firsthand experience." I prodded and I could actually feel the tension rolling off of her.
"You could say that," she grumbled.
Part of me wanted to ask her more questions; to know about what made a girl like her tick, but I knew that she wouldn't tell me shit. Bella was an enigma, and while I wanted her to tell us everything we needed to know, I really just wanted to unlock all her secrets.
"Well, I could say a great many things right now, but how about we go make out in the car for a while," I teased, hoping to lighten the situation and loosed her up.
"Hmm, I would, but I really don't know where you've been or whether or not you've had your shots." And we were back to our normal banter. I could see her shoulders lifting and her chin jutting out.
"Honestly, we can't get any diseases, so I'm good to go, princess," I winked and she laughed loudly.
Bella's phone began to ring. The ringtone caused me to raise a curious eyebrow at her as "Hungry Like a Wolf" blared out loud. Bella gave me a wicked smirk and I had a feeling that things were going to get much more interesting.
Sabi'sSookie: Dun dun DUN! And now it gets interesting. I am sure that most of you can guess who was calling and what they are calling to say ;) As usual, I would like to thank the Academy…. Wait, that's another speech, oops. But seriously, I want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, alerted, and favorite! You guys rock my socks off!
And, Nostalgicmiss, you are the best BFF there is! Every day you astound me with your ability to make the world a better place just by being you! Aw, look at me being all mushy. But I am having so much fun doing this with you! Love you, chick!
Nostalgicmiss: I now have Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf stuck in my head! Still, I also see Bella's smirk of triumph spreading on her lips. She does love the turmoil doesn't she!
Thanks to everyone who read, favorited, alerted and reviewed. You guys keep me smiling with your comments and theories and I love it! We're so happy you enjoy a tenacious Bella and Sardonic Damon :)
Sabi, you're an amazing BFF and an Amazing author. You never cease to surprise me with your wit, humor and ever growing kindness. I really do feel lucky and honored to call you my friend! You're AWESOME! Love ya!