Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Still short chapters, and now I can't even say I update every day… I suck! Sorry… my depression seems to have kicked in again and it's making me apathetic.

BEHIND THE CASTLE WALLS

VI

Elena's eyes fluttered open as she felt the warmth of the morning sun on her face. She stirred and winced in pain as she felt how sore her body was. In an instant, the events of last night came rushing back to her. She experienced it all over again – the shock, the terror, the…. Oh, no. Elena felt herself blushing. The thoughts she had had, the sensations she had experienced… highly improper, all of it. Would she ever be able to look him in the eyes again?

Elena didn't have time to ponder for long, as the door to the bedroom opened and he entered. Elena instinctively pulled the covers up to her chin. "Mr. Salvatore," she gasped, "what are you doing here?"

"First of all, it's 'Damon'. Second of all, you are in my chambers." His voice sounded amused, a little taunting, even.

Elena's eyes darted around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. She was in fact not in her own canopy bed. This was a sturdy four-poster bed with silk sheets, large enough to fit several people. Why on earth one would wish to place more than two people in a bed was beyond her comprehension, though. It was clearly a display of excessive wealth. "Why… why am I here, then?"

It was a fair question. She would have been just as comfortable in her own room. But for some reason, Damon had wanted her close to him – even if he did not actually stay in the room while she was there. Just the thought of her between his sheets… well, he had no proper explanation to give her. Perhaps it was about him staking his claim on her. She had run from him and he had collected her, like he would any of his property. Yes, that explanation would suffice, even though it was not the whole truth.

"You seem to have forgotten your pledge to me," he said dryly. "You left this place without permission. You should suffer the consequences." Elena's face went pale. She had almost forgotten the beast-part of him. "However…" he continued pensively, "I believe you learned that lesson all on your own." His eyes raked over her battered and torn form, careful to keep his countenance impassive, as if it did not pain him to see her hurt.

"I'm sorry… and I am grateful that you came to my aid, but I had good reason for leaving." Images surged up inside her and Elena felt righteous indignation take over.

"You knew I was a monster when you first agreed to take your brother's place as my captive."

"But you made me believe you were more man than monster," Elena spat out. "You deceived me!"

"When did I deceive you?"

"You never showed me your true face. You kept yourself hidden from me."

"Would you rather have come face to face with the beast in me? Would you have me drink from you?"

"Why else am I here but for your pleasure?" Elena bit back. "If you wanted nothing from me, you would have let me go."

"You are right, of course," Damon said, approaching the bed like a stalking beast, leaning over her so that their faces were inches apart. "You are here for my pleasure," he said huskily.

Elena shivered. She had pushed him – again- and now she would have to suffer the consequences for her impetuosity.

Elena closed her eyes as his lips hovered over her neck and up to her ear, where he whispered, "But I want you to want it too." When Elena opened her eyes, he was gone.

"Miss Elena?" Nameless asked tentatively, inching the door open.

Elena looked at her, puzzled. "I saw you… last night…"

"You are not well, miss Elena?"

"Um… no… do you know what happened last night?"

"I cannot say, miss."

"I expected as much," Elena sighed.

"Good morning, Jeremy," Tyler said, looking at Jeremy through the bars in his cell at the sanatorium. Jeremy swirled around, his eyes bloodshot from many restless nights. "I have a proposition for you."

"I have no interest in making deals with you," Jeremy said coldly, returning to his sketches.

Tyler pulled open the door. "You do want what is best for your sister, no?"

"She is better when she is away from you."

"Is that so? You would rather see your sister held captive by a beast than living in a mansion with me?"

"Have you seen her?" Jeremy spun around, hope and fear mixing on his visage.

"I have," Tyler confirmed smugly.

"What did she say?"

"She screamed." Content with the panicked expression on Jeremy's face, Tyler continued. "I know you know where she is. But for some reason you cannot say. I know you are a semi-competent artist. Draw me a map."

"What will you do with a map?"

"I will bring Elena home. And the beast will burn."

"Master Damon asked I tend to your wounds, miss Elena," Nameless said, approaching the bed with a bowl of water and fresh bandages.

"Um… I thought… um…. Certainly. Thank you." Elena realized she had hoped Damon would continue his treatment of her. How could she want that after what he said to her this morning? After what he did?

"Do you know where he is?" Elena asked Nameless after she had finished bandaging Elena's arms and leg – the one that Damon had not taken care of last night.

"No, miss. Would you like me to find him?"

"No. That will not be necessary. Thank you."

When Nameless left, Elena leaned back against the pillows. It was wrong, what she felt. She should resist him. She should refuse him. But her heart was crying out for him. Soon, her voice was, too. Knowing he would hear her if he was in the castle – Nameless had told her as much the night she arrived – Elena called out, "Damon!"

Damon heard her calling. Being in the next room, he even heard her heart beat in anticipation. He could tell the nuances in her voice apart, too. There was anger, frustration, fear, but also lust in her cry for him. He would not go to her. Not yet. The wounds he had not healed were not serious; they would heal quickly on their own. When they did… He would wait for her to come to him. Her pride matched his own. He would not bend to her will.