Despite her attempts to block the screaming out, Sirena was still able to hear everything going on downstairs with Mason. Kicking back with headphones blaring Paramore into her ears did lessen the noise but it just wasn't enough. Getting up for the day, she crossed her room to stare back at an unfamiliar face — her own. The mirror on the armoire showed someone who looked completely and utterly exhausted, but she didn't feel tired at all. Maybe it was the stress of the previous day, but she did her best to liven herself up a bit. A smile played on her lips as she thought about the irony behind that and she braided her long locks. After throwing on some red skinny jeans, a black lace tank top and some black toms, Sirena headed down to grab something to eat.

The cool air of the basement freezer felt exquisite on her face as she leaned in to grabbed something to eat. Turning to leave, her heart jumped in her chest. "Stefan! I didn't see you there."

"Obviously." Looking down to her hands, he asked, "Hungry?"

In a panic, she tried to explain. "Damon'sbeenhelpingme. Icouldn'tkeeptheanimalblooddown. Thisstuffworksforme. I' ."

Stefan laughed as all her words jumbled together. "It's alright, Sirena. Caroline is doing the same thing."

Sirena let out a breath of relief. "Really?"

He nodded. "As long as you find something that works for you, that's all I care about."

"Awesome," Sirena smiled.

Stefan's brow furrowed, some of her jumbled words finally hitting him. "What do you mean you can't keep it down?"

"Stefan!" Damon called and the two rushed from the basement.

Finding Damon in the library they saw he wasn't alone. Caroline sat on the couch sipping a glass of blood. Avoiding eye contact with Damon, Sirena went to sit next to Caroline.

"What happened?" Stefan asked with concern.

"Go ahead, tell them," Damon urged Caroline. Looking up to Stefan, he said, "You're gonna love this."

"I saw Katherine today." Caroline sat, still shaking from her ordeal.

"Where?" Stefan leaned in.

Apparently Caroline had run into Katherine back at the Mystic Grill and had left with more than a burger and fries. Katherine sent the Salvatore's a message...

"She wants it tonight, at the Masquerade Ball," Caroline announced, her eyes bouncing back and forth between the two.

"Why at the ball?" Sirena looked to Stefan.

He pointed his finger. "She wants to do it in public. Killing Mason threw her off guard."

Killing Mason? Damon killed Mason? Sirena sat shocked while Damon and Stefan argued about killing Katherine. How could he have killed someone? They were so worried about me killing someone then he just goes and kills someone for basically nothing. Sirena felt anger boiling up inside of her.

"So we call Bonnie, get her to bring her book of tricks and call Ric to bring his bag of well... more tricks," Damon smiled, clearly happy his brother was wanting to kill Katherine as much as he did.

"Call Ric," Stefan said to Damon before turning to Caroline. "You call Bonnie. Tell her it's urgent. And you," Stefan looked down to Sirena. "Go eat your breakfast. You'll need a clear head at the ball tonight."

Anger at Damon melting away at Stefan's words, Sirena couldn't help but smile. She was so excited to be able to go tonight, not only because she wanted to go to the ball but also because she got to really be part of the team.

It didn't take long for Ric to get there and he was now laying the contents of his bag out onto the table. Stepping up next to him, Sirena couldn't believe her eyes. Weapons of all sorts decorated the table. "You use all of these?"

Ric looked up from the device in his hand. "Yep. They all come in handy when it comes to killing a vampire."

Sirena swallowed hard, hoping to never find herself on the receiving end of any of it.

"Don't worry," he laughed. "I won't be using them on you. That is, as long as you stay out of trouble." He winked at her.

"Eh, come on, Ric." Damon stepped up next to Sirena, who shifted uncomfortably. "What's life without a little trouble?"

Sirena glared up at him, thinking about Mason. "You know all about trouble, don't you, Damon?" she seethed.

"Aww. Don't give me that look. He had it comin'."

Sirena just shook her head and look up to where Stefan was now talking to Bonnie. Jeremy approached the three of them with a crossbow in hand.

"Now, this works with compressed air. The trigger mechanism is up here. I have two of these in a different size." Alaric showed off his weapons to the group. As Stefan came up to the table, Alaric slipped some kind of sleeve with mini stakes onto his arm. "Now, for you I recommend this. It fits nicely under the jacket sleeve. You use the trigger when you're ready." Alaric thrust his stake wielding hand into the air in front of him, causing Stefan and Damon to exchange looks.

Alaric shrugged. "You wanted me to show you how to kill a vampire."

"Yeah, yeah, Ric. Let's get on with it." Damon picked up another device of Alaric's own design.

"Stefan, can you help me with something?" Bonnie looked to Stefan, pleading. The two walked off down the hall and Sirena could hear Bonnie wasn't too keen on the idea of tonight.

"Really the only ones who need any weapons are Stefan and Damon." Alaric's eyes went to Jeremy who seemed very disappointed.

"And Ric you should stay back at Elena's. Keep her away. Ya know, spend time with Jenna," Damon smirked.

"What about all of us?" Sirena questioned, curious about her part in all of this.

"Caroline will lead Katherine into the trap. Jeremy will help Bonnie. And you," Damon's eyes fell to Sirena and he hesitated. "Just stay out of trouble."

Crossing her arms, she gave him a 'you've got to be kidding me' look. She wasn't just going to be hanging around at the party while everyone was working at taking Katherine down.

They all gathered in the lounge and went over the plan again once Stefan and Bonnie had returned with some extra suggestions, all of which sounded crazy to Sirena. She still wasn't used to all this magic and whatnot. Sitting his bag of extra weapons down in the center of the room, Alaric turned to everyone. "Are you sure you guys don't want me there tonight?"

"No, I need you to stay with Elena. I don't want her to know about this." Stefan gave him a look of complete seriousness.

"Okay, well I'll make sure she doesn't leave my sight."

"Alright, if anybody wants to back out, I'll understand." Stefan looked around the group.

Damon leaned onto the back of the couch behind Sirena. "Yeah. Cold feet, speak now. I don't want this going wrong if someone chickens out. Caroline," he said the girl's name in a singsong voice.

"I won't. Look, she killed me. Fair's fair. As long as there are no werewolves running around."

Sirena raised an eyebrow. "Don't think that'll be a problem." She winced as Damon flicked her ear from where he stood behind her.

"Oh, I took care of Mason," Damon said, almost sounding proud.

"As long as Tyler doesn't kill anyone, he won't turn," Jeremy stated.

Sirena could almost feel Damon staring down at her. "Sirena."

"I'm not backing out, but still you haven't really given me much to do so there isn't a whole lot to be backing out of," she answered bitterly, making Damon smirk. There was that spark inside of her that he was so fond of.

Stefan looked over to the witch, who did, however, look hesitant. "Bonnie? Are you with us?"

After a long pause, Bonnie finally nodded and stepped forward. "But no one gets hurt."

"Except Katherine," Damon said. "Tonight Katherine gets a stake through her heart."

::::::

Everything about the party exceeded Sirena's expectations. It was beautiful! The fountain outside the manor was classic, glittering in the moonlight. Fire dancers entertained guests on the lawn as they began to pile in through the manor doors. Music filled the air along with laughter and Sirena couldn't wait to get inside to enjoy the party. The others had already arrived. She had to go pick out a dress and it seemed it took her absolutely forever to find the right one. It had to be perfect. She had ended up with a black lace strapless dress that fell to her mid-thigh that laced up the back. Teal pumps, her feather necklace and her daylight ring finished her ensemble. She had decided just to wear her hair in a loose updo and her makeup completed the look. When she had looked into the same mirror she had been gazing in this morning, the difference was night and day. She looked infinitely better than she had this morning.

Entering the Lockwood's, Sirena couldn't help but notice how much different the place seemed from when she had been there the day before. She hadn't expected to know anyone except for the obvious people, but being surrounded by strangers made her feel even more alone. However, having her mask on definitely helped.

A masked man held a tray out in front of her and it was full of chocolate covered strawberries, which just so happened to be one of her old favorites. Taking one, she was surprised how the sweet treat tasted as good as it did before she was turned. She had half expected it to be repulsive. Finding her way to the back yard, Sirena watched as party-goers danced and stood around enjoying the company of others. She couldn't help but feel jealous and felt like an outcast watching the world around her as if she was invisible. What she didn't know was that someone had noticed her and hadn't taken their eyes off of her.

"Well, don't you look delectable."

Sirena turned and found her face was mere inches from Damon's.

"Care to dance?" he asked, holding his hand out to her.

She took it and as she let him lead her out to the dance floor she couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in a suit. Twirling her around, he brought her into his arms and they began to sway to the music. His piercing eyes shone out through his mask as he looked down at her. "Enjoying the party?"

"It's great. Just not as exciting by yourself. Also doesn't help knowing all of you are executing the plan and I'm stuck here enjoying the food," she raised an eyebrow at him.

The corner of his mouth pulled up into a half smile. "It's just better for you if you stay out of it."

"Why?"

"Because," he said, twirling her around. Coming full circle, his face was extremely close to hers, making her breathing come heavier. "It's dangerous."

"I don't care. I want to help."

"Not this time. I can't protect you." His grip on her lower back tightened slightly and if she hadn't been paying attention she may have missed it.

"You don't have to. I'm not your responsibility, Damon. If I get hurt, I get hurt. It doesn't—"

"Stop." His eyes held hers, trying to figure out why she would be so willing to put herself in danger's way. This girl was really beginning to grow on him and it frustrated him to no end, but the way her gorgeous locks caught the moonlight and her eyes sparkled up at him was entrancing. "You really do look beautiful."

She felt her face get hot. "Thank you."

Her blushing made him smirk, but it soon faded as he looked past her. "I'm really sorry, but it looks as if Stefan is in need of some help."

"What?" she panicked, searching the crowd for Stefan. She spotted him, but he wasn't alone. In his arms he held a very limp girl and Sirena's jaw dropped, realizing the girl was dead.

"Stay here," Damon ordered before taking off towards his brother.

Pursing her lips, she fought the urge to follow and did as she was told. After wandering around the party for awhile, she found herself sitting at a table sipping a glass of champagne, trying not to worry too much about what the Salvatore's were up to. Suddenly, she heard a scream pierce her ears from close by. Luckily, no one else at the party had heard, but she took off as fast as she could without being suspicious toward where it had come.

"What the hell happened!?" She looked down at Elena who laid over a table, blood staining her purple shirt. There was so much blood. Her eyes began to tingle, but she fought it.

"Elena is linked to Katherine! Jeremy, you have to get them to stop!" Bonnie yelled.

"No!" Sirena protested. "I'll go. I'll be faster. I think I can get through fast enough without being spotted."

Bonnie thought it over, but nodded.

Sirena took off in an instant, bolting through the Lockwood mansion. Reaching the room, she saw Katherine being held on the floor by Stefan while Damon stood above them, stake in hand.

"Stop!" Sirena yelled, making Damon stop just as he was about to stake her. "You're hurting Elena!" Damon looked to her, confused. "Each time you hurt Katherine the same thing happens to Elena. They're linked!"

Jeremy appeared behind Sirena, panting. "Yeah," he breathed, "What she said."

Katherine got to her feet. Looking between the brothers, she said, "You think you're only ones with a witch on your side? Wrong and something tells me my witch is better than your witch." Katherine snatched the stake from Damon.

Stefan looked back at the young Gilbert. "Jeremy, go check on Elena. Make sure she's ok. Go!"

"Let's all make sure poor Elena is okay." Katherine gave a roll of her eyes.

Sirena watched Katherine in horror as the vampire pressed the stake into her own hand. "Just a little more pressure." The stake cut into Katherine's hand, leaving a trail of blood. Stefan smacked the stake away sending it flying on the floor.

Katherine snatched it up and held it in front of her. "This is really gonna hurt."

She was about to plunge it into her stomach when Damon said, "Wait!"

Sirena watched the girl, unbelieving. How could someone be this cruel? Katherine sat on the sofa. "Okay. So, how about that moonstone?"

Damon shook his head in annoyance and walked towards Sirena. "Welcome to the party."

Rolling her eyes at him, she leaned against the wall. Removing the mask, she held it at her side. "Not much of a party."

"And look what we have here?" Katherine said, noticing Sirena. "The newbie." She shot Sirena an evil smile, who narrowed her eyes back at the Elena impersonator. "What's wrong? Can't take the heat of becoming a vampire? If you aren't going to enjoy life as one then maybe you should slip that pretty little ring off your finger and go sunbathing. Things would be so much—"

"Leave her alone," Stefan warned, earning Katherine's attention again.

Katherine smirked, enjoying getting a rise out of someone. "The three of us together just like old times. The brother who loved me too much," she looked to Damon and then turned to Stefan. "And the one that didn't love me enough."

From where he stood facing out the door, Damon added, "And the evil slut vampire who only loved herself."

Sirena didn't bother hiding her smile. Damon turned slowly, facing Katherine.

"What happened to you, Damon? You used to be so sweet and polite."

Cocking his head to the side, Damon answered, "Oh, that Damon died a long time ago."

"Good," Katherine fired. "He was a bore."

"Would you two stop antagonizing each other?" Stefan asked, frustrated.

Her attention on Stefan, Katherine asked, "Where's the moonstone?"

"What do you want with it?"

Pausing, Katherine looked between the brothers. "Does Elena enjoy having both of you worship at her altar?"

Stefan looked back to Damon, who shook his head. "That was really desperate, Katherine. Don't you think that we can see right through you?"

"So it doesn't bother you that Damon is in love with your girlfriend?"

Sirena's eyes flew to Damon, who avoided her gaze. Was that really an attempt to bait Stefan or was it Sirena Katherine was after?

"But then there's you," Katherine looked to Sirena, then to Damon. An evil smile played on her lips as she asked Sirena, "Do you know where the moonstone is?"

"As if I would tell you," Sirena fired, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Ooh, she's feisty." Katherine clawed at the air. "So which one, Damon? Elena... or Sirena?"

"Oh, stop it." Stefan shook his head.

"Or what? You'll hurt me?" Katherine pushed up to her feet. "Come on, Stefan. Everything that I feel, Elena feels, so go ahead."

Damon had stepped up behind Stefan, ready to prevent Katherine from hurting Elena anymore.

Katherine sucked in a breath of realization. "Or better yet... Kiss me, Damon. She'll feel that, too."

Sirena couldn't wait till this bitch was dead.

"You know, this whole Mason thing has me confused. Why a werewolf? The moonstone can break the curse that would help them destroy all vampires, so what's in that for you?" Stefan asked Katherine.

"Sorry about your pet wolf, probably should have kept him on a tighter leash," Damon teased.

Katherine spun on Damon. "I'll have to remember that for next time. He's not the only wolf in town."

"What're you planning, Katherine?" Stefan questioned.

"Wouldn't want me to spoil the surprise now would you?" she smiled.

Sirena wanted to leave, but was still stuck inside. She had seen the typical slutty girl in high school and hell even college that would screw you over to get at the guy you were with just to have her way but Katherine was a whole other level of crazy.

Damon came over and pressed a hand against the invisible barrier. "Dammit! Where is that witch?"

"We could play charades," Katherine joked.

The three went around and around about why Katherine wanted the moonstone. Stefan had figured out that she had taken it from someone. Someone she had been running from. But who? Sirena wasn't sure she wanted to meet the person who had this heartless bitch on the run.