A/N: I don't own Vampire Diaries or its' characters. I only own my OC, Artemisia


Chapter 7


Looking back, I guess I should not have revealed my secret in such a nonchalant way. I could tell by Elena and Damon's flabbergasted faces that they were questioning the evidence given by their eyes and ears. I had not planned on giving away any information about myself this early in the plot. I had planned on meddling a bit more before having my grand reveal (cue mental snickering). Its not like I had planned on deliberately upsetting my sister. It just happened.

I could see that Elena's face had lost some of its disbelief and was gaining some anger and outrage. I knew she was getting angry over the fact that I had not told her anything about this. Which was rather hypocritical of her, seeing as she had had me compelled to foget about her extra curricular activities. Damon, on the other hand, was quietly grieving over Rose. He picked up her body and started to put her in the trunk of his car. I stopped him and put a hand on rose's forehead, murmuring, "Liða á Valhöll með frjálsu." I was acting purely on instinct and had no idea where the Old Norse blessing had come from. I had a sneaking suspicion that it was a part of being a Priestess of Freyja. I even understood what I was saying, which freaked me out considering that I had no prior knowledge of the Viking tongue. Damon looked at me weirdly but seemed to understand and appreciate my sentiment. He nodded at me to indicate that he understood my motivation and my instinct of self-preservation and indicated with his eyes that he wanted me to go with him. I nodded and threw Elena my car keys, telling her to drive my car back home. I got into his car and settled into the comfortable seat.

Now you may think that it was very stupid and naïve of me to get into a car with Damon, just after I had killed his friend, but I trusted my instincts and they were telling me that it was safe for me to be in his vicinity. Damon got into the driver's seat and started the car. He was silent for a while, sneaking glances in my direction. I gave a sigh and glared at him pointedly.

He pursed up his lips and asked, "Since when?"

I knew what he was asking and replied, "I started when I was eleven. The men I told you about, the ones that attacked me, they were vampires. I found out about vampires from the Gilbert journals and asked my father about it. When I was twelve, I was attacked by a vampire. Thankfully, my father had been nearby and he disposed of the vampire easily. Since then I was trained by my father and uncle in the art of vampire hunting. However, I just hunt rabid and evil supernatural beings, like rippers, dark witches and human-eating werewolves. My father and my uncle despaired that I chose not to hunt all vampires, just those who had gone over to the dark side. Now, any questions?"

"You say you hunt rippers, but my brother is still breathing. Why? And while we are at it, why did you let us think that I was successful in compelling you?"

"While I do hunt rippers, I also know that your brother drinks only from animals. And there is also the fact that he brought my sister out of her depression. And though she then turned into a selfish bitch, I am not one to begrudge my sister her happiness. And as to why I let you guys think that I was successfully compelled, well, it made it easier for me to continue with my training, without anyone being suspicious. It also allowed me to know the real side of you guys. Did you know that I was adopted?" I asked him.

"No, I did not!" he exclaimed, veritably surprised.

I went on, "Neither did I. And everyone else in my family knew that and no one told me. I was not even told that Elena was adopted too and that her mom was still alive. Elena told Jenna that she was going to tell me about this herself. Apparently, she had no intention of doing that. Even Jeremy knew about this. And I am supposed to be their elder sister." I took a deep breath and continued my rant, "And her deceptions do not end here. Tell me Damon, did she not tell you to compel me every time you did it? If I hadn't been drinking vervain, do you suppose she would have eventually told me any of this?"

Damon clenched his jaw and stared ahead out of the windscreen. I saw his fingers tighten on the steering wheel and could see that he was thinking of my words.

"You're right, Artemisia. Every time I compelled you, it was because she begged me to do it. Said that it would be too much for you to handle. I always wondered why Jeremy seemed to go along with Elena's wishes, when he almost raised hell when he found out that he had been compelled once. I admit that I am in love with your sister but I am not blind to her faults. I have observed that she likes having both Stefan's and my attention. I had protested her decision to compel you quite vehemently the last two times, but was overruled again and again. Being an elder sibling myself, I quite understand where you're coming from. And I think that you would have found out about the happenings in town before long," he said.

I goggled at his long speech, never expecting that he would commiserate with me.

He glanced at my face and smirked, saying, "Did not expect that, did you? What did you expect me to be, a love sick puppy?" Looking at my guilty face, he laughed bitterly and said, "I guess I deserve that. Like you, I keep my real personality hidden. Its better for me of they think I am a pushover when it comes to love. It makes it easier for me to do my own thing, away from the judgmental looks from the Scooby gang."

I grimaced at him in sympathy. There was one thought niggling in my brain and asked him, "Damon, why are you not angry and upset at me for killing Rose? I was under the impression that you cared about her. And why are you so accepting of the fact that i am a hunter?"

"Despite you thinking otherwise, i did not care that much about rose. Yes, she was my friend, but i am not as cut up over her death as i would have been, if we had been closer. I am not upset or angry with you, because of the simple fact that i would have done the exact same thing in your place. She was a vampire who was about to take a bite out of you and you are a hunter. Your instincts took over and you staked her. And as to why i am taking in your being a hunter is because i always knew there was something different about the way you held yourself. Kind of like a soldier," he explained, with an unreadable look in his eyes.

Then he smirked and said, "We are almost at your house. Elena is waiting for you with Stefan and Jeremy. Enjoy explaining this to them." I widened my eyes and stared at the house in growing trepidation. Damon started cackling like a madman.


Liða á Valhöll með frjálsu - Pass onto Valhalla in peace.


A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! And keep on reviewing. Auf Wiedersehen!