Chapter 10

"Come inside, Care, please, I'll explain everything." but my friend shook her head and more tiers streamed down her face. In that moment all I wanted to do was to go find John Gilbert and cut his tongue out with a butter knife. So that's what he said would happen if I didn't give him the device? Where was the preach that he sang to me a week ago about how I was the one telling people about the existence of vampires not caring for their safety. This b*stard was going to get it, no one played with me like that and got away with it. No one. Especially when he involved one of my best friends. My family.

"Why? So you could tell me more lies?" she sneered and I flinched by the coldness of her voice. That wasn't my Caroline, my sunny and positive, smiling no matter the hardship Caroline. The guilt was eating me alive. I knew that I had to tell her sooner or later, it was inevitable, but each day that I saw her so happy and blissfully unaware of the danger that was stepping over her beloved town, I just couldn't make myself do it.

"Caroline, I know that you hate me right now, you have any reason to, I know that you don't trust me, but please, let me tell the whole story and I would let you judge me all you want after that." she brushed off the wet stream on her face with her sleeve and regarded me with those big beautiful blue eyes of hers.

"I-I...it won't change how betrayed I feel, Emma." and I nodded.

"I know and I deserve it, I would let you decide what you'll do later when you know all the facts."

She then agreed and I walked her towards my kitchen, she sat on one of the bar stools and looked so out of place that it pained me. She has been here hundreds of times, always feeling that it was her home as well, but now, the way she stood there, like it was the devil's place, shattered my heart. That was not the way I wanted for her to find out. But John wasn't the only to blame.

"Uggh..do you want tea? I have jasmine, your favorite?" her eyes were back on me, now small as slits, inspecting me, like I was going to give her poison.

"No. I'll pass." non the less I made the tea, put it in a flowery pot and placed it between us two, adding two cups as well. I slowly served the drink in both glasses, and waited for it to cool down.

"It was the anniversary of my parents death, I was going back from practice, you were the last person I said goodbye to that they. You remember?" she nodded not seeing where I was going with this. "I hugged you for longer then normal, I said that I loved you like the annoying sister that I never had. You laughed and called me a dork." I saw her holding back a small smile from the memory. "Then I went to Wickery bridge. That was the night I wanted to end my life, Caroline. I was going to jump in the deep water and let it consume me." my friend gasped and was about to say something but I shook my head, stopping her. "But I couldn't, I was scared to do it, even if inside it hurt so much to be left alone by the two people I loved the most, I still couldn't follow them." hers and mine eyes watered. "When I went back, I passed by a small street where I met for the first time a real vampire."

And for an hour I told her everything, how that vampire attacked me, how Jack saved me and told me about our family, how he started to train me. By that point she was sipping from the tea and I felt hope, that maybe she would somehow forgive me. Then I told her about Bonnie, how Jeremy found out as well. She was more then shocked about those things, but I didn't stopped there, I told her about the Salvatore brothers, Katherine, Elena, the other vampires here, the council and her mother, John, the device, the tomb. The whole time I saw how that much information was almost hard for her to process. When I was finished I had told her all, even what happened today, the threat that John made and why he said whatever he did to her.

"I...my mother knew about it?" I nodded. "And...I..." I saw all the questions that she wanted me to answer, but she didn't know from where to start.

"Would you like more tea?" I asked hopefully and she agreed making me feel lighter by this simple answer. And I made another pot of her favorite drink and it was by midnight that I had answered all that she wanted to know.

"Why did you keep this all from me? Don't you trust me, Emma? I know that I have big mouth, but I thought you knew when it was something important, you could count on me? Do you know how much it hurt to find that your best friend has been lying to your face for years?" I shook my head mutely, I was so ashamed by this, so so ashamed.

"I was going to tell you, but each time I saw how happy you were, I felt horrible to be the one to steal that away from you. All I ever wanted was to protect you, to protect everyone, I hated lying to you, so much, Care, it teared me apart every time that I had to stay quiet and not tell you what was going on. You have no idea how many times I wanted to pick up the phone and share with you how I struggle every day to protect the ones I love. How one day the peace was broken and I had to be constantly ready for an attack, for death, for loosing someone!"tiers were streaming down my face, by the end of my words, I didn't intend of crying, but I was so scared of the possibility that she would hate me, that she would want nothing to do with me anymore.

"Emms, please don't cry." she took my hand and I shakily let out a breath.

"I am so sorry, Care, so sorry. I didn't want to loose you, and now I see it actually happening." I sniffed and she stood up from her seat, walking around the table and coming right next to me. Her face was hard, strong and set on. She has made her decision.

"You owe me for the rest of your life, Emma Castor, you will be my slave! Whenever I need you to do something, you will do it, this will be my pay back!" I regarded her with big eyes.

"Do you forgive me, Care?" I asked and she snorted.

"I could never hold a grudge against you, Emma, not you. But that doesn't mean I'm not pissed, at all of you!" I laughed through my tiers and jumped off my stool, engulfing her in a tight hug. My God! I could breath again.

"I will do everything, everything, Care!"

"You bet you will! But you are not the only one at fault." I nodded and she took out her phone.

That's how at one in the morning both Elena and Bonnie found themselves in my kitchen looking guilty and nervous. They were like two little kids waiting for their parent to ground them. The parent here being Caroline, that was the only one standing. Hands on her hips, look analyzing.

"So when were you going to tell me that one of you was a real life Sabrina and the other one was a cloning of a psychotic vampire and dated an ex ripper?"

That's how we spent the rest of the Saturday's night, it was my other two best friends turn to explain themselves and tell her their story. By six in the morning, we had eaten all the junk food in the kitchen and Caroline was up to date with everything that was happening in Mystic Falls.

"I can't wait to see this crypt!" she said excitedly. "I imagine it being like the Batman cave!" we all laughed at her and were glad that she was back to normal. That was one of the things that I loved most about her, Care could bounce of every thing.

"You will love it." Bonnie said and I nodded.

"In few hours you will meet your mother, Lena. How are you feeling?" asked next the blond in the room.

"I'm prepared for disappointment, and I never really considered her as my mom." answered the Gilbert and we all felt bad for her.

"So I have to keep it secret, huh?" Caroline next question was and we all nodded. "Don't worry." and I wasn't I knew her well enough. "But what about my mother?" I signed expecting for this to come sooner or later.

"From her as well, Care, we can't risk it."

"I know, but still I can't believe that she kept it from me. It does explain why she is never around."

That's when my phone rang. Damon.

"Good morning, kitten, have you seen the annoying Gilbert? Stefan is having a teenage tantrum because she is not at her house and she left here phone there?" his silky voice fill my ear and I thought that I was the only one that heard him, but from the roll of Elena's eyes and Caroline's 'Kitten?!' exclamation, I guess I was wrong

"Oooh! You had a slumber party? Please do tell, did you had a pillow fight?" the vampire on the phone chuckled and I could almost see the wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Day, Caroline found out." there was a pause from the other line then a sign.

"Great. Put me on speaker, kitten." and I did, placing the phone in the middle of the table. "Welcome to the official Scooby gang, blondy! Where everyone has an unnecessary opinion and likes to play heroes!" I couldn't contain my laugh at that and neither the rest of the girls.

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing, Day."

"Thank you, Damon." said good naturally Caroline not caring one bit how sarcastic the vampire was.

"What ever, so it's safe to say that this is where you were all night. Correct?"

"Yes." said Bonnie, rolling her eyes.

"Splendid! No I can finally get rid of my brother's nagging. Christ you have no idea how annoying it is to listen to him all night!"

"See you later, Day!" I almost sang, deciding that we didn't need to keep listening to his whining.

"So eager to get rid of me, kitten. 'gasp!' Do I mean so little to you?" now I was the one rolling my eyes, he was too much.

"Day..."

"Yes! Keep saying my name like tha..." but I didn't let him continue because I already had ended the call. I shook my head and look towards my friends, Bonnie and Elena had become used to this and looked amused and not one bit bothered, but Care had a questioning look on her face. I sigh, perfect...

"Did I missed something?" she asked.

"That's Damon and Emma for you, Care." said Bonnie and Elena nodded in agreement. You see?

"Okay, I want all the details!" exclaimed the blonde and I told her about our relationship. Each time I assured her we were friends, she would roll her eyes and say 'aha..', but non the less I was thankful that she didn't pried deeper. Because I was not ready to answer some particular questions.

In a very long while I didn't have one normal Sunday. Every other teenager would be out with his friends, having fun or doing their homework. Not me. This end of the week was nothing different. After I ended the call with Damon the four of us prepared breakfast and coffee, lots of coffee, and soon were joined by Jeremy and the two Salvatore brothers. From a far we looked as normal people that were spending their Sunday morning together and were catching with one another. Wrong. We were discussing what to do with Isobel and so many other 'conspiracy thingies' like my dear Damon liked to call them.

At ten o'clock, Elena went to meet Isobel, Stefan and Ric accompanying her. While she was having one of the most awkward and tension filled conversations in her life, Bonnie was finishing up with the device. Caroline went home, after I promised her to tell her what she missed, because she, as the new Miss Mystic Falls, was the head of the Founder's Day parade that was next Friday. Jeremy was supposed to wait at his house, when his sister returned and make sure that she was okay. I on the other hand was sitting in the crypt and looking through Isobel's research. It was not the thing I wished I was doing, that being actually kicking the ass of John, but Damon and the rest all agreed that I should stay put. At least for the time being. And let's be honest, the revenge was served better when it's cold.

Things didn't go as planned, as you could imagine. They went very bad, actually. Isobel wanted nothing to do with her daughter and only met with her to make sure that we all understood that we had no other option then to give her Johnathan Gilbert's device. Elena was crushed and very disappointment, but hid it well. At least till she was alone or with Stefan. She knew that, even if it was hard for me say it, now was not the time. All got worse when one of the Ric's ex wife goons, met Bonnie when she was coming to the crypt where the rest of us were and told her that they got Jeremy. The b*tch just couldn't understand what mistake she made by going after my family.

"She want's from Elena to bring her the invention in an hour, at the square." explained the witch and I could see how pissed of she was as well.

"My God, not Jer!" exclaimed the only present Gilbert and I shared her opinion. He was like a brother to me.

"We will give it to her, Elena, she would let him go." tried to calm her down, Stefan. Damon was looking at me at that moment, he knew how much I cared about the younger Gilbert and was next to me in a second, taking my hand and squeezing it in reassurance. That gesture made me feel safe and able to think, in no time I had a plan formed out in my head.

"Bon, you ready with the spell?" I asked and she nodded. "Good, now this is what we are going to do."

Elena and I were waiting in the town's square, an hour later precisely, there were people passing not far away, it was lively. Lena was trembling a little next to me, so I looked at her and smiled a little. I was calm and collected for two reasons. My plan was flawless and there was no way I was going to meet this woman for the first time and show anything but disinterest. She had no idea with whom she was playing with. But soon she will learn.

"Elena, I see that you didn't listen to my warning of coming alone." in front of us walked in, Isobel, and she indeed looked very beautiful, I saw why Ric was so entranced with her, well, before he found out what psychotic selfish person she was in reality. Elena jumped from surprise, but I stayed collected, not one bit impressed.

"The famous Emma Castor, I was curious to meet, but I still don't see why so many people are following you like the lost puppies they are." she said now turning her attention towards me. Her eyes were calculating, observing, she was waiting for me to react, to bite back, but Isobel didn't get that. I was as interested of her as I was for the next passer by. So without really meaning to, I let out a small yawn and roll my eyes. I didn't sleep that night, sue me. She visibly tensed not appreciating the lack of fear and respect I just displayed. She was about to say something, more like roar it in my face, stepping closer, each step filled with more deadly intentions, but I still adorned an emotionless expression.

"Where is my brother?" cut in Elena, seemingly bringing back, the enraged vampire in front of us, back to reality and away, at least for the moment, from the murderous thoughts she had for me.

"Where is the device?" she shot back, attention back to her daughter. Just the thought made me scrunch my nose in disgust.

"I'm not giving it, before I know Jeremy is safe." countered back my friend and I felt so proud of her for being so brave.

"Do you really think I came alone?" rolled her eyes the emotionless vampire, and out of nowhere came out three more blood suckers. They all glared at us and I couldn't contain my grin.

"What idiots." I laughed and all attention was back on me. Isobel's eyes snapped turning red, teeth gritting, she was furious.

"What did you just said?" she sneered and from the look of it not only her, but her puppets came closer. Good.

"You are the idiot here actually." I corrected myself and exaggeratedly signed, while shaking my head in disapproval. With each second the four vampires were getting more and more pissed, nearing me and Elena. "You think that you could just come here and start threatening the people I care about. You actually are foolish enough to believe that I would let you get away with that? I know that Jeremy is already home and I was more then certain that you would bring your dogs. You just fell right where I wanted you to be." I smile in amusement when I saw them all stiffen.

"We are in public, Castor, what could two helpless teenagers do to us?" she smirked thinking that I was exaggerating. But that same smirk fell the moment she saw I was grinning.

"Oh you poor foolish excuse of a vampire." I signed and looked at her with eyes filed with disappointment. That was what made her crack and she ran to me, her minions behind her, but the next second all of them were on the ground screaming in agonizing pain. Behind me joined Damon, Stefan and Bonnie, who was chanting one hell of painful spell.

"H-how..?" screeched Isobel with the last strength she had. People were still passing by, no one even saw what was happening.

"One of your biggest mistakes was to think that you had the advantage here, Isobel." said Damon with amused smirk placed on his face, he was now next to me. I nodded. "You see, you never knew how strong Sabrina here is."

"One simple clocking spell, but placed on everyone in the radius of 10 feet from me." I winked at her when I saw she was seconds away from passing out. "You shouldn't have messed with a Castor, Isobel Flemming."

I was glad that it didn't took a lot of time for the four vampires to pass out. Bonnie was strong, but she had dispelled the invention, put one hell of a big clocking spell on us and aneurism four blood suckers. If they were older we would have failed. But then again they were not and she succeeded. Quickly we put them in the truck, that Stefan got from Matt and drove them to the tomb that still had the magic barrier. It was safe to say that they could not get out. For the time being we agreed to let them rot for few days, till we came back and asked for some answers.

Then we all went back to the Gilbert's house, where Jer and Ric were waiting for us, They both were surprised when they found what had happened. And Alaric asked to be the first to talk with his ex wife. From then, Jeremy told us that Isobel had been in deed working with John, but he had nothing to do with the kidnapping. He even wanted to set him free, if it wasn't for the woman now in the tomb, that stopped him. From what he found out, Isobel was here only for the device and was going to give it to John to activate it. When? We didn't know, but I had pretty good idea.

"At the parade, all of the town would be there." I said and Damon nodded agreeing with my words.

"I propose, giving it to that b*stard and seeing him look like an idiot when he finds out that it won't work." said Bonnie and I laughed at that.

"I know something even better." I said and they all regarded me waiting. I think that after today they all had a good idea of how devious I could be. What was I capable of doing. "We will make sure that he not only fails, but that he looses the respect he holds so dear and get rid of him once and for all."

When we were done with the details, I had called Caroline and told her everything, she was ecstatic and even congratulated me for being such a genius. Damon was with me when I went home. I was so tired, not having slept for almost two days and from the whole adrenaline rush that we all were part of today.

"I loved the last touch you did in the tomb, kitten." said impressed Damon, laying on my bed, watching me get ready for sleep. I grinned at him from the mirror reflection and thanked him. After we placed the unconscious bodies, I left one blood bag just in front of the barrier. I even wrote a note that was next to, so they could clearly see it. 'Enjoy your stay :) Emma Castor.' the smiley face was Bonnie's idea. When it came to plans like that we two were the perfect team, first the tomb opening, now that surprising attack.

"I wouldn't have done it, Day, I would have talked with her and tried to come to some mutual, for both parties, outcome, but she crossed the line when she took hostage Jeremy." and that was the true, no matter how much she was playing with my nerves till the moment I found from Bon, that Jer was in danger, I wanted to have another way to end this dispute. She was Elena's real mother, Ric's ex wife, she had no emotions, but now I had seen that she wouldn't have listened. I had to make sure, she would not harm anyone. The spell on the tomb wouldn't stop her, she could change, she could actually get out, if she stopped thinking of hurting anyone. But till then, I had no problem that she would stay there, her and her dogs.

"I know, kitten, and even if I didn't approved of it, I would have followed you." said the vampire sincerely and made my heart skip a beat. His support meant so much to me. I turned around, done for the night, wearing his black shirt and short shorts and I laid down next to him, not hiding the smile when his arms snaked around me.

"Thank you Damon, I don't know what I would have done without you."

"You didn't need my help so much today, kitten." he disagreed and I turned around so I was facing him. Did he really think that? I was amazed by the fact that he didn't see how much I had come to depend on him. I moved one of my hands down and placed it under his black t-shirt, loving how his ab muscles contracted from my touch. I started to caress the skin and he momentarily relaxed, eyes locked with mine, imprisoning me.

"You are wrong, Day, and I didn't only mean today, what I wanted to say was that I may act calm and collected around everyone else, but when I'm with you I could always let go." he came closer, lips hovering over mine, blue eyes transforming in to almost black.

"I'll be always here for you, Emma." he whispered and his voice was husky and low, making me shiver. Damon then leaned in further but instead of my lips, his kissed my forehead, then my cheeks, nose and neck. I was drowning in two completely opposite feelings. I was blushing, and my insides were sizzling with happiness, but in the same time I was almost disappointed. Did I really wanted him to kiss me on the lips?

"So instead of a royal like lunch, I come home to this?" I was suddenly woken up by very familiar voice and when I opened my eyes, there at the door of my bedroom stood Jack, who had huge amused smile. For a moment I had no idea what he was talking about, so my eyes followed where he was looking and first I noticed the hour. It was Ten past twelve and the next thing that I see is Damon, that was laying next to me, just as amused as Jack was. Even more. Then I finally clicked and could understand what this looked like. I was wearing a male's shirt, and the male next to me was very much naked. That is from the jeans up, but you could not see that from my blankets. Like that I'm all of a sudden feeling very hot, blush is creeping on my cheeks and neck.

"Jack." nodded the vampire next to me, hardly containing the laugh that wanted to erupt from his lips.

"Damon." greeted in return my uncle, that somehow found this whole situation funny. "Why don't you two get dressed...you know dissent and I will be waiting for you in the kitchen. To catch up and all." with a parting wink, my infuriating last living family, left me looking like a tomato, ready to explode.

It was silent just for a moment but then Damon chuckled. The chuckle transformed in to a full blown out laughter, body shaking, eyes sparkling with amusement, smile wild. At that picture in front of me I forgot completely about my embarrassment and was entranced by the men next to me. He didn't look like the murderous vampire he was, he didn't look like someone that had seen the world change, nations fall, he didn't look like the man who had waited for one woman for over a century only to find out that she never wanted him. No, this person here was free, was actually happy, at this exact moment at least. I would give everything in this world if I could always make him be so open and expressive, if I could have the talent and paint him like that, or just had a camera in my hands to capture this unforgettable moment, that took my breath away. All of this was because Damon Salvatore was laughing whole hardheartedly, not smirking or chuckling, no, this real smile made him almost shine in my eyes and all I could do was stand there and watch.

"Let's get downstairs before your uncle has more reasons to have 'the talk with me'." he said when he calmed down and kissed me on the forehead. He was then out of the bed, his back gracing my vision and I didn't find a reason to avert my eyes, so I continued watching and appreciating the view. When he was putting his shirt back on, I finally snapped out of my trans and got up as well. Ten minutes later, wearing my own clothes, we were all in the kitchen. Yes it was Monday, yes I did had school, but as you could see that didn't bothered me so much. The weekend was too draining and I needed sleep, so I had decided to skip today, don't forget that Jack was back.

"So! What did I missed?" asked excitedly my uncle that was stuffing his mouth with the pasta that I prepared yesterday. I was eating as well, not so fast of coarse and Day was sipping from a mug of blood that Jack so kindly proposed to him. Yes we kept blood bags even in our house. Are you even that surprised?

"We got Isobel." started Damon and from then we informed Jack what he missed from the last time I called him.

"This is so not fare!" he exclaimed when we were finished. At the moment my uncle looked like a toddler that slipped his ice cream on the ground. He was pouting. Yes. You heard right. "I would have given everything so I could have seen how you took down that woman!" he wined and I laughed, Damon next to me rolling his eyes, obviously already used to his childish behavior.

"Well it wasn't my fault that it took you so long to come back." I said. Non the less that did not stop him from complaining.

"And John?" he then suddenly remembered, saying the name of this man with great distaste.

"We have something special planned for him." I answered coldly, the memory of a crying Caroline getting stuck before my eyes.

"Good! I want part in it!" he exclaimed and I knew that there was no way he would stay away from this one. He hated John Gilbert.

"So what did you got me from your trip?" I changed the subject excitedly. Damon send me a questioning look and I grinned at him. "Whenever Jack goes on his trips he comes back with lots of goodies."

"By that she means journals, spell books, magic items, researches. Mostly information." elaborated the other Castor in the room and I rolled my eyes, that's what I said!

"You Castors are suckers for homework." chuckled the vampire next to me and I stuck out my tongue. Hey, I do and there is nothing bad about it. He's just jealous that we had such a big collection of cool stuff.

"This time actually I didn't had a lot of time to search for new additions for the crypt, but when I met with some of my old friends I came up to something a lot more interesting." that perked up both of our attentions. "It about a story of a half vampire, half werewolf."

"Wait. What? Werewolves aren't real." stopped him Damon, at those words me and my uncle turned to him surprised.

"You don't know?" this was something new. The vampire looked at us like were were crazy. That was my answer. "Day, werewolves are as real as you are."

"Explain." he said, full attention now on me and the new revelations that I was about to say. So I told him about this race of supernaturals, how were they born, how their curse was activated, that their bite when in full form was deadly for a vampire. How they could only turn on full moon and the pain they went through, if they did not had a moon stone ring that let them control when they could transform.

"So why am I only finding about this just now?" Day asked me when I was done, still shocked and processing what I told him.

"It never came up."

"It never came up that the Mayor was a werewolf and that his son, Tyler, could become one as well?" he challenged for me to counter that with some other excuse, but I knew from how his eyes were at the shape of slits that he was not in the mood.

"I'm sorry, Day, it completely slipped my mind with everything else that was happening lately." I said slowly, really feeling guilty, my voice small. The said vampire signed, waved his fingers through his hair and soon I could see his body relaxing.

"Stop looking me like that!" he said and then groaned. "How can I stay mad when you look at me with those eyes?" he grumbled, but straightened up when he saw the amused look that Jack was sending him. "What are their weaknesses?" he asked.

"They are pretty normal in human form, they are stronger but not deadly for the vampire. A werewolf could be killed by separating the head from the body or the heart, silver does the trick as well." counted Jack and Damon nodded. "Most of them move in packs, but the Lockwoods are exception, they are too proud and well..you have already met the Mayor."

"What about on full moon?"

"They don't have control over themselves, that's where their nature tells them to hunt. To hunt vampires, so I have a friend that would always stay away from the woods and in a big city when the time comes." the vampire nodded.

"Anything else?"

"It's about the information that I was going to tell you in the beginning. When I heard it I had to research more so that's why I came back so late." said Jack. "People on the street know about a story of how to break the moon and the sun curse." our eyes widen. "If successful no vampire would have to be afraid of the sun and no werewolf would fear the full moon. In order to break the spell you will need a vampire, a werewolf, witch, moonstone and the blood of a human doppelganger." I gasped.

"What?" I asked completely stunned. Damon was nothing less.

"That was my reaction as well so I had to know more. The things I found, you won't believe it." So he told us about the original vampire family and how they were the ones that started Damon's race. No one believed they existed because of the fear that they were unstoppable. They were more then a thousand years old, could not be killed in any traditional way like the rest. Amongst them there was one who was different, he was half wolf, but that side of his was locked away by a witch that saw he would be truly indestructible if he succeeded in breaking the curse. But there was a way for him to do it and the ingredients needed were the one Jack mentioned. The problem was that the last doppelganger he had, escaped him. That's when things started to make sense. If Elena was the doppelganger, then Katherine was the previous one but she is a vampire so her blood was to no significance to this man. Then the realization hit me, there were people, vampires and werewolves that must be searching for the new sacrifice, Elena. Fear shook through my body. Was this really true? Could things go so bad?

"What about this moon stone?" asked Damon after a long silence. He was deep in thought just like I was.

"No one knows where it is. But I might know why Katherine was never in the tomb." said Jack and Day's head snapped momentarily in his direction. That got my attention as well. "If she was the one for the sacrifice, this man should have had her when she was still human. I think that she somehow managed to escape and to get away from him as she turned in to a vampire. Like that she was useless. But If I was someone that has been waiting for more then five hundred years to break the curse, I would never forgive something like this."

"You would hunt her down, till she payed." finished Damon, realization now clear on his face. "She has been running all her miserable undead life from him, that's why she faked her dead and let everyone believe she was in the tomb, where no vampire could get in or out."

"Till we opened that same tomb and she was not there." I continued his direction of thoughts.

"And you let out seven vampires that now know about that as well." added Jack.. This was mind blowing.

"How can you be sure that all of this is true?" asked the blue eyed man.

"If there is something I do best, that is researches, I don't make mistakes and I would have never told you about it if it was only speculations." my uncle said and I knew he was right. When Damon saw how certain he is, he knew it as well.

"So what do we do from here?" I asked.

"Nothing. We don't know where Katherine is, where the moon stone is or if this hybrid or whatever knows about Elena." said Damon.

"We could try and find out the whereabouts of miss Pierce from Isobel." proposed Jack but my friend shook his head.

"Kat is too sneaky she would never expose something so valuable to anyone. And we are still not sure if Ric's ex has anything at all to do with her." denied Day.

"For the moment I would go back to school starting tomorrow and act like nothing is out of order. We would question Isobel and on the parade we will keep up with the plan of taking down John." that was the only thing that we could do, at least till we knew more. Suddenly Damon groaned. I looked at him questioningly and he looked pretty annoyed.

"You will make me tell the rest of the Scooby gang as well, won't you, kitten?" he signed and I couldn't contain my laughter.

"Yes I will." I winked and he rolled his eyes, clearly not impressed with it. Non the less, after school was over I had called everyone in the crypt. Caroline, the two Gilberts, the Salvatore brothers, Bonnie and Alaric were all seated around the big old white oak tree table. I was in the center, on my left was Jack, on my right Damon. When I looked around it almost looked surreal. Not long ago, I was the only one here, then Bon and Jer joined me and after that the number kept growing and growing. They all looked so comfortable, already used being here, meeting here, discussing things like the 'annoying gang' we are.

"We have some bad news." I started. Tonight was going to be a very long night.

To say that everyone took the news well was the biggest lie ever created. A chaos happened when Jack was done with all the explanations. Elena was rooted in her seat, white as a sheet, her boyfriend was asking one question after another, Jer was squeezing her hand trying to bring her back to the living. Bonnie was already thinking of a way of action, how to protect her friend from the future horrifying danger. Ric was quiet but the worry was visible on his face.

"I will have to ask Grams if she knows something." said the witch.

"And I Anna, she met with a lot of vampires, she might have heard about this." added Jer.

"I know it's a lot to process, Lena, but I promise you that I would try everything to keep you safe." I went towards my friend and my heart shattered by how scared she look right at this moment. Damon was next to me and pulled me against his chest. He looked at everyone and signed.

"We are not telling you any of this to start a panic or scare you. It's so we could be prepared, we are lucky that Jack found out about this and if in the future it came to it, we would know at least what we are getting ourselves against." I nodded.

"Damon has a point, this is far in the future for all we know, right now we should live in the present and work with what we got. That's Isobel and John. One step at a time." I said and looked at each one of my friends, trying to at least dissolve a little the tension.

"One evil at a time, is the more accurate, if I have to choose." pipped in my blonde friend and I agreed, grinning a little. She was calm even if everything was so new for her.

"I prefer the step thing...it's little less dramatic." said Jack and the cheeky smile he threw somehow succeeded in cracking up everyone. This man was magician. I swear!

Three days till the parade.

I was back in school, some of my teachers frowned upon me for skipping, I was known as a very serious student, but my mind was else where. No, not on Isobel. Nigher John. It was actually on Tyler Lockwood. Yes you heard right. I normally don't like the dude, he is way too full of himself and let's not forget that when Jer was still interested in Vicky he was acting like a douche to him. I would not talk about his anger management because it was based on the wolf inside of him. No judging there. But if I got a dollar for each time he flirted with some girl, I'll be rich. He has tried it many times with me, but seeing that I always shut him up, now we were far from friends.

So you see why I would not be one bit concerned about him, but not today. I was in reality even worried. Damon has decided this upon himself to stalk the pants out of the boy. He started to observe his father as well. Tyler has sensed that, from yesterday night, someone was watching him and he was acting paranoid today at school. When the last class was over Day was even outside in the parking lot not hiding the glare he was sending him. We were obvious to it as well.

"What's up with your boyfriend, Castor?" stopped me Tyler when I was on my way to the said vampire. Caroline was next to me, looking more then amused.

"One. I don't know what are you talking about. Two. If he were my boyfriend that hand of yours would not be attached to your body by now." I answered annoyed and pulled out of his grip.

"Down boy." pipped in Care and I held in the snort after seeing his confused face.

"Whatever." and like that he walked away acting like he didn't just made a fool out of himself. My blond friend and I didn't held back the laugh then and that made Tyler turn around and send us a glare.

"It's full moon this Friday." said Damon when we walked up to him. The vampire was leaning on his car, grabbing the attention of the whole female population around.

"That means he would be angry." understood Care and I nodded.

"Good job, Barbie." my friend had started to pick on Caroline as well, just like with Bonnie. She just was better at keeping her cool then the Bennett witch.

"Don't be jelly that I spend more time with Emms, then you Salvatore, you have to learn to share." she smirked and he rolled his eyes. I decided to stop this before it escalated.

"Day, I won't be able to come today, I'm helping Care with the parade preparation." at my words he narrowed his blue orbs and send a look of disapproval.

"Why would I care? It's not your job, Miss Barbie here is responsible." I was about to answer but Care did it before me.

"She is my slave for the rest of her life. So suck it, fangs, and go whine on someone else." okay wow! I became hysterical at that, my laughing could be probably heard all around the parking. This was hilarious! The raven hair man grumbled something and left.

"What a baby." smirked Caroline.

"Care..."

Two days till the parade.

When done with painting some platform for today, my blond terminator of a best friend let Bonnie, Elena and I free. She has been bossing us around for more then three hours and it was sunset when we could actually go to the tomb. Ric had already talked with his ex and from the call I got, Damon and him were now most probably getting drunk together in the Grill. It was safe to say that it didn't go well. I hope at least that he found some closure.

Elena didn't want to see her at the moment, not after the Jeremy thing and she went home, where Stefan was awaiting for her. Bonnie was with her Grams, searching some information about the Original family and the curse. The younger Gilbert was on a date with Anna. When I descended the old steps, they led me to the entrance of the tomb, there just right next to the barrier was sitting the woman I wanted to see. She was paler then the last time we had an encounter, probably from the lack of blood. She was staring hungrily at the blood bag, that now was moved even closer, but still not close enough. That must have been Alaric.

"Isobel Flemming, we meet again. How do you find your new accommodations?" I asked, while pushing an old chair from the shadows and putting it in front of her. I sat on it, making myself comfortable. The vampire in question glared at me, eyes turning red, hisses coming out of her mouth. Yep, she was angry. I knew from the call that Day gave me, she had killed her three goons so they would not talk. I didn't see their bodies but the tomb was big, they were somewhere in the back.

"When I get out of here, you would be my first stop." she sneered, voice scratchy, dry. I chuckled and shook my head. No one told her it seems. I will let her think whatever she wanted.

"You promise?" I asked because if she did change and came out, I would welcome her with open arms.

"You have no idea who you angered." she smirked maliciously. I bend my head a little in false wonder.

"Oh. By chance do you mean Katherine?" and the second that I said this name her smirk fell, her body tensed, eyes going big. "And you said that you've heard a lot about me, Isobel, but it looks that it wasn't enough or you would not be surprised that I know something like that." I winked and held back my own smirk.

"You still have no idea how or why, or you wouldn't be here." she finally found her voice back and answered.

"And you wouldn't be so kind to share this with me, would you?" I tried and the humorless laugh that I got in return told me that much. I wanted to ask her why she turned off her humanity. Why she left her daughter and husband and so much more, but at the moment she was of no use to me.

"It seems that you are still not ready to talk with me, Isobel, that's a shame. But no worries I have time, let's see how long you will last before you will even turn on the switch for a glass of blood." I said and stood up, I saw the panic on her face.

"Wait! I'll tell you everything." but I knew better, she won't. I shook my head and said.

"Don't play me for a fool, Isobel. I will see you after a while." that's how I left, with her screaming at me, cursing me, promising me hell.

One day till the parade.

And it was normal. Too normal. Throughout it I felt like it was the calm before a storm. But I didn't let my gut feeling ruin the sunny morning. I had breakfast like always with Bon and Jer. Sparing with Jack and school with frantic Caroline, the perfectionist in her was making sure everything was ready. After that I spend the rest of the day with Damon. He drove us around town and even out of it. Getting me away from the craziness even for few hours.

"You know that ton of things could go wrong tomorrow, right?" I asked my friend that was eating from the big tube of ice cream we had placed between us. We had stopped just out of the city, car parked in front of the 'Welcome to Mystic Falls' sign and the hill we were on gave us the view of the entire town. He still had his spoon in his mouth when he answered.

"When does it not?" I looked offened.

"Hey, my plans are flawless, the last two times they worked out!" I said feeling protective over my own devious brain. The smirk I got in return told me all. He said that on purpose to make me answer my own question.

"You sneaky vampire!" I laughed, my body easing just a bit.

"Stop over thinking, kitten." was his only answer. And it was enough.

Later he left me at the Gilbert's house, where I had a game night with Jeremy. The older Salvatore went out to hunt with his brother. Stefan was doing an exceptional work for the past week and a half. He was now drinking fully human blood and had control over it, still he needed time to really learn to let go, but those outings with Damon worked like magic on him.

It was the day of the parade.

All of the students had to be dressed with the appropriate costumes that were worn when the Founders day was celebrated the first time. Meaning when Damon and Stefan were still human. Yesterday night John cornered me once again, asking where Isobel was but in place of answering him I gave him the devise. His initial shock was replaced with suspicion but I told him that now I believed him, he would expose everyone, not missing mentioning Caroline. He looked satisfied and probably would have never brought it if he wasn't so eager to get his hands on the invention. We parted ways with his final words for Damon's ears that he better not show that same night in the council meeting. Fool.

It was around eleven in the morning and I was finally done with my dress. It was heavy but very beautiful. The corset top was tight, but then it flared all the way to the floor and thanks to it's many layers the bottom stayed in a circle form. The color was light lavender and the long gloves were white. I had curled my hair and pinned the front strands on the back with a brooch. My make up was heavier then usual. I had a nude lipstick and smoky eye not missing my signature cat eyeliner, accentuating my light green orbs.

I patted down my dress a little and when my eyes returned to my reflection on my big mirror I wasn't alone anymore. There behind me stood Damon Salvatore wearing a black male costume, representing the bourgeois of the time, like the one he had been himself. He was sinfully amazing.

"Kitten." started the vampire, eyes roaming all over my body, hands on my waist bringing me flush against his front. "You look gorgeous." he whispered and the sincerity in his voice made me blush. I hid my face a little in the crook of his neck and breathed in the aroma that could be simply described as Damon. I heard him chuckle and his hold on my body tightened.

"Thank you, Day." I said when I could finally look at him and wasn't red as tomato. The vampire winked and took us to his car. In no time we were in the center, all of the town walking around having fun. Caroline had done amazing job with the decoration.. It was fantastic, festive and patriotic. While we walked I saw Jer talking happily with Anna, I waved at both of them and they send me smiles. I next saw Bonnie that looked beautiful in her dress and she came up to us.

"Hey guys." she greeted and I hugged her. It was hard with those voluminous gowns, but we managed. Elena and Stefan came just a moment later, both of them wearing their own costumes. I felt Day tensing next to me and I momentarily knew why, Lena at that moment looked exactly like Katherine. Just like the picture that we had of her. I took hold of his hand and interlaced our fingers. The gesture relaxed him a little and the far away look disappeared. Damon turned to me and the gentle smile he graced me with made my knees weak. He brought my hand to his mouth and slowly kissed each knuckle. His eyes were such a light blue color right now, they were so expressing that I couldn't miss the affection in them. And it was only for me. After that he didn't let go of me, his thumb was drawing small figures on my skin that made me feel safe and happy.

"In ten minutes, the Mayor will gather the entire town for his speech and then the firework show will start." said Stefan.

At twelve o'clock exactly everyone will be here. We knew that, John knew that. It was his plan actually. Last night he had gathered the entire council and had told them that he had the device that will show them the vampires. They all formed a plan to capture them and burn them in the old fabric where they were keeping the fireworks. Later they would blame it on them for the explosion. Jack was there when all of this happened. John didn't say anything to him but from what my uncle told me, the Gilbert had a huge smirk on his face the whole time. This man knew that every vampire would be here and he was right. Not far away was Pearl, talking with Jenna and Ric. Only Isobel wasn't present but he had no idea where we kept her.

"Ladies and Gentleman..." the speech began, we all spared one another one last look and separated. While the Mayor was talking we kept an eye on the back stage. There were the rest of the council, including Jack and John. The second was holding what seemed to be the entire invention.

"He's blabbering about how, soon they would kill the monsters all thanks to his family and the genius mind of Johnathan...blah blah blaah.. " snorted Day that listened to their conversation.

"Where is the Sheriff?" I now realized.

"Jack called saying that she didn't believe any of John's crazy talking so she and her deputies are somewhere doing their actual job." explained the vampire and I laughed.

The fireworks started.

That was when everyone was looking at the sky, but not us, I saw how John tried to activate the machine but nothing happened. He tried again and again and with each passing second he was getting angrier and angrier. The council once looking ready for action now looked at him like he was a crazy man that had lost their time. A man that now had lost any respect. I couldn't hear it but he was shouting something. His arms were flying around, like he was trying to explain to them that it was supposed to work. Then his eyes fell on me and I let out one big satisfied smirk just for him. Damon was not better. That made him snap because next he was attacking my uncle, but didn't even had the chance to touch him because some of the members were pulling him back.

John was struggling against their hold and in that moment he looked like a dog with rabies. Jack stayed calm, playing surprised about, no doubt, the accusations John was sending towards him. Damon chuckled next to me.

"What?" I asked.

"He is blaming you right now, he says that you have tricked him and that you are protecting the vampires." I rolled my eyes, normally that would make me nervous, but now it was more then clear that no one believed him, those words made him look even crazier in their eyes. Good. The more he struggled the better. The Mayor then joined them with his wife in tow.

"They are trowing him out, saying that he has lost his mind like Johnathan Gilbert." elaborated the vampire next to me.

And that's what they did, we followed closely when they let him go on a parking not far away from the stage. From across I saw Stefan and Elena that were joined by Anna, Pearl and Jeremy. When John was left alone we all showed our selves.

"You!" the man in question turned to me, after seeing that he was surrounded. "You did this!" he took a step closer.

"What would you do, John? Now you are alone, no one will ever believe you. You lost everyone's trust." asked Pearl and she was right in front of him. But he didn't answer, the look in his eyes was of a man that had lost himself to the rage. Before I could say anything, he took out of his jacket a wooden stake and pierced it through Pearl's heart.

"NO!" screamed Anna that ran towards the rapidly graying vampire. She caught her just before her body fell on the ground and tiers were streaming down her face, calling after her, like she would wake from a sleep. John was now on his back, throat bleeding with the Asian girl readying herself to finish him off. Everything was happening so fast that I didn't see it. Stefan had her next in his arms pulling her away from the oldest Gilbert, that was seconds away from dying. Damon was then feeding him his blood.

"What are you doing? Let me go! Let me kill him! He..h-he..." Anna's rage was quickly turning in hysterics, she freed herself from Stefan's arms and ran to her mother's cold body. "Mom...m-mom!" but she didn't get an answer. Jer, Elena and I were rooted in our places, not believing what just occurred. The first to get out of the shock was Jeremy that ran towards his girlfriend and engulfed her in his embrace. Elena had tiers in her eyes as well. I averted my attention to Damon.

"He will live." he answered my silent question and when I nodded he took John's body, disappearing. We had planned to lock him up in the Salvatore's cell till the vervain was out of his system and we could question him, then compel him to leave us alone. That's where my blue eyes friend probably was now taking him.

"We have to move the body, Anna, or someone will see it." spoke Stefan getting the attention from all of us. She nodded mutely and Jeremy helped her stand up, while Stefan took her mother.

It twenty minutes we were at the cemetery, Damon, Jack and Ric had joined us, Anna declined my uncle's proposal to bury Pearl and said that she would take her necklace and leave the sun burn her to ashes. We all stood silently on one side, looking at how the daughter mourned her mother, Jeremy not leaving her side. He truly looked devastated and it made my heart ache. Damon was holding me securely, while I was leaning on his chest for support. We were all still wearing our costumes.

This was not supposed to happen, I shouldn't have let someone die. I felt like it was my fault and the vampire behind me sensed what I was feeling because for the entire time he whispered in my ear that I wasn't the one to blame. That I did my best.

"Don't you dare think anything else, kitten, I won't allow it." he said "Do you understand?" I felt someone squeezing my free hand and when I turned I saw Jack standing next to us, him giving me the same look like the vampire.

"Damon is right, munchkin, no one could stop him." I nodded mutely, even if I still felt bad. So bad.

Flames got back my attention and I saw Pearl's body burning in front of us. Anna stood not far away from it, gripping Jeremy for dear life. We were all silent.

"I'm leaving Mystic Falls." said Anna, after we were all in the crypt.

"I'm so sorry, Anna." I said and she looked at me. I expected her to scream, blame, curse me, but she send me a small smile in gratitude and said.

"I'm sorry as well."

"Where would you go?" asked Jack.

"I don't know, probably decide it on the move." the small vampire shrugged.

"I could introduce you to a friend of mine in New York he is an artist, if you want?" proposed my uncle and she nodded.

"I will come with you." all heads snapped towards Jeremy when he said that.

"What? NO! Are you crazy, Jer? What about school? Jenna and me?" stood up from her seat Elena looking shocked. They started to argue with one another. And my mind ran wild.

"Elena." I said, grabbing both of their attention. "I think it's not such a bad idea." at that she glared at me not believing my words. "No, listen. Here is no longer safe. We can't be sure what next would walk in town." she averted her eyes away from me.

"So I just let him go, God knows where?"

"I won't let anything bad happen." said with a small voice Anna, that had a gentle smile on her face when she looked at Jeremy, he was the same.

"I can take care of myself, Elena." the younger Gilbert rolled his eyes.

"If they want to stay in New York, like I proposed." cut in Jack. "My friend there is a hunter, just like me, he is pretty cool too and will keep an eye on both of them. Let's not forget that there are amazing colleges and with little compulsion Jer could transfer in art school, where he would actually like it."

"And Jenna would just let him go..." said Elena.

"Damon could always compel her to think that she let him go on exchange program for the rest of his high school...or something." both me and Damon snapped our heads to Bonnie, the witch, that said those words. Okay, a lot of things were starting to change.

"Elena, I won't disappear. I would call you often so you could keep me up to date and I'll visit." Jeremy pushed further.

"But...I...I'll miss you." whispered the doppelganger.

"You are not loosing me, it's just that I need to get out of here." he assured her after giving her a tight hug.

Till the end of the night, Elena had agreed, Jenna was compelled, and the couple had packed their baggage. We all knew it was better if they left as soon as possible, so after a long and emotional goodbye with lots of tiers from Bonnie, Elena and I. They were on their way. No doubt that with Anna's compulsion and Sam, Jack's friend, help they would have no problems.

I felt like I was loosing my brother but I knew that he was just a day away from me and it was safer for him there. I had a feeling that a lot worse things were awaiting for us in the near future and I would feel better knowing that he would not be in the center of it all. Elena agreed as well.

"We are down with one for our special breakfasts." said Bonnie, that stood next to me, while we watched Jer and Anna's car getting smaller and smaller.

"Hey, you don't have to pester me woman! I would gladly join you!" butted in Damon that was on my other side. The witch snorted and send him a quick glare.

"I have enough of you as it is, so no thank you."

"I wasn't asking, Sabrina!" here they go again, but their bickering helped me smile and lifted my mood.

"We better get going." said Jack and I nodded. So we all parted ways, Ric went with Elena and Stefan. Bonnie had her own car. Jack and Damon were going to a last minute assembly with the rest of the council, no doubt to discuss the departure of John Gilbert and to end his membership or something. I took Jack's car because I sure as hell wasn't going to walk home wearing that heavy dress.

"Caroline was in a car accident." I had just succeeded in getting myself out of the gown when my phone rang. Bonnie sounded frantic and when I calmed her long enough so she could tell me what was going on, her words froze me in place. No...

"I'm on my way." I quickly put on jeans and a loose gray shirt and ran down the stairs. Opening the door I was met with Elena that was too now wearing normal clothes.

"Elena! What are you doing here?" but I didn't let her continue because I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards my car. "No time. Caroline is in the hospital, we need to go there." she wordlessly took seat and I started the car. I didn't payed her attention, brushing away the long looks she was trowing my way as I sped up towards the center.

"Where is Stefan?" I asked.

"He went hunting, he still doesn't know." I nodded but then something caught my attention. Around her neck she was wearing a different necklace from the one that the younger Salvatore gave her. The blue stone in the center of it made me freeze but I quickly composed myself. Then the small differences came to light. The slightly longer hair. The posture of a royalty. The cold skin. The big brown eyes that were not filled with warmness, but instead they were calculating. I slowed down the speed and that caught her attention.

"What are you doing, Emma, hurry up!" the woman exclaimed and I had to give her that, she was a good actress. Almost perfect. Almost. I relaxed my body completely, schooling my face and now I had the mask of indifference. How many did she managed to fool tonight? Was she the reason my friend was in the hospital?

"You know, Katherine? I didn't expected to meet you quite like this." I said and send her an easy smile, before getting my attention back on the road. Her whole being changed in seconds, a sly smirk graced her face, amusement shown through her eyes. Chuckle so uncharacteristic for my close friend danced on her lips.

"We can't always get what we want, now do we, Emma?" she asked, flickering a curly strand from her chocolate brown hair behind her shoulders.

Hello guys,

Ohh! Snap! Things just got real. I don't even know from where to begin. Yes lot's of stuff happened but that's how I wanted it, so from next chapter expect some major changes! Caroline knows everything, Isobel is in the tomb, the characters learning about the originals and the curse, John failing, Jeremy leaving, Kat saying hello. It almost looks that I had it as a mission to change everything completely in this chapie, but I needed to do it so my plot could develop the way I have planned it. What do you think? Comment. Follow. Favorite! Appreciating it all.

P.S. I'm looking for a beta reader for this story. If you would like to take the position feel free to send me a message! ^.^

Till next chapter,

Felly.