Chapter 14

Damon's view

I followed the two of them into the kitchen, Mrs Flowers was bustling about the room ransacking the cupboards while Jade stood cradling her injured arm as best she could. I went to stand beside her and couldn't help but hear the small, barely audible whimper that slipped through her tightly closed lips. Before I could comfort her, the old witch shambled over holding a jam jar of translucent liquid and a tea spoon, "Sorry that took so long, I just couldn't seem to find any rose oil, can you believe that? But enough jibber jabber, you must be in pain."

Jade shifted her arm slightly and winced as she replied tightly, "No, not at all, take as much time as you need."

I supressed a smile while Mrs Flowers ignored the comment, I had to admit, Jade was tough. The old woman proceeded to measure out a teaspoon of jelly-like medicine and feed it to Jade as if she were some over-grown child, "This will help with the pain."

As soon as she had swallowed the alien substance, a shiver ran through her and she began to gag, "What the hell is that?"

The witch continued to calmly put away the jam jar, "It's just a simple concoction of rose oil and water."

"It's disgusting is what it is!" She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Mrs Flowers gestured toward me, "The medicine should have had time to take affect by now so if you would be so kind as to take Jade's arm."

All hilarity evaporated, "What?"

Now it was Jade's turn to laugh as Mrs Flowers replied incredulously, "Well you can't expect a frail old lady such as myself to do it."

"Do what?" I inquired, already dreading the answer I knew was to come.

"What do you think?" She shook her head as she turned her back on us to put away the rose oil for another day, "We need a nice strong lad to push her arm back into place. Now don't look at me like that boy, I'll be here telling you what to do, all you need is to be able to follow directions accordingly and she'll be as good as new. Now do as I say and take her arm."

Obediently, which was not in my nature, I grasped Jade's arm firmly and then looked at her uncertainly, "Does that hurt?"

She shook her head, her eyes dry and seemingly content, "Nope, can't feel a thing." She grinned happily and I couldn't help but reflect her emotions.

Mrs Flowers flapped her arms and regained control of the situation, "Alright you've had your chat, now Jade dear, this is going to hurt for just a moment," Jade nodded her acknowledgement and braced herself as the old lady turned to give me my instructions, "Now, all you have to do is move her arm around until you feel it move up and then push until you here it click."

I held my breath and started to slowly move her arm in a circle, it was at this moment that Stefan and Elena decided to intrude, bringing with them an air of hostility and disapproval that had my teeth on edge. Stefan seemed to soften at the sight of Jade in her weakened state but Elena could've been the ice queen of Narnia for all the sympathy she showed.

My brother placed his hand on the shoulder that I wasn't working on under the strict gaze of the boarding house owner, I felt the beginnings of a territorial growl bubbling up in my chest, striving to break the surface, but I silenced it, allowing Stefan to ask his question, "Hey, how are you holding up?"

Jade looked away from her arm, probably glad for the distraction, "Oh, you know, dislocated arm, pain beyond measure, just another day."

Stefan laughed and I couldn't help but join along with him, even Mrs Flowers tried to stifle a giggle, the only one not to find this comment funny was Elena, in fact she even seemed to glare at her and I remembered something that Jade had said to me only a few days ago;

"Just watch her next time and look out for the subtle 'I'll kill you later' hints,"

Now I did watch her, and I noticed that she stood just a little bit further from the group than was normal, her head was tilted up so that she could look down on us, no, not us, just Jade. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her posture was rigid as if she were stopping herself from attacking Jade right there and then. I was snapped out of my mental monologue by the old witch's orders, "Careful now, you have to concentrate Damon." I pulled back and thought only of the task at hand.

Jade caught Stefan's sleeve and pulled him down so that his face was level with hers, "Pass us a glass of water would you? That rose oil has a horrible after taste."

He chuckled as he replied, "Sure thing," And grabbed a glass on his way to the sink.

Elena took a step towards us with an evil glint in her eye as she questioned, "How did you say you did that?"

I could tell that Jade had heard the trap in Elena's voice, attempting to corner her, but she only showed boredom, as if the events of the day made this little game of theirs seem like a colossal waste of time, "I didn't."

She looked on coolly, daring Elena to do anything else that might be understood as a threat, but before any more could be said, Stefan moved between the two of them holding the precious drink, completely unaware of the battle raging between the two girls, "Your order, as requested."

Jade took the glass gratefully, "Thanks Green-Eyes."

I watched as Elena bristled at the obvious ease and comfort that both Jade and Stefan shared in each other's company, I had to say I was slightly jealous myself, but I was surprised at Elena. Elena, who had never seemed over-protective of Stefan, was openly showing her discomfort at Jade and Stefan's friendship.

As I had been studying Elena I unwittingly unlocked her mind, so I was shocked when I heard her think; You will pay Jade Onyx!

My head flew up, "What?"

There was a loud click and water was spat out of Jade's mouth as she yelled, "OUCH!" There was a moment when no-one dared to breathe before she blinked, "Oh, actually that wasn't that bad. Thanks Damon, and you Mrs Flowers."

We all relaxed instantaneously, well, all for Elena who was still fuming at Jade being the focus of attention. Mrs Flowers smiled, "I'm just happy to be of some use around here, now, if you don't mind, I think I'll retire to bed. All this excitement is too much for an old woman like me."

Jade called out to her, "I'm sorry about the mess."

Mrs Flowers waved off her apology, "That's quite alright dear, you've been through a lot, no need to apologise."

Stefan stepped in, "Would you like me to clean it up for you?"

"Oh, if it's not too much trouble-,"

"Not at all," Stefan interrupted.

And with that the old witch nodded her thanks and shuffled away to her bedroom.

Later that night: Jade's view

After my arm had been put back in its place and the water had been effectively wiped away, Damon had left saying that he needed to sort something out and Stefan decided that it was probably about time that he took Elena home, which was fine by me, she was beginning to really get on my nerves with her insecurities, but this left me all on my own in a house that I didn't even live in. Not properly anyway.

First I grabbed myself a glass of blood, taking my time with it and idly wondering if Damon had found a girl to feed from, knowing Damon he'd probably finished his first meal and was looking for a second.

When I was done I got changed into a pair of pyjamas I found in one of the many drawers strewn about the house and made myself comfortable in Damon's bed. I didn't think he would mind since I couldn't see myself sleeping anywhere else, and if he did mind, then he would just have to deal with it.

I snuggled down and as the events of the day passed by the inside of my eyelids in a blur, I found myself drifting further and further away from reality…

Damon's view

I was flying back to the boarding house having left in search of some thinking time and some tea. The girl would be fine, I had left her slight body surrounded by her waterfall of soft chocolate hair on the park bench covered in autumn leaves, she shouldn't be disturbed at the very least until morning.

Although I was still mortified at what I had done to Jade, it helped that she didn't seem to hold any kind of grudge against me, in fact she was very understanding of the whole situation. I marvelled at her forgiving nature, but I reminded myself that she saw everything differently and probably didn't feel that I needed to be forgiven.

I landed on the window sill of my bedroom and changed into my human form so as to let myself in. I didn't expect to be greeted by the sight of none other than the immortal girl I had been thinking about only the whole night. In the moonlight her hair splayed over the pillow like molten copper yet she was curled up in a ball amongst my white sheets.

I quietly closed the window behind me and carefully pulled off my shoes and socks, when I got into the bed I wrapped my arms around her sleeping form, she shivered at the touch of my cold hands. I was about to kiss the top of her head when I heard the sound of someone stealthily moving about downstairs. I released my precious stone and tiptoed down the stairs silently as a predator.

When I made it to the bottom I stood surveying my surroundings using almost all my senses; sight, sound and smell.

I took a step forwards and at almost the exact same moment I felt someone knock me over the head with enough force to black me out for just a couple of seconds, I remember thinking that a couple of seconds was all they needed…

Jade's view

I had been in that state between dreams and reality when I had felt Damon's presence, I had woken up a bit when he had got in the bed and I had shivered from the night air he had brought with him, and when he had left to investigate something that only he could hear I had woken up fully.

I pulled the covers back and silently found a pair of jeans, a black short-sleeved shirt, a pair of socks and black boots which I wore over my pyjamas. Granted they belonged to Damon and weren't the best fit but only something important would drag Damon away so I had a feeling that bed wear wasn't the best.

I jumped at the sound of a thump downstairs and ran to the door, when I opened it I saw Alyson, I only had time to think two things; One was that she was wearing all black, again, and two was that Damon was hurt before I felt the needle point sink into the side of my neck and the vervain scorch the inside of my veins…

Damon's view

I regained consciousness quickly and sped up the stairs to my room hoping beyond hope that I wasn't too late, that I had merely bumped my head on the stairs and that I would enter that room and find Jade fast asleep and safe.

My first hint that Jade wasn't safe was the open door which I was certain I had closed behind me, the second was an empty bed with the sheets pulled back so that only half the bed was covered, and the third was a note on the pillow which had written in neat script;

I told you I would see you later, you didn't keep your eyes peeled, and now Jade will pay the price.

Alyson

Cello taped to the note was a strand of copper hair, I took the hair and put it in my right pocket, I crushed the note in my fist and thrust it into my left.

Author's Note: Want to find out what happens to Jade? Then press that button and review!