I do not own Vampire diaries, but I hope you like this.

Semper Ama

Chapter Twenty-One – Kill or Be Killed

New Orleans – One year ago

I sat in Rousseau's, nursing a drink, Margrett was somewhere in the building crowd of other tourists, celebrating Mari Gras! I didn't really understand the fascination of loud music, continues drinks and generally acting like an idiot. I don't know why I felt this way now, just days before I was bouncing in excitement, eager to explore every inch of the French quarter; but now it felt generic, like I had seen it a thousand times before. So, I sat at the bar in the relatively quiet pub, ignoring the other patrons as I immerged myself in anther book. Twilight, had only been release six months ago and yet teenagers everywhere were frantic about it, I saw the appeal, but I couldn't handle sparkling fairy vampires no matter how great the story was written. "You're into Vampires." Asked a young girl, who was sitting beside me. She looked to be about sixteen, a little to young to be in a bar if you ask me. Her hair was a lovely shade of chestnut brown and as I looked into her wide blue eyes I felt unweathering trust and a protectiveness that I didn't understand. "I'm into anything supernatural, but vampires and witches hold a," I paused for a moment to find the right words "special place in my heart." I finished, suddenly the young girl was emitting such a powerful force of magic that I knew, she was exactly like me – a blood witch. "You're a…" I began as she nodded her head a wide smile appearing on her face. "would you like to come with me, I could show you magic beyond anything you know." Her eyes sparkled with childlike excitement, hoping that I would take her outstretched hand. "Let me pay for the bill and I'll come." I told her, maybe I was foolish to trust her so easily, especially after I felt her power, but something kept me going to paying for the drink I hadn't finished before walking out of the bar with a powerful stranger.

The streets were lined with half-dressed, be-jewelled women and men that danced merrily, half-drunk as they partied up and down the French Quarter, to the sound of Jazz music. "Have you lived her long?" I inquired as she led me through the full streets, seeming to know every shortcut that there was. She looked at me over her shoulder a slight smirk playing on her. "A few years." She replied as she came to stop in front a fancy house. Well I say house more of a mansion. It stood proud against the fields of green, with contrasted to the brilliant white that it was painted, the many windows all had light blue shutters and spectacular marble columns held up some of the roof. It was stunning there was one large willow trees, I let its dangling leaves trace my skin as we walked closer to the door. Only for the girl to stop, smiling sadly at the tree. "My mother loved to sit out here, leaning against the tree as she read and me and my brothers would play for hours. Our father would sit beside her, trying to distract her from her book." She laughed her eyes were dazed with a faraway look, "she would pretend to get angry and put the book away and chase him and it would go on for hours." Tears glistened in her eyes as I pulled the young girl in for a hug, I new more than anyone what it was like to lose a mother at such an early age. She pulled herself from my hug her eyes and nose red and tear tracks down her face but with a wave of her hand all evidence of her crying was gone, and a large smile adorned her face once again.

Setting into the home felt like being drenched in icy freezing water. I shivered. But there was a warmth that couldn't be explained, pictures decorated the walls: A small family a beautiful woman with red hair smiling with a look only a mother could give, next to her was the most handsome man I had ever met, he had the same chestnut brown hair as the girl next to me, though his eyes were a striking brown. He had one arm wrapped around his wife, the other on his sons shoulder a proud look upon his youthful face. In the middle was the girl, maybe fifth teen years old, with a toothy smile on her face, she was holding hands to two boys both older than her. The oldest was on her right, looking about twenty-three with dark skin, hair and eyes and the largest smile on his face. On the girls left was another boy was slightly younger about twenty, with sandy-brown hair – I wondered where he got the colour from – and sparkling blue eyes like his sister. I also wondered if the women felt sad that none of her child took after her in looks. But you could tell the family was happy and carefree not knowing what was around the corner, not knowing the women I assume was dying. I could tell though, there was a sadness and wariness in the women's green eyes and the husbands embrace was a little to tight. He knew but the children didn't. "your family is beautiful." I told her finally tearing my eyes from the family photo to look at her. Other pictures were scattered as well: All family, you could tell they all had similar looks. "Thank you." She replied as she led me from the hallway and towards the attic.

The walls where panelled a dark wood, with only one circular window that allowed light to stream through. In the far corner was a king sized four poster iron bed, with a white mosquito net flowing over the bed. Great diamond chandeliers with candle lighting hung from the ceiling and fancy red rugs decorated the floor. Paintings and magic ingredients covered every spare space, it was amazing. "Is your father a warlock?" I questioned but the girl laughed shaking her head like it was the silliest idea ever. "No, he's a vampire." She told me as colour drained from my face, my eyes widening as I tried to back out of the room, my back against the door as I groped for the door handle. "What is the matter?" She asked getting closer. "Stay away from me, I need to get out of here." I shouted in alarm. She looked upset as I tried to leave. "please don't, they won't hurt you, I promise." She tried to explain as I threw open the door and rushed from the room, she followed behind. "How could you bring me here, they feast on the blood of witches." I exclaimed as the door came into view. I rushed towards it pulling it open and without thinking I tried to run out only to crash into a stone like wall. Standing before me was no other than the young girls brother…

I gasped, slowly edging away from the man and closer to the wall, my eyes wide with unshed tears. I didn't want to die. "How could you bring her here!" he demanded his dark eyes locking with mine and the same rush of trust and protection filled me as I forced myself to push it down. "I'm sorry brother, I saw her and wanted to spend more time with her." She whispered, her voice sounding oddly chocked up, like she was trying not to cry. His anger seemed to melt away as he pulled the young girl in for a hug. This was my chance, I rushed to the door only to be stopped by a voice. "Please don't leave, I didn't mean to scare you," She whispered, "I just wanted a friend to talk with about blood magic." I looked at her honestly, she looked saddened as she pulled on a piece of hair that had escaped her plait. In that moment she looked like a child of eight rather than sixteen. There was an air of loneliness around her, how often had I wanted to do magic with another witch like me, of course Sheila was a great witch but there where things she couldn't do and although Margrett new she had no magically ability. So, as foolish as it was, I turned my back fully on the door and walked closer to my new friend. "I'll stay as long as he and any other vampire promises they won't hurt me." I told her, a cheerful smile threatened to tear her face as she threw her arms around me and squealed. "I promise no harm will come to you or your friends." The young man promised before he fled the room, like it hurt to look at me.

We sent the rest of the night practising magic before the moon was rising higher in the sky. That's when he came in. Wearing a dark suit, his hair styled perfectly. He was very handsome. "Darling, what are you doing, it's diner time." He called as he entered the room. "Crap." I heard her mutter under her breath as she tried to get me up and hide me. He shouted her name as he stared at me in shock, a look of anger passed over his face before it was gone. He pulled her from the room and after a few moments of muffled shouting he came back in the room, my eyes once again large, I'm sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights. "would you care to join us for dinner miss…" he stops obviously not knowing my name. "Mayrah." I told him as I agreed to stay for dinner as long I wasn't desert, it caused him to laugh as we made our way downstairs. "What is so funny brother." A beautiful blonde woman asked, she too was young only looking seventeen, her hair falling just past her shoulders, everyone in this family seemed to have blue eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw me before she rushed from the room. "Have I offended her?" I questioned after watching the blonde's hair whip behind her as she left the hallway. "oh no, you just look a lot like my wife, we are still grieving I'm afraid." He told me, his shoulders hunched. "I can leave" I began only to be cut off. "There is no need, I would not have asked if I did not believe my family would be okay with it." He assured as he led me into the dinning room. His sister must have told the other that I looked like their dead family member as nobody seemed surprised to see me. Eleven people stared at me as dinner started.

It was a lively affaire, I though that night as I lay in the bed, tomorrow I would be leaving and apart of me would really miss them, even though we only knew each other a few short hours. Margrett was sound asleep when a dark figure blocked the light from the moon. Standing before me was the dark-skinned vampire from earlier. "I'm sorry I have to do this." He muttered as he came closer. "Please don't kill me." I whimpered as he edged closer, he placed a gentle hand on my cheek and wiped away a stray tear. "I won't," he said sadly before looking into my eyes "you will not remember meeting any of us, you drank in the bar until you where tipsy and decided to come home where you finished twilight." I blinked, wondering what awoke me as my eyes landed on the open window letting in chilly air. I thought I had locked it. Making my way out of bed closing the window, but it wouldn't budge. Then there in the crack was a single note and a beautiful piece of jewellery.

To M

I hope you find use for this

~ D

It was a beautiful Victorian style spinning gold locket, with a simple chain, there was an intricate design of vines and flower, how I preferred all my Jewellery, simple and pretty. I put it on finally able to close the window I turned my back on the city still partying and fell into blissful sleep.

I awoke from my dream, that's all it could be, but it felt so real, the people, the sounds, sights, the smells, every emotion my dream self-felt so did I. The alarm clock continued to slowly tick flashing the time: It was five in the morning. Sighing I pushed back the warm covers, the slight chill causing me to shiver as I left for the bathroom to take a long warm bath, even though I preferred showers in the morning. The hot water ran as I left the bathroom and headed back to my room, towards the bookshelf. I ran a finger over my books until I came across the one I wanted. It was a book on magic, I pulled it off the shelf before heading back and sinking into the boiling water.

I read the book until the water was Luke warm, my skin wrinkled, and the time read 7:30. Many of the facts that book spoke of I already knew but there was one thing that I hadn't – Vampires could build up a tolerance for my blood if they drank a little every day. Excited I put the book down, washed my hair and escaped back to my bedroom, quickly drying my hair and dressing in black ripped skinny jeans, a white off the shoulder blouse with a black flower pattern and red heeled boots.

Nobody else was up and I didn't bother making breakfast this morning, instead I left a hurried note telling them where I was going before leaving. As soon as I was in my car I turned up the radio as green day's American Idiot came on. I sang along to all the songs and just pulled up on to boarding house drive way as Taylor Swifts Love Story finished. Letting myself in, I hared the three occupants of the house moving around. "Hi Mayrah." Lexi shouted as I entered the living room. "I have something to tell you." I said as they looked up from what they were doing. "Well, don't leave us in suspense." Damon quipped as he entered the room with a glass of blood. "Well I was ready this book on my magic and it says if you have a small amount of blood every day then you can build up and tolerance to it's effects." I rushed out breathing heavily. I smiled brightly, my cheeks hurting at the force of it. Then I slipped out the knife from my boot and cut my finger ever so slightly before offering it to Lexi, she took a sip, then Stefan did. Damon was wearier, he had after all done some horrible things under the effects of my blood last time. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, I nodded my assurance as he placed his lips around the small cut and took a much smaller sip than the other two did then he let go of it as if my finger had burned him. I waved my hand over the open wound and watched as it stitched itself back together and the blood was cleaned away.

"Right I'm going to the historical society's garden to help out any of you coming?" I questioned getting ready to leave. "Sorry I'm heading out for a few hours to see my husband." Lexi told me, only then did I really consider what she was wearing, a navy-blue dress where the top was V-neck and lacy and the skirt was made from chiffon and flared out, a black leather jacket and black heeled ankle boots. "Well I hope you have fun." I told her she smirked as she replied "oh, I intend to." Before giggling. I looked at the others expectantly. "Yep where coming, Elena roped Damon in." Stephan told me as the four of us exited the house. We all said goodbye to Lexi who looked the happiest I had seen her in weeks. "Shot gun." I shouted rushing to Damon's car and jumping in the passenger seat, smiling in victory as Stephan clambered into the back. I once again turned on the radio and sang the lyrics of Father and son by Cat Stevens softly, my head resting against the window. As the song finished Stephan's phone began to ring. But I couldn't hear what he was saying, he was speaking way to low and that meant only one thing – he was speaking to his wife.

The park was full of volunteers when we arrived, and Carol Lockwood was on stage giving a speech. Damon left quickly to find Elena and help her, and Stefan went to talk to Mason Lockwood after Damon stabbed him. So, I was alone when someone tapped me on the back. "Josh!" I exclaimed pulling the young-looking vampire into a hug. "It's good to see you again Mayrah." He told me as I released him, he looked around the garden like he was waiting for something. "Will you come with me?" he questioned looking nervous as he bit his lip, an old habit from his human life. How I knew that I didn't know. I nodded trusting him as I grabbed his hand and let him lead me from the masses of people and towards the woods. He led me further and further away from the people. Only when we where in a clearing did we stop and there was someone waiting for us…

Kathrine. She did look stunning, a haughtier version of my sister, her brown hair curled to perfection, she wore black skinny jean, a teal double layered top covered by a black leather jacket and on her feet were the best shoes ever – black wedged boots. "Hello Mayrah." She pronounced every syllable and crept towards me, her gaze was sharp; in all it gave the effect of her staking her prey. I gulped as I tried to turn and leave only to stopped by her voice. "I'm not going to hurt you, I want to talk." She spoke sounding truthful. "Okay what do you want to talk about?" I questioned as I transformed a leaf into a blanket and laid it upon the floor before sitting down, Kathrine soon joined me on the tartan picnic blanket. "I need you to do a spell, it will allow you into my head to see a memory." She informed me as she fished out a spell from her jean pocket. I read over the spell it was simple enough. I rested two of my finger onto both of her temples before I chanted the spell. Then with a flash of swirling light me and Kathrine where inside her mind. We where in a startling white hallway, there were a load of heavy doors leading to memories, but it wasn't until we got to the end of the hallway did we stop. This door was different, while the others had been white, this was a scarlet red. The colour of blood. "Are you ready?" she asked looking nervous. I nodded as she twisted the golden handle and pushed the door open to reveal a waterfall exactly like the one that I liked to go to for peace and quiet. Then there was screaming, horrible blood curdling screaming. Kathrine took my hand holding it like a life line as she led me to a clearing. There where two women screaming, the blonde look no older then twenty, her friend was a red head that looked about twenty-seven though their faces where blurry like I was looking at them through a foggy mirror. Though I could tell they both looked frail, sweat covered every inch of their skin. They where both screaming around them thirteen worried and tearful faces. It was awful to watch it was like their souls where being torn away from them. "What is happening?" I asked tearing my eyes away from the horrific view, and towards Kathrine who looked awful, tears where falling freely from her eyes. I grabbed her hand in comfort and she gave me a thankful smile before we turned to watch the scene before us.

They died, Blinding light tearing at them until all that was left was a horrified family and two shrivelled up corpses like they had been dead for centuries. Two men stepped forward they both took a woman into their arms, the sandy haired man toward the blonde and the dark-haired gentleman towards the red head. We watched as they where buried, and finally as only seven people left, there was Josh weeping over the blonde's grave as he cried out a word that caused me to feel like I had been stabbed again. "Mother, come back, don't leave me…please." He begged, his father pulled him into his arm comforting him through his pain.

On the other side there where five people huddled around the red-haired women's grave. Her husband, her children and her daughter-in-law. They cried, they begged but it was no use, only when the youngest girl about sixteen broke down did they move from the graves to huddle together. The sat they're for hours, the two humans falling asleep in their despair and only when the sun broke over the horizon did they move to leave.

But the youngest boy – Josh – stayed, he pulled something from his backpack and began to dig a small whole between the two bodies and placed a box inside, when his task was done he left, not looking back.

"What was that!" I demanded still upset, I didn't know the family, only Josh, Stephan, Lexi and Kathrine but there was still a deep-rooted sadness that I couldn't shake. "My Mother-in-law and my sister dying." She told me as she led me through the woods and back through the door.

We were back in the clearing as the spell wore away, we sat in silence for a few moments until shots rang through the woods. We shot up. "Do you know who's been shot?" I asked worried hoping that it wasn't Elena or Jeremy. "Stephan and Damon," She answered, "get on my back I'll take you to them." I nodded jumping quickly on her as she ran through the woods at lightning speed she dropped me off at the edge refusing to get any closer.

I stepped into the clearing where Elena and Caroline where already there, the blonde was crouched down, her fingers wet with blood. "Mayrah," Elena cried as she rushed into my arms "Damon and Stephan have been shot." "I know but they'll be okay we will save them." I consoled as Caroline start leading us away from where they where shot and to where they were being kept. That is until twigs began to snap behind us. "What are you three doing out here?" questioned the voice of Mason Lockwood. Spinning around Elena asked where Damon was. "yeah Elena I've seen him, seen Stephan to." He replied stepping closer to us with every word. "Stop!" I snapped at the same time Elena asked, "where are they?" he ignored me and continued moving forward. "You don't need me for that," He answered eyeing Caroline. "I'll let your friend sniff 'EM out." He finally stopped and looked directly at Caroline "Does your mother know what you are?" he challenged "I'm happy to tell her." He smirked as Caroline growled and made to move forward only for him to grab Elena by the neck. "Don't be stupid." He grunted as I used magic, we watched as the vines etched themselves across the landscape, he was to busy boasting to notice them wrap around him ankles and begin to climb up his back. Just as Caroline attacked, the vines held him in place as she wrapped her hand around his neck. "Told you." She smirked before kneeing him the vines disappeared crawling back to their place leaving him groaning and moaning on the floor that is until Caroline kicked him harshly in the ribs sending him fly, he hit the tree and fell once more with a thud.

We left him there as she led us towards the Lockwood's old slave Quarters. I rushed down leaving Elena and Caroline as I hurried down the step hoping I wasn't too late. I heard footsteps and Elena was beside me as we rushed into the room and screamed "stop!"

Caroline moved at vampire speed, knocking the officers of their weapons, I watched as she tore at their throats, drinking their blood and leaving them dead. She stepped out of the darkness, veins under the skin of her red eyes, blood covering her mouth and hissing like a cornered animal, in that moment she looked demon-like. "Hi mum" she greeted softly.

We waited for the brothers to awaken, Elena crouched beside Damon rubbing his back even while he fed on the dead officer. I sat on the floor beside Stephan he refused to drink for a person wherever they where dead or not and would wait until we got home to have a blood bag. Caroline sat on the opposite side of her mother, who refused to look at her. "This is the most unfortunate situation," Damon snarked as he stood up with the help of Elena. "Two deputies dead and you, what am I going to do with you?" he questioned I knew he would hate to hurt her, they were friends and Damon Salvatore didn't have many of them. "You won't tell anyone, will you?" Caroline asked, but Elizabeth refused to answer but I knew she wouldn't, she just needed time to realize her daughter wasn't a monster. No mother could ever hate their child. Damon went over to Elizabeth, taking the crying women into his arms. "Relax guys, no one is telling anyone. You're my friend. We got to clean this." Up." He told us. Stephan and Caroline buried the bodies while the rest of us waited in the Slave quarters until they where done before we headed back to the Salvatore boarding house.

I sat alone in the living room, worried for what this would mean for Caroline when she rushed up her whole persona sad. "Caroline, stop!" I called as I chased after her. I pulled the young girl into my arms trying to offer all the comfort I could.

That night as I lay in bed think of all that today had entailed I wondered if things could get any worse, I didn't think they could, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. I fell into a restless sleep.

The walls glistened red, as the moon hit from the slats of the boarded-up window and on the floor huddled a distorted figure, her skeletal body twisted on the floor, like a snake wrapped around a tree. Her long blonde hair even litters the floor around her like it had been ripped out in chunks. But her eyes where the worst looking at me with such anguish, hoping I would put her out of her pain and misery. Altogether she was dirty every inch of her body covered with scars, bruises, dirt and blood. I etched closer to her trying to reach out the closer I got the further away she moved, I kept going even as I screamed my throat raw and my feet got cut up from all the broken glass I was forced to walk on bare footed. I kept going until I was crawling, pulling my body along her words spurred me on… "save me Mayrah." She would croak every time I failed to get to her. My hands, feet and knees where imbedded with glass and covered in blood.

I screamed and thrashed and punched the wall until my hand was broken, my nails chipped, my lips cracked. It felt like I was here for day experiencing every pain she went through, it kept me going for as long as I could.

I awoke to screaming, heart clenching, blood curdling screaming. It was only when my door banged open that I realised it was me, but I couldn't stop. Elena and Jenna rushed to my side both taking one of my hands in theirs. I was shaking and so where they. Unable to think the carpets erupted into flames just as I passed out.