Chapter 26. Intruder
36 hours earlier…
The digital clock on his desk flashed a new time, 1:15 a.m. It was late and his patience was being tested as he sat in the dim lit and quiet room known as his office. He rarely ever found himself at Salvatore Corporations at these hours of the day unless it meant confliction, which he had a lot of. Humanity was to blame for that. None of his emotions could render if his humanity was turned off, but he knew he couldn't flip the switch completely. A part of him wouldn't allow it even if he tried to resist it. Elena had changed him.
One girl, one innocent human girl had twisted his dark, controlled world into a chaotic, emotion filled mess. Sure it had its pros and cons, but he never imagined becoming involved in such a situation as conflicting as this one.
Damon drove his hands through his dark hair combing it slowly and torturously. He had purposely stayed here, of all places, to keep his mind distracted with crucial matters such as finances and important paperwork. However, not even the simplicity and demanding deadlines of the business world could keep Elena from his mind.
She was like a drug, a powerful, addicting drug he could just not get enough of. Elena was an experience he had let himself take on and had yet to end. He couldn't because she was more than just an experience or a girl who he lusted for due to her attributes and sweet, tasty blood. She was everything. She was a reason to live again and try. She served purpose beyond a deadline he set for many that came before her. She was someone he loved and grew to love as he discovered the positives of humanity again. Elena was the light at the end of the tunnel, but that tunnel had something very dark down it and he knew better than to go down that path. For every ounce of love or any other emotion he felt for her, he knew he would never develop to a point where he could not live without her. She was human and he was not. The only way for her to be with him forever was to change and he wouldn't allow it. This life was not for her.
Sharp invisible points poked and prodded him at the thought.
Tearing one hand from his tousled hair, he threw his hand down on a stack of papers sending them flying and fluttering through the air. They fanned down delicately as his agitation increased with his dilemma.
1:16 a.m. the clock read with only a minute passing. So many thoughts in only a minute, he had to set a world record by now. Damon leaned back in his desk chair and closed his eyes. He tried to concentrate on himself and his core. He focused on why he was still at his office this late at night and not rustling around in his bed sheets with Elena. He was trying to prove a point to himself. This was a trial.
Ever since Katherine had repeatedly barged her way back into his life making the obvious known about his relationship with Elena, it had him thinking. He knew the consequences of his actions. He knew the outcomes of what could be, but having Katherine nagging at you and reminding you every waking seconds had really taken a toll on him and so his decision had been temporarily made. He had to space himself from Elena for a while. Space could determine everything. However, he had not informed his decision with her and he understood her initial reaction to it, but it had to be done. Cutting all ties with her monetarily was his only way. If he had discussed it with her, he was sure he would be in bed with her right now. Instead, he was beating himself up with the 'what ifs' and distance he had put between them. It had to be done though. No texts, no calls, no e-mails, no nothing. Any incoming contact from her had been put on hold. He didn't know how long it would take to accept what he would want, but it had only been less than 24 hours since he had last been with Elena and he needed much more than that to help mend him.
His gums ached and his stomach growled at the thought of satisfying his appetite. Elena's blood was still well in his system, but it was leaving and fast. He needed blood. He needed to cure his hunger before he drove himself more insane. With all his receptionists and other staff gone for the night he was left empty. No blood bags were stored away in his mini fridge and the only thing to suffice his craving was bourbon, but he didn't want that. He wanted blood.
Rising from his desk, he went over to his small cabinet filled with different liquors. Inside was nothing. He slammed it shut letting the room shake and he spun around in rage. How could there be an empty cabinet when he kept it stocked? Had he forgotten to replenish his supply by the distractions of Elena or had someone raided his stash? Either way he was pissed. The one thing that could help even the tiniest bit wasn't an option and he knew he was about to burst.
He wanted to go on rampage and tear open the throats of anyone passing by in the night outside, but he knew he couldn't do that. Controlling his hunger had become practice and he knew how to not binge even when the hunger was too much. His need for blood was getting worse by the minute knowing Elena's blood did this to him.
Then as if he thought all hope was lost in the blood department, he heard it. The sound of a beating heart was near and in his building. Damon wasn't sure if he should be more excited or disturbed that someone was lurking around at this hour when it was locked and preventing anyone from coming inside. He knew he had to explore and so he was out the door and into the lobby outside his office in flash.
Thump, thump, thump. The beat was steady, but accelerating as it approached him closer. Wanting to seek out his prey, he knew as a predator to lay low. As the rhythm of the heartbeat staggered and became louder he knew his prey would come to him. And so he waited.
Damon sat casually on the leather couch in the lobby as the click of the stairway door opened slowly and quietly. For him he could hear any noise at least a mile away. Whoever it was intruding on his territory did not know him well. He half smirked at the stupidity of the human race and at the unfortunate soul that was about to step into his presence.
"Damon Salvatore." The snake like accented voice carried from around the corner. Two more steps and the reveal would be known, but Damon already knew who his opponent was before he saw his face.
"Might I say you're looking quite…alive." He snarled.
He wore a brown leather jacket with a crisp t-shirt and jeans. His hands dug into the pockets as he calmly came into view and gave a smug look of joy upon his face. Instantly, Damon wanted to remove his glorious appeal with one swift snap of the neck.
"Klaus Mikaelsen, what honor do I serve of having you intruding on my company grounds at this hour of the night?" Damon asked intently watching his prey.
"I was going on a bit of drive and happened to pass your place." Klaus explained. "I saw the light on and thought why the hell not stop and say hello to my favorite ex-employer."
"How convenient." Damon remarked.
Pushing all sarcasm and loose answers aside, he knew Klaus had a purpose being here. He loathed the scum of Earth, as he was aware of his unruly past especially when it involved Elena. The tension thickened as Klaus grew nearer and into the center of the lobby. Damon was on edge, but kept serene as the light perfectly illuminated the menacing, almost charming face of Klaus.
"What are you doing here?" Damon demanded.
Klaus smirked. "Can't I merely want to see what you've been up to since we last brawled?" He asked.
"I highly doubt that," he replied.
"You're right." Klaus's voice fluctuated from playful to hateful. "I haven't come to play nice with the asshole who fired me, got me locked up, and destroyed my future. I came here to finally get what I want."
"And what is that?" He asked spreading his arms along the back of the leather couch like wings.
"Answers." Klaus spoke in a low tone. "Truth."
Damon shook his head as he tried to humor the poor, human soul Klaus was made up of. He was pathetic as she stood before him. What on Earth did he possibly want to know?
"I would say we could discuss whatever matters concern you over drinks, but as you see I'm fresh out." Damon snickered.
"I thought you might be." Klaus said pointing his finger and reaching into his jacket. "So I brought my own supply seeing as I cleaned your stash out."
As Klaus reached into his jacket, the smirk on Damon's face fell as if gravity forced it down. Every muscle in his body tensed and his eyes drew dark and red, as he wanted to pounce and break his neck. It wasn't a bottle of bourbon or even a flask that Klaus had in his hands it was blood bag.
"What the hell?!" Damon growled and was on his feet.
"Now this isn't my first choice in drink, but I've heard its yours." He shook the bag with pleasure.
"And what makes you think that?" Damon asked cautiously.
The blood bag was teasing him. He was craving the taste and satisfaction it would give him as it passed his lips and went down his dry throat. Trying to not lose it, as the temptation grew worse, he balled his hands into fists.
Cocking his head to the side, Damon felt his control slipping out of his grasp. Something wasn't right about this. The last time he had saw Klaus at the benefit event he had clearly remembered compelling him to disappear and yet here he was. He raised his chin and locked his shoulders as began to realize his compulsion had not worked.
"I see you're playing catch up. Well," Klaus said still holding the blood bag. "Let me just make the obvious known then, shall I? You're little persuasive talk a few days ago didn't work. It may have the first time, but I've learned quite a bit since then."
"Like what?" He inquired. Damon knew he could not admit to his true identity, at least not yet. He wouldn't give Klaus that satisfaction of the truth. He had to deceive him a bit longer.
"I've had my theories, my suspicions, but I don't want to go into great detail about that." He snarled. "Let's just say I did a little research and investigating and what I discovered was…astounding."
Damon remained silent.
"I know what you are, Damon Salvatore." Klaus spat.
"And what am I?" He retaliated.
"Ah, now I like to hear you say it." His temper was flaring.
The refusal to say it was not a problem for him. He puckered his lips together and stood tall. Klaus could not get what he wanted out him even if he tried. He was the alpha male in this situation; no human could make him bow down to him. However, the terror of knowing his compulsion had not succeeded made him wary. There was only one possible explanation for how Klaus mastered the ability to fight his persuasion and that was through a little herb called, vervain.
Vervain was harmful herb toward creatures of his kind. It was not deadly, but lethal enough to do some damage if consumed or touched. For humans, it was a way of protecting themselves from prowlers of the night and now daytime too. Katherine had given him a lesson 101 on vervain when his decision to transform into vampire became certain. It was a way of protection to the human society, but it wasn't to be feared. The supply was minimal; at least it was back in 1864. Now, he wasn't sure how abundant the supply was around Mystic Falls. Either way, he figured Klaus on got his hands on some to prevent the act of compulsion to take place.
"Are the gears shifting?" Klaus humored him.
Damon flashed a devilish look at he desired deeply to end this. He did not need to be tormented by him, a human. What he wanted was to kill him, but he knew that would only be a mess to clean up and tracks to cover.
"Since you seem less than willing to participate, then let me cut to the chase." He spoke in harsh tone. "What you did to me was wrong and I can't accept to be challenged by someone like you, so either you give me what I want or we do it the hard way."
"Go to hell." Damon barked.
"The hard way it is." Klaus sang.
He stuck his other hand into his jacket and pulled out another blood bag. His mouth salivated at the sight of it and he fought back the urge to let his fangs grow out. Why there were two blood bags was beyond him besides knowing that it was the one thing he needed and longed far.
A deep sigh exhaled from Klaus as he bounced each bag in his hands. "You see. I like to continue this conversation of ours, but somewhere more private. Either you can come willingly or I'll have to force you too." He glared at him.
"You can't tell me what to do!" Damon said loudly. "I don't work for you."
"And I don't work for you either mate." Klaus responded. "But you will work with me."
"And why is that?" He asked.
"Because you wouldn't want poor Elena getting hurt now, would you?" Klaus questioned.
Hearing her name had crossed the line with him, Damon lunged. Ever since he had introduced Elena to Klaus and his company, she had been in danger because of him. He had been the reason why all of this was happening and for what? Because he thought she was qualified and that Mikaelsen Publishing & Co. actually stood a chance with partnering with his company? If he had known what sort of trash Klaus was, he never would have made the connections. Elena would be fine, they would be fine, and none of this would be playing out. But it was and he was paying for it.
"Don't you dare touch her you sick bastard!" Damon shouted.
"I wouldn't be having the pleasure of touching the beautiful Elena even if I could right now." Klaus informed. "But my assistant that is a different story."
"Assistant?" He asked puzzled.
"You think I'm doing this all alone? Of course, not." Klaus chuckled. "Knowing fully well what you are, I couldn't possibly go up against you without evening the playing field. I presume you know Miss Pierce?"
Katherine. Was she helping Klaus in this? Why? How?
"Judging by the look on your face you do." He nodded. "Quite stunning and similar to Elena. To make the long story short of how we met, Miss Pierce and I share an equal dislike and well the feeling was mutual. She was more than willing to help me play out this scheme of mine, and here I am."
"If you even touch a hair on her head…" Damon began and pushed his finger into his chest.
"Not me, mate. Miss Pierce is the one you should be worried about hurting your precious Elena." Klaus scowled. "It would be a shame to see such a beauty go, but you could prevent it all together if you come with me without a fight."
"And why would I go with you?" He asked.
"Because you be an idiot if you didn't. All I want to do is chat." Klaus said to him. "But first, how about a drink? And be wise to not pass it up."
There was no denying Klaus knew fully well he was vampire and even if he wanted to continued the charade of hiding it, he could not longer bear to keep those blood bags full. He wanted to drink them clean and dry. If he chose not to, he feared for Elena's life. It wouldn't be hard to kill the messenger, but that fact that Katherine was a part of this terrified him. She hated Elena and he knew she wouldn't think twice of letting Elena drop dead.
Letting his eyes scan over the two bags, he reached for one. "Ah, now I should explain. These are not just any odd blood bags from the hospital. These are special." Klaus explained. "Now we have my blood, I'm sure you would love to get a taste of that. And then we have Elena's blood."
"Elena's blood?! How in the hell did you get that?" Damon yelled. He was enraged by disgust.
"Like I said assistance. Miss Pierce had the pleasure of getting me her blood while she slept." He educated him on the matter. "Don't worry, she didn't hurt her. In fact, I think she may have given her some of her own to suffice the wound so Elena would never know it happened."
If he wasn't pissed before, he was now. Damon choked Klaus as he squeezed the blood bags in his hand. He wanted to choke the life out of him, but his mind fluttered back to thoughts of Elena. She was so innocent in all of this. Why did he bring her into this world?
"I should also inform you that if you choose Elena's blood over mine, you will be getting a nice hint of vervain along with it." He teased.
His upper lip quivered as he continued to hold him with one hand. All the temptation, frustration, anger, and terror were boiling up. Control was nowhere to be found and he knew he was going to burst any moment. Humanity mixed with vampire instincts was making him go mad. He didn't know what to do. His eyes glanced back and forth between the blood bags and Klaus. The smell of it was driving him insane. He wanted it. He needed it. Damon right then and there broke.
Ripping the blood bag out of his hand, Damon took the bag that belonged to Klaus. He knew better than to drink Elena's blood if it had vervain. That would only make him weak. If he drank Klaus's he would gain back his strength and state of mind and be able to settle this his way. And so he tore the tub taped on the bag and inhaled the glorious drink. It didn't take him long to suck it down, but two seconds later he found himself coughing it up and falling to the ground.
"Did I forget to mention my blood had vervain in it too?" Klaus's eyes were big and knelt down.
Damon gagged and coughed as tried to eject the tainted blood.
"I've been consuming it for awhile and lets just say I've consumed a lot." He taunted him as he felt himself grow weaker by the moment. "I told you to work with me and you didn't. I'm sorry it had to come to this mate."
His hand disappeared back into his jacket and this time he pulled out what looked like a wooden stake. It was a wooden stake. Damon wanted to raise his hand to stop him, but with the amount of vervain in his system he was growing weaker by the second. He didn't want it to end like this, not for him. Seeing his possible last moments, he wanted to run to Elena and tell her he loved her. He would give anything to see her one last time.
"This may hurt." Klaus warned him. He drove the stake just below his heart, enough to paralyze him and knock him out cold. Death was not welcomed yet, but he knew it he didn't fight back it would be. His eyes closed as he passed into darkness momentarily and when he woke up, he found himself underground.
AN: Pretty intense chapter to write. A lot more is to come between Klaus and Damon. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and reviewing as always. Let me know what you think by leaving a review.