Chapter twenty-six
Next morning Bonnie awoke alone in the big bed in one of the Lockwood's guest rooms. The house was quiet. Yesterday everything went in a rush after Margaret had arrived. Bonnie introduced her London friend to her Mystic Falls friends and the rest of the night she, Mag, Elena and Caroline had spent chatting animatedly. When the party was over they were the only people who stayed at the Lockwood mansion, besides Tyler.
As glad as Bonnie was to have a proper girls' night, thoughts of Damon kept haunting her. He hadn't come back and she grew worried. She remembered Stanley was ready to make his move any time now. Finally, she asked Derrick who had arrived quite lately to keep an eye on Damon. Derrick didn't even ask questions. He smirked into his glass and gave Bonnie a mock salute. Bonnie could only thank God for Derrick, he was always ready to help her. Of course, they were friends and he cared for her deeply, and he was her protector by the magic law but never before had she met a man who would listen to her no matter what, like Derrick did. Sometimes she felt he was closer to her than her own family.
Still, Bonnie would appreciate Derrick more if he called her or texted her, she wanted to know if Damon was ok. First thing she did when she got out of bed was checking her phone. She didn't receive any messages. Slightly crestfallen, she went down to the living room where she found Margaret who was reading a book. As always, she looked as though she were a lady from the past century.
"Morning," Bonnie said with a smile.
Mag looked up at her.
"You're up early."
"Right," Bonnie shrugged. "I just couldn't sleep anymore. I suppose I'm still excited."
"The party was great," Margaret said as she put a bookmark between the pages and closed the book.
"Yep, and your surprise made it perfect. Even Will hadn't told me you were coming."
"My poor brother," Margaret laughed. "It usually kills him to keep a secret. And why did your gorgeous boyfriend leave so soon?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Bonnie said sulkily. "I have no idea why he had left. Probably, he thinks I'm heartless or something."
Margaret smiled slyly.
"You two look good together. I hope you'll forgive me, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"No, it's ok," Bonnie said, still miserable. "It's not like something extraordinary happened."
He hadn't even kissed her. Unbelievable. But, of course, she couldn't really blame him.
"Margaret," Bonnie said slowly. "Do you still have visions of Damon being killed by Stanley?"
Margaret frowned and shook her head.
"No. But my visions are weird lately. For instance, I couldn't see your future when you were possessed but later everything came back to normal. Now I can't see Stan's future and I don't know what is going to happen to Damon now."
Bonnie sighed and Margaret continued,
"It keeps shifting. But I don't think you should be worried."
"Stanley talked to Damon not so long ago," Bonnie muttered.
"Stanley called me," Margaret said.
"He did?" Bonnie gasped. "When?"
"After the night you were poisoned by Klaus. That's the reason I'm here. I'm going to stop him."
Bonnie looked at her anxiously.
"Are you sure you want to meet him?" she asked quietly. "Mag, really, you don't have to —"
"But I have to," Margaret said simply. Her face darkened and she muttered, "It's my turn. My dismal scene I needs must act alone."
Her usually soft voice sounded bitter. Bonnie had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from saying something stupid. It was killing her to realize that Margaret took every Stanley's move as a personal offence. How could Margaret love that sadistic bastard?
And I'm the one to talk, Bonnie thought grimly. But, in all fairness, Damon looked like a kind-hearted and caring guardian angel compared to Stanley.
The conversation was interrupted when Tyler and Caroline walked downstairs. A few minutes later Elena did as well. Bonnie thanked her friends once again and Tyler said cheerfully it was nothing as long as they helped him to clean the house before Carol came back from her holiday.
After they had breakfast Bonnie offered Margaret to stay at her place.
"Just tell Will to bring your things there," Bonnie said offhandedly. "Oh, and maybe he could drive us home."
"Will and Der left early the other night," Tyler said. "I thought we could hang out more."
"They were busy," Bonnie said hastily.
"You're still worried about that witch-hunter?" Tyler asked, surprised. "Forget it. I think he gave up."
Margaret snorted as Bonnie gave him an as if look.
William arrived quickly enough. Bonnie was about to get in the car when Caroline reminded her to take her gifts.
"There're still some gifts waiting to be unwrapped!" Caroline said. She and Elena came upstairs to help Bonnie carry the presents.
"Ok, now I love big parties," Bonnie grinned.
"Elena, you'll give up next," Caroline promised but Elena only chuckled.
They walked outside. Margaret, Tyler and Will were waiting for them by the car. William opened the door when Caroline's strained voice sounded,
"Bonnie. Look… It's from Klaus."
Bonnie turned around.
"Are you kidding me?" she muttered.
She took the box with the red ribbon and tore the wrapping off. Next second she squeaked and dropped the gift from Klaus. It was a snake's skin.
"Ugh," Caroline muttered.
Everyone, including Tyler and Will, looked taken aback.
Bonnie scoffed in disbelief.
"He gave you a bracelet," she said to Caroline. "He sent a snake's skin to me. What the hell is wrong with him?"
"Do you want a list? Here's a card."
Bonnie took it and looked at the neat handwriting.
Darling Bonnie!
"Darling, my ass," Bonnie drawled.
I wish you Happy Birthday. I hope you can forgive me for my last encounter with you. I really meant well. Anyway, I'm sending you this hint as a sign of my good intentions. Needless to say, I do believe in the power of the Bennett bloodline. Only your family can defeat him.
Warmly,
Klaus.
"How sickeningly sweet and totally confusing," Bonnie said. She frowned. "This hint. What does he mean?"
Will picked the snake's skin. His sister cringed in disgust.
"Don't touch it with your bare hands!"
"Margaret hates snakes," Will explained, examining Klaus' gift. "She's scared of them."
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are. When we went to the London zoo terrarium you were walking clutching at my hand and with your eyes closed."
"I was nine!"
"Will, I agree with Mag," Bonnie said. "Throw this thing away."
Tyler scoffed.
"You know for the woman of fashion you're way too sensitive. You wouldn't mind if you had a snake-leather bag, would you?"
Bonnie glared at him. All the girls glared at him. Tyler quickly looked away.
"Maybe, we should skin Hopkins," Will said seriously. "Or maybe, Klaus means Hopkins can change his appearance or something. Or maybe —"
"Let's forget the ancient bored vampire who decided to be cryptic," Bonnie said.
Elena nodded.
"Trusting Klaus won't help us, believe me."
But Margaret had looked up when she heard her brother's words. Her eyes became huge.
"Now wait a second. What if he doesn't simply change his appearance? I think…"
Her voice trailed off. Bonnie and Will looked at each other when realization hit them.
"Can it be?" Bonnie said slowly.
"Of course," Will whispered. "We've been stupid!"
"Wow," Bonnie looked at the card in her hand. "I don't believe that I'm saying this but I love Klaus."
"No, you don't," Tyler said.
"No, I don't" Bonnie agreed. "But I'm grateful."
"What is it?" Caroline said curiously, looking from Will to Bonnie and then to Margaret. "What did you realize?"
"We need to check it," Bonnie said. "But it can be that Matthew Hopkins is not immortal, after all."
Not so long ago Damon Salvatore was a happy vampire who had no care in the world and whose only problem was hitting on his brother's girlfriend from time to time. And now? Now he was in love with the one person in the world he had never expected to.
Bonnie was supposed to be his frenemy. The voice of reason, sometimes. The bad-ass witch, the part of the gang, Elena's best friend, Emily's descendant, anyone but the woman he loved! But once he had admitted it to himself he couldn't deny it anymore. How could he not love her? After he saw her tender side, after he came to truly know her?
Damon scoffed, leaning back in his chair. He was alone by the fireplace in the boarding house and as the minutes crept by he was trying to come up with a plan. Being so used to love women he couldn't have, Damon didn't know what to do now. He hesitantly admitted that he was clueless when Bonnie was concerned. And if he wanted to win her heart…
First things first. He probably should take Bonnie away from her lunatic friends. If Caroline and Elena kept whispering in her both ears bad things about him it would make matters so much worse. He frowned when he thought of the two teenage vampires. It would be better if Bonnie simply stayed away from them. But the idea of kidnapping the witch, going to some deserted place, tying her to a chair (or bed) and finally explaining that he was a caring, dashing man who worshipped her had a tiny flaw.
She was a damn strong and ill-tempered witch. His words were true, nothing was ever easy with her. She was used to be defensive. She didn't trust him. Katherine and Elena made it easier because he never had to persuade them he loved them. They simply took it for granted. Damon had the feeling it wouldn't be that simple with Bonnie.
I have to make her believe I love her, Damon thought without humor. No matter what, I have to make her sure my feelings are real.
It was clear now. He had to take her away from Caroline and Elena, and Jeremy and everyone else, otherwise he would never succeed.
Damon's eyes darted up when he heard someone enter the house. High heels were clicking on the floor. He turned to look at the doorway and rolled his eyes in frustration.
Caroline smiled wickedly and approached him.
"Hello, Damon," she sing-songed.
"Sod off, Goldilocks," Damon drawled, matching her intonation. He gave her a brief look and added, "I'm being thoughtful."
"I bet you're thinking of one gorgeous green-eyed friend of mine…" she said slyly.
"Maybe, maybe not."
Caroline stopped and looked at Damon like a little curious fox.
"Really. What's happening between you two?"
He glared at her. He couldn't believe she was interrogating him after she had told Bonnie he was supposed to suffer.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Caroline, but stuff Bonnie and I talk about when we close the door to our bedroom is none of your concern."
"Ew!"
He gave her another nasty look.
"Get a grip. You don't need to be jealous just because once upon a time you and I have been rolling around together."
"Double ew."
Damon sighed in annoyance.
"Why are you so curious? Anyway, why don't you ask Bonnie? She's your friend, as I recall. I'm definitely not your friend, so let's not chat."
"I asked her!" Caroline sighed dramatically. "And imagine my surprise when I've realized you're not the only vampire on her mind."
"Oh really…"
Caroline leaned forward, looking at Damon closely.
"Did you know about Klaus?"
He flinched and stared at her grimly but Caroline ignored him.
"He sent her a gift. And she liked it a lot."
"Right," Damon laughed dryly. "Bonnie hates Klaus."
"Are you so sure? I begin to worry, Damon. What if Bonnie now likes really dangerous guys and you're… you know… not dangerous enough anymore?"
Confused by her words and the look on her face, Damon straightened up.
"You're talking madness," he said angrily.
"You think so?" Caroline said. "Has she mentioned Klaus lately?"
"She hates him!" Damon snarled.
She threw up her arms.
"Okay, didn't she hate you as well? And actually when she saw his gift she said, and I quote, I don't believe that I'm saying this but I love Klaus. Explain this, smartass."
Damon froze and Caroline thought she wouldn't be able to hold back laughter. But at that very moment Elena came inside and gave them a puzzled look.
"Hey," she said. "Did I interrupt something?"
"We're talking about Klaus," Caroline said casually.
"What?" Elena said worriedly. "Again? Did he return? Did he try to find Bonnie?"
Caroline bit her lip, trying not to smile. Damon was frowning now; he rose to his feet, looking wildly around.
"What's wrong?" Elena asked.
"Nothing!" Damon snapped and dashed toward the front door.
Like stealing candy from a baby, Caroline thought smugly.
"What is his deal?" Elena frowned.
"You know, I think he really likes her," Caroline said, stretching her arms. "Poor guy."
"You think Damon likes Bonnie?" Elena asked, surprised.
"Yep. It's funny. Let's see where it will go. I mean, it would be the weirdest couple!"
Caroline laughed quietly, but Elena looked thoughtful.
"So, we're going to the Mystic Grill tonight, right?" Caroline asked offhandedly.
"Sure," Elena said, looking up. "Bonnie will be there, won't she?"
"Yes, she said she would."
Bonnie was out.
Damon decided not to waste time. He walked into her room and began looking for Klaus' gift. There were a lot of bright boxes and packages on the floor. But either Caroline was a liar, or Bonnie kept the gift from the Original in some special place. Damon walked over to the desk and pulled the drawer out. He saw notebooks, clips and pencils, and other stuff. Also, he had found a drawing of Bonnie. He stared at it speechlessly. The witch looked like Catwoman. Her hair was flying and there was a sexy smile on her face. At the bottom right hand corner of the list there were two letters scribbled. JG.
Jeremy…
"I'm going to kill someone tonight," Damon muttered.
His mood was totally ruined when he found a battered heart-shaped card. He read,
Dear Bonnie!
You're so pretty,
Please, be my sweetheart.
Tyler.
Damon let out a long irritated scoff. Why did Bonnie want to keep a valentine card from kindergarten times?
He massaged his eyes and looked down again. A University College London brochure was lying on the desk. Damon took no notice of it at first but then looked at it closely and frowned.
University College London? Why in the world? Was American education not good enough for the modern teenagers?
Was she going to leave?
The front door opened. The vampire put the brochure down. He heard Bonnie's soft voice, she was talking on the phone.
"Yep. So Margaret and Will went to check it. But I'm pretty sure we're right. Klaus knows what he's talking about, he used that spell himself."
Damon closed his eyes.
Time to kill.
Moving soundlessly and quickly, he glided downstairs. Bonnie had just shrugged her jacket off, pressing the phone to her ear with her shoulder.
"I'll call you when Mag is back. Bye."
She dropped her phone on the couch and straightened up.
"Knock, knock," Damon said dangerously.
Bonnie leaped.
"God!"
She turned around and exhaled.
"Da-Damon, what the hell! You're going to be the death of me!"
"That would be a tragedy," Damon said coldly.
She glanced at him but looked away. Damon thought she looked guilty. Served her right. For all he knew she could have been sneaking with Klaus behind his back.
"I regret inviting you in my house," she muttered.
"You regret a lot of things when it comes to me, that much is obvious."
"Um…" Bonnie scowled. "What's wrong today?"
"Are you going to London?" he asked.
"Wha… How do you know?"
"So it's true. When were you going to tell me?"
She shrugged and he narrowed his eyes.
"Were you going to tell me?"
"It's not decided yet," Bonnie snapped. She looked confused. "Anyway, our dynamics is really weird, I didn't suppose we'd be on speaking terms again."
"Right."
"Damon, college is the last thing on my mind. I have crazy warlocks to deal with."
"Cry me a river, witch," Damon snarled. "Now tell me why you are suddenly okay with Klaus!"
Bonnie looked at him confused.
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"You're a hypocrite in a truly Bennett way."
She frowned and said snidely,
"What's wrong? Klaus is not your best friend anymore?"
"Answer, Bonnie."
"I will. But before that you'll tell me what Stanley had told you."
Damon glared at her. He was in no mood at all to play games.
"He said he would leave you alone if I let him kill me."
Bonnie frowned.
"What?"
"Stanley said," Damon seethed, "If I came to him willingly, if I gave my life away, he would stop hunting you."
Her mouth rounded. Damon was ready to see her angry but she scoffed.
"What an idiot," Bonnie said contemptuously.
He was slightly hurt. She acted as if she thought it was ridiculous, the mere idea that he could choose her life over his. The witch shook her head.
"Is he really so stupid?"
That did it.
"Stupid?" Damon said harshly. "You think I wouldn't do it?"
"Do what?" Bonnie asked, confused.
Her face suddenly darkened.
"Oh, don't tell me you considered it."
Damon surveyed her in anger. Of course, he had considered it, wasn't it obvious?
"Damon!" Bonnie exclaimed, watching him worriedly. "Stanley has no power to harm you! Don't you realize it? He as good as admitted it. Otherwise, why would he need your permission to kill you?"
He didn't think about it. And he didn't want to think about it now. He was too angry at Bonnie who treated him like a stranger.
"Damon, you're not going to die," Bonnie muttered. "Not because of me. Let's be smarter than this freak."
"So you're worried I could die?" he simpered.
"If you do I'll follow you to hell just to punch you in the face."
"Why hell?" he said grumpily. "Why not heaven?"
She grinned at him and he smiled back. A gentle expression on her face hadn't led him astray, though.
"Bonnie, did Klaus send you something?"
The witch nodded.
"Where is it?"
"In my purse…"
Bonnie blinked when Damon rushed past her and grabbed her purse.
"What are you doing?" she exclaimed.
"I'm going to throw it away," he snapped as he took the box out of her purse.
"Stop it!" Bonnie said. She grabbed his wrist. "Oh, stop it, give it back!"
"I'm trying to do something right for a change, so don't fight me," Damon said. He looked right into her eyes. "But I can't believe you. You made me want to stake myself for what I did. But now you accepted a gift from Klaus. Talk about double standards."
"Damon, it's my business!" Bonnie tried to snatch the box again.
He didn't let her do it. Bonnie narrowed her eyes and tried to shove him away with the spell but it didn't work. She froze. Again her magic didn't work on Damon. What was going on? She looked up at him. He was watching her as if she had betrayed him in every possible way but he didn't even realize she was trying to use her power.
It was then when she felt it. Her hand touched his and warmth began spreading through her blood. Damon frowned when her mouth opened slightly. It was like a power was humming from him. Sometimes when he was close she had that feeling, very faint and fleeting, more like the glimpses of light. But right now it was something impossible to ignore.
Only one person she knew possessed the same power.
Impossible…
No, it wasn't impossible. Damon told her, he told her so many times but she brushed it off, the idea seemed ridiculous.
She stepped back.
"What is your problem?" Damon asked, watching her in confusion.
"My problem?" Bonnie said slowly. "My crazy ancestor who had that ridiculous idea of you being a goody-goody vampire, she is my problem."
She scoffed and grabbed her phone. Damon stared at her mutely as she was pressing the buttons. He was completely lost.
"Hi, Derrick," Bonnie said softly. "Can you please come to my place? Yep, now. Thanks."
She hung up and sat down on the couch.
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"What is going on, you crazy woman?"
She looked at him through squinted eyes.
"Now what?" Damon asked in exasperation.
"Don't you feel anything at all?" Bonnie asked hopefully.
He grimaced.
"Confusion. Annoyance. Bloodlust…"
"Ok," Bonnie interrupted his bored voice. "I mean, don't you feel pain in your head?"
"Why?" He looked at her suspiciously. "Wait, I know this look. Are you trying to give me an aneurism?"
Bonnie looked away and he shook his head.
"If so, you're losing your touch."
The witch bit her knuckles. Damon turned away from her and opened the box he was holding.
"What is this?" he asked stoically.
"Snake's skin," she answered. "You can throw it away, I don't need it anymore. It was simply a hint from Klaus. I don't know why it made you so upset."
He didn't reply. Bonnie watched him tentatively.
"Remember when Klaus used Alaric's body…"
Damon raised his hand to cut her off.
"I don't care."
She lowered her head. If Damon decided to sulk he could have it his way.
Following fifteen minutes they spent in silence. When Derrick finally arrived Bonnie rushed over to meet him.
"What happened?" Derrick asked cheerfully.
He entered the leaving room and spotted Damon.
"Hey, Damon."
"Derrick," Damon snarled in acknowledgement.
Derrick stopped dead across from the vampire.
"Ok… I have a bad feeling," Derrick drawled. "Am I about to be grounded?"
Bonnie crossed her arms.
"Is there any chance that a magical vow that was made more than a hundred years ago would suddenly come into power?"
Derrick seemed intrigued. He looked at Bonnie inquiringly, then turned to glance at Damon, then looked at Bonnie again.
"Meaning?"
Bonnie was at a loss for words. Derrick grinned.
"If you mean Damon's promise to Emily, then yes, you're right."
"So Damon indeed is the protector of the Bennett line?" Bonnie whispered.
Damon groaned.
"Last millennium news!"
"You don't understand!" Bonnie said impatiently. "It's not as simple as you think. If you're really bound by the vow you don't simply protect the witch when you find it suitable. You protect her no matter what. Like Derrick protects me."
"Oh, come off it," Damon rolled his eyes.
"But she's right," Derrick said. "When Emily made you swear you would protect the descendant of hers you became the protector of the bloodline but you didn't get the powers of the protector right away. To gain them you must really want to keep the witch or the warlock safe."
"All I here is blah-blah-blah, I have a feeling Emily had screwed me again, blah," Damon said.
"It usually requires a strong emotional connection," Derrick said patiently. "Feelings, emotions are always important when we talk about the spells."
"I don't believe it," Bonnie whispered.
"Damon, hadn't Emily told you anything?" Derrick said hastily. "If a human names himself guardian of the witch and means it he eventually gets the power to protect her. It's usually increasing strength, speed etc. but some humans could even develop magical powers. It depends on the connection. You are a vampire, so, I suppose, you're becoming stronger and your resistance to spells or anything else that could hurt you is increasing."
Damon frowned, suddenly growing interested.
"Well, I've trained my will. I mean I don't mind vervain anymore because I drank its extract."
"Damon… I don't think that was the reason you're becoming invincible," Derrick said, trying to hide his amusement. "Your strongest vampire abilities are developing. It's difficult to hurt you, you may resist the compulsion even of the Original and if you want to you can compel vampires yourself."
"Sounds too good to be true."
"It's one of the strongest magical contracts. The deeper your desire to protect the witch, the stronger your connection becomes. And you get more power in exchange."
"Oh," Damon said thoughtfully.
"Well, it makes sense. How could you protect a witch if you're weaker than her? You must have the power. Your mind even works overtime. Don't you have dreams about Bonnie?"
"Right."
"Your powers have awakened because you want to help her."
"Why so suddenly?" Bonnie muttered.
"Why are you asking me?" Derrick said innocently. "We're talking about your emotions. Being a protector myself I can only say that usually it takes something… some emotional condition to bring the powers out. You two must have done something to seal the deal."
"Seal the deal?" Bonnie scoffed. "We haven't sealed the deal!"
There was a long pregnant pause. Finally Damon slowly said,
"Actually…"
He didn't have to continue, judging from Bonnie's quite embarrassed look. After all, she knew as well as he did that they had sealed the deal alright. Damon exhaled.
"Talk about the witches and the fine print…" He took another glance at mortified witch and drawled, "Oh for God's sake… Stop being so miserable!"
Bonnie looked at him before she turned to Derrick.
"So Damon is stronger than other vampires, right?" she asked softly. "And Stanley, and maybe even Hopkins can't hurt him?"
"I suppose so," Derrick nodded. "At least, Stanley couldn't hurt Damon last time you fought."
"Well, we have some good news," Bonnie muttered. "And he would stay invincible, right?"
"As long as he truly wants to protect anyone of Emily's descendants."
Bonnie's smile faded.
"This is ridiculous. And if he stops wanting to protect — "
"I won't," Damon said. And realizing fully Derrick was still in the room he added, "Life without you is becoming meaningless anyway."
Now Bonnie's face was burning.
"Good. I think I'll go outside for several minutes," she said quickly and left the house.
Damon looked at Derrick.
"And what did you do to seal the deal?"
"You wonder, don't you," Derrick smirked.
"Tell me," Damon said serenely. Although his eyes were glinting menacingly.
The warlock nodded, but he didn't look intimidated.
"I was born," he said quietly.
TBC