Artemis groaned and rolled over, she was exhausted she had hardly got any sleep last night, she sighed when she saw the time and saw she had to get up for work. Artemis sat up and scratched the back of her head; she stumbled out of her bed and catches herself on her dresser.
She felt a little drowsy and weak, Artemis shivered and saw that her window was wide open; she shook her head and slammed it shut. The brunette got out of bedroom and headed towards her bathroom. Artemis quickly did her morning routine and leant against the bathroom counter, she groaned seeing the bags beneath her eyes, her skin was paler than usual she looked unwell. Artemis closed her eyes and took a minute to herself. She exited the bathroom and bumped into Jeremy.
"Hey Art can you…" he trailed off seeing her face; she looked as if she could keel over any minute.
"What is it Jere?" she smiled at him,
"I was wondering if you could help-"
Artemis quirked an eyebrow when he paused again "Jeremy I don't have much time I got to go to work and-"
"Never mind" he smiled at her "it doesn't matter-"
"Are you sure?" Artemis frowned. "If you need help then I'm happy-"
"No it's fine honestly" he assured her; she nodded and headed to her own bedroom. Jeremy walked into his own room. He heard his cell ringing and picked up,
"Hey Bon" he said quietly not wanting Artemis to hear
"Hi, so did you get Art-"
"I think it's best for her to sit this one out. Artemis looks exhausted; did Caroline say what they did to her and Arty?"
"Yeah, they shot her in the leg and dug spikes into her wrist" Bonnie replied. Jeremy swore softly
"No wonder she's exhausted." Jeremy muttered "No we can do this without her, ok? Don't breathe a word to her about this"
"I know Jeremy see ya later" Bonnie said hanging up,
Artemis had just slipped on her bra and panties and was rummaging around in her closet; she decided to wear a cream coloured dress with a printed design all over it. She had just tightened the brown leather belt around her waist when she heard Jeremy in the hallway.
"Arty, I'm going" he yelled, Artemis hurried out of the room and peered out of her doorway.
"Where are you going?" she asked
"To the Grill, I'm meeting Bonnie there" he replied before she could question him further he left.
Artemis couldn't help but smile at that, she didn't miss the fact that her little brother had been spending an awful a lot of time with the witch. She decided to leave that one alone and carried on getting ready. Artemis rummaged through her closet and carried on getting ready. She took her clutch and deposited at the bottom of the stairs next to the dish-bowl and walked into the kitchen to make herself breakfast.
Artemis had just finished making herself some scramble eggs and toast and was about to take a much needed sip of her coffee when the front door was slammed open, she instantly jumped off of the stool and rolled her eyes.
"Hey" she clapped her hands loudly breaking the couple apart "Do you mind not doing this in the hallway, trying to eat breakfast here. Seriously go and get a room" Artemis headed back to the kitchen and could hear the couple laughing, she was about to take a bite out of her toast when she was halted again.
"Can I help you Lena?" she asked seeing her sister standing there in the doorway, with Stefan behind her.
"Well I was wondering if I could have the keys to the Lake house? Please"
"Why would-"
"Just want to spend the night away from everything" Elena said, Artemis bit her lip and nodded putting a smile on her face.
"Wish I had that luxury" she muttered "Yeah sure, I'll get the keys why don't you pack"
Artemis nearly fell off of the stool when Elena literally launched herself into her arms.
"Thank you so much" she whispered into the elder girl's ear and kissed her on the cheek.
Artemis laughed and patted her on the back, "go get ready" Elena skipped out of the room exchanging loving smiles with Stefan. Artemis couldn't help but feel a bit jealous seeing that, hell even her younger sister had found someone to love, and Jeremy she could already see that the teenage boy was going in the same direction with a certain Bennett witch.
"Arty, the keys?" Stefan said bringing her back to reality.
Artemis jumped and nodded "Sorry" she shook her head, and walked over to the living room. Stefan didn't miss that her complexion wasn't its usual peachy tone nor the fact that she had bags underneath her eyes.
"Artemis, are you ok? I mean I never got to actually see you-"
"Stef I'm fine" she nodded rummaging through the desk drawers; she was getting frustrated when she couldn't find it.
"Arty are you-"
"Damn it Stefan" she snapped as the drawer fell out of its cabinet "I'm fine" she crouched down on the ground hurriedly shoving the spilled contents back into the drawer. Stefan grabbed her hands stopping her.
"Arty?"
Artemis looked up at him he could see her lower lip trembling, she shook her head "I'm fine-"
"No, none of that" he gently grasped her chin and stared into her eyes "you can tell me anything"
"You're a sweet guy Stef" Artemis smiled sadly at him, Stefan studied her knowing she was trying to change the topic but it wasn't going to work on him,
"Artemis" he said sternly his heightened hearing could pick up that Elena was still packing "Why do I get a feeling it's something to do with my brother?" he asked.
"It's nothing. I…he found someone else-"
"Andie Starr? Yeah I saw her at the Boarding House" Stefan told her, there was no doubt of denying it, his brother was a complete idiot, thinking that if he swanned off with other women, that he was able to forget about Artemis but he knew that definitely wasn't going to work, it'll only hurt her and him.
Artemis sighed and grabbed the keys she handed it over to Stefan and was about to pick up the fallen drawer but he got there before her.
"Thanks-"
"Are you happy about it? With Damon and-"
"No I'm not" she admitted and shrugged her shoulders "Damon deserves someone normal, and she's gorgeous, if she can make him happy then I'm happy for him" Artemis forced a smile onto her face her heart was totally against those words. Stefan surprised her by pulling her into a hug, and wrapped his arms around her holding her.
They parted ways when Elena came thundering down the stairs, Artemis clutched her purse and keys and walked towards the front door.
"So ready for our romantic weekend?" Stefan asked smiling at Elena taking her bags
"Yep" Elena replied with a grin on her face "let's go before John shows up and pretends to be the caring father"
Artemis chuckled and grabbed her car keys, "See you guys later" she called over her shoulder and walked towards her car.
Artemis was in the back office and was sorting through several files when she felt a pulse of air behind her. She gasped and jumped turned around and sighed seeing Elijah there.
"Jesus, scare the crap out of me why don't you?" she clutched her heart.
"Hmm, that wasn't my intention. So are these some of the items you had gathered?" Elijah asked tinkering with the items that she had displayed on the shelves.
"Yes, from the Roman era to even the Viking era" she said proudly, she hadn't spoken in so long about her work
"Viking you say?" he asked interested "Do you have-"
"Yes, I believe this was from the Viking era" she said pulling out a thin glass case that displayed a piece of parchment that had the drawing on several wild horses. Elijah was stunned but quickly composed his features to a look of nonchalant "do you know anything about it?" he asked,
Artemis stood up and looked down at the picture whilst standing beside him.
"Hmm, an artist named Niklaus had drawn these, whilst observing these creatures" Artemis murmured.
"And you know this because-"
"The seer thing" she smiled at him, and saw that his attention was far more focused on the parchment; she couldn't even name what type of emotion was swimming in his eyes. "Elijah? Do you want this?" she asked.
"It means nothing, you shouldn't really have worthless tat in your store Artemis" he said curtly. Artemis frowned nothing here was worthless
"It obviously means something to you, otherwise you wouldn't have been clutching onto it" Artemis murmured and tucked in a stray curl behind her ear.
Elijah canted his head to the side to study her "You know me well-"
"No I don't" Artemis muttered "Athena knew you, I'm just an observant person" there was a moment of silence which he broke.
"Are you ready then?" he asked her. Artemis looked at him in confusion making him chuckle
"The tea party? You're my escort-"
"Oh damn I forgot" she quickly ran around the room and gathered her thing and was gone. Elijah fiddled with his cufflink mentally counting down the seconds before she would return; it wasn't long as a flush looking Artemis came back.
"You're meant to be coming-oww stich- come on" she said and was tempted to push him out of the door. "Elijah we're late already and-"
"And whose fault is that?" he smirked she had the urge to hit him but thought better of it.
"Oh right, mine now come on. Carol Lockwood would literally bite my head off if I don't show up with you. Since you're the reason why she's hosting this party"
Artemis sighed and helped herself to a cup of tea; she added some sugar into the hot drink and stirred it with a spoon. Carol Lockwood had hijacked Elijah as soon as they strolled in, she sipped her tea and blanched at the taste, she was definitely a coffee person. She smiled seeing Damon walking in, finally she wouldn't be bored.
"Damon" she grinned at him. "You came I thought you wouldn't show…since tea party and you don't miss-"
"She got that right" Jenna chuckled behind her. "So Damon what are you-"
"You made it" Andie smiled at Damon, the grin on Artemis's face slid off seeing the vampire kissing the other woman.
"Hey" Damon smirked at her, Artemis forced a smile on to her face "thanks for introducing us Jenna" he walked away and headed towards Elijah and Carol.
"Art-"
"I'm going to get something to eat, feeling rather peckish" Artemis mumbled and hurried away. She made a beeline towards the table of food and picked up a strawberry tart. But put it back she wasn't in the mood to eat.
"Artemis" Elijah called her over; she looked up and saw that Carol and Damon were looking at her.
"Hey" she uttered slightly confused "Erm what-"
"I was just telling Damon and Carol what a lovely host you've been" Elijah uttered and gently took hold of her hand and raised it to his lips; Damon's crushed his cell that was in his hand when he saw this.
"Host?" he snarled the word out.
"I ask Artemis to take care of Elijah, whilst he's in tow doing his research-"
"And she's been taking wonderful care of me" Elijah uttered; Artemis felt the heat on her cheeks rise.
"Mayor Lockwood-"
"If you excuse me" Carole hurried away.
"What are you doing?" Damon snarled before she could reply Andie appeared,
"Fancy getting me a drink Damon?" the news-reporter asked
"I think we'll leave you two to get on with it" Artemis sniped and walked off; Elijah smirked and followed after her, leaving behind a very frustrated Damon.
"So this isn't real?" Artemis asked her and Elijah were in one of the corridors starting up a large portrait, she studied the bronze placard "but here it says it's genuine" she traced the outline of the engraved writing
"Hmm, I appears so, but here give me your hand" Elijah held out his larger hand to her, she placed her smaller softer one in his, "Feel this" he guided her hand across the portrait and she frowned feeling the strokes of the painting,
"This is odd" she murmured as he moved behind her
"You know why it's so odd? It's because the original portrait would have strokes going in all different directions this one is completely smooth" Elijah said into her ear. Artemis jumped feeling his breath fanning over the shell of her, there was no doubt in denying Elijah was a handsome man, he had that old fashion thing going for him.
"Wow, now we know that Carol Lockwood doesn't have that much to brag about" Artemis muttered getting flustered at his closeness.
"Elijah" a voice growled, she jumped and look over to the end of the hallway and saw a clearly pissed off Damon standing there. Artemis immediately took a step forward to put some distance between her and Elijah.
"Damon what can I do for you? I'm quite busy-"
"Yeah I can see that. But I think we need to talk" the raven head vampire glowered, Elijah was internally amused but nodded, he thought he might as well indulge the younger vampire.
"Artemis I-"
"No, no I'm going to find a drink" she literally ran back to the main room, her eyes darted around, screw the tea she needed something stronger. She discreetly looked around and poured herself a glass of whisky, she was about to take a sip but it was snatched away from her.
"Ric" she whined "why?"
"Erm…because I said so?" the history teacher replied. And then he downed the drink. Artemis rolled her eyes and followed his gaze, she saw Damon following Elijah into the study. Just then there was a loud squeal of laugher, Alaric saw the dejected look on the teen's face and saw that her attention was focused on Andie Starr.
"Art, don't wallow-"
"Whoa Ric, definitely not wallowing, I just realised I am definitely not Damon's type" Artemis muttered "he likes tall leggy girls, something I'm clearly not-"Alaric eyes almost bugged out hearing that.
Damn he thought Artemis was completely oblivious to her and Damon's odd relationship, you would literally have to be blind not to see the chemistry between the pair.
Before he could say anything however John approached the pair.
"What is Damon doing with Elijah?" he asked them both.
"They're trading True Blood cards" Artemis said deadpanned, Alaric snorted at that. "Don't really know John, nor do I care"
"And you?"
"How should I know?" Alaric scoffed not liking the man at all.
"Well because you're his little helper" John stared the other man down.
"If you say so John-"
"Does Jenna know about you're extra-curricular-"
"John, don't you dare get Jenna involved in this" Artemis hissed
"She's already involved Arty, whether you like it or not" John replied back. "I think it's time we tell her, she can't stay in the dark forever-"
"She can" Artemis snapped "tell her anything I will make sure you won't be wearing a ring again, do you understand John?" her eyes had darkened in anger and without another word she left.
"You know what Arty was right you're a dick" Alaric smirked.
John glared at him "I don't think you should sleep-over anymore, it's inappropriate with children in the house" he paused "and that ring Isobel gave you, it's mine and I want it back"
Artemis sighed and rolled her shoulders back and forth; she was currently helping herself to some biscuits but kept her attention on the door where she knew Elijah and Damon were on the other side of.
"Hey Arty" Jenna appeared next to her.
"Oh hi Jen" she smiled at her,
"I'm sorry about Andie and Damon, I didn't know that they'd end up together if-"
"It's fine, he can do whatever he wants" Artemis plucked a strawberry from the platter and bit down on it
"Arty I thought you and Damon-"
"There's nothing between me and Damon, he can sleep with whoever he wants" Artemis looked away her eyes rested on the study door.
"Arty, I know you're lying and I know that you feel-"
"I feel nothing Jenna." Artemis claimed "nothing at all, I think there are no mutual feelings between…" she trailed off seeing Elijah exiting the study, she could make out something red on his hands.
"Arty-"
"See you later Jen" Artemis called over her shoulder and distractedly. She entered the study and her eyes widened at the sight off seeing Damon leaning on the desk, clutching his blood covered throat.
"Damn Damon what did you do?" Artemis rushed forwards and pushed him into the desk chair she knelt down in front of him, and took white handkerchief off of him.
"You're boyfriend attacked me" he grunted.
She rolled her eyes and pulled his hand away from his throat, she could see the wound already healing.
"He isn't my boyfriend, and you obviously did something to get stabbed in the neck" Damon relaxed under her gentle soft ministrations as she wiped away the blood.
"I kind of tried to break his neck and get information out of him" he relented. Artemis stiffened
"Are you stupid?" she snapped grabbing his hand and started to wipe the blood away "he is an Original he could do so much damage and-"
"Why are you so concerned about him?" Damon growled, grabbing her around the waist, he flipped their position so that now she was pinned beneath him. She gasped as he pressed his body against hers, she could feel his weight on her.
"I am not concerned about him" she snapped her hands were on his broad shoulders trying to push him back. Damon frowned at her his eyes roamed over her face
"Who are you concerned for?"
"You" she breathed and gulped when he trailed a finger down the column of her throat
"Why though? Tell me" he demanded resting his temple against her own "can you admit it Arty? Can you say it?" he asked cupping her face, she felt his thumb brush across her bottom lip.
"Damon oh my god-"in a flash Damon was off of her and on the other side of the room with Andie. Artemis sat up trying to get her breathing rate back to normal
"You didn't see anything Andie, and you just walked in on me and Arty talking" her eyes widened realising he was compelling her.
"I didn't see anything just that you and Arty were talking" Andie repeated monotone. Then a wide smile spread across her face and she skipped away.
"You compelled her?" Artemis questioned with a frown on her face.
"I do what I have to do" Damon replied "sort through your feeling Artemis, I don't want to be stringed along-"
"That goes both ways Damon, I don't want be either" she said quietly. And watched as he left.
Artemis exited the room and leant against the wall seeing Damon and Andie laughing and smiling, exchanging small kisses. She sighed and looked away and saw Elijah was talking to Carol Lockwood; she rubbed her temples and decided to leave. She had some work to do at the store. Artemis licked her lips and headed out towards her car, she was about to climb into the car but was stopped when she heard her someone calling her name.
"Artemis-"
"Elijah" she smiled
"You're leaving so soon?" Elijah asked,
"Yeah, I have to get back to the store, you stay and have fun" she uttered and was about to leave but he grasped her hand.
"Elijah-"
"He is a fool Artemis" before she could ask him anything he was gone. Artemis shook her head and got into her car.
His words rang around her head, 'He is a fool' she revved the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
Artemis was in the store doing some dusting, she had just stepped down from the ladder when the belle above the door rang, and alerting her someone was here.
"Hey Art"
"Betty" she smiled at her and walked over to the counter she brought the stool on the other side of it and gestured for the old lady to sit down. "So what can I do for you?"
"Nothing much, just stopped by I saw you leaving earlier with a mystery man and damn….he was fine" she whistled, Artemis blushed and shook her head.
"Betty-"
"Come on Arty, he was like sex on legs. Damn the men in this town are oh so….delicious" Betty grinned as Artemis leant her elbows on the counter "come on Arty say it. Elijah is his name?" she nodded "well Elijah he's damn sexy-"
"Ok, Betty Elijah Smith is a very handsome man-"
"Now that is a compliment" Artemis's eyes widened and her head snapped over to a smirking Elijah
"Hey….erm…well….I'm sick-very sick and I don't want to leave you but-"
"Damn Art that was a bloody understatement" Betty whispered eyeing Elijah. "He's gorgeous you better be hitting tha…."
"LA LAA LA" Artemis spoke loudly "Betty isn't your husband waiting for you-"
"NO Art-"
"Go away Betty" she hissed.
Betty grinned and nodded "Ah I get it" she winked at her "you want some alone time? I get it" Artemis could feel her cheeks heating up she glared at the older woman who hurried out of the store.
"Betty's unwell getting there in old age, if you catch my drift" Artemis ranted and tapped her pen against the counter "but the woman can bake I mean-"
"Artemis its fine" Elijah cut her off "I have something for you though" she quirked an eyebrow and was miffed at the sight of him presenting her with a single white lily.
"For you" he handed it over to her, making sure that their brushed against each other
"For what?" Artemis asked she hadn't been given a flower in years; she raised it up to her nose and inhaled it
"I didn't lie about what I said Artemis, you have been a wonderful host" Elijah murmured his voice clear and precise
"Thank you"
"I also have a request-"Artemis's smile faltered
"I guess there would be something else, so what is it?" she asked looking at him tiredly.
"Nothing bad that I can assure you" he murmured running his fingers across the surface of the trinkets on the counter "I wish you to accompany tomorrow to the property lines, I have to be authentic as possible with this book that the people of this town thinking I'm writing" Elijah said, Artemis leant forward against the counter.
"Why not?" she smiled shrugging her shoulders,
"Wonderful I will also be taking you for lunch" before she could even question him in a blur of movement he was gone, her hair whipped around her. Artemis smiled slightly and lightly ran her finger over the petals of the flower.
Artemis had just closed up when she heard her cell ring loudly, she looked around spotted it on the counter.
"Damon?" she asked locking the store door behind her.
"Arty, I think you've forgot something at the tea-party, let me give you a clue is has you house keys in?"
"My clutch" she groaned remembering she left it at the Lockwoods and her keys were already with her along with her cell.
"Got it in one, so you going to come over and get it?" Damon asked ignoring the glare he was getting from Alaric
"Can't you just drop it by?" she asked really not in the mood to see him.
"Aw, I can't do that. So you better hurry up Art" he smirked hearing her swear at him, without another word she hanged up on.
Artemis pulled up to the Boarding House and walked up the porch steps, like usual the front door was unlocked. She could hear voices in the parlour
"You really need to learn how to lock your doors" Artemis said entering the parlour, her eyes landed on Damon who was lounging on the leather armchair, with Alaric sitting on the couch.
"Ah but if I do lock my doors then I wouldn't be able to see your face" the vampire smirked at her
"Don't you have Andie to compel-"
"Jealous doesn't suit you Art-"
"Piss off" Artemis snapped folding her arms across her chest, Alaric shifted slightly feeling the tension in the air seem to ripen when the pair were in the room together, it could clearly be said that the pair and unresolved issues. "Now where is my purse?"
"Hmm, I think I need some persuasion" Damon wagged his eyebrows up and down suggestively
"You're a dick" Artemis spat "give it-"
"And I think this is my cue to go" Alaric jumped onto his feet not wanting to be caught in between an argument with them. "I have a date with Jenna"
Artemis nodded and looked over to Damon, "Well?" she asked and spotted the clutch in the waist band of his jeans,
"You know you're very sexy when you're making demands" she jumped when he appeared in front of her "very sexy" he purred into her ear. Artemis stifled a moan when she felt lips on her throat; she gasped as he kissed her throat and nibbled on her ear lobe.
"Stop" she whispered "please- you're confusing me. I can't do this; there are too many mixed signals." She discreetly pulled out her clutch from the back of his jeans. "I don't know what you want-"
"I want you" he said seriously, her brows furrowed she was getting beyond frustration.
"Then what are you doing with Andie?" she shoved him away from her. "I don't want to play games with you anymore. Whatever this is between us, I want it gone"
"It will never go. My feelings for you never will go-"
"What are your feelings exactly?" she spluttered he remained silent she laughed bitterly "there you go, making big claims and when you're confronted you go quiet. I doubt you even know what you feel…just stay with Andie, have a girl who doesn't even really know you." Artemis snapped and was relieved when he let her pass.
She let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding in when she exited the room. Artemis didn't want to think about this anymore and decided to go home. She slowed down seeing a body on the ground.
"Oh my god Ric" she ran forward and dropped to her knees. "Damon" she called her eyes were on the knife in his stomach, "shit" she gently closed his eyes
"What the hell?" Damon said looking down at her and Alaric,
"I don't know he-"he quickly pulled her onto her feet,
"Art calm-"
"BEHIND YOU" she shouted seeing someone dropping down behind Damon, the vampire immediately stood in front of her protectively and punched the werewolf,
"ARTY RUN" Damon shouted as he slammed himself against the wall trying to dislodge the other supernatural creature off of his back,
"Damon-"
"GO NOW" he roared as he was stabbed in the neck with a needle, Artemis knew she wouldn't be a match for the werewolf and decided to see if she could get someone to help, she had just flung the door open and stumbled back
"Jules" she breathed,
"Hey Art" without another word something struck her hard on the face instantly knocking her out. Damon snarled attempting to get up to crawl over to her but the vervaine had significantly weakened him.
"Don't touch her" he murmured his world was fading fast the last thing he made out was Artemis unconscious on the ground.
Artemis groaned and whimpered feeling something digging into her wrist she slowly opened her eyes and gasped when she met Alaric's eyes, he was dead. Artemis scuttled backwards and hissed in pain feeling a burning sensation throbbing through her body. She looked down and cringed seeing that spike device wrapped around both her wrist, she froze hearing a loud groan.
"Damon?" she breathed seeing him chained to a chair with a similar looking device that she had on but his were around his neck.
"Art?" he looked down at her she was on the ground a couple of feet away from him "Are-" he tensed seeing the frightened look on her face and his eyes zeroed in on her bloody wrist and bruised cheek.
"Morning sunshines" a smug voice greeted them. Artemis snapped her head towards the direction that the voice had come from and saw a skinny man with a beanie on his head.
"I saw this movie once" Artemis gulped seeing him pacing in front of her, she looked down and saw that both the devices her and Damon were currently adorning had chains and the werewolf was clutching on to "some torture porn flick. Must say though you're much more hotter than the girl in the film" if looks could kill the werewolf would be six feet under from the looks he was getting from the vampire, he smirked and further enraged the vampire by running a finger down Artemis's damp cheeks, the pain from her wrists were getting too much.
"So pretty-"
"Don't touch her" Damon spat and attempted to rip the chains off but he was too weak.
"Oh is she your girl?"
"Yes. And I don't like others touching what's mine. So don't fucking touch her" Damon's nostrils flared, Artemis was too scared to retort to Damon's comment.
"Well anyway, in this film there was a collar device, it was really cool. You know what I'm talking about right?" the werewolf asked Artemis "after all you were my first…let's say recipient to experience this, so I made some modifications with some wooden nails and when I pull-get ready" he smiled darkly at Artemis and pulled. Artemis screamed out in pain when the nails tore into her skin. Her scream drowned out Damon's groan.
"Enough" Jules ordered "we need her alive for now Stevie"
Stevie rolled his eyes and dropped the chains that were attached to Artemis's wrists. She was panting and trembled slightly,
"Where's the moonstone?" Jules asked, Damon's attention was on Artemis's form, he needed to get her out of this. But when he heard Jules's question he laughed. Artemis wondered what the hell was so funny, but then she recalled that Jules was asking about the moonstone, which was ironic since Damon didn't have that anymore.
She managed to pull herself up into a sitting position but was still slightly slumped, her hands were coated in blood, and she could already see the blood drying.
"Oh if only you knew the irony of this situation" Damon leant his head back still keeping one eye on Artemis.
"Let me tell you how this is gonna go, you're going to torture me I don't talk, someone's going to lose their heart, last time it was your boy Mason."
"This time it would be you" Jules sneered and nodded towards Stevie who pulled hard on the chains causing Damon to yell out in pain, he hissed at Stevie making the wolf jump.
"You know what you said about how we're going to torture you….well you was wrong, we've got leverage" Jules sneered and nodded again. Artemis bit down so hard on her bottom lip that she drew blood when Stevie tugged on her chains. She gasped and looked up her eyes were clouded in tears.
"You know what's great about a buck shot? Maximum damage" she grabbed Arty's hair causing her yelp and forced the bloodied teen in front of her. So that her terrified face was facing Damon. He could see how scared she was.
"It'll be ok" he mouthed seeing her tearstained face. Artemis clenched her eyes shut feeling the gun against the back of her shoulder.
"You can't kill her" Damon struggled against the chains; spit was flying from the enraged vampire.
"Oh I know, we need her for the sacrifice right?" Jules smirked canting her head to the side "but we can have some fun first. Now where is the moonstone or-"
"We'll put another bullet in her. You didn't like that before did ya?" Stevie smirked
"Go fuck yourself" Artemis spat and hissed when he pulled harshly on the chains causing the spikes to dig in.
"I rather you be doing that to me"
"I swear to god, when I get out of this your head is mine" Damon growled
"No your head is ours now where is it?" Jules snarled prodding the gun into Artemis's shoulder causing her to teeter forward on her knees.
"Looking for this?" Artemis eyes widened and glanced over her shoulder and seeing Elijah there, he took in her state and immediately tensed at the sight of her, but he kept his game face on. He casually strolled into the moon and placed the moonstone on the dark oak table and took a step back.
"Go ahead" Elijah uttered "take it" with that a werewolf rushed forward but Elijah plunged his hand into his chest ripping out his heart and threw it to the ground.
Artemis scuttled backwards and felt her back hit Damon's legs. Two more wolves rushed forward and met the same fate as their companion. Artemis felt her hair shift as Jules fled out of the room. She rolled her eyes seeing Stevie crouch on the floor beside her and pulled his jacket over his head.
"What about you sweetheart?" Elijah asked hauling the werewolf on to his feet "want to take shot?" Stevie shook his head and didn't even dare look at the Original. "No, yes no? where's the girl?" Artemis knew he was playing with the petrified wolf.
"I don't know" Damon replied.
"Doesn't matter" with that Elijah punched Stevie in the face with enough force that he broke his neck. He crouched down in front of Artemis and broke her wrists free. She gasped when she felt the spikes out of her. Before Artemis could even blink Elijah pressed his wrist against her lips forcing the blood down her throat. She spluttered and gagged and wiped her mouth when he pulled back.
"Still here you know" Damon uttered his eyes narrowed on Elijah who helped Artemis on to her feet.
"Damon-"
Elijah with ease ripped the chains off of Damon and flicked his hair out of his eyes.
"This is the third time I saved your life" he smirked at the younger vampire. "You're not doing a great job at protecting her, you better step up if you don't want to be the next one to lose your heart" he turned on his heel and walked out.
Artemis licked her lips as Damon stood up,
"Whoa" he stumbled back when she launched herself into his arms
"Damon-"she pressed her tearstained faced against his chest. He embraced her.
"You ok?" he asked his arms were wrapped around her waist. His hand slid up her throat and cupped her cheek
"Yes" she breathed and smiled slightly when he peppered her face with kisses
"Are you sure?" he asked, wiping away her tears. Artemis nodded and slumped against him resting her head against his chest. Damon ran his fingers through her hair
"Come on let's get you home-"
"Erm you're forgetting Ric?" she mumbled closing her eyes she was exhausted.
"He'll still be dead when we come back. Can you walk?"
"Yes, you dick I do have legs" Artemis rolled her eyes; Damon snorted and wrapped an arm her waist and led her out of house.
Artemis groaned and stretched her arms above her head; she was literally dead on her feet. Elena was spending the weekend at the Lake house, Jenna she couldn't find but assumed that her aunt was spending the night at Alaric's since she didn't want to be anywhere near John.
Artemis drained the bathwater and padded barefooted down the hallway and peeked into Jeremy's room and saw that he was fast asleep. She couldn't help but smile seeing his state, his arms were spread wide and his mouth was wide open, she quietly pulled the covers over her sleeping brother and exited the room. Artemis shut her bedroom door behind her and crawled into bed.
She reached out and switched off her lamp. Artemis rolled over and her eyes drifted close, before she entered slumber-land she swore she met a pair of icy blue orbs, she felt something warm and soft pressing against her temples. Damon brushed aside her fallen curls and could hear her breathing evening out,
He ran his thumb across the apple of her cheek and leant over her so that his lips were aligned with her ear.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you tonight" Damon whispered "but I promise I will try my best, even if it means killing Elijah" she stirred and looked at him in confusion.
"Damon?" her voice was groggy
"Go to sleep Artemis" he lightly kissed her temple and was gone. Artemis hummed and rolled over falling into a dreamless sleep.
AN: Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes.
Thanks to those who reviewed.
So in this chap-there are some Arty and Elijah moments where she accompanies him to the tea party. Betty makes another appearence. Damon and Arty moments at the party. Jules makes an entrance and Elijah comes to both Arty and Damon's rescues.
and a final Darty moment.
Next Chap the Dinner party, and we all know things don't go to plan.
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