Chapter 2. Monday, December 7, 2009
11
the first taste of death-
wets my hunger
I need to live each moment
in that same closing of the eyes
that same ecstasy
let me lie here
in everlasting peace
in love's embrace
let me enter sleep
with dark midnight
as my witness
· when angels speak of love by bell hooks
MID - OCTOBER 1864
Dead was the night as a chill rolled down the base of the Appalachians, heralding a cold Autumn and a deadly Winter. Deep into the lustrous acreage of the Salvatore Plantation, quiet rustling could be heard in a small dirt shack. Emily Bennett was packing their things preparing for a dangerous escape.
"Billy, Mabel" she called to her children 10 and 6 respectively," have you packed everything?"
"I'm missing my bunny. I think it's in Aunty Katherine's room. We need to get, Ms. McCullough," Mabel whined softly. Emily sighed feeling a great weight on her, she was not accustomed to denying her children anything. However, the looming witch hunt threatening her family's life, meant she needed to disappoint them to keep them safe. In spite of this fact, she still didn't know how to break it to her little Mabel.
Silently, cursing Katherine Pierce for the thousandth time she turned to Mabel to explain the situation, when she heard a knock on the shack door. Feeling a chill run down her spine at the impromptu visitor she shushed her children. Her secret senses were still dull from the power exerted sealing and creating the tomb. Still, she tried to tune in while moving soundlessly to the door.
"Its me Emily," Damon Salvatore's voice came softly through the flimsy pine. Relieved but still on guard, she opened the door allowing a small space for Damon to slip through before promptly closing it. Mabel was upon Damon in an instant, despite Mabel's secret senses, she knew no fear of the vampire.
As a human, Damon had met the children all of three times and spoiled them both rotten. She couldn't get Mabel to stop talking about Damon and had requested that "Uncle Blue" visit them again. Billy was always more critical and had quietly commented that Damon was a saintly as a slaver could be. Although she noticed the boy began to request books that Damon had rattled off as being exceptionally good reads. He had a small collection borrowed from the Salvatore library under the shared bed.
Emily greatly appreciated his generosity, but she held a healthy mind not to expect much from him. Damon was kind and had a truly gentle heart, but he was prone to being impulsive and emotional. He always meant good but his good sometimes did great harm.
It was his good nature that encouraged Katherine to be as she was with him and his brother. Without compulsion, Damon had become Katherine's ally from sympathy and compassion alone. Upon finding out what she was, he saw the good in her still, protecting her when he shouldn't have. It was his good nature that allowed Katherine to bed his brother every other night.
Even though Damon was of great assistance in Emily's disappearance from the Salvatore Mansion and his provisions for her in the last two weeks were helpful, she knew his aid would come to an end eventually. Either at the hands of the towns people once they finally found her or by the hand of his brother who had begun unleashing a hellish fury upon the town. A fury, as Damon told it, that was being blamed on her.
"Your leaving?" he asked meekly, his eyes avoiding hers. Emily knew that Damon was suffering. With the disappearance of his greatest love, his brother's personality transformation and his own death and forced re-birth, Damon was going through a lot. They had both been a beacon of light for each other in these dark times, now it was time to venture away from the light.
"I must Damon." Emily considered apologizing but thought better of it, sorry meant nothing when your world was falling apart. It was time to go before the town sent dogs or even worse bounty hunters to go after them. Her powers would take time to recharge, and in that time her whole family could be slaughtered.
"Goodbye I guess," Damon smiled ruefully and cleared his throat before turning his attention to Mabel. Mabel's brown eyes lit up with joy when he presented to her Ms. McCullough.
"Now my little May-June- July -beleen. Take care of my dear fiancé you hear, "Damon was referring to the improvised engagement Mabel forced him to enact the last time they visited the Big House while Guiseppe was away. Katherine had been the ex-girlfriend revengefully objecting to their marriage. She played the role well.
Mabel smiled a wide gap tooth grin, fat tears were at the corners of her eyes, nearly falling down her chubby cheeks. She came to Damon for a hug, and he enveloped her small frame in the warmest embrace. To Emily's surprise Billy followed suit, Billy did not give affection easily not even to his family.
Emily watched the moment feeling as if time stood still, etching itself permanently in her mind. The three of them staring happily at one another bathed in the glow of candlelight and midnight shadows. Emily studied them as if she knew it would be the last happy image, she'd have of them.
It was not long after their embrace that Damon heard dogs coming their way. Somehow, they had caught the scent of her and were headed straight for her. Gathering the kids, they headed out making a run deeper into the tree line. Emily had made plans to have her brother meet her by the roadside by the afternoon, expecting to be able to walk by night fall and hide close by in the day.
That was not going to happen. The dogs were closing in, and the thunderous hooves of horses were clear in the distance. Stopping dead in his tracks, Damon turned to face the sound," I can distract them, give you enough time to run."
"No, more than likely you'll die. And the truth of your transformation would just be another incentive to hang me."
Emily knew no matter what her children were not safe with her. If not witch hunters then, bounty hunters. The fact of her freedom would certainly fall on deaf ears. However, Damon had privilege she did not and if he could be convinced, her bloodline might live on.
"What should I do then Emily let you die?" Damon was shouting now, damning them certainly. She could see the fear in his eyes, although he was immortal now, in his mind he was still so very human. She had faith in him and decided then to put everything dear to her in his hands.
Tugging at the pendant around her neck, she showed it to Damon," This is what will return Katherine to you. Once the comet recharges my essence will shine through and the tomb can be opened."
Damon looked at the pendant gravely looking lost in thought as she continued.
"As long as you keep my descendants safe Damon I will be there for you in your greatest time of need. Promise me you will keep them safe."
Damon looked at her, understanding finally passing through his eyes. His mouth opened in protest, but the sound of the nearing dogs broke him from his thoughts.
"I promise," he spoke.
"Swear it," she stated lifting her palm upward," in blood, swear to me you will take care of my descendants."
Damon hurriedly bit his hand offering it to Emily. Moving forward she pressed her hand to his lips, and he bit down. Using the residual magic in the pendant from the comet, Emily tied her bloodline to Damon. Finally, with the spell completed she turned to give her kids a final goodbye. Billy turned his back on her, while Mabel started to cry.
"Where are you going Mommy?" Mabel asked.
"I'm going to keep you safe my little Mabel. For now, Uncle Blue is going to take care of you. Okay. Just know I love you, both of you very much!" She hugged her kids for the final time, forcing Billy into a hug. She could feel his silent tears on her back and felt like the earth would swallow her whole.
Just before she left, Damon hugged her whispering his intent to save her. She knew that he would fail but she hoped that he would succeed. Giving Damon the pendant she looked into the eyes of the blue-eyed boy rebel with a heart of gold. In her minds eyes she saw him aged with hair white and gray smiling back at her. The next thing she remembered was being with the Spirits.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009
Damon studied a broken piece of Emily's pendant in the day light that shone through a small one-bedroom apartment in Richmond. His mind was circling around the best course of action for his current problem. Admittedly he had a bit of planner's block going on after the last couple days of disappointments. So, despite his verbal promise to Stefan to lead a similar lifestyle he sought out a sorely needed distraction.
Old habits die slow and living a less than authentic vampire life was not authentic to his nature and therefore in bad faith, or whatever Satre said. He had no real understanding about what the existential philosopher was talking about, he had simply memorized some phrases hoping to bed the pretty little philosophy major, he had been stalking that night.
And it worked, he was now in bed with Bella, Bethany, Brandy, or whatever. She was a lovely distraction from his problems, that allowed him to spend all his pent-up energy and refocus on the task at hand. Freeing Katherine Pierce his beloved form her stony penitentiary under Fell's Church.
Katherine. The name of everything and everyone Damon Salvatore held holy and sacred. He often whispered her name under his breath when he was alone. His caring and longing only voiced in the eternal silence of the quiet and cold dark.
Katherine was his lighthouse and even after a century he still felt the same just thinking about her. Constantly he daydreamed about those three weeks that had changed his life irrevocably.
Brooklyn woke up next to him performing a kitten-like yawn with a fresh set of makeup, that he knew she had slipped away to put on earlier in the morning. Her brunette hair that once been straight was now in its naturally curly state, her loose ringlets framing her cherub face attractively. He like curly hair; he never knew it was a thing for him until he met Katherine.
Sometimes he found his self, dissociating, returning to his time with Katherine, his memory of her curls his focal point. He would remember in detail the bounce of her curls as she rode beside him on horseback. The bounce of curls as she rode on top of him, bareback. Her laughter vibrating through him as she tormented his cock mercilessly, his blood dripping from her lips to her breast. She was unlike any woman he met during his time amongst the living, and he had yet to find another to deify the way he did with Katherine. And there would be no other like Katherine. Katherine the brave. Katherine the passionate. Katherine the free. All hail Katherine the great queen of his heart.
And yet, he had found several distractions since her incarceration in the tomb. His latest distraction being her doppelganger. The lovely little Elena Gilbert looked exactly like Katherine but was her opposite in nearly every way. Though he was initially drawn to the copy, he assumed it was due to her likeness to the woman he loved. After his trip down to Georgia in search of an answer to his tomb conundrum, he found himself intrigued with Elena for a completely different reason.
Elena was sweet. Elena was naïve. Elena was fearless. Elena was Stefan's in absolutely every way and as a result princess of all things forbidden to him. The only reason he wanted her so badly was because she wasn't his. However, he would never pursue her with his true love's freedom being just around the corner. The burning blaze of his love for Katherine existed eternally.
Damon was helpless to his love for Katherine. The atrocities he was willing to commit were limitless, he would wipe her little twin off the face of the planet if his empress so desired it. His unfettered love and devotion are what endeared Katherine to him, and he was quite sure it was the reason her last moments of love making before her imprisonment were with him and not Stefan. Ultimately, he would do anything for Katherine, and she knew that. His love was blind, impulsive and all consuming, and although enthralling for his lovers it was problematic for his plans.
Sure, Emily had broken her promise to him, but attacking Bonnie Bennett was a short-sighted mistake. Now that his Plan B Bree was well and truly lost he had no other option but to turn to the little, teeny bopper for help.
Apologizing wasn't something he even did but it seemed a viable option. The little witch was meek and like most women was affected by his charm. Smirking to himself he looked down at the woman kissing his neck, attempting to leave her mark him. He pushed her away by her neck, and her eyes opened wide with surprise and then pure lust. Her light brown eyes seemed to turn olive from her pleasure as he took control of her. Placing his hardness against her slightly sticky wet lips, he slid in. He watched her eyes close as her back arched and her neck craned into the palm of his hands. He longed for her to open her eyes again, to see the flecks of green shine from delight. When she didn't, he closed his eyes letting his mind take him places they shouldn't be.
Damon had to admit that Bonnie had a bewitching way about her, her big green eyes were a silent obsession of his. He enjoyed her reactions to him far more than he would ever let on. Even though he had been a protector of the Bennett's for many generations none had ever looked at him the way she did. He assumed that he was in a sense a patron of the family, a godfather throughout the ages, not something to be desired. And if he had been which he surely doubted it would never be admitted, Bennett's tend to run in the vampires and witches don't mix category. Their holier than though attitude and great magnitude of power to back it up was an incredible turn off. But Bonnie was so very different.
It was so plainly evident that the little bird didn't have the same prejudice against vampires like her ancestors. Instead of the normal concern and fear she would have a little mini panic when she caught his attention. Every time they locked eyes; he would take her breath away. And every time, he would lose track of time.
It frightened him at first, getting lost in the eyes of the woman he loved was one thing. It was completely something else to experience that with a stranger that was never meant to be anything but a means to an end. He assumed that his distracted gaze had something to do with the promise he made to Emily. After biting Bonnie, that hypothesis seemed almost confirmed.
Bernadette came hard her insides squeezing him with reverent need. Damon came shortly after before rolling off her and headed to the bathroom relieving himself then heading to the shower. His thoughts returned to the youngest Bennett witch.
The experience of feeding from her had been transcendental, in that moment he could feel her fear and pain as if it was distinctly his own. When he released her, he was truly horrified by what he had done, and it wasn't until a few days afterward that he was able to let go of the guilt.
The lingering after thought that had been his previous connection to the Bennett's had now transformed into a nagging itch. If he didn't focus on it, it was like it wasn't there, but little things had been reminding him of the witch. Primarily, the fact that she was his only current option to get into the vault that held his beloved. Secondarily, he still kind of felt bad for what he did.
His anger toward Emily shouldn't have been directed at Bonnie and he knew that. Although, he firmly believed all was fair in love and war, he could admit his actions were wrong. He hoped an apology to Bonnie would be enough to convince her that he made a mistake. But like he did with most people, he doubted that she would find a reason to listen to him. Nor would he trust her if she did.
So why am I going to apologize again. He wasn't sure but he figured he'd give it a try before he moved into Plan D, cause enough damage and terror to force the witch into cooperation. It might result in his promise now annoying curse becoming more dangerous, but he figured it be worth it once he succeeded.
Several hours later.
Ben McKittrick would be a dead man, if it weren't for the fact, he promised Stefan he would keep a low profile. All his fun escapades were happening outside the confines of Mystic Falls, and Ben McKittrick a well known resident of the samll town was off limits. He wondered if he could somehow lure McKittrick, into a van. What would it take? Probably a kegger, football talk, and maybe a couple of hot coeds and he'd get him in the car in no time.
Once he hid the jock away into the far reaches of the Appalachian Mountains, he could take his time devouring him, enjoying the tiny morsel of his brain as dessert, and no one would be the wiser. He was doing it all the time now and they still hadn't caught on. If his adventures around the mountains wasn't getting any bad press close to home, he was fine. The minute it did Stefan would be alerted, and he may have to make good on his no killing diet.
Truthfully, it wasn't the fact that Ben stood up for Bonnie and basically made himself look like an over blown ape marking his territory that upset him. Bonnie was a pretty cheerleader with unusual green eyes, and a stunning smile. It wasn't a surprise to him that a guy with half decent confidence hit on her. It was the way Bonnie looked at Ben, that upset him. She looked at him like he was a star or celebrity she couldn't look away from. Even worse she stopped breathing as if, he was worthy of taking her breath away.
Is she that desperate for male attention?
You're just mad cause she doesn't just do that for you.
Damon's usual inner demons were battling, and he felt the impulsive need to confront her. About what he wasn't sure, but he knew he wouldn't let her have the last word. For years he had protected the Bennett's and because of one moment of weakness, she was making him the bad guy. Well, he refused to be made the villain, when he was the one betrayed.
Before he could rationally think it through, he was parked outside her house. He waited simmering like a boiling kettle, only getting hotter as time passed. Finally, at nearly 10:00 pm, she arrived home which was ridiculous on a school night. Much to his chagrin, Caroline was with her. Seriously who has a slumber party on a Monday.
Buck! He mentally connected to the raven the only surviving of the two birds he had compelled in the last decade. Curly had unfortunately been sacrificed in the aid of his hunger. Stefan would never be forgiven for what transpired.
Damon's bond with Buck was like any other bond with a creature under his mental control. Repeated use of his power strengthened his control over time to the point that he needn't look to get the victim to obey his command . Keep an eye on them tonight and take good mental notes. Especially if there is nudity.
Pervert. You really have a thing for under age girls don't you. The ugly voice of reason spoke again pulling him back down to earth. If he let it get too far it had a nasty way of burying him under the earth.
Buck scratch that if you see nudity avert your eyes.
When Bonnie got out of the car her green eyes were on him in an instant and time seemed to stand still. He wasn't aware when she came to stand directly in front of him. He was only acutely aware that she smelled nice, like a combination of essential oils he couldn't put a name on layered on top of her natural scent.
Witches smelt amazing as delicate as flowers with a taste as intoxicating as alcohol. Bennett blood was like the finest aged wine, they perfumed the air with a gentle luxury that always gave his nose a little zing. Each whiff was like the cork was just popped open in a tightly closed space. Acutely aware that he was starting to salivate and eventually might reveal his desire via his vampire eyes , he rubbed his lips together to clear the moisture and distracted his nose with the smell of the many pine trees surrounding them.
Chin held up high and with an attitude that projected six feet instead of her actual height of 5'2, Bonnie spoke to him commandingly.
" Neither Caroline nor I want to talk to you. So, leave."
Damon couldn't help but smile as he watched the enchanting green light of her eyes flicker. She looked brave but her heart and her smell were telling a completely different story. She was terrified and it was terribly arousing. Fear always triggered a vampire's prey drive; it perfumed the blood waking the demon within. How could I not want to devour her when she smells that good?
"Damon," she called him back to the moment her girlish voice remaining tough," Did you hear what I said?"
Head tilted to the side he stared in awe of her complexity. A little creature with the power to decimate anything that stood in her way, yet she looked downright adorable. For the first time he noticed the asymmetry of her face. How had he not noticed the way her mouth slanted. It could only really be seen when she was angry, and she was perfectly angry. Pop!! Goes the Champagne. Pop!! Goes his …
"You said you and Caroline do not want to talk to me." Damon smirked leaning closer to Bonnie to whisper, "But I am not here for Caroline just you."
Bonnie shook, slightly inhaling. He started counting, One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. He got all the way to fifteen when he started to see the blood rushing to her ears. So tiny and transparent he wondered if she even knew how obvious she was.
"Breathe," he whispered again, and she exhaled, inhaling quickly and again the same until her breath settled. See Ben doesn't make her do that. He thought, satisfied by his choice to come over to her house.
"What do you want Salvatore? Just say it and leave," Bonnie took a step back crossing her arms.
"Is everything okay, Bonnie?" Caroline called from the curb still waiting for her friend to return.
"Come and get in the car Bonnie we need to talk about supernatural stuff. Unless you want your dear friend to find out all about the dirty secrets you and Elena are hiding from her." Bonnie's eyes lit up with fear cracking her brave demeanor.
"Fine but I am not driving anywhere with you," she started walking away back to Caroline.
"Where are you going?" he asked unfolding himself prepared to follow her. She held up her hand in wait and stalked over to Caroline. She told her to wait there and gave her the keys to let herself in, with the express instructions to call Stefan if she wasn't back in 30 minutes. Damon smirked at the futility of her direction, if he wanted her dead then twenty minutes would be enough time to drain her body dry and bury it where Stefan's dull vampire senses could never find her.
Bonnie stomped over mouth twisted up at the corners in frustration. He waved his hand for her to lead the way and she walked across the street down to the small, abandoned trail that led to Wayland Park. The bends and twists were a perfect hideaway from prying eyes. He had found himself prowling the park on late nights in early May. Damon wondered how many times Bonnie had walked about that May, close to midnight, not realizing that he lurked close by her watching her every move.
She stopped abruptly before turning on the ball of her foot and hitting him with an icy stare. Damon got the brief notion that he was walking into a trap. The hair on the back of his neck stood up and he could sense the magic pulsing in the air.
"Before, you decide to attack me with your witchy woo, my little mean green bean. I came here to apologize to you. And to formally ask for your help," he smiled attempting to be cordial, but his smile was so plainly fake. Judging from the look in her eyes he knew that nothing he said was going to change her mind. The intent to kill him was so chillingly evident that he was sort of impressed.
"Do you honestly think that I would forgive you or help you after what you did to me. To Caroline. Everything about you makes me sick. You are a monster," Bonnie spoke lowly, and he could sense the wind pick up. He knew she was going to try something, but he had been on the end of a terrible witch attack, and this was not it. Her magic was everywhere chaotically crackling off her skin with no clear direction. If looks could kill he would be dead but without the focused power, she was a sitting duck.
"Bonnie- Bonnie there is one thing you should know about monsters," he chuckled before his face deformed into his vampiric mask. In a flash he was behind her, teeth nearly at her throat," They don't wait for you to power up before they attack."
Certain that he had proved the fact of his supremacy Damon took a step back. Hoping the endeavor had scared her into realizing that she was at his mercy not the other way around. Before he could take his next steps, he felt a sharp pain dig into his left side just below his heart, a few inches higher and he would be a dead man.
The hissing sound of his punctured lung was startling to his ears and even more startling to look at. His blood was bubbling through the puncture wound, and seeping into his dark grey shirt. He laughed at the sight not quiet believing the witch had gotten one over on him. She had lured him in and taken advantage of his clear underestimation of her.
"Nice one witchy," he choked pulling the wooden stick from his side," a little higher and you could have killed me." He felt the whole in his lungs seal, inflating slowly with each breath as his ribs reconnected.
"Could have. If I wanted to," Bonnie sauntered closer, a self-satisfied smirk on her face, "I figured it was fair for you almost killing me."
Damon looked up at Bonnie feeling his flesh finally stitching together at the deepest layer. Bonnie Bennett was far more dangerous than he ever imagined. Looking into her green eyes he felt himself get swept away in disdainful awe of her. He knew he fucked up making an enemy of her, however Damon was not to be outdone.
Rushing to her, he grabbed her by the chin tilting her face closer to his," I admit little witch, you're cunning, but being "fair" will be the death of you. Your enemies won't be so kind."
Bonnie swallowed heavily holding her breath as she stared into his eyes. The smell of her fear perfuming the small gap between them, her mouth a stable and hard line. He pondered for a moment what her reaction would be if he kissed her. He was brought back by the sound of the raven's call perhaps it was Stefan on his way to save the little witch.
"Luckily for you, I am not your enemy little bird," he released her and gave her space," I know you won't help me, but I will have my way. So, it's best for you to stay out of my way, if you wish to keep me from being your enemy."
"If you don't want to be my enemy Damon, then stop killing people. Better yet leave Mystic Falls."
"One I haven't been killing anyone in Mystic Falls," he shouldn't have said that, but he doubted she would notice, "Bonnie, I want us to be allies and leaving Mystic Falls just isn't an option. How about we call a truce and I show you what a great help I can be to you. I'll even help exterminate that pesky little vampire that's been lurking about what do you say?"
"I'll believe it when I see it Damon," Bonnie spoke gruffly before turning and walking back the way she came," Leave Damon, and take your peeping tom raven with you."
Damon grunted and sighed, all in all his encounter with Bonnie was a bust. Plan D didn't look so good either after what just happened. He would need another plan that didn't involve him almost getting killed. He called to Buck deciding to move the raven up higher into the tree line farther from Bonnie's view but still vigilant over her house.
Returning to the Boarding House, in desperate need of a bubble bath, Damon ran into Stefan who was drinking bourbon in Damon's favorite chair. The last thing he wanted to do was to fight over his space, so he would let it go for today,
"Elena called, she said that you made an unannounced visit to Bonnie's house, "Damon grumbled lowly about being told off by his kid brother and being gossiped about behind his back.
"I would say stay away from Bonnie, Damon," Stefan was staring at him smirking without smirking enjoying his torture the way only a brother could," But judging by your shirt you know better now."
Damon gave Stefan his best death glare, he wanted to say something, but he was too tired and low on blood to care. Realizing that Damon had enough, Stefan ran to the kitchen and came back with a bag of O Negative.
"I know you're not going on my diet Damon," Stefan spoke considerately," but do you think you can stick to blood bags at least. No more killing people out in the mountains, Richmond, or West Virginia. Drink what you need but do it humanely, and frankly more conveniently."
Damon considered his brother for a second before taking the cup from his hand and shaking his head in confirmation. Stefan was kind of right; blood bags were more convenient then hiding bodies. He would make the transition, keeping fun times to special occasions, like Whitmore's, mass murderers and hate groups.
After a long bath, Damon lay in bed playing with the relic of Emily's pendent. It glowed brightly with a faint light sense Emily had resurfaced. He assumed that magic still existed in the old thing. He thought about tossing it, but he figured keeping it would be important in case they needed additional magic to open the tomb.
That night Damon dreamt of a smirking Bonnie Bennett, riding next to him on horseback,
