Disclaimers: Elena Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore and friends, along with the Vampire Diaries I - IV belong to L.J. Smith. Everything else is mine. No harm intended or money made from this fic.
Notes:
~ Chapter ~
::Thoughts or telepathy::
_emphasis or italics_
* Author's Note(s)
Date posted: 25 February 2003
* Late again! (Are you starting to see a pattern here?) Sorry, dear readers. Just... stuff's been happening. Anyway, refer to plug at end of chapter. =) On a separate note, my editor's back from her little holiday! (So that's one less excuse I can use for being late... )
~ Forty ~
He watched her run off for the second time.
He did not mistake the movement for a retreat; her emotions had been so strong that he needed no link to sense them. She was not used to containing such strong and violent feelings and she was on the brink of losing control of herself. It was good that a part of her understood this and made her leave so that she could calm down.
Still, he did not have time to brood over her; there were details to see to. Onward, ever onward.
With a thought, he released Karen from the paralysis he had placed her in. She had trailed in behind Elena and Stefan and reached immediately for her gun upon seeing the other vampires. He caught her eye now and shook his head. A jerk of his head indicated that she should follow Elena instead. The sniper shot a last, impassive look at the vampires before complying.
Next, he lifted the damping field he had placed on the household to prevent them from seeing and hearing Elena's outburst. With a tendril of awareness, he reached out and drew a capable servant to him.
He turned to the vampires, gauging their reactions. Leon looked a little taken aback by the scene he had just witnessed. Makoe was inscrutable as always, but tensed. Stefan, standing in the middle of the stairway, was such a gamut of emotions that no one emotion was clearly definable. He wanted to go after Elena but some sense of responsibility to the other vampires held him in place. Samar looked overawed but recovered her wits quickly and Tristan looked more than ready to leave and wash his hands of the entire affair.
Jerrick hadn't missed the bulk of a bandage on Elena's shoulder. "How did that happen?" he asked Stefan, indicating a shoulder. He could already hazard a guess.
"The bullet was meant for me. She blocked it," Stefan said briefly.
Jerrick heard the three quips that rose to Samar's mind in response to Stefan's words. She settled on the third one. "Can't take you anywhere, can we?" she asked rhetorically, shaking her head in mock sadness. He felt the answering wave of amusement from the others as they relaxed but Stefan's response was tinged with grimness and something else.
::Ah...about to have a little 'talk' are we?:: Jerrick thought as the servant arrived. Carefully nonchalant, he said, "Ivan, please show our guests to their rooms...ah, the suite at the end of the first floor east wing. And be so kind as to organize a team to retrieve their belongings from Bunker 23." The man bowed his head graciously, then waved a hand at the vampires to follow him. His expression betrayed no emotion.
Jerrick drew Power into himself, wrapped it around him like a cloak and when he was sure that nothing could be glimpsed through the concealing veil, he sent, ::I needn't remind you that this is a vampire hunter stronghold. Guard yourselves well.:: He watched them go, secure in the knowledge that the compulsions he had laid would hold. If they thought of leaving, their minds would be turned to favor the mission and they would remain.
He was spent, at the edge of his endurance but he waited until they were out of sight before hobbling to his modest room on the ground floor. There, safely away from all eyes, he collapsed onto the bed and let his iron control slip away. A barely audible whimper escaped his lips as he curled on his side into a fetal ball. His face contorted in soul-deep agony and his hands clenched to white knuckled fists.
* * *
Stefan trailed the other four vampires as they followed the servant. They passed Elena's room and he noted the stunning blonde sharpshooter who leaned carelessly beside the door. She didn't move but he saw her muscles tense as the band went by. He saw Samar's head bow and turn surreptitiously to one side. Following her gaze, he saw the glow beneath the door, visible even though the corridor was lighted.
He stopped at Elena's door. The huntress' turquoise eyes flicked a quick glance his way but she did not challenge his presence. As he opened the door, he heard Makoe say sardonically, ::See you later.::
::Indeed.:: His reply was open to the others and meaningful. As they drew away, he turned his mind to Elena. The brilliance was painful to sensitive vampiric eyes. He tried not to wince and walked towards the shining figure at the heart of the light. He felt Power crackling in the air as he touched her and hesitated. No human held such Power. But if she wasn't human, what was she?
His hand settled on her shoulder and he felt her trembling. Hair that shone like the sun brushed his skin. It had grown noticeably in the month since he last saw her. His fingers found her neck and by touch, he turned her to face him, drew her into his embrace.
::Elena, beloved, it will be all right,:: he said, resting his cheek on the bright head. Slowly, slowly, against his closed eyelids, he saw the light fade as her anger subsided. "You're not really unhappy to have me here?" he murmured into her hair in a weak attempt at humor, without opening his eyes.
The slim hands that encircled him were harder and stronger than he remembered. They tightened, all the answer he needed, although her lips said differently. "I am. I wish you were far away and safe." The head on his shoulder moved and he looked at her. It was strange to see her looking so solemn. "But now that you're here..." her hand slid from around his waist and stole up to his face, caressing. "...I can't bring myself to send you away again..." He heard the anguish in the rasp her soft voice, as opposing needs clashed. Her fingers buried themselves in his hair and he felt his eyelids lower as he savored the longed-for touch. How many times, in moments of loneliness of the past month, had he replayed in his mind their time together?
His fingers splayed against her back, pressed her to him. He lowered his head slowly, tenderly, as if kissing her for the first time. He felt her breath against his lips just before they touched, "I am lost."
* * *
The four nameless servants filed out, having deposited the vampires' belongings in the various rooms as directed. Ivan inclined his head politely as he shut the door behind him.
Leon caught Makoe's glance. ::One door,:: he said laconically in private mode. No point getting Tristan any more excited than he already was; he might spontaneously combust.
::Easily defensible,:: Leon ventured.
::Or easily contained?::
Samar looked from one to another suspiciously, then glanced at the slouched, sulky form of her brother flung on one of the armchairs in the sitting area. The suite was vaguely reminiscent of their prison, save that one corridor led from the sitting room and the place was ringed with windows. Leon ambled over to one and leaned out on the pretense of looking up at the night sky, but really, to see if it was warded to prevent them from leaving. He stared up at the dark blue heavens, patched with filmy clouds that cloaked the moon.
Turning away from the window, Leon wondered, with an instinct for strategy, if the windows were meant to provide them an easy escape route – or provide multiple entrances for attackers. He was careful not to let his unpleasant speculations reflect in his expression.
Samar threw him another narrow look. He said placidly, "It's late. Better rest while we have peace. Tomorrow – today, actually – will be a full day." That understatement delivered, he went to his room and shut the door. He lay down on the bed, bending one arm to pillow his head in his palm.
He sensed Makoe silently follow his example. Outside, Tristan began muttering. A minute later, Leon heard Samar throw her brother a tart comment, then slam her door shut – probably in his face. Whatever she had said effectively shut him up. He withdrew to his own room, radiating discontent. Eventually, the bad vibes subsided and peace descended on the little suite.
Leon lay motionless, eyes closed and body limply relaxed. His mind wandered, turning back to the events of the past evening. Somehow, he realized, wryly amused, they had managed to get involved in some possibly hair-brained quest to wipe out the Originals. And the key to the quest was that girl. The little blonde who had appeared so harmless before this evening. But now–
Jerrick had said that her abilities had matured but it was more than that. Gone was the terrified girl cowering before Nigel Emery. She wasn't even the incomprehensible human they had ambushed in the forest anymore. She looked like a warrior now. Moved like one too, he realized upon reflection.
He could still see her – dressed only in a cotton nightgown that reached below her knees, golden hair unbound and slightly mussed from sleep, one shoulder padded with bandage.
And blazing like the sun at midday.
Before he had been forced to look away, he had seen her lapis lazuli eyes afire with sheer mindless fury. The force of her emotion had almost been a tangible thing, an invisible hand about to strike. He had half-expected to see her levitate like a vengeful angel.
Thinking about that confrontation made him wonder about Jerrick. The witch had openly admitted to lying to her. He had acted almost disdainful of her tirade. Who was he? And where did he fit into this quest? Leon guessed from Elena's words that Jerrick wanted something from her. And it somehow involved Stefan. Or was Jerrick using Stefan to blackmail Elena?
His ruminations were interrupted by the approach of a presence he had been waiting for. A small smile curved his mouth as he got up and quietly returned to the sitting room. He found Makoe already there, sprawled in an easy chair, legs thrown over one of its arms and head flung back against the other.
Leon slumped onto the couch just as the door opened. Stefan looked better, he noted, studying him without appearing to. Relaxed...content. His stance changed when he caught sight of the two silent waiting vampires. Wordlessly, he shut the door and sat, angling his body so that the three of them formed a triangle.
"I'm surprised that you're not staying with the fair Elena," Makoe said. His head was still tilted back over the chair's padded arm and his eyes were closed.
Leon noted the way Stefan tensed, almost flinching. A ghost of a memory flashed in his eyes. When the Italian did not respond to the jibe, Makoe cracked open one eye. "Well?" he asked.
In answer, Stefan shifted his stern gaze to Leon. "Instead of taking your freedom and leaving, you stayed. You said it was because I am one of you."
"I stated fact," the phlegmatic vampire said. He let a hint of authority creep into his calm tone.
"No," Stefan said tautly. "You laid a claim on me."
"You make it sound like a violation," Makoe said conversationally. "We're not forcing you to do anything; we're just tagging along on your business."
Stefan looked down at his hands, which lay on his thighs, palms up and fingers slightly curled. "A claim is a two-edged sword. If you call me your own, you take a part of me upon yourselves and I am duty-, or honor-bound to reciprocate."
Leon planted one elbow on his knee and cupped his chin in his fist. His eyes were frank, a velvety brown, as they regarded Stefan somberly. "If Jerrick had told us to leave and made Tristan stay, would you have gone?" he asked.
The green eyes he watched widened fractionally, in surprise. Not at the question, but at his automatic reaction to it. The moment of shock passed and Stefan looked thoughtful, then, slowly, wondering. Leon sat back with a satisfied little smile. "That was the acid test, lad. If you wouldn't abandon _Tristan_, who's been nothing but a pain, how can you say you're not one of us?"
He looked about to raise a weak protest, but Leon went on, sounding almost cheerful. "I think that what's got your feathers ruffled is the fact that I sprung it on you without consulting you first." The brown eyes became piercing, almost censorious. "You've got more of the Crow's pride in you than you'd believe – or admit."
Stefan's mouth closed like a trap. He looked dazed, unable to come up with a comeback to that comment – or anything else Leon had said.
::Well, that stopped him,:: Makoe commented in a private send.
::Truth does that, sometimes,:: Leon returned dryly in the same manner.
Aloud, he said, smile growing, "So here we are, all five of us," with a slight emphasis on the number and a wry note in his voice for Samar. "Sounds like exciting times are ahead. Four Old Ones, a house load of hunters and who knows what else. But we'll go through this like we do everything else – together. Eh?"
The green eyes fixed on him seriously, assessing his sincerity. Leon sat back and just smiled, confident of what he would find. At last, the Italian vampire nodded once, firmly. Makoe, head still mostly upside down quirked an eyebrow in agreement and the deal was sealed. Leon felt the wordless surge of welcome – albeit barbed and sardonic – that Makoe sent Stefan.
"Good. _Now_ can we get back to sleep? We'll need to be at our best in the morning, you can just bet."
* * *
The white hand reached out–
And touched air. Elena woke with a start, eyelids flashing open. ::Stefan!:: She lay still, orienting herself. ::Had it all been a dream?::
But when she tried to get up, the pain in her shoulder and the unwieldy bandage told her otherwise. Groggily, she stumbled into the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Fully awake, realization hit her: Stefan was _here_. Here, somewhere in this house full of hunters. And if they found him...
She was standing in the corridor before she knew it, wildly looking about. Her sudden appearance startled Karen, who propelled herself away from the wall with the foot that rested flat against the vertical surface. "Elena–"
"Where is he?" Elena talked over her. The other blonde knew who she was referring to almost immediately.
"He headed to the east wing when he left–" Elena did not wait to hear what else she said; she pelted off in that direction in an awkward run, her shoulder hampering her movements, throwing her slightly off balance. She failed to notice Karen follow her with quick, long strides.
Once in the west wing, the sounds of angry brawling drew her, leaving no doubt as to where the vampires were. She pushed through the eager ranks of hunters, squeezing and squirming. Behind her, Karen began to call, "Make way! Move, you! Let Elena deal with the vampires!" The blond gunwoman knew very well how Elena would 'deal' with them but she injected enough bloodthirsty malice into her tone to convince the slayers to let Elena pass. If Elena had held a grudge over the shoulder, she would have forgiven Karen for that inspired idea.
The hall ended with double doors that were jammed with fighters. As Elena approached, comrades pulled the ones at the front away until all fighting stopped. For a moment, all movement stopped. It was a bizarre scene; Elena in her cotton nightgown and bare feet, standing with heavily armed and already bloodied hunters at her back and battle-tensed vampires before her.
She looked at the other three male vampires, remembering them from the forest. So Jerrick had captured them all. The tall, thin one had fangs bared, clearly eager to resume the fight, but the other two – the brown haired, passive seeming one and the cold dark one – appeared almost relaxed, as if they were in their element. Stefan was tensed and watchful, but calm. The fifth vampire startled Elena.
She was petite, almost hidden by the Tall One and Brown-hair. She looked no older than thirteen, with elfin features that were currently set in something between a ferocious scowl and a gleeful grin. Her hair was as long as Elena's own; black with random streaks of deep pink. She matched Elena, stare for stare.
As the silence dragged on, Elena became aware of the hunters restlessly shifting behind her. Her eyes met Stefan's for a fleeting moment, and then she whirled to face the slayers. The implication of her movement was not lost to them. Two surged forward but were grabbed and held back as more people pushed to the fore. Karen and Taura.
Karen looked as unflappable as always. Taura's eyes went to Stefan, then Elena, then to the other vampires. When she saw the shorter, black-haired vampire, her eyes grow wide then she...bristled. Then Crystal arrived and Elena had no attention to spare for anyone else.
The vampire leader had a pair of slim wooden bamboo blades in one hand and a predatory glint in her green eyes. Her face contorted into a mask of rage at the sight of the vampires. She barely seemed to notice Elena, only looking at her when the blonde stepped deliberately into her line of sight.
"What," the born vampire hunter said in deadly tones, "do you think you're doing?"
"Keeping you away from them," Elena said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms slowly. "Keeping them from harm."
"You?" the redhead sneered. "What makes you think you can hold _me_ back?"
"I'm the one who defeated Nigel Emery," Elena reminded her haughtily.
The sneer transformed into a snarl and the blades parted into her two hands as she crouched into a fighting stance. Suddenly, Eiran and four other Turned appeared beside her. They didn't speak, but their presence and bland expressions clearly said that they would allow none to harm Elena.
"Turncoats," Crystal spat. "You stand with your own kind, don't you?" She looked directly at Elena. "What do you mean by bringing vampires under my roof?" she demanded, not changing her stance.
"Not my doing," Elena told her flatly. "You'll have to take that up with Jerrick, if you want."
Only now did Crystal straighten. "That cursed half-man." Her fury fixed on a different target, denied this prey, Crystal threw Elena and the vampires one last vicious look before turning and pushing her way back through the crowd of hunters jammed in the narrow hallway.
The other hunters exchanged looks, seeing their leader leave instead of attacking the vampires. Elena caught Eiran's eye and silent communication passed in that split second. Eiran and his fellow Turned took up sentry positions in front of the doors and Elena stepped back into the room, grasped the double doors and pulled them close. Just before they shut with a firm thud, Elena glimpsed Karen and Taura join Eiran, taking up similar stances facing their fellow hunters.
Elena bowed her head briefly before turning to face the vampires. The tall one and the girl actually looked unhappy at being deprived of a fight. Elena almost laughed at their expressions. There was kinship there, she thought. It was visible in the hue of their eyes... and in their personalities.
Stepping to her side, Stefan touched a hand to the small of her back and performed quick introductions. "Elena Gilbert, Leon Morris, Samar D'Angelo, Aodhan Makoe and Tristan
D'Angelo."
Elena nodded to each in automatic acknowledgement, barely registering the names. Silence reigned while they looked at each other in a moment of awkwardness. Elena's head swiveled slowly as looked from one to another. "What are you doing here?" she blurted finally. "Jerrick _can't_ be holding you captive! Not _here_!"
"We're not prisoners," the mild, brown-haired one – Leon – said. The tall, restless vampire muttered, "Anymore," which everyone ignored. "We've joined your quest," Leon went on.
She could feel her face freeze into a shocked expression. "_Why?_" she asked, aghast. "You'd be hunting the very ones who made it possible for you to be who you are!"
A shrug. "It's the ultimate hunt." Leon's tone was careless but Elena heard the suppressed feeling running like an undercurrent through his words.
Elena shook her head. ::This is mad,:: she thought.
"Besides," Leon went on. "Stefan's involved and the hunt stays together."
Elena blinked, only half comprehending. She tilted her head to look at her boyfriend who looked slightly uncomfortable. If one could squirm while staying still, he did it. ::Did he just mean what I think he said?:: she wondered at him. She was pretty sure he could hear her thought but he was saved from replying.
"Speaking of hunting, it's time we did so," Makoe drawled. It was the first time he had spoken and Elena looked at him. A compact, still figure, his gray eyes were cool and his expression emotionless. The four strange vampires exchanged looks, obviously carrying on a swift telepathic conversation. Elena felt Stefan go rigid beside her briefly. At her raised eyebrows, he muttered, "Jerrick."
Jerrick was communicating telepathically with them? She had no time to wonder as the four headed for the closest window. No verbal discussion was needed. Tristan was the first through the window; jumping from a first floor window, Elena knew from experience, was a simple task for a vampire. Samar was next; the vampire girl had a slight scowl on her face as she followed her brother. Makoe disappeared from view, and Leon paused with one hand on the windowsill. He threw a questioning look back at Stefan. The latter shook his head quickly.
Elena wondered aloud suddenly, "Why didn't the hunters try to get in through the windows?"
About to leap, Leon threw back over his shoulder with a carefree smile, "Jerrick put wards on them; humans can't cross the windows. How's that for turnabout?" he said rhetorically and then he was gone.
Alone, Elena faced Stefan. "You're...part of them now?" she asked carefully after a moment.
He smiled wryly. "In a way. People kept in close confines together for over a month either kill each other or become friends. Since none of us got staked, I suppose you could say we're friends of sorts," he answered, tone purposefully light.
"I...I see." As she turned to leave, she couldn't help thinking, ::And if it comes to a choice of me or them–::
She felt arms slip around her from behind. ::There is no contest,:: Stefan finished silently, bending to touch his brow to the crown of her head. She relaxed against him, the subtle fierceness in his words reassuring her more than anything else could. She turned in the circle of his arms and her hands twined around his neck. There was no need for words beyond that.
* * *
"You've got some explaining to do."
She found him seated at the little picnic table set outside the kitchen. The lawn glowed like an emerald in the morning sun but she did not notice its beauty. He ended his contemplation of the garden to find her in a hipshot stance, arms crossed. Twin blades were grasped in one hand and her face was set in a glower.
The man had the nerve to regard her levelly, as an adult would an unreasonable child throwing a tantrum. If he wanted to play innocent, she was going to cut his game short. "What's the meaning of you bringing vampires into my house?" she demanded bluntly.
To her increased annoyance, he turned away, dismissing her. "Elena's will to continue is wavering. One of the vampires is Stefan Salvatore. His presence will ensure her continued cooperation." His face lifted slightly as he squinted at the shaded wood on the fringe of the grass. "As for the rest, they are necessary for the next step in our undertaking."
"_Those_ are suppose to help us get rid of the Old Ones?" she asked, the pronoun heavy with scorn.
"They have their uses, too," he said casually.
It was so easy, Crystal reflected, to let his nonchalant reason carry her along into acquiescence. She had to pause and remind herself of her resolve. She could not accept vampires into their band, even to kill off all the Old Ones. Only those directly involved in that mission was aware of the endeavor; as far as the rest of her team knew, it was business as usual. When they questioned the presence of the vampires, how was she to answer them?
And, dammit all, even if she was not accountable to the others, she led a group of vampire hunters! To ally with vampires would be to betray everything she stood for, every reason her people trusted her leadership.
"Oh, no, Jerrick," she shook her head. "You wanted the ex-vampires here and I tolerated their yellow-bellies. But this is going too far. I don't care how useful they are: if you want to work with vampires, you'll do so without me and my team."
The blue eyes that met hers were flat and glacial. Crystal had to suppress the urge to take a surprised step back. "Don't overestimate your importance," he said, deceptively mild. "Think very carefully before you force your hand. You may not like the outcome."
She could not believe the sheer gall of the man. When she found her voice again, she asked, deadly soft, "Is that a threat?"
"Call it advice. You're not indispensable, Crystal. If you don't like how the game is played, the rules won't be changed for your sake. And you stand to lose much if you choose not to play."
"You're bluffing," she said, recovering. "Without the fighters, who's going to protect your precious Elena from harm?"
"The vampires would do admirably at that," he pointed out. "The Turned and witches are a capable defensive force as well. That is, assuming we lose the hunters at all," he finished smoothly.
His meaning hit her immediately. "No way. Karen and Taura are _mine_. They're loyalty lies with _me_. If I oppose you, they won't follow you," she said fiercely.
"No, but they just might follow Elena," he said silkily.
The green eyes, more brilliant than the lawn in the morning sun, widened with outrage. "You treacherous bastard!"
"An unfair epithet. Inaccurate, too," he murmured mildly. Then his manner turned clinical, dispassionate. "But we were discussing a moral dilemma. Can you, the leader of a band of vampire slayers, allow vampires to join in your endeavor? Or must you withdraw your support of the task?" He tipped his head courteously, inviting comment. "What's your decision, Ms Baron?"
She stared daggers at him, even as she weighed her options. "Fine. I've had it with you and your silent machinations and double-crossing manipulations anyway. I choose out. Take your vampires and your blasted witches and gutless Turned and get off my property."
She whirled and stormed off but paused long enough to throw back at him, "Anyone of them who's left after nightfall becomes fair game."
She caught hold of a passing servant and rapped out curt orders for her to get her lieutenants to library _now_. Her new orders would be passed down the ranks of hunters and executed: every last witch and Turned are to be ousted within the day. No mercy to laggards.
"You're not indispensable either, Jerrick," she muttered intensely as she strode into the library. A clenched fist connected with the ledge as she stared unseeing out the tall French windows. Her anger sprang from the feeling that she had been played for a fool. She felt as if she had been exploited and was being discarded now that she was no longer useful. If she could think of some way to retaliate, she would. As it was, the best she could do was kick them out and act as if it was beneath her notice. "You and your stupid quest. I'll hunt vampires my own way."
* If you read this, if you like it, if you hate it, please let me know! Your feedback _really_ makes a difference. Thanks. =)
Notes:
~ Chapter ~
::Thoughts or telepathy::
_emphasis or italics_
* Author's Note(s)
Date posted: 25 February 2003
* Late again! (Are you starting to see a pattern here?) Sorry, dear readers. Just... stuff's been happening. Anyway, refer to plug at end of chapter. =) On a separate note, my editor's back from her little holiday! (So that's one less excuse I can use for being late... )
~ Forty ~
He watched her run off for the second time.
He did not mistake the movement for a retreat; her emotions had been so strong that he needed no link to sense them. She was not used to containing such strong and violent feelings and she was on the brink of losing control of herself. It was good that a part of her understood this and made her leave so that she could calm down.
Still, he did not have time to brood over her; there were details to see to. Onward, ever onward.
With a thought, he released Karen from the paralysis he had placed her in. She had trailed in behind Elena and Stefan and reached immediately for her gun upon seeing the other vampires. He caught her eye now and shook his head. A jerk of his head indicated that she should follow Elena instead. The sniper shot a last, impassive look at the vampires before complying.
Next, he lifted the damping field he had placed on the household to prevent them from seeing and hearing Elena's outburst. With a tendril of awareness, he reached out and drew a capable servant to him.
He turned to the vampires, gauging their reactions. Leon looked a little taken aback by the scene he had just witnessed. Makoe was inscrutable as always, but tensed. Stefan, standing in the middle of the stairway, was such a gamut of emotions that no one emotion was clearly definable. He wanted to go after Elena but some sense of responsibility to the other vampires held him in place. Samar looked overawed but recovered her wits quickly and Tristan looked more than ready to leave and wash his hands of the entire affair.
Jerrick hadn't missed the bulk of a bandage on Elena's shoulder. "How did that happen?" he asked Stefan, indicating a shoulder. He could already hazard a guess.
"The bullet was meant for me. She blocked it," Stefan said briefly.
Jerrick heard the three quips that rose to Samar's mind in response to Stefan's words. She settled on the third one. "Can't take you anywhere, can we?" she asked rhetorically, shaking her head in mock sadness. He felt the answering wave of amusement from the others as they relaxed but Stefan's response was tinged with grimness and something else.
::Ah...about to have a little 'talk' are we?:: Jerrick thought as the servant arrived. Carefully nonchalant, he said, "Ivan, please show our guests to their rooms...ah, the suite at the end of the first floor east wing. And be so kind as to organize a team to retrieve their belongings from Bunker 23." The man bowed his head graciously, then waved a hand at the vampires to follow him. His expression betrayed no emotion.
Jerrick drew Power into himself, wrapped it around him like a cloak and when he was sure that nothing could be glimpsed through the concealing veil, he sent, ::I needn't remind you that this is a vampire hunter stronghold. Guard yourselves well.:: He watched them go, secure in the knowledge that the compulsions he had laid would hold. If they thought of leaving, their minds would be turned to favor the mission and they would remain.
He was spent, at the edge of his endurance but he waited until they were out of sight before hobbling to his modest room on the ground floor. There, safely away from all eyes, he collapsed onto the bed and let his iron control slip away. A barely audible whimper escaped his lips as he curled on his side into a fetal ball. His face contorted in soul-deep agony and his hands clenched to white knuckled fists.
* * *
Stefan trailed the other four vampires as they followed the servant. They passed Elena's room and he noted the stunning blonde sharpshooter who leaned carelessly beside the door. She didn't move but he saw her muscles tense as the band went by. He saw Samar's head bow and turn surreptitiously to one side. Following her gaze, he saw the glow beneath the door, visible even though the corridor was lighted.
He stopped at Elena's door. The huntress' turquoise eyes flicked a quick glance his way but she did not challenge his presence. As he opened the door, he heard Makoe say sardonically, ::See you later.::
::Indeed.:: His reply was open to the others and meaningful. As they drew away, he turned his mind to Elena. The brilliance was painful to sensitive vampiric eyes. He tried not to wince and walked towards the shining figure at the heart of the light. He felt Power crackling in the air as he touched her and hesitated. No human held such Power. But if she wasn't human, what was she?
His hand settled on her shoulder and he felt her trembling. Hair that shone like the sun brushed his skin. It had grown noticeably in the month since he last saw her. His fingers found her neck and by touch, he turned her to face him, drew her into his embrace.
::Elena, beloved, it will be all right,:: he said, resting his cheek on the bright head. Slowly, slowly, against his closed eyelids, he saw the light fade as her anger subsided. "You're not really unhappy to have me here?" he murmured into her hair in a weak attempt at humor, without opening his eyes.
The slim hands that encircled him were harder and stronger than he remembered. They tightened, all the answer he needed, although her lips said differently. "I am. I wish you were far away and safe." The head on his shoulder moved and he looked at her. It was strange to see her looking so solemn. "But now that you're here..." her hand slid from around his waist and stole up to his face, caressing. "...I can't bring myself to send you away again..." He heard the anguish in the rasp her soft voice, as opposing needs clashed. Her fingers buried themselves in his hair and he felt his eyelids lower as he savored the longed-for touch. How many times, in moments of loneliness of the past month, had he replayed in his mind their time together?
His fingers splayed against her back, pressed her to him. He lowered his head slowly, tenderly, as if kissing her for the first time. He felt her breath against his lips just before they touched, "I am lost."
* * *
The four nameless servants filed out, having deposited the vampires' belongings in the various rooms as directed. Ivan inclined his head politely as he shut the door behind him.
Leon caught Makoe's glance. ::One door,:: he said laconically in private mode. No point getting Tristan any more excited than he already was; he might spontaneously combust.
::Easily defensible,:: Leon ventured.
::Or easily contained?::
Samar looked from one to another suspiciously, then glanced at the slouched, sulky form of her brother flung on one of the armchairs in the sitting area. The suite was vaguely reminiscent of their prison, save that one corridor led from the sitting room and the place was ringed with windows. Leon ambled over to one and leaned out on the pretense of looking up at the night sky, but really, to see if it was warded to prevent them from leaving. He stared up at the dark blue heavens, patched with filmy clouds that cloaked the moon.
Turning away from the window, Leon wondered, with an instinct for strategy, if the windows were meant to provide them an easy escape route – or provide multiple entrances for attackers. He was careful not to let his unpleasant speculations reflect in his expression.
Samar threw him another narrow look. He said placidly, "It's late. Better rest while we have peace. Tomorrow – today, actually – will be a full day." That understatement delivered, he went to his room and shut the door. He lay down on the bed, bending one arm to pillow his head in his palm.
He sensed Makoe silently follow his example. Outside, Tristan began muttering. A minute later, Leon heard Samar throw her brother a tart comment, then slam her door shut – probably in his face. Whatever she had said effectively shut him up. He withdrew to his own room, radiating discontent. Eventually, the bad vibes subsided and peace descended on the little suite.
Leon lay motionless, eyes closed and body limply relaxed. His mind wandered, turning back to the events of the past evening. Somehow, he realized, wryly amused, they had managed to get involved in some possibly hair-brained quest to wipe out the Originals. And the key to the quest was that girl. The little blonde who had appeared so harmless before this evening. But now–
Jerrick had said that her abilities had matured but it was more than that. Gone was the terrified girl cowering before Nigel Emery. She wasn't even the incomprehensible human they had ambushed in the forest anymore. She looked like a warrior now. Moved like one too, he realized upon reflection.
He could still see her – dressed only in a cotton nightgown that reached below her knees, golden hair unbound and slightly mussed from sleep, one shoulder padded with bandage.
And blazing like the sun at midday.
Before he had been forced to look away, he had seen her lapis lazuli eyes afire with sheer mindless fury. The force of her emotion had almost been a tangible thing, an invisible hand about to strike. He had half-expected to see her levitate like a vengeful angel.
Thinking about that confrontation made him wonder about Jerrick. The witch had openly admitted to lying to her. He had acted almost disdainful of her tirade. Who was he? And where did he fit into this quest? Leon guessed from Elena's words that Jerrick wanted something from her. And it somehow involved Stefan. Or was Jerrick using Stefan to blackmail Elena?
His ruminations were interrupted by the approach of a presence he had been waiting for. A small smile curved his mouth as he got up and quietly returned to the sitting room. He found Makoe already there, sprawled in an easy chair, legs thrown over one of its arms and head flung back against the other.
Leon slumped onto the couch just as the door opened. Stefan looked better, he noted, studying him without appearing to. Relaxed...content. His stance changed when he caught sight of the two silent waiting vampires. Wordlessly, he shut the door and sat, angling his body so that the three of them formed a triangle.
"I'm surprised that you're not staying with the fair Elena," Makoe said. His head was still tilted back over the chair's padded arm and his eyes were closed.
Leon noted the way Stefan tensed, almost flinching. A ghost of a memory flashed in his eyes. When the Italian did not respond to the jibe, Makoe cracked open one eye. "Well?" he asked.
In answer, Stefan shifted his stern gaze to Leon. "Instead of taking your freedom and leaving, you stayed. You said it was because I am one of you."
"I stated fact," the phlegmatic vampire said. He let a hint of authority creep into his calm tone.
"No," Stefan said tautly. "You laid a claim on me."
"You make it sound like a violation," Makoe said conversationally. "We're not forcing you to do anything; we're just tagging along on your business."
Stefan looked down at his hands, which lay on his thighs, palms up and fingers slightly curled. "A claim is a two-edged sword. If you call me your own, you take a part of me upon yourselves and I am duty-, or honor-bound to reciprocate."
Leon planted one elbow on his knee and cupped his chin in his fist. His eyes were frank, a velvety brown, as they regarded Stefan somberly. "If Jerrick had told us to leave and made Tristan stay, would you have gone?" he asked.
The green eyes he watched widened fractionally, in surprise. Not at the question, but at his automatic reaction to it. The moment of shock passed and Stefan looked thoughtful, then, slowly, wondering. Leon sat back with a satisfied little smile. "That was the acid test, lad. If you wouldn't abandon _Tristan_, who's been nothing but a pain, how can you say you're not one of us?"
He looked about to raise a weak protest, but Leon went on, sounding almost cheerful. "I think that what's got your feathers ruffled is the fact that I sprung it on you without consulting you first." The brown eyes became piercing, almost censorious. "You've got more of the Crow's pride in you than you'd believe – or admit."
Stefan's mouth closed like a trap. He looked dazed, unable to come up with a comeback to that comment – or anything else Leon had said.
::Well, that stopped him,:: Makoe commented in a private send.
::Truth does that, sometimes,:: Leon returned dryly in the same manner.
Aloud, he said, smile growing, "So here we are, all five of us," with a slight emphasis on the number and a wry note in his voice for Samar. "Sounds like exciting times are ahead. Four Old Ones, a house load of hunters and who knows what else. But we'll go through this like we do everything else – together. Eh?"
The green eyes fixed on him seriously, assessing his sincerity. Leon sat back and just smiled, confident of what he would find. At last, the Italian vampire nodded once, firmly. Makoe, head still mostly upside down quirked an eyebrow in agreement and the deal was sealed. Leon felt the wordless surge of welcome – albeit barbed and sardonic – that Makoe sent Stefan.
"Good. _Now_ can we get back to sleep? We'll need to be at our best in the morning, you can just bet."
* * *
The white hand reached out–
And touched air. Elena woke with a start, eyelids flashing open. ::Stefan!:: She lay still, orienting herself. ::Had it all been a dream?::
But when she tried to get up, the pain in her shoulder and the unwieldy bandage told her otherwise. Groggily, she stumbled into the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Fully awake, realization hit her: Stefan was _here_. Here, somewhere in this house full of hunters. And if they found him...
She was standing in the corridor before she knew it, wildly looking about. Her sudden appearance startled Karen, who propelled herself away from the wall with the foot that rested flat against the vertical surface. "Elena–"
"Where is he?" Elena talked over her. The other blonde knew who she was referring to almost immediately.
"He headed to the east wing when he left–" Elena did not wait to hear what else she said; she pelted off in that direction in an awkward run, her shoulder hampering her movements, throwing her slightly off balance. She failed to notice Karen follow her with quick, long strides.
Once in the west wing, the sounds of angry brawling drew her, leaving no doubt as to where the vampires were. She pushed through the eager ranks of hunters, squeezing and squirming. Behind her, Karen began to call, "Make way! Move, you! Let Elena deal with the vampires!" The blond gunwoman knew very well how Elena would 'deal' with them but she injected enough bloodthirsty malice into her tone to convince the slayers to let Elena pass. If Elena had held a grudge over the shoulder, she would have forgiven Karen for that inspired idea.
The hall ended with double doors that were jammed with fighters. As Elena approached, comrades pulled the ones at the front away until all fighting stopped. For a moment, all movement stopped. It was a bizarre scene; Elena in her cotton nightgown and bare feet, standing with heavily armed and already bloodied hunters at her back and battle-tensed vampires before her.
She looked at the other three male vampires, remembering them from the forest. So Jerrick had captured them all. The tall, thin one had fangs bared, clearly eager to resume the fight, but the other two – the brown haired, passive seeming one and the cold dark one – appeared almost relaxed, as if they were in their element. Stefan was tensed and watchful, but calm. The fifth vampire startled Elena.
She was petite, almost hidden by the Tall One and Brown-hair. She looked no older than thirteen, with elfin features that were currently set in something between a ferocious scowl and a gleeful grin. Her hair was as long as Elena's own; black with random streaks of deep pink. She matched Elena, stare for stare.
As the silence dragged on, Elena became aware of the hunters restlessly shifting behind her. Her eyes met Stefan's for a fleeting moment, and then she whirled to face the slayers. The implication of her movement was not lost to them. Two surged forward but were grabbed and held back as more people pushed to the fore. Karen and Taura.
Karen looked as unflappable as always. Taura's eyes went to Stefan, then Elena, then to the other vampires. When she saw the shorter, black-haired vampire, her eyes grow wide then she...bristled. Then Crystal arrived and Elena had no attention to spare for anyone else.
The vampire leader had a pair of slim wooden bamboo blades in one hand and a predatory glint in her green eyes. Her face contorted into a mask of rage at the sight of the vampires. She barely seemed to notice Elena, only looking at her when the blonde stepped deliberately into her line of sight.
"What," the born vampire hunter said in deadly tones, "do you think you're doing?"
"Keeping you away from them," Elena said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms slowly. "Keeping them from harm."
"You?" the redhead sneered. "What makes you think you can hold _me_ back?"
"I'm the one who defeated Nigel Emery," Elena reminded her haughtily.
The sneer transformed into a snarl and the blades parted into her two hands as she crouched into a fighting stance. Suddenly, Eiran and four other Turned appeared beside her. They didn't speak, but their presence and bland expressions clearly said that they would allow none to harm Elena.
"Turncoats," Crystal spat. "You stand with your own kind, don't you?" She looked directly at Elena. "What do you mean by bringing vampires under my roof?" she demanded, not changing her stance.
"Not my doing," Elena told her flatly. "You'll have to take that up with Jerrick, if you want."
Only now did Crystal straighten. "That cursed half-man." Her fury fixed on a different target, denied this prey, Crystal threw Elena and the vampires one last vicious look before turning and pushing her way back through the crowd of hunters jammed in the narrow hallway.
The other hunters exchanged looks, seeing their leader leave instead of attacking the vampires. Elena caught Eiran's eye and silent communication passed in that split second. Eiran and his fellow Turned took up sentry positions in front of the doors and Elena stepped back into the room, grasped the double doors and pulled them close. Just before they shut with a firm thud, Elena glimpsed Karen and Taura join Eiran, taking up similar stances facing their fellow hunters.
Elena bowed her head briefly before turning to face the vampires. The tall one and the girl actually looked unhappy at being deprived of a fight. Elena almost laughed at their expressions. There was kinship there, she thought. It was visible in the hue of their eyes... and in their personalities.
Stepping to her side, Stefan touched a hand to the small of her back and performed quick introductions. "Elena Gilbert, Leon Morris, Samar D'Angelo, Aodhan Makoe and Tristan
D'Angelo."
Elena nodded to each in automatic acknowledgement, barely registering the names. Silence reigned while they looked at each other in a moment of awkwardness. Elena's head swiveled slowly as looked from one to another. "What are you doing here?" she blurted finally. "Jerrick _can't_ be holding you captive! Not _here_!"
"We're not prisoners," the mild, brown-haired one – Leon – said. The tall, restless vampire muttered, "Anymore," which everyone ignored. "We've joined your quest," Leon went on.
She could feel her face freeze into a shocked expression. "_Why?_" she asked, aghast. "You'd be hunting the very ones who made it possible for you to be who you are!"
A shrug. "It's the ultimate hunt." Leon's tone was careless but Elena heard the suppressed feeling running like an undercurrent through his words.
Elena shook her head. ::This is mad,:: she thought.
"Besides," Leon went on. "Stefan's involved and the hunt stays together."
Elena blinked, only half comprehending. She tilted her head to look at her boyfriend who looked slightly uncomfortable. If one could squirm while staying still, he did it. ::Did he just mean what I think he said?:: she wondered at him. She was pretty sure he could hear her thought but he was saved from replying.
"Speaking of hunting, it's time we did so," Makoe drawled. It was the first time he had spoken and Elena looked at him. A compact, still figure, his gray eyes were cool and his expression emotionless. The four strange vampires exchanged looks, obviously carrying on a swift telepathic conversation. Elena felt Stefan go rigid beside her briefly. At her raised eyebrows, he muttered, "Jerrick."
Jerrick was communicating telepathically with them? She had no time to wonder as the four headed for the closest window. No verbal discussion was needed. Tristan was the first through the window; jumping from a first floor window, Elena knew from experience, was a simple task for a vampire. Samar was next; the vampire girl had a slight scowl on her face as she followed her brother. Makoe disappeared from view, and Leon paused with one hand on the windowsill. He threw a questioning look back at Stefan. The latter shook his head quickly.
Elena wondered aloud suddenly, "Why didn't the hunters try to get in through the windows?"
About to leap, Leon threw back over his shoulder with a carefree smile, "Jerrick put wards on them; humans can't cross the windows. How's that for turnabout?" he said rhetorically and then he was gone.
Alone, Elena faced Stefan. "You're...part of them now?" she asked carefully after a moment.
He smiled wryly. "In a way. People kept in close confines together for over a month either kill each other or become friends. Since none of us got staked, I suppose you could say we're friends of sorts," he answered, tone purposefully light.
"I...I see." As she turned to leave, she couldn't help thinking, ::And if it comes to a choice of me or them–::
She felt arms slip around her from behind. ::There is no contest,:: Stefan finished silently, bending to touch his brow to the crown of her head. She relaxed against him, the subtle fierceness in his words reassuring her more than anything else could. She turned in the circle of his arms and her hands twined around his neck. There was no need for words beyond that.
* * *
"You've got some explaining to do."
She found him seated at the little picnic table set outside the kitchen. The lawn glowed like an emerald in the morning sun but she did not notice its beauty. He ended his contemplation of the garden to find her in a hipshot stance, arms crossed. Twin blades were grasped in one hand and her face was set in a glower.
The man had the nerve to regard her levelly, as an adult would an unreasonable child throwing a tantrum. If he wanted to play innocent, she was going to cut his game short. "What's the meaning of you bringing vampires into my house?" she demanded bluntly.
To her increased annoyance, he turned away, dismissing her. "Elena's will to continue is wavering. One of the vampires is Stefan Salvatore. His presence will ensure her continued cooperation." His face lifted slightly as he squinted at the shaded wood on the fringe of the grass. "As for the rest, they are necessary for the next step in our undertaking."
"_Those_ are suppose to help us get rid of the Old Ones?" she asked, the pronoun heavy with scorn.
"They have their uses, too," he said casually.
It was so easy, Crystal reflected, to let his nonchalant reason carry her along into acquiescence. She had to pause and remind herself of her resolve. She could not accept vampires into their band, even to kill off all the Old Ones. Only those directly involved in that mission was aware of the endeavor; as far as the rest of her team knew, it was business as usual. When they questioned the presence of the vampires, how was she to answer them?
And, dammit all, even if she was not accountable to the others, she led a group of vampire hunters! To ally with vampires would be to betray everything she stood for, every reason her people trusted her leadership.
"Oh, no, Jerrick," she shook her head. "You wanted the ex-vampires here and I tolerated their yellow-bellies. But this is going too far. I don't care how useful they are: if you want to work with vampires, you'll do so without me and my team."
The blue eyes that met hers were flat and glacial. Crystal had to suppress the urge to take a surprised step back. "Don't overestimate your importance," he said, deceptively mild. "Think very carefully before you force your hand. You may not like the outcome."
She could not believe the sheer gall of the man. When she found her voice again, she asked, deadly soft, "Is that a threat?"
"Call it advice. You're not indispensable, Crystal. If you don't like how the game is played, the rules won't be changed for your sake. And you stand to lose much if you choose not to play."
"You're bluffing," she said, recovering. "Without the fighters, who's going to protect your precious Elena from harm?"
"The vampires would do admirably at that," he pointed out. "The Turned and witches are a capable defensive force as well. That is, assuming we lose the hunters at all," he finished smoothly.
His meaning hit her immediately. "No way. Karen and Taura are _mine_. They're loyalty lies with _me_. If I oppose you, they won't follow you," she said fiercely.
"No, but they just might follow Elena," he said silkily.
The green eyes, more brilliant than the lawn in the morning sun, widened with outrage. "You treacherous bastard!"
"An unfair epithet. Inaccurate, too," he murmured mildly. Then his manner turned clinical, dispassionate. "But we were discussing a moral dilemma. Can you, the leader of a band of vampire slayers, allow vampires to join in your endeavor? Or must you withdraw your support of the task?" He tipped his head courteously, inviting comment. "What's your decision, Ms Baron?"
She stared daggers at him, even as she weighed her options. "Fine. I've had it with you and your silent machinations and double-crossing manipulations anyway. I choose out. Take your vampires and your blasted witches and gutless Turned and get off my property."
She whirled and stormed off but paused long enough to throw back at him, "Anyone of them who's left after nightfall becomes fair game."
She caught hold of a passing servant and rapped out curt orders for her to get her lieutenants to library _now_. Her new orders would be passed down the ranks of hunters and executed: every last witch and Turned are to be ousted within the day. No mercy to laggards.
"You're not indispensable either, Jerrick," she muttered intensely as she strode into the library. A clenched fist connected with the ledge as she stared unseeing out the tall French windows. Her anger sprang from the feeling that she had been played for a fool. She felt as if she had been exploited and was being discarded now that she was no longer useful. If she could think of some way to retaliate, she would. As it was, the best she could do was kick them out and act as if it was beneath her notice. "You and your stupid quest. I'll hunt vampires my own way."
* If you read this, if you like it, if you hate it, please let me know! Your feedback _really_ makes a difference. Thanks. =)