Chapter 4: Family Ties
September 22, 2009
"Like a river flows,
That's the way it goes
But I can't help falling in love
With you…"
The last note fell and the song was over with. Evie opened her eyes as people in the Grill clapped and she smiled a bit. The past week had been hard to get through and she was glad that she got to get out of the house for one night at least. All week long she had watched her father, hoping that whatever had possessed him to go sit next to a dead teacher wouldn't resurface.
The Mystic Grill's manager approached her, grinning widely.
"That was great."
"Thanks, Robert." Evelyn told him.
"No problem."
She went out the backdoor of the Grill, the guitar over her shoulder. As she approached her truck, something zoomed past her.
"Hello?"
Frowning, she hoisted the guitar higher and walked to the parking lot.
"Going crazy." She muttered to herself and something blurred by again. "What the hell?!" Evie looked around wildly. "What was that?" She noticed something across from her. Someone leaning against one of the cars. "Creep." She made her way to her truck, eyeing the stranger warily.
Then quite suddenly he was gone. Evie felt a shiver go up her spine and she couldn't help but feel nervous. Where had he gone? Was he waiting for her? She sprinted the rest of the way to her truck and fumbled with the keys.
"Damn it." She cursed as they hit the pavement. She bent down to get them and when she stood back up, she was grabbed around the middle. "Hey!"
"Shh." Damon purred in her ear and sliding a hand over her mouth. "It'll all be over soon." Evie fought him, kicking furiously. He ripped into her neck savagely and she screamed behind his hand.
"Damon, no!" Stefan yelled, running over to them. "You're killing her!"
"That's the point! you can't keep her safe. No one's safe." Damon grinned, blood dripping down his chin. Evelyn moaned and his brother tsked. "Are you still alive? I'll remedy that."
"No!" Stefan protested as his brother cruelly twisted the girl's neck.
Stefan sat up with a gasp and Damon grinned at his brother.
"Nightmare? About anybody I know?"
He received a glare in response, although Stefan's heart was still racing madly.
Damon strode past the house and into Evelyn's backyard, where she was relaxing in a blue and black Eno hammock, her guitar sitting in a case next to one of the trees that the hammock was stretched between. If he hadn't seen her blond hair that was sticking out in a messy knot on the top of her head, shift when she nodded to herself, then he would have assumed she had been asleep.
"Well, don't you look comfy." He said, reaching out to tug on the nylon.
Evie yelped as someone rocked the hammock she was in.
"Damn it, Damon!" She sat up, scowling at him and he smirked, pulling the side out and climbing into the hammock with her. "Get out, you asshole."
"Aww, did I disturb your daydreaming?" He teased and she gave him a scowl.
"You are so annoying. Get out of my hammock."
"Make room, Eves." He complained and grabbed her legs, putting them over his lap as he sat sideways, letting his booted feet hang over the side. "Comfy."
"Jerkwad." She snapped and tried to kick him, but he forced her legs back across his lap. His grip was hard to break as usual and Evie wondered if he had a lot of lean muscle under the leather jacket he wore all the time. The thought made her frown at herself in reprimand even as her face felt hot from the thought. Don't get distracted. He's a creep remember? She had an urge to flip the hammock just to see what he'd do if he had to land in the leaves below them and get his perfectly clean clothes all dirty.
"Calm down before you make us flip over." He muttered, like he had read her mind. He had seen the look in her eyes all too clear. "You shouldn't be such a fraidy cat."
She snorted. "I'm not scared of you. You just startled me."
Damon almost smirked. "I'm sure you're not, my Eves."
She frowned at his choice of wording. He had been over almost every day for a week since the incident with her dad the night Tanner had died. It was driving her crazy. He kept asking her questions like he was so interested in her, and it confused her. She couldn't understand what he found so interesting, she told him quite bluntly over and over that she didn't like him, didn't trust him, but that only seemed to spur him on. His weird nickname for her too was becoming too casual. Like he was trying to be friends with her. Another oddity. Even so, she had a hard time ignoring him.
"Did you see the news this morning?"
"Mmhm. Puma attack."
"Bullshit."
Damon rolled his eyes at her bluntness. "Sherriff confirmed it."
She scoffed. "If a giant ass cat was roaming around, why didn't it take a bite out of my dad? Where were the claw marks? Puma's don't leave a clean kill."
"Maybe it doesn't like drunks. Too much alcohol in the blood." He told her nonchalantly and she gave him a freaked-out look. "Maybe the coach provoked it."
"…Yeah, okay…" She said slowly, eyeing him warily, and his grin widened in amusement.
He leaned his head back and looked up at the browning leaves overhead.
"So…Where'd we leave off yesterday? Oh, yes, you were avoiding my questions about you."
"Bugger off." She muttered, frowning down at her notebook. "Why do you care?"
"Be nice." He tapped her knee and she scowled.
She was still untrusting of him, still secretive. That didn't really bother him, he knew now why she was so cautious about talking to people. What did bother him was that all the effort he was giving into trying to gain her trust was going nowhere. Not even a little bit.
"Why?"
Damon sighed irritably at the aggressive tone. "Really? You're going to start that again?"
The girl lifted her head and eyed him from the other side of the hammock.
"Yes, I am going to start that again." She mocked. "If you don't like it, by all means leave."
"I'm just curious, Eves." He told her, making the hammock rock when he moved, and her green eyes flashed over in his direction again. "We're partners in crime now, it's only fair we learn about each other."
"No, it's not. We are not anything." She said to him with a frustrated scowl. "You are you and I am me. And don't call me Eves. So why are you here?"
Damon rolled his eyes. "Need I remind you of the bloody crime scene I helped your drunken father escape?"
Evie eyes narrowed. "No." She said tightly, jaw clenched. Damon watched her green eyes darken in anger and he had to admit that he liked it. "I'm aware. You just remind me every damn day when you "pop in"." She went back to writing in her notebook. "Besides, that doesn't answer my question."
"Is it that hard for you to make friends?"
"We are not friends, Damon. We are not anything." He shifted in the hammock a bit, making her slide closer to him and she scowled, trying to get away.
"Come on. Admit that you like me a little bit." He made a pleading face at her, lower lip jutting out and everything. She didn't answer and he smirked. "I knew I was good company."
"Wrong, you're worse than a chatty, nosy neighbor."
"Ouch, Eves." He moved again and she yelped as her bare feet slid between his legs. He now had his legs bracketing hers, his torso turned directly towards her so that they were face to face.
"And you said I'd flip us over." She muttered and scuttled back so that her feet weren't in his vicinity. He was a bid glad for that. She'd probably kick him in the nuts if he teased her too much.
"Why do you and Stefan hate each other?" She said when he finally stopped moving. He could see her trying her best not to push his boots away from her thighs.
Damon tilted his head. "What makes you think I hate Stefan?"
She gave him a look that he found amusing. She looked like a stern mother. "Uh, how about the death glare he was giving you a last week at Elena's house or the fact that you are trying to get in between him and Elena?"
He shrugged.
"I have my reasons for doing what I do."
"Mmhm. I'm sure you do." She hummed.
He almost smiled. She was quick-witted and smart, something that intrigued him. He missed having interesting conversations with someone so quick to sarcasm.
"What are you working on?" He tapped her thigh with his boot just to piss her off and she slapped his ankle, looking up with a small frown on her face.
"Research."
"On a Saturday? That's boring. History stuff?"
She nodded. "Sort of."
"I'm pretty knowledgeable at history. You can ask me." He leaned against the hammock, folding his hands behind his head. Evelyn looked at him assessing him and he tilted his head, wondering what it was she was looking for.
In all honesty, she didn't have a clue what to expect from him that made her nervous. He was different from other people she had spoken too. Strange and mysterious. And his icy blue eyes held danger in them, something terrifying and exciting at the same time. When he looked at her, she could have sworn that he was sizing her up like a predator or a murderer.
"Do you know all of the history of Mystic Falls dating back to 1864?" She asked him, despite the internal struggle she was warring with herself on whether or not to stay in the hammock or go back into the house and lock the door. The dread and anticipation she got being around him was enough to make her sit still though. She couldn't deny being a thrill seeker. Damon Salvatore may very well be a murderer and she would be a victim, but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to really care, though it did make her curious. And curiosity kills, as she so often heard.
He tried not let the shock show on his face at her blurted question. Did she know? Suspect? He felt his fangs prod at his gums, readying to sink into her neck if she knew too much.
"Why do you ask? Your wrist?"
"Partially." She nodded and he relaxed a bit, though he still felt the urge to take her blood, take her life. Her blood was calling to him as did the blood of all humans, but he would restrain himself if only for his own curiosity.
She showed him her wrist without him asking. Her wrist was almost healed, but the numbers could still be seen.
"I think this whole thing puma thing is a coverup for something. Maybe my dad saw it, but he can't remember."
"Coverup for what?" Damon asked, watching her cautiously.
"A conspiracy theory. This whole town has a really shady history dating back to the 1800s."
"Is that a fact?" He murmured, wondering how exactly she'd react to learning about the real history of Mystic Falls.
"Hmhm." She shook her pen at him. "And since you claim to know your history, maybe you can tell me more about what happened in 1864."
"Like what?"
"There are inconsistencies. Weird coincidences. Animal attacks. Like now. Coverups."
He tilted his head, curiously. "What's your theory?"
"Aliens or some kind of supernatural thing. People cover up what they don't understand or what they perceive as dangerous and panic inducing."
Damon almost smiled. "Supernatural like…vampires?"
"Exactly." She nodded. "Something like that. I mean, it would explain the gaps and weird explanations. They wouldn't want to announce a blood sucking danger walking around their town at night." She sounded excited, like she was on to something. Damon wanted to smirk. If only she knew. "Or witches."
"Witches?"
"Yeah, I've always like the theory of witches being around. Bonnie's Grams is always talking about witches. She teaches at Whitmore college on Occult stuff."
"And you believe it?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "As a matter-of-fact I do."
"There's nothing wrong with that." He said to her, seeing her defensive look. "Everyone has something they believe in."
"Oh, yeah?" She smirked. "And what do you believe in?"
"Vampires."
She snorted. "Are you serious? Like Dracula?"
"Nah. Drac's a drag."
She tilted her head. "Oh, yeah? Then what do you think vampires should be?"
"Sexy, intimidating, seductive, deadly, cunning-"
"Sparkly?" She teased.
He looked offended and disgusted. "Absolutely not. Cullen was whipped."
Evie laughed aloud, practically rolling in the hammock, and Damon's lips twitched. It was the first time he had heard her laugh like that. And he felt a warmth blossom in his chest. She leaned back against the hammock when she was done laughing.
"I agree."
Damon did smile that time.
"Evelyn, where are you?" Othella called from the house.
"In my hammock, Gran!" She called back and they saw the woman stick her head out the kitchen window.
"Is that your friend? The biker Salvatore?"
Evie sighed. "Yeah, Gran."
Damon waved at the woman. "Good morning, Mrs. Harper." She waved back before retreating back into the kitchen.
"Such a polite young man." They heard her say before the window shut.
"Great. Now she'll be giving me a hard time."
The vampire turned to the pouting Evie. "A hard time about what?"
"About you being over here so often. She thinks your "courting" me." She scowled and kicked at his thigh. "This is your fault."
"She doesn't care that I'm a tad older than you? And did she refer to me as a biker?"
"You wear leather and boots, that's a biker's description for Gran." She snorted and then smirked. "Your charming behavior has won her over. Is that how you get your way?"
Damon smirked. "Of course. I'm naturally good at getting my way."
Evie rolled her eyes and then noticed how he was looking at her. "What?"
"Have you ever dated before?"
"No." She said without hesitation. Had he not seen her dream a week ago, he would have believed her.
"Really. Why not?"
She shrugged. "Dating is not my thing. I've tried to explain that to Gran, but she thinks I'm "being shy". Guys are all the same no matter how nice they pretend to be." He wanted to argue, but she'd get suspicious. He had to be extra careful what he said to her, because if she was that into supernatural theories and stories, she could figure out what he was. She was smart enough to figure it out, he was sure.
"Am I included in that?" He asked instead and she smirked.
"Depends. I'm still doing my research."
Damon smirked back.
"How's your dad?"
"Not murdering anyone."
"Eves." He reprimanded lightly.
She rolled her eyes. "He's been acting strange ever since his job interview. He didn't get the job."
"Strange?"
"Just not himself. He spends a lot of time in the attic with my mom's old stuff." She shrugged. "Just he's just feeling nostalgic."
Damon could see it clearly bothered her that her father was being so distant, but he honestly didn't care about the man.
Evie groaned aloud at who awaited her at the bottom of the library steps. Damon was leaning against the concrete railing, his eyes on the people in the park a few blocks over. Hoping to slip past him, she moved lightly down the steps.
Damon grinned to himself when he heard her trying to sneak past him.
"Are you going to the Founder's party?" He asked when she got close enough and she scowled before stalking up the sidewalk. He matched her pace easily and she grumbled under her breath. He was pretty sure she called him many names one should said aloud in polite conversation.
"Why are you lurking around the library?" She asked instead, determined to be stubborn. It was one of the qualities he was starting to like about her.
"I was waiting for you." He sent her a smile and she snorted.
"Creepo." A hint of a smile came before she could stop it and Damon smirked. She ran a hand through her hair. "Do I look like I want go to fancy shmancy parties?"
"You should come. It'll be fun."
She arched an eyebrow. "Aren't you going with Caroline? That was all she talked about earlier. That's why I escaped to the library." She gestured to the building behind them and rolled her eyes.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean that you can't go and be my second date. My secret date."
"Uh, okay. Ew to the first part." She wrinkled her nose. "And that second part sounded way too sexual." Damon laughed.
"My dear Eves." He grinned wickedly. "I had no idea you had such a dirty mind."
She huffed at his teasing, a light pink in her cheeks. "I don't like you. And stop calling me Eves." He started to tease her a bit more, but she cut him off knowing exactly what he had been going to say. "No. Not even if you weren't going with Caroline, I still wouldn't go with you."
"Are you cheating on me?" He whined aloud. "I'm so hurt!"
Evie whipped her head around to glare at him before hissing: "Are you freakin' kidding me?!" She glanced about to see if anyone was around before scowling at him. "Keep your voice down, you pain the ass."
"Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"No. I don't want witnesses when I beat you're face in." She retorted smoothly and he chuckled.
They heard a sound and turned to see Evie's Gran coming up the sidewalk.
"Please don't see us, please don't see us." Damon heard Evelyn chant under her breath.
"Evelyn!"
"Oh, shit." The girl cursed as her grandmother made her way over to them.
"Language." He scolded lightly, his eyes filled with mischief.
She sent him a dirty look. "Shut up, you big idiot."
Othella smiled at them. "Hello, Evelyn dear. Did you get your research done?" Before The girl could answer, the older woman was focused on Damon. "Mr. Salvatore, how nice to see you again."
"Mrs. Boleyn." He greeted politely and Evie muttered under her breath:
"Ass-kisser."
Damon leaned down to brush his lips against her ear, making her shiver. "Anytime you'd like." Before she could react, he was back in his earlier position, listening to Evie's grandmother like nothing had occurred. Flustered and hating the feeling, Evie scowled at the pavement.
"Oh, are you going to the Founder's party?" Othella asked. Damon smirked as the girl next to him gave him an enraged look.
"Yes and I was just asking Evie if she was going."
"Of course, she is."
The girl's eyes widened. "Gran!"
"The Lockwoods' just invited us and it's good to make an appearance. I will go in place of your father and it is your obligation as his daughter to go. Also, Carol wants pictures." The matter was closed before Evelyn could voice another protest and the woman went back to talking to Damon. "Well, I hope to see you there."
"You certainly shall." He promised and she smiled at him before looking at Evelyn.
"I'll see you at home, dear."
Once the woman was out of earshot, Evie scowled.
"Shit."
"Language."
She sent him a dirty look. "I hate you."
"I know." He grinned.
September 23, 2009
"Mrs. Boleyn. It's so good to see you." Tyler's mother, Carol Lockwood, beamed like the gracious hostess she was. Othella smiled back politely, adjusting her hat.
"It is so good to see you as well, Mrs. Lockwood. Thank you and your husband so much for inviting us."
Evie rolled her eyes. The formalities and fakeness were getting on her nerves. Her Gran's smile and Carol Lockwood's were practically forced.
Mayor Lockwood smiled widely, genuine. "I'm glad you accepted our invitation. Where is your son-in-law?"
"He's at home. Not feeling well." The woman lied and Evie almost snorted aloud.
"Sorry to hear that." He said and his eyes slid over to Evelyn. "It's nice to see you again, Evelyn. You look lovely."
"Thank you, Mayor Lockwood." She said and smiled as politely as she could.
"Your camera?"
"Yes, sir. Mrs. Lockwood thought it would be nice to take photos of the party."
Carol smiled at her husband. "Evelyn takes the most wonderful pictures." Evie shifted uncomfortably. "I thought they would nice for a scrapbook of our Founder's celebration. She took those ones last year."
"Oh, yes." Mayor Lockwood smiled. "Your granddaughter has talent, Mrs. Boleyn.
"She certainly does." Othella smiled proudly.
"Please enjoy the party."
"We will thank you." She told them and they continued up the steps and into the mansion.
"Don't think I didn't see the way you were eyeing Carol, Evelyn."
The girl frowned. "I was polite enough."
"The woman can't help what she hears and apparently, what comes out of her mouth. Besides, your father made his choice about how people see him."
"That doesn't mean that he deserves to be shunned." Evie scowled. "She spread all of those rumors about him hurting me." The woman was a running gossip.
Othella turned to her granddaughter. "What do you expect? No one knows what happened so everyone speculated on their own. You can't expect them to not blame him for losing custody of you due to his behavior." She sighed when Evie glared at the wall. "Try to enjoy the party, dear."
"Gee, thanks. I'll try." She said sarcastically and Othella rolled her eyes. "Think a rumor will spread if I spill punch on an oriental rug?"
"Don't be over-dramatic, Evelyn. Just take your pictures and try not to upset anyone. And try to find that polite young man."
"Damon's not polite, Gran. He's a creep."
Othella shook her head. "No wonder no boy ever talks to you with that attitude."
"Thanks for your advice, Gran. I'll chalk that away with the advice to never mix clothes in the washer."
A sharp light smack to the back of her head was received.
Smack.
"Gran!"
Damon's eyes landed on the short curvy girl talking to Caroline. She was wearing a strapless light pink lace dress that was tight around the bodice and flowy the rest of the way. Her light blonde hair was in curls down her back. Curious, he moved closer and Caroline smiled at him as the girl left. He watched her walk away, wondering who she was.
"There you are, Damon."
"Who was that you were talking too?"
He nodded at the curvy blonde that had gone to talk to someone else.
"Oh, that's Evie."
Damon did a double-take.
Caroline smiled at his confusion. "I know. Doesn't she look pretty? I told her she'd look nice in that dress."
He couldn't respond. He was too shocked.
Evelyn eyed some of the historical items that the Founding families had donated for the special occasion. Her own family's donation was a set of old weapons. Something her father had once been so proud about.
Evie stiffened as she felt a presence behind her. She knew immediately who it was.
"You snuck in without saying hello to me? I'm offended. And here I thought we were good friends."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Hello, Damon." He felt that familiar rush as she spoke his name. It was rare that she said it, but when she did it sounded different from when everyone else said it… He shook his head to clear the feeling away.
He leaned closer to whisper in her ear and she tried not shiver as his warm breath hit her bare skin.
"You look-"
She whipped her head around to look at him before he could finish and he was hit with the coconut scent of her hair. They were nose to nose, eyes locked on each other. Her apple green eyes widened, obviously not expecting to bump noses with him. He was close enough to kiss her plump glossy lips if he desired. He did wonder briefly, despite his own internal protest, what she would do if he stole a kiss from her.
Evelyn did not expect his face to be so close when she turned around to tell him off. She found herself staring deeply into his electric blue eyes. There was something there, something mysterious and deadly in his gaze, but she couldn't quite understand what it could be. She watched his eyes dart to her lips and that pulled her out of her stupor. She pulled away, frowning at their closeness.
"Don't-Don't finish that sentence, Salvatore." She warned him, trying not to sound stunned, but failing as she hastily stepped back. Damon's mouth twitched.
"Are you allergic to compliments now? All I was going to say was that you look very nice. And may I add…sexy."
"Oh, go jump in a lake, Salvatore." She scoffed, though her cheeks were as pink as her dress. "It's too tight and not my color."
He flashed her a genuine smile. "Seriously, Eves, you look nice."
It was true. Nice was a word for it. The dress was obviously something she wouldn't have chosen herself. Evie wore plenty of girlie clothing, but when it came to dresses, she preferred dark and safe dresses. She felt like she'd bust out of the top of it any second. Her Gran had told her as they left. "If you have it, flaunt it." Much to her mortification.
"Thanks, I guess." She muttered and glanced around. "See my Gran?"
"Nope."
"Good." She tipped her head back and drained the last of the champagne in her glass into her mouth. Damon eyes were drawn to her delicious cleavage and her exposed throat. "Stop staring." She said when she sat the empty glass on the nearby table.
"Can't. You're a distraction." His eyes were still where they weren't supposed to be.
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"My eyes are up here, creepo. I'm sure you've seen plenty of breasts before."
Damon only smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
She scoffed at him and turned back to the display cases. Damon moved closer.
"Anything in particular you like?"
She shrugged. "It's all historical, but this is more like a museum than a celebration. And what exactly are we celebrating? Death?" She nodded at the next case. "That's the church they fired on with all the civilians inside."
"Mmhm, but there's more to that story."
She turned back towards him, interested in what he had so say. His ego swelled at the curiosity in her eyes and how she was listening to his every word.
"Really? Like what?"
"The people in there weren't there by accident." He stated and she arched an eyebrow. "They were believed to be Union sympathizers. So some of the Founders on the Confederacy side back then wanted them rounded up and burned alive."
"Wow…" She murmured and looked back at the replica of the old white church. "And this happened in 1864?"
"Yep."
"Burned…" She said softly and turned to him questioningly. She need not voice her question. He automatically knew what she was getting at.
"I don't know, Eves. That could be why the burn was there."
Evelyn looked at her wrist and frowned before looking at Damon. "It's gone."
Curious, he took her wrist and looked it over. "That is-"
"Weird? Yeah, tell me about it." She muttered and frowned at the case.
"There you are, Damon. Oh, hi, Evie."
They looked over to see the bubbly blond coming over to them. Evelyn put distance between them automatically as Caroline approached.
"Hey, Care." Evie nodded at her.
"Are you having a good time?"
"Yeah."
Caroline nodded. "Did you take all the pictures you need?"
"I hope so." Evie scowled. "I felt like I should be asking her pay me in advance for the photos I've been taking."
The taller blonde giggled as they walked over to where Stefan and Elena were. The two of them were discussing the old Founder's party guest list.
"Is that…Damon Salvatore? And Stefan Salvatore?" Elena asked in confusion.
"The original Salvatore brothers." Damon spoke up and they turned around to face them as Caroline and Evie looked at him. "Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually."
"We don't need to bore them with stories of the past." Stefan murmured. Evie noted that the tension was back in the room. It was stifling.
Elena turned to her boyfriend. "It's not boring, Stefan." She arched an eyebrow. "I'd love to hear more about your family."
"Well, I'm bored. I wanna dance." Caroline whined and Evie rolled her eyes. "And Damon won't dance with me."
"Mmm-mm."
Evie arched an eyebrow at Damon, but he only smirked at her.
"Could I just borrow your date?" Caroline asked Elena.
"Make sure to bring him just the way you borrowed him." Evie reminded her and Caroline swatted her arm. Elena giggled and Stefan shook his head. Damon gave Evelyn an amused look.
"Shut up, Evie!"
"I don't really dance." Stefan murmured.
"Oh, sure he does. You should see him." His brother interrupted. "The Waltz, the jitterbug, the moonwalk. He does it all."
"Why don't you just say he can Tango and Rhumba too." Evie snorted. Damon was trying to purposely get Stefan to leave with Caroline. But why? Damon sent her an exasperated look and she looked at him challengingly.
Caroline gave Elena her best pouty look. "You wouldn't mind, would you, Elena?"
"It's up to Stefan." She said shifting and glancing at the guy next to her. Stefan started to speak up when:
"Well, sorry, but I'm not going to take no for answer." Caroline took Stefan's wrist and pulled him away.
"That was awkward. I'm going to go now." Evie murmured and Damon winked at her.
"See you later, Eves."
Elena raised an eyebrow and not wanting to be under scrutiny again, Evie left the room quickly.
"Is it time to go yet?" Evie murmured from across Bonnie. Othella had left hours ago and Evie was supposed to get a ride from Bonnie.
"Stop complaining." The girl laughed. "Would you rather be at home?"
"No, but-"
The candle on their table went out and Evelyn snorted.
"Even the lighting is telling us to go."
Bonnie rolled her eyes and then focused on the candle. Evie felt something in the air and goosebumps rose on her arms. She watched her with interest. The wick flamed back to life.
"Oh, my god." Evie whispered and then blew it out. "Do it again."
"No. It's a trick candle." The girl panicked and stood up.
"Bon-"
"This has me all spooked okay? That prediction about Tanner? I'm still having weird vibes from it."
"Well, I haven't figured out my numbers yet. And you're freaked out? Look." She showed her wrist to her. "They disappeared."
Bonnie bit her lip. "This is too weird for me. I just need a minute." She said and hurried away, leaving Evie alone at the table.
"Bonnie, wait! Bonnie!" Evie called, but she was gone. "Well, what the hell am I supposed to do now?"
She glared at the candle. "It's your fault for scaring her. Why can't you stay lit?" She muttered and the flame reappeared, bigger and brighter. "Oh, shit!" She jumped back, looking startled. "Trick candle, trick candle!" She waved a hand and it went out once more, shocking her again. "Whoa…This is way too weird. Um," She stared at the candle. "Incendio?" She waved her fingers like she was doing a spell from Harry Potter.
She shrieked as the candle flared to life once more and bolted from the table.
"Hey, Care. Have you seen Bonnie?" Evie asked somewhat nervously, as she picked up another champagne glass from the table.
The taller blonde turned from watching Stefan and Elena dance.
"Nope. Sorry."
"Well that sucks."
Caroline frowned. Evie was looking a bit perturbed by something.
"Are you okay, Evie?"
The girl nodded overenthusiastically, draining the champagne rapidly. "Yeah, yeah. Nothing weird happening…It's-It's all good...All good."
Caroline arched an eyebrow before sighing.
"Have you seen Damon? He was just here a moment ago."
"He's probably skulking around here somewhere." She muttered and her friend turned back to her.
"What?"
"I said he probably went inside." She said instead.
Caroline nodded at her. "I'm going to go look for him. Are you sure you're okay? Did someone bother you?"
Evie shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a little drunk I guess."
"Don't let my mom see you." The girl warned and then flounced away.
Evelyn sipped at her new champagne glass, eyeing the dancers.
She jumped when someone slipped up next to her, brushing her arm.
She looked up to see Damon. "Your girlfriend is looking for you."
"I'll find her later." He said smoothly. "So about the favor you owe me…" She rolled her eyes.
"What about it?"
"Dance with me."
Evie choked on her drink and she eyed Damon like he had grown two heads.
"What?!"
He raised an eyebrow at her behavior.
"You heard me."
Evie folded her arms across her chest unknowingly once again drawing Damon's attention to her cleavage. He may be a vampire, but he was still male and a shameless one at that. "No. No way."
"One time."
"Caroline would kill me. You need to go be a better boyfriend and dance with her. Besides didn't you just refuse to dance with her earlier?"
"She can sit out one dance." Damon held his hand out, wiggling his fingers. "Come on, Eves. One time." She looked uncomfortable. "I'm not going to hurt you, don't be afraid."
"I am not afraid." She scowled, eyes flashing in annoyance. He waited for the explanation, hand still out, and she rolled her eyes. "I can't dance, okay!? Not like that anyway." She waved a hand at the dancers. Surprise flickered across Damon's face. "I'm better at drunk party dancing."
He nodded once. "It's easy. Just let me show you." She hesitated, unsure of herself. "Take a chance."
"Hands to yourself." She warned him.
"Not possible when dancing. Just relax." He took one of her hands and placed it on his shoulder or tried too. Only the heel of her hand was sitting against his shoulder. He rolled his eyes. "You have to touch me, Evelyn." He made her lay her hand down flat. He felt her move her hand slightly. "Like that."
"This is stupid." She mumbled, red-faced, and jumped when his hand landed on her hip. "Whoa, hey!" She shifted her hips tried to remove his hand, but he gripped gently, but firmly, holding her still.
"Easy, Eves." He soothed, rolling his eyes. "Don't get excited. Look at everyone else. I'm just doing what they are doing."
Evelyn frowned. This was wrong. He was with Caroline and he hadn't even wanted to dance with her earlier. Now he wanted to dance? But not with his girlfriend? His hand had a slight grip on her hip and it was sending tingles along her body. She wasn't sure whether she wanted him to let go or not.
She glanced at the other dancers, seeing he was right. The other dancers were just as close and hand their hands just like theirs. She was glad that the camera around her neck prevented them from being as close as the other dancers.
Damon watched her compare their hands to the other people, checking to make sure he wasn't trying anything. He thought about sliding the hand at her hip down to land lower on her to see how she'd react, but he had a feeling she'd never speak to him again if he did.
She noticed a couple getting handsy and kissing away like no one else was around.
"Let's not do what they do." She told him automatically and he followed her line of sight.
Damon smirked. "You'd change your mind after a while."
"No, I won't." She said without hesitation. "Can we just get this over with?" He rolled his eyes. She was still tense.
"Are you always so dramatic? Now, just do what I do. One step forward, one back." He instructed and she did as he said eyes on the ground. He allowed it until she got the hang of the small steps. "Good. Now stop looking at your feet."
"Where else am I supposed to look then?!" She said in frustration and he took her chin, forcing her head back up. He ignored the indignation in her eyes.
"Look at me or at least somewhere that's not the ground."
Evie scowled when he got them moving again. "This is hard." She huffed. "Is the song over with yet?"
"Relax. You're still too tense. This is a dance, it's…" He tried to think of a word to describe it. "…flowy."
"Of course I'm tense. I don't like this."
"I think you do. Just a little." He said and her scowl proved it. "Besides, so far you've not stepped on my toes. A good sign."
Evie frowned a little. "It's over." She commented, eager to get away as the music faded.
"Mmhm."
She tried to pull away, but he kept her still, pulling her a bit closer in the process or at least as close as her camera allowed.
"Hey, just one." She protested, looking at him and around them.
"Relax, my Eves." He purred. "Try to relax."
She sighed, but did try as he suggested and he felt her gradually lessen her tight grip on his shoulder.
"See? Not so bad, right?"
"Fine. Okay, it's not horrible." She grumbled at his smug expression. "Can I go now?"
"What are you so agitated about?" He saw something flicker in her gaze. Fear. "What happened?"
She frowned. "I'm fine. I'm not agitated."
"Are too." He said back at her. "I can tell. Is something bothering you?" He leaned closer, his breath on her ear. "Is it the numbers again?"
"Personal space." She reminded him, instead of answering.
"Answer me, Eves. Tell me what happened."
"Song's over." She pushed away from him and walked swiftly in the other direction before he could react. As she passed the table of champagne glasses, all the glasses slid off the table into a pile on the other side of the table. The party goers were startled and baffled at the mess, but no one could understand how it occurred.
Damon's eyes locked on Evie's retreating form in the crowd of people and he watched her look panicked for a split second before hurrying back towards the mansion.
Evelyn shut the door to the bathroom and leaned against it. Had she knocked all of those glasses on the table? How had she done that? How had she lit that candle earlier? She glanced up at the mirror. Her reflection was pale and her eyes were wide with fear.
"Get a hold of yourself, Evie." She said aloud. "Those glasses fell by accident, nothing you did. That's just crazy. That's just…Is it hot in here? Someone needs to open a window." She waved her hand to move air around her face and froze. The little window in the bathroom opened by itself. "Oh, shit." She waved her hand again and it closed. "Um…"
She jumped when Caroline came into the bathroom.
"Hey, Evie." The taller blond greeted and she parked herself in front of one of the mirrors to reapply her lipstick. The door opened again and in came Elena.
"Hey." The brunette greeted the girls.
"Hey." Caroline said back. Evie didn't answer, afraid that if she opened her mouth, she'd throw up. "So how are things with Stefan?"
"Great. Just great." Elena smiled.
"Really? Well my radar must be off." Caroline said in a sly voice. Evelyn frowned at her. "'Cause I was getting all sorts of other vibes."
Elena noticed something on Caroline's neck, hidden beneath the scarf she wore. "What's that?" She moved closer and tried to peek under the scarf. Caroline immediately turned defensive.
"Stop."
Persistent, the brunette lifted the scarf and Evie gaped at the spot on her friend's neck.
"Care, what happened?" Evie asked before narrowing her eyes. "Is that a bite mark?" She stiffened. "Was it Damon?!"
"No. It's nothing, okay?"
"I knew it! I knew he was hurting you! My gut kept telling me that!"
Elena spotted another bite and peeled back the little knitted top she had one over her dress.
"Did Damon hurt you?"
"No, of course not!" Frustrated and upset, Caroline pushed away from the two girls. "Just leave me alone!" She stormed out of the bathroom and Evie scowled, popping her knuckles.
"That son of a bitch! No wonder he was being so friendly with me! He was trying to cover up for hurting Care!"
Elena's eyes widened. "Where are you going?"
"To punch someone's face in!" Evie hissed and stomped out of the bathroom.
She found Damon almost where she had left him and stomped up to him.
"Hello, my Eves." He greeted, not noticing her clenched fists. "What can I do for-" Evie's fist slammed into his nose, cutting off his question. He felt blood trickling from his nose and he didn't need a doctor to tell him it was broken. "Fuck, Evelyn!"
She grabbed his tie and hauled him away from prying eyes.
"You son of a bitch! There is something seriously wrong with you, I told your brother that. You stay away from Caroline. I saw what you did to her."
"Gonna go straight to the sheriff?" He asked her, still holding his nose. It was healing now, but he couldn't let her see. Evie shook her head, eyes flashing angrily and with a dark amusement.
"Nope. I'll beat the shit out of you. Guys like you disgust me. You stay the hell away from me too or you'll get much worse than a broken nose."
She turned and walked away, shaking her hand as she went. Damon almost wanted to pursue her, but he let her go. It was probably for the best, he was starting to become attached to her. Instead, he focused on finding Caroline.
Stefan slid from the shadows, a frown on his face.
He found Evie sitting on a bench by the water fountain, she was rubbing at her knuckles.
"Hey. Elena told me what happened." He lied. He had heard the conversation she and Damon had shared, but she didn't need to know that.
"Your brother is insane."
He nodded. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No. I just bruised my knuckles." She glanced up at him. The hurt in her eyes made him falter. "Did you know he was capable of that? Is that why you were so concerned when you found out I talked to him and came over to your house? Did you know?"
He shifted guilty. "Evelyn, Damon has-"
She shook her head. "Look, I get he's your brother. Your blood. But he hurt someone and apparently, he's done it before. This Katherine I keep hearing about? Did he hurt her too? Is that why your two are at odds?" She raised her hand when he made to speak. "I don't want to know. Look, Stefan. You're a nice guy, but you didn't warn anyone about him. And as far as I'm concerned that makes your just as guilty."
He flinched. She wasn't wrong. He had done this. He should have stopped it long ago. The look in her eyes, defeat, was puzzling until she said:
"I don't blame you though. He's obvious got issues, that's not on you. No one wants to think badly about their family. I understand that."
"Evelyn-"
"I'm just going to go home. It's been a long night. But it just proves that I can't trust anyone. And guys are all the same."
Stefan watched her go, confused by her last sentence. Had something happened to her? No one had mentioned it before.
He saw Elena walking over to him and he sighed. This was going to be a long night.
Evie heard a whimper and paused. She turned and saw Damon tugging Caroline by the arm, practically dragging her across the Lockwood's property. Was he going to hit her for what had happened?
"Don't!" Caroline said, her voice breaking. Evie clenched her fists again and hid behind one of the large shrubs, waiting to see what he'd do. The tall blonde tried to get away, but he had her by the arms.
"Elena took it off and I got flustered, okay? I had no idea that Evie would see it too." She was shaking in his grip, Damon's face unemotional, detached. It sent shivers down Evie's spine. The look of a cold-blooded killer, she was sure. Was he going to kill Caroline because of what she had seen? What she had done to him?
"I swear I didn't tell them. I just told them that you didn't mean to hurt me."
Damon stared at her like he was indecisive and Evie watched him warily. Ready to come to friend's defense if he tried anything. Evelyn tensed as he walked around to Caroline's back, her nails stinging her palm as she imagined a knife slitting the unsuspecting girl's throat and Damon smirking that smug smile of his as he watched the life drain from her.
"You make me crazy, you know that?" Damon said against her neck when he had stopped moving, his voice almost muffled. Evie lifted her camera, ready for action. She'd catch him in the act. Hurriedly she thought to make sure the flash and the sound was off. He was holding Caroline like a lover, but Evie knew something was very wrong.
"It's okay. I forgive you." He whispered against the girl's ear. Evie waited.
"I swear I didn't-"
"Shh, shh, shh." He hushed her. "It's okay." He gave her little kisses. "Unfortunately," Evelyn stiffened. "I am so over you now." Damon's head reared back and Evie almost lost her grip on her camera as she snapped the photo. Fangs. Fangs were protruding from his mouth. Hands shaking, she lifted her camera again to see him sink his fangs into Caroline's neck. Evie almost gasped aloud.
Caroline couldn't struggle and for some reason refused to scream. Evie wasn't sure what to do now. How do you fight off someone that had their teeth in someone's neck?! Beat them with a stick? Both began sinking to the ground and Evie continued to get her evidence. She was just about to expose herself and save her friend, when he let go of her. Damon choked, blood running down his chin. Caroline lay limply on the grass, eyes closed.
"What the hell?" He growled. Obviously, that wasn't supposed to happen. Evie swallowed nervously. Damon fell back onto the grass as well.
"I knew I couldn't spike your drink." Said a nearby voice and Evelyn jumped. Her eyes widened upon seeing Stefan. He had come from the shadows, silent. "So I spiked hers."
Damon groaned on the ground as Stefan came to stand over him. Evie wondered what he'd do. She kept taking photos. Then, in a blink of an eye, they were gone.
"What the hell?" Evie whispered, her heart hammering in her chest. She ran out from behind the shrub, searching around for any sign of them, but they were long gone. So, she turned and knelt by the prone girl, shaking Caroline's shoulder.
"Care? Care?"
"Evie?" The girl groaned, eyes fluttering open.
Evelyn released a breath of relief that she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Oh, thank god. Are you okay?"
Caroline touched her neck before sobbing and Evie hugged her. "I'm fine." She said saying over and over, but Evie knew that wasn't true.
"It's okay, Caroline. He won't hurt you again. I'll make sure of it." She promised. "I'll make sure he never does that to anyone again."
Elena ran over to them.
"Is she okay?"
"Damon upset her." Evie murmured. "He's crazy."
The brunette nodded and took Evie's place in hugging Caroline.
She looked up, noticing a determined look on the other girl's face, her eyes though were filled with a slight fear.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" She frowned.
Evelyn shook her head. "No. I'm all right. I think I'll just head home. There's something I have to do."
Elena nodded, though she looked skeptical. Something had spooked Evelyn and that was hard to do.
Evie paced her room.
"What the hell was that? Am I crazy? Drunk?" Her laptop sat on her bed, the image of Damon on the screen, zoomed in enough to really see the fangs. "Real. The fangs are real."
"Everyone has something they believe in."
"Oh, yeah?" She smirked. "And what do you believe in?"
"Vampires."
She snorted. "Are you serious? Like Dracula?"
"Nah. Drac's a drag."
She tilted her head. "Oh, yeah? Then what do you think vampires should be?"
"Sexy, intimidating, seductive, deadly, cunning-"
"Sparkly?" She teased.
Evie scrolled through her pictures, stopping a particularly blurry one. It was Stefan carrying Damon over one shoulder. Like he weighed nothing. The younger Salvatore's posture was normal, like he was carrying a feather and not his older brother. The image was blurred so she knew that Stefan had to have been walking fast.
"Did you see the news this morning?"
"Mmhm. Puma attack."
"Bullshit."
Damon rolled his eyes at her bluntness. "Sherriff confirmed it."
She scoffed. "If a giant ass cat was roaming around, why didn't it take a bite out of my dad? Where were the claw marks? Puma's don't leave a clean kill."
"Maybe it doesn't like drunks. Too much alcohol in the blood." He told her nonchalantly and she gave him a freaked-out look. "Maybe the coach provoked it."
If Damon killed Tanner…Did he hurt Vicki too?
"You didn't see the animal?"
Evelyn flopped back onto her bed. It would explain the aggressiveness he had that day and the weird way he had been looking at her and zoning out.
"What is going on in this town?" She suddenly sat upright. "That's the big secret! Vampires. Damon and Stefan are over a hundred years old…What the hell?!"
"Evelyn!"
The girl jumped out of her skin and hit the floor next to her bed.
"Evelyn Marie!"
"What Gran?" She called back, wincing from the pain of landing on her shoes.
"Where is your no-good father?"
"I don't know!"
Evie got up and opened her bedroom door to see her grandmother waiting at the bottom step.
"Well?" The woman prompted.
"I don't know, Gran. I haven't seen him."
Othella frowned, hands on her hips. "Is he out drinking? Don't you lie for him, Evelyn."
"I don't know, Gran. I swear!" She scowled down at her grandmother, coming down the steps. "I haven't seen him since you yelled at him this morning." She had just about enough of her Gran's criticism.
"You can't keep doing this, Evelyn. He's a grown man. He's your father, not your responsibility."
"I can't abandon him, Gran. He's my dad."
"Then he very well better start acting like it. Respectable people don't turn to drinks when they don't get the job."
Evie frowned. "He's trying, Gran. Why do you keep pushing him?"
"Because you're sixteen, Evelyn. Sixteen years old and he's never done a thing for you since you were a baby. How many times have you brought him here too drunk to know his own name? How many times is going to miss your birthday or Christmas? When is the last time he gave you a present that he actually bought?"
"Stop it! I don't need anything like that. He's my dad." The lights flickered in the hall and Othella's eyebrow rose. Evie continued, unware of what was happening. "He's never hurt me or anyone else. Why can't you get off his back?"
"I warned him no drinking. I meant it and still do. You tell him that if he drinks under my roof one more time I'll kick his ass out for good."
"Gran!" The girl snapped and then sighed. "I'll go find him."
Othella grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"No more, Evelyn. I won't allow you to pick up his slack for the rest of your life. If he makes his way home, then fine. Other than that, he can sit in jail for the rest of the night."
"Let go, Gran." She pulled her arm away and Othella frowned.
"Evelyn Marie, don't you walk out that door. You hear me?" Evie ignored her grandmother and went down the next flight of stairs. "Evelyn!"
The girl faltered when the pictures on the wall shook and the lights flickered more.
"Gran?"
Othella sighed. "Oh, dear. It's starting already."
Evie turned to her. "What's happening to me, Gran?"
"Come into the kitchen and I'll explain." The woman turned and headed for the kitchen and the girl followed her. "I need some strong tea for this conversation."
"So…I'm descended from witches? Salem witches?" Evie asked slowly, processing the information. Othella sighed.
"Not exactly, dear. Our powers come from the-"
"Wait. Ours? As in you have them too?"
The woman nodded. "Yes."
Evie scowled. "and you never mentioned it? All these years?"
"I promised your father I wouldn't. at the time, you weren't showing any abilities."
"Dad knows?!"
"Evelyn, please try to understand. Your father wasn't the same after you were born. He grew warily of our magic. Magic that he knew should have protected your mother."
"Why didn't it?"
She took Evie's hand. "Your mother used up her energy to save you. Her magic was only strong enough to protect you."
The girl jerked her hand away. "She died because of me?"
"No, dear."
"You just said that she used her magic up on me! How am I supposed to live knowing that mother died because of me!?"
"She died because she wasn't strong enough, because I wasn't strong enough to save her. It wasn't your fault, Evelyn. Your mother was never very strong. It just took its toll on her."
"I told you not to talk about that."
They turned to see Mike in the doorway, looking roughened up.
Othella clucked her tongue. "Look who decided to join us."
He pointed a finger at the older woman. "I warned you not to be filling her head with nonsense."
"It's not nonsense, besides the girl is already displaying her powers. She needs to focus them and learn how to control them."
"No." Mike snapped. "I don't want magic here. I don't want it around my daughter."
"She's already around it! It's in her!" The woman snapped back. "She needs to know the truth."
Mike turned to Evie. "Go upstairs. I want to talk to your grandmother."
"Dad-"
"Right now." He hissed through clenched teeth. "Go up to your room."
Evelyn frowned, but left the room. As the door swung shut she heard her father start a loud shouting match with her grandmother. She sighed irritably and headed back up to her room.
"Evie."
"What?" She said moodily, shoving her notebook under her pillow. The door opened and her father poked his head in.
"Hey."
She snorted. Her father was definitely sober now, his awkward small talk a dead giveaway. "What do you want, Dad?"
"I'm sorry I got angry at you. I just don't like talking about magic."
"Because of mom."
He nodded. "Yeah…Your grandmother told me what happened tonight. How are you dealing with that? It's a lot to take in."
She sighed and rolled over to sit up on her bed.
"Yeah, it's really…weird. I've had a long night."
Mike sat down next to her. "Now that you are aware of your powers…There are some other things you need to aware of."
"Like what?"
"We are not safe in this town. No human is."
Evie arched an eyebrow. "The animal attacks?"
"Err…Yeah, those." He nodded, though clearly wanting to correct her.
"I'm not scared of wildlife, Dad."
He nodded. "I know. You've always been a brave girl." He smiled softly before frowning. "I want to you hold this and keep it safe." He handed her a wrapped-up object. "Don't let your grandmother see."
Evie unwrapped the object and glanced up at her father. "A gun?"
"You know how to use one, right?"
"Yep, learned when I was ten."
"Right. Well, this gun has special bullets." He handed her a box and Evie opened it. "Wooden bullets."
"I can see that. But why?"
"Because these are your protection."
Evie glanced at her father. "Protection from what?"
"Enemies. Just promise me that you'll keep this safe and somewhere within reach."
"Can't I just attack with my powers?"
"No. I want you to be careful with your magic. No one else can know and I don't want you using it outside the house. Am I clear?"
"Yes, but-"
"I am very glad that you are so like your mother, cupcake. I am. But that power overwhelmed her and I'll be damned if I let that happen again. Your grandmother will teach you small things, help you control."
Mike stroked her hair. "I want you safe. That's all." He got up then headed for the door. "Get some sleep."
"I will." Evie nodded, tucking the gun and the bullets under her bed. Her father nodded and then he was gone. Once he was gone, she took her notebook back out and her phone. She brought up the search engine on her phone and said:
"Look up, how to kill a vampire."