I really had to update this before my final starts which is tomorrow! It'll be going on for a month, but we'll have a few breaks and I'll write a little during that time. And I really hope you guys can wait for it As usual, I own nothing except for my OCs.
Chapter 10: Under My Skin
"Morning," Jenna said as I entered the kitchen.
"What's with that look?" I asked, noticing a sly grin playing on her lips.
"Nothing, but you're coming with me to this…Historical Society's Tea Party," Jenna told me, leaning over the counter. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Sounds boring," I commented dryly.
"Aww come on, Elijah will be there," she said and I chocked on the drink. Jenna burst out laughing and I wiped my lips once I was done coughing.
"What?" I asked, my eyes were wide, face flushing.
"You have a thing for Elijah," Jenna said teasingly and winked playfully at me. I gaped at her statement.
"I don't have a thing for him!" I said defensively.
"Yeah right," she said with a smirk and I hit her arm lightly.
"He's too old for me," I commented and she snorted.
"You like older guys," she reminded me and I sighed irritably causing her to chuckle. "But you are coming, right?" she asked me seriously and I shook my head.
"Nope," I said and she gave me a look.
"Oh come on," she groaned.
"What about Elena and Jeremy?" I asked, trying to drag my two siblings into this as well.
"Elena's at the lake house with Stefan and Jeremy's hanging out with his friends," Jenna told.
"Fine, I might as well come with you," I told Jenna and she chuckled.
At the Historical Society's Tea Party
"Damon," I said, surprised when I bumped into him at the front door. "What are you doing here?" I asked warily and he gave me that look that told me he was going to do something.
"You're not going to do…anything stupid are you?" I asked, remembering that Elijah would be coming as well. Damon gave me a humourless chuckle which I didn't like.
"Maybe," he said and I waved at Jenna, acknowledging her.
"Damon, what are you doing here?" Jenna asked, surprised. Andie, Jenna's friend suddenly walked over and smiled at Damon.
"Hi, you came," she said happily.
"Hi," Damon replied with a smile and I narrowed my eyes at the interaction between them.
"Hi," Andie whispered and Damon pecked her on the lips.
"Thanks for introducing us, Jenna," Damon said to Jenna with a smile. He then beckoned me to follow him and I spotted Elijah talking to Carol Lockwood.
"Damon, Vanessa," Carol said, pleasantly surprised that we showed up.
"Hi," Damon said, kissing Carol in the cheek and I followed suit.
"Elijah," Carol turned to Elijah and our eyes met briefly. "I want you to meet Damon Salvatore and Vanessa Gilbert. Their families are one of Mystic Falls' founding families."
"Nice to meet you, Elijah," I said silkily and holding my gaze, he brought my hand to his lips.
"As am I," he said and Damon placed a hand on my shoulder and with a tight grip, he literally pushed me away from Elijah, breaking the contact.
"Such a pleasure to meet you," Damon said politely although his eyes showed the opposite. Elijah too had the same look in his eyes and I really hoped Damon won't do anything stupid. But knowing Damon, I knew he would.
"No, pleasure's mine," he said and the two of them stared down at each other.
I grasped Damon's hand and sent him don't-do-anything-stupid look before nodding at Elijah and Damon. I walked toward Alaric as the two vampires entered a room.
"What's Damon doing with Elijah?" John who suddenly walked up asked Alaric. I quickened my pace to them and narrowed my eyes at my supposed father.
"Vanessa," he greeted and I rolled my eyes.
"Go bother someone else, John," I sneered and he looked irritated that I interrupted their conversation.
"Does Jenna know about your extracurricular activities? Maybe it's time we tell her. I mean, she can't stay in the dark forever," John said tauntingly and Alaric looked at him in hatred.
"You're a dick," he muttered and I laughed.
"Are you jealous because Isobel doesn't talk about you as much as she does on Ric?" I asked with a smirk and I swore I could see steam coming out of his ears.
"The same goes to you, Vanessa. You can't keep Jeremy and Jenna in the dark forever," he said and I could feel my eyes turned red and veins popping underneath them as my blood boiled. John seemed alarmed by my sudden change of appearance but hold on his ground.
"I don't see any ring on your finger, which means you aren't coming back if I kill you," I spat, taking a step toward John and I saw a flicker of fear in his eyes. I smirked mockingly, flashing my fangs. He scoffed at both of us, before walking away quickly.
"Oh my God, I really want to tear him apart," I said through my gritted teeth and my face changed back to normal as I turned to look at Alaric. He chuckled, shaking his head at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Nah, you reminded me of Damon," he said and I gasped, pretending to be hurt by that insult.
"Hey, I'm not that stupid," I said and on cue, the door opened. Elijah walked out gracefully, his dark eyes searched for mine and he narrowed them slightly. He gave me a curt nod before walking away. Damon appeared a while later, holding a white handkerchief against his bleeding neck.
"See, I'm not that stupid," I said with a grin. "What's up?" I asked Damon teasingly and he groaned.
"Shut up," he scowled childishly and I laughed.
I'd have to say, I was closer to Damon than I was to Stefan. Other than he was always with Elena, he was so broody! It was impossible to stay in the room with him without frowning. With Damon, we just clicked. I like the fact that he knew how to have fun but…he was trying not to. Because of Elena. That sucks, to change just because you are in love with someone. Alaric? He was kind of like a father figure to me. He kept me and Damon in line and to know that he used to be a vampire hunter, I was surprised at how cool he was with us being vampires.
Another thing that I like about hanging out with Damon? You can be a vampire around him. And have some bourbon too. And blood. In the Gilbert's house, I was the old human Vanessa. Sipping the bourbon, I pushed the thought far behind my mind.
"Today was a bust," Damon commented dryly and I grinned.
"Yeah, how's the throat?" Alaric asked, slightly concerned.
"Sore," Damon grumbled causing me to snicker. "Oh shut up, Nessie," Damon hissed and I gaped at the nickname. "Nessie, Nessie, Nessie," he said mockingly and I rolled my eyes at his surprisingly childish behavior.
"Why would you even go against him? That guy's ancient," I scolded him and he made a face.
"Right, Elijah's one scary dude, but with nice hair," Alaric said with a grin and Damon and I shared an incredulous look together.
"No he doesn't," I said, grimacing at Alaric's compliment which made him chuckled.
"And he's into you too," Alaric commented. "You can use her," he said to Damon and I narrowed my eyes at the human.
"He's not into me. It just happened that I looked like his ex-girlfriend," I snapped, sounding way too bitter about it.
"Cassidy? Tch, she could do much better than Elijah," Damon scowled.
"Jealous?" I asked.
"Nah," he mumbled, finishing his drink.
"You want another one?" Alaric asked Damon, getting up from the couch. He took Damon's glass and turned to me but I shook my head.
"He's gonna be hard to kill," Damon said and I turned sharply at him.
"Are you planning to kill Elijah?" I asked, surprised and he gave me a smirk, ignoring my question.
"Yeah. I'd think twice before I'd trust that dagger and some ashes to do the job," Alaric mumbled as he poured more Bourbon. "You're gonna need more info," he told, glancing at me.
"Are you up to this?" Damon asked me and I narrowed my eyes.
"I made a deal with Elijah to keep Elena safe. I'm not going to kill him," I said and he raised his eyebrow at me.
"Are you really going to put Elena's life in his hand?" Damon asked me and I rolled my eyes.
"He's a thousand years old vampire. He handled you just like this," I said, snapping my finger and Damon glared at me, annoyed that I hurt his vampire-ego.
"You never know what he's capable of, Vanessa," Alaric said and I pursed my lips.
"So, what do you know of this?" Damon asked, pulling out a silver dagger.
"Let me see it," I said, gesturing Damon to throw it at me.
"Nuh-uh," he said and I gaped.
"You don't trust me?" I asked, slightly hurt and he grimaced at my question.
"I'm just being careful," he replied and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. If that's a weapon to kill an Original, I don't know. Maybe I could ask Elijah," I said sarcastically and Alaric snorted.
"I really think you can use her to get more info from Elijah," Alaric commented and I laughed dryly.
"I'm no Katherine," I said, looking at Damon and he scowled at me. "What's up with you and Andie anyway?" I asked, changing the topic.
"She's got spunk huh?" he asked and I rolled my eyes while Alaric seemed disturbed.
"Just don't kill her, please," he said, slightly begging.
"If I did, who would report her death?" Damon asked and I laughed before stopping abruptly at Alaric's glare.
"Just don't do it, all right? She's friends with Jenna, and it's bad enough that I'm lying to her about everything else. I hate the lies," he said and looked at me.
"Didn't you promise Jenna to spend the night together?" I asked, changing the topic swiftly.
"Oh God, what time is it?" he asked looking at his phone. "I got to go. I have to pick her up. Don't worry, I'll, uh, show myself out."
"Good luck!" Damon said.
"Have fun!" I called out.
Damon seemed to be drifting into sleep, so I got up from the couch to his alcohol station and poured myself some bourbon. I jumped when I heard a loud, crashing noise from the hallway and looked at Damon worriedly.
"Stay here," Damon whispered, before going to the hallway.
"Damon?" I called out when he didn't return. Out of nowhere I was being grabbed by the neck and I slammed him into the wall instantly. "Damon!" I shouted, but my scream was muffled as my attacker slammed my head into the wall, before snapping my neck.
"Morning, sunshine. Nice of you to join us," a man's voice said snidely when I woke up. Shifting my weight, I winced at the wood piercing into my neck and saw Damon chained up just like me.
"Maybe she'll talk," a blonde woman said and gestured a man to me. He picked up the chain and the wood pierced into my neck and I grunted in pain.
"Where's the moonstone?" she asked and I laughed mockingly, although it came out like grunts. The man pulled the chain again, tightening the collar making the wood pierced into my neck again and I held back the scream.
"Oh, if you only knew the irony of this moment right now," Damon said, and I breathed heavily when the wood was out of my neck. "Let me tell you how this is gonna go. You're gonna torture us, we don't talk, someone loses a heart. Last time, it was your boy Mason," Damon said tauntingly and I glanced at him.
"You killed Mason? Good riddance," I said, provoking them and the werewolf growled.
"This time, it'll be you," Jules said through her gritted teeth. The man pulled the chain on Damon, and he groaned in pain.
"Are you here to avenge Mason?" I asked, trying to change the topic to stop them from torturing Damon. Jules looked at me and I smirked. "You knew he was going to betray you either way, right? He was going to hand the moonstone over to Kathy," I said with a smirk.
"Where's the moonstone?" Jules asked again.
"Maybe Kathy has it. Thanks to Mason," I said mockingly and Jules pointed her shotgun at my cheek.
"You know what the great thing about buckshot is? It scatters through the body, maximum damage," she said threateningly and I made a mocking impressed face although I was beyond nervous. "So unless you want me to blow up your pretty face, tell me where the moonstone is," she said and I gave her a smile.
"Get over it, honey. You're never gonna get it," I mocked and she growled, standing up and aimed her shotgun at me.
"Where is the moonstone?" she asked, jaw clenched.
"Mason had it. And guess what he was going to do with it?" I asked mockingly and she pulled the trigger. A loud, shrilling scream of pain erupted from me and Damon growled aggressively, trying to free himself from the chains.
"Where's the moonstone?" Jules asked, turning to Damon and if looks could kill, Jules would be long dead. I blinked back the tears as the pain consumed me and gasped for breaths. It hurt to breathe but I couldn't help it. It was too much. Jules was right. It totally scattered through the body, shattering my bone and muscle tissues. Damon was seething and I felt cared. He looked as if he was going to kill Jules for hurting me, Elena's sister. That was very nice of him. Never knew he had it in him.
"You're looking for this?" I blinked back the tears and searched for Elijah at the sound of his voice. I breathed in relief, before wincing at the pain of the wound. He was leaning against the door frame, playing with the moonstone in his hand. His eyes met mine and he searched for wounds on my body. His eyes darkened before he turned his attention back to the werewolves. Keeping his cool, he walked elegantly down the stairs and placed the moonstone on a table, before taking several steps back.
"Go ahead, take it," he said nonchalantly. One of the werewolves rushed towards the moonstone but Elijah was faster, and ripped his heart off his chest. Two werewolves flashed towards him together but Elijah ripped both of their hearts with his hands. Jules ran away and the man who was torturing us squatted down and stupidly covered his face with his jacket.
"What about you, sweetheart?" Elijah asked, walking over to him. "Hmm? You want to take a shot? Yes? No? Yes?" he asked mockingly and I rolled my eyes. "Where's the girl?" he asked, looking around the room.
"I don't know," Damon replied.
"It doesn't really matter," he said, before looking at the werewolf who seemed really terrified. Elijah punched him in the jaw, and I heard a sickening crack coming from the poor werewolf's neck. He pulled the chains that were strapping Damon down and did the same to me.
"So you realize this is the third time I've saved your life now?" Elijah asked Damon although it was more of a statement. Damon didn't reply and just looked at the Original.
"Or maybe you could come a bit sooner," I remarked and he gave me a light smirk before turning around and grabbed the moonstone.
"Goodnight," I said to Damon who had just returned after changing. I threw the empty blood bag away and Damon narrowed his eyes.
"Who's gonna help me clean this up?" he asked and I gaped. How can someone still care about their house cleanliness after almost getting killed by a pack of werewolves? I can't believe this.
"I'm injured, remember?" I said, using that as an excuse and he rolled his eyes.
"Do you need help to remove that?" he asked, looking slightly concerned.
"It's gonna be nasty. I prefer to do it alone," I said, wincing as I touched the already healed wound. It had a little bump, the bullet was still there and it rubbed against my bone if I moved my shoulder too quickly.
"Alright," Damon said, and I left the boarding house. Jenna wasn't home and Jeremy was in his room. I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and headed to my room. I made sure to lock the door and took off my jacket.
"You can do this," I said to myself, looking at my reflection in the mirror, and taking a deep breath. Just before I cut my skin, my phone buzzed and it was Caroline.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Elijah's planning to kill Elena all along. He's going to kill Klaus after the sacrifice," Caroline said.
"Are you sure? After the sacrifice?" I asked, trying to ignore the feeling of betrayal crawling up under my skin.
"After the sacrifice," Caroline confirmed and I sucked in a deep breath.
"Are you okay?" she asked. I didn't know why she asked me that, but I wasn't okay. Emotionally and physically.
"Yeah, rough night. A couple of werewolves attacked us," I said.
"What happened?" Caroline asked, worried.
"They attacked us, trying to get the moonstone," I replied. "That werewolf bitch shot me with a shotgun," I said grudgingly and I can see Caroline fuming.
"Are you okay?" she asked again and I nodded, absentmindedly brushing the bump below my collarbone.
"Yeah…Elijah saved the day," I said lowly.
"Vanessa, I'm so sorry," she said and I frowned.
"What for?" I asked and she sighed.
"I know about Cassandra and Elijah. Stefan told me everything," she said and I pursed my lips, irritated.
"I really need to get this bullet out. I'll talk to you later," I said sharply and I heard Caroline sighing.
"Alright, take care. I love you," she said and I hummed.
"You too," I said with a sighed and hung up. I called Elijah, and asked him to come to my house. He had saved me, and I…I thought we actually had a thing. He was hard to read, but I had always been good at reading people. Or maybe every time he saw me, I just reminded him of Cassandra. Maybe the faintest care that I saw in his eyes when he looked at me was for that Petrova doppelganger. I sighed irritably. Now I get it why Katherine hates Elena.
"Oh God…" I groaned, running a hand through my hair. I was a mess. Inside and out. I can't be falling for him. Attracted maybe, but love? No. He was an attractive man, it was impossible not to fall for him.
A knock came from the door and I quickly pulled my hair to the side to cover the wound and opened the door.
"Why did you call me here?" Elijah asked, walking past me casually. My blood boiled and I glanced at the knife on my dressing table. Would he actually kill me if I thrust that knife into his heart?
"You were planning to kill Elena all along," I said, surprised at how composed I was. He stopped at his track and slowly turned to me.
"How did you know this?" he asked calmly and I glared at him, hurt.
"I trusted you," I said, emphasizing every word that was dripping with venom.
"That's the only way to kill Klaus, Vanessa. Right after the sacrifice, he will be at his weakest," he said, slowly making his way to me. "I made you a promise that Elena will remain safe, and I intend to keep it," he said softly and clearly. I shot him my death glare.
"How?" I asked.
"Five centuries ago, I obtained an elixir from a group of witches for Katerina. But as you can see, she took matters in her own hands," he said and I scoffed slightly. "I gave you my word that Elena will be safe, Vanessa. I won't betray you," he said softly and I took a deep breath.
"You're sure it would work?" I asked, sceptical and he nodded.
"Yes, you have my word," he said and I nodded.
"Fine."
"Do you need help with that?" he asked me softly, brushing his hand on my wound and I flinched.
"I'm good," I snapped, sitting down in front of my dressing table, taking the knife.
"I can help you," he stated and I rolled my eyes.
"I can manage just fine," I said sharply and saw he smiled through the mirror.
"Let me help you," he said, pushing my blond locks behind my shoulder.
"You're just trying to find a reason to cut me with a knife, aren't you?" I asked and he chuckled lightly as he took the knife from me. I hissed when he pierced the knife into my skin, and took a sharp breath. Warm and thick liquid oozed from the cut and I watched him took a sharp breath.
"You haven't told your sister yet?" he asked, trying to distract me.
"I don't know how," I admitted, tightening my grip on his shirt as he dug through my tissues. "How did you tell Cassandra that you are a vampire?" I asked and watched as he grabbed the tweezers.
"I wasn't planning to but I realized I couldn't keep lying to her," he said after a while.
"How did she react?" I asked him quietly.
"She took it quite well. She said it didn't change how she felt about me," he said and I noticed a hint of doubt in his voice but questioned him no further. I let out a sigh once he pulled the bullet out and thanked him.
"Do you trust me?" I asked him suddenly and he looked at me, trying to read me.
"I do," he answered after a long silence.
"Doesn't seem like it," I remarked and he paused. I pulled out the tissue and headed to the bathroom. Elijah leaned against the doorframe, watching me cleaning myself up. I was a bloody mess, like literally.
"When you've lived for a thousand years, you'll find it hard to completely trust someone," he murmured quietly.
"Seems like I have lots to learn," I said and I saw him smiled through the mirror.
"I saw how you care for your family, Vanessa. You would do anything to make sure they are safe from harm," he said and I smiled sadly, wiping the stains of dried blood on my skin.
"The question is, will they do the same for me?" I asked softly to myself.
"You can take care of yourself just fine. Trust me," he said comfortingly and I found myself smiling at his words.
"Katherine taught me a lot of things," I told him and he raised an eyebrow.
"Are you close with Katerina?" he asked and I pursed my lips, debating what answer should I give.
"She's like a sister to me. Without her, I'm not who I am today," I said and he laughed.
"Do you think you owe her for what you've become?" he asked and I shrugged.
"I guess. She taught me how to survive, how to fight. She taught me how to control my hunger. If it wasn't for her, I might have hurt Jeremy or Elena," I said, walking past him, to my closet.
"I think even without her, you'll be just fine. You…" he trailed off when I took off my shirt and I glanced over my shoulder, smirking at him. "…are one hell of a vampire," he said and I laughed at his words and looked into my closet for a new shirt.
"When you look at me," I said, still pretending to search for a new shirt. "Who do you see?" I asked him lowly, not really wanting to hear the answer.
"I see Vanessa when I look at you. I didn't see her," he said gently and I blinked my eyes, straightening up and looked at him.
"I can't tell if you're lying or not," I confessed, meeting his gaze. I had to know if he liked me, if he cared for me. I need to know that before I fell deeper and deeper into this mess. How can Elena love Stefan? Stefan was once in love with Katherine, the girl that looked exactly like her. How can she ignore that?
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but-" I stopped myself. I was attacked by werewolves today and I almost died. I was clearly not in the right state to talk about feelings.
"I care for you," he said, as if reading my mind. Shocked, I looked up at him. He was in front of me in a second and he looked deeply into my eyes. "I thought it was because you look like her. But today, I realized. I do care for you," he said and I took a deep breath.
"I…I don't know what to say," I said. I wasn't one to deal with this kind of thing. I wasn't sure if I cared or loved him but he was clearly something else to me. He was special in a way, although I wasn't going to say that out loud.
"Vampires never like to deal with their feelings," he said, bringing his hand to my face. "Because our emotions are all heightened."
"Right," I agreed and he smiled, admiring my face. Then I realized, I was only with my jeans and bra. That was embarrassing. Clearing my throat, I took a step back from him and slipped on the shirt.
"It's getting late," he said, clearing his throat, trying to keep his cool.
"Yeah," I nodded, and ran my hand over my hair because I had no idea what to do.
"Goodnight, Vanessa," he said and I nodded. Watching him turned his back to leave, I realized I didn't want him to leave.
"Wait," I said, appearing in front of him. He wasn't startled, but he stopped abruptly. Ignoring the questioning look of his, I pulled the collar of his shirt down, bringing his lips to meet mine. I had kissed him before, but that time was different. I was posing as Cassandra, his lover. He had kissed me with love and passion, thinking I was his dead lover. But this kiss was much more different. Maybe because he was kissing me, not Cassandra.
I pushed the image of the older version of me, with sweet smile and soft blue eyes, wearing fancy dress out of my mind. The new shirt that I had just put on was now on the floor, and I ripped Elijah's buttoned shirt apart, the buttons falling to the floor. Feeling his warm skin against my body, I sighed, I'd never felt so hot, so needy before. We were lost in passion, until Elijah seemed to snap out of his mind and slammed me against the wall.
"What are you trying to pull, Vanessa?" he growled lowly, his hand was on my throat. It didn't really hurt me, but enough to show me that he was serious.
Frowning, I pushed him off me. "You actually think I have motive to sleep with you?" I shouted in whispers but angrily, knowing I'd be dead if Jenna or Jeremy found out about this. Still fuming, I brought my hand to slap him in the face. "Maybe that'll wake you up. Not everyone has motives," I growled, breathing heavily.
Running a hand through my hair frustratingly, I huffed. "Get out," I scoffed, picking up the shirt on the floor and dusted it off before wearing it. Elijah stood there for a moment, but when I turned around, he was gone. All that left was the smell of his cologne and my frustration.
"Damn vampire," I muttered under my breath, and search for my hidden stash of alcohol.