"Emily?" He stared for long moments at her. She seemed much more solid than Lexi had. He could smell her, nearly hear her heartbeat. She almost seemed real.
"Do not question your sanity Mister Salvatore. I am only this real because it is easier for you this way. I won't remain as such for very long." She moved closer to him and he backed up slightly, moving towards the fireplace. "Are you frightened Mister Salvatore...of me?" She moved closer with a small sway of her skirts. He moved backwards until he was up against the wall. She moved in front of him, her course hand reaching up to stroke the side of his face.
"What do you want Emily?" She continued her irritatingly soft stroking and he turned away from her gaze.
"You are hardened Mister Salvatore. It is so unfortunate that you have closed your heart to the world. You used to be so carefree...so innocent." His face changed at her statements and he growled a deep guttural sound, signaling his displeasure. She stepped back slightly, curtsying as she had one many times before. She stepped back, lifted the creamy envelope off the floor before laying it gently on the end table.
"Have you come to warn me off of seeking Katherine or some such nonsense?" A sharp giggle erupted from the spirit and he sputtered lightly. Emily had never shown much sense of amusement while around Katherine. She was always on guard, watching for some danger to her mistress.
"Of course not Mister Salvatore. I have no such power. I am merely here to guide you through the past. We should visit you during your human years." She moved fluidly until she was next to Damon once more. "Come Mister Salvatore," she said while offering her arm.
"And If I should refuse and return to my drinking?"
"Then you lose out on an opportunity to find happiness. It really is your choice." She turned to face him, starring up at him from under her bonnet. He watched her for a moment. She had been a beauty but he had never taken the time to really notice. Katherine had always distracted him from noticing others.
He sighed lightly knowing what must be done. Emily had, after all, always done right by him even when Katherine disagreed. She had often protected him from things he could not comprehend, shielding him from Katherine's deadly pleasures. She had even tried to warn him of Katherine's duplicity but he had been too foolish to listen.
"Very well but let's make it quick. I'm feeling peckish and I might need to find some young girls to amuse me tomorrow." He linked arms with her and waited to wake up from this silly dream.
"As you wish Mister Salvatore."
"Call me Dam-" He nearly screamed as he was sucked forward. His body felt as though it was tearing from his bones as he seemed to fall down a hole.
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He hit the ground with a crash, loud groaning issuing from his lips. His eyes opened slowly and he was met with the sun overhead, shining down on the Salvatore gardens. He sat up quickly, glancing around at the familiar, yet strange sights. He glanced down at himself, noticing quickly that he was dressed in the period garb. He reached up and toyed with the slightly longer hair, in the fashion he kept it during the 1860s. He listened for a moment, taking his pulse and realized with sudden clarity that he was human.
"Do not panic Mister Salvatore." Emily stepped out from the woods quietly, moving towards him quickly. "You are not human again, just merely borrowing your human shell for this venture."
"But how...?" He stood up, dusting the dirt from the rich fabrics. It had been a long time since he had been so completely decked out in societal fabrics. He had shied away from fancy clothes, minus the designer labels, as soon as possible. Quite suddenly he realized how much he missed his leather jacket. He had not been without it for so long. He could hardly remember a time before he wore...the forties; it must have been about then.
"It will be more worthwhile if you experience what you need to see. Standing by and watching quietly never accomplishes much of anything, unless of course you are not invited to the party." Emily reached out comfortingly and threaded her arm with his. "Now Mister Salvatore, would you be so kind as to escort me back to my mistress? Miss Katherine does not like to be kept waiting."
"As I well remember." He moved forward, escorting Emily through the brush and over the bridge until he could see the house looming in the distance.
"You should know Mister Salvatore that in this time you are aware of Katherine's...abnormality. You have been intimate with her and you are completely under her spell. Remember that you mustn't try to change things. This is only a mirror of that time, not the true past." He nodded absent-mindedly as he considered that in a few moments he would see the woman he loved. Perhaps this dream would be worthwhile after all.
The approached the house quickly and he was pleased that Emily had stopped talking about the rules of this world. As they neared the garden maze he heard Katherine's giggle issuing from the veranda.
"Why Mr. Salvatore, you are letting me win I think."
"Now why would you think that Miss Pierce?" Her soft giggle erupted again.
"You flirt as well as your sons. They also shamelessly let me win...Mr. Salvatore!" Damon grew surprised by the sound she had made. He nearly rushed along to see her but Emily held him back.
"You are supposed to be gone all day. You should be careful how quickly you show yourself." He nodded slightly. "Come into the house and you may see what has been transpiring." He followed her guiding arm until they were inside the house.
"Where are the servants?"
"They have been dismissed. Katherine often had them dismissed when she had lives to ruin." He followed her through the parlor until he heard a feminine moan issuing from the veranda. They moved closer until they could see. He nearly gasped at the sight but Emily silenced him quickly.
Before them, Katherine was wearing her white petticoats while his father was on his knees. Katherine's leg was thrown over his shoulder as he pleasured her in an obvious way.
"Why Mr. Salvatore you do that divinely." Damon watched as his father moved back in order to nearly worship the vampiress in front of him. "Did I ask you to stop?"
"Stefan will be home soon. We cannot risk him finding us."
"I suppose you are right. I shall retire upstairs and call Emily. We can continue this another time." She stood quickly, walking through the house with a sway of her hips. "Emily!"
"Yes mistress?" Emily pushed Damon back into the alcove as she move into Katherine's view.
"Help me dress. I must entertain Damon tonight. He shall accompany me feeding I think."
"And Mister Stefan?" Damon watched as Katherine turned sharply, a soft expression appearing on her face for a second.
"No. He...will not see that until...not until later." She moved towards the stairs but paused at the bottom. "Oh and Emily, follow me in a few moments. I need to speak to Young Anna. She has been waiting for so long." She flew up the stairs quickly. Emily walked over to Damon and waited for him to begin.
"She was...with Father?"
"Yes. She used him since the moment she was invited in. She conquered him slowly, promising him things in exchange for loyalty. He was not very hard to take since he had been so long without female companionship. She was with Anna as well. Anna came here often as she was quite devoted to Katherine."
"So she had us all fooled then?" He turned to stare out the windows, noting with some displeasure that Pearl was marching towards the house with Jonathan Gilbert.
"Oh yes. She used you all. Only Pearl remained disenchanted. While friends, Pearl knew who Katherine was. You all came to her like lambs to the slaughter and she knew how easily you were kept. Come Mister Salvatore, you should change into your evening coat." She led him calmly up the stairs, pausing in front of Katherine's door.
"Please Mistress...I need...oh please!" Anna's quiet pleading issued from the other side. Damon listened as a quick slap was issued.
"Oh I know what you need little Anna. You need your release little flower." She paused for a moment and listened intently. "Your mother will be here in five minutes time. If you should want it then you must come to me..." Her voice grew muffled as Emily ushered him past the door.
"Anna was played with quite frequently. Katherine always liked to train young ones. Quick now into your room!" She pushed him inside before bustling back down the hall to Katherine's room. Two short raps on the door occurred before he could hear Anna rushing down the steps in order to meet her mother.
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An hour later Damon descended the stairs and moved towards the dining area. He knew the evening meal would be served soon and he was anxious to continue his realizations. He turned the corner and found Katherine reclining on the settee.
"Darling Damon, won't you come and sit with me?" He nodded curtly, moving to sit in the chair nearby her. Her coquettish eyes attempted their playful seduction while he played his part well. He leaned forward until she could kiss him roughly, her fangs emerging for a second to nick his lips. He pulled some of his blood from him, licking the stray drops from his mouth. "You taste lovely. I should sample you later."
She sat up suddenly, straightening her skirts until she was the picture of innocence. Damon watched as Stefan tripped into the room. He rolled his eyes at the picture of innocence he portrayed.
"Oh Stefan, I missed your company today. It was ever so boring without you. Won't you come and talk with me and Damon?"
"I'm not really dressed for polite society Katherine. I...should really change into more suitable clothes..."
"Nonsense," she waved dismissively, "I quite like your riding clothes. They make you look rugged, like a rogue or bandit. Come sit with us and in order to not anger your father, you should sit on the floor there so I may fix your hair." Stefan moved towards Katherine like a moth to a flame. He sat quickly and she immediately busied herself with playing with Stefan's hair. She twisted and curled and whispered sweet nothings, all the while pretending Damon was not even there.
This was perfectly fine by Damon because it gave him time to consider the happenings. He remembered this weekend perfectly. He had gone into town to purchase a beautiful trinket from the Lockwood's. They had recently returned from a European trip and they had purchased trinkets to sell to the locals. He had wanted the most expensive for Katherine, to prove he loved her more. He had returned and found Katherine reclining on the settee and the following events had transpired. He had never known what had gone on throughout the day.
He sat there dumbfounded watching the dust particles float through the room. He had thought at the time that Stefan was little competition that could be dealt with eventually. He would inherit the land and power, not Stefan. He could offer her enough income to live in luxury without compulsion. He could be bloodthirsty while Stefan hid from the nastier things. How could she even want him? He had always been docile, submissive, and easily-led. How could she prefer that to someone with passion?
He rose suddenly, making apologetic murmurs to escape the room. He strode briskly out of the front door and walked down the lane. He walked, not really thinking of where he was going. He walked through the trees, not appreciating the beauty of the moonlight trickling through the branches. He walked for a long time, hours seeming to pass him by. He noticed a boulder sitting in a small clearing and he sat down, leaning back to stare at the stars.
He felt calm lying here, calmer than he had felt for years. He closed his eyes and rested softly unsure of why he was here. There was nothing for miles and yet here he was lying in a field.
"I thought I might find you here." He shot up staring into the shadows. He let out a sigh of relief when Emily emerged from the treeline. She moved quickly to his side and he made room for her on the boulder.
"Why would I be here? There is nothing special here."
"Because there is something here in the present day. There is something important in this spot. Do you know what it is?"
He turned and stared at the open field, trying desperately to attribute distance in his mind from the Salvatore mansion. He contemplated the distance carefully but drew a blank. "The Grill?"
"No. This is where Miss Elena lives. In 125 years Grayson and Miranda Gilbert will purchase the house in this spot and soon after Miss Elena will be adopted. It is interesting that even here you sought out that comfort." She trailed off as she let him consider her words.
"I wasn't even paying attention. I stopped a few hundred feet back and there was no reason for it."
"Perhaps...although you may want to consider where that spot is in the present day."
He grew quiet, knowing that spot was the where he saw Elena for the first time. She was walking home from school and he had quietly observed her at a distance. He had stopped short when he saw her, amazed at the similarities to Katherine, as well as the differences.
"Are you ready to go? You have a few more visitors to deal with tonight." She offered her arm to him and he reached out, sighing the whole time. Once again he felt a pulling and tumbling sensation, signaling his return to the present.
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"Rise and shine Sweetie-pie." He felt a slight shaking and he groaned as he came to. He glanced around and noticed Lexi reclining on the sofa nearby.
"Not you again." He groaned, climbing onto the settee and grabbing the bottle of bourbon nearby. He took a swig, shuddering at the taste. He wasn't overly fond of bourbon but it would do.
"I'm assuming you didn't learn anything valuable from your trip then?" He shook his head at her question before resuming his drinking.
"I learned Katherine was even more of a bitch then I realized but other than that, no." She stood quickly and stared down at him.
"Well then the next one will be along shortly. I'm going for a walk and I'll meet you here around 3a.m." He watched as she moved out of the parlor and out onto the patio. He shook his head mumbling about how much he hated annoying women. Before he could complete the thought the stereo turned on, blasting rock music. He could hear the sound of high heels clicking down the wooden floors. He stood up quickly, dropping the bottle of bourbon and wincing as it shattered on the floor.
"Well you seem to be awfully boring now. I remember that you used to be fun!" He spun around looking for the voice but came up empty. He continued searching, hearing laughing coming from the landing above. He glanced up but it was empty. He turned swiftly and grimaced at the person reclining on the couch.
"Hello Damon."
"Hello...Vicki."
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So here is Chapter Two. Next time join Damon and Vicki in a visit to the present. What did you think of Katherine's behavior? What about Damon finding the spot where Elena's house will be built? Please let me know! Reviews are awesome!
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