HEY!
So here is the next chapter. It took me a while to write and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I hope you like it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampires Diaries or One Tree Hill or any of the characters; exceptions are Tari, Allen, Liam, Rebecca, Regina and Axel (and the concept of demons)
Chapter Eighteen
The Red Leather Box
Oh God. This is it. This is how I'm going to die. I'm going to die...on the school field. Of all the places to die, it would be at school. Joy. As if I didn't spend enough time here already.
Tari almost felt queasy as the woman continued to drag her across the field. Her heart was hammering and she felt as if her legs were going to give out. Who was this woman? And why did she want her? It wasn't as if Tari was special, was it?
Half-human, half-vampire...
But that didn't mean anything. So what if she was born from a vampire – weren't vampires technically humans, ones that didn't age and had a strange desire for blood... She couldn't even convince herself anymore. She was different, had known it all her life. That's why Damon always kept such a tight grip on her; he knew it too.
She didn't even realise that they had made it half way across the field. Without thinking she broke free of the grip the woman had on her arm. She hadn't expected the woman to relinquish her grasp on her arm so easily and fell to the floor. Pain sprung down her spine like dancing deer, and Tari couldn't help but wince slightly because of it. She should have leapt up the second she broke free, but had left it too late. Now the woman was standing over her, and she was downright intimidating. She looked as if she was going to face Tari down, like they were two warriors about to do battle.
"Listen to me child," the woman said without a hint of sensitivity. "I am not going to harm you. I simply needed to get you on your own. I have observed you, and I could not see any other way to get you on your own then take you out of your lessons."
"Why?" spat Tari. If she was going to be taken or killed, she wasn't going to go down without a fight. "Couldn't you just talk to me with people around?"
"We can sit in a restaurant if it will put you at ease. I do not want anyone of significance to see us together, however, so if you insist then we will have to travel a little further. I take it that you do not want to be in a car with me."
No she didn't. She didn't even want to be in a field with her, but at least she could scream or have a chance of running away. In a car she wouldn't have either of those options.
"Why do you want to talk to me?" Tari said. She was cold and a little muddy, but she didn't dare stand. Not yet. Conserve her strength, get ready so she could spring up, giving her a head start.
"There is a grave matter that I need to talk to you about. Believe it or not I am doing this for your benefit, not my own." The woman had a sudden look of self-righteousness which Tari hated. She was pleased with herself? Good for her. But Tari had every right to be nervous. This woman didn't have a clue what she had been through to make her this edgy.
"How do I know this isn't some trick to get me to go with you?"
The woman looked her straight in the eye. "I would not harm you, Nefertari Salvatore, because I knew your mother."
The young girl gave the woman her complete attention. Her eyes searched the woman, seemingly trying to tell if she was speaking the truth. In reality she was trying to recognise her. Tari could not remember ever seeing this woman before, though she did look a little familiar. But Tari could not for the life of her place her in any scene of her life or her mother's.
"You're lying," she declared.
This was the first time that Tari saw the flash of anger on her face; instantly Tari tensed, crouching forward so when she got up she would be on her feet and not lose her balance. The woman bent down a little closer to her so Tari couldn't help but look at her face. "Her favourite clothing shop in New York was Strawberry, not because of the clothes but because you liked shopping there; she adored horses because she went to her friend Brian's farm when she was a teenager and learnt how to ride; she got tears in her eyes when she heard the song My heart will go on by Celine Dion; she barely ever cooked at home despite the fact that she was a chef and made brilliant food; she couldn't speak another language to save herself; and her world changed forever when she realised that Damon Salvatore was a vampire. In some ways I knew your mother even better than you did child. I have come to you today because I would be doing her a great disservice if I did not."
Tari was frozen on the ground, realising that this woman knew personal things about her mother – things that, Tari was ashamed to say, she had forgotten over time. Either this woman had been her mother's friend or she had an incredible ability on spying on them – and must have done so for years.
She straightened up, looking down at Tari. "Are you satisfied now?"
Slowly Tari stood. The woman did not move closer to her in an attempt to force her down, but stayed stock still, watching her. It was then Tari noticed that the woman held herself regally, back straight and head up. She gave the impression of confidence, and Tari knew she must have some, since she had told her a lie about being from Yale University convincingly enough.
"You knew my mother," Tari stated. She said it because she wanted her to know that she believed her. The woman did not give any indication that she had heard her; she simply kept her eyes on the girl. "Is your last name really Smith?"
The woman smiled at her then, giving a little chuckle. "I will give you a little advice: never trust anyone who says they are named Smith. It is almost always a cover. Though I have been given many names, my real name is Regina Fairchild. I will explain myself in good time, but first I need to know whether you are prepared to listen."
Every once and a while a person stands at a crossroads. The decision they make will change their lives. Sometimes there is no "right" choice; the roads will simply take you different places, change your future. One road may be the safer route, the one that the person who is cautious takes, so not to get themselves hurt; the other road may be more dangerous, a road that only serious risk-takers will take. Tari was facing such a decision then. To go with this Regina woman could possibly a huge mistake – recently Tari had learnt what could happen if she took the risky route. Caleb was a prime example. Yet she couldn't help but remember that defeating the vampire had been one of her greatest triumphs, something she had been able to point to and say, "I was brave." She even admired the bite mark, a battle scar. Once again she was facing a crossroads, the riskier choice standing in front of her. She had to ask herself whether the end justified the means.
Later, she would point to this moment and say that this was when her life changed. Perhaps it had not particularly shown, but every future decision she had was influenced after she had talked to Regina.
"Yes," Tari said, looking Regina in the eye. "I am."
xXx
I wait three days. Remarkable really that I managed to wait that long. I was going to give her a week, but when I woke up this morning I couldn't bear the thought of another four days without at least knowing. I have paced up and down in this motel, drunk whatever I could lay my hands on (which is a lot) and practically gnawed my own leg off in worry. I didn't dare go back to Mystic Falls. Stefan and Elena would take one look at my face and ask me a billion questions and I'm not ready for that yet. I can't be ready until I know what's going on. I need to know what Rebecca is thinking; I need to at least explain to her. She needs to know all the dangers.
When she opens the door I can tell she feels like shit, just like me. She looks pale with big circles underneath her eyes. Worried that she is about to slam the door in my face I say, "We need to talk."
Once again she doesn't show any fear. She widens the door and I step forward. Turning round I focus on her. She crosses her arms. "What do you have to say?"
I can't help the slight grin that forms on my face. "What, am I a twelve year old?"
She sends me a serious look. "Damon, please."
I sigh. "Take a seat."
"I'd rather stand."
"It's a long story."
She faces me, though the table was a nice enough buffer for her. She sits back, hands folded in her lap. "Go on."
As usual I start at the beginning. "I was turned a vampire in 1864. I was twenty three years old." I am met with stunned silence; of all the things she expected, it wasn't this. I can tell by her face that she hadn't thought that I was from that long ago. "You remember when I told you about Katherine? She was a vampire, and she was the one that turned me and Stefan.
"Like I said, I was crazy in love with her. So it sent me off the deep end. I compelled and killed many people during those years between 1864 and 2009."
"Compelled?"
Of course, she doesn't know. "One of the many gifts of vampires is that they can compel a person. Basically it means that I can tell a person to do something and they have to do it. No questions asked; they can't refuse."
She is aghast. "Have you compelled me?"
"No. The first time we met I...well, I tried."
"But?"
"I couldn't compel you. I don't know why – I assume that you must have had vervain on you. It is the most important thing that you can possibly do. Vervain is an herb, and ever since I met you I've been putting vervain in that tea-"
"You mean that disgusting tea you've been making me drink?"
"Yeah – and that bracelet I gave you, and that ring that you wear all the time? They have vervain in them. They'll protect from compulsion. It's always wise for you to drink that tea, because then if a vampire drinks your blood then it will weaken the vampire."
She puts her hands on her head, looking down at the table. "Hold on a second," she murmurs.
It's too much for her. I reach out, a little nervous I'll admit, but I touch her wrist. She glances at me, her eyes filled with confusion. "It's okay. I know it's a lot to take it."
She pulls away; I try not to show how much it hurts when I straighten too. "Continue," she says. I can see she is trying to remain tough. And she will be. This is Rebecca we're talking about; years of protecting herself is being put into use right now. And this kills me all over again because Rebecca shouldn't have to protect herself. I would happily be the one to fight for her, to be her shield against the world. I want to tell her all this, but at the same time I am not going to pressure her.
"Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I've changed. I don't kill, not anymore. I drink blood bags, and Stefan drinks animal blood. It's been years since I've done anything to harm another human." I clear my throat. "That's basically it. There have been a lot of ups and downs with other vampires, but that's it with my life personally. But I need to tell you some other things too."
I explain about witches and werewolves and briefly Originals; I go over the characteristics of each one, informing her that she can't invite anyone that she doesn't know in the house – the important one. I can see her face tighten, and I know she remembers me acting weird when we first came to her place; having to invite me in. Her face pales every now and then and she shifts round uncomfortably, but her eyes focus on me and listen intently. By the time I'm finished my throat is sore and I feel as if it's been a year since I begun.
"Is that it?" she says finally, leaning back in the seat.
"Yes," I say. "At least, I think it is."
She stares down at the table. "How did it happen?" she asks quietly. "How the hell did I not notice that there's this...whole other world existing with ours? How come other people don't see it?"
"I'd estimate about thirty percentage of the population knows about all this; the rest don't see it because they don't believe it. You didn't until I proved it. Even if they do say something...unnatural, they ignore it. People see what they want to see."
We are silent for a little while. I desperately want to take her into my arms and hold her, let her cry on my shoulder. But I daren't touch her. Ever since I arrive she has put the wall up, a barrier that I am almost afraid to break through. But if I don't dare, then I will never be able to touch her again. Rebecca has made the sun rise in an everlasting night; I can't let her walk away without a fight. I did it once; there's a chance I can do it again.
"Where does this leave us?" I ask, very quietly.
She stands suddenly, going to the sink. "There is no us. Not anymore."
I don't feel the disappointment; instead I feel rage. I stand too, slowly. "I must have skipped the part where we actually broke up."
She turns to me. "Damon, you lied to me."
"I just said that people see what they want to see. You wouldn't have believed me and besides, even if you did believe me, I wasn't going to risk scaring you off. For all I know it could have been a fling and ended in less than a month."
"But it's been longer than that Damon. It's been over a year."
"So what?"
"Were you going to let me marry you before you told me?"
"Of course not!" I don't want to mention that I did actually think about marrying her. Not right now. "You're being ridiculous."
"Forgive me for being a little sentimental; I've just found out my boyfriend is a vampire, don't you think you could cut me some slack."
I'm about to snap something back when I remember: I love this girl. I take a long breath, forcing myself to keep calm. "Rebecca, please."
"Please what? What do you want?"
"I want to be with you!" I step forwards and I know I am plunging off the deep end here, but I don't care. "In all my life, no one has ever loved me the way you have. I have never had someone that would willingly accept my love, or someone that would return it. You're the first person to do that." She looks uncomfortable, pushing herself further against the cabinets. "I love you Rebecca, and I know you love me too. Love conquers all."
She lifts her eyes to me, and for one sweet moment I believe that she will kiss me and all will be forgiven. But then she speaks. "You're a killer Damon. How could I love you?"
A knife through my heart; a gun to my head; a thousand burning stakes into my body. It falls like an avalanche on me. I feel as if I am going to die.
My heart is now dead. If it had been alive before, it isn't now.
I can't show this though. I stare at her for a long time. She doesn't love me. She doesn't love me. If I ever had her love, it has gone now, just like I thought it would. All the work that she has done, all the work that Elena has done, all the healing of the pain...it's all come undone right now. But that's me, right down to the T: I've always given too much heart. How have I not learn to protect it? How is it that I've made the same mistake not twice, but three times?
"Okay." My voice is hoarse and I back away. I cannot win her back now. I am a cold blooded killer; I don't deserve love. This is my payback for all the people I've hurt. For a millisecond I feel jealously and rage at the unfairness: Stefan has done the same things that I have, if not worse, and yet he still manages to get Elena and live the perfect life. But that's the way it goes for me.
I will never be loved.
I leave her apartment. I don't look back.
xXx
Of all the places Tari thought they would talk, this didn't even have a place on the list.
Regina on the other hand seemed at ease, comforted in the church. By the sound of it she had lived many years, taking on multiple names and lives – obviously the church had been a part of it. She must be a vampire, though she's different, somehow unlike Damon and Stefan and Elena and Caroline.
Before they entered Regina faced Tari, looking so stern that for an instant Tari was reminded of her mother. "I know that you are young child, and I understand that the church does not hold the same meaning to you as it does to me. However, I insist that you be respectful in this place. By this I mean that, no matter how upset you are, you must not use any foul language. I understand that these days people use curse words often – especially adolescents such as yourself. However, religion means a great deal to me and I would prefer it if you acted mature."
Tari nodded once. The woman made her feel incredibly young, even younger than Damon did. "This church is of the Catholic faith," Regina pointed out as they stood on the steps outside it. "I hope that doesn't offend you?"
"No," Tari said. She was – besides being part vampire – part Italian, and so if she was going to be of any faith it would be Catholic.
They walked down the wooden floor, selecting one of the pews at random. Tari sat beside her. She had to admit, she felt a little uncomfortable in here. She wasn't used to being in a place of worship, especially since Regina had been so stern about it. Though it was peaceful as most churches were, and it gave Tari the space to think. She had a feeling Regina was going to upload a lot of information on her, and at least she could have a meltdown without anyone seeing her.
Regina started the conversation. "I am sure that you are curious to know who I am." Tari nodded. In fact she was very eager to know who this woman was. How did she know her mother? How old was she? She was a vampire, wasn't she? "As I said before, my name is Regina Fairchild. As I am sure you are aware of the supernatural world, you must know that I am not human. Well, you are correct: I am not human. I am a demon."
What? Tari was about to say just that, but she remembered that Regina expected her to behave. Though she hadn't told her not to be rude, it was implied. "I don't understand; I don't know what a demon is."
"I didn't expect you to child." Regina smiled sympathetically. "Demons are not widely known even by supernatural beings, though some have said we are the most powerful as the supernatural world. It's hard to explain, but I will do my best: basically we are like humans, except we are the same person. We die, but we are reborn instantly. We live normal lives from being a baby to – if we manage to live that long – being old, but we remember. We remember each and every life we have had. You cannot imagine how annoying it is when you are a baby and can't talk or walk, yet you know Martin Luther's theory of religion or Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol off by heart." She sighed, clearly aggravated by the fact.
"So how old are you?" asked Tari.
"As old as the earth," she said as if it was no big deal – as if she was announcing the weather forecast. When she smiled at Tari it was one of pure weariness. "You won't believe how easy it is to predict these people. Even a hundred or two years apart, people still behave the exact same way."
It was still hard for her to believe. "You have been around since the beginning of time? Doesn't that make you the oldest thing in the world?"
"It is not just me; there are more demons in the world. There is a set amount of demons; there cannot be any more than there are now – since we are reborn every time, then obviously the population would increase to the point of self-extinction. We cannot have children."
Her eyes were a little sad when she said this; Tari was unsure what to say. "I'm sorry," she said awkwardly.
She lifted her shoulders. "There are worse things in the world. I count myself lucky to have found my life partner; many demons have not found theirs yet."
"Life partner?"
"Our mate," Regina explained. "Some naive humans believe that they have a soulmate. In a demon's case it is true. We have a demon that is our perfect match, the one that will we be utmost happy with. I am with mine; his name is Axel." For a moment her eyes brightened and Tari was utterly jealous of her in that minute; when was the last time she had seen someone so obviously swallowed up by love. "We met during the Norman invasion of England. He was a doctor – demons by nature are intelligent. We have lived so many lives and retained the knowledge, so we are the greatest minds in the world. The man the world knows as Isaac Newton was one; so was Alexander Fleming. To get to the point, I saw him trying to heal a soldier. Our eyes met and-" she clicked her fingers, "-we knew. Another ability demons possess is the ability to tell when we see another supernatural being. It was more than that with Axel; we knew that we were meant to be together. The rest," she said with a chuckle, "is history."
Tari leant back in the pew. "Wow. That's a lot of information to handle."
"I know," said Regina, a soothing tone in her voice. "It is a lot to digest."
"I'm pleased that you're telling me all of this, but I don't understand what it has to do with me." Tari had to admit, she was fascinated. It was interesting to learn about demons. It seemed that they didn't use any strength to fight their battles, unlike vampires or werewolves; they used their brains. Tari wished she was able to learn that amount of information; Regina must have the answer to almost everything.
Regina's expression turned serious, and she focussed on Tari. "Even though Rebecca is dead, I am still her friend. I will protect you, child, in the only way I can."
Tari sat up straight, trying to remain calm. "Am I in danger?"
"Yes," Regina said bluntly. "Or you will be. But I'm afraid I can't tell you how or why."
"Why not?"
Regina gave a little sigh. "I know how frustrating this must be for you. Believe me, I wish I could tell you. Axel would be displeased with me though, even so than this was. You see, my life partner is a seer – and by that I mean he can see the future. It is not a common gift with demons, but it is one Axel possesses. He has seen yours...and it is enough to worry us. When he finds out what I'm doing, he won't be happy. However, I cannot stand by. I am not sure how much I will be able to help you, but I will try."
He has seen yours...and it is enough to worry us. Tari huddled in her jacket, feeling colder. The future was a scary enough place for her already; now she was finding out that other people were coming to...help her? It seemed so, but she didn't know how if Tari couldn't know about her future. "Why can't you tell me what you're worried about?"
"I can't." This time she could see how regretful Regina was. "Knowing your future...it is dangerous. Believe me when I say that it will do you no good to know this."
There was something in his face – her pinched expression – that made Tari ask, "Do you really believe that?"
"I have seen examples of it. And even I did not...I would have to ask your father, and I would rather leave him out of it. I respect parental authority too much to tell you your future without his consent."
"You want me to lie to my father?" This rose Tari's hackles. She had known that she wasn't known for her honesty towards her father, but someone else asking her to lie to him – well, that was different.
Regina kept her face carefully indifferent. "For the time being. I am sorry if you are uncomfortable about it. I do not insist on it; in fact, if you find it you can almost certainly show him. But for now, how about we just keep it between the two of us?"
"Keep what between us?"
"Oh dear," said Regina with a sigh. "I'm not explaining it very well. What I wanted to ask you all long is if you could look through your mother's things and let me know if you find a red leather box. It would be thin, bigger than if you had jewellery in it and long. It would have three numbers on it – you need to get the right combination to open it."
"Let me guess: you're not going to give it to me?"
"No. It's too risky; I need to know if you have it first."
"You expect me to just give it to you?" Tari moved back slightly. "You seem nice and all, but..." She exhaled, the name Caleb vibrating through her mind. He hadn't just scarred her physically. "I've been fooled before."
She smiled gently. "I understand child. In fact I commend you on it; it's wise not to show all your cards until you're certain you're going to win. If you find this box," she said, pulling a card out and handing it to Tari, "give me a call. You can even bring your father with you, but please, it would be much easier for the both of us if he wasn't involved until then. After all, he would only get upset and stressed over a stranger taking you from school. Which, I must point out, you better be getting back to."
Tari didn't own a watch (something that drove Damon crazy) so she had to glance at her phone. She had a text from all three of her friends asking her where she was. She had missed a lesson and lunch. Shit, she thought, and then instantly felt guilty for thinking that – after all, surely God would be able to read minds. She stood up quickly; they would probably be freaking out, thinking she had been kidnapped by a vampire.
She almost forgot about Regina in her hurry; she quickly whirled round. "Why should I do this? Why should I give you the box?"
Regina face was like stone when she spoke. "Because, child, it may save your life."
xXx
"Who was this woman?" Sawyer asked. They were walking home, hoods up because of the drizzling rain. Tari hadn't been able to talk to them at lunch and had no lessons with the others that afternoon. She had texted them to tell them to wait for her, but not why – after all, it wasn't something Tari felt she could tell them via text. It was difficult to even explain it to them now – her head was spinning with all the information. It was almost pointless going back to school; she didn't hear a single word her teachers said.
The others were walking slowly, agonisingly slow for her. "Regina Fairchild. That's what she said her name was."
"Do you know anything about her?" Liam asked, keeping up with her.
"Only that she's a demon and she has a husband – or life partner as she calls him. His name is Axel."
"Strange names," said Liam.
"Old names," murmured Allen.
"I can go on the internet," Liam offered. "See if I can find some information on them."
"That won't work," Sawyer said. She grabbed Tari's arm, pulling her back. The brunette ignored the slight pain as she was forced to turn to her. "Tari, just wait. We need to think about this."
"I need to go home and see if I can find this box," Tari said, trying to make Sawyer let go. But she found that Liam had moved behind her, boxing her in. He smirked and Tari glowered at him.
Allen gripped her hand tightly. "Just listen," he pleaded. "We're here to help you."
He was right; Sawyer, Liam and Allen always helped her. She finally relaxed. "I need to be back at the house by four."
Allen checked his watch. "Fifteen minutes," he said aloud.
"Going on the internet won't work," Sawyer continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. "From what Tari said they're smart; they'll know how to get rid of their names if they need to. Did she mention any other abilities that she had besides genius?"
Tari thought for a moment. "She can see other supernatural beings just by looking at them. That's it I think."
"Now for the more important question," said Liam. "Do we trust her?"
The trio turned to Tari – after all, she was the only one that had talked to her. "I don't know," she said uncertainly. "She knew my mother – important things about my mother. But... That doesn't mean that she didn't kill her. After all most killers are intimate with the victim."
"But do you think she did it?" Allen pressed. "Gun to your head."
Tari bit her lip. "My gut instinct...no. But-"
"It's best not to trust anyone," agreed Liam. "So what do we do?" He looked at all three of them when he said that.
"We have to find this box," snapped Tari. Surely the answer was obvious?
"Don't give it to her," Liam said instantly.
"She's knows the combination."
"All the more reason not to. What if it's a weapon?"
"She said that I could bring Damon if I wanted to, but only when I find the box. It doesn't sound as if she's going to hurt me."
"We don't know what demons are," Sawyer pointed out. "She might not have told you everything about herself." Her friend paused for a moment, her brilliant mind going at warp speed. Tari imagined her friend lived for these types of situations; Sawyer could easily be the smartest kid in the school if she applied herself. These circumstances exercised her mind. "What if Damon's the target? What if you're meant to lure him there so she can...?"
There was silence.
"This is a moot point," Tari complained. "Until I find the box there's no reason to even think about it."
"Yes there is," Sawyer insisted, grabbing Tari's hand back as she attempted to turn away. "Tari, listen: we don't know whether she's a friend or not. Until we do don't go anywhere alone. Stay inside the house, if you want to go somewhere we'll go with you."
"Great," Tari muttered. "I'm a prisoner again."
"We're not imprisoning you," Allen said. "We're just trying to keep you safe. You don't have to do this, but it's probably for the best."
She shook her head, getting bored with this conversation. "Alright, fine. I'll be careful. Now I really need to go, or Damon will lecture me and waste time."
She had almost had to run to get back on time. She closed the door, slamming it loud enough to announce her arrival. But for perhaps the first time, it didn't seem to bring Damon or anyone else to the door. She found out why the second she stepped into the foyer.
They were in a heated argument: it seemed as if Tyler and Damon were on one side, Stefan and Elena on the other. Caroline didn't appear to be on anyone's side; she was too busy talking to someone on the phone, walking to the kitchen and back again. Of course Tari's eyes were drawn to the football table right in the middle of the room.
"Cool!" Tari said, going towards it. Damon sent a triumphant look to Stefan and Elena. "When did you guys decide to be cool?"
"Don't hold your breath," said Tyler, tilting his head to look at Tari. "Stefan and Elena want to send it back."
"It doesn't belong to us," Stefan argued.
"We don't know that," Tyler countered. "It's probably a wedding gift."
"With no return address? No card?" Elena shook her head. "It isn't meant to be sent here; it's a mistake."
Damon rolled his eyes. "Do you to have to be such buzz kills? We don't know whether it's a mistake or not, and until we do I suggest with have fun. Caroline will find out who sent it."
As if on cue they heard Caroline cry out, "No Aunt Mable, a football table. Table. Yes they exist – oh why am I even bothering? No, sorry, something in my throat."
"But what if it's not a wedding gift?" Stefan continued. "Then someone has ordered and paid for it, and we're using it. That's wrong." He indicated Tari. "We have an impressionable child here; we have to set a good example."
Tari snorted, leaning down to play with the little men. "It's a little too late for that Uncle Stefan. If you had been thinking about me I wouldn't have caught you and Elena in the shower-"
"I get your point," Stefan hastily interrupted as Damon and Tyler exchanged chuckles.
"We don't have to keep it," wheedled Damon. "At least not until Caroline finds out if someone sent it for you or not. Until then..." He lifted the small ball which had somehow managed to be in his hand. "We might as well have a game or two."
Stefan muttered under his breath as Tyler and Damon took up positions. Tari watched them for a few minutes, allowing Damon to become immersed in the game before she snuck upstairs. Though she had been distracted by the football table (perhaps they really could keep it!) she hadn't forgotten what had hurried home to do. She needed to find this red leather box, and then try to figure out the code. She wasn't going to bring the box to Regina until she at least had a go at getting inside it.
She pulled the ladder of the attic down before climbing upstairs, albeit a little cautiously. She wasn't exactly at fan of heights, not when she was on something that wasn't secure. Gently she moved on the floor of the attic, a little scared that she would fall through like in her Uncle Brian's attic. But the floor of the boarding house was sturdy and with relief she walked towards the boxes.
She began to lift items out of them, trying not to get caught up in the memories; an ugly black and pink vase that her mother had said was valuable though God knows why; a pair of silver candlesticks; plates, cutlery and kitchen items; a photo album. Tari held it in her hands, resisting the urge to open it. Right now she could see in the future too; if she opened the photo album she would pour over the photos, remembering every little detail about her expression, reliving old memories, peering at pictures of the two of them when there should have been three.
Why is there always only two?
She pushed it aside; she had more important things to do. But as she went through more boxes she began to lose hope, began to go faster. By the time she had emptied the last box she was near despair. The red leather box...it was important. She could see that in Regina's eyes. Whether Regina was in their side or not, she was worried. That couldn't be a good thing.
What is going on? Tari felt near tears. There was something simmering right under her nose, something that was a danger to her. The tower...the dream...that man in the dream, the one that she thought she had seen during the storm – but that had just been her imagination. And now there was Regina asking about this box. What was inside it?
Did it really depend on her life?
She took a deep breath, calming the tempest in her head. She didn't want Damon to see her crying, he would only ask why. At this point it wasn't that she didn't want to tell him – it was that she didn't even know how to tell him. Everything was so connected and unconnected, and even the things that were connected didn't indicate how they were. Her head already ached.
To make herself relax she put the items back in the boxes, storing them into almost the exact same position. Making herself focus on the task was good; it allowed her to check the boxes again, to make sure she hadn't missed anything. She knew she hadn't; she was so focussed on finding the box she would have felt an electrocution in her body when she saw anything that was red.
With a sigh she went downstairs, pushing the ladder back up. She froze, listening. She could hear them downstairs, making more noise than they intended. She heard Damon's laughter and cries of success, along with Tyler's cursing. She couldn't help a little smile; they hadn't even noticed her disappearance.
Or so she thought.
Tari was trying to read a book when Damon came in her bedroom. "Bedtime," he said, placing a glass of water on the bedside table.
She rolled her eyes but nonetheless pulled the covers over her body. He didn't kiss her forehead, but instead sat beside her on the edge of the bed. It meant he wanted to talk. This was often the case nowadays.
"Why were in the attic?" he asked her.
Tari suppressed a surprised look. After all, why should she be? This was Damon Salvatore.
"I was looking for something," she answered. That was the truth.
"Something of your mother's?"
Why not? "A red leather box. Small, rectangular like a jewellery box."
She watched his face but she didn't see any recognition. He thought for a moment, shaking his head. "I don't remember it. What's inside it?"
"I don't know," replied Tari, helpless and honest. "That's what I wanted to find out."
Damon lifted a shoulder, blissfully unconcerned. "I'm sure it's somewhere. Don't worry about it." He reached forward and kissed her on the head, smoothing the back of her hair as he did so. "You worry too much."
At that Tari had to laugh. It was the first laugh she'd had during this long day, and it felt good. "I worry too much? Hypocritical much?"
He smirked, standing up. "I'm a parent. It's in the job description."
"As well as being annoying?"
He mussed up her hair, something that would have annoyed her if she wasn't going to bed. "Goodnight kid."
Hours later Tari lay in bed, hopelessly awake – and not because of the Nightmare this time.
It may save your life.
xXx
Across town another two people were awake, but not from insomnia or stress. Axel felt her move a hand across his jaw line. No matter what body she was in, that was something Regina liked to do after they'd had sex: stroke every single part of his body, as if trying to memorise him. She knew him better than anyone else.
"I am still mad at you," he murmured.
She laughed throatily, a gurgling sound that he found hopelessly sexy. "Of course."
"On some occasions I feel as if I am talking to myself. I do not want you to get over-involved. I told you that, and yet you insist on going to see her."
"I had to Axel." She pushed her hand through his dark hair, pushing it from his face. "You know me. I could not just let it happen." She paused then, knowing the weight of her words but wanting to ask anyway. "Has the future changed?"
Her lover sighed. "I have not had a vision. I do not know."
"Fuck it," Regina hissed. In her voice it sounded almost beautiful. She turned on her side away from Axel, almost as if it was his fault. He sighed; he knew that she didn't blame him. She was angry at the situation. He wrapped an arm round her waist, comforting her, which made her love him even more if that was possible. She could never imagine being with anyone else – she didn't want to be with anyone else. It was so hard when they were apart. When they were children it was necessary – they didn't even know where each other were. They always met when they were twenty one at a place that they had arranged – this time it had been Paris, right under the Eiffel Tower. They always knew each other, instantly. It was amazingly easy and hopelessly joyful.
"We do not know anything yet," he said, though he had been saying all along that she shouldn't get her hopes up. "Wait and see. You never know."
She turned, pressed her nose against his chest. Her mind wandered helplessly, unable to be stopped, focussing deeply on her best friend.
I am watching children in the playground. It is stupid of me to be here, but even the god Zeus gave into his weaknesses – in fact that is saying nothing, Zeus gave in to temptation practically every hour. I have always wanted children, but Axel and I both know that we cannot have children. My mind knows it – my heart yearns for something it can never have. It's always the way isn't it? Your heart always wants something it can never have.
"Mom, this is stupid."
Out the corner of my eye I see a mother and daughter and automatically I wince; mother's and daughter's have difficult relationships. It is hard for me to bond with my mothers. They expect their child to be sweet and cute and say stupid things, not to be able to talk the second they can form words. I remember when I seven; an advert on the television started the poem Invictus, and I was able to finish it. My parents looked at me in astonishment. I can't seem to help it. Sometimes it's just better to part ways with them and only see them for the occasional Christmas.
I hear the woman sigh. "Please Tari, just for ten minutes." I can tell by the tone of her voice that she is exhausted; can already tell her hair is done up as if she's in a hurry and her face pale. A single mother, surely. "I need to sit down."
"But playgrounds are for kids," the child whines. I finally look at them and – a bolt of electricity fizzes through my body. It is suddenly inexplicitly impossible to catch my breath, and I have to really force myself to remain calm. This child – she looks like an ordinary stuck up child, but there is something amazingly unique about her. You would never know it as a human, of course you wouldn't; perhaps as she grew older you would believe she is pretty, but nothing more than that. You would never know that she is part vampire. She has to be part vampire – she cannot already be a werewolf, I would know if she was a witch, and demons cannot have children. She should not exist. A child cannot be part vampire; I have lived longer than anyone should and I have never come across a vampire/human hybrid in my life. Impossible. Yet I am staring at the proof in front of my eyes.
"Can I help you?" I have been stupid, broken a cardinal rule; it is bad enough hanging round a playground, but staring at one child in particular is a definite no-no. I have missed the entire conversation and now the child is sulking on the swings and her mother is staring at me.
"I am sorry." I recover quickly; I have had years of practice. "Your daughter is adorable."
The mother exhales loudly. "She can be, but today she's a pain." The woman glances at the child. "She misses her father," she says, so soft I almost don't hear it.
I move my bag and she sits beside me. "Divorced?"
She shakes her head. "We never got down the aisle. I was...stupid."
"We are all stupid sometimes," I console. I glance back at the child. "Her father is the vampire."
She freezes; I can tell I've hit a sore spot. "Are you-"
"I pose no danger to you or your daughter whatsoever," I say calmly. "I am not a vampire. I am a demon."
Her eyes are afraid; I can tell she is thinking about taking her daughter and leaving. "Why do I not like the sound of that?" she says.
"Do not be worried," I assure her. "We are only named demons because we can change our physical appearance. For instance, I could change so that it would appear you were talking to a squirrel."
"What do you want from me?"
I cannot help but be surprised at her question. "I do not want anything from you, though I have to admit I am interested in how you managed to have a child with a vampire when that is impossible."
She gazes into my face as if she thinks she will see straight into my head – as if I would allow anyone except Axel that privilege. "You're not with – him?"
I am confused, and that is rare for me – I am a genius after all. "No," I say. The woman is nervous, and I do not want to scare her. "Who is this person?"
Her eyes flutter nervously. "How do I know I can trust you?"
"No one ever knows if they can trust a person," I answer. "But if you will believe anything I say, believe this: I do not have any agenda. I simply saw your daughter and was curious. Demons do not get involved in quarrels between vampires, witches etc. If her father is threatening you, I can help."
"It's not – it's complicated," she sighs. I can tell she wants to confide in me, but she's afraid to. To ease her fears I slowly reach over and squeeze her hand. "Please," I murmur. "I can help you."
That was the day that I first met Rebecca. Right from the first time we met it was about her daughter. In some ways it always was. I cannot hold it against her; any good mother always has her mind on her child.
xXx
The blonde stared at Tari for a good ten seconds before turning to Liam. "This is your fault."
Liam didn't pretend to be offended; in fact he smirked. He couldn't help it. "I haven't said anything."
Sawyer went on as if he hadn't spoken. "I knew the two of you shouldn't have gone running together."
"You were the one who encouraged it!" Allen and Tari shushed him. They were near the school, excluded by a group of trees. They couldn't be seen by any authority figure at the moment, not if they were considering actually going through with it.
"God Liam's corrupted you," groaned Sawyer. Liam rolled his eyes but he was still smirking. Of course Lee would find the idea of corrupting someone funny. She turned to Tari. "This isn't you Tari! You're not the type of girl who skives school! We're not that type of kids – the ones that drink alcohol with their orange juice and are stoned throughout the day. Those are the type of kids that skive school, and we're not those kids."
"S, chill," Allen instructed. "We haven't done anything yet."
"Not that I mind skiving school – in fact," Liam mused, "it would be a good adventure. Something we haven't done before. Not that I'm bothered, but with Miss Perfect here..." He glanced over at his cousin who gave him the finger. "But why?"
She knew they would get to this point. She braced herself for the next set of questions when she replied, "I want to go back to see if – well, if the tower's still there."
Her friends stared at her; Liam visibly paled at the thought of going back there. "Why?" Allen asked. His own face was confused, his eyebrows scrunched together like a pair of caterpillars. "I thought it gave you the creeps."
"It did, but I just want to see if the legend is true." Tari hadn't slept all week; the dark circles under her eyes were becoming larger each day. This morning Tari woke up after only three or four hours of sleep before she finally decided that enough was enough. She couldn't wait until tomorrow; she had to see for herself. It was stupid, but if the tower was there in the daylight then it would prove that the legend was wrong, and if that was wrong that maybe everything else was wrong too.
"Can't we go tomorrow?" begged Sawyer. "Why do we have to do this today?"
"You don't have to come with me," Tari said. She did want them with her – in fact she was surprised at how much she wanted them with her – but she wasn't going to force them. Perhaps it would be easier to go alone. But Sawyer herself had been the one to say that she shouldn't go anywhere alone, and ever since her talk with Regina she had been on edge.
Allen and Liam exchanged a look and Liam looked to Sawyer. He sent her a look that Tari couldn't indentify – maybe she was simply too tired to even attempt it. The blonde dithered, shifting from one foot to the other. "Okay," she said finally, her voice etched with hesitance. "Let's go."
"Sawyer Brooke Scott, skipping school?" Liam put on a dramatic, almost mothering sigh. "Where did we go wrong?" Even Tari couldn't help but smile at that, Allen laughing.
Sawyer slapped him on the arm. "Jeez cuz," he said, rubbing his arm. "That hurt."
"Shut up Liam. This is serious." She glanced round as if there were a bunch of teachers hiding behind the bushes ready to leap out at them and give them detentions. "We need to be careful. If someone sees us-"
"We won't be seen," Liam said. "If it makes you feel any better we could hide out at the lagoon all day – I'll go get some food for us to eat."
The bell rang behind them. Tari glanced at Sawyer; her friend kept her gaze steady. She couldn't help but let her mind think you owe me. She had kept Sawyer's secret for months now – Sawyer at the very least owed her a favour. Tari would never say that out loud, would never force Sawyer to do something she didn't want to do; but it was there, an underlying theme in this discussion.
"Let's go," Sawyer repeated. She took Tari's hand and squeezed it, offering her smile which Tari returned.
It was strange but Tari had to admit, she felt...freer than she had been before. It was nine o'clock now, and she had to be back at the boarding house by four – until then her entire day was wide open, and she loved it.
They went through the forest, careful not to slip in the mud. "I wish you'd given us some more warning," Sawyer sighed, looking down almost mournfully at her favourite boots.
"What?" Liam scoffed before Tari could speak. "Given you time to worry over it? I don't know how you can handle vampires but freak out at the thought of ditching."
"In case you haven't noticed Lee, I did freak out. Do you remember when we realised Tari had been taken by Caleb? I was terrified."
"And screaming our ears off," added Allen. "You should have seen her T, you would have-" He broke off when he realised Tari hadn't even heard him, but was staring straight ahead, knocking the branches down.
"Tari," he said, and finally the girl looked over. It was then Allen noted just how pale she truly was underneath her make-up. She was rushing ahead of them, clearly in a hurry. "Slow down."
She glanced from Allen to the other two who were staring at her. "Let's just get there, okay?"
It was difficult though; all trees naturally looked the same, not to mention that the last time they had found the tower in the dark. Tari had led the others where she thought the tower had been, but she couldn't see it. She wished that she had paid more attention to where it had been.
Seeing his friend's face droop, Allen said, "We should go back to the restaurant and retrace our footsteps from there."
"Yeah," Liam – the tactician – agreed.
"We'll be seen," fretted Sawyer.
But they went to the restaurant anyway, and made the way back that they did that night. They had to be going the right way; even Tari admitted that she was sure that this was the way they had come. They circled the area three times – the other three had been ready to call it quits by the second time, but at Tari's face they gave it another go.
None of them wanted to be the first to say that the tower was, quite simply, not there. Liam would be the first to admit that it scared him; despite his bravery over confronting Caleb he didn't like this. Vampires, witches, werewolves – they were somewhat exciting; there was obviously some science behind them. But a tower that disappeared during the day and reappeared at night? What on earth could explain that?
After a few conversations through glances Allen was elected to voice the words. They were all standing still, a little tired from walking at the fast pace. "T," he said, making sure his voice was gentle. "The tower's not here." Sawyer shot him a glance at being so blunt, but how the hell was he supposed to say it gently?
Face down, Tari said, "I know."
And then she began to run.
She could hear them calling behind her, but she didn't stop. She and Liam hadn't run last weekend because of the alcohol, and she was surprised to find that she missed it; what was even more surprising was how her body took to running, how easily to came back to her. She didn't have any clue to where she was going. Everywhere looked the same, especially how it blurred in her eyes. Or maybe that was the tears.
Sawyer had no hope of catching up to Tari, not in those shoes; Allen wasn't as fit either. But Liam had been running longer than she had, and was at the very least just as fit as she was, if not fitter. Though he would never have admitted it, it was difficult to catch up to her. It must have been the adrenalin. It took him a good three minutes to actually catch hold of her which, considering how they had set off almost at the same time and almost at the same place was quite a feat.
He grabbed hold of her arm, pulling her backwards. She jerked back, a little surprised. They stumbled; Tari would have fallen over if Liam hadn't grabbed hold of her, keeping her steady. "Tari," he gasped. His chest felt as if it was going to explode, and he had to fight to speak. "What the fuck?"
Tari didn't answer, her face turned away from him. At first Liam thought she was out of breath, but then he realised that it was something else. Without thinking he pulled her into his arms, quietly shushing her. When Sawyer and Allen arrived, Liam simply held his arm out and they joined them, Sawyer pushing her hair off her face and Allen rubbing her back. None of them moved, forming a circle round her as if a barrier protecting her from the world. Even though they weren't asking her what was wrong, weren't pestering her for an answer, she still couldn't voice the words. They stuck in her throat, words that she couldn't throw up.
I think I'm going to die.
xXx
When she opens the door I am wasted out my mind. Of course I am – why else would I come back after we just broke up mere hours ago? But I cannot stay away; it's like I'm Eve and she's the snake, tempting me into sin again and again.
"Damon," she murmurs. Is she surprised? I cannot tell; her face already blurs. I get in, force myself in before she slams it in my face.
"You're right." I mean to snap it but it slurs in my mouth, like vile. "I am a murderer."
She closes her eyes. Does she fell guilty? A little hope flares in my chest – hope! How can I have hope now, when my heart was broken just hours ago? Why does my heart always insist on loving someone, even when love has killed it every time? But I do not focus on it. I won't let myself hope for long. "I'm sorry Damon. When I said that...I didn't mean it. I was just surprised-"
"Surprised? Why shouldn't you be? I play the part well, don't I? The good guy, the honest guy, Mr Perfect..." I pause. Fuck my head is already hurting. "What was I going to say?"
She stares at me, crossing her arms. She is wearing a grotty old red dressing gown, one I haven't ever seen her wear. "You're drunk."
"Of course I am." I go to sit on the chair and somehow end on the floor. "I have to live my life alone. Why not spend it drunk?"
Rebecca sits on the floor beside me. "You won't be alone forever Damon. You'll find some vampire girlfriend and be able to spend your entire life with her."
No I won't. Of course I won't. That would be perfect – and my life is anything but.
"What did I do wrong?" I mutter. "What was so bad?" I turn to face her, and I imagine I look like a little boy because she puts a hand on my cheek. I kiss her before I think about it. My actions are stupid. Hell I'm drunk; of course I don't know what I'm doing.
She tries to pull away, and in that second she makes me angry. I love Rebecca and I hate Rebecca. I want to be with her every second of every day and I want to never see her again. I want to love her but she won't let me – so I will have sex with her, meaningless sex. She doesn't want my love, she can have my sex.
"Damon, don't." I have a flashback of doing the same thing to Elena, and it only adds to my grief and anger. I push her against the kitchen cabinets; she cries out. I move down to her neck, and tear that ugly dressing gown off her body. She is utterly naked underneath it. I can see that she is almost afraid of it, trying to cover her body. But I don't let her.
Instead I pick her up – struggling – and throw her onto the bed. A bed not only a week ago she came to most willingly, a bed we made love in.
She doesn't want that part of me.
"Fuck you," she cries, pushing my hands on her body. Instantly they are back on her, on her hips as I push her back down. I kiss her, but they are angry kisses, almost nips, designed to hurt her. I don't bite her – even in my sadness and fury I can't do that to her.
She slaps me; I let her. "Fuck you," she hisses. I kiss her on the mouth, placing my hand between her legs. I begin to rub her cunt, making her move her head back. She loves it. I am surprised to find that I am beginning to love it too. I have always treated Rebecca like a beautiful woman, like a wife – but I won't think about that. I am now treating her like my whore, which is the way that she wants it.
"Fuck you," she says again, but this time it is not out of anger but out of lust. I lift my hand away and instead turn her on her stomach. She tries to turn round, and usually I would let her – but when I a man goes to a whore she has to do what he wants. I put my hands on her shoulders to keep her down. For a moment I stare at her body, her beautiful amazing body, her back a blank canvas. For the first time I want to bite it, to cause blood to spurt over it and change it forever. But even in this fit of rage I can't do that.
I plunge my dick into her. She screams – in pain? I imagine so. But she is my whore – why should I care? As we continue I know that she loves it, this wild crazy impatient sex – she is gripping the sheets of the bed, her groans becoming that of pleasure. That wasn't my intention. Yet can I really say I wanted to cause her pain? I don't think I could. I honestly don't think so.
She falls asleep quickly. I am not surprised. That sex was amazing. The best sex we have ever had. It still sends chills down my spine. I get up and leave without saying goodbye. After all, she's my whore. I throw down a bunch of twenties on the bed.
She made me feel worthless. I will make her feel like that too.
He put the scotch glass to his head. He didn't want that memory. Yes he was furious at Rebecca – he had never felt anger like that before. He had wanted to make Rebecca feel like shit, and he supposed he succeeded. But what a horrid thing to succeed at.
He shook his head, as if he could force the memory out. He had enough to deal with right now. He had just been off the phone with Ric, who had revealed something unpleasant.
"Shouldn't you be busy teaching Ric?" Damon asked, pouring himself a glass of his best scotch.
"I've implemented quiet study time," said the teacher, "and I'm spending valuable teaching time talking to you."
"So it must be important."
"Is Tari at home with you today?"
Damon narrowed his gaze. He really didn't like where this was going. "No," he said, his voice not quite a groan. "Why?"
"She wasn't in school today," Alaric said.
"What?" Damon said. He felt his breath begin to race, his brain going too fast. Was it possible – no, oh God please no –
"Relax D," said Alaric. "Liam, Sawyer and Allen weren't in either. I don't think they would have been taken."
Damon felt himself begin to calm down. "Are you saying that she skipped school? Why the hell would she do that? Half the time she's persuading me to let her go. Remember during the storm? She refused to stay home."
"I don't think she's eager to learn Damon," Alaric said, standing. "I think that it's her friends. And if her friends want to skive school..."
"Then she will too," Damon finished through gritted teeth. "Damn it. I don't understand. Why should they want to skip school?"
"You'll have to ask her when she gets back," Alaric stand. "I have to go."
"Thanks Ric," Damon said gratefully. It was good to have someone on the inside to watch his daughter for moments like this. Now he sat on his chair, watching the foyer. It was nearly four now, and Tari – if she knew what was good for her – would be back soon. He wasn't going to let her sneak in. Thankfully the house was quiet: Caroline and Tyler were at a wine tasting for their wedding and had taken Stefan and Elena. They had invited Damon but he had declined; though Caroline had calmed down about the wedding talk (they had almost resorted to sedating her, they were that desperate) Damon knew the wine would make her natter on about it again. Besides, Damon had been looking forward to have a quiet evening with his daughter.
That idea went out the window.
Tari entered the house a second later, slamming the door shut. She saw Damon a second later. "Hey," she greeted him casually.
"Hey." He stood up and went towards her. She didn't wait for him, going upstairs to dump her bag and coat in her bedroom. He leant against the doorway. "How was school?"
She glanced at him quickly. "Fine," she answered before turning away.
"That's strange, because according to Ric you weren't there today." Tari froze, her back facing him. Damon was satisfied with that. "You want to explain?"
Slowly Tari turned round. "There isn't an explanation."
"How about a why? A reason you didn't go to school?"
Tari stayed quiet. There wasn't a reason, not really. She hadn't found the tower after all – skiving school had been stupid. It had been nice to talk to the others, even if it wasn't about her real fears. They had even laughed a little. She had just told them she was stressed, which was understandable. She couldn't tell them that she was scared that she was going to die. She had wanted to, but she couldn't. Couldn't voice those thoughts.
Damon sighed, running his hand through his raven dark hair. "Believe it or not, I don't care if you don't want to go to school. You're fourteen; it's not going to be life threatening if you miss it now and again. But if you're going to stay off school then you have to stay here. I'm not giving you permission to go out with your friends and skive school with them. Why don't you want to stay home, sleep in and make pancakes or whatever you want to do?" He sighed, staring at his daughter who seemed immovable. "I guess I just don't understand it."
Tari broke down. For the second time that day she burst into tears, unable to keep them in her body. Her chest shook with such intensity, her throat aching with almost painful cries. She cried because I don't understand it either! Suddenly everything was too much for her. It was like a huge tidal wave that had continued to rise and she had gotten too tired to run. She knew that she would be willing to run again one day, but right now she was willing to let the wave rush over her body.
The very second she had started crying Damon had rushed to her side. He lifted her into his arms and sat on the bed, rocking her gently. He had been a little amazed at how she had begun to cry so suddenly. He didn't understand why (one of many things he didn't understand today); it wasn't as if he was yelling at her. Nonetheless he held her in his arms, cuddling her close as if he could shield her from the pain she was feeling.
Something had upset her – and that made him want to strangle the person who had done it. At the moment he resisted the urge because his daughter's face was pressed into his chest. He was going to calm her down, and then he would kill whoever had hurt her.
Perhaps it was babyish to admit this, but she felt better once she was in Damon's arms. Safer – who could kill her when he was here? He rocked her, murmuring, "It's alright baby girl. It's okay, I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you," and rubbed her back.
It was when she had fallen asleep, exhausted he whispered, "Daddy's here. Daddy won't let anyone hurt you."
xXx
It was obvious that she was tired; she hadn't slept properly in days. That was why she turned so easily to tears. She couldn't remember exactly when she had cried herself to sleep, but when she woke up the room was smothered in darkness. She moved upwards, her throat aching sore. "Here," a voice said behind her said, and passed her a glass of water. Tari drank it greedily before handing it back and lying back down in the same position and instantly falling back asleep.
She didn't wake up again until the early hours of the morning. She felt Damon running his hand through her hair. In truth she had been on the brink of waking up for an hour or so, but she was content to doze. She didn't know how long she had slept – it must have been for at least twelve hours. She had needed it though; honestly, she didn't know how she had managed to keep going with this little sleep.
Tari moved to sit up and felt Damon's arm curl round her, pulling her close to him. His hand went to her chin, lifting it up so he could see her. She imagined that he would be able to see her even though she could only see the outline of his face. "You feel better?" he whispered.
"Yeah," murmured Tari. She leant against his chest, allowing her eyes to droop.
"Tari, what was that last night?" he asked. The girl gave a little groan, wishing they could talk about it when she was more awake.
"I'm sorry," she said.
She felt Damon cling to her a little harder, pulling her closer to him while shushing her. "Don't be sorry Tari; there's nothing to be sorry about sweetie." He stroked her face, cupping her chin in the palm of his hand. "But I need to know what upset you." And then I am going to kill them.
She couldn't help but sigh. "I was just stressed."
Damon let out a growl at her vague answer. "About what?"
"Everything," Tari said.
"You're fourteen," Damon said. "What could you possibly be stressed about?"
She sighed again, realising that she wasn't getting away from his questioning. "I've just been thinking about...dying."
She felt him constrict his arms round her, almost cutting off air. "Why the hell would you think about dying?" he asked. She could hear the tension in his voice. He began to rub her back soothingly, though in honesty he wanted someone to do it to him. The thought of her dying – he felt an inch of the pain he had when Rebecca had died, and he knew that it would be worse. If Tari died, he wouldn't be able to bear it; it would kill him. "You're not going to die. Your fourteen for God's sake – why the hell would you even think about dying?"
Tari shook her head into his chest. "I don't know, it's just... How the hell do you live with it? How does anyone live with it? Never knowing how long you might have to live."
Damon frowned into her hair. "You never know how long you might have live. I mean, you could walk out on the street and get hit by a bus – that's why I'm always yelling at you to watch where you're going," he said, though he gave her an affectionate kiss on the head to show he didn't mean it. "That's why you have to live the way you want. I don't mean that you should give up going to school and go on a road trip," he said quickly. He wanted to be specific – it would be just like Tari to interpret this conversation differently to how he meant it. "I just mean you shouldn't spend time worrying about little things like a bad grade or...whatever you worry about."
Tari was quiet for a moment. "So you're telling me to live every moment like it's my last?"
"Yeah, I guess that's what I'm saying." He twisted her hair round his fingers. "What brought this on anyway?"
"A scary film," said Tari, lying through her teeth.
Damon sighed. "I'm talking to Tyler – I told him not to let you watch that film."
Tari listened to Damon talk, his voice comforting in the background. She didn't really listen – now she was thinking about his earlier words. It made sense after all – she could die at any moment. And if she did die, she didn't want to think that she wasted time worrying about how and when and being careful. Who said she was going to die soon? Maybe it was years in the future – maybe it was when she was old, like fifty.
He was right. There was no point in worrying about it.
She sat up kissed him of the forehead. "Thank you," she said, her voice clear from sleep.
His nose nuzzled hers lovingly. "You're welcome."
xXx
"You look better," Allen said when Tari appeared by the lockers on Monday. Despite the fact it was the worst day of the week she was feeling better, her hair shiny and eyes bright. This weekend she had slept well during the night and eaten better. Damon had been keeping an eye on her which was starting to get annoying – but then he became distracted because they finally found the owner of the football table and it had to be sent back. He and Tyler had one last mourning game (Tyler won) before sending it down the road to its rightful owners.
"I am," she said, nodding as she leant opposite him. "Thank you though, for being so nice to me."
Allen held his hands up. "Hey, what are friends for?"
Suddenly her smile felt a little forced. "Friends," she repeated. The way he looked at her sometimes... She turned the thought away, not wanting to think about it. This was Allen; her warlock friend; the one who helped her with her chemistry homework and made her laugh. But there were moments –
No.
"T," he said, catching her attention. When she looked at him his eyes were dead on her face. It made her uncomfortable after what she had just been thinking about. "I wanted-"
"Hey guys," Liam said, appearing behind Tari as if by magic. When she jumped, startled, he laughed. "Jumpy much?"
"Ninja much?" she asked, mocking him.
He shrugged, his lips curving into a smile. "I can't help it if I'm good at sneaking around. You should learn not to be so startled all the time. Pay attention to your surroundings."
"Now you really are sounding like a ninja," said Tari. Allowing a smile to grace her face she turned to Allen. "New mission: scare Lee."
"Right," he said, straightening. Was it her imagination or did he seem a little slow on the uptake?
Hurriedly she said, "You and Sawyer will have to help me; you'll know what scares him."
"I'm right here y'know," Liam complained.
Tari turned her head and mimed being surprised; Allen laughed from behind her. "Jeez, you surprised me. It must have been your ninja skills."
Sawyer paused as she reached them, though she had previously been hurrying down the hallway. Her caramel brows creased together, looking between the three of them with rapid speed. "What did I miss?"
"Liam's a ninja," Allen informed her. Tari was pleased to see he looked more cheerful.
"And we're going to jump him the second we can," Tari added.
"Which isn't going to work, since I know the plan," said Liam.
Sawyer held her hands up, instantly quietening them. "You can brief me on this later! Tari, the secretary asked me to find you. There's a woman wanting to see you."
Instantly the air seemed thicker, harder to breathe. The words that Sawyer had said ruined the happy, joking mood that the other three had been in seconds earlier. Tari almost wished she could turn back time, right when she was in bed and Damon came to wake her up. He had said to her, jokingly, "So what are we thinking? You want to sleep in and I'll make pancakes?" Tari had declined, naturally; she wanted to see her friends and besides, now that she knew she could make the decision herself – that she could say no – she felt that she had to be responsible. Maybe that was Damon's intention all along.
"Don't go," Liam said after a few moments. "It's not as if you even have the box."
Tari shook her head. "I have to go. I won't be able to avoid her forever, and I'd rather see her now then be caught alone."
"We'll go with you," Allen suggested, but again Tari shook her head.
"She won't talk with you lot present. The teachers would stop you anyway." She did her best to smile. It wasn't as if Regina had harmed her, and Tari doubted that she would now.
Sawyer squeezed her hand. "Leave your phone on. If we don't see you at break and don't hear from you we'll let out a warning."
"Yeah, 'cause the teachers are really going to be helpful."
The trio looked surprised. "Do you honestly think we'd go get help from the teachers?" Liam scoffed.
"We were actually thinking that we'd call your dad," Allen pointed out.
"And then he'd bring his vampire friends and the werewolf," Sawyer said. She couldn't help but smile when she said that sentence, and Tari knew what she was thinking: a sentence she never thought she'd say.
"And I'd get my mom to help," said Allen, somewhat shyly.
Tari grinned at them all. "Thanks, but I'll be fine."
She wished her heartbeat didn't contradict her.
Regina was in the same spot that she had been when Tari first met her. Without a word they moved into the dining room. The bell rang and students were rushing to their classes, which meant that after a few minutes they had relative silence.
"You did not call me," Regina said. There was a hint of disapproval in her voice.
That's because I was trying to forget about you, Tari thought, almost angry. I was trying to pretend I was a normal teenager. A vain hope I know, but I still wanted to try. "I didn't find it," Tari said, her voice a whisper.
Regina closed her eyes as if Tari had announced that her life partner had died. "Just as I feared," she murmured. "It means that they must have it. If they have figured out the combination then we are in trouble."
Goosebumps appeared on Tari's arm. The way Regina spoke it sounded like they were about to be attacked any moment. "But they won't have, will they?" Tari asked weakly.
"They might have, but it would have taken them a long time," Regina said.
"You know the combination?"
"Yes," she replied. "Your mother told me. I am sorry but I daren't tell you – if the wrong person was listening... I would only tell you if I knew you had the box." She leant forward almost desperately. "Are you sure you looked through all your mother's belongings? You looked through everything?"
"Yes," Tari said, thinking back to when she went back with Damon to her home – her apartment. Her breath caught in her throat suddenly; Regina's face showed that she had noticed it. "Oh God," she whispered, realisation hitting her like an avalanche.
"What is it?" Regina said. Her voice was short and snappy with impatience.
Her mouth moved but no words came out. Calm Nefertari, she thought, though they had little effect. "When I went to the apartment to pick up my things for the move...we'd been robbed."
Regina's face was indifferent, though her shock was shown by fact she went a shade paler. She closed her eyes. "They have it," she said with devastating resignation. "There is no doubt."
Rebecca looks unnatural sitting on the prim pink sofa. I will admit that it isn't my taste, but Axel seemed to adore it. I love him so I allowed him to have his way. Whoever said that women were more sentimental than men?
She looks at me with the determination of a woman whose life depends on it. "Show me," she commands.
To my surprise I find myself yielding to her command. I lift the notes out that I made months before, showing her them once again. "You can see the adjustments I made are in red pen," I say, pointing them out. "Axel's additions are in green."
Rebecca looks over them, though her eyes don't take them in. "I don't understand most of it," she admitted. "But as long as you do, that's the main thing." When she lifts her eyes up to me there are still determined, but there is a tone of desperation too. "Will it work?"
I sigh, seating myself next to her. "I do not know. I told you before Rebecca, I could not predict whether it would work. This is the first time someone has tried to create one of these things. It may not work, but know this: this is the work of two demons. We have slaved over it. It is our best hope. I cannot imagine anyone else doing it better."
Rebecca keeps her eyes on the information, as if to reassure herself. "When will it be ready?" she asks me.
"A year." At her expression I say quickly, "It has to be done carefully Rebecca. Rush it and we may make mistakes."
Her voice, when she answers, is filled with fear. "But it may be too late by then."
"I know." I reach over and grip her hand. "But it is the best we've got."
If Tari had been scared before, she was positively terrified now. Whoever these people were, they had been in her house. If she had been in there – Tari didn't even want to think about it. But they had the red leather box, the thing that seemed so important to Regina. That couldn't be good.
"This is the worst thing that could have possibly happened," she said. Her eyes were lost in somewhere – the future maybe? The past? Tari didn't dare wake her from her thoughts. Her head snapped to Tari suddenly, causing the girl to flinch away from her. "I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for you, save to give you this." She handed Tari a little glass bottle. There was some sea-foam green substance inside it that looked like shampoo. "It's a potion. Drink it and you will be able to sneak away silently from anyone, provided that you don't attract attention to yourself or if you're not being watched. It's not a brilliant potion, but it is the best that I could do. Make sure to carry it with you at all times. You will only be able to use it approximately three times. Be sure to save it."
Tari nodded, sensing the seriousness of her tone. Regina sighed, turning her head. "I am so sorry I cannot do anything more for you."
"Thank you," she said. For the potion anyway. She wasn't sure how she felt about the rest; after all, Regina had caused her many sleepless nights. It wasn't Regina's fault; but sometimes it was better not knowing.
"Don't thank me," Regina said, standing abruptly. Tari blinked; apparently their conversation was over. She had expected it to be a lot longer than this. "Good luck Tari. Know that I might be closer than you think." At Tari's bemused expression she smiled softly. "Another ability of a demon is to change our appearance into any animal we wish. I was watching you long before you knew."
"Regina," Tari called out as the woman began to walk away. When she turned round, the girl said, "Please, tell me who I am supposed to be fighting?"
"I have said too much already." Regina looked mournful, as if she was already at a funeral. "Forget what you know child, and live. Who knows – maybe things will change."
Before Tari could ask any more questions, she walked away.
xXx
Tari was lying on her bed, trying to keep her mind off what Regina had said. Once again she could feel the terror covering her, like a blanket that was thrown over her body. She didn't want to be afraid of the future, but it was getting damn hard not to be when someone wished her good luck, when someone told her she may die.
It wasn't the fear of dying, per se. It was who might want her; what they might do to her. Tari didn't understand why anyone would want to kill her. The only reason Tari could think of was...well, Damon. But even then, why go after her mother? Assuming that the same person who wanted her dead killed her mother.
She tried to remember the accident, but it was all a blur. What drove Tari crazy was that she couldn't remember how the car had ended up in the water. One minute they were driving happily towards the boarding house – the next the car was sinking in the water and Tari was fighting for air. She couldn't remember seeing her mother as the water filled with car. She didn't know what had happened to her.
My head hurts, Tari thought, throwing a pillow over her head. It was killing her, thinking about all this. She was so confused... She didn't even know what she was afraid of.
Right now she wanted her mother.
"Tari!" Damon's voice boomed through the house. "Dinner!"
She could already hearing them arguing before she entered the kitchen. "All I'm saying is that one day you're going to be amazed over my cooking," Elena said.
"That really will be an amazing day," Damon scoffed. He scooped pasta into a bowl and poured the thick orange sauce over it. The smell was so overwhelmingly good that Tari breathed in deeply. Definitely not Elena's cooking.
"I was also thinking I might take a painting class," Elena said as she took her seat on the stool.
"Where is it?" asked Stefan.
"The community centre," Elena answered. "There's the February Art Fair after all; I might enter something."
"Don't," Damon said as he began to mop up some spilled over sauce. "That means I'll have to go."
"We're founders Damon," Stefan said with a teasing tone. "We have to make an appearance at these things."
"Sometimes it would be nice not to be a nobody," grumbled Damon. He lifted his head, about to call again when he saw her standing in the doorway. He raised an eyebrow questioningly at her before saying, "It's okay, Elena hasn't cooked."
"Funny," Elena said. Tari moved towards them, suddenly gripped by the thought that perhaps this might be taken away from her. Sitting at the table with her aunt, uncle and father – and sometimes Caroline and Tyler, and sometimes Ric. This life, the new life she had made for herself when she thought that she could never live again – it might all been snatched away from her. It was okay if someone wanted to hurt her, to kill her – but it was even crueller to take them away first; not when she had already lost her mother.
I'll fight. I'll fight for this.
xXx
I must admit I've enjoyed writing the characters of Regina and Axel, especially when they were together. I don't know, I liked them as a couple, though I don't think I'll be writing about them, at least not very much.
Also I want to know what you thought about mean Damon i.e. in the past with Rebecca. Was he too tough?
PLEASE REVIEW!