A/N: Thanks for following and favouriting but please please please review! I have no clue if you like it so I don't really have motivation to write more.
I made my way downstairs slowly. I had spent the rest of the afternoon reading a book of poetry and just enjoying the silence. It was dinner time now and I made my way to the dining room. As I entered I realized that Stefan and Damon were already seated once again with Katherine, however this time Katherine was sitting purposely beside Stefan. I sent a quick warning glance at Katherine but she ignored me completely. I watched as they all glanced up at my entrance. Immediately Stefan stood out of respect but Damon moved to my side. Wow. He looked good. He had on a beautifully tailored dinner suit and I allowed my eyes to momentarily roam his form. When he stopped in front of me though, I forced my eyes to his. He was looking at me nervously.
"Miss Elena, it would honour me greatly if you sat by my side," He offered his arm to me with a kind smile.
I hesitated momentarily before I took it with a smile and allowed him to escort me to my seat beside him. He pulled my chair out for me and pushed it in gently as I sat. He took his seat once more and I tried to keep my eyes purposefully ahead but I could feel his eyes on me still. I glanced at him briefly and I was overwhelmed by the emotion in his eyes. He was looking at me with a mixture of adoration and, dare I say, desire. I was not simple. I had known since we met that he wanted me but I had hoped that my coldness would put him off. It seemed that this was not the case.
I was happy for the distraction as a man in his late forties or early fifties entered the room. I immediately distrusted him. I did not know why but he made me feel on edge. He approached the head of the table and sat. I turned back around and gave him my attention.
"I apologize for being so late; however I had a great deal of business to attend to in my study. I apologize too, Miss Pierce and Miss Pierce for not being present upon your arrival but I am a terribly busy man. My name is Giuseppe Salvatore and I am pleased that you arrived safely and it seems that you are already acquainted with my sons." His tone was light and pleasant but I could hear the cold and calculated undertones. Thankfully Katherine decided to take the initiative to speak.
"No apologies are necessary Mr Salvatore. You are incredibly gracious to open your home to us and we both appreciate it greatly. We are settling in quite nicely I think and your sons have been delightfully accommodating and polite." I rolled my eyes inwardly at Katherine's wilting tone. To my ears it sounded absolutely ridiculous but she had used it many times to sway men to her favour. It seemed to buy over Giuseppe because he smiled tightly at her and he turned his eyes to me. I smiled brightly and gave him an acknowledging nod. This seemed to satisfy him too for he ordered the servants to serve dinner.
There was little conversation at dinner and the tension in the air was thick. It was mainly between Giuseppe and Damon. Every now and then I would catch them glaring at each other and I wondered what was going on there. I had never seen Damon like this before. Of course I had not known him for long but he usually had a light playful expression not this dark, defiant, fiery one that was present. I was broken from my thoughts as Giuseppe's voice resounded over the table.
"So ladies, I assume you have familiarized yourselves with the estate and the town?" His voice was gruff and I wondered if this man actually had the ability to genuinely smile.
"Actually father, it is coincidental that you mention it because Stefan and I intend to take the ladies into town tomorrow after breakfast," Damon spoke up from his spot in a dull voice. It was clear that he hated having to correspond with his father whatsoever. Giuseppe seemed to reluctantly look at his eldest son and a grudging accepting look crossed his face.
"Good. You make sure you look after them boys. I have heard rumours of some trouble in town. And Damon, make sure you do not embarrass the family any further. I will count on Stefan to tell me if you do." I was taken aback by his casual attack on Damon specifically. I looked at him curiously but he did not look surprised at all by his father's treatment.
"Yes father," he said stiffly and I could see him gritting his teeth. He seemed to be holding himself back from saying more. Probably for Katherine and my own behalf. I felt terrible for him. He had been put on the spot in front of company by his father. Surprising myself, I reached under the table and grasped his hand in mine, where it was seated on his lap. His eyes snapped to me and I gave him a small sympathetic smile. His eyes held shock for second before he relaxed into a surprised smile too and I could see he was grateful for it. I felt his thumb stroke my hand gently and I could feel electricity shooting up my arm from his touch.
I shifted in my seat slightly, scolding my lack of control on my desire. I was confused for a moment because Katherine was watching me intently and she threw me a lewd smirk with a raised eyebrow. I groaned mentally. Oh God! Of course! She could easily smell how aroused I was and she was revelling in my loss of control after so long proclaiming to not need men. I glared at her and she smiled innocently at me. What happened next was worse.
"Miss Elena, are you alright? You look quite feverish," Stefan asked and it was a perfectly innocent question to everyone but Katherine and myself. I watched her bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing at my expense. I forced a smile onto my face as I replied.
"I am quite alright Stefan. I think I may have drunk my wine a little too quickly." This seemed to satisfy him because he turned to Katherine with a smile before returning to his dinner. I laughed inwardly at his innocence. He was a complete opposite of Katherine and I wondered how he would handle her wildcat personality. I stopped my internal laughter as I felt Damon squeeze my hand gently and I looked up into his eyes. He was giving me a knowing look with a satisfied playful smirk on his lips. I groaned silently again as I realized that he had understood what had happened too. Unlike obliviously innocent Stefan, he had been able to deduce from my flushed face and my silent exchange with my 'sister' what was going on. I quickly pulled my hand back and grabbed my wine, taking a large gulp. I ignored the amused look on Katherine's face. Once everyone had finished, Giuseppe stood.
"Well I shall bid you ladies goodnight. I trust you, sons, to escort them to their rooms and Damon I expect you to come to my study once you are done."
Giuseppe left the room and I heard Damon sigh audibly. His father was clearly going to yell at him some more.
Stefan left the room soon with Katherine on his arm. I glared at her in annoyance and outrage as she sent a knowing look over her shoulder at me. Damon offered me his arm and I took it quickly. We walked upstairs quietly and soon we stood in front of my door. I disengaged my arm from his and watched him warily. I hoped he would not bring up the embarrassing situation at dinner. I was thankful to find that there were limits to his daring side and he did not mention it. Though he was clearly confident and defiant of society's ways, I could still see a lot of innocence in him and I liked that.
"Well goodnight Miss Elena. I will see you tomorrow at breakfast. My father 's waiting, I should go."
He looked like he was not eager at all to leave my side and I felt bad for him.
"If you don't mind me asking, what has your father so angry?" I kept my tone light and questioning and I watched as his gaze darkened slightly. He sighed. I already knew on a level but I was interested to hear his version.
"I wrote to him the previous week informing him that I was leaving the confederacy and returning home. He is incredibly angered because he thinks me a deserter and a coward." I could hear the anger in his voice and I knew it was not proper of me to be speaking to him about this but I simply wanted to help. I did not like seeing him hurt.
"That must be difficult. Can I ask why you left?" I looked down nervously but soon I looked up at him.
"Please don't think less of me but I couldn't stand the horrible wasteful death that was ever present. I watched friends and comrades die right in front of me. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave. Father doesn't see it that way," My heart broke at the desolate expression on his face and I could tell that he was remembering his time in the war. I hesitantly reached out and placed my hand on his shoulder. He eyed my hand before meeting my eyes once more with a questioning look.
"I'm sorry that your father embarrassed you so shamelessly like that at dinner. I think it was incredibly petty of him and believe me Damon; I don't find you weak. I find you brave for standing up for what you believe in and you should not be ashamed," I rubbed small circles with my hand on his shoulder absent-mindedly. He looked taken aback by my words but soon his eyes held gratitude and wonderment, and the look of adoration he had at dinner had increased tenfold. He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair that had fallen into my eyes.
"Forgive me Miss Elena but you talk so strangely for a woman of your status. Many would not share your views and would shun me for being a deserter." I gave him a gentle smile and took the hand that he had used to touch my hair. Feeling daring, I kissed his palm and gave him a brighter smile.
"Well I am not like most women. I have never agreed with war and I happen to think that there should be other ways to solve conflict instead of creating needless carnage." The smile on his face at my words and my actions was breathtaking. I knew he was human but his beauty was so rare that it was hard to believe he was not already a vampire like me. The only evidence to prove he was not was the hammering sound of his rapid heartbeat that seemed to quicken whenever I smiled at him.
"Miss Elena, I have to admit how pleased I am that you have come to be here. I find that I will be able to endure my father's tirade with ease, knowing that there is someone who shares my views and beliefs. I think the image of your beauty in my mind too will shield me from any emotional blows I shall receive tonight."
Wow. He certainly had a way with words. I blushed but I knew that he would not be able to tell. I haven't fed well enough to produce any colour to my face. I gave him a playful smile as I struggled to find a response to his flattery. I was not used to being on the receiving end of it.
"Mr. Salvatore, you have stricken me speechless. Those are some passionate words spoken of one you have only just been acquainted..." I trailed off and I silently hoped he would elaborate and explain how he was feeling. I could not understand his eagerness to court me. He could easily have Katherine if he wanted. She had no qualms about going with more than one man at the same time. A trait I found disgusting in her.
"I apologize if I've made you uncomfortable but it's just that ever since I met you, I can't stop thinking about you. You have such warmth about you and your eyes shine with kindness and compassion the likes I have never seen. Your beauty is so disarming and I find myself lost staring at you at times and I have no control over it."
I had definitely noticed the staring. I was a little overwhelmed by his feelings about me. No one had ever described me like this before. He was watching me intently, clearly hoping I did not react badly to his confession. Unfortunately I was going to disappoint him.
"I...I...You should get along to your father's study. He will be wondering where you are," I suggested and I watched as his face fell. He clearly had been hoping that I would say something different. I hated seeing that expression on his face because of me but I could not just let myself do this. He was such a passionate, beautiful person. I could not condemn him to a life of blood, death and murder. It was wrong and I would not lead him into damnation.
I turned to my room and opened my door. His shoulders slumped slightly and he half turned to go.
"Of course, Miss Elena. I hope you will forgive me for my forwardness and I hope it doesn't affect our time together tomorrow. Goodnight." I swallowed down the lump in my throat. His face was so ashen and the light was gone from his icy blue eyes.
"Damon," I called and he turned to me once more and I had to look away from the hope in his eyes slightly. "I'm sorry but this is for the best. I want you to know though that if you ever need me for help or just to talk, you are more than welcome to knock on my door, propriety be damned." I offered him a slightly playful smile hoping it would ease some of the tension off of his face. It worked a little because his lips twitched and he gave me a nod before turning and leaving.
I shut my door and leaned heavily against it. Urgh! This could not be happening! I had only just arrived in Mystic Falls and I already was falling for a gorgeous young human man who was showing signs that he was feeling exactly the same. The big problem was that I had sworn to myself and to my brother that I would never condemn anyone to this life. It would be selfish of me to pursue anything with Damon outside of friendship.
As I neared my vanity my eyes widened in shock at what I was hearing from the adjoining room. My loving 'sister' was currently going at it with Stefan in her room. I could not believe Katherine's audacity. We had only been here two days and she was already sleeping with one of our hosts sons. Thankfully it was the younger one, I silently mused. I glared at myself in the mirror. Damon was not mine and he never would be and it did not matter what Katherine did. My silent words sounded incredibly false even in my head and I groaned in frustration, putting my head in my hands. I got undressed quickly and slipped into my nightgown. I crawled into bed and I fell into a restless slumber.
It had probably not even been an hour before there was a timid knock on my door. I groggily sat up and frowned slightly in confusion but I pulled back my covers and crossed to the door quickly. The heartbeat on the other side was beating fast and I could tell the person was nervous. I opened the door hesitantly and my eyes widened incredulously at the sight before me.
"Oh my...Damon what happened?" I cried out in concern and shock. His face was bleeding in numerous places and I could see bruises already forming. He was looking at me desperately and apologetically.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you this late but I had no one else to go to. I did not want Stefan to see. He hates it so much when father and I come to blows." I pushed aside my shock and ushered him into my room. I hated Giuseppe Salvatore with a passion now. How could someone hurt their own flesh and blood? I just couldn't understand it.
I made him sit on the chair in front of my vanity while I crossed to the bathroom to grab a cloth. I grabbed the pitcher of water from beside my bed and I crouched to my knees before him. I dipped the cloth into the water and began dabbing at the wounds on his face gently. I watched him wince slightly every now and then and I wanted to just give him some of my blood to save him from this pain but I knew it was not an option.
"Your father did this to you," I didn't even bother voicing it as a question. I knew that that was the case. He nodded and I could see a bitter look on his face.
"My father is a very proud man and I have brought great embarrassment upon him and the family name. He felt it necessary to teach me a lesson." I kept taking in slow breaths to stop the temptation of his blood from taking over. It was also difficult suppressing the urge to go snap Giuseppe Salvatore's neck right then and there. I needed to feed properly soon or there would be problems.
"I'm sorry. I can't say I understand what you're going through. My family was always kind and compassionate. I just can't imagine how someone could hurt their own son." He shook his head slowly and smiled without a trace of humour.
"It's always been like this. Ever since our mother died he's always hated me. He loves and dotes on Stefan like no other but he detests my presence. My most recent stunt has increased his hatred tenfold." I finished up on his face. It was clean from blood but the wounds would take a while to heal. I stood and he followed suit. He looked over me and I watched as a blush crossed his face.
"I'm sorry again for barging in at such a late hour and...and with you being so indecent," I laughed inwardly as I realized he had only just noticed I was in my nightgown. I gave him a genuine smile.
"It's fine. I'm glad you decided to come to me and don't doubt ever doing it again. I want you to be able to trust me with this. I know that we will be great friends." I watched as he frowned as I mentioned the word 'friends'. He hesitated with a conflicted look on his face.
"Just friends?" I could hear the hope in his voice and I gave him a look.
"Just friends," I agreed firmly and I saw him look disappointed before he nodded slowly.
"I'll let you get some sleep. Thank you again for this. Goodnight." I watched as he slipped out the door quietly. I breathed a sigh of relief. The relief was short lived as the door to the adjoining room opened.
"Well sister aren't you wicked. Having strange men in your room at this hour? You should be ashamed," Katherine mocked with a grin. I rolled my eyes at her and crossed over to her. I pushed the door open a little more with my hand revealing a sleeping Stefan underneath the covers, clearly naked and there were tell tale bite marks on his throat and chest. I gave Katherine a disapproving look.
"You can talk sister! What do you think you're doing? You can't just use him like this. It's not right. He is an innocent boy! He has not even come of age yet and you are already corrupting him?" I kept my voice hushed but the venom in my voice was clear enough. Katherine rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically.
"Elena, I've told you time and time again: I will take what I want and I don't care who gets hurt in the crossfire. Speaking of, I decided that one is simply not enough." I did not like the evil smirk on her face as she spoke those words.
"What are you talking about Katherine?" She laughed at my worried tone and put a hand on my shoulder in a mockingly comforting gesture.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it Elena but let's just say that I may think two brothers are better than one. And I'm sure it won't take much effort to get Damon to be agreeable, especially since you are hell bent on rejecting his advances..." My eyes widened in shock at her words. I opened and closed my mouth a few times.
"Katherine, please just leave him alone! He doesn't have to be a part of this! I...I can't believe I'm saying this but you can have Stefan. I don't care what you do with him but just leave Damon alone! You don't know what he's been through. He's been hurt enough!" I begged her with my eyes but she just let out a mocking laugh.
"Elena, you do know these walls are paper thin to people like us. Of course I know what he's been through. He's a poor war torn soul and I am perfectly up to the task of making him feel better. I don't know why you're being so uptight about this. You've shot him down multiple times already and I have no idea why. I saw that at dinner tonight. You want him and you want him bad." I swallowed thickly at her words and I wanted to scratch her eyes out but she had a few hundred years on me. I would not win.
"It's not that I don't want him, okay? I don't him to be condemned to a life like this. He still has a future. He doesn't need to become a monster. If you heard as much as you say you did then you know full well how much he hates bloodshed. There must be some small amount of compassion in you that thinks this is wrong too!" I pleaded and she gave me a dark look and got right up close to my face.
"You're wrong Elena. I don't have an ounce of compassion in me and I do not hate this life like you do. It's the best damn thing that has happened to me. I think Damon will think so too once I turn him. I think vampirism will be very agreeable with him. Know this, Elena, I do not intend to stop and I will have him even if I have to resort to compulsion, unless of course you can stop me." She gave me the most disturbing sweet smile I have ever seen. I felt the veins under my eyes prickling, wanting to come out. I was so angry and I wanted to kill her.
"Why are you doing this? You could have anyone, anyone at all! Why him?" I quietly screamed at her.
"Because you want him, that's why. It's as simple as that. I want you to give in and take something for once. I am getting sick of your constant inner turmoil. I am doing this for you Elena. I want you to have him and I know it's going to take a lot to break you down because you're so stubborn but you know I'm determined. The second you give in, I will back off. We both know you are the lesser of two evils. Him being with you for all eternity will be better for him than him being with me. He's damned either way now Elena. Make it easier for him."
I could not believe what I was hearing and what I was seeing. Her eyes had softened and they were looking at me in an actual sisterly way. She truly believed that she was doing this for me! This was all my fault! If I had not shown interest in Damon she would have left him alone. I felt a tear slip from my eye. He was a dead man either way now and I had been the one to condemn him. It was only a matter of how in the end now.
I began to breathe in and out deeply and I felt the veins under my eyes appear and my fangs elongated. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to calm myself. It had been too long since I had fed properly and being in such a stressful situation did not help. Katherine gave me a knowing look and grabbed my hand. She tugged me into her room and dropped me onto the bed beside Stefan. I looked up at her in confusion but she did not answer, she just approached the bed too and shook Stefan awake. He opened his eyes groggily and I saw him frown at seeing the both of us.
"Katherine? Miss Elena?" his voice was innocent and questioning. Katherine leaned down and gave him a sweet kiss which seemed to calm him. She pulled back and met his gaze.
"Dear Stefan, you would not object if my sister fed on you would you?" His eyes became unfocused momentarily before he looked at me then back at her.
"No of course not, Miss Elena you're more than welcome." He smiled at me blankly. I shook my head defiantly at Katherine and she sighed in a bored way before gripping me by the back of the neck. I tried to fight against her but she was too strong. She held my head above the still bleeding wound on Stefan's neck and I tried to resist but the demon in me wanted it badly. I felt my resistance snap and I growled lowly before digging my fangs into his neck. I heard him let out a slight groan and I pulled in the hot sweet liquid. I moaned happily and let myself lose control and just enjoy the taste of his blood. Soon I felt Katherine pull me back and I turned to her with a snarl. She gave me an amused but bored look.
"Come now Elena, you don't want to kill him do you?" My fangs disappeared, as did the veins and I looked down at Stefan guiltily. His eyes were closed and he was sickly pale. I bit into my wrist and held it to his lips gently. It took him a few seconds but he soon latched onto my wrist and began to take slow pulls of my blood. When he was fully healed, I pulled away and stood.
"You are sick Katherine! You may think you are doing all of this for my benefit but if you hurt Damon I will never forgive you! I stayed with you all these years for one reason and that was my brother. Because of this I will not leave you but believe me if you thought I was horrible before, I will be a hundred times worse if you hurt him!" I could not continue to look at her smug smile any longer so I stormed back to my room, slamming the adjoining door.
I threw myself back into bed and began to sob into my pillow. What was I going to do? I needed to protect Damon but the only way to do that was to give in. I couldn't though. It was against everything I swore to myself and Jeremy. I would betray him if I turned Damon. I needed to find another way to stop Katherine and I needed to find one soon.
A/N: Hope you like this chapter! I wanted to give Katherine a little more depth because from what we see on the show, I truly believe that the years turned her cold but there is still the human version of her in there. Please review and follow :) Next chapter will include a little trip to town, Pearl and Anna, Stefan begins acting strangely around Elena and Damon bestows a gift.