Chapter 24

The vampire turned suddenly aware of Elena's presence, he released Damon, who fell in a heap to the ground, lying still. Stefan was starting to move again, "Katherine!" the vampire exclaimed, a shocked expression spreading across his face, he wiped Damon's blood off his mouth using the back of his hand.

Elena didn't know who Katherine was but she just nodded, distracted by the lifelessness of Damon's body.

"I thought you were dead, I heard rumours you were, but here you are, the years have been good to you" he smiled his eyes sparkling.

Elena forced a smile, Stefan was weakly trying to sit up, dazed.

"I knew I sensed a powerful mind, I thought it was one of the Salvatore brothers, it's been too long my dear Katherine." He edged closer to her, noticing her gaze hat wandered on Damon. "Sorry, I didn't know you owned those two, but why waste your time on them? You can come with me, like old times." His voice was hypnotising yet slightly hysterical.

At this Damon's body jolted, as he gasped for breath, Elena let out her own breath that she had been holding ever since he went still.

The vampire was now standing right beside her; he reached down for her arm, his touch sending chills through her. "This is what I mean, you'll get hurt around the Salvatore's, Katherine" He pulled her arm to his face inhaling her bloods scent, his face tightened; he inhaled again, and then threw her arm down with unnecessary force.

"You're not Katherine" His sounded insulted, his fists clenched and his jaw went tight.

"Katherine's blood was smelled nothing like your. You lied to me, I could never tolerate liars" his lips pulled back and revealed his pointed teeth. Stefan was trying to pull himself to his feet and was practically dragging his body to Damon's side. Elena backed away from the vampire whose body was shaking with anger.

"I...I'm sorry" Elena didn't know what else to say, her eyes still looked over to Damon, Stefan was beside him now but she couldn't see what he was doing.

"You will be sorry" he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her closer, his head bent over her neck and just as his teeth touched her neck his body feel downwards. Damon stood behind him holding one of Stefan's vervain injections. The vampires' body lost its dominating presence as Damon towered over his unmoving body.

Blood was dripping from Damon's mouth, Stefan's blood, Elena realised, that's why Stefan went over to him, because he wouldn't be able to sneak up behind the vampire as unnoticeable as Damon's soundless footsteps, so he give Damon blood to give him power. Stefan was now able to stand now that the vampire was lying unconscious.

Damon took Elena into his arms and embraced her, "You could have been killed" his voice was weak from fighting but his hold on her was firm.

"You could have been killed too"

"True, but unlike me your life is precious"

Elena looked up at him "Without you, my life would be pointless"

Damon wondered what he had done in his life that was so good to deserve Elena, but he couldn't think of anything, he didn't believe he did deserve her.

"No more fights, ok?" Elena laughed exhausted

"Not tonight anyway" Damon's eye shone brightly, showing the light in his dark eyes, he doubted he could go a week without a fight with someone, trouble seemed to follow him, he considered this, maybe he was the one following trouble, he decided.

Damon led her to the ledge of the roof, and lifted her, this time Elena didn't close her eyes, and they walked to Stefan's car with Stefan following still partly dazed.

"There just one thing I don't understand" Elena looked to Damon, confused.

"What's that?" Damon asked opening the car door for her.

"Who's Katherine?"…