Hey guys! So here's chapter 4 and if some of you are Elena fans, I know I'm bashing her, but just hang in there it will get better. As for my loyal followers, this chapter will give insight into Alba's real reasons for being in Mystic Falls. Also shout out to my lovely beta reader dearlyfantastical5511, you are amazing girl! I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries only Alba and Danny.
Chapter 4
Be careful what you say to someone today. Because tomorrow they may not be here and you can't take it back. – Wiz Khalifa
It's been six days, nine hours, and thirty-two minutes since Damon Salvatore has last seen Alba. She split after that night in Chicago only to disappear off the face of the earth. He would be lying if he said she hadn't crossed his mind at least once since then. Actually, if he's being completely honest with himself, she's all that he can think about. Even as he was standing here helping Elena make the god awful Chili, he just can't pull his thoughts away from the mysterious raven haired girl.
"What's up with you?" Elena asked nudging his side so his attention is focused back on the chili that he'd been mindlessly stirring.
"Oh just thinking about how everybody brings chili to a potluck," he smiled sarcastically making Elena roll her eyes. "Hey Ric," he greeted absentmindedly watching the older man shuffle into the kitchen.
"What's up?" Rick asked his eyes roaming the distance between Damon and Elena, as if there was a double meaning behind those words.
"Just trying to figure out what has Damon's head in the clouds." She gave him a look as she starts to cut vegetables. He shrugged at her expression; brushing it off.
"Alba still hasn't contacted you, huh?" Alaric asked seeing past the façade that is called 'Damon's bullshit'. Damon eyes instantly zoom back to Alaric with a look that would cause anyone else to flinch under their scrutiny, but not Alaric he just stood there and watched as Elena perked up at the name.
"Alba?" She turned generating questioning eyes on Damon. "The girl that saved my life only so she could turn around and threaten me?"
"If we are being honest she didn't threaten you per say," Damon unintentionally defended the girl who seemed to have gotten under his skin causing a surprised glance from Rick, and a glare from Elena.
"You weren't there; you didn't see her like I did." Elena fumed, with what one would consider jealousy, as she sliced her vegetables with fury, "why are you defending her anyways? You told me she was just some nutcase that you knew from your past." Damon internally winced at the term he used for Alba. He knew Alba was far from a nutcase, but at the time, he was angry that Elena was almost found out, because he foolishly left her alone. Then to find out that Alba, the girl that looks uncharacteristically like him, saved Elena just pissed him off further. Alba unfairly received the backlash that came from Damon's bad night.
"I wasn't defending her Elena," he answered giving her a sideways glance. "I was merely pointing out a fact."
"Whatever," she huffed turning back to an unimpressed Rick He'd seen this coming a mile away. "What time do you want to go to the Lockwood party?"
"Ah, those founder parties aren't really my thing." He said as he slowly took two steps back from the four that would get him out of the kitchen and home free.
"Show up. There's going to be nine other people that brought chili." Damon goads amused.
"It's an old family recipe, ok?" Elena bites clearly exasperated with the vampire.
"Yeah! I know. I knew your old family. They made sucky chili." He laughed working his way back on Elena's good side. He knows he nailed it when she starts to laugh with him.
"Why are you here again?" Alaric asks staring at Damon uneasily.
"She knows." He muttered nodding towards Elena.
"He thinks I'm going to break. I'm not going to break. I am just going to keep making chili, pretend like I didn't just spend the entire summer looking for someone who didn't want to be found." She sighed, shoving Damon out-of-the-way to get to the pot.
"She's in denial," Damon whispered to Alaric drawing Elena's attention.
"I'm not in denial," She answered aggravated.
"No?" He asked drawing closer until he's towering over her. "You're still wearing this necklace. Isn't this a reminder of your unbreakable bond with Stefan?" He asks already expecting the silence he gets in return. However what he doesn't expect is the image that flashes through his mind when he touched Elena. He released the necklace quickly covering his shocked face with an easy smirk. "I'm going to go get ready for the party, see you there." He winks strutting out of the room and out the door. Once inside the privacy of his car, Damon takes a deep breath replaying the image he just saw over and over again in his mind. It was of Alba and Elena with their hands tied firmly behind their backs as they stood on the edge of a cliff. A chill ran down Damon's spine as he recalled Elena's terrified face and Alba's unresponsive one. But what had Damon really baffled is the way his mind was screaming for him to protect Elena, but his heart for the first time in centuries was pumping with cold hard fear at the prospect of losing Alba.
"Danny! Let's go!" I yelled for the third time in five minutes. I tug my leather jacket tighter around my shoulders as I wait for my little sister to come down the stairs. After some persuading on my part I finally finagled her into accompany me to the Lockwood party. In reality this meant she would be distracting the cheerleader and doppelgänger while I had a word with Bonnie.
"I'm not going!" I heard her small voice from somewhere upstairs as I rolled my eyes.
"You are going whether you walk there with me or I carry you like a small child in my arms. Your choice," I responded leaning against the banister as I wait for her to come down. Not even a minute later I hear her light footsteps as she appears at the top of the stairs.
"Damn, Danny you look hot!" I exclaimed grinning up at the faint blush that rises to her pale cheeks. She does look stunning in a simple white sun dress, her dark brown hair falling in soft waves past her shoulders, as her chocolate-brown eyes peer worriedly into mine.
"Are you sure?" She asked tugging on the white knit beanie that covers the top of her head. I frown walking up the steps to take her small hand in mine.
"You look beautiful Danny, as always," I smiled gently tugging on her hand to get her moving. She takes a shaky breath as she nods following me down the stairs and to the black mustang that sits in the driveway.
"What if people ask why I'm wearing this?" She questions pulling on her white beanie with anxious fingers. I glanced over at her as I drive down the street. Danny is exactly five years younger than I am which makes her thirteen. I remember my mother pleading with the doctors to induce her so Danny wouldn't be born on my birthday. She didn't want to take away from my special day, but what my mother never understood was, she gave me the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. She gave me the responsibility of being Danny's older sister.
"You tell them to shove it and come back when they have a real question." I smirked pulling into the long driveway that is already packed full of cars.
"Alba! I'm serious!" She yelled her chest rising and falling rapidly with anxiety. I can tell she's on the verge of a full on panic attack so, I quickly grab her hand resting it against my chest.
"Do you feel that?" I asked lightly pressing her hand against the skin so she can feel my heartbeat.
"Yes," she wheezed feeling the thump thump against her fingers.
"For as long as my heart is still beating, I promise that no one is ever going to hurt you, or make fun of you in any way; do you understand me?" I tell her firmly searching her eyes for any sign of doubt. I hear her heart beat decrease to normal as she nods looking out the window. "Good. Now let's go introduce our sexy asses to society." I wiggled my eyebrows climbing out of the car in my red lace dress and black ankle boots. My black hair is flowing freely around my shoulders adding to my badass appeal.
"So we are just here for the party then? Nothing else?" Danny questioned leaning into me so no one else can hear.
"Right," I nodded as we step onto the massive back porch of the Lockwood property. The place is done to the nines with little tables covering the yard and rows of long tables covered in food. "Look they even have the little finger sandwiches you like!" I point out hoping to get her focus off why we are here.
"Nice try, seriously, I know you Alba. You never drag me along unless…oh my god." She breathes stopping mid-sentence a look of shock replaced her features. I sighed as I watch her eyes travel across the yard, already well aware of who I will see. "He-he-" Danny can't seem to form words as I follow her eyes to the cold blue ones of Damon Salvatore. "That's him!?" She asked in disbelief her cheeks heating up when Damon turned his head in our direction. I crossed my arms and stare him down as Damon mirrored my actions. "He's why we are here?"
"Nope," I smirked, catching sight of Bonnie over his shoulder. "He's the last reason why we are here."
There are many traits passed down from a mother to her daughter. For instance, I was graced with patience and a keen eye for trouble. Danny has neither of those things, but she does have one special gift that I was never able to master. Danny has mastered the art of sweet talking. I watched in amusement as a group of people circled her as they laugh at something she just said. Danny has never had trouble making friends or keeping them. She may only be thirteen, but she is wise beyond her years. An old soul is what my mother would call her. Standing here now, I can honestly say I believe her.
"Being a little anti-social, aren't we?" Damon asked leaning against the other side of the tree I'm using as a shield.
"I'm just experiencing one of the famous Lockwood parties. I hear they are killer," I smirked at my pun. It doesn't go unnoticed by Damon as his lip twitches.
"Who's the girl?" He nodded his dark-haired head toward Danny's direction. "She's quite the charmer." I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye to see him staring at my sister in curiosity.
"She knows how to draw a crowd," I acknowledged crossing my arms. "What do you want Salvatore? I'm sure you didn't come over here to talk about my sister."
"That's your sister?" He asked in disbelief, "she's so…innocent." He finished looking to me in amusement. "What happened to you?"
"A dead mother and a vampire father with a tendency to go after his brother's girl? Whatever do you mean?" I smiled sweetly as his face darkens with anger. "Don't look so angry Damon I'm sure one day you will find someone who puts you first. But until that day comes I suggest you keep after the doppelgänger, who knows, maybe she'll sleep with you. After all it's in her blood." I don't even finish the last word before I'm being thrown into a tree. Luckily, Damon and I are far enough away from the crowd that no one will notice when I kick his ass.
"You don't know anything about me." Damon snarls already making another advance as I smirk in satisfaction.
"You know it's the truth Damon." I spit out meeting him half way. I easily block his fist as I knee him in the stomach before giving him a swift kick to the face sending him flying backwards. He recovers quickly running at me with his vampire speed, his face transforming. I chuckle holding my palm out whispering a few words that have Damon freezing mid step.
"What are you doing?" He growled trying to move his body as I feel my own eyes begin to darken.
"Do you honestly believe you're the only vampire in this town with someone on the line?" I hissed the veins around my eyes coming out as Damon is suddenly thrust into the air. "Huh, Damon? While you were out killing innocent people to save your precious doppelgänger, did you ever stop to think about who you may be hurting?" I raised an eyebrow when I don't receive an answer. I know my vampire face is coming out to play because I can see it mirrored in Damon's shocked eyes. However, he's quick to cover his surprise with his signature smirk.
"I don't care who I hurt in order to keep Elena safe." He glared down at me from his spot suspended in the air. "I would sacrifice anyone to keep her alive." He states allowing me to see the truth behind his eyes.
"Even Stefan?" I challenged smirking when he hesitates. "Wow Damon," I shook my head, "you actually had to stop and think about that didn't you?" He growled fighting against my hold on him.
"Put. Me. Down." He glared, it would have been intimidating to any other person, but it's me. So, I grin instead as I feign innocence and shrug at his command.
"As you wish," with that I sweep my hand to the left flinging Damon deeper into the forest where he literally breaks a tree in half. "Don't play games with a girl who can play better." I smirk strutting out of the forest to rejoin the festivities.
"Hey where have you been?" Danny questions when I'm finally able to pull her away from the crowd.
"Around," I don't elaborate as I start pulling her towards where I last saw Bonnie Bennett. "Listen do you remember when I said that we were just here to rejoin society?"
"Yes," she responds a little breathless as I weave us through the crowd of party goers. "You want me to distract someone, don't you?" She sighed already well aware of her role in all of this.
"That I do little sis." I smiled when I see Elena, Caroline, and Bonnie huddled together near the pond. "Okay here's what I need you to do. I need you to-"I stop my train of thought when I finally turn around to focus on Danny.
"What?" She sighed looking up at me through tired eyes. I frown when I see the light blue of bags starting to form under her eyes and the way her face is losing color. She looks like she's been up for days instead of hours.
"Nothing this can wait." I tell her wrapping an arm around her shoulders so she can lean on me as I guide her to the car.
"I'm fine," she mumbles looking at the ground as we walk trying hard to keep up.
"I know."
"I'm just really tired. How about I take a quick nap and then we can come back?" She suggested sliding into the car.
"Of course, we'll both take naps so we are fresh and ready to go." I reassured her as I start the engine and pull out of the drive.
"Just a quick nap," she mumbles groggy. I wait until her soft snores fill the car before I chance a glance at her. Her beanie shifted sometime during the drive giving me a glimpse of the thinning hair on top of her head. Her body looks smaller even more fragile when she's not awake. I'm finally able to see the beginnings of her skin sinking in as she loses weight and the inside of her arm where the needles were injected is filled with light purple bruises. I suddenly become very aware of the time limit I'm under and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I will not let anything happen to her.
The Lockwood party has dwindled considerably by the time I make it back. I left Danny asleep at home on the couch deciding this wouldn't take me very long. I keep forgetting that I'm here for one thing and one thing only and that one thing is not Damon Salvatore, or his little family crisis. I spot the doppelgänger across the lawn as I grimace debating whether to ask her where the Bennett witch is, considering she is nowhere to be found.
"It's a pretty risky move taking me on, don't you think?" I hone in on Salvatore's voice as an uneasy feeling settles in my gut. Chances are Damon Salvatore is about to do something very stupid that may or may not expose himself and the rest of us to the council. I roll my eyes in disbelief at that thought; the council is full of idiotic people with nothing better to do with their lives than hunt creatures that are far stronger.
"I knew what I was risking when I didn't leave town, but I figured... You're not self-destructive enough to kill the sheriff's ex-husband."
"Damn it!" I groaned making my way across the yard to save Caroline's father.
"Makes you the third person to underestimate me today," I heard Damon growl before I hear silence. I should probably use my vampire speed to get me there quicker, but I just shake the thought from my mind. It's a nice night plus he did torture his own daughter so I think he deserves a couple of minutes to be nibbled on. "Whoo. You know, with all this behavioral modification going on around here, I almost forgot how good blood tastes when it's...Fresh."
"What are you going to do? Kill everybody that discovers your secret?" I'm close enough now to hear Bill without the super hearing.
"No, I'm not going to kill you Bill. I'm just going to find pleasure in perfect little moments like this." Damon answered breathless no doubt making another attempt on Bill's neck.
"Me too!" I smiled cheekily as I walked into the room. "Oh was this invite only?" I asked letting my eyes fall to the blood running down Bill's neck. I narrow my eyes when my senses are flooded with the sweet smell of fresh produce. I can feel the urge to drive my fangs into his neck, but I pushed those feelings down. I'm not a vampire.
"Oh this is interesting," I snap my head up to Damon's amused face. "What is it Alba? Do you think Bill looks as good as he tastes? Because let me tell you, he tastes delicious." He answered in bliss bending his head for round three. I look to Bill who has his eyes squeezed shut tight in stubbornness.
"Tell me something Damon," I said walking over and yanking him away from Bill by his neck. "Do you find joy in getting your ass kicked, by me?" I ask flinging him to the other side of the room. "Because this makes twice today that you and I have gone at it and I'm starting to think it's because you like me so damn much."
"Actually I really just want to kill you," he glared not bothering to make another attempt on me.
"Do it." I taunted holding my hands out, "kill me Damon. Here is your chance." Unsurprisingly, he doesn't waste time zooming over to push me against the wall. I feel his hand squeezing the air out of my body, but that doesn't stop me from staring into his icy blue eyes in challenge.
"You aren't even a little scared, are you?" He asked curiously, his mood swings giving me whip-lash. I narrow my eyes and twitch my head in response. "I should kill you." Damon said talking to himself more than me. I can see the internal war he's having within himself and if it's because of me or something else I have no idea. But from the looks of it, Damon can't kill me, he won't let himself.
"Damon!" He drops me when the doppelgänger's reproving voice rings through the room. "You can't do this anymore, Damon. Not in this town. Not around me." She yelled giving Damon enough time to stop in front of her, his mouth smeared with blood.
"Why not? It's nothing I haven't done before. Why is it suddenly so important for everyone to keep me in check?" He snarled getting in Elena's face.
"Because I don't want you to be what other people think you are." Elena said trying to defend her point. I just shake my head at the doppelgänger.
"What? A monster? Sorry to disappoint you Elena, but last time I check, I was still a vampire!"
"I guess I wish you didn't have to act like one!" She screamed making me scoff. She is as dumb as she looks. I watch Damon get really close to her his tone warning.
"I am not Stefan. How about you stop trying to turn me into him?" He threatened vanishing out of the room leaving behind a spent Elena. I give her a moment of silence before I make my presence known.
"Well that was awkward." I smirked when she turns to me startled.
"What do you want? Here to follow through with you plan?" She bites turning her anger on me. I chuckle rubbing my eyes at the gall of this girl.
"Actually, I am and as of right now the plan doesn't involve you, so I could kill you." I glared at her satisfied when she takes a frightened step back. "Exactly Elena, don't forget who you are talking to, because I am not the Salvatores."
"What do you want?" She questioned looking around the house for anyone.
"You're heart," I laughed out loud when she inhales a breath to scream. "I'm kidding chill out. No I want Bonnie Bennett's address." This brings her up short.
"Why?"
"Give me the address."
"No." She answered stubbornly making me groan.
"Fine." I advanced towards her using my vampire speed to block her path to the door when she makes a run for it. "Ah, Ah, Ah," I reprimand shaking my head. "I wasn't planning on using compulsion considering but-"
"I'm wearing vervain." She stated strongly with fear underlying her words. I got to give this idiotic girl props for trying her hardest to seem fierce, but unfortunately instead she looks like a pup trying to howl for the first time. I grin bending down so I'm in her face.
"Elena. Where does the Bennett witch live?" I watched her pupils dilate before she answered in a robotic tone.
"5473 Oak hill drive." I beam patting her head as I walk away.
"Thank you for your coöperation." I snigger, "I would stay to chat further, but I have a witch to find."
Bonnie Bennett was not having a good night. She just walked home after her conversation with Jeremy and she wanted nothing more than to take a bubble bath and go to sleep. However, the fates had a different idea for the Bennett as her doorbell rang. She bit her lip in contemplation of actually getting it or pretending no one was home. But it could be an emergency so the good girl in her made her way towards the front room. When Bonnie opened the door to say she was surprised would be an understatement. A girl no older than herself stood before her, with hair black as night and eyes that reminded her all too much of Damon's. The girl sent an uneasy feeling down her spine but a comforting one as well. It confused the Bennett to no end.
"Hi, can I help you?" Bonnie asked suspiciously making sure not to invite the stranger in.
"Actually, you can. My name's Alba Martinez," she smiled leaning against the wall. "We need to talk."
Thank you all for reading! I hope you liked it and reviews are always appreciated!