Damon was now in the room that Elena had been in when he had first taken her and brought her to the home he had designed for her safety. He paced the small room, cursing under his breath in Italian. "How had a mere woman, brought him to this point?" He asked himself. "He was the master of women!"

He tried to console his own ego, telling himself that "she wasn't just a woman, she was a Guardian." Even that fact he knew was bullshit, because she had, had the same hold over him when she had been only mortal. Or had she ever been only a mere mortal? He didn't know anymore. He couldn't think straight.

He summoned Amul, to bring him a "kitchen wench." Like a flash of lightening, she never saw coming, he had drained her before both her feet had even made it across the threshold. Her body slumped to the ground in the aftermath. Damon called Amul to dispose of the remains.

Eyes bloodshot and fangs still out, wanting more, he was ready to go on a bender.

It was then with all his senses heightened he her sobbing. He didn't want to care

But couldn't help himself. He waved his hand over the wall exposing the two way mirror he had installed that worked for whichever side he was on.

There he saw Elena sitting on the floor with a kitsune ball up to her head. His quick thinking told him immediately it was not his ball, so where had she gotten

Another and what could in contain? Was it making her cry, or was she finally feeling remorse? The part of his personality that needed to control his surroundings could not let this question go unanswered.

He splash water on his face, to remove the blood, and strode into the bedroom, snatching the ball away from Elena, leaving her somewhat dazed, by the sudden snap back to reality from the middle of a dream-like state.

"What is this" he barked at her. What game are you playing now you Succubus?"

With tears in her eyes she just said "See for yourself." Markus felt the strain to his heart seeing her tear stained faced, but fought the urge to comfort her.

Not wanting to look like he was giving into her, he debated whether or not to watch the ball.

"Are you afraid of what you may see" Elena asked him, goading him.

"I'm afraid of nothing woman" he lied. To prove his point, he placed the ball up to his head. It started to play, and he too slumped down to the ground immersed in what he was seeing.

Elena watched him to see his reaction. As she watched, she saw him keep changing from Markus to Damon and back again as if watching a TV that the channel kept loosing reception and trying to tune in another. The look on his face kept switching from one of pain, to horror and to anger. Which would be the final one remained to be seen?

Elena sat there in silence as the tears streamed down her face, not daring to make a peep.

Finally, he let his arm drop and the ball rolled across the floor. He said nothing, his expression almost unreadable. He had seemed to grow pale. It was as if someone had staked him. He starred out into space.

Elena was unsure what to do. After a long tense moment of silence she crawled over to where he sat with his back against the wall, head down. "Damon" she whispered, and gently placed her hand on his face. He jumped just slightly, not enough for a normal person to even notice, and then turned his gaze on her.

Then with more venom than she had ever heard come from him, he said one word. "STEFAN!"

He shot up, grabbing her hand and headed to the door. "Damon, where are we going?" She asked, but received no reply. She tried again, "Markus, talk to me?" she pleaded, but still he said nothing, only quickened his pace.

They were outside, and he grabbed her up flying over the mote, and over the wall, with such ease, it was as if he was an eagle, carrying his freshly caught mouse.

Elena tried to calm her fears, telling herself over, and over again, that Damon wouldn't really hurt her. However a nagging doubt kept creeping in..would Markus?

When he finally set her down they were walking into Tamathia's.

Almost as if on cue, or as if she had been expecting them, she greeted them at the door.

"Elena, how nice to see you again darling, she said, while doing air kisses to each of Elena's cheeks. Glancing up for only a second towards Markus, "I see my charm worked, and you have finally been able to see." She said to Elena. Elena was left to ponder that thought, while Tamathia moved on to greet Markus.

"Mr. Valestora or can I now call you Salvatore? It always amazes me the attachment people seem to have to their names." She said in a whimsical way, filled with amusement. Although she had placed her hand in Markus's, she was looking at Elena. "Please tell me you had caught onto the fact he had only changed around the letters of his last name?" She asked with one eyebrow raised.

Elena had to think about that one for a moment, picturing both names in her mind, and coming to the realization that, that was exactly what he had done.

Her cheeks turned a little red , signaling that no, she had not.

Damon cut them off. "We are here about a serious matter!"

"Yes I suppose you are, have you brought me something"? Tamanthia asked Markus. Markus reached into his coat jacket and produced a jade elephant. It's saddle was inlaid with jewels, and it had Emerald eyes, with a large diamond in the shape of a tear drop in the middle of it's forehead. He laid it into her outstretched hand. She beamed and her eyes seemed to slant a bit with a twinkle.

"It is a fine piece, let's get to work." She answered while waving her hand in towards the table, motioning for them to take a seat. She went and poured a glass of brandy and a cup of tea for herself and another for Elena, bringing them to the table on a tray where Elena and Markus were now seated.

Elena wasn't really in the mood for tea, but not wanting to seem rude, took a sip while saying thank you. Actually it was the best tea she had ever tasted. Markus also took a swig of the brandy, knowing how important it was to show a Kitsune respect. They hate rude people, and she could quickly become evil instead of helpful if she was to believe she had not been shown respect.

After they had all taken a drink and Tamanthia knew Markus would not be able to contain himself much longer, even though she did appreciate how much self control he had exhibited thus far, she said, "I would imagine this is about Sir Raiden?"