I had a huge grin on my face as Damon and I sang while he turned in my driveway. The Black Keys was blasting on the car's speaker, and strangely, I felt happy and carefree. He turned off the car, and we got out. He blurred in front of me, and pressed me against the hood of the car with a wicked grin.
"Sleepover?" he suggested.
"Okay. Sleep-over." I retorted laughing.
He narrowed his eyes and kissed me.
"We'll see," he answered.
We got the bags and he walked with me to the front door. I dropped one of the bags, and got my keys to open the door. As I was unlocking the door, Damon suddenly turned to the side of the house with a frown.
"What?" I asked opening the door.
He pushed me inside the house and I was going to laugh at his hurry to get lucky, but by his serious frown, I knew it wasn't that. He pushed me against a wall, and stood in front of me. He reached and turned on the lights. I gasped.
"Well, well, hello." The unexpected visitor said. "You kept me waiting long enough, Isabella."
"Victoria," I breathed, clutching to Damon's arm.
"Is this your new vampire friend? I've heard the other set left you." She taunted stepping forward.
"Stay away from her," Damon said warningly.
"Or what?" She laughed.
I didn't need to see his face to know it had changed. His body was tensed, ready for attack and Victoria narrowed her eyes.
"When I'm done with you, I'll drain her dry. Is she as tasty as she smells?" She said.
Damon blurred to her and pinned her to the opposite wall to me by her throat. She laughed and escaped his grip. I could barely see them, as they blurred, fighting around the living room. The coffee table was smashed and there was a dent on the wall.
"Stop!" I cried to her. "I surrender, just stop!"
They finally stopped but the scene made my heart skip a beat and clench painfully. She had him in a headlock, in his knees in front of her. He clawed at her arms trying to breathe.
"You know… This is turning fun." She smirked.
She snapped his neck and after the sickening crack he fell on the floor. Dead. I looked at her, waiting for her to kill me. I knew he would come back to life soon, but not soon enough to help me. Maybe that was for the best. But with a laugh, she disappeared. I stayed frozen for a moment, waiting for her to appear again and kill me, but when nothing happened, I finally moved from my spot. I ran to Damon, falling on my knees, and pulled his head to my lap.
"Damon?" I whispered.
No answer. It was really like he was dead. I held him, crying silently, my tears falling on his face as I waited. An hour later his eyes snapped open, and he looked around before staring up at my face.
"She's gone," I said.
"Fucking shit," he groaned sitting up and rubbed his neck. "Did she hurt you?"
"No,"
"Then why are you crying?" He frowned at me.
I rolled my eyes at him and with a weak laugh, I wiped my tears. He was alright and back to the Damon I knew.
"I was scared," I said.
"Huh."
He stood up and helped me from the floor. I stood close behind him as he walked around the house, checking for any signs of Victoria.
"She isn't here," he said. "The fact that they can get in without being invited sucks."
"Yeah," I mumbled.
"Are you sure you are okay?"
I nodded giving him a weak smile and wrapped an arm around his waist as we went back downstairs.
"You shouldn't stay here alone. Or Charlie. Maybe you two should stay at our house for some time," he said.
"Okay." I agreed.
He gave me a weak smile and kissed me gently. I understood that it was his way of saying he would protect me. We walked hand in hand out of my house, grabbing one of the bags we had just brought in, and he got the box with my grandma's stuff. We were walking to his car when I heard a howl from nearby. Our head snapped, and I saw something on the side of my house. Damon pulled me closer and put the box on top of the car. Apparently my visitors weren't over. Jacob walked around the house towards us with an expression that was a mix of shock and anger.
"Jake," I said happily, ignoring his mood.
I pulled my hand from Damon's and ran to Jake, jumping on him on a hug. He gave me a bear hug, but continued to look at Damon over my shoulder.
"Thank God you're okay," I said.
"I am… But I don't know about you." He said.
I pulled back and he was glaring at me.
"What?" I frowned.
"How can you, Bella? Why didn't you tell me you met another bloodsucker?!" He accused.
"Jake… It's not what you think,"
"It isn't. I can smell him all around the house!" he eyed me up and down with disgust. "All over you!"
"He isn't what you think" I said, and felt Damon grab my arm and pull me back, but I stood my ground. "He isn't like the Cullen's or Victoria."
"He is a bloodsucker," Jacob said shooting Damon a glare. "Let go of her."
"Try to force me, puppy." Damon shot back.
"Damon, stop." I said warningly.
"You told him." Jake said shocked.
"Jake…"
"You betrayed us!"
"No… Look, his eyes! He isn't like them! He is different, Jake, I swear." I said, fighting tears.
Jake glared at Damon, but I could see curiosity growing as he noticed the differences.
"So, he isn't a vampire? He doesn't kill people?" Jake asked calmly.
"I am a vampire, and I do kill people." Damon smirked.
"He doesn't! He's trying to annoy you. He hasn't killed anyone in a long time, he drinks from blood bags." I said quickly.
Jake eyed me with disgust again.
"So, what are you to him? A toy or a blood bag?" he gestured to my neck.
I covered the spot where I knew there was probably a light bruise from where Damon drank earlier that night.
"We are friends, not that it's any of your business, dog." Damon snapped.
Jake took a step forward, shaking, and I slipped between the two men.
"Jake, please. He is my friend. He won't hurt anyone and he'll help protect me. Right, Damon?" I said.
He didn't answer. I looked at him with a frown.
"Damon?"
"Yeah, right, whatever." He said rolling his eyes.
"He will protect me. Victoria is in town. We should focus on that. I'll tell you everything later, I promise." I said to Jake.
He looked down at me with sadness. I knew I was hurting him. He had done everything he could to protect me and again I was hanging out with vampires.
"Okay. The pack will come as soon as they can. I'm staying." he said.
"Great," I said relieved and gave him a smile.
"Great," Damon said sarcastically. "I'm taking her to my house. More discreet, and my brother is there."
He took my hand in his and tugged me away from Jake, but Jake grabbed my arm stopping us.
"Wait. No. Why your house?" He said.
"Charlie is already there. And my house is surrounded by woods," Damon said. "If Victoria attacks, I don't have to worry about the neighbours calling the police."
"You can stay phased around his house, Jake." I said.
Damon shot me a look that clearly meant that he hadn't invited Jake. I ignored him and took Jake's hand, giving him a pleading look. He sighed and giving Damon a suspicious look, he nodded.
"How about we take my car and follow Damon there?" I said smiling.
Damon wasn't pleased by my decision to ride with Jake. But I needed time to explain things to him or he would freak out with Charlie being in a cellar and other strange stuff happening in Mystic Falls. Damon sped to his house, but I took my time, telling Jake everything that he should know as I slowly drove to the Salvatore's boarding house. Jake was deeply hurt that I had hidden things from him, and that I was hanging around vampires, as expected. He was surprised by the fact that witches actually existed, and that Charlie was a vampire hunter.
"God, Bella, is anything normal in your life?" He said as we turned in the Salvatore's house driveway.
"I guess not," I said turning off the engine.
"I'll trust you, and work with them to protect you, Bella." Jake said quietly, "But you need to promise me you will be careful."
"I promise," I smiled sadly.
We got out and I took him in a hug before he walked away into the woods. I felt bad for hurting him. It was never my intention but it seemed that it was all I did. I loved him, like a friend, like a brother, but not in the way he wanted me to. I wished I did, it would be so simple, easy. He held me tight to his chest until we heard the door opening. He set me down, and I looked at Damon, standing at the doorway with a glass of something and a smirk.
"Be careful," Jake said one last time before turning and running to the woods to phase.
I slowly walked to Damon, who received me with a kiss, and then slammed the door closed.
"Unfortunately, we are not alone." He said with a smirk as we walked to the living room.
Stefan looked up at us from his spot on the couch, and put aside his book. He gave me a questioning look, and then eyed the arm Damon had around my waist.
"Hi, Stefan. How are you?" I asked smiling politely.
"Very well. How was your trip?" he asked.
"Good,"
"I would say more than good," Damon said with a smirk.
"Damon," I hissed blushing and then gave Stefan an apologetic smile. "Damon said I could stay. Is that okay?"
"Of course, Bella. He mentioned you needed our help… How can we help you?" he asked standing up.
"Well… Ahn, it's a long story."
"And we're going to need drinks to live through it." Damon said and left my side to go refill his glass.
"I've dated a vampire before," I blurted to Stefan as he sat down and I sat across from him in the loveseat. "He's name was Edward and…"
"Summary: they are not like us. Another kind of vampire," Damon interrupted and plopped down on my side. "Really creepy. They sparkle on sunlight, they do not have weakness, only another of their kind or a werewolf can destroy them, and apparently there's another kind of werewolf. We have one as guard dog right now,"
"He's not a guard dog, Damon." I frowned at him.
"He's a dog, and he's guarding." He said with a grin and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Wait, it's not full moon," Stefan said confusedly.
"Exactly. Bella here is the connection between our supernatural and theirs. Her pack of werewolves transforms at will, any time they want."
"So, there's a new kind of vampire and a new kind of werewolf… and we have one outside?" Stefan asked frowning. It did sound crazy.
"Yes… Basically, there's a vampire, of the other kind, after me because my ex killed her mate… And she's in town. So my friend, Jake, the werewolf, is here to protect me," I said.
"I said she could stay with Charlie here so we can protect them," Damon said.
"I don't want to bother you, Stefan…" I said.
"It's not a problem, Bella. I'll help protecting you. Maybe I could hear more about these other kinds later,"
"Of course, I'll tell you anything you need to know. I'm sorry I didn't before."
"Great, arrangements settled, conversation over." Damon said as if he was irritated by the conversation. He stood up and pulled me up too, making me stumble. "Goodnight, Stefan. Don't let the dog in."
"Damon, stop calling Jake a dog." I said sternly pulling my hand from his.
"Whatever," he rolled his eyes.
Stefan gave me an understanding smile; I knew he did understand, he had dealt with this infuriating Damon a lot.
"How is my dad?" I asked Stefan.
"He is very well. He asked for you yesterday. I told him you were in Jacksonville and would be back tomorrow."
"I'm going to see him."
"Super," Damon said sarcastically and sat back down on the couch.
I shook my head at him and went to the basement. I walked to the cellars and saw my dad lying on a bed, reading a book.
"Dad?"
His head snapped up and he quickly got up. I unlocked the door with some difficulty, and entered the small room. He took me in a hug and I fought my tears as I wrapped my arms around his waist tight.
"Bella, I'm so happy to see you're okay. Stefan said you were, but…"
"I'm fine, dad. I was with mom," I said pulling back with a small smile.
"You were with Damon, weren't you?" he said frowning.
"Yes," I sighed.
"I know that they can compel me by now, and they will compel me to forget about their nature, but… I would like for you to know… Bella, I don't like this. You're alive, but until when? They are monsters."
"They don't kill anyone, dad. If I give Damon a small amount of blood every now and then, and that way he won't ever recur to kill someone, isn't that just a small price to pay? He drinks…"
"From blood bags, I know." He sighed. "Stefan told me about their diet… Bella, why? Why do you have to be so stubborn and not be afraid of a vampire?" He said with a sad smile.
"I never wanted normal, I guess." I mumbled. "I'm sorry I disappoint you, dad. I wished you could see this the way I do."
"I'm not disappointed in you, Bella. I would never be disappointed in you. The fact that you are compassionate with vampires just shows how big your heart is. And although I don't like him right now, Damon… seems… liked an okay guy." He said awkwardly. "At least I know you're protected from other vampires."
"Dad, about that." I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. "Edward was a vampire too, but a different kind."
"What? You're kidding me," he laughed.
"No, dad. I'm sorry. There was nothing you could have done," I said as his face fell into a expression of horror. "He was much more indestructible than Damon or Stefan's kind. And… Because of something that happened with Edward, there is a vampire after me. She's in town and attacked me and Damon at the house."
"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes, dad… Just… I will stay here, Damon and Stefan will protect me here, and I need to ask you to… stay here a while longer. I'll tell them not to compel you if you promise me you will never tell anyone about them."
"Bella…"
"You would be hurting me if they get hurt, dad."
He stared at me for a long time and then sat down.
"What about Liz?" he asked his head in his hands.
"She's horrified of Caroline, dad. We need to compel her. I'm sorry," I said.
"Okay. I'll stay and… I won't ever tell anyone." He said.
"Thank you,"
He nodded his head but since he didn't look up, I left the cellar. I left the door open and went upstairs. I found Stefan still reading his book on the living room. He smiled at me and nodded, letting me know he knew. I smiled at him and headed upstairs to search for Damon. I found him lying in the middle of his bed, a bottle of scotch in hand.
"Hey, my dad…"
"I already know," he snapped.
"Oh, okay." I mumbled and saw my bag in the corner, I went to it. "Thanks for letting us stay, Damon."
"Whatever," he mumbled as I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. "I invited the Swan family and they bring a goddamn dog."
"Damon," I chastised softly.
"It seems lately that's all you say. Damon, Damon." he said mockingly.
"Well, if you weren't being rude I wouldn't be treating you like that" I said and continued to brush my teeth. "Where is Jake going to sleep when he needs to?"
"Do you want me to build him a dog house?"
I spat on the sink, rinsed my mouth and went back to the room to find him still in the same way he was when I entered the room.
"Enough! Why are you being such a douche bag?" I snapped.
"Oh, found anything besides 'Damon' in your small vocabulary." He said rolling his eyes.
"Shut up," I said scowling. "Why are you being like this?"
"Give me a break. What? If you thought I would be nice all the time and never annoy anyone, then you got the wrong Salvatore brother. You're mistaking me for Stefan."
"I know you can be a jerk, I'm just wondering why now."
Great, he was all nice and sweet when he wanted sex and now he was this douche. The story of my life. After used, people changed and left.
"If you're bothered why don't you leave?" He snapped standing up and walking to the stereo. "Go home," he shrugged.
I stared at his back, not believing he was throwing me out now. After inviting me to stay over. Knowing Victoria was after me. Knowing I would be in danger at home. Jake was just one, and I would rather die than have him facing Victoria alone. Then there was dad…
"I am sure your fucking guard dog can protect you," he said.
"I would rather give myself to Victoria and die than have Jake face her alone," I voiced my thoughts. "He would likely die. No. If you want me to go, Jake stays and protects my father here. I'm sure Stefan won't mind."
"Right, die for Jacob." He laughed.
"What has he done to you? He is helping us, helping me."
"I just don't like him," he said turning to me with a deep frown. "He comes here and thinks so highly of him, judging me and giving you advices. It's your fucking life, Isabella. You can very well choose people you hang out with."
I stared at him for a moment and as he poured another drink, I burst with laughter. He scowled at me and blurred right in front of me, staring down at me, trying to intimidate me.
"What is so fucking funny?" He snapped.
I controlled my laughter enough to talk, and I looked up at him with a smile.
"Are you, perhaps, experiencing some jealousy of Jake? Or maybe some dislike because you might think I hear his opinion and leave you?"
"What? Do you think I care if you leave? I just told you to leave," he pointed out. "Don't think so highly of yourself. You're entertaining, but that's it. Of course I'm not jealous."
"Of course," I said with a smile.
He rolled his eyes at me, but I stopped him from a smartass comment with a kiss. He held me to him, kissing me back fiercely. He guided me to his king sized bed, and pushed me down on it.
"I'm not," he said low.
"Hm uh." I said smiling.
He tugged on my top, and I pushed his shirt from his shoulders.
"I know I have you wrapped around my little finger," he murmured against the skin of my breasts.
"Oh, really?" I laughed.
"Yes,"
"Don't think so highly of yourself." I used his words.
"I'll prove it to you," he said.
"How?"
He sucked on my nipple while rubbing me through the denim of my shorts. I moaned and fisted his hair. He knew exactly how to manipulate my body, and in a way he had me wrapped around his little finger.
I blinked at the sunlight coming through the window and sat up. Damon was already gone, and I guessed he went to deal with Mason or something. I covered my body with a sheet and ran to the shower. I kind of envied him for that bathroom. The stall was big, and he had several showerheads. I used his shampoo, and was rinsing it from my hair, when I opened my eyes I took quite the scare.
"Good morning," Damon said smirking.
"You scared me," I said smiling.
"You left the bathroom door open, I took it as an invitation." He said stripping down.
"It wasn't an invitation," I said teasingly.
"But I can join you, right?" He said slipping inside the stall.
"Well, I'm almost finished…"
"No, you're not. You're still all dirty," he said wrapping his arms around me and pushed me against the tile wall.
"Oh, yeah?" I laughed.
"Hmm… yes." He said trailing his hand up my side to my breast.
"Then another shower wouldn't be so bad," I said against his lips.
"No, it would be great." He said before kissing me hard.
Sometimes I thanked God for vampire abilities. You see, if a human man tried to lift my slippery wet body, with my luck, it would probably be messy and awkward and we would end in the floor. But this was cocky Damon. With a smirk, he cupped my ass with both hands and pulled me up. I wrapped my legs around him, while kissing his neck, and while pressed against the wall, he slipped inside of me. He was a drug, addicting. I clung to him as he thrust into me, sweat mixing with the water, and I hoped to God Stefan wasn't home because I was being quite loud. He pushed hair out of my face and kissed me deeply as we both climaxed, and he slowly, gently, set me down. He kept me trapped between his body and the wall as we kissed but kept his hand on my waist.
"What is it with you that keeps me coming back?" He asked against my lips.
"I'm just that good?" I said teasingly, but it came out like a question as my cheeks burned.
He smirked and kissed me once more.
"Probably," he said.
I giggled and slipped away from him. I took another shower with him, and slipped out of the stall when he tried to pull me to him.
"No," I laughed. "If we keep that up we won't ever finish this shower."
He pouted and then turned around to finish his shower. I wrapped a towel around me, and walked in the bedroom. I was surprised to find Jake.
"Jake," I said.
He turned away from the window and stared at me.
"Ahn, what are you doing here?" I asked awkwardly, holding the towel tighter.
"I needed to talk to you, and Stefan said I could look for you…"
He trailed off and glared as Damon followed me out, wrapping a towel around his hips. Damon frowned at him, but then smirked as he wrapped an arm around my waist. Jake was shaking with anger, and for a moment I feared he would phase right there.
"Needing something, pup?" Damon asked.
"Damon, stop." I said sternly and pulled away from him. "Sorry, Jake. I'll be downstairs in a moment, alright?"
"Whatever," he grumbled and walked out of the room.
Damon laughed as he got a drink from his own mini bar. I rolled my eyes at him and went to get clothes in my bag.
"Oh, dress up. A sundress, or whatever" he said.
"Why?" I said putting on my underwear.
"Well, I need your help with Mason Lockwood, and I think that you're a great magnet to supernatural, considering both Lockwood men were quite interested on you and your legs," he said shrugging.
"You want to use me as bait," I said frowning.
"I just need an unsuspicious Mason to give you access to the Lockwood mansion,"
"For what?" I asked.
"You really ask too many questions," he said rolling his eyes. "Witchy friend will access his mind and get information about the moonstone. But she needs to get close to him."
"Bonnie is helping you?" I asked surprised.
"She sees it as helping Elena, and apparently she is in good terms with Barbie."
I smiled ignoring his sarcasm. It was great that Bonnie had finally accepted Caroline. Caroline needed Bonnie's understanding, acceptance, and Bonnie needed to understand her friend was still there. I took a simple belted teal dress, and white oxfords. I pulled my hair in a messy bun and put just a little eyeliner and gloss.
"Is that good enough?" I asked Damon rolling my eyes.
"It is," he smirked.
I followed him downstairs and smiled at Bonnie.
"Bonbon," I greeted and hugged her.
"Bonbon?" she laughed.
"I thought it was a good nickname," I shrugged with a smile.
"It is… you're… looking good, different." She said smiling.
"Florida was great," I told her. "I heard about you and Caroline. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," she said.
"Bella, are you sure you want to help us?" Stefan asked. "You could stay here with Charlie and Jacob until we get back,"
"No, it's fine. I would go insane if I stayed here," I said.
"Bella…" Jacob started.
"Jake, stay here with dad until I get back, then we'll think something out."
"It is not safe," Jake said.
"It is sunny out, Jake. Victoria can't go into town unnoticed. It will be fine."
"And we'll be with her," Damon pointed out.
"Right, I need someone to stay with Charlie." I said pleadingly.
"Fine," Jake sighed. "Just keep yourself alive."
"I will," I gave him a small smile.
"Ok, we'll take Bella's car. Is that okay?" Stefan asked.
"Why my car?"
"Because Mason will fit perfectly in your trunk and you can go there in my car," Damon said.
"My trunk. Okay." I said awkwardly. I felt like we were planning a kidnapping. What we were, except I felt like the bad guy.
"Okay, we'll get lunch and go to the Lockwood's." Bonnie said linking her arm through mine. "See ya!"
We took my car and before I was even out of their driveway, she bombarded me with questions.
"You so did it!" she accused. "Ugh, Damon? Really?"
"Bonnie…"
"Fine. Just let me say: I told you he wasn't just after friendship."
"Okay, fine. I should have listened to you. But Damon and I are still friends," she shook her head in disbelieve. "What?"
"Oh, Bella. You're being so naïve. This can only end badly, for you."
"I know. I just… don't want to stop it," I said frowning.
"What about that friend visiting, hm? You never told me the guy that had a crush on you and was protecting you was hot and walked around half naked," she laughed.
"Well, Jake… Jake is Jake. He is cute, and I wished I saw him the way he wants me to, romantically, but I don't. I am not attracted to him although I love him. He's just a friend." I said.
"I really think you should look into it deeper" she said quietly. "I don't know him, but he would be so much better than Damon."
I nodded, not knowing how else to acknowledge her disapproval of Damon. Of course she always made it pretty clear she didn't like him but I still had hoped she would at least endure him. We went to the grill for lunch, and talked about what we would do about Mason, what I missed that week, and what she missed. I talked to Matt for a while, explaining I had a family emergency and I was sorry I missed my first week at work. He tells me he is sorry too, but his boss had hired someone else when I didn't show up. I assured him it was fine, and said I would see him at school the next day.
"You know, Caroline still isn't very happy with this new friendship you and Matt have." Bonnie commented as we walked out of the Grill.
"It is so obvious he still likes her," I rolled my eyes. "Why can't she see that I'm only his friend?"
"Perhaps because she found you two drunk, talking, you only in a bikini and his jacket?" Bonnie asked smiling. "Caroline always was irrationally jealous; it just got worse after she became a vampire."
"Well, she needs to open her eyes and see that Matt's still crazy about her."
She agreed and we hopped in my car. In the distance, I saw Damon and Stefan following on Damon's car.
"So, who you're taking to the Halloween Masquerade?" Bonnie asked.
"No one," I said.
"Didn't Damon invite you as date?"
"No, we are just friends. He won't take a high school girl to a public event like that ever," I laughed.
"Why don't you take Jake? That way you would be protected too," she suggested.
"Admit it, Bonnie." I chuckled. "You only want me to do that to piss off Damon."
"Maybe," she laughed.
Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to invite Jake to come with me. He would need to go anyway to look out for Victoria, and most people were taking dates. Damon wouldn't take me for sure, not considering Elena would be going alone. She and Stefan continued pretend to be over, so she would go alone, and Damon certainly would take the opportunity to antagonize his brother and make a move on his girlfriend.
"Who are you going with?" I asked Bonnie.
"No one," she said.
"You could go with Jake," I said.
"What?" She laughed.
"Well, if I invite him he might get his hopes up and I don't want to do that…"
"So, you'll push him to your dateless friend," she said chuckling and rolled her eyes. "No, thank you very much, but I won't get in the middle of the mess that your love life is."
I turned into the driveway of the Lockwood's mansion, and looked in the review mirror. Damon and Stefan were out of sight. Bonnie and I got out and walked to the front door. I looked at her before ringing the doorbell. As we had expected, since Mrs. Lockwood was out, Mason answered the door. He smiled expectantly to us.
"Hi," I said blushing. "Ahn, I wanted to talk to Ty."
He seemed amused and arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms on his chest. I wondered how long Bonnie would take.
"Ahn, I know you don't like me, because I'm friends with the Salvatore's but… They learned their lesson and I refuse to get in the middle of this little war you have going on…"
He groaned and clutched his head like he was having an aneurysm. I looked at Bonnie who had her eyes locked on him as he fell on the ground and a deep frown. I looked around, hoping Tyler wouldn't come back. We had seen him at the Grill, and we knew Mrs. Lockwood was busy all afternoon with Council issues. Mason screamed and it made me cringe.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
He finally passed out, and Damon and Stefan showed up. Without a word they picked him up and I opened my trunk so they could put him inside. Bonnie closed the front door of the mansion and ran to my car. I drove top speed, but still being careful not to get any bumps or swerve the car, and the fifteen minutes it took to get back to the Salvatore's house, were the one of the most stressing of my life. When I was getting out of the car, Damon threw Mason over his shoulder and started to walk to the house, ignoring my father and Jake that were watching from the porch with shock and confusion.
"He's a werewolf," I told dad as I passed him.
"Stefan told me, but why did you kidnap him?"
"Because he is trying to hurt my friends and he has information on something." I said shrugging.
My dad eyed, knowing that should be bothering me. After all I helped kidnapping a man, and I was pretty sure he wouldn't like his time with us. Jake was still looking at Bonnie like she was an alien and it made me smile, while Bonnie gave him a hesitant uncomfortable smile.
"She's a witch, not an alien, Jake. Stop staring." I laughed.
He looked away blushing and muttered an apology. Dad tensed at the mention of a witch, but didn't ask anything. I guessed Stefan had updated him on everything. Bonnie and I entered the house and found Stefan watching Damon tie Mason to a chair.
"Is this necessary? He's out," I said frowning.
"I don't know about you, darlin', but I don't want to have him waking up and staking me. There's a lot of wood around," Damon said.
"Bonnie?" Stefan asked.
She nodded and walked to Mason. I saw Elena coming from upstairs, and greeted her with a small smile and a nod. We watched as Bonnie held Mason's head and mumbled something under her breath, eyes closed and a light frown. She pulled away from Mason a minute later, and nodded to all of us.
"It's hidden it in a well, on the Lockwood property," she said.
"I know where that is." Elena said. "I saw a well during a party; it's deep in the woods."
"It seems our dear wolf here didn't trust Katherine very much either," Damon said tauntingly as Mason woke up with a groan. "It was the only time you were smart, I think."
"Let's go," Stefan said.
"I'm staying, to have a talk to Mason." Damon said with a smirk as he looked down at Mason.
"Damon…" Stefan warned.
"What? I just want to talk to him. We have a lot in common, don't you think? Being played by Katherine…"
Stefan shrugged and turned to leave the room. Bonnie and Elena followed him. I frowned at Damon.
"Why don't you leave him alone? Don't you think once Katherine realizes he lost the moonstone he will be in enough trouble? Or that he will feel bad when he discovers her mind games without you adding anything to it?" I said.
"Why don't you go with Stefan?" he said scowling at me. "You are annoying when you're being all moral and stuff."
"Whatever, Damon. You will regret this," I said.
With one last look at Mason, who was staring at me, I turned to leave. I knew I should have helped him out more, I knew I shouldn't be leaving him alone with Damon. But Damon was right on something, if we freed Mason, he would take the first chance to stake Damon and Stefan.
"Hey, guys, can I go with you?" I asked running outside. Elena, Stefan, Bonnie and Caroline were getting into Elena's car.
"Bells, I'm going to the station," dad announced coming out of the house.
"Wait, what?" I asked frowning.
"You've been seen in town, and I need to go back to work. Jake already told me to be in public places, with a lot of people and to be back by sunset," Charlie said. "Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Although I wanted to just lock him back up on that cellar to keep him safe from Victoria, I couldn't. He was right, he had to go back to work. I threw him my keys and he took my car to leave.
"I'm coming with you. No way I'm leaving you unprotected and staying with a crazy torturer" Jake said walking down the porch steps as we heard Mason screaming.
"Oh, okay." I said.
"Let's take my car then," Bonnie said and nodded to Stefan, Elena and Caroline. "We'll follow you."
We all got in the cars, and the silence was tense as Bonnie followed Elena to the Lockwood property.
"So…" Jake said from the backseat. "Ahn, do you make potions as well?"
Bonnie and I burst laughing and Jake chuckled. Thank God, he broke the ice.
"I don't, but I guess I could." She said.
"That's cool. I think we had a witch too. I'll ask my dad," he said.
"Really? Witches at La Push?" I asked curiously.
"Well, there are legends. But I don't think we have one right now. I think we would know."
"We are a very discreet society," Bonnie said laughing.
"Yeah, United States of America was founded by a secret society of witches and wizards," I laughed.
"That would be pretty cool," Jake laughed.
Bonnie parked the car beside Elena's, and we all started to walk into the woods.
"So, once we get the moonstone, what?" Caroline asked.
"Hide it from Katherine," Stefan shrugged.
"Wouldn't be better to destroy it?" Bonnie asked.
"Probably. But if we hid it, we attract Katherine and that way we can kill her," Stefan said and Elena frowned.
"No offense, but… From what I heard this chick is pretty indestructible when it comes to you and your douche bag brother." Jake said as he helped me over branches and logs. "After all, how many chances you had to kill her and you didn't?"
"Jake," I said quietly.
"He is right," Bonnie commented and Stefan frowned. "I'm sorry, Stefan, but you and Damon seem to not be able to just drive a stake through her heart and end everything."
"It is not that simple, Bonnie." Elena said.
"It should be," Caroline mumbled.
"Let's just get this over with, please." I said.
Stefan gave me a thankful smile and we finally reached the well. There was a stone closing and Stefan and Jake easily pushed it off. We looked inside and we couldn't see anything but water in the bottom.
"Are you sure it's there, Bonnie?" I asked.
"It is there. I read his mind, it would be impossible to lie." she said.
"Okay, I'll jump in and get it." Stefan said throwing his leg over the edge.
"Be careful," Elena blurted.
"I will," he said.
He threw his other leg over the edge and with a push, he fell on the well. We looked down, but the scene was not what we expected. When Stefan hit the water, he started to scream, and claw up the walls.
"Stefan!" Elena cried.
"Vervain," Caroline said frowning.
"We have to get him out now," I said.
"Well, I can't go down there." Caroline said.
I saw an old chain on the side of the well and picked it up.
"We can use this to get down there," I said.
"I'll go," Elena said immediately.
"Are you sure?" Caroline asked arching an eyebrow.
"Yes, of course! It's Stefan," Elena said.
"Right, it's Stefan. God know what else is down there and you would risk yourself to get your ex?"
We all fell silent. I looked down at the well as Elena and Caroline got in a stare contest. Stefan passed out, his skin seemed burned.
"I'll go," Jake finally said. "I get him out."
"No, I go." Elena insisted.
"Elena, Jake is stronger." I said.
She looked down at the well and with a frown she agreed. We tied the chain around Jake's hips and Caroline would lower him and the pull him back. Jake seemed hesitant to trust her, but he knew we had no option. He surprised me, offering himself to help vampires. He pushed off the edge and Caroline screeched as she grabbed the chain tighter and it slipped her hands, hurting.
Bonnie, Elena and I grabbed the chain and helped her.
"Jake, you're okay?" I asked loudly.
"Yeah, just don't scare me like that, it wouldn't be a pretty fall." He yelled from inside the well.
"Well, you should start on a diet, Teen Wolf!" Caroline yelled. "You're goddamn heavy."
We all laughed and continued to lower Jake. We heard a splash and we relaxed, knowing he had reached Stefan.
"How is he?" Elena asked, running to the well.
"He's… passed out," Jake yelled. "Okay, I've got him!"
Elena came back to help us, and with some difficulty we pulled Jake back. He pulled himself over the edge with Stefan over his shoulder and they fell on the ground. Elena ran to Stefan, taking him in her arms and analyzing his state. She took a rock and cut her hand, bringing it to his lips. Jake frowned and stood up; clearly it was too freaky for him. Caroline's face changed for a moment.
"Caroline," I called.
She turned her head to me, her eyes going back to normal. No one else had seen, and I wouldn't tell about her weak control.
"Can you lower me into the well, so I get the moonstone?" I asked.
She nodded and we untied the chains from Jake. He insisted he could do it, but we reminded him he was too heavy. He checked twice if the chains were really tied around me, and stood by the edge of the well as Caroline controlled the descent. I cringed as my toes touched the cold water and soon I was breast deep in dirty water. I looked around searching for the damn stone that was the cause of a lot of trouble lately. It was dark, but something caught my eyes. A silvery stone hidden in a crevice in the wall.
"Found it!" I yelled happily.
I reached for it, and as I pulled it out of the small space it was in, a snake slithered my way. I screeched as more snakes came my way, one running up my arm.
"Get me out!" I cried.
I shook my arm, sending the disgusting snake flying away, but the others were still all around me. They began to pull me out and I shook my leg as one snake rapped around my ankle. As soon as I was on the edge, Jake pulled me out and threw the snake away, touching it without second thought. I took deep breaths and clutched the moonstone as my tears stopped.
"Are you okay, Bells?" Jake asked. "Were you bitten?"
"No… I'll just have nightmares the rest of my life," I said and gave him a weak smile.
We went back to the cars and Bonnie dropped us off at the Salvatore's. Elena was going to drop Caroline off at home so she and Stefan weren't back yet. Jake and I entered the house and I left my shoes on the foyer.
"I'm gonna take a shower. I'll run patrol after Charlie gets back, okay?" Jake said.
"Yeah. Thanks, Jake." I said.
"Well, one thing I have to agree with you. Mystic Falls is much more interesting than Forks," he said smiling and then went upstairs to the room Stefan had offered him.
I walked in the living room and found Damon still torturing Mason.
"Enough, Damon, let him go. We've got the stone," I said.
"So he can run back to the bitch? No, thank you." Damon said.
"Fuck you," Mason groaned weakly. "She loves me. Is that what bothers you? That we are in love, and that she never loved you?"
I frowned as Damon let Mason get under his skin. He scowled down at the werewolf and dipped a knife in what I guessed was wolfs bane. He cut Mason's shoulder and I looked away.
"Do you honestly believe her?" Damon taunted. "Katherine doesn't have a heart; she doesn't love anyone but herself."
Mason spat and gave him a smirk.
"Then why do you keep trying on conquering the heart she doesn't have? Give up, Salvatore, she loves me, she will never look at you."
"Damon," I whispered, seeing fury in his eyes. He lost it.
"You know in the end, she would just rip your heart apart. I'll do the job for her," Damon snapped.
I gasped and clutched my stomach as he ripped Mason's heart out of his chest. I stared at him in shock as he threw the heart in the fireplace, and stared down at Mason, with not a drop of regret or horror. I looked away, the scene was turning my stomach.
"What happened to you?" He asked calmly while cleaning his bloody hands in a towel.
"God, how can you be so calm?" I asked frowning. "You killed a man,"
"I've got news for you, baby. I am a killer," he said. "So, what happened?"
"The well was full of vervain, Jake had to get Stefan out. I went in to get the stone, and there were snakes..."
"Did you get it?"
"Yes," I said and showed him the stone.
"Great," he said taking it from me. "Go, get a shower. I'll order you some pizza. How's that sound?" He asked with a smile.
I laughed mirthlessly and looked around the room before looking back at him.
"I don't think I can keep anything on my stomach right now," I said shaking my head. "I'm just going to bed."
"I'm going to clean up, join you soon." He said.
I nodded absentmindedly and went upstairs to take a shower. I took my time, rubbing off the day from my skin, and then put on sweatpants and a simple tank top and slipped in Jake's room. He was taking a nap, and I watched for a moment with a smile. I would never have thought he would help a vampire, or sleep in one's house peacefully. But he was probably exhausting from making sure I was safe. I wondered how many of the pack would come and when to help. I went downstairs to get something to eat and found Stefan and Damon talking in the living room. Damon had cleaned up the mess he had done, and Mason's body was wrapped on the floor.
"Damon, don't!" Stefan snapped.
I watched as Stefan tried to get the phone out of Damon's hand and Damon scowled at him.
"It's not your doggish lover," Damon laughed. "Hello, Katherine."
I frowned. He was still so obsessed with her; he seemed to love to taunt her, by killing Mason, calling her.
"Mason? Well, I'm sorry to inform you that your friend is dead. I ripped his heart out before you could, after getting the moonstone from him. He put it in a well full of vervain, I think he didn't trust you much," he taunted and smirked. "What? Are you angry about that? Did we ruin your plans?"
His smile faltered and his face slowly fell. I didn't need to hear what she was saying to know she was taunting him and threatening. A minute later, in a stare contest with Stefan, he lowered the phone from his ear.
"I hope you are happy, Damon." I said frowning. "You just couldn't leave her alone. You are still so obsessed with her that you probably teased her until she lost her cool. I bet we'll have problems with her. Now, how does that prove Mason wrong? How does that prove that you aren't still head over heels for her? You just need to get something, anything from her. Congratulations, you've got anger and fury."
AN: Hope you are enjoying it. Last chapter and this one were beta'ed by BlueEyesBurning - link to her profile in my profile. Thanks, Lou! You are great!
Polyvore collection for this story on my profile.
Who is making TVD marathons while waiting for season 4? o/ me, me! I'm officially addicted :D
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xoxo Luuh