"What do you mean by 'we created you'?" Emmett asked frowning.
"I'm going to tell you this because I know you won't tell anyone, you can't be compelled and there isn't anyone that you would consider they must know" I said.
I took out the two ancient bronze plates, and in one I poured water I carried in a bottle. It was water from a creek, natural. And in the other, with my hand over it, I conjured fire.
"Bonnie Bennett comes from a very long lineage of witches too" I said. "They take strength from the earth especially, that's why Bonnie has a special connection with the earth"
"A connection how?" Jasper asked.
"She can feel the life" I said burying my fingers in the grass and dirt. "She can kill it, or can strength it, giving it life. She can make flowers blossom for example"
"And you?" Esme asked.
"My lineage has connections with everything" I said taking my hand from the grass and wiping the dirt on my jeans. "But the strongest is fire. Wanna see a trick?"
Alice nodded excitedly and I chuckled. I put my hand in the flames I had conjured and Edward pulled my arm back.
"Bella!" he exclaimed taking my hand in his. But it wasn't burned.
I chuckled and pulled my hand back into the fire, moving it on the flames. Carlisle seemed the most impressed by it.
"I can get burned… But if I establish a connection with the fire, if I accept it, it becomes almost a part of me" I said, turning my hand palm up and raising it.
In my palm there was a small ball of fire. As if it was solid, I threw it up, like a baseball, and caught it, fisted it, and when I opened my palm it was gone.
"Amazing" Carlisle said.
"But what does your magic have to do with us?" Rosalie asked.
"Over a thousand years ago, vampires were created, the Originals. Elijah is one of them" I told them. "Their mother, a witch, created them… But a witch, is a servant of nature, we should keep balance. And she broke it by creating them. So, my ancestors, around that same time, created another kind. While the Original witch displeased Mother Nature, and so, severed her bond with it, my family by creating another kind, was serving Nature, so the bond grew stronger"
"So you are stronger than other witches? Than the Bennett lineage?" Alice asked.
"Sort of. Bonnie has more knowledge than I. I'm still learning"
"But you would be stronger, if you knew more" Emmett said.
"I think so"
"Bella, that's… amazing" Edward said.
"So, your ancestors created our kind?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes… Four of your kind, to kill four Originals. But they didn't even try it. The woman created died, but the others, for what I understood, are still alive… And you know them" I said and they frowned. "The Volturi"
"Aro, Marcus and Caius… And Dydime, Aro's sister"
"Yes"
"So why doesn't our kind know about the others? And they didn't know about us?" Esme asked.
"Simple… Self-preservation... Fear of a war between species" I said.
"So, you are the only witch that can do spells on our kind because of your bloodline?" Edward asked.
"No. Witches can do spells on you. I'm just… VIP on that department" I said smiling.
"This spell only your ancestors knew" Carlisle said.
"Yes, centuries ago an ancestor helped one of you… But that was the last time it was used"
"Why?" Alice asked frowning. "Didn't your other ancestor like our kind?"
"My ancestors held a grudge against you all for not fulfilling your purpose" I said. "After all, a thousand years ago, my ancestors risked all their magic, and so the magic of the next generations to create those four and in a way, it was a waste… We were all lucky the Nature accepted the curse friendly, and supported it"
"Because the curse your family created was meant to undo the curse the Original witch did… restoring balance" Alice said. "But none of your ancestors met one of our kind that they wanted to help?"
"Maybe, maybe not" I shrugged. "It's probable that they did meet one of your kind, but… Each time we help you, we pay for it"
"What do you mean?" Edward asked alarmed. "What did you pay for helping me?"
"Help a vampire, your kind or the other weakens me more than common magic. By helping you I usually ain't working on restoring balance to the world"
"What do you have to pay, Bella?" he asked frowning.
"I'm responsible for you now… When I said you cannot taste human blood because the spell would be broken, I meant it. If you kill someone after I do this spell, I'm responsible for the death, and so I'll suffer it"
"Suffer it? The death?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes… If you kill someone with a dagger, I will feel my heart stopping" I mumbled.
"This is dangerous" Edward said. "You shouldn't have done to me"
"I trust you, Edward" I said.
"Bella, we can't let you do the spell with us" Carlisle said with a frown.
"What? Why? No, I want to help you all…"
"What if someone slips?"
"Then I'll suffer the consequences, the spell will be lifted and I won't do the spell on that person anymore" I said. "I want to do this, Carlisle. I know what I'm doing and what the consequences are. I've accepted it"
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Bella, no" Edward said.
I looked at him with a frown.
"Take the spell from me, and it's over" he said.
"Edward, stop. You can't control everything that happens to me. I trust your family. And if they make a mistake, I'm ready to face it. Trust my decisions as I trust you"
He sighed and nodded. I smiled at him and took his hand, squeezing it.
"Who's first?" I asked.
"Carlisle" Rosalie said with a smile.
"In order of age?" he asked amusedly.
"No, I just want you to go first so if something goes wrong we don't even try it" she said teasingly.
We all laughed and I asked Carlisle to sit in front of me.
"Edward said you didn't need anything" he asked looking at the fire and water.
"We were in a clearing with a creek. I had air, earth and water. I can take strength of fire from the sun… But since it's night…" I shrugged and raised my hands. "Ready?"
"Yes" he nodded.
I put my hands in his cheeks, and we both closed our eyes. Even though having an audience made me nervous, I did my best to focus as I incanted the spell. Minutes later when I opened my eyes I found Carlisle's blue ones. I smiled at him and he went to Esme, who gushed over his eyes.
"Next?" I asked.
The following Friday, Caroline had declared that we needed a sleepover. And we really did. Elena avoided her house because of John, and as days passed he got even more on her nerves. Bonnie at first couldn't believe my theory about the moonstone, Luka and Jonas, but was convinced when we told her Jonas saved us from the wolves on Elijah's request she believed it. She was quite angry with Luka, who had disappeared from school. Caroline was avoiding Tyler like the plague, still understandably upset with him, Matt was ignoring her and she still hadn't had the time to rest after being tortured by Jules.
I think I was alright compared to them.
The Cullens were now official habitants of Mystic Falls. Carlisle was working on the hospital, Esme had a spot on Historic Society after donating quite expensive pieces of art. Rosalie and Jasper still passed as twins, although her eyes were blue and his were green. They were Carlisle's nephews. Alice's eyes were grey, the only ones without a match, since Emmett's were brown like Esme's. They still attracted a lot of attention is school but it was more normal than it had been before. Jasper had been the most hesitant on letting me do the spell since he didn't trust his control, but he seemed happy now, going for walks with Alice in sunny days. The pixie did got a spot on the cheerleading squad, and Rosalie didn't tryout saying she wouldn't waste her time on petty little things like cheerleading.
I hadn't heard from Damon. We had met on the Grill on Thursday, when I went to lunch there with the Cullens. He was with that woman Jenna introduced to him. Andie Star. She was a little too cheerful for Damon and it made me arch an eyebrow at him but he smirked, and I knew he did like her cheerfulness in his room.
The Cullens were going to Alaska for the weekend for a wedding. Edward had invited me to go with them, but I would make him take a flight to Alaska. The Cullens were going running, saying it was more practical and way funnier. Also, I had volunteered for the Historic Society Tea Party to keep Elena and Jeremy company, they were going to be dragged to it by Jenna, and John would be there.
So, after saying goodbye to all the Cullens after school, I went to Caroline's house and there I spent the night gossiping, talking, joking, and watching movies with Elena and Bonnie.
"What are we going to do?" Bonnie asked as we all settled in our sleeping bags on Caroline's living room. "About Luka and the moonstone?"
"What can we do?" Elena said shrugging.
"Well, I feel like it's my fault. I gave it to him. I'll get it back" Bonnie said determinedly.
"Bonnie, it was not your fault. But if you truly want, we can think of something" I yawned.
"Can we just have a peaceful weekend?" Caroline asked staring at the ceiling.
"John is in town, the wolves didn't leave, we lost the moonstone… Yeah, your weekends will suck until all that is solved" I said chuckling.
"What about you?" Caroline asked. "Edward is out of town, Damon will be at the damn Tea Party…"
"What?" I frowned. "He's attending it too?"
"Elijah is going" Elena said. "So Damon is going"
"Why didn't you tell me Elijah was attending?"
"Does it matter to you?" Bonnie asked.
"Of course it does!" I said.
"Why?" Bonnie frowned.
"Because I want him to explain something to me, and he might have the moonstone"
"She has a point. We should keep an eye on him" Caroline mumbled sleepily.
"Tomorrow" Elena yawned.
In the morning I groaned as a phone ringing woke me up. It continued to ring.
"Answer the damn phone" I groaned in the pillow.
It continued to ring. I sat up scowling at the source of the annoyance.
"Elena" I called poking her. "Stefan is calling you"
She groaned and reached for her phone.
"Hello?" she mumbled and sat up. "Hey. Yes, you? No, I'm at Caroline's, we had a sleepover… The Tea Party. Honestly? I wanted to get as far away as possible from John"
"God, too early to have boyfriends calling, Elena" Bonnie mumbled and threw a pillow at Elena.
Elena dodged the pillow with a smile.
"Really?" she asked excitedly. "Well, there's my family's lake house. Of course, Stefan. Alright. I'm going home to pack"
She stretched as she smiled apologetically at us.
"Sorry, girls, but I have to go" she said standing up.
"Wait, what?" Caroline blurted shooting up. "Elena!"
"We said we would sleep in late and then have a brunch" Bonnie said.
"Sorry!" Elena said frowning and gave us a pout. "My wonderful boyfriend, the one I barely have time alone with lately, invited me for a romantic weekend away, in a isolated lake house. Alone"
"Yes, yes, we get it. Your weekend will be wonderful with your wonderful boyfriend" Caroline grumbled.
"Elena!" I whined. "I volunteered for that Tea Party for you"
"Oh, Bella, you could still go, for Jeremy" she said pleadingly. "He'll be there bored, alone…"
"You owe me" I grumbled.
"Thanks!" she said happily and started gathering her stuff. "I still have to pack and get the lake house keys with Jenna…"
We all got up and gathered our stuff, cleaned up the mess and then changed out of our pajamas. Elena went home, and Bonnie, Caroline and I headed to the Grill. We met Jeremy there and he joined us on the brunch saying the mood in the Gilberts' house was too tense to stay because of John. I wondered when that man would leave. If he stayed to help protecting Elena then I didn't mind, but he was making her life hell. Matt passed by our table and Caroline just waved at him, he didn't even notice. She explained she didn't know why he was mad, but as she was talking, we realized she was basically talking to just me, since Bonnie's attention was on her conversation with Jeremy. Caroline smirked and I pulled her out of the booth before she made a comment that would embarrass Bonnie. I dragged her to the bathroom, and joined her on giggling.
"Jeremy?" she giggled. "I mean, he's cute… But he's like… my younger brother!"
"I don't think Elena noticed with everything going on" I said smiling. "And if Bonnie didn't tell us anything, we shouldn't say anything"
"What? No!" she whined. "We have to ask her!"
"Leave them alone, Caroline" I said sternly. "They will work out on their own"
She pouted, clearly not liking she would have to stay out of her friend's love life. We got out of the bathroom, and met Matt on our way to our booth.
"Hey, Matt" she said smiling, he didn't smile back, nodding to us. "What's wrong?" she scowled.
"I'm gonna…" I said nodding to our booth, but Caroline didn't pay attention to me and her arm continued linked with mine. Great, I would be witness.
"You tell me, Caroline" he said coldly.
"What did I do?"
"Where were you on Tuesday?"
Oh, shit. I had forgotten to tell her Bonnie was at the Grill when Matt called.
"I was with…" I cleared my throat interrupting her, she frowned at me.
"She was with me" I said.
Matt narrowed his eyes at me for covering for her.
"You came here with Damon" he said.
Fuck.
"Well, Caroline had just left my house…" I lied.
"You said you were at Bonnie's" Matt said to Caroline.
"I was!" she exclaimed. "What is this? Why are we being interrogated?"
"Bonnie was here" he said scowling. "Stop lying to me, Caroline"
He turned and walked away from us. Caroline was open-mouthed at being caught lying.
"Sorry, I tried to help" I said.
"No, it's fine. What does he want me to say?" she said angrily. "Hey, I was being tortured and almost killer by Tyler and his werewolf friends?"
She took a deep breath and turned to go back to the table, as if standing behind us – what I suspected it was true – Tyler bumped into her hard. She glared at him and they both crouched to get her stuff.
"Caroline…"
"No" she cut him off. "What part of stay away from me don't you get it?"
They stared at each other, him with regret and she with hate, and I cleared my throat, kneeling to get her stuff. We all stood up when we were finished and Caroline pulled on my arm to stop glaring at Tyler. We went back to the table and Jeremy asked if we were alright, mostly Caroline.
"Fine" she said smiling. "So, what were we talking about?"
"I was telling Jeremy my plan to get information from Luka" Bonnie said and looked to me. "We could do the same we did to Mason… except Luka would stay alive, of course"
"You mean kidnapping and torturing information out of Luka?" I scowled.
"Not torturing, accessing his mind"
"That does sound like a good plan" Caroline said.
"And we have the perfect opportunity" Jeremy said.
We followed his gaze and found Luka playing billiard with Embry and Jake. I excused myself and walked to them.
"Hey, boys" I greeted.
"Bella, how was the slumber party?" Embry asked his eyes on the game.
"Good, ahn… Can I talk to you, Jake?"
Jake frowned but walked out of earshot with me.
"Bloodsucker out of town and you remembered of me" he said sarcastically.
"Jake, it's not like that and you know it. You are avoiding me" I frowned.
"Well, what do you want me to do?" he scowled. "Hang out with you and your not-so-sparkling-anymore boyfriend and stake-to-the-heart-vampire lover?"
The fact that he said Edward was my boyfriend but accused me of having an affair with Damon wasn't lost to me.
"What are you talking about? I'm Edward's girlfriend and that's it"
"Bella, I sleep on the next room" he rolled his eyes at me. "I hear your midnight visitors and I can smell them"
I was caught.
"It was one time, Jake, you have to forget it" I said desperately.
"Why? Don't want Edward to know of your meetings?"
"Jake…"
"Relax, I won't think about it" he said coldly. "I just wanted you to realize the mess you're into"
"I know" I sighed.
"Neither of them is good for you, Bella" he said softly with a frown. "You deserve much better"
"Like you?" I blurted.
He stared at me, his cheeks turning a light pink for a moment and then his eyes filled with determination.
"Maybe" he said. "I know I'm not perfect and I am the complete opposite of what you like on men apparently. I mean… I'm a werewolf! But I would protect you always, I wouldn't leave you and I would never, ever, do something to hurt you, Bella"
"Jake…" I sighed.
He grabbed my hand and put over his heart. The warmth of his skin could be felt through his shirt. He had a fast beating heart, he was warm blooded, he was alive.
"Do you feel that? Don't you want a heart that beats, for you?"
I avoided his eyes and saw Embry was watching us with concern. He knew how this would end. I would reject Jake, because I didn't love him that way, Jake would get hurt.
"Jake, I do love you, but…"
I didn't finish. He crashed his lips to mine forcefully. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong. I finally decided to just wait for him to finish. His hands were cupping my face and I held his wrists, tugging them away from my face. The kiss wasn't so bad. The meaning of it was. He was trying to force his point to me. I knew he liked me and that probably I would be better choosing him. But I wasn't going to. I didn't love him the way he wanted, and I would be leading him on if we started something based on 'some day…'. He finally pulled away from me, resting his forehead against mine and smiling.
"Bella…"
"Finished?" I asked.
He pulled back with a frown at my tone and with my right hand in a tight fist I gave him a right hook. But by the pain of the impact with his jaw, I probably broke something.
"Ugh!" I groaned shaking my hand.
He was barely fazed by the impact, only shocked.
"Son of a bitch werewolf" I grumbled.
"Bella, I'm sorry, let me see" he said reaching for me.
"How dare you think you can just kiss me like that?" I snapped. "Open your eyes, Jake! If I wanted a kiss from you, I would have kissed you!"
He seemed hurt by my words but I could care less about his feeling on that moment. Embry, Caroline, Bonnie and Jeremy came to us, and I saw a lot of people were watching me and Jake.
"Are you alright?" Bonnie asked worriedly.
Jeremy took my hand and pressed on some spots with his thumbs. Apparently he had a lot of knowledge on punching and hurt hands from the process.
"Bella…" Jake said.
"I don't want to talk to you, Jake. If I have to break my other hand to make sure you get that, I will" I said glaring at him.
Embry pulled on his arm and said something quietly. With a sigh, Jake went back to the pool table. Embry looked at me with a frown.
"Sorry, Bella. Something I can do?" he asked.
"Put some sense on your empty-headed friend over there" Caroline said rolling her eyes.
"It's not broken" Jeremy said giving me a sad smile. "But it will hurt"
"Fucking great" I grumbled.
"I'll teach you how to give a proper right hook" Jeremy said teasingly.
"I'll punch you next" I said my lips twitching. "Thanks, guys… Embry, we're taking your friend away"
"Jake?" he frowned.
"No, Luka" Bonnie said. "We need some information"
"He will be fine, right?"
"Yes, Embry, we won't kill him" I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well, last time you took someone away, he ended up heartless and then we had a bunch of vengeful werewolves" he pointed out.
"No, don't worry. We just need to know something" Caroline said.
"Okay" Embry said.
"I'm gonna pull him aside, saying I want a spell to take away the pain in your hand" Bonnie said.
"We get him out through the backdoor and take him to my house" Jeremy said. "Jenna is already helping at Historic Society Party and Elena isn't home"
"John?" I asked.
"I could care less what he thinks" Jeremy said with a smirk.
I chuckled and Embry walked away so we could go on with our plan. Bonnie left a couple minutes later to pull Luka aside, and Jeremy discreetly went to the bathroom. Caroline and I went to get ice for my hand.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?" she asked as we walked out of the Grill to get the car.
"No, when I get home I'll do a spell for the pain. It's just bruised" I shrugged.
"Okay" she smiled. "It was a nice hook"
"Thank you, but I was trying to inflict pain on him" I laughed.
We got the car and she parked right by the alleyway exit. She got out and helped Jeremy putting Luka on the backseat. She drove top speed to Jeremy's house, commenting how she felt like a badass criminal. Looking out for any neighbors, Caroline and Jeremy carried Luka inside and to Jeremy's room in case someone showed up. I stood with Caroline, both leaned against the wall, watching Bonnie mumbling the spell. Minutes passed and nothing. I looked at the clock and saw I should be going home to get ready for that damn Tea Party.
"Bonnie, I have to go to get ready for the Tea Party" I said.
"I'll need some time. His contact with magic seems to have protected his mind but I'm almost there" she said.
"I'll stay with you" Caroline said.
"Me too" Jeremy said.
"Wait a sec" I said frowning. "I'm going to that party for you"
"Oh, dammit" Jeremy said scowling. "I'm sorry, Bella…"
"Caroline, you're coming with me" I stated.
"What? No way, that thing is boring" she said.
That I couldn't deny. A Tea Party, could it not be boring? It sounded like something old ladies from the 19th century would do. I sighed and agreed, saying now Jeremy and Elena owed me. I said goodbye to them and walked home, since it wasn't that far. When I got home, I took my grimoire, and after using a fire-based spell, my hand was as good as new. After showering and drying my hair, I found myself staring at my closet. Elena and I had agreed to get ready together and now I had no idea of what to wear. While it was a social event, for what I understood, it wasn't much of a gala… Cocktail dresses, no. But I should wear heels. It was a sunny afternoon. A skirt with a nice top would do… I hoped. Going to the section of clothes I got in Richmond with Damon, clothes I would never wear in school, I found a silk colorful skirt that cascaded almost to my knees. I chose a simple black tank top, and put on nude leather strappy platform sandals. My rose necklace continued on my neck, and I got a bracelet that matched the sandals. I grabbed a small black purse, threw my gloss, keys, phone and wallet inside and ran to the car. I was late. I drove to mansion of the Historic Society and as I was turned the car to park, a familiar camaro cut me, taking my spot. I hit the break and glared at Damon getting out of the car. I took the next spot, and checked myself in the mirror before getting out.
"Didn't know you were part of the Historic Society"
I turned to Damon and put my fakest smile for Andie Star, arm linked with his. She was wearing a red dress, black pumps and black bag. She wore a black rose necklace, the pendant attracting attention to the revealing V-neckline. Not really an outfit for a Tea Party or to wear during daylight.
"Bella, right?" she asked with a polite smile. "Damon's little brother's friend"
"Yes" I said. "It's nice to see you" I lied.
Damon saw right through my act and smirked at me.
"You too. Loved your skirt" she gushed.
Yes, the man you have your arm linked with chose the expensive skirt just to piss me off. I had liked the skirt, but it cost over a thousand dollars just because it was of a worldwide-known designer, and Damon bought it just to piss me off with the money he spent on me.
She had just gushed about my skirt. She was way too girly for Damon.
"Thank you… I… loved your outfit" I said locking my car.
"Oh, not really appropriate for this event, right?" she laughed embarrassedly. "Damon didn't warn me last night"
She had spent the night. That explained it.
I gave her a tight lipped smile, and started to walk, they fell into step with me. Damon leaned to whisper in my ear.
"I thought the skirt was too prude… but it looks… You look dazzling" he said.
I rolled my eyes at him and right after entering the mansion I excused myself from them. I looked around for Jenna and finally found her with Ric talking with Mrs. Lockwood. I walked to them with a smile. Mrs. Lockwood told me all about her meeting with Esme and the artwork she donated, finishing the conversation after congratulating me for dating Esme's 'wonderful boy'. If she only knew she was in a Council against his species. She asked if Edward was going to show up, and I explained the whole family went to a family wedding. Thankfully, she walked away after that to greet other people. I was not in the mood to avoid Cullen gossip.
"You look beautiful, Bella" Jenna complimented with a kind smile. "I thought you wouldn't come, considering Elena went out of town with Stefan"
"Well, I had confirmed my presence" I shrugged with a smile.
"Where is Jeremy? He could keep you company, I'm sure you two will be bored out of your minds" she said looking around.
"Oh, Jeremy" I said frowning. "He said he was staying home to finish that History research"
"Research?" Ric said frowning and I shot him a look. "Oh, that research. Sorry, Jenna, forgot to tell you, I had to ask Jeremy to do a research to get credit"
"Did it have to be this weekend?" she said frowning. "I don't need John or the town's gossipers to speak how I can't even drag my teenage nephew and niece to an important event"
"Screw John" I grumbled getting iced tea from the tray of a passing by waiter.
"That's why I love you, Bella" Jenna chuckled.
"Speaking of the devil…" Ric mumbled.
I looked over my shoulder and groaned. John approached with a smile.
"Hello" he greeted. "Bella, it's nice to see you again, although it is unexpected"
"She came to… keep me company" Jenna said frowning at him.
"Really? Where's Elena and Jeremy?"
"Elena is at the Lake House with Stefan and Jeremy had school assignments"
Ric and I watched the interaction with concern. We never knew what would come out of John's mouth and screw everything with Jenna.
"Elena is alone with Stefan?" John said scowling.
"Yes, I, as her guardian, allowed her" Jenna snapped.
"You shouldn't have"
"Elena is safe with Stefan" I intervened.
"Are you sure?" he retorted to me.
"Yes, I could bet my life on it" I said with a glare. "Why are you questioning our opinion? We, who know Stefan and Elena? Not a good time to start parenting, John"
He glared at me and Jenna hid her smirk behind the rim of her glass.
"The Swans ladies were always known by their efforts to keep balance" he said and I tensed. "You should try using peace, Isabella"
"Oh, I do use it, on people worth it" I said grinning.
"Andie!" Jenna called.
I groaned and John smirked at me as Damon and Andie came to join our group. I was bored out of my mind as Andie told all about Damon to Jenna. Andie's phone chirped and she said she had to go. She said goodbye to all of us and Damon kissed her deeply, making me narrow my eyes at them.
"Something bothering you, Bella?" John asked teasingly.
"Yes, I've been itching to use some of my grandma's recipes" I said glaring at him. "Maybe would you want to help me by trying it out?"
Alaric chuckled, bringing John's attention to him.
"Alaric, that is a very familiar ring you have" he said.
"It's an heirloom, right?" Jenna said joining the conversation.
"Yes" Ric said awkwardly and glared at John.
"A Gilbert heirloom" John said arching an eyebrow. "Isobel had no right to give it away"
"It's your ring?" Jenna asked surprised.
"Yes… I would like it back" John said with a shrug. "Maybe we could talk about it later"
"Yes, later" Alaric said twisting the ring on his finger nervously.
John excused himself and not even a minute later, Damon said he would be back in a minute. I grabbed his arm and he turned around to me with a questioning look.
"What are you planning to do, Damon?" I asked. "Don't do anything stupid"
"Well, I was just hoping he knew why Elijah would want the moonstone" he said innocently.
"We already took care of it. Bonnie will get the information from Luka"
"Really?" he said. "Finally someone else decided to do something and not just sit around waiting for something to happen"
"And what have you done?" I shot back. "Andie?"
"At least not wasting my time creating façades to vampires" he retorted with a frown. "Or screwing them"
"You are a jerk"
"A jerk you don't know what you want to do with"
"What?" I asked flustered.
He grabbed my arm and ignoring the fact that people were seeing, he pulled me away from the room, into a quiet corner. He pushed me against the wall and pinned my body with his. Looking down at me with a scowl, he slid his hands up my sides, until his thumbs brushed against my breasts. I blushed, and fisted his shirt.
"What do you want?" he asked. "I'm not a fan of mixed signals"
"I didn't give you any mixed signals. I told you I wanted you. You didn't do anything" I frowned.
"You wanted me to do what? Fucking embarrass myself, publicly fighting for a high school student that has a boyfriend?"
"Why do you care of what people think or say?"
"I don't. I just not in the mood to fighting against another man for a girl. I can get any woman I want"
"Like Andie?" I snapped. "You don't want what happened with Katherine to happen again"
"That was fun" he said sarcastically.
"Damon, I'm not her. You have to stop looking at similarities and see the differences" I said softly.
"Tell me how you're not like her? Playing, lying to two men. Choosing a 17-years-old, goody-two-shoes boy. You are like her"
"I don't want to be her" I said. "What do I have to do? Leave you alone to prove that?"
He didn't answer, he just stared at me. I tugged on his shirt and he pressed against my body more, his leg slipping between mine. I slipped my hands up his chest, shoulders and my fingers wound into his raven black hair. One of his hands slipped to my ass, pulling me hard against him. I whimpered and he smirked, his lips only brushing against mine.
"Why are you with him if I make you feel like this?" he whispered.
"Damon" I whimpered as his hand cupped my breast.
And then he was gone. I blinked a couple times to clear my mind and he was already walking away from me. He looked over his shoulder at me with a smirk.
"People will start wondering" he said. "We should go back"
I glared at him. Fucking tease. I took a deep breath, made sure my skirt was perfect, and held my head high as I walked back to our group. We had a new integrant.
"And this is Bella Swan, my niece's friend… Almost family" Jenna introduced. "Bella, this is a new member of the Society, Elijah..."
"Mikaelson" Elijah said and charmingly brought my hand to his lips. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Swan" and kissed my knuckles.
Damon glared at him and Alaric elbowed him in the ribs.
"Careful, Elijah" Jenna laughed teasingly. "Your charm with teens will be gossip in town"
"Not my fault Ms. Swan is so enchanting" he said smiling to me.
I smiled back.
"You live in town?" Damon said arching an eyebrow.
"No, just passing by… I thought my History major would be well used here" Elijah lied.
"Hm, I still have several journals that could help you on that research" Jenna said. "My brother-in-law's family was big on that stuff and it all stayed for my nephew and niece"
Elijah was looking for something on Gilberts' diaries. I excused myself, and looking one last time at Elijah I walked away from the group 'for some air'. I found an office, entered it and waited leaned against the desk. Less than five minutes later, Elijah entered and looked around at all shelves of books and journals.
"You lied to me" I accused.
He looked at me calmly and arched an eyebrow.
"Do you know how scared I was that my friends would die when Rose died?" I snapped.
"I did not completely lie about the bloodline, but… I apologize for scaring you"
"What do you mean?"
"You should be more careful, Bella. Using your gifts to help people like me can bring consequences to people like you"
"Well, then why are Luka and his father helping you?" I scowled.
"Because they have a lot at stake" Elijah said. "I mean it, Bella. I need you to be careful"
"Is that why you sent Jonas to protect me from the werewolves? Why do you need me safe?"
"Partially. I've made a deal with Elena to keep her loved ones safe too…" he said and inclined his head. "Why should I have a motive to protecting you?"
"Because you lied to me and you have the moonstone"
"Isabella… Your security isn't related to anything. I just want you safe" he said seriously walking closer.
"Why should I trust you? I didn't inherit that from Blaire" I said.
He stood right in front of me, looking at my face closely.
"Yes, you might have inherited many things from Blaire, but her blind trust in people wasn't one of them" he said. "And that's what makes you… stronger"
He was too fucking close to me. I didn't want to break my hand with another right hook again. What was he staring at? Why did he seem fascinated with me? Was my resemblance with Blaire? Would I be to him what Elena was to the Salvatores? A ghost of a past love. No, I couldn't be so unlucky to have another vampire after me, after my attention.
"I'm not her" I whispered.
"I know" he said.
The door opened and with a blur, Damon had pulled him away from me.
"Damon" I warned.
Elijah arched an eyebrow at him, seemed unfazed by being pinned to a wall. Damon was ready to stake him, when Elijah threw him away. He picked the stake from the floor, and broke it in half before tossing aside the pieces. Damon growled standing up and attacked Elijah again, but this time, Elijah was done playing. I gasped as I saw Damon fall on the floor, his neck bleeding from the pencil Elijah stabbed him with. I ran to Damon and glared up at Elijah.
"You promised Elena" I snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"He is alive, but not for Elena" Elijah said. "Tell your friends I'm trying to help and to stop trying, unsuccessfully, to kill me"
He walked out of the office and I looked down at Damon with horror. I pulled the pencil out of his neck and checked if there were any other wounds. I wiped the blood from my hands in his black shirt and ran out of the room, hoping no one would go in there. I ran to Alaric and was thankful that Jenna wasn't with him.
"Ric" I said and grabbed his arm. "I need your help"
"What? What happened?" he frowned.
"It's Damon"
He groaned and we entered the office, locking the door. He looked down at Damon with shock and I explained what happened. He grumbled about telling Damon not to do anything against Elijah and told me we had to get Damon out of there before anyone tried to come in that office. I checked the corridor twice before opening the door and Ric carried Damon out with some difficulty. We used the side entrance of the mansion and ran to my car. He put Damon on the passenger seat and I buckled him.
"Okay, take him to the boarding house, I'll take his car and meet you there. I'm just gonna tell Jenna I'm leaving" he said.
I nodded and hopped in my car. I drove top speed to the boarding house, hoping I wouldn't be stopped, since I had a dead man in the passenger seat. When I parked the car, Damon stirred.
"Damon?" I asked softly shutting off the engine.
He groaned weakly. I put my wrist to his lips.
"Drink, you need it" I said.
His face turned a bit as his eyes changed and softly his fangs pierced the skin. I whimpered as he grabbed my arm, keeping my arm to his lips.
"Damon, enough" I said.
He pulled back and leaned back on the seat. I got out of the car, and rushed to his side. With his arm around my shoulder, I helped him get to his room. I hesitated on the door of his room, put he pulled me inside. He sat on the bed, and I ran downstairs, grabbed blood bags and ran back to the room. He took the bag and basically drained it in a moment. With a sigh I gave him the other blood bag. I brushed my fingers against his neck, it was healed.
"I'll fucking kill him" he grumbled.
"Why did you do that? Are you stupid? You know he can't be killed with a common stake" I scowled.
"My plan was to talk to him"
"Talk? You call that talk?"
"I snapped when I saw him cornering you" he said angrily.
I sighed and rested my hand on the back of his neck, playing with the hair on the nape of his neck.
"Thank you for trying to defend me, but… I can defend myself, and I had everything under control" I said. "We were just talking"
"Last time I talked that close to you got wet and whimpering my name" he snapped. "So, no, I don't think you had everything under control"
"Damon" I scowled. "Elijah helped us more than once; we have to call a truce"
"No, I won't fucking call a truce with him. I'll get the dagger, the ash and fucking kill him" Damon frowned. "I don't need another vampire after you in this fucking town"
"Elijah isn't after me" I said and he shot me a disbelieving look. "He's just… I remember him of someone, and being a witch, he's probably interested on my gifts" I half-lied.
Ric entered the room and looked at us with concern.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah" Damon said. "Can you get me another blood bag?"
He looked between us, not willing to leave us alone. I gave him a reassuring smile and a nod. He rolled his eyes and left us alone.
"I saw how he looked at you, Isabella" Damon said.
I groaned and pulled my hand away from him.
"Stop being possessive, Damon, you're being silly now" I said.
"I know that look, it's not good" he continued. "You should stay away from him…"
"You can't tell me what to do, Damon" I said angrily.
"Don't you see? He isn't protecting you because he wants to play nice, or because he needs you for something. He looks at you like… like…"
"Like you look at Elena!" I snapped. "Like seeing a ghost! I am a haunting ghost to him in a way!"
He narrowed his eyes at me and I sealed my lips. I had said too much.
"He's protecting me that's what matters" I mumbled.
We heard something from downstairs and Damon stood up, running out of the room. I followed him and found Alaric dead, a knife in his chest. I gasped and ran to him, ignoring the pool of blood.
"Bella!" Damon grunted.
I turned and squeaked as a man ran to catch me. I jumped over Ric's body and started to run, but in heels, the man easily caught me. I screamed as he wrapped his arms around me and dragged me back to the living room. I kicked and squirmed but it was of no use. I tried to do a spell, but it wasn't working for some reason. I saw a man holding Damon, he had been staked in the stomach. Jules walked to him with a syringe.
"Where is the moonstone?" she asked.
Damon laughed weakly at her and she injected the syringe in his shoulder. He screamed in pain and I begged her to stop. Why wasn't my magic working?
"I'll ask again, where is the moonstone?" she asked angrily waving another syringe in front of his face.
"Stop!" I yelled.
"I don't have it" he told her.
"Really?" she asked disbelieving.
"Yes, really!" he snapped.
She injected the syringe on his ribs this time.
I couldn't handle the screams anymore.
"Stop, please" I cried.
She looked at me, raising an eyebrow.
"Perhaps you would be more willing to give it to me if the witch begged you to" she said smiling to Damon.
She started to walk to me.
"Stay away from her!"
I kicked and squirmed trying to get away, but the man's hold only tightened. I concentrated on Jules but my magic wasn't working. She gripped my chin tightly and made me look at Damon. I blinked away the tears and looked at his angry red face.
"I don't fucking have it!" he yelled.
"Witch?" she asked me. "Perhaps you know where it is?"
"We don't have it" I cried and her grip tightened making me whimper. "You will regret this" I choked out.
"What happened? Magic isn't working?" she taunted laughing.
"Let me go" I cried.
The front door opened and we looked up to see Elijah entering the room, with the moonstone in hand. His eyes went to me and then to Jules and the man holding me, and he was furious. One of the man that had been close to Damon to help hold him down ran to Elijah to get the moonstone but Elijah ripped his heart out in a blink without trouble. The one holding Damon ran to him with a friend and the same happened to them. Jules turned to run. In a second I was free and I looked down at the man with a snapped neck and a hole in his chest. Elijah had caught Jules and had a tight grip on her neck. She was whimpering and fighting with no success. I crawled backward to Damon's side, he was trying to stand up but seemed too weak to do it.
"I think you were warned to leave town" Elijah growled at Jules. "If you ever hurt her again, I will personally rip you apart leaving your heart for last"
He threw her down, and she quickly scrambled up and ran out of the house. Elijah took a deep breath and his eyes softened when they found mine. I nodded, silently telling him I was alright. He sighed and then disappeared. I helped Damon sit, leaned against the wall and he softly traced the mark on my chin and neck Jules had left.
"I'm fine" I said grabbing his hand. "You?"
"Peachy" he said sarcastically with a groan.
"Oh, God, I thought she would kill us all" I sighed. "Good thing that Ric had his ring…"
"Yes, and that knight in shining armor came to your rescue" he said bitterly and then gave me a 'told-you-so' look. "I might be possessive but… No one is that protective of an acquaintance with no emotional reason behind it"
We sat there in silence until Ric woke up. After drinking almost all blood bags there was in the house, Damon got rid of the werewolves bodies with Ric's help and I decided to go home. Damon seemed worried but seeing I was set on going home, he let me go. I drove to the Gilberts' house to check on Bonnie, Caroline and Jeremy. Caroline opened the door for me.
"What the hell happened in that Tea Party?" she asked. "You look awful"
I sighed and closed the door after coming in. We walked upstairs together and I told her werewolves attacked the boarding house.
"They didn't leave town?" she asked fearfully.
"Elijah killed most of them, and Jules was pretty scared of him" I said.
"About Elijah…"
We entered Jeremy's room and found he and Bonnie putting away what she used in a spell.
"Luka?" I asked.
"We sent him home" Caroline said.
"Did you get the information?" I asked tiredly.
"Yes. Elijah wants the moonstone to break the curse" Bonnie said and I frowned. "He'll do the sacrifice. Luka helped him because Klaus has his sister"
Elijah was going to go through with the sacrifice to break the curse. That didn't make any sense. Elena and I would have to die.
"We talked to Stefan and Elena… Elena says it makes sense, because her deal with Elijah was to keep her loved ones safe, not her… It was stupid" Jeremy said.
Elena's deal was only for her friends and family. Elijah was protecting us until the right moment, when he would give us to Klaus to break the curse.
So Damon was wrong on his Elijah's-crush theory… right?
AN: Thanks so much for all the reviews I'm getting! It makes me so happy that this story is rocking!
Title of this chapter: Crush, Crush, Crush - Paramore - - Also, deals with Jake's crush, Damon, and Elijah...
To those worried about if this is truly a Damon/Bella fic, it is. Taking Bella from New Moon we have a leading character that is a mess. Damon is complicated. So, their love story wouldn't be so simple... Soon they will be back to make more mess together. Do not worry :)
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xoxo Luuh