Chapter Sixteen
Trust
"Come to me now. And lay your hands over me. Even if it's a lie. Say it will be alright. And I shall believe..." ~ Sheryl Crow
"When everyone's asleep, and the house begins to creek, I'm a question with an answer left untold..." ~ Atrisan Guns
"It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie, the moment to live and the moment to die, the moment to fight..." ~ 30 Seconds to Mars
It was past midnight the house quiet an settled. Some had gone home, others have stayed behind and turned in for the evening. It was rare to be awake in silence. I sat in the study, a drink in the one hand and a book in the other, contemplating the last few months. So much have changed. I'd have never thought that my life would turn out like this. After many years of being alone and resenting Ava, I finally had some peace.
I had her and I had Sasha. I had a family again. I didn't take too much time thinking of what life would've been like if Ava and I had raised Sasha together. But when I did think about it I realized that Ava had been right. I wasn't ready back then.
I wouldn't have stayed, and if I did we wouldn't have been happy. There was too much resentment. But things were different now. I was different.
I heard footsteps and put the book down. Thank god I didn't have to go through book after book, because that would drive me insane. I don't know how the others do it.
It was so goddamn tedious. The footsteps got closer, and I sat up watching the door. They weren't Ava's footsteps. Sasha appeared in the doorway, dressed in some of Ava's pajama bottoms and tank top. Her hair was a mess and her eyes looked tired. Standing in the doorway, I saw Ava in her. At a closer look I saw a bit of me, but right now with those eyes looking at me I saw Ava. Those same piercing green eyes.
Sasha walked in and came to sit next to me. She took the glass from me, and without a word she drank the last of my whiskey. "Thanks," she said handing me the empty glass. I took it at put it on the table next to me.
"Can't sleep?" I asked. "Nope," she said shaking her head.
"Want to talk?" Sasha looked at me, studying my face. "I have your cheekbones," she observed. "Is it still weird?" I asked before I could stop myself. It still took me by surprise at times to know that I had part in creating this beautiful woman sitting next to me. "Sometimes," she said honestly. I nodded and we sat in silence.
Sasha shifted and turned a little lying down, resting her head on my lap. She made herself comfortable, and tugged her hands in underneath her head. On instinct I rested one hand on her shoulder and the other on her head, gently stroking it. After a period of silence, the only sound Sasha's breathing, she asked, "what if we all die fighting for a life Ava's unsure she wants?"
"No harm will come to you, that I promise," I said.
"It's not me I'm worried about," Sasha said looking up at me. "It's you and Ava."
I looked down at her, the look she gave me reminding me of a younger Ava.
"We're old and ugly enough to look after ourselves," I assured her.
"Ha. Ha," Sasha laughed. "Ugly my ass. You two are both too good looking for your own good." She sat up and looked straight at me, her smile fading. We sat in silence, and I could see Sasha contemplate something. She opened her mouth, paused, and closed it again. She got up and walked to the door. I watched her go, wondering whether I should ask her what's on her mind. Before I could, she stopped and turned around. "You need to protect her, Damon. Don't let them destroy her," she said seriously. "I'll protect the two of you even if it's the last thing I do," I said earnestly.
Sasha nodded, but there was something else. Sasha took a deep breath and met my gaze. "I can't lose her," she took a breath. "I can't lose you. Not after I just found you," That took me by surprise. I looked at Sasha, the tears in her eyes twisting my heart.
"I know it's silly, but I already lost one set of parents. I can't lose another."
"I promise, we'll all get through this," I vowed. Sasha nodded and turned around again, leaving. I watched her leave, my mind wandering to thoughts of a happy family.
I lightly sat down on the bed next to Ava, careful not to startle her. She was finally getting some sleep. But, Jack was back and he called a meeting. I gently stroked her cheek, and leaned in brushing my lips over her cheek. Ava stirred, slowly opening her eyes. She smiled when she saw me, turning slightly onto her back.
"What's up?" she asked looking directly at me, her eyes almost emerald. She was happy. That made me smile, because I love knowing that she's happy.
"Nothing," I said with a smile, resting my hand on her shoulder.
"You've got that look," Ava observed.
"Jack's here, he's called a meeting."
Ava groaned, rolled onto her back and covered her eyes. "Great," she sighed sitting up. "I can tell him to come back," I said.
"No, no," Ava said shaking her head, getting up. She got out of bed, and pulled on a pair of shorts. "Let's get this over with," Ava said leaving the room.
We walked into the living room, and Ava stopped in her tracks. Ava's thoughts went dark, and she was ready to murder. I caught her just as she was ready to act on her intent to murder. It took me a second the realize why she was angry. Jack sat in the living room with Stefan, Alaric, Dave, Sasha, and a man I've never met before.
He obviously did something to piss Ava off. "What's he doing here?" Ava asked through clenched teeth, straining against my hold. I tightened my grip around her arm, keeping her from attacking the stranger. Jack stood up, a smile on his face, looking pleased. He too knew what Ava had against the stranger, and it seemed to amuse him.
"C'mon, Ava," Jack said with his charming smile. "That's no way to great an old friend." I thought Ava was going to combust. She was shaking with anger, yearning to be free from my grip. "He's no friend of mine," Ava bit out glaring at the stranger.
"Who's this?" I asked, what everyone else in the room wanted to know.
"Jonah," the stranger introduced himself. He stood up as everyone looked at him. Jonah was about 6'2, with a shaved head and mean face. I recognized the vampire in him. "He's no friend of mine," Ava said tearing her arm free from my grip.
There was a bruise where my hand wrapped around her arm.
"Can someone tell us what the hell is going on?" Sasha asked getting up.
"I think, Avalon's reaction to me is a result of me trying to kill her," Jonah answered nonchalantly. "You betrayed me," Ava snapped, glaring a Jonah.
"Okay, enough," Jack said intervening. "Jonah, is here upon my request. He is a valuable asset to our cause."
"How do we know we can trust him?" Stefan asked. I looked at my brother, and saw that he knew something I didn't. I guess he knows why Ava is so angry at Jonah.
"Because, young Salvatore, he's been my eyes and ears within The Assembly," Jack replied. I saw a glint in his eye, and wondered what he was up too. There was something off by all this, but we need Jack and his friends to pull this off.
"What does that mean?" Sasha asked, coming to stand next to me and Ava.
Jack looked at the three of us, and marveled at the resemblance. If you look at the three of us together, it is somewhat obvious we're all related. He also saw the three of us as a threat. Against what I didn't know, but I promised myself that I will keep an eye on him. "It means, that Jonah knows what's been going on within The Assembly.
It means that he will be the key to our victory," Jack said not taking his eyes off Ava.
They exchanged glares, and I saw Ava's eye flicker between green and orange.
I haven't seen her eyes change in quite a while. I knew she was wearing contacts most of the time while she was surrounded by humans, to blend in. But, since she's been in Mystic Falls she hasn't been using her contacts.
"Fine. But if you so much as dare cross me or any of my people, so help me I will end you," Ava warned looking directly at Jonah. I looked at Ava, the fierceness in her voice a huge turn on. Ava spun around and left the room. She needed to put some distance between herself, Jonah and Jack. She still hasn't forgiven Jack for the role he played in dictating her life. Stefan and I looked at each other, and Stefan nodded.
I followed Ava, leaving Stefan and Sasha to deal with Jack and Jonah.
Ava headed straight for our bedroom, and I closed the door behind us.
"Do you trust Jack?" I asked, a glimpse of Ava's thoughts breaking through the barrier.
"Not at all," she said turning to look at me.
