Chapter 5: A Fraught Encounter

Stefan's POV

There she was, the enigmatic woman Damon claimed as his wife. She lounged in a long, flowing dressing gown, utterly engrossed in a book by the flickering firelight.

"What's all this?" I startled her, my voice echoing in the vast library. She jumped, a deer caught in headlights.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," I apologized hastily. The last thing I needed was to spook her and send her running. It was best to keep her close, where I could observe her.

"Of course not," she replied, a hint of breathlessness in her voice. "I apologize. I'm not yet accustomed to these heightened senses. It seems I can only focus on one at a time, and at the moment, my reading comprehension appears to be dominant."

Her words softened me somewhat. Her formality, her politeness, spoke of a bygone era. It was easy to imagine how overwhelming this new world must be for her. My gaze swept across the room, landing on the titles spread around her: Little Women, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Red Badge of Courage… and then my eyes snagged on a book I recognized – Jack London's Call of the Wild, one of Damon's favorites.

Suddenly, that flicker of sympathy slammed shut. "Call of the Wild, huh?" I couldn't resist the jab.

She barely looked up, but launched into a passionate diatribe about the horrors Buck endured. "It's simply awful what he's forced to go through!"

"Surprised you don't identify with Spitz," I countered, deciding not to mince words.

Bella finally set the book down, her confusion deepening. Seeing my lack of explanation, I rolled my eyes and spelled it out for her. "Just saying, he and Damon have a lot in common."

Understanding dawned on her face. She gathered the folds of her robe and stood with a newfound dignity, gliding past me towards the sofa. She gestured for me to sit, and I took a deep breath, trying to control the storm of emotions churning within me.

"Stefan," she began, her voice laced with grace but firm, "considering my utter lack of knowledge about this century, perhaps instead of cryptic remarks and barbs, you could engage in a civil conversation?"

I couldn't deny her logic. "Fine, look," I conceded. "I don't know you, but the Damon I knew as a human is a far cry from who he is now. And a newbie vampire, which for all intents and purposes you are, isn't exactly going to be a calming influence on him. This town, the people here, they matter to me. And frankly, I think it would be best for everyone if you left."

There it was, out in the open. Hopefully, with them gone, things could return to some semblance of normalcy around here. If such a thing even existed anymore.

"Best for everyone? And how exactly would that be best for me?" she countered, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "I'm terrified, utterly lost in this new world. The only thing familiar is the Salvatore estate. How does sending Damon and I off into the unknown benefit anyone besides yourself?"

A pang of sympathy stabbed at me. Her plight was undeniable. But a bigger part of me couldn't shake the feeling that this was all temporary, a prelude to something far worse. And I, more than anyone, knew the cost of inaction.

"Look," I sighed, "I do sympathize with you. Truly. But things are happening, things I can't keep Damon out of for much longer. And eventually, that will drag you in too. I'm just trying to help you."

"I will discuss it with Damon when he returns," she said, her polite facade unwavering. It was impossible to read her, to gauge her true feelings.

Curiosity piqued. "Where is Damon, anyway? Why isn't he here?"

She explained about his trip to a neighboring town for blood bags.

Knowing it was pointless, I let another snide remark slip. "Doesn't have you draining the townspeople dry yet, does he?"

Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dangerous igniting within them. Suddenly, I felt ridiculously small.