A/N: Sorry it's been so long! Obviously this has been a tough year and it's let to a bit of a creative block for me but I'm still here. I really like this chapter and I hope you do too! Would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you to KimmyWSmith for proofreading! Xo, Eden.
Song: On Melancholy Hill
Artist: Gorillaz
Up on melancholy hill
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me
Just looking out on the day
Of another dream
Well you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set out to sea
Because you are my medicine
When you're close to me
Caroline dropped her bag onto my bed and pulled out two bottles of champagne. Her newfound ability to compel a liquor store attendant was proving to be a perk for all of us. In true Caroline fashion, she had insisted that we all get ready for the masquerade ball together, and decided that my currently parent-free house was the best place to do so.
"You know, my arms won't get tired when doing your hair anymore, Lucy," Caroline poured a very generous glass and handed it to me. "The possibilities are endless."
"Oh, great," I replied.
I caught Elena's eye and mouthed save me. She didn't laugh. Not that I could blame her. I was surprised that Caroline even convinced her to be here at all. It's one thing to go alone to an event because you're fake fighting with your boyfriend to appease his crazy ex-girlfriend; it's another thing to go alone because you actually broke up with your boyfriend because of said crazy ex-girlfriend.
After Elena showed up at the Salvatore's last night, it took all of five minutes for her to emerge from the study absolutely sobbing. I spent most of the ride back to my house trying to convince her that she shouldn't have done it, that she and Stefan were perfect for each other and that she shouldn't let Katherine get between them, but it was useless. Elena was certain that the next loved one that Katherine targeted wouldn't make it out alive, and she wouldn't risk it.
At least she would have Bonnie and Caroline by her side all night to keep her distracted from her sadness. I felt kind of guilty going with Damon when Elena had just broken up with Stefan, Caroline had just broken up with Matt, and Bonnie . . . well, come to think of it, I had no clue what was going on in Bonnie's love life.
"So, Bonnie. Anyone special that you're hoping to dance with tonight?" I asked.
Bonnie laughed. "Are you asking me about boys right now?"
"Uh, yeah. Why?"
"Nothing, it just made me feel so normal for a second," She smiled. "But no, no one special. I haven't had time to even think about boys lately."
"Mason Lockwood's kind of cute," Caroline said nonchalantly, sectioning my hair off.
"Caroline, ew," Elena said.
"What? He is." Caroline shrugged.
"He's friends with Jenna, that's too weird," Elena replied.
Caroline shrugged. "I'm just saying, it's not like any of us are ever going to be able to date someone normal without lying to them all the time. Mason already knows everything."
Bonnie grabbed the champagne bottle. "I'm going to need at least three more drinks before we have this conversation."
Elena nodded in agreement and motioned for Bonnie to pass her the bottle. I sat down in front of Caroline, who was currently setting up a beauty station that rivalled one at a beauty salon.
"I'm thinking curls for you, Lucy," Caroline said.
"So why are you grabbing the straightener?" I asked.
"I'm going to straighten and then curl your hair, so the curls are perfectly smooth," Caroline explained, as if this was the most sensical thing in the world. "Elena, you should curl your hair too."
"Why, so I can look like Katherine?" Elena replied. "No thanks."
"Why don't I do a half up braided thing like I did on your hair for winter formal last year?" Bonnie offered.
"Yeah, sure. Thank you." Elena said. "God, that feels like forever ago."
By the time Caroline was done with me, I had to admit that her vision was once again flawless. My hair had never fallen so perfectly in my life, and the eyeshadow she did complimented my beaded mask so well. Everyone looked stunning. It was a good thing Stefan wasn't going tonight; seeing Elena in her dusty rose dress would probably break his heart all over again.
"Perfect!" Caroline said after dusting a bit more blush onto Bonnie's cheeks. "Lucy, what time is Damon picking you up again?"
I looked at my phone. "In fifteen minutes."
"Okay, then ladies we really need to get going. Unless you want us to hang around to take cute pictures of you two?" Caroline asked hopefully.
"Nope, definitely not." My parents being out of town was my saving grace, as I knew my mom would have staged a full photoshoot with me and Damon. "Are you sure you're good to drive?"
"Trust me, I drive way better as a drunk vampire than I ever did as a sober human," Caroline replied.
"Is that supposed to make us feel better?" Bonnie asked.
Caroline just laughed as she swept her belongings back into her bag. It was weird to say, but vampirism almost seemed to suit her, if it could suit anyone. Maybe it was the fact that she could compel almost anything she wanted, or maybe it was the fact that she could beat anyone in a fight if they tried her, but Caroline carried herself with so much more confidence now. Obviously she was still struggling with certain aspects of vampirism, but I had a strong feeling she was going to be more than fine.
"You girls ready?" Caroline asked Bonnie and Elena.
Elena sighed. "I still don't know if I should go. I mean, Jenna just got home from the hospital."
"And she has Alaric there to take care of her. We've been over this." I said. "You're going."
Bonnie exchanged glances with Caroline. Elena let out another exasperated sigh but picked up her clutch and trudged towards the door. Caroline poured the last bit of champagne into my cup. Though she was smiling, her eyes told me that she was very aware that most of her evening would be spent trying to keep Elena in good spirits.
I heard Damon's car pulling up my street only a few minutes after they left. The stillness of the night as I waited on my porch made me realize just how much I was fluttering with excitement. Our last attempt at a real date was interrupted when Katherine turned Caroline into a vampire, so this was basically the do over.
God. Damon looked good in a suit. Mason may despise Carol Lockwood, but I felt like I owed her a personal thank you for hosting an event that required guests to dress up. My only complaint was that his face was hidden. He must have noticed that I was watching him, as he walked at a normal speed instead of vamping over to me.
"You look absolutely stunning," He said.
I was thankful that my mask obscured most of my face, as I was certain my cheeks were as crimson as my dress, "I think you'll still be the best looking person there."
"Impossible."
Not having to lean down quite as far as usual due to my heels, his lips found mine quickly. The tingle of anticipation I felt for the evening was only heightened once I fell into his kiss. I wondered if he could taste the remnants of champagne on my lips in the same way that I could taste hints of bourbon and mint on his. He pulled away far too soon, nuzzling his nose into the crook of my neck.
"You smell absolutely sinful," He whispered.
"Well we were drinking a little-"
He grazed his teeth along my skin. "That's not what I meant."
For a moment I thought he was going to feed on me. For a moment I actually wanted him to. I just knew that if he sunk his teeth into my skin and drank my blood he would be so deliberate but so tender while doing so. Instead, he took one last deep inhale before pulling away, holding out his arm for me to hold as we walked to the car.
Carol Lockwood sure threw an elaborate party; especially for someone who was recently widowed. Both the inside and outside of the manor were twinkling with captivating lights and brimming with energy. The night air on the back lawn gave me a slight chill after walking through the crowded house, and Damon took the opportunity to wrap his arms around me and sweep me onto the dance floor.
The hundreds of tiny lights in the yard reflected in Damon's eyes, giving them a glow that made them even more enthralling than usual. The solid feeling of his shoulders beneath my hands was the only thing that made me believe this wasn't part of a dream. Moments like this didn't exist in my world.
"What?" Damon asked when I smiled and let out a sigh of contentment after some time dancing.
"Nothing. Tonight is just perfect," I said.
"Would be perfect," He replied. "If it weren't for the broken hearts club."
I assumed he was talking about Elena and Caroline, but when I glanced over my shoulder I saw that he was referring to Mason. He was leaning against the bar, looking as if he'd rather be anywhere else on earth. Funny how three people I cared about had their hearts broken yesterday, and Katherine was responsible for each one.
"I feel so bad for him," I sighed.
"You should ask him to dance," Damon said, and I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you trying to get rid of me already?"
"No, I'm trying to get you to cheer him up so we don't have to spend the rest of the night pitying him." He replied. "Besides, I should go check on Stefan."
"Stefan's here?" I asked.
"Is he not allowed to be?"
"No, I just thought he hated parties," I said.
"He's got to get back on the saddle somehow," Damon smirked.
I giggled. "Ok first of all, ew. Second of all, I refuse to believe that Stefan is here looking for a rebound less than twenty four hours after his involuntary break up with Elena."
"You're right," Damon said. "I forced him to come. I knew he'd just be sitting at home moping if I didn't get him out of the house. But if he thinks I forgot about him, he's just going to leave.
"Okay, fair."
Damon kissed me quickly. "I'll be back before Mason gets too comfortable with you."
I let my eyes linger on Damon as he disappeared into the crowd before I walked over to Mason. He didn't even acknowledge me as I approached, though I was certain that I passed in front of his unfocused gaze. I pointed at the half empty glass he was holding.
"Careful buddy, too many of those and you won't be able to make it onto the dance floor," I said.
"Trust me, I have zero intention of dancing tonight," Mason replied.
I clicked my tongue, shaking my head at him. "Well that's a shame, because I only came over here to ask you to dance."
Mason looked at me. "Don't you have a boyfriend to do that with?"
"Yes, but my boyfriend doesn't need to be saved from destroying his liver right now," I said.
"Okay fine, I'll take your pity dance," Mason downed the rest of his drink and slammed it on the bar. "Just don't let Tyler find out about it."
"Why not?" I asked, as I dragged him to the dance floor.
"Oh come on," Mason gave me an incredulous look. "He's totally got a thing for you."
"Maybe when I first met him, but not anymore. I barely see the guy," I said.
Mason rested his hands on my waist. "I don't know, he seemed pretty interested when I told him I met you the other night."
"Don't let Damon find out about that," I said. "Is Tyler even here?"
"Last I checked he and one of his buddies nicked a bottle of something from somewhere and were entertaining girls in my brother's old office," Mason replied.
I feigned indignation. "This town is just full of debauchery."
"That's the only fun thing about it."
We danced with a fair bit more distance between us than there had been between me and Damon. Though Mason no longer had that glazed look in his eyes, he still seemed very distracted. Understandably so; he was only here because the party was at his house.
Just when I was about to give up on remotely lifting Mason's spirits this evening, a hint of a devilish grin broke out on his face and he dipped me without warning. I almost lost my balance, and I was certain that had I been dancing with a regular human they would have just dropped me. At least my fumble made Mason laugh.
"Had too much to drink?" He asked.
"Not quite yet, I'm just a bit clumsy," I said, letting him guide me to the music again.
"You were doing alright there for a minute," He replied.
I smiled. "I have my moments."
"When you're not busy punching me in the face," Mason added.
"Sorry about that, again," I said.
"Again, it really didn't hurt. At all."
I would have protested his claim, but teasing me seemed to bring him a marginal amount of joy. When the song ended, Mason still had a slight smile on his face. My goal was accomplished.
"I should go find Damon," I said, letting go of Mason.
"What, so you're just going to dance with me for a few songs and then leave? I feel used. At least have a drink with me," Mason teased.
"He's my date," I replied.
"Trust me, I know. He never shuts up about you," Mason let out a mock sigh. "I guess I'll just go back to drinking at the bar alone."
"Fine," I conceded.
It was only because I felt bad for him. And because I had absolutely no clue where Damon might have gone, and I didn't particularly feel like running all over the Lockwood's property looking for him when he had promised me he would return.
"Another one, Mr. Lockwood?" The bartender asked Mason when we approached the bar.
"Yes please, Thomas. And could I get a gin and tonic for this lovely lady here?" Mason replied.
Thomas eyed me. "She looks young."
"Now you know me, would I supply alcohol to a minor?" Mason asked.
Thomas grumbled something, but poured both of our drinks and handed them to us. Mason led me to a garden along the side of the house, where we sat down at a stone table.
"You may not be able to compel people but you sure do have superhuman bullshitting capabilities," I said.
Mason laughed. "All in the name of having a good time."
"Are you?"
He took a sip of his drink. "Am I what?"
"Having a good time."
"Ask me again in thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes?" I asked. He didn't reply. The only sounds were the clinking of ice against glass every time one of us took a drink and the slightly muted music carrying over from the main lawn.
Mason cleared his throat."So, you and Damon are the real deal, huh?"
"If you're asking if Tyler has a chance, the answer is no," I replied.
Mason laughed. "No, it's not that. Just looking out for my buddy."
"I'm definitely not planning on going anywhere."
"Ever?" Mason asked. "There's nothing he could do to make you leave him?"
"I mean, obviously if he goes on a killing spree we're going to have a talk but . . . I know who he is. I know what I signed up for." I replied.
"Do you love him?" Mason asked.
I nearly choked on my drink. "What?"
"Do you love him?" He asked again.
"I- what is this about? Has Damon said something to you?" I asked.
Mason shrugged. "Just making conversation."
Mason's attempted nonchalance did nothing to assure me that there was no reason for his questioning. It dawned upon me that we were very isolated from the party, and that only a day ago Mason's trustworthiness was facing scrutiny. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to be out here, alone and drinking with him.
"Look, it's been great to get to hang out with you but I really should try to find Damon now," I said.
"He's a big boy, he can find you himself," Mason replied.
I stood up. "It's been a while."
Mason grabbed my arm. "Lucy, just stay."
"Ow! God, Mason. You're hurting me!"
"Stay," He repeated.
I tried to pull away from him. "What is your problem? You're freaking me out."
He loosened his grip a little bit, but still held on. "Please, just stay."
"Mason, what is going on?" I asked.
"Nothing. Nothing's going on," He said.
"If nothing is going on then let me go."
Mason shook his head. "Can't do that."
"Why? What's wrong? Where is Damon?" I asked.
I tried to twist out of his grasp again, knowing full well I didn't have the strength to get away from him. My efforts just made my arm hurt more.
"God would you just sit down!" Mason shouted. "You're not making this any easier."
"Making what any easier? Mason if you're trying to hurt me-"
"Hurt you?" Mason looked dumbfounded. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to protect you."
"Protect me? Protect me from what?" I asked, but my attention faltered when I heard footsteps, and I squinted at the figure emerging from the pathway. "Elena?"
Mason let go of me the moment he realized we weren't alone. Elena was too busy avoiding my eye to notice anyways.
"Oh- um, hi," She looked between me and Mason. "Where's Damon?"
"That's what I was just trying to figure out," I edged away from Mason. "What are you doing over here?"
Elena twisted the heel of her shoe into the grass. "Leaving."
"Leaving?" I echoed. "With who?"
"Savannah from biology class offered to take me home. Stefan's here and I didn't want to walk through the house in case I saw him . . ." Elena's eyes looked especially shiny when she mentioned Stefan's name.
"Why are you leaving?" I asked.
"I just want to go home. Bonnie's been hanging out with Jeremy all night and I haven't even seen Caroline in at least-"
"Hold on," I interrupted her. "Bonnie's hanging out with Jeremy?"
Elena nodded.
"Let's see, Bonnie and Jeremy are hanging out which I don't think has ever happened, Caroline is missing, Damon went off to 'check on Stefan' god knows how long ago, and Mason here"-I glowered at Mason-"is apparently supposed to be protecting me right now. I don't know about you, but I'm getting a strong feeling we're being left out of something. Care to elaborate Mason?"
He did not.
"Mason, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," I said.
Mason snorted. "Really? The hard way? I've seen how you fight."
"This is useless," Elena shook her head. "Let me go find Jeremy. He cracks under pressure."
Elena ran off back towards the main lawn without even asking if I wanted to come with her. Not that Mason would have let me anyways.
"You're not even going to try to stop her?" I asked.
"And give you the chance to run off and find Damon? No way." Mason said.
I crossed my arms and sat down on top of the table, making sure to stay more than an arm's length away from Mason. My arm felt like it might bruise where he had clamped down on it, and I didn't feel like giving him another opportunity to restrain me.
"You know, you could just tell me what's going on since I'm about to find out anyways," I said.
Mason gave me a dubious look. I should have known that would be a no go. I should have caught on that something was wrong sooner. Now I was just stuck waiting, feeling like a useless, very lied to stick in the mud.
After a few incredibly uncomfortable minutes, Elena returned, dragging Jeremy by the shoulder of his suit jacket. Bonnie trailed behind them, and I noticed that she and Mason exchanged glances with one another.
"Sit," Elena ordered Jeremy.
"What did he tell you?" I asked.
"Nothing, yet," Elena crossed her arms, still glaring at Jeremy. "But I saw you talking to Katherine so don't either of you try and tell me that nothing's going on."
"Katherine's here?" I asked.
At least Katherine and Elena were both wearing masks. I couldn't imagine how we'd explain to anyone why there were two Elenass at an event.
"I hope you all realize how stupid this is. What if someone saw both of us at the same time?" Elena evidently had the same thought process that I did.
"That wouldn't have been a concern if you had just done what you were supposed to," Jeremy grumbled.
"What I was supposed to?" Elena echoed. "How can I do what I'm supposed to when I don't even know that there's a plan?"
"Listen-"
"No you listen Jeremy. I already told you, I don't want you involved in any of this. I don't know what could possibly be so important that either of you would feel the need to involve my little brother." Elena glared at Mason and Bonnie.
"Don't blame Bonnie," Jeremy stood up, staring Elena down.
"Jeremy, it's fine," Bonnie said.
"No, it's not fine. She can't blame you or Mason or anyone for this. I chose to get involved, because Katherine has messed with too many of the people I care about and she deserves what's coming," Jeremy said.
"What's coming?" I asked. "What are you planning to do to her?"
"What do you think?" Jeremy countered.
"Jeremy don't," Mason warned.
"Oh my god," Elena whispered. "You're trying to kill her."
"No!" I yelled.
"I don't like it either, but it's the only way," Bonnie said.
I looked to Mason for support, but he remained silent. Yesterday he claimed he loved Katherine, but tonight he was participating in her assassination. How could he be okay with this? How could any of them be okay with this?
"You can't do this!" I protested. "Elena?"
Elena nodded. "She's right. You're going to get yourselves killed."
"No we're not," Jeremy said.
Bonnie held up her phone. "Caroline texted me. Katherine's already in the room I sealed. She can't get out, and she can't hurt anyone."
"The only person that's getting killed tonight is Katherine," Mason said.
"You can't kill her!" I shouted.
"It has to be done," Bonnie said.
"No, no it doesn't," I felt around for my phone before remembering that it was sitting safely inside my purse in Damon's car. "Somebody please! Call Damon! Don't kill her!"
"Lucy, it's Katherine. Why are you being like this?" Elena asked.
I didn't know how to answer that. I knew it was Katherine. Katherine who tormented Stefan and Damon. Katherine who tried to kill John and Jenna. Katherine whom I had never even properly met, but couldn't find it in myself to believe that she deserved to die. So many times had I envisioned driving a stake through her heart, but when the time actually came to prove her mortality, I couldn't let it happen.
I just shook my head. "No more death."
"So you'd rather it be Jenna? Or John? Hell, next time it could be me. Or Elena. Or anyone else that you care about," Jeremy said.
"If we don't kill her, even more people will die," Bonnie said.
I dug my nails into the palm of my hand, exasperated that my friends were all okay with plotting a murder. I didn't get the chance to further voice my frustration; Elena let out a loud scream. All of our heads snapped to look at her. She had collapsed onto the bench.
"Elena!" I ran to her side. "What happened?"
She answered me with another scream. Blood was seeping down her arm. And from her back. A lot of blood.
"What's going on?" Jeremy asked.
Elena couldn't even form a sentence, she was just gasping in pain.
"It's Katherine. She's linked to Katherine," Bonnie said. "Get them to stop. Now!"
No. Elena couldn't be linked to Katherine. The thought made my heart rate increase and I could feel the blood rushing to my face, filling it with an uncomfortable heat. I ripped my mask off and discarded it on the ground, but I still felt like my anxiety was just going to erupt out of me. Stefan and Damon were trying to kill Katherine. Katherine could survive far more severe injuries than Elena could. Elena was already hurt, badly.
Jeremy nodded to Bonnie. He knew where Stefan and Damon were. I had to go with him, had to make sure they stopped. Elena had to be okay. Mason grabbed my arm to stop me from going after Jeremy. I balled my free hand up and punched him with as much force as I could muster. To my surprise, it was actually enough force for his hold to falter, but I barely made it into the house before he caught up with me.
"Mason let go of me!" I yelled.
Mason steered me back towards the door. A few party guests gave him a scrutinizing look.
"Little sister, snuck out past curfew," Mason explained.
That seemed to be acceptable to them, as they just nodded. Keeping a tight hold on my shoulders, he pushed me back outside.
"God, why are you being like this?" Mason asked when I elbowed him in the chest.
"Elena's my sister!" I yelled. "What the hell is your excuse?"
"I promised Damon I'd protect you tonight," He said. "That includes keeping you away from Katherine."
"Well I'm pretty sure that doesn't include you manhandling me so hard you leave marks," I shot back.
"I'm sorry, okay?" He turned me around to face him. "It's a werewolf thing.."
"Yeah. Super strength, I know."
Mason shook his head. "Not that. Loyalty. When I make a promise to someone, someone who truly matters to me, every part of me fights to make sure I keep it."
"What?" I stared at him. "You have no control over it?"
"I control the promises I make. I control who I care about. Usually it's something that happens within packs," He said.
"So Damon is part of your pack." I said.
Mason smiled. "Yeah, I guess he is. And you, by proxy."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. It's not like I have no choice in what I do. But to break a promise, I'd have to truly want to. That means I'd have to want you to get hurt," He said. "And I don't."
"Sounds like I should make you promise to stop using werewolf strength on me," I muttered.
"If it's any consolation, you got me back good tonight," He said.
I rolled my eyes. "You're just saying that."
"No, I'm serious," Mason pointed to his face. "That actually hurt."
Even in the dim light that was trickling out of the house, I could see a bright red mark on his cheek right where I hit him. Well damn. Apparently I can hold my own against a werewolf. At least when it's not the full moon.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I was so focused on protecting Elena."
"I know. But I also know that neither Stefan or Damon would intentionally do anything to hurt Elena. She'll be okay," He said.
I just nodded. To Mason, it must seem like I'm overreacting. But he, Jeremy, and Bonnie all had time to come to terms with the potential dangers of the evening. I was only alerted to the fact that they were up to something mere moments before my twin was mystically impaled.
Jeremy stormed out of the house. Alone. Mason and I hurried to catch up with him as he continued in the direction of Bonnie and Elena.
"Where's Stefan?" I asked.
"Still sealed in the same room as Katherine," Jeremy replied. "He told me to go check on Elena."
"What? Elena needs vampire blood," I said. "What about Caroline?"
Jeremy shook his head. "Not answering her phone. It's okay. If Bonnie can't heal Elena, I'll give her this."
Jeremy held up his hand. He was wearing a ring, the same ring that Alaric wore. It wouldn't help with the injuries, but it would at least ensure that if Elena died, her death wouldn't be permanent.
"Are you okay?" Jeremy asked Elena the moment we reached her and Bonnie.
"Are they?" Elena's voice was strained, but she was still sitting upright.
"They're in there with Katherine. Here, put this on," Jeremy held the ring out to her.
Elena shook her head. "No, Jeremy."
"Elena, Bonnie was right. A witch linked you to Katherine. This will protect you," Jeremy said.
"I need you safe, Jeremy," Elena said.
"He's not in any danger Elena!" I yelled. "Please, just put it on."
Jeremy forced the ring into her hand, and she put it on.
Bonnie stood up. "Another witch. It must be the girl I saw inside. Jeremy stay with Elena, keep pressure on her shoulder. Lucy, come with me."
Mason stepped in front of her. "Come with you where?"
"To find the witch and ask her to break the spell," Bonnie replied.
"Lucy stays. I can't have you running off and putting her in danger," Mason said.
Bonnie glared at Mason. He yelled out and clutched at his head. Right when his knees buckled and he had to brace his arm on the table for support, the yelling stopped. Bonnie smiled.
"If that's not enough to show you she's safe with me, I don't know what is," She said.
I trailed behind her, equal parts in awe and afraid that she was able to debilitate Mason so easily. Really though, it was impressive. Damon should reconsider who he asks to play bodyguard for the evening.
"Why do you need my help?" I asked.
"I don't, but you're freaking out about Elena and she can't get any more worked up then she already is," Bonnie said.
"Oh. Sorry."
I followed a few paces behind Bonnie as she marched towards the house. The inside was still rather crowded with party guests, and I wasn't sure how on earth we were going to find anyone in here. Bonnie seemed to carry a more innate tracking ability than I; she didn't falter as she led me into the slightly emptier dining room. She approached a tall woman wearing a black dress, who turned around before Bonnie could even say anything.
"You looking for me?" The woman asked.
"Who are you?" Bonnie replied.
"Lucy." She said. Original.
"What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked.
"You need to take the spell off of Elena," I said.
Both of them looked at me. Bonnie was frowning, but Lucy had more of an amused expression on her face.
"Please," I added.
"And you are?" Lucy asked.
"Also Lucy," I said. "Elena's my sister."
"I see," She replied. "I'll stop the spell."
"Th-"
"If you give Katherine the moonstone," Lucy said.
"Why does she want it?" I asked.
Lucy ignored my question. "Tell your friends to hand over the moonstone and all will be groovy."
"You're not leaving this room until you stop the spell!" Bonnie said.
Lucy took a step closer to Bonnie. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You already hurt Elena," I said, crossing my arms.
"Look, I don't have a choice," Lucy said. "The bitch saved my life and now I owe her. I have to pay up."
Lucy tried to walk away from us, but Bonnie grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving. As Lucy looked at Bonnie, her eyes flickered with a menacing light.
"You have the moonstone," Lucy said. "I can sense it on you."
That was news to me. Lucy rested her hands on Bonnie's arms. A light tinkering sound filled the room as the glasses on the table started to shake, and the lights flickered a few times. All the while, the rest of the guests in the room seemed oblivious that anything was amiss. Perhaps they weren't sober enough to care, or perhaps they simply weren't meant to notice this little burst of magic.
"Do you feel that?" Lucy asked. "You can trust me. Give it to me, it's okay."
Her eyes were still gleaming. Much to my dismay, Bonnie slowly retracted her arms from Lucy's grasp and reached for her purse. I saw a glint of white inside her hand.
"Bonnie no!" I yelled. "She works for Katherine."
"I work for no one," Lucy glared at me. "I was simply returning a favor."
"I thought witches were supposed to be good," I said.
"The entanglement between good and evil proves to be a difficult one to escape," Lucy replied.
Bonnie held out the moonstone. "This will help."
"Bonnie don't."
"I promise your sister will come to no more harm because of me or my magic. But I must finish this," Lucy said.
Bonnie nodded to her as she took the moonstone out of her hand. How could Bonnie just trust that this complete stranger would keep her word? Was there some sort of unwritten code of honor amongst witches?
Either way, Katherine was getting what she wanted. Again. Stone in hand, Lucy exited the dining room. Bonnie might believe Lucy, but I didn't. I needed to see for myself that she would break the spell on Elena, so I went after her.
"What are you doing?" Bonnie asked, trailing behind me.
"Making sure she keeps her word," I said.
Lucy turned down a hallway and went into an empty room. Bonnie and I peered around the door frame to see Lucy set the stone on a table.
"Phesmatos consummatis," Lucy said.
Nothing happened.
Lucy held her hands over the stone. "Tactus etiam nas ex spiritus."
I expected the stone to float or glow or something but it remained flat on the table until Lucy picked it up.
"I know you're there," Lucy said, back turned to us. "You still don't trust me, do you?"
She turned around and stared at me, waiting for an answer. It was like she knew that I was the one who decided to follow her, not Bonnie.
"Bonnie, why don't you tell her what I did?" Lucy asked.
"She broke the spell," Bonnie said.
Lucy nodded. "Elena is already healing. And?"
"And . . . I don't really know what the second incantation was," Bonnie admitted. "Something to do with breathing."
"When Katherine touches this stone, she won't be able to breathe," Lucy held up the moonstone. "Which won't kill her, since she's a vampire, but it will debilitate her. What happens afterwards is none of my moral concern."
Thank god. Elena would be okay, and Katherine still wouldn't have the moonstone. Well she would, for a moment, but Stefan and Damon would surely get it back the moment she was incapacitated.
"You're welcome to watch the show," Lucy said, noting the smile on my face. "Though I might ask that you remain in the shadows, as Katherine will surely suspect something is wrong if she sees me with the two of you."
"Why are you helping us?" I asked.
"Katherine lied to me," Lucy replied. "I repay my debts, but I repay them on my terms. I would never have agreed to this had she told me everything."
I nodded. Katherine certainly had a track record with lying.
"Now come. Or don't. But I would like for this part of my evening to be over," Lucy said.
We stepped aside so that she could leave the room. I looked at Bonnie, and she nodded for me to follow Lucy. Maybe it was just the sick part of me that longed for revenge, but I really wanted to witness Lucy turn against Katherine. To witness Katherine not getting what she wanted.
As we walked up the staircase, the sounds of raucous guests wafted up behind us. It was disturbing how close Katherine was to all of these innocent people. Lucy signalled for us to wait outside of a doorway.
"Katherine, the spell on this room has been broken, you're free to leave," Lucy said.
"Thank God," Katherine's voice was thick with disdain.
"When I hand this over my debt to you is over," Lucy spoke so clearly that I was certain Katherine was going to catch on to the meaning of her words.
"Done."
"I owe you nothing," Lucy said.
"I said done. Give it," Katherine snapped.
"I wouldn't do that," Damon warned Lucy.
I held my breath, worried that Katherine would hear us and finally realize that something was amiss. But when the sharp clicking of her heels was followed by an even sharper intake of breath, I knew that she had fallen for it.
"You should have told me another witch was involved," Lucy said. "She's a Bennett witch, Katherine, but I'm sure you knew that."
"Wait, Elena!" I heard Stefan yell.
"Elena's fine," Lucy said.
I heard a thud. Katherine must have fallen. I had to see it for myself. I stepped into the room, barely registering Bonnie's touch on my arm as she feebly tried to stop me. Katherine was sputtering on the floor, the moonstone lying just barely out of her reach.
"The spell is broken. She'll heal quickly," Lucy said. "I apologize for my involvement."
Lucy nodded to Stefan and Damon before backing out of the room. They exchanged glances with one another, coming to the silent agreement that they wouldn't follow her. Bonnie didn't seem to be in agreement; she took off after Lucy without a word.
It was just me, Stefan, Damon, and the strained sound of Katherine gasping for air left in the room. Damon was staring at me, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why he looked so angry. After all, I was the one who was lied to this evening.
"You shouldn't be here," Damon said. "Where the hell is Mason?"
"With Elena. Making sure she doesn't, you know, die," I replied.
Katherine mustered the strength to crane her neck to see who he was talking to. Her eyes locked with mine. They were wide, wider than I had ever seen Elena's eyes. Katherine knew that, for once in her life, she didn't have the upper hand. It looked like she was trying to say something, but no sound came out.
"Lucy, why don't you get out of here," Stefan said. "Wait with Elena; we'll come find you when this is over."
"Wait!" Katherine choked out. "Nick. Nick. . .Elena."
The moment Katherine uttered Elena's name, she went lifeless. Lifeless but, according to Lucy, not dead.
"Good job witch," Damon muttered.
"Who's Nick?" I asked.
"Who cares?" Damon stepped over her body to pick up the moonstone. "Probably one of her twenty boyfriends."
"What was she saying about Elena?" Stefan asked.
"Oh god," I said. "What if Lucy was lying and Katherine is still linked to Elena? That would mean-"
"Elena's fine," Mason said behind me. "She started healing, and begged me to go make sure you guys were okay."
I fought back the urge to smile. Leave it to Elena to nearly bleed out and still be concerned about the safety of others.
"Look who it is, world's worst bodyguard," Damon said.
Stefan held up a hand to silence Damon. "Enough. Are you sure Elena's okay?"
"Positive," Mason replied.
"Good. That means I can safely do this," Damon said, raising a stake in his hand.
"Damon don't!" I yelled.
Damon exhaled loudly. "Lucy, please just wait downstairs. I promise we will talk just let me get this over with."
"No! You can't kill her," I stormed over to him and tried to grab the stake from him.
"Why the hell not?" Damon asked.
My eyes trailed down to Katherine. Although her tight black dress provided a stark contrast to Elena's soft pink one, her hair was pin straight and glossy, just like Elena's always was. If they were lying next to each other right now, wearing the same thing, I'm not sure I'd be able to tell them apart.
"Please. Don't."
"Look, Lucy, I don't like this either," Stefan said. "But she's made it very clear that she has no problem hurting the people you care about. That we all care about. This is the only way."
"No," Damon shook his head. "It's not."
All three of us looked at him in shock. Damon wasn't exactly known for being the pacifist. Especially in situations where Stefan was advocating for violence.
"The tomb. Where I thought she was all this time," Damon explained. "Sure, she'll desiccate there. Might even wish she was dead. But she'll be alive. Maybe in another hundred years some other sucker will go through the trouble of getting her out."
I nodded. It felt fitting, almost poetic, for Katherine to be left in the tomb. She wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else in there.
"That could work," Stefan said.
"Great," Damon replied. "Now let's get her body out of here before some party guest who's had a little too much to drink wanders in here and we have a lot of explaining to do."
They really were idiots to confront Katherine here. It would have been far too easy for someone uninvolved to have gotten hurt, not to mention the complete state of disarray that the room was in. Some broken glass crunched under Damon's foot as he walked over to pick Katherine up, draping her arm over his shoulders so she didn't look quite so lifeless.
"Mason, can you take her home?" Damon nodded towards me. "I'm sure my brother's got some catching up to do with Elena. Or better yet, take her to my place. Now that I don't have to worry about my crazy ex wandering in anytime I have company over."
"So you're talking about me like I'm not even in the room now?" I asked.
He didn't reply. Or even look at me.
"Damon," I crossed my arms. "Damon!"
For someone with super hearing capabilities, he really was good at pretending he couldn't hear. Stefan gave me an apologetic glance as he exited the room behind Damon. I let out a very exasperated noise and leaned against the wall.
"Asshole!" I yelled. "He's really going to act mad at me right now? What gives him the right?"
"I can just take you home if you need a moment to cool down," Mason offered.
I shook my head. "It's fine. He'd just show up at my house anyways."
"He just wanted you to stay out of this because he wanted you safe," Mason said.
"I know," I replied. "And I know I can't be mad at him for wanting to protect me. But I can be mad at him for lying to me."
Mason nodded. "Come on. This party sucks, let's get out of here."
I trudged behind Mason as he led me out of the still-crowded house. He asked if I wanted to go see Elena before we left, but I declined, not wanting to interrupt her conversation with Stefan. She was safe now; that was all I needed to know. Everything else could be discussed tomorrow.
When we arrived at the Salvatore's house, I half considered taking Mason up on his original offer of just taking me home, but thoughts of Damon's four showerheads persuaded me to stay.
I stayed in the shower for so long I was surprised that there was still hot water left, and even more surprised that Damon wasn't back yet by the time I got out. All I could do was throw on one of his t-shirts, curl up on the couch, and wait. When the front door finally opened, I stood up and crossed my arms, ready to confront Damon. Instead, Stefan walked through the door, looking as tired as I felt.
"Where's Elena?" I asked, peering behind him.
"At home by now, I presume," said Stefan.
"So you're just stopping here before meeting her there?" I asked, and Stefan shook his head. "I would've thought you two would want to celebrate your reunion and a Katherine free life."
"There's no reunion to celebrate."
"What?"
"Elena . . . doesn't want to get back together," Stefan said, "At least not right now."
"Oh. Stefan I'm so sor-"
"No," Stefan cut me off. "She's right. Katherine may be gone, but I'm still a vampire. I'm still surrounded by danger."
He shook his head and turned towards the staircase, no doubt retreating to his room to wallow in solitude.
"She'll change her mind," I called after him. He didn't turn around.
It must have been at least another twenty minutes before Damon came home. His suit was no longer perfectly put together, but he still looked just as handsome as he had at the start of the evening. When his eyes met mine, I just stared back at him expectantly, knowing that no explanation could quite appease my feelings towards his dishonesty.
"You waited," Damon finally said.
"Oh so you're acknowledging me now?"
Damon flinched at the vitriol in my words, but I couldn't quite bring myself to feel bad. Not yet. I deserved to be angry.
"Lucy . . ." He walked towards me slowly, not at vampire speed, giving me the chance to back away from him. I didn't.
"Why?" I asked.
"You weren't supposed to find out,"
"Yeah, I'd picked up on that, funny enough. Tell me, what was your plan?" I asked. "Pawn me off onto Mason for the evening so you could kill Katherine and then just hope that we all believe that she conveniently skipped town?"
"I was going to tell you," he said. "After."
"Elena could've died," I replied. "She was hurt. Badly. She was about to leave, Damon. What if she had? Or what if she had been alone when it happened? I just had to watch her bleed; I didn't know where you were or how to help her or-" I paused to take a deep breath. I didn't want to cry right now.
"Lucy," Damon's face softened. "We didn't think that would happen. We had no idea."
"You didn't think? You didn't consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe Katherine wouldn't have a failsafe in place? That maybe meeting Katherine at a party with at least half the town in attendance wasn't a good idea? We're lucky no one else got hurt."
Damon didn't say anything. He wouldn't even meet my eye.
"Damon," I stared at him. "What aren't you telling me?"
He remained silent.
"Damon," I repeated. "Who did she hurt?"
"A girl from your school," Damon sighed. "Stefan said her name was Aimee."
"Was?"
Damon remained silent once again.
"No," I shook my head. I barely knew Aimee Bradley, but I knew she didn't deserve to die. Especially not because of Katherine. "This is exactly why you shouldn't have done it there. It wasn't safe, and if you had told me about your plan beforehand I would have told you as much."
"We didn't have a choice!" Damon yelled. "Katherine wanted the moonstone, and she wanted us to give it to her there. If it wasn't Aimee tonight, it would've been five more people within the next week."
I crossed my arms, stepping away from him. "There is always a choice."
"Stefan's home," Damon said cooly, nodding towards the staircase. "I can hear him. Did you have this little confrontation with him too? You know he was just as involved as I was."
"That's different," I said.
"Why, because Stefan can't do anything wrong?" He shot back.
"That's not what I said."
"You don't have to say it!" He shouted.
"No, that is not fair," I shook my head. "You don't get to lie to me and put my family and friends in danger and then turn around and be angry with me because I'm mad at you."
"Yes I do because I am sick of being the only one held responsible when anything goes wrong!" He said, advancing towards me once again. "Mason wanted her gone just as much as I did. Stefan probably wanted her gone more than either of us. So why? Why does Stefan just get to come home and go upstairs without a word while you blame me for everything?"
"Because I'm not in love with Stefan!" I yelled.
Damon froze. My ears rang from the sudden stillness of the room, and I inhaled sharply.
"I love you, Damon," I said. "So much that it scares me. I want to be with you, and I want us to be equal. I know we aren't; I know that you're infinitely stronger than me and that you've lived so much more life than I have and that I'm so weak and vulnerable when you're not around, but I want to pretend. So yes, I hold you to a higher standard than I do your brother, and I want you to respect me and to be honest with me, because I love you."
And then he was kissing me. In the middle of the room, against the wall, and in his bed. It didn't matter that I was mad at him or that Stefan was home or that the hours between now and morning were quickly dwindling. I had Damon, and he had me, and that was all I needed.
So call in the submarines
Around the world will go
Does anybody know her
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream
If you can't get what you want
Then you come with me
Up on melancholy hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me