Fall

Chapter 33: Some Enchanted Evening

My arms and hands are killing me, my shoulders uncomfortable. My head hurts so bad. I open my eyes blearily, blinking the sleep or whatever that was from them. Why am I in this position? I look around me. I'm in an unfamiliar house, an unfamiliar living room. Felix is in front of me, on the phone with someone. "You didn't get her? Anna isn't going to be happy about this...No, no loose ends. We can't risk getting the Salvatore's attention, now look what you've done." He sounds concerned. I glance up to see why my arms are in such a painful position, seeing my hands connected to chains, my whole body dangling from the ceiling. I can't touch my feet to the ground. Fuck. I see the imprint of keys in his back pocket.

He looks up at me, a smile splitting his face sharply. "I've gotta go. Just fix this." He hangs up and walks over to me, looking very pleased with himself. "So, what was that you were saying about deer being craftier? Seems to me I caught one in a trap." He taps his finger against my chest, my whole body swaying with the motion. 

How should I play this? "Less of a trap and more of a bum-rush, Felix. Not sure there's anything impressive in that." I let out a twinkle of a laugh, like someone tapping a fork against glass, wanting him to still play this game. Wanting him to toy with me, instead of kill me right away. 

It doesn't seem like he wants to play, though. Something dangerous is in his eyes, the crocodile coming out to bite. I don't like it. I feel cornered. "Are you making fun of me?" His voice is low and I hear the warning in it. Shit, shit shit shit. 

I shake my head, my breathing starting to speed up. "No, no. Though I am surprised you're this kinky." I look up at him from my eyelashes, doing my utmost to appear flirtatious and into this in some way. It doesn't work, he sees right through it. 

His eye's flash and he comes closer to me, I can feel his hot breath on my face. "You're making fun of me. Don't lie to me, Kara. I thought we agreed no pretending." His hands shake at his sides. How did I ever think I could play someone like this? I don't know how to mollify him. All I'm good at is fighting and pretending, I've no talent for honesty. It doesn't get me out of things, it doesn't save me now. 

"I'm not pretending, I'm not lying. I-" I try to say, try to pacify him, but his hand is a blur and my head whips back. I choke, something wet bubbling up and pouring out of my nose. I can taste blood on my lips, spilling down my chin. I wince at the pain, dots dancing across my eyes for a moment. 

"Don't lie to me!" He screams at me, spittle reaching my face. I feel my own anger bubbling to the surface, my deception not working at all. He wants honesty? Fine, he's about to see that this deer is actually a wolf. 

I rear one of my elbows back before slamming it into his own nose, watching as he stumbles back in satisfaction. Blood drips from his nose as well, matching mine. I'm surprised I was able to a vampire that much with just my elbow. I smile, the blood from my nose filling my mouth and getting on my teeth. "There you are." He laughs at me, a dark and wet thing as he licks his bloody lips. He surges forward. "It's so much better when we don't pretend, isn't it? Besides, this will make it all the more sweeter when I finally break you." He whispers with a fevered mania, gripping my chin in his hand hard as he licks at the blood on my lips and nose. 

I struggle against it, disgusted and feeling violated, as he moves back and smirks at me. "Just as delicious as I thought it would be. And I feel more invigorated. I really can't wait to break you now." My stomach lurches at his words, at the way he rakes his gaze over my body like I'm a piece of meat or a wild animal to tame. 

"You'll never break me, you fucking psycho." I spit my blood onto his face now, snarling at him. How the hell am I going to get out of this? Is Stefan even looking for me? Or Damon? Am I alone in this? I eye the wooden chair nearby. If I can get to that and break it, I can kill him. But I need to get out of these chains first, get those keys in his back pocket.