If only | Damon Salvatore

028. A MASQUERADE IS TO HIDE ONE'S IDENTITY

Chapter twenty eight

"A masquerade is to hide one's identity."

The next morning, Beatrix stood in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother, surrounding a table cluttered with various occult objects.

"If we're going up against Katherine, we have to remember she's smart," Beatrix's grandmother stated, pacing the floor. "If she sees any of us, she'll know what's going on immediately. So, if the Salvatores are running their own little operation, it will make for a perfect distraction."

"A distraction for what?" Beatrix's mother asked, leaning against the counter.

"For us to sneak in," her grandmother replied. "Beatrix, you need to get something personal from Elena—specifically her necklace. We can use it as a talisman to anchor a glamour spell and make you look exactly like her."

Beatrix furrowed her brows. "And how exactly am I going to get it away from her?"

"You're a witch; use your magic," her grandmother countered smoothly. "By the time she figures out what's actually happening, it will be too late. You'll have already erected a boundary spell to keep her trapped inside her house."

Her mother crossed her arms, looking skeptical. "And what if Katherine has a witch of her own?"

"That's where we come in. We'll hunt her down, lock her in a room, and convince her to switch to our side," Beatrix's grandmother explained. "But just in case Katherine's witch gets reckless, I want you to cast a binding protection spell on Elena. Loop her lifeforce to yours so that any harm or magic cast on Elena is automatically transferred to you instead, Beatrix."

Beatrix nodded, the weight of the plan settling in. "Okay. I should get moving. They should be bringing Jenna back from the hospital around now, so I'll head over under the guise of paying my respects. But in reality, I'll be weaving the witchcraft." She turned on her heel and walked out the front door.

Arriving at the Gilbert house, Beatrix walked up the steps and gave a soft knock. Elena opened the door a moment later, looking exhausted.

"Hey, Beatrix," Elena greeted weakly. "You just missed Matt and Jeremy."

"How are you holding up?" Beatrix asked softly.

She stepped inside and pulled Elena into a sympathetic embrace. As her arms wrapped around the girl, Beatrix silently began channeling her magic, weaving the intricate protection spell to bind their fates and absorb any magical fallout meant for the doppelgänger.

Elena hugged her back tightly, sighing into her shoulder. "I'm... as good as I can be. I mean, Katherine attacked Jenna, and I broke up with Stefan, so things are just..."

Beatrix pulled back, her eyes widening in genuine surprise. "Wait. You broke up with Stefan?"

Elena nodded sadly.

Beatrix let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Then why are you still wearing that necklace? Here..." She dug into her purse and pulled out a stunning, identical silver pendant. "Take this one instead."

"Uh, no, Beatrix, I really shouldn't—" Elena started to protest.

"Come on, just take it," Beatrix insisted smoothly, pressing it into her hand. "I'll make sure to give yours back to Stefan. It's time for a clean break."

Elena sighed, looking down at the heavy vervain necklace before nodding reluctantly. "Okay. Okay." She unclasped Stefan's necklace, traded it for the one Beatrix gave her, and fastened it around her neck. "Thanks, Beatrix. You always seem to be there whenever I need someone to just give it to me straight."