If only | Damon Salvatore

034. THE TRAGIC DINNER PARTY

Chapter thirty four

"The tragic dinner party."

The next morning, Beatrix woke up to Elijah asking her to accompany him on a tour of Mystic Falls with Elena's aunt, Jenna. She readily agreed. Dressing for the crisp morning air, Beatrix wore knee-high boots, a black skirt, a black sweater, and a bold red jacket.

Now, her arm was comfortably linked with Elijah's as the two walked alongside Jenna through the historic grounds.

"The old Fell property actually starts just beyond that fence," Jenna noted, pointing out into the distance.

"Ah, the Fells. One of the founding families," Elijah remarked smoothly.

Jenna glanced at him, amused. "Why do you say it like that?"

"My research shows that this area was actually settled almost two full centuries earlier," Elijah explained. "It was a migration of townspeople from the Northeast. Salem, to be precise."

"Massachusetts? Like the witch trials?" Jenna asked, her interest piqued.

"Well, the people in the witch trials weren't actually real witches," Beatrix spoke up, leaning into the conversation. "But what Elijah is saying is that none of the families who claim to have found this place actually did—besides my own family, of course. That's pretty much why my grandmother doesn't believe in conforming to the local hype. She mostly just shows up to Founders Day events to subtly remind everyone that we were here first, and that we're better than them."

Jenna laughed. "Ah, so it was the men who made a big deal about being founders back in 1860."

The three of them came to a stop near the property line. "Men are very territorial," Jenna added with a smirk.

"Well, so are women. Just in their own way," Beatrix countered playfully.

"True," Jenna agreed.

Their conversation was interrupted as Alaric Saltzman walked up to meet them. "Elijah, Beatrix, this is my friend, Alaric Saltzman," Jenna introduced.

"Yeah, I got your message about walking Elijah and Beatrix around the old property lines," Alaric said, offering a tight smile. "I thought I'd tag along. You know, being a history buff and all. Where to next?"

Elijah looked at Alaric, his expression perfectly pleasant but unreadable. "I'm quite curious about the freed slave property owners. Some say the descendants of those slaves are the true keepers of American history."

"Well, I only brought the surveys. I have that list in the car, just give me a sec," Jenna told them before walking off.

Her departure left Beatrix, Elijah, and Alaric standing alone in a tense silence.

"Alaric Saltzman," Elijah noted smoothly. "You're one of those people on Elena's list of loved ones to protect."

"So is Jenna," Alaric shot back defensively.

Beatrix chuckled coldly. "What, you think we're going to hurt her? What are you really doing here anyway? Because if Damon told you to keep eyes on me, I suggest he be a man and do it himself."

Without waiting for an answer, she and Elijah stepped right past Alaric and walked back over to join Jenna.

Alaric took the hint and left the group shortly after. Once the three of them finished the rest of their tour, Jenna, Elijah, and Beatrix headed over to the Mystic Grill. As they walked through the front doors, a voice called out to them.