Prophecy

The Prophecy Thickens

Chapter Fourteen 

Blaire

I'm upstairs, trying to focus on the latest pile of homework, but my thoughts keep drifting. Ever since I turned, every little sound, scent, and flicker of movement seems heightened, like the world is in sharp focus all the time. The faint scent of pine and something metallic catches my attention, but I push it aside, chalking it up to the strange, lingering effects of being a vampire. 

Downstairs, I hear the doorbell ring, and Jeremy's footsteps as he gets up to answer it. I barely glance at my phone when I hear him yell, "Elena, Blaire, I need the pizza money!" 

The pizza's here. I take a deep breath, hoping for a moment's distraction from my overactive senses. I make my way to the top of the stairs and watch as Jeremy says, "Uh, here. Come in. Just put it on the table," Jeremy says, waving him inside.  

My heart races as I watch the delivery guy step inside. He moves casually, placing the pizza on the table, but I can feel the darkness radiating off him, a chill that cuts through the warmth of the house. Jeremy, blissfully unaware, walks away without a second thought, leaving us alone in the hallway.

"Here," I say fishing money out of my pocket while doing my best to stay calm. "Keep the change."

The vampire takes the money while he looks around, scanning the room, as if mentally cataloging every exit, every detail.

"I need you to leave now." I say deliberately catching his eye. 

He gives me a fleeting, unsettling smile before walking back out onto the porch and closing the door behind him. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to keep myself from lunging at him then and there, but I know I can't act without revealing myself to Jeremy in the other room. I force myself to wait, watching until the vampire is well out of sight before I make my move.

The second he's gone, I feel a surge of urgency that overrides everything else. I rush back upstairs and vamp-speed into Elena's room, where I know Stefan is. He looks up, startled by my sudden arrival, and immediately senses that something is wrong.

"Blaire?" he asks, worry etched across his face.

I'm breathing hard, trying to calm my racing pulse. "Jeremy—he invited a vampire into the house," I manage to get out, my voice shaking slightly. "The pizza guy. He was a vampire, Stefan. I could smell it as soon as he stepped inside."

Stefan's face hardens, and he stands up, taking a step toward me. "Are you sure?"

I nod, feeling the weight of it all settle heavily on my shoulders. "I smelled it. He was watching everything, like he was... assessing." I shake my head, struggling to keep my own fear at bay. "Jeremy didn't know. He just thought he was a regular delivery guy."

Stefan runs a hand through his hair, thinking fast. "We need to talk to Damon and figure out a plan. If he's been invited in, that means he can come back anytime."

At that moment, Elena walks in, catching the tail end of our conversation. "What's going on?" she asks, looking between us, concern flooding her face.

I meet her eyes, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. "A vampire was just inside, Elena. Jeremy invited him in by accident. He's a threat, and he can come and go as he pleases now."

Elena's face pales, but she nods, determined. "Then we have to make sure he doesn't come back. Whatever it takes, we protect Jeremy. We protect everyone."

Stefan wraps an arm around her, and I feel a renewed sense of resolve. This is a new kind of danger, and I know it's only the beginning. But we're in this together, and as long as we stand united, we can face whatever comes our way.