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Selene stood behind the bar at the Salvatore Boarding House, casually mixing herself a drink.
She wasn’t one for subtlety, and her eyes flickered with slight irritation when Alaric walked in, glanced her way, and promptly decided she didn’t merit so much as a nod.
Her lips curled into a wry smile as she muttered, “Ah, so I’ve suddenly gained the power of invisibility, have I?”
She gasped in a mock surprise, her voice dripping with exaggerated indignation.
Alaric threw a hand in the air with the kind of exasperation only he could muster and muttered.
“Apologies if I’m not rolling out the red carpet, but you’re probably compelled and will be out of here in an hour. Hellos hardly seem worth the bother.”
Selene's eyebrow arched in amusement.
“Mmm,” she purred, feigning thoughtfulness, “I don’t think that’s quite the case.”
At that moment, Damon sauntered down the staircase, clad in his usual black and radiating that smirking swagger he wore like a second skin.
He threw Alaric a crooked grin.
“Thanks for coming, Ric. Drink? Coffee, bourbon? Bourbon in your coffee?” His eyes gleamed with mischief as he gestured toward Selene, adding, “By the way, this is Selene. I’m sure Jenna's mentioned her… once or twice.”
Alaric blinked, recognition dawning as Selene tossed him a flirtatious wink, her eyes dancing with smug satisfaction.
Before he could respond, Stefan and Elena entered, hand in hand. Selene’s eyes landed on the duo, and she raised her drink to her lips, only to pause and cough in exaggerated disgust.
Damon caught her expression and winked, his grin widening as he mouthed, “Behave.”
Stefan, ignoring the byplay, turned his attention to Alaric.
“We were hoping you could help us piece together the puzzle on the Lockwoods. You know, maybe shed some light?”
Alaric’s brow furrowed.
“And why, pray tell, would I know anything about the Lockwoods?”
Damon tilted his head, his voice lilting with the pleasure of delivering a well-timed jab.
“Because your not-so-dead vampire wife might have a few chapters on that family history.”
Selene cut in smoothly, swirling her drink as she glanced at Elena.
“Isobel, wasn’t it?” She arched an eyebrow, letting her gaze slide back to Damon with a knowing smirk.
“He filled me in on the local gossip yesterday.”
Elena’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and Selene’s laugh was low and mischievous, as though she were sharing a private joke at everyone else’s expense.
