Xenia Pierce of 1850 (Vampire Diaries)

Chapter 6

Knock, knock.

Xenia's family members all turned their heads towards the sound of knocking on the door. It was rare for any visitors, and it was even rare for someone to knock. Everyone knew each other in the town; they just barged right on in, no matter what was going on inside the house.

So obviously everyone already knew that it was probably an incredibly official person.

Everyone stood up (except for Xenia, who was already standing up, dusting the shelves) and brushed themselves off or tidied themselves up, preparing for the guest.

Xenia's mother plastered a smile on her face and briskly walked to the front door to open it. It swung open, revealing... Stefan Salvatore?

Xenia's eyes widened, then she glanced over at Katherine, who was already secretly trying to hide her smile. Xenia looked back at Stefan. Ugh, disgusting. He was also trying to hide his smile as well.

Xenia heard her father cough. She stood up stark straight and went back to dusting the shelves, her heart pounding. Was it possible... that Damon was here? What was he doing in this part of the town?

She didn't want to disappoint herself if Stefan had only come for her sister. No matter. She did not care. All she cared for right now was the energy and strength to finish the dusting, sweeping, and mopping so that her parents needn't beat her for not doing her work.

As she lifted away some plants to dust underneath their spots on the fireplace mantel, she heard Stefan discussing things with her mother. "My father has requested that Katherine come to live with us for a while. After all, the..." he whispered the next word, afraid to arouse anybody. "...the vampire attacks are getting worse, and we find it appropriate to, ah, give her a bit of our protection and security."

Xenia almost laughed; it came out as a snort. Her parents looked back at her and shot her glares. But Xenia barely even cared anymore. The Salvatores didn't even know that they were taking a vampire into their home for "protection". What a way to endanger themselves. Giving a vampire protection from other vampires.

Xenia knew that the vampire attacks were worsening; her eavesdropping in the town markets lead her to this fact. She only didn't know who was doing them; Xenia had long since restricted herself to an animal diet to prevent the subject from worsening, even though the blood of mammals tasted awful. She wished to feed on humans, but she knew that it was for the greater good that she become "vegetarian".

After putting the plants back on the fireplace mantel, she continued to listen in on the conversation at the doorway.

"...has left us, and we wish to find a replacement maid... what about her?"

She tried to ignore the fact that her heart skipped a bit at the thought of being at the Salvatore mansion again. Even if she was a maid over there, at least they would treat her right, and avoid whipping her if she prepared breakfast late or missed a spot on the floor.

And then her heart sank when she heard her father reply, "Oh, no... that's not possible..."

Then another voice, "I specifically request her."

It was Xenia's turn to try and hide her smile when she heard Damon's voice. Instead of yelling out with glee, she only kept her eyes on the floor and dusted the ceramics against the walls.

After what seemed like hours, Xenia heard her mother snap, "Xenia. Pack your bags. You're leaving."

She stared at her mother for a second, then her gaze wandered to Damon's handsome face. He smiled and winked at her.

Xenia blushed, then immediately stopped when her family stared at her. She looked down and put on her sullen, abused face. "Yes, Mother." And she scurried away from the room.