The Chosen One

Twenty-Three: After the Ball

Damon

               With a groan I sat up, trying to shake off that odd after sensation of being brought back from the dead or rather the undead. I didn't even have to cast a full sweeping glance about the study room to know that Stefan was in the room with me. I could sense him standing off to my right. Getting to my feet I turned to face him, squaring off with him.

              "Satisfied little brother? Helping Elena and Jessica getting closer to getting their selves killed? Tell me whose idea was this?"

               Stefan was leaning against the wall bookcase, seeming unbothered by my remarks. "Elena's."

              "And you always do what Elena asks right?" I sneered.

               Stefan straightened and matched my unwavering glare. "Elena wanted her and Jessica to have a chance to meet with Esther. She asked me to make sure that you couldn't interfere." He shrugged. "So I did."

              At that moment I heard Jessica's approach as she was coming down the hallway. Turning about, I went to meet her at the open doorway. Seeing her standing there gave me relief to see that Klaus hadn't taken the opportunity to lock her away, but I hid it behind a stern expression.

             "I hope you got what you came for." I remarked sarcastically. "We are leaving right now."

               I was expecting for her to refuse my order but was surprised when she gave an affirming nod.

             "Gladly." Jessica replied.

             "What? Now you are ready to go?" I eyed her dubiously and noted how tense and on edge she seemed. Automatically I too became tense wondering just what had occurred to make her so.

              "What happened?" I inquired as I searched her emerald eyes for the answer. It was impossible to miss the apparent presence of uneasiness in her eyes.

              "I will tell you later. For now can we please go? I want to get out of here."

              Sensing urgency in her desire to leave, I nodded my head indicating the hallway. Together we started walking back down the hallway towards the front of the mansion. Even before we reached the foyer I could hear people talking, meandering through the various front rooms and sipping from their champagne glasses. Entering the foyer we made our way through the people. I sensed as well as saw that we were being watched. Klaus stood among a small group of people. His eyes were on Jessica, even as he took a sip from his glass. I wasn't sure if Jessica was aware, though if she was she was determinedly ignoring him. We had just reached the front door when Amelia appeared from out of the crowd and made her way over to us.

            "Are you alright Jess?" Amelia asked reaching a hand out and laying it on Jessica's arm.

            Jessica gave a brief shake of her head. "Not exactly. Once I can get out of here I may be."

           "I'll go with you." Amelia stated protectively.

            "No. You should stay with Matt and watch out for him. Damon will take me back to the house." Jessica replied.

            "Speaking of Matt," Caroline came forward and stopped before us "has anyone seen him?"

           "What do you mean?" Amelia asked. "He was with me a short while ago but then he said that he was going to go look for you."