What Lies Beneath

Chapter 24: Facade

Damon Salvatore was not a man who saw life in terms of boundaries and limitations. He didn't have to because when you were a vampire you could literally do whatever you wanted. Even the sunlight couldn't touch him as long as he had his sparkly ring on his pale finger. It should have been an amazing time in his undead life; hot girlfriend, semi hospitable relationship with his brother and killer good looks all added up to a perfect ten. And yet all he could focus on was his annoying as hell ex and her plans for the town he was currently calling home. He wasn't exactly sure of the precise moment he stopped giving a flying fuck about Katherine but needless to say he didn't anymore.

Probably when she wasn't in the tomb or the numerous times she made it clear I was always second fiddle. Probably.

It was as if a veil had been ripped from over his eyes and now he could see her for what she truly was—a bitch. A bratty bitch that slashed and burned until nothing was left. She didn't feel or care or exist for anyone other than herself. Yeah she claimed to love Stefan but he had a feeling she would fuck him over in a heartbeat if it suited her needs. Best to fuck her over first before she got the chance. He owed her pain and he was ready to deal.

He could hear the diligent chatter coming from Alaric Saltzman as he displayed all of his weapons on a table in the living room. Caroline Forbes was lingering near the couch, watching with rapt attention and big innocent eyes. Never did he ever figure he'd be hanging out with a prom queen and ametuer male Buffy wannabe, but it wasn't like he had a choice in the matter. Katherine was strong and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he wasn't able to take her down by himself.

I wish I could. I deserve it after all that whore put me through. Continues to put me through…

Strolling down the stairs, he smirked and motioned to the handmade devices. "You really went all out here, huh Rick?"

Alaric managed a smile. "Well if you do it half assed, you're dead. Or at least I would be."

He nodded. "So we're supposed to use your toys to take down Katherine? If it were that easy I'd stab her with a Ken doll."

The other man snorted. "You weren't talking trash about them when they were saving your ass out in the woods that day."

Touché'. "Hm. Those vampires were kittens compared to Katherine. Hell she turned half of them so that should tell you what we're dealing with here."

The teacher shrugged. "Still wood in the heart should work."

Damon grinned and glanced to the door when a familiar perfume danced its way up his nose. He watched as Bonnie Bennett hurried into the room, clutching the grimoire to her chest. He watched her like a hawk, grunting silently as recognizable feelings flowed through his stomach, heating it. Sometimes he found it very hard to focus, especially when she was looking as cute as she was looking today. Curly hair, soft skin, shiny full lips and wide eyes framed by fluttering lashes; she was the poster child for that type of beautiful girl that would only end up driving you crazy because the more you couldn't have her, the more you wanted her. Most times he wasn't sure if he wanted to fuck her or eat her…heh or both. So not the time to be thinking dirty thoughts.

His ears picked up the conversation he was supposedto be listening to as Alaric explained how each mechanism worked.

"For you I recommend this." He picked up a modified wrist band with small yet effective wooden spikes and slipped it on, most likely talking to Stefan. "Fits nicely under a jacket sleeve, use the trigger when you are ready." He demonstrated how it worked, catching the sharp spear in his hand with an uhn sound. "You wanted me to show you how to kill a vampire so…"