Humanity 3 "The Renewal"

Chapter 1

This is the third book in the Humanity series so if you haven't read the first or second, do that first so that it makes sense!

***

ASHLEY'S POV

"What are you doing?" I ask Caroline on the phone as I walk down the steps to my kitchen.

"Just shopping for the party Elena's trying to bail out on." She says back.

"She never said yes in the first place." I remind Caroline.

"She was never going to, which is why I planned it anyway. And my mom wants you to call her."

"Did she find something?" I ask urgently.

"An animal attack in Memphis. It's the third one this week in Tennessee." She says with a sigh.

"And you're sure it's a vampire?" I ask as I start a pot of coffee for myself.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean it's Klaus."

"Doesn't mean it's not. I'll call her." I say with optimism. "Tell her thank you for her help."

"Alright. Well, I gotta go. I'll see you in bit." She says cheerfully.

"Oh, Caroline wait. Please just keep tonight small...for Elena's sake." I beg her.

"Wear something pretty." She chimes before hanging up the phone. I roll my eyes and sit down at the counter, thinking about everything that has happened.

Stefan has gone off the deep end. According to Katherine, Klaus forced him back on the human stuff in order for him to get the cure for Damon. Klaus left town and we're all assuming that Stefan went with him. Elena is an emotional wreck and today's her birthday and I know it's all going to be really hard for her.

I need a break from all of this mental exhaustion. I dump my coffee down the sink and grab my car keys.

I make my way up the front steps of Damon's house and walk in without knocking. He's used to it and if he has a problem with it, he can get over it. I step inside and come around the corner to come face-to-face with Damon.

He's dripping wet and completely naked.

"Oh my god!" I exclaim, shielding my eyes. "You heard me! You knew that I was here." I argue.

"Yeah, you should learn to knock. What if I was...indecent?" He smirks. I reach behind myself and grab a blanket from the couch, tossing it to him. He wraps it around his waist and I drop my hand from my eyes.

"Sheriff Forbes gave us another location to check. Memphis."

"Another dead end you mean." He says, stepping forward and kissing me on the forehead.

"Possibly, but Caroline probably told Elena about the lead too and I'd rather not tell her that it's another dead end."

"It's not." I hear a voice behind me and I turn to see Elena standing in the doorway. Here we go.

"You're right, Elena." Damon says, walking closer to her. "This could be the one clue that tells us that Stefan is alive and well and living in Graceland."

"Fine, I'll go by myself." She scoffs and turns away but Damon speeds in front of her and stops her.

"Right, and let Klaus know you're tracking him. He thinks you're dead. Let's keep it that way." He tells her and I know he's right.

"It's a new lead, Damon. We haven't had one in awhile." She says firmly.

"Okay, I'll check it out. If I find anything I'll call you."