The Gate

Chapter Nine: Return to the Unmentioned

   I slam the car door rather hard, eager to get away from Lucien's abrasive company. He's still wearing that stupid face, mocking me as I walk away as fast as possible. I told him he could leave but he insisted on staying until I "made it in alright." I refuse to look back at him even as I approach the large wooden door that honestly looks straight out of a fairytale, with its fancy black metal hinges decorating the sides. Given the age and wealth of the Salvatore brothers, I wouldn't be surprised if it had been from a castle of some sort.

   I use the heavy door knock three times, and wait, tapping my foot. It was only then in the uncomfortable silence that I happen to notice he had turned off the car engine. For whatever reason, that bothers me. The door swings open, revealing an annoyed Damon and seemingly confused Elena hiding right behind him. I resist the urge to smile, remembering how I accidentally dropped her off in her room... on her head. It was my little justice for her being so rudely secretive in the last year or so that I've known her. Not that it would matter anyways, any bump or bruising would be gone by the time she woke. Remember to play nice, Cassie...

   "You. Inside, now." Damon says in his usual Damon-Demand-Man fashion. I laugh a bit, fighting the urge to punch him right here and now, and take a step inside. The quiet engine of Lucien's car starts back up and I already know I'm going to get crap over the 'mystery man' dropping me off. Damon looks past me, squinting at the dark windshield with a skeptical eye. He doesn't take his eyes off the fleeting car as he shuts the heavy door. I find it funny how wary he is of people.

   "Well gee, Damon, if you're gonna order me around this much why don't we go ahead and get a contract? Make it official?" I turn to face him. Damn. He looks really mad. Did Elena say something? No, she couldn't have. She couldn't possibly have any idea.

   "Oh don't give me that shit, Cassie, what the hell happened? Two days and you've been dead silent, you better have been passed out in a ditch somewhere 'cause right now that's about the only reason I'll take for why you blew everyone off and didn't answer your phone." I tilt my head.

   "Actually, I'm pretty sure I only blew you off, thanks. Besides, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself without checking in every couple hours dad." He continues to glare at me. I really don't understand why he's so upset. He runs his hands through his hair and shares a look with Elena, who now that I've gotten a better look at her, seems quite nervous. Her arms are folded in a manner that makes her seem cold, which is silly given Vampires don't get cold. Something must have happened.

   Maybe he called. Yeah, that's it. They got a call from the big bad wolf and now they're all on edge.

   Good.

   "Just next time could you give me a warning before you disappear off the face of the earth?" I roll my eyes, wanting to remind him it was only two days, and that I'm not Elena, therefore he should go ahead and un-bunch his panties before I strangle him with them. But I don't want to blow my cover, as entertaining as this is.

   "Just shut up and tell me what has you two so irked."

   "It's nothing," Elena pipes in. "We just thought you might've been in trouble." She looks reluctant to continue, but whatever ever look Damon just gave her must've convinced her to do it anyways. "We got a call from someone... dangerous. He's coming here, today." Sounds about right. I fake confusion.

   "So? I've seen plenty of danger hanging around you people, how's this any different?" Damon shakes his head.

   "No, this is bad. We have something of his, something he wants, something powerful, and we lied about it. Not only that, but you Little Miss Castiel Brekker have created quite the name for yourself." I zone out a bit upon hearing that name. Little Miss. I think it was Jesper who originally started calling me that, but it sure didn't take long before everyone on crew used the nickname more than my actual name. Nina always said it fit my 'stubborn, grown up attitude'. I guess some things never change. I'm shaken from my thoughts by Damon waving his hand in front of my face. "Hey! Are you even listening?" I shake my head.