Lisa Smith - The Struggle

Damon!

Icy wind whipped Elenas hair around her face, tearing at her light sweater. Oak leaves swirled among the rows of granite headstones, and the trees lashed their branches together in frenzy. Elenas hands were cold, her lips and cheeks were numb, but she stood facing the screaming wind directly, shouting into it.

Damon!

This weather was a show of his Power, meant to frighten her away. It wouldnt work. The thought of that same Power being turned against Stefan woke a hot fury inside her that burned against the wind. If Damon had done anything to Stefan, if Damon had hurt him

Damn you, answer me! she shouted at the oak trees that bordered the graveyard.

A dead oak leaf like a withered brown hand skittered up to her foot, but there was no answer. Above, the sky was gray as glass, gray as the tombstones that surrounded her. Elena felt rage and frustration sting her throat and she sagged. Shed been wrong. Damon wasnt here after all; she was alone with the screaming wind.

She turnedand gasped.

He was just behind her, so close that her clothes brushed his as she turned. At that distance, she should have sensed another human being standing there, should have felt his body warmth or heard him. But Damon, of course, wasnt human.

She reeled back a couple of steps before she could stop herself. Every instinct that had lain quiet while she shouted into the violence of the wind was now begging her to run.

She clenched her fists. Wheres Stefan?

A line appeared between Damons dark eyebrows. Stefan who?

Elena stepped forward and slapped him.

She had no thought of doing it before she did it, and afterward she could scarcely believe what she had done. But it was a good hard slap, with the full force of her body behind it, and it snapped Damons head to one side. Her hand stung. She stood, trying to calm her breath, and watched him.

He was dressed as she had first seen him, in black. Soft black boots, black jeans, black sweater, and leather jacket. And he looked like Stefan. She didnt know how she could have missed that before. He had the same dark hair, the same pale skin, the same disturbing good looks. But his hair was straight, not wavy, and his eyes were black as midnight, and his mouth was cruel.

He turned his head slowly back to look at her, and she saw blood rising in the cheek shed slapped.

Dont lie to me, she said, her voice shaking. I know who you are. I know what you are. You killed Mr. Tanner last night. And now Stefans disappeared.

Has he?

You know he has!

Damon smiled and then turned it off instantly.

Im warning you; if youve hurt him

Then, what? he said. What will you do, Elena? What can you do, against me?

Elena fell silent. For the first time, she realized that the wind had died away. The day had gone deadly quiet around them, as if they stood motionless at the center of some great circle of power. It seemed as if everything, the leaden sky, the oaks and purple beeches, the ground itself, was connected to him, as if he drew Power from all of it. He stood with his head tilted back slightly, his eyes fathomless and full of strange lights.

I dont know, she whispered, but Ill find something. Believe me.

He laughed suddenly, and Elenas heart jerked and began pounding hard. God, he was beautiful. Handsome was too weak and colorless a word. As usual, the laughter lasted only a moment, but even when his lips had sobered it left traces in his eyes.

I do believe you, he said, relaxing, looking around the graveyard. Then he turned back and held out a hand to her. Youre too good for my brother, he said casually.

Elena thought of slapping the hand away, but she didnt want to touch him again. Tell me where he is.

Later, possiblyfor a price. He withdrew his hand, just as Elena realized that on it he wore a ring like Stefans: silver and lapis lazuli. Remember that, she thought fiercely. Its important.

My brother, he went on, is a fool. He thinks that because you look like Katherine youre weak and easily led like her. But hes wrong. I could feel your anger from the other side of town. I can feel it now, a white light like the desert sun. You have strength, Elena, even as you are. But you could be so much stronger

She stared at him, not understanding, not liking the change of subject. I dont know what youre talking about. And what has it got to do with Stefan?

Im talking about Power, Elena. Suddenly, he stepped close to her, his eyes fixed on hers, his voice soft and urgent. Youve tried everything else, and nothing has satisfied you. Youre the girl who has everything, but theres always been something just out of your reach, something you need desperately and cant have. Thats what Im offering you. Power. Eternal life. And feelings youve never felt before.

She did understand then, and bile rose in her throat. She choked on horror and repudiation. No.

Why not? he whispered. Why not try it, Elena? Be honest. Isnt there a part of you that wants to? His dark eyes were full of a heat and intensity that held her transfixed, unable to look away. I can waken things inside you that have been sleeping all your life. Youre strong enough to live in the dark, to glory in it. You can become a queen of the shadows. Why not take that Power, Elena? Let me help you take it.

No, she said, wrenching her eyes away from his. She wouldnt look at him, wouldnt let him do this to her. She wouldnt let him make her forget make her forget

Its the ultimate secret, Elena, he said. His voice was as caressing as the fingertips that touched her throat. Youll be happy as never before.

There was something terribly important she must remember. He was using Power to make her forget it, but she wouldnt let him make her forget

And well be together, you and I. The cool fingertips stroked the side of her neck, slipping under the collar of her sweater. Just the two of us, forever.

There was a sudden twinge of pain as his fingers brushed two tiny wounds in the flesh of her neck, and her mind cleared.

Make her forget Stefan.

That was what he wanted to drive out of her mind. The memory of Stefan, of his green eyes and his smile that always had sadness lurking behind it. But nothing could force Stefan out of her thoughts now, not after what they had shared. She pulled away from Damon, knocking those cool fingertips aside. She looked straight at him.

Ive already found what I want, she said brutally. And who I want to be with forever.

Blackness welled up in his eyes, a cold rage that swept through the air between them. Looking into those eyes, Elena thought of a cobra about to strike.

Dont you be as stupid as my brother is, he said. Or I might have to treat you the same way.

She was frightened now. She couldnt help it, not with cold pouring into her, chilling her bones. The wind was picking up again, the branches tossing. Tell me where he is, Damon.

At this moment? I dont know. Cant you stop thinking about him for an instant?

No! She shuddered, hair lashing about her face again.

And thats your final answer, today? Be very sure you want to play this game with me, Elena. The consequences are nothing to laugh about.

I am sure. She had to stop him before he got to her again. And you cant intimidate me, Damon, or havent you noticed? The moment Stefan told me what you were, what youd done, you lost any power you might have had over me. I hate you. You disgust me. And theres nothing you can do to me, not any more.

His face altered, the sensuousness twisting and freezing, becoming cruel and bitterly hard. He laughed, but this laugh went on and on. Nothing? he said. I can do anything to you, and to the ones you love. You have no idea, Elena, of what I can do. But youll learn.