Ch.3

The rest of the night I spent unbinding my grimoire and organizing Sheila's work and money problems. I settled all her bills on automatic withdrawals from a small account of a few million and got a card she could use for food and whatever she needed. I left it link to one of my larger accounts. I had Jason arrange a donation to her school and her retirement papers.

When the sun rose I'd only completed half the unbinding spells. I worked on it it the morning till Lexi sent me a text. (I just arrived at Stefan's place, I'll stop by after I give him his birthday hug.)

I smiled and sent one back. ( I'll head over, I want to see your face when you see my place.)

I changed into fresh clothes and drove to the Salvatore manor. When I got there Stefan was on his back and Lexi was hissing in his face. I figured turnabout was fair play so I knocked them both over them held them against the floor and shifted my face roaring at them.

Lexi flicked my nose and Stefan laughed his ass off at my expression of wtf. I let them up and announced. "Happy birthday kiddo".

I tossed him a Talisman. "It'll protect you from one life threatening attack."

He looked confused. "How, I can't do magic."

I snorted. "I know. It'll summon me. Just think your in serious danger and I'll be there to save your ass."

Lexi laughed. "Yeah, just his ass though. No need to save the rest."

I was sent into a laughing fit. Lexi followed close behind. Stefan was smiling. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up. The only thing we're missing now is Lee and a tiki bar."

I sat up with a smile. "I can arrange both and even a band. I here Bon Jovi's in the garden right now. I can fly him in and we'll relive the greatest hits."

Lexi was on bored and Stefan was wavering. I opened my phone and called Jason. " Send a private jet to New York with a personal invite from myself and offer Bon Jovi ten million to come over today for a gig. Set up front lawn for the stage and hire whoever you need to get it done. Have a large bar and lounge set up in the ball room. Make the bar tiki themed. Pull my best stock of alcohol for the bar."

Jason laughed. "It'll be done, a pleasure as always."

I hung up and smiled at their shocked faces. "It's on, it'll take three hours tops for set up. I'll text Caroline to invite everyone. I should warn you both, I've put vervain in the town water supply so unless you're used to it avoid drinking from anyone. I have blood stocked up at my place. Enough to last fifteen new turns a month."

I texted Caroline my address to send for party invites then called Bonnie. "Hey, I'm throwing Stefan a birthday party at my place. I'm flying in Bon Jovi and I wanted to know when I should pick you up."

She laughed. "Your serious. I'll be ready in an hour."

I smiled. "Take your time and text me when you're ready. It'll be three hours before the band gets here, though I do want to introduce you to Lexi."

"Two hours then, I'll text you as soon as I'm ready."

I chuckled as she hung up. " I'll see you both in two hours. Don't forget to warn Lee what he's heading into. He's about to earn that car."

I headed to my house and tried to finish the unbinding as fast as possible. I handed my phone off to a staff member and told her only to interrupt me if Bonnie texted. A whole two hours later and I was beat tired for first time since I became a vampire. I'd abused my syphoning ability and severely overdrawn my mental energies, but it was done. I set the damned book next to Emily's and went to grab a shower and some blood. Several blood bags later I was back to fighting shape. Just in time as I was handed my phone with a text saying she was ready. I grabbed the books and drove over to her house.

Sheila opened the door so I handed her an envelope and the two books. "I spent all night ant most of the morning taring down my wards and bindings. I'd forgotten how many curses I used on it. It can be read by anyone right this second. When your both ready to reset them just drop some blood from each of you and say Ayana. It'll reactivate all the wards and only those descended from you may touch it without severe repercussions. They'd literally have to be as strong as me physically and magically to have a chance of surviving."

She opened the book."It's empty."

I chuckled. "The book knows what your looking for, be it spell or witchcraft history, all I've ever learned is in there. It's one of a kind and one of the oldest grimoires around. Hell, if your magic fails you, you can throw the book at them and it'll do the rest."

She chuckled then looked at the bottom one. "This is Emily's?"

I nodded. "I haven't read it nor have I wanted to. Her spells are her own. If you want to add hers to my old one, just think about it and it'll tell you how. The envelope is your retirement package from the school and a couple cards for bills and whatever you need. The letter inside has the specifics."

Bonnie came out smiling and ready for a concert. I smiled and told Sheila. "We're headed to my place for a party. I flew in Bon Jovi if you want to join us."

She shook her head. "I've got some serious reading to do. Bonnie I need a drop of your blood, I'll do the rest."

I grabbed her finger and put it to my tooth. She pulled it out and dropped the blood where Sheila's was. I smiled when she whispered. "Sana."

I watched her finger heal good as new. Sheila smiled as well. "Alright now child. After today you'll be learning everything I can teach you as fast as you can learn."

Bonnie nodded and we left just as I heard Sheila say. "Ayana."

I felt the magic gather and lock out all control I previously had. I let it pass. It was in good hands now. I drove Bonnie to Stefan's house and met them on their way out. Lexi asked. "So where's this impressive house you have. I'm gonna laugh my ass off if it's not even as big as Stefan's."

I snorted. "Stefan your driving, I want to see her face when she sees it."

I tossed him the keys and slipped into the back seat with Bonnie. I received a text from Jason and laughed. "Today just got even better. Ozzy and def leopard joined for the same price. Their in route as we speak."

Lexi chuckled. "Maybe this time you'll keep your pants on and not actually bark at the moon."

Bonnie started laughing with Stefan. "Hey, to be fair I'd just fed on a would be rapist that took his own stash. I was just doing what the loud voice was suggesting."

They laughed louder and Lexi add more fuel to the fire. "You should've seen him towards the end. One line of crazy train and he was on top of the first passing train still naked and barking at the moon. I found him to states over beating up the police because they couldn't stop saying resisting arrest. I actually have photographic evidence of this man diving into a school of sharks of the Statue of Liberty because he wanted to prove he could swim with the fishes like the mafia crew that was hustling a guy next to us kept mentioning."

I was appalled now. "You swore you got rid of that one!"

Lexi furled he brows. "He's only shy because he was naked in the dead of winter on shrooms."

I snorted while they laughed it up. "That was a bad trip. I ended up on Long Island beach bloody and pissed off. Flipping shark bit me in the ass."

Stefan had to stop the car and finish his laughing fit. Bonnie was poking my ass and laughing. She turned on Stefan next. I remember you striped naked in the Trevi fountain. And got drunk on the torch of the Statue of Liberty. Actually now that I think about it, it wasn't but a foot or to the left that Alex jumped from."

I laughed my ass off. "Damn, I must missed you by a decade Stefan."

Bonnie was enjoying herself as well. I whispered to her, even though I knew they could still here. "This is Lexi, the girl that ran bare assed after a police horse she stole in Times Square. Lee was chasing the police officer equally naked although innocent to a degree because she wanted to reenact Lady Godiva."

Stefan started another laughing fit with Bonnie and Lexi folded her arms in a huff. "It would've worked to if the horse was afraid of our kind!"

I snorted. " She convinces Lee the man was supposed to ride the police officer next to her. He chased that poor cop two blocks for a ride."

Lexi turned to face us in her seat. "He actually pulled it off too. I have that picture as well."

We all burst into laughter then. We pulled into my driveway and I snapped a photo of Lexi's shocked expression. Her mouth gaped ope all the way to the garage. I sent the photo to Lee with a text saying. ( She can still be surprised after all this time.)

He sent a devil emoji back and a picture of when he proposed to her butt naked in a church. (So can the priest.) I showed Stefan who laughed himself horse for a second. I showed it to Bonnie and she blushed.

I chuckled and saved it for a special occasion. After we got out I asked Lexi."So, is it bigger than Stefan's?"

She mumbled. "Mhmm."

Smiling I opened Bonnie's door. "Next month I'll fly you and Lee in for your birthday bash. I'm thinking a purple rain theme. You'll be three fifty."

Lexi smiled then frowned. "How did you know?"

I grinned. "I met Rose in the early 1800's. I also know she made Katherine a couple hundred years before that."

She frowned and I shook my head. "My secret and it's not going to change any time soon. To many peoples lives depend on that one."

Bonnie looked at me pensively and Lexi snorted. "Let him keep his secrets, he has them for a reason. I learned the hard way that he's not joking when he says lives depend on them. There his burden to bare till it's time to reveal them."

Bonnie sighed. "I guess you're right. You've known him longer."

Stefan shook his head. "But you know him best. I know he at least told you some of his long past. I've heard Elena asking you about it."

I shrugged. "It's up to her what to share, I trust her, but Lexi's right on this one. I'll tell you whatever you ask of me but I have to caution you on some things. I have plans century's in the making that will at least in part better our lives eventually. Actually, today I reveal one of them and I finally give Damon his beating. But that's for later, right now Lee should be upstairs visiting our guest, go make your hubby feel welcome, though remember the band starts in an hour. Use any room but the black door. I'd suggest caution there. It's where I keep my very dangerous cursed objects I study."

Lexi gave a two finger salute and vanished. Stefan led the way to the parlor. Once we entered it I lit some sage before holding up Bonnies hand. "May I?"

She smiled. "Sure."

I closed my eyes and focused on all the occupied rooms in the house and whispering. "Incindia."

A small rush of magic and silence greeted my ears. Stefan commented. "Thanks, I didn't need to here their loud lovemaking today."

I snorted. "It wasn't for you, they actually screwed in the living room the first night I met them. I was forced to suffer in silence only once. I carry sage on me whenever I'm in the same town as both of them."

Bonnie blushed and I grinned. "I can find us a quiet room if you'd like to pick up where we left off last night."

She smiled a little before shaking her head. "Elena and Caroline should be here soon."

I sat on the couch and pulled her down into my arms. "This'll do nicely for now."

Twenty minutes later I picked up the sound of a chopper landing in the front lawn. My phone rang a text from Jason saying the bands were here. I let him know to use the west wing for their set up and bedrooms.

I sighed and told Stefan. "The bands are here, they'll be ready on time after all."

He smiled and I turned to the front door. "Elena's here as well. Though she also brought half the town."

Bonnie got off my chest and headed to the door. I hopped up and went upstairs towards the smell of sex and waited. Ten minutes later Lexi opened the door. "I take it your to blame for the burning plant smell?"

I grinned. "It's sage and yes. It has the interesting effect of blocking supernatural hearing."

I tapped at her arm and Lee's and signaled them to follow me. We ran at a fast pace to the basement. I grabbed the sage just inside and burned it with a match. After I closed the door I spoke. "Secret time."

I walked towards a closet door and opened it up. Lexi gasped and Lee growled. "What's the meaning of this?"

I grinned. "Damon's an idiot."

Lexi rubbed her forehead. "I get that but what's this?"

I sat down. "Damon killed to many people and now the town council knows there's a vampire in town. When you showed up today I knew his plan. He intends to attack someone and have them point the finger at you. The council kills you and he's in the clear."

Her mean face started showing and Lee growled deeper. They were officially pissed. I pointed to the double. "I put a run of the mill vamp that was feeding on people under a sort of compulsion with magic. I glamoured him to look like you using enough power to last a month. He'll take your place and you'll take someone else I knows appearance. He does you get to beat Damon into the ground after I have my turn. My only rule is it can't be permanent."

Lee sputtered. "Bu-"

I growled now. "Enough, he's important for my later plans, it's this or I ship you both back home now!"

He backed down and Lexi looked a little apprehensive. I sighed. "I'm sure you've guessed it by now but I'm a lot older than you. I'd kill for both of you because of the friendship we share but I can't ruin my plans for either of you. I've had them in motion long before you were born and I'm rolling the dice with fate for us all to be here a long time from now."

Lexi sighed. "What's one Jack ass compared to our futures. I still call seconds though."

I smiled now. "If you have the stomach to dish him a beating by the time I'm done, he's all yours. Just remember my rule. Now stand still I'm going to make you look like someone I haven't seen since I was a child. "

I thought of Freya and how she'd look now and drained all my Talismans I had on me before casting the glamour. When I opened my eyes my twin was looking back at me. For a second I reached for her with tears in my eyes. I stopped myself and hardened my resolve. Lee asked. "Who is she?"

I grinned. "My older twin sister. Or how she'd look today if my bitch of a mother hadn't sold her away."

Lexi looked at herself for a moment then gave me a hug. "Oh sweetie, I'd kill your mother if I ever ran into her."

I chuckled and Lee took her away. I sighed and turned to the night walker and handed it a daylight ring. "You have your orders. Complete them."

The fake Lexi left to join the crowed and blend in. I heard the band start to play and I told Lee. "Make yourself scarce. The bands are staying the night and leaving in the morning. Enjoy yourselves far away from Damon for now. He doesn't know either of your faces. The bloods in the cooler in that room. It's a human free zone so have fun."

They left to go wild and I went to meet up with Bonnie. Def leopard was on singing. "Pour some sugar on me."

I walked up behind Bonnies cheering self and wrapped my arms around her for a hug. She turned a little and leaned into me sensing I needed one right now. Half way through the song I swayed with the song. She had this big smile and I heard Freya's voice say. "That's a keeper."

At that moment I didn't know if it was Lexi or the voice of my sister saying it but I had to agree.

When the song ended Bon Jovi came out. "This is for Stefan Salvatore, happy birthday man."

" It's all the same, only the names will change

Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away

Another place where the faces are so cold

I drive all night just to get back home

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

Wanted dead or alive

Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days

The people I meet always go their separate ways

Sometimes you tell the day

By the bottle that you drink

And times when you're all alone all you do is think

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive

Wanted (wanted) dead or alive

Oh, and I ride

Oh, and I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

I walk these streets

A loaded six-string on my back

I play for keeps 'cause I might not make it back

I been everywhere, still, I'm standing tall

I've seen a million faces

And I've rocked them all

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive

I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side

I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive

And I ride, dead or alive

I still drive (I still drive) dead or alive

Dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive."

I laughed and turned to Stefan and said. "Happy birthday man."

He looked over and mouthed. "Thank you."

I nodded and Bonnie said her own congratulations. They switched up to Ozzy and Lee showed up with 'Freya'. " You're doing it again!"

I sighed. "I'll be right back, stop him before he starts."

I ran inside and grabbed a few talismans I wouldn't need and charged myself up on magic. I came out and headed for the stage. When I came to Stefan I grinned. "I'll try and keep my pants this time."

I walked over to Ozzy and told him to remember me. For a second he almost freaked out but he calmed down and I told him we were going to do a pg version cause I live in this town. He agreed and laughed his ass off.

I waved a hand and a fake moon descended as Ozzy began playing. I ripped my shirt off and got ready. As soon as he began I re-enacted his words.

"Screams break the silence

Waking from the dead of night

Vengeance is boiling

He's returned to kill the light

Then when he's found who he's looking for

Listen in awe and you'll hear him

Bark at the moon ( I roared loudly.)

Years spent in torment

Buried in a nameless grave

Now he has risen

Miracles would have to save

Those that the beast is looking for

Listen in awe and you'll hear him

Bark at the moon ( I roared again.)

Hey, bark at the moon (I roared softly.)

They cursed and buried him Along with shame

And thought his timeless soul had gone

In empty burning Hell-unholy one

But now he's returned to prove them wrong

So wrong, uh yeah baby

Howling in shadows

Living in a lunar spell

He finds his heaven

Spewing from the mouth of hell

And when he finds who he's looking for

Listen in awe and you'll hear him

Bark at the moon ( I let out a viscous howl that last till the end of the song)

Yeah bark at the moon

Yeah bark at the moon

Bark at the moon."

I patted Ozzy on the back and hopped off stage as the moon burst into glitter. I walked over to a laughing Bonnie and gave her a glitter filled hug.

Elena was laughing with Caroline until I gave Stefan a hug and told him he's now Edward. He paled and I heard Lee and Lexi laughing there asses off.

I whispered in Bonnies ear to picture that but naked and she'd understand Lexi's and Stefan's teasing.

She blushed and smiled brightly and I couldn't stop myself from kissing her. Def leopard started play 'love bites' and I grabbed her hands and started slow dancing.

Lexi interrupted us to point to where her double was getting hauled off by the police to a secluded area to be killed. It played its part well and Damon got to be the hero. I grabbed Lee's arm and shook my head. "Save it for tonight. Now that that's over I say the next set goes like 67 burning man."

Stefan paled and complained. "There's not a dozen strong witches here to pull that off."

I smirked and made him float a little with a wave of my hand. Lexi laughed so hard Lee held her from doubling over, only barely because he was in a similar position.

Stefan sighed. "Alright, I see I can win this. But you two are doing Woodstock sixty nine."

I couldn't help it, I lost my shit. I fell to the ground laughing at first, then I shook my head. "I can't pull that off, there's only one of me and no sex magic in the air." I can do a 73 gardens if you both are feeling like streaking."

Stefan smirked and stood with his arms crossed. Lexi raised an eyebrow. "I'm game. Lee, were doing it."

I turned to Lexi. " Let's head inside for a minute and give the bands a fifteen minute break. I have no interest in seeing that body streak even for laughs."

She nodded and this time Bonnie came with. "So what's the burning man and all that?"

I smirked. "I wasn't there for that one but a bunch of witches temporarily made Stefan look like a naked angel and made the band members fly short distances for a song. I can pull it off by myself with some of my saved up talismans over the years. "

I turned and pointed to Lexi and Lee. "Woodstock was an acid tripped part that saw those to screwing in the air fueled by sex sex magic below. Basically a giant orgy with music. As for the garden. They streaked naked and ran around at vampire speeds with almost permanent rainbows following them. That I was there for and it was my illusion that pulled it off. I was tripping on hippie blood and doing magic for kicks. If I remember right, your grams was there too. I borrowed some of her power to pull it off."

She raised her eyebrows. "Grams was a hippie?"

I shrugged. "I didn't know her to well, I could only tell it was her because of the Magic's feel when I borrowed it. Your mother would've been too young and I haven't me the branch lines yet they don't usually call on me."

I loaded my power up to the last of my free talismans and shifted Lexi to look like lady Godiva. Stefan laughed and Bonnie followed when I told her who she looked like.

We went back outside and had the bands remember us. When we were ready I cast I mild hallucination spell on the crowed and shifted Stefan's appearance. When he went to get on the stage Lexi stopped him and pointed at his clothes. Luckily for him his face was hidden mostly by a bright glow.

Bon Jovi started in on living on a prayer. And I made with the magic. The band became temporarily weightless and jumped around like astronauts.

"Once upon a time not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike

He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day working for her man

She brings home her pay, for love, for love

She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got

It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

( By now everyone was cheer as the spells were in full swing.)

We've got each other and that's a lot for love

We'll give it a shot

Woah, we're half way there

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Tommy's got his six-string in hock

Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk

So tough, it's tough

Gina dreams of running away

When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers

Baby, it's okay, someday

We've got to hold on to what we've got

It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

We've got each other and that's a lot for love

We'll give it a shot

Woah, we're half way there

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Livin' on a prayer

Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not

You live for the fight when it's all that you've got

( in came a flying Stefan and the band members tried to touch his out stretched hands.)

Woah, we're half way there

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Woah, we're half way there

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Woah, we're half way there

Woah, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear

Woah, livin' on a prayer

( Stefan glided away and landed before disappearing for clothes)

I released the spells and prepared myself for one final show. Ozzy came out and crazy train began. I cast it and Lexi and Lee blurred tossing clothes and running through the crowed leaving rainbows everywhere they passed. I focused on the spell and the look of wonder on Bonnies face. I watched her touch a rainbow in wonder and happiness. I didn't even realize the song was over until Lexi smacked my arm saying. "It's over please turn this off."

I let I go and the rainbows faded. Bonnie's smile didn't though until she saw me. Then she looked worried. "Your bleeding."

I touched my nose and a massive headache made itself known I'd used up the magic and a little extra drawing from the magic that made me a vampire. "Well shit."

I blacked out. I woke up in my room I sat up and Lexi passed me a blood bag. "You held the spell to long and injured yourself."

I looked around for Bonnie and when I didn't see her I sighed. "Did you see the look of wonder on her face. It was worth the price to put it there."

She smacked the back of my head. "I also saw the look of terror on her face when you passed out. She tried to heal you but thankfully Stefan stopped her or she'd be here or worse. Someone as old as you going down for that long because of a minor spell means some serious backlash. She's too new to magic to heal that."

I chuckled. "It was still worth it. Especially when now that I want to see her make that face again and again. When I saw her smile like that, in an instant I knew I'd pay any price to see her make it one more time."

Lexi shook her head and smiled. "You got it as bad as Stefan."

I shook my head. "I don't brood nearly enough."

She slugged my shoulder and her fingers popped. "Smart ass. You know what I mean."

I grinned. "Indeed I do."

I hopped up then fell on my ass. "Perhaps a few more blood bags."

She passed them over and I drained them in quick succession. On my fifth I slowed down. I got up again and felt like I was good as new.

I grabbed the fake necklace I'd made for Bonnie and left. Lexi followed me out.

I found Bonnie talking to Elena in the parlor and told her. "I found your costume piece. I think you left it here when we dealt with Vickies problems."

She smiled and took it before passing it to Caroline. "See, I told you I probably lost it."

Caroline smiled and thanked her before leaving. I waited till she left and lit some sage. "She's taking it to Damon. He must've been using her as a plant instead of a sex object. Some more pain for him. Wait an hour, I think the crowds leaving. When their gone we'll act then come back here and chill with the bands."

I noticed something different about Elena. I can see her necklace now. I moved faster than the eye could see and grabbed it. "Where did you get this from?"

She smiled. "Stefan gave it to me."

I grabbed Stefan by the throat and asked him next. "Where did you get it from?"

He choked out that he found it. I searched my memories for the real answer and sighed.

The entire group looked worried. Lexi and the vampires had only seen me that angry when someone was messing with my plans. Did a full search that took a moment when Bonnie asked. "What's wrong with it?"

When I finished my calculations and confirmed it was all on schedule I answered her. "The necklace was my bitch of a mother's. I haven't seen it in a very long time and worried she was back. My mother was killed a long time ago when she cursed one of my brothers. He lashed out and killed her. The reason I worried is because I wouldn't put it past her to find a way to resurrect. The crazy bitch sold her first born and any first borns all her children would have to another witch to me used like Talismans. Then she turned us into vampires. I left and I got word she cursed my second youngest living brother and he lashed out and killed her when she refused to remove the curse. My dumb ass father started hunting my siblings down to kill them I assume."

I turned to Stefan. "Sorry for over reacting but now I'm sure you at least understand why I don't want to deal with your family drama. I have enough of my own to last eternity."

Jeremy spoke up from the corner. "If your father's hunting his kids, why hasn't he come after you?"

I snorted. "Because he's not that stupid or suicidal. He knows he stands no chance against me. I'd tare him apart in seconds. It'd take all my siblings and him at full strength to bring me down and they're not on speaking terms with each other let alone him."

I shook my head. "They'll stay clear of me unless they're desperate. I haven't laid eyes on any of them in seven hundred years. The only ones I'd even entertain the thought of helping is my younger sister or youngest brother. The rest are either to prideful or arrogant to bother with."

Lexi whistled. "Damn, you do have anger issues."

I grunted. "Why do you think I spent most of my immortal and mortal life at war or learning magic. I preferred that to killing my own family. And honestly even if all my plans come to fruition. Some of them will still die. A couple quite a few times."

I walked over to Bonnies seat and pulled her into my arms as I sat down. I sighed and thought of her smile.

After a few more awkward minutes Elena took off the necklace and tried to hand it to me. I shook my head softly." I want nothing to do with it or her. Though it was probably my sister that lost it, so keep it until she asks for it backs. Then I'd do as she asks unless your in my presence. She can be very self centered when she wants to be, but all in all. She lost the most when we were turned. She found herself stuck between my brothers feud and unable to live her dream of marrying and having children to call her own."

I sighed. "I've heard rumors that almost all her suitors have been killed off by my brothers out of spite and she's grown used to it worst of all."

I thought of Kol and wondered how he turned out. "My youngest brother is more like a mix between me and Lexi. He loves to study magic and he's a self indulgent heathen. I don't know how he's changed over the years because unlike me, he can no longer do magic."

I shook my head of a stray thought. "If you are ever in there presence without me, call me immediately. They can be very spiteful."

I sighed and helped Bonnie up. "One more task before we deal with Damon and then we can retire."

I pulled a few a few crystals out and brought the burning sage over. I closed my eyes and called Emily mentally with some magic I drew from Lexi. When she answered I told her to leave the tomb to me and that I'd deal with the vampire fallout. She agreed and gave me one last chaste kiss.

I opened my eyes and stood up. " It's time, he's at home."

We headed over to the manor as a group. The humans went in a car and the rest of us arrived on foot. When they got here I turned to Stefan and tossed him a stake. "Don't kill him but make it hurt. Bring him out here."

He jumped into the window and attacked. Not long after that he tossed Damon down with the stake in his spine. I walked forward and pulled it out. I began speaking. "I've fought in nearly ever war that has appeared on the planet in the last thousand years. I've killed my fair share of traitors and thieves. Vampire and human alike. I've burned city's to the ground and saw the rise and fall of every empire in that time. And do you know the one thing they all had in common?"

Damon bit out. "One bad day?"

I snorted. "No, they became my enemy by doing something I hate much more than simple betrayal. They turned on their own people."

I continued. "I don't care what your game is, I don't even care that you killed those humans when you didn't have to."

I paused for him to hear me clearly. "Everyone dies, that's a fact of life. But in your petty little mind you thought to sacrifice a friend to cover your own gluttonous mistakes."

I kicked him in the ribs and his body rocketed towards the garaged that caved in and fell on top of him. I walked over and grabbed the main part of the roof and threw it into the woods we a wave of my hand. He was splayed across the roof if his car wit parts of his mashed organs hanging out of his mouth.

I tossed him at Lexi's feet before saying. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you. I'm only here to deliver you a beating that's been coming since you left your friend to burn on a rooftop for fun."

I touched Lexi's arm and sucked all that power fueling her glamour away. I waved a hand and healed him back to perfect condition before stomping on his lower back with enough force to indent the ground below him and pulverize the stones to dust.

With him temporarily crippled I threw him at blinding speeds into his own car. It slid several feet over from the force. I walked over and healed him again. He jumped up and stabbed my with a wooden stake threw the heart. As it was about to set in I grabbed his hand that was wrapped around it and pulled it out before turning it and burying it in his stomach and out the back.

I grabbed him by the throat and carried him over to Lexi. I forced him to kneel at her feet. Then I grabbed his head and made him face her. "You see Damon. I don't usually act unless it affects someone close to me. All those wars weren't even personal. I fought them for one reason. I thought I was doing good by getting rid of evil. I've never, in my thousand years of life killed for pleasure or to cause pain. I've never drained a human dry that wasn't on the battlefield. And I've certainly never turned a human. But you, in only one year have done all I abhor and what's more you revealed in it."

I sighed. "Even then I let it go. But then you went and crossed my bottom line. You see I've know this angel here for thirty six years. A fraction of what even you've been alive. And because of your greedy little acts, you nearly saw to the end of her. Someone who, just today I saw fit hide her as one of the few I count as family, my own twin sister."

I grabbed the wood sticking out his back and started to slowly twist it. "Now, you're going to apologize for your transgressions against her and your going to mean it, or for the next century I'm going to put you in an Iron Maiden and sink it in the well in my back yard where no one will hear your screams."

I twisted it more and he coughed up blood. He started whispering at first. I twisted it further and told him. "You're going to have to speak up. I was recently at a concert and I hear loud music damages the ear drums."

He coughed and spoke louder. "I'm sorry I did those horrible things to you."

I looked at her before I ripped the stake out through his back and he slumped to the side.

I stood up and told Lexi. "He's all yours now. Forgive him or take your pound of flesh, I care not. Just remember my rule."

I turned and walked over to the car and leaned against it. Bonnie came over next to me. "Are you alright? It looked like he stabbed you in the heart."

I chuckled. "He did. But one of the advantages of being what I am is a stake to the heart can't kill me. I am very nearly indestructible."

I watched Lexi forgive him and walk over to us just in time for Lee to kick him in his wounded stomach and follow her over. Stefan sighed. "You spared my life."

He tossed his stake away. "And now I'm sparing yours. We're even and done."

Damon stood slowly, I reached over and picked up a raccoon that was killed when I threw him into the garage. I tossed it to him. "Waste not want not."

I helped Bonnie into the car before saying. "Oh, and Damon, I wouldn't push me again. I spoke with Emily before we came over and she's agreed to let you into the tomb or whatever. But if you try coming after Bonnie or her family for what you find or don't find inside. It'll be your tomb."

I turned and ignored his presence from then on. After the car headed back I ran over with Lexi and Lee.

When we arrived, the bands were chilling in the parlor drinking and smoking. I headed upstairs to change, Bonnie went with me. The rest of the went to party with the bands. I stripped as soon as I was over my door threshold. I dropped my clothes where they may. Bonnie blushed and sat on my bed.

When I got in the shower I closed the black curtains before saying. "Come inside and sit, we can speak while I scrub the grimy grit of Damon's blood off myself."

After a minute of what I assumed was a mental debate she did so. When she didn't speak however, I prodded. "Speak, ask your questions. I tell only truths to you."

She finally asked. "So a thousand years?"

I couldn't stop myself I laughed. "Yeah, but I stopped count after the first hundred. I only realized it was that long when the millennium passed."

She sighed. "What was it like?"

I chuckled. "Fancy yourself a historian? It passed quick enough. When I couldn't find any new Magic's or wars to fight, and your ancestors didn't need me, I slept. That is to say I meditated while my body desiccated."

She finally found something new to question. "Desiccated?"

I chuckled. "The blood in my body dried up after a long period of time and I became something like those vampires from that underworld movie. Essentially a mummified vampire. Every century or so the Indians I'd made friends with or one of your ancestors would wake me with fresh blood. I protected them and they protected me. I would wake and help them or search for wars and Magic's. I studied various obscure branches of magic and copied everything I learned in my grimoire. The first five hundred years I was really busy learning an honing my mental and physical body. My occasional forgetfulness is because I partitioned my mind. Magic and current information vs history and experiences. It increased my focus but it separated my memories as history as well. The price of time I guess."

She finally had enough and peaked. I smirked and ignored her gaze and continued to shower. Eventually she asked another question. "You've studied magic for so long, did you create any spells of your own that you could teach me?"

I chuckled. "I created the rainbow spell I saw you enjoyed. The down side to it is you have to be naked to make them. Something about the natural aura I shifted into the visual spectrum and turned to colors that I enjoyed seeing when I was on hippie blood."

She laughed a little and I continued. "I created a hand full of spells like that after I met the party animal that is Lexi. My older spells were much more dangerous and something you won't learn for a while yet. Your new family grimoire has them in it but it's set to teach in steps. I couldn't have you learning dangerous spells that cost to much magic before you were strong enough to do them. Sheila's to weak because of the long time alcohol abuse and neglect of practice over the years, so they won't be available to her. I designed the book to teach as all magic was meant to be. Passed down. After you've built a strong foundation for spells, it'll show you my fun ones I used today. Remember love, all good things come to those who wait."

She sighed and I turned to face her peeking eyes. "I've lived a long time and I'm not a shy person by design, you can thank Lexi for that, but if you're going to be looking, I think turn a-bouts fair play."

She blushed and turned away, causing me to laugh. I heard a few laughs from those downstairs as well. "It seems the sage I had burning has ran out. We're being spied on."

Bonnie stood as I opened the shower curtain. "Hand me a towel?"

She tried not to stare to much until I tapped her arm. "Towel please?"

Bonnie jumped into action and grabbed one. "Here."

I smiled. "Thanks."

I stepped out of the shower and blurred, drying and dressing faster than she could see. She looked almost disappointed. "So, what's next? Do I have to open the tomb?"

I shook my head. "I'll do it. The necklace was Emily's old talisman and she stored plenty of her magic in it. Not to mention the comet super charged it. It'll come in handy for you when you learn how to channel it. Think of it as her gift to you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Then how are you going to open the tomb?"

I laughed now. "I can drain the spell she has on the tomb, of magic, then I'll let Damon go in and retrieve his long lost love before I kill all the vampires that live in there. Emily's word will be kept and the town will be safe. It's a win win."

She smiled. "When are you going to do it?"

I sighed. "In a month or so I guess. I'm still waiting on some things to happen first. Remember what I said about waiting?"

She laughed a little now. "So, you ready to see the bands?"

I shook my head. "I'll take a few pictures of you chilling with them and have them sign it if you want, but, this night was for Stefan and Lexi mostly. I stopped partying hard for a reason. It's no longer my scene as it were."

I held out my hand. "You ready to make some people you know very jealous?"

Bonnie smiled that perfect smile again and I knew I did good." Let's go."

She led the way downstairs where Stefan was telling everyone about a historical night where he got a tattoo on his ass with Lee's name and they were all laughing. "Did we miss too much?"

Jeremy spoke up. "Stefan was just telling us about a tattoo he got the last night he partied with Lexi."

I shook my head and chuckled, Bonnie smiled "Yeah I saw something similar on Alex here, but it said Lexi rocks instead."

I groaned. Lexi went into an hysterical laughing fit. "He got that when I played him in poker in a backdoor game. He lost all he had on him and went all in. I claimed his dignity and had him walk bare ass naked down the Vegas strip to a tattoo parlor the first night I met him. Easiest million I ever won."

Lee snorted and grumbled. I looked to him and chuckled. "You're forgetting part two. A decade later both you and Lee here did a walk as well I believe."

The Bon Jovi band broke out in laughter. "We we're apart of that. They got matching tattoos on their asses that says Alex is king."

Ozzy broke in. "Never bet with these fools. I ended up biting the head off a bat a week after I met them."

I chuckled and Elena asked. "You were the reason for that?"

I nodded. "He kept saying vampires were lame so I dared him to prove it. He came through though and his fame skyrocketed as well."

Bon Jovi butted in. "He's also the one who wrote Your give love a bad name."

I looked snorted. "You're the one who challenged me to make a decent song. I had just tried some groupie blood and was under some heavy influence."

Bonnie smiled. "That was my favorite song."

Lexi smiled. "Wanted dead or alive was about Stefan here."

I chuckled and raised my glass. "To a great past and an even better future."

Lee raised his glass first. "Here here!"

The rest followed and we broke into idol chatter. I asked Lexi. "What's your next move?"

She grabbed Lee's hand. "I'm going back to LA with Lee in the morning. Bon Jovi's heading with us. They canceled their gig in New York anyway."

I nodded. "Seems fair enough. After today's events you won't be able to stay in town long. I gave Vickie a daylight ring to make your lives easier. She said her goodbyes and no one will ask questions now."

She nodded. "It's to bad you'll miss my big 350 though."

I nodded and passed her a Talisman. "The rest of the magic I took from your glamour. It'll last for one emergency. It's the best I can do right now. I'm going to send word to my witch friends to charge up my talismans. It'll be awhile before I can use magic excessively again so take it easy."

She nodded and hugged me. "Thanks sweetie, for everything."

I hugged her tight. "Don't mention it. You two are my favorite vampire friends."

She shocked my arm. "Don't be a stranger."

I nodded and turned to the bands. "It's picture time, after tonight you'll all forget again. You know it's they way it has to be. Your too publicly known."

Ozzy raised his glass. "To old friend's and new!"

I drank and my staff took pictures for posterity. After they signed them, all they remembered was the gig and meeting new friends. The night set in and everyone headed home or to a guest room. I took Bonnie home.

When I turned off the car, I grabbed her necklace and did a simple glamour to change its appearance. "After you learn how, you'll be able to change it at will. Learn all that you can as fast as you're able. I've a feeling things are going to get complicated soon."

She smiled and gave me a kiss. "I'll see you after school tomorrow."

I nodded. "It's a date."

She hopped out and I started the car and drove home. The next week flew by quickly. I got snippets of information from Bonnie. Logan fell showed up and was mysteriously killed. Elena ended up in a car accident and wrecked the mustang. It's front end was severely damaged but then again so was the vampire she hit with it. The vampire limped away as fast he could while Damon showed up and took her to Georgia to see a witch friend about opening the tomb with the 'fake' necklace. He received the bad news and called Stefan to send me a message. I laughed and told him I was going to open the tomb in a month or so for him and not to worry that I switched it on him as a laugh.

He called me. "Why not today?"

I snorted. "I'm waiting for some vampire friends in town to show themselves. When they do and I've dealt with them I'll open the tomb. You have my word."

I sneered and hung up. I turned to Bonnie and told her. "If he ever threatens you, you remind him I'll do far worse to him than the beating I gave him if he harms a hair on your head."

She smiled. "I'm learning to control my magic now. Soon enough he won't dare try anything anyway."

I nodded. "All the same, I keep my word."

We went on a few more dates and I even did some karaoke with her. She invited me to a decade dance at her school in two days and I excepted. That night I saw Anna hanging around Jeremy Gilbert. I chuckled and continued to ignore her for now.

When the bartender Ben, at the Grill, started flirting with Bonnie I looked him in the eye. "Piss of back to Anna with a message. I want you to step in the sun and stay there."

He looked blank in the face. "But that'll kill me."

I snorted. "I know."

When I released my compulsion I turned back to Bonnie who asked. "What was that about?"

I sighed. "He wanted to get close yo you and kidnap you as leverage. I put a permanent stop to his plans. Anna will show herself out of desperation now. I'll act soon and open the tomb for the poor girl but I won't have you taken advantage of."

I kissed her. "That's my job."

She raised her eyebrow. "Oh."

I grinned. "Again and again and again. Over and over."

She blushed and looked away and I chuckled before turning to Stefan and Damon that were waiting. "When you find the douche hunting Elena kill him and tell Anna it'll be opened in a week."

Stefan nodded and Damon smiled. "Finally some fun."

I sighed and turned back to Bonnie and enjoyed the rest of our evening. During the fifty's dance Stefan and Damon killed the stalker vampire while Bonnie and I danced. Stefan gave the warning to the stalker just before he finished him off.

I turned to see Anna rejoin Jeremy halfway through the night. She had a small smile and occasionally looked my way. I was currently spinning Bonnie and doing the twist and shout. Bonnie's happiness was infectious. I couldn't stop smiling. Towards the end of the song I slowed it down and dipped her for a kiss.

When we came back up she told me. " I need a drink."

Damon came over. "After watching you two is need a cigarette."

My eyes narrowed and he held up his hands. "Don't shoot the messenger, I just came to tell you that your message was delivered."

I turned to Bonnie. "I'll get you that drink."

We left and he followed us off the dance floor. We headed to where Jeremy was passing out drinks with Anna. He handed me two and I looked to Anna and him. "I approve, you two would be good together. So long as you don't turn him for a few years yet."

Jeremy looked stunned and Bonnie frowned. "Bonnie meet Anna, she's a five hundred year old vampire whose looking to get her mother out of the tomb."

Anna was about to attack. I chuckled as Damon told her. "I wouldn't do that, take it from me, his bite is far worse than his bark."

Stefan and Elena came over. "What's going on?"

I shrugged. "Meet the one you sent the mess to. Don't worry, we're all friends here."

Elena was about to balk but I waved her down. "Relax, she's actually a good person. The only reason she did all that was for her mother."

I turned to Anna. "I'm opening it on Saturday. There'll be a price your mother will have to pay, but it's not a big one. I'll supply the blood and after she, and whoever Damon grabs are out, my people will burn the rest. No negotiating. They die, end of story. I'll not have a bunch of vengeful vampires running around."

Bonnie asked. "Why do you trust her?"

I smiled. "I don't. Out of everyone here I trust you and on certain matters Stefan. I just know I can deal with anything she tries to do to the contrary. You'll be this confident when you finish your training and make your first spell. It's a witch thing."

Anna snorted. " You're not a witch, you're a vampire!"

I grinned. "I'm so much more than that. If you want I can prove it."

I drained a small talisman and waved my hand. Her eyeballs turned white.

She she gasped. " I'm blind! What did you do to me?!!"

I waved it again and restored her site. "A simple blinding hex. I'd avoid bright lights for a few hours. They tend to give you severe headaches after it's used on you. Now that we're on the same page I'd avoid pissing me off with any more kidnapping attempts. I'll keep my word so don't worry."

I held out my arm and Bonnie took it. " Ciao."

We headed for the exit.I smiled. "While I enjoyed this dance, the fifty's weren't a great decade. I much preferred the twenties and thirties. The blues, jazz and rat-pack. Those were good times. Though I can get behind some three days grace and Evanescence."

Bonnie asked. "How are you with Taylor Swift?"

I shrugged. "It's not the worst I've heard. Why? Do you want to meet her?"

She bit her lip. "That's not necessary."

I couldn't help but smile. "Let's go to your place and listen to some of your favorites?"

She bit her cheek before answering. "Alright, but no laughing."

I held up my hand. "Scouts honor."

She smiled. "I didn't know you were a scout."

I grinned. "I was for the north. I scouted and raided southern camps to free slaves. For me it was the best position to do the most good. It didn't hurt that it also gave me a chance to feed with no one the wiser."

She grimaced and I sighed. "I know, it's not your favorite part of me. But it is a part of me I can't change."

She looked down so I cupped her cheek and brought her face towards mine. "In all my years, I've been cursed for my existence and I'd ignored it. I've come to realize it was a blessing of sorts. It gave me the chance to meet you, to see your smile and to be there for you when you need me most. I no longer despise my lot in life because of you."

I kissed her and she kissed me, we backed into my car and continued our fierce make-out session. When a car honked I flipped them off and she broke out into giggles. I chuckled. "About that music?"

She smiled. "Let's go."

I drove her home a little faster than usual. When we got to her house I spirited her upstairs faster than the eye could see. When we got into her room she asked. "How can you do that?"

I raised an eyebrow and she continued. "How did you come inside without being invited in?"

I shrugged. "For me it's never bothered me much so long as someone from the family invited me in. In the beginning Ayanna was the first to do so and I've never had to ask any of her descendants since. I got invited over by all the founding family's the day before I left for the civil war, since then I've not needed an invite for their descendants homes either. I don't know if I even need one to start with because of what I am. The barrier is a sort of natural spell and I'm the antithesis to all forms of magic. I have been since birth."

She asked. "Then how did your mother turn you with a spell?"

I sighed. "By then I'd long since learned how to turn off the ability. I was surprised by my fathers sudden physical attack and didn't expect them to come at me. I hadn't learned to use my ability offensively at that time. He killed me first by surprise because he knew it was his only chance. I'd have beaten him into the ground if he had come at me like a warrior instead of a thief in the night."

She smiled. "Well, for whatever reason, I'm glad he did it. It brought me you."

I grinned. "Put on your music before I continue what we were doing in the parking lot."

She chuckled and turned to her CD player. When she found one she approved of she popped it in and 'You belong with me' started playing. I walked up behind her and started kissing her neck from the back. She started swaying and we were dancing again. I spun her around to face me.

I kissed her and sped her to the bed and closed the door. She laughed until I was on her and kissing her after a heated one she rolled us until she was on top. I grinned and propped myself up and met her half way.

She got more aggressive as another song switched on. As 'love story' started playing she backed off a second and looked me i the eyes. "I'm ready."

My smile faded and I became more serious. I nodded and piled my shirt off.

Several hours and a sound barrier spell later we were spooning on her bed. I hadn't felt this satisfied in all my life. I couldn't stop grinning like a fool. She was laying across my chest resting. "That was-"

"The best sex I've ever had."

She raised herself up and I grinned. "I'm being serious. I've lived a long time and experienced my fair share and I've never experienced anything like that. The closest I could compare it to was when I was human. I'd fallen for a village girl and we spent years together and it still didn't come truly close to that."

She asked. "What happened to her?"

I sighed. "I couldn't look at her the same way after she did something that hurt me and she eventually found herself with another. It was my fault really. I pulled away when I could see she was hurting as well, but I was too wrapped up in my own pain to see what I was doing to her."

Bonnie kissed me and asked. "What did she do?"

I shook my head. "It's a very close secret and a very dangerous for certain people if word got out. I'll tell you if you really want to know but knowing will put you in serious danger that I'm not currently prepared to deal with so be very sure you want to know."

She looked serious at my words. "Not right now then, perhaps when I've gotten better at magic then."

I rubbed her arms. "I trust you you know. It's just the stuff I hide is for a very good reason. Most secrets I have certain people would kill for and not one or two would slaughter this entire town for the answers."

She nodded. "Perhaps it's best you keep them for now. But I'll want to know them all eventually."

I smiled. "I'll tell you anything you want to know whenever you want to know. I'll also take certain measures if you really want to know."

She raised her head to face me. "Like?"

I smiled. "I'd spirit you away from this town and never look back. I'd never leave you out of my site and I'd kill anyone that came after you with a bloody vengeance. I'm unsure if I could protect you in the end but I do know I would die before you."

She looked serious now. "Don't ever say that!"

I shook my head. "Then I won't say it."

The unspoken words I'd still do it didn't go unnoticed when I felt her shudder. I rolled us and I was on top now. "Let's turn to the more pressing situation."

I heard her giggle then moan and I was back less thinking and more doing.

Early the next morning I felt someone tap me awake. I jerked and saw it was Sheila. She held a finger to her lips and motioned to follow her. I slid out of the bed careful not to wake Bonnie and slid on my pants before heading downstairs.

I found Sheila in the kitchen with a cup of tea. As soon as I walked into the room I noticed the sage burning. She turned to pour me a cup and spoke. "I'm dying aren't I?"

I sighed. "The years of alcohol abuse and lack magical use has left your body in disrepair. Even if I did all I could I'd only be able to stave off the inevitable for another year tops and I know you wouldn't allow me to turn you."

She raised an eyebrow and asked. "When did you find out?"

I sighed again. "Probably the same time you did. When you activated the grimoire, it gave off a faint pulse because your magic was so weak."

She snorted. "Not that weak... but your right. I felt my own mortality when I felt it pulsate. Have you told Bonnie?"

I shook my head. "I figured you want to tell her yourself and I really don't want to be the the cause of any pain for her."

She handed me the cup and sighed herself. "It's not easy getting old. Not that you'd know."

I snorted. "I've buried enough loved ones to turn this town into a graveyard, don't give me that crap. Half of those would be your ancestors!"

She frowned and turned away. "I suppose your right. The downside to immortality weigh heavier on the good like you."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't call myself a good man. Simply a man who lives when others don't."

She sighed again. "What are your plans for Bonnie? Turn her? Watch her grow old and die?"

I shook my head. "Neither. If she agrees I'll link her to myself and share my immortality with her. It's not exactly a light spell and very personal or I'd do the same for you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why haven't you done so before now?"

I looked to the sage and pulled more out and burned it as well before taking her hand for a second and casting a sound barrier spell. When I was done I turned to her. "I don't have the spell to do so yet. It's with a very powerful and old enemy of mine right now. She's not aware of my plans and knowledge or she'd be here now hunting me into the ground."

She shook her head. "Sounds dangerous-"

I stopped her with a wave. "Don't worry, Bonnie won't have any part of it when I kill the bitch."

She smiled. "The only time a person gets that look is when it's family there talking about."

I snorted. "You've read from my grimoire, I'm sure you know my feelings about my family clear enough. I'd kill most of them myself if they weren't blood. And I'd gut my bitch of a mother regardless."

She sighed. "That I have. I don't envy you your family. But my focus must stay on mine."

I sat down and faced her. "I'll look out and protect Bonnie with all I have. I'd sooner destroy myself than harm her or let her be harmed. But then again you knew that."

She smiled again. "A girl likes to here the words every now and then."

I snorted and downed the coffee before standing to leave. She spoke again. "Maybe put up a stronger privacy spell next time. Yours ran out half way through the night."

I chuckled and continued on my way. "I'll remember to do that."

I headed back upstairs to Bonnie's room. When I opened the door she looked up. "I thought you'd snuck out."

I shook my head. "Your grams wanted a word. Don't worry, she reminded me to use a longer lasting privacy spell. Apparently your quite vocal."

She blushed and I grinned before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small talisman I had been charging with ambient magic. I cast my best privacy spell before turning to her. "What do you say to experiencing your first encounter with sex magic?"

She laughed and I rejoined her in bed. I spent the next few hours teaching her the finer points of a unique branch of magic. She was a naturally fast learner.

When her alarm clock rang I stopped it and she groaned. "I have to get ready for school. Care to join me in the shower?"

I chuckled. "Always."

She smacked my chest. "Behave, I'm sore and I have school."

I pouted. "Fine, I'll behave this once. I'll wash your back if you wash mine."

She smiled getting up and I followed. She squealed as I chased her to the bathroom. When we came out I was a little disappointed and she was smiling. "I told you I had to get to school."

I chuckled. "A guy can dream can't he? Besides it was a great shower even without sex. The site of you shaving your legs like that was an image I'll saver till the earth turns to dust."

She swatted my arm and smiled. "Behave. Your not so bad looking yourself. Even with the ass tattoo."

I chuckled and grabbed my pants. "Would you like a ride to school or do you want to drive?"

She shrugged. "I have cheerleading practice this morning and afternoon."

I grinned. "I'll drive then. I'll even stick around to watch."

She laughed. "Your encourage-able. Fine I'd like a ride. But leave the car, I'm supposed to hangout with Elena and Caroline today."

I saluted her and put on my boots. She raised her eyes at my bare chest and I pointed to the torn shirt and dress. "I'll have to replace those, besides I have a change of clothes in the trunk Incase of emergency."

She smiled. "Always prepared?"

I shrugged. "I have a gnawing feeling in my gut things are going to be getting worse than a simple tomb spell soon."

She nodded and I looked her in the eyes. "Talk to your grams soon. Make sure you take the time when you do."

She looked a little spooked but agreed. I headed downstairs to grab clothes from my car while she changed. While I was outside I got an update on Vickie from Lee. "Apparently she's a natural after you get passed her addictive side. She's doing good. I'm showing her the ropes one at a time. Lexi's out with her right now."

I smiled and told him. "Thanks brother, keep me posted and let me know if you need anything."

He laughed. "Anytime. About that offer though, I could use Mary-"

I snorted. "Fuck you Lee! Your not getting her, I did Hendricks that favor not you. It's got sentimental value."

He laughed louder. "It's a guitar man!"

I hung up on him and opened the trunk of my car. After grabbing a shirt I blurred and changed fully so I didn't get arrested for indecent exposure. When I was done I emptied my old pants pockets and closed my trunk before heading inside.

Ten minutes later I was driving Bonnie to practice. When we got there Stefan was with the football team and Elena was watching him from the stands with Damon I pulled up next to his convertible and we got out. I gave her a kiss before she went to join Caroline and the squad.

I headed to the stands and sat next to Elena on her left. "So, what are you two up to?"

Elena spoke up. "Damon was just leaving."

He grimaced and I shrugged. "Do what you want, I'm not your keeper. I was only making polite conversation."

He seemed relieved and retorted. "I was just advising Elena here on trying a different brother out."

I chuckled as Elena rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you won't chase him away?"

I shook my head. "So long as he doesn't try to kill someone I or Bonnie cares about he could burn the town down and dance naked in the streets for all I care."

She looked worried and I elaborated. "I've lived long enough to know better than to try and control others. It's why I've been dumping vervain in the towns water supply each month."

Damon turned to me. "That was you? No wonder my shower burned a little."

I snorted. "The humans in your family must have switched to city water. Some advise, don't try compelling anyone, it'll end badly for you."

Elena turned to me. "Why would you go so far?"

I shrugged. "I drink vervain every day to build a tolerance for it. Not that anyone could ever compel me. My own people drink it every meal."

She questioned me further. "Aren't you worried they'll find out what you are?"

I shook my head. "They all know exactly who and what I am. I never hid it from them. They've been raised knowing that if they have a problem with what I am I'll pay for them to move wherever they want and give them enough money to live the rest of their life in luxury. I've only ever had to do so a handful of times in five hundred years. They're very loyal and I'm a very good friend with them all. Besides I've made their families very rich over the years. They work for me because they want to."

I watched Bonnie practice while they talked more about do's and don'ts. Towards the end of her practice I saw her at the top of the pyramid and I waved. She smiled and waved back before doing a flip-spin and being caught by two male cheerleaders.

When it was over I walked down with a smile and held up the car keys. She reached for them and I pulled back a little. She looked in my eyes and leaned for them. I took this opportunity to lean for a kiss, letting her take the keys at the same time. A couple wolf whistles came from the football team.

I unceremoniously flipped them all off while continuing our kiss. Laughter rang out and someone I recognized as Alaric Saltzman came over. "Alright break it up."

I grunted as she broke the kiss and turned towards him. "Walk away. You don't want this fight."

He looked indecisive and Bonnie stopped me. "He's right, I have to get changed and get to class."

I sighed. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded and turned, leaving.

I turned back to the wanna be Van Helsing and smiled. "I'll be seeing you hunter."

He looked pensive now and I chuckled. "Relax, I'm not a jackass. I just don't appreciate my time with my girlfriend being interrupted. Besides, your toy toothpicks wouldn't do anything to me."

He tried to say something but I brushed him off. "If you want I'll buy you a beer after school ends and we can talk about your extracurricular activities."

He looked confused. "Why would I drink with a bloodsucker?"

I chuckled. "Because I've never sucked blood as it were that wasn't during war. I stick to bagged blood and vervain now a days."

He looked really worried now and I laughed a little. "Meet me at the grill later and I'll tell you all about it."

I blurred before his eyes and ran to my house for another car. I took my Porsche 911 and headed to the Salvatore house. By the time I got there Damon was already home. I walked in like I owned the place and sat down. "What do you do when your bored Damon? I find myself more and more bored lately. It only happens when Bonnie's at school though."

He looked at me funny. "Your a multi billionaire with immortality and magic and your asking me for advice. I feel like I should be charging you."

I snorted. "Name your price, just remember I can always beat it out of you."

He held up his hands in surrender. "I give."

After a minute of thought I asked. "Want to get drunk and burn a bridge down?"

He shrugged. "Sure. Here or at the bar?"

I debated for a minute. "Bar. And call your sheriff friend. Tell her my plan and that I'll pay for an actual concrete steel bridge to replace it. The damn things killed enough people I can actually draw magic from the sorrow there."

That seemed to surprise him. "Your not a very good bad guy. Calling the cops on yourself and paying for a better one."

I shrugged now. "I'm bored and I don't have the option to flip a switch like younger vamps. It sort of fades with time."

He snorted. "Noted. That sounds pretty dull."

I smiled. "No more than killing one person every few years as revenge."

He looked surprised so I continued. "I've looked into both of you after I met Stefan the first night back."

He smirked. "Touché. And might I say, they deserve it."

I chuckled. "True. I know about the Augustine society. Dumb secret societies. They'll never learn."

We headed to the grill in his car while he called the sheriff to meet him there with the mayor. When we arrived I headed for the bar and he headed to grab a booth. The mayor showed up with the sheriff by the time I sat down.

He walked over. "What's this about burning a bridge?"

I waved. "Have a seat and let's talk business."

I waved over the waitress and ordered whiskey for myself. "Leave the bottle and whatever their having."

I turned to the sheriff while she gave her order. "Just a Diet Coke is fine."

I sighed and sat back enjoying the rest of my glass. Mayor Lockwood had a bourbon on the rocks. Damon was with me and ordered a bottle. When the waitress left I started. "So, I'm going to burn old whickery bridge down and pay for a steel reinforced concrete one to me built. I've decided since a person very close to me has to drive over that death trap I might as well make it safe for her."

Good old sheriff Forbes spoke up. "What your talking about is a crime."

I snorted. "It's not a crime if the city approves."

I turned to the mayor. "I'm willing to donate ten million to the city and pay to have the new one built within a week. I'll even pay as soon as you agree. So mayor, what do you say. Do I order another round or go home."

Mayor Lockwood smiled ever the business man. "Fifteen million."

I nodded. "Deal. But I burn it as soon as we leave here. Now drink up."

I wired the money into his account as the drinks arrived. I poured myself a glass full. "To easy business by any other name being a crime."

Damon smiled. "Here here."

The sheriff called in a few deputies to set up roadblocks while we drank. I tossed my keys to her and downed my glass. We started talking about possible donations to the town and police department. I gave the ok on a few and the mayor aid aka his wife showed up with the legal documents.

Smiling I signed them and noticed she dropped vervain extract into my glass while I was busy. I drank it savoring the slight tingle that came with it. They seemed satisfied I wasn't a vampire and became much more at ease.

I started telling them my plans for next month. "I'm going to fly in Taylor swift and Carrie Underwood along with evanescence next month for Bonnie's birthday."

Damon snorted. "That's a headache waiting to happen."

Lockwood asked. "Where's the venue?"

I smiled. "My front lawn unless you want to host it."

He offered and we settled on the park. I had to pay a small fee and he got to put it down as a tax write off so long as he kept it to himself. Sheriff Forbes asked. "How did you get so rich?"

I smiled. "Family money my father was a great investor. He got in on google and Microsoft right from the start. I decided I wasn't going to be too public about it but when it accumulated over the years along with several other investments, I became a secret billionaire upon his death."

She frowned. "When did he die?"

I shrugged. "Ten or so years ago. He was in LA on a business trip and was gunned down in the streets by a drive by. It was some punk doing a gang initiation. I got the news while I was in boarding school. I was an instant billionaire. The rest of my family got nothing because my mother took the other kids away years ago in the divorce."

She looked sad. "I'm sorry I asked."

I shrugged. "Think nothing of it. I wasn't that close with them anyway."

I downed my drink and felt a buzz kick in. I turned to Damon who was seven glasses in. "Lets get this party started. Sheriff, your driving. I'm already buzzed and my people are there with the starting crew as soon as it's down they'll get to work."

Mayor Lockwood commented. "They move fast."

I shrugged. "There efficient and they know not to dally when I give them a task."

He snorted. "I wish the city workers were that efficient."

Damon smiled. "Match what he pays them and they will be."

He asked. "How much do you pay them?"

I chuckled. "The cheapest they start at is about a quarter mill a year."

The sheriff asked surprised. "Where do I sign for that job?"

I shook my head. "They've served my family since before the civil war. My many great grandfather bought and freed their ancestors before going to war for the north side to free more. He gave them above average pay and the promise to stay on for generations to come. Everyone of my ancestors kept his promise and when my father upped their pay I figured it was only fair I do so as well."

She looked takin aback by that. I grabbed the bottle of whisky and headed to the bar. After a quick chat and a very expensive bill I headed for the door with a bottle of their finest and by far most expensive liquor. A 1908 single malt.

Damon looked at the two bottles I carried. "What's those for?"

I held up the half empty whiskey bottle. "This is for me."

I held up the expensive full bottle of liquor. "This is a tribute for the dead. It's the best they had. Only cost three grand."

The sheriff whistled. "You must care about the dead a lot!"

I shrugged. "I respect them and honor them that's all. Besides, it's only three grand. The mayor here just got fifteen million from me."

She went quiet at that. I walked to the car and hopped in the back seat next to the mayor. Damon chose to sit up front with 'Liz' as he called her. I had a nice chat with the mayor and was invited to founders ball where they would choose miss mystic falls.

I gave him a maybe as I didn't know if Bonnie would be there and If she wouldn't I wasn't going to listen to all that. When we arrived at the bridge, Jason and a few staff members were there waiting with a gas truck. I got out with the booze and told him. "Take the sign down, I'll keep it a souvenir. Hose the rest down. I'll light it when it's ready."

He bowed and they got to work. I turned to the mayor and Damon. "Anyone else want a souvenir before this thing goes up like a Roman candle?"

They shook their heads. Damon raised his bottle. "I'll pass. Though I wish I could light it."

I snorted. "Not a chance, but if you want we can light both sides at the same time."

He grinned. "Deal."

He headed across the bridge and I took a swig of whiskey. When my people were done and the bridge was hosed with gas I set my bottle down and tore off the lid to the expensive booze. I poured it out onto the bridge saying. "To the dead and lost souls, may they find peace in the hereafter."

When it was half empty I took a swig and passed it to the mayor. "It's custom to drink for things like this."

He did and even the sheriff did before handing it to Jason. After he drank, he threw it at the center beam of the bridge and I lit a match. On the opposite side Damon did the same. We tossed them at the same time and a rippling fire spread where they landed.

We stood there watching the bridge burn in all its glory for an hour before it was little more than ash. As soon as it collapsed in on itself the bridge builders got to work. Jason came over. "The new bridge will be up this time next week. Sooner if there's a need to hurry."

I shook my head. "Let them take it easy. It's a small bridge and they can bill me for the time. Besides, I want it built right and sturdy."

He nodded. "Yes sir, I'll let them know your thoughts."

I grabbed my bottle and turned to see Damon had left. "Jason, your driving now."

He got the keys from the sheriff and drove us back to the grill. The mayor said his goodbyes and Liz stuck around. I asked her. "Busy or are you trying to keep an eye on me?"

She followed me back to the booth we had left. "I've been tasked to see if you'd be interested in joining the town council."

I shook my head. "I've no interest in playing amateur vampire hunter."

I smiled at her shocked look. "Don't be surprised. Did you think your little council was the only ones that kept notes or that I missed the taste of vervain in my whiskey? By the way who slipped me it? That was excellent timing or a set up."

She looked troubled. "Carol did it. But we had to be sure before we invited you."

I waved it off. "Don't worry about it, no harm no foul. Besides, I'd have donee the same but it doesn't matter to me. I've been dumping gallons of vervain in the towns water supply each month. "

She looked offended but I raised a hand. "You just admitted to being an accomplice to something similar. I'm only doing it to make this town safer and it makes the councils life easier. If the older manors owners decide to switch to city water I'm sure you'll find it all the better."

She asked. "Where do you get so much?"

I grinned. "I grow it or my people do anyway. Besides, I'm a billionaire with little to spend it all on and there are thousands of apothecaries and herbal shops that sell online and free shipping if your interested."

She sat a little straighter. "I'm interested."

I smiled and turned to Jason. "Give her a list of online shops that carry vervain and have a care package of twenty bottles sent to the sheriffs office."

He nodded and wrote it down before texting my orders. Liz turned to me."I can't thank you enough, this could help us out big time."

I nodded and finished my bottle of whiskey off. She looked a little surprised at that. "How are you not puking your guts out?"

I shrugged. "Iron liver, runs in the family. I'm descended from the Vikings that found this land a thousand years ago."

She looked shocked now. "That's not in the history books."

I snorted. "I always tell people history is decided by the victors. When the settlers arrived they killed off a lot more than Indians. How do you think I own so much land the towns built on. My family was here first, both sides fought to a bloody draw and it was decided my people would lease the land to yours. Founders council. Bah. You found land and tried to steal it is what it is."

She asked. "How do you know this?"

I chuckled. "My ancestors kept notes on everything from the plants and wildlife to the people and their dealings with them. Dating all the way back to when they landed here. Copies of the original notes are in my personal library if you'd like to look. The originals are in a vault under the manor behind treated glass. As you can imagine they're vary old and fragile after all this time. I can loan my library to the town council for them to go over for historical significance or just as a reference to their vampire problems. I assure you the names and dates are very accurate."

Liz was caught between looking amazed at the offer and appalled at their significance. "How bad was the fighting?"

I shrugged. "My people killed about half the original settlers that tried to claim the land. My side lost a dozen or so in the first conflict then both sides decided to peace talks. Your people tried to trade disease infested blankets and foods. More blood, more peace talks until calmer heads prevailed and the head of my family at the time told your leaders to either piss off or stop trying to kill us. Hence a treaty, the first ever American treaty was written up by our both sides and agreed upon."

I grinned. "I have the original of that as well. Your people took the duplicate."

She was both fascinated and appalled. "I'd like to see those if I could. "

I shook my head. "Go to your archives if you want the treaty. As for everything else." I turned to Jason who nodded. "Copies of everything else will be sent to the town council for your perusal."

I waved the waiter over. "Be a dear and throw this away. I want an order of your nachos and a steak medium rare with mushrooms and smoked cheddar on top."

She took it down before grabbing the empty bottle and I turned to Liz. "Hungry? My treat."

She ordered a burger with fries and a soda before turning back to me. "What is it a billionaire does all day?"

I shrugged. "I went to Damon's house and complained of boredom. He wasn't amused so I suggested getting wasted and burning a bridge. And now here we are."

Liz asked. "By the way, where is Damon?"

I shrugged. "No clue. But hey, I'll probably be torching a building or something with him tomorrow so I try not to pry."

Jason spoke up. "Actually sir, I have you scheduled for a trip to LA tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is it a trip to see Lee?"

He shook his head. "Bill wanted a meeting."

I looked a little indignant. "Cancel it and avoid making another meeting like that with him and his ilk. I've done enough big business with them. If they can't clean up the planet after our last meeting, let it burn."

Liz looked a little upset so I clarified. "He means Bill Gates. I gave him and a large consortium of investors a billion dollars and a few very pointed ideas to clean up the planet within fifteen years. Soon enough electric cars and solar farms will be all the rage. I gave them a solution that speeds up plastic degradation I received from a think tank a friend of mine runs so the oceans should be clean soon enough barring oil spills and I even told them to share it free for every government to copy and use. If they fail after all that the human race deserves extinction."