Be Careful When You Bite Me

Chapter 23

We left Luna's place a little while after. It was decided that it was best to keep her and Dimitri out of this. After all, it wasn't their fight and had nothing to do with the couple. Xavier drove us back to Asia's place, Damon and I sat in the back awkwardly, stealing secret glances at each other every so often while Asia rode passenger. She held Xavier's hand the entire time and I wondered if that was a comfort thing. I looked down at Damon's hand placed beside him on the seat and pondered on the thought of what might happen if I reached over and grabbed it.

Would it provide me with the same comfort that holding Xavier's hand seemed to bring Asia?

It didn't matter because it wasn't like I had the guts to find out. I peaked outside of the window. It had been morning time for a while now, maybe even afternoon. I had almost little to no interest in the scenery outside of the car windows but I forced myself to stare out and observe how people lived their regular, everyday, vampire and witches free lives.

Boring, I thought, ignorant, arrogant...boring.

I wondered what else was out there that I didn't know of or if there was a second Underworld that even The Underworld now didn't know of.

When we got to Xavier and Asia's place, I couldn't help but wonder what the four of us looked like to the everyday wayfarer. The elevator ride was silent and so was the walk down the hallway. Inside the condo, the three looked at me.

"What?" I mumbled.

"You should get some sleep," said Asia," you haven't slept in a while."

I couldn't argue with her if I tried. It was already taking whatever energy I had left to keep standing and so I merely nodded," Okay, can you wake me up before you leave?"

She simply nodded. I looked up at Damon who was staring at him with a slightly worried look on his face. I sent him a reassuring smile and headed towards the guest room. Once I was in bed, I was ready to drift away into a deep slumber when the sound of the door opening interrupted.

"Holly, are you sleeping yet?"

It was Damon.

"Hi," I replied, without sitting up, I simply had no strength to do so," no, I'm still up."

He closed the door behind him and walked closer until he was standing beside my face. I continued to look up at him keeping quiet. He seemed at a loss for words but he didn't need to speak for me to understand what was going on in his brain.

A few minutes of silence passed before he finally said, "I don't know where to start."

I smiled," I know."

"I'm sorry, for everything that's happened to you if I could take it back-"

"I know," I replied, once again.

"You could have ended it all for yourself, Luna would have done the ritual, you didn't need to risk your life for mines, it could have been over-"

"Damon," I said, looking up at him," I know." He remained silent and so did I. My eyes were now closed. I didn't want to talk anymore, I just wanted to feel as if everything was going to be okay for once in the past couple of weeks, I wanted to breathe.

"Damon," I whispered.

"Yes?" he replied.

"I know you don't sleep and all, but could you pretend, can you hold me until I do?"

When he stayed silent I thought that he may have felt strange at the odd request but to my surprise, he hoisted himself up onto the bed and positioned himself until he was lying right behind me. He put one arm over my chest and held me close. Had I not been so fatigued, I would have absolutely swooned at the utter thrill of his touch that sent the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy. Instead, I let myself physically and mentally melt into his embrace.

When I woke up, the alarm clock beside my head on the side table read 3:34 pm. I felt Damon's arms still wrapped around me. I sat up and noticed that he was staring at me.

"Hi," he greeted," how did you sleep?"

There were the butterflies in my stomach, once again awakened by the mere sight of Damon. I reached up to flatten my hair in an attempt to make myself look more presentable.

"Did you stay here the entire time?"

"I didn't have anything else to do," he said," it gave me time to think, plus you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you."

I was simply speechless and couldn't figure out how to talk let alone what to say.

"When I woke up last night at the cell," he began, he cleared his throat and continued. I could tell he was having trouble getting the words out," when I saw you, I thought I was dreaming, which meant either I was dead or dying, I could have never imagined it be real, that you came to save me."

I didn't know what to say or how to reply, mainly because I had no idea that I was capable of even doing something like that. Never in a thousand years would I have believed that I had the ability to do something so dangerous and reckless, but if it meant saving his life, I knew I'd do it again.

"Holly, you should get ready," he continued," I've arranged for you to go home today."

I definitely wasn't expecting those to be the next words out of his mouth and I couldn't help but exclaim." What? What do you mean, The Council-"

"The Council don't want anything from you, you haven't done anything wrong, that they know of, they want me-"

"The ball is tonight, what about Seth?"

"It's too dangerous for you to be there," He sat up. his expression was now stern and serious," it's time, the moment you've been waiting for is here, you get to go home-"

"I'm not ready to go home, why can't you get that," I snapped, trying to hold back my tears but I could tell that I was on the verge.

"This is Underworld business, you have no reason to be there," he spoke calmly but strictly.

"What about you?" I asked," What if the Council rearrest you, what if they attack you at the ball?"

"Xavier and I will be in disguise," he said," no one will know it was us."

"I need to be there," I insisted," please, I've come this far, I can't be that useless, take me with you."

"No," he continued," it's already done, you leave today."

He began to get out of the bed but I grasped onto his arms and pulled him back. I knew he could send me flying with one shrug but he let me drag him.

"I'm not leaving," I snapped," I know the way to Woodbridge, I'll get there on my own."

"Why do you want to be there so bad?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that and so I simply said the truth. My gaze was blurry as I stared up at Damon with tear-stained eyes," I would go crazy at home not knowing what happened or if you're okay, I-I need to know you're safe, I need to be there."

"It's not safe," he continued," for anyone, let alone you."

"I promise to stay out of the way, I'll let you take me home after the ball," I gripped at his sleeve," please."

He nodded, finally caving," alright."

When Damon left, I decided to take a shower. I stood under the bath head for what felt like at least an hour letting the warm water attempt to soothe my nerves.

I didn't know what to expect at the ball tonight.

I have nothing to wear and if I'm supposed to blend in, I'd have to dress the part, right?

A dress was the least of my worries, I was way more occupied with the thought of Damon killing his younger brother.

Was this something he really wanted to do or is it something he feels now and might regret later? I couldn't begin to predict how many people would be at the ball tonight, how would we get away? Assuming that the castle car hadn't been found yet, not like we hit it or anything, how would we even get into the ball?

I hoped that Damon and Xavier had a plan that answered most of my concerns at least.

I stepped out of the shower and towel-dried my hair and my body. I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a couple of seconds. My eyes scanned my entire body starting with my torso. I had lost weight and that was clear, I hadn't been eating much and it showed. I looked at my small but round breasts. They pointed upwards and I had always been fond of how perky they were. I stared at my neck for a couple of minutes and the bruises I still had from the wolf and I wondered if they were ever going to disappear.

My wet brown hair clung to my skin and ended at the bottom of my back. My green eyes looked tired but at least they'd regained from color since I had slept.

I knew that I was attractive and I had always been told so for as long as I could remember. I have also always been fairly confident and never doubted my looks before but for some reason when I was around Damon, I forget and suddenly feel as if I am not good enough.

I sighed out loud.

I wrapped the wet towel around my body and stepped out to find Asia lingering at the corner of my bed.

"Hi," I began awkwardly, feeling oddly insecure.

Asia looked like she had already showered and her curly hair draped over her shoulders and down her back. She didn't look like she was wearing makeup but I could see her skin glow even standing ten feet away. The scar on her face was healing perfectly and even if it didn't, she still made it look breathtaking. She was so effortlessly beautiful all the time and it almost hurt.

"Hey," she was all smiled like usual. She had a long plastic bag in her hands," Damon told me you're coming to the ball, I have a dress here for you."

"That's super sweet of you," I said, walking closer to her," can I see it?"

"Of course," she began to take off the plastic, revealing the beautiful emerald-colored silk material of the dress.

I almost gasped out loud when she unveiled the entire thing. The dress was sleeveless and mermaid style with a sweetheart neckline. A golden pattern that resembled snake print ran along with the dress vertically and it was safe to say that this was one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen.

"Wow," I breathed out, reaching out to touch the dress," it's beautiful."

"It's perfect for you," she said, smiling proudly at me," the emerald matches your eyes and the gold part matches Damon's."

I nodded feeling a loss of words once again.

"Thank you, it's great," I said," what are you going to wear?"

She sent me a wink," you'll see, the guys are out to get the castle car, they'll be back soon, but we have to get ready now."

"Okay," I replied, feeling suddenly nauseous.

We got ready in Asia's room that was almost double the size of my already massive one. It was decorated simplistically with a large king-size bed in the middle of the marble ground, a large mirror, and a vanity. She led me inside of her walk-in closet that was something out of a magazine or a tv show.

"This is your closet?" I asked, eyeing the vanity and the shoe sleeves lined with hundreds of heels," this is bigger than my room."

She laughed out loud and began sorting through dresses," marrying loyalty has its privileges."

I wondered if Damon had this much money and quickly shrugged the thought away.

Asia pulled out a long black gown that had a silver pattern made of sequins running down vertically. It was just as breathtaking as the dress she had given me and I wondered where she shopped for items like this. I had to remind myself that she lives in New York whereas I lived in a very small and humble town.

The last time I had gotten all dressed up was the night of my almost-ritual when I had the help of Meredith. I felt my heart ache a little bit when I remembered her and wondered if she was doing alright.

Asia helped me with my makeup and I helped her with hers, not that I was much help since the only thing my skill set consisted of was putting on lip balm.

She straightened my hair and then waved it and then sprayed and brushed it and I almost forgot how much could be done to just hair.

She put false lashes on my eyes which had been the first time for me, and took a make-up brush and went to work on my face for at least half an hour.

She didn't miss a thing, including painting my finger jails a light creme pastel color.

She stepped back to admire her work," You look incredible," she finally breathed out.

"I'm still in my towel," I said, scowling.

"When you put on the dress, you're going to make Damon's jaw drop-"

"Let's not talk about that," I quickly said, getting up off of the vanity chair," can I look at the mirror?"

She nodded still smiling from ear to ear.

I took a look at my reflection and Asia was right, I looked beautiful. My long hair was wavy and soft-looking. My eyes looked like they had doubled in size. She applied a dark smokey color to my eyelids that gave my face some mystery.

"I look so... pretty," I said, not being able to help the smile that took over my face.

"Wait till I show you your shoes," she ran off towards the shoe shelves but I couldn't turn to look away from my reflection.

She returned seconds later holding a pair of gold strap on heels that tied up the ankle.

"Aren't they perfect?" She exclaimed, almost more excited about me wearing them than I was.

"They're perfect," I replied, staring at the shoes in awe.

About half an hour later, the time was a little after 6 pm, we were finally all done.

Asia looked powerful and fierce in her all-black and silver outfit, she pinned her hair up and worse shiny chandelier earrings that made her look expensive. I kept my hair down and wore a couple of gold bangles instead. The dress luckily fit me perfectly and hugged my body in all of the right places. It didn't leave too much for the imagination, especially not the part with the cleavage but it left just enough.

Paired with the heels, I almost couldn't recognize myself. Staring at the mirror, I realized that I looked like I was beautiful enough to be a vampire. I remembered Isabelle and thought that I might actually be just as pretty as her right now.

Asia strolled back into the room," they're here, are you ready?"

I gulped and nodded feeling nervous all of the sudden. I wasn't nervous about the ball as much as I was nervous about what Damon might think. She handed me the matching mask to my dress and I gripped it without saying a word.

"Breath," she said kindly before linking my arm in hers and leading me out to the living room.

Damon was turned away, facing the kitchen when I walked in. I immediately noticed that he too had gotten dressed up for the ball. He was wearing a navy blue suit that showed off all of his muscles. He began to turn around and I couldn't help but blush when his eyes landed on mine. He scanned me from bottom to the top, starting with my feet making his way up to look into my eyes. His gaze was almost intimidating and the rush of bliss his attention gave me send goosebumps racing down my arm.

To my left, I noticed that Xavier had already grabbed Asia in a tight hug.

Damon took a few steps closer to me and I felt as if I was suddenly wearing little to no clothes. His gaze was almost lustful as his eyes landed on my cleavage, up to my neck, and lingering at my lips.

"I know it's a little much," I began, my voice shaking," It was Asia's idea, I-I didn't know how to say no-"

Damon was already right in front of me, so close that I could feel the chill from his cold skin. He continued to lock his eyes with mine as he took the mask from my fingers.

"Turn around," he instructed. I did as instructed and turned. I could now feel his lips on the back of my neck.

He brought the mask up and placed it gently above my eyes.

He tied it slowly behind my head and let his hands drop to his sides where they slightly touched my fingers. I felt my heart thudding lightly against my chest and wondered if he could hear it. My goosebumps must have doubled and I suddenly felt as if the room had gotten very cold.

"You look incredible," Damon breathed into my ear in a way that made my knees weak. I almost needed to sit down or moisten my throat with a glass of water.

"Thank you," I replied in a low voice that was surprisingly stern.

The drive back to the castle felt longer than it had before and I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that we were going to crash it, and possibly kill someone. Damon and I were silent in the back seat of the castle car whilst Xavier drove and Asia sat in the passenger seat.

Xavier locked eyes with Damon in the rearview mirror," walk me through it again," he said.

"There isn't a plan, Xavier," Damon replied," the only plan is to find Seth without getting caught, and kill him."

"Why do we have to kill him again," said Asia.

"If we kill him, there will be no one left to take the throne beside Xavier or I," Damon replied," which means father would either re-throne one of us or remain in charge."

"We agreed we were out," Asia said," even if he gets offered the throne, we don't want it."

Damon nodded," we'll figure it all out when the time comes, for now, we have to get to Seth, and try not to be noticed by the Council first."

"How are we going to blend in, in a room full of vampires," said Asia.

"That's exactly why we are going to blend in," he replied.

"And Holly," said Asia, "how exactly is she supposed to stay unnoticed, any vampire with a nose can smell her from miles away."

Damon looked as if that comment had angered him slightly but he was trying to hide it," the castle will have villagers working the party, I'm hoping the scent of the others will at least mask hers."

"What about Isabelle," I chimed in.

Damon turned his gaze to mine and softened it slightly," she won't hurt you."

I merely nodded and looked away.