New Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A/N: Here it is you guys, Elijah! I hope you like it because I had a hell of a time. Nothing seemed good enough. Let me know what you think.

Standing outside Lockwood manor, I adjusted the silk ribbon around my waist — retying the bow. The navy blue, lace dress, I was wearing was actually a new favorite of mine. I had been lucky enough to find a simple gown at the local Boutique on short notice. It was perfect for what I needed. It was knee-length so I didn't have to fear breaking any bones, and just flashy enough to make me feel beautiful. I paired it with a blue butterfly lace mask and called it done. Bonnie stepped beside me in her gorgeous black and white gown and crossed her arms.

"You're sure there's another witch here?" she asked.

I closed my eyes and focused. I could feel Bonnie's magic brushing against mine but ignored it, instead, focusing on the party and the occupants inside. I could feel a pulse of magic and opened my eyes. "Yes, just as I expected; Katherine brought a friend. She will try to use her against us. But we are prepared. Elena is still wearing the charmed necklace, right?" I said.

Glancing at her phone, Bonnie nodded.

"Okay, then we should be good. Using Elena will be her big move. Now she cant - problem solved," I said, shrugging.

Straightening her mask, Bonnie turned to Jeremy - who was playing her date for the night. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt to match her black and white attire. He pulled on his mask and took her arm, leading her inside.

So far so good.

I stepped up beside Damon and Stefan, their black suits almost blended into the darkness. I scanned our surroundings.

"Do you see her?" Damon asked.

I shook my head and turned to Stefan, the mask he wore had beautiful red accents. It was very reminiscent of something you would see someone portraying the Devil wear.

"Nope. You're sure you can do this?" he asked, turning to Damon.

Damon scoffed, placing a hand on his chest. "Who are you talking to?" he said.

Stefan shrugged, turning back to the ongoing party. "Oh, I had the chance to kill her and I hesitated. So how can you be sure you'll be able to put her in the tomb?" he said.

I turned toward him, my eyes wide with surprise. "When did this happen?" I asked.

He looked down at me and sighed. "While Caroline was in the hospital, she showed up and tried to act like Elena; I knew better," he simply said.

At least one of them knew the difference between the two. Damon stepped up, his cerulean eyes hard.

"Well, that is the fork in the road between you and me my friend. I don't hesitate," he said.

Stefan took my elbow and tilted his head at his brother. "You spent 145 years loving her and trying to free her from the same prison we are now trying to put her in. It could happen," he said.

Damon looked down at me, his black mask made his eyes almost appear to glow in the darkness. He looked up at his brother fiercely. "I won't hesitate," he said.

Stefan led me into the party and I glanced around the room, quickly finding Katherine at the bar in a tight black dress and matching lace mask - a strawberry pressed against her lips. I rolled my eyes and gestured toward her. Stefan handed me over to Damon and headed through the throng of dancers in her direction. Leading me onto the dance floor, Damon spun me around the room - our eyes on Stefan and Katherine. As I watched her, I noticed her attention was focused solely on Stefan. She had yet to notice us only a few feet away. "