Aiken ran out of the Lockwood Manor and into the courtyard. The night air was sharp, carrying the faint sound of music from inside.
And there, he saw them—Damon and Caroline together. Damon was leaning in close, saying something to her, but Aiken was too far to hear the words.
Caroline smiled faintly… and then lowered her scarf on her own.
Damon's mouth opened, his fangs glinting in the moonlight as he prepared to sink them into Caroline's neck when—
"Ahhhhhhhh!" An excruciating pain tore through his head. Damon fell to his knees, clutching at his skull, his groan muffled against the grass.
"What…" Damon hissed between his teeth, recognizing the sensation instantly. "You shitty two-bit magician!" he spat, looking up and seeing Aiken walking calmly toward him.
"Aiken! What are you doing to Damon?!" Caroline exclaimed in panic. "Stop it this instant—"
But Aiken simply flicked his fingers. Caroline collapsed gently onto the grass, fast asleep.
'Thanks for the new spells, Beth,' Aiken thought with a smug smile.
He crouched down in front of Damon, grabbing his hair and forcing his head up until their eyes met.
"I told you, Damon," Aiken said coldly. "I never let go of my prey."
"You've caused quite a bit of trouble recently…" He raised his other hand. "Why don't we finish this?"
Damon, straining through the pain, still managed to chuckle.
"Figures. I survive a century of angry mobs, jealous boyfriends… only to get taken out by Hogwarts' exchange student."
Aiken smirked at the quip. "Bye-bye, Damon."
But just as he was about to touch him—
"Aiken!" a voice rang out sharply from behind. Stefan.
"Stop it! There's no need to kill him!"
Aiken sighed, lowering his hand.
Damon, still on his knees, forced a smug smile up at him.
"Don't get cocky too quick, Damon," Aiken replied, smiling back as he released Damon's hair. "This isn't over." Rising to his feet, he turned his gaze on Stefan. "Keep your brother's leash tighter… or I won't stop next time."
With that, Aiken began to walk away.
But Damon's pride wouldn't allow it. His smug grin hardened, and in a blur of vampiric speed he lunged toward Aiken.
"No! Damon!" Stefan shouted, immediately dashing forward to intercept.
Yet Damon never made it even a step. His body collapsed mid-stride, hitting the grass heavily, his strength draining away all at once.
Still walking, Aiken allowed himself a smile. When he had pulled Damon's hair up, he had used a touch of Ecdysis's magic—telekinetically stirring the hidden pouch of concentrated vervain powder sewn into his suit. A fine dust had crept its way into Damon's nose, and its effects had just caught up with him.
"What…" Stefan froze, his eyes following Aiken's departing figure. Emotions warred inside him—fear, uncertainty, the haunting realization of just how much stronger Aiken was becoming with each passing day.
Aiken didn't look back. His footsteps faded into the night, leaving behind an unconscious Caroline, a weakened Damon, and a Stefan who suddenly felt powerless.
...
Inside the manor, Elizabeth sat very awkwardly next to Bonnie.
"Elizabeth… why don't you just return dancing with me while we wait for Aiken?" Bonnie asked, with a soft smile.
"N-No, thanks…" Elizabeth stammered, trying to avoid her gaze. "I'm not feeling that… well…"
Bonnie leaned closer, tilting her head with curiosity. "Really? You do seem a bit red now that I look at you…" She raised her hand, gently moving it toward Elizabeth's forehead.
"Ah… Bonnie, that's not n-necessary…" Elizabeth tried to stop her, but in that moment, Bonnie lost her balance slightly and fell onto her. Their lips met unexpectedly.
Both girls froze, and their faces turned bright red.
At that exact moment, Aiken arrived.
Elizabeth and Bonnie immediately separated, eyes wide. Their hearts were racing, and then they saw him—Aiken—standing there, dumbfounded.
"A-Aiken… it's not what it seems… it was just an accident…" Bonnie began, her voice flustered.
Elizabeth's blush deepened, more awkward than ever. First, he had heard them… doing that, and now this… she felt like she might pass out.
Aiken let out a soft chuckle. "I didn't know you also liked girls."
"No, I…" Bonnie started quickly.
"Are you sure?" Aiken teased, a glint in his eyes. "You seemed to enjoy that a bit too much."
Bonnie caught his teasing and shot back with a sly smirk. "After what you've given me earlier, I don't think I am able to get enjoyment from something like this…"
"Oh—" Aiken was about to say something else when Elizabeth quietly interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That… was my first kiss…"
Bonnie turned to her, flabbergasted. "Huh?"
To be continued...
***
***
How was this chapter? Liked it?
Sorry if the chapter is a bit short, I really didn't have that much time today because of personal matters, so excuse me a bit.
Also, did the chapter seem a bit rushed? Like with the Damon vs Aiken part? Like Aiken got hella stronger after Chicago, but I don't know...