[*Chapter Twenty-Nine*]

*Updated Chapter*

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Worries plagued Stefan's mind as he hastily sped towards the Boarding House. What would Damon do? Would he listen or slam the door in his face and tell him to do one? One thing is, though, Stefan was dreading letting Darcy's name slip through his lips. To hell with it, he thought as he rushed into the lounge.

"Anna took Elena and Darcy!" Stefan exclaimed.

Damon stood over at the bar with his back facing Stefan as his hands clenched around the tumbler of Bourbon, "Yeah, I got that from your 600 voicemails." Damon said as he walked over to his armchair and sat down.

"Damon, all night long, every single street in town, I've been searching. What if your blood hasn't passed out of her system?" Stefan asked, his face creasing with concern.

Damon shrugged and sipped his drink, "Well, then at least you know you'll see her again."

Stefan walked a few steps forward, "Damon, please. What about Darcy? She has not been seen since I sent her out to search for you to tell you about Anna and Pearl. She could be hurt too, don't you care?"

Damon was up on his feet in a blur, and Stefan had no time to prepare as his back met with the wall. He coughed and spluttered as Damon's hands crushed his windpipe, "Don't you ever question my care for Darcy! While you were searching for your traitorous girlfriend, I was out looking for Darcy. Because I knew someone could not just disappear into thin air. Not Darcy."

Stefan knew by the rage burning in Damon's eye, he went too far, but he needed an extra push to get a reaction, and he got it. "O-Okay, I'm sorry," he choked as he clawed at Damon's crushing grip.

Damon relented, his slipping away as he turned his back onto Stefan and stared into the roaring flames of the fire. His mind running a hundred miles per hour, where is she? Where's Darcy? What if she is hurt, or worse, dead? He could not imagine a world without Darcy in it, even though they are just friends. He somehow feels lighter with her around. Without her, the darkness is already crawling back in.

Stefan tried again, "please. What do you know? You were with Anna. You must know where she is living. Just tell me, and I can find them." When all he got was silence, he tried a different tactic. "You know, all I can remember is hating you. There might have been a time when that was different, but your choices have erased anything good about you. But then Darcy came along and made me see everything in a different light. I know that you just as much reason to hate me. This all began with me, and then Katherine got taken away from you because of me. I'm sorry."

Damon kept his back turned and downed his Bourbon. "Apology accepted."

"So please, just tell me what you know. It is Darcy and Elena, Damon. If you know something, tell me." Stefan implored, hoping he would relent.

Damon sighed, slamming the glass down on the bar and spun on his heels, his gaze a burning inferno, "I'll continue to search for Darcy because I care. As for Elena. I mean this sincerely. I hope she dies."

Stefan stared back in shock, which slipped away into anger. He fled the room in a rage, slamming the door behind him, leaving Damon staring into the place he just stood. He shrugged, "Truth hurts." He mumbled, his thoughts returning to the hunter as he picked up his leather jacket and slipped his arms through the sleeves. "Now to find my huntress."

***

The ebony-haired girl let out a grunt as she struggled to peel open her eyelids, only to be blinded by the bright light illuminating the tiny bathroom. Squeezing one eye tight, she stared up at the dingy ceiling and blew out a sharp breath and promptly gasped, followed by a harsh cough. She rolled onto her side and punched the sticky floor, hoping to relieve the pain that shot at her ribs. She would hate to look at herself right now, knowing she looked like she had been run over and then attached by a rabid dog. Her head throbbed from smacking off the road when she skidded off her bike, and her ribs felt like someone kicked at them relentlessly. Her shoulders and arms stung like a bitch from the numerous helpings from Ben sinking his lecherous vangs into her blood flowing veins. Though they have started to scab over, they still hurt, nonetheless.

She cursed all the vampires' existence and pondered what her life had become when the door burst open, and Elena flew into the bathroom. That got her up on her feet and pulling her sister behind her in case Ben tried anything. Darcy will not allow Elena or Bonnie to get hurt, and that's why Bonnie is currently sleeping in the bath unharmed because Darcy refused Anna or Ben to harm a hair on the witch's head.

"Why the hell is Elena here? Is having Bonnie and me not enough?" she glared up at Ben, holding herself back from attacking the vampire. She needs to keep a rational head and not get them all killed.

Ben let out a chuckle as he peered down at the persistent Protectress. Even after almost draining her of blood and feeding his own just so she can heal and he could repeat the process, she was still standing tall. He admired her strength and protective nature. An average human would have given up or would have died. But not Darcy. She is something else entirely.

"Two for the price of one," he said before he closed and locked the door.

Darcy let out an angered yell and kicked the door. She almost didn't hear Elena' shocked gasp through the red haze.

"Omg, Darcy!" Elena exclaimed in disbelief and worry.

Darcy sighed and pushed her hair out of her face, turning to face Elena, causing her to gasp again. The doppelganger ran her gaze over the ebony head and gulped hard, seeing the dried blood that ran down the side of her face, torn and bloody clothes, and the bites littered over her bare arms.

"What did they do to you?" she trembled and went to reach out to touch her sister, only for her to step away and move towards the bath. Darcy did not want to be touched right now, not when she was pissed and could lash out. Not only that, but she also believes that they would not be in this mess if Elena, Stefan, and Damon were not hell-bent on fighting over the tomb. Now Bonnie and Darcy have been caught in the crossfire, and to hell, would she allow the Bennet witch to get hurt. That will not happen with the Protectress around. She will not let it, not when she is one of her protectors.

That is when Elena noticed Bonnie in the bath and ran over, only for Darcy to block her path. "She's fine. They didn't touch her."

"But she's not awake." Elena protested, trying to step around Darcy, but kept getting pushed back every time she got too close.

"Bonnie is fine. She's asleep."

Elena stared at her sister, wondering why she is acting so strangely. "Let me check, please. I need to know she's okay."

Elena's brow raised as Darcy exhaled, then glanced over her shoulder at the witch and back at Elena. She shook her head as if determining it was safe and stepped aside, but not too far so she could interfere if she needed. Elena moved forward, about to extend her hands and shake Bonnie but stopped when her friend let out a moan and slowly opened her eyes, which darted to Darcy, the Gilbert watched as she seemingly let out a breath of relief before they widened and sat up abruptly.

"Oh, you're okay!" Elena said, sighing in relief.

Bonnie's hands clasped her head as she let out a pained groan, "Ugh, my head." Darcy moved closer, sweeping Bonnie's hair aside to inspect the girl's face and head. Her eyes passed over, and concluded she was okay. Darcy helped the young witch out of the bath. Although Darcy already knew, she felt the need to inform Elena. "Ben, he, he's a-."

Elena put her finger to her mouth, motioning her to be quiet, "Shh. They can hear." she mimed as she turned on the sink taps.

"I was so stupid!" Bonnies features screwed up as Darcy helped her to her feet and rubbed her back in soothing circles.

"Hey! We spoke about this. You were not to know. It's not your fault, okay?" her voice was soft yet so clear that Bonnie felt her eyes well up in tears as she gazed at Darcy's bruised self.

"How can you say that? Look at you! At what they did to you." She exclaimed, upset.

"Shh. I am fine. Come here." Darcy drew her into a hug and placed her chin on the witch's head. "I'll always protect you, as well as the others. No one will hurt you when I am around. I promise. If this situation repeated itself, I would do it ten times and over again."

"Darcy." Elena protested.

"Shut up, Elena. I know what you're going to say, and I don't want to hear it."

Elena chooses wisely and shut her mouth, knowing Darcy was right. No matter what, she will always protect those she loves. Family or not, if you have a place in her heart. She will fight to her death for you. And that is what scares Elena. She honestly would not be able to cope if that thought came true. Not just her, but everyone would lose a piece of themselves if they lost Darcy. The middle Gilbert swallowed and nodded, joining the two in the hug.

Bonnie pulled away first, her gaze switching between her friends. "What's going on? Why are we here?"

"It must have something to with the tomb and Emily's spellbook." Elena breathed, feeling guilty.

"Spellbook?" Bonnie repeated.

"Damon and Stefan said that it could be used to open the tomb," Darcy explained as she sat on the edge of the bath.

Bonnie's features creased with perplexingness as she shook her head, "Why didn't I know about any of this?"

Darcy shot her glare at Elena, telling her she can explain. She was totally against the idea, wanting the witch in no way mixed up in their plans. Yes, she told Bonnie the truth about the Salvatore's being vampires, but that was for her safety. This, this is something else entirely.

Elena sighed a ran her hands through her hair. "I was trying to keep you out of it, hoping it would never come to this."

"Come to what?" Bonnie asked, getting impatient.

"They need a witch... To break open the spell and let the vampires out."

Bonnie scoffed, shaking her head. "No way."

"I know-." Elena got interrupted when the door banged open, revealing a smug Ben. Darcy shot up and pushed the girls behind her. Her glare fierce, piercing through his soul. A cold shiver swept across his spine.

"You're wasting your time. I'm not going to help you." Bonnie's voice broke their intense lockdown as she attempted to move around her frame, only for her to turn her burning glare onto Bonnie and freeze her in her spot.

"That's why they are here." He said and took his chance in snatching up Elena and held her by her throat. Darcy went to make a move forward, only for him to push her back with his free hand. He tutted. "This is a motivation for you to behave. You know, you should have learnt your lesson by now. Or do I need to refresh your memory with another bite?" he flashed his fangs as he shoved Elena into the bedroom. Darcy attempted to follow, yet to have the door slam in her face. She yelled and banged on the door.

"I swear. You hurt Elena. You're going to wish you were dead. And this time for real. No coming back from the dead. Your un-beating heart will be in my hands!"

Ben shivered from the promise lacing Darcy's words. He did not doubt for a second her words was not a threat. He shot Elena a look as she also cast a fearful glance at the bathroom door. "I don't want to be you when she gets her hands on you once she's free."

He gulped as the door to the motel slammed shut.

"Elena Gilbert. You really are Katherine's doppelganger. You must have the Salvatore boys reeling." Anna said. "Or is that Darcy?" She finished with a smirk.

"Who are you?" Elena asked uncomfortably.

The vampire raised her voice enough all could hear. "I'm Anna. Your brother may have mentioned me. I mean, we're like practically dating."

A loud bang sounded from the bathroom, followed by a furious yell. "In your dreams, you bitch!"

"Quite a foul mouth the huntress has, hasn't she?" Anna tutted with a toss of her head.

***

Damon knocked on the door and then crossed his arms as he waited.

"Yes?" Sheila Bennet asked as she opened the door.

"Hi there. I'm looking for Bonnie."

"She's not here."

"Oh, do you know when she would be-."

"Never." She said, interjecting him off.

Damon let out a chuckle, "You have quite an opinion for someone who doesn't know me." He said with a sarcastic smile.

Sheila passed her own smirk, "You got some nerve knocking on a Bennett witch's door and asking her for anything."

"What did I do?" He shrugged innocently.

"Spirits talk, Mr Salvatore, and so does my granddaughter. You are no friend to us. Now I suggest you keep yourself and Darcella away from Bonnie and get off my porch."

Damon's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. "Step outside and say that."

Sheila takes a step outside and waves her hand, causing Damon to yell, doubling over and grip his head.

"I am not Bonnie. You don't want to mess with me." She said as she made her way back inside her house and then paused when Damon called out.

"Wait!" He waited until she turned around, "You said, Darcy. What did you mean? I thought she and Bonnie were friends?"

"They are. But the girl is riddled with darkness. Not as such as her, but as in those on the other side. Darcy may protect her with all her being, but they will not. Not if Darcella walks into danger. They protect their own."

Damon stood perplexed. Who were they? The other side?

"Who are they? Can you at least tell me if Darcy's in danger?"

Sheila smiled. "She's caught your heart, hasn't she? I don't blame you Darcella is a remarkable young lady. But Mr Salvatore, she's plagued with dark magic. A curse"

Damon's jaw dropped in shock. "As in a witch? A curse?"

"I can't say. All I know if they catch wind she's alive, then trouble will come."

"Is she in danger?" Worries hounded his mind of the possibilities, but most of all, who were they? Is Darcy safe?

Sheila shook her head with a sad smile. "I can't say. All I know is that with their history... They will do anything to get the reborn back. I can't have Bonnie caught in the middle. I hope you understand."

Sheila headed inside and shut the door, leaving Damon standing on the porch, feeling conflicted. The girl his feelings are growing for could be in trouble, yet what worries him the most is that he doesn't know how.

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1.2 coming next. Be warned, it's a tear-jerker! 🥺♥️