[*Chapter Thirty*]

Apologies for the tear-jerker at the end. You've been warned. <3

-

Anna had got fed up with Darcy shouting abuse and banging on the door and now had her sitting on the bed next to Elena.

"Now, are you going to be a good girl and behave?"

Darcy let out a boisterous laugh, "Oh, sweetie. I'm anything but good."

Anna shot her glare, to which Darcy blew her kiss and a mocking wave.

Elena elbowed her to behave. "Bonnie's not going to open the tomb."

"Oh, I think she will."

"Do you really want Katherine out that bad?"

"Elena, no one wants that bitch out that bad." Darcy butted in, in a bored tone.

Anna nodded in confirmation. "Trust me, no one I know wants to see that girl again. Except for Damon. No, actually, I don't think he even does." She glanced at Darcy, "I think he's finally moved on. Although, I do feel sorry for them."

Darcy raised a curious brow, "Then who is it? I mean, you can't be going to all this effort for no one special."

Anna looked down for a moment, sadness colouring her face. "My mother is in there. Katherine couldn't help herself. She just had to toy around with both of the Salvatore brothers, and when she got caught, so did my mother. I watched as Jonathan Gilbert took her away."

The Protectress gazed at the vampire. Though she could understand why she's going to such lengths, that doesn't make all she's done is okay. Because it's not, there are other ways and measures to get your way.

"I'm sorry," Elena said sympathetically.

"You really mean that, don't you? Yeah, I think we'll skip the dead mum bonding, so you can start serving a purpose."

Darcy and Elena looked at each other, "Which is what?" they asked in sync.

"Leverage. This belong to you?" Anna asked as she pulled out Elena's phone. She went to reach for it, but Anna moved it away and clicked a few buttons, puts it on loudspeaker, and then hits dial.

"Elena, are you okay?" Stefan's voice filtered through the device, causing Darcy to sit up straighter from her reclined position.

"She's fine. Not sure about Darcy. Tell me you have the Grimoire."

"Dar- I can get it."

"Which means your brother has it, and I have the witch and your little huntress. So one of you had better meet me in the very public town square in thirty minutes, so we can safely discuss how fun it's going to be working together." Anna chirped as she hung up.

She walked over to the bathroom door and knocked. "I'm leaving." She said as Ben opened the door and began to drag Bonnie into the bedroom.

"Get your filthy leech hands off of her." Darcy gritted as she leapt up, snatched the witch out of his arms, and pushed her over to Elena. She stared Anna down, daring her to do something; her blood burned as she watched the female vampires lips twitch in a smirk.

"Keep them buttoned down. Compulsion won't work," Her gaze remained locked on the huntress as she left the motel. "Just use violence." Darcy went for her, only to be thrown on the bed by Ben.

"You need to stop tossing me around like I'm a damn doll!" She went to get back up, thankfully Bonnie and Elena held her back.

"Darcy! Stop. Think carefully. Anna's just messing with you." Bonnie soothed as she wrapped the girl in her arms.

"Just wait. I'm going to look forward to when they are both grey and shrivelling with veins."

She sat down on the edge of the bed, making sure Bonnie and Elena were behind her. She didn't trust Ben for one second as he smirked and sat on the chair. He turned his gaze to the witch. "You're the key to this. Literally. The one who opens the door. Tell me, how long have you been a witch?"

Elena chose that moment to divert the questioning. "Is there anything to drink here?"

Ben flashed his fangs, "Are you offering?" he asked as she tensed up. "There's water on the nightstand." He continued as Elena wavered to walk over to it.

Picking up the glass, she turns to take a sip when Bonnie grabbed her attention. Darcy and the witch exchanged glances; the hunter nodded, knowing something was about to go down and had her back. "Hey, can I have a sip?" she asked, peering up at Elena.

Elena sighs, looking been the duo, but then realises what Bonnie was planning, with Darcy's silent nod. She reluctantly gave her the glass.

"Ahh!" Ben exclaimed as Bonnie threw the water at him, then all of a sudden, the water turned into fire, making Ben drop and roll. Darcy shoved Elena to the door so she could make a run for it. She intercepted Ben and threw herself on top of him, both of them rolling around on the floor, Darcy yelling as flames licked at her bare arms. Bonnie panicked and ran to the door behind Elena and distinguished the fire, causing Ben to disentangle them and grab hold of Elena and throw her on to the bed.

"Come back in, shut the door!" He yelled as Bonnie reluctantly came back and shut the door, locking it behind her.

Darcy picked herself off the floor and rubbed at the slight burns on her arms; Bonnie shot her an apologetic look, which she waved off.

"Don't hurt them!" Elena cried to Ben in distress.

"Don't make me."

Once the trio sat back down on the bed, the vampire crossed the room and took his previous seat. "Witches don't have eternal life. So you guys can die."

Darcy rubbed her hand up and down Bonnie's back as she gazed at the floor sadly, "Yeah, we can die." She whispers.

Ben laughed, thinking the situation was highly amusing. "Ah, that sucks." Then promptly starting coughing and retching, the girls watched, feeling sick to their stomachs as a black substance spewed from his mouth. Just as he dropped to the floor, the door busted open, and Stefan walked in.

Bonnie and Elena wasted no time in fleeing the room. Darcy held back and walked over to the vampire on the floor and peered down at him smugly. She watched, amused as black veins began forming on his wrist and twisted up his arms. She kicked him in the stomach and groin for extra measure for the pain he put them through. "Karma's a bitch. This is what you get for messing with the wrong girl. I hope you rot in hell, you bastard." She turned to Stefan and shot him a dirty look before walking out of the motel. "He's all yours."

Stefan sighed, knowing he's in her bad books and would be for a while, then walked over to the vampire. His brows furrowed at the black veins and the puddle of black substance surrounding the vampire that oddly looked like blood. "When the sun goes down, leave town. If I ever see you again, I will kill you." He then walked out, leaving the door wide open.

***

Darcy, Bonnie and Elena sat around Sheila Bennet's dinner table. The older witch set down a cup of tea in front of Bonnie.

"How did you know where we were?" Bonnie asked as she lifted her gaze from the table.

"Many things can fuel a witch's power; worry, anger. After Stefan told me they had taken you, I had both. A simple locator spell was easy after that."

Darcy felt the need to apologise. After all, it was her and Elena's fault for dragging their friend into the mess. "I'm sorry for all of this. I tried my best to keep Bonnie out of this. I didn't want this for her."

Sheila set down her cup and grabbed Darcy's hand. "I know, child, and I'm thankful Bonnie has a friend like you." Just holding the young girl's hand, Sheila could feel the darkness tainting her, not so her, but the aura around her. She's highly protected, and rightfully so, for who she truly is.

Elena broke the moment, not liking the way the witch was analysing her sister. "So what do we do now?"

Stefan happened to walk through the door at that moment, "For now, you both need to stay here." He said, his watchful eye moving between the sisters.

Darcy scoffed and stood, looking at the vampire. "If you think after all the trouble you've caused. Am I just going to sit back and let you go on your merry way? Dream on Stefan. If you and Elena didn't go behind Damon's back, none of this would have happened."

A hurtful look washed over Stefan's face at her words because she was right; none of this would have happened if they just gave Damon what he wanted. And now, Darcy was looking battered and bruised because they meddled. And he would hate to see how Damon would react when he sees Darcy.

"A prisoner in my own home? I don't think so." Grams spoke up, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"I can't protect you if you leave the house," Stefan said.

She scoffed, "We'll protect ourselves."

"We need to let him have Katherine back. He's not going to stop until he gets her. If we help him, maybe that ends it." Elena cut in, causing Darcy to let out a sarcastic chuckle.

"Oh, now you agree, huh? How hard was that? Seriously if you just had given him what he wanted, none of this would have happened. You only have yourselves to blame."

"Darcy, we get you've grown close with Damon, but that doesn't excuse what he's done," Elena added spitefully.

"It's not about that! It's about, sorry, Grams. How would you feel if your emotions were manipulated? Yes, Stefan was compelled. Damon wasn't. He's been trapped with those for 150 years; he needs closure." She sat back in her seat and crossed her arms. "You know? I wouldn't put it past her if she weren't in that tomb."

"What do you mean?" Stefan asked curiously, wanting to see where her mind was getting at.

"From what I've gathered, Katherine is a manipulative and a cunning two-timing bitch. For all she's done, the pain, the drama. I wouldn't put it past her if she weren't in there."

Stefan stared at her and slowly nodded, processing the information. She's right, but he has also seen her go in, and he prays that's not the case because the destruction Damon could cause would be terrifying.

"He doesn't deserve to get what he wants!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"What other choice do we have?" Elena asked doubtfully.

Sheila released a large sigh, "witches being pulled down by vampire problems, As much as we tried to do to stay out of it. I'll open the tomb. You get your brother's girl and destroy the rest with fire. Then this will all be over."

"We still have to get Damon to agree." Stefan pointed out.

Elena shrugged, "He already agreed once."

"Yeah, and then we double-crossed him. So now he's angry." Stefan added unhelpfully.

Darcy clapped her hands, gaining the table-goers attention, "Well, looks like I have to work my Darcy magic then, huh?" she stood up and headed to the door, Stefan following behind.

"Darce." He called to her retreating form as she walked down the garden path, and when she paused, Stefan closed the remaining distance, placing his palm on her shoulder, causing her to unintentionally tense at his touch. She turned and peered up into his green eyes, his hand slipping away in the process.

"I just want you to know I'm sorry. You wouldn't hadn't had to through this torture if it wasn't for me stabbing Damon in the back." He mumbled, his gaze dropping to the grass between their feet. He can't stand seeing the leftover blood stains marking her skin and torn clothes; even though the bites had healed since Ben had fed her his blood, the remains to the eye, shown what torment she had endured. He was fully aware this is his and his brother's fault, and the guilt that riddled his insides were eating away at him. "You don't have to do this. Get Damon to help us. I understand."

"No, Stefan. That's where you're wrong. I made a promise that I would stick by his side and help get into that tomb. And you know what? I don't break my promises. I stick to them. Even though my gut tells me she's not going to be there. I will still be there as his friend. So now I'm going to go to your brother and stick to that," She poked him in the chest and waited until they regained eye contact to continue, "Just like you should have done, being his family and all." Darcy sent him a disappointed glance that felt like it shot at his dead heart, then turned on heels and walked away, leaving him gazing sadly they the spot she had just resided.

***

Damon was in the parlour gazing into the roaring fire as he sipped his Bourbon when the front door opened. "I'm going to have to change the locks. Back so soon?" He said sarcastically, thinking it was Stefan back. If he inhaled rather than continued drinking, he could have recognised the familiar fragrance.

"Then how would I grace you with my beautiful face?"

The glass slipped from his hands, smashing on the carpeted floor as he spun around. His eyes widened in surprise seeing Darcy in the flesh, then narrowed in anger at her wretched state. "I'm going to kill them!"

"You should see them." Darcy played off with a smirk, not wanting to admit that the ordeal had affected her, but she won't ever confess that.

"How can you joke around? You look like you've been shoved through a shredder and been spat back out!" Damon said as he stood in front of her, his gaze still assessing her frame.

"I'm fine. I'm not here about that. I'm sorry you never got the Grimoire. I managed to convince Bonnie and Sheila to open the tomb."

Damon scoffed disbelievingly. "I doubt that."

"Look, I know Stefan and Elena went behind your back and broken your trust. But I'm standing here right now, telling you, you can trust me. Please, Damon, let me help you."

Damon shook his head and turned his back to her. "Not interested."

"Oh, stop sulking like a big baby!"

He spun back around and glared, "I'm not! I'm rightful to reject their services when they stabbed me in the back!"

Darcy made a face, mocking him and throwing her arms out." Yes, you are! Look at you throwing a tantrum. See? You're even pouting like a child."

Damon proved her point when he let out a frustrated yell. "Not happening!"

She let out a groan, "You was willing to work with them yesterday."

"Fool me once. Shame on you." He said as he walked back over to the bar and poured himself another drink. Darcy followed behind.

"Remember when I said I'm your friend and that I would help you, no matter if things backfire?" Damon hummed. "I meant that. I won't break my promise. You can trust me, Damon."

He sighed, setting down the glass and turned around, making them a few inches apart. "I wish I could believe you."

She peered up at him, flashing him a reassuring smile. "You can, Damon. I won't break your trust."

"Nobody will stop me, no matter what I do?" He asked, seeking clarification.

"They'll have to get through me first," she said, shooting him a grin.

Damon stared at her silently, his eyes roaming around her face for any deceit. "Don't make me regret this."

***

"I cleared the debris away and set the torches as you asked. We can get down now," Stefan said as he walked up the steps from the tomb and walked over to Sheila.

"What is that?" Bonnie asked, motioning towards a large silver tank lying on the ground.

"It's everything I need to destroy." He declared.

"Are you sure Damon will come back with Darcy?" Sheila asked as a whistle sounds behind them. They turned to see Damon and Darcy walk into the tomb.

Elena let out a breath of relief as Darcy stood beside her and gripped her hand. The Protectress flashed her a smile, letting her know everything was okay.

Stefan moved closer to the pair, looking over the ebony head, "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Let get a move on, shall we?" Darcy said, glancing over at the witches.

"I guess so," Bonnie replied as they all approached the entrance.

The older Bennett witch approached the three torches. Approaching the first, she held up a lighter above and set it alight. "Air." She proceeds the same with the second and third, following with "Earth and Fire." she turns to Bonnie as she holds up a container. "Water." Bonnie pours the water.

"That's it, just water from the tap?" Elena asks cluelessly.

Darcy and Sheila chuckle. "As opposed to what?" the witch answers.

Elena shrugged sheepishly, "I just figured it would have been blessed, mystical or something." She said as Stefan wrapped his arms around her when Darcy moved closer to Damon as he stood at the entrance.

"What's that?" Stefan asked as he noticed Damon pulling out a blood bag.

"It's for Katherine. Gotta have something to get her going." He smirked at him, "Unless your girl's offering a vein to tap." Darcy nudged him. "Admit it. You can't wait to get rid of me."

Stefan nodded with his own smirk. "I can't wait to get rid of you."

"Oww!" They exclaimed as Darcy slapped them both on the back of their heads. "Okay, time to behave, children!"

Elena shushed them as Grams and Bonnie started to chant. Damon looked at Darcy and Stefan. "What is that?"

Darcy shrugged. "Foreign language to me."

"It sounds like Latin," Stefan said.

"I don't think it's Latin," Elena whispered.

As they continued to observe, loud creaking rang as the walls began to move. "What's happening?" Elena asked. Feeling unsettled, she moved closer to Darcy.

"It worked!" Bonnie exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Grams.

"Of course, it worked." She said with a smile.

Damon glanced at Stefan, "Don't you have some fires to build?" he asked, obviously wanted to get rid of him.

Stefan nodded as he left. "I'm going to get the gasoline. I'll be right back," not before squeezing Darcy's shoulder and kissing the top of Elena's head.

Once Stefan left, Damon looked at Elena. "You ready?" he asked.

"What?" she panicked.

"You think I'm going to go in there by myself, so you seal me in?" he said as he grabbed Elena's arms and pulled her to him.

"Damon, don't you dare." Darcy protested, removing his hold off Elena and pushing her over to Bonnie and Grams. "She's not going in there."

"I'll bring the walls down." Sheila threatened.

"You'll bring the walls down if I don't. You think I trust you?" Damon scoffed."

"As much as I trust you." The witch replied, her gaze fierce.

"Take me, not her." Darcy declared confidently.

"What, no!" The three females protested.

Darcy turned to them. "Look, I promised he could trust me, and I won't break that. I'll go on with him."

"No! You're staying, child. You can't go in there." Sheila exclaimed, pulling the girl closer to her.

"But-."

"Enough! All of you. Look, he needs leverage. He needs to know that you're not going to shut the door when he gets inside. I get it. I'll go."

"Elena, no!" Darcy exclaimed, not wanting her to go in there and possibly get feasted on by a hungry vampire.

Elena walked over to Darcy and hugged her. "It's fine. I'll be okay. I know you all will get me out if anything happens."

Darcy sighed and rubbed at her face, then pierced her glare at Damon. "Don't hurt her."

Damon stared back and nodded before snatching the flashlight from Bonnie and walking into the tomb. Elena hesitantly trailed behind him.

Darcy felt a tug in her stomach. A familiar tug when something's going to go wrong. She sighed and leant against the wall, brushing her long strand from her face. Her instincts lead her there and snatch Elena away. She hates not being able to do anything. What if something happens? Her thoughts are interrupted as Bonnie spoke up.

"Hey, you're not going in there." She says as Anna walks down the steps causing Darcy to step away from the wall and block her path.

"You think you can stop me?" Anna asks.

"No, but I can." Darcy gritted her teeth, staring down at the short vampire.

"Bonnie. Darcy." Grams says as she allows Anna to take a flashlight and walks into the tomb.

"Sheila, I love you, but why would you do that?" Darcy asked as Bonnie cried.

"Why did you let her in?!" while looking at Grams.

The older witch sighed, glancing at the Protectress. "Because she's not coming out, baby. None of them are."

"What! What do you mean, they are not coming out?" Darcy exclaimed as panic took over.

Just then, Stefan rushes down the stairs. He analyses the tense situation. "What happened? Where's Elena?"

Darcy ignored him, preserving her stare locked on Sheila.

"Damon took her inside. Darcy tried stopping him, but Elena insisted she'll go in with him." Bonnie said while her gaze darted from Darcy's tensed body over to Stefan's alarmed.

"What?!" he yelled and ran to the entrance of the tomb. But Darcy jumped in front of him and placed her hands on his chest, halting him.

"Stefan! If you go in there, you won't come out." She stated.

Stefan looked at Sheila, anger clouding his features. "What did you do?"

"Opening the door didn't remove the seal. It just opened the door." She said.

Darcy and Stefan glanced at each other, both wondering the same thing. "What's the seal?"

"Some seals keep vampires from entering. This one keeps them from coming out."

"But, what about Elena? Will she be trapped in there too?" Darcy asked, feeling the worry start to consume her. Her body subconsciously edged closer to the door.

Stefan placed his hands on her shoulders, hoping to reassure her for them both. "Elena's human. She can leave. Anna and Katherine can't. Damon can't. You weren't even planning on breaking the spell, were you?"

"I told you. I will protect my own. Elena can get out. That's all that matters." Sheila said.

Just then, a pained scream echoed throughout the tomb. Stefan wasted no time in pushing Darcy aside and running inside.

"Elena. Stefan. No!" Darcy yelled, jumping up and went running inside, but a hand halted her. She snapped her alarmed gaze to Sheila.

"Darcella! You can't go in there. You won't come back out!" Sheila cried.

"If you haven't noticed. I'm human, now get out of my way!" She yelled, pushing off her arm and running inside.

"Darcy! Grams! What did you mean? She's not coming back out! We can't just leave them in there." Bonnie cried, attempting to follow her best friend.

Sheila stopped her. "Stefan made his choice!" Gram exclaimed.

"But what about Darcy? She's coming back out, right?" her lip trembled.

"I'm sorry, baby. I can't say."

"No, why! Why would you do this? She's human, Grams!" Bonnie says, picking up the Grimoire and shoving it at Sheila. "Just tell me what to do. I'll do it. Please." She wavered as tears threatened to spill.

"We are not strong enough. Even if we can bring down the seal, there's no guarantee that we can get it back up again." Grams said as she held Bonnie by the shoulders.

"You said it yourself...Many things can fuel a witch's power. Help me, or I'll do it alone!"

***

"Please don't. No!" Elena's cries bled through Darcy's ears as she ran blindly through the dark tomb.

"Elena!" She yelled as she followed the dim light up ahead.

"Let her go!" Stefan said as he grabbed Anna, and Darcy ripped Elena away and began pushing her towards the exit.

"I'm so sorry, Elena. I should have come instead of you," she mumbled apologetically as she cradled her in her arms. As she gets to the door, she pushes Elena outside. She went to follow, but an invisible barrier stopped her from passing through. "What the hell? Why can't I get out?" Darcy yelled, banging on the unseen seal.

"Darcy..." Elena cried, looking up at Bonnie. "What's happening? Why can't Darcy get out?"

Stefan appeared behind Darcy, he tried to push her through the door, but Darcy's body wouldn't move. He looked at her confused, then at Sheila. "What's happening? What can't Darcy get out? What did you!"

"I'm sorry, Darcy. I had no choice. You're a danger to Bonnie." Sheila said remorsefully.

"It's going to be okay. We'll fix it." Bonnie said determinedly as she hurriedly flicked through the Grimoire.

"Darcy. Stefan. Get out." Elena cried.

"We can't!" Darcy yelled, anxious still banging on the barrier.

"Can't? Can't what?" Elena asked, looking at the confused.

"The spells still up. We can't get them out. Yet."

Elena's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "You went in there not knowing if you could come back out?" she asks, then looks at her sister. "But, what about Darcy? She's human. Why can't she get out! Oh, my God!" she cried, covering her mouth as she began to cry, not able to comprehend the thought of her sister locked away in the tomb. She's human. She's certainly not a vampire. Then why is she locked away in there, like an animal?

Darcy gave up her useless attempt of escaping and turned to Stefan. "We can't leave Damon in here. I promised him I would be here no matter what happens. I won't break that promise, Stefan. You can get out, but I'm not leaving your brother behind." She said as she pushed past him and further into the tomb, searching for the raven-haired vampire, ignoring the cries of protests from her sister and Bonnie.

"Damon!" Darcy yelled as she moved further into the dark tomb, past the numerous vampires.

"Damon! We need to get you out of here. They never took the seal down. If we don't go now, you will be trapped inside." She said as she reached the end of the tomb.

She sighed sadly, seeing his distraught face, "Oh, Damon."

"She's not here."

"Darcy! Damon!" Stefan yelled as he ran into the room.

"She's not here." He says again.

"What?" Stefan asked, glancing at Darcy nervously.

They both jumped back as yelled, "She's not here!" and throws the blood bag at the wall, making blood splatter all around.

"Stefan, they can't hold it much longer!" Elena's voice cries echoed through the walls.

"Damon, we need to get you out of here," Stefan said.

Darcy watched as Damon stared down at her, looking as if he lost a part of himself. "It doesn't make sense. They locked her inside."

"We'll talk about it later, Damon. If we don't leave now, we will never get out." Darcy spoke softly as she approached him and wrapped her arms around his broad frame. She began to lead him to the entrance as Damon continued repeating himself.

"How could she not be in here?" he asked, looking over at Stefan feeling confused.

"It's not worth spending all of eternity down here! She's not worth it!" Stefan yelled, trying to make him see sense, which worked oppositely.

"No!" Damon yelled, pulling away from Darcy and shoving Stefan.

"Damon, stop! I'm sorry but, Katherine is not worth this agony over. She doesn't deserve your torment. She's not worth fighting over!" Darcy shouted, pushing them away from each other when they began to get heated.

His glare softened slightly at the upset expression lacing her face. "If we don't get out now. I won't ever see my family again. I don't know about you, but I have Jeremy, Elena, and Jenna, who need me. I have to be by their side. I can't be locked in here. So, please... Please can you see reason and come out?"

The brothers gazed at her, feeling ashamed of themselves. Here's them arguing when Darcy, who's being punished for something she is not aware of. They nodded and walked out of the tomb. Elena and Bonnie ran forward and embraced her, crying and clutching on strong, scared she could have lost her sister.

Darcy's gaze remained ahead, watching as Damon walked up the steps, dishearteningly as she stroked their backs. "Shh, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Bonnie pulled back, "How can you say that?" she cried, hating herself for being a part of all this.

"We thought we lost you!" Elena sniffled as Stefan wrapped his arms around you, peering down at the huntress, wondering how she can remain calm in all of this. How much can one person take before they blow up? Is this the calm before the storm?

Stefan opened his mouth to speak, but Darcy cut him off with her hand, "Can we not talk about this right now, please?" she insisted as they appeared outside. She watched as Damon had his head down, walking over to a tree. They nodded and observed over her as she made her way over to the vampire. Her heart went out to him when he peered down at her with sorrowful eyes.

"You was right. How?" His voice sounded hollow.

Darcy shook her head and hugged him, burying her head into the crook of his neck. She didn't want to say what she thought, in case it made everything worse. "I don't know, Damon. I'm not going to say sorry because that won't make things better, and I'm not going to say I know what you feel like right now." She pulled away, gazing into his emotionless face, "I don't. Just know, you're allowed to hurt, get things off of your chest. Do what you have to feel less pain, and know you've always got someone to vent to when you need to."

"Thank you." He whispered. Darcy smiled sadly and turned to leave, knowing he will need time to process everything.

***

She followed Bonnie back to Sheila's house, needing answers to why she felt the need to seal her away in the tomb. She's honestly hurt she would do this. Ahe always had the impression Sheila liked her and admired the girls caring nature towards her granddaughter. So why lock her away like a vicious animal? She's a mere human teenage girl.

Darcy arrived at Sheila's house after Elena went home to check in on Jeremy. She knocked on the door and smiled tiredly as Bonnie opened the door and let her in. "How's Grams?" she asked as the young witch lead them towards Gram's bedroom.

"She's tired. The spell took a lot out of her." Bonnie said, leading her inside the room, where Sheila laid back in bed, exhaustion washing over her body.

"You don't need to coddle me, baby." Grams spoke up in a weak tone.

"It was a big spell, Grams. I could tell it took a lot out of you."

"I'll be fine." She said, waving her off.

"I'm going to get her a drink," Bonnie said to Darcy as she left the room.

"Come here, child," Sheila said, patting the bed. Darcy complied and sat on the edge. She looked down as the witch placed her hands on top of hers. "I wanted to apologise for my actions. I was out of order and should not have done that. I was trying to protect my Bonnie."

Darcy smiled down at the older lady sadly. "I would never hurt Bonnie. I'll always protect her with all my being. Ever since the necklace and Emily, I've felt this undeniable urge to protect her. She will always be safe with me, Sheila."

"I know, child. I see that now. It's not you, but what surrounds that concerns me."

Darcy looked down at the increasingly frail witch with a frown. "I'm sorry? What do you mean?"

"Your aura, Darcella it tainted with darkness. You have a protector on the other side who has placed a powerful protection spell on you."

"Protection spell?" she repeated, bewildered.

"I can't say much. Yes, dark magic. You have a curse placed upon you, my child. Have you ever noticed anything strange when you have come to danger?"

Darcy stared down at the cream covers, a frown creasing her forehead, trying to recall anything. She picked her head up, a recent memory coming to the surface. "Yeah, Ben. The vampire. He bit and drank my blood. And then after he started coughing black blood, and had his veins turned black."

"You're protected, Darcy. Whoever has placed this on you is incredibly dark and powerful. T-the curse..." She coughs. Sheila holds both of her hands. "I don't have much time left. I need you to do me a favour, for me."

Darcy sniffs and wipes her face on her upper arm, "Of course, anything." She assures softly.

"Look after my Bonnie. Protect her and keep her safe. Don't let those Salvatores take advantage of her."

"I will keep Bonnie safe. I promise."

"Thank you. I have faith in you, child." She patted Darcy's hand softly before it stilled.

A tear trailed down Darcy's cheek as she watched Sheila Bennett take her last breath. Her breath quivered before it shook with sobs. "Bonnie! Bonnie!" She let out a loud cry as she heard Bonnie run into the room.

"What's wrong?" Bonnie asked, her gaze roaming Darcy's tear-stained face.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, B-Bonnie."

"What? Why?" She stopped speaking as her gaze landed on Grams, appearing to be sleeping.

No, she mumbled as she approached the bed and placed her hands on Grams's shoulders. "Grams. Grams?" She shook her shoulders, "Grams, wake up!" Bonnie cried when she didn't respond. She looked up at Darcy and shook her head, "No, no, no. She can't be gone!" Her legs gave out as she dropped to the floor, causing Darcy to kneel beside her and wrap her arms around the girl.

"Shh, Shh." She spoke through her loud sniffles."

"No! I can fix this!" She yelled as she thrashed in her arms, attempting to get her Grimoire.

"Bonnie! Don't do this to yourself. She's gone, sweetheart. She's gone."

Bonnie stopped fighting, looking up through her glossy eyes. She shook her head. "S-She can't be gone. Not Grams."

"I know. I'm sorry, Bon. I'm sorry." They both stayed on the floor, wrapped in each other arms, feeling as if their hearts had shattered.

~

Poor Bonnie and Darcy 💔😢

~