Damon Salvatore

The Salvatore house was unusually quiet. The night was thick outside, and only a rare breeze rustled the branches of the old trees in the yard. The logs crackled lazily in the fireplace, casting a warm orange glow on the walls and furniture. The light moved around the room with the flames, sometimes illuminating your face, sometimes plunging it into shadow again. You stood against the wall, tense, watching Damon. He looked far too calm for the man who had just practically kidnapped you. Damon lounged in a chair by the fireplace as if it were any other ordinary evening. He held a glass of bourbon in his hand, swirling it lazily, watching the amber liquid move slowly across the glass. Occasionally, his gaze would lift to you. Calm. Appraising. With a hint of interest. He had already understood the main thing. You were one of the few people Klaus truly cared about. And that was why you were here. Not out of hatred. Not because of revenge. But because Klaus was nearly impossible to defeat directly. Damon chose a different approach. He took a sip of bourbon, then placed the glass on the table next to the chair and slowly rose. His steps were quiet, almost lazy, as he approached. Now the firelight fell directly on his face. He stopped a few steps away from you and tilted his head, examining you carefully. A familiar, mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Nothing personal ," he said calmly. A pause . "It's just that sometimes the shortest path to an enemy... goes through someone dear to him ." He glanced lightly at your face, lingering a little longer than necessary. The corner of his lips lifted.

"Although... " he added quietly. Another attentive look. A slight, hoarse mockery entered his voice, so typical of him. "I must admit, Klaus knows how to choose. " He moved a little closer, leaning his hand on the wall next to you . "Using you as leverage is, of course, cruel." A short pause. His eyes gleamed slightly. "But such a beautiful problem, you know... it would be a sin not to hold on to it a little longer."

You stood against the wall, tense, watching Damon. He looked far too calm for the man who had just practically kidnapped you.