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❧ perfume and tea ❧

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The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Katherine's bed and breakfast room, casting a golden glow over the space. The sheets were tangled, half-pulled from the bed, and the room was filled with the sound of low murmurs and muffled laughter. Katherine was in bed with Mason, their bodies intertwined as they kissed, their movements slow as they reveled in each other's presence.

Mason's hand slid along Katherine's bare back, his lips trailing down her neck. She smirked, letting out a low chuckle as she pulled him closer, her dark hair fanning out on the pillow beneath her. Everything felt electric between them—charged, heated.

And then the door connected Katherine's room to the next one creaked open.

"Must you do this so early in the morning?" Came a dry, familiar voice.

Mason jolted, immediately pulling away from Katherine in shock, his heart pounding as he turned to face Amalie, eyes wide. "What the hell?"

Katherine, on the other hand, didn't even flinch. She let out an annoyed sigh, rolling her eyes before turning her head to lazily glance at Amalie. "Really, Amalie?" She drew, her voice laced with irritation. "Is this your version of knocking?"

Amalie's lips curved into a slow smirk, clearly enjoying Mason's startled reaction. "The door was unlocked," she said innocently, gesturing to the connecting door as though that excused her intrusion.

Mason sat up, still catching his breath, his face flushed both from embarrassment and frustration. "Does she always do this?" He asked Katherine, trying to make sense of the situation.

Katherine, completely unbothered, just rolled her eyes again and waved a dismissive hand in Amalie's direction. "Unfortunately," she muttered. Then, with a knowing smirk, she added, "She's just cranky."

Amalie's expression didn't falter, though Ana, who had been standing behind her, invisible to the others, let out an amused snort. "I think you'd rather watch than participate, anyway," Ana teased, standing casually by Amalie's side. "You're such a voyeur."

Amalie shot Ana a quick side-eye but didn't respond. Instead, she turned her attention back to Katherine, who let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you want, Amalie? I'm a little busy."

Amalie glanced over at Mason, who still looked like he was trying to decide whether to be annoyed or embarrassed by the interruption. "Clearly," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She then turned back to Katherine, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You should probably find better company."

Katherine raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly smile as she pulled Mason closer to her. "Jealous, are we?" She teased, her voice low and sultry.

Amalie's expression remained calm, but her eyes flickered with something darker for a brief second. "Hardly. Just...tired of having to witness it."

Ana leaned toward Amalie, her grin widening. "You know, I wouldn't mind sticking around to see how this plays out," she said, winking in Mason's direction. "He's kind of cute."

Amalie shot Ana a look, "Ew."

Ana shrugged, clearly unbothered by the reprimand. "What? I'm just saying. A little morning entertainment never hurt anyone."

Mason's gaze darted between Amalie and the seemingly empty space where Ana stood. His confusion was palpable, but Katherine didn't seem to care. She gave Amalie a pointed look, her tone growing more dismissive. "If you done with the commentary, you can leave now. We're not exactly in need of an audience."

Amalie uncrossed her arms, taking a slow step back toward the door. "Fine," she said with a sigh. "Just keep the noise down next time. Some of us don't want to be woken up to the sound of.. .well, that ."

Katherine's eyes gleamed with annoyance as she sat up, the sheets falling slightly off her shoulders. "Amalie, you've already ruined the moment," she said, her voice smooth but dripping with irritation. "Why don't you go check on Jenna? You seem to enjoy playing in her little world."

Amalie paused at the door, her hand resting on the frame. She gave Katherine a slow, mocking smile. "If you're trying to get rid of me, Katherine, you'll have to do better than that."

Katherine's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Just go."

Amalie chuckled softly, her eyes flickering to Mason before settling on Katherine one last time. "See you later, Katherine. Mason," she added with a chuckle, giving him a nod as she turned and walked back through the connecting door.

Ana appeared beside her again, grinning as they exited Katherine's room. "That was fun. She's in such a bad mood now."

Amalie shrugged, glancing back at the door. "I like to start the day with a little chaos."

As they stepped back into Amalie's room, the air felt lighter, and Ana couldn't help but laugh. "So, what's the plan now?"

Amalie glanced at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her hair before she answered. "I guess I'll go check on Jenna."

Ana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Katherine's going to love that."

Amalie smiled to herself, the gleam of mischief clear in her eyes. "Exactly."

###

Amalie stepped inside the grand foyer of the Lockwood mansion, her footsteps echoing lightly off the polished marble floors. The lavish decorations were already in place for the masquerade ball that was happening tomorrow night—elegant chandeliers casting a warm glow across the space, intricate floral arrangements adorning the walls, and the scent of expensive cologne and freshly polished wood filling the air. It was Mystic Falls at its most extravagant, a perfect cover for the chaos simmering just beneath the surface.

She moved carefully, her eyes scanning the room for Jenna. Despite the grandeur surrounding her, Amalie's mind was elsewhere—turning over the details of her plan, playing through the steps she had already put in motion.

So far, it had been easy. A simple suggestion here, a gentle nudge there. Jenna hadn't suspected a thing. First, Amalie had replaced her old perfume with a new bottle—one that wasn't infused with vervain like her old one. Jenna had thanked her profusely, completely unaware that her new signature scent left her vulnerable to vampires.

Then, there was the tea. Amalie had casually introduced Jenna to a blend she'd sworn by, claiming it would help with sleep since Jenna had mentioned being a light sleeper. Of course, the tea was vervain-free as well, something Jenna never thought to question. Amalie was patient and careful. This wasn't about rushing; it was about taking her time, laying the groundwork, and waiting for the perfect moment.

As she walked through the mansion, her mind drifted to what came next. Katherine wanted to use Jenna if necessary, but Amalie had her own reasons for playing the long game. Manipulating Jenna was easy—too easy—but it was the rest of them that intrigued her. Elena, Stefan, Damon. The town's golden trio, all tangled up in their own lies and secrets.

Amalie had become very good at weaving herself into the cracks of their lives. Jenna was just the start. And she was already worming her way into Elena's life.

"Amalie, hey!" A familiar voice called from across the room, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She turned to see Jenna walking toward her, a warm smile on her face. Amalie returned the smile easily, slipping back into her friendly façade.

"Hey, it's good to see you!" Amalie greeted, her tone light and cheerful as she closed the distance between them.

Jenna's face lit up as she approached, looking slightly frazzled but grateful. "Thank you so much for helping out today. I seriously don't know how I'd manage all this without you."

Amalie waved a hand dismissively, her smile softening. "Oh, it's no problem! Gotta love helping the community out, right? Especially when you're the newbie." She chuckled, and Jenna laughed with her, the tension easing from her shoulders.

"Yeah, I remember being the newbie in Mystic Falls," Jenna said with a grin. "It's a little intense at first, right?"

Amalie nodded knowingly, though in her case, the intensity had come in a very different form. "A little. But this masquerade ball sounds fun. What's the deal with it, anyway?"

Jenna rolled her eyes playfully. "It's really a fundraiser for the homeless, but honestly, I think it's just an excuse for people to get drunk in fancy clothes."

Amalie laughed, shaking her head. "Well, if that's the case, I guess I can't complain."

They shared a laugh, and Jenna glanced around the room, her eyes scanning the space as if mentally checking off a list. "There's still so much to do, though," she said, exhaling a little as she gestured toward the ballroom. " The caterers were supposed to be here by now to set up their tables, and the decorations are missing some finishing touches—"

Amalie reached out and gave Jenna's arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, we'll get it all done. What can I help with? Put me to work."

Jenna gave her a grateful smile, clearly relieved to have some extra hands. "If you could help set up the centerpieces, that'd be amazing. I've been running around all morning trying to make sure everything's perfect."

"Consider it done," Amalie said with a wink, already moving toward the nearest table to start arranging the flowers and candles that had been set out.

###

Amalie stepped into the bustling backyard of the Lockwood mansion, her gaze sweeping over the twinkling lights and the volunteers rushing to set up tables and decorations for the masquerade ball. It was a beautiful scene, a picture of Mystic Falls at its best, but she wasn't here to admire the preparations. She was here for Elena.

Amalie's eyes landed on her standing near the edge of the yard, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she watched the flurry of activity. Bonnie was nearby, chatting with a few other volunteers, but Elena seemed detached, lost in her thoughts. The weight of the world clearly hung heavy on her shoulders, a familiar look in this town.

Amalie made her way through the crowd, her steps quiet but purposeful. As she approached, Elena was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice Amalie until she was right beside her.

"What's wrong?" Amalie asked, her voice soft but pointed as she stopped next to Elena, her arms loosely crossed in a way that mirrored Elena's own posture.

Elena flinched slightly, clearly startled by her presence. She turned to face Amalie, her expression flickering between surprise and hesitation. "Nothing," she muttered quickly, her tone clipped but not as sharp as Amalie expected.

Amalie studied her for a moment, not pushing, but letting the silence settle between them. When Elena didn't immediately walk away or throw up her usual walls, Amalie decided to take a softer approach. "You don't have to lie, Elena," she said gently. "I can see something's bothering you."

Elena hesitated, her arms tightening around herself. She looked away, her gaze settling on the twinkling lights strung between the trees. "Why do you care?" She asked, her voice quieter this time, as if part of her was genuinely curious.

Amalie smiled, her tone light and casual. "Because that's what friends are for." The word lingered in the air between them, and Amalie let it hang, watching Elena's reaction carefully.

Elena's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't push Amalie away. Instead, she sighed, her guard slipping just slightly. "Friends? We're not friends," she said, though her voice lacked the bite it normally carried when she confronted people she didn't trust.

Amalie chuckled softly, not offended in the least. "Not yet," she agreed, her smile widening just a little. "But Jenna seems to think I'm alright. She trusts me."

At the mention of Jenna, Elena's protective instincts flared, but there was something softer beneath her defensive posture, something more conflicted. "Jenna's...a good person," Elena said slowly, her gaze shifting back to Amalie. "She trusts too easily sometimes."

"I've noticed," Amalie replied lightly, her tone laced with a subtle warmth. "That's what makes her endearing though, don't you think? She wants to believe the best in people." She paused, her voice softening further. "Kind of like you."

Elena blinked, her guard slipping even more at the unexpected compliment. "I don't...I'm not like that," she protested weakly, though it lacked conviction.

Amalie tilted her head, her eyes steady as she held Elena's gaze. "You care about people, Elena. Even people who've hurt you, people who've made mistakes. You're trying to keep everyone together, keep everyone safe, even when it's breaking you." Her voice was gentle, almost sympathetic, and for the first time, Elena didn't immediately reject it.

For a long moment, Elena just stared at her, torn between suspicion and something else—something almost like understanding. She opened her mouth to speak, but then hesitated, unsure of how much she wanted to reveal to someone like Amalie. But there was something about her, something in the way Amalie wasn't pushing too hard, that made Elena feel a little less on edge.

Finally, Elena let out a quiet breath, her shoulders sagging slightly. "It's just...everything feels like it's falling apart," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know who I can trust and who trusts me anymore."

Amalie's smile softened, her expression losing its usual playfulness as she watched Elena wrestle with her emotions. "Trust is a difficult thing, especially in a place like this," she said quietly.

Elena glanced at her, skepticism flashing in her eyes. "And what? You think I should trust you?"

Amalie shrugged, her tone casual again, but there was no malice behind it. "I'm not asking you to trust me. Not yet. I just...I see what you're going through. I've been there, more than you realize."

Elena's brow furrowed, doubt creeping back in. "What do you mean?"

Amalie hesitated for a moment, then took a small step closer, her voice lowering. "Stefan wasn't always the guy you know, Elena. He's been...darker. And Katherine? She's not the only one who's shaped him. There's a lot you don't know yet."

Elena's stomach twisted at the mention of Stefan's darker side. She had seen glimpses of it, but the way Amalie spoke, it was like there was so much more lurking beneath the surface. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if you want to survive this—if you want to protect the people you love—you need to know the full story," Amalie said, her eyes serious now. "And I can help with some of that. But you have to be willing to let me."

Elena's heart pounded in her chest. She knew she shouldn't trust Amalie—not when she was clearly working with Katherine—but there was something in her words, something in the way she seemed to genuinely understand what Elena was going through, that made her pause.

For a moment, just a moment, she considered it.

"I don't know," Elena murmured, her voice conflicted.

Amalie's expression softened even more, her voice quiet but firm. "You don't have to decide now. Just...think about it."

Elena bit her lip, torn between her instincts and the tiny seed of doubt that Amalie had planted. But before she could say anything else, Bonnie called her name from across the yard, and Elena quickly straightened, the moment breaking.

"I have to go," Elena said abruptly, turning away from Amalie.

"Of course," Amalie replied smoothly, stepping back with an easy smile. "But remember what I said, Elena. I'm not going anywhere."

As Elena walked away, the weight of Amalie's words lingered in her mind, leaving her more conflicted than ever. She didn't trust her—she couldn't. But for the first time, she found herself wondering if there was more to Amalie than she had thought.

###

Amalie stepped out of the Lockwood mansion, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the driveway. She was just about to head toward her car when she froze, her eyes narrowing at the sight in front of her. Across the yard, Damon Salvatore was dragging an unconscious Mason Lockwood toward his truck, his movements quick but casual, like this was something he did often. Bonnie stood nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her expression tense and resolute. From the way she stood, Amalie could tell she had been the one to put Mason down.

Amalie's gaze flickered between Damon and Bonnie, piecing together the scene. Something had gone down—something big. Her lips pressed into a thin line, curiosity and suspicion mixing in her chest. Damon shoved Mason's limp body into the truck bed with little care, but Amalie knew this wasn't the end of it. Damon wouldn't stop there, not with Mason. Her mind raced as she made a quick decision, slipping behind one of the stone pillars to stay out of sight. As the truck roared to life and Damon sped off, she waited a beat before quietly moving to her car. Whatever Damon was planning with Mason, it was happening at the Salvatore house. And Amalie intended to find out exactly what that was.

authors note.

i hope you guys liked this chapter! i'm so excited to post the next one, things are really gonna escalate

don't forget to vote and comment💗✌️