"No!" she screamed.
She launched herself at the redhead at the same time her mother raced through the door and flung herself at his back. He hissed as he stumbled backward, and her mother's claws tore down his back. Isabelle lunged at him and split his chest open with her nails. The blond, distracted by her mother's presence, came back toward them as Willow and Cassidy flew into the room.
"Get out of here!" Isabelle screamed at them.
They skidded to a halt as the blond turned toward them. Fear tore through her as they turned to run back out of the room. He disappeared before her eyes, coming to a halt in front of them to block their exit. "Veal," he purred.
"Mom!" Willow screamed.
The door to the bathroom burst open as Abby and Vicky raced out. Isabelle felt as if her heart stopped beating for a full minute. She was so focused on everyone else she’d completely forgotten about the man before her.
He flung her mother off, knocking her to the floor before he grabbed Isabelle's arm. She swung out instantly, but he grabbed her other arm and twisted it to the side as he forced her to her knees. She bit back a whimper of pain and lifted her chin defiantly to glare back at him.
"I've been dying to see you on your knees," he said with a cruel smile.
"Fuck you!" she spat.
"Isabelle!" Vicky screamed.
Isabelle swung up, ignoring the tortuous agony in her arm, as she caught him across his stomach. Blood spurted over both of them as he twisted her arm all the way over and knocked her to the floor. She almost screamed but managed to stop herself in time as he knelt over her and pinned her shoulder against the wall.
He was so strong, so much stronger than she was. There was no way she could fight him. Thoughts of her family rushed over her as the sounds of a battle filled the room, but there was nothing she could do to help them. She was completely trapped, and he was going to kill her.
The roar filling the room was so loud, it drowned out every other sound instantly.
Relief flowed through her. The redhead released her arm and spun away from her, but it was already too late. Stefan seized him, ripped his head back, snapped his neck and ripped out his heart. Isabelle stared in amazement as the man fell lifelessly to the ground. She couldn't believe how quickly Stefan managed to kill him. The man was much stronger than her, much stronger than anyone she’d ever known. Except for Stefan, she realized.
Isabelle struggled back to her knees. She cradled her damaged arm as she lifted her head to meet his red-filled, furious gaze. The ferocious snarl on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes turned back to black as he knelt before her.
"Where's the other one?" she panted out.
"Dead. Are you okay?" he demanded.
"Yes."
He brushed the hair back from her face, his eyes intent as he studied her worriedly. She flung herself forward and wrapped her good arm around his neck. Tears of relief and joy flowed down her face. "I'm sorry!" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry."
"Shh," he whispered as he enveloped her in his strong embrace. "Don't cry, Issy. It's okay."
"No, it's not."
He held her in his arms as he savored her sweet scent and comforting warmth. She lifted her head from his shoulder; her eyes were vivid with tears as she glanced behind him. "Is everyone okay?" she asked.
"We're all fine," her mom said as Brian burst through the door.
"They're dead already?" he asked, sounding highly disappointed.
"Yes," Stefan replied. He stood slowly, pulling Isabelle up with him. Brian's eyes landed on her, and a smile curved his mouth. Stefan drew her closer against his side. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
Brian shrugged as he turned to survey the destruction of the room. Isabelle pulled away from Stefan; she scowled at Brian as she ran over to hug her family. Stefan’s tension and bloodlust still simmered just beneath the surface as he watched her. She had been placed in too much danger for his liking, way too much. He couldn't seem to shake the beast in him as his emotions swung out of control. He shot Brian a glaring look when he strode past him and grabbed Isabelle as she turned away from hugging Vicky and Abby.
He tucked her back against his side, ignoring the confused glance she shot him as he allowed himself to be comforted by her presence. He closed his eyes as he let her heat envelop him and soothe the raging tension within him.
"Sera!" Liam burst into the room; his eyes were frenzied as he raced past Stefan to his family. The others came cautiously forward as they picked through the rubble and bodies littering the room.
"I'll take care of this," Brian volunteered. "You guys should get out of here. I'm sure someone's called the police by now."
Stefan nodded briskly. "I'll get Kyle and Julian," Doug said.
"They're in the room next to mine!" Sera called out.
"Freaking kids sleep like the dead," Mike muttered as he turned to follow Doug.
"You sure you can handle this?" Stefan asked Brian.
Brian snorted. "Are you kidding me?"
"Remember what I said."
"I know you'll kill me if I come back. Trust me I've had enough of Oregon. Now, get out of here."
Stefan nodded as he led Isabelle forward. She was still cradling her arm, but he didn't have the time to look at it now. They needed to get out of here as soon as possible; he could already hear the distant wail of sirens. "Take care of him," Brian said.
Isabelle stopped before Brian, her head tilted as she studied him. He smelled off, but it wasn't like the others, not like she’d first thought anyway. There was a lingering odor of death around him, but it was different, it wasn't as strong. There was also a loneliness and despair in
