It's short, and it packs a punch, and he still has to read it several times before he is able to react. It hasn't settled in. Who is he to believe some random person on the journal network?

But he knows it's true. There are so many better ways to trap him, and the Society is not about trapping. They are about erasing so he gets to his feet while the pain is still fresh and he has not been able to react to it yet as he steps up to his feet without thinking.

For the moment, he has nearly forgotten that she is there except for the awareness that she will follow him to her own feet and step in front of him before he can walk out. It isn't surprising when it happens, but he had been so focused that he stops, pauses a moment.

Damon stops, pauses in front of her like he has to take a moment to process her presence. His jaw locks, and he takes in a breath that is slow and feels like fire. He swallows as he looks down at her, breathing in and then breathing out again. Like a fire.

She is in front of him, and there are hundreds of responses, none of them are an accurate or true response to the question.

Get out of the way, Elena.

It doesn't concern you.

So many responses, but his rift change that he refuses to believe is his rift change comes into effect and the answer that he gives is honest. "Josef is dead," Damon says finally, and he doesn't say my boss, because he was more his friend.

And he is dead, and Damon wants-- needs to deal with it. "Now get out of the way, Elena. I have to leave."