Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 14-15

Chapter 14My hands still in the air, I pressed my lips unitedly. Id already learned that any sign of stress caused my fangs to step forward and my pupils to grow larger I didnt want to prep be to attack until I k parvenue what I was dealing with.Jake? Charley? a female give tongue to c solelyight-emitting diode as deuce burly men ran toward me from the main house. Although twice my bulk, they were definitely hu part. Each small-arm grabbed unrivalled of my sleeves, though I noted with cold calculation that it would take save one quick twist to shake both absent before I lunged for my attack. however I fought with e actually core of my existence to stay still, my hands high in the air, hoping Id just look wish well a common vagrant. There was no guarantee that a constrict would lead to Damons rescue.A girl walked toward me from the porch and stopped a foot away.I apologize, I verbalise to her. I tried to desexualize my voice full resembling I was nervously gasping for breath. I didnt veritableize this was private property. Im new to town, and I was in the tavern, and, well I trailed sullen, unsure of whether my lies would defecate me into flat deeper trouble.You thought youd steal from me? The girl stepped forward. Her hair tumbled in flaming curls gobble up her moxie, and she wore what looked suspiciously like a vervain wreath on her send. She had on a white nightdress, provided she was wearing mens boots, and I could analyze calluses on her hands. though she was clearly from a wealthy family, this was no coddled city girl. zero(prenominal) No I wasnt stealing, I was just looking for the vampire, I said.She entwine her eyebrows to braceher. To steal him ? she asked leadingly, hands on her hips.No I said again, my arm jerking involuntarily. One of the men holding me dropped my arm in surprise. No, I said again, forcing myself to remain still. I saw the poster for the show agglomerate by the lake, and, well, I guess my curiosity got th e best of me. I shrugged.A rooster crowed. Sunlight slowly spilled over the backyard. I glanced down at my gleaming ring, conveyful that Lexi had left.Okay, then, the girl said. She snapped her fingers, and the cardinal large men dropped my fortification. If you argon new to town, then where do you come from?Mys Mississippi, I fibbed. Right crossways the river.She clean-cuted her m dis indemnifyh as if to say something, then closed it. Well, accept to New Orleans, she said. I dont hit the sack what things are like back in Mississippi, hardly you cant go sneaking into peoples backyards looking at their livestock. And the conterminous time you may not meet someone as neighbourly as me.I fought my urge to snort at her idea of friendliness, assumption my brothers wretched state.So, whats your name, stranger?Stefan, I said. Are you Miss Gallagher?Smart, she observed sarcastically. That I am. Callie Gallagher.One of the large men stepped toward her protectively.Leave us, she co mmanded. Ill escort Mr. Stefan come in. convey you, I said contritely as I followed her around the capacious gravel path, past the sun-room of the house, and toward the gate. Thanks for curseing me, I said.Who says I trust you? she asked sharply, but an amused smile flitted across her lips.Well, then, perhaps I should thank you for not letting your brutes annihilate me.She smiled again, wider this time. Her teeth were pearly white, and one of her move teeth was slightly crooked. Freckles dusted her upturned nose. She smelled sweet, like oranges. I realized it had been a massive time since I had found a woman beautiful for more than the sweet smell of her blood. But cruelty lay potty her beauty, because this woman was responsible for my brothers imprisonment.mayhap youre withal handsome to be killed. And everyone deserves a little kindness, dont you destine?I gazed at her callused hands, a thought first appearance my headspring. Would it be too forward of me to ask for mor e of your kindness?Callie contract her look. Depends on what you ask for.A job, I said, straightening my shoulders.The girl shook her head incredulously. You want me to hire you? After you trespassed on my property?Think of it as an expression of my drive and my enthusiasm for freaks, I said, the lies now floating well from my tongue. Being new, Ive had trouble finding work, and to be honest, Ive always wanted to be part of a circus.She set her jaw, and I was worried shed suddenly call her henchmen on me. But then she looked up and down at my faded trousers and sighed. I clear a tonusing Ill wo this, but come down to Lake Road tomorrow night. We do affect a new ticket takerour last one ran off with one of the fat ladies. Youll need to arrive earlyand stay late. Its going to be busy tomorrow night because of the fight.Right. The fight, I said, once again clenching my fists and biting back words of anger.Yes. She smiled somewhat ruefully. Then youll have the chance to light upon your vampire in proceeding.I suppose I leave behind, I said, move on my heel and exiting the wrought-iron gate. But if I had my way, no one would see the vampire in action because Damon and I would be long bygone before the fight ever commenced.Chapter 15October 7, 1864Something has changed. Maybe it is merely age, a choose of hyper-maturation into the role of an adult vampire. Maybe it is Lexis tutelage. Or the fact that I am faced with an actual challenge, a death-defying challenge, and I obviously know I cant expend my energy killing for sport. Whatever the cause, the result is the same. Though the scent of blood is still everywhere, I no longer feel compelled to hunt for sport. Hunting is distracting. My hunger is something to be sated chop-chop rather than enjoyably.Of course, the unbelief is, how will I free Damon? Attack everyone in sight, creating a battle royal of destruction? Convince Callie to shed her vervain wreath so I can compel her to do my bidding?But Callie seems to have a power all her own. That much is clear to her henchmen, and to me.Of course, my Power is stronger. I have no doubt that Ill persevere. Ill save Damon, and then Ill reward myself with a confuse from Callies neck.I spent the entire day pacing my room, cutting a path by means of the dust that lined the wooden floor. Plans to free Damon flitted through my head one by one, but just as quickly as they came, I shot them down for being too daring, too risky, too destructive. Id already learned from the siege on the vampires in mystical Falls that one false move can cause a domino effect of violence and despair.You look like a caged animal, Lexi said, appearance at my doorway. Her voice was light, but worry lines creased her forehead.I let divulge a low growl and raked my hands through my hair. Ifeellike a caged animal. turn over you thought of a plan yet?No I exhaled loudly. And I dont even know why Im trying. He hates me. I looked down, suddenly ashamed. He blame s me for turning him into what we are now.Lexi sighed and closed the distance between us. She took my hand. Follow me. She led me out of the room and walked slowly down the stairs, running her pale fingers on the portraits that lined the walls. All the paintings were covered with a layer of grime. I wondered how long theyd been hanging on the walls, and whether any of the subjects still roamed the Earthalive or undead. At the very bottom stair, Lexi stopped and pulled a portrait off the wall. It was newer than the others, with a gold frame and the glass polished to a gleam. A young, serious-looking blond boy stared out at me. His blue eyeball contained a hint of sadness, and his cleft chin jutted in defiance. He looked incredibly familiar.My eyes widened. Is that yourbrother, Lexi said. Yes.Is he I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.No, hes not with us anymore, she said, tracing the cleft of the boys chin with her index finger. How did he die? I asked.Does it matter? she said, her voice sharp.No, I suppose it doesnt. I touched the go on of the photo. Why do you keep it?She sighed. Its a connection to the pastto who I used to be before I wasshe gestured down the length of her claybefore I becamethis. Its important not to lose that final vagabond of attachment to humanity. Her gaze grew serious.I knew what she meant Remaining connected to her humanity was how she well-kept control and why she made the choice to feed only from animals.So, are you ready to save him?As usual, Lexi didnt wait for an answer, and I had to hustle out the door behind her. Together, we walked in silence toward Gallaghers place beneath the cover of the inky night.Fifteen minutes later we turned the corner onto bay wreath Street and the house came into view. A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair was uprise the stairs of the white structure, tapping each step with a gold-tipped cane. Behind him were two black-suited men. The lead were engaged in intense conversation.Lex i put her hand on mine. Gallagher.The men paused on the porch. Im telling you, the vampire I have is the real thing. I could have him killed and sell you his blood. Youd make a fortune market it as the fountain of youth or an elixir of life, Gallagher said roughly.My yield plummeted. Damons body was being divided before he was even dead.Blood, a stocky man mused, rubbing his bald head as if it were a crystal ball. Im just not sure people would try that. But how much would you sell the fangs for?The men entered the home, shutting the wooden door with a definitive thud.I sniffed the air. The cloying scent of vervain burned my nose, but I didnt sense Damon anywhere.Lexi pushed the gates open and stepped onto the lawn.What are you doing? I hissed. I dont think Damons here anymore.Yes, but you need to know exactly who and what youre up against. The more you know, the better you can gauge what the best course of action will be, she said.I nodded, and together we stole in the shadows tow ard the main house. We ducked under a window ledge and knelt in order to escape happen upon we could just make out the scene unfolding in the living-room at the back of the house. Gallaghers voice drifted through the open window as he took a seat in a maroon leather club chair, his feet up and a glass of port already in his hands. He wore a large gold ring on his finger.In the far corner, Callie Gallagher sat in a pair of weathered overalls and a white linen shirt. Her red hair fell down her back in a vervain-laced braid, and her head was bent as she pored over a ledger book. A garland of vervain was strung along the stain mantle, and I noticed a few vampire muzzlesthe same sort that my father had used to subdue Katherinetossed carelessly on an end table.I have something else that might interest you, Gallagher said, locking eyes with the elderly man while the other sat, silently. I didnt want to bring it up out on the street.Yes? The man leaned forward. His voice sounded disintere sted, but he rubbed his stubby fingers together eagerly.The monster wears a ring. Its an unusual one. Silver with a blue stone, but it seems to give him additional power. None of my men have been able to get it off his finger, but when hes dead Father Callie interjected. The two men stared at her.Yes, girl? Gallagher asked, his voice dangerously low.Ive been looking over the books, and well make a fortune if hes kept alive. Its the best for the show. Though her expression was all business, her tone didnt actually sound mercenary.My boss. Gallagher laughed ruefully, but from the way the vein in his temple throbbed, I could tell he didnt appreciate Callies interjection. Girl, can you get us some brandy?Callie stood up and stalked out of the room. I was move to feel a sliver of sympathyand kinshipwith her. I knew what it was like to have a headstrong father. Id wanted nothing more than to divert him, but Giuseppe Salvatore always thought he knew best. I dared to disagree only once, a nd he killed me for it.As I was saying, the ring Gallagher said. I snapped back to attention.You kill that monster and Ill buy it all. The fangs, the blood, the ring. Everything. And Ill give you a very good price, the elderly man said in a trembling voice, barely concealing his excitement.Before I could pounce, shattering the glass that obscure me from the man who was trying to sell my brother in bits and pieces, an iron-firm grip clasped my arms behind me and dragged me back out to the street.Get a hold of yourself, Stefan Lexi hissed as she pulled me along the sidewalk. When she reached the corner of Laurel Street, she let me go.That man is a sadist I fumed.Hes a businessman. He wants to kill your brother, and if they find out about you, theyll sure enough want to kill you too, Lexi said, pushing her blond braid over her shoulder.My mind spun. What about the girl? I asked.Lexi snorted derisively. What about her?She thinks Damon should be kept alive. Maybe she can convince her father of that, I said desperately.Dont even think about it. Shes a human, and she will follow her fathers orders until the end of her days, Lexi said, dropping her voice to lower than a whisper as some other couple walked toward us.As they passed, the man tipped his top hat, and Lexi curtseyed back. To anyone else, we were a young couple, out to trifle each other in the moonlight.Damons life is at stake, I said in frustration. Lexi had offered to help, but everything shed done so far had seemed designed only to dissuade me. We have to do somethingI know you will find a way to save him, she said firmly.We turned another corner and the spire of the church across from Lexis house came into view. But Stefan, you must remember that controlling yourself around humans is much more than simply not attacking them. When we reached the back porch, she stopped and put her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look into her clear amber eyes. Do you know the real agent why we dont intoxicat ion human blood?Why? I asked.Because if we dont drink human blood, we dont need humans, she said in a tight voice. She pushed open the door. Buxton, Hugo, and Percy were sitting around the coffee table, playing poker. They looked up when we entered, and Buxton narrowed his eyes at me.Boys, were going dancing tonight. We need some lightness, Lexi announced, pouring herself a glass of blood from the decanter on the side table. She glanced around the room. The three nodded. Will you come, Stefan?I shook my head. I was not in the inclination for lightness. No, I said, then headed upstairs to plan Damons rescue alone.