Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 26

I spent the night at the lake again, exclusively this prison term I didnt sleep. Instead I sit down on the bank, listening to the world hum some me as though I was an audience member at a musical show. Frogs croaked melodically, blowing egress their chests with chivalrous puffs. Fish swam to the lakes surface to gulp down the water bugs that h everyplaceed in that location, so dived hold down to the depths with soft flips of their tails. Birds flew overhead in V formation, and small animals rustled with the reeds, chasing one another as they ferreted out their next meal.Then came the inflated finale as the sun, an enormous, watery orb, rose to its betoken of prominence in the sky, signaling that it was the all-powerful king and Earth was its subject.As I sat at that place, watching the one thing that could kill me in an instant if it werent for the address Katherine gave me, a sense of calm rippled through and through my body. The world was comely and magical and I wa s lucky to still have a place in it.Grabbing a perfectly round, flat nether region, I stood and looked out over the water. I closed my eyes.If it skips four times, everything will be okay.Then I let the stone soar. It skipped once twice three timesFour skips formidable a division cheered, followed by enthusiastic clapping.I false around just as Callie leaped into my arms.Youre in a good mood, she said with a smile.I am. And its all thanks to you.She tucked her arm through mine. In that case, I manage just how you can thank meI mat up her pulse beating through my coat, and her blood smelled nearly irresistible. solely the stone had skipped four times, so I bent down to kiss her.Callie and I spent all day together, and then I slept at the lake again. When I arrived home the following day at dusk, I found a pile of clothes, including the black trousers and gray coat Id modeled for Lexi, on the blow out of the water outside my room. On top of the pile was a note, written in block handwriting.Follow your discloset. Youre lucky you still have one.I scooped the compress up into my arms, touched, relieved, and a little bit sad all at once.I changed into a blue chambray shirt and white trousers and slicked my hairs-breadth back in the mirror. I looked like any young human material body preparing for a rendezvous with a pretty girl. I just wished it were that simple.I crept down the stairs, waiting for someone to jump out of the shadows to stop meto circulate me my plan would never work. barely I made it all the right smart down and then through the kitchen and out the back accession without that happening.Once outside, I walked the cardinal miles to Laurel Street with my hands in my pockets, whistling the strains of God bear the South. I paused to pick a white magnolia from a bush in front of a peach-colored mansion at the bottom of Callies street.Stefan an ginger upnt whisper came from behind the tree at the bottom of the Gallagher driveway.Callie st epped into view. Her hair was loose and flux down her back, and she was wearing a white nightdress trimmed in eyelet lace, just like the first time Id seen her, except that this time she was standing close enough to me that I could see that although she was wearing a heavy gray woolen shawl, she wasnt wearing a petticoat. I turned away, suddenly shy.Stefan, Callie murmured, brushing my arm with her fingers. Are you ready?Yes, I said. I took the flower and tucked it behind her ear.She smiled. Youre such a gentleman.And youre beautiful, I responded, arriver out to push a strand of hair behind her ear. Her tresses were as soft as rose petals and smelled of honey. I wanted to stay there forever, watching her breath form puffs of air in front of me.Callie I began, when the bells of a distant church chimed suddenly into the frosty air. Twelve bells. Midnight. The jinx hour.Its time, Callie said. Jaspers cutting lasts until twelve thirty, but I can tell him youre there to relieve him early. That will buy us some time. Once the southward guard shows up, youll be long gone. But we have to hurry. She straited very accredited of herself, but her trembling lip gave away her emotions. I wanted to deliver my arms around her, tuck her into bed, and whisper sweet dreams in her ear. But I, a vampire, was relying on this child to protect me.Callie knit her fingers together as if in silent prayer. Then she nodded and gave me a wan smile. Dont be scared, she said, pressure her palm into mine. But I could feel her heart thumping at a gallop from the pulse points in her palm.She led me through the weigh gates and around the gravel driveway, and opened a nondescript door on the side of the house.Be quiet, Callie commanded, as my eyes adjusted to the dark. unconnected the rest of the house, with its polished marble and gleaming oak, this entrance was strictly utilitarian, intentional for servants to have easy access to the storage space in the bonce without disturbing t he residents of the house. A steep staircase, made of unfinished walnut beams, loomed in front of us. Callie cocked her head, listening for something. I followed suit, although my thought processs were buzzing too loudly for me to hear specific words.Suddenly, I heard a scraping sound from the beautify above us. Callie glanced at me shed heard it as well.Jasper, Callie explained. We should go up. She walked up the rickety steps, as I followed quickly behind her. Once we got to the cracked, cover door, she knockedtwo quick raps followed by a pause, then a lasting one.A lock clicked, and then we heard the scratch of coat against metal as Jasper undid the bolt. Finally, he opened the door, wedging his body next to the edge so we couldnt see inside.Well, well, well. Callie and the man who plump ford the vampire, then ran for his life. To what do we owe the pleasure? Jasper leered. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to get a glimpse inside the room.Hello, Jasper, Callie said, brushing past(a) him and motioning for me to follow. In the darkness, I could just make out a plentiful cage in the corner. A large, unmoving lump lay inside. nonplus needs you in the study. Stefan will take over until the next shift arrives.Meet Jasper in the study? a loud voice boomed. But Im right here.I froze.Gallagher.Callies father was perched at a rickety gameboard behind the door, a hand of cards laid out in front of him. In the center of the table, a single candle flickered.Oh, Father. Callie giggled. The sound felt forced, out of place. I must have been confused. I know youd wanted to play cards tonight, and I suppose I thought youd be more comfortable in the study or she began, her voice wavering. She licked her lips and sat down at the table across from Gallagher.Youre kind to think of me, girl, Gallagher said gruffly.Mr. Gallagher, I said, bowing slightly. I was told to report for duty, but perhaps Im mistaken? The confusion wasnt hard to feign. Callie had sworn her father would be out of the house.Is that right, Jasper? Gallagher asked.Guess it is. He aint bad, that one. A little nervous, but when he sticks em, he sticks em good.Gallagher nodded, victorious in the information.And this is that boy you trust, Miss Callie? Gallagher asked his daughter.Callie nodded, her cheeks reddening chthonic her freckles. Then finally, thankfully, Gallagher stood up, his chair scraping against the floor.Well, then, Ill leave you boys to it, he said, taking his whiskey and following his daughter downstairs.So youre Gallaghers guy now, aint you? Jasper asked, shoving a vervain-soaked stake in my hands. My skin burned, and pain shot through my arms. I fought the urge to growl and clamped down on my tongue. Tensing, I felt the stake with completely two fingers, trying to minimize the contact the poisoned wood had with my body.Well, I aint sacking to stick around, Jasper continued. The vampires hungry tonight. Hope he eats you. And while he does that, Im going to spe nd some time with Miss Callie and her daddy. Show em youre not the only man who can be all sociable and genteel-like, Jasper said. His movements were loose, and I could smell whiskey on his breath.Brother?I whispered.Damon reared up, fangs bared, do me to jump back in surprise.He laughed, a hoarse chuckle, then collapsed against the side of the cage, exhausted from the exertion.What, brother? Scared of a vampire?I ignored him as I began wresting the door off the structure. Damon watched in quirk and then slowly crawled over toward me. He was just reaching out when I felt a searing pain radiate from my spine through my entire body.Gotcha a voice yelled.