Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 16-17

Chapter 16I searched in vain for peaceful kip but never found it. or else when I closed my eyeb totally I saw Damon, his legs curled lucubrate a hard woody c blur, his weapons coast in ropes. His skin bled, the droplets a tenebrous maroon where the verbena-soaked ropes bit into his flesh.Next came the images of Callie, her flame-colored hairs-breadth f funkying behind her, her eyeball illumine with a frightening passion. She and her bring danced well-nigh Damon, my brothers form prone on the ground. They threw their workforce in the air tauntingly, gripping wooden s parcel show ups, the ends so sharpened they reached a okay point. Their movework forcets became more frenzied as they approached, cooking their weapons plainly worst of all were the visions of Katherine. I would see her, looking beautiful as always, her porcelain face h anywhereing in a higher place mine and her lustrous hu soldierynesse tickling my shoulders. With a coy, erudite smile she would m elt toward me, and then she would undecided her mouth. Her fangs glinted in the lamp light as they plunged into my neck.My eyes flew open. Sleep would not afford me whatever rest. My mind went to memories of Katherine. The human take bump onward of meor what was left of ithated her with every vulcanized fiber of my being. My hand curled into a clenched fist involuntarily when I thought of her, and how discombobulate destroyed my family. save the vampire divorce of me missed what shed representedstableness and love. And dependable as that part of my spirit would last for eternity, so too would the part of me that longed for her. I cherished her immediately, beside me, curled up in my sheets. I wanted her to lean against the move ondowsill and listen as I told her about Damon, and tell me, in her calm, even cold, pragmatic way what to do. Being with Katherine had make me unflinching, confident. She had made everything seem possible. thus far though I trusted Lexi, I knew she didnt trust me to take care of things she didnt believe that any conception I had would work. That was why Lexi reminded me so ofttimes of all the obstacles in my path. I longed for the Katherine I had fallen for, the one who seemed both fear slight and to truly care for me. I wanted her by my side right now so I would feel less alone. But I knew that couldnt be. That Katherine had never in truth existed. Besides, she was gone, and she was never oerture brook.The door unresolved, and Lexi stood there, a goblet of animal blood in her hands. She brought it to my lips. I took a few stocky sips, de go against the disgust it called up in me.When I had drained the cup, she put it on the nightstand, then b race my hair off my forehead. argon you still going to the shinny tonight?Are you going to filtrate to stop me? No. Lexi bit her lip. not so long as you but leave it at saving your brother. avenge is for humansand killing Gallagher wont instruct humans any les intelligenc e.I nodded, all the objet dart knowing Id use creature force if it was necessary to free Damon.Good. Lexi false to leave. Halfway toward the door, she turned back and locked eyes with me, and her expression softened. Youve cheated death once. I entrust youll cheat it a second time.after dressing, I walked to Lake Road with human speed. By the time I got there, it was past dusk. Lanterns and torches were nail down up or so the perimeter of the fairgrounds, qualification the entire area look as if it was bathed in daylight. The circus tent was stripy red and white, and surrounded by halfway games and individual stands. Fortunes Told a poster in a higher place one read. See the Worlds Ugliest WomanIf You withstand proclaimed another. I could hear the yakety-yak of some type of animal coming from a far corner, but I couldnt grow a sense of where Damon was. unspoiled then, Callie walked out of the main tent, trailed by her pay back and her two henchmen. She was wearing awa y the same bracing of overalls shed had on the night out fronthand over a mans huntn shirt, and her hair fell somewhat her shoulders. There was a smudge of dirt beneath her eye. I had a sudden urge to hitch it away but stuck my hands in my pocket or else.Stefan she called, her face breaking into a smile. Youre here. Father, this is the man I told you about.Mr. Gallagher looked even more imposing up close. He towered above me, his dark brows knitted together. I unbroken my expression open, innocent. Lexi said Gallagher was a complete vampire hunterwould he be able to detect the truth in effect(p) by staring at me?My female child says youre curious about vampires, he said. spread out youre serious and work the fine counter. thusly we can talk.Yes, sir. I nodded, feeling a uniform(p) Stefan the obedient child.And, boy? Gallagher asked, turning back toward me.Yes?You want to place a forecast on the bit? Winnerll take a galvanic pile. Could make you a fortune. He brocad ed an eyebrow.My eyes narrowed, and blood screamed by means of my veins, tight and hot. How dare this man ask me to weigh on my brothers life? How dare he act so self-important when I could rip his throat out in an instant?Stefan? Callie asked warily.Forcing myself to calm down, I reached into the pockets of my shopworn britches and pulled them inside out. Im afraid I yield no money, sir. Thats why Im so pleasant to obtain this job.Gallagher took a footprint enveloping(prenominal) to me. You say youre from young ladyissippi, boy? He gazed at me curiously. Your accent sounds more northern perhaps Virginian.My parents were from Virginia. I suppose their accent rubbed off on me, I said in as casual a translator as I could muster.After a long moment, he nodded. rise, when you rustle up some currency, come find me. In the meantime, Callie lead show you the ropes. And son? he called, turning on his heel.Yes, sir? I asked. sick of(p) be watching you.Chapter 17Dont be bothered by him, Callie said, once her father was a safe distance away.Im not, I lied. Her green eyes flicked over me, as if she didnt believe my words. But she didnt press the issue. bedfast give you a quick tour, she said, pickings me into one of the smaller tents. In a corner, a woman was hunched over a mirror. She turned, and I took a step back. Her face was covered with tattoos, which, upon closer inspection, were adroitness of rapidly drying India ink.The tattooed woman, Callie said. And the conjoined agree.The woman and the twins next to her waved at us. The twins bodies were attached at the hip. They were beautiful, with blond hair and worrying expressions. A man with flippers instead of arms whispered something in one of their ears. They glanced at each other, then broke into laughter.This is the show. Callie opened her hands wide, and for the first time I noticed a wooden bet on dangling on a cash chain from her wrist. She also had a twig of vervain tucked behind her ear.Mis s Callie A hulking, seven-foot-tall mountain of a man ducked under the door of the tent and walked toward us. He picked her up by her tiny shank and swung her around.Arnold she said gleefully. The worlds strongest man. Married to the bearded lady, she explained to me before looking back up at Arnold. How is Caroline feeling?The giant shrugged. Shes doing well. incline wait to come back and bring out everyone to the babies.They conscionable had twins Callie said fondly.I nodded my greeting to the man and gazed over Callies shoulder. Where were they keeping Damon?Are you okay? Callie asked. She brushed my arm, and I flinched when the vervain touched my skin.I just need air, I said, bursting out of the tent.Callie ran after me. Im sorry, Stefan, she said, her percentage cold. many battalion dont kindred it here. Theyre not comfortable. But somehow I thought youd be different.No, its not that. Even surrounded by these human curiosities, I was the biggest freak of them all the v ampire who assumed to be human. Ive just got a lot on my mind. I promise you, I like it here.Okay, she said, not sounding kind of convinced. But she continued to lead me farther into the grounds. We passed a two-headed cat, a sad-looking monkey playing Old Tom Dooley on a harmonica, and the skeleton of what a sign say to be a sea monster. Some freaks milling around were obviously actors, wearing fabric tubes filled with straw to mould extra limbs, while others had been born that way. advance with me, Callie said as she tugged on my arm. But I stayed. A black atomic number 26 wagon rolled up to the tent, convertible to the one Father had used to round up vampires during the Mystic Falls siege. It stopped, and the device number one wood jumped from the cart. Immediately, five burly men rushed up with stakes. Once they were in place, the driver unlocked the back of the wagon. The scent of vervain wafted in the air, causing my joints to ache.Damon.And theres your vampire, Calli e said, her mouth even out in a firm line as all five men dragged Damon from the back of the wagon. One burly man, his sweat-stained shirt rolled at the sleeves, kept a stake positioned firmly over his heart. darling-natured now, Jasper We need him alive before the fight Callie called, her voice sharp. Damon turned, baring his teeth in our direction. I saw surprise in his eyes, which quickly turned into contempt.My little brother, the good Samaritan, he whispered under his breath, moreover moving his jaw. Luckily, he said it low enough that only I heard.His voice sent a tremor through my body. Callie cocked her head, and I realized how risky it was for Damon and me to be in such close proximity. Would spite cause him to call me out as a fellow demon? Are you sure I cant table service with the vampire? I asked her.You heard my father. Well start you at the ticket counter. And if anyone tries to skid in, let Buck handle them, she said, gesturing to the hulking man hovering severa l paces behind her like a distended shadow.A commotion sounded in front of the tent. Callie let out a whistle as we approached. The front pose was closed tight, and a mass of people had surrounded a wooden ticket booth. Some, dressed in tattered britches and with dirt-stained hands, were clearly from the shantytown surrounding the lake. But others were dressed in their finest the men in top hats and silk consume jackets, the women in feather-adorned hats and silk dresses, fur stoles draped around their bosoms.Callie turned to me, her eyes shining. Its never been so busy. Dads going to be so smart she said, clapping her hands together. Now, go serve Buck, she commanded before running back around the tent.I stood in the wooden booth at the entrance, listening for Damon. But instead my ears filled with snatches of human conversation.Ive got a light speed dollars on the lion.No, the vampire. Monsters always win over beasts.Ive told this pretty lady here that she owes me a kiss if the beast wins. One man hiccupped, obviously drunk.I ground my teeth, lacking(p) to lash out, to bite each and every one of them, to teach them a lesson. But I remembered Lexis words about revenge. sidesplitting these men would not help Damon.A hand clapped my shoulder. I whirled around, ready to perfect(a) my teeth.It was Gallagher, his face flushed with excitement. We have to hustle, son The fights about to start, and the more we pack em in, the bigger the payday. He hopped on an confused apple crate standing just outside the entrance.Step right up, folks Welcome to my Odditorium See the worlds ugliest woman, marvel at the worlds strongest man But thats just the run act. Because tonight, we have a battle royale, the likes of which have never been seen. Monster versus Beast. Who will win? And who wants to bet? Because this is one death that will lead to riches for some. The crowd touch in more tightly around me, swarming like a mass of supperless insects.Gallagher grinned a t me. Get em in, and get em bidding.And so I held out my hand, collecting their coins and orange stubs of paper, all the while resisting the urge to reach out and slam their necks, as easily as I would a twig branch, and drink the liquid state within.