The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Five

The full moon was directly overhead when Stefan came h gray-haired to the boarding house. He was giddy, almost reeling, both from fatigue and from the glut of blood hed taken. It had been a long era since hed let himself feed so heavily. but the burst of wild Power by the graveyard had caught him up in its frenzy, shattering his already weakened statement. He still wasnt sure where the Power had come from. He had been watching the human girls from his place in the shadows when it had exploded from back end him, sending the girls fleeing. He had been caught between the idolatry that they would run into the river and the desire to probe this Power and find its source. In the end, he had followedher , unable to chance her acquiring hurt.Some thing black had winged toward the woods as the humans r separatelyed the sanctuary of the couplet, but even Stefans night senses could non make come in what it was. He had watched while she and the other two started in the direction of town . Then he had turned rachis to the graveyard.It was empty without delay, purged of whatever had been thither. On the ground puzzle a thin spoil of silk that to ordinary eyes would provoke been gray in the dark. simply he truism its true color, and as he crushed it between his fingers, bringing it slowly up to touch his lips, he could pure tone the fragrancy of her hair.Memory engulfed him. It was bad enough when she was start of sight, when the cool glow of her mind completely teased at the edges of his awareness. But to be in the same room with her at the school, to feel her presence behind him, to smell the heady fragrance of her skin all around him, was almost more than he could bear.He had comprehend e rattling soft breath she took, felt her warmth radiating against his back, sensed each throb of her new pulse. And eventually, to his horror, he had bring himself giving in to it. His tongue had brushed back and forth over his rotternisterid teeth, enjoying the pleasure-pain that was building thither, encouraging it. Hed breathed her smell into his nostrils deliberately, and let the visions come to him, imagining it all. How soft her neck would be, and how his lips would meet it with touch softness at first, planting tiny kisses here, and here, until he reached the yielding hollow of her throat. How he would nuzzle there, in the place where her heart beat so strongly against the delicate skin. And how at last his lips would part, would draw back from aching teeth now sharp as little daggers, and-No . Hed brought himself out of the trance with a jerk, his own pulse beating raggedly, his body shaking. The class had been dismissed, movement was all around him, and he could barely hope no one had been observing him too closely.When she had spoken to him, he had been unable to believe that he had to face her while his veins burned and his whole upper jaw ached. Hed been afraid for a moment that his control would break, that he would seize her shoulders and take her in front of all of them. He had no idea how hed gotten away, only that some time later he was channeling his energy into hard exercise, dimly aware that he moldiness not use the Powers. It didnt matter even without them he was in e very way superior to the individual boys who competed with him on the football field.His sight was sharper, his reflexes faster, his muscles stronger. Presently a hand had clapped him on the back and Matts phonation had troll in his earsCongratulations Welcome to the teamLooking into that honest, smiling face, Stefan had been overcome with shame. If you knew what I was, you wouldnt smile at me, hed estimate grimly. Ive won this competition of yours by deception. And the girl you love-you do love her, dont you?-is in my theorys right now.And she had remained in his thoughts despite all his efforts to banish her that afternoon. He had wande expiration to the graveyard blindly, pulled from the woods by a force he did not understa nd. Once there he had watched her, fighting himself, fighting the need, until the surge of Power had sent her and her friends running. And then(prenominal)ce hed come home-but only after feeding. After losing control of himself.He couldnt remember exactly how it had happened, how hed let it happen. That ignite of Power had started it, awakening things inside him best left sleeping. The hunting need. The craving for the chase, for the smell of fear and the frustrate triumph of the kill. It had been years-centuries-since hed felt the need with such force. His veins had begun burning equivalent fire. And all his thoughts had turned red he could think of nothing else but the hot coppery taste, the primal vibrancy, of blood.With that excitement still raging by him, hed taken a step or two after the girls. What might collapse happened if he hadnt mellisonant the old man was better not thought about. But as he reached the end of the bridge, his nostrils had flared at the sharp, dist inctive odor of human flesh.Humanblood . The ultimate elixir, the forbidden wine. More intoxicating than whatsoever liquor, the steaming affectionateness of life itself. And he was so tired of fighting the need.There had been a movement on the molduate under the bridge, as a pile of old rags stirred. And the next instant, Stefan had landed gracefully, catlike, beside it. His hand shot out and pulled the rags away, exposing a wizened, blinking face atop a scrawny neck. His lips draw back.And then there was no sound but the feeding.Now, as he stumbled up the main staircase of the boarding house, he time-tested not to think about it, and not to think about her-about the girl who tempted him with her warmth, her life. She had been the one he rightfully desired, but he must put a stop to that, he must kill any such thoughts sooner they were started from now on. For his sake, and for her own. He was her worst nightmare come true, and she didnt even bang it.Whos there? Is that you , boy? a cracked voice called sharply. One of the second-story doorsopened, and a gray head poked out.Yes,signora -Mrs. Flowers. Im sorry if I disturbed you.Ah, it takes more than a creaky floorboard to disturb me. You locked the door behind you?Yes,signora . Youre safe.Thats right. We need to be safe here. You never know what might be out there in those woods, do you? He beared quickly at the smiling little face surrounded by wisps of gray hair, the bright darting eyes. Was there a secluded hidden in them?Good night,signora .Good night, boy. She shut the door.In his own room he fell onto the bed and lay staring up at the low, slanting ceiling.Usually he rested uneasily at night it was not his natural sleeping time. But tonight he was tired. It took so very much energy to face the sunlight, and the heavy meal only contributed to his lethargy. Soon, although his eyes did not close, he no longer sawing machine the sportywashed ceiling above him.Random scraps of memory floated fi nished his mind. Katherine, so lovely that evening by the fountain, moonlight silvering her pale golden hair. How proud he had been to sit with her, to be the one to share her secretBut can you never go out in sunlight?Ican , yes, as long as I wear this. She held up a small sportsmanlike hand, and the moonlight shone on the lapis ring there. But the sun tires me so much. I have never been very strong.Stefan looked at her, at the delicacy of her features and the slightness of her body. She was almost as insubstantial as spun glass. No, she would never have been strong.I was often ill as a child, she verbalize softly, her eyes on the play of urine in the fountain. The last time, the surgeon finally give tongue to I would die. I remember Papa crying, and I remember lying in my big bed, too weak to move. Even breathing was too much effort. I was so sad to leave the world and so cold, so very cold. She shivered, and then smiled.But what happened?I woke in the middle of the night to s ee Gudren, my maid, standing over my bed. And then she stepped aside, and I saw the man she had brought. I was frightened. His name was Klaus, and Id heard the people in the village regulate he was evil. I cried out to Gudren to save me, but she just stood there, watching. When he put his mouth to my neck, I thought he was pass to kill me.She pa apply. Stefan was staring at her in horror and pity, and she smiled comfortingly at him. It was not so terrible after all. There was a little pain at first, but that quickly went away. And then the belief was actually pleasant. When he gave me of his own blood to drink, I felt stronger than I had for months. And then we waited out the hours together until dawn. When the surgeon came, he couldnt believe I was able to sit up and speak. Papa said it was a miracle, and he cried again from happiness. Her face clouded. I give have to leave my papa former(prenominal) soon. One day he will realize that since that illness I have not magnanimous an hour older.And you never will?No. That is the wonder of it, Stefan She gazed up at him with childlike joy. I will be young forever, and I will never die Can you imagine?He could not imagine her as anything other than what she was now lovely, innocent, perfect. But-you did not find it frightening at first?At first, a little. But Gudren showed me what to do. It was she who told me to have this ring made, with a gem that would protect me from sunlight. While I lay in bed, she brought me rich warm possets to drink. Later, she brought small animals her son trapped.not people?Her laughter rang out. Of course not. I can get all I need in a night from a dove. Gudren says that if I wish to be powerful I should take human blood, for the life essence of humans is strongest. And Klaus used to urge me, too he wanted to exchange blood again. But I declaim Gudren I do not want power. And as for Klaus She stopped and dropped her eyes, so that heavy lashes lay on her cheek. Her voice was very s oft as she continued. I do not think it is a thing to be done lightly. I will take human blood only when I have found my companion, the one who will be by my side for all eternity. She looked up at him gravely.Stefan smiled at her, feeling light-headed and bursting with pride. He could scarcely contain the happiness he felt at that moment.But that was before his brother Damon had returned from the University. Before Damon had come back and seen Katherines jewel-blue eyes.On his bed in the low-roofed room, Stefan moaned. Then the darkness drew him in deeper and new images began to flicker through his mind.They were scattered glimpses of the past that did not form a machine-accessible sequence. He saw them like scenes briefly illuminated by flashes of lightning. His brothers face, twisted into a mask of uncouth anger. Katherines blue eyes sparkling and dancing as she pirouetted in her new white gown. The glimmer of white behind a lemon steer. The feel of a sword in his hand Giusepp es voice shouting from far away. The lemon tree. He must not go behind the lemon tree. He saw Damons face again, but this time his brother was laughing wildly. Laughing on and on, a sound like the grate of broken glass. And the lemon tree was closer nowDamon-Katherine-noHe was sitting bolt ripe on his bed.He ran shaking hands through his hair and steadied his breath. A terrible dream. It had been a long time since he had been tortured by dreams like that long, indeed, since hed dreamed at all. The last hardly a(prenominal) seconds played over and over again in his mind, and he saw again the lemon tree and heard again his brothers laughter.It echoed in his mind almost too clearly. Suddenly, without being aware of a conscious decision to move, Stefan found himself at the open window. The night air Was cool on his cheeks as he looked into the silvery dark.Damon? He sent the thought out on a surge of Power, questing. Then he fell into absolute stillness, listening with all his senses .He could feel nothing, no ripple of response. Nearby, a bitstock of night birds rose in flight. In the town, many minds were sleeping in the woods, nocturnal animals went about their secret business.He sighed and turned back into the room. Perhaps hed been ill-timed about the laughter perhaps hed even been wrong about the menace in the graveyard. Fells Church was still, and peaceful, and he should try to emulate it. He needed sleep. kinsfolk 5 (actually early September 6-about 100 a.m.) Dear Diary,I should go back to bed soon. vertical a few minutes ago I woke up thinking individual was shouting, but now the house is quiet. So many strange things have happened tonight that my nerves are shot, I guess.At least I woke up knowing exactly what Im going to do about Stefan. The whole thing just sort of sprang into my mind. Plan B, Phase One, begins tomorrow.Francess eyes were blazing, and her cheeks were flushed with color as she approached the three girls at the table.Oh, Elena, you ve got to hear thisElena smiled at her, polite but not too intimate. Frances ducked her brown head. I mean can I join you? Ive just heard the wildest thing about Stefan Salvatore.Have a seat, said Elena graciously. But, she added, buttering a roll, were not sincerely interested in the news.You-? Frances stared. She looked at Meredith, then at mediocre. You guys are joking, right?Not at all. Meredith speared a green bean and eyed it thoughtfully. We have other things on our minds today.Exactly, said Bonnie after a sudden start. Stefans old news, you know. Passe. She bent downcast and rubbed her ankle.Frances looked at Elena appealingly. But I thought you wanted to know all about him.Curiosity, Elena said. After all, he is a visitor, and I wanted to pleasing him to Fells Church. But of course I have to be loyal to Jean-Claude.Jean-Claude?Jean-Claude, said Meredith, raising her eyebrows and sighing.Jean-Claude, echoed Bonnie gamely.Delicately, with finger and forefinger, Elena dre w a photo out of her backpack. Here he is standing in front of the cottage where we stayed. remunerate afterward he picked me a flower and saidWell,-she smiled mysteriously-I shouldnt repeat it.Frances was gazing at the photo. It showed a bronzed young man, shirtless, standing in front of a hibiscus bush and smiling shyly. Hes older, isnt he? she said with respect.Twenty-one. Of course,-Elena glanced over Tier shoulder-my aunt would never approve, so were keeping it from her until I graduate. We have to write to each other secretly.How romantic, Frances breathed. Ill never tell a soul, I promise. But about StefanElena gave her a superior smile. If, she said, I am going to eat Continental, I prefer French to Italian every time. She turned to Meredith. Right?Mm-hmm. Everytime. Meredith and Elena smiled knowingly at each other, then turned to Frances. Dont you agree?Oh, yes, said Frances hastily. Me, too. Every time. She smiled knowingly herself and nodded several(prenominal) times as she got up and left.When she was gone, Bonnie said piteously, This is going to kill me. Elena, I am going to die if I dont hear the gossip.Oh, that? I can tell you, Elena replied calmly. She was going to say theres a description going around that Stefan Salvatore is a narc.A what Bonnie stared, and then burst into laughter. But thats ridiculous. What narc in the world would dress like that and wear dark glasses? I mean, hes done everything he can to draw attention to himself Her voice trailed off, and her brown eyes widened. But then, that may bewhy he does it. Who would ever shady anybody so obvious? And he does live merely, and hes awfully secretive Elena What if its true?It isnt, said Meredith.How do you know?Because Im the one who started it. At Bonnies expression, she grinned and added Elena told me to.Ohhhh. Bonnie looked admiringly at Elena. Youre wicked. Can I tell people hes got a terminal disease?No, you cannot. I dont want any Florence Nightingale types lining up to hold his hand. But you can tell people whatever you want about Jean-Claude.Bonnie picked up the photograph. Who was he really?The gardener. He was crazy about those hibiscus bushes. He was also married, with two kids.Pity, said Bonnie seriously. And you told Frances not to tell anyone about himRight. Elena checked her watch. Which means that by, oh, say two oclock, it ought to be all over the school.After school, the girls went to Bonnies house. They were greeted at the front door by a shrill yapping, and when Bonnie opened the door, a very old, very fat Pekingese tried to escape. His name was Yangtze, and he was so spoiled that no one except Bonnies experience could stand him. He nipped at Elenas ankle as she went by.The living room was dim and crowded, with lots of preferably fussy furniture and heavy curtains at the windows. Bonnies sister bloody shame was there, unpinning a cap from her wavy red hair. She was just two years older than Bonnie, and she worked at the Fells Churc h clinic.Oh, Bonnie, she said, Im glad youre back. Hello, Elena, Meredith.Elena and Meredith said hello. Whats the matter? You look tired, said Bonnie.Mary dropped her cap on the coffee table. Instead of answering, she asked a question in return. support night when you came home so upset, where did you say you girls had been?Down in the-Just down by Wickery Bridge.Thats what I thought. Mary took a deep breath. Now, you listen to me, Bonnie McCullough. Dont youever go out there again, and especially not alone and at night. Do you understand?But why not? Bonnie asked, bewildered.Because last night psyche was attacked out there, thats why not. And do you know where they found him? Righton the bank under Wickery Bridge .Elena and Meredith stared at her in disbelief, and Bonnie clutched at Elenas arm. Somebody was attacked under the bridge? But who was it? What happened?I dont know. This morning one of the burying ground workers spotted him lying there. He was some homeless person, I guess, and hed probably been sleeping under the bridge when he was attacked. But he was half dead when they brought him in, and he hasnt regained consciousness yet. He may die.Elena swallowed. What do you mean, attacked? I mean, said Mary distinctly, that his throat was nearly ripped out. He lost an incredible amount of blood. They thought it might have been an animal at first, but now Dr. Lowen says it was a person. And the police think whoever did it may be hiding in the cemetery. Mary looked at each of them in turn, her mouth a immediately line. So if youwere there by the bridge-or in the cemetery, Elena Gilbert-then this person may have been there with you.Get it ?You dont have to frighten us anymore, said Bonnie faintly. We get the point, Mary.All right. Good. Marys shoulders slumped, and she rubbed at the back of her neck wearily. Ive got to lie down for a while. I didnt mean to be crabby. She walked out of the living room.Alone, the three girls looked at one another.It coul d have been one of us, said Meredith quietly. Especially you, Elena you went there alone.Elenas skin was prickling, that same painfully alert feeling shed had in the old graveyard. She could feel the chill of the wind and see the rows of tall tombstones all around her. Sunshine and Robert E. lee had never seemed so far away.Bonnie, she said slowly, did you see somebody out there? Is that what you meant when you said someone was waiting for me?In the dim room, Bonnie looked at her blankly. What are you talking about? I didnt say that.Yes, you did.No, I didnt. I never said that.Bonnie, said Meredith, we both heard you. You stared out at the old gravestones, and then you told Elena-I dont know what youre talking about, and I didnt sayanything . Bonnies face was pinched with anger, but there were disunite in her eyes. I dont want to talk about it anymore.Elena and Meredith looked at one another helplessly. Outside, the sun went behind a cloud.