"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 something!"
"I 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 reason why we dont drink 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 mood for lightness. "No," I said, then headed upstairs to plan Damons rescue alone.
Chapter 16-17
Chapter 16
I searched in vain for peaceful sleep but never found it. Instead when I closed my eyes I saw Damon, his legs curled around a hard wooden chair, his arms bound in ropes. His skin bled, the droplets a dark maroon where the vervain-soaked ropes bit into his flesh.
Next came the images of Callie, her flame-colored hair flowing behind her, her eyes lit with a frightening passion. She and her father danced around Damon, my brothers form prone on the ground. They threw their hands in the air tauntingly, gripping wooden stakes, the ends so sharpened they reached a fine point. Their movements became more frenzied as they approached, readying their weapons
But worst of all were the visions of Katherine. I would see her, looking beautiful as always, her porcelain face hovering above mine and her glossy mane tickling my shoulders. With a coy, knowing smile she would lean toward me, and then she would open her mouth. Her fangs glinted in the lamp light as they plunged into my neck.
My eyes flew open. Sleep would not afford me any rest. My mind went to memories of Katherine. The human part of me--or what was left of it--hated her with every fiber of my being. My hand curled into a fist involuntarily when I thought of her, and how shed destroyed my family.
But the vampire part of me missed what shed represented--stability and love. And just as that part of my soul would last for eternity, so too would the part of me that longed for her. I wanted her now, beside me, curled up in my sheets. I wanted her to lean against the windowsill and listen as I told her about Damon, and tell me, in her calm, even cold, matter-of-fact way what to do. Being with Katherine had made me fearless, confident. She had made everything seem possible.
Even though I trusted Lexi, I knew she didnt trust me to take care of things she didnt believe that any plan I had would work. That was why Lexi reminded me so often of all the obstacles in my path. I longed for the Katherine I had fallen for, the one who seemed both fearless 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 really existed. Besides, she was gone, and she was never coming back.
The door opened, and Lexi stood there, a goblet of animal blood in her hands. She brought it to my lips. I took a few deep sips, despite the disgust it called up in me.
When I had drained the cup, she put it on the nightstand, then brushed my hair off my forehead. "Are you still going to the fight tonight?"
"Are you going to try to stop me?" "No." Lexi bit her lip. "Not so long as you simply leave it at saving your brother. Revenge is for humans--and killing Gallagher wont teach humans any lesson."
I nodded, all the while knowing Id use brute force if it was necessary to free Damon.
"Good." Lexi turned to leave. Halfway toward the door, she turned back and locked eyes with me, and her expression softened. "Youve cheated death once. I hope 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 set up around the perimeter of the fairgrounds, making the entire area look as if it was bathed in daylight. The circus tent was striped red and white, and surrounded by midway games and individual booths. "Fortunes Told!" a poster above one read. "See the Worlds Ugliest Woman--If You Dare!" proclaimed another. I could hear the chattering of some type of animal coming from a far corner, but I couldnt get a sense of where Damon was.
Just then, Callie walked out of the main tent, trailed by her father and her two henchmen. She was wearing the same pair of overalls shed had on the night before over a mans linen shirt, and her hair fell around her shoulders. There was a smudge of dirt beneath her eye. I had a sudden urge to wipe it away but stuck my hands in my pocket instead.
"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 kept my expression open, innocent. Lexi said Gallagher was a skilled vampire hunter--would he be able to detect the truth just by staring at me?
"My daughter says youre curious about vampires," he said. "Prove youre serious and work the ticket counter. Then we can talk."
"Yes, sir." I nodded, feeling like Stefan the obedient child.