Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 4

November 5, 1864It tints akin so long ago, nevertheless in reality short(p) time has passed since my transformation, since my lessen killed me. It was b atomic number 18ly a calendar month preceding(a) that Damon and I tried to save Katherines intent, and her crease saved ours. B arly a month since I was a aliment, warm-blooded human, who keep up himself on meals of meat and vegetables, cheese and wine-coloured and who slept in a feather bed, with sweep linen sheets.Yet it feels give care a lifetime, and by legion(predicate) definitions, I cipher it is.But ripe as apace as my fortunes cancelled afterwardwardwards sensitive Orleans, loss me to live as a vagrant in a approximate hollow in the set, hither I am at a right-hand(a) desk under a leaded window, a fat rug at my feet. How chop-chop I am slueping choke dispatch into human waysThe Sutherlands seem commonplaceised a kind family. I portraying tempestuous duot and her long-suffering older sis ter as mirror versions of Damon and myself. I never appreciated how harmless Damons and my fathers fights were cover when they were unspoiled ab off horses and girls. I was always terrify wiz of them would presuppose or do some amour that would end forever what semblance of a family we had left.Now that my father is dead and my fellow and I are . . . what we are, I cognise how such(prenominal) more serious things brook get, and how simple and easy life was onward.I shouldnt conceive down stay here, raze to darkness. I should sneak out the window and run to my place of exile. Being enfolded in the warm, living embrace of the Sutherland family for each amount of time, no progeny how short, is dangerous and deceptive. It sheds me feel interchangeable I could almost belong to the humanity of humans again. They dont realize they perk up wel humpd a predator into their midst. All that would need to follow is for me to lose control once, to slip from my populate righ t now and take my look at of one of them, and their lives would be filled with cataclysm adept as mine became when Katherine arrived on our doorstep.Family has always been the most important thing to me, and I would be lying if I didnt admit how comforting it is to be among batch who love one another, if only for one borrowed iniquity. . . .For the origin time since Id left bare-assed Orleans, I rose with the sun, intent to slip out of the mansion and disappear into the forenoon mists before anyone came to wake me. But it was unuttered to resist the pull of crisp linen sheets, the soft mattress, the shelves of books, and the painted ceiling of my manner. afterwards admiring the fresco of winged cherubs above me, I pushed off the soft covers and forced myself out of bed. Every muscle in my automobile trunk rippled under my pale skin, all-embracing of strength and Power, serene every organize in my rib cage showed. The Sutherlands had taken my clothes to be washed only when hadnt given me a nightshirt. I enjoyed the tonus of morning sunlight on my flesh, the freshness warmth fighting with the chill in the room. Though Id never forgive Katherine for unsloped turn me into a monster, I was grateful at least for her lapis lazuli ring that saved me from the suns otherwise fatal rays.The window was pass the push asideest bit, ushering a cool breeze into the room and setting the diaphanous curtains aflutter. Though temperature no longer affected me, I boot out the window, locking the latch with some puzzlement. I could take a leak sworn all the windows had been shut tight last night. Before I had time to further consider the matter, the tell-tale pose of a heartbeat sounded close by, and after a light knock, the door amiss(p) open. Lydia stuck her head in, then immediately blushed and looked external from my virtually naked form.Father was panicked you might try to leave without say good-bye. I was sent to make certain(a) you didnt ch arm a maid into fate you.Im knottyly in a produce to sneak away, I said, covering my breast with my arms. I provide need my drawers to do that.Henry will be up shortly with your trousers, freshly pressed, she said, retention her eye on the ground. In the meantime, there is a bathing room effective down the hall to the right. Please feel free to refresh yourself, and then come down to breakfast.I n quainted, feeling trapped.And, Stefan. Lydia looked up briefly and met my eye. I do swear youll be able to locate a shirt as nearly. because she smiled and slipped away.When I finally came downst institutionalises for breakfast, the entire Sutherland company was waiting for me even Bridget, who was alive and medical dressing toast into her lawsuit like she hadnt eaten in a fortnight. Except for a slight paleness to her complexion, it was impossible to tell that shed nearly died the night before.Everyone turned and gasped as I approached. Apparently, I cut a disparate figur e from the hero in shirtsleeves the night before. With freshly polished fine Italian shoes, neat pants, a new dandy shirt, and a borrowed jacket Winfield had sent up for me, I was every inch the gentleman. Id even washed my face and combed my sensory hair fundament.Cook made you some grits, if you like, Mrs. Sutherland said, indicating a bowl of gloppy white halt. We dont usually indulge, but sight our Southern guest might. give thanks you, maam, I said, taking the empty hobo next to Bridget and eyeing the spread on the heavy(a) wooden table. After my mother passed away, Damon, my father, and I made it a habit to eat casually with the men who we employed on the plantation. Breakfast was often the simple stuff of workers, hominy and biscuits, bread and syrup, rashers of bacon. What was laid out at the Winfield residence put to shame the finest restaurants in Virginia. English-style toast in delicate wire holders, five different types of jam, two kinds of bacon, johnnycakes, syrup, even freshly squeezed orange juice. The delicate plates had good-for-nothing Dutch patterns, and there was more silverware than I was accustomed to seeing at a formal dinner.Wishing I still had a human appetite and ignoring the onset in my veins that thirsted for blood I pret cease to dig in.Much obliged, I said.So this is my little sisters savior, said the one fair sex in the room I didnt know. capture me to introduce the eldest of my daughters, Winfield said. This is Margaret. First married. And first with grandchildren, were hoping.Papa, Margaret admonished, before turning her attention back to me. Pleased to meet you. Where Bridget was full of life and the plumpness of youth and Lydia was the elegant, cultivated one, Margaret had something of a practical and inquisitive good sense, an earthiness that showed in questioning blue eyes. Her hair was disconsolate and inclined to straightness.We were just discussing what prompted my childs rash actions, Winfield said, bring the conversation back to the previous night.I dont know why I ran off, Bridget burboted, order of payment deeply from a cup of orange juice. The older sisters gave each other looks, but their father leaned closer, worry lines marring his forehead. I just felt that I absolutely had to leave. So I did.It was foolish and dangerous, her mother reprimanded, trembling her napkin. You could have diedI am corpus sternum to see you are doing so well today, I said courteously. Bridget grinned, displaying teeth that had little bits of orange pulp stuck in them.Yes. almost that. Margaret spoke up, tapping her egg spoon on the side of her plate. You say you found her cover in blood in the park?Yes, maam, I answered warily, taking the smallest piece of bacon on my plate. This sister sounded more astute than the others and wasnt unnerved to ask uncomfortable questions.There was a lot of blood, and Bridgets dress was torn. Margaret pressed, Did you find it odd that there was no actual t rauma?Uh, I stammered. My mind raced. What could I say? The blood was someone elses?I thought there was a knife violate last night, Mrs. Sutherland said, pursing her lips and presupposeing. But it was just clot blood, and wiping it down cleared it away.Margaret pierced me with her eyes.mayhap she was afflicted with a nosebleed . . . ? I mumbled lamely.So youre saying that you didnt see any attacker when you came upon my sister? Margaret asked.Oh, Meggie, you and your interrogations, Winfield said. Its a miracle that Bridge is all right. Thank goodness Stefan here found her when he did.Yes. Of course. Thank goodness, Margaret said. And what were you doing in the park last night by yourself? she continued smoothly.Walking, I said, same as I had answered her father the night before.In the bright light of morning, it struck me as odd that Winfield had asked me nothing more than my pick up and why Id been in the park. In quantify like these, and after his daughter had just suffered a great blow, it was hardly dissentard to accept a stranger into ones home. Then again, my father had offered refuge to Katherine when shed arrived in recondite Falls, playing the part of an orphan.A kvetch piece of me wondered if our story could have ended differently, if the entire Salvatore brood would still be alive, if only wed pressed Katherine for answers round her past, sort of than tiptoeing around the tragedy shed cl come ined had taken her parents lives. Of course, Katherine had Damon and me so deeply in her thrall, perhaps it would have made no difference.Margaret leaned forward, not politely giving up the way Winfield had the night before. Youre not from around here, I take it? Im from Virginia, I answered as she opened her express to form the next, obvious question. In a strange way, it made me feel transgress to offer this family something real. Besides, soon enough I would be out of this house, out of their lives, and it wouldnt matter what they knew about me .Whereabouts? she pressed.Mystic Falls.Ive never comprehend of it.Its fairly small. Just one master(prenominal) street and some plantations.There was some shuffling movement under the table, and I could only assume that either Bridget or Lydia was trying to give Margaret a good kick. If the blow was successful, Margaret gave no sign.Are you an educated man? she continued.No, maam. I planned to interpret at the University of Virginia. The war put a stop to that.War is good for no one, Winfield said as he stabbed a piece of bacon with his privates.The war put a stop to much casual actuate back and forth between the states, Margaret added.Whats that to do with anything? Bridget demanded.Your sister is suggesting that its an odd time for me to come north, I explained. But my father late died. . . .From the war? Bridget demanded breathlessly. Lydia and Mrs. Sutherland glared at her.Indirectly, I answered. A war had claimed my fathers life, a war against vampires against me. My t own . . . it burned, and there was nothing left for me anymore.So you came north, Lydia said.To try your hand at business, perchance? Winfield suggested try forfully.Here was a man with tierce daughters, three beautiful daughters, but no sons. No one to share cigars and brandy with, no one to push and encourage and struggle with in the human race of business. I was both worried and amused by the reflect in his eye when he looked at me. Surely there were families with sons in Manhattan who would make for more auspicious marital alliances. whatsoever I can do, I aim to make my way in the world on my own, I replied, taking a sip of coffee. I would have to, without Lexi or Katherine to guide me. And if I ever precept Damon again, the only thing he would guide me toward was a saucily sharpened stake.Where are you living? Margaret continued. Do you have family here?I cleared my throat, but before I had to tell my first real lie, Bridget groaned.Meggie, Im bored of this interrogatio nA tactual sensation of a smile bloomed on Lydias lips, and she quick hid it behind her napkin. What would you prefer to talk about?Yourself? Margaret said with an arched brow.Yes, in truth Bridget said, face around the table. Her eyes glowed as parking lot as Callies, but with her petulance on full display, she no longer reminded me of my deep in thought(p) love. I still dont know why I ran out on the party.Margaret involute her eyes. Lydia shook her head.I mean, you should have seen the looks I got she started up, waving her knife in the air for emphasis. Floras dress was the worst, especially considering shes a newly married woman. And my new sash oh no, was it undone last night? I would hatred to have it ruined Mama Was it on me when Stefan brought me home? We have to go back to the park and look for itHow about we go back to the park and look for the mortal who tried to kill you, Margaret suggested.Weve already had a discussion with Inspector Warren about it. He promi ses a thorough investigation, Mrs. Sutherland said. But, Bridget, you essential promise not to run off from the Chesters ball this evening or I will be forced to stand watch over you in your bedroom.Bridget cross her arms over her chest with a huff.And neither shall you run off, Mrs. Sutherland said more pointedly to Lydia. The middle sister blushed.Lydia has locomote in love with an Italian count, Bridget confided, her pout evaporating as she indulged in gossip. We all hope he asks her hand in brotherhood wouldnt that be splendid? Then wed all be like royalty, sort of, and not just rich merchants. Imagine, Lydia a countessWinfield laughed nervously. Bridget . . .Bridget fluttered her thick eyelashes. Its so wonderful that Lydia has a suitor, much less a count. After Meggie was wed, I was afraid Mother and Papa would plow traditional and not let me attach until Lydia did and who knew how long that was going to take.Lydia is . . . particular, Mrs. Sutherland said.Oh really, Ma ma, Bridget rolled her eyes. As if anyone even had an interest before. And now she has a count. Its really . . . its really not fair, you know, if you think about it . . . if I had a suitable coming out . . .I shifted in my seat, at once embarrassed for everyone, and just glad to be involved in something as ordinary as a family squabble. This was the first time Id been among company since leaving Lexi in New Orleans.So many handsome, strange men in our lives these days, Margaret said, somewhere between whimsy and warning. What an odd coincidence, Mr. Salvatore. possibly I neednt make the grand tour, after all.Hush now, Margaret, Winfield said.And actually I have no one to go to the Chesters with anyhow, Mama, Bridget was continuing, actually growing red in the face as if she was trying quite hard to cry. She looked at me sidelong the entire time. I am sure as shooting Milash wont escort me after last night. . . . I am in dire need of rescue. . . .Bridget widened her green eyes a t her father. Winfield frowned and stroked his muttonchops thoughtfully. In that moment, Bridget seemed as sizable as a vampire, able to bind her father to her every wish. Margaret put a hand to her head as if it ached.Mr. Salvatore will take you, Winfield said, gesturing at me with a fork full of biscuit. Hes rescued you once Im sure hes a gentleman who wouldnt leave you in distress again.All eyes were turned on me. Bridget perked up, smiling at me like a kitten just offered a bowl of cream.I balked.Im afraid I havent the proper attire . . . I began.Oh, that is work out easily enough, Mrs. Sutherland said with a cognise smile.Once again, Lydia murmured, too low for anyone else to hear, we are holding poor Mr. Salvatore at our mercy. With pants.