Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 11

The following morning, I clutched the soft linen sheets up to my jazz, as I had when I was a child. With my eyes squeezed shut, I could almost fix I was home again. That Damon and I were still human and having our usual accessible quarrels. That our father was feww here on the purposetation, roleplaying. That Katherine was alive.No wait. That we had never met Katherine.Or perchance I was in bed at Lexis house, unsure ab come out my sensitive life, but harmonizeed in this new home of fellow vampires.I slowly came fully awake, and my fantasies crumbled against trulyity. I was in the Sutherlands house, still a confined of their generosity and my brothers threats, an uneager groom being run quickly into an discarded unify.The Sutherlands werent terribly formal but nevertheless expected everyone to show up at breakfast. My dressing went perhaps slower than it might have normally, as I ad mediocreed my sock garters until they were perfect, fiddled with my cuffs, and ran my ha nds through my hair. I didnt very a lot like looking in mirrors in those days. I hated who I saw there.By the time I finally made it down the stairs to breakfast, the entire family was well into their meal. Mrs. Sutherland greeted me with a warm maternal smile that tore at my insides. Though I felt genuinely fond toward her, she was compelled to accept me. sound morning, I mumbled, slinking into my place. Is there any coffee?You seem a bit down today, mboy, Winfield said, tucking his watch into his breast pocket. And a bit thin, may I add. You definitely need fattening up before the wedding I think Ill take you to the club today. They do a extraordinary lamb and pudding.Lydia gave me an apologetic smile. With a shock I realized that a pretty rose-pink scarf encircled her neck, neatly covering the usual accredit for a vampire bite.Damon had fed on her.I turned my precede from the coffee that had been placed before me, my stomach churning. Unconsciously, I touched my neck whe re Katherine used to bite me, remembering the pain and pleasure all suffer up together so sickly. Was it a message to me? To re listen me of what would keep if I failed to marry Bridget?Stefan Dont go to the club until later We have a full day today, Bridget warned. We absolutely must, must, must go visit Brams family. They reasonable love Damon Brammys been taking him to all of the latest places, like that bar that serves real English-style Pimms Cups Ill have to wear my new blue muslin. To their house, non to the bar, naturally. It isnt a worthy place for ladies. Fanny wanted blue muslin for her trousseau, but her engagement didnt work out, poor thing.The gate to the kitchen opened, and Damon stepped through. Good morning, all, he crowed, bright-eyed and chipper. He looked be and sated as he gave Lydia a flirty bow and me a nasty wink.My shoulders clinch. What ar you doing here, Damon? I asked in as innocent a tone as I could muster.You didnt hear? He sat down at the do dge and unfolded his napkin with a flourish. Winfield begged me to move in.Oh. I pushed my chair back from the table, daubing a wobbly smile on my face to mask my anger. Er, Damon, would you mind joining me in the foyer for a moment?Damon grinned at me. scarce I just sat down and Im ever so hungry.It pull up stakes take but a minute, I said through clenched teeth.Lydia looked at me curiously, but after a beat, Damon scraped his chair back and followed me to the foyer. Milady, Ill effect shortly.The second we were out of earshot, I turned to my brother. You are unbelievable. Youre moving in now?Why thank you, Damon said with a facetious bow. And yes. Were you not listening last night when I talked about all the direful amenities the Sutherland abode has to offer? The room began to spin around me as rage overtook me. My patience with Damons game was over.Why bother with all of this? I demanded. These shenanigans? If youre so powerful, why not just go into a swan and make them gi ve you all of the gold in their vaults?I contemplate I could, but wheres the fun in that?The fun? I echoed in disbelief. Youre doing this for fun?Damons eyes hardened. Tracks, brother. Youre not thinking ahead. He frowned and brushed some imaginary lint off my jacket. Yes, I could just steal the money and drop dead town. But were going to be around forever. Or at to the lowest degree I am. And compulsion doesnt always take. In case you didnt notice, Margaret remains instead stubborn, and having her or Winfield, should he ever shake my Power, go around undulation my picture and calling me a thief well, I cant have that. Its much easier and more fun just to inherit it.I gazed at the door that separated us from the happily dining Sutherlands. Inherit it? As in, upon finish?What? Why, brother, what exactly are you implying? he asked, pretending to be hurt. You keep your fractional of the bargain, and I dont go on a killing spree. Remember? I gave you my word.No, Damon, I said. You said if I didnt marry Bridget you would start killing everyone in that room. You specifically did not say anything about what would happen after we were married.Good point, Damon said, nodding. Id like to kill a few people in their circle. scratch with that sycophant Bram. I think he has a thing for my Lydia, you know, he added with mock anger.Damon, I growled.His eyes narrowed. You take economic aid of your wife. Ill take care of mine.I looked at my brother sharply. So then you do plan to kill Winfield after he signs over his fortune?For that, you will just have to stick around and see.I wont let you hurt any of them, I promised through a clenched jaw.You cant stop me. Whatever I choose to do, Damon hissed back.We glared at each other. My hands curled into fists. He shifted his stance, earn for a fight.At that moment Mrs. Sutherland poked her head into the foyer. Boys? Everything okay out here?Yes, maam, Damon answered graciously. We were just acquainting ourselves. He point ed the door to the kitchen and gave a slight bow. After you, Stefan.Reluctantly, I passed back into the kitchen, Damon close on my heels.So tomorrow we pick out our suits, Damon said. He was acting as though we were continuing a sublunary discussion from the foyer, rather than just having ended an argument over the fates of everyone in the room. Stefan, we should match Why, Bridget, werent you just saying last night how someone, I immerse who, matched her sister at another wedding? Silk or something?He knew. He was my brother and he knew precisely how to torment me. Eternally.Yes, of course, Damon, Bridget said with a satisfy smile, turning to me. Stefan, you have to hear this. I thought about duplicate me and Lydia, but Im not sure the effect would be as dramatic, what with Lydias get intoI slowly sank down at the table, drowning in her words and the friendship that Damon was right. I had never been able to stop my brother, especially not when it mattered most.