"Exactly. " Lexi smiled, clearly pleased that I was catching on.

Buxton cleared his throat in disapproval. I could tell he didnt like me--that he was waiting for me to slip up so he could stake me without incurring Lexis wrath.

"Hugo, find us a table!" Lexi commanded. Hugo walked his hulkish frame over to a rough-hewn table next to the band. Before he could even open his mouth, the blue-coated soldiers at the table glanced at each other and stood up, leaving half-filled mugs behind.

Lexi pulled out two chairs. "Stefan, sit next to me. "

I sat, vaguely embarrassed that I was so compliant, like a child. But I reminded myself that even Hugo followed her lead. Lexi had Power, and she knew how to use it.

Percy, Hugo, and Buxton also settled around.

"Now," Lexi said, taking one of the abandoned beer mugs and waving it around in the air, just as the waitress approached us. "Lets teach you how to behave in public. "

My cheeks flushed with anger. "I am behaving," I said through clenched teeth. "Despite the fact that there are so many people that its nearly impossible to concentrate. "

Percy and Hugo snickered.

"Hes not ready " Buxton said in a surly tone.

"Yes, he is. " Lexis words were low and slightly menacing. Buxton clenched his jaw, clearly trying to rein in his temper. I shifted in my chair. I suddenly felt like I was ten years old again, with Damon protecting me from the Giffin brothers. Only this time it was a girl standing up for me. I was about to point out that I didnt need Lexi to answer for me when she placed a hand on my knee. The touch was gentle and calmed me.

"It gets easier," she said, briefly catching my eyes. "So, lesson one," she stated, addressing the entire group. A kindness on her part, I realized, since I was the only one who didnt know the finer points of being a vampire. "Lesson one is learning how to compel without drawing attention to yourself. " She leaned back and eyed the band. "I dont like this song. Stefan, what song would you like to hear?"

"Uh . " I glanced around the table, confused. Percy snickered again, but stopped when Lexi glared at him. ",,God Save the South?" I said hesitantly. The first thing that came to my head, it was a tune Damon used to whistle when he was on leave from the army.

Lexi scooted her chair back, the legs kicking up a layer of sawdust. She sauntered over to the band and looked each of the members in the eye as she said something I couldnt hear.

The band stopped mid-chord and immediately switched to "God Save the South. "

"Hey!" one soldier shouted. His comrades glanced at one another, clearly wondering why a band in a Union bar had suddenly been inspired to play a pro-Southern song.

Lexi grinned, as if delighted by her trick. "Are you impressed?"

 

; "Very," I said, meaning it. Even Percy and Hugo nodded in agreement.

Lexi took a sip of her beer. "Your turn. Pick someone," she said.

I glanced around the bar, my eye catching on a dark-haired barmaid. Her eyes were deep brown, and her hair was tied in a low knot at the nape of her neck. Her lips were parted, and she wore a cameo pendant that nestled in the notch of her neck. In the split second between seeing and knowing, I was reminded of Katherine. I thought of my first glimpse of Miss Molly, and how Id mistaken her for Katherine as well. It felt as though my maker were intent to haunt me in New Orleans.

"Her," I said, nodding toward the girl.

Lexi looked at me sharply, as if she knew there was a story behind this decision. But she didnt pry. "Clear your mind," she said instead, "and allow your energy to enter her. "

I nodded, remembering the moment on the train when my thoughts had touched Lavinias. I fixed my gaze on the barmaid. She was laughing, her head tilted back toward the ceiling, but as soon as my focus locked on her, her eyes lowered to mine, almost as if Id bidden her to do so.

"Good," Lexi murmured. "Now, use your mind to tell her what you want from her. "

That was the piece I had missed. When Id tried to compel the conductor, Id had thousands of thoughts about possible scenarios that could happen during our interaction, but I had not asked for any of them.

Come here, I willed, staring into her liquid chocolate eyes. Come to me. For a moment she held her place behind the bar, but then she took a hesitant step forward. Yes, keep going. She stepped forward again, more confidently this time, making her way toward me. I had expected her to look dazed, almost as though she were sleepwalking. But she didnt appear to be in a trance. To any bystander, she could have simply been coming to our table to take our drink orders.

"Hello," I said when she reached us.

"Dont break eye contact," Lexi whispered. "Tell her what you want her to do now. " Sit down,I thought. And, almost instantly, the girl wedged herself between me and Buxton, her thigh warm against mine.

"Hello," she said unblinkingly. "Its the strangest thing, but suddenly I just knew that I needed to sit here with you. "

Tags: L.J. Smith The Vampire Diaries Vampires
Source: readsnovelonline.net