Bloodlust (The Vampire Diaries 15)

Damons eyes locked on mine.

"You found me," he said, no emotion in his face. "Are you happy to see that Im close to death, brother?"

"Im here to save you," I said simply. The horses were kicking up the sawdust around their feet in agitation; I didnt have much time before someone in the house heard the disturbance.

Damon shrugged, an effort that clearly took all his energy. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy. A large cut lined his forehead, slicing into his eyebrow. He looked awful and emaciated; it was clear he hadnt eaten in days. I glanced around, hoping I could find something--a squirrel, a rabbit, a chipmunk--to kill and toss to him, but there was nothing.

"So the cold-blooded killer is going to save me. " Damon attempted a wan smile. He leaned back against the wall, his chains rattling.

"Yes, we have to--"

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a door slamming, then a dog barking. I whirled around toward the main house.

"What do you think youre doing?" a voice yelled out. And I stood, my hands raised to the sky, unsure of who--or what--had found me this time.

Chapter 14-15

Chapter 14

My hands still in the air, I pressed my lips together. Id already learned that any sign of stress caused my fangs to bulge and my pupils to grow larger; I didnt want to prepare to attack until I knew what I was dealing with.

"Jake? Charley?" a female voice called as two burly men ran toward me from the main house. Although twice my bulk, they were definitely human. Each man grabbed one of my arms, though I noted with cold calculation that it would take only one quick twist to shake both off before I lunged for my attack.

But I fought with every core of my being to stay still, my hands high in the air, hoping Id just look like a common vagrant. There was no guarantee that a fight would lead to Damons rescue.

A girl walked toward me from the porch and stopped a foot away.

"I apologize," I said to her. I tried to make my voice sound like I was nervously gasping for breath. "I didnt realize this was private property. Im new to town, and I was in the tavern, and, well " I trailed off, unsure of whether my lies would get me into even deeper trouble.

"You thought youd steal from me?" The girl stepped forward. Her hair tumbled in flaming curls down her back, and she wore what looked suspiciously like a vervain wreath on her head. She had on a white nightdress, but she was wearing mens boots, and I could see calluses on her hands. Though she was clearly from a wealthy family, this was no coddled city girl.

"No. No! I wasnt stealing, I was just looking for the vampire," I said.

She knit her eyebrows together. "To steal him ?" she asked leadingly, hands on her hips.

"No!" I said again, my arm jerking involuntarily. One of the men holding me dropped my arm in surprise. "No," I said again, forcing myself to remain still. "I saw the poster for the show down by the lake, and, well, I guess my curiosity got the best of me. " I shrugged.

A rooster crowed. Sunlight slowly spilled over the backyard. I glanced down at my gleaming ring, thankful that Lexi had left.

"Okay, then," the girl said. She snapped her fingers, and the two large men dropped my arms. "If you are new to town, then where do you come from?"

"Mys Mississippi," I fibbed. "Right across the river. "

She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it. "Well, welcome to New Orleans," she said. "I dont know what things are like back in Mississippi, but you cant go sneaking into peoples backyards looking at their livestock. And the next time you may not meet someone as friendly as me. "

I fought my urge to snort at her idea of friendliness, given my brothers wretched state.

"So, whats your name, stranger?"

"Stefan," I said. "Are you Miss Gallagher?"

"Smart," she observed sarcastically. "That I am. Callie Gallagher. "

One of the large men stepped toward her protectively.

"Leave us," she commanded. "Ill escort Mr. Stefan out. "

"Thank you," I said contritely as I followed her around the long gravel path, past the sun-room of the house, and toward the gate. "Thanks for trusting me," I said.