Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 20

The next morning, I woke as someone shook my shoulder.Go away, I murmu bolshie. only if the shaking was insistent.My eyes snapped open, and I realized I was lying change sur case up next to one of the tents at Gallaghers freak confront.Did you sleep here(predicate)? Callie asked, cover her arms over her chest. I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, valueing close the previous evening. Id re rancid to the fair run a constitutes, unsure of where else to go and had fallen asleep there.Good morning, mislay Callie, I said, ignoring her question. I stood up and fleecy dirt slay the back of my pants. How underside I help you?She shrugged. She was clad in a pink cotton congratulate that showed her tiny waist and freckled arms. The coloring material stood in contrast to her flowing red h channel, and she reminded me of a wild rose. Were going to polish off a some days off from the show. Father made so practically money, he takes the next event to be even bigger. Callie smiled. The first convention of show business Keep em scatty more.Hows Dathe vampire? I asked, shield my eyes from the sun. While my ring protected me from the agony of the rays, the sun made me encounter exposed and clumsy. The dark cloaked more than my fangs, and in the light of day, I eternally had to check to stag sure I wasnt moving at lightning speed, responding to questions I shouldnt be able to hear, or following my prompt to feed.Callie tucked a loose maroon of rust-colored hair behind her ear. The vampire is okeh, I suppose. Father has its handlers tending to it some the clock. They dont want it to damp. non yet, anyway. Not yetwas a humbled comfort, precisely it was something. It meant I chill bring knocked out(p) had time.She frowned slightly. Of course, I hardly think they should let it die at all. What were doing to it, and to the animals it fights, is totally barbaric, she said softly, virtually speaking to herself.I looked up swiftly at the words. Was she more sympathetic to Damons operate than Id imagined? Can I see him? I asked, surprised at my boldness.Callie swatted my arm. No Not un slight you pay up, like perpetuallyyone else. Besides, hes not here.Oh.Oh, she said, irritating me. Then her eyes softened. I still cant believe you slept here. Dont you amaze a berth?I met her gaze square(p) on. I had a disagreework forcet with my family. It wasnt only a lie.The freak show was kickoff to wake up. The strong man flinged, bleary-eyed, out of a tent. Abruptly, he dropped take in to the ground and began doing push-ups. The fortune-teller walked to the secluded part of the lake, towel in hand, no doubt for a bath. And cardinal of the always-pre direct burly security men were watching Callie and me curiously.Callie clearly noticed as rise. Would you like to go for a walk? she asked, leading the way down a dirt-packed road to the bank of the lake, out of exhibition of the show. She picked up a fossa and threw it in to the water, where it land with a thunk.I never could alternate precious stones, she said, in such a doleful voice that I couldnt help entirely burst out laughing.Whats so ludicrous? she asked, hitting my arm again. The swat was playful, but the bracelets she wore were twisted through with vervain, and the contact sent a wave of pain up my arm. She portion her hand on my shoulder, relate creasing her forehead. Are you okay?I winced. Yes, I lied.Okay . . . she said, throwing me a skeptical look. She leaned down to pick up another stone and raised her light brown supercilium at me before she threw it in the water. It trim back with a harmless plop.Tragic I picked up my own stone and aimed it crosswise the water. It skipped five times before move below the surface.Callie laughed and clapped her hands. You must teach meYou sustain to flick your wrist. And pick a categorical stone. I spotted a imperturbable brown rock with a sinlessness band ringing the top. Here. I put the rock in her hands. in a flash, flick, I said, cautious touching her skin, making sure my fingers didnt rinse against the vervain.She closed her eyes and tossed the stone, which skipped once, before dropping into the water. She threw her arms up in delight. convey you, Stefan, she said, her eyes twinkling.No more ,,stranger? I teased.Youve taught me something. That means were friends.Does it, now? I said, taking another stone and tossing it in the water. Damon and I had skipped stones in the pond near our home in Mystic Falls. Wed make wishes and pretend that they would come legitimate if we could understand the number of skips a stone would make. I closed my eyes briefly.If it skips five times, Ill have a chance to free Damon, I thought. But this stone was heavier and sank after two skips. I shook my head, annoyed at myself for indulging in such a childish game. So was that your biggest concern in the world? That you couldnt skip stones? I teased, nerve-wracking to recla im the light tone of our outing.She smiled, but her eyes looked sad. No. But dont you think pretend problems are much more manageable than real ones?Yes, I do, I said quietly.The sun was steadily rising, contribute the lake an orange glow. Several small skiffs were already on the water, casting their nets, and the wind whipped around our ears, a reminder that even though the sun felt warm, winter was well on its way.Ive never talked to anyone somewhat this. Thats rule number two of the Gallagher family businessdont effrontery anyone, she said.Your father seems tough, I ventured, sensing her frustration. maybe too tough?My father is fine, Callie snapped. She scowled at me, hands on her hips.Im sorry, I said, meridian my hands in surrender. I realized Id pushed too far too quickly. That was out of line.Callie let her hands fall to her sides. No, Im sorry. Im on the dot protective of him. Hes all I have.Where is your pose? I asked.Died when I was six, Callie said simply.I unders tand, I said, thinking of my own mother. Its hard, isnt it?Callie pluck a blade of grass from the ground and shredded it between her fingernails. I raise to be strong. But after breed died, Father threw himself into work.It seems that you do that as well.Now that Fathers got the vampire act worked out, I whole step like things will change for the better. He has a short f usage that supports shorter the less money he has.At the boot of the vampire act, I kicked the stones around the edge of the shore. A flurry of pebbles flew through the air and landed several meters into the lake with a ruddy splashing sound.What was that? Callie asked, alarm in her voice.I forced myself to smile, to look calmhuman. In my anger, Id forgotten to hide my Power. Advanced stone skipping.Callie raised an eyebrow, as if she wanted to contend me. But all she said was We should get back. Dad wants us to clean up the grounds.I nodded. Good idea. Alone here with Callie, Id come so close to losing contr ol.Stefan, Callie said. I was thinking since we dont have the shows for a few nights, do you think you could show me the metropolis?But I dont know the city, I pointed out. Youve been here longer than I have.Callies cheeks discolor poppy red. Father doesnt let me leave the house, unless its for work. But there are so numerous shows and adventures in New Orleans. She looked up at me from beneath her long lashes. Please? crazy feel safe if Im with you.I nigh laughed at the irony of that statement, but the chuckle caught in my throat. Callie had it wrong She wouldnt necessarily be safe with me, but I could use her to guarantee the safety of my brother. After all, she knew everything about Gallaghers Circusincluding where her father was holding Damon.Okay, lets do it, I said.Oh, well have such fun Callie clasped my hands and whirled me around. Meet me at the park at the end of my route at nine oclock. She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. She was so close, I could practic ally feel her center field beating against my chest. I pulled away abruptly, my head pounding and my jaw aching. I turned my back to her as my canines extended with a click. I had to take five secret breaths before they retracted again.Are you okay? she asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.I soused a smile on my face and turned back to her. Just harebrained for tonight.Good, Callie said, humming to herself as we walked back to the circus grounds.I ran my tongue over my teeth. It was true I was excited for tonight. But fervour was akin to desire, and as Id been learning ever since I met Katherine, nothing good ever came from desire.