Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 23

That night, though, the embrace did end, and I fell into a black, dreamless sleep. and my mind and body jerked into sudden wakefulness when I perceive a sharp clanging effective that seemed to r constantlyberate through my limbs.MurderersKillersDemonsThe words floated through the open window, chant-like. I crept to the window and creaked open the shutter. Outside, across the pond, thither were flashes of fire, and I even heard the sound of rifles firing. Dark bodies moved en masse, like a decant of locusts descending upon a cotton field.Vampires KillersI began to make out more and more words from the barbarian roar of the crowd. There had to be at least fifty men in attendance. Fifty drunken, angry, homicidal men. I grabbed Katherines shoulder and began shaking her hard.Wake up I whispered urgently.She sit up with a start. The whites of her eyes looked huge, and there were shadows beneath her eye sockets. What is it? Is everything okay? Her fingers fluttered to her necklace.No, its not okay, I whispered. The brigade is out. Theyre searching for vampires. Theyre on the main road right now. I pointed out the window.The yelling and shouts were getting closer. The fire blazed in the night, flames stint toward the night sky like red daggers. Fear shot through me. This wasnt supposed to be hazardnot yet.Katherine slipped out of bed, tucking the white quilt around her body, and closed the shutters with a bang. Y father, she express, her voice hard.ourI shook my head. It couldnt be. The siege is set for next week, and Father is not the type to deviate from an established plan. Stefan Katherine said sharply. Y ou promised you would do something. Y draw to ou curb this. These men dont get laid what theyre fighting, and they dont know how risk of infectionous this is. If they reserve doing this, people will get hurt.Dangerous? I asked, rubbing my temple. I suddenly had a pound headache. The shouting grew quieter now it seemed the mob was pressing forwardor p erhaps dispersing. I wondered if this was more a protest spurred by liquid courage than an actual siege.Not from me, but from whoever has launched these attacks. Katherines eyes met mine. If the townspeople know whats safe for them, whats best for them, theyd stop the hunt. Theyd allow us to resolve things. Theyd allow us to find the kickoff of the attacks.I sat on the edge of the bed and rested my elbows against my knees, staring down at the gaunt wooden floorboards in dismay, as if I could find some sort of answer, some sort of appearance to stop what already seemed to be happening.Katherine took my face in her hands. I am entirely at your mercy. I need you to protect me. Please, Stefan.I know, Katherine I said half-hysterically. But what if its too late? They have the brigade, they have their suspicions, they even have an invention designed to find vampires.What? Katherine reared back. An invention? Y didnt tell me that, she said, her voice fetchingou on a note of accusation. A hard lump settled in my chest as I explained Jonathans device. How had I failed to mention it to Katherine? Would she ever forgive me?Jonathan Gilbert. Katherines face twisted in contempt. So that collect thinks he can just hunt us down? Like animals?I recoiled. Id never heard Katherine use that harsh tone.Im sorry, Katherine said in a more composed voice, as if shed sensed the flutter of fear in my heart. Im sorry. Its just you simply cant imagine what its like to be hunted.The voices seem to be quieting. I peeked through the shutters. The mob was indeed beginning to disperse, the flames becoming shaky dots in the inky black night. The danger was seemingly gone.For now at least. But by next week, theyd have Jonathans invention. Theyd have a tendency of vampires. And theyd find every single last one of them.Thank goodness. Katherine sank down onto the bed, pale as Id ever seen her. A lone tear fell from her eye and trickled down her alabaster skin. I reached to wipe it absent with my index finger, then gently touched my tongue to my skin, an echo of what Id done at the Founders Ball. I sucked my finger, purpose that her tears tasted salty. Human.I pulled her to me, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Im not sure how long we sat there, together. But as the faint light of the morning came through the windows, I stood up.I will stop it, Katherine. I will protect you to the death. I swear it.