Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 23

That night, though, the embrace did end, and I fell into a black, dreamless sleep. besides my mind and body jerked into sudden wakefulness when I comprehend a sharp clanging sound that fronted to reverberate through my limbs.MurderersKillersDemonsThe nomenclature floated through the open window, chant- corresponding. I crept to the window and creaked open the shutter. Outside, across the pond, on that point were flashes of fire, and I even heard the sound of rifles firing. Dark bodies moved en masse, like a swarm of locusts descending upon a cotton field.Vampires KillersI began to make out more than and more words from the angry vociferate of the crowd. There had to be at least fifty men in attendance. Fifty drunken, angry, murderous men. I grabbed Katherines shoulder and began shaking her hard.Wake up I whispered urgently.She sat 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 fl uttered to her necklace.No, its not okay, I whispered. The brigade is out. Theyre meddling for vampires. Theyre on the main road right like a shot. I pointed out the window.The cheering and shouts were getting closer. The fire blazed in the night, flames reaching toward the night sky like red daggers. Fear shot through me. This wasnt supposed to be adventurenot yet.Katherine slipped out of bed, tucking the white quilt around her body, and closed the shutters with a bang. Y father, she state, her parting hard.ourI shook my head. It couldnt be. The siege is set for future(a) 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 pass water to ou full point this. These men dont deal what theyre fighting, and they dont k at a time how dangerous this is. If they keep doing this, people will get hurt.Dangerous? I asked, rubbing my temple. I suddenly had a pounding headache. The shouting grew quie ter now it seemed the mob was pressing forwardor perhaps dispersing. I wondered if this was more a protest spurred by liquid courage than an actual siege. non 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 relegate the hunt. Theyd allow us to resolve things. Theyd allow us to find the get-go of the attacks.I sat on the edge of the bed and rested my elbows against my knees, staring down at the worn wooden floorboards in dismay, as if I could find some sort of answer, some sort of way to stop what already seemed to be happening.Katherine took my face in her hands. I am wholly 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, h er voice takingou on a note of accusation.A hard thud settled in my chest as I explained Jonathans device. How had I failed to observe it to Katherine? Would she ever forgive me?Jonathan Gilbert. Katherines face twisted in contempt. So that photograph thinks he can just hunt us down? standardized 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 flicker of headache 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 comme il faut 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 list 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 pull up fell from her eye an d trickled down her alabaster skin. I reached to wipe it out-of-door with my index finger, then gently touched my tongue to my skin, an echo of what Id do at the Founders Ball. I sucked my finger, finding 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 anathemise it.