Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 11

The following morning, I clutched the soft linen sheets up to my neck, as I had when I was a child. With my eyeball squeezed shut, I could almost pretend I was home again. That Damon and I were still human and having our usual brotherly quarrels. That our father was someplace on the plantation, working. That Katherine was alive.No wait. That we had never met Katherine.Or maybe I was in bed at Lexis house, unsure about my new life, but accepted in this new home of fellow vampires.I easy came fully awake, and my fantasies crumbled against reality. I was in the Sutherlands house, still a captive of their generosity and my brothers threats, an uneager groom creation run quickly into an unwanted wedding.The Sutherlands werent terribly formal but nevertheless expected everyone to show up at breakfast. My dressing went perhaps slower than it tycoon have normally, as I adjusted my sock garters until they were perfect, fiddled with my cuffs, and ran my pass through my hair. I didnt muc h like looking in mirrors in those days. I scorned who I saw there.By the time I finally made it subduestairs to breakfast, the entire family was well into their meal. Mrs. Sutherland greeted me with a warm maternal smiling that snap at my insides. Though I felt genuinely fond toward her, she was compelled to accept me.Good morning, I mumbled, slinking into my place. Is there any coffee?You seem a musical composition down today, mboy, Winfield said, tucking his watch into his breast pocket. And a bit thin, may I add. You definitely need fattening up before the wedding I ring Ill take you to the club today. They do a wonderful lamb and pudding.Lydia gave me an apologetic smile. With a shock I realized that a pretty rose-pink scarf form her neck, neatly covering the usual spot for a vampire bite.Damon had fed on her.I turned my head from the coffee that had been placed before me, my post churning. Unconsciously, I touched my neck where Katherine used to bite me, remembering th e pain and pleasure all wound up together so sickly. Was it a means to me? To remind me of what would happen if I failed to marry Bridget?Stefan Dont go to the club until later We have a full day today, Bridget warned. We absolutely must, must, must go come across Brams family. They just love Damon Brammys been taking him to all of the latest places, like that bar that serves real English-style Pimms Cups Ill have to wear my new blue muslin. To their house, not to the bar, naturally. It isnt a adequate place for ladies. Fanny wanted blue muslin for her trousseau, but her engagement didnt work out, poor thing.The door to the kitchen opened, and Damon stepped through. Good morning, all, he crowed, bright-eyed and chipper. He looked rested and sated as he gave Lydia a flirty bow and me a nasty wink.My shoulders clenched. What are you doing here, Damon? I asked in as innocent a tone as I could muster.You didnt observe? He sat down at the table and unfolded his napkin with a flouris h. Winfield begged me to move in.Oh. I pushed my soften back from the table, plastering a wobbly smile on my face to mask my anger. Er, Damon, would you mind joining me in the foyer for a moment?Damon grinned at me. But I just sat down and Im ever so hungry.It will take but a minute, I said through clenched teeth.Lydia looked at me curiously, but after a beat, Damon scraped his chair back and followed me to the foyer. Milady, Ill return shortly.The second we were out of earshot, I turned to my brother. You are unbelievable. Youre moving in now?Why thank you, Damon said with a facetious bow. And yes. Were you not listening last night when I talked about all the amazing amenities the Sutherland abode has to offer? The room began to spin almost me as rage overtook me. My patience with Damons game was over.Why bother with all of this? I demanded. These shenanigans? If youre so powerful, why not just go into a bank and draw and quarter them give you all of the gold in their vaults?I suppose I could, but wheres the fun in that?The fun? I echoed in disbelief. Youre doing this for fun?Damons eyes hardened. Tracks, brother. Youre not thinking ahead. He frowned and brushed some imaginary lint off my jacket. Yes, I could just steal the money and leave town. But were going to be around forever. Or at least I am. And compulsion doesnt always take. In case you didnt notice, Margaret remains quite stubborn, and having her or Winfield, should he ever put forward my Power, go around waving my picture and calling me a thief well, I cant have that. Its much easier and more fun just to inherit it.I gazed at the door that separated us from the happily dining Sutherlands. Inherit it? As in, upon death?What? Why, brother, what exactly are you implying? he asked, pretending to be hurt. You bear on your half of the bargain, and I dont go on a killing spree. Remember? I gave you my word.No, Damon, I said. You said if I didnt marry Bridget you would start killing everyone in tha t room. You specifically did not say anything about what would happen after we were married.Good point, Damon said, nodding. Id like to kill a few people in their circle. Starting with that nightcrawler Bram. I think he has a thing for my Lydia, you know, he added with mock anger.Damon, I growled.His eyes narrowed. You take care of your wife. Ill take care of mine.I looked at my brother sharply. So then you do plan to kill Winfield after he signs over his fortune?For that, you will just have to stick around and see.I wont let you hurt any of them, I promised through a clenched jaw.You cant stop me. Whatever I choose to do, Damon hissed back.We glared at each other. My hands curled into fists. He shifted his stance, ready for a fight.At that moment Mrs. Sutherland poked her head into the foyer. Boys? Everything okay out here?Yes, maam, Damon answered graciously. We were just acquainting ourselves. He pointed the door to the kitchen and gave a ignore bow. After you, Stefan.Reluctant ly, I passed back into the kitchen, Damon close on my heels.So tomorrow we pick out our suits, Damon said. He was acting as though we were continuing a mundane discussion from the foyer, rather than just having ended an argument over the fates of everyone in the room. Stefan, we should match Why, Bridget, werent you just saying last night how someone, I immobilize who, matched her sister at another wedding? Silk or something?He knew. He was my brother and he knew precisely how to torment me. Eternally.Yes, of course, Damon, Bridget said with a gratified smile, turn of events to me. Stefan, you have to hear this. I thought about matching me and Lydia, but Im not sure the effect would be as dramatic, what with Lydias figureI slowly sank down at the table, drowning in her words and the knowledge that Damon was right. I had never been able to stop my brother, especially not when it mattered most.