The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #1: Origins by L. J. Smith; Kevin Williamson; Julie Plec

Author:L. J. Smith; Kevin Williamson; Julie Plec
Language: cs
Format: mobi
Tags: United States, Love & Romance, Vampires, Juvenile Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Horror & Ghost Stories, Young Adult, Historical, General, Horror, Media Tie-In, Civil War Period (1850-1877)
ISBN: 9780062003935
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 2010-11-01T23:00:00+00:00

18

That night, Damon invited me to play cards with some of his soldier friends, who were camped out for the moment in Leestown, twenty miles away.

“I may not agree with them, but damn, can they play a good hand and drink a good pint,” Damon said.

I’d found myself agreeing, eager to avoid Father and any questions about vampires. But by the time twilight rolled around and I hadn’t seen any sign of Katherine or Emily, I wished that I hadn’t agreed to accompany Damon. My mind was still jumbled, and I wanted a night with Katherine to reassure me that my desire was leading me in the right direction. I loved her, but the practical, sensible side of me was having trouble disobeying Father.

“Ready?” Damon asked, clad in his Confederate uniform, when he stopped by my bedroom at twilight.

I nodded. It was too late to say no.

“Good.” He grinned and clattered down the stairs. I glanced wistfully out the window toward the carriage house, then followed him.

“We’re going out to the camp,” Damon yelled as we passed by Father’s study.

“Wait!” Father emerged from the study into the living room, several long branches filled with tiny, lilac-like purple flowers in his arms. Vervain. “Wear this,” he commanded, tucking a sprig into each of our breast pockets.

“You shouldn’t have, Father,” Damon said tersely, as he plucked the sprig out of his pocket and shoved it into his breeches pocket.

“I’ve given you latitude, son, and given you a roof. Now all I ask is that you do this,” Father said, slamming his meaty fist into his palm so hard, I saw him wince. Thankfully, Damon, usually so quick to pounce at any sign of weakness, didn’t notice.

“Fine, Father.” Damon shrugged easily and spread his arms as if in defeat. “I would be honored to wear your flower for you.”

Father’s eyes flickered with rage, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he simply broke off another sprig and tucked it into Damon’s coat pocket.

“Thank you,” I mumbled as I accepted my own branch. My statement of thanks was less for the flower and more for Father showing mercy on Damon.

“Be careful, boys,” Father said, before retreating to his study.

Damon rolled his eyes as we walked outside.

“You shouldn’t be so hard on him,” I mumbled, shivering in the night air. The summer-like day had become a chilly fall evening, but the mist that had been everywhere last night had lifted, giving us a crystal-clear view of the moon.

“Why not? He’s hard on us.” Damon snorted as he led the way to the stable. Mezzanotte and Jake were already bridled and stamping their hooves impatiently. “I had Alfred get everything ready. Thought we’d need a quick getaway.”

Damon swung his leg over Jake’s back, then galloped him down the path and turned in the direction opposite of town. We rode in silence for at least a half hour. With just the sound of the hooves and the sight of the moon peeking through the dense foliage, it felt like we were riding into a dream.

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