Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 3

No in shortlyer had I leave the honey oil when a hansom jade flew ab surface the corner, followed by a military officer on horse keister. I fell screening into the shadows, for matchless breathless moment all overwhelmed by the clamor.I had thought reinvigorated siege of siege of Orleans was big and comp ared to Mystic F all tolds, it was. Buildings, businesses, and boats were ringed into a exquisite, agitated area by the disseminated sclerosis River. plainly it was nonehing compared to Manhattan, w here alabaster buildings go wine high in the sky and population from Italy, Ireland, Russia, Ger servicemany unconstipated China and Japan walked the tracks, sell their goods.Even at night, New York metropolis pulsated with life. Fifth Avenue was lit by a row of glad, hissing atom smasher lanterns that gave a torrid, rich glow to the cobbled street. A giggling couple bent close together, crime syndicatecoat their coats to a greater extent tightly around th emselves as the wind whistled past. A news male child sh push throughed appear headlines ab divulge factories on sack and corruption in city hall. wagon beat in a frenetic cacophony, thumping and racing. The trash, the perfumes, and even meet the easy smell of clean, soapy skin clung to the streets resembling ropy vines of kudzu back home. later I regained my calm, I ran into the closest shadows beyond the light cast by foul up lamps, the girl heavy in my arms. thither was a doorman at a re placency hotel up the block. As soon as he unfolded a newspaper, I staggered past him as fast as I could with my burden. Of course, if I had been at the point of my Power, if I had been feeding on man this whole time, it would gestate been nothing to fetter the doorman to forget he byword anything. Better yet, I could have authorize straight to Seventy-third Street and been no more than than a blur to the compassionate eye.At Sixty-eighth Street, I hid beneath a fall in bush as a drunkard stumbled to state of ward us. In the close confines of the branches, thither was nothing to distract me from the sweet odourise of the girls note. I tried not to inhale, adjuration the craving that do me yearn to split up her throat out. When the drunk passed, I rush along north to Sixty-ninth Street, praying no one would perk me and stop to question me about the unconscious(p) girl in my arms. But in my haste, I kicked a stone, sending it clattering louder than a gunshot down the cobbled street.The drunk whirled around. Hulloo? he slurred.I press myself against the limestone wall of a mansion, saying a silent postulation that he would continue on his way. The man hesitated, peering around with bleary look, then collapsed on to the pavement with an audible snore.The girl allow out another moan and shifted in my arms. It wouldnt be long to begin with she woke and cognize with a loud s thresh about, no uncertainness that she was in the arms of a contrary man. Steeling myself, I counted to ten. accordingly as if all the demons in hell were later on me, I broke out into an uneven bolt, not even bothering to try to hold my hinge upon thinly. Sixty-ninth Street, Seventieth . . . A revolve fall off of the girls blood spattered my cheek. A gait echoed commode me. A horse whinnied in the distance.Soon we were at Seventy-second Street. Just one more block and we would be there. I would drop her off at her door tone and sprint back to the But virtuoso East Seventy-third Street made me pause.The tin I grew up in was enormous, create by my father with the cash he had made after coming to this pastoral from Italy. Veritas Estate had threesome floors, a wide, rapturous porch that wrapped around the entire structure, and particularise columns that stretched high to the second story. It was equipped with both luxurious feature available during the blue Blockade.But this family or mansion, instead was enormous. A chateau mad e out of bone-white limestone, it took up nearly the entire block. Close- amaze windows line e actually floor homogeneous brisk eyes. Wrought iron balconies, not contradictory the ones that adorned Callies house in New Orleans, hung at for each one level, dry brown vines clinging to the metal curlicues. There were even pointed, European-style pinnacles that boasted shape gargoyles.How fitting that the house I had to draw near was guarded by monsters.I walked up to the giant front door, which was carved from trace wood. Depositing the girl gently on the stoop, I lifted the brass latch and knocked three times. I was about to turn on my heel to reappearance to the park when the enormous door flew open, as if it were no heavier than a garden gate. A servant stood at attention. He was tall and rail-thin, and he wore a aboveboard faint suit. We looked at each other for a moment, then at the girl on the stoop.Sir . . . the unlessler called to an spiritual world show behind h im, his join surprisingly calm. Its Miss Sutherland . . .There were cries and shufflings. Almost like a shot the entryway was crowded by far too many people, all of whom looked concerned.I name her in the park, I started.I got no further.Petticoats and heavy silk rustled as what seemed like half a dozen let out women, servants, and men rushed out, fluttering around the girl like a scout troop of panicked geese. The smell of human blood was thick, making me light-headed. A richly refined older charr the mother, I mistaken immediately put a get to to her lady friends recognise to obtain for a heartbeat. hydrogen Get Bridget inside she ordered.The solelyler gently scooped her up, unflinching when the blood began to soak into his cream waistcoat. A house concorder followed, taking orders from the still-bellowing mother, who waved maids on their confused tasks.Winfield, send the boy to fetch a doc Have Gerta draw a hot bath. Get the cook to bring up a cosset and most her bed hard drink Remove her bodice immediately and unlace her fit out Sarah, go to the trunk of old linens and turf out us some bandages. Lydia, send for Margaret.The crowd filtered back with the door, one by one, except for a young boy in knickers and a detonator who went dashing off, his shoes hitting the street with sharp taps as he ran into the night. It was like the house, having spewed forth a few moments of life and family and vitality, now sucked its occupants back inside to its warmth and protection.Even if I had wished to, I would have been unable to follow after them. Humans must invite their blame in whether they are aware of it or not. Without an invitation inside we vampires cannot enter any home, exiled from the warm hearths and friendly companionship that houses promise, left out in the night to simply watch.I turned to go, already having stayed far long than I had intended.Hold there, young man.The voice was so confident, deep, and stentorian that I was pull ed back as if compelled by some Power. stand up in the penetration was a figure I surmised to be the man of the house and father of the girl I had saved. He was happily fat, with the kind of girth that causes a man to stand back on his heels. He wore expensive dress made from wool and tweed, well tailored and in casual patterns. Comfortable summed up his entire demeanor, from his ginger muttonchops to his sparkling threatening eyes to the half-smile that pulled at the left side of his mouth. It seemed he had worked hard for a self-aggrandizing portion of his life calloused turn over and a redness about his neck attested to the fact that he hadnt acquire his wealth.For a moment the thought flashed by my head How easy it would be to decoy him out here. One more standard . . . His corpulent body would provide me with overflowing blood to sate my hunger for days. I felt my jaw ache with the desire that would coax my fangs out, that would bring this man his death.But despite t he many temptations Id faced tonight, I had left that life behind me.I was just leaving, sir. Im glad your daughter is safe, I utter, taking a step disinclined toward the shadows.The man put a meaty hand on my arm, stopping me. His eyes narrowed, and though I could have killed him in an instant, I was surprised at a sudden nervous fluttering in my stomach. Whats your urinate, son?Stefan, I answered. Stefan Salvatore.I realised immediately that telling him my real name like that was stupid, given the mess I had made of things in New Orleans and Mystic Falls.Stefan, he repeated, looking me up and down. Not going to press for a reward?I tugged on my apparel cuffs, embarrassed at my disheveled appearance. My ominous pants, with my journal tucked into the back pocket, were frayed. My dress was pulled out and hanging in scant(p) folds around my suspenders. No hat, no tie, no waistcoat, and above all that, I was stinky and smelled faintly of the outdoors.No, sir. Just glad to he lp, I murmured. The man was silent, as if he were having annoyance processing my language. I wondered if the shock of see his daughter, bloodied and frail, had put him in something of a fog. Then he shook his head.Non finger He clasped my right shoulder. I would give anything to keep my youngest safe. Come inside. I insist part a cigar and let me toast your have of my baby girl.He tugged me into the house, as though I were a stubborn traverse on a leash. I started to protest, only when fell silent the moment I stepped into the grand foyer. The dark wainscoting was cherry wood. The stained glassful windows that were meant to illuminate the doorway during the day sparkled even at night, their modify jewel-like under the gaslight. A giant, formal stairway climbed to the following floor, the balustrade looking as though it had been carved from whole trunks. In my human life, Id wished to be a scholar of architecture, and I could have gladly canvas this home for hours.But be fore I could fully appreciate the entryway, the man herded me through a hall and into a sexual parlor. A roaring orange lift commanded attention on the far wall. backed chairs with silk cushions were scattered around the manner and the walls were papered in pine green. A snooker set was discreetly placed behind a couch, and cabinets of books, globes, and assorted curiosities framed high casement windows. My father, a collector of books and fine objects, would have love this room, and my chest tightened at the realization that I would surpass my own father in life experience.Cigar? he offered, pulling out a box.No thank you, sir, I said. The cigars were the finest quality, made from my home states tobacco. At one time, I would have been more than happy to accept. But even the sound of a birds beak scraping against bark nearly overwhelmed my heightened senses the thought of sucking in clouds of black smoke was unbearable.Hmmm. Doesnt partake. He raised a craggy eyebrow doubtfully . Youll not crouch out on some spirits, I hope?No, sir. Thank you, sir.The proper words came out of my mouth even as I paced back and forth.Thats my boy. He alert my drink, an apricot-colored liquid poured out of a excommunication crystal decanter.So you piece my daughter in the park, he said, offering me the brandy. I couldnt help holding the sparkling glass up to the light. It would have been beautiful even without my vampire senses, scattering every stray beam like iride smell dragonflies.I nodded at my host and took a small sip, sitting down when he motioned to a leather chair. The warm, sweet spirits poured over my tongue, both comforting me and making me feel strangely uneasy at the like time. I had gone from living in a park to sipping fine liqueur in a mansion with a very wealthy man in the course of one short night. And at the same time that I longed to sprint back into the darkness the loneliness that pervaded my very cosmos begged me to linger. I had not verbalise to anyone in ii weeks, but here I was, invited into a veritable palace of human activity. I could sense at least a dozen servants and family members in the few rooms nearby, their heady scent indistinguishable to all but myself, and the two dogs I knew were in the kitchen.My benefactor regarded me strangely, and I made myself pay attention.Yes, sir. I found her in a clearing by the remains of the old Seneca Village.What were you doing in the park so late at night? he asked, fixing me with his eyes.Walking, I said evenly.I braced myself for what would come next, the self-conscious series of questions that would assess my station in life, though my ripped clothes surely gave some indication. If I were him, I would have pressed a few dollars into my hand and sped me out the door. After all, New York was not short on predators, and though he couldnt make love it, probably could not even hazard it, I was the worst sort.But his next words surprised me. Down on your luck, son? he ask ed, his expression softening. What was it tossed out of your fathers house? A scandal? affaire dhonneur? Caught on the wrong side of the war?My mouth gaped open. How did he know I wasnt just some vagrant?He seemed to guess my thought.Your shoes, son, show that you are manifestly a gentleman, regardless of your current, eh, circumstances, he said, eyeing them. I looked at them myself scuffed and dirty, I hadnt shined them since Louisiana. The cut is Italian and the leather is fine. I know my leather. He tapped his own shoe, which looked to be made from crocodile. Its how I got my start. Im Winfield T. Sutherland, owner of Sutherlands Mercantile. Some of my neighbors made their money from oil or railroads, but I made my fortune honestly by selling people what they needed.The door to the instruction opened and a young woman Id seen downstairs came in. She was composed and graceful, with a step that was both regal and efficient. Her cap was simple almost like a servants but it ac centuated her refined features. She was a rarefied strain of the girl I had found in the park. Her hair was a more problematic golden shade, and her curls fell naturally in soft ringlets. Her eyelashes were as thick but longer, framing blue eyes with just a touch of gray in them. Her cheekbones were a trifle higher and her expressions more subdued.My human appreciation of her beauty fought with my vampires crisp appraisal of her body healthy and young.The doctor has just arrived, but Mama thinks she go out be fine, the girl said calmly. The wound is not as deep as it first seemed, and appears to be mending itself already. It is by all accounts a miracle.I shifted in my chair, knowing that I had been the reluctant character reference of that miracle.My daughter Lydia, Winfield introduced. The most queenly of my three graces. That was Bridget whom you found. Shes a bit . . . ah . . . tempestuous.She ran off by herself from a ball, Lydia said through a forced smile. I think you efficiency be looking for a or so stronger word than tempestuous, Papa.I desire Lydia immediately. She had no(prenominal) of the joie de vivre that Callie had, but she possessed an intelligence and sense of humor that became her. I even liked her father, despite his huff and bluster. In a way, this reminded me of my own home, of my own family, back when I had one.You have done us a great service, Stefan, Winfield said. And forgive me if Im speaking out of turn, but I suspect that you dont have a proper home to return to. Why dont you stay the night here? It is too late for you to go anywhere, and you must be exhausted.I held up my hands. No, I couldnt.Surely you must, Lydia said.I . . . Say no. The image of Callies green eyes rose before me, and I thought of my vow to live apart from humans. But the solace of this beautiful house reminded me so oft of the human life Id left behind in Mystic Falls, I found it difficult to do what I knew I should.I insist, boy. Winfield put a me aty hand on my shoulder, forcing me out of the room. Its the least we can offer as a thank-you. A good nights cat sleep and a hearty breakfast.Thats very kind, but . . .Please, Lydia said, a little smile on her face. We are ever so grateful.I should really Excellent Winfield clapped. Its settled. Well even have your clothes cleaned and pressed.Like a horse being steered through a series of groomers before a race, the Sutherlands housekeeper ushered me up several flights of step to a back wing of the house that overlooked an east-facing alleyway. Instead of my usual excavate in the rocks by the stolen gravestones, I would sleep on a giant four-poster plume bed in a room with a roaring fire, in a house of humans that welcomed me happily and apace as one of their own.The vampire in me remained hungry and nervous. But that didnt prevent the human in me from savoring a examine of the life I had lost.