The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter One

DamonIcy sprain whipped Elenas blur around her face, tearing at her light sweater. Oak leaves swirled among the rows of granite headstones, and the trees lashed their branches together in frenzy. Elenas hands were cold, her lips and cheeks were numb, but she stood facing the screaming lead-in directly, shouting into it.DamonThis prevail was a show of his berth, meant to frighten her away. It wouldnt work. The thought of that same Power macrocosm saturnine against Stefan woke a hot fury inside her that burned against the wind. If Damon had reserve anything to Stefan, if Damon had hurt himDamn you, answer me she shouted at the oak trees that border the graveyard.A dead oak leaf similar a wizen brown hand skittered up to her foot, but there was no answer. Above, She dark and gasped.He was conscionable behind her, so close that her clothes napped his as she turned. At that distance, she should have sensed another human cosmos standing there, should have felt up his lugga ge compartment warmth or comprehend him. nevertheless Damon, of course, wasnt human.She reeled back a couple of steps before she could get out herself. E precise instinct that had lain quiet while she shouted into the violence of the wind was nowadays begging her to run.She clenched her fists. Wheres Stefan?A line appeared between Damons tenebrific eyebrows. Stefan who?Elena stepped forward and slapped him.She had no thought of doing it before she did it, and afterward she could scarcely regard what she had done. precisely it was a good hard slap, with the dependable force of her form behind it, and it snapped Damons head to one side. Her hand stung. She stood, discovering to calm her breath, and watched him.He was dressed as she had first seen him, in cruddy. Soft black boots, black jeans, black sweater, and leather jacket. And he presented like Stefan. She didnt know how she could have befuddled that before. He had the same dark h waycloth, the same pale skin, the sa me worrisome good looks. But his hair was straight, not wavy, and his eyes were black as midnight, and his mouth was cruel.He turned his head slowly back to look at her, and she saw blood rising in the cheek shed slapped.Dont fraud to me, she express, her voice shaking. I know who you are. I knowwhat you are. You killed Mr. Tanner last night. And now Stefans disappeared.Has he?You know he hasDamon smiled and then turned it off instantly.Im inform you if youve hurt him Then, what? he said. What will you do, Elena? What john you do, against me?Elena fell silent. For the first time, she completed that the wind had died away. The day had gone deadly quiet around them, as if they stood passive at the center of some great circle of power. It seemed as if everything, the weighted sky, the oaks and purple beeches, the ground itself, was connected to him, as if he drew Power from all of it. He stood with his head tilted back slightly, his eyes fathomless and teeming of strange light s.I dont know, she whispered, but Ill find something. Believe me.I do believe you, he said, relaxing, looking for around the graveyard. Then he turned back and held out a hand to her. Youre too good for my brother, he said casually.Elena thought of slapping the hand away, but she didnt want to touch him again. key out me where he is. Later, possibly for a price. He withdrew his hand, just as Elena realized that on it he wore a ring like Stefans silver and lapis lazuli. call in that, she thought fiercely. Its important.My brother, he went on, is a fool. He thinks that because you look like Katherine youre weak and easily led like her. But hes wrong. I could feel your angriness from the other side of town. I can feel it now, a face cloth light like the desert sun. You have strength, Elena, even as you are. But you could be so much strongerShe stared at him, not understanding, not appetency the change of subject. I dont know what youre talking astir(predicate). And what has it got to do with Stefan?Im talking about Power, Elena. Suddenly, he stepped close to her, his eyes fixed on hers, his voice leisurely and urgent. Youve tried everything else, and nothing has satisfied you. Youre the girl who has everything, but theres always been something just out of your reach, something you need desperately and cant have. Thats what Im offering you. Power. Eternal life. And feelings youve never felt before.Shedid understand then, and bile rose in her throat. She choked on abuse and repudiation. No.Why not? he whispered. Why not try it, Elena? Be honest. Isnt there a part of you that wants to? His dark eyes were full of a heat and intensity that held her transfixed, unable to look away. I can waken things inside you that have been sleeping all your life. Youre strong generous to live in the dark, to glory in it. You can become a queen of the shadows. Why not consent that Power, Elena? Let me help you take it.No, she said, wrenching her eyes away from his. She w ouldnt look at him, wouldnt let him do this to her. She wouldnt let him make her forget make her forgetIts the ultimate secret, Elena, he said. His voice was as caressing as the fingertips that touched her throat. Youll be intelligent as never before.There was something terribly important she must remember. He was using Power to make her forget it, but she wouldnt let him make her forgetAnd well be together, you and I. The cool fingertips stroked the side of her neck, slipping under the call for of her sweater. Just the two of us, forever.There was a sudden twinge of distract as his fingers brushed two tiny wounds in the flesh of her neck, and her spirit cleared.Make her forgetStefan.That was what he wanted to drive out of her mind. The recollection of Stefan, of his green eyes and his smile that always had sadness lurking behind it. But nothing could force Stefan out of her thoughts now, Ive already found what I want, she said brutally. And who I want to be with forever.Black ness welled up in his eyes, a cold rage that swept through the air between them. sounding into those eyes, Elena thought of a cobra about to strike.Dont you be as stupid as my brother is, he said. Or I might have to diplomacy you the same way.She was frightened now. She couldnt help it, not with cold pouring into her, dismay her bones. The wind was picking up again, the branches tossing. Tell me where he is, Damon.At this heartbeat? I dont know. Cant you stop thinking about him for an instant?No She shuddered, hair lashing about her face again.And thats your final answer, today? Be very sure you want to play this game with me, Elena. The consequences are nothing to prank about.Iam sure. She had to stop him before he got to her again. And you cant intimidate me, Damon, or havent you noticed? The s Stefan told me what you were, what youd done, you lost any power you might have had over me. Ihate you. You abuse me. And theres nothing you can do to me, not any more.His face alter ed, the sensuousness tress and freezing, becoming cruel and bitterly hard. He laughed, but this laugh went on and on. Nothing? he said. I can doanything to you, and to the ones you love. You have no idea, Elena, of what I can do. But youll learn.He stepped back, and the wind cut through Elena like a knife. Her vision seemed to be blurring it was as if flecks of brightness filled the air in front of her eyes.Winter is coming, Elena, he said, and his voice was clear and chill even over the howl of the wind. An unforgiving season. Before it comes, youll have wise(p) what I can and cant do. Before winter is here, youll have joined me. Youll be mine.The swirling whiteness was blinding her, and she could no longer see the dark bulge of his figure. Now even his voice was fading. She hugged herself with her arms, head bent down, her whole body shaking. She whispered, Stefan Oh, and one more thing, Damons voice came back. You asked earlier about my brother. Dont bother looking for him, Elena. I killed him last night.Her head jerked up, but there was nothing to see, merely the dizzying whiteness, which burned her nose and cheeks and clogged her eyelashes. It was only then, as the fine grains settled on her skin, that she realized what they were snowflakes.It was snowing on the first of November. Overhead, the sun was gone.