World So Cold

”Damon Salvatore is home,” my maid said as she entered my bedroom. I had been brushing my hair and paused in the task. My maid came over and continued brushing through the tangle of hair.

“What?” I asked not believing I had heard right. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Damon was not supposed to be home for awhile now.

“Yes, he dropped out of the university and came back home. His father was quite furious with him. ‘Disgrace of the family name,’ he says. I for one agree. It is quite shameful that he quit. If one of your brothers ever did that, I’d be quite afraid for them,” remarked my maid.

My maid put the brush down and went to get my dress that I was to wear that day. It was quite a beautiful dress. I quickly undressed to put on the new dress. “How long has he been home?” I asked as she pulled the dress over my head.

“About a week I would think. Took quite a time for the gossip to travel, did it not?”

“Yes,” I said quietly. In my mind I was thinking of why Damon had not informed me of his return or why he had not been to see me. It was probably because his father did not want him out of his site now. Or out of the house for that matter since he disgraced the family. After two months, to drop out was a scandal.

“Juliet?” my maid asked getting my attention.

“What?” I snapped at her.

“You seem to be troubled by this news. What is it?”

“Oh, just that Stefan should not be too happy to have his brother return. You know the Salvatore brothers do not get along,” I lied smoothly

“Yes,” she said pursing her lips. I could tell she did not fully believe me. She picked up the brush again and began to do my hair.

“I believe I’ll go pay Stefan a visit today. He must want some company after the return of Damon.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” asked my maid. “You know he was that girl, Katherine, to keep him company now.”

“Yes,” I said sharply. “I do think it’s a good idea. In fact,” I said rising from my seat, “I am going to see him now. Thank you.” I walked out quickly leaving my maid standing there in my room.

“I see someone.” Rachael’s excited voice interrupted my memory. It took me a second to register what she had said. In that time Rachael started running towards the person approaching on the trail through the park.

“No,” I said catching her arm and pulling her back just in time. “You can’t just run out there. You don’t even know what you do,” I said tightening my grip on her arm as she struggled. “Stay here. I’ll call you when he’s ready.”

I stealthily moved out of the shadows and towards the man. As I approached him I gave a radiating smile. He stared, his eyes in wonder, at my beauty. “Hello,” I said cheerfully.

“Hello, miss,” he said politely. “What are you doing out here this late?”

“Come help me,” I said compelling him. I then gestured for him to follow me and walked back to where Rachael was still standing impatiently. As Rachael stepped out I saw her hungry eyes travel over the man.

“Okay, when you go to feed you want to pierce his main artery. Right here,” I said and pressed my fingers down on his throat. “That way you get the most blood and avoid making a mess. Here,” I said and pushed the guy towards her.

She caught him as he fell and easily held him up. His scent engulfed her and the fangs slowly started to appear from her mouth. She pressed her nose into his throat breathing in the lovely scent that he had. Then she bit down. She drank his blood in slow gulps.

Her fingers tore at the clothes he was wearing in frustration. She wanted more blood, more quickly. His clothes were getting torn and scratches appeared on his skin. Finally the blood ran out and she pulled back her mouth. Blood dripped down her chin and some was on her clothes and hands.

She licked her lips eagerly trying to get as much blood as she could. “I’m still hungry,” she complained.

“We’re always hungry.”