The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter One

DamonIcy twine whipped Elenas hair around her face, violent at her light sweater. Oak leaves swirled among the rows of granite headst whizs, and the trees lashed their branches together in frenzy. Elenas hands were rimed, her lips and cheeks were numb, only if she s withald facing the screaming wind directly, sh out(p)ing into it.DamonThis weather was a show of his Power, meant to frighten her away. It wouldnt work. The thought of that uniform Power being turn against Stefan woke a hot fury inside her that burned against the wind. If Damon had done anything to Stefan, if Damon had hurt himDamn you, answer me she yelled at the oak trees that bordered the graveyard.A dead oak leaf like a sere brown hand skittered up to her foot, but there was no answer. Above, She turned and gasped.He was just foot her, so close that her clothes brushed his as she turned. At that distance, she should have sensed another forgiving being standing there, should have felt his body warmth or heard him. But Damon, of course, wasnt human.She reeled spinal column a couple of steps before she could stop herself. Every instinct that had lain quiet while she yelled into the violence of the wind was now begging her to run.She clenched her fists. Wheres Stefan?A line appeared between Damons dark eyebrows. Stefan who?Elena stepped in the lead and slapped him.She had no thought of doing it before she did it, and afterward she could scarcely believe what she had done. But it was a good steadfastly slap, with the full force of her body behind it, and it snapped Damons head to one side. Her hand stung. She stood, acting to calm her breath, and watched him.He was dressed as she had first recovern him, in black. Soft black boots, black jeans, black sweater, and leather jacket. And he looked like Stefan. She didnt know how she could have missed that before. He had the same dark hair, the same pale skin, the same disturbing good looks. But his hair was straight, not wavy, and his look 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 lie to me, she said, her representative 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 warning you if youve hurt him Then, what? he said. What will you do, Elena? What stick out you do, against me?Elena furious silent. For the first time, she realized that the wind had died away. The day had gone deadly quiet around them, as if they stood soundless at the center of some great circle of power. It seemed as if everything, the leaden sky, the oaks and purple beeches, the ground itself, was committed to him, as if he drew Power from all of it. He stood with his head tilted back slightly, his look fathomless and full of strange lights.I dont know, she whispered, but Ill find something. Believe me.I do believe you, he said, relaxing, looking 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 indigence to touch him again. Tell me where he is. Later, possibly for a price. He withdrew his hand, just as Elena realized that on it he wore a rally like Stefans silver and lapis lazuli. Remember that, she thought fiercely. Its important.My brother, he went on, is a fool. He thinks that because you look like Katherine youre light-headed and easily led like her. But hes wrong. I could feel your anger from the other side of town. I can feel it now, a white light like the desert sun. You have strength, Elena, even as you are. But you could be so much upstandingerShe stared at him, not understanding, not liking the change of subject. I dont know what youre talking about. And what has it got to do with Stefan?Im talking about Power, Elena. Suddenly, he stepped close to h er, his eyes fixed on hers, his voice soft and urgent. Youve tried everything else, and vigor 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 horror and repudiation. No. wherefore 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 forte that held her transfixed, unable to look away. I can waken things inside you that have been sleeping all your life. Youre strong enough to live in the dark, to glory in it. You can become a queen of the shadows. Why not take that Power, Elena? Let me help you take it.No, she said, wrenching her eyes away from his. She wouldnt look at him, wouldnt let him do this to her. She wouldnt let him present her forget mak e her forgetIts the ultimate secret, Elena, he said. His voice was as caressing as the fingertips that touched her throat. Youll be happy as never before. in that respect was something atrociously 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 collar of her sweater. Just the two of us, forever.There was a sudden twinge of pain as his fingers brushed two tiny wounds in the general anatomy of her neck, and her mind overted.Make her forgetStefan.That was what he wanted to drive out of her mind. The memory 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 lay out what I want, she said brutally. And who I want to be with forever.Blackness welled up in his eyes, a cold rage that swept through the air between them. Looki ng 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 pass over you the same way.She was frightened now. She couldnt help it, not with cold pouring into her, chilling her bones. The wind was picking up again, the branches tossing. Tell me where he is, Damon.At this moment? 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 laugh 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 moment Stefan told me what you were, what youd done, you lost any power you might have had over me. Ihate you. You disgust me. And theres nothing you can do to me, not any more.His face altered, the sensuousness twisting and freezing, becoming cruel and bitterly hard. He laughe d, 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 chilling even over the howl of the wind. An unforgiving season. Before it comes, youll have learned 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 bulk 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, only the dizzying whiteness, which burned her nose and cheeks and clogged her eyelashes. It was only then, as the fine grains colonised on her skin, that she realized what they were snowflakes.It was snowing on the first of November. Overhead, the sun was gone.