I spent the night at the lake again, but this time I didnt sleep. Instead I sat along the bank, listening to the world hum around me as though I was an audience member at a musical show. Frogs croaked melodically, blowing out their chests with proud puffs. Fish swam to the lakes surface to gulp down the water bugs that hovered there, then dived back down to the depths with soft flips of their tails. Birds flew overhead in V formation, and small animals rustled through the reeds, chasing one another as they ferreted out their next meal.
Then came the grand finale as the sun, an enormous, watery orb, rose to its place of prominence in the sky, signaling that it was the all-powerful king and Earth was its subject.
As I sat there, watching the one thing that could kill me in an instant if it werent for the ring Katherine gave me, a sense of calm rippled through my body. The world was beautiful and magical and I was lucky to still have a place in it.
Grabbing a perfectly round, flat stone, I stood and looked out over the water. I closed my eyes.If it skips four times, everything will be okay.Then I let the stone soar. It skipped once twice three times
"Four skips! Impressive!" a voice cheered, followed by enthusiastic clapping.
I turned around just as Callie leaped into my arms.
"Youre in a good mood," she said with a smile.
"I am. And its all thanks to you."
She tucked her arm through mine. "In that case, I know just how you can thank me!"
I felt her pulse beating through my coat, and her blood smelled nearly irresistible. But the stone had skipped four times, so I bent down to kiss her.
Callie and I spent all day together, and then I slept at the lake again. When I arrived home the following day at dusk, I found a pile of clothes, including the black trousers and gray coat Id modeled for Lexi, on the floor outside my room. On top of the pile was a note, written in block handwriting.
Follow your heart. You're lucky you still have one.
I scooped the bundle up into my arms, touched, relieved, and a little bit sad all at once.
I changed into a blue chambray shirt and white trousers and slicked my hair back in the mirror. I looked like any young man preparing for a rendezvous with a pretty girl. I just wished it were that simple.
I crept down the stairs, waiting for someone to jump out of the shadows to stop me--to tell me my plan would never work. But I made it all the way down and then through the kitchen and out the backdoor without that happening.
Once outside, I walked the two miles to Laurel Street with my hands in my pockets, whistling the strains of "God Save the South." I paused to pick a white magnolia from a bush in front of a peach-colored mansion at the bottom of Callies street.
"Stefan!" an urgent whisper came from behind the tree at the bottom of the Gallagher driveway.
Callie stepped into view. Her hair was loose and flowing down her back, and she was wearing a white nightdress trimmed in eyelet lace, just like the first time Id seen her, except that this time she was standing close enough to me that I could see that although she was wearing a heavy gray woolen shawl, she wasnt wearing a petticoat. I turned away, suddenly shy.
"Stefan," Callie murmured, brushing my arm with her fingers. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," I said. I took the flower and tucked it behind her ear.
She smiled. "Youre such a gentleman."
"And youre beautiful," I responded, reaching out to push a strand of hair behind her ear. Her tresses were as soft as rose petals and smelled of honey. I wanted to stay there forever, watching her breath form puffs of air in front of me.
"Callie " I began, when the bells of a distant church chimed suddenly into the frosty air. Twelve bells. Midnight. The witching hour.
"Its time," Callie said. "Jaspers shift lasts until twelve thirty, but I can tell him youre there to relieve him early. That will buy us some time. Once the second guard shows up, youll be long gone. But we have to hurry." She sounded very sure of herself, but her trembling lip gave away her emotions. I wanted to throw my arms around her, tuck her into bed, and whisper "sweet dreams" in her ear. But I, a vampire, was relying on this child to protect me.
Callie knit her fingers together as if in silent prayer. Then she nodded and gave me a wan smile. "Dont be scared," she said, pressing her palm into mine. But I could feel her heart thumping at a gallop from the pulse points in her palm.