Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 24

September 25, 1864They say love can conquer all. yet can it conquer begetters belief that Katherine and those like her argon demonsdevils?I do not exaggerate when I say Katherine is an angel. She saved my lifeand Annas. fuck off must know the truth. Once he does, he will be unable to deny Katherines goodness.It is my duty as a Salvatore to stay received to my convictions and to the ones I love.Now is the time for action, not doubt. Confidence courses through my veins. I will make have under last the truththat we argon all the same. And with that truth will come love. commence will call remove the siege.This I swear on my name and my life. For the rest of the day, I sit down at my desk in my bedroom, glancing at an empty notebook as I contemplated what to do. If spawn knew Katherine was a vampire, hed call off the hunt. He had to. Id moldn him laugh with Katherine, act to impress her with stories of his boyish antics book binding in Italy, and treat her as hed choose trea ted a daughter. Katherine gave my father a vigor Id never seen in him. She gave my father life.solely how could I persuade him of this, when he so deeply despised demons? Then again, stick was rational. Logical. Maybe he could learn what Katherine had already taught me that vampires werent all evil. They walked among us, they cried human tears all they wanted was a square home and to be loved.Finally, I steeled my courage and stood up, closing the notebook with an confused clap. This wasnt a schoolboys assignment, and I didnt need notes to converse from my heart. I was ready to speak to Father man to man. After all, I was nearly eighteen, and he was plan to leave me Veritas.I took a deep breath and walked down the copious staircase, through the quiet living room, and knocked sharply on the door to Fathers study. get by in Fathers muffled voice called. Before I had even sic my hand on the knob, Father swung the door open himself. He wore a tailored jacket, with a sprig of verv ain in the lapel, but I noticed that instead of being clean shaven, he sported salt-and-pepper stubble and his eye were bloodshot and hooded.I didnt see you last night at the ball, Father said as he ushered me into his study. I look forward to you werent part of that noisy, heedless mob.No. I shook my head vigorously, feeling a flitter of hope. Did this mean Father was no longer planning an attack?Good. Father sat at his oak desk and slammed his leather-bound book shut. Beneath it, I could see complicated drawings and diagrams of the township, with Xs over certain buildings, including the apothecary. And just like that, the flicker of hope was extinguished, and cold, hard fear took up residence in its place.Father followed my gaze. As you can see, our plans are much more position-out than that foolish brigade of drunks and boys. fortuitously Sheriff Forbes and his team put a stop to them, and none of them will be welcome at our own siege. Father sighed and steepled his fingers together. Were living in redoubted and uncertain times, and your actions need to reflect that. His dark eyes softened for a second. I just want to make sure your decisions, at least, are prudent. He didnt add unlike Damons, but he didnt have to. I knew that was what he was thinking.So the siege Will happen next hebdomad as planned.What about the compass? I asked, remembering the conversation with Katherine.Father smiled. It whole shebang. Jonathans been tinkering with it.Oh. A wave of horror rushed through me. If it worked, then that meant at that place was no doubt Father would find Katherine. How do you know that it works?Father smiled and rolled up his papers. Because it does, he said simply.Can I talk to you about something? I asked, hoping my voice betrayed none of my nerves. An image of Katherines looking at flashed in my head, giving me the strength to lock eyes with Father.Of course. Sit down, Stefan, Father commanded. I perched in the leather wingback chair near the b ookshelves. He stood up and walked over to the decanter of brandy on the corner table. He poured a trumpery for himself, then one for me.I took the tumbler and held it to my lips, taking a tiny, well-nigh imperceptible sip of the liquid. Then I steeled my courage and stared straight at him. I have concerns about your plan for the vampires.Oh? And why is that? Father leaned back against his chair.I nervously took a large gulp of brandy. Were making the supposal that theyre as evil as theyve been characterized. But what if thats not true? I asked, willing myself to meet Fathers gaze.Father snorted. Have you any evidence to the reversal?I shook my head. Of course not. But why throng what masses say at face value? Y taught usou differently.Father sighed and walked to his decanter, pouring more brandy. Why? Because these creatures are from the darkest parts of hell. They know how to mold your mind, seduce your spirit. They are deadly, and they need to be destroyed.I glanced down at t he amber liquid in my glass. It was as dark and murky as my thoughts.Father tipped his glass to me. I shouldnt have to tell you, son, that those who stand with them, those who bring shame to their families, will be destroyed as well.A chill went up my spine, but I held his gaze. Anyone who stands with evil should be destroyed. But I hardly think its prudent to assume that all vampires are evil just because they happen to be vampires. Y always taught us to see the good inou people, to think for ourselves. The last thing this town needs, when thither have already been so many deaths from the war, is more otiose killing, I said, remembering Pearl and Annas terrified expressions in the woods. The Founders need to second thought the plan. Ill come to the next meeting with you. I know I havent been as involved as I could have been, but Im ready to take on my responsibilities.Father sank back into his chair, leaning his head against the wooden back. He closed his eyes and massaged his tem ples. For several long moments he remained in that posture.I waited, every muscle in my body coiled to receive the fantastic flurry of words that was sure to fly from his mouth. I stared dejectedly into my glass. I had failed. I had failed Katherine, Pearl, and Anna. I had failed at securing my own happy future.Finally, Fathers eyes snapped open. To my surprise, he nodded. I suppose I could give the matter some thought. simmer down relief flooded my body, as if Id just jumped into the pond on a scorching summer day. He would give the matter some thought To some, that might not seem to be much, but from my stubborn father, it meant everything. It meant there was a chance. A chance to stop sneaking around in the dark. A chance for Katherine to remain safe. For us to be together, forever.Father elevate his glass to me. To family.To family, I echoed.Then Father drained the rest of his glass, which compelled me to do the same.