"I agree. Youll either want to kill her or kiss her, and neither scenario will end well for you," Percy said. The sentence sounded out of place coming from his scrawny, baby-faced body.
"Theyre right," Lexi said urgently. "Theyve learned their lessons the hard way. Whos to say what youll do when youre alone with that girl, not to mention what shell do to you. You saw her house the weapons she has. I just worry that--"
"I know, I know. Im young, I cant control my impulses, and Im going to make some sort of mistake," I interrupted in annoyance.
Lexi stood up and gazed at me. "All of those things are true. Youre strong, but I worry that you might let your emotions get the best of you."
"I wont," I protested. "Im just going out with her to see if I can learn anything more about Damon. If Im going to rescue him--peacefully--shes my best bet."
Lexi set her jaw, but then heaved a sigh. "Just be careful."
"If youre going out, you cant wear that," Hugo said, lumbering up from the chaise. "Percy, get him something nice to wear."
Percy looked at Lexi beseechingly. She crossed her arms. "What? You heard the man."
Percy slid off the couch and marched up the stairs.
"If youre going out with a lady, you need to look nice," Hugo explained gruffly. "And Lexi, you need to take him shopping."
"Yes, well go out tomorrow night, Stefan," she replied.
"Why are you suddenly being so helpful?" I asked Hugo suspiciously.
Hugo showed his pointy teeth in a small smile. "If you free Damon with the humans help, therell be no need for us to get involved. Now, go get dressed!"
I rolled my eyes but followed Percy up the stairs. He handed me a white linen shirt and a pair of black trousers.
For a moment I wished that I had brand-new clothes and pomade to slick my hair back with. But then I reminded myself of what Id told Lexi: Right now, I just had to focus on getting to know Callie Gallagher, and, subsequently, learn what made Patrick Gallagher tick.
But even though I kept telling myself that Damon was my reason for going on this date, I couldnt help but notice that my mind kept drifting back to the moment when Callie kissed my cheek.
Chapter 22
I straightened the cuffs on my neatly pressed white shirt and buttoned my overcoat. The shiny brass buttons glinted in the lamplight as I turned the corner onto Laurel Street.
I wiped my face, to make sure no blood lingered on my lips. Id visited my barmaid from Miladies, sating my hunger before my evening out on the town with Callie. The barmaids blood had tasted sweet, like lilies dipped in honey. The second the warmth had hit my tongue, my senses had become honed and the world had sharpened around the edges.
Now the cicadas shrieked in my ears and the smell of roses assaulted my nose, but my stomach was calm and my veins were sated. I was ready for my date.
The park at the end of the street was filled with magnolias and ancient elm trees, and in the center, a marble fountain was topped with a sculpture of a naked woman. Through the burble of the fountain, I could hear the beating of a human heart.
"Hello?" I called.
"Stefan!" Callie stepped out from behind a stone cherub into the weak light of a gas lamp. Her red hair, a flame in the flickering light, hung loose and curly around her shoulders. She wore a simple, cream-colored dress, with a lace bodice and a flouncy skirt that draped over her tiny hips.
Blood raced through my body.
"What?" Callie said, reddening as she noticed my stare.
"You look, uh, like a girl," I said. She looked beautiful.
"Gee, thanks." Callie rolled her eyes and softly slugged my shoulder. "Youre just used to seeing me in work clothes." She gazed at me. "You look quite handsome."
I cleared my throat and tugged on my collar. Suddenly my clothes felt uncomfortable and constricting, and the night air stuffy. I wondered briefly if the barmaid had something in her blood that hadnt agreed with me. "Thank you," I said formally.
"Stefan?" Callie lifted her arm expectantly.
"Oh, of course." I took her arm in mine. Her freckled hand grazed my palm. I flinched and readjusted so that her hand was resting on the soft fabric of my jacket.
"Where to, Miss Gallagher?"
She looked up at me, a smile on her face. "Bourbon Street, of course."
Callie guided me through cobblestone side streets, where gardenias dripped from balconies. On a whim, I grabbed one and tucked it behind her ear. Back home in Mystic Falls, it was customary to bring flowers or a small token when visiting with a lady.
"Want to know a secret?" Callie whispered.
"What?" I asked, curious. I was already the bearer of too many secrets. But perhaps Callies could lead me to Damon
She got up on tiptoe and cupped my ear with her hand. The sound of her blood pumping beneath her skin magnified tenfold. I gritted my teeth, forcing my fangs back down. "Your shirt has come untucked," she whispered.
"Oh," I said, as I self-consciously smoothed down my shirt. "Thanks."
Callie let out a gleeful laugh. "You know what I really want to see?" she asked, grabbing my arm.
"What?" I asked, trying to devote all my energy to not listening to the steady thrum of her blood.
"A burlesque show. Madame X has a showeveryone'sbeen talking about," she said.
We walked together through the town, past bustling crowds and wavering street carts, ending up in a well-kept neighborhood in front of a pristine, stately house. A simple placard next to the door readMADAME Xin black script. Soft lamplight shone from all the windows, and carriages pulled up, one after another, to the front gate, releasing their well-dressed passengers into the depths of the club.