The Crimson Diary

THE MARK AND BLOOD

The high chamber of the vampire Council was quiet, cold, and dark. Giant stained-glass windows stretched up to the ceiling, casting dim purple shadows across the long stone table.

Sitting around the table were six elders from the highest vampire families. But sitting at the very head of the table, on a carved obsidian chair, was Damon. As the only ancient vampire in existence, his word was final.

"The Hunter activity in the forest is growing," Lord Hector, an elder with silver hair, said as he leaned forward. "Three of our fledglings were ambushed near the river yesterday. The Hunters are using silver bullets dipped in wolfsbane. They are getting smarter."

"They are getting reckless," Damon corrected coldly, resting his chin on his steepled fingers. "The barrier around Ravenwood Academy holds strong. As long as the students remain inside the grounds during the midnight hours, the Hunters cannot touch them."

"And what about the rumor, Patriarch?" Lady Vanya asked, her sharp red eyes fixed on Damon. "Word is spreading through the halls. A newborn girl walked through the front gates today... carrying your mark."

Damon’s eyes flashed dangerous crimson. The air in the room instantly dropped several degrees. "My personal affairs do not concern this Council, Vanya."

Before Vanya could reply, Damon suddenly froze.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot directly through the center of his chest. It felt like a hot blade piercing his heart. He gasped silently, gripping the edges of the heavy stone table so hard the wood cracked under his fingers.

Elena.

The blood-bond in his chest was screaming. He could feel her fear, her racing heartbeat, and the burning sting of adrenaline in her veins. She was in danger.

Without saying a single word to the stunned elders, Damon stood up, his black cloak whipping behind him as he vanished into a blur of motion.

Back in the top-floor bedroom, I backed away from the balcony until my spine hit the cold stone fireplace.

"What are you doing in my room?!" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. "How did you even get up here?!"

Caleb chuckled, jumping down from the stone railing onto the plush carpet with a heavy thud. "We're wolves, sweetheart. Scaling a three-story wall is like walking up the stairs for us."

Maya took a slow, menacing step toward me, her yellow eyes glowing in the firelight.

"Damon thinks he can keep a fresh, precious human locked up in his tower like a prize. We just came to see what makes you so special."

"Get out!" I shouted.

Before the words fully left my mouth, Caleb lunged forward!

Instinct took over. My body moved faster than my brain could process. I ducked underneath his outstretched arms, diving to the left. He crashed into the heavy wooden chair near the desk, smashing it into splinters.

I moved so fast, I thought, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Is this... vampire speed?

Maya smirked, clearly surprised. "Oh, look at that. The little bird has some reflexes."

Caleb growled, spinning around with his sharp claws out. He swiped at my face, but I dropped low, sweeping my leg across the floor. My foot hit his ankle with surprising force, sending the heavy wolf crashing onto his back!

Adrenaline surged through my blood. I didn't just want to run—I wanted to fight back. I grabbed a heavy brass candleholder from the mantelpiece and swung it with all my strength right at Maya's head.

Maya caught the heavy brass weapon in her bare palm without blinking.

She twisted her wrist, tearing the metal from my grip and tossing it across the room. Before I could dodge again, Caleb tackled me from behind, slamming me against the hard floor.

I gasped as the wind was knocked out of my lungs. Maya stepped over me, pinning my wrists above my head with one hand. Her strength was terrifying—far beyond anything a human could ever fight against.

"Nice try, little newborn," Maya whispered, her teeth elongating into sharp, dangerous fangs as she leaned down toward my exposed neck. "But you're nowhere near fast enough to beat a full pack."

"Let go of me!" I screamed, struggling violently against her grip, but her hold was like iron.

Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors of my room exploded inward with a deafening c***k!

Splinters of oak rained through the air as a wave of absolute, terrifying power swept into the room. The fire in the fireplace instantly died down to dim blue embers.

Damon stood in the doorway.

His eyes were no longer just red—they were a blinding, terrifying crimson that seemed to glow in the dark. Black veins crept up his neck and cheeks, and his dark fangs were fully extended. He looked like an absolute demon of death.

"Get... away... from her," Damon growled. His voice wasn't human. It was a terrifying, layered echo that made the entire floor shake beneath us.

Caleb barely had time to turn his head before Damon moved.

It wasn't speed—it was like telepathy. One second Damon was by the door, and the next, he had Caleb by the face, smashing the heavy wolf through the balcony doors! Glass shattered everywhere as Caleb went flying out into the night sky, crashing hard into the courtyard three floors below.

Maya gasped, dropping me and backing away quickly with her hands up. "Damon, wait—we were just—"

Damon grabbed Maya by her leather jacket, lifting her full weight off the ground with one hand. He slammed her against the stone wall so hard the entire room vibrated.

"If you ever step foot into her room again, Maya," Damon whispered, his face inches from hers, "I will wipe your entire pack out of this forest before the sun rises. Do you understand me?"

Maya swallowed hard, her fierce yellow eyes wide with genuine horror. She nodded quickly.

Damon threw her backward out onto the balcony. Maya landed gracefully on the stone ledge, cast one last terrified look at Damon, and leaped out into the dark fog below to grab her injured pack member.

The room fell completely silent.

Damon turned around slowly. The terrifying black veins on his face began to fade, and his crimson eyes gradually softened back to his deep, beautiful dark brown. The cold air in the room suddenly warmed up again.

He rushed to my side, dropping down to his knees on the carpet beside me.

"Elena," he breathed out, his voice laced with pure panic and devotion.

He didn't hesitate. He pulled me gently into his arms, wrapping his broad, warm frame around me. He held me tightly against his chest, his strong arms cradling my back and the back of my head as if I were made of fragile glass.

"Are you hurt? Did they touch you?" he asked frantically, his hands moving to cup my face. He checked my neck, my wrists, and my shoulders, his eyes searching mine with intense, desperate worry.

"I... I'm okay," I whispered, my whole body trembling as the adrenaline began to fade. "I tried to fight them..."

"You were incredible," Damon murmured softly, brushing dark strands of hair away from my sweaty forehead. The terrifying monster from two seconds ago was completely gone. In his place was a man looking at me with so much love and tenderness that it made my chest ache. "You were so brave. I'm so sorry I wasn't here the second they stepped inside."

"Damon..." I started, looking up into his dark eyes.

He didn't let me finish.

Damon leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

The kiss was soft at first, full of relief and gentle reassurance. But as he cradled the back of my neck, it deepened into something dark, intense, and intoxicating. A wave of heat rushed through my entire body, starting right from the glowing red mark on my chest and spreading all the way to my fingertips.

My head spun. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't remember why I was supposed to be afraid of him. All I knew was the warm touch of his lips and the absolute safety of his arms.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested gently against mine. His breath was ragged, his thumb tracing my lower lip.

"Nobody will ever hurt you while I breathe, Elena," he whispered softly. "I promise you."