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As the man held out his hand, blood flowed down his arm onto the ground. I averted my eyes. Even so, pain rippled along my jaw as I felt my fangs grow.
"The vampires fighting today. We need more men. " Jasper gasped breathlessly, his eyes falling on me.
"Stefan," Callie said in a tone that wasnt a question.
Jasper and the stocky man stared at me.
"Well then, come on, new guy. Show us youre Gallagher material," Jasper said, jerking his chin in the direction of the tent.
"Of course," I said slowly, a plan forming in my mind. I could pick out four separate heartbeats in the tent. There would be copious amounts of vervain, of course, but Id been feeding regularly enough that I might be able to overcome the men. Four I could handle, but five I turned to Jasper. "Why dont you and Callie take care of your man here and Ill join the others in the tent?"
"I'm coming, brother," I added under my breath.
Callie squinted at me. "Did you say something?"
"No," I said quickly.
Jasper shifted from foot to foot, sizing me up with his eyes. "Callie will take care of Charley here, and Ill take care of you. Teach you the tricks of monster wrangling," he said, clapping me on the back, pushing me toward the tent.
With each step the scent of vervain grew stronger, curdling the blood in my veins.
Together, we entered the tent. The interior was hot and dark, the stench of vervain nearly suffocating me. It took every ounce of my strength not to bend at the waist and scream in agony. I forced my eyes open and looked at my brother, who was chained in the corner. Four men yanked on his restraints, trying desperately to keep him in place.
The second Damons eyes landed on me, his face lit up.
"Welcome to hell, brother," Damon whispered, his lips barely moving as he locked eyes with me. Then he turned to Jasper. "So, Jasp," he said, in a conversational tone, as if they were just two men engaged in a friendly talk at a tavern, "you found a new sap to do your dirty work. Well, come on, brother. Lets see if you can stake me. "
"His bark is worse than his bite," Jasper said, holding out a stake to me. From its stench I could tell it had been soaked in vervain.
"Give me your gloves," I said with an air of authority. Touching the wood would give me away instantly.
"Wont give you much protection. Those fangs can go through anything," Jasper protested.
"Just give them to me," I said through clenched teeth. Damon watched the exchange intently, clearly enjoying my predicament.
"Okay, if theyll make you more comfortable. " Jasper shrugg
ed and handed me his leather gloves. I pulled them over my hands and took the stake from Jasper, my hands trembling slightly. How could something so light be so deadly?
Damon let out a low chuckle. "Is this the best you could rustle up? He looks about ready to keel over. "
I glared at my brother. "I'm trying to save you," I whispered. Damon just snorted derisively.
"Please," I added.
"Please what?" he said, wrapping the chains around his hands.
"Please let me save you. "
"Sorry. Can't help you there," he said, before yanking on the chains. Two of the guards fell to the ground in surprise.
"Do something!" Jasper said gruffly. "Youve got to stick him, let him know his place. "
"Listen to your boss," Damon sneered. "Be a man and stab me. A real man isn't afraid of blood, isn't that right?"
Jasper bent down and grabbed a stake from the ground.
"Cmon, boy. Earn your keep," he said, using the side of the stake to nudge me forward. I gasped. Pain shot up and down my skin, as if Id been touched by a hot poker.
