Read Online The Vampire Diaries: Bound By Blood (Kindle Worlds Novella) by J.R. Rain - Free Book Online Page B

… think.
    What has Stefan done? Who has he gone to?
    Bonnie, perhaps. Mention of the Four Elementals was, after all, in one of her relatives’ grimoires.
    Yes, he went there … I’m sure of it, and I shall, too.
    But first … a better hiding place for this damn diary… .
    D. Salvatore

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
----
     
    The night wore on.
    I worked closely with Michael, and he showed me many wondrous things. In particular, he showed me how to summon fire and water—which was why we were here at the old shack. I alternately set it on fire—and then doused it with water. More than once, I found myself laughing nearly hysterically. That I was doing all of this from powers inside of me was beyond anything I could imagine. Just a few days ago, I had been living a peaceful, quiet life. Perhaps even a boring life.
    And now, as I raised my hand and made it into a fist, as fire lanced down from the heavens to explode across the shack’s roof … my life was far from boring.
    As the fire spread rapidly through the old structure, I opened my hand and lowered it, and a sheet of rain washed over the building, directed precisely by my thoughts. Within moments, the fire was out.
    “Good,” said Michael. “Again.”
    I did it again and again, until I mastered all forms of creating fire, from smaller flames that could light a cigarette, to fiery brimstone that could level forests or buildings.
    When I had finally burned the shack to the ground, Michael and I sat back and watched a rainstorm of my creation put out the fire. I turned to Michael and said, “I’m not dreaming?”
    “No, Max.”
    “This is really happening?”
    “Yes.”
    “How do you know I won’t use these gifts for evil?”
    Michael turned to me and, yes, I was certain now that he was much taller. And had more hair, too. “I don’t, Max, but you would do well to remember that Nature always—always—balances herself.”
    “So, if I abuse this power …”
    “You can expect a reckoning.”
    “That sounds frightful as an equalizer.”
    “You have been given great gifts, Max. Use them wisely.”
    “But how do I use them? You said to restore balance … what does that mean?”
    “There is no easy answer, Max,” said Michael, as the isolated rainstorm continued drenching the burned-out shack. “You will have to use great care and wisdom.”
    “Does Nature realize that I’m just a normal guy?”
    “Normal guys are part of nature, too, Max.”
    “Am I normal to kill vampires?”
    “You are to restore order, as best you can.”
    “And if I choose not to?”
    “Then you choose not to. But I will say this: You very much wanted to be here, in this place and time, to restore order, to do what you can to right a great wrong.”
    “And vampires are a great wrong?”
    “They are … unnatural.”
    “What if I ignore these gifts?”
    “Nature cannot be ignored, Max. You can hear it now. You will always hear it, feel it, and be moved by it. Not to mention… .”
    “What?”
    “There is something else you need to know.”
    I raised my hand, and the mini-storm stopped. Sounds of water dripping from charred wood intermixed with the whisperings of Nature that I was hearing. “What?” I asked.
    “You could say that something was put into place to force your hand.”
    “You mean force me to cooperate?”
    “Yes, Max. You see, the very thing that you seek to destroy is seeking you out.”
    “I don’t understand. Why would vampires seek me out?”
    “Because feeding on you, the Elemental, will give them eternal life.”
    “But I thought vampires were already immortal.”
    “Not truly. Your blood changes that. It is why I am with you now. To warn you and guide you.”
    “So, even if I choose to ignore my gifts… .”
    “The vampires will be coming for you, Max.”
    “Well, that’s just great. There are always strings attached, aren’t there?”
    “Perhaps I should tell you a thing or two about vampires,” said Michael; he did, speaking well into