Free The Vampire Diaries: Bound By Blood (Kindle Worlds Novella) by J.R. Rain

the night.

Dear Bloody Diary,
    Tonight was wild, even for the Salvatore brothers.
    I found Stefan at Elena’s, of course. Apparently, he, Elena and Bonnie were having a private pow-wow. They stopped talking, of course, as soon as I arrived. I couldn’t help but notice Stefan’s hand on Elena’s hip. God, that’s a dagger to the heart. Even now, hours later, as I write these words in this blasted diary, I’m wounded by that one small thing.
    Okay, I’m calm… .
    (And Stefan, if you are reading this, I’d like to point out that you are a dick for invading my privacy. And, also, just a dick in general.)
    Anyway, I digress… .
    “So, what does the witch say about the Elemental?” I asked, stepping into the kitchen and surveying all of them.
    “The witch,” said Bonnie, turning and facing me, “doesn’t appreciate your stealing her personal belongings.”
    “It was just a book.”
    “Grimoires are never just books.”
    “Fine. Point made. I assume my dear brother came running over here to tell you all about what he’d discovered in my personal journal—”
    “You mean diary,” said Stefan with that Cheshire cat grin. Elena smiled, too.
    I ignored them both and looked at the pretty Bennett witch. “Anyway, I assume Stefan has told you all about my interest in the Elemental.”
    “What, exactly, is an Elemental?” asked Elena in her slightly husky voice.
    “I’m glad you asked,” I said, and turned back to Bonnie. I flashed her my best smile. “Yes, Bonnie, what exactly is an Elemental?”
    She looked from me to Elena. Had it been just me asking the question, she probably would have said something rude and hurtful. Instead, she said, “Elementals are nature spirits, beings that tend to Nature, at least as far as witches are concerned.”
    “So, what are the Four Elements, then?” asked Elena.
    “Earth, wind, fire, and water,” said Stefan. “At least, traditionally.”
    “Someone’s been reading Wikipedia,” I said to my brother and then turned and faced Bonnie. “What do you know of the Four Elements?”
    “As much as you do, Damon.”
    “It was in your ancestors’ grimoire.”
    “There’s lots of information in my ancestors’ grimoire that I don’t understand.”
    “Can’t you ask them? I mean, aren’t you always talking to your dead ancestors?”
    “Maybe I could, but I doubt it.”
    “Because you’re friends with vampires,” I said, and rolled my eyes.
    “That, and because I’ve upset the balance of Nature. Witches are here to restore Nature, Damon.”
    “Yadda yadda, I’ve heard this all before.”
    “Then hear this. I’m not sure what is going on with the Four Elements, but one thing is certain: Nature seeks order and balance. Vampires tilt the balance.”
    “Is that supposed to scare us?”
    Bonnie looked at me with her pale eyes, and for the first time in a long time, a shudder rippled through me. “I would tread very carefully here, boys.” And with that, Bonnie grabbed her purse and left.
    “She said ‘tread,’” I said when she was gone. “Lame.”
    “She’s right, you know,” said Stefan.
    “Don’t tell me you buy into all that ‘balancing Nature’ crap, too?”
    “Maybe,” said Stefan.
    “Or maybe you want to find the Four Elements first,” I said.
    His answer? Stefan only smirked.
    The bastard.
    D. Salvatore

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
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    The next day, I was back in my office.
    Never had being in my office felt so good. I knew this office. I knew my job, too. This was normal; this was real. I liked normal and real.
    This other stuff was … too crazy. I was still halfway certain I had dreamed the last two days. In fact, I’d been hesitant to test my newfound skills. For now, believing the past few days were a dream was exactly what I needed. What my brain needed. A rational explanation that made sense of it all.
    So, back to work, I was pleased when Gracie Lockwood appeared in my office, wanting an update on the case. She caught me making