Stefan closed the distance between them, his face just mere inches from hers. “Now really isn’t the time to test the waters, Evelyn,” his words were bitter as they left his mouth. “And who said I want to gain control? Things are easier without humanity getting in the way. The switch has been teetering, but maybe it’d just be easier to turn it completely off,” he threatened, his head cocking to the side. He didn’t want to fight his friend, but he needed more blood. He needed to feed the monster that lived inside.
Evie stood firm, unmoved in the least by how close he was or by his bitter words. “You’re right, you could turn it off. You wouldn’t feel any remorse or guilt for what you’re doing now. …But you wouldn’t feel anything good, either, would you? Not really.” A beat passed before she continued, “And if you’re so close to flipping that switch, why you are hesitating? Why are we standing here having a conversation? Maybe it’s because you’re not as close as you think you are. Or maybe you just want someone to pull you off that ledge.”
Stefan pulled his face away abruptly, storming to the opposite side of the room before slamming his fist into the wall. His other fist joined it, slamming into the bricks, leaving crumbles falling to the ground. “Maybe I do! So what? There’s nobody left to pull me off. Lexi’s gone. She has been for a while,” he said, his voice low. He brought his head to the bricks, his forehead resting against the cool stone. He closed his eyes, the switch teetering in his mind. “I just want all the guilt gone.”
