Predatory Instincts

I leaned back against the shadowed side of the building, watching the Gilbert girls walk away from the field, heads close, both lost in thought. Something about them intrigued me. There was Elena, the quiet resolve, the warmth and light that Stefan so clearly wanted to bask in. And then there was Amara—dark, fiery, sharp around the edges, with that intense curiosity practically written in her eyes every time she looked at me. 

Curiosity, I knew, could be dangerous. And Amara had that in spades.

Tonight, she hadn't missed a beat. She noticed me at the game, no doubt about it. The moment her gaze met mine, I saw the flicker of recognition, the surprise that quickly melted into something more... wary. So she was catching on—good. A bit of a game would make this whole Mystic Falls experience a little more… bearable.

I followed at a distance as they made their way down the street, the quiet fall of my footsteps blending with the night. They were talking, voices low. I picked up snippets—Stefan's name, something about his hand. Ah, so they'd noticed. Smart girls.

Elena slipped inside with Jeremy and Jenna, but Amara lingered. I watched as she stepped back onto the porch and scanned the street, her gaze roaming through the shadows, searching.

"Miss me, Bluebell?" I called from the edge of the sidewalk.

She jumped, her eyes widening before narrowing in that fiery way I'd come to recognize. "Can you not sneak up on people like that?"

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked, feigning innocence. "You looked like you were waiting for someone."

Her arms crossed over her chest, her glare unwavering. "I was, actually. The police. You know, for the *creep* that keeps showing up outside my house."

"Oh, feisty," I murmured, taking a few steps closer. She didn't move, standing her ground, which only added to her appeal. Most people took a step back when I came near. Not Amara. "But I'm just here for a friendly chat."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You call this friendly?"

"Sure. I don't bite—unless asked."

She glared at me, but I could tell by the way her pulse picked up that I'd hit a nerve. "You're not funny," she snapped, but there was a tiny quirk to her mouth, as if she were fighting a smirk.

"Maybe not, but I think you find me interesting," I countered, my voice low, challenging. "Why else would you be out here at this hour, hoping to see me?"

She let out a sharp laugh, rolling her eyes. "Believe me, I have better things to do than get stalked by some… guy who thinks he's some mysterious dark presence."

"Oh, I am a mysterious dark presence," I replied, letting a touch of menace seep into my tone. "You'd do well to remember that."

Her mouth set into a stubborn line. "So, what? Is this just some game to you? Lurking around the edges, watching people, making everyone uncomfortable?"

I gave her a slow, easy smile. "Game? That depends. Do you want to play?"

A flicker of something crossed her face—anger, but also something that looked a lot like curiosity. I took a step closer, watching as her heartbeat skipped, just the tiniest hitch that told me more than her words ever could.

"You're not like your sister, are you?" I said, studying her closely. "Elena's all innocence and light. But you… you've got an edge, Amara. I like that."

Her chin lifted, defiance flashing in her eyes. "And you think that's some kind of compliment?"

"It's an observation," I said simply. "But hey, take it however you want."

She crossed her arms tighter, as if she were shielding herself from me. "Why are you even here? Why are you in this town?"

That was the million-dollar question, wasn't it? But I wasn't about to explain myself to her. I shrugged, giving her a lazy smirk. "I like small towns. Quaint. Quiet."

She didn't buy it, her gaze sharp as a knife. "I don't believe that for a second."

"I don't need you to believe me," I said smoothly. "But a warning, Bluebell—curiosity has a cost."

She let out a short laugh, almost challenging. "I'll take my chances."

I leaned in closer, watching as her eyes held steady, defiant. "Be careful what you wish for, Amara."

I turned, slipping back into the shadows. The hunt, the intrigue—it was all just beginning.