Chapter 1

SPOV

I should have known I'd find myself here once again. It was the place I thrived when I had nothing left to live for. It was the place I felt I could unleash what was inside me without shame or guilt… Or any feelings really. I could do what I needed and there was no one here to stop me this time.

Every other time it had been Lexi to show up and pull me from the darkest places a creature like me could find themselves. But, Lexi was gone. Another reminder of everything I'd lost. There was no one this time. There was no hope… There was nothing to just hold on to like last time. This was where I belonged and how I was meant to be.

Chicago.

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My apartment hadn't changed since the last time Klaus and I stopped by during our brief visit here. It needed updating, but would suffice for what I need it for. I'd get a new place, but they wouldn't have what I came to this room for. What I knew I'd be adding to shortly. My list. The names of my victims must remain in this room and would grow in the time to come. I only stopped by here to drop of my bag, but I couldn't waste any more time. I needed to feed. I needed new prey.

With the obvious issue of not having Gloria's to go to this time around, I began to wonder the streets in hopes of finding my next feeding ground. The streets of Chicago were calling my name. They brought out the side I was searching for in making this trip, and as I ventured a short way from my apartment, I found what I knew I was looking for. The outside wasn't flashy or over the top, just a simple black door with neon words above it, but the name on the outside called to me as if it knew I was looking for it.

Il Peccatore.

Or The Sinner in Italian.

As I moved toward the door, I perused the line of young men and women waiting to get in. There must have been a dress code as every man was sharply dressed in slacks and the women were more classy than trashy. I knew this was my kind of place to be. This is what I needed.

I moved to the front of the line where a large bouncer stood deciding who was getting in and turned to me, "Look, buddy, you have to stand at the end of the line like everyone else. "

Of course I was on a mission and this man wasn't going to stop me. I looked him in the eye, "You're going to let me in. You're always going to let me in when I come here."

He looked dazed for a second, but lifted the rope and let me through, "Oh sorry, sir. I didn't realize it was you. Go right in."

Oh, I loved the ease of things when I didn't have guilt for compelling someone.

As I walked into the club, I was met with the scent of warm bodies as I ventured further along a dark hallway. I could hear music pulsing up ahead, but something about it invited me in and pushed me closer. Rounding a corner, I finally found myself on a small balcony with stairs leading into a vast open space. The area was dark just like the name led on it would be. All the walls and floor were black and the area was illuminated by red undertones and lights. Sporadically placed among the floor were leather couches and chairs in either black or dark red. People were gathering in groups and the drinks were flowing among them.

I made my way down the stairs into the main area. Across the room a large bar was packed with people as the bartenders worked their magic in serving their customers. The room was filled with all I needed to have a successful night, but I needed some privacy to get the job done. I scanned the room looking for someone I could use to get into the VIP balcony on the opposite side of the entrance. I spotted a waitress and gave her my most seductive smile. In an environment like this, it was easy to pull her in with my darker side.

"Can I get you something to drink?" she asked me with what I guess was supposed to be a sexy smile. It really wasn't.

Might as well get to the point I decided as I stared into her eyes. "No. Actually, I need you to take me to the my own VIP room. And then you can bring me a bottle of your best scotch."

The girl shook her head but remained smiling, "Of course, sir. Right this way."

I followed her further into the club before reaching a hidden staircase blocked by another large man. The girl whispered to the man and he stepped aside to let us up the stairs. We were met by a long hallway stretching behind the balcony with a row of doors. She led me to the second door and held it open as I entered my private VIP room. It had a small sitting area away from the main floor that was blocked off by curtains and as I pushed through them I found myself above the crowd in a larger area once again decorated by couches, chairs, and a small private bar. I would have to remember to make sure it was always stocked with scotch and whiskey.

The waitress followed me into the room as another girl came in shortly after with the scotch bottle I had requested as well as a glass that she set on the center table before leaving. The first waitress remained with me as the curtain closed behind the other.

"Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?" she asked confidently, that same smile back on her face. It was kind of sickening really.

"Actually, yes," I replied as I moved toward her and looked into her eyes to compel my answer to her, "I need you to reserve this room for me every night. It should always be stocked with liquor unless I inform someone otherwise. No one besides serving staff is allowed in here unless upon my request. Am I understood?"

Her smile had dropped slightly, probably from the hard tone I was using to get my point across. I didn't want to be bothered unless it was under my terms. Everyone here would soon learn that.

"Of—Of course, sir," she stuttered out, still trying to hold a smile as she backed away toward the exit.

She was almost out the curtain when I called her back, "Oh and miss?" I waited for her to turn toward me again. "It's Mr. Salvatore. Remember that and make sure everyone else that works here knows it too."

And with that she quickly retreated from the room.

Alone at last. For now that is. I would have to start scouring the room below for my first victims, but first I needed a drink. I had to relax or I would get ahead of myself and make a mess of things. Remaining discrete was always important. No need for unwanted attention.

A glass of scotch in hand, I leaned against the balcony rail and began planning my next plan of attack. I decided for this first night it would be best to find a group of women who I felt would fall into my trap without questions. If I was jumping back into old habits, I might as well give myself an easy entry. It wouldn't take long for me to get back to full speed, but this would be the test. Had I truly turned everything off? Or was this a ploy by my mind to test my willpower? Only one way to tell.

I spotted them easily enough. They stood out among everyone else as if they couldn't be bothered by those around them. There were 7 of them sitting around a smaller table in a corner and as they laughed and continued on I could tell they were right. Men tried to get their attention, but they were simply better than everyone here. Or so they thought. I was finally able to make eye contact with the quietest of the group as she scanned the room and stopped on me. I smiled at her and tipped my drink while she returned the gesture. As if knowing what I wanted, she began speaking to the group before they all turned and looked at him with similar flirty smiles and raised their shot glasses. They were well on their way to be trashed, and I wasn't about to stop them. I simply wanted their company… And their blood.

They began making their way over to the man blocking the stairs to the VIP rooms. The boldest and loudest blonde in the group spoke to him as she gestured toward me on the rail. The bouncer eyed me and I nodded my head to give the okay, and he allowed them to climb the stairs. I could hear them coming from the stairwell and began to think that some of them might have to be told to quiet down.

But anticipation began to grow as they neared the door. I heard it open before their voices were simply behind the thin curtain separating the room, but I didn't go to greet them. I simply turned in my spot to face their arrival. There would be no chasing tonight. They were coming to me. My fingers twitch with the excitement.

The girls' laughter carried on until they finally appeared to me. I put on a devilish smirk and noticed two of them blush, but the other five just smiled right back. These were the type of girls I needed to start with. Ones with confidence. No one was dying from this group tonight, but they would serve for a tasty appetizer before the main show.

"Hello, ladies," I was laying it on thick for them, but I needed to seduce my prey before I took away their freedom to choose, "Welcome. I am Mr. Salvatore. And that is a name you don't want to forget." At least not until I told them to that is.

They all giggled and we were now down to two that had yet to break eye contact or blush. They would mostly be my biggest assets of the night if they could keep that up. I found them to be more appetizing as they bolding moved about the room. The shiest two from early wouldn't last long. I could already see them thinking of ways to leave this place. I would make it easier for them. I compelled them both to tell their friends it was time for them to leave and they would see them later. Then hurry home or they might find themselves chased after and brought back. Two down. Five was a much better number for me to work with.

The music began to pulse heavier and the alcohol flowed easily. I didn't start in on the girls until I was sure they were comfortable and I could get them all to comply with noticing something off. One of the bold girls, a cute blonde with obvious surgical enhancements to her body made the beginning easy. She started rubbing her body all over me in rhythm to the music. And as she leaned in her throat just happened to right by my mouth.

I couldn't stop it. I didn't want to stop it. And that was when I knew. Everything really was off.

And with that last thought… I sunk my teeth into her neck.

A/N: Thanks for everyone who is reading. I know this is slow start but hang in there. There will be a little bit of a DamonPOV and definitely some ElenaPOV. Maybe next chapter. This is just to show where Stefan is headed and its not good! Review if you want. THANKS AGAIN!