The Vampire Diaries-2

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THESTRUGGLE
TheVampireDiariesBook2
By
L.J.Smith
THEVAMPIREDIARIES
TheStruggleVolumeII
L.J.Smith
HarperTorch
AnImprintofHarperCollinsPublishers
BooksbyL.J.SMITH
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TheVampireDiaries
VolumeI:TheAwakening
VolumeII:TheStruggle
VolumeIII:TheFuryVolumeIV:DarkReunionTheSecretCircletrilogy
VolumeI:TheInitiation
VolumeII:TheCaptiveVolumeIII:ThePower
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiouslyandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,organizations,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
HARPERTORCH
AnImprintofHarperCollinsPublishers
10East53rdStreet
NewYork,NewYork10022-5299
Copyright?1991byDanielWeissAssociates,Inc.andLisaSmith
Coverartcopyright?1991byDanielWeissAssociates,Inc.
ISBN:0-06-102001-X
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ProducedbyDanielWeissAssociates,Inc.,33West17thStreet,NewYork,NewYork10011.
FirstHarperTorchpaperbackprinting:August2002
FirstHarperPnsmprinting:March1999
Amassmarketeditionofthisbookwaspublishedin1991byHarperPaperbacks.
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
VisitHarperTorchontheWorldWideWebatwww.harpercollins.com
Tomydearfriendandsister,Judy
AspecialthankstoAnneSmith,PeggyBokulic,AnneMarieSmith,andLauraPennyforinformationaboutVirginia,andtoJackandSueCheckforalltheirlocallore.
One
“Damon!”
IcywindwhippedElena’shairaroundherface,tearingatherlightsweater.Oakleavesswirledamongtherowsofgraniteheadstones,andthetreeslashedtheirbranchestogetherinfrenzy.Elena’shandswerecold,herlipsandcheekswerenumb,butshestoodfacingthescreamingwinddirectly,shoutingintoit.
“Damon!”
ThisweatherwasashowofhisPower,meanttofrightenheraway.Itwouldn’twork.ThethoughtofthatsamePowerbeingturnedagainstStefanwokeahotfuryinsideherthatburnedagainstthewind.IfDamonhaddoneanythingtoStefan,ifDamonhadhurthim…
“Damnyou,answerme!”sheshoutedattheoaktreesthatborderedthegraveyard.
Adeadoakleaflikeawitheredbrownhandskittereduptoherfoot,buttherewasnoanswer.Above,Page3
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theskywasgrayasglass,grayasthetombstonesthatsurroundedher.Elenafeltrageandfrustrationstingherthroatandshesagged.She’dbeenwrong.Damonwasn’thereafterall;shewasalonewiththescreamingwind.
Sheturned—andgasped.
Hewasjustbehindher,soclosethatherclothesbrushedhisassheturned.Atthatdistance,sheshouldhavesensedanotherhumanbeingstandingthere,shouldhavefelthisbodywarmthorheardhim.ButDamon,ofcourse,wasn’thuman.
Shereeledbackacoupleofstepsbeforeshecouldstopherself.Everyinstinctthathadlainquietwhilesheshoutedintotheviolenceofthewindwasnowbegginghertorun.
Sheclenchedherfists.“Where’sStefan?”
AlineappearedbetweenDamon’sdarkeyebrows.“Stefanwho?”
Elenasteppedforwardandslappedhim.
Shehadnothoughtofdoingitbeforeshedidit,andafterwardshecouldscarcelybelievewhatshehaddone.Butitwasagoodhardslap,withthefullforceofherbodybehindit,anditsnappedDamon’sheadtooneside.Herhandstung.Shestood,tryingtocalmherbreath,andwatchedhim.
Hewasdressedasshehadfirstseenhim,inblack.Softblackboots,blackjeans,blacksweater,andleatherjacket.AndhelookedlikeStefan.Shedidn’tknowhowshecouldhavemissedthatbefore.Hehadthesamedarkhair,thesamepaleskin,thesamedisturbinggoodlooks.Buthishairwasstraight,notwavy,andhiseyeswereblackasmidnight,andhismouthwascruel.
Heturnedhisheadslowlybacktolookather,andshesawbloodrisinginthecheekshe’dslapped.
“Don’tlietome,”shesaid,hervoiceshaking.“Iknowwhoyouare.Iknowwhatyouare.YoukilledMr.Tannerlastnight.AndnowStefan’sdisappeared.”
“Hashe?”
“Youknowhehas!”
Damonsmiledandthenturneditoffinstantly.
“I’mwarningyou;ifyou’vehurthim—”
“Then,what?”hesaid.“Whatwillyoudo,Elena?Whatcanyoudo,againstme?”
Elenafellsilent.Forthefirsttime,sherealizedthatthewindhaddiedaway.Thedayhadgonedeadlyquietaroundthem,asiftheystoodmotionlessatthecenterofsomegreatcircleofpower.Itseemedasifeverything,theleadensky,theoaksandpurplebeeches,thegrounditself,wasconnectedtohim,asifhedrewPowerfromallofit.Hestoodwithhisheadtiltedbackslightly,hiseyesfathomlessandfullofstrangelights.
“Idon’tknow,”shewhispered,“butI’llfindsomething.Believeme.”
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Helaughedsuddenly,andElena’sheartjerkedandbeganpoundinghard.God,hewasbeautiful.
Handsomewastooweakandcolorlessaword.Asusual,thelaughterlastedonlyamoment,butevenwhenhislipshadsobereditlefttracesinhiseyes.
“Idobelieveyou,”hesaid,relaxing,lookingaroundthegraveyard.Thenheturnedbackandheldoutahandtoher.“You’retoogoodformybrother,”hesaidcasually.
Elenathoughtofslappingthehandaway,butshedidn’twanttotouchhimagain.“Tellmewhereheis.”
“Later,possibly—foraprice.”Hewithdrewhishand,justasElenarealizedthatonitheworearinglikeStefan’s:silverandlapislazuli.Rememberthat,shethoughtfiercely.It’simportant.
“Mybrother,”hewenton,“isafool.HethinksthatbecauseyoulooklikeKatherineyou’reweakandeasilyledlikeher.Buthe’swrong.Icouldfeelyourangerfromtheothersideoftown.Icanfeelitnow,awhitelightlikethedesertsun.Youhavestrength,Elena,evenasyouare.Butyoucouldbesomuchstronger…”
Shestaredathim,notunderstanding,notlikingthechangeofsubject.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.AndwhathasitgottodowithStefan?”
“I’mtalkingaboutPower,Elena.”Suddenly,hesteppedclosetoher,hiseyesfixedonhers,hisvoicesoftandurgent.“You’vetriedeverythingelse,andnothinghassatisfiedyou.You’rethegirlwhohaseverything,butthere’salwaysbeensomethingjustoutofyourreach,somethingyouneeddesperatelyandcan’thave.That’swhatI’mofferingyou.Power.Eternallife.Andfeelingsyou’veneverfeltbefore.”
Shedidunderstandthen,andbileroseinherthroat.Shechokedonhorrorandrepudiation.“No.”
“Whynot?”hewhispered.“Whynottryit,Elena?Behonest.Isn’tthereapartofyouthatwantsto?”Hisdarkeyeswerefullofaheatandintensitythatheldhertransfixed,unabletolookaway.“Icanwakenthingsinsideyouthathavebeensleepingallyourlife.You’restrongenoughtoliveinthedark,togloryinit.Youcanbecomeaqueenoftheshadows.WhynottakethatPower,Elena?Letmehelpyoutakeit.”
“No,”shesaid,wrenchinghereyesawayfromhis.Shewouldn’tlookathim,wouldn’tlethimdothistoher.Shewouldn’tlethimmakeherforget…makeherforget…
“It’stheultimatesecret,Elena,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasascaressingasthefingertipsthattouchedherthroat.“You’llbehappyasneverbefore.”
Therewassomethingterriblyimportantshemustremember.HewasusingPowertomakeherforgetit,butshewouldn’tlethimmakeherforget…
“Andwe’llbetogether,youandI.”Thecoolfingertipsstrokedthesideofherneck,slippingunderthecollarofhersweater.“Justthetwoofus,forever.”
Therewasasuddentwingeofpainashisfingersbrushedtwotinywoundsinthefleshofherneck,andhermindcleared.
Makeherforget…Stefan
Thatwaswhathewantedtodriveoutofhermind.ThememoryofStefan,ofhisgreeneyesandhissmilethatalwayshadsadnesslurkingbehindit.ButnothingcouldforceStefanoutofherthoughtsnow,Page5
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notafterwhattheyhadshared.ShepulledawayfromDamon,knockingthosecoolfingertipsaside.Shelookedstraightathim.
“I’vealreadyfoundwhatIwant,”shesaidbrutally.“AndwhoIwanttobewithforever.”
Blacknesswelledupinhiseyes,acoldragethatsweptthroughtheairbetweenthem.Lookingintothoseeyes,Elenathoughtofacobraabouttostrike.
“Don’tyoubeasstupidasmybrotheris,”hesaid.“OrImighthavetotreatyouthesameway.”
Shewasfrightenednow.Shecouldn’thelpit,notwithcoldpouringintoher,chillingherbones.Thewindwaspickingupagain,thebranchestossing.“Tellmewhereheis,Damon.”
“Atthismoment?Idon’tknow.Can’tyoustopthinkingabouthimforaninstant?”
“No!”Sheshuddered,hairlashingaboutherfaceagain.
“Andthat’syourfinalanswer,today?Beverysureyouwanttoplaythisgamewithme,Elena.Theconsequencesarenothingtolaughabout.”
“Iamsure.”Shehadtostophimbeforehegottoheragain.“Andyoucan’tintimidateme,Damon,orhaven’tyounoticed?ThemomentStefantoldmewhatyouwere,whatyou’ddone,youlostanypoweryoumighthavehadoverme.Ihateyou.Youdisgustme.Andthere’snothingyoucandotome,notanymore.”
Hisfacealtered,thesensuousnesstwistingandfreezing,becomingcruelandbitterlyhard.Helaughed,butthislaughwentonandon.“Nothing?”hesaid.“Icandoanythingtoyou,andtotheonesyoulove.
Youhavenoidea,Elena,ofwhatIcando.Butyou’lllearn.”
Hesteppedback,andthewindcutthroughElenalikeaknife.Hervisionseemedtobeblurring;itwasasifflecksofbrightnessfilledtheairinfrontofhereyes.
“Winteriscoming,Elena,”hesaid,andhisvoicewasclearandchillingevenoverthehowlofthewind.
“Anunforgivingseason.Beforeitcomes,you’llhavelearnedwhatIcanandcan’tdo.Beforewinterishere,you’llhavejoinedme.You’llbemine.”
Theswirlingwhitenesswasblindingher,andshecouldnolongerseethedarkbulkofhisfigure.Nowevenhisvoicewasfading.Shehuggedherselfwithherarms,headbentdown,herwholebodyshaking.
Shewhispered,“Stefan—”
“Oh,andonemorething,”Damon’svoicecameback.“Youaskedearlieraboutmybrother.Don’tbotherlookingforhim,Elena.Ikilledhimlastnight.”
Herheadjerkedup,buttherewasnothingtosee,onlythedizzyingwhiteness,whichburnedhernoseandcheeksandcloggedhereyelashes.Itwasonlythen,asthefinegrainssettledonherskin,thatsherealizedwhattheywere:snowflakes.
ItwassnowingonthefirstofNovember.Overhead,thesunwasgone.
Two
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Anunnaturaltwilighthungovertheabandonedgraveyard.SnowblurredElena’seyes,andthewindnumbedherbodyasifshe’dsteppedintoacurrentoficewater.Nevertheless,stubbornly,shedidnotturnaroundtowardthemoderncemeteryandtheroadbeyondit.Asbestshecouldjudge,WickeryBridgewasstraightinfrontofher.Sheheadedforthat.
ThepolicehadfoundStefan’sabandonedcarbyOldCreekRoad.Thatmeanthe’dleftitsomewherebetweenDrowningCreekandthewoods.Elenastumbledontheovergrownpaththroughthegraveyard,butshekeptmoving,headdown,armshuggingherlightsweatertoher.Shehadknownthisgraveyardallherlife,andshecouldfindherwaythroughitblind.
Bythetimeshecrossedthebridge,hershiveringhadbecomepainful.Itwasn’tsnowingashardnow,butthewindwasevenworse.Itcutthroughherclothesasiftheyweremadeoftissuepaper,andtookherbreathaway.
Stefan,shethought,andturnedontoOldCreekRoad,trudgingnorthward.Shedidn’tbelievewhatDamonhadsaid.IfStefanweredeadshewouldknow.Hewasalive,somewhere,andshehadtofindhim.Hecouldbeanywhereoutinthisswirlingwhiteness;hecouldbehurt,freezing.Dimly,Elenasensedthatshewasnolongerrational.Allherthoughtshadnarroweddowntoonesingleidea.Stefan.FindStefan.
Itwasgettinghardertokeeptotheroad.Onherrightwereoaktrees,onherleft,theswiftwatersofDrowningCreek.Shestaggeredandslowed.Thewinddidn’tseemquitesobadanymore,butshedidfeelverytired.Sheneededtositdownandrest,justforaminute.
Asshesankdownbesidetheroad,shesuddenlyrealizedhowsillyshehadbeentogooutsearchingforStefan.Stefanwouldcometoher.Allsheneededtodowassithereandwait.Hewasprobablycomingrightnow.
Elenashuthereyesandleanedherheadagainstherdrawn-upknees.Shefeltmuchwarmernow.HerminddriftedandshesawStefan,sawhimsmileather.Hisarmsaroundherwerestrongandsecure,andsherelaxedagainsthim,gladtoletgooffearandtension.Shewashome.She-waswhereshebelonged.
Stefanwouldneverletanythinghurther.
Butthen,insteadofholdingher,Stefanwasshakingher.Hewasruiningthebeautifultranquilityofherrest.Shesawhisface,paleandurgent,hisgreeneyesdarkwithpain.Shetriedtotellhimtobestill,buthewouldn’tlisten.Elena,getup,hesaid,andshefeltthecompellingforceofthosegreeneyeswillinghertodoit.Elena,getupnow—
“Elena,getup!”Thevoicewashighandthinandfrightened.“Comeon,Elena!Getup!Wecan’tcarryyou!”
Blinking,Elenabroughtafaceintofocus.Itwassmallandheart-shaped,withfair,almosttranslucentskin,framedbymassesofsoftredcurls.Widebrowneyes,withsnowflakescaughtinthelashes,staredworriedlyintohers.
“Bonnie,”shesaidslowly.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Helpingmelookforyou,”saidasecond,lowervoiceonElena’sotherside.Sheturnedslightlytoseeelegantlyarchedeyebrowsandanolivecomplexion.Meredith’sdarkeyes,usuallysoironic,wereworriednow,too.“Standup,Elena,unlessyouwanttobecomeaniceprincessforreal.”
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Therewassnowalloverher,likeawhitefurcoat.Stiffly,Elenastood,leaningheavilyonthetwoothergirls.TheywalkedherbacktoMeredith’scar.
Itshouldhavebeenwarmerinsidethecar,butElena’snerveendingswerecomingbacktolife,makinghershake,tellingherhowcoldshereallywas.Winterisanunforgivingseason,shethoughtasMeredithdrove.
“What’sgoingon,Elena?”saidBonniefromthebackseat.“Whatdidyouthinkyouweredoing,runningawayfromschoollikethat?Andhowcouldyoucomeouthere?”
Elenahesitated,thenshookherhead.ShewantednothingmorethantotellBonnieandMereditheverything.TotellthemthewholeterrifyingstoryaboutStefanandDamonandwhathadreallyhappenedlastnighttoMr.Tanner—andaboutafter.Butshecouldn’t.
Eveniftheywouldbelieveher,itwasn’thersecrettotell.
“Everyone’soutlookingforyou,”Meredithsaid.“Thewholeschool’supset,andyourauntwasnearlyfrantic.”
“Sorry,”saidElenadully,tryingtostopherviolentshivering.TheyturnedontoMapleStreetandpulleduptoherhouse.
AuntJudithwaswaitinginsidewithheatedblankets.“Iknewiftheyfoundyou,you’dbehalf-frozen,”shesaidinadeterminedlycheerfulvoiceasshereachedforElena.“SnowonthedayafterHalloween!Icanhardlybelieveit.Wheredidyougirlsfindher?”
“OnOldCreekRoad,pastthebridge,”saidMeredith.
AuntJudith’sthinfacelostcolor.“Nearthegraveyard?Wheretheattackswere?Elena,howcouldyou?…”HervoicetrailedoffasshelookedatElena.“Wewon’tsayanythingmoreaboutitrightnow,”
shesaid,tryingtoregainhercheerfulmanner.“Let’sgetyououtofthosewetclothes.”
“IhavetogobackonceI’mdry,”saidElena.Herbrainwasworkingagain,andonethingwasclear:shehadn’treallyseenStefanoutthere;ithadbeenadream.Stefanwasstillmissing.
“Youhavetodonothingofthekind,”saidRobert,AuntJudith’sfiancé.Elenahadscarcelynoticedhimstandingofftoonesideuntilthen.Buthistonebrookednoargument.“ThepolicearelookingforStefan;youleavethemtotheirjob,”hesaid.
“ThepolicethinkhekilledMr.Tanner.Buthedidn’t.Youknowthat,don’tyou?”AsAuntJudithpulledhersoddenoutersweateroff,Elenalookedfromonefacetoanotherforhelp,buttheywereallthesame.
“Youknowhedidn’tdoit,”sherepeated,almostdesperately.
Therewasasilence.“Elena,”Meredithsaidatlast,“noonewantstothinkhedid.But—well,itlooksbad,hisrunningawaylikethis.”
“Hedidn’trunaway.Hedidn’t!Hedidn’t—”
“Elena,hush,”saidAuntJudith.“Don’tgetyourselfworkedup.Ithinkyoumustbegettingsick.Itwassocoldoutthere,andyougotonlyafewhoursofsleeplastnight…”ShelaidahandonElena’scheek.
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SuddenlyitwasalltoomuchforElena.Nobodybelievedher,notevenherfriendsandfamily.Atthatmoment,shefeltsurroundedbyenemies.
“I’mnotsick,”shecried,pullingaway.
“AndI’mnotcrazy,either—whateveryouthink.Stefandidn’trunawayandhedidn’tkillMr.Tanner,andIdon’tcareifnoneofyoubelievesme…”Shestopped,choking.AuntJudithwasfussingaroundher,hurryingherupstairs,andsheletherselfbehurried.Butshewouldn’tgotobedwhenAuntJudithsuggestedshemustbetired.Instead,onceshehadwarmedup,shesatonthelivingroomcouchbythefireplace,withblanketsheapedaroundher.Thephonerangallafternoon,andsheheardAuntJudithtalkingtofriends,neighbors,theschool.SheassuredallofthemthatElenawasfine.The…thetragedylastnighthadunsettledherabit,thatwasall,andsheseemedalittlefeverish.Butshe’dbegoodasnewafterarest.
MeredithandBonniesatbesideher.“Doyouwanttotalk?”Meredithsaidinalowvoice.Elenashookherhead,staringintothefire.Theywereallagainsther.AndAuntJudithwaswrong;shewasn’tfine.Shewouldn’tbefineuntilStefanwasfound.
Mattstoppedby,snowdustinghisblondhairandhisdarkblueparka.Asheenteredtheroom,Elenalookedupathimhopefully.YesterdayMatthadhelpedsaveStefan,whentherestoftheschoolhadwantedtolynchhim.Buttodayhereturnedherhopefullookwithoneofsoberregret,andtheconcerninhisblueeyeswasonlyforher.
Thedisappointmentwasunbearable.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Elenademanded.“Keepingyourpromiseto‘takecareofme’?”
Therewasaflickerofhurtinhiseyes.ButMatt’svoicewaslevel.“That’spartofit,maybe.ButI’dtrytotakecareofyouanyway,nomatterwhatIpromised.I’vebeenworriedaboutyou.Listen,Elena—”
Shewasinnomoodtolistentoanyone.“Well,I’mjustfine,thankyou.Askanybodyhere.Soyoucanstopworrying.Besides,Idon’tseewhyyoushouldkeepapromisetoamurderer.”
Startled,MattlookedatMeredithandBonnie.Thenheshookhisheadhelplessly.“You’renotbeingfair.”
Elenawasinnomoodtobefaireither.“Itoldyou,youcanstopworryingaboutme,andaboutmybusiness.I’mfine,thanks.”
Theimplicationwasobvious.MattturnedtothedoorjustasAuntJudithappearedwithsandwiches.
“Sorry,I’vegottogo,”hemuttered,hurryingtothedoor.Heleftwithoutlookingback.
MeredithandBonnieandAuntJudithand
Roberttriedtomakeconversationwhiletheyateanearlysupperbythefire.Elenacouldn’teatandwouldn’ttalk.Theonlyonewhowasn’tmiserablewasElena’slittlesister,Margaret.Withfour-year-oldoptimism,shecuddleduptoElenaandofferedhersomeofherHalloweencandy.
Elenahuggedhersisterhard,herfacepressedintoMargaret’swhite-blondhairforamoment.IfStefancouldhavecalledherorgottenamessagetoher,hewouldhavedoneitbynow.Nothingintheworldwouldhavestoppedhim,unlesshewerebadlyhurt,ortrappedsomewhere,or…
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Shewouldn’tletherselfthinkaboutthatlast“or.”Stefanwasalive;hehadtobealive.Damonwasaliar.
ButStefanwasintrouble,andshehadtofindhimsomehow.Sheworriedaboutitallthroughtheevening,desperatelytryingtocomeupwithaplan.Onethingwasclear;shewasonherown.Shecouldn’ttrustanyone.
Itgrewdark.Elenashiftedonthecouchandforcedayawn.
“I’mtired,”shesaidquietly.“MaybeIamsickafterall.IthinkI’llgotobed.”
Meredithwaslookingatherkeenly.“Iwasjustthinking,MissGilbert,”shesaid,turningtoAuntJudith,
“thatmaybeBonnieandIshouldstaythenight.TokeepElenacompany.”
“Whatagoodidea,”saidAuntJudith,pleased.“Aslongasyourparentsdon’tmind,I’dbegladtohaveyou.”
“It’salongdrivebacktoHerron.IthinkI’llstay,too,”Robertsaid.“Icanjuststretchoutonthecouchhere.”AuntJudithprotestedthattherewereplentyofguestbedroomsupstairs,butRobertwasadamant.
Thecouchwoulddojustfineforhim,hesaid.
Afterlookingoncefromthecouchtothehallwherethefrontdoorstoodplainlyinview,Elenasatstonily.They’dplannedthisbetweenthem,oratleasttheywereallinonitnow.Theyweremakingsureshedidn’tleavethehouse.
Whensheemergedfromthebathroomalittlewhilelater,wrappedinherredsilkkimono,shefoundMeredithandBonniesittingonherbed.
“Well,hello,RosencrantzandGuildenstern,”shesaidbitterly.
Bonnie,whohadbeenlookingdepressed,nowlookedalarmed.SheglancedatMeredithdoubtfully.
“Sheknowswhoweare.Shemeansshethinkswe’respiesforheraunt,”Meredithinterpreted.“Elena,youshouldrealizethatisn’tso.Can’tyoutrustusatall?”
“Idon’tknow.CanI?”
“Yes,becausewe’reyourfriends.”BeforeElenacouldmove,Meredithjumpedoffthebedandshutthedoor.ThensheturnedtofaceElena.“Now,foronceinyourlife,listentome,youlittleidiot.It’struewedon’tknowwhattothinkaboutStefan.But,don’tyousee,that’syourownfault.Eversinceyouandhegottogether,you’vebeenshuttingusout.Thingshavebeenhappeningthatyouhaven’ttoldusabout.Atleastyouhaven’ttoldusthewholestory.Butinspiteofthat,inspiteofeverything,westilltrustyou.Westillcareaboutyou.We’restillbehindyou,Elena,andwewanttohelp.Andifyoucan’tseethat,thenyouareanidiot.”
Slowly,ElenalookedfromMeredith’sdark,intensefacetoBonnie’spaleone.Bonnienodded.
“It’strue,”shesaid,blinkinghardasiftokeepbacktears.“Evenifyoudon’tlikeus,westilllikeyou.”
Elenafeltherowneyesfillandhersternexpressioncrumple.ThenBonniewasoffthebed,andtheywereallhugging,andElenafoundshecouldn’thelpthetearsthatsliddownherface.
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“I’msorryifIhaven’tbeentalkingtoyou,”shesaid.“Iknowyoudon’tunderstand,andIcan’tevenexplainwhyIcan’ttellyoueverything.Ijustcan’t.Butthere’sonethingIcantellyou.”Shesteppedback,wipinghercheeks,andlookedatthemearnestly.“NomatterhowbadtheevidenceagainstStefanlooks,hedidn’tkillMr.Tanner.Iknowhedidn’t,becauseIknowwhodid.Andit’sthesamepersonwhoattackedVickie,andtheoldmanunderthebridge.And—”Shestoppedandthoughtamoment.
“—and,oh,Bonnie,IthinkhekilledYangtze,too.”
”Yangtze?”Bonnie’seyeswidened.“Butwhywouldhewanttokilladog?”
“Idon’tknow,buthewastherethatnight,inyourhouse.Andhewas…angry.I’msorry,Bonnie.”
Bonnieshookherheaddazedly.Meredithsaid,“Whydon’tyoutellthepolice?”
Elena’slaughwasslightlyhysterical.“Ican’t.It’snotsomethingtheycandealwith.Andthat’sanotherthingIcan’texplain.Yousaidyoustilltrustedme;well,you’lljusthavetotrustmeaboutthat.”
BonnieandMeredithlookedateachother,thenatthebedspread,whereElena’snervousfingerswerepickingathreadoutoftheembroidery.FinallyMeredithsaid,“Allright.Whatcanwedotohelp?”
“Idon’tknow.Nothing,unless…”ElenastoppedandlookedatBonnie.“Unless,”shesaid,inachangedvoice,“youcanhelpmefindStefan.”
Bonnie’sbrowneyesweregenuinelybewildered.“Me?ButwhatcanIdo?”Then,atMeredith’sindrawnbreath,shesaid,“Oh.Oh.”
“YouknewwhereIwasthatdayIwenttothecemetery,”saidElena.“AndyouevenpredictedStefan’scomingtoschool.”
“Ithoughtyoudidn’tbelieveinallthatpsychicstuff,”saidBonnieweakly.
“I’velearnedathingortwosincethen.Anyway,I’mwillingtobelieveanythingifit’llhelpfindStefan.Ifthere’sanychanceatallitwillhelp.”
Bonniewashunchingup,asiftryingtomakeheralreadytinyformassmallaspossible.“Elena,youdon’tunderstand,”shesaidwretchedly.“I’mnottrained;it’snotsomethingIcancontrol.And—andit’snotagame,notanymore.Themoreyouusethosepowers,themoretheyuseyou.Eventuallytheycanendupusingyouallthetime,whetheryouwantitornot.It’sdangerous.”
Elenagotupandwalkedtothecherrywooddresser,lookingdownatitwithoutseeingit.Atlastsheturned.
“You’reright;it’snotagame.AndIbelieveyouabouthowdangerousitcanbe.Butit’snotagameforStefan,either.Bonnie,Ithinkhe’soutthere,somewhere,terriblyhurt.Andthere’snobodytohelphim;nobody’sevenlookingforhim,excepthisenemies.Hemaybedyingrightnow.He—hemayevenbe…”
Herthroatclosed.Shebowedherheadoverthedresserandmadeherselftakeadeepbreath,tryingtosteadyherself.Whenshelookedup,shesawMeredithwaslookingatBonnie.
Bonniestraightenedhershoulders,sittingupastallasshecould.Herchinliftedandhermouthset.Andinhernormallysoftbrowneyes,agrimlightshoneastheymetElena’s.
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“Weneedacandle,”wasallshesaid.
Thematchraspedandthrewsparksinthedarkness,andthenthecandleflameburnedstrongandbright.
ItlentagoldenglowtoBonnie’spalefaceasshebentoverit.
“I’mgoingtoneedbothofyoutohelpmefocus,”shesaid.“Lookintotheflame,andthinkaboutStefan.
Picturehiminyourmind.Nomatterwhathappens,keeponlookingattheflame.Andwhateveryoudo,don’tsayanything.”
Elenanodded,andthentheonlysoundintheroomwassoftbreathing.Theflameflickeredanddanced,throwingpatternsoflightoverthethreegirlssittingcross-leggedaroundit.Bonnie,eyesclosed,wasbreathingdeeplyandslowly,likesomeonedriftingintosleep.
Stefan,thoughtElena,gazingintotheflame,tryingtopourallherwillintothethought.Shecreatedhiminhermind,usingallhersenses,conjuringhimtoher.Theroughnessofhiswoolensweaterunderhercheek,thesmellofhisleatherjacket,thestrengthofhisarmsaroundher.Oh,Stefan…
Bonnie’slashesflutteredandherbreathingquickened,likeasleeperhavingabaddream.Elenaresolutelykepthereyesontheflame,butwhenBonniebrokethesilenceachillwentupherspine.
Atfirstitwasjustamoan,thesoundofsomeoneinpain.Then,asBonnietossedherhead,breathcominginshortbursts,itbecamewords.
“Alone…”shesaid,andstopped.Elena’snailsbitintoherhand.“Alone…inthedark,”saidBonnie.Hervoicewasdistantandtortured.
Therewasanothersilence,andthenBonniebegantospeakquickly.
“It’sdarkandcold.AndI’malone.There’ssomethingbehindme…jaggedandhard.Rocks.Theyusedtohurt—butnotnow.I’mnumbnow,fromthecold.Socold…”Bonnietwisted,asiftryingtogetawayfromsomething,andthenshelaughed,adreadfullaughalmostlikeasob.“That’s…funny.IneverthoughtI’dwanttoseethesunsomuch.Butit’salwaysdarkhere.Andcold.Wateruptomyneck,likeice.That’sfunny,too.Watereverywhere—andmedyingofthirst.Sothirsty…hurts…”
Elenafeltsomethingtightenaroundherheart.BonniewasinsideStefan’sthoughts,andwhoknewwhatshemightdiscoverthere?Stefan,telluswhereyouare,shethoughtdesperately.Lookaround;tellmewhatyousee.
“Thirsty.Ineed…life?”Bonnie’svoicewasdoubtful,asifnotsurehowtotranslatesomeconcept.“I’mweak.HesaidI’llalwaysbetheweakone.He’sstrong…akiller.Butthat’swhatIam,too.IkilledKatherine;maybeIdeservetodie.Whynotjustletgo?…”
“No!”saidElenabeforeshecouldstopherself.Inthatinstant,sheforgoteverythingbutStefan’spain.
“Stefan—”
“Elena!”Meredithcriedsharplyatthesametime.ButBonnie’sheadfellforward,theflowofwordscutoff.Horrified,Elenarealizedwhatshehaddone.
“Bonnie,areyouallright?Canyoufindhimagain?Ididn’tmeanto…”
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staredstraightahead,expressionless.Whenshespoke,hervoicewasdistorted,andElena’sheartstopped.Itwasn’tBonnie’svoice,butitwasavoiceElenarecognized.She’dhearditcomingfromBonnie’slipsoncebefore,inthegraveyard
“Elena,”thevoicesaid,“don’tgotothebridge.It’sDeath,Elena.Yourdeathiswaitingthere.”ThenBonnieslumpedforward.
Elenagrabbedhershouldersandshook.“Bonnie!”shealmostscreamed.“Bonnie!”
“What…oh,don’t.Letgo.”Bonnie’svoicewasweakandshaken,butitwasherown.Stillbentover,sheputahandtoherforehead.
“Bonnie,areyouallright?”
“Ithinkso…yes.Butitwassostrange.”Hertonesharpenedandshelookedup,blinking.“Whatwasthat,Elena,aboutbeingakiller?”
“Yourememberthat?”
“Iremembereverything.Ican’tdescribeit;itwasawful.Butwhatdidthatmean?”
“Nothing,”saidElena.“He’shallucinating,that’sall.”
Meredithbrokein.“He?ThenyoureallythinkshetunedintoStefan?”
Elenanodded,hereyessoreandburningasshelookedaway.“Yes.IthinkthatwasStefan.Ithadtobe.AndIthinksheeventolduswhereheis.UnderWickeryBridge,inthewater.”
Three
Bonniestared.“Idon’trememberanythingaboutthebridge.Itdidn’tfeellikeabridge.”
“Butyousaidityourself,attheend.Ithoughtyouremembered…”Elena’svoicediedaway.“Youdon’trememberthatpart,”shesaidflatly.Itwasnotaquestion.
“Irememberbeingalone,somewherecoldanddark,andfeelingweak…andthirsty.Orwasithungry?Idon’tknow,butIneeded…something.AndIalmostwantedtodie.Andthenyouwokemeup.”
ElenaandMeredithexchangedaglance.“Andafterthat,”ElenasaidtoBonnie,“yousaidonemorething,inastrangevoice.Yousaidnottogonearthebridge.”
“Shetoldyounottogonearthebridge.”
Meredithcorrected.“Youinparticular,Elena.ShesaidDeathwaswaiting.”
“Idon’tcarewhat’swaiting,”saidElena.“Ifthat’swhereStefanis,that’swhereI’mgoing.”
“Thenthat’swherewe’reallgoing,”saidMeredith.
Elenahesitated.“Ican’taskyoutodothat,”shesaidslowly.“Theremightbedanger—ofakindyoudon’tknowabout.Itmightbebestformetogoalone.”
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“Areyoukidding?”Bonniesaid,stickingherchinout.“Welovedanger.Iwanttobeyoungandbeautifulinmygrave,remember?”
“Don’t,”saidElenaquickly.“Youweretheonewhosaiditwasn’tagame.”
“AndnotforStefan,either,”Meredithremindedthem.“We’renotdoinghimmuchgoodstandingaroundhere.”
Elenawasalreadyshruggingoutofherkimono,movingtowardthecloset.“We’dbetterallbundleup.
Borrowanythingyouwanttokeepwarm,”shesaid.
Whentheyweremoreorlessdressedfortheweather,Elenaturnedtothedoor.Thenshestopped.
“Robert,”shesaid.“There’snowaywecangetpasthimtothefrontdoor,evenifhe’sasleep.”
Simultaneously,thethreeofthemturnedtolookatthewindow.
“Oh,wonderful,”saidBonnie.
Astheyclimbedoutintothequincetree,Elenarealizedthatithadstoppedsnowing.ButthebiteoftheaironhercheekmadeherrememberDamon’swords.Winterisanunforgivingseason,shethought,andshivered.
Allthelightsinthehousewereout,includingthoseinthelivingroom.Robertmusthavegonetosleepalready.Evenso,Elenaheldherbreathastheycreptpastthedarkenedwindows.Meredith’scarwasalittlewaydownthestreet.Atthelastminute,Elenadecidedtogetsomerope,andshesoundlesslyopenedthebackdoortothegarage.TherewasaswiftcurrentinDrowningCreek,andwadingwouldbedangerous.
Thedrivetotheendoftownwastense.Astheypassedtheoutskirtsofthewoods,Elenarememberedthewaytheleaveshadblownatherinthecemetery.Particularlyoakleaves.
“Bonnie,dooaktreeshaveanyspecialsignificance?Didyourgrandmothereversayanythingaboutthem?”
“Well,theyweresacredtotheDruids.Alltreeswere,butoaktreeswerethemostsacred.Theythoughtthespiritofthetreesbroughtthempower.”
Elenadigestedthatinsilence.Whentheyreachedthebridgeandgotoutofthecar,shegavetheoaktreesontherightsideoftheroadanuneasyglance.Butthenightwasclearandstrangelycalm,andnobreezestirredthedrybrownleavesleftonthebranches.
“Keepyoureyesoutforacrow,”shesaidtoBonnieandMeredith.
“Acrow?”Meredithsaidsharply.“LikethecrowoutsideBonnie’shousethenightYangtzedied?”
“ThenightYangtzewaskilled.Yes.”ElenaapproachedthedarkwatersofDrowningCreekwitharapidlybeatingheart.Despiteitsname,itwasnotacreek,butaswiftlyflowingriverwithbanksofrednativeclay.AboveitstoodWickeryBridge,awoodenstructurebuiltnearlyacenturyago.Once,ithadbeenstrongenoughtosupportwagons;nowitwasjustafootbridgethatnobodyusedbecauseitwassoPage14
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outoftheway.Itwasabarren,lonely,unfriendlyplace,Elenathought.Hereandtherepatchesofsnowlayontheground.
Despiteherbravewordsearlier,Bonniewashangingback.“Rememberthelasttimewewentoverthisbridge?”shesaid.
Toowell,Elenathought.Thelasttimetheyhadcrossedit,theywerebeingchasedby…something…
fromthegraveyard.Orsomeone,shethought.
“We’renotgoingoverityet,”shesaid.“Firstwe’vegottolookunderitonthisside.”
“Wheretheoldmanwasfoundwithhisthroattornopen,”Meredithmuttered,butshefollowed.
Thecarheadlightsilluminatedonlyasmallportionofthebankunderthebridge.AsElenasteppedoutofthenarrowwedgeoflight,shefeltasickthrillofforeboding.Deathwaswaiting,thevoicehadsaid.WasDeathdownhere?
Herfeetslippedonthedamp,scummystones.Allshecouldhearwastherushingofthewater,anditshollowechofromthebridgeaboveherhead.And,thoughshestrainedhereyes,allshecouldseeinthedarknesswastherawriverbankandthewoodentrestlesofthebridge.
“Stefan?”shewhispered,andshewasalmostgladthatthenoiseofthewaterdrownedherout.Shefeltlikeapersoncalling“who’sthere?”toanemptyhouse,yetafraidofwhatmightanswer.
“Thisisn’tright,”saidBonniefrombehindher.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Bonniewaslookingaround,shakingherheadslightly,herbodytautwithconcentration.“Itjustfeelswrong.Idon’t—well,foronethingIdidn’theartheriverbefore.Icouldn’thearanythingatall,justdeadsilence.”
Elena’sheartdroppedwithdismay.PartofherknewthatBonniewasright,thatStefanwasn’tinthiswildandlonelyplace.Butpartofherwastooscaredtolisten.
“We’vegottomakesure,”shesaidthroughtheconstrictioninherchest,andshemovedfartherintothedarkness,feelingherwayalongbecauseshecouldn’tsee.Butatlastshehadtoadmitthattherewasnosignthatanypersonhadrecentlybeenhere.Nosignofadarkheadinthewater,either.Shewipedcoldmuddyhandsonherjeans.
“Wecanchecktheothersideofthebridge,”saidMeredith,andElenanoddedmechanically.Butshedidn’tneedtoseeBonnie’sexpressiontoknowwhatthey’dfind.Thiswasthewrongplace.
“Let’sjustgetoutofhere,”shesaid,climbingthroughvegetationtowardthewedgeoflightbeyondthebridge.Justasshereachedit,Elenafroze.
Bonniegasped.“Oh,God—”
“Getback,”hissedMeredith.“Upagainstthebank.”
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beatingheart,couldtellnothingaboutitexceptthatitwasmale.Thefacewasindarkness,butshehadaterriblefeeling.
Itwasmovingtowardthem.
Duckingoutofsight,Elenacoweredbackagainstthemuddyriverbankunderthebridge,pressingherselfasflataspossible.ShecouldfeelBonnieshakingbehindher,andMeredith’sfingerssankintoherarm.
Theycouldseenothingfromhere,butsuddenlytherewasaheavyfootfallonthebridge.Scarcelydaringtobreathe,theyclungtooneanother,facesturnedup.Theheavyfootstepsrangacrossthewoodenplanks,movingawayfromthem.
Pleaselethimkeepgoing,thoughtElena.Oh,please…
Shesankherteethintoherlip,andthenBonniewhimperedsoftly,hericyhandclutchingElena’s.Thefootstepswerecomingback.
Ishouldgooutthere,Elenathought.It’smehewants,notthem.Hesaidasmuch.Ishouldgooutthereandfacehim,andmaybehe’llletBonnieandMeredithleave.Butthefieryragethathadsustainedherthatmorningwasinashesnow.Withallherstrengthofwill,shecouldnotmakeherhandletgoofBonnie’s,couldnottearherselfaway.
Thefootstepssoundedrightabovethem.Thentherewassilence,followedbyaslitheringsoundonthebank.
No,thoughtElena,herbodychargedwithfear.Hewascomingdown.BonniemoanedandburiedherheadagainstElena’sshoulder,andElenafelteverymuscletenseasshesawmovement—feet,legs—appearoutofthedarkness.No…
“Whatareyoudoingdownthere?”
Elena’smindrefusedtoprocessthisinformationatfirst.Itwasstillpanicking,andshealmostscreamedasMatttookanotherstepdownthebank,peeringunderthebridge.
“Elena?Whatareyoudoing?”hesaidagain.
Bonnie’sheadflewup.Meredith’sbreathexplodedinrelief.Elenaherselffeltasifherkneesmightgiveway.
“Matt,”shesaid.Itwasallshecouldmanage.
Bonniewasmorevocal.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”shesaidinrisingtones.“Tryingtogiveusaheartattack?Whatareyououthereforatthistimeofnight?”
Mattthrustahandintohispocket,rattlingchange.Astheyemergedfromunderthebridge,hestaredoutovertheriver.“Ifollowedyou.”
“Youwhat?”saidElena.
Reluctantly,heswungtofaceher.“Ifollowedyou,”herepeated,shoulderstense.“Ifiguredyou’dfindawaytogetaroundyourauntandgooutagain.SoIsatinmycaracrossthestreetandwatchedyourPage16
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house.Sureenough,youthreecameclimbingoutthewindow.SoIfollowedyouhere.”
Elenadidn’tknowwhattosay.Shewasangry,andofcourse,hehadprobablydoneitonlytokeephispromisetoStefan.ButthethoughtofMattsittingoutthereinhisbatteredoldFord,probablyfreezingtodeathandwithoutanysupper…itgaveherastrangepangshedidn’twanttodwellon.
Hewaslookingoutattheriveragain.Shesteppedclosertohimandspokequietly.
“I’msorry,Matt,”shesaid.“AboutthewayIactedbackatthehouse,and—andabout—”Shefumbledforaminuteandthengaveup.Abouteverything,shethoughthopelessly.
“Well,I’msorryforscaringyoujustnow.”Heturnedbackbrisklytofaceher,asifthatsettledthematter.“Nowcouldyoupleasetellmewhatyouthinkyou’redoing?”
“BonniethoughtStefanmightbehere.”
“Bonniedidnot,”saidBonnie.“Bonniesaidrightawaythatitwasthewrongplace.We’relookingforsomewherequiet,nonoises,andclosedin.Ifelt…surrounded,”sheexplainedtoMatt.
Mattlookedbackatherwarily,asifshemightbite.“Sureyoudid,”hesaid.
“Therewererocksaroundme,butnotliketheseriverrocks.”
“Uh,no,ofcoursetheyweren’t.”HelookedsidewaysatMeredith,whotookpityonhim.
“Bonniehadavision,”shesaid.
Mattbackedupalittle,andElenacouldseehisprofileintheheadlights.Fromhisexpression,shecouldtellhedidn’tknowwhethertowalkawayortoroundthemallupandcartthemtothenearestinsaneasylum.
“It’snojoke,”shesaid.“Bonnie’spsychic,Matt.IknowI’vealwayssaidIdidn’tbelieveinthatsortofthing,butI’vebeenwrong.Youdon’tknowhowwrong.Tonight,she—shetunedintoStefansomehowandgotaglimpseofwhereheis.”
Mattdrewalongbreath.“Isee.Okay…”
“Don’tpatronizeme!I’mnotstupid,Matt,andI’mtellingyouthisisforreal.Shewasthere,withStefan;sheknewthingsonlyhewouldknow.Andshesawtheplacehe’strappedin.”
“Trapped,”saidBonnie.“That’sit.Itwasdefinitelynothingopenlikeariver.Buttherewaswater,wateruptomyneck.Hisneck.Androckwallsaround,coveredwiththickmoss.Thewaterwasicecoldandstill,anditsmelledbad.”
“Butwhatdidyousee?”Elenasaid.
“Nothing.Itwaslikebeingblind.SomehowIknewthatiftherewaseventhefaintestrayoflightIwouldbeabletosee,butIcouldn’t.Itwasblackasatomb.”
“Asatomb…”ThinchillswentthroughElena.Shethoughtabouttheruinedchurchonthehillabovethegraveyard.Therewasatombthere,atombshethoughthadopenedonce.
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“Butatombwouldn’tbethatwet,”Meredithwassaying.
“No…butIdon’tgetanysenseofwhereitcouldbethen,”Bonniesaid.“Stefanwasn’treallyinhisrightmind;hewassoweakandhurt.Andsothirsty—”
ElenaopenedhermouthtostopBonniefromgoingon,butjustthenMattbrokein
“I’lltellyouwhatitsoundsliketome,”hesaid.
Thethreegirlslookedathim,standingslightlyapartfromtheirgrouplikeaneavesdropper.Theyhadalmostforgottenabouthim.
“Well?”saidElena.
“Exactly,”hesaid.“Imean,itsoundslikeawell.”
Elenablinked,excitementstirringinher.“Bonnie?”
“Itcouldbe,”saidBonnieslowly.“Thesizeandthewallsandeverythingwouldberight.Butawellisopen;Ishouldhavebeenabletoseethestars.”
“Notifitwerecovered,”saidMatt.“Alotoftheoldfarmhousesaroundherehavewellsthatarenolongerinuse,andsomefarmerscoverthemtomakesurelittlekidsdon’tfallin.Mygrandparentsdo.”
Elenacouldn’tcontainherexcitementanylonger.“Thatcouldbeit.Thatmustbeit.Bonnie,remember,yousaiditwasalwaysdarkthere.”
“Yes,anditdidhaveasortofundergroundfeeling.”Bonniewasexcited,too,butMeredithinterruptedwithadryquestion.
“HowmanywellsdoyouthinkthereareinFell’sChurch,Matt?”
“Dozens,probably,”hesaid.“Butcovered?Notasmany.Andifyou’resuggestingsomebodydumpedStefaninthisone,thenitcan’tbeanyplacewherepeoplewouldseeit.Probablysomewhereabandoned…”
“Andhiscarwasfoundonthisroad,”saidElena.
“TheoldFrancherplace,”saidMatt.
Theyalllookedatoneanother.TheFrancherfarmhousehadbeenruinedanddesertedforaslongasanybodycouldremember.Itstoodinthemiddleofthewoods,andthewoodshadtakenitovernearlyacenturyago.
“Let’sgo,”addedMattsimply.
Elenaputahandonhisarm.“Youbelieve—?”
Helookedawayamoment.“Idon’tknowwhattobelieve,”hesaidatlast.“ButI’mcoming.”
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Theysplitupandtookbothcars,MattwithBonnieinthelead,andMeredithfollowingwithElena.Matttookadisusedlittlecarttrackintothewoodsuntilitpeteredout.
“Fromherewewalk,”hesaid.
Elenawasgladshe’dthoughtofbringingrope;they’dneeditifStefanwerereallyintheFrancherwell.
Andifhewasn’t…
Shewouldn’tletherselfthinkaboutthat.
Itwashardgoingthroughthewoods,especiallyinthedark.Theunderbrushwasthick,anddeadbranchesreachedouttosnatchatthem.Mothsflutteredaroundthem,brushingElena’scheekwithunseenwings.
Eventuallytheycametoaclearing.Thefoundationsoftheoldhousecouldbeseen,buildingstonestiedtothegroundnowbyweedsandbrambles.Forthemostpart,thechimneywasstillintact,with,hollowplaceswhereconcretehadonceheldittogether,likeacrumblingmonument.
“Thewellwouldbesomewhereoutback,”Mattsaid.
ItwasMeredithwhofounditandcalledtheothers.Theygatheredaroundandlookedattheflat,squareblockofstonealmostlevelwiththeground.
Mattstoopedandexaminedthedirtandweedsaroundit.“It’sbeenmovedrecently,”hesaid.
ThatwaswhenElena’sheartbeganpoundinginearnest.Shecouldfeelitreverberatinginherthroatandherfingertips.“Let’sgetitoff,”shesaidinavoicebarelyaboveawhisper.
ThestoneslabwassoheavythatMattcouldn’tevenshiftit.Finallyallfourofthempushed,bracingthemselvesagainstthegroundbehindit,until,withagroan,theblockmovedafractionofaninch.Oncetherewasatinygapbetweenstoneandwell,Mattusedadeadbranchtolevertheopeningwider.Thentheyallpushedagain.
Whentherewasanaperturelargeenoughforherheadandshoulders,Elenabentdown,lookingin.Shewasalmostafraidtohope.
“Stefan?”
Thesecondsafterward,hoveringoverthatblackopening,lookingdownintodarkness,hearingonlytheechoesofpebblesdisturbedbyhermovement,wereagonizing.Then,incredibly,therewasanothersound.
“Who—?Elena?”
“Oh,Stefan!”Reliefmadeherwild.“Yes!I’mhere,we’rehere,andwe’regoingtogetyouout.Areyouallright?Areyouhurt?”TheonlythingthatstoppedherfromtumblinginherselfwasMattgrabbingherfrombehind.“Stefan,hangon,we’vegotarope.Tellmeyou’reallright.”
Therewasafaint,almostunrecognizablesound,butElenaknewwhatitwas.Alaugh.Stefan’svoicewasthreadybutintelligible.“I’ve—beenbetter,”hesaid.“ButI’m—alive.Who’swithyou?”
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“It’sme.Matt,”saidMatt,releasingElena.Hebentovertheholehimself.Elena,nearlydeliriouswithelation,notedthatheworeaslightlydazedlook.“AndMeredithandBonnie,who’sgoingtobendsomespoonsforusnext.I’mgoingtothrowyoudownarope…thatis,unlessBonniecanlevitateyouout.”
Stillonhisknees,heturnedtolookatBonnie.
Sheslappedthetopofhishead.“Don’tjokeaboutit!Gethimup!”
“Yes,ma’am,”saidMatt,alittlegiddily.“Here,Stefan.You’regoingtohavetotiethisaroundyou.”
“Yes,”saidStefan.Hedidn’targueaboutfingersnumbwithcoldorwhetherornottheycouldhaulhisweightup.Therewasnootherway.
ThenextfifteenminuteswereawfulforElena.IttookallfourofthemtopullStefanout,althoughBonnie’smaincontributionwassaying,“comeon,comeon,”whenevertheypausedforbreath.ButatlastStefan’shandsgrippedtheedgeofthedarkhole,andMattreachedforwardtograbhimundertheshoulders.
ThenElenawasholdinghim,herarmslockedaroundhischest.Shecouldtelljusthowwrongthingswerebyhisunnaturalstillness,bythelimpnessofhisbody.He’dusedthelastofhisstrengthhelpingtopullhimselfout;hishandswerecutandbloody.ButwhatworriedElenamostwasthefactthatthosehandsdidnotreturnherdesperateembrace
Whenshereleasedhimenoughtolookathim,shesawthathisskinwaswaxen,andtherewereblackshadowsunderhiseyes.Hisskinwassocoldthatitfrightenedher.
Shelookedupattheothersanxiously.
Matt’sbrowwasfurrowedwithconcern.“We’dbettergethimtotheclinicfast.Heneedsadoctor.”
“No!”Thevoicewasweakandhoarse,anditcamefromthelimpfigureElenacradled.
ShefeltStefangatherhimself,felthimslowlyraisehishead.Hisgreeneyesfixedonhers,andshesawtheurgencyinthem.
“No…doctors.”Thoseeyesburnedintohers.“Promise…Elena.”
Elena’sowneyesstungandhervisionblurred.“Ipromise,”shewhispered.Thenshefeltwhateverhadbeenholdinghimup,thecurrentofsheerwillpoweranddetermination,collapse.Heslumpedinherarms,unconscious.
Four
“Buthe’sgottohaveadoctor.Helookslikehe’sdying!”saidBonnie.
“Hecan’t.Ican’texplainrightnow.Let’sjustgethimhome,allright?He’swetandfreezingouthere.
Thenwecandiscussit.”
ThejobofgettingStefanthroughthewoodswasenoughtooccupyeveryone’smindforawhile.Heremainedunconscious,andwhentheyfinallylaidhimoutinthebackseatofMatt’scartheywereallbruisedandexhausted,inadditiontobeingwetfromthecontactwithhissoakingclothes.Elenaheldhisheadinherlapastheydrovetotheboardinghouse.MeredithandBonniefollowed.
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“Iseelightson,”Mattsaid,pullinginfrontofthelargerust-redbuilding.“Shemustbeawake.Butthedoor’sprobablylocked.”
ElenagentlyeasedStefan’sheaddownandslippedoutofthecar,andsawoneofthewindowsinthehousebrightenasacurtainwaspushedaside.Thenshesawaheadandshouldersappearatthewindow,lookingdown.
“Mrs.Flowers!”shecalled,waving.“It’sElenaGilbert,Mrs.Flowers.We’vefoundStefan,andweneedtogetin!”
Thefigureatthewindowdidnotmoveorotherwiseacknowledgeherwords.Yetfromitsposture,Elenacouldtellitwasstilllookingdownonthem.
“Mrs.Flowers,wehaveStefan,”shecalledagain,gesturingtothelightedinteriorofthecar.“Please!”
“Elena!It’sunlockedalready!”Bonnie’svoicefloatedtoherfromthefrontporch,distractingElenafromthefigureatthewindow.Whenshelookedbackup,shesawthecurtainsfallingintoplace,andthenthelightinthatupstairsroomsnappedoff.
Itwasstrange,butshehadnotimetopuzzleoverit.SheandMeredithhelpedMattliftStefanandcarryhimupthefrontsteps.
Inside,thehousewasdarkandstill.Elenadirectedtheothersupthestaircasethatstoodoppositethedoor,andontothesecond-floorlanding.Fromtheretheywentintoabedroom,andElenahadBonnieopenthedoorofwhatlookedlikeacloset.Itrevealedanotherstairway,verydimandnarrow.
“Whowouldleavetheir—frontdoorunlocked—afterallthat’shappenedrecently?”Mattgruntedastheyhauledtheirlifelessburden.“Shemustbecrazy.”
“Sheiscrazy,”Bonniesaidfromabove,pushingthedooratthetopofthestaircaseopen.“Lasttimewewerehereshetalkedabouttheweirdest—”Hervoicebrokeoffinagasp.
“Whatisit?”saidElena.ButastheyreachedthethresholdofStefan’sroom,shesawforherself.
She’dforgottentheconditiontheroomhadbeeninthelasttimeshe’dseenit.Trunksfilledwithclothingwereupendedorlyingontheirsides,asifthey’dbeenthrownbysomegianthandfromwalltowall.Theircontentswerestrewnaboutthefloor,alongwitharticlesfromthedresserandtables.Furniturewasoverturned,andawindowwasbroken,allowingacoldwindtoblowin.Therewasonlyonelampon,inacorner,andgrotesqueshadowsloomedagainsttheceiling.”Whathappened?”saidMatt.
Elenadidn’tansweruntiltheyhadstretchedStefanoutonthebed.“Idon’tknowforcertain,”shesaid,andthiswastrue,ifjustbarely.“Butitwasalreadythiswaylastnight.Matt,willyouhelpme?Heneedstogetdry.”
“I’llfindanotherlamp,”saidMeredith,butElenaspokequickly.
“No,wecanseeallright.Whydon’tyoutrytogetafiregoing?”
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oneglimpseofhisneckwasenoughtofreezeherinplace.
“Matt,couldyou—couldyouhandmethattowel?”
Assoonasheturned,shetuggedthesweateroverStefan’sheadandquicklywrappedtherobearoundhim.WhenMattturnedbackandhandedherthetowel,shewounditaroundStefan’sthroatlikeascarf.
Herpulsewasracing,hermindworkingfuriously.
Nowonderhewassoweak,solifeless.Oh,God.Shehadtoexaminehim,toseehowbaditwas.Buthowcouldshe,withMattandtheothershere?
“I’mgoingtogetadoctor,”Mattsaidinatightvoice,hiseyesonStefan’sface.“Heneedshelp,Elena.”
Elenapanicked.“Matt,no…please.He—he’safraidofdoctors.Idon’tknowwhatwouldhappenifyoubroughtonehere.”Again,itwasthetruth,ifnotthewholetruth.ShehadanideaofwhatmighthelpStefan,butshecouldn’tdoitwiththeothersthere.ShebentoverStefan,rubbinghishandsbetweenherown,tryingtothink.
Whatcouldshedo?ProtectStefan’ssecretatthecostofhislife?Orbetrayhiminordertosavehim?
WoulditsavehimtotellMattandBonnieandMeredith?Shelookedatherfriends,tryingtopicturetheirresponseiftheyweretolearnthetruthaboutStefanSalvatore.
Itwasnogood.Shecouldn’triskit.TheshockandhorrorofthediscoveryhadnearlysentElenaherselfreelingintomadness.Ifshe,wholovedStefan,hadbeenreadytorunfromhimscreaming,whatwouldthesethreedo?AndthentherewasMr.Tanner’smurder.IftheyknewwhatStefanwas,wouldtheyeverbeabletobelievehiminnocent?Or,intheirheartofhearts,wouldtheyalwayssuspecthim?
Elenashuthereyes.Itwasjusttoodangerous.MeredithandBonnieandMattwereherfriends,butthiswasonethingshecouldn’tsharewiththem.Inalltheworld,therewasnooneshecouldtrustwiththissecret.Shewouldhavetokeepitalone.
ShestraightenedupandlookedatMatt.“He’safraidofdoctors,butanursemightbeallright.”SheturnedtowhereBonnieandMeredithwerekneelingbeforethefireplace.“Bonnie,whataboutyoursister?”
“Mary?”Bonnieglancedatherwatch.“Shehasthelateshiftattheclinicthisweek,butshe’sprobablyhomebynow.Only—”
“Thenthat’sit.Matt,yougowithBonnieandaskMarytocomehereandlookatStefan.Ifshethinksheneedsadoctor,Iwon’targueanymore.”
Matthesitated,thenexhaledsharply.“Allright.Istillthinkyou’rewrong,but—let’sgo,Bonnie.We’regoingtobreaksometrafficlaws.”
Astheywenttothedoor,Meredithremainedstandingbythefireplace,watchingElenawithsteadydarkeyes.
Elenamadeherselfmeetthem.“Meredith…Ithinkyoushouldallgo.”
“Doyou?”Thosedarkeyesremainedonhersunwaveringly,asiftryingtopiercethroughandreadhermind.ButMeredithdidnotaskanyotherquestions.Afteramomentshenodded,andfollowedMattandPage22
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Bonniewithoutaword.
WhenElenaheardthedooratthebottomofthestaircaseclose,shehastilyrightedalampthatlayoverturnedbythebedsideandpluggeditin.Now,atlast,shecouldtakestockofStefan’sinjuries.
Hiscolorseemedworsethanbefore;hewasliterallyalmostaswhiteasthesheetsbelowhim.Hislipswerewhite,too,andElenasuddenlythoughtofThomasFell,thefounderofFell’sChurch.Or,rather,ofThomasFell’sstatue,lyingbesidehiswife’sonthestonelidoftheirtomb.Stefanwasthecolorofthatmarble.
Thecutsandgashesonhishandsshowedlividpurple,buttheywerenolongerbleeding.Shegentlyturnedhisheadtolookathisneck.
Andthereitwas.Shetouchedthesideofherownneckautomatically,asiftoverifytheresemblance.
ButStefan’smarkswerenotsmallpunctures.Theyweredeep,savagetearsintheflesh.Helookedasifhehadbeenmauledbysomeanimalthathadtriedtoripouthisthroat.
White-hotangerblazedthroughElenaagain.Andwithit,hatred.Sherealizedthatdespiteherdisgustandfury,shehadnotreallyhatedDamonbefore.Notreally.Butnow…now,shehated.Sheloathedhimwithanintensityofemotionthatshehadneverfeltforanyoneelseinherlife.Shewantedtohurthim,tomakehimpay.Ifshe’dhadawoodenstakeatthatmoment,shewouldhavehammereditthroughDamon’sheartwithoutregret.
ButjustnowshehadtothinkofStefan.Hewassoterrifyinglystill.Thatwasthehardestthingtobear,thelackofpurposeorresistanceinhisbody,theemptiness.Thatwasit.Itwasasifhehadvacatedthisformandleftherwithanemptyvessel.
“Stefan!”Shakinghimdidnothing.Withonehandonthecenterofhiscoldchest,shetriedtodetectaheartbeat.Iftherewasone,itwastoofainttofeel.
Keepcalm,Elena,shetoldherself,pushingbackthepartofhermindthatwantedtopanic.Thepartthatwassaying,“Whatifhe’sdead?Whatifhe’sreallydead,andnothingyoucandowillsavehim?”
Glancingabouttheroom,shesawthebrokenwindow.Shardsofglasslayonthefloorbeneathit.Shewentoverandpickedoneup,notinghowitsparkledinthefirelight.Aprettything,withanedgelikearazor,shethought.Then,deliberately,settingherteeth,shecutherfingerwithit.
Thepainmadehergasp.Afteraninstant,bloodbeganwellingoutofthecut,drippingdownherfingerlikewaxdownacandlestick.Quickly,shekneltbyStefanandputherfingertohislips.
Withherotherhand,sheclaspedhisunresponsiveone,feelingthehardnessofthesilverringhewore.
Motionlessasastatueherself,shekneltthereandwaited.
Shealmostmissedthefirsttinyflickerofresponse.Hereyeswerefixedonhisface,andshecaughttheminuteliftingofhischestonlyinherperipheralvision.Butthenthelipsbeneathherfingerquiveredandpartedslightly,andheswallowedreflexively.
“That’sit,”Elenawhispered.“Comeon,Stefan.”
Hiseyelashesfluttered,andwithdawningjoyshefelthisfingersreturnthepressureofhers.Heswallowedagain.
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“Yes.”Shewaiteduntilhiseyesblinkedandslowlyopenedbeforesittingback.Thenshefumbledone-handedwiththehighneckofhersweater,foldingitoutoftheway.
Thosegreeneyesweredazedandheavy,butasstubbornasshehadeverseenthem.“No,”Stefansaid,hisvoiceacrackedwhisper.
“Youhaveto,Stefan.Theothersarecomingbackandbringinganursewiththem.Ihadtoagreetothat.
Andifyou’renotwellenoughtoconvinceheryoudon’tneedahospital…”Sheleftthesentenceunfinished.Sheherselfdidn’tknowwhatadoctororlabtechnicianwouldfindexaminingStefan.Butsheknewheknew,andthatitmadehimafraid.
ButStefanonlylookedmoreobstinate,turninghisfaceawayfromher.“Can’t,”hewhispered.“It’stoodangerous.Alreadytook…toomuch…lastnight.”
Couldithavebeenonlylastnight?Itseemedayearago.“Willitkillme?”sheasked.“Stefan,answerme!Willitkillme?”
“No…”Hisvoicewassullen.“But—”
“Thenwehavetodoit.Don’targuewithme!”Bendingoverhim,holdinghishandinhers,Elenacouldfeelhisoverpoweringneed.Shewasamazedthathewaseventryingtoresist.Itwaslikeastarvingmanstandingbeforeabanquet,unabletotakehiseyesfromthesteamingdishes,butrefusingtoeat.
“No,”Stefansaidagain,andElenafeltfrustrationsurgethroughher.Hewastheonlypersonshe’devermetwhowasasstubbornasshewas.
“Yes.Andifyouwon’tcooperateI’llcutsomethingelse,likemywrist.”Shehadbeenpressingherfingerintothesheettostaunchtheblood;nowsheheldituptohim.
Hispupilsdilated,hislipsparted.“Toomuch…already,”hemurmured,buthisgazeremainedonherfinger,onthebrightdropofbloodatthetip.“AndIcan’t…control…”
“It’sallright,”shewhispered.Shedrewthefingeracrosshislipsagain,feelingthemopentotakeitin;then,sheleanedoverhimandshuthereyes.
Hismouthwascoolanddryasittouchedherthroat.Hishandcuppedthebackofherneckashislipssoughtthetwolittlepuncturesalreadythere.Elenawilledherselfnottorecoilatthebriefstingofpain.
Thenshesmiled.
Before,shehadfelthisagonizingneed,hisdrivinghunger.Now,throughthebondtheyshared,shefeltonlyfiercejoyandsatisfaction.Deepsatisfactionasthehungerwasgraduallyassuaged.
Herownpleasurecamefromgiving,fromknowingthatshewassustainingStefanwithherownlife.Shecouldsensethestrengthflowingintohim.
Intime,shefelttheintensityoftheneedlessen.Still,itwasbynomeansgone,andshecouldnotunderstandwhenStefantriedtopushheraway.
“That’senough,”hegrated,forcinghershouldersup.Elenaopenedhereyes,herdreamypleasurebroken.Hisowneyesweregreenasmandrakeleaves,andinhisfaceshesawthefiercehungerofthePage24
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predator.
“Itisn’tenough.You’restillweak—”
“It’senoughforyou.”Hepushedatheragain,andshesawsomethinglikedesperationsparkinthosegreeneyes.“Elena,ifItakemuchmore,youwillbegintochange.Andifyoudon’tmoveaway,ifyoudon’tmoveawayfrommerightnow…”
Elenawithdrewtothefootofthebed.Shewatchedhimsitupandadjustthedarkrobe.Inthelamplight,shesawthathisskinhadregainedsomecolor,aslightflushglazingitspallor.Hishairwasdryingintoatumbledseaofdarkwaves
“Imissedyou,”shesaidsoftly.Reliefthrobbedwithinhersuddenly,anachethatwasalmostasbadasthefearandtensionhadbeen.Stefanwasalive;hewastalkingtoher.Everythingwasgoingtobeallrightafterall.
“Elena…”Theireyesmetandshewasheldbygreenfire.Unconsciously,shemovedtowardhim,andthenstoppedashelaughedaloud.
“I’veneverseenyoulooklikethisbefore,”hesaid,andshelookeddownatherself.Hershoesandjeanswerecakedwithredmud,whichwasalsoliberallysmearedovertherestofher.Herjacketwastornandleakingitsdownstuffing.Shehadnodoubtthatherfacewassmudgedanddirty,andsheknewherhairwastangledandstraggly.ElenaGilbert,immaculatefashionplateofRobertE.Lee,wasamess.
“Ilikeit,”Stefansaid,andthistimeshelaughedwithhim.
Theywerestilllaughingasthedooropened.Elenastiffenedalertly,twitchingatherturtleneck,glancingaroundtheroomforevidencethatmightbetraythem.Stefansatupstraighterandlickedhislips.
“He’sbetter!”BonniecaroledoutasshesteppedintotheroomandsawStefan.MattandMeredithwererightbehindher,andtheirfaceslitwithsurpriseandpleasure.ThefourthpersonwhocameinwasonlyalittleolderthanBonnie,butshehadanairofbriskauthoritythatbeliedheryouth.MaryMcCulloughwentstraightovertoherpatientandreachedforhispulse.
“Soyou’retheoneafraidofdoctors,”shesaid.
Stefanlookeddisconcertedforamoment;then,herecovered.“It’ssortofachildhoodphobia,”hesaid,soundingembarrassed.HeglancedsidewaysatElena,whosmilednervouslyandgaveatinynod.
“Anyway,Idon’tneedonenow,asyoucansee.”
“Whydon’tyouletmebethejudgeofthat?Yourpulseisallright.Infact,it’ssurprisinglyslow,evenforanathlete.Idon’tthinkyou’rehypothermic,butyou’restillchilled.Let’sgetatemperature.”
“No,Ireallydon’tthinkthat’snecessary.”Stefan’svoicewaslow,calming.Elenahadheardhimusethatvoicebefore,andsheknewwhathewastryingtodo.ButMarytooknottheslightestnotice.
“Openup,please.”
“Here,I’lldoit,”saidElenaquickly,reachingtotakethethermometerfromMary.Somehow,asshedidso,thelittleglasstubeslippedoutofherhand.Itfelltothehardwoodfloorandsmashedintoseveralpieces.Uh,I’msorry!
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“Itdoesn’tmatter,”Stefansaid.“I’mfeelingmuchbetterthanIwas,andI’mgettingwarmerallthetime.”
Maryregardedthemessonthefloor,thenlookedaroundtheroom,takinginitsransackedstate.“Allright,”shedemanded,turningaroundwithhandsonhips.“What’sbeengoingonhere?”
Stefandidn’tevenblink.“Nothingmuch.Mrs.Flowersisjustaterriblehousekeeper,”hesaid,lookingherstraightintheeye.
Elenawantedtolaugh,andshesawthatMarydid,too.Theoldergirlgrimacedandcrossedherarmsoverherchestinstead.“Isupposeit’suselesstohopeforastraightanswer,”shesaid.“Andit’sclearyou’renotdangerouslyill.Ican’tmakeyougototheclinic.ButI’dstronglysuggestyougetacheckuptomorrow.”
“Thankyou,”saidStefan,which,Elenanoticed,wasnotthesameasagreeing.
“Elena,youlookasifyoucoulduseadoctor,”saidBonnie.“You’rewhiteasaghost.”
“I’mjusttired,”Elenasaid.“It’sbeenalongday.”
“Myadviceistogohomeandgotobed—andstaythere,”Marysaid.“You’renotanemic,areyou?”
Elenaresistedtheimpulsetoputahandtohercheek.Wasshesopale?“No,I’mjusttired,”sherepeated.“Wecangohomenow,ifStefan’sallright.”
Henoddedreassuringly,themessageinhiseyesforheralone.“Giveusaminute,willyou?”hesaidtoMaryandtheothers,andtheysteppedbacktothestaircase.
“Good-bye.Takecareofyourself,”Elenasaidaloudasshehuggedhim.Shewhispered,“Whydidn’tyouuseyourPowersonMary?”
“Idid,”hesaidgrimlyinherear.“OratleastItried.Imuststillbeweak.Don’tworry;it’llpass.
“Ofcourse,itwill,”saidElena,butherstomachlurched.“Areyousureyoushouldbealone,though?
Whatif—”
“I’llbefine.You’retheonewhoshouldn’tbealone.”Stefan’svoicewassoftbuturgent.“Elena,Ididn’tgetachancetowarnyou.YouwererightaboutDamonbeinginFell’sChurch.”
“Iknow.Hedidthistoyou,didn’the?”Elenadidn’tmentionthatshe’dgonesearchingforhim.
“I—don’tremember.Buthe’sdangerous.KeepBonnieandMeredithwithyoutonight,Elena.Idon’twantyoualone.Andmakesurenooneinvitesastrangerintoyourhouse.”
“We’regoingstraighttobed,”Elenapromised,smilingathim.“Wewon’tbeinvitinganybodyin.”
“Makesureofit.”Therewasnoflippancyinhistoneatall,andshenoddedslowly.
“Iunderstand,Stefan.We’llbecareful.”
“Good.”Theykissed,amerebrushingoflips,buttheirjoinedhandsseparatedonlyreluctantly.“TellthePage26
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others‘thankyou’,”hesaid.
“Iwill.”
Thefiveofthemregroupedoutsidetheboardinghouse,MattofferingtodriveMaryhomesoBonnieandMeredithcouldgobackwithElena.Marywasstillclearlysuspiciousaboutthenight’sgoings-on,andElenacouldn’tblameher.Shealsocouldn’tthink.Shewastootired.
“Hesaidtosay‘thanks’toallofyou,”sherememberedafterMatthadleft.
“He’s…welcome,”Bonniesaid,splittingthewordswithanenormousyawnasMeredithopenedthecardoorforher.
Meredithsaidnothing.ShehadbeenveryquietsinceleavingElenaalonewithStefan.
Bonnielaughedsuddenly.“Onethingweallforgotabout,”shesaid.“Theprophecy.”
“Whatprophecy?”saidElena.
“Aboutthebridge.TheoneyousayIsaid.Well,youwenttothebridgeandDeathwasn’twaitingthereafterall.Maybeyoumisunderstoodthewords.”
“No,”saidMeredith.“Weheardthewordscorrectlyallright.”
“Well,then,maybeit’sanotherbridge.Or…mmm…”Bonniesnuggleddowninhercoat,shuttinghereyes,anddidn’tbothertofinish.
ButElena’smindcompletedthesentenceforher.Oranothertime
AnowlhootedoutsideasMeredithstartedthecar.
Five
November2,Saturday
DearDiary,
ThismorningIwokeupandfeltsostrange.Idon’tknowhowtodescribeit.Ontheonehand,IwassoweakthatwhenItriedtostandupmymuscleswouldn’tsupportme.ButontheotherhandIfelt…
pleasant.Socomfortable,sorelaxed.AsifIwerefloatingonabedofgoldenlight.Ididn’tcareifInevermovedagain
ThenIrememberedStefan,andItriedtogetup,butAuntJudithputmebacktobed.ShesaidBonnieandMeredithhadlefthoursago,andthatI’dbeensofastasleeptheycouldn’twakeme.ShesaidwhatIneededwasrest.
SohereIam.AuntJudithbroughttheTVin,butIdon’tcareaboutwatchingit.I’dratherliehereandwrite,orjustliehere.
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I’mexpectingStefantocall.Hetoldmehewould.Ormaybehedidn’t.Ican’tremember.WhenhedoescallIhaveto
November3,Sunday(10:30p.m.)
I’vejustreadoveryesterday’sentryandI’mshocked.Whatwaswrongwithme?Ibrokeoffinthemiddleofasentence,andnowIdon’tevenknowwhatIwasgoingtosay.AndIdidn’texplainaboutmynewdiaryoranything.Imusthavebeencompletelyspacedout
Anyway,thisistheofficialstartofmynewdiary.Iboughtthisblankbookatthedrugstore.It’snotasbeautifulastheotherone,butitwillhavetodo.I’vegivenuphopeofeverseeingmyoldoneagain.Whoeverstoleitisn’tgoingtobringitback.ButwhenIthinkofthemreadingit,allmyinnerthoughtsandmyfeelingsaboutStefan,Iwanttokillthem.Whilesimultaneouslydyingofhumiliationmyself
I’mnotashamedofthewayIfeelaboutStefan.Butit’sprivate.Andtherearethingsinthere,aboutthewayitiswhenwekiss,whenheholdsme,thatIknowhewouldn’twantanybodyelsetoread.
Ofcourse,ithasn’tgotanythingabouthissecretinit.Ihadn’tfoundthatoutyet.Itwasn’tuntilIdidthatIreallyunderstoodhim,andwegottogether,reallytogether,atlast.Nowwe’repartofeachother.IfeelasifI’vebeenwaitingforhimallmylife.
MaybeyouthinkI’mterribleforlovinghim,consideringwhatheis.Hecanbeviolent,andIknowtherearesomethingsinhispastthathe’sashamedof.Buthecouldneverbeviolenttowardme,andthepastisover.Hehassomuchguiltandhehurtssomuchinside.Iwanttohealhim
Idon’tknowwhatwillhappennow;I’mjustsogladthathe’ssafe.Iwenttotheboardinghousetodayandfoundoutthatthepolicehadbeenthereyesterday.Stefanwasstillweakandcouldn’tusehisPowerstogetridofthem,buttheydidn’taccusehimofanything.Theyjustaskedquestions.Stefansaystheyactedfriendly,whichmakesmesuspicious.Whatallthequestionsreallyboildowntois:wherewereyouonthenighttheoldmanwasattackedunderthebridge,andthenightVickieBennettwasattackedintheruinedchurch,andthenightMr.Tannerwaskilledatschool?
Theydon’thaveanyevidenceagainsthim.SothecrimesstartedrightafterhecametoFell’sChurch,sowhat?That’snotproofofanything.SohearguedwithMr.Tannerthatnight.Again,sowhat?EverybodyarguedwithMr.Tanner.SohedisappearedafterMr.Tanner’sbodywasfound.He’sbacknow,andit’sprettyclearthathewasattackedhimself,bythesamepersonwhocommittedtheothercrimes.Marytoldthepoliceabouttheconditionhewasin.Andiftheyeveraskus,MattandBonnieandMeredithandIcanalltestifyhowwefoundhim.There’snocaseagainsthimatall.
StefanandItalkedaboutthat,andaboutotherthings.Itwassogoodtobewithhimagain,evenifhedidlookwhiteandtired.Hestilldoesn’trememberhowThursdaynightended,butmostofitisjustasIsuspected.StefanwenttofindDamonThursdaynightafterhetookmehome.Theyargued.Stefanendeduphalf-deadinawell.Itdoesn’ttakeageniustofigureoutwhathappenedinbetween.
Istillhaven’ttoldhimthatIwentlookingforDamoninthegraveyardFridaymorning.IsupposeI’dbetterdoittomorrow.Iknowhe’sgoingtobeupset,especiallywhenhehearswhatDamonsaidtome.
Well,that’sall.I’mtired.Thisdiaryisgoingtobewell-hidden,forobviousreasons.
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Elenapausedandlookedatthelastlineonthepage.Thensheadded:P.S.IwonderwhoournewEuropeanhistoryteacherwillbe?
Shetuckedthediaryunderhermattressandturnedoutthelight.
Elenawalkeddownthehallwayinacuriousvacuum.Atschoolshewasusuallypepperedwithgreetingsfromallsides;itwas“hi,Elena,”after“hi,Elena,”wherevershewent.Buttodayeyesslidawayfurtivelyassheapproached,orpeoplesuddenlybecameverybusydoingsomethingthatrequiredthemtokeeptheirbackstoher.Ithadbeenhappeningalldaylong.
ShepausedinthedoorwayoftheEuropeanhistoryclassroom.Therewereseveralstudentsalreadysittingdown,andatthechalkboardwasastranger.
Helookedalmostlikeastudenthimself.Hehadsandyhair,wornalittlelong,andthebuildofanathlete.
Acrosstheboardhehadwritten“AlaricK.Saltzman.”Asheturnedaround,Elenasawthathealsohadaboyishsmile.
HewentonsmilingasElenasatdownandotherstudentsfiledin.Stefanwasamongthem,andhiseyesmetElena’sashetookhisseatbesideher,buttheydidn’tspeak.Noonewastalking.Theroomwasdeadsilent.
BonniesatdownonElena’sotherside.Mattwasonlyafewdesksaway,buthewaslookingstraightahead.
ThelasttwopeopletocomeinwereCarolineForbesandTylerSmallwood.Theywalkedintogether,andElenadidn’tlikethelookonCaroline’sface.Sheknewthatcatlikesmileandthosenarrowedgreeneyesalltoowell.Tyler’shandsome,ratherfleshyfeatureswereshiningwithsatisfaction.ThediscolorationunderhiseyescausedbyStefan’sfistwasalmostgone.
“Okay,tostartoff,whydon’tweputallthesedesksinacircle?”
Elena’sattentionsnappedbacktothestrangeratthefrontoftheroom.Hewasstillsmiling.
“Comeon,let’sdoit.Thatwaywecanallseeeachother’sfaceswhenwetalk,”hesaid.
Silently,thestudentsobeyed.Thestrangerdidn’tsitatMr.Tanner’sdesk;instead,hepulledachairtothecircleandstraddleditbackward.
“Now,”hesaid.“Iknowyouallmustbecuriousaboutme.Myname’sontheboard:AlaricK.
Saltzman.ButIwantyoutocallmeAlaric.I’lltellyoualittlemoreaboutmelater,butfirstIwanttogiveyouachancetotalk.
“Today’sprobablyadifficultdayformostofyou.Someoneyoucaredaboutisgone,andthatmusthurt.
Iwanttogiveyouachancetoopenupandsharethosefeelingswithmeandwithyourclassmates.Iwantyoutotrytogetintouchwiththepain.Thenwecanstarttobuildourownrelationshipontrust.NowPage29
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whowouldliketogofirst?”
Theystaredathim.Noonesomuchasmovedaneyelash.
“Well,let’ssee…whataboutyou?”Stillsmiling,hegesturedencouraginglytoapretty,fair-hairedgirl.
“Tellusyournameandhowyoufeelaboutwhat’shappened.”
Flustered,thegirlstood.“Myname’sSueCarson,and,uh…”Shetookadeepbreathandwentdoggedlyon.“AndIfeelscared.Becausewhoeverthismaniacis,he’sstillloose.Andnexttimeitcouldbeme.”Shesatdown.
“Thankyou,Sue.I’msurealotofyourclassmatesshareyourconcern.Now,doIunderstandthatsomeofyouwereactuallytherewhenthistragedyoccurred?”
Deskscreakedasstudentsshifteduneasily.
ButTylerSmallwoodstoodup,hislipsdrawingbackfromstrongwhiteteethinasmile.
“Mostofuswerethere,”hesaid,andhiseyesflickeredtowardStefan.Elenacouldseeotherpeoplefollowinghisgaze.“IgotthererightafterBonniediscoveredthebody.AndwhatIfeelisconcernforthecommunity.There’sadangerouskilleronthestreets,andsofarnobody’sdoneanythingtostophim.
And—”Hebrokeoff.Elenawasn’tsurehow,butshefeltCarolinehadsignaledhimtodoit.CarolinetossedbackgleamingauburnhairandrecrossedherlonglegsasTylertookhisseatagain.
“Okay,thankyou.Somostofyouwerethere.Thatmakesitdoublyhard.Canwehearfromthepersonwhoactuallyfoundthebody?IsBonniehere?”Helookedaround.
Bonnieraisedherhandslowly,thenstood.“IguessIdiscoveredthebody,”shesaid.“Imean,Iwasthefirstpersonwhoknewthathewasreallydead,andnotjustfaking.”
AlaricSaltzmanlookedslightlystartled.“Notjustfaking?Didheoftenfakebeingdead?”Thereweretitters,andheflashedthatboyishsmileagain.ElenaturnedandglancedatStefan,whowasfrowning.
“No—no,”saidBonnie.“Yousee,hewasasacrifice.AttheHauntedHouse.Sohewascoveredwithbloodanyway,onlyitwasfakeblood.Andthatwaspartlymyfault,becausehedidn’twanttoputiton,andItoldhimhehadtodoit.HewassupposedtobeaBloodyCorpse.Buthekeptsayingitwastoomessy,anditwasn’tuntilStefancameandarguedwithhim—”Shestopped.“Imean,wetalkedtohimandhefinallyagreedtodoit,andthentheHauntedHousestarted.AndalittlewhilelaterInoticedthathewasn’tsittingupandscaringthekidslikehewassupposedto,andIwentoverandaskedhimwhatwaswrong.Andhedidn’tanswer.Hejust—hejustkeptstaringattheceiling.AndthenItouchedhimandhe—itwasterrible.Hisheadjustsortofflopped…”Bonnie’svoicewaveredandgaveout.Shegulped.
Elenawasstandingup,andsowereStefanandMattandafewotherpeople.ElenareachedovertoBonnie.
“Bonnie,it’sokay.Bonnie,don’t;it’sokay.”
“Andbloodgotallovermyhands.Therewasbloodeverywhere,somuchblood…”Shesniffedhysterically.
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“Okay,timeout,”AlaricSaltzmansaid.“I’msorry;Ididn’tmeantodistressyousomuch.ButIthinkyouneedtoworkthroughthesefeelingssometimeinthefuture.It’sclearthatthishasbeenaprettydevastatingexperience.”
Hestoodupandpacedaroundthecenterofthecircle,hishandsopeningandshuttingnervously.Bonniewasstillsnifflingsoftly.
“Iknow,”hesaid,theboyishsmilecomingbackfullforce.“I’dliketogetourstudent-teacherrelationshipofftoagoodstart,awayfromthiswholeatmosphere.Howaboutifyouallcomearoundtomyplacethisevening,andwecanalltalkinformally?Maybejustgettoknoweachother,maybetalkaboutwhathappened.Youcanevenbringafriendifyouwant.Howaboutit?”
Therewasanotherthirtysecondsorsoofstaring.Thensomeonesaid,“Yourplace?”
“Yes…oh,I’mforgetting.Stupidofme.I’mstayingattheRamseyhouse,onMagnoliaAvenue.”Hewrotetheaddressontheboard.“TheRamseysarefriendsofmine,andtheyloanedmethehousewhilethey’reonvacation.IcomefromCharlottesville,andyourprincipalcalledmeFridaytoaskmeifIcouldtakeoverhere.Ijumpedatthechance.Thisismyfirstrealteachingjob.”
“Oh,thatexplainsit,”saidElenaunderherbreath.
“Doesit?”saidStefan.
“Anyway,whatdoyouthink?Isitaplan?”AlaricSaltzmanlookedaroundatthem
Noonehadthehearttorefuse.Therewerescattered“yeses”and“sures.”
“Great,thenit’ssettled.I’llprovidetherefreshments,andwe’llallgettoknoweachother.Oh,bytheway…”Heopenedagradebookandscannedit.“Inthisclass,participationmakesuphalfyourfinalgrade.”Heglancedupandsmiled.“Youcangonow.”
“Thenerveofhim,”somebodymutteredasElenawentoutthedoor.Bonniewasbehindher,butAlaricSaltzman’svoicecalledherback.
“Wouldthestudentswhosharedwithuspleasestaybehindforaminute?”
Stefanhadtoleave,too.“I’dbettergocheckaboutfootballpractice,”hesaid.“It’sprobablycanceled,butI’dbettermakesure.”
Elenawasconcerned.“Ifit’snotcanceled,doyouthinkyou’refeelinguptoit?”
“I’llbefine,”hesaidevasively.Butshenoticedthathisfacestilllookeddrawn,andhemovedasifhewereinpain.“Meetyouatyourlocker,”hesaid.
Shenodded.Whenshegottoherlocker,shesawCarolinenearbytalkingtotwoothergirls.ThreepairsofeyesfollowedElena’severymoveassheputawayherbooks,butwhenElenaglancedup,twoofthemsuddenlylookedaway.OnlyCarolineremainedstaringather,headslightlycockedasshewhisperedsomethingtotheothergirls.
Elenahadhadenough.Slammingherlocker,shewalkedstraighttowardthegroup.“Hello,Becky;hello,Sheila,”shesaid.Then,withheavyemphasis:“Hello,Caroline.”
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BeckyandSheilamumbled“hello”andaddedsomethingabouthavingtoleave.Elenadidn’teventurntowatchthemslinkaway.ShekepthereyesonCaroline’s.
“What’sgoingon?”shedemanded.
“Goingon?”Carolinewasobviouslyenjoyingthis,tryingtodrawitoutaslongaspossible.“Goingonwithwho?”
“Withyou,Caroline.Witheverybody.Don’tpretendyou’renotuptosomething,becauseIknowyouare.PeoplehavebeenavoidingmealldayasifIhadtheplague,andyoulooklikeyoujustwonthelottery.Whathaveyoudone?”
Caroline’sexpressionofinnocentinquiryslipped,andshesmiledafelinesmile.“Itoldyouwhenschoolstartedthatthingsweregoingtobedifferentthisyear,Elena,”shesaid.“Iwarnedyouyourtimeonthethronemightberunningout.Butitisn’tmydoing.What’shappeningissimplynaturalselection.Thelawofthejungle.”
“Andjustwhatishappening?”
“Well,let’sjustsaythatgoingoutwithamurderercanputacrampinyoursociallife.”
Elena’schesttightenedasifCarolinehadhither.Foramoment,thedesiretohitCarolinebackwasalmostirresistible.Then,withthebloodpoundinginherears,shesaidthroughclenchedteeth,“Thatisn’ttrue.Stefanhasn’tdoneanything.Thepolicequestionedhim,andhewascleared.”
Carolineshrugged.Hersmilenowwaspatronizing.“Elena,I’veknownyousincekindergarten,”shesaid,
“soI’llgiveyousomeadviceforoldtimes’sake:dropStefan.Ifyoudoitrightnowyoumightjustavoidbeingacompletesocialleper.Otherwiseyoumightaswellbuyyourselfalittlebelltoringinthestreet.”
RageheldElenahostageasCarolineturnedandwalkedaway,herauburnhairmovinglikeliquidunderthelights.ThenElenafoundhertongue.
“Caroline.”Theothergirlturnedback.“AreyougoingtogotothatpartyattheRamseyhousetonight?”
“Isupposeso.Why?”
“BecauseI’llbethere.WithStefan.Seeyouinthejungle.”ThistimeElenawastheonetoturnaway.
Thedignityofherexitwasslightlymarredwhenshesawaslim,shadowedfigureatthefarendofthehallway.Herstepfalteredforaninstant,butasshedrewclosersherecognizedStefan.
Sheknewthesmileshegavehimlookedforced,andheglancedbacktowardthelockersastheywalkedsidebysideoutoftheschool.
“Sofootballpracticewascanceled?”shesaid.
Henodded.“Whatwasthatallabout?”hesaidquietly.
“Nothing.IaskedCarolineifshewasgoingtothepartytonight.”Elenatiltedbackherheadtolookatthegrayanddismalsky.
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“Andthat’swhatyouweretalkingabout?”
Sherememberedwhathehadtoldherinhisroom.Hecouldseebetterthanahuman,andhearbetter,too.Wellenoughtocatchwordsspokendownfortyfeetofcorridor?
“Yes,”shesaiddefiantly,stillinspectingtheclouds.
“Andthat’swhatmadeyousoangry?”
“Yes,”shesaidagain,inthesametone.
Shecouldfeelhiseyesonher.“Elena,that’snottrue.”
“Well,ifyoucanreadmymind,youdon’tneedtoaskmequestions,doyou?”
Theywerefacingeachothernow.Stefanwastense,hismouthsetinagrimline.“YouknowIwouldn’tdothat.ButIthoughtyouweretheonewhowassobigonhonestyinrelationships.”
“Allright.Carolinewasbeingherusualbitchyselfandshootinghermouthoffaboutthemurder.Sowhat?Whydoyoucare?”
“Because,”saidStefansimply,brutally,“shemightberight.Notaboutthemurderbutaboutyou.Aboutyouandme.Ishouldhaverealizedthiswouldhappen.It’snotjusther,isit?I’vebeensensinghostilityandfearallday,butIwastootiredtotryandanalyzeit.TheythinkI’mthekillerandthey’retakingitoutonyou.”
“Whattheythinkdoesn’tmatter!They’rewrong,andthey’llrealizethateventually.Theneverythingwillbethewayitwasagain.”
AwistfulsmiletuggedatthecornerofStefan’smouth.“Youreallybelievethat,don’tyou?”Helookedaway,andhisfacehardened.“Andwhatiftheydon’t?Whatifitonlygetsworse?”
“Whatareyousaying?”
“Itmightbebetter…”Stefantookadeepbreathandcontinued,carefully.“Itmightbebetterifwedidn’tseeeachotherforawhile.Iftheythinkwe’renottogether,they’llleaveyoualone.”
Shestaredathim.“Andyouthinkyoucoulddothat?Notseemeortalktomeforhoweverlong?”
“Ifit’snecessary—yes.Wecouldpretendwe’vebrokenup.”Hisjawwasset.
Elenastaredanothermoment.Thenshecircledhimandmovedincloser,soclosethattheywerealmosttouching.Hehadtolookdownather,hiseyesonlyafewinchesfromherown.
“Thereis,”shesaid,“onlyonewayI’mgoingtoannouncetotherestoftheschoolthatwe’vebrokenup.
Andthat’sifyoutellmethatyoudon’tlovemeandyoudon’twanttoseeme.Tellmethat,Stefan,rightnow.Tellmethatyoudon’twanttobewithmeanymore.”
He’dstoppedbreathing.Hestareddownather,thosegreeneyesstriatedlikeacat’sinshadesofemeraldandmalachiteandhollygreen.
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“Sayit,”shetoldhim.“Tellmehowyoucangetalongwithoutme,Stefan.Tellme—”
Shenevergottofinishthesentence.Itwascutoffashismouthdescendedonhers.
Six
StefansatintheGilbertlivingroom,agreeingpolitelywithwhateveritwasAuntJudithwassaying.Theolderwomanwasuncomfortablehavinghimhere;youdidn’tneedtobeamindreadertoknowthat.Butshewastrying,andsoStefanwastrying,too.HewantedElenatobehappy.
Elena.Evenwhenhewasn’tlookingather,hewasawareofhermorethanofanythingelseintheroom.
Herlivingpresencebeatagainsthisskinlikesunlightagainstclosedeyelids.Whenheactuallylethimselfturntofaceher,itwasasweetshocktoallhissenses.
Helovedhersomuch.HeneversawherasKatherineanymore;hehadalmostforgottenhowmuchshelookedlikethedeadgirl.Inanycase,thereweresomanydifferences.Elenahadthesamepalegoldhairandcreamyskin,thesamedelicatefeaturesasKatherine,buttheretheresemblanceended.Hereyes,lookingvioletinthefirelightjustnowbutnormallyablueasdarkaslapislazuli,wereneithertimidnorchildlikeasKatherine’shadbeen.Onthecontrary,theywerewindowstohersoul,whichshonelikeaneagerflamebehindthem.ElenawasElena,andherimagehadreplacedKatherine’sgentleghostinhisheart.
Butherverystrengthmadetheirlovedangerous.Hehadn’tbeenabletoresistherlastweekwhenshe’dofferedhimherblood.Granted,hemighthavediedwithoutit,butithadbeenfartoosoonforElena’sownsafety.Forthehundredthtime,hiseyesmovedoverElena’sface,searchingforthetelltalesignsofchange.Wasthatcreamyskinalittlepaler?Washerexpressionslightlymoreremote?
Theywouldhavetobecarefulfromnowon.Hewouldhavetobemorecareful.Makesuretofeedoften,satisfyhimselfwithanimals,sohewouldn’tbetempted.Neverlettheneedgettoostrong.Nowthathethoughtofit,hewashungryrightnow.Thedryache,theburning,wasspreadingalonghisupperjaw,whisperingthroughhisveinsandcapillaries.Heshouldbeoutinthewoods—sensesalerttocatchtheslightestcrackleofdrytwigs,musclesreadyforthechase—notherebyafirewatchingthetraceryofpaleblueveinsinElena’sthroat.
ThatslimthroatturnedasElenalookedathim.
“Doyouwanttogotothatpartytonight?WecantakeAuntJudith’scar,”shesaid.
“Butyououghttostayfordinnerfirst,”saidAuntJudithquickly.
“Wecanpickupsomethingontheway.”Elenameanttheycouldpickupsomethingforher,Stefanthought.Hehimselfcouldchewandswallowordinaryfoodifhehadto,thoughitdidhimnogood,andhehadlongsincelostanytasteforit.No,his…appetites…weremoreparticularnow,hethought.Andiftheywenttothisparty,itwouldmeanhoursmorebeforehecouldfeed.ButhenoddedagreementtoElena.
“Ifyouwantto,”hesaid.
Shedidwantto;shewassetonit.He’dseenthatfromthebeginning.“Allrightthen,I’dbetterchange.”
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Hefollowedhertothebaseofthestairway.“Wearsomethingwithahighneck.Asweater,”hetoldherinavoicetoolowtocarry.
Sheglancedthroughthedoorway,totheemptylivingroom,andsaid,“It’sallright.They’realmosthealedalready.See?”Shetuggedherlacycollardown,twistingherheadtooneside.
Stefanstared,mesmerized,atthetworoundmarksonthefine-grainedskin.Theywereaverylight,translucentburgundycolor,likemuch-wateredwine.Hesethisteethandforcedhiseyesaway.Lookingmuchlongeratthatwoulddrivehimcrazy.
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant,”hesaidbrusquely.
Theshiningveilofherhairfelloverthemarksagain,hidingthem.“Oh.”
“Comein!”
Astheydid,walkingintotheroom,conversationsstopped.Elenalookedatthefacesturnedtowardthem,atthecurious,furtiveeyesandthewaryexpressions.Notthekindoflooksshewasusedtogettingwhenshemadeanentrance.
Itwasanotherstudentwho’dopenedthedoorforthem;AlaricSaltzmanwasnowhereinsight.ButCarolinewas,seatedonabarstool,whichshowedoffherlegstotheirbestadvantage.ShegaveElenaamockinglookandthenmadesomeremarktoaboyonherright.Helaughed.
Elenacouldfeelhersmilestarttogopainful,whileaflushcreptuptowardherface.Thenafamiliarvoicecametoher.
“Elena,Stefan!Overhere.”
Gratefully,shespottedBonniesittingwithMeredithandEdGoffonaloveseatinthecorner.SheandStefansettledonalargeottomanoppositethem,andsheheardconversationsstarttopickupagainaroundtheroom.
Bytacitagreement,noonementionedtheawkwardnessofElenaandStefan’sarrival.Elenawasdeterminedtopretendthateverythingwasasusual.
AndBonnieandMeredithwerebackingher.“Youlookgreat,”saidBonniewarmly.“Ijustlovethatredsweater.”
“Shedoeslooknice.Doesn’tshe,Ed?”saidMeredith,andEd,lookingvaguelystartled,agreed.
“Soyourclasswasinvitedtothis,too,”ElenasaidtoMeredith.“Ithoughtmaybeitwasjustseventhperiod.”
“Idon’tknowifinvitedistheword.”repliedMeredithdryly.“Consideringthatparticipationishalfourgrade.”
“Doyouthinkhewasseriousaboutthat?Hecouldn’tbeserious,”putinEd.
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Elenashrugged.“Hesoundedserioustome.Where’sRay?”sheaskedBonnie.
“Ray?Oh,Ray.Idon’tknow,aroundsomewhere,Isuppose.There’salotofpeoplehere.”
Thatwastrue.TheRamseylivingroomwaspacked,andfromwhatElenacouldseethecrowdflowedintothediningroom,thefrontparlor,andprobablythekitchenaswell.ElbowskeptbrushingElena’shairaspeoplecirculatedbehindher.
“WhatdidSaltzmanwantwithyouafterclass?”Stefanwassaying.
“Alaric,”Bonniecorrectedprimly.“HewantsustocallhimAlaric.Oh,hewasjustbeingnice.Hefeltawfulformakingmerelivesuchanagonizingexperience.Hedidn’tknowexactlyhowMr.Tannerdied,andhehadn’trealizedIwassosensitive.Ofcourse,he’sincrediblysensitivehimself,soheunderstandswhatit’slike.He’sanAquarius.”
“Withamoonrisinginpickuplines,”saidMeredithunderherbreath.“Bonnieyoudon’tbelievethatgarbage,doyou?He’sateacher;heshouldn’tbetryingthatoutonstudents.”
“Hewasn’ttryinganythingout!HesaidexactlythesamethingtoTylerandSueCarson.Hesaidweshouldformasupportgroupforeachotherorwriteanessayaboutthatnighttogetourfeelingsout.Hesaidteenagersareallveryimpressionableandhedidn’twantthetragedytohavealastingimpactonourlives.”
“Oh,brother,”saidEd,andStefanturnedalaughintoacough.Hewasn’tamused,though,andhisquestiontoBonniehadn’tbeenjustidlecuriosity.Elenacouldtell;shecouldfeelitradiatingfromhim.
StefanfeltaboutAlaricSaltzmanthewaythatmostofthepeopleinthisroomfeltaboutStefan.Waryandmistrustful.
“Itwasstrange,himactingasifthepartywasaspontaneousideainourclass,”shesaid,respondingunconsciouslytoStefan’sunspokenwords,“whenobviouslyithadbeenplanned.”
“What’sevenstrangeristheideathattheschoolwouldhireateacherwithouttellinghimhowthepreviousteacherdied,”saidStefan.“Everyonewastalkingaboutit;itmusthavebeeninthepapers.”
“Butnotallthedetails,”saidBonniefirmly.“Infact,therearethingsthepolicestillhaven’tletout,becausetheythinkitmighthelpthemcatchthekiller.Forinstance,”shedroppedhervoice,“doyouknowwhatMarysaid?Dr.Feinbergwastalkingtotheguywhodidtheautopsy,themedicalexaminer.
Andhesaidthattherewasnobloodleftinthebodyatall.Notadrop.”
Elenafeltanicywindblowthroughher,asifshestoodonceagaininthegraveyard.Shecouldn’tspeak.
ButEdsaid,“Where’ditgo?”
“Well,alloverthefloor,Isuppose,”saidBonniecalmly.“Alloverthealtarandeverything.That’swhatthepoliceareinvestigatingnow.Butit’sunusualforacorpsenottohaveanybloodleft;usuallythere’ssomethatsettlesdownontheundersideofthebody.Postmortemlividity,it’scalled.Itlookslikebigpurplebruises.What’swrong?”
“Yourincrediblesensitivityhasmereadytothrowup,”saidMeredithinastrangledvoice.“Couldwepossiblytalkaboutsomethingelse?”
“Youweren’ttheonewithbloodalloveryou,”Bonniebegan,butStefaninterruptedher.
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“Havetheinvestigatorscometoanyconclusionsfromwhatthey’velearned?Aretheyanyclosertofindingthekiller?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidBonnie,andthenshebrightened.“That’sright,Elena,yousaidyouknew—”
“Shutup,Bonnie,”saidElenadesperately.Ifthereeverwereaplacenottodiscussthis,itwasinacrowdedroomsurroundedbypeoplewhohatedStefan.Bonnie’seyeswidened,andthenshenodded,subsiding.
Elenacouldnotrelax,though.Stefanhadn’tkilledMr.Tanner,andyetthesameevidencethatwouldleadtoDamoncouldaseasilyleadtohim.Andwouldleadtohim,becausenoonebutsheandStefanknewofDamon’sexistence.Hewasoutthere,somewhere,intheshadows.Waitingforhisnextvictim.
MaybewaitingforStefan—orforher.
“I’mhot,”shesaidabruptly.“IthinkI’llgoseewhatkindsofrefreshmentsAlarichasprovided.”
Stefanstartedtorise,butElenawavedhimbackdown.Hewouldn’thaveanyuseforpotatochipsandpunch.Andshewantedtobealoneforafewminutes,tobemovinginsteadofsitting,tocalmherself.
BeingwithMeredithandBonniehadgivenherafalsesenseofsecurity.Leavingthem,shewasonceagainconfrontedbysidelongglancesandsuddenlyturnedbacks.Thistimeitmadeherangry.Shemovedthroughthecrowdwithdeliberateinsolence,holdinganyeyesheaccidentallycaught.I’malreadynotorious,shethought.Imightaswellbebrazen,too.
Shewashungry.IntheRamseydiningroomsomeonehadsetupanassortmentoffingerfoodsthatlookedsurprisinglygood.Elenatookapaperplateanddroppedafewcarrotsticksonit,ignoringthepeoplearoundthebleachedoaktable.Shewasn’tgoingtospeaktothemunlesstheyspokefirst.Shegaveherfullattentiontotherefreshments,leaningpastpeopletoselectcheesewedgesandRitzcrackers,reachinginfrontofthemtopluckgrapes,ostentatiouslylookingupanddownthewholearraytoseeiftherewasanythingshe’dmissed.
She’dsucceededinrivetingeveryone’sattention,somethingsheknewwithoutraisinghereyes.Shebitdelicatelydownonabreadstick,holdingitbetweenherteethlikeapencil,andturnedfromthetable.
“MindifIhaveabite?”
Shocksnappedhereyeswideopenandfrozeherbreath.Hermindjammed,refusingtoacknowledgewhatwasgoingon,andleavingherhelpless,vulnerable,inthefaceofit.Butthoughrationalthoughthaddisappeared,hersenseswentrightonrecordingmercilessly:darkeyesdominatingherfieldofvision,awhiffofsomekindofcologneinhernostrils,twolongfingerstiltingherchinup.Damonleanedin,and,neatlyandprecisely,bitofftheotherendofthebreadstick.
Inthatmoment,theirlipswereonlyinchesapart.HewasleaninginforasecondbitebeforeElena’switsrevivedenoughtothrowherbackward,herhandgrabbingthebitofcrispbreadandtossingitaway.Hecaughtitinmidair,avirtuosodisplayofreflex.
Hiseyeswerestillonhers.Elenagotinabreathatlastandopenedhermouth;shewasn’tsurewhatfor.
Toscream,probably.Towarnallthesepeopletorunoutintothenight.Herheartwaspoundinglikeatriphammer,hervisionblurred.
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“Easy,easy.”Hetooktheplatefromherandthensomehowgotholdofherwrist.Hewasholdingitlightly,thewayMaryhadfeltforStefan’spulse.Asshecontinuedtostareandgasp,hestrokeditwithhisthumb,asifcomfortingher.“Easy.It’sallright.”
Whatareyoudoinghere?shethought.Thescenearoundherseemedeerilybrightandunnatural.Itwaslikeoneofthosenightmareswheneverythingisordinary,justlikewakinglife,andthensuddenlysomethinggrotesquehappens.Hewasgoingtokillthemall.
“Elena?Areyouokay?”SueCarsonwastalkingtoher,grippinghershoulder.
“Ithinkshechokedonsomething,”Damonsaid,releasingElena’swrist.“Butshe’sallrightnow.Whydon’tyouintroduceus?”
Hewasgoingtokillthemall…
“Elena,thisisDamon,um…”Suespreadanapologetichand,andDamonfinishedforher.
“Smith.”HeliftedapapercuptowardElena.”Lavita.”
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”shewhispered.
“He’sacollegestudent,”Suevolunteered,whenitbecameapparentthatDamonwasn’tgoingtoanswer.
“From—UniversityofVirginia,wasit?WilliamandMary?”
“Amongotherplaces,”Damonsaid,stilllookingatElena.Hehadn’tglancedatSueonce.“Iliketotravel.”
TheworldhadsnappedintoplaceagainaroundElena,butitwasachillingworld.Therewerepeopleoneveryside,watchingthisexchangewithfascination,keepingherfromspeakingfreely.Buttheywerealsokeepinghersafe.Forwhateverreason,Damonwasplayingagame,pretendingtobeoneofthem.Andwhilethemasqueradewenton,hewouldn’tdoanythingtoherinfrontofacrowd…shehoped
Agame.Buthewasmakinguptherules.HewasstandinghereintheRamseys’diningroomplayingwithher.
“He’sjustdownforafewdays,”Suewascontinuinghelpfully.“Visiting—friends,didyousay?Orrelatives?”
“Yes,”saidDamon.
“You’reluckytobeabletotakeoffwheneveryouwant,”Elenasaid.Shedidn’tknowwhatwaspossessingher,tomakehertryandunmaskhim.
“Luckhasverylittletodowithit,”saidDamon.“Doyoulikedancing?”
“What’syourmajor?”
Hesmiledather.“Americanfolklore.Didyouknow,forinstance,thatamoleontheneckmeansyou’llbewealthy?DoyoumindifIcheck?”
“Imind.”ThevoicecamefrombehindElena.Itwasclearandcoldandquiet.ElenahadheardStefanPage38
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speakinthattoneonlyonce:whenhehadfoundTylertryingtoassaultherinthegraveyard.Damon’sfingersstilledonherthroat,and,releasedfromhisspell,shesteppedback.
“Butdoyoumatter?”hesaid.
Thetwoofthemfacedeachotherunderthefaintlyflickeringyellowlightofthebrasschandelier.
Elenawasawareoflayersofherownthoughts,likeaparfait.Everyone’sstaring;thismustbebetterthanthemovies…Ididn’trealizeStefanwastaller…There’sBonnieandMeredithwonderingwhat’sgoingon…Stefan’sangrybuthe’sstillweak,stillhurting…IfhegoesforDamonnow,he’lllose…
Andinfrontofallthesepeople.Herthoughtscametoaclatteringhaltaseverythingfellintoplace.ThatwaswhatDamonwasherefor,tomakeStefanattackhim,apparentlyunprovoked.Nomatterwhathappenedafterthat,hewon.IfStefandrovehimaway,itwouldjustbemoreproofofStefan’s“tendencytowardviolence.”MoreevidenceforStefan’saccusers.AndifStefanlostthefight…
Itwouldmeanhislife,thoughtElena.Oh,Stefan,he’ssomuchstrongerrightnow;pleasedon’tdoit.
Don’tplayintohishands.
Hewantstokillyou;he’sjustlookingforachance.
Shemadeherlimbsmove,thoughtheywerestiffandawkwardasamarionette’s.“Stefan,”shesaid,takinghiscoldhandinhers,“let’sgohome.”
Shecouldfeelthetensioninhisbody,likeanelectriccurrentrunningunderneathhisskin.Atthismoment,hewascompletelyfocusedonDamon,andthelightinhiseyeswaslikefirereflectingoffadaggerblade.Shedidn’trecognizehiminthismood,didn’tknowhim.Hefrightenedher.
”Stefan,”shesaid,callingtohimasifshewerelostinfogandcouldn’tfindhim.“Stefan,please.”
Andslowly,slowly,shefelthimrespond.Sheheardhimbreatheandfelthisbodygooffalert,clickingdowntosomelowerenergylevel.Thedeadlyconcentrationofhismindwasdivertedandhelookedather,andsawher.
“Allright,”hesaidsoftly,lookingintohereyes.“Let’sgo.”
Shekeptherhandsonhimastheyturnedaway,oneclaspinghishand,theothertuckedinsidehisarm.
Bysheerforceofwill,shemanagednottolookoverhershoulderastheywalkedaway,buttheskinonherbacktingledandcrawledasifexpectingthestabofaknife.
Instead,sheheardDamon’slowironicalvoice:“Andhaveyouheardthatkissingared-hairedgirlcuresfeverblisters?”AndthenBonnie’soutrageous,flatteredlaughter.
Onthewayout,theyfinallyranintotheirhost.
“Leavingsosoon?”Alaricsaid.“ButIhaven’tevenhadachancetotalktoyouyet.”
Helookedbotheagerandreproachful,likeadogthatknowsperfectlywellit’snotgoingtobetakenonawalkbutwagsanyway.Elenafeltworryblossominherstomachforhimandeveryoneelseinthehouse.SheandStefanwereleavingthemtoDamon.
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She’djusthavetohopeherearlierassessmentwasrightandhewantedtocontinuethemasquerade.
RightnowshehadenoughtodogettingStefanoutofherebeforehechangedhismind.
“I’mnotfeelingverywell,”shesaidasshepickedupherpursewhereitlaybytheottoman.“Sorry.”SheincreasedthepressureonStefan’sarm.Itwouldtakeverylittletogethimtoturnbackandheadforthediningroomrightnow.
“I’msorry,”saidAlaric.“Good-bye.”
Theywereonthethresholdbeforeshesawthelittleslipofvioletpaperstuckintothesidepocketofherpurse.Shepulleditoutandunfoldeditalmostbyreflex,hermindonotherthings.
Therewaswritingonit,plainandboldandunfamiliar.Justthreelines.Shereadthemandfelttheworldrock.Thiswastoomuch;shecouldn’tdealwithanythingmore.
“Whatisit?”saidStefan.
“Nothing.”Shethrustthebitofpaperbackintothesidepocket,pushingitdownwithherfingers.“It’snothing,Stefan.Let’sgetoutside.”
Theysteppedoutintodrivingneedlesofrain.
Seven
“Nexttime,”Stefansaidquietly,“Iwon’tleave.”
Elenaknewhemeantit,anditterrifiedher.Butjustnowheremotionswerequietlycoastinginneutral,andshedidn’twanttoargue.
“Hewasthere,”shesaid.“Insideanordinaryhousefullofordinarypeople,justasifhehadeveryrighttobe.Iwouldn’thavethoughthewoulddare.”
“Whynot?”Stefansaidbriefly,bitterly.“Iwasthereinaordinaryhousefullofordinarypeople,justasifIhadeveryrighttobe.”
“Ididn’tmeanthatthewayitsounded.It’sjustthattheonlyothertimeI’veseenhiminpublicwasattheHauntedHousewhenhewaswearingamaskandcostume,anditwasdark.Beforethatitwasalwayssomewheredeserted,likethegymthatnightIwastherealone,orthegraveyard…”
Sheknewassoonasshesaidthatlastpartthatitwasamistake.Shestillhadn’ttoldStefanaboutgoingtofindDamonthreedaysago.Inthedriver’sseat,hestiffened.
“Orthegraveyard?”
“Yes…ImeantthatdayBonnieandMeredithandIgotchasedout.I’massumingitmusthavebeenDamonwhochasedus.Andtheplacewasdesertedexceptforthethreeofus.”
Whywasshelyingtohim?Because,asmallvoiceinherheadansweredgrimly,otherwisehemightsnap.KnowingwhatDamonhadsaidtoher,whathehadpromisedwasinstore,mightbeallthatwasneededtosendStefanovertheedge.
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Icannevertellhim,sherealizedwithasickjolt.NotaboutthattimeoraboutanythingDamondoesinthefuture.IfhefightsDamon,hedies.
Thenhe’llneverknow,shepromisedherself.NomatterwhatIhavetodo,I’llkeepthemfromfightingeachotheroverme.Nomatterwhat.
Foramoment,apprehensionchilledher.
Fivehundredyearsago,Katherinehadtriedtokeepthemfromfighting,andhadsucceededonlyinforcingthemintoadeathmatch.Butshewouldn’tmakethesamemistake,Elenatoldherselffiercely.
Katherine’smethodshadbeenstupidandchildish.Whoelsebutastupidchildwouldkillherselfinthehopethatthetworivalsforherhandwouldbecomefriends?Ithadbeentheworstmistakeofthewholesorryaffair.Becauseofit,therivalrybetweenStefanandDamonhadturnedintoimplacablehatred.Andwhat’smore,Stefanhadlivedwiththeguiltofiteversince;heblamedhimselfforKatherine’sstupidityandweakness.
Gropingforanothersubject,shesaid,“Doyouthinksomeoneinvitedhimin?”
“Obviously,sincehewasin.”
“Thenit’strueabout—peoplelikeyou.Youhavetobeinvitedin.ButDamongotintothegymwithoutaninvitation.”
“That’sbecausethegymisn’tadwellingplacefortheliving.That’stheonecriterion.Itdoesn’tmatterifit’sahouseoratentoranapartmentaboveastore.Iflivinghumanseatandsleepthere,weneedtobeinvitedinside.”
“ButIdidn’tinviteyouintomyhouse.”
“Yes,youdid.Thatfirstnight,whenIdroveyouhome,youpushedthedooropenandnoddedtome.Itdoesn’thavetobeaverbalinvitation.Iftheintentisthere,that’senough.Andthepersoninvitingyoudoesn’thavetobesomeonewhoactuallylivesinthehouse.Anyhumanwilldo.”
Elenawasthinking.“Whataboutahouseboat?”
“Samething.Althoughrunningwatercanbeabarrierinitself.Forsomeofus,it’salmostimpossibletocross.”
ElenahadasuddenvisionofherselfandMeredithandBonnieracingforWickeryBridge.Becausesomehowshehadknownthatiftheygottotheothersideoftheriverthey’dbesafefromwhateverwasafterthem.
“Sothat’swhy,”shewhispered.Itstilldidn’texplainhowshe’dknown,though.Itwasasiftheknowledgehadbeenputintoherheadfromsomeoutsidesource.Thensherealizedsomethingelse.
“Youtookmeacrossthebridge.Youcancrossrunningwater.”
“That’sbecauseI’mweak.”Itwassaidflatly,withnoemotionbehindit.“It’sironic,butthestrongeryourPowersare,themoreyou’reaffectedbycertainlimitations.Themoreyoubelongtothedark,themoretherulesofthedarkbindyou.”
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“Whatotherrulesarethere?”saidElena.Shewasbeginningtoseetheglimmerofaplan.Oratleastofthehopeofaplan.
Stefanlookedather.“Yes,”hesaid,“Ithinkit’stimeyouknew.ThemoreyouknowaboutDamon,themorechanceyou’llhaveofprotectingyourself.”
Ofprotectingherself?PerhapsStefanknewmorethanshethought.Butasheturnedthecarontoasidestreetandparked,shejustsaid,“Okay.ShouldIbestockingupongarlic?”
Helaughed.“Onlyifyouwanttobeunpopular.Therearecertainplants,though,thatmighthelpyou.
Likevervain.That’sanherbthat’ssupposedtoprotectyouagainstbewitchment,anditcankeepyourmindclearevenifsomeoneisusingPowersagainstyou.Peopleusedtowearitaroundtheirnecks.
Bonniewouldloveit;itwassacredtotheDruids.”
“Vervain,”saidElena,tastingtheunfamiliarword.“Whatelse?”
“Stronglight,ordirectsunlight,canbeverypainful.You’llnoticetheweather’schanged.”
“I’venoticed,”saidElenaafterabeat.“YoumeanDamon’sdoingthat?”
“Hemustbe.Ittakesenormouspowertocontroltheelements,butitmakesiteasyforhimtotravelindaylight.Aslongashekeepsitcloudy,hedoesn’tevenneedtoprotecthiseyes.”
“Andneitherdoyou,”Elenasaid.“Whatabout—well,crossesandthings?”
“Noeffect,”saidStefan.“Exceptthatifthepersonholdingonebelievesit’saprotection,itcanstrengthentheirwilltoresisttremendously.”
“Uh…silverbullets?”
Stefanlaughedagainshortly.“That’sforwerewolves.FromwhatI’veheardtheydon’tlikesilverinanyform.Awoodenstakethroughtheheartisstilltheapprovedmethodformykind.Thereareotherwaysthataremoreorlesseffective,though:burning,beheading,drivingnailsthroughthetemples.Or,bestofall—”
“Stefan!”Thelonely,bittersmileonhisfacedismayedher.“Whataboutchangingintoanimals?”shesaid.
“Before,yousaidthatwithenoughPoweryoucoulddothat.IfDamoncanbeanyanimalhelikes,howwillweeverrecognizehim?”
“Notanyanimalhelikes.He’slimitedtooneanimal,oratthemosttwo.EvenwithhisPowersIdon’tthinkhecouldsustainanymorethanthat.”
“Sowekeeplookingoutforacrow.”
“Right.Youmaybeabletotellifhe’saround,too,bylookingatregularanimals.Theyusuallydon’treactverywelltous;theysensethatwe’rehunters.”
“Yangtzekeptbarkingatthatcrow.Itwasasifheknewtherewassomethingwrongaboutit,”Elenaremembered.“Ah…Stefan,”sheaddedinachangedtoneasanewthoughtstruckher,“whataboutmirrors?Idon’tremembereverseeingyouinone.”
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Foramoment,hedidn’tanswer.Thenhesaid,“Legendhasitthatmirrorsreflectthesoulofthepersonwholooksintothem.That’swhyprimitivepeopleareafraidofmirrors;they’reafraidthattheirsoulswillbetrappedandstolen.Mykindissupposedtohavenoreflection—becausewehavenosouls.”Slowly,hereacheduptotherearviewmirrorandtilteditdownward,adjustingitsothatElenacouldlookintoit.
Inthesilveredglass,shesawhiseyes,lost,haunted,andinfinitelysad.
Therewasnothingtodobutholdontohim,andElenadid.“Iloveyou,”shewhispered.Itwastheonlycomfortshecouldgivehim.Itwasalltheyhad.
Hisarmstightenedaroundher;hisfacewasburiedinherhair.“You’rethemirror,”hewhisperedback.
Itwasgoodtofeelhimrelax,tensionflowingoutofhisbodyaswarmthandcomfortflowedin.Shewascomforted,too,asenseofpeaceinfusingher,surroundingher.Itwassogoodthatsheforgottoaskhimwhathemeantuntiltheywereatherfrontdoor,sayinggood-bye.
“I’mthemirror?”shesaidthen,lookingupathim.
“You’vestolenmysoul,”hesaid.“Lockthedoorbehindyou,anddon’topenitagaintonight.”Thenhewasgone.
“Elena,thankheavens,”saidAuntJudith.WhenElenastaredather,sheadded,“Bonniecalledfromtheparty.Shesaidyou’dleftunexpectedly,andwhenyoudidn’tcomehomeIwasworried.”
“StefanandIwentforaride.”Elenadidn’tliketheexpressiononheraunt’sfacewhenshesaidthat.“Isthereaproblem?”
“No,no.It’sjust…”AuntJudithdidn’tseemtoknowhowtofinishhersentence.“Elena,Iwonderifitmightbeagoodideato…notseequitesomuchofStefan.”
Elenawentstill.“You,too?”
“Itisn’tthatIbelievethegossip,”AuntJudithassuredher.“But,foryourownsake,itmightbebesttogetalittledistancefromhim,to—”
“Todumphim?Toabandonhimbecausepeoplearespreadingrumorsabouthim?Tokeepmyselfawayfromthemudslingingincaseanyofitsticksonme?”Angerwasawelcomerelease,andthewordscrowdedinElena’sthroat,alltryingtogetoutatonce.“No,Idon’tthinkthat’sagoodidea,AuntJudith.
AndifitwereRobertweweretalkingabout,youwouldn’teither.Ormaybeyouwould!”
“Elena,Iwillnothaveyouspeakingtomeinthattone—”
“I’mfinishedanyway!”Elenacried,andwhirledblindlyforthestairs.Shemanagedtokeepthetearsbackuntilshewasinherownroomwiththedoorlocked.Thenshethrewherselfonthebedandsobbed.
ShedraggedherselfupawhilelatertocallBonnie.Bonniewasexcitedandvoluble.WhatonearthdidElenamean,hadanythingunusualhappenedaftersheandStefanleft?Theunusualthingwastheirleaving!
No,thatnewguyDamonhadn’tsaidanythingaboutStefanafterward;he’djusthungaroundforawhileandthendisappeared.No,Bonniehadn’tseenifheleftwithanybody.Why?WasElenajealous?Yes,Page43
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thatwasmeanttobeajoke.But,really,hewasgorgeous,wasn’the?AlmostmoregorgeousthanStefan,thatisassumingyoulikeddarkhairandeyes.Ofcourse,ifyoulikedlighterhairandhazeleyes…
ElenaimmediatelydeducedthatAlaricSaltzman’seyeswerehazel.
Shegotoffthephoneatlastandonlythenrememberedthenoteshe’dfoundinherpurse.SheshouldhaveaskedBonnieifanyonehadgonenearherpursewhileshewasinthediningroom.Butthen,BonnieandMeredithhadbeeninthediningroompartofthetimethemselves.Someonemighthavedoneitthen.
Theverysightofthevioletpapermadehertastetinatthebackofhermouth.Shecouldhardlybeartolookatit.Butnowthatshewasaloneshehadtounfolditandreaditagain,allthetimehopingthatsomehowthistimethewordsmightbedifferent,thatshemighthavebeenmistakenbefore.
Buttheyweren’tdifferent.Thesharp,cleanblocklettersstoodoutagainstthepalebackgroundasiftheyweretenfeethigh.
Iwanttotouchhim.MorethananyboyI’veeverknown.AndIknowhewantsit,too,buthe’sholdingbackonme.
Herwords.Fromherdiary.Theonethathadbeenstolen.
ThenextdayMeredithandBonnierangherdoorbell.
“Stefancalledmelastnight,”saidMeredith.“Hesaidhewantedtomakesureyouweren’twalkingtoschoolalone.He’snotgoingtobeatschooltoday,soheaskedifBonnieandIcouldcomeoverandwalkwithyou.
“Escortyou,”saidBonnie,whowasclearlyinagoodmood.“Chaperoneyou.Ithinkit’sterriblysweetofhimtobesoprotective.”
“He’sprobablyanAquarius,too,”saidMeredith.“Comeon,Elena,beforeIkillhertoshutherupaboutAlaric.”
Elenawalkedinsilence,wonderingwhatStefanwasdoingthatkepthimfromschool.Shefeltvulnerableandexposedtoday,asifherskinwereoninsideout.Oneofthosedayswhenshewasreadytocryatthedropofahat.
Ontheofficebulletinboardwastackedapieceofvioletpaper.
Sheshouldhaveknown.Shehadknownsomewheredeepinside.Thethiefwasn’tsatisfiedwithlettingherknowherprivatewordshadbeenread.Hewasshowinghertheycouldbemadepublic.
Sherippedthenoteofftheboardandcrumpledit,butnotbeforesheglimpsedthewords.Inoneglancetheyweresearedontoherbrain.
Ifeelasifsomeonehashurthimterriblyinthepastandhe’snevergottenoverit.ButIalsothinkthere’ssomethinghe’safraidof,somesecrethe’safraidI’llfindout.
“Elena,whatisthat?What’sthematter?Elena,comebackhere!”
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BonnieandMeredithfollowedhertothenearestgirls’bathroom,whereshestoodoverthewastebasketshreddingthenoteintomicroscopicpieces,breathingasifshe’djustrunarace.Theylookedateachotherandthenturnedtosurveythebathroomstalls.
“Okay,”saidMeredithloudly,“seniorprivilege.You!”Sherappedontheonlycloseddoor.“Comeout.”
Somerustling,thenabewilderedfreshmanemerged.“ButIdidn’teven—”
“Out.Outside,”Bonnieordered.“Andyou,”shesaidtothegirlwashingherhands,“standoutthereandmakesurenobodycomesin.”
“Butwhy?Whatareyou—”
“Move,chick.Ifanybodycomesthroughthatdoorwe’reholdingyouresponsible.”
Whenthedoorwasclosedagain,theyroundedonElena.
“Okay,thisisastickup,”saidMeredith.“Comeon,Elena,give.”
Elenarippedthelasttinyshredofpaper,caughtbetweenlaughterandtears.Shewantedtotellthemeverything,butshecouldn’t.Shesettledfortellingthemaboutthediary.
Theywereasangry,asindignant,asshewas.
“Ithadtobesomeoneattheparty,”Meredithsaidatlast,oncetheyhadeachexpressedtheiropinionofthethief’scharacter,morals,andprobabledestinationintheafterlife.“Butanybodytherecouldhavedoneit.Idon’trememberanyoneinparticulargoingnearyourpurse,butthatroomwaswall-to-wallpeople,anditcouldhavehappenedwithoutmynoticing.”
“Butwhywouldanyonewanttodothis?”Bonnieputin.“Unless…Elena,thenightwefoundStefanyouwerehintingaroundatsomethings.Yousaidyouthoughtyouknewwhothekillerwas.”
“Idon’tthinkIknow;Iknow.Butifyou’rewonderingifthismightbeconnected,I’mnotsure.Isupposeitcouldbe.Thesamepersonmighthavedoneit.”
Bonniewashorrified.“Butthatmeansthekillerisastudentatthisschool!”WhenElenashookherhead,shewenton.“Theonlypeopleatthatpartywhoweren’tstudentswerethatnewguyandAlaric.”Herexpressionchanged.“Alaricdidn’tkillMr.Tanner!Hewasn’teveninFell’sChurchthen.”
“Iknow.Alaricdidn’tdoit.”She’dgonetoofartostopnow;BonnieandMeredithalreadyknewtoomuch.“Damondid.”
“Thatguywasthekiller?Theguythatkissedme?”
“Bonnie,calmdown.”Asalways,otherpeople’shysteriamadeElenafeelmoreincontrol.“Yes,he’sthekiller,andweallthreehavetobeonguardagainsthim.That’swhyI’mtellingyou.Never,neveraskhimintoyourhouse.”
Elenastopped,regardingthefacesofherfriends.Theywerestaringather,andforamomentshehadthesickeningfeelingthattheydidn’tbelieveher.Thattheyweregoingtoquestionhersanity.
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ButallMeredithasked,inaneven,detachedvoice,was:“Areyousureaboutthis?”
“Yes.I’msure.He’sthemurdererandtheonewhoputStefaninthewell,andhemightbeafteroneofusnext.AndIdon’tknowifthere’sanywaytostophim.”
“Well,then,”saidMeredith,liftinghereyebrows.“NowonderyouandStefanwereinsuchahurrytoleavetheparty.”
CarolinegaveElenaavicioussmirkasElenawalkedintothecafeteria.ButElenawasalmostbeyondnoticing.
Onethingshenoticedrightaway,though.VickieBennettwasthere.
Vickiehadn’tbeentoschoolsincethenightMattandBonnieandMeredithhadfoundherwanderingontheroad,ravingaboutmistandeyesandsomethingterribleinthegraveyard.Thedoctorswhocheckedherafterwardsaidtherewasnothingmuchwrongwithherphysically,butshestillhadn’treturnedtoRobertE.Lee.Peoplewhisperedaboutpsychologistsandthedrugtreatmentstheyweretrying.
Shedidn’tlookcrazy,though,Elenathought.Shelookedpaleandsubduedandsortofcrumpledintoherclothing.AndwhenElenapassedherandshelookedup,hereyeswerelikeastartledfawn’s.
Itwasstrangetositatahalf-emptytablewithonlyBonnieandMeredithforcompany.Usuallypeoplewerecrowdingtogetseatsaroundthethreeofthem.
“Wedidn’tfinishtalkingthismorning,”Meredithsaid.“Getsomethingtoeat,andthenwe’llfigureoutwhattodoaboutthosenotes.”
“I’mnothungry,”saidElenaflatly.“Andwhatcanwedo?Ifit’sDamon,there’snowaywecanstophim.
Trustme,it’snotamatterforthepolice.That’swhyIhaven’ttoldthemhe’sthekiller.Thereisn’tanyproof,andbesides,theywouldnever…Bonnie,you’renotlistening.”
“Sorry,”saidBonnie,whowasstaringpastElena’sleftear.“Butsomethingweirdisgoingonupthere.”
Elenaturned.VickieBennettwasstandingatthefrontofthecafeteria,butshenolongerseemedcrumpledandsubdued.Shewaslookingaroundtheroominaslyandassessingmanner,smiling.
“Well,shedoesn’tlooknormal,butIwouldn’tsayshewasbeingweird,exactly,”Meredithsaid.Thensheadded,“Waitaminute.”
Vickiewasunbuttoninghercardigan.Butitwasthewayshewasdoingit—withdeliberatelittleflicksofherfingers,allthewhilelookingaroundwiththatsecretivesmile—thatwasodd.Whenthelastbuttonwasundone,shetookthesweaterdaintilybetweenforefingerandthumbandsliditdownoverfirstonearmandthentheother.Shedroppedthesweateronthefloor.
“Weirdistheword,”confirmedMeredith.
StudentscrossinginfrontofVickiewithladentraysglancedathercuriouslyandthenlookedbackovertheirshoulderswhentheyhadpassed.Theydidn’tactuallystopwalking,though,untilshetookoffherPage46
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shoes.
Shediditgracefully,catchingtheheelofonepumponthetoeoftheotherandpushingitoff.Thenshekickedoffthesecondpump.
“Shecan’tkeepgoing,”murmuredBonnie,asVickie’sfingersmovedtothesimulatedpearlbuttonsonherwhitesilkblouse.
Headswereturning;peoplewerepokingoneanotherandgesturing.AroundVickieasmallgrouphadgathered,standingfarenoughbackthattheydidn’tinterferewitheveryoneelse’sview.
Thewhitesilkblouserippledoff,flutteringlikeawoundedghosttothefloor.Vickiewaswearingalacyoff-whiteslipunderneath.
Therewasnolongeranysoundinthecafeteriaexceptthesibilanceofwhispers.Noonewaseating.ThegrouparoundVickiehadgottenlarger.
Vickiesmileddemurelyandbegantounfastenclaspsatherwaist.Herpleatedskirtfelltothefloor.Shesteppedoutofitandpushedittoonesidewithherfoot.
Somebodystoodupatthebackofthecafeteriaandchanted,“Takeitoff!Takeitoff!”Othervoicesjoinedin.
“Isn’tanybodygoingtostopher?”fumedBonnie.
Elenagotup.Thelasttimeshe’dgonenearVickietheothergirlhadscreamedandstruckoutather.Butnow,asshegotclose,Vickiegaveherthesmileofaconspirator.Herlipsmoved,butElenacouldn’tmakeoutwhatshewassayingoverthechanting.
“Comeon,Vickie.Let’sgo,”shesaid.
Vickie’slightbrownhairtossedandshepluckedatthestrapofherslip.
Elenastoopedtopickupthecardiganandwrapitaroundthegirl’sslendershoulders.Asshedid,asshetouchedVickie,thosehalf-closedeyesopenedwidelikeastartledfawn’sagain.Vickiestaredaboutherwildly,asifshe’djustbeenawakenedfromadream.Shelookeddownatherselfandherexpressionturnedtodisbelief.Pullingthecardiganaroundhermoretightly,shebackedaway,shivering.
Theroomwasquietagain.
“It’sokay,”saidElenasoothingly.“Comeon.”
Atthesoundofhervoice,Vickiejumpedasiftouchedbyalivewire.ShestaredatElena,andthensheexplodedintoaction.
“You’reoneofthem!Isawyou!You’reevil!”
Sheturnedandranbarefootoutofthecafeteria,leavingElenastunned.
Eight
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“Doyouknowwhat’sstrangeaboutwhatVickiedidatschool?Imeanasidefromalltheobviousthings,”Bonniesaid,lickingchocolatefrostingoffherfingers.
“What?”saidElenadully.
“Well,thewaysheendedup,inherslip.Shelookedjustlikeshedidwhenwefoundherontheroad,onlythenshewasallscratchedup,too.”
“Catscratches,wethought,”saidMeredith,finishingthelastbiteofhercake.Sheseemedtobeinoneofherquiet,thoughtfulmoods;rightnowshewaswatchingElenaclosely.“Butthatdoesn’tseemverylikely.”
Elenalookedstraightbackather.“Maybeshefellinsomebrambles,”shesaid.“Now,ifyouguysarefinishedeating,doyouwanttoseethatfirstnote?”
TheylefttheirdishesinthesinkandclimbedthestairstoElena’sroom.Elenafeltherselfflushastheothergirlsreadthenote.BonnieandMeredithwereherbestfriends,maybeheronlyfriendsnow.She’dreadthempassagesfromherdiarybefore.Butthiswasdifferent.Itwasthemosthumiliatingfeelingshe’deverhad.“Well?”shesaidtoMeredith.
“Thepersonwhowrotethisisfivefeeteleveninchestall,walkswithaslightlimp,andwearsafalsemustache,”Meredithintoned.“Sorry,”sheadded,seeingElena’sface.“Notfunny.Actually,there’snotmuchtogoon,isthere?Thewritinglookslikeaguy’s,butthepaperlooksfeminine.”
“Andthewholethinghassortofafemininetouch,”putinBonnie,bouncingslightlyonElena’sbed.
“Well,itdoes,”shesaiddefensively.“Quotingbitsofyourdiarybackatyouisthekindofthingawomanwouldthinkof.Mendon’tcareaboutdiaries.”
“Youjustdon’twantittobeDamon,”saidMeredith.“Iwouldthinkyou’dbemoreworriedabouthimbeingapsychokillerthanadiarythief.”
“Idon’tknow;killersaresortofromantic.Imagineyourdyingwithhishandsaroundyourthroat.He’dstranglethelifeoutofyou,andthelastthingyou’dseewouldbehisface.”Puttingherownhandstoherthroat,Bonniegaspedandexpiredtragically,endingupdrapedacrossthebed.“Hecanhavemeanytime,”shesaid,eyesstillclosed.
ItwasonElena’slipstosay,“Don’tyouunderstand,thisisserious,”butinsteadshehissedinabreath.
“Oh,God,”shesaid,andrantothewindow.Thedaywashumidandstifling,andthewindowhadbeenopened.Outsideontheskeletalbranchesofthequincetreewasacrow.
Elenathrewthesashdownsohardthattheglassrattledandtinkled.Thecrowgazedatherthroughthetremblingpaneswitheyeslikeobsidian.Rainbowsglimmeredinitssleekblackplumage.
“Whydidyousaythat?”shesaid,turningtoBonnie.
“Hey,there’snobodyoutthere,”saidMeredithgently.“Unlessyoucountthebirds.”
Elenaturnedawayfromthem.Thetreewasemptynow.
“I’msorry,”saidBonnieinasmallvoice,afteramoment.“It’sjustthatitalldoesn’tseemrealsometimes,evenMr.Tanner’sbeingdeaddoesn’tseemreal.AndDamondidlook…well,exciting.Butdangerous.IPage48
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canbelievehe’sdangerous.”
“Andbesides,hewouldn’tsqueezeyourthroat;he’dcutit,”Meredithsaid.“OratleastthatwaswhathedidtoTanner.Buttheoldmanunderthebridgehadhisthroatrippedopen,asifsomeanimalhaddoneit.”MeredithlookedtoElenaforclarification.“Damondoesn’thaveananimal,doeshe?”
“No.Idon’tknow.”Suddenly,Elenafeltverytired.ShewasworriedaboutBonnie,abouttheconsequencesofthosefoolishwords.
“Icandoanythingtoyou,toyouandtheonesyoulove,”sheremembered.WhatmightDamondonow?
Shedidn’tunderstandhim.Hewasdifferenteverytimetheymet.Inthegymhe’dbeentaunting,laughingather.Butthenexttimeshewouldswearthathe’dbeenserious,quotingpoetrytoher,tryingtogethertocomeawaywithhim.Lastweek,withtheicygraveyardwindlashingaroundhim,he’dbeenmenacing,cruel.Andunderneathhismockingwordslastnight,she’dfeltthesamemenace.Shecouldn’tpredictwhathe’ddonext.
But,whateverhappened,shehadtoprotectBonnieandMeredithfromhim.Especiallysinceshecouldn’twarnthemproperly.AndwhatwasStefanupto?Sheneededhimrightnow,morethananything.Wherewashe?
Itstartedthatmorning.
“Letmegetthisstraight,”Mattsaid,leaningagainstthescarredbodyofhisancientFordsedanwhenStefanapproachedhimbeforeschool.“Youwanttoborrowmycar.”
“Yes,”Stefansaid.
“Andthereasonyouwanttoborrowitisflowers.YouwanttogetsomeflowersforElena.”
“Yes.”
“Andtheseparticularflowers,theseflowersyou’vejustgottoget,don’tgrowaroundhere.”
“Theymight.Buttheirbloomingseasonisoverthisfarnorth.Andthefrostwouldhavefinishedthemoffanyway.”
“Soyouwanttogodownsouth—howfarsouthyoudon’tknow—tofindsomeoftheseflowersthatyou’vejustgottogivetoElena.”
“Oratleastsomeoftheplants,”Stefansaid.“I’dratherhavetheactualflowersthough.”
“Andsincethepolicestillhaveyourcar,youwanttoborrowmine,forhoweverlongittakesyoutogodownsouthandfindtheseflowersthatyou’vejustgottogivetoElena.”
“Ifiguredrivingistheleastconspicuouswaytoleavetown,”Stefanexplained.“Idon’twantthepolicetofollowme.”
“Uhhuh.Andthat’swhyyouwantmycar.”
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“Yes.Areyougoingtogiveittome?”
“AmIgoingtogivemycartotheguywhostolemygirlfriendandnowwantstotakeajauntdownsouthtogethersomekindofspecialflowersshe’sjustgottohave?Areyoucrazy?”Matt,whohadbeenstaringoutovertheroofsoftheframehousesacrossthestreet,turnedatlasttolookatStefan.Hisblueeyes,usuallycheerfulandstraightforward,werefullofutterdisbelief,andsurmountedbytwisted,puckeredbrows.
Stefanlookedaway.Heshouldhaveknownbetter.AftereverythingMatthadalreadydoneforhim,toexpectmorewasridiculous.Especiallythesedays,whenpeopleflinchedfromthesoundofhisstepandavoidedhiseyeswhenhecamenear.ToexpectMatt,whohadthebestofreasonstoresenthim,todohimsuchafavorwithnoexplanation,onthebasisoffaithalone,reallywasinsane.
“No,I’mnotcrazy,”hesaidquietly,andturnedtogo.
“NeitheramI,”Matthadsaid.“AndI’dhavetobecrazytoturnmycarovertoyou.Hell,no.I’mgoingwithyou.”
BythetimeStefanhadturnedbackaround,Mattwaslookingatthecarinsteadofhim,lowerlipthrustforwardinawary,judiciouspout.
“Afterall,”he’dsaid,rubbingattheflakingvinyloftheroof,“youmightscratchthepaintorsomething.”
Elenaputthephonebackonthehook.Somebodywasattheboardinghouse,becausesomebodykeptpickingupthephonewhenitrang,butafterthattherewasonlysilenceandthentheclickofdisconnection.ShesuspecteditwasMrs.Flowers,butthatdidn’ttellheranythingaboutwhereStefanwas.Instinctively,shewantedtogotohim.Butitwasdarkoutside,andStefanhadwarnedherspecificallynottogooutinthedark,especiallynotanywherenearthecemeteryorthewoods.Theboardinghousewasnearboth.
“Noanswer?”saidMeredithasElenacamebackandsatdownonthebed.
“Shekeepshanginguponme,”Elenasaid,andmutteredsomethingunderherbreath.
“Didyousayshewasawitch?”
“No,butitrhymeswiththat,”saidElena.
“Look,”saidBonnie,sittingup.“IfStefan’sgoingtocall,he’llcallhere.There’snoreasonforyoutocomeandstaythenightwithme.”
Therewasareason,althoughElenacouldn’tquiteexplainiteventoherself.Afterall,DamonhadkissedBonnieatAlaricSaltzman’sparty.ItwasElena’sfaultthatBonniewasindangerinthefirstplace.
Somehowshefeltthatifshewereatleastonthescene,shemightbeabletoprotectBonnie.
“MymomanddadandMaryareallhome,”Bonniepersisted.“AndwelockallourdoorsandwindowsandeverythingsinceMr.Tannerwasmurdered.ThisweekendDadevenputonextralocks.Idon’tseewhatyoucando.”
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Elenadidn’teither.Butshewasgoingjustthesame.
SheleftamessageforStefanwithAuntJudith,tellinghimwhereshewas.Therewasstillalingeringconstraintbetweenherandheraunt.Andtherewouldbe,Elenathought,untilAuntJudithchangedhermindaboutStefan.
AtBonnie’shouse,shewasgivenaroomthathadbelongedtooneofBonnie’ssisterswhowasnowincollege.Thefirstthingshedidwascheckthewindow.Itwasclosedandlocked,andtherewasnothingoutsidethatsomeonecouldclimb,likeadrainpipeortree.Asinconspicuouslyaspossible,shealsocheckedBonnie’sroomandanyothersshecouldgetinto.Bonniewasright;theywereallsealeduptightfromtheinside.Nothingfromtheoutsidecouldgetin.
Shelayinbedalongtimethatnight,staringattheceiling,unabletosleep.ShekeptrememberingVickiedreamilydoingastripteaseinthecafeteria.Whatwaswrongwiththegirl?ShewouldremembertoaskStefanthatnexttimeshesawhim.
ThoughtsofStefanwerepleasant,evenwithalltheterriblethingsthathadhappenedrecently.Elenasmiledinthedarkness,lettinghermindwander.Somedayallthisharassmentwouldbeover,andsheandStefancouldplanalifetogether.Ofcourse,hehadn’tactuallysaidanythingaboutthat,butElenaherselfwassure.ShewasgoingtomarryStefan,ornoone.AndStefanwasgoingtomarrynoonebuther…
Thetransitionintodreamingwassosmoothandgradualthatshescarcelynoticedit.Butsheknew,somehow,thatshewasdreaming.Itwasasifalittlepartofherwasstandingasideandwatchingthedreamlikeaplay.
Shewassittinginalonghallway,whichwascoveredwithmirrorsononesideandwindowsontheother.Shewaswaitingforsomething.Thenshesawaflickerofmovement,andStefanwasstandingoutsidethewindow.Hisfacewaspaleandhiseyeswerehurtandangry.Shewentovertothewindow,butshecouldn’thearwhathewassayingbecauseoftheglass.Inonehand,hewasholdingabookwithabluevelvetcover,andhekeptgesturingtoitandaskinghersomething.Thenhedroppedthebookandturnedaway.
“Stefan,don’tgo!Don’tleaveme!”shecried.Herfingersflattenedwhitelyontheglass.Thenshenoticedthattherewasalatchononesideofthewindowandsheopenedit,callingtohim.Buthehaddisappearedandoutsideshesawonlyswirlingwhitemist.
Disconsolately,sheturnedawayfromthewindowandbeganwalkingdownthehall.
Herownimageglimmeredinmirroraftermirrorasshewentbythem.Thensomethingaboutoneofthereflectionscaughthereye.Theeyeswerehereyes,buttherewasanewlookinthem,apredatory,slylook.Vickie’seyeshadlookedthatwaywhenshewasundressing.Andtherewassomethingdisturbingandhungryabouthersmile.
Asshewatched,standingstill,theimagesuddenlywhirledaroundandaround,asifdancing.HorrorsweptoverElena.Shebegantorundownthehall,butnowallthereflectionshadalifeoftheirown,dancing,beckoningtoher,laughingather.Justwhenshethoughtherheartandlungswouldburstwithterror,shereachedtheendofthecorridorandflungopenadoor.
Shewasstandinginalargeandbeautifulroom.Theloftyceilingwasintricatelycarvedandinlaidwithgold;thedoorwayswerefacedwithwhitemarble.Classicalstatuesstoodinnichesalongthewalls.Elenahadneverseenaroomofsuchsplendor,butsheknewwhereshewas.InRenaissanceItaly,whenStefanPage51
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hadbeenalive.
Shelookeddownatherselfandsawshewaswearingadressliketheoneshe’dhadmadeforHalloween,theiceblueRenaissanceballgown.Butthisdresswasadeeprubyred,andaroundherwaistsheworeathinchainsetwithbrilliantredstones.Thesamestoneswereinherhair.Whenshemoved,thesilkshimmeredlikeflamesinthelightofhundredsoftorches.
Atthefarendoftheroom,twohugedoorsswunginward.Afigureappearedbetweenthem.Itwalkedtowardher,andshesawthatitwasayoungmandressedinRenaissanceclothing,doubletandhoseandfur-trimmedjerkin.
Stefan!Shestartedtowardhimeagerly,feelingtheweightofherdressswingfromthewaist.Butwhenshegotclosershestopped,drawinginasharpbreath.ItwasDamon.
Hekeptonwalkingtowardher,confident,casual.Hewassmiling,asmileofchallenge.Reachingher,heputonehandoverhisheartandbowed.Thenheheldoutthehandtoherasifdaringhertotakeit.
“Doyoulikedancing?”hesaid.Exceptthathislipsdidn’tmove.Thevoicewasinhermind.
Herfeardrainedaway,andshelaughed.Whatwaswrongwithher,tohaveeverbeenafraidofhim?
Theyunderstoodeachotherverywell.Butinsteadoftakinghishand,sheturnedaway,thesilkofthedressturningafterher.Shemovedlightlytowardoneofthestatuesalongthewall,notglancingbacktoseeifhewasfollowingher.Sheknewhewould.Shepretendedtobeabsorbedinthestatue,movingawayagainjustashereachedher,bitingherliptoholdinthelaughter.Shefeltwonderfulrightnow,soalive,sobeautiful.Dangerous?Ofcourse,thisgamewasdangerous.Butshehadalwaysenjoyeddanger.
Thenexttimehedrewnearher,sheglancedathimteasinglyassheturned.Hereachedout,butcaughtonlythejeweledchainatherwaist.Heletgoquickly,and,lookingback,shesawthattheprongedsettingononeofthegemshadcuthim.
Thedropofbloodonhisfingerwasjustthecolorofherdress.Hiseyesflashedathersideways,andhislipscurvedinatauntingsmileasheheldthewoundedfingerup.Youwouldn’tdare,thoseeyessaid.
Oh,wouldn’tI?Elenatoldhimwithherowneyes.Boldly,shetookhishandandhelditamoment,teasinghim.Thenshebroughtthefingertoherlips.
Afterafewmoments,shereleaseditandlookedupathim.“Idolikedancing,”shesaid,andfoundthat,likehim,shecouldspeakwithhermind.Itwasathrillingsensation.Shemovedtothecenteroftheroomandwaited.
Hefollowedher,gracefulasastalkingbeast.Hisfingerswerewarmandhardwhentheyclaspedhers.
Therewasmusic,althoughitfadedinandoutandsoundedfaraway.Damonplacedhisotherhandonherwaist.Shecouldfeelthewarmthofhisfingersthere,thepressure.Shepickedupherskirts,andtheybegandancing.
Itwaslovely,likeflying,andherbodykneweverymovetomake.Theydancedaroundandaroundthatemptyroom,inperfecttiming,together.
Hewaslaughingdownather,hisdarkeyesglitteringwithenjoyment.Shefeltsobeautiful;sopoisedandalertandreadyforanything.Shecouldn’trememberwhenshe’dhadthismuchfun.
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Gradually,though,hissmilefaded,andtheirdancingslowed.Atlastshestoodunmovinginthecircleofhisarms.Hisdarkeyeswerenotamusedanylonger,butfierceandheated.Shelookedupathimsoberly,unafraid.Andthenforthefirsttimeshefeltasifsheweredreaming;shefeltslightlydizzyandverylanguidandweak.
Theroomaroundherwasblurring.Shecouldseeonlyhiseyes,andtheyweremakingherfeelmoreandmoresleepy.Sheallowedherowneyestohalfclose,herheadtofallback.Shesighed.
Shecouldfeelhisgazenow,onherlips,onherthroat.Shesmiledtoherselfandlethereyesclosecompletely.
Hewassupportingherweightnow,keepingherfromfallingdown.Shefelthislipsontheskinofherneck,burninghotasifhehadafever.Thenshefeltthesting,likethejabsoftwoneedles.Itwasoverquickly,though,andsherelaxedtothepleasureofhavingherblooddrawnout.
Sherememberedthisfeeling,thefeelingoffloatingonabedofgoldenlight.Adeliciouslanguorstolethroughallherlimbs.Shefeltdrowsy,asifitweretoomuchtroubletomove.Shedidn’twanttomoveanyway;shefelttoogood.
Herfingerswererestingonhishair,claspinghisheadtoher.Idly,shethreadedthemthroughthesoftdarkstrands.Hishairwaslikesilk,warmandaliveunderherfingers.Whensheopenedhereyesaslit,shesawthatitreflectedrainbowsinthecandlelight.Redandblueandpurple,justlike—justlikethefeathers…
Andtheneverythingshattered.Therewaspainatherthroatsuddenly,asifhersoulwasbeingtornoutofher.ShewaspushingatDamon,clawingathim,tryingtoforcehimaway.Screamsranginherears.
Damonwasfightingher,butitwasn’tDamon;itwasacrow.Hugewingsbeatagainsther,thrashingintheair.
Hereyeswereopen.Shewasawakeandscreaming.Theballroomwasgone,andshewasinadarkenedbedroom.Butthenightmarehadfollowedher.Evenasshereachedforthelight,itcameatheragain,wingsthrashinginherface,sharpbeakdivingforher.
Elenastruckoutatit,onehandflunguptoprotecthereyes.Shewasstillscreaming.Shecouldn’tgetawayfromit,thoseterriblewingskeptflailingfrantically,withasoundlikeathousanddecksofcardsbeingshuffledatonce.
Thedoorburstopen,andsheheardshouts.Thewarm,heavybodyofthecrowstruckherandherscreamswenthigher.Thensomeonewaspullingheroffthebed,andshewasstandingprotectedbehindBonnie’sfather.Hehadabroomandhewasbeatingatthebirdwithit.
Bonniewasstandinginthedoorway.Elenaranintoherarms.Bonnie’sfatherwasshouting,andthencametheslamofawindow.
“It’sout,”Mr.McCulloughsaid,breathinghard.
MaryandMrs.McCulloughwerejustoutsideinthehallway,cladinbathrobes.“You’rehurt,”Mrs.
McCulloughsaidtoElenainamazement.“Thenastything’speckedyou.”
“I’mokay,”Elenasaid,brushingataspotofbloodonherface.ShewassoshakenthatherkneeswerePage53
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abouttogiveout.
“Howdiditgetin?”saidBonnie.
Mr.McCulloughwasinspectingthewindow.“Youshouldn’thaveleftthisopen,”hesaid.“Andwhatdidyouwanttotakethelocksofffor?”
“Ididn’t,”Elenacried.
“ItwasunlockedandopenwhenIheardyouscreamingandcamein,”Bonnie’sfathersaid.“Idon’tknowwhoelsecouldhaveopeneditbutyou.”
Elenachokedbackherprotests.Hesitantly,cautiously,shemovedtothewindow.Hewasright;thelockshadbeenunscrewed.Anditcouldhavebeendoneonlyfromtheinside.“Maybeyouweresleepwalking,”saidBonnie,leadingElenaawayfromthewindowasMr.McCulloughbeganputtingthelocksbackon.“We’dbettergetyoucleanedup.”
Sleepwalking.SuddenlytheentiredreamfloodedbacktoElena.Thehallofmirrors,andtheballroom,andDamon.DancingwithDamon.ShepulledoutofBonnie’sgrasp.
“I’lldoitmyself,”shesaid,hearingherownvoicequaverontheedgeofhysteria.“No—really—Iwantto.”Sheescapedintothebathroomandstoodwithherbacktothelockeddoor,tryingtobreathe.
Thelastthingshewantedtodowaslookinamirror.Butatlast,slowly,sheapproachedtheoneoverthesink,tremblingasshesawtheedgeofherreflection,movinginchbyinchuntilshewasframedinthesilverysurface.
Herimagestaredback,ghastlypale,witheyesthatlookedbruisedandfrightened.Thereweredeepshadowsunderthemandsmearsofbloodonherface.
Slowly,sheturnedherheadslightlyandliftedupherhair.Shealmostcriedoutloudwhenshesawwhatwasunderneath.
Twolittlewounds,freshandopenontheskinofherneck.
Nine
“IknowI’mgoingtobesorryIaskedthis,”Mattsaid,turningred-rimmedeyesfromtheircontemplationofI-95toStefaninthepassengerseatbesidehim.“Butcanyoutellmewhywewanttheseextra-special,not-available-locally,semi-tropicalweedsforElena?”
Stefanlookedintothebackseatattheresultsoftheirsearchthroughhedgerowsandroughgrass.Theplants,withtheirbranchinggreenstemsandtheirsmall-toothedleaves,didlookmorelikeweedsthananythingelse.Thedriedremainsofblossomsattheendsoftheshootswerealmostinvisible,andnoonecouldpretendtheshootsthemselvesweredecorative.
“WhatifIsaidtheycouldbeusedtomakeanall-naturaleyewash?”heoffered,afteramoment’sthought.“Oranherbaltea?”
“Why?Wereyouthinkingofsayingsomethinglikethat?”
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“Notreally.”
“Good.BecauseifyoudidI’dprobablydeckyou.”
WithoutactuallylookingatMatt,Stefansmiled.Therewassomethingnewstirringinsidehim,somethinghehadn’tfeltfornearlyfivecenturies,exceptwithElena.Acceptance.Warmthandfriendshipsharedwithafellowbeing,whodidnotknowthetruthabouthim,butwhotrustedhimanyway.Whowaswillingtotakehimonfaith.Hewasn’tsurehedeservedit,buthecouldn’tdenywhatitmeanttohim.Italmostmadehimfeel…humanagain.
Elenastaredatherimageinthemirror.Ithadn’tbeenadream.Notentirely.Thewoundsinherneckprovedthat.Andnowthatshe’dseenthem,shenoticedthefeelingoflight-headedness,oflethargy.
Itwasherownfault.She’dtakensomuchtroubletowarnBonnieandMeredithnottoinviteanystrangersintotheirhouses.Andallthetimeshe’dforgottenthatsheherselfhadinvitedDamonintoBonnie’shouse.She’ddoneitthatnightshehadsetupthedumbsupperinBonnie’sdiningroomandcalledoutintothedarkness,“Comein.”
Andtheinvitationwasgoodforever.Hecouldreturnanytimeheliked,evennow.Especiallynow,whileshewasweakandmighteasilybehypnotizedintounlockingawindowagain.
Elenastumbledoutofthebathroom,pastBonnie,andintotheguestbedroom.Shegrabbedhertotebagandbeganstuffingthingsintoit.
“Elena,youcan’tgohome!”
“Ican’tstayhere,”Elenasaid.Shelookedaroundforhershoes,spottedthembythebed,andstartedforward.Thenshestopped,withastrangledsound.Lyingonthedaintycrumpledlinenofthebedtherewasasingleblackfeather.Itwashuge,horriblyhugeandrealandsolid,withathick,waxy-lookingshaft.
Itlookedalmostobscenerestingthereonthewhitepercalesheets.
NauseasweptoverElena,andsheturnedaway.Shecouldn’tbreathe.
“Okay,okay,”Bonniesaid.“Ifyoufeelthatwayaboutit,I’llgetDadtotakeyouhome.”
“Youhavetocome,too.”IthadjustdawnedonElenathatBonniewasnosaferinthishousethanshewas.Youandyourlovedones,sheremembered,andturnedtograspBonnie’sarm.“Youhaveto,Bonnie.Ineedyouwithme.”
Andatlastshegotherway.TheMcCulloughsthoughtshewashysterical,thatshewasoverreacting,possiblythatshewashavinganervousbreakdown.Butfinallytheygavein.Mr.McCulloughdroveherandBonnietotheGilberthouse,where,feelinglikeburglars,theyunlockedthedoorandcreptinsidewithoutwakinganyoneup.
Evenhere,Elenacouldn’tsleep.ShelaybesideBonnie’ssoftlybreathingform,staringtowardherbedroomwindow,watching.Outside,thequincebranchessqueakedagainsttheglass,butnothingelsemoveduntildawn.
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Thatwaswhensheheardthecar.She’dknowthewheezingsoundofMatt’sengineanywhere.Alarmed,shetiptoedtothewindowandlookedoutintotheearly-morningstillnessofanothergrayday.Thenshehurrieddownstairsandopenedthefrontdoor.
“Stefan!”Shehadneverbeensogladtoseeanyoneinherlife.Sheflungherselfuponhimbeforehecouldevenshutthecardoor.
Heswayedbackwardwiththeforceofherimpact,andshecouldfeelhissurprise.Shewasn’tusuallysodemonstrativeinpublic.
“Hey,”hesaid,returningthehuggently.“Me,too,butdon’tcrushtheflowers.”
“Flowers?”Shepulledbacktolookatwhathewascarrying;then,shelookedathisface.ThenatMatt,whowasemergingfromtheothersideofthecar.Stefan’sfacewaspaleanddrawn;Matt’swaspuffywithtiredness,withbloodshoteyes.
“You’dbettercomeinside,”shesaidatlast,bewildered.“Youbothlookawful.”
“It’svervain,”saidStefan,sometimelater.HeandElenaweresittingatthekitchentable.Throughtheopendoorway,Mattcouldbeseenstretchedoutonthefamilyroomsofa,snoringgently.He’dfloppedthereaftereatingthreebowlsofcereal.AuntJudith,Bonnie,andMargaretwerestillupstairsasleep,butStefankepthisvoicelowjustthesame.“YourememberwhatItoldyouaboutit?”hesaid.
“YousaidithelpskeepyourmindclearevenwhensomeoneisusingPowertoinfluenceit.”Elenawasproudofhowsteadyhervoicewas.
“Right.Andthat’soneofthethingsDamonmighttry.Hecanusethepowerofhismindevenfromadistance,andhecandoitwhetheryou’reawakeorasleep.”
TearsfilledElena’seyes,andshelookeddowntohidethem,gazingatthelongslenderstemswiththedriedremainsoftinylilacflowersattheverytips.“Asleep?”shesaid,afraidthatthistimehervoicewasnotassteady.
“Yes.Hecouldinfluenceyoutocomeoutofthehouse,say,ortolethimin.Butthevervainshouldpreventthat.”Stefansoundedtired,butsatisfiedwithhimself.
Oh,Stefan,ifyouonlyknew,Elenathought.Thegifthadcomeonenighttoolate.Inspiteofallherefforts,atearfell,drippingontothelonggreenleaves
“Elena!”Hesoundedstartled.“Whatisit?Tellme.”
Hewastryingtolookintoherface,butshebowedherhead,pressingitintohisshoulder.Heputhisarmsaroundher,nottryingtoforceherupagain.“Tellme,”herepeatedsoftly.
Thiswasthemoment.Ifshewasevergoingtotellhim,itshouldbenow.Herthroatfeltburnedandswollen,andshewantedtoletallthewordsinsidepourout.
Butshecouldn’t.Nomatterwhat,Iwon’tletthemfightoverme,shethought.
“It’sjustthat—Iwasworriedaboutyou,”shemanaged.“Ididn’tknowwhereyou’dgone,orwhenyouwerecomingback.”
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“Ishouldhavetoldyou.Butthat’sall?There’snothingelseupsettingyou?”
“That’sall.”NowshewouldhavetoswearBonnietosecrecyaboutthecrow.Whydidoneliealwaysleadtoanother?“Whatshouldwedowiththevervain?”sheasked,sittingback.
“I’llshowyoutonight.OnceI’veextractedtheoilfromtheseeds,youcanrubitintoyourskinoraddittoabath.Andyoucanmakethedriedleavesintoasachetandcarryitwithyouorputitunderyourpillowatnight.”
“I’dbettergivethemtoBonnieandMeredith,too.They’llneedprotection.”
Henodded.“Fornow—”Hebrokeoffasprigandplaceditinherhand.“—justtakethistoschoolwithyou.I’mgoingbacktotheboardinghousetoextracttheoil.”Hepausedamomentandthenspoke.
“Elena…”
“Yes?”
“IfIthoughtitwoulddoyouanygood,I’dleave.Iwouldn’texposeyoutoDamon.ButIdon’tthinkhe’dfollowmeifIwent,notanymore.Ithinkhemightstay—becauseofyou.”
“Don’teventhinkaboutleaving,”shesaidfiercely,lookingupathim.“Stefan,that’stheonethingIcouldn’tstand.Promiseyouwon’t;promiseme.”
“Iwon’tleaveyoualonewithhim,”Stefansaid,whichwasnotquitethesamething.Buttherewasnopointinpushinghimfurther.
Instead,shehelpedhimwakeupMatt,andsawthembothoff.Then,withastemofdriedvervaininherhand,shewentupstairstogetreadyforschool.
Bonnieyawnedallthewaythroughbreakfast,andshedidn’treallywakeupuntiltheywereoutside,walkingtoschoolwithabriskbreezeintheirfaces.Itwasgoingtobeacoldday.
“Ihadaveryweirddreamlastnight,”Bonniesaid.
Elena’sheartjumped.She’dalreadytuckedasprigofvervainintoBonnie’sbackpack,downatthebottom,whereBonniewouldn’tseeit.ButifDamonhadgottentoBonnielastnight…
“Whatabout?”shesaid,bracingherself.
“Aboutyou.Isawyoustandingunderatreeandthewindwasblowing.Forsomereason,Iwasafraidofyou,andIdidn’twanttogoanycloser.Youlooked…different.Verypalebutalmostglowing.Andthenacrowflewdownfromthetree,andyoureachedoutandgrabbeditinmidair.Youweresofastitwasunbelievable.Andthenyoulookedoveratme,withthisexpression.Youweresmiling,butitmademewanttorun.Andthenyoutwistedthecrow’sneck,anditwasdead.”
Elenahadlistenedtothiswithgrowinghorror.Nowshesaid,“That’sadisgustingdream.”
“Itis,isn’tit?”saidBonniecomposedly.“Iwonderwhatitmeans?Crowsarebirdsofillomeninthelegends.Theycanforetelladeath.”
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“ItprobablymeantthatyouknewhowupsetIwas,findingthatcrowintheroom.”
“Yes,”Bonniesaid.“Exceptforonething.Ihadthisdreambeforeyouwokeusallupscreaming.”
Thatdayatlunchtimetherewasanotherpieceofvioletpaperontheofficebulletinboard.Thisone,though,readsimply:LOOKINPERSONALS
“Whatpersonals?”saidBonnie.
Meredith,walkingupatthatmomentwithacopyoftheWildcatWeekly,theschoolnewspaper,providedtheanswer.“Haveyouseenthis?”shesaid.
Itwasinthepersonalssection,completelyanonymous,withneithersalutationnorsignature.Ican’tbearthethoughtoflosinghim.Buthe’ssoveryunhappyaboutsomething,andifhewon’ttellmewhatitis,ifhewon’ttrustmethatmuch,Idon’tseeanyhopeforus
Readingit,Elenafeltaburstofnewenergythroughhertiredness.Oh,God,shehatedwhoeverwasdoingthis.Sheimaginedshootingthem,stabbingthem,watchingthemfall.Andthen,vividly,sheimaginedsomethingelse.Yankingbackafistfulofthethief’shairandsinkingherteethintoanunprotectedthroat.Itwasastrange,unsettlingvision,butforamomentitalmostseemedreal.
ShebecameawarethatBonnieandMeredithwerelookingather.
“Well?”shesaid,feelingslightlyuncomfortable.
“Icouldtellyouweren’tlistening,”sighedBonnie.“Ijustsaiditstilldoesn’tlooklikeDa—likethekiller’sworktome.Itdoesn’tseemlikeamurdererwouldbesopetty.”
“MuchasIhatetoagreewithher,she’sright,”Meredithsaid.“Thissmellslikesomeonesneaky.
Someonewhohasagrudgeagainstyoupersonallyandwhoreallywantstomakeyousuffer.”
SalivahadcollectedinElena’smouth,andsheswallowed.“Alsosomebodywho’sfamiliarwiththeschool.Theyhadtofilloutaformforapersonalsmessageinoneofthejournalismclasses,”shesaid.
“Andsomebodywhoknewyoukeptadiary,assumingtheystoleitonpurpose.Maybetheywereinoneofyourclassesthatdayyoutookittoschool.Remember?WhenMr.Tanneralmostcaughtyou,”Bonnieadded.
“Ms.Halperndidcatchme;sheevenreadsomeofitaloud,abitaboutStefan.ThatwasrightafterStefanandIgottogether.Waitaminute,Bonnie.Thatnightatyourhousewhenthediarywasstolen,howlongwereyoutwooutofthelivingroom?”
“Justafewminutes.Yangtzehadstoppedbarking,andIwenttothedoortolethimin,and…”Bonniepressedherlipstogetherandshrugged.
“Sothethiefhadtobefamiliarwithyourhouse,”saidMeredithswiftly,“orheorshewouldn’thavebeenabletogetin,getthediary,andgetoutagainbeforewesawthem.Allright,then,we’relookingforsomeonesneakyandcruel,probablyinoneofyourclasses,Elena,andmostlikelyfamiliarwithBonnie’shouse.Someonewhohasapersonalgrudgeandwillstooptoanythingtogetyou…Oh,myGod.”
Thethreeofthemstaredatoneanother.
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“Ithastobe,”whisperedBonnie.“Ithasto.”
“We’resostupid;weshouldhaveseenitrightaway,”saidMeredith.
ForElena,itmeantthesuddenrealizationthatalltheangershe’dfeltaboutthisbeforewasnothingtotheangershewascapableoffeeling.Acandleflametothesun.
“Caroline,”shesaid,andclenchedherteethsohardherjawhurt.
Caroline.Elenaactuallyfeltshecouldkillthegreen-eyedgirlrightnow.AndshemighthaverushedouttotryifBonnieandMeredithhadn’tstoppedher.
“Afterschool,”saidMeredithfirmly,“whenwecantakehersomewhereprivate.Justwaitthatlong,Elena.”
Butastheyheadedforthecafeteria,Elenanoticedanauburnheaddisappearingdowntheartandmusiccorridor.AndsherememberedsomethingStefanhadsaidearlierthisyear,aboutCarolinetakinghimintothephotographyroomatlunchtime.Forprivacy,Carolinehadtoldhim.
“Youtwogoon;Iforgotsomething,”shesaidassoonasBonnieandMeredithbothhadfoodontheircafeteriatrays.Thenshepretendedtobedeafasshewalkedrapidlyoutandbacktrackedtotheartwing.
Alltheroomsweredark,butthephotographyroom’sdoorwasunlocked.SomethingmadeElenaturntheknobcautiously,andmovequietlyonceshewasinside,ratherthanmarchingintostartaconfrontationasshe’dplanned.WasCarolineinhere?Ifso,whatwasshedoingaloneinthedark?
Theroomappearedatfirsttobedeserted.ThenElenaheardthemurmurofvoicesfromasmallalcoveattheback,andshesawthatthedarkroomdoorwasajar.
Silently,stealthily,shemadeherwayuntilshestoodjustoutsidethedoorway,andthemurmurofsoundresolveditselfintowords.
“Buthowcanwebesureshe’llbetheonetheypick?”ThatwasCaroline.
“Myfather’sontheschoolboard.They’llpickher,allright.”AndthatwasTylerSmallwood.Hisfatherwasalawyer,andoneveryboardtherewas.“Besides,whoelsewoulditbe?”hecontinued.”‘TheSpiritofFell’sChurch’issupposedtobebrainyaswellasbuilt.”
“AndIdon’thavebrains,Isuppose?”
“DidIsaythat?Look,ifyouwanttobetheonetoparadeinawhitedressonFounders’Day,fine.ButifyouwanttoseeStefanSalvatorerunoutoftownontheevidenceofhisowngirlfriend’sdiary…”
“Butwhywaitsolong?”
Tylersoundedimpatient.“Becausethiswayit’llruinthecelebration,too.TheFells’celebration.Whyshouldtheygetthecreditforfoundingthistown?TheSmallwoodswereherefirst.”
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school.”
“AndSalvatore.”ThepurehatredandmaliceinTyler’svoicemadeElena’sfleshcrawl.“He’llbeluckyifhedoesn’tenduphangingfromatree.You’resuretheevidenceisthere?”
“HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyou?First,itsaysshelosttheribbononSeptembersecondinthecemetery.Then,itsaysStefanpickeditupthatdayandkeptit.WickeryBridgeisrightbesidethecemetery.ThatmeansStefanwasnearthebridgeonSeptembersecond,thenighttheoldmanwasattackedthere.EverybodyalreadyknowshewasonhandfortheattacksonVickieandTanner.Whatmoredoyouwant?”
“Itwouldneverstandupincourt.MaybeIshouldgetsomecorroboratingevidence.LikeaskoldMrs.
Flowerswhattimehegothomethatnight.”
“Oh,whocares?Mostpeoplethinkhe’sguiltyalready.Thediarytalksaboutsomebigsecrethe’shidingfromeveryone.Peoplewillgettheidea.”
“You’rekeepingitinasafeplace?”
“No,Tyler,I’mkeepingitoutonthecoffeetable.HowstupiddoyouthinkIam?”
“StupidenoughtosendElenanotestippingheroff.”Therewasacrackle,asofnewspaper.“Lookatthis,thisisunbelievable.Andit’sgottostop,now.Whatifshefiguresoutwho’sdoingit?”
“What’sshegoingtodoaboutit,callthepolice?”
“Istillwantyoutolayoff.JustwaituntilFounders’Day;thenyou’llgettowatchtheIcePrincessmelt.”
“AndtosayciaotoStefan.Tyler…nobody’sreallygoingtohurthim,arethey?”
“Whocares?”Tylermockedherearliertone.“Youleavethattomeandmyfriends,Caroline.Youjustdoyourpart,okay?”
Caroline’svoicedroppedtoathroatymurmur.“Convinceme.”AfterapauseTylerchuckled.
Therewasmovement,rustlingsounds,asigh.Elenaturnedandslippedoutoftheroomasquietlyasshehadcomein.
Shegotintothenexthallway,andthensheleanedagainstthelockersthere,tryingtothink.
Itwasalmosttoomuchtoabsorbatonce.Caroline,whohadoncebeenherbestfriend,hadbetrayedherandwantedtoseeherhumiliatedinfrontofthewholeschool.Tyler,who’dalwaysseemedmoreanannoyingjerkthanarealthreat,wasplanningtogetStefandrivenoutoftown—orkilled.AndtheworstthingwasthattheywereusingElena’sowndiarytodoit.
Nowsheunderstoodthebeginningofherdreamlastnight.She’dhadadreamlikeitthedaybeforeshehaddiscoveredthatStefanwasmissing.Inboth,Stefanhadlookedatherwithangry,accusingeyes,andthenhehadthrownabookatherfeetandwalkedaway.
Notabook.Herdiary.WhichhadinitevidencethatcouldbedeadlytoStefan.ThreetimespeopleinFell’sChurchhadbeenattacked,andthreetimesStefanhadbeenonthescene.WhatwouldthatlookPage60
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liketothetown,tothepolice?
Andtherewasnowaytotellthetruth.Supposingshesaid,“Stefanisn’tguilty.It’shisbrotherDamonwhohateshimandwhoknowshowmuchStefanhateseventhethoughtofhurtingandkilling.AndwhofollowedStefanaroundandattackedpeopletomakeStefanthinkmaybeStefanhaddoneit,todrivehimmad.Andwho’shereintownsomewhere—lookforhiminthecemeteryorinthewoods.But,oh,bytheway,don’tjustsearchforagood-lookingguy,becausehemightbeacrowatthemoment.
“Incidentally,he’savampire.”
Shedidn’tevenbelieveitherself.Itsoundedludicrous.
Atwingefromthesideofherneckremindedherhowserioustheludicrousstoryreallywas.Shefeltoddtoday,almostasifsheweresick.Itwasmorethanjusttensionandlackofsleep.Shefeltslightlydizzy,andattimesthegroundseemedtobespongy,givingwayunderherfeetandthenspringingback.
Flusymptoms,exceptthatshewassuretheyweren’tduetoanyvirusinherbloodstream.
Damon’sfault,again.EverythingwasDamon’sfault,exceptthediary.Shehadnoonetoblameforthatbutherself.Ifonlyshehadn’twrittenaboutStefan,ifonlyshehadn’tbroughtthediarytoschool.Ifonlyshehadn’tleftitinBonnie’slivingroom.Ifonly,ifonly.
Rightnowallthatmatteredwasthatshehadtogetitback.
Ten
Thebellrang.TherewasnotimetogobacktothecafeteriaandtellBonnieandMeredith.Elenasetoffforhernextclass,pasttheavertedfacesandhostileeyesthatwerebecomingalltoofamiliarthesedays.
Itwashard,inhistoryclass,nottostareatCaroline,nottoletCarolineknowsheknew.AlaricaskedaboutMattandStefanbeingabsentfortheseconddayinarow,andElenashrugged,feelingexposedandondisplay.Shedidn’ttrustthismanwiththeboyishsmileandthehazeleyesandthethirstforknowledgeaboutMr.Tanner’sdeath.AndBonnie,whosimplygazedatAlaricsoulfully,wasnohelpatall.
AfterclassshecaughtascrapofSueCarson’sconversation.“…he’sonvacationfromcollege—Iforgetexactlywhere…”
Elenahadhadenoughofdiscreetsilence.ShespunaroundandspokedirectlytoSueandthegirlSuewastalkingto,burstinguninvitedintotheirdiscussion.
“IfIwereyou,”shesaidtoSue,“IwouldkeepawayfromDamon.Imeanthat.”
Therewasstartled,embarrassedlaughter.Suewasoneofthefewpeopleatschoolwhohadn’tshunnedElena,andnowshewaslookingasifshewishedshehad.
“Youmean,”saidtheothergirlhesitantly,“becausehe’syours,too?Or—”
Elena’sownlaughterwasharsh.“Imeanbecausehe’sdangerous,”shesaid.“AndI’mnotjoking.”
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awaybyturningonherheelandleaving.ShecollectedBonniefromAlaric’sclusterofafter-schoolgroupiesandheadedforMeredith’slocker.
“Wherearewegoing?IthoughtweweregoingtotalktoCaroline.”
“Notanymore,”Elenasaid.“Waituntilwegethome.ThenI’lltellyouwhy.”
“Ican’tbelieveit,”saidBonnieanhourlater.“Imean,Ibelieveit,butIcan’tbelieveit.NotevenofCaroline.”
“It’sTyler,”Elenasaid.“He’stheonewiththebigplans.Somuchformennotbeinginterestedindiaries.”
“Actually,weshouldthankhim,”saidMeredith.“BecauseofhimatleastwehaveuntilFounders’Daytodosomethingaboutit.WhydidyousayitwassupposedtobeonFounders’Day,Elena?”
“TylerhassomethingagainsttheFells.”
“Butthey’realldead,”saidBonnie.
“Well,thatdoesn’tseemtomattertoTyler.Irememberhimtalkingaboutitinthegraveyard,too,whenwewerelookingattheirtomb.Hethinkstheystolehisancestors’rightfulplaceasthetown’sfoundersorsomething.”
“Elena,”Meredithsaidseriously,“isthereanythingelseinthediarythatcouldhurtStefan?Besidesthethingabouttheoldman,Imean.”
“Isn’tthatenough?”Withthosesteady,darkeyesonher,Elenafeltdiscomfortflutterbetweenherribs.
WhatwasMeredithasking?
“EnoughtogetStefanrunoutoftownliketheysaid,”agreedBonnie.
“EnoughthatwehavetogetthediarybackfromCaroline,”Elenasaid.“Theonlyquestionis,how?”
“Carolinesaidshehadithiddensomewheresafe.Thatprobablymeansherhouse.”Meredithchewedherlipthoughtfully.“She’sgotjusttheonebrotherineighthgrade,right?Andhermomdoesn’twork,butshegoesshoppinginRoanokealot.Dotheystillhaveamaid?”
“Why?”saidBonnie.“Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”
“Well,wedon’twantanybodywalkinginwhilewe’reburglarizingthehouse.”
“Whilewe’rewhat?”Bonnie’svoicerosetoasqueak.“Youcan’tbeserious!”
“Whatarewesupposedtodo,justsitbackandwaituntilFounders’Day,andletherreadElena’sdiaryinfrontofthetown?Shestoleitfromyourhouse.We’vejustgottostealitback,”Meredithsaid,maddeninglycalm.
“We’llgetcaught.We’llgetexpelledfromschool—ifwedon’tendupgoingtojail.”BonnieturnedtoElenainappeal.“Tellher,Elena.”
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“Well…”Inallhonesty,theprospectmadeElenaherselfalittlequeasy.Itwasn’tsomuchtheideaofexpulsion,orevenjail,asjustthethoughtofbeingcaughtintheact.Mrs.Forbes’shaughtyfacefloatedbeforehereyes,fullofrighteousindignation.ThenitchangedtoCaroline’s,laughingspitefullyashermotherpointedanaccusingfingerrightatElena.
Besides,itseemedsucha…aviolation,togointosomeone’shousewhentheywerenotthere,tosearchtheirpossessions.Shewouldhateitifsomeonedidthattoher.
But,ofcourse,someonehad.CarolinehadviolatedBonnie’shouse,andrightnowhadElena’smostprivatepossessioninherhands.
“Let’sdoit,”Elenasaidquietly.“Butlet’sbecareful.”
“Can’twetalkaboutthis?”saidBonnieweakly,lookingfromMeredith’sdeterminedfacetoElena’s.
“There’snothingtotalkabout.You’recoming,”Meredithtoldher.“Youpromised,”sheadded,asBonnietookabreathtoobjectafresh.Andsheheldupherindexfinger.
“ThebloodoathwasonlytohelpElenagetStefan!”Bonniecried.
“Thinkagain,”saidMeredith.“YousworeyouwoulddowhateverElenaaskedinrelationtoStefan.
Therewasn’tanythingaboutatimelimitorabout‘onlyuntilElenagetshim.’”
Bonnie’smouthdroppedopen.ShelookedatElena,whowasalmostlaughinginspiteofherself.“It’strue,”Elenasaidsolemnly.“Andyousaidityourself:‘Swearingwithbloodmeansyouhavetosticktoyouroathnomatterwhathappens.’”
Bonnieshuthermouthandthrustherchinout.“Right,”shesaidgrimly.“NowI’mstuckfortherestofmylifedoingwhateverElenawantsmetodoaboutStefan.Wonderful.”
“ThisisthelastthingI’lleverask,”Elenasaid.“AndIpromisethat.Iswear—”
“Don’t!”saidMeredith,suddenlyserious.“Don’t,Elena.Youmightbesorrylater.”
“Nowyou’retakingupprophecy,too?”Elenasaid.Andthensheasked,“SohowarewegoingtogetholdofCaroline’shousekeyforanhourorso?”
November9,SaturdayDearDiary,
I’msorryit’sbeensolong.LatelyI’vebeentoobusyortoodepressed—orboth—towriteyou
Besides,witheverythingthat’shappenedI’malmostafraidtokeepadiaryatallanymore.ButIneedsomeonetoturnto,becauserightnowthere’snotasinglehumanbeing,notasinglepersononearth,thatI’mnotkeepingsomethingfrom.
BonnieandMeredithcan’tknowthetruthaboutStefan.Stefancan’tknowthetruthaboutDamon.AuntJudithcan’tknowaboutanything.BonnieandMeredithknowaboutCarolineandthediary;Stefandoesn’t.StefanknowsaboutthevervainIuseeverydaynow,BonnieandMeredithdon’t.EvenPage63
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thoughI’vegivenbothofthemsachetsfullofthestuff.Onegoodthing:itseemstowork,oratleastIhaven’tbeensleepwalkingagainsincethatnight.ButitwouldbealietosayIhaven’tbeendreamingaboutDamon.He’sinallmynightmares
Mylifeisfullofliesrightnow,andIneedsomeonetobecompletelyhonestwith.I’mgoingtohidethisdiaryundertheloosefloorboardinthecloset,sothatnoonewillfinditevenifIdropdeadandtheycleanoutmyroom.MaybeoneofMargaret’sgrandchildrenwillbeplayingintheresomeday,andwillpryuptheboardandpullitout,butuntilthen,nobody.Thisdiaryismylastsecret
Idon’tknowwhyI’mthinkingaboutdeathanddying.That’sBonnie’scraze;she’stheonewhothinksitwouldbesoromantic.Iknowwhatit’sreallylike;therewasnothingromanticaboutitwhenMomandDaddied.Justtheworstfeelingsintheworld.Iwanttoliveforagoodlongtime,marryStefan,andbehappy.Andthere’snoreasonwhyIcan’t,oncealltheseproblemsarebehindus.
ExceptthattherearetimeswhenIgetscaredandIdon’tbelievethat.Andtherearelittlethingsthatshouldn’tmatter,buttheybotherme.LikewhyStefanstillwearsCatherine’sringaroundhisneck,eventhoughIknowhelovesme.Likewhyhe’sneversaidhelovesme,eventhoughIknowit’strue.
Itdoesn’tmatter.Everythingwillworkout.Ithastoworkout.Andthenwe’llbetogetherandbehappy.
There’snoreasonwhywecan’t.There’snoreasonwhywecan’t.There’snoreasonElenastoppedwriting,tryingtokeepthelettersonthepageinfocus.Buttheyonlyblurredfurther,andsheshutthebookbeforeabetrayingteardropcouldfallontheink.Thenshewentovertothecloset,priedupthelooseboardwithanailfile,andputthediarythere.
Shehadthenailfileinherpocketaweeklaterasthethreeofthem,sheandBonnieandMeredith,stoodoutsideCaroline’sbackdoor.
“Hurryup,”hissedBonnieinagony,lookingaroundtheyardasifsheexpectedsomethingtojumpoutatthem.“Comeon,Meredith!”
“There,”saidMeredith,asthekeyfinallywenttherightwayintothedeadboltlockandthedoorknobyieldedtoherturningfingers.“We’rein.”
“Areyousurethey’renotin?Elena,whatiftheycomebackearly?Whycouldn’twedothisinthedaytime,atleast?”
“Bonnie,willyougetinside?We’vebeenthroughallthis.Themaid’salwayshereinthedaytime.Andtheywon’tbebackearlytonightunlesssomebodygetssickatChezLouis.Now,comeon!”saidElena.
“NobodywoulddaretogetsickatMr.Forbes’sbirthdaydinner,”MeredithsaidcomfortinglytoBonnieasthesmallergirlsteppedin.“We’resafe.”
“Ifthey’vegotenoughmoneytogotoexpensiverestaurants,you’dthinktheycouldaffordtoleaveafewlightson,”saidBonnie,refusingtobecomforted.
Privately,Elenaagreedwiththis.Itwasstrangeanddisconcertingtobewanderingthroughsomeoneelse’shouseinthedark,andherheartpoundedchokinglyastheywentupthestairs.Herpalm,clutchingPage64
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thekeychainflashlightthatshowedtheway,waswetandslippery.Butinspiteofthesephysicalsymptomsofpanic,hermindwasstilloperatingcoolly,almostwithdetachment.
“It’sgottobeinherbedroom,”shesaid.
Caroline’swindowfacedthestreet,whichmeanttheyhadtobeevenmorecarefulnottoshowalightthere.Elenaswungthetinybeamoftheflashlightaroundwithafeelingofdismay.Itwasonethingtoplantosearchsomeone’sroom,topictureefficientlyandmethodicallygoingthroughdrawers.Itwasanotherthingactuallytobestandinghere,surroundedbywhatseemedlikethousandsofplacestohidesomething,andfeelingafraidtotouchanythingincaseCarolinenoticedithadbeendisturbed.
Theothertwogirlswerealsostandingstill.
“Maybeweshouldjustgohome,”Bonniesaidquietly.AndMeredithdidnotcontradicther.
“Wehavetotry.Atleasttry,”saidElena,hearinghowtinnyandhollowhervoicesounded.Sheeasedopenadraweronthehighboyandshonethelightontodaintypilesoflacyunderwear.Amoment’spokingthroughthemassuredhertherewasnothinglikeabookthere.Shestraightenedthepilesandshutthedraweragain.Thensheletoutherbreath.
“It’snotthathard,”shesaid.“Whatweneedtodoisdivideuptheroomandthensearcheverythinginoursection,everydrawer,everypieceoffurniture,everyobjectbigenoughtohideadiaryin.”
Sheassignedherselfthecloset,andthefirstthingshedidwasprodatthefloorboardswithhernailfile.
ButCaroline’sboardsallseemedtobesecureandthewallsoftheclosetsoundedsolid.RummagingthroughCaroline’sclothesshefoundseveralthingsshe’dlenttheothergirllastyear.Shewastemptedtotakethemback,butofcourseshecouldn’t.AsearchofCaroline’sshoesandpursesrevealednothing,evenwhenshedraggedachairoversothatshecouldinvestigatethetopshelfoftheclosetthoroughly.
Meredithwassittingonthefloorexaminingapileofstuffedanimalsthathadbeenrelegatedtoachestwithotherchildishmementos.Sheranherlongsensitivefingersovereach,checkingforslitsinthematerial.Whenshereachedafluffypoodle,shepaused.
“Igavethistoher,”shewhispered.“Ithinkforhertenthbirthday.Ithoughtshe’dthrownitaway.”
Elenacouldn’tseehereyes;Meredith’sownflashlightwasturnedonthepoodle.ButsheknewhowMeredithwasfeeling.
“Itriedtomakeupwithher,”shesaidsoftly.“Idid,Meredith,attheHauntedHouse.ButsheasgoodastoldmeshewouldneverforgivemefortakingStefanfromher.Iwishthingscouldbedifferent,butshewon’tletthembe.”
“Sonowit’swar.”
“Sonowit’swar,”saidElena,flatandfinal.ShewatchedasMeredithputthepoodleasideandpickedupthenextanimal.Thensheturnedbacktoherownsearch.
Butshehadnobetterluckwiththedresserthanshehadwiththecloset.Andwitheverymomentthatpassedshefeltmoreuneasy,morecertainthattheywereabouttohearacarpullingintotheForbes’
driveway.
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“It’snouse,”Meredithsaidatlast,feelingunderneathCaroline’smattress.“Shemusthavehiddenit…
wait.There’ssomethinghere.Icanfeelacorner.”
ElenaandBonniestaredfromoppositeendsoftheroom,momentarilyfrozen.
“I’vegotit.Elena,it’sadiary!”
ReliefswoopedthroughElenathen,andshefeltlikeacrumpledpieceofpaperbeingstraightenedandsmoothed.Shecouldmoveagain.Breathingwaswonderful.She’dknown,she’dknownallalongthatnothingreallyterriblecouldhappentoStefan.Lifecouldn’tbethatcruel,nottoElenaGilbert.Theywereallsafenow.
ButMeredith’svoicewaspuzzled.“It’sadiary.Butit’sgreen,notblue.It’sthewrongone.”
”What?”Elenasnatchedthelittlebook,shiningherlightonit,tryingtomaketheemeraldgreenofthecoverchangeintosapphireblue.Itdidn’twork.Thisdiarywasalmostexactlylikehers,butitwasn’thers.
“It’sCaroline’s,”shesaidstupidly,stillnotwantingtobelieveit.
BonnieandMeredithcrowdedclose.Theyalllookedattheclosedbook,andthenatoneanother.
“Theremightbeclues,”saidElenaslowly.
“It’sonlyfair,”agreedMeredith.ButitwasBonniewhoactuallytookthediaryandopenedit.
ElenapeeredoverhershoulderatCaroline’sspikyback-slantedwriting,sodifferentfromtheblocklettersofthepurplenotes.Atfirsthereyeswouldn’tfocus,butthenanameleaptoutather.Elena
“Wait,what’sthat?”
Bonnie,whowastheonlyoneactuallyinapositiontoreadmorethanoneortwowords,wassilentamoment,herlipsmoving.Thenshesnorted.
“Listentothis,”shesaid,andread:”‘Elena’sthemostselfishpersonI’veeverknown.Everyonethinksshe’ssotogether,butit’sreallyjustcoldness.It’ssickeningthewaypeoplesuckuptoher,neverrealizingthatshedoesn’tgiveadamnaboutanyoneoranythingexceptElena.’”
”Carolinesaysthat?Sheshouldtalk!”ButElenacouldfeelheatinherface.Itwas,practically,whatMatthadsaidaboutherwhenshewasafterStefan.
“Goon,there’smore,”saidMeredith,pokingatBonnie,whocontinuedinanoffendedvoice.
”‘Bonnie’salmostasbadthesedays,alwaystryingtomakeherselfimportant.Thenewestthingispretendingshe’spsychicsopeoplewillpayattentiontoher.Ifshewasreallypsychicshe’dfigureoutthatElenaisjustusingher.
Therewasaheavypause,andthenElenasaid,“Isthatall?”
“No,there’sabitaboutMeredith.‘Meredithdoesn’tdoanythingtostopit.Infact,Meredithdoesn’tdoanything;shejustwatches.It’sasifshecan’tact;shecanonlyreacttothings.Besides,I’veheardmyparentstalkingaboutherfamily—nowondershenevermentionsthem.’What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
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Meredithhadn’tmoved,andElenacouldseeonlyherneckandchininthedimlight.Butshespokequietlyandsteadily.“Itdoesn’tmatter.Keeponlooking,Bonnie,forsomethingaboutElena’sdiary.”
“TryaroundOctobereighteenth.Thatwaswhenitwasstolen,”saidElena,puttingherquestionsaside.
She’daskMeredithaboutitlater.
TherewasnoentryforOctobereighteenthortheweekendafter;infact,therewereonlyafewentriesforthefollowingweeks.Noneofthemmentionedthediary
“Well,that’sitthen,”saidMeredith,sittingback.“Thisbookisuseless.Unlesswewanttoblackmailherwithit.Youknow,likewewon’tshowhersifshewon’tshowyours.”
Itwasatemptingidea,butBonniespottedtheflaw.“There’snothingbadaboutCarolineinhere;it’salljustcomplaintsaboutotherpeople.Mostlyus.I’llbetCarolinewouldlovetohaveitreadoutloudinfrontofthewholeschool.It’dmakeherday.”
“Sowhatdowedowithit?”
“Putitback,”saidElenatiredly.Sheswungherlightaroundtheroom,whichseemedtohereyestobefilledwithsubtledifferencesfromwhenthey’dcomein.“We’lljusthavetokeeponpretendingwedon’tknowshehasmydiary,andhopeforanotherchance.”
“Allright,”saidBonnie,butshewentonthumbingthroughthelittlebook,occasionallygivingventtoanindignantsnortorhiss.“Willyoulistentothis!”sheexclaimed.
“Thereisn’ttime,”Elenasaid.Shewouldhavesaidsomethingelse,butatthatmomentMeredithspoke,hertonecommandingeveryone’simmediateattention.
“Acar.”
IttookonlyasecondtoascertainthatthevehiclewaspullingupintotheForbes’driveway.Bonnie’seyesandmouthwerewideandroundandsheseemedtobeparalyzed,kneelingbythebed.
“Go!Goon,”saidElena,snatchingthedi-aryfromher.“Turntheflashlightsoffandgetoutthebackdoor.”
Theywerealreadymoving,MeredithurgingBonnieforward.Elenadroppedtoherkneesandliftedthebedspread,pullingupatCaroline’smattress.Withherotherhandshepushedthediaryforward,wedgingitbetweenthemattressandthedustruffle.Thethinlycoveredboxspringsbitintoherarmfrombelow,butevenworsewastheweightofthequeen-sizemattressbearingdownfromabove.Shegavethebookafewmorenudgeswithherfingertipsandthenpulledherarmout,tuggingthebedspreadbackinplace.
Shegaveonewildglancebackattheroomassheleft;therewasnotimetofixanythingmorenow.Asshemovedswiftlyandsilentlytowardthestairs,sheheardakeyinthefrontdoor.
Whatfollowedwasasortofdreadfulgameoftag.Elenaknewtheywerenotdeliberatelychasingher,buttheForbesfamilyseemeddeterminedtocornerherintheirhouse.Sheturnedbackthewayshehadcomeasvoicesandlightsmaterializedinthehallastheyheadedupthestairs.Shefledfromthemintothelastdoorwaydownthehall,andtheyseemedtofollow.Theymovedacrossthelanding;theywererightoutsidethemasterbedroom.Sheturnedtowardtheadjoiningbathroom,butthensawlightsspringtolifePage67
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underthecloseddoor,cuttingoffherescape.
Shewastrapped.AtanymomentCaroline’sparentsmightcomein.Shesawthefrenchwindowsleadingtoabalconyandmadeherdecisioninthatsameinstant.
Outside,theairwascool,andherpantingbreathshowedfaintly.Yellowlightburstforthfromtheroombesideher,andshehuddledevenfarthertotheleft,keepingoutofitspath.Then,thesoundshehadbeendreadingcamewithterribleclarity:thesnickofadoorhandle,followedbyabillowingofcurtainsinwardasthefrenchwindowsopened.
Shelookedaroundfrantically.Itwastoofartojumptotheground,andtherewasnothingtograbholdoftoclimbdown.Thatleftonlytheroof,buttherewasnothingtoclimbup,either.Still,someinstinctmadehertry,andshewasonthebalconyrailingandgropingforahandholdaboveevenasashadowappearedonthefilmycurtains.Ahandpartedthem,afigurebegantoemerge,andthenElenafeltsomethingclaspingherownhand,lockingonherwristandhaulingherupwards.Automatically,sheboostedwithherfeetandfeltherselfscramblingontotheshingledroof.Tryingtocalmherraggedbreath,shelookedovergratefullytoseewhoherrescuerwas—andfroze.
Eleven
“ThenameisSalvatore.Asinsavior,”hesaid.Therewasabriefflashofwhiteteethinthedarkness.
Elenalookeddown.Theoverhangoftheroofobscuredthebalcony,butshecouldhearshufflingsoundsdownthere.Buttheywerenotthesoundsofpursuit,andtherewasnosignthathercompanion’swordshadbeenoverheard.Aminutelater,sheheardthefrenchwindowsclose.
“IthoughtitwasSmith,”shesaid,stilllookingdownintothedarkness.
Damonlaughed.Itwasaterriblyengaginglaugh,withoutthebitteredgeofStefan’s.Itmadeherthinkoftherainbowlightsonthecrow’sfeathers.
Nevertheless,shewasnotfooled.Charmingasheseemed,Damonwasdangerousalmostbeyondimagination.Thatgraceful,loungingbodywastentimesstrongerthanahuman’s.Thoselazydarkeyeswereadaptedtoseeingperfectlyatnight.Thelong-fingeredhandthathadpulledheruptotheroofcouldmovewithimpossiblequickness.And,mostdisturbingofall,hismindwasthemindofakiller.Apredator.
Shecouldfeelitjustbeneathhissurface.Hewasdifferentfromahuman.Hehadlivedsolongbyhuntingandkillingthathe’dforgottenanyotherway.Andheenjoyedit,notfightinghisnatureasStefandid,butgloryinginit.Hehadnomoralsandnoconscience,andshewastrappedherewithhiminthemiddleofthenight.
Shesettledbackononeheel,readytojumpintoactionatanyminute.Sheoughttobeangrywithhimnow,afterwhathe’ddonetoherinthedream.Shewas,buttherewasnopointinexpressingit.Heknewhowfuriousshemustbe,andhewouldonlylaughatherifshetoldhim.
Shewatchedhimquietly,intently,waitingforhisnextmove.
Buthedidn’tmove.Thosehandsthatcoulddartasquicklyasstrikingsnakesrestedmotionlesslyonhisknees.Hisexpressionremindedherofthewayhe’dlookedatheroncebefore.Thefirsttimethey’dmetshe’dseenthesameguarded,reluctantrespectinhiseyes—exceptthatthentherehadalsobeensurprisePage68
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inthem.Nowtherewasnone.
“You’renotgoingtoscreamatme?Orfaint?”hesaid,asifofferingherthestandardoptions.
Elenawasstillwatchinghim.Hewasmuchstrongerthanshewas,andfaster,butifsheneededtoshethoughtshecouldgettotheedgeoftheroofbeforehereachedher.Itwasathirtyfootdropifshemissedthebalcony,butshemightdecidetoriskit.ItalldependedonDamon.
“Idon’tfaint,”shesaidshortly.“AndwhyshouldIscreamatyou?Wewereplayingagame.IwasstupidthatnightandsoIlost.Youwarnedmeinthegraveyardabouttheconsequences.”
Hislipspartedinaquickbreathandhelookedaway.“ImayjusthavetomakeyoumyQueenofShadows,”hesaid,and,speakingalmosttohimself,hecontinued:“I’vehadmanycompanions,girlsasyoungasyouandwomenwhowerethebeautiesofEurope.Butyou’retheoneIwantatmyside.Ruling,takingwhatwewantwhenwewantit.Fearedandworshippedbyalltheweakersouls.Wouldthatbesobad?”
“Iamoneoftheweakersouls,”Elenasaid.“AndyouandIareenemies,Damon.Wecanneverbeanythingelse.”
“Areyousure?”Helookedather,andshecouldfeelthepowerofhismindasittouchedhers,likethebrushofthoselongfingers.Buttherewasnodizziness,nofeelingofweaknessorsuccumbing.Thatafternoonshe’dhadalongsoak,asshealwaysdidthesedays,inahotbathsprinkledwithdriedvervain.
Damon’seyesflashedwithunderstanding,buthetookthesetbackwithgoodgrace.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hesaidcasually.
Itwasstrange,butshefeltnoneedtolietohim.“Carolinetooksomethingthatbelongedtome.Adiary.
Icametogetitback.”
Anewlookflickeredinthedarkeyes.“Undoubtedlytoprotectmyworthlessbrothersomehow,”hesaid,annoyed.
“Stefanisn’tinvolvedinthis!”
“Oh,isn’the?”Shewasafraidheunderstoodmorethanshemeanthimto.“Strange,healwaysseemstobeinvolvedwhenthere’strouble.Hecreatesproblems.Now,ifhewereoutofthepicture…”
Elenaspokesteadily.“IfyouhurtStefanagainI’llmakeyousorry.I’llfindsomewaytomakeyouwishyouhadn’t,Damon.Imeanit.”
“Isee.Well,then,I’lljusthavetoworkonyou,won’tI?”
Elenasaidnothing.She’dtalkedherselfintoacorner,agreeingtoplaythisdeadlygameofhisagain.Shelookedaway.
“I’mgoingtohaveyouintheend,youknow,”hesaidsoftly.Itwasthevoicehe’dusedattheparty,whenhe’dsaid,“Easy,easy.”Therewasnomockeryormalicenow;hewassimplystatingafact.“Byhookorbycrook,asyoupeoplesay—that’sanicephrase—you’llbeminebeforethenextsnowflies.”
Elenatriedtoconcealthechillshefelt,butsheknewhesawanyway.
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“Good,”hesaid.“Youdohavesomesense.You’rerighttobeafraidofme;I’mthemostdangerousthingyou’reeverlikelytoencounterinyourlife.ButjustnowIhaveabusinesspropositionforyou.”
“Abusinessproposition?”
“Exactly.Youcameheretogetadiary.Butyouhaven’tgotit.”Heindicatedheremptyhands.“Youfailed,didn’tyou?”WhenElenamadenoreplyhewenton.“Andsinceyoudon’twantmybrotherinvolved,hecan’thelpyou.ButIcan.AndIwill.”
“Youwill?”
“Ofcourse.Foraprice.”
Elenastaredathim.Bloodflamedinherface.Whenshemanagedtogetwordsout,theywouldcomeonlyinawhisper.
“What—price?”
Asmilegleamedoutofthedarkness.“Afewminutesofyourtime,Elena.Afewdropsofyourblood.
Anhourorsospentwithme,alone.”
“You…”Elenacouldn’tfindtherightword.Everyepithetsheknewwastoomild.
“I’llhaveitanyway,eventually,”hesaidinareasonabletone.“Ifyou’rehonest,you’lladmitthattoyourself.Lasttimewasn’tthelast.Whynotacceptthat?”Hisvoicedroppedtoawarm,intimatetimbre.
“Remember…”
“I’drathercutmythroat,”shesaid.
“Anintriguingthought.ButIcandoitsomuchmoreenjoyably.”
Hewaslaughingather.Somehow,ontopofeverythingelsetoday,thiswastoomuch.“You’redisgusting;youknowthat,”shesaid.“You’resickening.”Shewasshakingnow,andshecouldn’tbreathe.
“I’ddiebeforeI’dgiveintoyou.I’drather—”
Shewasn’tsurewhatmadeherdoit.WhenshewaswithDamonasortofinstincttookoverher.Andatthatmoment,shedidfeelthatshe’dratherriskanythingthanlethimwinthistime.Shenoticed,withhalfhermind,thathewassittingback,relaxed,enjoyingtheturnhisgamewastaking.Theotherhalfofhermindwascalculatinghowfartheroofoverhungthebalcony.
“I’dratherdothis,”shesaid,andflungherselfsideways.
Shewasright;hewasoffguardandcouldn’tmovefastenoughtostopher.Shefeltfreespacebelowherfeetandspinningterrorassherealizedthebalconywasfartherbackthanshe’dthought.Shewasgoingtomissit.
Butshehadn’treckonedonDamon.Hishandshotout,notquickenoughtokeepherontheroof,butkeepingherfromfallinganyfarther.Itwasasifherweightwasnothingtohim.Reflexively,Elenagraspedtheshinglededgeoftheroofandtriedtogetakneeup.
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Hisvoicewasfurious.“Youlittlefool!Ifyou’rethateagertomeetdeathIcanintroduceyoumyself.”
“Letgoofme,”saidElenathroughherteeth.Someonewasgoingtocomeoutonthatbalconyatanysecond,shewassureofit.”Letgoofme.”
“Hereandnow?”Lookingintothoseunfathomableblackeyes,sherealizedhewasserious.Ifshesaidyeshewoulddropher.
“Itwouldbeafastwaytoendthings,wouldn’tit?”shesaid.Herheartwaspoundinginfear,butsherefusedtolethimseethat.
“Butsuchawaste.”Withonemotion,hejerkedhertosafety.Tohimself.Hisarmstightenedaroundher,pressinghertotheleanhardnessofhisbody,andsuddenlyElenacouldseenothing.Shewasenveloped.
Thenshefeltthoseflatmusclesgatheringthemselveslikesomegreatcat’s,andthetwoofthemlaunchedintospace.
Shewasfalling.Shecouldn’thelpbutclingtohimastheonlysolidthingintherushingworldaroundher.
Thenhelanded,catlike,takingtheimpacteasily.
Stefanhaddonesomethingsimilaronce.ButStefanhadnotheldherthiswayafterward,bruisinglyclose,withhislipsalmostincontactwithhers.
“Thinkaboutmyproposition,”hesaid.
Shecouldnotmoveorlookaway.AndthistimesheknewthatitwasnoPowerthathewasusing,butsimplythewildfireattractionbetweenthem.Itwasuselesstodenyit;herbodyrespondedtohis.Shecouldfeelhisbreathonherlips.
“Idon’tneedyouforanything,”shetoldhim.
Shethoughthewasgoingtokissherthen,buthedidn’t.Abovethemtherewasthesoundoffrenchwindowsopeningandanangryvoiceonthebalcony.“Hey!What’sgoingon?Issomebodyoutthere?”
“ThistimeIdidyouafavor,”Damonsaid,verysoftly,stillholdingher.“NexttimeI’mgoingtocollect.”
Shecouldn’thaveturnedherheadaway.Ifhe’dkissedherthen,shewouldhavelethim.Butsuddenlythehardnessofhisarmsmeltedaroundherandhisfaceseemedtoblur.Itwasasifthedarknesswastakinghimbackintoitself.Thenblackwingscaughtandbeattheairandahugecrowwassoaringaway.
Something,abookorshoe,washurledafteritfromthebalcony.Itmissedbyayard.
“Damnbirds!”saidMr.Forbes’svoicefromabove.“Theymustbenestingontheroof.”
Shivering,withherarmslockedaroundher,Elenahuddledinthedarknessbelowuntilhewentbackinside.
ShefoundMeredithandBonniecrouchingbythegate.“Whattookyousolong?”Bonniewhispered.
“Wethoughtyouwerecaught!”
“Ialmostwas.Ihadtostayuntilitwassafe.”ElenawassousedtolyingaboutDamonthatshediditnowwithoutconsciouseffort.“Let’sgohome,”shewhispered.“There’snothingmorewecando.”
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WhentheypartedatElena’sdoor,Meredithsaid,“It’sonlytwoweeksuntilFounders’Day.”
“Iknow.”ForamomentDamon’spropositionswaminElena’smind.Butsheshookherheadtoclearit.
“I’llthinkofsomething,”shesaid.
Shehadn’tthoughtofanythingbythenextdayofschool.TheoneencouragingfactwasthatCarolinedidn’tseemtohavenoticedanythingamissinherroom—butthatwasallElenacouldfindtobeencouragedabout.Therewasanassemblythatmorning,atwhichitwasannouncedthattheschoolboardhadchosenElenaasthestudenttorepresent“TheSpiritofFell’sChurch.”Allthroughtheprincipal’sspeechaboutit,Caroline’ssmilehadblazedforth,triumphantandmalicious.
Elenatriedtoignoreit.Shedidherbesttoignoretheslightsandsnubsthatcameeveninthewakeoftheassembly,butitwasn’teasy.Itwasnevereasy,andthereweredayswhenshethoughtshewouldhitsomeoneorjuststartscreaming,butsofarshe’dmanaged.
Thatafternoon,waitingforthesixth-periodhistoryclasstobeletout,ElenastudiedTylerSmallwood.
Sincecomingbacktoschool,hehadnotaddressedonewordtoherdirectly.He’dsmiledasnastilyasCarolineduringtheprincipal’sannouncement.Now,ashecaughtsightofElenastandingalone,hejostledDickCarterwithhiselbow.
“What’sthatthere?”hesaid.“Awallflower?”
Stefan,whereareyou?thoughtElena.Butsheknewtheanswertothat.Halfwayacrossschool,inastronomyclass.
Dickopenedhismouthtosaysomething,butthenhisexpressionchanged.HewaslookingbeyondElena,downthehall.ElenaturnedandsawVickie.
VickieandDickhadbeentogetherbeforetheHomecomingDance.Elenasupposedtheystillwere.ButDicklookeduncertain,asifhewasn’tsurewhattoexpectfromthegirlwhowasmovingtowardhim.
TherewassomethingoddaboutVickie’sface,aboutherwalk.Shewasmovingasifherfeetdidn’ttouchthefloor.Hereyesweredilatedanddreamy.
“Hithere,”Dicksaidtentatively,andhesteppedinfrontofher.VickiepassedhimwithoutaglanceandwentontoTyler.Elenawatchedwhathappenednextwithgrowinguneasiness.Itshouldhavebeenfunny,butitwasn’t.
ItstartedwithTylerlookingsomewhattakenaback.ThenVickieputahandonhischest.Tylersmiled,buttherewasaforcedlookaboutit.Vickieslidherhandunderhisjacket.Tyler’ssmilewavered.Vickieputherotherhandonhischest.TylerlookedatDick.
“Hey,Vickie,lightenup,”saidDickhastily,buthedidn’tmoveanycloser.
Vickieslidhertwohandsupwards,pushingTyler’sjacketoffhisshoulders.Hetriedtoshrugitbackonwithoutlettinggoofhisbooksorseemingtooconcerned.Hecouldn’t.Vickie’sfingerscreptunderhisshirt.
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“Stopthat.Stopher,willyou?”saidTylertoDick.Hehadbackedupintothewall.
“Hey,Vickie,leggo.Don’tdothat.”ButDickremainedatasafedistance.TylershothimanenragedglareandtriedtoshoveVickieaway.
Anoisehadbegun.Atfirstitseemedtobeatafrequencyalmosttoolowforhumanhearing,butitgrewlouderandlouder.Agrowl,eerilymenacing,thatsenticedownElena’sspine.Tylerwaslookingpop-eyedwithdisbelief,andshesoonrealizedwhy.ThesoundwascomingfromVickie.
Theneverythinghappenedatonce.TylerwasonthegroundwithVickie’steethsnappinginchesfromhisthroat.Elena,allquarrelsforgotten,wastryingtohelpDickpullheroff.Tylerwashowling.ThehistoryroomdoorwasopenandAlaricwasshouting.
“Don’thurther!Becareful!It’sepilepsy,wejustneedtogetherlyingdown!”
Vickie’steethsnappedagainashereachedahelpfulhandintothemelee.Theslendergirlwasstrongerthanallofthemtogether,andtheywerelosingcontrolofher.Theyweren’tgoingtobeabletoholdhermuchlonger.ItwaswithintensereliefthatElenaheardafamiliarvoiceathershoulder.
“Vickie,calmdown.It’sallright.Justrelaxnow.
WithStefangraspingVickie’sarmandtalkingtohersoothingly,Elenadaredtoslackenherowngrip.
Anditseemed,atfirst,thatStefan’sstrategywasworking.Vickie’sclawingfingersloosened,andtheywereabletoliftheroffTyler.AsStefankeptspeakingtoher,shewentlimpandhereyesshut.
“That’sgood.You’refeelingtirednow.It’sallrighttogotosleep.”
Butthen,abruptly,itstoppedworking,andwhateverPowerStefanhadbeenexercisingoverherwasbroken.Vickie’seyesflewopen,andtheyborenoresemblancetothestartledfawn’seyesElenahadseeninthecafeteria.Theywereblazingwithredfury.ShesnarledatStefanandburstoutfightingwithfreshstrength.
Ittookfiveorsixofthemtoholdherdownwhilesomebodycalledthepolice.Elenastayedwhereshewas,talkingtoVickie,sometimesyellingather,untilthepolicegotthere.Noneofitdidanygood.
Thenshesteppedbackandsawthecrowdofonlookersforthefirsttime.Bonniewasinthefrontrow,staringopen-mouthed.SowasCaroline.
“Whathappened!”saidBonnieastheofficialscarriedVickieaway.
Elena,pantinggently,pushedastrandofhairoutofhereyes.“ShewentcrazyandtriedtoundressTyler.”
Bonniepursedherlips.“Well,she’dhavetobecrazytowantto,wouldn’tshe?”AndshethrewasmirkoverhershoulderdirectlyatCaroline.
Elena’skneeswererubberyandherhandswereshaking.Shefeltanarmgoaroundher,andsheleanedagainstStefangratefully.Thenshelookedupathim.
“Epilepsy?”shesaidwithdisbelievingscorn.
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HewasgazingdownthehallafterVickie.AlaricSaltzman,stillshoutinginstructions,wasapparentlygoingwithher.Thegroupturnedthecorner.
“Ithinkclasswasjustdismissed,”Stefansaid.“Let’sgo.”
Theywalkedtowardtheboardinghouseinsilence,eachlostinthought.Elenafrowned,andseveraltimesglancedoveratStefan,butitwasn’tuntiltheywerealoneinhisroomthatshespoke.
“Stefan,whatisallthis?What’shappeningtoVickie?”
“That’swhatI’vebeenwondering.There’sonlyoneexplanationIcanthinkof,andit’sthatshe’sstillunderattack.”
“YoumeanDamon’sstill—oh,myGod!Oh,Stefan,Ishouldhavegivenhersomeofthevervain.Ishouldhaverealized…”
“Itwouldn’thavemadeanydifference.Believeme.”ShehadturnedtowardthedoorasiftogoafterVickiethatminute,buthepulledhergentlyback.“Somepeoplearemoreeasilyinfluencedthanothers,Elena.Vickie’swillwasneververystrong.Itbelongstohim,now.”
Slowly,Elenasatdown.“Thenthere’snothinganyonecando?But,Stefan,willshebecome—likeyouandDamon?”
“Itdepends.”Histonewasbleak.“It’snotjustamatterofhowmuchbloodsheloses.Sheneedshisbloodinherveinstomakethechangecomplete.Otherwise,she’lljustenduplikeMr.Tanner.Drained,usedup.Dead.”
Elenatookalongbreath.Therewassomethingelseshewantedtoaskhimabout,somethingshe’dwantedtoaskhimforalongtime.“Stefan,whenyouspoketoVickiebackthere,Ithoughtitwasworking.YouwereusingyourPowersonher,weren’tyou?”
“Yes.”
“Butthenshejustwentcrazyagain.WhatImeanis…Stefan,youareokay,aren’tyou?YourPowershavecomeback?”
Hedidn’tanswer.Butthatwasanswerenoughforher.“Stefan,whydidn’tyoutellme?What’swrong?”
Shewentaroundandkneltbyhimsothathehadtolookather.
“It’stakingmeawhiletorecover,that’sall.Don’tworryaboutit.”
“Iamworried.Isn’tthereanythingwecando?”
“No,”hesaid.Buthiseyesdropped.
ComprehensionsweptthroughElena.”Oh,”shewhispered,sittingback.Thenshereachedforhimagain,tryingtogetholdofhishands.“Stefan,listentome—”
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you,orworse.”
“Onlyifyoulosecontrol,”shesaid.“Andyouwon’t.Kissme.”
”No,”saidStefanagain.Headded,lessharshly,“I’llgoouthuntingtonightassoonasit’sdark.”
“Isthatthesame?”shesaid.Sheknewitwasn’t.ItwashumanbloodthatgavePower.“Oh,Stefan,please;don’tyouseeIwantto?Don’tyouwantto?”
“Thatisn’tfair,”hesaid,hiseyestortured.“Youknowitisn’t,Elena.Youknowhowmuch—”Heturnedawayfromheragain,hishandsclenchedintofists.
“Thenwhynot?Stefan,Ineed…”Shecouldn’tfinish.Shecouldn’texplaintohimwhatsheneeded;itwasaneedforconnectiontohim,forcloseness.Sheneededtorememberwhatitwaslikewithhim,towipeoutthememoryofdancinginherdreamandofDamon’sarmslockedaroundher.“Ineedustobetogetheragain,”shewhispered.
Stefanwasstillturnedaway,andheshookhishead.
“Allright,”Elenawhispered,butshefeltawashofgriefandfearasdefeatseepedintoherbones.MostofthefearwasforStefan,whowasvulnerablewithouthisPowers,vulnerableenoughthathemightbehurtbytheordinarycitizensofFell’sChurch.Butsomeofitwasforherself.
Twelve
AvoicespokeasElenareachedforacanonthestoreshelf.
“Cranberrysaucealready?”
Elenalookedup.“Hi,Matt.Yes,AuntJudithlikestodoapreviewtheSundaybeforeThanksgiving,remember?Ifshepractices,there’slesschanceshe’lldosomethingterrible.”
“Likeforgettingtobuythecranberrysauceuntilfifteenminutesbeforedinner?”
“Untilfiveminutesbeforedinner,”saidElena,consultingherwatch,andMattlaughed.Itwasagoodsound,andoneElenahadn’theardfortoolong.Shemovedontowardthecheck-outstand,butaftershe’dpaidforherpurchaseshehesitated,lookingback.
Mattwasstandingbythemagazinerack,apparentlyabsorbed,buttherewassomethingabouttheslopeofhisshouldersthatmadeherwanttogotohim.
Shepokedafingerathismagazine.“Whatareyoudoingfordinner?”shesaid.Whenheglanceduncertainlytowardthefrontofthestore,sheadded,“Bonnie’swaitingoutinthecar;she’llbethere.
Otherthanthatit’sjustthefamily.AndRobert,ofcourse;heshouldbetherebynow.”ShemeantthatStefanwasn’tcoming.Shestillwasn’tsurehowthingswerebetweenMattandStefanthesedays.Atleasttheyspoketoeachother.
“I’mfendingformyselftonight;Mom’snotfeelingsohot,”hesaid.Butthen,asiftochangethesubject,hewenton,“Where’sMeredith?”
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vagueherself;sheseldomtalkedaboutherfamily.“Sowhatdoyouthink?WanttotakeachanceonAuntJudith’scooking?”
“Foroldtimes’sake?”
“Foroldfriends’sake,”saidElenaafteramoment’shesitation,andsmiledathim.
Heblinkedandlookedaway.“HowcanIrefuseaninvitationlikethat?”hesaidinanoddlymutedvoice.
Butwhenheputthemagazinebackandfollowedherouthewassmiling,too.
Bonniegreetedhimcheerfully,andwhentheygothomeAuntJudithlookedpleasedtoseehimcomeintothekitchen.
“Dinner’salmostready,”shesaid,takingthegrocerybagfromElena.“Robertgothereafewminutesago.Whydon’tyougostraightonbacktothediningroom?Oh,andgetanotherchair,Elena.Mattmakesseven.”
“Six,AuntJudith,”saidElena,amused.“YouandRobert,meandMargaret,MattandBonnie.”
“Yes,dear,butRobert’sbroughtaguest,too.They’realreadysittingdown.”
Elenaregisteredthewordsjustasshesteppedthroughthediningroomdoor,buttherewasaninstant’sdelaybeforehermindreactedtothem.Evenso,sheknew;steppingthroughthatdoor,shesomehowknewwhatwaswaitingforher.
Robertwasstandingthere,fiddlingwithabottleofwhitewineandlookingjovial.Andsittingatthetable,onthefarsideoftheautumncenterpieceandthetalllightedcandles,wasDamon.
Elenarealizedshe’dstoppedmovingwhenBonnieranintoherfrombehind.Thensheforcedherlegsintoaction.Hermindwasn’tasobedient;itremainedfrozen.
“Ah,Elena,”Robertsaid,holdingoutahand.“ThisisElena,thegirlIwastellingyouabout,”hesaidtoDamon.“Elena,thisisDamon…ah…”
“Smith,”saidDamon.
“Oh,yes.He’sfrommyalmamater,WilliamandMary,andIjustranintohimoutsidethedrugstore.
Sincehewaslookingforsomeplacetoeat,Iinvitedhimalonghereforahome-cookedmeal.Damon,thesearesomefriendsofElena’s,MattandBonnie.”
“Hi,”saidMatt.Bonniejuststared;then,sheswungenormouseyesonElena.
Elenawastryingtogetagriponherself.Shedidn’tknowwhethertoshriek,marchoutoftheroom,orthrowtheglassofwineRobertwaspouringinDamon’sface.Shewastooangry,forthemoment,tobefrightened.
Mattwenttobringinachairfromthelivingroom.ElenawonderedathiscasualacceptanceofDamon,andthenrealizedhehadn’tbeenatAlaric’sparty.Hewouldn’tknowwhathadhappenedtherebetweenStefanandthe“visitorfromcollege.”
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holdingoutachairforher.
BeforeElenacouldcomeupwitharesponse,sheheardMargaret’shighlittlevoiceinthedoorway.
“Matt,doyouwanttoseemykitty?AuntJudithsaysIcankeepher.I’mgoingtocallherSnowball.”
Elenaturned,firedwithanidea.
“She’scute,”Mattwassayingobligingly,bendingoverthelittlemoundofwhitefurinMargaret’sarms.
HelookedstartledasElenaunceremoniouslygrabbedthekittenfromunderhisnose.
“Here,Margaret,let’sshowyourkittytoRobert’sfriend,”shesaid,andthrustthefluffybundleintoDamon’sface,allbutthrowingitathim.
Pandemoniumensued.Snowballswelledtotwicehernormalsizeasherfurstoodonend.Shemadeanoiselikewaterdroppedonared-hotgriddleandthenshewasasnarling,spittingcyclonethatclawedElena,swipedatDamon,andricochetedoffthewallsbeforetearingoutoftheroom.
Foraninstant,ElenahadthesatisfactionofseeingDamon’snightblackeyesslightlywiderthanusual.
Thenthelidsdroopeddown,hoodingthemagain,andElenaturnedtofacethereactionoftheotheroccupantsoftheroom.
Margaretwasjustopeninghermouthforasteamenginewail.Robertwastryingtoforestallit,hustlingherofftofindthecat.Bonniehadherbackpressedflatagainstthewall,lookingdesperate.MattandAuntJudith,whowaspeeringinfromthekitchen,justlookedappalled.
“Iguessyoudon’thaveawaywithanimals,”shesaidtoDamon,andtookherseatatthetable.ShenoddedtoBonniewhoreluctantlypeeledherselfoffthewallandscuttledforherownseatbeforeDamoncouldtouchthechair.Bonnie’sbrowneyesslidaroundtofollowhimashesatdowninturn.
Afterafewminutes,Robertreappearedwithatear-stainedMargaretandfrownedsternlyatElena.Mattpushedhisownchairinsilentlyalthoughhiseyebrowswereinhishair.
AsAuntJuditharrivedandthemealbegan,Elenalookedupanddownthetable.Abrighthazeseemedtolieovereverything,andshehadafeelingofunreality,butthesceneitselflookedalmostunbelievablywholesome,likesomethingoutofacommercial.Justyouraveragefamilysittingdowntoeatturkey,shethought.Oneslightlyflusteredmaidenaunt,worriedthatthepeaswillbemushyandtherollsburnt,onecomfortableuncle-to-be,onegolden-hairedteenagenieceandhertow-headedbabysister.Oneblue-eyedboy-next-doortype,onespritelygirlfriend,onegorgeousvampirepassingthecandiedyams.
AtypicalAmericanhousehold.
Bonniespentthefirsthalfofthemealtelegraphing“WhatdoIdo?”messagestoElenawithhereyes.ButwhenallElenatelegraphedbackwas“Nothing,”sheapparentlydecidedtoabandonherselftoherfate.
Shebegantoeat.
Elenahadnoideawhattodo.Tobetrappedtikethiswasaninsult,ahumiliation,andDamonknewit.
HehadAuntJudithandRobertdazzled,though,withcomplimentsaboutthemealandlightchataboutWilliamandMary.EvenMargaretwassmilingathimnow,andsoonenoughBonniewouldgounder.
“Fell’sChurchishavingitsFounders’Daycelebrationnextweek,”AuntJudithinformedDamon,herthincheeksfaintlypink.“Itwouldbesoniceifyoucouldcomebackforthat.”
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“I’dliketo,”saidDamonaffably.
AuntJudithlookedpleased.“AndthisyearElenahasabigpartinit.She’sbeenchosentorepresenttheSpiritofFell’sChurch.”
“Youmustbeproudofher,”saidDamon.
“Oh,weare,”AuntJudithsaid.“Soyou’lltrytocomethen?”
Elenabrokein,butteringarollfuriously.“I’veheardsomenewsaboutVickie,”shesaid.“Youremember,thegirlwhowasattacked.”ShelookedpointedlyatDamon.
Therewasashortsilence.ThenDamonsaid,“I’mafraidIdon’tknowher.”
“Oh,I’msureyoudo.Aboutmyheight,browneyes,lightbrownhair…anyway,she’sgettingworse.”
“Oh,dear,”saidAuntJudith.
“Yes,apparentlythedoctorscan’tunderstandit.Shejustkeepsgettingworseandworse,asiftheattackwasstillgoingon.”ElenakepthereyesonDamon’sfaceasshespoke,buthedisplayedonlyacourteousinterest.“Havesomemorestuffing,”shefinished,propellingabowlathim.
“Nothankyou.I’llhavesomemoreofthis,though.”Heheldaspoonfulofjelliedcranberrysauceuptooneofthecandlessothatlightshonethroughit.“It’ssuchatantalizingcolor.”
Bonnie,liketherestofthepeopleatthetable,lookedupatthecandlewhenhedidthis.ButElenanoticedshedidn’tlookdownagain.Sheremainedgazingintothedancingflame,andslowlyallexpressiondisappearedfromherface.
Oh,no,thoughtElena,asatingleofapprehensioncreptthroughherlimbs.She’dseenthatlookbefore.
ShetriedtogetBonnie’sattention,buttheothergirlseemedtoseenothingbutthecandle.
“…andthentheelementarychildrenputonapageantaboutthetown’shistory,”AuntJudithwassayingtoDamon.“Buttheendingceremonyisdonebyolderstudents.Elena,howmanyseniorswillbedoingthereadingsthisyear?”
“Justthreeofus.”Elenahadtoturntoaddressheraunt,anditwaswhileshewaslookingatAuntJudith’ssmilingfacethatsheheardthevoice.
“Death.”
AuntJudithgasped.Robertpausedwithhisforkhalfwaytohismouth.Elenawished,wildlyandabsolutelyhopelessly,forMeredith.
“Death,”saidthevoiceagain.“Deathisinthishouse.”
Elenalookedaroundthetableandsawthattherewasnoonetohelpher.TheywereallstaringatBonnie,motionlessassubjectsinaphotograph.
Bonnieherselfwasstaringintothecandleflame.Herfacewasblank,hereyeswide,astheyhadbeenbeforewhenthisvoicespokethroughher.Now,thosesightlesseyesturnedtowardElena.“Yourdeath,”
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thevoicesaid.“Yourdeathiswaiting,Elena.Itis—”
Bonnieseemedtochoke.Thenshepitchedforwardandalmostlandedinherdinnerplate.
Therewasaninstant’sparalysis,andtheneveryonemoved.RobertjumpedupandpulledatBonnie’sshoulders,liftingher.Bonnie’sskinhadgonebluish-white,hereyeswereclosed.AuntJudithflutteredaroundher,dabbingatherfacewithadampnapkin.Damonwatchedwiththoughtful,narrowedeyes.
“She’sallright,”Robertsaid,lookingupinobviousrelief.“Ithinkshejustfainted.Itmusthavebeensomekindofhystericalattack.”ButElenadidn’tbreatheagainuntilBonnieopenedgroggyeyesandaskedwhateveryonewasstaringat.
Itputaneffectiveendtothedinner.RobertinsistedthatBonniebetakenhomeatonce,andintheactivitythatfollowedElenafoundtimeforawhisperedwordwithDamon.
“Getout!”
Heraisedhiseyebrows.“What?”
“Isaid,getout!Now!Go.OrI’lltellthemyou’rethekiller.”
Helookedreproachful.“Don’tyouthinkaguestdeservesalittlemoreconsideration?”hesaid,butatherexpressionheshruggedandsmiled.
“Thankyouforhavingmefordinner,”hesaidaloudtoAuntJudith,whowaswalkingpastcarryingablankettothecar.“IhopeIcanreturnthefavorsometime.”ToElenaheadded,“Beseeingyou.”
Well,thatwasclearenough,Elenathought,asRobertdroveawaywithasomberMattandasleepyBonnie.AuntJudithwasonthephonewithMrs.McCullough.
“Idon’tknowwhatitiswiththesegirls,either,”shesaid.“FirstVickie,nowBonnie…andElenahasnotbeenherselflately…”
WhileAuntJudithtalkedandMargaretsearchedforthemissingSnowball,Elenapaced.
ShewouldhavetocallStefan.Thatwasalltherewastoit.Shewasn’tworriedaboutBonnie;theothertimesthishadhappenedhadn’tseemedtodopermanentdamage.AndDamonwouldhavebetterthingstodothanharassElena’sfriendstonight.
Hewascominghere,tocollectforthe“favor”he’ddoneher.Sheknewwithoutadoubtthatthatwasthemeaningofhisfinalwords.AnditmeantshewouldhavetotellStefaneverything,becausesheneededhimtonight,neededhisprotection.
Only,whatcouldStefando?Despiteallherpleasandargumentslastweek,hehadrefusedtotakeherblood.He’dinsistedthathisPowerswouldreturnwithoutit,butElenaknewhewasstillvulnerablerightnow.EvenifStefanwerehere,couldhestopDamon?Couldhedoitwithoutbeingkilledhimself?
Bonnie’shousewasnorefuge.AndMeredithwasgone.Therewasnoonetohelpher,nooneshecouldtrust.Butthethoughtofwaitingherealonetonight,knowingthatDamonwascoming,wasunbearable.
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numberrunningthroughhermind.Thenshestopped,andslowlyturnedaroundtolookatthelivingroomshe’djustleft.
Shelookedatthefloortoceilingwindowsandattheelaboratefireplacewithitsbeautifullyscrolledmolding.Thisroomwaspartoftheoriginalhouse,theonethathadalmostcompletelyburnedintheCivilWar.Herownbedroomwasjustabove.
Agreatlightwasbeginningtodawn.Elenalookedatthemoldingaroundtheceiling,atwhereitjoinedthemoremoderndiningroom.Thenshealmostrantowardthestairs,herheartbeatingfast.
“AuntJudith?”Herauntpausedonthestairway.“AuntJudith,tellmesomething.DidDamongointothelivingroom?”
“What!”AuntJudithblinkedatherindistraction.
“DidRoberttakeDamonintothelivingroom?Pleasethink,AuntJudith!Ineedtoknow.”
“Why,no,Idon’tthinkso.No,hedidn’t.Theycameinandwentstraighttothediningroom.Elena,whatonearth?…”ThislastasElenaimpulsivelythrewherarmsaroundherandhuggedher.
“Sorry,AuntJudith.I’mjusthappy,”saidElena.Smiling,sheturnedtogobackdownthestairs.
“Well,I’mgladsomeone’shappy,afterthewaydinnerturnedout.Althoughthatniceboy,Damon,seemedtoenjoyhimself.Doyouknow,Elena,heseemedquitetakenwithyou,inspiteofthewayyouwereacting.”
Elenaturnedbackaround.“So?”
“Well,Ijustthoughtyoumightgivehimachance,that’sall.Ithoughthewasverypleasant.ThekindofyoungmanIliketoseearoundhere.”
Elenagoggledamoment,thenswallowedtokeepthehystericallaughterfromescaping.HerauntwassuggestingthatshetakeupDamoninsteadofStefan…becauseDamonwassafer.Thekindofniceyoungmananyauntwouldlike.“AuntJudith,”shebegan,gasping,butthensherealizeditwasuseless.
Sheshookherheadmutely,throwingherhandsupindefeat,andwatchedherauntgoupthestairs.
UsuallyElenasleptwithherdoorclosed.Buttonightsheleftitopenandlayonherbedgazingoutintothedarkenedhallway.Everysooftensheglancedattheluminousnumbersoftheclockonthenightstandbesideher.
Therewasnodangerthatshewouldfallasleep.Astheminutescrawledby,shealmostbegantowishshecould.Timemovedwithagonizingslowness.Eleveno’clock…eleventhirty…midnight.Onea.m.
Onethirty.Two.
At2:10sheheardasound.
Shelistened,stilllyingonherbed,tothefaintwhisperofnoisedownstairs.She’dknownhewouldfindawaytogetinifhewanted.IfDamonwasthatdetermined,nolockwouldkeephimout.
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Musicfromthedreamshe’dhadthatnightatBonnie’stinkledthroughhermind,ahandfulofplaintive,silverynotes.Itwokestrangefeelingsinsideher.Almostinadazeordreamherself,shegotupandwenttostandatthethreshold.
Thehallwaywasdark,buthereyeshadhadalongtimetoadjust.Shecouldseethedarkersilhouettemakingitswayupthestairs.Whenitreachedthetopshesawtheswift,deadlyglimmerofhissmile.
Shewaited,unsmiling,untilhereachedherandstoodfacingher,withonlyayardofhardwoodfloorbetweenthem.Thehousewascompletelysilent.AcrossthehallMargaretslept;attheendofthepassage,AuntJudithlaywrappedindreams,unawareofwhatwasgoingonoutsideherdoor.
Damonsaidnothing,buthelookedather,hiseyestakinginthelongwhitenightgownwithitshigh,lacyneck.Elenahadchosenitbecauseitwasthemostmodestonesheowned,butDamonobviouslythoughtitattractive.Sheforcedherselftostandquietly,buthermouthwasdryandherheartwasthuddingdully.
Nowwasthetime.Inanotherminuteshewouldknow.
Shebackedup,withoutawordorgestureofinvitation,leavingthedoorwayempty.Shesawthequickflareinhisbottomlesseyes,andwatchedhimcomeeagerlytowardher.Andwatchedhimstop.
Hestoodjustoutsideherroom,plainlydisconcerted.Hetriedagaintostepforwardbutcouldnot.
Somethingseemedtobepreventinghimfrommovinganyfarther.Onhisface,surprisegavewaytopuzzlementandthenanger.
Helookedup,hiseyesrakingoverthelintel,scanningtheceilingoneithersideofthethreshold.Then,asthefullrealizationhithim,hislipspulledbackfromhisteethinananimalsnarl.
Safeonhersideofthedoorway,Elenalaughedsoftly.Ithadworked.
“Myroomandthelivingroombelowareallthat’sleftoftheoldhouse,”shesaidtohim.“And,ofcourse,thatwasadifferentdwellingplace.Oneyouwerenotinvitedinto,andneverwillbe.”
Hischestwasheavingwithanger,hisnostrilsdilated,hiseyeswild.Wavesofblackrageemanatedfromhim.Helookedasifhewouldliketotearthewallsdownwithhishands,whichweretwitchingandclenchingwithfury.
TriumphandreliefmadeElenagiddy.“You’dbettergonow,”shesaid.“There’snothingforyouhere.”
Oneminutemorethosemenacingeyesblazedintohers,andthenDamonturnedaround.Buthedidn’theadforthestairway.Instead,hetookonestepacrossthehallandlaidhishandonthedoortoMargaret’sroom.
Elenastartedforwardbeforesheknewwhatshewasdoing.Shestoppedinthedoorway,graspingthecasingtrim,herownbreathcominghard.
Hisheadwhippedaroundandhesmiledather,aslow,cruelsmile.Hetwistedthedoorknobslightlywithoutlookingatit.Hiseyes,likepoolsofliquidebony,remainedonElena.
“Yourchoice,”hesaid.
Elenastoodverystill,feelingasifallofwinterwasinsideher.Margaretwasjustababy.Hecouldn’tmeanit;noonecouldbesuchamonsterastohurtafour-year-old.
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ButtherewasnohintofsoftnessorcompassioninDamon’sface.Hewasahunter,killer,andtheweakwerehisprey.Sherememberedthedreadfulanimalsnarlthathadtransfiguredhishandsomefeatures,andsheknewthatshecouldneverleaveMargarettohim.
Everythingseemedtobehappeninginslowmotion.ShesawDamon’shandonthedoorknob;shesawthosemercilesseyes.Shewaswalkingthroughthedoorway,leavingbehindtheonlysafeplacesheknew.
Deathwasinthehouse,Bonniehadsaid.AndnowElenahadgonetomeetDeathofherownfreewill.
Shebowedherheadtoconcealthehelplesstearsthatcametohereyes.Itwasover.Damonhadwon.
Shedidnotlookuptoseehimadvanceonher.Butshefelttheairstiraroundher,makinghershiver.
Andthenshewasenfoldedinsoft,endlessblackness,whichwrappedaroundherlikeagreatbird’swings.
Thirteen
Elenastirred,thenopenedheavyeyelids.Lightwasshowingaroundtheedgesofthecurtains.Shefoundithardtomove,soshelaythereonherbedandtriedtopiecetogetherwhathadhappenedlastnight.
Damon.DamonhadcomehereandthreatenedMargaret.AndsoElenahadgonetohim.He’dwon.
Butwhyhadn’thefinishedit?Elenaliftedalanguidhandtotouchthesideofherneck,alreadyknowingwhatshewouldfind.Yes,theretheywere:twosmallpuncturesthatweretenderandsensitivetopressure.
Yetshewasstillalive.He’dstoppedshortofcarryingouthispromise.Why?
Hermemoriesofthelasthourswereconfusedandblurry.Onlyfragmentswereclear.Damon’seyeslookingdownather,fillingherwholeworld.Thesharpstingatherthroat.And,later,Damonopeninghisshirt,Damon’sbloodwellingfromasmallcutinhisneck.
He’dmadeherdrinkhisbloodthen.Ifmadewastherightword.Shedidn’trememberputtingupanyresistanceorfeelinganyrevulsion.Bythen,shehadwantedit.
Butshewasn’tdead,orevenseriouslyweakened.Hehadn’tmadeherintoavampire.Andthatwaswhatshecouldn’tunderstand.
Hehasnomoralsandnoconscience,sheremindedherself.Soitcertainlywasn’tmercythatstoppedhim.Heprobablyjustwantstodrawthegameout,makeyousuffermorebeforehekillsyou.OrmaybehewantsyoutobelikeVickie,withonefootintheshadowworldandoneinthelight.Goingslowlymadthatway.
Onethingwassure:shewouldn’tbefooledintothinkingitwaskindnessonhispart.Damonwasn’tcapableofkindness.Orofcaringforanybodybuthimself.
Pushingtheblanketsback,sherosefromthebed.ShecouldhearAuntJudithmovingaroundinthehallway.ItwasMondaymorningandshehadtogetreadytogotoschool.
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November17,Wednesday
DearDiary,
It’snogoodpretendingI’mnotfrightened,becauseIam.Tomorrow’sThanksgiving,andFounders’Dayistwodaysafterthat.AndIstillhaven’tfiguredoutawaytostopCarolineandTyler.
Idon’tknowwhattodo.IfIcan’tgetmydiarybackfromCaroline,she’sgoingtoreaditinfrontofeveryone.She’llhaveaperfectopportunity;she’soneofthethreeseniorschosentoreadpoetryduringtheclosingceremonies.Chosenbytheschoolboard,ofwhichTyler’sfatherisamember,Imightadd.Iwonderwhathe’llthinkwhenthisisallover?
Butwhatdifferencedoesitmake?UnlessIcancomeupwithaplan,whenthisisalloverI’llbebeyondcaring.AndStefanwillbegone,runoutoftownbythegoodcitizensofFell’sChurch.Ordead,ifhedoesn’tgetsomeofhisPowersback.Andifhedies,I’lldietoo.It’sthatsimple.
WhichmeansIhavetofindawaytogetthediary.Ihaveto.
ButIcan’t.
Iknow,you’rewaitingformetosayit.Thereisawaytogetmydiary—Damon’sway.AllIneedtodoisagreetohisprice.
Butyoudon’tunderstandhowmuchthatfrightensme.NotjustbecauseDamonfrightensme,butbecauseI’mafraidofwhatwillhappenifheandIaretogetheragain.I’mafraidofwhatwillhappentome…andtomeandStefan.
Ican’ttalkaboutthisanymore.It’stooupsetting.Ifeelsoconfusedandlostandalone.There’snobodyIcanturntoortalkto.Nobodywhocouldpossiblyunderstand.
WhatamIgoingtodo?
November28,Thursday,11:30p.m.
DearDiary,
Thingsseemclearertoday,maybebecauseI’vecometoadecision.It’sadecisionthatterrifiesme,butit’sbetterthantheonlyalternativeIcanthinkof.
I’mgoingtotellStefaneverything.
It’stheonlythingIcandonow.Founders’DayisSaturdayandIhaven’tcomeupwithanyplanofmyown.ButmaybeStefancan,ifherealizeshowdesperatethesituationis.I’mgoingovertospendthedayattheboardinghousetomorrow,andwhenIgetthereI’mgoingtotellhimeverythingIshouldhavetoldhiminthefirstplace.
Everything.AboutDamon,too.
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Idon’tknowwhathe’llsay.Ikeeprememberinghisfaceinmydreams.Thewayhelookedatme,withsuchbitternessandanger.Notasifhelovedmeatall.Ifhelooksatmelikethattomorrow…
Oh,I’mscared.Mystomachischurning.IcouldbarelytouchThanksgivingdinner—andIcan’tkeepstillIfeelasifImightflyapartintoamillionpieces.Gotosleeptonight?Ha.
PleaseletStefanunderstand.Pleaselethimforgiveme.
Thefunniestthingis,Iwantedtobecomeabetterpersonforhim.Iwantedtobeworthyofhislove.
Stefanhastheseideasabouthonor,aboutwhat’srightandwrong.Andnow,whenhefindsouthowI’vebeenlyingtohim,whatwillhethinkofme?Willhebelieveme,thatIwasonlytryingtoprotecthim?Willheevertrustmeagain?
TomorrowI’llknow.Oh,God,Iwishitwerealreadyover.Idon’tknowhowI’llliveuntilthen.
ElenaslippedoutofthehousewithouttellingAuntJudithwhereshewasgoing.Shewastiredoflies,butshedidn’twanttofacethefusstherewouldinevitablybeifshesaidshewasgoingtoStefan’s.EversinceDamonhadcometodinner,AuntJudithhadbeentalkingabouthim,throwingsubtleandnot-so-subtlehintsintoeveryconversation.AndRobertwasalmostasbad.ElenasometimesthoughtheeggedAuntJudithon.
Sheleanedonthedoorbelloftheboardinghousewearily.WherewasMrs.Flowersthesedays?Whenthedoorfinallyopened,Stefanwasbehindit.
Hewasdressedforoutdoors,hisjacketcollarturnedup.“Ithoughtwecouldgoforawalk,”hesaid.
“No.”Elenawasfirm.Shecouldn’tmanagearealsmileforhim,soshestoppedtrying.Shesaid,“Let’sgoupstairs,Stefan,allright?There’ssomethingweneedtotalkabout.”
Helookedatheramomentinsurprise.Somethingmusthaveshowninherface,forhisexpressiongraduallystilledanddarkened.Hetookadeepbreathandnodded.Withoutaword,heturnedandledthewaytohisroom.
Thetrunksanddressersandbookcaseshadlongsincebeenputbackintoorder,ofcourse.ButElenafeltasifshewasreallynoticingthisforthefirsttime.Forsomereason,shethoughtoftheveryfirstnightshe’dbeenhere,whenStefanhadsavedherfromTyler’sdisgustingembrace.Hereyesranovertheobjectsonthedresser:thefifteenthcenturygoldflorins,theivory-hikeddagger,thelittleironcofferwiththehingedlid.She’dtriedtoopenthatthefirstnightandhe’dslammedtheliddown.
Sheturned.Stefanwasstandingbythewindow,outlinedbytherectangleofgrayanddismalsky.Everydaythisweekhadbeenchillyandmisty,andthiswasnoexception.Stefan’sexpressionmirroredtheweatheroutside.
“Well,”hesaidquietly,“whatdoweneedtotalkabout?”
Therewasonelastmomentofchoice,andthenElenacommittedherself.Shestretchedoutahandtothesmallironcofferandopenedit.
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summerdaysthatseemedimpossiblyfarawayjustnow.ShegathereditupandhelditouttoStefan.
“Aboutthis,”shesaid.
Hehadtakenastepforwardwhenshetouchedthecoffer,butnowhelookedpuzzledandsurprised.
“Aboutthat?”
“Yes.BecauseIknewitwasthere,Stefan.Ifounditalongtimeago,onedaywhenyoulefttheroomforafewminutes.Idon’tknowwhyIhadtoknowwhatwasinthere,butIcouldn’thelpit.SoIfoundtheribbon.Andthen…”Shestoppedandbracedherself.“ThenIwroteaboutitinmydiary.”
Stefanwaslookingmoreandmorebewildered,asifthiswasnotatallwhathe’dbeenexpecting.Elenagropedfortherightwords.
“IwroteaboutitbecauseIthoughtitwasevidencethatyou’dcaredaboutmeallalong,enoughtopickitupandkeepit.Ineverthoughtitcouldbeevidenceofanythingelse.”
Then,suddenly,shewasspeakingquickly.ShetoldhimabouttakingherdiarytoBonnie’shouse,abouthowithadbeenstolen.Shetoldhimaboutgettingthenotes,aboutrealizingthatCarolinewastheonewhowassendingthem.Andthen,turningaway,pullingthesummer-coloredsilkoverandoverthroughhernervousfingers,shetoldhimaboutCarolineandTyler’splan.
Hervoicealmostgaveoutattheend.“I’vebeensofrightenedsincethen,”shewhispered,hereyesstillontheribbon.“Scaredthatyou’dbeangrywithme.Scaredofwhatthey’regoingtodo.Justscared.Itriedtogetthediaryback,Stefan,IevenwenttoCaroline’shouse.Butshehasittoowellhidden.
AndI’vethoughtandthought,butIcan’tthinkofanywayofstoppingherfromreadingit.”Atlastshelookedupathim.“I’msorry.”
“Youshouldbe!”hesaid,startlingherwithhisvehemence.Shefelttheblooddrainfromherface.ButStefanwasgoingon.“YoushouldbesorryforkeepingsomethinglikethatfrommewhenIcouldhavehelpedyou.Elena,whydidn’tyoujusttellme?”
“Becauseit’sallmyfault.AndIhadadream…”Shetriedtodescribehowhehadlookedinthedreams,thebitterness,theaccusationinhiseyes.“IthinkIwoulddieifyoureallylookedatmethatway,”sheconcludedmiserably.
ButStefan’sexpressionashelookedathernowwasacombinationofreliefandwonder.“Sothat’sit,”
hesaid,almostinawhisperhimself.“That’swhat’sbeenbotheringyou.”
Elenaopenedhermouth,buthewasstillspeaking.“Iknewsomethingwaswrong,Iknewyouwereholdingsomethingback.ButIthought…”Heshook“hisheadandaskewedsmiletuggedathislips.“Itdoesn’tmatternow.Ididn’twanttoinvadeyourprivacy.Ididn’tevenwanttoask.Andallthetimeyouwereworriedaboutprotectingme.”
Elena’stonguewasstucktotheroofofhermouth.Thewordsseemedtobestuck,too.There’smore,shethought,butshecouldn’tsayit,notwhenStefan’seyeslookedlikethat,notwhenhiswholefacewasalightthatway.
“Whenyousaidweneededtotalktoday,Ithoughtyou’dchangedyourmindaboutme,”hesaidsimply,withoutself-pity.“AndIwouldn’thaveblamedyou.Butinstead…”Heshookhisheadagain.“Elena,”hePage85
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said,andthenshewasinhisarms.
Itfeltsogoodtobethere,soright.Shehadn’tevenrealizedhowwrongthingshadbeenbetweenthemuntilnow,whenthewrongnesshaddisappeared.Thiswaswhatsheremembered,whatshehadfeltthatfirstgloriousnightwhenStefanhadheldher.Allthesweetnessandtendernessintheworldsurgingbetweenthem.Shewashome,whereshebelonged.Whereshewouldalwaysbelong.
Everythingelsewasforgotten.
Asshehadinthebeginning,ElenafeltasifshecouldalmostreadStefan’sthoughts.Theywereconnected,apartofeachother.Theirheartsbeattothesamerhythm.
Onlyonethingwasneededtomakeitcomplete.Elenaknewthat,andshetossedherhairback,reachingfrombehindtopullitawayfromthesideofherneck.AndthistimeStefandidnotprotestorthwarther.Insteadofrefusalhewasradiatingadeepacceptance—andadeepneed.
Feelingsoflove,ofdelight,ofappreciationoverwhelmedherandwithincredulousjoysherealizedthefeelingswerehis.Foramoment,shesensedherselfthroughhiseyes,andsensedhowmuchhecaredforher.Itmighthavebeenfrighteningifshehadnothadthesamedepthoffeelingtogivebacktohim.
Shefeltnopainashisteethpiercedherneck.Anditdidn’tevenoccurtoherthatshehadunthinkinglyofferedhimtheunmarkedside—eventhoughthewoundsDamonhadleftwerehealedalready.
Sheclungtohimwhenhetriedtolifthishead.Hewasadamant,though,andatlastshehadtolethimdoit.Stillholdingher,hegropedoverontothedresserforthewickedivory-handledbladeandwithonequickmotionhelethisownbloodflow.
WhenElena’skneesgrewweak,hesatheronthebed.Andthentheyjustheldeachother,unawareoftimeoranythingelse.ElenafeltthatonlysheandStefanexisted.
“Iloveyou,”hesaidsoftly.
AtfirstElena,inherpleasanthaze,simplyacceptedthewords.Then,withachillofsweetness,sherealizedwhathe’dsaid.
Helovedher.She’dknownitallalong,buthehadneversaiditbefore.
“Iloveyou,Stefan,”shewhisperedback.Shewassurprisedwhenheshiftedandpulledawayslightly,untilshesawwhathewasdoing.Reachinginsidehissweater,hedrewoutthechainhehadwornaroundhisneckeversinceshehadknownhim.Onthechainwasagoldring,exquisitelycrafted,setwithlapislazuli.
Katherine’sring.AsElenawatched,hetookthechainoffandunclaspedit,removingthedelicategoldenband.
“WhenKatherinedied,”hesaid,“IthoughtIcouldneverloveanyoneelse.EventhoughIknewshewouldhavewantedmeto,Iwassureitcouldneverhappen.ButIwaswrong.”Hehesitatedamomentandthenwenton.
“Ikepttheringbecauseitwasasymbolofher.SoIcouldkeepherinmyheart.ButnowI’dlikeittobeasymbolofsomethingelse.”Againhehesitated,seemingalmostafraidtomeethereyes.“ConsideringthePage86
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waythingsare,Idon’treallyhaveanyrighttoaskthis.But,Elena—”Hestruggledonforafewminutesandthengaveup,hiseyesmeetinghersmutely.
Elenacouldn’tspeak.Shecouldn’tevenbreathe.ButStefanmisinterpretedhersilence.Thehopeinhiseyesdiedandheturnedaway.
“You’reright,”hesaid.“It’sallimpossible.Therearejusttoomanydifficulties—becauseofme.BecauseofwhatIam.Nobodylikeyoushouldbetiedtosomeonelikeme.Ishouldn’tevenhavesuggestedit—”
“Stefan!”saidElena.“Stefan,ifyou’llbequietamoment—”
“—sojustforgetIsaidanything—”
”Stefan!”shesaid.“Stefan,lookatme.”
Slowly,heobeyed,turningback.Helookedintohereyes,andthebitterself-condemnationfadedfromhisface,tobereplacedbyalookthatmadeherloseherbreathagain.Then,stillslowly,hetookthehandshewasholdingout.Deliberately,astheybothwatched,heslippedtheringontoherfinger.
Itfitasifithadbeenmadeforher.Thegoldglintedrichlyinthelight,andthelapisshoneadeepvibrantbluelikeaclearlakesurroundedbyuntouchedsnow.
“We’llhavetokeepitasecretforawhile,”shesaid,hearingthetremorinhervoice.
“AuntJudithwillhaveafitifsheknowsI’mengagedbeforeIgraduate.ButI’llbeeighteennextsummer,andthenshecan’tstopus.”
“Elena,areyousurethisiswhatyouwant?Itwon’tbeeasylivingwithme.I’llalwaysbedifferentfromyou,nomatterhowItry.Ifyoueverwanttochangeyourmind…”
“Aslongasyouloveme,I’llneverchangemymind.”
Hetookherinhisarmsagain,andpeaceandcontentmentenfoldedher.Buttherewasstillonefearthatgnawedattheedgesofherconsciousness.
“Stefan,abouttomorrow—ifCarolineandTylercarryouttheirplan,itwon’tmatterifIchangemymindornot.”
“Thenwe’lljusthavetomakesuretheycan’tcarryitout.IfBonnieandMeredithwillhelpme,IthinkIcanfindawaytogetthediaryfromCaroline.ButevenifIcan’t,I’mnotgoingtorun.Iwon’tleaveyou,Elena;I’mgoingtostayandfight.”
“Butthey’llhurtyou.Stefan,Ican’tstandthat.”
“AndIcan’tleaveyou.That’ssettled.Letmeworryabouttherestofit;I’llfindaway.AndifIdon’t…
well,nomatterwhatI’llstaywithyou.We’llbetogether.”
“We’llbetogether,”Elenarepeated,andrestedherheadonhisshoulder,happytostopthinkingforawhileandjustbe
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November29,Friday
DearDiary,
It’slatebutIcouldn’tsleep.Idon’tseemtoneedasmuchsleepasIusedto.
Well,tomorrow’stheday.
WetalkedtoBonnieandMeredithtonight.Stefan’splanissimplicityitself.Thethingis,nomatterwhereCarolinehashiddenthediary,shehastobringitouttomorrowtotakeitwithher.Butourreadingsarethelastthingontheagenda,andshehastobeintheparadeandeverythingfirst.She’llhavetostashthediarysomewhereduringthattime.Soifwewatchherfromtheminutesheleavesherhouseuntilshegetsuponstage,weshouldbeabletoseewheresheputsitdown.Andsinceshedoesn’tevenknowwe’resuspicious,shewon’tbeonguard.
That’swhenwegetit.
Thereasontheplanwillworkisbecauseeveryoneintheprogramwillbeinperioddress.Mrs.
Grimesby,thelibrarian,willhelpusputonour19thcenturyclothesbeforetheparade,andwecan’tbewearingorcarryinganythingthat’snotpartofthecostume.Nopurses,nobackpacks.Nodiaries!
Carolinewillhavetoleaveitbehindatsomepoint.
We’retakingturnswatchingher.BonnieisgoingtowaitoutsideherhouseandseewhatCaroline’scarryingwhensheleaves.I’llwatchherwhenshegetsdressedatMrs.Grimesby’shouse.Then,whiletheparadeisgoingon,StefanandMeredithwillbreakintothehouse—ortheForbes’car,ifthat’swhereitis—anddotheirstuff
Idon’tseehowitcanfail.AndIcan’ttellyouhowmuchbetterIfeel.It’ssogoodjusttobeabletosharethisproblemwithStefan.I’velearnedmylesson;I’llneverkeepthingsfromhimagain.
I’mwearingmyringtomorrow.IfMrs.Grimesbyasksmeaboutit,I’lltellherit’sevenolderthan19thcentury,it’sfromRenaissanceItaly.I’dliketoseeherfacewhenIsaythat.
I’dbettertrytogetsomesleepnow.IhopeIdon’tdream.
Fourteen
BonnieshiveredasshewaitedoutsidethetallVictorianhouse.Theairwasfrostythismorning,andalthoughitwasalmosteighto’clockthesunhadneverreallycomeup.Theskywasjustonedensemassedbankofgrayandwhiteclouds,creatinganeerietwilightbelow.
ShehadbeguntostampherfeetandrubherhandstogetherwhentheForbes’dooropened.Bonniemovedbackalittlebehindtheshrubberythatwasherhidingplaceandwatchedthefamilywalktotheircar.Mr.Forbeswascarryingnothingbutacamera.Mrs.Forbeshadapurseandafoldingseat.DanielForbes,Caroline’syoungerbrother,hadanotherseat.AndCaroline…
Bonnieleanedforward,herbreathhissingoutinsatisfaction.Carolinewasdressedinjeansandaheavysweater,andshewascarryingsomesortofwhitedrawstringpurse.Notbigbutbigenoughtoholdasmalldiary.
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Warmedbytriumph,Bonniewaitedbehindthebushuntilthecardroveaway.ThenshestartedforthecornerofThrushStreetandHawthorneDrive.
“Theresheis,AuntJudith.Onthecorner.”
Thecarslowedtoahalt,andBonnieslidintothebackseatwithElena.
“She’sgotawhitedrawstringpurse,”shemurmuredintoElena’searasAuntJudithpulledoutagain.
TinglingexcitementsweptoverElena,andshesqueezedBonnie’shand.“Good,”shebreathed.“Nowwe’llseeifshebringsitintoMrs.Grimesby’s.Ifnot,youtellMeredithit’sinthecar.”
BonnienoddedagreementandsqueezedElena’shandback.
TheyarrivedatMrs.Grimesby’sjustintimetoseeCarolinegoinginsidewithawhitebaghangingfromherarm.BonnieandElenaexchangedalook.NowitwasuptoElenatoseewhereCarolineleftitinthehouse.
“I’llgetoutheretoo,MissGilbert,”saidBonnieasElenajumpedoutofthecar.ShewouldwaitoutsidewithMeredithuntilElenacouldtellthemwherethebagwas.TheimportantthingwasnottoletCarolinesuspectanythingunusual.
Mrs.Grimesby,whoansweredElena’sknock,wastheFell’sChurchlibrarian.Herhouselookedalmostlikealibraryitself;therewerebookcaseseverywhereandbooksstackedonthefloor.ShewasalsothekeeperofFell’sChurch’shistoricalartifacts,includingclothingthathadbeenpreservedfromthetown’searliestdays.
Justnowthehousewasringingwithyoungvoices,andthebedroomswerefullofstudentsinvariousstagesofundress.Mrs.Grimesbyalwayssupervisedthecostumesforthepageant.ElenawasreadytoasktobeputinthesameroomwithCaroline,butitwasn’tnecessary.Mrs.Grimesbywasalreadyusheringherin.
Caroline,strippeddowntoherfashionableunderwear,gaveElenawhatwasundoubtedlymeanttobeanonchalantlook,butElenadetectedtheviciousgloatingbeneath.ShekeptherowneyesonthebundleofclothingMrs.Grimesbywaspickingupoffthebed.
“Hereyouare,Elena.Oneofourmostnicelypreservedpieces—andallauthentic,too,eventheribbons.
WebelievethisdressbelongedtoHonoriaFell.”
“It’sbeautiful,”saidElena,asMrs.Grimesbyshookoutthefoldsofthinwhitematerial.“What’sitmadeof?”
“Moravianmuslinandsilkgauze.Sinceit’squitecoldtodayyoucanwearthatvelvetjacketoverit.”Thelibrarianindicatedadustyrosegarmentlyingoverachairback.
ElenacastasurreptitiousglanceatCarolineasshebegantochange.Yes,therewasthebag,atCaroline’sfeet.Shedebatedmakingagrabforit,butMrs.Grimesbywasstillintheroom.
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ribbon.Theslightlypuffedelbow-lengthsleevesweretiedwithribbonofthesamecolor.Fashionshadbeenlooseenoughintheearlynineteenthcenturytofitatwentiethcenturygirl—atleastifshewereslender.ElenasmiledasMrs.Grimesbyledhertoamirror.
“DiditreallybelongtoHonoriaFell?”sheasked,thinkingofthemarbleimageofthatladylyingonhertombintheruinedchurch.
“That’sthestory,anyway,”saidMrs.Grimesby.“Shementionsadresslikeitinherjournal,sowe’reprettysure.”
“Shekeptajournal?”Elenawasstartled.
“Oh,yes.Ihaveitinacaseinthelivingroom;I’llshowittoyouonthewayout.Nowforthejacket—oh,what’sthat?”
SomethingvioletflutteredtothegroundasElenapickedthejacketup.
Shecouldfeelherexpressionfreeze.ShecaughtupthenotebeforeMrs.Grimesbycouldbendover,andglancedatit.
Oneline.SherememberedwritingitinherdiaryonSeptember4,thefirstdayofschool.Exceptthataftershehadwrittenitshehadcrosseditout.Thesewordswerenotcrossedout;theywereboldandclear.
Somethingawfulisgoingtohappentoday.
ElenacouldbarelyrestrainherselffromroundingonCarolineandshakingthenoteinherface.Butthatwouldruineverything.Sheforcedherselftostaycalmasshecrumpledupthelittleslipofpaperandthrewitintoawastebasket.
“It’sjustapieceoftrash,”shesaid,andturnedbacktoMrs.Grimesby,hershouldersstiff.Carolinesaidnothing,butElenacouldfeelthosetriumphantgreeneyesonher.
Justyouwait,shethought.WaituntilIgetthatdiaryback.I’mgoingtoburnit,andthenyouandIaregoingtohaveatalk.
ToMrs.Grimesbyshesaid,“I’mready.”
“SoamI,”saidCarolineinademurevoice.Elenaputonalookofcoolindifferenceassheeyedtheothergirl.Caroline’spalegreengownwithlonggreenandwhitesasheswasnotnearlyasprettyashers.
“Wonderful.Yougirlsgoaheadandwaitforyourrides.Oh,andCaroline,don’tforgetyourreticule.”
“Iwon’t,”Carolinesaid,smiling,andshereachedforthedrawstringbagatherfeet.
Itwasfortunatethatfromthatpositionshecouldn’tseeElena’sface,forinthatinstantthecoolindifferenceshatteredcompletely.Elenastared,dumbfounded,asCarolinebegantotiethebagatherwaist.
Herastonishmentdidn’tescapeMrs.Grimesby.“That’sareticule,theancestorofourmodernhandbag,”
theolderwomanexplainedkindly.“Ladiesusedtokeeptheirglovesandfansinthem.CarolinecamebyPage90
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andgotitearlierthisweeksoshecouldrepairsomeloosebeadwork…verythoughtfulofher.”
“I’msureitwas,”Elenamanagedinastrangledvoice.Shehadtogetoutofhereorsomethingawfulwasgoingtohappenrightnow.Shewasgoingtostartscreaming—orknockCarolinedown—orexplode.“Ineedsomefreshair,”shesaid.Sheboltedfromtheroomandfromthehouse,burstingoutside.
BonnieandMeredithwerewaitinginMeredith’scar.Elena’sheartthumpedstrangelyasshewalkedtoitandleanedinthewindow.
“She’soutsmartedus,”shesaidquietly.“Thatbagispartofhercostume,andshe’sgoingtowearitallday.”
BonnieandMeredithstared,firstatherandthenateachother.
“But…then,whatarewegoingtodo?”Bonnieasked.
“Idon’tknow.”WithsickdismaythisrealizationfinallycamehometoElena.“Idon’tknow!”
“Wecanstillwatchher.Maybeshe’lltakethebagoffatlunchorsomething…”ButMeredith’svoiceranghollow.Theyallknewthetruth,Elenathought,andthetruthwasthatitwashopeless.They’dlost.
Bonnieglancedintherearviewmirror,thentwistedinherseat.“It’syourride.”
Elenalooked.Twowhitehorsesweredrawingasmartlyrenovatedbuggydownthestreet.Crepepaperwasthreadedthroughthebuggy’swheels,fernsdecorateditsseats,andalargebanneronthesideproclaimed,TheSpiritofFell’sChurch
Elenahadtimeforonlyonedesperatemessage.“Watchher,”shesaid.“Andifthere’severamomentwhenshe’salone…”Thenshehadtogo.
Butallthroughthatlong,terriblemorning,therewasneveramomentwhenCarolinewasalone.Shewassurroundedbyacrowdofspectators.
ForElena,theparadewaspuretorture.Shesatinthebuggybesidethemayorandhiswife,tryingtosmile,tryingtolooknormal.Butthesickdreadwaslikeacrushingweightonherchest.
Somewhereinfrontofher,amongthemarchingbandsanddrillteamsandopenconvertibles,wasCaroline.Elenahadforgottentofindoutwhichfloatshewason.Thefirstschoolhousefloat,perhaps;alotoftheyoungerchildrenincostumewouldbeonthat.
Itdidn’tmatter.WhereverCarolinewas,shewasinfullviewofhalfthetown.
Theluncheonthatfollowedtheparadewasheldinthehighschoolcafeteria.ElenawastrappedatatablewithMayorDawleyandhiswife.Carolinewasatanearbytable;Elenacouldseetheshiningbackofherauburnhead.Andsittingbesideher,oftenleaningpossessivelyoverher,wasTylerSmallwood.
Elenawasinaperfectpositiontoviewthelittledramathatoccurredabouthalfwaythroughlunch.HerheartleapedintoherthroatwhenshesawStefan,lookingcasual,strollbyCaroline’stable.
HespoketoCaroline.Elenawatched,forgettingeventoplaywiththeuntouchedfoodonherplate.Butwhatshesawnextmadeherheartplummet.Carolinetossedherheadandrepliedtohimbriefly,andthenPage91
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turnedbacktohermeal.AndTylerlumberedtohisfeet,hisfacereddeningashemadeanangrygesture.
Hedidn’tsitdownagainuntilStefanturnedaway.
StefanlookedtowardElenaasheleft,andforamomenttheireyesmetinwordlesscommunion.
Therewasnothinghecoulddo,then.EvenifhisPowershadreturned,TylerwasgoingtokeephimawayfromCaroline.ThecrushingweightsqueezedElena’slungssothatshecouldscarcelybreathe.
Afterthatshesimplysatinadazeofmiseryanddespairuntilsomeonenudgedherandtoldheritwastimetogobackstage.
ShelistenedalmostindifferentlytoMayorDawley’sspeechofwelcome.Hespokeaboutthe“tryingtime”Fell’sChurchhadfacedrecently,andaboutthecommunityspiritthathadsustainedthemthesepastmonths.Thenawardsweregivenout,forscholarship,forathletics,forcommunityservice.MattcameuptoreceiveOutstandingMaleAthleteoftheYear,andElenasawhimlookathercuriously.
Thencamethepageant.TheelementaryschoolchildrengiggledandtrippedandforgottheirlinesastheyportrayedscenesfromthefoundingofFell’sChurchthroughtheCivilWar.Elenawatchedthemwithouttakinganyofitin.Eversincelastnightshe’dbeenslightlydizzyandshaky,andnowshefeltasifshewerecomingdownwiththeflu.Herbrain,usuallysofullofschemesandcalculations,wasempty.Shecouldn’tthinkanymore.Shealmostcouldn’tcare.
Thepageantendedtopoppingflashbulbsandtumultuousapplause.WhenthelastlittleConfederatesoldierwasoffthestage,MayorDawleycalledforsilence.
“Andnow,”hesaid,“forthestudentswhowillperformtheclosingceremonies.PleaseshowyourappreciationfortheSpiritofIndependence,theSpiritofFidelity,andtheSpiritofFell’sChurch!”
Theapplausewasevenmorethunderous.ElenastoodbesideJohnClifford,thebrainyseniorwho’dbeenchosentorepresenttheSpiritofIndependence.OntheothersideofJohnwasCaroline.Inadetached,nearlyapatheticwayElenanoticedthatCarolinelookedmagnificent:herheadtiltedback,hereyesblazing,hercheeksflushedwithcolor.
Johnwentfirst,adjustinghisglassesandthemicrophonebeforehereadfromtheheavybrownbookonthelectern.Officially,theseniorswerefreetochoosetheirownselections;inpracticetheyalmostalwaysreadfromtheworksofM.C.Marsh,theonlypoetFell’sChurchhadeverproduced.
AllduringJohn’sreading,Carolinewasupstaginghim.Shesmiledattheaudience;sheshookoutherhair;sheweighedthereticulehangingfromherwaist.Herfingersstrokedthedrawstringbaglovingly,andElenafoundherselfstaringatit,hypnotized,memorizingeverybead.
JohntookabowandresumedhisplacebyElena.Carolinethrewhershouldersbackanddidamodel’swalktothelectern.
Thistimetheapplausewasmixedwithwhistles.ButCarolinedidn’tsmile;shehadassumedanairoftragicresponsibility.Withexquisitetimingshewaiteduntilthecafetoriumwasperfectlyquiettospeak.
“IwasplanningtoreadapoembyM.C.Marshtoday,”shesaid,then,intotheattentivestillness,“butI’mnotgoingto.Whyreadfromthis—”Sheheldupthenineteenthcenturyvolumeofpoetry.“—whenthereissomethingmuchmore…relevant…inabookIhappenedtofind?”
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Happenedtosteal,youmean,thoughtElena.Hereyessoughtamongthefacesinthecrowd,andshelocatedStefan.Hewasstandingtowardtheback,withBonnieandMeredithstationedoneithersideasifprotectinghim.ThenElenanoticedsomethingelse.Tyler,withDickandseveralotherguys,wasstandingjustafewyardsbehind.Theguyswereolderthanhighschoolage,andtheylookedtough,andtherewerefiveofthem.Go,thoughtElena,findingStefan’seyesagain.Shewilledhimtounderstandwhatshewassaying.Go,Stefan;pleaseleavebeforeithappens.Gonow
Veryslightly,almostimperceptibly,Stefanshookhishead.
Caroline’sfingersweredippingintothebagasifshejustcouldn’twait.“WhatI’mgoingtoreadisaboutFell’sChurchtoday,notahundredortwohundredyearsago,”shewassaying,workingherselfupintoasortofexultantfever.“It’simportantnow,becauseit’saboutsomebodywho’slivingintownwithus.Infacthe’srighthereinthisroom.”
Tylermusthavewrittenthespeechforher,Elenadecided.Lastmonth,inthegym,he’dshownquiteagiftforthatkindofthing.Oh,Stefan,oh,Stefan,I’mscared…HerthoughtsjumbledintoincoherenceasCarolineplungedherhandintothebag.
“Ithinkyou’llunderstandwhatImeanwhenyouhearit,”Carolinesaid,andwithaquickmotionshepulledavelvet-coveredbookfromthereticuleandhelditupdramatically.“Ithinkitwillexplainalotofwhat’sbeengoingoninFell’sChurchrecently.”Breathingquicklyandlightly,shelookedfromthespellboundaudiencetothebookinherhand.
ElenahadalmostlostconsciousnesswhenCarolinejerkedthediaryout.Brightsparklesranalongtheedgesofhervision.Thedizzinessroaredup,readytooverwhelmElena,andthenshenoticedsomething.
Itmustbehereyes.Thestagelightsandflashbulbsmusthavedazzledthem.Shecertainlyfeltreadytofaintanyminute;itwashardlysurprisingthatshecouldn’tseeproperly.
ThebookinCaroline’shandslookedgreen,notblue.
Imustbegoingcrazy…orthisisadream…ormaybeit’satrickofthelighting.ButlookatCaroline’sface!
Caroline,mouthworking,wasstaringatthevelvetbook.Sheseemedtohaveforgottentheaudiencealtogether.Sheturnedthediaryoverandoverinherhands,lookingatallsidesofit.Hermovementsbecamefrantic.Shethrustahandintothereticuleasifshesomehowhopedtofindsomethingelseinit.
Thenshecastawildglancearoundthestageasifwhatshewaslookingformighthavefallentotheground.
Theaudiencewasmurmuring,gettingimpatient.MayorDawleyandthehighschoolprincipalwereexchangingtight-lippedfrowns.
Havingfoundnothingonthefloor,Carolinewasstaringatthesmallbookagain.Butnowshewasgazingatitasifitwereascorpion.Withasuddengesture,shewrencheditopenandlookedinside,asifherlasthopewasthatonlythecoverhadchangedandthewordsinsidemightbeElena’s.
Thensheslowlylookedupfromthebookatthepackedcafetorium.
Silencehaddescendedagain,andthemomentdrewout,whileeveryeyeremainedfixedonthegirlinthepalegreengown.Then,withaninarticulatesound,Carolinewhirledandclatteredoffthestage.ShePage93
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struckatElenaasshewentby,herfaceamaskofrageandhatred.
Gently,withafeelingoffloating,ElenastoopedtopickupwhatCarolinehadtriedtohitherwith.
Caroline’sdiary.
TherewasactivitybehindElenaaspeopleranafterCaroline,andinfrontofherastheaudienceexplodedintocomment,argument,discussion.ElenafoundStefan.Helookedasifjubilationwassneakinguponhim.ButhealsolookedasbewilderedasElenafelt.BonnieandMeredithwerethesame.
AsStefan’sgazecrossedhers,Elenafeltarushofgratitudeandjoy,butherpredominantemotionwasawe.
Itwasamiracle.Beyondallhope,theyhadbeenrescued.They’dbeensaved.
Andthenhereyespickedoutanotherdarkheadamongthecrowd.
Damonwasleaning…no,lounging…againstthenorthwall.Hislipswerecurvedintoahalfsmile,andhiseyesmetElena’sboldly.
MayorDawleywasbesideher,urgingherforward,quietingthecrowd,tryingtorestoreorder.Itwasnouse.Elenareadherselectioninadreamyvoicetoababblinggroupofpeoplewhoweren’tpayingattentionintheslightest.Shewasn’tpayingattention,either;shehadnoideawhatwordsshewassaying.
EverysooftenshelookedatDamon.
Therewasapplause,scatteredanddistracted,whenshefinished,andthemayorannouncedtherestoftheeventsforthatafternoon.Andthenitwasallover,andElenawasfreetogo.
Shefloatedoffstagewithoutanyconsciousideaofwhereshewasgoing,butherlegscarriedhertothenorthwall.Damon’sdarkheadmovedoutthesidedoorandshefollowedit.
Theairinthecourtyardseemeddeliciouslycoolafterthecrowdedroom,andthecloudsaboveweresilveryandswirling.Damonwaswaitingforher.
Herstepsslowedbutdidnotstop.Shemoveduntilshewasonlyafootorsoawayfromhim,hereyessearchinghisface.
Therewasalongmomentofsilenceandthenshespoke.“Why?”
“Ithoughtyou’dbemoreinterestedinhow.”Hepattedhisjacketsignificantly.“Igotinvitedinforcoffeethismorningafterscrapingupanacquaintancelastweek.”
“Butwhy?”
Heshrugged,andforjustaninstantsomethinglikeconsternationflickeredacrosshisfinelydrawnfeatures.ItseemedtoElenathathehimselfdidn’tknowwhy—ordidn’twanttoadmitit.
“Formyownpurposes,”hesaid.
“Idon’tthinkso.”Somethingwasbuildingbetweenthem,somethingthatfrightenedElenawithitspower.
“Idon’tthinkthat’sthereasonatall.”
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Therewasadangerousglimmerinthosedarkeyes.“Don’tpushme,Elena.”
Shemovedcloser,sothatshewasalmosttouchinghim,andlookedathim.“Ithink,”shesaid,“thatmaybeyouneedtobepushed.”
Hisfacewasonlyinchesawayfromhers,andElenaneverknewwhatmighthavehappenedifatthatmomentavoicehadn’tbrokeninonthem.
“Youdidmanagetomakeitafterall!I’msoglad!”
ItwasAuntJudith.Elenafeltasifshewerebeingwhiskedfromoneworldtoanother.Sheblinkeddizzily,steppingback,lettingoutabreathshehadn’trealizedshewasholding.
“AndsoyougottohearElenaread,”AuntJudithcontinuedhappily.“Youdidabeautifuljob,Elena,butIdon’tknowwhatwasgoingonwithCaroline.Thegirlsinthistownareallactingbewitchedlately.”
“Nerves,”suggestedDamon,hisfacecarefullysolemn.Elenafeltanurgetogiggleandthenawaveofirritation.ItwasallverywelltobegratefultoDamonforsavingthem,butifnotforDamontherewouldn’thavebeenaprobleminthefirstplace.DamonhadcommittedthecrimesCarolinewantedtopinonStefan.
“AndwhereisStefan?”shesaid,voicinghernextthoughtaloud.ShecouldseeBonnieandMeredithinthecourtyardalone.
AuntJudith’sfaceshowedherdisapproval.“Ihaven’tseenhim,”shesaidbriefly.Thenshesmiledfondly.
“ButIhaveanidea;whydon’tyoucometodinnerwithus,Damon?ThenafterwardsperhapsyouandElenacould—”
“Stopit!”saidElenatoDamon.Helookedpolitelyinquiring.
“What?”saidAuntJudith.
“Stopit!”ElenasaidtoDamonagain.“Youknowwhat.Juststopitrightnow!”
Fifteen
“Elena,you’rebeingrude!”AuntJudithseldomgotangrybutshewasangrynow.“You’retoooldforthiskindofbehavior.”
“It’snotrudeness!Youdon’tunderstand—”
“Iunderstandperfectly.You’reactingjustthewayyoudidwhenDamoncametodinner.Don’tyouthinkaguestdeservesalittlemoreconsideration?”
FrustrationfloodedoverElena.“Youdon’tevenknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”shesaid.Thiswastoomuch.TohearDamon’swordscomingfromAuntJudith’slips…itwasunbearable.
“Elena!”AmottledflushwascreepingupAuntJudith’scheeks.“I’mshockedatyou!AndIhavetosaythatthischildishbehavioronlystartedsinceyou’vebeengoingoutwiththatboy.”
“Oh,‘thatboy’.”ElenaglaredatDamon.
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“Yes,thatboy!”AuntJudithanswered.“Eversinceyoulostyourheadoverhimyou’vebeenadifferentperson.Irresponsible,secretive—anddefiant!He’sbeenabadinfluencefromthestart,andIwon’ttolerateitanymore.”
“Oh,really?”ElenafeltasifsheweretalkingtoDamonandAuntJudithatonce,andshelookedbackandforthbetweenthetwoofthem.Alltheemotionsshe’dbeensuppressingforthelastdays—forthelastweeks,forthemonthssinceStefanhadcomeintoherlife—weresurgingforward.Itwaslikeagreattidalwaveinsideher,overwhichshehadnocontrol.
Sherealizedshewasshaking.“Well,that’stoobadbecauseyou’regoingtohavetotolerateit.IamnevergoingtogiveStefanup,notforanyone.Certainlynotforyou!”ThislastwasmeantforDamon,butAuntJudithgasped.
“That’senough!”Robertsnapped.He’dappearedwithMargaret,andhisfacewasdark.“Younglady,ifthisishowthatboyencouragesyoutospeaktoyouraunt—”
“He’snot‘thatboy’!”Elenatookanotherstepback,soshecouldfaceallofthem.Shewasmakingaspectacleofherself,everyoneinthecourtyardwaslooking.Butshedidn’tcare.Shehadbeenkeepingalidonherfeelingsforsolong,shovingdownalltheanxietyandthefearandtheangerwhereitwouldn’tbeseen.AlltheworryaboutStefan,alltheterroroverDamon,alltheshameandhumiliationshe’dsufferedatschool,she’dburieditdeep.Butnowitwascomingback.Allofit,allatonce,inamaelstromofimpossibleviolence.Herheartwaspoundingcrazily;herearsrang.Shefeltthatnothingmatteredexcepttohurtthepeoplewhostoodinfrontofher,toshowthemall.
“He’snot‘thatboy’,”shesaidagain,hervoicedeadlycold.“He’sStefanandhe’sallIcareabout.AndIhappentobeengagedtohim.”
“Oh,don’tberidiculous!”Robertthundered.Itwasthelaststraw.
“Isthisridiculous?”Sheheldupherhand,theringtowardthem.“We’regoingtogetmarried!”
“Youarenotgoingtogetmarried,”Robertbegan.Everyonewasfurious.Damongrabbedherhandandstaredatthering,thenturnedabruptlyandstrodeaway,everystepfullofbarelyleashedsavagery.
Robertwassplutteringoninexasperation.AuntJudithwasfuming.
“Elena,Iabsolutelyforbidyou—”
“You’renotmymother!”Elenacried.Tearsweretryingtoforcethemselvesoutofhereyes.Sheneededtogetaway,tobealone,tobewithsomeonewholovedher.“IfStefanasks,tellhimI’llbeattheboardinghouse!”sheadded,andbrokeawaythroughthecrowd.
ShehalfexpectedBonnieorMeredithtofollowher,butshewasgladtheydidn’t.Theparkinglotwasfullofcarsbutalmostemptyofpeople.Mostofthefamilieswerestayingfortheafternoonactivities.ButabatteredFordsedanwasparkednearby,andafamiliarfigurewasunlockingthedoor.
“Matt!Areyouleaving?”Shemadeherdecisioninstantly.Itwastoocoldtowalkallthewaytotheboardinghouse.
“Huh?No,I’vegottohelpCoachLymantakethetablesdown.Iwasjustputtingthisaway.”HetossedtheOutstandingAthleteplacardintothefrontseat.“Hey,areyouokay?”HiseyeswidenedatthesightofPage96
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herface.
“Yes—no.IwillbeifIcangetoutofhere.Look,canItakeyourcar?Justforalittlewhile?”
“Well…sure,but…Iknow,whydon’tyouletmedriveyou?I’llgotellCoachLyman.”
“No!Ijustwanttobealone…Oh,pleasedon’taskanyquestions.”Shealmostsnatchedthekeysoutofhishand.“I’llbringitbacksoon,Ipromise.OrStefanwill.IfyouseeStefan,tellhimI’mattheboardinghouse.Andthanks.”Sheslammedthedooronhisprotestsandrevvedtheengine,pullingoutwithaclashofgearsbecauseshewasn’tusedtoastickshift.Shelefthimstandingtherestaringafterher.
Shedrovewithoutreallyseeingorhearinganythingoutside,crying,lockedinherownspinningtornadoofemotions.SheandStefanwouldrunaway…Theywouldelope…Theywouldshoweveryone.ShewouldneversetfootinFell’sChurchagain.
AndthenAuntJudithwouldbesorry.ThenRobertwouldseehowwronghe’dbeen.ButElenawouldneverforgivethem.Never.
AsforElenaherself,shedidn’tneedanybody.Shecertainlydidn’tneedstupidoldRobertE.Lee,whereyoucouldgofrombeingmega-populartobeingasocialpariahinonedayjustforlovingthewrongperson.Shedidn’tneedanyfamily,oranyfriends,either…
Slowingdowntocruiseupthewindingdrivewayoftheboardinghouse,Elenafeltherthoughtsslowdown,too.
Well…shewasn’tmadatallherfriends.BonnieandMeredithhadn’tdoneanything.OrMatt.Mattwasallright.Infact,shemightnotneedhimbuthiscarhadcomeinprettyhandy.
InspiteofherselfElenafeltastrangledgigglewellupinherthroat.PoorMatt.Peoplealwaysborrowinghisclunkingdinosaurofacar.HemustthinksheandStefanwerenuts.
Thegiggleletlooseafewmoretearsandshesatandwipedthemoff,shakingherhead.Oh,God,howdidthingsturnoutthisway?Whataday.Sheshouldbehavingavictorycelebrationbecausethey’dbeatenCaroline,andinsteadshewascryingaloneinMatt’scar.
Carolinehadlookedprettydamnfunny,though.Elena’sbodyshookgentlywithslightlyhystericalchuckles.Oh,thelookonherface.Somebodybetterhaveavideoofthat.
AtlastthesobsandgigglesbothabatedandElenafeltawashoftiredness.Sheleanedagainstthesteeringwheeltryingnottothinkofanythingforawhile,andthenshegotoutofthecar.
She’dgoandwaitforStefan,andthenthey’dbothgobackanddealwiththemessshe’dmade.Itwouldtakealotofcleaningup,shethoughtwearily.PoorAuntJudith.Elenahadyelledatherinfrontofhalfthetown.
Whyhadsheletherselfgetsoupset?Butheremotionswerestillclosetothesurface,asshefoundwhentheboardinghousedoorwaslockedandnooneansweredthebell.
Oh,wonderfulshethought,hereyesstingingagain.Mrs.FlowershadgoneofftotheFounders’Daycelebration,too.AndnowElenahadthechoiceofsittinginthecarorstandingouthereinthiswindstorm…
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Itwasthefirsttimeshe’dnoticedtheweather,butwhenshedidshelookedaroundinalarm.Thedayhadstartedoutcloudyandchilly,butnowtherewasamistflowingalongtheground,asifbreathedoutfromthesurroundingfields.Thecloudswerenotjustswirling,theywereseething.Andthewindwasgettingstronger.
Itmoanedthroughthebranchesoftheoaktrees,tearingofftheremainingleavesandsendingthemdowninshowers.Thesoundwasrisingsteadilynow,notjustamoanbutahowl.
Andtherewassomethingelse.Somethingthatcamenotjustfromthewind,butfromtheairitself,orthespacearoundtheair.Afeelingofpressure,ofmenace,ofsomeunimaginableforce.Itwasgatheringpower,drawingnearer,closingin
Elenaspuntofacetheoaktrees.
Therewasastandofthembehindthehouse,andmorebeyond,blendingintotheforest.Andbeyondthatweretheriverandthegraveyard.
Something…wasoutthere.Something…verybad…
“No,”whisperedElena.Shecouldn’tseeit,butshecouldfeelit,likesomegreatshaperearinguptostandoverher,blottingoutthesky.Shefelttheevil,thehatred,theanimalfury.
Bloodlust.Stefanhadusedtheword,butshehadn’tunderstoodit.Nowshefeltthisbloodlust…
focusedonher.
“No!”
Higherandhigher,itwastoweringoverher.Shecouldstillseenothing,butitwasasifgreatwingsunfolded,stretchingtotouchthehorizononeitherside.SomethingwithaPowerbeyondcomprehension…anditwantedtokill…
“No!”Sheranforthecarjustasitstoopedanddivedforher.Herhandsscrabbledatthedoorhandle,andshefumbledfranticallywiththekeys.Thewindwasscreaming,shrieking,tearingatherhair.Grittyicesprayedintohereyes,blindingher,butthenthekeyturnedandshejerkedthedooropen.
Safe!Sheslammedthedoorshutagainandbroughtherfistdownonthelock.Thensheflungherselfacrosstheseattocheckthelocksontheotherside.
Thewindroaredwithathousandvoicesoutside.Thecarbeganrocking.
“Stopit!Damon,stopit!”Herthincrywaslostinthecacophony.Sheputherhandsoutonthedashboardasiftobalancethecaranditrockedharder,icepeltingagainstit.
Thenshesawsomething.Therearwindowwascloudingup,butshecoulddiscerntheshapethroughit.
Itlookedlikesomegreatbirdmadeofmistorsnow,buttheoutlineswerehazy.Allshewassureofwasthatithadhugesweepingwings…andthatitwascomingforher.
Getthekeyintheignition.Getitin!Nowgo!Hermindwasrappingordersather.TheancientFordwheezedandthetiresscreamedlouderthanthewindasshetookoff.Andtheshapebehindherfollowed,gettinglargerandlargerintherearviewmirror.
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Gettotown,gettoStefan!Go!Go!ButasshesquealedontoOldCreekRoad,turningleft,thewheelslocking,aboltoflightningsplitthesky.
Ifshehadn’tbeenskiddingandbrakingalready,thetreewouldhavecrasheddownonher.Asitwas,theviolentimpactshookthecarlikeanearthquakemissingthefrontrightfenderbyinches.Thetreewasamassofheaving,pitchingbranches,itstrunkblockingthewaybacktotowncompletely.
Shewastrapped.Heronlyroutehomecutoff.Shewasalone,therewasnoescapefromthisterriblePower…
Power.Thatwasit;thatwasthekey.“ThestrongeryourPowersare,themoretherulesofthedarkbindyou.”
Runningwater!
Throwingthecarintoreverse,shebroughtitaroundandthenslammedintoforward.Thewhiteshapebankedandswooped,missingherasnarrowlyasthetreehad,andthenshewasspeedingdownOldCreekRoadintotheworstofthestorm.
Itwasstillafterher.OnlyonethoughtpoundedinElena’sbrainnow.Shehadtocrossrunningwater,toleavethisthingbehind.
Thereweremorecracksoflightning,andsheglimpsedothertreesfalling,butsheswervedaroundthem.
Itcouldn’tbefarnow.Shecouldseetheriverflickeringpastonherleftsidethroughthedrivingicestorm.
Thenshesawthebridge.
Itwasthere;she’dmadeit!Agustthrewsleetacrossthewindshield,butwiththewipers’nextstrokeshesawitfleetinglyagain.Thiswasit,theturnshouldbeabouthere
Thecarlurchedandskiddedontothewoodenstructure.Elenafeltthewheelsgripatslickplanksandthenfeltthemlock.Desperately,shetriedtoturnwiththeskid,butshecouldn’tseeandtherewasnoroom…
Andthenshewascrashingthroughtheguardrail,therottedwoodofthefootbridgegivingwayunderweightitcouldnolongersupport.Therewasasickeningfeelingofspinning,dropping,andthecarhitthewater.
Elenaheardscreams,buttheydidn’tseemtobeconnectedwithher.Theriverwelleduparoundherandeverythingwasnoiseandconfusionandpain.Awindowshatteredasitwasstruckbydebris,andthenanother.Darkwatergushedacrossher,alongwithglasslikeice.Shewasengulfed.Shecouldn’tsee;shecouldn’tgetout.
Andshecouldn’tbreathe.Shewaslostinthishellishtumult,andtherewasnoair.Shehadtobreathe
Shehadtogetoutofhere…
“Stefan,helpme!”shescreamed.
Butherscreammadenosound.Instead,theicywaterrushedintoherlungs,invadingher.Shethrashedagainstit,butitwastoostrongforher.Herstrugglesbecamewilder,moreuncoordinated,andthentheystopped.
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Theneverythingwasstill.
BonnieandMeredithwerehuntingaroundtheperimeteroftheschoolimpatiently.They’dseenStefangothisway,moreorlesscoercedbyTylerandhisnewfriends.They’dstartedtofollowhim,butthenthatbusinesswithElenahadstarted.AndthenMatthadinformedthemthatshe’dtakenoff.Sothey’dsetoutafterStefanagain,butnobodywasouthere.Thereweren’tevenanybuildingsexceptonelonelyQuonsethut.
“Andnowthere’sastormcoming!”Meredithsaid.“Listentothatwind!Ithinkit’sgoingtorain.”
“Orsnow!”Bonnieshuddered.“Wheredidtheygo?”
“Idon’tcare;Ijustwanttogetunderaroof.Hereitcomes!”Meredithgaspedasthefirstsheetoficyrainhither,andsheandBonnieranforthenearestshelter—theQuonsethut.
AnditwastherethattheyfoundStefan.Thedoorwasajar,andwhenBonnielookedinsherecoiled.
“Tyler’sgoonsquad!”shehissed.“Lookout!”
Stefanhadasemicircleofguysbetweenhimandthedoor.Carolinewasinthecorner.
“Hemusthaveit!Hetookitsomehow;Iknowhedid!”shewassaying.
“Tookwhat?”saidMeredith,loudly.Everyoneturnedtheirway.
Caroline’sfacecontortedasshesawtheminthedoorwayandTylersnarled.“Getout.”hesaid.“Youdon’twanttobeinvolvedinthis.”
Meredithignoredhim.“Stefan,canItalktoyou?”
“Inaminute.Areyougoingtoanswerherquestion?Tookwhat?”StefanwasconcentratingonTyler,totallyfocused.
“Sure,I’llanswerherquestion.RightafterIansweryours.”Tyler’sbeefyhandthumpedintohisfistandhesteppedforward.“You’regoingtobedogmeat,Salvatore.”
Severalofthetoughguyssnickered.
Bonnieopenedhermouthtosay,“Let’sgetoutofhere.”Butwhatsheactuallysaidwas,“Thebridge.”
Itwasweirdenoughtomakeeveryonelookather.
“What?”saidStefan.
“Thebridge,”saidBonnieagain,withoutmeaningtosayit.Hereyesbulged,alarmed.Shecouldhearthevoicecomingfromherthroat,butshehadnocontroloverit.Andthenshefelthereyesgowiderandhermouthdropopenandshehadherownvoiceback.“Thebridge,oh,myGod,thebridge!That’swhereElenais!Stefan,we’vegottosaveher…Oh,hurry!”
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“Bonnie,areyousure?”
“Yes,oh,God…that’swhereshe’sgone.She’sdrowning!Hurry!”WavesofthickblacknessbrokeoverBonnie.Butshecouldn’tfaintnow;theyhadtogettoElena.
StefanandMeredithhesitatedoneminute,andthenStefanwasthroughthegoonsquad,brushingthemasideliketissuepaper.Theysprintedthroughthefieldtowardtheparkinglot,draggingBonniebehind.
Tylerstartedafterthem,butstoppedwhenthefullforceofthewindhithim.
“Whywouldshegooutinthisstorm?”StefanshoutedastheysprangintoMeredith’scar.
“Shewasupset;Mattsaidshetookoffinhiscar,”Meredithgaspedbackinthecomparativequietoftheinterior.Shepulledoutfastandturnedintothewind,speedingdangerously.“Shesaidshewasgoingtotheboardinghouse.”
“No,she’satthebridge!Meredith,drivefaster!Oh,God,we’regoingtobetoolate!”TearswererunningdownBonnie’sface.
Meredithflooredit.Thecarswayed,buffetedbywindandsleet.AllthroughthatnightmarerideBonniesobbed,herfingersclutchingtheseatinfrontofher.
Stefan’ssharpwarningkeptMeredithfromrunningintothetree.Theypiledoutandwereimmediatelylashedandpunishedbythewind.
“It’stoobigtomove!We’llhavetowalk,”Stefanshouted.
Ofcourseitwastoobigtomove,Bonniethought,alreadyscramblingthroughthebranches.Itwasafull-grownoaktree.Butonceontheotherside,theicygalewhippedallthoughtoutofherhead.
Withinminutesshewasnumb,andtheroadseemedtogoonforhours.Theytriedtorunbutthewindbeatthemback.Theycouldscarcelysee;ifithadn’tbeenforStefan,theywouldhavegoneovertheriverbank.Bonniebegantoweavedrunkenly.ShewasreadytofalltothegroundwhensheheardStefanshoutingupahead
Meredith’sarmaroundhertightened,andtheybrokeagainintoastumblingrun.Butastheynearedthebridgewhattheysawbroughtthemtoahalt.
“Oh,myGod…Elena!”screamedBonnie.WickeryBridgewasamassofsplinteredrubble.Theguardrailononesidewasgoneandtheplankinghadgivenwayasifagiantfisthadsmashedit.Beneath,thedarkwaterchurnedoverasickeningpileofdebris.Partofthedebris,entirelyunderwaterexcepttheheadlights,wasMatt’scar.
Meredithwasscreaming,too,butshewasscreamingatStefan.“No!Youcan’tgodownthere!”
Heneverevenglancedback.Hedivedfromthebank,andthewaterclosedoverhishead.
Later,Bonnie’smemoryofthenexthourwouldbemercifullydim.SherememberedwaitingforStefanwhilethestormragedendlesslyon.Sherememberedthatshewasalmostbeyondcaringbythetimeahunchedfigurelurchedoutofthewater.Sherememberedfeelingnodisappointment,onlyavastandyawninggrief,asshesawthelimpthingStefanlaidoutontheroad.
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AndsherememberedStefan’sface.
SherememberedhowhelookedastheytriedtodosomethingforElena.Onlythatwasn’treallyElenalyingthere,thatwasawaxdollwithElena’sfeatures.Itwasnothingthathadeverbeenaliveanditcertainlywasn’talivenow.Bonniethoughtitseemedsillytogoonpokingandproddingatitlikethis,tryingtogetwateroutofitslungsandsoon.Waxdollsdidn’tbreathe.
SherememberedStefan’sfacewhenhefinallygaveup.WhenMeredithwrestledwithhimandyelledathim,sayingsomethingaboutoveranhourwithoutair,andbraindamage.ThewordsfilteredintoBonnie,buttheirmeaningdidn’t.ShejustthoughtitoddthatwhileMeredithandStefanwerescreamingateachothertheywerebothcrying.
Stefanstoppedcryingafterthat.HejustsatthereholdingtheElena-doll.Meredithyelledsomemore,buthedidn’tlistentoher.Hejustsat.AndBonniewouldneverforgethisexpression.
AndthensomethingsearedthroughBonnie,bringinghertolife,wakinghertoterror.SheclutchedatMeredithandstaredaroundforthesource.Somethingbad…somethingterriblewascoming.Wasalmosthere.
Stefanseemedtofeelit,too.Hewasalert,stiff,likeawolfpickingupascent.
“Whatisit?”shoutedMeredith.“What’swrongwithyou?”
“You’vegottogo!”Stefanrose,stillholdingthelimpforminhisarms.“Getoutofhere!”
“Whatdoyoumean?Wecan’tleaveyou—
“Yes,youcan!Getoutofhere!Bonnie,getherout!”
NoonehadevertoldBonnietotakecareofsomeoneelsebefore.Peoplewerealwaystakingcareofher.ButnowsheseizedMeredith’sarmandbeganpulling.Stefanwasright.TherewasnothingtheycoulddoforElena,andiftheystayedwhateverhadgottenherwouldgetthem.
“Stefan!”Meredithshoutedasshewasunaccountablydraggedaway.
“I’llputherunderthetrees.Thewillows,nottheoaks,”hecalledafterthem.
Whywouldhetellusthatnow?Bonniewonderedinsomedeeppartofhermindthatwasnottakenupwithfearandthestorm.
Theanswerwassimple,andhermindpromptlygaveitbacktoher.Becausehewasn’tgoingtobearoundtotellthemlater.
Sixteen
Longago,inthedarksidestreetsofFlorence,starving,frightened,andexhausted,Stefanhadmadehimselfavow.Severalvows,infact,aboutusingthePowershesensedwithinhimself,andabouthowtotreattheweak,blundering,butstill-humancreaturesaroundhim.
Nowhewasgoingtobreakthemall.
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He’dkissedElena’scoldforeheadandlaidherunderawillowtree.Hewouldcomebackhere,ifhecould,tojoinher,after.
Ashe’dthought,thesurgeofPowerhadpassedoverBonnieandMeredithandfollowedhim,butithadrecededagain,andwasnowdrawnback,waiting.
Hewouldn’tletitwaitlong.
UnencumberedbytheburdenofElena’sbody,hebrokeintoapredator’slopeontheemptyroad.Thefreezingsleetandwinddidn’tbotherhimmuch.Hishunter’ssensespiercedthroughthem.
Heturnedthemalltothetaskoflocatingthepreyhewanted.NothinkingofElenanow.Later,whenthiswasover.
TylerandhisfriendswerestillintheQuonsethut.Good.Theyneverknewwhatwascomingasthewindowburstintoflyingglassshardsandthestormblewinside.
StefanmeanttokillwhenheseizedTylerbytheneckandsankhisfangsin.Thathadbeenoneofhisrules,nottokill,andhewantedtobreakit.
ButanotherofthetoughscameathimbeforehehadquitedrainedTylerofblood.Theguywasn’ttryingtoprotecthisfallenleader,onlytoescape.ItwashisbadluckthathisroutetookhimacrossStefan’spath.Stefanflippedhimtothegroundandtappedthenewveineagerly.
Thehotcopperytasterevivedhim,warmedhim,flowedthroughhimlikefire.Itmadehimwantmore.
Power.Life.Theyhadit;heneededit.Withthegloriousrushofstrengththatcamewithwhathe’dalreadydrunk,hestunnedthemeasily.Thenhemovedfromonetoanother,drinkingdeepandthrowingthemaway.Itwaslikepoppingtopsonasix-pack.
HewasonthelastwhenhesawCarolinehuddlinginthecorner.
Hismouthwasdrippingasheraisedhisheadtolookather.Thosegreeneyes,usuallysonarrow,showedwhiteallaroundlikethoseofaterrifiedhorse.Herlipswerepaleblursasshegabbledsoundlesspleas.
Hepulledhertoherfeetbythegreensashesatherwaist.Shewasmoaning,hereyesrollingupintheirsockets.Hewoundhishandinherauburnhairtopositiontheexposedthroatwherehewantedit.Hisheadrearedbacktostrike—andCarolinescreamedandwentlimp.
Hedroppedher.He’dhadenoughanyway.Hewasburstingwithblood,likeanoverfedtick.Hehadneverfeltsostrong,sochargedwithelementalpower.
NowitwastimeforDamon.
HewentoutoftheQuonsethutthesamewayhe’dcomein.Butnotinhumanform.Ahuntingfalconsoaredoutthewindowandwheeledintothesky.
Thenewshapewaswonderful.Strong…andcruel.Anditseyesweresharp.Ittookhimwherehewanted,skimmingovertheoaktreesofthewoods.Hewaslookingforaparticularclearing.
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Hefoundit.Windslashedathimbuthespiraleddownward,withakeeningscreamofchallenge.
Damon,inhumanformbelow,threwuphishandstoprotecthisfaceasthefalcondivedathim.
StefanrippedbloodystripsoutofhisarmsandheardDamon’sansweringscreamofpainandanger.
I’mnotyourweaklittlebrotheranymore.HesentthethoughtdowntoDamononastunningblastofPower.AndthistimeI’vecomeforyourblood
HefeltthebackwashofhatredfromDamon,butthevoiceinhismindwasmockingSothisisthethanksIgetforsavingyouandyourbetrothed?
Stefan’swingsfoldedandhedivedagain,hiswholeworldnarrowedtooneobjective.Killing.HewentforDamon’seyes,andthestickDamonhadpickedupwhistledpasthisnewbody.HistalonstoreintoDamon’scheekandDamon’sbloodran.Good.
Youshouldn’thaveleftmealive,hetoldDamon.Youshouldhavekilledbothofusatonce
I’llbegladtocorrectthemistake!Damonhadbeenunpreparedbefore,butnowStefancouldfeelhisdrawingPower,arminghimself,standingready.ButfirstyoumighttellmewhomI’msupposedtohavekilledthistime
Thefalcon’sbraincouldnotdealwiththeriotofemotionsthetauntingquestioncalledup.Screamingwordlessly,itplummetedonDamonagain,butthistimetheheavystickstruckhome.Injured,onewinghanging,thefalcondroppedbehindDamon’sback.
Stefanchangedtohisownformatonce,scarcelyfeelingthepainofhisbrokenarm.BeforeDamoncouldturn,hegrabbedhim,thefingersofhisgoodhanddiggingintohisbrother’sneckandspinninghimaround.
Whenhespoke,itwasalmostgently.
“Elena,”hesaid,whispered,andwentforDamon’sthroat.
Itwasdark,andverycold,andsomeonewashurt.Someoneneededhelp.
Butshewasterriblytired.
Elena’seyelidsflutteredandopenedandthattookcareofthedarkness.Asforthecold…shewasbone-cold,freezing,chilledtothemarrow.Andnowonder;therewasicealloverher.
Somewhere,deepdown,sheknewitwasmorethanthat.
Whathadhappened?She’dbeenathome,asleep—no,thiswasFounders’Day.She’dbeeninthecafeteria,onthestage.
Someone’sfacehadlookedfunny.
Itwastoomuchtocopewith;shecouldn’tthink.Disembodiedfacesfloatedbeforehereyes,fragmentsPage104
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ofsentencessoundedinherears.Shewasveryconfused.
Andsotired.
Bettergobacktosleepthen.Theicewasn’treallythatbad.Shestartedtoliedown,andthenthecriescametoheragain.
Sheheardthem,notwithherears,butwithhermind.Criesofangerandofpain.Someonewasveryunhappy.
Shesatquitestill,tryingtosortitallout.
Therewasaquiverofmovementattheedgeofhervision.Asquirrel.Shecouldsmellit,whichwasstrangebecauseshe’dneversmelledasquirrelbefore.Itstaredatherwithonebrightblackeyeandthenitscamperedupthewillowtree.Elenarealizedshe’dmadeagrabforitonlywhenshecameupemptywithherfingernailsdiggingintobark.
Nowthatwasridiculous.Whatonearthdidshewantasquirrelfor?Shepuzzledoveritforaminute,thenlaybackdown,exhausted.
Thecrieswerestillgoingon.
Shetriedtocoverherears,butthatdidnothingtoblockthemout.Someonewashurt,andunhappy,andfighting.Thatwasit.Therewasafightgoingon.
Allright.She’dfigureditout.Nowshecouldsleep.
Shecouldn’t,though.Thecriesbeckonedtoher,drewhertowardthem.Shefeltanirresistibleneedtofollowthemtotheirsource.
Andthenshecouldgotosleep.Aftershesaw…him.
Oh,yes,itwascomingbacknow.Sherememberedhim.Hewastheonewhounderstoodher,wholovedher.Hewastheoneshewantedtobewithforever.
Hisfaceappearedoutofthemistsinhermind.Sheconsidereditlovingly.Allright,then.Forhimshewouldgetupandwalkthroughthisridiculoussleetuntilshefoundtheproperclearing.Untilshecouldjoinhim.Thenthey’dbetogether.
Theverythoughtofhimseemedtowarmher.Therewasafireinsidehimthatfewpeoplecouldsee.Shesawit,though.Itwaslikethefireinsideher.
Heseemedtobehavingsomesortoftroubleatthemoment.Atleast,therewasalotofshouting.Shewascloseenoughtohearitwithherearsaswellashermindnow.
There,beyondthatgrandfatheroaktree.Thatwaswherethenoisewascomingfrom.Hewasthere,withhisblack,fathomlesseyes,andhissecretsmile.Andheneededherhelp.Shewouldhelphim.
Shakingicecrystalsoutofherhair,Elenasteppedintotheclearinginthewood.
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