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THEFURY
TheVampireDiariesBook3
By
L.J.Smith
THEVAMPIREDIARIES
TheFuryVolumeIIIL.J,Smith
HarperTorch
AnImprintofHarperCollinsPublishers
BOOKSBYL.J.SMITH
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THEVAMPIREDIARIES
VolumeI:TheAwakening
VolumeII:TheStruggle
VolumeIII:TheFuryVolumeIV:DarkReunionTHESECRETCIRCLETRILOGY
VolumeI:TheInitiation
VolumeII:TheCaptiveVolumeIII:ThePowerTheNightoftheSolstice
HeartofValor
PublishedbyHarperPaperbacks
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiouslyandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,organizations,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
HARPERTORCH
AnImprintofHarperCollinsPublishers
10East53rdStreet
NewYork,NewYork10022-5299
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Copyright?1991byDanielWeissAssociates,Inc.andLisaSmithCoverartcopyright?1991byDanielWeissAssociatesInc.
ISBN:0-06-102000-1
FirstHarperTorchpaperbackprinting:May2001
FirstHarperPrismpaperbackprinting:March1999
Amassmarketeditionofthisbookwaspublishedin1991byHarperPaperbacks.
ProducedbyDanielWeissAssociates,Inc.,33West17thStreet,NewYork,NY10011
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
VisitHarperTorchontheWorldWideWebat
www.harpercollins.com
TomyAuntMargie,andinmemoryofmyAuntAgnesandAuntEleanore,forfosteringcreativity.
TheFury
One
Elenasteppedintotheclearing.
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Beneathherfeettattersofautumnleaveswerefreezingintotheslush.Duskhadfallen,andalthoughthestormwasdyingawaythewoodsweregettingcolder.Elenadidn’tfeelthecold.
Neitherdidshemindthedark.Herpupilsopenedwide,gatheringuptinyparticlesoflightthatwouldhavebeeninvisibletoahuman.Shecouldseethetwofiguresstrugglingbeneaththegreatoaktreequiteclearly.
Onehadthickdarkhair,whichthewindhadchurnedintoatumbledseaofwaves.Hewasslightlytallerthantheother,andalthoughElenacouldn’tseehisfaceshesomehowknewhiseyesweregreen.
Theotherhadashockofdarkhairaswell,buthiswasfineandstraight,almostlikethepeltofananimal.
Hislipsweredrawnbackfromhisteethinfury,andthelounginggraceofhisbodywasgatheredintoapredator’scrouch.Hiseyeswereblack.
Elenawatchedthemforseveralminuteswithoutmoving.She’dforgottenwhyshehadcomehere,whyshe’dbeenpulledherebytheechoesoftheirbattleinhermind.Thisclosetheclamoroftheirangerandhatredandpainwasalmostdeafening,likesilentshoutscomingfromthefighters.Theywerelockedinadeathmatch.
Iwonderwhichofthemwillwin,shethought.Theywerebothwoundedandbleeding,andthetallerone’sleftarmhungatanunnaturalangle.Still,hehadjustslammedtheotheragainstthegnarledtrunkofanoaktree.HisfurywassostrongthatElenacouldfeelandtasteitaswellashearit,andsheknewitwasgivinghimimpossiblestrength.
AndthenElenarememberedwhyshehadcome.Howcouldshehaveforgotten?Hewashurt.Hismindhadsummonedherhere,batteringherwithshockwavesofrageandpain.Shehadcometohelphimbecauseshebelongedtohim.
Thetwofiguresweredownontheicygroundnow,rightinglikewolves,snarling.SwiftlyandsilentlyElenawenttothem.Theonewiththewavyhairandgreeneyes—Stefan,avoiceinhermindwhispered—wasontop,fingersscrabblingattheother’sthroat.AngerwashedthroughElena,angerandprotectiveness.Shereachedbetweenthetwoofthemtograbthatchokinghand,toprythefingersup.
Itdidn’toccurtoherthatsheshouldn’tbestrongenoughtodothis.Shewasstrongenough;thatwasall.
Shethrewherweighttotheside,wrenchinghercaptiveawayfromhisopponent.Forgoodmeasure,sheboredownhardonhiswoundedarm,knockinghimflatonhisfaceintheleaf-strewnslush.Thenshebegantochokehimfrombehind.
Herattackhadtakenhimbysurprise,buthewasfarfrombeaten.Hestruckbackather,hisgoodhandfumblingforherthroat.Histhumbdugintoherwindpipe.
Elenafoundherselflungingatthehand,goingforitwithherteeth.Hermindcouldnotunderstandit,butherbodyknewwhattodo.Herteethwereaweapon,andtheyslashedintoflesh,drawingblood.
Buthewasstrongerthanshewas.Withajerkofhisshoulders,hebrokeherholdonhimandtwistedinhergrasp,flingingherdown.Andthenhewasaboveher,hisfacecontortedwithanimalfury.Shehissedathimandwentforhiseyeswithhernails,butheknockedherhandaway.
Hewasgoingtokillher.Evenwounded,hewasbyfarthestronger.Hislipshaddrawnbacktoshowteethalreadystainedwithscarlet.Likeacobra,hewasreadytostrike.
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Thenhestopped,hoveringoverher,hisfacechanging.
Elenasawthegreeneyeswiden.Thepupils,whichhadbeencontractedtoviciousdots,sprangopen.
Hewasstaringdownatherasiftrulyseeingherforthefirsttime.
Whywashelookingatherthatway?Whydidn’thejustgetitoverwith?Butnowtheironhandonhershoulderwasreleasingher.Theanimalsnarlhaddisappeared,replacedbyalookofbewildermentandwonder.Hesatback,helpinghertositup,allthewhilegazingintoherface.
“Elena,”hewhispered.Hisvoicewascracked.“Elena,it’syou.”
IsthatwhoIam?shethought.Elena?
Itdidn’treallymatter.Shecastaglancetowardtheoldoaktree.Hewasstillthere,standingbetweentheupthrustroots,panting,supportinghimselfagainstitwithonehand.Hewaslookingatherwithhisendlesslyblackeyes,hisbrowsdrawntogetherinafrown.
Don’tworry,shethought.Icantakecareofthisone.He’sstupid.Thensheflungherselfonthegreen-eyedoneagain.
“Elena!”hecriedassheknockedhimbackward.Hisgoodhandpushedathershoulder,holdingherup.
“Elena,it’sme,Stefan!Elena,lookatme!”
Shewaslooking.Allshecouldseewastheexposedpatchofskinathisneck.Shehissedagain,upperlipdrawingback,showinghimherteeth.
Hefroze.
Shefelttheshockreverberatethroughhisbody,sawhisgazeshatter.Hisfacewentaswhiteasifsomeonehadstruckhimablowinthestomach.Heshookhisheadslightlyonthemuddyground.
“No,”hewhispered.“Oh,no…”
Heseemedtobesayingittohimself,asifhedidn’texpecthertohearhim.Hereachedahandtowardhercheek,andshesnappedatit.
“Oh,Elena…”hewhispered.
Thelasttracesoffury,ofanimalbloodlust,haddisappearedfromhisface.Hiseyesweredazedandstrickenandgrieving.
Andvulnerable.Elenatookadvantageofthemomenttodiveforthebareskinathisneck.Hisarmcameuptofendheroff,topushheraway,butthenitdroppedagain.
Hestaredatheramoment,thepaininhiseyesreachingapeak,andthenhesimplygaveup.Hestoppedfightingcompletely.
Shecouldfeelithappen,feeltheresistanceleavehisbody.Helayontheicygroundwithscrapsofoakleavesinhishair,staringuppastherattheblackandcloudedsky.
Finishit,hiswearyvoicesaidinhermind.
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Elenahesitatedforaninstant.Therewassomethingaboutthoseeyesthatcalledupmemoriesinsideher.
Standinginthemoonlight,sittinginanatticroom…Butthememoriesweretoovague.Shecouldn’tgetagrasponthem,andtheeffortmadeherdizzyandsick.
Andthisonehadtodie,thisgreen-eyedonecalledStefan.Becausehe’dhurthim,theotherone,theoneElenahadbeenborntobewith.Noonecouldhurthimandlive.
Sheclampedherteethintohisthroatandbitdeep.
Sherealizedatoncethatshewasn’tdoingitquiteright.Shehadn’thitanarteryorvein.Sheworriedatthethroat,angryatherowninexperience.Itfeltgoodtobitesomething,butnotmuchbloodwascoming.
Frustrated,sheliftedupandbitagain,feelinghisbodyjerkinpain.
Muchbetter.She’dfoundaveinthistime,butshehadn’ttornitdeeplyenough.Alittlescratchlikethatwouldn’tdo.Whatsheneededwastoripitrightacross,tolettherichhotbloodstreamout.
Hervictimshudderedassheworkedtodothis,teethrakingandgnawing.Shewasjustfeelingthefleshgivewaywhenhandspulledather,liftingherfrombehind.
Elenasnarledwithoutlettinggoofthethroat.Thehandswereinsistentthough.Anarmloopedaboutherwaist,fingerstwinedinherhair.Shefought,clingingwithteethandnailstoherprey.
Letgoofhim.Leavehim!
Thevoicewassharpandcommanding,likeablastfromacoldwind.Elenarecognizeditandstoppedstrugglingwiththehandsthatpulledheraway.Astheydepositedheronthegroundandshelookeduptoseehim,anamecameintohermind.Damon.HisnamewasDamon.Shestaredathimsulkily,resentfulofbeingyankedawayfromherkill,butobedient.
Stefanwassittingup,hisneckredwithblood.Itwasrunningontohisshirt.Elenalickedherlips,feelingathroblikeahungerpangthatseemedtocomefromeveryfiberofherbeing.Shewasdizzyagain.
“Ithought,”Damonsaidaloud,“thatyousaidshewasdead.”
HewaslookingatStefan,whowasevenpalerthanbefore,ifthatwaspossible.Thatwhitefacefilledwithinfinitehopelessness.
“Lookather”wasallhesaid.
AhandcuppedElena’schin,tiltingherfaceup.ShemetDamon’snarroweddarkeyesdirectly.Thenlong,slenderfingerstouchedherlips,probingbetweenthem.InstinctivelyElenatriedtobite,butnotveryhard.Damon’sfingerfoundthesharpcurveofacaninetooth,andElenadidbitenow,givingitaniplikeakitten’s.
Damon’sfacewasexpressionless,hiseyeshard.
“Doyouknowwhereyouare?”hesaid.
Elenaglancedaround.Trees.“Inthewoods,”shesaidcraftily,lookingbackathim.
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“Andwhoisthat?”
Shefollowedhispointingfinger.“Stefan,”shesaidindifferently.“Yourbrother.”
“AndwhoamI?DoyouknowwhoIam?”Shesmiledupathim,showinghimherpointedteeth.“OfcourseIdo.You’reDamon,andIloveyou.”
Two
Stefan’svoicewasquietlysavage.“That’swhatyouwanted,wasn’tit,Damon?Andnowyou’vegotit.
Youhadtomakeherlikeus,likeyou.Itwasn’tenoughjusttokillher.”
Damondidn’tglancebackathim.HewaslookingatElenaintentlythroughthosehoodedeyes,stillkneelingthereholdingherchin.“That’sthethirdtimeyou’vesaidthat,andI’mgettingalittletiredofit,”hecommentedsoftly.Disheveled,stillslightlyoutofbreath,hewasyetself-composed,incontrol.“Elena,didIkillyou?”
“Ofcoursenot,”Elenasaid,windingherfingersinthoseofhisfreehand.Shewasgettingimpatient.
Whatweretheytalkingaboutanyway?Nobodyhadbeenkilled.
“Ineverthoughtyouwerealiar,”StefansaidtoDamon,thebitternessinhisvoiceunchanged.“Justabouteverythingelse,butnotthat.I’veneverheardyoutrytocoverupforyourselfbefore.”
“Inanotherminute,”saidDamon,“I’mgoingtolosemytemper.”
Whatmorecanyoupossiblydotome?Stefanreturned.Killingmewouldbeamercy
“Iranoutofmercyforyouacenturyago,”Damonsaidaloud.Heletgo,finally,ofElena’schin.“Whatdoyourememberabouttoday?”heaskedher.
Elenaspoketiredly,likeachildrecitingahatedlesson.“TodaywastheFounders’Daycelebration.”
Flexingherfingersinhis,shelookedupatDamon.Thatwasasfarasshecouldgetonherown,butitwasn’tenough.Nettled,shetriedtoremembersomethingelse.
“Therewassomeoneinthecafeteria…Caroline.”Sheofferedthenametohim,pleased.“Shewasgoingtoreadmydiaryinfrontofeveryone,andthatwasbadbecause…”Elenafumbledwiththememoryandlostit.“Idon’trememberwhy.Butwetrickedher.”Shesmiledathimwarmly,conspiratorially.
“Oh,‘we’did,didwe?”
“Yes.Yougotitawayfromher.Youdiditforme.”Thefingersofherfreehandcreptunderhisjacket,searchingforthesquare-corneredhardnessofthelittlebook.“Becauseyouloveme,”shesaid,findingitandscratchingatitlightly.“Youdoloveme,don’tyou?”
Therewasafaintsoundfromthecenteroftheclearing.ElenalookedandsawthatStefanhadturnedhisfaceaway.
“Elena.Whathappenednext?”Damon’svoicecalledherback.
“Next?NextAuntJudithstartedarguingwithme.”Elenaponderedthisamomentandatlastshrugged.
“Over…something.Igotangry.She’snotmymother.Shecan’ttellmewhattodo.”
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Damon’svoicewasdry.“Idon’tthinkthat’sgoingtobeaproblemanymore.Whatnext?”
Elenasighedheavily.“NextIwentandgotMatt’scar.Matt.”Shesaidthenamereflectively,flickinghertongueoverhercanineteeth.Inhermind’seye,shesawahandsomeface,blondhair,sturdyshoulders.
“Matt.”
“AndwheredidyougoinMatt’scar?”
“ToWickeryBridge,”Stefansaid,turningbacktowardthem.Hiseyesweredesolate.
“No,totheboardinghouse,”Elenacorrected,irritated.“Towaitfor…mm…Iforget.Anyway,Iwaitedthere.Then…thenthestormstarted.Wind,rain,allthat.Ididn’tlikeit.Igotinthecar.Butsomethingcameafterme.”
“Someonecameafteryou,”saidStefan,lookingatDamon.
“Something,”Elenainsisted.Shehadhadenoughofhisinterruptions.“Let’sgoawaysomewhere,justus,”shesaidtoDamon,kneelingupsothatherfacewasclosetohis
“Inaminute,”hesaid.“Whatkindofthingcameafteryou?”
Shesettledback,exasperated.“Idon’tknowwhatkindofthing!ItwaslikenothingI’veeverseen.NotlikeyouandStefan.Itwas…”Imagesrippledthroughhermind.Mistflowingalongtheground.Thewindshrieking.Ashape,white,enormous,lookingasifitweremadeoutofmistitself.Gainingonherlikeawind-drivencloud.
“Maybeitwasjustpartofthestorm,”shesaid.“ButIthoughtitwantedtohurtme.Igotawaythough.”
FiddlingwiththezippertoDamon’sleatherjacket,shesmiledsecretlyandlookedupathimthroughherlashes.
Forthefirsttime,Damon’sfaceshowedemotion.Hislipstwistedinagrimace.“Yougotaway.”
“Yes.Irememberedwhat…someone…toldmeaboutrunningwater.Evilthingscan’tcrossit.SoIdrovetowardDrowningCreek,towardthebridge.Andthen…”Shehesitated,frowning,tryingtofindasolidmemoryinthenewconfusion.Water.Sherememberedwater.Andsomeonescreaming.Butnothingelse.“AndthenIcrossedit,”sheconcludedfinally,brightly.“Imusthave,becausehereIam.
Andthat’sall.Canwegonow?”
Damondidn’tanswerher.
“Thecar’sstillintheriver,”saidStefan.HeandDamonwerelookingateachotherliketwoadultshavingadiscussionovertheheadofanuncomprehendingchild,theirhostilitiessuspendedforthemoment.Elenafeltasurgeofannoyance.Sheopenedhermouth,butStefanwascontinuing.“BonnieandMeredithandIfoundit.Iwentunderwaterandgother,butbythen…”
Bythen,what?Elenafrowned.
Damon’slipswerecurvedmockingly.“Andyougaveuponher?You,ofallpeople,shouldhavesuspectedwhatmighthappen.Orwastheideasorepugnanttoyouthatyoucouldn’tevenconsiderit?
Wouldyourathershewerereallydead?”
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“Shehadnopulse,norespiration!”Stefanflared.“Andshe’dneverhadenoughbloodtochangeher!”
Hiseyeshardened.“Notfrommeanyway.”
Elenaopenedhermouthagain,butDamonlaidtwofingersonittokeepherquiet.Hesaidsmoothly,
“Andthat’stheproblemnow—orareyoutooblindtoseethat,too?Youtoldmetolookather;lookatheryourself.She’sinshock,irrational.Oh,yes,evenIadmitthat.”Hepausedforablindingsmilebeforegoingon.“It’smorethanjustthenormalconfusionafterchanging.She’llneedblood,humanblood,orherbodywon’thavethestrengthtofinishthechange.She’lldie.”
Whatdoyoumeanirrational?Elenathoughtindignantly.“I’mfine,”shesaidaroundDamon’sfingers.“I’mtired,that’sall.IwasgoingtosleepwhenIheardyoutwofighting,andIcametohelpyou.Andthenyouwouldn’tevenletmekillhim,”shefinished,disgusted.
“Yes,whydidn’tyou?”saidStefan.HewasstaringatDamonasifhecouldboreholesthroughhimwithhiseyes.Anytraceofcooperationonhispartwasgone.“Itwouldhavebeentheeasiestthingtodo.”
Damonstaredbackathim,suddenlyfurious,hisownanimosityfloodinguptomeetStefan’s.Hewasbreathingquicklyandlightly.“MaybeIdon’tlikethingseasy,”hehissed.Thenheseemedtoregaincontrolofhimselfoncemore.Hislipscurledinmockery,andheadded,“Putitthisway,dearbrother:ifanyone’sgoingtohavethesatisfactionofkillingyou,itwillbeme.Nooneelse.Iplantotakecareofthejobpersonally.Andit’ssomethingI’mverygoodat;Ipromiseyou.”
“You’veshownusthat,”Stefansaidquietly,asifeachwordsickenedhim.
“Butthisone,”Damonsaid,turningtoElenawithglitteringeyes,“Ididn’tkill.WhyshouldI?IcouldhavechangedheranytimeIliked.”
“Maybebecauseshehadjustgottenengagedtomarrysomeoneelse.”
DamonliftedElena’shand,stilltwinedwithhis.Onthethirdfingeragoldringglittered,setwithonedeepbluestone.Elenafrownedatit,vaguelyrememberinghavingseenitbefore.ThensheshruggedandleanedagainstDamonwearily.
“Well,now,”Damonsaid,lookingdownather,“thatdoesn’tseemtobemuchofaproblem,doesit?Ithinkshemayhavebeengladtoforgetyou.”HelookedupatStefanwithanunpleasantsmile.“Butwe’llfindoutonceshe’sherselfagain.Wecanaskherthenwhichofusshechooses.Agreed?”
Stefanshookhishead.“Howcanyouevensuggestthat?Afterwhathappened…”Hisvoicetrailedoff.
“WithKatherine?Icansayit,ifyoucan’t.Katherinemadeafoolishchoice,andshepaidthepriceforit.
Elenaisdifferent;sheknowsherownmind.Butitdoesn’tmatterifyouagree,”headded,overridingStefan’snewprotests.“Thefactisthatshe’sweaknow,andsheneedsblood.I’mgoingtoseethatshegetsit,andthenI’mgoingtofindwhodidthistoher.Youcancomeornot.Suityourself.”
Hestood,drawingElenaupwithhim.Let’sgo.
Elenacamewillingly,pleasedtobemoving.Thewoodswereinterestingatnight;she’dnevernoticedthatbefore.Owlsweresendingtheirmournful,hauntingcriesthroughthetrees,anddeermicescuttledawayfromherglidingfeet.Theairwascolderinpatches,asitfrozefirstinthehollowsanddipsofthewood.
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carefulwhereshestepped.Shedidn’tlookbacktoseeifStefanwasfollowingthem.
Sherecognizedtheplacewheretheyleftthewood.Shehadbeenthereearliertoday.Now,however,therewassomesortoffrenziedactivitygoingon:redandbluelightsflashingoncars,spotlightsframingthedarkhuddledshapesofpeople.Elenalookedatthemcuriously.Severalwerefamiliar.Thatwoman,forinstance,withthethinharrowedfaceandtheanxiouseyes—AuntJudith?Andthetallmanbesideher—AuntJudith’sfiancé,Robert?
Thereshouldbesomeoneelsewiththem,Elenathought.AchildwithhairaspaleasElena’sown.Buttryasshemight,shecouldnotconjureupaname.
Thetwogirlswiththeirarmsaroundeachother,standinginacircleofofficials,thosetwosherememberedthough.Thelittlered-hairedonewhowascryingwasBonnie.Thetalleronewiththesweepofdarkhair,Meredith.
“Butshe’snotinthewater,”Bonniewassayingtoamaninauniform.Hervoicetrembledontheedgeofhysteria.“WesawStefangetherout.I’vetoldyouandtoldyou.”
“Andyoulefthimherewithher?”
“Wehadto.Thestormwasgettingworse,andtherewassomethingcoming—”
“Nevermindthat,”Meredithbrokein.ShesoundedonlyslightlycalmerthanBonnie.“Stefansaidthatifhe—hadtoleaveher,he’dleaveherlyingunderthewillowtrees.”
“AndjustwhereisStefannow?”anotheruniformedmanasked.
“Wedon’tknow.Wewentbacktogethelp.Heprobablyfollowedus.Butasforwhathappenedto—toElena…”BonnieturnedbackandburiedherfaceinMeredith’sshoulder.
They’reupsetaboutme,Elenarealized.Howsillyofthem.Icanclearthatup,anyway.Shestartedforwardintothelight,butDamonpulledherback.Shelookedathim,wounded.
“Notlikethat.Picktheonesyouwant,andwe’lldrawthemout,”hesaid.
“Wantforwhat?”
“Forfeeding,Elena.You’reahunternow.Thoseareyourprey.”
Elenapushedhertongueagainstacaninetoothdoubtfully.Nothingouttherelookedlikefoodtoher.
Still,becauseDamonsaidso,shewasinclinedtogivehimthebenefitofthedoubt.“Whicheveryouthink,”shesaidobligingly.
Damontiltedhisheadback,eyesnarrowed,scanningthescenelikeanexpertevaluatingafamouspainting.“Well,howaboutacoupleofniceparamedics?”
”No,”saidavoicebehindthem.
DamonbarelyglancedoverhisshoulderatStefan.“Whynot?”
“Becausethere’vebeenenoughattacks.Shemayneedhumanblood,butshedoesn’thavetohuntforit.”
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Stefan’sfacewasshutandhostile,buttherewasanairofgrimdeterminationabouthim.
“There’sanotherway?”Damonaskedironically.
“Youknowthereis.Findsomeonewho’swilling—orwhocanbeinfluencedtobewilling.SomeonewhowoulddoitforElenaandwhoisstrongenoughtodealwiththis,mentally.”
“AndIsupposeyouknowwherewecanfindsuchaparagonofvirtue?”
“Bringhertotheschool.I’llmeetyouthere,”Stefansaid,anddisappeared.
Theylefttheactivitystillbustling,lightsflashing,peoplemilling.Astheywent,Elenanoticedastrangething.Inthemiddleoftheriver,illuminatedbythespotlights,wasanautomobile.Itwascompletelysubmergedexceptforthefrontfender,whichstuckoutofthewater.
Whatastupidplacetoparkacar,shethought,andfollowedDamonbackintothewoods.
Stefanwasbeginningtofeelagain.
Ithurt.He’dthoughthewasthroughwithhurting,throughwithfeelinganything.Whenhe’dpulledElena’slifelessbodyoutofthedarkwater,he’dthoughtthatnothingcouldeverhurtagainbecausenothingcouldmatchthatmoment.
He’dbeenwrong.
Hestoppedandstoodwithhisgoodhandbracedagainstatree,headdown,breathingdeeply.Whentheredmistsclearedandhecouldseeagain,hewenton,buttheburningacheinhischestcontinuedundiminished.Stopthinkingabouther,hetoldhimself,knowingthatitwasuseless.
Butshewasn’ttrulydead.Didn’tthatcountforsomething?He’dthoughthewouldneverhearhervoiceagain,neverfeelhertouch…
Andnow,whenshetouchedhim,shewantedtokillhim.
Hestoppedagain,doublingover,afraidhewasgoingtobesick.
Seeingherlikethiswasworsetorturethanseeingherlyingcoldanddead.MaybethatwaswhyDamonhadlethimlive.MaybethiswasDamon’srevenge.
AndmaybeStefanshouldjustdowhathe’dplannedtodoafterkillingDamon.Waituntildawnandtakeoffthesilverringthatprotectedhimfromsunlight.Standbathinginthefieryembraceofthoseraysuntiltheyburnedthefleshfromhisbonesandstoppedthepainonceandforall.
Butheknewhewouldn’t.AslongasElenawalkedtheearth,hewouldneverleaveher.Evenifshehatedhim,evenifshehuntedhim.Hewoulddoanythinghecouldtokeephersafe.
Stefandetouredtowardtheboardinghouse.Heneededtocleanupbeforehecouldlethumansseehim.
Inhisroom,hewashedthebloodfromhisfaceandneckandexaminedhisarm.Thehealingprocesshadalreadybegun,andwithconcentrationhecouldaccelerateitstillfurther.HewasburninguphisPowersPage11
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fast;thefightwithhisbrotherhadalreadyweakenedhim.Butthiswasimportant.Notbecauseofthepain—hescarcelynoticedthat—butbecauseheneededtobefit.
DamonandElenawerewaitingoutsidetheschool.Hecouldfeelhisbrother’simpatienceandElena’swildnewpresencethereinthedark.
“Thishadbetterwork,”Damonsaid.
Stefansaidnothing.Theschoolauditoriumwasanothercenterofcommotion.PeopleoughttohavebeenenjoyingtheFounders’Daydance;infact,thosewhohadremainedthroughthestormwerepacingaroundorgatheredinsmallgroupstalking.Stefanlookedintheopendoor,searchingwithhismindforoneparticularpresence.
Hefoundit.Ablondheadwasbentoveratableinthecorner.
Matt.
Mattstraightenedandlookedaround,puzzled.Stefanwilledhimtocomeoutside.Youneedsomefreshair,hethought,insinuatingthesuggestionintoMatt’ssubconscious.Youfeellikejuststeppingoutforamoment
ToDamon,standinginvisiblejustbeyondthelight,hesaid,Takeherintotheschool,tothephotographyroom.Sheknowswhereitis.Don’tshowyourselvesuntilIsay.ThenhebackedawayandwaitedforMatttoappear.
Mattcameout,hisdrawnfaceturneduptothemoonlesssky.HestartedviolentlywhenStefanspoketohim.
“Stefan!You’rehere!”Desperation,hope,andhorrorstruggledfordominanceonhisface.HehurriedovertoStefan.“Didthey—bringherbackyet?Isthereanynews?”
“Whathaveyouheard?”
Mattstaredathimamomentbeforeanswering.“BonnieandMeredithcameinsayingthatElenahadgoneoffofWickeryBridgeinmycar.Theysaidthatshe…”Hepausedandswallowed.“Stefan,it’snottrue,isit?”Hiseyeswerepleading.
Stefanlookedaway.
“Oh,God,”Mattsaidhoarsely.HeturnedhisbackonStefan,pressingtheheelsofhishandsintohiseyes.“Idon’tbelieveit;Idon’t.Itcan’tbetrue.”
“Matt…”Hetouchedtheotherboy’sshoulder.
“I’msorry.”Matt’svoicewasroughandragged.“Youmustbegoingthroughhell,andhereIammakingitworse.”
Morethanyouknow,thoughtStefan,hishandfallingaway.He’dcomewiththeintentionofusinghisPowerstopersuadeMatt.Nowthatseemedanimpossibility.Hecouldn’tdoit,nottothefirst—andonly—humanfriendhe’dhadinthisplace.
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HisonlyotheroptionwastotellMattthetruth.LetMattmakehisownchoice,knowingeverything.
“IfthereweresomethingyoucoulddoforElenarightnow,”hesaid,“wouldyoudoit?”
Mattwastoolostinemotiontoaskwhatkindofidioticquestionthatwas.“Anything,”hesaidalmostangrily,rubbingasleeveoverhiseyes.“I’ddoanythingforher.”HelookedatStefanwithsomethinglikedefiance,hisbreathingshaky
Congratulations’,Stefanthought,feelingthesuddenyawningpitinhisstomach.You’vejustwonyourselfatriptotheTwilightZone.
“Comewithme,”hesaid.“I’vegotsomethingtoshowyou.”
Three
ElenaandDamonwerewaitinginthedarkroom.StefancouldsensetheirpresenceinthesmallannexashepushedthedoortothephotographyroomopenandledMattinside.
“Thesedoorsaresupposedtobelocked,”MattsaidasStefanflippedonthelightswitch.
“Theywere,”saidStefan.Hedidn’tknowwhatelsetosaytoprepareMattforwhatwascoming.He’dneverdeliberatelyrevealedhimselftoahumanbefore.
Hestood,quietly,untilMattturnedandlookedathim.Theclassroomwascoldandsilent,andtheairseemedtohangheavily.Asthemomentstretchedout,hesawMatt’sexpressionslowlychangefromgrief-numbedbewildermenttouneasiness.
“Idon’tunderstand,”Mattsaid.
“Iknowyoudon’t.”HewentonlookingatMatt,purposefullydroppingthebarriersthatconcealedhisPowersfromhumanperception.HesawthereactioninMatt’sfaceasuneasinesscoalescedintofear.
Mattblinkedandshookhishead,hisbreathcomingquicker.
“What—?”hebegan,hisvoicegravelly.
“Thereareprobablyalotofthingsyou’vewonderedaboutme,”Stefansaid.“WhyIwearsunglassesinstronglight.WhyIdon’teat.Whymyreflexesaresofast.”
Matthadhisbacktothedarkroomnow.Histhroatjerkedasifheweretryingtoswallow.Stefan,withhispredator’ssenses,couldhearMatt’sheartthuddingdully.
“No,”Mattsaid.
“Youmusthavewondered,musthaveaskedyourselfwhatmakesmesodifferentfromeverybodyelse.”
“No.Imean—Idon’tcare.Ikeepoutofthingsthataren’tmybusiness.”Mattwasedgingtowardthedoor,hiseyesdartingtowarditinabarelyperceptiblemovement.
“Don’t,Matt.Idon’twanttohurtyou,butIcan’tletyouleavenow.”HecouldfeelbarelyleashedneedemanatingfromElenainherconcealment.Wait,hetoldher.
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Mattwentstill,givingupanyattempttomoveaway.“Ifyouwanttoscareme,youhave,”hesaidinalowvoice.“Whatelsedoyouwant?”
Now,StefantoldElena.HesaidtoMatt,“Turnaround.”
Mattturned.Andstifledacry.
Elenastoodthere,butnottheElenaofthatafternoon,whenMatthadlastseenher.Nowherfeetwerebarebeneaththehemofherlongdress.Thethinfoldsofwhitemuslinthatclungtoherwerecakedwithicecrystalsthatsparkledinthelight.Herskin,alwaysfair,hadastrangewintrylustertoit,andherpalegoldhairseemedoverlaidwithasilverysheen.Buttherealdifferencewasinherface.Thosedeepblueeyeswereheavy-lidded,almostsleepylooking,andyetunnaturallyawake.Andalookofsensualanticipationandhungercurledaboutherlips.Shewasmorebeautifulthanshehadbeeninlife,butitwasafrighteningbeauty.
AsMattstared,paralyzed,Elena’spinktonguecameoutandlickedherlips.
“Matt,”shesaid,lingeringoverthefirstconsonantofthename.Thenshesmiled.
StefanheardMatt’sindrawnbreathofdisbelief,andthenearsobhegaveashefinallybackedawayfromher.
It’sallright,hesaid,sendingthethoughttoMattonasurgeofPower.AsMattjerkedtowardhim,eyeswidewithshock,headded,“Sonowyouknow.”
Matt’sexpressionsaidthathedidn’twanttoknow,andStefancouldseethedenialinhisface.ButDamonsteppedoutbesideElenaandmovedalittletotheright,addinghispresencetothechargedatmosphereoftheroom.
Mattwassurrounded.Thethreeofthemclosedinonhim,inhumanlybeautiful,innatelymenacing.
StefancouldsmellMatt’sfear.Itwasthehelplessfearoftherabbitforthefox,themousefortheowl.
AndMattwasrighttobeafraid.Theywerethehuntingspecies;hewasthehunted.Theirjobinlifewastokillhim.
Andjustnowinstinctsweregettingoutofcontrol.Matt’sinstinctwastopanicandrun,anditwastriggeringreflexesinStefan’shead.Whenthepreyran,thepredatorgavechase;itwasassimpleasthat.
Allthreeofthepredatorsherewerekeyedup,onedge,andStefanfelthecouldn’tberesponsiblefortheconsequencesifMattbolted.
Wedon’twanttoharmyou,hetoldMatt.It’sElenawhoneedsyou,andwhatsheneedswon’tleaveyoupermanentlydamaged.Itdoesn’tevenhavetohurt,Matt.ButMatt’smuscleswerestilltensedtoflee,andStefanrealizedthatthethreeofthemwerestalkinghim,movingcloser,readytocutoffanyescape.
YousaidyouwoulddoanythingforElena,heremindedMattdesperatelyandsawhimmakehischoice.
Mattreleasedhisbreath,thetensiondrainingfromhisbody.“You’reright;Idid,”hewhispered.Hevisiblybracedhimselfbeforehecontinued.“Whatdoessheneed?”
ElenaleanedforwardandputafingeronMatt’sneck,tracingtheyieldingridgeofanartery.
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“Notthatone,”Stefansaidquickly.“Youdon’twanttokillhim.Tellher,Damon.”Headded,whenDamonmadenoefforttodoso,Tellher
“Tryhere,orhere.”Damonpointedwithclinicalefficiency,holdingMatt’schinup.HewasstrongenoughthatMattcouldn’tbreakthegrip,andStefanfeltMatt’spanicsurgeupagain.
Trustme,Matt.Hemovedinbehindthehumanboy.Butithastobeyourchoice,hefinished,suddenlywashedwithcompassion.Youcanchangeyourmind
Matthesitatedandthenspokethroughclenchedteeth.“No.Istillwanttohelp.Iwanttohelpyou,Elena.”
“Matt,”shewhispered,herheavy-lashedjewelblueeyesfixedonhis.Thentheytraileddowntohisthroatandherlipspartedhungrily.Therewasnosignoftheuncertaintyshe’dshownwhenDamonsuggestedfeedingofftheparamedics.“Matt.”Shesmiledagain,andthenshestruck,swiftasahuntingbird.
StefanputaflattenedhandagainstMatt’sbacktogivehimsupport.Foramoment,asElena’steethpiercedhisskin,Matttriedtorecoil,butStefanthoughtswiftly,Don’tfightit;that’swhatcausesthepain
AsMatttriedtorelax,unexpectedhelpcamefromElena,whowasradiatingthewarmhappythoughtsofawolfcubbeingfed.Shehadgottenthebitingtechniquerightonthefirsttrythistime,andshewasfilledwithinnocentprideandgrowingsatisfactionasthesharppangsofhungereased.AndwithappreciationforMatt,Stefanrealized,withasuddenshockofjealousy.Shedidn’thateMattorwanttokillhim,becauseheposednothreattoDamon.ShewasfondofMatt.
Stefanlethertakeasmuchaswassafeandthenintervened.That’senough,Elena.Youdon’twanttoinjurehim.Butittookthecombinedeffortsofhim,Damon,andarathergroggyMatttopryheroff.
“Sheneedstorestnow,”Damonsaid.“I’mtakinghersomeplacewhereshecandoitsafely.”Hewasn’taskingStefan;hewastellinghim.
Astheyleft,hismentalvoiceadded,forStefan’searsalone,Ihaven’tforgottenthewayyouattackedme,brotherWe’lltalkaboutthatlater
Stefanstaredafterthem.He’dnotedhowElena’seyesremainedlockedonDamon,howshefollowedhimwithoutquestion.Butshewasoutofdangernow;Matt’sbloodhadgivenherthestrengthsheneeded.ThatwasallStefanhadtohangonto,andhetoldhimselfitwasallthatmattered.
HeturnedtotakeinMatt’sdazedexpression.Thehumanboyhadsunkintooneoftheplasticchairsandwasgazingstraightahead.
ThenhiseyesliftedtoStefan’s,andtheyregardedeachothergrimly.
“So,”Mattsaid.“NowIknow.”Heshookhishead,turningawayslightly.“ButIstillcan’tbelieveit,”hemuttered.Hisfingerspressedgingerlyatthesideofhisneck,andhewinced.“Exceptforthis.”Thenhefrowned.“Thatguy—Damon.Whoishe?”
“Myolderbrother,”Stefansaidwithoutemotion.“Howdoyouknowhisname?”
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“HewasatElena’shouselastweek.Thekittenspatathim.”Mattpaused,clearlyrememberingsomethingelse.“AndBonniehadsomekindofpsychicfit.”
“Shehadaprecognition?Whatdidshesay?
“Shesaid—shesaidthatDeathwasinthehouse.”
StefanlookedatthedoorDamonandElenahadpassedthrough.“Shewasright.”
“Stefan,what’sgoingon?”AnoteofappealhadenteredMatt’svoice.“Istilldon’tunderstand.What’shappenedtoElena?Isshegoingtobelikethisforever?Isn’tthereanythingwecando?”
“Belikewhat?”Stefansaidbrutally.“Disoriented?Avampire?”
Mattlookedaway.“Both.”
“Asforthefirst,shemaybecomemorerationalnowthatshe’sfed.That’swhatDamonthinksanyway.
Asfortheother,there’sonlyonethingyoucandotochangehercondition.”AsMatt’seyeslitwithhope,Stefancontinued.“Youcangetawoodenstakeandhammeritthroughherheart.Thenshewon’tbeavampireanymore.She’lljustbedead.”
Mattgotupandwenttothewindow.
“Youwouldn’tbekillingher,though,becausethat’salreadybeendone.Shedrownedintheriver,Matt.
Butbecauseshe’dhadenoughbloodfromme”—hepausedtosteadyhisvoice—”and,itseems,frommybrother,shechangedinsteadofsimplydying.Shewokeupahunter,likeus.That’swhatshe’llbefromnowon.”
Withhisbackstillturned,Mattanswered.“Ialwaysknewtherewassomethingaboutyou.Itoldmyselfitwasjustbecauseyouwerefromanothercountry.”Heshookhisheadagainself-deprecatingly.“ButdeepdownIknewitwasmorethanthat.AndsomethingstillkepttellingmeIcouldtrustyou,andIdid.”
“Likewhenyouwentwithmetogetthevervain.”
“Yeah.Likethat.”Headded,“Canyoutellmewhatthehellitwasfor,now?”
“ForElena’sprotection.IwantedtokeepDamonawayfromher.Butitlooksasifthat’snotwhatshewantedafterall.”Hecouldn’thelpthebitterness,therawbetrayal,inhisvoice.
Mattturned.“Don’tjudgeherbeforeyouknowallthefacts,Stefan.That’sonethingI’velearned.”
Stefanwasstartled;then,hegaveasmallhumorlesssmile.AsElena’sexes,heandMattwereinthesamepositionnow.HewonderedifhewouldbeasgraciousaboutitasMatthadbeen.Takehisdefeatlikeagentleman.
Hedidn’tthinkso.
Outside,anoisehadbegun.Itwasinaudibletohumanears,andStefanalmostignoredit—untilthewordspenetratedhisconsciousness.
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Thenherememberedwhathehaddoneinthisveryschoolonlyafewhoursago.Untilthatmoment,he’dforgottenallaboutTylerSmallwoodandhistoughfriends.
Nowthatmemoryhadreturned;shameandhorrorclosedhisthroat.He’dbeenoutofhismindwithgriefoverElena,andhisreasonhadsnappedunderthepressure.Butthatwasnoexcuseforwhathehaddone.Weretheyalldead?Hadhe,whohadswornsolongagonevertokill,killedsixpeopletoday?
“Stefan,wait.Whereareyougoing?”Whenhedidn’tanswer,Mattfollowedhim,halfrunningtokeepup,outofthemainschoolbuildingandontotheblacktop.Onthefarsideofthefield,Mr.ShelbystoodbytheQuonsethut.
Thejanitor’sfacewasgrayandfurrowedwithlinesofhorror.Heseemedtobetryingtoshout,butonlysmallhoarsegaspscameoutofhismouth.Elbowingpasthim,Stefanlookedintotheroomandfeltacurioussenseofdejàvu.
ItlookedliketheMadSlasherroomfromtheHauntedHousefundraiser.Exceptthatthiswasnotableausetupforvisitors.Thiswasreal.
Bodiesweresprawledeverywhere,amidshardsofwoodandglassfromtheshatteredwindow.Everyvisiblesurfacewasspatteredwithblood,red-brownandsinisterasitdried.Andonelookatthebodiesrevealedwhy:eachonehadapairoflividpurplewoundsintheneck.ExceptCaroline’s:herneckwasunmarked,buthereyeswereblankandstaring.
BehindStefan,Mattwashyperventilating.“Stefan,Elenadidn’t—shedidn’t—”
“Bequiet,”Stefanansweredtersely.HeglancedbackatMr.Shelby,butthejanitorhadstumbledovertohiscartofbroomsandmopsandwasleaningagainstit.GlassgratedunderStefan’sfeetashecrossedthefloortokneelbyTyler.
Notdead.ReliefexplodedoverStefanattherealization.Tyler‘schestmovedfeebly,andwhenStefanliftedtheboy’sheadhiseyesopenedaslit,glazedandunfocused.
Youdon’trememberanything,Stefantoldhimmentally.Evenashedidit,hewonderedwhyhewasbothering.HeshouldjustleaveFell’sChurch,cutoutnowandnevercomeback.
Buthewouldn’t.NotaslongasElenawashere.
Hegatheredtheunconsciousmindsoftheothervictimsintohismentalgraspandtoldthemthesamething,feedingitdeepintotheirbrains.Youdon’trememberwhoattackedyou.Thewholeafternoonisablank
Ashedid,hefelthismentalPowerstremblelikeoverfatiguedmuscles.Hewasclosetoburnout.
Outside,Mr.Shelbyhadfoundhisvoiceatlastandwasshouting.Wearily,StefanletTyler‘sheadslipbackthroughhisfingerstothefloorandturnedaround.
Matt’slipswerepeeledback,hisnostrilsflared,asifhehadjustsmelledsomethingdisgusting.Hiseyesweretheeyesofastranger.“Elenadidn’t,”hewhispered.“Youdid.”
Bequiet!Stefanpushedpasthimintothethankfulcoolnessofthenight,puttingdistancebetweenhimandthatroom,feelingtheicyaironhishotskin.RunningfootstepsfromthevicinityofthecafeteriatoldPage17
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himthatsomehumanshadheardthejanitor’scriesatlast.
“Youdidit,didn’tyou?”MatthadfollowedStefanouttothefield.Hisvoicesaidhewastryingtounderstand.
Stefanroundedonhim.“Yes,Ididit,”hesnarled.HestaredMattdown,concealingnoneoftheangrymenaceinhisface.“Itoldyou,Matt,we’rehunters.Killers.You’rethesheep;we’rethewolves.
AndTylerhasbeenaskingforiteverydaysinceIcamehere.”
“Askingforapunchinthenose,sure.Likeyougavehimbefore.But—that?”Mattclosedinonhim,standingeyetoeye,unafraid.Hehadphysicalcourage;Stefanhadtogivehimthat.“Andyou’renotevensorry?Youdon’tevenregretit?”
“WhyshouldI?”saidStefancoldly,emptily.“Doyouregretitwhenyoueattoomuchsteak?Feelsorryforthecow?”HesawMatt’slookofsickdisbeliefandpressedon,drivingthepaininhischestdeeper.ItwasbetterthatMattstayawayfromhimfromnowon,faraway.OrMattmightenduplikethosebodiesintheQuonsethut.“IamwhatIam,Matt.Andifyoucan’thandleit,you’dbettersteerclearofme.”
Mattstaredathimamomentlonger,thesickdisbelieftransformingslowlyintosickdisillusionment.Themusclesaroundhisjawstoodout.Then,withoutaword,heturnedonhisheelandwalkedaway.
Elenawasinthegraveyard.
Damonhadleftherthere,exhortinghertostayuntilhecameback.Shedidn’twanttositstill,though.
Shefelttiredbutnotreallysleepy,andthenewbloodwasaffectingherlikeajoltofcaffeine.Shewantedtogoexploring.
Thegraveyardwasfullofactivityalthoughtherewasn’tahumaninsight.Afoxslunkthroughtheshadowstowardtheriverpath.Smallrodentstunneledunderthelonglankgrassaroundtheheadstones,squeakingandscurrying.Abarnowlflewalmostsilentlytowardtheruinedchurch,whereitalightedonthebelfrywithaneeriecry.
Elenagotupandfollowedit.Thiswasmuchbetterthanhidinginthegrasslikeamouseorvole.Shelookedaroundtheruinedchurchinterestedly,usinghersharpenedsensestoexamineit.Mostoftheroofhadfallenin,andonlythreewallswerestanding,butthebelfrystooduplikealonelymonumentintherubble.
AtonesidewasthetombofThomasandHonoriaFell,likealargestoneboxorcoffin.Elenagazedearnestlydownintothewhitemarblefacesoftheirstatuesonthelid.Theylayintranquilrepose,theireyesshut,theirhandsfoldedontheirbreasts.ThomasFelllookedseriousandalittlestern,butHonorialookedmerelysad.Elenathoughtabsentlyofherownparents,lyingsidebysidedowninthemoderncemetery.
I’llgohome;that’swhereI’llgo,shethought.Shehadjustrememberedabouthome.Shecouldpictureitnow:herprettybedroomwithbluecurtainsandcherrywoodfurnitureandherlittlefireplace.Andsomethingimportantunderthefloorboardsinthecloset.
ShefoundherwaytoMapleStreetbyinstinctsthatrandeeperthanmemory,lettingherfeetguideherthere.Itwasanold,oldhouse,withabigfrontporchandfloor-to-ceilingwindowsinfront.Robert’scarPage18
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wasparkedinthedriveway.
Elenastartedforthefrontdoorandthenstopped.Therewasareasonpeopleshouldn’tseeher,althoughshecouldn’trememberwhatitwasrightnow.Shehesitatedandthennimblyclimbedthequincetreeuptoherbedroomwindow.
Butshewasn’tgoingtobeabletogetinherewithoutbeingnoticed.AwomanwassittingonthebedwithElena’sredsilkkimonoinherlap,staringdownatit.AuntJudith.Robertwasstandingbythedresser,talkingtoher.Elenafoundthatshecouldpickupthemurmurofhisvoiceeventhroughtheglass.
“…outagaintomorrow,”hewassaying.“Aslongasitdoesn’tstorm.They’llgoovereveryinchofthosewoods,andthey’llfindher,Judith.You’llsee.”AuntJudithsaidnothing,andhewenton,soundingmoredesperate.“Wecan’tgiveuphope,nomatterwhatthegirlssay—”
“It’snogood,Bob.”AuntJudithhadraisedherheadatlast,andhereyeswerered-rimmedbutdry.“It’snouse.”
“Therescueeffort?Iwon’thaveyoutalkingthatway.”Hecameovertostandbesideher.
“No,notjustthat…althoughIknow,inmyheart,thatwe’renotgoingtofindheralive.Imean…
everything.Us.Whathappenedtodayisourfault—”
“That’snottrue.Itwasafreakaccident.”
“Yes,butwemadeithappen.Ifwehadn’tbeensoharshwithher,shewouldneverhavedrivenoffaloneandbeencaughtinthestorm.No,Bob,don’ttrytoshutmeup;Iwantyoutolisten.”AuntJudithtookadeepbreathandcontinued.“Itwasn’tjusttoday,either.Elena’sbeenhavingproblemsforalongtime,eversinceschoolstarted,andsomehowI’veletthesignssliprightpastme.BecauseI’vebeentooinvolvedwithmyself—withus—topayattentiontothem.Icanseethatnow.AndnowthatElena’s…
gone…Idon’twantthesamethingtohappenwithMargaret.”
“Whatareyousaying?”
“I’msayingthatIcan’tmarryyou,notassoonasweplanned.Maybenotever.”Withoutlookingathim,shespokesoftly.
“Margarethaslosttoomuchalready.Idon’twanthertofeelshe’slosingme,too.”
“Shewon’tbelosingyou.Ifanything,she’llbegainingsomeone,becauseI’llbeheremoreoften.YouknowhowIfeelabouther.”
“I’msorry,Bob;Ijustdon’tseeitthatway.”
“Youcan’tbeserious.AfterallthetimeI’vespenthere—afterallI’vedone…”
AuntJudith’svoicewasdrainedandimplacable.“Iamserious.”
Fromherperchoutsidethewindow,ElenaeyedRobertcuriously.Aveinthrobbedinhisforehead,andhisfacehadflushedred.
“You’llfeeldifferentlytomorrow,”hesaid.
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“No,Iwon’t.”
“Youdon’tmeanit—”
“Idomeanit.Don’ttellmethatI’mgoingtochangemymind,becauseI’mnot.”
Foraninstant,Robertlookedaroundinhelplessfrustration;then,hisexpressiondarkened.Whenhespoke,hisvoicewasflatandcold.“Isee.Well,ifthat’syourfinalanswer,I’dbetterleaverightnow.”
“Bob.”AuntJudithturned,startled,buthewasalreadyoutsidethedoor.Shestoodup,wavering,asifshewereunsurewhetherornottogoafterhim.Herfingerskneadedattheredmaterialshewasholding.
“Bob!”shecalledagain,moreurgently,andsheturnedtodropthekimonoonElena’sbedbeforefollowinghim.
Butassheturnedshegasped,ahandflyingtohermouth.Herwholebodystiffened.HereyesstaredintoElena’sthroughthesilverypaneofglass.Foralongmoment,theystaredateachotherthatway,neithermoving.ThenAuntJudith’shandcameawayfromhermouth,andshebegantoshriek.
Four
SomethingyankedElenaoutofthetreeand,yowlingaprotest,shefellandlandedonherfeetlikeacat.
Herkneeshitthegroundasecondlaterandgotbruised.
Sherearedback,fingershookedintoclawstoattackwhoeverhaddoneit.Damonslappedherhandaway.
“Whydidyougrabme?”shedemanded.
“Whydidn’tyoustaywhereIputyou?”hesnapped.
Theyglaredateachother,equallyfurious.ThenElenawasdistracted.Theshriekingwasstillgoingonupstairs,augmentednowbyrattlingandbangingatthewindow.Damonnudgedheragainstthehouse,wheretheycouldn’tbeseenfromabove.
“Let’sgetawayfromthisnoise,”hesaidfastidiously,lookingup.Withoutwaitingforaresponse,hecaughtherarm.Elenaresisted.
“Ihavetogointhere!”
“Youcan’t.”Hegaveherawolfishsmile.“Imeanthatliterally.Youcan’tgointhathouse.Youhaven’tbeeninvited.”
Momentarilynonplussed,Elenalethimtowherafewsteps.Thenshedugherheelsinagain.
“ButIneedmydiary!”
“What?”
“It’sinthecloset,underthefloorboards.AndIneedit.Ican’tgotosleepwithoutmydiary.”Elenadidn’tknowwhyshewasmakingsuchafuss,butitseemedimportant.
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Damonlookedexasperated;then,hisfacecleared.“Here,”hesaidcalmly,eyesglinting.Hewithdrewsomethingfromhisjacket.“Takeit.”
Elenaeyedhisofferingdoubtfully.
“It’syourdiary,isn’tit?”
“Yes,butit’smyoldone.Iwantmynewone.”
“Thisonewillhavetodo,becausethisoneisallyou’regetting.Comeonbeforetheywakeupthewholeneighborhood.”Hisvoicehadturnedcoldandcommandingagain.
Elenaconsideredthebookheheld.Itwassmall,withabluevelvetcoverandabrasslock.Notthenewesteditionperhaps,butitwasfamiliartoher.Shedecideditwasacceptable.
SheletDamonleadheroutintothenight.
Shedidn’taskwheretheyweregoing.Shedidn’tmuchcare.ButsherecognizedthehouseonMagnoliaAvenue;itwaswhereAlaricSaltzmanwasstaying.
AnditwasAlaricwhoopenedthefrontdoor,beckoningElenaandDamoninside.Thehistoryteacherlookedstrange,though,anddidn’treallyseemtoseethem.Hiseyeswereglassyandhemovedlikeanautomaton.
Elenalickedherlips.
“No,”Damonsaidshortly.“Thisone’snotforbiting.There’ssomethingfishyabouthim,butyoushouldbesafeenoughinthehouse.I’vesleptherebefore.Uphere.”Heledherupaflightofstairstoanatticwithonesmallwindow.Itwascrowdedwithstoredobjects:sleds,skis,ahammock.Atthefarend,anoldmattresslayonthefloor.
“Hewon’tevenknowyou’rehereinthemorning.Liedown.”Elenaobeyed,assumingapositionthatseemednaturaltoher.Shelayonherback,handsfoldedoverthediarythatsheheldtoherbreast.
Damondroppedapieceofoilclothoverher,coveringherbarefeet.
“Gotosleep,Elena,”hesaid.
Hebentoverher,andforamomentshethoughthewasgoingto…dosomething.Herthoughtsweretoomuddled.Buthisnightblackeyesfilledhervision.Thenhepulledback,andshecouldbreatheagain.
Thegloomoftheatticsettledinonher.Hereyesdriftedshutandsheslept.
Shewokeslowly,assemblinginformationaboutwhereshewas,piecebypiece.Somebody’satticfromthelooksofit.Whatwasshedoinghere?
Ratsormicewerescufflingsomewhereamongthepilesofoilcloth-drapedobjects,butthesounddidn’tbotherher.Thefaintesttraceofpalelightshowedaroundtheedgesoftheshutteredwindow.Elenapushedhermakeshiftblanketoffandgotuptoinvestigate.
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Itwasdefinitelysomeone’sattic,andnotthatofanyonesheknew.Shefeltasifshehadbeensickforalongtimeandhadjustwokenupfromherillness.Whatdayisit?shewondered.
Shecouldhearvoicesbelowher.Downstairs.Somethingtoldhertobecarefulandquiet.Shefeltafraidofmakinganykindofdisturbance.Sheeasedtheatticdooropenwithoutasoundandcautiouslydescendedtothelanding.Lookingdown,shecouldseealivingroom.Sherecognizedit;she’dsatonthatottomanwhenAlaricSaltzmanhadgivenaparty.ShewasintheRamseyhouse.
AndAlaricSaltzmanwasdownthere;shecouldseethetopofhissandyhead.Hisvoicepuzzledher.
Afteramomentsherealizeditwasbecausehedidn’tsoundfatuousorinaneoranyofthewaysAlaricusuallysoundedinclass.Hewasn’tspoutingpsycho-babble,either.Hewasspeakingcoollyanddecisivelytotwoothermen.
“Shemightbeanywhere,evenrightunderournoses.Morelikelyoutsidetown,though.Maybeinthewoods.”
“Whythewoods?”saidoneofthemen.Elenaknewthatvoice,too,andthatbaldhead.ItwasMr.
Newcastle,thehighschoolprincipal.
“Remember,thefirsttwovictimswerefoundnearthewoods,”saidtheotherman.IsthatDr.Feinberg?
Elenathought.What’shedoinghere?WhatamIdoinghere?
“No,it’smorethanthat,”Alaricwassaying.Theothermenwerelisteningtohimwithrespect,evenwithdeference.“Thewoodsaretiedupinthis.Theymayhaveahidingplaceoutthere,alairwheretheycangotoearthifthey’rediscovered.Ifthereisone,I’llfindit.”
“Areyousure?”saidDr.Feinberg.
“I’msure,”Alaricsaidbriefly.
“Andthat’swhereyouthinkElenais,”saidtheprincipal.“Butwillshestaythere?Orwillshecomebackintotown?”
“Idon’tknow.”Alaricpacedafewstepsandpickedupabookfromthecoffeetable,runninghisthumbsoveritabsently.“Onewaytofindoutistowatchherfriends.BonnieMcCulloughandthatdark-hairedgirl,Meredith.Chancesarethey’llbethefirstonestoseeher.That’showitusuallyhappens.”
“Andoncewedotrackherdown?”Dr.Feinbergasked.
“Leavethattome,”Alaricsaidquietlyandgrimly.Heshutthebookanddroppeditonthecoffeetablewithadisturbinglyconclusivesound.
Theprincipalglancedathiswatch.“I’dbettergetmoving;theservicestartsatteno’clock.Ipresumeyou’llbothbethere?”Hepausedonhiswaytothedoorandlookedback,hismannerirresolute.“Alaric,Ihopeyoucantakecareofthis.WhenIcalledyouin,thingshadn’tgonethisfar.NowI’mbeginningtowonder—”
“Icantakecareofit,Brian.Itoldyou;leaveittome.WouldyouratherhaveRobertE.Leeinallthepapers,notjustasthesceneofatragedybutalsoas‘TheHauntedHighSchoolofBooneCounty’?Agatheringplaceforghouls?Theschoolwheretheundeadwalk?Isthatthekindofpublicityyouwant?”
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Mr.Newcastlehesitated,chewinghislip,thennodded,stilllookingunhappy.“Allright,Alaric.Butmakeitquickandclean.I’llseeyouatthechurch.”HeleftandDr.Fein-bergfollowedhim.
Alaricstoodthereforsometime,apparentlystaringintospace.Atlasthenoddedonceandwentoutthefrontdoorhimself.
Elenaslowlytrailedbackupthestairs.
Nowwhathadallthatbeenabout?Shefeltconfused,asifshewerefloatinglooseintimeandspace.
Sheneededtoknowwhatdayitwas,whyshewashere,andwhyshefeltsofrightened.Whyshefeltsointenselythatnoonemustseeherorhearherornoticeheratall.
Lookingaroundtheattic,shesawnothingthatwouldgiveheranyhelp.Whereshehadbeenlyingtherewereonlythemattressandtheoilcloth—andalittlebluebook.
Herdiary!Eagerly,shesnatcheditupandopenedit,skippingthroughtheentries.TheystoppedwithOctober17;theywerenohelptodiscoveringtoday’sdate.Butasshelookedatthewriting,imagesformedinhermind,stringinguplikepearlstomakememories.Fascinated,sheslowlysatdownonthemattress.SheleafedbacktothebeginningandbegantoreadaboutthelifeofElenaGilbert.
Whenshefinished,shewasweakwithfearandhorror.Brightspotsdancedandshimmeredbeforehereyes.Therewassomuchpaininthesepages.Somanyschemes,somanysecrets,somuchneed.Itwasthestoryofagirlwho’dfeltlostinherownhometown,inherownfamily.Who’dbeenlookingfor…
something,somethingshecouldneverquitereach.Butthatwasn’twhatcausedthisthrobbingpanicinherchestthatdrainedalltheenergyfromherbody.Thatwasn’twhyshefeltasifshewerefallingevenwhenshesatasstillasshecouldget.Whatcausedthepanicwasthatsheremembered
Sherememberedeverythingnow.
Thebridge,therushingwater.Theterrorastheairleftherlungsandtherewasnothingbutliquidtobreathe.Thewayithadhurt.Andthefinalinstantwhenithadstoppedhurting,wheneverythinghadstopped.Wheneverything…stopped.
Oh,Stefan,Iwassofrightened,shethought.Andthesamefearwasinsidehernow.Inthewoods,howcouldshehavebehavedlikethattoStefan?Howcouldshehaveforgottenhim,everythinghemeanttoher?Whathadmadeheractthatway?
Butsheknew.Atthecenterofherconsciousness,sheknew.Nobodygotupandwalkedawayfromadrowninglikethat.Nobodygotupandwalkedawayalive.
Slowly,sheroseandwenttolookattheshutteredwindow.Thedarkenedpaneofglassactedasamirror,throwingherreflectionbackather.
Itwasnotthereflectionshe’dseeninherdream,whereshehadrundownahallofmirrorsthatseemedtohavealifeoftheirown.Therewasnothingslyorcruelaboutthisface.Justthesame,itwassubtlydifferentfromwhatshewasusedtoseeing.Therewasapaleglowtoherskinandatellinghollownessabouttheeyes.Elenatouchedfingertipstoherneck,oneitherside.ThiswaswhereStefanandDamonhadeachtakenherblood.Haditreallybeenenoughtimes,andhadshereallytakenenoughoftheirsinreturn?
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Itmusthavebeen.Andnow,fortherestofherlife,fortherestofherexistence,shewouldhavetofeedasStefandid.Shewouldhaveto…
Shesanktoherknees,pressingherforeheadagainstthebarewoodofawall.Ican’t,shethought.Oh,please,Ican’t;Ican’t.
Shehadneverbeenveryreligious.Butfromthatdeepplaceinside,herterrorwaswellingup,andeveryparticleofherbeingjoinedinthecryforaid.Oh,please,shethought.Oh,please,please,helpme.Shedidn’taskforanythingspecific;shecouldn’tgatherherthoughtsthatfar.Only:Oh,pleasehelpme,ohplease,please
Afterawhileshegotupagain.
Herfacewasstillpalebuteerilybeautiful,likefineporcelainlitfromwithin.Hereyeswerestillsmudgedwithshadows.Buttherewasaresolveinthem.
ShehadtofindStefan.Iftherewasanyhelpforher,hewouldknowofit.Andiftherewasn’t…well,sheneededhimallthemore.Therewasnowhereelseshewantedtobeexceptwithhim.
Sheshutthedooroftheatticcarefullybehindherasshewentout.AlaricSaltzmanmustn’tdiscoverherhidingplace.Onthewall,shesawacalendarwiththedaysuptoDecember4crossedoff.FourdayssincelastSaturdaynight.She’dsleptforfourdays.
Whenshereachedthefrontdoor,shecringedfromthedaylightoutside.Ithurt.Eventhoughtheskywassoovercastthatrainorsnowlookedimminent,ithurthereyes.Shehadtoforceherselftoleavethesafetyofthehouse,andthenshefeltagnawingparanoiaaboutbeingoutintheopen.Sheslunkalongbesidefences,stayingclosetotrees,readytomeltintotheshadows.Shefeltlikeashadowherself—oraghost,inHonoriaFell’slongwhitegown.Shewouldfrightenthewitsoutofanyonewhosawher.
Butallhercircumspectionseemedtobewasted.Therewasnooneonthestreetstoseeher;thetownmighthavebeenabandoned.Shewentbyseeminglydesertedhouses,forsakenyards,closedstores.
Presentlyshesawparkedcarsliningthestreet,buttheywereempty,too.
Andthenshesawashapeagainsttheskythatstoppedherinhertracks.Asteeple,whiteagainstthethickdarkclouds.Elena’slegstrembledasshemadeherselfcreepclosertothebuilding.She’dknownthischurchallherlife;she’dseenthecrossinscribedonthatwallathousandtimes.Butnowsheedgedtowarditasifitwereacagedanimalthatmightbreaklooseandbiteher.Shepressedonehandtothestonewallandsliditnearerandnearertothecarvedsymbol.
Whenheroutspreadfingerstouchedthearmofthecross,hereyesfilledandherthroatached.Sheletherhandglidealongituntilitgentlycoveredtheengraving.Thensheleanedagainstthewallandletthetearscome.
I’mnotevil,shethought.IdidthingsIshouldn’thave.Ithoughtaboutmyselftoomuch;IneverthankedMattandBonnieandMeredithforalltheydidforme.IshouldhaveplayedmorewithMargaretandbeennicertoAuntJudith.ButI’mnotevil.I’mnotdamned.
Whenshecouldseeagain,shelookedupatthebuilding.Mr.Newcastlehadsaidsomethingaboutthechurch.Wasitthisonehemeant?
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loft,andsheslippedupthestairsnoiselesslyandlookeddownfromthegallery
Shesawatoncewhythestreetshadbeensoempty.ItseemedasifeveryoneinFell’sChurchwashere,everyseatineverypewfilled,andthebackofthechurchpackedsolidwithpeoplestanding.Staringatthefrontrows,Elenarealizedthatsherecognizedeveryface;theyweremembersoftheseniorclass,andneighbors,andfriendsofAuntJudith.AuntJudithwasthere,too,wearingtheblackdressshe’dworntoElena’sparents’funeral.
Oh,myGod,Elenathought.Herfingersgrippedtherailing.Untilnowshe’dbeentoobusylookingtolisten,butthequietmonotoneofReverendBethea’svoicesuddenlyresolvedintowords.
“…shareourremembrancesofthisveryspecialgirl,”hesaid,andhemovedaside.
Elenawatchedwhathappenedafterwiththeunearthlyfeelingthatshehadalogeseatataplay.Shewasnotatallinvolvedintheeventsdownthereonstage;shewasonlyaspectator,butitwasherlifeshewaswatching.
Mr.Carson,SueCarson’sfather,cameupandtalkedabouther.TheCarsonshadknownhersinceshewasborn,andhetalkedaboutthedayssheandSuehadplayedintheirfrontyardinthesummer.Hetalkedaboutthebeautifulandaccomplishedyoungladyshehadbecome.Hegotafroginhisthroatandhadtostopandtakeoffhisglasses.
SueCarsonwentup.SheandElenahadn’tbeenclosefriendssinceelementaryschool,butthey’dremainedongoodterms.Suehadbeenoneofthefewgirlswho’dstayedonElena’ssideafterStefanhadcomeundersuspicionforMr.Tanner’smurder.ButnowSuewascryingasifshe’dlostasister.
“Alotofpeopleweren’tnicetoElenaafterHalloween,”shesaid,wipinghereyesandgoingon.“AndIknowthathurther.ButElenawasstrong.Sheneverchangedjusttoconformtowhatotherpeoplethoughtsheshouldbe.AndIrespectedherforthat,somuch…”Sue’svoicewobbled.“WhenIwasupforHomecomingQueen,Iwantedtobechosen,butIknewIwouldn’tbeandthatwasallright.BecauseifRobertE.Leeeverhadaqueen,itwasElena.AndIthinkshealwayswillbenow,becausethat’showwe’llallrememberher.AndIthinkthatforyearstocomethegirlswhowillgotoourschoolmightrememberherandthinkabouthowshestuckbywhatshethoughtwasright…”ThistimeSuecouldn’tsteadyhervoiceandthereverendhelpedherbacktoherseat.
Thegirlsintheseniorclass,eventheonesthathadbeennastiestandmostspiteful,werecryingandholdinghands.GirlsElenaknewforafacthatedherweresniffling.Suddenlyshewaseverybody’sbestfriend.
Therewereboyscrying,too.Shocked,Elenahuddledclosertotherailing.Shecouldn’tstopwatching,eventhoughitwasthemosthorriblethingshehadeverseen.
FrancesDecaturgotup,herplainfaceplainerthaneverwithgrief.“Shewentoutofherwaytobenicetome,”shesaidhuskily.“Sheletmeeatlunchwithher.”Rubbish,Elenathought.IonlyspoketoyouinthefirstplacebecauseyouwereusefulinfindingoutinformationaboutStefan.Butitwasthesamewitheachpersonwhowentuptothepulpit;noonecouldfindenoughwordstopraiseElena.
“Ialwaysadmiredher…”
“Shewasarolemodeltome…”
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“Oneofmyfavoritestudents…”
WhenMeredithrose,Elena’swholebodystiffened.Shedidn’tknowifshecoulddealwiththis.Butthedark-hairedgirlwasoneofthefewpeopleinthechurchwhowasn’tcrying,althoughherfacehadagrave,sadlookthatremindedElenaofHonoriaFellasshelookedonhertomb.
“WhenIthinkaboutElena,Ithinkaboutthegoodtimeswehadtogether,”shesaid,speakingquietlyandwithhercustomaryself-control.“Elenaalwayshadideas,andshecouldmakethemostboringworkintofun.Inevertoldherthat,andnowIwishIhad.IwishthatIcouldtalktoheronemoretime,justsoshewouldknow.AndifElenacouldhearmenow”—Meredithlookedaroundthechurchanddrewalongbreath,apparentlytocalmherself—”ifshecouldhearmenow,Iwouldtellherhowmuchthosegoodtimesmeanttome,andhowmuchIwishthatwecouldstillhavethem.LiketheThursdaynightsweusedtosittogetherinherroom,practicingforthedebateteam.Iwishwecoulddothatjustoncemorelikeweusedto.”Meredithtookanotherlongbreathandshookherhead.“ButIknowwecan’t,andthathurts.”
Whatareyoutalkingabout?Elenathought,hermiseryinterruptedbybewilderment.WeusedtopracticeforthedebateteamonWednesdaynights,notThursdays.Anditwasn’tinmybedroom;itwasinyours.Anditwasnofunatall;infact,weendedupquittingbecausewebothhatedit…
Suddenly,watchingMeredith’scarefullycomposedface,socalmontheoutsidetoconcealthetensionwithin,Elenafeltherheartbegintopound.
Meredithwassendingamessage,amessageonlyElenacouldbeexpectedtounderstand.WhichmeantthatMeredithexpectedElenatobeabletohearit.
Meredithknew.
HadStefantoldher?Elenascannedtherowsofmournersbelow,realizingforthefirsttimethatStefanwasn’tamongthem.NeitherwasMatt.No,itdidn’tseemlikelythatStefanwouldhavetoldMeredith,orthatMeredithwouldchoosethiswayofgettingamessagetoherifhehad.ThenElenarememberedthewayMeredithhadlookedatherthenighttheyhadrescuedStefanfromthewell,whenElenahadaskedtobeleftalonewithStefan.
Sherememberedthosekeendarkeyesstudyingherfacemorethanonceinthelastmonths,andthewayMeredithhadseemedtogrowquieterandmorethoughtfuleachtimeElenacameupwithsomeoddrequest.
Meredithhadguessedthen.Elenawonderedjusthowmuchofthetruthshe’dputtogether.
Bonniewascomingupnow,cryinginearnest.Thatwassurprising;ifMeredithknew,whyhadn’tshetoldBonnie?ButmaybeMeredithhadonlyasuspicion,somethingshedidn’twanttosharewithBonnieincaseitturnedouttobeafalsehope
Bonnie’sspeechwasasemotionalasMeredith’shadbeencollected.Hervoicekeptbreakingandshekepthavingtobrushtearsoffhercheeks.FinallyReverendBetheacrossedoverandgavehersomethingwhite,ahandkerchieforsometissue.
“Thankyou,”Bonniesaid,wipingherstreamingeyes.Shetiltedherheadbacktolookattheceiling,eithertoregainherpoiseortogetinspiration.Asshedid,Elenasawsomethingthatnooneelsecouldsee:shesawBonnie’sfacedrainofcolorandofexpression,notlikesomebodyabouttofaint,butinawaythatwasalltoofamiliar.
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AchillcrawledupElena’sbackbone.Nothere.Oh,God,ofalltimesandplaces,nothere.
Butitwasalreadyhappening.Bonnie’schinhadlowered;shewaslookingatthecongregationagain.
Exceptthatthistimeshedidn’tseemtoseethematall,andthevoicethatcamefromBonnie’sthroatwasnotBonnie’svoice.
“Nooneiswhattheyappear.Rememberthat.Nooneiswhattheyappear.”Thenshejuststoodthere,unmoving,staringstraightaheadwithblankeyes.
Peoplebegantoshuffleandlookatoneanother.Therewasamurmurofworry.
“Rememberthat—remember—nooneiswhattheyseem…”Bonnieswayedsuddenly,andReverendBethearantoherwhileanothermanhastenedupfromtheotherside.Thesecondmanhadabaldheadthatwasnowshiningwithsweat—Mr.Newcastle,Elenarealized.Andthereatthebackofthechurch,stridingupthenave,wasAlaricSaltzman.HereachedBonniejustasshefainted,andElenaheardastepbehindheronthestair.
Five
Dr.Feinberg,Elenathoughtwildly,tryingtotwistaroundtolookandsimultaneouslypressherselfintotheshadows.Butitwasn’tthesmall,hawk-nosedvisageofthedoctorthatmethereyes.ItwasafacewithfeaturesasfineasthoseonaRomancoinormedallion,andhauntedgreeneyes.Timecaughtforamoment,andthenElenawasinhisarms.
“Oh,Stefan.Stefan…”
Shefelthisbodygostillwithshock.Hewasholdinghermechanically,lightly,asifshewereastrangerwho’dmistakenhimforsomeoneelse.
”Stefan,”shesaiddesperately,burrowingherfaceintohisshoulder,tryingtogetsomeresponse.Shecouldn’tbearitifherejectedher;ifhehatedhernowshewoulddie…
Withamoan,shetriedtogetevenclosertohim,wantingtomergewithhimcompletely,todisappearinsidehim.Oh,please,shethought,oh,please,oh,please…
“Elena.Elena,it’sallright;I’vegotyou.”Hewentontalkingtoher,repeatingsillynonsensemeanttosoothe,strokingherhair.Andshecouldfeelthechangeashisarmstightenedaroundher.Heknewwhohewasholdingnow.Forthefirsttimesinceshe’dawakenedthatday,shefeltsafe.Still,itwasalongwhilebeforeshecouldrelaxhergriponhimevenslightly.Shewasn’tcrying;shewasgaspinginpanic.
Atlastshefelttheworldstarttosettleintoplacearoundher.Shedidn’tletgo,though,notyet.Shesimplystoodforendlessminuteswithherheadonhisshoulder,drinkinginthecomfortandsecurityofhisnearness.
Thensheraisedherheadtolookintohiseyes.
Whenshe’dthoughtofStefanearlierthatday,she’dthoughtofhowhemighthelpher.She’dmeanttoaskhim,tobeghim,tosaveherfromthisnightmare,tomakeherthewayshehadbeenbefore.Butnow,asshelookedathim,shefeltastrangedespairingresignationflowthroughher.
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“There’snothingtobedoneaboutit,isthere?”shesaidverysoftly.
Hedidn’tpretendtomisunderstand.“No,”hesaid,equallysoft.
Elenafeltasifshehadtakensomefinalstepoveraninvisiblelineandthattherewasnoreturning.Whenshecouldspeakagain,shesaid,“I’msorryforthewayIactedtowardyouinthewoods.Idon’tknowwhyIdidthosethings.Irememberdoingthem,butIcan’trememberwhy.”
”You’resorry?”Hisvoiceshook.“Elena,afterallI’vedonetoyou,allthat’shappenedtoyoubecauseofme…”Hecouldn’tfinish,andtheyclungtoeachother.
“Verytouching,”saidavoicefromthestairway.“Doyouwantmetoimitateaviolin?”
Elena’scalmshattered,andfearsnakedthroughherbloodstream.She’dforgottenDamon’shypnoticintensityandhisburningdarkeyes.
“Howdidyougethere?”saidStefan.
“Thesamewayyoudid,Ipresume.AttractedbytheblazingbeaconofthefairElena’sdistress.”Damonwasreallyangry;Elenacouldtell.Notjustannoyedordiscommodedbutinawhiteheatofrageandhostility.
Buthe’dbeendecenttoherwhenshe’dbeenconfusedandirrational.He’dtakenhertoshelter;he’dkepthersafe.Andhehadn’tkissedherwhileshe’dbeeninthathorrifyinglyvulnerablestate.He’dbeen…
kindtoher.
“Incidentally,there’ssomethinggoingondownthere,”Damonsaid.
“Iknow;it’sBonnieagain,”saidElena,releasingStefanandmovingback.
“That’snotwhatImeant.Thisisoutside.”
Startled,Elenafollowedhimdowntothefirstbendinthestairs,wheretherewasawindowoverlookingtheparkinglot.ShefeltStefanbehindherasshelookeddownatthescenebelow.
Acrowdofpeoplehadcomeoutofthechurch,buttheywerestandinginasolidphalanxattheedgeofthelot,notgoinganyfarther.Oppositethem,intheparkinglotitself,wasanequallylargeassemblyofdogs.
Itlookedliketwoarmiesfacingeachother.Whatwaseerie,though,wasthatbothgroupswereabsolutelymotionless.Thepeopleseemedtobeparalyzedbyuneasiness,andthedogsseemedtobewaitingforsomething.
Elenasawthedogsfirstasdifferentbreeds.Thereweresmalldogslikesharp-facedcorgisandbrown-and-blacksilkyterriersandaLhasaapsowithlonggoldenhair.Thereweremedium-sizeddogslikespringerspanielsandAiredalesandonebeautifulsnowwhiteSamoyed.Andtherewerethebigdogs:abarrel-chestedrottweilerwithacroppedtail,apantinggraywolfhound,andagiantschnauzer,pureblack.ThenElenabegantorecognizeindividuals.
“That’sMr.Grunbaum’sboxerandtheSullivans‘Germanshepherd.Butwhat’sgoingonwiththem?”
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Thepeople,originallyuneasy,nowlookedfrightened.Theystoodshouldertoshoulder,noonewantingtobreakoutofthefrontlineandmoveanyclosertotheanimals.
Andyetthedogsweren’tdoinganything,justsittingorstanding,somewiththeirtongueslollinggentlyout.Strange,though,howstilltheywere,Elenathought.Everytinymotion,suchastheslightesttwitchoftailorears,seemedvastlyexaggerated.Andtherewerenowaggingtails,nosignsoffriendliness.Just…
waiting.
Robertwastowardthebackofthecrowd.Elenawassurprisedatseeinghim,butforamomentshecouldn’tthinkofwhy.Thensherealizeditwasbecausehehadn’tbeeninthechurch.Asshewatched,hedrewfartherapartfromthegroup,disappearingundertheoverhangbelowElena.
“Chelsea!Chelsea…”
Someonehadmovedoutofthefrontlineatlast.ItwasDouglasCarson,Elenarealized,SueCarson’smarriedolderbrother.He’dsteppedintotheno-man’s-landbetweenthedogsandthepeople,onehandslightlyextended.
Aspringerspanielwithlongearslikebrownsatinturnedherhead.Herwhitestumpofatailquiveredslightly,questioningly,andherbrown-and-whitemuzzlelifted.Butshedidn’tcometotheyoungman.
DougCarsontookanotherstep.“Chelsea…goodgirl.Comehere,Chelsea.Come!”Hesnappedhisfingers.
“Whatdoyousensefromthosedogsdownthere?”Damonmurmured.
Stefanshookhisheadwithoutlookingawayfromthewindow.“Nothing,”hesaidshortly.
“NeitherdoI.”Damon’seyeswerenarrowed,hisheadtiltedbackappraisingly,buthisslightlybaredteethremindedElenaofthewolfhound.“Butweshouldbeableto,youknow.Theyoughttohavesomeemotionswecanpickupon.Instead,everytimeItrytoprobethemit’slikerunningintoablankwhitewall.”
Elenawishedsheknewwhattheyweretalkingabout.“Whatdoyoumean‘probethem’?”shesaid.
“They’reanimals.”
“Appearancescanbedeceiving,”Damonsaidironically,andElenathoughtabouttherainbowlightsinthefeathersofthecrowthathadfollowedhersincethefirstdayofschool.Ifshelookedclosely,shecouldseethosesamerainbowlightsinDamon’ssilkyhair.“Butanimalshaveemotions,inanycase.IfyourPowersarestrongenough,youcanexaminetheirminds.”
AndmyPowersaren’t,thoughtElena.Shewasstartledbythetwingeofenvythatwentthroughher.Justafewminutesagoshe’dbeenclingingtoStefan,frantictogetridofanyPowersshehad,tochangeherselfback.Andnow,shewishedshewerestronger.Damonalwayshadanoddeffectonher.
“ImaynotbeabletoprobeChelsea,butIdon’tthinkDougshouldgoanycloser,”shesaidaloud.
Stefanhadbeenstaringfixedlyoutthewindow,hiseyebrowsdrawntogether.Nowhenoddedfractionally,butwithasuddensenseofurgency.“Idon’teither,”hesaid.
“C’mon,Chelsea,beagoodgirl.Comehere.”DougCarsonhadalmostreachedthefirstrowofdogs.
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Alleyes,humanandcanine,werefixedonhim,andevensuchtinymovementsastwitcheshadstopped.
IfElenahadn’tseenthesidesofoneortwodogshollowandfillwiththeirbreathing,shemighthavethoughtthewholegroupwassomegiantmuseumdisplay.
Doughadcometoahalt.ChelseawaswatchinghimfrombehindthecorgiandtheSamoyed.Dougcluckedhistongue.Hestretchedouthishand,hesitated,andthenstretcheditoutfarther.
“No,”Elenasaid.Shewasstaringattherottweiler’sglossyflanks.Hollowandfill,hollowandfill.
“Stefan,influencehim.Gethimoutofthere.”
“Yes.”Shecouldseehisgazeunfocuswithconcentration;then,heshookhishead,exhalinglikeapersonwho’striedtoliftsome-thingtooheavy.“It’snogood;I’mburntout.Ican’tdoitfromhere.”
Below,Chelsea‘slipsskinnedbackfromherteeth.Thered-goldAiredalerosetoherfeetinonebeautifullysmoothmovement,asifpulledbystrings.Thehindquartersoftherottweilerbunched.
Andthentheysprang.Elenacouldn’tseewhichofthedogswasthefirst;theyseemedtomovetogetherlikeagreatwave.HalfadozenhitDougCarsonwithenoughforcetoknockhimbackward,andhedisappearedundertheirmassedbodies.
Theairwasfullofhellishnoise,fromametallicbayingthatsetthechurchraftersringingandgaveElenaaninstantheadache,toadeep-throatedcontinuousgrowlthatshefeltratherthanheard.Dogsweretearingatclothing,snarling,lunging,whilethecrowdscatteredandscreamed.
ElenacaughtsightofAlaricSaltzmanattheedgeoftheparkinglot,theonlyonewhowasn’trunning.Hewasstandingstiffly,andshethoughtshecouldseehislipsmoving,andhishands.
Everywhereelsewaspandemonium.Someonehadgottenahoseandwasturningitintothethickofthepack,butitwashavingnoeffect.Thedogsseemedtohavegonemad.WhenChelsearaisedherbrown-and-whitemuzzlefromhermaster’sbody,itwastingedwithred.
Elena’sheartwaspoundingsothatshecouldbarelybreathe.“Theyneedhelp!”shesaid,justasStefanbrokeawayfromthewindowandwentdownthestairs,takingthemtwoandthreeatatime.Elenawashalfwaydownthestairsherselfwhensherealizedtwothings:Damonwasn’tfollowingher,andshecouldn’tletherselfbeseen.
Shecouldn’t.Thehysteriaitwouldcause,thequestions,thefearandhatredoncethequestionswereanswered.Somethingthatrandeeperthancompassionorsympathyortheneedtohelpwrenchedherback,flatteningheragainstthewall.
Inthedim,coolinteriorofthechurch,sheglimpsedaboilingpocketofactivity.Peopleweredashingbackandforth,shouting.Dr.Feinberg,Mr.McCullough,ReverendBethea.ThestillpointofthecirclewasBonnielyingonapewwithMeredithandAuntJudithandMrs.McCulloughbentoverher.
“Somethingevil,”shewasmoaning,andthenAuntJudith’sheadcameup,turninginElena’sdirection.
Elenascuttledupthestairsasquicklyasshecould,prayingAuntJudithhadn’tseenher.Damonwasatthewindow.
“Ican’tgodownthere.TheythinkI’mdead!”
“Oh,you’verememberedthat.Goodforyou.”
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“IfDr.Feinbergexaminesme,he’llknowsomething’swrong.Well,won’the?”shedemandedfiercely.
“He’llthinkyou’reaninterestingspecimen,allright.”
“ThenIcan’tgo.Butyoucan.Whydon’tyoudosomething?”
Damoncontinuedtolookoutthewindow,eyebrowshikingup.“Why?”
”Why?”Elena’salarmandoverexcitementreachedflashpointandshealmostslappedhim.“Becausetheyneedhelp!Becauseyoucanhelp.Don’tyoucareaboutanythingbesidesyourself?”
Damonwaswearinghismostimpenetrablemask,theexpressionofpoliteinquiryhe’dwornwhenheinvitedhimselftoherhousefordinner.Butsheknewthatbeneathithewasangry,angryatfindingherandStefantogether.Hewasbaitingheronpurposeandwithsavageenjoyment.
Andshecouldn’thelpherreaction,herfrustrated,impotentrage.Shestartedforhim,andhecaughtherwristsandheldheroff,hiseyesboringintohers.Shewasstartledtohearthesoundthatcamefromherlipsthen;itwasahissthatsoundedmorefelinethanhuman.Sherealizedherfingerswerehookedintoclaws.
WhatamIdoing?Attackinghimbecausehewon’tdefendpeopleagainstthedogsthatareattackingthem?Whatkindofsensedoesthatmake?Breathinghard,sherelaxedherhandsandwetherlips.Shesteppedbackandhelether.
Therewasalongmomentwhiletheystaredateachother.
“I’mgoingdown,”Elenasaidquietlyandturned.
“No.”
“Theyneedhelp.”
“Allright,then,damnyou.”She’dneverheardDamon’svoicesolow,orsofurious.“I’ll—”hebrokeoffandElena,turningbackquickly,sawhimslamafistintothewindow-sill,rattlingtheglass.Buthisattentionwasoutsideandhisvoiceperfectlycomposedagainwhenhesaiddryly,“Helphasarrived.”
Itwasthefiredepartment.Theirhosesweremuchmorepowerfulthanthegardenhose,andthejetstreamsofwaterdrovethelungingdogsoffwithsheerforce.Elenasawasheriffwithagunandbittheinsideofhercheekasheaimedandsighted.Therewasacrack,andthegiantschnauzerwentdown.Thesheriffaimedagain.
Itendedquicklyafterthat.Severaldogswerealreadyrunningfromthebarrageofwater,andwiththesecondcrackofthepistolmorebrokefromthepackandheadedfortheedgesoftheparkinglot.Itwasasifthepurposethathaddriventhemhadreleasedthemallatonce.ElenafeltarushofreliefasshesawStefanstandingunharmedinthemiddleoftherout,shovingadazed-lookinggoldenretrieverawayfromDougCarson’sform.Chelseatookaskulkingsteptowardhermasterandlookedintohisface,headandtaildrooping.
“It’sallover,”Damonsaid.Hesoundedonlymildlyinterested,butElenaglancedathimsharply.Allrightthen,damnyou,I’llwhat?shethought.Whathadhebeenabouttosay?Hewasn’tinanymoodtotellPage31
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her,butshewasinamoodtopush.
“Damon…”Sheputahandonhisarm.
Hestiffened,thenturned.“Well?”
Forasecondtheystoodlookingateachother,andthentherewasasteponthestair.Stefanhadreturned.
“Stefan…you’rehurt,”shesaid,blinking,suddenlydisoriented.
“I’mallright.”Hewipedbloodoffhischeekwithatatteredsleeve.
“WhataboutDoug?”Elenaasked,swallowing.
“Idon’tknow.Heishurt.Alotofpeopleare.ThatwasthestrangestthingI’veeverseen.”
ElenamovedawayfromDamon,upthestairsintothechoirloft.Shefeltthatshehadtothink,butherheadwaspounding.ThestrangestthingStefanhadeverseen…thatwassayingalot.SomethingstrangeinFell’sChurch.
Shereachedthewallbehindthelastrowofseatsandputahandagainstit,slidingdowntositonthefloor.Thingsseemedatonceconfusedandfrighteninglyclear.SomethingstrangeinFell’sChurch.Thedayofthefounders’celebrationshewouldhaveswornshedidn’tcareanythingaboutFell’sChurchorthepeopleinit.Butnowsheknewdifferently.Lookingdownonthememorialservice,shehadbeguntothinkperhapsshedidcare.
Andthen,whenthedogshadattackedoutside,she’dknownit.Shefeltsomehowresponsibleforthetown,inawayshehadneverfeltbefore.
Herearliersenseofdesolationandlonelinesshadbeenpushedasideforthemoment.Therewassomethingmoreimportantthanherownproblemsnow.Andsheclungtothatsomething,becausethetruthwasthatshereallycouldn’tdealwithherownsituation,no,shereally,reallycouldn’t…
SheheardthegaspinghalfsobshegavethenandlookeduptoseebothStefanandDamoninthechoirloft,lookingather.Sheshookherheadslightly,puttingahandtoit,feelingasifshewerecomingoutofadream.
“Elena…?”
ItwasStefanwhospoke,butElenaaddressedherselftotheotherone.
“Damon,”shesaidshakily,“ifIaskyousomething,willyoutellmethetruth?Iknowyoudidn’tchasemeoffWickeryBridge.Icouldfeelwhateveritwas,anditwasdifferent.ButIwanttoaskyouthis:wasityouwhodumpedStefanintheoldFrancherwellamonthago?”
“Inawell?”Damonleanedbackagainsttheoppositewall,armscrossedoverhischest.Helookedpolitelyincredulous.
“OnHalloweennight,thenightMr.Tannerwaskilled.AfteryoushowedyourselfforthefirsttimetoStefaninthewoods.HetoldmeheleftyouintheclearingandstartedtowalktohiscarbutthatPage32
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someoneattackedhimbeforehereachedit.Whenhewokeup,hewastrappedinthewell,andhewouldhavediedthereifBonniehadn’tledustohim.Ialwaysassumedyouweretheonewhoattackedhim.Healwaysassumedyouweretheone.Butwereyou?”
Damon’slipcurled,asifhedidn’tlikethedemandingintensityofherquestion.HelookedfromhertoStefanwithhooded,deridingeyes.ThemomentstretchedoutuntilElenahadtodigherfingernailsintoherpalmswithtension.ThenDamongaveasmallshrugandlookedoffatamiddledistance.
“Asamatteroffact,no,”hesaid.
Elenaletoutherbreath.
“Youcan’tbelievethat!”Stefanexploded.“Youcan’tbelieveanythinghesays.”
“WhyshouldIlie?”Damonreturned,clearlyenjoyingStefan’slossofcontrol.“IadmitfreelytokillingTanner.Idrankhisblooduntilheshriveledlikeaprune.AndIwouldn’tminddoingthesamethingtoyou
,brother.Butawell?It’shardlymystyle.”
“Ibelieveyou,”Elenasaid.Hermindwasrushingahead.SheturnedtoStefan.“Don’tyoufeelit?
There’ssomethingelsehereinFell’sChurch,somethingthatmaynotevenbehuman—mayneverhavebeenhuman,Imean.Somethingthatchasedme,forcedmycaroffthebridge.Somethingthatmadethosedogsattackpeople.Someterribleforcethat’shere,somethingevil…”Hervoicetrailedoff,andshelookedovertowardtheinteriorofthechurchwhereshehadseenBonnielying.“Somethingevil…”sherepeatedsoftly.Acoldwindseemedtoblowinsideher,andshehuddledintoherself,feelingvulnerableandalone.
“Ifyou’relookingforevil,”Stefansaidharshly,“youdon’thavetolookfar.”
“Don’tbeanymorestupidthanyoucanhelp,”saidDamon.“ItoldyoufourdaysagothatsomeoneelsehadkilledElena.AndIsaidthatIwasgoingtofindthatsomeoneanddealwithhim.AndIam.”Heuncrossedhisarmsandstraightenedup.“YoutwocancontinuethatprivateconversationyouwerehavingwhenIinterrupted.”
“Damon,wait.”Elenahadn’tbeenabletohelptheshudderthattorethroughherwhenhesaidkilled.Ican’thavebeenkilled;I’mstillhere,shethoughtwildly,feelingpanicswellupinheragain.ButnowshepushedthepanicasidetospeaktoDamon.
“Whateverthisthingis,it’sstrong,”shesaid.“Ifeltitwhenitwasafterme,anditseemedtofillthewholesky.Idon’tthinkanyofuswouldstandachanceagainstitalone.”
“So?”
“So…”Elenahadn’thadtimetogatherherthoughtsthisfar.Shewasrunningpurelyoninstinct,onintuition.AndintuitiontoldhernottoletDamongo.“So…Ithinkwethreeoughttosticktogether.Ithinkwehaveamuchbetterchanceoffindingitanddealingwithittogetherthanseparately.Andmaybewecanstopitbeforeithurtsor—orkills—anyoneelse.”
“Frankly,mydear,Idon’tgiveadamnaboutanyoneelse,”Damonsaidcharmingly.Thenhegaveoneofhisice-coldlightningsmiles.“Butareyousuggestingthatthisisyourchoice?Remember,weagreedthatwhenyouweremorerationalyouwouldmakeone.
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Elenastaredathim.Ofcourseitwasn’therchoice,ifhemeantromantically.ShewaswearingtheringStefanhadgivenher;sheandStefanbelongedtogether.
Butthensherememberedsomethingelse,justaflash:lookingupatDamon’sfaceinthewoodsandfeelingsuch—suchexcitement,suchaffinitywithhim.Asifheunderstoodtheflamethatburnedinsideherasnobodyelseevercould.Asiftogethertheycoulddoanythingtheyliked,conquertheworldordestroyit;asiftheywerebetterthananyoneelsewhohadeverlived.
Iwasoutofmymind,irrational,shetoldherself,butthatlittleflashofmemorywouldn’tgoaway.
Andthensherememberedsomethingelse:howDamonhadactedlaterthatnight,howhe’dkepthersafe,evenbeengentlewithher.
Stefanwaslookingather,andhisexpressionhadchangedfrombelligerencetobitterangerandfear.
Partofherwantedtoreassurehimcompletely,tothrowherarmsaroundhimandtellhimthatshewashisandalwayswouldbeandthatnothingelsemattered.Notthetown,notDamon,notanything.
Butshewasn’tdoingit.Becauseanotherpartofherwassayingthatthetowndidmatter.Andbecausestillanotherpartwasjustterribly,terriblyconfused.Soconfused…
Shefeltatremblingbegindeepinsideher,andthenshefoundshecouldn’tmakeitstop.Emotionaloverload,shethought,andputherheadinherhands.
Six
“She’salreadymadeherchoice.Yousawityourselfwhenyou‘interrupted’us.You’vealreadychosen,haven’tyou,Elena?”Stefansaiditnotsmugly,orasademand,butwithakindofdesperatebravado.
“I…”Elenalookedup.“Stefan,Iloveyou.Butdon’tyouunderstand,ifIhaveachoicerightnowIhavetochooseforallofustostaytogether.JustfornowDoyouunderstand?”SeeingonlystoninessinStefan’sface,sheturnedtoDamon.“Doyou?”
“Ithinkso.”Hegaveherasecret,possessivesmile.“ItoldStefanfromthebeginningthathewasselfishnottoshareyou.Brothersshouldsharethings,youknow.”
“That’snotwhatImeant.”
“Isn’tit?”Damonsmiledagain.
“No,”Stefansaid.“Idon’tunderstand,andIdon’tseehowyoucanaskmetoworkwithhim.He’sevil,Elena.Hekillsforpleasure;hehasnoconscienceatall.Hedoesn’tcareaboutFell’sChurch;hesaidthathimself.He’samonster—”
“Rightnowhe’sbeingmorecooperativethanyouare,”Elenasaid.ShereachedforStefan’shand,searchingforsomewaytogetthroughtohim.“Stefan,Ineedyou.Andwebothneedhim.Can’tyoutrytoacceptthat?”Whenhedidn’tanswersheadded,“Stefan,doyoureallywanttobemortalenemieswithyourbrotherforever?”
“Doyoureallythinkhewantsanythingelse?”
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answerforaminute,andwhenshediditwasveryquietly.
“Hestoppedmefromkillingyou,”shesaid.
ShefelttheflareofStefan’sdefensiveanger,thenfeltitslowlyfade.Somethinglikedefeatcreptthroughhim,andhebowedhishead.
“That’strue,”hesaid.“And,anyway,whoamItocallhimevil?What’shedonethatIhaven’tdonemyself?”
Weneedtotalk,Elenathought,hatingthisself-hatredofhis.Butthiswasn’tthetimeorplace.
“Thenyoudoagree?”shesaidhesitantly.“Stefan,tellmewhatyou’rethinking.”
“RightnowI’mthinkingthatyoualwaysgetyourway.Becauseyoualwaysdo,don’tyou,Elena?”
Elenalookedintohiseyes,noticinghowthepupilsweredilated,sothatonlyaringofgreenirisshowedaroundtheedge.Therewasnolongerangerthere,butthetirednessandthebitternessremained.
ButI’mnotjustdoingitformyself,shethought,thrustingoutofhermindthesuddensurgeofself-doubt.
I’llprovethattoyou,Stefan;you’llsee.ForonceI’mnotdoingsomethingformyownconvenience.
“Thenyouagree?”shesaidquietly.
“Yes.I…agree.”
“AndIagree,”saidDamon,extendinghisownhandwithexaggeratedcourtesy.HecapturedElena’sbeforeshecouldsayanything.“Infact,weallseemtobeinafrenzyofpureagreement.”
Don’t,Elenathought,butatthatmoment,standinginthecooltwilightofthechoirloft,shefeltthatitwastrue,thattheywereallthreeconnected,andinaccord,andstrong.
ThenStefanpulledhishandaway.Inthesilencethatfollowed,Elenacouldhearthesoundsoutsideandinthechurchbelow.Therewasstillcryingandtheoccasionalshout,buttheoverallurgencywasgone.
Lookingoutthewindow,shesawpeoplepickingtheirwayacrossthewetparkinglotbetweenthelittlegroupsthathuddledoverwoundedvictims.Dr.Feinbergwasmovingfromislandtoisland,apparentlydispensingmedicaladvice.Thevictimslookedlikesurvivorsofahurricaneorearthquake.
“Nooneiswhattheyseem,”Elenasaid.
“What?”
“That’swhatBonniesaidduringthememorialservice.Shehadanotheroneofherfits.Ithinkitmightbeimportant.”Shetriedtoputherthoughtsinorder.“Ithinktherearepeopleintownthatweoughttolookoutfor.LikeAlaricSaltzman.”Shetoldthem,briefly,whatshehadoverheardearlierthatdayinAlaric’shouse.”He’snotwhatheseems,butIdon’tknowexactlywhatheis.Ithinkweshouldwatchhim.AndsinceIobviouslycan’tappearinpublic,youtwoaregoingtohavetodoit.Butyoucan’tlethimsuspectyouknow—”ElenabrokeoffasDamonheldupahandswiftly.
Downatthebaseofthestairs,avoicewascalling.“Stefan?Areyouupthere?”Andthen,tosomeoneelse,“IthoughtIsawhimgouphere.”
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ItsoundedlikeMr.Carson.“Go,”ElenahissedalmostinaudiblytoStefan,“YouhavetobeasnormalaspossiblesoyoucanstayhereinFell’sChurch.I’llbeallright.”
“Butwherewillyougo?”
“ToMeredith’s.I’llexplainlater.Goon.”
Stefanhesitated,andthenstarteddownthestairs,calling,“I’mcoming.”Thenhepulledback.“I’mnotleavingyouwithhim,”hesaidflatly.
Elenathrewherhandsupinexasperation.“Thenbothofyougo.Youjustagreedtoworktogether;areyougoingtogobackonyourwordnow?”sheaddedtoDamon,whowaslookingunyieldinghimself.
Hegaveanotherofhislittleshrugs.“Allright.Justonething—areyouhungry?”
“I—no.”Stomachlurching,Elenarealizedwhathewasasking.“No,notatall.”
“That’sgood.Butlateron,youwillbe.Rememberthat.”HecrowdedStefandownthestairs,earninghimselfasearinglook.ButElenaheardStefan’svoiceinhermindastheybothdisappeared.
I’llcomeforyoulater.Waitforme.
Shewishedshecouldanswerwithherownthoughts.Shealsonoticedsomething.Stefan’smentalvoicewasmuchweakerthanithadbeenfourdaysagowhenhehadbeenfightinghisbrother.Cometothinkofit,hehadn’tbeenabletospeakwithhismindatallbeforetheFounders’Daycelebration.She’dbeensoconfusedwhenshewokeupbytheriverthatithadn’toccurredtoher,butnowshewondered.Whathadhappenedtomakehimsostrong?Andwhywashisstrengthfadingnow?
Elenahadtimetothinkaboutitasshesatthereinthedesertedchoirloft,whilebelowthepeopleleftthechurchandoutsidetheovercastskiesslowlygrewdarker.ShethoughtaboutStefan,andaboutDamon,andshewonderedifshehadmadetherightchoice.She’dvowednevertoletthemfightoverher,butthatvowwasbrokenalready.Wasshecrazytotryandmakethemliveunderatruce,evenatemporaryone?
Whentheskyoutsidewasuniformlyblack,sheventureddownthestairs.Thechurchwasemptyandechoing.Shehadn’tthoughtabouthowshewouldgetout,butfortunatelythesidedoorwasboltedonlyfromtheinside.Sheslippedoutintothenightgratefully.
Shehadn’trealizedhowgooditwastobeoutsideandinthedark.Beinginsidebuildingsmadeherfeeltrapped,anddaylighthurthereyes.Thiswasbest,freeandunfettered—andunseen.Herownsensesrejoicedatthelushworldaroundher.Withtheairsostill,scentshungintheairforalongtime,andshecouldsmellawholeplethoraofnocturnalcreatures.Afoxwasscavenginginsomebody’strash.Brownratswerechewingsomethinginthebushes.Nightmothswerecallingtooneanotherwithscent.
Shefounditwasn’thardtogettoMeredith’shouseundetected;peopleseemedtobestayinginside.Butonceshegotthere,shestoodlookingupatthegracefulfarmhousewiththescreenedporchindismay.
Shecouldn’tjustwalkuptothefrontdoorandknock.WasMeredithreallyexpectingher?Wouldn’tshebewaitingoutsideifshewere?
Meredithwasabouttogetaterribleshockifsheweren’t,Elenareflected,eyeingthedistancetotheroofoftheporch.Meredith’sbedroomwindowwasaboveitandjustaroundthecorner.ItwouldbeabitofPage36
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areach,butElenathoughtshecouldmakeit.
Gettingontotheroofwaseasy;herfingersandbaretoesfoundholdsbetweenthebricksandsenthersailingup.ButleaningaroundthecornertolookintoMeredith’swindowwasastrain.Sheblinkedagainstthelightthatfloodedout.
Meredithwassittingontheedgeofherbed,elbowsonknees,staringatnothing.Everysooftensheranahandthroughherdarkhair.Aclockonthenightstandsaid6:43.
Elenatappedonthewindowglasswithherfingernails.
Meredithjumpedandlookedthewrongway,towardthedoor.Shestoodupinadefensivecrouch,clutchingathrowpillowinonehand.Whenthedoordidn’topen,shesidledapaceortwotowardit,stillinadefensiveposture.“Whoisit?”shesaid.
Elenatappedontheglassagain.
Meredithspuntofacethewindow,herbreathcomingfast.
“Letmein,”saidElena.Shedidn’tknowifMeredithcouldhearher,soshemoutheditclearly.“Openthewindow.”
Meredith,panting,lookedaroundtheroomasifsheexpectedsomeonetoappearandhelpher.Whennoonedid,sheapproachedthewindowasifitwereadangerousanimal.Butshedidn’topenit.
“Letmein,”Elenasaidagain.Thensheaddedimpatiently,“Ifyoudidn’twantmetocome,whydidyoumakeanappointmentwithme?”
ShesawthechangeasMeredith’sshouldersrelaxedslightly.Slowly,withfingersthatwereunusuallyclumsy,Meredithopenedthewindowandstoodback.
“Nowaskmetocomeinside.OtherwiseIcan’t.
“Come…”Meredith’svoicefailedandshehadtotryagain.“Comein,”shesaid.WhenElena,wincing,hadboostedherselfoverthesillandwasflexinghercrampedfingers,Meredithaddedalmostdazedly,
“It’sgottobeyou.Nobodyelsegivesorderslikethat.”
“It’sme,”Elenasaid.Shestoppedwringingoutthecrampsandlookedintotheeyesofherfriend.“Itreallyisme,Meredith,”shesaid.
Meredithnoddedandswallowedvisibly.RightthenwhatElenawouldhavelikedmostintheworldwouldhavebeenfortheothergirltogiveherahug.ButMeredithwasn’tmuchofthehuggingtype,andrightnowshewasbackingslowlyawaytositonthebedagain.
“Sitdown,”shesaidinanartificiallycalmvoice.ElenapulledoutthedeskchairandunthinkinglytookupthesamepositionMeredithhadbeeninbefore,elbowsonknees,headdown.Thenshelookedup.
“Howdidyouknow?”
“I…”Meredithjuststaredatherforamoment,thenshookherself.“Well.You—yourbodywasneverfound,ofcourse.Thatwasstrange.AndthenthoseattacksontheoldmanandVickieandTanner—andStefanandlittlethingsI’dputtogetherabouthim—butIdidn’tknow.Notforsure.Notuntilnow.”ShePage37
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endedalmostinawhisper.
“Well,itwasagoodguess,”Elenasaid.Shewastryingtobehavenormally,butwhatwasnormalinthissituation?Meredithwasactingasifshecouldscarcelybeartolookather.ItmadeElenafeelmorelonely
,morealone,thanshecouldeverrememberbeinginherlife.
Adoorbellrangdownstairs.Elenaheardit,butshecouldtellMeredithdidn’t.“Who’scoming?”shesaid.
“There’ssomeoneatthedoor.”
“IaskedBonnietocomeoveratseveno’clock,ifhermotherwouldlether.It’sprobablyher.I’llgosee.”Meredithseemedalmostindecentlyeagertogetaway
“Wait.Doessheknow?”
“No…Oh,youmeanIshouldbreakittohergently.”Meredithlookedaroundtheroomagainuncertainly,andElenasnappedonthelittlereadinglightbythebed
“Turntheroomlightoff.Ithurtsmyeyesanyway,”shesaidquietly.WhenMeredithdid,thebedroomwasdimenoughthatshecouldconcealherselfintheshadows.
WaitingforMeredithtoreturnwithBonnie,shestoodinacorner,huggingherelbowswithherhands.
MaybeitwasabadideatryingtogetMeredithandBonnieinvolved.IfimperturbableMeredithcouldn’thandlethesituation,whatwouldBonniedo?
Meredithheraldedtheirarrivalbymutteringoverandover,“Don’tscreamnow;don’tscream,”asshebundledBonnieacrossthethreshold.
“What’swrongwithyou?Whatareyoudoing?”Bonniewasgaspinginreturn.“Letgoofme.DoyouknowwhatIhadtodotogetmymothertoletmeoutofthehousetonight?ShewantstotakemetothehospitalatRoanoke.”
Meredithkickedthedoorshut.“Okay,”shesaidtoBonnie.“Now,you’regoingtoseesomethingthatwill…well,it’sgoingtobeashock.Butyoucan’tscream,doyouunderstandme?I’llletgoofyouifyoupromise.”
“It’stoodarktoseeanything,andyou’rescaringme.What’swrongwithyou,Meredith?Oh,allright,Ipromise,butwhatareyoutalking—”
“Elena,”saidMeredith.Elenatookitasaninvitationandsteppedforward.
Bonnie’sreactionwasn’twhatsheexpected.Shefrownedandleanedforward,peeringinthedimlight.
WhenshesawElena’sform,shegasped.Butthen,asshestaredatElena’sface,sheclappedherhandstogetherwithashriekofjoy.
“Iknewit!Iknewtheywerewrong!Sothere,Meredith—andyouandStefanthoughtyouknewsomuchaboutdrowningandallthat.ButIknewyouwerewrong!Oh,Elena,Imissedyou!Everyone’sgoingtobeso—”
“Bequiet,Bonnie!Bequiet!”Meredithsaidurgently.“Itoldyounottoscream.Listen,youidiot,doyouthinkifElenawerereallyallrightshe’dbehereinthemiddleofthenightwithoutanybodyknowingaboutit?”
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“Butsheisallright;lookather.She’sstandingthere.Itisyou,isn’tit,Elena?”Bonniestartedtowardher,butMeredithgrabbedheragain.
“Yes,it’sme.”Elenahadthestrangefeelingshe’dwanderedintoasurrealcomedy,maybeonewrittenbyKafka,onlyshedidn’tknowherlines.Shedidn’tknowwhattosaytoBonnie,whowaslookingrapturous.
“It’sme,but…I’mnotexactlyallright,”shesaidawkwardly,sittingdownagain.MeredithnudgedBonnietositdownonthebed.
“Whatareyoutwobeingsomysteriousfor?She’shere,butshe’snotallright.What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
Elenadidn’tknowwhethertolaughorcry.“Look,Bonnie…oh,Idon’tknowhowtosaythis.Bonnie,didyourpsychicgrandmotherevertalktoyouaboutvampires?”
Silencefell,heavyasanax.Theminutestickedby.Impossibly,Bonnie’seyeswidenedstillfurther;then,theyslidtowardMeredith.Therewereseveralmoreminutesofsilence,andthenBonnieshiftedherweighttowardthedoor.“Uh,look,youguys,”shesaidsoftly,“thisisgettingreallyweird.Imean,really,really,really…”
Elenacastaboutinhermind.“Youcanlookatmyteeth,”shesaid.Shepulledherupperlipback,pokingatacaninewithherfinger.Shefeltthereflexivelengtheningandsharpening,likeacat’sclawlazilyextending.
Meredithcameforwardandlookedandthenlookedawayquickly.“Igetthepoint,”shesaid,butinhervoicetherewasnoneoftheoldwrypleasureinherownwit.“Bonnie,look,”shesaid.
Alltheelation,alltheexcitementhaddrainedoutofBonnie.Shelookedasifsheweregoingtobesick.
“No.Idon’twantto.”
“Youhaveto.Youhavetobelieveit,orwe’llnevergetanywhere.”MeredithgrappledastiffandresistingBonnieforward.“Openyoureyes,youlittletwit.You’retheonewholovesallthissupernaturalstuff.”
“I’vechangedmymind,”Bonniesaid,almostsobbing.Therewasgenuinehysteriainhertone.“Leavemealone,Meredith;Idon’twanttolook.”Shewrenchedherselfaway.
“Youdon’thaveto,”Elenawhispered,stunned.Dismaypooledinsideher,andtearsfloodedhereyes.
“Thiswasabadidea,Meredith.I’llgoaway.”
”No.Oh,don’t.”Bonnieturnedbackasquicklyasshe’dwhirledawayandprecipitatedherselfintoElena’sarms.“I’msorry,Elena;I’msorry.Idon’tcarewhatyouare;I’mjustgladyou’reback.It’sbeenterriblewithoutyou.”Shewassobbingnowinearnest.
Thetearsthatwouldn’tcomewhenElenahadbeenwithStefancamenow.Shecried,holdingontoBonnie,feelingMeredith’sarmsgoaroundbothofthem.Theywereallcrying—Meredithsilently,Bonnienoisily,andElenaherselfwithpassionateintensity.Shefeltasifshewerecryingforeverythingthathadhappenedtoher,foreverythingshehadlost,forallthelonelinessandthefearandthepain.
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Eventually,theyallendedupsittingonthefloor,kneetoknee,thewaytheyhadwhentheywerekidsatasleepovermakingsecretplans.
“You’resobrave,”BonniesaidtoElena,sniffling.“Idon’tseehowyoucanbesobraveaboutit.”
“Youdon’tknowhowI’mfeelinginside.I’mnotbraveatall.ButI’vegottodealwithitsomehow,becauseIdon’tknowwhatelsetodo.”
“Yourhandsaren’tcold.”MeredithsqueezedElena’sfingers.“Justsortofcool.Ithoughtthey’dbecolder.”
“Stefan’shandsaren’tcoldeither,”Elenasaid,andshewasabouttogoon,butBonniesqueaked:”
Stefan?”
MeredithandElenalookedather.
“Besensible,Bonnie.Youdon’tgettobeavampirebyyourself.Somebodyhastomakeyouone.”
“ButyoumeanStefan…?Youmeanhe’sa…?”Bonnie’svoicechokedoff.
“Ithink,”saidMeredith,“thatmaybethisisthetimetotellusthewholestory,Elena.Likeallthoseminordetailsyouleftoutthelasttimeweaskedyouforthewholestory.”
Elenanodded.“You’reright.It’shardtoexplain,butI’lltry.”Shetookadeepbreath.“Bonnie,doyourememberthefirstdayofschool?ItwasthefirsttimeIeverheardyoumakeaprophecy.YoulookedintomypalmandsaidI’dmeetaboy,adarkboy,astranger.Andthathewasn’ttallbutthathehadbeenonce.Well”—shelookedatBonnieandthenatMeredith—”Stefan’snotreallytallnow.Buthewasonce…comparedtootherpeopleinthefifteenthcentury.”
Meredithnodded,butBonniemadeafaintsoundandswayedbackward,lookingshell-shocked.“Youmean—”
“ImeanhelivedinRenaissanceItaly,andtheaveragepersonwasshorterthen.SoStefanlookedtallerbycomparison.And,wait,beforeyoupassout,here’ssomethingelseyoushouldknow.Damon’shisbrother.”
Meredithnoddedagain.“Ifiguredsomethinglikethat.ButthenwhyhasDamonbeensayinghe’sacollegestudent?”
“Theydon’tgetalongverywell.Foralongtime,Stefandidn’tevenknowDamonwasinFell’sChurch.”
Elenafaltered.ShewasvergingonStefan’sprivatehistory,whichshe’dalwaysfeltwashissecrettotell.
ButMeredithhadbeenright;itwastimetocomeoutwiththewholestory.“Listen,itwaslikethis,”shesaid.“StefanandDamonwerebothinlovewiththesamegirlbackinRenaissanceItaly.ShewasfromGermany,andhernamewasKatherine.ThereasonStefanwasavoidingmeatthebeginningofschoolwasthatIremindedhimofher;shehadblondhairandblueeyes,too.Oh,andthiswasherring.”
ElenaletgoofMeredith’shandandshowedthemtheintricatelycarvedgoldencircletsetwithasinglestoneoflapislazuli.
“AndthethingwasthatKatherinewasavampire.AguynamedKlaushadmadeheronebackinhervillageinGermanytosaveherfromdyingofherlastillness.StefanandDamonbothknewthis,buttheydidn’tcare.Theyaskedhertochoosebetweenthemtheoneshewantedtomarry.”ElenastoppedandPage40
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gavealopsidedsmile,thinkingthatMr.Tannerhadbeenright;historydidrepeatitself.Sheonlyhopedherstorydidn’tendlikeKatherine’s.“Butshechosebothofthem.Sheexchangedbloodwithbothofthem,andshesaidtheycouldallthreebecompanionsthrougheternity.”
“Soundskinky,”murmuredBonnie.
“Soundsdumb,”saidMeredith.
“Yougotit,”Elenatoldher.“Katherinewassweetbutnotverybright.StefanandDamonalreadydidn’tlikeeachother.Theytoldhershehadtochoose,thattheywouldn’teventhinkofsharingher.Andsheranoffcrying.Thenextday—well,theyfoundherbody,orwhatwasleftofit.See,avampireneedsatalismanlikethisringtogooutinthesunwithoutbeingkilled.AndKatherinewentoutinthesunandtookhersoff.Shethoughtifshewereoutoftheway,DamonandStefanwouldbereconciled.”
“Oh,myGod,howro—”
“No,itisn’t,”ElenacutBonnieoffsavagely.“It’snotromanticatall.Stefan’sbeenlivingwiththeguilteversince,andIthinkDamonhas,too,althoughyou’dnevergethimtoadmitit.Andtheimmediateresultwasthattheygotacoupleofswordsandkilledeachother.Yes,killed.That’swhythey’revampiresnow,andthat’swhytheyhateeachothersomuch.Andthat’swhyI’mprobablycrazytryingtogetthemtocooperatenow.”
Seven
“Tocooperateatwhat?”Meredithasked.
“I’llexplainaboutthatlater.ButfirstIwanttoknowwhat’sbeengoingonintownsinceI—left.”
“Well,hysteriamostly,”Meredithsaid,raisinganeyebrow.“YourAuntJudith’sbeenprettybadlyoff.
Shehallucinatedthatshesawyou—onlyitwasn’tahallucination,wasit?AndsheandRoberthavesortofbrokenup.”
“Iknow,”Elenasaidgrimly.“Goon.”
“Everybodyatschoolisupset.IwantedtotalktoStefan,especiallywhenIbegantosuspectyouweren’treallydead,buthehasn’tbeenatschool.Matthasbeen,butthere’ssomethingwrongwithhim.
Helookslikeazombie,andhewon’ttalktoanyone.Iwantedtoexplaintohimthattherewasachanceyoumightnotbegoneforever;Ithoughtthatwouldcheerhimup.Buthewouldn’tlisten.Hewasactingtotallyoutofcharacter,andatonepointIthoughthewasgoingtohitme.Hewouldn’tlistentoaword.”
“Oh,God—Matt.”SomethingterriblewasstirringatthebottomofElena’smind,somememorytoodisturbingtobeletloose.Shecouldn’tcopewithanythingmorejustnow,shecouldn’t,shethought,andslamdunkedthememorybackdown.
Meredithwasgoingon.“It’sclear,though,thatsomeotherpeoplearesuspiciousaboutyour‘death.’
That’swhyIsaidwhatIdidinthememorialservice;IwasafraidifIsaidtherealdayandplacethatAlaricSaltzmanwouldendupambushingyououtsidethehouse.He’sbeenaskingallsortsofquestions,andit’sagoodthingBonniedidn’tknowanythingshecouldblab.”
“Thatisn’tfair,”Bonnieprotested.“Alaric’sjustinterested,that’sall,andhewantstohelpusthroughthetrauma,likebefore.He’sanAquarius—”
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“He’saspy,”saidElena,“andmaybemorethanthat.Butwe’lltalkaboutthatlater.WhataboutTylerSmallwood?Ididn’tseehimattheservice.”
Meredithlookednonplussed.“Youmeanyoudon’tknow?”
“Idon’tknowanything;I’vebeenasleepforfourdaysinanattic.”
“Well…”Meredithpauseduneasily.“Tylerjustgotbackfromthehospital.SamewithDickCarterandthosefourtoughguystheyhadalongwiththemonFounders’Day.TheywereattackedintheQuonsethutthateveningandtheylostalotofblood.”
”Oh.”ThemysteryofwhyStefan’sPowershadbeensomuchstrongerthatnightwasexplained.Andwhythey’dbeengettingweakereversince.Heprobablyhadn’teatensincethen.“Meredith,isStefanasuspect?”
“Well,Tyler‘sfathertriedtomakehimone,butthepolicecouldn’tmakethetimesworkout.TheyknowapproximatelywhenTylerwasattackedbecausehewassupposedtomeetMr.Smallwood,andhedidn’tshowup.AndBonnieandIcanalibiStefanforthattimebecausewe’djustlefthimbytheriverwithyourbody.Sohecouldn’thavegottenbacktotheQuonsethuttoattackTyler—atleastnonormalhumancould.Andsofarthepolicearen’tthinkingaboutanythingsupernatural.”
“Isee.”Elenafeltrelievedonthatscoreatleast.
“Tylerandthoseguyscan’tidentifytheattackerbecausetheycan’trememberathingaboutthatafternoon,”Meredithadded.“NeithercanCaroline.”
”Carolinewasinthere?”
“Yes,butshewasn’tbitten.Justinshock.Inspiteofeverythingshe’sdone,Ialmostfeelsorryforher.”
Meredithshruggedandadded,“Shelooksprettypatheticthesedays.”
“AndIdon’tthinkanyonewilleversuspectStefanafterwhathappenedwiththosedogsatchurchtoday,”Bonnieputin.“MydadsaysthatabigdogcouldhavebrokenthewindowintheQuonsethut,andthewoundsinTyler‘sthroatlookedsortoflikeanimalwounds.Ithinkalotofpeoplebelieveitwasadogorapackofdogsthatdidit.”
“It’saconvenientexplanation,”Meredithsaiddryly.“Itmeanstheydon’thavetothinkanymoreaboutit.”
“Butthat’sridiculous,”saidElena.“Normaldogsdon’tbehavethatway.Aren’tpeoplewonderingaboutwhytheirdogswouldsuddenlygomadandturnonthem?”
“Lotsofpeoplearejustgettingridofthem.Oh,andIheardsomeonetalkaboutmandatoryrabiestesting,”Meredithsaid.“Butit’snotjustrabies,isit,Elena?”
“No,Idon’tthinkso.AndneitherdoStefanorDamon.Andthat’swhatIcameovertotalktoyouabout.”Elenaexplained,asclearlyasshecould,whatshehadbeenthinkingabouttheOtherPowerinFell’sChurch.Shetoldabouttheforcethathadchasedheroffthebridgeandaboutthefeelingshe’dhadwiththedogsandabouteverythingsheandStefanandDamonhaddiscussed.Shefinishedwith,“AndBonniesaiditherselfinchurchtoday:‘Somethingevil.’Ithinkthat’swhat’shereinFell’sChurch,Page42
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somethingnobodyknowsabout,somethingcompletelyevil.Idon’tsupposeyouknowwhatyoumeantbythat,Bonnie.”
ButBonnie’smindwasrunningonanothertrack.“SoDamondidn’tnecessarilydoallthoseawfulthingsyousaidhedid,”shesaidshrewdly.“LikekillingYangtzeandhurtingVickieandmurderingMr.Tanner,andall.Itoldyounobodythatgorgeouscouldbeapsychokiller.”
“Ithink,”saidMeredithwithaglanceatElena,“thatyouhadbetterforgetaboutDamonasaloveinterest.”
“Yes,”saidElenaemphatically.“HedidkillMr.Tanner,Bonnie.Anditstandstoreasonhedidtheotherattacks,too;I’llaskhimaboutthat.AndI’mhavingenoughtroubledealingwithhimmyself.Youdon’twanttomesswithhim,Bonnie,believeme.”
“I’msupposedtoleaveDamonalone;I’msupposedtoleaveAlaricalone…ArethereanyguysI’mnotsupposedtoleavealone?AndmeanwhileElenagetsthemall.It’snotfair.”
”Lifeisn’tfair,”Meredithtoldhercallously.“Butlisten,Elena,evenifthisOtherPowerexists,whatsortofpowerdoyouthinkitis?Whatdoesitlooklike?”
“Idon’tknow.Somethingtremendouslystrong—butitcouldbeshieldingitselfsothatwecan’tsenseit.
Itcouldlooklikeanordinaryperson.Andthat’swhyIcameforyourhelp,becauseitcouldbeanybodyinFell’sChurch.It’slikewhatBonniesaidduringtheservicetoday:‘Nobodyiswhattheyseem.’”
Bonnielookedforlorn.“Idon’tremembersayingthat.”
“Yousaidit,allright.‘Nobodyiswhattheyseem,’”Elenaquotedagainweightily.”Nobody.”SheglancedatMeredith,butthedarkeyesundertheelegantlyarchedeyebrowswerecalmanddistant.
“Well,thatwouldseemtomakeeverybodyasuspect,”Meredithsaidinhermostunruffledvoice.
“Right?”
“Right,”saidElena.“Butwe’dbettergetanotepadandpencilandmakealistofthemostimportantones.DamonandStefanhavealreadyagreedtohelpinvestigate,andifyou’llhelp,too,we’llstandanevenbetterchanceoffindingit.”Shewashittingherstridewiththis;she’dalwaysbeengoodatorganizingthings,fromschemestogetboystofundraisingevents.ThiswasjustamoreseriousversionoftheoldplanAandplanB.
MeredithgavethepencilandpapertoBonnie,wholookedatit.andthenatMeredith,andthenatElena.“Fine,”shesaid,“butwhogoesonthelist?”
“Well,anyonewehavereasontosuspectofbeingtheOtherPower.Anyonewhomighthavedonethethingsweknowitdid:sealStefaninthewell,chaseme,setthosedogsonpeople.Anyonewe’venoticedbehavingoddly.”
“Matt,”saidBonnie,writingbusily.“AndVickie.AndRobert.”
“Bonnie!”exclaimedElenaandMeredithsimultaneously.
Bonnielookedup.“Well,Matthasbeenactingoddly,andsohasVickie,formonthsnow.AndRobertwashangingaroundoutsidethechurchbeforetheservice,buthenevercamein—”
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“Oh,Bonnie,honestly,”Meredithsaid.“Vickie’savictim,notasuspect.AndifMatt’sanevilPower,I’mthehunchbackofNotreDame.AndasforRobert—”
“Fine,I’vecrosseditallout,”saidBonniecoldly.“Nowlet’shearyourideas.”
“No,wait,”Elenasaid.“Bonnie,waitamoment.”Shewasthinkingaboutsomething,somethingthathadbeennaggingatherforquiteawhile,eversince—”Eversincethechurch,”shesaidaloud,rememberingit.“Doyouknow,IsawRobertoutsidethechurch,too,whenIwashiddeninthechoirloft.Itwasjustbeforethedogsattacked,andhewassortofbackingawaylikeheknewwhatwasgoingtohappen.”
“Oh,butElena—”
“No,listen,Meredith.AndIsawhimbefore,onSaturdaynight,withAuntJudith.Whenshetoldhimshewouldn’tmarryhimtherewassomethinginhisface…Idon’tknow.ButIthinkyou’dbetterputhimbackonthelist,Bonnie.”
Soberly,afteramoment’shesitation,Bonniedid.“Whoelse?”shesaid.
“Well,Alaric,I’mafraid,”Elenasaid.“I’msorry,Bonnie,buthe’spracticallynumberone.”ShetoldwhatshehadoverheardthatmorningbetweenAlaricandtheprincipal.“Heisn’tanormalhistoryteacher;theycalledhimhereforsomereason.HeknowsI’mavampire,andhe’slookingforme.Andtoday,whilethedogswereattacking,hewasstandingthereonthesidelinesmakingsomekindofweirdgestures.He’sdefinitelynotwhatheseems,andtheonlyquestionis:whatishe?Areyoulistening,Meredith?”
“Yes.Youknow,IthinkyoushouldputMrs.Flowersonthatlist.Rememberthewayshestoodatthewindowoftheboarding-housewhenwewerebringingStefanbackfromthewell?Butshewouldn’tcomedownstairstoopenthedoorforus?That’soddbehavior.”
Elenanodded.”Yes,andhowshekepthanginguponmewhenIcalledhim.Andshecertainlykeepstoherselfinthatoldhouse.Shemayjustbeadottyoldlady,butputherdownanyway,Bonnie.”Sheranahandthroughherhair,liftingitoffthebackofherneck.Shewashot.Or—nothotexactly,butuncomfortableinsomewaythatwassimilartobeingoverheated.Shefeltparched.
“Allright,we’llgobytheboardinghousetomorrowbeforeschool,”Meredithsaid.“Meanwhile,whatelsecanwebedoing?Let’shavealookatthatlist,Bonnie.”
Bonnieheldthelistoutsotheycouldseeit,andElenaandMeredithleanedforwardandread:MattHoneycutt
VickieBennett
RobertMaxwell—Whatwashedoingatthechurchwhenthedogsattacked?AndwhatwasgoingonthatnightwithElena’saunt?
AlaricSaltzman—Whydoesheasksomanyquestions?WhatwashecalledtoFell’sChurchtodo?
Mrs.Flowers—Whydoessheactsostrange?
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Whydidn’tsheletusinthenightStefanwaswounded?
“Good,”Elenasaid.“Iguesswecouldalsofindoutwhosedogswereatthechurchtoday.AndyoucanwatchAlaricatschooltomorrow.”
”I’llwatchAlaric,”Bonniesaidfirmly.“AndI’llgethimclearedofsuspicion;youseeifIdon’t.”
“Fine,youdothat.Youcanbeassignedtohim.AndMeredithcaninvestigateMrs.Flowers,andIcantakeRobert.AndasforStefanandDamon—well,theycanbeassignedtoeveryone,becausetheycanusetheirPowerstoprobepeople’sminds.Besides,thatlistisbynomeanscomplete.I’mgoingtoaskthemtoscoutaroundtownsearchingforanysignsofPower,oranythingelseweirdgoingon.They’remorelikelythanIamtorecognizeit.”
Sittingback,Elenawetherlipsabsently.Shewasparched.Shenoticedsomethingshe’dnevernoticedbefore:thefinetraceryofveinsonBonnie’sinnerwrist.Bonniewasstillholdingthenotepadout,andtheskinofherwristwassotranslucentthatthetealblueveinsshowedclearlythrough.Elenawishedshe’dlistenedwhenthey’dstudiedhumananatomyatschool;nowwhatwasthenameforthisvein,thebigonethatbranchedlikeaforkinatree…?
“Elena.Elena!”
Startled,Elenalookedup,toseeMeredith’swarydarkeyesandBonnie’salarmedexpression.ItwasonlythenthatsherealizedshewascrouchedclosetoBonnie’swrist,rubbingthebiggestveinwithherfinger.
“Sorry,”shemurmured,sittingback.Butshecouldfeeltheextralengthandsharpnessofhercanineteeth.Itwassomethinglikewearingbraces;shecouldclearlyfeelthedifferenceinweight.SherealizedherreassuringsmileatBonniewasnothavingthedesiredeffect.Bonniewaslookingscared,whichwassilly.BonnieoughttoknowthatElenawouldneverhurther.AndElenawasn’tveryhungrytonight;Elenahadalwaysbeenalighteater.Shecouldgetallsheneededfromthistinyveinhereinthewrist…
Elenajumpedtoherfeetandspuntowardthewindow,leaningagainstthecasing,feelingthecoolnightairblowingonherskin.Shefeltdizzy,andshecouldn’tseemtogetherbreath.
Whathadshebeendoing?SheturnedaroundtoseeBonniehuddledclosetoMeredith,bothofthemlookingsickwithfear.Shehatedhavingthemlookatherthatway.
“I’msorry,”shesaid.“Ididn’tmeanto,Bonnie.Look,I’mnotcominganycloser.IshouldhaveeatenbeforeIcamehere.DamonsaidI’dgethungrylater.”
Bonnieswallowed,lookingevensicker.“Eaten?”
“Yes,ofcourse,”Elenasaidtartly.Herveinswereburning;thatwaswhatthisfeelingwas.Stefanhaddescribeditbefore,butshe’dneverreallyunderstood;she’dneverrealizedwhathewasgoingthroughwhentheneedforbloodwasonhim.Itwasterrible,irresistible.“WhatdoyouthinkIeatthesedays,air?”sheaddeddefiantly.“I’mahunternow,andI’dbettergoouthunting.”
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intheireyes.Sheconcentratedonusinghernewsenses,inopeningherselftothenightandsearchingforStefan’sorDamon’spresence.Itwasdifficult,becauseneitherofthemwasprojectingwithhismindashehadbeenthenightthey’dbeenfightinginthewoods,butshethoughtshecouldsenseaglimmerofPoweroutthereinthetown.
Butshehadnowaytocommunicatewithit,andfrustrationmadethescorchinginherveinsevenworse.
She’djustdecidedthatshemighthavetogowithoutthemwhenthecurtainswhippedbackintoherface,flappinginaburstofwind.Bonnielurchedupwithagasp,knockingthereadinglampoffthenight-standandplungingtheroomintodarkness.Cursing,Meredithworkedtogetitrightedagain.Thecurtainsflutteredmadlyintheflickeringlightthatemerged,andBonnieseemedtobetryingtoscream.
Whenthebulbwasfinallyscrewedbackin,itrevealedDamonsittingcasuallybutprecariouslyonthesilloftheopenwindow,onekneeup.Hewassmilingoneofhiswildestsmiles.
“Doyoumind?”hesaid.“Thisisuncomfortable.”
ElenaglancedbackatBonnieandMeredith,whowerebracedagainstthecloset,lookinghorrifiedandhypnotizedatonce.Sheherselfshookherhead,exasperated
“AndIthoughtIlikedtomakeadramaticentrance,”shesaid.“Veryfunny,Damon.Nowlet’sgo.”
“Withtwosuchbeautifulfriendsofyoursrighthere?”DamonsmiledagainatBonnieandMeredith.
“Besides,Ionlyjustgothere.Won’tsomebodybepoliteandaskmein?”
Bonnie’sbrowneyes,fixedhelplesslyonhisface,softenedabit.Herlips,whichhadbeenpartedinhorror,partedfurther.Elenarecognizedthesignsofimminentmeltdown.
“No,theywon’t,”shesaid.SheputherselfdirectlybetweenDamonandtheothergirls.“Nobodyhereisforyou,Damon—notnow,notever.”Seeingtheflareofchallengeinhiseyes,sheaddedarchly,“Andanyway,I’mleaving.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butI’mgoinghunting.”ShewasreassuredtosenseStefan’spresencenearby,ontheroofprobably,andtohearhisinstantamendment:We’regoinghunting,Damon.Youcansitthereallnightifyouwant
Damongaveinwithgoodgrace,shootingonelastamusedglancetowardBonniebeforedisappearingfromthewindow.BonnieandMeredithbothstartedforwardinalarmashedid,obviouslyconcernedthathehadjustfallentohisdeath.
“He’sfine,”saidElena,shakingherheadagain.“Anddon’tworry,Iwon’tlethimcomeback.I’llmeetyouatthesametimetomorrow.Good-bye.”
“But—Elena—”Meredithstopped.“Imean,Iwasgoingtoaskyouifyouwantedtochangeyourclothes.”
Elenaregardedherself.Thenineteenth-centuryheirloomdresswastatteredandbedraggled,thethinwhitemuslinshreddedinsomeplaces.Buttherewasnotimetochangeit;shehadtofeednow
“It’llhavetowait,”shesaid.“Seeyoutomorrow.”AndsheboostedherselfoutofthewindowthewayDamonhad.Thelastshesawofthem,MeredithandBonniewerestaringafterherdazedly.
Shewasgettingbetteratlandings;thistimeshedidn’tbruiseherknees.Stefanwasthere,andhewrappedsomethingdarkandwarmaroundher.
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“Yourcloak,”shesaid,pleased.Foramomenttheysmiledateachother,rememberingthefirsttimehehadgivenherthecloak,afterhe’dsavedherfromTylerinthegraveyardandtakenherbacktohisroomtocleanup.He’dbeenafraidtotouchherthen.But,Elenathought,smilingupintohiseyes,shehadtakencareofthatfearratherquickly.
“Ithoughtwewerehunting,”Damonsaid.
Elenaturnedthesmileonhim,withoutunlinkingherhandfromStefan’s.“Weare,”shesaid.“Whereshouldwego?”
“Anyhouseonthisstreet,”Damonsuggested.
“Thewoods,”Stefansaid.
“Thewoods,”Elenadecided.“Wedon’ttouchhumans,andwedon’tkill.Isn’tthathowitgoes,Stefan?”
Hereturnedthepressureofherfingers.“That’showitgoes,”hesaidquietly.
Damon’slipcurledfastidiously.“Andjustwhatarewelookingforinthewoods,ordon’tIwanttoknow?Muskrat?Skunk?Termites?”HiseyesmovedtoElenaandhisvoicedropped.“Comewithme,andI’llshowyousomerealhunting.”
“Wecangothroughthegraveyard,”Elenasaid,ignoringhim.
“White-taileddeerfeedallnightintheopenareas,”Stefantoldher,“butwe’llhavetobecarefulstalkingthem;theycanhearalmostaswellaswecan.”
Anothertime,then,Damon’svoicesaidinElena’smind.
Eight
“Who—?Oh,it’syou!”Bonniesaid,startingatthetouchonherelbow.“Youscaredme.Ididn’thearyoucomeup.”
He’dhavetobemorecareful,Stefanrealized.Inthefewdayshe’dbeenawayfromschool,he’dgottenoutofthehabitofwalkingandmovinglikeahumanandfallenbackintothenoiseless,perfectlycontrolledstrideofthehunter.“Sorry,”hesaid,astheywalkedsidebysidedownthecorridor.
”S’okay,”saidBonniewithabraveattemptatnonchalance.Butherbrowneyeswerewideandratherfixed.“Sowhatareyoudoingheretoday?MeredithandIcamebytheboardinghousethismorningtocheckonMrs.Flowers,butnobodyansweredthedoor.AndIdidn’tseeyouinbiology.”
“Icamethisafternoon.I’mbackatschool.Foraslongasittakestofindwhatwe’relookingforanyway.”
“TospyonAlaric,youmean,”Bonniemuttered.“ItoldElenayesterdayjusttoleavehimtome.Oops,”
sheadded,asacoupleofpassingjuniorsstaredather.SherolledhereyesatStefan.Bymutualconsent,theyturnedoffintoasidecorridorandmadeforanemptystairwell.Bonnieleanedagainstthewallwithagroanofrelief.
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“I’vegottoremembernottosayhername,”shesaidpathetically,“butit’ssohard.MymotheraskedmehowIfeltthismorningandIalmosttoldher,‘fine,’sinceIsawElenalastnight.Idon’tknowhowyoutwokept—youknowwhat—asecretsolong.”
Stefanfeltagrintuggingathislipsinspiteofhimself.Bonniewaslikeasix-week-oldkitten,allcharmandnoinhibitions.Shealwayssaidexactlywhatshewasthinkingatthemoment,evenifitcompletelycontradictedwhatshe’djustsaidthemomentbefore,buteverythingshedidcamefromtheheart.“You’restandinginadesertedhallwaywithayouknowwhatrightnow,”heremindedherdevilishly.
”Ohhh.”Hereyeswidenedagain.“Butyouwouldn’t,wouldyou?”sheadded,relieved.“BecauseElenawouldkillyou…Oh,dear.”Searchingforanothertopic,shegulpedandsaid,“So—sohowdidthingsgolastnight?”
Stefan’smooddarkenedimmediately.“Notsogood.Oh,Elena’sallright;she’ssleepingsafely.”Beforehecouldgoon,hisearspickedupfootfallsattheendofthecorridor.Threeseniorgirlswerepassingby,andonebrokeawayfromthegroupatthesightofStefanandBonnie.SueCarson’sfacewaspaleandhereyeswerered-rimmed,butshesmiledatthem.
Bonniewasfullofconcern.“Sue,howareyou?How’sDoug?”
“I’mokay.He’sokay,too,oratleasthe’sgoingtobe.Stefan,Iwantedtotalktoyou,”sheaddedinarush.“IknowmydadthankedyouyesterdayforhelpingDougthewayyoudid,butIwantedtothankyou,too.Imean,Iknowthatpeopleintownhavebeenprettyhorribletoyouand—well,I’mjustsurprisedyoucaredenoughtohelpatall.ButI’mglad.MymomsaysyousavedDoug’slife.Andso,Ijustwantedtothankyou,andtosayI’msorry—abouteverything.”
Hervoicewasshakingbytheendofthespeech.Bonniesniffedandgropedinherbackpackforatissue,andforamomentitlookedasifStefanwasgoingtobecaughtonthestairwellwithtwosobbingfemales.
Dismayed,herackedhisbrainsforadistraction.
“That’sallright,”hesaid.“How’sChelseatoday?”
“She’satthepound.They’reholdingthedogsinquarantinethere,alltheonestheycouldroundup.”Sueblottedhereyesandstraightened,andStefanrelaxed,seeingthatthedangerwasover.Anawkwardsilencedescended.
“Well,”saidBonnietoSueatlast,“haveyouheardwhattheschoolboarddecidedabouttheSnowDance?”
“Iheardtheymetthismorningandthey’veprettymuchdecidedtoletushaveit.Somebodysaidtheyweretalkingaboutapoliceguard,though.Oh,there’sthelatebell.We’dbettergettohistorybeforeAlarichandsusalldemerits.”
“We’recominginaminute,”Stefansaid.Headdedcasually,“WhenisthisSnowDance?”
“It’sthethirteenth;Fridaynight,youknow,”Suesaid,andthenwinced.“OhmyGod,Fridaythethirteenth.Ididn’teventhinkaboutthat.ButitremindsmethattherewasoneotherthingIwantedtotellyou.ThismorningItookmynameoutoftherunningforsnowqueen.It—itjustseemedright,somehow.
That’sall.”Suehurriedaway,almostrunning.
Stefan’smindwasracing.“Bonnie,whatisthisSnowDance?”
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“Well,it’stheChristmasdancereally,onlywehaveasnowqueeninsteadofaChristmasqueen.AfterwhathappenedatFounders’Day,theywerethinkingofcancelingit,andthenwiththedogsyesterday—butitsoundslikethey’regoingtohaveitafterall.”
“OnFridaythethirteenth,”Stefansaidgrimly.
“Yes.”Bonniewaslookingscaredagain,makingherselfsmallandinconspicuous.“Stefan,don’tlookthatway;you’refrighteningme.What’swrong?Whatdoyouthinkwillhappenatthedance?”
“Idon’tknow.”Butsomethingwould,Stefanwasthinking.Fell’sChurchhadn’thadonepubliccelebrationthathadescapedbeingvisitedbytheOtherPower,andthiswouldprobablybethelastfestivityoftheyear.Buttherewasnopointintalkingaboutitnow.“Comeon,”hesaid.“We’rereallylate.”
Hewasright.AlaricSaltzmanwasatthechalkboardwhentheywalkedin,ashehadbeenthefirstdayhe’dappearedinthehistoryclassroom.Ifhewassurprisedatseeingthemlate,oratall,hecovereditfaultlessly,givingoneofhisfriendliestsmiles.
Soyou’retheonewho’shuntingthehunter,Stefanthought,takinghisseatandstudyingthemanbeforehim.Butareyouanythingmorethanthat?Elena’sOtherPowermaybe?
Onthefaceofit,nothingseemedmoreunlikely.Alaric’ssandyhair,wornjustalittletoolongforateacher,hisboyishsmile,hisstubborncheerfulness,allcontributedtoanimpressionofharmlessness.ButStefanhadbeenwaryfromthebeginningofwhatwasunderthatinoffensiveexterior.Still,itdidn’tseemverylikelythatAlaricSaltzmanwasbehindtheattackonElenaortheincidentwiththedogs.Nodisguisecouldbethatperfect.
Elena.Stefan’shandclenchedunderhisdesk,andaslowachewokeinhischest.Hehadn’tmeanttothinkabouther.Theonlywayhehadgottenthroughthelastfivedayswasbykeepingherattheedgeofhismind,notlettingherimageanycloser.Butthenofcoursetheeffortofholdingherawayatasafedistancetookupmostofhistimeandenergy.Andthiswastheworstplaceofalltobe,inaclassroomwherehecouldn’tcarelessaboutwhatwasbeingtaught.Therewasnothingtodobutthinkhere.
Hemadehimselfbreatheslowly,calmly.Shewaswell;thatwastheimportantthing.Nothingelsereallymattered.Butevenashetoldhimselfthis,jealousybitintohimlikethethongsofawhip.BecausewheneverhethoughtaboutElenanow,hehadtothinkabouthim
AboutDamon,whowasfreetocomeandgoasheliked.WhomightevenbewithElenathisminute.
AngerburnedinStefan’smind,brightandcold,minglingwiththehotacheinhischest.Hestillwasn’tconvincedthatDamonwasn’ttheonewhohadcasuallythrownhim,bleedingandunconscious,intoanabandonedwellshafttodie.AndhewouldtakeElena’sideaabouttheOtherPowermuchmoreseriouslyifhewascompletelysurethatDamonhadn’tchasedElenatoherdeath.Damonwasevil;hehadnomercyandnoscruples…
Andwhat’shedonethatIhaven’tdone?Stefanaskedhimselfheavily,forthehundredthtime.Nothing.
Exceptkill.
Stefanhadtriedtokill.He’dmeanttokillTyler.Atthememory,thecoldfireofhisangertowardDamonPage49
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wasdoused,andheglancedinsteadtowardadeskatthebackoftheroom.
Itwasempty.ThoughTylerhadgottenoutofthehospitalthedaybefore,hehadn’treturnedtoschool.
Still,thereshouldbenodangerofhisrememberinganythingfromthatgrislyafternoon.Thesubliminalsuggestiontoforgetshouldholdforquiteawhile,aslongasnoonemessedwithTyler‘smind.
HesuddenlybecameawarethathewasstaringatTyler‘semptydeskwithnarrow,broodingeyes.Ashelookedaway,hecaughttheglanceofsomeonewho’dbeenwatchinghimdoit.
Mattturnedquicklyandbentoverhishistorybook,butnotbeforeStefansawhisexpression.
Don’tthinkaboutit.Don’tthinkaboutanything,Stefantoldhimself,andhetriedtoconcentrateonAlaricSaltzman’slectureabouttheWarsoftheRoses.
December5—Idon’tknowwhattime,probablyearlyafternoon.
DearDiary,
Damongotyoubackformethismorning.Stefansaidhedidn’twantmegoingintoAlaric’satticagain.
ThisisStefan’spenI’musing.Idon’townanythinganymore,oratleastIcan’tgetatanyofmyownthings,andmostofthemAuntJudithwouldmissifItookthem.I’msittingrightnowinabarnbehindtheboardinghouse.Ican’tgowherepeoplesleep,youknow,unlessI’vebeeninvitedin.Iguessanimalsdon’tcount,becausetherearesomeratssleepinghereunderthehayandanowlintherafters.Atthemoment,we’reignoringeachother.
I’mtryingveryhardnottohavehysterics.
Ithoughtwritingmighthelp.Somethingnormal,somethingfamiliar.Exceptthatnothinginmylifeisnormalanymore.
DamonsaysI’llgetusedtoitfasterifIthrowmyoldlifeawayandembracethenewone.Heseemstothinkit’sinevitablethatIturnoutlikehim.HesaysIwasborntobeahunterandthere’snopointindoingthingshalfway.
Ihuntedadeerlastnight.Astag,becauseitwasmakingthemostnoise,clashingitsantlersagainsttreebranches,challengingothermales.Idrankitsblood
WhenIlookoverthisdiary,allIcanseeisthatIwassearchingforsomething,forsomeplacetobelong.
Butthisisn’tit.Thisnewlifeisn’tit.I’mafraidofwhatI’llbecomeifIdostarttobelonghere.
Oh,God,I’mfrightened.
Thebarnowlisalmostpurewhite,especiallywhenitspreadsitswingssoyoucanseetheunderside.
Fromthebackitlooksmoregold.Ithasjustalittlegoldaroundtheface.It’sstaringatmerightnowbecauseI’mmakingnoises,tryingnottocry.
It’sfunnythatIcanstillcry.Iguessit’switchesthatcan’t.
It’sstartedsnowingoutside.I’mpullingmycloakuparoundme.
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Elenatuckedthelittlebookclosetoherbodyanddrewthesoftdarkvelvetofthecloakuptoherchin.
Thebarnwasutterlysilent,exceptfortheminutebreathingoftheanimalsthatsleptthere.Outsidethesnowdrifteddownjustassoundlessly,blanketingtheworldinmufflingstillness.Elenastaredatitwithunseeingeyes,scarcelynoticingthetearsthatrandownhercheeks.
“AndcouldBonnieMcCulloughandCarolineForbespleasestayafterclassamoment,”Alaricsaidasthelastbellrang.
Stefanfrowned,afrownthatdeepenedashesawVickieBennetthoveringoutsidetheopendoorofthehistoryroom,hereyesshyandfrightened.“I’llberightoutside,”hesaidmeaningfullytoBonnie,whonodded.Headdedawarningliftofhiseyebrows,andsherespondedwithavirtuouslook.CatchmesayinganythingI’mnotsupposedto,thelooksaid.
Goingout,Stefanonlyhopedshecouldsticktoit.
VickieBennettwasenteringasheexited,andhehadtostepoutofherway.ButthattookhimrightintothepathofMatt,who’dcomeouttheotherdoorandwastryingtogetdownthecorridorasfastaspossible.
Stefangrabbedhisarmwithoutthinking.“Matt,wait.”
“Letgoofme.”Matt’sfistcameup.Helookedatitinapparentsurprise,asifnotsurewhatheshouldbesomadabout.ButeverymuscleinhisbodywasfightingStefan’sgrip.
“Ijustwanttotalktoyou.Justforaminute,allright?”
“Idon’thaveaminute,”Mattsaid,andatlasthiseyes,alighter,lesscomplicatedbluethanElena’s,metStefan’s.ButtherewasablanknessinthedepthsofthemthatremindedStefanofthelookofsomeonewho’dbeenhypnotized,orwhowasundertheinfluenceofsomePower.
OnlyitwasnoPowerexceptMatt’sownmind,herealizedabruptly.Thiswaswhatthehumanbraindidtoitselfwhenfacedwithsomethingitsimplycouldn’tdealwith.Matthadshutdown,turnedoff.
Testing,Stefansaid,“AboutwhathappenedSaturdaynight—”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Look,IsaidIhadtogo,damnit.”DenialwaslikeafortressbehindMatt’seyes.ButStefanhadtotryagain.
“Idon’tblameyouforbeingmad.IfIwereyou,I’dbefurious.AndIknowwhatit’slikenottowanttothink,especiallywhenthinkingcandriveyoucrazy.”Mattwasshakinghishead,andStefanlookedaroundthehallway.Itwasalmostempty,anddesperationmadehimwillingtotakearisk.Heloweredhisvoice.“Butmaybeyou’datleastliketoknowthatElena’sawake,andshe’smuch—”
“Elena’sdead!”Mattshouted,drawingtheattentionofeveryoneinthecorridor.“AndItoldyoutoletgoofme!”headded,obliviousoftheiraudience,andshovedStefanhard.ItwassounexpectedthatStefanstumbledbackagainstthelockers,almostendingupsprawledontheground.HestaredatMatt,butMattneverevenglancedbackashetookoffdownthehallway.
StefanspenttherestofthetimeuntilBonnieemergedjuststaringatthewall.TherewasapostertherefortheSnowDance,andhekneweveryinchofitbythetimethegirlscameout.
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DespiteeverythingCarolinehadtriedtodotohimandElena,Stefanfoundhecouldn’tsummonupanyhatredofher.Herauburnhairlookedfaded,herfacepinched.Insteadofbeingwillowy,herposturejustlookedwilted,hethought,watchinghergo.
“Everythingokay?”hesaidtoBonnie,astheyfellintostepwitheachother.
“Yes,ofcourse.Alaricjustknowswethree—Vickie,Caroline,andI—havebeenthroughalot,andhewantsustoknowthathesupportsus,”Bonniesaid,butevenherdoggedoptimismaboutthehistoryteachersoundedalittleforced.“Noneofustoldhimaboutanything,though.He’shavinganotherget-togetherathishousenextweek,”sheaddedbrightly.
Wonderful,thoughtStefan.Normallyhemighthavesaidsomethingaboutit,butatthatmomenthewasdistracted.“There’sMeredith,”hesaid.
“Shemustbewaitingforus—no,she’sgoingdownthehistorywing,”Bonniesaid.“That’sfunny,ItoldherI’dmeetherouthere.”
Itwasmorethanfunny,thoughtStefan.He’dcaughtonlyaglimpseofherassheturnedthecorner,butthatglimpsestuckinhismind.TheexpressiononMeredith’sfacehadbeencalculating,watchful,andherstephadbeenstealthy.Asifsheweretryingtodosomethingwithoutbeingseen.
“She’llcomebackinaminutewhensheseeswe’renotdownthere,”Bonniesaid,butMeredithdidn’tcomebackinaminute,ortwo,orthree.Infact,itwasalmosttenminutesbeforesheappeared,andthenshelookedstartledtoseeStefanandBonniewaitingforher.
“Sorry,Igotheldup,”shesaidcoolly,andStefanhadtoadmireherself-possession.Buthewonderedwhatwasbehindit,andonlyBonniewasinamoodtochatasthethreeofthemleftschool.
“Butlasttimeyouusedfire,”Elenasaid.
“ThatwasbecausewewerelookingforStefan,foraspecificperson,”Bonniereplied.“Thistimewe’retryingtopredictthefuture.IfitwasjustyourpersonalfutureIwastryingtopredict,I’dlookinyourpalm,butwe’retryingtofindoutsomethinggeneral.”
Meredithenteredtheroom,carefullybalancingachinabowlfulltothebrimwithwater.Inherotherhand,sheheldacandle.“I’vegotthestuff,”shesaid.
“WaterwassacredtotheDruids,”Bonnieexplained,asMeredithplacedthedishonthefloorandthethreegirlssataroundit.
“Apparently,everythingwassacredtotheDruids,”saidMeredith.
”Shh.Now,putthecandleinthecandlestickandlightit.ThenI’mgoingtopourmeltedwaxintothewater,andtheshapesitmakeswilltellmetheanswerstoyourquestions.Mygrandmotherusedmeltedlead,andshesaidhergrandmotherusedmeltedsilver,butshetoldmewaxwoulddo.”WhenMeredithhadlitthecandle,Bonnieglancedatitsidewaysandtookadeepbreath.“I’mgettingscarederandscaredertodothis,”shesaid.
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“Youdon’thaveto,”Elenasaidsoftly.
“Iknow.ButIwantto—thisonce.Besides,it’snotthesekindofritualsthatscareme;it’sgettingtakenoverthat’ssoawful.Ihateit.It’slikesomebodyelsegettingintomybody.”
Elenafrownedandopenedhermouth,butBonniewascontinuing.
“Anyway,heregoes.Turndownthelights,Meredith.Givemeaminutetogetattunedandthenaskyourquestions.”
InthesilenceofthedimroomElenawatchedthecandlelightflickeringoverBonnie’sloweredeyelashesandMeredith’ssoberface.Shelookeddownatherownhandsinherlap,paleagainsttheblacknessofthesweaterandleggingsMeredithhadlenther.Thenshelookedatthedancingflame.
“Allright,”Bonniesaidsoftlyandtookthecandle.
Elena’sfingerstwinedtogether,clenchinghard,butshespokeinalowvoicesoasnottobreaktheatmosphere.“WhoistheOtherPowerinFell’sChurch?”
Bonnietiltedthecandlesothattheflamelickedupitssides.Hotwaxstreameddownlikewaterintothebowlandformedroundglobulesthere.
“Iwasafraidofthat,”Bonniemurmured.“That’snoanswer,nothing.Tryadifferentquestion.”
Disappointed,Elenasatback,fingernailsbitingintoherpalms.ItwasMeredithwhospoke.
“CanwefindthisOtherPowerifwelook?Andcanwedefeatit?”
“That’stwoquestions,”Bonniesaidunderherbreathasshetiltedthecandleagain.Thistimethewaxformedacircle,alumpywhitering.
“That’sunity!Thesymbolforpeoplejoininghands.Itmeanswecandoitifwesticktogether.”
Elena’sheadjerkedup.Thosewerealmostthesamewordsshe’dsaidtoStefanandDamon.Bonnie’seyeswereshiningwithexcitement,andtheysmiledateachother.
“Watchout!You’restillpouring,”Meredithsaid.
Bonniequicklyrightedthecandle,lookingintothebowlagain.Thelastspillofwaxhadformedathin,straightline.
“That’sasword,”shesaidslowly.“Itmeanssacrifice.Wecandoitifwesticktogether,butnotwithoutsacrifice.”
“Whatkindofsacrifice?”askedElena.
“Idon’tknow,”Bonniesaid,herfacetroubled.“That’sallIcantellyouthistime.”Shestuckthecandlebackinthecandleholder.
“Whew,”saidMeredith,asshegotuptoturnonthelights.Elenastood,too.
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“Well,atleastweknowwecanbeatit,”shesaid,tugginguptheleggings,whichweretoolongforher.
ShecaughtaglimpseofherselfinMeredith’smirror.Shecertainlydidn’tlooklikeElenaGilbertthehighschoolfashionplateanymore.Dressedallinblacklikethis,shelookedpaleanddangerous,likeasheathedsword.Herhairfellhaphazardlyaroundhershoulders.
“Theywouldn’tknowmeatschool,”shemurmured,withapang.Itwasstrangethatsheshouldcareaboutgoingtoschool,butshedid.Itwasbecauseshecouldn’tgo,sheguessed.Andbecauseshe’dbeenqueentheresolong,she’drunthingsforsolong,thatitwasalmostunbelievablethatshecouldneversetfootthereagain,
“Youcouldgosomewhereelse,”Bonniesuggested.“Imean,afterthisisallover,youcouldfinishtheschoolyearsomeplacewherenobodyknowsyou.LikeStefandid.”
“No,Idon’tthinkso.”Elenawasinastrangemoodtonight,afterspendingthedayaloneinthebarnwatchingthesnow.“Bonnie,”shesaidabruptly,“wouldyoulookatmypalmagain?Iwantyoutotellmyfuture,mypersonalfuture.”
“Idon’tevenknowifIrememberallthestuffmygrandmothertaughtme…but,allright,I’lltry,”Bonnierelented.“There’djustbetterbenomoredarkstrangersontheway,that’sall.You’vealreadygotallyoucanhandle.”ShegiggledasshetookElena’soutstretchedhand.“RememberwhenCarolineaskedwhatyoucoulddowithtwo?Iguessyou’refindingoutnow,huh?”
“Justreadmypalm,willyou?”
“Allright,thisisyourlifeline—”Bonnie’sstreamofpatterbrokeoffalmostbeforeitwasstarted.ShestaredatElena’shand,fearandapprehensioninherface.“Itshouldgoallthewaydowntohere,”shesaid.“Butit’scutoffsoshort…”
SheandElenalookedateachotherwithoutspeakingforamoment,whileElenafeltthatsameapprehensionsolidifyinsideherself.ThenMeredithbrokein.
“Well,naturallyit’sshort,”shesaid.“Itjustmeanswhathappenedalready,whenElenadrowned.”
“Yes,ofcourse,thatmustbeit,”Bonniemurmured.SheletgoofElena’shandandElenaslowlydrewback.“That’sit,allright,”Bonniesaidinastrongervoice.
Elenawasgazingintothemirroragain.Thegirlwhogazedbackwasbeautiful,buttherewasasadwisdomabouthereyesthattheoldElenaGilberthadneverhad.SherealizedthatBonnieandMeredithwerelookingather.
“Thatmustbeit,”shesaidlightly,buthersmiledidn’ttouchhereyes.
Nine
“Well,atleastIdidn’tgettakenover,”Bonniesaid.“ButI’msickofthispsychicstuffanyway;I’mtiredofthewholething.Thatwasthelasttime,absolutelythelast.”
“Allright,”saidElena,turningawayfromthemirror,“let’stalkaboutsomethingelse.Didyoufindanythingouttoday?”
“ItalkedwithAlaric,andhe’shavinganotherget-togethernextweek,”Bonniereplied.“HeaskedPage54
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CarolineandVickieandmeifwewantedtobehypnotizedtohelpusdealwithwhat’sbeenhappening.
ButI’msureheisn’ttheOtherPower,Elena.He’stoonice.”
Elenanodded.She’dhadsecondthoughtsabouthersuspicionsofAlaricherself.Notbecausehewasnice,butbecauseshehadspentfourdaysinhisatticasleep.WouldtheOtherPowerreallyhaveletherstaythereunharmed?Ofcourse,Damonhadsaidhe’dinfluencedAlarictoforgetthatshewasupthere,butwouldtheOtherPowerhavesuccumbedtoDamon’sinfluence?Shouldn’titbefartoostrong?
UnlessitsPowershadtemporarilyburnedout,shethoughtsuddenly.ThewayStefan’swereburningoutnow.Orunlessithadonlybeenpretendingtobeinfluenced.
“Well,wewon’tcrosshimoffthelistjustyet,”shesaid.“We’vegottobecareful.WhataboutMrs.
Flowers?Didyoufindoutanythingabouther?”
“Noluck,”saidMeredith.“Wewenttotheboardinghousethismorning,butshedidn’tanswerthedoor.
Stefansaidhe’dtrytotrackherdownintheafternoon.”
“Ifsomebodywouldonlyinvitemeinthere,Icouldwatchher,too,”Elenasaid.“IfeellikeI’mtheonlyonenotdoinganything.Ithink…”Shepausedamoment,considering,andthensaid,“IthinkI’llgobyhome—byAuntJudith’s,Imean.MaybeI’llfindRoberthangingaroundinthebushesorsomething.”
“We’llgowithyou,”Meredithsaid.
“No,it’sbetterformetodoitalone.Really,itis.Icanbeveryinconspicuousthesedays.”
“Thentakeyourownadviceandbecareful.It’sstillsnowinghard.”
Elenanoddedanddroppedoverthewindowsill.
Assheapproachedherhouse,shesawthatacarwasjustpullingoutofthedriveway.Shemeltedintotheshadowsandwatched.Theheadlightsilluminatedaneeriewintersight:theneighbors’blacklocusttree,likeabare-branchedsilhouette,withawhiteowlsittinginit.
Asthecarroaredpast,Elenarecognizedit.Robert’sblueOldsmobile.
Now,thatwasinteresting.Shehadanurgetofollowhim,butastrongerurgetocheckthehouse,makesureeverythingwasallright.Shecircleditstealthily,examiningwindows.
Theyellowchintzcurtainsatthekitchenwindowwereloopedback,revealingabrightsectionofkitcheninside.AuntJudithwasclosingthedishwasher.HadRobertcometodinner?Elenawondered.
AuntJudithmovedtowardthefronthallwayandElenamovedwithher,circlingthehouseagain.Shefoundaslitinthelivingroomcurtainsandcautiouslyappliedhereyetothethick,waveryoldglassofthewindow.Sheheardthefrontdooropenandshut,andthenlock,andthenAuntJudithcameintothelivingroomandsatonthecouch.SheswitchedontheTVandbeganflippingthroughchannelsidly.
Elenawishedshecouldseemorethanjustheraunt’sprofileintheflickeringlightoftheTV.Itgaveherastrangefeelingtolookatthisroom,knowingthatshecouldonlylookandnotgoin.Howlonghaditbeensincesherealizedwhataniceroomitwas?Theoldmahoganywhatnot,crowdedwithchinaandglassware,theTiffanylamponthetablenexttoAuntJudith,theneedlepointpillowsonthecouch,allseemedprecioustohernow.Standingoutside,feelingthefeatherycaressofthesnowonthebackofherPage55
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neck,shewishedshecouldgoinjustforamoment,justforalittlewhile.
AuntJudith’sheadwastiltingback,hereyesshutting.Elenaleanedherforeheadagainstthewindow,thenslowlyturnedaway.
Sheclimbedthequincetreeoutsideherownbedroom,buttoherdisappointmentthecurtainswereshuttight.ThemapletreeoutsideMargaret’sroomwasfragileandhardertoclimb,butonceshegotupshehadagoodview;thesecurtainswerewideopen.Margaretwasasleepwiththebedcoversdrawnuptoherchin,hermouthopen,herpalehairspreadoutlikeafanonthepillow.
Hello,baby,Elenathoughtandswallowedbacktears.Itwassuchasweetlyinnocentscene:thenightlight,thelittlegirlinbed,thestuffedanimalsontheshelveskeepingwatchoverher.Andherecamealittlewhitekittenpaddingthroughtheopendoortocompletethepicture,Elenathought.
SnowballjumpedontoMargaret’sbed.Thekittenyawned,showingatinypinktongue,andstretched,displayingminiatureclaws.ThenitwalkeddaintilyovertostandonMargaret’schest.
SomethingtingledattherootsofElena’shair.
Shedidn’tknowifitwassomenewhunter’ssenseorsheerintuition,butsuddenlyshewasafraid.Therewasdangerinthatroom.Margaretwasindanger.
Thekittenwasstillstandingthere,tailswishingbackandforth.AndallatonceElenarealizedwhatitlookedlike.Thedogs.ItlookedthewayChelseahadlookedatDougCarsonbeforeshelungedathim.
Oh,God,thetownhadquarantinedthedogs,butnobodyhadthoughtaboutthecats.
Elena’smindwasworkingattopspeed,butitwasn’thelpingher.Itwasonlyflashingpicturesofwhatacatcoulddowithcurvedclawsandneedle-sharpteeth.AndMargaretjustlaytherebreathingsoftly,oblivioustoanydanger.
ThefuronSnowball’sbackwasrising,hertailswellinglikeabottlebrush.Herearsflattenedandsheopenedhermouthinasilenthiss.HereyeswerefixedonMargaret’sfacejustthewayChelsea‘shadbeenonDougCarson’s.
“No!”Elenalookedarounddesperatelyforsomethingtothrowatthewindow,somethingtomakenoise.
Shecouldn’tgetanycloser;theouterbranchesofthetreewouldn’tsupportherweight.“Margaret,wakeup!”
Butthesnow,settlinglikeablanketaroundher,seemedtodeadenthewordsintonothingness.Alow,discordantwailwasstartedinSnowball’sthroatasitflickeditseyestowardthewindowandthenbacktoMargaret’sface.
“Margaret,wakeup!”Elenashouted.Then,justasthekittenpulledbackacurvedpaw,shethrewherselfatthewindow.
Sheneverknew,later,howshemanagedtohangon.Therewasnoroomtokneelonthesill,butherfingernailssankintothesoftoldwoodofthecasing,andthetoeofonebootjammedintoafootholdbelow.Shebangedagainstthewindowwithherbodyweight,shouting.
“Getawayfromher!Wakeup,Margaret!”
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Margaret’seyesflewopenandshesatup,throwingSnowballbackward.Thekitten’sclawscaughtintheeyeletbedspreadasitscrambledtorightitself.Elenashoutedagain.“Margaret,getoffthebed!Openthewindow,quick!”
Margaret’sfour-year-oldfacewasfullofsleepysurprise,butnofear.ShegotupandstumbledtowardthewindowwhileElenagrittedherteeth.
“That’sit.Goodgirl…nowsay,‘Comein.’Quick,sayit!”
“Comein,”Margaretsaidobediently,blinkingandsteppingback.
ThekittensprangoutasElenafellin.Shemadeagrabforit,butitwastoofast.Onceoutsideitglidedacrossthemaplebrancheswithtauntingeaseandleapeddownintothesnow,disappearing.
AsmallhandwastuggingatElena’ssweater.“Youcameback!”Margaretsaid,huggingElena’ships.“Imissedyou.”
“Oh,Margaret,Imissedyou—”Elenabegan,andthenfroze.AuntJudith’svoicesoundedfromthetopofthestairs.
“Margaret,areyouawake?What’sgoingoninthere?”
Elenahadonlyaninstanttomakeherdecision.“Don’ttellherI’mhere,”shewhispered,droppingtoherknees.“It’sasecret;doyouunderstand?Sayyouletthekittyout,butdon’ttellherI’mhere.”Therewasn’ttimeforanymore;Elenadivedunderthebedandprayed.
Fromunderthedustruffle,shewatchedAuntJudith’sstockingfeetcomeintotheroom.Shepressedherfaceintothefloorboards,notbreathing.
“Margaret!Whatareyoudoingup?Comeon,let’sgetyoubackinbed,”AuntJudith’svoicesaid,andthenthebedcreakedwithMargaret’sweightandElenaheardthenoisesofAuntJudith’sfussingwiththecovers.“Yourhandsarefreezing.Whatonearthisthewindowdoingopen?”
“IopeneditandSnowballwentout,”Margaretsaid.Elenaletoutherbreath.
“Andnowthere’ssnowalloverthefloor.Ican’tbelievethis…Don’tyouopenitupagain,doyouhearme?”Alittlemorebustlingandthestockingfeetwentoutagain.Thedoorshut.
Elenasquirmedout.
“Goodgirl,”shewhisperedasMargaretsatup.“I’mproudofyou.NowtomorrowyoutellAuntJudiththatyouhavetogiveyourkittyaway.Tellheritscaredyou.Iknowyoudon’twantto”—sheputupahandtostopthewailthatwasgatheringonMargaret’slips—”butyouhaveto.BecauseI’mtellingyouthatkittywillhurtyouifyoukeepit.Youdon’twanttogethurt,doyou?”
“No,”saidMargaret,herblueeyesfilling.“But—”
“Andyoudon’twantthekittytohurtAuntJudith,either,doyou?YoutellAuntJudithyoucan’thaveakittenorapuppyorevenabirduntil—well,forawhile.Don’ttellherthatIsaidso;that’sstilloursecret.
Tellheryou’rescaredbecauseofwhathappenedwiththedogsatchurch.”Itwasbetter,ElenareasonedPage57
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grimly,togivethelittlegirlnightmaresthantohaveanightmareplayoutinthisbedroom.
Margaret’smouthdroopedsadly.“Okay.”
“I’msorry,sweetie.”Elenasatdownandhuggedher.“Butthat’sthewayithastobe.”
“You’recold,”Margaretsaid.ThenshelookedupintoElena’sface.“Areyouanangel?”
“Uh…notexactly.”Justtheopposite,Elenathoughtironically.
“AuntJudithsaidyouwenttobewithMommyandDaddy.Didyouseethemyet?”
“I—it’ssortofhardtoexplain,Margaret.Ihaven’tseenthemyet,no.AndI’mnotanangel,butI’mgoingtobelikeyourguardianangelanyway,allright?I’llwatchoveryou,evenwhenyoucan’tseeme.
Okay?”
“Okay.”Margaretplayedwithherfingers.“Doesthatmeanyoucan’tlivehereanymore?”
Elenalookedaroundthepink-and-whitebedroom,atthestuffedanimalsontheshelvesandthelittlewritingdeskandtherockinghorsethathadoncebeenhersinthecorner.“That’swhatitmeans,”shesaidsoftly.
“WhentheysaidyouwenttobewithMommyandDaddy,IsaidIwantedtogo,too.”
Elenablinkedhard.“Oh,baby.It’snottimeforyoutogo,soyoucan’t.AndAuntJudithlovesyouverymuch,andshe’dbelonelywithoutyou.”
Margaretnodded,hereyelidsdrooping.ButasElenaeasedherdownandpulledthebedspreadoverher,Margaretaskedonemorequestion.“Butdon’tyouloveme?”
“Oh,ofcourseIdo.Iloveyousomuch—Ineverevenknewhowmuchuntilnow.ButI’llbeallright,andAuntJudithneedsyoumore.And…”Elenahadtotakeabreathtosteadyherself,andwhenshelookeddownshesawMargaret’seyeswereshut,herbreathingregular.Shewasasleep.
Oh,stupid,stupid,Elenathought,forgingthroughthebankedsnowtotheothersideofMapleStreet.
She’dmissedherchancetoaskMargaretwhetherRoberthadbeenatdinner.Itwastoolatenow.
Robert.Hereyesnarrowedsuddenly.Atthechurch,Roberthadbeenoutsideandthenthedogshadgonemad.AndtonightMargaret’skittenhadgoneferal—justalittlewhileafterRobert’scarhadpulledoutofthedriveway.
Roberthasalottoanswerfor,shethought.
Butmelancholywaspullingather,tuggingherthoughtsaway.Hermindkeptreturningtothebrighthouseshe’djustleft,goingoverthethingsshe’dneverseeagain.Allherclothesandknickknacksandjewelry—whatwouldAuntJudithdowiththem?Idon’townanythinganymore,shethought.I’mapauper.
Elena?
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Withrelief,Elenarecognizedthementalvoiceandthedistinctiveshadowattheendofthestreet.ShehurriedtowardStefan,whotookhishandsoutofhisjacketpocketsandheldherstowarmthem.
“Meredithtoldmewhereyou’dgone.”
“Iwenthome,”Elenasaid.Thatwasallshecouldsay,butassheleanedagainsthimforcomfort,sheknewthatheunderstood.
“Let’sfindsomeplacewecansitdown,”hesaid,andstoppedinfrustration.AlltheplacestheyusedtogowereeithertoodangerousorclosedtoElena.ThepolicestillhadStefan’scar.
Eventuallytheyjustwenttothehighschoolwheretheycouldsitundertheoverhangofaroofandwatchthesnowsiftdown.ElenatoldhimwhathadhappenedinMargaret’sroom.
“I’mgoingtohaveMeredithandBonniespreaditaroundtownthatcatscanattack,too.Peopleshouldknowthat.AndIthinksomebodyoughttobewatchingRobert,”sheconcluded.
“We’lltailhim,”Stefansaid,andshecouldn’thelpsmiling.
“It’sfunnyhowmuchmoreAmericanyou’vegotten,”shesaid.“Ihadn’tthoughtaboutitinalongtime,butwhenyoufirstcameyouwerealotmoreforeign.Nownobodywouldknowyouhadn’tlivedhereallyourlife.”
“Weadaptquickly.Wehaveto,”Stefansaid.“Therearealwaysnewcountries,newdecades,newsituations.You’lladapt,too.”
“WillI?”Elena’seyesremainedontheglitteroffallingsnowflakes.“Idon’tknow…”
“You’lllearn,intime.Ifthereisanything…good…aboutwhatweare,it’stime.Wehaveplentyofit,asmuchaswewant.Forever.”
”‘Joyouscompanionsforever.’Isn’tthatwhatKatherinesaidtoyouandDamon?”Elenamurmured.
ShecouldfeelStefan’sstiffening,hiswithdrawal.“Shewastalkingaboutallthreeofus,”hesaid.“Iwasn’t.”
“Oh,Stefan,pleasedon’t,notnow.Iwasn’teventhinkingaboutDamon,onlyaboutforever.Itscaresme.Everythingaboutthisscaresme,andsometimesIthinkIjustwanttogotosleepandneverwakeupagain…”
Intheshelterofhisarmsshefeltsafer,andshefoundhernewsenseswerejustasamazingcloseupastheywereatadistance.ShecouldheareachseparatepulseofStefan’sheart,andtherushofbloodthroughhisveins.Andshecouldsmellhisowndistinctivescentmingledwiththescentofhisjacket,andthesnow,andthewoolofhisclothes
“Pleasetrustme,”shewhispered.“Iknowyou’reangrywithDamon,buttrytogivehimachance.Ithinkthere’smoretohimthanthereseemstobe.AndIwanthishelpinfindingtheOtherPower,andthat’sallIwantfromhim.”
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darknessheldnoappealforher.Shewishedshecouldbeathomesittinginfrontofafire.
Butitwassweetjusttobeheldlikethis,evenifsheandStefanhadtositinthesnowtodoit.Stefan’sbreathwaswarmashekissedthebackofherneck,andshesensednofurtherwithdrawalinStefan’sbody.
Nohunger,either,oratleastnotthekindshewasusedtosensingwhentheywerecloselikethis.Nowthatshewasahunterlikehe,theneedwasdifferent,aneedfortogethernessratherthanforsustenance.
Itdidn’tmatter.Theyhadlostsomething,buttheyhadgainedsomething,too.SheunderstoodStefaninawaysheneverhadbefore.Andherunderstandingbroughtthemcloser,untiltheirmindsweretouching,almostmeshingwitheachother’s.Itwasn’tthenoisychatterofmentalvoices;itwasadeepandwordlesscommunion.Asiftheirspiritswereunited.
“Iloveyou,”Stefansaidagainstherneck,andsheheldontighter.Sheunderstoodnowwhyhe’dbeenafraidtosayitforsolong.Whenthethoughtoftomorrowscaredyousick,itwashardtomakeacommitment.Becauseyoudidn’twanttodragsomeoneelsedownwithyou.
Particularlysomeoneyouloved.“Iloveyou,too,”shemadeherselfsayandsatback,herpeacefulmoodbroken.“AndwillyoutrytogiveDamonachance,formysake?Trytoworkwithhim?”
“I’llworkwithhim,butIwon’ttrusthim.Ican’t.Iknowhimtoowell.”
“Isometimeswonderifanybodyknowshimatall.Allright,then,dowhatyoucan.MaybewecanaskhimtofollowRoberttomorrow.”
“IfollowedMrs.Flowerstoday.”Stefan’slipquirked.“Allafternoonandevening.Andyouknowwhatshedid?”
“What?”
“Threeloadsofwash—inanancientmachinethatlookedlikeitwasgoingtoexplodeanyminute.Noclothesdryer,justawringer.It’salldowninthebasement.Thenshewentoutsideandfilledabouttwodozenbirdfeeders.Thenbacktothebasementtowipeoffjarsofpreserves.Shespendsmostofhertimedownthere.Shetalkstoherself.”
“Justlikeadottyoldlady,”saidElena.“Allright;maybeMeredith’swrongandthat’sallsheis.”ShenoticedhischangeofexpressionatMeredith’snameandadded,“What?”
“Well,Meredithmayhavesomeexplainingtodoherself.Ididn’taskheraboutit;Ithoughtmaybeitwasbettercomingfromyou.ButshewenttotalktoAlaricSaltzmanafterschooltoday.Andshedidn’twantanyonetoknowwhereshewasgoing.”
DisquietuncoiledinElena’smiddle.“Sowhat?”
“Sosheliedaboutitafterward—oratleastsheevadedtheissue.Itriedtoprobehermind,butmyPowersarejustaboutburntout.Andshe’sstrong-willed.”
“Andyouhadnoright!Stefan,listentome.Meredithwouldneverdoanythingtohurtusorbetrayus.
Whatevershe’skeepingfromus—”
“Soyoudoadmitthatshe’shidingsomething.”
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“Yes,”Elenasaidreluctantly.“Butit’snothingthatwillhurtus,I’msure.Meredithhasbeenmyfriendsincethefirstgrade…”Withoutknowingit,Elenaletthesentenceslipawayfromher.Shewasthinkingofanotherfriend,onewho’dbeenclosetohersincekindergarten.Caroline.WholastweekhadtriedtodestroyStefanandhumiliateElenainfrontoftheentiretown.
AndwhatwasitCaroline’sdiaryhadsaidaboutMeredith?Meredithdoesn’tdoanything;shejustwatches.It’sasifshecan’tact,shecanonlyreacttothings.Besides,I’veheardmyparentstalkingaboutherfamily—nowondershenevermentionsthem
Elena’seyesleftthesnowylandscapetoseekStefan’swaitingface.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”shesaidquietly.
“IknowMeredith,andItrusther.I’lltrusthertotheend.”
“Ihopeshe’sworthyofit,Elena,”hesaid.“Ireallydo.”
Ten
December12,Thursdaymorning
DearDiary,
Soafteraweekofwork,whathaveweaccomplished?
Well,betweenuswe’vemanagedtofollowourthreesuspectsjustaboutcontinuouslyforthelastsixorsevendays.Results:reportsonRobert’smovementsforthelastweek,whichhespentactinglikeanynormalbusinessman.ReportsonAlaric,whohasn’tbeendoinganythingunusualforahistoryteacher.
ReportsonMrs.Flowers,whoapparentlyspendsmostofhertimeinthebasement.Butwehaven’treallylearnedanything.
StefansaysthatAlaricmetwiththeprincipalacoupletimes,buthecouldn’tgetcloseenoughtohearwhattheyweretalkingabout.
MeredithandBonniespreadthenewsaboutotherpetsbesidesdogsbeingdangerous.Theydidn’tneedtoworkveryhardatit;itseemsasifeverybodyintownisonthevergeofhysteriaalready.Sincethenthere’vebeenseveralotheranimalattacksreported,butit’shardtoknowwhichonestotakeseriously.
Somekidswereteasingasquirrelanditbitthem.TheMassases‘petrabbitscratchedtheirlittlestboy.
OldMrs.Coombersawcopperheadsnakesinheryard,whenallthesnakesshouldbehibernating.
TheonlyoneI’msureaboutistheattackonthevetwhowaskeepingthedogsinquarantine.Abunchofthembithimandmostofthemescapedfromtheholdingpens.Afterthattheyjustdisappeared.Peoplearesayinggoodriddanceandhopingthey’llstarveinthewoods,butIwonder.
Andit’sbeensnowingallthetime.Notstormingbutnotstopping,either.I’veneverseensomuchsnow.
Stefan’sworriedaboutthedancetomorrownight.
Whichbringsusbackto:whathavewelearnedsofar?Whatdoweknow?NoneofoursuspectswereanywhereneartheMassases‘orMrs.Coomber’sorthevet’swhentheattackshappened.We’renoclosertofindingtheOtherPowerthanwewerewhenwestarted.
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todo.
Damonstretchedouthislonglegsandspokelazily,lookingaroundthebarn.“No,Idon’tthinkit’sdangerous,particularly.ButIdon’tseewhatyouexpecttoaccomplish.”
“NeitherdoI,exactly,”Elenaadmitted.“ButIdon’thaveanybetterideas.Doyou?”
“What,youmeanaboutotherwaystospendthetime?Yes,Ido.Doyouwantmetotellyouaboutthem?”Elenawavedhimtosilenceandhesubsided.
“Imeanaboutusefulthingswecandoatthispoint.Robert’soutoftown,Mrs.Flowersisdown—”
“Inthebasement,”chorusedseveralvoices.
“Andwe’realljustsittinghere.Doesanybodyhaveabetteridea?”
Meredithbrokethesilence.“Ifyou’reworriedaboutitsbeingdangerousformeandBonnie,whydon’tyouallcome?Idon’tmeanyouhavetoshowyourselves.Youcouldcomeandhideintheattic.Thenifanythinghappened,wecouldscreamforhelpandyouwouldhearus.”
“Idon’tseewhyanybody’sgoingtobescreaming,”saidBonnie.“Nothing’sgoingtohappenthere.”
“Well,maybenot,butitdoesn’thurttobesafe,”Meredithsaid.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Elenanoddedslowly.“Itmakessense.”Shelookedaroundforobjections,butStefanjustshrugged,andDamonmurmuredsomethingthatmadeBonnielaugh.
“Allright,then,it’sdecided.Let’sgo.”
Theinevitablesnowgreetedthemastheysteppedoutsidethebarn.
“BonnieandIcangoinmycar,”Meredithsaid.“Andyouthree—”
“Oh,we’llfindourownway,”Damonsaidwithhiswolfishsmile.Meredithnodded,notimpressed.
Funny,Elenathoughtastheothergirlswalkedaway;MeredithneverwasimpressedwithDamon.Hischarmseemedtohavenoeffectonher.
ShewasabouttomentionthatshewashungrywhenStefanturnedtoDamon.
“AreyouwillingtostaywithElenatheentiretimeyou’reoverthere?Everyminute?”hesaid.
“Tryandstopme,”Damonsaidcheerfully.Hedroppedthesmile.“Why?”
“Becauseifyouare,thetwoofyoucangooveralone,andI’llmeetyoulater.I’vegotsomethingtodo,butitwon’ttakelong.”
Elenafeltawaveofwarmth.Hewastryingtotrusthisbrother.ShesmiledatStefaninapprovalashedrewheraside.
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“Whatisit?”
“IgotanotefromCarolinetoday.SheaskedifIwouldmeetherattheschoolbeforeAlaric’sparty.Shesaidshewantedtoapologize.
Elenaopenedhermouthtomakeasharpremark,andthenshutitagain.Fromwhatshe’dheard,Carolinewasasorrysightthesedays.AndmaybeitwouldmakeStefanfeelbettertotalktoher.
“Well,youdon’thaveanythingtoapologizefor,”shetoldhim.“Everythingthathappenedtoherwasherownfault.Youdon’tthinkshe’sdangerousatall?”
“No;I’vegotthatmuchofmyPowersleftanyway.She’sallright.I’llmeether,andsheandIcangotoAlaric’stogether.”
“Becareful,”Elenasaidashestartedoffintothesnow.
Theatticwasassherememberedit,darkanddustyandfullofmysteriousoilcloth-coveredshapes.
Damon,whohadcomeinmoreconventionallythroughthefrontdoor,hadhadtotaketheshuttersofftoletherinthroughthewindow.Afterthattheysatsidebysideontheoldmattressandlistenedtothevoicesthatcameupthroughtheducts.
“Icouldthinkofmoreromanticsettings,”Damonmurmured,fastidiouslypullingacobweboffhissleeve.
“Areyousureyouwouldn’trather—”
“Yes,”saidElena.“Nowhush.”
Itwaslikeagame,listeningtothebitsandpiecesofconversationsandtryingtoputthemtogether,tryingtomatcheachvoicetoaface.
“AndthenIsaid,Idon’tcarehowlongyou’vehadtheparakeet;getridofitorI’mgoingtotheSnowDancewithMikeFeldman.Andhesaid—”
“—rumorgoingaroundthatMr.Tanner’sgravewasduguplastnight—”
“—youhearthateverybodybutCarolinehasdroppedoutofthesnowqueencompetition?Don’tyouthink—”
“—dead,butI’mtellingyouIsawher.Andno,Iwasn’tdreaming;shewaswearingasortofsilverydressandherhairwasallgoldenandblowing—”
ElenaraisedhereyebrowsatDamon,thenlookedmeaningfullydownathersensibleblackattire.Hegrinned.
“Romanticism,”hesaid.“Myself,Ilikeyouinblack.”
“Well,youwould,wouldn’tyou?”shemurmured.ItwasstrangehowmuchmorecomfortableshefeltwithDamonthesedays.Shesatquietly,lettingtheconversationsdriftaroundher,almostlosingtrackoftime.Thenshecaughtafamiliarvoice,cross,andcloserthantherest.
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“Okay,okay,I’mgoing.Okay.”
ElenaandDamonexchangedaglanceandrosetotheirfeetasthehandleontheatticdoorturned.
Bonniepeeredaroundtheedge.
“Meredithtoldmetocomeuphere.Idon’tknowwhy.She’shoggingAlaricandit’sarottenparty.
Achoo!”
Shesatdownonthemattress,andafterafewminutesElenasatbackdownbesideher.ShewasbeginningtowishthatStefanwouldgethere.BythetimethedooropenedagainandMeredithcamein,shewassureofit.
“Meredith,what’sgoingon?”
”Nothing,oratleastnothingtoworryabout.Where’sStefan?”Meredith’scheekswereunusuallyflushed,andtherewasanoddlookabouthereyes,asifshewereholdingsomethingtightlyundercontrol.
“He’scominglater—”Elenabegan,butDamoninterrupted.
“Nevermindwhereheis.Who’scomingupthestairs?”
“Whatdoyoumean,‘who’scomingupthestairs?’”saidBonnie,rising.
“Everybodyjuststaycalm,”Meredithsaid,takingupapositioninfrontofthewindowasifguardingit.
Shedidn’tlookoverlycalmherself,Elenathought.“Allright,”shecalled,andthedooropenedandAlaricSaltzmancamein.
Damon’smotionwassosmooththatevenElena’seyescouldn’tfollowit;inonemovementhecaughtElena’swristandpulledherbehindhim,atthesametimemovingtofaceAlaricdirectly.Heendedinapredator’scrouch,everymuscledrawntautandreadyfortheattack.
“Oh,don’t,”criedBonniewildly.SheflungherselfatAlaric,whohadalreadybeguntorecoilastepfromDamon.Alaricnearlylosthisbalanceandgropedbehindhimselfforthedoor.Hisotherhandwasgropingathisbelt.
“Stopit!Stopit!”Meredithsaid.ElenasawtheshapebeneathAlaric’sjacketandrealizeditwasagun.
Again,shecouldn’tquitefollowwhathappenednext.DamonletgoofherwristandtookholdofAlaric’s.AndthenAlaricwassittingonthefloor,wearingadazedexpression,andDamonwasemptyingthegunofcartridges,onebyone.
“Itoldyouthatwasstupidandyouwouldn’tneedit,”Meredithsaid.Elenarealizedshewasholdingthedark-hairedgirlbythearms.ShemusthavedoneittokeepMeredithfrominterferingwithDamon,butshedidn’tremember.
“Thesewood-tippedthingsarenasty;theymighthurtsomebody,”Damonsaid,mildlychiding.Hereplacedoneofthecartridgesandsnappedtheclipbackin,aimingthoughtfullyatAlaric.
“Stopit,”saidMeredithintensely.SheturnedtoElena.“Makehimstop,Elena;he’sonlydoingmoreharm.Alaricwon’thurtyou;Ipromise.I’vespentallweekconvincinghimthatyouwon’thurthim.”
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“AndnowIthinkmywristisbroken,”Alaricsaid,rathercalmly.Hissandyhairwasfallingintohiseyesinfront.
“You’vegotnoonebutyourselftoblame.”Meredithreturnedbitterly.Bonnie,whohadbeenclutchingsolicitouslyatAlaric’sshoulders,lookedupatthefamiliarityofMeredith’stone,andthenbackedawayafewpacesandsatdown.
“Ican’twaittoheartheexplanationforthis,”shesaid.
“Pleasetrustme,”MeredithsaidtoElena.
Elenalookedintothedarkeyes.ShedidtrustMeredith;she’dsaidso.Andthewordsstirredanothermemory,herownvoiceaskingforStefan’strust.Shenodded.
“Damon?”shesaid.Heflippedthegunawaycasuallyandthensmiledaroundatallofthem,makingitabundantlyclearthathedidn’tneedanysuchartificialweapons.
“Nowifeverybodywilljustlisten,you’llallunderstand,”Meredithsaid.
“Oh,I’msure,”Bonniesaid.
ElenawalkedtowardAlaricSaltzman.Shewasn’tafraidofhim,butbythewayhelookedonlyather,slowly,startingfromthefeetandthencontinuingup,hewasafraidofher.
Shestoppedwhenshewasayardfromwherehesatonthegroundandkneltthere,lookingintohisface.
“Hello,”shesaid.
Hewasstillholdinghiswrist.“Hello,”hesaid,andgulped.
ElenaglancedbackatMeredithandthenlookedatAlaricagain.Yes,hewasscared.Andwithhishairinhiseyesthatway,helookedyoung.MaybefouryearsolderthanElena,maybefive.Nomorethanthat.
“We’renotgoingtohurtyou,”shesaid.
“That’swhatI’vebeentellinghim,”Meredithsaidquietly.“Iexplainedthatwhateverhe’sseenbefore,whateverstorieshe’sheard,you’redifferent.ItoldhimwhatyoutoldmeaboutStefan,howhe’sbeenfightinghisnatureallthoseyears.Itoldhimaboutwhatyou’vebeengoingthrough,Elena,andhowyouneveraskedforthis.”
Butwhydidyoutellhimsomuch?Elenathought.ShesaidtoAlaric,“Allright,youknowaboutus.Butallweknowaboutyouisthatyou’renotahistoryteacher.”
“He’sahunter,”Damonsaidsoftly,menacingly.“Avampirehunter.”
”No,”saidAlaric.“Oratleast,notinthesensethatyoumeanit.”Heseemedtocometosomedecision.
“Allright.FromwhatIknowofyouthree—”Hebrokeoff,lookingaroundthedarkroomasifsuddenlyrealizingsomething.“Where’sStefan?”
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“He’scoming.Infact,heshouldbeherebynow.HewasgoingtostopbytheschoolandbringCaroline,”Elenasaid.ShewasunpreparedforAlaric’sreaction.
“CarolineForbes?”hesaidsharply,sittingup.Hisvoicesoundedthewayithadwhenshe’doverheardhimtalkingwithDr.Fein’bergandtheprincipal,hard-edgedanddecisive.
“Yes.Shesenthimanotetoday,saidshewantedtoapologizeorsomething.Shewantedtomeethimatschoolbeforetheparty.”
“Hecan’tgo.You’vegottostophim.”Alaricscrambledtohisfeetandrepeatedurgently,“You’vegottostophim.”
“He’sgonealready.Why?Whyshouldn’the?”Elenademanded.
“BecauseIhypnotizedCarolinetwodaysago.I’dtrieditearlierwithTyler,withnoluck.ButCaroline’sagoodsubject,andsherememberedalittleofwhathappenedintheQuonsethut.AndsheidentifiedStefanSalvatoreastheattacker.”
Theshockedsilencelastedonlyafractionofasecond.ThenBonniesaid,“ButwhatcanCarolinedo?
Shecan’thurthim—”
“Don’tyouunderstand?You’renotjustdealingwithhighschoolstudentsanymore,”Alaricsaid.“It’sgonetoofar.Caroline’sfatherknowsaboutit,andTyler‘sfather.They’reconcernedforthesafetyofthetown—”
“Hush!Bequiet!”Elenawascastingaboutwithhermind,tryingtopickupsomehintofStefan’spresence.He’slethimselfgetweak,shethought,withthepartofherthatwasicycalmamidthewhirlingfearandpanic.Atlastshesensedsomething,justatrace,butshethoughtitwasStefan.Anditwasindistress.
“Something’swrong,”Damonconfirmed,andsherealizedhemusthavebeensearching,too,withamindmuchmorepowerfulthanhers.“Let’sgo.”
“Wait,let’stalkfirst.Don’tjustgojumpingintothis.”ButAlaricmightaswellhavebeentalkingtothewind,tryingtoreininitsdestructivepowerwithwords.Damonwasalreadyatthewindow,andthenextmomentElenaletherselfdropout,landingneatlybyDamoninthesnow.Alaric’svoicefollowedthemfromabove.
“We’recoming,too.Waitforusthere.Letmetalktothemfirst.Icantakecareofit…”
Elenascarcelyheardhim.Hermindwasburningwithonepurpose,onethought.TohurtthepeoplewhowantedtohurtStefan.It’sgonetoofar,allright,shethought.AndnowI’mgoingtogoasfarasittakes.
Iftheydaretotouchhim…imagesflashedthroughhermind,tooquicklytocount,ofwhatshewoulddotothem.Atanothertime,shemighthavebeenshockedattherushofadrenaline,ofexcitement,thatcoursedupatthethoughts.
ShecouldsenseDamon’smindbesideherastheyracedoverthesnow;itwaslikeablazeofredlightandfury.ThefiercenessinsideElenawelcomedit,gladtofeelitsonear.Butthensomethingelseoccurredtoher.
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snow,andtheyweremakingextraordinarytime.Butnothingontwolegs,orevenfour,couldmatchthespeedofabird’swings.“Goon,”shesaid.“Getthereasfastasyoucan.I’llmeetyou.”
Shedidn’tstaytowatchtheblurandshudderoftheair,ortheswirlingdarknessthatendedintherushofbeatingwings.ButsheglancedupatthecrowthatsoaredupandsheheardDamon’smentalvoice.
Goodhunting,itsaid,andthewingedblackshapearrowedtowardtheschool.
Goodhunting,Elenathoughtafterhim,meaningit.Sheredoubledherspeed,hermindfixedallthewhileonthatglimmerofStefan’spresence.
Stefanlayonhisback,wishinghisvisionwasn’tsoblurredorthathehadmorethanatentativeholdonconsciousness.Theblurwaspartlypainandpartlysnow,buttherewasalsoatrickleofbloodfromthethree-inchwoundinhisscalp.
He’dbeenstupid,ofcourse,nottolookaroundtheschool;ifhehadhewouldhaveseenthedarkenedcarsparkedontheotherside.He’dbeenstupidtocomehereinthefirstplace.Andnowhewasgoingtopayforthatstupidity.
Ifonlyhecouldcollecthisthoughtsenoughtocallforhelp…buttheweaknessthathadallowedthesementoovercomehimsoeasilypreventedthat,too.He’dscarcelyfedsincethenighthe’dattackedTyler.
Thatwasironic,somehow.Hisownguiltwasresponsibleforthemesshewasin.
Ishouldneverhavetriedtochangemynature,hethought.Damonhaditrightafterall.
Everyone’sthesame—Alaric,Caroline,everyone.Everyonewillbetrayyou.Ishouldhavehuntedthemallandenjoyedit.
HehopedDamonwouldtakecareofElena.She’dbesafewithhim;Damonwasstrongandruthless.
Damonwouldteachhertosurvive.Hewasgladofthat.
Butsomethinginsidehimwascrying.
Thecrow’ssharpeyesspottedthecrossingshaftsofheadlightbelowanddropped.ButDamondidn’tneedtheconfirmationofsight;hewashominginonthefaintpulsationthatwasStefan’slife-force.FaintbecauseStefanwasweakandbecausehe’dallbutgivenup.
Youneverlearn,doyou,brother?Damonthoughttohim.Ioughttojustleaveyouwhereyouare
Butevenasheskimmedtheground,hewaschanging,takingashapethatwoulddomoredamagethanacrow.
TheblackwolfleapedintotheknotofmensurroundingStefan,aimingpreciselyfortheoneholdingthesharpenedcylinderofwoodaboveStefan’schest.Theforceoftheblowknockedthemantenfeetbackward,andthestakewentskitteringacrossthegrass.Damonrestrainedhisimpulse—allthestrongerbecauseitfittheinstinctsoftheshapehewaswearing—tolockhisteethintheman’sthroat.Hetwistedaroundandwentbackfortheothermenwhowerestillstanding.
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Hissecondrushscatteredthem,butoneofthemreachedtheedgeofthelightandturned,liftingsomethingtohisshoulder.Rifle,thoughtDamon.AndprobablyloadedwiththesamespeciallytreatedbulletsasAlaric’shandgunhadbeen.Therewasnowaytoreachthemanbeforehecouldgetashotoff.
Thewolfgrowledandcrouchedforaleapanyway.Theman’sfleshyfacecreasedinasmile.
Quickasastrikingsnake,awhitehandreachedoutofthedarknessandknockedtherifleaway.Themanlookedaroundfrantically,bewildered,andthewolfletitsjawsfallopeninagrin.Elenahadarrived.
Eleven
ElenawatchedMr.Smallwood’sriflebounceacrossthegrass.Sheenjoyedtheexpressiononhisfaceashespunaround,lookingforwhathadgrabbedit.AndshefelttheflareofDamon’sapprovalfromacrossthepooloflight,fierceandhotliketheprideofawolfforitscub’sfirstkill.ButwhensheglimpsedStefanlyingontheground,sheforgoteverythingelse.Whitefurytookherbreathaway,andshestartedtowardhim.
“Everybodystop!Juststopeverything,rightwhereyouare!”
Theshoutwasbornetowardthemalongwiththesoundoftiressquealing.AlaricSaltzman’scarnearlyspunoutasitturnedintothestaffparkinglotandscreechedtoahalt,andAlaricleapedfromthecaralmostbeforeitstoppedmoving.
“What’sgoingonhere?”hedemanded,stridingtowardthemen.
Attheshout,Elenahadpulledbackautomaticallyintotheshadows.Now,shelookedatthemen’sfacesastheyturnedtowardhim.BesidesMr.Smallwood,sherecognizedMr.ForbesandMr.Bennett,VickieBennett’sfather.Theothersmustbethefathersoftheotherguyswho’dbeenwithTylerintheQuonsethut,shethought.
Itwasoneofthestrangerswhoansweredthequestion,inadrawlthatcouldn’tquitehidethenervousnessunderneath.“Wellnow,wejustgotalittletiredofwaitinganylonger.Wedecidedtospeedthingsupabit.”
Thewolfgrowled,alowrumblingthatrosetoachainsawsnarl.Allthemenflinchedback,andAlaric’seyesshowedwhiteashenoticedtheanimalforthefirsttime.
Therewasanothersound,softerandcontinuous,comingfromafigurehuddlednexttooneofthecars.
CarolineForbeswaswhimperingoverandover,“Theysaidtheyjustwantedtotalktohim.Theydidn’ttellmewhattheyweregoingtodo.”
Alaric,withoneeyeonthewolf,gesturedtowardher.“Andyouweregoingtoletherseethis?Ayounggirl?Doyourealizethepsychologicaldamagethatcoulddo?”
“Whataboutthepsychologicaldamagewhenherthroatgetsrippedout?”Mr.Forbesreturned,andtherewereshoutsofagreement.“That’swhatwe’reworriedabout.”
“Thenyou’dbetterworryaboutgettingtherightman,”Alaricsaid.“Caroline,”headded,turningtowardthegirl,“Iwantyoutothink,Caroline.Wedidn’tgettofinishyoursessions.IknowwhenweleftoffyouthoughtyourecognizedStefan.But,areyouabsolutelypositiveitwashim?Couldithavebeensomebodyelse,somebodywhoresembledhim?”
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Carolinestraightened,bracingherselfagainstthecarandraisingatear-stainedface.ShelookedatStefan,whowasjustsittingup,andthenatAlaric.“I…”
“Think,Caroline.Youhavetobeabsolutelycertain.Istheresomeoneelseitcouldhavebeen,like—”
“LikethatguywhocallshimselfDamonSmith,”cameMeredith’svoice.ShewasstandingbesideAlaric’scar,aslimshadow.“Yourememberhim,Caroline?HecametoAlaric’sfirstparty.HelookslikeStefaninsomeways.”
TensionheldElenainperfectsuspensionasCarolinestared,uncomprehending.Then,slowly,theauburn-hairedgirlbegantonod.
“Yes…itcouldhavebeen,Isuppose.Everythinghappenedsofast…butitcouldhavebeen.”
“Andyoureallycan’tbesurewhichitwas?”Alaricsaid.
“No…notabsolutelysure.”
“There,”saidAlaric.“Itoldyousheneededmoresessions,thatwecouldn’tbecertainofanythingyet.
She’sstillveryconfused.”Hewaswalking,carefully,towardStefan.Elenarealizedthatthewolfhadwithdrawnbackintotheshadows.Shecouldseeit,butthemenprobablycouldn’t.
Itsdisappearancemadethemmoreaggressive.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?WhoisthisSmith?I’veneverseenhim.”
“ButyourdaughterVickieprobablyhas,Mr.Bennett,”Alaricsaid.“Thatmaycomeoutinmynextsessionwithher.We’lltalkaboutittomorrow;itcanwaitthatlong.RightnowIthinkI’dbettertakeStefantoahospital.”Therewasdiscomfortedshiftingamongsomeofthemen.
“Oh,certainly,andwhilewe’rewaitinganythingcouldhappen,”beganMr.Smallwood.“Anytime,anywhere—”
“Soyou’rejustgoingtotakethelawintoyourownhands,then?”Alaricsaid.Hisvoicesharpened.
“Whetheryou’vegottherightsuspectornot.Where’syourevidencethisboyhassupernaturalpowers?
What’syourproof?Howmuchofafightdidheevenputup?”
“There’sawolfaroundsomewherewhoputupplentyoffight,”Mr.Smallwoodsaid,red-faced.“Maybethey’reinittogether.”
“Idon’tseeanywolf.Isawadog.Maybeoneofthedogsthatgotoutofquarantine.Butwhat’sthatgottodowithit?I’mtellingyouthatinmyprofessionalopinionyou’vegotthewrongman.”
Themenwerewavering,buttherewasstillsomedoubtintheirfaces.Meredithspokeup.
“Ithinkyoushouldknowthatthere’vebeenvampireattacksinthiscountybefore,”shesaid.“AlongtimebeforeStefancamehere.Mygrandfatherwasavictim.Maybesomeofyouhaveheardaboutthat.”ShelookedacrossatCaroline.
Thatwastheendofit.Elenacouldseethemenexchanginguneasyglancesandbackingtowardtheircars.Suddenlytheyallseemedeagertobesomewhereelse.
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Mr.Smallwoodwasonewhostayedbehindtosay,“Yousaidwe’dtalkaboutthistomorrow,Saltzman
.Iwanttohearwhatmysonsaysthenexttimehe’shypnotized.”
Caroline’sfathercollectedherandgotinhiscarfast,mutteringsomethingaboutthisallbeingamistakeandnobodytakingittooseriously.
Asthelastcarpulledaway,ElenarantoStefan.
“Areyouallright?Didtheyhurtyou?”
HemovedawayfromAlaric’ssupportingarm.“SomebodyhitmefrombehindwhileIwastalkingtoCaroline.I’llbeallright—now.”HeshotaglanceatAlaric.“Thanks.Why?”
“He’sonourside,”saidBonnie,joiningthem.“Itoldyou.Oh,Stefan,areyoureallyokay?IthoughtIwasgoingtofaintthereforaminute.Theyweren’tserious.Imean,theycouldn’treallyhavebeenserious
.…”
“Seriousornot,Idon’tthinkweshouldstayhere,”saidMeredith.“DoesStefanreallyneedahospital?”
“No,”Stefansaid,asElenaanxiouslyexaminedthecutonhishead.“Ijustneedrest.Somewheretositdown.”
“I’vegotmykeys.Let’sgotothehistoryroom,”Alaricsaid.
Bonniewaslookingaroundtheshadowsapprehensively.“Thewolf,too?”shesaid,andthenjumpedasashadowcoalescedandbecameDamon.
“Whatwolf?”hesaid.Stefanturnedslightly,wincing.
“Thankyou,too,”hesaidunemotionally.ButStefan’seyeslingeredonhisbrotherwithsomethinglikepuzzlementastheywalkedtotheschoolbuilding.
Inthehallway,Elenapulledhimaside.“Stefan,whydidn’tyounoticethemcomingupbehindyou?Whywereyousoweak?”
Stefanshookhisheadevasively,andsheadded,“Whendidyoufeedlast?Stefan,when?YoualwaysmakesomeexcusewhenI’maround.Whatareyoutryingtodotoyourself?”
“I’mallright,”hesaid.“Really,Elena.I’llhuntlater.”
“Doyoupromise?”
“Ipromise.”
Itdidn’toccurtoElenaatthemomentthattheyhadn’tagreedonwhat“later”meant.Sheallowedhimtoleadherondownthehall.
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werepulleduptoAlaric’sdesk.Alaric,who’djustfinishedarrangingthefurniture,urgedStefanintohisownpaddedchair.
“Okay,whydon’ttherestofyoutakeaseat.”
Theyjustlookedathim.AfteramomentBonniesankdownintoachair,butElenastoodbyStefan,Damoncontinuedtoloungehalfwaybetweenthegroupandthedoor,andMeredithpushedsomepaperstothecenterofAlaric’sdeskandperchedonthecorner.
TheteacherlookfadedfromAlaric’seyes.“Allright,”hesaidandsatdowninoneofthestudents’chairshimself.“Well.”
“Well,”saidElena.
Everyonelookedateveryoneelse.Elenapickedupapieceofcottonfromthefirst-aidkitshe’dgrabbedatthedoorandbegandabbingStefan’sheadwithit.
“Ithinkit’stimeforthatexplanation,”shesaid.
“Right.Yes.Well,youallseemedtohaveguessedI’mnotahistoryteacher…”
“Inthefirstfiveminutes,”Stefansaid.Hisvoicewasquietanddangerous,andwithajoltElenarealizeditremindedherofDamon’s.“Sowhatareyou?”
Alaricmadeanapologeticgestureandsaidalmostdiffidently,“Apsychologist.Notthecouchkind,”headdedhastilyastherestofthemexchangedlooks.“I’maresearcher,anexperimentalpsychologist.
FromDukeUniversity.Youknow,wheretheESPexperimentswerestarted.”
“Theoneswheretheymakeyouguesswhat’sonthecardwithoutlookingatit?”Bonnieasked.
“Yes,well,it’sgoneabitbeyondthatnow,ofcourse.NotthatIwouldn’tlovetotestyouwithRhinecards,especiallywhenyou’reinoneofthosetrances.”Alaric’sfacelitwithscientificinquiry.Thenheclearedhisthroatandwenton.“But—ah—asIwassaying.ItstartedacoupleofyearsagowhenIdidapaperonparapsychology.Iwasn’ttryingtoprovesupernaturalpowersexisted,Ijustwantedtostudywhattheirpsychologicaleffectisonthepeoplewhohavethem.Bonnie,here,isacaseinpoint.”Alaric’svoicetookonalecturer’stone.“Whatdoesitdotoher,mentally,emotionally,tohavetodealwiththesepowers?”
“It’sawful,”Bonnieinterruptedvehemently.“Idon’twantthemanymore.Ihatethem.”
“Well,thereyousee,”Alaricsaid.“You’dhavemadeagreatcasestudy.MyproblemwasthatIcouldn’tfindanybodywithrealpsychicpowerstoexamine.Therewereplentyoffakers,allright—crystalhealers,dowsers,channelers,younameit.ButIcouldn’tfindanythinggenuineuntilIgotatipfromafriendinthepolicedepartment.
“TherewasthiswomandowninSouthCarolinawhoclaimedshe’dbeenbittenbyavampire,andsincethenshewashavingpsychicnightmares.BythattimeIwassousedtofakesIexpectedhertoturnouttobeone,too.Butshewasn’t,atleastnotaboutbeingbitten.Inevercouldproveshewasreallypsychic.”
“Howcouldyoubesureshe’dbeenbitten?”Elenaasked.
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“Therewasmedicalevidence.Tracesofsalivainherwoundsthatweresimilartohumansaliva—butnotquitethesame.Itcontainedananticoagulatoryagentsimilartothatfoundinthesalivaofleeches…”
Alariccaughthimselfandhurriedon.“Anyway,Iwassure.Andthatwashowitstarted.OnceIwasconvincedsomethinghadreallyhappenedtothewoman,Istartedtolookupothercaseslikehers.Thereweren’talotofthem,buttheywereoutthere.Peoplewho’dencounteredvampires.
“Idroppedallmyotherstudiesandconcentratedonfindingvictimsofvampiresandexaminingthem.
AndifIsaysomyself,I’vebecometheforemostexpertinthefield,”Alaricconcludedmodestly.“I’vewrittenanumberofpapers—”
“Butyou’veneveractuallyseenavampire,”Elenainterrupted.“Untilnow,Imean.Isthatright?”
“Well—no.Notintheflesh,asitwere.ButI’vewrittenmonographs…andthings.”Hisvoicetrailedoff.
Elenabitherlip.“Whatwereyoudoingwiththedogs?”sheasked.“Atthechurch,whenyouwerewavingyourhandsatthem.”
“Oh…”Alariclookedembarrassed.“I’vepickedupafewthingshereandthere,youknow.Thatwasaspellanoldmountainmanshowedmeforfendingoffevil.Ithoughtitmightwork.”
“You’vegotalottolearn,”saidDamon.
“Obviously,”Alaricsaidstiffly.Thenhegrimaced.“Actually,IfiguredthatoutrightafterIgothere.Yourprincipal,BrianNewcastle,hadheardofme.HeknewaboutthestudiesIdo.WhenTannerwaskilledandDr.Feinbergfoundnobloodinthebodyandlacerationsmadebyteethintheneck…well,theygavemeacall.Ithoughtitcouldbeabigbreakforme—acasewiththevampirestillinthearea.TheonlyproblemwasthatonceIgothereIrealizedtheyexpectedmetotakecareofthevampire.Theydidn’tknowI’ddealtonlywiththevictimsbefore.And…well,maybeIwasinovermyhead.ButIdidmybesttojustifytheirconfidence—”
“Youfakedit,”Elenaaccused.“ThatwaswhatyouweredoingwhenIheardyoutalkingtothematyourhouseaboutfindingoursupposedlairandallthat.Youwerejustwingingit.”
“Well,notcompletely,”Alaricsaid.“Theoretically,Iamanexpert.”Thenhedidadoubletake.“Whatdoyoumean,whenyouheardmetalkingtothem?”
“Whileyouwereoutsearchingforalair,shewassleepinginyourattic,”Damoninformedhimdryly.
Alaricopenedhismouthandthenshutitagain.
“WhatI’dliketoknowishowMeredithcomesintoallthis,”Stefansaid.Hewasn’tsmiling.
Meredith,whohadbeengazingthoughtfullyatthejumbleofpapersonAlaric’sdeskduringallthis,lookedup.Shespokeevenly,withoutemotion.
“Irecognizedhim,yousee.Icouldn’trememberwhereI’dseenhimatfirst,becauseitwasalmostthreeyearsago.ThenIrealizeditwasatGranddad’shospital.WhatItoldthosemenwasthetruth,Stefan.Mygrandfatherwasattackedbyavampire.”
TherewasalittlesilenceandthenMeredithwenton.“Ithappenedalongtimeago,beforeIwasborn.
Hewasn’tbadlyhurtbyit,butheneverreallygotwell.Hebecame…well,sortoflikeVickie,onlymoreviolent.Itgotsothattheywereafraidhe’dharmhimself,orsomebodyelse.SotheytookhimtoaPage72
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hospital,aplacehe’dbesafe.”
“Amentalinstitution,”Elenasaid.Shefeltapangofsympathyforthedark-hairedgirl.“Oh,Meredith.
Butwhydidn’tyousayanything?Youcouldhavetoldus.”
“Iknow.Icouldhave…butIcouldn’t.Thefamily’skeptitasecretsolong—ortriedanyway.FromwhatCarolinewroteinherdiary,she’dobviouslyheard.Thethingis,nobodyeverbelievedGranddad’sstoriesaboutthevampire.Theyjustthoughtitwasanotherofhisdelusions,andhehadalotofthem.
EvenIdidn’tbelievethem…untilStefancame.Andthen—Idon’tknow,mymindstartedtoputlittlethingstogether.ButIdidn’treallybelievewhatIwasthinkinguntilyoucameback,Elena.”
“I’msurprisedyoudidn’thateme,”Elenasaidsoftly.
“HowcouldI?Iknowyou,andIknowStefan.Iknowyou’renotevil.”Meredithdidn’tglanceatDamon;hemightaswellnothavebeenpresentforalltheacknowledgmentshegavehim.“ButwhenIrememberedseeingAlarictalkingtoGranddadatthehospitalIknewhewasn’t,either.Ijustdidn’tknowexactlyhowtogetallofyoutogethertoproveit.”
“Ididn’trecognizeyou,either,”Alaricsaid.“Theoldmanhadadifferentname—he’syourmother’sfather,right?AndImayhaveseenyouhangingaroundthewaitingroomsometime,butyouwerejustakidwithskinnylegsthen.You’vechanged,”headdedappreciatively.
Bonniecoughed,apointedsound.
Elenawastryingtoarrangethingsinhermind.“Sowhatwerethosemendoingouttherewithastakeifyoudidn’ttellthemtobe?”
“IhadtoaskCaroline’sparentsforpermissiontohypnotizeher,ofcourse.AndIreportedwhatIfoundtothem.Butifyou’rethinkingIhadanythingtodowithwhathappenedtonight,you’rewrong.Ididn’tevenknowaboutit.”
“I’vetoldhimaboutwhatwe’vebeendoing,howwe’vebeenlookingfortheOtherPower,”Meredithsaid.“Andhewantstohelp.”
“IsaidImighthelp,”Alaricsaidcautiously.
“Wrong,”saidStefan.“You’reeitherwithusoragainstus.I’mgratefulforwhatyoudidoutthere,talkingtothosemen,butthefactremainsthatyoustartedalotofthistroubleinthefirstplace.Nowyouhavetodecide:areyouonourside—ortheirs?”
Alariclookedaroundateachofthem,atMeredith’ssteadygazeandBonnie’sraisedeyebrows,atElenakneelingonthefloorandatStefan’salready-healingscalp.ThenheturnedtoglanceatDamon,whowasleaningagainstthewall,darkandsaturnine.“I’llhelp,”hesaidatlast.“Hell,it’stheultimatecasestudy.”
“Allright,then,”Elenasaid.“You’rein.Now,whataboutMr.Smallwoodtomorrow?WhatifhewantsyoutohypnotizeTyleragain?”
“I’llstallhim,”Alaricsaid.“Itwon’tworkforever,butit’llbuysometime.I’lltellhimI’vegottohelpwiththedance—”
“Wait,”saidStefan.“Thereshouldn’tbeadance,notifthere’sanywaytopreventit.You’reongoodPage73
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termswiththeprincipal;youcantalktotheschoolboard.Makethemcancelit.”
Alariclookedstartled.“Youthinksomething’sgoingtohappen?”
“Yes,”Stefansaid.“Notjustbecauseofwhat’shappenedattheotherpublicfunctions,butbecausesomething’sbuildingup.It’sbeenbuildingupallweek;Icanfeelit.”
“SocanI,”Elenasaid.Shehadn’trealizedituntilthatmoment,butthetensionshefelt,thesenseofurgency,wasnotjustfrominsideher.Itwasoutside,allaround.Itthickenedtheair.“Something’sgoingtohappen,Alaric.
Alaricletouthisbreathinasoftwhistle.“Well,Icantrytoconvincethem,but—Idon’tknow.Yourprincipalisdeadsetonkeepingeverythinglookingnormal.Anditisn’tasifIcangiveanyrationalexplanationforwantingtoshutitdown.”
“Tryhard,”Elenasaid.
“Iwill.Andmeanwhile,maybeyoushouldthinkaboutprotectingyourself.IfwhatMeredithsaysisright,thenmostoftheattackshavebeenonyouandpeopleclosetoyou.Yourboyfriendgotdroppedinawell;yourcargotchasedintotheriver;yourmemorialservicewasbrokenup.Meredithsaysevenyourlittlesisterwasthreatened.Ifsomething’sgoingtohappentomorrow,youmightwanttoleavetown.”
ItwasElena’sturntobestartled.Shehadneverthoughtoftheattacksinthatway,butitwastrue.SheheardStefan’sindrawnbreathandfelthisfingerstightenonhers.
“He’sright,”Stefansaid.“Youshouldleave,Elena.Icanstayhereuntil—”
”No.I’mnotgoingwithoutyou.And,”Elenacontinued,slowly,thinkingitout,“I’mnotgoinganywhereuntilwefindtheOtherPowerandstopit.”Shelookedupathimearnestly,speakingquicklynow.“Oh,Stefan,don’tyousee,nobodyelseevenhasachanceagainstit.Mr.Smallwoodandhisfriendsdon’thaveaclue.Alaricthinksyoucanfightitbywavingyourhandsatit.Noneofthemknowwhatthey’reupagainst.We’retheonlyoneswhocanhelp.”
ShecouldseetheresistanceinStefan’seyesandfeelitinthetenorofhismuscles.Butasshekeptonlookingstraightathim,shesawhisobjectionsfallonebyone.Forthesimplereasonthatitwasthetruth,andStefanhatedlying.
“Allright,”hesaidatlast,painfully.“Butassoonasthisisallover,we’releaving.I’mnothavingyoustayinatownwherevigilantesrunaroundwithstakes.”
“Yes.”Elenareturnedthepressureofhisfingerswithhers.“Oncethisisallover,we’llgo.”
StefanturnedtoAlaric.“Andifthere’snowaytotalkthemoutofhavingthedancetomorrow,Ithinkweshouldkeepaneyeonit.Ifsomethingdoeshappen,wemaybeabletostopitbeforeitgetsoutofhand.”
“That’sagoodidea,”Alaricsaid,perkingup.“Wecouldmeettomorrowafterdarkhereinthehistoryroom.Nobodycomeshere.Wecouldkeepupawatchallnight.”
ElenatiltedadoubtfuleyetowardBonnie.“Well…itwouldmeanmissingthedanceitself—forthoseofuswhocouldhavegone,Imean.”
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Bonniedrewherselfup.“Oh,whocaresaboutmissingadance?”shesaidindignantly.“Whatonearthdoesadancemattertoanyone?”
“Right,”saidStefangravely.“Thenit’ssettled.”Aspasmofpainseemedtoovertakehimandhewinced,lookingdown.Elenawasimmediatelyconcerned.
“Youneedtogethomeandrest,”shesaid.“Alaric,canyoudriveus?It’snotthatfar.”
Stefanprotestedthathewasperfectlyabletowalk,butintheendhegavein.Attheboardinghouse,afterStefanandDamonhadgottenoutofthecar,ElenaleanedinAlaric’swindowforonelastquestion.
IthadbeengnawingathermindeversinceAlarichadtoldthemhisstory.
“Aboutthosepeoplewho’dencounteredvampires,”shesaid.“Justwhatwerethepsychologicaleffects?
Imean,didtheyallgocrazyorhavenightmares?Wereanyofthemokay?”
“Itdependsontheindividual,”Alaricsaid.“Andwithhowmanycontactsthey’dhad,andwhatkindofcontactstheywere.Butmostlyjustwiththepersonalityofthevictim,withhowwelltheindividualmindcancope.”
Elenanodded,andsaidnothinguntilthelightsofAlaric’scarhadbeenswallowedbythesnowyair.
ThensheturnedtoStefan.
“Matt.”
Twelve
StefanlookedatElena,snowcrystalsdustinghisdarkhair.“WhataboutMatt?”
“Iremember—something.It’snotclear.Butthatfirstnight,whenIwasn’tmyself—didIseeMattthen?
DidI—?”
Fearandasicksenseofdismayswelledherthroatandcutherwordsoff.Butshedidn’tneedtofinish,andStefandidn’tneedtoanswer.Shesawitinhiseyes.
“Itwastheonlyway,Elena,”hesaidthen.“Youwouldhavediedwithouthumanblood.Wouldyouratherhaveattackedsomebodyunwilling,hurtthem,maybekilledthem?Theneedcandriveyoutothat.
Isthatwhatyouwouldhavewanted?”
”No,”Elenasaidviolently.“ButdidithavetobeMatt?Oh,don’tanswerthat;Ican’tthinkofanybodyelse,either.”Shetookashakybreath.“ButnowI’mworriedabouthim,Stefan.Ihaven’tseenhimsincethatnight.Isheokay?Whathashesaidtoyou?”
“Notmuch,”saidStefan,lookingaway.”‘Leavemealone’wasaboutthegistofit.Healsodeniedthatanythinghappenedthatnight,andsaidthatyouweredead.”
“Soundslikeoneofthoseindividualswhocan’tcope,”Damoncommented.
“Oh,shutup!”saidElena.“Youkeepoutofthis,andwhileyou’reatit,youmightthinkaboutpoorVickieBennett.Howd’youthinkshe’scopingthesedays?”
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girl.”
“Yes,youhave.Don’tplaygameswithme,Damon—thecemetery,remember?Theruinedchurch?Thegirlyouleftwanderingaroundthereinherslip?”
“Sorry,no.AndIusuallydoremembergirlsIleavewanderingintheirslips.”
“IsupposeStefandidit,then,”Elenasaidsarcastically.
AngerflashedtothesurfaceofDamon’seyes,coveredquicklywithadisturbingsmile.
“Maybehedid.Maybeyoudid.It’sallthesametome,exceptthatI’mgettingalittletiredofaccusations.
Andnow—”
“Wait,”saidStefan,withsurprisingmildness.“Don’tgoyet.Weshouldtalk—”
“I’mafraidIhaveapreviousengagement.”Therewasaflurryofwings,andStefanandElenawerealone.
Elenaputaknuckletoherlips.“Damn.Ididn’tmeantomakehimangry.Afterhewasreallyalmostcivilizedallevening.”
“Nevermind,”saidStefan.“Helikestobeangry.WhatwereyousayingaboutMatt?”
ElenasawthewearinessinStefan’sfaceandputanarmaroundhim.“Wewon’ttalkaboutitnow,butIthinktomorrowmaybeweshouldgoseehim.Totellhim…”Elenaliftedherotherhandhelplessly.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewantedtotellMatt;sheonlyknewthatsheneededtodosomething
“Ithink,”saidStefanslowly,“thatyouhadbettergoseehim.Itriedtotalktohim,buthedidn’twanttolistentome.Icanunderstandthat,butmaybeyou’lldobetter.AndIthink,”hepausedandthenwentonresolutely,“Ithinkyou’ddobetteralonewithhim.Youcouldgonow.”
Elenalookedathimhard.“Areyousure?”
“Yes.”
“But—willyoubeallright?Ishouldstaywithyou—”
“I’llbefine,Elena,”Stefansaidgently,“Goon.”
Elenahesitated,thennodded.“Iwon’tbelong,”shepromisedhim.
Unseen,ElenaslippedaroundthesideoftheframehousewiththepeelingpaintandthecrookedmailboxlabeledHoneycutt.Matt’swindowwasunlocked.Carelessboy,shethoughtreprovingly.Don’tyouknowsome-thingmightcomecreepingin?Sheeaseditopen,butofcoursethatwasasfarasshecouldgo.Aninvisiblebarrierthatfeltlikeasoftwallofthickenedairblockedherway.
“Matt,”shewhispered.Theroomwasdark,butshecouldseeavagueshapeonthebed.Adigitalclockwithpalegreennumbersshowedthatitwas12:15.“Matt,”shewhisperedagain.
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Thefigurestirred.“Uh?”
“Matt,Idon’twanttofrightenyou.”Shemadehervoicesoothing,tryingtowakehimgentlyratherthanstartlehimoutofhiswits.“Butit’sme,Elena,andIwantedtotalk.Onlyyou’vegottoaskmeinfirst.
Canyouaskmein?”
“Uh.C’monin.”
Elenawasamazedatthelackofsurpriseinhisvoice.Itwasonlyaftershe’dgottenoverthesillthatsherealizedhewasstillasleep.
“Matt.Matt,”shewhispered,afraidtogotooclose.Theroomwasstiflingandoverheated,theradiatorgoingfullblast.Shecouldseeabarefootstickingoutofthemoundofblanketsonthebedandblondhairatthetop.
“Matt?”Tentatively,sheleanedoverandtouchedhim.
Thatgotaresponse.Withanexplosivegrunt,Mattsatboltupright,whippingaround.Whenhiseyesmethers,theywerewideandstaring.
Elenafoundherselftryingtolooksmallandharmless,nonthreatening.Shebackedawayagainstthewall.“Ididn’tmeantofrightenyou.Iknowit’sashock.Butwillyoutalktome?”
Hesimplywentonstaringather.Hisyellowhairwassweatyandruffleduplikewetchickenfeathers.
Shecouldseehispulsepoundinginhisbareneck.Shewasafraidhewasgoingtogetupanddashoutoftheroom.
Thenhisshouldersrelaxed,slumping,andheslowlyshuthiseyes.Hewasbreathingdeeplybutraggedly.
“Elena.”
“Yes,”shewhispered.
“You’redead.”
“No.I’mhere.”
“Deadpeopledon’tcomeback.Mydaddidn’tcomeback.”
“Ididn’treallydie.Ijustchanged.”Matt’seyeswerestillshutinrepudiation,andElenafeltacoldwaveofhopelessnesswashoverher.“ButyouwishIhaddied,don’tyou?I’llleavenow,”shewhispered.
Matt’sfacecrackedandhestartedtocry.
“No.Oh,no.Oh,don’t,Matt,please.”Shefoundherselfcradlinghim,fightingnottocryherself.“Matt,I’msorry;Ishouldn’tevenhavecomehere.”
“Don’tleave,”hesobbed.“Don’tgoaway.”
“Iwon’t.”Elenalostthefight,andtearsfellontoMatt’sdamphair.“Ididn’tmeantohurtyou,ever,”shesaid.“Notever,Matt.Allthosetimes,allthosethingsIdid—Ineverwantedtohurtyou.Truly…”ThenPage77
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shestoppedtalkingandjustheldhim.
Afterawhilehisbreathingquietedandhesatback,swipinghisfacewithafistfulofsheet.Hiseyesavoidedhers.Therewasalookonhisface,notjustofembarrassment,butofdistrust,asifhewerebracinghimselfforsomethinghedreaded.
“Okay,soyou’rehere.You’realive,”hesaidroughly.“Sowhatdoyouwant?”
Elenawasdumbfounded.
“Comeon,theremustbesomething.Whatisit?”
Newtearswelledup,butElenagulpedthemback.“IguessIdeservethat.IknowIdo.Butforonce,Matt,Iwantabsolutelynothing.Icametoapologize,tosaythatI’msorryforusingyou—notjustthatonenight,butalways.Icareaboutyou,andIcareifyouhurt.IthoughtmaybeIcouldmakethingsbetter.”Afteraheavysilence,sheadded,“IguessIwillleavenow.”
“No,wait.Waitasecond.”Mattscrubbedathisfacewiththesheetagain.“Listen.Thatwasstupid,andI’majerk—”
“Thatwasthetruthandyou’reagentleman.Oryou’d’vetoldmetogotakeahikealongtimeago.”
“No,I’mastupidjerk.Ishouldbebangingmyheadagainstthewallwithjoybecauseyou’renotdead.Iwillinaminute.Listen.”HegrabbedherwristandElenalookedatitinmildsurprise.“Idon’tcareifyou’retheCreaturefromtheBlackLagoon,It,GodzillaandFrankensteinallrolledupintoone.Ijust—”
“Matt.”Panicked,Elenaputherfreehandoverhismouth.
“Iknow.You’reengagedtotheguyintheblackcape.Don’tworry;Irememberhim.Ievenlikehim,thoughGodknowswhy.”Matttookabreathandseemedtocalmdown.“Look,Idon’tknowifStefantoldyou.Hesaidabunchofstufftome—aboutbeingevil,aboutnotbeingsorryforwhathedidtoTyler
.YouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout?”
Elenashuthereyes.“He’sscarcelyeatensincethatnight.Ithinkhe’shuntedonce.Tonighthealmostgothimselfkilledbecausehe’ssoweak.”
Mattnodded.“Soitwasyourbasiccrap.Ishouldhaveknown.”
“Well,itisanditisn’t.Theneedisstrong,strongerthanyoucanimagine.”ItwasdawningonElenathatshehadn’tfedtodayandthatshe’dbeenhungrybeforethey’dsetoutforAlaric’s.“Infact—Matt,I’dbettergo.Justonething—ifthere’sadancetomorrownight,don’tgo.Something’sgoingtohappenthen,somethingbad.We’regoingtotrytoguardit,butIdon’tknowwhatwecando.”
“Who’s‘we’?”Mattsaidsharply.
“StefanandDamon—IthinkDamon—andme.AndMeredithandBonnie…andAlaricSaltzman.
Don’taskaboutAlaric.It’salongstory.”
“Butwhatareyouguardingagainst!”
“Iforgot;youdon’tknow.That’salongstory,too,but…well,theshortansweris,whateverkilledme.
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Whatevermadethosedogsattackpeopleatmymemorialservice.It’ssomethingbad,Matt,that’sbeenaroundFell’sChurchforawhilenow.Andwe’regoingtotrytostopitfromdoinganythingtomorrownight.”Shetriednottosquirm.“Look,I’msorry,butIreallyshouldleave.”Hereyesdrifted,despiteherself,tothebroadblueveininhisneck
Whenshemanagedtotearhergazeawayandlookathisface,shesawshockgivingwaytosuddenunderstanding.Thentosomethingincredible:acceptance.“It’sokay,”Mattsaid.
Shewasn’tsureshe’dheardcorrectly.“Matt?”
“Isaid,it’sokay.Itdidn’thurtmebefore.”
“No.No,Matt,really.Ididn’tcomehereforthat—”
“Iknow.That’swhyIwantto.Iwanttogiveyousomethingyoudidn’taskfor.”Afteramomenthesaid,
“Foroldfriends’sake.”
Stefan,Elenawasthinking.ButStefanhadtoldhertocome,andcomealone.Stefanhadknown,sherealized.Anditwasallright.ItwashisgifttoMatt—andtoher.
ButI’mcomingbacktoyou,Stefan,shethought.
Assheleanedtowardhim,Mattsaid,“I’mgoingtocomeandhelpyoutomorrow,youknow.EvenifI’mnotinvited.”
Thenherlipstouchedhisthroat.
December13,Friday
DearDiary,
Tonight’sthenight.
IknowI’vewrittenthatbefore,orthoughtitatleast.Buttonightisthenight,thebigone,wheneverythingisgoingtohappen.Thisisit.
Stefanfeelsit,too.Hecamebackfromschooltodaytotellmethatthedanceisstillon—Mr.Newcastledidn’twanttocauseapanicbycancelingitorsomething.Whatthey’regoingtodoishave“security”
outside,whichmeansthepolice,Iguess.AndmaybeMr.Smallwoodandsomeofhisfriendswithrifles.
Whatever’sgoingtohappen,Idon’tthinktheycanstopit.
Idon’tknowifwecan,either.
It’sbeensnowingallday.Thepassisblocked,whichmeansnothinggetsinoroutoftownonwheels.
Untilthesnowplowgetsupthere,whichwon’tbeuntilmorning,whichwillbetoolate.
Andtheairhasafunnyfeelingtoit.Notjustsnow.It’sasifsomethingevencolderthanthatiswaiting.
It’spulledbackthewaytheoceanpullsbackbeforeatidalwave.Whenitletsgo…
Ithoughtaboutmyotherdiarytoday,theoneunderthefloorboardsofmybedroomcloset.IfIownanythinganymore,Iownthatdiary.Ithoughtaboutgettingitout,butIdon’twanttogohomeagain.IPage79
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don’tthinkIcouldcope,andIknowAuntJudithcouldn’tifshesawme.
I’msurprisedanybody’sbeenabletocope.Meredith,Bonnie—especiallyBonnie.Well,Meredith,too,consideringwhatherfamilyhasbeenthrough.Matt.
They’regoodandloyalfriends.It’sfunny,IusedtothinkthatwithoutawholegalaxyoffriendsandadmirersIwouldn’tsurvive.NowI’mperfectlyhappywiththree,thankyou.Becausethey’rerealfriends.
Ididn’tknowhowmuchIcaredaboutthembefore.OraboutMargaret,orAuntJuditheven.Andeverybodyatschool…IknowafewweeksagoIwassayingthatIdidn’tcareiftheentirepopulationofRobertE.Leedroppeddead,butthatisn’ttrue.TonightI’mgoingtodomybesttoprotectthem.
IknowI’mjumpingfromsubjecttosubject,butI’mjusttalkingaboutthingsthatareimportanttome.
Kindofgatheringthemtogetherinmymind.Justincase.
Well,it’stime.Stefaniswaiting.I’mgoingtofinishthislastlineandthengo.
Ithinkwe’regoingtowin.Ihopeso.
We’regoingtotry.
Thehistoryroomwaswarmandbrightlylit.Ontheothersideoftheschoolbuilding,thecafeteriawasevenbrighter,shiningwithChristmaslightsanddecorations.Uponarriving,Elenahadscrutinizeditfromacautiousdistance,watchingthecouplesarriveforthedanceandpassbythesheriff’sofficersatthedoor
FeelingDamon’ssilentpresencebehindher,shehadpointedoutagirlwithlong,lightbrownhair.
“VickieBennett,”shesaid.
“I’lltakeyourwordforit,”hereplied.
Now,shelookedaroundtheirmakeshiftheadquartersforthenight.Alaric’sdeskhadbeencleared,andhewasbentoveraroughmapoftheschool.Meredithleanedinbesidehim,herdarkhairsweepinghissleeve.MattandBonniewereoutminglingwiththedancegoersintheparkinglot,andStefanandDamonwereprowlingtheperimeteroftheschoolgrounds.Theyweregoingtotaketurns.
“You’dbetterstayinside,”AlarichadtoldElena.“Allweneedisforsomebodytoseeyouandstartchasingyouwithastake.”
“I’vebeenwalkingaroundtownallweek,”Elenasaid,amused.“IfIdon’twanttobeseen,youdon’tseeme.”Butsheagreedtostayinthehistoryroomandcoordinate.
It’slikeacastle,shethoughtasshewatchedAlaricplotoutthepositionsofsheriff’sofficersandothermenonthemap.Andwe’redefendingit.Meandmyloyalknights.
Theround,flat-facedclockonthewalltickedtheminutesby.Elenawatcheditassheletpeopleinthedoorandletthemoutagain.ShepouredhotcoffeeoutofaThermosforthosewhowantedit.Shelistenedtothereportscomein.
“Everything’squietonthenorthsideoftheschool.”
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“Carolinejustgotcrownedsnowqueen.Bigsurprise.”
“Somerowdykidsintheparkinglot—thesheriffjustroundedthemup…”
Midnightcameandwent.
“Maybewewerewrong,”Stefansaidanhourorsolater.Itwasthefirsttimethey’dallbeeninsidetogethersincethebeginningoftheevening.
“Maybeit’shappeningsomewhereelse,”saidBonnie,emptyingoutabootandpeeringintoit.
“There’snowaytoknowwhereit’sgoingtohappen,”Elenasaidfirmly.“Butweweren’twrongaboutithappening.”
“Maybe,”saidAlaricthoughtfully,“thereisaway.Tofindoutwhereit’sgoingtohappen,Imean.”Asheadsraisedquestioningly,hesaid,“Weneedaprecognition.”
AlleyesturnedtoBonnie.
“Oh,no,”Bonniesaid.“I’mthroughwithallthat.Ihateit.”
“It’sagreatgift—”beganAlaric.
“It’sagreatbigpain.Look,youdon’tunderstand.Theordinarypredictionsarebadenough.ItseemslikemostofthetimeI’mfindingoutthingsIdon’twanttoknow.Butgettingtakenover—that’sawful
AndafterwardIdon’tevenrememberwhatI’vesaid.It’shorrible.”
“Gettingtakenover?”Alaricrepeated.“What’sthat?”
Bonniesighed.“It’swhathappenedtomeinthechurch,”shesaidpatiently.“Icandootherkindsofpredictions,likediviningwithwaterorreadingpalms”—sheglancedatElena,andthenaway—”andstufflikethat.Butthentherearetimeswhen—someone—takesmeoverandjustusesmetotalkforthem.It’slikehavingsomebodyelseinmybody.”
“Likeinthegraveyard,whenyousaidtherewassomethingtherewaitingforme,”saidElena.“Orwhenyouwarnedmenottogonearthebridge.OrwhenyoucametodinnerandsaidthatDeath,mydeath,wasinthehouse.”ShelookedautomaticallyaroundatDamon,whoreturnedhergazeimpassively.Still,thathadbeenwrong,shethought.Damonhadn’tbeenherdeath.Sowhathadtheprophecymeant?Forjustaninstantsomethingglimmeredinhermind,butbeforeshecouldgetagrasponit,Meredithinterrupted.
“It’slikeanothervoicethatspeaksthroughBonnie,”MeredithexplainedtoAlaric.“Sheevenlooksdifferent.Maybeyouweren’tcloseenoughinthechurchtosee.”
“Butwhydidn’tyoutellmeaboutthis?”Alaricwasexcited.“Thiscouldbeimportant.
This—entity—whateveritis—couldgiveusvitalinformation.ItcouldclearupthemysteryoftheOtherPower,oratleastgiveusacluehowtofightit.”
Bonniewasshakingherhead.“No.Itisn’tsomethingIcanjustwhistleup,anditdoesn’tanswerquestions.Itjusthappenstome.AndIhateit.”
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“Youmeanyoucan’tthinkofanythingthattendstosetitoff?Anythingthat’sledtoithappeningbefore?”
ElenaandMeredith,whoknewverywellwhatcouldsetitoff,lookedateachother.Elenabittheinsideofhercheek.ItwasBonnie’schoice.IthadtobeBonnie’schoice.
Bonnie,whowasholdingherheadinherhands,shotasidewaysglancethroughredcurlsatElena.Thensheshuthereyesandmoaned.
“Candles,”shesaid.
“What?”
”Candles.Acandleflamemightdoit.Ican’tbesure,youunderstand;I’mnotpromisinganything—”
“Somebodygoransackthesciencelab,”saidAlaric.
ItwasascenereminiscentofthedayAlarichadcometoschool,whenhe’daskedthemalltoputtheirchairsinacircle.Elenalookedatthecircleoffacesliteerilyfrombelowbythecandle’sflame.TherewasMatt,withhisjawset.Besidehim,Meredith,herdarklashesthrowingshadowsupward.AndAlaric,leaningforwardinhiseagerness.ThenDamon,lightandshadowdancingovertheplanesofhisface.AndStefan,highcheekboneslookingtoosharplydefinedtoElena’seyes.Andfinally,Bonnie,lookingfragileandpaleeveninthegoldenlightofthecandle.
We’reconnected,Elenathought,overcomebythesamefeelingthatshe’dhadinthechurch,whenshehadtakenStefan’sandDamon’shands.Sherememberedathinwhitecircleofwaxfloatinginadishofwater.Wecandoitifwesticktogether
“I’mjustgoingtolookintothecandle,”Bonniesaid,hervoicequiveringslightly.“Andnotthinkofanything.I’mgoingtotryto—leavemyselfopentoit.”Shebegantobreathedeeply,gazingintothecandleflame.
Andthenithappened,justasithadbefore.Bonnie’sfacesmoothedout,allexpressiondrainingaway.
Hereyeswentblankasthestonecherub’sinthegraveyard.
Shedidn’tsayaword.
ThatwaswhenElenarealizedtheyhadn’tagreedonwhattoask.ShegropedthroughhermindtofindaquestionbeforeBonnielostcontact.“WherecanwefindtheOtherPower?”shesaid,justasAlaricblurtedout,“Whoareyou?”Theirvoicesmingled,theirquestionsintertwining.
Bonnie’sblankfaceturned,sweepingthecirclewithsightlesseyes.Thenthevoicethatwasn’tBonnie’svoicesaid,“Comeandsee.”
“Waitaminute,”Mattsaid,asBonniestoodup,stillentranced,andmadeforthedoor.“Where’sshegoing?”
Meredithgrabbedforhercoat.“Arewegoingwithher?”
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“Don’ttouchher!”saidAlaric,jumpingupasBonniewentoutthedoor.
ElenalookedatStefan,andthenatDamon.Withoneaccord,theyfollowed,trailingBonniedowntheempty,echoinghall.
“Wherearewegoing?Whichquestionissheanswering?”Mattdemanded.Elenacouldonlyshakeherhead.AlaricwasjoggingtokeepupwithBonnie’sglidingpace.
Shesloweddownastheyemergedintothesnow,andtoElena’ssurprise,walkeduptoAlaric’scarinthestaffparkinglotandstoodbesideit.
“Wecan’tallfit;I’llfollowwithMatt,”Meredithsaidswiftly.Elena,herskinchilledwithapprehensionaswellascoldair,gotinthebackofAlaric’scarwhenheopeneditforher,withDamonandStefanoneitherside.Bonniesatupfront.Shewaslookingstraightahead,andshedidn’tspeak.ButasAlaricpulledoutoftheparkinglot,sheliftedonewhitehandandpointed.RightonLeeStreetandthenleftonArborGreen.StraightouttowardElena’shouseandthenrightonThunderbird.HeadingtowardOldCreekRoad.
ItwasthenthatElenarealizedwheretheyweregoing.
Theytooktheotherbridgetothecemetery,theoneeveryonealwayscalled“thenewbridge”todistinguishitfromWickeryBridge,whichwasnowgone.Theywereapproachingfromthegateside,thesideTylerhaddrivenupwhenhetookElenatotheruinedchurch.
Alaric’scarstoppedjustwhereTyler‘shadstopped.Meredithpulledupbehindthem.
Withaterriblesenseofdéjàvu,Elenamadethetrekupthehillandthroughthegate,followingBonnietowheretheruinedchurchstoodwithitsbelfrypointinglikeafingertothestormysky.Attheemptyholethathadoncebeenthedoorway,shebalked.
“Whereareyoutakingus?”shesaid.“Listentome.Willyoujusttelluswhichquestionyou’reanswering?”
“Comeandsee.”
Helplessly,Elenalookedattheothers.Thenshesteppedoverthethreshold.Bonniewalkedslowlytothewhitemarbletomb,andstopped.
Elenalookedatit,andthenatBonnie’sghostlyface.Everyhaironherarmsandthebackofherneckwasstandingup.“Oh,no…”shewhispered.“Notthat.”
“Elena,whatareyoutalkingabout?”Meredithsaid.
Dizzy,ElenalookeddownatthemarblecountenancesofThomasandHonoriaFell,lyingonthestonelidoftheirtomb.“Thisthingopens,”shewhispered.
Thirteen
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thanshehadwhenTylerhadsuggestedopeningittovandalizeit.“Maybewewon’tbeabletogetitopen,”sheadded.“TylerandDickcouldn’t.ItstartedtoslideonlywhenIleanedonit.”
“Leanonitnow;maybethere’ssomesortofhiddenspringmechanism,”Alaricsuggested,andwhenElenadid,withnoresults,hesaid,“Allright,let’sallgetagrip,andbraceourselves—likethis.Comeon,now—”
Fromhiscrouch,helookedupatDamon,whowasstandingmotionlessnexttothetomb,lookingfaintlyamused.“Excuseme,”Damonsaid,andAlaricsteppedback,frowning.DamonandStefaneachgrippedanendofthestonelidandlifted.
Thelidcameaway,makingagrindingsoundasDamonandStefanslidittothegroundononesideofthetomb.
Elenacouldn’tbringherselftomovecloser.
Instead,fightingnausea,sheconcentratedonStefan’sexpression.Itwouldtellherwhatwastobefoundinthere.Picturescrashedthroughhermind,ofparchment-coloredmummifiedbodies,ofrottingcorpses,ofgrinningskulls.IfStefanlookedhorrifiedorsickened,disgusted…
ButasStefanlookedintotheopentomb,hisfaceregisteredonlydisconcertedsurprise.
Elenacouldn’tstanditanylonger.“Whatisit?”
HegaveheracrookedsmileandsaidwithaglanceatBonnie,“Comeandsee.”
Elenaincheduptothetombandlookeddown.Thenherheadflewup,andsheregardedStefaninastonishment.
“Whatisit?”
“Idon’tknow,”hereplied.HeturnedtoMeredithandAlaric.“Doeseitherofyouhaveaflashlight?Orsomerope?”
Afteralookinsidethestonebox,theybothheadedfortheircars.Elenaremainedwhereshewas,staringdown,straininghernightvision.Shestillcouldn’tbelieveit.
Thetombwasnotatomb,butadoorway.
Nowsheunderstoodwhyshehadfeltacoldwindblowfromitwhenithadshiftedbeneathherhandthatnight.Shewaslookingdownintoakindofvaultorcellarintheground.Shecouldseeonlyonewall,theonethatdroppedstraightdownbelowher,andthatonehadironrungsdrivenintothestone,likealadder.
“Hereyougo,”MeredithsaidtoStefan,returning.“Alaric’sgotaflashlight,andhere’smine.Andhere’stheropeElenaputinmycarwhenwewentlookingforyou.”
ThenarrowbeamofMeredith’sflashlightsweptthedarkroombelow.“Ican’tseeveryfarinside,butitlooksempty,”Stefansaid.“I’llgodownfirst.”
“Godown?”saidMatt.“Look,areyousurewe’resupposedtogodown?Bonnie,howaboutit?”
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Bonniehadn’tmoved.Shewasstillstandingtherewiththatutterlyabstractedexpressiononherface,asifshesawnothingaroundher.Withoutaword,sheswungalegovertheedgeofthetomb,twisted,andbegantodescend.
“Whoa,”saidStefan.Hetuckedtheflashlightinhisjacketpocket,putahandonthetomb’sfoot,andjumped.
ElenahadnotimetoenjoyAlaric’sexpression;sheleaneddownandshouted,“Areyouokay?”
“Fine.”Theflashlightwinkedatherfrombelow.“Bonniewillbeallright,too.Therungsgoallthewaydown.Betterbringtheropeanyway.”
ElenalookedatMatt,whowasclosest.Hisblueeyesmetherswithhelplessnessandacertainresignation,andhenodded.ShetookadeepbreathandputahandonthefootofthetombasStefanhad.Anotherhandsuddenlyclampedonherwrist.
“I’vejustthoughtofsomething,”Meredithsaidgrimly.“WhatifBonnie’sentityistheOtherPower?”
“Ithoughtofthatalongtimeago,”Elenasaid.ShepattedMeredith’shand,prieditoff,andjumped.
ShestoodupintoStefan’ssupportingarmandlookedaround.“MyGod…”
Itwasastrangeplace.Thewallswerefacedwithstone.Theyweresmoothandalmostpolished-looking.Drivenintothematintervalswereironcandelabra,someofwhichhadtheremainsofwaxcandlesinthem.Elenacouldnotseetheotherendoftheroom,buttheflashlightshowedawrought-irongatequiteclose,likethegateinsomechurchesusedtoscreenoffanaltar.
Bonniewasjustreachingthebottomoftherungladder.Shewaitedsilentlywhiletheothersdescended,firstMatt,thenMeredith,thenAlaricwiththeotherflashlight.
Elenalookedup.“Damon?”
Shecouldseehissilhouetteagainstthelighterblackrectanglethatwasthetomb’sopeningtothesky.
“Well?”
“Areyouwithus?”sheasked.Not“Areyoucomingwithus?”Sheknewhewouldunderstandthedifference.
Shewaitedfiveheartbeatsinthesilencethatfollowed.Six,seven,eight…
Therewasarushofair,andDamonlandedneatly.Buthedidn’tlookatElena.Hiseyeswereoddlydistant,andshecouldreadnothinginhisface.
“It’sacrypt,”Alaricwassayinginwonder,ashisflashlightscythedthroughthedarkness.“Anundergroundchamberbeneathachurch,usedasaburialplace.They’reusuallybuiltunderlargerchurches.”
Bonniewalkedstraightuptothescrolledgateandplacedonesmallwhitehandonit,openingit.Itswungawayfromher.
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Elena’sheartbeatswerecomingtooquicklytocountnow.Somehowsheforcedherlegstomoveforward,tofollowBonnie.Hersharpenedsenseswerealmostpainfullyacute,buttheycouldtellhernothingaboutwhatshewaswalkinginto.ThebeamfromStefan’sflashlightwassonarrow,anditshowedonlytherockfloorahead,andBonnie’senigmaticform.
Bonniestopped.
Thisisit,thoughtElena,herbreathcatchinginherthroat.Oh,myGod,thisisit;thisisreallyit.Shehadthesuddenintensesensationofbeinginthemiddleofaluciddream,onewheresheknewshewasdreamingbutcouldn’tchangeanythingorwakeup.Hermusclesdeadlocked.
Shecouldsmellfearfromtheothers,andshecouldfeelthesharpedgeofitfromStefanbesideher.HisflashlightskimmedoverobjectsbeyondBonnie,butatfirstElena’seyescouldmakenosenseofthem.
Shesawangles,planes,contours,andthensomethingleapedintofocus.Adead-whiteface,hanginggrotesquelysideways…
Thescreamnevergotoutofherthroat.Itwasonlyastatue,andthefeatureswerefamiliar.Theywerethesameasonthelidofthetombabove.Thistombwasthetwinoftheonetheyhadcomethrough.
Exceptthatthisonehadbeenravaged,thestonelidbrokenintwoandflungagainstthewallofthecrypt.
Somethingwasscatteredaboutthefloorlikefragileivorysticks.Bitsofmarble,Elenatoldherbraindesperately;it’sonlymarble,bitsofmarble.
Theywerehumanbones,splinteredandcrushed.
Bonnieturnedaround.
Herheart-shapedfaceswungasifthosefixedblankeyesweresurveyingthegroup.SheendeddirectlyfacingElena.
Then,withashudder,shestumbledandpitchedviolentlyforwardlikeamarionettewhosestringshavebeencut.
Elenabarelycaughther,halffallingherself.“Bonnie?Bonnie?”Thebrowneyesthatlookedupather,dilatedanddisoriented,wereBonnie’sownfrightenedeyes.“Butwhathappened?”Elenademanded.
“Wherediditgo?”
“Iamhere.”
Abovetheplunderedtomb,ahazylightwasshowing.No,notalight,Elenathought.Shewassensingitwithhereyes,butitwasnotlightinthenormalspectrum.Thiswassomethingstrangerthaninfraredorultraviolet,somethinghumansenseshadnotbeenbuilttosee.Itwasbeingrevealedtoher,forcedonherbrain,bysomeoutsidePower.
“TheOtherPower,”shewhispered,herbloodfreezing.
“No,Elena.”
Thevoicewasnotsound,inthesamewaythatthevisionwasnotlight.Itwasquietasstarshine,andsad.Itremindedherofsomething.
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andeddy,andforamomentElenaglimpsedinitaface,agentle,sadface.Andthensheknew.
“I’vebeenwaitingforyou,”HonoriaFell’svoicesaidsoftly.“HereIcanspeaktoyouatlastinmyownform,andnotthroughBonnie’slips.Listentome.Yourtimeisshort,andthedangerisverygreat.”
Elenafoundhertongue.“Butwhatisthisroom?Whydidyoubringushere?”
“Youaskedmeto.Icouldn’tshowyouuntilyouasked.Thisisyourbattleground.”
“Idon’tunderstand.”
“ThiscryptwasbuiltformebythepeopleofFell’sChurch.Arestingplaceformybody.Asecretplaceforonewhohadsecretpowersinlife.LikeBonnie,Iknewthingsnooneelsecouldknow.Isawthingsnooneelsecouldsee.”
“Youwerepsychic,”Bonniewhisperedhuskily.
“Inthosedays,theycalleditwitchery.ButIneverusedmypowersforharm,andwhenIdiedtheybuiltmethismonumentsothatmyhusbandandIcouldlieinpeace.Butthen,aftermanyyears,ourpeacewasdisturbed.”
Theeldritchlightebbedandflowed,Honoria’sformwavering.“AnotherPowercametoFell’sChurch,fullofhatredanddestruction.Itdefiledmyrestingplaceandscatteredmybones.Itmadeitshomehere.
Itwentouttoworkevilagainstmytown.Iwoke.
“Ihavetriedtowarnyouagainstitfromthebeginning,Elena.Itlivesherebelowthegraveyard.Ithasbeenwaitingforyou,watchingyou.Sometimesintheformofanowl—”
Anowl.Elena’smindracedahead.Anowl,liketheowlshehadseennestinginthebelfryofthechurch.
Liketheowlthathadbeeninthebarn,liketheowlintheblacklocusttreebyherhouse.
Whiteowl…huntingbird…flesheater…shethought.Andthensherememberedgreatwhitewingsthatseemedtostretchtothehorizononeitherside.Agreatbirdmadeofmistorsnow,comingafterher,focusedonher,fullofbloodlustandanimalhate…
“No!”shecried,memoryengulfingher.
ShefeltStefan’shandsonhershoulders,hisfingersdigginginalmostpainfully.Itbroughtherbacktoreality.HonoriaFellwasstillspeaking.
“Andyou,Stefan,ithasbeenwatchingyou.IthatedyoubeforeithatedElena.Ithasbeentormentingyouandplayingwithyoulikeacatwithamouse.Ithatesthoseyoulove.Itisfullofpoisonedloveitself.”
Elenalookedinvoluntarilybehindher.ShesawMeredith,Alaric,andMattstandingfrozen.BonnieandStefanwerenexttoher.ButDamon…wherewasDamon?
“Itshatredhasgrownsogreatthatanydeathwilldo,anybloodspilledwillgiveitpleasure.Rightnow,theanimalsitcontrolsareslinkingoutofthewoods.Theyaremovingtowardthetown,towardthelights.”
“TheSnowDance!”Meredithsaidsharply.
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“Yes.Andthistimetheywillkilluntilthelastofthemiskilled.”
“Wehavetowarnthosepeople,”Mattsaid.“Everyoneatthatdance—”
“Youwillneverbesafeuntilthemindthatcontrolsthemisdestroyed.Thekillingwillgoon.YoumustdestroythePowerthathates;thatiswhyIhavebroughtyouhere.”
Therewasanotherfluxinthelight;itseemedtobereceding.“Youhavethecourage,ifyoucanfindit.
Bestrong.ThisistheonlyhelpIcangiveyou.”
“Wait—please—”Elenabegan.
Thevoicecontinuedrelentlessly,takingnoheedofher.“Bonnie,youhaveachoice.Yoursecretpowersarearesponsibility.Theyarealsoagift,andonethatcanbetakenaway.Doyouchoosetorelinquishthem?”
“I—”Bonnieshookherhead,frightened.“Idon’tknow.Ineedtime…”
“Thereisnotime.Choose.”Thelightwasdwindling,cavinginonitself.
Bonnie’seyeswerebewilderedanduncertainasshesearchedElena’sfaceforhelp.“It’syourchoice,”
Elenawhispered.“Youhavetodecideforyourself.”
Slowly,theuncertaintyleftBonnie’sface,andshenodded.ShestoodawayfromElena,withoutsupport,turningbacktothelight.“I’llkeepthem,”shesaidhuskily.“I’lldealwiththemsomehow.Mygrandmotherdid.”
Therewasaflickerofsomethinglikeamusementfromthelight.“You’vechosenwisely.Mayyouusethemaswell.ThisisthelasttimeIwillspeaktoyou.”
“But—”
“Ihaveearnedmyrest.Thefightisyours.”Andtheglowfaded,likethelastembersofadyingfire.
Withitgone,Elenacouldfeelthepressureallaroundher.Somethingwasgoingtohappen.Somecrushingforcewascomingtowardthem,orhangingoverthem.“Stefan—”
Stefanfeltittoo;shecouldtell.“Comeon,”Bonniesaid,hervoicepanicked.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”
“Wehavetogettothedance,”Mattgasped.Hisfacewaswhite.“Wehavetohelpthem—”
“Fire,”criedBonnie,lookingstartled,asifthethoughthadjustcometoher.“Firewon’tkillthem,butitwillholdthemoff—”
“Didn’tyoulisten?WehavetofacetheOtherPower.Andit’shere,righthere,rightnow.Wecan’tgo!”
Elenacried.Hermindwasfilledwithturmoil.Images,memories,andadreadfulforeboding.Bloodlust…
shecouldfeelit…
“Alaric.”Stefanspokewiththeringofcommand.“Yougoback.Taketheothers;dowhatyoucan.I’llPage88
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stay—”
“Ithinkweallshouldleave!”Alaricshouted.Hehadtoshouttobeheardoverthedeafeningnoisesurroundingthem.
HisweavingflashlightshowedElenasomethingshehadn’tnoticedbefore.Inthewallnexttoherwasagapinghole,asifthestonefacinghadbeenrippedaway.Andbeyondwasatunnelintotherawearth,blackandendless.
Wheredoesitgo?Elenawondered,butthethoughtwaslostamongthetumultofherfear.Whiteowl…
huntingbird…flesheater…crow,shethought,andsuddenlysheknewwithblindingclaritywhatshewasafraidof.
“Where’sDamon?”shescreamed,draggingStefanaroundassheturned,looking.“Where’sDamon?”
“Getout!”criedBonnie,hervoiceshrillwithterror.Shethrewherselftowardthegatejustasthesoundsplitthedarkness.
Itwasasnarl,butnotadog’ssnarl.Itcouldneverbemistakenforthat.Itwassomuchdeeper,heavier,moreresonant.Itwasahugesound,anditreekedofthejungle,ofthehuntingbloodlust.ItreverberatedinElena’schest,jarredherbones.
Itparalyzedher.
Thesoundcameagain,hungryandsavage,butsomehowalmostlazy.Thatconfident.Andwithitcameheavyfootfallsfromthetunnel.
Bonniewastryingtoscream,makingonlyathinwhistlingsound.Intheblacknessofthetunnel,somethingwascoming.Ashapethatmovedwitharangyfelineswing.Elenarecognizedthesnarlnow.Itwasthesoundofthelargestofthehuntingcats,largerthanalion.Thetiger’seyesshowedyellowasitreachedtheendofthetunnel.
Andtheneverythinghappenedatonce.
ElenafeltStefantrytopullherbackwardtogetheroutoftheway.Butherownpetrifiedmuscleswereahindrancetohim,andsheknewthatitwastoolate.
Thetiger’sleapwasgraceitself,powerfulmuscleslaunchingitintotheair.Inthatinstant,shesawitasifcaughtinthelightofaflashbulb,andhermindnotedtheleanshiningflanksandthesupplebackbone.Buthervoicescreamedoutonitsown.
“Damon,no!”
Itwasonlyastheblackwolfsprangoutofthedarknesstomeetitthatsherealizedthetigerwaswhite.
Thegreatcat’srushwasthrownoffbythewolf,andElenafeltStefanwrenchheroutoftheway,pullinghersidewaystosafety.Hermuscleshadmeltedlikesnowflakes,andsheyieldednumblyasheputheragainstthewall.Thelidofthetombwasbetweenherandthesnarlingwhiteshapenow,butthegatewasontheothersideofthefight.
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roaredinherears.AmomentagoshehadbeencertainDamonhadbeenplayingwiththemallthistime,thathehadbeentheOtherPowerallalong.Butthemaliceandthebloodlustthatemanatedfromthetigerwereunmistakable.Thiswaswhathadchasedherinthegraveyard,andfromtheboardinghousetotheriverandherdeath.ThiswhitePowerthatthewolfwasfightingtokill.
Itwasanimpossiblematch.Theblackwolf,viciousandaggressivethoughitmightbe,didn’tstandachance.Oneswipeofthetiger’shugeclawslaidthewolf’sshoulderopentothebone.Itsjawssnarledopenasittriedtogetabone-crackinggriponthewolf’sneck.
ButthenStefanwasthere,trainingtheblazeoftheflashlightintothecat’seyes,thrustingthewoundedwolfoutoftheway.Elenawishedshecouldscream,wishedshecoulddosomethingtoreleasethisrushingacheinsideher.Shedidn’tunderstand;shedidn’tunderstandanything.Stefanwasindanger.Butshecouldn’tmove.
“Getout!”Stefanwasshoutingtotheothers.”Doitnow;getout!”
Fasterthananyhuman,hedartedoutofthewayofawhitepaw,keepingthelightinthetiger’seyes.
Meredithwasontheothersideofthegatenow.MattwashalfcarryingandhalfdraggingBonnie.Alaricwasthrough.
Thetigerlungedandthegatecrashedshut.Stefanfelltotheside,slippingashetriedtoscrambleupagain.
“Wewon’tleaveyou—”Alariccried.
“Go!”shoutedStefan.“Gettothedance;dowhatyoucan!Go!”
Thewolfwasattackingagain,despitethebleedingwoundsinitshead,anditsshoulderwheremuscleandtendonlayexposedandshining.Thetigerfoughtback.TheanimalsoundsrosetoavolumethatElenacouldn’tstand.Meredithandtheothersweregone;Alaric’sflashlighthaddisappeared.
“Stefan!”shescreamed,seeinghimpoisedtojumpintothefightagain.
Ifhedied,shewoulddie,too.Andifshehadtodie,shewantedittobewithhim.
Theparalysislefther,andshestumbledtowardhim,sobbing,reachingouttoclutchhimtightly.Shefelthisarmaroundherasheheldherwithhisbodybetweenherandthenoiseandviolence.Butshewasstubborn,asstubbornashewas.Shetwisted,andthentheyfacedittogether.
Thewolfwasdown.Itwaslyingonitsback,andalthoughitsfurwastoodarktoshowtheblood,aredpoolgatheredbeneathit.Thewhitecatstoodaboveit,jawsgapinginchesfromthevulnerableblackthroat.
Butthedeath-dealingbitetotheneckdidn’tcome.InsteadthetigerraiseditsheadtolookatStefanandElena.
Withastrangecalmness,Elenafoundherselfnoticingtinydetailsofitsappearance.
Thewhiskerswerestraightandslender,likesilverwires.Itsfurwaspurewhite,stripedwithfaintmarkslikeunburnishedgold.Whiteandgold,shethought,rememberingtheowlinthebarn.Andthatstirredanothermemory…ofsomethingshe’dseen…orsomethingshe’dheardabout…
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Withaheavyswipe,thecatsenttheflashlightflyingoutofStefan’shand.Elenaheardhimhissinpain,butshecouldnolongerseeanythingintheblackness.Wheretherewasnolightatall,evenahunterwasblind.Clingingtohim,shewaitedforthepainofthekillingblow.
Butsuddenlyherheadwasreeling;itwasfullofgrayandspinningfogandshecouldn’tholdontoStefan.Shecouldn’tthink;shecouldn’tspeak.Thefloorseemedtobedroppingawayfromher.Dimly,sherealizedthatPowerwasbeingusedagainsther,thatitwasoverwhelminghermind.
ShefeltStefan’sbodygiving,slumping,fallingawayfromher,andshecouldnolongerresistthefog.Shefellforeverandneverknewwhenshehittheground.
Fourteen
Whiteowl…huntingbird…hunter…tiger.Playingwithyoulikeacatwithamouse.Likeacat…agreatcat…akitten.Awhitekitten.
Deathisinthehouse.
Andthekitten,thekittenhadrunfromDamon.Notoutoffear,butoutofthefearofbeingdiscovered.
LikewhenithadstoodonMargaret’schestandwailedatthesightofElenaoutsidethewindow.
Elenamoanedandalmostsurfacedfromunconsciousness,butthegrayfogdraggedherbackunderbeforeshecouldopenhereyes.Herthoughtsseethedaroundheragain.
Poisonedlove…Stefan,ithatedyoubeforeithatedElena…Whiteandgold…somethingwhite…
somethingwhiteunderthetree…
Thistime,whenshestruggledtoopenhereyes,shesucceeded.Andevenbeforeshecouldfocusinthedimandshiftinglight,sheknew.Shefinallyknew.
Thefigureinthetrailingwhitedressturnedfromthecandleshewaslighting,andElenasawwhatmighthavebeenherownfaceonitsshoulders.Butitwasasubtlydistortedface,paleandbeautifulasanicesculpture,butwrong.ItwasliketheendlessreflectionsofherselfElenahadseeninherdreamofthehallofmirrors.Twistedandhungry,andmocking.
“Hello,Katherine,”shewhispered.
Katherinesmiled,aslyandpredatorysmile.“You’renotasstupidasIthought,”shesaid.
Hervoicewaslightandsweet—silvery,Elenathought.Likehereyelashes.Thereweresilverylightsinherdresswhenshemoved,too.Butherhairwasgold,almostaspaleagoldasElena’sown.Hereyeswerelikethekitten’seyes:roundandjewelblue.Atherthroatsheworeanecklacewithastoneofthesamevividcolor.
Elena’sownthroatwassore,asifshehadbeenscreaming.Itfeltdryaswell.Whensheturnedherheadslowlytotheside,eventhatlittlemotionhurt.
Stefanwasbesideher,slumpedforward,boundbyhisarmstothewrought-ironpicketsofthegate.Hisheadsaggedagainsthischest,butwhatshecouldseeofhisfacewasdeathlywhite.Histhroatwastorn,andbloodhaddrippedontohiscollaranddried.
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ElenaturnedbacktoKatherinesoquicklythatherheadspun.“Why?Whydidyoudothat?”
Katherinesmiled,showingpointedwhiteteeth.“BecauseIlovehim,”shesaidinachildishsingsong.
“Don’tyoulovehim,too?”
ItwasonlythenthatElenafullyrealizedwhyshecouldn’tmove,andwhyherarmshurt.ShewastieduplikeStefan,lashedsecurelytotheclosedgate.ApainfulturningofherheadtotheothersiderevealedDamon.
Hewasinworseshapethanhisbrother.Hisjacketandarmwererippedopen,andthesightofthewoundmadeElenasick.Hisshirthungintatters,andElenacouldseethetinymovementofhisribsashebreathed.Ifithadn’tbeenforthat,shewouldhavethoughthewasdead.Bloodmattedhishairandranintohisclosedeyes.
“Whichonedoyoulikebetter?”Katherineasked,inanintimate,confidingtone.“Youcantellme.Whichonedoyouthinkisbest?”
Elenalookedather,sickened.“Katherine,”shewhispered.“Please.Pleaselistentome…
“Tellme.Goon.”ThosejewelblueeyesfilledElena’svisionasKatherineleanedinclose,herlipsalmosttouchingElena’s.“Ithinkthey’rebothfun.Doyoulikefun,Elena?”
Revolted,Elenashuthereyesandturnedherfaceaway.Ifonlyherheadwouldstopspinning.
Katherinesteppedbackwithaclearlaugh.“Iknow,it’ssohardtochoose.”Shedidalittlepirouette,andElenasawthatwhatshehadvaguelytakenforthetraintoKatherine’sdresswasKatherine’shair.Itflowedlikemoltengolddownherbacktospilloverthefloor,trailingbehindher.
“Italldependsonyourtaste,”Katherinecontinued,doingafewgracefuldancestepsandendingupinfrontofDamon.ShelookedoveratElenaimpishly.“ButthenIhavesuchasweettooth.”ShegraspedDamonbythehair,and,yankinghisheadup,sankherteethintohisneck.
“No!Don’tdothat;don’thurthimanymore…”Elenatriedtosurgeforward,butshewastiedtootightly.Thegatewassolidiron,setinstone,andtheropesweresturdy.Katherinewasmakinganimalsounds,gnawingandchewingattheflesh,andDamonmoanedeveninunconsciousness.Elenasawhisbodyjerkreflexivelywithpain.
“Pleasestop;oh,pleasestop—”
Katherineliftedherhead.Bloodwasrunningdownherchin.“ButI’mhungryandhe’ssogood,”shesaid.Sherearedbackandstruckagain,andDamon’sbodyspasmed.Elenacriedout.
Iwaslikethat,shethought.Inthebeginning,thatfirstnightinthewoods,Iwaslikethat.IhurtStefanlikethat,Iwantedtokillhim…
Darknesssweptuparoundher,andshegaveintoitgratefully.
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Mattjumpedoutofhercar,leavingthedoorsopen.Ahead,AlaricandBonniedidthesame.
“Whatabouttherestofthetown?”Meredithshouted,runningtowardthem.Thewindwasrising,andherfaceburnedwithfrost.
“JustElena’sfamily—AuntJudithandMargaret,”Bonniecried.Hervoicewasshrillandfrightened,buttherewasalookofconcentrationinhereyes.Sheleanedherheadbackasiftryingtoremembersomething,andsaid,“Yes,that’sit.They’retheotheronesthedogswillbeafter.Makethemgosomewhere—likethecellar.Keepthemthere!”“I’lldoit.Youthreetakethedance!”BonnieturnedtorunafterAlaric.Meredithracedbacktohercar.
Thedancewasinthelaststagesofbreakingup.Asmanycoupleswereoutsideasinside,startingtowardtheparkinglot.AlaricshoutedatthemasheandMattandBonniecamepoundingup.
“Gobackin!Geteverybodyinsideandshutthedoors!”heyelledatthesheriff’sofficers.
Buttherewasn’ttime.Hereachedthecafeteriajustasthefirstlurkingshapeinthedarknessdid.Oneofficerwentdownwithoutasoundorachancetofirehisgun.
Anotherwasquicker,andagunshotrangout,amplifiedbytheconcretecourtyard.Studentsscreamedandbegantorunawayfromit,intotheparkinglot.Alaricwentafterthem,yelling,tryingtoherdthemback.
Othershapescameoutofthedarkness,frombetweenparkedcars,fromallsides.Panicensued.Alarickeptshouting,kepttryingtogathertheterrifiedstudentstowardthebuilding.Outheretheywereeasyprey.
Inthecourtyard,BonnieturnedtoMatt.“Weneedfire!”shesaid.Mattdartedintothecafeteriaandcameoutwithaboxhalf-fullofdanceprograms.Hethrewittotheground,gropinginhispocketsforoneofthematchesthey’dusedtolightthecandlebefore.
Thepapercaughtandburnedbrightly.Itformedanislandofsafety.Mattcontinuedtowavepeopleintothecafeteriadoorsbehindit.Bonnieplungedinside,tofindascenejustasriotousasoutside.
Shelookedaroundforsomeoneinauthoritybutcouldn’tseeanyadults,onlypanickedkids.Thentheredandgreencrepepaperdecorationscaughthereye.
Thenoisewasthunderous;evenashoutcouldn’tbeheardinhere.Strugglingpastthepeopletryingtogetout,shemadeittothefarsideoftheroom.Carolinewasthere,lookingpalewithouthersummertan,andwearingthesnowqueentiara.Bonnietowedhertothemicrophone.
“You’regoodattalking.Tellthemtogetinsideandstayin!Tellthemtostarttakingdownthedecorations.Weneedanythingthat’llburn—woodchairs,stuffingarbagecans,anything.Tellthemit’souronlychance!”Sheadded,asCarolinestaredather,frightenedanduncomprehending:“You’vegotthecrownonnow—sodosomethingwithit!”
Shedidn’twaittoseeCarolineobey.Sheplungedagainintothefuroroftheroom.AmomentlatersheheardCaroline’svoice,firsthesitantandthenurgent,ontheloudspeakers.
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ItwasdeadquietwhenElenaopenedhereyesagain.
“Elena?”
Atthehoarsewhisper,shetriedtofocusandfoundherselflookingintopain-filledgreeneyes.
“Stefan,”shesaid.Sheleanedtowardhimyearningly,wishingshecouldmove.Itdidn’tmakesense,butshefeltthatiftheycouldonlyholdeachotheritwouldn’tbesobad.
Therewasachildishlaugh.Elenadidn’tturntowardit,butStefandid.Elenasawhisreaction,sawthesequenceofexpressionspassingacrosshisfacealmosttooquicklytoidentify.Blankshock,disbelief,dawningjoy—andthenhorror.Ahorrorthatfinallyturnedhiseyesblindandopaque.
“Katherine,”hesaid.“Butthat’simpossible.Itcan’tbe.You’redead…”
“Stefan…”Elenasaid,buthedidn’trespond.
Katherineputahandinfrontofhermouthandgiggledbehindit.
“Youwakeup,too,”shesaid,lookingontheothersideofElena.ElenafeltasurgeofPower.AfteramomentDamon’sheadliftedslowly,andheblinked.
Therewasnoastonishmentinhisface.Heleanedhisheadback,eyeswearilynarrowed,andlookedforaminuteorsoathiscaptor.Thenhesmiled,afaintandpainfulsmile,butrecognizable.
“Oursweetlittlewhitekitten,”hewhispered.“Ishouldhaveknown.”
“Youdidn’tknow,though,didyou?”Katherinesaid,aseagerasachildplayingagame.“Evenyoudidn’tguess.Ifooledeveryone.”Shelaughedagain.“Itwassomuchfun,watchingyouwhileyouwerewatchingStefan,andneitherofyouknewIwasthere.Ievenscratchedyouonce!”Hookingherfingersintoclaws,shemimickedakitten’sslash.
“AtElena’shouse.Yes,Iremember,”Damonsaidslowly.Hedidn’tseemsomuchangryasvaguely,whimsicallyamused.“Well,you’recertainlyahunter.Theladyandthetiger,asitwere.”
“AndIputStefaninthatwell,”Katherinebragged.“Isawyoutwofighting;Ilikedthat.IfollowedStefantotheedgeofthewoods,andthen—”Sheclappedhercuppedhandstogether,likesomeonecatchingamoth.Openingthemslowly,shepeereddownintothemasifshereallyhadsomethingthere,andgiggledsecretly.“Iwasgoingtokeephimtoplaywith,”sheconfided.ThenherlowerlipthrustoutandshelookedatElenabalefully.“Butyoutookhim.Thatwasmean,Elena.Youshouldn’thavedonethat.”
Thedreadfulchildishslynesswasgonefromherface,andforamomentElenaglimpsedthesearinghatredofawoman.
“Greedygirlsgetpunished,”Katherinesaid,movingtowardher,“andyou’reagreedygirl.”
“Katherine!”Stefanhadwokenfromhisdaze,andhespokequickly.“Don’tyouwanttotelluswhatelseyou’vedone?”
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Distracted,Katherinesteppedback.Shelookedsurprised,thenflattered.
“Well—ifyoureallywantmeto,”shesaid.Shehuggedherelbowswithherhandsandpirouettedagain,hergoldenhairtwistingonthefloor.“No,”shesaidgleefully,turningbackandpointingatthem.“Youguess.YouguessandI’lltellyou‘right’or‘wrong.’Goon!
Elenaswallowed,castingacovertglanceatStefan.Shedidn’tseethepointofstallingKatherine;itwasallgoingtocomeoutthesameintheend.Butsomeinstincttoldhertohangontolifeaslongasshecould.
“YouattackedVickie,”shesaid,carefully.Herownvoicesoundedwindedtoherears,butshewaspositivenow.“Thegirlintheruinedchurchthatnight.”
“Good!Yes,”Katherinecried.Shemadeanotherkittenswipewithclawedfingers.“Well,afterall,shewasinmychurch,”sheaddedreasonably.“Andwhatsheandthatboyweredoing—well!Youdon’tdothatinchurch.So,Iscratchedher!”Katherinedrewouttheword,demonstrating,likesomebodytellingastorytoayoungchild.“And…Ilickedthebloodup!”Shelickedpalepinklipswithhertongue.ThenshepointedatStefan.“Nextguess!”
“You’vebeenhoundinghereversince,”Stefansaid.Hewasn’tplayingthegame;hewasmakingasickenedobservation.
“Yes,we’redonewiththat!Goontosomethingelse,”Katherinesaidsharply.Butthenshefiddledwiththebuttonsattheneckofherdress,herfingerstwinkling.AndElenathoughtofVickie,withherstartled-fawneyes,undressinginthecafeteriainfrontofeveryone.“Imadeherdosillythings.”Katherinelaughed.“Shewasfuntoplaywith.”
Elena’sarmswerenumbandcramped.Sherealizedthatshewasreflexivelystrainingagainsttheropes,sooffendedbyKatherine’swordsthatshecouldn’tholdstill.Shemadeherselfstop,tryinginsteadtoleanbackandgetalittlefeelingintoherdeadenedhands.Whatshewasgoingtodoifshegotfreeshedidn’tknow,butshehadtotry.
“Nextguess,”Katherinewassayingdangerously.
“Whydoyousayit’syourchurch?”Damonasked.Hisvoicewasstilldistantlyamused,asifnoneofthisaffectedhimatall.“WhataboutHonoriaFell?”
“Oh,thatoldspook!”Katherinesaidmaliciously.ShepeeredaroundbehindElena,hermouthpursed,hereyesglaring.Elenarealizedforthefirsttimethattheywerefacingtheentrancetothecrypt,withtheransackedtombbehindthem.MaybeHonoriawouldhelpthem…
Butthensherememberedthatquiet,fadingvoice.ThisistheonlyhelpIcangiveyou.Andsheknewthatnofurtheraidwouldcome.
Asifshe’dreadElena’sthoughts,Katherinewassaying,“Shecan’tdoanything.She’sjustapackofoldbones.”ThegracefulhandsmadegesturesasifKatherinewerebreakingthosebones.“Allshecandoistalk,andlotsoftimesIstoppedyoufromhearingher.”Katherine’sexpressionwasdarkagain,andElenafeltanacidtwingeoffear.
“YoukilledBonnie’sdog,Yangtze,”shesaid.Itwasarandomguess,thrownouttodivertKatherine,butitworked.
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“Yes!Thatwasfunny.Youallcamerunningoutofthehouseandstartedmoaningandcrying…”
Katherineevokedthesceneinpantomime:thelittledoglyinginfrontofBonnie’shouse,thegirlsrushingouttofindhisbody.“Hetastedbad,butitwasworthit.IfollowedDamontherewhenhewasacrow.Iusedtofollowhimalot.IfIwantedIcouldhavegrabbedthatcrow,and…”Shemadeasharpwringingmotion.
Bonnie’sdream,thoughtElena,icyrevelationsweepingoverher.Shedidn’tevenrealizeshe’dspokenalouduntilshesawStefanandKatherinelookingather.“Bonniedreamedaboutyou,”shewhispered.
“Butshethoughtitwasme.Shetoldmethatshesawmestandingunderatreewiththewindblowing.
Andshewasafraidofme.ShesaidIlookeddifferent,palebutalmostglowing.AndacrowflewbyandIgrabbeditandwrungitsneck.”BilewasrisinginElena’sthroat,andshegulpeditdown.“Butitwasyou,”shesaid.
Katherinelookeddelighted,asifElenahadsomehowprovedherpoint.“Peopledreamaboutmealot,”
shesaidsmugly.“Youraunt—she’sdreamedaboutme.Itellheritwasherfaultyoudied.Shethinksit’syoutellingher.”
“Oh,God…”
“Iwishyouhaddied,”Katherinewenton,herfaceturningspiteful.“Youshouldhavedied.Ikeptyouintheriverlongenough.Butyouweresuchatramp,gettingbloodfrombothofthem,thatyoucameback.
Oh,well.”Shegaveafurtivesmile.“NowIcanplaywithyoulonger.Ilostmytemperthatday,becauseIsawStefanhadgivenyoumyring.Myring!”Hervoicerose.”Mine,thatIleftforthemtoremembermeby.Andhegaveittoyou.ThatwaswhenIknewIwasn’tjustgoingtoplaywithhim.Ihadtokillhim.”
Stefan’seyeswerestricken,confounded.“ButIthoughtyouweredead,”hesaid.“Youweredead,fivehundredyearsago.Katherine…”
“Oh,thatwasthefirsttimeIfooledyou,”Katherinesaid,buttherewasnogleeinhertonenow.Itwassullen.“IarrangeditallwithGudren,mymaid.Thetwoofyouwouldn’tacceptmychoice,”sheburstout,lookingfromStefantoDamonangrily.“Iwantedusalltobehappy;Ilovedyou.Ilovedyouboth.
Butthatwasn’tgoodenoughforyou.”
Katherine’sfacehadchangedagain,andElenasawinitthehurtchildoffivecenturiesago.ThatmusthavebeenwhatKatherinelookedlike,then,shethoughtwonderingly.Thewideblueeyeswereactuallyfillingwithtears.
“Iwantedyoutoloveeachother.”
Katherinewenton,soundingbewildered,“butyouwouldn’t.AndIfeltawful.IthoughtifyouthoughtI’ddied,thatyouwouldloveeachother.AndIknewIhadtogoaway,anyway,beforePapastartedtosuspectwhatIwas.
“SoGudrenandIarrangedit,”shesaidsoftly,lostinmemory.“Ihadanothertalismanagainstthesunmade,andIgavehermyring.Andshetookmywhitedress—mybestwhitedress—andashesfromthefireplace.Weburnedfattheresotheasheswouldsmellright.Andsheputthemoutinthesun,whereyouwouldfindthem,alongwithmynote.Iwasn’tsureyou’dbefooled,butyouwere.
“Butthen”—Katherine’sfacetwistedingrief—”youdideverythingallwrong.Youweresupposedtobesorry,andcry,andcomforteachother.Ididitforyou.Butinsteadyouranandgotswords.WhydidPage96
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youdothat?”Itwasacryfromtheheart.“Whydidn’tyoutakemygift?Youtreateditlikegarbage.ItoldyouinthenotethatIwantedyoutobereconciledwitheachother.Butyoudidn’tlistenandyougotswords.Youkilledeachother.Whydidyoudoit?”
TearswereslippingdownKatherine’scheeks,andStefan’sfacewaswet,too.“Wewerestupid,”hesaid,ascaughtupinthememoryofthepastasshewas.“Weblamedeachotherforyourdeath,andweweresostupid…Katherine,listentome.Itwasmyfault;Iwastheonewhoattackedfirst.AndI’vebeensorry—youdon’tknowhowsorryI’vebeeneversince.Youdon’tknowhowmanytimesI’vethoughtaboutitandwishedtherewassomethingIcoulddotochangeit.I’dhavegivenanythingtotakeitback—anything.Ikilledmybrother…”Hisvoicecracked,andtearsspilledfromhiseyes.Elena,herheartbreakingwithgrief,turnedhelplesslytoDamonandsawthathewasn’tevenawareofher.Thelookofamusementwasgone,andhiseyeswerefixedonStefaninutterconcentration,riveted.
“Katherine,pleaselistentome,”Stefansaidshakily,regaininghisvoice.“We’veallhurtoneanotherenough.Pleaseletusgonow.Orkeepme,ifyouwant,butletthemleave.I’mtheonethat’stoblame.
Keepme,andI’lldowhateveryouwant…”
Katherine’sjewel-likeeyeswereliquidandimpossiblyblue,filledwithanendlesssorrow.Elenadidn’tdaretobreathe,afraidtobreakthespellastheslendergirlmovedtowardStefan,herfacesoftenedandyearning.
ButthentheiceinsideKatherinecreptoutagain,freezingthetearsonhercheeks.“Youshouldhavethoughtofthatalongtimeago,”shesaid.“Imighthavelistenedtoyouthen.Iwassorryyou’dkilledeachotheratfirst.Iranaway,withoutevenGudren,backtomyhome.ButthenIdidn’thaveanything,notevenanewdress,andIwashungryandcold.ImighthavestarvedifKlaushadn’tfoundme.”
Klaus.Throughherdismay,ElenarememberedsomethingStefanhadtoldher.Klauswasthemanwho’dmadeKatherineavampire,themanthevillagerssaidwasevil.
”Klaustaughtmethetruth,”Katherinesaid.“Heshowedmehowtheworldreallyis.Youhavetobestrong,andtakethethingsyouwant.Youhavetothinkonlyofyourself.AndI’mthestrongestofallnow.
Iam.YouknowhowIgotthatway?”Sheansweredthequestionwithoutevenwaitingforthemtorespond.“Lives.Somanylives.Humansandvampires,andthey’reallinsidemenow.IkilledKlausafteracenturyortwo.Hewassurprised.Hedidn’tknowhowmuchI’dlearned.
“Iwassohappy,takinglives,fillingmyselfupwiththem.ButthenIwouldrememberyou,youtwo,andwhatyoudid.Howyoutreatedmygift.AndIknewIhadtopunishyou.Ifinallyfiguredouthowtodoit.
“Ibroughtyouhere,bothofyou.Iputthethoughtinyourmind,Stefan,thewayyouputthoughtsintoahuman’s.Iguidedyoutothisplace.AndthenImadesureDamonfollowedyou.Elenawashere.Ithinkshemustberelatedtomesomehow;shelookslikeme.Iknewyou’dseeherandfeelguilty.Butyouweren’tsupposedtofallinlovewithher!”TheresentfulnessinKatherine’svoicegavewaytofuryagain.
“Youweren’tsupposedtoforgetme!Youweren’tsupposedtogivehermyring!”
“Katherine…”
Katherineswepton.“Oh,youmademesoangry.AndnowI’mgoingtomakeyousorry,reallysorry.IknowwhoIhatemostnow,andit’syou,Stefan.BecauseIlovedyoubest.”Sheseemedtoregaincontrolofherself,wipingthelasttracesoftearsfromherfaceanddrawingherselfupwithexaggerateddignity.
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“Idon’thateDamonasmuch,”shesaid.“Imightevenlethimlive.”Hereyesnarrowed,andthenwidenedwithanidea.“Listen,Damon,”shesaidsecretly.“You’renotasstupidasStefanis.Youknowthewaythingsreallyare.I’veheardyousayit.I’veseenthingsyou’vedone.”Sheleanedforward.“I’vebeenlonelysinceKlausdied.Youcouldkeepmecompany.Allyouhavetodoissayyoulovemebest.
ThenafterIkillthemwe’llgoaway.Youcanevenkillthegirlifyouwant.I’dletyou.Whatdoyouthink?”
Oh,God,thoughtElena,sickenedagain.Damon’seyeswereonKatherine’swideblueones;heseemedtobesearchingherface.Andthewhimsicalamusementwasbackinhisexpression.Oh,God,no,Elenathought.Please,no…
Slowly,Damonsmiled.
Fifteen
ElenawatchedDamonwithmutedread.Sheknewthatdisturbingsmiletoowell.Butevenasherheartsank,hermindthrewamockingquestionather.Whatdifferencediditmake?SheandStefanweregoingtodieanyway.ItonlymadesenseforDamontosavehimself.Anditwaswrongtoexpecthimtogoagainsthisnature.
Shewatchedthatbeautiful,capricioussmilewithafeelingofsorrowforwhatDamonmighthavebeen.
Katherinesmiledbackathim,enchanted.“We’llbesohappytogether.Oncethey’redead,I’llletyougo.
Ididn’tmeantohurtyou,notreally.Ijustgotangry.”Sheputoutaslenderhandandstrokedhischeek.
“I’msorry.”
“Katherine,”hesaid.Hewasstillsmiling.
“Yes.”Sheleanedcloser.
“Katherine…”
“Yes,Damon?”
“Gotohell.”
Elenaflinchedfromwhathappenednextbeforeithappened,feelingtheviolentupsurgeofPower,ofmalevolent,unbridledPower.ShescreamedatthechangeinKatherine.Thatlovelyfacewastwisting,mutatingintosomethingthatwasneitherhumannoranimal.AredlightblazedinKatherine’seyesasshefellonDamon,herfangssinkingintohisthroat.
Talonssprangfromherfingertips,andsherakedDamon’salready-bleedingchestwithit,tearingintohisskinwhilethebloodflowed.Elenakeptscreaming,realizingdimlythatthepaininherarmswasfromfightingtheropesthatheldher.SheheardStefanshouting,too,butaboveeverythingsheheardthedeafeningshriekofKatherine’smentalvoice.
Nowyou’llbesorry!NowI’mgoingtomakeyousorry!I’llkillyou!I’llkillyou!I’llkillyou!I’llkillyou!
Thewordsthemselveshurt,likedaggersstabbingintoElena’smind.ThesheerPowerofitstupefiedher,rockingherbackagainsttheironpickets.Buttherewasnowaytogetawayfromit.Itseemedtoechofromallaroundher,hammeringinherskull.
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Killyou!Killyou!Killyou!
Elenafainted.
Meredith,crouchedbesideAuntJudithintheutilityroom,shiftedherweight,strainingtointerpretthesoundsoutsidethedoor.Thedogshadgottenintothecellar;shewasn’tsurehow,butfromthebloodymuzzlesofsomeofthem,shethoughttheyhadbrokenthroughtheground-levelwindows.Nowtheywereoutsidetheutilityroom,butMeredithcouldn’ttellwhattheyweredoing.Itwastooquietoutthere.
Margaret,huddledonRobert’slap,whimperedonce.
“Hush,”Robertwhisperedquickly.“It’sallright,sweetheart.Everything’sgoingtobeallright.”
Meredithmethisfrightened,determinedeyesoverMargaret’stowhead.WealmosthadyoupeggedfortheOtherPower,shethought.Buttherewasnotimetoregretitnow.
“Where’sElena?Elenasaidshe’dwatchoverme,”Margaretsaid,hereyeslargeandsolemn.“Shesaidshe’dtakecareofme.”AuntJudithputahandtohermouth
“Sheistakingcareofyou,”Meredithwhispered.“Shejustsentmetodoit,that’sall.It’sthetruth,”sheaddedfiercely,andsawRobert’slookofreproachmeltintoperplexity.
Outside,thesilencehadgivenwaytoscratchingandgnawingsounds.Thedogswereatworkonthedoor.
RobertcradledMargaret’sheadclosertohischest.
Bonniedidn’tknowhowlongtheyhadbeenworking.Hours,certainly.Forever,itseemedlike.Thedogshadgotteninthroughthekitchenandtheoldwoodensidedoors.Sofar,though,onlyaboutadozenhadgottenpastthefireslitlikebarricadesinfrontoftheseopenings.Andthemenwithgunshadtakencareofmostofthose.
ButMr.Smallwoodandhisfriendswerenowholdingemptyrifles.Andtheywererunningoutofthingstoburn.
Vickiehadgottenhystericalalittlewhileago,screamingandholdingherheadasifsomethingwashurtingher.They’dbeenlookingforwaystorestrainherwhenshefinallypassedout.
BonniewentuptoMatt,whowaslookingoutoverthefirethroughthedemolishedsidedoor.Hewasn’tlookingfordogs,sheknew,butforsomethingelsemuchfartheraway.Somethingyoucouldn’tseefromhere.
“Youhadtogo,Matt,”shesaid.“Therewasnothingelseyoucoulddo.”Hedidn’tanswerorturnaround.
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knewitwasn’ttrue.
Mattdidn’tanswer.Shetouchedhisshoulder.“Stefan’swithher.Stefan’sthere.”
Atlast,Mattgavesomeresponse.Henodded.“Stefan’sthere,”hesaid.
Brownandsnarling,anothershapechargedoutofthedark.
ItwasmuchlaterwhenElenacamegraduallytoconsciousness.Sheknewbecauseshecouldsee,notjustbythehandfulofcandlesKatherinehadlitbutalsobythecoldgraydimnessthatfiltereddownfromthecrypt’sopening.
ShecouldseeDamon,too.Hewaslyingonthefloor,hisbondsslashedalongwithhisclothes.Therewasenoughlightnowtoseethefullextentofhiswounds,andElenawonderedifhewasstillalive.Hewasmotionlessenoughtobedead.
Damon?shethought.Itwasonlyaftershehaddoneitthatsherealizedthewordhadnotbeenspoken.
Somehow,Katherine’sshriekinghadclosedacircuitinhermind,ormaybeithadawakenedsomethingsleeping.AndMatt’sbloodhadundoubtedlyhelped,givingherthestrengthtofinallyfindhermentalvoice.
Sheturnedherheadtheotherway.Stefan?
Hisfacewashaggardwithpain,butaware.Tooaware.ElenaalmostwishedthathewereasinsensibleasDamontowhatwashappeningtothem.
Elena,hereturned.
Whereisshe?Elenasaid,hereyesmovingslowlyaroundtheroom.
Stefanlookedtowardtheopeningofthecrypt.Shewentupthereawhileago.Maybetocheckonhowthedogsaredoing.
Elenahadthoughtshe’dreachedthelimitoffearanddread,butitwasn’ttrue.Shehadn’trememberedtheothersthen.
Elena,I’msorry.Stefan’sfacewasfilledwithwhatnowordscouldexpress.
It’snotyourfault,Stefan.Youdidn’tdothistoher.Shedidittoherself.Or—itjusthappenedtoher,becauseofwhatsheis.Whatweare.RunningbeneathElena’sthoughtswasthememoryofhowshehadattackedStefaninthewoods,andhowshehadfeltwhenshewasracingtowardMr.Smallwood,planningherrevenge.Itcouldhavebeenme,shesaid.
No!Youcouldneverbecomelikethat.
Elenadidn’tanswer.IfshehadthePowernow,whatwouldshedotoKatherine?Whatwouldn’tshedotoher?ButsheknewitwouldonlyupsetStefanmoretotalkaboutit.
IthoughtDamonwasgoingtobetrayus,shesaid.
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Idid,too,saidStefanqueerly.Hewaslookingathisbrotherwithanoddexpression.
Doyoustillhatehim?
Stefan’sgazedarkened.No,hesaidquietly.No,Idon’thatehimanymore
Elenanodded.Itwasimportant,somehow.Thenshestarted,hernerveshyper-alert,assomethingshadowedtheentrancetothecrypt.Stefantensed,too.
She’scoming.Elena—
Iloveyou,Stefan,Elenasaidhopelessly,asthemistywhiteshapehurtleddown
Katherinetookforminfrontofthem.
“Idon’tknowwhat’shappening,”shesaid,lookingannoyed.“You’reblockingmytunnel.”ShepeeredbehindElenaagain,towardthebrokentombandtheholeinthewall.“That’swhatIuseforgettingaround,”shewenton,seeminglyunawareofDamon’sbodyatherfeet.“Itgoesbeneaththeriver.SoIdon’thavetocrossoverrunningwater,yousee.Instead,Icrossunderit.”Shelookedatthemasifwaitingfortheirappreciationofthejoke.
Ofcourse,thoughtElena.HowcouldIhavebeensostupid?DamonrodewithusinAlaric’scarovertheriver.Hecrossedrunningwaterthen,andprobablylotsofothertimes.Hecouldn’thavebeentheOtherPower.
Itwasstrangehowshecouldthinkeventhoughshewassofrightened.Itwasasifonepartofhermindstoodwatchingfromadistance.
“I’mgoingtokillyounow,”Katherinesaidconversationally.“ThenI’mgoingundertherivertokillyourfriends.Idon’tthinkthedogshavedoneityet.ButI’lltakecareofitmyself.”
“LetElenago,”saidStefan.Hisvoicewasquenchedbutcompellingallthesame.
“Ihaven’tdecidedhowtodoit,”saidKatherine,ignoringhim.“Imightroastyou.There’salmostenoughlightforthatnow.AndI’vegotthese.”Shereacheddownthefrontofhergownandbroughtherclosedhandout.“One—two—three!”shesaid,droppingtwosilverringsandagoldoneontotheground.TheirstonesshoneblueasKatherine’seyes,blueasthestoneinthenecklaceatKatherine’sthroat.
Elena’shandstwistedfranticallyandshefeltthesmoothbarenessofherringfinger.Itwastrue.Shewouldn’thavebelievedhownakedshefeltwithoutthatcircletofmetal.Itwasnecessarytoherlife,tohersurvival.Withoutit—
“Withouttheseyou’lldie,”Katherinesaid,scuffingtheringscarelesslywiththetoeofonefoot.“ButIdon’tknowifthat’sslowenough.”Shepacedbackalmosttothefarwallofthecrypt,hersilverdressshimmeringinthedimlight.
ItwasthenthattheideacametoElena.
Shecouldmoveherhands.Enoughtofeelonewiththeother,enoughtoknowthattheyweren’tnumbanymore.Theropeswerelooser.
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ButKatherinewasstrong.Unbelievablystrong.AndfasterthanElena,too.EvenifElenagotfreeshewouldhavetimeforonlyonequickact.
Sherotatedonewrist,feelingtheropesgive.
“Thereareotherways,”Katherinesaid.“Icouldcutyouandwatchyoubleed.Ilikewatching.”
Grittingherteeth,Elenaexertedpressureagainsttherope.Herhandwasbentatanexcruciatingangle,butshecontinuedtopress.Shefelttheburnoftheropeslippingaside.
“Orrats,”Katherinewassayingpensively.“Ratscouldbefun.Icouldtellthemwhentostartandwhentostop.”
Workingtheotherhandfreewasmucheasier.Elenatriedtogivenosignofwhatwasgoingonbehindherback.ShewouldhavelikedtocalltoStefanwithhermind,butshedidn’tdare.NotiftherewasanychanceKatherinemighthear.
Katherine’spacinghadtakenherrightuptoStefan.“IthinkI’llstartwithyou,”shesaid,pushingherfaceclosetohis.“I’mhungryagain.Andyou’resosweet,Stefan.Iforgothowsweetyouwere.”
Therewasarectangleofgraylightonthefloor.Dawnlight.Itwascominginthroughthecrypt’sopening.
Katherinehadalreadybeenoutinthatlight.But…
Katherinesmiledsuddenly,herblueeyessparkling.“Iknow!I’lldrinkyoualmostupandmakeyouwatchwhileIkillher!I’llleaveyoujustenoughstrengthsoyouseeherdiebeforeyoudo.Doesn’tthatsoundlikeagoodplan?”Blithely,sheclappedherhandsandpirouettedagain,dancingaway.
Justonemorestep,thoughtElena.ShesawKatherineapproachtherectangleoflight.Justonemorestep…
Katherinetookthestep.“That’sit,then!”Shestartedtoturnaround.“Whatagood—”
Now!
Yankinghercrampedarmsoutofthelastloopsofrope,Elenarushedher.Itwasliketherushofahuntingcat.Onedesperatesprinttoreachtheprey.Onechance.Onehope.
ShestruckKatherinewithherfullweight.Theimpactknockedthembothintotherectangleoflight.ShefeltKatherine’sheadcrackagainstthestonefloor.
Andfeltthesearingpain,asifherownbodyhadbeenplungedintopoison.Itwasafeelingliketheburningdrynessofhunger,onlystronger.Athousandtimesstronger.Itwasunbearable.
”Elena!”Stefanscreamed,withmindandvoice.
Stefan,shethought.BeneathherPowersurgedasKatherine’sstunnedeyesfocused.Hermouthtwistedwithrage,fangsburstingforth.Theyweresolongtheycutintothelowerlip.Thatdistortedmouthopenedinahowl.
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bluenecklace.Withallherstrength,shewrenchedandfeltthechaingiveway.Shetriedtoclaspit,butherfingersfeltthickanduncoordinatedandKatherine’sclawinghandscrabbledatitwildly.Itspunawayintotheshadows.
”Elena!”Stefancalledagaininthatdreadfulvoice.
Shefeltasifherbodywerefilledwithlight.Asifsheweretransparent.Only,lightwaspain.Beneathher,Katherine’swarpedfacewaslookingupdirectlyintothewintersky.Insteadofahowl,therewasashriekingthatwentupandup
Elenatriedtoliftherselfoff,butshedidn’thavethestrength.Katherine’sfacewasrifting,crackingopen.
Linesoffireopenedinit.Thescreamingreachedacrescendo.Katherine’shairwasaflame,herskinwasblackening.Elenafeltfirefrombothaboveandbelow.
Thenshefeltsomethinggrabher,seizehershouldersandyankheraway.Thecoolnessoftheshadowswaslikeicewater.Somethingwasturningher,cradlingher
ShesawStefan’sarms,redwheretheyhadbeenexposedtothesunandbleedingwherehehadtornfreeofhisropes.Shesawhisface,sawthestrickenhorrorandgrief.Thenhereyesblurredandshesawnothing.
MeredithandRobert,strikingattheblood-soakedmuzzlesthatthrustthroughtheholeinthedoor,pausedinconfusion.Theteethhadstoppedsnappingandtearing.Onemuzzlejerkedandslidoutoftheway.Edgingsidewaystolookattheother,Meredithsawthatthedog’seyeswereglazedandmilky.
Theydidn’tmove.ShelookedatRobert,whostoodpanting.
Therewasnomorenoisefromthecellar.Everythingwassilent.
Buttheydidn’tdaretohope.
Vickie’sdementedshriekingstoppedasifithadbeencutwithaknife.Thedog,whichhadsunkitsteethintoMatt’sthigh,stiffenedandgaveaconvulsiveshudder;then,itsjawsreleasedhim.Gaspingforbreath,Bonnieswungtolookbeyondthedyingfire.Therewasjustenoughlighttoseebodiesofotherdogslyingwheretheyhadfallenoutside
SheandMattleanedoneachother,lookingaround,bewildered.
Ithadfinallystoppedsnowing.
Slowly,Elenaopenedhereyes.
Everythingwasveryclearandcalm.
Shewasgladtheshriekingwasover.Thathadbeenbad;ithadhurt.Now,nothinghurt.Shefeltasifherbodywerefilledwithlightagain,butthistimetherewasnopain.Itwasasifshewerefloating,veryhighandeasy,onwaftsofair.Shealmostfeltshedidn’thaveabodyatall.
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Shesmiled.
Turningherheaddidn’thurt,althoughitincreasedtheloose,floatingfeeling.Shesaw,intheoblongofpalelightonthefloor,thesmolderingremainsofasilverydress.Katherine’slieoffivehundredyearsagohadbecomethetruth.
Thatwasthat,then.Elenalookedaway.Shedidn’twishanyoneharmnow,andshedidn’twanttowastetimeonKatherine.Thereweresomanymoreimportantthings.
“Stefan,”shesaidandsighed,andsmiled.Oh,thiswasnice.Thismustbehowabirdfelt.
“Ididn’tmeanforthingstoturnoutthisway,”shesaid,softlyrueful.Hisgreeneyeswerewet.Theyfilledagain,buthereturnedhersmile.
“Iknow,”hesaid.“Iknow,Elena.”
Heunderstood.Thatwasgood;thatwasimportant.Itwaseasytoseethethingsthatwerereallyimportantnow.AndStefan’sunderstandingmeantmoretoherthanalltheworld.
Itseemedtoherthatithadbeenalongwhilesinceshe’dreallylookedathim.Sinceshe’dtakentimetoappreciatehowbeautifulhewas,withhisdarkhairandhiseyesasgreenasoakleaves.Butshesawitnow,andshesawhissoulshiningthroughthoseeyes.Itwasworthit,shethought.Ididn’twanttodie;Idon’twanttonow.ButI’ddoitalloveragainifIhadto.
“Iloveyou,”shewhispered.
“Iloveyou,”hesaid,squeezingtheirjoinedhands.
Thestrange,languorouslightnesscradledhergently.ShecouldscarcelyfeelStefanholdingher.
Shewouldhavethoughtshe’dbeterrified.Butshewasn’t,notaslongasStefanwasthere.
“Thepeopleatthedance—they’llbeallrightnow,won’tthey?”shesaid.
“They’llbeallrightnow,”Stefanwhispered.“Yousavedthem.”
“Ididn’tgettosaygood-byetoBonnieandMeredith.OrAuntJudith.YouhavetotellthemIlovethem.”
“I’lltellthem,”Stefansaid.
“Youcantellthemyourself,”pantedanothervoice,hoarseandunusedsounding.DamonhadpulledhimselfacrossthefloorbehindStefan.Hisfacewasravaged,streakedwithblood,buthisdarkeyesburnedather.“Useyourwill,Elena.Holdon.Youhavethestrength—”
Shesmiledathim,waveringly.Sheknewthetruth.Whatwashappeningwasonlyfinishingwhathadbeenstartedtwoweeksago.She’dhadthirteendaystogetthingsstraight,tomakeamendswithMattandsaygood-byetoMargaret.TotellStefanshelovedhim.Butnowthegraceperiodwasup.
Still,therewasnopointinhurtingDamon.ShelovedDamon,too.“I’lltry,”shepromised.
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“We’lltakeyouhome,”hesaid.
“Butnotyet,”shetoldhimgently.“Let’swaitjustalittlewhile.”
Somethinghappenedinthefathomlessblackeyes,andtheburningsparkwentout.ThenshesawthatDamonknew,too.
“I’mnotafraid,”shesaid.“Well—onlyalittle.”Adrowsinesshadstarted,andshefeltverycomfortable,butasifshewerefallingasleep.Thingsweredriftingawayfromher.
Anacheroseinherchest.Shewasnotmuchafraid,butshewassorry.Thereweresomanythingsshewouldmiss,somanythingsshewishedshehaddone.
“Oh,”shesaidsoftly.“Howfunny.”
Thewallsofthecryptseemedtohavemelted.Theyweregrayaridcloudyandtherewassomethinglikeadoorwaythere,likethedoorthatwastheopeningtotheundergroundroom.Onlythiswasadoorwayintoadifferentlight.
“Howbeautiful,”shemurmured.“Stefan?I’msotired.”
“Youcanrestnow,”hewhispered.
“Youwon’tletgoofme?”
“No.”
“ThenIwon’tbeafraid.”
SomethingwasshiningonDamon’sface.Shereachedtowardit,touchedit,andliftedherfingersawayinwonder.
“Don’tbesad,”shetoldhim,feelingthecoolwetnessonherfingertips.Butapangofworrydisturbedher.WhowastheretounderstandDamonnow?Whowouldbetheretopushhim,totrytoseewhatwasreallyinsidehim?“Youhavetotakecareofeachother,”shesaid,realizingit.Alittlestrengthcamebacktoher,likeacandleflaringinthewind.“Stefan,willyoupromise?Promisetotakecareofeachother?”
“Ipromise,”hesaid.“Oh,Elena…”
Wavesofsleepinesswereovercomingher.“That’sgood,”shesaid.“That’sgood,Stefan.”
Thedoorwaywascloser,socloseshecouldtouchitnow.Shewonderedifherparentsweresomewherebehindit.
“Timetogohome,”shewhispered.
Andthenthedarknessandtheshadowsfadedandtherewasnothingbutlight.
Stefanheldherwhilehereyesclosed.Andthenhejustheldher,thetearshe’dbeenkeepingbackfallingwithoutrestraint.Itwasadifferentpainthanwhenhe’dpulledheroutoftheriver.TherewasnoangerinPage105
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this,andnohatred,butalovethatseemedtogoonandonforever.
Ithurtevenmore.
Helookedattherectangleofsunlight,justasteportwoawayfromhim.Elenahadgoneintothelight.
She’dlefthimherealone.
Notforlong,hethought.
Hisringwasonthefloor.Hedidn’tevenglanceatitasherose,hiseyesontheshaftofsunlightshiningdown.
Ahandgrabbedhisarmandpulledhimback.
Stefanlookedintohisbrother’sface.
Damon’seyesweredarkasmidnight,andhewasholdingStefan’sring.AsStefanwatched,unabletomove,heforcedtheringontoStefan’sfingerandreleasedhim.
“Now,”hesaid,sinkingbackpainfully,“youcangowhereveryouwant.”HepickedtheringStefanhadgiventoElenaoffthegroundandhelditout.“Thisisyours,too.Takeit.Takeitandgo.”Heturnedhisfaceaway.
Stefangazedatthegoldencircletinhispalmforalongtime.
ThenhisfingersclosedoveritandhelookedbackatDamon.Hisbrother’seyeswereshut,hisbreathinglabored.Helookedexhaustedandinpain.
AndStefanhadmadeapromisetoElena.
“Comeon,”hesaidquietly,puttingtheringinhispocket.“Let’sgetyousomeplacewhereyoucanrest.”
Heputanarmaroundhisbrothertohelphimup.Andthen,foramoment,hejustheldon.
Sixteen
December16,Monday
Stefangavethistome.He’sgivenmostofthethingsinhisroomaway.IsaidIdidn’twantitatfirst,becauseIdidn’tknowwhattodowithit.ButnowIthinkIhaveanidea.
Peoplearestartingtoforgetalready.They’regettingthedetailswrong,andaddingthingstheyjustimagined.And,mostofall,they’remakingupexplanations.Whyitwasn’treallysupernatural,whythere’sarationalreasonforthisorthat.It’sjustsilly,butthere’snowaytostopthem,especiallytheadults.
They’retheworst.They’resayingthedogswerehydrophobicorsomething.Thevet’scomeupwithanewnameforit,somekindofrabiesthat’sspreadbybats.Meredithsaysthat’sironic.Ithinkit’sjuststupid.
Thekidsarealittlebetter,especiallytheoneswhowereatthedance.TherearesomeIthinkwecanrelyon,likeSueCarsonandVickie.Vickie’schangedsomuchinthelasttwodaysthatit’slikeamiracle.
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She’snotthewayshe’sbeenforthelasttwoandahalfmonths,butshe’snotthewaysheusedtobe,either.Sheusedtobeprettymuchofabimbo,runningaroundwiththetoughcrowd.ButnowIthinkshe’sokay.
EvenCarolinewasn’tsobadtoday.Shedidn’ttalkattheotherservice,butshetalkedatthisone.ShesaidElenawastherealsnowqueen,whichwaskindofcribbingoffofSue’sspeechfrombefore,butprobablythebestCarolinecoulddo.Itwasanicegesture.
Elenalookedsopeaceful.Notlikeawaxdoll,butasifsheweresleeping.Iknoweverybodysaysthat,butit’strue.Thistime,itreallyistrue.
Butafterwardpeopleweretalkingabout“herremarkableescapefromdrowning”andstufflikethat.Andsayingshediedofanembolismorsomething.Whichisabsolutelyridiculous.Butthat’swhatgavemetheidea.
I’mgoingtogetherotherdiaryoutofhercloset.AndthenI’mgoingtoaskMrs.Grimesbytoputtheminthelibrary,notinacaselikeHonoriaFell’s,butwherepeoplecanpickthemupandreadthem.
Becausethetruthisinhere.Thisiswheretherealstoryis.AndIdon’twantanybodytoforgetit.
Ithinkmaybethekidswillremember.
IsupposeIshouldputwhathappenedtotherestofthepeoplearoundhere;Elenawouldwantthat.
AuntJudithisokay,althoughshe’soneoftheadultswhocan’tdealwiththetruth.Sheneedsarationalexplanation.SheandRobertaregoingtogetmarriedatChristmas.ThatshouldbegoodforMargaret.
Margaret’sgottherightidea.Shetoldmeattheservicethatshe’sgoingtogoseeElenaandherparentssomeday,butnotnow,becausetherewerealotofthingsshestillhadtodorighthere.Idon’tknowwhatputthatideaintoherhead.She’ssmartforafour-year-old.
AlaricandMereditharealsookay,ofcourse.Whentheysaweachotherthathorriblemorning,aftereverythinghadquieteddownandwewerepickingupthepieces,theypracticallyfellintoeachother’sarms.Ithinkthere’ssomethinggoingonthere.Meredithsaysshe’lldiscussitwhenshe’seighteenandshegraduates
Typical,absolutelytypical.Everybodyelsegetstheguys.I’mthinkingoftryingoneofmygrandmother’srituals,justtoseeifI’llevergetmarriedatall.Thereisn’tevenanybodyIwanttomarryaroundhere.
Well,there’sMatt.Matt’snice.Butrightnowhe’sonlygotonegirlonhismind.Idon’tknowifthatwilleverchange.
HepunchedTylerinthenoseaftertheservicetoday,becauseTylersaidsomethingoff-colorabouther.
TylerisonepersonIknowwillneverchange,nomatterwhat.He’llalwaysbethemean,obnoxiousjerkheisnow.
ButMatt—well,Matt’seyesareawfullyblue.Andhe’sgotaterrificrighthook
Stefancouldn’thitTylerbecausehewasn’tthere.TherearestillplentyofpeopleintownwhothinkhekilledElena.Hemusthave,theysay,becausetherewasnobodyelsethere.Katherine’sasheswerescatteredalloverbythetimetherescuersgottothecrypt.Stefansaysit’sbecauseshewassooldthatsheflameduplikethat.Hesaysheshouldhaverealizedthefirsttime,whenKatherinepretendedtoburn,thatayoungvampirewouldn’tturntoashesthatway.She’djustdie,likeElena.OnlytheoldonesPage107
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Somepeople—especiallyMr.Smallwoodandhisfriends—wouldprobablyblameDamoniftheycouldgetholdofhim.Buttheycan’t.Hewasn’ttherewhentheyreachedthetomb,becauseStefanhelpedhimgetaway.Stefanwon’tsaywhere,butIthinktosomeplaceinthewoods.VampiresmusthealfastbecausetodaywhenImethimaftertheservice,StefansaidthatDamonhadleftFell’sChurch.Hewasn’thappyaboutit;IthinkDamondidn’ttellhim.Nowthequestionseemstobe:WhatisDamondoing?Outbitinginnocentgirls?Orishereformed?Iwouldn’tlaybetsoniteitherway.Damonwasastrangeguy.
Butgorgeous.Definitelygorgeous.
Stefanwon’tsaywherehe’sgoing,either.ButIhaveasneakingsuspicionDamonmaygetasurpriseifhelooksbehindhim.Apparently,ElenamadeStefanpromisetowatchoutforhimorsomething.AndStefantakespromisesvery,veryseriously.
Iwishhimluck.Buthe’llbedoingwhatElenawantedhimto,whichIthinkwillmakehimhappy.Ashappyashecanbeherewithouther.He’swearingherringonachainaroundhisnecknow.
IfyouthinkanyofthissoundsfrivolousorasifIdon’tcareaboutElena,thatjustshowshowwrongyouare.Idareanybodytosaythattome.MeredithandIcriedalldaySaturday,andmostofSunday.AndIwassoangryIwantedtoripthingsapartandbreakthem.Ikeptthinking,whyElena?Why?Whenthereweresomanyotherpeoplewhocouldhavediedthatnight.Outofthewholetown,shewastheonlyone.
Ofcourse,shedidittosavethem,butwhydidshehavetogiveherlifetodoit?Itisn’tfair.
Oh,I’mstartingtocryagain.That’swhathappenswhenyouthinkaboutlifebeingfair.AndIcan’texplainwhyitisn’t.I’dliketogobangonHonoriaFell’stombandaskherifshecanexplain,butshewouldn’ttalktome.Idon’tthinkit’ssomethinganybodyknows.
IlovedElena.AndI’mgoingtomissherterribly.Thewholeschoolis.It’slikealightthat’sgoneout.
Robertsaysthat’swhathernamemeansinLatin,“light.”
Nowthere’llalwaysbeapartofmewherethelighthasgoneaway.
IwishI’dbeenabletosaygood-byetoher,butStefansaysshesentherlovetome.I’mgoingtotrytothinkofthatasalighttotakewithme.
I’dbetterstopwritingnow.Stefan’sleaving,andMattandMeredithandAlaricandIaregoingtoseehimoff.Ididn’tmeantogetsointothis;I’veneverkeptajournalmyself.ButIwantpeopletoknowthetruthaboutElena.Shewasn’tasaint.Shewasn’talwayssweetandgoodandhonestandagreeable.Butshewasstrongandlovingandloyaltoherfriends,andintheendshedidthemostunselfishthinganybodycoulddo.Meredithsaysitmeansshechoselightoverdarkness.Iwantpeopletoknowthatsothey’llalwaysremember.
Ialwayswill.
—BonnieMcCullough
12/16/91
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