The Vampire Diaries-7

L.J.SmithTheVampireDiaries
TheReturn:Vol.3Midnight
ForAnne,theanimal-whisperer
WiththankstotherealPrincessJessalyn,andtoLouiseBeaudryforherhelpwithFrenchtranslations.Contents
1
ElenaGilbertputdownthepenreluctantly.Shuttingherdiary…
2
Elenacouldn’thavebeenoutformorethanafew…
3
Damonleaped.SomewhereinthemiddleoftheleapElena…
4
“First,”Meredithasked,“isDamonright?Ifyougoback…
5
“Ithoughtyouwantedtogetoutsowecould…
6
Bonniecouldn’tgettosleepafterDamon’swordstoher.
7
Bonniewasinhernewfirst-floorbedroom,andwasfeeling…
8
Damonnoddedthoughtfully,glancingbackandforthbetweenthefighting…
9
Damondroppedhishand.Hesimplycouldn’tmakehimselfdo…
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Damonwasmakinghiswayupthebeautifulrose-coveredtrellis…
11
WhenM.lePrincessJessalynD’Aubignehaddrunkherfillof…
12
“Stefan.Stefan!”Elenahadbeentoonervoustostayout…
13
Elena,sleepingserenelywithonehandlockedontoStefan’s,knew…
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ThenextmorningElenanoticedthatMeredithstilllookedpale…
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Bonniewokeslowly,comingupfromsomedarkplace.
16
“Onceuponatime,”beganBonnie,“therewereayoung…
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MeredithandMattweresittingatthebreakfasttable,which…
18
AfterbreakfastMattwentonlinetofindtwostores,neither…
19
Bonniedecided,withsecondspreciousandseemingtostretchfor…
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Meredithusuallyfoundherparentsfunnyandsillyanddear.
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SomeonewasstillknockingonStefan’sdoor.
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“MamasaidnotinFell’sChurch,”Mrs.FlowersrepeatedtoStefan.
23
Inthecar,MattsatbythesleepingMeredithwith…
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Stefanwokeearly.Hespentthetimefromdawnuntil…
25
“Sleepinginthestorageroomwitheverywallcoveredin…
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“Nowyouknowhowit’sdone?”ElenaaskedMeredith.“You…
27
StefanwhirledaroundandsawBonnie,withonlyatowel…
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Elenawasnoddingslowly.“Itwouldworkwithwhathappened…
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“Oi!”Damonshoutedfromoutsidethepalanquin.“Isanybodyelse…
30
“Striptoyourunderwearandgetinontheother…
31
Elenawokeupfeelingstiffandcramped.Butthatwasn’t…
32
“Damondoesn’tmeantobesucha—abastard,”Bonniesaid…
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Elenawaswaitingforthefogtodisperse.Ithad…
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“You’vebeenfedandtakencareofasbestas…
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Elenafeltasifshehadbeendoingnothingin…
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Mattbrokealotoftrafficrulesontheway…
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ThenMeredithsawsomethingthatwasnotsmokeorfire.
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Damonhadstoppedandwaskneelingbehindanenormousbroken…
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Elenaclutchedthechildtoher.Damonhadunderstood,even…
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Butafteranendlesstimeinthesoft,kinddarkness,…
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Stefandidn’tmoveorspeakforlongmoments.Elena’sheart…
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“It’snotaproblem,”thefairruler,Ryannen,saidunexpectedly.
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“Elena?”Stefansaidquietly.“Couldyouaskmetocome…
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OnthesmallestmoonoftheNetherWorldfineash…
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyL.J.Smith
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher1
“DearDiary,
I’msofrightenedIcanhardlyholdthispen.I’mprintingratherthanwritingincursive,becausethatwayIhavemorecontrol.
WhatamIterrifiedof,youask?AndwhenIsay“ofDamon”youdon’tbelievetheanswer,notifyou’dseenthetwoofusafewdaysago.Buttounderstand,youhavetoknowafewfacts.
Haveyoueverheardthephrase“Allbetsareoff”?
Itmeansthatanything,anything,canhappen.Sothatevensomebodywhofiguresoutoddsandtakesbetsfrompeoplegivesthembacktheirmoney.Becauseawildcardhasenteredthesituation.Youcan’tevenfiguretheoddstotakeabet.
That’swhereIam.That’swhymyheartispoundinginmythroatandheadandearsandfingertipsinfear.
Allbetsareoff.
Youcanseehowshakyevenmyprintingis.SupposemyhandsshakelikethiswhenIgointoseehim?Imightdropthetray.ImightannoyDamon.Andthenanythingmighthappen.
I’mnotexplainingthisright.WhatIshouldbesayingisthatwe’reback:DamonandMeredithandBonnieandme.WewenttotheDarkDimensionandnowwe’rehomeagain,withastarball—andStefan.
StefanwastrickedintogoingtherebyShinichiandMisao,thebrotherandsisterkitsune,orevilfox-spirits,whotoldhimthatifhewenttotheDarkDimensionhecouldgetthecurseofbeingavampireremovedandbecomehumanagain.
Theylied.
Alltheydidwasleavehiminastinkingprison,withnofood,nolight,nowarmth…untilhewasatthepointofdeath.
ButDamon—whowassodifferentbackthen—agreedtoleadustotrytofindhim.And,oh,Ican’tevenbegintodescribetheDarkDimensionitself.ButtheimportantthingisthatwefinallyfoundStefan,andthatbythenwe’dfoundtheTwinFoxkeyweneededtoreleasehim.But—hewasaskeleton,poorboy.Wecarriedhimoutoftheprisononhispallet,whichlaterMattburned;itwassoinfestedwithcreepy-crawlies.Butthatnightwegavehimabathandputhimtobed…andthenwefedhim.Yes,withourblood.AllthehumansdiditexceptMrs.Flowers,whowasbusymakingpoulticesforwherehispoorboneswerealmoststickingoutofhisskin.
Theyhadstarvedhimtothatpoint!IcouldkillThemwithmyownhands—ormyWingsPowers—ifonlyIcouldusethemproperly.ButIcan’t.IknowthereisaspellforWingsofDestruction,butIhavenoideahowtosummonit.
AtleastIgottoseehowStefanblossomedwhenbeingfedwithhumanblood.(IadmitthatIgavehimafewextrafeedingsthatweren’tonhischart,andI’dhavetobeanidiotnottoknowthatmybloodisdifferentfromotherpeople’s—it’smuchricheranditdidStefanamazingamountsofgood.)
AndsoStefanrecoveredenoughthatthenextmorninghewasabletowalkdownstairstothankMrs.Flowersforherpotions!
Therestofus,though—allthehumans—weretotallyexhausted.Wedidn’teventhinkaboutwhathadhappenedtothebouquet,becausewedidn’tknowithadanythingspecialinit.We’dgottenitjustaswewereleavingtheDarkDimension,fromakindwhitekitsunewho’dbeeninthecellacrossfromStefan’sbeforewearrangedajailbreak.Hewassobeautiful!Ineverknewakitsunecouldbekind.ButhehadgivenStefantheseflowers.
Anyway,thatmorningDamonwasup.Ofcourse,hecouldn’tcontributeanyofhisownblood,butIhonestlythinkhewouldhave,ifhecould.Thatwasthewayhewasbackthen.
Andthat’swhyIdon’tunderstandhowIcanfeelthefearIfeelnow.Howcanyoubeterrifiedofsomeonewho’skissedyouandkissedyou…andcalledyouhisdarlingandhissweetheartandhisprincess?Andwhohaslaughedwithyouwithhiseyesdancingwithmischief?Andwho’sheldyouwhenyouwerefrightened,andtoldyoutherewasnothingtobeafraidof,notwhilehewasthere?Someoneyouonlyhadtoglanceattoknowwhathewasthinking?Someonewhohasprotectedyou,nomatterwhatthecosttohimself,fordaysonend?
IknowDamon.Iknowhisfaults,butIalsoknowwhathe’slikeinside.Andhe’snotwhathewantspeopletothinkheis.He’snotcold,orarrogant,orcruel.Thosearefa?adesheputsontocoverhimself,likeclothes.
TheproblemisthatI’mnotsureheknowsheisn’tanyofthesethings.Andrightnowhe’sallmixed-up.Hemightchangeandbecomeallofthem—becausehe’ssoconfused.
WhatI’mtryingtosayis,thatmorningonlyDamonwasreallyawake.Hewastheonlyonewhosawthebouquet.AndoneofthethingsDamondefinitelyis,iscurious.
Soheunwrappedallthemagicalwardsfromitandithadasinglepitch-blackroseinthecenter.Damonhasbeentryingtofindablackroseforyears,justtoadmireit,Ithink.Butwhenhesawthisonehesmelledit…andboom!Therosedisappeared!
Andsuddenlyhewassickanddizzyandhecouldn’tsmellanythingandallhisothersensesweredulledaswell.ThatwaswhenSage—oh,Ihaven’tevenmentionedSage,buthe’satallbronzegorgeoushunkofavampirewho’sbeensuchagoodfriendtoallofus—toldhimtosuckinairandtoholdit,topushitdownintohislungs.
Humanshavetobreathethatway,yousee.
Idon’tknowhowlongittookDamontorealizethathereallywasahuman,nojoke,nothinganyonecoulddoaboutit.TheblackrosehadbeenforStefan;anditwouldhavegivenhimhisdreamofbeinghumanagain.ButwhenDamonrealizedithadworkeditsmagiconhim…
That’swhenIsawhimlookatmeandlumpmeinwiththerestofmyspecies—aspecieshe’scometohateandscorn.
SincethenIhaven’tdaredlookhimintheeyeagain.Iknowhelovedmejustdaysago.Ididn’tknowthatlovecouldturnto—well,toallthethingshefeelsnowabouthimself.
You’dthinkitwouldbeeasyforDamontobecomeavampireagain.Buthewantstobeaspowerfulavampireasheusedtobe—andthereisn’tanyonelikethattoexchangebloodwithhim.EvenSagedisappearedbeforeDamoncouldaskhim.SoDamonisstucklikethisuntilhefindssomestrong,powerful,andprestigiousvampiretogothroughthewholeprocessofchanginghim.
AndeverytimeIlookintoStefan’seyes,thosejewel-greeneyesthatarewarmwithtrustandgratitude—Ifeelterror,too.Terrorthatsomehowhe’llbesnatchedawayagain—rightoutofmyarms.And…terrorthathe’llfindouthowI’vecometofeelaboutDamon.Ihadn’tevenrealizedmyselfhowmuchDamonhascometomeantome.AndIcan’t…stop…myfeeling…forhim,evenifhehatesmenow.
And,yes,damnit,I’mcrying!Inaminute,Ihavetogotakehimhisdinner.Hemustbestarving,butwhenMatttriedtotakehimsomethingearliertoday,Damonthrewthewholetrayathim.
Oh,please,God,pleasedon’tlethimhateme!
I’mbeingselfish,Iknow,injusttalkingaboutwhat’sgoingonwithDamonandme.Imean,thingsinFell’sChurchareworsethanever.Everydaymorechildrenbecomepossessedandterrifytheirparents.Everyday,parentsgetangrierwiththeirpossessedchildren.Idon’tevenwanttothinkaboutwhat’sgoingon.Ifsomethingdoesn’tchange,thewholeplacewillbedestroyedlikethelasttownShinichiandMisaovisited.
Shinichi…hemadealotofpredictionsaboutourgroup,aboutthingswe’vekeptsecretfromtheothers.Butthetruthis,Idon’tknowifIwanttohearanyofhisriddlessolved.
We’reluckyinoneway.WehavetheSaitoufamilytohelpus.YourememberIsobelSaitou,whopiercedherselfsohorriblywhileshewaspossessed?Sinceshe’sgottenbetter,she’sbecomeagoodfriend,andhermother,Mrs.Saitou,andhergrandmother,Obaasan,too.Theygiveusamulets—spellstokeepevilaway,writtenonPost-itNotesorlittlecards.We’resogratefulforthatkindofhelp.Somedaymaybewecanrepaythemall.
ElenaGilbertputdownthepenreluctantly.Shuttingherdiarymeanthavingtofacethethingsshehadbeenwritingabout.
Somehow,though,shemanagedtomakeherselfwalkdownstairstothekitchenandtakethedinnertrayfromMrs.Flowers,whosmiledencouraginglyather.
Asshesetoutfortheboardinghouse’sstorageroom,shenoticedthatherhandsweretremblingsothattheentiretrayoffoodshewascarryingjingled.Sincetherewasnoaccesstothestorageroomfrominside,anyonewhowantedtoseeDamonhadtogooutthefrontdoorandaroundtotheadditiontackedonnearthekitchengarden.Damon’slair,peoplewerecallingitnow.
AsshepassedthegardenElenaglancedsidewaysattheholeinthemiddleoftheangelicapatchthatwasthepowered-downGatewaywherethey’dcomebackfromtheDarkDimension.
Shehesitatedatthestorageroomdoor.Shewasstilltrembling,andsheknewthatwasnottherightwaytofaceDamon.
Justrelax,shetoldherself.ThinkofStefan.
Stefanhadhadagrimsetbackwhenhe’dfoundthattherewasnothingleftoftherose,buthehadsoonrecoveredhisusualhumilityandgrace,touchingElena’scheekandsayingthathewasthankfuljusttobetherewithher.Thatthisclosenesswasallheaskedoflife.Cleanclothes,decentfood—freedom—allthesewereworthfightingfor,butElenawasthemostimportant.AndElenahadcried.
Ontheotherhand,sheknewthatDamonhadnointentionofremainingashenowwas.Hemightdoanything,riskanything…tochangehimselfback.
IthadactuallybeenMattwhohadsuggestedthestarballasasolutionforDamon’scondition.Matthadn’tunderstoodeithertheroseorthestarballuntilitwasexplainedthatthisstarball,whichwasprobablyMisao’s,containedwithinitmostorallofherPower,andthatithadbecomemorebrilliantasitabsorbedthelivesthatshetook.Theblackrosehadprobablybeencreatedwithaliquidfromasimilarstarball—butnooneknewhowmuchorwhetheritwascombinedwithunknowningredients.Matthadfrownedandasked,iftherosecouldchangeavampiretoahuman,couldastarballchangeahumantoavampire?
Elenahadn’tbeentheonlyonetoseetheslowrisingofDamon’sbenthead,andtheglimmerinhiseyesastheytraveledthelengthoftheroomtothestarballfilledwithPower.Elenacouldpracticallyhearhislogic.Mattmightbetotallyofftrack…buttherewasoneplaceahumancouldbesuretofindpowerfulvampires.IntheDarkDimension—towhichtherewasaGatewayintheboardinghouse’sgarden.TheGatewaywasclosedrightnow…forlackofPower.
UnlikeStefan,Damonwouldhaveabsolutelynoqualmsaboutwhatwouldhappenifhehadtouseallthestarball’sliquid,whichwouldresultinthedeathofMisao.Afterall,shewasoneofthetwofoxeswhohadabandonedStefantobetortured.
Soallbetswereoff.
Okay,you’rescared;nowdealwithit,Elenatoldherselffiercely.Damon’sbeeninthatroomforalmostfiftyhoursnow—andwhoknowswhathe’sbeenplottingtodotogetholdofthestarball.Still,somebody’sgottogethimtoeat—andwhenyousay“somebody,”faceit,it’syou.
Elenahadbeenstandingatthedoorsolongthatherkneeswerestartingtolock.Shetookadeepbreathandknocked.
Therewasnoanswer,andnolightwentoninside.Damonwashuman.Itwasquitedarkoutsidenow.
“Damon?”Itwasmeanttobeacall.Itcameoutawhisper.
Noanswer.Nolight.
Elenaswallowed.Hehadtobeinthere.
Elenaknockedharder.Nothing.Finally,shetriedtheknob.Toherhorroritwasunlocked,anditswungopentorevealaninteriorasdarkasthenightaroundElena,likethemawofapit.
ThefinehairsatthebackofElena’sneckwerestandingup.
“Damon,I’mcomingin,”shemanagedinabarewhisper,asiftoconvinceherselfbyherquietnessthattherewasnobodythere.“I’llbesilhouettedagainsttheveryedgeoftheporchlight.Ican’tseeanything,soyouhavealltheadvantages.I’mcarryingatraywithveryhotcoffee,cookies,andsteaktartar,noseasonings.Youshouldbeabletosmellthecoffee.”
Itwasodd,though.Elena’ssensestoldherthattherewasnoonestandingdirectlyinfrontofher,waitingforhertoliterallyrunintohim.Allright,shethought.Startwithbabysteps.Stepone.Steptwo.Stepthree—Imustbewellintotheroomnow,butit’sstilltoodimtoseeanything.Stepfour…
Astrongarmcameoutofthedarknessandlockedinanirongriparoundherwaist,andaknifepressedagainstherthroat.
Elenasawblacknessshotwithasuddengraynetwork,afterwhichthedarkclosedinoverwhelmingly.2
Elenacouldn’thavebeenoutformorethanafewseconds.Whenshecameto,everythingwasthesame—althoughshewonderedhowshehadn’tlethallycutherownthroatontheknife.
Sheknewthatthetraywiththedishesandcuphadgoneflyingintothedarknessinthatfirstinstantwhenshecouldn’thelpflingingoutherarms.Butnowsherecognizedthegrip,sherecognizedthescent,andsheunderstoodthereasonfortheknife.Andshewasgladthatshedid,becauseshewasaboutasproudoffaintingasSagewouldhavebeenofdoingit.Shewasn’tafainter!
NowshewilledherselftosaginDamon’sarms,exceptforwheretheknifewas.Toshowhimthatshewasnothreat.
“Hello,princess,”avoicelikeblackvelvetsaidintoherear.Elenafeltaninnershiver—butnotoffear.No,itwasmoreasifherinsidesweremelting.Buthedidn’tchangehisgrasponher.
“Damon…”shesaidhuskily,“I’mheretohelpyou.Pleaseletme.Foryoursake.”
Asabruptlyasithadcome,theirongripwaswithdrawnfromherwaist.Theknifestoppedpressingintoherflesh,althoughthesharp,stingingfeelingatherthroatwasquiteenoughtoremindherthatDamonwouldhaveitready.Substitutefangs.
Therewasaclick,andsuddenlytheroomwastoobright.
Slowly,ElenaturnedtolookatDamon.Andevennow,evenwhenhewaspaleandrumpledandhaggardfromnoteating,hewassogorgeousthatherheartseemedtoplummetintodarkness.Hisblackhair,fallingeverywhichwayoverhisforehead;hisperfect,carvenfeatures;hisarrogant,sensualmouth—rightnowcompressedintoabroodingline…
“Whereisit,Elena?”heaskedbriefly.Notwhat.Where.Heknewshewasn’tstupid,and,ofcourse,heknewthehumansintheboardinghousewerehidingthestarballfromhimdeliberately.
“Isthatallyouhavetosaytome?”Elenawhispered.
Shesawthehelplesssofteninginhiseyes,andhetookonesteptowardherasifhecouldn’thelphimself,butthenextinstanthelookedgrim.“Tellme,andthenmaybeI’llhavemore.”
“I…see.Well,then,wemadeasystem,twodaysago,”Elenasaidquietly.“Everyonedrawslotsforit.ThenthepersonwhogetsthepaperwiththeXtakesitfromthecenterofthekitchentableandeveryonegoestotheirroomsandstaysthereuntilthepersonwiththestarballhidesit.Ididn’tgetthelottoday,soIdon’tknowwhereitis.Butyoucantryto—testme.”Elenacouldfeelherbodycringingasshesaidthelastwords,feelingsoftandhelplessandeasilyhurt.
Damonreachedoverandslowlyslippedahandbeneathherhair.Hecouldslamherheadagainstawall,orthrowheracrosstheroom.Hecouldsimplysqueezeherneckbetweenknifeandhanduntilherheadfelloff.Elenaknewthathewasinthemoodtotakeouthisemotionsonahuman,butshedidnothing.Saidnothing.Juststoodandlookedintohereyes.
Slowly,Damonbenttowardherandbrushedhislips—sosoftly—againsthers.Elena’seyesdriftedshut.ButthenextmomentDamonwincedandslidthehandbackoutofherhair.
ThatwaswhenElenagaveanotherthoughtastowhatmusthavebecomeofthefoodshehadbeenbringingtohim.Near-scaldingcoffeeseemedtohavesplashedherhandandarmandsoakedherjeansononethigh.Thecupandsaucerwerelayinginpiecesonthefloor.Thetrayandthecookieshadbouncedoffbehindachair.Theplateofsteaktartar,however,hadmiraculouslylandedonthecouch,rightsideup.Therewasmiscellaneouscutleryeverywhere.
Elenafeltherheadandshouldersdroopinfearandpain.Thatwasherimmediateuniverserightnow—fearandpain.Overwhelmingher.Shewasn’tusuallyacrier,butshecouldn’thelpthetearsthatfilledhereyes.
Damn!Damonthought.
Itwasher.Elena.He’dbeensocertainanadversarywasspyingonhim,thatoneofhismanyenemieshadtrackedhimdownandwassettingatrap…someonewhohaddiscoveredthathewasasweakasachildnow.
Ithadn’tevenoccurredtohimthatitmightbeher,untilhewasholdinghersoftbodywithonearm,andsmellingtheperfumeofherhairasheheldanice-slickbladetoherthroatwiththeother.
Andthenhe’dsnappedonalightandsawwhathehadalreadyguessed.Unbelievable!Hehadn’trecognizedher.Hehadbeenoutsideinthegardenwhenhe’dseenthedoortothestorageroomstandingopenandhadknownthattherewasanintruder.Butwithhissensesdegradedastheywerehehadn’tbeenabletotellwhowasinside.
Noexcusescouldcoverupthefacts.HehadhurtandterrifiedElena.Hehadhurther.Andinsteadofapologizinghehadtriedtoforcethetruthoutofherforhisownselfishdesires.
Andnow,herthroat…
HiseyesweredrawntothethinlineofreddropletsonElena’sthroatwheretheknifehadcutherwhenshe’djerkedinfearbeforecollapsingrightontoit.Hadshefainted?Shecouldhavediedrightthen,inhisarms,ifhehadn’tbeenfastenoughinwhippingtheknifeaway.
Hekepttellinghimselfthathewasn’tafraidofher.Thathewasjustholdingtheknifeabsentmindedly.Hewasn’tconvinced.
“Iwasoutside.Youknowhowwehumanscan’tsee?”hesaid,knowinghesoundedindifferent,unrepentant.“It’slikebeingwrappedincottonallthetime,Elena:Wecan’tsee,can’tsmell,can’thear.Myreflexesarelikeatortoise’s,andI’mstarving.”
“Thenwhydon’tyoutrymyblood?”Elenaasked,soundingunexpectedlycalm.
“Ican’t,”Damonsaid,tryingnottoeyethedaintyrubynecklaceflowingdownElena’sslimwhitethroat.
“Ialreadycutmyself,”Elenasaid,andDamonthought,Cutherself?Yegods,thegirlwaspriceless.Asifshe’dhadalittlekitchenaccident.
“Sowemightaswellseewhathumanbloodtastesliketoyounow,”Elenasaid.
“No.”
“Youknowthatyou’regoingto.Iknowyouknow.Butwedon’thavemuchtime.Mybloodwon’tflowforever.Oh,Damon—aftereverything…justlastweek—”
Hewaslookingathertoolong,heknew.Notjustattheblood.Atthegloriousgoldenbeautyofher,asifthechildofasunbeamandamoonbeamhadenteredhisroomandwasharmlesslybathinghiminlight.
Withahiss,narrowinghiseyes,DamontookholdofElena’sarms.Heexpectedanautomaticrecoilliketheonewhenhe’dgrabbedherfrombehind.Buttherewasnomovementbackward.Insteadtherewassomethingliketheleapofaneagerflameinthosewidemalachiteeyes.Elena’slipspartedinvoluntarily.
Heknewitwasinvoluntarily.He’dhadmanyyearstostudyyoungwomen’sresponses.Heknewwhatitmeantwhenhergazewentfirsttohislipsbeforeliftingtohiseyes.
Ican’tkissheragain.Ican’t.It’sahumanweakness,thewaysheaffectsme.Shedoesn’trealizewhatitistobesoyoungandsoimpossiblybeautiful.She’sgoingtolearnsomeday.Infact,Imightaccidentallyteachhernow.
Asifshecouldhearhim,Elenashuthereyes.SheletherheadfallbackandsuddenlyDamonfoundhimselfhalf-supportingherweight.Shewassurrenderingallthoughtofherself,showinghimthatdespiteeverythingshestilltrustedhim,still…
…stilllovedhim.
Damonhimselfdidn’tknowwhathewasgoingtodoashebenttowardher.Hewasstarving.Ittoreathimlikeawolf’sclaws,thehunger.Itmadehimfeeldazedanddizzyandoutofcontrol.Halfathousandyearshadlefthimbelievingthattheonlythingthatwouldrelievethestarvationwasthecrimsonfountainofacutartery.SomedarkvoicethatmighthavecomefromtheInfernalCourtitselfwhisperedthathecoulddowhatsomevampiresdid,rippingathroatlikeawerewolf.Warmfleshmighteasethestarvationofahuman.Whatwouldhedo,soclosetoElena’slips,soclosetoherbleedingthroat?
Twotearsslippedfromunderthedarklashesandslidalittlewaydownherfacebeforedroppingintogoldenhair.Damonfoundhimselftastingonebeforehecouldthink.
Stillamaiden.Well,thatwastobeexpected;Stefanwastooweaktostandyet.Butontopofthecynicalthoughtcameanimage,andjustafewwords:aspiritaspureasdrivensnow.
Hesuddenlyknewadifferenthunger,adifferentthirst.Theonlyplacetoeasethisneedwascloseby.Desperately,urgently,hesoughtandfoundElena’slips.Andthenhefoundhimselflosingallcontrol.Whatheneededmostwashere,andElenamighttremble,butshedidn’tpushhimaway.
Thisclose,hewasbathedinanauraasgoldenasthehairhewastouchinggentlyattheends.Hewaspleasedhimselfwhensheshiveredinpleasure,andherealizedthathecouldsenseherthoughts.Shewasastrongprojector,andhistelepathywastheonlyPowerlefttohim.Hehadnoideawhyhestillhadit,buthedid.AndrightnowhewantedtotuneintoElena.
Thewench!Shewasn’tthinkingatall!Elenahadbeenofferingherthroat,trulysurrenderingherself,abandoningallthoughtbutthatshewantedtoaidhim,thathiswisheswerehers.Andnowshewastoodeeplyenmeshedinthekisstoevenmakeplans—whichwasextraordinaryforher.
She’sinlovewithyou,thetinypartofhimthatcouldstillthinksaid.
She’sneversaidso!She’sinlovewithStefan!somethingvisceralanswered.
Shedoesn’thavetosayit.She’sshowingit.Don’tpretendyouhaven’tseenitbefore!
ButStefan—!
IsshethinkingaboutStefanintheslightestrightnow?Sheopenedherarmstothewolf-hungerinyou.Thisisnoone-daystand,noquickmeal,notevenasteadydonor.ThisisElenaherself.
ThenI’vetakenadvantageofher.Ifshe’sinlove,shecan’tprotectherself.She’sstillachild.Ihavetodosomething.
Thekisseshadnowgottentothepointthateventhetinyvoiceofreasonwasfading.Elenahadlostherabilitytostand.Hewaseithergoingtohavetoputherdownsomewhere,orgiveherachancetobackout.
Elena!Elena!Damnit,Iknowyoucanhearme.Answer!
Damon?—faintly.Oh,Damon,nowdoyouunderstand—?
Toowell,myprincess.IInfluencedyou,soIshouldknow
You…?No,you’relying!
WhyshouldIlie?Forsomereasonmytelepathyisasstrongasever.IstillwantwhatIwant.Butyoumightwanttothinkaminute,maiden.Idon’tneedtodrinkyourblood.I’mhumanandrightnowI’mravenous.Butnotforthatmessofbloodyhamburgeryoubroughtme.
Elenabrokeawayfromhim.Damonlethergo.
“Ithinkyou’relying,”shesaid,meetinghiseyesdirectly,hermouthkiss-swollen.
Damonlockedthesightofherinsidetheboulderfullofsecretshedraggedaroundwithhim.Hegaveherhisbestopaqueebonystare.“WhyshouldIlie?”herepeated.“Ijustthoughtyoudeservedachancetomakeyourownchoice.Orhaveyoualreadydecidedtoabandonlittlebrotherwhilehe’soutofcommission?”
Elena’shandflashedup,butthenshedroppedit.“YouusedInfluenceonme,”shesaidbitterly.“I’mnotmyself.IwouldneverabandonStefan—especiallywhenheneedsme.”
Thereitwas,theessentialfireathercore,andthefierygoldentruth.Nowhecouldsitandletbitternessgnawathim,whilethispurespiritfollowedherconscience.
Hewasthinkingthis,alreadyfeelingthelossofherdazzlinglightrecedingwhenherealizedhenolongerhadtheknife.Aninstantlater,horrorjustcatchingupwithhishand,hewassnatchingitfromherthroat.Histelepathicblastwasentirelyreflexive:
WhatinHellareyoudoing?KillingyourselfbecauseofwhatIsaid?Thisbladeislikearazor!
Elenafaltered.“Iwasjustmakinganick—”
“Youalmostmadeanickthatspurtedsixfeethigh!”Atleasthewasabletospeakagain,despitetheconstrictionofhisthroat.
Elenawasbackonstablegroundtoo.“ItoldyouIknewyouknewyou’dhavetotrybloodbeforeyou’lltrytoeat.Itfeelsasifit’sflowingdownmyneckagain.Thistime,let’snotwasteit.”
Shewasonlytellingthetruth.Atleastshehadn’tseriouslyhurtherself.Hecouldseethatfreshbloodwasflowingfromthenewcutshe’dsorecklesslymade.Towasteitwouldbeidiotic.
Utterlydispassionatenow,Damontookheragainbytheshoulders.Hetiltedupherchintolookathersoft,roundedthroat.Severalnewrubycutswereflowingfreely.
HalfamillenniumofinstincttoldDamonthatjusttherewasnectarandambrosia.Justtherewassustenanceandrestandeuphoria.Justherewherehislipswereashebenttoherasecondtime…andhehadonlytotasteit—todrink…
Damonrearedback,tryingtoforcehimselftoswallow,determinednottospit.Itwasn’t…itwasn’tutterlyrevolting.Hecouldseehowhumans,withtheirdegradedsenses,couldmakeuseoftheanimalvarieties.Butthiscoagulating,mineral-tastingstuffwasn’tblood…ithadnoneoftheperfumedbouquet,theheadyrichness,thesweet,velvety,provocative,life-giving,ineffableattributesofblood.
Itwaslikesomesortofbadjoke.HewastemptedtobiteElena,justtoskimacanineoverthecommoncarotid,makingatinyscratch,sohecouldtastethelittleburstthatwouldexplodeontohispalate,tocompare,tomakesurethattherealstuffwasn’tintheresomehow.Infacthewasmorethantempted;hewasdoingit.Butnobloodwascoming.
Hismindpausedinmidthought.He’dmadeascratchallright—ascratchlikeascuff.Ithadn’tevenbrokentheouterlayerofElena’sskin.
Bluntteeth.
Damonfoundhimselfpressingonacaninewithhistongue,willingittoextend,willingitwithallhiscrampedandfrustratedsoultosharpen.
And…nothing.Nothing.Butthen,he’dspentalldaydoingthesamething.Miserably,heletElena’sheadturnback.
“That’sit?”shesaidshakily.Shewastryingsohardtobebravewithhim!Poordoomedwhitesoulwithherdemonlover.“Damon,youcantryagain,”shetoldhim.“Youcanbiteharder.”
“It’snogood,”hesnapped.“You’reuseless—”
Elenaalmostslidtothefloor.Hekeptheruprightwhilesnarlinginherear,“YouknowwhatImeantbythat.Orwouldyouprefertobemydinnerratherthanmyprincess?”
Elenasimplyshookherheadmutely.Sherestedinthecircleofhisarms,herheadagainsthisshoulder.Littlewonderthatsheneededrestafterallhe’dputherthrough.Butasforhowshefoundhisshoulderacomfort…well,thatwasbeyondhim.
Sage!Damonsentthefuriousthoughtoutonallthefrequencieshecouldaccess,justashehadbeendoingallday.IfonlyhecouldfindSage,allhisproblemswouldbesolved.Sage,hedemanded,whereareyou?
Noanswer.ForallDamonknew,SagehadmanagedtooperatetheGatewaytotheDarkDimensionthatwasevennowstanding,powerlessanduseless,inMrs.Flowers’sgarden.StrandingDamonhere.Sagewasalwaysthatblindinglyfastwhenhetookoff.
Andwhyhadhetakenoff?
ImperialSummons?SometimesSagegotthem.FromtheFallenOne,wholivedintheInfernalCourt,atthelowestoftheDarkDimensions.AndwhenSagedidgetthem,hewasexpectedtobeinthatdimensioninstantly,inmid-word,inmid-caress,inmid—whatever.SofarSagehadalwaysmadethedeadline,Damonknewthat.HeknewitbecauseSagewasstillalive.
OntheafternoonofDamon’scatastrophicbouquetinvestigationSagehadleftonthemantelapolitenotethankingMrs.Flowersforherhospitality,andevenleavinghisgiganticdog,Saber,andhisfalcon,Talon,fortheprotectionofthehousehold—anotedoubtlesslypre-prepared.Hehadgonethewayhealwaysdid,asunpredictablyasthewind,andwithoutsayinggood-bye.Undoubtedlyhe’dthoughtthatDamonwouldfindhiswayoutoftheproblemeasily.TherewereanumberofvampiresinFell’sChurch.Therealwayswere.TheleylinesofsheerPowerinthegrounddrewthemeveninnormaltimes.
Theproblemwasthatjustnowallthosevampireswereinfestedwithmalach—parasitescontrolledbytheevilfox-spirits.Theycouldn’tbelowerinthevampirehierarchy.
AndofcourseStefanwasacompletenonstarter.Evenifhehadn’tbeensoweakthattryingtochangeDamonintoavampirewouldhavekilledhim;evenifhisangeroverDamon’s“stealinghishumanity”couldbeassuaged,hewouldsimplyneverhaveagreed,outofhisfeelingthatvampirismwasacurse.
Humansneverknewaboutthingslikethevampirehierarchybecausethesubjectsdidn’tconcernthem—untilsuddenly,theydid,usuallybecausetheyhadjustbeenchangedintoavampirethemselves.Thehierarchyofvampireswasstrict,fromtheuselessandignobletothefangedaristocracy.OldOnesfitinthatcategory,butsodidotherswhowereparticularlyillustriousorpowerful.
WhatDamonwantedwastobemadeavampirebythekindofwomenSageknew,andhewasdeterminedtohaveSagefindhimavampireladyofquality,onewhowasreallyworthyofhim.
OtherthingstormentedDamon,whohadspenttwoentiresleeplessdaysponderingthem.WasitpossiblethatthewhitekitsunewhohadgivenStefanthebouquethadengineeredarosethatturnedthefirstpersontosmellitpermanentlyhuman?ThatwouldhavebeenStefan’sgreatestdream.
ThewhitefoxhadlistenedtodaysupondaysofStefan’sramblings,hadn’the?He’dseenElenaweepingoverStefan.He’dseenthetwolovebirdstogether,Elenahand-feedingadyingStefanherbloodthroughrazorwire.Fortuneonlyknewwhatideasthatfoxhadgottenintohisfurrywhiteheadwhenhe’dpreparedtherosethathad“cured”Damonofhis“curse.”Ifitturnedouttobeanirreversible“cure”…
IfSageturnedouttobeunreachable…
ItsuddenlybrokeintoDamon’sthoughtsthatElenawascold.Itwasstrange,sincethenightwaswarm,butshewasshiveringviolently.Sheneededhisjacketor…
She’snotcold,thesmallvoicesomewheredeepinsidehimsaid.Andshe’snotshivering.She’stremblingbecauseofallyou’veputherthrough.
Elena?
Youforgotallaboutme.Youwereholdingme,butyoucompletelyforgotmyexistence…
Ifonly,hethoughtbitterly.You’rebrandedonmysoul.
Damonwassuddenlyfurious,butitwasdifferentfromhisangeratkitsuneandSageandtheworld.Itwasthekindofangerthatmadehisthroatcloseandhischestfeeltootight.
ItwasanangerthatmadehimpickupElena’sscaldedhand,whichwasrapidlyturningscarletinpatches,andexamineit.Heknewwhathewouldhavedoneasavampire:strokedovertheburnswithasilkycooltongue,generatingchemicalstoacceleratethehealing.Andnow…therewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.
“Itdoesn’thurt,”Elenasaid.Shewasabletostandnow.
“You’relying,princess,”hesaid.“Theinsidesofyoureyebrowsareup.That’spain.Andyourpulseisjumping—”
“Youcansensethatwithouttouchingme?”
“Icanseeit,atyourtemples.Vampires,”withviciousemphasisonwhathestillwas,inessence,“noticethingslikethat.Imadeyouhurtyourself.AndIcan’tdoanythingtohelp.Also”—heshrugged—“you’reabeautifulliar.Aboutthestarball,Imean.”
“YoucanalwayssensewhenI’mlying?”
“Angel,”hesaidwearily,“it’seasy.Youareeithertheluckyholderofthestarballtoday…oryouknowwhois.”
Again,Elena’sheaddroopedinconsternation.
“Orelse,”Damonsaidlightly,“theentirestoryofthedrawingofthelotswasalie.”
“Thinkwhatyoulike,”Elenasaid,withatleastsomeofherusualfire.“Andyoucancleanupthismess,too.”
Justassheturnedtoleave,Damonhadarevelation.“Mrs.Flowers!”heexclaimed.
“Wrong,”Elenasnapped.
Elena,Iwasn’ttalkingaboutthestarball.Igiveyoumywordonthis.Youknowhowharditistolietelepathically—
Yes,andIknowthattherefore,ifthere’sonethingintheworldyou’d…practice…at…
Shecouldn’tfinish.Shecouldn’tmakethespeech.ElenaknewhowmuchDamon’swordmeanttohim.
I’llnevertellyouwhereitis,shesenttelepathicallytoDamon.AndIsweartoyouthatMrs.Flowerswon’teither.
“Ibelieveyou,butwe’restillgoingtoseeher.”
HepickedElenaupeasilyandsteppedoverthesmashedcupandsaucer.Elenaautomaticallygrabbedhisneckwithbothhandstobalanceherself.
“Darling,whatareyoudoing—?”Elenacried,thenstopped,wide-eyed,twoscaldedfingersflyingtoherlips.
Standinginthedoorway,nottwoyardsawayfromthem,waspetiteBonnieMcCullough,abottleofBlackMagicwine,nonalcoholicbutmysticallyexhilarating,heldhighinherhand.ButasElenawatched,Bonnie’sexpressionchangedallinaninstant.Ithadbeentriumphantjoy.Butnowitwasshock.Itwasdisbeliefthatcouldn’thold.Elenaknewexactlywhatshewasthinking.ThewholehousehaddevoteditselftomakingDamoncomfortable—whileDamonstolewhatrightfullybelongedtoStefan:Elena.Plushe’dliedaboutnotbeingavampireanymore.AndElenawasn’tevenfightinghimoff.Shewascallinghim“darling”!
Bonniedroppedthebottleandturned,running.3
Damonleaped.SomewhereinthemiddleoftheleapElenafeltherselflefttothewhimsofgravity.Shetriedtocurlintoaballtotaketheimpactononebuttock.
Whathappenedwasstrange—almostmiraculous.Shecamedown,rightsideup,ontheoppositesideofthecouchfromtheplateofsteaktartar.Theplatedidalittleleapofitsown,threeorfourinches,perhaps,andthensettledbackwhereithadbeen.
Elenawasalsoluckyenoughtogetaperfectviewoftheendoftheheroicrescue—whichinvolvedDamondivingforthefloorandgrabbingthebottleofpreciousBlackMagicwinejustbeforeithitthegroundandsmashed.Hemightnothavethekindoflightning-fastreflexeshehadwhenhewasavampire,buthewasstillfar,farfasterthananordinaryhuman.Leapholdinggirl,dropgirlontosomethingsoft,turnleapintodive,andatlastinstantgrabbottle,justbeforeitwouldhit.Amazing.
ButtherewasanotherwaythatDamonwasn’tlikeavampireanymore—hewasn’tinvincibletofallingontohardsurfaces.Elenaonlyrealizedthiswhensheheardhimgasp,tryingtobreatheandnotbeingableto.
Shescrambledwildlyinhermindforalltheaccidentsshecouldrememberwithjocks,and—yes,recalledonewhenMatthadhadthewindcompletelyknockedoutofhim.Thecoachhadseizedhimbythecollarandthumpedhimontheback.
ElenarantoDamonandgrabbedhimunderthearms,rollinghimontohisback.Sheputallherstrengthintohaulinghimintoasittingposition.Thenshemadeaclubofherhands.PretendingshewasMeredith,whohadbeenonthebaseballteamatRobertE.LeeHighandhada.225ERA,sheswungashardasshecouldatDamon,slammingherfistsintohisback.
Anditworked!
SuddenlyDamonwaswheezing,andthenbreathingagain.Abornstraightenerofties,Elenakneltandtriedtorearrangehisclothes.Assoonashecouldbreatheproperly,hislimbsstoppedbeingpliantunderherfingers.Hegentlycurledherhandsintoeachother.Elenawonderedifpossiblythey’dgonesofarbeyondwordsthattheywouldneverfindthemagain.
Howhaditallhappened?Damonhadpickedherup—perhapsbecauseherlegwasburned,orperhapsbecausehehaddecidedMrs.Flowerswastheonewiththestarball.Sheherselfhadsaid,“Damon,whatareyoudoing?”Perfectlystraightforward.Andthenhalfwaythroughthesentenceshehadheardforherselfthe“darling”and—butwhowouldeverbelieveher?—ithadn’tbeenconnectedwithanythingtheyhadbeendoingearlieratall.Ithadbeenanaccident,aslipofthetongue.
Butshe’dsaiditinfrontofBonnie,theonepersonmostlikelytotakeitseriouslyandpersonally.AndthenBonniehadbeengonebeforeshecouldevenexplain.
Darling!Whentheyhadjuststartedfightingagain.
Itreallywasajoke.Becausehehadbeenseriousaboutjusttakingthestarball.Shehadseenitinhiseyes.
TocallDamon“darling”seriously,youwouldhavetobe—havetobe…hopelessly…helplessly…desperatelyin…
Oh,God…
TearsbegantorundownElena’scheeks.Buttheseweretearsofrevelation.Elenaknewshewasn’tinherbestformtoday.Norealsleepforgoingonthreedays—toomanyconflictingemotions—toomuchgenuineterrorrightnow.
Still,shewasterrifiedtofindthatsomethingfundamentalhadchangedinsideher.
Itwasn’tanythingshehadaskedfor.Allshehadaskedwasthatthetwobrothersstopfeuding.AndshehadbeenborntoloveStefan;sheknewthat!Once,he’dbeenwillingtomarryher.Well,sincethenshe’dbeenavampire,aspirit,andanewincarnationdroppedfromthesky,andshecouldhopethatonedayhewouldbewillingtomarrythenewElena,too.
ButthenewElenawasbewildered,whatwithherstrangenewbloodthattovampireswaslikerocketfuelcomparedtothegasolinemostgirlscarriedaboutintheirveins.WithherWingsPowers,suchasWingsofRedemption,mostofwhichshedidn’tunderstandandnoneofwhichshecouldcontrol.Althoughlatelyshehadseenthebeginningofastance,andsheknewitwasforWingsofDestruction.That,shethoughtgrimly,mightbequiteusefulsomeday.
OfcourseanumberofthemhadalreadybeenhelpfultoDamon,whowasnolongersimplyanally,butanenemy-allyagain.Whowantedtostealsomethingthatherwholetownneeded.
Elenahadn’taskedtofallinlovewithDamon—but,ohGod,whatifshealreadyhad?Whatifshecouldn’tmakethefeelingsstop?Whatcouldshedo?
Silently,shesatcrying,knowingthatshecouldneversayanyofthesethingstoDamon.Hehadagiftoffarseeingandalevelheadintimesofemotion,butnot,assheknewalltoowell,aboutthisparticularissue.Ifshetoldhimwhatwasinherheart,beforesheknewit,hewouldkidnapher.HewouldbelieveshehadforgottenStefanforgood,asshehadforgottenhimbrieflytonight.
“Stefan,”shewhispered.“I’msorry…”
ShecouldneverletStefanknowaboutiteither—andStefanwasherheart.
“We’vegottogetridofShinichiandMisaofast,”Mattwassayingmoodily.“Imean,IreallyneedtogetintoconditionsoonorKentState’sgonnasendmebackstamped‘Reject.’”HeandMeredithweresittinginMrs.Flowers’swarmkitchennibblingongingersnapcookiesandwatchingherasshediligentlyworkedatmakingbeefcarpaccio—thesecondofthetworawbeefrecipesintheantiquecookbooksheowned.“Stefan’sdoingsowellthatinacoupleofdayswecouldevenbetossingaroundtheoldpigskin,”headded,sarcasmedginghisvoice,“ifeverybodyintownwouldjuststopbeingcrazypossessed.Oh,yeah,andifthecopswouldstopcomingaftermeforassaultingCaroline.”
AtthementionofStefan’sname,Mrs.Flowerspeekedintoacauldronthathadbeenbubblingawayonthestoveforsolong,andwasnowemittingsuchafearsomeodorthatMattdidn’tknowwhotopitymore:theguygettingthehugepileofrawmeatortheonewho’dsoonbetryingtochokedownwhateverwasinthatcookingpot.
“So—assumingyou’realive—you’regoingtobegladtoleaveFell’sChurchwhenthetimecomes?”Meredithaskedhimquietly.
Mattfeltasifshehadjustslappedhim.“You’rejoking,right?”hesaid,pettingSaberwithonetanned,barefoot.Thehugebeastwasmakingasortofgrowlypurringsound.“Imean,beforethat,it’sgoingtobegreattothrowacoupleofpassestoStefanagain—he’sthebesttightendI’veeverseen—”
“Oreverwillsee,”Meredithremindedhim.“Idon’tthinkmanyvampiresgoinforfootball,Matt,sodon’teventhinkofsuggestingthatheandElenafollowyoutoKentState.Besides,I’llberightbesideyou,tryingtogetthemtocometoHarvardwithme.Andworse,we’rebothcheckmatedbyBonnie,becausethatjuniorcollege—whatever—ismuchclosertoFell’sChurchandallthethingsaroundheretheylove.”
“AllthethingsaroundhereElenaloves,”Mattcouldn’thelpcorrecting.“AllStefanwantsistobewithElena.”
“Now,now,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.“Let’sjusttakethingsastheycome,shallwe,mydears?Mamasaysthatweneedtokeepupourstrength.Shesoundsworriedtome—youknow,shecan’tforeseeeverythingthathappens.”
Mattnodded,buthehadtoswallowhardbeforesayingtoMeredith,“So,you’reeagertobeofffortheIviedWalls,I’msure?”
“Ifitwasn’tHarvard—ifIcouldjustputitoffforayearandkeepmyscholarship…”Meredith’svoicetrailedoff,buttheyearninginitwasunmistakable.
Mrs.FlowerspattedMeredith’sshoulder,andthensaid,“IwonderaboutdearStefanandElena.Afterall,witheveryonethinkingthatshe’sdead,Elenacan’tlivehereandbeseen.”
“Ithinkthey’vegivenupontheideaofgoingsomewherefar,faraway,”Mattsaid.“I’llbetthatnowtheythinkofthemselvesasFell’sChurch’sguardians.They’llgetbysomehow.Elenacanshaveherhead.”Mattwastryingforalighttone,butthewordssanklikeleadballoonsastheylefthismouth.
“Mrs.Flowerswastalkingaboutcollege,”Meredithsaidinatonejustasheavy.“Aretheygoingtobesuper-heroesatnightandjustvegouttherestofthetime?Iftheywanttogosomewhereevennextyear,theyneedtobethinkingaboutitnow.”
“Oh…well,Iguessthere’sDalcrest.”
“Where?”
“Youknow,thatlittlecampusinDyer.It’ssmallbutthefootballteamthereisreally—well,IguessStefanwouldn’tcarehowgoodtheyare.Butit’sonlyhalfanhouraway.”
“Oh,thatplace.Well,thesportsmaybefantasticbutit’ssurenotanIvy,muchlessHarvard.”Meredith—unsentimental,enigmaticMeredith—soundedasifshehadastuffed-upnose.
“Yeah,”Mattsaid—andjustforasecondtookMeredith’sslim,coldhandandsqueezedit.Hewasevenmoresurprisedwhenshelinkedherchilledfingersupwithhis,holdinghishand.
“Mamasayswhateverisfatedtohappenwillhappensoon,”Mrs.Flowerssaidserenely.“Themainthing,asIseeit,istosavethedear,dearoldtown.Aswellasthepeople.”
“Ofcourseitis,”Mattsaid.“We’regoingtodoourbest.ThankGodwehavesomebodyintownwhounderstandsJapanesedemons.”
“OrimeSaitou,”Mrs.Flowerssaidwithalittlesmile.“Blessherforheramulets.”
“Yeah,bothofthem,”Mattsaid,thinkingofthegrandmotherandmotherwhosharedthename.“Ithinkwe’regoingtoneedalotofthoseamuletstheymake,”headdedgrimly.
Mrs.Flowersopenedhermouth,butMeredithspoke,stillfocusedonthoughtsofherown.
“Youknow,StefanandElenamaynothavegivenupontheirfar,farawaythingafterall,”shesaidsadly.“Andsinceatthispointnoneofusmayevenlivetomakeittoourowncolleges…”Sheshrugged.
MattwasstillsqueezingherhandwhenBonniedashedinthefrontdoor,keening.Shetriedtospeedthroughthefoyertowardthestairs,avoidingthekitchen,butMattreleasedMeredithandtheybothdasheduptoblockher.Instantly,everyonewasincombatmode.MeredithgraspedBonnie’sarmtightly.Mrs.Flowerscameintothefoyer,wipingherhandsonadishtowel.
“Bonnie,whathappened?IsitShinichiandMisao?Arewebeingattacked?”Meredithaskedquietlybutwiththeintensitytocutthroughhysteria.
SomethingshotlikeaboltoficethroughMatt’sbody.NoonereallyknewwhereShinichiandMisaowererightnow.PerhapsinthethicketthatwasallthatwasleftoftheOldWoods—perhapsrighthereattheboardinghouse.“Elena!”heshouted.“Oh,God,sheandDamonarebothoutthere!Aretheyhurt?DidShinichigetthem?”
Bonnieshuthereyesandshookherhead.
“Bonnie,staywithme.Staycalm.IsitShinichi?Isitthepolice?”Meredithasked.AndtoMatt:“You’dbettercheckthroughthecurtainsthere.”ButBonniewasstillshakingherhead.
Mattsawnopolicelightsthroughthecurtains.NordidheseeanysignofShinichiandMisaoattacking.
“Ifwe’renotbeingattacked,”MattcouldhearMeredithsayingtoBonnie,“thenwhatishappening?”
Maddeningly,Bonniejustshookherhead.
MattandMeredithlookedateachotheroverBonnie’sstrawberrycurls.“Thestarball,”Meredithsaidsoftly,justasMattgrowled,“Thatbastard.”
“Elenawon’ttellhimanythingbutthestory,”Meredithsaid.AndMattnodded,tryingtokeepfromhismindapictureofDamoncasuallywavingandElenaconvulsinginagony.
“Maybeit’sthepossessedkids—theoneswhowalkaroundhurtingthemselvesoractinginsane,”Meredithsaid,withasideglanceatBonnie,andsqueezingMatt’shandveryhard.
Mattwasbewilderedandfumbledthecue.Hesaid,“IfthatS.O.B.istryingtogetthestarball,Bonniewouldn’thaverunaway.She’sbravestwhenshe’sscared.Andunlesshe’skilledElenasheshouldn’tbelikethis—”
WhichleftMerediththegrimjobofsaying,“Talktous,Bonnie,”inhermostcomfortingbig-sistervoice.“Somethingmusthavehappenedtogetyouinthisstate.Justbreatheslowlyandtellmewhatyousaw.”
Andthen,inatorrent,wordsbegantospillfromBonnie’slips.“She—shewascallinghimdarling,”Bonniesaid,grippingMeredith’sotherhandwithbothofhers.“Andtherewasbloodsmearedallaroundonherneck.And—oh,Idroppedit!ThebottleofBlackMagic!”
“Oh,well,”Mrs.Flowerssaidgently.“Nousecryingoverspilledwine.We’lljusthaveto—”
“No,youdon’tunderstand,”Bonniegasped.“IheardthemtalkingasIcameup—Ihadtogoslowbecauseit’ssohardnottotrip.Theyweretalkingaboutthestarball!AtfirstIthoughttheywerearguing,but—shehadherarmsaroundDamon’sneck.Andallthatstuffabouthimnotbeingavampireanymore?Shehadbloodalloverherthroatandhehaditonhismouth!AssoonasIgottherehepickedherupandthrewhersoIcouldn’tseebuthewasn’tfastenough.Shemusthavegiventhestarballtohim!Andshestillwascallinghim‘darling’!”
Matt’seyesmetMeredith’sandtheybothflushedandlookedawayquickly.IfDamonwasavampireagain—ifhehadsomehowgottenthestarballfromitshidingplace—andifElenahadbeen“takingfood”tohimjusttogivehimblood…
Meredithwasstilllookingforawayout.“Bonnie—aren’tyoumakingtoomuchofthis?Anyway,whathappenedtoMrs.Flowers’strayoffood?”
“Itwas—allovertheplace.They’djusttosseditaway!Buthewaswasholdingherwithonehandunderherkneesandoneunderherneck,andherheadwaswaybacksothatherhairwasfallingalloverhisshoulder!”
TherewasasilenceaseveryonetriedtoimaginevariouspositionsthatmightcorrespondtoBonnie’slastwords.
“Youmeanhewasholdingheruptosteadyher?”Meredithasked,hervoicesuddenlyalmostawhisper.Mattcaughthermeaning.Stefanwasprobablyasleepupstairs,andMeredithwantedtokeepitthatway.
“No!They—theywerelookingateachother,”Bonniecried.“Looking.Intoeachother’seyes.”
Mrs.Flowersspokemildly.“ButdearBonnie—maybeElenafelldownandDamonhadtojustscoopherup.”
NowBonniewasspeakingremorselesslyandfluently.“Onlyifthat’swhat’sjusthappenedtoallthosewomenonthecoversofthoseromancebooks—what-d’you-call-’ems?”
“Bodice-rippers?”Meredithsuggestedunhappilywhennooneelsespoke.
“That’sright!Bodice-rippers.That’showhewasholdingher!Imean,weallknewthatsomethingwasgoingonwiththetwoofthemintheDarkDimension,butIthoughtallthatwouldstopwhenwefoundStefan.Butithasn’t!”
Mattfeltsickinthepitofhisstomach.“YoumeanrightnowElenaandDamonareinthere…kissingandstuff?”
“Idon’tknowwhatImean!”Bonnieexclaimed.“Theyweretalkingaboutthestarball!Hewasholdingherlikeabride!Andshewasn’tfightingit!”
Withachillofhorror,Mattcouldseetrouble,andhecouldseethatMeredithcouldseeittoo.Evenworse,theywerelookingintwodifferentdirections.Mattwaslookingupstairs,atthestaircase,whereStefanhadjustappeared.Meredithwaslookingatthekitchendoor,oneglanceatwhichshowedMattthatDamonwasenteringthefoyer.
WhatwasDamondoinginthekitchen?Mattwondered.Wewerethereuntilaminuteago.Andhewas,what,eavesdroppingfromthedenside?
Mattgavethesituationhisbestshot,anyway.“Stefan!”hesaidinaheartyvoicethatmadehimwinceinwardly.“Youreadyforalittleathlete’s-bloodnightcap?”
AtinypartofMatt’smindthought:Butjustlookathim.Onlythreedaysoutofprisonandhealreadylookslikehimselfagain.Threenightsagohewasaskeleton.Todayhejustlooks—thin.He’sevenhandsomeenoughtomakethegirlsallgocrazyoverhimagain.
Stefansmiledfaintlyathim,leaningonthebanister.Inhispaleface,hiseyeswereremarkablyalive,avibrantgreenthatmadethemactuallyshinelikejewels.Hedidn’tlookupset,andthatmadeMatt’shearttwistforhim.Howcouldtheytellhim?
“Elenaishurt,”Stefansaid,andsuddenlytherewasapause—anuttersilence—aseverypersonfrozeinplace.“ButDamoncouldn’thelpher,sohebroughthertoMrs.Flowers.”
“True,”DamonsaidcoldlyfrombehindMatt.“Icouldn’thelpher.IfIwerestillavampire…butI’mnot.Elenahasburns,mainly.AllIcouldthinkofwasanicepackorsomekindofpoultice.Sorrytodisproveallyourclevertheories.”
“Ohmyheavens!”criedMrs.Flowers.“YoumeandearElena’swaitingrightnowinthekitchenforapoultice?”Shehurriedoutofthefoyertowardthekitchen.
Stefanwasstillcomingdownthestairs,calling,“Mrs.Flowers,shescaldedherarmandleg—shesaysbecauseDamondidn’trecognizeherinthedarkandjostledher.Andthathethoughtitwasanintruderinhisroom,andnickedherthroatwithaknife.Therestofuswillbeintheparlorifyouneedhelp.”
Bonniecried,“Stefan,maybeshe’sinnocent—butheisn’t!Evenaccordingtoyou,heburnedher—that’storture—andheputaknifetoherthroat!Maybehethreatenedhertomakehertelluswhatwewantedtohear.Maybeshe’sstillahostagerightnowandwedon’tknowit!”
Stefanflushed.“It’ssohardtoexplain,”hesaidverysoftly.“AndIkeeptryingtotuneitout.Butsofar—someofmyPowershavebeengrowing…fasterthanmyabilitytocontrolthem.MostofthetimeI’masleep,soitdoesn’tmatter.Iwasasleepuntilafewminutesago.ButIwokeupandElenawastellingDamonthatMrs.Flowersdoesn’thavethestarball.Shewasupset,andinjured—andIcouldfeelwhereshe’dbeeninjured.AndthensuddenlyIheardyou,Bonnie.You’reaverystrongtelepath.ThenIheardtherestofyoutalkingaboutElena….”
OhmyGod.Howinsane,Mattwasthinking.Hismouthwasbabblingsome“Sure,sure,ourmistake”gibberish,andhisfeetfollowedMeredith’stotheparlorasiftheywereattachedtoherItaliansandals.
ButthebloodonDamon’smouth…
Therehadtobesomemundanereasonfortheblood,too.StefanhadsaidthatDamonhadnickedElenawithaknife.Astohowthebloodgotsmearedaround;well,thatactuallydidn’tsoundlikevampirismtoMatt.He’dbeenadonorforStefanatleastadozentimesinthelastdaysandtheprocesswasalwaysveryneat.
Itwasstrange,too,hethought,thatithadneveroccurredtoanyofthemthat,evenfromthetopofthehouse,Stefanmightbeabletoheartheirthoughtsdirectly.
Couldhealwaysdothat?Mattthought,wonderingatthesametimewhetherStefanwasdoingitrightnow.
“Itrynottolistentothoughts,unlessI’minvitedorIhaveagoodreason,”Stefansaid.“ButwhenanybodymentionsElena,especiallyiftheysoundupset—thatIcan’thelp.It’slikewhenyou’reinanoisyplaceandyoucanbarelyhear,butwhensomebodysaysyournameyouhearitinstantly.”
“It’scalledtheCocktailPartyPhenomenon,”Meredithsaid.HervoicewasquietandremorsefulasshewastryingtocalmthemortifiedBonnie.Mattfeltanothertugathisheart.
“Well,youcancallitwhateveryouwant,”hesaid,“butwhatitmeansisthatyoucanlisteninonourmindsanytimeyoulike.”
“Notanytime,”Stefansaid,wincing.“WhenIwasdrinkinganimalbloodIwasn’tstrongenoughunlessIreallyworkedatit.Bytheway,itmaypleasemyfriendstoknowthatI’mgoingbacktohuntinganimalsbytomorroworthenextday,dependingonwhatMrs.Flowerssays,”headdedwithasignificantglancearoundtheroom.HiseyeslingeredonDamon,whowasloungingagainstthewallbythewindow,lookingdisheveledandvery,verydangerous.“Butthatdoesn’tmeanI’llforgetwhosavedmylifewhenIwasdying.ForthatIhonorandthankthem—and,well,we’llhaveapartysometime.”Heblinkedhardandturnedaway.Thetwogirlsmeltedatonce—evenMeredithsniffled.
Damonheavedanexaggeratedsigh.“Animalblood?Oh,brilliant.Makeyourselfasweakasyoucan,littlebrother,evenwiththreeorfourwillingdonorsaroundyou.Then,whenitcomestothefinalshowdownwithShinichiandMisao,you’llbeaboutaseffectiveasapieceofdamptissuepaper.”
Bonniestarted.“Istheregoingtobeashowdown…soon?”
“AssoonasShinichiandMisaocanmanageit,”Stefansaidquietly.“Ithinkthey’drathernotgivemetimetogetwell.Thewholetownissupposedtogoupinfireandashes,youknow.ButIcan’tkeepaskingyouandMeredithandMatt—andElena—todonateblood.You’vealreadykeptmealivethelastfewdays,andIdon’tknowhowtorepayyouforit.”
“Repayusbygettingasstrongasyoucan,”Meredithsaidinherquiet,levelvoice.“But,Stefan,canIaskafewquestions?”
“Ofcourse,”Stefansaid,standingbyachair.Hedidn’tsithimselfuntilMeredith,withBonniealmostinherlap,hadsunkdownontheloveseat.
Thenhesaid,“Fire.”4
“First,”Meredithasked,“isDamonright?Ifyougobacktoanimalblood,willyoubeseriouslyweakened?”
Stefansmiled.“I’llbethewayIwaswhenIfirstmetyou,”hesaid.“Strongenoughtodothis.”HebenttowardthefireironsrightbelowDamon’selbow,murmuringabsently,“Scusiloperfavore”andremovedthepoker.
Damonrolledhiseyes.ButwhenStefan,inonefluidmotion,bentthepokerintoashapeandthenstraighteneditimmediatelybackandreplacedit,Mattcouldswearthattherewasice-coldenvyinDamon’susualpoker-playerexpression.
“Andthatwasiron,whichisresistanttoalleldritchforces,”Meredithsaidevenly,asStefansteppedawayfromthefireplace.
“Butofcoursehe’sbeenimbibingfromyouthreecharminggirlsforthepastfewdays—nottomentionthenuclearpowerhousethatdearElenahasbecome,”Damonsaid,clappinghishandsthreetimesslowly.“Oh…Mutt.Sonospiacente—Imean,Ididn’tmeantoaddyouinwiththegirls.Nooffensemeant.”
“Nonetaken,”Mattsaidthroughhisteeth.Ifhecould,justonce,wipethatflashing,there-and-gonesmileoffDamon’sface,hewoulddiehappy,hethought.
“But,thetruthisthatyouhavebecomeavery…willing…donorforDearBrother,haven’tyou?”Damonadded,hislipstwitchingslightly,asifonlythestrictestcontrolkepthimfromsmiling.
MatttooktwostepstowardDamon.ItwasallhecoulddonottogetrightupinDamon’sface,eventhoughsomethinginhisbrainalwaysscreamedsuicidewhenhehadthoughtslikethat.
“You’reright,”hesaidasevenlyaspossible.“I’vebeendonatingbloodtoStefanjustlikethegirls.He’smyfriend,andacoupleofdaysagohelookedlikehe’djustgottenoutofaconcentrationcamp.”
“Ofcourse,”Damonmurmured,asifchastened,butthenhewentoninevensoftertones,“Mylittlebrotherhasalwaysbeenpopularwithboth—well,withladiespresent,Iwillsaygenders.Evenwithmalekitsune;whichofcourseiswhyIaminthismess.”
MattliterallysawredasifhewerelookingthroughahazeofbloodatDamon.
“Speakingofwhich,whathappenedtoSage,Damon?Hewasavampire.Ifwecouldfindhim,yourproblemwouldbeover,right?”Meredithasked.
Itwasagoodriposte,justasallMeredith’scoolresponseswere.ButDamonspokewithhisfathomlessblackeyesfixedonMeredith’sface.“ThelessyouknowandsayaboutSage,thebetter.Iwouldn’tspeakofhimlightly—hehasfriendsinlowplaces.Buttoansweryourquestion:No,IwouldnotletSagemakemeintoavampire.Itwouldjustcomplicatethings.”
“Shinichisaidgoodluckonfindingoutwhoheis,”Meredithsaid,stillcalm.“Doyouknowwhathemeantbythat?”
Damonshruggedfluidly.“WhatIknowismyownbusiness.HespendstimeinthelowestanddarkestoftheDarkDimensions.”
Bonnieburstout,“WhydidSagego?Oh,Damon,didhegobecauseofus?WhydidheleaveTalonandSabertowatchoverus,then?And,oh—oh—oh,Damon,I’msosorry!So,sosorry!”Sheslidofftheloveseatandbentherheadsothatonlystrawberrycurlswerevisible.Withhersmallpalehandsonthefloortobraceher,shelookedasifshewereabouttobowherheadtothegroundathisfeet.“Thisisallmyfaultandeveryone’sangry—butitwasjustsohorribleIhadtobelievetheworstthingsIcouldthinkof!”
Itwasatension-breaker.Nearlyeveryonelaughed.ItwassoBonnie,andsotrueofallofthem.Sohuman.
Mattwantedtopickherupandputherbackontheloveseat.MeredithwasalwaysthebestmedicineforBonnie.ButasMattfoundhimselfreachingforher,hewasconfoundedbytwootherpairsofhandsdoingthesamething.OnewasMeredith’sownlong,slenderolive-skinnedhands,andtheotherpairweremale,withevenlongertaperingfingers.
Matt’shandclenchedintoafist.LetMeredithtakeher,hethought,andhisclumsyfist—somehow—gotinthewayofDamon’sreachingfingers.MeredithliftedBonnieeasilyandsatbackontheloveseat.DamonliftedhisdarkeyestoMatt’sandMattsawperfectcomprehensionthere.
“Youreallyoughttoforgiveher,Damon,”Meredith,evertheimpartialreferee,saidbluntly.“Idon’tthinkshe’llbeabletosleeptonightotherwise.”
Damonshrugged,coldasaniceberg.“Maybe…someday.”
Mattcouldfeelhismusclesclench.WhatkindofbastardsaidthattolittleBonnie?Becauseofcourseshewaslistening.
“Damnyou,”Mattsaidunderhisbreath.
“Excuseme?”Damon’svoicewasnolongerlanguidandfalselypolite,butsuddenlyawhiplash.
“Youheardme,”Mattgrowled.“Andifyoudidn’t,maybewe’dbettergooutsidesoIcansayitlouder,”headded,soaringonthewingsofbravado.
Heleftbehindawailof“No!”fromBonnie,andagentle“Sh,”fromMeredith.Stefansaid,“Bothofyou—”inacommandingvoice,butthenhefalteredandcoughed,whichbothMattandDamontookasachancetosprintforthedoor.
Itwasstillverywarmoutsideontheboardinghouseporch.“Isthisthekillingground?”Damonaskedlazilywhentheyhaddescendedthestepsandstoodbesidethegravelpath.
“It’sfinebyme,”Mattsaidbriefly,knowinginhisbonesthatDamonwouldfightdirty.
“Yes,thisisdefinitelycloseenough,”Damonsaid,flashinganunnecessarilybrilliantsmileinMatt’sdirection.“Youcanyellforhelpwhilelittlebrotherisintheparlor,andhe’llhaveplentyoftimetorescueyou.Andnowwe’regoingtosolvetheproblemsofwhatyou’redoinginmybusinessandwhyyouare—”
Mattpunchedhiminthenose.
HehadnoideawhatDamonwastryingtodo.Ifyouaskedaguytostepoutside,thenyouaskedhimtostepoutside.Thenyouwentfortheguy.Youdidn’tstandaroundtalking.Ifyoutriedthat,you’dbestuckwiththelabelof“coward”orworse.Damondidn’tseemlikethetypewhoneededtobetoldthat.
Butthen,Damonhadalwaysbeenabletorepelanyattackonhimwhilehegotasmanyinsultsasheliked…before.
Before,he’dhavejustbrokeneveryboneinmyhandandgoneonbaitingme,Mattguessed.Butnow…I’malmostasfastashim,andhesimplygottakenbysurprise.
Mattflexedhishandgingerly.Italwayshurt,ofcourse,butifMeredithcoulddoittoCaroline,thenhecoulddoitto…
Damon?
Damn,didIjusttakedownDamon?
Run,Honeycutt,heseemedtohearthevoiceofhisoldcoachtellinghim.Run.Getoutoftown.Changeyourname.
Triedthat.Didn’twork.NeverevengotaT-shirt,Mattthoughtsourly.
ButDamonwasn’tleapinguplikeaflamingdemonfromhell,withtheeyesofadragonandthestrengthofaragingbulltoannihilateMatt.Itlookedandsoundedmoreasifhewereshockedandindignantfromhisdisheveledhairtohisearth-stainedboots.
“You…ignorant…childish…”HelapsedintoItalian.
“Look,”Mattsaid.“I’mheretofight,okay?AndthesmartestguyIeverknewsaid:‘Ifyou’regonnafight,don’ttalk.Ifyou’regonnatalk,don’tfight.’”
Damontriedtosnarlashekneltupandpulledspinyteaselandpricklysidaoutofhisdistressedblackjeans.Butthesnarldidn’tcomeoutquiteright.Maybeitwasthenewshapeofhiscanines.Maybeitjustdidn’thaveenoughconvictionbehindit.Matthadseenenoughdefeatedguystoknowthatthisfightwasover.Astrangeexaltationcameoverhim.Hewasgoingtokeepallhislimbsandorgans!Itwasaprecious,preciousmoment.
Allright,then,shouldIofferhimahand?Mattwondered,tobeansweredinstantaneouslyby,Sure,ifyou’dofferahandtoatemporarilystunnedcrocodile.Whatdoyoureallyneedtenwholefingersfor,anyway?
Oh,well,hethought,turningtogobackintothefrontdoor.Aslongashelived—which,conceded,mightnotbetoolong—hewouldrememberthismoment.
Ashewentin,hebumpedintoBonnie,whowasrushingout.
“Oh,Matt,oh,Matt,”shecried.Shewaslookingwildlyaround.“Didyouhurthim?Didhehurtyou?”
Mattsmackedhisfistintothepalmofhishand,once.“He’sstillsittingdownbackthere,”headdedhelpfully.
“Oh,no!”Bonniegasped,andshehurriedoutthedoor.
Okay.Lessspectacularofanight.Butstillaprettygoodone.
“Theydidwhat?”ElenaaskedStefan.Coldpoulticesanchoredbytightbandageswerewrappedaroundherarm,hand,andthigh—Mrs.Flowershadcutherjeansoffshort—andMrs.Flowerswaswipingawaythedriedbloodonherneckwithherbs.
Herheartwaspoundingwithmorethanpain.Evenshehadn’trealizedthatStefanwastunedintotheentirehousewhenhewasawake.AllshecoulddowastoshakilythankGodthathe’dbeenasleepwhilesheandDamon—no!Shehadtostopthinkingaboutit,andrightnow!
“Theywentoutsidetofight,”Stefansaid.“It’sidiotic,ofcourse.Butit’samatterofhonor,too.Ican’tinterfere.”
“Well,Ican—ifyou’redone,Mrs.Flowers.”
“Yes,dearElena,”Mrs.Flowerssaid,windingabandagearoundElena’sthroat.“Nowyoushouldn’tgettetanus.”
Elenastoppedinmid-motion.“Ithoughtyougottetanusfromrustyblades,”shesaid.“Da—thisonelookedbrand-new.”
“Tetanuscomesfromdirtyblades,mydear,”Mrs.Flowerscorrectedher.“Butthis”—sheheldupabottle—“isGrandmama’sownpersonalrecipethathaskeptmanyawounddisease-freedownthecen—downtheyears.”
“Wow,”Elenasaid.“IneverevenheardofGrandmamabefore.Wasshea—healer?”
“Oh,yes,”Mrs.Flowerssaidearnestly.“Shewasactuallyaccusedofbeingawitch.Butathertrialtheycouldprovenothing.Heraccusersseemednoteventobecapableofcoherentspeech.”
ElenalookedatStefanonlytofindthathewaslookingather.Mattwasindangerofbeingdraggedofftoakangaroocourt—forallegedlyassaultingCarolineForbeswhileundertheinfluenceofsomeunknownandterribledrug.Anythingtodowithcourtswasinterestingtobothofthem.ButlookingatStefan’sconcernedface,Elenadecidednottopursuethesubject.Shesqueezedhishand.“Wehavetogonow—butlet’stalkaboutGrandmamalater.Ithinkshesoundsfascinating.”
“Ijustrememberherasacrotchetyoldrecluse,whodidn’tsufferfoolsgladlyandthoughtjustabouteveryonewasafool,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.“IsupposeIwasgoingdownthesamepathuntilyouchildrencameandmademesitupandtakenotice.Thankyou.”
“We’retheoneswhoshouldthankyou,”Elenabegan,huggingtheoldwoman,feelingherheartstoppounding.Stefanwaslookingatherwithopenlove.Itwasallgoingtobeallright—forher.
I’mworriedaboutMatt,shethoughttoStefan,testingthewatersmorevigorously.Damon’sstillsofast—andyouknowhedoesn’tlikeMattabit.
Ithink,Stefanreturnedwithawrysmile,thatthatisaratherstunningunderstatement.ButIalsothinkyoushouldn’tworryuntilweseewhocomesbackinjured.
Elenaeyedthatsmile,andthoughtforamomentaboutimpulsive,athleticMatt.Afteramoment,shesmiledback.Shewasfeelingbothguiltyandprotective—andsafe.Stefanalwaysmadeherfeelsafe.Andrightnow,shewantedtospoilhim.
Inthefrontyard,Bonniewasabasingherself.Shecouldn’thelpthinking,evennow,abouthowhandsomeDamonlooked,howwildanddarkandferociousandgorgeous.Shecouldn’thelpthinkingaboutthetimeshe’dsmiledather,laughedather,cometosaveheratherurgentcall.Shehadhonestlythoughtthatsomeday…Butnowshefeltasifherheartwerebreakingintwo.
“Ijustwanttobitemytongueout,”shesaid.“IshouldneverhaveassumedanythingfromwhatIsaw.”
“HowcouldyoupossiblyhaveknownthatIwasn’tstealingElenaawayfromStefan?”Damonsaidwearily.“It’sjustthekindofthingI’ddo.”
“No,itisn’t!YoudidsomuchtofreeStefanfromprison—youalwaysfacedthemostdangeryourself—andyoukeptusallfrombeinghurt.Youdidallthatforotherpeople—”
SuddenlyBonnie’supperarmswerebeingheldbyhandsthatweresostrongthathermindwasfloodedwithclichés.Agraspofiron.Strongassteelbands.Aninescapablegrip.
Andavoicelikeanicytorrentwascomingather.
“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutme,orwhatIwant,orwhatIdo.ForallyouknowIcouldbeplottingrightnow.Sodon’teverletmehearyoutalkagainaboutsuchthings,orimaginethatIwon’tkillyouifyougetinmyway,”Damonsaid.
HegotupandleftBonniesittingthere,staringafterhim.Andshe’dbeenwrong.Shewasn’toutoftearsatall.5
“IthoughtyouwantedtogetoutsowecouldtalktoDamon,”Stefansaid,stillhandinhandwithElenaasshemadeasharprightturnontothericketystairwaythatledtothesecond-floorroomsand,abovethat,toStefan’sattic.
“Well,unlesshekillsMattandrunsIdon’tseewhat’stokeepusfromtalkingtohimtomorrow.”ElenaglancedbackatStefananddimpled.“Itookyouradviceandthoughtalittleaboutthetwoofthem.Matt’saprettytoughquarterbackandthey’rebothonlyhumannow,right?Anyway,it’stimeforyourdinner.”
“Dinner?”Stefan’scanineteethrespondedautomatically—embarrassinglyquickly—totheword.HereallyneededtohaveawordwithDamonlaterandmakesureDamonunderstoodhisplaceasaguestattheboardinghouse—nothingmore—butitwastrue,hecoulddothattomorrow.Itmightevenbemoreeffectivetomorrow,whenDamon’sownpent-upragewasspent.
Hepressedhistongueagainsthisfangs,tryingtoforcethembackdown,butthesmallstimulationcausedthemtosharpen,nickinghislip.Nowtheywereachingpleasantly.Allinresponsetoasingleword:dinner
Elenathrewhimateasingglanceoverhershoulderandgiggled.Shewasoneofthoseluckyfemaleswithabeautifullaugh.Butthiswasaclearlymischievousgiggle,straightfromherwicked,schemingchildhood.ItmadeStefanwanttoticklehertohearmore;itmadehimwanttolaughwithher;itmadehimwanttograbheranddemandtoknowthejoke.Insteadhesaid,“What’sup,love?”
“Someonehassharpteeth,”sherespondedinnocently,andgiggledagain.Helosthimselfinadmirationforasecondandalsosuddenlylostholdofherhand.Laughinglikeamusicalcascadeofwhitewateroverrock,sheranupthestairsaheadofhim,bothtoteaseandtoshowhimwhatgoodshapeshewasin,hethought.Ifshehadstumbled,orfaltered,sheknewhewoulddecidethatherdonationofbloodwasharmingher.
Sofaritdidn’tseemtobedamaginganyofhisfriends,orhewouldhaveinsistedonarestforthatperson.ButevenBonnie,asdelicateasadragonfly,hadn’tseemedtobetheworseforit.
ElenaracedupthestairsknowingthatStefanwassmilingbehindher,andtherewasnoshadowofmistrustinhismind.Shedidn’tdeserveit,butthatonlymadehermoreanxioustopleasehim.
“Haveyouhadyourdinner?”Stefanaskedastheyreachedhisroom.
“Longago;roastbeef—cooked.”Shesmiled.
“WhatdidDamonsaywhenhefinallyrealizeditwasyouandlookedatthefoodyou’dbrought?”
Elenamadeherselfgiggleagain.Itwasallrighttohavetearsinhereyes;herburnsandcutshurtandtheepisodewithDamonjustifiedanyamountofweeping.
“Hecalleditbloodyhamburger.Itwassteaktartar.But,Stefan,Idon’twanttotalkabouthimnow.”
“No,ofcourseyoudon’t,love.”Stefanwasimmediatelycontrite.Andhewastryingsohardnottoseemeagertofeed—buthecouldn’tevencontrolhiscanines.
AndElenawasinnomoodtodallyeither.Sheperchedonthebed,carefullyunwindingthebandageMrs.Flowershadjustwoundonit.Stefansuddenlylookedtroubled.
Love—Hestoppedabruptly.
What?Elenafinishedwiththebandage,studyingStefan’sface.
Well—shallItakeitoutofyourarminstead?You’realreadyinpainandIdon’twanttofoolwithMrs.Flowers’santi-tetanustreatment.
There’sstillplentyofroomaroundit,Elenasaidcheerfully.
Butabiteontopofthosecuts…Hestoppedagain.
Elenalookedathim.SheknewherStefan.Therewassomethinghewantedtosay.Tellme,shepressedhim.
Stefanfinallymethereyesdirectly,andthenputhismouthclosetoherear.“Icanhealthecuts,”hewhispered.“But—itwouldmeanopeningthemagainsotheycanbleed.Thatwillhurt.”
“Anditmightpoisonyou!”Elenasaidsharply.“Don’tyousee?Mrs.Flowersputheavenknowswhatonthem—”
Shecouldfeelhislaughter,whichsentwarmtinglesdownherspine.“Youcan’tkillavampiresoeasily,”hesaid.“Weonlydieifyoustakeusthroughtheheart.ButIdon’twanttohurtyou—eventohelpyou.IcouldInfluenceyounottofeelanything—”
Onceagain,Elenacuthimoff.“No!No,Idon’tmindifithurts.Aslongasyougetasmuchbloodasyouneed.”
StefanrespectedElenaenoughtoknowthatheshouldn’taskthesamequestiontwice.Andhecouldhardlyrestrainhimselfanylonger.Hewatchedherliedownandthenstretchedoutbesideher,bendingtogettothegreen-stainedcuts.Helickedgently,atfirstrathertentatively,atthewounds,andthenranasatinytongueoverthem.HehadnoideahowtheprocessworkedorwhatchemicalshewasstrokingoverElena’sinjuries.Itwasasautomaticasbreathingwastohumans.Butafteraminute,hechuckledsoftly.
What?What?Elenademanded,smilingherselfashisbreathtickled.
Yourblood’slacedwithlemonbalm,Stefanreplied.Grandmama’shealingrecipehaslemonbalmandalcoholinit!Lemonbalmwine!
Isthatgoodorbad?Elenaaskeduncertainly.
It’sfine—forachange.ButIstilllikeyourbloodstraightthebest.Doesithurttoomuch?
Elenacouldfeelherselfflush.Damonhadhealedhercheekthisway,backintheDarkDimension,whenElenahad,withherownbody,protectedableedingslavefromawhiplash.SheknewStefanknewthestory,andmustknow,eachtimehesawher,thatthealmost-invisiblewhitelineonhercheekbonehadbeenstrokedjustthisgentlyintohealing.
Comparedtothat,thesescratchesarenothing,shesent.Butasuddenchillwentthroughher.
Stefan!IneverbeggedyourpardonforprotectingUlmaattheriskofnotbeingabletosaveyou.Or,worse—fordancingwhileyouwerestarving—forkeepingupthesocietypretensesowecouldgettheTwinFoxkey—
DoyouthinkIcareaboutthat?Stefan’svoicewasmock-angryashegentlysealedonecutatherthroat.Youdidwhatyouhadtoinordertotrackme—findme—saveme—afterI’dleftyoualonehere.Don’tyouthinkIunderstand?Ididn’tdeservethesaving—
NowElenafeltasmallsobchokeher.Neversaythat!Never!AndIsuppose—IsupposeIknewyouwouldforgiveme—orIwouldhavefelteveryjewelIworeburninglikeabrand.Wehadtochaseyoudownlikeafoxwithhounds—andweweresoscaredthatasinglemisstepcouldmeanyou’dbehanged…orwewouldbe
Stefanwasholdinghertightlynow.HowcanImakeyouunderstand?heasked.Yougaveupeverything—evenyourfreedom—forme.Youbecameslaves.You—you—were“Disciplined”…
Elenaaskedwildly,Howdoyouknowthat?Whotoldyou?
Youtoldme,beloved.Inyoursleep—inyourdreams.
But,Stefan—Damontookthepainforme.Didyouknowthat?
Stefanwassilentamoment,thenresponded,I…see.Ididn’tknowthatbefore.
ScenesstrewnfromtheDarkDimensionbubbledinElena’smind.Thatcityoftarnishedbaubles—ofillusiveglitter,whereawhiplashthatspreadbloodacrossawallwasasmuchcelebratedasahandfulofrubiesstrewnonthesidewalk….
Love,don’tthinkaboutit.Youfollowedme,andyourescuedme,andnowwe’reheretogether,Stefansaid.Thelastcutclosed,helayhischeekonhers.That’sallIcareabout.YouandI—together.
Elenawasalmostdizzilygladtobeforgiven—buttherewassomethinginsideher—somethingthathadgrownandgrownandgrownduringtheweeksshewasintheDarkDimension.AfeelingforDamonthatwasnotjusttheresultofherneedforhishelp.AfeelingthatElenahadthoughtStefanunderstood.Afeelingthatmightevenchangetherelationsbetweenthethreeofthem:her,Stefan,andDamon.ButnowStefanseemedtoassumethateverythingwouldreturntothewayitwasbeforehiskidnapping.
Oh,well,whyfretabouttomorrowwhentonightwasenoughtomakeherweepwithjoy?
Thiswasthebestfeelingintheworld,theknowledgethatsheandStefanweretogether,andshemadeStefanpromiseheroverandoverthathewouldnoteverleaveheronanotherquestagain,nomatterhowbriefly,nomatterwhatthecause.
Bynow,Elenacouldnotevenfocusonwhatshehadbeenworriedaboutbefore.SheandStefanhadalwaysfoundheavenineachother’sarms.Theyweremeanttobetogetherforever.Nothingelsematterednowthatshewashome.
“Home”waswheresheandStefanweretogether.6
Bonniecouldn’tgettosleepafterDamon’swordstoher.ShewantedtotalktoMeredith,buttherewasanunseeing,unhearinglumpinMeredith’sbed.
Theonlythingshecouldthinkofwastogodowntothekitchenandhuddleupwithacupofcocoaintheden,alonewithhermisery.Bonniewasn’tgoodatbeingalonewithherself.
Butasitturnedout,whenshegottothebottomfloor,shedidn’theadforthekitchenafterall.Shewentstraighttotheden.Everythingwasdarkandstrange-lookinginthesilentdimness.Turningononelightwouldjustmakeeverythingelseevendarker.Butshemanaged,withshakingfingers,totwisttheswitchofthestandinglampbesidethecouch.Nowifonlyshecouldfindabookorsomething…
Shewasholdingontoherpillowasifitwereateddybear,whenDamon’svoicebesidehersaid,“Poorlittleredbird.Youshouldn’tbeupsolate,youknow.”
Bonniestartedandbitherlip.
“Ihopeyou’renotstillhurting,”shesaidcoldly,verymuchonherdignity,whichshesuspectedwasnotveryconvincing.Butwhatwasshesupposedtodo?
ThetruthwasthatBonniehadabsolutelynochanceofwinningaduelofwitswithDamon—andsheknewit.
Damonwantedtosay,“Hurting?Toavampire,ahumanfleabitelikethatwas…”
Butunfortunatelyhewasahumantoo.Anditdidhurt.
Notforlong,hepromisedhimself,lookingatBonnie.
“Ithoughtyouneverwantedtoseemeagain,”shesaid,chintrembling.Italmostseemedtoocrueltomakeuseofavulnerablelittleredbird.Butwhatchoicedidhehave?
I’llmakeituptohersomehow,someday—Iswearit,hethought.AndatleastIcanmakeitpleasantnow.
“Thatwasn’twhatIsaid,”hereplied,hopingthatBonniewouldn’trememberexactlywhathehadsaid.IfhecouldjustInfluencethetremblingwoman-childbeforehim…buthecouldn’t.Hewasahumannow.
“Youtoldmeyouwouldkillme.”
“Look,I’djustbeenknockeddownbyahuman.Idon’tsupposeyouknowwhatthatmeans,butithasn’thappenedtomesinceIwastwelveyearsold,andstillanoriginalhumanboy.”
Bonnie’schinkepttrembling,butthetearshadstopped.Youarebravestwhenyou’rescared,Damonthought.
“I’mmoreworriedabouttheothers,”hesaid.
“Others?”Bonnieblinked.
“Infivehundredyearsoflife,onetendstomakearemarkableamountofenemies.Idon’tknow;maybeit’sjustme.Ormaybeit’sthesimplelittlefactofbeingavampire.”
“Oh.Oh,no!”Bonniecried.
“Whatdoesitmatter,littleredbird?Longorshort,lifeseemsalltoobrief.”
“But—Damon—”
“Don’tfret,kitten.HaveoneofNature’sremedies.”DamonpulledoutofhisbreastpocketasmallflaskthatsmelledunquestionablyofBlackMagic.
“Oh—yousavedit!Howcleverofyou!”
“Tryataste?Ladies—strikethat—youngwomenfirst.”
“Oh,Idon’tknow.Iusedtogetawfullysillyonthat.”
“Theworldissilly.Lifeissilly.Especiallywhenyou’vebeendoomedsixtimesbeforebreakfast.”Damonopenedtheflask.
“Oh,allright!”Clearlythrilledbythenotionof“drinkingwithDamon,”Bonnietookaverydaintysip.
Damonchokedtocoveralaugh.“You’dbettertakebiggerswigs,redbird.Orit’sgoingtotakeallnightbeforeIgetaturn.”
Bonnietookadeepbreath,andthenadeepdraft.Afteraboutthreeofthose,Damondecidedshewasready.
Bonnie’sgiggleswerenonstopnow.“Ithink…DoIthinkI’vehadenoughnow?”
“Whatcolorsdoyouseeouthere?”
“Pink?Violet?Isthatright?Isn’titnighttime?”
“Well,perhapstheNorthernLightsarepayingusavisit.Butyou’reright,Ishouldgetyouintobed.”
“Oh,no!Oh,yes!Oh,no!Nononoyes!”
“Shh.”
“SHHHHHH!”
Terrific,Damonthought;I’veoverdoneit.
“Imeant,getyouintoabed,”hesaidfirmly.“Justyou.Here,I’llwalkyoutothefirst-floorbedroom.”
“BecauseImightfallonthestairs?”
“Youmightsaythat.AndthisbedroomismuchnicerthantheoneyousharewithMeredith.Nowyoujustgotosleepanddon’ttellanyoneaboutourrendezvous.”
“NotevenElena?”
“Notevenanybody.OrImightgetangryatyou.”
“Oh,no!Iwon’t,Damon:Iswearonyourlife!”
“That’s—prettyaccurate,”Damonsaid.“Goodnight.”
Moonlightcocoonedthehouse.Fogmistedthemoonlight.Aslender,hoodeddarkfiguretookadvantageofshadowssoskillfullythatitwouldhavepassedunnoticedevenifsomeonehadbeenwatchingoutforit—andnoonewas.7
Bonniewasinhernewfirst-floorbedroom,andwasfeelingverybewildered.BlackMagicalwaysmadeherfeelgiggly,andthenverysleepy,butsomehowtonightherbodyrefusedtosleep.Herheadhurt.
Shewasjustabouttoturnthebedsidelighton,whenafamiliarvoicesaid,“Howaboutsometeaforyourheadache?”
“Damon?”
“ImadesomefromMrs.Flowers’sherbsandIdecidedtomakeyouacupaswell.Aren’tyoutheluckygirl?”IfBonniehadbeenlisteningclosely,shemighthaveheardsomethingalmostlikeself-loathingbehindthelightwords—butshewasn’t.
“Yes!”Bonniesaid,meaningit.MostofMrs.Flowers’steassmelledandtastedgood.Thisonewasespeciallynice,butgrainyonhertongue.
Andnotonlywastheteagood,butDamonstayedtotalktoherwhileshedrankitall.Thatwassweetofhim.
Strangely,thisteamadeherfeelnotexactlysleepy,butasifshecouldonlyconcentrateononethingatatime.Damonswamintoherfieldofview.“Feelingmorerelaxed?”heasked.
“Yes,thankyou.”Weirderandweirder.Evenhervoicesoundedslowanddragging.
“IwantedtomakesurenobodywastoohardonyouforthesillymistakeaboutElena,”heexplained.
“Theyweren’t,really,”shesaid.“ActuallyeverybodywasmoreinterestedinseeingyouandMattfight—”Bonnieputahandoverhermouth.“Oh,no!Ididn’tmeantosaythat!I’msosorry!”
“It’sallright.Itshouldhealbytomorrow.”
Bonniecouldn’timaginewhyanyonewouldbesoafraidofDamon,whowassoniceastopickuphermugofteaandsayhe’dputitinthesink.Thatwasgoodbecauseshewasfeelingasifshecouldn’tgetuptosaveherlife.Thatcozy.Thatcomfy.
“Bonnie,canIaskyoujustonelittlething?”Damonpaused.“Ican’ttellyouwhy,but…IhavetofindoutwhereMisao’sstarballiskept,”hesaidearnestly.
“Oh…that,”Bonniesaidfuzzily.Shegiggled.
“Yes,that.AndIamtrulysorrytoaskyou,becauseyou’resoveryyoungandinnocent…butIknowyou’lltellmethetruth.”
Afterthispraiseandcomfort,Bonniefeltshecouldfly.“It’sbeeninthesameplaceallthetime,”shesaidwithsleepydisgust.“Theytriedtomakemethinkthey’dmovedit…butwhenIsawhimchainedandgoingdowntotherootcellarIknewtheyhadn’treally.”Inthedark,therewasashortshakeofcurlsandthenayawn.“Iftheywerereallygoingtomoveit…theyshouldhavesentmeawayorsomething.”
“Well,maybetheywereconcernedforyourlife.”
“Wha’?…”Bonnieyawnedagain,notsurewhathemeant.“Imean,anold,oldsafewithacombination?Itoldthem…thatthoseoldsafes…couldbe…reallybe…easyto…to…”Bonnieletoutasoundlikeasighandhervoicestopped.
“I’mgladwehadthistalk,”Damonmurmuredinthesilence.
Therewasnoanswerfromthebed.
PullingBonnie’ssheetupashighasitwouldgo,heletitdriftdown.Itcoveredmostofherface.“Requiescatinpace,”Damonsaidsoftly.Thenheleftherroom,notforgettingtotakethemug.
Now…“himchainedandgoingdowntotherootcellar.”Damonmusedashewashedoutthemugcarefullyandputitbackinthecupboard.Thelinesoundedstrangebuthehadalmostallthelinksnow,anditwasactuallysimple.AllheneededweretwelvemoreofMrs.Flowers’ssleepingcachetsandtwoplatesheapedwithrawbeef.Hehadalltheingredients…buthe’dneverheardofarootcellar.
Shortlythereafter,heopenedthedoortothebasement.Nope.Didn’tmatchthecriteriafor“rootcellar”he’dlookeduponhismobile.Irritatedandknowingthatanymomentsomeonewaslikelytowanderdownstairsforsomething,Damonturnedaroundinfrustration.Therewasanelaboratelycarvedwoodenpanelacrossfromthebasement,butnothingelse.
Curseit,hewouldnotbethwartedatthispoint.Hewouldhavehislifeasavampireback,orhedidn’twantanylifeatall!
Topunctuatethesentiment,heslammedafistagainstthewoodenpanelinfrontofhim.
Theknocksoundedhollow.
Immediatelyallfrustrationvanished.Damonexaminedthepanelverycarefully.Yes,therewerehingesattheveryedge,wherenosanepersonwouldexpectthem.Itwasn’tapanelbutadoor—undoubtedlytotherootcellarwherethestarballwas.
Itdidn’ttakelongforhissensitivefingers—evenhishumanfingersweremoresensitivethanmost—tofindaplacethatclicked—andthenthewholedoorswungopen.Hecouldseethestairs.Hetuckedhisparcelunderonearmanddescended.
Bytheilluminationofthesmallflashlighthe’dtakenfromthestorageroom,therootcellarwasjustasdescribed:adamp,earthyroomtostorefruitandvegetablesbeforerefrigeratorshadbeeninvented.AndthesafewasjustasBonniehadsaid:anancient,rustycombinationsafe,whichanywhizcrackercouldhaveopenedinaboutsixtyseconds.ItwouldtakeDamonaboutsixminutes,withhisstethoscope(he’dheardoncethatyoucouldfindanythingintheboardinghouseifyoulookedhardenoughanditseemedtobetrue)andeveryatomofhisbeingconcentratingonhearingthetumblersquietlyclick.
First,however,therewastheBeasttoconquer.Sabertheblackhellhoundhadunfolded,awakeandalertfromthemomentthesecretdoorhadopened.Undoubtedly,theyhadusedDamon’sclothestoteachhimtohowlmadlyathisscent.
ButDamonhadhisownknowledgeofherbsandhadransackedMrs.Flowers’skitchentofindahandfulofwitchhazel,asmallamountofstrawberrywine,aniseed,somepeppermintoil,andafewotheressentialoilsshehadinstock,sweetandsharp.Mixed,thiscreatedapungentlotion,whichhehadgingerlyappliedtohimself.TheconcoctionformedforSaberanimpossibletangleofstrongsmells.Theonlythingthenow-sittingdogknewwasthatitwassurelynotDamonsittingonthestepsandtossinghimheartyballsofhamburgeranddelicatestripsoffiletmignon—eachofwhichhegulpeddownwhole.Damonwatchedwithinterestastheanimaldevouredthemixofsleepingpowderandrawmeat,tailwhiskingonthefloor.
TenminuteslaterSaberthehellhoundwassprawledouthappilyunconscious.
Sixminutesafterthat,Damonwasopeninganirondoor.
OnesecondlaterhewaspullingapillowcaseoutofMrs.Flowers’santiquesafe
Intheglowoftheflashlighthefoundthathedidindeedhaveastarball,butthatitwasjustalittlemorethanhalffull.
Nowwhatdidthatmean?Therewasaveryneatholedrilledandcorkedatthetopsothatnotonepreciousdropletmoreneedbewasted.
Butwhohadusedtherestofthefluid—andwhy?Damonhimselfhadseenthestarballbrimfulofopalescent,shimmeringliquidjustdaysago.
Somehowbetweenthattimeandnowsomeonehadusedaboutahundredthousandindividuals’lifeenergy.
Hadtheotherstriedtodosomeremarkabledeedwithitandfailed,atthecostofburningsomuchPower?Stefanwastookindtohaveusedsomuch,Damonwascertainofthat.But…
Sage.
WithanImperialSummonsinhishand,Sagewaslikelytodoanything.So,sometimeafterthespherehadbeenbroughtintotheboardinghouse,Sagehadpouredoutalmostexactlyhalfthelifeforcefromthestarballandthen,undoubtedly,lefttherestbehindforMuttorsomeonetocork.
AndsuchacolossalamountofPowercouldonlyhavebeenusedfor…openingtheGatetotheDarkDimensions.
Veryslowly,Damonletouthisbreathandsmiled.TherewereonlyafewwaystogetintotheDarkDimensions,andasahumanheobviouslycouldnotdrivetoArizonaandpassthroughapublicGatewayashehadthefirsttimewiththegirls.Butnowhehadsomethingevenbetter.AstarballtoopenhisownprivateGateway.Heknewofnootherwaytocross,unlessonewasluckyenoughtoholdoneofthealmost-mythicalMasterKeysthatallowedonetoroamthedimensionsatwill.
Doubtless,somedayinthefuture,insomenook,Mrs.Flowerswouldfindanotherthank-younote:thistimealongwithsomethingthatwasliterallyinvaluable—somethingexquisiteandpricelessandprobablyfromadimensionquitefarfromEarth.ThatwashowSageoperated.
Allwasquietabove.Thehumanswererelyingontheiranimalcompanionstokeepthemsafe.Damongavetherootcellarasinglelookaroundandsawnothingmorethanadimroomcompletelyemptyexceptforthesafe,whichhenowclosed.Dumpinghisownparaphernaliaintothepillowcase,hepattedSaber,whowasgentlysnoring,andturnedtowardthesteps.
Thatwaswhenhesawthatafigurewasstandinginthedoorway.Thefigurethensteppedsmoothlybehindthedoor,butDamonhadseenenough.
Inonehandthefigurehadbeenholdingafightingstavealmostastallasitwas.
Whichmeantthatitwasahunter-slayer.Ofvampires.
Damonhadmetseveralhunter-slayers—briefly—inhistime.Theywere,inhisconsideration,bigoted,unreasonable,andevenmorestupidthantheaveragehuman,becausethey’dusuallybeenbroughtuponlegendsofvampireswithfangsliketuskswhorippedoutthethroatsoftheirvictimsandkilledthem.Damonwouldbethefirsttoadmitthatthereweresomevampireslikethat,butmostweremorerestrained.Vampirehuntersusuallyworkedingroups,butDamonhadahunchthatthisonewouldbealone.
Henowascendedthestepsslowly.Hewasfairlycertainoftheidentityofthishunter-slayer,butifhewaswronghewasgoingtohavetododgeastavelaunchedstraightdownathimlikeajavelin.Noproblem—ifhewerestillavampire.Slightlymoredifficult,unarmedashewasandataseveretacticaldisadvantage.
Hereachedthetopofthestairsunharmed.Thiswasreallythemostdangerouspartofclimbingsteps,foraweaponofjusttherightlengthcouldsendhimcrashingallthewaybackdown.Ofcourseavampirewouldn’tbepermanentlyinjuredbythat,but—again—hewasnolongeravampire.
Butthepersoninthekitchenallowedhimtoclimballthewayoutoftherootcellarunhindered.
Akillerwithhonor.Howsweet.
Heturnedslowlytomeasureuphisvampirehunter.Hewasimmediatelyimpressed.
Itwasn’ttheobviousstrengththatallowedthehuntertobeabletowhipoffafigureeightwiththefightingstavethatimpressedhim.Itwastheweaponitself.Perfectlybalanced,itwasmeanttobeheldinthemiddle,andthedesignspickedoutinjewelsaroundthehandholdshowedthatitscreatorhadhadexcellenttaste.Theendsshowedthatheorshehadasenseofhumoraswell.Thetwoendsofthestaveweremadeofironwoodforstrength—buttheywerealsodecorated.Inshape,theyweremadetoresembleoneofhumankind’soldestweapons,theflint-tippedspear.Butthereweretinyspikesextrudingfromeachofthese“spearflakes,”setfirmlyintotheironwood.Thesetinyspikeswereofdifferentmaterials:silverforwerewolves,woodforvampires,whiteashforOldOnes,ironforalleldritchcreatures,andafewthatDamoncouldn’tquiteworkout.
“They’rerefillable,”thehunter-slayerexplained.“Hypodermicneedlesinjectonimpact.Andofcoursedifferentpoisonsfordifferentspecies—quickandsimpleforhumans,wolfsbaneforthosenaughtypuppies,andsoon.Itreallyisajewelofaweapon.IwishIhadfounditbeforewemetKlaus.”
Thensheseemedtoshakeherselfbackintoreality.
“So,Damon,what’sitgoingtobe?”askedMeredith.8
Damonnoddedthoughtfully,glancingbackandforthbetweenthefightingstaveandthepillowcaseinhishand.
Hadn’thesuspectedsomethinglikethisforalongtime?Subconsciously?Afterall,therehadbeenthatattackonthegrandfather,whichhadfailedtoeitherkillhimortoerasehismemorycompletely.Damon’simaginationcouldfillintherest:herparentsseeingnoreasontoblighttheirtinydaughter’slifewiththisgruesomebusiness—awholenewchangeofscenery—andthengivingupthepracticeintheprovincial,protectedlittletownofFell’sChurch.
Iftheyhadonlyknown.
Oh,doubtlesstheyhadmadesurethatMeredithhadhadself-defenseandvariousmartialartstrainingsinceshewasachild,whileswearinghertoabsolutesecrecy—evenfromherbestfriends.
Well,now,Damonthought.ThefirstofShinichi’sriddleswasalreadysolved.“Oneofyouhasalifetimesecretkeptfromeveryone.”Ialwaysknewtherewassomethingaboutthisgirl…andthisisit.I’dbetmylifethatshe’sablackbelt.
Therehadbeenalongsilence.NowDamonbrokeit.
Yourancestorswerehunterstoo?heasked,asifsheweretelepathic.Hewaitedamoment—stillsilence.Okay—notelepathy.Thatwasgood.Henoddedatthemagnificentstave.“Thatwascertainlymadeforalordorlady.”
Meredithwasn’tstupid.Shespokewithoutglancingawayfromhiseyes.Shewasready,atanyinstant,togointokillingmode.“We’rejustordinaryfolk,tryingtogetajobdonesoinnocenthumanswillbesafer.”
“Bykillingtheoddvampireortwo.”
“Well,sofarinrecordedhistorysaying‘Naughty,naughty,Mamaspank’hasfailedtoconvertasinglevampiretovegetarianism.”
Damonhadtolaugh.“Pityyouweren’tbornearlyenoughtoconvertStefan.Hecouldhavebeenyourgrandtriumph.”
“Youthinkthat’sfunny.Butwedohaveconverts.”
“Yes.Peoplewillsayanythingwhileyou’reholdingapointedstickatthem.”
“Peoplewhofeelthatit’swrongtoInfluenceotherpeopleintobelievingthey’regettingsomethingfornothing.”
“That’sit!Meredith!LetmeInfluenceyou!”
ThistimeitwasMeredithwholaughed.
“No,I’mserious!WhenI’mavampireagain,letmeInfluenceyounottobesomuchafraidofabite.IswearIwon’ttakemorethanateaspoon.Butthatwouldgivemetimetoshowyou—”
“Anicebighouseofcandythatneverexisted?Arelativewhodiedtenyearsagoandwhowouldhaveabhorredthethoughtofyoutakingmymemoryofherandusingitasalure?Adreamofendingworldhungerthatdoesn’tputfoodintoonemouth?”
Thisgirl,thoughtDamon,isdangerous.It’slikeaCounter-Influencethatthey’vetaughttotheirmembers.Wantinghertoseethatvampires,orex-vampires,orOnceandFutureVampireshadsomegoodqualities—likecourage—heletgoofthepillowcaseandgraspedtheendofthefightingstavewithbothhands.
Meredithraisedaneyebrow.“DidInotjustrecentlytellyouthatanumberofthosespikesyou’vejustdrivenintoyourflesharepoisonous?Orwereyounotlistening?”
Shehadautomaticallygrabbedthestaveaswell,abovethedangerouszone.
“Youtoldme,”hesaidinscrutably—hehoped.
“Iparticularlysaid‘poisonoustohumansaswellastowerewolvesandotherthings’—recallit?”
“Youtoldmethat,too.ButI’dratherdiethanliveasahuman,so:Letthegamesbegin.”Andwiththat,Damonbegantopushthetwo-headedstavetowardMeredith’sheart.
Sheimmediatelyclampeddownonthestaveaswell,pushingitbacktowardhim.Buthehadthreeadvantages,astheybothsoonrealized.Hewasslightlytallerandmorestronglymuscledeventhanlithe,athleticMeredith;hehadalongerreachthanhers;andhehadtakenupamuchmoreaggressiveposition.Eventhoughhecouldfeelpoisonedlittlespikesbitingintohispalms,hethrustforwardandupuntilthekillingpointwasonceagainnearherheart.Meredithpushedbackwithanamazingamountofstrengthandthensuddenly,somehow,theywereevenagain.
Damonglanceduptoseehowthathadhappened,andsaw,tohisshock,thatshealsohadgraspedthestaveinthekillingzone.Nowherhandsweredrippingbloodontothefloorjustashiswere.
“Meredith!”
“What?Itakemyjobseriously.”
Despitehergambit,hewasstronger.Inchbyinch,heforcedhistornpalmstohangon,hisarmstoexertpressure.Andinchbyinchshewasforcedbackward,refusingtoquit—untiltherewasnomoreroomtobackup.
Andtheretheystood,theentirelengthofthestavebetweenthem,andtherefrigeratorflatagainstMeredith’sback.
AllDamoncouldthinkofwasElena.Ifhesomehowsurvivedthis—andMeredithdidnot—thenwhatwouldthosemalachiteeyessaytohim?Howwouldhelivewithwhattheysaid?
Andthen,withinfuriatingtiming,likeachessplayerknockingoverherownking,Meredithletgoofthespear,concedingDamon’ssuperiorstrength.
Afterwhich,seemingtohavenofearofturningherbackonhim,shetookajarfullofsalvefromakitchencupboard,scoopedoutadollopofthecontents,andmotionedforDamontoholdouthishands.Hefrowned.He’dneverheardofapoisonthatgotintothebloodthatcouldbecuredbyexternalmeasures.
“Ididn’tputrealpoisoninthehumanneedles,”shesaidcalmly.“Butyourpalmswillbetornandthisisanexcellentremedy.It’sancient,passeddownforgenerations.”
“Howkindofyoutoshare,”—athismostsharplyironic.
“Andnowwhatarewegoingtodo?Startalloveragain?”headdedasMeredithcalmlybegantorubsalveintoherownhands.
“No.Hunter-slayershaveacode,youknow.Youwonthesphere.Iassumeyou’replanningtodowhatSageseemstohavedone.OpentheGatetotheDarkDimension.”
“OpentheGatetotheDarkDimensions,”hecorrected.“ProbablyIshouldhavementioned—there’smorethanone.ButallIwantistobecomeavampireagain.Andwecantalkaswego,sinceIseewe’rebothwearingourcatburglarcostumes.”
Meredithwasdressedmuchashewas,inblackjeansandalightweightblacksweater.Withherlongshiningdarkhairshelookedunexpectedlybeautiful.Damon,whohadconsideredrunningherthroughwiththestave,justashisobligationtovampire-kind,nowfoundhimselfwavering.IfshegavehimnotroubleonhiswaytotheGate,hewouldlethergo,hedecided.Hewasfeelingmagnanimous—forthefirsttimehehadfaceddownandconqueredthefearsomeMeredith,andbesides,shehadacodeashedid.Hefeltasortofkinshipwithher.
Withironicgallantry,hewavedheronbeforehim,retainingpossessionofthepillowcaseandthefightingstavehimself.
AsDamonquietlyshutthefrontdoorhesawthatdawnwasabouttobreak.Perfecttiming.Thestavecaughtthefirstraysoflight.“Ihaveaquestionforyou,”hesaidtoMeredith’slong,silkydarkhair.“Yousaidthatyoudidn’tfindthisgorgeousstaveuntilafterKlaus—thatwickedOldOne—wasdead.Butifyou’refromahunter-slayerfamilyyoumighthavebeenmorehelpingettinghimdispatched.Likementioningthatonlywhiteashcouldkillhim.”
“Itwasbecausemyparentsdidn’tactivelypursuethefamilybusiness—theydidn’tknow.Theywerebothfromhunterfamilies,ofcourse—youhavetobe,tokeepitoutofthetabloidsand—”
“—policefiles—”
“Doyouwantmetotalk,orcanyoudoyourstand-uproutinealone?”
“Pointtaken”—heftingtheextremelypointedstave.“I’lllisten.”
“Buteventhoughtheychosenottobeactive,theyknewthatavampireorwerewolfmightdecidetopickontheirdaughteriftheyfoundoutheridentity.Soduringschool,Itook‘harpsichordlessons’and‘ridinglessons’onedayaweekeach—havedonesinceIwasthree.I’maBlackBeltShihan,andaTaekwondoSaseung.ImightstartDragonKungFu—”
“Pointtakenoncemore.Butthenhowexactlydidyoufindthatgorgeouskillingstick?”
“AfterKlauswasdead,whileStefanwasbabysittingElena,suddenlyGrandpastartedtalking—justsinglewords—butitmademegolookinourattic.Ifoundthis.”
“Soyoureallydon’tknowhowtouseit?”
“I’djuststartedpracticingwhenShinichiturnedup.But,no,Idon’treallyhaveaclue.I’mprettygoodwithabostaff,though,soIjustuseitlikethat.”
“Youdidn’tuseitlikeabostaffonme.”
“Iwashopingtopersuadeyou,notkillyou.Icouldn’tthinkofhowtoexplaintoElenathatI’dbrokenallyourbones.”
Damonkepthimselffromlaughing—barely.
“Sohowdidacoupleofinactivehunter-slayersendupmovingtoatownontopofafewhundredcrossingleylines?”
“I’mguessingtheydidn’tknowwhatalineofnaturalPowerwas.AndFell’sChurchlookedsmallandpeaceful—backthen.”
TheyfoundtheGatewayjustasDamonhadseenitbefore,aneatrectangularpieceslicedoutoftheearth,aboutfivefeetdeep.
“Nowsitdownthere,”headjuredMeredith,puttingherontheoppositecornerfromwherehelaythestave.
“Haveyougivenathought—eventhebriefest—astowhatwillhappentoMisaoifyoupouroutalltheliquidinthere?”
“Actually,notone.Notonemicrosecond’sworth,”Damonsaidcheerfully.“Why?Doyouthinkshewouldforme?”
Meredithsighed.“No.That’stheproblemwithbothofyou.”
“She’scertainlyyourproblematthemoment,althoughImaystopbysometimeafterthetown’sdestroyedtohavealittletête-à-têtewithherbrotherabouttheconceptofkeepinganoath.”
“Afteryou’vegottenstrongenoughtobeathim.”
“Well,whydon’tyoudosomething?It’syourtownthey’vedevastated,afterall,”Damonsaid.“Childrenattackingthemselvesandeachother,andnowadultsattackingchildren—”
“They’reeitherscaredtodeathorpossessedbythosemalachthefoxesarestillspreadingeverywhere—”
“Yes,andsofearandparanoiakeepspreadingtoo.Fell’sChurchmaybelittlebythestandardsofothergenocidesthey’vecaused,butit’sanimportantplacebecauseit’ssittingontop—”
“Ofallthoseleylinesfullofmagicalpower—yes,yes,Iknow.Butdon’tyoucareatall?Aboutus?Theirfutureplansforus?Doesn’tanyofitmattertoyou?”Meredithdemanded.
Damonthoughtofthestill,smallfigureinthefirst-floorbedroomandfeltasickqualm.“Itoldyoualready,”hesnapped.“I’mcomingbackforatalkwithShinichi.”
Afterwhich,carefully,hebegantopourliquidfromtheuncorkedstarballatonecorneroftherectangle.NowthathewasactuallyattheGate,herealizedhehadnoideawhatheshoulddo.Theproperproceduremightbetojumpinandpouroutthestarball’sentireliquidinthemiddle.Butfourcornersseemedtodictatefourdifferentplacestopour,andhewasstickingtothat.
HeexpectedMeredithtotrytofoulthingsupsomehow.Makearunforthehouse.Makesomenoise,atleast.Attackhimfrombehindnowthathehaddroppedthestave.Butapparentlyhercodeofhonorforbadethis.
Strangegirl,hethought.ButI’llleaveherthestave,sinceitreallybelongstoherfamily,and,anyway,it’sgoingtogetmekilledtheinstantIlandintheDarkDimension.Aslavecarryingaweapon—especiallyaweaponlikethat—won’thaveachance.
Judiciously,hepouredoutalmostalloftheliquidleftintothefinalcornerandsteppedbacktoseewhatwouldhappen.
SSSS-bah!White!Blazingwhitelight.Thatwasallhiseyesorhismindcouldtakeinatfirst.
Andthen,witharushoftriumphhethought:I’vedoneit!TheGatewayisopen!
“ThecenteroftheupperDarkDimension,please,”hesaidpolitelytotheblazinghole.“Asecludedalleywouldprobablybethebest,ifyoudon’tmind.”Andthenhejumpedintothehole.
Exceptthathedidn’t.Justashewasstartingtobendhisknees,somethinghithimfromtheright.“Meredith!Ithought—”
Butitwasn’tMeredith.ItwasBonnie.
“Youtrickedme!Youcan’tgointhere!”Shewassobbingandscreaming.
“Yes,Ican!Nowletgoofme—beforeitdisappears!”Hetriedtopryheroff,whilehismindwhirleduselessly.He’dleftthisgirl—what?—anhourorsoago,sodeeplyasleepthatshehadlookeddead.Justhowmuchcouldthatlittlebodytake?
“No!They’llkillyou!AndElenawillkillme!ButI’llgetkilledfirstbecauseI’llstillbehere!”
Awake,andactuallycapableofputtingtogetherpuzzles.
“Human,Itoldyoutoletgo,”hesnarled.Hebaredhisteethather,whichonlycausedhertoburyherheadinhisjacketandclingonkoala-bearstyle,wrappingbothherlegsaroundoneofhis.
Acoupleofreallyhardslapsshoulddislodgeher,hethought.
Heliftedhishand.9
Damondroppedhishand.Hesimplycouldn’tmakehimselfdoit.Bonniewasweak,light-headed,aliabilityincombat,easytoconfuse—
That’sit,hethought.I’llusethat!She’ssonaive—
“Letgoforasecond,”hecoaxed.“SoIcangetthestave—”
“No!You’lljumpifIdo!What’sastave?”Bonniesaid,allinonebreath.
—andstubborn,andimpractical—
Wasthebrilliantlightbeginningtoflicker?
“Bonnie,”hesaidinalowvoice,“Iamdeadlyserioushere.Ifyoudon’tletgo,I’llmakeyou—andyouwon’tlikethat,Ipromise.”
“Dowhathesays,”Meredithpleadedfromsomewherequiteclose.“Bonnie,he’sgoingintotheDarkDimension!Butyou’regoingtoendupgoingwithhim—andyou’llbothbehumanslavesthistime!Takemyhand!”
“Takeherhand!”Damonroared,asthelightdefinitelyflickered,foraninstantbecominglessblinding.HecouldfeelBonnieshiftingandtryingtoseewhereMeredithwas,andthenheheardhersay,“Ican’t—”
Andthentheywerefalling.
ThelasttimetheyhadtraveledthroughaGatetheyhadbeentotallyenclosedinanelevator-likebox.Thistimetheyweresimplyflying.Therewasthelight,andtherewerethetwoofthem,andtheyweresoblindedthatsomehowspeakingdidn’tseempossible.Therewasonlythebrilliant,fluctuating,beautifullight—
Andthentheywerestandinginanalley,sonarrowthatitjustbarelyallowedthetwoofthemtofaceeachother,andbetweenbuildingssohighthattherewasalmostnolightdownwheretheywere.
No—thatwasn’tthereason,Damonthought.Herememberedthatblood-redperpetuallight.Itwasn’tcomingdirectlyfromeithersideofthenarrowslitofalley,whichmeantthattheywerebasicallyindeepburgundytwilight.
“Doyourealizewhereweare?”Damondemandedinafuriouswhisper.
Bonnienodded,seeminghappyabouthavingfiguredthatoutalready.“We’rebasicallyindeepburgundy—”
“Crap!”
Bonnielookedaround.“Idon’tsmellanything,”sheofferedcautiously,andexaminedthesolesofherfeet.
“Weare,”Damonsaidslowlyandquietly,asifheneededtocalmhimselfbetweeneveryword,“inaworldwherewecanbeflogged,flayed,anddecapitatedjustforsteppingontheground.”
Bonnietriedalittlehopandthenajumpinplace,asifdiminishingherground-interactiontimemighthelptheminsomemanner.Shelookedathimforfurtherinstructions.
Quitesuddenly,Damonpickedherupandstaredatherhard,asrevelationdawned.“You’redrunk!”hefinallywhispered.“You’renotevenawake!AllthiswhileI’vebeentryingtogetyoutoseesense,andyou’readrunkensleepwalker!”
“Iamnot!”Bonniesaid.“And…justincaseIam,yououghttobenicertome.Youmademethisway.”
SomedistantpartofDamonagreedthatthiswastrue.Hewastheonewho’dgottenthegirldrunkandthendruggedherwithtruthserumandsleepingmedicine.Butthatwassimplyafact,andhadnothingtodowithhowhefeltaboutit.Howhefeltwasthattherewasnopossiblewayforhimtoproceedwiththisall-too-gentlecreaturealong.
Ofcourse,thesensiblethingwouldbetogetawayfromherveryquickly,andletthecity,thishugemetropolisofevil,swallowherinitsgreat,black-fangedmaw,asitwouldmostcertainlydoifshewalkedadozenstepsonitsstreetswithouthim.But,asbefore,somethinginsidehimsimplywouldn’tlethimdoit.And,herealized,thesoonerheadmittedthat,thesoonerhecouldfindaplacetoputherandbegintakingcareofhisownaffairs.
“What’sthat?”hesaid,takingoneofherhands.
“Myopalring,”Bonniesaidproudly.“See,itgoeswitheverything,becauseit’sallcolors.Ialwayswearit;it’scasualordress-up.”ShehappilyletDamontakeitoffandexamineit.
“Thesearerealdiamondsonthesides?”
“Flawless,purewhite,”Bonniesaid,stillproudly.“LadyUlma’sfiancéLucenmadeitsothatifweeverneededtotakethestonesoutandsellthem—”Shecameupshort.“You’regoingtotakethestonesoutandsellthem!No!Nonononono!”
“Yes!Ihaveto,ifyou’regoingtohaveanychanceofsurviving,”Damonsaid.“AndifyousayonemorewordorfailtodoexactlyasItellyou,Iamgoingtoleaveyoualonehere.Andthenyouwilldie.”Heturnednarrowed,menacingeyesonher.
Bonnieabruptlyturnedintoafrightenedbird.“Allright,”shewhispered,tearsgatheringonhereyelashes.“What’sitfor?”
Thirtyminuteslater,shewasinprison;orasgoodas.Damonhadinstalledherinasecond-storyapartmentwithonewindowcoveredbyrollerblinds,andstrictinstructionsaboutkeepingthemdown.Hehadpawnedtheopalandadiamondsuccessfully,andpaidasour,humorless-lookinglandladytobringBonnietwomealsaday,escorthertothetoiletwhennecessary,andotherwiseforgetaboutherexistence.
“Listen,”hesaidtoBonnie,whowasstillcryingsilentlyafterthelandladyhadleftthem,“I’lltrytogetbacktoseeyouwithinthreedays.IfIdon’tcomewithinaweekit’llmeanI’mdead.Thenyou—don’tcry!Listen!—thenyouneedtousethesejewelsandthismoneytotrytogetallthewayfromheretohere;whereLadyUlmawillstillbe—wehope.”
Hegaveheramapandalittlemoneybagfullofcoinsandgemsleftoverfromthecostofherbreadandboard.“Ifthathappens—andIcanprettywellpromiseitwon’t,yourbestchanceistotrywalkinginthedaytimewhenthingsarebusy;keepyoureyesdown,youraurasmall,anddon’ttalktoanyone.Wearthissackingsmock,andcarrythisbagoffood.Praythatnobodyasksyouanything,buttrytolookasifyou’reonanerrandforyourmaster.Oh,yes.”Damonreachedintohisjacketpocketandpulledouttwosmallironslavebracelets,boughtwhenhehadgottenthemap.“Nevertakethemoff,notwhenyou’resleeping,notwhenyou’reeating—never.”
Helookedatherdarkly,butBonniewasalreadyonthethresholdofapanicattack.Shewastremblingandcrying,buttoofrightenedtosayaword.EversinceenteringtheDarkDimensionshe’dbeenkeepingherauraassmallaspossible,herpsychicdefenseshigh;shedidn’tneedtobetoldtodothat.Shewasindanger.Sheknewit.
Damonfinishedsomewhatmoreleniently.“Iknowitsoundsdifficult,butIcantellyouthatIpersonallyhavenointentionwhatsoeverofdying.I’lltrytovisityou,butgettingacrossthebordersofthevarioussectorsisdangerous,andthat’swhatImayhavetodotocomehere.Justbepatient,andyou’llbeallright.Remember,timepassesdifferentlyherethanbackonEarth.Wecanbehereforweeksandwe’llgetbackpracticallytheinstantwesetout.And,look”—Damongesturedaroundtheroom—“dozensofstarballs!Youcanwatchallofthem.”
Thesewerethemorecommonkindofstarball,thekindthathad,notPowerinthem,butmemories,stories,orlessons.Whenyouheldonetoyourtemple,youwereimmersedinwhatevermaterialhadbeenimprintedontheball.
“BetterthanTV,”Damonsaid.“Much.”
Bonnienoddedslightly.Shewasstillcrushed,andshewassosmall,soslight,herskinsopaleandfine,herhairsuchaflameofbrillianceinthedimcrimsonlightthatseepedthroughtheblinds,thatasalwaysDamonfoundhimselfmeltingslightly.“Doyouhaveanyquestions?”heaskedherfinally.
Bonniesaidslowly,“And—you’regoingtobe…?”
“OutgettingthevampireversionsofWho’sWhoandtheBookofPeers,”Damonsaid.“I’mlookingforaladyofquality.”
AfterDamonhadleft,Bonnielookedaroundtheroom.
Itwashorrible.Darkbrownandjusthorrible!ShehadbeentryingtosaveDamonfromgoingbackintotheDarkDimensionbecausesherememberedtheterriblewaythatslaves—whoweremostlyhumans—weretreated.
Butdidheappreciatethat?Didhe?Notintheslightest!Andthenwhenshe’dbeenfallingthroughthelightwithhim,she’dthoughtthatatleasttheywouldbegoingtoLadyUlma’s,theCinderella-storywomanwhomElenahadrescuedandwhohadthenregainedherwealthandstatusandhaddesignedbeautifuldressessothatthegirlscouldgotofancyparties.Therewouldhavebeenbigbedswithsatinsheetsandmaidswhobroughtstrawberriesandclottedcreamforbreakfast.TherewouldhavebeensweetLakshmitotalkto,andgruffDr.Meggar,and…
Bonnielookedaroundthebrownroomandtheplainrush-filledpalletwithitssingleblanket.Shepickedupastarballlistlessly,andthenletitdropfromherfingers.
Suddenly,agreatsleepinessfilledher,makingherheadswim.Itwaslikeafogrollingin.Therewasabsolutelynoquestionoffightingit.Bonniestumbledtowardthebed,fellontoit,andwasasleepalmostbeforeshehadsettledundertheblanket.
“It’smyfaultfarmorethanyours,”StefanwassayingtoMeredith.“ElenaandIwere—deeplyasleep—orhe’dneverhavemanagedanypartofit.I’dhavenoticedhimtalkingwithBonnie.I’dhaverealizedhewastakingyouhostage.Pleasedon’tblameyourself,Meredith.”
“Ishouldhavetriedtowarnyou.IjustneverexpectedBonnietocomerunningoutandgrabhim,”Meredithsaid.Herdarkgrayeyesshimmeredwithunshedtears.Elenasqueezedherhand,sickinthepitofherstomachherself.
“Youcertainlycouldn’tbeexpectedtofightoffDamon,”Stefansaidflatly.“Humanorvampire—he’strained;heknowsmovesthatyoucouldnevercounter.Youcan’tblameyourself.”
Elenawasthinkingthesamething.ShewasworriedaboutDamon’sdisappearance—andterrifiedforBonnie.YetatanotherlevelofhermindshewaswonderingatthelacerationsonMeredith’spalmthatshewastryingtowarm.Thestrangestthingwasthatthewoundsappearedtohavebeentreated—rubbedslickwithlotion.Butshewasn’tgoingtobotherMeredithaboutitatatimelikethis.EspeciallywhenitwasreallyElena’sownfault.ShewastheonewhohadenticedStefanthenightbefore.Oh,theyhadbeendeep,allright—deepineachother’sminds.
“Anyway,it’sBonnie’sfaultifit’sanyone’s,”Stefansaidregretfully.“ButnowI’mworriedabouther.Damon’snotgoingtobeinclinedtowatchoutforherifhedidn’twanthertocome.”
Meredithbowedherhead.“It’smyfaultifshegetshurt.”
Elenachewedherlowerlip.Therewassomethingwrong.SomethingaboutMeredith,thatMeredithwasn’ttellingher.Herhandswerereallydamaged,andElenacouldn’tfigureouthowtheycouldhavegottenthatway.
AlmostasifsheknewwhatElenawasthinking,MeredithslippedherhandoutofElena’sandlookedatit.Lookedatbothherpalms,sidebyside.Theywereequallyscratchedandtorn.
Meredithbentherdarkheadfarther,almostdoublingoverwhereshesat.Thenshestraightened,throwingbackherheadlikesomeonewhohadmadeadecision.Shesaid,“There’ssomethingIhavetotellyou—”
“Wait,”Stefanwhispered,puttingahandonhershoulder.“Listen.There’sacarcoming.”
Elenalistened.Inamomentsheheardittoo.“They’recomingtotheboardinghouse,”shesaid,puzzled.
“It’ssoearly,”Meredithsaid.“Whichmeans—”
“IthastobethepoliceafterMatt,”Stefanfinished.“I’dbettergoinandwakehimup.I’llputhimintherootcellar.”
Elenaquicklycorkedthestarballwithitsmeagerouncesoffluid.“Hecantakethiswithhim,”shewasbeginning,whenMeredithsuddenlyrantotheoppositesideoftheGate.Shepickedupalong,slenderobjectthatElenacouldn’trecognize,evenwithPowerchanneledtohereyes.ShesawStefanblinkandstareatit.
“Thisneedstogointherootcellartoo,”Meredithsaid.“Andthereareprobablyearthtrackscomingoutofthecellar,andbloodinthekitchen.Twoplaces.”
“Blood?”Elenabegan,furiouswithDamon,butthensheshookherheadandrefocused.Inthelightofdawn,shecouldseeapolicecar,cruisinglikesomegreatwhitesharktowardthehouse.
“Let’sgo,”Elenasaid.“Go,go,go!”
Theyalldashedbacktotheboardinghouse,crouchingtostaylowtothegroundastheydidit.Astheywent,Elenahissed,“Stefan,you’vegottoInfluencethemifyoucan.Meredith,youtrytocleanupthesoilandblood.I’llgetMatt;he’slesslikelytopunchmewhenItellhimhehastohide.”
Theyhastenedtotheirappointedduties.Inthemiddleofitall,Mrs.Flowersappeared,dressedinaflannelnightgownwithafuzzypinkrobeoverit,andslipperswithbunnyheadsonthem.Asthefirsthammeringknockonthedoorsounded,shehadherhandonthedoorhandle,andthepoliceofficer,whowasbeginningtoshout,“POLICE!OPENTHE—”foundhimselfbawlingthisdirectlyovertheheadofalittleoldladywhocouldnothavelookedmorefrailorharmless.Heendedalmostinawhisper,“—door?”
“Itisopen,”Mrs.Flowerssaidsweetly.Sheopenedittoitswidest,sothatElenacouldseetwoofficers,andtheofficerscouldseeElena,Stefan,andMeredith,allofwhomhadjustarrivedfromthekitchenarea.
“WewanttospeaktoMattHoneycutt,”thefemaleofficersaid.ElenanotedthatthesquadcarwasfromtheRidgemontSheriff’sDepartment.“Hismotherinformedusthathewashere—afterseriousquestioning.”
Theywerecominginside,shoulderingtheirwaypastMrs.Flowers.ElenaglancedatStefan,whowaspale,withtinybeadsofsweatvisibleonhisforehead.Hewaslookingintentlyatthefemaleofficer,butshejustkepttalking.
“Hismothersayshe’sbeenvirtuallylivingatthisboardinghouserecently,”shesaid,whilethemaleofficerheldupsomekindofpaperwork.
“Wehaveawarranttosearchthepremises,”hesaidflatly.
Mrs.Flowersseemeduncertain.SheglancedbacktowardStefan,butthenlethergazemoveontotheotherteenagers.“PerhapsitwouldbebestifImadeeveryoneanicecupoftea?”
Stefanwasstilllookingatthewoman,hisfacelookingpalerandmoredrawnthanever.Elenafeltasuddenpanicclutchatherstomach.Oh,God,evenwiththegiftofherbloodtonight,Stefanwasweak—fartooweaktoevenuseInfluence.
“MayIaskaquestion?”Meredithsaidinherlow,calmvoice.“Notaboutthewarrant,”sheadded,wavingthepaperaway.“HowisitoutthereinFell’sChurch?Doyouknowwhat’sgoingon?”
Shewasbuyingtime,Elenathought,andyeteveryonestoppedtoheartheanswer.
“Mayhem,”thefemalesheriffrepliedafteramoment’spause.“It’slikeawarzoneoutthere.Worsethanthatbecauseit’sthekidswhoare—”Shebrokeoffandshookherhead.“That’snotourbusiness.Ourbusinessisfindingafugitivefromjustice.Butfirst,asweweredrivingtowardyourhotelwesawaverybrightcolumnoflight.Itwasn’tfromahelicopter.Idon’tsupposeyouknowanythingaboutwhatitwas?”
Justadoorthroughspaceandtime,Elenawasthinking,asMeredithanswered,stillcalmly,“Maybeapowertransmitterblowingup?Orafreakshaftoflightning?Orareyoutalkingabout…aUFO?”Sheloweredheralreadysoftvoice.
“Wedon’thavetimeforthis,”themalesheriffsaid,lookingdisgusted.“We’reheretofindthisHoneycuttman.”
“You’rewelcometolook,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.Theywerealreadydoingso.
Elenafeltshockedandnauseatedontwofronts.“ThisHoneycuttman.”Man,notboy.Mattwasovereighteen.Washestillajuvenile?Ifnot,whatwouldtheydotohimwhentheyeventuallycaughtuptohim?
AndthentherewasStefan.Stefanhadbeensocertain,so…convincing…inhisannouncementsaboutbeingwellagain.Allthattalkaboutgoingbacktohuntinganimals—butthetruthwasthatheneededmuchmorebloodtorecover.
Nowhermindspunintoplanningmode,fasterandfaster.Stefanobviouslywasn’tgoingtobeabletoInfluencebothofthoseofficerswithoutaverylargedonationofhumanblood.
AndifElenagaveit…thesickfeelinginherstomachincreasedandshefeltthesmallhairsonherbodystandup…ifshegaveit,whatwerethechancesthatshewouldbecomeavampireherself?
High,acool,rationalvoiceinhermindanswered.Veryhigh,consideringthatlessthanaweekago,shehadbeenexchangingbloodwithDamon.Frequently.Uninhibitedly.
Whichleftherwiththeonlyplanshecouldthinkof.Thesesheriffswouldn’tfindMatt,butMeredithandBonniehadtoldherthewholestoryofhowanotherRidgemontsheriffhadcome,askingaboutMatt—andaboutStefan’sgirlfriend.Theproblemwasthatshe,ElenaGilbert,had“died”ninemonthsago.Sheshouldn’tbehere—andshehadafeelingthattheseofficerswouldbeinquisitive.
TheyneededStefan’sPower.Rightnow.Therewasnootherway,nootherchoice.Stefan.Power.Humanblood.
ShemovedtoMeredith,whohadherdarkheaddownandcockedtoonesideasiflisteningtothetwosheriffsclompingaboveonthestairs.
“Meredith—”
MeredithturnedtowardherandElenaalmosttookastepbackinshock.Meredith’snormallyolivecomplexionwasgray,andherbreathwascomingfastandshallowly.
Meredith,calmandcomposedMeredith,alreadyknewwhatElenawasgoingtoaskofher.Enoughbloodtoleaveheroutofcontrolasitwasbeingtaken.Andfast.Thatterrifiedher.Morethanterrified.
Shecan’tdoit,Elenathought.We’relost.10
Damonwasmakinghiswayupthebeautifulrose-coveredtrellisbelowthewindowofthebedchamberofM.lePrincessJessalynD’Aubigne,averywealthy,beautiful,andmuch-admiredgirlwhohadthebluestbloodofanyvampireintheDarkDimension,accordingtothebookshe’dbought.Infact,he’dlistenedtothelocalsanditwasrumoredthatSagehimselfhadchangedhertwoyearsago,andhadgivenherthisbijouxcastletolivein.Delicategemthatitappeared,though,thelittlecastlehadalreadypresentedDamonwithseveralproblems.Therehadbeenthatrazor-wirefence,onwhichherippedhisleatherjacket;anunusuallydexterousandstubbornguardwhomithadreallybeenapitytostrangle;aninnermoatthathadalmosttakenhimunawares;andafewdogsthathehadtreatedwiththeSaber-tranquilizerroutine—usingMrs.Flowers’ssleepingpowder,whichhe’dbroughtwithhimfromEarth.Itwouldhavebeeneasiertopoisonthem,butJessalynwasreputedtohaveaverysoftheartforanimalsandheneededherforatleastthreedays.Thatshouldbelongenoughtomakehimavampire—iftheydidnothingelseduringthosedays.
Now,ashepulledhimselfsilentlyupthetrellis,hementallyaddedlongrosethornstothelistofinconveniences.HealsorehearsedhisfirstspeechtoJessalyn.Shehadbeen—was—wouldforeverbe—eighteen.Butitwasayoungeighteen,sinceshehadonlytwoyears’experienceatbeingavampire.Hecomfortedhimselfwiththisasheclimbedsilentlyintoawindow.
Stillsilently,movingslowlyincasetheprincesshadguardiananimalsinherbedchamber,Damonpartedlayerafterlayeroffilmy,translucentblackcurtainsthatkepttheblood-redlightofthesunfromshiningintothechamber.Hisbootssankintothethickpileofablackrug.Makingitoutoftheenfoldingcurtains,Damonsawthattheentirechamberwasdecoratedinasimplethemebyamasterofcontrast.Jet-blackandoff-black.
Helikeditalot.
Therewasanenormousbedwithmorebillowingfilmyblackcurtainsalmostencasingit.Theonlywaytoapproachitwasfromthefoot,wherethediaphanouscurtainswerethinner.
Standingthereinthecathedral-likesilenceofthegreatchamber,Damonlookedattheslightfigureundertheblacksilksheets,amongdozensofsmallthrowpillows.
Shewasajewellikethecastle.Delicatebones.Alookofutterinnocenceassheslept.Anetherealriveroffine,scarlethairspillingabouther.Hecouldseeindividualhairsstrayingontheblacksheets.ShelookedalittlelikeBonnie
Damonwaspleased.
HepulledoutthesameknifehehadputtoElena’sthroat,andjustforamomenthesitated—butno,thiswasnotimetobethinkingofElena’sgoldenwarmth.Everythingdependedonthisfragile-shoulderedchildinfrontofhim.Heputthepointoftheknifetohischest,deliberatelyplacingitwideofhisheartincasesomebloodhadtobespilled…andcoughed.
Nothinghappened.Theprincess,whowaswearingablacknegligeethatshowedfrail-lookingarmsasfineandpaleasporcelain,wentonsleeping.Damonnoticedthatthenailsonhersmallfingerswerelacqueredtheexactscarletofherhair.
Thetwolargepillarcandlessetintallblackstandsweregivingoffanenticingperfume,aswellasbeingclocks—thefartherdowntheyburned,theeasiertotelltime.Thelightingwasperfect—everythingwasperfect—exceptthatJessalynwasstillasleep.
Damoncoughedagain,loudly—andbumpedthebed.
Theprincesswoke,startingupandsimultaneouslybringingtwosheathedbladesoutofherhair.
“Whoisit?Issomeonethere?”Shewaslookingineverydirectionbuttherightone.
“It’sonlyme,yourhighness.”Damonpitchedhisvoicelow,butfraughtwithunrequitedneed.“Youdon’thavetobeafraid,”headded,nowthatshe’datlastgottentherightdirectionandseenhim.Hekneltbythefootofherbed.
He’dmiscalculatedabit.ThebedwassolargeandhighthathischestandtheknifewerefarbelowJessalyn’slineofsight.
“HereIwilltakemylife,”heannounced,veryloudlytomakesurethatJessalynwaskeepingupwiththeprogram.
Afteramomentortwotheprincess’sheadpoppedupoverthefootofthebed.Shebalancedherselfwithhandsspreadwideandnarrowshouldershunchedclosetoher.Atthisdistancehecouldseethathereyesweregreen—acomplicatedgreenconsistingofmanydifferentringsandspeckles.
Atfirstshejusthissedathimandliftedherknivesheldinhandswhosefingersweretippedwithnailsofscarlet.Damonborewithher.Shewouldlearnintimethatallthiswasn’treallynecessary;thatinfactithadgoneoutoffashionintherealworlddecadesagoandwasonlykeptalivebypulpfictionandoldmovies.
“HereatyourfeetIslaymyself,”hesaidagain,tomakesureshedidn’tmissasyllable,ortheentirepoint,forthatmatter.
“You—yourself?”Shewassuspicious.“Whoareyou?Howdidyougethere?Whywouldyoudosuchathing?”
“Igotherethroughtheroadofmymadness.IdiditoutofwhatIknowismadnessIcannolongerlivewith.”
“Whatmadness?Andareyougoingtodoitnow?”theprincessaskedwithinterest.“Becauseifyou’renot,I’llhavetocallmyguardsand—waitaminute,”sheinterruptedherself.
Shegrabbedhisknifebeforehecouldstopherandlickedit.“Thisisametalblade,”shetoldhim,tossingitback.
“Iknow.”Damonlethisheadfallsothathaircurtainedhiseyesandsaidpainfully:“Iam…ahuman,yourhighness.”
HewascovertlywatchingthroughhislashesandhesawthatJessalynbrightenedup.“Ithoughtyouwerejustsomeweak,uselessvampire,”shesaidabsently.“ButnowthatIlookatyou…”Arosepetalofapinktonguecameoutandlickedherlips.“There’snopointinwastingthegoodstuff,isthere?”
ShewaslikeBonnie.Shesaidexactlywhatshethought,whenshethoughtit.SomethinginsideDamonwantedtolaugh.
Hestoodagain,lookingatthegirlonthebedwithallthefireandpassionofwhichhewascapable—andfeltthatitwasn’tenough.ThinkingabouttherealBonnie,aloneandunhappy,was…well,passion-quenching.Butwhatelsecouldhedo?
Suddenlyheknewwhathecoulddo.Before,whenhe’dstoppedhimselffromthinkingofElena,hehadcutoffanygenuinepassionordesire.ButhewasdoingthisforElena,asmuchasforhimself.Elenacouldn’tbehisPrincessofDarknessifhecouldn’tbeherPrince.
Thistime,whenhelookeddownatM.lePrincess,itwasdifferently.Hecouldfeeltheatmospherechange.
“Highness,Ihavenorighteventospeaktoyou,”hesaid,deliberatelyputtingonebootedfootonthemetalscrollworkthatformedtheframeofthebed.“YouknowaswellasIthatyoucankillmewithasingleblow…say,here”—pointingtoaspotonhisjaw—“butyouhavealreadyslainme—”
Jessalynlookedconfused,butwaited.
“—withlove.IfellinlovewithyouthemomentIsawyou.Youcouldbreakmyneck,or—asIwouldsayifIwerepermittedtotouchyourperfumedwhitehand—youcouldcurlthosefingersaroundmythroatandstrangleme.Ibegyoutodoit.”
Jessalynwasbeginningtolookpuzzledbutexcited.Blushing,sheheldoutonesmallhandtoDamon,butclearlywithoutanyintentionofstranglinghim.
“Please,youmust,”Damonsaidearnestly,nevertakinghiseyesoffhers.“ThatistheonlythingIaskofyou:thatyoukillmeyourselfinsteadofcallingyourguardssothatthelastsightIseewillbeyourbeautifulface.”
“You’reill,”Jessalyndecided,stilllookingflustered.“Therehavebeenotherunbalancedmindswhohavemadetheirwaypastthefirstwallofmycastle—althoughnevertomychambers.I’llgiveyoutothedoctorssothattheycanmakeyouwell.”
“Please,”saidDamon,whohadforgedhiswaythroughthelastofthefilmyblackhangingsandwasnowloomingoverthesittingprincess.“Grantmeinstantdeath,ratherthanleavingmetodiealittleeachday.Youdon’tknowwhatI’vedone.Ican’tstopdreamingofyou.I’vefollowedyoufromshoptoshopwhenyouwentout.Iamalreadydyingnowasyouravishmewithyournobilityandradiance,knowingthatIamnomorethanthepavingstonesyouwalkon.Nodoctorcanchangethat.”
Jessalynwasclearlyconsidering.Obviously,noonehadevertalkedtoherlikethis
Hergreeneyesfixedonhislips,thelowerofwhichwasstillbleeding.Damongaveanindifferentlittlelaughandsaid,“OneofyourguardscaughtmeandveryproperlytriedtokillmebeforeIcouldreachyouanddisturbyoursleep.I’mafraidIhadtokillhimtogethere,”hesaid,standingbetweenonepillarcandleandthegirlonthebedsothathisshadowwasthrownoverher.
Jessalyn’seyeswidenedinapprovalevenastherestofherseemedmorefragilethanever.“It’sstillbleeding,”shewhispered.“Icould—”
“Youcandoanythingyouwant,”Damonencouragedherwithawryquirkofasmileonhislips.Itwastrue.Shecould.
“Thencomehere.”Shethumpedaplacebythenearestpillowonthebed.“Whatareyoucalled?”
“Damon,”hesaidashestrippedoffhisjacketandlaydown,chinproppedononeelbow,withtheairofonenotunusedtosuchthings.
“Justthat?Damon?”
“Youcancutitstillshorter.IamnothingbutShamenow,”hereplied,takinganotherminutetothinkofElenaandtoholdJessalyn’seyeshypnotically.“Iwasavampire—apowerfulandproudone—onEarth—butIwastrickedbyakitsune…”HetoldheragarbledversionofStefan’sstory,omittingElenaoranynonsenseaboutwantingtobehuman.Hesaidthatwhenhemanagedtoescapetheprisonthathadtakenhisvampireself,hedecidedtoendhisownhumanlife.
Butatthatmoment,hehadseenPrincessJessalynandthoughtthat,servingher,hewouldbehappywithhissorrylot.Alas,hesaid,itonlyfedhisdisgracefulfeelingsforherhighness.
“Nowmymadnesshasdrivenmetoactuallyaccostyouinyourownchambers.Makeanexampleofme,yourhighness,thatwillcauseotherevildoerstotremble.Burnme,havemefloggedandquartered,putmyheadonapiketocausethosewhomightdoyouilltocastthemselvesintoafirefirst.”Hewasnowinbedwithher,leaningbackalittletoexposehisbarethroat.
“Don’tbesilly,”Jessalynsaid,withalittlecatchinhervoice.“Eventhemeanestofmyservantswantstolive.”
“Perhapstheonesthatneverseeyoudo.Scullions,stableboys—butIcannotlive,knowingthatIcanneverhaveyou.”
TheprincesslookedDamonover,blushed,gazedforamomentintohiseyes…andthenshebithim.
“I’llgetStefantogodowntotherootcellar,”ElenasaidtoMeredith,whowasangrilythumbingtearsoutofhereyes.
“Youknowwecan’tdothat.Withthepolicerighthereinthehouse—”
“ThenI’lldoit—”
“Youcan’t!Youknowyoucan’t,Elena,oryouwouldn’thavecometome!”
Elenalookedatherfriendclosely.“Meredith,you’vebeendonatingbloodallalong,”shewhispered.“Youneverseemedevenslightlybothered…”
“Heonlytookatinybit—alwayslessfrommethananyone.Andalwaysfrommyarm.IjustpretendedIwashavingblooddrawnatthedoctor’s.Noproblem.Itwasn’tevenbadwithDamonbackintheDarkDimension.”
“Butnow…”Elenablinked.“Now—what?”
“Now,”Meredithsaidwithafarawayexpression,“StefanknowsthatI’mahunter-slayer.ThatIevenhaveafightingstave.AndnowIhaveto…tosubmitto…”
Elenahadgooseflesh.ShefeltasifthedistancefromhertoMeredithintheroomwasgettinglarger.“Ahunter-slayer?”shesaid,bewildered.“Andwhat’safightingstave?”
“There’snotimetoexplainnow!Oh,Elena…”
IfPlanAwasMeredithandPlanBwasMatt,therewasreallynochoice.PlanChadtobeElenaherself.Herbloodwasmuchstrongerthananyoneelse’sanyway,sofullofPowerthatStefanwouldonlyneeda—
“No!”MeredithwhisperedrightinElena’sear,somehowmanagingtohissawordwithoutasinglesibilant.“They’recomingdownthestairs.WehavetofindStefannow!Canyoutellhimtomeetmeinthelittlebedroombehindtheparlor?”
“Yes,but—”
“Doit!”
AndIstilldon’tknowwhatafightingstaveis,Elenathought,allowingMeredithtotakeherarmsandpropelhertowardthebedroom.ButIknowwhata“hunter-slayer”soundslike,andIdefinitelydon’tlikeit.Andthatweapon—itmakesastakelooklikeaplasticpicnicknife.Still,shesenttoStefan,whowasfollowingthesheriffsdownstairs:MeredithisgoingtodonateasmuchbloodasyouneedtoInfluencethem.There’snotimetoargue.ComeherefastandforGod’ssakelookcheerfulandreassuring.
Stefandidn’tsoundcooperative.Ican’ttakeenoughfromherforourmindstotouch.Itmight—
Elenalosthertemper.Shewasfrightened;shewassuspiciousofoneofhertwobestfriends—ahorriblefeeling—andshewasdesperate.SheneededStefantodojustasshesaid.Getherefast!wasallsheprojected,butshehadthefeelingthatshe’dhithimwithallofthefeelingsfullforce,becausehesuddenlyturnedconcernedandgentle.Iwill,love,hesaidsimply.
Whilethefemalepoliceofficerwassearchingthekitchenandthemalethelivingroom,Stefansteppedintothesmallfirst-floorguestroom,withitssinglerumpledbed.ThelampswereturnedoffbutwithhisnightvisionhecouldseeElenaandMeredithperfectlywellbythecurtains.Meredithwasholdingherselfasstifflyasanacrophobicbungeejumper.
Takeallyouneedwithoutpermanentlyharmingher—andtrytoputhertosleep,too.Anddon’tinvadehermindtoodeeply—
I’lltakecareofit.You’dbettergetoutinthehallway,letthemseeatleastoneofus,love,Stefanrepliedsoundlessly.Elenawasobviouslysimultaneouslyfrightenedforanddefensiveaboutherfriendandhadspedrightintomicromanagementmode.Whilethiswasusuallyagoodthing,iftherewasonethingStefanknewabout—evenifitwastheonlythingheknew—itwastakingblood.
“Iwanttoaskforpeacebetweenourfamilies,”hesaid,reachingonehandtowardMeredith.ShehesitatedandStefan,eventryinghishardest,couldnothelpbuthearingherthoughts,likesmall,scuttlingcreaturesatthebaseofhermind.Whatwasshecommittingherselfto?Inwhatsensedidhemeanfamily?
It’sreallyjustaformality,hetoldher,tryingtogaingroundonanotherfront:heracceptanceofthetouchofhisthoughtstohers.Nevermindit.
“No,”Meredithsaid.“It’simportant.Iwanttotrustyou,Stefan.Onlyyou,but…Ididn’tgetthestaveuntilafterKlauswasdead.”
Hethoughtswiftly.“Thenyoudidn’tknowwhatyouwere—”
“No.Iknew.Butmyparentswereneveractive.ItwasGrandpawhotoldmeaboutthestave.”
Stefanfeltasurgeofunexpectedpleasure.“Soyourgrandfather’sbetternow?”
“No…sortof.”Meredith’sthoughtswereconfusing.Hisvoicechanged,shewasthinking.StefanwastrulyhappythatGrandpa’sbetter.Evenmosthumanswouldn’tcare—notreally.
“OfcourseIcare,”Stefansaid.“Foronething,hehelpedsaveallourlives—andthetown.Foranother,he’saverybraveman—hemusthavebeen—tosurviveanattackbyanOldOne.”
Suddenly,Meredith’scoldhandwasaroundhiswristandwordsweretumblingfromherlipsinarushthatStefancouldbarelyunderstand.Butherthoughtsstoodbrightandclearunderthosewords,andthroughthemhegotthemeaning.
“AllIcanknowaboutwhathappenedwhenIwasveryyoungiswhatI’vebeentold.Myparentstoldmethings.Myparentschangedmybirthday—theyactuallychangedthedaywecelebratemybirthdayon—becauseavampireattackedmygrandpa,andthenmygrandpatriedtokillme.They’vealwayssaidthat.Buthowdotheyknow?Theyweren’tthere—that’spartofwhattheysay.Andwhat’smorelikely,thatmygrandpaattackedmeorthatthevampiredid?”Shestopped,panting,tremblingalloverlikeawhite-taileddoecaughtintheforest.Caught,andthinkingshewasdoomed,andunabletorun.
StefanputoutahandthathedeliberatelymadewarmaroundMeredith’scoldone.“Iwon’tattackyou,”hesaidsimply.“AndIwon’tdisturbanyoldmemories.Goodenough?”
Meredithnodded.AfterhercatharticstoryStefanknewshewantedasfewwordsaspossible.
“Don’tbeafraid,”hemurmured,justashehadthoughtthesoothingphraseintothemindofmanyananimalhe’dchasedthroughtheOldWood.It’sallright.There’snoreasontofearme.
Shecouldn’thelpbeingafraid,butStefansoothedherashesoothedtheforestanimals,drawingherintothedarkestshadowoftheroom,calmingherwithsoftwordsevenashiscaninesscreamedathimtobite.Hehadtofolddownthesideofherblousetoexposeherlong,olive-skinnedcolumnofneck,andashedidthecalmingwordsturnedintosoftendearmentsandthekindofreassuringnoiseshewouldusetocomfortababy.
Andatlast,whenMeredith’sbreathinghadslowedandevenedandhereyeshaddriftedshut,heusedthegreatestofcaretoslidehisachingfangsintoherartery.Meredithbarelyquivered.Everythingwassoftnessasheeasilyskimmedoverthesurfaceofhermind,too,seeingonlywhathealreadyknewabouther:herlifewithElenaandBonnieandCaroline.Partiesandschool,plansandambitions.Picnics.Aswimminghole.Laughter.Tranquilitythatspreadoutlikeagreatpool.Theneedforcalm,forcontrol.Allthisstretchingbackasfarasshecouldremember…
Thefarthestdepthsthatshecouldrememberwerehereatthecenter…wheretherewasasuddenplungingdip.Stefanhadpromisedhimselfhewouldnotgodeeplyintohermind,buthewasbeingpulled,helpless,beingdraggeddownbythewhirlpool.Thewatersclosedoverhisheadandhewasdrawnattremendousspeedtotheverydepthsofasecondpool,thisonenotcomposedoftranquility,butofrageandfear.
Andthenhesawwhathadhappened,whatwashappening,whatwouldforeverbehappening—thereatMeredith’sstillcenter.11
WhenM.lePrincessJessalynD’AubignehaddrunkherfillofDamon’sblood—andshewasthirstyforsuchafragilething—itwasDamon’sturn.HeforcedhimselftoremainpatientwhenJessalynflinchedandfrownedatthesightofhisironwoodknife.ButDamonteasedherandjokedwithherandplayedchasinggamesupanddowntheenormousbed,andwhenhefinallycaughther,shescarcelyfelttheknife’sstingatherthroat.
Damon,though,hadhismouthonthedarkredbloodthatwelledoutimmediately.Everythinghe’ddone,frompouringBlackMagicforBonnietopouringoutthestarball’sliquidatthefourcornersoftheGatetomakinghiswaythroughthedefensesofthistinygemofacastlehadbeenforthis.Forthismoment,whenhishumanpalatecouldsavorthenectarthatwasvampireblood.
Anditwas…heavenly!
Thiswasonlythesecondtimeinhislifethathe’dtasteditasahuman.Katerina—Katherine,ashethoughtofherinEnglish—hadbeenthefirst,ofcourse.Andhowshecouldhavecreptoffafterthatandgone,wearingjusthershortmuslinshift,tothewide-eyed,inexperiencedlittleboywhowashisbrother,hewouldneverunderstand.
HisdisquietwasspreadingtoJessalyn.Thatmustn’thappen.Shehadtostaycalmandtranquilashetookasmuchashecouldofherblood.Itwouldn’thurtheratall,anditmeantallthedifferencetohim.
Forcinghisconsciousnessawayfromthesheerelementalpleasureofwhathewasdoing,hebegan,verycarefully,verydelicately,toinfiltratehermind.
Itwasn’tdifficulttogettothenubofit.Whoeverhadwrenchedthisdelicate,fragile-bonedgirlfromthehumanworldandhadendowedherwithavampire’snaturehadn’tdoneheranyfavors.Itwasn’tthatshehadanymoralobjectionstovampirism.She’dtakentothelifeeasily,enjoyingit.Shewouldhavemadeagoodhuntressinthewild.Butinthiscastle?Withtheseservants?Itwaslikehavingahundredsnootywaitersandtwohundredcondescendingsommeliersstaringherdownassoonassheopenedhermouthtogiveanorder.
Thisroom,forinstance.Shehadwantedsomecolorinit—justasplashofviolethere,alittlemauvethere—naturally,sherealized,avampireprincess’sbedchamberhadtobemostlyblack.Butwhenshe’dtimidlymentionedthesubjectofcolorstooneoftheparlormaids,thegirlhadsniffedandlookeddownhernostrilsatJessalynasifshe’daskedforanelephanttobeinstalledjustbesideherbed.Theprincesshadnothadthecouragetobringupthematterwiththehousekeeper,butwithinaweekthreebasketsfullofblack-and-off-blackthrowpillowshadarrived.Therewasher“color.”Andinthefuturewouldherhighnessbesogoodastoconsultherhousekeeperbeforequeryingthestaffastoherhouseholdwhims?
Sheactuallysaidthataboutmy“whims,”JessalynthoughtasshearchedherneckbackandransharpfingernailsthroughDamon’sthicksofthair.And—oh,it’snogood.I’mnogood.I’mavampireprincess,andIcanlookthepart,butIcan’tplayit.
You’reeverybitaprincess,yourhighness,Damonsoothed.Youjustneedsomeonetoenforceyourorders.Someonewhohasnodoubtsaboutyoursuperiority.Areyourservantsslaves?
No,they’reallfree.
Well,thatmakesitalittletrickier,butyoucanalwaysyelllouderatthem.Damonfeltswollenwithvampireblood.Twomoredaysofthisandhewouldbe,ifnothisoldself,thenatleastalmosthisoldself:afullvampire,freetowalkaboutthecityasheliked.AndwiththePowerandstatusofavampireprince.Itwasalmostenoughtobalanceoutthehorrorshe’dgonethroughinthelastcoupleofdays.Atleast,hecouldtellhimselfthatandtrytobelieveit.
“Listen,”hesaidabruptly,lettinggoofJessalyn’sslightbody,thebettertolookherintheeye.“Yourglorioushighness,letmedoonefavorforyoubeforeIdieofloveoryouhavemekilledforimpudence.Letmebringyou‘color’—andthenletmestandbesideyouifanyofyourmenialsgrumbleaboutit.”
Jessalynwasn’tusedtothiskindofsuddendecision,butcouldn’thelpbutbecarriedalongwithDamon’sfieryexcitement.Shearchedherheadbackagain.
Whenhefinallyleftthebijouxpalace,Damonwentoutthefrontdoor.Hehadwithhimalittleofthemoneyleftoverfrompawningthegems,butthiswasmorethanenoughforthepurposehehadinmind.Hewasquitecertainthatthenexttimehewentout,itwouldbefromtheflyingportico.
Hestoppedatadozenshopsandspentuntilhislastcoinwasgone.He’dmeanttosneakinavisittoBonnieaswellwhiledoinghiserrands,butthemarketwasintheoppositedirectionfromtheinnwherehe’dlefther,andintheendtherejustwasn’ttime.
Hedidn’tworrymuchashewalkedbacktothebijouxcastle.Bonnie,softandfragileassheseemed,hadawirycorethathewassurewouldkeepherinsidetheroomforthreedays.Shecouldtakeit.Damonknewshecould.
Hebangedonthelittlecastle’sgateuntilasurlyguardopenedit.
“Whatdoyouwant?”theguardspat.
Bonniewasboredoutofhermind.IthadonlybeenadaysinceDamonhadlefther—adayshecouldonlycountbythenumberofmealsbroughttoher,sincetheenormousredsunstoodforeveronthehorizonandtheblood-redlightnevervariedunlessitwasraining.
Bonniewisheditwasraining.Shewisheditwassnowing,orthattherewouldbeafireorahurricaneorasmalltsunami.Shehadgivenoneofthestarballsatry,andfounditaridiculoussoapoperathatshecouldn’tunderstandintheleast.
Shewished,now,thatshehadnevertriedtostopDamonfromcominghere.Shewishedthathehadpriedheroffbeforetheyhadbothfallenintothehole.ShewishedthatshehadgrabbedMeredith’shandandjustletgoofDamon.
Andthiswasonlythefirstday.
Damonsmiledatthesurlyguard.“WhatdoIwant?OnlywhatIalreadyhave.Anopengate.”Hedidn’tgoinside,however.HeaskedwhatM.lePrincesswasdoingandheardthatshewasataluncheon.Onadonor.
Perfect.Soontherecameadeferentialknockatthegate,whichDamondemandedbeopenedwider.Theguardsclearlydidn’tlikehim;theyhadproperlyputtogetherthedisappearanceofwhatturnedouttobetheircaptainofguardandtheintrusionofthisstrangehuman.Buttherewassomethingmenacingabouthimeveninthismenacingworld.Theyobeyedhim.
Soonafterthattherecameanotherquietknockandthenanother,andanotherandsoonuntiltwelvemenandwomenwitharmsfullofdampandfragrantbrownpaperhadquietlyfollowedDamonupthestairsandintoM.lePrincess’sblackbedchamber.
Jessalyn,meanwhile,hadhadalongandstuffypost-luncheonmeeting,entertainingsomeofherfinancialadvisors,whobothseemedveryoldtoher,althoughtheyhadbeenchangedintheirtwenties.Theirmusclesweresoftwithlackofuse,shefoundherselfthinking.And,naturally,theyweredressedinfull-sleeved,wide-leggedblackexceptforafrillattheirthroats,whiteinsidebygaslight,scarletoutsidebytheeternalblood-redsun.
Theprincesshadjustseenthembowoutofherpresencewhensheinquired,ratherirritably,wherethehumanDamonwas.Severalservantswithmalicebehindtheirsmilesexplainedthathehadgonewithadozen…humans…uptoherbedchamber.
Jessalynalmostflewtothestairsandclimbedveryquicklywiththeglidingmotionthatsheknewwasexpectedofproperfemalevampires.ShereachedtheGothicdoors,andheardthehushedsoundsofindignantspiteasherladies-in-waitingallwhisperedtogether.Butbeforetheprincesscouldevenaskwhatwasgoingon,shewasengulfedinagreatwarmwaveofscent.Notthelusciousandlife-sustainingscentofblood,butsomethinglighter,sweeter,andatthemoment,whileherbloodlustwassated,evenheadierandmoredizzying.Shepushedopenthedoubledoors.Shetookastepintoherbedchamberandthenstoppedinastonishment.
Thecathedral-likeblackroomwasfullofflowers.Therewerebanksoflilies,vasesfullofroses,tulipsineverycolorandshade,andriotsofdaffodilsandnarcissus,whilefragranthoneysuckleandfreesialayinbowers.
Theflowerpeddlershadconvertedthegloomy,conventionalblackroomintothisfancifulextravaganza.ThewiserandmorefarsightedofM.lePrincess’sretainerswereactivelyhelpingthembybringinginlarge,ornateurns.
Damon,uponseeingJessalynentertheroom,immediatelywenttokneelatherfeet.
“YouweregonewhenIwoke!”theprincesssaidcrossly,andDamonsmiled,veryfaintly.
“Forgiveme,yourhighness.ButsinceIamdyinganyway,IthoughtthatIshouldbeupandsecuringtheseflowersforyou.Arethecolorsandscentssatisfactory?”
“Thescents?”Jessalyn’swholebodyseemedtomelt.“It’s…like…anorchestraformynose!AndthecolorsarelikenothingI’veeverseen!”Sheburstintolaughter,hergreeneyeslightening,herstraightredhairawaterfallaroundhershoulders.ThenshebegantostalkDamonbackintothegloominonecorner.Damonhadtocontrolhimselforhewouldhavelaughed;itwassomuchlikeakittenstalkinganautumnleaf.
Butoncetheygotintothecorner,tangledintheblackhangingsandnowherenearawindow,Jessalynassumedadeadlyseriousexpression.
“I’mgoingtohaveadressmade,justthecolorofthosedeep,darkpurplecarnations,”shewhispered.“Notblack.”
“Yourhighnesswilllookwonderfulinit,”Damonwhisperedinherear.“Sostriking,sodaring—”
“Imayevenwearmycorsetsontheinsideofmydress.”Shelookedupathimthroughheavylashes.“Or—wouldthatbetoomuch?”
“Nothingistoomuchforyou,myprincess,”Damonwhisperedback.Hestoppedamomenttothinkseriously.“Thecorsets—wouldtheymatchthedressorbeblack?”
Jessalynconsidered.“Samecolor?”sheventured.
Damonnodded,pleased.Hehimselfwouldn’tbecaughtdeadinanycolorotherthanblack,buthewaswillingtoputupwith—evenencourage—Jessalyn’soddities.Theymightgethimmadeavampirefaster.
“Iwantyourblood,”theprincesswhispered,asiftoprovehimright.
“Here?Now?”Damonwhisperedback.“Infrontofallyourservants?”
Jessalynsurprisedhimthen.She,whohadbeensotimidbefore,steppedoutofthecurtainsandclappedherhandsforsilence.Itfellimmediately.
“Everyoneout!”shesaidperemptorily.“Youhavemademeabeautifulgardeninmyroom,andIamgrateful.Thesteward”—shenoddedtowardayoungmanwhowasdressedinblack,butwhohadwiselyplacedadarkredroseinhisbuttonhole—“willseetoitthatyou’reallgivenfood—anddrink—beforeyougo!”Atthistherewasamurmurofpraisethatmadetheprincessblush.
“I’llringthebellpullwhenIneedyou”—tothesteward.
Infact,itwasn’tuntiltwodayslaterthatshereachedupand,alittlereluctantly,rangthebellpull.AndthatwasmerelytogivetheorderthatauniformbemadeforDamonasquicklyaspossible.Theuniformofcaptainofherguard.
Bythesecondday,Bonniehadtoturntothestarballsasheronlysourceofentertainment.Aftergoingthroughhertwenty-eightorbsshefoundthattwenty-fiveofthemweresoapoperasfrombeginningtoend,andtwowerefullofexperiencessofrighteningandhideousthatshelabeledtheminherownmindasNeverEver.ThelastonewascalledFiveHundredStoriesforYoungOnes,andBonniequicklyfoundthattheseimmersionstoriescouldbeuseful,fortheyspecifiedthenamesofthingsapersonwouldfindaroundthehouseandthecity.Thesphere’sconnectingthreadwasaseriesaboutafamilyofwerewolvesnamedtheDüz-Aht-Bhi’iens.BonniepromptlychristenedthemtheDustbins.Theseriesconsistedofepisodesshowinghowthefamilylivedeachday:howtheyboughtanewslaveatthemarkettoreplaceonewhohaddied,andwheretheywenttohunthumanprey,andhowMersDustbinplayedinanimportantbashiktournamentatschool.
Todaythelaststorywasalmostprovidential.ItshowedlittleMaritDustbinwalkingtoaSweetmeatShopandgettingasugarplum.Thecandycostexactlyfivesoli.BonniegottoexperienceeatingpartofitwithMarit,anditwasgood.
Afterreadingthestory,Bonnieverycarefullypeekedthroughtheedgeofthewindowblindandsawasignonashopbelowthatshe’doftenwatched.Thensheheldthestarballtohertemple.
Yes!Exactlythesamekindofsign.Andsheknewnotonlywhatshewanted,buthowmuchitshouldcost.
Shewasdyingtogetoutofhertinyroomandtrywhatshehadjustlearned.Butbeforehereyes,thelightsinthesweetshopwentdark.Itmustbeclosingtime
Bonniethrewthestarballacrosstheroom.Sheturnedthegaslampdowntojustthefaintestglow,andthenflungherselfonherrush-filledbed,pulledthecoversup…anddiscoveredthatshecouldn’tsleep.Gropinginrubytwilight,shefoundthestarballwithherfingersandputittohertempleagain.
InterspersedwithclustersofstoriesabouttheDustbinfamily’sdailyadventureswerefairytales.MostofthemweresogruesomethatBonniecouldn’texperiencethemallthewaythrough,andwhenitwastimetosleep,shelayshiveringonherpallet.Butthistimethestoryseemeddifferent.Afterthetitle,TheGatehouseoftheSevenKitsuneTreasures,sheheardalittlerhyme:
Amidaplainofsnowandice
Therelieskitsuneparadise.
Andclosebeside,forbiddenpleasure:
Sixgatesmoreofkitsunetreasure.
Theverywordkitsunewasfrightening.But,Bonniethought,thestorymightproverelevantsomehow.
Icandothis,shethoughtandputthestarballtohertemple.
Thestorydidn’tstartwithanythinggruesome.Itwasaboutayounggirlandboykitsunewhowentonaquesttofindthemostsacredandsecretofthe“sevenkitsunetreasures,”thekitsuneparadise.Atreasure,Bonnielearned,couldbesomethingassmallasasinglegemoraslargeasanentireworld.Thisone,goingbythestory,wasinthemiddlerange,becausea“paradise”wasakindofgarden,withexoticflowersbloomingeverywhere,andlittlestreamsbubblingdownsmallwaterfallsintoclear,deeppools.
Itwasallwonderful,Bonniethought,experiencingthestoryasifshewerewatchingamovieallaroundher,butamoviethatincludedthesensationsoftouch,taste,andsmell.TheparadisewasabitlikeWarmSprings,wheretheysometimeshadpicnicsbackathome.
Inthestory,theboyandgirlkitsunehadtogoto“thetopoftheworld”wheretherewassomekindoffractureinthecrustofthehighestDarkDimension—theoneBonniewasinrightnow.Theymanagedsomehowtotraveldown,andevenfartherdown,andpassedthroughvarioustestsofcourageandwitbeforetheygotintothenextlowestdimension,theNetherWorld.
TheNetherWorldwascompletelydifferentfromtheDarkDimension.Itwasaworldoficeandslipperysnow,ofglaciersandrifts,allbathedinabluetwilightfromthreemoonsthatshonefromabove.
ThekitsunechildrenalmoststarvedintheNetherWorldbecausetherewassolittleforafoxtohunt.Theymadedowiththetinyanimalsofthecold:miceandsmallwhitevoles,andtheoccasionalinsect(Oh,yuck,Bonniethought).Theysurviveduntil,throughthefogandmist,theysawatoweringblackwall.TheyfollowedthewalluntilfinallytheycametoaGatehousewithtallspireshiddenintheclouds.Writtenabovethedoorinanoldlanguagetheycouldhardlyreadwerethewords:TheSevenGates.
Theyenteredaroominwhichtherewereeightdoorwaysorexits.Onewasthedoorthroughwhichtheyhadjustentered.Andastheywatched,eachdoorbrightenedsotheycouldseethattheothersevendoorsledtosevendifferentworlds,oneofwhichwasthekitsuneparadise.Yetanothergateledtoafieldofmagicalflowers,andanothershowedbutterfliesflitteringaroundasplashingfountain.AnotherdroppedtoadarkcavernfilledwithbottlesofthemysticalwineClarionLoessBlackMagic.Onegateledtoadeepmine,withjewelsthesizeofafist.Andthentherewasagatewhichshowedtheprizeofallflowers:theRoyalRadhika.Itchangeditsshapefrommomenttomoment,fromarosetoaclusterofcarnationstoanorchid.
Throughthelastdoortheycouldseeonlyagigantictree,butthefinaltreasurewasrumoredtobeanimmensestarball.
Nowtheboyandgirlforgotallaboutthekitsuneparadise.Eachofthemwantedsomethingfromanotherofthegates,buttheycouldn’tagreeonwhat.Therulewasthatanypartyorgroupwhoreachedthegatescouldenteroneandthenreturn.ButwhilethegirlwantedasprigoftheRoyalRadhika,toshowthatthey’dcompletedtheirquest,theboywantedsomeBlackMagicwine,tosustainthemonthewayback.Nomatterhowtheyarguedtheycouldn’treachanagreement.Sofinallytheydecidedtocheat.Theywouldsimultaneouslyopenadoorandjumpthrough,snatchwhattheywanted,andthenjumpbackoutandbeoutoftheGatehousebeforetheycouldbecaught.
Justastheywereabouttodoso,avoicewarnedthemagainstit,saying,“Onegatealonemayyoutwainenter,andthenreturnfromwhenceyoucame.”
Buttheboyandthegirlchosetoignorethevoice.Immediately,theboyenteredthedoorthatledtothebottlesofBlackMagicwineandatthesameinstantthegirlsteppedintotheRoyalRadhikadoor.Butwheneachturnedaroundtherewasnolongeranysignofadoororgatebehindthem.Theboyhadplentytodrinkbuthewasleftforeverinthedarkandcoldandhistearsfrozeuponhischeeks.Thegirlhadthebeautifulflowertolookatbutnothingtoeatordrinkandsoundertheglowingyellowsunshewastedaway.
Bonnieshivered,thedeliciousshiverofareaderwhohadgottenwhatsheexpected.Thefairytale,withitsmoralof“don’tbegreedy”waslikethestoriesshe’dheardfromtheRedandtheBlueFairyBookswhenshewasachildsittingonhergrandmother’slap.
ShemissedElenaandMeredith,badly.Shehadastorytotell,butnoonetotellitto.12
“Stefan.Stefan!”Elenahadbeentoonervoustostayoutofthebedroomforlongerthanthefiveminutesithadtakentoshowherselftothesheriffs.ItwasStefantheofficersreallywantedandcouldn’tfind,notseemingtoconsiderthatsomeonemightbacktrackandhideinaroomthathadalreadybeensearched.
AndnowElenacouldn’tgetaresponseoutofStefan,whowaslockedinanembracewithMeredith,mouthpressedtightlyoverthetwolittlewoundshe’dmade.Elenahadtoshakehimbytheshoulders,toshakebothofthem,inordertogetanyresponse.
ThenStefanrearedbacksuddenly,butheldontoMeredith,whowouldotherwisehavefallen.Hehastilylickedbloodfromhislips.Foronce,though,Elenawasn’tfocusedonhim,butonherfriend—herfriendwhomshe’dallowedtodothis.
Meredith’seyeswereshut,buttheyhaddark,almostplum-coloredcirclesunderthem.Herlipswereparted,andherdarkcloudofhairwaswetwheretearshadfallenintoit.
“Meredith?Merry?”TheoldnicknamejustslippedoutofElena’slips.Andthen,whenMeredithgavenosignofhavingheardher:“Stefan,what’swrong?”
“IInfluencedherattheendtosleep.”StefanliftedMeredithandputheronthebed.
“Butwhathappened?Whyisshecrying—andwhat’swrongwithyou?”Elenacouldn’thelpbutnoticethatdespitethehealthyflushonStefan’scheekshiseyeswereshadowed.
“SomethingIsaw—inhermind,”Stefansaidbriefly,pullingElenabehindhisback.“Herecomesoneofthem.Staythere.”
Thedooropened.Itwasthemalesheriff,whowasred-facedandpanting,andwhohadclearlyjustlappedhimself,returningtothisroomafterstartingfromittosearchtheentirefirstfloor.
“Ihavethemallinaroom—allbutthefugitive,”thesheriffsaidintoalargeblackmobile.Thefemalesheriffmadesomebriefreply.Thenthered-facedmaleturnedtospeaktotheteenagers.“Nowwhat’sgoingtohappenisthatI’mgoingtosearchyou”—henoddedatStefan—“whilemypartnersearchesyoutwo.”Hisheadjerked,ear-first,atMeredith.“What’swrongwithher,anyway?”
“Nothingthatyoucouldunderstand,”Stefanrepliedcoolly.
Thesherifflookedasifhecouldn’tbelievewhathadjustbeensaid.Then,suddenly,helookedasifhecould,anddid,andhetookasteptowardMeredith.
Stefansnarled.
ThesoundmadeElena,whowasrightbehindhim,jump.Itwasthelowsavagesnarlofananimalprotectingitsmate,itspack,itsterritory.
Theruddy-facedpolicemansuddenlylookedpaleandpanicked.Elenaguessedthathewaslookingatamouthfullofteethmuchsharperthanhisown,andtingedwithbloodaswell.
Elenadidn’twantthistoturnintoapi—thatwas,a…snarlingmatch.
Asthesheriffgabbledtohispartner,“Wemayneedsomeofthemsilverbulletsafterall,”Elenapokedherbeloved,whowasnowmakinganoiselikeaverybigbuzzsawthatshecouldfeelinherteeth,andwhispered,“Stefan,Influencehim!Theotherone’scoming,andshemayalreadyhavecalledforbackup.”
Athertouch,Stefanstoppedmakingthesound,andwhenheturnedshecouldseehisfacechangingfromthatofasavageanimalbaringitsteethbacktohisowndear,green-eyedself.HemusthavetakenalotofbloodfromMeredith,shethought,withaflutterinherstomach.Shewasn’tsurehowshefeltaboutthat.
Buttherewasnodenyingtheafter-effects.Stefanturnedbacktothemalesheriffandsaidcrisply,“Youwillgointothefronthallway.Youwillremainthere,silent,untilItellyoutomoveorspeak.”Then,withoutlookinguptoseeiftheofficerwasobeyingornot,hetuckedtheblanketsmoretightlyaroundMeredith.
Elenawaswatchingthesheriff,though,andshenoticedthathedidn’thesitateaninstant.Hemadeanabout-faceandmarchedofftothefrontfoyer.
ThenElenafeltsafeenoughtolookatMeredithagain.Shecouldn’tfindanythingwronginherfriend’sface,exceptherunnaturalpallor,andthosevioletshadowsaroundhereyes.
“Meredith?”shewhispered.
Noresponse.ElenafollowedStefanoutoftheroom.
Shehadjustmadeittothefoyerwhenthefemalesheriffambushedthem.Comingdownthestairs,pushingthefragileMrs.Flowersbeforeher,sheshouted,“Ontheground!Allofyou!”ShegaveMrs.Flowersahardshoveforward.“Getdownnow!”
WhenMrs.Flowersalmostfellsprawlingonthefloor,Stefanleapedandcaughther,andthenturnedbacktotheotherwoman.ForamomentElenathoughtthathewouldsnarlagain,butinstead,inavoicetightwithself-control,hesaid,“Joinyourpartner.Youcan’tmoveorspeakwithoutmypermission.”
Hetooktheshaken-lookingMrs.Flowerstoachairontheleftsideofthefoyer.“Didthat—person—hurtyou?”
“No,no.Justgetthemoutofmyhouse,Stefan,dear,andI’llbemostgrateful,”Mrs.Flowersreplied.
“Done,”Stefansaidsoftly.“I’msorrywe’vecausedyousomuchtrouble—inyourownhome.”Helookedateachofthesheriffs,hiseyespiercing.“Goawayanddon’tcomeback.Youhavesearchedthehouse,butnoneofthepeopleyouwerelookingforwerehere.Youthinkfurthersurveillancewillyieldnothing.Youbelievethatyouwoulddomoregoodbyhelpingthe—whatwasit?Oh,yes,themayheminthetownofFell’sChurch.Youwillnevercomehereagain.Nowgobacktoyourcarandleave.”
Elenafeltthetinyhairsonthebackofherneckstandup.ShecouldfeelthePowerbehindStefan’swords.
And,asalways,itwassatisfyingtoseecruelorangrypeoplebecomedocileunderthepowerofavampire’sInfluence.Thesetwostoodforanothertensecondsquitestill,andthentheysimplywalkedoutthefrontdoor.
Elenalistenedtothesoundofthesheriff’scardrivingawayandsuchastrongfeelingofreliefwashedoverherthatshealmostcollapsed.Stefanputhisarmsaroundher,andElenahuggedhimbacktightly,knowingthatherheartwaspounding.Shecouldfeelitinherchestandherfingertips.
It’sallover.Alldonenow,StefanthoughttoherandElenasuddenlyfeltsomethingdifferent.Shefeltpride.Stefanhadsimplytakenchargeandchasedtheofficersaway.
Thankyou,shethoughttoStefan.
“Iguesswe’dbettergetMattoutoftherootcellar,”sheadded.
Mattwasunhappy.“Thanksforhidingme—butdoyouknowhowlongthatwas?”hedemandedofElenawhentheywereupstairsagain.“Andnolightexceptwhatwasinthatlittlestarball.Andnosound—Icouldn’thearathingdownthere.Andwhatisthis?”Heheldoutthelong,heavywoodenstaff,withitsstrangelyshaped,spikedends.
Elenafeltsuddenpanic.“Youdidn’tcutyourself,didyou?”ShesnatchedupMatt’shands,lettingthelongstafffalltotheground.ButMattdidn’tseemtohaveasinglescratch.
“Iwasn’tdumbenoughtoholditbytheends,”hesaid.
“Meredithdid,forsomereason,”Elenasaid.“Herpalmswerecoveredwithwounds.AndIdon’tevenknowwhatitis.”
“Ido,”Stefansaidquietly.Hepickedupthestave.“Butit’sMeredith’ssecretreally.Imeanit’sMeredith’sproperty,”headdedhastilyasalleyesfixedonhimatthewordsecret.
“Well,I’mnotblind,”Mattsaidinhisfrank,straightforwardway,flippingbacksomefairhairinordertolookmorecloselyatthething.HeraisedblueeyestoElena.“Iknowwhatitsmellslike,whichisvervain.AndIknowwhatitlookslikewithallthosesilverandironspikescomingoutofthesharpends.ItlookslikeagiantstaffforexterminatingeverykindofGodawfulHellaciousmonsterthatwalksonthisearth.”
“Andvampires,too,”Elenaaddedhastily.SheknewthatStefanwasinafunnymoodandshedefinitelydidn’twanttoseeMatt,forwhomshestillcareddeeply,lyingonthefloorwithacrushedskull.“Andevenhumans—Ithinkthesebiggerspikesareforinjectingpoison.”
“Poison?”Mattlookedathisownpalmshastily.
“You’reokay,”Elenasaid.“Icheckedyou,andbesidesitwouldbeaveryquick-actingpoison.”
“Yes,theywouldwanttotakeyououtofthefightasfastaspossible,”Stefansaid.“Soifyou’realivenow,you’relikelytostaythatway.Andnow,thisGodawfulHellaciousmonsterjustwantstogetbackuptobed.”Heturnedtogototheattic.HemusthaveheardElena’sswift,involuntarilyindrawnbreath,becauseheturnedaroundandshecouldseethathewassorry.Hiseyesweredarkemerald,sadbutblazingwithunusedPower.
Ithinkwe’llhavealatemorning,Elenathought,feelingpleasurablethrillsripplethroughher.ShesqueezedStefan’shand,andfelthimreturnthepressure.Shecouldseewhathehadinmind;theywerecloseenoughandhewasprojectingprettyclearlywhathewanted—andshewasaseagertogetupstairsashewas.
ButatthatmomentMatt,eyesonthewickedlyspikedstaff,said,“Meredithhassomethingtodowiththat?”
“Ishouldneverhavesaidanythingatallaboutit,”Stefanreplied.“Butifyouwanttoknowmore,you’dreallybetteraskMeredithherself.Tomorrow.”
“Allright,”Mattsaid,finallyseemingtounderstand.Elenawaswayaheadofhim.Aweaponlikethatwas—couldonlybe—forkillingallsortsofmonsterswalkingtheearth.AndMeredith—Meredithwhowasasslimandathleticasaballerinawithablackbelt,andoh!Thoselessons!ThelessonsthatMeredithhadalwaysputoffifthegirlsweredoingsomethingatthatexactmoment,butthatshealwayssomehowmanagedtomaketimefor.
Butagirlcouldhardlybeexpectedtocarryaharpsichordaroundwithherandnobodyelsehadone.Besides,Meredithhadsaidshehatedtoplay,soherBFFshadletitgoatthat.ItwasallpartoftheMeredithmystique.
Andridinglessons?Elenawouldbetsomeofthemweregenuine.Meredithwouldwanttoknowhowtomakeaquickescapemountinganythingavailable.
ButifMeredithwasn’tpracticingforalittlelightmusicinthedrawingroom,orforstarringinaHollywoodWestern—thenwhatwouldshehavebeendoing?
Training,Elenaguessed.Therewerealotofdojosoutthere,andifMeredithhadbeendoingthissincethatvampireattackedhergrandfathershemustbeprettydarngood.Andwhenwe’vefoughtgrislythings,whoseeyeshaveeverbeenonher,asoftgrayshadowthatkeptoutofthelimelight?Alotofmonstersprobablygotknockedoutbutgood.
TheonlyquestionthatneededtobeansweredwaswhyMeredithhadn’tshownthemtheGodawfulHellaciousmonsterstakeroruseditinanyfights—sayagainstKlaus—untilnow.AndElenadidn’tknow,butshecouldaskMeredithherself.Tomorrow,whenMeredithwasup.Butshetrustedthatithadsomesimpleanswer.
Elenatriedtostifleayawninaladylikeway.Stefan?sheasked.Canyougetusoutofhere—withoutpickingmeup—andtoyourroom?
“Ithinkwe’veallhadenoughstressthismorning,”Stefansaidinhisowngentlevoice.“Mrs.Flowers,Meredithisinthefirst-floorbedroom—she’llprobablysleepverylate.Matt—”
“Iknow,Iknow.Idon’tknowwheretheschedulewentbutImightaswellmakeitmynight.”MattpresentedanarmtoStefan.
Stefanlookedsurprised.Darling,youcanneverhavetoomuchblood,Elenathoughttohim,seriouslyandstraightforwardly.
“Mrs.FlowersandIwillbeinthekitchen,”shesaidaloud.
Whentheywerethere,Mrs.Flowerssaid,“Don’tforgettothankStefanfordefendingtheboardinghouseforme.”
“Hediditbecauseit’sourhome,”Elenasaid,andwentbackintothehall,whereStefanwasthankingaflushingMatt.
AndthenMrs.FlowerscalledMattintothekitchenandElenafoundherselfswoopedupinlithe,hardarmsandthentheyweregainingaltituderapidly,withthewoodstaircaseemittinglittlecreaksandgroansofprotest.AndfinallytheywereinStefan’sroomandElenawasinStefan’sarms.
Therewasnobetterplacetobe,oranythingelseeitherofthemreallywantednow,ElenathoughtandturnedherfaceupasStefanturnedhisdownandtheybeganwithalongslowkiss.Andthenthekisswentmolten,andElenahadtoclingtoStefan,whowasalreadyholdingherwitharmsthatcouldhavecrackedgranite,butonlysqueezedherexactlyastightlyasshewantedthemto.13
Elena,sleepingserenelywithonehandlockedontoStefan’s,knewshewashavinganextraordinarydream.No,notadream—anout-of-bodyexperience.Butitwasn’tlikeherpreviousout-of-bodyvisitstoStefaninhiscell.Shewasskimmingthroughtheairsoquicklythatshecouldn’treallymakeoutwhatwasbelowher.
Shelookedaroundandsuddenly,toherastonishment,anotherfigureappearedbesideher.
“Bonnie!”shesaid—orrathertriedtosay.Butofcoursetherewasnosound.Bonnielookedlikeatransparenteditionofherself.Asifsomeonehadcreatedheroutofblownglass,andthenputinjustthefaintesttintofcolorinherhairandeyes.
Elenatriedtelepathy.Bonnie?
Elena!Oh,ImissyouandMeredithsomuch!I’mstuckhereinahole—
Ahole?Elenacouldhearthepanicinherowntelepathy.ItmadeBonniewince.
Notarealhole.Adive.Aninn,Iguess,butI’mlockedinandtheyonlyfeedmetwiceadayandtakemetothetoiletonce—
MyGod!Howdidyougetthere?
Well…Bonniehesitated.Iguessitwasmyownfault.
Itdoesn’tmatter!Howlonghaveyoubeenthere,exactly?
Um,thisismysecondday.Ithink.
Therewasapause.ThenElenasaid,Well,acoupleofdaysinabadplacecanseemlikeforever.
Bonnietriedtomakehercaseclearer.It’sjustthatI’msoboredandlonely.ImissyouandMeredithsomuch!sherepeated.
IwasthinkingofyouandMeredith,too,Elenasaid.
ButMeredith’stherewithyou,isn’tshe?OhmyGod,shedidn’tfall,too?Bonnieblurted.
No,no!Shedidn’tfall.Elenacouldn’tdecidewhethertotellBonnieaboutMeredithornot.Maybenotjustyet,shethought.
Shecouldn’tseewhatshewasrushingtoward,althoughshecouldfeelthattheywereslowingdown.Canyouseeanything?
Hey,yeah,belowus!There’sacar!Shouldwegodown?
Ofcourse.Canweholdhands?
Theyfoundthattheycouldn’t,butthatjusttryingtokeptthemclosertogether.Inanothermomenttheyweresinkingthroughtheroofofasmallcar.
Hey!It’sAlaric!Bonniesaid.
AlaricSaltzmanwasMeredith’sengaged-to-be-engagedboyfriend.Hewasabouttwenty-threenow,andhissandy-blondhairandhazeleyeshadn’tchangedsinceElenahadseenhimalmosttenmonthsago.HewasaparapsychologistatDuke,goingforhisdoctorate.
We’vebeentryingtogetholdofhimforages,Bonniesaid.
Iknow.Maybethisisthewaywe’resupposedtocontacthim.
Whereishesupposedtobeagain?
SomeweirdplaceinJapan.Iforgetwhatit’scalled,butlookatthemaponthepassengerseat.
SheandBonnieintermingledastheydid,theirghostlyformspassingrightthrougheachother.
UnmeinoShima:TheIslandofDoom,waswrittenatthetopofanoutlineofanisland.ThemapbesidehimhadalargeredXonitwiththecaption:TheFieldofPunishedVirgins
Thewhat?Bonnieaskedindignantly.What’sthatmean?
Idon’tknow.Butlook,thisfogisrealfog.Andit’sraining.Andthisroadisterrible.
Bonniedoveoutside.Ooh,soweird.Therain’sgoingrightthroughme.AndIdon’tthinkthisisaroad.
Elenasaid,Comebackinandlookatthis.Therearen’tanyothercitiesontheisland,justaname.Dr.CeliaConnor,forensicpathologist.
What’saforensicpathologist?
Ithink,Elenasaid,thattheyinvestigatemurdersandthings.Andtheydigupdeadpeopletofindoutwhytheydied.
Bonnieshuddered.Idon’tthinkIlikethisverymuch.
NeitherdoI.Butlookoutside.Thiswasavillageonce,Ithink.
Therewasalmostnothingleftofthevillage.Justafewruinsofwoodenbuildingsthatwereobviouslyrotting,andsometumbledown,blackenedstonestructures.Therewasonelargebuildingwithanenormousbrightyellowtarpoverit.
Whenthecarreachedthisbuilding,Alaricskiddedtoastop,grabbedthemapandasmallsuitcase,anddashedthroughtherainandmudtogetundercover.ElenaandBonniefollowed.
Hewasmetneartheentrancebyaveryyoungblackwoman,whosehairwascutshortandsleekaroundherelfinface.Shewassmall,notevenElena’sheight.Shehadeyesdancingwithexcitementandwhite,eventeeththatmadeforaHollywoodsmile.
“Dr.Connor?”Alaricsaid,lookingawed.
Meredithisn’tgoingtolikethis,Bonniesaid.
“JustCelia,please,”thewomansaid,takinghishand.“AlaricSaltzman,Ipresume.”
“JustAlaric,please—Celia.”
Meredithreallyisn’tgoingtolikethis,Elenasaid.
“Soyou’rethespookinvestigator,”Celiawassayingbelowthem.“Well,weneedyou.Thisplacehasspooks—ordidonce.Idon’tknowifthey’restillhereornot.”
“Soundsinteresting.”
“Morelikesadandmorbid.Sadandweirdandmorbid.I’veexcavatedallsortsofruins,especiallythosewherethere’sachanceofgenocide.AndI’lltellyou:ThisislandisunlikeanyplaceIhaveeverseen,”Celiasaid.
Alaricwasalreadypullingthingsfromhiscase,athickstackofpapers,asmallcamcorder,anotebook.Heturnedonthecamcorder,andlookedthroughtheviewfinder,thenproppeditupwithsomeofthepapers.WhenheapparentlyhadCeliainfocus,hegrabbedthenotebooktoo.
Celialookedamused.“Howmanywaysdoyouneedtotakedowninformation?”
Alarictappedthesideofhisheadandshookitsadly.“Asmanyaspossible.Neuronsarebeginningtogo.”Helookedaround.“You’renottheonlyonehere,areyou?”
“ExceptforthejanitorandtheguywhoferriesmebacktoHokkaido,yes.Itstartedoutasanormalexpedition—therewerefourteenofus.Butonebyone,theothershavediedorleft.Ican’tevenre-burythespecimens—thegirls—we’veexcavated.”
“Andthepeoplewholeftordiedfromyourexpedition—”
“Well,atfirstpeopledied.Thenthatandtheotherspookystuffmadetherestleave.Theywerefrightenedfortheirlives.”
Alaricfrowned.“Whodiedfirst?”
“Outofourexpedition?RonaldArgyll.Potteryspecialist.Hewasexaminingtwojarsthatwerefound—well,I’llskipthatstoryuntillater.Hefelloffaladderandbrokehisneck.”
Alaric’seyebrowswentup.“Thatwasspooky?”
“Fromaguylikehim,who’sbeeninthebusinessforalmosttwentyyears—yes.”
“Twentyyears?Maybeaheartattack?Andthenofftheladder—boom.”Alaricmadeadownwardgesture.
“Maybethat’sthewayitwas.Youmaybeabletoexplainallourlittlemysteriesforus.”Thechicwomanwiththeshorthairdimpledlikeatomboy.Shewasdressedlikeonetoo,Elenarealized:Levi’sandablueandwhiteshirtwiththesleevesrolledupoverawhitecamisole.
Alaricgavealittlestart,asifhe’drealizedhewasguiltyofstaring.BonnieandElenalookedateachotheroverhishead.
“Butwhathappenedtoallthepeoplewholivedontheislandinthefirstplace?Theoneswhobuiltthehouses?”
“Well,thereneverwerethatmanyoftheminthefirstplace.I’mguessingtheplacemayevenhavebeennamedtheIslandofDoombeforethisdisastermyteamwasinvestigating.ButasfarasIcouldfindoutitwasasortofwar—acivilwar.Betweenthechildrenandtheadults.”
ThistimewhenBonnieandElenalookedateachother,theireyeswerebothwide.Justlikehome—Bonniebegan,butElenasaid,Sh.Listen.
“Acivilwarbetweenkidsandtheirparents?”Alaricrepeatedslowly.“Nowthatisspooky.”
“Well,it’saprocessofelimination.Yousee,Ilikegraves,constructedorjustholesintheground.Andhere,theinhabitantsdon’tappeartohavebeeninvaded.Theydidn’tdieoffamineordrought—therewasstillplentyofgraininthegranary.Therewerenosignsofillness.I’vecometobelievethattheyallkilledoneanother—parentskillingchildren;childrenkillingparents.”
“Buthowcanyoutell?”
“Youseethissquare-ishareaontheperipheryofthevillage?”CeliapointedtoanareaonalargermapthanAlaric’s.“That’swhatwecallTheFieldofPunishedVirgins.It’stheonlyplacethathascarefullyconstructedactualgraves,soitwasmadeearlyinwhatbecameawar.Later,therewasnotimeforcoffins—ornoonewhocared.Sofarwe’veexcavatedtwenty-twofemalechildren—theeldestinherlateteens.”
“Twenty-twogirls?Allgirls?”
“Allgirlsinthisarea.Boyscamelater,whencoffinswerenolongerbeingmade.They’renotaswellpreserved,becausethehousesallburnedorfellin,andtheywereexposedtoweathering.Thegirlswerecarefully,sometimeselaborately,buried;butthemarkingsontheirbodiesindicatethattheyweresubjectedtoharshphysicalpunishmentatsometimeclosetotheirdeaths.Andthen—theyhadstakesdriventhroughtheirhearts.”
Bonnie’sfingersflewtohereyes,asiftowardoffaterriblevision.ElenawatchedAlaricandCeliagrimly.
Alaricgulped.“Theywerestaked?”heaskeduneasily.
“Yes.NowIknowwhatyou’llbethinking.ButJapandoesn’thaveanytraditionofvampires.Kitsune—foxes—areprobablytheclosestanalog.”
NowElenaandBonniewerehoveringrightoverthemap.
“Anddokitsunesdrinkblood?”
“Justkitsune.TheJapaneselanguagehasaninterestingwayofexpressingplurals.Buttoansweryourquestion:no.Theyarelegendarytricksters,andoneexampleofwhattheydoispossessgirlsandwomen,andleadmentodestruction—intobogs,andsoon.Buthere—well,youcanalmostreaditlikeabook.”
“Youmakeitsoundlikeone.ButnotoneI’dpickupforpleasure,”Alaricsaid,andtheybothsmiledbleakly.
“So,togoonwiththebook,itseemsthatthisdiseasespreadeventuallytoallthechildreninthetown.Thereweredeadlyfights.Theparentssomehowcouldn’tevengettothefishingboatsinwhichtheymighthaveescapedtheisland.”
Elena—
Iknow.AtleastFell’sChurchisn’tonanisland.
“Andthenthere’swhatwefoundatthetownshrine.Icanshowyouthat—it’swhatRonaldArgylldiedfor.”
TheybothgotupandwentfartherintothebuildinguntilCeliastoppedbesidetwolargeurnsonpedestalswithahideousthinginbetweenthem.Itlookedlikeadress,weathereduntilitwasalmostpurewhite,butstickingthroughholesintheclothingwerebones.Mosthorribly,onebleachedandfleshlessbonehungdownfromthetopofoneoftheurns.
“ThisiswhatRonaldwasworkingoninthefieldbeforeallthisraincame,”Celiaexplained.“Itwasprobablythelastdeathoftheoriginalinhabitantsanditwassuicide.”
“Howcanyoupossiblyknowthat?”
“Let’sseeifIcangetthisrightfromRonald’snotes.Thepriestessheredoesn’thaveanyotherdamagethanthatwhichcausedherdeath.Theshrinewasastonebuilding—once.Whenwegotherewefoundonlyafloor,withallthestonestepstumbledaparteverywhichway.HenceRonald’suseoftheladder.Itgetsquitetechnical,butRonaldArgyllwasagreatforensicpathologistandItrusthisreadingofthestory.”
“Whichis?”Alaricwastakinginthejarsandtheboneswithhiscamcorder.
“Someone—wedon’tknowwho—smashedaholeineachofthejars.Thisisbeforethechaosstarted.Thetownrecordsmakenoteofitasanactofvandalism,aprankdonebyachild.Butlongafterthattheholewassealedandthejarsmadealmostairtightagain,exceptwherethepriestesshadherhandsplungedinthetopuptothewrist.”
Withinfinitecare,Celialiftedthetopoffthejarthatdidnothaveabonehangingfromit—torevealanotherpairoflongishbones,slightlylessbleached,andwithstripsofwhatmusthavebeenclothingonit.Tinyfingerboneslayinsidethejar.
“WhatRonaldthoughtwasthatthispoorwomandiedassheperformedalastdesperateact.Clever,too,ifyouseeitfromtheirperspective.Shecutherwrists—youcanseehowthetendonisshriveledinthebetter-preservedarm—andthenshelettheentirecontentsofherbloodstreamflowintotheurns.Wedoknowthattheurnsshowaheavyprecipitationofbloodonthebottom.Shewastryingtoluresomethingin—orperhapssomethingbackin.Andshediedtrying,andtheclaythatshehadprobablyhopedtouseinherlastconsciousmomentsheldherbonestothejars.”
“Whew!”Alaricranahandoverhisforehead,butshiveredatthesametime.
Takepictures!Elenawasmentallycommandinghim,usingallherwillpowertotransmittheorder.ShecouldseethatBonniewasdoingthesame,eyesshut,fistsclenched.
Asifinobediencetotheircommands,Alaricwastakingpicturesasfastashecould.
Finally,hewasdone.ButElenaknewthatwithoutsomeoutsideimpetustherewasnowaythathewasgoingtogetthosepicturestoFell’sChurchuntilhehimselfcametotown—andevenMeredithdidn’tknowwhenthatwouldbe.
Sowhatdowedo?BonnieaskedElena,lookinganguished.
Well…mytearswererealwhenStefanwasinprison.
Youwantustocryonhim?
No,Elenasaid,notquitepatiently.Butwelooklikeghosts—let’sactlikethem.Tryblowingonthebackofhisneck.
Bonniedid,andtheybothwatchedAlaricshiver,lookaroundhim,drawhiswindbreakercloser.
“Andwhatabouttheotherdeathsinyourownexpedition?”heasked,huddling,lookingaroundapparentlyaimlessly.
CeliabeganspeakingbutneitherElenanorBonniewaslistening.BonniekeptblowingonAlaricfromdifferentdirections,herdinghimtothesinglewindowinthebuildingthatwasn’tshattered.ThereElenahadwrittenwithherfingeronthedarkenedcoldglass.OncesheknewthatAlaricwaslookingthatwaysheblewherbreathacrossthesentence:sendallpixofjars2meredithnow!EverytimeAlaricapproachedthewindowshebreathedonittorefreshthewords.
Andatlasthesawit.
Hejumpedbackwardnearlytwofeet.Thenheslowlycreptbacktothewindow.Elenarefreshedthewritingforhim.Thistime,insteadofjumping,hesimplyranahandoverhiseyesandthenslowlypeekedoutagain.
“Hey,Mr.Spook-chaser,”saidCelia.“Areyouallright?”
“Idon’tknow,”Alaricadmitted.Hepassedhishandoverhiseyesagain,butCeliawascomingandElenadidn’tbreatheonthewindow.
“IthoughtIsawa—amessagetosendcopiesofthepicturesofthesejarstoMeredith.”
Celiaraisedaneyebrow.“WhoisMeredith?”
“Oh.She—she’soneofmyformerstudents.Isupposethiswouldinteresther.”Helookeddownatthecamcorder.
“Bonesandurns?”
“Well,youwereinterestedinthemquiteyoung,ifyourreputationiscorrect.”
“Oh,yes.Ilovedtowatchadeadbirddecay,orfindbonesandtrytofigureoutwhatanimaltheywerefrom,”Celiasaid,dimplingagain.“Fromtheageofsix.ButIwasn’tlikemostgirls.”
“Well—neitherisMeredith,”Alaricsaid.
ElenaandBonniewereeyeingeachotherseriouslynow.AlarichadimpliedthatMeredithwasspecial,buthehadn’tsaidit,andhehadn’tmentionedtheirengagementtobeengaged.
Celiacamecloser.“Areyougoingtosendherthepictures?”
Alariclaughed.“Well,allthisatmosphereandeverything—Idon’tknow.Itmightjusthavebeenmyimagination.”
CeliaturnedawayjustasshereachedhimandElenablewoncemoreacrossthemessage.Alaricthrewhishandsupinagestureofsurrender.
“Idon’tsupposetheIslandofDoomhassatellitecoverage,”hesaidhelplessly.
“Nope,”Celiasaid.“Buttheferrywillbebackinaday,andyoucansendpicturesthen—ifyou’rereallygoingtodoit.”
“IthinkI’dbetterdoit,”Alaricsaid.ElenaandBonniewerebothglaringathim,onefromeachside.
ButthatwaswhenElena’seyelidsstartedtodroop.Oh,Bonnie,I’msorry.Iwantedtotalktoyouafterthis,andmakesureyou’reokay.ButI’mfalling…Ican’t…
Shemanagedtopryherlidsopen.Bonniewasinafetalposition,fastasleep.
Becareful,Elenawhispered,notevensurewhoshewaswhisperingitto.Andasshefloatedaway,shewasawareofCeliaandthewayAlaricwastalkingtothisbeautiful,accomplishedwomanonlyayearorsoolderthanhewas.ShefeltadistinctfearforMeredith,ontopofeverythingelse.14
ThenextmorningElenanoticedthatMeredithstilllookedpaleandlanguid,andthathereyesslidawayifStefanhappenedtoglanceather.Butthiswasatimeofcrisis,andassoonasthebreakfastdisheswerewashed,Elenacalledameetingintheparlor.TheresheandStefanexplainedwhatMeredithhadmissedduringthevisitfromthesheriffs.MeredithsmiledwanlywhenElenatoldhowStefanhadbanishedthemlikestraydogs.
ThenElenatoldthestoryofherout-of-bodyexperience.Itprovedonething,atleast,thatBonniewasaliveandrelativelywell.MeredithbitherlipwhenMrs.Flowerssaidthis,foritonlymadeherwanttogoandgetBonnieoutoftheDarkDimensionpersonally.
Butontheotherhand,MeredithwantedtostayandwaitforAlaric’sphotographs.IfthatwouldsaveFell’sChurch…
NooneattheboardinghousecouldquestionwhathadhappenedontheIslandofDoom.Itwashappeninghere,ontheothersideoftheworld.AlreadyacoupleofparentsinFell’sChurchhadhadtheirchildrentakenawaybytheVirginiaDepartmentofChildProtectiveServices.Punishmentsandretaliationshadbegun.HowmuchlongerwoulditbebeforeShinichiandMisaoturnedallthechildrenintolethalweapons—orletloosethosealreadyturned?Howlongbeforesomehystericalparentkilledakid?
Thegroupsittingintheparlordiscussedplansandmethods.Intheend,theydecidedtomakejarsidenticaltothoseElenaandBonniehadseen,andprayedthattheycouldreproducethewriting.Thesejars,theyweresure,werethemeansbywhichShinichiandMisaowereoriginallysealedofffromtherestoftheEarth.
ThereforeShinichiandMisaohadoncefitintotherathercrampedaccommodationsofthejars.ButwhatdidElena’sgrouphavenowthatcouldlurethembackinside?
Power,theydecided.OnlyanamountofPowersogreatthatitwasirresistibletothekitsunetwins.Thatwaswhythepriestesshadtriedtolurethembackwithherownblood.Now…itmeanteithertheliquidinafullstarball…orbloodfromanextraordinarilypowerfulvampire.Ortwovampires.Orthree.
Everyonewassober,thinkingofthis.Theydidn’tknowhowmuchbloodwouldbeneeded—butElenafearedthatitwouldbemorethantheycanaffordtolose.Ithadcertainlybeenmorethanthepriestesscouldafford.
AndthentherewasasilencethatonlyMeredithcouldfill.“I’msureyou’veallbeenwonderingaboutthis,”shesaid,producingthestaffthingfromthinair,asfarasElenacouldsee.Howdidshedothat?Elenawondered.Shedidn’thaveitwithherandthenshedid.
Theyallstaredinthebrightsunlightatthesleekbeautyoftheweapon.
“Whoevermadethat,”Mattsaid,“hadatwistedimagination.”
“Itwasoneofmyancestors,”Meredithsaid.“AndIwon’tcontestthat.”
“Ihaveaquestion,”Elenasaid.“Ifyou’dhadthatfromthebeginningofyourtraining;ifyou’dbeenraisedinthatkindofworld,wouldyouhavetriedtokillStefan?WouldyouhavetriedtokillmewhenIbecameavampire?”
“IwishIhadagoodanswertothat,”Meredithsaid,herdarkgrayeyespained.“ButIdon’t.Ihavenightmaresaboutit.ButhowcanIeversaywhatIwouldhavedoneifI’dbeenadifferentperson?”
“I’mnotaskingthat.I’maskingyou,thepersonyouare,ifyou’dhadthetraining—”
“Thetrainingisbrainwashing,”Meredithsaidharshly.Hercomposedfa?adeseemedabouttobreak.
“Okay,forgetthat.WouldyouhavetriedtokillStefan,ifyou’djusthadthatstaff?”
“It’scalledafightingstave.Andwe’recalled—peoplelikemyfamily,exceptthatmyparentsdroppedout—hunter-slayers.”
Therewasasortofgasparoundthetable.Mrs.FlowerspouredMeredithmoreherbalteafromthepotsittingonatrivet.
“Hunter-slayers,”repeatedMattwithacertainrelish.Itwasn’thardtotellwhohewasthinkingabout.
“Youcanjustcallusoneortheother,”Meredithwassaying.“I’veheardthatoutwestthey’vegothunter-killers.Butwehangontotraditionhere.”
Elenasuddenlyfeltlikealostlittlegirl.ThiswasMeredith,herbigsisterMeredith,sayingallofthis.Elena’svoicewasalmostpleading.“Butyoudidn’teventellonStefan.”
“No,Ididn’t.And,no,Idon’tthinkI’dhavehadthecouragetokillanyone—unlessI’dbeenbrainwashed.ButIknewStefanlovedyou.Iknewhewouldnevermakeyouintoavampire.Theproblemwas—Ididn’tknowenoughaboutDamon.Ididn’tknowthatyouwerefoolingaroundsomuch.Idon’tthinkanybodyknewthat.”Meredith’svoicewasanguished,too.
“Exceptme,”Elenasaid,flushing,withalopsidedsmile.“Don’tlooksosad,Meredith.Itworkedout.”
“Youcallhavingtoleaveyourfamilyandyourtownbecauseeveryoneknowsyou’redead,workingout?”
“Ido,”Elenareplieddesperately,“ifitmeansIgettobewithStefan.”ShedidherbestnottothinkaboutDamon.
Meredithlookedatherblanklyforamoment,thenputherfaceinherhands.“DoyouwanttotellthemorshouldI?”sheasked,comingupforairandfacingStefan.
Stefanlookedstartled.“Youremember?”
“Probablyasmuchasyougotfrommymind.Bitsandpieces.StuffIdon’twanttoremember.”
“Okay.”NowStefanlookedrelieved,andElenafeltfrightened.StefanandMeredithhadasecrettogether?
“WeallknowthatKlausmadeatleasttwovisitstoFell’sChurch.Weknowthathewas—completelyevil—andthatonthesecondvisitheplannedtobeaserialmurderer.HekilledSueCarsonandVickieBennett.”
Elenainterruptedquietly.“OratleasthehelpedTylerSmallwoodtokillSue,sothatTylercouldbeinitiatedasawerewolf.AndthenTylergotCarolinepregnant.”
Mattclearedhisthroatassomethingoccurredtohim.“Uh—doesCarolinehavetokillsomebodytobeafullwerewolf,too?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”Elenasaid.“Stefansaysthathavingawerewolflitterisenough.Eitherway,bloodisspilled.Carolinewillbeafullwerewolfwhenshehashertwins,butshe’llprobablybeginchanginginvoluntarilybeforethat.Right?”
Stefannodded.“Right.ButgettingbacktoKlaus:Whatwasithewassupposedtohavedoneonhisfirstvisit?Heattacked—withoutkilling—anoldmanwhowasafullhunter-slayer.”
“Mygrandfather,”Meredithwhispered.
“AndhesupposedlymessedwithMeredith’sgrandfather’smindsomuchthatthisoldmantriedtokillhiswifeandhisthree-year-oldgranddaughter.Sowhatiswrongwiththispicture?”
Elenawastrulyfrightenednow.Shedidn’twanttohearwhateverwascoming.Shecouldtastebile,andshewasgladthatshe’donlyhadtoastforbreakfast.Ifonlytherehadbeensomeonetotakecareof,likeBonnie,shewouldhavefeltbetter.
“Igiveup.Sowhatiswrong?”Mattaskedbluntly.
Meredithwasstaringintothedistanceagain.
FinallyStefansaid,“Attheriskofsoundinglikeabadsoapopera…Meredithhad,orhas,atwinbrother.”
Deadsilencefelloverthegroupintheparlor.EvenMrs.Flowers’sMamadidn’tputinaword.
“Hadorhas?”Mattsaidfinally,breakingthesilence.
“Howcanweknow?”Stefansaid.“Hemayhavebeenkilled.ImagineMeredithhavingtowatchthat.Orhecouldhavebeenkidnapped.Tobekilledatalatertime—ortobecomeavampire.”
“Andyoureallythinkherparentswouldn’ttellher?”Mattdemanded.“Orwouldtrytomakeherforget?Whenshewas—what,threealready?”
Mrs.Flowers,whohadbeenquietalongtime,nowspokesadly.“DearMeredithmayhavedecidedtoblockoutthetruthherself.Withachildofthreeit’shardtosay.Iftheynevergotherprofessionalhelp…”ShelookedaquestionatMeredith.
Meredithshookherhead.“Againstthecode,”shesaid.“Imean,strictlyspeaking,Ishouldn’tbetellinganyofyouthis,andespeciallynotStefan.ButIcouldn’tstanditanymore…havingsuchgoodfriends,andconstantlydeceivingthem.”
ElenawentoverandhuggedMeredithhard.“Weunderstand,”shesaid.“Idon’tknowwhatwillhappeninthefutureifyoudecidetobeanactivehunter—”
“Icanpromiseyoumyfriendswon’tbeonmylistofvictims,”Meredithsaid.“Bytheway,”sheadded,“Shinichiknows.I’mtheonewho’skeptasecretfrommyfriendsallmylife.”
“Notanylonger,”Elenasaid,andhuggedheragain.
“Atleasttherearenomoresecretsnow,”Mrs.Flowerssaidgently,andElenalookedathersharply.Nothingwaseverthatsimple.AndShinichihadmadeawholehandfulofpredictions.
Thenshesawthelookinthemildblueeyesoftheoldwoman,andsheknewthatwhatwasimportantrightthenwasnottruthorlies,orevenreckonings,butsimplycomfortingMeredith.ShelookedupatStefanwhilestillhuggingMeredithandsawthesamelookinhiseyes.
Andthat—madeherfeelbettersomehow.Becauseifitwastruly“nosecrets”thenshewouldhavetofigureoutherfeelingsaboutDamon.AndshewasmoreafraidofthatthanoffacingShinichi,whichwassayingquitealot,really.
“Atleastwe’vegotapotter’swheel—somewhere,”Mrs.Flowerswassaying.“Andakilnintheback,althoughit’sallgrownoverwithDevil’sShoestring.Iusedtomakeflowerpotsforoutsidetheboardinghouse,butchildrencameandsmashedthem.IthinkIcouldmakeanurnliketheonesyousawifyoucandrawoneforme.Butperhapswe’dbetterwaitforMr.Saltzman’spictures.”
MattwasmouthingsomethingtoStefan.Elenacouldn’tmakeitoutuntilsheheardStefan’svoiceinhermind.HesaysDamontoldhimoncethatthishouseislikeaswapmeet,andyoucanfindanythinghereifyoulookhardenough
Damondidn’tmakethatup!IthinkMrs.Flowerssaiditfirst,andthenitsortofgotaround,Elenareturnedheatedly.
“Whenwegetthepictures,”Mrs.Flowerswassayingbrightly,“wecangettheSaitouwomentotranslatethewriting.”
MeredithfinallymovedbackfromElena.“AnduntilthenwecanpraythatBonniedoesn’tgetintoanytrouble,”shesaid,andhervoiceandfacewerecomposedagain.“I’mstartingnow.”
Bonniewassureshecouldstayoutoftrouble.
She’dhadthatstrangedream—theoneaboutsheddingherbody,andgoingwithElenatotheIslandofDoom.Fortunately,ithadseemedtobearealout-of-bodyexperience,andnotsomethingshehadtoponderoverandtrytofindhiddenmeaningsin.Itdidn’tmeanshewasdoomedoranythinglikethat.
Plus,she’dmanagedtolivethroughanothernightinthisbrownroom,andDamonhadtocomeandgetheroutsoon.Butnotbeforeshehadasugarplum.Ortwo.
Yes,shehadgottenatasteofoneinthestorylastnight,butMaritwassuchagoodgirlthatshehadwaitedfordinnertohaveanymore.DinnerwasobtainedinthenextstoryabouttheDustbins,whichshe’dplungedintothismorning.ButthatcontainedthehorroroflittleMarittastingherfirsthand-caughtpieceofrawliver,freshfromthehunt.Bonniehadhastilypulledthelittlestarballoffhertemple,andhaddeterminednottodoanythingthatcouldpossiblygetheronahumanhuntingrange.
Butthen,compulsively,shehadcounteduphermoney.Shehadmoney.Sheknewwhereashopwas.Andthatmeant…shopping!
Whenherbathroombreakcamearound,shemanagedtogetintoaconversationwiththeboywhousuallyledhertotheoutdoorprivy.Thistimeshemadehimblushsohardandtugathisearlobesooftenthatwhenshebeggedhimtogiveherthekeyandlethergobyherself—itwasn’tasifshedidn’tknowtheway—hehadrelentedandlethergo,askingonlythatshehurry.
Andshedidhurry—acrossthestreetandintothelittlestore,whichsmelledsomuchofmeltingfudge,toffeebeingpulledbyhand,andothermouth-wateringsmellsthatshewouldhaveknownwhereshewasblindfolded.
Shealsoknewwhatshewanted.ShecouldpictureitfromthestoryandtheonetasteMarithadhad.
Asugarplumwasroundlikearealplum,andshe’dtasteddates,almonds,spices,andhoney—andtheremayhavebeensomeraisins,too.Itshouldcostfivesoli,accordingtothestory,butBonniehadtakenfifteenofthesmallcoppery-lookingcoinswithher,incaseofaconfectionaryemergency.
Onceinside,Bonnieglancedwarilyaroundher.Therewerealotofcustomersintheshop,maybesixorseven.Onebrown-hairedgirlwaswearingsackingjustlikeBonnieandlookedexhausted.Surreptitiously,Bonnieinchedtowardher,andpressedfiveofhercoppersoliintothegirl’schappedhand,thinking,there—nowshecangetasugarplumjustlikeme;thatoughttocheerherup.Itdid:thegirlgaveherthesortofsmilethatMotherDustbinoftengavetoMaritwhenshehaddonesomethingadorable.
IwonderifIshouldtalktoher?
“Itlooksprettybusy,”shewhispered,duckingherhead.
Thegirlwhisperedback,“Ithasbeen.AllyesterdayIkepthoping,butatleastonenoblecameinasthelastoneleft.”
“Youmeanyouhavetowaituntiltheshop’semptyto—?”
Thebrown-hairedgirllookedathercuriously.“Ofcourse—unlessyou’rebuyingforyourmistressormaster.”
“What’syourname?”Bonniewhispered.
“Kelta.”
“I’mBonnie.”
AtthisKeltaburstintosilentbutconvulsivegiggles.
Bonniefeltoffended;she’djustgivenKeltaasugarplum—orthepriceofone,andnowthegirlwaslaughingather.
“I’msorry,”Keltasaidwhenhermirthhaddieddown.“Butdon’tyouthinkit’sfunnythatinthelastyeartherearesomanygirlschangingtheirnamestoAlianasandMardeths,andBonnas—someslavesareevenbeingallowedtodoit.”
“Butwhy?”BonniewhisperedwithsuchobviousgenuinebewildermentthatKeltasaid,“Why,tofitintothestory,ofcourse.TobenamedaftertheoneswhokilledoldBloddeuweddwhileshewasrampagingthroughthecity.”
“Thatwassuchabigdeal?”
“Youreallydon’tknow?Aftershewaskilledallhermoneywenttothefifthsectorwhereshelivedandtherewasenoughleftovertohaveaholiday.That’swhereI’mfrom.AndIusedtobesofrightenedwhenIwassentoutwithamessageoranythingafterdarkbecauseshecouldberightaboveyouandyou’dneverknow,until—”Keltahadputallhermoneyintoonepocketandnowshemimedclawsdescendingonaninnocenthand.
“ButyoureallyareaBonna,”Keltasaid,withaflashofwhiteteethinratherdingyskin.“Orsoyousaid.”
“Yeah,”Bonniesaidfeelingvaguelysad.“I’maBonna,allright!”Thenextmomentshecheeredup.“Theshop’sempty!”
“Itis!Oh,you’reagood-luckBonna!I’vebeenwaitingtwodays.”
SheapproachedthecounterwithalackoffearthatwasveryencouragingtoBonnie.ThensheaskedforsomethingcalledabloodjellythatlookedtoBonnielikeasmallmoldofstrawberryJell-O,withsomethingdarkerdeepinside.KeltasmiledatBonniefromunderthecurtainofherlong,unbrushedhairandwasgone.
Themanwhoranthesweetshopkeptlookinghopefullyatthedoor,clearlyhopingafreeperson—anoble—wouldcomein.Noonedid,however,andatlastheturnedtoBonnie.
“Andwhatisityouwant?”hedemanded.
“Justasugarplum,please?”Bonnietriedhardtomakesurehervoicedidn’tquaver.
Themanwasbored.“Showmeyourpass,”hesaidirritably.
ItwasatthatpointthatBonniesuddenlyknewthateverythingwasgoingtogohorriblywrong.
“Comeon,comeon,snapitup!”Stilllookingathisaccountingbooks,themansnappedhisfingers.
MeanwhileBonniewasrunningahandoverhersack-clothsmock,inwhichsheknewperfectlywelltherewasnopocket,andcertainlynopass.
“ButIthoughtIdidn’tneedapass,excepttocrosssectors,”shebabbledfinally.
Themannowleanedoverthecounter.“Thenshowmeyourfreedompass,”hesaid,andBonniedidtheonlythingshecouldthinkof.Sheturnedandran,butbeforeshecouldreachthedoorshefeltasuddenstingingpaininherbackandtheneverythingwentblurryandsheneverknewwhenshehittheground.15
Bonniewokeslowly,comingupfromsomedarkplace.
Thenshewishedshehadn’t.Shewasinsomeout-of-doorsplace—onlybuildingsblockedthehorizonwherethesunhungforever.Aroundherwerealotofothergirls,allapproximatelyherownage.Thatwaspuzzling,firstofall.Ifyoutookarandomsamplingoffemalesoffthestreettherewouldbelittlegirlscryingfortheirmothers,andtherewouldbemother-agedwomentakingcareofthem.Theremightbeafewolderwomen.Thisplacelookedmorelike—
—oh,God,itlookedlikeoneofthoseslavewarehouseplacesthattheyhadhadtopassthelasttimetheyhadcometotheDarkDimension.TheonesthatElenahadorderedthemnottolookatorlistento.ButnowBonniefeltsureshewasinsideoneherself,andtherewasnowaynottolookatthestillfaces,attheterrifiedeyes,atthequiveringmouthsaroundher.
Shewantedtospeak,tofindtheway—therewouldhavetobeaway,Elenawouldinsist—togetout.ButfirstshegatheredallthePowerathercommand,wrappeditintoacry,andsoundlesslyscreamedDamon!Damon!Help!Ireallyneedyou!
Allsheheardinreturnwassilence.
Damon!It’sBonnie!I’mataslavewarehouse!Help!
Suddenlyshehadahunch,andloweredherpsychicbarriers.Shewasinstantlycrushed.Evenhere,attheedgeofthecity,theairwaschokedfulloflongmessagesandshort:criesofimpatience,orcamaraderie,ofgreeting,ofsolicitation.Longer,lessimpatientconversationsaboutthings,instructions,teasings,stories.Shecouldn’tkeepupwithit.Itturnedintoamenacingwaveofpsychicsoundthatwascurledlikeawaveabouttobreakoverherhead,tocrushherintoamillionpieces.
Andthen,allofasudden,thetelepathicmeleevanished.Bonniewasabletofocushereyesonablondgirl,alittleolderthanherandaboutfourinchestaller.
“Isaid,areyouokay?”thegirlwasrepeating—obviouslyshe’dbeensayingitforawhile.
“Yes,”Bonniesaidautomatically.No!Bonniethought.
“Youmightwanttogetreadytomove.They’vesoundedthefirstdinnertimewhistle,butyoulookedsooutofit,Iwaitedforthesecondone.”
WhatamIsupposedtosay?Thankyouseemedsafest.“Thanks,”Bonniesaid.Thenhermouthsaidallonitsown,“WhereamI?”
Theblondgirllookedsurprised.“Thedepotforrunawayslaves,ofcourse.”
Well,thatwasthat.“ButIdidn’trunaway,”sheprotested.“IwasgoingrightbackafterIgotasugarplum.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat.Iwastryingtorunaway,buttheyfinallycaughtme.”Thegirlslammedonefistintoanopenhand.“IknewIshouldn’thavetrustedthatlittercarrier.Carriedmerighttotheauthoritiesandmeblindandwithoutaclue.”
“Youmeanyouhadthelittercurtainsdown—?”Bonniewasasking,whenashrillwhistleinterruptedher.Theblondgirltookholdofherarmandbegandraggingherawayfromthefence.“That’sthesecondservicedinnertimewhistle—wedon’twanttomissthat,becauseafterthattheyshutusupforthenight.I’mEren.Who’reyou?”
“Bonnie.”
Erensnortedandgrinned.“Allrightbyme.”
Bonnieallowedherselftobeledupadirtystairwayandintoadirtycafeteria.Theblondgirl,whoseemedtoregardherselfasBonnie’skeeper,handedheratray,andpushedheralong.Bonniedidn’tgetanychoiceinwhatshewastohave,noteventovetothenoodlesthatweresquirmingslightly,butshedidmanagetosnatchanextrabreadrollintheend.
Damon!Nobodywastellinghernottosendamessage,soshekeptondoingit.Ifshewasgoingtobepunished,shethoughtdefiantly,shewasgoingtobepunishedfortryingtogetoutofhere.Damon,I’minaslavewarehouse!Helpme!
BlondErengrabbedaspork,soBonniedidtoo.Therewerenoknives.Therewerethinnapkins,whichrelievedBonnie,becausethatwaswheretheSquirmyNoodlesweregoingtoendup.
WithoutEren,Bonniewouldneverhavefoundaplaceatthetables,whichwerecrammedwithyounggirlseating.“Shoveover,shoveover,”Erenkeptsaying,untiltherewasroomforBonnieandher.
DinnerwasatestofBonnie’scourage—andalsoofhowloudshecouldscream.“Whyareyoudoingallthisforme?”sheshoutedintoEren’sear,whenalullinthedeafeningconversationgaveherachance.
“Oh,well,youbeingaredheadandall—itputmeinmindofAliana’smessage,youknow.TotherealBonny.”Shepronounceditoddly,sortofswallowingthey,butatleastitwasn’tBonna.
“Whichofthem?Whichmessage,Imean?”Bonniescreamed.
Erengaveheranareyoukiddinglook.“Helpwhenyoucan,shelterwhenyouhaveroom,guidewhenyouknowwheretogo,”shesaidinasortofimpatientchant,thenlookedchagrinedandadded,“Andbepatientwiththeslow.”Sheattackedherfoodwithanairofhavingsaideverythingtherewastosay.
Oh,boy,Bonniethought.Somebodyhadreallytakentheballandrunwithit.Elenahadneversaidanyofthosethings.
Yeah,but—butmaybeshe’dlivedthem,Bonniethought,atinglingbreakingoutalloverherbody.Andmaybesomebodyhadseenherandmadeupthewords.Forinstance,thatcrazy-lookingguyshe’dgivenherringorbraceletorsomethingto.She’dgivenherearringsawaytopeoplewithsigns,too.Signsthatsaid:POETRYFORFOOD
Therestofdinnerwasamatterofpickingupfoodwiththesporkandnotlookingatit,crunchingitonce,andthendecidingwhethertospitintoherstill-writhingnapkin,ortotrytoswallowwithouttasting.
Afterwardthegirlsweremarchedintoanotherbuilding,thisonefilledwithpallets,smallerandnotsocomfortable-lookingasBonnie’sattheinn.Shewasnowhorrifiedatherselfforleavingthatroom.Thereshehadhadsafety,shehadhadfoodthatshecouldactuallyeat,shehadhadentertainment—eventheDustbinswereclothedinagoldenglowofremembrancenow—andshehadhadthechanceofDamonfindingher.Hereshehadnothing.
ButErenseemedtohavesomemesmericinfluenceonthegirlsaround,orelsetheyallwereAliana-itestoo,becausewhensheshouted“Where’sapallet?I’vegotanewgirlinmybedroom.Thinkshe’sgonnasleeponthebarefloor?”Andeventually,adustypalletwaspassedhandoverhandintoEren’s“bedroom”—agroupofpalletsallspreadwiththeheadstogetherinthemiddle.Inexchange,ErenhandedoverthewrigglingnapkinBonniehadgivenher.“Shareandsharealike,”shesaidfirmly,andBonniewonderedifshethoughtAlianahadsaidthat,too.
Awhistleshrilled.“Tenminutesuntillights-out,”ahoarsevoiceshouted.“Everygirlnotonherpalletintenminuteswillbepunished.TomorrowsectionCgoesup.”
“Allright!We’regoingtobebloodydeafbeforewe’resold,”Erenmuttered.
“Beforewe’resold?”Bonnierepeatedstupidly,eventhoughshehadknownwhatwouldhappenfromthefirstmomentshehadrecognizedthisasawarehouseforslaves.
Erenturnedandspat.“Yeah,”shesaid.“Soyoucanhaveonemorebreakdownandthenthat’sit.Onlytwopercustomer,andbytomorrowyoumaywishyou’dsavedoneup.”
“Iwasn’tgoingtohaveabreakdown,”Bonniesaid,withallthecourageathercommand.“Iwasgoingtoaskhowwe’regoingtobesold.Isitatoneofthosehorriblepublicplaces,whereyouhavetostandinfrontofacrowdinjustashift?”
“Yeah,that’swhatmostofuswillbedoing,”ayounggirl,whohadbeencryingquietlythroughdinnerandthepallet-arrangingtime,spokeupinasoftvoice.“Buttheonestheypickoutasspecialitemswillhavetowait.They’llgiveusabathandspecialclothes,butit’salljustsowelookmorepresentablefortheclients.Sotheclientscaninspectusmoreclosely.”Sheshuddered.
“You’refrighteningthenewgirl,Mouse,”Erenscolded.“WecallherMouse,becauseshe’salwayssoscared,”shetoldBonnie.
Bonniesilentlyscreamed,Damon!
Damonwasdeckedoutinhisnewcaptainoftheguardsuit.Itwasnice,beingblackonblack,withlighterblackpiping(evenDamonrecognizedthenecessityofcontrast).Ithadacloak.
Andhewasafullvampireagain,aspowerfulandprestigiousasevenhecouldhaveimagined.Foramomenthesimplyluxuriatedinthefeelingofajobwelldone.Thenheflexedhisvampiremusclesmorestrongly,urgingJessalyn,whowasupstairs,intodeepersleep,whilehesenttendrilsofPowerallovertheDarkDimension,samplingwhatwasgoingonindifferentdistricts.
Jessalyn…nowtherewasadilemma.Damonhadthefeelingthatheshouldleaveheranoteorsomething,buthewasn’tquitesurewhattosay.
Whatcouldhetellher?Thathewasgone?Shewouldseethatforherself.Thathewassorry?Well,obviouslyhewasn’tsosorrythathe’dchosennottogo.Thathehaddutieselsewhere?
Wait.Thatmightactuallywork.Hecouldtellherthatheneededtocheckuponherterritoryandthatifheweretostayhereinthecastlehedoubtedhe’devergetanythingdone.Hecouldtellherhe’dbeback…soon.Soonish.Soonishly.
Damonpressedhistongueagainstacanineandfeltthepromptrewardingsharpnessandlength.HereallywantedtotryoutthoselegendaryBlackOpsvs.vampiresprograms.Hewantedtohunt,period.Ofcourse,therewassomuchBlackMagicwineabouttheplacethatwhenhestoppedamaleservantandaskedforsome,theservanthadbroughtamagnum.Damonhadbeenhavingfluteseverynowandthen,butwhathereallywantedwastogohunting.Andnottohuntaslaveandcertainlynotananimal,andithardlyseemedfairtowanderthestreetsonthechancethattherewasanoblewomantogettoknowbetter.
ItwasatthatmomentthatherememberedBonnie.
Inamatterofthreemoreminuteshehadeverythingheneededtodowrappedup,includingtheannualdeliveryofdozensofrosestotheprincessinhisname.Jessalynhadgivenhimaveryliberalallowance,andalreadyadvancedforthefirstmonth.
Inamatteroffiveminuteshewasflying,thoughthatwasverybadmannersonthestreet,anddoublysoinamarketdistrict.
Inamatteroffifteenminuteshehadhishandsaroundthelandlady’sneck,theonewhomhehadpaidverywelltomakesurethatexactlywhathadhappenedneverhappened.
Insixteenminutes,thelandladywasgrimlyofferinghimthelifeofheryoungandnotveryintelligentslaveasrecompense.Hewasstillwearinghiscaptainofguardsuit.Hecouldhavetheboytokill,totorture,whatever…hecouldhavethemoneyback…
“Idon’twantyourfilthyslave,”hesnarled.“Iwantmyownback!She’sworth…”Herehecametoastop,tryingtocalculatehowmanyordinarygirlsBonniewasworth.Ahundred?Athousand?“Sheisworthinfinitelymore—”hebegan,whenthelandladysurprisedhimbyinterrupting.
“Why’dyouleaveherinadumplikethis,then?”shesaid.“Oh,yes,Iknowwhatmyownlodgingsarelike.Ifshewassodamnprecious,why’dyouleaveherhere?”
Whyhadheleftherinthisplace?Damoncouldn’tthinknow.He’dbeenpanicked,halfoutofhismind—thatwaswhatbeinghumanhaddonetohim.He’dbeenthinkingonlyabouthimself,whilelittleBonnie—fragileBonnie,hislittleredbird—hadbeenshutupinthisfilthyplace.Hedidn’twanttokeepthinkingaboutit.Itmadehimfeelsearinghotandicycoldatonce.
Hedemandedthatasearchbemadeofalltheneighborhoodbuildings.Someonehadtohaveseensomething.
BonniehadbeenawakenedtooearlyandpartedfromErenandMouse.Sheimmediatelyhadanurgetolosecontrol,tohaveabreakdownatonce.Shewasshiveringallover.Damon!Helpme!
Thenshesawagirlwhocouldn’tseemtogetupoffherpalletandsawawomanwitharmslikeaman’sgooverwithawhiteashrodtoadministerpunishment.
AndthensomethingseemedtogoblankinBonnie’smind.ElenaorMeredithmighthavetriedtostopthewoman,oreventhishugemachinetheywerecaughtin,butBonniecouldn’t.Theonlythingshecoulddowastrynottohaveabreakdown.Shehadasongstuckinherhead,notevenasongsheliked,butitrepeatedendlesslyoverandoverastheslavesaroundherweredehumanized,brokenintomechanical,butclean,mindlessbodies.
Shewasbeingscrubbedmercilesslybytwomuscularwomenwhosewholelifedoubtlessconsistedofscrubbinggrimystreetgirlsintopinkcleanliness—atleastforanight.Butfinallyherprotestsledthewomentoactuallylookather—withherfair,almosttranslucentskinscrubbedraw—andconcentrateinsteadonwashingherhair,whichfeltasifitwerebeingpulledoutattheroots.Finally,though,shewasdoneandwasgivenanadequatetowelwithwhichtodryoff.Next,inwhatshewasrealizingwasagiantassemblyline,werekinderplumpwomenwhostrippedoffthetowelandproceededtoputheronacouchandmassageherwithoil.Justwhenshewasstartingtofeelbettershewashustleduptohavetheoilremoved,exceptthatwhichhadsoakedintoherskin.Womenthenappearedwhomeasuredher,callingoutthenumbersastheydid,andbythetimeBonniehadtrampedtothewardrobestation,threedresseswerewaitingforheronabar.Therewasablackone,agreenone,andagrayone.
I’llgetthegreenforsurebecauseofmyhair,Bonniethoughtblankly,butaftershehadtriedallthreeon,awomantookthegreenandgrayaway,leavingBonnieinalittleblackbubbledress,strapless,withaglitterytouchofwhitematerialattheneck.
Nextwasagiantsanitaryroom,whereherdresswascarefullycoveredwithawhitepaperrobethatkeptripping.Shewasledtoachairwithahairdryerandtherudimentsofmakeup,whichawhite-shirtedwomanusedtoputtoomuchonBonnie’sface.Thenthehairdryerwasswungoverherhead,andBonnie,withastolentissue,tookoffasmuchmakeupasshedared.Shedidn’twanttolookgood,didn’twanttobesold.Whenshefinishedshehadsilveryeyelids,atouchofblush,andvelvetyrose-redlipstickthatwouldn’twipeoff.
Afterthatshejustsatandfinger-combedherhairuntilitwasdry,whichtheancientmachineannouncedwithaping
ThenextstationwasabitlikethedayafterThanksgivingatabigshoestore.Thestrongerormoredeterminedgirlsmanagedtowrenchshoesawayfromtheirweakersistersandjammedthemononefoot,onlytostarttheprocessagainthenextminute.Bonniewaslucky.Shesawatinyblackshoethathadafaintlysilverybowcomingdowntherampandkepthereyeonitwhileitpassedfromgirltogirluntilsomeonedroppeditandthensheswoopedinandtriediton.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewouldhavedoneifithadn’tfit.Butitdidfit,andshewenttothenextstationtogetitsmate.Asshesatwaiting,othergirlsweretryingonperfume.Bonniesawtwoentirebottlesgodownthebodicesofgirlsandwonderediftheymeanttosellthemortrytopoisonthemselveswiththem.Therewerealsoflowers.Bonniewasalreadydizzywithperfumeandhaddecidednottowearany,butatallwomanbellowedoverherheadandagarlandoffreesiawaspinnedtoframehercurls,withoutanyoneaskingherpermission.
Thelaststationwasthehardesttobear.Shehadonnojewelryandwouldhavewornonlyonebraceletwiththedress.Butshewasgiventwo:slimunbreakableplasticbracelets,eachwithanumberonit—heridentityfromnowon,shewastold.
Slavebracelets.Shehadnowbeenwashed,packaged,andstamped,sothatshecouldbeconvenientlysold.
Damon!shecriedvoicelessly,butsomethinghaddiedinsideher,andsheknewnowthathercallswouldnotbeanswered.
“Shewaspickedupasarunawayslaveandconfiscated,”thesweetshopmantoldDamonimpatiently.“Andthat’sallIknow.”
Damonwasleftwithafeelinghedidn’toftenhave.Sickeningterror.Hewasreallybeginningtobelievethatthistimehehadcutittoofine;thathewouldbetoolatetosavehisredbird.Thatanyofseveraldreadfulscenariosmighthaveplayedoutbeforehegottoher.
Hecouldn’tstandtovisualizethemindetail.Whathewoulddoifhedidn’tfindherintime…
Hereachedoutandwithouttheslightesteffortgrippedthesweetshopmanaroundthethroat,liftinghimoffthefloor.
“Weneedtohavealittlechat,”hesaid,turningthefullforceofhismenacingdarkeyesonthebulgingonesofhisprey.“Aboutjusthowshegotconfiscated.Don’tstruggle.Ifyouhaven’thurtthegirl,you’vegotnothingtofear.Ifyouhave…”
Hepulledtheterrifiedmancompletelyacrossthecounterandsaidverysoftly,“Ifyouhave,then,byallmeansstruggle.Itwon’tmakeanydifferenceintheend—ifyouknowwhatImean?”
ThegirlswereputintothelargestcarriagesBonniehadyetseenintheDarkDimension,threeslimgirlstoaseatandtwosetsofseatsinacarriage.Shegotanastyjolt,though,wheninsteadofgoingforwardlikeacarriage,thewholethingwasliftedstraightupbysweatymaleslavesstrainingatpoles.ItwasagiantlitterandBonnieimmediatelysnatchedoffherfreesiagarlandandburiedhernoseinit.Ithadtheaddedfunctionofhidinghertears.
“Doyouhaveanyideaofhowmanyhomesanddancingroomsandhallsandtheaterstherearewheregirlsarebeingsoldtonight?”Thegolden-hairedGuardianlookedathimsardonically.
“IfIknewthat,”Damonsaidwithacoldandominoussmile,“Iwouldn’tbehereaskingyou.”
TheGuardianshrugged.“Ourjobisreallyonlytotrytokeepthepeacehere—andyoucanseehowwellwesucceed.It’samatteroftoofewofus;we’reinsanelyunderstaffed.ButIcangiveyoualistofthevenueswheregirlsarebeingsold.Still,asIsaid,Idoubtyou’llbeabletofindyourrunawaybeforemorning.Andbytheway,we’llhaveaneyeonyou,becauseofyourlittlequery.Ifyourrunawaywasn’taslave,she’sImperialproperty—nohumansarefreehere.Ifshewas,andyoufreedher,asreportedbythebakeracrossthestreet—”
“Sweet-seller.”
“Whatever.Thenhehadarighttouseastungunwhensheran.Betterforher,really,thanbeingImperialproperty;theytendtochar,ifyougetmydrift.Thatlevel’salongwaydown.”
“Butifshewasaslave—myslave…”
“Thenyoucanhaveher.Butthere’sacertainmandatorypunishmentsetbeforeyoucanhaveher.Wewanttodiscouragethiskindofthing.”
Damonlookedatherwitheyesthatmadehershrinkandlookaway,abruptlylosingherauthority.“Why?”hedemanded.“IthoughtyouclaimedtobefromtheotherCourt.Youknow.TheCelestialone?”
“Wewanttodiscouragerunawaysbecausethere’vebeensomanysincesomegirlnamedAliannacamearound,”theGuardiansaid,herfrightenedpulsevisibleinhertemple.“Andthentheygetcaughtandhaveevenmorereasontotryitagain…anditwearsoutthegirl,eventually.”
TherewasnooneintheGreatHallwhenBonnieandtheotherswerehustledoffthegiantlitterandintothebuilding.
“It’sanewone,soit’snotonthelists,”Mousesaid,unexpectedlyathershoulder.“Notthatmanypeoplewillknowaboutit,soitdoesn’tfilluptilllate,whenthemusicgetsloud.”
Mouseseemedtobeclingingtoherforcomfort.Thatwasfine,butBonnieneededsomecomfortofherown.ThenextminuteshesawErenand,draggingMousebehindher,headedfortheblondgirl.
Erenwasstandingwithherbackagainstthewall.“Well,wecanstandaroundlikewallflowers,”shesaid,asafewmencamein,“orwecanlooklikewe’rehavingthebesttimeofanyofthemrightherebyourselves.Whoknowsastory?”
“Oh,Ido,”Bonniesaidabsently,thinkingofthestarballwithitsFiveHundredStoriesforYoungOnes
Instantlytherewasaclamor.“Tellit!”“Yes,pleasetell!”
Bonnietriedtothinkofthefairytalesthatshehadexperienced.
Ofcourse.Theoneaboutthekitsunetreasure.16
“Onceuponatime,”beganBonnie,“therewereayounggirlandboy…”
Shewasimmediatelyinterrupted.“Whatweretheirnames?”“Weretheyslaves?”“Wheredidtheylive?”“Weretheyvampires?”
Bonniealmostforgothermiseryandlaughed.“Theirnameswere…Jackand…Jill.Theywerekitsune,andtheylivedwayupnorthinthekitsunesectoraroundtheGreatCrossings…”Andsheproceeded,albeitwithmanyexcitedinterruptions,totellthestoryshehadgottenfromthestarball.
“So,”Bonnieconcludednervously,assheopenedhereyesandrealizedthatshe’dattractedquiteacrowdwithherstory,“that’sthetaleoftheSevenTreasures,and—andIsupposethemoralis—don’tbetoogreedy,oryouwon’tendupwithanything.”
Therewasalotoflaughter,thenervousgigglingofthegirlsandthe“Haw!Hawhaw!”kindoflaughterfromthecrowdbehindthem.WhichBonnienownoticedwasentirelymale.
Onepartofhermindstartedunconsciouslytogointoflirtmode.Anotherpartimmediatelysquashedit.Theseweren’tboyslookingforadance;thesewereogresandvampiresandkitsuneandevenmenwithmustaches—andtheywantedtobuyherinherlittleblackbubbledress,andasniceasthedressmightbeforsomethings,itwasn’tlikethelong,jeweledgownsthatLadyUlmahadmadeforthem.Thentheyhadbeenprincesses,wearingafortune’sworthofjewelsattheirthroatsandwristsandhair—andbesides,theyhadhadfierceprotectionwiththematalltimes.
Butnow,shewaswearingsomethingthatfeltalotlikeababy-dollnightgownanddelicatelittleshoeswithsilverybows.Andshewasn’tprotectedbecausethissocietysaidyouhadtohavementobeprotected,and,worstofall…shewasaslave.
“Iwonder,”saidagolden-hairedman,movingthroughthegirlsaroundher,allofwhomhurriedoutofhiswayexceptMouseandEren,“Iwonderifyouwouldgoupstairswithmeandperhapstellmeastory—inprivate.”
Bonnietriedtoswallowhergasp.NowshewastheonehangingontoMouseandEren.
“Allsuchrequestsmustgothroughme.NooneistotakeagirloutoftheroomunlessIapprove,”announcedawomaninafull-lengthdress,withasympathetic,almostMadonna-likeface.“Thatwillbetreatedastheftofmymistress’sproperty.AndI’msurewedon’tallwanttobearrestedasifwe’dbeencaughtcarryingoffthesilverware,”shesaidandlaughedlightly.
Therewasequallylightlaughteramongtheguestsaswell,andmovementtowardthewoman—atasortofmannerlyrun.
“Youtellreallygoodstories,”Mousesaidinhersoftvoice.“It’smorefunthanusingastarball.”
“Mouse,here,isright,”Erensaid,grinning.“Youdotellgoodstories.Iwonderifthatplacereallyexists.”
“Well,Igotitoutofastarball,”Bonniesaid.“Onethatthegirl—um,Jill,puthermemoriesin,Ithink—butthenhowdiditgetoutofthattower?HowdidsheknowwhathappenedtoJack?AndIreadastoryaboutagiantdragonandthatfeltrealtoo.Howdotheydoit?”
“Oh,theytrickyou,”Erensaid,wavingadismissivehand.“Theyhavesomebodygosomeplacecoldforthescenery—anogreprobably,becauseoftheweather.”
Bonnienodded.She’dmetmauve-skinnedogresbefore.Theyonlydifferedfromdemonsintheirlevelofstupidity.Atthislevel,theytendedtobestupidinsociety,andshe’dheardDamonsaywithacurledlipthattheonesthatwereoutofsocietywerehiredmuscle.Thugs.
“Andtheresttheyjustfakesomehow—Idon’tknow.Neverreallythoughtaboutit.”ErenlookedupatBonnie.“You’reanoddone,aren’tyou,Bonny?”
“AmI?”Bonnieasked.Sheandthetwoothergirlshadrevolved,withoutlettinggoofhands.ThismeantthattherewassomespacebehindBonnie.Shedidn’tlikethat.But,then,shedidn’tlikeanythingaboutbeingaslave.Shewasstartingtohyperventilate.ShewantedMeredith.ShewantedElena.Shewantedoutofhere
“Um,youguysprobablydon’twanttoassociatewithmeanymore,”shesaiduncomfortably.
“Huh?”saidEren.
“Why?”askedMouse.
“BecauseI’mrunningthroughthatdoor.Ihavetogetout.Ihaveto.”
“Kid,calmdown,”Erensaid.“Justkeepbreathing.”
“No,youdon’tunderstand.”Bonnieputherheaddown,toshadeoutsomeoftheworld.“Ican’tbelongtosomebody.I’mgoingcrazy.”
“Sh,Bonny,they’re—”
“Ican’tstayhere,”Bonnieburstout.
“Well,that’sprobablyalltothegood,”aterriblevoice,rightinfrontofher,said.
No!Oh,God.No,no,no,no,no!
“Whenwe’reinanewbusinessweworkhard,”theMadonna-likewoman’svoicesaid.“Welookupatprospectivecustomers.Wedon’tmisbehaveorwearepunished.”Andeventhoughhervoicewassweetaspecanpie,Bonniesomehowknewthattheharshvoiceinthenightshoutingatthemtofindapalletandstayonit,hadbeenthissamewoman.
AndnowtherewasastronghandunderherchinandBonniecouldn’tkeepitfromforcingherheadup,orfromcoveringhermouthwhenshescreamed.
Infrontofher,withthedelicatepointedearsofafox,andthelongsweepingblacktailofafoxbutotherwiselookinghuman,lookinglikearegularguywearingjeansandasweater,wasShinichi.Andinhisgoldeneyesshecouldsee,twistingandturning,alittlescarletflamethatjustmatchedtheredonthetipofhistailandthehairthatfellacrosshisforehead.
Shinichi.Hewashere.Ofcoursehecouldtravelthroughthedimensions;hestillhadafullstarballthatnoneofElena’sgrouphadeverfoundaswellasthosemagicalkeysElenahadtoldBonnieabout.Bonnierememberedthehorriblenightwhentrees,actualtrees,hadturnedintosomethingthatcouldunderstandandobeyhim.Abouthowfourofthemeachgrabbedoneofherarmsandlegsandpulled,asiftheywereplanningtopullherapart.Shecouldfeeltearsleakingoutbehindhershuteyelids.
AndtheOldWood.He’dcontrolledeveryaspectofit,everycreepertotripyou,everytreetofallinfrontofyourcar.UntilElenahadblastedallbutthatonethicketoftheOldWood,ithadbeenfullofterrifyinginsect-likecreaturesStefancalledmalach.
ButnowBonnie’shandswerebehindherbackandsheheardsomethingfastenwithaveryfinal-soundingclick.
No…oh,pleaseno…
Butherhandsweredefinitelyfixedinplace.Andthensomeone—anogreoravampire—pickedherupasthelovelywomangaveShinichiasmallkeyoffakeyringfullofidenticalkeys.Shinichihandedthistoabigogrewhosefingersweresolargethattheyeclipsedit.AndthenBonnie,whowasscreaming,wasquicklywhiskedupfourflightsofstairsandaheavydoorthunkedshutbehindher.TheogrecarryingherfollowedShinichi,whosesleekscarlet-tippedtailswungjauntilyfromaholeinhisjeans,backandforth,backandforth.Bonniethought:That’ssatisfaction.Hethinkshe’swonthisalready.
ButunlessDamonreallyhadforgottenhercompletely,hewouldhurtShinichiforthis.Maybehewouldkillhim.Itwasanoddlycomfortingthought.Itwasevenro—
No,it’snotromantic,younitwit!Youhavetofindawaytogetoutofthismess!Deathisnotromantic,it’shorrible!
Theyhadreachedthefinaldoorsattheendofthehall.Shinichiturnedrightandwalkedallthewaydownalongcorridor.Theretheogreusedthekeytoopenadoor.
Theroomhadanadjustableoverheadgaslight.ItwasdimbutShinichisaid,“Canwehavealittleillumination,please?”inafalsepolitevoice,andtheotherogrehurriedandturnedthelightuptointerrogation-lamp-in-your-facelevel.
Theroomwasasortofbedroom-dencombination,thekindyou’dgetatadecenthotel.Ithadacouchandsomechairsontheupperlevel.Therewasawindow,closed,ontheleftsideoftheroom.Therewasalsoawindowontherightsideoftheroom,wherealltheotherroomsshouldbeinaline.ThiswindowhadnocurtainsorblindsthatcouldbedrawnanditreflectedBonnie’spalefacebackather.Sheknewatoncewhatitwas,atwo-waymirror,sothatpeopleintheroombehinditcouldseeintothisroombutnotbeseen.Thecouchandchairswerepositionedtofaceit.
Beyondthesittingroom,offtoherleft,wasthebed.Itwasn’taveryfancybed,justwhitecoversthatlookedpink,becausetherewasarealwindowonthatsidethatwasalmostinalinewiththesun,sittingasitalwayswas,onthehorizon.Rightnow,Bonniehateditmorethaneverbeforebecauseitturnedeverylight-coloredobjectintheroompink,rose,oroutrightred.Thebowatherownbodicewasdeeppinknow.Shewasgoingtodiesaturatedwiththecolorofblood.
Somethingonsomedeeperleveltoldherthathermindwasthinkingofsuchthingsasdistractions,thateventhinkingabouthatingtodieinsuchajuvenilecolorwasrunningawayfromthebitinthemiddle,thedyingbit.Buttheogreholdinghermovedheraroundasifsheweighednothing,andBonniekepthavinglittlethoughts—weretheypremonitions?Oh,God,letthemnotbepremonitions!—aboutgoingoutofthatredwindowinasittingposition,theglassnoimpedimenttoherbodybeingthrownatatremendousforce.Andhowmanystoriesupwerethey?Highenough,anyway,thattherewasnohopeoflandingwithout…well,dying.
Shinichismiled,loungingbytheredwindow,playingwiththecordtotheblinds
“Idon’tevenknowwhatyouwantfromme!”BonniefoundherselfsayingtoShinichi.“I’veneverbeenabletohurtyou.Itwasyouhurtingotherpeople—likeme!—allthetime.”
“Well,therewereyourfriends,”murmuredShinichi.“AlthoughIseldomwreakmydreadrevengeagainstlovelyyoungwomenwithred-goldhair.”Heloungedbesidethewindowandexaminedher,murmuring,“Hairofred-gold;hearttrueandbold.Perhapsascold…”
Bonniefeltlikescreaming.Didn’therememberher?Hecertainlyseemedtohaverememberedtheirgroup,sincehe’dmentionedrevenge.“Whatdoyouwant?”shegasped.
“Youareahindrance,I’mafraid.AndIfindyouverysuspicious—anddelicious.Youngwomenwithred-goldhairarealwayssoelusive.”
Bonniecouldn’tfindanythingtosay.Fromeverythingshe’dseen,Shinichiwasanutcase.Butaverydangerouspsychopathicnutcase.Andallheenjoyedwasdestroyingthings.
Injustonemomenttherecouldbeacrashthroughthewindow—andthenshe’dbesittingonair.Andthenthefallwouldbegin.Whatwouldthatfeellike?Orwouldshealreadybefalling?Sheonlyhopedthatatthebottomitwasquick.
“Youseemtohavelearnedalotaboutmypeople,”Shinichisaid.“Morethanmost.”
“Please,”Bonniesaiddesperately.“Ifit’saboutthestory—allIknowaboutkitsuneisthatyou’redestroyingmytown.And—”Shestoppedshort,realizingthatshecouldneverlethimknowwhathadhappenedinherout-of-bodyexperience.Soshecouldnevermentionthejarsorhe’dknowthattheyknewhowtocatchhim.“Andyouwon’tstop,”shefinishedlamely.
“Andyetyoufoundanancientstarballwithstoriesaboutourlegendarytreasures.”
“Aboutwhat?Youmeanfromthatkiddystarball?Look,ifyou’lljustleavemealoneI’llgiveittoyou.”Sheknewexactlywhereshe’dleftit,too,rightbesidehersorryexcuseforapillow.
“Oh,we’llleaveyoualone…intime,Iassureyou,”Shinichisaidwithanunnervingsmile.HehadasmilelikeDamon’s,whichwasn’tmeanttosay“Hello;Iwon’thurtyou.”Itwasmorelike“Hullo!Here’smylunch!”
“Ifindit…curious,”Shinichiwenton,stillfiddlingwiththecord.“Verycuriousthatjustinthemiddleofourlittledispute,youarrivehereintheDarkDimensionagain,alone,apparentlywithoutfear,andmanagetobargainforastarball.Anorbthatjusthappenstodetailthelocationofourmostpricelesstreasuresthatwerestolenfromus…along,longtimeago.”
Youdon’tcareaboutanybodybutyourself,Bonniethought.You’resuddenlyactingallpatrioticandstuff,butinFell’sChurchyoudidn’tpretendtocareaboutanythingbuthurtingpeople.
“Inyourlittletown,asinothertownsthroughouthistory,IhadorderstodowhatIdid,”Shinichisaid,andBonnie’sheartplungedrightdowntohershoes.Hewastelepathic.Heknewwhatshewasthinking.He’dheardherthinkingaboutthejars.
Shinichismirked.“LittletownsliketheoneonUnmeinoShimahavetobewipedoffthefaceoftheearth,”hesaid.“DidyouseethenumberofleylinesofPowerunderit?”Anothersmirk.“Butofcourseyouweren’treallythere,soyouprobablydidn’t.”
“IfyoucantellwhatI’mthinking,youknowthatstoryabouttreasureswasjustastory,”Bonniesaid.“ItwasinthestarballcalledFiveHundredStoriesforYoungOnes.It’snotreal.”
“HowstrangethenthatitcoincidessoexactlywithwhattheSevenKitsuneGatesaresupposedtohavebehindthem.”
“Itwasinthemiddleofabunchofstoriesaboutthe—theDüz-Aht-Bhi’iens.Imeanthestoryrightbeforeitwasaboutakidbuyingcandy,”Bonniesaid.“Sowhydon’tyoujustgogetthestarballinsteadoftryingtoscareme?”Hervoicewasbeginningtotremble.“It’sattheinnrightacrossthestreetfromtheshopwhereIwas—arrested.Justgoandgetit!”
“Ofcoursewe’vetriedthat,”Shinichisaidimpatiently.“Thelandladywasquitecooperativeafterwegavehersome…compensation.Thereisnosuchstoryinthatstarball.”
“That’snotpossible!”Bonniesaid.“WheredidIgetit,then?”
“That’swhatI’maskingyou.”
Stomachfluttering,Bonniesaid,“Howmanystarballsdidyoulookatinthatbrownroom?”
Shinichi’seyeswentblurrybriefly.Bonnietriedtolisten,buthewasobviouslyspeakingtelepathicallytosomeoneclose,onatightfrequency.
Finallyhesaid,“Twenty-eightstarballs,exactly.”
Bonniefeltasifshe’dbeenclubbed.Shewasn’tgoingcrazy—shewasn’t.She’dexperiencedthatstory.Shekneweveryfissureineveryrock,everyshadowinthesnow.Theonlyanswerswerethattherealstarballhadbeenstolen,or—ormaybethattheyhadn’tlookedhardenoughattheonestheyhad.
“Thestoryisthere,”sheinsisted.“RightbeforeitisthestoryaboutlittleMaritgoingtoa—”
“Weprobedthetableofcontents.Thereisthestoryaboutachildand”—helookedscornful—“asweetshop.Butnottheother.”
Bonniejustshookherhead.“IswearI’mtellingthetruth.”
“WhyshouldIbelieveyou?”
“Whydoesitmatter?HowcouldImakesomethinglikethatup?AndwhywouldItellastoryIknewwouldgetmeintrouble?Itdoesn’tmakeanysense.”
Shinichistaredatherhard.Thenheshrugged,hisearsflatagainsthishead.“Whatapityyoukeepsayingthat.”
SuddenlyBonnie’sheartwaspoundinginherchest,inhertightthroat.“Why?”
“Because,”Shinichisaidcoolly,pullingtheblindscompletelyopensothatBonniewasabruptlydrenchedinthecoloroffreshblood,“I’mafraidthatnowwehavetokillyou.”
Theogreholdingherstrodetowardthewindow.Bonniescreamed.Inplaceslikethis,sheknewscreamswentunheard.
Shedidn’tknowwhatelsetodo.17
MeredithandMattweresittingatthebreakfasttable,whichseemedsadlyemptywithoutBonnie.Itwasamazinghowmuchspacethatslightbodyhadseemedtofill,andhowmuchmoreseriouseveryonewaswithouther.MeredithknewthatifElenahaddoneherbest,shecouldhaveoffsetit.ButshealsoknewthatElenahadonethingonhermindaboveallothers,andthatwasStefan,whowasstrickenwithguiltforallowinghisbrothertoabductBonnie.AndmeanwhileMeredithknewthatbothsheandMattwerefeelingguiltytoo,becausetodaytheywouldbeleavingtheotherthree,evenifonlyfortheevening.Theyeachhadbeensummonedhomebyparentswhodemandedtoseethemfordinner.
Mrs.Flowersclearlydidn’twantthemtofeeltoobadly.“Withthehelpyou’vegiven,Icanmakeoururns,”shesaid.“SinceMatthasfoundmywheel—”
“Ididn’texactlyfindit,”Mattsaidunderhisbreath.“Itwasthereinthestorageroomallthetimeanditfellonme.”
“—andsinceMeredithhasreceivedherpictures—along,I’msure,withanemailfromMr.Saltzman—perhapsshecouldgetthemenlargedorwhatever.”
“Ofcourse,andshowthemtotheSaitous,too,tomakesurethatthesymbolssaythethingswewantthemto,”Meredithpromised.“AndBonniecan—”
Shebrokeoffshort.Idiot!Shewasanidiot,shethought.And,asahunter-slayer,shewassupposedtobeclear-mindedandatalltimesmaintaincontrol.ShefeltterriblewhenshelookedatMattandsawthenakedpaininhisface.
“DearBonniewillsurelybehomesoon,”Mrs.Flowersfinishedforher.
Andweallknowthat’salie,andIdon’thavetobepsychictodetectit,Merediththought.ShenoticedthatMrs.Flowershadn’tweighedinwithanythingfromMama
“We’llallbejustfinehere,”Elenasaid,finallypickinguptheballassherealizedthatMrs.Flowerswaslookingatherwithladylikedistress.“Youtwothinkwe’resomekindofbabieswhoneedtobetakencareof,”shesaid,smilingatMattandMeredith,“butyou’rejustbabiestoo!Offyougo!Butbecareful.”
Theywent,MeredithgivingElenaonelastglance.Elenanoddedveryslightly,thenturnedstiffly,mimickingholdingabayonet.Itwasthechangingoftheguard
ElenaletStefanhelphercleanupthedishes—theywerealllettinghimdolittlethingsnowbecausehelookedsomuchbetter.TheyspentthemorningtryingtocontactBonnieindifferentways.ButthenMrs.FlowersaskedifElenacouldboardupthelastfewofthebasementwindows,andStefancouldn’tstandit.MattandMeredithhadalreadydoneafarmoredangerousjob.They’dhungtwotarpsfromthehouse’sridgepole,eachonehangingdownonesideofthemainroof.OneachtarpwerethecharactersthatIsobel’smotherputonthePost-itNoteamuletsshealwaysgavethem,paintedatanenormousscaleinblackpaint.Stefanhadbeenallowedonlytowatchandgivesuggestionsfromthewidow’swalkabovehisatticbedroom.Butnow…
“We’llnailuptheboardstogether,”hesaidfirmly,andwentofftogetahammerandnails.
Itwasn’treallysuchahardjobanyway.ElenaheldtheboardsandStefanwieldedthehammerandshetrustedhimnottohitherfingers,whichmeantthattheygotonveryquickly.
Itwasaperfectday—clear,sunny,withaslightbreeze.ElenawonderedwhatwashappeningtoBonnie,rightnow,andifDamonwastakingcareofherproperly—oratall.Sheseemedunabletoshakeoffherworriestheselastdays:overStefan,overBonnie,andoveracuriousfeelingthatshehadtoknowwhatwasgoingonintown.Maybeshecoulddisguiseherself…
God,no!Stefansaidvoicelessly.Whensheturnedhewasspittingoutnailsandlookingbothhorrifiedandashamed.Apparentlyshe’dbeenprojecting.
“I’msorry,”hesaidbeforeElenacouldgetthenailsoutofhermouth,“butyouknowbetterthananyonewhyyoucan’tgo.”
“Butit’smaddeningnotknowingwhat’shappening,”Elenasaid,havinggottenridofhernails.“Wedon’tknowanything.What’shappeningtoBonnie,whatstatethetown’sin—”
“Let’sfinishthisboard,”Stefansaid.“Andthenletmeholdyou.”
Whenthelastboardwassecure,Stefanraisedherfromthelowerembankmentwhereshewassitting,notbride-style,butkid-style,puttinghertoesontopofhisfeet.Hedancedheralittle,whirledheracoupleoftimesintheair,andthennabbedhercomingdownagain.
“Iknowyourproblem,”hesaidsoberly.
Elenalookedupquickly.“Youdo?”shesaid,alarmed.
Stefannodded,andtoherfurtheralarmsaid,“It’sLove-itis.Meansthepatienthasawholeslewofpeopleshecaresabout,andshecan’tbehappyunlesseachandeveryoneofthemissafeandhappythemselves.”
Elenadeliberatelyslippedoffhisshoesandlookedupathim.“Somemorethanothers,”shesaidhesitantly.
Stefanlookeddownatherandthenhetookherinhisarms.“I’mnotasgoodasyou,”hesaidwhileElena’sheartpoundedinshameandremorseforeverhavingtouchedDamon,everhavingdancedwithhim,everhavingkissedhim.“Ifyouarehappy,that’sallIwant,afterthatprison.Icanlive;Icandie…peacefully.”
“Ifwe’rehappy,”Elenacorrected.
“Iwon’ttemptthegods.I’llsettleforyou.”
“No,youcan’t!Don’tyousee?Ifyoudisappearedagain,I’dworryandfretandfollowyou.ToHellifIhadto.”
“I’lltakeyouwithmewhereverIgo,”Stefansaidhastily.“Ifyou’lltakemewithyou.”
Elenarelaxedslightly.Thatwoulddo,fornow.AslongasStefanwaswithhershecouldstandanything.
Theysatandcuddled,rightundertheopensky,evenwithamapletreeandaclumpofslenderwavingbeechesnearby.SheextendedherauraalittleandfeltittouchStefan’s.Peacefloodedintoher,andallthedarkthoughtswereleftbehind.Almostall.
“SinceIfirstsawyou,Ilovedyou—butitwasthewrongkindoflove.Seehowlongittookmetofigurethatout?”Elenawhisperedintothehollowofhisthroat.
“SinceIfirstsawyou,Ilovedyou—butIdidn’tknowwhoyoureallywere.Youwerelikeaghostinadream.Butyouputmestraightprettyquickly,”Stefansaid,obviouslygladthathecouldbragabouther.“Andwe’vesurvived—everything.Theysaylong-distancerelationshipscanbeprettydifficult,”headded,laughing,andthenhestopped,andshecouldfeelallhisfacultiesfixedonhersuddenly,breathstoppingsohecouldhearherbetter.
“Butthen,there’sBonnieandDamon,”hesaidbeforeshecouldsayorthinkaword.“Wehavetofindthemsoon—andthey’ddamnwellbetterbetogether—orithadbetterhavebeenBonnie’sdecisiontopart.”
“There’sBonnieandDamon,”agreedElena,gladthatshecouldshareevenherdarkestthoughtswithsomeone.“Ican’tthinkaboutthem.Ican’tnotthinkaboutthem.Wedohavetofindthem,andveryfast—butIpraythatthey’rewithLadyUlmanow.MaybeBonnieisgoingtoaballorgala.MaybeDamonishuntingwiththatBlackOpsprogram.”
“Aslongasnobody’sreallyhurt.”
“Yes.”ElenatriedhardtotuckherselfclosertoStefan.Shewantedto—beclosertohim,somehow.Thewaytheyhadwhenshehadbeenoutofherbodyandshehadjustsunkintohim.
Butofcourse,withregularbodies,theycouldn’t…
Butofcoursetheycould.Now.Herblood…
Elenareallydidn’tknowwhichofthemthoughtofitfirst.Shelookedaway,embarrassedatevenhavingconsideredit—andcaughtthetailendofStefanlookingawaytoo.
“Idon’tthinkwehavetheright,”shewhispered.“Notto—bethathappy—wheneveryoneelseismiserable.OrdoingthingsforthetownorforBonnie.”
“Ofcoursewedon’t,”Stefansaidfirmly,buthehadtogulpalittlefirst.
“No,”Elenasaid.
“No,”Stefansaidfirmly,andthenrightinthemiddleofherechoing“no,”hewentandpulledherupandkissedherbreathless.
Andofcourse,Elenacouldn’tlethimdothatandnotgeteven.Soshedemanded,stillbreathless,butalmostangry,thathesay“no”again,andwhenhediditshecaughthimandkissedhim.
“Youwerehappy,”sheaccusedamomentlater.“Ifeltit.”
Stefanwastoomuchofagentlemantoaccuseherofbeinghappybecauseofanythingshemightdo.Hesaid,“Icouldn’thelpit.Itjusthappenedbyitself.Ifeltourmindstogether,andthatmademehappy.ButthenIrememberedaboutpoorBonnie.And—”
“PoorDamon?”
“Well,somehowIdon’tthinkweneedtogosofarastocallhim‘poorDamon.’ButIdidrememberhim,”hesaid.
“Welldone,”Elenasaid.
“We’dbettergoinsidenow,”Stefansaid.Andthenhastily,“Downstairs,Imean.Maybewecanthinkofsomethingmoretodoforthem.”
“Likewhat?There’snotathingIcanthinkof.IdidmeditationandAttempttoContactbyOut-of-BodyExperience—”
“FromninethirtytotenthirtyA.M.,”Stefansaid.“AndmeanwhileIwastryingallfrequencytelepathiccalls.Noresponse.”
“ThenwetriedwiththeOuijaboard.”
“Forhalfanhour—andallwegotwasnonsense.”
“Itdidtellustheclaywascoming.”
“Ithinkthatwasmebumpingittoward‘yes.’”
“ThenItriedtotapintotheleylinesbelowusforPower—”
“Fromeleventoaroundeleventhirty,”Stefanrecited.“WhileItriedtogointohibernationtohaveapropheticdream….”
“Wereallytriedhard,”Elenasaidgrimly.
“Andthenwenailedthelastfewboardsup,”Stefanadded.“BringingustoalittleaftertwelvethirtyP.M.”
“CanyouthinkofasinglePlan—we’redowntoGorHnow—thatmightallowustohelpthemanymore?”
“Ican’t.Ijusthonestlycan’t,”Stefansaid.Thenheadded,hesitantly,“MaybeMrs.Flowershassomehouseworkforus.Or”—evenmorehesitantly,testingthewaters—“wecouldgointotown.”
“No!You’redefinitelynotstrongenoughforthat!”Elenasaidsharply.“Andthere’snomorehousework,”sheadded.Thenshethreweverythingtothewind.Everyresponsibility.Everyrationality.Justlikethat.ShebegantotowStefantothehousesotheycouldgettherequicker.
“Elena—”
I’mburningmybridges!Elenathoughtstubbornly,andsuddenlyshedidn’tcare.AndifStefancaredshewouldbitehim.Butitwasasifsomespellhadsuddenlycomeoverhersothatshefeltshewoulddiewithouthistouch.Shewantedtotouchhim.Shewantedhimtotouchher.Shewantedhimtobehermate.
“Elena!”Stefancouldhearwhatshewasthinking.Hewastorn,ofcourse,Elenathought.Stefanwasalwaystorn.Buthowdarehebetornaboutthis?
Sheturnedaroundtofacehim,blazing.“Youdon’twantto!”
“Idon’twanttodoitandthenfindoutI’veInfluencedyouintoit!”
“YouwereInfluencingme?”shoutedElena.
Stefanthrewouthishandsandyelled,“HowcanIknowwhenIwantyousomuch?”
Oh.Well,thatwasbetter.TherewasalittleglitterinElena’sside-eyeandshelookedatitandrealizedthatMrs.Flowershadquietlyshutawindow.
ElenadartedaglanceatStefan.Hewastryingnottoblush.Shedoubledover,tryingnottolaugh.Thenshestoodonhisshoesagain.
“Maybewedeserveanhouralone”—dangerously.
“Awholehour?”Stefan’sconspiratorialwhispermadeanhoursoundlikeeternity.
“Wedodeserveit,”Elenasaid,enthralled.Shebegantotowhimagain.
“No.”Stefanpulledherback,liftedher—bridal-style—andsuddenlytheyweregoingstraightup,fast.Theyshotupthreestoriesandalittlemoreandlandedontheplatformofthewidow’swalkabovehisroom.
“Butit’slockedfrominside—”
Stefanstompedonthetrapdoor—hard.Thedoordisappeared.
Elenawasimpressed.
TheyfloateddownintoStefan’sroomamidashaftoflightandmotesofdustthatlookedlikefirefliesorstars.
“I’malittlenervous,”Elenasaid.
Sheheeledhersandalsoffandslidoutofherjeansandtopandintobed…onlytofindStefanalreadythere.
They’refaster,shethought.Asfastasyouthinkyouare,they’realwaysfaster.
SheturnedtowardStefaninthebed.Shewaswearingacamisoleandunderwear.Shewasscared.
“Don’t,”hesaid.“Idon’tevenhavetobiteyou.”
“Youdoso.It’sallthatweirdstuffaboutmyblood.”
“Oh,yeah,”hesaid,asifhe’dforgotten.Elenawouldbetthathehadn’tforgottenawordaboutherblood…allowingvampirestodothingstheycouldn’totherwise.Herlifeenergygavethembackalltheirhumanabilities,andhewouldn’tforgetthat.
They’resmarter,shethought.
“Stefan,it’snotsupposedtobelikethis!I’msupposedtoparadeinfrontofyouinagoldennegligeedesignedbyLadyUlma,withjewelsbyLucenandgoldenstilts—whichIdon’town.Andtherearesupposedtobescatteredflowerpetalsonthebedandrosesinlittleroundbubblebowlsandwhitevanillacandles.”
“Elena,”Stefansaid,“comehere.”
Shewentintohisarms,andletherselfbreatheinthefreshsmellofhim,warmandspicy,withatraceofrustynails.
You’remylife,Stefantoldhersilently.We’renotgoingtodoanythingtoday.There’snotmuchtime,andyoudeserveyourgoldennegligeeandyourrosesandcandles.IfnotfromLadyUlma,fromthefinestEarthdesignersthatmoneycanprovide.But…kissme?
Elenakissedhimwillingly,sogladthathewaswillingtowait.Thekisswaswarmandcomfortingandshedidn’tmindtheslighttasteofrust.Anditwaswonderfultobewithsomeonewhowouldprovideexactlywhatsheneeded,whetherthatwasaslightmindprobe,justtomakeherfeelsafer,or…
Andthensheetlightninghitthem.Itseemedtocomefrombothofthematonce,andthenElenainvoluntarilyclampedherteethonStefan’slip,drawingblood.
Stefanlockedhisarmsaroundher,andbarelywaitedforhertobackoffalittle,beforedeliberatelytakingherlowerlipinhisownteethand…afteramomentoftensionthatseemedtolastforever…bitingdownhard.
Elenaalmostcriedout.Shealmostthenandthereunleashedthestill-undefinedWingsofDestructiononhim.Buttwothingsstoppedher.One,Stefanhadnever,everhurtherbefore.And,two,shewasbeingdrawnintosomethingsoancientandmysticalthatshecouldn’tstopnow.
AminuteoffinessingandStefanhadthetwolittlewoundsaligned.BloodsurgedfromElena’sbleedinglipand,indirectconnectionwithStefan’slessseriouswound,causedabackflow.Herbloodintohislip.
AndthesamethinghappenedwithStefan’sblood;someofit,richwithPower,rushedintoElena.
Itwasn’tperfect.AbeadofbloodswelledandstoodgleamingonElena’slip.ButElenacouldn’thavecaredless.AmomentlaterthebeaddroppeddownintoStefan’smouthandshefeltthesheerstaggeringpowerofhowmuchhelovedher.
Sheherselfwasconcentratingononesingletinyfeeling,somewhereinthecenterofthisstormthey’dcalledup.Thiskindofexchangeofblood—shewassureasshecouldbe—thiswastheoldway,thewaythattwovampirescouldsharebloodandloveandtheirsouls.ShewasbeingdrawnintoStefan’smind.Shefelthissoul,pureandunconstrained,swirlingaroundherwithathousanddifferentemotions,tearsfromhispast,joyfromthepresent,allopenwithoutatraceofashieldfromher.
Shefeltherownsoullifttomeethis,herselfunshieldedandunafraid.Stefanhadlongagoseenanyselfishness,vanity,over-ambitioninher—andforgivenit.He’dseenallofherandlovedallofher,eventhebadparts.
Andsoshesawhim,asdarknessastenderasrest,asgentleasevensong,wrappingblackprotectivewingsaroundher…
Stefan,I…
Love…Iknow…
Thatwaswhensomeoneknockedonthedoor.18
AfterbreakfastMattwentonlinetofindtwostores,neitherinFell’sChurch,thathadtheamountofclayMrs.Flowerssaidshe’dneedandthatsaidthey’ddeliver.ButafterthattherewasthematterofdrivingawayfromtheboardinghouseandbythelastlonelyremainsofwheretheOldWoodhadbeen.HedrovebythelittlethicketwhereShinichioftencamelikeademonicPiedPiperwiththepossessedchildrenshufflingbehindhim—theplacewhereSheriffMossberghadgoneafterthemandhadn’tcomeout.Where,later,protectedbymagicalwardsonPost-itNotes,heandTyroneAlperthadpulledoutabare,chewedfemur.
Today,hefiguredtheonlywaytogetpastthethicketwastoworkhiswheezingjunkcarupbystages,anditwasactuallygoingoversixtywhenheflewbythethicket,evenmanagingtohittheturnperfectly.Notreesfellonhim,noswarmsoffoot-longbugs.
Hewhispered“Whoa,”inreliefandheadedforhome.Hedreadedthat—butsimplydrivingthroughFell’sChurchwassohorribleitgluedhistonguetothetopofhismouth.Itlooked—thispretty,innocentlittletownwherehehadgrownup—asifitwereoneofthoseneighborhoodsyousawonTVorontheInternetthathadbeenbombed,orsomething.Andwhetheritwasbombsordisasterousfires,onehouseinfourwassimplyrubble.Afewwerehalf-rubble,withpolicetapeenclosingthem,whichmeantthatwhateverhadhappenedhadhappenedearlyenoughforthepolicetocare—ordare.Aroundtheburned-outbitsthevegetationflourishedstrangely:adecorativebushfromonehousegrownsoastobehalfwayacrossaneighbor’sgrass.Vinesdippingfromonetreetoanother,toanother,asifthisweresomeancientjungle.
Hishomewasrightinthemiddleofalongblockofhousesfullofkids—andinsummer,whengrandchildreninevitablycametovisit,therewereevenmorekids.Mattjusthopedthatthatpartofsummervacationwasdone…butwouldShinichiandMisaolettheyoungstersgohome?Matthadnoidea.And,iftheywenthome,wouldtheykeepspreadingthediseaseintheirownhometowns?Wherediditstop?
Drivingdownhisblock,though,Mattsawnothinghideous.Therewerekidsplayingoutonthefrontlawns,orthesidewalks,crouchingovermarbles,hangingoutinthetrees.Therewasnosingleovertthingthathecouldputhisfingeronthatwasweird.
Hewasstilluneasy.Buthe’dreachedhishousenow,theonewithagrandoldoaktreeshadingtheporch,sohehadtogetout.Hecoastedtoastopjustunderthetreeandparkedbythesidewalk.Hegrabbedalargelaundrybagfromthebackseat.He’dbeenaccumulatingdirtyclothesforacoupleofweeksattheboardinghouseandithadn’tseemedfairtoaskMrs.Flowerstowashthem.
Ashegotoutofthecar,pullingthebagoutwithhim,hewasjustintimetohearthebirdsongstop.
Foramomentafteritdid,hewonderedwhatwaswrong.Heknewthatsomethingwasmissing,cutshort.Itmadetheairheavier.Itevenseemedtochangethesmellofthegrass.
Thenherealized.Everybird,includingtheraucouscrowsthatlivedintheoaktrees,hadgonesilent.
Allatonce.
Mattfeltatwistinginhisbellyashelookedupandaround.Thereweretwokidsintheoaktreerightbesidehiscar.Hismindwasstillstubbornlytryingtohangonto:Children.Playing.Okay.Hisbodywassmarter.Hishandwasalreadyinhispocket,pullingoutapadofPost-itNotes:theflimsybitsofpaperthatusuallystoppedevilmagiccold.
MatthopedMeredithwouldremembertoaskIsobel’smotherformoreamulets.Hewasrunninglow,and…
…andthereweretwokidsplayingintheoldoaktree.Excepttheyweren’t.Theywerestaringathim.Oneboywashangingupsidedownbyhiskneesandtheotherwasgobblingsomething…outofagarbagebag.
Thehangingkidwasstaringathimwithstrangelyacuteeyes.“Haveyoueverwonderedwhatit’sliketobedead?”heasked.
Andnowtheheadofthegobblingboycameup,thickbrightredallaroundhismouth.Brightred—
—blood.And…whateverwasinthegarbagebagwasmoving.Kicking.Thrashingweakly.Tryingtogetaway.
AwaveofnauseawashedoverMatt.Acidhithisthroat.Hewasgoingtopuke.Thegobblingkidwasstaringathimwithstonyblack-as-a-piteyes.Thehangingkidwassmiling.
Then,asifstirredbyahotbreathofwind,Mattfeltthefinehairsonthebackofhisneckstandup.Itwasn’tjustthebirdsthathadgonequiet.Everythinghad.Nochild’svoicewasraisedinargumentorsongorspeech.
Hewhirledaroundandsawwhy.Theywerestaringathim.Everysinglekidontheblockwassilentlywatchinghim.Then,withachillingprecision,asheturnedbacktolookattheboysinthetree,alltheotherscametowardhim.
Excepttheyweren’twalking.
Theywerecreeping.Lizard-fashion.That’swhysomeofthemhadseemedtobeplayingwithmarblesonthesidewalk.Theywereallmovinginthesameway,belliesclosetotheground,elbowsup,handslikeforepaws,kneessplayingtotheside.
Nowhecouldtastebile.Helookedtheotherwaydownthestreetandfoundanothergroupcreeping.Grinningunnaturalgrins.Itwasasifsomeonewaspullingtheircheeksfrombehindthem,pullingthemhard,sothattheirgrinsalmostbroketheirfacesinhalf.
Mattnoticedsomethingelse.Suddenlythey’dstopped,andwhilehestaredatthem,theystayedstill.Perfectlystill,staringbackathim.Butwhenhelookedaway,hesawthecreepingfiguresoutofthecornerofhiseye.
Hedidn’thaveenoughPost-itNotesforallofthem.
Youcan’trunawayfromthis.Itsoundedlikeanoutsidevoiceinhishead.Telepathy.ButmaybethatwasbecauseMatt’sheadhadturnedintoaroilingredcloud,floatingupward.
Fortunately,hisbodyhearditandsuddenlyhewasuponthebackofhiscar,andhadgrabbedthehangingkid.Foramomenthehadahelplessimpulsetoletgooftheboy.Thekidstillstaredathimbutwitheerie,uncannyeyesthatwerehalfrolledbackinhishead.Insteadofdroppinghim,MattslappedaPost-ItNoteontheboy’sforehead,swinginghimatthesametimetositonthebackofthecar.
Apauseandthenwailing.Thekidmustbefourteenatleast,butaboutthirtysecondsaftertheBanAgainstEvil(pocket-size)wassmackedonhimhewassobbingrealkidsobs.
Asone,thecrawlingkidsletoutahiss.Itwaslikeagiantsteamengine.Hsssssssssssssssssssssss.
Theybegantobreatheinandoutveryfast,asifworkinguptosomenewstate.Theircreepingslowedtoacrawl.ButtheywerebreathingsohardMattcouldseetheirsideshollowandfill.
AsMattturnedtolookatonegroupofthem,theyfroze,exceptfortheunnaturalbreathing.Buthecouldfeeltheonesbehindhimgettingcloser.
BynowMatt’sheartwaspoundinginhisears.Hecouldfightagroupofthem—butnotwithagrouponhisback.Someofthemlookedonlytenoreleven.Somelookedalmosthisage.Someweregirls,forGod’ssake.Mattrememberedwhatpossessedgirlshaddonethelasttimehe’dmetthemandfeltviolentrevulsion.
Butheknewthatlookingupatthegobblingkidwasgoingtomakehimsicker.Hecouldhearsmacking,chewingsounds—andhecouldhearathinlittlewhistleofhelplesspainandweakstrugglingagainstthebag.
Hewhirledquicklyagain,tokeepofftheothersideofcrawlers,andthenmadehimselflookup.Withaquietcrackle,thegarbagebagfellawaywhenhegrabbeditbutthekidheldontowhatwasin—
OhmyGod.He’seatingababy!Ababy!A—
HeyankedthekidoutofthetreeandhishandautomaticallyslappedaPost-Itontotheboy’sback.Andthen—then,thankGod,hesawthefur.Itwasn’tababy.Itwastoosmalltobeababy,evenanewborn.Butitwaseaten.
ThekidraisedhisbloodyfacetoMatt’s,andMattsawthatitwasColeReece,Colewhowasonlythirteenandlivedrightnextdoor.Matthadn’tevenrecognizedhimbefore.
Cole’smouthwaswideopeninhorrornow,andhiseyeswerebulgingoutofhisheadwithterrorandsorrow,andtearsandsnotwerestreamingdownhisface.
“HemademeeatToby,”hestartedinawhisperthatbecameascream.“Hemademeeatmyguineapig!Hemademe—whywhywhydidhedothat?IATETOBY!”
HethrewupalloverMatt’sshoes.Blood-redvomit.
Mercifuldeathfortheanimal.Quick,Mattthought.Butthiswasthehardestthinghe’devertriedtodo.Howtodoit—ahardstomponthecreature’shead?Hecouldn’t.Hehadtotrysomethingelsefirst.
MattpeeledoffaPost-ItNoteandputit,tryingnottolook,onthefur.Andjustlikethatitwasover.Theguineapigwentslack.Thespellhadundonewhateverhadbeenkeepingitaliveuptothispoint.
TherewasbloodandpukeonMatt’shands,buthemadehimselfturntoCole.Colehadhiseyesshuttightandlittlechokingsoundscamefromhim.
SomethinginMattsnapped.
“Youwantsomeofthis?”heshouted,holdingoutthePost-itpadasifitweretherevolverhe’dleftwithMrs.Flowers.Hewhirledagain,shouting,“Youwantsome?Howaboutyou?You,Josh?”Hewasrecognizingfacesnow.“You,Madison?How’boutyou,Bryn?Bringiton!Youallbringiton!BRINGIT—”
Somethingtouchedhisshoulder.Hespun,Post-itNoteready.ThenhestoppedshortandreliefbubbledupinhimlikeEvianwateratsomefancyrestaurant.HewasstaringrightintothefaceofDr.Alpert,Fell’sChurch’sowncountrydoctor.ShehadherSUVparkedbesidehiscar,inthemiddleofthestreet.Behindher,protectingherback,wasTyrone,whowasgoingtobenextyear’squarterbackatRobertE.LeeHigh.Hissister,asophomore-to-be,wastryingtogetoutoftheSUVtoo,butshestoppedwhenTyronesawher.
“Jayneela!”heroaredinavoiceonlytheTyre-minatorcouldproduce.“Yougetbackinandbuckleup!YouknowwhatMomsaid!Youdoitnow!”
MattfoundhimselfclutchingatDr.Alpert’schocolatebrownhands.Heknewshewasagoodwoman,andagoodcaretaker,whohadadoptedherdaughter’syoungchildrenwhentheirdivorcedmotherhaddiedofcancer.Maybeshewouldhelphim,too.Hebeganbabbling.“Oh,God,I’vegottagetmymomout.Mymomlivesherealone.AndIhavetogetherawayfromhere.”Heknewhewassweating.Hehopedhewasn’tcrying.
“Okay,Matt,”thedoctorsaidinherhuskyvoice.“I’mgettingmyownfamilyoutthisafternoon.We’regoingtostaywithrelativesinWestVirginia.She’swelcometocome.”
Itcouldn’tbethiseasy.Mattknewhehadtearsinhiseyesnow.Herefusedtoblink,though,andletthemcomedown.“Idon’tknowwhattosay—butifyouwould—you’reanadult,yousee.Shewon’tlistentome.Shewilllistentoyou.Thiswholeblockisinfected.ThiskidCole—”Hecouldn’tgoon.ButDr.Alpertsawitallinaflash—theanimal,theboywithbloodonhisteethandhismouth,stillretching.
Dr.Alpertdidn’treact.ShejusthadJayneelathrowherapacketofWetWipesfromtheSUVandheldtheheavingkidwithonehand,whilevigorouslyscrubbinghisfaceclean.“Gohome,”shetoldhimsternly.
“Youhavetolettheinfectedonesgo,”shesaidtoMatt,withaterriblelookinhereyes.“Cruelasitseems,theyonlypassitontothefewwho’restillwell.”MattstartedtotellherabouttheeffectivenessofthePost-itNoteamulets,butshewasalreadycalling,“Tyrone!Comeoverhereandyouboysburythispooranimal.ThenyoubereadytomoveMrs.Honeycutt’sthingsintothevan.Jayneela,youdowhatyourbrothersays.I’mgoinginforalittletalkwithMrs.Honeycuttrightnow.”
Shedidn’traisehervoicemuch.Shedidn’tneedto.TheTyre-minatorwasobeying,backinguptoMatt,watchingthelastofthecreepingchildrenthatMatt’sexplosionhadn’tscattered.
He’squick,Mattrealized.Quickerthanme.It’slikeagame.Aslongasyouwatchthemtheycan’tmove.
Theytookturnsbeingthewatcherandhandlingtheshovel.Theearthherewashardasrock,heavywithweeds.Butsomehowtheygotaholedugandtheworkhelpedthemmentally.TheyburiedToby,andMattwalkedaroundlikesomefoot-draggingmonster,tryingtogetthevomitoffhisshoesinthegrass.
SuddenlybesidethemtherewasthenoiseofadoorbangingopenandMattran,rantohismother,whowastryingtoheftahugesuitcase,muchtooheavyforher,throughthedoor.
Matttookitfromherandfelthimselfencompassedinherhugeventhoughshehadtostandontip-toestodoit.“Matt,Ican’tjustleaveyou—”
“He’llbeoneofthosetogetthetownoutofthismess,”Dr.Alpertsaid,overridingher.“He’llcleanitup.Nowwe’vegottogetoutsowedon’tdraghimdown.Matt,justsoyouknow,IheardthattheMcCulloughsaregettingouttoo.Mr.andMrs.Sulezdon’tseemtobegoingyet,andneitherdotheGilbert-Maxwells.”Shesaidthelasttwowordswithadistinctemphasis.
TheGilbert-MaxwellswereElena’sauntJudith,herhusbandRobertMaxwell,andElena’slittlesister,Margaret.Therewasnorealreasontomentionthem.ButMattknewwhyDr.Alperthad.SherememberedseeingElenawhenthiswholemesshadstarted.DespiteElena’spurificationofthewoodswhereDr.Alperthadbeenstanding,thedoctorremembered.
“I’lltell—Meredith,”Mattsaid,andlookingherintheeyes,henoddedalittle,asiftosay,I’lltellElena,too.
“Anythingelsetocarry?”Tyroneasked.Hewasencumberedbyacanarybirdcage,withthelittlebirdfranticallybeatingitswingsinside,andasmallersuitcase.
“No,buthowcanIthankyou?”Mrs.Honeycuttsaid.
“Thankslater—now,everybodyin,”saidDr.Alpert.“Wearetakingoff.”
MatthuggedhismotherandgaveheralittlepushtowardtheSUV,whichhadalreadyswallowedthebirdcageandsmallsuitcase.
“Good-bye!”everyonewasyelling.Tyronestuckhisheadoutofthewindowtosay,“Callmewhenever!Iwanttohelp!”
Andthentheyweregone.
Mattcouldhardlybelieveitwasover;ithadhappenedsofast.Heraninsidetheopendoorofhishouseandgothisotherpairofrunningshoes,justincaseMrs.Flowerscouldn’tfixthesmelloftheoneshewaswearing.
Whenheburstoutofthehouseagainhehadtoblink.InsteadofthewhiteSUVtherewasadifferentwhitecarparkedbesidehis.Helookedaroundtheblock.Nochildren.Noneatall.
Andthebirdsonghadcomeback.
Thereweretwomeninthecar.Onewaswhiteandonewasblackandtheybothwerearoundtheagetobeconcernedfathers.Anywaytheyhadhimcutoff,thewaytheircarwasparked.Hehadnochoicebuttogouptothem.Assoonashedidtheybothgotoutofthecar,watchinghimasifhewasasdangerousasakitsune.
Theinstanttheydidthat,Mattknewhe’dmadeamistake.
“You’reMatthewJeffreyHoneycutt?”
Matthadnochoicebuttonod.
“Sayyesorno,please.”
“Yes.”Mattcouldseeinsidethewhitecarnow.Itwasastealthpolicecar,oneofthosewithlightsinside,allreadytobefixedoutsideiftheofficerswantedtoletyouinonthesecret.
“MatthewJeffreyHoneycutt,youareunderarrestforassaultandbatteryuponCarolineBeulaForbes.Youhavetherighttoremainsilent.Ifyougiveupthisright,anythingyousaycanandwillbeusedagainstyouinacourtoflaw—”
“Didn’tyouseethosekids?”Mattwasshouting.“Youhadtohaveseenoneortwoofthem!Didn’tthatmeananythingtoyou?”
“Leanoverandputyourhandsonthefrontofthecar.”
“It’sgoingtodestroythewholetown!You’rehelpingit!”
“Doyouunderstandtheserights—?”
“DoyouunderstandwhatisgoingoninFell’sChurch?”
Therewasapausethistime.Andthen,inperfectlyeventones,oneofthetwosaid,“We’refromRidgemont.”19
Bonniedecided,withsecondspreciousandseemingtostretchforhours,thatwhatwasgoingtohappenwasgoingtohappennomatterwhatshedid.Andtherewasamatterofpridehere.Sheknewthattherewerepeoplewhowouldlaughatthat,butitwastrue.DespiteElena’snewPowers,Bonniewastheonemostusedtoconfrontingstarkdarkness.Shewassomehowaliveafterallthat.Andverysoonshewouldnotbe.Andthewayshewentwastheonlythingleftuptoher.
Sheheardaglissandoofscreamsandthensheheardthemcometoahalt.Well,thatwasallshecoulddoforthemoment.Stopscreaming.Thechoicewasmade.Bonniewouldgoout,unbroken,defiant—andsilent.
ThemomentshestoppedshriekingShinichimadeagestureandtheogrewhohadholdofherstoppedcarryinghertothewindow.
She’dknownit.Hewasabully.Bullieswantedtohearthatthingshurtorthatpeopleweremiserable.TheogreliftedhersoherfacewaslevelwithShinichi’s.“Excitedaboutyourone-waytrip?”
“Thrilled,”shesaidexpressionlessly.Hey,shethought,I’mnotsobadatthisbravething.Buteverythinginsideherwasshakingatdoubletimeinordertomakeupforherstonyface.
Shinichiopenedthewindow.“Stillthrilled?”
Nowthathaddonesomething,openingthewindowhad.Shewasnotgoingtobesmashedagainstglassuntilshebrokeitwithherfaceandwentsailingthroughthejaggedbits.Therewasn’tgoingtobepainuntilshehitthegroundandnobodywouldknowaboutthat,notevenher.
Justdoitandgetitoverwith,Bonniethought.Thewarmbreezefromthewindowtoldherthatthis—place—thisslave-sellingplace—wherecustomerswereallowedtosiftthroughtheslavesuntiltheyfoundjusttherightone—wastoohighlyair-conditioned.
I’llbewarm,evenifit’sjustforasecondorso,shethought.
Whenadoornearthembanged,Bonnienearlyjumpedoutoftheogre’sarms,andwhenthedoortotheirownroombangedopen,shenearlyjumpedthroughherownskin.
Yousee?Somethingsurgedwildlythroughher.I’msaved!Itonlytookalittleofthatbravestuffandnow…
ButitwasShinichi’ssister,Misao.Misao,lookinggravelyill,herskinashen,holdingontothedoortoholdherselfup.Theonlythingaboutherthatwasn’tgrayed-outwasherbrilliantblackhair,tippedwithscarletattheends,justlikeShinichi’s.
“Wait!”shesaidtoShinichi.“Youneverevenaskedabout—”
“Youthinkalittleairheadlikeherwouldknow?Buthaveityourownway.”ShinichiseatedMisaoonthecouch,rubbinghershoulderscomfortingly.“I’llask.”
Soshewastheoneinsidethetwo-waymirrorroom,Bonniethought.Shelooksreallybad.Likedyingbad.
“Whathappenedtomysister’sstarball?”ShinichidemandedandthenBonniesawhowthisthingformedacircle,withabeginningandanending,andhow,understandingthis,shecoulddiewithtruedignity.
“Itwasmyfault,”shesaid,withafaintsmileassheremembered.“Orhalfofitwas.SageopeneditupthefirsttimetoopentheGatebackonEarth.Andthen…”Shetoldthemthestory,asifitwereoneshe’dneverheardbefore,puttinganemphasisonhowitwasshewhohadgivenDamonthecluestofindMisao’sstarball,anditwasDamonwhothenhadusedittoenterthetopleveloftheDarkDimensions.
“It’sallacircle,”sheexplained.“Whatyoudocomesbacktoyou.”Thendespiteherself,shestartedtogiggle.
Intwostrides,Shinichiwasacrosstheroomandslappingher.Shedidn’tknowhowmanytimeshedidit.Thefirstwasenoughtomakehergaspandstophergiggling.Afterwardhercheeksfeltasswollenasifshehadaverypainfulcaseofthemumps,andhernosewasbleeding.
Shekepttryingtowipeitonhershoulder,butitwouldn’tstop.AtlastMisaosaid,“Ugh.Unfastenherhandsandgiveheratowelorsomething.”
TheogresmovedjustasifShinichihadgiventheorder.
ShinichihimselfwasnowsittingbesideMisao,talkingtohersoftly,asifhewerespeakingtoababyorabelovedpet.ButMisao’seyes,withtheirtinyflickeroffireinthem,wereclearandadultasshelookedatBonnie.
“Whereismystarballnow?”sheaskedwithdreadfulgrayintensity.
Bonnie,whowaswipinghernose,feelingtheblissofnotbeinghandcuffedbehindherback,wonderedwhyshewasn’teventryingtothinkofalie.Like,letmefreeandI’llleadyoutoit.ThensherememberedShinichiandhisdamnkitsunetelepathy.
“HowcouldIknow?”shepointedoutlogically.“IwasjusttryingtopullDamonawayfromtheGatewhenwebothfellin.Itdidn’tcomewithus.AsfarasIknow,itgotkickedinthedustandalltheliquidspilledout.”
Shinichigotuptohurtheragain,butshewasonlytellingthetruth.Misaowasalreadyspeaking.“Weknowthatdidn’thappenbecauseIam”—shehadtopausetobreathe—“stillalive.”
Sheturnedherashen,sunkenfacetowardShinichiandsaid,“You’reright.She’suselessnow,andfullofinformationsheshouldn’thave.Throwherout.”
AnogrepickedBonnieup,towelandall.Shinichicamearoundtheotherside.“Doyouseewhatyou’vedonetomysister?Doyousee?”
Nomoretimenow.Justasecondtowonderifshereallywasgoingtobebraveornot.Butwhatshouldshesaytoshowshewasbrave?Sheopenedhermouth,honestlynotsurewhetherwhatwascomingoutwasascreamorwords.
“She’sgoingtolookevenworsewhenmyfriendsaredonewithher,”shesaid,andsawinMisao’seyesthatshe’dhithertarget.
“Throwherout,”Shinichishouted,lividwithfury.
Andtheogrethrewheroutthewindow.
Meredithwassittingwithherparents,tryingtofigureoutwhatwaswrong.Shehadfinishedhererrandsinrecordtime:gettingenlargedversionsofthewritingonthefrontofthejarsmade;callingtheSaitoufamilytofindthattheywouldallbehomeatnoon.Thenshehadexaminedandnumberedtheindividualblow-upsofeachcharacterinthepicturesthatAlarichadsent.
TheSaitoushadbeen…tense.Meredithhadn’tbeensurprisedsinceIsobelhadbeenaprime,ifentirelyinnocent,carrierofthekitsune’sdeadlypossessingmalach.OneoftheworstcasualtieswasIsobel’sownsteadyboyfriend,JimBryce,whohadgottenthemalachfromCarolineandspreadittoIsobelwithoutknowingwhathewasdoing.HehimselfhadbeenpossessedbyShinichi’smalachandhaddemonstratedallthehideoussymptomsofLesch-NyhanSyndrome,eatingawayathisownlipsandfingers,whilepoorIsobelhaduseddirtyneedles—sometimesthesizeofachild’sknittingneedles—topierceherselfinmorethanthirtyplaces,besidesforkinghertonguewithscissors.
Isobelwasoutofthehospitalandonthemendnow.Still,Meredithwasbewildered.Shehadgottenapprovalofthecardswithenlarged,individualcharactersoffthejarsfromtheolderSaitous—Obaasan(Isobel’sgrandmother)andMrs.Saitou(Isobel’smother)—notwithoutagooddealofargumentinJapaneseovereachcharacter.ShewasjustgettingintohercarwhenIsobelhadcomerunningoutofthehousewithabagofPost-itNotesinherhand.“Motherdidthem—incaseyouneeded,”shegaspedinhernew,soft,slurringvoice.AndMeredithhadtakenthenotesfromhergratefully,murmuringsomethingawkwardaboutrepayment.
“No,but—butmayIhavealookattheblow-ups?”Isobelhadpanted.Whywasshepantingsohard?Meredithwondered.Evenifshe’drunfromthetopfloorallthewayfollowingMeredith—thatwouldn’taccountforit.ThenMeredithremembered:BonniehadsaidIsobelhada“jumpy”heart.
“Yousee,”Isobelsaidwithwhatlookedlikeshameandapleaforunderstanding,“Obaasanisreallyalmostblindnow—andit’sbeensolongsinceMotherwasinschool…butItakeJapaneseclassesrightnow.”
Meredithwastouched.Obviously,Isobelhadfeltitbadmannerstocontradictanadultwhentheywereinearshot.Butthere,sittinginthecar,Isobelhadgonethrougheverycardwithablown-upcharacter,writingasimilar,butdefinitelydifferentcharacterontheback.Ithadtakentwentyminutes.Meredithhadbeenawed.“Buthowdoyourememberthemall?Howdoyoueverwritetoeachother?”shehadblurted,afterseeingthecomplicatedsymbolsthatdifferedonlybyafewlines.
“Withdictionaries,”Isobelhadsaid,andhadforthefirsttimegivenalittlelaugh.“No,I’mserious—towriteaveryproperletter,say,don’tyouuseThesaurusandSpellCheckand—”
“Ineedthosetowriteanything!”Meredithhadlaughed.
Ithadbeenanicemoment,bothofthemsmilingtogether,relaxed.Noproblems.Isobel’shearthadseemedjustfine.
ThenIsobelhadhurriedawayandwhenshewasgoneMeredithwasleftstaringataroundcircleofmoistureonthepassengerseat.Atear.ButwhyshouldIsobelbecrying?
Becauseitremindedherofthemalach,orofJim?
Becauseitwouldtakeseveralplasticsurgeriesbeforeherearswouldhavefleshonthemagain?
NoanswerthatMeredithcouldthinkofmadesense.Andshehadtohurrytogettoherownhome—late.
ItwasonlythenthatMeredithwasstrickenbyafact.TheSaitoufamilyknewthatMeredith,Matt,andBonniewerefriends.ButnoneofthemhadaskedabouteitherBonnieorMatt.
Strange.
Ifshehadonlyknownhowmuchstrangerhervisitwithherownfamilywouldbe…20
Meredithusuallyfoundherparentsfunnyandsillyanddear.Theyweresolemnaboutallthewrongthingslike,“Makesure,honey,thatyoureallygettoknowAlaric—before—before—”MeredithhadnodoubtsaboutAlaricatall,buthewasanotherofthosesilly,dear,gallantpeople,whotalkedallaroundthingswithoutgettingtothepoint.
Today,shewassurprisedtoseethattherewasnoclusterofcarsaroundtheancestralhome.Maybepeoplehadtostayhometofightitoutwiththeirownchildren.ShelockedtheAcura,consciousofthepreciouscontentsgivenbyIsobel,andrangthedoorbell.Herparentsbelievedinchainlocks.
Janet,thehousekeeper,lookedhappytoseeherbutnervous.Aha,Merediththought,theyhavediscoveredthattheirdutifulonlychildhasransackedtheattic.Maybetheywantthestaveback.MaybeIshouldhaveleftitbackattheboardinghouse.
ButsheonlyrealizedthatthingsweretrulyseriouswhenshecameintothefamilyroomandsawthebigLa-Z-Boydeluxeloungingchair,herfather’sthrone:empty.Herfatherwassittingonthecouch,holdinghermother,whowassobbing.
Shehadbroughtthestavewithher,andwhenhermothersawit,shebrokeintoafreshburstoftears.
“Look,”Meredithsaid,“thisdoesn’thavetobesotragic.I’vegotaprettygoodideaofwhathappened.IfyouwanttotellmeabouthowGrandmaandIreallygothurt,that’syourbusiness.ButifIwas…contaminatedinsomeway…”
Shestopped.Shecouldhardlybelieveit.Herfatherwasholdingoutanarmtoher,asifthesomewhatrankconditionofherclothesdidn’tmatter.Shewenttohimslowly,uncomfortably,andlethimhugherregardlessofhisArmanisuit.HermotherhadaglasswithafewsipsleftofwhatlookedlikeCokeinfrontofher,butMeredithwouldbetitwasn’tallCoke.
“We’dhopedthatthiswasaplaceofpeace,”herfatherorated.Everysentenceherfatherspokewasanoration.Yougotusedtoit.“Weneverdreamed…”Andthenhestopped.Meredithwasstunned.Herfatherdidn’tstopinthemiddleofanoration.Hedidn’tpause.Andhecertainlydidn’tcry
“Dad!Daddy!Whatisit?Havekidsbeenaroundhere,crazykids?Didtheyhurtsomebody?”
“Wehavetotellyouthewholestoryfromthattimelongago,”herfather…said.Hespokewithsuchdespairthatitwasn’tanythinglikeanoration.“Whenyouwere…allattacked.”
“Bythevampire.OrGrandfather.Ordoyouknow?”
Longpause.Thenhermotherdrainedthecontentsofherglassandcalled,“Janet,anotherone,please.”
“Now,Gabriella—”herfathersaid,chiding.
“’Nando—Ican’tbearthis.Thethoughtthatmihijainocente…”
Meredithsaid,“Look,IthinkIcanmakethiseasierforyou.Ialreadyknow…well,first,thatIhadatwinbrother.”
Herparentslookedhorrified.Theyclungtogether,gasping.“Whotoldyou?”herfatherdemanded.“Atthatboardinghouse,whocouldknow—?”
Calmingdowntime.“No,no.Dad,Ifoundout—well,Grandpatalkedtome.”Thatwastrueenough.Hehad.Justnotaboutherbrother.“Anyway,thatwashowIgotthestave.Butthevampirethathurtusisdead.Hewastheserialkiller,theonewhokilledVickieandSue.HisnamewasKlaus.”
“Youthoughtthattherewasonlyonevampire?”hermothergotout.ShepronouncedthewordtheHispanicway,whichMeredithalwaysfoundmorescary.Vahm-peer.
TheuniverseseemedtostartmovingslowlyaroundMeredith.
“That’sjustaguess,”herfathersaid.“Wedon’treallyknowthattherewasmorethantheverystrongone.”
“ButyouknowaboutKlaus—how?”
“Wesawhim.Hewasthestrongone.Hekilledthesecurityguardsatthegatewithonebloweach.Wemovedtoanewtown.Wehopedyouwouldneverhavetoknowyouhadabrother.”Herfatherbrushedhiseyes.“Yourgrandfatherspoketous,rightaftertheattack.Butthenextday…nothing.Hecouldn’ttalkatall.”
Hermotherputherfaceinherhands.Sheonlyliftedittocall,“Janet!Another,porfavor!”
“Rightaway,ma’am.”Meredithlookedtothehousekeeper’sblueeyesforthesolutiontothismysteryandfoundnothing—sympathy,butnohelp.Janetwalkedawaywiththeemptyglass,blondFrenchbraidreceding.
Meredithturnedbacktoherparents,sodarkofeyeandhair,sooliveofskincolor.Theywerehuddlingtogetheragain,eyesonher.
“Mom,Dad,Iknowthatthisisreallyhard.ButI’mgoingafterthekindofpeoplewhohurtGrandpa,andGrandma,andmybrother.It’sdangerous,butIhavetodoit.”ShedroppedintoaTaekwondostance.“Imeanyoudidhavemetrained.”
“Butagainstyourownfamily?Youcoulddothat?”hermothercried.
Meredithsatdown.ShehadreachedtheendofthememoriesthatsheandStefanhadfound.“SoKlausdidn’tkillhimlikeGrandmother.Hetookmybrotherwithhim.”
“Cristian,”wailedhermother.“Hewasjustunbebé.Threeyearsold!Thatwaswhenwefoundthetwoofyou…andtheblood…oh,theblood…”
Herfathergotup,nottoorate,buttoputhishandonMeredith’sshoulder.“Wethoughtitwouldbeeasiernottotellyou—thatyouwouldn’thaveanymemoriesofwhatwashappeningwhenwecamein.Andyoudon’t,doyou?”
Meredith’seyeswerefillingwithtears.Shelookedtohermother,tryingtosilentlytellhershecouldn’tunderstandthis.
“Hewasdrinkingmyblood?”sheguessed.“Klaus?”
“No!”criedherfatherashermotherwhisperedprayers.
“HewasdrinkingCristian’s,then.”Meredithwaskneelingonthefloornow,tryingtolookupintothefaceofhermother.
“No!”criedherfatheragain.Hechoked.
“Lasangre!”gaspedhermother,coveringhereyes.“Theblood!”
“Querida—”herfathersobbed,andwenttoher.
“Dad!”Meredithwentafterhimandshookhisarm.“You’veruledoutallthepossibilities!Idon’tunderstand!Whowasdrinkingblood?”
“You!You!”hermotheralmostscreamed.“Fromyourownbrother!Oh,elaterrorizar!”
“Gabriella!”moanedherfather.
Meredith’smothersubsidedintoweeping.
Meredith’sheadwaswhirling.“I’mnotavampire!Ihuntvampiresandkillthem!”
“Hesaid,”herfatherwhisperedhoarsely:“‘Justseeshegetsatablespoonaweek.Ifyouwanthertolive,thatis.Tryabloodpudding.’Hewaslaughing.”
Meredithdidn’tneedtoaskiftheyhadobeyed.Atherhouse,theyhadbloodsausageorpuddingatleastonceaweek.Shehadgrownupwithit.Itwasnothingspecial.
“Why?”shewhisperedhoarselynow.“Whydidn’thekillme?”
“Idon’tknow!Westilldon’tknow!Thatmanwithhisfrontalldrippingwithblood—yourblood,yourbrother’sblood,wedidn’tknow!Andthenatthelastminutehegrabbedforthetwoofyoubutyoubithishandtothebone,”herfathersaid.
“Helaughed—laughed!—withyourteethclampedinhimandyourlittlehandspushinghimaway,andsaid,‘I’lljustleaveyouthisone,then,andyoucanworryaboutwhatshewillturnouttobe.TheboyI’mtakingwithme.’AndthensuddenlyIseemedtocomeoutofaspell,forIwasreachingforyouagain,readytofighthimforbothofyou.ButIcouldn’t!OnceIhadyou,Icouldn’tmoveanotherinch.Andheleftthehousestilllaughing—andtookyourbrother,Cristian,withhim.”
Merediththought.Nowondertheydidn’twanttoholdanykindofcelebrationontheanniversariesofthatday.Hergrandmotherdead,hergrandfathergoingcrazy,herbrotherlost,andherself—what?Nowondertheycelebratedherbirthdayaweekearly.
Meredithtriedtostaycalm.Theworldwasfallingtopiecesaroundherbutshehadtostaycalm.Stayingcalmhadkeptheraliveallherlife.Withoutevenhavingtocount,shewasbreathingoutdeep,andinthroughhernostrils,andoutthroughhermouth.Deep,deep,cleansingbreaths.Soothingpeacethroughoutherbody.Onlypartofherwashearinghermother:
“WecamehomeearlythatnightbecauseIhadaheadache—”
“Sh,querida—”herfatherwasbeginning.
“Wegothomeearly,”hermotherkeened.“OVirgenBendecida,whatwouldwehavefoundifwehadbeenlate?Wewouldhavelostyou,too!Mybaby!Mybabywithbloodonhermouth—”
“Butwegothomeearlyenoughtosaveher,”Meredith’sfathersaidhuskily,asiftryingtowakehermotherfromaspell.
“Ah,gracias,PrincesaDivina,Vigenpurayimpoluto…”Hermothercouldn’tseemtostopcrying.
“Daddy,”Meredithsaidurgently,achingforhermotherbutdesperatelyneedinginformation.“Haveyoueverseenhimagain?Orheardabouthim?Mybrother,Cristian?”
“Yes,”herfathersaid.“Oh,yes,wehaveseensomething.”
Hermothergasped.“’Nando,no!”
“Shehastolearnthetruthsometime,”herfathersaid.Herummagedamongsomecardboardfilefoldersonthedesk.“Look!”hesaidtoMeredith.“Lookatthis.”
Meredithstaredinutterdisbelief.
IntheDarkDimensionBonnieshuthereyes.Therewasalotofwindatthetopofatallbuilding’swindow.ThatwasallhermindhadathoughtforwhenshewasoutofthewindowandthenbackintoitandtheogrewaslaughingandShinichi’sterriblevoicesaying,“Youdon’treallythinkwe’dletyougowithoutquestioningyouthoroughly?”
Bonnieheardthewordswithoutthemmakingsense,andthensuddenlytheydid.Hercaptorsweregoingtohurther.Theyweregoingtotortureher.Theyweregoingtotakeherbraveryaway.
Shethoughtshescreamedsomethingathim.Allsheknew,though,wasthattherewasasoftexplosionofheatbehindher,andthen—unbelievably—alldressedupinacloakwithbadgesthatmadehimlooklikesomekindofmilitaryprince,therewasDamon.
Damon
Hewassolateshe’dlongagogivenuponhim.Butnowhewasflashingathere-and-gonebrilliantsmileatShinichi,whowasstaringasifhe’dbeenstrickendumb.
AndnowDamonwassaying,“I’mafraidMs.McCulloughhasanotherengagementatthatmoment.ButIwillbebacktokickyourass—immediately.MovefromthisroomandI’llkillyouall,slowly.Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.”
Andbeforeanyonecouldevenrecoverfromtheirfirstshockathisarrival,heandBonniewereblastingoffthroughthewindows.Hewent,notoutofthebuildingbackwardasifretreating,butstraightaheadforward,onehandinfrontofhim,wrappingthembothinablackbutetherealbundleofPower.Theyshatteredthetwo-waymirrorinBonnie’sroomandwerealmostallthewaythroughtothenextroombeforeBonnie’smindtaggedthefirst“empty.”Thentheywerecrashingthroughanelaboratevideoset-window—madetoletpeoplethinktheyhadaviewoftheoutdoors,andflyingoversomeonelyingonabed.Then…itwasjustaseriesofcrashes,asfarasBonniewasconcerned.Shebarelygotaglimpseofwhatwasgoingonineachroom.Finally…
Thecrashingstopped.ThisleftBonnieholdingontoDamonkoala-style—shewasn’tstupid—andtheywerevery,veryhighintheair.Andmobilizinginfrontofthem,andofftothesides,andasfarasBonniecouldsee,werewomenwhowerealsoflying,butinlittlemachinesthatlookedlikeacombinationofamotorcycleandaJetSki.Nowheels,ofcourse.Themachineswereallgold,whichwasalsothecolorofeachdriver’shair.
SothefirstwordBonniegaspedtoherrescuer,afterhehadblastedatunnelthroughthelargeslave-owner’sbuildingtosaveher,was,“Guardians?”
“Indispensable,consideringthefactthatIdidn’thavethefirstideawherethebadguysmighthavetakenyouandIsuspectedthattheremightbeatimelimit.Thiswasactuallytheverylastoftheslave-sellerswewereduetocheck.Wefinally…luckedout.”Forsomeonewhohadluckedout,hesoundedalittlestrange.Almost…chokedup.
WaterwasonBonnie’scheeksbutitwasbeingflickedawaytoofastforhertowipeit.Damonwasholdinghersothatshecouldn’tseehisface,andhewasholdinghervery,verytightly.
ItreallywasDamon.Hehadcalledoutthecavalryand,despitethecity-widemind-gridlock,hehadfoundher.
“Theyhurtyou,didn’tthey,littleredbird?Isaw…Isawyourface,”Damonsaidinhisnewchoked-upvoice.Bonniedidn’tknowwhattosay.Butsuddenlyshedidn’tmindhowhardhesqueezedher.Sheevenfoundherselfsqueezingback.
Suddenly,tohershock,Damonbrokeherkoala-gripandpulledherupandkissedheronthelipsverygently.“Littleredbird!I’mgoingtogonow,andmakethempayforwhattheydidtoyou.”
Bonnieheardherselfsay,“No,don’t.”
“No?”Damonrepeated,bewildered.
“No,”Bonniesaid.SheneededDamonwithher.Shedidn’tcarewhathappenedtoShinichi.Therewasasweetnessunfoldinginsideher,buttherewasalsoarushinginherhead.Itreallywasapity,butinafewmomentsshewouldbeunconscious.
Meanwhile,shehadthreethoughtsinmindandallofthemwereclear.Whatshewasafraidofwasthattheywouldbelessclearlater,aftershehadfainted.“Doyouhaveastarball?”
“Ihavetwenty-eightstarballs,”Damonsaid,andlookedatherquizzically.
Thatwasn’twhatBonniemeantatall;shemeantonetorecordonto.“Canyourememberthreethings?”shesaidtoDamon.
“I’dgambleonit.”ThistimeDamonkissedhersoftlyontheforehead.
“First,youruinedmyverybravedeath.”
“Wecanalwaysgobackandyoucanhaveanothertry.”Damon’svoicewaslesschokednow;morehisown.
“Second,youleftmeatthathorribleinnforaweek—”
Asifshecouldseeinsidehismind,shesawthissliceintohimlikesomekindofwoodensword.Hewasholdinghersotightlythatshereallycouldn’tbreathe.“I…Ididn’tmeanto.Itwasreallyonlyfourdays,butInevershouldhavedoneit,”hesaid.
“Third.”Bonnie’svoicedroppedtoawhisper.“Idon’tthinkanystarballwaseverstolenatall.Whatneverexistedcan’tbestolen,canit?”
Shelookedathim.Damonwaslookingbackinawaythatnormallywouldhavethrilledher.Hewasobviously,blatantlydistressed.ButBonniewasjustbarelyhangingontoconsciousnessatthispoint.
“And…fourth…”Shepuzzledoutslowly.
“Fourth?Yousaidthreethings.”Damonsmiled,justalittle.
“Ihavetosaythis—”ShedroppedherheaddownonDamon’sshoulder,gatheredallofherenergy,andconcentrated.
Damonloosenedhisgripalittle.Hesaid,“Icanhearafaintmurmuringsoundinmyhead.Justtellmenormally.We’rewellawayfromanyone.”
Bonniewasinsistent.Shescrunchedherwholetinybodytogetherandthenexplosivelysentoutathought.ShecouldtellthatDamoncaughtit.
Fourth,Iknowthewaytothesevenlegendarykitsunetreasures,Bonniesenttohim.Thatincludesthebiggeststarballevermade.Butifwewantit,wehavetogettoit—fast.
Then,feelingthatshehadcontributedenoughtotheconversation,shefainted.21
SomeonewasstillknockingonStefan’sdoor.
“It’sawoodpecker,”Elenasaidwhenshecouldspeak.“Theyknock,don’tthey?”
“Ondoorsinsidehouses?”Stefansaiddazedly.
“Ignoreitanditwillgoaway.”
Amomentlatertheknockingresumed.
Elenamoaned,“Idon’tbelievethis.”
Stefanwhispered,“Doyouwantmetobringyouitshead?Unattachedfromitsneck,Imean?”
Elenaconsidered.Astheknockingcontinued,shewasgettingmoreworriedandlessconfused.“Betterseeifitisabird,Iguess,”shesaid.
Stefanrolledawayfromher,somehowgotonhisjeans,andwentreelingtothedoor.Inspiteofherself,Elenapitiedwhoeverwasontheotherside.
Theknockingstartedagain.
Stefanreachedthedoorandnearlywrencheditoffitshinges.
“Whatthe—”Hestopped,suddenlymoderatinghisvoice.“Mrs.Flowers?”
“Yes,”Mrs.Flowerssaid,deliberatelynotseeingElena,whowaswearingasheetanddirectlyinherlineofvision.
“It’spoordearMeredith,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.“She’sinsuchastate,andshesaysshehastoseeyounow,Stefan.”
Elena’smindswitchedtracksassuddenlyandsmoothlyasatrain.Meredith?Inastate?DemandingtoseeStefan,evenif,asElenawassureshemusthave,Mrs.Flowershaddelicatelyindicatedjusthow…busyStefanwasatthemoment?
HermindwasstillsolidlylinkedwithStefan’s.Hesaid,“Thankyou,Mrs.Flowers.I’llbedowninjustamoment.”
Elena,whowasslippingintoherclothesasfastasshecould,whilecrouchingonthefarsideofthebed,addedatelepathicsuggestion.
“Maybeyoucouldmakeheranicecupoftea—Imean,acupoftea,”Stefanadded.
“Yes,dear,whatagoodidea,”Mrs.Flowerssaidgently.“AndifyoushouldseeElena,perhapsyoucouldsaythatdearMeredithisaskingforher,too?”
“Wewill,”Stefansaidautomatically.Thenheturnedaroundandhastilyshutthedoor.
Elenagavehimtimetoputhisshirtandshoeson,andthentheybothhurrieddowntothekitchen,whereMeredithwasnothavinganicecupoftea,butpacingaroundlikeacagedleopard.
Stefanbegan,“What’s—”
“I’lltellyouwhat’swrong,StefanSalvatore!No—youtellme!Youwereinmymindbefore,soyoumustknow.Youmusthavebeenabletosee—totell—aboutme.”
ElenawasstillmindlockedwithStefan.Shefelthisdismay.“Totellwhataboutyou?”heaskedgently,pullingoutachairatthekitchentablesoMeredithcouldsit.
Theverysimpleactofsittingdown,ofpausingtorespondtocivility,seemedtocalmMeredithslightly.ButstillElenacouldfeelherfearandpainlikethetasteofasteelswordonhertongue.
Meredithacceptedahugandbecamealittlecalmeryet.Alittlemoreherselfandlesslikeacagedanimal.ButthestrugglewassovisceralandsoclearwithinherthatElenacouldn’tbeartoleaveher,evenwhenMrs.FlowersdepositedfourmugsofteaaroundthetableandtookanotherchairStefanoffered.
ThenStefansatdown.HeknewElenawouldstandorsitorshareachairwithMeredith,butwhateveritwas,shewouldbetheonetodecide.
Mrs.FlowerswasgentlystirringhoneyintohermugofteaandthenpassingthehoneyalongtoStefanwhogaveittoElenawhoputjustthelittlebitthatMeredithlikedintoMeredith’smugandstirreditgently,too.
Theordinary,civilizedsoundsoftwospoonsquietlyclinkingseemedtorelaxMeredithstillfurther.ShetookthemugElenagaveherandsipped,thendrankthirstily.
ElenacouldfeelStefan’smentalsighofreliefasMeredithfloateddownanotherfewlevels.Hepolitelysippedhisowntea,whichwashotbutnotburninghotandmadefromnaturallysweetberriesandherbs.
“It’sgood,”Meredithsaid.Shewasalmostahumannow.“Thankyou,Mrs.Flowers.”
Elenafeltlighter.Sherelaxedenoughtopulloverherowncupofteaandsqueezelotsofhoneyinandstiritandtakeagulp.Good!Calmingdowntea!
That’schamomileandcucumber,Stefantoldher.
“Chamomileandcucumber,”Elenasaid,noddingwisely,“forcalmingdown.”Andthensheblushed,forMrs.Flowers’sbrightsmilehadknowledgeinit.
ElenahastilydrankmoreteaandwatchedMeredithhavemoreteaandeverythingbegantofeelalmostallright.MeredithwascompletelyMeredithnow,notsomefierceanimal.Elenasqueezedherfriend’shandtightly.
Therewasjustoneproblem.Humanswerelessfrighteningthanbeastsbuttheycouldcry.NowMeredith,whoneverwept,wasshakingandtearsweredrippingintothetea.
“Youknowwhatmorcillois,right?”sheaskedElenaatlast.
Elenanoddedhesitantly.“Wehaditsometimesinstewatyourhouse?”shesaid.“Andfortapas?”Elenahadgrownupwiththebloodsausageasamealorasnackatherfriend’shouse,andshewasusedtothebite-sizedpiecesasadeliciousfoodonlyMrs.Sulezmade.
ElenafeltStefan’sheartsinking.ShelookedbackandforthfromhimtoMeredith.
“Itturnsoutmymotherdidn’talwaysmakeit,”Meredithsaid,lookingatStefannow.“Andmyparentshadaverygoodreasonforchangingmybirthday.”
“Justtellitall,”Stefansuggestedsoftly.AndthenElenafeltsomethingshehadn’tbefore.Asurge,likeawave—alonggentleswellthatspokerightintothecenterofMeredith’sbrain.Itsaid:Justtellitandbecalm.Noanger.Nofear.
Butitwasn’ttelepathy.Meredithfeltthethoughtinherbloodandbones,butdidn’thearitwithherears.
ItwasInfluence.BeforeElenacouldbrainherbelovedStefanwithhermugforusingInfluenceononeofherfriends,Stefansaid,justtoher,Meredith’shurting,feelingscaredandangry.Shehasreasonto,butsheneedspeace.Iprobablywon’tbeabletoholdheranyway,butI’lltry.
Meredithwipedhereyes.“ItturnsoutthatnothingwaslikewhatIthoughthappened—thatnightwhenIwasthree.”Shedescribedwhatherparentshadtoldher,abouteverythingthatKlaushaddone.Tellingthestory,evenquietly,wasundoingallthecalminginfluencesthathadhelpedMeredithmaintainherself.Shewasbeginningtoshakeagain.BeforeElenacouldgrabher,shewasupandstridingaroundtheroom.“HelaughedandsaidthatI’dneedbloodeveryweek—animalblood—orI’ddie.Ididn’tneedmuch.Justatablespoonortwo.Andmypoormotherdidn’twanttoloseanotherchild.Shedidwhathetoldherto.ButwhathappensifIhavemoreblood,Stefan?WhathappensifIdrinkyours?”
Stefanwasthinking,desperatelytryingtoseeifinallhisyearsofexperiencehe’dcomeacrossanythinglikethis.Meanwhileheansweredtheeasypart.
“Ifyoudrankenoughofmybloodyou’dbecomeavampire.Butsowouldanyone.Withyou—well,itmighttakeless.Sodon’tletanyvampiretrickyouintobloodexchange.Oncemightbeenough.”
“SoI’mnotavampire?Now?Notanykind?Aretheredifferentkinds?”
Stefanansweredseriously.“I’veneverheardof‘differentkinds’ofvampiresinmylife,exceptforOldOnes.Icantellyouthatyoudon’thaveavampire’saura.Whataboutyourteeth?Canyoumakeyourcaninessharp?Usuallyit’sbesttotestoverhumanflesh.Notyourown.”
Elenapromptlystuckoutherarm,wristvein-sideup.Meredith,eyesclosedinconcentration,madeagreateffort,whichElenafeltthroughStefan.ThenMeredithopenedhereyes,mouthalsoopenforadentalinspection.Elenastaredathercanines.Theylookedalittlebitsharp,butsodidanybody’s,didn’tthey?
CarefullyElenareachedafingertipin.ShetouchedoneofMeredith’scanines.
Tinypinch.
Startled,Elenapulledback.Shestaredatherfingerwhereaverysmalldropofbloodwaswellingup.
Everyonewatchedit,mesmerized.ThenElena’smouthsaidwithoutpausingtoconsultherbrain,“Youhavekittenteeth.”
ThenextmomentMeredithhadbrushedElenaasideandwaspacingwildlyallaroundthekitchen.“Iwon’tbeone!Iwon’tbe!I’mahunter-slayer,notavampire!I’llkillmyselfifI’mavampire!”Shewasdeadlyserious.ElenafeltStefanfeelingit,thequickthrustofthestavebetweenherribsandintotheheart.ShewouldgoontheInternettofindtherightarea.Ironwoodandwhiteashpiercingherheart,stillingitforever…sealingofftheevilthatwasMeredithSulez.
Becalm!Becalm!Stefan’sInfluencefloodedintoher.
Meredithwasnotcalm.
“ButbeforethatIhavetokillmybrother.”SheflungdownaphotographonMrs.Flowers’skitchentable.“ItturnsoutthatKlausorsomeonehasbeensendingthesesinceCristianwasfour—onmyrealbirthday.Foryears!Andineverypictureyoucouldseehisvampireteeth.Not‘kittenteeth.’AndthentheystoppedcomingwhenIwasaboutten.Buttheyhadshownhimgrowingup!Withpointedteeth!Andlastyearthisonecame.”
Elenaleapedforthephoto,butitwasclosertoStefanandhewasfaster.Hestaredinastonishment.“Growingup?”hesaid.Shecouldfeelhowshakenhewas—andhowenvious.Noonehadgivenhimthatoption.
ElenalookedatthepacingMeredithandaroundatStefan.“Butit’simpossible,isn’tit?”shesaid.“Ithoughtthatifyouwerebitten,thatwasit,right?Younevergotanyolder—orbigger.”
“That’swhatIthoughttoo.ButKlauswasanOldOneandwhoknowswhattheycando?”Stefananswered.
Damonwillbefuriouswhenhefindsout,ElenatoldStefanprivately,reachingforthepictureeventhoughshe’dalreadyseenitthroughStefan’seyes.DamonwasverybitteraboutStefan’sheightadvantage—aboutanyone’sheightadvantage.
ElenabroughtthepicturetoMrs.Flowersandlookedatitwithher.Itshowedanextremelyhandsomeboy,withhairthatwasjustMeredith’sdarkcolor.HelookedlikeMeredithinhisfacialstructureandoliveskin.Hewaswearingamotorcyclejacketandgloves,butnohelmet,andhewaslaughingmerrilywithafullsetofverywhiteteeth.Youcouldeasilyseethatthecanineswerelongandpointed.
ElenalookedbackandforthfromMeredithtothepicture.Theonlydifferenceshecouldseewasthatthisboy’seyesseemedlighter.Everythingelsescreamed“twins.”
“FirstIkillhim,”Meredithrepeatedtiredly.“ThenIkillmyself.”Shestumbledbacktothetableandsat,almostknockingoverherchair.
Elenahoverednearher,snatchingtwomugsfromthetable,topreventMeredith’sclumsyarmfromsweepingthemtothefloor.
Meredith…clumsy!ElenahadneverseenMeredithungracefulorclumsybefore.Itwasfrightening.Wasitsomehowduetobeing—atleastpartly—avampire?Thekittenteeth?ElenaturnedapprehensiveeyesonStefan,feltStefan’sownbewilderment.
Thenbothofthem,withoutconsultation,turnedtolookatMrs.Flowers.Shegavethemanapologeticlittle-old-ladysmile.
“Gottakill…findhim,killhim…first,”Meredithwaswhisperingasherdarkheadloweredtothetable,tothepillowofherarms.“Findhim…where?Grandpa…where?Cristian…mybrother…”
Elenalistenedsilentlyuntiltherewasonlysoftbreathingtobeheard.
“Youdruggedher?”shewhisperedtoMrs.Flowers.
“ItwaswhatMamathoughtbest.She’sastrong,healthygirl.Itwon’tharmhertosleepfromnowthroughthenight.BecauseI’msorrytotellyou,butwehaveanotherproblemrightnow.”
ElenaglancedatStefan,sawfeardawningonhisface,anddemanded,“What?”Absolutelynothingwascomingthroughtheirlink.He’dshutitdown.
ElenaturnedtoMrs.Flowers.“What?”
“I’mveryworriedaboutdearMatt.”
“Matt,”agreedStefan,lookingaroundthetableasiftoshowthatMattwasn’tthere.HewastryingtoprotectElenafromthechillsracingthroughhim.
AtfirstElenawasn’talarmed.“Iknowwherehemightbe,”shesaidbrightly.ShewasrememberingstoriesthatMatthadtoldofbeinginFell’sChurchwhilesheandtheothershadbeenintheDarkDimension.“Dr.Alpert’splace.Oroutwithher,makingtheroundsofhomevisits.”
Mrs.Flowersshookherhead,herexpressionbleak.“I’mafraidnot,Elenadear.Sophia—Dr.Alpert—calledmeandtoldmeshewastakingMatt’smother,yourownfamily,andseveralotherpeoplewithherandescapingFell’sChurchentirely.AndIdon’tblameherabit—butMattwasn’toneofthosegoing.Shesaidhemeanttostayandfight.Thatwasaroundtwelvethirty.”
Elena’seyesautomaticallywenttothekitchenclock.Horrorshotthroughher,flippingherstomachandreverberatingouttoherfingertips.Theclocksaid4:35—4:35P.M.!Butthathadtobewrong.SheandStefanhadonlyjoinedmindsafewminutesago.Meredith’sragehadn’tlastedthatlong.Thiswasimpossible!
“Thatclock—it’snotright!”SheappealedtoMrs.Flowers,butheardatthesametimeStefan’stelepathicvoice,It’sthemind-blending.Ididn’twanttorush.ButIwaslostinittoo—it’snotyourfault,Elena!
“Itismyfault,”Elenasnappedbackaloud.“Inevermeanttoforgetaboutmyfriendsfortheentireafternoon!AndMatt—Mattwouldneverscareusbykeepinguswaitingforhiscall!Ishouldhavecalledhim!Ishouldn’thavebeen—”ShelookedatStefanwithunhappyeyes.TheonlythingburninginsideherrightnowwastheshameoffailingMatt.
“Ididcallhismobilenumber,”Mrs.Flowerssaidverygently.“Mamaadvisedmetodoso,allthewaybackathalfpasttwelve.Buthedidn’tanswer.I’vecalledeveryhoursince.Mamawon’tsaymorethanthatit’stimewelookedintothingsdirectly.”
ElenarantoMrs.Flowersandweptonthesoftcambriclaceworkattheoldwoman’sneck.“Youdidourjobforus,”shesaid.“Thankyou.Butnowwehavetogoandfindhim.”
ShewhirledonStefan.“CanyouputMeredithinthefirst-floorbedroom?Justtakeoffhershoesandputherontopofthecovers.Mrs.Flowers,ifyou’regoingtobealonehere,we’llleaveSaberandTalontotakecareofyou.Thenwe’llkeepintouchbymobile.Andwe’llsearcheveryhouseinFell’sChurch—butIguessweshouldgotothethicketfirst…”
“Wait,Elenamydear.”Mrs.Flowershadhereyesshut.Elenawaited,shiftingimpatientlyfromonefoottotheother.StefanwasjustreturningfromputtingMeredithinthefrontroom.
Suddenly,Mrs.Flowerssmiled,eyesstillshut.“Mamasaysshewilldoherutmostforyoutwo,sinceyouaresodevotedtoyourfriend.ShesaysthatMattisnotanywhereinFell’sChurch.Andshesays,takethedog,Saber.ThefalconwillwatchoverMeredithwhileweareaway.”Mrs.Flowers’seyesopened.“AlthoughwemightplasterherwindowanddoorwithPost-itNotes,”shesaid,“justtomakesure.”
“No,”Elenasaidflatly.“I’msorry,butIwon’tleaveMeredithandyouonyourownwithonlyabirdforprotection.We’lltakeyoubothwithus,coveredinamuletsifyoulike,andthenwecantakebothanimals,too.BackintheDarkDimension,theyworkedtogetherwhenBloddeuweddwastryingtokillus.”
“Allright,”Stefansaidatonce,knowingElenawellenoughtorealizethatahalf-hour-longargumentcouldensueandElenawouldneverbemovedaninchfromherposition.Mrs.Flowersmusthaveknownittoo,forsherose,alsoimmediately,andwenttogetready.
StefancarriedMeredithouttohercar.ElenagaveatinywhistleforSaber,whowasinstantlyunderfoot,seemingbiggerthanever,andsheracedhimupthestairstoMatt’sroom.Itwasdisappointinglyclean—butElenafishedapairofbriefsfrombetweenbedandwall.ShegavethesetoSabertodelightin,butfoundshecouldn’tstandstill.Finally,sheranuptoStefan’sroom,snatchedherdiaryfromunderthemattress,andbeganscribbling.
DearDiary,
Idon’tknowwhattodo.Matthasdisappeared.DamonhastakenBonnietotheDarkDimension—butishetakingcareofher?
There’snowaytoknow.Wedon’thaveanywaytoopenaGateourselvesandgoafterthem.I’mafraidStefanwillkillDamon,andifsomething—anything—hashappenedtoBonnie,I’llwanttokillhimtoo.Oh,God,whatamess!
AndMeredith…ofallpeople,Meredithturnsouttohavemoresecretsthanallofuscombined.
AllStefanandIcandoisholdeachotherandpray.We’vebeenfightingShinichisolong!Ifeelasiftheendiscomingsoon…andI’mafraid.
“Elena!”Stefan’sshoutcamefrombelow.“We’reallready!”
Elenaquicklystuffedthediarybackunderthemattress.ShefoundSaberwaitingonthestairs,andfollowedhimdown,running.Mrs.Flowershadtwoovercoatscoveredinamulets.
Outside,alongwhistlefromStefanwasmetbyanansweringkeeeeeeeefromaboveandElenasawasmalldarkbodycirclingagainstthewhite-streakedAugustsky.“Sheunderstands,”Stefansaidbriefly,andtookthedriver’sseatofthecar.Elenagotintothebackseatbehindhim,andMrs.Flowersintothefrontpassengerseat.SinceStefanhadbuckledupMeredithintothemiddleofthebackseat,thisleftSaberawindowtoputhispantingheadthrough.
“Now,”Stefansaid,overthepurringoftheengine,“wherearewegoing,exactly?”22
“MamasaidnotinFell’sChurch,”Mrs.FlowersrepeatedtoStefan.“Andthatmeansnotthethicket.”
“Allright,”Stefansaid.“Ifhe’snotthere,thenwhereelse?”
“Well,”Elenasaidslowly,“it’sthepolice,isn’tit?They’vecaughthim.”Herheartfeltasifitwereinherstomach.
Mrs.Flowerssighed.“Isupposeso.Mamashouldhavetoldmethat,buttheatmosphereisfullofstrangeinfluences.”
“Butthesheriff’sdepartmentisinFell’sChurch.Whatthereisofit,”Elenaobjected.
“Then,”Mrs.Flowerssaid,“whataboutthepoliceinanothercitycloseby?Theoneswhocamelookingforhimbefore—”
“Ridgemont,”Elenasaidheavily.“That’swherethosepolicethatsearchedtheboardinghousewerefrom.That’swherethatMossbergguycamefrom,Meredithsaid.”ShelookedatMeredith,whodidn’tevenmurmur.“That’swhereCaroline’sdadhasallhisbig-shotfriends—andTylerSmallwood’sdaddoestoo.Theybelongtoallthoseno-womenclubswithsecrethandshakesandstuff.”
“Anddowehaveanythinglikeaplanforwhenwegetthere?”Stefanasked.
“IhaveasortofPlanA,”Elenaadmitted.“ButIdon’tknowthatitwillwork—youmayknowbetterthanIdo.”
“Tellme.”
Elenatoldhim.Stefanlistenedandhadtostiflealaugh.“Ithink,”hesaidsoberlyafterward,“thatitjustmightwork.”
ElenaimmediatelybegantothinkaboutPlansBandCsothattheywouldn’tbestuckifPlanAshouldfail.
TheyhadtodrivethroughFell’sChurchtogettoRidgemont.Elenasawtheburnt-outhousesandtheblackenedtreesthroughtears.Thiswashertown,thetownwhich,asaspirit,shehadwatchedoverandprotected.Howcouldithavecometothis?
And,worse,howcoulditeverpossiblybeputbacktogetheragain?
Elenabegantoshiveruncontrollably.
Mattsatgrimlyinthejuryconferenceroom.Hehadexploreditlongago,andhadfoundthatthewindowswereboardedoverfromtheoutside.Hewasn’tsurprised,asallthewindowsheknewbackinFell’sChurchwereboardedup,andbesides,hehadtriedtheseboardsandknewthathecouldbreakoutifhecaredto.
Hedidn’tcareto.
Itwastimetofacehispersonalcrisis.HewouldhavefaceditbackbeforeDamonhadtakenthethreegirlstotheDarkDimension,butMeredithhadtalkedhimoutofit.
MattknewthatMr.Forbes,Caroline’sfather,hadallhiscroniesinthepoliceandlegalsystemhere.AndsodidMr.Smallwood,thefatheroftherealculprit.Theywereunlikelytogivehimafairtrial.Butinanykindoftrial,atsomepointtheywouldatleasthavetolistentohim.
Andwhattheywouldhearwastheplaintruth.Theymightnotbelieveitnow.Butlater,whenCaroline’stwinshadaslittlecontrolaswerewolfbabieswerereputedtohaveovertheirshapes—well,thenthey’dthinkofMatt,andwhathe’dsaid.
Hewasdoingtherightthing,heassuredhimself.Evenif,rightnow,hisinsidesfeltasiftheyweremadeoflead.
What’stheworsttheycandotome?hewondered,andwasunhappytoheartheechoofMeredith’svoicecomeback.“Theycanputyouinjail,Matt.Realjail;you’reovereighteen.Andwhilethatmaybegoodnewsforsomegenuine,vicious,tougholdfelonswithhomemadetattoosandbicepsliketreebranches,itisnotgoingtobegoodnewsforyou.”AndthenafterasessionontheInternet,“Matt,inVirginia,itcanbeforlife.Andtheminimumisfiveyears.Matt,please;Ibegyou,don’tletthemdothistoyou!Sometimesit’struethatdiscretionisthebetterpartofvalor.Theyholdallthecardsandwe’rewalkingblindfoldedinthedark…”
Shehadgottensurprisinglyworkedupaboutit,mixinghermetaphorsandall,Mattthoughtdejectedly.Butit’snotexactlyasifIvolunteeredforthis.AndIbettheyknowthoseboardsareprettyflimsyandifIbreakout,I’llbechasedfromheretowho-knows-where.AndifIstayputatleastI’llgettotellthetruth.
Foraverylongtimenothinghappened.Mattcouldtellfromthesunthroughthecracksintheboardsthatitwasafternoon.AmancameinandofferedavisittothebathroomandaCoke.Mattacceptedboth,butalsodemandedanattorneyandhisphonecall.
“You’llhaveanattorney,”themangrumbledathimasMattcameoutofthebathroom.“One’llbeappointedforyou.”
“Idon’twantthat.Iwantarealattorney.OnethatIpick.”
Themanlookeddisgusted.“Kidlikeyoucan’thaveanymoney.You’lltaketheattorneyappointedtoyou.”
“Mymomhasmoney.She’dwantmetohavetheattorneywehire,notsomekidoutoflawschool.”
“Aw,”themansaid,“howsweet.YouwantMommytotakecareofyou.AndherallthewayoutinClydesdalebynow,Ibet,withtheblackladydoctor.”
Mattfroze.
Shutbackinthejuryroomhetriedfranticallytothink.HowdidtheyknowwherehismomandDr.Alperthadgone?Hetriedthesoundof“blackladydoctor”onhistongueandfoundittastedbad,sortofold-time-ishandjustplainbad.IfthedoctorhadbeenCaucasianandmale,itwould’vesoundedsillytosay“…gonewiththewhitemandoctor.”SortoflikeanoldTarzanfilm.
AgreatangerwasrisinginMatt.Andalongwithitagreatfear.Wordsslitheredaroundhismind:surveillanceandspyingandconspiracyandcover-up.Andoutwitted
Heguesseditwasafterfiveo’clock,aftereverybodywhonormallyworkedatcourthadleft,thattheytookhimtotheinterrogationroom.
Theywerejustplaying,hefigured,thetwoofficerswhotriedtotalktohiminacrampedlittleroomwithavideocamerainonecornerofthewall,perfectlyobviouseventhoughitwassmall.
Theytookturns,oneyellingathimthathemightaswellconfesseverything,theotheractingsympatheticandsayingthingslike,“Thingsjustgotoutofhand,right?Wehaveapictureofthehickeyshegaveyou.Shewashotstuff,right?”Wink,wink.“Iunderstand.Butthenshestartedtogiveyoumixedsignals…”
Mattreachedhissnappingpoint.“No,wewerenotonadate,no,shedidnotgivemeahickey,andwhenItellMr.ForbesyoucalledCarolinehotstuff,winkeywinkey,he’sgonnagetyoufired,mister.AndI’veheardofmixedsignals,butI’veneverseenthem.Icanhear‘no’aswellasyoucan,andIfigureone‘no’means‘no’!”
Afterthattheybeathimupalittlebit.Mattwassurprised,butconsideringthewayhehadjustthreatenedandsassedthem,nottoosurprised.
Andthentheyseemedtogiveuponhim,leavinghimaloneintheinterrogationroom,which,unlikethejuryroom,hadnowindows.Mattsaidoverandover,forthebenefitofthevideocamera,“I’minnocentandI’mbeingdeniedmyphonecallandmyattorney.I’minnocent…”
Atlasttheycameandgothim.Hewashustledbetweenthegoodandbadcopsintoacompletelyemptycourtroom.No,notempty,herealized.Inthefirstrowwereafewreporters,oneortwowithsketchbooksready.
WhenMattsawthat,justlikearealtrial,andimaginedthepicturesthey’dsketch—justlikehe’dseenonTV,theleadinhisstomachturnedintoaflutteringfeelingofpanic.
Butthiswaswhathewanted,wasn’tit,togetthestoryout?
Hewasledtoanemptytable.Therewasanothertable,withseveralwell-dressedmen,allwithpilesofpapersinfrontofthem.
ButthethingthatheldMatt’sattentionatthattablewasCaroline.Hedidn’trecognizeheratfirst.Shewaswearingadovegraycottondress.Gray!Withnojewelryonatall,andsubtlemakeup.Theonlycolorwasinherhair—abrazenauburn.Itlookedlikeheroldhair,notthebrindledcolorithadbeenwhenshewasstartingtobecomeawerewolf.Hadshelearnedtocontrolherformatlast?Thatwasbadnews.Verybad.
Andfinally,withanairofwalkingoneggshells,incamethejury.Theyhadtoknowhowirregularthiswas,buttheykeptcomingin,justtwelveofthem,justenoughtofillthejuryseats.
Mattsuddenlyrealizedthattherewasajudgesittingatthedeskhighabovehim.Hadhebeenthereallalong?No…
“AllriseforJusticeThomasHolloway,”boomedabailiff.Mattstoodandwonderedifthetrialwasreallygoingtostartwithouthislawyer.Butbeforeeveryonecouldsit,therewasacrashofopeningdoors,andatallbundleofpapersonlegshurriedintothecourtroom,becameawomaninherearlytwenties,anddumpedthepapersonthetablebesidehim.“GwenSawickihere—present,”theyoungwomangasped.
JudgeHolloway’sneckshotoutlikeatortoise’s,tobringherintohisrealmofsight.“Youhavebeenappointedonbehalfofthedefense?”
“IfitpleasesYourHonor,yes,YourHonor—allofthirtyminutesago.Ihadnoideawehadgonetonightsessions,YourHonor.”
“Don’tyoubepertwithme!”JudgeHollowaysnapped.Ashewentontoallowtheprosecutionattorneystointroducethemselves,Mattponderedontheword“pert.”Itwasanotherofthosewords,hethought,thatwasneverusedtowardmales.Apertmanwasajoke.Whileapertgirlorwomansoundedjustfine.Butwhy?
“CallmeGwen,”avoicewhisperedbesidehim,andMattlookedtoseeagirlwithbrowneyesandbrownhairbackinaponytail.Shewasn’texactlypretty,butshelookedhonestandstraightforward,whichmadehertheprettiestthingintheroom.
“I’mMatt—well,obviously,”Mattsaid.
“Isthisyourgirl,Carolyn?”Gwenwaswhispering,showingapictureoftheoldCarolineatsomedance,wearingstilts,andwithtannedlegsthatwentupanduptoalmostmeetbeforeaminiskirttookover,blackandlacy.Shehadonawhiteblousesotightatthebustthatithardlyseemedabletocontainhernaturalassets.Hermakeupwasexactlytheoppositeofsubtle.
“Hername’sCarolineandshe’sneverbeenmygirl,butthat’sher—therealher,”Mattwhispered.“BeforeKlauscameanddidsomethingtoherboyfriend,TylerSmallwood.ButIhavetotellyouwhathappenedwhenshefoundoutshewaspregnant—”
She’dgonenuts,waswhathadhappened.NooneknewwhereTylerwas—deadafterthefinalfightagainstKlaus,turnedintoafullwolfinhiding;whatever.SoCarolinehadtriedtopinitonMatt—untilShinichiappearedandbecameherboyfriend.
ButShinichiandMisaowereplayingacrueljokeonher,pretendingthatShinichiwouldmarryher.ItwasaftersherealizedthatShinichididn’tcareatallthatCarolinehadgonetotallyballistic,andhadreallytriedtomakeMattfitthegapingholeinherlife.MattdidhisbesttoexplainthistoGwensoshecouldexplainittothejury,untilthejudge’svoiceinterruptedhim.
“Wewilldispensewithopeningarguments,”saidJudgeHolloway,“sincethehourissolate.Willtheprosecutioncallitsfirstwitness?”
“Wait!Objection!”Mattshouted,ignoringGwen’stuggingathisarmandherhissing:“Youcan’tobjecttothejudge’srulings!”
“Andthejudgecan’tdothistome,”Mattsaid,twitchinghisT-shirtbackfrombetweenherfingers.“Ihaven’tevenhadachancetomeetwithmypublicdefenderyet!”
“Maybeyoushouldhaveacceptedapublicdefenderearlier,”repliedthejudge,sippingfromaglassofwater.HesuddenlythrusthisheadatMattandsnapped,“Eh?”
“That’sridiculous,”criedMatt.“Youwouldn’tgivememyphonecalltogetalawyer!”
“Didheeveraskforaphonecall?”JudgeHollowaysnapped,hiseyestravelingaroundtheroom.
ThetwoofficerswhohadbeatMattupsolemnlyshooktheirheads.Atthis,thebailiff,whomMattsuddenlyrecognizedastheguywho’dkepthiminthejuryroomforaroundfourhours,beganwagginghisheadbackandforthinthenegative.Theyallthreewagged,almostinunison.
“Thenyouforfeitedthatrightbynotaskingforit,”thejudgesnapped.Itseemedtobehisonlywayofspeaking.“Youcan’tdemanditinthemiddleofatrial.Now,asIwassaying—”
“Iobject!”Mattshoutedevenlouder.“They’realllying!Lookatyourowntapesoftheminterrogatingme.AllIkeptsaying—”
“Counselor,”thejudgesnarledatGwen,“controlyourclientoryouwillbeheldincontemptofcourt!”
“Youhavetoshutup,”GwenhissedatMatt.
“Youcan’tmakemeshutup!Youcan’thavethistrialwhileyou’rebreakingalltherules!”
“Shutyourtrap!”Thejudgebeltedoutthewordsatasurprisingvolume.Hethenadded,“Thenextpersontomakearemarkwithoutmyexpresspermissionshallbeheldincontemptofcourttothetuneofanightinjailandfivehundreddollars.”
Hepausedtolookaroundtoseeifthishadsunkin.“Now,”hesaid.“Prosecution,callyourfirstwitness.”
“WecallCarolineBeulahForbestothestand.”
Caroline’sfigurehadchanged.Herstomachwassortofupside-down-avocado-shapednow.Mattheardmurmurs.
“CarolineBeulaForbes,doyouswearthatthetestimonyyoushallgivewillbethetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth?”
Somewheredeepinside,Mattwasshaking.Hedidn’tknowifitwasmostlyangerormostlyfearoranequalcombinationofboth.Buthefeltlikeageyserreadytoblow—notnecessarilybecausehewantedto,butbecauseforcesbeyondhiscontrolweretakingholdofhim.GentleMatt,QuietMatt,ObedientMatt—hehadleftallthosebehindsomewhere.RagingMatt,RampagingMatt,thatwasaboutallhecouldbe.
Fromadimoutsideworld,voicescamefilteringintohisreverie.Andonevoiceprickedandstunglikeanettle.
“DoyourecognizetheboyyouhavenamedasyourformerboyfriendMatthewJeffreyHoneycutthereinthisroom?”
“Yes,”thepricklynettlevoicesaidsoftly.“He’ssittingatthedefensetable,inthegrayT-shirt.”
Matt’sheadflewup.HelookedCarolinestraightintheeye.
“Youknowthat’salie,”hesaid.“Weneverwentononedatetogether.Ever.”
Thejudge,whohadseemedtobeasleep,nowwokeup.“Bailiff!”hesnapped.“Restrainthedefendantimmediately.”
Matttensed.AsGwenSawickimoaned,Mattsuddenlyfoundhimselfbeingheldwhileducttapewaswrappedroundandroundhismouth.
Hefought.Hetriedtogetup.Sotheyduct-tapedhimaroundhiswaisttothechair.Astheyfinallylefthimalone,thejudgesaid,“Ifherunsoffwiththatchair,youwillpayitoutofyourownsalary,MizSawicki.”
MattcouldfeelGwenSawickitremblingbesidehim.Notwithfear.Hecouldrecognizetheabout-to-explodeexpressionandrealizedthatshewasgoingtobenext.Andthenthejudgewouldholdherincontemptandwhowouldspeakupforhim?
Hemethereyesandshookhisheadfirmlyather.ButhealsoshookhisheadateverylieCarolinecameupwith.
“Wehadtokeepitasecret,ourrelationship,”Carolinewassayingdemurely,straighteningthegraydress.“BecauseTylerSmallwood,mypreviousboyfriend,mighthavefoundout.Thenhewouldhave—Imean,Ididn’twantanytroublebetweenthem.”
Yeah,Mattthoughtbitterly:you’dbetterwalkcarefully—becauseTyler’sdadprobablyhasasmanygoodfriendsinhereasyoursdoes.More.Matttunedoutuntilheheardtheprosecutorsay,“Anddidanythingunusualhappenonthenightinquestion?”
“Well,wewentouttogetherinhiscar.Wewentoverneartheboardinghouse…noonewouldseeusthere…Yes,I—I’mafraidIdidgivehima…alove-bite.ButafterthatIwantedtoleave,buthedidn’tstop.Ihadtotrytofighthimoff.Iscratchedhimwithmynails—”
“TheprosecutionoffersPeoples’Exhibit2—apictureofthedeepfingernailscoresonthedefendant’sarm—”
Gwen’seyes,meetingMatt’s,lookeddull.Beaten.SheshowedMattapictureofwhatheremembered:thedeepmarksmadebythehugemalach’steethwhenhehadpulledhisarmoutofitsmouth.“Thedefensewillstipulate…”
“Soadmitted.”
“ButnomatterhowIscreamedandfought…well,hewastoostrong,andI—Icouldn’t—”Carolinetossedherheadinagonyofrememberedshame.Tearsfloodedfromhereyes.
“YourHonor,perhapsthedefendantneedsabreaktofreshenhermakeup,”Gwensuggestedbitterly.
“Younglady,youaregettingonmynerves.Theprosecutioncancareforitsownclients—Imeanwitnesses—”
“Yourwitness…”—fromtheprosecution.
MatthadscribbledasmuchoftherealstoryashecouldontoablanksheetofpaperwhileCaroline’stheatricshadgoneon.Gwenwasnowreadingthis.
“So,”shesaid,“yourex,TylerSmallwood,isnotandhasneverbeena”—sheswallowed—“awerewolf.”
ThroughhertearsofshameCarolinelaughedlightly.“Ofcoursenot.Werewolvesaren’treal.”
“Likevampires.”
“Vampiresaren’trealeither,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Howcouldtheybe?”Carolinewaslookingintoeveryshadowoftheroomasshesaidthis.
Gwenwasdoingagoodjob,Mattrealized.Caroline’sdemurepatinawasbeginningtochip.
“Andpeoplenevercomebackfromthedead—inthesemoderntimes,Imean,”Gwensaid.
“Well,astothat”—malicehadcreptintoCaroline’svoice—“ifyoujustgototheboardinghouseinFell’sChurch,youcanseethatthere’sagirlcalledElenaGilbert,whowassupposedtohavedrownedlastyear.OnFounder’sDay,aftertheparade.ShewasMissFell’sChurch,ofcourse.”
Therewasamurmuramongthereporters.Supernaturalstuffsoldbetterthananythingelse,especiallyifaprettygirlwasinvolved.Mattcouldseeasmirkmakingtherounds.
“Order!MizSawicki,youwillkeeptothefactsinthiscase!”
“Yes,YourHonor.”Gwenlookedthwarted.“Okay,Caroline,let’sgobacktothedayoftheallegedassault.Aftertheeventsyouhavenarrated,didyoucallthepoliceatonce?”
“Iwas…tooashamed.ButthenIrealizedImightbepregnantorhavesomehorriddisease,andIknewIhadtotell.”
“Butthathorriddiseasewasn’tlycanthropy—beingawerewolf,right?Becausethatcouldn’tbetrue.”
GwenlookedanxiouslydownatMattandMattlookedbleaklyupather.He’dhopedthatifCarolinewereforcedtokeeptalkingaboutwerewolvesshewouldeventuallystarttotwitch.Butsheseemedtohavecompletecontroloverherselfnow.
Thejudgeseemedfurious.“Younglady,Iwon’thavemycourtmadeajokewithanymoresupernaturalnonsense!”
Mattstaredattheceiling.Hewasgoingtojail.Foralongtime.Forsomethinghehadn’tdone.Forsomethinghewouldneverdo.Andbesides,now,theremightbereportersgoingovertotheboardinghousetobotherElenaandStefan.Damn!Carolinehadmanagedtogetthatindespitethebloodoathshe’dmadenevertogivetheirsecretaway.Damonhadsignedthatoathaswell.ForamomentMattwishedthatDamonwerebackandrighthere,totakerevengeonher.Mattdidn’tcarehowmanytimeshegotcalled“Mutt”ifDamonwouldjustappear.ButDamondidn’t.
Mattrealizedthattheducttapearoundhismiddlewaslowenoughthathecouldslamhisheadagainstthedefensetable.Hedidthis,makingasmallboom.
“Ifyourclientwishestobecompletelyimmobilized,MizSawicki,itcanbe—”
Butthentheyallheardit.Likeanecho,butdelayed.Andmuchlouderthanthesoundofaheadstrikingatable.
BOOM!
Andagain.
BOOM!
Andthenthedistant,disturbingsoundofdoorsslammingopenasiftheyhadbeenhitbyabatteringram.
Atthispointthepeopleinthecourtroomstillcouldhavescattered.Butwherewastheretogo?
BOOM!Another,closerdoorslammingopen.
“Order!Orderinthecourtroom!”
Footstepssoundeddownthewoodenfloorofthecorridor.
“Order!Order!”
Butnoone,notevenajudge,couldstopthismanypeoplefrommuttering.Andlateintheevening,inalockedcourthouse,afterallthattalkofvampiresandwerewolves…
Footstepscomingcloser.Adoor,quitenear,crashingandcreaking.
Arippleof…something…wentthroughthecourtroom.Carolinegasped,clutchingatherbulgingstomach.
“Barthosedoors!Bailiff!Lockthem!”
“Barthemhow,YourHonor?Andtheyonlylockfromtheoutside!”
Whateveritwas,itwasveryclose—
Thedoorstothecourtroomopened,creaking.MattputacalminghandonGwen’swrist,twistinghisnecktoseebehindhim.
StandinginthedoorwaywasSaber,looking,asalways,asbigasasmallpony.Mrs.Flowerswalkedbesidehim;StefanandElenadrewuptherear.
HeavyclickingfootstepsasSaber,alone,wentuptoCaroline,whowasgaspingandquivering.
Uttersilenceaseveryonetookinthesightofthegiantbeast,hiscoatebonyblack,hiseyesdarkandmoistashetookaleisurelylookaroundthecourtroom.
Then,deepinhischest,Saberwenthmmf
AroundMattpeopleweregaspingandwrithing,asiftheyitchedallover.HestaredandsawGwenstaringalongwithhimasthegaspingbecameapanting.
FinallySabertiltedhisnosetotheceilingandhowled
Whathappenedafterthatwasn’tprettyfromMatt’spointofview.NotseeingCaroline’snoseandmouthjutouttomakeamuzzle.Notseeinghereyesrecedeintosmall,deep,fur-linedholes.
Andherhands,fingersshrinkingintohelplesslywavingpaws,widespread,withblackclaws.Thatwasn’tpretty.
Buttheanimalattheendwasbeautiful.Mattdidn’tknowifshe’dabsorbedhergraydressorshuckeditofforwhat.Hedidknowthatahandsomegraywolfleapedfromthedefendant’schairtolickupatSaber’schops,rollingallthewayonthefloortofrolicaroundthehugeanimal,whowassoobviouslythealphawolf.
Sabermadeanotherdeephmmfsound.ThewolfthathadbeenCarolinerubbedhersnoutlovinglyagainsthisneck.
Anditwashappeninginotherplacesintheroom.Bothoftheprosecutors,threeofthejurors…thejudgehimself…
Theywereallchanging,nottoattack,buttoforgetheirsocialbondswiththishugewolf,analphaifevertherewasone.
“Wetalkedtohimalltheway,”ElenaexplainedinbetweencursingtheducttapeinMatt’shair.“Aboutnotbeingaggressiveandsnappingoffheads—Damontoldmehedidthatonce.”
“Wedidn’twantabunchofmurders,”Stefanagreed.“Andweknewnoanimalwouldbeasbigashewas.Soweconcentratedonbringingoutallthewolfinhimwecould—wait,Elena—I’vegotthetapeonthisside.Sorryaboutthis,Matt.”
Astingastaperippedfree—andMattputahandtohismouth.Mrs.Flowerswassnippingtheducttapethatheldhimtothechair.Suddenlyhewasentirelyfreeandhefeltlikeshouting.HehuggedStefan,Elena,andMrs.Flowers,saying,“Thankyou!”
Gwen,unfortunately,wasbeingsickinatrashcan.Actually,Mattthought,shewasluckyinhavingsecuredone.Ajurorwasbeingsickovertherailing.
“ThisisMs.Sawicki,”Mattsaidproudly.“Shecameinafterthetrialhadbegun,anddidareallygoodjobforme.”
“Hesaid‘Elena,’”Gwenwhisperedwhenshecouldspeak.Shewasstaringatasmallwolf,withpatchesofthinninghair,thatcamelimpingdownfromthejudge’schairtocavortaroundSaber,whowasacceptingallsuchgestureswithdignity.
“I’mElena,”saidElena,inbetweengivingMattmightyhugs.
“Theonewho’s…supposedtobedead?”
ElenatookamomentouttohugGwen.“DoIfeeldead?”
“I—Idon’tknow.No.But—”
“ButIhaveaprettylittleheadstoneintheFell’sChurchcemetery,”Elenaassuredher—thensuddenly,withachangeincountenance,“DidCarolinetellyouthat?”
“Shetoldthewholeroomthat.Especiallythereporters.”
StefanlookedatMattandsmiledwryly.“YoumayjustlivetohaveyourrevengeonCaroline.”
“Idon’twantrevengeanymore.Ijustwanttogohome.Imean—”HelookedatMrs.Flowersinconsternation.
“Ifyoucanthinkofmyhouseas‘home’whileyourdearmotherisaway,Iamveryhappy,”saidMrs.Flowers.
“Thankyou,”Mattsaidquietly.“Ireallymeanthat.ButStefan…whatarethereportersgoingtowrite?”
“Ifthey’resmart,theywon’twriteanythingatall.”23
Inthecar,MattsatbythesleepingMeredithwithSabercrammedinattheirfeet,listeninginshockandhorrorastheyrecountedMeredith’sstory.Whentheyweredone,hewasabletospeakabouthisownexperiences.
“I’mgoingtohavenightmaresallmylifeaboutColeReece,”headmitted.“AndeventhoughIslappedanamuletonhim,andhecried,Dr.Alpertsaidhewasstillinfected.Howcanwefightsomethingthisfaroutofcontrol?”
Elenaknewhewaslookingather.Shedughernailsintoherpalms.“Itisn’tthatIhaven’ttriedtouseWingsofPurificationoverthetown.I’vetriedsohardthatIfeelasifI’llburst.Butit’snogood.Ican’tcontrolanyWingsPowersatall!Ithink—afterwhatI’velearnedaboutMeredith—thatImayneedtraining.ButhowdoIgetit?Where?Fromwho?”
Therewasalongsilenceinthecar.AtlastMattsaid,“We’reallinthedark.Lookatthatcourtroom!Howcantheyhavesomanywerewolvesinonetown?”
“Wolvesaresociable,”Stefansaidquietly.“ItlooksasifthereisawholecommunityofwerewolvesinRidgemont.SeededamongthevariousBearandMooseandLionsClubsofcourse.Forspyingontheonlycreaturesthey’rescaredof:humans.”
AttheboardinghouseStefancarriedMeredithtothefirst-floorbedroomandElenapulledthecoversoverher.Thenshewenttothekitchen,wheretheconversationwascontinuing.
“Whataboutthosewerewolves’families?Theirwives?”shedemandedassherubbedMatt’sshoulderswheresheknewthemusclesmusthurtfiercelyfrombeinghandcuffedbehindhisback.Hersoftfingerssoothedbruises,butherhandswerestrong,andshekeptkneadingandkneadinguntilherownshouldermusclesbegantoswearather…andbeyond.
Stefanstoppedher.“Moveover,love,I’vegotevilvampiremagic.Thisisnecessarymedicaltreatment,”headdedsternlytoMatt.“Soyouhavetotakeitnomatterhowmuchithurts.”Elenacouldstillfeelhim,iffaintly,throughtheirconnectionandshesawhowheanesthetizedMatt’smindandthendugintotheknottedshouldersasifhewaskneadingstiffdough,meanwhilereachingoutwithhisPowersofhealing.
Mrs.Flowerscamebyjustthenwithmugsofhot,sweetcinnamontea.Mattdrainedhismugandhisheadfellbackslightly.Hiseyeswereshut,hislipsparted.Elenafeltahugewaveofpainandtensionfloodawayfromhim.Andthenshehuggedbothofherboysandcried.
“Theypickedmeuponmyowndriveway,”MattadmittedasElenasniffled.“Andtheydiditbythebook,buttheywouldn’tevenlookatthe—thechaosallaroundthem.”
Mrs.Flowersapproachedagain,lookingserious.“DearMatt,you’vehadaterribleday.Whatyouneedisalongrest.”SheglancedatStefan,asiftoseehowthiswouldimpacthim,withsofewblooddonors.Stefansmiledreassuringlyather.Matt,stillbeingkneadedpliant,hadjustnodded.Afterthathiscolorstartedcomingbackandalittlesmilecurvedhislips.
“There’sm’mainman,”hesaid,whenSaberbuttedhiswaythroughtraffictopantdirectlyinMatt’sface.“Buddy,Iloveyourdogbreath,”hedeclared.“Yousavedme.Canhehaveatreat,Mrs.Flowers?”heasked,turningslightlyunfocusedblueeyesonher.
“Iknowjustwhathe’dlike.Ihavehalfaroastleftintherefrigeratorthatjustneedstobeheatedabit.”Shepunchedbuttonsandinashortwhile,said,“Matt,wouldyouliketodothehonors?Remembertotaketheboneout—hemightchokeonit.”
Matttookthelargepotroast,which,heated,smelledsogooditmadehimawarethathewasstarving.Hefelthismoralscollapse.“Mrs.Flowers,doyouthinkIcouldmakeasandwichbeforeIgiveittohim?”
“Oh,youpoordearboy!”shecried.“AndInevereventhought—ofcoursetheywouldn’tgiveyoulunchordinner.”
Mrs.FlowersgotbreadandMattwashappyenoughwiththat,breadandmeat,thesimplestsandwichimaginable—andsogooditcurledhistoes.
Elenaweptjustalittlemore.Soeasytomaketwocreatureshappywithonesimplething.Morethantwo—theywereallhappytoseeMattsafeandtowatchSabergethisproperreward.
Theenormousdoghadfollowedeverymovementofthatroastwithhiseyes,tailswishingbackandforthonthefloor.ButwhenMatt,stillchomping,offeredhimthelargepieceofmeatthatwasleft,Saberjustcockedhisheadtooneside,staringatitasiftosay,“Youhavetobejoking.”
“Yes,it’sforyou.Goonandtakeitnow,”Mrs.Flowerssaidfirmly.Finally,Saberopenedhisenormousmouthtotakeholdoftheendoftheroast,tailtwirlinglikeahelicopterblade.HisbodylanguagewassoclearthatMattlaughedoutloud.
“Thisonceonthefloorwithus,”Mrs.Flowersaddedmagnificently,spreadingalargerugoverthekitchenfloorboards.
Saber’sjoywasonlysurpassedbyhisgoodmanners.Heputtheroastontherugandthentrotteduptoeachofthehumanstopushawetnoseintohandorwaistorunderachin,andthenhetrottedbackandattackedhisprize.
“IwonderifhemissesSage?”Elenamurmured.
“ImissSage,”Mattsaidindistinctly.“Weneedallthemagichelpwecanget.”
MeanwhileMrs.Flowerswashurryingaroundthekitchenmakinghamandcheesesandwichesandbaggingthemlikeschoollunches.“Anybodywhowakesuptonighthungrymusthavesomethingtoeat,”shesaid.“Hamandcheese,chickensalad,somenicecrispcarrots,andabighunkofapplepie.”Elenawenttohelpher.Shedidn’tknowwhy,butshewantedtocrysomemore.Mrs.Flowerspattedher.“Weareallfeeling—er,strungout,”sheannouncedgravely.“Anyonewhodoesn’tfeellikegoingrighttosleepisprobablyrunningontoomuchadrenaline.Mysleepingaidwillhelpwiththat.AndIthinkwecantrustouranimalfriendsandthewardsontherooftokeepussafetonight.”
Mattwaspracticallyasleeponhisfeetnow.“Mrs.Flowers—somedayI’llrepayyou…butfornow,Ican’tkeepmyeyesopen.”
“Inotherwords,bedtime,kiddies,”Stefansaid.HeclosedMatt’sfingersfirmlyaroundapackedlunch,thensteeredhimtowardthestairs.Elenagatheredseveralmorelunches,kissedMrs.Flowerstwice,andwentuptoStefan’sroom.
ShehadtheatticbedstraightenedandwasopeningaplasticbagwhenStefancameinfromputtingMatttobed.
“Isheokay?”shesaidanxiously.“Imean,willhebeokaytomorrow?”
“He’llbeokayinhisbody.Igotmostofthedamagehealed.”
“Andinhismind?”
“It’satoughthing.HejustransmackintoRealLife.Arrested,knowingtheymightlynchhim,notknowingifanybodywouldbeabletofigureoutwhathadhappenedtohim.Hethoughtthatevenifwetrackedhimitwouldcomedowntoafight,whichwouldhavebeenhardtowin—withsofewofus,andnotmuchmagicleft.”
“ButSaberfixed’em,”Elenasaid.
Shelookedthoughtfullyatthesandwichesshe’dlaidoutonthebed.“Stefan,doyouwantchickensaladorham?”sheasked.
Therewasasilence.ButitwasmomentsbeforeElenalookedupathiminastonishment.“Oh,Stefan—I—Iactuallyforgot.Ijust—todayhasbeensostrange—Iforgot—”
“I’mflattered,”Stefansaid.“Andyou’resleepy.WhateverMrs.Flowersputsinhertea—”
“Ithinkthegovernmentwouldbeinterestedinit,”Elenaoffered.“Forspiesandthings.Butfornow…”Sheheldherarmsout,headbentback,neckexposed
“No,love.Irememberthisafternoon,ifyoudon’t.AndIsworeIwasgoingtostarthunting,andIam,”Stefansaidfirmly.
“You’regoingtoleaveme?”Elenasaid,startledoutofherwarmsatisfaction.Theystaredateachother.
“Don’tleave,”Elenasaid,combingherhairawayfromherneck.“Ihaditallplannedout,howyou’lldrink,andhowwe’llsleepholdingeachother.Pleasedon’tleave,Stefan.”
Sheknewhowhardhefoundittoleaveher.Evenifshewasgrimyandwornout,evenifshewaswearinggrungyjeansandhaddirtunderherfingernails.Shewasendlesslybeautifulandendlesslypowerfulandmysterioustohim.Helongedforher.Elenacouldfeelitthroughtheirbond,whichwasbeginningtohum,beginningtowarmup,beginningtodrawhiminclose.
“But,Elena,”hesaid.Hewastryingtobesensible!Didn’theknowshedidn’twantsensibleatthisparticularmoment?
“Righthere.”Elenatappedthesoftspotonherneck.
Theirbondwassinginglikeanelectricpowerlinenow.ButStefanwasstubborn.“Youneedtoeat,yourself.Youhavetokeepyourstrengthup.”
Elenaimmediatelypickedupachickensaladsandwichandbitintoit.Mmm…yummy.Reallygood.ShewouldhavetopickMrs.Flowersawildflowerbouquet.Theywereallsowelltakencareofhere.Shehadtothinkofmorewaystohelp.
Stefanwaswatchinghereat.Itmadehimhungry,butthatwasbecausehewasusedtobeingfedroundtheclock,andnotusedtoexercise.ElenacouldheareverythingthroughtheirconnectionandsheheardhimthinkingthathewasgladtoseeElenarenewingherself.Thathehadlearneddisciplinenow;thatitwouldn’tdohimanyharmtogotobedonenightfeelinghungry.HewouldholdhissleepyadorableElenaallnight.
No!Elenawashorrified.Sincehe’dbeenimprisonedintheDarkDimension,anythingthathintedatStefangoingwithoutfilledherwithappallingterror.Suddenlyshehadtroubleswallowingthebiteshe’dtaken.
“Righthere,righthere…please?”shebeggedhim.Shedidn’twanttohavetoseducehimintoit,butshewouldifheforcedherto.Shewouldwashherhandsintopristinecleanliness,andchangeintoalong,clingingnightgown,andstrokehisstubborncaninesinbetweenkisses,andtouchthemwithhertonguetipgently,justatthebasewheretheywouldn’tcutherastheyrespondedandgrew.Andbythenhewouldbedizzy,hewouldbeoutofcontrol,hewouldbeherscompletely.
Allright,allright!Stefanthoughttoher.Mercy!
“Idon’twanttogiveyoumercy.Idon’twantyoutoletmego,”shesaid,holdingherarmsouttohim,andheardherownvoicesoftandtenderandyearning.“Iwantyoutoholdmeandkeepmeforever,andIwanttoholdyouandkeepyouforever.”
Stefan’sfacehadchanged.Helookedatherwiththelookhe’dworninprisonwhenshehadcometovisithiminanoutfit—veryunlikethegrubbyonesheworenow—andhe’dsaid,bewildered,“Allthis…it’sforme?”
Therehadbeenrazorwirebetweenthemthen.NowtherewasnothingtoseparatethemandElenacouldseehowmuchStefanwantedtocometoher.ShereachedalittlefartherandthenStefancameintothecircleofherarmsandheldhertightlybutwithinfinitecarenottouseenoughstrengthtohurther.Whenherelaxedandleanedhisforeheadagainsthers,Elenarealizedthatshewouldneverbetiredorsadorfrightenedwithoutbeingabletothinkofthisfeelingandthatitwouldupholdherfortherestofherlife.
Atlasttheysankdowntogetheronthesheets,comfortingeachotherinequalmeasure;exchangingsweet,warmkisses.Witheachkiss,Elenafelttheoutsideworldandallitshorrorsdriftfartherandfartheraway.Howcouldanythingbewrongwhensheherselffeltthatheavenwasnear?MattandMeredith,DamonandBonniewouldsurelyallbesafeandhappytoo.Meanwhile,everykissbroughtherclosertoparadise,andsheknewStefanfeltthesameway.TheyweresohappytogetherthatElenaknewthatsoontheentireuniversewouldechowiththeirownjoy,whichoverflowedlikepurelightandtransformedeverythingittouched.
Bonniewokeandrealizedshehadonlybeenunconsciousforafewminutes.Shebegantoshiver,andonceshestartedshecouldn’tseemtostop.Shefeltawaveofheatenvelopher,andsheknewthatDamonwastryingtowarmher,butstillthetremblingwouldn’tgoaway.
“What’swrong?”Damonasked,andhisvoicewasdifferentfromusual.
“Idon’tknow,”Bonniesaid.Shedidn’t.“Maybeit’sbecausetheykeptstartingtothrowmeoutthewindow.Iwasn’tgoingtoscreamaboutthat,”sheaddedhastily,incaseheassumedshewould.“Butthenwhentheytalkedabouttorturingme—”
ShefeltasortofspasmgothroughDamon.Hewasholdinghertoohard.“Torturingyou!Theythreatenedyouwiththat?”
“Yes,because,youknow,Misao’sstarballwasgone.Theyknewthatithadbeenpouredout;Ididn’ttellthemthat.ButIhadtotellthemthatitwasmyfaultthatthelasthalfgotpouredout,andthentheygotmadatme.Oh!Damon,you’rehurtingme!”
“Soitwasyourfaultitgotpouredout,wasit?”
“Well,Ifigureitwas.Youcouldn’thavedoneitifIhadn’tgottendrunk,and—wh-what’swrong,Damon?Areyoumadtoo?”Hereallywasholdinghersothatshereallycouldn’tbreathe.
Slowly,shefelthisarmsloosenalittle.“Awordofadvice,littleredbird.Whenpeoplearethreateningtotortureandkillyou,itmightbemore—expedient—totellthemthatit’ssomeoneelse’sfault.Especiallyifthathappenstobethetruth.”
“Iknowthat!”Bonniesaidindignantly.“Buttheyweregoingtokillmeanyway.IfI’dtoldaboutyou,they’d’vehurtyou,too.”
Damonpulledherroughlybacknow,sothatshehadtolookhimintheface.Bonniecouldalsofeelthedelicatetouchofatelepathicmindprobe.Shedidn’tresist;shewastoobusywonderingwhyhehadplum-coloredshadowsunderhiseyes.Thenheshookheralittle,andshestoppedwondering.
“Don’tyouunderstandeventhebasicsofself-preservation?”hesaid,andshethoughthelookedangryagain.Hewascertainlydifferentfromanyothertimethatshe’dseenhim—exceptonce,shethought,andthatwaswhenElenahadbeen“Disciplined”forsavingLadyUlma’slife,backwhenUlmahadbeenaslave.He’dhadthesameexpressionthen,somenacingthatevenMeredithhadbeenfrightenedofhim,andyetsofilledwithguiltthatBonniehadlongedtocomforthim.
Buttherehadtobesomeotherreason,Bonnie’smindtoldher.Becauseyou’renotElena,andhe’snevergoingtotreatyouthewayhetreatsElena.Avisionofthebrownroomrosebeforeher,andshefeltcertainthathewouldneverhaveputElenathere.Elenawouldn’thavelethim,foronething.
“DoIhavetogoback?”sheasked,realizingthatshewasbeingpettyandsillyandthatthebrownroomhadseemedlikeahavenjustalittlewhileago.
“Goback?”Damonsaid,alittletooquickly.Shehadthefeelingthathe’dseenthebrownroomtoo,now,throughhereyes.“Why?Thelandladygavemeeverythingintheroom.SoIhaveyourrealclothesandabunchofstarballsdownthere,incaseyouweren’tthroughwithone.Butwhywouldyouthinkyoumighthavetogoback?”
“Well,Iknowyouwerelookingforaladyofquality,andI’mnotone,”Bonniesaidsimply.
“ThatwasjustsoIcouldchangebackintoavampire,”Damonsaid.“Andwhatdoyouthinkisholdingyouupintheairrightnow?”ButthistimeBonnieknewsomehowthatthesensationsfromthe“NeverEver”starballswerestillinhermindandthatDamonwasseeingthemtoo.Hewasavampireagain.AndthecontentsofthesestarballsweresoabominablethatDamon’sstonyexteriorfinallycracked.Bonniecouldalmostguesswhathethoughtofthem,andofher,lefttoshiverunderheroneblanketeverynight.
Andthen,tohertotalastonishment,Damon,theever-composed,brand-newvampireblurted,“I’msorry.Ididn’tthinkabouthowthatplacewouldbeforyou.Isthereanythingthatwillmakeyoufeelbetter?”
Bonnieblinked.Shewondered,seriously,ifsheweredreaming.Damondidn’tapologize.Damonfamouslydidn’tapologize,orexplain,orspeaksonicelytopeople,unlesshewantedsomethingfromthem.Butonethingseemedreal.Shedidn’thavetosleepinthebrownroomanymore.
Thiswassoexcitingthatsheflushedalittle,anddaredsay,“Couldwegodowntotheground?Slowly?BecausethetruthisthatI’mjustterrifiedofheights.”
Damonblinked,butsaid,“Yes,IthinkIcanmanagethat.Isthereanythingelseyou’dlike?”
“Well—thereareacoupleofgirlswho’dbedonors—happily—if—well—ifthere’sanymoneyleft—ifyoucouldsavethem…”
Damonsaidalittlesharply,“Ofcoursethere’ssomemoneyleft.Ievenwrungyoursharebackoutofthathagofalandlady.”
“Well,then,there’sthatsecretthatItoldyou,butIdon’tknowifyouremember.”
“Howsoondoyouthinkyou’llfeelwellenoughtostart?”askedDamon.24
Stefanwokeearly.HespentthetimefromdawnuntilbreakfastjustwatchingElena,whoeveninsleephadaninnerglowlikeagoldenflamethroughafaintlyrose-coloredcandle.
Atbreakfast,everyonewasmoreorlessstillwrappedupinthoughtsofthedaybefore.MeredithshowedMattthepictureofherbrother,Cristian,thevampire.MattbrieflytoldMeredithabouttheinnerworkingsoftheRidgemontcourtsystemandpaintedherapictureofCarolineaswerewolf.Itwasclearthatbothofthemfeltsaferattheboardinghousethananywhereelse.
AndElena,whohadwokenupwithStefan’smindallaroundher,embracingher,andherownmindstillfulloflight,wascompletelyatalossforaPlanAoranyotherletter.Shehadtobetoldgentlybytheothersthatonlyonethingmadesense.
“Stefan,”Mattsaid,drainingamugofMrs.Flowers’spitch-blackcoffee.“He’stheonlyonewhomightbeabletousehismindinsteadofPost-itNotesonthekids.”
And,“Stefan,”saidMeredith.“He’stheonlyoneShinichimightbeafraidof.”
“I’mnouseatall,”Elenasaidsadly.Shehadnoappetite.Shehadgottendressedwithafeelingofloveandcompassiontowardallhumankindandadesiretohelpprotectherhometown,butaseveryonepointedout,shewasprobablygoingtohavetospendthedayintherootcellar.Reportersmightcometocall.
They’reright,StefansenttoElena.I’mtheonlylogicalpersontofindoutwhat’sreallygoingoninFell’sChurch.
Heactuallywentwhiletherestofthemwerefinishingbreakfast.OnlyElenaknewwhy;onlyshecouldfeelhimatthelimitsofhertelepathicrange.
Stefanwashunting.HedroveintotheNewWood,gotout,andfinallystartledarabbitoutofthebrush.HeInfluencedittorestandnotbefrightened.Surreptitiously,inthisthinwoodlandwithoutcover,hetookalittlebloodfromit…andchoked
Ittastedlikesomekindofhideousliquidflavoredwithrodent.Wasarabbitarodent?Hehadbeenluckyenoughtofindaratonedayinhisprisoncellandithadtastedvaguelylikethis.
Butnow,fordays,hehadbeendrinkinghumanblood.Notjustthat,buttherich,potentbloodofstrong,adventurous,andinseveralcasesparanormallytalentedindividuals—thecrèmedelacrème.Howcouldhehavegottenusedtoitsoquickly?
Itshamedhimnow,tothinkofwhathe’dtaken.Elena’sblood,ofcourse,wasenoughtodriveanyvampirewild.AndMeredith,whosebloodhadthedeepcrimsontasteofsomeprimordialocean,andBonnie,whotastedlikeatelepath’sdessert.AndfinallyMatt,theAll-Americanred-bloodedboy.
They’dfedhimandfedhimbythehour,farpastwhatheneededtosurvive.They’dfedhimuntilhe’dbeguntoheal,andseeingthathewashealing,they’dfedhimmore.Andithadgoneonandon,endingwithElenalastnight—Elena,whosehairwastakingonasilverycastandwhoseblueeyesseemedalmostradiant.BackintheDarkDimension,Damonhadn’texercisedanyrestraintatall.Elenahadn’texercisedanyonherownbehalf.
Thatsilverycast…Stefan’sstomachclenchedwhenhethoughtaboutit,aboutthelasttimehe’dseenherhairthatway.She’dbeendeadthen.Onherfeet,butdeadjustthesame.
Stefanlettherabbitscamperaway.Hewastakinganotheroath.HemustnotmakeElenaintoavampireagain.Thatmeantnosignificantbloodexchangebetweenthetwoofthemforatleastaweek—eithergivingortakingmighttipherovertheedge.
Hemustonceagainadjusttothetasteofanimalblood.
Stefanshuthiseyesbriefly,rememberingthehorrorofthefirsttime.Thecramps.Theshakes.Theagonythatseemedtotellhisentirebodythatitwasn’tgettingfed.Thefeelingthathisveinsmightexplodeintoflameatanymoment,andthepaininhisjaws.
Hestoodup.Hewasluckytobealive.LuckierthanheevercouldhavedreamedhewouldbeinhavingElenabesidehim.Hewouldworkthroughthereadjustmentwithoutbotheringherbytellingher,hedecided.
JusttwohourslaterStefanwasbackattheboardinghouse,limpingslightly.Matt,whomethimattheheavyfrontdoor,noticedthelimp.“Youokay?You’dbettergetinandiceit.”
“Justacramp,”Stefansaidbriefly.“I’mnotusedtoexercise.Didn’tgetanybacktherein—youknow.”Helookedaway,flushing.SodidMatt,hotandcoldandfuriousatthepeoplewhohadputStefaninthiscondition.Vampireswereprettyresilient,buthehadthefeeling—no,heknew—thatStefanhadalmostdiedinhisprisoncell.OnedayunderlockandkeyhadconvincedMattthatheneverwantedtobeimprisonedagain.
HefollowedStefantothekitchenwhereElena,Meredith,andMrs.Flowerswere—whatelse?—drinkingmugsoftea.
AndMattfeltatwingewhenElenainstantlynoticedthelimpandgotupandwenttoStefan,andStefanheldhertightly,runningreassuringfingersthroughherhair.Mattcouldn’thelpbutwonder,though—wasthatgloriousgoldenhairturninglighter?MorelikethesilverygoldithadbeenwhenElenahadfirstgonewithStefanandwasonherwaytoturningintoavampire?Stefancertainlyseemedtobeinspectingitclosely,turningeachhandfulasherakedhisfingersthroughit.
“Anyluck?”Elenaaskedhim,tensioninhervoice.
Wearily,Stefanshookhishead.“IwentupstreetsanddownstreetsandwhereverIfounda—ayounggirlwhowascontorted,orwhirlingroundandround,ordoinganyotherofthethingsthepapersmentioned,ItriedtoInfluencethem.Well,maybeIshouldn’thavebotheredwiththewhirlinggirls.Icouldn’tcatchtheireyes.Butthefinalcountiszeroforeleven.”
ElenaturnedtowardMeredithinagitation.“Whatdowedo?”
Mrs.Flowersbusilybeganrummagingthroughbundlesofherbsthathungaboveherstove.“Youneedanicecupoftea.”
“Andarest,”Meredithsaid,pattinghimlightlyonthehand.“CanIgetyouanything?”
“Well—I’vegotanewidea—scrying.ButIneedMisao’sstarballtoseeifitwillwork.Don’tworry,”headded,“Iwon’tuseanyofthePowerinit;Ijustneedtolookatthesurface.”
“I’llbringit,”Elenaoffered,gettinguppromptlyfromwhereshewassittingonhislap.MattstartedslightlyandlookedatMrs.FlowersasElenawenttothedooroftherootcellarandpushed.NothingmovedandMrs.Flowerssimplywatchedbenignly.ItwasStefanwhorosetohelpher,stilllimping.ThenMattandMeredithgotup,Meredithasking,“Mrs.Flowers,areyousureweshouldkeepthestarballinthatsamesafe?”
“Mamasayswe’redoingtherightthing,”Mrs.Flowersansweredserenely.
Afterthatthingshappenedveryfast.
Asifthey’drehearsedit,Meredithpressedtheexactplacetoopentherootcellardoor.Elenafelltoherhandsandknees.Fasterthanevenhehadimaginedhecouldgo,MattwentbarrelingtowardStefanwithoneshoulderdown.Mrs.Flowerswasfranticallypullinggreatswathsofdriedherbsdownfromwheretheyhungabovethekitchentable.
AndthenMattwashittingStefanwithallthepowerinhisbodyandStefanwasstumblingoverElena,hisheadgoingdownanddownandmeetingnoresistanceontheway.Meredithwascomingathimsidewaysandhelpinghimdoacompleteforwardflipintheair.Assoonasthefliptookhimoutofthedoorwayandhewascartwheelingdownthestairs,ElenagotupandshutthedoorandMeredithleanedagainstit,asMattshouted,“Howdoyoukeepinakitsune?”
“Thesemighthelp,”gaspedMrs.Flowers,stuffingodiferousherbsintothecrackunderthedoor.
“And—iron!”criedElena,andsheandMeredithandMattallrantothedenwheretherewasanenormous,tripartiteironfirescreen.Somehowtheybundleditbacktothekitchenandsetituprightagainsttherootcellardoor.Justthenthefirstcrashcamefromtheinsideagainstit,buttheironwasheavyandthesecondcrashagainstthedoorwasweaker.
“Whatareyoudoing?Haveyouallgonecrazy?”Stefanshoutedplaintively,butastheentiregroupbegantocoverthedoorinPost-itNoteamulets,hecursedinsteadandbecamepureShinichi.“You’llbesorry,damnyou!Misao’snotright.Shecriesandcries.You’llmakeituptoherwithyourblood,butnotbeforeIintroduceyoutosomespecialfriendsofmine.Thekindwhoknowhowtocauserealpain!”
Elenaliftedherhead,asifhearingsomething.Mattwatchedherfrown.ThenshecalledtoShinichi,“Don’teventrytoprobeforDamon.He’sgone.AndifyoutrytotrackhimI’llfryyourbrains.”
Sullensilencegreetedherfromtherootcellar.
“Mygoodnessgracious,whatnext?”murmuredMrs.Flowers.
Elenasimplynoddedfortheotherstofollowher,andtheywentallthewaytotheverytopofthehouse—Stefan’sroom—andspokeinwhispers.
“Howdidyouknow?”
“Didyouusetelepathy?”
“Ididn’tknowatfirst,”Mattadmitted,“butElenawasactingasifthestarballwasintherootcellar.Stefanknowsit’snotthere.Iguess,”headdedwithaguiltystart,“thatIinvitedhimin.”
“Iknewassoonashestartedgropingmyhair,”Elenasaidwithashudder.“StefanandD—Imean,StefanknowsIonlylikeittouchedlightly,andattheends.Notmauledlikethat.RememberallShinichi’slittlesongsaboutgoldenhair?He’sanutcase.Anyway,Icouldtellfromthefeelofhismind.”
Mattfeltashamed.AllhiswonderingaboutElenamaybechangingintoavampire…andthiswastheanswer,hethought.
“Inoticedhislapisring,”Meredithsaid.“Isawhimwithitonhisrighthandashewentoutearlier.Whenhecamebackhehaditonhislefthand.”
Therewasabriefpauseastheyallstaredather.Sheshrugged.“Itwaspartofmytraining,noticinglittlethings.”
“Goodpoint,”Mattsaidatlast.“Goodpoint.Hewouldn’tbeabletochangeitinsunlight.”
“Howdidyouknow,Mrs.Flowers?”Elenaasked.“Orwasitjustthewaywewerebehaving?”
“Goodness,no,you’reallverygoodlittleactors.ButassoonashesteppedoverthethresholdMamafairlyshriekedatme:‘Whatareyoudoing,lettingakitsuneintoyourhouse?’SothenIknewwhatwewereinfor.”
“Webeathim!”Elenasaid,beaming.“WeactuallycaughtShinichioffguard!Icanhardlybelieveit.”
“Believeit,”Meredithsaidwithawrysmile.“Hewasoffguardforamoment.He’llbethinkinguprevengerightnow.”
SomethingelsewasworryingMatt.HeturnedtoElena.“IthoughtthatyousaidthatbothyouandShinichihadkeysthatcouldtakeyouanywhere,anytime.Sowhycouldn’thehavejustsaid,‘Takemeinsidetheboardinghousewherethestarballis’?”
“ThoseweredifferentkeysfromtheTwinFoxkey,”Elenasaid,herbrowsdrawntogether.“They’re,like,theMasterKeysandShinichiandMisaostillhavethemboth.Idon’tknowwhyhedidn’tusehis.Althoughitwouldhavegivenhimawaythemomenthewasinside.”
“Notifhewentinsidetherootcellar,andstayedtherethewholetime,”Meredithsaid.“AndmaybeaMasterKeycanoverridethe‘notinvitedinside’rule.”
Mrs.Flowerssaid,“ButMamastillwouldhavetoldme.Alsotherearenokeyholesintherootcellar.Atall.”
“‘Nokeyholes’wouldn’tmatter,Idon’tthink,”Elenaanswered.“Ithinkhejustwantedtoshowhowcleverhewas,andhowhecouldfoolusintogivinghimMisao’sstarball.”
Beforeanyoneelsecouldsayaword,Meredithheldoutherpalm,withashiningkeyonit.Thekeywasgoldenwithdiamondsinsetandhadaveryfamiliaroutline.
“That’soneoftheMasterKeys!”criedElena.“It’swhatwethoughttheTwinFoxkeywouldlooklike!”
“Itsortofcameoutofhisjeanspocketwhenhedidthatflip,”Meredithsaidinnocently.
“Whenyouwereflippinghimoverme,youmean,”saidElena.“Isupposeyoupickedhispockettoo.”
“So,rightnow,Shinichidoesn’thaveakeytoescapewith!”Mattsaidexcitedly.
“Nokeytomakekeyholes,”Elenaagreed,dimpling.
“Hecanhavefunchangingintoamoleandburrowingoutoftherootcellar,”Meredithsaidcoolly.“That’sifhe’sgothistransforminggearorwhateverwithhim.”Sheadded,withatroubledchangeinhervoice,“Iwonder…ifweshouldhaveMatttelloneotherpersonwherehe’sactuallyhiddenthestarball.Just…well,justincase.”
Mattsawknittedbrowsallaroundhim.Butsuddenlytherealizationhithimthathehadtotellsomeonethathe’dhiddenthestarballinhiscloset.Thegroup—includingStefan—hadpickedhimtohideitbecausehehadsostubbornlyresistedwhenShinichiwasusingDamon’sbodyasapuppettotorturehimamonthago.Matthadprovedthenthathewoulddieinhideouspainratherthanendangerhisfriends.ButifMattweretodienow,Misao’sstarballmightbelosttothegroupforever.AndonlyMattknewhowclosehehadcometodaytotumblingdownthestairsalongwithShinichi.
Farbelowtheyallheardashout.“Hello!Isanybodyhome?Elena!”
“That’smyStefan,”Elenasaidandthen,withoutashredofdignity,sherantolaunchherselffromthefoyerintohisarms.Helookedstartled,butmanagedtobreakherfallbeforetheybothwentdownontheporch.
“What’sbeengoingon?”hesaid,hisbodyvibratinginfinitesimally,aswiththeurgetofight.“Thewholehousesmellslikekitsune!”
“It’sallright,”Elenasaid.“Comeandsee.”Sheledhimupstairstohisroom.“We’vegothimintherootcellar,”sheadded.
Stefanlookedconfused.“You’vegotwhointherootcellar?”
“Withironagainstthedoor,”Mattsaidtriumphantly.“Andherbsandamuletsalloverit.And,anyway,Meredithgothiskey.”
“Hiskey?You’retalkingabout—Shinichi?”StefanturnedonMeredith,greeneyeswide.“WhileI’vebeengone?”
“Itwasmostlyanaccident.Isortofstuckmyhandinhispocketwhenhewasupsidedownandoffbalance.AndIluckedoutandgottheMasterKey—unlessthisisanordinaryhousekey.”
Stefanstaredatit.“It’stherealthing.Elenaknowsthat.Meredith,you’reincredible!”
“Yes,it’stherightone,”Elenaconfirmed.“Iremembertheshape—prettyelaborate,yes?”ShetookitfromMeredith’shand.
“Whatareyougoingto—”
“Mightaswelltestit,”Elenasaidwithamischievoussmile.Shewalkedtothedooroftheroom,shutit,said,“Thedendownstairs,”insertedthewingedkeyinthelock,andopenedthedoor,steppingthroughandshuttingthedoorbehindher.Beforeanyonecouldspeak,shewasback,withthepokerfromthedenheldaloftintriumph.
“Itworks!”Stefancried.
“That’samazing,”Mattsaid.
Stefanlookedalmostfeverish.“Butdon’tyourealizewhatitmeans?Itmeanswecanusethiskey.WecangoanywherewelikewithoutusingPower.EventotheDarkDimension!Butfirst—whilehe’sstillhere—weoughttodosomethingaboutShinichi.”
“You’reinnoconditiontodothatnow,dearStefan,”Mrs.Flowerssaid,shakingherhead.“I’msorry,butthetruthisthatwehavebeenvery,verylucky.Thatwickedkitsunewasoffguardbackthen.Hewon’tbenow.”
“Istillhavetotry,”Stefansaidquietly.“Everyoneofyouhasbeentormentedorhadtofight—whetherwithyourfistsoryourminds,”headded,bowingslightlytoMrs.Flowers.“I’vesufferedbutI’veneverhadachancetofighthim.Ihavetotry.”
Mattsaid,justasquietly,“I’llgowithyou.”
Elenaadded,“Wecanallfighttogether.Right,Meredith?”
Meredithnoddedslowly,takingStefan’spokerfromhisfireplace.“Yes.Itmaybealowblow,but—together.”
“Isayit’sahigherblowthanlettinghimliveandgoonhurtingpeople.Anyway,we’lltakecareofit…together,”Elenasaidfirmly.“Rightnow!”
Mattstartedtogetup,buthismotionwasfrozeninmidairashestaredinhorror.Simultaneously,withthegraceofhuntinglionessesorballetdancersthetwogirlsclosedinonStefan,andsimultaneouslytheyswungtheirseparatepokers;ElenahittinghimintheheadandMeredithhittinghimsquarelyinthegroin.Stefanreeledawayfromtheblowtothehead,butsimplysaid,“Ow!”whenMeredithhithim.MattknockedElenaoutofthewayandthen,turningaspreciselyasifhewereonthefootballfield,gotMeredithoutof“Stefan’s”waytoo.
Butthisimposterhadobviouslydecidednottofightback.Stefan’sformmelted.Misao,greenleaveswovenintoherscarlet-tippedblackhair,stoodbeforethem.ToMatt’sshock,herfacewaspinchedandpale.Shewasobviouslyveryill,althoughstilldefiant.Buttherewasnomockeryinhervoicetonight.
“Whathaveyoudonewithmystarball?Andmybrother?”shedemandedfeebly.
“Yourbrother’ssafelylockedup,”Mattsaid,hardlyknowingwhathewastellingher.DespiteallthecrimesMisaohadcommittedhecouldn’thelpfeelingsorryforher.Shewasclearlydesperateandill.
“Iknowthat.Iwasgoingtosaymybrotherwillkillyouall—notasagame,butinanger.”NowMisaolookedwretchedandfrightened.“You’veneverseenhimreallyangry.”
“You’veneverseenStefanangryeither,”Elenasaid.“AtleastnotwhenhehadallhisPower.”
Misaojustshookherhead.Adriedleaffloatedfromherhair.“Youdon’tunderstand!”
“Idoubtweunderstandanything.Meredith,havewesearchedthisgirl?”
“No,butsurelyshewouldn’thavebroughttheotherone—”
Elenasaidcrisply,“Matt,takeabookandreadit.I’lltellyouwhenwe’redone.”
Mattwasreluctanttoturnhisbackonakitsune,evenasickone.ButwhenevenMrs.Flowersnoddedgentlyheobeyed.Still,backturnedornot,hecouldhearnoises.AndthenoisessuggestedthatMisaowasbeingheldtightlyandsearchedthoroughly.Atfirstthesoundswereallnegativemurmurs.
“Huh-uh…huh-uh…huh-uh…huh-oops!”Therewasarattleofmetalonwood.
MattonlyturnedwhenElenasaid,“Okay,youcanlook.Itwasinherfrontpocket.”SheaddedtoMisao,whowaslookingasifshemightfaint,“Wedidn’twanttohavetoholdyouandsearchyou.Butthiskey—whereinheaven’snamedidyougetkeyslikethis,anyway?”
ApinkspotshowedonMisao’scheeks.“Heavenisright.They’retheonlytwoleftoftheMasterKeys—andtheybelongtoShinichiandme.IfiguredouthowtostealthemfromtheCelestialCourt.Thatwas…alongtimeago.”
Atthatmomenttheyheardacarontheroad—Stefan’sPorsche.Inthedeadsilencethatfollowed,theycouldalsoseethecarthroughStefan’swindowasitswungintothedriveway.
“Noonegoesdown,”Elenasaidtersely.“Nooneinviteshimin.”
Meredithshotherakeenglance.“Shinichicouldhavetunneledoutlikeamolebynow.Andhe’salreadybeeninvitedin.”
“Myfaultfornotwarningyouall—butanyway,ifitisShinichiandhe’sdoneanythingtohurtStefanhe’sgoingtoseemewhenI’mangry.ThewordsWingsofDestructionjustpoppedintomyheadandsomethinginsidemewantstosaythem.”
Therewasachillintheroom.
NoonemetStefan,butinamomenttheycouldallhearrunningfootsteps.Stefanappearedathisdoor,burstthrough,andfoundhimselfconfrontedwitharowofpeoplealllookingathimsuspiciously.
“Whatthehellisgoingon?”hedemanded,staringatMisao,whowasbeingheldupbetweenMeredithandMatt.“Misao—”
Elenatooktwostepstowardhim—andwoundherselfaroundhim,drawinghimintoadeepkiss.Foramomentheresisted,butthen,bitbybit,hisoppositioncollapseddespitetheroomfulofobservers.
WhenElenafinallyletgo,shejustleanedagainstStefan,breathinghard.Theotherswereallcrimsonwithembarrassment.Stefan,flushedashewas,heldhertightly.
“I’msorry,”Elenawhispered.“Butyou’vealready‘comehome’twice.First,itwasShinichiandwelockedhimintherootcellar.Thenitwasher.”Shepointed,withoutlooking,towardthecoweringMisao.“Ididn’tknowhowtomakesurethatShinichihadn’tescapedsomehow—”
“Andyou’resurenow?”
“Oh,yes.Irecognizeyou.You’realwaysreadytoletmein.”
Mattrealizedthatshewasshakingandquicklystoodupsoshecouldsit,foratleastaminuteortwo,inpeace.
Thepeacelastedlessthanaminute.
“Iwantmystarball!”Misaocried.“IneedtoputPowerinitorI’llgoonweakening—andthenyou’llhavemurderedme.”
“Goonweakening?Istheliquidevaporatingoutofthestarballorsomething?”Meredithasked.Mattwasthinkingaboutwhathe’dseenonhishomeblockbeforetheRidgemontsheriffshadgothim.
“You’vegatheredPowertoputinit?”heaskedmildly.“Powerfromyesterday,maybe?”
“Powerfromeversinceyoutookit.Butitisn’tjoinedwith…me.Withmystarball.It’smine,butnotyet.”
“LikemaybesomePowerfrommakingColeReeceeathisguineapigwhileitwasalive?Frommakingkidsburndowntheirownhouses?”Matt’svoicewasgravelly.
“Whatdoesitmatter?”Misaoretortedsullenly.“It’smine.Theyweremyideas,notyours.Youcan’tkeepmeaway—”
“Meredith,keepmeawayfromher.I’veknownthatkidColesincehewasborn.I’llalwayshavenightmares…”
Misaoperkeduplikeawiltingplantgettingwater.“Havenightmares,havenightmares,”shewhispered.
Therewasasilence.ThenMeredithsaid,carefullyandexpressionlessly,asifshewerethinkingofthestave,“You’reanastylittlething,aren’tyou?Isthatyourfood?Badmemories,nightmares,fearofthefuture?”
Misaowasplainlystumped.Shecouldn’tseethecatch.Itwaslikeaskingaregularhungryteenager“HowaboutsomepizzaandaCoke?Isthatwhatyouwant?”Misaocouldn’tevenseethatherappetiteswerewrong,soshecouldn’tlie.
“Youwererightbefore,”Stefansaidforcefully.“Wehaveyourstarball.Theonlywaytomakeusgiveitbackwouldbetodosomethingforus.We’resupposedtobeabletocontrolyouanywaybecausewehaveit—”
“Old-waysthinking.Obsolete,”Misaogrowled.
Therewasadeadsilence.Mattfelthisstomachplummet.
Theyhadbeenbettingon“old-waysthinking”allalong.TogetShinichi’sstarballbymakingMisaotellthemwhereitwas.TheirultimategoalhadbeentocontrolShinichiusinghisstarball.
“Youdon’tunderstand,”Misaosaid,pitifullyandyetangrilyatthesametime.“Mybrotherwillhelpmefillmystarballagain.Butwhatwedidinthistown—itwasanorder,notjustforfun.”
“Could’afooledme,”Elenamurmured,butStefan’sheadjerkedupandhesaid,“Anorder?Fromwho?”
“I…don’t…know!”Misaoscreamed.“Shinichigetstheorders.Thenhetellsmewhattodo.Butwhoeveritisshouldbehappybynow.Thetownisalmostdestroyed.Heoughttogivemesomehelphere!”Sheglaredatthegroup,andtheystaredback.
Withoutknowingthathewasgoingtosayit,Mattsaid,“Let’sputherintherootcellarwithShinichi.I’vegotthisfeelingthatwemightallbesleepinginthestorageroomtonight.”25
“SleepinginthestorageroomwitheverywallcoveredinPost-itNoteamulets,”addedMeredithgrimly.“Ifwehaveenough.Igotanotherpacket,butitdoesn’tgoveryfarwhenyou’retryingtocoveraroom.”
“Okay,”Elenasaid.“Who’sgotShinichi’skey?”
Mattraisedhishand.“Inmy—”
“Don’ttellme!”exclaimedElena.“I’vegothers.Wecan’tlosethem.StefanandIareoneteam;youguysaretheother.”
Theyhalf-ledandhalf-supportedMisaooutofStefan’sroomanddownthestairs.Misaodidn’ttrytorunawayfromthem,tostruggle,ortospeaktothem.ThisonlymadeMattmoresuspiciousofher.HesawStefanandElenaglancetowardeachotherandknewtheywerefeelingthesameway.
Butwhatelsewastheretodowithher?Therewasnootherway,humanely,oreveninhumanely,torestrainherfordays.Theyhadherstarball,andaccordingtobooksthatwassupposedtoallowthemtocontrolher,butshewasright,itseemedtobeanobsoletenotion,becauseitdidn’twork.They’dtriedwithStefanandMeredithholdinghertightly,whileMattgotthestarballfromwherehe’dbeenkeepingitinashoeboxontheuppershelfabovetheclothesinhiscloset
HeandElenahadtriedtogetMisaotodothingswhileholdingthealmostemptysphere:tomakeMisaotellwhereherbrother’sstarballwas,andsoon.Butitsimplydidn’twork.
“Maybewhenthere’ssolittlePowerinit,itdoesn’tapply,”Elenasaidfinally.Butthatwassmallcomfortatbest.
AstheytookMisaotothekitchen,Mattthoughtthatithadbeenastupidplanofthekitsune:imitatingStefantwice.Doingitthesecondtime,whenthehumanswereonguard,thatwasstupid.Misaodidn’tseemasstupidasthat.
Matthadabadfeeling.
Elenahadaverybadfeelingaboutwhattheyweredoing.Asshelookedaroundatthefacesoftheothers,shesawthattheydidtoo.Butnobodyhadcomeupwithabetterplan.Theycouldn’tkillMisao.Theyweren’tmurdererswhocouldkillasickly,passivegirlincoldblood.
ShefiguredthatShinichimusthaveverykeenhearing,andhadalreadyheardthemwalkingonthecreakingkitchenfloorboards.Andshehadtoassumethatheknew—bymindbond,orjustlogic,orwhatever—thatMisaowasrightabovehim.Therewasnothingtolosebyshouting,throughthecloseddoor,“Shinichi,we’vegotyoursisterhere!Ifyouwantherbackyou’llstayquietandnotmakeusthrowherdownthestairs.”
Therewassilencefromtherootcellar.Elenachosetothinkofitassubmissivesilence.AtleastShinichiwasn’tyellingthreats.
“Okay,”Elenawhispered.She’dtakenapositiondirectlybehindMisao.“WhenIcounttothree,wepushashardaswecan.”
“Wait!”Mattsaidinamiserablewhisper-shout.“Yousaidwewouldn’tthrowherdownthestairs.”
“Lifeisn’tfair,”Elenasaidgrimly.“Youthinkhedoesn’thavesomesurpriseforus?”
“But—”
“Leaveit,Matt,”saidMeredithquietly.Shehadthestavereadyinherlefthandandwithherrightwasreadytopushonthepanelforopeningthedoor.“Everybodyready?”
Everyonenodded.ElenafeltsorryforMattandStefan,whowerethemosthonestandsensitiveofallofthem.
“One,”shewhisperedsoftly,“two,three.”
OnthreeMeredithhittheconcealedwallswitch.Andthenthingsbegantohappeninveryslowmotion.
By“two”ElenahadalreadybeguntoshoveMisaotowardthedoor.On“three”theothersjoinedher.
Butthedoorseemedtotakeforevertoopen.Andbeforetheendingofforever,everythingwentwrong.
ThegreeneryaroundMisao’sheadspreadtwigsinalldirections.OnestrandshotoutandsnaggedElenaaroundthewrist.SheheardayellofoutragefromMattandknewthatanotherstrandhadgottenhim.
“Push!”MeredithshoutedandthenElenasawthestavecomingather.MeredithwhiskedwiththestavethroughthegreeneryconnectedtoMisao.ThevinethathadbeencuttingintoElena’swristfelltothefloor.
AnyremainingmisgivingsaboutthrowingMisaodownthestairsvanished.Elenajoinedinthecrowdtryingtopushherthroughtheopening.Buttherewassomethingwronginthebasement.Foronething,theywereshovingMisaointopitch-darkness…andmovement.
Thebasementwasfullof—something.Somethings
Elenalookeddownatherankleandwashorrifiedtoseeagiganticmaggotthatseemedtohavecrawledoutoftherootcellar.Oratleastamaggotwasthefirstthingshecouldthinkoftocompareitto—maybeitwasaheadlessslug.Itwastranslucentandblackandaboutafootlong,butfartoofatforhertohaveputahandaroundit.Itseemedtohavetwowaysofmoving,onebythefamiliarhunch-and-straightenmethodandtheotherbysimplystickingtoothermaggots,whichwereexplodingupoverElena’sheadlikeahideousfountain.
Elenalookedupandwishedshehadn’t.
Therewasacobrawavingoverthem,outoftherootcellarandintothekitchen.Itwasacobramadeofblacktranslucentmaggotsstucktogether,andeverysooftenonewouldfalloffandlandamongthegroupandtherewouldbeacry.
IfBonniehadbeenwiththem,shewouldhavescreameduntilthewineglassesinthecupboardsshattered,Elenathoughtwildly.MeredithwastryingtoattackthecobrawiththestaveandreachintoherjeanspocketforPost-itNotesatthesametime.
“I’llgetthenotes,”Elenagasped,andwriggledherhandintoMeredith’spocket.Herfingersclosedonasmallsheafofcardsandshetuggeditouttriumphantly.
Justthenthefirstglisteningfatmaggotfellonherbareskin.Shewantedtoscreamwithpainasitslittlefeetorteethorsuckers—whateverkeptitattachedtoher—burnedandstung.Shepulledathincardfromthesheaf,whichwasnotaPost-itNotebutthesameamuletonasmallratherflimsynotecard,andslappeditonthemaggot-likething.
Nothinghappened.
Meredithwasthrustingthestaveintothemiddleofthecobranow.Elenasawanotherofthecreaturesfallalmostontoherupturnedfaceandmanagedtoturnawaysothatithithercollarinstead.Shetriedanothercardfromthesheafandwhenitjustfloatedaway—themaggotslookedgooeybutweren’t—shegaveaprimalscreamandrippedwithbothhandsattheuglythingsattachedtoher.Theygaveway,leavingherskincoveredwithredmarksandherT-shirttornattheshoulder.
“Theamuletsaren’tworking,”sheyelledtoMeredith.
Meredithwasactuallystandingundertheswaying,hoodedheadofthemaggot-cobra,stabbingandstabbingasiftoreachthecenter.Hervoicewasmuffled.“Notenoughamuletsanyway!Toomanyofthesegrubs.You’dbetterrun.”
AninstantlaterStefanshouted,“Everybodygetawayfromhere!There’ssomethingsolidinthere!”
“That’swhatI’mtryingtoget!”Meredithshoutedback.
Frantically,Mattyelled,“Where’sMisao?”
ThelasttimeElenahadseenhershehadbeendivingintothewrithingmassofsegmenteddarkness.“Gone,”sheshoutedback.“Where’sMrs.Flowers?”
“Inthekitchen,”saidavoicebehindher.Elenaglancedbackandsawtheoldwomanpullingdownherbswithbothhands.
“Okay,”Stefanshouted.“Everybody,takeafewstepsback.I’mgoingtohititwithPower.Doit—now!”
Hisvoicewaslikeawhiplash.Everyonesteppedback,evenMeredithwhohadbeenprobingthesnakewithherstave.
Stefancurledhishandaroundnothingness,aroundair,anditturnedtosparkling,swirlingbrightenergy.Hethrewitpoint-blankintothecobramadeofmaggots.
Therewasanexplosion,andthensuddenlyitwasrainingmaggots.Elenahadherteethlockedsoastokeepherselffromscreaming.Theovaltranslucentbodiesofthemaggotsbrokeopenonthekitchenfloorlikeoverripeplums,orelsebounced.WhenElenadaredlookupagainshesawablackstainontheceiling.
Beneathit,smiling,wasShinichi.
Meredith,lightningquick,triedtoputthestavethroughhim.ButShinichiwasfaster,leaningoutofherway,andoutofthenextthrust,andthenext.
“Youhumans,”hesaid.“Allthesame.Allstupid.WhenMidnightfinallycomesyou’llseehowstupidyouwere.”Hesaid“Midnight”asifheweresaying“theApocalypse.”
“Weweresmartenoughtodiscoverthatyouweren’tStefan,”MattsaidfrombehindShinichi.
Shinichirolledhiseyes.“Andtoputmeintoalittleroomroofedwithwood.Youcan’tevenrememberthatkitsunecontrolallplantsandtrees?Thewallsareallfullofmalachgrubsbynow,youknow.Thoroughlyinfested.”Hiseyesflickered—andheglancedbackward,Elenasaw,lookingtowardtheopendooroftherootcellar.
Herterrorsoared,andatthesametimeStefanshouted,“Getoutofhere!Outofthehouse!Gotosomewheresafe!”
ElenaandMeredithstaredateachother,paralyzed.Theywereondifferentteams,buttheycouldn’tseemtoletgoofeachother.ThenMeredithsnappedoutofitandturnedtothebackofthekitchentohelpMrs.Flowers.Mattwasalreadythere,doingthesamething.
AndthenElenafoundherselfsweptoffherfeetandmovingfast.Stefanhadherandwasrunningtowardthefrontdoor.Distantly,sheheardShinichishout,“Bringmebacktheirbones!”
OneofthemaggotsthatElenabattedoutofthewayburstitsskinandElenasawsomethingcrawlingout.Thesereallyweremalach,sherealized.SmallereditionsoftheonethathadswallowedMatt’sarmandleftthoselong,deepscratcheswhenhepulleditoutagain.
ShenoticedthatonewasstuckonStefan’sback.Recklesswithfury,shegrabbeditnearoneendandrippeditoff,yankingrelentlesslyeventhoughStefangaspedinpain.Whenitcamefreeshegotaglimpseofwhatlookedlikedozensofsmallchildren’steethonthebottomside.Shethrewitagainstawallastheyreachedthefrontdoor.
TheretheyalmostcollidedwithMatt,Meredith,andMrs.Flowers,comingthroughtheden.StefanwrenchedthedooropenandwhentheyallwerethroughMeredithslammeditshut.Afewmalach—grubsandstill-wetflyingones—madeitoutwiththem.
“Where’ssafe?”snappedMeredith.“Imean,reallysafe,safeforacoupleofdays?”NeithershenorMatthadreleasedtheirgriponMrs.FlowersandfromtheirspeedElenaguessedthatshemustbealmostaslightasastrawfigure.Shekeptsaying,“Mygoodness!Oh,gracious!”
“Myhouse?”Mattsuggested.“Theblock’sbad,butitwasokaythelasttimeIsawit,andmymom’sgonewithDr.Alpert.”
“Okay,Matt’shouse—usingtheMasterKeys.Butlet’sdoitfromthestorageroom.Idonotwanttoopenthisfrontdooragain,nomatterwhat,”Elenasaid.
WhenStefantriedtopickherupsheshookherhead.“I’mfine.Runasfastasyoucanandsmashanymalachyousee.”
Theymadeittothestorageroom,butnowasoundlikevipvipvip—asortofhigh-pitchedbuzzingthatcouldonlyhavebeenproducedbythemalach—wasfollowingthem.
“Whatnow?”Mattpanted,helpingMrs.Flowerstositonthebed.
Stefanhesitated.“Isyourhousereallysafe,doyouthink?”
“Isanywheresafe?Butit’sempty,oritshouldbe.”
Meanwhile,MeredithdrewElenaandMrs.Flowersaside.ToElena’shorror,Meredithwasholdingoneofthesmallergrubs,grippingitsothatitsundersidewasturnedupward.
“Oh,God—”Elenaprotested,butMeredithsaid,“Theylookalotlikealittlekid’steeth,don’tthey?”
SuddenlyMrs.Flowersbecameanimated.“Theydoindeed!Andyou’resayingthatthefemurwefoundinthethicket—”
“Yes.Itwascertainlyhumanbutmaybenotchewedbyhumans.Humanchildren,”Meredithsaid.
“AndShinichiyelledtothemalachtobringbackourbones…”Elenasaidandswallowed.Thenshelookedatthegrubagain.“Meredith,getridofthatthingsomehow!It’sgoingtopopoutasaflyingmalach.”
Meredithlookedaroundthestorageroomblankly.
“Okay—justdropitandI’llsteponit,”Elenasaid,holdingherbreathtoholdinhernausea.
Meredithdroppedthefat,translucent,blackthing,whichexplodedonimpact.Elenastampedonit,butthemalachinsidedidn’tcrush.Instead,whensheliftedherfoot,ittriedtoskitterunderthebed.Thestavecutitcleanlyintwo.
“Guys,”ElenasaidsharplytoMattandStefan,“wehavetogonow.Outsideareabunchofflyingmalach!”
Mattturnedtowardher.“Liketheonethat—”
“Smaller,butjustliketheonethatattackedyou,Ithink.”
“Okay,here’swhatwefiguredout,”StefansaidinawaythatimmediatelymadeElenauneasy.“SomebodyhastogototheDarkDimensionanywaytocheckonBonnie.IguessI’mtheonlyonetodothat,sinceI’mavampire.Youcouldn’tgetin—”
“Yes,wecould,”Meredithsaid.“Withthesekeys,wecouldjustsay‘TakeustoLadyUlma’shouseintheDarkDimension.’Or‘TakemetowhereverBonnieis.’Whyshouldn’titwork?”
Elenasaid,“Okay.Meredith,Matt,andMrs.Flowerscanstayhereandtrytofigureoutwhat‘Midnight’is.FromthewayShinichisaidit,itsoundedbad.Meanwhile,StefanandIgototheDarkDimensionandfindBonnie.”
“No!”Stefansaid.“Iwon’ttakeyoutothathorribleplaceagain.”
Elenalookedhimstraightintheeye.“Youpromised,”shesaid,indifferenttotheotherpeopleintheroom.“Youpromised.Nevertogoagainonaquestwithoutme.Nomatterhowshortthetime,nomatterwhatthecause.Youpromised.”
Stefanlookedatherdesperately.Elenaknewhewantedtokeephersafe—butwhichworldwastrulysafenow?Bothwerefilledwithhorroranddanger.
“Anyway,”shesaidwithagrimsmile,“Ihavethekey.”26
“Nowyouknowhowit’sdone?”ElenaaskedMeredith.“Youputthekeyinthekeyholeandsaywhereyouwanttogo.Thenopenthedoorandgothrough.That’sit.”
“Youthreegofirst,”Stefanadded.“Andquick.”
“I’llturnthekey,”MeredithtoldMatt.“YoutakecareofMrs.Flowers.”
JustthenElenathoughtofsomethingthatshedidn’twanttosayaloud,onlytoStefan.Butsheandhewerephysicallysoclose,sheknewhewouldpickitup.Saber!shethoughttoStefan.Wecan’tleavehimtothesemalach!
Wewon’t,sheheardStefan’svoiceinherheadsay.IshowedhimthewaytoMatt’shouse,andtoldhimtogothereandtakeTalonandprotectthepeoplewhowillbecoming.
AtthesametimeMattwassaying,“Oh,myGod!Saber!Hesavedmylife—Ican’tjustleavehim.”
“Alreadytakencareof,”StefanreassuredhimandElenapattedhimontheback.“He’llbeatyourhouseinalittlewhile,andifyougosomewhereelsehe’lltrackyou.”
Elenaturnedherpatsintogentlepushes.“Begood!”
“MattHoneycutt’sbedroominFell’sChurch,”Meredithsaid,thrustingthekeyatthedoorhandle,andopeningthedoor.SheandMrs.FlowersandMattallsteppedforward.Thedoorshut.
StefanturnedtoElena.“I’mgoingfirst,”hesaidflatly.“ButI’mholdingontoyou.I’mnotgoingtoletyougo.”
“Neverletmego,neverletmego,”ElenawhisperedinanimitationofMisao’s“Havenightmares.”Thenshehadathought.
“Slavebracelets!”
“What?”Stefansaid.Then,“Oh,Iremember,youtoldme.Butwhataretheysupposedtolooklike?”
“Likeanytwobracelets,matchingifpossible.”Elenawasscramblingaroundthebackoftheroom,wherefurniturewaspiledup,openingdrawers,closingthem.“Comeon,bracelets!Comeon!Thishouseissupposedtohaveeverything!”
“Whataboutthesethingsyouwearinyourhair?”Stefanasked.Elenalookedbackandhetossedherabagofsoftcottonponytailholders.
“You’reagenius!Theywon’tevenhurtmywrists.Andherearetwowhiteonessothey’llmatch!”Elenasaidhappily.
Theyarrangedthemselvesinfrontofthedoor,withStefantoElena’sleftsohecouldseewhatwasouttherebeforetheysteppedin.HealsohadafirmgriponElena’sleftarm.
“WhereverourfriendBonnieMcCulloughis,”Stefansaid,andthrustthekeyintothelocklessdoorhandle,turningit.Then,aftergivingElenathekey,hegingerlyopenedthedoor.
Elenawasn’tsurewhatshewasexpecting.Ablazeoflightmaybe,astheytraveledthroughdimensions.Somekindofspiralingtunnel,orshootingstars.Atleastafeelingofmotion.
Whatshegotwassteam.ItsoakedthroughherT-shirtanddampenedherhair.
Andthenshegotnoise.
“Elena!Eleeeeeeeeeeeeeeena!You’rehere!”
Elenarecognizedthevoicebutcouldn’tlocatethescreamerinthesteam.
Thenshesawanimmensebathtubmadeoftilesofmalachite,andafrightened-lookinggirltendingacharcoalfireatthebath’sfoot,whiletwootheryoungattendantsholdingscrubbingbrushesandpumicestonescoweredagainsttheotherwall.
AndinthebathwasBonnie!Itwasobviousthatthetubwasverydeep,becauseBonniewasn’tabletotouchbottominthemiddlebutshewashalf-leapingoutofthewaterlikeafoam-covereddolphinoverandovertoattractattention.
“Thereyouare,”gaspedElena.Shedroppedtoherkneesonathick,softbluerug.BonniemadeaspectacularleapandjustforamomentElenacouldfeelasmallsoapy,sudsybodyinherarms.
ThenBonniewentdownagainandcameuplaughing.
“AndisthatStefan?It’sStefan!Stefan,hello!Helloooo!”
Stefanglancedback,asiftryingtoassessthesudssituation.Heseemedsatisfiedwithit,turnedslightly,andwaved.
“Hey,Bonnie?”heasked,voicemuffledbythesoundsofcontinualsplashing.“Wherearewe?”
“It’sLadyUlma’shouse!You’resafe—you’reallsafe!”SheturnedasmallhopefulfacetoElena.“Where’sMeredith?”
Elenashookherhead,thinkingofallthethingsaboutMerediththatBonniedidn’tknowyet.Well,shedecided,thiswasn’tthetimetomentionthem.“Shehadtostaybehind,toprotectFell’sChurch.”
“Oh,”Bonnielookeddown,troubled.“Stillbad,isit?”
“Youwouldn’tbelieveit.Really;it’s—indescribable.That’swhereMattandMrs.FlowersandMeredithare.I’msorry.”
“No,I’mjustsogladtoseeyou!OhmyGod,butyou’rehurt.”ShewaslookingatthesmalltoothwoundsonElena’sarm,andthebloodonhertornT-shirt.“I’llgetoutand—hey,no,yougetin!There’splentyofroom;plentyofhotwater,and…plentyofclothes!LadyUlmaevendesignedsomeforus,for‘whenwecameback’!”
Elena,smilingreassuringlyatthebathgirls,wasalreadystrippingasfastasshecould.Thetub,whichwasbigenoughforsixtoswimin,lookedtooluxurioustomissand,shereasoned,itmadesensetobecleanwhenyougreetedyourhostess.
“Gohavefun,”sheshoutedtoStefan.“IsDamonhere?”sheaddedinawhisperedasidetoBonnie,whonodded.“Damon’shere,too,”Elenacaroled.“IfyoufindLadyUlma,tellherElena’scoming,butshe’sgettingwashedupfirst.”Shedidn’tactuallydiveintothepearlpinksteamingwater,butshegotontothesecondstepdownandletherselfslidefromthere.
Instantly,shewasimmersedindeliciousheatthatseepedstraightintoherbody,pullingsomemagicstringthatrelaxedallhermusclesatonce.Perfumessuffusedtheair.SheflungherwethairbackandsawBonnielaughingather.
“Soyougotoutofyourholeandyou’vebeenherewallowinginluxurywhilewe’vebeenworriedsick?”Elenacouldn’thelpbuthearthewayhervoicewentupattheend,makingitaquestion.
“No,Igotpickedupbysomepeople,and—”Bonniebrokeoff.“Well…thefirstfewdaysweretough,butnevermind.ThankGodwegottoLadyUlma’sintheend.Wantabathbrush?Somesoapthatsmellsjustlikeroses?”
ElenawaslookingatBonniewithslightlynarrowedeyes.SheknewthatBonniewoulddojustaboutanythingforDamon.Thatincludedcoveringupforhim.Delicately,allthewhileenjoyingthebrushesandunguentsandmanykindsofsoapslaidoutonashelfforeasyreach,shebegananinquisition.
Stefangotoutofthesteamyroombeforehewassoakingwet.BonniewassafeandElenawashappy.Hefoundhehadsteppedintoanotherroom,inwhichwereanumberofcouchesmadeofsomesoftspongymaterial.Fordrying?Massage?Whoknew?
Thenextroomheenteredhadgaslanternsthatwereturnedhighenoughtorivalelectricallight.Herewerethreemorecouches—hehadnoideawhatfor—afull-lengthsilvered-glassmirror,andsmallermirrorsinfrontofchairs.Obviouslyaplaceformakeupandbeautifying.
Thislastroomopenedontoahallway.Stefansteppedoutandhesitated,spreadingdelicatetendrilsofPowerindifferentdirections,hopingtofindDamonbeforeDamonnoticedhispresenceintheestate.TheMasterKeyhadprovedthatitcouldovercomethefactthathehadn’tbeeninvitedhere.Thatmeantthatmaybehecould…
Atthatmomenthegotahit,andwithdrewhisprobeimmediately,startled.Hestareddownthelongcorridor.HecouldactuallyseeDamon,pacingintheroomattheend,talkingtosomeoneStefancouldn’tseebehindthedoor.
Stefancreptveryquietlydownthehallway,stalking.Hemadeittothedoorwithouthisbrotherevennoticing,andtherehesawthatthepersonDamonwastalkingtowasawomanwearingwhatlookedlikebuckskinbreechesandshirt,whohadweatheredskin,andageneralauraofbeingmoreathomeoutsidecivilizationthaninsideit.Damonwassaying,“Makesurethereareenoughwarmclothesforthegirl.She’snotexactlyhardy,youknow—”
“Thenwhereareyoutakingher—andwhy?”Stefanasked,leaningagainstthedoorjamb.
Hehadthegoodfortunetoonce—justthisonce—takeDamonunaware.Hisbrotherglancedup,andthenjerkedlikeastartledcat.ItwaspricelesstowatchDamonscramblingforamaskuntilhedecidedonthefa?adeofabsentamiability.Stefanguessedthatnoonehadeverputsomucheffortintowalkingovertoadeskchair,sittingdown,andforcinghimselftolounge.
“Well,well!Littlebrother!Youdroppedinforavisit!How…nice.Whatapity,though,thatI’mpracticallyrunningoutthedooronajourney,andthere’snoroomforyou.”
Atthispointtheweather-beatenwomanwhohadbeentakingnotes—andwhohadrisenwhenStefanenteredtheroom—spokeup.“Oh,no,mylord.Thethurgswon’tmindtheextraweightofthisgentleman.Theyprobablywon’tnoticeit.Ifhisbaggagecanbereadybytomorrowyoucanstartoutintheearlymorningjustasyouplanned.”
Damongaveherhisbest“shutupordie”glare.Sheshutup.Throughclenchedteeth,Damonmanagedtosay,“ThisisPelat.She’sthecoordinatorofourlittleexpedition.Hello,Pelat.Good-bye,Pelat.Youmaygo.”
“Asyouwish,mylord.”
Pelatbowedandleft.
“Aren’tyoutakingthis‘mylord’thingabittooseriously?”Stefanasked.“Andwhatisthatcostumeyou’rewearing?”
“It’stheuniformofthecaptainoftheguardofMadamelePrincessJessalynD’Aubigne,”Damonsaidcoldly.
“Yougotajob?”
“Itwasaposition.”Damonbaredhisteeth.“Andit’snoneofyourbusiness.”
“Gotyourcaninesback,too,Isee.”
“Andthat’snoneofyourbusinesseither.Butifyouwantmetoknockyououtandtrampleoveryourundeadbody,I’llbedelightedtooblige.”
Somethingwaswrong,Stefanthought.Damonshouldbethroughthetauntingphaseandbeactuallytramplingonhimbynow.Itonlymadesenseif…
“I’vealreadyspokentoBonnie,”hesaid.Andsohehad,toaskwherehewas.Buttoaguiltymind,apparentforeknowledgeoftenworkedwonders.
AndDamonhastilysaidexactlywhatStefanhopedhewouldn’t.“Icanexplain!”
“Oh,God,”Stefansaid.
“Ifshe’djustdoneasItoldher—”
“Whileyouwereoffbecomingaprincess’scaptainoftheguard?Andshewas—where?”
“Shewassafe,atleast!But,no,shehadtogooutintothestreetandthentothatshop—”
“Shocking!Sheactuallywalkedinthestreet?”
Damongroundhisteeth.“Youdon’tknowhowitisaroundhere—orhowtheslavetradeworks.Everyday—”
Stefanslammedbothhandsonthedesk,nowtrulyangry.“Shewaspickedupbyslavers?Whileyouweresleazingaroundwithaprincess?”
“PrincessJessalyndoesnotsleaze,”Damonrepliedicily.“NordoI.AndanywayitallturnedouttobeagoodthingbecausenowweknowwheretheSevenKitsuneTreasuresare.”
“Whattreasures?Andwhocaresabouttreasureswhenthere’satownbeingdestroyedbykitsune?”
Damonopenedhismouth,shutit,thenlookednarrowlyatStefan.“Yousaidthatyou’dtalkedtoBonnieaboutallthis.”
“IdidtalktoBonnie,”Stefansaidflatly.“Isaidhello.”
Damon’sdarkeyesflared.ForamomentStefanthoughthewasgoingtosnarlorstartafight.Butthen,throughclenchedteeth,hesaid,“It’sallforthedamnedtown,don’tyouseethat?ThosetreasuresincludethelargeststarballevertobefilledwithPower.AndthatPowermaybeenoughtosaveFell’sChurch.Atleasttostopitstotalannihilation.MaybetoevenclearouteverymalachthatexistsanddestroyShinichiandMisaowithasingleblow.Isthatnobleenoughforyou,littlebrother?Isitreasonenough?”
“ButtakingBonnie—”
“Youstaywithherhereifyoulike!Spendyourliveshere!ImightmentionthatwithoutherIwouldneverhavebeenabletosetupanexpedition,andthatshe’sdeterminedtogo.Besides,we’renotcomingbackthisway.TherehastobeaneasierroutefromtheGatehousetoEarth.Wewouldn’tsurvivecomingback,soyou’dbetterhopelikehellthatthereisone.”
Stefanwassurprised.Hehadneverheardhisbrotherspeakwithsuchpassionaboutanythingthatinvolvedhumans.Hewasabouttoreply,whenbehindhimtherecameascreamofpure,unadulteratedrage.Itwasfrightening—andworrying,too,becauseStefanwouldrecognizethatvoiceanywhere,anytime.ItwasElena’s.27
StefanwhirledaroundandsawBonnie,withonlyatowelwrappedaroundher,tryingtophysicallyrestrainElena,whowassimilarlyclad.Elena’shairwaswetanduncombed.Somethinghadcausedhertoleapoutofthebathingpoolandrundirectlyintothecorridor.
StefanwassurprisedbyDamon’sreaction.Wasthatasparkofalarmintheendlesslydarkeyesthathadremainedimpassivewatchingathousanddisasters,calamities,cruelties?
No,itcouldn’tbe.Butitcertainlylookedlikeone.
Elenawasgettingcloser.Hervoicerangoutclearlythroughthehallway,whichwasspaciousenoughtogiveitaslightecho.“Damon!Iseeyou!Youwaitrightthere—I’mcomingtokillyou!”
Thistimetheflickerwasunmistakable.Damonglancedatthewindow,whichwaspartlyopen.
MeanwhileBonniehadlostthefightandElenawasrunninglikeagazelletowardtheoffice.Hereyes,however,weredefinitelynotdoe-like.StefansawthemglitterdangerouslyasElenaherselfeludedhim—mainlybecausehedidn’tdaregrabherbythetowel,andeveryotherpartofherwasslippery.ElenawasnowfacingDamon,whohadrisenfromhischair.
“Howcouldyou?”shecried.“UsingBonnielikethat—Influencingher,druggingher—alltogetatwhatdidn’tbelongtoyou!UsingalmostallthePowerthatwasleftinMisao’sstarball—whatdidyouthinkShinichiwoulddowhenyoudidthat?Hecameafterus,that’swhathedid—andwhoknowsiftheboardinghouseisstillstanding?”
Damonopenedhismouth,butElenawasn’tfinished.
“AndthentobringBonnietotheDarkDimensionwithyou—Idon’tcareifyoudidn’twanttowasteopeningtheGateornot.Youknewyoushouldn’tbetakingherhere.”
Damonwasangrynow.“I—”
ButElenacuthimoffwithoutevenhesitating.“Thenonceyoudragherhereyouabandonher.Youleaveherterrified,alone,inaroomwhereshe’snotevenallowedtolookoutofthewindow,withacollectionofstarballsthatyoudon’tevenbothertoexamine—butwhicharecompletelyunsuitableandgivehernightmares!You—”
“Ifthelittledolthadjusthadthesensetowaitquietly—”
“What?Whatdidyousay?”
“Isaid,ifthelittledolthadjusthadthesense—”
Stefan,whowasalreadyonthemove,shuthiseyesbriefly.HeopenedthemagainintimetoseetheslapandtofeelElenaputtingallherPowerintoit.ItsnappedDamon’sheadaround.
Whatastonishedhim—eventhoughhepositionedhimselfpreciselyincaseofit—wastoseeDamon’shandflashupasquickasacobra’sstrike.Therewasnofollow-through,butStefanhadalreadypickedElenaupbodilyandpulledherbackoutofrange.
“Letgo!”Elenacried,strugglingtogetoutofStefan’sarms,oratleastgetherfeetontheground.“I’mgoingtokillhim!”
Thenextastonishingthing—discontinuingtherawfurythatStefancouldfeelcoursingthroughElena’saura—wasthatElenawasactuallywinningthestruggle,despitethefactthathewasordersofmagnitudestrongerthanshewas.Partofithadtodowiththetowel,whichwasthreateningtodropatanymoment.TheotherpartwasthatElenahadacquiredauniquestyleoffightingstrongeropponents—atleastthosewithanyconscience.Shedeliberatelythrewherselfagainstanypointatwhichitwouldhurthertorestrainher,andshedidn’tgiveup.Eventuallyhewasgoingtohavetochoosebetweeninjuringherandlettinghergo.
Atthatmoment,however,Elenastoppedmoving.Shefroze,headturnedasshelookedbehindhim.
Stefanglancedbackwardtoo,andfeltanelectricalshockshootthroughhim.
Bonniewasstandingdirectlybehindthem,lookingatDamon,herlipspartedinanguish,tearsinherwidebrowneyesandstreamingdownhercheeks.
Instantly,evenbeforehecouldregisterElena’spleadingglance,Stefanreleasedher.Heunderstood:Hermoodandthedynamicsofthissituationhadjustbeenturnedupsidedown.
ElenaadjustedhertowelandturnedtoBonnie,butbythenBonniewasrunningawaydownthecorridor.Elena’slongerstridesallowedhertoreachBonnieinamomentandshecaughtthesmallergirlandheldher,notsomuchbyforceasbysisterlymagnetism.“Don’tworryaboutthatsnake,”Elena’svoicecamebacktothemclearly,asitwasobviouslymeantto.“He’sa—”AndhereElenaindulgedinsomeverycreativecursing.
StefancouldhearallofitdistinctlyandnoticedthatitbrokeoffintotinyhushingsoundsjustasElenaturnedintothedoorofthebathingsalon.
StefanglancedsidewaysatDamon.Hedidn’tmindfightinghisbrotherintheleastrightnow;hewasfullofragehimselfonbehalfofBonnie.ButDamonignoredhimasifhewerepartofthewallpaper,staringatnothingwithanexpressionoficyfury.
AtthatmomentStefanheardafaintsoundfromthefarthestendofthecorridor,whichwasquiteadistanceaway.Buthisvampiresensesinformedhimthatsurelythepersoninfrontwasawomanofconsequence,probablytheirhostess.Hesteppedforwardsothatatleastshecouldbegreetedbysomeonewhowaswearingclothing.
However,atthelastmoment,ElenaandBonnieappearedinfrontofhim,cladindresses—gowns,rather—thatwerebothcasualandworksofgenius.Elena’swasaninformalrobeofdeeplapisblue,withherhairdryingintoasoftgoldenmassaroundhershoulders.Bonniewaswearingsomethingshorterandlighter:paleviolet,shotwiththreadsofsilverinnoparticularpattern.Bothoutfits,Stefangraspedsuddenly,wouldlookasgoodintheinterminablesunlightasinaclosedroomwithnowindowsandgaslamps.
HerememberedthestoriesElenahadtoldaboutLadyUlmadesigninggownsforher,andherealizedthatwhateverelsehishostessmightbe,shewastrulyageniuscouturier.
AndthenElenawasrunning,daintygoldsandalsflying,andBonnie’ssilverslipperswerefollowingandStefanbegantoruntoo,fearingsomeunknowndanger.Theyallarrivedatthefarendofthehallwayatthesametime,andStefansawthatthewomanstandingtherewasdressedevenmoresplendidlythanthegirls.Shewaswearingadeepredrawsilkgownwithaheavydiamond-and-rubynecklaceandring—butnobracelets.
Thenextminutethegirlswerebothcurtseying,deep,gracefulcurtseys.Stefanmadehisbestbow.
LadyUlmaheldoutbothhandstoElena,whoseemedtobealmostfranticoversomethingthatStefandidn’tunderstand.Elenatooktheextendedhands,breathingquicklyandshallowly.“LadyUlma—you’resothin—”
Justthenthebabblingofababycouldbeheard.Elena’sfacelitupandshesmiledatLadyUlma,lettingoutaquickbreath.Ayoungservant—evenyounger-lookingthanBonnie—gentlyputatinybundlemadeoflaceandsheerestlawnintoLadyUlma’sarms.BothElenaandBonnieblinkedawaytears,allthewhilebeamingatthechildandmakinglittlenonsensenoises.Stefancouldunderstandthat—they’dknowntheLadysinceshewasawhip-tornslave,tryingnottomiscarry.
“Buthow—?”Elenabeganspluttering.“Wesawyouonlyafewdaysago,butthisbabyismonthsold—”
“Afewdays?Isthathowlongitseemstoyou?”askedLadyUlma.“Tous,ithasbeenmanymonths.Butthemagicstillworks,Elena!Yourmagicremained!Itwasaneasydelivery—easy!AndthenDr.MeggarsaysthatyousavedmebeforeshesufferedinjuryfromtheabuseIwentthrough.Sheistryingtospeakalready!Itisyou,Elena,itisyourmagic!”
AtthistheLadymadeamovementasiftokneelatElena’sfeet.Shegotnofartherthanafewinches,though,becauseElenacaughtherhands,crying,“LadyUlma,no!”whileStefan,athisbestspeed,slippedbesidethegirlservantandcaughttheLadybyherelbows,supportingherweight.
“AndI’mnotmagic,”Elenaadded.“Stefan,tellherthatI’mnotmagic.”
Obediently,Stefanleanedtowardtheearofthetallwoman.“ElenaisthemostmagicI’veeverencountered,”hestage-whispered.“ShehasPowersthatIcan’tevenunderstand.”
“Ahh!”Elenamadeawordlessexclamationoffrustration.
“DoyouknowwhatI’mnamingher?”theLadycontinued.Herface,ifnotconventionallybeautiful,wasstriking,withanaristocraticcombinationofRomannoseandhighcheekbones.
“No.”Elenasmiled—andthen“No!”Elenacried.“Please!Don’tcondemnhertoalifeofexpectationsandterror.Don’ttemptanyonetohurtherwhileshe’sstillachild.Oh,LadyUlma!”
“Butmydearsavior…”
ThenElenabegantomanagethings.Onceshetookasituationinhandtherewasnowaynottogowiththeflowofit.“LadyUlma,”shesaidclearly,“forgivemeforinterferinginyouraffairs.ButBonniehastoldme—”Shestopped,hesitated.
“Ofthetroublesofstrongandhopefulyounggirls,forthemostpartpoororenslaved,whohavetakenonthenamesofthethreebravestyoungwomenwhoevergracedourworld,”LadyUlmafinishedforher.
“Somethinglikethat,”Elenasaid,flushing.
“Nobody’scallingthemselvesDamon,”putintheyoungnursecheerfullyandwiththeutmostgoodwill.“Neitherboysnorgirls.”
Stefancouldhavekissedher.
“Oh,Lakshmi!”Elenahuggedthecoltish-lookingteenager.“Ididn’tevenseeyouproperly.Letmelookatyou.”Sheheldthegirlatarm’slength.“Doyouknow,you’vegrownatleastaninchsinceIlastsawyou?”
Lakshmibeamed.
ElenaturnedbacktoLadyUlma.“Yes,Iamafraidforthechild.WhynotcallherUlma?”
Thepatricianladyhalfshuthereyes.“Because,mydearElena,Helena,Aliena,Alliana,Laynie,Ella—Iwouldnotwish‘Ulma’onanyone,muchlessmylovelydaughter.”
“WhynotcallherAdara?”Lakshmiputinsuddenly.“Ialwaysthoughtthatwaspretty,sinceIwasakid.”
Therewasasilence—almostastunnedsilence.ThenElenasaid,“Adara—it’salovelyname.”
“Andnotatalldangerous,”Bonniesaid.
Stefansaid,“Itwouldn’tstopherfromstartingarevolutionifshewantedto.”
Therewasapause.EveryonelookedatDamon,whowaslookingoutthewindowexpressionlessly.Everyonewaited.
Hefinallyturned.“Oh,excellent,”hesaidblankly,clearlyhavingnoidea—andlessinterest—inwhattheyweretalkingabout.
“Ohcomeon,Damon.”Bonnie’seyeswerestillswollen,butshespokebrightly.“Makeitunanimous!ThatwayLadyUlmawillbesure.”GoodGod,Stefanthought,shemustbethemostforgivinggirlintheuniverse.
“Certainly,then,”Damonsaidindifferently.
“Forgiveus,”Elenasaidtightlytotheroomingeneral.“We’veallbeengoingthroughabitofahardtime.”
ThatgaveLadyUlmahercue.“Ofcourseyouhave,”shesaid,smilingthesmileofonewhohasknownbittersuffering.“Bonniehastoldusofthedestructionofyourtown.Iamdeeplysorry.Whatyouneednowisfoodandrest.I’llhavesomeoneconductyoutoyourrooms.”
“IshouldhaveintroducedStefanatthestart,butIwassoworriedIforgotto,”Elenasaid.“Stefan,thisisLadyUlma,whowassogoodtousbefore.LadyUlma—well,youknowwhothisis.”ShewentontiptoetokissStefanlingeringly.LingeringlyenoughthatStefanhadtogentlydetachherandputherdown.Hewasalmostfrightenedatthisdisplayofbadmanners.ElenawasreallyangryatDamon.Andifshedidn’tforgivehim,thesceneswouldonlycontinuetoescalate—andifhewasright,ElenawastrulygettingclosertobeingabletocastWingsofDestruction
Hedidn’tevenconsideraskingDamontoforgiveanyone.
Afterthegirlshadwhisperedrapturesoverthebabyagain,theywereconductedtoopulentbedchambers,eachfurnishedinexcellenttaste,downtothesmallestdecoration.Asusual,though,theyallcongregatedinoneroom,whichhappenedtobeStefan’s.
Therewasmorethanenoughspaceonthebedforthethreeofthemtositorflop.Damonwasn’tpresentbutStefanwouldbethisundeadlifethathewaslisteningin.
“Allright,”Elenasaidbriskly,andwentintostorytellingmode.SheexplainedtoBonnieeverythingthathadhappenedthroughtheirtakingtheMasterKeysfromShinichiandMisao,totheirflighttoLadyUlma’sbathingchamber.
“TohavesomuchPowersuddenlytornawayfromyouinaninstant…”Bonniehadherheaddown,anditwasn’thardtoguesswhoshewasthinkingabout.Shelookedup.“Please,Elena.Don’tbesoangryatDamon.Iknowhe’sdonesomebadthings—buthe’sbeensounhappy…”
“That’snoexcuse,”Elenabegan.“And,frankly,I’m—”
Don’t,Elena!Don’ttellherthatyou’reashamedofherforputtingupwithit!She’salreadyashamedofherself!
“I’msurprisedathim,”Elenasaidwithonlythesmallesthesitation.“Iknowforafactthathecaresforyou.Heevenhasapetnameforyou:hislittleredbird.”
Bonniesniffed.“Youalwayssaythatpetnamesarestupid.”
“Well,butImeantnameslike—oh—ifhecalledyou‘Bonbon’orsomething.”
Bonnie’sheadcameup.“Eventhatwouldbeokayforthebaby,”shesaid,withasuddensmile,likearainbowafterastorm.
“Oh,yes,isn’tsheadorable?Ineversawsuchahappybaby.Margaretusedtojustlookatyouwithbigeyes.Adara—ifsheisAdara—shouldhavesuchahappylife…”
Stefansettledbackagainsttheheadboard.Elenahadthesituationinhand.
NowhecouldworryaboutwhereDamonwasgoing.Afteramomenthetunedbackin,tofindBonnietalkingabouttreasure.
“AndtheykeptaskingmeandaskingmeandIcouldn’tfigureoutwhysincethestarballwiththestoryonitwasrightthere.Onlythestoryisgonenow—Damonchecked.Shinichiwasgoingtothrowmeoutthewindow,andthatwaswhenDamonrescuedme,andtheGuardiansaskedmeaboutthestorytoo.”
“Strange,”Stefansaid,sittingupalertly.“Bonnie,tellmehowyoufirstfeltthisstory;whereyouwereandall.”
Bonniesaid,“Well,firstIsawastoryaboutalittlegirlnamedMaritgoingtobuyasugarplum—thatwaswhyItriedtodothesamethingthenextday.AndthenIwenttobed,butIcouldn’tsleep.SothenIpickedupthestarballagainanditshowedmethestoryaboutthekitsunetreasures.Thestoriesareshowninorder,soithadtobetheonerightafterthesweetshopstory.AndthensuddenlyIwasoutofmybody,andIwasflyingwithElenarightoverAlaric’scar.”
“Didyoudoanythinginbetweenexperiencingthestoryandgoingtobed?”Stefanasked.
Bonniethought;herrosebudmouthpursed.“IsupposeIturneddownthegaslamp.EverynightIwouldturnthelampwaydownsothatitwasonlyaflicker.”
“Anddidyouturnitbackupagainwhenyoucouldn’tsleepandreachedforthestarballagain?”
“Um…no.Butthey’renotbooks!Youdon’thavetoseetoexperienceastory.”
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant.Howdidyoufindthestarballinthatdimroom?Wasittheonlystarballonthefloornearyou?”
Bonnie’sbrowscametogether.“Well…no.Thereweretwenty-six.Twootherswerehideous;I’dkickedthoseintoacorner.Twenty-fiveweresoapoperas—soboring.It’snotasifIhadshelvesoranywhereelsetoputthem—”
“Bonnie,doyouwanttoknowwhatIthinkhappened?”
Bonnieblinkedandnodded.
“Ithinkthatyoureadachildren’sstoryandthenyouwenttobed.Andyouactuallyfellasleepveryquickly,eventhoughyoudreamedyouwereawake.Thenyoudreamedapremonition—”
Bonniegroaned.“Anotheroneofthose?Buttherewasn’tevenanyonetotellittothen!”
“Exactly.Butyouwantedtotellittosomeone,andthatlongingbroughtyou—yourspirit—towhereElenawas.ButElenawassoworriedaboutgettingwordacrosstoAlaricthatshewashavinganout-of-bodyexperience.She’dbeenasleeptoo,I’msureofit.”StefanlookedatElena.“Whatdoyouthinkofthat?”28
Elenawasnoddingslowly.“Itwouldworkwithwhathappenedtome.AtfirstIwasaloneoutofmybody,butthenIsawBonniebesideme.”
Bonniebitherlip.“Well…thefirstthingIsawwasElenaandwewerebothflying.Iwasalittlebehindher.ButStefan,whydoyouthinkIfellasleepanddreamedawholestory?Whycan’tmyversionjustbetrue?”
“BecauseIthinkthefirstthingyou’dhavedonewouldbetoturnthelighton—ifyoureallywerelyingthereawake.Otherwise,youmightwellhavepickedupasoapopera—soboring!”
Bonnie’sforeheadsmoothedatlast.“ThatwouldexplainwhynobodybelievedmeevenwhenItoldthemexactlywherethestorywas!Butwhydidn’tItellElenaaboutthetreasure?”
“Idon’tknow.Butsometimeswhenyouwakeup—andIthinkyoudidwakeuptohavetheout-of-bodyexperience—youforgetthedreamifsomethinginterestingisgoingon.Butthenyoumightrememberitlaterifsomethingremindsyouofit.”
Bonniestaredintoamiddledistance,thinking.Stefanwassilent,knowingthatonlyshecouldunraveltheriddleforherself.
AtlastBonnienodded.“Itcouldbethatway!IwokeupandthefirstthingIthoughtofwasthesweetshop.AndafterthatInevergaveanotherthoughttothetreasuredreamuntilsomebodyaskedforstories.Anditjustpoppedintomyhead.”
Elenapushedthedeepblue-greenvelvetcoverletonewaytomakeitgreen,thentheotherwaytosmoothitintoblueness.
“IwasgoingtoforbidBonnietogoontheexpedition,”shesaid:thisslavewhodidn’thaveagemonherbodyexceptStefan’spendantwhichhungfromafinechainaroundherneck,andwasstillinthesimplestkindofafter-bathrobe.“Butifit’ssomethingwehavetodo,I’dbettertalktoLadyUlma.Itsoundsasiftimeisprecious.”
“Remember—timerunsdifferentlyherethanbackonEarth.Butwe’resupposedtoleaveinthemorning,”Bonniesaid.
“ThenIdefinitelyneedtotalktoher—rightnow.”
Bonniejumpedup,excited.“I’llhelp!”
“Wait.”StefanputagentlehandonBonnie’sarm.“Ihavetosaythis.Ithinkyou’reamiracle,Bonnie!”Stefanknewhiseyesmustbeshininginawaythatshowedhecouldhardlyreininhisexcitement.Inspiteofthedanger—inspiteoftheGuardians—inspiteofeverything…thelargeststarball—fullofPower!
HegaveBonnieasuddenimpetuoushug,sweepingheroffthebedandwhirlingherbeforeputtingherdownagain.“Youandyourprecognitions!”
“Oooh…”Bonniesaiddizzily,gazingupathim.“Damonwasexcited,too,whenItoldhimabouttheGatewayoftheSevenTreasures.”
“Youknowwhy,Bonnie?It’sbecauseeverybodyhasheardaboutthoseseventreasures—butnoonehadanyideawheretheyare…untilyoudreamedit.Youdoknowexactlywheretheyare?”
“Yes,iftheprecognitionwastrue.”Bonniewasflushedwithpleasure.“AndyouagreethatthatgiantstarballwillsaveFell’sChurch?”
“I’dbetmylifeonit!”
“Woo-hoo!”criedBonnie,pumpingafist.“Let’sgo!”
“Soyousee,”Elenawassaying,“it’llmeantwiceasmuchofeverything.Idon’tseehowwecanstarttomorrow.”
“Now,now,Elena.Aswediscovered,oh,elevenmonthsagowhenyouleft,anyjobcanbedonequicklyifwesummonenoughhands.Iamnowtheregularemployerofallthosewomenweusedtocallintomakeyourballgowns.”AsLadyUlmaspokeshequicklyandgracefullytookElena’smeasurements—whydoonlyonethingwhenyoucandotwoatonce?Sheglancedathermeasuringtape.“StillexactlythesameaswhenIlastsawyou.Youmustleadaveryhealthylife,Elena.”
Elenalaughed.“Remember,forusit’sonlybeenafewdays.”
“Oh,yes.”LadyUlmalaughed,too,andLakshmi,whowasseatedonastoolamusingthebaby,madewhatElenaknewwasonelastappeal.
“Icouldgowithyou,”shesaidearnestly,lookingatElena.“Icandoallsortsofhelpfulthings.AndI’mtough—”
“Lakshmi,”LadyUlmasaidgently,butinavoicethatworethehatofauthority.“We’realreadydoublingthesizeofthewardrobeneededtoaccommodateElenaandStefan.Youwouldn’twanttotakeElena’splace,wouldyou?”
“Oh,no,no,”theyounggirlsaidhastily.“Oh,well,”shesaid,“I’lltakesuchgoodcareoflittleAdarathatshe’snobothertoyouwhileyousuperviseElena’sandStefan’sclothes.”
“Thankyou,Lakshmi,”Elenasaidfromherheart,notingthatAdaranowseemedtobethebaby’sofficialname.
“Well,wecan’tletoutanyofBonnie’sthingstofityou,butwecancallinreinforcementsandhaveafullsetofgarmentsreadyforyouandStefanbythemorning.It’sjustamatterofleatherandfurtokeepyouwarm.Weusethepeltsoftheanimalsupnorth.”
“They’renotnice,cuddlybabyanimals,either,”Bonniesaid.“They’reviciousnastythingsthatareusedfortraining,ortheymightcomeupfromthedimensionbelowandattackallthepeopleonthenorthernfringeshere.Andwhentheyfinallygetkilled,thebountyhuntersselltheleatherandfurtoLadyUlma.”
“Oh,well…good,”Elenasaid,decidingnottomakeananimalrightsspeechjustnow.Thetruthwasthatshewasstillveryshakenbyheractions—herreactions—towardDamon.Whyhadsheactedthatway?Wasitjusttoletoffpressure?ShestillfeltasifshecouldsmackhimagoodonefortakingpoorBonnieaway,andthenleavingheralone.And…and…fortakingpoorBonnie—andnottakingher!
Damonmusthatehernow,shethought,andsuddenlytheworlddevelopedasickening,out-of-controlmotion,asifsheweretryingtobalanceonaseesaw.AndStefan—whatelsecouldhethinkbutthatshewasawomanscorned,thekindthatHellhadnofurylike?Howcouldhebesokind,socaring,whenanyoneintheirrightmindwouldknowshe’dgonemadwithjealousy?
Bonniedidn’tunderstandeither.Bonniewasachild,notawoman.Although,although,she’dgrownsomehow—ingoodness,inunderstanding.Shewaswillfullyblind,likeStefan.But—didn’tthattakematurity?
CouldBonniebemoreofawomanthanshe,Elena,was?
“I’llhaveaprivatesuppersentuptoyourrooms,”LadyUlmawassaying,asshequicklyanddeftlyusedthemeasuringtapeonStefan.“Yougetagoodnight’ssleep;thethurgs—andyourwardrobes—willbewaitingtomorrow.”Shebeamedatallofthem.
“CouldIhave—Imean,isthereanyBlackMagicatall?”Elenastumbled.“Theexcitement…I’mgoingtosleepinmyroomalone.Iwanttogetagoodnight’srest.We’regoingonaquest,youknow?”Allthetruth.Allalie.
“Ofcourse,I’llhaveabottlesentto—”LadyUlmahesitatedandthenquicklyrecovered.“Toyourroom,butwhydon’tweallhaveanightcapnow?Itlooksjustthesameoutside,”sheaddedtoStefan,thenewcomer,“butit’sreallyratherlate.”
Elenadrankherfirstglassinonedraft.Theattendanthadtorefillitimmediately.Andagainamomentlater.Afterthathernervesseemedtorelaxabit.Buttheseesawfeelingneverentirelyleft,andthoughshesleptaloneinherroom,Damondidn’tvisittoquarrelwithher,mockher,orkillher—andcertainlynottokiss.
Thurgs,Elenadiscovered,weresomethingliketwoelephantsstitchedtogether.Eachhadtwoside-by-sidetrunksandfourwicked-lookingtusks.Eachalsohadahigh,wide,longridgedtail,likeareptile.Theirsmallyelloweyeswereplacedallaroundtheirdomelikeheads,sothattheycouldsee360degreesaround,lookingforpredators.Predatorsthatcouldtakedownathurg!
Elenaimaginedasortofsaber-toothedcat,enormous,withamilk-whitepeltbigenoughtolineseveralgarmentsofhersandStefan’s.Shewaspleasedwithhernewoutfits.Eachonewasessentiallyatunicandbreeches,soft,pliable,rain-sheddingleatherontheoutside;andwarm,luxuriousfurontheinside.Buttheywouldn’tbegenuineLadyUlmacreationsifthatwasallthereweretothem.Theinnerbodysuitofwhitefurwasreversibleandremovablesoyoucouldchangedependingontheweather.Thereweretriple-thickwind-aroundcollars,whichtrailedbehindorcouldbeturnedintoscarvesthatwrappedafaceuptotheeyes.Thewhitepeltsspilledoutoftheleatheratthewriststomakemittensyoucouldn’tlose.Theguyshadstraightleathertunicsthatjustmetatthebreeches,andfastenedwithbuttons.Thegirls’tunicswerelongerandflaredoutabit.Theywereneatlyfringed,butnotstainedordyedexceptforDamon’s,which,ofcourse,wereblackwithsablefur.
Onethurgwouldcarrythetravelersandtheirbaggage.Asecond,largerandwilderlooking,wouldcarryheatingstonestohelpcookhumanfoodandallthefood(itlookedlikeredhay)thatthetwothurgswouldeatonthewaytotheNetherWorld.
Pelatshowedthemhowtomovethegiantcreatures,withthelightestoftapsofaverylongstick,whichcouldscratchathurgbehinditshippo-likeearsorgiveitaferocioustapatthatsensitivespot,signalingittohastenforward.
“Isitsafe,havingBiratzcarryallthethurgfood?Ithoughtyousaidshewasunpredictable,”BonnieaskedPelat.
“Now,miss,Iwouldn’tgivehertoyouifshewasn’tsafe.She’llberopedtoDazarsoallshehastodoisfollow,”Pelatreplied.
“Weridethese?”Stefansaid,craninghisnecktogetalookatthesmall,enclosedpalanquinontopoftheverylargeanimal.
“Wehaveto,”Damonsaidflatly.“Wecanhardlywalkalltheway.We’renotallowedtousemagiclikethatfancyMasterKeyyouusedtogethere.NomagicbuttelepathyworksupattheverytopoftheDarkDimension.Thesedimensionsareflatlikeplates,andaccordingtoBonnie,there’safracture,justatthefarnorthofthisone—nottoofarfromhere,inotherwords.Thecrackissmallbydimensionalstandards,butbigenoughforustogetthrough.IfwewanttoreachtheGatehouseoftheSevenTreasureswestartonthurgs.”
Stefanshrugged.“Allright.We’redoingityourway.”
Pelatwasputtingaladderup.LadyUlma,Bonnie,andElenawereweepingandlaughingoverthebabytogether.
Theywerestilllaughingastheyleftontheirway.
Thefirstweekorsowasboring.TheysatinthepalanquinonthebackofthethurgnamedDazar,withacompassfromElena’sbackpackdanglingfromtheroof.Theygenerallykeptallthesidesofthepalanquin’scurtainsrolledup,excepttheonefacingwest,wherethebloated,bloodyredsun—toobrighttolookatinthehigher,cleanerairoutsidethecity—constantlyloomedonthehorizon.Theviewallaroundthemwasdreadfullymonotonous—mind-bendinglyso,withfewtreesandmanymilesofdriedbrowngrassyhills.Nothinginterestingtoanon-hunterevershowedup.Theonlythingthatchangedwasastheytraveledfarthernorth,itgotcolder.
Itwasdifficultforallofthem,livinginsuchclosequarters.DamonandElenahadreachedanequilibrium—oratleastapretense—ofignoringeachother,somethingElenawouldneverhaveimaginedcouldbepossible.Damonmadeiteasierbyworkingonadifferentsleepcyclethantheothers—whichhelpedtoguardthemasthethurgstrudgedonward,dayandnight.IfhewasawakewhenElenawas,hewouldrideoutsidethepalanquin,onthethurg’senormousneck.Theybothhadsuchstiffnecks,Elenathought.Neitherofthemwantedtobethefirsttobend.
Meanwhilethoseinsidethepalanquinbegantoplaylittlegames,likepickingthelongdriedgrassesfromthesideoftheroadandtryingtoweavethemintodolls,flywhisks,hats,whips.Stefanprovedtobetheonewhomadethetightestweave,andhemadeflywhisksandbroadfansforeachofthem.
Theyalsoplayedvariouscardgames,usingstifflittleplacecards(hadLadyUlmathoughttheymightgiveadinnerpartyontheway?)asplayingcards,aftercarefullymarkingthemwiththefoursuits.Andofcourse,thevampireshunted.Sometimesthistookquitealongtime,sincegamewasscarce.TheBlackMagicLadyUlmahadstockedhelpedthemstretchthetimebetweenhunts.
WhenDamonvisitedthepalanquin,itwasasifhewerecrashingaprivatepartyandthumbinghisnoseatthehosts.
FinallyElenacouldn’tstanditanylonger,andhadStefanfloatherupthesideofthethurg(lookingdownorclimbingupweredefinitelynotoptions)whileflyingmagicstillworked.ShesatdownonthesaddlebesideDamonandgatheredhercourage.
“Damon,Iknowyouhavearighttobeangrywithme.Butdon’ttakeitoutontheothers.EspeciallyBonnie.”
“Anotherlecture?”Damonasked,givingheralookthatwouldfreezeaflame.
“No,justa—arequest.”Shecouldn’tbringherselftosay“aplea.”
Whenhedidn’tanswerandthesilencebecameunbearable,shesaid,“Damon,forus—we’renotgoingonaquestfortreasureoutofgreedoradventureoranynormalreason.We’regoingbecauseweneedtosaveourtown.”
“FromMidnight,”avoicejustbehindhersaid.“FromtheLastMidnight.”
Elenawhirledtostare.SheexpectedtoseeStefanholdingBonnieclaspedtohimhard.ButitwasonlyBonnieatherheadlevel,hangingontothethurgladder.
Elenaforgotshewasafraidofheights.Shestoodupontheswayingthurg,readytoclimbdownonthesunsideiftherewasn’tenoughroomforBonnietositdownfastinthedriver’ssaddle.
ButBonniehadtheslimmesthipsintownandtherewasjustroomforallthreeofthem.
“TheLastMidnightiscoming,”Bonnierepeated.Elenaknewthatmonotonousvoice,knewthechalk-whitecheeks,theblankeyes.Bonniewasintrance—andmoving.Itmustbeurgent.
“Damon,”Elenawhispered.“IfIspeaktoher,she’llbreaktrance.Canyouaskhertelepathicallywhatshemeans?”
AmomentlatersheheardDamon’sprojection.WhatistheLastMidnight?What’sgoingtohappenthen?
“That’swhenitstarts.Andit’soverinlessthananhour.So…nomoremidnights.”
Ibegyourpardon?Nomoremidnights?
“NotinFell’sChurch.Noonelefttoseethem.”
Andwhenisthisgoingtohappen?
“Tonight.Thechildrenarefinallyready.”
Thechildren?
Bonniesimplynodded,hereyesfaraway.
Something’sgoingtohappentoallthechildren?
Bonnie’seyelidsdroopedtohalfmast.Shedidn’tseemtohearthequestion.
Elenaneededtoholdontosomething.Andsuddenlyshewas.DamonhadreachedacrossBonnie’slapandtakenherhand.
Bonnie,arethechildrengoingtodosomethingatmidnight?heasked.
Bonnie’seyesfilledandshebowedherhead.
“We’vegottogoback.WehavetogotoFell’sChurch,”Elenasaid,andscarcelyknowingwhatshewasdoing,unclaspedDamon’shandandclimbeddowntheladder.Thebloatedredsunlookeddifferent—smaller.ShetuggedatthecurtainandalmostbumpedheadswithStefanasherolledituptoletherin.
“Stefan,Bonnie’sintranceandshesaid—”
“Iknow.Iwaseavesdropping.Icouldn’tevencatchheronthewayup.Shejumpedontotheladderandclimbedlikeasquirrel.Whatdoyouthinkshemeans?”
“Yourememberintheout-of-bodyexperiencesheandIhad?AlittlespyingonAlaric?That’swhat’sgoingtohappeninFell’sChurch.Allthechildren,allatonce,justatmidnight—that’swhywehavetogetback—”
“Easy.Easy,love.RememberwhatLadyUlmasaid?Nearlyayearherecameouttobeonlydaysinourworld.”
Elenahesitated.Itwastrue;shecouldn’tdenyit.Still,shefeltsocold…
Physicallycold,sherealizedsuddenly,asablastoffrigidairswirledaroundher,cuttingthroughherleatherlikeamachete.
“Weneedourinnerfurs,”Elenagasped.“Wemustbegettingnearthefracture.”
Theyyankeddownthepalanquincoversandsecuredthemandthenhastilyrummagedthroughtheneatcabinetthatwassetontherumpofthethurg.
ThefursweresosleekthatElenacouldfittwounderherleathereasily.
TheyweredisturbedbyDamoncominginsidewithBonnieinhisarms.
“Shestoppedtalking,”hesaid,andadded,“Wheneveryou’rewarmenough,Isuggestthatyoucomeout.”
ElenalaidBonniedownononeofthetwobenchesinsidethepalanquinandpiledblanketafterblanketoverher,tuckingtheminaroundher.ThenElenamadeherselfclimbbackup.
Foramomentshefeltblinded.Notbythesurlyredsun—theyhadleftthatbehindsomemountains,whichitturnedapinksapphirecolor—butbyaworldofwhite.Seeminglyendless,flat,featurelesswhitenessstretchedoutbeforeheruntilabankoffogobscuredwhateverwasbehindit.
“Accordingtolegend,weshouldbeheadedtowardtheSilverLakeofDeath,”Damon’svoicesaidfrombehindElena.And,oddly,throughoutallthischill,hisvoicewaswarm—almostfriendly.“AlsoknownasLakeMirror.ButIcan’tchangeintoacrowtoscoutahead.Something’shinderingme.Andthatfoginfrontofusisimpenetrabletopsychicprobing.”
Elenainstinctivelyglancedaroundher.Stefanwasstillinsidethepalanquin,obviouslystilltendingtoBonnie.
“You’relookingforthelake?What’sitlike?Imean,IcanguesswhyitmightbecalledSilverandLakeMirror,”shesaid.“Butwhat’stheDeathbit?”
“Waterdragons.Atleastthat’swhatpeoplesay—butwhohasbeentheretobringbackthestory?”Damonlookedather.
HetookcareofBonniewhileshewasintrance,Elenathought.Andhe’stalkingtomeatlast.
“Water…dragons?”sheaskedhimandshemadehervoicefriendly,too.Asifthey’djustmet.Theywerestartingover.
“I’vealwayssuspectedkronosaurus,myself,”Damonsaid.Hewasrightbehindhernow;shecouldfeelhimblockingtheicywind—no,morethanthat.Hewasgeneratinganenvelopeofheatforhertostandin.Elena’sshiveringstopped.Shefeltforthefirsttimethatshecouldunwrapherarmsfromclutchingherself.
Thenshefeltapairofstrongarmsfoldingaroundher,andtheheatabruptlygotquiteintense.Damonwasstandingbehindher,holdingher,andallatonceshewasverywarmindeed.
“Damon,”shebegan,notverysteadily,“wecan’tjust—”
“There’sarockoutcroppingoverthere.Noonecouldseeus,”thevampirebehindheroffered—toElena’sabsoluteshock.Aweekofnotspeakingatall—andnowthis
“Damon,theguyinthepalanquinjustbelowusismy—”
“Prince?Don’tyouneedaknight,then?”Damonbreathedthisdirectlyintoherear.Elenastoodlikeastatue.Butwhathesaidnextrockedherentireuniverse.“YoulikethestoryofCamelot,don’tyou?Onlyhereyou’rethequeen,princess.Youmarriedyournot-quite-fairy-taleprince,butalongcameaknightwhoknewevenmoreofyoursecrets,andhecalledtoyou…”
“Heforcedme,”Elenasaid,turningtomeetDamon’sdarkeyesstraighton,evenasherbrainscreamedforhertoletitgo.“Hedidn’twaitformetohearhiscall.Hejust…tookwhathewanted.Liketheslaversdo.Ididn’tknowhowtofight—then.”
“Oh,no.Youfoughtandfought.I’veneverseenahumanfightsohard.Butevenwhenyoufought,youfeltthecallofmyhearttoyours.Trytodenythat.”
“Damon—whynow—allofasudden…?”
Damonmadeamoveasiftoturnaway,thenturnedback.“Becausebytomorrowwemaybedead,”hesaidflatly.“IwantedyoutoknowhowIfeltaboutyoubeforeIdied—oryoudid.”
“Butyouhaven’ttoldmeawordabouthowyoufeelaboutme.OnlyaboutwhatyouthinkIfeelaboutyou.AndI’msorrythatIslappedyouthefirstdayIwashere,but—”
“Youweremagnificent,”Damonsaidoutrageously.“Forgetitnow.AsforhowIfeel—maybeI’llgetachancetoreallyshowittoyousomeday.”
SomethingsparkedinsideElena—theywerebacktofencingwithwords,astheyhadbeenwhenthey’dfirstmet.“Someday?Soundsconvenient.Andwhynotnow?”
“Doyoumeanthat?”
“DoIhabituallysaythingsIdon’tmean?”
Shewaswaitingforsomekindofapology,somewordsspokenassimplyandsincerelyasshehadbeenspeakingtohim.Instead,withtheutmostgentleness,andwithoutglancingaroundtoseeifanyonewaswatchingthem,DamoncuppedElena’sscarf-boundcheekswithhisbarehands,pulledthescarfjustbelowherlipswithhisthumbs,andkissedhersoftly.Softly—butnotbriefly,andsomethinginElenakeptwhisperingtoherthatofcourseshehadheardhiscallfromthemomentshefirstsawhim,firstfelthisauracalltoher.Shehadn’tknownthatitwasanaurathen;shehadn’tbelievedinauras.Shehadn’tbelievedinvampires.She’dbeenanignorantlittleidiot…
Stefan!Avoicelikecrystalsoundedofftwonotesinherbrain,andsuddenlyshewasabletostepbackfromDamon’sembraceandlookatthepalanquinagain.Nosignofmotionthere.
“Ihavetogoback,”shetoldDamonbrusquely.“Ihavetoknowwhat’sgoingonwithBonnie.”
“Youmeantoseewhat’sgoingonwithStefan,”hesaid.“Youneedn’tworry.He’sfastasleep,andsoisourlittlegirl.”
Elenatensed.“YouInfluencedthem?Withoutseeingthem?”Itwasawildguess,butonesideofDamon’smouthcrookedup,asifcongratulatingher.“Howdareyou?”shesaid.
“Tobehonest,Idon’tknowhowIdare.”Damonleanedincloseagain,butElenaturnedhercheek,thinking,Stefan!
Hecan’thearyou.He’sdreamingaboutyou
Elenawassurprisedatherownreactiontothat.Damonhadcaughtandheldhereyesagain.Somethinginsidehermeltedintheintensityofhissteadyblackgaze
“I’mnotInfluencingyou;Igiveyoumyword”—inawhisper.“Butyoucan’tdenywhathappenedbetweenusthelasttimewewereinthisdimension.”Hisbreathwasonherlipsnow—andElenadidn’tturnaside.Shetrembled.
“Please,Damon.Showsomerespect.I’m—oh,God!God!”
“Elena?Elena!Elena!What’swrong?”
Hurts—thatwasallElenacouldthink.Aterribleagonyhadlancedthroughherchestontheleftside.Asifshe’dbeenstabbedthroughtheheart.Shestifledascream.
Elena,talktome!Ifyoucan’tsendyourthoughts,speak!
Throughnumblips,Elenasaid,“Pain—heartattack—”
“You’retooyoungandhealthyforthat.Letmecheck.”Damonwasunfasteninghertop.Elenalethim.Shecoulddonothingforherself,exceptgasp,“OhGod!Ithurts!”
Damon’swarmhandwasinsideherleatherandfurs.Hishandcametorestslightlytotheleftofcenter,withonlyhercamisolebetweenhisprobingfingersandherflesh.Elena,I’mgoingtotakethepainawaynow.Trustme.
Evenashespoke,thestabbinganguishdrained.Damon’seyesnarrowed,andElenaknewhe’dtakenthepainintohimself,toanalyzeit.
“It’snotaheartattack,”hesaidamomentlater.“I’massureasIcanbe.It’smoreasif—well,asifyou’dbeenstaked.Butthat’ssilly.Hmm…it’sgonenow.”
ForElenaithadbeengonesincehe’dtakenit,protectingher.“Thankyou,”shebreathed,suddenlyrealizingthatshehadbeenclingingtohim,inutterterrorthatshewasdying.Orthathewas.
Hegaveherarare,full,genuinesmile.“We’rebothfine.Itmusthavebeenacramp.”Hisgazehaddroppedtoherlips.“DoIdeserveakiss?”
“I…”Hehadcomfortedher;hehadtakentheterriblepainaway.Howcouldshesanelysayno?“Justone,”shewhispered.
Ahandunderherchin.Hereyelidswantedtomeltclosed,butshewidenedhereyesandwouldn’tletthem.
Ashislipstouchedhers,hisarmaroundher…changedsomehow.Itwasnolongertryingtorestrainher.Itseemedtobewantingtocomforther.Andwhenhisotherhandstrokedherhairsoftlyattheveryends,crushingthewavesgently,andjustasgentlysmoothingthemout,Elenafeltarushofshiveringwarmth.
Damonwasn’tdeliberatelytryingtobatterherwiththestrengthofhisaura,whichatthemomentwasfilledwithnothingbuthisfeelingsforher.Thesimplefact,though,wasthatalthoughhewasanew-madevampire,hewasexceptionallystrongandheknewallthetricksofanexperiencedone.Elenafeltasifshehadsteppedintoclearcalmwater,onlytofindherselfcaughtinafierceundertowthattherewasnoresisting;nobargainingwith;andcertainlynopossibilityofreachingbyreason.Shehadnochoicebuttosurrendertoitandhopethatitwastakingher,eventually,toaplaceshecouldbreatheandlive.Otherwise,shewoulddrown…buteventhatpossibilitydidn’tseemsodire,nowthatshecouldseethetidewasmadeofachainoflittlemomentsstrunglikepearls.IneachoneofthemwasatinysparkleofadmirationthatDamonhadforher:pearlsforhercourage,forherintelligence,forherbeauty.Itseemedthattherewasnoslightestmotionshehadmade,nobriefestwordthatshehadsaid,thathehadnotnoticedandlockedinhisheartasatreasure.
Butwewerefightingthen,Elenathoughttohim,seeingintheundertowasparklingmomentwhenshehadcursedhim.
Yes—Isaidyouweremagnificentwhenyouwereangry.Likeagoddesscometoputtheworldtorights.
Idowanttoputtheworldtorights.No,twoworlds:theDarkDimensionandmyhome.ButI’mnogoddess.
Suddenlyshefeltthatkeenly.Shewasaschoolgirlwhohadn’tevenfinishedhighschool—anditwasinpartbecauseofthepersonwhowaskissingherwildlynow.
Oh,thinkofwhatyou’relearningonthistrip!Thingsthatnooneelseintheuniverseknows,Damonsaidinhermind.Nowpayattentiontowhatyou’redoing!
Elenapaidattention,notbecauseDamonwantedherto,butbecauseshecouldn’thelpit.Hereyesdriftedshut.Sherealizedthatthewaytocalmthismaelstromwastobecomepartofit,neithergivinginnorforcingDamonto,butbymeetingthepassionintheundertowwithwhatwasinsideherownheart.
Assoonasshedid,theundertowbecamewind,andshewasflyingandnotdrowning.No,itwasbetterthanflying,betterthandancing,itwaswhatherheartalwaysyearnedfor.Ahighstillplacewherenothingcouldeverharmthemordisturbthem.
Andthen,whenshewasmostvulnerable,thepaincameagain,drillingthroughherchest,alittletotheleft.ThistimeDamonwassomindlockedwithherthathefeltitfromthebeginning.AndshecouldhearclearlyaphraseinDamon’smind:stakingisjustaseffectiveonhumansasitisonvampires,andhissuddenfearthatthiswasaprecognition.
Intheswayinglittleroom,StefanwasasleepholdingBonniebyhisside,withthesparklingofPowerengulfingthemboth.Elena,whohadagoodgriponthepalanquin’sladder,vaultedtherestofthewayinside.SheputahandonStefan’sshoulderandhewoke.
“Whatisthis?Issomethingwrongwithher?”sheasked,withathirdquestion:“Doyouknow?”buzzingaroundinherhead.
ButwhenStefanliftedhisgreeneyestoher,theyweresimplyworried.Clearlyhewasnotinvadingherthoughts.HewasfocusedentirelyonBonnie.ThankGod,he’ssuchagentleman,Elenathoughtforthethousandthtime.
“I’mtryingtogetherwarm,”Stefansaid.“Aftershecameoutoftrance,shewasshivering.Thenshestoppedshivering,butwhenItookherhand,itwascolderthanever.NowI’veputanenvelopeofheataroundher.IguessIdozedoffforalittlewhileafterthat.”Headded,“Didyoufindanything?”
IfoundDamon’slips,Elenathoughtwildly,butsheforcedherselftoblankoutthememory.“We’relookingforLakeSilverDeathMirror,”shesaid.“ButallIcouldseewaswhite.Thesnowandthefogseemtogoonforever.”
Stefannodded.ThenhecarefullywentthroughthemotionsofpluckingaparttwolayersofairandslidinahandtotouchBonnie’scheek.“She’swarmingup,”hesaid,andsmiled.
IttookalongwhilebeforeStefanwassatisfiedthatBonniewaswarm.Whenhedid,hegentlyunwrappedherfromtheheatedairthathadformedthe“envelope”andlayherononebench,comingtositwithElenaontheother.EventuallyBonniesighed,blinked,andopenedhereyes.
“Ihadanap,”shesaid,obviouslyawarethatshehadlosttime.
“Notexactly,”Elenasaid,keepinghervoicegentleandreassuring.Let’ssee,howdidMeredithdothis?“Youwentintotrance,Bonnie.Doyourememberanythingaboutit?”
Bonniesaid,“Aboutthetreasure?”
“Aboutwhatthetreasureisfor,”Stefansaidquietly.
“No…No…”
“YousaidthatthiswastheLastMidnight,”Elenasaid.Asfarasshecouldremember,Meredithwasprettydirect.“Butwethinkyouweretalkingaboutbackathome,”sheaddedhastily,seeingterrorleapinBonnie’seyes.
“TheLastMidnight—andnomorningafterward,”Bonniesaid.“Ithink—Iheardsomeonesayingthosewords.Butnomore.”
Shewasasskittishasawildcolt.Elenaremindedherabouttimerunningdifferentlybetweenthetwoworldsbutitdidn’tseemtocomforther.Finally,Elenajustsatbyherandheldher.
HerheadwasspinningwiththoughtsofDamon.He’dforgivenher.Thatwasgood,eventhoughhe’dtakenhisowntimeaboutit.Buttherealmessagewasthathewaswillingtoshareher.Oratleastwillingtosayhewouldtogetinhergoodgraces.Ifsheknewhimatall,ifsheeveragreed—oh,God,hemightmurderStefan.Again.Afterall,thatwaswhathehaddonewhenKatherinehadhadthesamesentiment.
Elenacouldneverthinkofhimwithoutlonging.ShecouldneverthinkofhimwithoutthinkingofStefan.Shehadnoideawhattodo.
Shewasintrouble.29
“Oi!”Damonshoutedfromoutsidethepalanquin.“Isanybodyelselookingatthis?”
Elenawas.BothStefanandBonniehadtheireyesshut;BonniewaswrappedinblanketsandcuddledagainstElena.Theyhadrolleddownallthecurtainsofthepalanquinexceptone.
ButElenahadwatchedthroughthesinglewindow,andhadseenhowtendrilsoffoghadbegundriftingby,firstjustfilmytattersofmist,butthenlonger,fullerveils,andfinallyblankets,engulfingthemwhole.ItseemedtoherthattheywerebeingdeliberatelycutofffromeventheperilousDarkDimension,thattheywerepassingaborderintoaplacetheyweren’tmeanttoknowabout,muchlessenter.
“Howdoweknowwe’regoingintherightdirection?”ElenashoutedtoDamonafterStefanandBonniewoke.Shewasgladtobeabletotalkagain.
“Thethurgsknow,”Damoncalledback.“Yousetthemonalineandtheywalkthatlineuntilsomebodystopsthem,or—”
“Orwhat?”Elenayelledoutoftheopening.
“Untilwegettoaplacelikethis.”
Thiswasobviouslybait,andneitherStefannorElenacouldresisttakingit—especiallywhenthethurgtheywereridingstopped.
“Stayhere,”ElenasaidtoBonnie.Shepushedacurtainoutofthewayandfoundherselflookingtoofardownatwhiteground.God,thesethurgswerebig.Thenextmoment,though,Stefanwasonthegroundholdinguphisarms.
“Jump!”
“Can’tyoucomeupandfloatme?”
“Sorry.SomethingaboutthisplaceinhibitsPower.”
Elenadidn’tgiveherselftimetothink.ShelaunchedintotheairandStefancaughtherneatly.Spontaneously,sheclungtohim,andfeltthefamiliarcomfortofhisembrace.
Thenhesaid,“Comelookatthis.”
Theyhadreachedaplacewherethelandendedandthemistdivided,likecurtainsbeingheldtoeitherside.Directlyinfrontofthemwasafrozenlake.Asilveryfrozenlake,almostperfectlyroundinshape.
“LakeMirror?”Damonsaid,cockinghisheadtooneside.
“Ialwaysthoughtthatwasafairytale,”Stefansaid.
“WelcometoBonnie’sstorybook.”
LakeMirrorformedavastbodyofwaterinfrontofthem,frozenrightintotheicesheetbelowherfeet,orsoitseemed.Itdidlooklikeamirror—apursemirrorafteryou’dbreathedsoftlyonit.
“Butthethurgs?”Elenasaid—orratherwhispered.Shecouldn’thelpwhispering.Thesilentlakepressedonher,asdidthelackofanykindofnaturalsound:Therewerenobirdssinging,norustlinginthebushes—nobushes!Notrees!Instead,justthemistsurroundingthefrozenwater.
“Thethurgs,”Elenarepeatedinaslightlyloudervoice.“Theycan’tpossiblywalkonthat!”
“Dependsonhowthickthelakeiceis,”Damonsaid,flashinghisold250-kilowattsmileather.“Ifit’sthickenough,it’llbejustlikewalkingonlandforthem.”
“Andifitisn’t?”
“Hmm…Dothurgsfloat?”
ElenagavehimanexasperatedglanceandlookedatStefan.“Whatdoyouthink?”
“Idon’tknow,”hesaiddoubtfully.“They’reverylargeanimals.Let’saskBonnieaboutthekidsinthefairytale.”
Bonnie,stillwrappedinfurblanketsthatbegancollectingchunksoficeastheydraggedontheground,lookedatthelakegrimly.“Thestorydidn’tgointodetail,”shesaid.“Itjustsaidthattheywentdown,down,down,andthattheyhadtopasstestsoftheircourageand—and—wittiness—beforetheygotthere.”
“Fortunately,”Damonsaid,smiling,“Ihavelargeenoughamountsofbothtomakeupformybrother’sentirelackofeither—”
“Stopit,Damon!”Elenaburstout.Themomentshe’dseenthesmile,she’dturnedtoStefan,pulledhimdowntoherheight,andbegunkissinghim.SheknewwhatDamonwouldseewhenheturnedbacktowardthem—herandStefanlockedinanembrace,Stefanhardlyawareofanythingbeingsaid.Atleasttheycouldstilltouchwiththeirminds.Anditwasintriguing,Elenathought,Stefan’swarmmouthwheneverythingelseintheworldwascold.ShelookedquicklyatBonnie,tomakesureshehadn’tupsether,butBonniewaslookingquitecheerful.
ThefartherIseemtodriveDamonaway,thehappiersheis,Elenathought.Oh,God…thisisaproblem.
Stefanspokeupquietly.“Bonnie,whatitcomesdowntoisthatithastobeyourchoice.Don’ttrytousecourageorwitoranythingexceptyourinnerfeelings.Wheredowego?”
Bonnieglancedbackatthethurgs,thenlookedatthelake.
“Thatway,”shesaid,withouthesitation,andshepointedstraightacrossthelake.
“We’dbettercarrysomeofthecookingstonesandfuelandbackpackswithironrationsinthem,”Stefansaid.“Thatway,iftheworsthappens,we’llstillhavebasicsupplies.”
“Besides,”saidElena,“it’lllightenthatthurg’sload—ifonlybyalittle.”
ItseemedacrimetoputabackpackonBonnie,butsheinsisted.Finally,Elenaarrangedonefilledentirelywiththewarm,curiouslylightfurclothes.Everyoneelsewascarryingfurs,food,andpoop—thedriedanimaldungthatwouldfromnowonbetheironlyfuel.
Itwasdifficultfromthefirst.Elenahadonlyhadacoupleofexperienceswithicethatshehadreasontobewaryof—butoneofthosehadalmostbeendisastrousforMatt.Shewasreadytojumpandwhirlatanycrack—anysoundthattheicewasbreaking.Buttherewerenocracks;nowaterflowinguptosloshontoherboots.
Thethurgsweretheoneswhoseemedactuallybuiltforwalkingonfrozenwater.Theirfeetwerepneumatic,andcouldspreadouttoalmosthalfagaintheiroriginalsize,avoidingputtingtoomuchpressureonanyonesectionofice.
Crossingthelakewasslow,butElenadidn’tseeanythingparticularlydeadlyaboutit.Itwassimplythesmoothest,slickesticeshehadeverencountered.Herbootswantedtoskate.
“Hey,everybody!”Bonniewasskating,exactlyasifshewereinarink,backwardandforwardandsideways.“Thisisfun!”
“We’renotheretohavefun,”Elenashoutedback.Shelongedtotryitherself,butwasafraidtomakecuts—evenscuffs—intheice.Andbesidethat,Bonniewasexpendingtwiceasmuchenergyassheneededto.
ShewasabouttocallouttoBonnieandtellherthis,whenDamon,inavoiceofexasperation,madeallthepointsshehadthoughtof,andafewmore.
“Thisisn’tapleasurecruise,”hesaidshortly.“It’sforthefateofyourtown.”
“Asifyoucare,”Elenamurmured,turningherbackonhimandtouchingtheunhappyBonnie’shandbothtogivecomfortandtogetthemgoingatarm’slengthagain.“Bonnie,doyousenseanythingmagicalaboutthelake?”
“No.”ButthenBonnie’simaginationseemedtoflyintohighgear.“Butmaybeit’swherethemysticsfrombothdimensionsallgatheredtoexchangespells.Ormaybeit’swheretheyusedtheicelikearealmagicmirrortoseefarawayplacesandthings.”
“Maybebothofthem,”Elenasaid,secretlyamused,butBonnienoddedsolemnly.
Andthatwaswhenitcame.ThesoundElenahadbeenwaitingfor.
Norwasitadistantboomingwhichcouldbeignoredordiscussed.Theyhadbeenwalkingatarm’slengthfromoneanothertoavoidstressingtheice,whilethethurgswalkedbehindthem,andtoeitherside—likeaflockofgeesewithnoleaders.
Thisnoisewasadreadfullynearcracklikethereportofagun.Immediately,itsoundedagain,likeawhiplash,andthenacrumbling.
ItwastoElena’sleft,onBonnie’sside.
“Skate,Bonnie,”sheshouted.“Skateasfastasyoucan.Screamifyouseeland.”
Bonniedidn’taskasinglequestion.ShetookofflikeanOlympicspeedskaterinfrontofElena,andElenaswiftlyturned.
ItwasBiratz,thethurgBonniehadaskedPelatabout.Shehadonemonstrousbacklegintheice,andasshestruggled,moreicecracked.
Stefan!Canyouhearme?
Faintly.I’mcomingforyou.
Yes—butonlycomeascloseasyouneedtoInfluencethethurg.
Influencethe—?
Makehercalm,putherout,whatever.She’srippinguptheiceandit’lljustmakeithardertogetherout!
ThistimetherewasapausebeforeStefan’sanswercame.Sheknewthough,byfaintechoes,thathewastalkingtelepathicallywithsomeoneelse.Allright,love,I’lldoit.I’lltakecareofthethurg,too.YoufollowBonnie.
Hewaslying.Or,notlying,butkeepingsomethingfromher.Thepersonhe’dbeensendingthoughtstowasDamon.Theywerehumoringher.Theydidn’tmeantohelpatall.
Justatthatmomentsheheardashrillscream—notsofaraway.ItwasBonnieintrouble—no!Bonniehadfoundland!
Elenadidn’tloseanothersecond.Shedumpedherbackpackontheiceandskatedstraightbacktothethurg.
Thereitwas,sohuge,sopathetic,sohelpless.TheverythingthathadkeptitsafefromotherGodawfulHellaciousmonstersintheDarkDimension—itsgreatbulk—wasnowturnedagainstit.Elenafeltherchesttightenasifshewerewearingacorset.
Evenasshewatched,though,theanimalbecamecalmer.Shestoppedtryingtogetherlefthindlegoutoftheice,whichmeantthatshestoppedchurninguptheicearoundit.
NowBiratzwasinasortofcrouchingposition,tryingtokeepherthreedrylegsfromgoingunder.Theproblemwasthatshewastryingtoohard,andthattherewasnothingtopushagainstexceptbreakableice.
“Elena!”Stefanwaswithinearshotnow.“Don’tgetanycloser!”
Butevenashesaidit,ElenasawaSign.Justafewfeetaway,lyingontheicewasthetickle-prodthatPelathadusedtogetthethurgsgoing.
ShepickeditupassheskatedbyandthenshesawanotherSign.Reddishhayandtheoriginalcoveringforthehay—agianttarpaulin—werelyingbehindthethurg.Togethertheyformedabroadwidepaththatwasneitherwetnorslick.
“Elena!”
“Thisisgoingtobeeasy,Stefan!”
Elenapulledapairofdrysocksoutofherpocketanddrewthemupoverherboots.Shefastenedtheticklesticktoherbelt.Andthenshestartedtherunofherlife.
Herbootswerefurwithsomethinglikefeltunderneathandwiththesockstoaidthem,theycaughtonthetarpaulinandpropelledherforward.Sheleanedintoit,vaguelywishingMeredithwerehere,soshecoulddothisinstead,butallthetimegettingcloser.Andthenshesawhermark:theendofthetarpandbeyonditfloatingchunksofice.
Butthethurglookedclimbable.Verylowinback,likeadinosaurhalfwayintoatarpit,butthenrisingupalongthecurvedbackbone.Ifshecouldjustsomehowlandthere…
Twostepstilljump-off.Onesteptilljump-off.
JUMP!
Elenapushedoffwithherrightfoot,flewthroughtheairforanendlesstime,and—hitthewater.
Instantly,shewassoakedfromheadtofootandtheshockoftheicywaterwasunbelievable.Itcaughtholdofherlikesomemonsterwithahandfulofjaggediceshards.Itblindedherwithherownhair,itsqueezedallthesoundoutoftheuniverse.
Somehow,clawingatherface,shefreedhermouthandeyesfromhair.Sherealizedthatshewasonlyslightlybelowthesurfaceofthewater,andthatwasallsheneededtopushupwarduntilhermouthbrokethesurfaceandshecouldsuckinalungfulofdeliciousair,afterwhichshehadacoughingfit.
Firsttimeup,shethought,rememberingtheoldsuperstitionthatadrowningpersonwillrisethreetimesandthensinkforever.
Butthestrangethingwasthatshewasn’tsinking.Therewasadullpaininherthighbutshewasn’tgoingunder.
Slowly,slowly,sherealizedwhathadhappened.Shehadmissedthebackofthethurg,butlandedonitsthickreptiliantail.Oneoftheserratedfinshadgashedher,butshewasstable.
So…now…allIhavetodoisclimbthethurg,shepuzzledoutslowly.Everythingseemedslowbecausetherewereicebergsbobbingaroundhershoulders.
Sheputupafur-linedglovedhandandreachedforthenextfinup.Thewater,whilemakinghersoakingclothesheavier,supportedsomeofherweight.Shemanagedtopullherselfuptothenextfin.Andthenext.Andthenherewastherump,andshehadtobecareful—nomorefootholds.Insteadshegrabbedforhandholdsandfoundsomethingwithherlefthand.Abrokenstrapfromthehaycarrier.
Notagoodidea—inretrospect.
Forafewminutesthatqualifiedasamongtheworstinherlifeshewasshoweredwithhay,poundedwithrocks,andsmotheredinthedustofolddung.
Whenitwasfinallyovershelookedaround,sneezingandcoughing,tofindthatshewasstillonthethurg.Theticklestickhadbeenbrokenbutenoughremainedforhertouse.Stefanwasfranticallyasking,bothaloudandbytelepathy,ifshewasallright.BonniewasskatingbackandforthlikeaTinkerBellguide,andDamonwascursingatBonnietogetbacktolandandstaythere.
MeanwhileElenawasinchinguptherumpofthethurg.Shemadeitthroughthecrushedsupplybasket.Shefinallyreachedthethurg’ssummit,andshesettledjustbehindthedomedhead,intheseatwhereadriverwouldsit.
Andthenshetickledthethurgbehindtheears.
“Elena!”Stefanshouted,andthenElena,whatareyoutryingtodo?
“Idon’tknow!”sheshoutedback.“Tryingtosavethethurg!”
“Youcan’t,”DamoninterruptedStefan’sanswerinavoiceascoldandstillastheplacetheywerein.
“Shecanmakeit!”Elenasaidfiercely—preciselybecausesheherselfwashavingdoubtsaboutwhethertheanimalcould.“Youcouldhelpbypullingonherbridle.”
“There’snopoint,”Damonshouted,andturnedabout-face,walkingquicklyintothemist.
“I’llgiveitatry.Throwitoutinfrontofher,”Stefansaid.
Elenathrewtheknottedbridleashardasshecould.Stefanhadtorunalmosttotheedgeoftheicetograbitbeforeitfellin.Thenhehelditalofttriumphantly.“Gotit!”
“Okay,pull!Giveheradirectiontostartin.”
“Willdo!”
ElenatappedBiratzagainbehindherrightear.Therewasafaintrumblefromtheanimalandthennothing.ElenacouldseeStefanstrainingatthebridle.
“Comeon,”Elenasaid,andslappedsharplywiththestick.
Thethurgliftedupagiantfoot,placeditfartherontheice,andstruggled.Assoonasshedid,Elenasmackedhardbehindtheleftear.
Thiswasthecrucialmoment.IfElenacouldkeepBiratzfromcrushingalltheicebetweenherbacklegs,theymighthaveachance
Thethurgtentativelyliftedherlefthindlegandstretchedituntilitmadecontactwiththeice.
“Good,Biratz!Now!”Elenashouted.NowifBiratzwouldonlysurgeforward…
Therewasagreatupheavalunderneathher.ForseveralminutesElenathoughtthatperhapsBiratzhadbrokenthroughtheicewithallfourlegs.Thenthethrashingchangedtoarockingmotionandsuddenly,dizzyinglyElenaknewthattheyhadwon.
“Easy,now,easy,”shecalledtotheanimal,givingheragentleticklewiththestick.Andslowly,ponderously,Biratzmovedforward.Herdomedheaddroopedfartherandfartherasshewent,andshefounderedattheedgeofabankofmist,breakingtheiceagain.Buttheresheonlysankafewinchesbeforemeetingmud.
Afewmorestepsandtheywereonsolidground.Elenahadtosuckinherbreathtostifleascreamasthethurg’sdomelikeheadslumped,givingherashortandscaryridetowherethetusksre-curvedonthemselves.SomehowsheslidrightbetweenthemandhadtohastilyscrambleoffBiratz’strunks.
“Itwaspointless,youknow,doingthat,”Damonsaidfromsomewhereinthemistbesideher.“Riskingyourownlife.”
“Whatd-doyoumeanp-pointless?”Elenademanded.Shewasn’tfrightened;shewasfreezing.
“Theanimalsaregoingtodieanyway.Thenexttrialisonetheycan’tmanageandeveniftheycould,thisisn’taplacewhereanythinggrows.Insteadofaquickcleandeathinthewater,they’regoingtostarve,slowly.”
Elenadidn’tanswer;theonlyanswershecouldthinkofwas,“Whydidn’tyoutellmeearlier?”Shehadstoppedshivering,whichwasagoodthing,becauseamomentagoherbodyhadfeltasifshemightshakeherselfapart.
Clothes,shethoughtvaguely.Thatwastheproblem.Itcertainlycouldn’tbeascoldhereintheairasithadbeeninthatwater.Itwasherclothesthatweremakinghersocold.
Shebegan,withnumbfingers,totakethemoff.First,sheunfastenedherleatherjacket.Nozippershere:buttons.Thatwasarealproblem.Herfingersfeltlikefrozenhotdogs,andonlynominallyunderherdirection.Butsomehoworothershemanagedtoundothefasteningsandtheleatherdroppedtothegroundwithamuffledthump—ithadtakenalayerofherinnerfuroffwithit.Ick.Thesmellofwetfur.Now,nowshehadto—
Butshecouldn’t.Shecouldn’tdoanythingbecausesomeonewasholdingherarms.Burningherarms.Thosehandswereannoying,butatleastsheknewwhotheybelongedto.Theywerefirmandverygentlebutverystrong.AllthataddeduptoStefan.
Slowly,sheraisedherdrippingheadtoaskStefantostopburningherarms.
Butshecouldn’t.BecauseonStefan’sbodytherewasDamon’shead.Nowthatwasfunny.She’dseenalotofthingsthatvampirescoulddo,butnotthisswappingheadsbusiness.
“Stefan-Damon—pleasestop,”shegaspedbetweenhystericalwhoopsoflaughter.“Ithurts.It’stoohot!”
“Hot?You’refrozen,youmean.”Thedeft,searinghandswererubbingupanddownherarms,pushingbackherheadtorubhercheeks.Sheletithappen,becauseitseemedtobeonlysensethatifitwasDamon’shead,theywereStefan’shands.“You’recoldbutyou’renotshivering?”agrimDamon-voicesaidfromsomewhere.
“Yes,soyouseeImustbewarmingup.”Elenadidn’tfeelverywarmedup.Sherealizedthatshestillhadonalongerfurgarment,onethatreachedtoherkneesunderherleatherbreeches.Shefumbledwithherbelt.
“You’renotwarmingup.You’regoingintothenextstageofhypothermia.Andifyoudon’tgetdryandwarmrightnow,you’regoingtodie.”Notroughly,hetiltedherchinuptolookintohereyes.“You’redeliriousnow—canyouunderstandme,Elena?Weneedtoreallygetyouwarm.”
WarmwasaconceptasvagueandfarawayaslifebeforeshehadmetStefan.Butdelirioussheunderstood.Thatwasnotagoodthing.Whattodoaboutitexceptlaugh?
“Allright.Elena,justwaitforamoment.Letmefind—”Inamomenthewasback.Notquickenoughtostopherfromunwrappingthefurdowntoherwaist,butbackbeforeshecouldgethercamisoleoff.
“Here.”Hestrippedoffthedampfurandwrappedawarm,dryonearoundher,overhercamisole.
Afteramomentortwoshebegantoshiver.
“That’smygirl,”Damon’svoicesaid.Itwenton:“Don’tfightme,Elena.I’mtryingtosaveyourlife.That’sall.I’mnotgoingtotrytodoanythingelse.Igiveyoumyword.”
Elenawasbewildered.WhyshouldshethinkthatDamon—thismustbeDamon,shedecided—wouldwanttohurther?
Althoughhecouldbeabastardsometimes…
Andhewastakingoffherclothes.
No.Thatshouldn’tbehappening.Definitelynot.EspeciallysinceStefanmustbesomewherearound.
ButbynowElenawasshiveringtoohardtotalk.
Andnowthatshewasinherunderwear,hewasmakingherliedownonfurs,tuckingotherfursaroundher.Elenadidn’tunderstandanythingthatwashappening,butitwasallstartingnottomatter.Shewasfloatingsomewhereoutsideherself,watchingwithoutmuchinterest.
Thenanotherbodywasslippinginunderthefurs.Shesnappedbackfromtheplaceshehadbeenfloating.Verybrieflyshegotalookatabarechest.Andthenawarm,compactbodyslidintothemakeshiftsleepingbagwithher.Warm,hardarmswentaroundher,keepingherincontactalloverherbody.
ThroughthemistshevaguelyheardStefan’svoice.
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”30
“Striptoyourunderwearandgetinontheotherside,”Damonsaid.Hisvoicewasneitherangrynorfatuous.Headdedshortly,“Elenaisdying.”
ThelastthreewordsseemedtoaffectStefanparticularly,althoughElenacouldn’tparsethem.Stefanwasn’tmoving,justbreathinghard,hiseyeswide.“BonnieandIhavebeengatheringhayandfuelandwe’reallright.”
“You’vebeenexercising—movingabout—wearingclothesthatkeptyouwarm.She’sbeendunkedinicewaterandsittingstill—highupinthewind.Igottheotherthurgtobreakoffwoodfromthedeadtreesaroundhereandtryitonthefire.Nowgetthehellin,Stefan,andgivehersomebodywarmth,orI’mgoingtomakeheravampire.”
“Nnn,”Elenatriedtosay,butStefandidn’tseemtounderstand.
Damon,however,said,“Don’tworry.He’sgoingtowarmyouupfromtheotherside.Youwon’thavetobecomeavampirejustyet.ForGod’ssake,”headdedsuddenly,explosively,“someprinceyoupicked!”
Stefan’svoicewasquietandtense.“Youtriedputtingherinathermalenvelope?”
“OfcourseItried,youidiot!NomagicworksbeyondtheMirrorexcepttelepathy.”
Elenahadnosenseoftimegoingby,butsuddenlytherewasafamiliarbodypressedagainsthersfromtheotherside.
Andsomewheredirectlyinhermind:Elena?Elena?You’reallright,aren’tyou,Elena?Idon’tcarewhetheryou’replayingajokeonme.Butyou’rereallyallright,aren’tyou?Justtellmethat,love.
Elenawasn’tabletoansweratall.
Dimly,fragmentsofsoundcametoherears:“Bonnie…ontopofherand…packourselvesbackoneitherside.”
Anddullfeelingsstirredhersenseoftouch:asmallbody,almostweightless,likeathickblanket,pressingdownonher.Someonesobbing,tearsdrippingonherneckfromabove.Andwarmthoneitherside.
I’masleepwiththeotherkittens,shethought,dozing.Maybewe’llhaveanicedream.
“Iwishwecouldknowhowthey’redoing,”Meredithsaid,onapausefromoneofherpacingbouts.
“Iwishtheyknewhowwe’redoing,”Mattsaidwearilyashetapedanothernotecardamuletontoawindow.Andanother.
“Doyouknow,mydears,Ikepthearingachildcryinglastnightinmydreams,”Mrs.Flowerssaidslowly.
Meredithturned,startled.“SodidI!Rightoutonthefrontporch,itsoundedlike.ButIwastootiredtogetup.”
“Itmightmeansomething—ornothingatall.”Mrs.Flowersfrowned.Shewasboilingtapwaterfortea.Theelectricitywassporadic.MattandSaberhaddrivenbacktotheboardinghouseearlierthatdaysothatMattcouldgatherMrs.Flowers’smostimportantinstruments—herherbsforteas,compresses,andpoultices.Hehadn’thadthehearttotellheraboutthestateoftheboardinghouse,orwhatthosemaggotmalachhaddonetoit.He’dhadtofindalooseboardfromthegaragetogetfromthehalltothekitchen.Therewasnothirdflooranymoreandverylittlesecond.
Atleasthehadn’trunintoShinichi.
“WhatI’msayingisthatmaybethere’ssomerealkidoutthere,”Meredithsaid.
“Atnightalone?SoundslikeaShinichizombie,”Mattsaid.
“Maybe.Butmaybenot.Mrs.Flowers,doyouhaveanyideaofwhenyouhearthecrying?Earlyinthenightorlate?”
“Letmethink,dear.ItseemstomethatIhearitwheneverIwakeup—andoldpeoplewakeupquitefrequently.”
“Iusuallyhearittowardthemorning—butIusuallysleepwithoutdreamingforthefirstfewhoursandwakeupearly.”
Mrs.FlowersturnedtoMatt.“Whataboutyou,Matt,dear?Doyoueverhearasoundlikecrying?”
Matt,whodeliberatelyoverworkedhimselfthesedaystotrytogetasolidsixhoursofsleepatnight,said,“I’veheardthewindkindofmoaningandsobbingaroundmidnight,Iguess.”
“Itsoundsasifwehaveanall-nightghost,mydears,”Mrs.Flowerssaidcalmlyandpouredthemeachamugoftea.
MattsawMeredithglanceathimuneasily—butMeredithdidn’tknowMrs.Flowersaswellashedid.
“Youdon’treallythinkit’saghost,”hesaidnow.
“No,Idon’t.Mamahasn’tsaidawordaboutit,andthenit’syourhouse,Matt,dear.Nogruesomemurdersorhideoussecretsinitspast,Ishouldthink.Letmesee…”SheshuthereyesandletMattandMeredithgoonwiththeirtea.Thensheopenedhereyesandgavethemapuzzledsmile.
“Mamasays‘searchthehouseforyourghost.Thenlistenwelltowhatithastosay.’”
“Okay,”Mattsaidpoker-faced.“Sinceit’smyhouse,IguessI’dbettersearchforit.Butwhen?ShouldIsetanalarm?”
“Ithinkthebestwaywouldbetoarrangeawatchrota,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.
“Okay,”Meredithagreedpromptly.“I’lltakethemiddlewatch,frommidnighttofour;Mattcanhavethefirstone;andMrs.Flowers,youcanhavetheearly-morningone,andgetanapintheafternoonifyouwant.”
Mattfeltuneasy.“Whydon’twejustbreakitupintotwowatchesandthetwoofyoucanshareone?I’lltaketheother.”
“Because,dearMatt,”Meredithsaid,“wedon’twanttobetreatedlike‘ladies.’Anddon’targue”—sheheftedthefightingstave—“becauseI’mtheonewiththeheavyequipment.”
Somethingwasshakingtheroom.ShakingMattwithit.Stillhalf-asleep,heputhishandunderhispillowandpulledouttherevolver.Ahandgrabbeditandheheardavoice.
“Matt!It’sme,Meredith!Wakeup,willyou?”
Groggily,Mattreachedforthelampswitch.Again,strong,slimcoldfingerspreventedhimfromdoingwhathewanted.
“Nolight,”Meredithwhispered.“It’sveryfaint,butifyoucomewithmequietly,youcanhearit.Thecrying.”
ThatwokeMattuptherestoftheway.“Rightnow?”
“Rightnow.”
Doinghisbesttowalkquietlythroughthedarkhalls,MattfollowedMeredithtothedownstairslivingroom.
“Sh!”Meredithwarned.“Listen.”
Mattlistened.Hecouldhearsomesobbingallright,andmaybesomewords,buttheydidn’tsoundallthatghostlytohim.Heputhiseartothewallandlistened.Thecryingwaslouder.
“Dowehaveaflashlight?”Mattasked.
“Ihavetwo,mydears.Butthisisaverydangeroustimeofnight.”Mrs.Flowerswasashadowagainstdarkness.
“Pleasegivetheflashlightstous,”saidMatt.“Idon’tthinkourghostisverysupernatural.Whattimeisit,anyway?”
“AbouttwelvefortyA.M.,”Meredithanswered.“Butwhydoyouthinkitisn’tsupernatural?”
“BecauseIthinkit’slivinginourbasement,”Mattsaid.“Ithinkit’sColeReece.Thekidwhoatehisguineapig.”
Tenminuteslater,withthestave,twoflashlights,andSaber,theyhadcaughttheirghost.
“Ididn’tmeananythingbad,”Colesobbed,whentheyhadluredhimupstairswithpromisesofcandyand“magic”teathatwouldlethimsleep.
“Ididn’thurtanything,honest,”hechoked,wolfingdownHersheybarafterHersheybarfromtheiremergencyrations.“I’mscaredthathe’sontome.Becauseafteryouhitmewiththatstickynote,Ihaven’tbeenabletohearhiminmyheadanymore.Andthenyoucamehere”—hegesturedaroundMatt’shouse—“andyouhadamuletsandIfigureditwouldbebettertostayinsidethem.OritcouldbemyLastMidnighttoo.”
Hewasbabbling.ButsomethingaboutthelastwordsmadeMattsay,“Whatdoyoumean…‘yourLastMidnighttoo’?”
Colelookedathiminterror.TherimofmeltedHersheybararoundhislipsmadeMattrememberthelasttimehe’dseentheboy.
“Youknow,don’tyou?”Colefaltered.“Aboutthemidnights?Thecountdown?TwelvedaystilltheLastMidnight?ElevendaystilltheLastMidnight?Andnow…tonightisonedaytilltheLastMidnight…”Hebegantosobagain,evenwhilecrammingchocolateintohismouth.Itwasclearthathewasstarving.
“ButwhathappensontheLastMidnight?”Meredithasked.
“Youknow,don’tyou?Thatthat’sthetimewhen…youknow.”MaddeninglyColeseemedtothinktheyweretestinghim.
MattputhishandsonCole’sshoulders,andtohishorrorfeltbonesunderhisfingers.Thekidreallywasstarving,hethought,forgivinghimalltheHersheybars.HiseyesmetMrs.Flowers’seyesandsheimmediatelywenttothekitchen.
ButColewasn’tanswering;hewasmumblingincoherently.Mattforcedhimselftoapplypressuretothosebonyshoulders.
“Cole,talklouder!What’sthisLastMidnightabout?”
“Youknow.That’swhen…allthekids…youknow,theywaitupandatmidnight…theygetknivesorguns.Youknow.Andwegointoourparents’roomwhilethey’reasleepand…”Colebrokedownagain,butMattnoticedhehadslippedintosaying“we”and“our”bytheend.
Meredithspokeinhercalm,steadyvoice.“Thechildrenaregoingtokilltheirparents,isthatright?”
“Heshoweduswheretoslashorstab.Orifthere’sagun—”
Matthadheardenough.“Youcanstay—inthebasement,”hesaid.“Andherearesomeamulets.Putthemonyouifyoufeellikeyou’reindanger.”HegaveColeawholepacketofPost-itNotes.
“Justdon’tbeafraid,”Meredithadded,asMrs.FlowerscameinwithaplateofsausagesandfriedpotatoesforCole.AtanyothertimethesmellwouldhavemadeMatthungry.
“It’sjustlikethatislandinJapan,”hesaid.“ShinichiandMisaomadeithappenthere,andthey’regoingtodoitagain.”
“Isaytime’srunningout.Actuallyit’salreadytheLastMidnightday—it’snearlyonethirtyinthemorning,”Meredithsaid.“Wehavelessthantwenty-fourhours.WeshouldeithergetoutofFell’sChurchordosomethingtoarrangeaconfrontation.”
“Aconfrontation?WithoutElenaorDamonorStefan?”Mattsaid.“We’llbemurdered.Don’tforgetSheriffMossberg.”
“Hedidn’thavethis.”Meredithtossedthefightingstaveintotheair,caughtitneatly,andputitatherside.
Mattshookhishead.“Shinichiwillstillkillyou.Orsomelittlekidwill,withthesemi-automaticfromDaddy’scloset.”
“Wehavetodosomething.”
Mattthought.Hisheadwaspounding.Finallyhesaid,headlowered,“WhenIgottheherbsIgotMisao’sstarball,too.”
“You’rekidding.Shinichistilldidn’tfindit?”
“No.Andmaybewecoulddosomethingwithit.”
MattlookedatMeredith,wholookedatMrs.Flowers.Mrs.Flowerssaid,“WhataboutpouringouttheliquidindifferentplacesinFell’sChurch?Justadrophereandadropthere?WecouldaskthePowerinittoprotectthetown.Maybeitwouldlisten.”
Meredithsaid,“ThatwastheexactreasonwewantedtogetShinichi’sandMisao’sstarballsinthefirstplace.Thestarballscontroltheirowners,accordingtolegend.”
Mattsaid,“Itmaybeold-waysthinking,butIagree.”
Meredithsaid,“Thenlet’sdoitrightnow.”
Whiletheothertwowaited,MattgotMisao’sstarball.Ithadavery,verylittleliquidonthebottom.
“AftertheLastMidnightsheplanstofillittothetopwiththeenergyofthenewlivesthatgettaken,”Meredithsaid.
“Well,she’snotgoingtogetachancetodothat,”Mattsaidflatly.“Whenwe’redonewe’lldestroythecontainer.”
“Butweprobablyshouldhurry,”Meredithadded.“Let’sgetsomeweaponstogether:somethingsilver,somethinglongandheavy,likeafireiron.Shinichi’slittlezombiesarenotgoingtobehappy—andwhoknowswho’sonhisside?”31
Elenawokeupfeelingstiffandcramped.Butthatwasn’tsurprising.Threeotherpeopleseemedtobeontopofher.
Elena?Canyouhearme?
Stefan?
Yes!You’reawake?
I’mallcramped…andhot.
Adifferentvoiceinterrupted.Justgiveusamomentandyouwon’tbecrampedanymore.ElenafeltDamonmoveaway.Bonnierolledintohisplace.
ButStefanclungtoherforamoment.Elena,I’msorry.Ineverevenrealizedwhatconditionyouwerein.ThankGodforDamon.Canyouforgiveme?
Despitetheheat,Elenacuddledclosertohim.Ifyoucanforgivemeforputtingthewholepartyindanger.Ididthat,didn’tI?
Idon’tknow.Idon’tcare.AllIknowisthatIloveyou.
ItwasseveralminutesbeforeBonniewokeup.Thenshesaidfeebly,“Hey!Whachoodoin’inmybed?”
“Gettingoutofit,”Elenasaid,andtriedtorolloverandgetup.Theworldwaswobbly.Shewaswobbly—andbruised.ButStefanwasnevermorethanafewinchesaway,holdingher,rightingherwhenshestartedtofall.Hehelpedhergetdressedwithoutmakingherfeellikeababy.Heexaminedherbackpack,whichfortunatelyhadn’tgoneintothewater,andthenhetookoutanythingheavyinside.Heputtheheavythingsinhisownpack.
Elenafeltmuchbetterafterbeinggivensomefood,andafterseeingthethurgs—bothofthem—eatingtoo;eitherstretchingtheirgreatdoubletrunksuptobreakoffpiecesofwoodfromthebarrentrees,orscoopingawaysnowtofinddrygrassunderneath.Theyclearlywerenotgoingtodieafterall.
Elenakneweveryonewaswatchinghertogaugewhetherornotshewasuptoanymorethatday.Shehurriedtofinishdrinkingtheteaheatedoveradungfire,tryingtoconcealthefactthatherhandsshook.Afterforcingsomejerkydown,shesaidinhermostcheerfulvoice,“Sowhatnext?”
Howdoyoufeel?Stefanaskedher.
“Littlesore,butI’llbefine.Iguesseveryoneexpectsmetohavepneumonia,butIdon’tevenhaveanycough.”
Damon,afteroneheavy-liddedglanceatStefan,tookbothherhandsandstaredather.Shecouldn’t—shedidn’tdare—meethiseyes,soshefocusedonStefan,whowaslookingathercomfortingly.
AtlastDamondroppedElena’shandsabruptly.“IwentinasfarasIcould.Youshouldknowhowfarthatis,”headdedtoStefan.“She’ssound,hernoseiswet,andhercoatisshiny.”
Stefanlookedasifheweregoingtosmackhimone,butElenatookhishandsoothingly.“I’mhealthy,”shesaid.“Sothat’stwovotesformegoingontosaveFell’sChurch.”
“I’vealwaysbelievedinyou,”Stefansaid.“Ifyouthinkyoucangoon,youcangoon.”
Bonniesniffled.“Justdon’ttakeanymorechances,okay?”shesaid.“Youscaredme.”
“I’mreallysorry,”Elenasaidgently,feelingthevoidofMeredith’sabsence.Meredithwouldbeagreathelptobothofthemnow.“So,shallwecontinue?Andwhereareweheading?I’mallturnedaround.”
Damonstood.“Ithinkwejustkeepinastraightline.Thepathisnarrowafterthis—andwhoknowswhatthenexttrialis?”
Thepathwasnarrow—andmisty.Justasbefore,itstartedinfilmyveilsandendedupblindingthem.ElenaletStefan,withhiscatlikereflexes,gofirst,andsheheldontohispack.Behindher,Bonnieclunglikeaburr.JustwhenElenathoughtshewasgoingtoscreamifshehadtokeeptravelingthroughthewhiteblanketanyfarther,itcleared.
Theywerenearthetopofsomemountain.
ElenatookoffafterBonnie,whohadhurriedaheadatthesightoftransparentair.ShewasjustfastenoughtograbontoBonnie’spackandpullherbackwardasshereachedtheplacewherethelandstopped.
“Noway!”Bonniecried,settingupaclamoringechofrombelow.“ThereisnowayI’mgoingacrossthat!”
Thatwasachasmwithaverythinbridgespanningit.
Thechasmwasfrostywhiteoneithersideatthetop,butwhenElenagrippedthebridge’sice-coldmetalpolesandleanedalittleforwardshecouldseeglacialbluesandgreensattheverybottom.Achillwindhitherface.
Thegapbetweenthisbitoftheworldandthenextbitdirectlyinfrontofthemwasaboutahundredyardslong.
Elenalookedfromtheshadowydepthstotheslenderbridge,whichwasmadeofwoodenslatsandjustwideenoughforonepersontowalkon.Itwassupportedhereandtherebyropeswhichrantothesidesofthechasmandweresunkwithmetalpostsintobarren,icyrock.
Italsoswoopedmagnificentlydownandthenbackupagain.Evenlookingatitgavetheeyeasortofmini–thrillride.Theonlyproblemwasthatitdidn’tincludeasafetybelt,aseat,twohandrails,andauniformedguidesaying,“Handsandfeetmustbekeptinsidetheattractionatalltimes!”Itdidhaveasingle,thin,creeper-wovenropetoholdontoontheleft.
“Look,”Stefanwassaying,asquietlyandintentlyasElenahadeverheardhimspeak,“wecanholdontoeachother.Wecangogoonebyone,veryslowly—”
“NOOO!”BonnieputintothatonewordapsychicshriekthatalmostdefeanedElena.“No,no,no,no,NO!Youdon’tunderstand!Ican’tDOIT!”Sheflungherbackpackdown.
Thenshebeganlaughingandcryingatthesametimeinafull-blownattackofhysterics.Elenahadanimpulsetodashwaterinherface.ShehadastrongerimpulsetothrowherselfdownbesideBonnieandshriek,“AndneithercanI!It’sinsane!”Butwhatgoodwouldthatdo?
AfewminuteslaterDamonwastalkingquietlytoBonnie,unaffectedbytheoutburst.Stefanwaspacingincircles.ElenawastryingtothinkofPlanA,whilealittlevoicechantedinsideherhead,Youcan’tdoit,youcan’tdoit,youcan’tdoit,either
Thiswasalljustaphobia.TheycouldprobablytrainBonnieoutofit—if,say,theyhadayearortwo.
Stefan,ononeofhiscirculartripsnearher,said,“Andhowareyouaboutheights,love?”
Elenadecidedtoputabravefaceonit.“Idon’tknow.IthinkIcandoit.”
Stefanlookedpleased.“Tosaveyourhometown.”
“Yes…butit’stoobadnothingworkshere.IcouldtrytousemyWingsforflying,butIcan’tcontrolthem—”
Andthatkindofmagicissimplynotavailablehere,Stefan’svoicesaidinhermind.
Buttelepathyis.Youcanhearme,too,can’tyou?
Theythoughtoftheanswersimultaneously,andElenasawthelightoftheideabreakingonStefan’sfaceevenasshebegantospeak.
“InfluenceBonnie!Makeherthinkshe’satightropewalker—aperformersinceshewasatoddler.Butdon’tmakehertooplayfulsoshedoesn’tbouncetherestofusoff!”
Withthatlightinhisface,Stefanlooked…toogood.HeseizedbothElena’shands,whirledheraroundonceasifsheweighednothing,pickedherup,andkissedher.
Andkissedher.
AndkissedheruntilElenafelthersouldrippingoffherfingertips.
Theyshouldn’thavedoneitinfrontofDamon.ButElena’seuphoriawascloudingherjudgment,andshecouldn’tcontrolherself.
Neitherofthemhadbeentryingforadeepmindprobe.Buttelepathywasalltheyhadleft,anditwaswarmandwonderfulanditleftthemforaninstantinthecircleofeachother’sarms,laughing,panting—withelectricityflashingbetweenthem.Elena’swholebodyfeltasifshe’djustgottenasizablejolt.
Thenshepulledherselfoutofhisarms,butitwastoolate.Theirsharedgazehadgoneonmuchtoolong,andElenafeltherheartpoundinginfear.ShecouldfeelDamon’seyesonher.Shebarelymanagedtowhisper,“Willyoutellthem?”
“Yes,”Stefansaidsoftly.“I’lltellthem.”Buthedidn’tmoveuntilsheactuallyturnedherbackonBonnieandDamon.
Afterthatshepeekedoverhershoulderandlistened.
Stefansatdownbythesobbinggirlandsaid,“Bonnie,canyoulookatme?That’sallIwant.Ipromiseyou,youdon’thavetogoacrossthatbridgeifyoudon’twantto.Youdon’tevenhavetostopcrying,buttrytolookmeintheeye.Canyoudothat?Good.Now…”Hisvoiceandevenhisfacechangedsubtly,becomingmoreforceful—mesmerizing.“You’renotafraidofheightsatall,areyou?You’reanacrobatwhocouldwalkatightropeacrosstheGrandCanyonandneverturnahair.You’retheverybestofallyourfamily,theflyingMcCulloughs,andthey’rethebestintheworld.Andrightnow,you’regoingtochoosewhethertocrossoverthatwoodenbridge.Ifso,you’llleadus.You’llbeourleader.”
Slowly,whilelisteningtoStefan,Bonnie’sfacehadchanged.WithswolleneyesfixedonStefan’s,sheseemedtobelisteningintentlytosomethinginherownhead.Andfinally,asStefansaidthelastsentence,shejumpedupandlookedatthebridge.
“Okay,let’sgo!”shecried,pickingupherbackpack,whileElenasatstaringafterher.
“Canyoumakeit?”Stefanasked,lookingatElena.“We’lllethergofirst—there’sreallynowayshecanfalloff.I’llgoafterher.Elenacancomeaftermeandholdontomybelt,andI’mcountingonyou,Damon,toholdontoher.Especiallyifshestartstofaint.”
“I’llholdher,”Damonsaidquietly.ElenawantedtoaskStefantoInfluenceher,too,buteverythingwashappeningsofast.Bonniewasalreadyonthebridge,onlypausingwhencalledbackbyStefan.StefanwaslookingbehindhimatElena,saying,“Canyougetagoodgrip?”DamonwasbehindElena,puttingastronghandonhershoulder,andsaying,“Lookstraightahead,notdown.Don’tworryaboutfainting;I’llcatchyou.”
Butitwassuchafrailwoodenbridge,andElenafoundthatshewasalwayslookingdownandherstomachfloatedupoutsideherbodyandaboveherhead.Shehadadeath-griponStefan’sbeltwithonehand,andonthewovencreeperwiththeother.
Theycametoaplacewhereaslathaddetachedandtheslatsoneithersidelookedasiftheymightgoatanymoment.
“Carefulwiththese!”Bonniesaid,laughingandleapingoverallthree.
Stefansteppedoverthefirstchancyslat,overthemissingone,andputhisfootonthenext.
Crack!
Elenadidn’tscream—shewasbeyondscreaming.Shecouldn’tlook.Thesoundhadshuthereyes.
Andshecouldn’tmove.Notafinger.Certainlynotafoot.
ShefeltDamon’sarmsaroundherwaist.Bothofthem.Shewantedtolethimsupportherweightashehadmanytimesbefore.
ButDamonwaswhisperingtoher,wordslikespellsthatallowedherlegstostopshakingandcrampingandevenletherstopbreathingsofastthatshemightfaint.AndthenhewasliftingherandStefan’sarmsweregoingaroundherandforamomenttheywerebothholdingherfirmly.ThenStefantookherweightandgentlyputherfeetdownonfirmslats.
Elenawantedtoclingtohimlikeakoala,butsheknewthatshemustn’t.Shewouldmakethembothfall.Sosomewhere,frominnerdepthsshedidn’tknowshehad,shefoundthecouragetotakeherownweightonherfeetandfumbledforthecreeper.
Thensheliftedherheadandwhisperedasloudlyasshecould,“Goon.WeneedtogiveDamonroom.”
“Yes,”Stefanwhisperedback.Buthekissedherontheforehead,aquickprotectivekiss,beforeheturnedandsteppedtowardtheimpatientBonnie.
Behindher,Elenaheard—andfelt—Damonjumpingcatlikeoverthegap.
ElenaraisedhereyestostareatthebackofStefan’sheadagain.Shecouldn’tcompassalltheemotionsshewasfeelingatthatmoment:love,terror,awe,excitement—and,ofcourse,gratitude,allatonce.
Shedidn’tdareturnherheadtolookatDamonbehindher,butshefeltexactlythesamethingsforhim
“Afewmoresteps,”hekeptsaying.“Afewmoresteps.”
Abriefeternitylater,theywereonsolidground,facingamedium-sizedcavern,andElenafelltoherknees.Shewassickandfaint,butshetriedtothankDamonashepassedbyheronthesnowymountaintrail.
“Youwereinmyway,”hesaidshortlyandascoldlyasthewind.“Ifyouhadfallenyoumighthaveupsettheentirebridge.AndIdon’thappentofeellikedyingtoday.”
“Whatareyousayingtoher?Whatdidyoujustsay?”Stefan,whohadbeenoutofearshot,camehurryingback.“Whatdidhesaytoyou?”
Damon,examininghispalmforcreeperthorns,saidwithoutlookingup,“Itoldherthetruth,that’sall.Sofarshe’szerofortwoonthisquest.Let’shopethataslongasyoumakeitthroughtheyletyouintheGatehouse,becauseifthey’regradingonperformancewe’veflunked.OrshouldIsay,oneofushasflunked?”
“ShutuporI’llshutyouup,”StefansaidinadifferentvoicethanElenahadeverheardhimusebefore.Shestared.Itwasasifhe’dgrowntenyearsinonesecond.“Don’tyouevertalktoheroraboutherthatwayagain,Damon!”
Damonstaredathimforamoment,pupilscontracted.Thenhesaid,“Whatever,”andstrolledaway.
StefanbentdowntoholdElenauntilhershakingstopped.
Andthat’sthat,Elenathought.Anice-coldragegrippedher.Damonhadnorespectforheratall;hehadnoneforanyonebuthimself.Shecouldn’tprotectBonniefromBonnie’sownfeelings—orstophimfrominsultingher.Shecouldn’tstopBonnieforforgiving.Butshe,Elena,wasdonewithDamon.Thislastinsultwastheend.
Thefogcameinagainastheywalkedthroughthecavern.32
“Damondoesn’tmeantobesucha—abastard,”Bonniesaidexplosively.“He’sjust—sooftenhefeelslikeit’sthethreeofusagainsthim—and—and—”
“Well,whostartedthat?Evenbackridingthethurgs,”Stefansaid.
“Iknow,butthere’ssomethingelse,”Bonniesaidhumbly.“Sinceit’sonlysnowandrockandice—he’s—Idon’tknow.He’salltight.Something’swrong.”
“He’shungry,”Elenasaid,strickenbyasuddenrealization.Sincethethurgstherehadbeennothingforthetwovampirestohunt.Theycouldn’texist,likefoxes,oninsectsandmice.OfcourseLadyUlmahadprovidedplentyofBlackMagicforthem,theonlythingthatevenresembledasubstituteforblood.Buttheirsupplywasdwindling,andofcourse,theyhadtothinkofthetripback,aswell.
SuddenlyElenaknewwhatwoulddohergood.
“Stefan,”shemurmured,pullinghimintoanookinthecraggystoneofthecaveentrance.Shepushedoffherhoodandunrolledherscarfenoughtoexposeonesideofherneck.“Don’tmakemesay‘please’toomanytimes,”shewhisperedtohim.“Ican’twaitthatlong.”
Stefanlookedintohereyes,sawthatshewasserious—anddetermined—andkissedoneofhermittenedhands.
“It’sbeenlongenoughnow,Ithink—no,I’msure,orIwouldneverevenattemptthis,”hewhispered.Elenatippedherheadback.Stefanstoodbetweenherandthewindandshewasalmostwarm.ShefeltthelittleinitialpainandthenStefanwasdrinkingandtheirmindsslidtogetherliketworaindropsonaglasswindow.
Hetookverylittleblood.Justenoughtomakethedifferenceinhiseyesbetweenstillgreenpoolsandsparkling,effervescentstreams.
Butthenhisgazewentstillagain.“Damon…”hesaid,andpausedawkwardly.
WhatcouldElenasay?Ijustseveredalltieswithhim?Theyweresupposedtohelponeanotheralongthesetrials;toshowtheirwitandcourage.Ifsherefused,wouldshefailagain?
“Sendhimquickthen,”shesaid.“BeforeIchangemymind.”
FiveminuteslaterElenawasagaintuckedintothelittlenook,whileDamonturnedherheadbackandforthwithdispassionateprecision,thensuddenlydartedforwardandsankhisfangsintoaprominentvein.Elenafelthereyesgowide.
Abitethathurtthismuch—well,shehadn’texperienceditsincethedayswhenshehadbeenstupidandunpreparedandhadfoughtwithallherstrengthtogetfree.
AsforDamon’smind—therewasasteelwall.Sinceshehadtodothis,shehadbeenhopingtoseethelittleboywholivedinDamon’sinmostsoul,theonewhowastheunwillingWatch-Keeperoverallofhissecrets,butshecouldn’teventhawthesteelalittle.
Afteraminuteortwo,StefanpulledDamonoffofher—notgently.Damoncameawaysullenly,wipinghismouth.
“Areyouokay?”Bonnieaskedinaworriedwhisper,asElenarummagedthroughLadyUlma’smedicineboxforapieceofgauzetostaunchtheunhealedwoundsinherneck.
“I’vebeenbetter,”Elenasaidbriefly,asshewrappedupherscarfagain.
Bonniesighed.“Meredithistheonewhoreallybelongshere,”shesaid.
“Yes,butMeredithreallybelongsinFell’sChurch,too.Ionlyhopetheycanholdonlongenoughforustocomeback.”
“Ionlyhopethatwecancomebackwithsomethingthatwillhelpthem,”Bonniewhispered.
MeredithandMattspentthetimefrom2:00A.M.todawnpouringinfinitesimaldropsfromMisao’sstarballontothestreetsofthetown,andaskingthePowerto—somehow—helptheminthefightagainstShinichi.Thisbriskmovementfromplacetoplacehadalsonettedasurprisingbonus:kids.Notcrazykids.Normalones,terrifiedoftheirbrothersandsistersoroftheirparents,notdaringtogohomebecauseoftheawfulthingstheyhadseenthere.MeredithandMatthadcrammedthemintoMatt’smother’ssecond-handSUVandbroughtthemtoMatt’shouse.
Intheend,theyhadmorethanthirtykids,fromagesfivetosixteen,alltoofrightenedtoplay,ortalk,oreventoaskforanything.Butthey’deateneverythingMrs.Flowerscouldfindthatwasn’tspoiledinMatt’srefrigeratorandpantry,andfromthepantriesofthedesertedhousesoneithersideoftheHoneycutts’.
Matt,watchingaten-year-oldgirlcrammingplainwhitebreadintohermouthwithwolfishhunger,tearsrunningdownhergrimyfaceasshechewedandswallowed,saidquietlytoMeredith,“Thinkwe’vegotanyringersinhere?”
“I’dbetmylifeonit,”sherepliedjustasquietly.“Butwhatarewegoingtodo?Coledoesn’tknowanythinghelpful.We’lljusthavetopraythattheun-possessedkidswillbeabletohelpuswhenShinichi’sringersattack.”
“Ithinkthebestoptionwhenconfrontedbypossessedkidswhomayhaveweaponsistorun.”
Meredithnoddedabsently,butMattnoticedshetookthestaveeverywherewithhernow.“I’vedevisedalittletestforthem.I’mgoingtosmackeveryonewithaPost-It,andseewhathappens.Kidswho’vedonethingstheyregretmaygethysterical,kidswho’realreadyjustterrifiedmaygetsomecomfort,andtheringerswilleitherattackorrun.”
“ThisIhavetosee.”
Meredith’stestluredoutonlytworingersinthewholemob,athirteen-year-oldboyandafifteen-year-oldgirl.Eachofthemscreamedanddartedthroughthehouse,shriekingwildly.Mattcouldn’tstopthem.Whenitwasalloverandtheolderkidswerecomfortingtheyoungerones,MattandMeredithfinishedboardingupthewindowsandpastingamuletsbetweentheboards.Theyspenttheeveningscoutingforfood,questioningthekidsaboutShinichiandtheLastMidnight,andhelpingMrs.Flowerstreatinjuries.Theytriedtokeeponepersononguardatalltimes,butsincetheyhadbeenupandmovingsince1:30A.M.,theywereallverytired.
AtaquartertoelevenMeredithcametoMatt,whowascleaningthescratchesofayellow-hairedeight-year-old.“Okay,”shesaidquietly,“I’mgoingtotakemycarandgetthenewamuletsMrs.Saitousaidshe’dhavedonebynow.DoyoumindifItakeSaber?”
Mattshookhishead.“No,I’lldoit.IknowtheSaitousbetter,anyway.”
Meredithgavewhat,inalessrefinedperson,mighthavebeencalledasnort.“Iknowthemwellenoughtosay,excuseme,Inari-Obaasan;excuseme,Orime-san;we’rethetroublemakerswhokeepaskingforhugeamountsofanti-evilamulets,butyoudon’tmindthat,doyou?”
Mattsmiledfaintly,lettheeight-year-oldgo,andsaid,“Well,theymightminditlessifyougottheirnamesstraight.‘Obaasan’means‘grandma,’right?”
“Yes,ofcourse.”
“And‘san’isjustathingyyouputattheendofanametobepolite.”
Meredithnodded,adding,“And‘athingyattheend’iscalledan‘honorificsuffix.’”
“Yeah,yeah,butforallyourbigwordsyou’vegottheirnameswrong.It’sOrime-grandmaandOrime-Isobel’s-mother.SoOrime-ObaasanandOrime-san,too.”
Meredithsighed.“Look,Matt,BonnieandImetthemfirst.GrandmaintroducedherselfasInari.NowIknowshe’salittlewacky,butshewouldcertainlyknowherownname,right?”
“AndsheintroducedherselftomeandsaidnotjustthatshewasnamedOrime,butthatherdaughterwasnamedafterher.Talkyourwayoutofthatone.”
“Matt,shallIgetmynotebook?It’sintheboardinghouseden—”
Mattgaveashortsharplaugh—almostasob.HelookedtomakesureMrs.Flowerswasn’taroundandthenhissed,“It’ssomewheredownatthecenteroftheearth,maybe.Thereisnodenanymore.”
ForamomentMeredithlookedsimplyshocked,butthenshefrowned.Mattglareddarkly.Itdidn’thelptothinkthattheywerethetwomostunlikelyoftheirgrouptoquarrel.Heretheywere,andMattcouldpracticallyseethesparksflying.“Allright,”Meredithsaidfinally,“I’lljustgooverthereandaskforOrime-Obaasan,andthentellthemitwasallyourfaultwhentheylaugh.”
Mattshookhishead.“Nobody’sgoingtolaugh,becauseyou’regoingtogetitrightthatway.”
“Look,Matt,”Meredithsaid,“I’vebeenreadingsomuchontheInternetthatIevenknowthenameInari.I’vecomeacrossitsomewhere.AndI’msureIwouldhavemade…madetheconnection…”Hervoicetrailedoff.WhenMattturnedhiseyesdownfromtheceiling,hestarted.Meredith’sfacewaswhiteandshewasbreathingquickly.
“Inari…”shewhispered.“Idoknowthatname,but…”SuddenlyshegrabbedMatt’swristsohardthatithurt.“Matt,isyourcomputerabsolutelydead?”
“Itwentwhentheelectricitywent.Bynoweventhegeneratorisgone.”
“ButyouhaveamobilethatconnectstotheInternet,right?”
TheurgencyinhervoicemadeMatt,inturn,takeherseriously.“Sure,”hesaid.“Butthebattery’sbeenkaputforatleastaday.WithoutelectricityIcan’trechargeit.Andmymomtookhers.Shecan’tlivewithoutit.StefanandElenamust’velefttheirstuffattheboardinghouse—”HeshookhisheadatMeredith’shopefulexpressionandwhispered,“Or,shouldIsay,wheretheboardinghouseusedtobe.”
“Butwehavetofindamobileorcomputerthatworks!Wehaveto!Ineedittoworkforjustaminute!”Meredithsaidfrantically,breakingawayfromhimandbeginningtopaceasiftryingtobeatsomeworldrecord.
Mattwasstaringatherinbewilderment.“Butwhy?”
“Becausewehaveto.Ineedit,evenjustforaminute!”
Mattcouldonlygazeather,perplexed.Finallyhesaid,“Iguesswecanaskthekids.”
“Thekids!Oneofthemhasgottohavealivemobile!Comeon,Matt,wehavetotalktothemrightnow.”Shestoppedandsaid,ratherhuskily,“Ipraythatyou’rerightandI’mwrong.”
“Huh?”Matthadnoideawhatwasgoingon.
“IsaidIpraythatI’mwrong!Youpray,too,Matt—please!”33
Elenawaswaitingforthefogtodisperse.Ithadcomeinasalways,bitbybit,andnowshewaswonderingifitwouldeverleave,orifitwereactuallyanothertrialitself.Therefore,whenshesuddenlyrealizedshecouldseeStefan’sshirtinfrontofher,shefeltherheartboundforjoy.Shehadn’tmessedanythinguplately.
“Icanseeit!”Stefansaid,pullingherupbesidehim.Andthen,“Voilà…”—butinawhisper.
“What,what?”criedBonnie,boundingforward.Andthenshestoppedtoo.
Damondidn’tbound.Hestrolled.ButElenawasturningtowardBonnieatthetime,andshesawhisfaceashesawit.
Infrontofthemwasasortofsmallcastle,orlargegatewaywithspiresthatpiercedthelowcloudsthathungaboveit.Therewassomekindofwritingoverthehugecathedral-likeblackdoorsinfront,butElenahadneverseenanythinglikethesquigglesofwhateverforeignlanguageitwas.
Oneithersideofthebuilding,therewereblackwallsthatwerenearlyastallasthespires.Elenalookedleftandrightandrealizedthattheydisappearedonlyoffatthevanishingpoint.Andwithoutmagic,itwouldbeimpossibletoflyoverthem.
Whattheboyandgirlinthestoryhaddiscoveredonlybyfollowingthewallsfordays,theyhadsimplywalkedstraightinto.
“It’stheGatehouseoftheSevenTreasures,isn’tit,Bonnie?Isn’tit?Look!”Elenashouted.
Bonniewasalreadylooking,bothhandspressedagainstherheart,andforoncewithoutawordtosay.AsElenawatched,thediminutivegirlfelltoherkneesinthelight,powderysnow.ButStefananswered.HepickedupBonnieandElenaatthesametimeandwhirledthemboth.“Itis!”hesaid,justasElenawassaying“Itis!”andBonnie,theexpert,gasping,“Oh,itreally,reallyis!”withtearsfreezingonhercheeks.
StefanputhislipstoElena’sear.“Andyouknowwhatthatmeans,don’tyou?IfthatistheGatehouseoftheSevenTreasures,youknowwherewearestandingnow?”
Elenatriedtoignorethewarm,tinglingsensationthatshotupfromthesolesofherfeetatthefeelingofStefan’sbreathonherear.Shetriedtofocusonhisquestion.
“Lookup,”Stefansuggested.
Elenadid—andgasped.
Abovethem,insteadofafogbankorincessantcrimsonlightfromasunthatneverstoppedsetting,werethreemoons.Onewasenormous,coveringperhapsasixthofthesky,shininginswirlsofwhiteandblue,hazyattheedges.Justinfrontofitwasabeautifulsilverymoonatleastthreequartersasbigasitwas.
Last,therewasatinymooninhighorbit,whiteasadiamond,thatseemedtobedeliberatelykeepingitsdistancefromtheothertwo.Allofthemwerehalffullandshonedownwithgentle,soothinglightontheunbrokensnowaroundElena.
“We’reintheNetherWorld,”Elenasaid,shaken.
“Oh…it’sjustlikeinthestory,”Bonniegasped.“Exactlylike.Eventhewriting!Eventheamountofsnow!”
“Exactlylikethestory?”Stefanasked.“Eventothephaseofthemoons?Howfulltheyare?”
“Justexactlythesame.”
Stefannodded.“Ithoughttheywouldbe.Thatstorywasaprecognition,giventoyouwiththepurposeofhelpingusfindthelargeststarballevermade.”
“Well,let’sgoinside!”criedBonnie.“We’rewastingtime!”
“Okay—buteveryoneonyourguard.Wedon’twantanythingtogowrongnow,”Stefansaid.
TheywentintotheGatehouseoftheSevenTreasuresinthisorder:Bonnie,whofoundthatthegreatblackdoorsswungopenatatouch,butthatshecouldseenothing,cominginfrombrightsunlight;StefanandElena,handinhand;andDamon,whowaitedoutsideforalongtimeinthehopes,Elenathought,ofbeingdeemed“adifferentparty.”
Meanwhiletheotherswerehavingthemostpleasantshocksincethey’dtakentheMasterKeysfromthekitsune.
“Sage—Sage!”Bonnieshrilledassoonashereyesadjusted.“Oh,look,Elena,it’sSage!Sage,howareyou?What’reyoudoinghere?Oh,it’sjustsogoodtoseeyou!”
Elenablinkedtwice,andthediminterioroftheoctagonalroomcameintofocus.Shewentaroundtheonlypieceoffurnitureintheroom,thelargedeskinthemiddle.“Sage,doyouknowhowlongitseems?DidyouknowthatBonniealmostgotsoldforaslaveatapublicauction?Didyouknowaboutherdream?”
SagelookedashealwayshadtoElena’seyes.Thebronzed,terminallyfitbody,likeamodelofaTitan,thebarechestandbarefeet,theblackLevi’s,thelongspiralingtanglesofbronzehair,andthestrangebronzeeyesthatcouldcutsteel,orbeasgentleasapetlamb.
“Mesdeuxpetitschatons,”Sagewassaying.“Mytwolittlekittens,youhaveastoundedme.Ihavebeenfollowingyouradventures.TheGatekeeperisnotprovidedwithmuchentertainmentandisnotallowedtoleavethisfortress,butyouweremostbraveandamusing.Jevousfélicite.”HekissedfirstElena’shandandthenBonnie’s,thenembracedStefanwiththeLatintwo-cheekedkiss.Thenheresumedhisseat.
BonniewasclimbingSageasifshewerearealkitten.“DidyoutakeMisao’sstarballfullofPower?”shedemanded,kneelingonhisthigh.“Didyoutakehalfofit,Imean?Togetbackhere?”
“Maisoui,Idid.ButIalsoleftMadameFlowersalittle—”
“DoyouknowthatDamonusedtheotherhalftoopentheGateagain?AndthatIfellintoo,eventhoughhedidn’twantme?AndthatbecauseofthatIalmostgotsoldasaslave?AndthatStefanandElenahadtocomeafterme,tomakesureIwasokay?AndthatonthewayhereElenaalmostfelloffthebridge,andwe’renotsureifthethurgsaregoingtomakeit?AnddoyouknowthatinFell’sChurchtheLastMidnightiscoming,andwedon’tknow—”
StefanandElenaexchangedalong,meaningfulglanceandthenStefansaid,“Bonnie,wehavetoaskSagethemostimportantquestion.”HelookedatSage.“IsitpossibleforustosaveFell’sChurch?Dowehaveenoughtime?”
“Ehbien.AsfarasIcantellfromthechronologicalvortex,youhaveenoughtimeandalittletospare.EnoughforaglassofBlackMagictoseeyouoff.Butafterthat,nodawdling!”
Elenafeltlikeacrumpledpieceofpaperthathadbeenstraightenedandsmoothed.Shetookalongbreath.Theycoulddoit.Thatallowedhertoremembercivilizedbehavior.“Sage,howdidyougetstuckwayouthere?Orwereyouwaitingforus?”
“Hélas,no—Iamassignedhereaspunishment.IgotanImperialSummonsthatIcouldnotignore,mesamis.”Hesighedandadded,“IamjustOutofFavoragain.SonowIamtheambassadortotheNetherWorld,asyousee.”Hewavedalanguidhandaroundtheroom.“Bienvenue.”
Elenahadasenseoftimetickingaway,ofpreciousminutesbeinglost.ButmaybeSagehimselfwoulddosomethingforFell’sChurch.“Youreallyhavetostayinhere?”
“Butassuredly,untilmonpère—myfather”—Sagesaidthewordsavagelyandresentfully—“relentsandIamallowedtoreturntotheInfernalCourt,or,muchbetter,togomywayswithouteverreturning.Atleastuntilsomeonetakesthepityonmeandkillsme.”Helookedinquiringlyaroundthegroup,thensighed,andsaid,“SaberandTalon,theyarewell?”
“Theywerewhenweleft,”Elenasaid,itchingtogetonwiththeirrealbusinesshere.
“Bien,”Sagesaid,lookingatherkindly,“butweshouldhaveyourentiregroupinherefortheviewing,no?”
ElenaglancedatthedoorsandthenagainatStefan,butSagewasalreadycalling—bothwithvoiceandtelepathy—“Damon,monpoussinet,doyounotwanttocomeinwithyourcomrades?”
Therewasalongpause,andthenthedoorsopenedandaverysullenDamonsteppedin.Hewouldn’treplytoSage’sfriendly,“Bienvenue,”insteadsaying,“Ididn’tcomeheretosocialize.IwanttoseethetreasuresintimetosaveFell’sChurch.Ihaven’tforgottenaboutthedamnedhicktown,evenifeveryoneelsehas.”
“Alorsmaintenant,”Sagesaid,lookingwounded.“Youhaveallpassedthetestsinyourwayandmaylookuponthetreasures.Youmayevenusemagicagain,althoughIamnotsurethatitwillhelpyou.Italldependsuponwhichtreasureyouseek.Félicitations!”
EveryonebutDamonmadesomegestureofembarrassment.
“Now,”Sagecontinued,“Imustshoweachgatetoyoubeforeyoucanpick.Iwilltrytobequick,butbecautious,s’ilvouspla?t.Onceyouchooseatreasure,thatistheonlydoorthatwillopenagainforanyofyou.”
ElenafoundherselfclutchingatStefan’shand—whichwasalreadyreachingforhers—asonebyonethedoorsshonewithafaint,silverylight.
“Behindyou,”saidSage,“istheverygateyouenteredtogetintothisroom,yes?Butnexttoit,ah…”Adoorbrightenedtoshowanimpossiblecavern.Impossiblebecauseofthegemslyingonthegroundorstickingoutofthecavewalls.Rubies,diamonds,emeralds,amethysts…eachoneasbigasElena’sfist,lyingthickingreatpilesforthetaking
“It’sbeautiful,but…no,ofcourse!”shesaidfirmly,andreachedouttoputahandonBonnie’sshoulder.
Thenextdoorlitup,brightened,thenbrightenedmoresothatitseemedtodisappear.“Andhere,”Sagesighed,“isthefamouskitsuneparadise.”
Elenacouldfeelhereyeswiden.Itwasasunnydayinthemostbeautifulparkshehadeverseen.Inthebackgroundalittlewaterfallspilledintoacreek,whichrandownagreenhill,whiledirectlyinfrontofherwasastonebench,justthesizefortwo,underneathatreethatlookedlikeacherryinfullbloom.
Blossomswereflyinginabreezethatrustledothercherryandpeachtreesnearby—causingarainofdawn-coloredpetals.AlthoughElenahadonlyseentheplaceforamoment,italreadyseemedfamiliartoher.Shecouldjustwalkintoit…
“No,Stefan!”Shehadtotouchhisarm.Hehadbeenwalkingrightintothegarden.
“What?”hesaid,shakinghisheadlikesomeoneinadream.“Idon’tknowwhathappened.ItjustseemedasifIweregoingtoanold,oldhome…”Hisvoicebrokeoff.“Sage,goon,please!”
Thenextdoorwasalreadylighting,showingascenewithrackafterrackofClarionLoessBlackMagicwine.Inthedistance,Elenacouldmakeoutavineyardwithlushgrapeshangingheavily,fruitthatwouldneverseethelightofthesununtilitwasmadeintoafamousliquid.
EveryonewasalreadysippingattheirglassesofBlackMagic,soitwaseasytosay“no”eventothelusciousgrapes.
AsthenextdoorbrightenedElenaheardherselfgasp.Itwasbrilliantmidday.Growinginafieldasfarasshecouldseeweretallbushesthickwithlong-stemmedroses—theblossomsofwhichwereavelvety-lookingblack.
Startled,shesawthateveryonewaslookingatDamon,whohadtakenasteptowardtherosesasifinvoluntarily.Stefanputanarmout,barringhisway.
“Ididn’tlookveryclosely,”Damonsaid,“butIthinkthesearethesameastheoneI…destroyed.”
ElenaturnedtoSage.“They’rethesame,aren’tthey?”
“Butyes,”Sagesaid,lookingunhappy.“TheseareallMidnightroses,noirpur—thesortinthewhitekitsune’sbouquet.Buttheseareallblanks.Thekitsunearetheonlyoneswhocanputspellsonthem—liketheremovalofthecurseofavampire.”
Therewasageneralsighofdisappointmentamonghislisteners,butDamonjustlookedmoresullen.Elenawasabouttospeakup,tosaythatStefanshouldn’tbeputthroughthis,whenshetunedintoSage’swordsandthenextgate,andfeltasurgeofsimple,selfishlongingherself.
“Isupposeyouwouldcallit‘LaFontaineofEternalYouthandLife,’”Sagesaid.Elenacouldseeanornatefountainplaying,theeffervescentsprayatthetopmakingarainbow.Smallbutterfliesofallcolorsflewaroundit,alightingontheleavesofthebowerthatcradleditingreenery.
Meredith,withhercoolheadandstraightforwardlogicwasn’tthere,soElenadughernailsintoherpalmsandcried“No!Nextone!”asquicklyandforcefullyasshecould.
Sagewasspeakingagain.Shemadeherselflisten.“TheRoyalRadhikaFlower,whichlegendssaywasstolenfromtheCelestialCourtmanymillenniaago.Itchangesshape.”
Asimpleenoughthingtosay…butactuallytoseeit…
Elenawatchedinastonishmentasadozenorsothick,twiningstems,toppedbygorgeouswhitecallalilyblossoms,trembledslightly.Thenextinstantshewaslookingataclusterofvioletswithvelvetleavesandadropofdewshiningonapetal.Amomentlater,thestemsweretoppedwithradiantmauvesnapdragons—withthedewdropstillinplace.Beforeshecouldremembernottoreachoutandtouchthem,thesnapdragonshadbecomedeep,fullyopenredroses.WhentherosesbecamesomeexoticgoldenflowerthatElenahadneverseen,shehadtoturnherback.
Shefoundherselfbumpingintoahard,masculine,barechestwhileforcingherselftothinkrealistically.Midnightwascoming—andnotintheformofarose.Fell’sChurchneededallthehelpitcouldgetandhereshewasstaringatflowers.
Abruptly,Sageswungheroffherfeetandsaid,“Whatatemptation,especiallyforaloveroflabeautélikeyou,bellemadame.Whatafoolishruletokeepyoufromtakingjustabud!Butthereissomethingevenhigherandmorepurethanbeauty,Elena.You,youarenamedforit.InoldGreek,Elenameans‘light’!Thedarknessiscomingfast—theLast,EverlastingMidnight!Beautywillnotholditback;itisabagatelle,atrinket,uselessintimesofdisaster.Butlight,Elena,lightwillconquerthedarkness!IbelievethisasIbelieveinyourcourage,yourhonesty,andyourgentle,lovingheart.”
Withthat,hekissedherontheforeheadandsetherdown.
Elenawasdazed.Ofallthethingssheknew,sheknewbestthatshecouldnotdefeatthedarknessthatwascoming—notalone.
“Butyou’renotalone,”Stefanwhispered,andsherealizedthathewasrightbesideher,andthatshemustbewideopen,projectingherthoughtsasclearlyasifshewerespeaking.
“We’reallherewithyou,”Bonniesaidinavoicetwicehersize.“We’renotafraidofthedark.”
TherewasapausewhileeveryonetriednottolookatDamon.Atlasthesaid,“SomehowIgottalkedintothisinsanity—I’mstillwonderinghowithappened.ButI’vecomethisfarandI’mnotgoingtoturnaroundnow.”
Sageturnedtowardthefinaldooranditbrightened.Notbymuch,however.Itlookedliketheshadyundersideofaverylargetree.Whatwasodd,though,wasthattherewasnothingatallgrowingunderit.Nofernsorbushesorseedlings,noteventhenormallyever-presentcreepersandweeds.Therewereafewdeadleavesontheground,butotherwiseitwasjustdirt.
Sagesaid,“Aplanetwithonlyonecorporealformoflifeuponit.TheGreatTreethatcoversanentireworld.Thecrowncoversallbutthenaturalfreshwaterlakesitneedstosurvive.”
Elenalookedintotheheartofthetwilitworld.“We’vecomesofar,andmaybetogether—maybewecanfindthestarballthatwillsaveourtown.”
“Thisisthedooryoupick?”askedSage.
Elenalookedattherestofthegroup.Theyallseemedtobewaitingforherconfirmation.“Yes—andrightnow.Wehavetohurry.”Shemadeamotionasiftoputhercupdownanditdisappeared.ShesmiledthanksatSage.
“Strictlyspeaking,Ishouldn’tgiveyouanyhelp,”hesaid.“Butifyouhaveacompass…”
Elenahadone.Itwasalwaysdanglingfromherbackpackbecauseshewasalwaystryingtoreadit.
Sagetookthecompassinhishandandlightlytracedalineonit.HegavethecompassbacktoElenaandshefoundthattheneedlenolongerpointedtothenorth,butatananglenortheast.“Followthearrow,”hesaid.“ItwilltakeyoutothetrunkoftheGreatTree.IfIhadtoguessatwheretofindthelargeststarball,Iwouldgothisway.Butbewary!Othershavetriedthispath.TheirbodieshavenourishedtheGreatTree—asfertilizer.”
Elenascarcelyheardthewords.Shehadbeenterrifiedatthethoughtofsearchinganentireplanetforastarball.Ofcourse,itmightbeaverysmallworld,like…like…
LikethelittlediamondmoonyousawovertheNetherWorld?
ThevoiceinElena’smindwasbothfamiliarandnot.SheglancedatSage,whosmiled.Thenshelookedaroundtheroom.Everyoneseemedtobewaitingforhertotakethefirststep.
Shetookit.34
“You’vebeenfedandtakencareofasbestaswecanmanage,”Meredithsaid,lookingatallthetaut,frightenedyoungfacesturnedtowardherinthebasement.“Andnowthere’sjustonethingIwanttoaskofyouinreturn.”Shemadeaneffortandsteadiedhervoice.“IwanttoknowifanybodyknowsofamobilephonethatconnectstotheInternet,oracomputerthatisstillworking.Please,please—ifyoueventhinkyouknowwhereonemightbe,tellme.”
Thetensionwaslikeathickrubbercord,draggingMeredithtowardeachofthepale,strainedfaces,draggingthemtoher.
ItwasjustaswellthatMeredithwasessentiallywell-balanced.Abouttwelvehandswentupimmediately,andtheirlonefive-year-oldwhispered,“Mymommyhasone.Andmydaddy.”
TherewasapausebeforeMeredithcouldsay,“Doesanybodyknowthiskid?”andanoldergirlspokeupbeforeshecould.
“ShejustmeanstheyhadthembeforetheBurningMan.”
“IstheBurningMancalledShinichi?”Meredithasked.
“’Course.Sometimeshewouldmaketheredpartsofhishairburnupwayoverhishead.”
MeredithfiledthatlittlefactawayunderThingsIdonotwanttosee,honest,crossmyheart,ever.
Thensheshookherselffreefromtheimage.
“Youguysandgirls,please,pleasethink.Ionlyneedone,onemobilephonewithInternetaccessthatstillhaspowerrightnow.Onelaptoporcomputerthatisstillworkingnow,maybebecauseofageneratorstillmakingelectricity.Justonefamilywithahomegeneratorstillworking.Anybody?”
Thehandsweredownnow.AboyshethoughtsherecognizedasbeingoneoftheLoringsiblings,maybeagetenoreleven,said,“TheBurningMantoldusthatmobilephonesandcomputerswerebad.Thatwaswhymybrothergotinafistfightwithmydad.Hethrewallthemobilesathomeinthetoilet.”
“Okay.Okay,thanks.Butanybodywho’sseenaworkingmobileorcomputer?Orahomegenerator—”
“Why,yes,mydear,I’vegotone.”Thevoicecamefromthetopofthestairs.Mrs.Flowerswasstandingthere,dressedinafreshsweatsuit.Strangely,shehadhervoluminouspurseinherhand.
“Youhad—haveagenerator?”Meredithasked,herheartsinking.Whatawaste!Andifdisastercameallbecauseshe,Meredith,hadn’tfinishedreadingoverherownresearch!Theminutesweretickingaway,andifeveryoneinFell’sChurchdied,itwouldbeherfault.Herfault.Shedidn’tthinkshecouldlivewiththat.
Meredithhadtried,allherlife,toreachthestateofcalm,concentration,andbalancethatwastheothersideofthecoinfromthefightingskillshervariousdisciplineshadtaughther.Andshehadbecomegoodatit,agoodobserver,agooddaughter,evenagoodstudentforallthatshewasinElena’sfast-paced,high-flyingclique.Thefourofthem:Elena,Meredith,Caroline,andBonniehadfittogetherlikefourpiecesofapuzzle,andMeredithstillsometimesmissedtheolddaysandtheirdaring,dominatingpseudo-sophisticatedcapersthatneverreallyhurtanyone—exceptthesillyboyswhohadmilledaroundthemlikeantsatapicnic.
Butnow,lookingatherself,shewaspuzzled.Whowasshe?AHispanicgirlnamedforhermother’sWelshbestfriendincollege.Ahunter-slayerofvampireswhohadkittencanines,avampiretwin,andwhosegroupoffriendsincludedStefan,avampire;Elena,anex-vampire—andpossiblyanothervampire,althoughshewasextremelyhesitanttocallDamona“friend.”
Whatdidthatalladdupto?
Agirltryingtodoherbesttokeepherbalanceandconcentration,inaworldthathadgoneinsane.Agirlstillreelingfromwhatshe’dlearnedaboutherownfamily,andnowtotteringfromtheneedtoconfirmadreadfulsuspicion.
Stopthinking.Stop!YouhavetotellMrs.Flowersthatherboardinghousehasbeendestroyed.
“Mrs.Flowers—abouttheboardinghouse—Ihavetotalktoyou…”
“Whydon’tyouusemyBlackBerryfirst?”Mrs.Flowerscamedownthebasementstairscarefully,watchingherfeet,andthenthechildrenpartedbeforeherlikewavesontheRedSea.
“Your…?”Meredithstared,chokedup.Mrs.Flowershadopenedherenormouspurseandwasnowprofferingaratherthickall-blackobjecttoher.
“Itstillhaspower,”theoldladyexplainedasMeredithtookthethingintwoshakinghands,asifreceivingaholyobject.“Ijustturneditonanditwasworking.AndnowI’montheInternet!”—proudly.
Meredith’sworldhadbeenswallowedupbythesmall,grayish,antiquatedscreen.Shewassoamazedandexcitedatseeingthisthatshealmostforgotwhysheneededit.Butherbodyknew.Herfingersclutched;herthumbsdancedoverthemini-keyboard.Shewenttoherfavoritesearchpageandenteredtheword“Orime.”Shegotpagesofhits—mostinJapanese.Thenfeelingatremblinginherknees,shetypedin“Inari.”
6,530,298results.
Shewenttotheveryfirsthitandsawawebpagewithadefinition.Keywordsseemedtorushoutatherlikevultures.
InariistheJapaneseShintodeityofrice…and…foxes.AttheentrancetoanInarishrineare…statuesoftwokitsune…onemaleandonefemale…eachwithakeyorjewelcarriedinmouthorpaw…Thesefox-spiritsaretheservantsandmessengersofInari.TheycarryoutInari’sorders….
Therewasalsoapictureofapairofkitsunestatues,intheirfoxforms.Eachhadafrontpawrestingonastarball.
Threeyearsago,MeredithhadfracturedherlegwhenshewasonaskiingtripwithhercousinsintheBlueRidgeMountains.Shehadrunstraightintoasmalltree.Nomartialartsskillscouldsaveheratthelastminute;sheknewshewasskiingoffthegroomedareas,whereshecouldrunintoanything:powder,crud,oriced-overruts.And,ofcourse,trees.Lotsoftrees.Shewasanadvancedskier,butshehadbeengoingtoofast,lookinginthewrongdirection,andthenextthingsheknew,shewasskiingintothetreeinsteadofaroundit.
Nowshehadthesamesensationofwakingupafterahead-onintowood.Theshock,thedizzinessandnauseathatwere,initially,worsethanthepain.Meredithcouldtakepain.Butthepoundinginherhead,thesickeningawarenessthatshehadmadeabigmistakeandthatshewasgoingtohavetopayforitwereunbearable.Plustherewasacurioushorrorabouttheknowledgethatherownlegswouldn’tholdherup.Eventhesameuselessquestionsranthroughhersubconscious,like:HowcouldIbesostupid?Isthispossiblyadream?and,Please,God,canIhittheUndobutton?
MeredithsuddenlyrealizedthatshewasbeingsupportedoneithersidebyMrs.Flowersandtheirsixteen-year-old,AvaWakefield.Themobilewasonthecementfloorofthebasement.Shemusthaveactuallystartedtoblackout.SeveraloftheyoungerkidswerescreamingMatt’sname.
“No—I—Icanstandupalone…”Allshewantedintheworldwastogointothedarknessandgetawayfromthishorror.Shewantedtoletherlegsgoslackandhermindgoblank,toflee…
Butshecouldn’trunaway.Shehadtakenthestave;shehadtakentheDutyfromhergrandfather.AnythingsupernaturalthatwasouttoharmFell’sChurchonherwatchwasherproblem.Andtheproblemwasthatherwatchneverended.
Mattcameclatteringdownthestairs,carryingtheirseven-year-old,Hailey,whocontinuallyshookwithpetitmalseizures.
“Meredith!”Shecouldheartheincredulityinhisvoice.“Whatisit?Whatdidyoufind,forGod’ssake?”
“Come…look.”Meredithwasrememberingdetailafterdetailthatshouldhavesetoffwarningbellsinhermind.Mattwassomehowalreadybesideher,evenassherememberedBonnie’sveryfirstdescriptionofIsobelSaitou.
“Thequiettype.Hardtogettoknow.Shy.And…nice.”
AndthatfirstvisittotheSaitouhouse.Thehorrorthatquiet,shy,niceIsobelSaitouhadbecome:theGoddessofPiercing,bloodandpusoozingfromeveryhole.Andwhentheyhadtriedtocarrydinnertoherold,oldgrandmother,MeredithhadnoticedabsentlythatIsobel’sroomwasrightunderthedoll-likeoldlady’s.AfterseeingIsobelpiercedandclearlyunbalanced,Meredithhadassumedthatanyevilinfluencemustbetryingtotravelup,andhadworriedinthebackofhermindaboutthepoor,old,doll-sizedgrandmother.Buttheevilcouldjustaseasilyhavetraveleddown.MaybeJimBrycehadn’tgivenIsobelthemalachmadnessafterall.Maybeshehadgivenittohim,andhehadgivenittoCarolineandtohissister.
Andthatchildren’sgame!Thecruel,cruelsongthatObaasan—thatInari-Obaasanhadcrooned.“Foxandturtlehadarace…”Andherwords:“There’sakitsuneinvolvedinthissomewhere.”She’dbeenlaughingatthem,amusingherself!Cometothat,itwasfromInari-ObaasanthatMeredithhadfirstheardtheword“kitsune.”
Andonemoreadditionalcruelty,thatMeredithhadonlybeenabletoexcusebeforebyassumingObaasanhadverypoorsight.Thatnight,MeredithhadhadherbacktothedoorandsohadBonnie—theyhadbothbeenconcentratingon“poordecrepitoldGrandma.”ButObaasanhadbeenfacingthedoor,andshewastheonlyonewhocouldhaveseen—musthaveseen—IsobelsneakingupbehindBonnie.Andthen,justasthecruelgamesongtoldBonnietolookbehindher…Isobelhadbeencrouchingthere,readytolickBonnie’sforeheadwithaforkedpinktongue…
“Why?”Meredithcouldhearherownvoicesaying.“WhywasIsostupid?HowcouldInothaveseenfromthebeginning?”
MatthadretrievedtheBlackBerryandreadthewebpage.Thenhejuststood,fixed,hisblueeyeswide.“Youwereright,”hesaid,afteralongmoment.
“Iwantsomuchtobewrong…”
“Meredith—ShinichiandMisaoareInari’sservants…IfthatoldladyisInariwe’vebeenrunningaroundlikecrazyafterthewrongpeople,thehiredmuscle…”
“Thedamnnotecards,”Meredithchokedout.“TheonesdonebyObaasan.They’reuseless,flawed.Allthosebulletssheblessedshouldhavebeennogood—butmaybeshedidblessthem—asagame.IsobelevencametomeandchangedallthecharacterstheoldladyhaddoneforthejarstoholdShinichiandMisao.ShesaidthatObaasanwasalmostblind.Sheleftatearonmycarseat.Icouldn’tunderstandwhysheshouldbecrying.”
“Istillcan’t.She’sthegranddaughter—probablythethirdgenerationofamonster!”Mattexploded.“Whyshouldshecry?AndwhydothePost-itNoteswork?”
“Becausethey’redonebyIsobel’smother,”Mrs.Flowerssaidquietly.“DearMatt,ItrulydoubtthattheoldwomanisrelatedtotheSaitousatall.Asadeity—orevenapowerfulmagic-usernamedafteradeity—andundoubtedlyakitsuneherself,shesurelyjustmovedinwiththemandusedthem.Isobel’smotherandIsobelhadnochoicebuttocarryonthecharadeforfearofwhatshe’ddotothemiftheydidn’t.”
“ButMrs.Flowers,whenTyroneandIpulledthatlegboneoutofthethicket,didn’tyousaythattheSaitouwomenmadesuchexcellentamulets?Anddidn’tyousaythatwecouldgettheSaitouwomentohelptranslatethewordsontheclayjarswhenAlaricsentthepicturesofthemfromthatJapaneseIsland?”
AsformybeliefintheSaitouwomen,well,I’llhavetoquibblealittlehere,”Mrs.Flowerssaid.“Icouldn’tknowthatthisObaasanwasevil,andtherearestilltwoofthemwhoaregentleandgood,andwhohavehelpedustremendously—andatgreatrisktothemselves.”
Meredithcouldtastethebitternessofbileinhermouth.“Isobelcouldhavesavedus.Shecouldhavesaid‘Myfakegrandmotherisreallyademon.’”
“Oh,mydearMeredith,theyoungaresounforgiving.ThisInariwasprobablyinstalledinherhousewhenshewasachild.Allsheknowsatfirstisthattheoldwomanisatyrant,withagod’sname.Thenperhapssomedemonstrationofpower—whathappenedtoOrime’shusband,Iwonder,tomakehimgobacktoJapan—ifindeedhewentthere?Hemaywellbedead.AndthenIsobelisgrowingup:shy,quiet,introverted—frightened.ThisisnotJapan;therearenootherpriestessesheretoconfidein.AndyousawtheconsequenceswhenIsobelreachedouttosomeoneoutsideofthefamily—toherboyfriend,JimBryce.”
“Andtous—well,toyouandBonnie,”MattsaidtoMeredith.“ShesiccedCarolineonyou.”
Scarcelyknowingwhattheyweredoing,theyweretalkingfasterandfaster.
“Wehavetogothererightnow,”saidMeredith.“ShinichiandMisaomaybetheonesbringingontheLastMidnight,butit’sInariwhogivestheorders.Andwhoknows?Shemaydoleoutthepunishmentsaswell.Wedon’tknowhowbigherstarballis.”
“Orwhere,”saidtheoldwoman.
“Mrs.Flowers,”Mattsaidhastily,“you’dbetterstayherewiththekids.Ava,here,isreliable,andwhere’sJacobLagherty?”
“Here,”saidaboywholookedolderthanfifteen.HewasastallasMattwas,butgangly.
“Okay.Ava,Jake,you’reinchargeunderMrs.Flowers.We’llleaveSaberwithyoutoo.”Thedogwasabighitamongthekids,onhisbestbehavior,evenwhentheyoungeroneschewedhistail.“YoutwojustlistentoMrs.Flowers,and—”
“Matt,dear,Iwon’tbehere.Buttheanimalswillsurelyhelptoprotectthem.”
Mattstaredather.Meredithknewwhathewasthinking.WasMrs.Flowers,soreliableupuntilnow,goingsomewheretohidealone?Wassheabandoningthem?
“AndI’llneedoneofyoutodrivemetotheSaitouhouse—quickly!—buttheothercanstayandprotectthechildrenaswell.”
Meredithwasbothrelievedandworried,andclearlyMattwastoo.
“Mrs.Flowers,thisisgoingtobeabattle.Youcouldgethurtorbetakenhostagesoeasily—”
“DearMatt,thisismybattle.MyfamilyhaslivedinFell’sChurchforgenerations,allthewaybacktothepioneeringtimes.IbelievethisisthebattleforwhichIwasborn.Certainlythelastofmyoldage.”
Meredithstared.Inthedimlightofthebasement,Mrs.Flowersseemedsuddenlydifferentsomehow.Hervoicewaschanging.Evenhersmallbodyseemedtobechanging,steadying,standingtall.
“Buthowwillyoufight?”Mattasked,soundingdazed.
“Withthis.Thatniceyoungman,Sage,leftitformewithanoteapologizingforusingMisao’sstarball.IusedtobequitegoodwiththesewhenIwasyoung.”Fromhercapaciouspurse,Mrs.FlowerspulledoutsomethingpaleandlongandthinasitunwoundandMrs.Flowerswhirleditandsnappeditwithaloudcrackattheemptyhalfofthebasement.IthitaPing-Pongball,curledaroundit,andbroughtitbacktoMrs.Flowers’sopenhand.
Abullwhip.Madeofsomesilverymaterial.Undoubtedlymagical.EvenMattlookedscaredofit.
“Whydon’tAvaandJaketeachthechildrentoplayPing-Pongwhilewe’regone—andwereallymustgo,mydears.There’snotaminutetowaste.Aterribletragedyiscoming,Mamasays.”
Meredithhadbeenwatching—feelingasdazedasMattlooked.Butnowshesaid,“Ihaveaweapontoo.”Shepickedupthestaveandsaid,“I’mfighting,Matt.Ava,thechildrenareyourstocarefor.”
“Andmine,”Jacobsaid,andimmediatelyprovedhisusefulnessbyadding,“Isn’tthatanaxehangingbacktherenearthefurnace?”
Mattranandsnatcheditup.Meredithcouldseefromhisexpressionwhathewasthinking:Yes!Oneheavyaxe,atinybitrusty,butstillplentysharpenough.Nowifthekitsunesentplantsorwoodagainstthem,hewasarmed.
Mrs.Flowerswasalreadygoingupthebasementstairs.MeredithandMattexchangedonequickglanceandthentheywererunningtocatchupwithher.
“Youdriveyourmom’sSUV.I’llsitinback.I’mstillalittlebit…well,dizzy,Iguess.”Meredithdidn’tliketoadmittoapersonalweakness,butbetterthatthancrashingthevehicle.
Mattnoddedandwasgoodenoughnottocommentonwhyshefeltsodizzy.Shestillcouldn’tbelieveherownstupidity.
Mrs.Flowerssaidonlyonething.“Matt,dear,breaktrafficlaws.”35
Elenafeltasifshehadbeendoingnothinginallherlifeexceptwalkunderashadycanopyofhighbranches.Itwasn’tcoldhere,butitwascool.Itwasn’tdark,butitwasdim.InsteadoftheconstantcrimsonsunlightfromthebloatedredsuninthefirstDarkDimension,theywerewalkinginaconstantdusk.Itwasunnerving,alwayslookingupfortheskyandneverseeingthemoon—ormoons—ortheplanet—thatmightwellbeupthere.Ratherthansky,therewasnothingbuttangledtreebranches,clearlyheavyandsointricatelyentwinedastotakeupeverybitofspaceabove.
Wasshecrazy,thinkingthatmaybetheywereonthatmoon,thediamondbrighttinymoonthatyoucouldseefromtheoutsideoftheNetherWorldGatehouse?Wasittootinytohaveanatmosphere?Toosmallforpropergravity?ShehadnoticedthatshefeltlighterhereandthatevenBonnie’sstepsseemedquitelong.Couldshe…?Shetensedherlegs,letgoofStefan’shand,andjumped
Itwasalongjump,butithadn’ttakenheranywherenearthecanopyofwovenbranchesabove.Andshedidn’tlandneatlyonhertoes,either.Herfeetflewoutfromunderheronmillenniaofleafmoldandsheskiddedonherrearendformaybethreefeet,beforeshecoulddigherfingersandfeetinandstop.
“Elena!Areyouallright?”ShecouldhearStefanandBonniecallingfrombehindher,andaquick,impatient:Areyoucrazy?fromDamon.
“Iwastryingtofigureoutwherewewerebytestingthegravity,”shesaid,standinguponherownandbrushingleavesofftheseatofherjeans,mortified.Damn!ThoseleaveshadgoneupthebackofherT-shirt,hadevengotteninsidehercamisole.ThegrouphadleftmostoftheirfursbehindattheGatehouse,whereSagecouldguardthem,andElenadidn’tevenhavespareclothes.Thathadbeenstupid,shetoldherselfangrilynow.Embarrassed,shetriedtowalkandshimmyatthesametime,togetthecrumbledleavesoutofhertop.Finallyshehadtosay,“Justasecond,everybody.Guys,couldyouturnaround?Bonnie,couldyoucomebackhereandhelpme?”BonniewasgladtohelpandElenawasastonishedathowlongittooktopickgunkawayfromherownflinchingback.
Nexttimeyouwantascientificopinion,tryasking,Damon’sscornfultelepathycommented.Aloud,headded,“I’dsayit’sabouteightypercentEarth’sgravityhereandwecouldwellbeonamoon.Doesn’tsignify.IfSagehadn’thelpeduswiththiscompass,we’dneverbeabletofindthetree’strunk—atleastnotintime.”
“Andremember,”Elenasaid,“thattheideathatthestarballisnearthetrunkisjustaguess.Wehavetokeepoureyesopen!”
“Butwhatshouldwelookfor?”Once,Bonniewouldhavewailedthis.Nowshesimplyaskedquietly.
“Well…”ElenaturnedtoStefan.“Itwilllookbright,won’tit?Againstthishorriblehalf-light?”
“Thishorriblecamouflage-greenhalf-light,”Stefanagreed.“Itshouldlooklikeaslightlyshiftingbrightlight.”
“Butputitlikethis,”Damonsaid,walkingbackwardgracefullyandflashinghisold250-kilowattsmileforasecondatthem.“Ifwedon’tfollowSage’ssuggestion,we’llneverfindthetrunk.Ifwetrytowanderrandomlyaroundthisworld,wewillneverfindanything—includingourwayback.AndthennotonlyFell’sChurch,butwewillalldie,inthisorder.First,wetwovampireswillbreakwithallcivilizedbehavior,asstarvation—”
“Stefanwon’t,”criedElena,andBonniesaid,“You’rejustasbadasShinichi,withhis‘revelations’aboutus!”
Damonsmiledsubtly.“IfIwereasbadasShinichi,littleredbird,youwouldalreadybepuncturedlikeanemptyjuicebox—orIwouldbesittingbackwithSage,enjoyingBlackMagic—”
“Look,thisispointless,”Stefansaid.
Damonfeignedsympathy.“Maybeyouhave…problems…inthecaninearea,butIdonot,littlebrother.”Hedeliberatelyheldthesmilethistimesoeveryonecouldseehispointedteeth.
Stefanwouldn’tbebaited.“Andit’sholdingusup—”
“Wrong,littlebrother.Someofushavemasteredtheartofspeakingandwalkingatthesametime.”
“Damon—stopit!Juststop!”Elenasaid,rubbingherhotforeheadwithcoldfingers.
Damonshrugged,stillmovingbackward.“Youonlyhadtoask,”hesaid,withjusttheslightestemphasisonthefirstword.
Elenasaidnothinginreturn.Shefeltfeverish.
Itwasn’talljuststraightwalking.Frequentlytherewerehugemoundsofknottedrootsintheirwaythathadtobeclimbed.SometimesStefanhadtousetheaxefromhisbackpacktomakefootholds.
Elenahadcometohatethedeepgreendemi-lightmorethananything.Itplayedtricksonhereyes,justasthemuffledsoundoftheirfeetontheleaf-strewngroundplayedtricksonherears.Severaltimesshestopped—andonceStefandid—tosay,“There’ssomeoneelsehere!Followingus!”
Eachtimetheyhadallstoppedandlistenedintently.StefanandDamonsenttelepathicprobesofPowerasfarastheycouldreach,seekinganothermind.Buteitheritwassowelldisguisedastobeinvisibleoritdidn’texistatall.
Andthen,afterElenafeltasifshehadbeenwalkingherwholelife,andwouldkeepwalkinguntileternityended,Damonstoppedabruptly.Bonnie,justbehindhim,suckedinherbreath.ElenaandStefanhurriedforwardtoseewhatitwas.
WhatElenasawmadehersay,unsteadily,“Ithinkmaybewemissedthetrunkand…found…theedge…”
Onthegroundinfrontofherandasfarasshecouldsee,wasthestar-studdeddarknessofspace.Butwashingoutthelightofthestarswasahugeplanetandtwohugemoons,oneswirledblueandwhiteandonesilver.
Stefanwasholdingherhand,sharingthewonderwithher,andtinglesranupherarmandintohersuddenlyweakknees,justfromhisfeather-lighttouchonherfingers.
ThenDamonsaidcaustically,“Lookup.”
Elenadidandgasped.Forjustaninstantherbodywascompletelyunmoored.SheandStefanautomaticallywoundtheirarmsaroundeachother.AndthenElenarealizedwhattheywereseeing,bothaboveandbelow.
“It’swater,”shesaid,staringatthepoolspreadoutbeforethem.“OneofthosefreshwaterseasSagetoldusabout.Andnotarippleonit.Notabreathofwind.”
“Butitdoeslookasifwe’reonthatsmallestmoon,”Stefansaidmildly,hiseyesdeceptivelyinnocentashelookedatDamon.
“Yes,well,thenthere’ssomethingexceedinglyheavyatthecoreofthismoonlet,toallowforeight-tenthsthegravitywenormallyexperience,andtohangontosomuchatmosphere—butwhocaresaboutlogic?ThisisaworldwereachedthroughtheNetherWorld.Whyshouldlogicapply?”HelookedatElenawithslightlynarrowed,hoodedeyes.
“Whereisthethirdone?Thegraveone?”
Thevoicecamefrombehindthem—Elenathought.Shewas—theyallwere—turningfromlookingatbrilliantlightintohalf-darkness.Everythingshimmeredanddancedbeforehereyes.
“GraveMeredith;laughingBonnie;
AndElenawithgoldenhair.
Theywhisperandthenaresilent…
TheyplotandInolongercare…
ButImusthaveElena,
ElenawiththeGoldenHair…”
“Well,you’renotgoingtohaveme!”criedElena.“Andthatpoemisacompletemisquote,anyway.IrememberitfromfreshmanEnglishclass.Andyou’recrazy!”EventhroughherangerandfearshewonderedaboutFell’sChurch.IfShinichiwashere,couldhebringabouttheLastMidnightthere?OrcouldMisaosimplysetitoffwithalanguidwave?
“ButIwillhaveyou,goldenElena,”thekitsunesaid.
BothStefanandDamonhadknivesout.“That’sjustwhereyou’rewrong,Shinichi,”Stefansaid.“Youwillnever,evertouchElenaagain.”
“Ihavetotry.You’vetakeneverythingelse.”
Elena’sheartwaspoundingnow.Ifhe’lltalksensetoanyofus,he’lltalktome,shethought.“Shouldn’tyoubegettingreadyfortheLastMidnight,Shinichi?”sheaskedinafriendlytone,inwardlytremblingincaseheshouldsay,“It’salreadyover.”
“Shedoesn’tneedme.Shewouldn’tprotectMisao.WhyshouldIhelpHer?”
ForamomentElenacouldn’tspeak.She?She?OtherthanMisao,whatotherShewasinvolvedinthis?
Damonhadacrossbowoutnow,withaquarrelloadedinit.ButShinichijustwentramblingon.
“Misaocouldn’tmoveanymore.ShehadputallherPowerintoherstarball,yousee.Sheneverlaughedorsanganylonger—nevermadeupanyplotswithme.Shejust…sat.
“Finallysheaskedmetoputherintomyself.Shethoughtwe’dbecomeonethatway.Soshedissolvedandmergedrightintome.Butitdidn’thelp.Now…Icanbarelyhearher.I’vecometogetmystarball.I’vebeenusingitsenergytotravelthroughthedimensions.IfIputMisaointomystarball,she’llrecover.ThenI’llhideitagain—butnotwhereIleftitlast.I’llputitfartherupwherenooneelsewilleverfindit.”Heseemedtofocusonhislisteners.“SoIguessit’sMisaoandIwhoaretalkingtoyourightnow.ExceptthatI’msolonely—Ican’tfeelheratall.”
“YouwillnottouchElena,”Stefansaidquietly.
DamonwaslookinggrimlyattherestofthegroupatShinichi’swords,“…I’llputitfartherup…”
“Goon,Bonnie,keepmoving,”Stefanadded.“Youtoo,Elena.We’llfollow.”
ElenaletBonniegosomefeetaheadbeforesayingtelepathically,Wecan’tbreakup,Stefan;there’sonlyonecompass.
Watchout,Elena!Hemighthearyou!cameStefan’svoice,andDamonaddedflatly,Shutup!
“Don’tbothertellinghertoshutup,”Shinichisaid.“You’remadifyouthinkthatIcan’tjustpickyourthoughtsrightoutofyourminds.Ididn’tthinkyouwerethatstupid.”
“We’renotstupid,”Bonniesaidhotly.
“No?Thendidyoufigureoutmyriddlesforyou?”
“Thisishardlythetimeforthat,”Elenasnapped.Itwasamistake,foritcausedShinichitofocusonheragain.
“DidyoutellthemwhatyouthinkaboutthetragedyofCamelot,Elena?No,Ididn’tthinkyou’dhavethecourage.I’lltellthem,then,shallI?I’llreaditasyouputitinyourdiary.”
“No!Youcan’thavereadmydiary!Anyway—it’snolongerapplicable!”Elenaflared.
“Letmesee…theseareyourownwordsnow.”Heassumedareadingvoice.‘DearDiary,oneofShinichi’sriddleswaswhatIthoughtofCamelot.Youknow,thelegendofKingArthur,QueenGuinevere,andtheknightsheloved,Lancelot.Andhere’swhatIthought.Alotofinnocentpeoplediedandweremiserablebecausethreeselfishpeople—aking,aqueen,andaknight—couldn’tbehaveinacivilizedway.Theycouldn’tunderstandthatthemoreyoulove,themoreyoufindtolove.Butthosethreecouldn’tgiveintoloveandjustshare—allthreeofthem…’”
“Shutup!”screamedElena.“Shutup!”
MyGod,Damonsaid,mylifejustlappeditself.
Sodidmine.Stefansoundeddizzy.
Justforgetaboutallofit,Elenatoldthem.It’snottrueanymore.Stefan,I’myoursforever,andIalwayswas.Andrightnowwe’vegottogetridofthisbastard,andrunforthetrunk.
“MisaoandIusedtodothat,”Shinichisaid.“Talkalonetogetheronaspecialfrequency.You’recertainlyagoodmanipulator,Elena,tokeepthemfromkillingeachotheroveryou.”
“Yes,it’saspecialfrequencyIcallthetruth,”Elenasaid.“ButI’mnothalfasgoodamanipulatorasDamonis.Nowattackusorletusgoaway.We’reinahurry!”
“Attackyou?”Shinichiseemedtobethinkingovertheidea.Andthen,fasterthanElenacouldtrackit,hewentforBonnie.Thevampires,whohadbeenexpectinghimtotrytogettoElena,werecaughtoffguard,butElena,whohadseentheflickerofhiseyestowardtheweakergirl,wasalreadydivingforhim.Hemovedbacksoquicklythatshefoundherselfheadingforhislegs,butthensherealizedshehadachancetothrowhimoffbalance.Shedeliberatelywentforaheadbuttwithhiskneecap,atthesametimestabbingdeepintohisfootwithherknife.
Forgiveme,Bonnie,shethought,knowingwhathewoulddo.Itwasthesameaswhathe’dhadhispuppet,Damon,dowhenhe’dheldElenaandMatthostagebefore—exceptthathedidn’tneedapinebranchtodirectthepain.BlackenergyerupteddirectlyfromhishandsintoBonnie’ssmallbody.
Buttherewasanotherfactorhehadn’ttakenintoaccount.Whenhe’dhadDamonattackMattandElenahe’dhadthesensetokeepawayfromthemwhiledirectingagonyintotheirbodies.Thistime,he’dseizedBonnieandwrappedhisarmsaroundher.AndBonniewasamostexcellenttelepathherself,especiallyatprojecting.Whenthefirstwaveofagonyhither,shescreamed—andredirectedthepaintowardShinichi.
Itwaslikecompletingacircuit.Itdidn’thurtBonnieanyless,butitmeantthatanythingShinichididtoherhefeltinhisownbody,amplifiedbyBonnie’sterror.ThatwasthesystemthatElenaslammedintoashardasshecould.Whenherheadimpactedwithhisknee,hiskneebonewasthemorefragileofthetwo,andsomethinginsideitcrackled.Dazed,sheconcentratedontwistingtheknifeshe’dstabbedthroughhisfootandintothesoilbelow.
Itwouldn’thaveworkedifshehadn’thadtwoextremelyagilevampiresrightbehindher.SinceShinichididn’tfallover,shewouldjusthavebeenputtingherneckattheperfectlevelforhimtosnapcleanly.
ButStefanwasonlyasplitsecondbehindher.HeseizedherandwasoutofShinichi’sreachbeforethekitsunecouldevenassessthesituationproperly.
“Letmego,”ElenagaspedatStefan.ShewasdeterminedtogetBonnie.“Ileftmyknife,”sheaddedcraftily,findingamoreconcretereasonforforcingStefantoletherbackintothefray.
“Where?”
“Inhisfoot,ofcourse.”
ShecouldfeelStefantryingnottolaughoutloud.“Ithinkthat’sagoodplacetoleaveit.Takeoneofmine,”headded.
Ifyou’vequitefinishedyourlittlechat,youmightgetridofhistails,cameDamon’scoldtelepathy.
AtthatmomentBonniepassedout,butwithherowntelepathiccircuitsstillwideopenanddirectedbacktowardShinichi.AndnowDamonhadgoneintooffensivemode,asifhecarednothingaboutBonnie’swell-being,aslongashecouldgetthroughhertoShinichi.
Stefan,quickasastrikingsnake,wentforoneofthemanytailsthatnowwavedbehindShinichi,advertisinghistremendousPower.Mostofthemweretranslucent,andtheysurroundedhisrealtail—theflesh-and-bloodtailthateveryfoxhad.
Stefan’sknifewentsnickandoneofthephantomtailsfelltothegroundandthendisappeared.Therewasnoblood,butShinichikeenedinfuryandpain.
Damon,meanwhile,wasruthlesslyattackingfromthefront.AssoonasStefanhaddistractedthekitsunefromtheback,DamonslashedbothShinichi’swrists—onequicklyontheupstroke,theotherjustasfastonthedown-stroke.ThenhewentforabodyblowjustatthemomentthatStefan,withElenaheldlikeababyonhiship,snickedawayanotherphantomtail.
Elenawasstruggling.ShewasseriouslyworriedthatDamonwouldkillBonnietogettoShinichi.Andbesides,sheherselfwouldnotbetotedaroundlikeapieceofluggage!Civilizationhadtumbleddownallaroundherandshewasreactingfromherdeepestinstincts:protectStefan,protectBonnie,protectFell’sChurch.Puttheenemydown.Shehardlyrealizedthatinherheightenedstateshehadsunkherunfortunatelystill-humanteethintoStefan’sshoulder.
Hewincedslightly,buthelistenedtoher.Allright!TrytogetBonnie,then—seeifyoucaneaseher
HeletgoofherjustasShinichiwhirledtodealwithhim,channelingtheblackpainthat,backonEarth,hadflungMattandElenaofftheirfeetinseizures,directlytowardStefan.
Elena,justreleased,foundthateveryonewasmakingahalfturn,asiftoobligeher,andsuddenlyshesawachance.ShesnatchedatthelimpformofBonnie,andShinichidroppedthesmallergirlintoherarms.
WordswereechoinginElena’sbrain.GetBonnie.Seeifyoucaneaseher.
Well,shehadBonnienow.HerownsensesplitStefan’stwoorderswithanother—getherawayfromShinichiShe’sthepricelesshostage.
Elenafoundthatshecouldalmostscreamwithfuryevennow.ShehadtokeepBonniesafe—butthatmeantleavingStefan,gentleStefan,atthemercyofShinichi.ShescrambledawaywithBonnie—sosmallandlight—andatthesametimethrewabackwardglanceatStefan.Hewaswearingaslightfrownofconcentrationnow,buthewasnotonlynotoverwhelmedwithpain,hewaspressingforwardtheattack.
EventhoughShinichi’sheadwasonfire.Thebrilliantcrimsontipsofhisblackhairhadburstintoflames,asifnothingelsewouldexpresshisenmityandhiscertaintyofwinning.Hewascrowninghimselfwithaflaminggarland,ahellishhalo.
Elena’sangeratthatturnedintochillsdownherspineasshewatchedsomethingmostpeopleneverlivedtoanalyze:twovampiresattackingtogether,perfectlyinsync.Therewastheelementalsavageryinitofapairofraptorsorwolves,buttherewasalsotheawesomebeautyoftwocreaturesworkingasasingle,unifiedbody.ThedistanceinStefan’sandDamon’sexpressionssaidthatthiswasafighttothedeath.TheoccasionalfrownfromStefanorvicioussmilefromDamonmeantthatShinichiwassendinghissearingdarkPowerthroughoneortheotherofthem.Buttheseweren’tweakhumansShinichiwasplayingwithnow.Theywerebothvampireswithbodiesthathealedalmostinstantly—andvampireswhohadbothfedrecently—fromher—Elena.Herextraordinarybloodwasfeulingthemnow.
SoI’malreadyapartofthis,Elenathought.I’mhelpingthemrightnow.Thatwouldhavetosatisfythesavagerythisno-holds-barredfightelicitedinher.ToruintheperfectsynchronicitywithwhichthetwovampireswerehandlingShinichiwouldbeacrime,especiallywhenBonniewasstilllimpinherarms.
Ashumans,we’rebothliabilities,shethought.AndDamonwouldn’thesitatetotellmeso,evenifallIwantedwastogetinonesinglestroke.
Bonnie,comeon,Bonnie,shethought.Holdontome.We’regettingfartheraway.Shepickedupthesmallergirlunderthearmpitsanddraggedher.Shebackedupintotheolivedimnessthatstretchedinalldirections.Whenshetrippedoverarootandaccidentallysatdown,shedecidedthatshe’dgonefarenough,andmaneuveredBonnieintoherlap.
ThenshecuppedherhandsaroundBonnie’slittleheart-shapedfaceandshethoughtofthemostsoothingthingsshecouldimagine.AcoolplungeatWarmSpringsbackhome.AhotbathatLadyUlma’sandthenafour-handedmassage,lyingcomfortablyonadryingcouchwiththescentoffloralincenserisingaroundher.AcuddlewithSaberinMrs.Flowers’sinformalden.Thedecadenceofsleepinglateandwakingupinherownbed—withherownmotherandfatherandsisterinthehouse.
AsElenathoughtofthislast,shecouldn’thelpgivingatinygasp,andateardropfellontoBonnie’sforehead.Bonnie’seyelashesfluttered.
“Now,don’tyoubesad,”shewhispered.“Elena?”
“I’vegotyou,andnobody’sgoingtohurtyouagain.Doyoustillfeelbad?”
“Alittle.ButIcouldhearyou,inmymind,anditmademefeelbetter.Iwantalongbathandapizza.AndtoholdbabyAdara.Shecanalmosttalk,youknow.Elena—you’renotlisteningtome!”
Elenawasn’t.ShewaswatchingthedénouementofthefightbetweenStefanandDamonandShinichi.Thevampireshadthekitsunedownnowandweresquabblingoverhimlikeacoupleoffledglingsoveraparticularlytastyworm.Ormaybelikeapairofbabydragons—Elenawasn’tsureifbirdshissedateachother.
“Oh,no—yuck!”BonniesawwhatElenawaswatchingandcollapsed,hidingherheadagainstElena’sshoulder.Okay,Elenathought.Igetit.There’snosavageryatallinyou,isthere,Bonnie?Mischief,butnothinglikebloodlust.Andthat’sgood
Evenasshethoughtthis,Bonnieabruptlysatupstraight,bumpingElena’schin,andpointingintothedistance.“Wait!”shecried.“Doyouseethat?”
Thatwasaverybrightlight,whichflaredbrighteraseachvampirefoundaplacetohislikingonShinichi’sbodyandbitsimultaneously.
“Stayhere,”Elenasaid,alittlethickly,becausewhenBonniehadbumpedherchinshe’daccidentallybittenhertongue.Sheranbacktothetwovampiresandknockedthemashardasshecouldovertheheads.Shehadtogettheirattentionbeforetheygotcompletelylockedintofeedingmode.
Notsurprisingly,Stefandetachedfirst,andthenhelpedhertopullDamonoffhisdefeatedenemy.
Damonsnarledandpaced,nevertakinghiseyesoffShinichiasthebeatenkitsuneslowlysatup.Elenanoticeddropsofbloodscatteredaround.Thenshesawit,tuckedintoDamon’sbelt,blackandcrimson-tippedandsleek:Shinichi’srealtail.
Savageryfled…fast.ElenawantedtohideherheadagainstStefan’sshoulderbutinsteadturnedupherfaceforakiss.Stefanobliged.
ThenElenasteppedbacksothattheyformedatrianglearoundShinichi.
“Don’teventhinkofattacking,”Damonsaidpleasantly.
Shinichigaveaweakshrug.“Attackyou?Whybother?You’llhavenothingtogobackto,evenifIdie.Thechildrenarepre-programmedtokill.But”—withsuddenvehemence—“Iwishwe’dnevercometoyourdamnedlittletownatall—andIwishwe’dneverfollowedHerorders.IwishI’dneverletMisaonearHer!Iwishwehadn’t—”Hestoppedspeakingsuddenly.No,itwasmorethanthat,Elenathought.Hefroze,eyeswideopenandstaring.“Oh,no,”hewhispered.“Oh,no,Ididn’tmeanthat!Ididn’tmeanit!Ihavenoregrets—”
Elenahadthefeelingofsomethingcomingatthemattremendousspeed,sofast,infact,thatshejusthadtimetoopenhermouthbeforeithitShinichi.Whateveritwas,itkilledhimcleanlyandpassedbywithouttouchinganyoneelse.
Shinichifellfacedownontothedirt.
“Don’tbother,”Elenasaidsoftly,asStefanreflexivelymovedtowardthecorpse.“He’sdead.Hedidittohimself.”
“Buthow?”StefanandDamondemandedinchorus.
“I’mnottheexpert,”Elenasaid.“Meredithistheexpertonthis.Butshetoldmethatkitsunecouldonlybekilledbydestroyingtheirstarballs,shootingthemwithablessedbullet…orbythe‘SinofRegret.’MeredithandIdidn’tknowwhatthatmeantbackthen—itwasbeforewehadevengoneintotheDarkDimension.ButIthinkwejustnowsawitinaction.”
“Soyoucan’tbeakitsuneandregretanythingyou’vedone?That’s—harsh,”Stefansaid.
“Notatall,”Damonsaidcrisply.“Although,ifithadoperatedforvampires,nodoubtyouwouldhavebeenpermanentlydeadwhenyouwokeupinthefamilyvault.”
“Earlier,”Stefansaidexpressionlessly.“Iregretedstrikingyouamortalblow,evenasIwasdying.You’vealwayssaidIfeeltooguilty,butthatisonethingIwouldgivemylifetotakeback.”
Therewasasilencethatstretchedandstretched.Damonwasatthefrontofthegroupnow,andnoonebutBonniecouldseehisface.
SuddenlyElenagrabbedStefan’shand.“Westillhaveachance!”shetoldhim.“BonnieandIsawsomethingbrightthatway!Let’srun!”HeandElenapassedDamonrunningandhegrabbedBonnie’shandtoo.“Likethewind,Bonnie!”
“ButwithShinichidead—well,dowereallyhavetofindhisstarballorthebiggeststarballorwhateverishiddeninthisawfulplace?”Bonnieasked.Once,shewouldhavewhined,Elenathought.Now,despitewhateverpainshefelt,shewasrunning.
“Wedohavetofindit,I’mafraid,”Stefansaid.“Becausefromwhathesaid,Shinichiwasn’tatthetopoftheladderafterall.Heandhissisterwereworkingforsomeone,someonefemale.AndwhoeverSheis,ShemaybeattackingFell’sChurchrightnow.”
“Theoddshavejustshifted,”Elenasaid.“Wehaveanunknownenemy.”
“Butstill—”
“Allbets,”Elenasaid,“areoff.”36
MattbrokealotoftrafficrulesonthewaytotheSaitous’street.Meredithleanedontheconsolebetweenthetwofrontseatssothatshecouldseethedigitalclocktickingdowntomidnight,andsothatshecouldwatchthetransformationofMrs.Flowers.Atlastherrecentlysane,sensiblemindforcedwordsoutofhermouth.“Mrs.Flowers—you’rechanging.”
“Yes,Meredith,dear.SomeofitisduetothelittlepresentthatSageleftforme.Someofitismyownwill—toreturntothedayswhenIwasinmyprime.Ibelievethatthiswillbemylastfight,soIdon’tmindusingallmyenergyinit.Fell’sChurchmustbesaved.”
“But—Mrs.Flowers—thepeoplehere—well,theyhaven’talwaysbeen—exactlynice—”Mattstammeredhiswaytoastop.
“Thepeopleherearelikepeopleeverywhere,”Mrs.Flowerssaidcalmly.“Treatthemasyou’dliketobetreated,andthingswillbefine.ItwasonlywhenI’dletmyselfbecomeabitter,lonelyoldwoman,alwaysresentfulofthefactthatIhadhadtoturnmyhomeintoaboardinghousejusttomakeendsmeet,thatpeoplebegantotreatme—well,atbestasaloonyoldhag.”
“Oh,Mrs.Flowers—andwe’vebeensuchabothertoyou!”Meredithfoundthewordscomingwithouthervolition.
“You’vebeenthesavingofme,child.DearStefanwasthestart,butasyoucanimagine,hedidn’twanttoexplainallhislittledifferencestome,andIwassuspiciousofhim.ButhewasalwayscordialandrespectfulandElenawaslikesunlight,andBonnielikelaughter.Eventually,whenIdroppedmyhideboundbarriers,sodidyouyoungones.Iwon’tsaymoreaboutthosewhoarepresentsoasnottoembarrassyou,butyou’vedonemeaworldofgood.”
Mattrananotherstopsignandclearedhisthroat.Then,thesteeringwheelwaveringslightly,heclearedhisthroatagain.
Meredithtookover.“IthinkwhatMattandIbothwanttosayis…well,it’sthatyou’vebecomeveryspecialtous,andwedon’twanttoseeyougethurt.Thisbattle—”
“IsabattleforallIholddear.Forallmymemories.BackwhenIwasachildandtheboardinghousewasbuilt—itwasjustahome,then,andIwasveryhappy.Asayoungwoman,Iwasveryhappy.AndnowthatIhavelivedlongenoughtobeanoldwoman—well,besidesyouchildren,IstillhavefriendslikeSophiaAlpertandOrimeSaitou.Theyarebothhealingwomen,andverygoodatit.Westilltalkaboutdifferentusesformyherbs.”
Mattsnappedhisfingers.“That’sanotherreasonIwasconfused,”hesaid.“BecauseDr.AlpertsaidthatyouandMrs.Saitouweresuchgoodpeople.IthoughtshemeanttheoldMrs.Saitou—”
“Whoisnota‘Mrs.Saitou’atall,”Mrs.Flowerssaid,almostsharply.“Ihavenoideawhathernamereallyis—perhapssheisreallyInari,adeitygonebad.Tenyearsago,Ididn’tknowwhatmadeOrimeSaitousuddenlysodiffidentandquiet.NowIrealizethatitbeganjustaroundthetimeher‘mother’movedinwithher.IwasquitefondofyoungIsobel,butshesuddenlybecame—aloof—inanunchildlikeway.NowIunderstand.AndIamdeterminedtofightforher—andforyou—andforatownthatisworthsaving.Humanlivesarevery,veryprecious.Andnow—hereweare.”
MatthadjustturnedontotheSaitous’block.Meredithtookamomenttoopenlystareatthefigureinthefrontpassengerseat.“Mrs.Flowers!”sheexclaimed
ThismadeMattturntostareinhisturnandwhathesawmadehimclipaVolkswagenJettaparkedbythesidewalk.
“Mrs….Flowers?”
“Pleaseparknow,Matt.Youneedn’tcallmeMrs.Flowersifyoudon’twantto.IhavereturnedtothetimewhenIwasTheophilia—whenmyfriendscalledmeTheo.”
“But—how—why—?”Mattstuttered.
“Itoldyou.Ifeltthatitwastime.Sageleftmeagiftthathelpedmechange.Anenemybeyondyourpowerstofighthasarisen.Ifeltthisbackattheboardinghouse.ThisisthetimethatIhavebeenwaitingfor.ThelastbattlewiththetrueenemyofFell’sChurch.”
Meredith’sheartactuallyseemedreadytoflyoutofherchest.Shehadtobecalm—calmandlogical.Shehadseenmagicmanytimes.Sheknewthelookofit,thefeelofit.ButfrequentlyshehadbeentoobusycomfortingBonnie,ortooworriedaboutaidingBonnietotakeinwhatshewasfacing.
Now,itwasjustherandMatt—andMatthadastricken,stupefiedlook,asifhehadn’tseenenoughmagicbefore.Asifhemightcrack.
“Matt,”shesaidloudly,andthenevenlouder,“Matt!”Heturned,then,tolookather,withhisblueeyeswildanddark.
“They’llkillher,Meredith!”hesaid.“ShinichiandMisao—youdon’tknowwhatitfeelslike…”
“Comeon,”Meredithsaid.“Wehavetomakesurethatitdoesn’tkillher.”
ThedazedlookpassedfromMatt’seyes.“Wehavetodothis,”heagreedsimply.
“Right,”saidMeredith,finallyreleasinghim.TogethertheygotoutofthecartostandbyMrs.Flowers—no,byTheo.
Theohadhairthathungalmosttoherwaist;sofairthatitlookedsilverinthemoonlight.Herfacewas—electrifying.Itwasyoung;youngandproud,withclassicfeaturesandalookofquietdetermination.
Somehowduringthedrive,herclotheshadchangedtoo.Insteadofacoatcoveredwithbitsofpaper,shewaswearingasleevelesswhitegownthatendedinaslighttrain.Instyle,itremindedMeredithalittleofthe“mermaid”dresssheherselfhadwornwhengoingtoaballintheDarkDimension.ButMeredith’sdresshadonlymadeherlooksultry.Theolooked…magnificent.
AsforthePost-itNoteamulets…somehowthepaperhaddisappearedandthewritinghadgrownenormously,changingintoverylargescrawlsthatwrappedaroundthewhitegown.Theowasliterallyswathedinhautecouturearcaneprotection.
Andalthoughshewasreedslender,shewastall.TallerthanMeredith,tallerthanMatt,tallerthanStefan,whereverhewasintheDarkDimensions.Shewasthistallnotonlybecauseshehadgrownsomuch,butbecausethetrainofherdresswasjustbrushingtheground.Shehadentirelyovercomegravity.Thewhip,Sage’spresenttoher,wascoiledintoacircleattachedtoherwaist,shiningassilverasherhair.
MattandMeredithsimultaneouslyclosedtheSUV’sdoors.Mattlefttheenginerunningforaquickgetaway.
Theywalkedaroundthegaragesothattheycouldseethefrontofthehouse.Meredith,notcaringwhatshelookedlikeorwhethersheseemedcoolorincontrol,wipedherhands,oneandthentheother,onherjeans.Thiswasthestave’sfirst—andpossiblyonly—truebattle.Whatcountedwasnotappearance,butperformance.
BothsheandMattstoppeddeadwhentheysawthefigurestandingatthebottomofthestepsinfrontoftheporch.Itwasnoonetheycouldidentifyfromthehouse.Butthenthecrimsonlipsopened,thedelicatehandsflewuptocoverthem,andwind-chimelaughtercamefromsomewherebehindthehands.
Foramomenttheycouldonlystare,fascinated,atthiswomanwhowasdressedallinblack.ShewasfullyastallasTheo,fullyasslenderandgraceful,andshewasfloatingequallyhighofftheground.ButwhatMeredithandMattwerestaringatwasthefactthatherhairwaslikeMisao’sorShinichi’s—butreversed.Whereastheyhadblackhairwithacrimsonfringeonthebottom,thiswomanhadcrimsonhair—yardsandyardsofit,withablackfringeallaroundit.Notonlythat,butshehaddelicateblackfoxearsemergingfromthecrimsonhair,andalongsleekcrimsontail,tippedwithblack.
“Obaasan?”Mattgaspedindisbelief.
“Inari!”Meredithsnapped.
Thelovelycreaturedidn’tevenlookatthem.ShewasstaringatTheoincontempt.“Tinywitchofatinytown,”shesaid.“You’veusednearlyallyourPowerjusttostanduptomylevel.Whatgoodareyou?”
“IhaveverysmallPowers,”Theoagreed.“Butifthetownisworthless,whyhasittakenyousolongtodestroyit?Whyhaveyouwatchedotherstry—orweretheyallyourpawns,Inari?Katherine,Klaus,pooryoungTyler—weretheyyourpawns,KitsuneGoddess?”
Inarilaughed—stillthatchiming,girlishgiggling,behindherfingers.“Idon’tneedpawns!ShinichiandMisaoaremybond-servants,asallkitsuneare!IfIhaveleftthemsomefreedom,ithasbeensotheycangetexperience.We’llgoontolargercitiesnow,andravagethem.”
“YouhavetotakeFell’sChurchfirst,”Theosaidsteadily.“AndIwon’tletyoudothat.”
“Youstilldon’tunderstand,doyou?Youareahuman,withalmostnoPowerleft!Mineisthelargeststarballintheworlds!IamaGoddess!”
Theoloweredherhead,thenliftedittolookInariintheeyes.“DoyouwanttoknowwhatIthinkthetruthis,Inari?”shesaid.“Ithinkthatyouhavecometotheendofalong,long,butnotimmortallife.IthinkyouhavedwindledsothatatlastyouneedtouseagreatdealofPowerfromyourstarball—whereveritis—toappearthisway.Youareavery,veryancientwomanandyouhavebeensettingchildrenagainsttheirownparents,andparentsagainstchildrenacrosstheworldbecauseyouenvythechildren’syouth.YouhaveevencometoenvyShinichiandMisao,andletthembehurt,asrevenge.”
MattandMeredithlookedateachotherwithwideeyes.Inariwasbreathingrapidly,butitseemedshecouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay.
“You’veevenpretendedtohaveentereda‘secondchildhood’tobehavegirlishly.Butnoneofitsatisfiesyou,becausetheplain,sadtruthisthatyouhavecometotheendofyourlong,longlifetime—nomatterhowgreatyourPower.Wemustalltakethatfinaljourney,anditisyourturnnow.”
“Liar!”shriekedInari,lookingforamomentmoreglorious—moreradiantthanbefore.ButthenMeredithsawwhy.Herscarlethairhadactuallybeguntosmolder,framingherfaceinadancingredlight.Andatlastshespokevenemously.
“Well,then,ifyouthinkthisismylastbattle,ImustbesuretocauseallthepainIcan.Startingwithyou,witch.”
MeredithandMattbothgasped.TheywereafraidforTheo,especiallyasInari’shairwasbraidingitselfintothickropeslikeserpentsthatfloatedaroundherheadasifshewereMedusa.
Thegaspswereamistake—theyattractedInari’sattention.Butshedidn’tmove.Sheonlysaid,“Smellthatsweetscentonthewind?Aroastsacrifice!Ithinktheresultwillbeoishii—delicious!ButperhapsyoutwowouldliketospeaktoOrimeorIsobelonelasttime.I’mafraidtheycan’tcomeouttoseeyou.”
Meredith’sheartwaspoundingviolentlyinherthroat,assherealizedthattheSaitous’housewasonfire.Itseemedasiftherewereseveralsmallfiresburning,butshewasterrifiedattheimplicationthatInarihadalreadydonesomethingtothemotheranddaughter.
“No,Matt!”shecried,grabbingMatt’sarm.Hewouldhavechargedstraightatthelaughingblack-cladwomanandtriedtoattackherfeet—andsecondswereinvaluablenow.“Comehelpmefindthem!”
Theocametotheiraid.Drawingupthewhitebullwhip,shewhirleditoncearoundherheadandcrackeditpreciselyonInari’sraisedhands,leavingabloodygashonone.AsafuriousInariturnedbacktoher,MeredithandMattran.
“Thebackdoor,”Mattsaidastheycareeredaroundthesideofthehouse.Upaheadtheysawawoodenfence,butnogate.Meredithwasjustconsideringusingthestavetopole-vault,whenMattpanted,“Here!”andmadeacradleofhishandsforhertostepinto.“I’llboostyouover!”
Meredithhesitatedonlyaninstant.Then,asheskiddedtoastopshejumpedtoplaceonefootinhisinter-lockedfingers.Suddenlyshewasflyingupward.Shemadethemostofit,landing,catlike,onthefence’sflattop,andthenjumpingdown.ShecouldhearMattscramblingupthefenceasshewassuddenlysurroundedbyblacksmoke.Shejumpedbackwardthreefeetandyelled,“Matt,thesmokeisdangerous!Getlow;holdyourbreath.StayoutsidetohelpthemwhenIbringthemout!”
MeredithhadnoideawhetherMattwouldlistentoherornot,butsheobeyedherownrules,crouchinglow,breathheld,openinghereyesbrieflytotrytofindthedoor.
Thenshealmostjumpedoutofherskinatthesoundofanaxecrashingintowood,ofwoodsplintering,andoftheaxecrashingagain.SheopenedhereyesandsawthatMatthadn’tlistenedtoher,butshewasgladbecausehe’dfoundthedoor.Hisfacewasblackwithsoot.“Itwaslocked,”heexplained,heftingtheaxe.
AnyoptimismMeredithmighthavefeltsplinteredlikethedoorasshelookedinsideandsawonlyflamesandmoreflames.
MyGod,shethought,anyoneinthereisroasting,isprobablydeadalready.
Butwherehadthatthoughtcomefrom?Herknowledgeorherfear?Meredithcouldn’tjuststopnow.Shetookastepintosearingheatandshouted,“Isobel!Mrs.Saitou!Whereareyou?”
Therewasaweak,chokingcry.“That’sthekitchen!”shesaid.“Matt,it’sMrs.Saitou!Pleasegogether!”
Mattobeyed,butthrewoverhisshoulder,“Don’tyougofartherin.”
Meredithhadtogofartherin.SherememberedverywellwhereIsobel’sroomwas.Directlyunderher“grandmother’s.”
“Isobel!Isobel!Canyouhearme?”Hervoicewassolowandhuskyfromsmokethatsheknewshehadtokeepgoing.Isobelmightbeunconsciousortoohoarsetoanswer.Meredithdroppedtoherknees,crawlingonthegroundwheretheairwasslightlycoolerandmoreclear.
Okay.Isobel’sroom.Shedidn’twanttotouchthedoorhandlewithherhand,soshewrappedherT-shirtaroundit.Thehandlewouldn’tturn.Locked.Shedidn’tbothertoinvestigatehow,shesimplyturnedaroundandmule-kickedthedoorrightbesidethehandle.Woodsplintered.Anotherkick,andwithawoodenscreamthedoorswungfree.
Meredithwasfeelingdizzynow,butsheneededtoseetheentireroom.Shetooktwostridesin,and—there!
Sittinguponthebedinthesmoky,hot,butotherwisescrupulouslytidylittleroomwasIsobel.AsMeredithnearedthebedshesaw—toherfury—thatthegirlwastiedtothebrassheadboardwithducttape.Twoslashesofthestavetookcareofthat.Then,amazingly,Isobelmoved,raisingablackenedfaceuptoMeredith’s.
ThatwaswhenMeredith’sfurypeaked.Thegirlhadducttapeacrosshermouth,topreventherfrommakinganycryforhelp.Wincingherselftoshowthatsheknewthiswasgoingtobepainful,Meredithgraspedtheducttapeandstrippeditoff.Isobeldidn’tcryout;insteadshetookinlungfulafterlungfulofsmokyair.
Meredithstumbledtowardthecloset,snatchedtwoidentical-lookingwhiteshirts,andswervedbacktoIsobel.Therewasafulltumblerofwaterrightbesideher,onthenightstand.MeredithwonderedifithadbeenputtheredeliberatelytoincreaseIsobel’sagony,butshedidn’thesitatetouseit.ShegaveIsobelaquicksip,tookoneherself,andthensoakedeachshirt.SheheldoneoverherownmouthandIsobelmimickedher,holdingthewetshirtoverhernoseandmouth.ThenMeredithgrabbedherandguidedherbacktothedoor.
Afterthatitsimplybecameanightmarejourneyofcrawlingandkneelingandchoking,pullingIsobelwithherallthetime.Merediththoughtitwouldneverend,aseachinchforwardbecameharderandharder.Thestavewasanunbearableweighttoheavealongwithher,butsherefusedtoletgoofit.
It’sprecious,hermindsaid,butisitworthyourlife?
No,Merediththought.Notmylife,butwhoknowswhatelsewillbeoutthereifIgetIsobelintothecooldarkness?
You’llnevergetherthereifyoudiebecauseof—anobject.
It’snotanobject!PainfullyMeredithusedthestavetoclearsomesmolderingdebrisfromherpath.ItbelongedtoGrandpainthetimewhenhewassane.Itfitsmyhand.It’snotjustathing!
Haveityourownway,thevoicesaid,anddisappeared.
Meredithwasbeginningtorunintomoredebrisnow.Despitethecrampinginherlungs,shewassurethatshecouldmakeitoutofthebackdoor.Sheknewthereshouldbealaundryroomonherright.Theyshouldbeabletofeelaspacethere
Andthensuddenlyinthedarksomethingrearedupandstruckherablowonthehead.Ittookherdimmingmindalongtimetocomeupwithanameforthethingthathadhurther.Armchair.
Somehowthey’dcrawledtoofar.Thiswasthelivingroom.
Meredithwasfloodedwithhorror.They’dgonetoofar—andtheycouldn’tgooutthefrontdoorintothemidstofmagicalbattle.Theywouldhavetobacktrack,andthistimemakesuretofindthelaundryroom,theirgatetofreedom.
Meredithturnedaround,pullingIsobelwithher,hopingtheyoungergirlwouldunderstandwhattheyhadtodo.
Sheleftthestaveontheburninglivingroomfloor.
Elenasobbedtogetherbreath,eventhoughshewasallowingStefantohelphernow.Heran,holdingBonniebyonehandandElenabytheother.Damonwassomewhereinfront—scouting.
Itcan’tbefarnow,shekeptthinking.BonnieandIbothsawthebrightness—webothdid.Justthen,likealanternputintoawindow,Elenasawitagain.
It’sbig,that’stheproblem.IkeepthinkingweshouldreachitbecauseIhavethewrongideaofwhatsizeitisinmymind.Thecloserweget,thebiggeritgets.
Andthat’sgoodforus.We’llneedalotofPower.Butweneedtogettheresoon,oritcouldbeallthePowerintheuniverseanditwon’tmatter.We’llbetoolate.
Shinichihadindicatedthattheywouldbetoolate—butShinichihadbeenbornaliar.Still,surelyjustbeyondthatlowbranchwas…
Oh,dearGod,shethought.It’sastarball.37
ThenMeredithsawsomethingthatwasnotsmokeorfire.Justaglimpseofadoorframe—andatinybreathofcoolair.Withthishopetosustainher,shescuttledstraightforthedoortothebackyard,draggingIsobelbehindher.
Asshepassedthethreshold,shefeltblessedlycoldwatersomehowshoweringdownontoherbody.WhenshepulledIsobelintothespray,theyoungergirlmadethefirstvoluntarysoundshehadduringtheentirejourney:awordlesssobofthanks.
Matt’shandswerehelpingheralong,weretakingawaytheburdenofIsobel.Meredithgotuptoherfeetandstaggeredinacircle,thendroppedtoherknees.Herhairwasonfire!Shewasjustrecallingherchildhoodrehearsalofstop,drop,androll,whenshefeltthecoldwaterturnedonit.Thehosewaterwentupanddownherbodyandsheturnedaround,baskinginthefeelingofcoolness,untilsheheardMatt’svoicesay,“Theflamesareout.You’regoodnow.”
“Thankyou,Matt.Thankyou.”Hervoicewashoarse.
“Hey,youweretheonewhohadtogoallthewaytothebedroomsandback.GettingMrs.Saitououtwasprettyeasy—therewasthekitchensinkfullofwater,soassoonasIcutherfreefromthekitchenchairwejustgotallwetanddashedoutside.”
Meredithsmiledandlookedaroundquickly.Isobelhadbecomeherresponsibilitynow.Toherrelief,shesawthatthegirlwasbeinghuggedbyhermother.
Andallithadtakenwasthenonsensechoicebetweenathing—howeverpreciousitwas—andalife.Meredithgazedatthemotheranddaughterandwasglad.Shecouldhaveanotherstavemade.ButnothingcouldreplaceIsobel.
“Isobelsaidtogivethistoyou,”Mattwassaying.
Meredithturnedtowardhim,thefierylightmakingtheworldcrazy,andforonemomentdidn’tbelievehereyes.Mattwasholdingthefightingstaveouttoher.
“Shemusthavedraggeditwithherfreehand—oh,Matt,andshewasalmostdeadbeforewestarted…”
Mattsaid,“She’sstubborn.LikesomeoneelseIknow.”
Meredithwasn’tquitesurewhathemeantbythat,butsheknewonething.“We’dallbettergettothefrontyard.Idoubtthevolunteerfiredepartmentisgoingtocome.Besides—Theo—”
“I’llgetthemmoving.Youscoutthegateside,”Mattsaid.
Meredithplungedintothebackyard,whichwashideouslyilluminatedbythehouse,nowfullyengulfedinflames.Fortunately,thesideyardwasnot.Meredithflickedthegateopenwiththestave.Mattwasrightbehindher,helpingMrs.SaitouandIsobelalong.
Meredithquicklyranbytheflaminggarageandthenstopped.Frombehindhersheheardacryofhorror.Therewasnotimetotrytosoothewhoeverhadcried,notimetothink.
Thetwofightingwomenweretoobusytonoticeher—andTheowasinneedofhelp.InariwastrulylikeafieryMedusa,withherhairwrithingaroundherinflaming,smokingsnakes.Onlythecrimsonpartburned,anditwasthatpartthatshewasusinglikeawhip,usingonesnaketowrestawaythesilverbullwhipfromTheo’shand,andthenanothertowraparoundTheo’sthroatandchokeher.Theowasdesperatelytryingtopulltheblazingnoosefromherneck.
Inariwaslaughing.“Areyousuffering,pettywitch?Itwillallbeoverinseconds—foryouandforyourentirelittletown!TheLastMidnighthasfinallycome!”
MeredithglancedbackatMatt—andthatwasallittook.Heranforward,passingher,allthewayuptothespacebelowthefightingwomen.Thenhebentslightly,cuppinghishands.
AndthenMeredithsprinted,puttingeverythingshehadleftintotheshortrun,leavingherjustenoughenergytoleapandplaceonefootintoMatt’scuppedhands,andthenshefeltherselfsoaringaloft,justwithindistanceforthestavetoslicecleanlythroughthesnakeofhairthatwaschokingTheo.
AfterthatMeredithwasinfreefall,withMatttryingtocatchherfrombelow.Shelandedmoreorlessontopofhimandtheybothsawwhathappenednext.
Theo,whowasbruisedandbleeding,slappedoutapartofhergownthatwassmoldering.Sheheldoutahandforthesilverbullwhipanditflewtomeetheroutstretchedfingers.ButInariwasn’tattacking.Shewaswavingherarmswildly,asifinterror,andthensuddenlysheshrieked:asoundsoanguishedthatMeredithdrewinherbreathsharply.Itwasadeath-scream.
BeforetheireyesshewasturningbackintoObaasan,intotheshrunken,helpless,doll-likewomanMattandMeredithknew.Butbythetimethisshriveledbodyhitthegrounditwasalreadystiffanddead,herexpressiononeofsuchunrepentantmalicethatitwasfrightening.
ItwasIsobelandMrs.Saitouthenwhocameforwardtostandoverthebody,sobbingwithrelief.MeredithlookedatthemandthenupatTheo,whoslowlyfloatedtotheground.
“Thankyou,”Theosaidwiththefaintestofsmiles.“Youhavesavedme—yetagain.”
“Butwhatdoyouthinkhappenedtoher?”Mattasked.“Andwhydidn’tShinichiorMisaocometohelpher?”
“Ithinktheyallmustbedead,don’tyou?”Theo’svoicewassoftovertheroaroftheflames.“AsforInari—Ithinkthatperhapssomeonedestroyedherstarball.I’mafraidIwasnotstrongenoughtodefeathermyself.”
“Whattimeisit?”Meredithabruptlycried,remembering.SherantotheoldSUV,whichwasstillrunning.Itsclockshowed12:00midnightexactly.
“Didwesavethepeople?”Mattaskeddesperately.
Theoturnedherfaceoutwardtowardthecenterofthetown.Fornearlyaminuteshewasstill,asiflisteningforsomething.Atlast,whenMeredithfeltthatshemightshatterfromtension,sheturnedbackandsaidquietly,“DearMama,Grandmama,andIareone,now.Isensechildrenwhoarefindingthemselvesholdingknives—andsomewithguns.Isensethemstandingintheirsleepingparents’rooms,unabletorememberhowtheygotthere.AndIsenseparents,hidinginclosets,amomentagofrightenedfortheirverylives,whoareseeingweaponsdroppedandchildrenfallingontomasterbedroomfloors,sobbingandbewildered.”
“Wedidit,then.Youdidit.Youheldheroff,”Mattpanted.
Stillgentleandsober,Theosaid,“Someoneelse—faraway—didmuchmore.Iknowthatthetownneedshealing.ButGrandmamaandMamaagree.Becauseofthem,nochildhaskilledaparentthisnight,andnoparenthaskilledachild.ThelongnightmareofInariandherLastMidnightisover.”
Meredith,grimyandbedraggledasshewas,feltsomethingriseandswellinsideher,biggerandbigger,until,forallhertraining,shecouldn’tcontainherselfanylonger.Itexplodedoutofherinayellofexultation.
ShefoundthatMattwasshoutingtoo.Hewasasgrubbyandunkemptasshewas,butheseizedherbythehandsandwhirledheraroundinabarbarianvictorydance.
Anditwasfun,whirlingaroundandyellinglikeakid.Maybe—maybeintryingtobecalm,inalwaysbeingthemostgrown-up,shehadmissedoutontheessenceoffun,whichalwaysfeltasifithadsomechildlikequalitytoit.
Matthadnotroubleinexpressinghisfeelings,whatevertheywere:childlike,mature,stubborn,happy.Meredithfoundherselfadmiringthis,andalsothinkingthatithadbeenalongtimesinceshe’dreallylookedatMatt.Butnowshefeltasuddenwaveoffeelingforhim.AndshecouldseethatMattfeltthesamewayabouther.Asifhe’dneverreallylookedatherproperlybefore.
Thiswasthemoment…whentheyweremeanttokiss.Meredithhadseenitsoofteninmovies,andreadaboutitinbooks,thatitwasalmostagiven.
Butthiswaslife,itwasn’tastory.Andwhenthemomentcame,MeredithfoundherselfholdingMatt’sshoulderswhileheheldhers,andshecouldseethathewasthinkingexactlythesamethingaboutthekiss.
Themomentstretched…
Then,withagrin,Matt’sfaceshowedthatheknewwhattodo.Meredithdidtoo.Theybothmovedin,andhuggedeachother.Whentheydrewback,theywerebothgrinning.Theyknewwhotheywere.Theywereverydifferent,veryclosefriends.Meredithhopedthattheyalwayswouldbe.
TheybothturnedtolookatTheo,andMeredithfeltapanginherheart,thefirstsinceshehadheardthey’dsavedthetown.Theowaschanging.ItwasthelookonherfaceasshewatchedthemthatgaveMerediththepang.
Afterbeingyoung,andwhilewatchingyouthatitspeak,shewasonceagainaging,wrinkling,herhairgoingwhiteinsteadofmoonlitsilver.Atlast,shewasanoldwomanwearingaraincoatcoveredwithbitsofpaper.
“Mrs.Flowers!”Thisperson,itwasperfectlysafeandrighttokiss.Meredithflungherarmsaboutthefrailoldwoman,liftingheroffherfeetinexcitement.Mattjoinedthem,andtheyboostedherabovetheirheads.TheycarriedherlikethistotheSaitous,motheranddaughter,whowerewatchingthefire.
There,sobered,theyputherdown.
“Isobel,”Meredithsaid.“God!I’msosorry—yourhome…”
“Thankyou,”Isobelsaidinhersoft,slurredvoice.Thensheturnedaway.
Meredithfeltchilled.Shewasevenbeginningtoregretthecelebration,whenMrs.Saitousaid,“Doyouknow,thisisthegreatestmomentinthehistoryofourfamily?Forhundredsofyears,thatancientkitsune—oh,yes,I’vealwaysknownwhatshewas—hasbeenforcingherselfuponinnocenthumans.Andforthelastthreecenturiesithasbeenmyfamilylineofsamuraimikosthatshehasterrorized.Nowmyhusbandcancomehomeatlast.”
Meredithlookedather,startled.Mrs.Saitounodded.
“Hetriedtodefyherandshebanishedhimfromthehouse.EversinceIsobelwasborn,Ihavefearedforher.Andnow,pleaseforgiveher.Shehastroubleexpressingwhatshefeels.”
“Iknowaboutthat,”Meredithsaidquietly.“I’llgohavealittletalkwithher,ifit’sallright.”
Ifeverinherlifeshecouldexplaintoafellowtravelerwhatfunhavingfunwas,shethought,itwasnow.38
Damonhadstoppedandwaskneelingbehindanenormousbrokentreebranch.Stefanpulledbothgirlstohimandcaughtthemsothattheyallthreelandedjustbehindhisbrother.
Elenafoundherselfstaringataverylargetreetrunk.Stillasbigasitwas,itwasnowherenearaslargeasshehadbeenexpecting.Itwastrue;thefourofthemcertainlycouldn’thaveheldhandsaroundit.Butinthebackofhermindhadbeenlurkingimagesofmoonsandtreesandtrunksthatwereastallasskyscrapers,inwhichastarballcouldbehiddenonany“floor,”inany“room.”
Thiswassimplyagrandoaktreetrunksittinginasortoffairycircle—perhapstwentyfeetindiameteronwhichnodeadleafhadstrayed.Itwasapalercolorthantheloamtheyhadbeenrunningon,andevensparkledinafewplaces.Overall,Elenawasrelieved.
More,shecouldevenseethestarball.She’dfeared—amongotherthings—thatitmightbeuptoohightoclimb,thatitmightbesoentangledwithrootsorbranchesthattoday,certainlyafterhundredsoreventhousandsofyears,itwouldbeimpossibletochopout.Butthereitwas,thegreateststarballthathadeverbeen,fullythesizeofabeachball,anditnestledfreelyinthefirstcrutchofthetree.
Hermindwasracingahead.They’ddoneit;they’dfoundthestarball.ButhowmuchtimewouldittaketogetitbacktowhereSagewas?Automatically,sheglancedathercompassandsawtohersurprisethattheneedlenowpointedsouthwest—inotherwords,backtotheGatehouse.ThatwasathoughtfultouchofSage’s.Andperhapstheydidn’thavetogothroughthetrialsbackward;theycouldsimplyusetheirMasterKeytogobacktoFell’sChurch,andthen…well,Mrs.Flowerswouldknowwhattodowithit.
Ifitcametothat,maybetheycouldjustblackmailHer,whoeverShewas,togoawayforeverinexchangeforthestarball.Although—couldtheylivewiththethoughtthatshemightdothisagain—andagain—andagaintoothertowns?
Evenassheplanned,Elenawatchedtheexpressionsofhercomrades:thechildlikewonderonBonnie’sheart-shapedface;thekeenassessmentinStefan’seyes;Damon’sdangeroussmile.
Theywereviewingtheirhard-wonreward,atlast.
Butshecouldn’tlookfortoolong.Thingshadtobedone.Evenastheywatched,thestarballbrightened,showingsuchbrilliant,incandescentcolorsthatElenawashalf-blinded.SheshieldedhereyesjustassheheardBonnieinhalingsharply.
“What?”Stefanasked,ahandinfrontofhiseyes,which,ofcourseweremuchmoresensitivetolightthanhumaneyes.
“Someone’susingitrightnow!”Bonniereplied.“Whenitwentbrightlikethat,itsentoutPower!Along,longwayout!”
“Thingsareheatingupinwhat’sleftofpooroldFell’sChurch,”saidDamon,whowasstaringintentlyupwardatthebranchesabovehim.
“Don’ttalkaboutitlikethat!”Bonnieexclaimed.“It’sourhome.Andnowwecanfinallydefendit!”ElenacouldpracticallyseewhatBonniewasthinking:familiesembracing;neighborssmilingatneighborsagain;theentiretownworkingtofixthedestruction.
Thisishowgreattragediessometimeshappen.Peoplewithasinglegoal,yetwhoarenotinsync.Assumptions.Presumptions.And,maybe,mostimportantofall,thefailuretositdownandtalk.
Stefantried,eventhoughElenacouldseethathewasstillblindfromthebrillianceofthestarball.Hesaidquietly,“Let’stalkthisoverforawhileandbrainstormwaystogetit—”
ButBonniewaslaughingathim,thoughnotunkindly.Shesaid,“Icangetupthereasfastasasquirrel.AllIneedissomeonestrongtocatchitwhenIknockitdown.IknowIcan’tclimbdownwithit;I’mnotthatsilly.Comeon,youguys,let’sgo!”
That’showithappened.Differentpersonalities,differentmodesofthinking.Andonelaughing,light-headedgirl,whodidn’thaveaprecognitionwhenitwasneeded.
Elena,whowasenvyingMerediththefightingstave,didn’tevenseethebeginning.ShewaswatchingStefan,whowasblinkingrapidlytogethiseyesightback.
AndBonniewasscramblingaslightlyasshehadboasted,upontopofthedeadtreebranchthatshelteredthem.Sheevengavethemalittlelaughingsalutejustbeforesheleapedintothebarren,sparklingcirclearoundthetree.
Thenmicrosecondsstretchedinfinitely.Elenafelthereyesslowlygettingwider,eventhoughsheknewtheywereflyingopen.ShesawStefanleisurelyreachacrosshertotrytotwinehisfingersaroundBonnie’sleg,eventhoughsheknewthatwhatshewasseeingwasalightning-fastgrabforthepetitegirl’sankle.SheevenheardDamon’sinstantaneoustelepathy:No,littlefool!asifhewerespeakingthewordsinhisaccustomedlazytonesofsuperiority.
Then,stillinslowmotion,Bonnie’skneesbentandshelaunchedintotheairabovethecircle.
Butshenevertouchedtheground.Somehow,ablackstreak,stunninglyfastevenintheslow-motionhorrorfilmthatElenawaswatching,landedwhereBonniewouldhavelanded.AndthenBonniewasbeingthrown,beinghurledtoofastforElena’seyestotrack,outsideofthebarrencircleandthentherewasadullthud—toofastforElena’smindtotrackasbeingBonnie’slanding.
Quiteclearly,sheheardStefancry“Damon!”inaterriblevoice.AndthenElenasawthethindarkobjects—likecurvinglances—thatwerealreadyshootingdownward.Anotherthinghereyescouldn’tfollow.Whenhervisionadjusted,shesawthattheywerelong,curvedblackbranches,spacedevenlyaroundthetreelikethirtyspiderlegs,thirtylongspearsthatweremeanttoeitherimprisonsomeoneinsidethemlikethebarsofacell,orto—pinthemintothestrangesandbeneathherfeet.
“Pin”wasagoodword.Elenalikedthesoundofit.Evenasshewasstaringatthesharprecurvedbarbsonthebranches,meanttokeepanythingcaughtbythemheldpermanentlyintheground,shewasthinkingofDamon’sannoyanceifashafthadpiercedhisleatherjacket.Hewouldcurseatthem,andBonniewouldtrytopretendhehadn’t—and…
Shewascloseenoughbynowtoseethatitwasn’tassimpleasthat.Thebranch,whichwasproperjavelinsize,hadgonethroughDamon’sshoulder,whichmusthurtlikehell,inadditiontohavingsplatteredablooddroprightatthecornerofhismouth.Butfarmoreannoyingthanthatwasthefactthathehadclosedhiseyesagainsther.ThatwashowElenathoughtofit.Hewasshuttingthemoutdeliberately—maybebecausehewasangry;maybebecauseofthepaininhisshoulder.Butitremindedherofthesteelwallfeelingshe’dgottenthelasttimeshe’dtriedtotouchhismind—and,damn,couldn’thetellhewasscaringthem?
“Openyoureyes,Damon,”shesaid,flushing,becausethatwaswhathewantedhertosay.Hereallywasthegreatestmanipulatorofall.“Openyoureyes,Isaid!”Nowshewasreallyirritated.“Don’tplaypossum,becauseyou’renotfoolinganyone,andwe’vereallyhadenough!”Shewasabouttoshakehimhardwhensomethingliftedherintotheair,intoStefan’slineofvision.
Stefanwasinpain,butsurelynotasbadlyasDamon,soshewaslookingbacktocurseDamonwhenStefansaidharshly,“Elena,hecan’t!”
Forjustthetiniestfleetinginstantthewordssoundedlikenonsensetoher.Notonlygarbled,butmeaningless,likesayingsomeonecouldn’tstoptheirappendixfromdoing—whateveritwasanappendixdid.Thatwasalltherespitethatshegot,andthenshehadtodealwithwhathereyeswereshowingher.
Damonwasn’tpinnedbyhisshoulder.He’dbeenstaked,justslightlytotheleftofcenterofhistorso.
Exactlywherehisheartwas.
Wordsdriftedbacktoher.Wordsthatsomeonehadoncesaid—althoughshecouldn’trememberwhorightnow.“Youcan’tkillavampiresoeasily.Weonlydieifyoustakeusthroughtheheart….”
Die?Damondie?Thiswassomekindofmistake…
“Openyoureyes!”“Elena,hecan’t!”
Butsheknew,withoutknowinghow,thatDamonwasn’tdead.Shewasn’tsurprisedthatStefandidn’tknowit;itwasahumonaprivatefrequencybetweenherandDamon.
“Comeon,hurry,givemeyouraxe,”shesaid,sodesperately,andwithsuchanairofknowledgethatStefanhandeditoverwordlessly,andobeyedwhenshetoldhimtosteadythecurvingspider-legbranchfromaboveandbelow.Thenwithafewquickstrokesoftheaxeshecutthroughtheblackbranchthatwasthickenoughincircumferencethatshecouldn’thaveclaspedherfingersaroundit.Itwasdoneinaspurtofpureadrenaline,butsheknewitawedStefanandallowedhimtolethercontinuedoingit.
Whenshewasfinished,shehadaloosespider-legbranchthatdroopedbacktothetree,anchoredtonothing—andsomethingthatlookedmorelikeaproperstakeinDamon.
Itwasn’tuntilshebeganpullingupwardonthestakethatahorrifiedStefanmadeherstop.
“Elena!Elena,Iwouldn’tlietoyou!Thisisjustwhatthesebranchesarefor.Forintruderswhoarevampires.Look,love—see.”Hewasshowingheranotherofthespiderlegsthatwasanchoredinthesand,andthebarbsonit.Justlikethebackward-facingtinesofaprimitivestonearrowhead.
“Thesebranchesaremeanttobelikethis,”Stefanwassaying.“Andifyoupulleduponithardenough,you’djust—justenduppullingoutchunksof—hisheart.”
Elenafroze.Shewasn’tsureshereallycouldunderstandthewords—shecouldn’tallowherselfto,orshemightpictureit.Butitdidn’tmatter.
“I’lldestroyitsomeotherway,”shesaidshortly,lookingatStefanbutnotabletoseethetruegreenofhiseyesbecauseoftheolivelight.“Youwait.Justwaitandwatch.I’llfindaWingspowerthatwilldissolvethis—this—damnedabomination.”Shecouldthinkofmanyotherwordstocallthestake,butshehadtostayinsomesortofcontrol.
“Elena.”Stefanwhisperedhernameasifhecouldbarelygetitout.Eveninthetwilightshecouldseethetearsonhischeeks.Hecontinued,nonverbally,Elena,lookathisclosedeyes.ThisTreeisaviciouskiller,withwoodlikenothingI’veeverseen,butI’veheardaboutit.It’s…it’sspreading.Insidehim.
“Insidehim?”Elenarepeatedstupidly.
Alonghisarteriesandveins—andhisnerves—everythingconnectedtohisheart.He’s—oh,God,Elena,justlookathiseyes!
Elenalooked.StefanhadkneltandgentlypulledupthelidsofDamon’seyesandElenabeganscreaming.
Deepinthefathomlesspupilsthathadheldendlessnightskiesfullofstars,therewasaglimmer—notofstarlight,butofgreen.Itseemedtoglowwithitsownhellishluminescence.
Stefanlookedatherwithagonyandcompassion.Andnow,withonegentlepass,Stefanwasclosingthoseeyes—forever,sheknewhewasthinking.
Everythinghadbecomestrangeanddreamlike.Nothingmadesenseanymore.StefanwascarefullylayingDamon’sheaddown—hewaslettingDamongo.
EveninherfuzzyworldofnonsenseElenaknewshecouldneverdothat.
Andthen,amiraclehappened.Elenaheardavoiceinhermindthatwasn’thers.
Allthisisratherunexpected.Iacted,foronce,withoutthinking.Andthisismyreward.Thevoicewasahumontheirprivatefrequency,Damon’sandhers.
ElenarippedherselfawayfromStefan,whowastryingtorestrainher,andfell,graspingDamon’sshoulderswithherhands.Iknewit!Iknewyoucouldn’tbedead!
Itwasonlythenthatsherealizedthatherfacewasdrippingwet,andsheusedhersoftleathersleevetowipeit.Oh,Damon,yougavemesuchascare!Don’tyouever,everdothatagain!
IthinkIcangivemywordonthat,Damonsent—indifferenttonesthanhisusualones—soberbutatthesametimewhimsical.Butyouhavetogivemesomethinginreturn.
Yes,ofcourse,Elenasaid.Justletmegetsomeofmyhairoffmyneck.ItworkedbestlikethiswhenStefanwaslyingdown—whenwewerecarryinghimoutonhispalletfromtheprison—
Notthat,Damontoldher.Foronce,angel,Idon’twantyourblood.Ineedyoutogivemeyourmostsolemnwordthatyouwilltrytobebrave.Ifithelpsatall,Iknowthatfemalesarebetterthanmalesatthissortofthing.They’relesscowardlyatfacing—whatyouhavetofacenow.
Elenadidn’tlikethetoneofthesewords.Thedizzinessthatwasmakingherlipsnumbwastravelingalloverherbody.Therewasnothingtobebraveabout.Damoncouldstandpain.ShewouldfindaWingspowerthatwouldobliterateallthatwoodthatwaspoisoninghim.Itmighthurt,butitwouldsavehislife.
Don’ttalktomelikethat!shesnappedharshly,beforeshecouldremembertobegentle.Everythinghadbeguntofloat,andshecouldn’tevenrememberwhyshehadtobegentle,buttherewasareason.Still,itwasdifficult,whenshewasusingeveryounceofherconcentrationandstrengthtosearchforaWingspowershehadneverheardof.Purification?WouldthattakeawaythewoodorwoulditjustleaveDamonwithouthiswickedsmile?Therewasnoharmintryingit,anyway,andshewasgettingdesperate—becauseDamon’sfacewassopale
ButeventhestanceforWingsofPurificationeludedher.
Suddenly,ahugeshudder—aconvulsion—wentthroughDamon’sentirebody.Elenaheardbrokenwordsbehindher.
“Love,love—youreallyhavetolethimgo.He’slivingin—inintolerablepain,justbecauseyou’rekeepinghimhere,”thevoicesaid,anditwasStefan’s.Stefan,whowouldneverlietoher.
ForjustaninstantElenawavered,butthenablazingragecamerushingupthroughherbody.Itgaveherthestrengthtocryhoarsely,“I…won’t!Iwon’teverlethimgo!Damnyou,Damon,youhavetofight!Letmehelpyou!Myblood—it’sspecial.It’llgiveyoustrength.Youdrinkit!”
Shefumbledforherknife.Herbloodwasmagical.Maybeifshegaveenough,itwouldgiveDamonthestrengthtofightoffthewoodenfibersthatwerestillspreadingthroughhisbody.
Elenaslashedatherthroat.Maybesubconsciouslysheavoideddoingmorethannickinghercarotidartery,butifsoitwasentirelysubconsciously.Shesimplyreacheddown,foundametalknife,andwithonesweepsetthebloodtogushingout.Brightredarterialblood,thateveninthesemi-darknesswasthecolorofhope.
“Here,Damon.Here!Drinkthis.Asmuchasyouwant—allyouneedtohealyourself.”Shegotintothebestpositionthatshecould,hearingbutnothearingStefan’shorrifiedgaspbehindherattherecklessnessofherslashing,notheedinghisgriponher.
But—Damondidn’tdrink.NoteventheheadybloodofhisPrincessofDarkness—andhowdidthephrasego?Itwaslikerocketfuelcomparedtothegasolinefoundinothergirls’veins.Nowitjustranoutofthesidesofhismouth.Itflowedontohispaleface,soakinghisblackshirtandpoolinginhisleatherjacket
No…
Damon,Elenasent,pleaseI’m—beggingyou.Please.I’mbeggingyouforme,forElena.Pleasedrink.Wecandothis—together.
Damondidn’tmove.Bloodspilledintothemouthshe’dopenedanditfilledandspilledoutagain.ItwasasifDamonweretauntingher,saying,“Youwantedmetogiveuphumanblood?Well,Ihave—forever.”
Oh,dearGod,please…
Elenawasdizzierthanevernow.Outsideeventspasseddimlyaroundher,likeanoceanthatonlyslightlybobbedapersonoutdeepintheswells.ShewasentirelyfocusedonDamon.
Butonethingshedidfeel.Herbravery—Damonhadbeenwrongaboutthat.Hugesobswererisingfromsomewheredeepinsideher.ShehadmadeStefanletgoofherandnowshecouldn’tholdherselfupanylonger.
ShefellrightontopofherbloodandDamon’sbody.Hercheekfellagainsthischeek.
Andhischeekwascold.Evenundertheblood,itwascold.
Elenaneverknewwhenthehystericsbegan.Shesimplyfoundherselfshriekingandsobbing,beatingonDamon’sshoulders,cursinghim.Shehadneverproperlycursedhimbefore,notdirectlytohisface.Asfortheshrieking,thatwasn’tjustasound.Shewasonceagainscreamingathimtofindsomewaytofight.
Andfinally,shebeganthepromises.Promisesthatdeepinherheart,shenowknewwerelies.Shewasgoingtofindawaytofixhiminamoment.ShealreadyfeltanewWingspowercomingtosavehim.
Anythingsoastonotfacethetruth.
“Damon?Please?”Itwasaninterludeintheshrieking,whenshewastalkingsoftlyinhernewhusky,hoarsevoice.“Damon,justdoonethingforme.Justsqueezemyhand.Iknowyoucandothat.Justsqueezeoneofmyhands.”
Buttherewasnopressureoneitherofherhands.Onlybloodthatwasturningsticky.
AndthenthemiraclehappenedandsheonceagainheardDamon’svoice—veryfaintly—inherhead.
Elena?Don’t…cry,darling.It’snot…asbadasStefansaid.Idon’tfeelmuchofanything,exceptonmyface.I…feelyourtears.Nomoreweeping…please,angel.
Becauseofthemiracle,Elenasteadiedherself.He’dcalledStefan“Stefan”andnot“littlebrother.”Butshehadotherthingstothinkaboutrightnow.Hecouldstillfeelthingsonhisface!Thiswasimportantinformation,valuableinformation.Elenaimmediatelycuppedhischeekswithherhandsandkissedhimonthelips.
Ijustkissedyou.I’mkissingyouagain.Canyoufeelthat?
Forever,Elena,Damonsaid.I’ll…takethatwithme.It’spartofmenow…doyousee?
Elenadidn’twanttosee.Shekissedhislips—icycold—again.Andagain.
Shewantedtogivehimsomethingelse.Somethinggoodtothinkabout.Damon,doyourememberwhenwefirstmet?Atschool,afterthelightswentout,whenIwasmeasuringfortheHauntedHousedecorations.Ialmostletyoukissmethen—beforeIevenknewyourname—whenyoujustcamedriftingoutofthedarkness.
Damonsurprisedherbyansweringimmediately.Yes…andyou…youastonishedmebybeingthefirstgirlIcouldn’tInfluencerightaway.Wehad…funtogether—didn’twe?Somegoodtimes?Wewenttoaparty…andwedancedtogether.I’lltakethatwithmetoo.
Throughherdaze,Elenahadonethought.Don’tconfusehimanymore.They’dgonetothat“party”onlytosaveStefan’slife.Shetoldhim,Wehadfun.You’reagooddancer.Imagineuswaltzing!
Damonsentslowly,fuzzily,I’msorry…I’vebeensohorriblelately.Tell…herthat.Bonnie.Tellher…
Elenasteadiedherself.I’lltellher.I’mkissingyouagain.Canyoufeelmekissingyou?
Itwasarhetoricalquestion,soshegotashock,whenDamononlyansweredslowlyandsleepily.DidI…takeavowtotellyouthetruth?
Yes,Elenaliedinstantly.Sheneededthetruthfromhim.
Then…no,tobehonest…Ican’t.Idon’tseemtohave…abodynow.It’scomfortableandwarm,andnothinghurtsanymore.And—IalmostfeelasifI’mnotalone.Don’tlaugh.
You’renotalone!Oh,Damon,don’tyouknowthat?I’llnever,everletyoubealone.Elenachoked,wonderinghowtomakehimbelieveher.Justforafewmoreseconds…now.
Here,shesentinatelepathicwhisper,I’llgiveyoumyprecioussecret.I’llnevertellanyoneelse.Doyourememberthemotelwestayedinonourroadtrip,andhoweveryone—evenyou—wonderedwhathappenedthatnight?
A…motel?Aroadtrip?Hewassoundingveryunsurenow.Oh…yes.Iremember.And…thenextmorning—wondering.
BecauseShinichitookyourmemories,Elenasaid,hopingthathatefulnamewouldrevivifyDamon.Butitdidn’t.LikeShinichi,Damonwasdonewiththeworldnow.
Elenaleanedhercheekagainsthiscoldandbloodyone.Iheldyou,darling,justlikethis—well,almostlikethis.Allnight.Thatwasallyouwanted,tonotfeelalone.
TherewasalongpauseandElenabegantopanicinthefewpartsofherthatwerenotnumboralreadyhysterical.Butthenthewordscameslowlytoher.
Thankyou…Elena.Thankyou…fortellingmeyourprecioussecret.
Yes,andI’lltellyousomethingevenmoreprecious.Nooneisalone.Notreally.Nooneiseveralone.
You’rewithme…sowarm…nothingtoworryaboutanymore…
Nothingmore,Elenapromisedhim.AndI’llalwaysbewithyou.Nooneisalone;Ipromiseit.
Elena…thingsarebeginningtofeelstrangenow.Notpain.ButIhavetotellyou…whatIknowyoualreadyknow….HowIfellinlovewithyou…you’llremember,won’tyou?Youwon’tforgetme?
Forgetyou?HowcouldIeverforgetyou?
ButDamonwasspeakingonandsuddenlyElenaknewthathecouldn’thearher,notevenbytelepathyanymore.
Willyouremember?Forme?Justthat…Ilovedonce—justonce,really,inmywholelife.CanyourememberthatIlovedyou?Thatmakesmylife…worth…something…Hisvoicefaded.
Elenawassodizzynow.Sheknewshewasstilllosingbloodfast.Toofast.Hermindwasnotsharp.Andshewassuddenlyshakenbyafreshstormofsobbing.Atleastshewouldneveryellagain—therewasnoonetoyellat.Damonhadgoneaway.Hehadrunawaywithouther.
Shewantedtofollow.Nothingwasreal.Didn’theunderstand?Shecouldnotimagineauniverse,nomatterhowmanydimensionstherewere,withoutaDamoninit.Therewasnoworldforher,iftherewasnoDamon.
Hecouldn’tdothistoher.
Neitherknowingnorcaringwhatshewasdoing,sheplungeddeep,deepintoDamon’smind,wieldinghertelepathylikeasword,slashingatthewoodenconnectionsthatshefoundeverywhere.And,atlast,shefoundherselfplungingintotheverydeepestpartofhim…wherealittleboy,themetaphorforDamon’sunconscious,hadoncebeenloadedwithchainsandsettoguardthegreatstonethatDamonkepthisfeelingslockedin.
Oh,God,hemustbesofrightened,shethought.Whateverthecost,hemustnotbeallowedtogoawayfrightened….
Nowshesawhim.Thechild-Damon.Asalways,shecouldseeinthesweetlyroundedface,thesharp-cheekbonedyoungmanthatDamonwouldbecome,inthewideblackeyes,thepotentialforhislookoffathomlessdarkness.
Butalthoughhewasnotsmiling,thechild’slookwasopenandwelcoming,inawaythatDamon’solderselfhadneverbeen.Andthechains…thechainsweregone.Thegreatstonewasgonetoo.
“Iknewyou’dcome,”theboywhispered,andElenatookhimintoherarms.
Easy,Elenatoldherself.Easy.He’snotreal.He’swhat’sleftofDamon’smind,thedeepestpartofhishindbrain.Butstill,he’sevenyoungerthanMargaret,andhe’sjustassoftandwarm.Nomatterwhat,pleaseGod,don’tlethimknowwhat’sreallyhappeningtohim.
Buttherewasknowledgeinthewide,darkchildeyesthatturneduptoherface.“I’msogladtoseeyou,”heconfided.“IthoughtthatImightnevertalktoyouagain.And—he—youknow—heleftsomemessageswithme.Idon’tthinkhecouldsayanythingmore,sohesentthemtome.”
Elenaunderstood.Iftherewasanywherethewoodhadnotreached,itwasintothislastpartofthebrain,themostprimitivepart.Damonstillcouldspeaktoher—throughthisinfant.
Butbeforeshecouldspeakherself,shesawthatthereweretearsinthechild’seyesandthenhisbodyspasmedandhebithislipveryhard—tokeepfromcryingout,sheguessed.
“Doesithurt?”sheasked,tryingtobelievethatitdidn’t.Desperatetobelieveit.
“Notsomuch.”Buthewaslying,sherealized.Still,hehadn’tshedanytears.Hehadhispride,thischild-Damon.
“Ihaveaspecialmessageforyou,”hesaid.“Hetoldmetotellyouthathe’llalwaysbewithyou.Andthatyou’reneveralone.Thatnooneisreallyalone.”39
Elenaclutchedthechildtoher.Damonhadunderstood,eveninhisdazedandconfusedstate.Everyonewasconnected.Noonewasalone.
“Andheaskedsomethingelse.Heaskedifyouwouldholdme,justlikethis—ifIgotsleepy.”VelvetydarkeyessearchedElena’sface.“Wouldyoudothat?”
Elenatriedtokeepsteady.“I’llholdyou,”shepromised.
“Andyouwon’tletgoever?”
“AndIwon’tletgoever,”Elenatoldhim,becausehewasachild,andtherewasnopointinfrighteninghimifhehadnofear.AndbecausemaybethispartofDamon—thissmall,innocentpart—wouldhavesomekindof“forever.”Shehadheardthatvampiresdidn’tcomeback,didn’treincarnatethewayhumansdid.ThevampiresinthetopDarkDimensionwerestill“alive”—adventurersorfortune-seekers,orcondemnedthereasaprisonbytheCelestialCourt.
“I’llholdyou,”Elenapromisedagain.“Foreverandever.”
Justthenhissmallbodywentintoanotherspasm,andshesawtearsonhisdarkeyelashes,andbloodonhislip.Butbeforeshecouldsayaword,headded,“Ihavemoremessages.Iknowthembyheart.But”—hiseyesbeggedherforgiveness—“Ihavetogivethemtotheothers.”
Whatothers?Elenathoughtatfirst,bewildered.Thensheremembered.StefanandBonnie.Therewereotherlovedones.
“Ican…tellthemforyou,”shesaidhesitantly,andhegaveatinysmile,hisfirst,justthecornerofonelipup.
“Heleftmealittletelepathy,too,”hesaid.“IkeptitincaseIhadtocalltoyou.”
Stillfiercelyindependent,Elenathought.Allshesaidwas,“Yougoahead,then.”
“Thefirstoneisformybrother,Stefan.”
“Youcantellhiminjustamoment,”Elenasaid.SheheldontothesmallboyinDamon’ssoul,knowingthatthiswasthelastthingshehadlefttogivehim.Shecouldsacrificeafewpricelessseconds,sothatStefanandBonniecouldsaytheirowngood-byes.Shemadesomesortofenormousadjustmenttoherrealbody—herbodyoutsideDamon’smind,andfoundherselfopeninghereyes,blinkingandtryingtofocus.
ShesawStefan’sface,whiteandstricken.“Ishe—?”
“No.Butsoon.Hecanheartelepathy,ifyouthinkclearly,asifyouwerespeaking.Heaskedtotalktoyou.”
“Tome?”Stefanbentdownslowlyandputhischeekagainsthisbrother’s.Elenashuthereyesagain,guidinghimdownthroughthedarknesstowhereonesmalllightwasstillshining.ShefeltStefan’swonderashesawherthere,stillholdingthelittledark-hairedboyinherarms.
Elenahadn’trealizedthatthroughherlinktothechild,shewouldbeabletoheareverywordspoken.OrthatDamon’smessageswouldcomeinthewordsofachild.
Thelittleboysaid,“IguessyouthinkI’mprettystupid.”
Stefanstarted.He’dneverseenorheardthechild-Damonbefore.“Icouldneverthinkthat,”hesaidslowly,marveling.
“Butitwasn’tmuchlike…him,youknow.Like…me.”
“Ithink,”Stefansaidunsteadily,“thatit’sterriblysad—thatIneverreallykneweitherofyouverywell.”
“Pleasedon’tbesad.That’swhathetoldmetosay.Thatyoushouldn’tbesad…orafraid.Hesaidit’salittlebitlikegoingtosleep,andalittlebitlikeflying.”
“I’ll…rememberthat.And—thankyou—bigbrother.”
“Ithinkthat’sall.Youknowtowatchoverourgirls….”Therewasanotheroftheterriblespasmsthatleftthechildbreathless.Stefanspokequickly.
“Ofcourse.I’lltakecareofeverything.Youfly.”
ElenacouldfeelthegriefslashatStefan’sheart,buthisvoicewascalm.“Flyawaynow,mybrother.Flyaway.”
Elenafeltsomethingthroughthelink—BonnietouchingStefan’sshoulder.Hequicklygotupsothatshecouldliedown.Bonniewasalmosthystericalwithsobbing,butshehaddoneagoodthing,Elenasaw.WhileElenahadbeeninherownlittleworldwithDamon,BonniehadtakenadaggerandcutoffalonglockofElena’shair.Thenshehadcutoneofherownstrawberrycurls,andplacedthelocks—onewavyandgolden,onecurlingandred-blond—onDamon’schest.Itwasalltheycoulddoonthisflowerlessworldtohonorhim,tobewithhimforever.
ElenacouldhearBonnie,too,throughherlinkwithDamon,butatfirstallBonniecoulddowassob,“Damon,please!Oh,please!Ididn’tknow—Ineverthought—thatanyonewouldgethurt!Yousavedmylife!Andnow—oh,please!Ican’tsaygood-bye!”
Shedidn’tunderstand,Elenathought,thatshewastalkingtoaveryyoungchild.ButDamonhadsentthechildamessagetorepeat.
“I’msupposedtotellyougood-bye,though.”Forthefirsttimethechildlookeduneasy.“And—andI’msupposedtotellyou‘I’msorry,’too.Hethoughtyou’dknowwhatthatmeantandyou’dforgiveme.But…ifyoudon’t…Idon’tknowwhatwillhappen—oh!”
Anotherofthehatefulspasmswentthroughthechild.Elenaheldontohimhard,bitingherownlipuntilthebloodcame;atthesametimetryingtoshieldthelittleboycompletelyfromherownfeelings.AnddeepinDamon’smind,shesawBonnie’sexpressionchange,fromtearfulpenancetoastonishedfeartocarefulcontrol.AsifBonniehadgrownupallinaninstant.
“Ofcourse—ofcourseIunderstand!AndIforgiveyou—butyouhaven’tdoneanythingwrong.I’msuchasillygirl—I…”
“Wedon’tthinkyou’reasillygirl,”thechildsaid,lookingvastlyrelieved.“Butthankyouforforgivingme.There’saspecialnameI’msupposedtocallyou,too—butI…”HesankbackagainstElena.“Iguess—I’m…gettingsleepy…”
“Wasit‘redbird’?”Bonnieaskedcarefully,andthelittleboy’spalefacelitup.
“Thatwasit.Youknewalready.You’reall…soniceandsosmart.Thankyou…formakingiteasy…ButcanIsayonemorething?”
Elenawasabouttoanswer,whenabruptlyshewasjarredcompletelyoutofDamon’smindandbackintoreality.TheTreehadslammeddownanotherspider’slegsetofbranches,trappingthemandDamon’sbodybetweentwocirclesofwoodenbars.
Elenahadnoplans.NoideahowtogettothestarballthatDamonhaddiedfor.EithertheTreewasintelligent,oritwaswiredtohavesuchefficientdefensesthatitmightaswellhavebeen.Theywerelyingontheevidencethatmany,manypeoplehadtriedforthatstarball—andleftbehindtheirbonesgroundtosand.
Cometothat,shethought,Iwonderwhyithasn’tgoneforus,too—especiallyforBonnie.She’sbeenin,andthenout,andbackinagain,whichIshouldneverhaveletherdoexceptthatwewereallthinkingaboutDamon.Whydidn’titgoforheragain?
Stefanwastryingtobestrong,tryingtoorganizesomethingoutofthisdisasterthatwassostunningthatElenaherselfsimplysat.Bonniewassobbingagain,makingheart-wrenchingsounds.
Betweenbothcircularsetsofbarsawoodennetworkwasspreading—tooclose-knitforevenBonnietosqueezethrough.Elena’sgroupwasefficientlyseparatedfromanythingoutsidethesandpit,andjustasefficientlyseparatedfromthestarball.
“Theaxe!”Stefancalledtoher.“Throwme—”
Buttherewasnotime.Arootlethadcurledarounditandwasswiftlydraggingitintotheupperbranches.
“Stefan,I’msorry!Iwastooslow!”
“Itwastoofast!”Stefancorrected.
Elenaheldherbreath,waitingforthelastcrashfromabove,theonethatwouldkillthemall.Whenitdidn’tcome,sherealizedsomething.TheTreewasnotonlyintelligent,butsadistic.Theyweretobetrappedhere,awayfromtheirsupplies,todieslowlyofthirstandstarvation,ortogomadwatchingtheothersdie.
ThebestthattheycouldhopeforwasthatStefanwouldkillbothBonnieandher—butevenhewouldnevergetout.Thesewoodenbrancheswouldcomecrashingdownagainandagain,asoftenastheTreefeltnecessary,untilStefan’scrushedbonesjoinedtheothersthathadbeenmilledtofinesand.
Thatwaswhatdidit,thethoughtofallofthem,trappedwithDamon,makingamockeryofhisdeath.ThethingthathadbeenswellinginsideElenaforweeksnow,athearingthestoriesaboutchildrenwhoatetheirpets,atcreatureswhodelightedinpain,had,withDamon’ssacrifice,finallygottensobigthatshecouldnolongercontainit.
“Stefan,Bonnie—don’ttouchthebranches,”shegasped.“Makesureyou’renottouchinganypartofthebranches.”
“I’mnot,love,andBonnieisn’teither.Butwhy?”
“Ican’tkeepitinanymore!Ihavetostandlikethis—”
“Elena,no!Thatspell—”
Elenacouldnolongerthink.Thehatefuldemi-lightwasdrivinghermad,remindingherofthepinpointofgreeninDamon’spupils,thehorriblegreenlightoftheTree.
SheunderstoodexactlyabouttheTree’ssadismtoherfriends…andinthecornerofhereyeshecouldseeabitofblack…likearagdoll.Exceptthatitwasnodoll;itwasDamon.Damonwithallofhiswildandwittyspiritbroken.Damon…whomustbegonefromthisandallworldsbynow.
Hisfacewascoveredwithherblood.Therewasnothingpeacefulordignifiedabouthim.TherewasnothingtheTreehadnottakenfromhim.
Elenalosthermind.
Withascreamthatpeeledrawandbleedingfromherbackboneandcamehoarselyoutofherthroat,ElenagrabbedabranchoftheTreethathadkilledDamon,thathadmurderedherbeloved,andthatwouldmurderherandthesetwoothersshelovedaswell.
Shehadnothoughts.Shewasn’tcapableofthinking.ButinstinctivelysheheldahighboughoftheTree’scageandletthefuryexplodeoutofher,thefuryofmurderedlove.
WingsofDestruction.
ShefelttheWingsarchbehindher,likeebonylaceandblackpearls,andforamomentshefeltlikeadeadlygoddess,knowingthatthisplanetwouldneverharboranylifeeveragain.
Whentheattackflaredout,itturnedthetwilightallaroundhertomatteblack.Whatafittingcolor.Damonwilllikethis,shethoughtinconfusion,andthensherememberedagain,anditslammedblisteringoutofheragain,thePowertodestroytheTreealloverthissmallworld.Itshatteredherfromtheinsidebutsheletitkeepcoming.Nophysicalpaincouldcomparewithwhatwasinherheart,withthepainoflosingwhatshehadlost.Nophysicalpaincouldexpresshowshefelt.
Thehugerootsinthegroundunderneaththemwerebuckingasiftherewasanearthquake,andthen—
TherewasadeafeningsoundasthetrunkoftheGreatTreeexplodedstraightupwardlikearocket,disintegratingtofineashasitwent.Thespider’s-legbarsaroundthemsimplydisappearedalongwiththecanopyabove.SomethinginElena’smindnotedthatveryfarawaythesamedestructionwasgoingon,racingtoturnbranchesandleavesintoinfinitesimalbitsofmatterthathungintheairlikehaze.
“Thestarball!”Bonniecriedintheeeriesilence,anguished.
“Vaporized!”StefancaughtElenaasshesanktoherknees,heretherealblackwingsfading.“Butwe’dneverhavegottenitanyway.ThatTreehadbeenprotectingitforthousandsofyears!Allwe’dhavegottenwouldhavebeenaslowdeath.”
ElenahadturnedbacktoDamon.Shehadnotbeentouchingthestakethatranthroughhim—insecondsitwouldbetheonlyremnantoftheTreeonthisworld.Shecouldhardlydarehopethattherewasasparkoflifeleftinhimnow,butthechildhadwantedtospeakwithherandshewouldmakethatpossibleordietrying.ShescarcelyfeltStefan’sarmsaroundher.
Onceagain,sheplungedintotheverydepthsofDamon’smind.Thistimesheknewexactlywheretogo.
Andthere,byamiracle,hewas,althoughobviouslyinhideouspain.Tearswererollingdownhischeeksandhewastryingnottosob.Hislipswerebittenraw.HerWingshadnotbeenabletodestroythewoodinsidehim—ithadalreadydoneitspoisonousdamage—andtherewasnowaytoreversethat.
“Oh,no,ohGod!”Elenacaughtthechildinherarms.Ateardropfellonherhand.Sherockedhim,scarcelyknowingwhatshewassaying.“WhatcanIdotohelp?”
“You’rehereagain,”hesaid,andinhisvoice,sheheardtheanswer.Thiswasallthathewanted.Hewasaverysimplechild.
“I’llbehere—always.Always.I’mneverlettinggo.”
Thisdidn’thavetheeffectthatshewanted.Theboygasped,tryingtosmile,butwastornwithahorriblespasmthatalmostarchedhisbodyoutofherarms.
AndElenarealizedthatshewasturningtheinevitableintoslow,excruciatingtorture.
“I’llholdyou,”shemodifiedherwordsforhim,“untilyouwantmetoletgo.Allright?”
Henodded.Hisveryvoicewasbreathlesswithpain.“Couldyou—couldyouletmeshutmyeyes?Just…justforamoment?”
Elenaknew,asperhapsthischilddidnot,whatwouldhappenifshestoppedbadgeringhimandlethimsleep.Butshecouldn’tstandtoseehimsufferinganylonger,andnothingwasrealagain,andtherewasnooneelseintheworldforher,andshedidn’tevencareifdoingitthiswaymeantshewouldfollowhimintodeath.
Carefullysteadyinghervoice,shesaid,“Maybe…wecanbothshutoureyes.Notforalongtime—no!But…justforamoment.”
Shekeptrockingthesmallbodyinherarms.Shecouldstillfeelafaintpulseoflife…notaheartbeat,butstill,apulsing.Sheknewthathehadn’tshuthiseyesyet;thathewasstillfightingthetorture.
Forher.Notforanythingelse.Forhersakeonly.
Puttingherlipsclosetohisear,shewhispered,“Let’scloseoureyestogether,allright?Let’sclosethem…atthecountofthree.Isthatallright?”
Therewassuchreliefinhisvoiceandsuchlove.“Yes.Together.I’mready.Youcancountnow.”
“One.”Nothingmatteredexceptholdinghimandkeepingherselfsteady.“Two.And…”
“Elena?”
Shewasstartled.Hadthechildeversaidhernamebefore?
“Yes,sweetheart?”
“Elena…I…loveyou.Notjustbecauseofhim.Iloveyoutoo.”
Elenahadtohideherfaceinhishair.“Iloveyou,too,littleone.You’vealwaysknownthat,haven’tyou?”
“Yes—always.”
“Yes.You’vealwaysknownthat.Andnow…we’llcloseoureyes—foramoment.Three.”
Shewaiteduntilthelastfaintmovementstopped,andhisheadfellback,andhiseyeswereshutandtheshadowofsufferingwasgone.Helooked,notpeaceful,butsimplygentle—andkind,andElenacouldseeinhisfacewhatanadultwithDamon’sfeaturesandthatexpressionwouldlooklike.
ButnoweventhesmallbodywasevaporatingrightoutofElena’sarms.Oh,shewasstupid.She’dforgottentoclosehereyeswithhim.Shewassodizzy,eventhoughStefanhadstoppedthebleedingfromherneck.Closinghereyes…maybeshewouldlookashehad.Elenawassogladthathe’dgonegentlyattheend.
Maybethedarknesswouldbekindtoher,too.
Everythingwasquietnow.Timetoputawayhertoysanddrawthecurtains.Timenowtogetinbed.Onelastembrace…andnowherarmswereempty.
Nothinglefttodo,nothinglefttofight.She’ddoneherbest.And,atleast,thechildhadnotbeenfrightened.
Timetoturnoffthelightnow.Timetoshutherowneyes.
Thedarknesswasverykindtoher,andshewentintoitgently.40
Butafteranendlesstimeinthesoft,kinddarkness,somethingwasforcingElenabackupintolight.Reallight.Nottheterriblegreenhalf-lightoftheTree.Eventhroughshuteyelidsshecouldseeit,feelitsheat.Ayellowsun.Wherewasshe?Shecouldn’tremember.
Andshedidn’tcare.Somethingwassayinginsideherthatthegentledarknesswasbetter.Butthensherememberedaname.
Stefan.
Stefanwas…?
Stefanwastheonewho…theonesheloved.Buthe’dneverunderstoodthatlovewasnotsingular.He’dneverunderstoodthatshecouldbeinlovewithDamonandthatitwouldneverchangeanatom’sworthofherloveforhim.Orthathislackofunderstandinghadbeensowrenchingandpainfulthatshehadfelttornintotwodifferentpeopleattimes.
Butnow,evenbeforesheopenedhereyes,sherealizedthatshewasdrinking.Shewasdrinkingthebloodofavampire,andthatvampirewasn’tStefan.Therewassomethinguniqueinthisblood.Itwasdeeperandspicierandmoreheavy,allatonce.
Shecouldn’thelpopeninghereyes.Forsomereasonshedidn’tunderstand,theyflewopenandshetriedimmediatelytofocusonthescentandfeelingandcolorofwhoeverwasbendingoverher,holdingher.
Shecouldn’tunderstand,either,hersenseofletdownwhensheslowlyrealizedthatitwasSageleaningoverher,holdinghergentlybutsecurelytohisneck,withhisbronzechestbareandwarmfromthesunlight.
Butshewaslyingdownflat,ongrass,fromwhatherhandscouldfeel…andforsomereasonherheadwascold.Verycold.
Coldandwet.
Shestoppeddrinkingandtriedtositup.Thelightgripbecamefirmer.SheheardSage’svoicesay,andfelttherumblinginhischestashesaidit,“Mapauvrepetite,youmustdrinkmoreinamomentorso.Andyourhairhasstillsomeoftheashesinit.”
Ashes?Ashes?Didn’tyouputashesonyourheadfor…nowwhathadshebeenthinkingabout?Itwasasiftherewasablockinhermind,keepingherfromgettingcloseto…something.Butshewasn’tgoingtobetoldwhattodo.
Elenasatup.
Shewasin—yes,shewasverysure—thekitsuneparadise,anduntilamomentagoherbodyhadbeenarchedback,sothatherhairhadbeenintheclearlittlestreamthatshehadseenearlier.StefanandBonniehadbeenwashingsomethingpitch-blackoutofherhair.Theybothweresmudgedwithblackaswell:Stefanhadabigswathacrossonecheekbone,andBonniehadfaintgraystreaksbelowhereyes.
Crying.Bonniehadbeencrying.Shewasstillcrying,inlittlesobsthatshewastryingtosuppress.AndnowthatElenalookedhardershecouldseethatStefan’seyelidswereswollenandthathehadbeencryingtoo.
Elena’slipswerenumb.Shefellbackontothegrass,lookingupatSage,whowaswipinghiseyesfurtively.Herthroatached,notjustinside,wheresobbingandgaspingmightmakeithurt,butoutside,too.Shehadapictureofherselfslashingatherownneckwithaknife.
Throughhernumblips,shewhispered,“AmIavampire?”
“Pasencore,”Sagesaidunsteadily.“Notyet.ButStefanandI,webothhadtogiveyoumassiveamountsofblood.Youmustbeverycarefulinthenextdays.Youarerightonthebrink.”
Thatexplainedhowshefelt.ProbablyDamonwashopingthatshewouldbecomeone,wickedboy.Instinctively,sheheldoutherhandtoStefan.Maybeshecouldhelphim.
“Wejustwon’tdoanythingforalittlewhile,”shesaid.“Youdon’thavetobesad.”Butsheherselfstillfeltverywrong.Shehadn’tfeltthiswrongsinceshe’dseenStefaninprisonandhadthoughtthathewoulddieatanymoment.
No…itwasworse…becausewithStefantherehadbeenhopeandElenahadthefeelingthatnowhopewasgone.Everythingwasgone.Shewashollow:agirlwholookedsolid,butwhoseinsidesweremissing.
“I’mdying,”shewhispered.“Iknowit…Areyouallgoingtosaygood-byenow?”
AndwiththatSage—Sage!—chokedupandbegantosob.Stefan,stilllookingsooddlymussed,withthosetracesofsootonhisfaceandarmsandhishairandclothessoakingwet,said,“Elena,you’renotgoingtodie.Notunlessyouchooseto.”
ShehadneverseenStefanlooklikethisbefore.Noteveninprison.Hisflame,hisinnerfirethatheshowedtoalmostnoonebutElena,hadgoneout.
“Sagesavedus,”hesaid,slowlycarefully,asifitcosthimgreatefforttospeak.“Theashthatwasfalling—youandBonniewouldhavediedifyou’dhadtobreatheanymoreofit.ButSageputadoorbacktotheGatehouserightinfrontofus.Icouldbarelyseeit;myeyesweresofullofashfall,andit’sonlygettingworseonthatmoon.”
“Ashfall,”Elenawhispered.Therewassomethingatthebottomofhermind,butonceagainhermemoryfailedher.Itwasalmostasifshe’dbeenInfluencedtonotremember.Butthatwasridiculous.
“Whywereashesfalling?”sheasked,realizingthathervoicewashusky,hoarse—asifshe’dcheeredtoolongatafootballgame.
“YouusedWingsofDestruction,”Stefansaidsteadily,lookingatherwithhisswolleneyes.“Yousavedourlives.ButyoukilledtheTree—andthestarballdisintegrated.”
WingsofDestruction.Shemusthavelosthertemper.Andshe’dkilledaworld.Shewasamurderer.
Andnowthestarballwaslost.Fell’sChurch.Oh,God.WhatwouldDamonsaytoher?Elenahaddoneeverything—everythingwrong.Bonniewassobbingnow,herfaceturnedaway.
“I’msorry,”Elenasaid,knowinghowinadequatethiswas.Forthefirsttimeshelookedaroundmiserably.“Damon?”shewhispered.“Hewon’tspeaktome?BecauseofwhatIdid?”
SageandStefanlookedateachother.
IcewentdownElena’sspine.
Shestartedtogetup,butherlegsweren’tthelegssheremembered.Theywantedtounlockattheknees.Shewasstaringdownatherself,atherownwetandsmudgedclothes—andthensomethinglikemudcamedownherforehead.Mudorcongealingblood.
Bonniemadeasound.Shewasstillsobbing,butshewasspeaking,too,inanewhuskyvoicethatmadehersoundmucholder.“Elena—wedidn’tgettheashesoutofthetopofyourhair.Sagehadtogiveyouanemergencytransfusion.”
“I’llgettheashesout,”Elenasaidflatly.Sheletherkneesbend.Shefellontothem,jarringherbody.Then,twisting,sheleaneddowntothelittlebrookandletherheadfallforward.Throughtheicyshockshecoulddimlyhearexclamationsfromthepeopleabovewater,andStefan’ssharp,Elena,areyouallright?inherhead.
No,shethoughtback.ButI’mnotdrowning,either.I’mwashingoutmyhair.MaybeDamonwillatleastseemeifI’mpresentable.Maybehe’llcomewithusandfightforFell’sChurch.
Letmehelpyouup,Stefansentquietly.
Elenahadcometotheendofherair.Shepulledherheavyheadoutofthewaterandflippedit,soakingbutclean,sothatitfelldownherback.ShestaredatStefan.
“Why?”shesaid—andthen,withasuddenpanic—“Hasheleftalready?Washeangry…withme?”
“Stefan.”ItwasSage,speakingtiredly.Stefan,whowasstaringoutofhisgreeneyeslikeahuntedanimal,madesomefaintsound.
“TheInfluence,itisnotworking,”Sagesaid.“Shewillrememberonherown.”41
Stefandidn’tmoveorspeakforlongmoments.Elena’sheartswelled.Suddenlyshewasasafraidasheclearlywas.Shewenttohimandtookbothhishands,whichwereshaking.
Darling,don’tcry,shesent.TheremuststillbetimetosaveFell’sChurch.Theremust.Itcan’tendthisway.Andbesides,Shinichiisgone!Wecangettothechildren;wecanbreaktheconditioning…”Shestopped.Itwasasiftheword“conditioning”echoedinherears.Stefan’sgreeneyeswerefillinghervision.Hermindwasgetting…itwasgettingfuzzy.Everythingwasbecomingunrealagain.Inaminuteshewouldn’tbeableto…
Shewrenchedhereyesaway,breathinghard.
“YouwereInfluencingme,”shesaid.Shecouldheartheangerinherownvoice
“Yes,”Stefanwhispered.“I’vebeenInfluencingyouforhalfanhour.”
Howdareyou?Elenathought,justforhim.
“I’mstoppingit…now,”Stefansaidquietly.
“AsamI,”Sageadded,soundingexhausted.
AndtheuniversedidaslowspinandElenarememberedwhatitwasthattheywereallkeepingfromher.
Withawildsob,sherose,scatteringdroplets,comingtoherfeetlikeanavenginggoddess.ShelookedatSage.ShelookedatStefan.
AndStefanprovedhowbravehewas,howmuchhelovedher.Hetoldherwhatshealreadyknew.“Damonisgone,Elena.I’msosorry.I’msorryif…ifIkeptyoufrombeingwithhimasmuchasyouwantedto.I’msorryifIcamebetweenyou.Ididn’tunderstand—howmuchyoulovedeachother.Idonow.”Andthenhedroppedhisfaceintohishands.
Elenawantedtogotohim.Toscoldhim,toholdhim.TotellStefanthatshelovedhimjustasmuch,dropfordrop,grainforgrain.Butherbodyhadgonenumb,andthedarknesswasthreateningagain…allshecoulddowasholdoutherarmsasshecrumpledontothegrass.AndthensomehowBonnieandStefanwereboththere,thethreeofthemallsobbing:Elenawiththeintensityofnewdiscovery;StefanwithalostsoundthatElenahadneverheardbefore;andBonniewithadry,wrenchingexhaustionthatseemedtowanttoshatterhersmallbody.
Timelostallmeaning.ElenawantedtogrieveforeverymomentofDamon’spainfuldeath,andforeverymomentofhislife,too.Somuchhadbeenlost.Shecouldn’tgetherheadaroundit,andshedidn’twanttodoanythingbutcryuntilthekinddarknesstookhermindagain.
ThatwaswhenSagebroke.
HegrabbedElenaandpulledherup,andshookherbytheshoulders.Itsnappedherheadbackandforth.
“Yourtownisinruins!”heshouted,asifthiswasherfault.“Midnightmayormaynotbringdisaster.Oh,yes,IsawitallinyourmindwhenIwentintoInfluenceyou.LittleFell’sChurchisalreadydevastated.Andyouwon’tevenfightforit!”
SomethingblazedthroughElena.Itmeltedthenumbness,theiciness.“Yes,I’llfightforit!”shescreamed.“I’llfightforitwitheverybreathinmybody,untilIstopthepeoplewhodidit,oruntiltheykillme!”
“Andhow,puis-jesavoir,willyougetbackintime?Bythetimeyouwalkbackthewayyoucame,itwillallbeover!”
Stefanwasbesideher,bracingher,shouldertoshoulder.“Thenwe’llforceyoutosendussomeotherway—sothatwecangetbackintime!”
Elenastared.No.No.Stefancouldn’thavesaidthat.Stefandidn’tforcehisway—andshewouldn’thavehimchanginghimself.ShewhirledbackonSage.“There’snoneedtofight!IhaveaMasterKeyinmybackpack,andmagicworkshereinsidetheGatehouse!”shecried.
ButStefanandSagewerestaringeachotherdown,eachfierceandintent.ElenawantedtogotoStefanbuttheworldwasdoinganotherofitsslowsomersaults.ShewasafraidthatSagewouldattackStefan,andthatshecouldn’tevenfightforhim.
Butinstead,suddenly,Sagethrewbackhisheadandlaughedwildly.Orperhapsitwassomethingbetweenthunderouslaughingandcrying.Itwasaseerieasthesoundofawolfbaying,andElenafeltBonnie’ssmall,tremblingbodyhugher—tocomfortbothofthem.
“Whatthehell!”Sagebellowed,andnowtherewasawildlookinhiseyes,too.“Maisoui,whattheHell?”Helaughedagain.“Afterall,IamtheGatekeeper,andIhavealreadybrokentherulesbyallowingyouthroughtwodifferentdoors.”
Stefanwasstillbreathinghard.NowhereachedoutandgrabbedSagebyhisbroadshouldersandshookhimwiththestrengthofavampiregonemad.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?There’snotimefortalk!”
“Ah,butthereis,monami.Myfriend,thereis.WhatyouneedisthefirepoweroftheheavenstosaveFell’sChurch—andtoundothedamagethathasalreadybeendone.Towipeitout,tomakeitasifithadneverhappened.And,”Sageaddeddeliberately,lookingdirectlyatElena,“perhaps—justperhaps—toundothisday’sevents,also.”
SuddenlyeveryinchofElena’sskinwastingling.HerwholebodywaslisteningtoSage,leaningtowardhim,yearning,whilehereyeswidenedwiththeonlyotherquestionthatmattered.
Sagesaid,verysoftly,verytriumphantly,“Yes.Theycanbestowlifeuponthedead.TheyhavethatPower.TheycanbringbackmonpetittyranDamon—astheybroughtyouback.”
StefanandBonniewereholdingElenaup.Shecouldn’tstandonherown.
“Butwhywouldtheyhelp?”shewhisperedpainfully.Shewouldn’tallowherselfevenabreathofhope,notuntilsheunderstoodeverything.
“Inexchangeforwhatwasstolenfromthemmillenniaago,”Sagereplied.“YouareinafortressofHell,youknow.ThatiswhattheGatehouseis.TheGuardianscannotenterhere.Theycannotstormthegateanddemandbackwhatisinside…theseven—pardon,nowsix—kitsunetreasures.”
Notabreathofhope.Notabreath.ButElenaheardherselfgiveawildlaugh.
“Howdowegivethemapark?Orafieldofblackroses?”
“Wegivethemtherightstothelandthattheparkandthefieldofroseslieupon.”
Notabreath,eventhoughthebodiesoneithersideofElenawereshakingnow.“AndhowdoweofferthemtheFountainofEternalYouthandLife?”
“Wedonot.However,Ihaveherevariouscontainers,waitingtobecollectedasgarbage.ThethreatofagallonbottleofLaFontainerandomlyspreadalloveryourEarth…thatwoulddevastatethem.And,ofcourse,”Sageadded,“Iknowthekindsofgemswithenchantmentsalreadyuponthemthattheywouldmostdesire.Here,letmeopenthedoorsallatonce!Wetakeallwecan—therooms,stripthembare!”
Hisenthusiasmwascontagious.Elenahalf-turned,breathheld,eyeswidenedtocatchthefirstglowingofadoor’slight.
“Wait.”Stefan’svoicewashardsuddenly.BonnieandElenaturnedbackandfroze,embracingeachother,trembling.“Whatisyour—yourfather—goingtodotoyouwhenhefindsoutthatyouallowedthis?”
“Hewillnotkillme,”Sagesaidbrusquely,thewildtonebackinhisvoice.“HemayevenfinditasamusantasIdo,andwewillbesharingabellylaughtomorrow.”
“Andifhedoesn’tfinditamusing?Sage,Idon’tthink…Damonwouldn’thavewanted—”
Sagewhirledaroundandforthefirsttimesinceshehadmethim,Elenacouldbelievewithherwholesoulthathewasthesonofhisfather.Hiseyeshadevenseemedtochangecolor,totheyellowofaflame,withdiamondpupilslikeacat’s.Hisvoicewaslikesteelsplintering,hardereventhanStefan’s.“Whatisbetweenmyfatherandmeismyownbusiness—mine!Stayhereifyouwant.Heneverbothershimselfaboutvampires,anyway—hesaysthey’recursedalready.ButIamgoingtodoeverythingIcantobringmonchériDamonback.”
“Whateverthecosttoyou?”
“Thehellwiththecost!”
ToElena’ssurprise,StefangrippedSage’sshouldersforamomentandthensimplyhuggedasmuchofhimashecouldhold.
“Ijustwantedtomakesure,”hesaidquietly.“Thankyou,Sage.Thankyou.”ThenheturnedandstrodeovertotheRoyalRadhikaplant,andwithoneyank,pulleditoutofitsbower.
Elena,heartbeatinginherlipsandthroatandfingertips,rantogathertheemptycontainersandbottlesSagewastossingoutofaninthdoorwaythathadappearedinbetweenthemineshaftandthefieldofblackroses.ShesnatchedupagalloncontainerandanEvianwaterbottle,bothwithsecurecapsintact.Theyweremadeofplastic,whichwasgood,becauseshedroppedthembothjustgoingacrosstheroomtothebubblingfountain.Herhandswereshakingthatbadly;andallthetimeshewassendingupamonotonousprayer,Oh,please.Oh,pleaseOh,please!
ShegotwaterintobothcontainersattheFountainandcappedthem.AndthensherealizedthatBonniewasstillstandinginthemiddleoftheGatehouse.Shelookedbewildered,frightened.
“Bonnie?”
“Sage?”Bonniesaid.“HowdowegetthesethingstotheCelestialCourttobargainwiththem?”
“Havenoworries,”Sagesaidkindly.“IamcertainthatGuardianswillbewaitingjustoutsidetoarrestus.TheywilltakeustotheCourt.”
Bonniedidn’tstoptrembling,butshenoddedandhurriedtohelpSagegetbottlesofBlackMagic—andbreakthem.“Asymbol,”hesaid.“UnsigneofwhatwewilldotothisareaiftheCelestialsdon’tagree.Becarefulnottocutyourprettyhands.”
ElenathoughtsheheardBonnie’shuskyvoicethen,andthatitwasnotahappytone.ButSage’srumblingmurmurwasreassuring.AndElenawouldneitherallowherselftohopenordespair.Shehadataskinhand,ascheme.ShewasmakingprivatePlansfortheCelestialCourt.
WhensheandBonniehadalltheplundertheycouldcarry,andtheirbackpackswerefullaswell,whenStefanhadtwonarrowblackboxesthathelddeeds,andwhenSagelookedlikeacrossbetweenSantaClausandabronzed,gorgeous,long-hairedHercules,ashecarriedtwosacksmadeofpillowcases,theygaveonelastlookaroundattheravagedGatehouse.
“Allright,”Sagesaidthen.“TimetofacetheGuardians.”HesmiledreassuringlyatBonnie.
Asusual,Sagewasright.Themomenttheycameoutwiththeirbooty,Guardiansfromtwodifferentdimensionswerereadyforthem.ThefirsttypeweretheoneswholookedvaguelylikeElena:blondhair,darkblueeyes,slender.TheGuardiansoftheNetherWorldseemedseniortothese,andwerelithewomenwithskinsodarkitwasalmostebony,andhairthatcurledtightlyinacapovertheirheads.Behindthemwerebrilliantgoldenaircars.
“Youareunderarrest,”oneofthedarkonessaid,notlookingasifsheenjoyedherjob,“forremovingtreasuresthatrightfullybelongtotheCelestialCourtoutofthesanctuarywhereitwasagreedthattheywouldbekept,underthelawsofbothourdimensions.”
Andthenitwasonlyamatterofhangingontothegoldenaircarswhilehangingonatthesametimetotheirunlawfulbooty.
TheCelestialCourtwas…celestial.Pearlywhitewithafainthintofblue.Minarets.Itwasalongdistancefromtheheavilyguardedgate—whereElenahadseenathirdtypeofGuardian,onewithshortredhairandslanted,piercinggreeneyes—totheactualpalace,whichseemedtoencompassacity.
ButitwaswhenElena’sgroupwasguidedtothethroneroomthattherealcultureshockhit.ItwasfarlargerandfarmoregloriousthananyroomElenahadeverimagined.NoballorgalaintheDarkDimensionscouldhavepreparedherintheleastforit.Thecathedralceilingseemedtobemadeentirelyofgold,aswerethedoublelineofstatelycolumnsthatmarchedverticallyacrossthefloor.Theflooritselfwasofintricatelypatternedmalachiteandgold-threadedlapislazuli,withgoldseeminglyusedasgrouting—andwithaheavyhandatthat.Thethreegoldenfountainsinthemiddleoftheroom(thecentralonewasthelargestandmostelaborate)threwintotheairnotwater,butdelicatelyperfumedflowerpetalsthatsparkledlikediamondsinturningattheirapexandthenfloateddownagain.Stained-glasswindowsinbrilliantcolorsthatElenacouldn’tremembereverhavingseenbeforethrewrainbowlightlikeabenedictionfromhighoneverywall,givingwarmthtotheotherwisecoolengravedgold.
SageandElenaandStefanandBonniewereseatedinsmallcomfortablechairsjustafewfeetbackfromagreatdais,drapedwithafantasticallywovengoldencloth.Thetreasureswerespreadoutinfrontofthem,asattendantsdressedinflowingblueandgoldtooktheobjectsonebyoneuptothecurrentrulingtriumvirateinback.
TherulerscomprisedoneeachofthegroupsofGuardians—fair,dark,redheaded.Theirseatsonthedaisensuredthattheywerefarfrom—andhighabove—theirpetitioners.ButwithPowersenttohereyes,Elenacouldseeperfectlywellthattheyeachsatonanexquisitelyjeweledgoldenthrone.Theywerespeakingsoftlytogether,admiringtheRoyalRadhikaflower—bluedelphiniumsatthemoment.Thenthedarkonesmiledandsentoneofherattendantsrunningforapotwithsoilfortheplanttosurvivein.
Elenastaredsightlesslyattheothertreasures.AgallonofwaterfromtheFountainofEternalYouthandLife.SixbottlesofunbrokenBlackMagicwine,andtheshardsofatleastthatmanyaroundthem.Ablazingrainbowtorivalthestained-glasswindowsinfist-sizedgems,someraw,somealreadyfacetedandpolished,butmostofthemnotonlyfaceted,butalsohand-carvedwithmysteriousgoldorsilverinscriptions.Twolong,black,velvet-linedboxeswithyellowingcylindersofpapyrusorpaperinsidethem,onewithapureblackroselyingnexttoit,andtheotherwithasimplesprayoflightspringtime-greenleaves.Elenaknewwhattheyelloweddocumentswiththeircrackedwaxensealswere.Thedeedstothefieldofblackrosesandthekitsuneparadise.
Whenyousawallthetreasurestogetherlikethis,italmostseemedtoomuch,Elenathought.AnyoneobjectfromanyoneoftheSeven—no,nowSix—kitsuneTreasureswasenoughtotradeworldsfor.OnesprigoftheRoyalRadhika,whichwasevennowbeingreturned,(pinklarkspurchangingtoawhiteorchid)properlypottedagain,wasimmeasurablyprecious.Sowasasinglevelvetyblackrose,withitspowertoholdthemostpowerfulofmagics.Onejewelfromthehoardintheminingcavern,maybeadouble-fist-sizeddiamondthatputtheStarofAfricaandtheGoldenJubileetoshame.Onedayinthekitsuneparadise,whereadaycouldseemlikeaperfectlifetime.OnesipofthateffervescentwaterthatcouldmakeahumanliveaslongastheoldestOldOne…
Ofcoursethereshouldalsohavebeenthelargeststarballinexistence,fullofeldritchPower,butElenawashopingthattheGuardianswouldoverlookthat.
Hoping?Shewonderedandshookherheadatnothing,causingBonnietosqueezeherhandtightly.Nothoping.Shedidn’tdarehope.Notabreathyet.
Anotherattendant,red-haired,flashingthemacoldgreen-eyedlook,pickeduptheplasticgallonbottlethatsaidSector3Wateronthelabel.Sagerumbledassheleft,“Qu’est-cequiluiprend?Imean,whatisherproblem?Ilikethewaterinthevampiresector.Idon’tlikethepumpwaterintheNetherWorld.”
ElenahadalreadyfiguredoutthecolorcodefortheGuardians.Theblondoneswereallbusiness,impatientonlywithdelays.Thedarkoneswerethekindest—maybetherewaslessworkforthemtodointheNetherWorld.Thegreen-eyedredheadswerejustplainbitchy.Unfortunately,theyoungwomanonthecentralthroneupthereonthedaiswasaredhead.
“Bonnie?”shewhispered.
Bonniehadtogulpandsniffbeforeshecouldgetout,“Yes?”
“HaveIevertoldyouhowmuchIlikeyoureyes?”
Bonniegaveheralongbrown-eyedgazebeforebeginningtoshakewithlaughter.Atleastitstartedoutlikelaughter,andthenBonnieburrowedherheadintoElena’sshoulderandsimplyshook.
StefansqueezedElena’shand.“She’sbeentryingsohard—foryou.She—shelovedhimtoo,yousee.Ididn’tevenknowthat.Iguess…IguessI’vejustbeenblindonallsides.”
Heranhisfreehandthroughhisalready-tousledhair.Helookedveryyoung,likealittleboywhohadbeensuddenlypunishedfordoingsomethinghehadn’tbeentoldwaswrong.Elenarememberedhiminthebackyardoftheboardinghouse,dancingwithherfeetonhisfeet,andtheninhisatticroom,kissingherhands,herknucklesbruisedwithhammering,thepulsinginsideofherwrists.Shewantedtotellhimthateverythingwasgoingtobeallright,thatthelaughterwouldcomebacktohiseyes,butshecouldn’tstandthechanceoflyingtohim.
SuddenlyElenafeltlikeavery,veryoldwoman,whocouldhearandseeonlydimly,whoseeverymovementcausedherterriblepain,andwhowascoldinside.Hereveryjointandeverybonewasfilledwithice.
Atlast,whenallthetreasures,includingasparkling,diamond-set,goldenMasterKey,hadbeentakenupfortheyoungwomenonthethronestohandle,heft,examine,anddiscuss,awarm-eyeddark-skinnedwomancametoElena’sgroup.“YoumayapproachTheirHighJudgmentsnow.And,”sheaddedinavoiceassoftasthestrokeofadragonfly’swing,“theyarevery,veryimpressed.Thatdoesn’toftenhappen.SpeakmeeklyandkeepyourheadslowandIthinkyoushallhaveyourhearts’desires.”
SomethinginsideElenagaveaboundthatwouldhavesentherleapingtoclutchattheretreatingattendant’srobe,butfortunatelyStefanhadherinanembraceofiron.Bonnie’sheadcameoffElena’sshoulder,andElenahadtorestrainher,inturn.
Theywalked,theveryportraitofmeekness,towherefourscarletcushionsblazedagainstthegoldenweaveofthefloorcloth.Once,Elenawouldhaverefusedtoabaseherself.Now,shewasthankfulforasoftrestingplaceforherknees.
Thisclose,shecouldseethattherulerseachworeacircletofsomemetal,fromwhichasinglestonehungontoherforehead.
“Wehaveconsideredyourpetition,”thedarkonesaid,herwhite-goldcircletwithitsdiamondpendantdazzlingElenawithpinpricksoflilacandredandroyalblue.“Oh,yes,”sheadded,laughing.“Weknowwhatyouwant.EvenaGuardianonthestreetwouldhavetobeverybadatherjobnottoknow.Youwantyourtown…renewed.Theburnedbuildingsrebuilt.Thevictimsofthemalachpestilencere-created,theirsoulsswathedagaininflesh,andtheirmemories—”
“But,first,”interruptedthefairone,wavingahand,“don’twehavebusinessathand?Thisgirl—ElenaGilbert—maynotbeeligibletobeaspokesmanforhergroup.IfshebecomesaGuardian,shedoesn’tbelongwiththepetitioners.”
Theredheadtossedherheadlikeanimpatientfilly,causingtherosegoldofhercirclettoflash,anditsrubytoshimmer.“Oh,goonthen,Ryannen.Ifyourrecruitmentlevelsaresolow—”
Thebusinesslikefaironeignoredthis,butbentforward,someofherhairheldbackfromherfacebyhercircletofyellowgoldwithitssapphirependant.“Whataboutit,Elena?Iknowourfirstencounterwas—unfortunate.YoumustbelievethatIamsorryforthat.ButyouwerewellonyourwaytobecomingafullGuardianwhenwehadordersfromAbovetoweaveyouintoanewbodysothatyoucouldtakeupyourlifeasahumanagain.”
“Youdidthat?Ofcourseyoudid.”Elena’svoicewassoftandlowandflattering.“Youcandoanything.But—ourfirstencounter?Idon’tremember—”
“Youweretooyoung,andyousawjustaflashofouraircarasitpassedyourparents’vehicle.Itwasmeanttobeaminoraccidentwithoneapparentcasualty—you.Butinstead…”
Bonnie’shandsflewtohermouth.ShewasclearlygettingsomethingElenawasn’t.Herparents’“vehicle”…?Thelasttimeshe’ddrivenwithherfatherandmother—andlittleMargaret—hadbeenthedayofthecrash.Thedayshe’ddistractedherfather,who’dbeendriving…
“Look,Daddy!Lookatthepretty—”
Andthenhadcometheimpact.
Elenaforgotaboutbeingmeekandkeepingherheadlow.Infact,sheraisedherhead,andmetgold-splatteredblueeyesverymuchlikehers.Herowngaze,sheknew,waspiercingandhard.
“You…killedmyparents?”shewhispered.
“No,no!”thedarkonecried.“Itwasanoperationgonesour.WeonlyhadtointersectwiththeEarthdimensionforafewminutes.But,quiteunexpectedly,yourtalentflared.Yousawouraircar.Insteadofacrashwithonlyoneapparentcasualty:you,yourfatherturnedtolookand…”SlowlyhervoicetrailedoffasElena’sturnedunbelievingeyesonher.
Bonniewasstaringsightlesslyintothedistance,almostasifshewereintrance.“Shinichi,”shebreathed.“Thatweirdriddleofhis—orwhateveritwas.Thatoneofushadmurdered,andthatitwasnothingtodowithbeingavampireoramercykilling…”
“I’dalwaysassumeditwasme,”Stefansaidquietly.“Mymotherneverreallyrecoveredaftermybirth.Shedied.”
“Butthatdoesn’tmakeyouamurderer!”Elenacried.“Notlikeme.Notlikeme!”
“Well,thatwaswhyIwasaskingyounow,”thebusinesslikeblondwomansaid.“Itwasaflawedmission,butyouunderstandthatwewereonlytryingtorecruityou,yes?It’sthetraditionalmethod.Ourgeneshavehonedustobethebestatmanagingpowerful,irrationaldemons,whodon’trespondtotraditionalstrengthbutrequireon-the-spotrecalculation—”
Elenachokedbackascream.Ascreamofwrath—agony—disbelief—guilt—shedidn’tknowwhat.HerPlans.Herschemes.Thewayshehadhandledboisterousboysinthebadolddays—itwasallgenetic.And…herparents…whathadtheydiedfor?
Stefanstoodup.Hisjawwashard,hisgreeneyeswereburningbrilliantly.Therewasnogentlenessinhisface.HeclaspedElena’shandandsheheard,Ifyouwanttofight,I’min
Mais,non.ElenaturnedaroundandsawSage.Histelepathicvoicewasunmistakable.Shewascompelledtolisten.Wecannotfightthemontheirownterritoryandwin.EvenIcannot.Whatyoucandoismakethempay!Elena,mybraveone,yourparents’spiritshaveundoubtedlyfoundnewhomes.Itwouldbecrueltodragthemback.ButletusdemandoftheGuardiansanythingyoudesire.Forayearandadayinthepast,demandwhateveryouwish!Ithinkthatweallwillbackyou.
Elenapaused.ShelookedattheGuardiansandshelookedatthetreasures.ShelookedatBonnieandStefan,whowerewaiting.Therewaspermissionintheireyes
ThenshesaidslowlytotheGuardians,“Thisisreallygoingtocostyou.AndIdon’twanttohearthatanyofitisimpossible.ForallyourtreasuresbackandtheMasterKeytoo…Iwantmyoldlife.No,Iwantanewlife,withmyrealoldlifebehindme.IwanttobeElenaGilbert,exactlyasifI’dgraduatedwithmyhighschoolclass,andIwanttogotoDalcrestCollege.IwanttowakeupinmyauntJudith’shouseinthemorningandfindthatnoonerealizesI’vebeengoneforalmosttenmonths.AndIwanta4.5gradepointaverageformylastyearinhighschool—justincaseofemergencies.AndIwantStefantohavelivedintheboardinghousepeacefullyallthattime,andtohaveeveryoneaccepthimasmyboyfriend.AndIwanteverysinglethingthatShinichiandMisaoandwhoevertheywereworkingfordidundoneandforgotten.Iwantthepersontheywereworkingfordead.AndIwanteverythingthatKlausdidinFell’sChurchundoneaswell.IwantSueCarsonback!IwantVickieBennettback!Iwanteveryoneback!”
Bonniesaidfaintly,“EvenMr.Tanner?”
Elenaunderstood.IfMr.Tannerhadnotdied—mysteriouslydrainedofblood—thenAlaricSaltzmanwouldneverhavebeencalledtoFell’sChurch.ElenarememberedAlaricfromtheout-of-bodyexperience:sandyhair,laughinghazeleyes.ShethoughtofMeredithandhisalmost-engagementtoher.
ButwhowasshetoplayGod?Tosay,yes,thispersoncandiebecausehewasunlovelyandunloved,butthisonehastolivebecauseshewasmyfriend.42
“It’snotaproblem,”thefairruler,Ryannen,saidunexpectedly.“WecanmakeitsothatyourMr.TannerrepelledanapparentvampireattackandtheschoolcalledinAlaricSaltzmantotakehisplaceandinvestigate.Allright,Idola?”—totheredhead,andtothedarkone—“Allright,Susurre?”
Elenawasn’tallright.Despitetheexampleshe’djusthadofturn-on-a-dimeplottingandscheming,shewasscarcelylistening.Allsheknewwasthathervoicehadgonehuskyandthattearsblurredhereyes.“And…fortheMasterKey—Iwant—”
Stefansqueezedherhand.Elenasuddenlyrealizedthattheywereallstanding,allthreeofthem,besideher.Andthelookoneveryfacewasthesame.Deadresolve.
“IwantDamonback.”Elenahadn’theardquitethisnoteinhervoicesincethedayshe’dbeentoldbothherparentshaddied.Iftherehadbeenatable,shewouldhaveputherclenchedfistsonitanddidherbesttoloomoverthewomen.Asitwas,shesimplyleanedtowardthem,speakinginalowandgratingvoice.“Ifyoudothat—bringhimback,exactlyashewasbeforehewalkedintotheGatehouse—thenyougettheMasterKeyandthetreasures.Yousayno—andyouloseeverything.Everything.Thisisnon-negotiable,getit?”
ShekeptstaringintoIdola’sgreeneyes.SherefusedtoseedarkSusurredropherforeheadontothreefingertipsandbegintorubitinsmallcircles.Shewouldn’tgiveaglancetoblondRyannen,whowaslookingathersteadily,havinggoneintopeople-managementmode.Shestareddirectlyintothosegreeneyesundertheirwillfuleyebrows.Idolagavealittlehuffandshookhergorgeoushead.
“Look,someoneclearlyhasscrewedupinpreparingyouforthisinterview.”AglanceatSusurre.“Theotherthingsyou’veaskedfor—alltogether,itformsaveryheavyransom.Doyouunderstandthat?Doyouunderstandthatitinvolveschangingthememoriesofallthepeopleformilesaroundyourtown,andchangingthemforeverydayoftenmonths?ThatitmeanschangingeverythinginprintaboutFell’sChurch—andthatthereisalotinprint—nottomentionothermediaoutlets?Itmeansbeggingforthreehumanspiritsandweavingflesharoundthemagain.I’mnotsureweevenhavethepersonnelforthis—”
BlondRyannenputahandontheredhead’sarm.“Wehaveit.Susurre’swomenhavelittletodointheNetherWorld.Icanlendyouperhapsthirtypercentofmine—afterall,we’regoingtohavetosendupapetitiontoahigherCourtforthosespirits—”
Idolatheredheadinterrupted.“Allright.WhatIwassayingisthatwemightjustbeabletomanage—ifyouthrowintheKey.However,yourvampirecompanion—wecan’tgivelifebacktothelifeless.Wecan’tworkwithvampires.Oncethey’regone—they’regone.”
“That’swhatyoutellus!”Stefancried,tryingtogetinfrontofElena.“Butwhyarewesoparticularlydamned,ofallcreatures?Howdoyouknowit’simpossible?Haveyouevereventried?”
Red-hairedIdolawasmakingadisgustedgesture,whenBonnieinterrupted,hervoiceshaking.“It’sridiculous!Youcanrebuildatown,youcankillthepersonwho’sreallybehindallShinichiandMisaodid,butyoucan’tbringonelittlevampireback?YoubroughtElenaback!”
“Elena’sdeathasavampireallowedhertobecometheGuardianshewasoriginallymeanttobe.AsforthepersonwhogaveorderstoShinichiandMisao:ItwasInariSaitou—ObaasanSaitou,asyouknewher—andsheisalreadydead,thankstoyourfriendsinFell’sChurch,whoweakenedher—andtoyou,whodestroyedherstarball.”
“Inari?YoumeanIsobel’sgrandma?You’resayingitwasherstarballintheGreatTree’strunk?That’simpossible!”Bonniecried.
“No,it’snot.It’sthetruth,”blondRyannensaidsimply.
“Andshe’sdeadnow?”
“Afteralongbattlewhichnearlykilledyourfriends.Yes—butwhatactuallykilledherwashavingherstarballdestroyed.”
“So,”darkSusurresaidquietly,“ifyoufollowthecurve…inawayyourDamondiddietosaveFell’sChurchfromanothermassacreliketheoneonthatJapaneseisland.Hekeptsayingthatwaswhathe’dcometotheNetherWorldtodo.Doyounotthinkhewouldbe…satisfied?Atpeace?”
“Atpeace?”Stefanspatbitterly,andSagegrowled.
“Woman,”hesaid,“youobviouslyhavenevermetDamonSalvatorebefore.”Thetoneinhisvoice—moreresonant,morethreateningsomehow—madeElenafinallybreakoffherstaredownwiththered-hairedIdola.Sheturnedandlooked—
—andsawtheenormousroomfilledwithSage’sout-spreadwings.
Theyweren’tlikeanyofherephemeralWingsPowers.TheywereclearlypartofSage.Theywerevelvetyandreptilian,and,unfurledlikethis,theystretchedfromdistantwalltowall,andtouchedthegrand,goldenceiling.TheyalsodemonstratedwhySagedidn’tusuallywearshirts.
Hewasbeautifulthisway,bronzeskinandhairagainstthosegiant,leatherysoft-lookingarches.ButElena,afteronelookathim,knewthatthetimehadcometoplaytheaceuphersleeve.SheturnedaroundtomeetIdola’sgreengazesquarely.
“Allthistimewe’vebeenbargainingforaGatehousefulloftreasures,”shesaid,“and—oneMasterKey.”
“AMasterKey,stolenbythekitsuneagesuponagesago,”Susurreexplainedquietly,liftingherdarkeyes.
“Andyou’vesaidthatit’snotenoughforyoutobringDamonback.”Elenaforcedhervoicenottowaver.
“Notevenifitwereyouronlyrequest.”Ryannentossedagoldenlockofhairoverhershoulder.
“Soyousay.But…whatifIthrowintothepot…anotherMasterKey?”
Therewasapause,andElena’sheartbegantopoundinsickterror.Becauseitwasthewrongkindofpause.Therewerenoshockedgasps.NoastonishedglancesfromoneGuardianrulertoanother.Nolooksofdisbelief.
AfteranothermomentIdolasaidsmugly,“IfyoumeantheotherstolenkeythatyourfriendshadonEarth—itwasconfiscatedassoonastheyhidit.Itwasstolenproperty.Itbelongedtous.”
She’sbeenheretoolong,intheDarkDimensions,Elenathoughtwithonepartofhermind.She’senjoyingherself.
Idolaleanedtowardher,asiftoconfirmElena’sguess.“It—simply—isnot—possible,”shesaidemphatically.
“Really,itisn’t,”thefairRyannenaddedbriskly.“Wedon’tknowwhathappenstovampires.Buttheydon’tpassthroughourpurview.Weneverseethemafterdeath.Thesimplestexplanationisthattheyjust—goout.”Shesnappedherfingers.
“Idon’tbelievethat!”Elenawasawarethathervoicehadriseninvolume.“Idon’tbelievethatforonemoment!”
Voices,notattachedtoanyoneinparticular,burstintoaclamorofargumentaroundElena,formingasortofpoem:
Notpossible.It’ssimplynotpossible!(Butplease…)No!Damonisgone,andtoaskwhereislikeaskingwhereacandleflamegoeswhenit’sblownout.(Butshouldn’tyoutrytobringhimback,attheleast?)Whateverhashappenedtogratitude?Youfourshouldbegratefulthattheotherthingsyouaskedforcanbedone.(ButinexchangeforbothMasterKeys—)NoPowerwecancommandcouldbringDamonback!Elenamusttrytoreconcileherselftoreality.Shehasbeenpamperedtoomuchalready!(Butwhatharmcanitdototryagain?)Allright!Ifyoumustknow,Susurrehasalreadyforcedustotry.Andnothingcameofit!Damon…is…gone!Hisspiritwasnowheretobefoundintheether!Thatiswhathappenstovampires,andeveryoneknowsit!
Elenafoundherselflookingdownatherownhands,whichwereverycleanbutwithbrokennailsandeveryknucklebleeding.Theoutsideworldhadbecomeunrealagain.Shewasinsideherself,strugglingwithhergrief,strugglingwiththeknowledgethatIdola,thecentralrulerofGuardians,hadn’tevenmentionedbeforethattheyhadlookedforDamon’sspirit.Andthatitwas…gone.
Suddenly,theroomwaspressinginonher.Therewasn’tenoughair.Therewereonlythesewomen:thesepowerful,magicalGuardianwomen;whostilldidnothaveenoughpowerormagictosaveDamon—oratleastdidn’tevencareenoughtotrytwice.
Shewasn’tsurewhatwashappeningtoher.Herthroatfeltpuffedout,herchestwasbothhugeandtight.Eachheartbeatsoundedthroughherasiftryingtoshakehertodeath.
Todeath.Inhermind’seye,shesawahandholdupaglassofClarionLoessBlackMagic.
Andthen,Elenaknewthatshehadtostandacertainway,andholdherarmsacertainway,andwhispercertainwordsinherownmind.Butthelast,thenamingofthespell,hadonlytobesaidaloudattheend.
Attheend—whenthingsslowed.Whengreen-eyedIdola—whataperfectnameforsomeonewhoidolizedherself,Elenathought—andfairbusinesslikeRyannenandnurturingSusurre—allstaredatherwithopenmouths,tooshockedtomoveevenafingeras,quietlyandcalmly,Elenasaid,“WingsofDestruction—”
Itwasasoldier,justanordinaryoneoftherankandfile,oneofthedarkwomen,whostoppedit.Sheleapedupontothedais,and,withinhumanspeed,slappedherhandoverElena’smouth,sothatthefinalsyllablewasamumble,andthegolden,green,andbluehalldidnotexplodeintofragmentswithhotmetalrunninginrivuletslikelava,andtheflower-fountaindidnotvaporize,andthestained-glasswindowsdidn’tshatterintoatoms.
ThenthereweremorearmsaroundElena,holdingherdown,scarcelylettingherbreathe,evenwhenshewentlimpforlackofair.Elenafoughtlikeananimal,withherteethandnails,toescape.Butsheeventuallywascompletelyrestrained,pinnedtothefloor.ShecouldhearSage’sdeepvoiceragingandStefan,inbetweendesperatetelepathicburststoher,pleadingandexplaining,“She’sstillnotinreality!Shedoesn’tevenknowwhatshe’sdoing!”
Butlouder,shecouldhearthevoicesoftheGuardians.“Shewouldhavekilledusall!”“ThoseWings—I’veneverseenanythingsodeadly!”“Ahuman!Andwithjustthreewords,shecouldhavewipedusout!”“IfLeneahadn’ttackledher—”“Orifshehadbeenanotherfewfeetaway—”“Shedestroyedamoon,youknow!Nolifeonitatallnow,andashesstillfallingfromthesky!”“Thatisn’tthepoint.Thepointisthatsheshouldn’thaveWingspowersatall.She’sgottobeclippedofthem.”“That’sright—clipherWings!Doit!”
ElenarecognizedRyannen’sandIdola’svoicesattheendthere.Shewasstilltryingtofight,buttheyheldhersotightlyandpiledonhersoruthlesslythatithadbecomeafightsimplytogetairandallshedidwasexhaustherself.
AndthentheyclippedherWings.Itwasquick,atleast,andElenafeltverylittle.Whathurtmostwasherheart.Someproud,stubbornstreakhadbeenbroughtoutwiththefighting,andnowshewasashamedtofeeleachpaircutoff.FirstwentWingsofRedemption,thosegreatrainbow-huedarches.ThenWingsofPurification,whiteandiridescentasfrostedcobwebs.WingsoftheWind,likehoney-coloredthistledown.WingsofRemembrance,softvioletandmidnightblue.AndthenWingsofProtection—emeraldgreenandgold,theWingsthathadsavedherfriendsfromBloddeuwedd’sfrenziedattackonthemthefirsttimetheyhadenteredtheDarkDimensions.
And,finally,WingsofDestruction—high,ebonyarcheswithedgesasdelicateasblacklace.
Elenatriedtokeepsilentaseachpowerwastaken.Butafterthefirstoneortwohadfallenathersides,inshadowsthatperhapsonlyshecouldsee,sheheardasmallgasp,andrealizedthatitwasherownvoice.Andwiththenextcut,aninvoluntarylittlecry.
Foramomenttherewassilence.Andthensuddenlytherewasoverwhelmingnoise.ElenacouldhearBonniekeeningandSageroaring,andStefan,gentleStefan,shoutingblasphemiesandcursesattheGuardians.Elenaguessedfromthestifledsoundofhisvoicethathewasfightingthem,fightingtogettoher.
Hereachedher,somehow,justasthedeadly,delicateWingsofDestructionwereshearedfromhershouldersandmind,andfellliketallshadowstotheground.Itwasgoodthathedidreachherthen,becauseatlast,whenElenawastheleastdangerousshehadbeensincethePowersofWingshadbegunawakeninginher,suddenlytheGuardiansseemedafraid.Theysteppedbackfromher,thesestronganddangerouswomen,andonlyStefanwastheretocatchherandholdherinhisarms.
Stunned,dazed,shewasaneighteen-year-oldgirlwhowasordinary.Exceptforherblood.Theywantedtorobherofherbloodaswell…to“purify”it.Thethreerulersandtheirattendantshadalreadygatheredinadetermined,multihuedtrianglearoundherandwereworkingtheirmagicwhenSagebellowed,“Stop!”
Elena,droopingoverStefan’sshoulder,couldseehimvaguely,hisvelvetyblackwingsstillspreadfromwalltowall,stilltouchingthegoldenceiling.Bonnieclungtohimlikeabitofstraydandelionfluff.“Youhavealreadydiminishedherauratoalmostnothing,”hegrowled.“Ifyou‘purify’thebloodofthispauvrepetitecompletely,shewilldie—andthenshewillawaken.Youwillhavecreatedunvampire,Mesdames.Isthatwhatyouwish?”
Susurrereeledback.Fortherulerofsuchaharshandunyieldingrealm,sheseemedalmosttoogentle—butnottoosofttoshearoffmyWings,Elenathought,wrigglinghershoulderstoeasethem.Maybeshedidn’tknowhowmuchitwouldhurt,anotherpartofhermindofferedvaguely.
Thenallhermindcametogetherinanemergencymeeting.Somethingwarmandcoolingwasslidingdownthebackofherneck,intinydroplets.Notblood.No,thiswasinfinitelymorepreciousthanwhattheGuardianshadtakenaway.Stefan’stears.
Sherockedhard,tryingtotakeherownweightonherfeet.Somehow,shakily,shemanagedit.SheonlyrealizedjusthowshakyshewaswhenshetriedtoliftahandandwipethetearsoffStefan’scheekswithherthumb.Herwholehandwobbledasifsheweremakingachildishjoke.Herthumbstruckhischeekwithenoughforcetomakeanyoneelsewince.Shelookedathimwithdumbapology,tooshockedtotrytospeak.
Stefanwasspeaking.Overandover.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”hewassaying.“It’sallright,love.Oh,lovelylove,itwillbeallright.”Hewipedhereyeswithahandthatwasrocksteady,andallthetimehewaslookingonlyather,and—sheknew—thinkingonlyofher.
Sheknewthatbecauseshealsoknewthemomentwhenitchanged.
Redhairwasinherlineofsight,blurredthroughnewtears.Redhairandnarrowgreeneyes,tooclosetoher.ThatwaswhenElenafeltStefanrememberthattherewasanythingotherthanElenaintheworld.
Hisfacechanged.Hedidn’tsnarlorstickouthischin.Thechangewasanentirealteration,butitcenteredaroundhiseyes,whichbecamedeadlyhardwhileeverythingelsebecamesharpandfierce.
“Ifyoutouchheragain,youviciousbitch,Iwillripoutyourthroat,”Stefansaid,andeachwordwaslikeachipofice-coldirondroppedontothefloor.
Elena’stearsstoppedwiththeshockofit.Stefandidn’ttalkthatwaytowomen.EvenDamondidn’t—hadn’t.Butthewordswerestillechoinginthesuddensilenceofthecathedral-likeroom.Peoplewerebackingaway.
Idolawasbackingawaytoo,butherlipwascurled.“DoyouthinkthatbecauseweareGuardiansthatwecannotharmyou—?”shewasbeginning,whenStefan’svoicecutthroughherscleanly.
“Ithinkthatbecauseyouare‘Guardians’youcankillsanctimoniouslyandgetawaywithit,”Stefansaid,andhislipmadeafarmorecompelling—andfrightening—lineofscornthanIdola’shad.“YouwouldhavekilledElenaifSagehadn’tstoppedyou.Damnyou,”headdedsoftly,butwithsuchutterconvictionthatIdolatookanotherstepbackward.“Yes,you’dbetterrallyallyourlittlefriendsaround,”headded.“Imightjustdecidetokillyouanyway.Ikilledmyownbrother,asI’msureyourealize.”
“Butsurely—thatwasonlyaftertakingamortalblowyourself.”Susurrewasbetweenthetwoofthem,tryingtointercede.
Stefanshrugged.Helookedatherwiththesamecontemptashehadtheotherruler.“Istillhadtheuseofmyarm,”hesaiddeliberately.“Icouldhavedecidedtodropmysword,ortomerelywoundhim.InsteadIchosetoputabladestraightthroughhisheart.”Heshowedhisteethinadistinctlyunfriendlysmile.“AndnowIdon’tevenneedaweapon.”
“Stefan,”Elenamanagedatlasttowhisper.
“Iknow.She’sweakerthanIamandyoudon’twanttoseemekillher.That’swhyshe’sstillalive,love.It’stheonlyreason.”AsElenaliftedhalf-frightenedeyestohim,Stefanaddedinavoiceonlyshecouldhear,Ofcourse,therearesomethingsaboutmeyoudon’tknow,Elena.ThingsI’dhopedyou’dneverhavetosee.Knowingyou—lovingyou—mademealmostforgetaboutthem
Stefan’svoiceinherheadwokesomethinginsideElena.SheliftedherheadandlookedattheblurrymassofGuardiansaroundthem.Shesawstrawberry-blondcurlssuspendedinmidair.Bonnie.Bonniefighting.Doingitweakly,butonlybecauseapairofthefairGuardiansandanotherpairofdarkoneswereholdingherintheair,onetoeachlimb.AsElenastaredathersheseemedtoregainenergyandfoughtharder.AndElenacouldhear…something.Itwasfaintandfaraway,butitalmostsoundedlike…hername.Likehernamespokenbywhisperingbranchesorthewhirringofpassingbicyclewheels.lay…nah…eee…lay…
Elenareachedinwardlyforthesound.Shetrieddesperatelytograspwhatevercameafter,butnothinghappened.Shetriedatrickshewouldhavefoundeasyyesterday—channelingPowertothecenterofhertelepathy.Itdidn’twork.Shetriedhertelepathy.
Bonnie!Canyouhearme?
Therewasn’teventheslightestchangeinthesmallergirl’sexpression.
ElenahadlostherlinktoBonnie.
ShewatchedasBonnierealizedthesamething,watchedthefightgooutofthesmallbody.Bonnie’sface,upturnedinblankdespair,wasindescribablysad,andsomehowindescribablypureandbeautiful,allatonce.
Thatwillneverhappentous,Stefan’svoiceinhermindtoldherfiercely.Never!Igiveyoumy—
No!Elenathoughtback,superstitiouslyterrifiedofajinx.IfStefanswore,somethingmighthappen—shemighthavetobecomeavampireoraspirit—toensurethathedidn’tbreakhisword.
Hestopped,andElenaknewthathehadheardher.Andsomehowthisknowledge,thatStefanhadheardasinglewordfromher,stilledher.Sheknewhewasn’tspying.He’dheardbecauseshe’dsentthethoughttohim.Shewasn’talone.Shemightbeordinaryagain;theymighthavetakenherwingsandmostofthePowerofherblood,butshewasn’talone.Sheleanedtowardhim,herforeheadagainstStefan’schin.
“Nooneisalone.”She’dtoldDamonthat.DamonSalvatore,abeingwhonolongerexisted.Butwhostillcalledforthfromheronemoreword,onefinalcry.Hisname.
Damon!
He’ddiedfourdimensionsaway.ButshecouldfeelStefanbackingher,amplifyinghertransmission,sendingitlikeonelastbeaconthroughthemultitudeofworldsthatseparatedthemfromhiscoldandlifelessbody.
Damon!
Therewasn’ttheslightestglimmerofananswer.Ofcoursenot.Elenawasmakingafoolofherself.
Suddenlysomethingstrongerthangrief,strongerthanself-pity,evenstrongerthanguilt,tookholdofher.Damonwouldn’thavewantedhertobecarriedoutofthishall—evenbyStefan.EspeciallybyStefan.Hewouldhavewantedhertoshownosignofweaknesstothesewomenwho’dshornherandhumiliatedher.
Yes.ThatwasStefan.Herlove,butnotherlover,willingtoloveherchastelyfromnowuntiltheendofherdays….
Theend…ofherdays?
Elenawassuddenlygladthatshecouldn’tprojecttostrangerstelepathicallyandthatStefanhadsetshieldsaroundthemwhenhe’dtakenherintohisarms.SheturnedtoRyannen,whowaswatching…warily,butstillwithbusinessinhereyes.
“I’dliketogonow,ifyoudon’tmind,”shesaid,pickingupherbackpackandslingingitoverhershoulderwithagestureasarrogantasshecouldmakeit.Therewasaboltofagonyastheweightofthestraphittheplacefromwhichmostofherwingshadsprung,butshekeptherfacecontemptuousandindifferent
Bonnie,backonthegroundsinceshewasn’tfightinganylonger,followedElena’slead.StefanhadlefthisbackpackintheGatehouse,buthegentlycuppedahandaroundElena’selbow,notguidingher,butshowingthathewasthereforher.Sage’swingsfoldedbackintothemselvesandweregone.
“Youunderstandthatforthereturnofthesetreasureswhichareoursbyright—butwhichwewerebarredfromretrieving—youwillbegrantedyourrequestswiththeexceptionoftheimposs—”
“Iunderstand,”Elenasaidflatly,justasStefansaid,muchmorebrusquely,“Sheunderstands.Justdoit,willyou?”
“Itisalreadybeingorganized.”Ryannen’seyes,darkbluesplashedwithgold,metElena’swithalooknotentirelyunsympathetic.
“Thebestthing,”Sussureaddedhastily,“wouldbeforustoputyoutosleepandsendyoutoyour—yourold,newdwellings.Bythetimeyouawaken,allwillhavebeenaccomplished.”
Elenaforcedherfacenottochange.“SendmetoMapleStreet?”sheasked,lookingatRyannen.“AuntJudith’shouse?”
“Inyoursleep,yes.”
“Idon’twanttobeasleep.”ElenamovedevenclosertoStefan.“Don’tletthemputmetosleep!”
“Noone’sgoingtodoanythingtoyouthatyoudon’twant,”Stefansaid,andhisvoicewasliketheedgeofarazor.Sagerumbledhissupport,andBonniestaredatthefairwomanhard.
Ryannenbowedherhead.
Elenawokeup.
Itwasdark,andshe’dbeenasleep.Shecouldn’trememberexactlyhowshe’dfallenasleep,butsheknewshewasn’tonthepalanquin,andsheknewshewasn’tinasleepingbag.
Stefan?Bonnie?Damon?shethoughtautomatically,buttherewassomethingoddabouthertelepathy.Itfeltalmostasifitwereconfinedtoherownhead.
WassheinStefan’sroom?Itmustbepitch-blackoutside,sinceshecouldn’tevenseetheoutlineofthetrapdoorthatledtothewidow’swalk.
“Stefan?”shewhispered,whilevariousbitsofinformationpooledinhermind.Therewasasmell,atoncefamiliarandunfamiliar.Shewaslyingonacomfortabledoublebed,notoneofLadyUlma’ssilken-and-velvetextravaganzas,butnotanylumpyfeatherbedfromtheboardinghouse,either.Wassheinahotel?
Asthesevariousthoughtscametogetherinherbrain,therewasasoftquickrapping.Knucklesonglass.
Elena’sbodytookover.Shetossedoffthebedspreadandrantothewindow,mysteriouslyavoidingobstacleswithoutthinkingaboutthematall.Herhandswrenchedasidecurtainsthatshesomehowknewwerethereandherskyrocketingheartbroughtanametoherlips.
“Da—!”
Andthentheworldstoppedanddiditsslowestsomersaultofall.Thesightofaface,fierceandconcernedandlovingandyetstrangelyfrustrated,justontheothersideofthesecond-storywindow,broughtElena’smemoriesback.
Allofthem.
Fell’sChurchwassaved.
AndDamonwasdead.
Herheadbentslowlyuntilherforeheadtouchedthecoolpaneofglass.43
“Elena?”Stefansaidquietly.“Couldyouaskmetocomein?Youhavetoinvitemeinifyouwantto—totalk—”
Invitehimin?Hewasalreadyin—insideherheart.ShehadtoldtheGuardiansthateveryonewouldhavetoacceptStefanasherboyfriendofalmostayear.
Itdidn’tmatter.Inalowvoiceshesaid,“Comein,Stefan.”
“Thewindow’slockedfromyourside,Elena.”
Numbly,Elenaunlockedthewindow.Thenextmomentshewasencompassedbywarm,strongarmsinadesperate,ferventembrace.Butthemomentafterthat,thearmsdropped,leavingherfrozenandlonely.
“Stefan?What’swrong?”Hereyeshadadaptedandbythestarlightthroughthewindowshecouldseehimhesitatingbeforeher.
“Ican’t—Itisn’t—It’snotmeyouwant,”hesaidinarushthatsoundedasifitcamethroughaconstrictedthroat.“ButIwantedyoutoknowthat—thatMeredithandMattareholdingBonnie.Comfortingher,Imean.They’reallokayandsoisMrs.Flowers.AndIthoughtthatyou—”
“Theyputmetosleep!Theysaidtheywouldn’tputmetosleep!”
“Youfellasleep,lo—Elena.Whilewewerewaitingforthemtosendushome.Weallwatchedoveryou:Bonnie,Sage,andI.”Hewasstillspeakinginthatformal,unusualtone.“ButIthought—well,thatyoumightwanttotalktonight,too.BeforeI—Ileft.”Heputafingeruptostophislipfromshaking.
“Yousworeyouwouldn’tleaveme!”Elenacried.“Youpromised,notforanyreason,notforanylengthoftime,nomatterhownoblethecause!”
“But—Elena—thatwasbeforeIunderstood…”
“Youstilldon’tunderstand!Doyouknow—”
Hishandflewtocoverhermouthandheputhislipstoherear.“Lo—Elena.We’reinyourhouse.Youraunt—”
Elenafelthereyeswiden,althoughofcoursesubconsciouslyshehadknownthisallalong.Theairoffamiliarity.Thisbed—itwasherbed,andthespreadwasherbelovedgoldandwhitebedspread.Theobstaclesshe’dknownhowtoavoidinthedark—thetappingatherwindow…shewashome
Likeaclimberwhohasnegotiatedanimpossible-seemingsectionofrock,andalmostfallen,Elenafeltatremendousrushofadrenaline.Anditwasthis—or,perhaps,simplythepowerofthelovethatfloodedthroughher—thatachievedwhatshehadbeensoclumsilytryingtoreach.Shefelthersoulexpandandcomeoutofherbody.AndmeetStefan’s.
Shewasappalledbythehastilyswept-awaydesolationinhisspirit,andhumbledbythesurgeoflovethatfloodedeverypartofhimatthetouchofhermind.
Oh,Stefan.Just—saythat—thatyoucanforgiveme,that’sall.IfyouforgivemeIcanliveMaybeyoucanevenbehappywithmeagain—ifyoujustgiveitalittletime.
I’malreadyhappywithyou.Butwehaveallthetimeintheworld,Stefanreassuredher.Butshecaughttheshadowofadarkthoughtwhiskedquicklyoutoftheway.Hehadallthetimeintheworld.She,however…
ElenahadtochokebackalaughbutthenclutchedatStefansuddenly.Mybackpack—didtheytakeit?Whereisit?
Rightbesideyournightstand.Icanreachit.Doyouwantit?Hereachedinthedarknessandpulledupsomethingheavyandroughandnonetoopleasant-smelling.ElenathrustonefrantichandinsideitwhilestillholdingontoStefanwiththeother.
Yes!Oh,Stefan,it’shere!
Hewasbeginningtosuspect—butheonlyknewwhenshedrewoutthebottlelabeledEvianWaterandheldittohercheek.Itwasicycold,althoughthenightwasmildandhumid.Andasiteffervescedviolently,itglowedinawaythatnoordinarywaterdid.
Ididn’tmeantodoit,shetoldStefan,suddenlyworriedthathemightnotliketoassociatewithathief.Atleast—notatfirst.SagesaidtogetthewaterfromtheFountainofEternalYouthandLifeintobottles.Idugupabigbottleandthislittleone,andsomehowIstashedthesmalleroneinmybackpack—I’d’veputthebigonein,too,butitdidn’tfit.AndIdidn’teventhinkaboutthelittleoneagainuntilaftertheytookawaymyWingsandmytelepathy.
Andagoodthing,Stefanthought.Iftheyhadcaughtyou—oh,mylovelylove!HisarmssqueezedthebreathfromElena’slungs.Sothat’swhyyouweresuddenlysoeagertoleave!
“Theytookalmosteverythingelsesupernaturalaboutme,”Elenawhispered,placingherlipsclosetoStefan’sear.“Ihavetolivewiththat,andifthey’dgivenmeachanceI’dhaveagreed—forthesakeofFell’sChurch—ifI’dbeenlogical—”Shebrokeoffasshesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadbeenliterallyoutofhermind.She’dbeenworsethanathief.She’dtriedtousealethalattackonagroupof—mostly—innocentpeople.AndtheworstthingwasthatapartofherknewthatDamonwouldhaveunderstoodhermadness,whileshewasn’tsureStefanevercould.
“Butyoudon’thavetochangemeinto—youknow,”shebeganwhisperingfreneticallyagain.“AsiportwoofthisandIcanbewithyouforever.Foreverand—for—forever—Stefan—”Shestopped,tryingtogetherbreathandhermentalbalance.
Hishandclosedoverhersonthecap.“Elena.”
“I’mnotcrying.It’sbecauseI’mhappy.Foreverandever,Stefan.Wecanbetogether,just…justustwo…forever.”
“Elena,love.”Hishandkepthersfromtwistingopenthebottle.
“It—isn’twhatyouwant?”
Withhisotherarm,Stefanpulledhertightlytohim.Herheadfellforwardontohisshoulderandherestedhischinonherhair.“It’swhatIwantmorethananything.I’m…dazed,Iguess.Ihavebeeneversince—”Hestoppedandtriedagain.“Ifwehaveallthetimeintheworld,wehavetomorrow,”hesaidinavoicemuffledbyhair.“Andtomorrowistimeenoughforyoutostarttothinkitthrough.There’senoughinthatbottleformaybefourorfivepeople.You’retheonewho’sgoingtohavetodecidewhodrinksit,love.Butnottonight.Tonightisfor…”
WithasuddenrushofjoyElenaunderstood.“You’retalkingabout—Damon.”Amazinghowdifficultitwastosimplysayhisname.Italmostseemedaviolation,andyet…
Whenhecouldtalk—likethis—foramomenttome,hetoldmewhathewanted,shesent.Stefanstirredalittleinthedarkness,butsaidnothing.Stefan,heonlyaskedforonethingbeforehe…went.Itwasnottobeforgotten.That’sall.Andwe’retheoneswhorememberthemost.UsandBonnie.
Aloudsheadded,“Iwillneverforgethim.AndIwillneverletanyoneelsewhoknewhimforgethim—foraslongasIlive.”
Sheknewshe’dspokentooloudly,butStefandidn’ttrytoquiether.Hegaveonequickshudderandthenheldhertightlyagain,hisfaceburiedinherhair.
Iremember,hesenttoher,whenKatherineaskedhimtojoinher—whenwethreewereinHonoriaFell’scrypt.Irememberwhathesaidtoher.Doyou?
Elenafelttheirsoulsintertwineastheybothsawthescenethroughtheother’seyes.Ofcourse,Iremembertoo.
Stefansighed,half-laughing.IremembertryingtotakecareofhimlaterinFlorence.Hewouldn’tbehave,wouldn’tevenInfluencethegirlshefedon.Anothersigh.Ithinkhewantedtogetcaughtatthatpoint.Hecouldn’tevenlookmeinthefaceandtalkaboutyou.
ImadeBonniesendforyou.Imadesureshegotbothofyououthere,Elenatoldhim.Hertearshadbeguntoflowagain,butslowly—gently.Hereyeswereshutandshefeltafaintsmilecometoherlips.
Doyouknow—Stefan’smentalvoicewasstartled,astonished—Iremembersomethingelse!FromwhenIwasveryyoung,maybethreeorfouryearsold.Myfatherhadaterribletemper,especiallyrightaftermymotherdied.Andbackthen,whenIwaslittle,andmyfatherwasfuriousanddrunk,Damonwoulddeliberatelygetinbetweenus.He’dsaysomethingobnoxiousand—well,myfatherwouldendupbeatinghiminsteadofme.Idon’tknowhowIcouldhaveforgottenaboutthat.
Ido,Elenathought,rememberinghowfrightenedshehadbeenofDamonwhenhe’dfirstturnedhuman—eventhoughhe’dputhimselfinbetweenherandthevampireswhowantedtoDisciplineherintheDarkDimension.Hehadagiftforknowingexactlywhattosay—howtolook—whattodo—togetunderanyone’sskin
ShecouldfeelStefanchucklefaintly,wryly.Agift,wasit?
Well,Icertainlycouldn’tdoit,andIcanmanagemostpeople,Elenarepliedsoftly.Nothim,though.Neverhim.
Stefanadded,Buthewasalmostalwayskindertoweakpeoplethantostrongones.HealwaysdidhavethatsoftspotforBonnie…Hebrokeoff,asiffrightenedhe’dventuredtoonearsomethingsacred.
ButElenahadherbearingsnow.Shewasglad,soglad,thatintheendDamonhaddiedtosaveBonnie.Elenaherselfneedednomoreproofofhisfeelingsabouther.ShewouldalwaysloveDamon,andshewouldneverallowanythingtodiminishthatlove.
And,somehow,itseemedfittingthatsheandStefanshouldsitinheroldbedroomandspeakofwhattheyrememberedofDamoninhushedtones.Sheplannedontakingthesamethingupwiththeotherstomorrow.
WhenshefinallyfellasleepinStefan’sarms,itwashoursaftermidnight.44
OnthesmallestmoonoftheNetherWorldfineashwasfalling.Itfellontwoalreadyash-coveredbodies.Itfellonash-chokedwater.Itblockedthesunlightsothatanendlessmidnightcoveredthemoon’sash-coatedsurface.
Andsomethingelsefell.Inthesmallestimaginabledroplets,anopalescentfluidfell,colorsswirlingasiftotryandmakeupfortheuglinessoftheashes.Theyweretinydrops,butthereweretrillionsupontrillionsofthem,fallingendlessly,concentratedoverthespotwheretheyhadoncebeenpartofthelargestcontainerofrawPowerinthreedimensions.
Therewasabodyonthegroundonthisspot—notquiteacorpse.Thebodyhadnoheartbeat;itdidnotbreathe,andtherewasnobrainactivity.Butsomewhereinittherewasaslowpulsing,thatquickenedveryslightlyasthetinydropsofPowerfelluponit.
Thepulsingwasmadeupofnothingbutamemory.Thememoryofagirlwithdarkblueeyesandgoldenhairandasmallfacewithwidebrowneyes.Andthetaste:thetasteoftwomaidens’tears.Elena.Bonnie.
Puttingthetwoofthemtogethertheyformedwhatwasnotexactlyathought,notexactlyapicture.Buttosomeonewhoonlyunderstoodwords,itmightbetranslated:
Theyarewiatingforme.IfIcanfigureoutwhoIam.
Andthatsparkedafiercedetermination.
Afterwhatseemedlikecenturiesbutwasonlyafewhours,somethingmovedintheash.Afistclenched.
Andsomethingstirredinthebrain,aself-revelation.Aname.
Damon.AbouttheAuthor
L.J.SMITHhaswrittenmorethantwodozenbooksforchildrenandyoungadults.ShelivesintheBayAreaofCalifornia,butishappiestinalittlecabinnearPointReyesNationalPark,whichhaslotsoftrees,lotsofanimals,lotsofbeachestowalkon,andlotsofplacestohike.Pleasevisitheronlineatwww.ljanesmith.netfornewstoriesaboutoldcharactersandevensneakpeeksofupcomingbooks.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthor.OtherBooksbyL.J.Smith
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:VOL.I:THEAWAKENING
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:VOL.II:THESTRUGGLE
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:VOL.III:THEFURY
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:VOL.IV:DARKREUNION
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:THERETURNVOL.1:NIGHTFALL
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:THERETURNVOL.2:SHADOWSOULS
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:THERETURNVOL.3:MIDNIGHT
THESECRETCIRCLE:THEINITIATIONANDTHECAPTIVEPARTI
THESECRETCIRCLE:THECAPTIVEPARTIIANDTHEPOWERCredits
Jacketart?2011byCarrieSchechter
JacketdesignbyJenniferHeuerCopyright
THEVAMPIREDIARIES:TheReturn:Midnight.Copyright?2011byL.J.Smith.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Smith,L.J.(LisaJ.)
Midnight/L.J.Smith.—1sted.
p.cm.—(Thevampirediaries:thereturn;v.3)
Summary:Eighteen-year-oldElenaGilbert’slatestbattleagainstthedemonsthathavetakenoverherhometownofFell’sChurchiscomplicatedbythefactthatDamonisamortalsincehe,hisbrotherStefan,andElenareturnedfromtheDarkDimension.
ISBN978-0-06-172085-7(tradebdg.)
[1.Supernatural—Fiction.2.Interpersonalrelations—Fiction.3.Brothers—Fiction.4.Vampires—Fiction.]I.Title.
PZ7.S6537Mid20112010042677
[Fic]—dc22
FIRSTEDITION
EPubEdition?FEBRUARY2011ISBN:978-0-06-206982-5
10987654321AboutthePublisher
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