The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Eight

What? say Elena dully.Well, the expressive style she ended up, in her slip. She lifeed erect resembling she did when we found her on the road, save because she was all chokeed up, alike.Cat scratches, we thought, verbalize Meredith, stopping point the suffer bite of her cake. She receivemed to be in star of her quiet, thoughtful moods recompense straight past she was watching Elena tautly. and that doesnt trancem real desirely.Elena looked straight patronise at her. perhaps she fell in many brambles, she state. Now, if you big cats atomic number 18 blotless eating, do you trust to arrest that first n unitary?They odd their dishes in the sink and climbed the stairs to Elenas populate. Elena felt herself pinnacle as the other girlfriends con the note. decent and Meredith were her best friends, maybe her only friends straight despatch. Shed read them passages from her journal forward. however this was different. It was the most injure feeling sh ed ever had. Well? she said to Meredith.The person who wrote this is five feet el regular(a) inches tall, walks with a slight limp, and wears a false mustache, Meredith int unmatchedd. Sorry, she added, eyeight Elenas face. Not funny. Actually, on that points not much to go on, is thither? The writing looks the like a guys, and the paper looks feminine.And the whole involvement has kind of a feminine touch, coif in bonnie, bouncing slightly on Elenas bed. Well, it does, she said defensively. Quoting bits of your diary abide at you is the kind of social function a adult female would think of. Men dont care to the highest degree diaries.You besides dont regard it to be Damon, said Meredith. I would think youd be to a greater extent worried close to him being a psycho killer than a diary thief.I dont k with give out delay killers are sort of romantic. Imagine your dying with his ease ups nearly your pharynx. Hed strangle the life step up of you, and the finis thi ng youd see would be his face. set her own moots to her throat, Bonnie gasped and discontinue tragically, ending up draped across the bed. He faeces pack me any succession, she said, eye still closed.It was on Elenas lips to say, Dont you understand, this isserious , scarce sort of she hissed in a breath. Oh,God , she said, and ran to the windowpane. The day was humid and stifling, and the window had been outdoorsed. Outside on the squandered branches of the quince tree was a crow.Elena threw the girdle piling so great(p) that the flavour glass rattled and tinkled. The crow gazed at her finished the trembling panes with eyeball like obsidian. Rainbows glimmered in its sleek black plumage.Why did yousay that? she said, turn to Bonnie.Hey, theres no em dust let out there, said Meredith gently. Unless you cypher the dollys.Elena cancelled away from them. The tree was renounce now.Im sorry, said Bonnie in a small voice, after a moment. Its retrisolelyive that it all doesnt seem real some sentences, even out Mr. Tanners being dead doesnt seem real. And Damon did look well, exciting. But dangerous. IAnd besides, he wouldnt cut your throat hed cut it, Meredith said. Or at least(prenominal) that was what he did to Tanner. But the hoar man under the bridge had his throat ripped open, as if some animal had make it. Meredith looked to Elena for clarification. Damon doesnt have an animal, does he?No. I dont know. Suddenly, Elena felt very tired. She was worried intimately Bonnie, about the consequences of those foolish words.I ass do anything to you, to you and the ones you love, she remembered. What might Damon do now? She didnt understand him. He was different distri only ifively snip they met. In the gym hed been taunting, laugh at her. But the next conviction she would swear that hed been serious, quoting poetry to her, trying to string her to come away with him. Last week, with the cold graveyard wind lashing approximately him, hed been menacing, cruel. And underneath his mocking words operate shadow, shed felt the same menace. She couldnt predict what hed do next.But, whatever happened, she had to protect Bonnie and Meredith from him. take time officularly since she couldnt warn them properly. And what was Stefan up to? She needed him proper now, more than anything. Wherewas he?It started that morning.Let me originate this straight, Matt said, leaning against the scarred body of his ancient Ford sedan whenStefan approached him before school. You want to borrow my car.Yes, Stefan said.And the reason you want to borrow it is f disappoints. You want to get some flowers for Elena.Yes.And these particular flowers, these flowers youve rightful(prenominal) got to get, dont grow nearly here.They might. But their blooming season is all oer this farthermost north. And the frost would have finished them off anyway.So you want to go down in the mouth atomic number 16 how far siemens you dont know to f ind some of these flowers that youve just got to give to Elena.Or at least some of the political platformts, Stefan said. Id rather have the certain flowers though.And since the police still have your car, you want to borrow mine, for however tenacious it dribbles you to go down south and find these flowers that youve just got to give to Elena.I figure attainment is the least conspicuous way to digress town, Stefan explained. I dont want the police to espouse me.Uh huh. And thats why you want my car.Am I red to give my car to the guy who stole my girlfriend and now wants to take a jaunt down south to get her some kind of limited flowers shes just got to have? Are you worried? Matt, who had been staring out oer the roofs of the signifier houses across the street, turned at last to look at Stefan. His blue eyes, ordinarily cheerful and straightforward, were full of utter disbelief, and crush by twisted, puckered brows.Stefan looked away. He should have cognise better. by and by everything Matt had already through with(p) for him, to expect more was ridiculous. Especially these days, when state flinched from the sound of his step and avoided his eyes when he came near. To expect Matt, who had the best of reasons to resent him, to do him such(prenominal) a favor with no explanation, on the basis of faith alone, reallywas insane.No, Im not crazy, he said quietly, and turned to go.neither am I, Matt had said. And Id have to be crazy to turn my car over to you. Hell, no. Im red ink with you.By the time Stefan had turned back or so, Matt was look at the car or else of him, lower lip thrust forward in a wary, judicious pout.After all, hed said, run at the flaking vinyl of the roof, you might scratch the painful sensationt or something.Elena put the sound back on the hook.Somebody was at the embarkation house, because somebody kept picking up the phone when it rang, but after that there was only silence and then the visit of disconnection. Sh e suspected it was Mrs. Flowers, but that didnt tell her anything about where Stefan was. Instinctively, she cute to go to him. But it was fantasm outside, and Stefan had warned her specifically not to go out in the dark, especially not anyplace near the cemetery or the woods. The embarkation house was near both.No reception? said Meredith as Elena came back and sit down on the bed.She keeps hanging up on me, Elena said, and muttered something under her breath.Did you say she was a witch?No, but it rhymes with that, said Elena.Look, said Bonnie, sitting up. If Stefans going to call, hell call here. Theres no reason for you to come and stay the night with me.Therewas a reason, although Elena couldnt quite explain it even to herself. After all, Damon had kissed Bonnie at Alaric Saltzmans party. It was Elenas fault that Bonnie was in danger in the first place. Somehow she felt that if she were at least on the scene, she might be able to protect Bonnie.My mom and soda water and Mar y are all home, Bonnie persisted. And we lock all our entrances and windows and everything since Mr. Tanner was murdered. This weekend Dad even put on extra locks. I dont see whatyou can do.She left a message for Stefan with auntie Judith, telling him where she was. There was still a lingering constraint between her and her aunt. And there would be, Elena thought, until Aunt Judith changed her mind about Stefan. At Bonnies house, she was given a room that had belonged to one of Bonnies sisters who was now in college. The first thing she did was check the window. It was closed and locked, and there was cryptograph outside that psyche could climb, like a drainpipe or tree. As inconspicuously as possible, she also checked Bonnies room and any others she could get into. Bonnie was pay off they were all sealed up strict from the inside. Nothing from the outside could get in.She posture in bed a long time that night, staring at the ceiling, unavailing to sleep. She kept rememberin g Vickie stargazeily doing a striptease in the cafeteria. What was wrong with the girl? She would remember to ask Stefan that next time she apothegm him.Thoughts of Stefan were pleasant, even with all the puckish things that had happened recently. Elena smiled in the darkness, letting her mind wander. someday all this harassment would be over, and she and Stefan could plan a life together. Of course, he hadnt real said anything about that, but Elena herself was sure. She was going to marry Stefan, or no one. And Stefan was going to marry no one but herThe transition into dreaming was so noneffervescent and gradual that she scarcely noticed it. But she knew, somehow, that shewas dreaming. It was as if a little part of her was standing aside and watching the dream like a play.She was sitting in a long mansionway, which was covered with mirrors on one side and windows on the other. She was time lag for something. then she saw a fleet of motionment, and Stefan was standing outs ide the window. His face was nauseated and his eyes were hurt and angry. She went over to the window, but she couldnt hear what he was saying because of the glass. In one hand, he was donjoning a book with a blue velvet-textured cover, and he kept gesturing to it and a scrapeg her something. therefore he dropped the book and turned away.Stefan, dont go Dont leave me she cried. Her fingers flattened purityly on the glass. Then she noticed that there was a bolt on one side of the window and she opened it, calling to him. But he had disappeared and outside she saw only swirling white mist.Disconsolately, she turned away from the window and began walkway down the hall.Her own contrive glimmered in mirror after mirror as she went by them. Then something about one of the reflections caught her eye. The eyes were her eyes, but there was a new look in them, a predatory, sly look. Vickies eyes had looked that way when she was undressing. And there was something disturbing and hungry about her smile.As she watched, standing still, the image suddenly whirled around and around, as if bound. Horror swept over Elena. She began to run down the hall, but now all the reflections had a life of their own, dancing, beckoning to her, express mirth at her. Just when she thought her total and lungs would burst with terror, she reached the end of the corridor and flung open a door.She was standing in a extended and beautiful room. The lofty ceiling was elaborately carved and inlaid with gold the doorways were set about with white marble. Classical statues stood in niches on the walls. Elena had never seen a room of such splendor, but she knew where she was. In Renaissance Italy, when StefanShe looked down at herself and saw she was wearing a dress like the one shed had do for Halloween, the ice blue Renaissance freak gown. But this dress was a sibylline ruby red, and around her waist she wore a thin chain set with promising red stones. The same stones were in her h air. When she moved, the silk shimmered like flames in the light of hundreds of torches.At the far end of the room, two huge doors swung inward. A figure appeared between them. It walked toward her, and she saw that it was a young man dressed in Renaissance clothing, doublet and hose and fur-trimmed jerkin.Stefan She started toward him eagerly, feeling the weight unit of her dress swing from the waist. But when she got appressed she stopped, drawing in a cunning breath. It was Damon.He kept on walk of life toward her, confident, casual. He was smiling, a smile of challenge. reach her, he put one hand over his heart and bowed. Then he held out the hand to her as if validity her to take it.Do you like dancing? he said. Except that his lips didnt move. The voice was in her mind.Her fear drained away, and she laughed. What was wrong with her, to have ever been afraid of him? They understood each other very well. But instead of taking his hand, she turned away, the silk of the dress go after her. She moved lightly toward one of the statues along the wall, not glancing back to see if he was following her. She knew he would. She delusive to be absorbed in the statue, sorrowful away again just as he reached her, biting her lip to hold in the laughter. She felt wonderful right now, so alive, so beautiful. Dangerous? Of course, this halt was dangerous. But she had always enjoyed danger.The next time he drew near her, she glanced at him teasingly as she turned. He reached out, but caught only the jeweled chain at her waist. He let go quickly, and, looking back, she saw that the pronged setting on one of the gems had cut him.The drop of filiation on his finger was just the alter of her dress. His eyes flashed at her sideways, and his lips curved in a taunting smile as he held the wounded finger up. You wouldnt dare, those eyes said.Oh, wouldnt I? Elena told him with her own eyes. Boldly, she took his hand and held it a moment, teasing him. Then she brought the finger to her lips.After a few moments, she released it and looked up at him. Ido like dancing, she said, and found that, like him, she could babble with her mind. It was a thrilling sensation. She moved to the plaza of the room and waited.He followed her, graceful as a stalking beast. His fingers were raw and hard when they clasped hers.There was music, although it faded in and out and sounded far away. Damon placed his other hand on her waist. She could feel the warmth of his fingers there, the pressure. She picked up her skirts, and they began dancing.It was lovely, like flying, and her body knew every move to make. They danced around and around that empty room, in perfect timing, together.He was laughing down at her, his dark eyes glittering with enjoyment. She felt so beautiful so poised and alert and ready for anything. She couldnt remember when shed had this much fun.The room around her was blurring. She could see only his eyes, and they were making her feel more and more sleepy. She allowed her own eyes to one-half close, her head to fall back. She sighed.She couldfeel his gaze now, on her lips, on her throat. She smiled to herself and let her eyes close completely.He was supporting her weight now, safekeeping her from falling down. She felt his lips on the skin of her neck, burning hot as if he had a fever. Then she felt the sting, like the jabs of two needles. It was over quickly, though, and she relaxed to the pleasure of having her personal line of credit drawn out.She remembered this feeling, the feeling of floating on a bed of golden light. A delicious languor stole through all her limbs. She felt drowsy, as if it were too much trouble to move. She didnt want to move anyway she felt too good.Her fingers were resting on his hair, clasping his head to her. Idly, she threaded them through the voiced dark strands. His hair was like silk, warm and alive under her fingers. When she opened her eyes a slit, she saw that it reflected rainbows in the candlelight. departure and blue and purple, just like just like the feathersAnd then everything shattered. There was pain at her throat suddenly, as if her sense was being torn out of her. She was push button at Damon, clawing at him, trying to great power him away. Screams rang in her ears. Damon was fighting her, but it wasnt Damon it was a crow. Huge wings beat against her, lace in the air.Her eyes were open. She was awake and screaming. The ballroom was gone, and she was in a darkened bedroom. But the nightmare had followed her. Even as she reached for the light, it came at her again, wings thrashing in her face, curt beak diving for her.Elena struck out at it, one hand flung up to protect her eyes. She was still screaming. She couldnt get away from it, those terrible wings kept flailing frantically, with a sound like a mebibyte decks of cards being shuffled at once.The door burst open, and she heard shouts. The warm, heavy body of the crow struck her and her screams w ent higher. Then someone was pulling her off the bed, and she was standing defend behind Bonnies overprotect. He had a sail and he was beating at the bird with it.Bonnie was standing in the doorway. Elena ran into her arms. Bonnies father was shouting, and then came the slam of a window.Its out, Mr. McCullough said, ventilation system hard.Mary and Mrs. McCullough were just outside in the hallway, clad in bathrobes. Youre hurt, Mrs. McCullough said to Elena in amazement. The nasty things pecked you.Im okay, Elena said, brushing at a spot of blood on her face. She was so shaken that her knees wereHow did it getin? said Bonnie.Mr. McCullough was inspecting the window. You shouldnt have left this open, he said. And what did you want to take the locks off for?I didnt, Elena cried.It was unlocked and open when I heard you screaming and came in, Bonnies father said. I dont know who else could have opened it but you.Elena choked back her protests. Hesitantly, cautiously, she moved to t he window. He was right the locks had been unscrewed. And it could have been done only from the inside.Maybe you were sleepwalking, said Bonnie, leading Elena away from the window as Mr. McCullough began putting the locks back on. Wed better get you cleaned up.Sleepwalking. Suddenly the constitutional dream flooded back to Elena. The hall of mirrors, and the ballroom, and Damon. Dancing with Damon. She pulled out of Bonnies grasp.Ill do it myself, she said, hear her own voice quaver on the asperity of hysteria. No really I want to. She escaped into the bathroom and stood with her back to the locked door, trying to breathe.The last thing she wanted to do was look in a mirror. But at last, slowly, she approached the one over the sink, trembling as she saw the edge of her reflection, moving inch by inch until she was framed in the silvery surface.Her image stared back, ghastly pale, with eyes that looked bruised and frightened. There were turbid shadows under them and smears of b lood on her face.Slowly, she turned her head slightly and lifted up her hair. She almost cried out loud when she saw what was underneath.Two little wounds, fresh and open on the skin of her neck.