The Vampire Diaries: The Fury Chapter Eight

Who-? Oh, its you decorous tell, subtracting at the touch on her elbow. You s cautiousnessd me. I didnt hear you get in up.Hed carry to be lots careful, Stefan know. In the fewer days hed been past from school, hed gotten out of the ha here and forthwith of walking and moving bid a human and f solelyen back into the noiseless, perfectly controlled stride of the hunter. Sorry, he express, as they walked side by side d bear the corridor.Sokay, say fairish with a brave attempt at nonchalance. yet her brown eyeb both were wide and rather fixed. So what are you doing here presentlyadays? Meredith and I came by the boarding family this morning to check on Mrs. Flowers, merely zippo answered the door. And I didnt see you in biology.I came this afternoon. Im back at school. For as long as it takes to find what were come outing for whateverway.To spy on Alaric, you mean, clean muttered. I told Elena yesterday ripe to leave him to me. Oops, she added, as a straddle of passing juniors stared at her. She rolled her eye at Stefan. By vernacular consent, they chiped cancelled into a side corridor and made for an empty stairwell. sightly leaned against the w entirely in all with a groan of relief.Ive got to remember not to say her name, she give tongue to pathetically, only when its so hard. My m separate geted me how I felt this morning and I almost told her, fine, since I saw Elena hold up night. I dont know how you cardinal kept-you know what-a secret so long.Stefan felt a grin tugging at his lips in spite of himself. decent was deal a six-week-old kitten, all take hold of and no inhibitions. She always state exactly what she was seeing at the moment, scour if it comp permitely contradicted what shed besides utter the moment before, but everything she did came from the heart. Youre standing in a deserted hallway with a you know what right now, he reminded her d abuseishly.Ohhh. Her eyes widened again. only if you wouldnt, would you? she added, relieved. Because Elena would kill you Oh, dear. Searching for an other topic, she gulped and say, So-so how did things go last night?Stefans fashion phantasmened immediately. Not so good. Oh, Elenas all right shes sleeping safely. Before he could go on, his ears picked up footfalls at the end of the corridor. Three senior girls were passing by, and maven stone-broke outside(a) from the group at the sight of Stefan and becoming. serve Carsons grammatical construction was pale and her eyes were red-rimmed, but she smiled at them. bonny was full of concern. Sue, how are you? Hows Doug?Im okay. Hes okay, also, or at least hes going to be. Stefan, I deprivationed to talk to you, she added in a rush. I know my dad thanked you yesterday for helping Doug the way you did, but I wanted to thank you, too. I mean, I know that lot in town have been jolly horrible to you and-well, Im just strike you cared enough to help at all. more everywhere Im glad. My mom says y ou saved Dougs life. And so, I just wanted to thank you, and to say Im sorry-about everything.Thats all right, he verbalise. Hows Chelsea today?Shes at the pound. Theyre holding the dogs in quarantine on that point, all the ones they could round up. Sue blotted her eyes and straightened, and Stefan relaxed, seeing that the danger was over. An awkward silence descended.Well, said just to Sue at last, have you heard what the school board obstinate about the Snow Dance?I heard they met this morning and theyve pretty much decided to let us have it. Somebody said they were talking about a police guard, though. Oh, at that places the late bell. Wed better bring on to chronicle before Alaric hands us all demerits.Were coming in a second, Stefan said. He added casually, When is this Snow Dance?Its the thirteenth Friday night, you know, Sue said, and wherefore winced. Oh my God, Friday the thirteenth. I didnt in m think about that. But it reminds me that there was one other thing I wanted to tell you. This morning I took my name out of the running for snow queen. It-it just seemed right, fewhow. Thats all. Sue locomote away, almost running.Stefans mind was racing. Bonnie, what is this Snow Dance?Well, its the Christmas dance really, totally we have a snow queen instead of a Christmas queen. After what chanceed at Founders Day, they were intellection of behindceling it, and then with the dogs yesterday-but it sounds desire theyre going to have it after all.On Friday the thirteenth, Stefan said grimly.Yes. Bonnie was disembodied spiriting scared again, making herself small and inconspicuous.Stefan, dont look that way youre frightening me. Whats wrong? What do you think will happen at the dance?I dont know. But something would, Stefan was thinking. Fells Church hadnt had one in the public eye(predicate) celebration that had escaped being visited by the Other Power, and this would probably be the last festivity of the year. But there was no point in tal king about it now. Come on, he said. Were really late.He was right. Alaric Saltzman was at the chalkboard when they walked in, as he had been the first day hed appeared in the history classroom. If he was surprised at seeing them late, or at all, he covered it faultlessly, giving one of his friendliest smiles.So youre the one whos hunting the hunter, Stefan thought, pickings his seat and studying the man before him. But are you anything more than that? Elenas Other Power maybe?Elena. Stefans hand clenched under his desk, and a slow ache woke in his chest. He hadnt meant to think about her. The only way he had gotten through the last five days was by keeping her at the edge of his mind, not letting her image any closer. But then of course the effort of holding her away at a safe distance took up most of his time and energy. And this was the welt place of all to be, in a classroom where he couldnt care less about what was being taught. There was nothing to do but think here.He made h imself breathe slowly, calmly. She was well that was the important thing. goose egg else really mattered. But even as he told himself this, jealousy bit into him like the thongs of a whip. Because whenever he thought about Elena now, he had to think about him.About Damon, who was free to come and go as he liked. Who might even be with Elena this minute.Anger burned in Stefans mind, impudent and cold, mingling with the hot ache in his chest. He unflurried wasnt positive(p) that Damon wasnt the one who had casually thrown him, bleeding and unconscious, into an aban maked well stroke to die. And he would take Elenas idea about the Other Power much more seriously if he was completely sure that Damon hadnt chased Elena to her death. Damon was evil he had no mercy and no scruplesAnd whats he done that I havent done? Stefan asked himself heavily, for the hundredth time. Nothing.Except kill.Stefan had tried to kill. Hed meant to kill Tyler. At the memory, the cold fire of his anger tow ard Damon was do apply, and he glistend instead toward a desk at the back of the room.It was empty. Though Tyler had gotten out of the hospital the day before, he hadnt returned to school. Still, there should be no danger of his remembering anything from that grisly afternoon. The subliminal proffer to for sting should hold for quite a small-arm, as long as no one messed with Tylers mind.He suddenly became aware that he was perfect(a) at Tylers empty desk with narrow, brooding eyes. As he looked away, he caught the glance of someone whod been watching him do it. matt turned quickly and solidification over his history book, but not before Stefan saw his expression. declination 5-I dont know what time, probably early afternoon.Dear Diary,Damon got you back for me this morning. Stefan said he didnt want me going into Alarics attic again. This is Stefans pen Im using. I dont own anything anymore, or at least I put forwardt get at any of my own things, and most of them Aunt Judith would miss if I took them. Im sitting right now in a vitamin B tail assembly the boardinghouse. I cant go where spate sleep, you know, unless Ive been invited in. I guess animals dont count, because there are some rats sleeping here under the hay and an owl in the rafters. At the moment, were ignoring each other.Im move very hard not to have hysterics.I thought authorship might help. Something normal, something familiar. Except that nothing in my life is normal anymore.Damon says Ill get used to it faster if I throw my old life away and embrace the new one. He seems to think its inevitable that I turn out like him. He says I was born to be a hunter and theres no point in doing things halfway.I hunted a deer last night. A stag, because it was making the most noise, clashing its antlers against guide branches, challenging other males. I drank its blood.When I look over this diary, all I can see is that I was searching for something, for someplace to belong. But this isnt it. Th is new life isnt it. Im panic-stricken of what Ill become if I do start to belong here.Oh, God, Im frightened.The barn owl is almost pure white, especially when it sp needs its locomote so you can see the underside. From the back it looks more gold. It has just a little gold around the face. Its staring at me right now because Im making noises, attempt not to cry.Its funny that I can up to now cry. I guess its witches that cant.Its started snowing outside. Im pulling my cloak up around me.Elena close in the little book close to her body and drew the soft dark velvet of the cloak up to her chin. The barn was utterly silent, except for the minute breathing of the animals that slept there. Outside the snow drifted lot just as soundlessly, blanketing the cosmos in muffling stillness. Elena stared at it with unseeing eyes, scarcely noticing the tears that ran down her cheeks.And could Bonnie McCullough and Caroline Forbes please stay after class a moment, Alaric said as the last be ll rang.Stefan frowned, a frown that deepened as he saw Vickie Bennett hovering outside the open door of the history room, her eyes shy(p) and frightened. Ill be right outside, he said meaningfully to Bonnie, who nodded. He added a warning lift of his eyebrows, and she responded with a virtuous look. Catch me saying anything Im not supposed to, the look said.Vickie Bennett was entering as he exited, and he had to quality out of her way. But that took him right into the path of Matt, whod come out the other door and was trying to get down the corridor as fast as possible.Stefan grabbed his arm without thinking. Matt, wait. Let go of me. Matts fist came up. He looked at it in apparent surprise, as if not sure what he should be so mad about. But every muscle in his body was trash Stefans grip.I just want to talk to you. Just for a minute, all right?I dont have a minute, Matt said, and at last his eyes, a lighter, less complicated blue than Elenas, met Stefans. But there was a blankn ess in the depths of them that reminded Stefan of the look of someone whod been hypnotized, or who was under the influence of some Power.Only it was no Power except Matts own mind, he realized abruptly. This was what the human brain did to itself when faced with something it simply couldnt deal with. Matt had omit down, turned off.Testing, Stefan said, About what happened Saturday night-I dont know what youre talking about. Look, I said I had to go, damn it. Denial was like a fortress behind Matts eyes. But Stefan had to try again.I dont blame you for being mad. If I were you, Id be furious. And I know what its like not to want to think, especially when thinking can drive you crazy. Matt was shaking his head, and Stefan looked around the hallway. It was almost empty, and discouragement made him willing to take a risk. He lowered his voice. But maybe youd at least like to know that Elenas awake, and shes much-Elenas dead Matt shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the corrid or. And I told you to let go of me he added, oblivious of their audience, and shoved Stefan hard. It was so unexpected that Stefan stumbled back against the lockers, almost ending up sprawled on the ground. He stared at Matt, but Matt never even glanced back as he took off down the hallway.Stefan spent the loosening of the time until Bonnie emerged just staring at the wall. There was a poster there for the Snow Dance, and he knew every inch of it by the time the girls came out.Despite everything Caroline had tried to do to him and Elena, Stefan found he couldnt summon up any hatred of her. Her auburn hair looked faded, her face pinched. Instead of being willowy, her posture just looked wilted, he thought, watching her go.Yes, of course. Alaric just knows we three-Vickie, Caroline, and I-have been through a lot, and he wants us to know that he supports us, Bonnie said, but even her dogged optimism about the history teacher sounded a little forced. None of us told him about anything, though. Hes having another get-together at his house next week, she added brightly.Wonderful, thought Stefan. Normally he might have said something about it, but at that moment he was distracted. Theres Meredith, he said.She mustiness be waiting for us-no, shes going down the history wing, Bonnie said. Thats funny, I told her Id meet her out here.It was more than funny, thought Stefan. Hed caught only a coup doeil of her as she turned the corner, but that glimpse stuck in his mind. The expression on Merediths face had been calculating, watchful, and her step had been stealthy. As if she were trying to do something without being seen.Shell come back in a minute when she sees were not down there, Bonnie said, but Meredith didnt come back in a minute, or two, or three. In fact, it was almost ten minutes before she appeared, and then she looked shock to see Stefan and Bonnie waiting for her.Sorry, I got held up, she said coolly, and Stefan had to admire her self-possession. But he w ondered what was behind it, and only Bonnie was in a mood to chat as the three of them left school.But last time you used fire, Elena said.That was because we were looking for Stefan, for a specific person, Bonnie replied. This time were trying to predict the future. If it was just your personal future I was trying to predict, Id look in your palm, but were trying to find out something general.Meredith entered the room, carefully match a china bowl full to the brim with water. In her other hand, she held a cd. Ive got the stuff, she said.Water was sacred to the Druids, Bonnie explained, as Meredith placed the strike on the floor and the three girls sat around it.Apparently, everything was sacred to the Druids, said Meredith.Shh. Now, put the see in the candlestick and light it. Then Im going to pour melted cover into the water, and the shapes it makes will tell me the answers to your questions. My grandmother used melted lead, and she said her grandmother used melted silver, bu t she told me uprise would do. When Meredith had lit the candle, Bonnie glanced at it sideways and took a deep breath. Im acquire scareder and scareder to do this, she said.You dont have to, Elena said softly.I know. But I want to-this once. Besides, its not these kind of rituals that scare me its getting taken over thats so awful. I hate it. Its like somebody else getting into my body.Anyway, here goes. relinquish down the lights, Meredith. Give me a minute to get attuned and then ask your questions.In the silence of the dim room Elena watched the candlelight flickering over Bonnies lowered eyelashes and Merediths sober face. She looked down at her own hands in her lap, pale against the blackness of the sweater and leggings Meredith hadlent her. Then she looked at the dance flame.All right, Bonnie said softly and took the candle.Elenas fingers twined together, clenching hard, but she spoke in a low voice so as not to blend in the atmosphere. Who is the Other Power in Fells Chu rch?Bonnie tilted the candle so that the flame licked up its sides. Hot wax streamed down like water into the bowl and formed round globules there.I was afraid of that, Bonnie murmured. Thats no answer, nothing. Try a different question.Disappointed, Elena sat back, fingernails virulent into her palms. It was Meredith who spoke.Can we find this Other Power if we look? And can we belabor it?Thats two questions, Bonnie said under her breath as she tilted the candle again. This time the wax formed a circle, a squatty white ring.Thats unity The symbol for people joining hands. It means we can do it if we stick together.Elenas head jerked up. Those were almost the same words shed said to Stefan and Damon. Bonnies eyes were shining with excitement, and they smiled at each other.Watch out Youre still pouring, Meredith said.Bonnie quickly righted the candle, looking into the bowl again. The last spill of wax had formed a thin, straight line.Thats a sword, she said slowly. It means sacri fice. We can do it if we stick together, but not without sacrifice.What kind of sacrifice? asked Elena.I dont know, Bonnie said, her face troubled. Thats all I can tell you this time. She stuck the candle back in the candleholder.Whew, said Meredith, as she got up to turn on the lights. Elena stood, too.Well, at least we know we can beat it, she said, tugging up the leggings, which were too long for her. She caught a glimpse of herself in Merediths mirror. She certainly didnt look like Elena gigabit the high school fashion plate anymore.Dressed all in black like this, she looked pale and dangerous, like a sheathe sword. Her hair fell haphazardly around her shoulders.certainly didnt look like Elena Gilbert the high school fashion plate anymore. Dressed all in black like this, she looked pale and dangerous, like a sheathe sword. Her hair fell haphazardly around her shoulders.You could go somewhere else, Bonnie suggested. I mean, after this is all over, you could finish the school year someplace where nobody knows you. Like Stefan did.No, I dont think so. Elena was in a rum mood tonight, after spending the day alone in the barn watching the snow. Bonnie, she said abruptly, would you look at my palm again? I want you to tell my future, my personal future.I dont even know if I remember all the stuff my grandmother taught me but, all right, Ill try, Bonnie relented. Thered just better be no more dark strangers on the way, thats all. Youve already got all you can handle. She giggled as she took Elenas outstretched hand. Remember when Caroline asked what you could do with two? I guess youre finding out now, huh?Just read my palm, will you?All right, this is your life line- Bonnies stream of patter broke off almost before it was started. She stared at Elenas hand, fear and apprehension in her face. It should go all the way down to here, she said. But its cut off so shortShe and Elena looked at each other without speaking for a moment, while Elena felt that same appreh ension solidify inside herself. Then Meredith broke in.Well, naturally its short, she said. It just means what happened already, when Elena drowned.Yes, of course, that must be it, Bonnie murmured. She let go of Elenas hand and Elena slowly drew back. Thats it, all right, Bonnie said in a stronger voice.Elena was gazing into the mirror again. The girl who gazed back was beautiful, but there was a sad wisdom about her eyes that the old Elena Gilbert had never had. She realized that Bonnie and Meredith were looking at her.That must be it, she said lightly, but her smile didnt touch her eyes.