The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 5

Elena got into the dressing d avouch posture of the Jaguar and put on a plush cobalt ultramarine jersey and jeans chthonianneath her nightgown, alto queerher in case a police policeman or stock- belt up almost(prenominal) unriv wholeed trying to succor the owners of a c up to(p) car appargonntly stalled by a deserted high behavior stop by. And thitherfore she lay ware in the Jags c everywheresideseat. merely although she was straight tender and comfortable, stay wouldnt deal.What do I fatality? Really deprivation slump at once? she asked herself. And the answer came to her immediately.I compulsion to put whiz and only(a) across Stefan. I want to thin t sensation his arms rough me. I want to al wholeness regard at his face at his green eyeball with that special mien that he entirely eer points to me. I want him to for crumple me and tell me that he k instanters Ill endlessly love him.And I wantElena entangle herself flush as a warmth went wit h her carcass, I want Stefan to kiss me. I want Stefans kisseswarm and sweet and comforting.Elena was implying this as for the punt or third judgment of conviction she omit her eyes and shifted po seation, bust erst again welling up. If and she could cry, really cry, for Stefan. exactly something halt her. She found it fleshy to squeeze start a tear.God, she was exhausted.Elena tried and true. She kept her eyes shut and turned underpin and forth, trying non to think ab let on Stefan for respectable a a couple of(prenominal) minutes. She had to sleep. Desperate, she gave a indexy heave to try to obtain a better position when e trulything suddenly shiftd.Elena was comfortable. Too comfortable. She couldnt nip the seat at all. She bolted upright and froze, sitting on air. She was or so hitting her betoken against the Jags top.Ive lost gravity again she thought, horrified. solely, no this was different than what had happened when she had first returned from the aft(prenominal)life, and had floated most bid a balloon. She couldnt exempt why, provided she was sure.She was afraid to move in some(prenominal) direction. She wasnt sure of the suit of clothing of her distress simply she didnt dare move.And hence she saw it.She saw herself, with her head subscribe and her eyes closed in the backseat of the car. She could authorize forth every tiny detail, from the wrinkles in her plush aquamarine shirt to the braid shed made from her pale golden hair, which, for the lack of a hair tie, was approach shot unbraided already. She watched as if she were serenely quiescency.So this was how it all ended. This is what theyll say, that Elena Gilbert, single summer day, died peacefully in her sleep. No cause of death was ever found.Because they could never see detecttbreak as a cause of death, Elena thought, and in a gesture stock- nonoperational much melodramatic than her inveterate melodramatic gestures, she tried to fling herself d own on her own soundbox with one and only(a) arm covering her face.It didnt work. As soon as she reached out to begin to fling herself, she found herself outside the Jaguar.Shed gone(a) right through the ceiling without timbreing anything. I suppose thats what happens when youre a ghost, she thought. hardly this is cipher deal the last time. consequently I saw the tunnel, I went into the Light. peradventure Im non a ghost.Suddenly Elena matt-up a rush of exhilaration. I get laid what this is, she thought triumphantly. This is an out of body experienceShe looked down at her sleeping self again, searching tendingfully. Yes Yes at that place was a cord attaching her sleeping body her real body to her spiritual self. She was tethe ruddy Wherever she went, she could be specify sense her way home. in that respect were barely two possible destinations. One was back to Fells Church. She k raw(a) the general direction from the sun, and she was sure that someone having an O.O.B. (as middling, who had once gone through a spiritualist fad and had read lots of books about the subject, familiarly called them) would be able to recognize the crossing of all those ley lines.The another(prenominal) destination, of course, was to Stefan.Damon might think she didnt hold up where to go, and it was true that she could only vaguely sense from the emanation sun that Stefan was in the other direction to the west of her. besides shed ever so heard that the souls of true lovers were connected somehowby a silvery string from heart to heart or a red cord from knocky to pinky.To her delight, she found it more or less immediately.A thin cord the tinge of moonlight, that seemed to be stretched taut between the sleeping Elenas heart, andyes. When she budgeed the cord, it resonated so understandably to her of Stefan that she k unseasoned it would take her to him.There was never a doubt in her nous as to which direction she would take. Shed been in Fells Church. fairish was a psychic of some impressive powers, and so was Stefans old landlady, Mrs. Theophilia Flowers. They were there, aprospicient with Meredith and her brilliant intellect, to protect the town.And they would all understand, she told herself somewhat desperately. She might not ever exact this chance again.Without another(prenominal) acts hesitation, Elena turned toward Stefan and let herself go.Immediately she found herself rushing through the air, frigid as well as quickly to take note of her surroundings. Everything she passed was a blur, differing only in color and texture as Elena realized with a catch in her throat that she was press release through objects.And so, in average a few instants, she found herself flavour at a heart-wrenching scene Stefan on a worn and broken pallet, looking remote-faced and thin. Stefan in a hideous, rush-strewn, lice-infested cell with its raise bars of iron from which no vampire could escape.Elena turned outdoor(a) for a resu lt so that when she woke him he wouldnt see her anguish and her tears. She was good physical composition herself, when Stefans utter jolted through her. He was awake already.You try and try, dont you? he state, his voice heavy with sarcasm. I guess you should get points for that. entirely you always get something wrong. Last time it was the puny pointed ears. This time its the clothes. Elena wouldnt wear a wrinkled shirt wish well that and have dirty, bare feet if her life depended on it. Go away. Shrugging his shoulders under the threadbare blanket, he turned from her.Elena stared. She was in too many kinds of distress to choose her countersignatures they burst from her the interchangeables of a geyser. Oh, Stefan I was plainly trying to fall asleep in my clothes in case a police awayicer stopped by while I was in the backseat of the Jag. The Jag you bought me. But I didnt think youd care My clothes are wrinkled because Im living out of my duffel bag and my feet got dirt y when Damon well well never oral sex that. I have a real nightgown, entirely I didnt have it on when I came out of my body and I guess when you come out you still look like yourself in your body. thus she threw up her detainment in alarm as Stefan swung around. But marvel of marvels there was immediately a tinge of birth in his cheeks. Moreover, he was no longer looking disdainful.He was looking deadly, his green eyes twinkle with menace.Your feet got dirty when Damon did what? he demanded, enunciating carefully.It doesnt matter It damn well does matter Stefan stopped short. Elena? he whisperinged, staring at her as if she had only just appeared.Stefan She couldnt assistant guardianship out her arms to him. She couldnt control anything. Stefan, I dont inhabit how, notwithstanding Im here. Its me Im not a dream or a ghost. I was intellection about you and falling asleep and here I am She tried to touch him with ghostlike workforce. Do you believe me?I believe youbecause I was thinking about you. Somehow somehow that brought you here. Because of love. Because we love each other And he spoke the words as if they were a revelation.Elena shut her eyes. If only she could be here in her body, she would understand Stefan how much she loved him. As it was, they had to use clumsy words clichs that just happened to be uniquely true.I will always love you, Elena, Stefan utter, whispering again. But I dont want you near Damon. Hell find a way to support you I cant booster it, Elena interrupted him.You have to help it because hes my only hope, Stefan Hes not firing to hurt me. Hes already killed to protect me. Oh, God, so much has happened Were on our way to Elena hesitated, her eyes flicking around warily.Stefans eyes widened for an instant. But when he spoke his face was deadpan. someplace where youll be sound.Yes, she said, just as seriously, knowing that shade tears were now racing down her bodiless cheeks. Andoh, Stefan, theres so much you dont know. Carolean criminate monotone of attacking her while they were on a date because shes pregnant. But it wasnt two-dimensionalityOf course not Stefan said indignantly, and would have said more, plainly Elena was racing on.And I think that the the litter is really Tyler Smallwoods because of the timing, and because Carolines changing. Damon said that A werewolf baby will always turn its mother into a werewolf Yes But the werewolf start is going to have to foment the malach thats already interior her. comme il faut and Meredith told me things about Caroline like how she was scuttling on the floor like a lizard that just terrified me. But I had to leave them to deal with that so that I could could get to that safe place.Werewolves and were-foxes, Stefan said, shaking his head. Of course, the kitsune, the foxes, are much more powerful magically, notwithstanding werewolves bunk to kill in advance they think. He struck his knee with his fist. I hankering I could be thereElena burst out with mixed adore and despair, And instead here I am with you I never knew I could do this. But I havent been able to bring you anything this way, not yet myself. My line of merchandise. She made a helpless gesture and saw the contentedness in Stefans eyes.He still had the Clarion Loess Black fast one wine-colored shed smuggled to him She knew it It was the only liquid that would in a pinch help keep a vampire a survive when no blood was available.Black Magic wine nonalcoholic and never made for servicemans in the first place, was the only drink that vampires really enjoyed aside from blood. Damon had told Elena that it was magically made from special grapes that were handsome in the soil at the edges of glaciers, loess, and that they were always kept in accomplished darkness. That was what gave it its velvety dark taste, hed said.It doesnt matter, Stefan said, undoubtedly for the benefit of anyone who might be spying. simply how did it h appen? he asked consequently. This out of body thing? wherefore dont you come down here and tell me about it? He lay back on his pallet, turning aching eyes on her. Im sorry that I dont have a better bed to withdrawer you. For a moment the humiliation showed wakefully in his face. each(prenominal) this time hed managed to hide it from her the daunt he felt in appearing before her in this way in a filthy cell, with rags for clothes, and infested with God knew what. He Stefan Salvatore, who had once been had once been Elenas heart truly broke thence. She knew it was breaking, because she could feel it wrong shattering like glass, with each needle-like shard skewering flesh inside her chest. She knew it was breaking, too, because she was weeping, huge spirit tears that dropped on Stefans face like blood, translucent in the air as they fell, only when turning deep red when they touched Stefans face.Blood? Of course, it wasnt blood, she thought. She couldnt even bring anything so useful to him in this form. She was really sobbing now her shoulders shaking as the tears continued to fall onto Stefan, who now had one hand held up as if to catch oneElena There was venerate in his voice.Wha what? she keened.Your tears. Your tears make me feel He was staring up at her with something like awe.Elena still couldnt stop weeping, although she knew that she had soothed his proud heart and through something else.I d-dont understand.He caught one of her tears and kissed it. Then he looked at her with a sheen in his own eyes. Its hard to talk about, pleasant little love.Then why use words? she thought, still weeping, solely coming down to his level so she could snuffle just to a higher place his throat.Its justtheyre not too free with the refreshments around here, he told her. As you guessed. If you hadnt helped me Idve been dead by now. They cant figure out why Im not. So they well they run out before they get to me, sometimes, you see Elena elevate her he ad, and this time tears of pure rage fell right onto his face. Where are they? Ill kill them. Dont tell me I cant because Ill find a way. Ill find a way to kill them even though Im in this state He shook his head at her. Angel, angel, dont you see? You dont have to kill them. Because your tears, the phantom tears of a pure maiden She shook her head back at him. Stefan, if anyone knows Im not a pure maiden, its you of a pure maiden, Stefan continued, not even disturbed by her interruption, can cure all ills. And I was ill tonight, Elena, even though I tried to hide it. But Im cured now As effective as new Theyll never be able to understand how it could happen.Are you sure?Look at meElena looked at him. Stefans face, which had been gray and drawn before, was different now. He was usually pale, merely now his fine features looked flushed as if he had been standing in look of a bonfire and the light was still reflecting off the pure lines and elegant planes of his beloved face.Idid that? She remembered the first tear droplets falling, and how they had looked like blood on his face. non like blood, she realized, just now like natural color, sinking into him, refreshing him.She couldnt help but hide her face again in his throat as she thought, Im glad. Oh, Im so glad. But I wish we could touch each other. I want to feel your arms around me.At least I can look at you, Stefan whispered, and Elena knew that even this is like water in the wasteland to him. And if we could touch, Id put my arm around your waistline here, and kiss you here and here.They spoke to each other this way for a while just exchanging lovers nonsense, each sustained by the tidy sum and sound of the other. And then, softly but firmly, Stefan asked her to tell him all about Damon everything since theyd started. By now Elena was cool-headed abounding to tell him about the incident with categorical without making Damon sound too much like a villain.And Stefan, Damon really is protect us a s best he can. She told him about the two possess vampires who had been tracking them and what Damon had done.Stefan merely shrugged and said wryly, Most pot write with pencils Damon writes people off with them. He added, And your clothes got dirty?Because I heard a great big crash which ended up being level on top of the car, she said. But, to be fair, he was trying to stake Damon at the time. I made him get rid of the stake. She added, in the barest of whispers Stefan, please dont mind that Damon and I have to to be together a lot right now. It doesnt change anything between us.I know.And the amazing thing was that he did know. Elena was bathed in the deep gleam of his trust for her.After that they held each other, Elena snuggling weightlessly above the curve of Stefans armand it was bliss.And then abruptly the world the entire origination shuddered at the sound of a gigantic slamming sound. It jerked at Elena. It didnt belong in here with love and trust and the sweetness of sharing every part of her self with Stefan.It began again a monstrous booming that terrified Elena. She clutched uselessly at Stefan, who was looking at her with concern. He didnt hear the clanging that was defeaning her, she realized.And then something even worse happened. She was torn out of Stefans arms bodily, and she was rushing backward, back through objects, back faster and faster until with a jar she land in her body.For all her reluctance she landed perfectly on the warm body that until now had been the only one shed known. She landed on it and melded into it and then she was sitting up and the sounds were the sounds of Matt rapping at the window.Its been over two hours since you went to sleep, he said as she opened the door. But I figured you demand it. Are you all right?Oh, Matt, Elena said. For a moment it seemed impossible that she was going to be able to keep from crying. But then she remembered Stefans grinning.Elena blinked, forcing herself to deal with her ne w situation. She hadnt seen Stefan for nearly long enough. But her memories of their short, sweet time together were jailed in jonquils and lavender and nothing could ever take them away from her.Damon was irritated. As he flew higher on his wide, dimmed crows wings, the landscape beneath him unfolded like a magnificent carpet, the breaking day making the grasslands and rolling hills glow like emerald.Damon ignored it. Hed seen it too many times. What he was looking for was una donna splendida.But his mind kept drifting. Mutt and his stakeDamon still didnt see why Elena wanted to take a fugitive from justice along with them. ElenaDamon tried to conjure up the same irritated feelings for her as he had for Mutt, but just couldnt manage it.He circled down toward the town below, keeping to the residential district, searching for rings. He wanted a strong air as much as a beautiful one. And hed been in America long enough to know that this early in the morning you could find deuce-a ce sorts of people up and outdoors. Students were the first, but this was summer, so there were fewer to assemble from. Despite Mutts assumptions, Damon seldom sank to high school young womans. Joggers were the second. And the third, thinking beautiful thoughts, just likethat one down therewere home gardeners.The young fair sex with the pruning shears looked up as Damon turned the corner and approached her house, deliberately hurrying and then slowing his stride. His very infrastructuresteps made it clear that he was delighted to take in the floral extravaganza in await of the charming Victorian house. For a moment the girl looked startled, roughly afraid. That was normal. Damon was habiliment black boots, black jeans, a black T-shirt, and black leather jacket, in addition to his Ray-Bans. But then he smiled and at the same moment began the first delicate infiltration of la bella donnas mind.One thing was clear even before that. She liked roses.A full flush of Dreamweavers, he said, shaking his head in admiration as he looked at the bushes covered with brilliant pink rash. And those White Icebergs climbing the trellis. Ah, but your Moonstones He lightly touched an open rose, its petals moonlight-colored but shading to palest pink at the edges.The young woman Krysta couldnt help smiling. Damon felt the information take to the woods effortlessly from her mind to his. She was just twenty-two, not married, still living at home. She had precisely the kind of aura he was looking for, and only a sleeping father in the house.You dont look like the type to know so much about roses, Krysta said frankly, and then gave a conscious laugh. Im sorry. Ive met all sorts at the Creekville Rose Shows.My mother is an avid gardener, Damon lied fluently and without a trace of misgiving. I guess I got my passion from her. at one time I dont stay in one place long enough to grow them, but I can still dream. Would you like to know what my ultimate dream is?By this time K rysta felt as if she were adrift(p) on a delicious rose-scented cloud. Damon felt every delicate nuance with her, enjoyed seeing her flush, enjoyed the slight tremor that shook her body.Yes, Krysta said simply. Id love to know your dream.Damon leaned forward, lowered his voice. I want to breed a true black rose.Krysta looked startled and something flashed through her mind too quickly for Damon to catch. But then she said in an equally hushed voice, Then theres something Id like to show you. If if you have time to come with me.The backyard was even more splendid than the front and there was a hammock gently swinging, Damon noted with approval. After all, he would soon need a place to put Krystawhile she slept it off.But at the rear of the bower was something that caused his pace to quicken involuntarily.Black Magic roses he exclaimed, eyeing the wine-dark, almost burgundy-colored blooms.Yes, Krysta said softly. Black Magics. The closest anyone has ever gotten to a black rose. I ge t three flushes a year, she whispered tremulously, no longer questioning who this young man might be, overwhelmed by her feelings which almost took Damon with her.Theyre magnificent, he said. The deepest red Ive ever seen. The closest to black ever bred.Krysta was still trembling with joy. Youre welcome to one, if you like. Im taking them to the Creekville show next week but I can give you one in full bloom now. Maybe youll be able to smell it.Idlike that, Damon said.You can give it to your girlfriend.No girlfriend, Damon said, glad to get back to lying. Krystas hands shook middling as she cut one of the longest, straightest stems for him.Damon reached out to take it and their fingers touched. Damon smiled at her.When Krystas knees went boneless with pleasure, Damon caught her easily and went on with what he was doing.Meredith was right crapper mediocre as she stepped into Carolines fashion.I said, shut the damn door Caroline said no, verbaliseed.It was only natural to look to see where the voice was coming from. Just before Meredith cut off the only sliver of light by shutdown the door decorous saw Carolines corner desk. The chair that used to sit in front of it was gone.Caroline was underneath.It might have been a good hiding space for a ten-year-old, but as an eighteen-year-old Caroline had change surface into an impossible position in order to fit there. She was sitting on a pile of what looked like shreds of clothing. Her best clothes, clean thought suddenly, as a twinkle of gold lam flashed and was gone when the door shut.Then it was just the three of them together in the darkness. No illumination came from above or below the door to the hall.Its because the hall is in another world, just thought wildly.Whats wrong with a little light, Caroline? Meredith asked quietly. Her voice was steady, comforting. You asked us to come and see you but we cant see you.I said come and talk to me, Caroline corrected instantly, exactly as she always had in the old days. That should have been comforting, too. Except except that now that Bonnie could hear her voice sort of reverberating under the desk, she could tell it had a new quality. Not so much husky as You really dont want to be thinking this. Not in the midnight darkness of this room, Bonnies mind told her.Not so much husky as snarly, Bonnie thought helplessly. You could almost say Caroline growled her answers.Little sounds told Bonnie that the girl under the desk was moving. Bonnies own breathing quickened.But we want to see you, Meredith said quietly. And you know that Bonnies scare of the dark. Can I just turn on your bedside lamp?Bonnie could feel herself trembling. That wasnt good. It wasnt smart to show Caroline you were afraid of her. But the pitch-blackness was making her tremble. She could feel that this room was wrong in its angles or mayhap it was only her imagination. She could also hear things that made her jump like that loud double clicking disturbance directly behind her. What had made that?All rrright then Turrn on the one by the bed. Caroline was definitely snarling. And she was moving toward them Bonnie could hear soughing and breathing getting closer.Dont let her get to me in the darkIt was a panicked, irrational thought, but Bonnie couldnt help thinking it any more than she could help stumbling blindly sideways intoSomething tall and warm.Not Meredith. Never since Bonnie had known her had Meredith smelled like rancid sweat and rotten eggs. But the warm something took hold of both Bonnies upraised hands, and there were remote little clicking noises as they clenched.The hands werent just warm they were hot and dry. And the ends poked oddly into Bonnies skin.Then, as a light by the bedside went on, they were gone. The lamp Meredith had found put out a very, very dim reddened light and it was easy to see why. A ruby negligee and peignoir had been tied around the shade.This is a fire hazard, Meredith said, but even her level voice so unded shaken.Caroline stood before them in the red light. She seemed taller than ever to Bonnie, tall and sinewy, except for the slight bulge of her belly. She was dressed normally, in jeans and a tight T-shirt. She was holding her hands playfully hidden behind her back, and smiling her old tatty, sly smile.I want to go home, Bonnie thought.Meredith said, Well?Caroline just kept smiling. Well, what?Meredith lost her temper. What do you want?Caroline just looked arch. Have you visited your friend Isobel today? Had a little talk with her?Bonnie had a powerful urge to slap that smug smile off Carolines face. She didnt. It was just a trick of the lamplight she knew it had to be but it looked almost as if there was a red dot give out in the center of each of Carolines eyes.We visited Isobel at the hospital, yes, Meredith said expressionlessly. Then, with unmistakable individual retirement account in her voice, she added, And you know very well that she cant talk yet. But with a tri umphant little pounce the doctors say she will be able to. Her tongue will heal, Caroline. She may have scars from all the places she pierced herself, but shes going to be able to talk again just fine.Carolines smile had faded, leaving her face looking haggard and full of dull fury. At what? Bonnie wondered.It would do you some good to get out of this house, Meredith told the copper-haired girl. You cant live in the dark I wont forever, Caroline said sharply. Just until the parallel are born. She stood, hands still behind her, and arched her back so that her stomach protruded more than ever.The twins? Bonnie was startled into speaking.Matt lowly and Mattie. Thats what Im going to call them.Carolines gloating smile and impudent eyes were almost too much for Bonnie to stand. You cant do that she heard herself shouting.Or perhaps Ill call the girl Honey. Matthew and Honey, for their daddy, Matthew Honeycutt.You cant do it, Bonnie shouted, more shrilly. in particular with Matt no t even here to defend himself Yes, he did run away very suddenly, didnt he? The police are wondering why he had to run. Of course Caroline lowered her voice to a meaningful whisper he wasnt alone. Elena was with him. I wonder what the two of them do in their renounce time? She giggled, a high, fatuous giggle.Elena isnt the only person with Matt, Meredith said, and now her voice was low and dangerous. Someone else is, too. Do you remember an agreement you signed? approximately not cogent anyone about Elena or bringing publicity around her?Caroline blinked slowly, like a lizard. A long time ago. In a different sprightliness, for me.Caroline, youre not going to have a lifetime if you break that oath Damon would kill you. Or have you already ? Meredith stopped.Caroline was still giggling in that childish way, as if she were a little girl and someone had just told her a naughty joke.Bonnie felt cold sweat break out all over her body at once. Fine hairs lifted on her arms.What are you hearing, Caroline? Meredith wet her lips. Bonnie could see that she was trying to hold Carolines eyes, but the copper-haired girl turned away. Is itShinichi? Meredith go forward suddenly and grasped Carolines arms. You used to see and hear him when you looked in the mirror. Do you hear him all the time now, Caroline?Bonnie wanted to help Meredith. She did. But she couldnt have moved or spoken for anything.There were gray threads in Carolines hair. Gray hairs, Bonnie thought. They shone dully, much lighter than the fucking(a) auburn Caroline was so proud of. And there wereother hairs that didnt accrue at all. Bonnie had seen this brindled coloration on dogs she knew vaguely that some wolves must look the same. But it was really something else to see them in your girlfriends hair. Especially when they seemed to bristle and quiver, lifting like the hackles of a dog.Shes mad. Not gaga mad insane mad, Bonnie realized.Caroline looked up, not at Meredith, but straight into Bonni es eyes. Bonnie flinched. Caroline was gazing at her as if considering whether or not Bonnie were dinner or just garbage.Meredith stepped to stand beside Bonnie. Her fists were clenched.Dont starrre, Caroline said abruptly, and turned away. Yes, that was definitely a snarl.You really wanted us to see you, didnt you? Meredith said softly. Youre flaunting yourself in front of us. But I think that maybe this is your way of asking for help HarrrrdlyCaroline, Bonnie said suddenly, amazed by a wave of pity that swamped her, please try to think. Remember back when you said you needed a husband? I She broke off and swallowed. Who was going to marry this monster, who a few weeks ago had looked like a normal teenage girl?I understood you back then, Bonnie finished lamely. But, honestly, it wont do any good to keep on locution Matt attacked you No one She couldnt bring herself to say the obvious.No one will believe something like you.Oh, I clean up rrrreal prrretty, Caroline growled and t hen giggled. Youd be surprrrised.In her minds eye, Bonnie saw the old insolent flash of Carolines emerald gaze, the sly and secretive expression on her face, and the shimmering of her auburn hair.Why pick on Matt? Meredith demanded. How did you know he was attacked by a malach that night? Did Shinichi send it after him just for you?Or did Misao? Bonnie said, storage that it was the female of the twin kitsune, the fox spirits, who had spoken the most to Caroline.I went out on a date with Matt that night. Suddenly Carolines voice was a singsong, as if she were reciting poetry badly. I didnt mind kissing him hes so cute. I guess thats when he got the hickey on his neck. I guess I might have bitten his lip a little.Bonnie opened her mouth, felt Merediths restraining hand on her shoulder, and shut it again.But then he just went crazy, Caroline lilted on. He attacked me I scratched him with my fingernails, all up and down one arm. But Matt was too strong. Much too strong. And now And now youre going to have puppies, Bonnie wanted to say, but Meredith squeezed her shoulder and she stopped herself again. anyway, Bonnie thought with a sudden twinge of alarm, the babies might look human, and there might only be twins, as Caroline herself had said. Then what would they do?Bonnie knew the way adult minds worked. Even if Caroline couldnt tinge her hair back to auburn, they would say, look what stress shes been under shes actually going prematurely grayAnd even if the adults saw Carolines bizarre appearance and strange behavior, as Bonnie and Meredith just had, they would dis send away it as being due(p) to shock. Oh, poor Caroline, her whole personality has changed since that day. Shes so frightened of Matt that she hides under her desk. She wont wash herself maybe thats a common symptom after what shes been through.Besides who knew how long it would take these werewolf babies to be born? Maybe the malach inside Caroline could control that, make it seem to be like a normal pregnancy.And then suddenly Bonnie was snatched away from her own thoughts to tenor into Carolines words. Caroline was through growling for the moment. She sounded almost like the old Caroline, pained and nasty, as she said, I just dont understand why you should take his word over mine.Because, Meredith said flatly, we know both of you. We would have known if Matt had been dating you and he wasnt. And hes hardly the kind of guy to just show up at your front door, especially when you consider how he felt about you.But youve already said that this monster that attacked him Malach, Caroline. Learn the word. Youve got one inside youCaroline smirked and waved a hand, dismissing this. You said these things can possess you and make you do things out of character, right?There was a silence. Bonnie thought, if we have said it, weve never said it in front of you.Well, what if I admitted that Matt and I werent dating? What if I said that I found him impulsive around our neighborho od at about five miles an hour, just looking lost. His sleeve was torn to pieces and his arm was all chewed up. So I took him inside my house and tried to bandage his arm but suddenly he went crazy. And I did try to scratch him, but the bandages were in the way. I scratched them off him. I even still have them, all covered in blood. If I told you that, what would you say?Id say that you were using us as a dry run before telling Sheriff Mossberg, Bonnie thought, chilled. And Id say that you were right, you in all probability can clean up pretty normal looking when you make an effort. If youd just stop that childish giggling and get rid of the crafty look, youd be even more convincing.But Meredith was speaking. Caroline theyve got DNA tests for blood.Of course I know that Caroline looked so indignant that for a moment she forgot to look sly.Meredith was staring at her. That means they can tell if the bandages youve got have Matts blood on them or not, she said. And if it flows in t he right pattern to match your story.There isnt any pattern. The bandages are just soaked. Abruptly, Caroline strode over to a conceit and opened it, plucking out a length of what might have to begin with been athletic bandage. Now it shone reddish in the faint light.Looking at the stiff fabric in the ruby light, Bonnie knew two things. It wasnt any part of the poultice that Mrs. Flowers had put on Matts arm the morning after hed been attacked. And it was soaked with genuine blood, right to the stiff tips of the cloth.The world seemed to be reel around. Because even though Bonnie believed in Matt, this new story stimulate her. This new story might even work provided that no one could find Matt and test his blood.Even Matt admitted that there was time unaccounted for that nighttime he couldnt remember.But that didnt mean Caroline was telling the truth Why would she start out with a lie, and only change it when the facts got in the way?Carolines eyes were the color of a cats. Cats play with mice, just for amusement. Just to see them run.Matt had run.Bonnie shook her head. All at once she couldnt stand this house any longer. It had somehow settled into her mind, making her accept all the impossible angles of the distorted walls. She had even swelled accustomed to the awful smell and the red light. But now, with Caroline holding out a blood-soaked bandage and telling her that it was Matt who had bled all over itIm going home, Bonnie announced suddenly. And Matt didnt do it, and and Im never coming back Accompanied by the sound of Carolines giggling, she whirled, trying not to look at the nest Caroline had made under her corner desk. There were empty bottles and half-empty plates of food piled in there with the clothes. Anything could be under them even a malach.But as Bonnie moved, the room seemed to move with her, accelerating her spin, until she had gone twice around before she could put out a foot to stop herself.Wait, Bonnie wait, Caroline, Meredith s aid, sounding almost frantic. Caroline was folding her body like a contortionist, getting back under the desk. Caroline, what about Tyler Smallwood? Dont you care that hes the real father of your your kids? How long were you dating him before he linked up with Klaus? Where is he now?Forrr all I know hes dead. You and yourrr friends killed him. The snarl was back, but it wasnt vicious. It was more of a triumphant purr. But I dont miss him, so I hope he stays dead, Caroline added, with a muffled giggle. He wouldnt marrrry me.Bonnie had to get away. She fumbled for the doorknob, found it, and was blinded. She had spent so long in ruby dimness that the hall light was like the midday sun on the desert.Turrn off the lamp Caroline snapped from under the desk. But as Meredith moved to do it Bonnie heard a surprisingly loud explosion and saw the red-swathed shade go dark by itself.And one thing more.The hallway light swept across Carolines room like a beacon as the door swung shut. Caroli ne was already tearing at something with her teeth. Something with the texture of meat, but not cooked meat.Bonnie jerked back to run and almost knocked over Mrs. Forbes.The woman was still standing in the hall where she had been when they went into Carolines room. She didnt even look as if shed been listening at the door. She was just standing, staring at nothing.I have to show you out, she said in her soft, gray voice. She didnt lift her head to meet Bonnies or Merediths eyes. You might get lost otherwise. I do.It was a straight shot to the stairs and down and four steps to the front door. But as they walked, Meredith didnt say anything, and Bonnie couldnt.Once outside, Meredith turned to look at Bonnie.Well? Is she more possess by the malach or the werewolf part of her? Or could you tell anything from her aura?Bonnie heard herself laugh, a sound that was like crying.Meredith, her aura isnt human and I dont know what to make of it. And her mother doesnt seem to have an aura at al l. Theyre just that house is just Never mind, Bonnie. You dont have to go there ever again.Its like But Bonnie didnt know how to explain the fun-house look of the walls or the way the stairs went down instead of up.I think, she said finally, that youd better do some more research. On things like like possession of the American kind.You mean like possession by demons? Meredith shot her a sharp look.Yes. I guess so. Only I dont know where to start listing whats wrong with her.I have a few ideas of my own, Meredith said quietly. Like did you notice that she never showed us her hands? That was very strange, I thought.I know why, Bonnie whispered, trying not to let the sobbing laughter out. Its because she doesnt have fingernails anymore.What did you say?She put her hands around my wrists. I could feel them.Bonnie, youre not making any sense.Bonnie made herself speak. Caroline has claws now, Meredith. Real claws. Like a wolf.Or maybe, Meredith said in a whisper, like a fox.