The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 5

Elena got into the sustainseat of the Jaguar and put on a plush aquamarine T-shirt and jeans underneath her darkgown, vertical in case a police reachicer or even some ace trying to help the owners of a car apparently st in alled by a deserted high panache s sackped by. And then she lay push down in the Jags fend forseat. entirely although she was equivalent a shot warm and comfort up to(p), sleep wouldnt bring forth.What do I wish? veritablely inadequacy right now? she asked herself. And the answer came to her immediately.I loss to bump Stefan. I want to feel his coat of arms around me. I want to solely grimace at his face at his green eye with that special watch that he only constantly shows to me. I want him to clear me and tell me that he greets Ill al government agencys love life him.And I wantElena mat up herself flush as a warmth went through her be, I want Stefan to pamper me. I want Stefans kisseswarm and sweet and comforting.Elena was idea this a s for the second or third time she shut her eyes and shifted position, tears in wizard case again welling up. If only she could cry, really cry, for Stefan. alone something stopped her. She found it hard to squeeze start a tear.God, she was exhausted.Elena tried. She unbroken her eyes shut and false concealment and forth, trying not to entail round Stefan for just a a few(prenominal) minutes. She had to sleep. Desperate, she gave a mighty heave to try to find a break-dance position when e reallything of a sudden changed.Elena was comfortable. Too comfortable. She couldnt feel the seat at all. She bolted upright and froze, sitting on air. She was al roughly hitting her head against the Jags top.Ive lost gravity again she thinking, horrified. notwith endorseing, no this was different than what had happened when she had first re tea redness from the afterlife, and had floated around similar a balloon. She couldnt explain why, provided she was sure.She was afraid to m ove in any direction. She wasnt sure of the crap of her regret but she didnt dare move.And then she apothegm it.She saw herself, with her head back and her eyes closed in the backseat of the car. She could make out 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 coming unbraided already. She looked as if she were serenely sleeping.So this was how it all ended. This is what theyll say, that Elena Gilbert, one summer day, died peace proficienty in her sleep. No cause of death was ever found.Because they could never project amount of moneybreak as a cause of death, Elena thought, and in a gesture even more melodramatic than her usual melodramatic gestures, she tried to fling herself down on her own physical structure with one arm c overing her face.It didnt work. As soon as she r all(prenominal)ed out to begin to fling herself, she found herself outside the Jaguar.Shed a t peace(p) right through the ceiling without intent anything. I suppose thats what happens when youre a ghost, she thought. entirely this is nothing like the last time. Then I saw the tunnel, I went into the Light. by chance Im not a ghost. all of a sudden Elena felt a rush of exhilaration. I neck what this is, she thought triumphantly. This is an out of body experienceShe looked down at her sleeping self again, searching carefully. Yes Yes t present was a cord attaching her sleeping body her real body to her spiritual self. She was tethered Wherever she went, she could find her way home.There were only two mathematical destinations. One was back to Fells Church. She knew the general direction from the sun, and she was sure that someone having an O.O.B. (as Bonnie, who had once departed through a spiritualist fad and had read lots of books to the highest degree the subject, familiarly called them) would be able to recognize the crossing of all those ley lines.The other dest ination, of caterpillar track, was to Stefan.Damon might think she didnt know where to go, and it was true that she could only vaguely sense from the ascent sun that Stefan was in the other direction to the west of her. But shed always comprehend that the souls of true lovers were connected somehowby a silver thread from heart to heart or a red cord from pinky to pinky.To her de escape, she found it almost immediately.A thin cord the color of moonlight, that seemed to be stretched compressed between the sleeping Elenas heart, andyes. When she touched the cord, it resonated so clearly to her of Stefan that she knew it would take her to him.There was never a doubt in her brain as to which direction she would take. Shed been in Fells Church. Bonnie was a psychic of some impressive powers, and so was Stefans old landlady, Mrs. Theophilia Flowers. They were there, along with Meredith and her brilliant intellect, to protect the town.And they would all under basis, she told herself s omewhat desperately. She might not ever have this chance again.Without another(prenominal) moments hesitation, Elena turned toward Stefan and let herself go.Immediately she found herself rushing through the air, far too 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 breathing out through objects.And so, in just a few instants, she found herself looking at a heart-wrenching scene Stefan on a worn and broken pallet, looking gray-faced and thin. Stefan in a trackous, rush-strewn, lice-infested cell with its cursedly bars of iron from which no vampire could escape.Elena turned away for a moment so that when she woke him he wouldnt see her anguish and her tears. She was just composing herself, when Stefans joint jolted through her. He was awake already.You try and try, dont you? he verbalize, his part heavy with sarcasm. I guess you should get points for that. But you always get something wrong. stand up time it was the petty(a) pointed ears. This time its the clothes. Elena wouldnt wear a wrinkled shirt like that and have dirty, bare feet if her life depended on it. Go away. Shrugging his shoulders under the stock(prenominal) blanket, he turned from her.Elena stared. She was in too many kinds of distress to choose her words they burst from her like a geyser. Oh, Stefan I was just trying to hand asleep in my clothes in case a police gloweringicer stopped by season 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 dirty when Damon well well never bear in mind that. I have a real nightgown, but 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.Then she threw up her hands in alarm as Stefan swung around. But marvel of marvels there was now a tinge of blood in his cheeks. Moreover, he was no longer looking disdainful.He was looking deadly, his green eyes flashing 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 whispered, thoroughgoing(a) at her as if she had only just appeared.Stefan She couldnt help holding out her arms to him. She couldnt control anything. Stefan, I dont know how, but Im here. Its me Im not a dream or a ghost. I was thinking about you and falling asleep and here I am She tried to touch him with ghostlike hands. 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 show Stefan how more than she love him. As it was, they had to use clumsy words clichs that just happened to be un iquely true.I will always love you, Elena, Stefan said, whispering again. But I dont want you near Damon. Hell find a way to hurt you I jackpott help it, Elena interrupted him.You have to help it because hes my only intrust, Stefan Hes not red 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. Some ordain where youll be safe.Yes, she said, just as seriously, knowing that phantom tears were now racing down her bodiless cheeks. Andoh, Stefan, theres so much you dont know. Carolean accused two-dimensionality of attacking her while they were on a date because shes pregnant. But it wasnt MattOf course not Stefan said indignantly, and would have said more, but Elena was racing on.And I think that the the litter is really Tyler Smallwoods because of the timing, and because Caroleans changing. Damon said that A werewolf baby will always turn its bring into a werewolf Yes But the werewolf part is going to have to fight the malach thats already inside her. Bonnie and Meredith told me things about Caroline like how she was scuttling on the floor like a lizard that just panic-struck 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, but werewolves bunk to kill before they think. He struck his knee with his fist. I wish I could be thereElena burst out with mixed wonder and despair, And preferably here I am with you I never knew I could do this. But I havent been able to bring you anything this way, not even myself. My blood. She made a helpless gesture and saw the self-complacentness in Stefans eyes.He still had the Clarion Loess Black Magic wine shed smuggled to him She knew it It was the only liquid that would in a p inch help go for a vampire alive when no blood was available.Black Magic wine nonalcoholic and never made for creation 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 grown in the soil at the edges of glaciers, loess, and that they were always kept in complete 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. Exactly how did it happen? he asked then. This out of body thing? why 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 offer you. For a moment the humiliation showed clearly in his face. All this time hed managed to hide it from her the shame he felt in appearing before her in this way in a filthy cell, with rags for clothes, and infested with God knew what. He S tefan Salvatore, who had once been had once been Elenas heart in truth broke then. She knew it was breaking, because she could feel it inside 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, but 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 mother fucker 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 wonder 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 done something else.I d-dont understand.He caught one of her tears a nd kissed it. Then he looked at her with a sheen in his own eyes. Its hard to talk about, lovable little love.Then why use words? she thought, still weeping, but coming down to his level so she could snuffle just above 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 unpick out before they get to me, sometimes, you see Elena lifted her head, 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 c ure all ills. And I was ill tonight, Elena, even though I tried to hide it. But Im cured now As bang-up 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, but now his fine features looked flushed as if he had been standing in apparent motion 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. not like blood, she realized, but 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 waist 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 sight and blend 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 enough to tell him about the incident with Matt without making Damon sound too much like a villain.And Stefan, Damon really is protect us as best he can. She told him about the two possessed vampires who had been tracking them and what Damon had done.Stefan merely shrugged and said wryly, Most people 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 Matt 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 glow of his trust for her. later on that they held each other, Elena snuggling weightlessly above the curve of Stefans armand it was bliss.And then abruptly the world the entire universe 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 scare 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 landed in her body.For all her reluctance she landed perfectly on the solid body that until now had been the only one shed cognise. 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 needed 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 smile.Elena blinked, forcing herself to deal with her new situation. She hadnt seen Stefan for nearly long enough. But her memories of their short, sweet time together were wrapped in jonquils and lavender and nothing could ever take them away from her.Damon was irritated. As he flew higher on his wide, dense 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 driftin g. 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 equal 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 auras. He wanted a strong aura as much as a beautiful one. And hed been in America long enough to know that this early in the dawning you could find common chord sorts of people up and outdoors. Students were the first, but this was summer, so there were fewer to pick from. Despite Mutts assumptions, Damon seldom sank to high school female childs. Joggers were the second. And the third, thinking beautiful thoughts, just likethat one down therewere home gardeners.The young woman with the pruning shears looked up as Damon turned the coigne and approached her house, deliberately hurrying and then slowing his stride. His very footsteps made it clear that he was delighted to take in the floral extravaganza in front of the charming Victorian house. For a moment the girl looked startled, almost afraid. That was prevalent. Damon was wearing 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 bloom. 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 flow 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 self-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. Now 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 Krysta felt as if she were floating 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 spl endid 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 shut in 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 get 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. K rystas hands shook about 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 behind Bonnie as she stepped into Carolines room.I said, shut the damn door Caroline said no, snarled.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 shutting the door Bonnie 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 curled into an impossible position in post to fit there. She was sitting on a pile of what looked like shreds of clothing. Her best clothes, Bonnie thought suddenly, as a twinkle of gold lam flashed and was gone when the door shut.Then it was just the thre e 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, Bonnie 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. half-size 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 Bonnie s affright 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 perchance it was only her imagination. She could also hear things that made her jump like that loud double clicking noise 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 rustling 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. neer 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 strange lit tle 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 ruby 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 sounded 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 insolent, 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 sm ile 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 shining in the center of each of Carolines eyes.We visited Isobel at the hospital, yes, Meredith said expressionlessly. Then, with unmistakable anger in her voice, she added, And you know very well that she cant talk yet. But with a triumphant 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 twins are born. She stood, hands still behind her, and arcuate her back so that her stomach protruded more than ever.The twins? Bonnie was startled into speaking.Matt Junior 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 maybe Ill call the girl Honey. Matthew and Honey, for their daddy, Matthew Honeycutt.You cant do it, Bonnie shouted, more shrilly. Especially with Matt not 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 spare 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? About not telling anyone about Elena or bringing publicity around her?Caroline blinked slowly, like a lizard. A long time ago. In a different lifetime, 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 move 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 flaming auburn Caroline was so proud of. And there wereother hairs that didnt shine at all. Bonnie had seen this b rindled 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 angry mad insane mad, Bonnie realized.Caroline looked up, not at Meredith, but straight into Bonnies 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 m arry 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 saying 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 then 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, remembering 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. Besides, 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 dye 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 dismiss it as being due to shock. Oh, poor Caroline, her whole personality has changed since that day. Shes so panic-struck 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 channel into Carolines words. Caroline was through growling for the moment. She sounded almost like the old Caroline, offended 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 youCaroli ne 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 driving around our neighborhood at about quintet 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 probably 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 pith they can tell if the bandages youve got have Matts blood on them or not, she said. And if it flows in the right pattern to match your story.There isnt any pattern. The bandages are just soaked. Abruptly, Caroline strode over to a dresser and opened it, plucking out a length of what might have originally been athletic bandage. Now it shone reddish in the choke 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 spinning around. Because even though Bonnie believed in Matt, this new story scared 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 grown 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 said, 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 joined 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 faintheartedness 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 crossways Carolines room like a beacon as the door swung shut. Caroline 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 c ouldnt.Once outside, Meredith turned to look at Bonnie.Well? Is she more possessed 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 all. 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 kinda 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, tryi ng 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.