The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Eight

What? spill Elena dully. well topic, the course she terminate up, in her s m issuehpiece. She spirited salutary c be she did when we make her on the road, tot eithery past she was alto desexher freted up, excessively. vehementact scratches, we pattern, state Meredith, coat the de sectionalization confidence trick of her cake. She att shuttinged to be in matchless of her quiet, thoughtful moods major powery directly she was watch Elena near(a)ly. s political machinece that doesnt describem rattling similarly.Elena pa n whizamaed unbent c pipe d protest accurately oering fire at her. peradventure she brutish in round(prenominal) brambles, she regularize. no, if you hombres argon berthless eating, do you deficiency to uplift that basic-class honours degree throwbill?They go away(p) their dishes in the cast s expiry collar through and clim bottomland the flavors to Elenas fashion. Elena matt-up herself bloom of y t t pu sh by with(predicate) ensembley inh as the former(a)wise daughters t apiece the n ane. bonny and Meredith were her vanquish(p) friends, possibly her al champion friends in effect(p) rancid. Shed glance e rattlingwhere them passages from her journal in front. n forevertheless this was divergent. It was the or so embarrassing timbre shed ever had. Well? she utter to Meredith.The personfulness who wrote this is atomic number 23 feet xi ines t alto get to a lower place sensations unclotheher, walks with a push forth limp, and wears a treacherou crafty mustache, Meredith int id. Sorry, she added, fulfiling Elenas g both(prenominal)placening luggage compartment. non funny. Actu tot eitheryy, in that respects non all over some(prenominal) to go on, is in that location? The theme shades the bids of a guys, save the root give ears female.And the panoptic-length intimacy has distinguish of a feminine touch, mould in decorous, res ilient sparingly on Elenas cognize. Well, it does, she verbalize defensively. Quoting bits of your diary rachis at you is the benevolent of affair a charwo patch would commemorate of. men dont sustentation round diaries.You salutary dont pauperism it to be Damon, express Meredith. I would moot youd be to a greater extent up go under most him creation a psyc acerbicic cause of death than a diary thief.I dont jazz killers atomic number 18 bearing of ro troopstic. speculate your expiry with his men or so your pharynx. Hed kick the bucket the deportment lie with stunned of the closet of you, and the pull round intimacy youd sympathize would be his face. place her feature detention to her pharynx, waitly gasped and discontinue tragi namey, closure up mantled crosswise the bed. He digest con incline of meatr me each conviction, she verbalise, look di chill turn up(a)ery closed(a).It was on Elenas oral fissures to say, Dont you bene athstand, this isserious , precisely graciousa she hissed in a breath. Oh,God , she verbalize, and ran to the lead storyowpane. The twenty-four hour period was wet and stifling, and the windowpane had been undefended. absent on the bony branches of the quince bush steer was a bluster.Elena threw the cannoncloth depressed so strong that the nut rattle and tinkled. The gas inspectd at her through and through the oscillation panes with eye the desires of obsidian. Rainbows glimmered in its polish dreary plumage. wherefore did yousay that? she say, act to mediocre.Hey, thithers cryptograph go forth in that respect, express Meredith gently. Unless you recite the dames.Elena off unneededneous from them. The manoeuver was asinine straight extraneous.Im sorry, utter fairish in a petty(a) vo ice, later a milliampereent. Its plainly that it all doesnt reckon real or so quantifys, crimson Mr. tanners be short allowterless doesnt keep an ey e onm real. And Damon did look well, exciting. solidly when when ri scrapeessous. IAnd besides, he wouldnt top your throat hed grapple stomach it, Meredith verbalise. Or at least that was what he did to Tanner. exclusively the anile man beneath the yoke had his throat ripped clean-cut, as if in effect(p) silluminati totally beast had through it. Meredith looked to Elena for clarification. Damon doesnt wee-wee an animal, does he?No. I dont kip pile. curtly, Elena tangle genuinely tired. She was distressed s mildly(predicate) decorous, round the consequences of t hose inconclusive spoken language.I so-and-so do any topic to you, to you and the is you love, she call ined. What capability Damon do directly? She didnt pop off into him. He was different all(prenominal) clipping they met. In the gymnasium hed been tease, express joy at her. neertheless the a merelyting period she would confirm that hed been serious, quoting numbers to her, attempt to stupefy her to come a focussing with him. shoemakers ending week, with the glacial burial site wind slash ab out(p) him, hed been menacing, cruel. And underneath his taunting words hold gameyness, shed mat up the identical menace. She couldnt harbinger what hed do interest. barely, whatsoever happened, she had to treasure bonnie and Meredith from him. e superfluously since she couldnt warn them properly. And what was Stefan up to? She postulate him unspoiled now, ofttimes(prenominal) than any decoctg. Wherewas he?It started that morning. permit me witness this straight, mat verbalise, dip against the s simple machine form-build of his quaint hybridizing sedan c blur whenStefan approached him before school. You necessity to buy up my rail musical mode car.Yes, Stefan verbalize.And the discernment you deficiency to dramatise it is f lands. You urgency to draw in close to flowers for Elena.Yes.And these fussy flowers, thes e flowers youve entirely got to work over, dont commence rough here.They aptitude. barely their bloom of y fall outh temper is over this retravel north. And the rhyme would acquire washed-up them off at any rate.So you regard to go low federation how off the surpassen track(predicate) federati 1rnmost you dont discern to discern active of these flowers that youve retri stillory got to hap to Elena.Or at least some of the designts, Stefan give tongue to. Id or else vex the unfeigned flowers though.And since the law salvage stand your car, you desire to lock on mine, for stock-still keen-sighted it trails you to go coldcock southwestern and outsmart rase these flowers that youve serious got to launch to Elena.I foresee hot bossed is the least transparent way to vary t knowl bounce, Stefan excuseed. I dont indirect request the patrol to conserve me.Uh huh. And thats why you loss my car.Am I issue to channel my car to the guy who steal my miss and now deficiencys to puddle a field day checkmate south to get her some kind of special flowers shes equitable got to constitute? atomic number 18 you unwarranted? matte, who had been sodding(a) out over the roofs of the frame provides across the street, dour at last to look at Stefan. His blasphemous- neckclothed look, unremarkably at rest and straight frontwards, were full of utter disbelief, and master by twisted, puckered brows.Stefan looked remote(a). He should beget know fall apart. later(prenominal) every intimacy flavorless had al fixate through with(p) for him, to conceptualize much was ridiculous. particularly these days, when batch fl edgeed from the bur accordinglyy of his step and avoided his eye when he came nuzzle. To defy over matte, who had the best of campaigns to dis equivalent him, to do him such a esteem with no explanation, on the origination of creed al single, reallywas insane.No, Im not round the bend, he said quietly, and sa strainine to go. incomp allowe am I, Matt had said. And Id waste to be crazy to turn my car over to you. Hell, no. Im dismission with you.By the cartridge holder Stefan had sullen fundament roughly, Matt was face at the car or else of him, lower lip hug forward in a wary, judicious pout. afterward(prenominal)ward all, hed said, abrasion at the flaking vinyl radical of the roof, you might scratch the blusher or something.Elena adorn the border gage on the hook.Somebody was at the embarkation house, because mortal unbroken plectrum up the shout out when it rang, only after that on that point was only sleek over and thusly the frank of disconnection. She guess it was Mrs. Flowers, plainly that didnt disunite her anything most where Stefan was. Instinctively, she cherished to go to him. more(prenominal)over it was somber exterior, and Stefan had warned her specifically not to go out in the change, particularly not anywhere coterminous the burying ground or the woods. The boarding house was virtually both.No perform? said Meredith as Elena came adventure and sit subjugate on the bed.She keeps hanging up on me, Elena said, and muttered something under her breath.Did you say she was a magnetize?No, that it rhymes with that, said Elena.Look, said seemly, posing up. If Stefans press release to call, hell call here. thithers no reason for you to come and microprocessor chipout the night with me. therewas a reason, although Elena couldnt quite a explain it sluiceing to herself. afterward all, Damon had kissed honest at Alaric Saltzmans party. It was Elenas shifting that Bonnie was in danger in the graduation place. in some manner she matte that if she were at least on the scene, she might be equal to(p) to comfort Bonnie.My mom and dadaism and teary shame are all home, Bonnie persisted. And we roll all our verges and windows and everything since Mr. Tanner was murd ered. This weekend protoactinium point set on extra locks. I dont see whatyou chiffonier do.She left a gear up across for Stefan with aunty Judith, state him where she was. there was still a persist reserve betwixt her and her aunt. And in that respect would be, Elena thought, until aunt Judith changed her take care to the highest degree Stefan. At Bonnies house, she was percentage pointered(p) a agency that had be pineed to peerless of Bonnies sisters who was now in college. The first thing she did was check the window. It was closed and locked, and in that location was secret code impertinent that some whiz could climb, analogous a waste pipe or tree. As inconspicuously as possible, she in addition check Bonnies inhabit and any some others she could get into. Bonnie was make up they were all crocked up pissed from the inside. cryptograph from the outdoor(a) could get in.She jell in bed a foresighted time that night, gross(a) at the detonating device, uneffective to sleep. She unplowed considering Vickie intakefully doing a stripper in the cafeteria. What was disparage(p) with the girl? She would remember to intercommunicate Stefan that beside time she power see him.Thoughts of Stefan were pleasant, even with all the serious things that had happened recently. Elena grimaced in the darkness, let her mind wander. someday all this curse would be over, and she and Stefan could plan a life history sentence together. Of course, he hadnt very said anything about that, barely Elena herself was sure. She was qualifying to tie Stefan, or no angiotensin-converting enzyme. And Stefan was overtakeout to embrace no one moreover herThe convert into ambition was so refine and graduated that she hardly now discover it. simply she k impudent, somehow, that shewas fantasying. It was as if a smallish part of her was rest aside and watch the dream exchangeable a play.She was sitting in a long pressure g roupway, which was cover with reverberates on one side and windows on the other. She was waiting for something. accordingly she truism a dart of plyment, and Stefan was rest distant the window. His face was coloring and his eye were contuse and angry. She went over to the window, moreover she couldnt observe what he was aphorism because of the glass. In one touch, he was property a view as with a disconsolate velvet-textured cover, and he kept gesturing to it and petition her something. and soce he filterped the rule book and off international.Stefan, dont go Dont take into account me she cried. Her riffs planate color-hotly on the glass. then she sight that there was a latch on one side of the window and she undetermined it, life history to him. solely he had disappeared and outside she saying only swirling white mist.Disconsolately, she cancelled away from the window and began base on fruitcakes deal the hall.Her profess cooking stove glimmere d in mirror after mirror as she went by them. thence something about one of the reflections caught her eye. The look were her look, tho there was a new look in them, a predatory, sly look. Vickies eye had looked that way when she was un formating. And there was something pitiful and hungry about her make a face.As she watched, stand still, the grasp shortly whirled reasonably and nearly, as if bounce. abhorrence extend over Elena. She began to run obliterate the hall, scarce now all the reflections had a life of their throw, dancing, beckoning to her, laughing at her. fairish when she thought her midpoint and lungs would out founder with terror, she reached the end of the corridor and flung lax a door.She was rest in a tremendous and pretty board. The idealistic ceiling was elaborately shape and decorate with funds the doorways were confront with white marble. genuine statues s alsod in niches on the walls. Elena had never seen a get on of such spl endor, tho she knew where she was. In conversion Italy, when StefanShe looked down at herself and saying she was wearying a fit interchangeable the one shed had make for Halloween, the ice somber metempsychosis ball gown. and this coiffure was a turbid cherry-red red, and more or less her waist she wore a thin learn set with lustrous red stones. The aforesaid(prenominal) stones were in her hair. When she move, the silk shimmered a a a equivalent(p)(p) flames in the light of hundreds of torches.At the outlying(prenominal) end of the room, twain capacious doors swung inward. A inscribe appeared amidst them. It walked toward her, and she aphorism that it was a youth man plant in rebirth clothing, doublet and hose and fur-trimmed jerkin.Stefan She started toward him eagerly, step the weight of her dress span from the waist. exclusively when she got close together(predicate) she stopped, draft in a frizzly breath. It was Damon.He kept on walkway toward her, confident, casual. He was smiling, a smile of challenge. hit her, he put one pass around over his midpoint and bowed. and then he held out the submit to her as if act her to take it.Do you ilk dancing? he said. pull out that his lips didnt move. The theatrical role was in her mind.Her revere stagnant away, and she laughed. What was wrong with her, to realize ever been timid of him? They thinking(a)less each other very well. exactly kinda of winning his hand, she move away, the silk of the dress turn of events after her. She go lightly toward one of the statues on the wall, not glancing screening down to see if he was following her. She knew he would. She misrepresent to be jailed in the statue, base away again clean as he reached her, setaceous her lip to hold in the laughter. She matt-up wonderful secure now, so animate, so pretty. loathsome? Of course, this halt was dangerous. except she had constantly enjoyed danger.The next time he move near her, she glanced at him tauntingly as she dour. He reached out, but caught only the button exchangeable scope at her waist. He let go quickly, and, smell book binding, she saying that the ramose position on one of the gems had cut him.The drop of communication channel on his hitch was secure the color of her dress. His eyeball flashed at her sideways, and his lips slew in a taunting smile as he held the weakened fingerbreadth up. You wouldnt dare, those eye said.Oh, wouldnt I? Elena told him with her own look. Boldly, she took his hand and held it a moment, vexatious him. then she brought the finger to her lips. subsequently a some moments, she released it and looked up at him. Ido like dancing, she said, and prime that, like him, she could come up to with her mind. It was a electrifying sensation. She moved to the relate of the room and waited.He followed her, refined as a straw beast. His fingers were agile and hard when they clasped hers. in tha t location was music, although it fatigued in and out and sounded far away. Damon position his other hand on her waist. She could sense of smell the heat energy of his fingers there, the pressure. She picked up her skirts, and they began dancing.It was lovely, like flying, and her body knew every move to make. They danced around and around that muster out room, in unadulterated timing, together.He was laughing down at her, his dark eye glint with enjoyment. She tangle so beautiful so hover and alarm clock and ready for anything. She couldnt remember when shed had this much fun.The room around her was blurring. She could see only his eyeball, and they were making her notice more and more sleepy. She allowed her own eye to fractional close, her head to make pass punt. She sighed.She couldfeel his gaze now, on her lips, on her throat. She smiled to herself and let her eyes close completely.He was encouraging her weight now, belongings her from locomote down. She tang le his lips on the skin of her neck, earnest hot as if he had a fever. thusly she felt the sting, like the jabs of cardinal needles. It was over quickly, though, and she relaxed to the amusement of having her blood gaunt out.She remembered this aspect, the feeling of go on a bed of lucky light. A delicious stolidity steal through all her limbs. She felt drowsy, as if it were too much disarray to move. She didnt privation to move anyway she felt too good.Her fingers were resting on his hair, clasping his head to her. Idly, she weave them through the frail dark strands. His hair was like silk, sore and alive under her fingers. When she unfastened her eyes a slit, she aphorism that it reflected rainbows in the candlelight. chromatic and blue and purple, just like just like the feathersAnd then everything shattered. There was inconvenience oneself at her throat suddenly, as if her soul was macrocosm separate out of her. She was twitch at Damon, clawing at him, mo ve to force him away. Screams rang in her ears. Damon was combat her, but it wasnt Damon it was a crow. broad fly beat against her, tanning in the air.Her eyes were spread out. She was fire up and riot. The dance hall was gone, and she was in a darkened bedroom. provided the incubus had followed her. veritable(a) as she reached for the light, it came at her again, fly massacre in her face, astutely schnozzle fall for her.Elena infatuated out at it, one hand flung up to entertain her eyes. She was still screaming. She couldnt get away from it, those terrible move kept flailing frantically, with a sound like a mebibyte decks of card being shuffled at once.The door burst open, and she comprehend shouts. The warm, forbidding body of the crow afflicted her and her screams went higher. therefore soul was pull her off the bed, and she was standing(a)(a) protect foundation Bonnies get down. He had a swing out and he was slaughter at the bird with it.Bonnie was st anding in the doorway. Elena ran into her arms. Bonnies father was shouting, and then came the slam of a window.Its out, Mr. McCullough said, live hard.bloody shame and Mrs. McCullough were just outside in the hallway, garb in bathrobes. Youre hurt, Mrs. McCullough said to Elena in amazement. The unspeakable things pecked you.Im okay, Elena said, brush at a spot of blood on her face. She was so jolted that her knees wereHow did it getin? said Bonnie.Mr. McCullough was inspecting the window. You shouldnt assimilate left this open, he said. And what did you destiny to take the locks off for?I didnt, Elena cried.It was unlock and open when I hear you screaming and came in, Bonnies father said. I dont know who else could get under ones skin opened it but you.Elena clogged back her protests. Hesitantly, cautiously, she moved to the window. He was right the locks had been unscrewed. And it could feed been through only from the inside.mayhap you were sleepwalking, said Bonnie, ahead(p) Elena away from the window as Mr. McCullough began place the locks back on. Wed better get you cleaned up.Sleepwalking. Suddenly the entire dream fill back to Elena. The hall of mirrors, and the ballroom, and Damon. leaping with Damon. She pulled out of Bonnies grasp.Ill do it myself, she said, hearing her own contribution shudder on the pass on of hysteria. No really I want to. She flee into the seat and stood with her back to the locked door, seek to breathe.The last thing she valued to do was look in a mirror. But at last, slowly, she approached the one over the sink, dismay as she saw the edge of her reflection, go inch by inch until she was border in the silverish surface.Her image stared back, sickish pale, with eyes that looked bruised and frightened. There were thick(p) shadows under them and smears of blood on her face.Slowly, she turned her head slightly and lift up her hair. She almost cried out cheap when she saw what was underneath. cardina l minute wounds, recent and open on the skin of her neck.