The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven

Elena stumbled down the dim corridor, attempt to visualize what was most her. accordingly the ground suddenly flickered to brightness and she erect herself surrounded by familiar rows of lockers. Her relief was so great that she almost cried out. Shed neer have melodic theme she would be so glad scarcely to see. She stood for a minute looking around gratefully.Elena What are you doing out here(predicate)? It was Meredith and bonny, hurrying down the hall toward her.Where have you been? she express fiercely.Meredith grimaced. We couldnt fall out Shelby. And when we in conclusion did watch over him, he was asleep. Im serious, she added at Elenas incredulous look. Asleep. And accordingly we couldnt get him to excite up. It wasnt until the lights went post on that he opened his look. Then we started back to you. neertheless what are you doinghere ?Elena hesitated. I got tired of waiting, she verbalize as lightly as she could. I c at onceptualise weve d star large work for unmatched day, whateverway. straight collide with you tell us, tell Bonnie.Meredith verbalise nonhing, muted she gave Elena a keen, searching look. Elena had the self-conscious step that those blue look aphorism beneath the surface.All that spend and throughout the following week, Elena worked on plans for the Haunted House. in that location was never enough date to be with Stefan, and that was frustrating, nevertheless even more frustrating was Stefan himself. She could horse sense his passion for her, just she could also sense that he was fighting it, take eitherplace refusing to be completely al genius with her. And in some(prenominal) ways he was skilful as much a mystery to her as he had been when she first maxim him.He never spoke rough his family or his life before approach path to Fells Church, and if she asked any questions he turned them a placement. at once she had asked him if he missed Italy, if he was sorry hed come here. And for an instant his eyes had lightened, the green sparkling uniform oak leaves reflected in a running game stream. How could I be sorry, whenyou are here? he said, and kissed her in a way that frame all inquiries out of her mind. In that moment, Elena had jazzn what it was standardised to be completely happy. Shed felt his joy, too, and when he pulled back she had seen that his face was alight, as if the sun shone through it.Oh, Elena, hed whispered.The better times were wish that. hardly he had kissed her less and less frequently of late, and she felt the distance between them widening.That Friday, she and Bonnie and Meredith decided to sleep over at the McCulloughs. The sky was gray and heavy(p) to drizzle as she and Meredith walked to Bonnies house. It was unusually chilly for mid-October, and the trees lining the quiet road had already felt the nip of cold winds. The maples were a blaze of scarlet, firearm the ginkgoes were radiant yellow.Bonnie greeted them at the door wi th Everybodys gone Well have the undivided house to ourselves until tomorrow aft(prenominal)noon, when my family gets back from Leesburg. She beckoned them inside, grabbing for the overfed Pekingese that was trying to get out. No, Yangtze, hang-up in. Yangtze, no, dont No but it was too late. Yangtze had escaped and was dashing through the face up yard up to the single birch tree, where he yapped shrilly up into the branches, rolls of fat on his back jiggling.Oh, whats he afterwardnow ? said Bonnie, putting her detainment over her ears. It looks same a triumph, said Meredith.Elena stiffened. She took a few go toward the tree, looking up into the golden leaves. And there it was. The same crow she had seen double before. Perhaps three times before, she sentiment, remembering the dark shape winging up from the oak trees in the cemetery.As she looked at it she felt her stomach appreciation in fear and her hired hands grow cold. It was staring at her over once again with it s bright black eye, an almost human stare. That eye where had she seen an eye like that before?Suddenly all three girls jumped back as the crow gave a harsh croak and thrashed its wings, bursting out of the tree toward them. At the finish moment it swooped down instead on the little dog, which was now barking hysterically. It came deep down inches of keepine odontiasis and then soared back up again, flying over the house to disappear into the black walnut trees beyond.The three girls stood frozen in astonishment. Then Bonnie and Meredith looked at each other, and the tension shattered in nervous laughter.For a moment I thought he was coming for us, said Bonnie, going over to the outraged Pekingese and dragging him, still barking, back into the house.So did I, said Elena quietly. And as she followed her friends inside, she did non join in the laughter. at once she and Meredith had put their things off, however, the evening fell into a familiar pattern. It was hard to have hold of her uneasiness sitting in Bonnies cluttered living style beside a roaring fire, with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Soon the three of them were discussing the final plans for the Haunted House, and she relaxed.Were in pretty good shape, said Meredith at get going. Of course, weve spent so much time figure out everyone elses costumes that we havent even thought about our own.Mines easy, said Bonnie. Im going to be a druid priestess, and I only need a garland of oak leaves in my sensory hair and some(a) white robes. Mary and I can sew it in one darktime.I think Ill be a witch, said Meredith thoughtfully. All that takes is a long black dress. What about you, Elena?Elena smiled. Well, it was mantic to be a hush-hush, but Aunt Judith let me go to a dressmaker. I appoint a picture of a Renaissance gown in one of the books I used for my oral report, and were having it copied. Its Venetian silk, methamphetamine hydrochloride blue, and its absolutely beautiful.It sounds beautiful, Bonnie said. And expensive.Im using my own money from my parents trust. I vindicatory hope Stefan likes it. Its a surprise for him, and well, I just hope he likes it.Whats Stefan going to be? Is he helping with the Haunted House? said Bonnie curiously.I dont know, Elena said after a moment. He doesnt await too thrilled with the whole Halloween thing.Its hard to see him all mantled up in torn sheets and covered with fake prodigal like the other guys, agreed Meredith. He seems well, too dignified for that.I know said Bonnie. I know exactly what he can be, and hell just now have to dress up at all. Look, hes foreign, hes sort of pale, he has that grand brooding look Put him in tails and youve got a amend Count DraculaElena smiled in spite of herself. Well, Ill ask him, she said.Speaking of Stefan, said Meredith, her dark eyes on Elenas, how are things going?Elena sighed, looking away into the fire. Im non sure, she said at last, slowly. in that location are times wh en everything is wonderful, and then there are other times whenMeredith and Bonnie exchanged a glance, and then Meredith spoke gently. Other times when what?Elena hesitated, debating. Then she came to a decision. right a sec, she said, and got up and hurried up the stairs. She came back down with a small blue velvet book in her hands.I wrote some of it down last night when I couldnt sleep, she said. This says it better than I could now. She assemble the page, took a deep breath, and beganOctober 17Dear Diary,I feel awestruck tonight. AndIhave to share it with someone .Something is going wrong with Stefan and me. There is this terrible sorrowfulness inside him that I cant reach, and its driving us apart. I dont know what to do.I cant bear the thought of losing him. just hes so very unhappy about something, and if he wont tell me what it is, if he wont trust me that much, I dont see any hope for us.Yesterday when he was holding me I felt something savourless and round downstair sneath his shirt, something on a chain. I asked him, teasingly, if it was a contribute from Caroline. And he just froze and wouldnt talk anymore. It was as if he were suddenly a thousand miles away, and his eyes there was so much pain in his eyes that I could hardly stand it.Elena stopped reading and traced the last lines written in the journal silently with her eyes. I feel as if someone has hurt him terribly in the past and hes never got over it. But I also think theres something hes afraid of, some secret hes afraid Ill find out. If I only knew what that was, I could prove to him that he can trust me. That he can trust me no effect what happens, to the end .If only I knew, she whispered.If only you knew what? said Meredith, and Elena looked up, startled. Oh-if only I knew what was going to happen, she said quickly, closing the diary. I mean, if I knew we were going to butt in up eventually, I suppose Id just want to get it over with. And if I knew it was going to turn out all right in the end, I wouldnt mind anything that happens now. But just going day after day without being sure is awful.Bonnie bit her lip, then sit up, eyes sparkling. I can show you a way to find out, Elena, she said. My grand become told me the way to find out who youre going to marry. Its called a c stand supper.Let me guess, an old druid trick, said Meredith.I dont know how old it is, said Bonnie. My grandmother says there have always been dumb suppers. Anyway, it works. My mother saw my fathers image when she tried it, and a month later they were married. Its easy, Elena and what have you got to lose?Elena looked from Bonnie to Meredith. I dont know, she said. But, look, you dont really believeBonnie drew herself up with affronted dignity. Are you calling my mother a liar? Oh, come on, Elena, theres no harm in trying. Why not?What would I have to do? said Elena doubtfully. She felt strangely intrigued, but at the same time rather frightened.Its simple. We have to get everything ready before the shooting of midnight louver minutes before midnight, Elena stood in the McCulloughs dining room, feeling more gooselike than anything else. From the backyard, she could hear Yangtzes frantic barking, but inside the house there was no sound except the unhurried tick of the grandfather clock. Following Bonnies instructions, she had locate the big black walnut table with one plate, one glass, and one set of silverware, all the time not saying a word. Then she had lit a single compact disk in a candleholder in the center of the table, and positioned herself behind the chair with the place setting.According to Bonnie, on the stroke of midnight she was supposed to pull the chair back and ask for her future hubby in. At that point, the candle would blow out and she would see a ghostlike figure in the chair.Earlier, shed been a little uneasy about this, incertain that she wanted to see any ghostly figures, even of her husband-to-be. But just now the whole thing seem ed silly and harmless. As the clock began to chime, she straightened up and got a better grip on the chair back. Bonnie had told her not to let go until the ceremony was over.Oh, thiswas silly. Maybe she wouldnt say the haggle but when the clock started to toll out the hour, she heard herself speaking.Come in, she said self-consciously to the empty room, drawing out the chair. Come in, come inThe candle went out.Elena started in the sudden darkness. Shed felt the wind, a cold gust that had short-winded out the candle. It came from the French doors behind her, and she turned quickly, one hand still on the chair. She would have sworn those doors were fill up.Something moved in the darkness.Terror washed through Elena, sweeping away her self-consciousness and any trace of amusement. Oh, God, what had she done, what had she brought on herself? Her heart contracted and she felt as if she had been plunged, without warning, into her most dreadful nightmare. It was not only dark but utte rly silent there was null to see and nothing to hear, and she was fallingAllow me, said a voice, and a bright flame sputtered in the darkness.For a terrible, sickening instant she thought it was Tyler, remembering his lighter in the ruined church on the hill. But as the candle on the table sprang to life, she saw the pale, long-fingered hand that held it. non Tylers beefy red fist. She thought for an instant it was Stefans, and then her eyes move to the face.You she said, astounded. What do you think youre doing here? She looked from him to the French doors, which were indeed open, showing the side lawn. Do you always just walk into other peoples houses uninvited?But you asked me to come in. His voice was as she remembered it, quiet, ironical and amused. She remembered the smile, too. Thank you, he added, and graciously sat down in the chair she had drawn out.She snatched her hand off the back. I wasnt invitingyou , she said helplessly, caught between indignation and embarrassmen t. What were you doing hanging around external Bonnies house?He smiled. In the candlelight, his black hair shone almost like liquid, too soft and fine for human hair. His face was very pale, but at the same time utterly compelling. And his eyes caught her own and held them. Helen, thy mantrap is to me/Like those Nicean barks of yore/That gently, over a perfumed sea I think youd better leave now. She didnt want him to talk anymore. His voice did strange things to her, do her feel oddly weak, started a melting in her stomach. You shouldnt be here. Please. She reached for the candle, importation to take it and leave him, fighting off the dizziness that threatened to spank her.But before she could grasp it, he did something extraordinary. He caught her reaching hand, not roughly but gently, and held it in his cool slender fingers. Then he turned her hand over, bent his dark head, and kissed her palm.Dont whispered Elena, stunned.Come with me, he said, and looked up into her eyes.Pl ease dont she whispered again, the world swimming around her. He was mad what was he talking about? Come with him where? But she felt so dizzy, so faint.He was standing, supporting her. She leaned against him, felt those cool fingers on the first button of the shirt at her throat, Please, noIts all right. Youll see. He pulled the shirt away from her neck, his other hand behind her head.No. Suddenly, specialization returned to her, and she jerked away from him, stumbling against the chair. I told you to leave, and I meant it. Get out-nowFor an instant, pure fury surged in his eyes, a dark wave of menace. Then they went hush and cold and he smiled, a swift, brilliant smile that he turned off again instantly.Ill leave, he said. For the moment.She shook her head and watched him go out the French doors without speaking. When they had shut behind him, she stood in the silence, trying to get her breath.The silence but it shouldnt be silent. She turned toward the grandfather clock in bewi lderment and saw that it had stopped. But before she could examine it closely, she heard Merediths and Bonnies raised voices.She hurried out into the hall, feeling the unaccustomed weakness in her legs, pulling her shirt back up and buttoning it. The back door was open, and she could see two figures outside, stooping over something on the lawn.Bonnie? Meredith? Whats wrong?Bonnie looked up as Elena reached them. Her eyes were fill with tears. Oh, Elena, hes dead.With a chill of horror, Elena stared down at the little bundle at Bonnies feet. It was the Pekingese, lying very stiffly on his side, eyes open. Oh, Bonnie, she said.He was old, said Bonnie, but I never expected him to go this quickly. Just a little while ago, he was barking.I think wed better go inside, said Meredith, and Elena looked up at her and nodded. Tonight was not a night to be out in the dark. It was not a night to invite things inside, either. She knew that now, although she still didnt understand what had happene d.It was when they got back in the living room that she found her diary was missing.Stefan lifted his head from the velvet-soft neck of the doe. The woods were filled with night noises, and he couldnt be sure which had disturbed him.With the Power of his mind distracted, the deer roused from its trance. He felt muscles quiver as she tried to get her feet under her.Go, then, he thought, sitting back and releasing her entirely. With a twist and a heave, she was up and running.Hed had enough. Fastidious, he licked at the corners of his mouth, feeling his canine teeth retract and blunt, oversensitive as always after a extend feed. It was hard to know what enough was anymore. There had been no spells of dizziness since the one beside the church, but he lived in fear of their return.He lived in one specific fear that he would come to his senses one day, his mind reeling with confusion, to find Elenas graceful body limp in his arms, her scale down throat marked with two red wounds, her heart stilled forever. That was what he had to look forward to.The blood lust, with all its myriad terrors and pleasures, was a mystery to him even now. Although he had lived with it every day for centuries, he still did not understand it. As a living human, he would no doubt have been disgusted, sickened, by the thought of drinking the rich warm stuff directly from a breathe body. That is, if someone had proposed such a thing to him in so many words.But no words had been used that night, the night Katherine had changed him.Even after all these years, the memory was clear. He had been asleep when she appeared in his chamber, moving as softly as a vision or a ghost. He had been asleep, aloneShe was wearing a fine linen shift when she came to him.It was the night before the day she had named, the day when she would announce her choice. And she came to him.A white hand parted the curtains around his bed, and Stefan woke from sleep, sitting up in alarm. When he saw her, pale golden ha ir gleaming about her shoulders, blue eyes lost in shadow, he was struck silent with amazement.And with love. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He trembled and tried to speak, but she put two cool fingers over his lips.Hush, she whispered, and the bed sank under new load as she got in.His face flamed, his heart was thundering with embarrassment and with excitement. There had never been a woman in his bed before. And this was Katherine, Katherine whose beauty seemed to come from heaven, Katherine whom he loved more than his own soul.And because he loved her, he do a great effort. As she slipped under the sheets, drawing so expert to him that he could feel the cool freshness of night air in her thin shift, he managed to speak.Katherine, he whispered. We-I can wait. Until we are married in the church. I volition have my father arrange it next week. It-it will not be longHush, she whispered again, and he felt that nip on his skin. He couldnt help himself he put his arms around her, holding her to him.What we do now has nothing to do with that, she said, and reached out her slim fingers to stroke his throat.He understood. And felt a flash of fear, which disappeared as her fingers went on stroking. He wanted this, wanted anything that would let him be with Katherine.Lie back, my love, she whispered. My love. The words sang through him as he lay back on the pillow, tilting his chin back so that his throat was exposed. His fear was gone, replaced by a happiness so great that he thought it would shatter him.He felt the soft brush of her hair on his chest, and tried to calm his breathing. He felt her breath on his throat, and then her lips. And then her teeth.There was a stinging pain, but he held himself still and made no sound, thinking only of Katherine, of how he wished to give to her. And almost at once the pain eased, and he felt the blood being drawn from his body. It was not terrible, as he had feared. It was a feeling of giving, of nur turing.Then it was as if their minds were merging, comely one. He could feel Katherines joy in drinking from him, her delight in taking the warm blood that gave her life. And he knew she could feel his delight in giving. But reality was receding, the boundaries between dreams and waking becoming blurred. He could not think clearly he could not think at all. He could onlyfeel , and his feelings were spiraling up and up, carrying him higher and higher, breaking his last ties with earth.Sometime later, without lettered how he had gotten there, he found himself in her arms. She was cradling him like a mother holding an infant child, guiding his mouth to rest on the uncover flesh just above the low neck of her night shift. There was a tiny wound there, a cut showing dark against the pale skin. He felt no fear or hesitation, and when she stroked his hair encouragingly, he began to suck.Cold and precise, Stefan brushed dirt off his knees. The human world was asleep, lost in stupor, but his own senses were knife-keen. He should have been sated, but he was hungry again the memory had wakened his appetite. Nostrils flaring wide to sop up the musky scent of fox, he began to hunt.