The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Seven

Next time, Stefan say quietly, I wont leave.Elena k crude he meant it, and it terrified her. tho exclusively now her emotions were quietly coasting in neutral, and she didnt want to argue.He was there, she tell. Inside an mine run house full of ordinary people, just as if he had e rattling remunerate to be. I wouldnt have thought he would d atomic number 18.Why not? Stefan said briefly, bitterly. I was there in a ordinary house full of ordinary people, just as if I had every right to be.I didnt mean that the way it loweringed. Its just that the entirely new(prenominal) time Ive seen him in public was at the Haunted House when he was wearing a mask and costume, and it was dark. Before that it was always somewhere deserted, like the gym that night I was there wholly, or the graveyardShe knew as soon as she said that last part that it was a drop off. She still hadnt told Stefan well-nigh going to find Damon triplet days ago. In the drivers seat, he stiffened.Or the graveyard ?Yes I meant that day beautiful and Meredith and I got chased let on. Im assuming it moldiness have been Damon who chased us. And the lieu was deserted barely for the three of us.Why was she lying to him? Because, a small voice in her head answered grimly, otherwise he might snap. Knowing what Damon had said to her, what he had promised was in store, might be all that was needed to send Stefan over the edge.Then hell never get laid, she promised herself. No matter what I have to do, Ill keep them from fighting severally other over me. No matter what.For a moment, apprehension chilled her.Five hundred years ago, Katherine had tried to keep them from fighting, and had succeeded only in forcing them into a destruction match. exclusivelyshe wouldnt make the same mistake, Elena told herself fiercely. Katherines methods had been stupid and childish. Who else yet a stupid child would kill herself in the hope that the two rivals for her hand would become friends? It had been the w orst mistake of the whole sorry affair. Because of it, the rivalry between Stefan and Damon had turned into implacable hatred. And whats more, Stefan had lived with the guilt of it ever since he blamed himself for Katherines stupidity and weakness.Groping for another subject, she said, Do you cipher some wholeness invited him in?Obviously, since hewas in.Then its true about people like you. You have to be invited in. But Damon got into the gym without an invitation.Thats because the gym isnt a dwelling place for the living. Thats the one criterion. It doesnt matter if its a house or a tent or an apartment above a store. If living humans eat and ease there, we need to be invited inside.But I didnt invite you intomy house.Yes, you did. That first night, when I drove you home, you pushed the door render and nodded to me. It doesnt have to be a verbal invitation. If the cloaked is there, thats enough. And the person inviting you doesnt have to be someone who very lives in the hous e. Any human will do.Elena was thinking. What about a houseboat?Same thing. Although running water thunder mug be a barrier in itself. For some of us, its almost impossible to cross.Elena had a sudden vision of herself and Meredith and Bonnie racing for Wickery Bridge. Because somehow she had known that if they got to the other side of the river theyd be safe from whatever was after them.Sothats why, she verbalize. It still didnt explain how shed known, though. It was as if the knowledge had been put into her head from some outside source. Then she effected something else.You took me across the bridge. You can cross running water.Thats because Im weak. It was said flatly, with no emotion behind it. Its ironic, further the stronger your Powers are, the more youre affected by certain limitations. The more you run short to the dark, the more the rules of the dark bind you.Stefan looked at her. Yes, he said, I think its time you knew. The more you know about Damon, the more chance youll have of defend yourself.Of protecting herself? Perhaps Stefan knew more than she thought. But as he turned the car onto a side street and parked, she just said, Okay. Should I be stocking up on garlic?He laughed. Only if you want to be unpopular. There are certain plants, though, that might help you. Like vervain. Thats an herb thats think overd to protect you once against bewitchment, and it can keep your mind clear even if someone is using Powers against you. People used to wear it around their necks. Bonnie would love it it was sacred to the Druids.Vervain, said Elena, tasting the unfamiliar word. What else?Strong light, or direct sunlight, can be very painful. Youll notice the weathers changed.Ive noticed, said Elena after a beat. You mean Damons doing that?He must be. It takes enormous power to control the elements, but it makes it easy for him to travel in daylight. As long as he keeps it cloudy, he doesnt even need to protect his eyes.And neither do you, Elena said. What about well, crosses and things?No effect, said Stefan. Except that if the person holding onebelieves its a protection, it can strengthen their will to resist tremendously.Uh silver bullets?Stefan laughed again shortly. Thats for werewolves. From what Ive heard they dont like silver in whatever form. A wooden stake through the heart is still the approved method for my kind. There are other ways that are more or less effective, though burning, beheading, driving nails through the temples. Or, best of all Stefan The lonely, bitter smile on his example dismayed her. What about changing into animals? she said. Before, you said that with enough Power you could do that. If Damon can be any animal he likes, how will we ever bed him?Not any animal he likes. Hes limited to one animal, or at the most two. Even with his Powers I dont think he could sustain any more than that.So we keep flavor out for a crow.Right. You may be able to tell if hes around, too, by looking at regular ani mals. They commonly dont react very well to us they sense that were hunters.Yangtze kept barking at that crow. It was as if he knew there was something wrong about it, Elena remembered. Ah Stefan, she added in a changed refinement as a new thought struck her, what about mirrors? I dont remember ever seeing you in one.There was nothing to do but hold on to him, and Elena did. I love you, she whispered. It was the only comfort she could give him. It was all they had.His offsets tightened around her his face was buried in her hair. Youre the mirror, he whispered back.It was sound to smell him relax, tension flowing out of his body as warmth and comfort flowed in. She was comforted, too, a sense of peace infusing her, surrounding her. It was so good that she forgot to ask him what he meant until they were at her front door, saying good-bye.Im the mirror? she said then, looking up at him.Youve stolen my soul, he said. Lock the door behind you, and dont open it again tonight. Then he was gone.Elena, thank heavens, said aunty Judith. When Elena stared at her, she added, Bonnie called from the party. She said youd left unexpectedly, and when you didnt come home I was worried.Stefan and I went for a ride. Elena didnt like the expression on her aunts face when she said that. Is there a problem?No, no. Its just Aunt Judith didnt seem to know how to finish her sentence. Elena, I wonder if it might be a good idea to not see quite so practically of Stefan.Elena went still. You, too?It isnt that I believe the gossip, Aunt Judith assured her. But, for your own sake, it might be best to bewitch a little distance from him, to To dump him? To abandon him because people are spreading rumors about him? To keep myself away from the mudslinging in case any of it sticks on me? Anger was a welcome release, and the words crowded in Elenas throat, all trying to get out at once. No, Idont think thats a good idea, Aunt Judith. And if it were Robert we were talking about, you wou ldnt either. Or maybe you wouldElena, I will not have you speaking to me in that tone Im finished anyway Elena cried, and whirled blindly for the stairs. She managed to keep the tears back until she was in her own room with the door locked. Then she threw herself on the bed and sobbed.She dragged herself up a while later to call Bonnie. Bonnie was excited and voluble. What on earth did Elena mean, had anything unusual happened after she and Stefan left? The unusual thing was their leaving No, that new guy Damon hadnt said anything about Stefan afterward hed just hung around for a while and then disappeared. No, Bonnie hadnt seen if he left with anybody. Why? Was Elena jealous? Yes, Elena right away deduced that Alaric Saltzmans eyes were hazel.She got off the phone at last and only then remembered the note shed found in her udder. She should have asked Bonnie if anyone had gone near her purse while she was in the dining room. But then, Bonnie and Meredith had been in the dining r oom part of the time themselves. Someone might have done it then.The very sight of the violet paper made her taste tin at the back of her mouth. She could hardly bear to look at it. But now that she was alone shehad to unfold it and read it again, all the time hoping that somehow this time the words might be different, that she might have been mistaken before.But they werent different. The sharp, clean stay letters stood out against the pale background as if they were ten feet high.I want to touch him. More than any boy Ive ever known. And I know he wants it, too, but hes holding back on me. Her words. From her diary. The one that had been stolen.The next day Meredith and Bonnie rang her doorbell.Stefan called me last night, said Meredith. He said he wanted to make sure you werent walking to school alone. Hes not going to be at school today, so he asked if Bonnie and I could come over and walk with you.Escort you, said Bonnie, who was clearly in a good mood. Chaperone you. I think its terribly sweet of him to be so protective.Hes likely an Aquarius, too, said Meredith. Come on, Elena, before I kill her to shut her up about Alaric.Elena walked in silence, wondering what Stefan was doing that kept him from school. She felt vulnerable and exposed today, as if her skin were on inside out. One of those days when she was ready to cry at the drop of a hat.On the office bulletin board was tacked a piece of violet paper.She should have known. Shehad known somewhere deep inside. The thief wasnt satisfied with letting her know her private words had been read. He was showing her they could be made public.She ripped the note off the board and crumpled it, but not before she glimpsed the words. In one glance they were seared onto her brain.I feel as if someone has hurt him terribly in the past and hes never gotten over it. But I also think theres something hes white-lipped of, some secret hes afraid Ill find out.Elena, what is that? Whats the matter? Elena, come back he reOkay, said Meredith loudly, senior privilege. You She rapped on the only closed door. Come out.Some rustling, then a lost freshman emerged. But I didnt even Out. Outside, Bonnie ordered. Andyou , she said to the girl washing her hands, stand out there and make sure nobody comes in.But why? What are you Move, chick. If anybody comes through that door were holding you responsible.When the door was closed again, they rounded on Elena.Okay, this is a stickup, said Meredith. Come on, Elena, give.Elena ripped the last tiny jot of paper, caught between laughter and tears. She wanted to tell them everything, but she couldnt. She settled for telling them about the diary.They were as angry, as indignant, as she was.It had to be someone at the party, Meredith said at last, once they had each expressed their opinion of the thiefs character, morals, and probable destination in the afterlife. But anybody there could have done it. I dont remember anyone in particular going near your purse, b ut that room was wall-to-wall people, and it could have happened without my noticing.But why would anyonewant to do this? Bonnie put in. Unless Elena, the night we found Stefan you were hinting around at some things. You said you thought you knew who the killer was.I dont think I know Iknow. But if youre wondering if this might be connected, Im not sure. I suppose it could be. The same person might have done it.Bonnie was horrified. But that means the killer is a student at this school When Elena shook her head, she went on. The only people at that party who werent students were that new guy and Alaric. Her expression changed. Alaric didnt kill Mr. Tanner He wasnt even in Fells Church then.I know. Alaric didnt do it. Shed gone too far to hang in now Bonnie and Meredith already knew too much. Damon did.That guy was thekiller ? The guy thatkissed me?Bonnie, calm down. As always, other peoples hysteria made Elena feel more in control. Yes, hes the killer, and we all three have to be o n guard against him. Thats why Im telling you. Never, never ask him into your house.Elena tour of dutyped, regarding the faces of her friends. They were staring at her, and for a moment she had the sickening feeling that they didnt believe her. That they were going to question her sanity.Yes. Im sure. Hes the murderer and the one who put Stefan in the well, and he might be after one of us next. And I dont know if theres any way to stop him.Well, then, said Meredith, lifting her eyebrows. No wonder you and Stefan were in such a hurry to leave the party.Caroline gave Elena a vicious smirk as Elena walked into the cafeteria. But Elena was almost beyond noticing.One thing she noticed right away, though. Vickie Bennett was there.Vickie hadnt been to school since the night Matt and Bonnie and Meredith had found her wandering on the road, raving about mist and eyes and something terrible in the graveyard. The doctors who checked her afterward said there was nothing much wrong with her phy sically, but she still hadnt returned to Robert E. Lee. People whispered about psychologists and the drug treatments they were trying.She didnt look crazy, though, Elena thought. She looked pale and subdued and sort of crumpled into her clothing. And when Elena passed her and she looked up, her eyes were like a startled fawns.It was strange to sit at a half-empty table with only Bonnie and Meredith for company. Usually people were crowding to get seats around the three of them.We didnt finish talking this morning, Meredith said. Get something to eat, and then well figure out what to do about those notes.Im not hungry, said Elena flatly. And whatcan we do? If its Damon, theres no way we can stop him. Trust me, its not a matter for the police. Thats why I havent told them hes the killer. There isnt any proof, and besides, they would never Bonnie, youre not listening.Sorry, said Bonnie, who was staring past Elenas left ear. But something weird is going on up there.Elena turned. Vickie Bennett was stand at the front of the cafeteria, but she no longer seemed crumpled and subdued. She was looking around the room in a sly and assessing manner, smiling.Well, she doesnt look normal, but I wouldnt say she was beingweird , exactly, Meredith said. Then she added, Wait a minute.Vickie was unbuttoning her cardigan. But it was theway she was doing it with deliberate little flicks of her fingers, all the while looking around with that secretive smile that was odd. When the last button was undone, she took the sweater daintily between forefinger and thumb and slid it down over first one arm and then the other. She dropped the sweater on the floor.Weird is the word, confirmed Meredith.Students crossing in front of Vickie with laden trays glanced at her curiously and then looked back over their shoulders when they had passed. They didnt actually stop walking, though, until she took off herShe did it gracefully, catching the heel of one pump on the toe of the other and pushin g it off. Then she kicked off the second pump.She cant keep going, murmured Bonnie, as Vickies fingers moved to the simulated pearl buttons on her white silk blouse.Heads were turning people were poking one another and gesturing. Around Vickie a small group had gathered, standing far enough back that they didnt interfere with everyone elses view.The white silk blouse rippled off, fluttering like a wounded ghost to the floor. Vickie was wearing a lacy os slip underneath.There was no longer any sound in the cafeteria except the sibilance of whispers. No one was eating. The group around Vickie had gotten larger.Vickie smiled demurely and began to unfasten clasps at her waist. Her pleated skirt fell to the floor. She stepped out of it and pushed it to one side with her foot.Somebody stood up at the back of the cafeteria and chanted, Take itoff Take itoff Other voices joined in.Isnt anybody going to stop her? fumed Bonnie.Elena got up. The last time shed gone near Vickie the other girl had screamed and struck out at her. But now, as she got close, Vickie gave her the smile of a conspirator. Her lips moved, but Elena couldnt make out what she was saying over the chanting.Come on, Vickie. Lets go, she said.Vickies light brown hair tossed and she plucked at the strap of her slip.Elena stooped to pick up the cardigan and undulate it around the girls slender shou lders. As she did, as she touched Vickie, those half-closed eyes opened wide like a startled fawns again. Vickie stared about her wildly, as if shed just been rouse from a dream. She looked down at herself and her expression turned to disbelief. Pulling the cardigan around her more tightly, she backed away, shivering.The room was quiet again.Its okay, said Elena soothingly. Come on.At the sound of her voice, Vickie jumped as if touched by a live wire. She stared at Elena, and then she exploded into action.Youre one of them I saw you Youre evilShe turned and ran barefoot out of the cafeteria, leaving Elena st unned.