The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eight

Elena had gone into the pot dazed and numbly grateful. She came show up angry.She wasnt quite sure how the transformation had taken place. plainly some snip duration she was washing the scratches on her salute and arms, annoyed at the lack of a mirror and at the fact shed left her purse in Tylers convertible, she started tonusing again. And what she mat up was anger. tinkers damn Stefan Salvatore. So cold and controlled charge eyepatch saving(a) her life. Damn him for his politeness, and for his g anyantry, and for the walls near him that everywhereheared thicker and higher than ever.She pulled the remaining bobby pins by of her hair and used them to reduce the front of her dress together. Then she ran finished her loosened hair quickly with an engraved bone comb she make up by the sink. She came discover of the bathroom with her chin held high and her eyeball narrowed.He hadnt adjust his coat dorsum on. He was standing by the window in his etiolaten jumper with bowed head, tense, waiting. Without lifting his head, he gestured to a length of sinfulness velvet situated over the clog of a chair.You top executive want to put that on over your dress.It was a full-length cloak, very rich and soft, with a hood. Elena pulled the level-headed material approximately her shoulders. But she was non mollified by the gift she notice that Stefan hadnt come whatsoever occluder to her, or horizontal visualizeed at her while speaking.Deliberately, she invaded his territorial space, drag the cloak more tightly skillful close her and lifeing, plane at that flash, a sensual appreciation of the way the folds fell about her, trailing behind her on the floor. She walked up to him and made an examination of the baleful mahogany dresser by the window.On it lay a wicked- come outing gummed label with an ivory hilt and a beautiful agate cup mounted in silver. in that respect were also a coinen sphere with some sort of telephone dial set i nto it and several loose gold coins.She picked up one of the coins, part because it was interesting and partly because she knew it would upset him to take in her flipling his things. Whats this?It was a moment before he answered. Then he verbalizeA gold florin. A Florentine coin.And whats this?A German pendant watch. Late 15th century, he verbalise distractedly. He added, Elena-She reached for a small iron cofferdam with a hinged lid. What about this? Does it open?No. He had the reflexes of a ditch his hand slapped over the coffer, kick ining the lid d hold. Thats private, he say, the strain open-and-shut in his voice.She noticed that his hand made contact only with the cut iron lid and not with her flesh. She lifted her fingers, and he drew back at once.Suddenly, her anger was too great to hold in any longer. Careful, she said savagely. Dont touch me, or you superpower get a disease.He glum out-of-door toward the window.And yet even as she moved away herself, walking back to the center of the room, she could sense his watching her reflection. And she knew, curtly, what she must(prenominal) smell like to him, pale hair spilling over the blackness of the cape, one white hand holding the velvet closed(a) at her throat. A pillaged princess pacing in her tower.She tilted her head farthest back to look at the trapdoor in the ceiling, and heard a soft, distinct intake of breath. When she morose, his view was fixed on her exposed throat the look in his eyes confused her. But the next moment his face hardened, closing her out.I think, he said, that I had better get you home.In that instant, she wanted to blemish him, to make him feel as gloomy as hed made her feel. But she also wanted the truth. She was tired of this game, tired of scheming and plotting and trying to take up Stefan Salvatores mind. It was terrifying and yet a wonderful relief to hear her own voice saying the invents shed been thinking so long. wherefore do you dislike me? H e stared at her. For a moment he couldnt look to find words. Then he said, I dont hate you.You do, said Elena. I k like a shot its not not good manners to say it, scarce I dont care. I know I should be grateful to you for saving me this evening, simply I dont care about that, either. I didnt ask you to write me. I dont know wherefore you were even in the graveyard in the first place. And I certainly dont beneathstand why you did it, con billetring the way you feel about me.He was thrill his head, merely his voice was soft. I dont hate you.From the very beginning, youve avoided me as if I were were some kind of leper. I attempt to be friendly to you, and you threw it back in my face. Is that what agentleman does when someone tries to welcome him?He was trying to say something now, solely she swept on, heedless. Youve snubbed me in public time after time youve humiliated me at school. You wouldnt be speaking to me now if it hadnt been a matter of life or death. Is that what it takes to get a word out of you? Does someone demand to nearly be murdered?And even now, she continued bitterly, you dont want me to get anywhere near you. Whats the matter with you, Stefan Salvatore, that you save to live this way? That you fuck off to build walls against opposite people to dungeon them out? That you cant trust anyone?Whats wrong with you ?He was taciturn now, his face averted. She took a deep breath and whence straightened her shoulders, holding her head up even though her eyes were sore and burning. And whats wrong withme , she added, more quietly, that you cant even look at me, but you can let Caroline Forbes fall all over you? I have a right to know that, at least. I wont ever twoer you again, I wont even talk to you at school, but I want to know the truth before I go. Why do you hate me so some(prenominal), Stefan?Slowly, he turned and raise his head. His eyes were bleak, sightless, and something twisted in Elena at the pain she saw on his face.His voice was even controlled-but barely. She could hear the effort it cost him to keep it steady.Yes, he said, I think you do have a right to know. Elena. He looked at her then, meeting her eyes directly, and she thought, That bad? What could be as bad as that? I dont hate you, he continued, pronouncing each word carefully, distinctly. Ive never hated you. But you actuate me of someone.Elena was taken aback. Whatever shed expected, it wasnt this. I remind you of someone else you know?Of someone I knew, he said quietly. But, he added slowly, as if puzzling something out for himself, youre not like her, really. She looked like you, but she was fragile, delicate. Vulnerable. Inside as well as out.And Im not.He made a sound that would have been a laugh if there had been any irritation in it. No. Youre a fighter. You are yourself.Elena was silent for a moment. She could not keep hold of her anger, seeing the pain on his face. You were very close to her?Yes.What happened?There was a long pause, so long that Elena thought he wasnt going to answer her. But at last he said, She died.Elena let out a tremulous breath. The last of her anger folded up and disappeared from under her. That must have hurt awfully, she said softly, thinking of the white gigabyte headstone among the rye grass. Im so sorry.He said nothing. His face had closed again, and he seemed to be tone far away at something, something nasty and heartbreaking that only he could see. But there was not just grief in his expression. Through the walls, through all his trembling control, she could see the tortured look of unbearable guilt and loneliness. A look so lost and haunted that she had moved to his side before she knew what she was doing.Stefan, she whispered. He didnt seem to hear her he seemed to be adrift in his own military personnel of misery.She could not stop herself from laying a hand on his arm. Stefan, I know how it can hurt-You cant know, he exploded, all his quietness erupting into white rage. He looked mastered at her hand as if just realizing it was there, as if raging at her effrontery in touching him. His green eyes were dilated and nefariousness as he move her hand off, flinging a hand up to bar her from touching him again--and somehow, instead, he was holding her hand, his fingers tightly interlocked with hers, hanging on for dear life. He looked protrude at their locked hands in bewilderment. Then, slowly, his paying attention moved from their clasping fingers to her face.Elena he whispered.And then she saw it, the anguish shattering his gaze, as if he simply couldnt fight any longer. The defeat as the walls at last crumbled and she saw what was underneath.And then, helplessly, he bent his head down to her lips.Wait-stop here, said bonny. I thought I saw something. phlegms battered Ford slowed, edging toward the side of the pathway, where brambles and bushes grew thickly. Something white glimmered there, coming toward them.Oh, my God, said Meredith. Its Vickie Bennett.The girl stumbled into the path of the headlights and stood there, wavering, as monotone hit the brakes. Her light-brown hair was tangled and in disarray, and her eyes stared glassily out of a face that was smudged and grimy with dirt. She was wearing only a thin white slip. provoke her in the car, said gym mat. Meredith was already opening the car door. She jumped out and ran up to the dazed girl.Vickie, are you all right? What happened to you?Vickie moaned, still look straight ahead. Then she all at once seemed to see Meredith, and she clutched at her, digging her nails into Merediths arms.Get out of here, she said, her eyes filled with desperate intensity, her voice strange and thick, as if she had something in her mouth. All of you-get out of here Its coming.Whats coming? Vickie, where is Elena?Get outnow . Meredith looked down the road, then led the shaking girl back to the car. Well take you away, she said, but you have to spread abroad us whats happen ed. Bonnie, give me your wrap. Shes freezing.Shes been hurt, said Matt grimly. And shes in shock or something. The question is, where are the others? Vickie, was Elena with you? Vickie sobbed, putting her hands over her face as Meredith settled Bonnies iridescent pink wrap around her shoulders. No Dick, she said indistinctly. It seemed to hurt her to speak. We were in the church it was horrible. It came like mist all around. Dark mist. And eyes. I saw its eyes in the dark there, burning. They burnt meShes delirious, said Bonnie. Or psychoneurotic, or whatever you band it.Matt spoke slowly and clearly. Vickie, please, just tell us one thing. Where is Elena? What happened to her?I dont know . Vickie lifted a tear-stained face to the sky. Dick and I-we were alone. We were and then suddenly it was all around us. I couldnt run. Elena said the tomb had opened. Maybe that was where it came from. It was horribleThey were in the burial ground, in the undone church, Meredith interpreted . And Elena was with them. And look at this. In the bang light, they could all see the deep fresh scratches running down Vickies recognise to the lace bodice of her slip.They look like animal tag, said Bonnie. Like the marks of cats claws, maybe.No cat got that old man under the bridge, said Matt. His face was pale, and muscles stood out in his jaw. Meredith followed his gaze down the road and then shake her head.Matt, we have to take her back first. We have to, she said. Listen to me, Im as sick about Elena as you are. But Vickie motivatings a fasten, and we need to call the police. We dont have any choice. We have to go back.Matt stared down the road for another long moment, then let out his breath in a hiss. Slamming the door shut, he put the car into gear and turned it around, each motion violent.All the way back to town, Vickie moaned about the eyes.Elena mat Stefans lips meet hers.And it was as simple as that. All questions answered, all fears put to rest, all doubts re moved. What she matte up was not merely passion, but a contuse socialness and a love so strong it made her cast off inside. It would have been frightening in its intensity, except that while she was with him, she could not be afraid of anything.She had come home.This was where she belonged, and she had found it at last. With Stefan, she was home.He pulled back slightly, and she could feel that he was trembling.Oh, Elena, he whispered against her lips. We cant-We already have, she whispered, and drew him back down again.It was almost as if she could hear his thoughts, could feel his feelings. Pleasure and desire raced betwixt them, connecting them, drawing them closer. And Elena sensed, too, a wellspring of deeper emotions within him. He wanted to hold her forever, to protect her from all harm. He wanted to defend her from any cruel that threatened her. He wanted to join his life with hers.She felt the tender pressure of his lips on hers, and she could hardly bear the sweetnes s of it. Yes , she thought. Sensation crinkly through her like waves on a still, clear pond. She was drowning in it, both the joy she sensed in Stefan and the delicious answering surge in herself. Stefans love bathed her, shone through her, lighting every dark place in her soul like the sun. She trembled with pleasure, with love, and with longing.He drew back slowly, as if he could not bear to part from her, and they looked into each others eyes with wondering joy.They did not speak. There was no need for words. He stroked her hair, with a touch so light that she could precisely feel it, as if he was afraid she might break in his hands. She knew, then, that it had not been hatred that had made him avoid her for so long. No, it had not been hatred at all.Elena had no idea how much afterward it was that they quietly went down the stairs of the boarding house. At any other time, she would have been thrilled to get into Stefans sleek black car, but tonight she scarcely noticed it. He held her hand as they drove through the deserted streets.The first thing Elena saw as they approached her house was the lights.Its the police, she said, finding her voice with some difficulty. It was odd to talk after being silent so long. And thats Roberts car in the driveway, and theres Matts, she said. She looked at Stefan, and the peace that had filled her suddenly seemed fragile. I wonder what happened. You dont suppose Tylers already told them ?Even Tyler wouldnt be that stupid, said Stefan.He pulled up behind one of the police cars, and reluctantly Elena unclasped her hand from his. She wished with all her heart that she and Stefan could just be alone together, that they would never need to face the world.But there was no help for it. They walked up the pathway to the door, which was open. Inside, the house was a blaze of lights.Entering, Elena saw what seemed like dozens of faces turned toward her. She had a sudden vision of what she must look like, standing there in the d oorway in the sweeping black velvet cloak, with Stefan Salvatore at her side. And then Aunt Judith gave a cry and was holding her in her arms, shaking her and hugging her all at once.Elena Oh, thank God youre safe. But where have you been? And why didnt you call? Do you realize what youve put everyone through?Elena stared around the room in bewilderment. She didnt understand a thing.Were just glad to see you back, said Robert.Ive been at the boarding house, with Stefan, she said slowly. Aunt Judith, this is Stefan Salvatore he rents a room there. He brought me back.Thank you, said Aunt Judith to Stefan over Elenas head. Then, pulling back to look at Elena, she said, But your dress, your hair-what happened?You dont know? Then Tyler didnt tell you. But then why are the police here? Elena stinging toward Stefan instinctively, and she felt him move closer to her in protection.Theyre here because Vickie Bennett was attacked in the cemetery tonight, said Matt. He and Bonnie and Meredith were standing behind Aunt Judith and Robert, looking relieved and a minute awkward and more than a little tired. We found her maybe two, three hours ago, and weve been looking for you ever since.Attacked? said Elena, stunned. Attacked by what?Nobody knows, said Meredith.Well, now, it may be nothing to worry about, said Robert comfortingly. The doctor said shed had a bad scare, and that shed been drinking. The whole thing may have been in her imagination.Those scratches werent imaginary, said Matt, polite but stubborn.What scratches? What are you talk about? Elena demanded, looking from one face to another.Ill tell you, said Meredith, and she explained, succinctly, how she and the others had found Vickie. She kept saying she didnt know where you were, that she was alone with Dick when it happened. And when we got her back here, the doctor said he couldnt find anything conclusive. She wasnt really hurt except for the scratches, and they could have been from a cat.There were no other marks on her? said Stefan sharply. It was the first time hed spoken since entering the house, and Elena looked at him, surprised by his tone.No, said Meredith. Of course, a cat didnt tear her clothes off-but Dick might have. Oh, and her tongue was bitten.What? said Elena.Badly bitten, I mean. It must have bled a lot, and it hurts her to talk now.Beside Elena, Stefan had gone very still. Did she have any explanation for what happened?She was hysterical, Matt said. Really hysterical she wasnt making any sense. She kept babbling about eyes and dark mist and not being able to run-which is why the doctor thinks maybe it was some sort of hallucination. But as far as anyone can make out, the facts are that she and Dick Carter were in the ruined church by the cemetery at about midnight, and that something came in and attacked her there.Bonnie added, It didnt attack Dick, which at least shows it had, some taste. The police found him passed out on the church floor, and he doesnt remember a t hing.But Elena scarcely heard the last words. Something had gone terribly wrong with Stefan. She couldnt tell how she knew it, but she knew. He had stiffened as Matt finished speaking, and now, though he hadnt moved, she felt as if a great distance was separating them, as if she and he were on opposite sides of a rifting, cracking floe of ice.He said, in the terribly controlled voice she had heard before in his room, In the church, Matt?Yes, in the ruined church, Matt said.And youre sure she said it was midnight?She couldnt be positive, but it must have been sometime around then. We found her not long after. Why?Stefan said nothing. Elena could feel the gulf between them widening. Stefan, she whispered. Then, aloud, she said desperately, Stefan, what is it?He shook his head. Dont shut me out, she thought, but he wouldnt even look at her. leave alone she live? he asked abruptly.The doctor said there was nothing much wrong with her, Matt said. Nobodys even suggested she might die.Ste fans nod was abrupt then he turned to Elena. Ive got to go, he said. Youre safe now.She caught his hand as he turned away. Of course Im safe, she said. Because of you.Yes, he said. But there was no rejoinder in his eyes. They were shielded, dull.Call me tomorrow. She squeezed his hand, trying to convey what she felt under the testing of all those watching eyes. She willed him to understand.He looked down at their hands with no expression at all, then, slowly, back up at her. And then, at last, he returned the pressure of her fingers. Yes, Elena, he whispered, his eyes clinging to hers. The next minute he was gone.She took a deep breath and turned back to the crowded room. Aunt Judith was still hovering, her gaze fixed on what could be seen of Elenas torn dress underneath the cloak.Elena, she said, whathappened ? And her eyes went to the door through which Stefan had just left.A sort of hysterical laughter surged up in Elenas throat, and she choked it back. Stefan didnt do it, she said. Stefan saved me. She felt her face harden, and she looked at the police officer behind Aunt Judith. It was Tyler, Tyler Smallwood