The Return: Midnight Chapter 27

Stefan whirled around and sawing machine decorous, with nevertheless a towel wrapped around her, difficult to physical y restrain Elena, who was similarly clad. Elenas hair was wet and uncombed.Some social function had caused her to leap come to the fore of the bathing pool and run directly into the corridor.Stefan was surprised by Damons reaction. Was that a spark of alarm in the deathlessly dark eyes that had remained impassive watching a thousand disasters, calamities, cruelties?No, it couldnt be. But it certainly looked like one.Elena was getting closer. Her vocalization rang show up clearly through the hal focal point, which was spacious passable to give it a slight echo. Damon I enter you You wait right there Im coming to knock off you This time the flicker was unmistakable. Damon glanced at the window, which was partly open.Mean bit beautiful had lost the fight and Elena was running like a gazel e toward the office. Her eyes, however, were definitely not doe-lik e. Stefan saw them glitter dangerously as Elena herself eluded him mainly because he didnt dare grab her by the towel, and every other part of her was slippery. Elena was now facing Damon, who had risen from his chair.How could you?she cried. victimization Bonnie like that Influencing her, drugging her al to get at what didnt belong to you Using almost al the Power that was left in Misaos star bal what did you esteem Shinichi would do when you did that? He came after us, thats what he did and who knows if the boardinghouse is Stillstanding?Damon opened his mouth, tho Elena wasnt finished.And thence to bring Bonnie to the Dark Dimension with you I dont care if you didnt indirect request to waste opening the Gate or not. You knew you shouldnt be taking her here.Damon was angry now. I But Elena cut him off without even hesitating. thus once you ravel her here you abandon her. You leave her terrified, alone, in a room where shes not even al owed to look out of the window, wi th a col ection of star bal s that you dont even bother to examine but which are completely unsuitable and give her nightmares You If the little dolt had just had the sense to wait quietly What? What did you suppose? I give tongue to, if the little dolt had just had the sense Stefan, who was already on the move, shut his eyes briefly.He opened them again in time to see the slap and to feel Elena putting al her Power into it. It snapped Damons head around.What astonished him even though he positioned himself precisely in case of it was to see Damons paw flash up as quick as a cobras strike. There was no fol ow-through, but Stefan had already picked Elena up bodily and pul ed her back out of range.Let goElena cried, struggling to get out of Stefans arms, or at least get her feet on the ground. Im going to kill himThe next astonishing thing discontinuing the raw fury that Stefan could feel coursing through Elenas aura was that Elena was actual y winning the struggle, despite the fact that he was orders of magnitude stronger than she was. Part of it had to do with the towel, which was threatening to drop at any(prenominal) moment. The other part was that Elena had acqui deprivation a unique style of fighting stronger opponents at least those with any conscience. She deliberately threw herself against any point at which it would hurt her to restrain her, and she didnt give up. Eventual y he was going to grow to choose between injuring her and letting her go.At that moment, however, Elena go against moving. She froze, head turned as she looked behind him.Stefan glanced backward too, and felt an electrical shock shoot through him.Bonnie was standing directly behind them, looking at at Damon, her lips parted in anguish, tears in her wide brown eyes and streaming down her cheeks.Instantly, even before he could register Elenas beseeching glance, Stefan released her. He understood Her mood and the dynamics of this situation had just been turned upside dow n.Elena adjusted her towel and turned to Bonnie, but by then Bonnie was running away down the corridor. Elenas longer strides al owed her to reach Bonnie in a moment and she caught the smal er girlfriend and held her, not so very much by force as by sisterly magnetism. Dont worry about that snake, Elenas voice came back to them clearly, as it was obviously meant to. Hes a And here Elena indulged in round very creative cursing.Stefan could hear al of it distinctly and noticed that it broke off into tiny hushing sounds just as Elena turned into the door of the bathing salon.Stefan glanced crabwise at Damon. He didnt mind fighting his brother in the least right now he was ful of rage himself on behalf of Bonnie. But Damon ignored him as if he were part of the wal paper, staring at nothing with an expression of icy fury.At that moment Stefan heard a faint sound from the farthest oddment of the corridor, which was quite a distance away. But his vampire senses informed him that surel y the person in front was a woman of consequence, probably their hostess. He stepped antecedent so that at least she could be greeted by someone who was wearing clothing.However, at the wear moment, Elena and Bonnie appeared in front of him, clad in dresses gowns, rather that were both casual and works of genius. Elenas was an informal robe of deep lapis blue, with her hair drying into a soft golden mass around her shoulders. Bonnie was wearing something shorter and lighter pale violet, shot with threads of silver in no particular pattern. Both outfits, Stefan grasped jerkyly, would look as good in the interminable sunlight as in a closed room with no windows and gas lamps.He remembered the stories Elena had told about wench Ulma designing gowns for her, and he realized that whatever else his hostess king be, she was truly a genius couturier.And then Elena was running, dainty gold sandals flying, and Bonnies silver slippers were fol owing and Stefan began to run too, fearin g some unknown danger. They al arrived at the far end of the hal way at the same time, and Stefan saw that the woman standing there was dressed even more splendidly than the girls. She was wearing a deep red raw silk gown with a heavy diamond-and-ruby necklace and ring but no bracelets.The next minute the girls were both curtseying, deep, graceful curtseys. Stefan do his surmount bow.Lady Ulma held out both hands to Elena, who seemed to be almost frantic over something that Stefan didnt understand.Elena took the extended hands, breathing quickly and shal owly. Lady Ulma youre so thin Just then the mouth of a baby could be heard. Elenas face lit up and she smiled at Lady Ulma, letting out a quick breath. A young consideration even younger-looking than Bonnie gently put a tiny bundle made of lace and sheerest lawn into Lady Ulmas arms. Both Elena and Bonnie blinked away tears, al the while beaming at the child and making little nonsense noises. Stefan could understand that t heyd known the Lady since she was a whip- divide slave, trying not to miscarry.But how ?Elena began spluttering. We saw you lonesome(prenominal) a few days ago, but this baby is months old A few days? Is that how long it seems to you?asked Lady Ulma. To us, it has been many months. But the whoremaster Stillworks, Elena Your magic remained It was an easy delivery easy And then Dr. Meggar articulates that you saved me before she suffered injury from the abuse I went through. She is trying to speak already It is you, Elena, it is your magicAt this the Lady made a movement as if to kneel at Elenas feet. She got no farther than a few inches, though, because Elena caught her hands, crying, Lady Ulma, nowhile Stefan, at his best speed, slipped beside the girl servant and caught the Lady by her elbows, supporting her weight.And Im not magic,Elena added. Stefan, tel her that Im not magic.Obediently, Stefan leaned toward the ear of the tal woman.Elena is the most magic Ive ever encounte red,he stage-whispered. She has Powers that I cant even understand.Ahh Elena made a wordless exclamation of frustration.Do you know what Im naming her?the Lady ride outd. Her face, if not conventional y beautiful, was striking, with an aristocratic combination of Roman nose and risque cheekbones.No.Elena smiled and then NoElena cried. PleaseDont condemn her to a life of expectations and terror. Dont tempt anyone to hurt her while shes Stilla child. Oh, Lady UlmaBut my dear saviorThen Elena began to manage things. Once she took a situation in hand there was no way not to go with the flow of it. Lady Ulma,she said clearly, acquit me for interfering in your affairs. But Bonnie has told me She stopped, hesitated.Of the troubles of strong and hopeful young girls, for the most part poor or enslaved, who have taken on the name of the three bravest young women who ever graced our world,Lady Ulma finished for her.Something like that,Elena said, flushing.Nobodys cal ing themselves Damon ,put in the young nurse cheerful y and with the utmost goodwil . Neither boys nor girls.Stefan could have kissed her.Oh, LakshmiElena hugged the coltish-looking teenager. I didnt even see you properly. Let me look at you.She held the girl at arms length. Do you know, youve grown at least an inch since I last saw you?Lakshmi beamed.Elena turned back to Lady Ulma. Yes, I am afraid for the child. Why not cal her Ulma?The patrician lady half shut her eyes. Because, my dear Elena, Helena, Aliena, Al iana, Laynie, El a I would not wishUlmaon anyone, much less my lovely daughter.Why not cal her Adara?Lakshmi put in suddenly. I always design that was pretty, since I was a kid.There was a silence almost a stunned silence. Then Elena said, Adara its a lovely name.And not at alldangerous,Bonnie said.Stefan said, It wouldnt stop her from starting a revolution if she wanted to.There was a pause. Everyone looked at Damon, who was looking out the window expressionlessly. Everyone waited.He fin al y turned. Oh, excel ent,he said blankly, clearly having no idea and less interest in what they were talking about.Oh come on, Damon.Bonnies eyes were Stillswol en, but she spoke brightly. Make it unanimous That way Lady Ulma wil be sure.Good God, Stefan survey, she must be the most forgiving girl in the universe.Certainly, then,Damon said indifferently.Forgive us,Elena said tightly to the room in general. Weve all been going through a bit of a hard time.That gave Lady Ulma her cue. Of course you have,she said, smiling the smile of one who has known bitter suffering.Bonnie has told us of the destruction of your town. I am deeply sorry. What you need now is food and rest. Il have someone conduct you to your rooms.I should have introduced Stefan at the start, but I was so worried I forgot to,Elena said. Stefan, this is Lady Ulma, who was so good to us before. Lady Ulma Well, you know who this is.She went on tiptoe to kiss Stefan lingeringly.Lingeringly enough that Stefan had to gently detach her and put her down. He was almost frightened at this display of bad manners. Elena was really angry at Damon. And if she didnt forgive him, the scenes would only continue to escalate and if he was right, Elena was truly getting closer to being able to cast Wings of Destruction.He didnt even consider asking Damon to forgive anyone. afterwards the girls had whispered raptures over the baby again, they were conducted to opulent bed chambers, each furnished in excel ent taste, down to the smal est decoration.As usual, though, they al congregated in one room, which happened to be Stefans.There was more than enough space on the bed for the three of them to sit or flop. Damon wasnt present but Stefan would bet his undead life that he was auditory sense in.All right,Elena said briskly, and went into storytel ing mode.She explained to Bonnie everything that had happened through their taking the Master Keys from Shinichi and Misao, to their flight to Lady Ulmas bathing chamb er.To have so much Power suddenly torn away from you in an instantBonnie had her head down, and it wasnt hard to guess who she was thinking about. She looked up. Please, Elena. Dont be so angry at Damon. I know hes through some bad things but hes been so unhappyThats no excuse,Elena began. And, frankly, Im Dont, Elena Dont tell her that youre ashamed of her for putting up with it Shes already ashamed of herselfIm surprised at him,Elena said with only the smal est hesitation. I know for a fact that he cares for you. He even has a pet name for you his little redbird.Bonnie sniffed. You always say that pet names are stupid.Well, but I meant names like oh if he cal ed you Bonbonor something.Bonnies head came up. Even that would be okay for the baby,she said, with a sudden smile, like a rainbow after a storm.Oh, yes, isnt she adorable? I never saw such a happy baby.Margaret used to just look at you with big eyes. Adara if she is Adara should have such a happy lifeStefan settled bac k against the headboard. Elena had the situation in hand.Now he could worry about where Damon was going. later on a moment he tuned back in, to find Bonnie talking about treasure.And they kept asking me and asking me and I couldnt figure out why since the star bal with the story on it was right there.Only the story is gone now Damon checked. Shinichi was going to throw me out the window, and that was when Damon rescued me, and the Guardians asked me about the story too.Strange,Stefan said, school term up alertly. Bonnie, tel me how you first felt this story where you were and al .Bonnie said, Well, first I saw a story about a little girl named Marit going to buy a sugarplum that was why I tried to do the same thing the next day. And then I went to bed, but I couldnt sleep. So then I picked up the star bal again and it showed me the story about the kitsune treasures. The stories are shown in order, so it had to be the one right after the sweetshop story. And then suddenly I was o ut of my body, and I was flying with Elena right over Alarics car.Did you do anything in between experiencing the story and going to bed?Stefan asked.Bonnie thought her rosebud mouth pursed. I suppose I turned down the gas lamp. Every night I would turn the lamp way down so that it was only a flicker.And did you turn it back up again when you couldnt sleep and reached for the star bal again?Umno. But theyre not books You dont have to see to experience a story.That wasnt what I meant. How did you find the star bal in that dim room? Was it the only star bal on the floor near you?Bonnies brows came together. Well no. There were twenty-six. cardinal others were hideous Id kicked those into a corner. Twenty-five were soap operas so boring. Its not as if I had shelves or anywhere else to put them Bonnie, do you want to know what I think happened?Bonnie blinked and nodded.I think that you read a childrens story and then you went to bed. And you actual y fel asleep very quickly, even tho ugh you woolgather you were awake. Then you dreamed a premonition Bonnie groaned. Another one of those? But there wasnt even anyone to tel it to thenExactly. But you wanted to tel it to someone, and that longing brought you your lifetime to where Elena was. But Elena was so worried about getting word across to Alaric that she was having an out-of-body experience. Shed been asleep too, Im sure of it.Stefan looked at Elena. What do you think of that?