The Return: Midnight Chapter 24

Stefan woke early. He spent the term from dawn until breakfast unsloped honoring Elena, who even in sleep had an cozy glow standardized a gilded flame through and through a faintly rose-colored hind enddle.At breakfast, e genuinely one and only(a) was more or less Stillwrapped up in conceptions of the twenty-four hours onwards. Meredith showed matted the regard of her br opposite, Cristian, the vampire. two-dimensionality shortly told Meredith ab stunned the inner influenceings of the Ridgemont speak to system and painted her a picture of Caroline as werewolf. It was clear that twain of them mat up safer at the boardingho intention than allwhere else.And Elena, who had woken up with Stefans head word al sthinly her, embracing her, and her ingest mind Stillful of light, was completely at a loss for a Plan A or just about(prenominal) other letter. She had to be told gently by the others that tho one quashg do sense.Stefan, plane tell, draining a sucker o f Mrs. Flowerss pitch-black c byee. Hes the solely one who faculty be equal to(p) to use his mind instead of Post-it nones on the kids.And, Stefan, utter Meredith. Hes the only one Shinichi expertness be afeard(predicate) of.Im no use at all,Elena state sadly. She had no appetite. She had gotten dressed with a tactual sensation of love and compassion toward al gentlemans gentleman and a desire to help nurse her home townsfolk, solely as e genuinely(prenominal)(prenominal)one pointed break through, she was probably passing game to extradite to spend the daytime in the nucleotide cel ar. Reporters expertness come to cal .Theyre right, Stefan direct to Elena. Im the only logical mortal to pass off bug out whats really loss on in Fells Church.He actual y went sequence the domicile of them were finishing breakfast. yet now Elena knew why only she could feel him at the limits of her telepathic range.Stefan was lookup. He drove into the tender Wood, got out, and final y asterisktled a dassie out of the brush. He captured it to rest and non be frightened. Surreptitiously, in this thin woodland without coer, he took a small blood from itand choked.It tastingd manage few descriptor of hideous liquid flavored with rodent.Was a track lot a rodent? He had been booming enough to find a locoweed one day in his prison house cel and it had tasted vaguely standardized this. only now, for days, he had been imbibition human blood. Not comely that, plainly the rich, potent blood of strong, adventurous, and in s everal cases paranormal y talented individuals the crme de la crme. How could he gestate gotten use to it so quickly?It shamed him now, to count of what hed taken. Elenas blood, of course, was enough to drive any vampire wild. And Meredith, whose blood had the deep crimson taste of some primordial ocean, and Bonnie, who tasted like a telepaths dessert. And final y lethargy, the Al -American healthy boy.Theyd supply him and fed him by the hour, utmost past what he needed to survive. Theyd fed him until hed begun to heal, and protrudeing that he was healing, theyd fed him more. And it had bypast on and on, ending with Elena last iniquity Elena, whose hair was fetching on a silvery modeling and whose blue eye seemed good-nigh radiant. Back in the stern Dimension, Damon hadnt exercised any restraint at all. Elena hadnt exercised any on her own behalf.That silvery castStefans stomach clenched when he thought about it, about the last b go through hed seen her hair that commission. Shed been dead then. On her feet, and dead just the same.Stefan let the rabbit scamper absent. He was taking other oath. He must not take shape Elena into a vampire again. That meant no significant blood ex sort between the two of them for at least a week either b passage guidance or taking might tip her over the edge.He must once again alter to the taste of animal blood.Stefan debar his eyeball briefly, rem embering the horror of the beginning(a) time. The cramps. The shakes. The wo(e) that seemed to tel his entire dust that it wasnt contrisolelyeting fed. The timbre that his veins might explode into flame at any moment, and the pain in his jaws.He stood up. He was lucky to be animated. Luckier than he ever could make dreamed he would be in having Elena beside him. He would work through the readjustment without bothering her by tel ing her, he decided. scarce two hours later Stefan was substantiate at the boardinghouse, limping slightly. level, who met him at the moody front entre, noticed the limp. You okay? Youd fall in get in and ice it.Just a cramp,Stefan utter briefly. Im not use to exercise.Didnt get any cover version t nockher in you neck.He looked aside, flushing. So did two-dimensionality, het up and cold and furious at the community who had localize Stefan in this condition. Vampires were pretty resilient, exclusively he had the feeling no, he knew t hat Stefan had almost died in his prison cel . One day under lock and lynchpin had win over savorless that he never cute to be imprisoned again.He fol owed Stefan to the kitchen where Elena, Meredith, and Mrs. Flowers were what else? drinking mugs of tea.And categorical felt a pain when Elena instantly noticed the limp and got up and went to Stefan, and Stefan held her tightly, streamlet reassuring fingers through her hair. Matt couldnt help just now wonder, though was that sublime fundsen hair turning brightness level? More like the silvery gold it had been when Elena had early deceased with Stefan and was on her way to turning into a vampire? Stefan for certain seemed to be inspecting it closely, turning each handful as he raked his fingers through it. both luck?Elena asked him, tension in her voice.Wearily, Stefan move his head. I went up streets and dash off streets and wherever I found a a young girlfriend who was contorted, or twiddle round and round, or doing any other of the things the papers mentioned, I tried to Influence them.Well, by chance I shouldnt entertain daunted with the whirling girls. I couldnt catch their eyes. hardly the final count is zero for eleven.Elena glum toward Meredith in agitation. What do we do?Mrs. Flowers busily began rummaging through bundles of herbs that hung supra her stove. You need a nice cup of tea.And a rest,Meredith verbalise, patting him lightly on the hand.Can I get you anything?Well Ive got a new mood scrying. still I need Misaos virtuoso bal to see if it wil work. Dont worry,he added, I wont use any of the Power in it I just need to look at the surface.Il bring it,Elena offered, get up straight off from where she was sitting on his lap. Matt corpusted slightly and looked at Mrs. Flowers as Elena went to the inlet of the chemical base cel ar and pushed. Nothing moved and Mrs. Flowers patently watched benignly. It was Stefan who rose to help her, Stilllimping. thus Matt and Meredith got up, Meredith communicate, Mrs.Flowers, argon you sure we should keep the lede bal in that same safe?Ma ma dictates were doing the right thing,Mrs. Flowers answered serenely.After that things happened very fast.As if theyd re instructsed it, Meredith pressed the exact gravel to open the seed cel ar door. Elena fel to her work force and knees.Faster than even he had imagined he could go, Matt went barreling toward Stefan with one shoulder passel. Mrs.Flowers was frantical y pul ing great swaths of dried herbs cut prickle from where they hung above the kitchen table.And then Matt was hit Stefan with al the power in his body and Stefan was stumbling over Elena, his head going down and down and meeting no resistance on the way.Meredith was coming at him sideways and service him do a complete forth flip in the air. As curtly as the flip took him out of the doorsill and he was cartwheeling down the stairs, Elena got up and shut the door and Meredith leaned again st it, as Matt shouted, How do you keep in a kitsune?These might help,gasped Mrs. Flowers, stuffing odiferous herbs into the crack under the door.And put rightcried Elena, and she and Meredith and Matt al ran to the den where there was an enormous, tripartite straighten out fire screen. in some way they bundled it bum to the kitchen and set it upright against the conciliate cel ar door. Just then the first crash came from the inside against it, further the iron was heavy and the second crash against the door was weaker.What are you doing? Have you al gone crazy?Stefan shouted plaintively, but as the entire group began to cover the door in Post-it Note amulets, he blamed instead and became pure Shinichi. Youll be sorry, damned you Misaos not right. She cries and cries. Youll make it up to her with your blood, but not before I offer you to some special friends of mine. The kind who populate how to cause real painElena lift her head, as if hearing something. Matt watched her frown. Then she cal ed to Shinichi, Dont even try to investigate for Damon. Hes gone. And if you try to track him Il fry your brains.Sul en silence greeted her from the root cel ar.My heavyness gracious, what conterminous?murmured Mrs. Flowers.Elena simply nodded for the others to fol ow her, and they went al the way to the very top of the house Stefans mode and round in whispers.How did you hit the sack?Did you use telepathy?I didnt hold up at first,Matt admitted, but Elena was acting as if the thaumat entreat bal was in the root cel ar. Stefan knows its not there. I guess,he added with a guilty sorcerert, that I invited him in.I knew as currently as he sentiencyted groping my hair,Elena express with a shudder. Stefan and D I mean, Stefan knows I only like it touched lightly, and at the ends. Not mauled like that.Remember al Shinichis wee songs about golden hair? Hes a nutcase. Anyway, I could tel from the feel of his mind.Matt felt ashamed. Al his wondering ab out Elena maybe ever-changing into a vampireand this was the answer, he thought.I noticed his lapis ring,Meredith verbalise. I see him with it on his right hand as he went out earlier. When he came plump for he had it on his left hand. in that location was a brief pause as they al title-holdered at her. She shrugged. It was part of my training, noticing teeny-weeny things.Good point,Matt said at last. Good point. He wouldnt be able to change it in sunlight.How did you know, Mrs. Flowers?Elena asked. Or was it just the way we were behaving?Goodness, no, youre al very good small(a) actors. but as soon as he stepped over the threshold Ma ma fairly shriek at me What are you doing, let a kitsune into your house?So then I knew what we were in for.We beat himElena said, beaming. We actual y caught Shinichi off prevail I can just believe it.Believe it,Meredith said with a wry smile. He was off guard for a moment. Hel be thinking up revenge right now.Something else was worrying Matt . He turned to Elena. I thought that you said that both you and Shinichi had keys that could take you anywhere, anytime. So why couldnt he brook just said, play me inside the boardinghouse where the star bal is?Those were antithetical keys from the Twin frustrate key,Elena said, her brows drawn together. Theyre, like, the mortify diagnoses and Shinichi and Misao Stillhave them both. I dont know why he didnt use his. Although it would have given him away the moment he was inside.Not if he went inside the root cel ar, and stayed there the solely time,Meredith said. And maybe a master copy Key can override the not invited insiderule.Mrs. Flowers said, scarce Ma ma Stillwould have told me. as well as there are no keyholes in the root cel ar. at all.No keyholeswouldnt matter, I dont think,Elena answered.I think he just commanded to show how clever he was, and how he could fool us into giving him Misaos star bal . in front anyone else could theorize a word, Meredith held out her palm, with a shining key on it. The key was golden with diamonds insert and had a very familiar outline.Thats one of the scale Keyscried Elena. Its what we thought the Twin Fox key would look likeIt mannequin of came out of his jeans pocket when he did that flip,Meredith said innocently.When you were flipping him over me, you mean,said Elena.I suppose you picked his pocket too.So, right now, Shinichi doesnt have a key to escape withMatt said excitedly.No key to make keyholes,Elena agreed, dimpling.He can have fun changing into a mole and burrowing out of the root cel ar,Meredith said cool y. Thats if hes got his trans normaling gear or whatever with him.She added, with a troubled change in her voice, I wonderif we should have Matt tel one other person where hes actual y hidden the star bal . JustWell, just in case.Matt saw knitted brows al around him. But suddenly the realization hit him that he had to tel someone that hed hidden the star bal in his closet. The group includ ing Stefan had picked him to hide it because he had so stubbornly resisted when Shinichi was using Damons body as a puppet to pain him a month ago. Matt had proved then that he would die in hideous pain rather than let on his friends. But if Matt were to die now, Misaos star bal might be lost to the group forever. And only Matt knew how close he had come today to tumbling down the stairs a retentive with Shinichi.Far below they al comprehend a shout. Hel o Is anybody home? ElenaThats my Stefan,Elena said and then, without a tatter of dignity, she ran to launch herself from the foyer into his arms.He looked startled, but managed to break her fal before they both went down on the porch.Whats been going on?he said, his body vibrating infinitesimal y, as with the urge to fight. The whole house smel s like kitsuneIts All right,Elena said. Come and see.She led him on a higher floor to his room. Weve got him in the root cel ar,she added.Stefan looked confused. Youve got who in the root cel ar?With iron against the door,Matt said triumphantly. And herbs and amulets al over it. And, anyway, Meredith got his key.His key? Youre public lecture about Shinichi?Stefan turned on Meredith, thousand eyes wide. While Ive been gone?It was generally an accident. I sort of stuck my hand in his pocket when he was upside down and off balance. And I lucked out and got the Master Key unless this is an ordinary house key.Stefan stared at it. Its the real thing. Elena knows that.Meredith, youre incredibleYes, its the right one,Elena confirmed. I remember the shape pretty elaborate, yes?She took it from Merediths hand.What are you going to Might as well test it,Elena said with a unwholesome smile.She walked to the door of the room, shut it, said, The den downstairs,inserted the winged key in the lock, and opened the door, stepping through and shutting the door behind her.Before anyone could speak, she was back, with the poker from the den held aloft in triumph.It worksSte fan cried.Thats amazing,Matt said.Stefan looked almost feverish. But dont you realize what it means? It means we can use this key. We can go anywhere we like without using Power. Even to the nefariousness DimensionBut first while hes Stillhere we ought to do something about Shinichi.Youre in no condition to do that now, dear Stefan,Mrs.Flowers said, vibration her head. Im sorry, but the truth is that we have been very, very lucky. That wicked kitsune was off guard back then. He wont be now.I Stillhave to try,Stefan said quietly. Every one of you has been tormented or had to fight whether with your fists or your minds,he added, obedience slightly to Mrs. Flowers. Ive suffered but Ive never had a chance to fight him. I have to try.Matt said, just as quietly, Il go with you.Elena added, We can al fight together. in force(p), Meredith?Meredith nodded slowly, taking Stefans poker from his fireplace. Yes. It may be a low blow, but together.I say its a higher blow than letting him l ive and go on pain sensation people. Anyway, wel take care of ittogether,Elena said firmly. Right nowMatt started to get up, but his motion was frozen in midair as he stared in horror. Simultaneously, with the grace of hunting lionesses or bal et dancers the two girls closed in on Stefan, and simultaneously they swung their separate pokers Elena hitting him in the head and Meredith hitting him forthright in the groin. Stefan reeled away from the blow to the head, but simply said, Owwhen Meredith hit him. Matt knocked Elena out of the way and then, turning as on the dot as if he were on the footbal field, got Meredith out of Stefansway too.But this imposter had ostensibly decided not to fight back.Stefans form melted. Misao, green leaves woven into her scarlet-tipped black hair, stood before them. To Matts shock, her face was pinched and pale. She was obviously very il , although Stilldefiant. But there was no mockery in her voice tonight.What have you done with my star bal ? And my chum?she demanded feebly.Your brothers safely locked up,Matt said, hardly knowledgeable what he was tel ing her. Despite al the crimes Misao had committed he couldnt help feeling sorry for her. She was all the way desperate and il .I know that. I was going to say my brother wil kil you al not as a game, but in anger.Now Misao looked woebegone and frightened. Youve never seen him really aggravated.Youve never seen Stefan angry either,Elena said. At least not when he had al his Power.Misao just shook her head. A dried leaf floated from her hair.You dont understandI doubt we understand anything. Meredith, have we anticipateed this girl?No, but surely she wouldnt have brought the other one Elena said crisply, Matt, take a book and read it. Il tel you when were done.Matt was averse to turn his back on a kitsune, even a sick one. But when even Mrs. Flowers nodded gently he obeyed.Still, back turned or not, he could hear noises. And the noises suggested that Misao was cosmos h eld tightly and searched thoroughly. At first the sounds were al negative murmurs.Huh-uhhuh-uhhuh-uhhuh- oopsThere was a rattle of metal on wood.Matt only turned when Elena said, Okay, you can look. It was in her front pocket.She added to Misao, who was tone as if she might faint, We didnt want to have to hold you and search you. But this key where in heavens micturate did you get keys like this, anyway?A pink spot showed on Misaos cheeks. promised land is right.Theyre the only two left of the Master Keys and they belong to Shinichi and me. I figured out how to steal them from the Celestial Court. That wasa long time ago.At that moment they heard a car on the road Stefans Porsche. In the dead silence that fol owed, they could in like manner see the car through Stefans windowpane as it swung into the driveway.No one goes down,Elena said tersely. No one invites him in.Meredith shot her a keen glance. Shinichi could have tunneled out like a mole by now. And hes already been invi ted in.My fault for not warning you al but anyway, if it is Shinichi and hes done anything to hurt Stefan hes going to see me when Im angry. The words Wings of mark just popped into my head and something inside me wants to say them.There was a chil in the room.No one met Stefan, but in a moment they could al hear running foot move. Stefan appeared at his door, burst through, and found himself confronted with a row of people al looking at him suspiciously.What the hell is going on?he demanded, staring at Misao, who was being held up between Meredith and Matt. Misao Elena took two steps toward him and wound herself around him, drawing him into a deep kiss. For a moment he resisted, but then, bit by bit, his inverse col apsed despite the roomful of observers.When Elena final y let go, she just leaned against Stefan, breathing hard. The others were al crimson with embarrassment. Stefan, flushed as he was, held her tightly.Im sorry,Elena whispered. But youve already come hometwice . First, it was Shinichi and we locked him in the root cel ar. Then it was her.She pointed, without looking, toward the cowering Misao. I didnt know how to make sure that Shinichi hadnt escaped somehow And youre sure now?Oh, yes. I agnize you. Youre always ready to let me in.Matt realized that she was shaking and quickly stood up so she could sit, for at least a minute or two, in ataraxis.The peace lasted less than a minute.I want my star bal Misao cried. I need to put Power in it or Il go on weakening and then youl have murdered me.Go on weakening? Is the liquid evaporating out of the star bal or something?Meredith asked. Matt was thinking about what hed seen on his home block before the Ridgemont sheriffs had got him.Youve equanimous Power to put in it?he asked mildly. Power from yesterday, maybe?Power from ever since you took it. But it isnt joined withme. With my star bal . Its mine, but not yet.Like maybe some Power from making Cole Reece eat his guinea pig while it was a live? From making kids burn down their own houses?Matts voice was gravel y.What does it matter?Misao retorted sul enly. Its mine.They were my ideas, not yours. You cant keep me away Meredith, keep me away from her. Ive known that kid Cole since he was born. Il always have nightmaresMisao perked up like a wilting plant getting water. Have nightmares, have nightmares,she whispered.There was a silence. Then Meredith said, careful y and expressionlessly, as if she were thinking of the stave, Youre a nasty little thing, arent you? Is that your food? Bad memories, nightmares, fear of the next?Misao was plainly stumped. She couldnt see the catch. It was like asking a regular hungry teenager How about some pizza and a Coke? Is that what you want?Misao couldnt even see that her appetites were wrong, so she couldnt lie.You were right before,Stefan said drastic y. We have your star bal . The only way to make us give it back would be to do something for us. Were supposed to be able to contr ol you anyway because we have it Old-ways thinking. Obsolete,Misao growled.There was a dead silence. Matt felt his stomach plummet.They had been betting on old-ways thinkingal along. To get Shinichis star bal by making Misao tel them where it was.Their ultimate goal had been to control Shinichi using his star bal .You dont understand,Misao said, woful y and yet angrily at the same time. My brother wil help me fil my star bal again.But what we did in this town it was an order, not just for fun.Coulda fooled me,Elena murmured, but Stefans head jerked up and he said, An order? From who?Idontknow Misao screamed. Shinichi gets the orders.Then he tel s me what to do. But whoever it is should be happy by now. The town is almost destroyed. He ought to give me some help hereShe glared at the group, and they stared back.Without knowing that he was going to say it, Matt said, Lets put her in the root cel ar with Shinichi. Ive got this feeling that we might al be sleeping in the storage room tonight.