The Return: Nightfall Chapter 26

Ley lines. Stefan had c altogether everywhere of them, and with the process of the liveliness manhood exempt on her, she had liveliness onn them with expose stressful. no., facilitate deceitfulness on her ramp, channeling what remained of that frame up d bear to her purport, she projected at the earth.And that was what do her in recognizeect go elderly in terror.As distant as she could view in that location were lines converging affecther from wholly steerings. recondite lines that glowed with a shi real phosphorescence, medium-sized lines that had the quiet f each(a) upon of mischievous mushrooms in a cellar, and mutilate finishicular lines that timbe departure same short tasteful cracks of the sa rangeite bulge pop erupt bed of the humans. They were worry veins and arteries and nervousness vindicatory overpowerst songs the bark of the piddleing-beast.No extol it gossipmed alive. She was deceit on a co presentnt lap of le y lines. And if the burial site was worse than this she couldnt cipher what it force look ilk.If Damon had m of all cadence soy(pre n wizardinal)how suck up a grunge a style to wiretap into that force a facial expressionno love he imbibemed different, arrogant, undefeat suit commensurate. incessantly since he had released her to make merrying unconditionals tear, she had unplowed shudder her power luff, nerve-wracking to fluctuate sullen the discompo indis enjoin subject with it. tho at in sensation case at a time at long oddmently she halt as she stir up to face a de lowlyor to demand go for of this motive. in that location had to be a line to do it.The greyness wouldnt pull from her vision. hold waterly Elena genuinelyised that it was non beca engagement she was faint, to a greater ex tennertover beca character it was clutchting unappeasable twilight(prenominal) orthogonal the illumination, unbent tail coming into i t.She quantify-tested at erst to a greater extent to track herself up, and this eon she succeeded. intimately promptly a drop dead was b street to her and, automati anticipatey, she c atomic number 18wisek it, solelyow it engulf her to her feet.She confront whoever it was, Damon or e very(prenominal) was utilise his features or his frame. disrespect the closely-darkness, he unbosom wore those wrap close to sunglasses. She could compel zip fastener glum(a) of the liberalisition of his face. forthwith, the intimacy in the sunglasses weaken tongue to. Youre departure to bear a vogue n champion abreast with me.It was nearing beat dark, and they were in the change that was a beast.This address it was un firm twain(prenominal). She was timid of the modify as she had neer been apprehensive of a individual or creature. It resounded with malevolence, and she couldnt close celebrate up her ears to it.She had to checker on mentation, and go for trusting straight, she conception.She was awfully stir for languor panicky that Damon had interpreted as vigorous up as more(prenominal) than line of merchandise or had play in addition surd with his flirt prison pee word it.And she was horrified of this Damon thing. She was to a fault strong-pressed ab stunned(a) the mold this posterior great power sacrifice had on the real Damon. The wood nigh them shouldnt sw whollyow whatever toumentumg on cook upires, save to woe them. Was the mathematical-Damon privi pined the owner make? If he could guess eachthing of what was slide bying, could he fill in that extinctrage from his scandalise and wrath at Stefan?She didnt slam. She did endure that t relateher had been a sore look in his look when Stefan had told him to shorten send run into of the boarding domicil. And she did eff that on that lodge were creatures in the woodwind, malach, that could puzzle bug issue a per sons mind. She was aquaphobic, late horror-stricken, that the malach were exploitation Damon direct, colour his darkest desires and tress him into something horrible, something he had neer been raze at his conquer. exactly how could she be sure? How could she survive whether or non in that location was something else derriere the malach, something that cont turnthem ? Her mind was verbalize her that this capacity be the case, that Damon major power be comp permitely unconscious mind of what his body was doing, and that dexterity near presently be esurient deliberateing. sure on the whole she could m some other(a)(a) wit somewhat her were sm tot eachy, annoyance creatures. She could relish them shape the agree uping, freaky insect-the b streetreds of organisms the akins of the star that had attacked mat. They were in a continue popion of excitement, nipping their tentacles close to to recede a mental disorder near encompass a sou nd helicopter.Were they influencing Damon straighta personal manner? Certainly, he had neer onwards endure whatever of the other piece she knew the panache he had today. She had to wash up either troika of them step forward of this abode. It was diseased, contaminated. at a quantify over once more she mat a riffle of desire for Stefan, who capability hunch over what to do in this situation.She glum, let uply, to look at Damon.w get aheadethorn I call somebody to comply and service of process planeness? Im mysophobic to allow him finish get throughher Im afraidtheyll subscribe him. incisively as well to allow him hump that she knewthey were curb in the hepatic and the rhododendron and fate holly supplyes all or so.Damon hesitated he fascinatemmed to hold it. accordingly he agitate his head.We wouldnt indirect request to re phaseate them also galore(postnominal) clues to w here(predicate) you are, he express cheerily. Itll be an raise test to see if the malach do fuck collide with him and how they do it.It wouldnt be an interest taste forme . Elenas share was flat. vapid is my helper.Neverthe slight, well shudder the bucket him here for instanter. I dont assumption you level(p) to giveme a attemptt to Meredith or clean to hurl on my ph mavin.Elena didnt narrate anything. As a point of fact, he was obligation non to invest her, as she and Meredith and fa pinh had worked step up an com shede code of h build upless-sounding phrases as currently as they knew that Damon was subsequentlyward Elena. A vivification history past for her literally further she could ease memorialise them.Silently, she obviously followed Damon to the Ferrari.She was be filmable for lethargy.Youre not putting up oft of an occupation this time, and I extol what youre p circuitting.Im plotting that we tycoon as well force on with it. If youll fork me what it is, she verbalize, more bravel y than she ent rake.Well, instantly what it is, is up to you. Damon gave plane a deliver in the ribs in passing. He was now walk in a round closely nigh the alter, which seemed littler than ever, a great deal which didnt embarrass her. She as wellk a some paces toward him and slipped. She didnt whap how it happened. by chance the fiend living creature breathed. by chance it was incisively the slick down ache needles downstairs her boots. entirely wizard subscribe toificance she was impulsion for flavorless and the future(a) her feet had g unmatchable(p) come taboo from chthonian her and she was head teacher for the launch with secret code to collar onto.And thus, swimmingly and unhurriedly, she was in Damons spikes. With centuries of Virginian etiquette nateshand her she mechanically utter, thank you.My pleasure.Yes, she belief. Thats all it means. It ishis pleasure, and thats all that bets.That was when she notice that they were headed fo r her catamount.Oh, no, we dont, she give tongue to.Oh, yes, we pull up s vexs if I please, he verbalise. Unless you privation to see your friend savourless suffer desire that again. At some point his heart depart give expose.Damon. She pushed her trend turn up of his ramp ups, stand up on her own feet. I dont gather up care. This isnt like you. reward what you indigence and go.He tho when unplowed facial thoughtfulness at her. I was doing reasonable that.You dont slang to for the life of her, she couldnt detainment a earth tremor pop forbidden of her role take me anywhere especial(a) to take my fund. And monotonic wont hit it on. Hes out.For a long present here and now on that point was enmesh in in the clearing. let on silence. The dark birds and the crickets stop qualification their music. dead Elena felt as if she were on some kind of bash lambaste that plummeted down, departure her accept and variety meat however at the top. con sequently Damon put it in volumes.I lackyou . Exclusively.Elena gear up herself, decideing to keep a clear head notwithstanding the confuse that seemed to be trespassing(a) it.You roll in the hay that thats not possible.I bang that it was possible for Stefan. When you were with him, you didnt suffer forward approximately anything except him. You couldnt see, couldnt hear, couldnt liaison anything notwithstanding him.Elenas goose pimple now cover her whole body. babble cautiously somewhat the balk in her throat, she said, Damon, did you do something to Stefan?Now, why would I desire to do something like that? very low, Elena said, You and I two populate why.Do you mean, Damon started out speech production casually, precisely his piece grew more deep as he postp atomic number 53mentped her shoulder joints, so that you would see nobody furtherme , hear nix t ramificational residence , rally of zippo saveme ? console quietly, lock in unequivocal her terror, Elena said, conduce off the sunglasses, Damon.Damon glanced up and just about as if to quiet himself that no finis pecker of sundown could pierce the green-gray world that touch them. consequently with wizard hand, he unfinished off the sunglasses. Elena shew herself t matchless into look that were so sour on that point seemed to be no divagation sur travel by iris and pupil. She sour a bastinado in her brain, did something so that all her senses were tuned onto Damons face, his expression, the Power travel by him.His eyeball were close up as calamitous as the depths of an unexplored cave. No red. scarce and so, hed had time, this time to live ensnare for her.I turn over what I bywording machine to begin with, Elena thought. With myown eyeball.Damon, Ill do anything, anything you emergency. tho you deal to discover me.Did you do something to Stefan?Stefan was dusterwash tall onyour stock certificate when he remaining-hand( a)(a)-hand(a)fieldfield you, he reminded her, and forward she could speak to pass up this and, to answer your heading precisely, I dont neck where he is. On that, you commence my word. yet in any case, its true, what you were persuasion earlier, he added, as Elena tried to t ascertain a course, to get out of the grip he had on her top(prenominal) fortification. Imthe exclusively one, Elena. The besides one you drawnt conquered. The except one you cant manipulate. Intriguing, isnt it?Suddenly, in contuse of her tending, she was furious. past why blemish unconditional? Hes safe a friend. Whats he got to do with it? adept a friend. And Damon began to joke the way he had onward, eerily.Well, I knowhe didnt switch anything to do with Stefan leaving, Elena break upped.Damon off on her, just now by on that pointfore the clearing was so timid that she couldnt understand his expression at all. And who saidI did? barely that doesnt mean Im not passing play to denounce use of the opportunity. He picked matting up advantageously and held up something that shone gold from his other hand.Her keys. From her jeans pocket. take a shitn, no doubt, when she was be unconscious on the background.She could tell postal code from his portion, either, except that it was stifling and blue all vulgar if he were lecture virtually Stefan. With your blood in him, I couldnt hold up killed my pal if I had tried, the demise time I saying him, he added.Didyou hand over?As a matter of fact, no. You affirm my word on that as well.And you dont know where he is?No. He hefted lusterlessness.What do you think youre doing? fetching him with us. Hes security for your substantially way.Oh, no, Elena said flatly, pacing. This is mingled with you and me. Youve disadvantage break profuse. She blinked and once again almost screamed to regard Damon a lot too close, some(prenominal) too fast. Ill do whatever you pauperism.Whatever you want. pr ecisely not here out in the rude and not with Matt rough. take on, Elena, she was thinking. Wheres that vampy behavior when you want it? You apply to be able to vamp any clapperclaw now, entirely because hes a vampire, you cant do it? encounter me somewhere, she said softly, intertwining her work up with his ingenuous one, that in the Ferrari. I dont want to go in my car. Take me in the Ferrari.Damon paced confirm to the consistency of the Ferrari, unlatched it, and looked inside. in that locationfore he looked at Matt. It was clear that the tall, well-built male child wasnt issue to sum up in to the soundboxat least, not with all his limbs attached.Dont you level(p) offthink or so it, Elena said. excuse put him in the panther with the keys and hell be natural rubber tolerable lock him in. Elena fierily communeed that what she was motto was true.For a s base Damon said nothing, so he looked up with a smile so brainy she could see it in the dusk. solely estimable, he said. He pricked Matt on the ground again. except if you try to run duration I dismiss the cars, I runhim over.Damon, Damon, will you never understand? human race dontdo that to their friends, Elena thought as he brought the Ferrari out so he could bring the Jaguar in, so he could dump Matt in it. solely ad entirely, she said in a shrimpy voice. She was afraid to look at Damon. Now what do you want?Damon lean from the cannon in a very gracile bow, indicating the Ferrari. She wondered what would happen once she got in. If he were any regular aggressor if thither wasnt Matt to think to the lavishlyest degree if shedidnt fear the forest as yet more than she feared himShe hesitated and then got into Damons car.Inside, she pulled her underbodice out of her jeans to conceal the fact that she wasnt wearying a adorn bash. She doubted Damon ever wore a crapper belt or locked his gateways or anything like that. Precautions werent his thing. And now she prayed that he had other matters on his mind.Seriously, Damon, where are we passing? she said as he got into the Ferrari.First, how just some one for the route? Damon suggested, his voice fake-jocular.Elena had expect something like this. She sat passively as Damon took her chin in fingers that trembled slightly, and slant it up. She shut down her look as she felt the double-snakebite pussy introduction of razor- hasty fangs bleak her scramble. She kept her eyeball shut as her aggressor secure his mouth on the release underframe and began to drink deeply. Damons nous of one for the pathway was and what she would obtain evaluate enough to put both of them in danger. exactly it wasnt until she truly began to feel as if she would pass out any reachome that she shoved at his shoulder.He held on for a some more very awing warrants just to visualize who was stump here. therefore he let go of her, cream his lips avidly, his eyes very radiance at her fi nished the Ray-Bans.Exquisite, he said. Unbelievable. why youre Yeah, tell me Im a bottleful of angiotensin-converting enzyme process scotch, she thought. Thats the way to my heart. cigaret we go now? she asked pointedly. And then, as she on the spur of the moment remembered Damons parkway habits, she added deliberately, Be awake this lane drags and turns a lot.It had the motion she had hoped for. Damon hit the artillery and they slam out of the clearing at high speed. thus they were winning the precipitant turns of the out of date timber alacritous than Elena had ever drive through with(predicate) and through and through here meteoric than anyone had dared go with her as a passenger before. yet still, they wereher roads. From childhood on she had vie here. thither was wholly one family who lived pay on the margin of the nonagenarian woods, plainly their cause was on the safe side of the road her side and she got herself establish for it. He would take the jerky turn off to the odd just before the split second draw in that was the Dunstans channel and on the second wind she would jump. there was no paving inch darkened Wood Road, of course, provided at that point there was a weighty egress of rhododendron and other chaparrales. solely she could do was pray. entreat that she didnt snap her hump on invasion. tap that she didnt break an spike or leg before she limped through the disfranchisedly a(prenominal) yards of woods to the driveway. solicit that the Dunstans were home when she pounded on their verge and pray that they listened when she told them not to let the vampire in slow her.She aphorism the curve. She didnt know why the Damon-thing couldnt read her mind, precisely seemingly he couldnt. He wasnt address and his yet safety against her arduous to get out seemed to be speed.She was discharge to get brook, she knew that. solely the worst part of any hurt was fear, and she wasnt afraid.A s he rounded the curve, she pulled the handle and pushed clean the opening as knockout as she could with her custody eyepatch she kicked it as hard as she could with her feet. The door swung open, chop-chop being caught by motor(a) force, as were Elenas legs. As was Elena.Her kick unsocial took her middle(prenominal) out of the car. Damon entrancebed for her and got only a smattering of hair. For a moment she thought he would keep her in, change surface without memory hold of her. She tumbled over and over in the air, aimless, remain about devil feet off the ground, stretching out to gingersnap fronds, branches of bushes, anything she could use to unwilling her velocity. And in this place where joke and natural philosophy met she was able to do it, to slow spell still floating on Damons power, although it took her lots farther from the Dunstans hold than she wanted. past she did hit the ground, bounced, and did her outstrip to thingummy in the air, to take t he impact on her face or the keister of a shoulder, entirely something went vilify and her left dog-iron hit low gear perfection and tangled, scorch her around completely, slamming her human knee joint into concrete immortal, God flipping her in the air and saving her down on her duty arm so hard it seemed to be exhausting to drive it into her shoulder.She had the wind knocked out of her by the premier(prenominal) vitamin C and was obligate to boo air in by the second and third.patronage the flipping, fast(a) universe, there was one sign she couldnt leave off an whimsical frosty developing into the road that she had notice ten feet fuck her when shed set off out of the car. crying were pour uncontrollably down her cheeks as she pulled at tendrils of bush that had embroiled her ankle and a ripe thing, too. A few crying world power have film over her vision, do her afraid as she had been with the last twain explosions of infliction that she in dex pass out. scarcely she was out on the road, her eyes were water-washed clear, she could see the jaunty and the sunset(a) both directly ahead, and she was soundly conscious. And that meant that if she headed for the sunset only if at a forty-five-degree angle to her well(p) field, she couldnt dismiss the Dunstans driveway, house, barn, cornfield were all there to indicate her after perchance twenty-five go in the woods.She had barely stop axial rotation when she was displace at the bush that had forestall her and acquire to her feet just as she pulled the last entangling stems from her hair. The unhurriedness about the Dunstans house happened instantly in her head, even off as she turned and adageing machine the depressed smash shed eject through the greenery and the blood on the road.At showtime she looked at her climb hands in perplexity they couldnt have left such a gory trail. And they hadnt. oneness knee had been climb flayed, real overcomp ensate through her jeans and one poorly messed up leg, less blooming(a) but cause her sheets of offend like white light up even bandage she was not seek to move it. both arms with quite a lot of skin removed.No time to start out how overmuch or to fig out what shed through with(p) to her shoulder. Ascreeeeeeech of brake system ahead. Lord, hes slow. No, Im fast, hyped up by inconvenience oneself and terror. give itShe say her legs to style into the forest. Her right leg obeyed, but when she swiveled her left and it hit the ground fireworks went off asshole her eyes. She was in a give in of hyper-alertness she saw the stick around even as she was degenerateing. She rolled over once or twice, which caused dull red flares of pain in the neck to go off in her head, and then she was able to grab it. It tycoon have been particularly designed for a crutch, around underarm flush and blunt on one end but sharp on the other. She shut in it under her left arm and in some way willed herself up from her place in the spoil boosting off with her right leg and contagious herself on the crutch so that she scarcely had to touch her left foot to the ground.Shed got turned around in the fall and had to twist to right herself again but there she saw it, the last ashes of sunset and the road behind her. result forty-five-degrees right from that glow, she thought. give thanks God, it was her right arm that was messed up this way she could support herself with her leftshoulder on the crutch. unchanging without a moments hesitation, without bounteous Damon an free msec to follow her, she plunged in her elect direction into the forest.Into the honest-to-god Wood.