The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 26

We have to keep our minds on saving Stefan, Elena was saying in the room Damon had taken over for his own, the old library in wench Ulmas mansion.Where else would my mind be? Damon said, never taking his eyes off her neck with its ornaments of mother-of-pearl and diamonds. Somehow the milk-white dress served to emphasize the slim soft tug of Elenas throat, and Elena knew it.She sighed.If we thought you really meant it, then we could all nevertheless relax.You mean be as relaxed as you are?Elena gave herself an inner shake. Damon might seem to be totally absorbed with one thing and one thing only, but his sense of self-preservation made sure that he was constantly on guard, and seeing not just what he wanted to see but everything that was around him.And it was true that Elena was almost unbearably excited. Let the others think it was about her fantastic dress and it was a marvelous dress, and Elena was profoundly grateful to Lady Ulma and her helpers for getting it done in time. What Elena was really excited about, though, was the chance no, the certainty, she told herself firmly that tonight she was going to find half of the discern that would allow them to free Stefan. The thought of his face, of seeing him in the flesh wasWas terrifying. Thinking about what Bonnie had said when she was asleep, Elena reached out for comfort and understanding, and somehow found that quite of holding Damons hand, she was in Damons arms.The real question is what will Stefan say about that night at the motel with Damon?What would Stefan say? What was there to say?Im frightened, she heard, and a minute also late, recognized her own voice.Well, dont think about it, Damon said. Itll only make things worse. further Ive lied, Elena thought. You dont even remember it, or youd be lying, too.Whatever happened, I promise Ill unbosom be around for you, Damon said softly. Youve got my word on that, anyway.Elena could feel his breath against her hair. And on keeping your mind on t he key?Yes, yes, but I havent ply properly today. Elena started, then clasped Damon closer. For just an instant shed matte, not merely a ravaging hunger, but a sharp pain that puzzled her. But now, onward she could quite locate it in space, it was gone, and her connection to Damon had been abruptly cut off.Damon.What?Dont shut me out.Im not. Ive just said all there is to say, thats all. You know Ill be looking for the key.thank you. Elena tried again. But you cant just starve Who said I was starving? Now Damons telepathic connection was back, but something was missing. He was deliberately holding something back, and concentrating on assaulting her senses with something else hunger. Elena could feel it rampaging in him, as if he were a tiger or wolf that had gone for days for weeks without making a kill.The room did a slow up spin around her.Itsall right, she whispered, amazed that Damon was able to stand and hold her at all, with his insides tearing at him that way. Whatevery ou needtakeAnd then she felt the most gentle probing at her throat of razor-sharp teeth.She gave herself up to it, surrendering to the sensations.In preparation for the Silver Nightingales gala, where they would be searching for the first half of the three-fold fox key to release Stefan, Meredith had been reading some of the hard copy shed stuffed into her bag, from the huge amount of information she had downloaded from the Internet. She had done her best to describe everything that shed learned to Elena and the others. But how could she be sure that she hadnt missed some vital clue, some vastly important thread of information that would make all the difference tonight amongst success and failure? Between finding a way to save Stefan and coming home defeated, while he languished in prison.No, she thought, standing by a silvered mirror, almost afraid to look at the exotic beauty she had become. No, we cant even think of the word failure. For the sake of Stefans life, we have to suc ceed. And we have to do it without getting caught.