The Return: Nightfall Chapter 15

Matt nodded, but he was blushing to the fair roots of his hair. Tamipressed herself once morest me.There was a long pause.Me fierceith said levelly, Matt, do you mean she hugged you? Like a biiiiiig hug? Or that she She halt, because Matt was already shaking his period vehemently.It was no innocent biiiiiig hug. We were al unmatchable, in the doorway there, and she on the buttonwell, I couldnt believe it. Shes only fifteen, but she acted the exchangeable an adult woman. I meannot that Ive ever had an adult woman dothat to me.Looking embarrassed but eased at having got this off his chest, Matts gaze went from face to face. So what do you think? Was it just a coincidence that Caroline was there? Or did shesay something to Tamra?No coincidence, Elena said simply. Itd be in additionmuch of a coincidence Caroline coming on to you and accordingly Tamra acting like that. I cut I used to know Tami Bryce. Shes a straightlaced infinitesimal girl or she used to be.She be quiet is, Meredith said. I told you, I went out with Jim a few times. Shes a very nice girl, and not at entirely mature for her age. I dont think she would normally do eitherthing inappropriate, unless She break-danceped, looking into the middle distance, and then shrugged without finishing her sentence.Bonnie looked serious now. cool off we have to stop this, she said. What if she does that to some guy whos not nice and shy like Matt? Shes spillage to energize herself assaultedThats the whole problem, Matt said, disco biscuiting red a turn in. I mean, its pretty difficult. If she had been some opposite girl, that I was divergence on a date with not that I go out with other girls on dates he added hastily, glancing at Elena.But youshould be going out on dates, Elena said firmly. Matt, I dont want eternal fidelity from you theres nothing Id like better than to see you dating a nice girl. As if by accident, her gaze wandered over to Bonnie, who was now trying to crunch celery very softly and neatly.Stefan, youre the only whizz who can secern us what to do, Elena said, turning to him.Stefan was frowning. I dont know. With only two girls, its pretty hard to draw any conclusions.So were going to wait and see what Caroline or Tami does next? Meredith asked.Not just wait, Stefan said. Weve got to recuperate out more about it. You guys can keep an eye on Caroline and Tamra Bryce, and I can do some research on it.Damn Elena said, hitting the ground with one fist. I can almost She stopped suddenly and looked at her friends. Bonnie had dropped her celery, gasping, and Matt had choked on his Coke, going into a coughing fit. Even Meredith and Stefan were staring at her. What? she said blankly.Meredith recovered first. Its just that yesterday you were well, very young angels dont swear.Just because I died a couple of times, it means I have to say darn for the rest of my life? Elena shook her head. Not. Im me and Im going to stay me whoever I am.Good, said Stefa n, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. Matt looked out-of-door and Elena gave Stefan an almost dismissive pat, but thinking,I love you forever , and discriminating that he would pick it up even if she couldnt hear his thought in return. In fact she found shecould pick up his general response to it, a warm rose color seemed to hang most him.Was this what Bonnie saw and called an aura? She realized that most of the day shed seen him with a light, cool, emerald sort of shadowing around him if shadows could be light. And the green was returning now as the pink faded away.Immediately she glanced over the rest of the picnickers. Bonnie was surrounded by a roselike color, shading to the palest of pinks. Meredith was a deep and profound violet. Matt was a strong clear blue.It reminded her that up until yesterday only yesterday? shed seen so many things that no one else could see. Including something that had scared her silly.What had itbeen ? She was scramting flashes of image s little details that were scary enough by themselves. It could be as small as a fingernail or as fully grown as an arm. Bark-like texture, at least on the body. Insect-like antennae, but furthermost too many of them, and moving like whips, faster than any insect ever go them. She had the general crawly aroma she got whenever she thought about insects. It was a bug, then. But a bug built on a different body plan than any insect she knew of. It was more like a leech in that respect, or a squid. It had a completely circular mouth, with sharp teeth all around, and far too many tentacles that looked like thick vines whipping around in back.It could attach itself to a person, she thought. But she had a terrible feeling that it could do more.It could turn transparent and pull itself inside you and you would feel no more than a pinprick.Andthen what would happen?Elena turned to Bonnie. Do you think that if I show you what something looks like, you could recognize it again? Not with yo ur eyes, but with your psychic senses?I guess it depends on what the something is, Bonnie answered cautiously.Elena glanced over at Stefan, who gave her briefest of nods.Then shut your eyes, she said.Bonnie did so, and Elena put her fingertips on Bonnies temples, with her thumbs piano brush Bonnies eyelashes. Trying to activate her White positions something that had been so easy before today was like striking two rocks together to imbibe a heighten and hoping one was flint. Finally she felt a small spark, and Bonnie jerked backward.Bonnies eyes snapped open.What was that? she gasped. She was breathing hard.Thats what I saw yesterday.Where?Elena said slowly, Inside Damon.But what does it mean? Was he controlling it? Oror Bonnie stopped and her eyes widened.Elena finished the sentence for her. Was it controlling him? I dont know. But heres one thing I do know, almost for certain. When he ignored your Calling, Bonnie, he was being influenced by the malach.The move is,if not Da mon , who was controlling it? Stefan said, standing up again restlessly. I picked that up, and the kind of marionette Elena showed you its not something with a mind of its own. It needs an outside brain to control it.Like another vampire? Meredith asked quietly.Stefan shrugged. Vampires usually just ignore them, because vampires can get what they want without them. It would have to be a very strong mind to get a malach like that to possess a vampire. Strong and evil.Those, Damon said with harsh grammatical precision, from where he was sitting on a high limb of an oak, are they. My younger brother and hisassociates.Marvelous, murmured Shinichi. He had draped himself even more gracefully and languidly against the oak than Damon had. It had become an unspoken contest. Shinichis golden eyes had flared once or twice Damon had seen it upon seeing Elena and at the mention of Tami.Dont even try to tell me youre not involved with those rowdy girls, Damon added dryly. From Caroline to Tamra and onward, thats the idea, isnt it?Shinichi shook his head. His eyes were on Elena and he began to sing a folksong softly.With cheeks like blooming rosesAnd hair like golden wheatI wouldnt try it onthose girls. Damon smiled without humor. His eyes were narrow. Granted, they look about as strong as wet tissue paper but theyre tougher than youd think, and theyre toughest of all when one of them is in danger.I told you, its not me doing it, Shinichi said. He looked uneasy for the first time since Damon had seen him. Then he said, Although I might know the originator.Do tell, Damon suggested, still narrow-eyed.Well did I mention my younger twin? Her name is Misao. He smiled winningly. It means maiden.Damon felt an automatic stirring of appetite. He ignored it. He was too relaxed to think of hunting, and he wasnt at all sure thatkitsune fox-spirits, which Shinichi claimed to be could be hunted. No, you didnt mention her, Damon said, absently scratching at the back of his neck. That mosquito bite was gone, but it had leave behind a furious itching. It must have somehow slipped your mind.Well, shes here somewhere. She came when I did, when we saw the flare of Power that brought backElena.Damon felt sure that the disbelief before the mention of Elenas name was a fake. He tilted his head at thedont think youre fooling me angle and waited.Misao likes to play games, Shinichi said simply.Oh, yes? Like backgammon, chess, Go Fish, that sort of thing?Shinichi coughed theatrically, but Damon caught the glint of red in his eye. My, he verywas overprotective of her, wasnt he? Damon gave Shinichi one of his most incandescent smiles.I love her, the young man with the black hair licked by fire said, and this time there was an open warning in his voice.Of course you do, Damon said in soothe tones. I can see that.But, well, her games usually have the effect of destroying a town. Eventually. Not all at once.Damon shrugged. This flyspeck of a village isnt going to be mi ssed. Of course, I get my girls out alive first. Now it was his voice that held an open warning.Just as you like. Shinichi was back to his normal, submissive self. Were allies, and well keep to our deal. Anyway, it would be a outrage to wasteall that. His gaze drifted to Elena again.By the way, we wont even discuss the little fiasco with your malach and me or hers, if you insist. Im pretty sure Ive vaporized at least terzetto of them, but if I see another one, our business relationship is over. I make a bad enemy, Shinichi. You dont want to find out how bad.Shinichi looked suitably impress as he nodded. But the next moment he was gazing at Elena again, and singing.hair like golden wheatall a-down her milk-white shouldersMy pretty pink, my cherubicAnd Ill want to meet this Misao of yours. For her protection.And I know she wants to meet you. Shes caught up in her game at the moment, but Ill try to tear her away from it. Shinichi stretched luxuriously.Damon looked at him for a mom ent. Then, absent-mindedly, he too stretched.Shinichi was watching him. He smiled.Damon wondered about that smile. He had noticed that when Shinichi smiled, two little flames of crimson could be seen in his eyes.But he was really too tired to think about it right now. Simply too relaxed. In fact he suddenly felt very sleepy.So were going to be looking for these malach things in girls like Tami? Bonnie asked.Exactly like Tami, said Elena.And you think, Meredith said, watching Elena closely, that Tami got it somehow from Caroline.Yes. I know, I know the question is where did Caroline get it from? And that Idont know. But, again, we dont know what happened to her when she was kidnapped by Klaus and Tyler Smallwood. We dont know anything about what shes been doing for the last week except that its clear she never really stopped hating us.Matt held his head in his hands. And then what are we going todo? I feel as if Im responsible somehow.No Jimmys responsible, if anyone is. If he yo u know, let Caroline spend the night and then let her talk about it with his fifteen-year-old sister. Well, it doesnt make himguilty , but he sure could have been a little more subtle, Stefan said.And thats whereyoure wrong, Meredith told him. Matt and Bonnie and Elena and I have known Caroline forages andwe know what shes capable of . If anyone qualifies as their sisters keeper its us. And I think were in serious delinquency of duty. I vote we stop by her house.So do I, Bonnie said sadly, but Im not looking forward to it. Besides, what if shedoesnt have one of those malach things in her?Thats where the research comes in, Elena said. We need to find out whos behind it all. Someone strong enough to influence Damon.Wonderful, Meredith said, looking grim. And given the power of the ley lines, we only have every single person in Fells Church to choose from.Fifty yards west and thirty feet straight up, Damon was struggling to keep awake.Shinichi reached up to brush fine hair the color of night and flames vanquish upward off his forehead. Under his lowered lids he was watching Damon intently.Damon meant to be watching him as intently, but he was simply too drowsy. Slowly, he imitated Shinichis motion, brushing a very few strands of silky black hair off his own forehead. His lids drooped inadvertently, just a little more than before. Shinichi was still smiling at him.So we have our deal, he murmured. We get the town, Misao and I, and you dont stand in our way. We get the rights to the power of the ley lines. You get your girls safely outand you get your revenge.Against my sanctimonious brother and thatthat muttMatt. Shinichi had sharp ears.Whatever. I just wont have Elena hurt, is all. Or the little red-headed witch.Ah, yes, sweet Bonnie. I wouldnt mind one or two like her. One for Samhain and one for the Solstice.Damon snorted drowsily. There arent two like her I dont care where you look. I wont have her hurt either.And what about the tall, opprobrious-haired b eautyMeredith?Damon woke up.Where?Dont worry shes not coming to get you, Shinichi said soothingly. What do you wantdone with her?Oh. Damon lounged back again in relief, easing his shoulders. Let her go her own way as long as its far away from mine.Shinichi seemed to deliberately relax back against his branch. Your brother will be no problem. So its really just that other boy down there, he murmured. He had a very insinuating murmur.Yes. But my brother Damon was almost asleep now, in the exact position that Shinichi had taken.I told you, hell be taken care of.Mm. I mean, good.So we have a deal?Mm-hmm.Yes?Yes.We have a deal.This time, Damon didnt respond. He was dreaming. He dreamed that Shinichis angelic golden eyes snapped open suddenly to look at him.Damon. He heard his name, but in his dream it was too much trouble to open his eyes. He could see without opening them, anyway.In his dream, Shinichi leaned over him, hovering like a shot over his face, so that their auras mixed an d they would have shared breath if Damon had been breathing. Shinichi stayed that way a long time, as if he were testing Damons aura, but Damon knew that to an outsider he would appear to be out on all channels and frequencies. Still, in his dream Shinichi hung over him, as if he were trying to memorize the crescent of dark lashes on Damons pale cheek or the subtle curve of Damons mouth.Finally, the dream-Shinichi put his hand under Damons head and stroked the spot where the mosquito bite had itched.Oh, growing up to be a fine big lad, arent you? he said to something Damon couldnt see to somethinginside him. You could almost take full control against his own strong will, couldnt you?Shinichi sat for a moment, as if watching a cherry blossom fall, then shut his eyes.I think, he whispered, that thats what well try, not too long from now. Soon. Very soon. But first, we have to gain his trust get rid of his rival. Keep him blurred, angry, vain, off balance. Keep him thinking of Stefan, of his hatred for Stefan, who took his angel, whileI take care of what needs to be done here.Then he spoke directly to Damon. Allies, indeed He laughed. Not while I can put my finger on your very soul. Here. Do you feel it? What I could make you doAnd then again he seemed to address whatever creature was already inside Damon But right nowa little feast to help you grow up much faster and get much stronger.In the dream, Shinichi made a gesture, and lay back, encouraging previously out of sight malach to come up the trees. They slunk up and slid up the back of Damons neck. And then, hideously, they slipped inside him, one by one, through some cut he hadnt known he had. The feeling of their soft, flabby, jellyfish-like bodies was almost unbearableslipping inside of him.Shinichi sang softly.Oh, come a tae me, ye fair pretty maidensHaste ye lassies tae my bosomCome tae me by sunlight or moonshineWhile the roses still are in blossomIn his dream, Damon was angry. Not because of the nonse nse about malach inside him. That was ludicrous. He was angry because he knew that the dream-Shinichi was watching Elena as she began to pack up the remains of the picnic. He was watching every motion she made with an obsessive closeness.They blossom ever where you treadWild roses bloody red. great girl, your Elena, the dream-Shinichi added. If she lives, I think shell be mine for a night or so. He stroked the remaining strands of hair off Damons forehead gently. Extraordinary aura, dont you think? Ill make sure her death is beautiful.But Damon was in one of those dreams where you can neither move nor speak. He didnt answer.Meanwhile, dream-Shinichis dream-pets continued to climb the trees and pour themselves, like Jell-O, inside him. One, two, three, a dozen, two dozen of them.More .And Damon could not wake, even though he sensed more malach coming from the Old Wood. They were neither dead, nor living, neither man nor maiden, mere capsules of Power that would allow Shinichi to cont rol Damons mind from far away. Endlessly, they came.Shinichi kept watching the flow, the bright sparkle of internal organs sparkling into Damon. After a while he sang again,Days are precious, dinna lose themFloers will fade and so will yeCome to me, ye fair young maidensWhile young and fair ye still may be.Damon dreamed that he heard the word forget as if whispered by a hundred voices. And even as he tried and true to remember what to forget, it dissolved and disappeared.He woke up alone in the tree, with an ache that filled his entire body.