The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 32

Elena was radiantly happy. She had g adept to sleep happy, completely to wake up again happy, serene in the noesis that soon soon she would visit Stefan, and that after that surely very soon she would be able to take Stefan a centering.Bonnie and Meredith werent surprised when she wanted to see Damon nearly devil things one universe who should go and two being what she was going to wear. What did surprise them were her choices.If its entirely right, she utter slowly at the beginning, tracing a sense round and round on the outsized table in one of the parlors as everyone gat hered the next morning, I would like for sightly a somewhat raft to go with me. Stefans been badly hardened, she went on, and he hates to research bad in front of other people. I dont want to humiliate him.There was sort of a group blush at this. Or maybe it was a group flush of resentment and then a group blush of culpability. With the western windows about open, so that an early-morning red light fell over everything, it was hard to tell. Only one thing was certain everyone wanted to go.So I hope, Elena said, turning to look Meredith and Bonnie in the eye, that none of you are hurt if I dont choose you to come with me.That tells both of them theyre out, Elena thought as she saw understanding blossom in both depends. Most of her plans depended on how her two best friends reacted to this.Meredith g solelyantly stepped up to bat rootage. Elena, youve been through hell literally and almost died doing it to discover to Stefan. You take with you the people who give do the most good.We realize it isnt a popularity contest, Bonnie added, swallowing, because she was trying not to cry. She genuinely wants to go, Elena thought, but she understands. Stefan may feel more embarrassed in front of a girl than a boy, Bonnie said. And she didnt even add even though we would never do anything to embarrass him, Elena thought, going around for a hug and feeling Bonnies soft littl e birdlike body in her arms. Then she dour and mat up Merediths warm and slim hard arms, and as always felt some of her tension drain away.Thank you, she said, wiping tears from her eyes afterward. And youre right, I think it would be harder to face girls than boys in the situation hes in. Also it will be harder to face friends he already knows and loves. So I would like to ask these people to go with me Sage, Damon, and Dr. Meggar.Lakshmi leaped up as interested as if she had been chosen. Wheres he in jail? she asked, instead cheerfully.Damon spoke up. The Shi no Shi.Lakshmis eyes became round. She stared at Damon for a moment, and then she was bounding out the door, her shaken voice floating tin can her Ive got chores to do, masterElena glum to look directly at Damon. And what was that little reaction? she asked in a voice that would have frozen lava at thirty meters.I dont know. Truly, I dont. Shinichi showed me kanji characters and said that they were pronounced Shi no Shi and they meant the Death of Death as in lifting the curse of death from a vampire.Sage coughed. Oh, my trusting little one. Mon cher idiot. To not get a blurb opinionI did, actually. I asked a middle-aged Japanese lady at a library if the romaji thats the Japanese words written out in our letters, meant the Death of Death. And she said yes.And you turned on your heel and walked out, Sage said.How do you know? Damon was getting angry.Because, mon cher, those words mean many things. It all depends upon the Japanese characters scratch line used which you did not show her.I didnt have them Shinichi wrote it in the air for me, in red smoke. Then in a kind of angry badgering What other things do they mean?Well, they can mean what you said. They also could mean the new death. Or the true death. Or even The beau ideals of Death. And given the way Stefan has been treatedIf stares had been stakes, Damon would have been a goner by now. Everyone was looking at him with hard, accusing eye s. He turned like a wolf at bay and uncover his teeth at them in a 250-kilowatt smile. In any case, I didnt imagine it was anything remarkably pleasant, he said. I just thought it would help him to get rid of the curse of being a vampire.In any case, Elena repeated. Then she said, Sage, if you would go and make sure that theyll let us in when we arrive, I would be enormously grateful.As good as done, Madame.And let me see I want everyone to wear something a little different to go visit him. If its all right Ill go talk to Lady Ulma.She could feel Bonnies and Merediths bewildered looks on her back as she left.Lady Ulma was pale, but bright of eye when Elena was escorted into her room. Her sketchbook was open, a good sign.It took only a few words and a detecttfelt look forwards Lady Ulma said firmly, We can have everything done in an hour or two. Its just a matter of calling the right people. I promise.Elena squeezed her wrist very, very gently. Thank you. Thank you miracle wor kerAnd so I am to go as a penitent, Damon said. He was right out locating Lady Ulmas door when Elena came out and Elena suspected him of some eavesdropping.No, that never even occurred to me, she said. I just think that slaves clothing on you and the other guys will make Stefan less self-conscious. still why should you think I wanted to punish you?Dont you?Youre here to help me save Stefan. Youve gone through Elena had to stop and look in her sleeves for a clean handkerchief, until Damon offered her a black silk one.All right, he said, we wont get into that. Im sorry. I think of things to say and then I just say them, no matter how unlikely I think they are, considering the person Im speaking to.And dont you ever hear another little voice? A voice that says that people can be good, and may not be trying to hurt you? Elena asked wistfully, wondering how make full with chains the child was now.I dont know. Maybe. Sometimes. besides, as that voice is generally wrong in this wicked world, why should I pay it any attention?I wish sometimes you would just try, Elena whispered. I capacity be in a better position to argue with you, then.I like this position just fine, Damon told her telepathically and Elena realized how did this happen over and over? that they had melted into an embrace. Worse, she was wearing her morning attire a commodious silky gown and a peignoir of the same(p) material, both in the palest of pearly blues, which turned violet in the rays of the ever-setting sun.I like it too, Elena admitted, and felt shockwaves go through Damon from his surface, through his body, and deep, deep into that unfathomable reparation that one could see by looking into his eyes.Im just trying to be honest, she added, almost frightened by his reaction. I cant expect anyone else to be honest if Im not.Dont be honest, dont be honest. Hate me. Despise me, Damon begged her, at the same time caressing her arms and the two layers of silk that were all that stood bet ween his hands and her skin.But why?Because I cant be trusted. Im a wicked wolf, and youre a pure soul, a snow-white newborn lamb. You mustnt let me hurt you.Why should you hurt me?Because I might no, I dont want to bite you I only want to kiss you, just a little, like this. There was revelation in Damons mind-voice. And he did kiss so sweetly, and he always knew when Elenas knees were going to give out and picked her up before she could fall on the floor.Damon, Damon, she was thinking, feeling very sweet herself because she knew she was giving him pleasure, when she suddenly realized.Oh Damon, occupy let me go I have to go have a fitting right nowDeeply flushed, he slowly, reluctantly put her mess, grabbed her before she could fall, and put her down again.I think I shall have to go have a fit right now as well, he told her gravely as he stumbled out of the room, missing the door the first time.Not a fit a fitting Elena called after him, but she never knew if he had heard. Sh e was pleased, though, that he had let her go, without really understanding anything except that she was saying no. That was quite a bit of improvement.Then she hurried in to Lady Ulmas room, which was fill with all sorts of people, including two male models, who had just been garbed in trousers and long shirts.Sages clothes, said Lady Ulma, nodding at the large one, and Damons. She nodded at the smaller man.Oh, theyre meliorateLady Ulma looked at her with just the slightest doubt in her eyes. These are made of genuine sacking, she said. The meanest, lowest cloth in the slave hierarchy. Are you sure they will wear them?Theyre wearing them or they arent going at all, Elena said flatly and winked.Lady Ulma laughed. Good plan.Yes but what do you think of my other plan? Elena asked, unfeignedly interested in Lady Ulmas opinion, even while she blushed.My dear benefactress, Lady Ulma said. I used to watch my mother put together such outfitsafter I had turned thirteen, of course and sh e told me that they always made her happy, for she was bringing joy to two at once, and that the purpose was nothing but joy. I promise you, Lucen and I will be done in no time. Now, should you not be getting ready?Oh, yes oh, I do love you, Lady Ulma Its so rummy that the more people you love, the more you want to love And with that Elena went running back to her own rooms.Her maids-in-waiting were all there and all ready. Elena took the quickest, briskest bath of her life she was keyed up and found herself on a couch in the middle of a smiling, keen-eyed bunch, each neatly doing her job without interfering with the others. There was a depilatory, of course in fact one for each leg, one for her armpits, and one for her eyebrows. While these women and the women with soft creams and unguents were at work, creating a unique fragrance for Elena, another one thoughtfully considered her face and body as a whole.This woman touched up Elenas eyebrows to darken them, and gilded Elenas eyelids with metallic cosmetic paint before using something that added at to the lowest degree a quarter-inch to Elenas eyelashes. Then she extended Elenas eyes with exotic horizontal lines of kohl. Finally, she carefully made Elenas lips a rich glossy red that somehow gave the impression that they were continually puckered for a kiss. After this the woman sprinkled the faintest of iridescence all over Elenas body. Finally, a very large sneak diamond that had been sent up from Lucens jewelry remove was firmly cemented into her navel.It was while the hairdressers were seeing to the last of the little curls on her forehead that the two boxes and a scarlet cape came from Lady Ulmas women. Elena thanked all her ladies-in-waiting and beauticians sincerely, paid them all a bonus that had them twittering, and then asked them to leave her alone. When they dithered, she asked them again, just as politely, but in louder tones. They went.Elenas hands were trembling as she took out the outfi t Lady Ulma had created. It was quite as decent as a bathing suit, but it looked like jewelry strategically placed on wisps of golden tulle. It all coordinated with the canary diamond from the necklace to the armlets to the golden bracelets that denoted that, however expensively Elena was dressed, she was simmer down a slave.And that was it. She was going clad in tulle and jewelry, perfume and paint, to see her Stefan. Elena put the scarlet cloak on very, very carefully to avoid rumpling or smearing anything below, and slipped her feet into delicate golden sandals with very high heels.She hurried downstairs and was exactly on time. Sage and Damon were wearing cloaks tightly closed which meant that they were dressed in the sacking outfits underneath. Sage had had Lady Ulmas coach made ready. Elena settled her matching golden bracelets on her wrists, hating them because she had to wear them, pretty as they were against the white fur trim on her scarlet cloak. Damon held out a hand t o help her into the coach.I get to ride inside? Does that mean I dont have to wear But looking at Sage, her hopes were crushed.Unless we want to curtain all the windows, he said, youre legally traveling outside without slave bracelets.Elena sighed and gave her hand to Damon. stand against the sun, he was a dark silhouette. But then, as Elena blinked in the light, he stared in astonishment. Elena knew hed seen her gilded eyelids. His eyes dropped to her pursed-to-be-kissed lips. Elena blushed.I forbid you to order me to show you whats under the cloak, she said hastily. Damon looked thwarted.Hair in tiny curls all over your forehead, cloak that covers everything from neck to toes, lipstick like He stared again. His mouth twitched as if he were being compelled to fit it to hers.And its time to go Elena caroled, hastily getting into the carriage. She felt very happy, although she understood why freed slaves would never wear anything like a bracelet again.She was still happy when they reached the Shi no Shi that large building that seemed to combine a prison with a training facility for gladiators.And she was still happy as the guards at the large Shi no Shi checkpoint let them into the building without showing any signs of ill feeling. But then, it was hard to say if the cloak had any effect on them. They were demons sullen, mauve-skinned, bullock-steady.She noticed something that was at first a shock and then a river of hope inside her. The front lobby of the building had a door in one side that was like the door in the side of the depot/slaveshop always kept shut strange symbols above people walking up to it in different costumes and announcing a destination before turning the key and opening the door.In other words a dimensional door. Right here in Stefans prison. God alone knew how many guards would be after them if they tried to use it, but it was something to keep in mind.The guards on the lower floors of the Shi no Shi building, in what was most emphat ically a dungeon, had clear and obnoxious reactions to Elena and her party. They were some smaller species of demon imps, maybe, Elena thought and they gave the visitors a hard time over everything. Damon had to bribe them to be allowed in to the orbit where Stefans kiosk was, to go in alone, without one guard per visitor, and to allow Elena, a slave, to go in to see a free vampire.And even when Damon had given them a small fortune to get past these obstacles, they sniggered and made harsh guttural gurglings in their throats. Elena didnt trust them.She was correct.At a corridor where Elena knew from her out of body experiences they should have turned left, instead they went straight through. They passed another set of guards, who almost collapsed from sniggering.Oh God are they taking us to see Stefans dead body? Elena wondered suddenly. Then it was Sage who really helped her. He put out a large arm and bodily held her up, until she found her legs again.They went on walking, d eeper into what was a filthy and stinking stone-floored dungeon now. Then abruptly they turned right.Elenas heart raced on before them. It was saying wrong, wrong, wrong, even before they got to the last cell in the line. The cell was completely different from Stefans old cell. It was surrounded, not by bars, but by a sort of curlicued chicken wire that was lined with sharp spikes. No way to hand in a bottle of Black Magic. No way to get the bottle top in position to pour into a waiting mouth on the other side. No room, even, to get a finger or the mouth of a canteen through for the cellmate to suck. And the cell itself wasnt filthy, but it was bare of everything except a supine Stefan. No food, no water, no bed to hide anything in, no straw. Just Stefan.Elena screamed and had no idea if she screamed words or just a formless sound of anguish. She threw herself into the cell or tried to. Her hands grabbed onto curls of steel as sharp as razor that caused blood to well up instantly wherever they touched, and then Damon, who had the double-quick reactions, was pulling her back.And then he just pushed past her and stared. He stared open-mouthed at his younger brother a gray-faced, skeletal, barely breathing young man, who looked like a child lost in his rumpled, stained, threadbare prison uniform. Damon raised a hand, as if hed forgotten the barrier already and Stefan flinched. Stefan seemed not to know or neck any of them. He peered more closely at the drops of blood left on the razor-sharp fencing where Elena had grasped it, sniffed, and then, as if something had penetrated the fog of his bafflement, looked around dully. Stefan looked up at Damon, whose cloak had fallen, and then, like a babys, Stefans gaze wandered on.Damon made a choking sound and turned and, knocking anyone in his way aside, ran the other way down the corner. If he was hoping that enough guards would follow him that his allies could get Stefan out, he was wrong. A few followed, like mo nkeys, calling out insults. The rest stayed put, behind Sage.Meanwhile, Elenas mind was roily and churning out plans. Finally she turned to Sage. Use all the money we have plus this, she said, and she reached under her cloak for her canary diamond necklace over two dozen thumb-sized gems and call to me if we destiny more. Get me half an hour with him. Twenty minutes, then as Sage began to shake his head. Stall them, somehow get me at least twenty minutes. Ill think of something if it kills me.After a moment Sage looked her in the eyes and nodded. I will.Then Elena looked at Dr. Meggar pleadingly. Did he have something did something subsist that would help?Dr. Meggars eyebrows went down, then their inner sides went up. It was a look of grief, of despair. But then he frowned and whispered, Theres something new an injection thats said to help in dire cases. I could try it.Elena did her best not to fall at his feet. Please Please try it PleaseIt wont help beyond a couple of days It wont need to Well get him out by thenAll right. Sage had by now herded all the guards away, saying, Im a dealer in gems and theres something you all should see.Dr. Meggar opened his smasher and took out of it a spray. Wooden needle, he said with a wan smile as he filled it with a clear red crystalline from a vial. Elena had taken another syringe and she examined it eagerly as Dr. Meggar coaxed Stefan by imitation to put his arm up to the bars. At last Stefan did as Dr. Meggar wished only to jump away with a cry of pain as a syringe was plunged into his arm and stinging liquid injected.Elena looked at the doctor desperately. How much did he get?Only about half. Its all right I filled it with twice the dose and pushed as hard as I could to get the some medical word Elena didnt recognize into him. I knew it would hurt him more, injecting that fast, but I accomplished what I wanted.Good, Elena said rapturously. Now I want you to fill this syringe with my blood.Blood? Dr. Meg gar looked dismayed.Yes The syringe is long enough to go through the bars. The blood will drip out the other side. He can drink it as it comes out. It might save him Elena said every word carefully, as if speaking to a child. She desperately wanted to convey her meaning.Oh, Elena. The doctor sat down, with a clink, and took a hidden bottle of Black Magic out of his tunic. Im so sorry. But its hard enough for me to get blood out of a vial. My eyes, child theyre ruined.But glasses spectacles ?Theyre no good to me anymore. Its a complicated condition. But you have to be very good to actually tap a nervure in any case. Most doctors are pretty hopeless Im impossible. Im sorry, child. But its been twenty years since I was successful.Then Ill find Damon and have him open my aorta. I dont care if it kills me.But I do.This new voice coming from the brilliantly lighted cell in front of them made both the doctor and Elena thumb their heads up.Stefan Stefan Stefan Uncaring of what the razo r fence would do to her flesh, Elena leaned over to try to hold his hands.No, Stefan whispered, as if sharing a precious secret. Put your fingers here and here on top of mine. This fence is only specially treated steel it numbs my Power but it cant break my skin.Elena put her fingers there and there. And then she was jot Stefan. Really touching him. After so long.Neither of them spoke. Elena heard Dr. Meggar get up and quietly creep away to Sage, she supposed. But her mind was full of Stefan. She and he simply looked at each other, trembling, with tears quivering on their lashes, feeling very young.And very close to death.You say I always make you say it first, so Ill dishearten you. I love you, Elena.Teardrops fell from Elenas eyes.Just this morning I was thinking how many people there are to love. But really its only because theres one in the first place, she whispered back to him. One forever. I love you, Stefan I love youElena drew back for a moment and wiped her eyes the wa y all clever girls know how to do without ruining their makeup by putting her thumbs beneath her lower lashes and leaning backward, scooping tears and kohl into infinitesimal droplets in the air.For the first time she could think.Stefan, she whispered, Im so sorry. I wasted time this morning getting dressed up well, dressed down to show you whats waiting for you when we get you out. But nowI feellikeNow there were no tears in Stefans eyes, either. Show me, he whispered back eagerly.Elena stood, and without theatrics, shrugged the cloak off. close up her eyes, her hair in hundreds of kiss curls, little wispy spirals that were plastered around her face. Her gilded eyelids, waterproof, still gilded. Her only clothing the wisps of golden tulle with jewels attached to make it decent. Her entire body iridescent, perfection in the first bloom of youth that could never be matched or re-created.There was a sound like a long sighand then silence, and Elena opened her eyes, terrified that S tefan might have died. But he was standing up, clutching at the iron gate as if he might wrench it off to get to her.I get all this? he whispered. All this for you. Everything for you, Elena said. At that moment there was a soft sound behind her and she whirled to see two eyes shining in the dimness of the cell opposite Stefans.