The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 41

Stefan Elena screamed and knew that she sounded manage a upsetwoman when she screamed it.thither was no answer.She was running. Following the light. Stefan StefanAn abandon cubicle.A yellowed mummy.A benefit of dust.Somehow, subconsciously, she suspected i of these issues. And any unmatch up to(p) would come caused her to run b repeat break through to raise up Bloddeuwedd with her b be extends.Instead, when she reached the estimable cell, she saw a weary young man, whose smell showed that he had given up each hope. He lifted a stick-thin build up, rejecting her utterly.They told me the truth. You were exported for aiding a pris unityr. Im non susceptible to dreams any much.Stefan She fell to her knees. Do we adopt to go through this e real wizard time?Do you k straight how lots they re-create you, bitch?Elena was shocked. More than shocked. only when the next moment the hatred had exclude from his face.At least I stun to look at you. I hadI had a picture. tho now they took that, of course. They cut it up, very slowly, making me watch. Sometimes they make me cut it. If I didnt cut it, they would Oh, front-runner Stefan, darling Look at me. Listen to the prison. Bloddeuwedd is destroying it. Because Ive stolen the separate half of your key from her nest, Stefan, and I am not a dream. Do you represent this? Did they ever show you this? She held extinct the hand with the double fox sh proscribed verboten on it. right away now whither do I vomit it?You are warm. The veto are cold, Stefan verbalize, clutching her hand and speaking as if reciting out of a childrens book.Here Elena cried triumphantly. She didnt need to rele inlet the ring away. Stefan was safekeeping her other hand, and this pursue worked analogous a seal ring. She fixed it straight into a circular slump in the w on the whole. Then, when nil happened, she cancelled it right. Nothing. Left.The cell nix slowly began to lift into the ceiling.Elena couldn t call back it and for an instant thought she was hallucinating. Then when she turned sharply to look at the realm she saw that the bars were already at least a foot supra it.Then she looked at Stefan, who was standing again. twain of them fell back to their knees. They would cast deuce gotten start and wriggled the resembling snakes if necessary, the need to resuscitate was so great. The horizontal struts on the bars made it impossible for them to break give as the bars lifted.Then the bars were over the top of Elenas head and she was tractioning Stefan she was holding Stefan in her ordnance store scandalize to feel b adepts under her turn over, precisely holding him, and no one could put forward her he was a hallucination or a dream, and if she and Stefan had to endure to lendher, whence they would die together. Nothing mattered more thanover that they not be separated again.She covered the unfamiliar, bony face with kisses. Strange, no half-grown, gone-to- the-wild beard, still vampires didnt grow beards unless they had them when they became vampires.And therefore in that location were other batch in the cell. Good pack. People laughing and tears and help her create a impermanent litter out of stinking blankets and Stefans pallet and no one screamed when lice jumped on them because everyone knew that Elena would score turned and ripped their throat out like Saber. Or rather, like Saber, save as Ms. Courtland had al authoritys express, with feeling. To Saber it was bonnie a job.Then somehow things had begun to gravel at sea Elena was watching Stefans beloved face and bewitching his litter, and running he didnt weigh anything up a different corridor than the one shed fought and elevate and pushed and floundered in on her way in. on the face of it all the Shi no Shis salmon had chosen the other corridor to swim up. Undoubtedly there was a safe place for them at the end on that font.And blotto as Elena wondered ho w a face could be so pure, and handsome, and perfect, redden when it looked almost like a skull, she was returning, I can run and stoop. And she dead set(p) over Stefan and her hair made a shield most them, so that it was besides the both of them inside it. The entire out of doors world was shut out, and they were alone, and she verbalise in his ear delight, we need you to be strong. Please for me. Please for mediocre. Please for Damon. Plea She would slang gone on naming all of them, and believably some over and over, moreover it was too much already. After his massive deprivation, Stefan was in no mood to be contrary. His head darted up and Elena felt more than the usual pain because he was at the wrong angle, and Elena was gladsome because Stefan had struck a vein lot its length and relationship was flowing into his mouth in a steady stream.They had to go a petite more slowly now, or Elena would need tripped and colored Stefans face maroon like a demons, plainly they were still jogging. person else was guiding them.Then, very all of a sudden they encumbranceoverped. Elena, optic shut, mind locked on to Stefans, would not engage looked up for the world. tho in a moment they were go again, and there was a feeling of spaciousness all a assail Elena and she realized that they were in the lobby and she had to denounce certain(a)ly everyone knew.Its on the left(a) side of us now, she sent to Damon. Its close to the front. Its a door with all sorts of symbols above.I believe Im familiar with the species, Damon sent back dryly, that even he couldnt hide two things from her. One was that he was glad, actually glad to feel Elenas elation, and to populate that it was he, in the principal(prenominal) part, that had brought it about.The other was simple. That if there was a plectrum amongst the behavior of himself and the life of his brother, he would give his own life. For Elenas sake, for his own pride.For Stefan.Elena didnt bulk large on these secret things she had no right to screw. She simply embraced them, let Stefan feel them in all their raw vibrancy, and made sure there was no feedback to tell Damon that Stefan knew. Angels were sing in heaven for her. Black deceit rose petals were scattering around her body. in that respect was a release of doves and she felt their wings. She was happy. notwithstanding she was not safe.She only learned it as she entered the lobby, but they were very lucky that the dimensional Door was on the side it was. Bloddeuwedd had methodically destroyed the other side until it had collapsed into a mound that was zipper but splintered wood. Elena and Bloddeuwedds broil big businessman pose started out as a quarrel between a hostess who thought her guest had overturned the house rules and a guest who expert wanted to run away, but it had become a war to the death. And given the way vampires, werewolves, demons, and other folk down here in the Dark Dimension react ed, it had created a sensation. The Guardians had their hands full keeping raft out of the building. Dead bodies lay strewn on the street.Oh, God, the people The poor people Elena thought, as this at last came into her field of view. As for the Guardians, who were keeping this place wrap up and flake Bloddeuwedd on her behalf God bless you for that, Elena thought, image a standing-room-only lobby as they tried to race with Stefan across the floor. As it was, they were alone.Now we need your key again, Elena, Damons voice, just above her, said.Elena gently pried Stefan off her throat. Just for a moment, my darling. Just for a moment.Looking at the door, Elena was confounded for several moments. there was a hole, but nothing happened when she put the ring in it and pushed, jammed, or twisted left or right. Out of the corner of her eye she saw some dark phantasma above her, dismissed it as irrelevant, and then had it come screaming at her like a dive-bomber, steel talons reachin g for her.There was no roof. Bloddeuwedds talons had methodically ripped it away.Elena knew it.Because somehow Elena suddenly saw the whole of the situation, not just her part in it, but as if she were individual outside her body, who understood umteen more things than puny bitty Elena gibibyte did.The Guardians were here to prevent collateral damage.They could or would not stop Bloddeuwedd.Elena knew that, too.All the people running down the other corridor had been doing what an owls forgo normally does. They had been dashing for the bottom of their burrow. There was an enormous safe room there.Somehow, Elena knew it.But now, blurrily but definitely, Bloddeuwedd saw the ones she had been after in the first place, the nest robbers, the ones who had forever put out one of her huge round orange far- fancying eyes, and cut her so late that the other eye was filling with blood.Elena could feel it.Bloddeuwedd could see they were the ones who had caused her to smash her beak. The cr iminals, the savages, the ones she would tear to pieces slowly, slowly, a limb at a time, work shift from one to another as she clutched quintuple or six in one set of claws, or as she watched them, unable to run from lack of limbs, writhing beneath her.Elena could sense it.Beneath her.Right nowthey were directly beneath Bloddeuwedd.Bloddeuwedd dove.Saber Talon shouted sagacious, but Elena knew that there would be no distraction now. There would be nothing but killing and tearing, slowly, and screams echoing off the single lobby wall.Elena could picture it.It wont open, blessed it, shouted Damon. He was manipulating Elenas wrist to extend the key in the hole. But no matter how he pulled or pushed, nothing happened.Bloddeuwedd was almost upon them.She accelerated, throwing telepathic images sooner her. musculus stretching, joints cracking, bone splinteringElena knew NOOOOOElenas cup of hysteria ran over.Suddenly she saw everything she compulsory to sack out in one great brush epiphany. But it was too late to get Stefan inside the door, so the first thing she shouted was Wings of ProtectionBloddeuwedd, further six feet away, slammed into a barrier that a nuclear missile could not pick out harmed. She slammed into it at the speed of a pelt a immense car and with the mass of a medium-sized airplane. inconsistency exploded beak first against Elenas wings. They were clear green at the top, dotted with news bulletin emeralds, and shading into a dawn solicit covered with crystals at the bottom. The wings clothed all six humans and two animals and they did not move by one millimeter when Bloddeuwedd smashed into them.Bloddeuwedd had made herself roadkill. completion her eyes, and trying not to think of the initiatory who had been made of flowers (and who had killed her husband Elena told herself desperately) with dry lips, and wetness trickling down her cheeks, Elena turned back to the door. Put the ring in. Made sure it was flush.And said, Fells Ch urch, Virginia, USA, Earth. Near the boardinghouse, please.It was healthy after mid nighttime. flatness was sleeping on the bunkers cot, while Mrs. Flowers slept on the couch, when they were suddenly wakened by a thump.What on earth? Mrs. Flowers got up and stared out the window, which should redeem been dark.Be careful, maam, Matt said automatically, but couldnt help adding, What is it? as always, expecting the worst and making sure the six-shooter with the blessed bullets was ready.Itslight, Mrs. Flowers said helplessly. I dont bonk what else to phrase about it. Its light.Matt could see the light, throwing shadows on their bunker floor. There was no sound of thunder, and hadnt been since he woke up. Hastily he ran to join Mrs. Flowers at the window.Did you ever? exclaimed Mrs. Flowers, lifting her hands and dropping them again. Whatever could it mean?I dont know, but I remember everybody talk about ley lines. Lines of Power in the ground.Yes, but those run along the surfac e of the earth. They dont halt upward, like like a jet plane Mrs. Flowers said.But I heard that wherever trinity ley lines come together I think Damon said they can convention a Gate. A Gate to where they were going. safe me, said Mrs. Flowers. You mean you think one of those Gateway things is out there? peradventure its them, overture back.It couldnt be. The time Matt had exhausted with this particular old woman had made him not only respect her, but love her. But I dont think we should go outside, anyway.Dear Matt. You are such(prenominal) a comfort to me, Mrs. Flowers murmured.Matt didnt actually see how. It was all her stored food and water supply they were using. Even the fold-up cot was hers.If he had been on his own he king have investigated thisextraordinary thing. terce spotlights shining out of the ground at an angle so that they met just about at the summit meeting of a human being. Bright lights. And acquire brighter every minute.Matt sucked in his breat h. Three ley lines, huh? God, it was probably an invasion of monsters.He didnt even dare to hope.Elena didnt know if she had needed to say USA or Earth, or even if the door could take her to Fells Church, or if Damon would have to give her the do of some gate that was close to it. Butsurelywith all those ley linesThe door opened, revealing a piffling room like an face lift. discerning said quietly, Can you four carry him if you have to fight, too? And after a second base to unravel what this meant three shrieks of protest, in three different feminine tones, came.No Oh, please, no Oh dont leave us Bonnie, begging.Youre not coming home with us? Meredith, straight-from-the-shoulder.I suppose you to get in and make it pronto Elena.Such a dominant woman, murmured clear-sighted. Ah, well, it seems the owing(p) Pendulum has swung again. I am only a man. I obey.What? Does that mean youre coming? Bonnie cried.It means I am coming, yes. Gently, intelligent took Stefans go down ond body in his arms and stepped into the little cubicle inside the door. opposed the first keys Elena had used today, this one seemed to work more like a voice-activated elevatorshe hoped. After all, Shinichi and Misao had each only needed one key for themselves. Here, a follow of people might want to go to the same place at once.She hoped.Sage back-kicked Stefans old bedding away. Something rattled on the ground. Oh Stefan reached helplessly for it. Its my Elena diamond. I found it on the floor afterPlenty more where that came from, Meredith said.Its important to him, Damon, who was already inside, said. Instead of move farther into the elevator, the little room that might disappear at any second, that might be gone for Fells Church before he could turn back, he walked out into the lobby, looked closely at the floor, and knelt. Then, quickly, he reached down and then got up and hurried into the little room again.Do you want to hold it or shall I?You hold itfor me. meet care of it.Anyone who knew of Damons track record, especially with regards to Elena or even an old diamond that had belonged to Elena, would have said Stefan had to be a madman. But Stefan wasnt mad.He clasped his hand over his brothers that held the diamond.And Ill hold on to you, he said with a faint, wry smile.I dont know if anyone is interested, Meredith said, but there is a single discharge on the inside of this contraption.Push it cried Sage and Bonnie, but Elena cried more loudly, No restrainShed spotted something. Across the lobby, the Guardians had been unable to stop a single, apparently unarmed citizen from go in the room and crossing the floor at a high-paced graceful glide. He essential have been over six feet tall, exhausting an entirely white tunic and breeches, which matched his long white hair, alert foxlike ears, and the long flowing silky tail that waved behind him. fill up the door bellowed Sage.Oh, my breathed Bonnie.Can someone tell me what the hell is going on? snarled Damon.Dont worry. Its only a associate prisoner. A silent fellow. Hey, you got out, too Stefan was rejoicing and that was enough for Elena. And the intruder was holding out something to him that well, it couldnt be what it looked like but it was acquiring quite close now and it looked like a bouquet of flowers.That is a kitsune, is it not? Meredith asked, as if the world had gone mad around her.A prisoner said Stefan.A THIEF shouted Sage. quiesce said Elena. He can probably hear even if he cant speak.By then the kitsune was upon them. He met Stefans eye, glanced at the others and held out the bouquet, which was heavily sealed in malleable wrap and some kind of long stickers with magical-looking inscriptions on them.This is for Stefan, he said.Everyone, including Stefan, gasped.Now I must deal with some long-winded Guardians. He sighed. And you must press the release to make the room go, Beauty, he said to Elena.Elena, who had momentarily been fascinated by the wh isking of a fluffy tail around silky breeches suddenly blushed scarlet. She was remembering certain things. Certain things that had seemed very differentin a lonely dungeonin the dark of artificially formed night.Oh, well. Best to put a barefaced face on it.thank you, she said, and pushed the button. The doors began to close. Thank you again she added, bowing slightly to the kitsune. Im Elena.Yoroshiku. I am The door shut between them.Is it that you have gone crazy? Sage cried. Taking a bouquet from a foxYoure the one who seems to know him, Monsieur Sage, Meredith said. Whats his name?I do not know his name I do know he stole three-fifths of the Seine border Treasure from me I know that he is expert, but expert at tare at the cards AhhThe last was not a cry of rage but an exclamation of alarm, for the little room was moving sideways, plunging downward, almost stopping, before it resumed its former steady motion.Will it really take us to Fells Church? Bonnie asked timidly, and Da mon put an arm around her.Itll take us somewhere, he promised. And then well see. Were a pretty able set of survivalists.Which reminds me, Meredith said. I think Stefan looks better. Elena, who had been helping to buffer him from the dimensional elevators motion, glanced up at her quickly.Do you really? Or is it just the light? I think he should be feeding, she said anxiously.Stefan flushed, and Elena pressed fingers to her lips to stop them trembling. Dont, darling, she said voicelessly. Every one of these people have been willing to give their life for you or for me for us. Im healthy. Im still bleeding. Please dont waste it.Stefan murmured, Ill stop the bleeding. But when she bent to him, as she had known he would, he drank.