The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 42

By now level and Mrs. Flowers couldnt ignore the blinding lights any more(prenominal). They had to go discloseside.But just as flavourless heart-to-heart the door at that place was well, Matt didnt know what it was. Something blasted straight out of the ground and into the sky, where it got sm al singleer and microscopicer, became a sense experience, and disappea crimson.A meteor that had gone through the creation? But wouldnt that mean tsunamis and earthquakes and shockwaves and forest fires and maybe even the Earth ripping apart? If one meteor that hit the surface could kill off all the dinosaursThe light that had been shining upward had faded slightly.Well, bless my soul, said Mrs. Flowers in a small, shaken voice. Matt, dear, are you all accountability?Yes, maam. But Matts vocabulary couldnt brave out the strain. What the hell was it?And to his slight surprise, Mrs. Flowers said, My senmagazinents exactlyWait theres something base. Get poleDear Matt, be careful with that gunIts people Oh, my God Its Elena. Matt abruptly sit shore on the ground. He could only whisper now. Elena. Shes alive. Shes aliveFrom what Matt could see, there were a group of people climbing and helping others climb out of a perfectly rectangular hole, perhaps five feet deep, in Mrs. Flowerss angelica patch.They could hear voices. All right, Elena was saying, as she bent down. Now grab my tip overs.But the mien she was dressed A scrap of scarlet that grounded all sorts of scratches and cuts on her legs. On top well, the remains of the gown covered about what a bikini would. And she was habiliment the largest, approximately sparkly costume jewelry that Matt had ever seen.More voices, going on through Matts shock.Be careful, yes? I result lift him to you I can climb out my own. surely that was StefanYou see? Elena rejoiced. He says he can climb out his ownOui, except perhaps one small lift This is hardly the time for machismo, little brother. And that, Matt thou ght, fingering the revolver, was Damon. Blessed bulletsNo, I want to do it myself okay got it. There.There You see Hes better all(prenominal) second Elena caroled.Wheres the diamond? Damon? Stefan sounded anxious.I have it steady-going. Relax.I want to find out it. Please.More than you want to hold me? Elena asked. There was a blur and thence Stefan was deceitfulness back in her arms, while she said, Easy, easy.Matt stared. Damon was right behind them, nigh as if he belonged there. Ill watch the diamond, he said flatly. You watch your girl.Excuse me Im sorry, butcould somebody please lift me out? And that was Bonnie Bonnie, sounding plaintive but not afraid or unhappy. Bonnie giggling Have we got all the sacks of star balls?Weve got all the ones from that house we found. And that was Meredith. give thanks God. Theyd all made it out. But despite his thoughts, his eyes were drawn again to one figure the one who seemed to be superintend things the one with golden hair.We n eed the star balls because any one of them might be she was beginning, when Bonnie cried out Oh, look Look Its Mrs. Flowers and MattNow, Bonnie, theyd hardly be waiting for us, Meredith put in.Where? Bonnie, where? Elena demanded.If its Shinichi and Misao in disguise Im going to hey, MattWill someone please tell me where?Right there, MeredithOh Mrs. Flowers UmI hope we didnt wake you.I have never had a happier awakening, Mrs. Flowers said solemnly. I can see what you have been through in the Dark Place.Your er lack of sufficient robesA sudden silence. Meredith glanced at Bonnie. Bonnie glanced at Meredith.I know these clothes and gems may seem a little too muchMatt found his voice. Those jewels? Theyre real?Oh, theyre nothing. And were all dirty.Forgive me. We stink which is my fault Stefan began, only to have Elena cut in.Mrs. Flowers, Matt Stefans been a prisoner All this time Starved and tortured oh, GodElena. Shhh. You got me back.We got you back. Now, Ill never let yo u go. Ever, ever.Easy, love. I authentically need a bath and Stefan stopped suddenly. Therere no iron bars vigour to shut off my Powers I can He stepped away from Elena, who clung with one hand. There was a soft, sil very(prenominal) moment of light, want a full woolgather appearing and disappearing in their midst.Over here he said. Anyone who doesnt want little beastly parasites, I can take care of you.Im your girl, said Meredith. I have a phobia about fleas, and Damon never even got me any flea powder. What a masterThere was laughter at this, laughter Matt didnt understand. Meredith was clothing well, it had to be costume jewelry but still it looked like about a a few(prenominal) million dollars worth of sapphires.Stefan took Merediths hand. There was the same soft flash of light. And then Meredith stepped back saying, Thanks.Stefans low response was, Thank you, Meredith. Merediths blue dress was at least in one piece, Matt observed.Bonnie whose dress had been mown in to starlight-colored ribbons was raising a hand. Me, too, pleaseStefan took her hand, and it happened all over again. Thank you, Stefan Oooh I feel so much better I hated itchingThank you, Bonnie. I hated to think I was dying alone.Other vampires, take care of yourselves Elena said, as if she had a clipboard and were checking items off. And, Stefan, please She held out her hands to him.He knelt in front of her, kissed both her hands, then enshrouded them in the soft white light.But Id still like a bath said Bonnie pleadingly, as the parvenue vampire the tall fit one and Damon had each sparked a moonlight glow about themselves.Mrs. Flowers spoke up. There are four working bathtubs in that house in Stefans room, in my room, in the rooms on either side of Stefans. Be my guest. Ill put some bath salts in each right now. And then she added, holding her arms out to the whole ragged, bleeding, dirty bunch of them My house is yours, my dears.There was a chorus of passionate thank you s.Ill arrange a rota. For feeding Stefan, I mean. If you girls are willing, Elena added quickly, looking at Bonnie and Meredith. He doesnt need much, just a little every hour until morning.Elena still seemed very shy of Matt. Matt was very shy of her. But he stepped forward, empty hands held up to show that he was harmless. Is it a rule that its only girls? Because Ive got blood, too, and Im hale as a horse.Stefan quickly looked at him. No rule about only girls. But you dont have to I want to help you.Okay, then. Thank you, Matt.The kosher response seemed to be Thank you, Stefan, but Matt couldnt think of anything until, Thanks for taking care of Elena.Stefan smiled. Thank Damon for that. He and the others all helped me and each other.We Also take the air Dogs at least acute does, Damon said slyly.Oh that reminds me. I should use that de-parasiting trick on my two friends. Saber Talon Heel He added a whistle that Matt could never have imitated.In any case, Matt was operating in a dream. A huge dog, roughly as big as a pony, seemingly, and a falcon came out of the darkness.Now, the fit vampire said, and once again the soft light shone.And then There. If you dont mind I prefer to sleep alfresco with my friends. I am grateful for all your kindnesses, Madame, and my name is Sage. The hawk is Talon the dog, Saber.Elena said, Dibs on Stefans bath for Stefan and me, and Mrs. Flowerss bath for the girls. You sons can work things out on your own.I, Mrs. Flowers said gravely, will be in the kitchen, making sandwiches. She turned to go.That was when Shinichi arose from the earth above them.Or rather when his face arose. It was clearly an illusion, but a terrifying and marvelous one. Shinichi in truth seemed to be there, a giant, perhaps supporting the world on his shoulders. The black part of his hair blended in with the night, but the scarlet tips made a flaming halo around his face. Having come from a land that was dominated by a giant red sun, night and day, it was an odd sight.Shinichis eyes were red as well, like two small moons in the sky, and they focused on the group by Mrs. Flowerss house.Hello, he said. What, you look so surprised? You shouldnt be. I really couldnt let you come back without popping up to say hello. After all, its been a long time for some of you, the giant face said, grinning. Also, of course, to share in the festivities weve salve little Stefan, and, my, we even fought an oversized chicken to do it.Id like to see you take Bloddeuwedd on, one on one, and achieve a secret hear out of her nest, at the same time, Bonnie began indignantly, but stopped when Meredith squeezed her arm.Sage, meanwhile was murmuring something about what his own oversized chicken, Talon, would do if Shinichi were brave enough to show up in person.Shinichi ignored all this. Oh, yes, and the mental calisthenics you had to go through. Truly formid satisfactory. Well, never again will we mistake you for blunder-headed idiots who never re ally asked why my sister would give you any clues in the first can, much less clues that Outsiders could understand. I mean he leered why not just go and draw off the key in the first place, hmm?Youre bluffing, Meredith said flatly. You underestimated us, plain and simple. Maybe, said Shinichi. Or maybe it was something else entirely.You lost, said Damon. I realize that may be an entirely peeled concept for you, but its true. Elena has gained much more control over her Powers.But will they work here? Shinichi smiled eerily. Or will they suddenly disappear in the light of a pale yellow sun? Or in the depths of true darkness?Dont let him bait you, Madame, Sage shouted. Your Powers come from a place he cannot enterOh, yes, and the renegade. The Rebels rebel son. I wonderwhat are you calling yourself this time? Cage? Rage? I wonder what these children will think when they envision who you really are?It wont matter who he is, Bonnie cried. We know that. We know that hes a vampire, but that he can be gentle and kind and hes saved us over and over again. She shut her eyes, but held her ground against the gale of Shinichis laughter.So Madame, Shinichi mocked, you think you have gained Sage. But I wonder if you know what in rig we call a gambit is? No? Well, Im sure your intellectual friend will be glad to inform you.There was a pause. Then Meredith said, with no flavour at all, A gambit is when a chess player sacrifices something for instance, a pawn deliberately just to get something else. A position on the chess board that they want, for instance.I knew youd be able to tell them. What do you think of our first gambit?Another silence, then Meredith said I presume you mean youve given up us back Stefan to achieve something better.Oh, if you only had golden hair as your friend Elena has so generously displayed.There were various exclamations on the theme of Huh? most of them directed at Shinichi, but some at Elena.Who promptly exploded. You took Stefans m emories ?Now, now, nothing so drastic, my dear. But a thirty-meld-a-session beautician now, she was most cooperative.Elena turned her gaze up at the giant face with a look of utter contempt. Youcad.Oh, Im stricken to the heart. But the thing was, Shinichis giant face did look stricken angry and dangerous. between you, all such close friends do you know how many secrets there are? Of course, Meredith is a mistress of secrecy, keeping her secrets from her friends all these years. You think youve already pump her dry, but the best is yet to come. And then, of course, there is Damons secret.Which if spoken of here and now will mean instant war, Damon said. And you know, its strange, but I got the feeling that you came here tonight to negotiate.This time Shinichis laughter really was a gale, and Damon had to leap behind Meredith to prevent her being knocked into the hole the elevator had made.Very gallant, Shinichi boomed again, shattering glass somewhere on Mrs. Flowerss house. But I really must be going. Shall I leave a synopsis of the prizes you still have to search for before your little companion can look each other in the eye?I think we already have them. And you are no longer welcome around this home, Mrs. Flowers said coolly.But Elenas mind was still working. Even standing here, knowing that Stefan needed her, she was searching for the reasons behind this Shinichis second gambit. Because she was sure that this was one.Where are the pillowcases? she said in a sharp voice that frightened and bewildered half the group, and simply frightened the rest.I was holding one, but then I decided to hold on to Saber instead. Sage.I had one, at the bottom of the hole, but I dropped it when somebody lifted me out. Bonnie.Ive still got one, although I dont understand what good Damon began.Damon Elena whirled to him. Trust me Weve got yours and Sages safe whats happening to Bonnies in the hole?The moment she had said trust me Damon had dumped his pillowcase on top of Sages, and by the time she was finished, he had leaped into the hole, which was still so brilliant with leylight as to hurt any vampires eyes.But Damon made no complaint. He said, I have it safe now no, wait A root A damned root is curled around one of the star balls Someone toss me a knife, quickWhile everyone else was slapping their pockets for knives, Matt did something that Elena couldnt believe. First he glanced down into the six-foot-deep hole while pointing a revolver, was it? Yes she recognized it as the twin of Merediths. Then without trying to let himself down easily, he simply jumped as Damon had, into the hole.DONT YOU WANT TO last roared Shinichi, but no one was paying any attention to him.Matts jump didnt end lightly as Damons had. It ended with a gasp and a inhibit curse. But Matt didnt waste time still on his knees, he handed the gun up to Damon.Blessed bullets shoot itDamon moved very fast. He didnt even seem to aim. But he must have clicked the safety off and aimed immediately, for the root was now streaking for the soft wall of the hole, its end wrapped tightly around something round.Elena heard two shattering revolver shots three. Then Damon stooped and picked up a vine-wrapped ball, medium-sized and crystal clear where its true surface could be seen. typeset THAT DOWN Shinichis rage was beyond all measure. The two burning red spots of his eyes were like flames like moons of fire. He seemed to be trying to get them to comply by sheer volume. I SAID, DONT TOUCH THAT WITH YOUR FILTHY HUMAN HANDSOh, my God gasped Bonnie.Meredith said simply, Its Misaos it has to be. Hed gamble with his own but not with hers. Damon, hand it up to me, along with the revolver. I bet its not bulletproof. She knelt, reaching into the hole.Damon, with a raised eyebrow, did as she said.Oh, God, Bonnie cried, from the edge of the hole. Matts sprained his ankle at least.I TOLD YOU, roared Shinichi. YOULL BE SORRY Here, Damon said to Bonnie, taking not the slightest notice of Shinichi. Without any more ado, he picked up Matt and floated up out of the hole. He deposited the fair-haired boy beside Bonnie, who looked at him with the wide brown eyes of utter confusion.Matt, though, was a Virginian through and through. After swallowing only once, he got out a Thank you, Damon.No problem, Matt, Damon said, and then What? as someone gasped.You remembered, Bonnie cried, You remembered his Meredith she broke off, looking at the tall girl. The grassMeredith, who had been examining the star ball with a strange expression, now tossed the revolver to Damon and act with her free hand to tear away the grass that had twined around her feet and up her ankles already. But even as she did so, the grass seemed to leap upward and grab her hand, dorsum it to her feet. And now it was sprouting, growing, racing up her body toward the ball which she held high in the air.At the same time, it was tightening around her chest, forcing air out of her lungs. It all happened so fast that it was only when she gasped, Somebody take th ball, that the others leaped to her aid. Bonnie was the first to get there, tearing with her fingernails at the greenery that was squeezing Merediths chest. But each blade was like steel, and she couldnt rip away even one of them. Neither could Matt or Elena. Meanwhile, Sage was trying to lift Meredith bodily to pluck her from the earth and having no more success than the rest.Merediths face, clearly visible in the light still shining from the hole, was going white.Damon snatched the star ball from her fingers just before the tangled greenery discharge up her arm could reach it. He then began moving literally faster than the human eye could track, never stopping in any one place long enough for any plant to grasp him.But still, the grass around Meredith was tightening. Now her face was turning blue. Her eyes were wide, her mouth light for a breath that would not come.Stop it Elena screamed at Shinichi. We ll give you the star ball Just let go of herLET GO OF HER? Shinichi bellowed laughter. MAYBE YOUD reform LOOK TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS FIRST BEFORE ASKING ME A FAVOR.Wildly, Elena looked around and saw that grass had almost completely enveloped a kneeling Stefan, who had been too scant(p) to move as quickly as the others had.And he had never made a sound to call attention to himself.No Elenas desperate scream almost drowned out Shinichis laughter. Stefan No Even knowing it was futile, she threw herself at him and tried to rip the grass away from his thin chest.Stefan simply gave her the faintest of smiles and shook his head sadly.That was when Damon came to a stop. He held the star ball up toward Shinichis lowering visage. Take it he shouted. Take the ball, damn you, but let the two of them goThis time the gale of Shinichis laughter went on and on. A spiral of grass grew from a point beside Damon and an instant later had formed a hideous, shaggy green fist, which almost reached the star ball.But not yet, my dears, gasped Mrs. Flowers. She and Matt had come breathlessly from the boardinghouse storage room Matt limping badly and they both held what looked like Post-it notes in their hands.The next thing Elena knew, Damon was moving at ferocious speed again, away from the fist, and Matt was slapping a bit of paper on the grass covering Stefan, while Mrs. Flowers did the same to the greenery on Meredith.As Elena watched in disbelief, the grass seemed to melt, dying away into hay-colored blades that fell to the ground.The next moment she was holding Stefan.Lets get inside, my dears, Mrs. Flowers said. Its safe in the storage room the able help the wounded, of course.Meredith and Stefan were taking great gasping breaths.But Shinichi had the last word.Dont you worry, he said, strangely calm as if he realized hed lost for now. Ill get that sphere back soon enough. You dont know how to use that kind of Power anyway And besides all that, Im going to tell you what yo uve been hiding from your so-called friends. Just a few secrets, yes?The hell with your secrets, shouted Bonnie.Language, language How about this angiotensin converting enzyme of you has kept a secret all their life, and is doing so even now. One of you is a murderer and I am not speaking of a vampire, or a mercy killing, or anything like that. And then there is the question of the true identity of Sage good luck on your research there One of you has already had their memory erased and I dont mean Damon or Stefan. And what about the secret, stolen kiss? And then there is the question of what happened the night of the motel, that it seems that nobody but Elena can recall. You might ask her sometime about her theories about Camelot. And then That was when the sound as loud as Shinichis giant-sized gales of laughter interrupted him. It tore through the face in the sky, leaving it drooping ridiculously. Then the face disappeared.What was that Who has the gun ?What kind of gun cou ld do that to him?One with blessed bullets, Damon said coolly, showing them the revolver, pointed down.You mean you did that?Good for DamonForget ShinichiHe is a liar when it suits him, that I can tell you.I think, Mrs. Flowers said, that we can unsay to the boardinghouse now.Yeah, and lets go get our baths.Just one last thing. Shinichis voice, giant-sized seemed to come from everywhere around them from the sky, from the earth.Youre really going to love what I have in mind next for you. If I were you, Id start negotiating for that star ball right NOW. But his laughter was off and the muffled feminine sound behind him was almost like crying, as if Misao couldnt help herself.YOURE GOING TO LOVE IT Shinichi insisted in a roar.