The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 28

They walked right by the weeping door-guards. just very quickly, they discovered that sequence close each unity was bewareing to skirt Fazina, in each room of the palace that was open to the public, a swart-clad, white-gloved steward awaited, ready to give come out of the closet information, and to keep a vigilant eye on his ladys possessions.The first room that gave them each kind of hope was bird Fazinas H each(prenominal) of Harpery, a room devoted entirely to the display of consists, from ancient, bow uniform, angio decenniumsin converting enzyme-stringed instrumental roles, undoubtedly played by individuals who were similar to cavedwellers, to t only, gilded, orchestral harps wish the one Fazina was now playing, the music audible throughout the palace. Magic, Elena thought again. They seem to use it hither quite of technology.Each kind of harp has a unique diagnose to tune the strings, Meredith whispered, feel down the length of the abidance. On each side the line of harps marched into the distance. ace of those cays might be the key. merely how bequeath we eve screw? comely was fanning herself lightly with her peacock feather fan. Whats the difference between a harp key and the hold key?I dont go to bed. And Ive never comprehend of a key world kept in a harp, either. It would rattle round the sound quoin every time the harp shifted somewhat, Meredith admitted.Elena bit her lip. It was such a simple, reasonable question. She should feel dismayed, should be wondering how they could ever find one small half of a key in this place. Especially considering that the clue they had that it was in the Silver Nightingales instrument, suddenly seemed absurd.I dont suppose, Bonnie said a little giddily, that the instrument is her express, and that if we strive down her throatElena move to look at Meredith, who was looking heavenward or at whatever was above this hideous dimension. I know, Meredith said. No more(prenominal) drink s for birdbrain here. Although I suppose its possible that they give out little silver whistles or instruments as favors all big parties used to do that, you know give you a gift.How, Damon said in a carefully expressionless tone, would they possibly get the key into a favor for a party being give at least weeks away, and how could they ever hope to retrieve it? Misao might as well have told Elena, We threw the key away.Well, began Meredith, Im not at all current that they did mean for the keys to be retrievable, even by them. And Misao could have meant Youd have to search all the garbage from the night of this jamboree or some other party Fazina performed at. I imagine she gets asked to play at a lot of other peoples parties, in addition.Elena hated bickering, even though she was a champion bickerer herself. But she was a g nonpareiless tonight. Nothing was impossible. If and she could rememberSomething like white lightning struck her brain.For just an instant one instant she was back, struggling with Misao. Misao was in her fox form, biting and scratching and snarling out a reply to Elenas question about where the dickens halves of the fox key were. As if you would understand the answers I could give. If I told you that one was inside the silver nightingales instrument, would that give you any kind of idea?Yes. Those had been the exact words, the real words that Misao had spoken. Elena heard her own voice, repeating the words distinctly now.And and so she felt something like an arc of lightning reserve her mind only to meet anothers not far away. The nigh thing she knew her eyes were flying open in surprise because Bonnie was speaking in that blank toneless way she always did when making a prophecyEach half of the fox key is shaped like a single fox, with two ears, two eyes, and a snout. The two fox key halves are gold and covered with gems and their eyes are green. The key you seek is yet in the Silver Nightingales instrument.Bonnie Elena sa id. She could see that Bonnies knees were trembling, her eyes unfocused. Then they opened and Elena watched as confusion surged in to fill the blankness.Whats going on? Bonnie said, looking around to see everyone looking at her. What what happened?You told us what the fox keys look like Elena couldnt help this exclamation almost a shout of joy. Now that they knew what they were looking for they could dislodge Stefan they would free Stefan. Nothing would stop Elena now. Bonnie had just helped move this quest to an entirely different level.But while she was quaking inside with joy at the prophecy, Meredith, in her own level- galleryed way, was fetching care of the prophet. Meredith said quietly, Shes probably going to faint. Would you pleaseMeredith didnt have to ask further, for the lamias, Damon and sensible, were each quick enough to catch and support Bonnie on opposite sides. Damon was staring down at the diminutive girl in surprise.Thanks, Meredith, Bonnie said, and let out a breath, blinking. I dont think Ill faint, she added, and consequently with a glance up at Damon through her lashes, But its probably just as well to groom sure.Damon nodded and got a better grip, looking serious. sharp turned half away, seeming to have something stuck in his throat.What did I say? I dont rememberAnd after Elena had solemnly repeated Bonnies words it was just like Meredith to say, Youre sure now, Bonnie? Does that sound right?Im sure. Im positive, Elena cut in. She was positive. The Goddess Ishtar and Bonnie had unlocked the past for her and shown her the key.All right. What if Bonnie and Sage and I retire this room, and two of us can be distracting the steward, while the third looks in the harps for keys? Meredith suggested.Right. Lets do it Elena said.Merediths plan proved to be more difficult in practice than it sounded. Even with two glorious young girls in the room and one terminally fit guy, the steward kept spinning in little circles and catching one or another of them handling and peering into a harp.Naturally, the handling was strictly forbidden. It put the harps further out of tune and it could easily damage them, especially since the only way to make absolutely sure that a small golden key was not in a harps sound box was to actually shake the harp and listen for rattling.Worse, each of the harps was displayed in its own little nook, complete with dramatic lighting, a flamboyant painted screen behind it (most of them portraits of Fazina playing the harp in question), and a plush red rope across the front of the nook that said Keep Out as plainly as a sign.In the land up Bonnie, Meredith, and Sage resorted to having Sage Influence the steward to be entirely passive something he was only able to do for a few minutes of time, or the steward would notice the gaps in Lady Fazinas program. They would then each frantically search harps while the steward stood like a wax figure.Meanwhile Damon and Elena were terrestrial the palace, looking through the rest of the mansion that was off-limits to visitors. If they ensnare goose egg, they intended to search the more available rooms as the gala continued.It was dangerous work, this take in and out of darkened, cordoned-off often locked empty rooms dangerous and strangely thrilling to Elena. Somehow, it seemed that fear and passion were more closely related than she had fully realized. Or at least, it seemed that way with her and Damon.Elena couldnt help noticing and admiring little things about him. He seemed to be able to fragmentize any lock with a single little practice he produced from inside his black jacket, the way other people produce fountain pens, and he had such a swift, graceful way of taking the hoof it out and putting it back in. Economy of motion, she knew, earned by living for around five centuries.Also, no one could argue it Damon seemed to keep his head in any situation, which made them a good pair right now when she was striding around l ike a goddess who could not be bound by the rules of mortals. This was even enhanced by the scares she got shapes that looked like guards or sentries looming up at her turned out to be a stuffed bear, a slim cupboard, and something Damon didnt allow her more than a glimpse of, just what looked like a mummified human. Damon wasnt fazed by any of them.If I could just channel some more world power to my eyes, Elena thought, and things immediately brightened up. Her Power was obeying herGod Ill have to wear this dress for the rest of my life it makes me feel sopowerful. Sounashamed. Ill have to wear it to college, if I ever get to college, to ingrain my professors and to Stefans and my wedding just so people understand Im not a slut and to the beach, just to give the guys something to ogleShe stifled a giggle and was strike to see Damon glance with mock reproach at her. Of course, he was as closely focused on her as she was on him. But it was a slightly different case, of course, b ecause, to his eyes, she wore a big label with STRAWBERRY JAM written on it, tied around her neck. And he was getting hungry again. Very hungry. attached time Im going to see that you eat properly before you go out, she thought at him.Lets worry about succeeding this time before we scoop up planning for next time, he returned, with just the faintest firefly hint of his 250-kilowatt smile.But it was all mixed in, of course, with a little of the sardonic triumph that Damon always carried with him. Elena swore to herself that jape at her as he might, beg her as he might, threaten or cajole as he might, she wouldnt give Damon the satisfaction of even one nip tonight. He could just pop the top off another jam pot, she thought.Eventually, the sweet music of the concert was stilled and Elena and Damon dashed back to meet with Bonnie, Meredith, and Sage in the Harpery Hall. Elena could have guessed the news by Bonnies stance, even if she hadnt already known from Sages silence. But the new s was worse than Elena could have imagined not only had the three found nothing in the Harpery Hall, but they had finally resorted to quizzing the steward, who could speak, if not move, under Sages Influence.And guess what he told us, Bonnie said, and added before anyone could venture a word, Those harps are each cleaned and tuned every single day. Fazina has, like, a whole army of servants for them. And anything, anything that didnt belong to a harp would be reported at once. And nothing has been It just isnt thereElena felt herself contract from omniscient goddess to baffled human. I was worried it would be like this, she admitted, sighing. It would have been just too easy the other way. All right, Plan B. You mingle with the gala guests, trying to get a look at each room thats open to the public. Try to dazzle Fazinas consort and pump him for information. See if Misao and Shinichi have been here recently. Damon and I will keep looking in the rooms that are supposed to be closed off.Thats so dangerous, Meredith said, frowning. Im afraid of what the penalty might be if youre caught.Im afraid of what the penalty might be to Stefan if we dont find this key tonight, Elena retorted shortly, and turned on her heel, leaving.Damon followed her. They searched endless darkened rooms, now not even knowing whether they were looking for a harp or something else. First Damon would check if there were a breathing body inside the room (there might be a vampire guard, of course, but there wasnt much to do about that), then he picked the lock. Things were working seamlessly until they reached a room at the end of a long hall facing west Elena had long since gotten lost in the palace, but she could unerringly tell west, because it was where the bloated sun hung.Damon had picked the lock of this room and Elena had originally started forward eagerly. She searched the room, which contained, frustratingly, a silver-framed plastic film of a harp, but with nothing as bulky as the half of the fox key inside it, even when she had carefully used Damons lock pick to unscrew the backing.It was while she was placing this picture back on the wall that they both heard the thump. Elena winced, praying that none of the black-suited security servants who roamed the palace had heard the noise.Damon quickly put a hand over her mouth and dialed the gaslight knob into darkness.But they both could hear it nowfootsteps approaching from international in the hallway. Someone had heard the thump. The footsteps stopped outside the door and there was the distinct sound of an upper servants discreet cough.Elena whirled, feeling in that moment as if Wings of Redemption were within her reach. It would only crave the slightest rise in adrenaline and she would have the security worker on his or her knees, sobbing in the penitence of a lifetimes work at evil. Elena and Damon would be gone before But Damon had another idea, and Elena was startled into going along with it.When the doo r opened silently a moment later, the steward found a couple locked in such a tight embrace that they seemed not even to notice the intrusion. Elena could practically feel his indignation. The desire of a couple of guests to discreetly embrace in the privacy of Lady Fazinas many public rooms was understandable, but this was part of the private household. As he turned the lights up, Elena peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. Her psychic senses were open enough to catch his thoughts. He was going over the valuables in the room with an experienced but bored gaze. The exquisite little vase with the trailing roses picked out in rubies and emerald-encrusted vines the magically preserved 5,000-year-old woodsen Sumerian lyre the twin pair of solid gold candlesticks in the shape of rearing dragons the Egyptian funerary mask with its dark, elongated eyeholes seeming to watch out of its brilliantly painted featuresall were here. It wasnt even as if her ladyship kept anything of great value here, but still, This room is not part of the public display, he told Damon, who merely clasped Elena closer.Yes, Damon seemed very determined to put on a good show for the stewardor something like that. But hadnt they alreadydone so? Elenas thoughts were losing coherency. The last thingthe very last thing that they could affordwas tolose the chance offinding the fox key. Elena started to pull away, and then realized that she mustnt.Mustnt. Not couldnt. She was property, expensive property to be sure, decked out the way she was tonight, but Damons to dispose of as he chose. While individual else was looking on, she must not seem to disobey her masters wishes.Still, Damon was taking this too farfarther than he had ever taken liberties with her, although, she thought wryly, he didnt know that. He was caressing the skin left unprotected by the ivory goddess dress, her arms, her back, even her hair. He knew how she liked that, how she could somehow feel it when her hair was held and the ends caressed softly or gently crushed in a fist.Damon She was down to the last resort now pleading. Damon, if they detain us, or do anything to us that keeps us from finding the key tonight when will we have another chance?She let him feel her desperation, her guilt, even the treacherous desire she had to forget everything and let each minute subscribe to her further on this wave of ardor that he had created. Damon, Illsay it if you want. Imbegging you. Elena could feel her eyes prickling as tears flooded them. No tears. Elena heard Damons telepathic voice gratefully. at that place was something strange about it, though. It couldnt be starvation hed had her blood not much more than two hours ago. And it wasnt passion, for she could hear and sense that, all too clearly. Yet Damons telepathic voice was so taut with control that it almost frightened her. More, she knew he could feel that it frightened her and that he chose to do nothing about it. No explanation. No explo ration, either, she realized as she found that behind the control, his mind was entirely shut to her.The only thing she could liken the feeling that she got from his hard control was pain. Pain that was just on the edge of the endurable.But from what? Elena wondered helplessly.What could cause him pain like that?Elena couldnt waste their time on wondering what was wrong with Damon. She turned up the Power of her own hearing and began to listen at the doors before they entered.It was while she was listening that suddenly a new idea solidified in Elenas mind, and she stopped Damon in a pitch-dark hallway and tried to explain to him what kind of room she was looking for. What, in modern days, would be called a inhabitancy office.Damon, familiar with the architecture of great mansions, took her, after only a few false starts, into what was clearly a ladys writing room. Elenas eyes were by now as keen as his in the dimness as they searched by the light of a single candle.While Elena wa s being frustrated after searching a remarkable desk with pigeonholes for secret drawers, and not finding any, Damon was checking the hallway.I hear someone outside, he said. I think its time to leave now.But Elena was still looking. And as her eyes raced across the room she saw a small writing desk with an old-fashioned chair and an assortment of various pens, from ancient to modern, flaunting themselves from elaborate holders.Lets go while its still clear, Damon murmured impatiently.Yes, Elena said distractedly. All rightAnd then she saw.Without an instants hesitation she strode across the room to the desk and picked up a pen with a brilliant silver plume. It wasnt a genuine quill pen, of course it was a fountain pen made to look elegant and old-fashioned with a plume. The pen itself was curved to fit her hand, and the wood felt warm.Elena, I dont feel veryDamon, shhh, Elena said, ignoring him, too absorbed in what she was doing to really hear. First try to write. No go. Someth ing was blocking the cartridge. Second unscrew the fountain-pen carefully, as if to refill its cartridge, while all the time her heart was clamoring in her ears and her hands were shaking. Keep moving slowlydont miss anythingfor Gods sake dont let anything rowlock away and bounce in this dimness. The two parts of the pen parted in her handand onto the dark green desk pad fell a small, heavy, curved piece of metal. It had just fit inside the widest part of the pen. She had it in her hand and was reassembling the pen before she could get a good look at it. But thenshe had to open her hand and see.The small crescent-shaped object dazzled her eyes in the light, but it was just like the description Bonnie had given Elena and Meredith. A tiny representation of a fox with a nominal body and a jewel-encrusted head that sported two flat ears. The eyes were two frothy green stones. Emeralds?Alexandrite, Damon said in a bedroom whisper. Folklore has it that they change color in candlelight o r firelight. They reflect the flame.Elena, who had been leaning back against him, recalled with a drape the way Damons eyes had reflected flame when he had been possessed the bloodred flame of the malach of Shinichis cruelty.So, Damon demanded, how did you do it?This is really one of the two pieces of the fox key?Well, its hardly something that belongs in a fountain pen. Maybe its a Crackerjack prize. But you went right to it the moment we entered the room. Even vampires need time to think, my precious princess.Elena shrugged. Its too easy, actually. When it was clear that all those harp keys were no goes, I asked myself what else was an instrument that youd find in someones house. A pen is a writing instrument. Then I just had to find out whether Lady Fazina had a study or writing room.Damon let out a breath. Hells demons, you little innocent. You know what Ive been looking for? Trap doors. Secret entries to dungeons. The only other instrument I could think of was an instrument o f torture and youd be surprised at how many of them youll find in this fair city.But not in her house Elenas voice rose dangerously, and they were both silent a moment to make up for it, listening, on tenterhooks, for any sound from the hallway.There was none.Elena let out her breath. Quick Where, where will it be safe? She was realizing that the one fault of the goddess dress was that there was absolutely no place to hide anything. Shed have to speak to Lady Ulma about that for next time.Down, down in the pocket of my jeans, Damon said, seeming to be as urgent and shaking as badly as she was. When he had jammed it deep into the recesses of his black Armani jeans he caught her by both hands. Elena Do you realize? Weve done it. Weve actually done itI know Tears were leaking out of Elenas eyes and all of Lady Fazinas music seemed to be swelling in one great, perfect chord. We did it togetherAnd then somehow like all the other somehows that were getting to be a habit with them, Elen a was in Damons arms, sliding her own arms under his jacket to feel his warmth, his solidity. She wasnt surprised, either, to feel a double piercing at her throat when she dropped her head back her lovely panther was really only a little tamed, and needed to learn a few basics of dating etiquette such as you kiss before you bite.He had said he was hungry earlier, she remembered, and she had ignored him, too enthralled by the silver pen to put the words together. But she put them together now, and understood except why he seemed to be so exceptionally hungry tonight.Maybe evenexcessively hungry.Damon, she thought gently, youre taking a lot.She could feel no response but the raw hunger of the panther.Damon, this could be dangerousfor me. This time Elena put as much Power as she could into the words she sent.Still no response from Damon, but she was floating now, down into darkness. And that gave her the vague thread of an idea.Where are you? Are you here? she called, picturing the li ttle boy.And then she saw him, chained to his boulder, curled up in a ball, with his fists covering his eyes.Whats wrong? Elena asked immediately, floating near to him, concerned.Hes hurting Hes hurtingAre you hurt? demo me, Elena said instantly.No Hes hurting you. He could kill youHusshh. Husshhh. She tried to cradle him.We have to make him hear usAll right, Elena said. She really was feeling odd and weak. But she turned, along with the child, and cried voicelessly Damon Please Elena says stopAnd a miracle happened.Both she and the child could feel it. The little sting of fangs being withdrawn. The stop of energy flow from Elena to Damon.And then, ironically, the miracle began to take her away from the child, with whom she really wanted to speak.No Wait she tried to tell Damon, clinging to the childs hands as hard as she could, but she was being catapulted back to instinct as if by a hurricane. The darkness faded. In its place was a room, too bright, its one candle blazing like a police searchlight aimed like a shot at her. She shut her eyes and felt the warmth and heaviness of the corporeal Damon in her arms.Im sorry Elena, can you speak? I didnt realize how much There was something wrong with Damons voice. Then she understood. Damons fangs were unretracted.Wha ? Everything was wrong. Theyd been so happy, but but now her right arm felt wet.Elena pulled away from Damon entirely, staring at her arms, which were red and with something that wasnt paint.She was still too worked up to ask questions properly. She slipped behind Damon and pulled his black leather jacket off him. In the brilliant light she could see his black silk shirt marred by line after line of dried, partially dried, or just plain wet blood.Damon Her first reaction was horror without a touch of guilt or understanding. What happened? Did you get in a fight? Damon, tell meAnd then something in her mind presented her with a number. Since she had been a child, she had been able to count. In f act. shed learned to count to ten before her first birthday. Therefore, shed had seventeen full years of learning to count the number of irregular, deep, still-bleeding cuts in Damons back.Ten.Elena looked down at her own bloody arms and at the goddess dress, which was now the horror dress because its pure milky whiteness was marred with brilliant red.Red that should have been her blood. Red that must have felt like sword slashes into Damons back as he channeled the pain and the marks of the Night of her Discipline from her to him.And he carried me all the way home. The thought came swimming in from nowhere. Without a word about it. I would never have known.And he still hasnt healed. Will he ever heal?That was when she started screaming on all frequencies.