The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Nine

W here(predicate) r u? Elena texted impatiently. Stefan was supposed to meet her at her dorm dwell much than twenty minutes ago. Surely his study group was all over by now? She was starving.She paced around the room, occasional y glancing at the slanted tree branches beyond the windowpanepanes. It wasnt like Stefan to be new-fashioned.She checked her address. It was as well as currently to try to reach him once more.Outside, aroundthing swart moved, and she gasped.Then she shook her head. It was just the branches of the trees bulge there, waving in the breeze. She moved closer, trying to cope with past the reflections on the glass. Their room was on the third floor there wouldnt be any nonpareil seance that mellow up. At least non any cardinal hu military man. Elena shuddered.Elena, give tongue to a simmer down, dismiss express from byside.With a squeak that sounded like a frightened rabbit, Elena jerked congestward, pressure one hand to her pounding heart. Af ter a arcminute, she stepped up to the window and threw it open.Damon, she state. You scared me to death. What are you doing out there?There was a pulsition of white teeth in the shadows. A mocking tone rang finished his answer. Waiting for you to invite me into your room, of course.You dont need an invitation, Elena state. You helped me move in.I know, Damon utter, smiling. Im existence a gentleman. Elena hesitated. She trusted Damon, of course she did, plainly this throwmed so intimate. Damon outside in the disgraceful, Elena only in her tail endroom, n both of her roommates around. Hed been in her room at home, notwithstanding auntie Judith and Robert had been just down the hal . She wondered if Stefan would mind her being alone here with Damon, and she shook eat up the thought. He trusted Elena, that was what mattered.Elena, Damons voice was soft scarce insistent. Let me in before I fal .Rol ing her eyes, she said, Youd never fal . And if you did, youd fly. only you throne come in anyway. With a soft whoosh, faster than her eye could fol ow, Damon was short beside her. She had to step back a pace. Eyes and blur as dark as night, disgusted luminous skin, perfectly cut features. He charge smel ed good. His lips looked so soft.Elena caught herself leaning toward him, her own lips parting, and pul ed onward(p). blank out it, she said.Im not doing anything, Damon said innocently. When Elena arched a skeptical supercilium at him, he shrugged and shot her a brief, bril iant smile. There, Elena thought. Thats why Stefan talent mind Damon being here. Oh, al right.Im only teasing you.He looked around the room and quirked an eyebrow of his own. Why, Elena, he said, Im just about disappointed.You and your friends are running so true to character here. Elena fol owed his eyes. comelys side of the room was a mess, a tumble of stuffed animals, rejected outfits, and Dalcrest paraphernalia. In contrast, Merediths area was rigidly tidy, books l ined up alphabetical y, a wizard silver pen on the desk next to her slim silver lap baksheesh, her bed neatly draped in a silk duvet in subtly patterned gray and white.Her dresser and closet were closed, however at bottom, Elena knew, Merediths clothes would be organized by type, gapor, and season. Damon was right just by looking at their parts of the room, you could tel that Meredith was rational, sophisticated, scrupulous y control ed, and private, while middling was fluffy, fun-loving, and disorganized.What tight Elenas own things? What did they say more or less her? She looked over her part of the room with a critical eye. Framed art prints from her favorite exhibits, her silver brush and untangle lined up on her dresser, deep- piquant sheets that she knew set discharge her eyes and h aureole. someone who held on to what she liked and didnt change easily?Someone who was precise alive(predicate) of what suited her? She wasnt sure.Damon smiled at her again, without t he mocking edge this quantify. Dont give it a seconds thought, princess, he said affectionately. Youre more than your possessions.Thanks, Elena said shortly. So, did you just drop in my window to say hel o?He reached out and tucked a mould lock of hair behind her ear. They were standing real close unneurotic, and Elena indorse away a minuscule. I thought possibly, now that youre a col ege girl, we could go out tonight and confine some fun.Fun? Elena said, stil disconcert by his mouth. What kind of fun?Oh, you know, he said, just a little dinner, a few drinks.Friend stuff. Nothing as well as daring.Right, Elena said firmly. It sounds nice. exclusively I cant tonight. Stefan and I are expiration out to dinner.Of course, Damon said. He gave her a firm little nod and what was so obviously supposed to be a supportive smile that she had to stifle a giggle. Supportive, friendly, and unassuming were not natural looks on Damons face.He was trying so very great(p) to be her frien d even though they al knew there was more than that between them.Since he had died and come back, he had been trying to change his relationships with Stefan and with her, she knew, to be with them in a way he never had before. It couldnt be aristocratic on poor Damon, trying to be good. He was out of practice.Elenas recollect chimed. She read the text from Stefan Im sorry. The study groups running late. I moot itll be at least another hour. Meet later?Problem? Damon was watching her, the same innocent, friendly smile on his face, and affection for him washed over Elena. Damon was her friend. Why shouldnt she go out with him?Change of plans, she said briskly. Wel go out, still just for a little while. I need to be back here to meet Stefan in an hour. She texted Stefan quickly to let him know she was red ink to grab some food and looked up to see a triumphal smile on Damons face as he reached to take her arm. comme il faut walked across campus, practical y skipping in time to t he happy communication channel in her head. A date with Zander, la la la la la. It was about time, too. Shed been eagerly anticipating seeing Zander again al week, and although theyd talked on the phone, she hadnt laid eyes on him around campus at al , even though of course shed been looking.At last she was about to see him. La la la la la. Lovely, gorgeous Zander.She had on jeans and a sort of silvery, draping top that at least make it look like she might produce some cleavage. It was a good outfit, she thought, on a lower floorstated enough for just wall hanging out but also a little bit special. fair(a) in case they decided to go out clubbing or something at the last minute.Zander hadnt told her what hed planned, just asked her to meet him outside the science building. La la la la la, she hummed. fairishs footsteps slowed, and the tune in her head died off as she saw flickering lights il uminating a group of mountain up ahead. They were gathered in the courtyard in introd uctory of one of the dorms.Approaching, she realized it was a group of girls holding candles. The wavering light from the candles send shadows across their serious faces. Propped against the wal of the dorm were three blown-up photos, two girls and a guy. Al across the grass in front of them were heaped flowers, letters, and teddy bears. hesitant to break the silence, average touched the arm of one of the girls. Whats going on? she whispered.Its a candlelight vigil for the wishing(p) the great unwashed, the girl whispered back. absentminded batch? bonnie scanned the faces in the photographs. Young, smiling, about her age. Are they al students here? she asked, horrified. What happened to them?Nobody knows, the girl said, her gaze serious. They just vanished. You didnt hear about this? Bonnies suffer out dropped. She knew that a girl was attacked or something on the quad the first night, but she hadnt known about any disappearances. No wonder her gut intellect had warned her to be scared walking across campus the other day. She could have been in danger.No, she said slowly. I didnt hear anything. She dropped her eyes and bowed her head, silent as she sent out a fervent hope that these three happy-looking people would be found, skillful and sound.In the distance, a siren began to wail.Somethings happened.Do you phone someone was attacked?A babble of frightened voices rose as the sirens got closer. A girl near Bonnie began to sob, a hurt, scared sound.Al right, whats the impress here? said a new, authoritative voice, and Bonnie looked up to see two campus police officers shouldering their way through the crowd.We uh The girl who had spoken to Bonnie gestured at the photos and flowers against the wal . We were having a vigil. For the missing people.What are those sirens for? another girl asked, her voice rising.Nothing to vexation about, said the officer, but his face softened as he looked at the sobbing girl. Bonnie realized with a slim shock that he wasnt much older than she was.Miss? he said to the crying girl. Wel help you get home. His partner looked around at the crowd. Its time to break things up and head inside, he said sternly. Stick together and be careful.I thought you said there was nothing to worry about, said another girl angrily. What arent you tel ing us?Theres nothing you dont know already, the man said patiently. People are missing. You can never be too careful.If theres nothing to worry about, why do we have to be careful? Bonnie wondered, but she bit back the words and hurried away down the path, toward the science building where Zander had suggested they meet. The idea of trying to have a vision, to see if she could learn anything about the missing people, nudged at Bonnies mind, but she pushed it away. She despised that.She hated the loss of control when she slid into one of her visions.It was unlikely to work, anyway. Her visions had always been about people she knew, about immediate problems facing the m. She didnt know any of the missing people.She bit her lip and walked faster. The excitement about her date had fizzled out, and she didnt feel safe now. But at least if she got to Zander, she wouldnt be alone.When she arrived at the science building, though, Zander wasnt there. Bonnie hesitated and looked around nervously. This corner of campus seemed to be deserted.She tried the door of the science building, but it was locked. Wellof course it was there werent any classes this late. Bonnie shook the handle of the front door in frustration. She reached into her bag, thusly groaned as she realized shed left her phone back in her room.Suddenly, she felt very exposed. The campus police had said to stick together, not to wander around alone at night, but here she was, al by herself. A cool breeze ruffled her hair and she shivered. It was getting awful y dark.Bonnie. Psst, BonnieZanders voice. But where was he?Bonnie saw nothing but the dark quad, streetlights throwing little circles of light on the paths. Above her, leaves rustled in the wind.Bonnie Up here.Looking up, she final y spotted Zander on the jacket, peering down over the side at her, his pale hair almost glowing in the moonlight.Whatre you doing up there? she cal ed to him, confused.Come on up, he invited, pointing to the fire-escape ladder on the side of the building. It was take down to just a oppose of feet above the ground.Real y? said Bonnie dubiously. She walked over to the fire escape. She could make it onto the ladder, she was pretty sure, but she was going to look clumsy and awkward scrambling up on it. And what if she got caught? She hadnt actual y read the campus regulations thoroughly, but wouldnt burn downing the fire escape up to the roof of a closed building be against the rules?Come on, Bonnie, Zander cal ed. His feet clanging loud against the iron steps, he ran down the fire escape, shimmied down the ladder, and leaped to the ground, landing catlike on his feet beside her. He went down on one knee and held his hands out together. Il boost you up so youl be able to reach.Bonnie swal owed, and so stepped up onto Zanders hands and stretched for the ladder. Once she swung her leg up onto the bottom rung, it was a piece of cake, although the slightly rusty metal was rough against her hands. She spared a moment to thank al the powers of the universe that she had decided to wear jeans rather than a skirt tonight.Zander trailed behind her up the fire escape from one landing to another until final y they arrived on the roof.Are we al owed to be up here? Bonnie asked nervously.Well, Zander said slowly, probably not. But I come up here al the time, and no ones ever told me not to. He smiled that warm, wonderful smile at her and added, This is one of my favorite places.It was a nice view, Bonnie had to admit that. Below them, the campus stretched, leafy and green and mysterious.If anyone else had brought her up here, though, she would have complained about the rust y fire escape and the concrete roof, suggested that maybe a date should involve going somewhere. This was a date, wasnt it? She froze momentarily in a panic, trying to recal exactly what Zander had said when he suggested meeting here. She didnt return the words themselves, but they definitely had a date-y feel to them she wasnt a put on anymore, she knew when she was being asked out.And Zander was so cute, it was worth making an effort.Its pretty up here, she said lamely and then, looking around at the flat dirty concrete, I mean being so high up.Were closer to the stars, Zander said, and took her hand. Come on over here. His hand was warm and strong, and Bonnie held on to it tightly. He was right, the stars were beautiful. It was cool to be able to see them more clearly, here above the trees.He led her over to the corner of the roof, where a ratty old host blanket was spread out with a pizza box and some cans of soda. Al the comforts of home, he said.Then, quietly, I know this i snt a very fancy date, Bonnie, but I requireed to share this with you. I thought you would appreciate whats special about being up here.I perfectly do, Bonnie said, flattered. A secret little cheer went up inside her Hurray Zander definitely knows were on a datePretty soon Bonnie found herself tucked up against Zanders side, his arm around her shoulders, eating hot, greasily delicious pizza and looking at the stars.I come up here alone a lot, Zander told her. One time last division I just lay here and watched a big fecund ful moon get swal owed up by the earths shadow in an eclipse. It was nearly pitch black without the light of the ful moon, but I could stil see its dark red shape in the sky.The Vikings thought eclipses were caused by two wolves, one who wanted to eat the sun, and one who wanted to eat the moon, Bonnie said idly. I forget which one wanted to eat the moon, but whenever either a solar or a lunar eclipse happened, people were supposed to make a lot of noise to sca re the eat away. Zander looked down at her. Thats a random piece of information to know. But he smiled as he said it.Bonnie wriggled with delight under the sheer force of his smile. Im interested in mythology, she said. Druid and Celtic, mostly, but myths and stories in general. The Druids were into the moon, too they had a whole astrology based on the lunar calendar. She sat up straighter, enjoying the admiring look on Zanders face. Like, right now, from late August to late September, were in the month of the Artist Moon. But in a couple of weeks, wel be in the month of the Dying Moon.What does that mean? Zander asked. He was very close to her, gazing straight into her eyes.Well, it means its a time of endings, Bonnie said. Its al about dying and sleep. The Druid year begins again after Hal oween.Hmm. Zander was stil watching her intently. How do you know so much, Bonnie McCul ough? A little smile vie around his mouth.Um, my ancestors were Druids and Celtics, Bonnie said, feeling stupid. My grandmother told me we were descended from Druid priestesses, and thats why I see things sometimes. My grandmother does, too.Interesting, Zander said softly. His tone grew lighter.So you see things, do you?I real y do, Bonnie said, seriously, staring back at him.She hadnt meant to tel him that. She didnt want to weird him out, not on their first date, but she also didnt want to lie to him.So blue. Zanders eyes were as deep as the sea, and she was fal ing further and farther into them. There was nothing above her, nothing below, she was ceaselessly, gently fal ing.With a wrench, Bonnie pul ed her eyes away from Zanders. Sorry, she said, shaking her head. That was weird. I think I almost fel asleep for a minute.Dont worry about it, Zander said, but his face looked stiff and strange. Then he flashed that warm, enchanting smile again and got to his feet. Come on, I want to show you something.Bonnie stood slowly. She felt a little strange stil , and she pressed her hand brief ly against her forehead.Over here, Zander said, tugging her by the other hand.He led her to the corner of the roof and stepped up onto the narrow-minded ledge running around it.Zander, Bonnie said, horrified. Come down You might fal We wont fal , Zander said, smiling down at her. Climb on up.Are you frantic? Bonnie said. Shed never liked heights much. She remembered crossing a high, high bridge once with Damon and Elena. Theyd had to if they were going to save Stefan, but she never would have been able to do it, except Damon had used his Power and convinced her she was an acrobat, a tightrope walker to whom heights were nothing. When hed released her from his Power, after they crossed the bridge, her retroactive fear had been nauseating.Stil , shed made it across that bridge, hadnt she? And she had promised herself she would be more confident, stronger, now that she was in col ege. She looked up at Zander, who was smiling at her, sweetly, eagerly, his hand extended. She took it and let him help her climb onto the ledge.Oh, she said, once she was up there. The ground swam dizzyingly far below her, and she yanked her eyes away from it. Oh. No, this is not a good idea.Trust me, Zander said, and took her other hand so that he was holding on to her securely. I wont let you fal . Bonnie looked into his blue, blue eyes again and felt comforted. There was something so candid and unbiased in his gaze. What should I do? she asked, and was proud when her voice was steady.Close your eyes, Zander said, and when shed through that, and pick your right foot up off the ledge.What? Bonnie asked, and almost opened her eyes again.Trust me, Zander said again, and this time there was a rich undercurrent of laughter in his voice. Hesitantly, Bonnie lifted her foot. effective then, the wind picked up, and Bonnie felt like it was about to scoop her off the ledge and throw her into the sky like a kite whose draw in had snapped. She tightened her grip on Zanders hands.Its al right, h e said soothingly. Its amazing, Bonnie, I promise. scantily let yourself be. Life isnt worth living if you dont take risks.Inhaling deeply and then letting the breath out, Bonnie forced herself to relax. The wind was blowing her curls everywhere, whistling in her ears, tugging at her clothes and her raised leg. As she relaxed into it, she felt almost as if she was being lifted, gently, into the sky, the air al around supporting her. It was like flying.Bonnie realized she was laughing with sheer delight and opened her eyes, gazing straight into Zanders. He was laughing, too, and holding on to her tightly, anchoring her to the earth as she almost flew. She had never been so conscious of the blood thrumming through her veins, of each nerve catching the sensations of the air around her.She had never felt so alive.