kept many a wound disease-free down the cen - down the years."
"Wow,"Elena said. "I never even heard of Grand mama before. Was she a - healer?"
"Oh, yes,"Mrs. Flowers said earnestly. "She was actual y accused of being a witch. But at her trial they could prove nothing. Her accusers seemed not even to be capable of coherent speech."
Elena looked at Stefan only to find that he was looking at her.
Matt was in danger of being dragged off to a kangaroo court - for al egedly assaulting Caroline Forbes while under the influence of some unknown and terrible drug. Anything to do with courts was interesting to both of them. But looking at Stefan's concerned face, Elena decided not to pursue the subject. She squeezed his hand. "We have to go now - but let's talk about Grand mama later. I think she sounds fascinating."
"I just remember her as a crotchety old recluse, who didn't suffer fools gladly and thought just about everyone was a fool,"Mrs. Flowers said. "I suppose I was going down the same path until you children came and made me sit up and take notice. Thank you."
"We're the ones who should thank you,"Elena began, hugging the old woman, feeling her heart stop pounding.
Stefan was looking at her with open love. It was al going to be al right - for her.
I'm worried about Matt, she thought to Stefan, testing the waters more vigorously. Damon's still so fast - and you know he doesn't like Matt a bit.
I think, Stefan returned with a wry smile, that that is a rather stunning understatement. But I also think you shouldn't worry until we see who comes back injured.
Elena eyed that smile, and thought for a moment about impulsive, athletic Matt. After a moment, she smiled back.
She was feeling both guilty and protective - and safe. Stefan always made her feel safe. And right now, she wanted to spoil him.
In the front yard, Bonnie was abasing herself. She couldn't help thinking, even now, about how handsome Damon looked, how wild and dark and ferocious and gorgeous. She couldn't help thinking about the times he'd smiled at her, laughed at her, come to save her at her urgent cal . She had honestly thought that someday...But now she felt as if her heart were breaking in two.
"I just want to bite my tongue out,"she said. "I should never have assumed anything from what I saw."
"How could you possibly have known that I wasn't stealing Elena away from Stefan?"Damon said wearily. "It's just the kind of thing I'd do."
"No, it isn't! You did so much to free Stefan from prison - you always faced the most danger yourself - and you kept us al from being hurt. You did al that for other people - "
Suddenly Bonnie's upper arms were being held by hands that were so strong that her mind was flooded with cliches. A grasp of iron. Strong as steel bands. An inescapable grip.
And a voice like an icy torrent was coming at her.
"You don't know anything about me, or what I want, or what I do. For al you know I could be plotting right now. So don't ever let me hear you talk again about such things, or imagine that I won't kil you if you get in my way,"Damon said.
He got up and left Bonnie sitting there, staring after him. And she'd been wrong. She wasn't out of tears at al .
Chapter 5
"I thought you wanted to get out so we could talk to Damon,"Stefan said, stil hand in hand with Elena as she made a sharp right turn onto the rickety stairway that led to the second-floor rooms and, above that, to Stefan's attic.
"Wel , unless he kil s Matt and runs I don't see what's to keep us from talking to him tomorrow."Elena glanced back at Stefan and dimpled. "I took your advice and thought a little about the two of them. Matt's a pretty tough quarterback and they're both only human now, right? Anyway, it's time for your dinner."
"Dinner?"Stefan's canine teeth responded automaticaly - embarrassingly quickly - to the word. He real y needed to have a word with Damon later and make sure Damon understood his place as a guest at the boardinghouse - nothing more - but it was true, he could do that tomorrow. It might even be more effective tomorrow, when Damon's own pent-up rage was spent.
He pressed his tongue against his fangs, trying to force them back down, but