cover her belly. That meant she was pregnant, and far along enough to

be sure about it, too.”

Dr. Meggar’s eyebrows drew down and together—and then he ♂♂

looked up at Elena as if peering over glasses. Then he nodded slowly.

“You take some bandages and stop your own bleeding,” he said—to

Elena, not to Damon. Apparently, slave or not, she had won some kind

of respect from him.

On the other hand, Elena seemed to have lost stature with

Damon—or at least, he’d cut his mind off from hers quite deliberately,

leaving her with a blank wall to stare at. In the doctor’s waiting room, he

waved an imperious hand at Bonnie and Meredith.

“Wait here in this room,” he said—no, he ordered. “Don’t leave it

until the doctor comes out. Don’t let anyone in the front door—lock it

now, and keep it locked. Good. Elena is coming with me into the

kitchen—that’s the back door. I do not want to be disturbed by anyone

unless an angry mob is threatening the house with arson, do you

understand? Both of you?”

Elena could see Bonnie about to blurt out, “But Elena’s still

bleeding!” and Meredith was with her eyes and brows calling council on

whether or not they needed to hold an immediate velociraptor sisterhood

rebellion. They all knew Plan A for this