A sudden silence. Meredith glanced at Bonnie. Bonnie glanced at
Meredith.
①①
“I know these clothes and gems may seem a little too much…”
Matt found his voice. “Those jewels? They’re real?”
“Oh, they’re nothing. And we’re all dirty….”
“Forgive me. We stink—which is my fault—” Stefan began, only
to have Elena cut in.
“Mrs. Flowers, Matt: Stefan’s been a prisoner! All this time!
Starved and tortured—oh, God!”
“Elena. Shhh. You got me back.”
“We got you back. Now, I’ll never let you go. Ever, ever.”
“Easy, love. I really need a bath and—” Stefan stopped suddenly.
“There’re no iron bars! Nothing to shut off my Powers! I can…” He
stepped away from Elena, who clung with one hand. There was a soft,
silvery flash of light, like a full moon appearing and disappearing in
their midst.
“Over here!” he said. “Anyone who doesn’t want little beastly
parasites, I can take care of you.”
“I’m your girl,” said Meredith. “I have a phobia about fleas, and
Damon never even got me any flea powder. What a master!”
There was laughter at this, laughter Matt didn’t understand.
Meredith was wearing—well, it had to be costume jewelry—but still it
looked like about a few million dollars’ worth of sapphires.
Stefan took Meredith’s hand. There wa