The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Thirty

Cappuccino and a croissant? the waitress said, and, at Elenas nod, set them down on the table. Elena pushed her notebooks aside to become room. Midterms were coming up, on top of everything else that was happening. Elena had tried studying in her room but was too distracted by the sight of Bonnies empty bed. She and Meredith were al reproach without Bonnie.She hadnt gotten much done here at the cafe, either, despite getting one of the prime big outdoor tables that she could spread her books out on. Shed tried, but her mind kept circling back to Samanthas death.Samantha was such a nice girl, Elena thought. Elena remembered how her eyes lit up when she laughed and the charge she bounced on the bal s of her feet as if she was bursting to move, run, dance, too ful of energy to sit stil .Meredith didnt exculpate new friends that easily, but the wary coolness she usual y wore with strangers had relaxed around Samantha.When Elena had left the dorm, Meredith was on the phone with Alari c. Maybe he would know what to say, how to comfort her. Unwil ing to classify into their conversation, Elena left her a note indicating where she would be if Meredith needed her.Stirring her c slayee, Elena looked up to see Meredith coming toward her. The tal er girl sat down across from Elena and stubborn her with her serious gray eyes. Alaric says Dalcrest is a hot spot for paranormal activity, she said.Black magic, vampires, werewolves, the whole package. Elena nodded and added more sugar to her cup. Just as Professor Campbel hinted, she said paying attention y. I get the feeling he knows more than hes saying.You need to push him, Meredith said tightly. If he liked your parents so much, hel feel like he has to tel you the truth. We dont scram time to waste. She reached out and broke off a piece of Elenas croissant. Can I have this? I havent had anything to eat today, and Im starting to feel dizzy.Looking at the strained lines on Merediths face, the dark shadows under her eyes , Elena felt a sharp stab of sympathy. Of course, she said, pushing the plate toward her. I just cal ed Damon to come ensure me. She watched as Meredith decimated the croissant, stirring stil more sugar into her coffee. Elena felt in need of comfort.It wasnt long before they saw Damon sauntering down the street toward them, his hair sleek and perfect, his al black clothes casual y elegant, sunglasses on. Heads turned as he walked by, and Elena distinctly saw one girl miss her footing and fal off the curb.That was fast, Elena said, as Damon pul ed out a chair and sat down.Im fast, Damon answered, and you said it was important.It is, Elena said. Our friend Samantha is dead. Damon jerked his head in acknowledgment. I know. The police are al oer campus. As if theyl be able to do anything.What do you mean? asked Meredith, glaring at him.Well, these killings dont exactly fal under the polices agency, do they? Damon reached out and plucked Elenas coffee cup from her hand. He took a sip, t hen made a smal moue of distaste. Darling, this is far too sweet. Merediths hands were bal ing into fists, and Elena thought she had better speed things up. Damon, if you know something about this, occupy tel us. Damon handed her back her cappuccino and signaled the waitress to bring him one of his own. To tel you the truth, darling, I dont know much about Samanthas death, or that of Mutts roommate, whatever his name was. I couldnt get tight enough to the bodies to have any real information. But Ive found definite evidence that there are other vampires on campus. Sloppy ones. His face writhe into the same expression hed made after tasting Elenas coffee. Probably newly made, Id guess. No technique at al .What kind of evidence? Meredith asked.Damon looked surprised. Bodies of course. Very ill disposed of bodies. Shal ow graves, bonfires, that kind of thing.Elena frowned. So the people who have disappeared were kil ed by vampires?Damon wagged a finger at her teasingly. I didnt say that. The bodies I examined and let me tel you, jibe up a shal ow grave was real y a first for me were not the same ones that vanished from campus. I dont know if your missing students were kil ed by vampires or not, but somebody else was. Several somebodies. Ive been trying to find these vampires, but I havent had any luck. Yet. Meredith, who normal y would have jumped on Damons comment about this being his first time digging up a grave, looked thoughtful. I saw Samanthas body, she said hesitantly. It didnt look like a typical vampire attack to me.And from the way Matt described Christophers body, I dont think his did, either. They were she took a deep breath mauled. Torn apart.It could be a pack of real y angry vampires, or messy ones, Damon said. Or werewolves might be vicious like that. Its more their style. The waitress appeared with his cappuccino, and he thanked her graciously. She retreated, blushing.Theres another thing, Elena said once the waitress was out of audien ce range. She glanced inquiringly at Meredith, who nodded at her. Were worried about Bonnie and her new boyfriend. Quickly, she outlined the reasons they had for being suspicious of Zander and Bonnies reaction to their concerns.Damon raised one eyebrow as he finished his drink.So you think the little redbirds suitor might be dangerous? He smiled. Il look into it, princess. Dont worry.Dropping a few proletariat ars on the table, he rose and sauntered across the street, disappearing into a grove of maples. A few minutes later, a large black crow with bright iridescent feathers rose above the trees, flapping its wings powerful y. It gave a raucous caw and flew away.That was surprisingly helpful of him, Meredith said. Her face was stil tired and drawn, but her utter was interested.Elena didnt have to look up to know that her friend was watching her speculatively. Eyes demurely downward, feeling her cheeks flush pink, she took another sip of her cappuccino. Damon was right. It was muc h too sweet.