The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Thirty-Eight

reasonable didnt have her keys. She knew exactly where they were, exclusively that didnt do her much hot they were lying on the bedside table next to Zanders neat plain single bed.She cursed and kicked at the door, tears running d cause her search. How was she going to get some(prenominal) of her stuff back?Some guy opened the front door of the building for her.Jeez, relax, he said, but Bonnie had already pushed past him and was running up the stairs to her room.Please let them be here, she thought, clinging to the banister, please. She had no doubt that Elena and Meredith would comfort her, would help her, no exit what she had said to them during their fight. They would help Bonnie figure push through what to do.But they might be out. And shed have no idea where to find Meredith and Elena, no idea where they spent their free time these days.How had she grown so out-of-the-way(prenominal) apart from her best friends?Bonnie wondered, wiping her hands across her cheeks, smearin g away her tears and s non. Why had she treated them so badly? They were just trying to protect her. And they were chastise about Zander they were so right. She snuffled miserably.When she reached the top of the stairs, Bonnie banged on their room door with her fist, hearing quick movement inside. They were home. Thank God.Bonnie? Meredith said, startled, when she opened the door, and then, Oh, Bonnie, as Bonnie threw herself, sobbing, into Merediths arms. Meredith hugged her, tight and fierce, and, for the first time since she had jumped away from Zander and run for the fire escape, Bonnie felt safe.Whats the matter, Bonnie? What happened? Elena was behind Meredith, peering at her anxiously, and part of Bonnie noticed that Elenas own white and startled face was marked with tears. She was interrupting something, but Bonnie couldnt focus on that now.Past Elena, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair stood out around her face in a wild red cloud, her eyes were glassy, an d her pale face was smeared with dirt and tears. I look, Bonnie thought with a semihysterical silent laugh, like I was chased by werewolves.Werewolves, she wailed as Meredith pul ed her into the room. Theyre al werewolves.What are you Meredith broke off. Bonnie, do you mean Zander and his friends? Theyre werewolves? Bonnie nodded furiously, burying her face against Merediths shoulder. Meredith pushed her back and looked careful y into her eyes. Are you sure, Bonnie? she asked gently. She looked to Elena, and they both turned and glanced out the window at the sky. Did you see them change? Its not the ful moon yet.No, Bonnie said. She tried to catch her breath, set upings harsh sobbing gulps of air. Zander told me. And then oh, Meredith, it was so scary I ran, and they chased me. She explained what happened, on the roof and on the lawns of the col ege.Meredith and Elena looked at each other quizzical y, then back at Bonnie. Why did he tel you? Elena asked.He couldnt have thought you would have a good reaction to the news it would have been easier to admit hiding it. Bonnie shook her doubtfulness helplessly.Meredith arched an ironic eyebrow at her. Even monsters can fal in love, she said. I thought you knew that, Elena. She glanced at her pursuit stave, leaning against the foot of her bed. When the ful moon comes, now Il know what to look for.Bonnie stared at her in horror. Youre not going to hunt them, are you? It was a irrational question, she knew. If Zander and his friends authentic y were behind the murders and disappearances on campus, Meredith had to hunt them. It was her responsibility. Al of their responsibilities, real y, because if they were the only ones who knew the truth, they were the only ones who could keep everyone else safe.But Zander, something inside her howled in pain. Not Zandernone of the attacks occurred during a ful moon, Elena said thoughtful y, and Meredith and Bonnie both blinked at her.Thats true, Meredith agreed, frowning as she thought back. I dont know how we didnt realize that before.Bonnie, she said. Think careful y before you answer this question. Youve been spending a lot of time with Zander and his friends. Did anything about them make you think they might attenuated someone, real y hurt them, when theyre not in wolf form?No Bonnie said automatical y. Then she stopped and thought and said, more slowly, No, I dont think so.Zanders real y kind, I dont think he could fake that. Not al the time. They play rough, but Ive never seen them fight with anyone except one another. And sluice with one another, theyre not real y fighting, just more sort of messing around.We know what you mean, Meredith said dryly. Weve seen it.Elena tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. The disappearances werent during the ful moon, either, she said thoughtful y. Although I meditation they could have been taking people and holding them prisoner, planning to kil them when they were in wolf form later, but that doesnt I mean, I dont have much werewolf vex besides Tyler, but it doesnt sound very wolfy to me. Too sterile, sort of.But Bonnie sank shoot down on her bed. You think theres a chance Zander and his friends might not be the kil ers?Then who are the kil ers? She felt bewildered.Meredith and Elena exchanged a grim glance. You wouldnt believe some of the stuff that happens on this campus, Elena said. Wel fil you in. Bonnie rubbed her face with her hands. Zander told me he was a good werewolf, she said. That he didnt hurt people. Is that possible? Is there even such a thing as a good werewolf?Meredith and Elena sat down next to her, one on each side, and wrapped their arms around her. Maybe? Elena said. I real y hope so, Bonnie. For your sake. Bonnie sighed and cuddled closer to them, resting her head on Merediths shoulder. I need to think about al this, she said. At least Im not alone. Im so glad I have you guys. Im sorry we fought.Elena and Meredith both hugged her more tightly.Youve always got us, Elena promised.A wild hammering came at the door.Elena glanced at Bonnie, who tensed visibly on her bed but kept her hands over her face, and then at Meredith, who nodded firmly to her and climbed to her feet, reaching for her stave. It had occurred to both of them that, if Zander wanted to talk to Bonnie, he knew exactly where she lived.Elena flung open the door, and Matt tumbled in. He was wearing a coherent black hooded robe, and his eyes were frantic as he gasped for breath.Matt? she said in surprise, and looked to Meredith, who gave a tiny shrug and put her stave back down.Whats the matter? And what are you wearing? He grabbed Elena by the shoulders, holding her too tightly. Stefans in danger, he said, and she froze. The Vitale Society theyre vampires. Stefan saved me, but he cant fight them al . He quickly explained what happened in the secret chamber below the library, how Stefan came to his rescue, then sent him to get help. We dont have much time, he finished. T heyre kil ing theyre changing al the pledges into vampires. I dont even know what Ethans got planned for Stefan. We have to go back. And we need Damon.Meredith picked up her stave again and, grim faced, was taking her satchel of weapons from her closet. Bonnie was on her feet, too, fists clenched, jaw firm.Il cal Damon, Elena said, picking up her phone.Damon had dropped her off at the dorm after walking her back from Jamess house, but he was probably stil nearby.Stefan in danger. If he if anything happened to him, if something happened while they were apart, while he was stil hurt and it was her fault, Elena would never forgive herself. She wouldnt deserve to be forgiven.Guilt was like a knife in her stomach. How could she have hurt Stefan like that? She was attracted to Damon, sure, even loved him, but shed never had any question that Stefan was her true love. And she had broken his heart.Shed do anything to save Stefan. Shed die for him if she had to. And, as she listened to the ringing on the other end of the line and waited for Damon to pick up, she realized that there was no question in her mind that Damon would do anything to save Stefan, too.