The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 25

Oh, I bonnie want to take a little peek, dupemly moaned, facial expression at the forbidden sketchbook, the one in which maam Ulma had pinched their high c appearure break throughfits for the first party, the one that would be held tonight. Beside it, provided within reach, were some(a) sample squ argons from bolts of fabric in shimmering satin, rippling silk, transparent muslin, and soft, rich velvet-textured.Youll pretend to try it on for the go a steering fitting in an hour this snip with your eyeball open Elena laughed. and we shtupt forget that tonight isnt p gear uptime. Well accommodate to bounce some dances, of course Of course decent repeat ecstatic each(prenominal)y. simply our utilisation t present(predicate) is to find the key. The first half(a) of the double fox key. I scarcely wish there was a star ball that showed the inner of tonights ho exercise.Well, we all feel pretty a good deal approximately it we terminate slop virtually it and try to imagine it, Meredith tell.Elena, who had been fiddling with the star ball from the early(a)(a) house, now put the slightly cloudy orb down and tell, each right. Lets brainstorm.May I storm, excessively? a low, modulated voice asked from the door way. The filles all glowering, rising at the same time to greet a smiling skirt Ulma.Before taking a c haircloth, she gave Elena a particularly devout hug and kiss on the cheek and Elena couldnt help herself from comparing the charwoman as they had seen her at Dr. Meggars to the elegant lady she was now. Then, she had been hardly more than strip over bones, with the eyes of a timid wild creature to a lower step up great strain, get intoing a common housecoat, with mens bedroom slippers. Now, she re promontoryed Elena of a Roman matron, with her face tranquil and beginning to fill out to a lower place a crown of glossy dark braids held patronise by beady combs. Her body was filling out, too, especially her belly, a lthough she retained her natural grace as she took a seat on a velvet couch. She was wearing a saffron-colored tog of raw silk, with an underskirt of fringed and shimmering apricot.Were so brainsick about the fitting tonight, Elena said, with a nod toward the sketchbook.I am as excited as a child, myself, doll Ulma admitted. I only wish I could do for you a tenth of what you have done for me.You have already, Elena said. And if we can find the fox keys it will only be because you helped us so much. And that I cant tell you how much that means to me, she finished almost in a whisper. exclusively you neer thought I could help you when you defied the truth for a ravaged slave. You simply wanted to save me and you have suffered much for it, Ulma responded quietly.Elena shifted uncomfortably. The cut running down her face had left only a thin white scar a coarse the cheekbone. Once when she had first re relinquished to nation from the afterlife she would have been able to wave the scar away with a simple wash of Power. But now, although she could channel her Power through her body, and use it to enhance her senses, she couldnt make it obey her will in any other way.And once, she thought, imagining the Elena who had stood in Robert E. Lee High Schools parking lot and drooled over a Porsche, she would have considered the marring of her face the greatest calamity of her life. But with all the accolades she had received, with Damon calling it her white wound of honor, and her certainty that it would mean as little to Stefan as a scar on his cheekbone would mean to her, she had found she just couldnt take it real seriously.I am non the same mortal I once was, she thought. And Im glad.Never mind, she said, ignoring the pain down her leg that passive throbbed at times. Lets talk about the plate Nightingale and her gala.Right, Meredith said. What do we agnize about her? How did the clue go once again, Elena?Misao said, If I said that one of the halves wa s indoors the silver nightingales instrument, would that steady give you an idea? or something similar that, Elena repeated obediently. They all knew the words by heart but it was part of the ritual, each time they discussed it.And the Silver Nightingale is the nickname for gentlewoman Fazina Darley and everyone in the Dark belongings knows it cried seemly, clapping her small leads in sheer delight.Indeed, that has long been her sobriquet, ha deeduated to her when she first came here and began to sing and play on her harps strung with silver, peeress Ulma put in gravely.And harp strings need to be tuned, and theyre tuned with keys, just continued excitedly.Yes. Meredith, in contrast, spoke slowly and thoughtfully. But its not a harp-tuning key were reflexioning for. They odor akin this. She put down on a table beside her an object make of smooth pale maple that attend toed like a very short T or, if held on its side, like a gracefully waving tree with one short hori zontal branch. I got that from one of the minstrels Damon hired. fairish eyed the tuning key loftily. It might be a harp-tuning key were looking for, she insisted. It might be used for both(prenominal) things, somehow.I dont see how, Meredith said doggedly. Unless somehow they change shape when the dickens halves mystify together.Oh, my, yes, lady Ulma said, as if Meredith had just made an obvious proposition. If they are magical halves of a single key they will almost for sure change when the 2 halves come together.You see? Bonnie said.But if they can be any sort of shape, then how the hell will we even know when weve found them? Elena asked impatiently. All she cared about was finding what it took to save Stefan. skirt Ulma fell silent, and Elena felt badly. She hated to use harsh language or even appear distressed in front of the woman who had lived a life of such subjection and horror since her early teens. Elena wanted noblewoman Ulma to feel safe, to be quick-witted.Any way, she said quickly, we know one thing. Its in the Silver Nightingales instrument. So whatever is inside Lady Fazinas harp, that has to be it.Oh, but Lady Ulma began, and then she stopped herself almost before the words were out.What is it? Elena asked gently.Oh, nothing at all, Lady Ulma said hastily. I mean, would you like to see your get alonges now? This last fitting is really just to make sure every sew is perfect.Oh, wed love to Bonnie cried, at the same time making a dive for the sketchbook, while Meredith rung a bell pull that brought a servant hurrying in and hurrying away again to the secure room.I only wish overlook Damon and Lord Sage had hold to let me create something for them to wear, Lady Ulma said mournfully to Elena.Oh, Sage is not issue. And Im sure Damon wouldnt have minded as long as you intentional him a downhearted leather jacket, a black shirt, black jeans, and black boots all exactly like the ones he wears every mean solar day. Hed have been ha ppy to wear it then.Lady Ulma laughed. I see. Well, there will be equal fantastical styles worn tonight that he may change his mind for the future. Now lets draw the curtains on the windowpanes all near. This gala is to be indoors, with gaslight only, so colors will show true.I curioed why it said indoors on the invitations, Bonnie said. I thought maybe it was because of rain.Its because of the sun, Lady Ulma said soberly. That mean(a) crimson light, changing every blue to purple, every yellow to brown. You see, no one would wear aqua or green to an outdoor soiree no, not even you, with that strawberry hair that cries out for it.I get it. I can see how having that sun hanging there every day would really get you down after a while.I wonder if you can, murmured Lady Ulma, and then she added hastily, While we wait shall I show you what I have created for your tall friend who doubts me?Oh, please, yes Bonnie held out the sketchbook.Lady Ulma hitch through it until she came to a p age that seemed to please her. She took up pens and coloring pencils like a child eager to play with beloved toys again. Here it is, she said, development the colored pencils to add a line here and a mold there, but holding the book so that the trio girls could see the design.Oh, my deity cried Bonnie in genuine astonishment, and even Elena felt her eyes widening. The girl in the sketch was definitely Meredith, with her hair half up and half down, but wearing a dress such a dress Black as ebony, strapless, it clung to the long slim figure perfectly sketched in the opinion, emphasizing the curves, enhancing them on top by what Elena learned was called a knockout neckline one that made Merediths front look like a Valentines mean solar day heart. It unploughed c turn a loss to the body all the way to the knees where it suddenly flared out again, dramatically wide. A mermaid dress, Lady Ulma explained, satisfied with her sketch at last. And here it is, she added as several sewin g women entered, reverently holding the miraculous gown between them. Now the girls could see that the material was of plush black velvet dotted with tiny rectangular metallic golden flecks. It looked like midnight back home, Elena thought, with a thousand falling stars in the sky.And with it, you will wear these very large black onyx and gold earrings, these black onyx and gold combs to hold your hair up, and some harming interconnected bracelets and rings Lucen has made just for this outfit, Lady Ulma continued. Elena realized that sometime in the last minutes Lucen must have entered the room. She smiled at him, and then her eyes dropped to the three-tiered tray he held. On the top tray, against an dark-white background, were two black onyx and diamond bracelets, as well as a ring with a diamond in it that almost made her swoon.Meredith was looking around the room as if she had s tip offd into a private discussion and didnt know how to get out. Then she looked from the dress t o the jewels to Lady Ulma again. Meredith was not one to lose her composure easily. But after a moment she simply went to Lady Ulma and hugged her fiercely, then went to Lucen and very gently put her hand on his forearm. It was finish off that she couldnt speak.Bonnie was studying the sketch with the eyes of a connoisseur now. Those matching bracelets were made just for this dress, werent they? she said with a conspiratorial air.To Elenas surprise Lady Ulma seemed uncomfortable. Then she spoke slowly. The truth iswell, that Miss Meredith isa slave. All slaves are required to wear some sort of symbolic bracelets when they travel international their households. She turned her eyes down to the polished wooden floorboards. Her cheeks were flushed.Lady Ulma oh, please, you cant approximate it matters to us?Lady Ulmas eyes flashed as she looked up. Not matter?Well, Elena said hautily, it doesnt really matterer, yet, because theres nothing to do about it, not now. Of course, the servan ts werent in on the secrets of the Damon-Elena-Meredith-Bonnie relationship. Even Lady Ulma didnt see why Damon didnt free the three girls just in case something should happen, may the Celestial Guardians forbid it. But the girls had formed a solid phalanx against it it would be like jinxing their integral enterprise.Well, anyway, Bonnie was blathering, I think the bracelets are beautiful. I mean she could hardly find anything more perfect for the dress, could she? striking at the professional sensibilities of the designer.Lucen smiled modestly and Lady Ulma gave him a loving glance.Merediths face was still glowing. Lady Ulma, I dont know how to thank you. I will wear this gown and for tonight I will be someone I have never been before. Of course, youve drawn my hair up, or partly up. I dont commonly wear it that way, Meredith finished weakly.You will tonight up and high over that lovely wide brow of yours. This dress is to show off the charming curves of your perfect(a)(a) s houlders and arms. Its a crime to cover them, day or night. And the hairstyle is to lay disinvest your exotic face instead of hiding it Lady Ulma said firmly.Good, Elena thought. Theyve gotten her off the subject of symbolic slavery.Youll wear a touch of makeup as well pale gold on your lids, and kohl to enhance and lengthen your lashes. A touch of golden lipstick, but no rouge I dont debate in that for young girls. Your olive scrape up will complete the picture of a sultry maiden perfectly.Meredith looked helplessly at Elena. I dont usually wear makeup either, she said, but they both knew that she was beaten. Lady Ulmas vision would come to life.Dont call it a mermaid dress shell be a siren, Bonnie said enthusiastically. But wed better put a spell on it to appreciation all the vampire sailors away.To Elenas surprise, Lady Ulma nodded solemnly. My seamstress friend has sent a priestess today to bless all the garments and to keep you from being victimized by vampires, of course. If that accepts with your approval? She looked at Elena, who nodded.As long as they dont keep Damon out of the way, she added jokingly, and felt time freeze as Meredith and Bonnie immediately turned their eyes on her, hoping to catch something in Elenas expression that would give her away.But Elena kept her expression neutral, as Lady Ulma continued, Naturally, the restrictions would not apply to your to Master Damon.Naturally, Elena said soberly.And now for the smallest beauty to go to the gala, Lady Ulma was saying to Bonnie, who bit her lip, blushing. I have something very special for you. I dont know how long Ive been yearning to work with this material. Ive trudged by it in a shop window year after year, just aching to buy it and create with it. You see? And the next set of sewing women came forward, holding a smaller, lighter wearing apparel between them, while Lady Ulma held up a sketch. Elena was already staring in amazement. The material was glorious incredible but es pecially quick-witted was how it had been put together. The fabric was vivid peacock green-blue, with the most amazing hand stitching to represent a pattern of peacock eyes flame up up from the stem.Bonnies brown eyes had widened again. This is for me? she breathed, almost afraid to touch the material.Yes, and were going to dodgy that hair of yours back until you look as sophisticated as your friend. Go ahead and try it on. I think youll like the way this dress has come out. Lucen had retired and Meredith was already being carefully encased in the mermaid dress.Bonnie happily began to strip.Lady Ulma turned out to have been right. Bonnie loved the way she looked that evening. Right now she was being attached the last touches, such as a delicate dot of citrus and rosewater a fragrance made just for her. She stood before a giant silvered-glass mirror, just minutes before they were due to start off for the gala given by Fazina, the Silver Nightingale herself.Bonnie turned a lit tle, looking at the strapless, full-skirted dress in awe. Its bodice was made or seemed to be made totally of the eyes of peacock feathers, arranged in a spray that was gathered together at her waist, showing off how tiny it was. in that respect was another spray of larger feathers that pointed downward from the waist, front and back. The back very had a small train of peacock feathers against emerald silk. In front, below the larger, downward pointing spray, a design worked in silver and gold, of stylized undulating plumes, all meridian down, made its way to the bottom of the gown, which was edged with thin gold brocade.As if this were not enough, Lady Ulma had had a fan made with real peacock eyes set in an emerald jade handle, with a tassel of softly clink jade, citrine, and emerald charms at the bottom.Around Bonnies throat was a matching necklace of jade, inlaid with emerald, sapphire, and lapis lazuli. And around each of her wrists were several emerald jade bracelets th at clicked together whenever she move, the symbol of her slavery.But Bonnies eyes could hardly linger on them, and she couldnt summon up a proper hatred of the bracelets. She was thinking of how a special hairdresser had come to slick back Bonnies strawberry-colored curls until, darkened into true red, they were plastered flat against her skull and held in place with jade and emerald clips. Her heart-shaped face had never looked so mature, so sophisticated. To emerald eyelids and kohl-darkened eyes, Lady Ulma had added a vivid red lipstick and had for once broken her see and cleverly, wielding the brush herself, had added touches here and there of blusher so that Bonnies translucent skin looked as if she were constantly coloring at some compliment. Delicately mould jade earrings with golden bells inside completed the ensemble, and Bonnie felt as if she were some Princess of the Ancient Orient.Its really some kind of miracle. Usually, I look like a pixie trying to dress up as a c heerleader or a flower girl, she confided, kissing Lady Ulma again and again, delighted to find that the lipstick stayed on her lips instead of transferring to her benefactresss cheeks. But tonight I look like a young woman.She would have kept on babbling, helpless to stop herself even though Lady Ulma already was trying to discreetly dab tears away from her eyes, except that at that moment Elena came in and she gasped.Elenas dress had already been finished by the good afternoon and so all Bonnie had seen of it was the sketch. But somehow that had failed to convey just what this dress would do for Elena.Bonnie had secretly wondered if Lady Ulma were leaving too much to Elenas own natural beauty, and was hoping that Elena would be as excited about her own dress as everyone seemed to be about Bonnies and Merediths.Now Bonnie understood.It is a called a goddess dress, Lady Ulma explained to the stunned silence in the room, as Elena walked in, and Bonnie dizzily thought that if goddesse s had ever lived up on flock Olympus, they would certainly have wanted to dress this way.The trick of the dress lay in its very simplicity. It was made of milk-white silk, with a delicately pleated waist (Lady Ulma called the irregular tight pleating ruching) which held two simple bodice panels that formed a V-neckline, showing off Elenas peach-blossom skin between them and behind them. These panels in turn were held at the shoulders by two carved clasps gold inlaid with nacre and diamonds. From the waist, the skirt fell straight in graceful, silken folds all the way to Elenas delicate sandals again designed in gold, nacre and diamonds. In the back, the two panels that clasped at the shoulder became straps and crossed over to once again meet at the pleated waist.Such a simple dress, but so bright on the right girl.At Elenas throat, an exquisitely designed golden and mother-of-pearl necklace in the stylized shape of a butterfly was inset with so many diamonds that it seemed to bl aze with multicolored fire each time she moved and they caught the light. She wore this over the lapis and diamond chandelier Stefan had given her, since she had flatly refused to take the pendant off. It didnt matter. The butterfly covered the pendant completely.On each wrist Elena wore a wide bracelet of gold and mother-of-pearl inset with diamonds, creations that they had found in the secret jewel room, obviously made to go with the necklace.And that was all. Elenas hair had been brushed and brushed and brushed until it formed a silky golden tumble of waves that hung below her shoulders in back, and she was wearing a touch of rose-colored lipstick. But her face, with its thick black eyelashes and lighter arched brows and just now its look of excitement that parted her rose-colored lips and brought brilliant color to her cheeks had been left entirely alone. Earrings that were just cascades of diamonds peeped through her gold tresses.Shes going to drive them daft tonight, Bonn ie thought, eyeing the daring dress with envy, but not with jealousy, instead kind of reveling in the thought of the sensation Elena would make. Shes wearing the simplest gown of any of us, but she still completely puts Meredith and me in the shade.Yet Bonnie had never seen Meredith look better or more exotic. Shed also never known what a stunning figure Meredith had, despite her friends wide assortment of designer clothes.Meredith shrugged when Bonnie told her this. She had a fan, too, black lacquer, that folded. Now she opened it and folded it shut again, tapping her chin thoughtfully.Were in the hands of a genius, she said simply. But we cant forget what were really here for.