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Chapter One

Elena stepped into the clearing

Beneath her feet tatters of autu into the slush Dusk had fallen, and although the stor colder Elena didn't feel the cold

Neither did sheup tiny particles of light that would have been invisible to a hureat oak tree quite clearly

One had thick dark hair, which the wind had churned into a tuhtly taller than the other, and although Elena couldn't see his face she soreen

The other had a shock of dark hair as well, but his was fine and straight, almost like the pelt of an animal His lips were drawn back froathered into a predator's crouch His eyes were black

Elena watched theotten why she had come here, why she'd been pulled here by the echoes of their battle in her er and hatred and pain was alhters They were locked in a death match

I wonder which of the, and the taller one's left arle Still, he had just slanarled trunk of an oak tree His fury was so strong that Elena could feel and taste it as well as hear it, and she kneas giving hith

And then Elena reotten? He was hurt Hisher with shock waves of rage and pain She had coed to him

The two figures were down on the icy ground now, righting like wolves, snarling Swiftly and silently Elena went to thereen eyes- Stefan, a voice in herat the other's throat Anger washed through Elena, anger and protectiveness She reached between the two of theers up

It didn't occur to her that she shouldn't be strong enough to do this She was strong enough; that was all She threw her weight to the side, wrenching her captive away frooodhian to choke him from behind

Her attack had taken him by surprise, but he was far fro for her throat His thu into her windpipe

Her attack had taken him by surprise, but he was far fro for her throat His thu into her windpipe

But he was stronger than she was With a jerk of his shoulders, he broke her hold on hi her down And then he was above her, his face contorted with animal fury She hissed at him and went for his eyes with her nails, but he knocked her hand away

He was going to kill her Even wounded, he was by far the stronger His lips had drawn back to show teeth already stained with scarlet Like a cobra, he was ready to strike

Then he stopped, hovering over her, his face changing

Elena saw the green eyes widen The pupils, which had been contracted to vicious dots, sprang open He was staring down at her as if truly seeing her for the first time

Why was he looking at her that way? Why didn't he just get it over with? But now the iron hand on her shoulder was releasing her The animal snarl had disappeared, replaced by a look of bewilder her to sit up, all the while gazing into her face

"Elena," he whispered His voice was cracked "Elena, it's you"

Is that who I alance toward the old oak tree He was still there, standing between the upthrust roots, panting, supporting hi at her with his endlessly black eyes, his brows drawn together in a frown

Don't worry, she thought I can take care of this one He's stupid Then she flung herself on the green-eyed one again

"Elena!" he cried as she knocked hi her up "Elena, it's me, Stefan! Elena, look at me!"

She was looking All she could see was the exposed patch of skin at his neck She hissed again, upper lip drawing back, showing him her teeth

He froze

She felt the shock reverberate through his body, saw his gaze shatter His face went as white as if someone had struck hihtly on the round

"No," he whispered "Oh, no"