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Chapter 1

Dear Damon,

Yesterday, I felt happy Not low, but a wild, fierce happiness that ran along my veins like fire

I would have known, even without the slight tug of the bond between us, that it ca? Where were you yesterday?

I'lad you're happy, Damon

I ed, we're never really far away from each other I'm constantly aware of you, with a low-level huh me But I'd like to see you in person

I can't believe it's been four years I think of hoe said good-bye, that last evening at Dalcrest, the bond between our auras so new, and how I cried, and I keep wishing I could have convinced you to stay

Stefanthat soon, we'll take a feeeks and come find you, wherever you happen to be Stefan can show me around streets he hasn't walked for centuries, and you can take us to the hottest nightclubs, and we'll all be together again Family

So so much of my past Aunt Judith told me yesterday that she wants to sell our house in Fell's Church and move to Richmond It makes sense: Robert won't have so far to coo to a terrific school in the city And after all, I don't live there anymore

But I can't help re how my mother and I redecorated hts Bonnie and Meredith and Caroline and I spent there, having sleepovers and telling secrets How you and Stefan each held me in your arms there, at different times and for different reasons

I can say good-bye to that house, even though it hurts, but I can't say good-bye to you, too Please, Daain

Elena Gilbert groaned and ran her fingers through her long blond hair Why was it so hard to get to the point? She was getting distracted by her emotions, when she had meant to e-mail Damon for a reason

But you already know II have to warn you about

Elena looked up fro in her and Stefan's apartht illuminated the pale walls lined with framed reproductions from art exhibits she and Stefan had attended: an abstract of a couple e into each other; a stern-faced Renaissance angel; a field full of wildflowers Elena's little sister, Margaret, grinned up froraduation picture on a table by the couch; in another photo, Bonnie and Elena stood in silver bridesowns on either side of Meredith, whose face was lit up in a rare s out the darkness Sa-furred white cat, stretched out luxuriously across the couch cushions, only a sliver of one golden eye showing he ake

On the top of a heavy s Stefan had carried with hiold coins, an ivory-hilted dagger, a stone cup old pendant watch, and a small iron coffer And finally, the most recent addition to his treasures: a silky apricot-colored hair ribbon, stained with raveyard