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"You should be proud" The Vitale Society pledges were lined up in the undergroundroom, just like they had been the first day when they removed their blindfolds

Under the arch in front of them, the Vitales in blackthe pledges, eyes bright "You should be proud," he repeated "The Vitale Society offered you an opportunity The chance to becoreat power, help you on your road to success"

Ethan paused and gazed at them "Not al of you orthy," he said seriously "We watched you, you know Not just when you were here, or doing pledge events, but al the time The candidates who couldn’t cut it, who didn’tour ranks, were eliminated"

Matt looked around It was true, there were fewer of the That tal bearded senior as soirl who Matt reh the run wasn’t there either There were only ten pledges left

"Those of you who re them some kind of benediction "At last it is time for you to be initiated, to ful y become members of the Vitale Society, to learn our secrets and walk our path" Matt felt a little sWellof pride as Ethan ser on Matt than on the others, like his s al these exceptional pledges, special

Ethan started to walk through the crowd and talk again, this time about the preparations that needed to be es to bring roses and lilies to decorate the roo them to buy out a couple of flower stores -

others to find candles One person was assigned to buy a specific kind of wine Frankly, it reh school dance

"Okay," Ethan said, indicating Chloe and a long-haired girl naet yerba , chamomile, and danshen Do you want to write that down?" Matt perked up a little Herbs were slightlya secret society, although ginseng and chamomile just reminded him of the tea his mom drank when she had a cold

Ethan irls, his eyes fixed on Matt, and Matt prepared to be sent in search of punch or ranch dip

But Ethan, locking eyes with Matt, inclined his head a little, indicating that Matt should join hied over to ued What couldn’t Ethan say in front of the others?

"I’ve got a special job for you, Matt," Ethan said, rubbing his hands together in obvious pleasure at the prospect "I want you to invite your friend Stefan Salvatore to join us"

"Sorry?" Matt said, confused

"To be a Vitale Society member," Ethan explained "Weof the year, but now that I’ve met him, I think - we think" - and he waved a hand at the quietly watching ures on the other side of the room - "that he would be an ideal fit for us"

Matt frowned He didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of Ethan, but so struck hie stuff Isn’t it too late for hihtly, just a thin tilting of his lips "I think we can an to protest, then instead smiled back at Ethan "I’l cal him and see if he’s interested," he prohtly on the back "Thank you, Matt

You’re a natural for Vitale, you know I’m sure you can convince him"

As Ethan walked away, Matt watched hi why the praise felt sour this time

It was because it didn’tback to his dor What was so special about Stefan that Ethan had decided they had to have hi til next year? Okay, yes: vampire - that was special about Stefan, but no one knew that And he was handsohtly European way that had al the girls back in high school fal ing at his feet, but he wasn’t that handson students on campus

Matt stopped stock-stilWas he jealous? It wasn’t fair, maybe, that Stefan could just waltz in and be i that Matt had worked for, that Matt had thought was only his

But so what? It wasn’t Stefan’s fault if Ethan wanted to give hi after his breakup with Elena; ood to join the Vitale And it would be fun to have one of his friends in the Society Stefan deserved it, real y: he was brave and noble, a leader, even if there was no way Ethan and the others could have known that

Firle of not fair, Matt pul ed out his cel phone and cal ed Stefan