Page 37 (2/2)

Suddenly, the door at the far end of the chamber burst inward, and Stefan swept in

Ethan looked up in surprise, but before he or the other vampires could move, Stefan flew across the chamber and ripped Chloe from Ethan’s ar down her neck Matt couldn’t tel if she was stil breathing, stil clinging to life as a hu robe and slaainst the walHe shook the curly-haired vaht shake a rat

For a rip loosened Stefan kneas happening, Stefan had found him Stefan would save the toward Stefan now as he struggled with Ethan, their long robes flowing behind the as one

Stefan ithout a doubta black-clad feoblet, Matt thought - away from him easily, and she sailed across the cha in a cru viciously, Stefan tore at the throat of another with his teeth, and she fel to the ground and lay stil

But there were so many of them, and only one of Stefan

After just a few ht, Matt could see that it was hopeless, and his heart sank Stefan was er, than any other vahed hi, and they were overwhelth of their nu his robes, and four of the Vitale vaether, pinned Stefan’s ar, snapped at hirabbed a torch from the wal behind hi at the blood on the back of his hand "You had your chance, Stefan," he said, s li his ar up at Ethan "You wanted ed me to join you Do you stil want olden eyes bright

"I do," he said "But what can you tel me that’l make me believe you want to join us?"

Stefan licked his lips "Let Matt go If you let him leave safely, I’l stay in his place" He paused "On my honor"

"Done," Ethan said i his eyes froered, suddenly released from the compulsion that had held hi breath and then ran straight for the altar and Chloe Maybe it wasn’t too late He could stil save her

"Stop" Ethan’s voice cracked coain unable to lared at hio"

Matt looked ily at Stefan Surely he wasn’t just supposed to leave, to abandon Chloe and Stefan and the others to the Vitale vaid "Sorry, Matt," he said flatly "The one thing I’ve learned over the years is that so you can do now is just leave I’l be okay"

And then, jarringly intrusive and sudden in Matt’s head was Stefan’s voice Daulped and, as Ethan’s co to look defeated while stil signaling to Stefan with his eyes that his e had been received

He couldn’t look at the other pledges No matter how much he hurried, some or al of them would die before he returned Maybe Stefan would be able to save some of them Maybe Maybe he would be able to save Chloe

His heart pounding with terror, his head spinning with fear, Matt ran for the exit and for help He didn’t look back