07 The Return_ Midnight - L. J. Smith

comes to the final showdown with Shinichi and Misao, you’ll be about as effective as a piece of
damp tissue paper.”
Bonnie started. “Is there going to be a showdown…soon?”
“As soon as Shinichi and Misao can manage it,” Stefan said quietly. “I think they’d rather
not give me time to get well. The whole town is supposed to go up in fire and ashes, you know. But I
can’t keep asking you and Meredith and Matt—and Elena—to donate blood. You’ve already kept me
alive the last few days, and I don’t know how to repay you for it.”
“Repay us by getting as strong as you can,” Meredith said in her quiet, level voice. “But,
Stefan, can I ask a few questions?”
“Of course,” Stefan said, standing by a chair. He didn’t sit himself until Meredith, with
Bonnie almost in her lap, had sunk down on the love seat.
Then he said, “Fire.”