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"It doesn't really get on you," said Bonnie. "It's just on the robes and on the altar. You're a
sacrifice," she repeated, as if somehow this would convince him.
"As for that," said Mr. Tanner in disgust, "the accuracy of this whole setup is highly suspect. Contrary
to popular belief, the druids did not build Stonehenge; it was built by a Bronze Age culture that – "
Elena stepped forward. "Mr. Tanner, that isn't really the point."
"No, it wouldn't be, to you," he said. "Which is why you and your neurotic friend here are both
failing history."
"That's uncalled for," said a voice, and Elena looked quickly over her shoulder at Stefan.
"Mister Salvatore," said Tanner, pronouncing the words as if they meant Now my day is complete.
"I suppose you have some new words of wisdom to offer. Or are you going to give me a black eye?"
His gaze traveled over Stefan, who stood there, unconsciously elegant in his perfectly tailored tux,
and Elena felt a sudden shock of insight.
Tanner isn't really that much older than we are, she thought. He looks old because of that receding
hairline, but I'll bet he's in his twenties. Then, for some reason, she remembered how Tanner had
looked at Homecoming, in his cheap and shiny suit that didn't fit well.
I'll bet he never even made it to his own homecoming, she thought. And, for the first time, she felt
something like sympathy for him.
Perhaps Stefan felt it, too, for although he stepped right up to the little man, standing faceto-face
with him, his voice was quiet. "No, I'm not. I think this whole thing is getting blown out of proportion.
Why don't…" Elena couldn't hear the rest, but he was speaking in low, calming tones, and Mr. Tanner
actually seemed to be listening. She glanced back at the crowd that had gathered behind her: four or
five ghouls, the werewolf, a gorilla, and a hunchback.
"All right, everything's under control," she said, and they dispersed. Stefan was taking care of
things, although she was not sure how, since she could see only the back of his head.
The back of his head… For an instant, an image flashed before her of the first day of school. Of
how Stefan had stood in the office talking to Mrs. Clarke, the secretary, and of how oddly Mrs. Clarke
had acted. Sure enough, when Elena looked at Mr. Tanner now, he wore the same slightly dazed
expression. Elena felt a slow ripple of disquiet.
"Come on," she said to Bonnie. "Let's go up front."
They cut straight through the Alien Landing Room and the Living Dead Room, slipping between the
partitions, coming out in the first room where visitors would enter and be greeted by a werewolf. The
werewolf had taken his head off and was talking to a couple of mummies and an Egyptian princess.
Elena had to admit that Caroline looked good as Cleopatra, the lines of that bronzed body frankly
visible through the sheer linen sheath she wore. Matt, the werewolf, could hardly be blamed if his
eyes kept straying downward from Caroline's face.
"How's it going here?" said Elena with forced lightness.
Matt started slightly, then turned toward her and Bonnie. Elena had scarcely seen him since the night
of Homecoming, and she knew that he and Stefan had drawn apart, too. Because of her. And though
Matt could hardly be blamed for that, either, she could tell how much it hurt Stefan.
"Everything's fine," said Matt, looking uncomfortable.
"When Stefan finishes with Tanner, I think I'll send him up here," Elena said. "He can help bring
people in."
Matt lifted one shoulder indifferently. Then he said, "Finishes what with Tanner?"
Elena looked at him in surprise. She could have sworn he'd been in the Druid Room a minute ago to
see it. She explained.