Midnight

He remembered the stories Elena had told about Lady Ulma designing gowns for her, and he realized that whatever else his hostess might be, she was truly a genius couturier.

And then Elena was running, dainty gold sandals flying, and Bonnie’s silver slippers were fol owing and Stefan began to run too, fearing some unknown danger. They al arrived at the far end of the hal way at the same time, and Stefan saw that the woman standing there was dressed even more splendidly than the girls. She was wearing a deep red raw silk gown with a heavy diamond-and-ruby necklace and ring – but no bracelets.

The next minute the girls were both curtseying, deep, graceful curtseys. Stefan made his best bow.

Lady Ulma held out both hands to Elena, who seemed to be almost frantic over something that Stefan didn’t understand.

Elena took the extended hands, breathing quickly and shal owly. "Lady Ulma – you’re so thin – "

Just then the babbling of a baby could be heard. Elena’s face lit up and she smiled at Lady Ulma, letting out a quick breath. A young servant – even younger-looking than Bonnie – gently put a tiny bundle made of lace and sheerest lawn into Lady Ulma’s arms. Both Elena and Bonnie blinked away tears, al the while beaming at the child and making little nonsense noises. Stefan could understand that – they’d known the Lady since she was a whip-torn slave, trying not to miscarry.

"But how – ?"Elena began spluttering. "We saw you only a few days ago, but this baby is months old – "

"A few days? Is that how long it seems to you?"asked Lady Ulma. "To us, it has been many months. But the magic Stillworks, Elena! Your magic remained! It was an easy delivery – easy! And then Dr. Meggar says that you saved me before she suffered injury from the abuse I went through. She is trying to speak already! It is you, Elena, it is your magic!"

At this the Lady made a movement as if to kneel at Elena’s feet. She got no farther than a few inches, though, because Elena caught her hands, crying, "Lady Ulma, no!"while Stefan, at his best speed, slipped beside the girl servant and caught the Lady by her elbows, supporting her weight.

"And I’m not magic,"Elena added. "Stefan, tel her that I’m not magic."

Obediently, Stefan leaned toward the ear of the tal woman.

"Elena is the most magic I’ve ever encountered,"he stage-whispered. "She has Powers that I can’t even understand."

"Ahh!" Elena made a wordless exclamation of frustration.

"Do you know what I’m naming her?"the Lady continued. Her face, if not conventional y beautiful, was striking, with an aristocratic combination of Roman nose and high cheekbones.

"No."Elena smiled – and then "No!"Elena cried. "Please!

Don’t condemn her to a life of expectations and terror. Don’t tempt anyone to hurt her while she’s Stilla child. Oh, Lady Ulma!"

"But my dear savior…"

Then Elena began to manage things. Once she took a situation in hand there was no way not to go with the flow of it. "Lady Ulma,"she said clearly, "forgive me for interfering in your affairs. But Bonnie has told me – "She stopped, hesitated.

"Of the troubles of strong and hopeful young girls, for the most part poor or enslaved, who have taken on the names of the three bravest young women who ever graced our world,"Lady Ulma finished for her.

"Something like that,"Elena said, flushing.

"Nobody’s cal ing themselves Damon,"put in the young nurse cheerful y and with the utmost goodwil . "Neither boys nor girls."

Stefan could have kissed her.

"Oh, Lakshmi!"Elena hugged the coltish-looking teenager. "I didn’t even see you properly. Let me look at you."She held the girl at arm’s length. "Do you know, you’ve grown at least an inch since I last saw you?"

Lakshmi beamed.

Elena turned back to Lady Ulma. "Yes, I am afraid for the child. Why not cal her Ulma?"

The patrician lady half shut her eyes. "Because, my dear Elena, Helena, Aliena, Al iana, Laynie, El a – I would not wish

‘Ulma’on anyone, much less my lovely daughter."

"Why not cal her Adara?"Lakshmi put in suddenly. "I always thought that was pretty, since I was a kid."

There was a silence – almost a stunned silence. Then Elena said, "Adara – it’s a lovely name."

"And not at alldangerous,"Bonnie said.

Stefan said, "It wouldn’t stop her from starting a revolution if she wanted to."

There was a pause. Everyone looked at Damon, who was looking out the window expressionlessly. Everyone waited.

He final y turned. "Oh, excel ent,"he said blankly, clearly having no idea – and less interest – in what they were talking about.

"Oh come on, Damon."Bonnie’s eyes were Stillswol en, but she spoke brightly. "Make it unanimous! That way Lady Ulma wil be sure."Good God, Stefan thought, she must be the most forgiving girl in the universe.

"Certainly, then,"Damon said indifferently.

"Forgive us,"Elena said tightly to the room in general. "We’ve all been going through a bit of a hard time."

That gave Lady Ulma her cue. "Of course you have,"she said, smiling the smile of one who has known bitter suffering.

"Bonnie has told us of the destruction of your town. I am deeply sorry. What you need now is food and rest. I’l have someone conduct you to your rooms."

"I should have introduced Stefan at the start, but I was so worried I forgot to,"Elena said. "Stefan, this is Lady Ulma, who was so good to us before. Lady Ulma – Well, you know who this is."She went on tiptoe to kiss Stefan lingeringly.

Lingeringly enough that Stefan had to gently detach her and put her down. He was almost frightened at this display of bad manners. Elena was really angry at Damon. And if she didn’t forgive him, the scenes would only continue to escalate – and if he was right, Elena was truly getting closer to being able to cast Wings of Destruction.