Phantom Read Free Page A

photographs, a couch near the big picture window overlooking the front drive.
    But halfway to the stairs, Elena paused, glimpsing something new. Among the silver-framed photos on one of the small tables was a picture of herself and Meredith and Bonnie, faces close together, grinning widely in caps and gowns and proudly brandishing diplomas. Elena picked it up, holding it close. She had graduated from high school.
    It felt odd to see this other Elena, as she couldn’t help thinking of her, her blond hair pulled back in an elegant French twist, creamy skin flushed with excitement, smiling with her best friends, and not remember a thing about it. And she looked so carefree, this Elena, so full of joy and hope and expectations for the future. This Elena knew nothing of the horror of the Dark Dimension or the havoc the kitsune had caused. This Elena was happy.
    Glancing quickly among the photos, Elena located a few more she hadn’t seen before. Apparently this other Elena had been queen of the Snow Ball, though Elena remembered Caroline had won that crown after Elena’s death. In this picture, however, Queen Elena was resplendent in pale violet silk, surrounded by her court: Bonnie fluffy and adorable in shiny blue taffeta; Meredith sophisticated in black; auburn-haired Caroline looking aggrieved in a tight silver dress that left very little to the imagination; and Sue Carson, pretty in pale pink, smiling straight into the camera, very much alive. Tears stung Elena’s eyes once more. They had saved her. Elena and Meredith and Bonnie and Matt and Stefan had saved Sue Carson.
    Then Elena’s gaze landed on another photograph, this one of Aunt Judith in a long, lacy wedding dress, Robert standing proudly beside her in a morning suit. With them was the other Elena, clearly the maid of honor, in a dress the color of green leaves, holding a bouquet of pink roses. Beside her stood Margaret, shining blond head ducked shyly, grasping Elena’s dress with one hand. She was wearing a full-skirted white flower girl’s dress tied with a wide green sash, and she clutched a basket of roses in her other hand.
    Elena’s hands shook a little as she put this picture down. It looked as if a good time had been had by all. What a pity she hadn’t actually been there.
    Downstairs, a glass clinked against the table, and she heard Aunt Judith laugh. Putting aside all the strangeness of this new past she’d have to learn, Elena hurried down the stairs, ready to greet her future.
    In the dining room, Aunt Judith poured orange juice from a blue jug while Robert spooned batter onto the waffle iron. Margaret was kneeling behind her chair, narrating an intense conversation between her stuffed rabbit and a toy tiger.
    A great surge of joy filled Elena’s chest, and she grabbed Aunt Judith in a tight hug and spun her around. Orange juice spilled across the floor in a wide arc.
    “Elena!” scolded Aunt Judith, half laughing. “What’s the matter with you?”
    “Nothing! I just I love you, Aunt Judith,” Elena said, hugging her tighter. “I really do.”
    “Oh,” said Aunt Judith, her eyes soft. “Oh, Elena, I love you, too.”
    “And what a beautiful day,” Elena said, pirouetting away. “A wonderful day to be alive.” She dropped a kiss on Margaret’s blond head. Aunt Judith reached for the paper towels.
    Robert cleared his throat. “Are we to take it that you’ve forgiven us for grounding you last weekend?”
    Oh. Elena tried to figure out how to respond, but after she’d been living on her own for months, the whole concept of being grounded by Aunt Judith and Robert seemed ridiculous. Still, she widened her eyes and put on an appropriately contrite expression. “I’m truly sorry, Aunt Judith and Robert. It won’t happen again.” Whatever it is.
    Robert’s shoulders relaxed. “We’ll say no more about it, then,” he said with obvious relief. He slid a hot waffle onto her plate and handed her the syrup. “Do you have anything