More ash was falling around them, like a fine gray rain. Like the ash Damon's body was buried beneath, worlds and dimensions away.
"Damon, you're. . . dead now. Not undead, but. . . gone. "
"No, Elena - "
"Yes. Yes! I held you as you died. . . . " Elena was sobbing helplessly. She couldn't feel Damon's arms at all now. He was disappearing into shimmering light.
"Listen to me, Elena - " She was holding moonlight. Anguish caught at her heart.
"All you need to do is call for me," Damon's voice said. "All you need. . . "
His voice faded into the sound of wind rustling through the trees. Elena's eyes snapped open. The room was full of sunlight, and a huge crow was perched on the sill of her open window. A cloud must have gone over the sun; for a moment, the world was dim.
The crow tilted its head to one side and gave another croak, watching her with bright eyes.
A cold chill ran down her spine. "Damon?" she whispered.
But the crow just spread its wings and flew away.