in the books elena is a kind of supernatural being in herself. her tears are kind of magical too... shes a maiden of sorts.. maybe in the programme either being a doppel ganger or the elena/john thing could make her this way.. so yh im thinking, either she plays a part in it, or bonnie finds a spell to stop it or even slow the process whilst a cure is found, i ust dont think they'l kill him off, especially as although its not 100% the same as the books, its based on it and damon plays a massive part of them xx