Chapter 28: Errands & Counter Measures
Salvatore Boarding House
[Charlotte's POV]
Everyone is doing errands for the Mystic Falls Founders Day celebration. I am helping Freya gather items that will be needed for the formal Ball for all members of the family and a few items for the Charity Auction. Damon and Kol just finished giving Bella and Angela dance lessons in the great room. The parade is scheduled for tomorrow morning and the Ball will be held tomorrow tonight. Rebekah has extra ball gowns that will fit Bella, Freya, Angela and I, if the ones sent to the cleaners are delayed. I am looking forward to seeing the Major and Pete all decked out in their old officer's regalia and the rest of the family in their formal wear. It brings back some good memories. Stefan is going to wear Damon's officer's regalia. I am counting on Elijah to provide attire for himself, Nik, Finn, Charlie, Sage, Kol and Henrik.
Freya pulled me aside and asked me to help with the preparations for Emmett and Rosalie's transformation. I have gathered all of the spell components for Emmett and Rosalie's ceremony; provided that they choose to change from 'Cold Ones' to regular vampires. Emmett is family to Bella. She respects Rosalie and is willing for us to change them in a ritual this afternoon before the Charity Auction is scheduled. I have a feeling that Rosalie will choose this option because with magic she can conceive and bear Emmett's children. She is angry at Alice and Edward for leaving the family. She didn't know how important Isabella's role was in keeping the family together and what effect the family moving away from Forks would have on all of them or she would have fought their decision to move away.
[Damon's POV]
I can't help but pace in the confines of my office. I am worried. There are more than Stefan and myself that could be affected by the Gilbert device. John Gilbert has the device that was used to round up the vampires to entrap them in the 'old' church which the town council at that time lit it on fire. Not knowing that Emily Bennett trapped the vampires under the church. They are going to use it again tonight to round up the other supernaturals that are in town looking for retribution for their loved ones that were trapped and burned under the church when Anna and I tried to free Katherine and Pearl. I need to talk to Sage and Freya to see if we have any counter measures for that device. They plan to use it at midnight during the fireworks display. I don't want to be on the pain end of that device ever again.
[Charlie's POV]
All of the items that Freya wants refurbished are done and laying out on the dining room table. Damon enters the drawing room where I am sitting, and starts pacing. He will tell me what's got his shorts in a wad.
"John Gilbert reactivated a family magical device that gives 'supernaturals' migraines. The Mystic Falls City Council is going to round up anyone effected by it and place them in the 'Gilbert Building' which he will burn down just to rid the town of "vampires". We need something to counter act the device for our own protection."
"How does the device work?"
"It emits a high frequency sound that can incapacitate Vampires and Werewolves, like the accident that caused Tyler Lockwood to lose control of the car which put Caroline and Matt in the hospital a few weeks back."
"The council will not care who they take down with the device. All supernaturals are 'evil' in their estimation."
"Do some of the 'supernaturals' need to be eliminated? If so, how do we protect our family and friends?" I ask him.
Stefan enters the room. "I heard your conversation: Bonnie could do a spell to prevent its use."
Freya counters with, "Bonnie's magic is too tied to her ancestors that dwell in the 'old' Maxwell mansion. They hate vampires."
"The main problem is sorting out which supernaturals need protection and which ones don't. Our family is protected via their protection bracelets, rings, necklaces and clips."
"The council has added both Vervain and Wolfsbane to the water supply. The deputies and helpers will be loaded with both tonight. Not to mention the weapons arsenal that they will utilize." Damon points out.
I ask, "Are there any other items that can incapacitate supernaturals that they will be using?"
"They have access to and will probably use all of Alaric's Vampire Hunter's type of toys. They have access to titanium cuffs and shackles also." Damon ponders aloud.
"What we need is a frequency jammer for that device or a way to get it out of John Gilbert's hands. Plus we need a way of dealing with the unwanted supernaturals hell-bent on their revenge." I speculate.
Kol looks at us puzzled. "So we need the Gilbert device to work on the 'bad' supernaturals and let the council with their cronies deal with them. On the other hand protect the 'good' supernaturals at the same time."
Freya points out, "All of our family are wearing spelled protection items."
Damon pulls out his phone, "Barbie, can you bring Tyler, Jeremy and Anna with you to the boarding house. Something has come up and we need to meet now."
Bella smacks him on the arm.
"What they need to know about this?"
"You could have phrased your command diplomatically." She points out.
"Where's the fun in that?" Bella just rolls her eyes at him.
The rest of the family joins us for this conversation: Freya has them on speed dial. Caroline, Anna, Jeremy and Tyler file into the room thirty minutes later. Tyler asks abruptly while entering the room, "Damon, what is so all important you demand our presence?"
"Your survival tomorrow tonight for one," he responds.
"What?" All four of them simultaneously ask.
"John Gilbert has activated his families little anti-supernatural device that emits a high frequency sound that will allow the Mystic Falls Town Council and helpers to round up all the supernaturals looking for revenge tomorrow night for the burning of the caverns beneath the old church that housed their family and associates. It has already caused Caroline and Tyler problems in the past. I just thought you would like to be filled in about what's going on."
Caroline growls, "Thanks for that."
I ask, "Do you four know of any other people that need protection?"
Damon goes over to a desk in the corner of the room and pulls out five rings. "Anna give one of these to Pearl. It will protect her and the rest of you from the 'Gilbert' device tomorrow night."
Freya picks the rings up off the table. She does an incantation all five of the rings light up for a brief second. "That will give them some added protection for tomorrow night. Jeremy, Liz will want you to help tomorrow night. You can rescue some of the 'good' supernaturals that we can't protect."
Stefan asks, "Can I get a ring for Lexi? She will be in town tomorrow."
Freya hands him a ring and a necklace. "I had a hunch that Lexi and her mate would need these." He walks around the table and hugs her. "Thanks."
"Everyone needs to be aware of this issue tomorrow night and help those that are innocent bystanders. We can't stop the Council's plans but we can try to help the supernaturals that don't deserve that fate."
Everyone but Damon leaves the room. He sits and down on one of the recliners with a glass of top shelf bourbon. "Charlie, does it get any easier trying to protect everyone?"
"Nope."
He raises an eyebrow at me.
"You can only do what you can, to help as many as you can, when it's needed."
"Thanks, I think" as he downs half of the liquid in the glass.
[Freya's POV]
Emmett has been observing us since this morning. I think he is more aware that what the Cullen's hold to be true about vampires and other supernaturals is very limited. "Emmett would you and your Rose like to become a different kind of Vampire?"
"Does that offer extend to Alice, Edward, Carlisle and Esme?"
"My offer is to you and Rose. Carlisle and Esme are problematic due to their close association to Edward and Alice. We will only allow this offer at this time. If you choose to change, there is a possibility that you and Rose can have children in the future due to a different kind of magic. You saw how it healed Bella from her scars."
He nods. "Can I discuss this with Rose?"
"Call her. Ask for her to meet you just outside the Mystic Falls City boundary by the Welcome to Mystic Falls sign. Charlie will be with you and he can bring you both here. If she is agreeable to the change we can perform the ceremony before dinner is served. Jasper, Charlotte and Pete can explain what it means to be a different type of vampire. She can see the changes for herself."
He pulls out his phone. "Rose, I need you to drive and meet me outside of Mystic Falls City limits."
"I am fine. I found Bella. Yes, she changed. I can explain more in person. She would be glad to see you again. I'm sure. I'll see you soon."
"She agreed to meet me at the border."
I call out, "Hey Charlie we need you to take Emmett to meet Rose at the Welcome to Mystic Falls sign."
He calls back. "I'm on it. Come on Emmett." I laugh as Emmett rushes out the door to meet Charlie.
