New problems surfacing as old ones fade away.
I was so stuck, wondering where to go when inspiration on all fronts hit me and this perfect filler/starter chapter of this arc came to me. Enjoy the wonders that it is.
" This is going to be tricky. Your not working with a whole lot of power between you and Ms. Bennet. You'll need to find a strong binding agent to break the spell now that the talisman is gone." Lenore looked at her through the laptop, firmly fixing in her at Samantha's chest. "Your personal talisman is also gone so you'll need to replace that as well."
The Traveler Gilbert cringed at that reminder. "I know what you mean, Stefan took it and since I just set him in the sun without a daylight ring, I doubt I will be getting it back anytime soon. Pity really but with some of the epic spells in Emily's grimoire I'm thinking of turning Grandma Mary's ring into a talisman. Emily was a genius with enchantment and with being able to channel the tomb I should be able to reinforce the talisman until it's potent. I'm thinking of charging it with magic or turning it into a dark object meant to sense vampires from a distance. Repeated small sacrifices as well, to imbue it with greater power. "
Lenore moved her hand to her chin, showing of the line of perfect tattoos and her immaculate nails. "Diamonds channel magic well, as does silver... that would make the ring a great focus and talisman to draw from. A wise enough idea, but be careful not to overstrain yourself. Work on one big spell then smaller reinforcements to make it a grander talisman. Otherwise you'll overwhelm yourself and the talisman, it might shatter or melt if you over do it. "
"In the mean time I'm super vulnerable. I can barely cast any defensive magic. Vicki's been on my ass for protection against Stefan. I think I can channel her for protection in a pinch, but I'm not entirely sure if my body can handle such a potent source of magic by myself." Groaning a little, she collapsed boneless in her chair. "Life is becoming so complicated... any ideas on the binding agent I can use to break the spell? Hell I was just thinking of casting a disruption spell while channeling Vicki and Bonnie and have them slip out one at a time."
Lenore seemed impressed. "That could work, I guess I can teach you how to cast the sacrificial version of the spell. You need to channel a dog or deer,something of that size. That isn't going to be easy but a you told me, you've already killed a human for a sacrifice. I can't imagine killing a dog or deer being any harder."
Her blood boiled cold for a moment before a sigh made it's way out of her throat. "I remember... how do I cast the sacrificial disruption spell? I don't think Bonnie is ready to help cast sacrificial magic, So I might have to do this by myself."
'''
It was fun to watch Elena cringe as she walked past her, the sight of her sister all but quivering before her was beyond uplifting. Jeremy and Jenna knew what she did and they were just as peeved with Elena, not as angry though. Jenna was more incensed about the betrayal and Jeremy thought her dumb for risking angering Samantha who was a dangerous witch. She kissed his cheek for such a sweet compliment after that.
"I am heading out, Vicki's here."
"Wait, I wanted to show you something." Jeremy's voice echoed from behind her, drawing her eyes to her little brother who had a book in his hands. " I found this in a box of dad's old stuff. When you told me that he knew about Vampires and all that stuff, I wondered if there was anything in his stuff. This book was our ancestors, Johnathan Gilbert's."
Excited and a little wary, Samantha took the book from her brother. " Really, that's... a lot. It's an old book... I wonder how he justified his inventions working? Maybe he can explain the rings."
"What rings?" Jenna moved over to them, curiosity in her beautiful eyes.
"Oh, just these rings Emily was designing. I am not entirely sure what they were for, my Latin isn't the best but It seems to be a protection spell of some kind. Bonnie might be able to help me decipher it... Perks of trying to learn four different languages."
Jer's eyes widened, looking shocked. "Four languages?"
"Yup, Creole and French are my priorities since that's the language I used for my spells but then it would be Latin and Czech since that is the language of the Travelers."
"Why?" Jer asked.
"Why what?"
"Why so many languages?"
"Oh, well diverse magic is important. There are so many languages and styles that can help get around my low power and to be honest it's just fun to learn... anyway, can I borrow this or are you still reading it."
"I'm still reading it but you can have it after."
Kissing his cheek, she hurried out the door while shouting out. "Thanks, sweetness."
Only to run into dear, sweet Uncle John.
"Been a while, hello Samantha."
The doorbell rings, a hallow for Stefan's still aching body. The urge to move and open it is strong, but he ignores it, watching as Damon leaves the parlor and opens the front door. He can tell, from the first Syllable, that it is Liz Forbes.
" I'm glad to see you Damon. Sorry to bother you, but we need to talk."
He can almost heard Damon's hesitance. " Come in." Liz enters the house and Damon shuts the door.
As they walk by him, Liz turns and frowns. " Shouldn't you be at school?"
He nods, sighing and oddly grateful that he was still weak from his near death experience at Samantha's hands. " I'm not feeling good. Killer migraine for the last few days. I spent a good part of the morning puking."
Damon stepped forward. "Yeah, he's always been a pretty healthy kid. I figured giving him a day off would be best, he so rarely takes them off."
"As long as he doesn't abuse it."
"Oh he won't in general, but if the migraine gets worse he might have to go to the doctor." Damon sighed and nodded towards him, raising his hand to flex his own daylight ring, the very thing that Stefan no longer had on his hand. "Go to your room, a nap might make you feel better, kid."
Hating his brother for flexing even more, Stefan sighed. "Fine, Damon." And marched upstairs, wincing as he walked past the Sheriff, hearing each and every damn pulse of her blood. His temples screamed in agony, he hadn't lied about the migraine. His bloodlust had returned tenfold, just like Samantha warned him it would if he stopped taking those damn herbs...
'And I pissed her off so I can't just ask her what's wrong... I really screwed up.'
Damon forced his face into the most parental he was able, drawing on years of raising Stefan to make it believable. "Um, I hope you understand the secrecy. Like I told you, Stefan doesn't know about this yet and I'd like to keep it that way. " He had taken her to the back courtyard, safe from his weak brother's ear just in case he had to kill Liz right there.
Liz nodded, a smile on her face for a moment. " Of course, kids are too young to be brought into this.
" So, what do you need?"
She sighed. " A meetings been called, between the council. They want to meet Samantha, see what she knows. Since your the one to introduce her, they want you to show up."
"Course, like I said she's like a sister to me."
"Well you'll have competition then." She sighed, looking very displeased. "John Gilbert is back, A first rate jackass. He was not happy when he contacted me, and he has a lot say."
Throwing herself into his arms, Samantha embraced her uncle fully. "I missed you, but I have to go to school. I'll be here afterwards, kay?" She may not overly like him but she could not think fondly of her summer with the man, especially when that summer had taught her so much.
Giving her a soft smile, he nodded. "I'm here for at least a week, I'll see you tonight Samantha Jean."
Happy she toddled off, all but diving into Vicki's car, kissing the stunned girl. " Does he know?" She asked, voice filled with a fear that matched her eyes. Vicki shivered against her, even as they drove off.
"I think so, I can't prove it but I think he was hunting when we were traveling over the summer. Don't worry too much, I'll keep him from hurting you. He and I have always been closer then the others, he won't kill you. If he tries I'll gut him like a fish, or do worse then what I did to Stefan." Sighing, she sat up straight. "That's actually a good question though, John's a merciless person and super judgmental."
"I remember, even Matty hates him."
She snorted. "He's worse at home, trust me. Like on every level. I enjoy his candor but he grates on my nerves too. I think you'll enjoy him though, vampire stuff aside, he doesn't hide what he feels. He is far from being a snooty blue blood."
"At least he's got that going for him."
"Oh, I learned the spell to break the tomb spell. Well it's a disruption spell, so we can at least get it started."
That earned her a very nice kiss.
"And how long have you been interested in Mystic Falls?" Carol flushed a little, staring at the handsome man in front of her. "We are a very small town, you know Mr. Saltzman?"
Smiling sadly, the man fingered a large ring on his hand. " Oh years... and I know but my late Wife Isobel was obsessed with the local lore. She dedicated the last of her life to researching it. I wanted to honor her memory, make a book on the subject. Let her work mean something, so her memory lasts."
Her heart broke for the man, and she leaned forward. " Well I would be delighted to show you around, help you in anyway you need. Really having a book written about our little town, it would be an honor. What will the focus be, if you don't mind?"
"My wife was a parapsychologist, focusing on Folklore and Legends." His smile turned into something just a little unnerving. " Would you believe that there are all sort of stories about vampires coming from this place?" he must have noticed her sudden loss of blood in her face, as he laughed a little. "I know, it's crazy but it was her final wish. I was always more into history so I will be writing about all things regarding the history of Mystic Falls. I would never dream of painting this place as a center for the supernatural or crazy vampire town. I promise, my intentions are only pure."
Letting out a relieved sigh, she kept a smile on her face. " Well that would be lovely, when would you like to start your tour?"
"Oh, whenever your ready. I already have a place and am paying by the month. I have time if you need to postpone." His charm was too much and she caved.
"We can start right away, just let me give my husband a call. I want to let him know about your project, he would be thrilled to give some feedback or even some quotes if you care for it."
"Wonderful, oh and please call me Alaric or just Ric. Mr. Saltzman is a mouthful."
"Only if you call me Carol, now if you'll excuse me I need to make my call." Standing from the chair of her meeting room, Carol moved away and quickly grabbed her phone, dialing her husband's number.
"What do you need?" No greeting, no how are you, straight to business.
As per usual. "We may have a problem."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
I loved this short chapter, I was honestly in a rut and it freed me. I figured out the path and I know what I want to do. The story is really going to be changing around here... Do you notice anyone missing who isn't now! A lot if it happned on the fly as I realized things were missing and boom!
Love, your Ninja Overlord, Mika.