A/N: And here is chapter six. And our junior detectives try to learn more about the Supernatural World. Wish them luck^^


Chapter Six, the Sun and the Moon

Augustus 23, 1869

The ritual of the 'Sun and Moon', as Katherine explained it, is unnatural. The powers she is toying around with are wrong, strange. Moreover I detect a non-earnest intention from Katherine's behaviour. From the legends it is my believe it contains a curse which keeps Vampires from walking in the sun and enslaves the werewolves to the moon. Yet, if that is so, I do not understand why she hasn't asked me to break the curse? The magic needed to dismantle it, shouldn't be too difficult—

It is my believe breaking a curse like that would endanger human kind even more. Jonathan was right, I should not feel any pity for the beasts in human form that roam the earth and I certainly shouldn't have played my part in saving them in the tomb.

I grinned when I found the passage in Emily Bennett's Grimoire that morning and I enthusiastically called Tyler. He had obviously been deeply asleep and I heard him fumble around for several moments before he groaned.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Yes," I grinned, "Six-thirty, time to prepare your weekend bag for our road trip. Listen, I found something and you'll be happy."

"Roadtrip?"

"To Florida?" I asked dryly and for a moment it was silent.

"Right." He muttered. "Come get me at eight o'clock, I'll make sure I'll get Mason's key. He keeps them in his room— yawn— and Sam, tell me later. I— I'm super tired."

"Right—" I dryly retorted and the line went dead. Dropping my mobile phone on my pillow, I threw my feet over the edge of the bed, quickly dressed and started packing a weekend bag to take along. I made sure to pack several sets of underwear, two sets of pyjama's and my two favourite pair of jackets. The weather forecast predicted a warm day and washing my face I settled on a pair of cute high-waisted denim shorts and a paint-splattered tank top. I'd bought an extra power bank to make sure me and Tyler would be able to remain relying on Google maps when on the road. It would just be something I would do, taking the wrong road and instead of a two day drive, making it three. There was no-one in the kitchen when I trotted inside, and I was grateful. Penning down a note and plastering it on the toaster (Aunt Jenna loved her black-scalded toast in the morning), I fished the mini cooper's car keys out of the fruit bowl and quickly left the house, jumping down the steps of the porch.

The ride to Tyler's house was uneventful and parked the car just a little away from the manor, making sure no one, especially Carol Lockwood, would be able to see me. Tyler knew the place and all I had to do was wait.

For quite a while—

The sun shone brightly, sending auburn highlights through my dark curly hair and the sky was a cerulean blue. Spring had arrived and daffodils fluttered in the soft breeze. I had rolled the window of my mother's mini cooper down and peered outside through heavy-lidded eyes. The temperature was high enough that I'd thought I made a good call on wearing my paint-splattered tank top tucked in my favourite pair of dark-blue denim shorts. My denim bomber jacket lay haphazardly thrown on the backseat and my school bag was heavy with the two Grimoires I now owned.

"Yo, Gilbert."

I grinned, tilting my head up from my arm: "Finally awake, Tyler? I've been waiting for you for over an hour."

Tyler Lockwood threw his bag into the backseat before dropping into the front and grinned at me lewdly as I drummed my hands against the wheel. We waved at Carol Lockwood and I tucked my hair behind my ears, before pushing it back with a binder.

"Found something?"

"Yes," I agreed slowly.

"Well?"

"Sun and Moon Curse," I retorted, my fingers tightening around the wheel and I started the engine. "Apparently, that's a thing. From what I understand that's the curse placed on vampires and werewolves. Yes, werewolves are a thing and their curse or those on the vampires can be broken with the help of the stupid rock aka the Moonstone."

Tyler looked rather petulant: "What does the curse do?"

"Well, it seems to bind vampires to the night and insure that werewolves have to turn at the full moon, no control over their actions once they're turned." I explained and the mini cooper grumbled as I changed gears. I'd immersed myself completely in the supernatural world and had actually learnt a lot. The werewolves, however, were a bit tricky. People changing into beasts once a month was difficult to comprehend. Even so, we suspected Mason Lockwood to be one and armed with his home key (nicked by the smirking Tyler) we embarked on what Jeremy called a road trip.

"So if say Mason was a werewolf and he broke the sun and moon curse he would no longer be a werewolf?"

"No, I think it has more to with not having to change. They would be able to do so at will and be able to— well, control it, I suppose?"

I turned the car onto the empty side road near the forest. The trees crowded together at the edge of the asphalt and the sunlight filtered through the leaves, sending a scattered light over the car. Momentarily, I peered out the windows at the landscape swathed in the deep, green-tinted shadows. I wondered if somewhere in the vibrancy of the leaves, predators hid and quickly decided I didn't really wanted to know right now.

"What did you tell your sister?"

"Told Jenna I needed some time. Grumbled about Uncle John's existence and she thinks I'll be staying with you. I'm not sure why she would be cool with that, but then again, Aunt Jenna is practically a kid herself," I responded. "I won't be missed. Or at least, not as long as Elena won't start blabbing."

Changing gears, I quickened the car as the forest foliage bled into the busy highway. Tyler pushed his chair back until he lounged more comfortably. "This is going to be a long ride."

"Oh only thirteen hours." I responded dryly. "Well, at least this is probably a good way to get over my car phobia, as you called it."

"I'm guessing you already had a good start with cop car."

I grinned: "Don't think for a second I'm driving thirteen hours."

"Right—" Tyler mumbled irritably.

After four hours we changed seats and Tyler drove the next. Making a pitstop at Lumberton for food and a toilet break, before renting a small room in Jacksonville. The next morning, I drove the last four and a half hours to Florida. It took a small hour before I found Mason's apartment and sighed gratefully when we passed the sign to Mason's street, dangling from an overhanging branch on rusty chains, welcoming them to the neighbourhood. The landscape was different from Mystic Falls and beside the occasional tree, a small layer of sand covered the pavements and the street.

I frowned at the old buildings, consisting out of many concrete apartments. I wondered when summer hit, if the entire neighbourhood would be swarming with sun burnt tourists, dressed in shorts, summer dresses or swimsuits. Especially, if they could hire a cheap apartment or hotel room for the weekend. Cocking my head to the side I peered at Tyler: "I'd think your Uncle would live nicer?"

"Yeah—"

I parked the car at the edge of the parking lot and killed the engine. Tyler clambered out of the car and peered around and quickly followed after him. The air was heavy with the scent of the sea and in the distance I'd heard the waves crash against the chore. It was rather calmly: "What's his home number again?"

"Fourth floor, number 28."

"Lead the way,"

He rolled his eyes and after pressing on several doorbells, someone buzzed the door open and we moved inside, past the number of mailboxes and started to ascend the several flights of greenish stone stairs. The fourth-floor corridor was dim-lit and a large part was cloaked in shadow. We stopped in front of number 28 and after several times trying the lock and jangling the door-handle, the light wooden creaked open and we stepped out on the wooden landing. The apartment was small with a narrow hallway leading up to a warmly decorated living room with a singular toilet to the right and opposite was a little bedroom. I started in the living room while Tyler moved into the bedroom.

There was a large bookcase with well-read books. Several books had several pages marked by pen or dog-ears. I saw little evidence of anything supernatural (that is as long as you didn't count a book of Twilight and I spotted the Bram Stoker novel of Dracula). Most books went on about the best surfing ways or the best beaches, but there was a book about Werewolves (A Lycanthropy Reader; Werewolves in Wester Culture) and I noticed another about common poisons. It was hardly impressed but picked the book about common poisons from the shelve anyway and flicked through it. The book fell open on a page about the Aconitum plant (commonly known as Aconite, Monkshood or Wolfsbane). The names were circled with a bright yellow marker and the page had several dog-ears.

I cocked my head to the side and read swiftly over the words. Growing in well-drained soil of the mountain meadows, most species were know to be extremely poisonous— I sighed, slammed the book closed and set it back where I found it.

"This was not a good idea." I muttered and flipped quickly through the several magazines on the coffee table. Nothing usable, though and I crossed the living room and peered at the balcony. Opening the door with several small, glass windows I slowly stepped out it. It was a concrete ledge, with square rough edges with a rusty rail, yet the view was beautiful.
The coastline was easily visible now and I leant my lower-arms on the balustrade watching the grey rock beach. There was little vegetation and even a littler amount of people. I curled my fingers around the wrought-iron banister and leant forward, craning my neck, trying to see even further.

"What are you doing?" Tyler's voice suddenly announced from beside me and only his hand grabbing me by the shoulders stopped my independent tumble over the balcony. When I found my balance again I shoved him irritable.

"Imbecile, what if I fell?"

"You did, but I caught you."

"Lucky me," I drawled dryly and sighed, grateful for not falling, "It is a nice view. Did you find something?"

He laughed hollowly: "No, not really. Well, I did find a built-in closet I can't open. I mean, I can hardly break the door down, now can I?"

"Suppose not," I agreed and followed him inside. The built-in closet was located in the small, simple bedroom and I crouched down before it. It was an old brusk golden lock and I pursed my lips. "If we'd have a bobby pin, I might be able to open it."

"You're the girl—"

"A sharp kitchen knife would work too." I returned dryly and he scurried out of the room, only to return seconds later, knife in hand.

"Fine, Madam, here you go."

"Thank you, good Sir," I answered playfully and accepted the knife. It must have been a meat knife as it was perfectly sharp and I slid it into the lock. I moved and pushed the teeth of the lock, until I heard it click. I turned to Tyler, grinning madly at him. Tyler gave me the thumbs-up and slipped past me into the darkened closet. I heard him rummage around and after a moment a swinging lamp above his head flickered on, zooming as if it found its use irritable. I peeked inside. It had several shelves, filled with records, papers and what looked like cd's and I watched Tyler rummage through a large stack of papers.

"And?"

"This is nothing," He said unamused and I moved inside as well. It was a little crowded but soon we had a rhythm going. He moved through the loose papers and I picked up book after book. Tyler was crouched down on the floor, pouring over loose and often yellowed papers and I leant back against a low shelf, flipping through the umpteenth book.

"I think I found something," Tyler piped up and I crouched down before him. Stashed between the pages of a book was a dried plant with blueish flowers.

"A flower?"

"It seems so," I agreed and as Tyler reached for it I slapped his hand away. "Don't touch it. It might be poisonous."

"I doubt it."

"I don't. He has a book about poisonous plants. I doubt they are for gardening purposes." I stated and set my bag at my feet, yanking out a plastic bag I'd used for my sandwich and he dropped it in. As he shook the book suddenly an USB flash drive dropped out of a hidden hole as well. We stared at it with wide eyes before Tyler snatched it off the floor.

"What do you think this is?"

"An USB flash drive," I commented dryly and he hit me harshly against my shoulder. I rubbed the smarting limb harshly before sitting down beside him. "Did you bring your computer?"

"Should I?"

"Probably, but I didn't bring mine either." I answered. "We could find ourselves an internet cafe. I'm sure they're on the route or somewhere in the ci—" I started only to be interrupted when we heard the front door click open. I gasped, gripped the closet door and pulled it closed with a soft click. Tyler sat frozen on the floor and I let my fingers slide across the wall, finding the light switch and flicked it. Somewhere in the apartment there's the patter of soft footsteps moving around and I clasped my hands over my mouth stifling my breathing. The steps moved closer, moved something in the bedroom and I felt Tyler's arm brush my leg. We heard the sound of someone shoving a drawer shut and I soundlessly felt around for something to fend a possible attacker off with, if necessary. There was no way Mason could have arrived here yet, besides, as far as he knew he still hadn't found the moon stone and moreover, why would he go and not try to say good bye to Tyler?

The shuffling on the other side stopped for a moment, the wooden boards creaked and then the bedroom door slammed closed. I inhaled gratefully.

I probably shouldn't have and suddenly the door to my and Tyler's hiding place was wrenched open and a Caucasian girl in her mid-twenties with blue eyes and medium-length blonde hair stood at the other side. She was dressed in simple tight-fitting jeans, a grey t-shirt and a dark leather jacket, arms crossed in front of her chest.

"My, my, two thieves." She stated softly and Tyler slowly jerked to a standing position. He, thank God was a lot taller than her, but something about her, felt off.

"W—we're not thieves. Obviously, you are. We had a key." I stated, hoping to bluff my way of out of this horrible situation. "Who the hell are you?"

"Then why were you hiding, Baby-girl?" She asked sarcastically.

Tyler snorted: "Yeah, why would we? We were expecting the place to be empty and certainly didn't want to be murdered by some nutcase."

I grimaced slightly at his phrase and slowly scrambled to my feet as well, the flash drive still in my hand. "Listen, we were her for Mason. Tyler here, is his nephew and I, my name is Sam, I'm his— girlfriend where her for a day. We needed a place to crash from our road trip and he told us it was okay to use his place. Gave us the keys in Mystic Falls and well, we were about to leave when he called. He needed something. Now who are you?"

"What did he need?"

"Hell no," I returned and the girl did a thin-lipped imperious nostril-flare thing and I mirrored her stance, "it's your turn to explain who the fuck you are and what you're doing here. We could call the cops if you'd like. Our Mason? I wonder what he'd say—"

"Jules," she offered slowly. "I'm a friend of Mason and I take care of the cat when he's away."

"Mason has a cat?" Tyler asked in surprise and I gave him a look that if looks could kill he would be death.

"Now tell me again, what did Mason need?" She asked happily.

"Oh," I answered as pleasant as I could and opened my bag, subtly dropping the flash drive inside and pulled the plastic bag with the plant inside. "He needed the— Aconite. I assume you know why?"

"Oh God, but the full moon is in two days." She whispered horrified and I nodded sympathetically.

"Yes, exactly."

"But you're not one." She coldly whispered and I nodded and I concentrated, my eyes narrowing. The girl gasped both hands grabbing for her head and she whimpered.

"I'm a witch." I stated proudly and dropped the spell. She breathed heavily and glared at me but I only shrugged. "I'm sorry, but I think we do need to set some boundaries. Obviously Mason failed to mention a few details both to you and to us, but if we don't start going back we're late."

"I am probably faster."

"I'm sure, but it's not the best town to be at right now."

"Vampires." Tyler stated. "Pesky little things."

"I don't think I can cloak more Werewolves than I already do." I stated, having no idea if I could even cloak anything in the first place. "Besides, we really need to go. It was wonderful to meet you. We could tell him you said hi?"

"Right," she whispered, eyes narrowed and I gripped Tyler's wrist and dragged him around her. We almost ran out of the apartment, slamming the door behind us and I breathed out heavily when we stumbled out of the building and on the sandy pavement. The sun had sunken towards the tree and coloured the sky a dark crimson; burned red of the descending sun, while dark clouds billowing along the horizon.

"Let's get out of here!" Tyler muttered and I quickly unlocked my car. I spotted Jules standing on the balcony and I waved slowly at her before getting behind the wheel. I only dare to breath normally when we're on the asphalt road again, leading to the high way.

"Do you think she bought that?"

"Well," he answered slowly, "I don't think it matters. I certainly didn't buy her excuse. I think she was looking something as well."

"Let's hope so."

"Why?" He asked slowly and I met his gaze reluctantly.

"Because if she is there without invitation she can't very well call Mason and inform him of our activities, right?"

He groaned, dropping his head in his hands: "Shit, if she does call him, I'm dead. Why did you use our real names?"

"Because the best way to lie, is to tell a large amount of the truth." I admitted and he nodded in understanding.

I snorted: "Well, we did find what we came for."

"The flash drive?" Tyler sarcastically asked and I rolled my eyes.

"No, the knowledge that Mason is a Werewolf. It was obvious from the what Jules said." I explained and curled my fingers tightly around the wheel. "However, that did not explain how on becomes a Werewolf."

"And if I might be one."

"If you are one then it must be something buried in your DNA and not something you can catch." I said. "I think it must be like that, because your dad was affected by the device as well. Else I don't know why the police would lock him into the cellar. The only thing I know for sure it that it's known as a curse. And it must be for a reason."

"I suppose," he agreed and we fell in a hushed silence. It was a long way back.

To be continued...


A/N: Like always, leave a review. It helps an author along and I really like to know what works well and what doesn't in my writing^^