Chapter 13

Rory's Point of view

It has an entire year since we left the safe room under the church and we've been on our own ever since. I'm truly worried about Benny. He barely talks to any of us, even me. A normal day for him has become, not waking up until late afternoon for his and Jane's magic training with each other on the roof. After that he will go straight into the room Jane him and I share to go back to sleep until around midnight when he leaves the small two bedroom apartment in New York City we're staying in for the time being, to teleport some place that he keeps a secret from the rest of us. He'll end up staying out all night. And doesn't return until sun raise when Ethan and I are at work and Erica and Sarah are watching Jane while she's at school she's the only one that goes now since Sarah Erica and I have forever to finish high school and Ethan and Benny are probably smart enough to finish college at this point.

Even worse is he's become so secretive about everything he does, About a week ago I was running late for work since the nightly training session on the roof with Erica and Sarah had lasted longer then I expected I was Vamp speeding though out the apartment to grab my clean clothes finally fully ready I opened the front door ready to vamp speed down the stairs, but instead was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Benny standing there reaching for the handle.

Before this I hadn't seen him awake in over a week, I jumped into his form wrapping my arms around him. As I hugged him I got an almost overwhelming scent of ash coming off his clothing. I released him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Willing myself to try to move toward the stairs knowing if I stayed in this proximity of him I would have to miss work completely so I could stay with him all day. I went in for one last peck on the cheeks but when our hands accidentally touched I pulled mine back because his felt like a hot iron, I reached for it again flipping his hand so his palm was facing up, his palm was covered in small red burn marks. I looked up at his face. "Benny what happened to you?!"

"Nothing Rory I'm fine." Was his quick response.

"Benny don't blow me off like that, I love you. You know that right?"

Looking down he whispered. "I know."

Not wanting to let it go I continued to push for an answer. "And you know you can talk to me about anything right."

"I know Rory, but I'm fine." He snatched his hand out of mine pushing his way past me then I heard the now familiar sound of our bedroom shutting me out. I pushed the tears that were trying to escape back in knowing I had to get to work.

I waited one week before bringing what had happened up to Benny after the old man who owned the store and the apartment we were staying in above had left until closing I talked to Ethan about what had happened as we were stocking the shelves.

I finished putting the last item from the case up and turned to Ethan. "I'm really worried about him Ethan."

"I know me to but until he talks to us about it there is nothing we can do, We've all tired to get him to open up at this point we just have to wait."

"But that was before this morning. What if he's putting him self in danger, or if he's trying something like trying to find his uncles for revenge."

"Listen Rory number one Benny is smart enough to not do either of those things. I mean come on the only reason we can't go home is we're hiding from his uncles I don't think Benny would do something to attract their attention." Ethan quickly scanned the isle to make sure we were alone before continuing. "Plus Benny is probably the one of the strongest Spell caster in New york right now so I don't think there is to much that can hurt him." I dropped the subject after that knowing that the conversation would just keep going in circles after this so I finish working the items I had brought out.

After that we got a rush of customers so the rest of my day was spent cashiering while Ethan continued to fill the shelves. So we didn't get to talk the rest of our shift. Once we closed for the night and waited for Mr. Jacobs to show up to lock up and go over the sales as he did every night I sent a text to Sarah and Erica. After we said our goodbyes to Mr. Jacobs and walked out the door Ethan walked the five feet to the door next to it that opened to the stairs leading to our apartment but I stood still, once he realized I wasn't following he turned to me looking worried. "Do you hear something?"

I smiled and just shook my head sometimes he got so paranoid. " No Ethan, I just wanted to make sure you locked all the doors before I flew over to the dinner since Sarah and Erica's shift ends soon so we can grab something to eat. Also we're training again tonight on the roof so I'll see you tomorrow morning at work."

"Rory you know the protection barrier Benny and Jane set up around the apartment won't let any supernatural creature in other then us."

"I know but I worry when Sarah Erica or i aren't there with you guys."

He gave me a smile back before opening and shutting the door. Once I heard the lock on the door sound I ran over to an empty alleyway leaped into the air flying for two minutes before landing in the in the alley behind the dinner where Sarah and Erica worked to wait for them.

Half an hour later they walked over to me.

Sarah carried a look of worry on her. "I hate that haven't been able to tell Ethan about this."

I did to but this had to be done. "I know but you know that he can't lie to Benny and besides after tonight hopefully everyone will know everything." I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to Jane saying we were ready.

We waited another ten minutes before a flash of light appeared next to us and Jane walked over to us lucky for us Benny taught that spell to Jane in case she ever needed a quick escape. "Sorry you guys know my potion making skills aren't that great yet so my sleeping potion took longer then I thought to take effect on Ethan but we've only got an hour hours before he wakes up so let's get to this."

I turned to my friends. "Okay so Benny normally teleports out of the apartment in about ten minutes so we need to set up for Jane to cast the spell."

We all nodded Jane pulled out what she needed handing over each of us the item we would need. I got a photo of mine that I had of me and Benny that he had only let me take so I would stop begging him for one, Erica held his note book that he kept spells he needed to work on in and Sarah held his a vile of his blood she had taken when she, "Accidentally," cut his arm with the stake knife during dinner two nights ago that we absolutely made him go to.

We waited another thirty minutes until we were sure Benny had mostly likely teleported to his hideaway. We formed a triangle around Jane as each of us held our item in one hand as we used our free hand to touch the persons next to ours item making a chain. Jane held out her hands touching mine and Sarah's items before starting to chant in Latin. "Fero ad virtutes lumen oculorum meorum, et ipsas res sociorum commodo dilectionem caritatis." Each of the items gave off a dark blue tint each of the glows started to form into lines that made a prism with the points meeting above Jane's head. Once all three points touched she finished the spell. " Da nobis ut nunc per viam!

At the top of the prism shot into the ground then continued out of the alleyway leaving a path behind it for us to follow. I grabbed Jane throwing her onto my back and the three vampires sped to follow the light.

Shortly we realized we were the only ones who could see the light and ten mintues later the light started to slow we were already deep a bad part of the Bronx. Suddenly the light shot through the door of a bordered up house we stopped in front of the door before Erica smiled before she kicked down the door sending wooden shared through the air she shrugged before whispering. "I've so always wanted to do that." We looked to see that the light went down a flight of stairs that looked to lead to a basement. We nodded to each other I pulled my throwing knifes out of my pocket that I always kept with me, Eirca pulled out her chain with two three inch spikes attached to the end and Sarah pulled the two daggers they both kept with them as well.

All three of us pushed our hearing to the basement but heard nothing. I put Jane down and whispered to her. "Since Erica ruined the element of surprise and we have no idea what we'll find down there I want you to stay here and if things go wrong teleport to the apartment right away and take Ethan to safe place number three okay?"

She looked to us wanting to argue but I gave her a stern look and she backed down. Sarah took the lead as we walked down the stairs to follow the faint blue light. Once down the stairs Sarah held up her hand for us to stop there was a door in front of us. I looked to Erica and gave a wave for her to she kicked the door in front of us open again. We heard someone from behind where the door had been a second ago shout. "Spiritus enim ignem!" Causing a blast of flames to come at us all three of us knew we'd never make it but tried to vamp speed back up the stairs.

I saw Jane at the top of the stairs hold out both hands before yelling. "Lorem scutum!" Suddenly a pink wall materialized between the flames and the four of us. Once the flames dispersed Jane shouted. "Et commisit defensus!" Causing the wall to burst into a thousands of small bubbles that shot it's way at our attacker as the three of us charged after them.

With just the wave of the showed figures hand the bubbles turned direction flying through the roof causing the entire ceiling above Sarah Erica and I to collapse on top of us. Pieces of cement and wood fell onto the three of us sending our bodies to the floor under it.

My body was pinned under rubble to heave for me to lift even with my vamp strength. The air was filled with dust so I pushed my sense of sight to enhance my hearing more. I heard the sound of another body hit wooden floorboards then what sounded like rocks being thrown around. I returned my sight back to just in time to see the smoke clear around me to see Benny looking down on my with a frown on his face but what scared me the most is his eyes were completely black.

He moved his hands causing the rubble on top of me to hover above me then he sent it into a wall on the other side of the room. Next I felt my body float to a stand position next to him. He moved his mouth but didn't speak I knew he was casting a spell without speaking the words a skill he had learned he possessed a few months ago. Another flash of light and I looked over the piles of fallen cement to see him stand over Jane, Sarah and Erica's bodies laying on the ground next to him theirb hands connecting. Before I could move he leaned down touching Sarah's arm then moved his mouth again next a flash of light and all four of them were gone.

I started to panic not know what to think or even process what was happening. Before I had any more time to think a flash of light appeared in front of me and Benny was there he grabbed my hand but before I could pull out of his grasp a shock of electricity was sent through my body causing it to go limp Benny caught me in his arms next thing I knew light surrounded me and then I found myself in the living of our apartment. With Benny holding me and a very confused looking Ethan leaning down next to our friends that were on the carpeted floor.

The feeling in my body returned and I knew that the man holding me must have been an imposter. I used my vamp speed and strength to pin him against the wall with my arm against his neck. I growled. "Who are you and how did you find us." Suddenly my body flew into the wall across from him and was pinned there by an invisible force.

The man spoke. "Ethan I'll allow you to read my mind if you promise to only see enough to know it's me."

Even though Ethan had no idea what was going on he nodded in agreement.

I waited for a few seconds still pinned to the wall until Ethan spoke. "Rory it is him."

Once I looked to Ethan to make sure he was sure my body was released and I fell to the ground looking to Benny I spoke slowly. "Fine I believe it's you but you have some explaining to do and right here right now you are going to explain what the hell has been going on with you this past year this second!"

Benny moved to the chair in the living room he moved his mouth mouth yet again then waved his hand toward the other three. Seconds later all three sat up, Erica and Sarah breathing heavy while Jane let out a yelp. Ethan and I rushed over to them calming them down

Ethan tired to explain with the little understanding he had. "You guys are safe okay don't worry. Listen, I'm not quite sure what's going on but to understand I guess we all need to turn our attention to Benny." Jane Erica and Sarah all looked over to Benny with a look of caution I grabbed Erica's hand and Ethan did the same for Jane and Sarah for reassurance as we led them to sit on the floor in front of Benny I could tell that everyone had their guard yet still ready to hear what Benny had to say.

For the time being I still didn't trust Benny completely after what had just occurred so I looked to Jane "Did you ever learn the truth spell?"

She shook her head. "No sorry."

Ethan spoke up. "Fine since it's a spell that as long as you know the words it works so Benny please tell Jane the spell if you're wanting to earn our trust right now."

Benny looked to Jane. "Okay this one is a little different then the one Grandma cast on us you must speak your mind and you have no choice other then to let the spell work. Jane say, Neque verum est plus dici mendacium." Jane said the spell exactly as Benny had told her. When she was done a pink mist appeared from her hand and surrounded all of our bodies before absorbing into us. We looked back up to Benny again waiting for his miracle explanation to excuse his behavior.

He looked at each of us one by one before taking a long sigh. "Okay here it is. First off I want to say I'm sorry for putting the three of you in a suspend animation spell back there but I knew I couldn't teleport all of you easily if you were awake."

Erica burst out. "Excuse me but a sorry for injuring me then putting me into sleep so does not make up for it."

Benny crossed his arms. "See I knew you would fight it and I needed to get you out of there as fast as possible. Now may I continue?" Erica huffed before quieting down.

"Now as I was saying I needed to get everyone out of there because all of the vampire ash in the air could have killed Jane and I." We all gave a look of shock to Benny Sarah even let out a gasp. Benny started again before he was interrupted again. "I knew that the ash was in the air I truly had no idea that it was the four of you when I sent the flames out all I knew was I sensed three Vampire coming at me." A look of pure guilt took over his face. "I hope the four of you know I would never attack any of you on purpose."

This time it was Jane's turn to speak up. "No Benny I don't think any of us know that right now!"

I intervened before this became a debt instead of an explanation. "Guys come on let's let him finish." Benny smiled that I came defensive and I didn't want him to feel like I had forgiven him yet so I added. "Then if we don't like what he has to say we can let him know our feelings toward him." That turned his smile into a look of worry.

Benny began again. "I guess that's my cue to begin from the start. All of you know that when we left that campground eleven long months ago and came here. I barely left our room almost never ate or talked to anyone you." We all nodded yes to let him know we remember that horrible memory. "Well one month after being here I was walking to the dinner to see where Sarah and Erica worked at. I was about a block away when I heard a commotion come from an alley close to me I know I should have ran far away but for some reason I couldn't. When I looked down the dark alley I saw a man pinned by his neck to a wall by another mans one hand. I crept up closer and saw the man pinning his the other guy to the wall had fangs out and was leaning toward the others neck. I knew it must be a vampire. So I cast a basic fire ball spell and sent it flying at the Vampire. It wasn't strong enough to kill him just get him off the man. Once he was far enough away from the innocent human I fast another more powerful fire spell causing the Vampire to burst into ash before he even knew what had happened. I ran out of the alley before the other human even saw me. I ran to the dinner with a feeling of pride that I had just saved that man and that's when it hit me I knew how I could still do good in my Grandma's name while still not putting any of us in danger by saving innocents from Vampires thought the city."

Ethan stood up looking furious. "So you're telling me you've been going out at night to spread vigilantly justice among vampires! Even worse did you ever think when a group of people who kill bad vampires goes on the run maybe the people their running from would look for something like maybe a city where the vampire population suddenly to unexplainable disappear!"

Benny looked hurt. "Well I hadn't really thought about that. But I knew I was finally doing some good for my Grandma, I would never have done it if I thought it would attract attention to us."

That just got Ethan angrier. "That's right Benny you weren't thinking! Do you really think you're Grandma would want you to put your life in danger. No she wouldn't she might have given her life to ensure your safety and give us time to prepare and build our strength in order to face your uncles. Yet the rest of us have been working our asses off to build our strength yet instead of going out at night to play Vampire cop we work the jobs that allow us to stay here to stay alive!"

Benny sunk lower into the chair. "Okay so I screwed up I know but I don't regret saving those peoples lives."

Sarah jumped up looking just as pissed as Ethan. "I'm glad those people are okay but you risked something bigger then a hundred people's lives if we don't stop your uncles the fate of humanity might be at stake. Now we have to take all of the money we've saved and leave this place to start somewhere else and change identity's again. Benny this time who knows if we can find jobs or even risk Jane starting school again.

Jane, Erica and I stood up I put m hand on Ethan's shoulder trying to get him to calm down again fighting wouldn't help anything. I turned to Erica and Jane "Guys go pack up everything Sarah and Ethan get the money out of the vault and fit as much dry and can food as you can in a duffel bag."

All of them gave Benny a dirty look before they went to complete their tasks. I grabbed Benny's hand and led him to the kitchen. "After this I want you to cancel the truth spell." He nodded okay. "First of all I forgive you and I not sure about the others though, now that doesn't mean that I'm still not mad about this but right now I want you to know you screwed up but I still love you no matter what." I gave him a kiss on the lips then hugged him tight before looking at him again and giving him a serious look. "Now I'm going to go talk to the other about where we go next, just know that they might be mad now but just know it's because they care about you and each other so much. Now undo the truth spell and go prepare the glamor spell. " I kissed him one more time.

I let go of him before walking into Ethan, Sarah and Erica's room to talk to Ethan and Sarah on their thoughts about where to go."

I knocked on the then opened it to see Sarah and Ethan kissing. I gave a cough to announce my presence. "Hey can we go into my room to talk about where to go next." They nodded yes then followed me passing be Benny chanting something in the kitchen. They both gave me questioning looks but I just kept walking.

When we entered my room it looked as if Erica and Jane had almost finished packing up all of Jane Benny and mine's stuff. Ethan sat on my bed addressing all of us. "So I think that big city's are the safest place still since it's worked well up until this point." We all nodded our head in agreement. "I also think that this time we should put more distance between us and Canada so I think London will be our best choice, raise your hand if you agree." I raised mine and looked around to see see everyone else had as well. "It's settled then we leave in an hour." The three of us left to complete the tasks we were giving.

Twenty minutes later we stood outside the bathroom to stand in front of the mirror for the Galmor spell just like last time one by one we stood in front of it while Benny cast the spell. We all stood in the living room with our backpacks on and each carrying a duffel bag or box of things we'd need. We all grabbed hands while Benny cast the spell that would teleport us to yet another new life but this time in London.