Daylight ring
"What brings you here?"
Stefan asks as he sits next to me.
"Why are you also here?", I return the question to him, wondering if my cousin said anything nasty to him again, causing him to leave. I don’t really get why Clark is being a jerk around Stefan, its not like they have a bad history, or its just that witches are not really fond of vampires?
"I’m here to watch the sunrise"
I stared at him because I think his statement doesn’t make sense, while he was watching the view. I return my gaze at the sea because the sun is now rising. I came here at the seashore after Clark and Faira tried everything to locate my mother but nothing worked out. My mother and I actually like the sea, I normally go here to the seashore to relax or to calm myself.
I went here to breathe because every time that we try something and fail, it suffocates me.
"You like watching the sunrise?", I asked him because based on stories sunlight can hurt vampires.
"Of course not; I'm a vampire, and the sun bothers me."
I laugh a bit at his expression “So, why are you here?”
"My mother and brother love watching the sunrise. I never had a chance to watch it with them because I always say no.
Once I get my brother back for sure he will ask me to watch the sunrise with him so I'm starting to practice how to appreciate it, so I can say something nice about it”
I couldn't help but be impressed by his answer, and I was moved by his sincerity. I had no idea Stefan had such a soft spot for his brother. I smiled at him and together we watch the sunrise.
"It's beautiful"
I said with amusement in my eyes. Everything seems so perfect here. The beauty of the sunrise never gets old and it reminds me that there is hope. I wish mom was here. I hope she can see the sunrise too wherever she is right now.
"So, is your brother a vampire too?"
I asked while staring at the breathtaking scenery.
"No"
I looked at him while his gaze remained at the sea. I was going to ask him for a follow-up question but my phone suddenly rang and I saw Clark in the caller ID so I immediately pick it up.
[Jensen already traced your phone, come back here]
I stood up upon hearing the news making Stefan turn to me.
"They traced my phone we need to go"
*******
“I’m bringing the vampire with me, while you three stay here”
I heard Clark’s voice as we approach Tito Sandro’s office.
"No, I’m coming with you”, Jensen argued.
When I opened the door, they all turned to me and Stefan, who had just entered the room..
“It’s too dangerous, it’s a vampire and a hunter we’re talking about here this isn’t just a normal kidnapping case, so please I can't risk your lives”, he begged while looking into our eyes.
“But you cant expect me to just sit around here and wait, Clark, it’s my mother’s life on the line”, Jensen insisted, as if he'll never back down in this discussion. It appears that they're arguing who will go to the location where my phone was tracked.
“Jensen, Clark’s right beside that hunter is not an easy target”, Faira intervened.
“I’m coming,” I said and they all turned their gaze at me while Clark sighed and shook his head.
“No Celine, I’m the eldest so I’m going and you stay here with Faira”
I frowned at what my brother just said.
"But I was the one who’s there when mom was abducted!”
This time I’m the one protesting and that’s when we all start debating on who’s going and staying.
"Stop it!" Clark raised his voice and he looked like his stressed because of the situation.
“Okay, I will just allow one of you to come with me because I cannot risk the two of you”
With Clark’s statement, Jensen and I exchanged glances.
“I’ll go---"
"But I can help! I can see the hunter's mark that's why I should be the one going!"
I cut him off. Faira and Clark are taken aback by what I've stated, while Jensen has a puzzled expression on his face.
"A what?!"
Faira walked towards me and she held both my arms.
“Are you telling the truth Celestine?”, she asked with a serious tone.
"Yes! Stefan can attest to that!!" I pointed at Stefan who was just quiet all along.
"Wait what the hell are you guys talking about??!", Jensen asked in confusion
“How long have you been seeing the hunter's mark?”, Faira continued to investigate.
I swallow hard before answering “I discovered that I can see the hunter’s mark when I met Stefan.”
My cousins fell in silence and they both looked bothered.
“I think that is enough reason to take me with you, so I can help you guys identify the hunter”
The argument ended and with the help of Stefan’s persuasion, they choose me even though Clark is totally against it. We explained it carefully to Jensen so he won’t misunderstand. While we were on the mission, Faira and Jensen will be moving to the rest house and Faira will put a spell all over the house to be safe while we are waiting for Aunt Anna.
"We're here”
The car stopped in front of the gasoline station. When I looked outside, I noticed that we are like in the middle of nowhere, there are no houses around.
"Wear this"
I faced Clark who is sitting in the driver seat and he showed me a necklace
“What for?”
I lifted my hair so he could put it on my neck.
"So I could find you in case something happened", I nodded as he was putting it on me.
" We need to be careful”, he also handed me a dagger.
“Use that when someone tried to attack you”
I took the dagger and hid it inside my jacket.
"Okay, thanks!"
He smiled at me then we went out of the car
"I'll go first"
Clark said and he went first to check the area while I and Stefan are left here outside the car.
"You sure he's your cousin?"
I was surprised to hear Stefan speak because he had been silent since we left my cousin's place until we arrived here.
"Yeah? Why?"
We started walking as soon as we saw Clark's hand signaling us to follow him.
"He's more like your boyfriend"
My nose wrinkled as I look disgusted at what he said. m not sure whether he's joking because he appears serious but that’s gross.
"He’s just protective!”
Isn’t he like that to his cousins or sister? Does he even have one? I just shook my head as I walk towards the store in this gasoline station.
"He's weird"
I heard Stefan said as he followed me. When we entered the store, I went straight to the cashier.
"Excuse me", I smiled at the woman as she stare at me.
"Did two men come here earlier or last night? They are both this tall"
I extended my hand up to illustrate how tall they were.
"Then one guy is wearing a jacket with a hood and the other in a long sleeve."
"No"
I was saddened by the woman's answer.
"Okay thank you"
My heart almost jumped in surprise when Stefan suddenly appeared in front of me. I put my hand in my chest because I feel like I’m about to have a heart attack.
“Seriously, Stefan?”
He just stared at me innocently.
"You know there's no point in asking her because if they really went here, they will compel her"
My facial expression softened upon hearing his statement because it does make sense. Of course, they will cover up their tracks. Suddenly Clark entered while still gasping for air.
"I found your car!"
We wasted no time and we ran there but when we arrived there was no one inside. When I opened the door next to the driver's seat, my phone was still there and in the backseat, there was still a trace of blood.
"They're gone"
I stepped out of the car, disappointed.
"We'll try to find clues"
My cousin was about to enter the car to search it again but suddenly there’s a fire surrounding the car. We all kept our distance from the car. We looked around to see how the car suddenly started burning then we spotted the cashier earlier, standing a few meters away from us. Clark was about to approach her but she lit a match and this time, she put it to herself.
"No no no nooo !!"
It was too late before they could stop it because the woman was already on fire, I almost fell to the floor in fear and panic but Clark quickly held me to support me.
We were all devasted by what happened.
"It's okay I got something before they burned the car"
I looked at Stefan who was standing in front of us. He waved the ring and Clark took it from him.
"A daylight ring"
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