『12』

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Matt woke up to the sound of Caroline's screams as she opened the curtains. He saw her cowering in the corner with burn marks, and despite the situation, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Care, you're a vampire now. Sunlight is a big no-no," he said with a wry smile. She shot him a glare in return and retorted, "How am I supposed to know all of this? You don't remember, I just became a vampire last night!" Matt got out of bed and closed the curtain to shield her from the sunlight. 

Matt knocked on the door of Viki's room, where Stephanie was staying. He called out, "Stephanie, come on out. We need your help."

Stephanie's voice came through the door, "Give me a minute."

Caroline, inside the room with Matt, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who's in there?"

Matt leaned closer and whispered to Caroline, "Someone who can help with your sunlight problem."

Caroline seemed skeptical and inquired, "How's this person going to help me?"

Matt revealed, "Well, she's a witch."

Caroline's eyes widened in surprise. "Witches exist?" she yelled.

Matt winced and covered his ears, saying, "Careful, Caroline, you're not the only one with enhanced hearing."

Finally, Stephanie came out of the room. "What's up?" she asked.

Matt explained the situation to her, mentioning that Caroline needed a daylight ring and that Stephanie was the only witch who could help. Stephanie didn't hesitate; she went back into her room and returned with a lapis lazuli ring.

Curious, Matt asked, "Where did you get that ring?"

Stephanie replied with a hint of sarcasm, "How do you think I got to Italy? I was selling daylight rings."

With the daylight ring in hand, Stephanie looked at Caroline. "We should probably size it first," she suggested. "I'll need to know your finger size for a perfect fit."

Caroline, still trying to come to terms with the existence of witches, held out her hand hesitantly. "Just make it quick," she mumbled.

Caroline crossed her arms, looking unimpressed. "That's it? Not very 'witchy-woo,' I saw nothing happen, just you putting the ring on my finger."

"Caroline, be nice. You got your ring," Matt said, trying to ease the tension.

But Caroline couldn't help herself. She continued to complain about the lack of supernatural spectacle. Her patience running thin, Stephanie decided to demonstrate the ring's effectiveness. With a flick of her fingers, she used her magic to open the curtains, revealing the harsh sunlight streaming into the room. Caroline gasped, bracing herself for the burn, but it never came. She shot Stephanie a dirty look, her skepticism momentarily silenced.

"Sometimes, subtlety is a witch's best friend," Stephanie said, grinning.

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Caroline returned home to prepare and change for the carnival, while Matt approached Stephanie with a request to learn some magic.

Stephanie opened a grimoire and inquired, "How fluent are you in Latin?" Matt responded confidently, "Pretty fluent," thanks to his innate ability to comprehend Latin due to his incubus natare. 

Stephanie then requested his hand to draw upon some magic. As she made the connection, an overwhelming, euphoric sensation washed over her, surpassing anything she had ever experienced before; it was akin to an orgasm but a million times more intense. After releasing his hand, she gazed up at Matt and asked in amazement, "What are you?"

Matt smiled slyly and replied, "You're not privy to that information. So, chop chop, and teach me." Stephanie cast a curious glance at him, her expression unreadable. She then said, "Alright, magic is relatively simple; you need intention and the execution of the spell. Now, take a look at the pillow on the couch." As Matt turned his attention to the pillow, Stephanie chanted, "Motus." Instantly, the pillow soared towards them

Stephanie encouraged Matt, saying, "Now it's your turn." Matt's eyes fell upon the other pillow, and he repeated the incantation. He concentrated on his inner energy, harnessing his chi to make the pillow fly towards him. 

With a surge of determination, he willed the pillow to rush toward him. However, in his excitement, he miscalculated, and the pillow ended up hitting Stephanie in the face.

Stephanie couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected turn of events. Matt, equally amused, jumped around in delight. "I have magic!"

And so, Matt spent the majority of the day engrossed in learning spells from the grimoire. He began with the simpler incantations and gradually worked his way up to more complex and challenging spells. With each new spell he mastered, his confidence and skill in the magical arts continued to grow

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Matt and Stephanie casually wandered through the carnival together. Matt grabbed a bag of popcorn, and they played a few games while soaking in the lively atmosphere of the carnival. 

While strolling around, Matt turned to Stephanie and said, "I'm going to enroll you at Mystic Falls High." Stephanie paused, turning to Matt, and firmly replied, "Hell no, I'm not returning to school."

Matt met her gaze with a determined tone and responded, "You're going to school; that's the end of it, no 'and' or 'buts.'"

Stephanie sighed deeply and reluctantly replied, "Do I really have to?"

"Yes," Matt responded with finality, leaving no room for further argument.

Matt smiled and reassured her, "Good. You can start the following week."

"Sure thing. I'm gonna go find Caroline," Matt said as he strolled towards the school.

Matt suddenly found himself face-to-face with Damon as he strolled through the empty school hallways.

"There you are. I've been looking for you," Damon remarked. "You skipped town. Now, spill the beans. How did you know Katherine wasn't in the tomb?"

Matt suddenly found himself face-to-face with Damon as he strolled through the empty school hallways.

"There you are. I've been looking for you," Damon remarked. "You skipped town. Now, spill the beans. How did you know Katherine wasn't in the tomb?"

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Vote, Comment, Follow 

Why did Caroline Forbes end up in the hospital where Katherine kills her, turning her into a vampire because Damon's blood is in her system?