Reunited

So, eventually, Clark found out that I asked for Herone’s help to break the compulsion because it turns out that Herone is a very loyal friend. That’s why Clark has been keeping an eye on me these past few days. I’m actually getting frustrated waiting for the right time to come but I guess now is the time because Clark has to leave again to go to the Coven. Before leaving, he made me promise to stay here, of course, I did promise to stay but did not indicate the specific location of where “here” is. So, let’s just say that "here" is as in here in Madiville, at least I’m not leaving the town.

I never imagine that I will return to this place after what those vampires did to me. I knocked three times and a man with a big body, lots of tattoos, and long hair opened the door.

“I think you’re in the wrong place mundane” he looked at me with those cold eyes and he was about to close the door again but I stopped him.

“I need to talk to Dominic”

He stared at me for a second then he continued to close the door but I was persistent, I put my body in the middle to stop the door from closing.

"I just need a second with him please", I looked at him with begging eyes.

“I was with Stefan here before….”

I tried to explain that it was not my first time here. He slightly opened the door which made me smile a bit.

“Go to the door at the end of the alley, then you can find Dominic on the rooftop.”

“Thank you!”

It’s a relief to know that I don’t need to enter Dominic’s club again where there are a lot of vampires there because even if I’ll put a poker face, I bet they can still hear my heart beating fast because I’m scared.

There was no elevator when I opened the door, so I had no choice but to take the stairs; I guess Dominic doesn't want to be found easily. The building has a total of ten stories. I almost fell on my legs when I arrived at the rooftop but I stood still upon seeing a man. Dominic slowly turned to me and then he smiled mischievously

"Well, what a surprise, Ms. Celestine Salavador"

I looked at him while still gasping for some air. I really need to exercise.

"What made you go through all this trouble to come here?"

I cleared my throat and then fixed my posture.

“I want to know where Stefan is”

He cracked up laughing, but he quickly stopped when he saw that I was just staring at him.

"You went all the trouble just to ask me where Stefan is."

He can’t stop smiling like he finds the situation amusing.

"You're a lucky girl because I just saw him yesterday but just to remind you, I’m a businessman and I don’t do things for free”

I sighed because I haven’t thought of this part. How come I didn’t think of this?

"Fine! Tell me what you want?"

He played with his ring as he walked around me.

"You sure about this? 'Cause you’re actually dealing with a demon"

I swallowed hard upon hearing what he said and I feel chills down to my spine when I felt his hand on my waist and his mouth near my ear.

"I admire you for being brave"

I grabbed his hand to push him but he was fast enough to avoid me.

"Look Dominic Dude, I'm a bit in a hurry right now because I happen to have a curfew so can we just cut the chase"

As much as I’m scared, I’m also pissed because it’s already 4 pm and I need to be home before it gets dark. If Stefan didn’t just move to another place, I won’t be struggling like this. I get that he doesn’t want to be found but I need him especially now that my memories are back.

"I will give you the information you need in exchange for other information."

I raised my left eyebrow as I listen to him.

"I believe you're close with the little wolf who happens to be the son of the alpha of their pack. "

Ohh, shoot. Herone is definitely going to kill me for this.

---------

I inserted the key and cautiously turned the doorknob of Stefan's apartment door. I was only two steps away when someone grabbed me and leaned me against the wall with one hand on my neck.

"Celine?!"

He immediately released me because I almost choke on what he did.

"Hi Stefan! I missed you too"

I said sarcastically but he just ignored it.

“How did you get in here?”

“Well, that is not important right now”

I happen to know an employee here and I have this talent that I could be really persuading sometimes and I can make people do things for me.

I entered his apartment and sat on the sofa. His apartment is nice by the way.

"We have a problem"

"We?" Stefan frowned at me.

"Yes, we as in you and me. Listen, I tried breaking the compulsion but the thing is my cousins didn’t do it, Herone knew some witch here in Madiville and she did the job. "

Based on his facial expression, I’m guessing that he is slowly getting the situation.

"You let a stranger get inside your head??"

I raised my hand right in front of his face to make him quiet.

“I had no choice okay! Besides it’s your fault if you didn’t compel me in the first place it won’t happen! Anyway, she saw something she shouldn’t.”

The reason I asked Talia to stop is that she is evading my memory of the white brooch, that’s why she suddenly got angry and made us fly outside her apartment. She thought of us as something dangerous.

In the vision, she saw me and Stefan surrounded by a lot of dead people aside from that she also saw one of my secrets. It’s like Stefan and I are connected to that brooch, I just don’t know if the destruction will come to us or it is us that will bring destruction.

“Maybe her vision means that I'll go killing spree because I'm losing my patience in finding my brother"

I know there is more to that vision, I felt the darkness and Talia’s eyes were so scared.

“She also found out that I was hiding the white brooch. I mean I made it look like that it was missing but it was just with me all along”

I really feel bad about lying to Clark but I can’t just surrender the white brooch.

"Why?" I see confusion in Stefan’s eyes.

I explained to Stefan that once Aunt Anna will return, she will take the brooch but I am not yet ready to give the brooch away because I feel there is a connection between me and that brooch. One night when I was trying to find Stefan, I brought the white brooch with me, hoping Stefan could help me figure out what are those visions that I saw and why he was there. Before I got home, I had an encounter with the brooch again and this time I saw my mother there and she was alive like she was just sleeping! It was just a short vision because I feel like the brooch is draining all my energy.

“How is all of this my problem?”

“Well first she saw your real identity that you are royal and not just a royal but you are part of the founding families. Second, she sees us as a threat, the witches believe that the white brooch should be locked up or destroyed because it contains black magic, and me hiding it is making matters worse, and Talia seeing us connected to the brooch is even worse. She might tell someone about it or what if she tells the coven about it?”

I moved closer to Stefan and stared at his ocean eyes.

“Look, that brooch might help us in finding my mother and your brother. I just need your help in protecting that brooch and erasing Talia’s memories”

"You do understand, that brooch can be dangerous and you're still putting your life on the line for that thing?"

He looked at me intently but those stares didn’t make me waver, because I want to show him that I’m serious about this.

"I'm putting my life on the line to that small possibility that might save my mother and even if you don’t like me, admit it or not, among all of the people here, you and I have the same priority and it is to save our loved ones who are abducted by the same person”

I believed among everyone else, Stefan could understand me the most that is why I keep coming back at him.

-----

“Why is Herone outside?”

I asked Clark while staring at the window.

“We have an emergency” my cousin quickly answered while fixing his shoes.

“I thought you’re coming with me to The Gala?”

I can’t hide the disappointment on my face.

At the end of September, we have this celebration called The Gala it is about commemorating the founding of this town. I used to like this fest when I was young because there is a parade, a lot of different booths and at night each family will light up a lantern where we put our wishes and together, we will watch it as it flies to the sky. But it will be different now because, I’m not with my family but despite that, I still want to go, I want to make a wish hoping someone from above will answer it.

“What is it this time?”, I face my cousin who is ready to leave.

“A witch died and it happens to be Herone’s friend, Talia. She was found dead with a stake through her heart"

I was stunned upon hearing the news.

“I promise I’ll be home before the lighting of the candle”

All I did was nod then Clark left the house. I sat on the sofa, trembling, unable to believe what had happened.

My phone suddenly vibrated so I opened it and saw a message from Stefan.

STEFAN

Let’s meet at the entrance of Madforest. I already have the witch that you need.

-----