The head council member revealed yet another prophecy, its message veiled in riddles that held the fate of the vampire realm in balance.
The seers had foretold of an imminent and grave threat, an encroaching evil set to befall their world. Only the strongest vampire from the prestigious Voltorie bloodline had the power to thwart this impending catastrophe.
In a commanding and threatening tone, the head council member declared,
"Retrieve the girl within a week, or we shall dispatch our forces to seize her." His gaze bore intensely into Damien, the tension in the room growing palpable.
Unfazed by the pressure and exuding an aura of quiet confidence, Damien rose from his seat and strolled leisurely toward the podium. Every vampire present watched him with bated breath, curious about his next move.
Although his presence had an imposing effect, he maintained an enigmatic demeanor, giving away little to nothing about his true intentions.
Reaching the podium, the room fell into an expectant hush, all eyes fixed upon Damien. His voice cut through the silence as he expressed his sentiments with icy disdain.
"No one commands me. Absolutely no one. And isn't it peculiar that none of you cared to seek my father until this prophecy emerged? But now he's suddenly your messiah?" Damien's words rang coldly, his bitterness and skepticism evident.
His words hung in the air, challenging the council to confront their own hypocrisy. Damien stood tall, defiant in the face of their newfound reverence for his bloodline.
A shift in power resonated within the chamber, as the council members grappled with the implications of Damien's pointed accusations. The truth of their past indifference had been laid bare, and the weight of their choices now rested upon their shoulders.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense, as the council deliberated their next steps. The course of their collective destiny was at stake, hinging upon the decisions they would make in the face of an impending and unprecedented threat.
Getting to the podium he claimed it and faced the council. From where he stood he could be seen by everyone in the hall.
"I have been entrusted with this prophecy by the Moon Goddess herself, and I shall interpret it and act as I see fit," Damien declared simply, his words inciting another frenzy among the assembled vampires.
"Silence!" bellowed a command that resonated throughout the hall, instantly quelling the chaotic chatter. Vampires turned to each other in confusion, perplexed by their sudden inability to speak, no matter how hard they tried.
A sly smile curled upon Damien's lips as he remarked, "Sending vampires after Lauren? I would relish watching as Veronica Benneth tears them apart, much like she has been doing."
"Why are we unable to speak?" echoed a query within the minds of the vampires, their thoughts filled with bewilderment.
"Did he just compel the entire assembly?" whispered another voice within their collective consciousness.
Chuckling softly, Damien spoke to them telepathically, his voice resounding clearly within their heads.
"Ah, it seems you have discovered my little trick. Yes, I have compelled all of you." Their eyes widened in shock and surprise, from the unforeseen experience of hearing his voice within their very thoughts.
"That's impossible! No vampire possesses such power and telepathy? How is this possible," a council member silently protested in his mind.
"Well, I do. Let me make this unequivocally clear: Should anyone attempt to harm Lauren Turner, I shall come for them and their entire bloodline. And believe me, what I will do cannot be undone," Damien declared with a menacing grin, his piercing golden irises glowing brightly in the hall, sending shivers down the spines of those who beheld them.
"Now then, carry on," he calmly stated before making his way out of the summit with his loyal bodyguards in tow
---
Knocking gently on the door, Lauren waited for her aunt, Veronica Benneth to invite her into her private study. "Come on in Lauren" she said, while Lauren who was pleasantly suprised that her aunt knew she was the one at the door, strolled right in.
"Ah, my dear, it seems you are ready to journey back home. But always remember, this place is your home, and you are always welcome," Aunt Veronica spoke with warmth and affection.
"Of course, Aunt. I will never forget," Lauren replied, her voice filled with gratitude and respect.
Understanding the purpose of Lauren's visit, Aunt Veronica graciously led her to a comfortable seat and disappeared into a drawer, as if delving into a treasure trove.
Returning with two books in hand, Aunt Veronica approached Lauren and placed them gently before her. The first book was adorned in weathered leather, its ancient pages bound by worn ropes, exuding an aura of timeless knowledge.
The second book, smaller in size, appeared to be a personal diary, with the essence of a cherished secret belonging to Lauren's mother.
"This smaller book," Aunt Veronica explained, her voice carrying a tinge of melancholy, "contains your mother's intimate thoughts and experiences, chronicled from the time she first learned to read and write. The larger, much older one is known as the Benneths Grimoire, passed down through generations of our lineage. It was meant to be handed to my sister by our mother before she departed. Now, it is your duty to embrace it in place of your mother."
Lauren accepted the books, feeling an inexplicable connection to the Grimoire. As her fingers brushed across its worn cover, a sense of familiarity washed over her. It was as if she had encountered this book before, in a time and place far removed from her present reality.
As Lauren turned the back of the Grimoire, her eyes fell upon intricate inscriptions etched upon its aged surface. Yet, the script eluded her comprehension, its language looking like something she's never seen before. Perhaps, she pondered, resorting to the aid of Google Translate would unlock the secrets concealed within its pages.
"Thank you, Aunt. I'll definitely immerse myself in these books once I return home," Lauren expressed her gratitude.
Veronica Benneth imparted a final piece of advice, her words carrying a note of assurance, "Remember, my dear, all your questions shall find their answers within these pages. And if they birth even more questions, im always here to help you understand"
Lauren nodded, acknowledging the wisdom behind Veronica's words. Carrying the precious books, she departed from the study, bidding farewell to the chauffeur as he dropped her off at her own residence.