Seizing the opportunity to dissipate the mounting hostility, Vanessa offered a potential solution, her words laced with determination.
"I can invoke the ancient passages of the dark magic, sparing your coven from any involvement. Together, we can locate Lauren and ensure a win win outcome for all parties involved. Besides, I am rather fond of Lauren," she stated, redirecting the attention of the onlookers towards her.
Alanna, raising an important concern, voiced her apprehension. "But what about the witches' council?"
Venessa responded with a smile, her confidence undeterred. "And what about them?" she quipped.
"Arent you afraid of being excommunicated and stripped of your powers?" Ariana asked
"Honey, i hold no allegiance to the witches' council, for they branded me an outcast merely due to my hybrid nature. But I must say, I'd relish seeing them try to strip me of my powers," she added, winking playfully at Ariana, who responded with an eye roll, prompting Venessa to release a light chuckle.
"Do you truly hold no fear of the council?" Ariana persisted with yet another question.
"No, my fear is reserved solely for your mother, whom I deeply respect," Venessa responded, her gaze fixed upon Madame Veronica.
Alanna leaned in, whispering to her mother, urging her to accept Venessa's offer, as it seemed their options were limited. With a heavy sigh, Veronica mumbled to herself, "I hope I do not live to regret this decision." She then gave the order for the security personnel to open the gates, allowing Damien and his group to enter the estate.
As they crossed the threshold, Damien commanded his guards to remain outside the gates, ensuring a measure of privacy. They proceeded, walking a considerable distance before arriving at the grand mansion. Damon couldn't help but express his admiration, marveling at the opulence and beauty of their surroundings.
Veronica led the way, guiding them through a series of ornate hallways until they arrived at a spacious, empty room—a vast expanse devoid of furniture, yet permeated with the scent of lavender. The atmosphere within held an air of mystique, captivating in its serene nature.
"What is this place?" Derek inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Hush," Alanna cautioned him, urging for silence.
Veronica Benneth chanted an incantation, "Lolli sencturum evioda," and instantly, the once empty room transformed. It became bathed in the gentle glow of flickering candlelight, adorned with various artifacts of witchcraft that hung from the walls.
Venessa smiled knowingly upon recognizing the powerful magic at play. Only a select few witches possessed this level of mastery, and she was pleased to see that Veronica Benneth was among them.
Veronica addressed the group, instructing them, "Do not touch anything and wait here while I retrieve the plant." With that, she exited the room.
Venessa, unable to resist her impulsive nature, invoked her own spell, "Resiacá manoir visibilium." Immediately, the ceiling transformed, shimmering with a tapestry of starry lights. Ariana couldn't help but marvel at the enchanting display.
"She specifically said not to touch anything," Ariana scolded Venessa.
"But I didn't," Venessa shrugged, unapologetic.
"Well, turn it off," Ariana insisted.
"No, I rather like it this way," Venessa insisted defiantly. Thus, a playful argument ensued between the two, with Veronica Benneth later returning to the room, interrupting their banter.
"Here it is," Veronica Benneth declared, presenting Venessa with the cleansed plant. Venessa accepted it, placing it carefully inside a bowl she had spotted. With a flick of her hand, the plant transformed into a smooth paste. She then walked to the center of the room, flicking her hand once more, summoning a white circle adorned with a triangle and surrounding it with candles of different hues.
"Do you ever do anything manually?" Ariana quipped, unimpressed with Venessa's show of magic.
"Why should I bother with manual labor when I can accomplish it magically?" Venessa countered.
"I need something that belongs to Lauren," Venessa explained, and Alanna promptly handed her a picture of Lauren.
Venessa collected the picture and the bowl of oxandra paste, settling herself within the confines of the circle. She smeared the paste onto Lauren's picture, carefully placing it atop a lit candle, allowing the flames to consume it until all that remained were ashes.
Gathering the ashes, Venessa blew them into the air, closing her eyes and commencing her incantation. The room fell into a hushed silence as all eyes fixed upon her.
The witches marveled at the ancient and resonant incantation that echoed throughout the space. Moments later, the flame on the candle intensified, flaring up furiously.
"She's bleeding from the nose," Ariana observed, a hint of panic creeping into her voice.
"Dark magic always carries its consequences. Otherwise, everyone would be practicing it," Veronica Benneth offered solemnly as they watched the unfolding scene.
Minutes passed, and the candlelight flickered and died out. Venessa opened her eyes, their irises temporarily pure white before returning to their deep blue hue.
"I have found her," Venessa declared, drawing a long-awaited breath.
"Where?" echoed the anxious voices in the room.
"Iceland," she responded calmly, observing the varied reactions that ensued.
"How is that even possible, she was here few hours ago?" Alanna said.
"Not if you are travelling through a portal" Venessa interjected.
"Portal" the Benneth witches chorused.
"It is imperative that we depart with utmost haste, for I overheard their intentions to transport her to another country, precisely to their leader, Vladimir Nabokov," Venessa urgently conveyed, busily cleaning the bloodstains from her face.
Raising her hand, Venessa gestured for Ariana's assistance, which Ariana readily provided. However, upon rising to her feet, a wave of dizziness engulfed Venessa, causing Ariana to catch her for support.
"Are you alright?" Ariana asked, genuine concern lacing her voice.
"Nothing a cup of coffee wouldn't fix," Venessa replied, flashing a warm smile, her dimple accentuating her beauty.
A few minutes later, Venessa stood prepared and invigorated, having indulged in a cup of coffee thoughtfully brewed by Ariana.
"If anyone intends to go to Iceland, kindly make it known before I open the portal," Venessa stated. The vampires, of course, expressed their readiness to embark on the mission. Marcel, understanding the gravity of the situation, stepped forward, offering his presence as well. The Benneth sisters, determined and resolute, also joined the ranks for the raid.
"Marcel, please watch over them," Veronica Benneth, her voice filled with apprehension, requested of Marcel, her concern evident as she feared for the safety of her daughters.
"We will be fine, Mum. Besides, the strongest vampires will be accompanying us," Ariana reassured, embracing her worried mother.
"Is that a compliment?" Venessa teased, unable to resist a playful quip.
"No," Ariana retorted, rolling her eyes playfully, while the vampires chuckled at their banter.
"Take care," Veronica whispered, her parting words filled with a mix of worry and advice. With that, all eight of them stepped into the portal created by Venessa, vanishing from the immediate realm.