Awakened (Book #5 of the Vampire Legends). Emma Knight

We have to come up with a plan. We still have a few days. We have to stop Violet. We can’t let her end all of the vampire covens,” Benji said, trying to act calm.

      “Benji! Stop trying to pretend this isn’t a big deal,” Matilda said. “Maybe you don’t realize what a huge calamity this is going to be. THIS IS IT FOR US! Don’t you understand that?”

      “Matilda, I didn’t say it’s not a big deal, but if we sit here and panic about it, it isn’t going to DO ANYTHING. We have to find the mirror. The Waverly Mirror. That is the only way we can get out of this situation and save ourselves and the other covens. We MUST DO SOMETHING!” Benji yelled.

      “But where is the Waverly Mirror?” Penelope sighed. “Why must we always be on a mission to find these objects? Can we ever catch a break around here?”

      “Listen, Penelope. It’s what we have to do. When you sign on to be a vampire, these are the things you must do. It’s not a choice that we have. It’s an obligation. It’s our duty to save our brothers and sister, our aunts and uncles, our ancestors. It’s the only way,” Hunter said.

      “The Coven Book said that the Waverly Mirror is located off the coast of Africa, on one of the Canary Islands. I’m not sure exactly which island, the book didn’t say, but it’s on one of them,” Benji said.

      “How are we ever going to find it?” Penelope said in a whiney voice.

      “Don’t worry. We will do it together, the four of us,” Benji said. “Together we can accomplish anything. With all our smarts, we’re sure to find it…somewhere!”

      “I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Hunter said. “It’s probably well hidden and since nobody has gained possession of the Varithian Bracelet in thousands of years, it is probably well concealed.”

      “You’re right, Brother, but we have to at least attempt to find it. We can’t just wait for Violet to attack. We have to try and stop her. Are you suggesting we do nothing?” Benji said.

      “Not at all! We have to do something but we have to go together,” Hunter said.

      “Well, this is not going to be an easy feat,” Matilda said. “Speaking of easy feat, you will never guess who stopped by here the other day looking for you and Rachel.”

      “Who?” Benji said. “What are you talking about?”

      “Remember that guy Rob? He said he know you from AHS. Well he came by desperately looking for Rachel. He said he had to find her and asked if I knew where she was,” Matilda said. “It seems like everyone is on a mission looking for something or someone these days.”

      “WHAT?” Benji yelled. “What do you mean? And why did it take this long for you to tell me this news?”

      “Why are you getting so angry? Isn’t he a friend of yours?” Matilda said.

      “A FRIEND! NO NEVER! AN ENEMY!” Benji couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

      “OH GOSH, I’m sorry, Benji. I had no idea,” Matilda said.

      “So, what happened? What did you tell him?” Benji asked.

      “Well, he said it was an emergency. He said he had to find her to set things right. I didn’t know what he was talking about but it seemed urgent. He seemed desperate to see her so I took him to Uncle Drew’s crystal ball. I used it to pin point her location and to show him where she was,” Matilda said in shame. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was an enemy to you and Rachel. Oh gosh, what have I done?”

      “This is a nightmare. Rob is after Rachel and in a few days time we are all going to die. I can’t think of anything worse!” Benji said, putting his head in his hands. “This is just awful.”

      “What are you going to do?” Matilda said.

      “Benji, what is he going to do to Rachel?” Hunter asked. “You know he’s always had a thing for her. At lease that’s what I heard.”

      “I have to go save her. I have to stop Rob from getting to her first. She can’t be influenced by him. I can’t let this happen,” Benji said.

      “But Benji, Rachel doesn’t remember you. You said it yourself. Even if you got to her before Rob, it wouldn’t make a difference. She wouldn’t know who you are or why you’d be trying to stop her from seeing Rob,” Penelope said.

      “I have to go. I must. I have to save her, she would do it for me,” Benji said.

      He was seething with anger and jealousy. He wished that Rachel had remembered him. If she had, none of this would be happening. He couldn’t let her get back together with Rob. Especially after all they’d been through together. He had to find a way for her to remember him. He had to win her back and get her out of the amnesia spell. He didn’t know how he was going to do it but his heart was pulling him towards her. He had to get to her and stop Rob. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.

      “I’m sorry, I can’t go with you to find the Waverly Mirror. I have to go be with Rachel!” Benji said.

      “What do you mean you’re not going to come with us? We had a whole plan. Now what are we going to do?” Hunter said.

      “You’re going to have to go on without me. I’m sorry,” Benji answered.

      “Please tell me you are kidding,” Matilda said. “You are going to sacrifice our whole coven and the whole world for a girl who doesn’t even remember you? For someone who could care less about you or our Vladdicus Coven?”

      “Stop saying that, Matilda! She WILL remember me. She will. I just have to prove to her who I am and our history together. She will come to, I know she will,” Benji said hopefully.

      “I can’t believe you are throwing us to the wolves like this,” Hunter said. “This is disappointing of you.”

      “Hunter, put yourself in my shoes. If this were you and Penelope would you try to save her? Would you try to save your love or would you let some other guy steal her away from you while you sit and watch idly by?” Benji said. “I don’t think you would. You have to understand where I’m coming from.”

      Benji watched as Hunter looked over at Penelope and smiled. “I love you,” Hunter said to Penelope. “I love you more!” she whispered back.

      “I understand, Benji,” Hunter said. “You go and do what you have to do. We will go alone. But once you get to Rachel please bring her and come help us find the mirror. We need all the help we can get.”

      “Great idea, Hunter! Bring Rachel. We could use her. She’s a smart girl,” Matilda said.

      “OK, you three go and I, well…we will catch up with you as soon as we can.”

      “Hurry! There’s no time to waste. You have a big search ahead of you,” Benji said.

      The four of them came together in the middle of the room and held out their hands to do their secret coven handshake. It’d been a while since he’d done the handshake, but felt it was an appropriate time as they were all setting out on their missions.

      “1-2-3-Vladdicus!” Benji said. “We can do it guys. Stay strong!”

      “Good luck, Benji,” Penelope, Hunter and Matilda said. “Hurry back to us. We can’t do this without you.”

      “Please go! You will make good headway until I return,” Benji said.

      With that Benji walked out onto the marble balcony, stood there for a moment and then took off into the night sky. He had to get to Rachel and fast. He knew he didn’t have much time before Rob would get there and he had to stop them from falling in love. He couldn’t let it happen. The mere thought devastated him and made his body feel weak inside. A tear rolled down his cheek just thinking of her not wanting to be with him anymore.

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