Just Like Fire | J. Saltzman - Legacies [2]

T W E N T Y - S I X

Dark eyes move through the prison world. The fire in her veins had quieted for the first time in years; she can finally think. Spells were necessary—she had to do it or else the light would fight back.

Finding the rest of the prisoners is too easy. Darkness calls to itself, but some are more susceptible to it. The other one goes first as if hoping for a savior in the old Salvatore Boarding House, full of secrets and miracles. No miracle could save the darkness—not yet.

The other one finds Alaric Saltzman and the vampire fighting, taunting each other. The light fights back. "Do something. Don't let her kill him."

The darkness does not need to wave a hand to let the light back in.

The vampire gasps as tears flood her eyes for the first time in ten years. The bloodlust disappears as she stares at her red-stained hands in fear. "I-I'm so sorry," she whispers to the man she trusted years ago.

The other one waves her hand, standing directly behind the vampire. As the body drops, Alaric's eyes widen. "Josie? What did you do?" He demands, looking at the black hair.

"She did nothing." Alaric looks past his daughter to the threshold. The darkness stands without emotion, her eyes pure black. "She asked me to save you," she says, stepping into the room and tilting her head. "So I fixed the vampire."

Instinctively, Alaric steps in front of his daughter. "What did you do, Stella?"

The darkness recoils from the name. "I did what had to be done. I broke the Sandclock." She takes another step forward. "I suggest we find the other one siphoning this magic before it takes a hold of her and never lets go. Come."

The darkness and Josie walk together with Alaric trailing behind them. "What exactly did you do to Jade?" He asks as they walk through the town, following the road out of Mystic Falls. Shaking his head, he grabs Josie's arm, pulling her away from the darkness. "Josie, talk to me—"

"She won't." The darkness rips his hand away, searing his flesh. Alaric grips his hand as Josie takes a step back. "I told her not to speak."

"Why?" Alaric demands as the two witches continue walking.

The darkness sneers. "I do not want to hear what she had to say."

"Stella—"

"I said no."

Alaric frowns. "No to what?"

The darkness pauses in contemplation. "I'm speaking to Josette. You cannot hear her. Only I can. Now, how far?"

"Lizzie's further up the road. I can feel it."

They continue walking even though Alaric will not give up. "Why did you break the Sandclock?"

"I can't remember."

"Are you ok? I mean, are you in pain? Is Josie in pain?" Alaric takes a step in front of the darkness, stopping her pace.

She nods to Josie, letting her continue walking without them. Taking Alaric by the arm, she tugs him closer. "You try to stop me again," she hisses in his ear, "I will destroy you."

Alaric pulls back. "Answer me, Stella."

Again, the darkness cringes. "For the first time in my life, I feel...whole," she says almost painfully. "If I answer your questions now, will you agree to a ceasefire?"

Reluctantly, he nods.

"I remember breaking the Sandclock, but I do not remember why." Her eyes trail to Josie still walking ahead of them, her pace slowed. "Josette still has some fight in her. She is fighting the power of the Sandclock, but she is not in pain."