[VD] Ch 24: The Fourth Talisman

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When Liz's car came barreling toward them, Jack lost interest in Damon. The last thing he wanted was to reveal himself in front of her. Maybe she would think he was a Vampire.

Instead, he bolted—fast. Because he could finally feel it: another talisman had awakened.

A new power, an easier way to kill vampires. And he first felt the change right after killing Logan. 

Jack didn't even bother with his car. He triggered the Rabbit Talisman and sprinted all the way home. By the time he dropped onto his bed, his focus was entirely on the twelve talismans slowly rotating in his mind. Four of them were shining now.

Rabbit Talisman — for Super Speed

Horse Talisman — for Healing & Regeneration

Dog Talisman — for Immortality & Rejuvenation

And the newest one: the Snake Talisman.

"Not bad," he muttered to himself. "Invisibility? That's good power. Perfect for an ambush."

He climbed off the bed, grabbed some objects, and tested the Snake Talisman. To his delight, everything he held vanished right along with him. Guns, bows, crossbows—any ranged weapon he carried would stay invisible too. If he attacked from a few meters away, how could anyone dodge? The more he thought about it, the more he realized a crossbow would be even better. Silent, fast, and paired with the Rabbit Talisman's speed and the Snake Talisman's stealth, he could kite a whole nest of vampires until they dropped.

"Must've killed a vampire to unlock it," he reasoned once the excitement settled.

His mind drifted to Damon, and a cold smile touched his lips. "If Damon doesn't leave tomorrow, I'll finish him off. Even if it's not for the talisman, I really can't stand him."

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The next morning, Jack stacked the Snake and Rabbit Talismans, ran to where his car had been parked, then drove over to Stefan's place.

"Anybody home?" he called, banging casually on the door.

"Jack?" Stefan opened up.

"You're still here? Where's Damon? Is he inside too?" Jack asked immediately.

"I don't know. I'm looking for him myself," Stefan said anxiously. "But we are about to leave."

"Oh, that so? Well, if he's gone, you should pack up and leave too. Or go find him, your choice," Jack suggested, clearly eager to have both brothers out of his sight.

With that, he turned and left, pleased not to see Damon for a change.

At school, his mood improved further. Maybe he could actually catch up on classes and secure a diploma. Damon and the other vampires had already made him miss too many days. If his identity hadn't been carefully arranged, his guardian would've been blowing up his phone by now.

Bored, he wandered into the library—his first time there.

"You're kidding. Vampires aren't real," Jeremy was arguing with a girl at one of the tables.

"There's no written record, but ever since the Civil War there've been rumors. My grandfather told me stories, said his grandfather told them to him," the girl insisted.

"Yeah, and they were just metaphors. Vampires represented bad people back then," Jeremy countered.

The two were locked in debate. Jack smirked and was about to walk past when something caught his eye. The girl's ring.

It was identical to the ones Damon and Stefan wore. Same ugly design. Honestly, whoever crafted those had terrible taste.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jack cut in smoothly.

"Jack?" Jeremy recognized him. Caroline's boyfriend, his sister's best friend's boyfriend—not close, but familiar enough.

"Hey Jeremy. Not bad," Jack teased with a grin. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"This is Anna. She's homeschooled, just here doing research," Jeremy said.

"Nice to meet you, Anna." Jack shook her hand politely. His gaze dropped, deliberately, to the ring.

"Mind if I take a look at your ring? A friend of mine used to have one almost exactly like it. I really liked the design, but he lost it. If it matches, I'd pay a good price."

Anna shifted uncomfortably. "Sorry… it's a family heirloom. I can't sell it."

"That's a shame. Maybe just let me see it up close? I'd be satisfied just to admire it," Jack pressed gently.

Anna shook her head apologetically. "There's a rule in my family. Unless it's being passed down to the next generation, it can't be taken off."

"Really now? Pity." Jack smiled, but his eyes were sharp. "Well, I won't bother you two anymore. Goodbye, Jeremy, Anna."

He left the library casually. But the moment no one was watching, he slipped into invisibility and doubled back.

He shadowed them until nightfall, tailing them all the way to a bar. Watching them chat and hang out tested his patience, but eventually they split up. Jack followed Anna into a side street.

"Don't move. Try anything and I'll put this straight through your heart," he growled, one arm clamping around her neck while the other pressed a wooden stake to her back.

"Jack?" Anna gasped, shocked. She hadn't seen him coming at all—she hadn't even realized he could vanish like that.

"You turned Logan, didn't you? That ring on your hand… the only ones I've seen like it belong to Stefan and Damon. What's your game?" He already suspected her interest in the vampires buried beneath the church, but he played dumb.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Anna said, feigning innocence.

"Fine. Then don't blame me for what happens next." 

"NOW!" Anna seized the moment. She cried out for her partner, who had been waiting nearby, and at the same time she grabbed Jack's arm and flipped him clean over her shoulder.

As Jack hit the ground, another vampire appeared out of nowhere, yanking him and tossing him deeper into the alley. By the time he scrambled up, Anna and her companion were gone. Their speed alone told him enough—they weren't newborns. They had to be at least a century old, maybe two, and well-fed on human blood.

Jack clenched his jaw. He had no way to track them—no vampire hearing, no scent to follow. Chasing was pointless. With a scowl, he retrieved his keys from the ground and headed back to his little house.

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