"Finn, those witches give me a bad feeling," said Sage as they drove away from the compound.
"I know, isn't it great?" said Finn.
"You think it's great?" Sage asked, confused.
Finn grinned, "Yeah, I like how devious she thinks she is. Reminds me of Klaus. I'm gonna enjoy killing her."
"Well, as long as you know," said Sage, looking out the window.
Nearing their destination, Finn checks his pockets to ensure he has everything.
"What is this thing you want done that you don't want anyone else to know about?" asked Sage.
Finn smiled, "Secret."
"Even from me?" asked Sage.
"Especially you," said Finn jokingly.
Sage frowned.
"Relax, you'll know what it is afterward. Mostly," Finn coyly said.
Pulling up the driveway, he parks at the house. "Wait here, I want it to be a surprise."
"A surprise?" she asked.
"Yeah, be back soon," said Finn, hopping out and heading to the front door.
As he approached, the door opened. "You are?" came a deep, feminine voice from within, radiating power and awe.
Finn snorted, "Quit the dramatics, I was told the witch Linda resided here and was willing to deal with anyone given the right price."
"I am, and I do," replied a much more subdued voice from a curly, dark-haired middle-aged woman appearing from behind a corner.
"I have a spell I'd like performed, it may be a bit power-intensive, but I have all the materials here to see it done, are you willing?" asked Finn.
"I am, and it shouldn't be a problem. I've long since infused this home with magic beyond any average practitioner's imagination. The question is, can you pay the price?" asked Linda.
"Name it, there's nothing I can't deliver," said Finn confidently, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the bombastic rhetoric.
"Hmm, in that case, let's see what we're working with first, come in," said Linda, inviting him inside her in-home professionally set office with all the witch propaganda you can imagine placed strategically around to please tourists.
He was beginning to think this was a mistake, and he should try another.
"Don't worry vampire, everything I said is true," said Linda, catching his lingering gaze on her many baubles.
Hearing his status called out put him a little more at ease. She must be experienced enough to sense the magical objects on him and instantly come to that conclusion.
"Is it the ring that gave me away?" he asked for confirmation. She was known for making daylight rings after all.
"It was, though the necklace is curious. May I ask what it's for?" asked the witch, taking a seat behind the desk.
"No," said Fin, sitting opposite her.
"Very well. Let's get to why you are here, then. Show me," said Linda, holding out her hand, not taking his denial to heart.
Taking out two rings and other required materials, he carefully pulled out a page and handed it over.
Her eyes widened the more she read. On it were detailed magical instructions on advanced, powerful linking spells far beyond any she knew or ever heard of. A page Mary would have died trying to get had she known it was on him.
"This, this is amazing. Where on earth did you get this? I can't believe a witch capable of crafting something like this let it fall into the hands of some random vamp," said Linda, going over the page multiple times.
"So, you can do it?" questioned Finn.
Linda slowly looked up from the page with a predatory gaze, "I can."
"And what do you want in return?" asked Finn.
"The page," came the quick response.
He did his best to look like it was a difficult decision before accepting, "Alright, I guess I won't need it afterward."
Linda grinned, "Excellent, follow me to my ritual chamber."
Inside the darkened room, she drew the necessary magic circle and runic letters, placing the ingredients in their proper places with the two rings in the middle.
"This would go better if you placed the intended recipient's blood on the chosen rings. It'll prevent others from being able to use it," she commented while double-checking her work.
"Hm, I'll be right back," he said, grabbing one of the available empty vials from her and speeding out to the car.
"Finished?" asked Sage.
"Not quite, if you would be so kind as to bleed into this for me," said Finn, handing the vial over.
"Um, okay," said Sage, biting into her hand. Knowing it would be pointless to ask again.
"Thanks," said Finn, speeding back to the room before the witch could do anything shady.
"I have it," said Finn.
"I guess the woman outside is the intended user. Strange, is she not also a vampire? What use would you get from this?" asked a perplexed Linda.
Finn didn't bother dignifying that with a response.
"Right, who am I to question what my client wants? Let's get started, then. Put the blood on the rings, and I'll begin," said Linda.
Starting the chant, he could feel the magic fill the room, taking the offerings, and coalescing into the rings. It all seemed rather simple at the end of the day. Most of the impressive work had been done by his Mother in its creation, though why she never utilized it was beyond him. She must have been taken out before she could the first time around and then forgot about it once she was awoken, likely overwhelmed by everything new, much like he would have been if he didn't regain consciousness while under and woke with a clear goal in mind.
Of course, there was the fact that she intended to wipe out all vampires in atonement after learning of their bloody history and the unintended side effect of being able to create more monsters. Thus, leaving no one to carry the burden for her. He regrets not asking about what she intended to do once they were all gone.
"It's done," Linda said, slightly out of breath.
"Thanks, you've been a great help. Kinda makes me feel bad for what I'm about to do," said Finn.
"What do..."
He sped over, tearing her head off, the protective magic that should have instantly reacted completely ineffective against him, thanks to his amulet.
Taking the rings, he speeds back out to the car, "Almost done," he tells Sage, popping the truck and taking out the canisters of gasoline to burn the place down.
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