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"You can't actually believe her, Lexie!"
He gestured toward the evidence Meredith Fell had brought to his niece while Jenna quietly sobbed behind him.
Sniffling, the Bloodwood heir shook her head. "I admit I didn't believe her at first either, Ric. But..." She picked up Samantha Gilbert's journal. "Samantha Gilbert here describes everything you're going through right now! The memory loss, the irrational thoughts, the lack of self-identity- everything!" She rushed over to him, removing his ring and holding it aloft. "You're wearing a ring that allows you to deceive death and come back as good as new! Do you really think something that powerful wouldn't change you into someone you're not!?"
The vampire hunter fell silent, sitting back down beside his crying girlfriend. He had already read the journal himself. He knew she wasn't wrong.
He turned to Jenna, "Why did you tell Meredith about my blackouts?"
The redhead blinked twice, then exhaled shakily. "Because I got scared, Ric." Her voice laced with emotion. "You talk in your sleep, saying all kinds of weird things about vampires and vengeance. You have constant blackouts, don't feel like yourself, and keep losing your weapons, only for someone to turn up dead by them the next day! I-" She squeezed her eyes shut, a whimper escaping her throat. "I got scared when I saw you stabbing yourself like it was nothing, just so you could be brought back to life. I got scared for you, for the kids, for everyone else. I-" She shook her head and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms. "I'm sorry."
The Saltzman male pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head while Alexandra knelt before them.
"It's the truth, Ric," she whispered, and he inhaled sharply. "Deep down, you know it, too. And none of this is your fault." She held up his ring, ignoring the tears in her own eyes. "This is responsible for your condition and every murder you've committed so far." She placed a reassuring hand on his thigh. "And I promise you, I won't let you go any further down. I'm not going to lose another Uncle."
Tears welled in Alaric's eyes as he reached for her hand and pulled her onto the couch with him, wrapping her in an embrace too.
Jenna sniffled, raising her head and wiping her tears away. "So, uh..." She cleared her throat. "How do we fix this?"
The Bloodwood heir straightened, her eyes meeting her uncle's. "I've already contacted the Seelies through Patroclus. They will prepare a magical brew for you, to put this... alter ego of yours to sleep while I create a new ring for you and Jeremy. Something safer, and that won't corrupt you."
