Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 7

Danny's arms crossed tightly over her chest, a silent challenge lingering in the air as her gaze locked onto Juliette with a mixture of suspicion and concern. Her eyes narrowed, almost as if she were trying to read the unspoken words hanging between them.

— Why do I feel like you're about to drop a bomb on us? - Danny's voice was sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere in the room.

Juliette hesitated, the weight of her plan pressing down on her. She could feel the heat of their stares, each pair of eyes searching her for answers, for reassurance that what she was about to say wouldn't send them all spiraling into chaos. But the truth was, she wasn't sure of that herself. Still, she knew she couldn't back down now. Too much was at stake.

— Because it's risky - Juliette finally admitted, her voice steady despite the knot tightening in her chest. She looked around the room, meeting each of their eyes. Danny's skeptical, Carmilla's intrigued, Laura's concerned, Kirsch confused and Mel's unreadable. - But it might be our best shot at staying ahead of the hunters.

Carmilla, who had been lounging casually against the wall, straightened slightly, her interest piqued. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and something else—perhaps a hunger for the thrill of the unknown.

— Alright, spill - she said, her tone cool but commanding.

Juliette drew in a deep breath, steadying herself for the storm that might follow her next words.

— We need to find Calliope's mom and brother before the hunters do. They're on the run, which makes them vulnerable. If we can track them down, maybe we can convince them to work with us instead of against us.

Danny's expression immediately darkened, disbelief flashing across her face as she uncrossed her arms and stepped forward, her voice incredulous.

— You're telling me we're supposed to team up with a monster hunter? The same hunter whose son you turned into a vampire?"

Juliette winced at the accusation in Danny's tone, but she stood her ground.

— Yes - she said firmly, though the doubts still gnawed at her. - I know it sounds insane, but Calliope's mom isn't just any hunter. She freed her son from the hunters, remember? She hates what they did to him. That means she's not as loyal to them as I thought."

Mel, who had been leaning silently against the doorway, finally spoke up, her voice dripping with dry cynicism.

— Yeah, that sounds like a suicide mission to me.

Juliette shook her head, her desperation to make them understand rising to the surface.

— No, listen to me. Calliope's mom is different. She's gone against the hunters before. She might be willing to do it again if we can show her that working with us is the best way to protect her son.

Laura, ever the strategist, frowned as she mulled over Juliette's words, her hand absently rubbing her temples as she thought it through.

— If Calliope's mom really went against the hunters for her son, maybe she could be open to an alliance - she said slowly, her mind working through the possibilities. - But how do we even find them? They could be anywhere, and the hunters will be looking too.

Juliette felt a spark of hope at Laura's words, knowing that if anyone could find a way to make this work, it was her.

— We start with my family - Juliette said, the idea forming more solidly in her mind as she spoke. - My mom has resources, connections that could help us track them down. And if we can convince my parents that working with Calliope's family is the key to turning vampires into humans, they might actually be on our side.