Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 21

As soon as Danny, Mel, and Kirsch were out the door, a heavy stillness settled over the house. The buzz of activity from earlier lingered in the air, but now the focus shifted to those left behind. Laf, Perry, Laura, Carmilla, and Juliette exchanged glances, the weight of responsibility falling squarely on their shoulders.

Carmilla sprawled back in her chair, stretching her legs and nonchalantly flicking imaginary dust off her leather jacket.

— Alright, nerds. What's the game plan for Team 'Backup and Bookworms'? I assume we're not just sitting around waiting for the others to trip over something - she said with a lazy smirk.

Laf, eyes glued to an ancient text, barely looked up. Their pen scribbled furiously in the margins.

— We're diving into these counter-spells, but there's a problem. We don't even know if Elinor's using magic.

Laura, ever thoughtful, chimed in.

— Elinor's smart, calculated. If she's using magic, it won't be something basic. We'll need something stronger, more advanced.

Perry, who had been running her fingers over the spine of another dusty tome, nodded.

— If she's cloaking herself, she's using spells that aren't common anymore. That's why we're stuck here, combing through these ancient texts.

Carmilla groaned dramatically, draping herself over the back of her chair.

— Ugh, ancient spells. Why can't it ever be something simple, like turning the magic off and on again?

Laura laughed, nudging her wife.

— You should know by now, babe, nothing with us is ever simple.

Juliette, quiet until now, shifted uneasily. She had been wrapped up in the emotional storm of everything that had happened, but Elinor and Oliver were still looming threats. She glanced at the books, then at the group, trying to find her place in this new dynamic.

— I don't know much about ancient magic - Juliette admitted, her voice hesitant. - But I know Elinor. She wouldn't hide unless it served her. She's always got an angle.

Laf's head snapped up, their interest piqued.

— That's exactly what we need. What else do you know? Habits, weaknesses, anything might help.

Before Juliette could dive deeper, Carmilla cut in, standing up from her chair.

— Seems like you've got everything under control here. I'll be in the study, working on my book. If you need me, just yell.

— Wait, I'm getting my camera! - Laura said excitedly, bolting upstairs. - It's been forever since I filmed anything, this is the perfect time.

Juliette, feeling the conversation slip from her grasp, tried to refocus.

— Elinor thrives on control. She enjoys making people feel powerless before she strikes. She's probably waiting for us to make a mistake.

Perry's eyes lit up.

— So, she's not just hiding. She's watching, waiting for us to get comfortable.

Juliette nodded.

— Exactly. If I know her, she's somewhere safe, keeping an eye on us, waiting for the right moment.

Perry slammed her book shut, the sound sharp in the silence.

— That changes everything. We're not just searching for her; we're walking right into her trap.

Laf grimaced.

— Which she's probably already set. Great.

A tense quiet settled over the room, everyone processing what Juliette had said. This wasn't just about finding Elinor anymore. They had to outsmart her.