Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 24

As Juliette wrapped up her tense story of how Elinor had stolen the Malkia, the atmosphere in the room felt like it could snap at any second. Every word hung heavy in the air, a quiet sense of dread settling over the group. The sudden screech of tires outside shattered that silence, slicing through it like a blade. Heads whipped toward the door, tension crackling in the air.Before anyone could react, the door slammed open with a bang, and Kirsch stumbled in, panting as though he'd sprinted the entire way. His face was flushed, breath coming in ragged gasps, and he barely managed to get the words out between wheezes.

— Yo! Danny's at the docks! - he blurted, his voice frantic, almost bouncing in place. His arms flailed wildly as he continued, - And there's this... crazy beautiful witch doing—witch things!

The manic energy radiating from him was a stark contrast to the palpable fear in his eyes, an odd mix of awe and terror flashing across his flushed face. Behind him, Mel entered, her usually calm demeanor strained, lips pressed into a tight line as she shoved Kirsch aside.

— Danny's in trouble, - Mel said, her voice flat, her eyes sharp. Her urgency cut through Kirsch's chaos like a knife. - She needs backup, fast.

Carmilla, who had been lounging lazily in her chair, one leg draped over the armrest, looked for all the world like she couldn't care less. But the moment Mel's words landed, her entire posture changed. The playful smirk that typically curled her lips vanished in an instant, replaced by a lethal, focused intensity. She shot to her feet, the shift in her mood as sharp and sudden as a blade being unsheathed.

— I'm going, – she said, already halfway to the door, her body moving with a predator's grace.

— Wait, – Juliette called, her voice calm but commanding. She stepped forward, the cool composure in her tone belying the storm of emotions raging beneath her skin. Her heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to stay steady, moving with purpose. - I'm coming with you.

Carmilla paused, casting a glance over her shoulder. Her dark eyes narrowed in skepticism, but there was something else in her gaze—concern, maybe, or a test of Juliette's resolve.

— You sure, Jules? – she asked, her voice teasing, but there was no mistaking the edge of seriousness beneath it. - This isn't going to be pretty. Things could get real ugly, real fast.Juliette met her gaze head-on, her chin lifting defiantly.

— I've handled ugly before, - she replied evenly, her voice steady as steel. - I can handle it again.

Before Carmilla could respond, Laura shot up from her spot on the couch, her hands wringing together in worry.

— Carm—just... be careful, okay? - The words trembled in the air, soft but heavy with emotion. She crossed the room quickly, her hand reaching instinctively for Carmilla's.

Without hesitation, Laura pulled her into a kiss, and though it wasn't rushed, there was an undeniable urgency to it. The kiss lingered, loaded with everything left unsaid, a desperate plea for her to come back safely.

— Don't do anything reckless, - Laura whispered as they broke apart, her breath shaky. Her hand tightened around Carmilla's, as if that grip could hold her there, stop her from rushing into danger.

Carmilla's trademark smirk flickered back for just a moment, the playful glint in her eyes returning briefly.

— Reckless? Me? - she quipped, raising an eyebrow. But then her expression softened as she squeezed Laura's hand. - I'll come back, Cupcake. Promise. - Her voice was quieter now, more serious, a weight to the words that wasn't lost on anyone in the room. - And you guys stay here, wait for us.

Juliette, watching the exchange from a few steps away, felt a strange, uncomfortable knot form in her chest. Was it jealousy? Maybe. Or something deeper, more complicated. Calliope's name definitely still on her mind. But now wasn't the time to unpack it. Elinor and Oliver were still out there, causing chaos, and Danny needed them.

Without another word, Carmilla and Juliette shared a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They didn't need to speak. In a flash, they were out the door, their vampire speed turning them into blurs of motion as they raced toward the docks, leaving the others in stunned silence.

For a brief moment, the room felt hollow in their absence, the weight of what was about to unfold pressing down on everyone left behind. Laura stood frozen, her hand still outstretched as if she could pull Carmilla back. She blinked, inhaling sharply as reality snapped back into place.

— Alright, - she said, her voice shaky at first before it steadied. - We're not just sitting here. The rest of us, we're going too. - Her eyes widened with determination as she looked at the others. - We need to help.

Laf was already flipping through a worn spellbook, their fingers flying over the pages with a frantic precision.

— I'll start prepping counter-spells, - they muttered, their eyes scanning the text. - If this witch is as powerful as Kirsch says, we'll need all the help we can get.

Mel grabbed the van keys, her jaw set in determination.

– Everyone, to the van. We're not letting Danny face this alone.

The room erupted into motion as everyone scrambled to follow her lead. Laura hesitated for just a moment, her gaze lingering on the door where Carmilla had disappeared. The fear that Carmilla might not come back clawed at her heart, but she forced it down, taking a deep breath. She had to believe in her. She had to believe that Carmilla would return.

With a final, steadying breath, Laura joined the others, sliding into the passenger seat of the van. The doors slammed shut, and Kirsch, practically vibrating with nervous energy, slammed his foot on the gas. The van lurched forward, speeding toward the docks with reckless urgency.

Laf's voice hummed quietly from the back, muttering spells as they worked through the pages of their book, searching for any advantage they could muster. The streets flew by in a blur, the weight of what lay ahead pressing on them with every passing second.

Laura's knuckles turned white as she gripped the armrest, her mind a whirlwind of worst-case scenarios. But one thought kept cutting through the chaos in her mind:

We've survived worse. We'll get through this. We have to.