Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 29

Later that night, the group gathered around the dinner table, the atmosphere thick with the exhaustion of the day. Despite the tension, the aroma of Perry and Kirsch's home-cooked meal filled the room, offering a small but fleeting comfort. The vampires sipped their vegan blood, their movements deliberate, almost too calm, while the humans quietly sipped their iced tea. The clink of silverware against plates broke the uneasy quiet, everyone trying to process the chaos of the evening while coming to terms with what lay ahead.

Laf, was the first to break through the tension, leaning back in their chair, scanning the faces around the table.

— Alright, let's cut the silence - they began, wiping their mouth with the back of their hand. - We need to start thinking ahead. Elinor has the Malkia, and Oliver's going after it. We can't afford to sit around and wait for her to make the next move.

Carmilla, set down her glass gently, her dark eyes flicking to Juliette.

— Jules, we might have a window here - she said, her voice quiet but direct. - Oliver isn't actively hunting you, at least for now. Elinor's after you to get her revenge, and that could work in our favor.

Juliette's fingers tightened around her glass, the dark liquid inside barely rippling.

— Are you suggesting I become bait? - Her voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable tension in it.

— Not bait - Carmilla replied, though the word lingered heavily in the air. - A decoy. Elinor can't keep the Malkia and expect to do whatever she wants. But to get to her, we'll need a distraction, something she doesn't see coming. That's you.

Mel, who had been silently watching the exchange, crossed her arms, her gaze hardening.

— It makes sense - she said bluntly. - Elinor's focused on getting power and her revenge. If she thinks you're vulnerable and alone, she'll go after you. While she's distracted, we strike.

Juliette's eyes darkened as she weighed the plan in her mind.

— And if she catches me? - Her voice was lower now, a faint tremor betraying her calm exterior. - She's stronger than she looks.

Carmilla leaned forward, her voice taking on a sharper edge.

— You won't be alone. We'll be right there, ready to hit her where it hurts. This isn't about leaving you defenseless, we'll protect you.

Laura, who had been listening quietly, gently reached for Carmilla's hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

— Carmilla's right - she said softly. - We don't have a lot of options here. Elinor's powerful, and we can't predict Oliver's next move. But we can use the fact that he's not after you right now. That gives us an advantage. We just have to be smart about how we play this.

Kirsch, who had been unusually serious throughout the conversation, nodded slowly.

— We're in this together - he said, his usual goofy grin finally there. - You're not alone.

Perry, who had been quietly stirring a pot of tea, finally spoke up, her voice soft with concern.

— Juliette, are you sure about this? We've all been through a lot, but... this is dangerous, even for you. - Her gaze softened as it met Juliette's, worry etched into every line of her face.

Juliette's eyes flicked to Perry's, her expression softening just slightly.

— I've survived worse - she said, though the weight of her words lingered. She glanced around the table, taking in each of her friends' faces before nodding. - If this is what it takes to stop Elinor from getting full control of the Malkia's power, then I'm in.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the gravity of the decision settling in. Juliette wasn't just a decoy—she was their friend, and the danger she was stepping into felt far too real.

Laf cleared their throat, pushing their plate aside.

— Alright, if Juliette's on board, then we need to get this plan airtight. No loose ends, no surprises. We set up the trap, make it look like Juliette's vulnerable, and when Elinor goes for the bait, we take her out. Hard. No hesitation.

Mel, ever the pragmatist, nodded in agreement.

— Weapons, traps, distractions, we use everything we've got. This has to be flawless.

Laura shot a worried glance at Carmilla, her brow furrowed.

— Carm, are we sure this is the best way to go about it? What if we're underestimating her?

Carmilla sighed, rubbing her thumb over Laura's hand absentmindedly.

— I don't know - she admitted quietly. - But it's the only shot we have right now. Elinor won't expect us to use Juliette like this, and we'll be prepared. We'll protect her. - Her gaze flicked back to Juliette. - You won't be alone, Jules. None of us are leaving you to face her by yourself.

Juliette gave a small, tight-lipped smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

— Let's just make sure this works - she said, her voice barely above a whisper. - I'm not a fan of playing bait for long.

Kirsch broke the brief silence.

— So, how do we even find Elinor? - he asked, glancing between everyone at the table.

— We go back to school - Carmilla said simply, her tone matter-of-fact.

Juliette's expression shifted to one of hesitation.

— School? I... I don't know if I can face Calliope again. Not after last time.

Laura gave her a sympathetic look.

— I know it's hard, Jules, but school's safer. The hunters won't attack you there, not with so many civilians around.

Carmilla nodded in agreement.

— Elinor already tried to attack you there, and with me by your side. If she thinks you're alone, she'll come for you. It's the best chance we've got.

Danny, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, spoke up.

— You won't be alone. She knows Carmilla's face, but she doesn't know ours.

Laura leaned in, her voice full of determination.

— Exactly. Carm will stay here and wait for us, but the rest of us will be with you, keeping a distance. We'll blend in.

Perry raised her hand slightly, glancing between Carmilla and Laura.

— I'll stay here with Carmilla. We'll set up the cameras and weapons Laf brought. We need the house secure, just in case.

Carmilla rolled her eyes but nodded.

— Yeah, lucky me - she muttered sarcastically, though a small smirk played on her lips.

Juliette finally relaxed, just a little.

— You know, this plan sounds crazy. But it might just work.

As the night wore on, the group continued to hammer out the details, their voices growing softer but more determined. Plates of food were left untouched as they meticulously plotted their next move.

There was no room for error, no space for mistakes, not when the stakes were this high.