Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 35

Elinor's breath was icy against Laura's neck, her proximity making Laura's skin crawl. Each inhale from Elinor felt like a countdown, the slow, deliberate way she let the moment linger made Laura's pulse throb painfully in her throat. Her mind was racing, trying to find some way out of the vampire's hold, but her body remained frozen, paralyzed by the sharp edge of fear and the weight of Elinor's power. Every instinct screamed at her to move, to fight, but Laura knew one wrong move could mean those fangs sinking into her skin.

Elinor's lips grazed the side of Laura's neck, just a whisper of a touch, but it sent a jolt of panic through her, the coldness seeping under her skin like a death sentence. Her heart pounded furiously, but she forced herself to keep her breathing steady, even as the realization hit—there was no escaping this. If Elinor chose to bite, Laura didn't stand a chance.

Just as Elinor's mouth hovered over her pulse, the hallway exploded with sound—a violent crash behind them, metal against stone—and before Laura could even process what was happening, a furious voice cut through the tension like a blade.

— Hell no!

In the blink of an eye, Elinor was torn away from her, yanked back with such force that Laura stumbled. She nearly fell but managed to catch herself against the wall, eyes wide, heart still racing as she tried to understand what had just happened.

Danny stood between them now, her broad frame casting a protective shadow over Laura. Her hand was wrapped tightly around Elinor's throat, lifting the vampire off the ground as if she weighed nothing.

Elinor's seductive smirk twisted into a feral snarl, her nails scraping viciously at Danny's arm as she struggled against the iron grip holding her. But Danny didn't flinch. Her face was set in a look Laura had never seen before—pure, unyielding fury.

— You're not sinking your fangs into anyone today, Elinor - Danny growled, her voice low and dangerous, each word sharper than the last.

Laura pressed a trembling hand to her neck, the cold imprint of Elinor's breath still lingering. Her pulse was frantic, the rush of adrenaline making it hard to think straight. She watched as Danny held Elinor aloft, fury radiating off her in waves. Danny was always calm, collected, the one to keep a level head. But this—this was something else. There was a fire in her now, a fierce protectiveness that left Laura speechless.

Elinor's eyes glowed with that unsettling, predatory light, her fangs bared in a snarl. She twisted in Danny's grip, her voice dripping with venom.

— You think you can stop me? - she spat, her tone far more vicious than the sultry one she'd used moments ago on Laura. - You're nothing compared to me.

Danny's grip tightened, her muscles rippling with effort as she held Elinor firmly in place.

— I'm more than enough for you - Danny shot back, her voice steady, every word filled with certainty. - You think you're some unstoppable force? Guess what, you picked the wrong human to mess with.

Without warning, Danny slammed Elinor against the nearby wall, the sound echoing violently in the empty hallway. The impact was brutal. Elinor's snarl cut off as the air was knocked from her lungs. She writhed and clawed at Danny, but it was no use. Danny didn't let up, didn't even flinch.

Laura stood frozen, her back pressed against the wall, watching the scene unfold. She had never seen Danny like this, and a part of her didn't know what to make of it. But another part—a larger part—felt a sense of overwhelming relief. Danny was here. She wasn't alone anymore. The threat that had nearly claimed her was now crumbling under Danny's strength.

— Laura - Danny's voice cut through the chaos, calm but firm, as she kept her eyes locked on Elinor. - Get back. I've got this.

Laura nodded wordlessly, her legs shaky as she took a few steps backward, putting as much distance between herself and the confrontation as she could. Her heartbeat was still thundering in her chest, but she felt the tightness in her chest begin to loosen. Danny was in control.