Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 37

The tension in the air at the house was palpable, heavy enough that even Perry was nervous. Carmilla paced restlessly near the window, her eyes flickering between the clock and the front door, while Perry quietly sipped her tea from the couch, unsure of how to break the oppressive silence. Every second felt like it stretched on forever.

Carmilla's anxiety grew with each passing moment. She hated waiting—hated the idea that Laura and the rest of them were out there facing Elinor without her. Her mind conjured worst-case scenarios one after another. The weight of responsibility, of protecting Laura from every danger imaginable, pressed down on her. She couldn't stand being left behind.

Finally, the front door swung open, and Carmilla's head snapped toward it, relief mingled with irritation as Kirsch's voice boomed through the room.

— Phew! That was wild! - he exclaimed, grinning like an oblivious fool as he wiped sweat from his brow. Danny followed, dragging a subdued Elinor behind her, tightly bound in the silver net they'd used to subdue her.

Carmilla's eyes locked onto Laura, standing just behind them, looking small and exhausted.

— We owe D-Bear big time for saving Laura's life - Kirsch added with a casual laugh. - Seriously, Carm, you should thank her. She totally saved your girl's ass back at the school!

Carmilla froze. Her body went cold.

— What? - she whispered, her voice tight. Kirsch's words replayed in her head, slow and painful, like a cruel echo. Laura had been in danger?

Kirsch blinked, looking between Carmilla and Laura, confused by the sudden tension.

— Yeah, Laura got in a real mess with Elinor. But don't worry, Danny swooped in, all badass, and saved her before things got worse.

— Shut up, Kirsch - Mel said, but now it was too late for that.

Carmilla's blood ran hot, her gaze snapping back to Laura, who still hadn't said a word. Laura, who was avoiding her eyes, her guilt practically radiating from her in waves.

Without another word, Carmilla stormed over, her grip tight as she grabbed Laura by the wrist and dragged her toward the upstairs hallway. There was no time for explanations in front of the others. Her mind was already a whirlwind of anger, fear, and betrayal. How could Laura do this? After everything they'd talked about?

She didn't stop until they were far enough from the others, the hallway's shadows swallowing them. Carmilla let go of Laura's wrist, turning on her with eyes blazing.

— Tell me Kirsch is exaggerating - Carmilla demanded, her voice dangerously low. - Tell me you didn't just throw yourself into danger. Again.

Laura flinched, her face paling as she stood there, wringing her hands nervously.

— I... I had to—

— No! - Carmilla cut her off, her voice rising. - You promised me, Laura! You promised you'd be more careful! And now I find out you went after Elinor alone? What the hell were you thinking?

— I was thinking that I couldn't just sit around and wait! - Laura shot back, her voice trembling. - I had to do something, Carmilla! I couldn't just stand by while—

— While you got yourself killed? - Carmilla's voice cracked with emotion, her chest tightening with the weight of it all. - While I lose you because you keep playing hero? You're human, Laura! You can't just throw yourself into these situations like you're invincible! I can't keep watching you do this!

Laura's hands balled into fists, frustration mingling with the guilt that had been gnawing at her since they left the school.

— I did it for you! - she cried. - I went after her to find the Malkia because I thought—

— The Malkia? - Carmilla's anger faltered for a moment, her voice dropping. - You went after the Malkia?

Laura nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

— I thought if I could get it, I could turn you back into a human.

The words hung between them like a weight. Carmilla stood there, stunned, the fight draining from her as the truth of Laura's actions sank in. Laura had risked her life... for this? For something Carmilla wasn't even sure she wanted anymore?

— You... did this to turn me human? - Carmilla asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her throat tight. - You think that's what I want?

— I thought... - Laura's voice cracked. - You said you wanted to be human again, that you hated being a vampire. I just... I wanted to fix things. I wanted to make it better for you.

Carmilla's heart ached at the desperation in Laura's voice. She had known Laura struggled with the idea of her immortality, with what it meant for their future together. But this? It hurt more than she could have imagined.

— You think I want that as much as you do? - Carmilla whispered, her eyes stinging with the emotion she'd been holding back.

Laura stared at her, confused.

— I...I just thought you hated being a vampire.

— Sometimes I do - Carmilla admitted, taking a shaky breath. - But not like this. Not if it means putting you in danger. Laura... I've come to terms with what I am. I've had three hundred years to deal with it, and I'm okay with it. But what I can't handle is losing you. That would destroy me.

Laura's lip quivered, the guilt and the pain of her actions hitting her all at once.

— I just wanted to help. I thought... I thought I could make it better.

Carmilla stepped forward, gently cupping Laura's face in her hands, her voice trembling with emotion.

— You don't need to fix me, Laura. I don't need you to do that. All I need is for you to be safe. I can't keep watching you throw yourself into danger because you think I'm suffering. I've made peace with what I am. But if something happened to you because of me... Laura, I don't think I'd survive that.

Laura's tears spilled over, her voice breaking as she whispered,

— I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much this was hurting you.

Carmilla's thumb brushed the tears from Laura's cheeks, her voice soft but firm.

— You don't have to make things better, Laura. We're enough. We've always been enough. Just... promise me you'll stop doing this. Stop putting yourself in danger.

— I promise - Laura whispered, her voice thick with emotion. - I promise.

Carmilla pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if she could shield her from the world. For a long moment, they just stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of the night finally lifting as the emotions between them settled.

— I love you - Carmilla whispered against Laura's hair, her voice raw with sincerity. - And that's all that matters.

Laura clung to her, her face buried in Carmilla's shoulder.

— I love you too - she whispered back. - And I'll be more careful. I promise.

They stayed close, but the tension lingered. Their love remained, yet the wounds of their fight hadn't fully healed. They had each other, but uncertainty still hung in the air.