Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 46

Laura stormed out of Danny's room, fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. Early morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long beams across the floor, but the bright warmth of the day did nothing to soothe her rising fury. Something had happened to Danny, and as far as Laura was concerned, all the signs pointed to Elinor.

The house was eerily quiet in the early hours. Outside, birds chirped softly in the distance, the world just beginning to wake up, but inside, every step Laura took was a drumbeat of anger against the stillness. Her boots echoed in the hall as she descended the stairs, each thud marking her growing frustration. The sunlit hallways felt too peaceful for the storm raging inside her. She hit the basement door and shoved it open without hesitating.

The shift from the warm daylight to the basement's cool, dim space was jarring. No windows allowed light in here—just the stale smell of earth and metal, and the faint but persistent crackling sound of silver burning flesh. Elinor sat, bound and chained to a chair, silver biting into her skin, leaving angry, smoking burns. Laura could see the slight twitch in her body, the result of hours of pain. Despite the constant searing, Elinor had managed to slip into sleep.

Without warning, Laura kicked a wooden crate, sending it crashing into the wall with a sharp crack that sliced through the thick silence of the basement. The noise jolted Elinor awake, her eyes blinking open groggily before narrowing with that all-too-familiar, sarcastic glint.

— Well, well - Elinor drawled, her voice thick with mockery - Looks like someone's in a mood. What's wrong? Trouble with your little girlfriend?

Laura's blood boiled at the smug look on Elinor's face. Her anger surged, her steps quick and forceful as she crossed the room. The golden morning light barely filtered through the cracks at the top of the stairs, casting shadows in the basement corners. But Laura's focus was locked on Elinor. She wanted to wipe that smirk off her face, to make her pay for every bit of suffering Danny was going through.

— Shut up - Laura spat, closing the gap between them. The image of Danny, strong, reliable, and now helpless upstairs, burned in her mind. - I know you did something to her.

Elinor's lips curled into a taunting grin, her eyes glittering with cruel amusement.

— Oh, her. You're so protective, it's almost cute. That whole 'will-they-won't-they' thing you two have going... Let me guess: it's a 'will,' judging by that fire in your eyes.

Laura's fists clenched tighter, her nails biting into her palms. She could hear the distant sounds of life outside, the occasional hum of a car passing, the birds chirping—everything too calm compared to the fire blazing inside her. She stepped even closer, the sizzling sound of silver biting into Elinor's skin ringing in her ears.

— You don't get to talk - Laura hissed.

Elinor's smirk deepened, her voice a silky purr.

— Oh, come on. I'm just saying, it's adorable how you rush to her rescue. How's that working out, by the way? Does your wife know you're still chasing after your tall, ginger knight? Or is this some kind of fun little throuple?

The mention of Carmilla made Laura's stomach churn, but she wasn't going to give Elinor the satisfaction of seeing it. Her finger shot dangerously close to Elinor's face.

— I said. Shut up.

Elinor barely blinked. If anything, her smirk widened, her fangs glinting as she tilted her head slightly.

— Careful, sweetheart. These chains might hold me down, but my fangs? They're very much still in play. Wouldn't want to lose that finger now, would you?

Laura pulled her hand back, but the fire in her veins kept her on edge.

— I know you did something to her. It had to be you - she growled.

Elinor leaned forward as much as the chains allowed, her voice dropping into a sharp whisper.

— If I had? You wouldn't be guessing. You'd be begging.

Laura's jaw clenched as she fought to keep her emotions in check.

— There was this... purple light around her. She passed out. No one knows what it means.

For the first time, Elinor's expression shifted from taunting to curious. Her brow arched, the playful malice in her eyes giving way to genuine intrigue.

— Purple light? Now we're getting somewhere. But, darling, why come to me? Isn't this the part where you and your merry band of heroes save the day?

Exhaustion crept up on Laura, dragging her down as she sank into the chair across from Elinor. The sun had barely risen, but it felt like she'd been up for days.

— Because if it were you... - Laura's voice wavered, frustration and desperation seeping in. - It would be easier. I'd know what to do. I could end this.

Elinor's grin returned, wicked and knowing. Her voice softened into something that almost sounded like pity, though Laura knew better.

— So, when your precious Danny is in trouble, you come charging in, sword raised high. How romantic.

— I'm not doing this - Laura muttered, suddenly standing, as if moving would shake off the weight of the conversation. She didn't need this, not now.

— Not doing what? - Elinor teased, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement again. - Pretending you're over her? You're not fooling anyone, sweetheart. It's obvious. And when she wakes up, maybe this time she'll be the one to sweep you off your feet.

Laura glared at her, voice sharp as steel.

— This isn't about that. She's my friend.

— Of course not - Elinor's smile turned sharper, her tone dripping with condescension. - It's about saving her. Isn't it always?

— I just need to figure out what's wrong with her - Laura snapped, her patience shredding as she glared at Elinor. - And of course, Carmilla and Juliette have to vanish today of all days.

Elinor's smirk faltered ever so slightly.

— Juliette is missing? - Her expression shifted, her gaze narrowing as she shifted in the chair, wincing as the silver chains bit deeper into her flesh. - Where's she?

Laura didn't answer, turning on her heel and heading for the stairs. Her mind was racing. The sunlight creeping in from the upper floor felt foreign in the cold, dark basement.

— You really are leaving me here? - Elinor called after her, her voice syrupy sweet. - Go on, then. Save your girl. Let's see if she finally makes you forget about your wife.

Ignoring her, Laura stormed up the stairs, her steps quickening as she reached the top. Elinor's cold laughter echoed behind her, filling the basement with the chilling sound, lingering in the air like an unshakable shadow. The daylight that greeted Laura as she emerged felt wrong, too bright, too indifferent to the chaos swirling inside her.