Girl with a Wicked Mind
Rating: T
Note: Story is set six years after the events of Van Alen Legacy and includes information from Key to the Repository. Mimi/Jack(past), Jack/Schuyler, Mimi/Kingsley. Unless preceded by a "Present Day", assume scenes are all in the past, whether it be hundreds of years ago or just a couple months ago.
Lyrics and title credit goes to the band The Pretty Reckless and their song, "Make Me Wanna Die".
.
.
I had everything,
opportunities for eternity
and I could belong to the night.
.
.
Present Day
The many lives that Mimi Force has led could be summed up in just a few words. That was what her life had surmounted to. There weren't many occasions Mimi thoroughly reflected on her past. She had had done many things in her very long and immortal life. And more often than not, these lives blurred together into one indiscernible, indistinct memory.
As Mimi's arms strained behind her, held together with enchanted chains, she could perhaps try to come up with a few of these words—not like she had anywhere else to be.
Power.
Influence.
Celebrity.
And then her memories drifted into vividness, backgrounds and people came into sharp focus. Familiar faces from her past greeted her with a somber expressions, as if they all knew what was about to happen to her.
Adoration.
Devotion.
Love.
Jack.
Was what they had not love? Had she been blind? Bitterness tasted on her tongue as she was reminded of the most current events in her short lived and last life cycle.
Mimi held her head high, her blonde hair catching the dying rays of the setting sun. Dozens, upon dozen pairs of eyes watched her, judging her, passing opinion on matters they did not understand. The elders even allowed a few privy Red Bloods attend, like they knew it would sting her ego.
He had not come. Pain blossomed in her chest and she fought the moisture gathering in her eyes. Even now on the day of her Judgment, he did not come.
Her mind replayed silent memories of a girl from who's lived many lives. The phantom of girl who won the hearts of those around her, always immaculately dressed in the the period's attire. She thought of these moments of when her life was better, especially now as her reputation was marred by the fall of what had been Madeline Force.
Newport
The dawn of the 20th century brought even more innovation to the Industrial Revolution. Life was great in the lap of luxury. They owned a tastefully decorated mansion powered by the wonders of electricity and light bulbs!
Newport was a popular watering hole for the Blue Blooded elite. There wasn't a weekend where an affluent Duchess wasn't hosting some lavish party for the elites of the city. Most nights she went alone, without her dashing companion. He was never one for attending these social gatherings, feeling often annoyed by the petty gossiping and brown-nosing. They always asked of him, wondering why he had not made an appearance once again. And she would always answer with some fantastical lie about his busy work schedule.
Tonight was the end of one of those usual nights, as she stepped out of the stagecoach, preferring the horse-drawn method of transportation over the loud automobiles everyone had been prattling on about.
Their butler held open the front doors upon her arrival home, taking her cloak and gloves as she entered. The entrance hall was dimly lit, but comfortably heated, warming her cooled cheeks in the late December weather.
"Sir Searle is in the library." Their butler, Neville drawled tiredly.
She glanced as his outstretched hands, directing her upstairs. "Thank you. And draw a nice, hot bath for me. It was terribly cold outside and the carriage is hardly insulated."
"I will speak with Thomas about the carriage first thing in the morning." Neville offered and went about putting her things away.
Without a second glance, she went upstairs and found her husband lounging on a chaise sofa, fully concentrated on reading the monstrous text sitting on his lap.
"Darling," She announced her presence and his head shot up.
When she caught him trying to look back down at his text, she stood akimbo, hands on her hips. With a sly grin, he tossed his text on an end table and stood. His arms enveloped her in a warm embrace.
"Hope the dinner party was pleasant."
"It was. But I can't keep lying about your work. They'll think I married an absent husband!" She pouted.
He frowned against her temple. "You know I hate parties."
"Yes. But I get lonely." She pouted some more.
With a sigh, his arms squeezed once and then relaxed. "I'll make an appearance next week."
A wide grin grew on her lips and she kissed him. "And I get three dances."
"One-"
"Two," She raised a brow. "And you'll be the most charming and doting husband there."
He chuckled, "Agreed,"
She pulled him in closer and seductively planted kisses down his neck. "I had Neville draw me a bath. Care to join me?"
His shoulders tensed and she nearly flinched against him. Her jaws clenched and she knew an argument was rising between them.
He must have realized that as well, as he released her and ushered her to the door. Once she was standing in the hallway, he bent to kiss her chastely on the corner of her lips. "Not tonight."
Her mouth opened to form words of protest, but he cut her off.
"Don't wait up, my research should run well into the night."
She tried to protest again, only to be cut off by the thush of the library doors closing on her. If only the women of Newport knew that Henry Searle had the beautiful and willing Eliza Whitney constantly waiting in the wings.
New York
Mimi Force pressed her back against the dark mahogany walls, hiding her presence from the couple downstairs. She could barely see them as they were cloaked in a shadowy corner. And the banister of the staircase obstructed her view even further.
The couple downstairs were speaking in hushes and harsh whispers. A man stood with his back to Mimi. He was hunched over a dark-haired woman, his arms pressed against wall behind her. It was his head of platinum blond hair that gave him away.
Jack Force was trying very hard to convince his companion of something. The female between his arms was reluctant to agree to his wishes. His hand moved to brush his knuckles along her cheek. Schuyler Van Alen turned her head slightly into the light, her pale skin catching the light from an opulent chandelier nearby. With a grin and nod, Schuyler gave in to whatever request Jack was asking of her.
Mimi knew who Jack was with the moment she secretly caught these two in the foyer of the Van Horn Manor. Jack and Schuyler were still seeing each other. And whatever disagreement they had would be merely blip in the sickening love fest that was their very public relationship.
Life was different after the Second Silver Blood war. The outcome of the war was the catalyst that started a series of important changes in their world. For one thing, Schuyler Van Alen was now considered a war hero. And no one dared to mess with a hero, especially for the one who contributed "insurmountable services" to the Blue Blood victory.
Not to be outdone, Mimi was also considered a hero, helping to turn the tide of various battles on the home front. She had gone head first into battle, taking her frustration out on the Silver Blood scum. They certainly did not call her the Angel of Death for nothing.
Jack Force had done his part as well, being the accomplice to Schuyler's trek across the globe, closing those damned gates. Suffice it to say, Mimi's thirst for retribution had to be put on hold. It would have been in bad taste to continue seeking Jack's death for breaking their bond. And everyone was surprisingly okay with that.
Apparently, the war was a real eye opener. The once blasphemous act of breaking one's bond was now considered nothing more than a mere misdemeanor. Disgustingly, Jack and Schuyler had proven their point. There was still life after a broken bond, not all change was bad.
So now here they all were, six years after the war and trying to move on with their lives. But little did they know, Mimi did not want to move on. Anger and bitterness festered in her like some terrible disease, slowly creeping into the recesses of her mind.
The donation ball the Van Horns were hosting was finally winding down. Mimi reentered the ballroom not long after catching that vomit inducing image of Jack and Schuyler in the foyer. She sought out Annette Ford for a chat, heiress to some investments gold mine. They gossiped for a moment before glass clinking brought their attention towards the front of the room.
Jack Force stood in a widening circle, holding the hand of one nervous looking Schuyler Van Alen. Once he had everyone's attention, he started speaking, all confidence and charm in his posture.
Mimi was hardly listening, her mind drifting off to thoughts of Chanel and Louboutins. It was only towards the end of his speech did her heart started beating faster. The guests around her also seemed to become more anxious, waiting for whatever news Jack was about to announce.
"—we're engaged. And the Red Blood ceremony is set for this spring."
She barely heard Jack's voice over the barrage of gasps and fits of surprise filling the grand ballroom. It must have been what they were disagreeing over, Mimi thought. Schuyler no doubt would have wanted to hold off on the announcement. And knowing Jack, he wouldn't be able to wait.
Mimi stared ahead, ignoring the pitying looks she knew people were sending her. Downing the rest of her champagne, she muttered her congratulations along with the crowd and left not a second later.
Versailles
A small army of maidservants fluttered around her, pinning her hair, pulling on her corset, stitching the hem of her incredibly expensive bonding ball gown.
It was late Autumn and they had already postponed the ceremony once when civil unrest forced many to flee and find refuge in the French countryside. And an epidemic of Consumption threatened to postpone the ceremony once again, but only because their Red Blood servants would be unavailable for work.
She checked her reflection in a hand mirror, pleased with the rouge tint her maids used on her lips and the translucent white powder on her skin.
Suddenly, a maid rushed into the parlor room, breathing uneven from running. With a loud gulp of air, she spoke, "Mademoiselle, he's gone."
The room instantly halted, everyone holding their breath, the silence deafening.
Her French always impeccable, she answered. "You'll have to elaborate, unless you want to waste more of my time guessing what you could possibly be griping about."
"Monsieur Louis has disappeared. He cannot be found!" The maid dramatically announced.
The expressions of horror varied from true worry about his well-being to fear of what his disappearance could only mean. Rumors of his loss of nerve, his reservations for the ceremony had been whispering in the past few weeks. But she paid no attention to them. It simply did not add up. The look of adoration in his eyes whenever they were together had chased those silly rumors away.
She yelled at the maid, sending her away to go look for him. She ordered the women around her to return to dressing her.
There was worrying moment right before the ceremony when he had finally returned, looking disheveled as if he had been off riding all day. The mud on his person confirmed the fact.
He was ambushed by his servants, dressing him and preparing him for the ceremony that had already commenced with start of violins. Ignoring her glare when they reached the altar in the center of the room, he held her hand.
The ceremony went without a hitch, the magic of the bonding took its rightful place and Louis d'Orleans was as devoted to Elizabeth Lorraine-Lillebonne as he'd ever been.
New York
Mimi plastered a smile on her face as she handed Schuyler a thick navy blue binder at the end of the Committee meeting. They were taking their international politics seriously this year. The war had proved how weak their support system was, how little their allies overseas were able to help.
In an attempt to continue fostering alliances with the international Blue Blood covens, they were sending their best candidates on a PR campaign.
But it was the news that Mimi Force would be working with Schuyler Van Alen that stunned the group at the meeting. Apparently rumors of a weakened New York coven had been spreading. In addition, international news of Azrael and Abbadon's broken bond were now fully known by all.
So as a show of good faith, they were sending Mimi and Schuyler together. The very public display of cooperation would help show that the New York Coven was stronger than ever.
When the meeting ended, Mimi ignored the fact Jack had rushed up to the elders, no doubt voicing his objection at their pairing. And now she crossed her arms and observed the female in front of her.
Schuyler flipped through the binder, scanning over their objectives. She closed the heavy folder and sighed. "I'm sure if we stuck to these directions, we can get through this with no trouble."
"Of course, I am nothing, but professional." Mimi sniffed, picking invisible lint from her sleeve. "Congrats by the way."
Schuyler stiffened and that please Mimi immensely. Good, I want to see you squirm, remember my life that you helped ruin, I hope you choke on it.
The raven-haired Blue Blood cleared her throat and brushed a lock of hair behind an ear. "Yes, um, thank you. The planners are going insane with the wedding arrangements. I hate that kind of stuff."
Mimi raised a brow. "I have a great florist I could recommend if you're looking."
"Uh, sure, that would be great. Thanks." After an awkward pause, she started up again. "Look Mimi, I didn't want to announce it this early. In fact, I didn't want to announce it at all. It's turning into this big ordeal and I—"
"Save it." Mimi abruptly cut her off.
Schuyler moved to speak again, but turned her head at Jack's arrival. He placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Ready to go?"
She nodded, clutching the binder closer to her chest. Jack eyed Mimi and gave her a curt nod. He turned back to Schuyler, his eyes softening, "You okay?"
"Fine," She answered him with a smile. The couple moved to walk out together. Schuyler turned and called out to Mimi as they were leaving. "I'll meet you at the airport then, we can go over the itinerary and run through the objectives on the flight over."
"See you then." Mimi cocked her head and watched them go.
She wondered if everyone knew about the sacrifices she made for Jack, of the ones she expected from him. Only, he failed to deliver and Mimi lost more than she'd ever know until it was too late.
End of chapter note:
So what do you think? I'm trying something different with a different character. Hope the time jumps aren't too confusing
Not sure how many parts there will be, but it will not be as long as Agony and Rapture.
To be continued...