Warnings: Major character death and violence.
Immunda Crux Crucis
Lima, Ohio
Present Day
It amazed Rachel that her internal clock still had her up at six on the dot; after everything, still up bright and early. She sat up in her bed and blinked at the sunlight that poured through her window to study it. The sun also amazed Rachel. She felt it on her skin and had missed it. Lately, Rachel may have been getting up at six in the morning like clockwork, but that didn't mean she actually got out of bed. Usually, she'd just sweep her arm out until she found a bottle of something alcoholic, drink deeply, and fall back into an uneasy sleep.
And before everything that had happened, getting up at six a.m. had meant morning sex. Had meant laughter. Then breakfast in bed before more sex. And then maybe a bit of playful sparring around the house. Punch, block, kick, block, punch punch, jump—more morning sex.
Sighing loudly, Rachel slid out of her bed and moved about her sparse motel room she had rented after she had left the Magic Box the night before. She had told the motel manager she wasn't sure how long she'd be staying but gave him a month's worth of cash to keep him quiet. "Shouldn't you be with your parents' or somethin'? Going to school?" he had asked her, looking distrustful.
"My parents are dead," she had told him blankly. "And I start school tomorrow," she clapped with fake enthusiasm before her face went back to being blank. "Now, can I get my key, or what?"
After getting ready, making sure the argyle sweater and short skirt she had bought the day before at the local Walmart looked presentable—with matching knee socks and penny loafers—Rachel slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped out into the sun. She tilted her head back to soak in the sun's rays, letting them seep into her paler-than-healthy skin, and basked. She really had missed the sun. But she couldn't bask long; it was off-to-work-we-go for little Rachel Berry, and she'd have to jog there if she was going to make it on time.
Looking up at McKinley High School, Rachel grimaced. She loathed the thought of attending school. Amongst kids that were clueless as to what the world was really like. They were more concerned with their hormones. But, she needed a witch—a young one if the information she gathered from the underworld had been correct.
Home schooled by her parents, Rachel wasn't really sure what to expect from McKinley. She was hoping that it wouldn't take long to locate the witch. That, by the time the Magic Box's shop woman had gotten the orb she needed, the witch would be identified and Rachel could go back to her plan.
"Ms. Berry? Ms. Rachel Berry?" Rachel flicked her gaze up at the secretary manning the office of McKinley.
"That's me," Rachel smiled artificially.
"Principal Figgins will see you now."
"Goodie," Rachel mumbled to herself, getting up and making her way into the office.
"Ms. Berry, we are delighted to have you at McKinley!" Principal Figgins had told her as soon as she was sitting in front of his desk. She forced another smile. "Your parents were extremely generous in their donation to the school's performing arts program, and I look forward to meeting them!"
It was starting to hurt to smile. "That's swell, Principal Figgins. They're really keen on meeting you as well!"
"If you have any questions, my door is always open. Have fun on your first day, Ms. Berry."
"Oh, I'm sure I will," Rachel mumbled as she got to her feet, understanding that she was being dismissed.
"Shut the door on your way out," Figgins told her, already returning his gaze to the check in his hands Rachel had given him a moment before, admiring all the zeros.
X
Will ran his hand through his disheveled hair yet again as he paced. He kept playing his conversation with Emma from the night before over and over through his head as he waited for his slayer. Emma said that she was okay, but he was worried. She assured him that as of right now her life wasn't at risk; she had something the vampire wanted, so she was most likely okay for the time being.
He had listened to Emma as she told him what she knew of the Unholy Trinity. Her voice had been trembling so badly that eventually he just said they'd talk more in the morning at school. Once he disconnected with the school counselor/Magic Box worker, he dialed up his slayer. She had been out patrolling and had sounded sleepy and bored; her work ethic wasn't the best. He had demanded that she go home at once and meet him at McKinley High first thing in the morning, where he taught Spanish, and she attended, and pleaded with her to be careful. She was flippant in her response—as always—over confident when she ought not to be.
But she was new to the training. He had only discovered that she was a slayer a little over a year before. Right under his nose. He had taught her in Spanish. Directed her in glee club. If he hadn't stumbled upon her punching her hand through a wall after she was denied yet another solo, he might never have known.
She had informed him that she had had these unusual abilities for a few years. She remembered the day she suddenly felt very faint before being overcome with strength and visions of other girls all over the world coming into power as well. Will was immediately on the phone to a long distance number, explaining his findings. He was directed to instruct the girl at once. To clarify the history. To teach her discipline. It was no longer: In every generation there is a Chosen One… Now, there were a chosen many. And she was one of them. She was proud of the heritage she was born into. It was a badge of honor. But she was still very young. And she didn't fully understand what it all meant. He kept her on a short leash, unsure that she was ready for such a responsibility—especially in a town as dangerous as Lima, Ohio.
And it had just gotten a thousand times worse.
Once he got off the phone with his slayer, Will had leafed through his many volumes until he stumbled upon the book he was searching for. The whole tome was dedicated to the Unholy Trinity. To many, they were a myth. A myth so old and mysterious that most just assumed it was a made-up tale to scare the good guys. Watch out, or the Unholy Trinity will get'cha! The volume was so thick and dusty that it only scared Will further.
Emma knew the tale because of her parents. Because of her ancestors. Rose and Rusty Pillsbury taught their young daughter the story of how the Unholy Trinity had swept through parts of Europe and the world, killing and maiming for almost two centuries. Those who didn't think the story was a myth thought that the Unholy Trinity was dead. But, every once in awhile, Emma would hear news from parts of the world about a rash of violent murders. It really could be at the hands of any foul thing. But the way the murders happened. The style. The signature of the Unholy Trinity—it just could not be replicated.
They were creative. Brutal. And worst of all, stunning in their deliverance and ingenuity. They somehow made horrendous killing sprees a thing of sick exquisiteness.
Every sketch of the Unholy Trinity depicted unearthly beauty. Known as being, perhaps, the most stunning women that had ever walked the earth, old and new. They traveled in style. Lived in luxury. And have never been slowed or stopped. They were what even the bad guys feared, in truth. Their combined power was sadistic. And they looked breathtaking while doing it.
"Oh, thank God!" Will exhaled, his stiff frame relaxing slightly as his slayer sauntered into the room.
"Mr. Schue, I don't know why you wanted me here so damn early, but you best be making it fast. I still have two tests to study for before homeroom," Mercedes said as she hopped up on the piano next to her watcher. Will blew out a long breath. She was safe. He had spent the whole night in his office reading up on the Unholy Trinity. He had been near frantic with worry over his slayer; petrified for her safety. "Now, why did you have me drag my hot ass all the way over here when there's stuff I needed to get done like gettin' my much needed beauty sleep?"
Dragging his hand through his hair once again, Will crumbled down onto his desk chair he'd pulled from his office. "I'll explain when the others arrive," he answered tiredly.
"Others?" Mercedes asked with a quirked eyebrow.
Just as she said the words, four other people were hurrying into the choir room. "Thank God!" Sam Evans breathed out, beyond relieved at the sight of his girlfriend. She smiled when she saw him and then promptly chuckled as he threw his arms tightly around her and buried his face into her neck. "I thought…" he trailed off, just enjoying holding her as his eyes closed.
When he had gotten the text first thing that morning from Mr. Schue to meet him in the choir room, he had expected the worse. He wanted to go out patrolling with his girlfriend the night before, but she made him swear that he would stay home and study for his pending math test; he was failing the class and in jeopardy of having to go to summer school.
Mercedes was chuckling again. "That was quite a hello," she grinned at him. He smiled back wearily; she never seemed to fully understand that when she went out patrolling each night, she took his heart with her.
Mike and Tina entered the room next. Mike had his arm wrapped around Tina, and they both smiled at Mercedes; they too had been worried when they had gotten the text from their teacher. "Glad to see you're okay, Cedes," Mike grinned.
"Yeah," Tina smiled, "stop scaring the crap out of us," she chided playfully.
Artie followed shortly after, wheeling himself into the room with a smile and a wave to his friend. "I knew my girl would be fine," Artie said as he wheeled up to the slayer.
Mercedes grinned, "I don't know what you all are talking about; I'm good. It had been a boring night, and Mr. Schue sent me home early," she said with a shrug as she cracked her knuckles. There hadn't even been a vampire in sight. Well, okay, the dead body at the playground had been a little weird. But the dude had been drunk, she had overheard from the police as she lurked in the shadows. They were pretty baffled over how the guy's head had been twisted with such force, but that could be accounted for by a number of things…right? Mercedes wasn't worried, so no one else should be; she got this.
Will exhaled loudly, gaining the five teenagers' attention. "We're just waiting for Emma to get here." The kids nodded, used to this. The seven of them often convened when mystic situations occurred. Mercedes, the vampire slayer; Will, the watcher; Emma, the gypsy witch; Tina and Mike, the newbie practicing witches; Artie, the tech guy who also helped Will with the research; and Sam, the heart and muscle. Sam would go to the gym extra hard to keep up with everyone else in his small group. They were regularly hitting the streets and sewers to fight the bad guys. A group of unlikely people who found each other, perhaps by fate, and banded together for the common good. Will guided Mercedes through her training, helping Sam as well to learn to fight, taught Artie the ways of a watcher, while Emma trained Mike and Tina in witchcraft.
As the teenagers laughed and joked quietly, Will watched on. They were so young. Unlike him, they never signed up for this life. They were so brave. He was proud of them. The things they've seen…done…
He covered his face with his hands as he waited for Emma to arrive. It would be impossible for him to get through to his students. They were young. Teenagers. To them, they were immortal. Indestructible. They couldn't grasp what they were suddenly up against. The very real threat that had just landed in their town.
He watched as Mercedes' head snapped back as she laughed at whatever her softly-smiling boyfriend had said, Artie, Tina, and Mike chuckling along, seated around his slayer. None of them were prepared. In all honestly, he wasn't sure he was even prepared. His mother had been a watcher. She had been so pleased when he was trained as well. But shortly into his training, the whole Watcher's Counsel had been destroyed—most of the Watcher's Counsel killed—and he had figured that he'd never get to use his skills.
What he had never banked on, what no one could have foreseen, was that the whole intuition of The Slayer was about to be changed. Suddenly, slayers were popping up all over because the last The Slayer had used magicks to change the lore. And here he was, with a slayer of his very own. He never did finish his watcher's training. If he had, he probably would have taken a class named The Unholy Trinity 401 or something equally ridiculous. He was in over his head. Luckily, he had Emma.
The thought hadn't even fully passed when he heard the tell-tale signs of heels quickly clacking down the hallway outside the choir room. He jumped to attention and the teenagers broke off from their conversation to stare at the doorway.
As Emma hurried through the choir room, everyone but Will smiled. "Emma," Will muttered, quickly at her side to take her into his arms. "You okay?" he whispered in her ear. After Santana had left the Magic Box the night before, Emma had locked up the shop and quickly driven home, making sure to take the long way just in case she was being followed. She had hardly slept. She had almost wished she'd taken Will's advice and let him come over. But it had just been too dangerous. Better to stay home, safe, and reconvene in the light of day, where vampires couldn't follow.
"I am now," she whispered back, holding onto the man a little tighter. She couldn't cry in front of the kids, though. Emma brushed away new tears quickly before untangling herself from Will's solid arms. "What have you told them?" she asked, her eyes flicking towards the curious teenagers.
"Nothing. I was waiting for you."
Emma nodded and proceeded further into the room, removing her trench coat as she went. "Everything all right, Ms. P?" Mercedes asked with a quirked eyebrow. She didn't like the way Will and Emma were acting. She was a slayer; she should be told what's up.
Emma gave the slayer a tentative smile before looking at Tina, Mike, Artie, and Sam. "I'll be all right, Mercedes, I just…" But what could she say? Was she all right? Would she be? Would any of them?
Will sensed Emma's uncertainty and went to her side, placing a calming hand on the small of the woman's back. "We need to talk," he began, glancing at Emma quickly before looking at the others.
A few minutes later, Mercedes sat front and center on the risers in the choir room, Sam close at her side, with Mike and Tina seated close together behind them, and Artie off to the side. Will was perched at the front of the room in his office chair as Emma stood by the white board, trying to come up with some sort of explanation as she fluffed her hair nervously. This was the problem dealing with teenagers: how could she make them understand how dire things had just become without scaring them too much? Should she scare them? If it meant that they were more careful…
"Okay," Mercedes began, glancing between both Will and Emma's grave looks. "What's going on? Someone better start talking."
Emma cleared her throat as she nodded, trading glances with Will quickly before fixing her stare on Mercedes. "You're right, Mercedes, I'm sorry."
"You should be; acting all cryptic and everything," Mercedes huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm just trying to find the best place to begin."
Will cleared his voice and stood. "Maybe I should start."
"Someone better," Mercedes said, rolling her eyes. Sam rubbed her shoulder as he gave her a sympathetic half smile.
"I got a call late last night from Willy."
"What did that snitch want?" Mercedes grunted, thinking about the greasy bartender.
Will collected his thoughts as he stood by Emma. "He told me that two vampires just came into town: Santana and Brittany."
Mercedes snorted. "They sound real badass." Sam chuckled next to her as Artie, Mike, and Tina smiled in agreement. But Mercedes' laughter died off rather quickly when she saw the grim exchange Will and Emma shared.
"Mercedes," Emma sighed, showing strain. "You have no idea." The kids traded nervous looks as Mercedes blanched in front of them.
"What's that supposed to mean, Ms. P? I never even heard of them in my slayer training."
"That's my fault," Will said, ducking his head as he did so. Emma rubbed at Will's arm compassionately as he continued. "Mercedes, guys, we've faced a lot of…things together over the past year. We've done a lot of good. But…some things…are—"
"Older," Emma explained. Will nodded at her before turning back to his students.
"No one is exactly sure when the Unholy Trinity came together—"
"I'm sorry…the what?" Mercedes asked, expression somewhat amused. "So we're basically dealing with the lamest bad guys ever imaginable, am I right? Cause that name—"
"Mercedes, enough!" Will yelled, slamming the chair he was tightly gripping down. He knew she wouldn't take this seriously. But at his outburst, all traces of smiles left the teenagers' faces.
"Will," Emma chided softly, understanding his anxiety but knowing that it wouldn't help. "The Unholy Trinity, or their Latin name: Immunda Crux Crucis, is…" Emma looked skyward as she licked her lips. "The onlyname they go by," Emma said, moving closer towards the choir room stands. "No one is certain when they were turned or when they were fully formed. The signature of their murders began so long ago…" Emma sighed loudly in defeat; there was just so much unknown to face. "What is certain is that they are a sired family and have been together—complete—for roughly a century and a half."
"I'm sorry," Sam began, raising his hand nervously, "a sired family?"
"Emma means that one sired the other who, in turn, sired the next."
"So they're just an incestuous group of vampires," Mercedes said with a roll of her eyes. Will and Emma nodded. "Just great."
"The first—the original beginning of the Unholy Trinity—was created by the oldest vampire known in existence, only referred to as the General," Emma said with wide, fearful eyes, "sometime in the fifteenth century in Russia. The General sired and named the Chief—the oldest referenced name given to the first of the Unholy Trinity—and trained the Chief to…basically be the most brutal and reviled thing ever," Emma breathed, shaking her head faintly in awe of the whole situation.
"I'm already confused," Sam said, eyes shifting to see if anyone else was puzzled: they all were.
"I'll make it easy for you," Will began as he walked over to the white board. "The General sired the Chief sometime in the fourteen hundreds in Russia," he said as he jotted the names on the board, making it almost appear as a family tree. "Somewhere in that timeline, the Chief broke away from the General. It's unclear as to why, but the Chief went out on her own."
"Then, in the seventeen hundreds—and this part is very sketchy—we think the Chief sired the Goddess in the Netherlands," Emma paused at this, giving Will a pointed, fearful look. Will ducked his head before clearing his throat, his eyes trained on his slayer.
"The Goddess…she was a…the Slayerbefore she was turned."
Mercedes' eyes widened as Artie, Tina, and Mike traded terrified looks and Sam stared at his girlfriend in horror. "They can do that?" Mercedes asked, slightly panicked.
"Not many do," Will explained, "most just want to kill a slayer, suck her blood. But the General trained the Chief to be brutal, so…" Will trailed off, not really sure how to explain what he had read about the Goddess' turning. A lot of the literature contradicted itself. Some said that the Chief wasn't even there when the Goddess was turned, but the Unholy Trinity's legend said they were a sired family.
Emma was at his side, shaking so soundly that even the kids noticed. "The Chief is particularly…depraved," she finished with a hard swallow. "The description of what she did to the Goddess before changing her, of some of her kills…" Will took Emma into his arms to try and calm her.
"And last but not least is the Warrior. No one is certain when the Warrior was sired by the Goddess, but we're sure it was shortly after the Goddess was turned."
"Some historians claim that there are only three, hence the use of trinity. Others say they travel with a fourth from time to time who really isn't a part of their clan, who is just a concubine for the Chief. Scholars believe the Chief picks a human or perhaps a witch or even a slayer," Emma said. "There are a few mentions that the Chief is desperate to fall in love just like the Goddess and Warrior. No one is really certain. Anyone who meets them usually ends up dead," Emma mumbled, laughing nervously as she shook, "so not a lot of information is known."
"There are whole books on their legend. The timeline often varies. The names, origins, and locations are sometimes different—the only common thread that runs throughout the legend is that they are…evil, old, and apparently the most beautiful creatures who ever lived."
"So, let me get this straight," Mike said as he sat up, "The General—the oldest vampire in existence—sired the Chief. Who sired the Goddess—a slayer. Who then sired the Warrior."
"Sums it up," Emma nodded solemnly.
"So who are Santana and Brittany?" Tina asked.
"They're the more modern names given to two of the Unholy Trinity. Given Santana's ethnicity, scholars assume she's the Warrior because she looks neither Russian nor Dutch. No one is positive for sure, but based on some slayer's accounts from dreams and visions they've had that include past slayers, we can assume Brittany is the Goddess." Everyone was quiet for a moment as they absorbed the information. "And they happen to be in town," Will grimaced.
Emma cleared her throat as she steadied herself, trying not to think about what happened in the Magic Box. "Santana visited me last night." The kids gasped and traded anxious looks.
"Are you okay, Ms. P?" Tina asked worriedly.
Emma smiled back and nodded. "I'll be fine. She mentioned Brittany, so we should assume she's in town as well. Santana also said they're not alone; whether that means the other member of the Unholy Trinity is here, I can only guess. Now," Emma said, moving about the room as she thought. "I took to some Wiccan chat sites last evening…" the kids tried to stifle their laughter, "…and heard some things.
"Apparently, the Unholy Trinity was thought to be eliminated. There were rumors that a clan of witches in North Korea may have killed at least one of the Unholy Trinity a year before—if that's the case, we must assume it was the Chief because we know Santana and Brittany are here. Though, the accounts of what happened in North Korea are convoluted…" Emma trailed off, biting her thumbnail. "We know a prominent, young witch in the area was killed. There are mentions that her clan retaliated against the Unholy Trinity. But for some reason, no real documentation was recorded, and everyone in the clan seems to have disappeared. But Santana definitely mentioned Brittany's name and said they weren't alone. They only travel with one another, never with another group of vampires. So it sounds like the accounts in North Korea may be incorrect and all three of the Unholy Trinity are alive and well. Well…not alive,alive…you get what I mean…" Emma trailed off, flustered.
"The point is," Will continued, pushing off the piano to stand beside Emma, "that we all need to be on our guard. Maybe stay off the streets for a bit."
"Now hold on, Mr. Schue," Mercedes said, sitting up in her chair. "If these chicks are as dangerous as you and Ms. P say they are, then I got to be out there protecting people."
Emma and Will traded looks as the kids all started talking at once, pleading their case about how the town was theirs to protect, and they wouldn't sit idly by. The bell rang loudly throughout the school, getting everyone to stop talking.
"We'll talk more about this after glee," Will told the kids. "Until then, just go to your classes and keep your heads down. Emma and I will try to find out more."
The kids grumbled as they rose, not happy with the idea of running scared. Mercedes the least pleased. When the room was empty, save the two adults, Will softly placed a hand on Emma's arm, getting her attention.
"Hey, you okay? Really?"
Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Things just got a whole lot scarier, didn't they?"
Will smiled sympathetically. "We'll deal with this just like we've dealt with everything else. In the mean time, maybe you should stay away from the Magic Box. Just until we figure out a little more."
Emma nodded but was still thoughtful. "I don't think that's going to slow the Unholy Trinity down, Will. Not if Santana really wants something."
Will's brows furrowed. "I wonder what she wants with a witch…"
X
Brittany groaned contently as she stretched in bed, covers pooled around her naked waist. Santana sat at her lover's feet and gently removed the right one from the blankets. "How'd you sleep, my love?" she asked as she started to massage the foot.
Grinning brightly, Brittany flopped back onto the bed. "Awesome!"
Santana brought the foot up to her mouth and placed a kiss on the arch. "Visions? Nightmares?"
Brittany thought a moment before she shook her head vigorously. "Nope! Just dreams of you and memories of all the cool stuff we've done."
Santana smiled against her lover's foot, and placed another kiss there. "I took a field trip to the local hoodoo shop and did some asking around about witches. I should have you one by tonight, baby."
Sitting up slightly, Brittany grinned at Santana. "Okay, but the witch needs to be Asian."
Santana's eyebrows inverted. "Asian?"
"Korean!" Brittany beamed.
Santana dropped Brittany's foot, getting her lover to pout. "B…what exactly do you need with this witch?"
Brittany smiled mysteriously. "Hey, San, do you remember the day I turned you?"
Immediately smiling, Santana crawled up and over Brittany's body until her lips hovered over her lover's. "How could I forget?"
"That was a super awesome night."
"Yes, it was," Santana agreed, smirking. "I remember everything about it."
"You tasted so good, San, I didn't think I'd ever stop drinking."
"Death would have been just fine with me, after experiencing something that amazing, baby," Santana husked in return, the sights and sounds of that night flooding her instantly.
San Sebastian, Puerto Rico
1868
Santana's head was thrown back in laughter, her eyes bright and charmed. Brittany sat beside her in bed, speaking awkward Spanish about some of her more humorous travels. She was currently telling Santana about a theft she had pulled off in Constantinople that involved using ducks as a diversionary tactic.
"Brittany, you funny very," Santana told the girl in broken English.
Brittany beamed back, pleased with how far she'd come in her Spanish, and in getting closer to Santana. Since her mommy had made her into a vampire, a very important message had been drilled into young Brittany's head: see, want, take, have…unless you desire something so thoroughly that you're desperate for it to take you. To beg you. Brittany needed to experience that as well. She wanted Santana to beg her. They had been together for a month. Just Brittany and Santana.
Santana, for her part, was the happiest she ever remembered being. During their days together, she and Brittany would lay around, talking, telling stories, and exploring the humongous house she assumed Brittany lived in. Santana was aware that there were more occupants of the mansion, but they were never around during the day, and at night, she and Brittany would take walks around the grounds, holding hands and staring at the moon and the stars.
Santana had grown to love the stars, for perhaps the first time in her eighteen years. And jasmine. Jasmine ran wild around the mansion, permeating the air with its deep, rich scent. Santana had never smelled jasmine before: it wasn't native to the area. But apparently Brittany and her companions traveled with it, and it became one of Santana's favorite aromas.
When Santana was too tired to continue talking, laughing, and staring at Brittany, she would lay in bed thinking of her family. Most nights, Brittany would hold her as she cried for all that she had lost. For her parents and siblings who had met such a violent end. They would haunt her in her dreams.
It wasn't often, but there were rare moments when Brittany would leave Santana's side. She would be vague with her new friend as to where she would go, but when she would return, she would shower Santana with hugs and kisses until Santana forgot all about her sadness and the secrets she knew Brittany was keeping from her. Because there were certain things Brittany would not talk about. Like who else lived in the house. Where she would go when she briefly left Santana's side. Brittany's family and past. And what would happen next.
When she was alone, however, Santana found herself counting down the seconds until her new friend was at her side. It was a strange occurrence for Santana, never having had a friend to miss before. She would wonder if all young girls felt that way about their friends. If they would allow themselves to be held each night and kissed on the cheek so often. And enjoy it so thoroughly.
It was a topic on Santana's mind that night as she and Brittany shared a moonlight stroll, staring at the stars, holding hands tightly, and exploring the Robles waterfall.
"Brittany," Santana whispered softly, not bothering to raise her voice over the pounding of the falls: Brittany's hearing was perfect, Santana knew. "Why do you call me beautiful? Why do you kiss me and touch me like you do?"
Brittany frowned hard as she tried to weed through Santana's Spanish and broken English. Both girls were trying their best to speak to one another using as much of the other's language as they could, and mime their requests in an effort to teach further. "Because I love you, duh," Brittany answered casually, swinging their joined hands back and forth.
It was Santana's turn to frown. Brittany told her she loved her frequently. This was very new to Santana. Her family had rarely shown affection and had almost never voiced their feelings. Santana had been taught to keep those things to herself. Brittany, Santana had quickly learned, did not. But Santana liked it, so she never complained.
Santana took a seat at the water's edge and thought deeply about everything that had happened over the last month. As she allowed herself to dwell, it all became so very queer to her. She hardly noticed that Brittany had let go of her hand and was standing at her side. And it wasn't until Brittany's long, pale dress fell before Santana, quite void of Brittany's body, that she careened out of her musings.
Not able to put thoughts together, Santana blinked rapidly down at the dress and picked it up. Her hands glided through the material, so rich and soft. The sound of a loud splash made Santana pick her head up, and she laughed, astonished, as she watched Brittany's dark blonde hair bob in and out of the water.
"What are you doing?!" Santana asked, now noticing Brittany's undergarments also discarded along the bank.
"Come swim with me, San, come swim with me under the moon!"
Santana let out a belly of a laugh, her hands against her cheeks, and shook her head in amazement. "But my clothes…they will get wet!"
Brittany swam towards her then, smiling widely, and proudly pulled herself out of the water until she stood in front of Santana—eyes and mouth large, gaze racing over the pale, glistening skin—and held out her hand. "Getting wet is kind of the point," Brittany grinned in reply.
Santana gaped for quite some time, startled as different emotions pounded down in time with the waterfall. Brittany grew impatient, and rolled her eyes as she took Santana's hand from her lap and pulled her to stand on shaky legs.
"I am supposed to wait until you ask. Mommy told me to wait until you are ready, until you crave me." Santana's brain quickly tried to make sense of the English, so very unsure. "I do not want to wait anymore, Santana. We heard there are hunters in the area, anything could happen. We want to leave here soon and I cannot go another day wondering if I could lose you."
Gasping slightly at the sensation of Brittany's naked body suddenly against hers, Santana stood still as she felt the waterfall's pounding force surge through her, from toes to coursing blood. "Brittany?" Santana whimpered, suddenly heady with Brittany's lips at her throat.
"A little now, a little later. Then a lot when we make love."
Santana exhaled loudly as she felt the pricks to her neck. Brittany grasped at her waist painfully, and Santana let her new friend support her weight as she felt herself fall back, body dangling, all thoughts mystifyingly adrift.
It didn't hurt. And Santana was uncertain of what was transpiring. A moment later Santana found her heavy eyes fluttering open to see Brittany smiling softly down at her. "More soon, after we swim."
Still confused, neck slightly sore, Santana let Brittany strip her bare, thoughts swirling. She was led into the water and Brittany held her body as she was twirled and spun. A little weak, Santana didn't protest when Brittany pulled her close, their naked bodies sliding against one another. And when Brittany lowered her mouth to Santana's neck again, all Santana could do was clutch at Brittany's soft shoulders and then stare up in confusion when her friend pulled away a moment later.
"I dreamed of you for so long. And then I got a vision of this when my mommy made me like her. Tonight, you become like us. And I am going to drink you here," Brittany said, gliding her hands up from Santana's waist until she was cupping her breasts. Santana gasped, and then whimpered as her own hand was led to Brittany's thigh. "You are going to drink me here. And after,you will drink me here," Brittany whispered, moving Santana's hand until she was cupping her sex.
And then they were kissing. The kind of kiss that drowns out the sounds of the waterfalls and everything else around them. Clothes forgotten, Brittany carried Santana back to the mansion, Santana's long legs wrapped snuggly around Brittany's body, until they were moving against one another in their shared bed.
For Santana, it still felt like she was standing under that waterfall. She had no sense of anything around her, all her emotions were crashing down on her, and, try as she might, she couldn't keep a hold of a single one—they all slipped away before she could understand. It felt fantastic and terrifying and arousing and painful and everything she had ever wanted. She let Brittany pin her arms above her head, let her skate her body against the places Santana didn't even know she wanted her friend to be. They spoke a language that was universal to each other. And Brittany kept her promise.
This time, Santana couldn't help but scream out in pain. Unlike before, Brittany tore through her skin, ravenous with want and hunger, and pierced Santana's breast to suck the blood that poured out to greet her. It was unlike anything Brittany had ever felt and tasted. It was different than when she drank Santana at the waterfall; Santana's fear and excitement seeped from every part of her, now knowing what was happening and what to expect. Her adrenaline was so strong, Brittany couldn't swallow fast enough; so imbibed in everything that was the woman she loved. Her thoughts were blank, every instinct to devour took over, and Brittany wanted nothing more than to relish until every drop was drunk.
The eerie quite of the room was punctured with sounds of Brittany's gulping and nothing more. Gone were Santana's cries and groans of pain and arousal. Even her faint breathing could no longer be heard. Once rich and dark, Santana's skin was now grayish and ethereal. Her chest appeared unmoving to the human eye. If Brittany was able to pull herself away, she would have noticed the slight movement, but with each suck and pull from Santana's chest, it was getting harder to detect even to a vampire's keen sight.
And still, Brittany consumed.
Suddenly, with a loud, rancorous snarl, Brittany was ripped away from Santana's shredded and bloody breast. It took a moment for her to understand that she was standing, too busy straining away from her unexpected confines to return to instinct. The soothing sounds of hushes and nonsensical murmurs finally got her to stop struggling. Brittany blinked down at her feet and watched as a drop of blood splashed on her pale skin. She cocked her head in confusion and looked over at Santana's still body.
"Ah, ah, ahhh," the voice of her captor playfully crooned in her ear. Brittany felt a thumb swipe her chin to remove a bead of blood before sucking it clean with a moan. "Not too much now, baby." Brittany looked up at the voice, chastised—her face a bloody mess—before looking back at Santana's almost-corpse.
Again, meeting the voice's eye, Brittany gazed dolefully into the deep hazel. "I'm sorry, Quinn."
Quinn smirked back before dipping her head to lick Brittany's lips clean of Santana's blood. "That's okay, my love," Quinn said, her voice dropping considerably before she straightened, her beautiful face becoming suddenly impassive and primal. "Now it's her turn."
Brittany got on the bed and moved until she was straddling Santana's head and glanced over her shoulder to watch Quinn undress. Looking down at Santana's tranquil face, Brittany waited until she felt Quinn's naked body against her own before tenderly lifting Santana's head.
"Now," Quinn whispered in Brittany's ear as she danced her fingertips along Brittany's skin, smirking as she gazed down at the near-lifeless body, "the fun begins."
Lima, Ohio
Present Day
The school bell shrieked throughout the halls just as Rachel Berry wearily took her seat in her fourth class of the day, already lost and behind. She glanced beside her to find a boy in a wheelchair smiling brightly at her, his eyes welcoming behind his glasses.
"Everyone, settle down," their teacher said at the front of the room. "We'll be talking more about The Great Plague that swept through The Kingdom of England. So take out your text books and turn to page 159 and read the chapter before I split you into pairs to discuss."
As everyone moved to obey their teacher, Rachel glanced around nervously: she didn't have a text book yet or a partner.
"Here," Artie whispered to Rachel, pushing his book so they could both read. "We can share," he said with a smile.
Rachel returned the smile as best she could. "Thanks. I hate history," she frowned.
"Me too," Artie whispered back. "First day here?"
Rachel nodded. "Yeah. My dad had to move because of his job," she said, rolling her eyes with scoff. "It sucks. He had to give Figgins a big check for the performing arts department to let me in so late in the school year."
Artie chuckled. "He didn't have to do that: Figgins will let people in and out of this school whenever," he said with a shake of his head. "I'm Artie."
"Rachel," she said and shook his hand politely.
"So, the performing arts? Like glee club?" He asked with a growing smile.
After class, Artie had volunteered to show Rachel around and take her to get the text books she'd need. They both had lunch next, and Rachel was relieved that she wouldn't have to sit alone in the cafeteria: she had seen Mean Girls.
"What do you think of McKinley so far?" Artie asked as she swallowed down a huge bite of his Sloppy Joe.
Rachel pushed around her salad with her fork before taking a bite. "It's an adjustment. I've only been home schooled, so everything is kind of new."
"Well, don't tell anyone you've been home schooled, and just try and keep from getting Slushied or dumpster tossed and you should be all right," Artie told her with a reassuring smile and nod.
Rachel's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry…what?!"
But Artie's attention was elsewhere. "Oh, there are my friends. They're in glee too." Artie waved at Mercedes, Sam, Mike, and Tina where they stood in line. "Mercedes usually takes lead in most performances. Her boyfriend, Sam, duets with her. Mike isn't much of a singer, he mostly dances. And Tina and I are backup vocals. How about you?"
It took Rachel a moment to tear her gaze away from Tina and Mike to allow what Artie just said to sink in. She frowned, removing her gaze from the kids in line to look down at her tray. "I don't sing much."
Artie bobbed his head. "It's cool. Mr. Schue lets everyone into glee, as long as they audition."
Rachel's fearful gaze snapped back up to Artie. "I don't sing anymore!" She hadn't in nearly a year.
Sensing that something about the idea of singing had seriously upset Rachel, Artie only smiled kindly. "It's cool. Your parents donated a ton of money to glee, I'm sure that will be enough for Mr. Schue." Temporarily sated, Rachel gave him a small grin as the kids joined them at the table.
"Who's your friend, Artie?" Tina asked with a smile. Introductions were made and Rachel tried her best to be polite and act interested in everyone. She told them she was eager to attend glee later that day and promised to meet up with Tina and Mercedes outside their respective classes to make the walk to the choir room together.
So far, Rachel's first day of school was going smoothly enough. The fact that she had met two Asian students and had befriended them: icing on the cake. It would have been almost a perfect day, if it weren't for the fact that Rachel was Slushied as she waited in the hallway for Tina and Mercedes.
"Nice outfit, freak!" the girl had laughed right after she threw the red Slushie in Rachel's face. She and her friend in the cheerleading uniforms both laughed loudly as they strutted away, a chorus of laughter echoing around Rachel in the hall.
"I see you've been welcomed to the school," Tina had said with a sympathetic frown as she and Mercedes approached the stunned Rachel.
The girls led her to the nearest bathroom to get cleaned up. "This sort of thing is just accepted by the staff?" Rachel gritted out, trying her best to dry her wet head.
Mercedes gave a shrug. "Nothing happens to the popular kids here, Rach. Best get used to it. Especially the Cheerios. If you mess with girls like Kitty Wilde and Sara Kline, consider yourself a moving Slushie target." Rachel gave a disgruntled huff and the three took off to glee club.
Just like Artie had told her, Mr. Schuester allowed her to be in glee without auditioning. Rachel suspected it was because of her hefty donation, and not the fact that she almost got teary-eyed when she told the man that she no longer sings. He kindly squeezed her shoulder and said that she could dance in the background. Rachel didn't miss Mercedes' pleased smile.
She met more people and more potential friends: the friendly Blaine who happily sat next to her—much to Rachel's dismay because he smelled funny, like too much hair product and plaid; Wade Adams and Marley Rose both waved and smiled; Jake Puckerman smirked; Ryder Lynn gave a nod; Sugar Motta didn't even glance up from her nail examination; and Kitty Wilde rolled her eyes. Rachel zeroed in on Kitty for a moment, feeling blind rage pound throughout her. It took everything inside of Rachel not to attack, still sticky from the Slushie. She kept her cool as she took her seat to watch the glee club perform their rendition of Hey Ho.
When New Directions was finished, they all jumped and cheered, obviously proud of themselves. Rachel clapped politely and thought it was best to keep to herself how much they sucked.
"If you guys keep performing like that," Will said, grinning ear to ear, "we'll have no problems taking Nationals this year!" The club cheered in response, as though they had actually just won Nationals. "Mercedes, Sam, Tina, Artie, Mike…please stay behind. I have some Spanish class stuff I need to go over with you."
"See you tomorrow, Rach?" Tina asked with a smile. Rachel nodded and slowly collected her things, curious as to why Will wanted to talk with kids; especially because Mike was in her French class, not Spanish. As the other glee kids took off for home, Rachel stood in the hallway, just outside the door, listening in.
"Guys, Mercedes, I want your word you won't go out patrolling tonight." Inside the room, Will stared at his slayer firmly as the other kids shuffled in their seats.
As far as Mercedes and the rest of them were concerned, there was no way they wouldn'tbe going out that night on patrol. Mercedes was a slayer, it was her duty to protect people. She already discussed it with her boyfriend and friends: they'd be going out that night no matter what.
"Mr. Schue—"
"No, Mercedes! As your watcher, I'm ordering you not to go out. With Brittany and Santana out there, it's too dangerous!"
"But I'm a slayer," Mercedes stressed.
"I don't care. It's too dangerous. Stay inside. That goes for all of you as well."
There was a chorus of "fines" and "okays" from the five kids before they unhappily slunk out of their seats.
In the hallway, Rachel was thoughtful. Hearing movement close to the door, she took off to hide before the kids left the choir room.
"We're still going out tonight, right?" Sam asked at his girlfriend's side. Behind them, Mike, Tina, and Artie carefully listened in to the slayer's response.
"Of course we are."
"But you heard what Mr. Schue said," Tina offered, slightly nervous.
"I'm a slayer," Mercedes said forcefully, "and I make the calls."
"And besides," Sam said, throwing an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, "he's not the watcher of me." They all laughed as Rachel stepped out from behind her hiding spot to watch the five kids make their way down the hallway and out of the school. Slowly, Rachel began to smile.
X
Willy the bartender groaned softly to himself as he watched Rachel make her way over towards him wearing a leather jacket and tight, black jeans. He quickly held up his hands in defense. "I did what you said, I told the slayer and her watcher about those two vamp chicks. I don't have any other information!"
Rachel ignored him as she took her seat at the bar. "Thanks for that," she said with a fake smile. "Give me a Jack and leave me alone."
Looking unsure, Willy poured her drink and slid it across the bar to Rachel. "You know, ever since you came to town, my cliental have been nervous. I can't have you in here."
Rachel glanced around, and, sure enough, the place was almost empty. Those still there—a rather flabby demon and three vampires—were making a quick exit. "I can't say that upsets me," she mumbled before downing her shot.
"I gotta make a living, kid. You're scaring away my customers! Aren't there other bars you can go to?"
Rachel smacked her lips and motioned for another drink. "They card. Just pour the drinks and leave me alone; I'm just killing time until I have elsewhere to be."
Willy huffed and did what he was told: he wasn't a complete idiot.
X
Mercedes, Sam, Tina, Mike, and Artie made their way through their third cemetery of the night. Surprisingly, everything was so far quiet. "Man, this sucks! I could totally use a good slaying. Where are all the vamps?" Mercedes asked, leisurely strolling around the different tombstones.
At her side, Sam nodded. "It's as dead as a cemetery around here."
Mike chuckled. "Good one, dude." He and Sam fist pumped.
"Maybe we shouldn't be talking. I have a really bad feeling about this," Tina said as she pushed Artie's chair.
Mike slung an arm around her and pulled her close. "I'll protect you. Hand to hand or a little magicks, I'll make sure you're safe." Tina beamed up at him, glad she had her boyfriend with her. His training was coming along much faster than her own. She admired his focus.
"Finally," Mercedes said, spotting a vamp a few yards away. "I'm gonna enjoy this," she smiled, already taking off towards the vampire who had his back to her. Sensing her coming, the vampire turned around and grinned when he saw her. "Keep smiling, pretty boy, you're about to become dust."
The kids hurried to help their friend, just in case she needed it, as Mercedes landed the first punch to the vamp's face. He stumbled back, smiling wider, and executed a perfect right-left combination before jumping in the air to give Mercedes a roundhouse kick to the jaw.
Mercedes fell back, and Sam was quickly there to help her up. With a sneer, Mercedes went to give her patent attitude, "This vamp is about to get—" But the sudden appearance of another vampire cut her off.
"Aw, come on, Brody, can I have a turn?" Mercedes and the kids froze. At vampire Brody's side stood another vampire with long dreadlocks.
Brody gritted his teeth. "Joe, this one is mine."
"But she's a slayer, youngling, maybe I should have a go." If Brody didn't have his vampire face on, he could pass for human because of his modern dress. Joe, on the other hand, looked much older. Underneath his long black coat, which brushed the ground by his bare feet, he was shirtless. The collar of his coat was up high around his pale neck, giving the impression that he was centuries old.
Mercedes wiped her mouth free of blood, her friends closing in around her. "Don't worry, boys, there's enough of me to go around," she threatened, jaw clenched.
"I'll say," said another vampire, coming out of the shadows, looking her up and down. "And I can't wait to have a taste," he leered.
The kids slowly backed up as the new vamp joined the other two. "Puck," Joe sneered, "I thought your orders were to stay behind."
Puck smiled widely before his face quickly morphed to show long teeth and eager eyes. "New orders when we picked up this one's scent," Puck said, motioning to Mercedes.
"We?" Mercedes whispered. She and her friends were suddenly very scared.
"Yeah, slayer," another new voice called, a few yards behind the three vampires. "We."
There, standing proudly in a group, were no less than ten vampires. "Oh. Shit," Mercedes whimpered, feeling the bodies of her friends around her start to shake.
"Now would be a good time to run," Brody smirked.
Everyone acted at once: Mercedes immediately went after Brody with an uppercut to the jaw and a kick to Puck's stomach, knocking the two away. Joe sneaked away to watch, suddenly amused with his evening. The hoard of vampires ran towards the kids. Thinking fast, Mike cast a bubble spell around Artie, and stood in front of Tina as the first vampire reached them.
Sam was fast on his feet, and took out a vamp before spinning to watch Mercedes dust one and then another of the hoard. Mike dusted the one he was fighting with his crossbow and beamed as he saw Tina take out a vamp that had just bounced off of his bubble spell protecting Artie. Eight to Five odds were a lot better than thirteen to five. Suddenly confident, the kids went after the remaining vamps.
"SLOPPY! Sloppy, babies!" Everyone at once seemed to freeze at the new voice. The vamps quickly retreated, regaining formation at the base of a mausoleum. Now, with vampires not distracting them, the kids looked up to see a female vampire atop the crypt, looking furious. "You are taking on four and a half children! You think that's hard, try fighting the entire Spanish Inquisition at once, that's hard!"
"But, Sue," Puck whined, turning to look up at the woman, "they got a slayer, and the boy knows magicks." The kids were wide-eyed as they watched on. This Sue woman wore a tracksuit, and paced the top of the Mausoleum as though she were a coach, not leading an army of vampires.
"What should we do?" Sam whispered, slightly out of breath. They were close enough to the hoard that any false move and the vamps would be right back on them, fighting. Mike felt his bubble spell fading, and the kids were already exhausted. Taking on nine more vampires quickly felt next to impossible.
"I don't think we can get away," Mercedes mumbled. Beside her, Tina whimpered and fingered the large, wooden cross she wore around her neck.
"And my protection spell is wearing off, Artie. You better take the crossbow," Mike whispered, passing off his weapon before removing the stake in his back pocket.
"All right, all right!" Sue finally called, sick of hearing her army whine. "It's agreed, we'll go in shifts to see which one of you morons gets to feed off the slayer, and because he killed that slayer in Damascus, I'll let Brody cook the boy witch down there."
"Guys," Tina whimpered, "we got to get out of here." They all nodded, petrified.
"Ah ah ahhh." Collectively, the five kids spun around to find a woman standing behind them with long, blonde hair and a grin. "Don't leave yet; now the fun begins," the woman said, a gorgeous smirk spreading across her face.
"Well, I'll be damned!" Half the kids spun around as Sue stood on top of the mausoleum, staring at the blonde woman, the other half kept their eyes on the new arrival. "Q? Is that you?!"
"Hi'ya, Sue," the woman smiled, her white teeth gleaming.
"Quinn! What the hell are you doing in Lima, Ohio?! Don't you have some crazy Unholy Trinity shenanigans to get into?" Sue asked, seemingly pleased to see Quinn.
As Quinn chuckled, all grace and beauty, the kids' eyes widened, and they traded terrified looks at the mention of the Unholy Trinity. They were not alone, however, as most of the vampires traded surprised looks as well.
Quinn swept her long hair off her shoulder. "Just making a pit stop for a little something. Heard your voice, thought I'd say hi."
Sue put her hands on her hips as she scoffed. "I haven't seen you since—"
"Tibet," Quinn answered. "And here I thought I left you for dead on that mountain."
Sue scoffed. "Since when does one Sue Sylvester not have a contingency plan?"
Quinn hummed her agreement. "Hi, Joe," Quinn fluttered her fingers at the vampire who stood in front of all the others.
"Quinn," he nodded back, the only calm vamp in the hoard.
"So, you're the great Quinn Fabray," Brody sneered, pulling away from the other vampires to stand slightly ahead of Joe, "the Chief," he stressed sarcastically. Both Sue and Quinn started chuckling softly as Brody fumed. He was feet from the kids, but he only had eyes for Quinn. "I heard you were spayed. Poor little girl can't get it up anymore," he spat out the words as though they were dirty, but Quinn kept her smile.
"Yeah, Q, what's that all about?" Sue said, folding her arms across her chest. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about the five kids. "Heard about your little Asian run-in. Thought I trained you better than that."
Quinn laughed musically as she smiled up at Sue. "Why don't you let your pet come over here and see for himself what I'm still capable of."
Without so much as a word from Sue, Brody growled at that, and took off after Quinn—getting the kids to jump out of the way. But Quinn was ready. She quickly dodged his careless dive and used his momentum to knock him off his feet. Standing astride his head, Quinn reached down and grabbed his neck, tugging powerfully, until his head ripped clean off, turning to dust mid-air as she threw it away. The rest of his body exploded into particles, and Quinn clapped her hands free of the debris.
The kids stood, stunned, as did the other vampires—save Joe and Sue. Quinn nonchalantly turned back towards Sue, slipping her hands inside her long, white pea coat, and watched as Sue threw back her head to laugh. "Haven't lost your touch, I see, Q."
Quinn only shrugged. "What are you doing here, Sue?" she asked, suddenly serious.
It was Sue's turn to shrug. "I heard there was something in this town you and yours may be looking for. Thought I'd get here and try to get it first."
"So you weren't surprised to run into me," Quinn smiled. "Still pissed about London, I see."
Sue sneered. "Nobody walks away from the General."
Quinn nodded thoughtfully. "I look forward to killing you, Sue."
"And I look forward to killing everything that matters to you, Quinn."
Suddenly, Quinn's face morphed until she looked like a brutal killer, her long teeth sliding down over her ruby red lips, her hazel eyes crackling with hate. "You're going to need a much bigger army, Sue. And all the contingency plans in the world won't stop me from destroying you if you so much as touch a single hair on their heads," she hissed, menacingly.
Sue laughed loudly again, pleased that she had riled Quinn. "You shouldn't have left me, Q. I will make you pay. I will torture them as you watch. I'm sure you know they're in town."
Quinn's jaw clenched. "Of course I know they're here. I feel them everywhere."
"Then I hope you can feel it when I turn them to dust," Sue hissed.
To Sue's surprise, Quinn laughed loudly, her face changing back to human and a picture of ease. "Oh, Sue, you never learn. By all means, train your little army to flip and twirl their way through fights. You are no match for us. Never have been. You turned a whole Tibetan monastery into an army of vampires, even the Dalai Lama himself, and still, you couldn't beat us. Good seeing you again, Sue, Joe. Looking forward to ripping your heads from your bodies."
Quinn turned casually, hands still in her pockets, and slowly made her way out of the cemetery as everyone watched.
"She's going to be a problem," Joe said, eyes still falling where Quinn disappeared.
"She always is," Sue replied icily. "But," Sue's face cleared until she was smiling, "in the mean time, we have a slayer to kill along with her friends. Who wants to eat the witch now that Brody's dead? Any takers?"
The kids were abruptly shaken out of their spell now that Quinn was gone and the show was over. They traded looks, and quickly turned to run off in the direction Quinn had gone, Mike pushing Artie as fast as he could.
"Puck, David, go after them," Sue barked.
As Puck and Dave took after the kids, Joe sprung in the air and clambered up the side of the mausoleum to stand on top beside Sue. Both vampires looked grim. "So this is why we're here? To exact vengeance on the Unholy Trinity?" Joe asked.
Sue's turned to him, looking severe. "I can't let her get away with this. Or let her get away with this," Sue spit out, looking enraged. "You were there. You heard what shesaid about me! Quinn is mine. And if she won't join us again…I will destroy the only things she cares about to punish her."
Joe held his hands behind his back as he stared out over the cemetery. The vampires below were growing bored now that the action was over. "Perhaps I should have a look around town?"
Sue inhaled deeply; Quinn's scent was still hovering in the air. "Perhaps you should."
On the other side of town, the bad side of town, Lima Heights, the kids were still running, too afraid to let up until they were at Tina's: the closest house, and their only safe haven at that moment. They knew they were being followed.
"We need to split up," Mercedes said, the only one not yet panting from exhaustion due to her slayer heritage.
"No way," Sam said, gulping for air as he urged Tina to keep moving.
"It's the smartest thing. I stay and fight, you guys take off to Tina's and I'll meet you there."
"There's no way—" Sam began, but Mike cut him off.
"I'll stay. I can fight and use magick. We'll meet you there." The kids stopped running for a moment to consider this plan. None of them particularly liked splitting up, but they could hardly run the whole way to Tina's with two vampires on their heels.
Knowing that Sam had to protect Tina and Artie, and trusting Mike to look after his girlfriend, he nodded his consent. "Fine. But promise me you'll be careful," Sam said, speaking directly to his girlfriend.
Mercedes smirked. "I'll kick some ass and probably get to Tina's before you," she said cockily.
The kids grinned, used to Mercedes' confidence. "Just promise me," Sam said, firmly this time.
"I promise." They kissed quickly, as did Mike and Tina, before the three kids were off.
"If I wasn't in this wheelchair," Artie grumbled, "we'd never need to split up." Both Sam and Tina ignored the comment, used to it by now; there was nothing they could say.
Mercedes and Mike stood resolved, weapons at the ready, waiting for the vampires. They could hear them now, growling and hissing as they ran. Abruptly, they were upon them. Dave went after Mercedes, lunging in the air, game face on. Puck descended on Mike, fists curled.
Puck and Dave were much better fighters than the kids had gone up against in the cemetery. Punch after punch, kick after kick, the fight didn't seem like it would ever end. Mercedes retreated slightly when she saw Mike fly through the air and land in alleyway between two buildings. She wasn't sure if Puck would go after him or not, so she backed up until she felt the brick of one of the buildings—a bar—against her.
"I can't wait to tear into you, slayer," Dave growled, advancing. Out the corner of her eye, she watched as Puck ran towards the alley. Mercedes knew she'd need to finish Dave off fast in order to help Mike, but Dave began raining punches down on her, and it was all she could do to block his attack.
Unexpectedly, the punches stopped. Mercedes lowered her arms to look up at Dave. His mouth was a perfect O, and he looked surprised. "Shit," was all he could say before his body exploded into dust. And there, standing with a piece of driftwood raised, was Rachel.
They stared at one another for a moment, both slightly shocked, before Mike's loud yell broke Mercedes out of her bewilderment. She took off towards the alleyway, just as Puck leaned over Mike's fallen form.
"Oh, hell no!" Mercedes screamed. Puck snapped his head up and smiled when he saw her.
"This isn't over, slayer," he said, before he took off running down the alleyway and hopped over the chain metal fence and into the shadows.
"You okay?" Mercedes asked as she helped Mike to his feet.
He rubbed the back of his head where it had collided with the ground, and winced. "I think so. You?"
Mercedes nodded before remembering Rachel. But when she spun around, the girl was gone. "Come on, we better get out of here."
"We'll need to tell Mr. Schue about this," Mike grimaced, leaning on Mercedes for support as she led them out of the alley.
"Yeah," Mercedes agreed, looking around the empty streets for any sign of other vamps or her surprise savior. "I think we better."
As the two kids made their way through town and towards Tina's, Quinn stood atop the bar's roof, smiling at the scene she had just witnessed. She let her neck fall back and tilted her head up towards the sky, inhaling deeply. For the first time in a very long time, Quinn felt at peace. She felt happy. So much had happened that night that she hadn't expected.
When you're over 500 years old, there isn't much that can excite you, that can surprise you. When you're a vampire who has traveled the world many times over, you pile up experiences and adventures. But for Quinn Fabray, on that night, she could almost feel her heart race.