Chapter 10:

*loud voice* can I point out last chapter was the longest chapter I've EVER written for MV!

This is the chapter people have been waiting for... I hope it doesn't disappoint!

Sunday: the day of the proposed takeover...

I take a deep breath as I wake up at 2am, next to my still sleeping husband. Today's the day that I destroy everything I've achieved in the last few years; today's the day that everyone is locked away for me to be at the forefront of a takeover, leaving me pretty much in charge. Bishop said that, although he'll be in charge in all techincalities, I can have complete control of all decisions in Morganville for humans and vampires alike. I can decide who is in charge of humans etc and what happens with Amelie and such.

I look at Myrnin's sleeping body and feel a pang of pain that this will be the last morning I wake up with him... In only a couple of hours, I will be doing a horrific thing. Horrific to him... To me, it's the thing that I've wanted to do for such a long time. To overthrow that bitch and get that idiotic ginner husband of hers out of the way.

Good Claire's slither:

Oh my god. I can't believe that I am doing this... Well, yes me because it is my body and it's what I'm doing. This Claire always resided inside of me, in a slither form like I am now, but was unable to come to the surface. Unfortunately, a mixture of Amelie's behaviour (which I have a theory on) and Bishop's tricking of me caused a switch around. I lost control of myself at the moment Myrnin broke the machine... Since then, I've been trapped here, seeing what bitchy me has been doing, regretting everything she does, and wishing I could regain control. Look at Sam: she, I've, insulted him (and called Amelie names that he'll never forgive me for) beyond anything that's ever happened before... How will he be ever able to forgive ME, not my other self, when this is over? With the plans evil me is putting into action, everybody, including my beloved husband, will hate me.

Oh god, why do I have to be trapped here, in a ring seat?

Please, someone, get me out of here!

Back to Claire:

I move out of bed and supress the inner good in me. It's doing my head in - I'm in control, I'm Claire, and I will make the decisions without any obstruction from myself. I need to live with the decisions I make, and I know I can... What I'm doing is the right thing to do. The only thing that I truly regret is that I have to hurt Myrnin... I have to cause him indescribable pain to be able to get what I want.

Still, I have a couple of hours with him (when he wakes up) to spend in blissful happiness with my man before I destroy life.

I head down the stairs and into the living room, unlocking my phone as I go... Bishop appears to have texted whilst I slept, so I'll read that.

Claire, we are ready to go at 7am. Myself and the other three will be at your home for 7:20am, so have Amelie, Sam and Michael ready to be dealt with... We will have their respective 'new homes' ready for them. Oliver will be dealt with when you are ready to. Felicitations on your new power - in advance. Bishop.

I smile before heading into the kitchen and digging through the fridge for breakfast items. I set my phone down, planning on answering the text once breakfast is cooking, and find the bacon and sausages loitering in the back. Along with the eggs, I set everything on the worktop then pour oil into a frying pan to begin the cooking process.

No problem - I'll have everything sorted. And I'll deal with Oliver after them but before CG opens... Probably about 8am. See you in a few. Claire

I send this message quickly before turning down the heat - the oil's flying everywhere! I put a lid on the pan whilst I unwrap the bacon and sausages from their cellaphane wrappings before tipping about eight bacon rashers and four sausages into the pan - I really don't like touching raw meat... It's a trait my mother handed down to me. She always used a knife to put the meat into the pan, and I do the same - even thought raw meat can't give me any diseases whatsoever as a vampire, it's still something I do. It's one of the only things I do that reminds me of her, so excuse me for wanting to keep my Mother alive in my memories.

I turn the meat with the tongs and then crack open two eggs to put into the other frying pan, which has been heating up slowly. They fizzle but I'm careful not to crack the yolks - there's nothing worse than a cracked yolk! Keeping up with my multi-tasking, I pop two pieces of bread in the toaster and slide two plates under the grill, so they'll be warm when I put the food on them.

Upstairs, I hear Myrnin stirring so I hurry to finish breakfast, putting the two toasting waffles (complete heaven) in the toaster for thirty seconds. I plate up the bacon, eggs and sausages and cut the buttered toast into sticks (for the eggs... Even though there's only a little yolk, it's still yummy to have soldiers!) before popping up the waffles.

Myrnin walks in the kitchen and makes an appreciative noise as he notices the food. I've put the waffles on the plates and covered them in maple syrup because that's truly delicious.

"Mmm, this is delicious!" Myrnin says as I hand him his plate.

"Well, you know me... I like a good breakfast!" I smile, hiding the pain that's in me. I pour us both a glass of orange juice before going to go and sit next to Myrnin at the kitchen table that we always use for breakfast. I'll miss this... We sit here every morning at about three or four am and it's the perfect start to my day. I'll have my blood after my human food, as usual, and I'll take more than usual - I have a feeling I'm going to need it today!

"You make the best breakfasts!" Myrnin says, leaning over and kissing me on the lips. His lips taste of maple syrup and pass sugar onto mine from the waffles. I smile and take a sip of my oj, feeling happy for just a moment. Then the reminder of what I'm going to do hits me, knocking me senseless for a moment. Slowly, I continue to eat my food - Myrnin didn't notice the fact I wasn't fine for a moment... That's good.

"I know... I'm just awesome in that way," I joke before continuing with my breakfast once again. I finish it rather quickly and then clear away my plate before Myrnin has even made it onto his waffle.

"In a rush?" he asks me, slightly confused. I spin around to face him and give him a forced smile.

"Just... Thirsty," I give part of the truth and he nods understandingly before turning back to his breakfast. I am thirsty, my morning 'ritual' slightly later than it is normally, and I move towards the fridge in great haste - recent activities have increased my thirst also.

I find the first two bottles I can in the fridge and stick them both in the microwave for thirty seconds. As I wait for them to warm up, I load the dishwasher - may as well do my last bit of housekeeping - with all the frying pans and such from when I cooked. I have to love vampire speed - it means that I can do everything about fifty million times faster than I could have done when I was human.

The microwave beeps and I wrench it open, eager for the blood. The metallic taste overpowers my throat as my fangs sink down in expectation for the blood. I uncap the bottle and glug the warm blood down my throat, remembering how similar it was when I did the same with the pig. Within less than a second, the blood has gone and I'm already onto the next bottle, knowing that my speediness will assist in Myrnin not knowing the amount of blood I'm having... I normally get it all down my throat by about now. I open my eyes and see everything is bright red... Before I blink and everything returns to normal. I dispose of the bottles in the bin before I dash over and place my head over Myrnin's shoulder. I turn my head and kiss his cheek until he moves his head to join my lips.

"I love you," Myrnin says, using his amazing strength to lift me over his shoulder and into his lap. I smile at this, knowing that these are my last hours and I want to spend them as close to him as possible.

OoOo

"Come into the lab with me," I say alluringly, standing up and taking his hand. He stands with me and follows me through, albeit a little confused. "Now, it's time for your surprise," I raise my eyebrows suggestively as he moves over to the chair in the corner, pulling me with him. I push him down into the chair and climb onto his lap, folding my legs on either side of him. I begin to kiss him and run my hands through his hair, knowing that, as it's 6:59am, I have to do this in the next five minutes.

I break my lips away from his and begin to nuzzle his neck, he making lovely noises as he runs his hands down my back.

"Myrnin," I gasp into the side of his neck. "I am so sorry for what I'm going to do," I say quickly and quietly before striking.

I lower my fangs instantly and pierce the thick membrane before he can react. I begin gulping down his blood, noting how much thicker and 'gunkier' it is than human blood... It sickens me to do this. Still, I have to and the blood is so appealling, I crave more and more. His body jerks under me, trying to throw me off but I have the upper hand and soon he loses the strength until all he can do is barely move. Here, I remove my fangs and retract them, my eyes filled with tears for what I have done.

"I am so sorry," I repeat, trying to touch his hand but feeling horrified when he jerks away.

"W-why?" he asks, looking at me. His eyes are filled with pain...fear...anger... But most of all, confusion.

"I can't live under Amelie's rule anymore - she is too nasty and cold to be the ruler," I say and he gasps in recognition of my plans. "But I never wanted to hurt you, I swear!" I cry, tears flooding down my cheeks.

"S-Sam was right..." he says, tears flooding down his face. "G-go away," he mutters before he uses the last of his strength to turn his head away from me, breaking my frozen heart into two. I spot his phone on the floor and pick it up before looking away, completely ashamed for what I've done.

I stand up from him and move slowly towards the door, wiping my tears away as I go. I push the door open and then slam it shut behind me, pulling on thick gloves. Then I remove the silver chains from under the sofa and tie them around the door, bolting the lock as well and then covering in sheets of invisible silver. Nobody can get to him, besides me for now... He's too weak to attack when we enter - he will be fine as long as he's given more blood before tomorrow.

With shaking hands, I dig Myrnin's phone from my pocket and put the next stage of my plan into action.

Amelie, come with Sam here, now... It's urgent.

I save this message to drafts, planning on sending it in about five minutes, once I've dealt with Michael's guitars. I perfected the message style of Myrnin's to Amelie, looking back over texts from the past year to know that it's not going to look suspicious.

Now, Michael blocked me from The Glass House living room but he forgot about the portal in my old room. He always sleeps from five until eight, and he cannot be awakened during that time, so that means I can get in and deal with his guitars without him knowing a thing. He can also be picked up by the troops around 7:45am, meaning that I now only have to deal with Amelie and Sam.

I sneak through the portal and dash downstairs to the living room, looking for Michael's three guitars. I find them instantly, all in pride of place on the wall, before gathering up every piece of music he has anywhere - now he can't even sing it! Wickedly gleeful, I surpress a laugh of elation as I dart back upstairs and head through to my home with my bounty in hand. Two down, two to go!

I dump all the musical stuff in the back room before regaining Myrnin's Blackberry Curve. With shaking hands, I send the message to Amelie before returning to the living room to lie in wait.

7:17am is the time she comes through the portal with Sam, looking worried. They advance slowly, as yet not seeing me until they round the corner.

"Claire," Amelie gasps, looking shocked. Instantly, Sam stands slightly in front of her, protecting her... From me! Haha, the idiotism of this. "Was it you who sent the message?" she accurately guesses - well deduces, as she sees the phone in my hand.

"Guilty as charged, Amelie," I sneer her name. "Or should I say, great great, blah blah, grandmother?" I hiss and she goes ever paler as I say this. Sam looks shocked, not at the news, that I know as well.

"Who, who told you?" she whispers, falling into a nearby chair. She breathes in and out deeply and Sam puts a protective hand on her shoulder. God, he makes me want to puke - he's vile and disgusting.

"Let's just say, they're more of a friend right now than you are," I hiss back, enjoying this feeling of power. "And you wonder why I hate you."

"What are you doing Claire?" Sam shouts at me, fury evident in his eyes.

"Try in about thirty seconds time, you won't be in charge anymore, Amelie," I say proudly, taking pleasure in the look of shock she gives me. "Bishop will... With me as his second," I explain and she looks horrified. Sam's expression freezes: a cross between torment and horror.

"We have to get out of here!" he yells, pulling Amelie with him to the portal. I tease him a moment, letting him think that the portal can be used, before snapping my fingers and closing it down. He turns to face me, his face less human than I've ever possibly seen it. "What have you done?" he roars at me. "Where's Myrnin? You bitch!" he continues, not coming close to me given Amelie's hanging onto him for dear life. She makes me want to laugh, puke and cry at the same time - she's pathetic! All this mantra about being so strong, but when someone else takes over, she's just a weakling.

"Good girl, Claire," Bishop's voice comes from behind me, filling me with pride. He and the other three 'helpers' come forwards and face a couple who are trying to put on their best brave faces. "Nice touch with the biting - I couldn't have done it better myself. Now, Amelie... How is my darling daughter?"

"Much better when you were locked away," she hisses, clinging to Sam ever tighter. She doesn't look scared for herself... I don't know...

"Ahhh but you had to know that it was only a matter of time," Bishop's voice comes. "Now, let us seperate you two... You do much more harm than good!" he says, snapping his fingers.

As instructed, I move to the side and watch as Violet and Bishop go for Amelie, the other two for Sam. Sam puts up a major fight, trying to stop them both before succumbing, still yelling. Amelie, however, surprises me. She simply stands up and goes with them without a fight... How quaint! I expected MUCH more of a fuss than I got!

Bishop escorts her to her selected prison, I unlocking the portal for them. Sam's head follows her across, yearning to be with her, before snapping back to me. He looks like a madman as he snarls and tries to get to me.

"I ought to throttle you for what you've done!" he threatens me. "Will you tell Oliver one thing for me?" he suddenly asks - what could it be?

"Depends what it is," I say, lowering my eyebrows.

"Bingo," he says simply - well that doesn't seem too bad. "I wish you were dead but you'll get your comeuppance... Mark my words!" he yells as the two others drag him towards the portal and to his new home...

I sit down on the sofa and breathe a deep sigh of relief. Finally, we've gotten rid of the ice cold bitch and seperated her from Sam in the same slash of the sword! I'm so elated that I can barely stop myself from dancing a merry jig - something I'm happy about as a smiling Bishop returns.

"My dear, we have secured Morganville... The only one we now need to collect is Oliver," he informs me and I smile.

"Leave him to me," I say, standing up and heading for the portal. "I'll be at City Hall by 8am... No later." With this, I walk through into Common Grounds and see a sight of normality. How... Different, given everything that's going on!

"Claire, what can I do for you?" Oliver asks me, confused to see me in his office so early. I move over and shut the door before stalking over to him. "Why do you smell of... Vampire blood?" he asks me, wrinkling his nose in confusion. For god's sake... I was going to go easy on him, but now he's brought that up!

"Be glad that I'm full... Or I could be getting rid of you like that as well," I say, baring my fangs in a wide smile. He looks confused - a first for Oliver - and yet remains seated. Has he forgotten how much stronger and more powerful I am than him? "Sam said to say bingo," I continue and he looks horrified.

Now he tries to run. I simply throw him back into his chair and dig the stake from my pocket. With no fuss whatsoever, I drive it through his heart, leaving him entirely immobile.

"I have to thank you, Oliver, for teaching me the hunt," I say in a friendly voice, watching as his eyes show betrayal, shock and anger. "I was going to let you stay free, you know, but then I realised that you were too loyal to ice cold frigid Amelie... So sorry for this, but you have to admit, it's the only way," I say, slightly regretful that I have to lock him up but it's all his fault. There was a strong chance I'd have allowed him to be free, yet he showed loyalty at the wrong time.

I drag the lump through the portal and emerge in his new home... The vampire jail. A jailor - Hans Van Claude and on our side - nods to me and opens the silver door with gloves on. I wrench the stake out of Oliver's chest (I don't want him dying) and then move out of the cell as Hans locks it.

"Why did you betray us... For him?" Oliver asks me weakly.

"He listened to me," I confess. "He made me feel as if I were important and not just a pawn in Amelie's chess game. It felt like I belonged and with the power I've got now... Who's complaining?" I say, leaving a slumped man agog at me.

I smile vindictively before thanking Hans and heading back to the portal. I walk into City Hall, my City Hall, and grin as I realise... It's all MINE!

Sheesh... PLEASE REVIEW - i'd love if everyone reviewed for such an important chappy... Let's make it our mission!

I'll update once I get more reviews than just from the normal people :) si vous plait - je voudrais avoir beaucoup de revues!

Also, let me take this moment to ask you to please read:

Bright Lights and Dark Shadows - by x-Gigi-x - so far I'm the only reviewer so please read it! (and review my story hahaha :P)

vicky xx