Bloody Brilliant

Chapter Thirty-Four

(A/N: We're getting close to the end of this story. You may call this the small beginning of the climax of the story. I'm making this extra long to show several POVs, all on Tuesday night. The first part is Raven, second part is Jagger, third part is Alexander, and fourth part is Luna.

Don't worry, Demile's gone forever from this story. I HATED writing her.

Also, I may write a sequel...I have the ending for this in my mind, which opens for a sequel. But I don't know if I'll go through with it yet. For now, enjoy this chapter!)

I opened my eyes, and instantly hated myself. Alexander's arms weren't wrapped around my body whatsoever, thank goodness, and he was breathing in my ear gently. If I didn't have to go and die, I would snuggle up next to him and fall back asleep. But I can't. Tonight's the night.

Tonight.

Cue the cheesy "Tonight" West Side Story song.

I had a plan formed in my head: I'd dress up quietly. Then I'd turn on the lights in the bathroom, lock the door, and climb out of the window. Then I'd go to the corner store and wait to be taken.

It wasn't the best plan, but it'll do.

I slowly pulled away from Alexander and cautiously lifted up the coffin lid. Stepping out of the coffin, I tucked the blankets around his naked body and closed the coffin. Then I tiptoed over to my luggage and unpacked black fishnets, a short black dress, and soft-soled biker boots (so Alexander won't wake up from my shoe stomps). After I'd shrugged everything on, I went to the bathroom and, fulfilling my plan, went through the window. As an added bonus, I turned the shower on.

That would keep Alexander distracted for a while.

I headed over to the corner store, which beamed at the corner (surprise, surprise) of one of the streets Alexander and I had zipped by in our new car. Too bad I didn't bring it. It would've been nice to be in such a sweet car before I died.

The twenty-four hour corner store's fluorescent lights did nothing to my complexion. I'd known that when I was human, and I know that now that I'm a vampire.

The guy behind the cash register was busy reading some magazine with skanky girls on the cover to notice I'd come in. It would be easy to steal things from here. I wonder if I can suck down my last slushie before I die.

But another customer enters, and soon approaches me, just as the sky finishes darkening. Sebastian.

"Hello, Raven," he said softly. "I'm glad to see you came."

I nodded, my lips pressed tightly together. I didn't want to cry now, to break down and cause a scene. That would only make the clerk suspicious, and possibly come over her and delay us, and then what will happen to my family?

"Let's go, then," Sebastian said smoothly. His smirk was edgy, full of darkness and sin. He was excited to see me die.

And to think I was going to dance with him at the Bat Bar.

We left the door, just as the clerk put down his magazine for a second. He raised his eyebrow at me, but I ignored him.

I followed after him, and slid into the passenger seat of his black Maserati. I was going to die tonight, but at least I'd get to ride in a good car first.

He drove incredibly fast, just enough for me to whimper slightly, before he stopped in front of a black mansion. Sebastian opened my door and, clasping my hands behind me, pushed me into the house and down a flight of stairs that led to an iron door.

Sebastian opened the door, chuckling slightly to himself.

The first thing I saw was Billy Boy, chained up to the wall. Mom and Dad followed suit.

"Mom! Dad! Billy!" I shrieked.

From out of nowhere, Jagger appeared. He smiled at me and asked, "Are you prepared to die, Raven Sterling?"

I looked around the room, locking eyes with Mom, Dad, and Billy. They smiled softly at me, but their eyes screamed, "DON'T DO IT".

"Yes," I responded. "I'm ready."

^o^

I stood near the door, tapping my bony fingers slightly against the brick wall. Where was Sebastian and Raven? The sun had set. They should be here.

None of the Madisons had spoken after I'd gone all Chris Brown on them. They stood there, tight-lipped, as I impatiently waited for Raven to appear.

I've wanted this moment for a while. And now I was so close to it I could just taste it. I was excited - no, ecstatic - to kill Raven. The nuisance. The reason why Luna didn't get Alexander (and I refused to think that he rejected her just because he wasn't in love with her. I believe that Raven was somehow involved in it).

The doorknob turned, and, like a curtain falling, it revealed the most vulnerable person at the moment. Raven Sterling, staring around the room, ready for her doom.

She must really love her family if she would leave her love and come here.

"Are you prepared to die, Raven Sterling?" I spat, as I skimmed in front of her.

She looked nervous. She was shaking. I watched Raven as she looked around the room for a bit, before answering.

"Yes. I'm ready."

I smiled. "Excellent. Close your eyes. This will only hurt for a second."

^o^

I woke up alone, our blankets tucked against my body. I sighed and lifted the coffin lid. I pulled on a black button-down and a pair of chained jeans, too tired to look any better. After I'd gotten dressed, I searched for Raven.

I soon found her, in the bathroom. The shower was on, and running. She was probably indulging the warm water. I don't blame her.

I sat down on the couch, and picked up a random book that had been left here when my mother and father had been here two months ago. The story (from the back cover, of course) said that the protagonist (a girl, presumably) was irrevocably in love with some vampire guy.

I threw the book at the wall, obviously annoyed by the plot.

After a while, I grew impatient. I mean, warm water was fantastic, but Raven doesn't need to take this long. I stood up and, going to the bathroom door, yelled, "Raven! Are you all right in there?"
No answer.

"Raven!" I called. "Come on!"

Nothing.

I had no idea what happened just then, but before I knew it, I had punched and kicked the door so hard that it fell down.

The first thing that hit me was a light spray of steam, coming from an empty shower. But the open window was clearing it out.

I clenched my teeth together angrily, even though I felt betrayed. Why would she leave me? I thought she loved me.

RAVEN!

I knew that the letter wasn't from Becky.

I ran over to her luggage and tore it open, pulling everything out until I found it. The letter. Unfolding it, I read the cruel words on the paper.

Anger spread throughout my body. She'd foolishly gone to the corner store, to die in place of her family. But it would've been more helpful if the writer of the letter proved that they had them in the first place. Perhaps a photo would help.

I headed over to the corner store, seething. As soon as I entered the store, I yelled at the clerk, "Did you see a girl come in here?"
The dude looked up from the magazine. "I see lots of girls around here, buddy. You've got to be more specific."

"She's beautiful. Probably wore black. Came alone, but probably left with somebody." I was assuming most of that, except for the beautiful part. That was true.

The dude laughed. "Yeah, about ten minutes ago. Why?"

"Where'd they go?" I asked urgently. "She's my wife, and whoever left with her actually took her."

The dude snickered, obviously not believing me. "Tough break. I don't know, dude."

I left the store, even angrier than before. By now, Raven could be dead. Killed by somebody who hated us. Probably Jagger.

"Hello."

I turned around, and found myself staring at Luna Maxwell.

^o^

I watched, sadly, as Alexander Sterling entered the corner store. After a brief conversation with the clerk, he headed out.

It was time to make my move.

I didn't like Jagger's idea at all. It just screamed Twilight. I mean, stealing away somebody's family and ordering for the person to die or their family dies? That totally screamed James.

Well, of course, he actually has the family. But whatever.

"Hello," I said softly.

He turned around and looked at me, his brown eyes turning red instantly. When he saw it was just me, he sighed. "Where the hell is my wife?"

I smiled softly. "She's going to her doom. By now, I'd say she's already at the house."

I watched him as he swore loudly. "Why is Jagger doing this to me?"

"Revenge. He just wants to kill her and get it over with." I crossed my arms over my corsetted chest. "I don't agree with his plan, so I left. I came here to get you."

Alexander looked over my shoulder, looking at Jagger's black Ducati. I'd only brought one helmet.

"You'll take me and help me save Raven?" he said softly. "Really, Luna?" I could tell he was glad for my presence.

I grinned. "You guys are in love. And if two people are in love, nothing should break them apart. Not even my brother."

I gestured to the motorcycle. "Go ahead. Take it and go, now. Raven needs you."

Alexander took the keys from me, and began to strap on the helmet. I turned my back to him, but before I knew it, he'd turned me around and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Luna," he breathed, "thank you."

Then he was gone.