*JULIA'S POV*

As my bare feet pounded on the ground, I grew closer to the frail woman. Her dark eyes were glued on me, and showed no sign of shock or fear. I gritted my teeth, and clenched my fists as they swung by my sides. Right before I had even made it a foot from her, there was a flash by her side. The purple mist I was too familiar with circled quickly around Maddie's small figure, and dissapeared within the blink of an eye, along with Maddie. I didn't process it by the time I had leaped and grabbed Vicky's bony shoulders. Her body lurched backwards, and she had fell onto her back - I hovered over her, my fangs bared.

There was a soft crack, like glass breaking - and Vicky gritted her teeth. She showed no hesiation to use her strength to push me off of her. I flew backwards, and attempted to land on my feet. I skid back a few feet, about halfway to Barnabas - who seemed to be frozen in place.

"Come bite me, bitch.." Vicky snarled, as she regained her footing - standing straight. I stood up straight as well, and tilted my head to the side, "Well.. since you asked," I huffed, and cracked a smile. Vicky sarcastically grinned back, and balled her fists. There a moment where I had thought this would pass, when I had returned to Collinwood from the wet depths of the ocean. I thought Vicky would shrug her shoulders, and leave - back to her olden house with her delusional parents. Then again, I didn't know if she even had a home other than Collinwood. I never had gotten to figure out her past, her secrets. But I knew something was there. This was it. Her big, dark secret.

I started to dart towards her once again. This time, Vicky reacted - and started to run towards me as well. Her hands her extended outwards, with a mist surrounding them. Witchcraft. I tried to ignore the blackness that was swirling around her fingertips, because i knew that if I had focused on her magic - I would start to doubt myself. I would tell myself, Is it really worth it? I would turn my back to her, and walk off - let her beat me and take Maddie forever.

No. I started to run faster, to show her I was not afriad of what she could do to me. What she could do to Maddie. I frowned, and focused on her black eyes that were focused back on me. I leaped once again, toppling onto her with all my force. Knocking her flat on her back - right back to the position we were just in. I used one hand to hold hers down, trying to keep her fist from my face.

With my other hand, I grabbed at her dark hair, trying to reveal her neck. I at least wanted to puncture her, If I couldn't do anything else. I was weak - I can admit that. But I wasn't too weak. I pulled her hair to the side, causing her head to tilt. But she didn't let me get even close to biting her. She somehow freed herself from my grasp, and her fist connected with my jaw. I grunted, and fell on my back next to her. She took her chance, and pinned me to the ground. She wrapped her hands around my wrists, her long nails dug into my flesh. Now I could feel that. I felt small cuts forming on my hands, and blood starting to softly flow. I gritted my teeth, looking up at her in anger. I struggled to get free from her grasp, but she was much stronger than me.

She leaned in, close to my face - her fangs bared as well, "Just give it up Julia.." She snarled, "..you'll never win this," She cracked a smile, and studied my neck. I watched her, anger surging inside of me. Before she could inch any closer to my flesh, I kneed her in the gut... twice. She gasped, and wrapped her arms around her stomach. My hands were free - but started to burn from pain. I pushed her off of me, and she rolled onto her back. I examined my hands, as blood started to cover my fist. I thought vampires didnt feel pain.

I kneeled next to her, and examined her face that was filled with pain. She was breathless, and gasped for air. On her left cheek, there was a small crack that was slowly spreading to her jawline. There was another on her forehead, that was just above her right eyebrow. I lifted my palm, I decided to put those foul nails to use, and what better time to use them?

Just before my nails could connect with her glassy skin, there was a low and loud growl that came from the tree line - that led back to the mansion. I looked up, towards the woods - as did Vicky. Like our entire fight was on pause to discover the mysterious growl. There were no wolves in Collinwood. Not that I knew of at least. There was another low growl, but it was louder... closer. I lowered my hand from Vicky's skin, and planted it on the ground. Ready to launch at the new threat that lurked in the trees.

There were a few snaps, and cracks from twigs and branches. Which gave me the idea that the creature was coming closer. I furrowed my brow, and squinted my eyes to try and point out the threat. The moonlight didn't help much. The leaves shuffled as two long legs appeared from the brush. The legs weren't human, they were as wild as possible. The nails were long, and sharp - fur covered every inch. Like a wolf. The rest of the body appeared, it was as abnormal and animal like as the bottom half. My eyes trailed up to meet the face of the creature. It was dark, I couldn't make out any features. It walked at a slow pace as first, then speed walking turned into jogging, and jogging - running. It went from running on two feet, to four. I could hear growls escaping its throat, they became more clear as it came closer. It was about a couple yards from Vicky and I before the moonlight finally had revealed who the creature was. Blonde hair flowed over the gaints shoulders, its green eyes peirced through the darkness. White fabric covered the animal.

Carolyn. My eyes widened as she started to make her way towards Vicky with a deep frown.

"Carolyn?" I asked in disbelief, "Carolyn, no!" I yelled, as she scooped up Vicky as she ran by with her large claws. This was my fight, not the families... not hers. I wanted to finish Vicky myself.

Carolyn threw Vicky to the ground, they were inches from the edge of the cliff. Vicky gasped as her back connected with the hard ground, and looked up at Carolyn with terror at first. But her expression of terror slowly turned into an evil smirk full of sarcasm. I stood up as Carolyn grabbed Vicky by the throat, and lifted her from the ground slowly. I started to jog towards them, but a strong arm wrapped around my waist, and restricted me from going any farther. I turned to face Barnabas, his pale features glowed in the night. I frowned up at him, and pulled at his arm, "Barnabas! Let me go, this is my fight," I hiss, up at him. He shook his head softly at me, and grabbed my shoulders gently, "You'll need this help.. trust me," He said, "..Victoria is strong... very strong," he paused, "You cannot beat her alone." His expression softened, as he looked down at me.

I furrowed my brow, "Where the hell were you during this entire time!" I snap, "If you're so worried about me, you'd help." I purse my lips. Barnabas' expression softened, and he glanced up at the scene that was yards from us, "Witchcraft... can take a toll on I," he whispered. I was as confused as ever, but I chose to ignore the feeling in my gut that told me to leave Carolyn and Vicky alone. Barnabas looked down at my hands, that were slightly covered in dark blood, and grasped them gently, "..You're hurt.." he sighed, a bit worried at my little injury. I shook my head and took my hands away from his, "I-I'm fine," I said, looking up at his coal black eyes. He opened his mouth to object, but before he could say anything there was an evil cackle.

My head whipped to look back at Vicky and Carolyn. Carolyn had Vicky high in the air, hovering over the cliff. Vicky had a wicked smile on her face, as she wrapped her small hands over Carolyn's large wolf-like paws, "Hm? I would've never guessed you'd end up like your daughter," She chuckled, staring the beast down. I rose a brow at the statement, and watched as Carolyn slowly started to loosen her grip on Vicky's fragile neck - that now had cracks, and holes, like a pattern, trailing down her neck.

I took advantage of the distraction, and ripped from Barnabas' grasp. He reached for me, but I ran far from his cold hands. I got to run a few feet, before I spotted the large purple ball of magic forming in Vicky's free hands. My eyes widened, and I continued to run - screaming, "Carolyn! No!"

It was too late. The ball seemed to explode in a fiery matter, that caused Carolyn to lurch backwards quickly, and fall onto her back unconcious feet from my side. I stopped in my tracks, and turned around quickly, watching Barnabas run to the woman on the ground. My eyes focused, and the light of the moon shown down on the face of the beast.

It wasn't Carolyn. My voice got caught in my throat, and I stuttered my words out, "L-Liz?" I gasp, looking at her limp body. Barnabas rushed to her, and brushed the stray hairs from her face. There was a large bruise that covered her entire right cheek. The fur, and large claws were gone. She was human again. Oh my god.

I would've never thought Elizabeth could have been a werewolf. She told me everything - why hadn't she told me this? I took short, shaky breaths and directed my attention back towards the edge of the cliff. Where Vicky stood unscathed - besides the cracks that covered her neck and face. Her crooked smile sent chills down my spine.

"You did that to her, didn't you!" I yelled over the harsh wind that started, and stung my skin, "You cursed her!"

Vicky cackled, and took a few small steps forward, towards me, "She was already cursed," she grinned, "One more little curse wouldn't hurt." I clenched my jaw, and frowned deeply. This bitch. She stole my only real family left. And now she thought she could mess with the people that took me in and let me stay in their home, when I lost hope in myself. The people that never gave up on me, when I gave up on myself - they helped me live.

This witch was going to pay for her sins.