Clenching her shirt over her chest Kira slowly inhaled and exhaled, working to slow her heartbeat. She sat on the side of the bed, Carmilla deep in slumber behind her. Moments ago their limbs were tangled together, their morning occupied with the seemingly endless ecstasy and lust. It was vanilla compared to their recent adventures, but nevertheless pleasurable and no doubt the entire hall was aware. Muffled or not. The sex was amazing, Carmilla's nearly infinite skill and talent never failed to unravel Kira.
Every touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, every brush over her skin, every slight graze of her fangs-heat and excitement swelled each time Carmilla so much has gave a inkling glance. She had a way of making the woman come undone in anyway, every way possible, knowing Kira's body better than Kira herself. Pleasure was never in question between the two of them, but what was in question was what was happening outside the bedroom. The human's heart was not equipped to deal with emotions beyond the bedroom, she hardened her heart to ensure she could keep the two places seperate. But now...what was happening inside the bedroom was leaking out.
Turning, Kira looked at Carmilla, covered in the egyptian cotton sheets of red and black. She was peacefully asleep, strange how peaceful she looked, how docile compared to hours ago. Now the seductress was deep asleep, satisfied and content, she was wrapped around her partner and untangling took a minute. The human's eyes softened when watching the other woman sleep. How did she get to this? How did she go from fleeing the vampire, from fighting through teeth and nail against them to being here? How did she go from hating vampires, hating the Empress to this...whatever this feeling it? Eona, Carmilla; she was conflicted by these growing doubts, this uncertainty and clarity was a rare occurrence.
Her throat was dry, itching to be quenched, but not by water. Slow to stand so not to wake her, Kira had developed her own skills in the bedroom, tip-toeing around without stirring Carmilla. It was quite a feat to avoid the detection of a vampire, especially given their enhanced abilities. Walking around the room, Kira went to the couch where her luggage was left. Digging into her clothes, she grabbed out the jar of the medicinal, dissolvable cubes Emily had created. Filling a glass of rosewater, she dropped two cubes, watching them disintegrate and blend into the water. She drank the cup, it did little to relieve her; she dissolved two more, downing the next glass quicker. There was some relief.
It's getting worse. She thought, remembering the breaking of the chair on the train before. Popping another two cubes, Kira watched Carmilla more as she rubbed her neck. If Carmilla was the base for the Stigma, why is she trying to override it? Does she want me to turn? The woman sighed, putting the cool glass to her neck. That defeats the purpose the purpose of keeping me human; is she having second thoughts? Trying to find reasoning behind Carmilla's actions, Kira knows she has lived her entire life not fully understanding the reasons behind the Empress's actions. She wondered if the time had come to talk to Carmilla directly about it, but how to bring out such a topic?
Kira returned to the bed. Did she intend for me to be sired? Is that why she wants me to be with her all the time? Another thought came to mind, but she did not dare speak it. She pushed it away, intending to bury it deep, no matter what. That thought could not be allowed to stay in her mind because if it did she would not stop thinking about it. It would distract her again, it would make her forget that she is a human living in the world of vampires. If she thought about it, she would forget she needed to survive and next time Kira knew...she would not survive. Kira knew that, but she while the thought was pushed away the feeling would not fade.
Returning to the side of the bed, Kira opened her phone, scrolling through news and emails. A rustling behind had two hands curl over her shoulders, locking over her breasts.
"Good morning." Sung the rising immortal, nuzzling her face into the curve of Kira's neck. Her breath tickled.
Kira could not help, but smile some, her body relaxed and eased with Carmilla's body with hers. The vampire sensed this, she pulled her partner back, easing her until she was resting her head in the sitting woman's lap. There could be no complaints, it was a decent view.
"You talked in your sleep last night." Carmilla admitted for the first time.
Kira was neutral to the statement, as though she had not fully grasped what Carmilla had said or her mind was elsewhere. She hoped she had not said anything embarrassing nevertheless something she did not want the vampire to know which at this point was a great deal. Most importantly Kira did not want Carmilla to know about the other vampire knowing who she was nor the tormented and confused state of her mind.
Carmilla rubbed Kira's temples, "You kept apologizing, it seemed you were quite upset."
"Probably had another nightmare from when I was a kid." Kira said truthfully.
There was a hint of curiosity in Carmilla's as to what event would spark lingering trauma such as this. As a vampire born in a different era, war was an expectation than a far away horror. She fought in numerous battles and wars, mainly against other vampires who thought to challenge and defy Council rule or the Tepes. It was normal and expected of them to be accustomed to war so much it was more unusual to be outside of battle than within. Carmilla was a born warrior, she enjoyed the chaos of battle and excelled at it, nothing like her twin sister. She was the pacifist of the family, needless to say it did not gain her any favors during a conflict. Eona's mother preferred to settle difference with words than wars. Having the right ideals in the wrong era makes an enemy out of anyone.
"I do not understand much about this era...nor how humans process trauma, but if you talk to me...I will do my best to listen."
Kira smiled lightly, "Don't worry about it, it's nothing an Empress should concern herself with."
"I'm not asking as the Empress..." Carmilla's tone softened, "I'm asking as a woman who cares about you."
Hesitating, the human was left speechless and slightly frightened, that dangerous thought threatening to resurface already. Carmilla leaned down, kissing Kira on the lips as she smiled, her taste lingering on the bottom woman's lips. Kira thought about what she would say, how she would explain why she cried 'i'm sorry' in her sleep over and over again. All the things she had to be sorry for, her life until now, how she has lived compared to what her father raised them to live as. The shame he would have felt if he had seen how she has survived until now and the lack of care Kira would have of his opinion. Conflicting within herself the principles instilled by him to survive, to have pride as a human; the treatment she has seen of other humans and the life of luxury she has lived until now.
Kira sat up, her back to Carmilla as she leaned her elbows on her thighs, "My dad taught us that it was better to die free than to live in chains." She said quietly.
"And yet here you are." The vampire replied equally as quiet, "But you are unbound, he could not dare fault you for that which is beyond your control or how you choose to live."
Unconsciously, Kira rubbed at the Stigma, "There are many kinds of chains. Ones that are unseen are the worst of them all: they give the illusion of freedom."
Her tone was aged and tired, as though she has lived a long life, witnessing all manner of horror. For one such as herself perhaps it was true, experiencing the worst life has to offer, robbed of her innocence and pacifist. In this regard Carmilla could not understand 'not' fulfilling expectations of her parents. She had done everything that was asked and more and yet that never won the eye of her parents. Her sister, the younger of the twins, was a pacifist, the opposite of the ideal vampire nevertheless future Empress.
When their parents choose the younger to become the next Empress Carmilla could not understand. She was ruthless and merciless on the battlefield, valuing the lives of the immortal over livestock and her gift was one that allowed her a great advantage in combat and compliance. Ruling by fear was far more compelling than loving one's ruler. At least Carmilla thought so, she thought she was fulfilling her parent's wishes, but apparently they had a different ideal when it came to leadership on and off the battlefield. That was certainly the older sister's shortcoming: she had no care for politics especially the Game. She would have rather killed those who opposed them rather than the painstakingly long process of swaying another immortal's mind.
"Why fear the opinions of those long gone from this world? They have neither hold nor power over you." Carmilla asked, not understanding why Kira would care about the opinion of the dead.
With a small smile, "It's just how humans are. We don't get a lot of time on Earth so things said and done have a much deeper impact on the person we live as or become." She explained, "It's a constant fight...between what we were raised to be and what we've lived as."
Carmilla tilted her head, "A fight for what?"
There was a long pause before Kira answered back, "Knowing whether or not feelings are my own, or a product of another unseen chain."
She kept he head down and her collar high, not wanting to draw an unwanted eye for her neck. Apparently Kira was a delicacy, at least that is what Carmilla told her and Emily confirmed when analyzing the Empress's behavior. Given what she heard the servants whispering about earlier she did not want to attract any more attention than she already had. Human livestock brought in for the entertainment and consumption. Last night there was more than one person whose voice could be heard in the hallways. If I had known...Kira shook her head when setting another plate down in the dining hall. I wouldn't have done anything. She admitted. Her own neck would not be stuck out for a stranger...even if it was a fellow human.
The dining room was finished being set up, Kira found her chance to slip away, having exactly thirty-seven minutes before the beginning of the next session of the Council's meeting. She needed to find the secret passage discovered in a side note left by one of the builders long before the humans lost control of the castle to the immortal. A crawl space originally used for as a servant path, modified for framework then again for piping in the 1920s, eventually abandoned after many of the pipes proved to risky to update with the desire to keep the castle's authenticity in place. It ran around the Council's Chambers, its use as a servant's path walled up one way and forgotten, until now. There was suppose to be one entrance that still allowed access, but there was likely a bookcase or curtain in front of it.
From the pictures in her phone she was able to enter a room, based on the amount of dust it had been a few days since someone had been in here. Of course that was likely to change tonight based on her luck, meaning she should prepare for the worst. Undoing her collar, Kira removed her dark gray uniform top, she decided getting a matching uniform with the rest of the castle staff in order to make her more inconspicuous. Revealing the matching moisture-wicking long-sleeve shirt, she placed the shirt on an armchair near the corner of the room. If someone came in, she could create a story easily: needing a place to rest, needing to adjust her make-up or take her medication.
Plan for the worst, expect nothing less.
Kira felt around the western walls, looking behind paints, curtains. A-ha! She thought triumphant, beginning to push the bookshelf to the side. It was heavy, weighed down by dozens of books. Taking a step back, she inhaled slowly, less than pleased about needing to do this, but she avoided taking her medication today for an event like this. While her emotional turmoil was seen in her weakness earlier in the evening when speaking to Carmilla she was able to hold back enough to avoid revealing her true feelings. Despite that internal conflict, there was something good that came out these symptoms in this instance: her strength significantly increased.
Realizing this when she broke the door frame at the Palace, she scurried to hide it and after taking the medication cubes Emily prescription her she strength returned to normal. For a while she was able to keep within the ranges of a human, but Kira has quickly developed a tolerance to the lower doses. Emily is the only one to know about the increasing symptoms, having theorized that the integrity of the Stigma is not to blame, but the effects of the consumption of Carmilla's blood. The blood of a Pureblood is known to have enhancing effects on a human; extending lives and youth, temporarily increasing strength and speed. Whatever the reason, it was useful this time.
After focusing, the bookshelf moved with greater ease, revealing the hidden door she suspected to the passage that time forgot. Grabbing the metal handle, she forced the lever up, rust and immobility over decades proving little challenge, though it did make a loud metallic *clank* when it was lifted and the swelled wood squeaked loudly when opened. If they don't catch me in here, that door will certainly do the job of fucking me over. Kira shook her head nervously. Thankfully, she still had twenty-three minutes before vampires began filing into the chamber which was enough time to weave through the broken pipes.
The former servant's path was dark, the occasional beam of outside light from the outer wall. Centuries of weathering eroded the ancient block bindings, allowing the outside artificial light to peek through and provide some light of the broken pipes. Good thing I got my tetanus shot. Kira rolled her eyes, shutting the door behind her. She crept between the pipes, thinking in hindsight to bring gloves next time, trying her damndest to avoid being cut. If they did not sense her through the walls, sensing an open wound was not only ringing the dinner bell, but practically broadcasting her location.
No one knew about this portion of her espionage, she did not tell anyone, not even Emily. There was no information Carmilla needed because she was in this meeting, this was purely for Kira herself. It was a huge risk, single-handedly the most dangerous action she has ever taken, but it was necessary. After what happened in New York she would not be blindsided again, not by the Last Stand and certainly not by Carmilla. Kira had to know what the vampires were planning, she did not know if there was something she could do, but she could no longer turn a blind eye.
Halfway down the passage there was a thinner section of the wall adjacent to the chambers which Kira believed this would be an ideal place. The piping was less here, probably for the lack of a need, she stood up in the carved in section, seeing six holes, four occupied with nails and two in the center. Must be a painting or something, someone had the right idea when building this place. She crouched, pulling out her phone; surprisingly there was good service in here; moving her phone closer to the wall inner wall had her lose that signal. Signal jammer; smart, but you didn't start doing this until recently. Kira silenced her phone. Something has you scared. She heard the doors open. Or someone.
The Imperial Guards, clad in armor black as night, gothic and sinister it was the traditional attire doned by every guard during these meetings. A tradition unaltered even by the changing times and coming of the modern era this was not by any means ceremonial, this was battle armor without shine, full of damage, it was a testament to the victories of the warrior. The guards opened the double doors, twelve vampires entered, people from all nationalities and origins, eras and beliefs, but all connected by their crimson-eyed immortality. Twelve small stone chairs organized in a crescent formation of the chamber, a large stone throne a top two stairs with the Imperial crest carved into the wall. Just behind that wall, Kira sat against the wall, silently listening.
The Council members took their positions, each member the leader of their perspective coven, swearing their loyalty to the Tepes. They turned around in unison, staring at the open doors as four more Imperial Guard filed in, the Empress Carmilla Tepes, donned in a long, silky black dress, her chest open and exposed; cut down to her the center of her flattened belly. It barely concealed her breasts. Fabric wrapped around her stomach, holding back the flowing material, the v-cut reaching up to her thigh. She donned a gold festoon necklace, golden forearm bracelets and earrings.
As the Empress entered the Council lowered their heads, bowing acknowledging their ruler, the strongest of them all. She glided across the floor to her throne, turning and sitting, releasing the others to take their seats. They sat concluding beginning formalities and diving directly into business.
"There is concern the new recruiting regulations will insite further rebellion among the humans." Said the first to take the floor, identified as Isaac, a Romanian Noble born in the late 14th century.
Another vampire scoffed, "Perhaps a few brave ones may try to cause a ruckus, but humans are primitive, domesticated, sheep, fear is the perfect tool for their compliance."
Kira clenched her fist, behind the wall.
"Even among sheep there are wolves." Isaac pointed out, "Those wolves are the Last Stand, just two weeks ago they succeeded in infiltrating the Empress's hotel and brought down half the building." He gestured to the Empress, "Not that they would have succeeded against her majesty, but the same cannot be said for immortals who lack her exceptional capability."
"Your majesty, is it true that there was a warning given just before the attack?" Another immortal man asked.
Carmilla sat upon her throne, unamused, "Instead of questioning the reason of the rebel's failed attack, it would be of better use of your time to discover the location of their leader." Her lips pursed a smile, "That which you have continued to fail to accomplish."
The council member became quiet and did not speak again.
"As for the new laws I have instilled, humans will join the rebellion with or without their integration, there is no need to care of the humans, our focus lies to a greater enemy." Carmilla began, Eona finishing.
"The Reich."
She was less than traditional, the Pureblood Princess wore a white suit, her dress shirt black, accented by a red tie. Her short hair was styled back, kept subdued by a mixture of gel and hairspray, wearing no jewelry of any kind, but on her jacket lapel was a single pin bearing the Imperial Crest, just as those that hung on banners around the chamber and carved into the stone behind Carmilla and unknowingly Kira. Though she held a Council Seat, she did not take to have it, she would rather be elsewhere, be with other people. She despited politics and the Game more than anything else, attributing them to a leading cause of her mother's death.
The room fell quiet with the mentioning of the name, a tar forming in the mouths of any who spoke it. The Reich was not just a rival, they were a cataclysmic event, any clash with their elite, but small forces devastated the Empire's armies. Though significantly fewer in number, they were trained and united under a single goal: eradication of every single vampire within the Empire. A secretive organization, they have been a knife in the side of the Empire for centuries, led by an unknown, masked immortal many believe to be a Pureblood. His defining characteristic is his crimson and cat-like eyes, unseen in no other vampire, his gift as destructive as mother nature herself. A vampire of few words, if anyone knew his true name they dared not speak it, the people often called him 'The Pureblood King'. No one has seen him in hundreds of years though.
A woman immortal spoke carefully, "It has been centuries since we have detected any major activities and your predecessors-"
"The previous Empress did not finish what our predecessors began. A single ember can spark an entire forest fire." Carmilla cut off calmly, "That is all I will speak of her, it does not do well to speak ill of the dead. What can be spoken of, is the reality we face now: the Pureblood King has returned."
The chamber erupted in uproar.
Is that who he is? Kira typed onto notes of her phone. If the Reich wants to destroy the Empire, then that puts me back onto the idea he may try to use me to get to Carmilla. She turned her head to have an ear to the wall. If he's as strong as they say, using me could mean when he disappear he may have lost his power somehow. Going through me is a really round-about way with a lot of chances for failure. The human typed notes down.
What's his endgame?
Why me?
How does he know my name?
"How can that be? None of our sources, our spies have come up with anything hinting to his return."
Carmilla paused, "One of my own sources saw him in New York." She worded carefully.
Kira's expression softened. She's protecting me. She thought surprised, not knowing whether or not that should be surprising or not. Don't get sidetracked. The woman told herself, knowing if she thought any deeper, then her turmoil would throw her mindset into chaos and she would miss something important. Despite her telling herself to not be swayed and to not lose focus, she could not help...but feel warm inside...knowing Carmilla protected her. It's just possessiveness, don't think anything of it. Her heartbeat increased. Shaking her head, she listened back into the conversation, hoping to distract herself from her thoughts.
"Numbers mean nothing if they are not trained, bodies to throw at the Reich are a waste of blood." Another Council member argued.
Carmilla agreed, "They will be trained, but it will not be as soldiers. No, I will personally oversee their training, as I was trained, as we were trained."
Kira furrowed her brow. What the hell is she talking about?
"Lady Carmilla..." Many shook their head or dropped it, "Using that method...even seasoned immortals have a low chance of survival, you are exceptional and even you were unconscious for a month. Nightcore was disbanded for that reason."
Eona looked to the Council members than to her aunt, "Someone care to explain?"
Mablevi was one of the oldest of not only the Council, but of vampires in general. Born in the third century, he was a human given immortality to save his life when the Shawman of his village in the planes of southern Africa sought different means to save his life. Despite his long life, he remained compassionate towards humanity having great respect for the late Empress who shared the same. Her passing dealt a personal blow to him, his suspicions strongly aimed at the elder twin denied the throne in the first place. Still...she dots on her niece more than he anticipated for someone who should be a cold-blooded killer. He was equally interested in seeing the source of rumors swirling the Game: the Empress's Pet.
"Nightcore was the name of a group of elite vampires trained by the Empire to undertake dangerous and often deadly missions." Mablevi began to explain, "They were our Special Forces, trained in a method with techniques that killed seven out of ten who underwent the training."
Kira covered her mouth to silence a gasp. Carmilla...did that? She was in shock. She could have died-did she even have a choice! It was almost impossible to control her heartbeat now.
"I have no intention of re-introducing the same ritual as we, it's far too dangerous and unstable; even against the Reich, the chances of another Ghoul appearing is not worth the risk." Carmilla rose her hand to quell the uproar, "Regardless if they are vampire or cattle, the old ways...are not always worth the lives of so many."
Her back against the wall, Kira stopped typing on her phone for a moment, leaning her head against the stone. There was a reason then. Somehow that relieved the mortal woman.
"It would be wise for all to monitor your communication moving forward and to enhance individual security. Though the Reich is a priority, do not underestimate what they nor the rebels are willing to do to accomplish their goals. Do not rule out any possibility, but do not allow fear to cloud your judgement." Carmilla advised, crossing her legs, placing her hands in her lap, "If there are no other topics to be brought up in this session? Shall we wrap this up?"
I shouldn't move yet, they'll definitely hear me. Kira thought closing her notes and locking her phone. The meeting concluded, the immortals filed out slowly, making it difficult to find the chance to slip away. She waited a great deal of time until the voices faded into nothing, waiting even longer after the last of the vampire's voices were no longer within range. Slowly navigating through the rusted, broken pipes, an insistent vibration in Kira's pocket had her stop mid-step. She took her phone out, seeing Carmilla's name illuminate her screen.
If you want to hide, you would best learn to control your heartbeat.