Notes:
- Sequel to the fics For You, In The Daylight and Without You. You can read all of them here.
- MxF Smut Alert! Feel free to skip it if you're not interested 😉
Kamilah
The incident during the training session, as well as the poor management of her new emotions, had truly affected Amy's mood. For days, she acted depressed and refusing any romantic interactions with Kamilah. But everything changed from the moment Rheya Apostolous entered her office.
Not only she had everything Kamilah was looking for in an employee, she was also bonding really well with Amy. The two of them were becoming friends really quickly.
"No, you're doing great," Amy smiled. "It's such a honor to have you in my place during these weeks. Maybe… we can even share the position later?"
"I appreciate your company, darling," Rheya grabbed Amy's hands in a friendly gesture. "I'm glad to be working with you."
Something about that mysterious vampire woman intrigued Kamilah. In her presence, she felt compelled to act differently than her usual self. Around Rheya, she felt comfortable and open. As if the two of them had known each other for long years and had a very close relationship. There was something about that woman who drew her completely, even if they rarely talked. Maybe it was her charisma, or her excellent social skills.
She cleared her throat interrupting their conversation.
"Kamilah, hey," Amy stood up from the desk. "Rheya was telling me she spent years being a prisoner of the Order."
"Did she?" Kamilah raised a curious eyebrow.
"Yes," Rheya's expression changed into sadness and melancholy. "I've spent years in that horrible place, waiting for the day I'd be finally free and meet the world again."
"My apologies. I've had to fight and flee from their troops many times myself."
"Soon they will pay."
Her words had a hint of certainty.
"Kamilah," Amy changed the subject. "There's something else. She doesn't have a Brand."
"To be a part of the New York vampire community you must be Branded and accepted as part of a Clan, Rheya. It's one of The Council policies. To eradicate the risk of Ferals, you know?"
Upon Kamilah's explanation, the female vampire silenced for a moment, as if she was seeking for the right words to say. Kamilah assumed English was being quite a challenge for her, as she lived most of her life in Greece.
"I've learned information about the six Clans of New York," she finally said. "I'd be grateful if I was given the opportunity to be accepted as one of you."
"You should speak to my brother," Kamilah told, "or Adrian. They're the best Clan options at the moment."
"I certainly will."
Later at their penthouse, she found Amy alone in their living room, listening to some music and having a glass of wine. Without being noticed, she wrapped her arms around her waist. As her wife leaned against her, Kamilah inhaled deeply the scent of her hair.
After a few minutes in silence, enjoying each other's presence, she finally spoke:
"I was just thinking, I hired Rheya and I didn't even ask your opinion about it."
"She's great, really," Amy assured. "I think we can learn a lot from each other."
Yet, Kamilah knew how upset she still was from losing temporarily her position at the company.
The girl turned around to face her and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"I was thinking, I could really use a break right now. And I want to enjoy it to spend some time with you," Amy grinned excited. "Why don't we go to our Hamptons house, where nothing or no one will bother us?"
"I'd love to," Kamilah didn't really know how to deliver the news. "But I'll be out of city. I have this business conference to attend in a few days."
Her wife sighed. She could tell how disappointed she was.
"Can't I come with you?"
"I thought you'd rather stay and... plan your debut party. I'm sure Lily would love to help."
Lysimachus
Darkness. Was it possible there was any darkness in the depths of Amy's soul? Lysimachus remembered when they first met. She was just a girl, lost and insecure for being in contact with the vampire world. With Kamilah, she was slowly growing into a woman, kind and supportive of everyone around her. Not even vampirism seemed to have affected her personality, she was still cheerful and good, as she always had been.
What intrigued him were her psychic abilities. As a human she was already able to access memories and establish some telepathy. No regular human was capable of that.
Yet, he couldn't find any threat, any darkness in his sister in law. She was different from Gaius, Xenocrates and even him or Kamilah. They all had different shades of darkness in their hearts. She didn't though. Until proven otherwise, Amy's heart was completely pure.
"This is bullshit," Lysimachus looked all the books and notes spread on his desk. He hadn't been sleeping for days now. Most of the time he was doing research to find anything that could connect what Serafine Dupont said to Erik Balthazar's fear.
Against his better judgment, he went back to New Orleans. It was the only place where he could possibly obtain any clues.
"Hmmm," Ivy fell pensive for a moment, "maybe she's a demon."
"No chance," Lysimachus shook his head while sipping a drink at The Graveyard Shift.
"Witch?"
"I don't think so."
"Goddess Phampira herself?"
"Very unlikely."
The undead woman sighed in annoyance.
"I don't know what your friend is. Bloodkeeper, you said… I don't remember having any records on it. But I'll take a look."
With the promise of giving her some ghosts as payment, Lysimachus agreed to go home and wait for an answer. Before returning, he'd check on Katherine. Nobody had heard of her since she returned from New York. He knocked on her penthouse's door.
As she opened the door and saw him, she immediately closed again.
"Katherine," he insisted. "We need to talk."
With some hesitation, she decided to let him in. They sat on a couch, one of the very few furniture she had bought recently.
"I knew one of your friends would attempt to debrief me," she told, pulling an amulet from her pocket. "So I carried a protection."
"I need you to tell me. What exactly did you see when you were training with Amy?"
A hint of fear appeared on her face. Lysimachus couldn't remember any occasions he had seen Katherine frightened before.
"I can't explain. S-She… she's extremely powerful. As she's dangerous."
"Are there any manners to prevent this dangerous side of her from coming up? I asked Ivy, but she doesn't remember having any records on Bloodkeepers."
"I have no idea. I've never encountered something so dark before and I've seen some really messed up stuff."
Katherine stood up from the couch and went to the window, where she stared outside with a lost look on her face. Lysimachus followed her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Katherine, I'm sorry," he lamented.
"Can you please leave me alone?" She asked. "Don't come back. I don't wanna see you again, at least for now."
Lysimachus agreed. As he began to head back to the front door, he heard her voice one last time.
"And take care."
Back in New York, the first thing he did was to pay a visit to his sister in her office. She was in the middle of a meeting, so he waited.
"Brother?" Kamilah asked in surprise. "What brings you here?"
"Serafine and Katherine told me they've seen a darkness inside Amy," Lysimachus told. "Did you know about this?"
"Yes, I did."
He silenced. Of course Kamilah would omit something like that from them. They were talking about her wife. The woman she loved the most in the world.
"Wait, you can't be possibly thinking…"
"I wouldn't doubt anything at this point."
"She's my wife," his twin sister had gotten visibly angry. "If there was something wrong about her, I'd be the first one to notice."
"Maybe she hasn't noticed it herself yet."
"Leave. Now."
Lysimachus consented with a nod, knowing he was alone with his worries and fears. Maybe it was time to try to see it for himself.
Amy
Amy's sadness from being away from Kamilah, in the moment she needed her the most, quickly disappeared when she started planning her debut party.
The event would be taking place at the castle that used to belong to Marcel Lafayette. Vampires from every part of the world had been invited. That was how Kamilah wanted her to be introduced to the vampire community, fancy and big.
Being Mrs. Sayeed had its privileges. She and Lily spent the day trying expensive alcohol and shopping for the party.
After long hours, they were back home, completely exhausted.
"Girl, I still can believe you bought us those dresses," Lily grinned.
"A gift for my best friend forever," Amy replied with a smile.
Her cell phone buzzed inside her pocket. It was Rheya. They had been talking often and now Amy was teaching her to communicate through her phone. Lily spied over her shoulder.
"Okay, I'm starting to get jealous."
"Come on, Lil. She spend years as a prisoner of the Order, I'm helping her to adjust."
"Is she coming to the party?"
"I hope so."
The bell ringing interrupted their conversation. Lily went open the door.
"Hello, girls," a male voice approached them. "Mind if I come inside?"
Amy dropped her phone to see Lysimachus standing in front of her.
"Hey," she hugged him. "How have you been? We haven't seen you in days!"
"I've been in New Orleans. Checking on Katherine."
"Everything alright?"
Lysimachus told her about his last conversation with the Nighthunter. He seemed a little bit upset.
"Actually, I'd like to speak to you in private," her brother in law told.
Lily understood the message and focused her attention on some video game, while Amy followed Lysimachus to his place.
"You're a psychic vampire, like me. We haven't had a chance to talk about it yet."
He invited her to seat on the couch. Amy started feeling a little bit uncomfortable at the subject. Everytime it was mentioned, the bathroom vision returned to her mind immediately.
"Someone should offer you some training," he continued. "You have a great potential, but your abilities need to be properly developed."
"I…." Amy was unsure of what to say. "Serafine has offered to help me. I haven't heard from her in days, but…"
"You'd feel better if it came from somebody you trust, right?"
"Exactly."
"Show me what you've learned so far," Lysimachus asked.
Amy agreed. She trusted her brother in law as much as she trusted Kamilah. He saved her life in London and was the one to study her origins deeply. There was no need to be nervous. It wasn't because it was inside her head that he'd see it. After all, that vision was false.
First, she accessed his memories. His life as Kamilah's advisor in Egypt, some events as a vampire hunter and the night where he was reunited with his sister. However, when she tried to access a memory from his years in prison under Gaius control, she couldn't.
"What?" She asked. "It's all dark."
Lysimachus let out a small laugh.
"I blocked it," he explain. "Some things are better guarded."
Next, he taught her how to block her own memories too and work on her telepathy. Now Amy felt more secure, they were completely connected and in sync.
"Great, Amy," Lysimachus said through their link. "Now show me memories you managed to obtain from other vampires."
Amy showed him funny memories of Kamilah and Adrian, she always had fun seeing them arguing or teasing each other. Then she showed him Lily's famous Christmas curse and how Jax acquired his precious sword.
"Can you show me something from someone you're not so close to? Someone who's dead maybe?"
"In a moment."
Focusing, she showed Lysimachus The Baron's memories of his family, which was strange to watch, and Gaius being defeated. Seeing this from his point of view was satisfying. He was scared, truly scared when he saw himself trapped in that magical circle. Even more scared when Kamilah staked him and the flames consumed his body.
"You guys did it so great," Amy told Lysimachus. "Too bad I missed it."
"I know right?" He laughed. "Seeing this son of a bitch, trapped and terrified, makes me so proud of myself!"
Before they could proceed, something else invaded both of their brains. A memory she had no idea where it came from. There was the Tree Of Eternal Life and blood. A lot of blood. All they could hear was a female voice.
"When the sap of the tree rests in the blessed chalice, the skies shall turn red, the earth shall be torn asunder, and The First shall walk again."
"Amy?" Lysimachus asked. "What the hell is that? Where did you get this from?"
"I-I don't know…" she tried to return to reality. "Stop! Make it stop…"
When she opened her eyes, Lysimachus was also paralyzed in horror.
Amy couldn't hold her emotions anymore, she started sobbing intensely.
"Hey," Lysimachus comforted her, after taking note of every word they heard. "Why are you crying?"
"I… I keep having these horrible visions everytime I use my powers. The other day, I saw Kamilah being killed. By me."
It was time to finally tell someone before it consumed her. Before it drove her insane.
Kamilah
Kamilah had been extremely busy for the last few days, not letting her spend so much time with her wife as she wanted to. But being supportive and patient as Amy was, she'd understand. She always knew how Ahmanet Financial took most of her time. Besides, that conference wasn't something she could skip. Her presence was very important to represent her company.
She arrived just in time for the debut party. Amy wasn't home, she was spending the day getting nails and hair done. With Rheya, not Lily. A small smile appeared on Kamilah's face. It was good Amy had a mature and more experienced vampire friend in that moment. Rheya could give her some advice and guidance.
Checking her watch, she realized she needed to rush, buy a new dress and start to prepare for the party herself.
By the time Kamilah made to the party, she was a little bit late. Most of the guests had already arrived. For her surprise, Amy was handling it very well, welcoming them and introducing herself.
"Amy," she approached, pressing a quick kiss on her wife's lips. "I'm sorry. I had to stay longer and discuss some stuff with the other members of the conference."
"It's okay, Kamilah," Amy said. "But most of these people are your guests and your Clan members, they pass by me and have no idea who I am."
"I'll fix that."
Kamilah grabbed a microphone and ask for silence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're here tonight for a special occasion. Not only to introduce Mrs. Amy Sayeed as my wife, but as the newest member of Clan Sayeed."
Vampires from all over the world, as well as some mortal guests, were paying attention to her words. There was a lot more Kamilah could say about the young woman by her side, but it wasn't that crowd's concern. If anyone had to know about her deepest feelings, it was Amy. In private. When they were alone in that small world they shared. After a few brief words of affection, she proposed a toast and finished her speech with a kiss.
"I love you," she whispered in Amy's ear. "Am I forgiven?"
"Of course," the girl smiled back at her.
"You look gorgeous. I had no time to say it before."
"And so are you."
Even though many people wanted to speak to her, Kamilah decided to dedicate the night exclusively to her wife. She agreed to follow her to the dancefloor for a few dances, after one year of marriage she was finally mastering the modern moves Amy introduced her to.
Then, they went to the bedroom to talk in private about the days they spent apart.
"Enough of me. How are you handling your new abilities?" Kamilah wanted to know.
"Absolutely fine," Amy told, proud of herself. "Lysimachus has been training with me."
"Oh."
"What's with this face?"
She wasn't on good terms with her brother and Amy had no idea why. She couldn't even think of a manner of telling her that.
"We had a disagreement," Kamilah said. "Just before I left."
"He told me."
Amy's expression changed, the smile disappeared from her face.
"What exactly did he tell you?"
"Everything. Kamilah, why did you hide it from me? About Serafine and Katherine?"
Kamilah silenced. She didn't have a good explanation. Except that she couldn't believe a single word of that. There was no darkness inside Amy.
"It isn't true, Amy." she started. "Whatever they've seen, it doesn't exist."
"Do you think so?" Amy asked.
"I'm sure of it."
Kamilah leaned forward, pulling her wife for a deep and long kiss. She had truly missed those lips, that skin, that warmness.
"Why?" Amy asked.
"Because..." Kamilah's mouth descended to her jawline and neck, before stopping on her chest. "Your heart is unlike any other I've met before. There's no darkness in here. All I can hear is peace."
Although she could feel Amy's fingers on her hair, her touch was still weak and distant.
"Kamilah, I thought we had an agreement of not keeping secrets. Everytime it's happened it got dangerous for us both."
"Amy... I didn't want to overload you with unnecessary things. Especially in this moment."
"What moment?!" Amy raised her voice. "I'm a vampire, so what? I've lost control once or twice! Why do you need to treat me as if I was about to break?"
"My apologies," Kamilah sighed. "I thought I was helping."
"Helping?! By suspending my training sessions, taking me from my job and not being around most of the time? Yeah, you're really helping."
"I think you need some space. I'm going to leave you alone."
"It's not like I've been alone for days, right?" Amy shouted before she left. "It seems like you're running away from me."
Kamilah shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. She wasn't in the mood for a fight. The night was going completely different from what she planned. Instead of a celebration of Amy's life, where they'd spend some quality time together, it was becoming a nightmare.
Spotting Adrian at the bar, she went in his direction.
"I really need a drink."
Lysimachus
Everything was starting to make sense now. Xenocrates words, Amy's visions and the darkness both Katherine and Serafine saw within her. Lysimachus suspected the darkness could be her strong connection with the First Vampire and how she could have returned to life, when Amy died and was Turned.
"I'm probably going crazy," he closed the notebook where he was writing down all his thoughts and theories.
It was time to get ready for Amy's party. After confessing about her visions, they had been talking daily. Lysimachus helped her with more training, of her psychic skills and combat training too. That should be his role when his sister wasn't around. He swore to protect that girl with his life and he wouldn't allow anything bad to happen to her.
At the castle, he spotted some familiar faces. People he probably tried to kill in the past and were looking at him with a scowl on their faces. Kamilah was still angry at him, but once he had a final conclusion on his theory, she'd be able to understand. She was in company of Adrian, chatting with old friends, while Amy and Lily had fun in the dancefloor. Lysimachus decided to walk to the bar and drink all by himself for the night.
"Man," Jax joined him, "it's the first time I actually feel safe in a party."
"It may be the last too," he muttered. If his conclusions were right, they were in grave danger.
"What's bothering you so badly?"
"Everything," Lysimachus answered, swallowing another dose of whiskey. "Xenocrates, The First Vampire, Amy's Turning… Life."
"Women too?"
"Yeah, probably."
It was the first time he actually thought about his situation with Katherine. He probably added one more trauma to her life. He'd miss her dry humor and strong personality.
"Come on," Jax placed a hand on his shoulder. "Relax a little, let's toast to Amy."
"To Amy," they clicked their glasses.
It could be only paranoia, but Lysimachus sensed a dark presence somewhere. And it wasn't Amy's. Speaking of her, his sister in law was coming in his direction, with a big smile on her face.
"I want you to meet someone," Amy dragged him by the hand. "It's my new friend. She needs a Clan and I'm sure you can help her."
"Of course," he followed Amy. "About what you told me the other day, did it happen again?"
"No, everything is just fine."
"I think I have a theory. Can you and Kamilah drop by tomorrow?"
"Of course!"
In a corner, a tall, brown haired woman waited for them. She seemed to be insecure to mix with the crowd, but her eyes wouldn't miss a single detail.
"Lysimachus, this is Rheya," Amy introduced them. "Rheya, this is Kamilah's brother, Lysimachus."
He extended his hand for her to shake. When she took it, an strange sensation ran all through his body. Something powerful, electric irradiated from her skin.
"She was a prisoner of the Order and now she needs a Brand. Can you provide her?"
"I-I… yes, but we must ask the Council first."
"True," Amy rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Rheya. "The Council can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Anyways, I'll leave you two alone so you can talk."
She walked away, leaving Lysimachus with the mysterious woman. She wouldn't stop staring into his eyes, as if she was reading deeply into his soul.
"So Rheya…" he cleared his throat. "What you expect to find in a Clan?"
His mind went foggy for a second, as if someone forcefully invaded his deepest thoughts and broke all his defenses.
"I expect to find safety, strength, comfort…" she replied. "A new beginning. A rebirth."
That was exactly how Lysimachus would describe his Clan. Gathering vampires in risky situations from all over the world, that was what he offered them. Rebirth and a new beginning was the meaning of the scarab Brand he marked them.
"Well," he tried to remain confident and firm, "then you'll fit well in our Clan, but as I said, I must ask the Council's permission."
"Why? Don't they trust your decisions?"
Rheya said that with a knowing look. She wasn't really asking. She seemed to know he often had trouble with The Council.
"It's their policy. Anyways, I have to go now. I'll contact you once I have an answer."
Even when Lysimachus was back at the bar, it seemed like her gaze was following him. He ordered more and more alcohol. He needed to wash his mind from all that paranoid thoughts. Rheya was just another lost vampire, like many he rescued before. She was no threat. She felt dislocated in the middle of all those people. She looked innocent, chatting and learning dance moves from Amy.
- MxF Smut Scene -
He was very drunk when he went to the balcony to some fresh air.
"What are you up to now?" A voice behind him made him freeze in place. But it was only Priya.
"Priya, hi."
"You're acting strange! You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm way too drunk and overthinking things."
A mischievous grin appeared on her face.
"Can I ask what you're overthinking about?" She whispered seductively in his ear.
"Danger," he answered.
"So why think, when you can actually get in danger?"
Her face was very close to his, while her hand traveled through his chest. Lysimachus didn't want it. Being with her was the trouble he didn't need for that night. But he wasn't acting like himself, either because of alcohol or because of his disturbed mind. When he noticed his mouth was already on Priya's, deep and feverish.
"It's the last time, okay?"
"Hell yeah, it's is."
While kissing her neck, Lysimachus hands found their way under her dress only to discover she was wearing no underwear.
"Oh!" He exclaimed in surprise.
"I may have lost it," Priya told. "I was having fun with a newly-Turned in your bedroom."
"In my bedroom?!"
"She's still there, in case you want to continue this later."
"I'll keep that in mind," Lysimachus said, his hands still under her dress, touching her slowly and teasingly.
"Two can play this game, Hunter," Priya said between moans, as she unzipped his pants and went under his underwear. "Let's see who can resist longer."
"If I win?"
"You can have me in any ways you want. But if you lose... I'll punish you."
The game lasted minutes until Lysimachus felt Priya was very close to her limit, so he stopped his movements completely.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Making the game a little more interesting," he grabbed both of her wrists, forcing her to stop too.
Lysimachus lifted her up, perching her on the balcony. As he started moving inside her, Priya wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him even closer. It didn't take long before she reached climax.
"I won," Lysimachus teased.
"You cheated," Priya complained. "But I'm going to allow it this one time. After all, I'm looking forward being rewarded for saving your ass that night."
Amy
Fighting with Kamilah was the last thing Amy wanted to do now she was back home. They rarely fought, what made her feel even more upset and frustrated. But she didn't want secrets. She didn't want to be protected from reality. Whatever was happening, she wanted to be prepared to face it.
The next few hours of the night were tense and awkward. They were sitting on table with Adrian, Serafine and Lily, but neither of them would open the mouth to speak. Kamilah was quiet, having a drink after another.
"And I pointed out and said," Lily was telling one of her stories in a overexcited manner, "the cake is a lie! Because... there was no cake left?"
Adrian furrowed his brows confused and Serafine forced a laugh. Amy was probably the only one able to understand that joke, but she didn't feel like laughing.
"Come on, guys," Lily insisted. "Why is everyone so dead?!"
"Because we're vampires," Kamilah answered bold and serious, what made her laugh even more.
"We're vampires in a party! We should be having fun. Serafine, why don't you tell us one of your stories too?"
"Okay, let's see..." Serafine was pensive for a moment, attempting to retrieve any stories from her past that would cheer up the mood of that table. "Kamilah, do you remember that night in New Orleans when we scared a group of male tourists who were harassing women?"
"I do. We attracted them to the cemetery and we revealed our fangs."
Serafine told a detailed version of the story. Amy sighed and looked away, trying to remain patient. The French vampire always had to tell stories involving her wife. She could swear it seemed to be on purpose.
"Wow, this was badass!" Lily grinned when she finished. "You guys have a lot of chemistry."
In another night, Amy would've ignored her best friend's comment. After all, she had a lot of alcohol. But not in that occasion, where she and Kamilah were in such a delicate moment. That was too much for her ears. Almost by impulse, she let out a loud:
"Lily, excuse me?!"
"Had... I mean had."
"Had, because Kamilah married me right? Because she had to abandon all her past flings to marry a stupid mortal girl."
"Amy..." Kamilah tried to calm her down. "You're overreacting. There's no need for this."
"Of course, as always," at this point, tears started forming in the corner of her eyes. "I'm always overreacting, when I'm forced to hear and have visions of your sexual adventures with all your exes. As if I could become one of them at any moment."
"Amy..."
"No, Kamilah! I need to be alone for a while."
She escaped to the exterior of the castle, to the garden where she had one of the first conversations with Kamilah. She sat on a bench, reflecting on what she said that night. She had experienced all things about love and relationships, just like she knew well all kinds of flowers. How could she be something new in Kamilah's life? Would she ever get bored of their marriage, just like she did with botany?
As Amy heard someone approaching, she wiped a few tears from her face.
"Amy, darling..." Rheya sat down by her side, "what happened?"
Her voice was smooth and calming like a lullaby.
"It's nothing important," Amy lied.
"Nothing important? If it's hurting you and causing you pain, it certainly is important."
Her new friend embraced her supportively and caressed her hair.
"You know you can tell me everything," she insisted. "We're friends remember?"
Amy inhaled deeply. She didn't know Rheya until a few days earlier, but she already trusted her. She made her feel safe. She always had the right word to say.
"It's Kamilah," she finally told. "We had a fight and... god, I'm going to sound so stupid. I feel insecure, you know? Like... are we going to last? Or is she getting bored of me after a few decades?"
"Oh dear, if your love is true it will last. Otherwise..."
"I know."
Rheya hugged her again, before they walked back to the castle. Kamilah was still on the table with Adrian and Serafine. They were chatting and laughing. Unlike before she left, there was no tension. They seemed to be having a good time.
"Who's that lady with Adrian and Kamilah?"
"It's Serafine Dupont. An old..." Amy sighed, "friend of them."
"Serafine..."
Amy yawned as a sign she should probably go to bed after such an exhaustive day.
"I'm going to bed," she announced. "Good night, Rheya."
"Good night, Amy. I'm going to stay around a little longer."
