Notes:
- Sequel to the fics For You, In The Daylight and Without You. You can read all of them here.
- You can stop hating me now 😂
- My fellow writers: stay home writing your awesome fics.
- Dear readers: stay home reading and leaving your lovely reviews. We love you. Stay safe!
Amy
Amy stood frozen, watching what could be Priya Lacroix's final moments. She tried to figure out what was going on. Only a few minutes earlier, the fashion designer was arguing and insisting on her innocence. Why did she change her posture so suddenly and decided to confess?
They exchanged a quick glance, Priya appeared to be so confused and lost as she was. Amy blinked and in the next moment, Kamilah was already in front of her with a sharp stake in hands.
"What's going on here?" Priya asked. "I..."
"Don't play dumb on me Lacroix," Kamilah poked her side with the stake. "You know the Pact. You killed mortals for over a century and got away. Now you will finally pay for your crimes."
"Stake? It's too old fashioned, don't you think?"
"I could rip off your heart or cut off your head, if you prefer."
"This is abuse!" The fashion designer argued. "Here's the deal, you've gotten the wrong person this time. The real murderer is still out there."
Kamilah rolled her eyes at Priya, ready to stake her.
"Wait," Serafine Dupont interrupted. "I couldn't see her memories but... I know someone who might. Would you allow her to do a second Open Mind on Priya?"
"Serafine," Kamilah sighed and frowned, "she just confessed."
"I didn't, somebody manipulated me! Again!"
Upon Priya's appeals, the other Council members voted and agreed to allow a second Open Mind.
"And who would be that person?"
Rheya appeared from behind a column, a little uncomfortable with that whole situation.
"Rheya told me she's also a psychic vampire," Serafine told.
"That's true," the Greek vampire continued. "For years the Order used my powers, to conduct experiments and torture others of our kind. They even enhanced it a bit. Since then, I promised myself to never use them again, but considering the situation..."
Kamilah wasn't able to say no. She allowed Rheya to approach, before she walked away from the Tribunal, trying to digest what was going on. Amy had the impulse of going after her, but she stopped herself.
While touching Priya's temples, Rheya closed her eyes, examining the fashion designer's mind for a few minutes.
"Oh my god," she exclaimed. "This is... this is horrible!"
"What are you seeing, Rheya?" Adrian asked.
"I can see a darkness spreading all around her mind palace, like tendrils or cobwebs. Hiding memories, taking control of her conscience, slowly consuming everything. I can also feel a presence."
"Can you remove it?"
"I can try."
Rheya closed her eyes again. Amy could see the psychic energy radiating through her hands. Priya started to scream in agony, as if a real parasite was actually being removed from her brain.
"Ouch, my head!" She moaned, after Rheya finished. "What have you done? It feels like hangover but worse…"
"I removed the dark influence from your brain," Rheya explained.
"Wait, I remember now. God, I was reading those stupid comments about my clothes when I felt terribly sleepy… I… we…"
"You didn't have sex with Amy. Or killed those mortals."
With Priya proven to be innocent, the Tribunal was dismissed and she couldn't be more grateful to Rheya.
"Wouldn't you like to come to my mansion, darling? I'd like to thank you properly."
"Oh. You're welcome, but..." Rheya looked down, blushing a little. "It's not really my thing. I'd be okay if you could give me one of your wonderful dresses instead."
"Sure. But my door is always open in case you change your mind."
After they finished talking, Amy met Rheya before going home. She was amazed by her psychic abilities, wondering if she could ever do something that great herself.
"What you did there," the girl smiled, "it was truly amazing, Rheya! I hope I can do similar things someday."
"Trust me, Amy," she squeezed her shoulder. "You can. You only need some practice. Would you like me to come to my place tomorrow? After all, your mind was also affected."
"Of course. That would be awesome."
Jax offered a ride, but Amy decided to walk back to the Shadow Den in Lily's company. This manner they could chat and she could breathe some fresh air.
"Crazy night, huh?" Lily wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Hell yeah," she told, letting out a weary sigh. "For a moment I really thought Priya was guilty."
"That Rheya woman is pretty badass... and hot. Really hot!"
A luxurious car stopped by them, rolling down the windows. Amy was very familiar with that model. That was Kamilah's car.
"Amy," she called. "Come with me. We need to talk."
Kamilah
The rooftop at Ahmanet Financial was the only place where Kamilah could find some peace and relaxation when she was stressed, but that night nothing could help. She served herself another dose of gin.
"Stop," Amy told, "you've had almost the entire bottle."
She left the glass by the bar and sat next to her wife in the pool lounge. She stared at the sky, remember the very first time they were there together.
"You invited me to enter your loneliness."
"Yes, I did."
Kamilah didn't know what to say. She was consumed by a terrible guilt for not believing her wife. At the same time, she began to wonder who would be capable of such a thing. And why.
"Amy," she lowered her head in shame. "I… I don't know what to say. I suppose I'm the one who should beg for forgiveness now."
"Kamilah," Amy grabbed both of her hands. "You don't have to, okay? In your shoes, I'd have freaked out too."
"I didn't believe you. You're my wife, this isn't supposed to happen."
"Whoever did this, planned it very well. Anyone would've believed Priya and I…"
"It won't happen again," Kamilah assured, firmly. "I'll never question your word again. I promise."
"Why don't we just pretend it never happened, huh?" Amy asked, smiling for the first time. "Let's leave it behind and restart from where we were before."
She pressed a kiss on Kamilah's lips. Kamilah deepened the kiss, parting her lips with her tongue as her hands pulled Amy closer to her body. They kissed for minutes. A long and passionate kiss.
"Whoa, I think it pretty much has made up for our hours separated."
"Not even close," Kamilah wrapped her arms around Amy's waist again. "I'll need a lot more to forgive myself for not trusting you."
"If you say so," Amy playfully nibbled on her lower lip. "I don't mind you kissing me like this for the rest of the night."
"There's nothing else I'd love more."
After making out for a few minutes, Amy suggested they should strip off their clothes and enter the large swimming pool.
"What are you planning?" Kamilah raised a curious eyebrow from the middle of the pool.
"Underwater kissing," Amy landed on her like a cannonball, pushing them both to the bottom, where she cupped Kamilah's face and pulled her for another kiss. When they returned to surface, both of them were breathless.
"That was... amazing..."
"Perks of not... having to... breathe."
Kamilah looked at her wife's perfect wet body, the moonlight reflecting on it, making her look even more stunning than she already was.
"Come here," she called.
"For what?" Amy asked.
"I want to make it up to you."
As she approached, Kamilah pushed her against the pool's wall, where she began to kiss her even more intense and hungrier than before. She descended her fangs, letting them brush on Amy's lips, before going down to her neck.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered in her wife's ear. "I love you."
"I love you too," Amy caressed her naked chest, massaging her breasts and her toned stomach. "Who would be even crazy to desire another woman, being married to you?"
She positioned herself on Kamilah's tight, where she started moving her hips and moan in pleasure.
"Are you saying..." Kamilah looked at her with a mischievous grin, before pressing her leg harder against Amy's center, "that you belong to me, and only me?"
"Oh," Amy gasped. "O-Of course I am... I'm your Mrs. Sayeed. Ah!"
"I love when you make sounds like this," Kamilah's nails pinched on her side. "It drives me crazy."
Amy increased the pressure and speed of her movements, throwing her head back as she lost herself in bliss. That exposed neck was an irresistible sight and Kamilah punctured it with her fangs, seductively and slowly drawing some blood.
The bite only intensified Amy's pleasure, making her reach ecstasy instantly. She wrapped her arms around Kamilah's neck, panting and smiling.
"You're more than forgiven."
Lysimachus
Adrian was kind enough to let go of the guards and trust Lysimachus to watch Priya for a few days, to make sure that whoever manipulated her mind wouldn't be returning. He couldn't take her to his apartment, it was too close from his sister and Amy, the wound was still fresh. Instead, he went to her mansion to stay for a few days.
"Priya, what happened in the Tribunal when you confessed?" He asked, intrigued. "Inside your mind, I mean."
"Here's the thing, Hunter," she explained. "I didn't confess? I blacked out. Like I did in my bedroom last night."
"And could you feel that presence inside your mind?"
"Yes, sometimes I felt it inside me all the time. It was almost like being under the effect of alcohol, but stronger. It's strange."
Priya opened her bedroom's door, realizing it was still covered in blood from the previous night. Furiously, she requested her houseboys to clean it, paint the walls and buy a new bed and sheets.
"I can't believe I'm going to have to sleep in one of the guest rooms!" She complained.
"What's wrong with them?" Lysimachus asked. "Too small?"
"A little. It's rarely used. You know, guests never stay for too long.
"Oh."
Lysimachus followed her to the personal bar she had inside the mansion. She served them both drinks before inviting him to a pool game.
"I'd like to understand... for what purpose?" Priya seemed focus, but irritated. "Why would someone cause such a thing, especially with Amy?"
In Lysimachus opinion, Amy was the main target of that situation. If Rheya, the First Vampire, had a purpose for her, Kamilah was an obstacle. She probably knew how jealous his sister would become when Priya used to hit on her wife.
"So who's Serabitch anyways?" Priya's question pulled him back to reality. "I don't trust her."
"An old friend of Kamilah and Adrian," Lysimachus made his move, realizing his distraction made him very close from losing the game.
"Nasty! But I'd totally bang her too.".
"It wasn't Serafine."
"Oh come on," Priya drank for a giant cup of beer. "She has the type. My type. Trouble. It's written everywhere."
"But she didn't," Lysimachus drank from his too. "That manipulation was too complex for a vampire like her. Even for me."
In one last move, Priya hit the 8-ball and won the game. She briefly celebrated and taunted him.
"I think I'm gonna have some sleep," she yawned. "Are you coming with me?"
"No, thanks," Lysimachus refused. "Do you mind if I use your gym?"
"As you wish. But if your little girlfriend is around when I wake up, then we'll have a fair Tribunal."
"She won't."
In fact, Lysimachus had other priorities in mind. Not Priya or even Katherine. He needed to find proof of Rheya's real identity and a manner to defeat her.
Amy
In the next day, Amy agreed to meet Rheya after lunch. The older vampire was already expecting her presence, to offer some help with her psychic powers and to examine Amy's mind for any dark influences.
She guided her to a couch, where they talked for a few minutes to create a connection.
"Well, things with Kamilah have been a lot better now," Amy told. "Yet, I still couldn't regain my memories from that night."
"Priya said she felt controlled, do you feel the same?" Rheya asked.
"No. Sometimes I feel a scratch on the back of my mind, as if it is really trying to act, but somehow I'm able to break it."
"Hmmm... interesting."
Rheya held her hands, accessing her mind. Amy guarded some memories. Things she wanted to keep for herself. Such as her obscure visions.
"I can see it," she said. "But you're going to have to fight it yourself."
"Me?!" Amy asked in shock. "How can I even do this?"
"Do you know how to access your mind palace?"
"Honestly? No. Everything I do is kinda by impulse. In the heat of the moment."
"I'll show you how."
Rheya put on some relaxing music and told Amy to close her eyes. Then she started to guide her to the depths of her own mind. Suddenly she saw herself on a path, with scenes of different moments of her life being displayed like portraits.
She picked one. A memory from her childhood. Her mom had been locked in the bedroom for hours. Her little brother was crying on his crib and her six years old self had no idea of what to do.
"Mama?" She knocked at the door repeatedly. "Please... open the door..."
Amy's child version closed her eyes, seeing images about an island. A dark island. Surrounded by shadows and death.
"Amy," a male voice called for her.
She opened her eyes quickly and rushed back to her bedroom, where she stayed hidden under the covers until her father got home from work.
"Damn it. I had forgotten... what the hell was that?"
Then she saw herself on a double-way path, each one displayed a different image. The first one showed a beautiful garden and two children, a boy and a girl. The second one showed Amy herself, with her eyes burning red while she walked around New York. The city was completely destroyed. There were bodies everywhere and only one thing she desired... blood.
"What?! What are those scenes?! T-They aren't real! I could never... and who are those children?"
She took a deep breath, recomposing herself. She focused on the night of Priya's party, that was the memory she needed to access.
"Focus on answers, Amy," she told herself. Those scenes were probably a distraction to get her out of her main priority.
She thought about the event they attended, being teleported straight to that memory. She watched everything again, from the moment they arrived to the point Priya invited her to the after-party. After that, all the memories were guarded by dark tendrils and cobwebs. A presence that would cause fear in anyone that approached them.
"Okay intruders... time to get the hell out of here."
Amy gained courage and attempted to remove the cobwebs with her hands, but the tendrils wrapped around her wrists and ankles dragging her into a spiral of pain. She insisted, fighting them off. She focused all her strength on her powers.
She trying to hit the dark shapes with psychic blasts, what wasn't enough to destroy them yet. The tendrils wrapped themselves around her neck, strangling her. She started to squirm and gasp for air. She could hear Rheya's voice calling for her.
"I can't…" she tried to tell her. Even if she wanted, the dark presence wouldn't let her go back.
Whoever did that, had powers that outmatched any of the vampires she knew. There was no way Amy could win. She was almost succumbing, giving up. She felt darkness starting to drag her to that path, the one the lead to destruction and death.
"No!" She yelled. "Get off me!"
Amy focused again, channeling all her power, until she was able to summon her own shapes to fight those dark ones. And for her surprise, they were stronger. They had the power to destroy everything guarding those memories and trying to manipulate her thoughts. Within seconds, all darkness was gone. She touched the shapes she created, making them vanish.
Then, she accessed a portal that lead her to Priya's bedroom that night.
"I don't know if I'm too drunk, or maybe tired, but my brain feel very strange right now," Priya yawned. "I may take a nap before… having some fun downstairs."
"Do you mind if I stay around a little longer? Your bedroom looks so great, I'm interested to see your closet and your sketches."
"Whatevs, just don't touch any of my toys."
"That's it," Amy smiled. "She went sleep and I…"
Slowly the memory started to reappear inside her mind. She explored the room, took some pictures and started feeling sleepy too. She crawled to the bed, falling asleep next to Priya.
She exhaled a relieved sigh and opened her eyes, coming back to Rheya's living room.
The fighting session inside her mind palace left Amy completely exhausted and hungry. Everything she wished for when she returned to the penthouse were a couple of blood bags and a long nap. However, when she opened the door she detected another presence inside her place.
"What?!"
Before she could move further, a small furry creature started to rub on her legs. A little black kitten.
"Hey you," Amy held the kitten in her arms, noticing a small note attached on the collar around its neck. "Where did you even came from?"
She read the note, recognizing her wife's perfect handwriting:
"I could kiss you for a thousand times and still wouldn't feel enough. I had to find another manner of showing you how sorry I am.
I love you."
Kamilah
Not even for a second, Kamilah believed her brother's crazy theory. But her following days were completely dedicated to observe Rheya closely and get answers regarding any questions that could be raised about her true origins.
First, she called her to her office in the morning and she made sure to leave the curtains opened.
"Mrs. Sayeed," the woman entered. "I mean, Kamilah. You requested to see me?"
"Yes, Rheya. Sit down please."
The sunlight was reflecting right on the woman's skin. If she was sensible to sunlight, like most of the vampires, it wouldn't take long for her to feel bothered.
"Amy will be returning to her position in a few days," Kamilah informed. "Yet, I'd like to keep you around. Would you mind if you two lead together?"
"Of course not! I'd feel honored…" Rheya looked down to her shoulder, noticing the sun for the first time. "Kamilah, you forgot the curtains. It's burning... Ouch!"
She quickly got up, seeking refuge in another corner of the office until Kamilah finally closed the curtains.
"I'm sorry about that. I forget not all of us were blessed with one of those rings or… abilities only the First Vampire had."
Rheya didn't react upon the mention. She just smiled and said there was no problem, before asking about Kamilah's ring and how she obtained it.
By the end of the conversation, Kamilah delivered the second part of her plan.
"Why don't you come to our home for dinner?" She invited. "Amy was telling me about your training session and how she adores your company this morning."
"Of course," Rheya agreed. "I enjoy her company too. She's a good friend."
By 8 PM, everything was ready for the night. Kamilah cooked a special meal with traditional Greek dishes. She also chose the most appropriate drinks for the occasion.
"I still don't understand why you invited Rheya for dinner," Amy was quite intrigued. "Why so suddenly?"
"Amy, she helped you with your memories," Kamilah lied. "Also, you're returning to your job. Maybe things won't work out with the two of you in the same position and I want no hard feelings from her part."
Her wife quickly agreed. After a few minutes, Rheya joined them at the penthouse. Amy put on some music and taught her some dance moves while Kamilah prepared the table.
"This is absolutely delicious," the woman grinned as she took a bite of the food. "It's just like my mom taught me to cook. And how I cooked for…"
She silenced, lost in memories.
"I'm sorry," Kamilah apologized, briefly touching her hand. "That wasn't supposed to bring any melancholy. I wanted you to feel home."
"Oh darling, no. I'm more than grateful, it had been a long time since I tasted such a delightful food. Nowadays everything is so…"
"Greasy?"
"Exactly."
"Come on," Amy complained. "Are you telling me you're not a fan of a good corndog? French fries? Or deep fried chicken?"
"I lament to disappoint you, Amy," Rheya laughed. "But I'm with Kamilah in this one."
"You obviously haven't been introduced to the right places. I'll be glad to show you. Even Kamilah likes them, even if she won't admit it."
"Things I do to please my wife," Kamilah rolled her eyes.
The night continued. After dessert, they gave Rheya a tour of the penthouse. She was very interested in the antique artifacts, which Kamilah was more than glad to show and explain. Amy showed her the terrace, her favorite part of their home. Kamilah watched them in silence.
"Such a amazing view," Rheya was impressed. "Looking from here, it's almost like New York is all yours. It's magical."
"I know," Amy told. "This is why I like it. I can almost feel the whole city and all its wonders. Now I'm a vampire, I can feel the people too."
"And you feel like a queen of your own empire."
"Sort of," the girl broke into playful expression. "Hey, I'm Kamilah's queen. She even bought me a tiara on the jewelry store, would you like to see it?"
Amy came back from the bedroom wearing a tiara Kamilah bought to cheer her up during a visit to the mall. It was right after they defeated Gaius and her wife was feeling a little bit traumatized from her almost-death experience. Kamilah smiled broadly at the view, as if she was seeing it for the first time.
"This is beautiful," Rheya examined the tiara in her hands. "Kamilah has made a good job picking her queen."
"She certainly did," Amy grinned, looking at her wife. "Right?!"
Kamilah approached, wrapping her arms around her waist.
"What can I say? I'm the luckiest woman in this planet."
"You two make a beautiful couple. I… I was a priestess back in Greece, would you mind if I did a sacred prayer to bless your marriage?"
"Of course not," Kamilah said. Amy also agreed.
The Greek vampire closed her eyes and started to voice a prayer in an ancient language. Amy glanced at Kamilah and took her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"That's it," Rheya finished. "May the Goddess grant you long and prosper years of happiness, fertility and blessings."
Kamilah smiled at her wife and also at her employee. Until proven otherwise, there was absolutely nothing wrong about that woman.
Lysimachus
It was late night, but Lysimachus followed Rheya around the streets of New York. She went straight to the building she was living.
From the street, he called her with the excuse he needed to speak to her before The Council voting. She told him to meet her at her apartment.
Lysimachus waited a few minutes and knocked at her door. His heart was racing inside his chest, after all he'd be facing the First Vampire. The woman that, so far, was only a legend. Far from their reality.
"Come on in, darling," she invited him.
"Thank you," he made his way inside, observing carefully every detail of the place. She hadn't put any decorations on her wall or added a personal touch that suggested she'd be staying for too long. "I'm here to talk you about the Branding procedure."
Rheya walked to a cabinet where she pulled a bottle of wine and served it in two glasses. She took a sip and smiled. Then, she approached Lysimachus from behind.
"Really?" She said, almost whispering. "I thought you were here to talk about something else."
Her cold hand caressed his cheek, sending shivers all over his body. Even the room temperature seemed to have dropped. Lysimachus had never felt so dizzy and nauseous before.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about."
"Lysimachus. What a beautiful name, it has grounds in my homeland, the ancient Greece."
She continued to sip from her glass and stare at him with a knowing look. The smile on her face was comforting and devilish, at the same time. Lysimachus could just get up and run, but his body wouldn't move. He was completely drawn by Rheya's presence, like if she had put him under a spell.
"You remind me of another Greek boy I knew," her hand lowered to his chest, stopping at his heart. "Xenocrates. Idealistic, kind and strong. I had given him a gift and he betrayed me. It's a shame we ended this way."
"I met him," Lysimachus said after a pause. "He was the leader of the Order Of Dawn."
"Correct. He despised so much what I gave him, that he wanted to put his own kind in extinction and then kill himself. Isn't it what you wanted too? To end everything Gaius created, including yourself?"
"Y-Yes. Back when I still believed my sister was dead. I've stopped ever since."
The female vampire sat down in front of him, her eyes never leaving his. Lysimachus felt like he was reading even the depths of his soul.
"Now you're a Nighthunter, as they call," Rheya concluded. "And there's your dear Katherine, so fragile, so weak… so mortal."
"Don't you even dare to touch her," in an impulse, he finally stood up. "Whatever you're planning, leave her out of it!"
Rheya stood up too, she was now face to face with him.
"I desire a world where my children can live in peace and I will stop whoever stands in my way, mortals or even vampires."
"I knew it from the first time I saw you! You're…"
"The First Vampire? Yes, my dear. I've always felt we had a connection, since you entered my Tomb."
"I have no connection with you," Lysimachus argued. "You've lied, you manipulated Priya's mind, you've put Amy and my sister through hell, what else do you want, huh? If you're going to kill me, just fucking do it."
"Kill you?" Rheya laughed. "No. You're one of my most precious progeny. You could serve well to my purposes."
Lysimachus felt the back of his mind itching, as if somebody was trying to violate it. She was trying to manipulate him, he could sense it.
"Go to hell and rot in there!" He fought against her influence and grabbed an Holy Arrow hiding on his back, stabbing Rheya in the chest.
She collapsed to her knees, holding the spot where he had injured her. That obviously wasn't enough to kill her. While she had gotten weaker, that malicious grin didn't take long to return to her face.
"Well, well…" she said. "It's a war then. Don't worry, my dear. Go home. We'll see each other again, very soon."
