Taken In Again
Disclaimer: It's a fanfiction, what do you expect? I own whatever wasn't invented already.
I woke up naturally out of my slumber, at slight surprise that I lay in Rodney's bed. He rested behind me, with his arm around my waist and his lips at the back of my neck. My head lifted slightly, and with squinted eyes my head twisted back and forth to test the slightly darkened room. As I attempted to get up, Rodney must have woken as an effect for the arm which had been wrapped around my waist pulled me back down.
"No you don't!"
He twisted my body slightly to him and elongated his face over mine to give me a few good morning kisses.
Smiling, I took his arm and seized it off me. I got up and picked up my belt to fasten it around me; my undergarments already back in its rightful positions. I walked over to the bathroom, and the mirror became my first target. My shirt was still slightly unbuttoned and my bra straps were hanging over my shoulders. As I fixed that, the only thing left that was rather untidy was my bed head hair and white lips from Rodney's makeup.
…
a-heh…
Rodney's makeup…
Anyway, I looked over and Rodney was lying sideways on the bed, with his head rested on his palm and staring right at me.
"May I help you?" I asked.
"No, not at the moment."
I walked out of the bathroom and sat down on a dark wood chair that lay by the right wall. I leaned my palms on my knees as Rodney continued to stare at me.
"We gonna keep this a secret?" he said finally.
"What a secret?"
"This…us..."
"Oh...that…yeah I think it would be best."
"Okay. Whatever you want."
By this point Rodney struggled to lift his torso and pull the sheet off his body. He grasped his trench coat off the end of the bed, put it on, and walked inside the bathroom. I found this to be a great opportunity. I very quietly slipped out the door, peeking to see if anyone was near the room beforehand. I sprinted on my toes down the hallways to my own room, passing Tom on the way. I simply smiled at him, and he gave me a slightly curious expression by raising his eyebrow. I couldn't imagine why, unless he knew.
My room was the same as how I left it, and Midnight was curled up on the bed sleeping. I went through my wardrobe to pick out a fresh outfit, and chose a black sweater, black skinny jeans, and knee-high black heeled boots. I ended up looking like a hit woman, but I honestly didn't care. I woke Midnight up with slight difficulty (damn cat likes to sleep), and we walked to the kitchen. Henry was in there, sitting at the dining room table…half eating and half talking to Ed through his watch. I took some meat and other stuff for Midnight to eat and put it in a bowl Nemo had given me especially for her purpose. I was barely able to grab an apricot when Patel walked in.
"Miss Dover, there is a message waiting for you in the control room."
I was only able to take but a bite out of the apricot on our way there. The Captain was standing over the wheel, with his back toward us as we entered. Men were coming up to him and asking questions, giving information, or taking orders. Patel led me to a desk where a slip of paper was waiting on the surface. He handed it to me and it happened to be a bunch of Morse code, then a translation was shown at the bottom.
"Of course."
It had said that I won the contest at Plymouth, and in order to receive my prize I was to give a reply in 24 hours, or return to the town for a personal honor. I was to receive the ability to play for her Majesty, the Queen, and the chance to become one of England's most knowledgeable performers. Out of respect for Nemo and his ship, I couldn't ask him to go all the way back to Plymouth…and I didn't want the prize. I told Patel to reply speaking of my denial for the prize, and my utter most desire for Claude Debussy to obtain it as a replacement.
After my orders were followed, I walked up to Captain Nemo, and he greeted me with pleasure.
"Good morning, Miss Dover."
"Please, call me Alisha."
He simply nodded with a smile, and then returned his gaze to the gigantic glass window in front of the wheel…out in the open sea. Being we were above the water, I was able to see the sun in the mid-west of the sky, assuming it was about 3:00 in the afternoon.
"Where are we headed next?"
"Egypt. I desire to explore the Nile and the renowned pyramids and Sphinx of Cairo."
"Oh! Egypt! Lovely choice, Nemo. I've always dreamed of traveling there."
He smiled. "I'm glad."
"How close are we?"
"We should arrive in about three two, three days if we stay at a normal pace."
"Sounds good, then."
I left him at peace to the main halls. I was going to go back to breakfast when Rodney put a stop to it. I felt a slight pinch on my butt.
"Ohhh…" I eyed annoyingly where I presumed his face would have been.
"Ello, love." he whispered.
I had nothing to say. With my pointer finger I gave a much disciplined expression.
"Mmm…" and I walked off to breakfast.
---
I can't stand it. I'm sorry, but I just can't. The last three nights were normal, including the nightly visits by Rodney. Each time he would come in and start seducing me like we had an appointment. He would just kiss me until it got late enough where I would make an excuse saying I was too tired for anything more. But he's not what ticked me off.
When we arrived in Egypt it was more beautiful than I could ever imagine. The automobile drove us right to Cairo, and the one thing that I found to be the downside on the way there was the heat. I was wearing a thick strapped dress; the torso half was of white cotton, and the bottom half was a knee-length beige polyester skirt. My hair was pinned up for the most part with every pin and tie I had to support it. I also wore black suede flat oxfords…very cute. We passed by three towns that lay along the Nile just as Cairo did. Their names were Resseta, Tanta, and Al Jizah, which was basically right next to Cairo it was so close. When we got there, I was honestly amazed at how beautiful it was. The city was nothing that I had imagined it to be. It bustled with people on the marketplace and several animals were being pulled around, explorers traveling all around like us were asking the Egyptians in the native language…it was just so great. I couldn't contain my happiness. We stopped by a marketplace in the city's center…said to be the best. Nemo told us we should get some things while we can before our visit to the pyramids and such. He also said that if any of us needed money we were welcome to ask him. Henry mentioned something about needing to buy extra clothing, since Ed kept ripping them up. I found that funny.
After about two hours I had come to buy a little statue of the Sphinx and one of a pyramid; both gold. If it was real gold I didn't know, however I doubted it for they were at a good price. I also bought a dark blue/gold silk v-neck dress with short fluttered sleeves, Egyptian lettice embroidery and a ruffled net at the bottom hem. And with matching studded sling back gold heels, gold 'Ankh' necklace, and a dark blue silk headscarf, I must say I was glad with my purchases. I even bought a book on Egyptian history…its past pharos, the curses, the symbols and hieroglyphics, architecture…even the importance of cats. There was a big thing on Cleopatra, too. I was looking in the curse section, however, when I saw her.
Mina was wearing a dark red dress and headdress, with black boots. Her hair was pinned down and she didn't look the least bit hot…with either meaning. She's a vampiric widow that knows chemistry. I mean…really. If I wasn't jealous enough of Mina as it was, I could have maybe taken aback my emotions. I watched her…she met up with Henry who was buying some extra clothing…and she grasped his hand and kissed his cheek.
"OOoo!" I didn't realize how loud and aggravated I sounded. A few vendors leaned towards my direction with curious expressions.
You know, I'm sure Henry didn't mind a woman who sucked blood, considering his expression when she kissed him.
But I'm sure if Henry knew how bad Mina really was, he wouldn't like her as much.
Because if Henry didn't know, I'd show him. My jealousy was rising all too fast.
I rushed to the nearest candle and herb shop, buying seven black candles. I asked for them so quick I thought the vendor was going to think I was about to commit murder.
…
Well, he was close.
As soon as I bought them I ran off to find a spot to plan this all out. Although I was in a rush, my attention span was distracted by a beautiful jeweled dagger being displayed on one man's cart. It was at an unusually low price for its condition, and the man seemed to want to get rid of it as soon as possible. So I bought it without hesitation. The dagger was beautiful…and it looked severally sharp.
I sat down then in a corner, a little off from the bustle of the market place. I could still see Mina and Henry however in the corner of my eye, having a somewhat good time together. Mina seemed basically happy, however Henry looked troublesome. He was looking around for something, it seemed.
I started off the spell:
For this league, we all consume sin. But only one grasps at a witch's pride, making her unable to win. Triumph is blocked by all our wrongdoing…I call upon the gods to make life worth pursuing. Show upon the witch's heart to her fellow foe, and the sin that prevails each one of us. Attest the ones we know!
Hm…sounds good. Rhymes well enough.
---
Later that night when they were all tired from the days shopping the league all retired for dinner at the Nautilus, which was skimming down the Nile in all its glory. Many people seemed afraid of the ship and its magnificent grandeur. Mina and Henry, Tom and Rodney, and Captain Nemo were all waiting for Alisha to come and join them. Of course by now they all gained the sense to be courteous of waiting, but the league was beginning to be impatient for they were pretty hungry.
"Where could she be? Hey, does anyone want to go find her? Maybe she's going to skip dinner today and she's in her cabin." Said Tom, rubbing his belly.
"I'll go." said Rodney a little too fast. Henry made a slight change in his expression.
Rodney pushed open the large white doors of the dining room and was taken aback to what lay right outside the door.
Alisha was in a meditative position in the middle of the hall, with seven black candles surrounding her. She was mumbling something hard to understand, but the longer she mumbled the higher the flames grew.
"Uhhh…." Rodney had no idea what to say about his secret lover.
Henry, Mina, Tom and Nemo all fit their heads in the gaps made by Rodney's clothed body in the doorway. When they saw the sight their faces were filled with fear and puzzlement.
"What the hell?" Tom pushed past Rodney to see the full scene. "Yoo-hoo…Alisha? Dinner? Did you forget?"
"She's doing an enchantment…oh my god…" said Henry.
Alisha suddenly lifted her eyes to him. "Quite the opposite."
Just then, Alisha stopped mumbling, and each member of the league glowed a bit, each a slight different color. Alisha purple, Nemo light pink, Henry half green, half deep red, Mina gold, Rodney a red-pink, and Tom a light blue. They all seemed to feel a little different. Rodney squirmed his body like he got the chills. Tom slouched a bit more than usual. Nemo and Mina seemed to get tense. Henry looked suspicious, and Alisha's posture got much taller and more superior. Nemo was the first one to speak, clearing his throat beforehand.
"Ahem…well, if everyone is ready, I believe dinner is at hand."
"Mmm...dinner!" said Tom.
The league, including Alisha all sat down around the table as usual. Nemo and Tom took more food than usual. So did Mina, who took more lobsters and shrimp than anything from the seafood buffet. Henry took little. Rodney and Alisha took a fair amount.
Nothing was said during dinner besides the questioning of Alisha's spiritual deed.
"So love, what was that marvelous enchantment that came out of those beautiful lips of yours?"
Henry gave Rodney the evil eye.
"Well," started the witch. "My most particular spells were in order. I just had to cast one for my own matters…besides, they never fail...so there is nothing to worry about."
"Yeah but why'd ya do it?" Tom said, slouched in his seat and chewing unmannerly.
"Because it was necessary to eliminate the vampiress' satisfaction." An evil glare was sent in Mina's direction.
"Who, me?" said Mina, seeming the least bit concerned…or if anything, flattered for her source of jealousy.
"Well what did the spell do?" Tom asked.
"Its purpose was to enhance her sin."
"Why? What do you want from me?" she said in response. Mina pat her mouth with her napkin, and then signaled to one of Nemo's men to fetch her something, too low for anyone else to hear.
"I will be the superior in this league, whether any of you like it or not. And I will do anything to make that happen. Even if it means taking the love away from you and Henry."
Rodney raised his eyebrow. "Ooh, I love a woman with a good amount of pride."
"Oh I know you do. Who wouldn't?" she said.
"Why do you get to be the superior one?" Henry asked with his arms crossed.
"Because I am."
Henry looked away in frustration.
"Look, I don't know about all of you but I have excess work to do." with that, Nemo left the room. "I'll be in the control room if anyone needs me."
Mina seemed the least bit annoyed as she usually would. She tucked the napkin in her collar and continued to eat her lobster. Nemo's shipmate came back to Mina with a bottle of champagne, and poured her a glass.
"Well if Nemo can be excused, so can I...I'm gonna go back to my cabin to take a nap." Tom said, struggling to get up from his chair.
Alisha's gaze followed him as he walked out the doors. "That boy needs to get his priorities straight. If he's going to have any success in the world he must be on his feet at all costs. It hurts to be lazy like he is."
"Right, well. Alisha…do you want to meet me in my room later? I thought maybe we could…chat." The rogue said, sliding his touch to Alisha's thigh.
"I'm sorry Rodney, but I can't. I'm going to be working on my spells this afternoon."
He shrugged. "Guess I'll have to improvise." He then walked over to Mina and massaged her shoulders, perching kisses on her cheek.
Henry's eyes fired with jealousy. Mina nor Alisha didn't seem the least bit concerned.
After a few more minutes, Rodney seduced Mina with her ignorance. Alisha found a piece of paper and a quill, and started to write down spells as she ate. Henry raged inside with envy as he watched Mina be touched by Rodney…and even more for her not to care. After a while he just stormed out of the room. Neither Alisha, Mina, nor Rodney seemed to notice.
---
It's been a couple hours since my spell. And…hey, if I'm a powerful witch who can do spells, then why have I been sitting in my cabin writing them if I can be chanting them? I was very confident today, I realized…all of a sudden, I mean. And chanting more spells just didn't feel…right…on my inside. It's like something deep inside of me, like a very tiny conscience is trying to be let out and tell me something…to warn me. I got into a meditative position, and listened to my inner thoughts. But no matter how much I tried to listen the voice got smaller and smaller, enough where I could barely hear it anymore.
Sitting in my room all this time, however was getting pretty boring. So I got out of my cabin and began to walk around the halls. Down one hall I heard loud noises, coming from the control room it seemed. As I got to the doorway I saw Nemo conducting his men like crazy…driving them crazy, I mean. I've never seen him like this. He was asking his men with force, almost to do the tasks he gave them. And big ones too! Like, repairing the rudder when it was in motion or something like that. I don't know much about ships, but…
Oh…I just felt some kind of jolt in me…
Weird…
I approached the Captain, standing taller than usual, why I don't know.
"Good evening, Captain Nemo. Working hard, I see. Can I be of assistance? I'm sure I'll succeed at any duty I'm assigned to."
"I'm quite fine, Miss. Dover." He completely ignored me…really. He continued to shout at his men and work on some navigation and all that, not that it seemed important.
Hm…I just felt that jolt again. But this time it was different.
I left the control room, completely puzzled. Why was Nemo acting like this? It wasn't like him…
I thought I would find Tom next. Maybe he would like to do something fun. I wasn't exactly in the mood to see Rodney, and I was shying away from Henry and Mina for a while now.
I knocked on Tom's door, but there was no answer. I knocked again, then when I didn't hear anything I tried the handle, and it was unlocked. I opened the door slightly, and there lay Tom, slouched on his bed with limbs falling off, and a light snore escaping his throat. I crept closer to him.
"Tom?" I whispered. He didn't hear me.
"Toooomm…?" I nudged him a bit, but there was still no answer.
"TOM!"
He woke up in a jolt. "WOAH! What, woman? Couldn't you see I was sleepy?"
"Somebody's a little cranky this morning…"
"I am not!"
I raised my eyebrow. Tom looked around the room, and did that thing people do when they wake up—they…like, taste their own saliva? I don't know I couldn't explain it.
"Mm…Mhmm…MMMMmmm…I'm hungry." He mumbled.
"You're hungry? You just ate!"
"So?"
"Uh!" I stood up.
Tom slowly got up as well and walked to the dining room. I followed him.
"Tom, are you even listening to me? I think something strange is going on around here. First Nemo, now you! Your lazy sometimes, but not this lazy!"
Hrr…I felt that jolt again…the first one. I stopped as I felt it, and Tom just continued to walk. I looked at him in puzzlement, and then tried to catch up.
When we reached the dining room, Mina was still there. She was still drinking the champagne, and was now eating some candies, and reading some book. She looked up when we walked in.
"Alisha…Tom."
"Mina." I nodded. Tom mumbled. It sounded like, "Mmremm..." He walked to the table, and then collapsed; holding onto the edge with drowsiness.
Nemo then walked in at a fast pace. He was stopped by Mina.
"Oh…Captain. When are we going back to the marketplace? I'm in the mood for some shopping…" she smiled.
"Tomorrow we will head back out." And with that, he fled out of the kitchen.
I looked around to the three members around me, and in frustration…no…more like a superior feel, where I didn't think it was right to be around them…I stormed into the halls. I was halfway down it when I felt my body be pinned to the wall. Soon after that I felt smooches all over my jaw, neck, and chest, and serious feels on my glutes. I tried to get him off but Rodney wouldn't let me go. I was going to reason with him when out of nowhere my knee kicked up to hit him in the nuts, and then I back flipped him…smacking him back-first on the floor with a loud thump.
That scared me. I had no control over that, and he sounded really hurt. And furthermore, I never knew how to flip someone before.
"Mm…I love my woman aggressive!"
"Whaa—what?"
Just after that I heard Tom come up from behind me. He was chewing on a piece of bread. He tried to talk at the same time. "I eard a ump."
I believe his words were supposed to be 'I heard a thump'.
"Right…um…"
I felt the second spark again. "Well Rodney pinned me down so I…ah-heh…shook him off."
I had absolutely no control over those words. I felt strange, and slightly frightful, but the more I felt those jolts the more confident I felt.
…
And then I realized.
I looked at Tom chewing, and staring at me boorishly.
I looked at the spot where Rodney hit the floor, and heard him struggle to get up.
I watched as Nemo storm down the hall.
I thought of Mina still in the dining room indulging.
I thought of the abnormal confidence level I was getting.
Tom was extra lazy…
Rodney was extra lustful…
Nemo was overindulging in his work…
Mina was acting very 'high-class'…
I was acting very prideful…
Wait! That's it!
Pride! It's one of the seven deadly sins, just like Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed which over took the other league members! I figured it out…my spell must have enhanced the sins of all the league members, instead of just Mina. I felt a strong jolt again.
Then I remembered Henry…he seemed envious earlier…so he must have gotten Envy.
But then that just leaves Wrath. But who?
…oh my…
Then I heard it. I heard the loudest roar in all my lifetime. Not for just Hyde, for any animal for that matter. Down the hall there came an explosion, it seemed. A large crash sound was made, and the wall shattered into several pieces. Edward Hyde, angrier than ever stormed down the halls ready to murder someone.
"Oh boy!"
Nemo was the only one who seemed to care. In fact, he seemed to care for all of us. Screaming for his men, I tried to snap the other members out of the spell…out of their sin.
"Tom…your sin of Sloth is being enhanced! Rodney, yours for Lust and Mina for Greed! You have to snap out of it!" I could tell I was panicking…but what scared me was that they couldn't.
The only responses I got where Tom's yawn and Rodney's continuous kisses on the side of my neck. Edward screamed at us as his pace grew faster, and the halls begun to shake.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
"Oh, shit!" I was about to run when the rest I could only tell as an observer.
I had no control over my actions. All I felt was a very intense jolt in my body, and then after that I couldn't do anything. The pride was controlling my body for me.
So, in my opinion, because no one was listening I was prideful enough to defend everyone.
---
Alisha shoved Rodney off, and then squat down to spring into a bunch of front-flips, until she met up with Edward. He grasped at her throat, yet she caught him off guard by ducking the grab. The witch then jumped up near his chest, and flung a kick at his torso, sending the monster back several feet.
Hm. I never thought I could kick that hard, either.
Alisha pranced over to Edward, taking a vial from her holster. Before the brute could have the chance to get up, Alisha slammed her foot into his chest, and raised the vial.
"Goodbye, brute!" she said with a vigorous tone.
NO! "NO!" Alisha's left hand stopped the right hand from flinging the potion into Edward's face.
For a few seconds Alisha struggled between her two arms. The league gave curious expressions, seeming to snap out of their sin a bit to realize what was happening.
Apparently, Alisha and her Pride were struggling in the attempt to kill Edward Hyde.
Edward…"Edward…" Alisha was able to control her voice and her arm as a struggle to keep her friend alive.
Alisha gave a great effort to close her eyes and concentrate. Words fought to come out, as the throw of the potion was still being dealt with.
"Enhancement of sin…
…we once set you free…" Alisha found it harder to speak, as the pride was fighting back…hard.
"…I now ask…to retreat…
…and let us be!"
Once again, the league glowed. Edward deep red and slightly green for Henry, Mina gold, Tom light blue, Nemo pink, and Rodney pink-red. When Alisha glowed purple, it was very bright, and blinded the league a bit. The witch gave off a shout of pain, and then something strange happened.
"NO!" It was more of a grumble than a shout. Alisha once again attempted to throw the vial at Edward, but in time the monster got out of the way, the vial hit the floor with a smash, and the floor burned powerfully fast. She was about to attack him again when Rodney caught her from behind.
"You're not going anywhere." He said calmly.
"LET ME GO!" The possessed witch struggled against the invisible man's grasp, but he was too strong, and wouldn't let her go.
Mina walked up, attempting to help. She caught a glimpse of Alisha's glowing lilac eyes. "What do we do? Hold her down for the rest of her life? Reason with her?" Mina's eyes glowed red, battling with Alisha's stare.
"I don't think they'll be any need for that, Mrs. Harker." Nemo said.
"You're a disgrace!" Rodney shouted, still pinning her down in his invisible grasp.
"NO!"
"You're spell on Mina didn't work! Look what it turned us into…what it turned you into!"
"My spell worked fine!"
"No it didn't! It backfired on you! You're a terrible witch! How do you even call yourself one?"
Alisha started glowing purple again, this time dimmer than before.
"It's working…" said Edward.
"Remember that time in the fjord? You fainted in the cave! We had to come looking for you!"
"No…" her response was more of a cry.
"You know I even wonder why you're in this league, anyway. I'm beginning to think that you were the one who knocked out Henry in the first place."
Alisha still struggled, but now only mumbled.
"Oh…and by the way, you sing bad." He looked to her, and Alisha made a face.
Just then, Edward emerged into Henry. With a thought appearing in her mind, Mina walked over to Henry and gave him a forceful, passionate kiss.
"Noo!" Alisha shouted, and stopped the struggling. Falling on her knees out of Rodney's grasp, the purple glow had disappeared.
Rodney perked his head next to Alisha's face as she breathed heavily.
"You back, love?"
"Yeah…I'm back." Alisha looked around the room, and then flipped her head back to Rodney.
"You know you just ridiculed me like…five times, right?"
Rodney laughed. "I'm sorry."
"How did you know?" Tom asked, now coming forward when it was safe.
"Well, the only way to get rid of pride is humility."
"How would you know?" he asked.
"I didn't."
"Oh, gee thanks." Alisha said.
The league ended the night in laughter.
---
The rest of the trip to Cairo was basically fun. We explored the city, and saw the pyramids, the Sphinx, got some more supplies, etc. It lasted about two days until we went back to the ship and out to sea again. I think the Captain said we were going to Kenya next, where the league's former member Allan Quatermain was buried. The members, especially Tom felt it be best to visit the grave since we were passing by that way. They told me of Allan on their former trip. He seems like a very stern person from what I know. But, eh…I can't judge. Besides, I didn't know him. So visiting his grave might be a little awkward. But if he was an important person to the league, then I'll pay my respects.
During the mean time Rodney visited, once again apologizing for his several remarks. It was different between us. Almost as if he thought of me as someone to care about more than get with, considering that he saved my life from the overtaking pride. I think he did it a little too well…my pride feels less that usual. I could see why, though…I don't think I could say pride is my best quality anymore. It's funny how I yelled out when Mina kissed Henry. I don't know if Rodney noticed, but Henry sure did. You should have seen his face…he was so surprised and unexpected.
But about their previous mission, Rodney once mentioned a guy who Mina knew, and they were together during the time Mina didn't know of his betrayal. Heh…that must suck for her.
Man am I mean!
…
Oh well!
But anyway, I was curious about this guy. He seemed like an ally. A smart ally, too. I asked Rodney his name, and he said it was Dorian Grey. I heard of him, I think. I heard about this guy who never really aged, and how he died when his painting was stabbed with a knife. But that confused me, because Rodney said that Mina had killed him too.
…
Oh so she killed Dorian, after she was a widow?
Hmm...
Interesting.
But maybe it was a fake death like Henry? No it couldn't be…well, anyway, I had an idea.
I set up a bunch of candles in my cabin, locked the doors, and started to enchant:
"Spirits of discovery, morale of location, Dorian Grey I never got to meet. Clandestinely deceiving, then overtaken; now this man I wish to greet. Lest not he be dead, only if he lives near, that I call upon his name…bring the man here."
In a whirl of wind, a man with medium length, brown wavy hair and a goatee appeared. He wore a grey (heh-ironic) pinstriped suit, and held a cane. Looked a little prissy, if you ask me. Handsome…but prissy.
"Who are you?" he asked, pretty concerned as to why he was where he was.
"A witch. I summoned you, Mr. Grey."
"A witch?" he looked at me, then around the room. "My…are we in the Nautilus?"
"Yeah. And I summoned you for a reason, so sit down."
I waved my hand to the bed, and a force brought him there.
"How'd you do that?"
"I'm a witch, remember?"
"Right…a powerful one, I see."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…so anyway…why are you alive, in the first place?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Alright, Mr. Prissy-pants I'm not dumb. I know about your former membership and betrayal of the league…which I am a part of myself might I add…"
"The membership or the betrayal?"
"Membership…but by doing this I'm pretty sure I'm going by the betrayal part. So anyway…I also know about the painting. I even know how Mina killed you by making you see the painting yourself, and how you were also killed a while back when someone stabbed it. But I guess they never really killed you if you're here, now am I right?"
"You are a smart witch…" he eyed me carefully. "You summoned me to ask me that question?"
"No. I summoned you because I have Mina problems."
"Mina? Oh is she still alive? Suck any blood lately?"
"Ha ha, very funny. Great. Well. I don't like her. So I was thinking maybe we could make a compromise."
"A compromise?"
"Yeah. I ask you to haunt Mina for me. Whether you get her back with you or break her apart with Henry, or even just scare her…I don't care. Just do something with her?"
"Henry? Do you mean the brute?"
"Well, technically no…but yeah. Henry, Edward…same concept."
He laughed. "She's with him, now? Well…that's certainly interesting."
"Mm."
"How's the American holding up? He flirted a bit with her."
"Ha…yeah he's uh…he's pretty put down about it."
"Well that's nice to see."
I smiled at him…no idea why. He looked at me, a little confused.
"And what will I get out of the bargain?"
"Uh…a chance for revenge on the league at the expense of not being able to be killed? Obviously your painting isn't around in range of a member getting at it."
"And how would they know what to do with it anyway?"
"Exactly…considering it was stabbed and revealed to you, how would they know what would kill you next?"
He gave a devious grin.
"Yet of course, I know. And I can get your painting as easily as how I got you. So I wouldn't try anything funny."
He laughed. "Oh…you know how to kill me. And what would that be?"
"To burn the painting, of course."
His face became cautious.
"Now look who's laughing." I smiled…and he gulped.
"Look…I just want Mina to get away from Henry. And I have a plan." This time I gave him the devious grin.
---
Tom was walking down the hall eating an apple when he saw Alisha's cabin door fly open. Dorian Grey walked out of the room, holding a knife at Alisha's throat, who struggled for her life. Tom, stunned, dropped his apple.
"What the?"
Dorian, with Alisha, walked past Tom and gave him a smirk.
"Grey?" Tom just stood there as they paced past him, obviously puzzled and shocked out of his mind. Once he regained conscious he ran after them. They were leading toward the library.
Mina, Henry, Nemo and Rodney were all in the library. Mina was reading, Henry was fidgeting with his watch, Nemo was looking over the shelves, and Rodney was studying his next move in a chess game. As Dorian came into the door with Alisha at her throat, the league all stood up, stunned and cautious.
"Well, hello Mina dear."
"I thought I killed you." Her voice was cold.
"Well look where I stand now." Dorian smiled in all his glory. Alisha simply looked away from the knife which Dorian swerved against her skin.
"I'll make a deal…I have Mina, and you have the little witch."
"Is it revenge now, Dorian?" Mina said, walking closer.
"A-a-ah! Come any closer and I slit her throat."
Just then, a loud bang was heard. Apparently Tom tried to hit Dorian over the head with his gun, but the man didn't feel a thing.
Dorian turned his head as Tom smiled. "Heh…hi." Alisha snickered, and Dorian focused his gaze to the rest of the league.
"Of course you haven't forgotten I'm an immortal?" The league's faces became grave.
"And to be sure none of you try anything funny," Dorian slid his free hand down Alisha's side, to her thigh, and pulled a vial from her holster. "I'll burn you to ash."
Alisha cut in. "Oh, actually its more like residue…not quite ash." Dorian shut her up by closing the knife on her throat.
"So what's it gonna be?"
The league exchanged expressions. "Fine…I'll go."
Mina cautiously walked to Dorian, who began to slowly release Alisha. Once she was close enough, Dorian grasped her arm. "Now!" he said.
"Abscond by my dominion; this witch now calls away by our opinion. No more shall we seek the one with no demise; the one with the aged disguise… Dorian Grey I now have met leaves us now with no regret."
In a whirl of wind, Dorian and Mina disappeared within seconds. Tom, Nemo, Rodney and Henry all looked around frantically, then to Alisha.
"What did you do?" asked Henry.
And in a blink of an eye, Alisha had vanished.
---
The whirling wind appearing in Alisha's room after a day since the incident.
Dorian walked out of the flurry, straightening his blazer. His eyes met the vision of Alisha holding his painting in one hand, and holding an inflamed match underneath it with the other hand.
"Wait!"
Alisha raised her eyebrow. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Look…I did what you asked. I took Mina away from the league, away from your precious Henry…"
By squinting her eyes Alisha caused the flame to rise higher, closer to the painting. Dorian became seriously frightened.
"You took away Mina, and I congratulate you. But by your pesky little word, 'now', they suspect I was allied with you!"
"I—"
"You help me fix this, and the painting is yours."
Dorian stopped to consider, when his face gave the expression of an idea.
---
Nemo walked down the halls in a hurried manner when he spotted Alisha's body. The Captain ran as soon as he realized who it was, and knelt down to her side. He shook her side. "Miss. Dover."
As soon as he called her name the witch perked up out of unconsciousness.
"Wha? Oh…Nemo…where's that guy in the grey suit, brown hair…stole potion…" she attempted to get up, looking around the halls like Dorian was just there.
"Ms. Dover, slow down…what happened?"
"I'm not sure…I was in my room reciting summoning spells, when some guy appeared and stole a bunch of my potions after knocking me out…" Alisha rubbed the back of her head.
Alisha explained what happened to the league in the dining room. "I believe he stole my potion of illusion."
"Potion of illusion?" asked Henry and Tom, almost in unison.
"Yeah…you can create any kind of illusion…make things, people, places appear out of no where."
"Would that explain the Alisha disappearing out of thin air?" asked Rodney. Even he was a little taken aback, considering the thought that she would have betrayed them as Dorian had.
"Huh?" Alisha rubbed her head again.
"Do you want me to see to that?" asked Henry.
"What?"
"Your head." Alisha suddenly realized what he was talking about.
"Oh…no that's ok."
Nemo looked at Alisha warily.
"So why trick us into thinking that Alisha was betraying us?" asked Henry.
"Okay! Can someone fill me in, here? I've only been unconscious for…oh, I don't know…a whole day where apparently Mina was kidnapped?"
"Heh…welcome back." Said Rodney. Alisha gave a sarcastic smile.
"Alright…after you were knocked out, I'm guessing Dorian used your potion to make another Alisha. He pretended to have a knife to your throat so he was able to trick us into giving him Mina, thinking we would save you." Said Tom.
"Okay I get that, but what about the spell?" asked Henry, slightly saddened by Mina's abduction.
Alisha was rubbing her head so much; Nemo seemed to take notice on how fake it really was. Once she realized, the witch immediately stopped rubbing.
"Spell?"
"The apparently alternate Alisha cast a spell that made Dorian and Mina disappear into a flurry of air, and then Alisha disappeared in a blink of an eye immediately after.
Alisha closed her eyes, pretending to be in pain. "Well when you use the potion to make a someone, they normally have the same traits as the real one, in order to make it more realistic…nice little potion if I must say so myself…"
The league stared at Alisha.
"Sorry…well anyway, if Grey made me, the illusion must have casted a spell to send Dorian and Mina somewhere to escape."
"Could you cast a spell to bring her back?" asked Rodney.
"I can try." Alisha pondered for a moment.
"Uh…Our vampire has been captured by a man in gray, bring her forth so she can stay."
Nothing happened, so the witch continued.
" No tricks, no games, just let her be, we want our friend with guarantee."
Still, nothing happened.
"Damnit…you know what, I think we should try a different approach."
Alisha held out her hands.
"Bring it forth, the painting near, the one Mr. Grey holds so dear. I want it now, so he can arrive, with our friend Mina…hopefully alive." She mumbled that last part.
Dorian's painting appeared in Alisha's hands. "Mmm…uglier than ever! Nemo, can you find me a match?"
As the wind appeared, Dorian fell out with Mina as soon as Alisha was given the match. And as soon as Dorian noticed his eternal life's source almost in the risk of going up in flames, Alisha struck the match.
"Thanks a lot, Dorian." She smiled…with absolutely no sarcasm in her voice.
Up in flames went the painting…along with Dorian. His body didn't lay there as a corpse, no ash was found, but his body became an outburst of flames; an explosion or vanquish, really. Alisha looked around, saw Mina, and nodded her head in accomplishment.
"Okay…so…Grey's dead, Mina's alive…people are happy…" no one noticed the emphasis on 'people'.
"Well aren't you a ray of triumph?" said Rodney, appearing to be the only one who wasn't focused on Mina.
"Isn't it ray of sunshine?"
Rodney shrugged, and Alisha shook her head as if to say 'what will I ever do with you?'
Alisha noticed the league ignoring her.
"Seems like some people can't appreciate one's hard work and rhyming, for that matter…"
Rodney chuckled. "I guess they're just a little cautious about the whole 'siding-with-Grey' theory."
"Hmm…I wouldn't blame them." Alisha mumbled.
"What was that?" asked Rodney.
"Oh nothing…nothing at all."
On the outside, Alisha showed her guiltless manner…but on the inside, the witch she really was grinned evilly of treacherous conquest.