You idiot.
You let her get away.
She's probably already dead.
"Keelan!" He snapped, wanting nothing more than to rid himself of all the pests he had, including that annoying, absolutely aggravating gnat in his brain. "Where did you take Lucy?"
"I no longer abide by your rules, Layton. I may have been your fledgling, but I have no bondage. Captivity hasn't been my dilemma, rather who my next prey may be. While you waste your eternities locked away and limited, I have grown, both in power and knowledge." The man, the vampire, mockingly sped away from his elder, and promptly right out the large front doors. "I have become the most powerful vampire in London!" He called to Al, before disappearing. From what Alfendi could see, his next opponent had sped up to the roof.
How obnoxious.
Kill him already.
To get Lucy back? Of course he would. He'd protect her from that arrogant leech even if-
Even if what, hm? What would you sacrifice for that girl's well-being? Would you kill yourself? Kill me? Kill everyone? Turn her?
You can't get rid of me, so that's out of the question. I mean, who do you think is fighting? Your stupid curse is what's forcing me to fight! If I had my way, with my own damn body, Lucy would be one of us, and Justin would've never stood a chance. You're just a-
"Shut up." Alfendi whispered, hands tight and covered in blood from the battle, having devastated the living room entirely beating those cretins. He could no longer stand straight, as his body held all sorts of aches.
He just needed to focus. A steady head would give him his result. He had to get Lucy back. He had to stop Justin and Keelan and bring things back to the normality he was so used to being in. Alfendi needed to end this. To kill them. He needed to kill him. All of them. No more annoying people to ruin his days. Kill them all and end this inane toss around. His body blurred and slowly crept along the air, sinking out the front doors and traveling up the wall.
The door under the stairs creaked open, a faint yellow glow flicking out as its source came out of the basement. Hilda stared at the open front doors, surprised as to what she had seen through the opening. "What has Justin done to you, Alfendi?" She spoke softly, then allowed realization to follow. With a huff, she stepped out of the doors and headed for the gates.
Mischievous giggles at her ears alerted her to who had grabbed her. The thin arm wrapped around her neck was stronger than it appeared, which meant she was struggling against an inhuman creature. Lucy scrambled against the force holding her until she was dropped to the floor. In her daze, she could barely identify her captor, but knew all to well that the Makepeaces had something to do with this. How could she not notice that there was obviously something wrong with those two? Of course, she hadn't noticed before, but Lucy should have learned from being with Alfendi for this long that no one around her was human.
Lucy was the only mortal here.
"Oh, Papa, she'll be perfect! Don't you think?" That was Diane's voice. Lucy could recognize her strange and mischievous from meters away. There was no mistaking that laughter either. "Layton will be so distraught when we kill her, won't he, Papa? I can already picture the despair. So exciting!" Her red eyes could only focus so fast on the figure pacing around the roof, the smug smile that presented blunt fangs. Diane was still young, right? Compared to Alfendi, everyone was as young as a newborn. That didn't matter either way, since the Makepeaces barely needed to used half their strength to kill Lucy off. Rubbing a gentle hand along her collarbone, Lucy could still feel the powerful arm that could have easily crushed through her bones.
This was definitely dangerous, being the only human in the situation.
Keelan stood on the edge of the roof, peering down at the front lawn and the gate below. He was concentrated on something down there, humming once to begin his response, "Be on your toes, my dear. Alfendi's never een one to take losing anything. His power has been unmatched for centuries, but he's weak now. We have the advantage now." He turned to Lucy, who flinched back at the hungry stare he gave. "You've gotten yourself in quite the predicament, Baker."
Her body tensed up at the faint hissing in her ears, the hairs on her neck attentive to the breath landing there. Heart racing to fuel the fire, the fear, and her death so close, Lucy screamed for help, Alfendi, or anyone that could hear her plea.
Why did she have to be so curious? Why did she ever come back to this castle?
She couldn't tell if it was the tears in her eyes or a trick of her mind, but there was a fog creeping up around Keelan. As he laughed at her terror, she noticed the shadowy figure hidden in the mist. The sentient cloud slithered up to catch the collar of Keelan's coat, startling him out of mirth. Of course! "Prof!"
Before he could react, Keelan was tossed face first into the stone, riding painfully against the rough surface and cracking it. He lifted his head, chips of concrete falling off his face as he shook his head. He grunted as he stood against his opponent. Diane pulled at Lucy's hair, moving her away from Alfendi as best as she could.
The beaten and bloody vampire stood conflicted in his choice of action. He could tear Diane off Lucy, just to make sure she was safe, but then Keelan could easily go after him. Lucy would be in as much danger. He then went for the alternative, pouncing towards Keelan directly. "The advantage? Is that what you'd call this?" He held Makepeace by the neck, reveling in the creature's struggle to break free from his hold.
In retaliation, Keelan kicked and dug his shoe into Alfendi's chin. He was effectively released and momentarily stunned his former companion. Without hesitation, he lunged, bringing both of them into a tossing frenzy on the ground. Finally, he had the red head pinned, cackling in defiance to his victim's words. "I would, Layton. If I were in your position, I would just as much. You don't understand what's happening anymore, do you?"
"Justin's sent you to kill Lucy."
Keelan scoffed, "That man has little to do with my plans. Of course, I intend to turn and murder your little morsel as he's requested, but there's more to that. While Lawson has his absurd ritual to attend to, I aim to kill you, and rid the world of your pitiful existence. And for eternity I will have strength far outmatching that of the demon, Alfendi Layton." As he spoke, he raked his clawed fingers along Alfendi's chest and arms. It delighted him to see that courageous expression turn into one of agony. Finally he would win. The vice grip on his forearms cut him off from his thrill, and suddenly he was flung to the side.
I'm sick of this. We both are.
Slamming Keelan's body against the door up to the roof, Alfendi stepped back and let the body slide to the floor. "You're just another pawn in this, Keelan. You know it doesn't matter who dies here, just as long as Justin has the blood of monsters." At his own words, Alfendi froze. How many sacrifices were left anyway? The four imbeciles downstairs were done by his hand, and the ritual only called for- "I'd only need to kill you two off, and Justin would have what he wants." His gaze became malicious with that concept in mind. Lucy didn't need to die. Justin knew that as long as Alfendi killed two more beings, he'd have his way.
His prey gulped, the realization striking him as fast as the hand abruptly yanking at his jaw. Inhuman screeches met his ears, yet did little to placate his new desire. He needed to kill, needed to save, needed to draw blood- draw anything- to draw to this conclusion, climax, end. He wanted the end of all of this most of all, more than anything he could have ever imagined. He needed to kill Keelan to end this. This would save Lucy and satiate both his erratic lies and that idiot Justin. He needed to kill, wanted nothing more than to finish this fight and never have to deal with these annoying creatures far below him in power. So he tore at pale flesh, letting terror grip his victim as his fingers ripped at the neck.
Kill the Makepeaces and end this. That's now all that mattered.
"Stop! No! No, please!" Diane released Lucy, screaming as she sped towards Alfendi. She couldn't let her father die, not like this. "Don't kill him, Alfendi! Please! Papa!" She cried in vain, trying to force the crazed vampire off Keelan. Instead, her begging and despair ended with wrenching off at the neck.
Finally, Keelan was dead.
The arm she held forced her back as shock settled in. Fear crept ever closer, like the demon that loomed over her now. She whimpered, shrinking away while the anticipation of her demise locked her in place.
Alfendi stared at the girl cowering before him, wondering how to end her. He felt the blood and skin on his fingers, allowing the sensation to momentarily soothe him as he cycled through his methods of torture. This feeling had been dead for so long, since the time when he was the rampaging warrior that killed for sport in ancient times. He hadn't tasted the pleasures of murder that now he couldn't help soaking in the panic in those young doe eyes. He held a hand out, prepared to strike her right through the heart, if that were the case.
Why are you giving Justin what he wants?
The momentary lapse in thought startled him, grabbing Diane's wrist. She whined, writhing in his hold to no avail. He watched his bloody hand tighten, then twist the dainty thing until bones snapped at the joints. Thrilling, but not what he was hoping for. Why was he letting Justin have this opportunity? He loathed being defeated, especially when it showed his weaknesses to his enemy. Why was he handing Justin all this power by killing this wicked minx like any other that challenged him?
"Prof?"
Diane slipped out of his grasp, tumbling back until she stood the edge of the roof. Anything was better than this. Anything other than feeding this beast that had killed the only family she had left. She would do anything to be rid of this vampire that murdered her father. Anything at all. Even death.
Pulling herself up as quick as she could, Lucy ran over to where Diane once stood, peering over the side to see the cliff below, and a broken doll hanging desperately on the side of the castle. "Diane! Don't! You can't die!" Lucy reasoned, despite the absurdity of the situation. She couldn't just let the girl fall to her death. This was Diane's chance to survive, a deserved second chance, not give herself up to the end of the line. "Take my hand, Diane," she suggested. Lucy felt the sparkle of fear in Diane's faded stare. Defeated at the height of certainty wasn't something Lucy had felt before, though loss only worsened that pain. There were so many better paths.
"No," was the quiet response, and Diane was falling.
Lucy felt her shoulders jump at the sight, and clenched her hands as she turned away from the inevitable closure of that scene. She instead looked over the battered vampire, his weary yet alert eyes frightening her. So this was what Diane felt; she could understand why the alternative appeared pleasing. This didn't feel like victory. This felt like Lucy was merely wandering deeper and deeper into her own coffin, either way literally. Was Lucy really any better being saved than being captured by the Makepeaces or Justin and the other monsters she'd encountered?
Alfendi steeled himself, allowing the pains affect him with their stinging and searing. "She's fine, Lucy," he assured. "It takes a lot more than that to kill her."
"But it's..."
"She's fine," he hissed before she could say her piece. He would rather not continue with this subject. Diane was definitely not dead, that he knew for sure. He knew from experience a fall like that would do nothing but leave a pitiful bruise or two on the body. Deciding not to dwell on the memories, Alfendi fixed himself as best he could, breathing in and out until the anger was pushed into the familiar corner. He sensed nearby power, coming closer to the castle as he waited. He held a hand out for his partner, who hesitated. "Come now," he urged, "There's no time to dawdle for the dead. We have one last thing to do."
Almost begrudgingly, Lucy placed her hand in his. She couldn't help the doubt, after what she had experienced just then. She... She could... Trust Alfendi... Right?
The steps to make it down to the foyer were longer than usual from Lucy's perspective. Everything was darker than she remembered as well. The more she stared at Alfendi's back, the more her eyes traveled along the walls and windows, searching for escape. The uncertainty of following Alfendi any further unnerved her. She had been so hopeful before, being now unsure felt like a stab at the gut to her. When they made it to their destination, Lucy quickly let her apprehension take over, keeping two steps back and away from Al.
The looming doors creaked open, and in stepped Justin, with a woman Lucy had never seen before. She watched this air of power clash with Alfendi's dangerous aura momentarily, before being diffused by Justin, whose booming laughter made the others jump out of their skin. "How long has it been, old friend?" The mayor of London asked, moving to put an arm around the vampire's shoulders.
Dodging the action as if it were an attack, Alfendi growled. "Cut the act, Lawson. We all know what your ridiculous plan is."
That couldn't be said for Lucy. His hinting still confused her. She obviously had something to do with it, now especially, but there was also talk of a ritual? Being out of the loop wasn't all that great when you were a key part of the subject. She watched the blond sneer at Alfendi's words. Who was she anyway? Lucy caught her gaze, realizing the thought was not mutual.
"And your intention to keep this girl in danger isn't, Alfendi?" She questioned, walking towards Lucy. The human tensed under her touch, a gentle tip of the chin to observe curious red eyes.
Alfendi scowled as if ridiculed by a pestering adult. "I never planned anything, Hilda," he mocked, "but I've been forced to follow along with your charade for sixteen years, if that's any consolation." He addressed the final part of his clause to Justin, although he made no move to strike- yet. "Lucy hasn't been of her own free will either."
So this was the infamous Hilda Alfendi told her so much about. She didn't look much like the witch Lucy had pictured. She could see how Alfendi wouldn't get along with her though, like a pair of bickering siblings unwillingly placed in the same space. "Wait. Wot do you mean?" Her unease traveled towards Justin, who grunted warily in return.
"How do I put this simply?" He mused, scratching at his jawline. With a sigh, he resigned to stating, "You see, I have this spell I'm preparing, which needs the blood of six supernatural creatures. With those sacrifices," he stepped away from the irate Alfendi, "I will be able to attain power equating to the gods. I will be not only immortal, but omnipotent." Despite his mad declaration, his audience didn't appear to take him quite seriously. Hilda rolled her eyes at him, Lucy was mildly confused- though it was only natural that a human would be, and Alfendi could barely hold back his snickers.
"So you'd have me kill Lucy?" The question came as a joke, but Alfendi realized Justin wouldn't be answering just as mockingly.
"You'd need to turn her first, but yes." Justin grew grave for a moment, as the words rang into all ears. He saw Lucy step back lightly. Her heart seemed to skip a beat when his hands glowed with violent violet colors, ruins appearing from them. "You know it's better this way, Al. Rather you turn her than anyone else. Unless you'd like Hilda do it instead." Motioning to the other female in the conversation, he huffed triumphantly, knowingly.
The vampire growled, his options immediately too limited. He remembered the vague pangs of torment of his own change, and, in contrast, the silent distress of Makepeace. While Alfendi rampaged through towns of innocents, his ex-fledgling went mad. Justin was beyond mad to think he'd ever think of turning Lucy. After all he had done to save her, to protect her, to get rid of the monsters plaguing both of them, there was absolutely no way he would even consider it. He stood between Lucy and whatever hell Justin had brought to the table.
You can't do this. You can't let this happen. Kill them. You have to kill them, make sure this never happens. Move.
He knew going for Justin would only leave Lucy defenseless against that witch, but if he just stood there, he'd be weakened enough to actually-
Do it.
Don't you dare. Even I know that's not me. Kill them.
Kill her. You can't listen to him. Kill her.
His teeth ached, their design to easily dig into flesh evident in their sharpness, his craving clear in their length. He needed to kill. Someone needed to die to sedate him. He needed the beating heart, so fast in his ears, to be quiet. He had to kill. That feeling was rushing back. The want to kill and mercilessly tear apart all who dared stand in his wake. He needed this more than he wanted to think he did. Alfendi knew there was no other choice.
"Alfendi," Hilda caught his attention far too fast for her liking, "you can't possibly be considering this."
Why not? He had enough strength to kill legions, if he tried. Rationally, he couldn't kill Hilda if he tried. Anyone else was fair game. So of course there was no consideration here as to who he would kill.
Are you going to kill her now?
