Chapter 8

Chloe had stormed out of the room leaving the trio of VK's behind her. For a moment there was nothing but silence.

Then Camilla sighed, "We're running out of time." she reminded them all, "Castlecoming is tomorrow."

"Plan B." Red said after staring at the door Chloe had left through, finally peeling her eyes away to look at them, "We go to Castlecoming and keep Bridget away from Uliana."

"That's only if plan A fails." Drac said standing from Chloe's bed. "And our plan A needs work."

"Wait. . . you guys are down to steal the cookbook?"

"We're VK's." Camilla smirked, though by the look in her eyes you could tell she was trying to comfort Red after what Chloe had said. "VK's stick together."

Red smiled.

"Okay." she sighed plopping down on the corner of her bed, "Any ideas?"

"Not so much an idea, but we do have a few problems we need to work out first." Drac said stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. "Without Chloe we're outnumbered. Too outnumbered."

"We need to even the playing field in case Uliana catches us trying to steal the book before she can." Camilla clarified.

"Exactly." Drac nodded. "I might be able to distract Maleficent." he remembered the curious looks she gave him after seeing his eyes glow green and knew he could use that curiosity to lure her away from Uliana's crew. "But that also means Hades. He doesn't seem to leave her side much."

"Those are your parents." Red said looking remorseful. "They're massively powerful and then you'd be outnumbered."

"But I know their tricks. My mom doesn't have her scepter yet, and I've wielded that power. And my dad taught me all I know about my own powers. That's why I'm so much better at it than Mal."

"That still leaves me and Red against Uliana, Hook and Mordred."

Red looked away and took a deep breath, "I think I know a way to get Hook out of the picture." Both the other VK's turned to her. "I think he has a thing for me. I can distract him and lure him away, then duck out and meet you at the principal's office."

Camilla laughed. "He'll chew you up and spit you out. No offense."

"How is that not offensive?"

"All I'm saying is. . . I know pirates. I'm kind of, dating Hook's son. Believe me, I know how to wrap men like that around my finger. I should deal with Hook."

"But you're not the one he's interested in."

"She doesn't have to be." Drac spoke up walking away from the bed and closer to the girls, resting his arm on the post of Red's four poster bed, "We just need to make Hook think it's you."

Red quirked a brow looking intrigued, "You got some more of that magic mojo up your sleeve?"

"Not enough to turn Camilla into you. But if she wore your clothes -"

"Not going to happen." Camilla interrupted, "Even in life and death situations I still have standards. There's no way I'm wearing that."

"And what's wrong with this?" Red asked.

"The poofy sleeves on a leather jacket? Or the sewn on hearts that look like homemade girl scout badges? Please tell me that's not your best."

Red paused, "Actually. . . It's not. My best is the outfit I wear when I'm rioting around Wonderland."

"You lead a riot?" Drac asked looking impressed.

Red smirked, "I'm a one girl riot."

"So how do we get that outfit here?" Camilla asked.

"Easy. Time travel and teleporting people might be nearly impossible magic. But teleporting objects, even across realms and time is more straightforward then it sounds. You just need to focus." Drac replied then looked to Red.

"What?" she asked. "I don't have magic."

"Your mom does though. So. . . yeah, you do."

Red looked shocked and a bit scared, "Well, I have no idea how to use it! I've never done anything magical!"

Drac smiled at her and held out both his hands, he wiggled his fingers beckoning her forward. Red looked hesitant as she stepped closer and put her hands in Drac's. "You focus and leave the magic to me. Okay?"

"Okay." she said exhaling a deep breath.

"Just close your eyes and think about where you left it last. Picture it in as perfect clarity as you can, the sharper the image in your mind the easier this will be." She nodded following his instructions. Then Drac closed his eyes too and they all waited.

"This is so much better!" Camilla gushed as she zipped up the jacket from Red. The studded hood with the velvet lining was gorgeous! The red shirt under it that made a pattern like red roses stuck out just barely at the bottom where the black part of the jacket with red studs ended. The belt with the black heart was so much sleeker then the belt Red was wearing right now and Camilla was loving the little shoulder pads. The black leather pants were nicer too, they were fitted better and not as baggy as the pants Red was wearing. There were thin red lines down the outside of the legs that when she looked closer noticed they were little red hearts that made the lines. On the back was Red's logo but the red background it was on was surrounded nicely by black from the shoulder pads that went down the sides of the jacket.

Camilla pulled her black and white ponytail under the jacket and raised the hood.

"And the finishing touch." Red said reaching into the pocket and pulling out a mask that was red with heart cutouts in it. Just looking at it made Camilla want to ask Evie to hold a masquerade ball in Auradon when she got back.

Red helped Camilla place the mask over her face and line up the eyes so she could see properly. From her pile of clothes on the bed Camilla pulled out her trusty tube of red lipstick and applied a heavy coat to her lips.

She looked at herself once more in the mirror before turning to the others. "Am I convincing?"

Red crossed her arms smiling and nodding, "Wow I look good. I would date me."

Drac grinned. "Perfect. So you'll distract Hook. I'll take care of Maleficent and Hades. Red? You sure Uliana and Mordred won't be too much for you?"

"Trust me. I got this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small red firecracker, "These babies have gotten me through every rough spot I've been in."

"Good." Drac looked out the window and saw the sun setting. Wow that magic spell had taken longer than he'd thought, but it was the perfect time for the VK's to come out and play. They just had to make sure the right villains won tonight.

Camilla was phase one of their master plan.

Red gave her the directions to the hall where all the villains dorms were. She took a deep breath to steady herself and her resolve. Drac had given her the can of spray paint he'd had since he'd been sucked into this realm – turning it red first - and Camilla gave it a shake.

"I'm on a path of destruction." She sang with a smirk, "Oh this is gonna be fun."

She uncapped it and strode down the hall, spraying a long line along the wall beside her.

"Set it off, go berserk. Tonight I light it up like fireworks."

When she got to the first door with skulls she made a giant heart and drew a lightning bolt through it. Then she spun and on the next door with shells and thorns she sprayed back and forth destroying it. She continued down that side spraying along the wall until she reached a door with a window but the glass had been plastered over from the inside by maps. Runes also decorated the outer wood telling her Hook and Mordred shared this one.

"Burn it down, 'til all they're seeing now is, red, red, red, red, red."

She pulled a red balloon out of her pocket, it reminded her of the smoke bombs, but this one Red had filled with more paint. She chucked it at the door and it exploded, red paint seeping everywhere – even the crack between the door and the frame.

She backed up quickly as the door opened and Hook stormed out, Mordred right behind him. Uliana charged out of her room the same time Maleficent and Hades left his dorm.

Camilla smirked at them before taking off around the corner.

"Get the girl." Uliana sneered at Hook before she nodded to the opposite end of the hall for the others to follow her. She had a book to steal.

Hook grabbed his sword and charged after her with a snarl. The girl might be a captivating lass but he'd meant what he said about following Uliana willingly – and he wouldn't let her down. He turned the same corner and continued down the hall as fast as he could, he didn't dare risk losing her. But when he reached the end of the hall an elbow got him in the stomach and his sword was pulled from his hand. By the time he straightened up his own blade was pointed at his throat. The alluring redhead on the opposite end of the weapon smirked with those tantalizing red lips as they began to circle.

"It's criminal how, you follow the clown. Fists in the air, boots on the ground." She pulled back and struck, but his hook was still his greatest weapon, and he used it to block her blow. "I hear the sound and it's getting loud, yellin' "Red, red, red.""

He slid his hook down the blade drawing nearer to her, then, he ducked and grabbed around her waist. But the girl was quick and spun sideways over his shoulder, down his hunched back and took off again. He ran a hand through his hair pushing it back out of his face. He was quick to find a new sword from one of the displays on the wall but still felt the fresh sting of shame from losing his own so easily.

He'd made his first mistake, underestimating her. He wouldn't make it again. And all notions of going easy on her vanished.

Camilla ran for the main staircase. She hustled down the first flight reaching the landing and was fast to turn for the second half. However, Hook appeared at the top and she noticed he was armed regardless of her having stolen his sword. Harry taught her everything she knew about dueling. But now she had to face the man who had taught him. She really hoped Harry hadn't held back any tricks or secrets from her. She hopped on the railing and slid to the bottom knowing it would be faster. But Hook vaulted over the rail at the top and landed in front of her. She held her chin high as he spun his sword with a smirk. She held hers horizontally and ran her hand over it wiping the blade off on her glove. Then they both lunged and attacked. The blades met with the swashbuckling sound of metal on metal she'd grown used to in Pirate's Bay.

"I'm breaking in, call the guards, raise the alarm." She made sure to keep a cocky smile on her face as she blocked him blow for blow, knowing the expression would get under his skin and make his blood boil - hopefully in a good way. "Princess of Hearts, lit after dark. Off with their heads." she dodged just as Hook swung for her head and took the helmet off the suit of armor behind her. "Leave 'em for dead. Seein' red, red, red."

She noticed more suits of armor lined up going down the hall. She knew there was another exit in that direction and got an idea.

"I'm on a path of destruction, they gon' think I'm on one." she met his charcoal lined eyes and smirked again. "Set it off, go berserk!" she retreated, heading down the hall and knocking metal suits over hoping they'd slow Hook down.

"Tonight, I light it up like fireworks. Tear it down, then paint this town red, red, red, red."

She made it through the doorway, the same one Hook had popped out of just the other day to stop Bridget and Ella. She leapt off the two short steps, landed on the stone courtyard and turned. Hook appeared, only having slowed down by a few seconds and Camilla backpedaled being cautious of the fountain as she licked her lower lip. She noticed Hook's eye catch the motion and saw them darken. She knew that look, Harry had that look. She had the captain right where she wanted him. But that didn't mean he'd surrender the fight.

Instead of retreating like he expected, she ran at him. He barely got his sword up in time as she pressed him back against the wall. Teasingly, he tilted his sword so hers slid downward, bringing her closer to him. Through the mask their eyes met again.

"I don't go down easily. Look into my eyes, see the fire in me." she pushed off as he leaned closer and she was gone again. Like a minx, he thought as he followed after her, over the corner of the fountain and out toward the courtyard where Bridget had been handing out cupcakes.

"Burn it down, 'til all they're seeing now is red, red, red, red, red."

Their boots made a rhythmic sound as they ran across the stones.

"Up to fight!" he declared.

She's quite the sight, he thought as he struck at her back but she turned just in time to block the hit. "Never question orders."

Or he'll pay the price. Swing, block, miss.

"Protect Uliana's quarters." Remember what she said.

Get the girl, get the girl. Get the girl, get the girl. Uliana's command echoed in his head. As he swung and the feisty girl parried each hit with flawless skill. If he didn't know better he'd think she grew up pirate. It made his blood race. He wanted more. Usually one saw red when they were enraged, the whole world became tinted with the color in your anger. But as he fought, and was bested time and time again, his frustration and attraction had the same effect.

"She's painting our whole world. . . she's painting our whole world. . . she's painting our whole world - red!"

Their swords met in an X. "I don't go down easily." she pushed their joined blades to the side, both their arm's outstretched fully. With her free hand she walked two fingers up his chest, then used one to trace his jaw until she came to his chin. "Look into my eyes, see the fire in me." he was about at his breaking point.

"Burn it down." she kicked his chest and he stumbled back noticing her running for the underpass. He followed after her swiftly. "'Til all they're seeing now is." He swung and she yet again turned just in time to meet it.

"Red." their swords met again.

"Red." Again.

"Red." Again.

"Red." Again.

"Red." this time when their blades crossed he spun her and quickly pressed her back to the nearest wall. In the underpass they were covered by shadows, only a bit of moonlight shining in on either side. He pinned her sword hand with his own blade and used his hook to pin her other hand over her head. They both stood there and stared at one another, her eyes looked a mix of surprise and fret as she no doubt wondered what fate awaited her now that she was at his mercy. While Hook grinned a triumphant smirk. Both their chests heaved as they caught their breath, their exhales blowing in one another's faces reminding them how close they stood to each other.

He chuckled breathlessly, "You know what you're doing, I'll give you that. Excellent form love."

"I'm glad you're impressed." Camilla said imitating Red's voice to the best of her ability. She took a few more deep breaths, "You're not really going to turn me over to Uliana are you?"

He chuckled again, "For tagging our hall? Love, Uliana has bigger fish to fry. Although. . . " he dropped his sword and Camilla let go of hers, now aiming to stay on his good side. She'd succeeded in luring him away from his crew, now she just had to make sure he stayed away to give the others more time.

Hook raised his now free hand and tapped his chin pondering, "Letting you go would be bad form. Some sort of. . . retribution, must be in order." his tapping raised from his chin to his lips.

"And if I refuse?"

He clicked his tongue, "Code of a duel love. I've bested ye, now you're at the mercy of my terms. If you didn't want to follow the pirate's code, yeh should have never crossed blades with one."

She leaned forward, their noses brushing and whispered, "Where's the fun in that?"

Hook seemed breathless again, "Where indeed?"

Then Camilla grabbed the burgundy lapel of his jacket and the white collar of his shirt and pulled him to her, crushing her lips against his. Hook made a sound of approval in the back of his throat as his only hand lifted to cup her face, his thumb running along her jaw. Her hand wrinkled his clothing as his hook released her other hand which immediately buried itself in his hair. He stepped closer as they lip locked, pressing her back further against the wall and crushing his body against hers. She kept a firm hold on him, tugging at his hair and eliciting more moans from his throat. He didn't pull away until they ran out of air, and even then Camilla wished he'd waited just another moment longer.

He had a dopey grin on his face as he breathed out, "That was. . . "

But then with his eyes still closed his brows pinched together like he was realizing something was wrong. His lashes fluttered as he opened his eyes and brought one hand to his lips. His breathing shifted and his eyes slid closed again as Camilla nudged him to the side and he fell to the ground sound asleep.

As he snored she pulled a kerchief from her pocket and wiped the red lipstick off her lips.

"Let me ask you." she said before they left the dorm as she turned to Drac, "Did your Evie spray Chad with a sleeping potion on Family Day?"

"Yeah." he answered looking confused as to why she was bringing up something so random.

Camilla smirked and pulled out her red lipstick, the one she made sure to never leave home without, "You didn't think I'd let the rest of that bottle go to waste did you?"

As she wiped off the last of the lipstick she looked down at Hook. That should keep him out long enough to stay out of their hair. Sleeping draughts, they worked every time. "Nighty night Captain Hook."

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