A (brief) Vampire Civil War

[Jessica's POV]

Elizabeth, preternaturally calm as usual, smiles at Catherine.

"So, this was it? This was your grand gambit, Katalin?" Elizabeth asks, calling Catherine by the Hungarian version of her name. Elizabeth's words drip with disdain.

Fuck Jessica thinks, wanting to crawl into a hole in the ground and disappear.

"Of course I know!" Elizabeth spits. "I can see it written on your foreheads you stupid girls. So this was when Carmilla and Mary were to ambush me?"

Catherine and Jessica are silent. Jessica stares at Catherine, hoping for something, anything, a plan, but Catherine stares at the floor.

"Don't worry. I had Jade take care of those traitors" Elizabeth says. "As for you..." she begins, but stops when there is a loud thump against the side of the car, startling all of them. Seizing the momentary distraction, Catherine moving with superhuman speed, opens the car door and runs out. Miko, snarling, runs after her. Jessica is left alone with Elizabeth.

What was that outside? Jessica wonders.

"I gave you the world, Jessica. I never thought you would be so malleable, so pliant, that Carmilla could brainwash you against your own race" Elizabeth sneers. "You don't deserve to be a vampire."

Jessica puts her finger to her nose, but too slowly. She's it. She gives her friends, August and Penelope, the middle finger, but respects the outcome. Hopping off her stool, Jessica goes to the bar to get another round. Jessica, an English teacher, is celebrating her move next week to a new school district. Better students, higher pay, things are trending up! It is the last week of summer vacation, and Jessica just wants to have some fun.

The club is hopping, but not obnoxiously so. It is loud, but you can still talk. Jessica has her eyes on the handsome bartender, but isn't sure if she's in his league. She is looking for something quick and memorable, but doesn't really want a relationship right now.

Jessica leaves a $50 on the bar, making doe eyes at the bartender, but he seems too busy to notice. Oh well she thinks. Holding three mixed drinks in two hands isn't easy. Turning from the bar, she drops all of them, startled by the woman in her way.

"Fuck" Jessica exclaims, the woman raising an eyebrow at her.

Jessica can't look away from the brunette in her path. The woman is graceful, beautiful, with long dark hair and a full, curvy figure. Her dress seems both cutting edge and old fashioned at the same time. Her dark eyes sparkle in the flashing lights of the club, her full ruby-red lips curled in a smile. The woman is the most stunning that Jessica has ever seen, but that might be the tequila talking. Jessica is straight, but....

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" the woman says, reaching out to touch Jessica's bicep. Her hand is cold, but her skin is so soft...

Jessica looks into the woman's eyes, feeling herself falling into them.

"My name is Elizabeth" the woman says, smiling. Jessica looks over at her table, seeing Penelope and August chatting with a gorgeous redhead. "What's yours?" Elizabeth asks.

Jessica finds her courage. Looking up at Elizabeth, she speaks with a strong voice:

"Carmilla didn't brainwash me. You did. Carmilla reminded me that I am still a human being...if I choose to be" Jessica says. She doesn't know what will happen to her, but she had to say this to Elizabeth. "You think you are free, but you, Miko, Diana...you are all slaves to your thirst. Low-life junkies, pretending to be some master-class."

Jessica sees anger flash across Elizabeth's face, before Elizabeth forces herself to be composed.

"You aren't even fit to be vampire food" Elizabeth says coldly. Elizabeth lunges at Jessica from across the cabin, but Jessica dodges in time, jumping out of the car. She sees a smear of blood on the side of the car in the moonlight. Following a trail of blood, she sees Jade and Mary locked in combat. (She doesn't see Miko, or Catherine. Or Carmilla.)

Jessica runs to help Mary. Jessica finds it odd that Elizabeth isn't pursuing her. She watches from the car cabin, her pale face illuminated by the dome light, with an intrigued expression. She's a sadist at heart. She won't even help her ally, Jade Jessica thinks bitterly. Or maybe her hubris doesn't even allow her to consider the thought of losing.

Mary and Jessica trade blows with Jade, but even against two, Jade is faster and stronger. Jade seems to dodge most of Mary and Jessica's parries, while her own blows all land. Jessica is holding steady for now, but Mary, covered in blood, seems to be flagging.

"Where's Carmilla" Jessica asks.

"Jade ripped her head off" Mary pants, her breathing ragged.

I am no match for Jade one on one Jessica thinks. I can't believe that Catherine abandoned us.