My Beloved

by T.M. Mendes

  Wendy grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and slammed him against a nearby tree. “How dare you try to hurt them!” she screamed and with a yell that would make any warrior woman proud, she sunk her fangs into him, cutting at the artery before finally taking a broken branch and stabbing him in the heart. Instantly he was ash, giving him no chance to even scream.

  Turning around, she heard Markus and Jamie gasp as her hair was wild and blood dripped from her chin. Her eyes slowly turned from a frightening black to her normal blue. “P-Please... don't be afraid of me. I'm still me,” she spoke weakly, not liking how she could smell fear coming from her brother. Jamie looked stunned. Taking a deep breath, Wendy grabbed her necklace for support, feeling instantaneous comfort.

  “I-I think I need to sit down,” Markus muttered, looking like he was going to be sick.

  “You are sitting down,” Wendy offered with a grimace type of smile. Soon though, he gave his consent to talk about it back at the house. It was dark after all. Only the moon provided light, since the snow has long since fallen. They would've flitted but both Jamie and Markus weren't comfortable with that. It pained to see the slight fear her brother had for her, but at least he wasn't running.

  *****

  “Someone start explaining before I stake tall, dark, and creepy like I've wanted to do since I woke up from that dream,” Markus demanded, glaring at Vincent with such hatred Wendy was surprised Vincent didn't back hand him. Not that she wasn't grateful, it just didn't seem like Vincent.

  “The only reason I'm not beating his face in is because of your request, Firefly,” he uttered in the silent room. Markus scoffed, showing he didn't mind going around with him too.

  “Please. Can we be civil for a moment? Mark, do mom and dad know you're gone?” she asked after she made sure her face was clear of any blood.

  “I told them I need to find myself. They expect me back in the next few days.”

  It surprised her hearing this. “They let you go? Just like that, after having a major surgery only a couple months ago?” she asked dubiously.

  His glare startled her before giving a bitter laugh. “Mom and dad have changed. Not a lot but enough to take notice. Mom is a mess and dad doesn't talk, like at all. I don't know. I guess after the dream they're better, but... why can't you come home?” he ended brokenly and stood up before hugging her to him. “I don't care if you now have fangs! You're still my sister!”

  Tears welled in her eyes as she felt his hot tears pool at her neck.

  “I'm so sorry, but I just... I can't. It's too dangerous. You shouldn't even be here! Look at what happened for being involved for only a couple of hours?! You get attacked!” She pushed him away just enough to look at his face. It was slightly comical since he had a good foot and a half on her, yet they both knew she could fling him like a rag doll.

  “I don't care! I'm your big brother! I'm supposed to protect you, not the other way around!” He broke off with a growl before kicking the bar stool next to him. He stormed down the hallway.

  “Can I have a minute with Jamie? You guys try to cool down Mark.” Wendy sighed and looked at her best friend.

  “So you live here, huh? Where's your room?” Jamie asked, sounding weak herself. Wendy offered Jamie her hand to show her. With a shaky sigh, Jamie let her lead into a quiet room that had a large bed. “Well, at least you're living nice,” she joked with a grimace-like smile.

  Wendy rubbed her eyes, feeling tired, and sat on the bed. “I’m so sorry you had to find out like this,” she muttered. With her senses, she felt Jamie climb up behind her and began to play with her hair like old times.

  “I understand,” Jamie murmured and hugged her from behind. “Although you looked scary as hell out there. I know you're still the same girl who ate a worm on a dare when we were younger.”

  Her joke made Wendy crack a smile. “Hey! I got five dollars out of that,” she said with a chuckle.

  Jamie's hand stilled on the back of her head before she spoke. “You know what I'm thinking right now?”

  Wendy turned her head and cocked an eyebrow. “What?” she asked but her eyes widened and a gasp left her lips when she saw Jamie held her necklace before her and clasped it around her neck.

  “How it took you that long to do as I wished. You really are stupid and I have no idea how in the world Vincent got stuck with a nobody like you.”

  Wendy felt frozen. Her eyes couldn't believe the deceit before her.

  “J-Jamie? H-How? What?” A shiver crawled down her spine as Jamie laughed.

  “I'm surprised Vincent didn't recognize me, although I was fairly young.”

  Wendy looked her over as it dawned on her. Gasping once more, she maneuvered off the bed. “Serryline, Serafine's sister. But how?! You should be dead! And you're wearing the necklace!” All these questions were partly because she needed to know and partly to distract her.

  “Oh, dear Vincent didn't know that when my late sister cast that spell, it extended to her bloodline. As for the being alive part, well... it helps when you steal some souls. I've waited the last five years for you to finally grow a pair and dig up the old bag of bones. But wow, you were so dimwitted!” Her answers only caused more questions.

  “Five years?! I've known you my whole life!” she yelled, hoping someone would hear her.

  “Oh, you can scream all you want. They've been 'put on hold,' so to speak. And all those memories you hold so dear... nothing but implants by yours truly.”

  Wendy knew she was in trouble so she tried to run but was flung and smashed against the far wall. She tried to bring her hands up to blow up the traitor but couldn't move a muscle. “What are you going to do? Why are you doing this? Are you going to kill me?” she asked in hopes that whatever spell she cast over her loved ones would wear off.

  “Heavens no! That would defeat my whole plan. You see, because of your dear 'Vincent'” -she sneered his name- “my sister was left mad and eventually took her own life years ago. I promised her I'd get her the revenge she sought, while maybe having a little fun. So no, I'm not going to kill you.” She paused and walked slowly up to Wendy with an evil smirk as her hair seemed to glow a fiery red.

  “I'm going to let my sister come back... using your body.”

  Chapter 27

  Wendy

  Gritting her teeth, Wendy tried to fight the invisible hold that Serryline had on her. It was useless however, like a candle trying to stay lit during a hurricane. “Please! You don't need to do this! Why can't you let it go?!” she asked, trying to fight the tears of frustration that threatened to spill. She hated feeling this weak. She had just gotten used to feeling strong, and now it was stripped away from her.

  Serryline let out an incredulous laugh as she took out a small red velvet pouch from inside her jacket.

  “Let it go? Let it go?! No! Because of Vincent's selfish ways, my sister lost all her heart! Was forced to retreat within herself until she killed herself! So no, I am not going to 'let it go.' I'm going to bring her back, let her have her fun like she deserves and then kill him. Simple, really. Now hold still. Oh wait, you can't move.” She finished off with a laugh.

  Wendy wanted to bang her head as the feeling of helplessness surrounded her.

  “This should be over quickly. Don't worry. After a while you'll grow weaker, then eventually fade. Won't even hurt.” Serryline finished off with a wink.

  Wendy glared at her with hate-filled eyes. “So everything, everything in our... my childhood with you was a lie? You made it all up? Put memories that don't exist in my head and into everyone else's?!” Wendy grew angry at the betrayal that seized her heart. Her mind sifted through all the 'memories' with her 'best friend' like a flip book.

  “Cool, huh? Got to say that took a lot more magic than I was used to. Had to kill quite a few people to accomplish it, too. Let me say if 'Jamie' did exit, then she would not be friends with someone as boring as you. I mean, holy crap, girl, watching paint dry was more exciting than talking to you f
or the last five years!”

  Wendy's fangs slid down as the anger she was feeling left a bitter acid taste in her mouth. “Screw you!” she yelled, making Serryline tsk her in mock disappointment.

  Opening the velvet bag, she brought out a white powdery substance. “It's not drugs if that's what you're thinking.” She paused and gave her an evil grin. “It's baby's bone pressed into fine dust. Not cheap, mind you.” Wendy gagged as she thought of what the witch was playing with. It made her stomach roll. “Close your eyes,” Serryline instructed but when Wendy refused, she huffed and snapped her fingers, forcing the helpless vampire to shut her eyes. Wendy felt Serryline blow in her face. Without meaning to, she inhaled sharply as an instinctual reaction took over. Her mind wanted her to throw up when she knew the witch just blew the powdery bones in her face. “Good girl,” Serryline mocked when Wendy started to cough violently.

  'Vincent!' she tried to reach him again through her mind but it was no use. All she heard in her mind was static. “What did you do to them?!” Wendy asked, still unable to open her eyes.

  She heard her chuckle darkly. “I simply put them on pause. It will wear off soon enough. Which is why we need to get a move on it!” she spoke with enthusiasm. Wendy felt herself being slowly lowered to the floor until she was lying down. She felt a rag being put over her mouth so she couldn't talk right. It smelled sickly sweet and soon she was dizzy. “Just a hint of Moon's powder, again I say not cheap, quite an expensive little plant, but I've learned it works on vampires like chloroform works on humans! So just relax. It will be over soon...” Her voice faded as Wendy fought to stay conscious, but it was no use.

  *****

  Blinking her eyes, she looked around in confusion. She was in a dark cold room and the only light was coming from an intricate-looking large mirror. “What? Sister? Is that you?” Wendy was shocked to hear her voice speak but she wasn’t doing the talking! ‘Oh my God! Serryline did it!’ Wendy thought on baited breath. She wasn’t in her body anymore. She saw the young witch grin at her.

  “Yes, dear sister. I brought you back from the dead.”

  Wendy wanted to pull her hair out with feeling so frustrated. Concentrating, she tried to give her the will to move her body but it wouldn’t work. She knew they were hugging when all she saw was Serryline’s red hair.

  “Whose body is this?” Serryfine asked, looking down at the feet and inspecting. It was even more annoying because Wendy realized she could only see what her body was seeing.

  Serryline smirked. “It is Vincent’s Beloved’s body. Here, I think you’ll need this.” Serryline then proceeded to put the necklace back on Wendy’s body.

  She heard herself gasp. “You didn’t! Oh my goodness, this is… this is wonderful!”

  Screaming out in anger, Wendy wanted to trash whatever room she was in but found there was nothing to trash.

  “Get out of my body!” Wendy screamed and saw with satisfaction when Serryfine grasped her head with a hiss. “She is a lively one, isn’t she?” Wendy heard her ask.

  Serryline didn’t look bothered. “Don’t worry, she’ll fade soon enough. Now, I’m going to go over how she acts since I was her ‘best friend’ for years. Then by that time everyone else should unfreeze. Here’s the plan though: You can have your time with Vincent, but in the end we will kill him for all the things he’s put you through, alright? This would’ve happened sooner if that stupid tattoo had faded more quickly.”

  Wendy wanted to bash both their faces in for thinking of such cruel thoughts.

  She only half-listened as Serryline listed Wendy’s different traits. Sinking to the ground, Wendy pulled her knees up and cried. She’s never felt so helpless and knowing they were going to hurt her loved ones made her heart ache.

  Vincent

  “Like I was saying, my intentions are good for your sister. Now can you stop pouting like an insolent child? She needs you right now.” Vincent growled at Markus, feeling his frustration reach new heights. Markus shrugged but stalked out of the room to see his sister. “Wendy? Your brother has something to say if you’re done with Jamie.”

  He heard them walk out of his room and turned to face them. His eyes scanned over Jamie again, still feeling like he should know her somewhere. Shaking his head, he bent forward and placed a small kiss on Wendy’s lips.

  She surprised him however when her arms snaked up to his neck and held him there, deepening the kiss. There was a slight niggling in the back of his mind but he pushed it away and enjoyed this brazen side to his Firefly. “As much as I enjoyed that, you might want to settle down for your brother’s sake.”

  She smiled up at him but nodded. “Yes, right, my brother.” She spoke almost reluctantly and Vincent understood. He hugged her and then proceeded to lead her to the living room where Markus was sitting.

  “I know you’re scared he’ll be angry, but he’s better. Just remember that he’s your brother.”

  Wendy nodded and looked down at Markus with a small smile. “Can you forgive me?” she asked with her arms open for a hug.

  Markus rolled his eyes but stood up and hugged his sister. “I’m still pissed, but yeah, I forgive you. I’m just glad you’re okay for the most part.”

  Vincent looked at the clock and frowned. “That’s odd,” he murmured, catching everyone’s attention. Wendy held his hand but winced subtly. “I could’ve sworn it was eight not too long ago. Now the clock says it’s twelve.”

  Wendy gave him a small peck on the cheek. “Blame it on old age.” She winked, making him playfully growl.

  “I am not old. Well, not physically.” He felt the niggling feeling at the back of his brain again, but Wendy stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

  “So, Jamie, what’s your take on this?” Markus asked her with an eyebrow raised.

  The red head shrugged innocently and blew out a breath. “I don’t know. I think it’s all kind of cool.”

  Wendy looked confused and glanced up at Vincent. “Cool? I don’t get it how can it be cold?”

  Jamie let out a nervous laugh but it made Vincent chuckle as he tapped her nose. “Very funny,” he said, remembering how he said that to her when they first met.

  “Right… ow!” She winced and grabbed her head.

  Vincent looked at her concerned and rubbed her back. “Are you alright, Firefly?” he asked, but she only nodded and seemed better.

  “Yes … just stress. How about you and I lie down for a while?” she trailed off suggestively, making her brother groan.

  “So I did not need to hear that. I think I need to sleep for a week.”

  Vincent ignored him and took her hand, feeling heat flash between them. “I would love nothing more. It has been a tiring day.” He scooped her up, making her giggle as they flitted to the room.

  Wendy

  “No, no, no, no!!” she screamed and hit the walls when she saw through the mirror that Vincent placed Serryfine on the bed. Her heart cracked but anger pushed her forward. She let her anger go as she tried to blast her way out. She heard the witch scream as she grabbed her head.

  “Wendy?! Wendy?! What’s wrong?!” Vincent looked at her in alarm, but it was like he really was looking at Wendy through the mirror. She ran at the mirror as tears of anger and frustration flowed and tried to hit it but fell through when she felt a surge of determination run through her.

  She opened her eyes and looked down to see her body again. It was all so confusing but she wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip. Gripping Vincent’s hand, she winced when she felt Serryfine rage within her trying to get control back. Wendy knew she was going to succeed in just a few moments, but all Wendy needed was a few moments. “Vincent! Please, I need your help! Serryfine is taking over my body! It wasn’t me you kissed. It was her! J-Jamie i-is not J-Jamie! I-It’s S-Serryl-line!” She gasped before slipping back under and she was back in the room with the mirror.

  “No!” she screamed but listened intently and looked at Vincent since Serryfine opened her eyes.


  “Just kidding. I wanted to see the look on your face.” The giggle sounded wrong and if Wendy closed her eyes, she could swear she could feel the anger and fear coming from the witch.

  “Oh… okay. Not a very nice joke, but effective. You stay here. I need to grab Darcy and ask about that vampire in the woods.”

  Wendy felt her heart break when she saw Vincent leave the room, seemingly undeterred by what happened. She gripped her hair, feeling drained. She had to use a lot of her energy for that little stunt and knew it was slim to none she would ever be able to do it again. Wendy saw she was suddenly looking at herself and realized Serryfine was looking into a mirror with a glare.

  “Try something like that again, and I will be sure to bed Vincent and make you watch! You little snake! How dare you try to toss my and my sister’s plans?! Just shut up and enjoy being alive while you still are.” She finished with a sneer.

  Rage burst through her veins but Wendy was still too drained to do anything drastic, so instead she tried to blast the walls again, making Serryfine shriek and grab her head. “You little cow!” She hissed but straightened up when Vincent walked back in with Darcy.

  “Darcy has a theory,” Vincent started and turned her around to face him directly. She saw her mirror tip as 'Wendy' cocked her head.

  “Do tell,” she urged Vincent but hissed and turned around quickly. Wendy gasped as she saw Darcy standing there with an empty syringe. “W-What?” she heard Serryfine slur drunkenly.

  Vincent spun her around and glared. “Serryfine, get out of Wendy's body or so help me-”

  She cut him off with a dizzy laugh. “You'll what? Hit me? Go ahead! You'll just hurt her, too! Serryline!” she yelled but was only met by Darcy's dark chuckle.

  “You think I had only one of these bad boys lying around? Your sister is detained for now. I know you won't get out willingly so you just go to sleep while we figure out a way.”