Chapter Text
Carmilla yawned as the professor continued their lecture about etiquette in 18th century Europe. The only reason she was in this class at all was because Laura had convinced her it would be a good bonding experience for them to share a class, and Carmilla had foolishly let her tiny girlfriend choose the class. Apparently, Laura had wanted to have a nice, quiet blow off class for which she could simply turn to Carmilla for answers.
It had been a year since the Dean's death and the subsequent defeat of the all devouring light that had lived in the basement of the Lustig Building on Campus. Ever since then, there had not been anything out of the ordinary, at least not for Silas, which had been a huge relief to Carmilla. Laura, she knew, was an attraction for the weird and,unfortunately for Carmilla, Laura's journalistic instincts made it impossible for her to not go looking for the very things that usually wanted her dead.
As the lecture continued, Carmilla groaned softly and set her head on the table in front of her, earning her a sympathetic smile and a pat on the head from Laura. “you owe me big for this, cupcake.” Carmilla said to Laura as the Professor began to describe,in detail, the procedures one had to take in a court setting for a formal event. “What? Don't you find this fascinating?” Carmilla snorted at the sincerity in Laura's voice. “I did, back when it was relevant. Although, if the Prof wants to teach us how to waltz, I call you as my partner. Carmilla eyed Laura suggestively, making her giggle. Unfortunately, a large, red mist chose that moment to seep into the room, carrying with it the faint scent of blood. Carmilla sniffed the air and the faint scent of blood tore her attention away from Laura and towards the mist.
The mist flowed around the room, spreading across the classroom and sliding between rows of seats. Finally,the mist moved to the front of the room, forming together and startling the Professor so much they stopped their lecture. The mist swirled high up into the air and spread downward, forming the shapes of humans as it went. Soon, five robed figures seemed to be standing in front of the classroom. The figures moved as a group, looking around as if they were searching for something, or someone.
Finally, the group's mouths opened simultaneously and five voices echoed together ominously. “Students of Silas University, we member of the Cult of Sacred Blood and we have come to you in a time of need.” Carmilla glared at the figures and growled “Blood Mages.” with such hatred that Laura turned to her, startled. Realizing she had scared Laura, Carmilla smiled and shook her head. “I'll explain later.” She told Laura as she turned her head back to the Cultists.
When it came to those with the ability to use magic, Blood Mages were some of the worst possible people you could come across. Blood Magic, as the name suggests, requires blood in order for the spells to be used and most Blood Mages preferred to use the blood of victims rather than harm themselves. Most Blood Mages were murderers and scum who lure unsuspecting victims into their inevitable death, and the Cult of Sacred Blood were the worst of the bunch. Carmilla had never had to deal with the Cult herself, but she had heard stories and the things described described to her were horrible, gut-wrenching affairs that made even Carmilla queasy after simply hearing about them.
The Cultists continued talking in their eery voice. “For years, we have searched for the perfect vessel for our most holiest of rituals and our searching has led us here. It is for this purpose that we simply ask that Laura Hollis comes to us so that she may be part of our sacred ritual and push our people into the next step of our evolution.”
Carmilla, who had been trying to hold in laughter, couldn't take it any longer and started laughing hysterically. The Cultists looked at Carmilla and a collective hiss escaped from the figures. “Vampire, we have no business with your kind. We mean you no harm if you do us the same courtesy.” Carmilla stared at them and then laughed even harder. Finally, she recovered and looked directly at the group. “I'm sorry, your blatant lies caught me off guard.” She told the Cultists, her voice becoming more and more irritated as she talked. “I'm well aware of what your Cult does. That whole line about a ritual is a load of crap and if you come anywhere NEAR my girlfriend, I will personally dismember you, and do so with great pleasure. And that whole spiel about not meaning vampires any harm? I know someone who would strongly disagree with that statement. Now leave, and take this horrible magic with you.”
The Cultists glanced at each other before looking back at the students. “Laura Hollis, you have three days. If we do not hear a response from you by then, we will come back, and our methods will not be as...tame as this.” As the Cultists finished talking, the blood mist quickly dissolved, leaving a frightened Laura, a pissed off Carmilla and a room full of students to stunned to speak. Laura leaned into Carmilla her eyes full of sadness. “Carmilla, what are we going to do?” Carmilla shook her head and pulled Laura into her, wrapping her arms around Laura like a protective vise. “I don't know, cream-puff, but we sure as hell aren't letting those monsters anywhere near you.”