Beyond This Illusion

It was mid afternoon when they woke. Mina blinked awake slowly, rolling over onto her side. Her back pressed against something, and it startled her. She turned again, to find Jiresue next to her, also awaking. Mina smiled gently, and curled into the woman's side. Jiresue blinked down at her, then pulled her close and kissed the girl's cheek. "I feel so comforted by you," the vampire whispered, petting Mina's hair, fingers flowing smoothly through the raven locks. Mina blushed softly, eyes twinkling. "I won't leave you. I can't now." Jiresue nodded, but frowned. "Mina...one day, you will have to. I told you. For killing my sire I cannot turn my love." Mina shook her head, "We'll figure out a way, my love....I promise, I'll find a way to be with you." Jiresue turned away for a moment, staring at the wall. Mina pouted, kissing the woman's collar bone. The vampire turned back to her, lifting the girl's chin to kiss her gently. "I hope we can."

Mina smiled softly, curling close to her. She couldn't believe this was actually possible. Just weeks ago she was outside, walking the streets, unaware of all this. Now, here she was. In bed and, in love with, a vampire. A gorgeous goddess of creatures, however dark and evil she may have seemed before. She knew she was in love with her too, she just didn't want to admit it. Plotting an escape was her denial. At first she thought it was merely the woman's charm, a trick. Then she didn't care if it was or not. She just wanted to stay here. Close to Jiresue, cuddled in her arms forever. This could not be so though, she knew it. They both did. One day, she would die. And Jiresue would live on. Mina sighed softly, kissing Jiresue's chest gently. The vampire blinked, and brushed the girl's hair from her face. "What is wrong, my darling?" she purred, running her fingers through Mina's locks. The girl frowned, sitting up slightly.

"I want to be with you. I'm thinking how," she answered, falling back into the pillows with her arms behind her head. Jiresue curled into her this time, head upon her chest. Mina brought one arm down to gently scratch up and down the woman's bare back. "I don't yet, Mina. I'll figure out a way. I promise you. You will be with me, always. You'll be mine. I don't know how, or when. But there is a way. I just have to find it. Do you trust me?" Mina stopped scratching her, brows furrowed. "Jiresue...must you even ask that question? Of course I do. If I did not trust you, I would not be here, with you." Jiresue smiled, but asked another question. "Do you love me?"

Mina blinked again, and grabbed Jiresue's hand. She entwined their fingers, and brought it to her lips. "Yes. Jiresue, I love you. Always. I didn't want to admit it. I denied it for days. I couldn't believe it. But I do. And I will never stop loving you." The vampire kissed the girl's hand in return, a happy grin upon her lips. "It's been so long since I've heard that, Mina. And I love you too."

An odd sound erupted in the halls, carrying over to the bedroom both women lay in. Mina sat up, and Jiresue with her. "What is that?" Mina asked, blinking. Jiresue chuckled, pulling Mina up to stand. "My doorbell. We have a guest. It's Jean Claude." Mina frowned as Jiresue pulled her to the closet, handing her clothing to wear. "Who is Jean Claude?" she asked, tugging on jeans while standing on one foot. "An old friend. He cannot know of us. You are my pet for now. I'm sorry. If he were to find out, he'll tell the council. And they will come, and take you from me. We need all the time we have as of now. So, for now, you are my pet again. You'll have to follow my orders." Mina nodded. Although she certainly didn't want to be known as a slave again, she knew they needed the precious time they had, and couldn't risk losing any of it. She pulled a t-shirt on quickly, while Jiresue dressed in a long, flowing evening gown, dark sapphire colour. The vampire pulled Mina into her arms and gave her a quick, but firm, kiss. "Follow my lead. Do not walk in front of me, call me mistress. I'll keep him away from you as best as I can."

Jiresue left the room first, and Mina behind her. They walked, and did not shift through the shadows to the main entrance where the man waited. Mina shivered. The front hall felt colder for some reason. Perhaps it was just her mind, but the thought of another vampire did frighten her. Especially if it was an 'old friend' that could potentially destroy their love. Jiresue opened the front door, and there he stood. Tall, masculine, dark. He was broad, though not overbearingly huge. Strong shoulders, long golden brown waves of hair. Dark eyes, though easily the golden hazel could be seen. Handsome, he was. Exquisite beauty. The nonhuman beauty only a vampire could have. He wore a black longcoat, with gold trimming and buttons. Black dress pants, and a gold and silver belt. In one hand he held a cane, black, with a gold knob. And in the other he held a bouquet of roses. Deep red they were, with the dew and mist still gently holding the petals. He smirked as the door opened, and without hesitation he walked in. Jiresue did not step aside, or say a word until he was inside. She shut the door quietly.

"My my Jiresue, elegant home you have here. Quite elegant. I would have expected something much more exuberant, but, this fits nicely. Here, I brought a gift for you." He handed her the roses, walking a circle around her. Mina stared with wide eyes in the center of the room, her jealousy flaring. She wanted to scream at him, tell him to get away from her, but of course she bit her tongue and remained quiet as her lover held the roses to her chest. "Thank you, Jean Claude. They are beautiful. Mina, come put these in a vase for me." The vampire turned to her, eyes dark and cold. Mina couldn't help but hesitate a moment, but she knew the coldness of her eyes were only to fool the vampire male. She hurried forward, and grabbed the roses. Jean Claude grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward. Mina winced, a thorn in the rose stem breaking the skin on her thumb. "Now who is this young plaything, Jiresue?" he asked, throwing the roses onto the floor and lifting Mina's hand to his lips. His tongue brushed to her thumb, eyes locked onto hers. Mina bit her lip, tensing. Jiresue hissed at him, her hand quick to his arm and unclasping it from Mina's wrist. "She is mine, and that is all that you need to know, Jean Claude." His brows lifted, but he only chuckled. "Yes, of course. I know you don't like to share your pets. Come now, let's have us something to drink. I know you have wine hidden somewhere here." He turned his back on the women, and left the room into the parlor.

Mina pouted at Jiresue, but the only thing the vampire could do was pout back. "Hurry, go get the wine and put the roses in the trash bin. I won't let him touch you again, all right?" The vampire turned and left as well, leaving Mina alone in the main hall. She sighed softly, her heart pounding. With a quick look at the parlor door, she hurried to find the wine and put the roses away as her lover had asked. "This Jean Claude...I don't like him..." she thought, carefully tossing the roses away so as not to cut her skin on a thorn again. The wine was in the kitchen cupboard. She grabbed a purple bottle, not sure what it was anyway, and hurried back to the parlor. Before she could knock to come in, Jean Claude had opened the door for her. "Why thank you, Mina," he purred, taking the bottle from her. He kept the door open, letting her enter. Jiresue signaled for her to come, and immediately the girl hurried to her side. She stood beside her with Jiresue sat on a love seat, and Jean Claude sat across from them on a large, plush chair.

"So, darling Jiresue, what have you been up to lately?" he asked, popping open the cork with his fingers. Jiresue sighed, watching the liquid spill onto her carpet. "Nothing that is of your concern, Jean Claude. My business is mine and mine alone. Besides, why ever would you care what I've been up to? You lost the opportunity to wonder years ago when I denied you." The male's brows furrowed, and he growled. "No matter on that. I'm glad you did. I wouldn't have been able to stand you now anyway." Mina's body tensed, and she grabbed onto the arm of the couch. Jiresue turned her head only slightly to her, sensing the girl's tense body. Jean Claude seemed not to notice.

"What about you, hm? What have you been doing to the world?" Jiresue asked, leaning back into the couch. The male shrugged lazily, pouring the wine into two glasses on the table. "Nothing, really. Idly passing time. I've been visiting friends, new and old, for about ten years now. I'll go back home eventually. For now, I wander and visit...I've been looking for a new pet, do you know of anyone?" His eyes focused on Mina as he asked the question. Her face burned red, but she did not turn away. "No, I do not, I'm sorry. You'll have to go out and find your own," Jiresue replied, reaching out to gently touch Mina's hand, mainly to get her attention. "Mina, would you get me a pastry? I have a craving for something sweet." The girl nodded, turning to leave. Jean Claude grabbed her wrist again, and pulled her close to his chest. His other arm kept to her back, keeping her pressed to him.

"Why not this one, Jiresue? Why not her? She looks delectable. Just a little taste, I promise, just a little bite..." The hand on her back wove up to her hair, and pulled her head back, exposing her neck. Jean Claude pressed his lips to her throat. As soon as their skin touched, Jiresue's growl echoed throughout the room. She grabbed the wrist that held Mina's waist, and snapped it back. Mina fell to the floor, landing against the couch. Jean Claude growled in return, hissing at Jiresue. "I said...she is mine, Jean Claude. You cannot have her," the vampire woman hissed, venom shooting from her eyes. The male straightened up, clenching his fists. "No, Jiresue, she's mine. I'm taking her." Within seconds the two vampires were colliding with each other. Jean Claude tried to slam a fist into Jiresue's chin, but she turned just a millisecond early enough to dodge it. In return she jumped over him, sending a firm kick into his chest. He tumbled back a few steps, into the table behind him. Quickly though he regained balance, and charged back at the opposer.

Mina hurriedly crawled out of the way, afraid of what to do. Obviously she'd be killed in a second if she tried to stop them. They were moving so fast, she could barely keep up. She saw him charge at Jiresue, and the woman was caught and pushed back into the wall. His teeth attempted to rip open her throat, but her fingernails were long and sharp, ready to block his attack by scratching his face. Blood dripped onto the floor. Jean Claude hissed, but stepped back, pressing his fingertips to the scratch marks on his cheek. "That's it Jiresue...prepare to lose your life over a human? You're insane. But as you wish..." He launched back at her, fangs bared and ready to rip apart the woman's body. Jiresue caught his teeth in her shoulder, and she shrieked in pain. Ready though to attack, she kicked her knee up into his stomach. Being a vampire and no need of wind to breathe, he only slipped back an inch. An inch was enough for Jiresue to slip out from against the wall.

Jean Claude twirled around, eyeing Mina. "Come on, girl. Fight for the woman. She's here, ready to lose her life for you. Get up." Jiresue hissed, stepping between them. "No, leave her out of this. It would be an unfair fight, and you know that is against the rules." The male laughed, shaking his head. "Against the rules...yes. Yet it is also against the rules to love a human, yet you seem to have done that. I'll take care of her for you, Jiresue. Get rid of her...and I won't tell a soul. Dead...or alive." To the threat, Jiresue jumped upon him. They fell to the floor, clawing and biting at each other. Bodies tangled together and blood dripped onto the floor. He was able to get a bite into her arm, but he sustained worse damage from the bite to his abdomen. Being the bigger vampire, he was finally able to pin her down, but not for long. Jiresue shoved her foot between his legs. Although vampire, a hit as such would still cause severe pain. He groaned, falling to the side off of her. She scrambled up quickly, eyes locked on him. "Get up, pathetic bastard. Get up, fight for her if you want her so bad."

He chuckled softly, struggling to stand. "I see, Jiresue, that you are in love with this pet of yours. If you were not, you wouldn't be risking your life for her. No matter. This isn't my problem now. It's the councils'. I'm sure they will be quite happy to learn of this matter." Jiresue growled at him, her eyes burning red with anger. "Get out, Jean Claude. Now." He nodded, spitting on the ground in front of her before he turned. "Mina," he whispered, "You will be mine. One day, you will be." His last words were barely heard, but this steps were even quieter as he left the room. Mina hesitated to come forward. The woman closed her eyes, walking calmly to Mina, and pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Don't worry, Mina, we'll get past this," she said comfortingly, petting the girl's hair. "Everything will be all right. The council won't take you from me. I won't let them." Mina sniffled into her shoulder, burying her face into her chest. "How soon will they be here, Jiresue?" she asked. "I don't know. When we least expect it, I assume. They may be here tomorrow. Or ten years from now. Either way, it is not enough time. We have to be ready for anything. Against their wishes, I might have to turn you." Mina blinked, pulling back from her. "What do you mean, Jiresue?" The vampire sighed, lifting Mina's chin to kiss her. "I mean that I'll make you like me. And I'll train you. So we can fight them. I told you I will not let them take you from me. They can't do that if you are a vampire, and if you fight them." Mina bit her lower lip, eyes twinkling with tears. "Of course, Jiresue. I'll do anything, anything at all, to be with you." The vampire chuckled, smiling. "Would you die for me?" The girl blinked again, a tear spilling onto her cheek. Would she? Would she be willing to die...though of course, be reborn as a vampire, for her lover?

"...yes. Yes, Jiresue, I'd die for you." Mina sniffled, taking the woman's hand and pressing it to her lips. Jiresue smiled, cupping Mina's cheek. "Good. And I'll make sure no harm will come to you. You have to trust me. I will not turn you now. You are not re-" Mina interrupted her quickly, frowning. "No, love, we have to. Now. Like you said, they could be here tomorrow. And you have to train me. You must turn me...now." The vampire closed her eyes, but she knew she must. There would never be enough time to train the girl for a battle with the council...the eldest of vampires, the strongest. But if they began now, they might have a chance. A slim chance, but it was there. "You're right, Mina. I didn't want to now. But you are right. We have to. Come with me, Mina." Quickly the girl stood, taking her lover's hand. "Will it hurt?" she asked, entwining their fingers gently. Jiresue nodded. "Yes. Unbearably. You will feel like you are dying. And you are. But you won't die...it's hard to explain. I don't know how to explain it. All I know is what to do to make a person turn. You'll beg for me to kill you. Scream and cry and beg. I won't do it. It is excruciating. I know this sounds terrible, but I cannot lie to you."

Mina winced. "I know. I can do it. Just don't leave me. I can't do it alone." Jiresue smirked, kissing her again. "Of course, Mina. I'd never leave you. Now, are you ready?" Mina took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Yes." Jiresue brushed the girl's hair from her shoulders, and pulled her close. "Then let's begin..."