9Sludge cries happily when he sees us and struggles to break free of the chains that bind him to the wall. Brutan quickly runs over and starts to help him when a cold voice stops him in his tracks.
"Step away from the child, boy, or you will die too."
Casandra steps from the shadows with a .32 pointed straight at my sons. Selene is craddled in the knook of her left arm, fast asleep. Lightly touching Brutan's arm, I push him behind me and glare at the female vampire in front of me. Looking down at Selene, she smiles softly, running a light finger down my daughter's cheek. Then she looks at me.
"You have it all you know? A powerful, loving husband. A beautiful daughter. Two brave sons. Everything."
Her voice is oddly calm and complimenting. Then the smile fades from her face and her voice grows cold.
"What gave you the right to take that happiness from me?"
Artimus steps in between us now, trying to calm the situtation.
"Casandra I'm sorry but I love Annabella. I've never loved you and I never wanted to. You were my friend. How could you do this to me?"
"I'm sorry to Artimus. I never wanted to hurt you. But you made you're choice. And unfortunately, it was the wrong one."
Rage boils inside me as I watch her lovingly pet my daughter's cheek and threaten my husband that way. How dare she think that what I had was easy?! How dare she think that just because Artimus loved me I was the one to blame? A strange feeling begins to bubble up from inside me as I stare at her with fury. Artimus feels the change and tries to stop me but it's to late. My power was coming and coming fast. Sludge's chains snap like pretezls and he falls into Brutan's grasp with a yelp. My voice sounds like static as the power continues to grow.
"Get him out of here Brut. This one's all me."
Casandra steps back slightly and clutches the still sleeping Selene tighter. With just the suggestion of my mind, the bundle of blanket that holds her flies into Artimus's arms and he is forced from the room.
"Annabella no!"
The door slams in his face, locking from the inside. Casandra steps back again but with no escape. My fangs grow strong and sharp, glistening in the cold bare light. Nothing affects me other than the rage that I feel inside. Terror fills Casandra's face when she steps back again to find her back to the wall. Evilly I smile.
"You dirty little home wrecker. Try as you might, you can't take my man. But you messed with the wrong vampire this time, Casandra. Now, not even Artimus can save you."
-O_/*\_O-
"Annabella please don't. Please. I don't want to die. I'm sorry."
Still smiling, I shake my head and step toward her. A shot of raw energy, that looks much like a lightening bolt, flies from my finger tips to a spot next to her head on the wall. She screeches and cowers, staring up at me as I slowly make my way forward.
"No no no now Casandra. If you want to play big girl games you have to pay the concequences like a big girl. Stand up now Casandra. Stand."
The power that boils within me lifts her from the floor and pins her to the wall. She cries out in pain as a bone in her shoulder pops. Another shot of energy lands on the opposite side of her head, causing another shreak to escape her lips. Tears are now flowing down her cheeks freely and she is beyond terrified. Good. Stopping in front of her, the smile slips away from my face. I stare in cold wonder up at her with empty black eyes. My voice is normal and soft again as I speak to her.
"Will you mess with my family again Casandra? Will you?"
She shakes her head and mouths no as tears pour down her face and sobs rack her body with spazems. Artimus is pounding at the door but to no prevail. My mind is fully set on destroying what lay in front of me. Her.
"No, you won't. Will you try to steal my husband again Casandra? Will you?"
Again she shakes her head and mouths a no. My face is completely blank as I reach up with one hand and brush the tears from her cheek. She looks at me hopefully, her lips moving incohearantly as the tears continue to flow. Waiting. All I was waiting for was one word. Barely above a whisper, her voice is shakey and pleading.
"Please..."
Suddenly, grasping her chin firmly, I snap her head to the side, breaking her neck. She had said it. The power fades as the rage dies within me and her body drops to the floor. Artimus finally breaks in the door and rushes to my side a moment to late, looking down at her in horror. I look at the body blankly, my voice still soft and cold when I find the words to speak.
"No, I guess you won't."