Chapter Text
Nearly getting murdered put a lot of things in perspective for Drift.
It was one thing to realise that she was powerful enough to kill, it was another thing entirely to face down death and make it out near unscathed.
She had realised, then, eyes locked on Owen's blazing red; seeing the pure, unfiltered hatred burning through her soul - she could never do that. Could never hate anyone so strongly that she truly wished them dead.
She can't bring herself to mourn him, though.
Shelby had held her, while she cried. Far away from the castle. Far away from town. Where there were no humans, no vampires, no pointless war that nearly cost her her life. It was just her and Shelby, intertwined as they were always meant to be, bloody tears staining her soulmate's blouse as they held her.
They remained there well into the night, only returning to the castle when the moon had fully risen in the sky. They reunited with Scott and Avid, the familiar presence of her sire and her best friend comforting her more than she thought it would. The tension slipped from her shoulders, meeting Avid's bright red eyes.
The darkness crawling up his face and the off putting ring of yellow in his iris would take some getting used to - but she was just relieved he was alive. That they all were.
Avid was a coward, just like her. The difference was that he was brave enough to overcome his fear, to stand up for himself and others when he needed to. Drift wanted to be brave like that too.
He had saved her life, and for that she would forever be grateful.
It felt surreal to get ready to set out to town again. They had already packed their belongings the previous day, intending that to have been the end of it all. Until Owen had-
She shook her head, pushing away thoughts of stakes and glaring red eyes. She was okay, she was protected. They wouldn't let her die even when her own defences slipped.
The sun peered through the grey clouds as they set out along the stone bridge. Their last sunrise in Oakhurst, if all went well. Hopefully it worked this time.
Town was up bright and early, or maybe they didn't sleep either.
Most of the townsfolk looked less wary, but everyone was still tense and exhausted.
"Good morning" Cleo greeted tiredly "Are we ready to do this?".
The vampires all nodded, Drift heaved in a breath, forcing herself not to track the splatters of blood still in the dirt.
"Are we not going to talk about… that?" Martyn asked, gesturing at Avid. Scott scowled.
"He's a demon" Abolish said simply "Or part demon".
The blonde threw his hands up "That explained nothing!" he complained.
"You don't need an explanation" Scott retorted, one arm protectively around Avid's shoulder "You won't see each other ever again after today".
Martyn's eyes narrowed "That sounded like a threat" he accused.
Scott growled "It could be".
"Absolutely not" Shelby snapped "Scott, stand down, Martyn - apologise to Avid. Don't talk about people like that, it's demeaning".
Scott scoffed, but backed away. He wrapped an arm around Avid's waist, his soulmate quickly matching his hold. Martyn ducked his head, muttering an apology Drift only heard thanks to her enhanced hearing. It was pathetic; but Shelby nodded anyway, satisfied.
Drift laid a hand on Shelby's back, sending a pulse of pride through the bond. Shelby really had grown, finally allowing herself to snap and bite back.
"So this is it" Pearl said tersely "Is everyone ready?" she looked to Martyn specifically, only turning away when she received a meek nod.
Cleo surveyed the vampires "We need someone to turn Legundo" they said, looking between the four of them "Maybe Shelby-".
"Absolutely not" Scott interrupted, gaze icy "Losing a direct fledgling is not a pleasant experience, I refuse to let any other member of my coven go through that. I will turn Legundo".
The doctor's tired expression twisted into a frown "How can we trust that you wouldn't simply kill me?" he tested.
"I swear it on my life" Scott said simply "Avid can back me up if you trust him more. I won't let anything happen to my coven".
Avid nodded along to what Scott was saying, expression guarded "It's true" he affirmed "We all just want to get out of here".
Legundo sighs, eyes flitting to Shelby and herself for a moment. He still doesn't believe it, she can tell, but he's resigned.
"Okay then" he mumbles, extending his wrist "Just get it over with".
Scott grins, fangs flashing in the morning light "Don't worry" he purrs "I'll make it quick".
He sunk his fangs into flesh, the smell of human blood filling the air in tantalising swirls. Shelby looked away; Drift watched.
She'd seen worse even before Oakhurst.
She watched as the doctor inhaled steadying breaths, each more useless than the last. She watched the pallor drain from his skin, still close enough to be seen as human, but it was almost sickly.
Drift felt the coven bond snap into place, sharp and tangible. She felt Legundo's presence more clearly, could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline and bloodlust filling his head.
The doctor flexed his fingers contemplatively, saying nothing. Then he suddenly swung his fist and hit Scott square in the face.
Gasps rang out from the crowd, Drift tried her hardest not to laugh at the stupid expression Scott was making. The elder vampire rubbed at his cheek "Okay. I probably deserved that".
Avid smiled sympathetically, not denying it as he brushed a drop of blood off of Scott's lip.
Legundo's stare was stern. "Promise me you'll be good" he said tersely "Promise me that you will make this worth it. Make an oath to a dying man that you will not take another's life as carelessly as you did before".
Scott, for all his flippancy, actually nodded seriously. "I promise" he said "Abolish has already agreed to keep me in check. Not to mention…".
His eyes flickered over to her, and Drift felt a hint of pride through the coven bond. "I have a feisty fledgling who's also threatened to kill me if I go around slaughtering people again".
Legundo nodded appraisingly "Okay" he said simply "Then we're ready to start the turnings". His tone was casual, clinical. Like this was as simple as changing a bandage to him.
"Not quite" Scott interrupted "There's something I'd like to do first". He reached for Legundo's wrist, pressing a finger to the turning bite. Unconsciously, Drift moved her own hand to her neck, echoing the gesture.
It didn't hurt. She's not sure why she expected it to.
Scott wiped away a stray drop of blood with a gentleness that could almost be care. "I'm going to denounce you as my fledgling" he warned "that way we won't be as connected, and the pain of curing everyone should be less severe".
'That was an option?' Drift wondered. It was nothing short of a miracle that Scott hadn't done that to her yet.
Shelby turned to her with an incredulous look and Drift shrugged 'What? It's a valid concern!'.
The town stayed silent as the elder vampire closed his eyes, focusing on something no one else could parse. Drift eventually feels the coven bond in her mind weaken, Legundo getting further and further away. It frays as the endings, so close to snapping she wouldn't be surprised if it broke off completely.
"There you go" Scott said softly, something that resembled sadness in his eyes "You are still coven, but your fledglings won't be. You're free to turn them".
Legundo nodded solemnly "Thank you" he muttered.
The doctor backed away, one hand clutched around his wrist. The twin bite marks stood out starkly against his skin. He was shaking.
No one said a word, the silence felt fragile, loaded. It was broken by a yell. "My turn!" Sausage called enthusiastically. The tension shattered, Martyn wrinkled his nose at his friend, Cleo clamped a hand on Legundo's shoulder reassuringly.
Shelby bounded forward with a grin, coming to a stop in front of the author. "Hi!" she chirped "Any preference on where you want your turning bite to be?".
"Ooh, maybe the neck, it's more romantic this way" he declared theatrically, tilting his head to expose skin.
Drift growled low in her throat. Poor choice of words. Shelby is hers. Drinking blood doesn't have to be a- thing. There's nothing romantic about it.
Her soulmate glanced back for a moment, quickly turning back to M with an apologetic smile "Sorry, not super comfortable with that. We could do the wrist instead?".
The author caught Drift's eye, a knowing glint in his gaze "Yeah, that's fine" he answered smoothly, offering his hand.
Drift huffed, looking away with her arms crossed. She caught Avid's eye, yellow-ringed red twinkling with amusement as he silently laughed at her. She knows she's being ridiculous he doesn't have to rub it in.
The coven bond snapped into place, Shelby backed away, wiping blood off her lips, a sense of pride echoing through their soulmate bond. Of course she would break her 'no human blood' oath for their favourite author. Her soulmate dragged the author over to where the rest of the coven were standing, promising to explain everything about vampirism to him later.
They came to a stop beside Drift, hands on her hips. "Right, and you want to tell me what all of that was about?" she asked sternly, despite her tone, Drift could feel her amusement through their bond.
Drift pursed her lips, glancing at the crowd around them. "Turns out I don't like sharing" she said shortly.
Shelby's eyes sparkled 'Don't worry' she thought, leaning in 'I'm all yours'.
The human blood coating her lips just made the kiss sweeter.
Scott was watching them with amusement "Right" he laughed "If that's all done, I believe Legundo has some humans to turn".
The levity in the air instantly dissipated. The humans looked to each other, silently sizing up who would go first. Abolish absently pulled on a glove, not a good choice, he was a powerful player on the board, should probably be saved for last in case anything went wrong. Her eyes flickered to Pearl, she was watching Cleo, not a good first turn. Apo was off the table, already looking queasy from all the blood scenting the air. Pyro was hiding behind her.
That left…
Ren caught her eye, noticing her watching him. He growled, backing away "Just because ye beasts claim to not hurt us doesn't mean-".
Scott and Cleo both looked ready to retort- but Shelby beat them to it. Lunging towards Ren in a sudden movement. She flipped over him in a flash, bringing him to the ground in one swift blow.
"That is enough" she said sharply, their knee still pressed into Ren's back, silvery hair framing her furious expression and - God, Drift was so in love with her. "You are going to be calm" Shelby hissed "Get turned, and then get cured. For the sake of yourself, your soulmate, and everyone here who cares about you. I refuse to let anyone else die".
Martyn rushed forward, kneeling beside the older man with a steady hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Specs, how about I go first?" he asked "We'll go right after each other".
They stared at each other a moment, no doubt having a telepathic conversation. Eventually, Ren sighed; he nodded solemnly.
Shelby huffed, standing up and brushing off her skirt. She met Drift's eyes, smiling sweetly. She was so beautiful.
Martyn offered his wrist to the doctor, his hand trembling ever so slightly.
Legundo was quick, precise. It was barely a matter of minutes before Drift heard his heart stutter to a stop. It was odd, to be aware of the presence of a new vampire without feeling the familiarity of a coven bond. Although, if Scott was right then the whole curing process would be a lot smoother if they couldn't feel the others.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief as the blonde cradled his wrist to his chest. Nothing went wrong. It was going according to plan.
Ren moved immediately, wrapping his arms around his soulmate. He let out a shaky sigh, carding his fingers through the blonde's hair "That was terrifying, donchaknow" he mumbled.
"I'm- I'm okay Specs" Martyn mumbled, shivering in his hold "I'm okay".
It seemed to spur on the rest of the town. Apo came forward, Pyro scurrying behind them. Pearl squeezed Cleo's hand, coming to stand behind them with Abolish. Ridiculously, Drift was reminded of the queues that would form in front of bakeries back in the city. Except instead of sweet treats they were waiting to die.
Shelby leaned into her slightly, laying her head on her shoulder. Drift hadn't even noticed she was shaking. It felt too perfect. Something should have gone wrong by now. One of the fledglings should have been feral. Owen should have come back. There should be a stake aimed to kill-
Shelby squeezed her hand, the pressure grounding. Waves of calm flooded through their soulmate bond, and, strangely, she felt a wave of comfort from the coven bond, catching the eye of her sire. Avid smiled reassuringly, even M was grinning.
'It's okay' they all seemed to say 'Nothing's going to go wrong'.
Drift let out a shaky breath, inhaling unsteadily. Oakhurst was cursed grounds. Everything fell apart within the barrier. And yet, and yet-
Legundo pulled away from Abolish's wrist, a steady trickle of blood dripping into the ground. Mixing into the pool already formed beneath them. Owen's was mixed somewhere in there too. All of them had bled into the same soil.
Cleo nodded, wrapped a steadying arm around the doctor. The only human left in town.
Legundo faced them, all vampires, all still people. He smiled "Thank you" he said softly, everyone heard him perfectly "Thank you for allowing me one last helpful act. Be good, everyone".
Scott and Abolish nodded at him solemnly, Apo offered him a shaky smile. They left quietly, moving to a quiet spot to finish the job. Drift hoped his last moments were peaceful.
Her sire turned to the other vampires, expression stern. "Brace yourself, a coven bond snapping isn't pleasant" he warned "Even if I denounced him he's still coven since I am. All of us will feel it".
Drift tilted her head "Won't it feel like it did when Owen died?" she asked, forcing herself to speak his name. Shelby squeezed her hand proudly.
Scott shook his head "No, Owen wasn't coven through blood, this is going to feel like when Avid died".
Shelby flinched, Drift was quick to press into her side.
Across from them, Apo stiffened, eyes widening as they clearly heard the statement. Had she not known she had killed him?
A searing pain suddenly stabbed through her, making her choke out a breath. Everyone in the square clutched at their chests, the pain ripping through them in a visceral lurch.
Shelby grabbed Sausage's arm, steadying her newest fledgling. Avid's eyes were wide, surveying the town and the various states of discomfort they all displayed. "Was it that bad last time?" he asked worriedly, still holding his demonic hand up to his chest, right over his dead heart.
Drift nodded "Worse" she muttered quietly.
"Oh… I- sorry" he mumbled, looking down at his hands, both demonic and vampiric.
Scott leaned closer to his soulmate. "Not your fault" he said quietly, his tone a juxtaposition to the glare he was directing at Apo. The new fledgling stared back defiantly, fists clenched. Drift could hear their sluggish heart racing.
Drift didn't blame Apo, not really, she was just doing her job. She was still upset about it though. At least now they seemed to understand what she had made them all go through.
Cleo stumbled back in through the gate, eyes weary and haunted. There was no blood on them, somehow that's almost worse. Pearl came to stand beside her quickly, offering a steadying hand.
"Alright" they declared, her voice remarkably level "Who wants to be cured first?".
It's nothing like the hesitation to be turned, the soon-to-be humans practically stumbled over each other to be cured. Apo pushed her way to the front, confidently reading off the cure book and hardly flinching as she was sprayed with holy water. The beacon shone brighter, flashing a bright white before it dulled, blackening.
"Did- did you break the beacon?" Avid spluttered, rushing forward to tap it with his claws. It didn't react to his presence at all.
"Did the cure work?" Pyro asked worriedly, watching his roommate. Apo nodded quickly, placing her hand atop her chest. Drift could hear their heart beating, no longer slowed by vampirism.
"She's human" she confirmed "Seems like the cure will cost us a beacon each… do we have enough to cover everyone here?".
Abolish quickly held up a hand, muttering under his breath as he counted. "We do" he affirmed "We'll just need to make the trips".
Scott flipped his hand breezily "That's not an issue" he said simply "I'll teleport our human, the rest of you bat to the beacon of your choice. Go call dibs on your favourites, preferably anything but the castle".
It took a while to teach everyone to bat, even longer to convince Ren that turning into a bat wouldn't corrupt his soul or anything and that he was welcome to walk all the way to a beacon if he wanted to.
"Can you teleport two people at once?" Pearl asked Scott, idly scratching between the ears of the bat on her shoulder. Drift was surprised to recognise Avid, his side still scarred over in black. Since when were those two close?
The elder vampire nodded "If needed, I can take two. I might need to stop for blood at some point though".
"That's fine" Pearl conceded "Take me with Cleo then".
"I can teleport you, Pearl!" Avid chirped from her shoulder "At least a couple of times, I'm not an strong as Scott".
Shelby idly brushed her hair away from their face. "I'll bat and follow you, just to make sure everything is okay" she said "Avid, when you can't teleport anymore do you mind picking up our bags from the castle? We can leave as soon as we're done".
Avid nodded at his sire, his little ears flapping adorably with the movement. He flew down, shifting back into humanoid form "Sure thing!" he agreed.
He came to stand beside his soulmate "Ready when you are".
Scott kissed him quickly "Don't push yourself" he instructed "Get some rest when you stop by the castle".
"I'll be okay" he promised "Now come on, we're burning daylight".
The two teleported away, quickly followed by Shelby, who booped Drift on the nose in her small bat form before taking off to the skies.
For reasons even she didn't quite understand, Drift stayed behind with Apo.
The town was quiet.
Everyone had scattered, going to different beacons across the lands. The one in town remained dead, dark and frigid.
"Drift?" Apo called, shattering the silence. Her hands were clasped at her skirt, the fabric torn and tattered.
"I know he didn't- really die, and that doesn't- it doesn't make it okay but I-" she huffed out a breath, fists clenching until her knuckled whitened "I'm sorry" she pushed out eventually "For killing him".
Drift tilted her head. "I don't forgive you" she said simply "But thank you for apologising".
The human nodded, not saying anymore.
Drift closed her eyes, focusing on her soulmate bond, knowing that they were following the progression of their plan. She watched through Shelby's eyes as more and more vampires got cured. Ren at the ruined tower, Pyro at the lake beacon, Martyn at the obelisk, Abolish at the pale oak beacon.
It took hours.
The cured humans slowly but surely made their way back to town. Pyro greeted Apo with a tired hug. Abolish nodded at the three of them and retreated silently into his house. Ren and Martyn walked in with M, the three of them holding onto each other.
Avid strolled into town, all of their bags from the castle haphazardly piled in his arms. He grinned when he saw her, offering a small wave.
It wasn't long after that when Scott, Cleo and Pearl all arrived. All twelve residents gathered in a loose circle around town, for what was probably the last time.
Abolish idly pulled at his gloves. "We have the crypt and the castle still intact" he listed "Who's left to be cured?".
Pearl came forward confidently "No one. I'm not getting cured" she declared "Cleo's staying a vampire, so I will too".
"Pearl-" Cleo said helplessly "You don't have to-".
"I want to" she insisted, clasping both her soulmate's hands. She suddenly leaned down, pulling them into a fierce kiss. Drift's eyes widened, quickly looking away. M wolf-whistled.
"I'm staying with you" she heard Pearl promise "for eternity".
Shelby was staring at them, eyes shining with a massive grin. She looked to Drift, nearly bouncing with excitement 'That was so cute!' they squealed endearingly.
Beside them, Scott heaved a dramatic sigh "You know, you could have just told us that in the beginning - we could have gotten you a proper coven bond like M".
Pearl grinned, canines unnaturally sharp, even for a vampire "Who says I want to be in a coven with you lot? No offence" she tacked on, glancing at the other four coven members.
"None taken" Drift muttered dryly, understanding.
She loved her coven but they were a lot. Mostly Scott. Only Scott; he was pretty much the whole problem. Drift was now tolerating the guy but still.
Pearl had turned back to Cleo, smiling softly "We'll be our own coven here, just the two of us; and Oscar of course" she explained, gesturing to a cat beside her that Drift was pretty sure had been dead before.
Shelby smiled, "I think that's a great idea" she said softly.
Scott just shrugged "Well, we are still connected through Legundo being your sire, so if you ever change your mind there's a spot in the coven welcome for you" he said.
Drift raised her eyebrows, impressed. That was startlingly mature, for Scott. Not forcing a choice but offering an option.
Shelby was smiling proudly at their sire, red eyes twinkling. Avid went as far as to wrap an arm around his waist, beaming.
They all recognised the gesture for what it was.
Abolish cleared his throat, grabbing their attention. "Well, the crypt beacon is already desecrated, so all that's left is…" he gestured vaguely at Cleo "-and we're good to go. Theoretically, we should all be able to leave".
The town turned their hopeful eyes onto the two, waiting with bated breath for their freedom.
Pearl waved a hand in their faces "Can we get some privacy?" she asked dryly "Go point your eyeballs somewhere else. You'll know when they turn".
Townsfolk mumbled, some going to their houses to grab luggage or supplies. The coven crowded around the fountain, leaving their bags in a pile by the gate.
They didn't have to wait long.
The snap of a new vampire, and then a darkness in their hearts - cold, comforting, and familiar.
It reminded Drift of a heavy blanket being draped across her.
'Eternal night' her instincts whispered, they had won.
The clouds cleared, bringing a blue afternoon sky to Oakhurst for the first time since they had all arrived.
Everybody cheered, loud yells rising in a cacophony around them.
They were free. They were free.
There were enthusiastic hugs all around, several people kissed.
Drift pulled away from Shelby with a grin "We did it" she whispered.
Her soulmate smiled, red tears forming in their eyes "We did" she whispered back.
They were free.
There wasn't much else to do but leave. Abolish had started making a grave. Pearl and Cleo announced their plans to rebuild the town to a proper civilisation, Scott even offered his castle to them if they wanted it. They all joined Shelby as she was saying goodby to her newest fledgling.
"Thank you so much for turning me Shelby" Sausage was gushing "I'm going to be grateful for you for as long as I live! Which could be forever! I'll credit you in all my books!".
Shelby was absolutely giddy, hopping excitedly with a bright grin "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" they asked hopefully.
M shook his head. "I'll be going with Martyn and Ren" he announced "We're going to drop Apo off at home first. Militia has to stick together, y'know? But we have eternity and a coven bond! I'm sure we'll meet again".
They waved goodbye as the author got further and further away. He joined the rest of the Militia. Apo glanced at the vampires for a moment before they set off along one of the many worn paths; the others didn't look back.
Scott huffed out a breath. "Should have denounced him too" he muttered under his breath. Shelby elbowed him playfully while Avid giggled. Drift almost wanted to agree if it weren't for Shelby's excitement still pulsing through the bond.
She'd put up with him; for their sake.
Shelby bounded off to check their bags, Drift heard her mentally wonder if she packed their fanfiction. Avid trailed behind her like a lost puppy, smiling brightly as they talked.
It was just her and Scott left.
The elder vampire sighed, the sound as ancient as the breeze cutting through the town. "So this is it" he said "No more murder sprees, no more big scary vampire… just this, for the rest of eternity".
He didn't sound disappointed, he didn't even sound resigned. There was an air of peace to him, like he was finally hanging up a cloak that he hadn't realised had gotten so heavy.
The sky stretched out behind him, shimmering blue almost reminiscent of the colour his hair used to be. From when they were different people.
"For what it's worth" she said slowly "I'm proud of you".
Scott smiled, "Is that so?" he asked. Quiet, not condescending, just… considering. Unfamiliar.
Drift nodded "Yes" she promised "You're getting better, we'll be here with you every step of the way".
Scott just nodded, lips pursed in discomfort. Still not used to vulnerability; they would work on that.
"Avid's at your house" he said quietly, an unsubtle request for space "You should go talk to him".
"Okay" she agreed easily "Thanks".
Merp manor stood as it always did, looking no different from the day they fled. It was a little uneven, a little messy, the windows were crooked and the silver door was too heavy to open, but it was theirs.
Her best friend stood in silence at the door step, just watching. His demonic hand twitched at his side, Drift moved to stand beside him.
Aevid hummed "What now?" he asked, breaking the quiet.
Drift smiled "Now we travel" she answered simply "We stop by your place to bury your friend. We stop by mine to catch a killer. And then… who knows?".
She had come to Oakhurst to get away from it all. This little house was supposed to be her shelter, her hiding spot.
She remembered late nights spent talking to Shelby. Morning conversations with her best friend over the breakfast table. Gearing up for an attack one day not knowing her whole life was about to change. Arguing in the living room before leaving their home behind. A blue orchid that never made it's way to her doorstep.
She wasn't afraid it would, anymore.
A stake, aimed at her. A protector blocking the blow.
She reached over, grabbing her best friend's hand lightly, blackened skin rough to the touch "You ready to go?" she asked.
Avid smiled at her, taking one last look at their house. He turned, meeting the eyes of Scott, then Shelby. The little family they had somehow found, despite everything. "Yeah" he said, tone confident in a way that was soon becoming familiar "Let's go".