Ana used those two weeks to plan. While her body and soul didn’t want to harm the bloodsucker, her mind was set on self-preservation. She still felt that alerting others would have been a bad idea, only hoping that decision was made from logic and not pride.

The last time they fought Lorelai, it was a fair duel, and that’s where she went wrong. Fighting fair was stupid, so this time she was going to take every advantage she could. If she had a month to experiment she was certain she could make a gun, but she doubted that a gun would even work on someone like Lorelai.

She tried thinking about what else to use, with several options presenting themselves. It was a battle between using magic and using science. Magic seemed to be ineffective against her opponent, and she needed more time than she had for anything sciency.

The best option was conjuration. And she was able to do it successfully before, and if she enlisted help from Nathaniel who had much more experience than her, it was possible. But for what to use it then? Make a pool and throw sodium at the vampire? No, she needed something with a bit more kick.

But conjuration presented a problem as well. Using magic to manifest anything meant that whatever was manifested would disappear without magic to fuel its existence. With Nathaniel and a little help from some runes, she could safely conjure up something.

Creating something complex took time and effort that she didn’t have, and while it was theoretically possible to create a thermonuclear bomb that way, the amount of energy required to do so is lightyears beyond what she had. So she needed either an element or a chemical.

Not wanting to go slowly, she decided on going big or going home. When she told Lia, the spirit didn’t get it. But after Ana had listed what said chemical does the spirit freaked out.

Are you insane!? It can burn ash and if you throw water at it, it will explode? Not to mention that anything that comes into contact with it is set on an unquenchable fire.

That includes vampires as well.

So is there anything you can do to protect yourself from it?

Not really, and you can only store it using a sealed drum made from steel, copper, nickel, and a few other metals. Even then you have to pre-treat the metal with fluorine gas to create a non-reactive layer of metallic fluorine. And fluorine gas is also considered an extremely dangerous chemical.

And after all of that, this sounds like a good idea to you?

No, but if this won’t kill the bitch, I don’t know what will. Well, I do know, but as thermonuclear bombs don’t grow on trees, so we have to make do. Well, most likely a few bricks of C4 would do the trick, but there isn’t the time to play with safe explosives.

There is such a thing as safe explosives?

Of course. But that just means it goes boom when you want it. Same reason they didn’t use the thin man design in the Manhattan project.

Do I want to know?

Well, you know the big bombs that turn cities into dust? Imagine you make it but it can go off at any moment.

I’d rather not.

So in the off chance that another fight breaks out, having a lethal solution is not a bad idea.

Once she finally reached the city, she went to visit Nathaniel. Borka wasn’t back but he had reassured her that there was nothing to worry about and that Borka would be back soon.

But once he heard that Ana wanted to learn more about conjuration he nipped that in the bud. It took some convincing that she needed it in a life or death situation and promised that she wouldn’t use it unless it was life or death. Being in that position before and not resorting to it, she had some credit to back her up.

So experience was the thing she lacked the most. By using conjuration, one opened her mind to the sea and was in danger of becoming a host to some creatures who made nightmares look pleasant. Or such a creature could even skip the whole possession route and could manifest its own body in the real world. The rules varied a lot and that was one of the reasons conjuration was so dangerous.

But there were ways to keep one's mind safe. By being old and having the mental prowess of centuries of flinging magic, or by limiting the exposure. Ana had already tried and succeeded in conjuring small pieces of sodium and nothing had happened. If she had tried to conjure a sword or worse something complex like a gun, it would open the door that much wider.

What she wanted to use the spell for was a deadly, but relatively simple chemical consisting of two elements. It was also very easy to make, but she wasn’t an idiot to even attempt that without a high-tech lab. If she could conjure up even a liter of the chemical in liquid form, she was set. One had to be careful when even the scientist in the Third Reich discontinued the production of the said chemical.

That did lower the bar from impossible to difficult. She spent the next three days practicing with Nathaniel on building mental blocks and a way of performing the spell as safely as possible. Runes came in handy once more, as they could be set as a destination for the conjured object to appear next to.

After convincing Ghost to let her leave for two days, which in itself proved to be a harder task than conjuration was, she gathered some things she might need and headed out. Not wanting the guards sniffing around, or for that fact anyone else as she had been acting strangely for the past few days, she left flying off to the east.

Using some fancy flying and her top speed she doubled back, landing on the ocean coast, with hills between her and the city at her back, and the large body of water in front, she got to work setting up a welcome for the coming vampire.

While she worked a thought occurred to her. What if Lorelai didn’t have some magical way of tracking her? But she could have been out on the road at that time so figured the woman had a way of tracking her.

She focused back on creating small pools of water around, creating several and filling them with ocean water. Clay came in quite handy, and while the pools were leaking and would be drained of water in a few hours, they served a purpose for now.

With still more than enough time, she tested her spell. Using a small amount and with a wall between her and the substance. Casting it and then running the hell away. While a huge success, she didn’t test her luck with follow-up tests. There was a reason experiments with substance N were discontinued, and now she knew it first hand.

The liquid started to boil as soon as it was created, and once it got splashed on the ground it ignited. Then it burned for a while until the dirt was eaten through. With how little she summoned and how it reacted, it made it obvious that if she were to use this in larger quantity, she had to be far away. If any got on her, it was the end game.

Still, a chemical fire was a preferred way to go than Lorelai in the logical part of her mind. Everything was ready, now all she had to do was wait. She brought her camping gear with some food and water, borrowing her phone back from Nathaniel so she could sate her boredom while she waited.

Unlocking the device brought a feeling of Nostalgia, her wallpapers, apps and everything on the phone was the same. It made her miss home. She missed reading novels, watching movies, seeing the night lights of a modern city. Checking the date was useless as she had to get used to the new system that was used in this world. Days and months were calculated differently here but on a similar principle. That meant that almost a year and a half had passed back on earth. She knew that to be a constant fact, but it felt nicer to live a lie while using the dating system in this world.

So much time had passed and yet she was nowhere closer to getting back. It was a recurring thought, one that got easier to ignore with time. While not having any particular games, her phone was filled with audiobooks and music. She didn’t bring her headphones as they no longer fit her. Going through the phone she had seen that Nathaniel was listening to a space opera and got surprised. He either learned the language or was using magic to listen. Still, good for him.

Ana being Ana, she had several players all loaded with different books. So she continued where she left off with a particular trilogy that her friends were nagging her to read, but she never got around to.

Fantasy wasn’t something she enjoyed in her books, she preferred the science bullshit over the magical bullshit. Irony at its finest. She slept that night in her tent, still haunted by Lorelai and that damned kiss. It made her feel things she did not want to associate with the vampire, but it is what it is and she did her best to ignore it.

She was having some nice breakfast she had cooked over a fire while listening to a surprisingly good and catchy poem from the book that the voice actor actually sang, creating a lovely tune. Right as Ana was enjoying herself, Lorelai showed up flying in from a distance. Not before or after, but just as Ana was listening to the beautiful poem that some Tom fellow was singing.

At least she had respect enough not to interrupt the song, and once it was over Ana turned it off only to feel Lorelai’s nails caress her cheek. Shivers of anticipation ran through her as she tilted her neck and closed her eyes. It took her a few seconds to realize what she was doing, shaking her head and getting up.

“None of that, no seductive woo doo or you won’t live to regret it.” She said heaving for breath.

Lorelai faked a pout crossing her arms. She was dressed in similar clothes as before, simple and efficient but even un-dyed cloth on this woman looked majestic. This would be the hardest part, resisting the temptation.

“As you can see I held my end of the deal, now will you answer my questions?”

Lorelai kept her eyes trained directly on Ana as she smiled. “I knew you would, but what other surprises have you prepared?”

“Hope that you don’t find out.”

Lorelai just kept smiling, her face a mask. Ana couldn’t tell what the vampire was thinking. She took a few deep breaths, clubbing to death the emotions that had surfaced.

“Let’s start easy. Why were you at the village?” Lorelai rolled her eyes, uncrossing her arms, her gaze looking at the ground around her.

“Won’t you offer me a place to sit? And something to drink?” That last part she purred, causing Ana’s anticipation to rise.

Gesturing at the ground she sat down, crossing her legs. She looked back for a moment to adjust her hair, but once she brought her gaze forward she found Lorelai mere inches from her face. Yelping she fell backward. “H..h..how. How did you do that?”

Lorelai straightened her posture, gesturing with one empty hand. “My drink?” While Lia was affected as much as Ana, the spirit stood vigilant and became the sole voice of reason in Ana’s mind.

Using her spell she levitated two cups and a pitcher she had brought. It was filled with hard liquor, Ana poured it in the cups, handing one to Lorelai. “Happy?” Her voice was a few pitches higher than usual.

“Not the level of comfort I’m used to, but it will do. To answer your question I came looking for Cleon, once the two knights I sent after him never returned. Next?”

“Why, who was Cleon?”

“A thorn in my side, he escaped captivity while I was away.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“I can, but that story is a rather dull one, wouldn’t you rather ask something else?”

“Alright, how did you disperse my magic?”

“You are quite the mystery. So young and yet so strong, and here you are asking me how to walk. To explain that you first need to tell me what you know of my kind.”

“Well, not much except stories that are told. You get mentioned as a world-ending calamity a few times, they speak quite highly of you.”

Lorelai waved her away. “Propaganda coupled with weak wills. What do you know for certain?”

“I know what I found by experimenting with the corruption that Cleon left me, some facts I doubt are true from where I’m from.” She pointed up. “Apparently you are supposed to turn to dust when the light from the sun touches you. There are other things that kill you like stakes through the heart, garlic, and a few others I can’t remember. Not much besides that, I mean, except drinking blood and all that.”

“I quite enjoy garlic. Turning into dust because of sunlight is just ridiculous. You call the magic he used on you corruption, why?”

“What do you mean why? I almost died because of it!”

“You wouldn’t have died, you would have changed. And most likely gone insane, but that's not here nor there.”

“Insane?”

“That is what happens when those with magic get embraced. At least usually, there are exceptions.” Lorelai tilted her head to one side, giving off an aura of childlike innocence.

“Like you are? So that’s what you meant when you said that you didn’t want to risk an embrace on me? The embrace means that I turn out like you?”

“Give yourself a prize.”

Frowning Ana continued. “But why not?” She gestured between them. “Why do this?”

Lorelai took a sip, mulling over the taste in her mouth before swallowing. “I wasn’t going to at first, but even after knowing who I was, you attacked. And even after getting caught, you showed no despair. It takes guts to stare at your own death and tell it to suck it. Simply put, you reminded me of myself.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t imagine yourself as a bloodsucker when you were younger.” Lorelai gave her a level face. “Bloodsucker? Really?”

“I’ll stop the insults when you stop... you know, that!” She gestured at Lorelai’s body, not quite able to move her eyes from her.

“Impossible I’m afraid. Once you taste my blood, you are mine forever.”

“Forever?!”

“I couldn’t have let you slip out of my hands.”

“Yes, you could have. What does this mean now? And If you think you can command me without risk, go ahead and try.”

“Alright, I command you to stay still.” Lorelai’s voice echoed in Ana’s mind, and both her and Lia’s thoughts went silent. With just those words her world went quiet and simple. She didn’t move, not knowing if she even could. All she knew was that wanted to stay still, she wanted to listen to Lorelai’s command.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, a fiery rage was burning, but it was so far away. If she could only find some reason to reach for it, some strength to deny the vampire this satisfaction.

Lorelai placed her cup on the ground, slowly getting up on all fours as she slowly approached her. Ana closed her eyes, a battle ensuing in her mind before she made her decision. If Lorelai wanted to play, Ana would oblige, but she would not allow herself to be controlled.

Feeling the vampire's breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine, but she had made her decision. Using every ounce of will she had, she grabbed Lorelai’s throat, and for the first time, she saw surprise in the woman’s expression.

Ana bit down on her own lip, harder than she intended, letting blood flow down her torn lip and chin. “When you play with fire.” She pulled Lorails face up to hers, their eyes locking. “You get burned” Then slammed her forehead onto Lorelai’s nose. Ana hoped that she would at least break the woman’s nose, but in reality, it felt like she cracked her skull against a wall. What was worse, she had now pissed off the very dangerous vampire, who was also a wizard.

Her show of defiance had quickly turned into an intense wrestling match as Lorelai sunk her nails in Ana’s arms, not letting her move away. The pain only gave Ana more motivation to struggle against Lorelai. Magic started pouring from both of them, unrefined and uncontrolled. Dust, rocks, Ana’s equipment, and even the water in the pools around them began to levitate. Sparks of electric discharge flew between objects in the air, while a buzzing hum filled their ears.

Their struggle continued, and for every scratch, cut, ripped piece of clothing Ana returned the favor with interest. It got so intense that it took her a moment to realize that they were in the air. It didn’t matter, this was a battle of wills more than bodies. Waves of pleasure were coursing through her, but she ignored them. And with each tug, her will became more resolute. With heavy emotions and with all the energy in the air, weird things began to happen.

Spells didn’t require concentration, will, or a focused mind, only a single thought. They crashed into the water, but that didn’t deter either of them. Ana couldn’t breathe but she used magic to move both of them outside. She wasn’t using her magnetic levitation like she usually did, no, she merely wanted to move herself out of the water and so she did.

It still took considerable effort to outmaneuver Lorelai. While their minds were locked in a battle of wills, their bodies continued to lash out. Their wrestling match had transformed into a brawl with punches, kicks, and nails leaving their marks on both of them.

Almost a minute passed before Ana managed to escape the water, finally able to gasp for air, she let the salty ocean out of her lungs. But their bodies were still intertwined together, and that gave an opportunity to Lorelai to take the reins, with Ana’s neck wide open.

A much more intense wave of ecstasy followed while Ana wrestled with her own mind for control. But their position allowed her one option she hadn’t considered, and she bit back. In the intense brawl she had forgotten what tasting the creature's blood had done to her the first time, or maybe she just wanted more. Even she wasn’t sure.

After that everything got covered in a thick woolen sheet, while a heavy fog set all around them. Ana was only aware that her eyes were closed, and that something delicious was in her mouth like she was eating delicious ice cream on a hot day.

Impacts resounded all around, she felt something on her back, but it was a distant feeling. Her sense of direction was lost like she was beneath the water in the dark. She forgot why she was struggling, why she couldn’t just let herself enjoy the pleasure for a while. It seemed so foolish, and she had been through enough. A break from everything was deserved.

Once she let go, peace and tranquility settled on her mind as she found herself back home, sitting in the backyard of the house she grew up in. People were there but she didn’t recognize them. She was human again, young and wearing the clothes she outgrew. A cold beer was in her hand as she found herself enjoying the sunshine that was warming her face.