Clarissa  “What door, dear?” Her mother asked, sniffling. ‘LIAR! LIAR!’ Mimi hissed. ‘Imposter! Hater! Betrayer! Traitor! She is a liar!’ ‘Calm down.’ Clarissa demanded, agitated by Mimi’s outburst, which was unlike him. Mimi was usually patient and understanding. His eager impatience confused her. Her mother saw the agitation on her face, and her tears started again. “Tell me- what door?” Her mother pleaded.

 Clarissa  ‘Your meeting has ended. Come to me. Come before it is too late.’ Mimi demanded. ‘Too late for what?’ Clarissa asked. ‘The exchange will not go as planned. You will need me.’ Mimi pleaded. A violent shudder ran through Clarissa at Mimi’s prediction. But the exchange was simple, and Stefan would be there to protect her. Why was she smelling danger, tasting her anxiety? Stefan was still staring boldly at her as he leaned against the wall. The focused att

  Clarissa   Clarissa sat up warily in the bed, looking around the small room. For a simple race, they sure embellished their bedrooms fancy. Gold and silver decorations hung over the walls. The bed had a feather mattress, and the sheets were so smooth that she just slid to the edge of the bed as she got up. Elaborate wooden furniture ornamented the large room. Male clothing hung in the corner. She was in a man’s bed? At least she still wore the werecat dress she did the ceremony in.  She wasn’t sure what had happened. The last thing that she remembered was agreeing to the exchange. Stretching, Clarissa tested how she felt and determined everything was still

 Clarissa  Clarissa closed her eyes tightly as she gripped the door handle. She already tried several times to force it open with both physical force and magic. She learned quickly that physical force was not going to do the trick. But every time that she tried magic, lightning zapped through her. ‘You need to get out of that room and come to me.’ Mimi demanded. He wanted to say I told you so but he held off. She was gathering her resolve to try again when a key rattled in the lock. Clarissa grabbed a chair and held it over her head, preparing to swing at whoever opened the door. 

Stefan   When they got to the Chief’s room, he and Stefan sighed with relief at finding the door locked. It meant Clarissa was safely tucked away. But inside the room told another story. Clarissa was gone, and the only thing that remained was a broken wooden chair she used in her escape. Clarissa’s scent was in the air, but he could also smell blood. She had been here alright and not too long ago. Was she injured? After several moments of scavenging for clues with Chief Yungerr, Stefan closed his eyes. What had he seen that could lead him back to her? There was a magical residue in the air outside the room that he had barely noticed in his panic to get here.