Chapter 6

Clarissa

She blinked and looked around her mother’s bedroom. How did she end up here? What was going on? Her memory was in fragments. She remembered the blood and imminent danger. 

She sat on the edge of the bed before pushing herself to her feet. They were bare, which did not make any sense. She saw that she was wearing her favorite cotton nightgown when she looked down. It didn’t seem real.

In the hall, she stumbled forward as a flashback of blood on the wall blinded her. She reached for that same wall, but there was no blood. Was it just a dream? 

She stepped into her room, and a flood of memories caused her to stagger to her knees. But there was no evidence of the horror she remembered. Maybe it was just a dream. Everyone was alright.

“Are you alright?” A female voice asked from behind her. 

Clarissa spun on her heel, her eyes wide. A girl several inches shorter than Clarissa stood leaning against the doorframe. Her smile was more of a smirk. Her hands were on her hips as she watched her. Her white hair was chin length. And those emerald eyes grabbed her attention. 

“I’m… confused.” Clarissa groaned. Her throat felt like it was on fire. “And thirsty.”

“Come downstairs, and I'll make you a drink. Stefan will be so happy to see you awake and talking.” 

Her words seemed to crash down on Clarissa hard. She stumbled forward, and the girl grabbed her.  Despite her petite size, she was strong as she practically carried Clarissa to her bed. 

“How long was I asleep for?” Clarissa asked, trying to work through all the thoughts in her head.

The girl gingerly placed Clarissa on the bed. “Stay here. I’ll get them and your drink.” 

She disappeared out of sight. Clarissa couldn’t remember the girl for the life of her, despite being acutely aware she had seen her before.

Her question remained unanswered. How long had she slept? Even if it were all a dream, it was not like her to sleep this late into the day. 

She wasn’t sure how many of the flashes coming before her were dreams and how many were reality. She really hoped that her mother and father were fine. Male voices came from the stairwell, and Clarissa looked down at herself. She realized she was in her nightclothes. 

She was not dressed for male company. She quickly climbed into her bed and pulled the blankets over her head. Maybe they would go away.

“They do come from the east. I guess it makes sense that they would come here if what he says…” The voice cut off mid-sentence as the man talking stepped into the room. 

Stefan sounded amused as he said, “well if you aren’t up for talking, you could have just said it.”

Clarissa pulled the blankets off her head quickly and scowled at him. Even when she wasn’t thinking straight, he was still obnoxious. Her hair was especially tousled after having the blanket over her head. She tried to blow a stray strand out of her face. But it remained in place. 

“What are YOU doing here?” Clarissa growled unhappily.

Stefan chuckled. “WE have been cleaning your home and watching over you for the last 24 hours.”’

“I never would have thought I would see Pri…” The strange man paused midword before finishing quickly, “Stefan, so domestic. But you have definitely inspired him. Took the battle right out of him.” He teased, elbowing Stefan. 

He was a bit shorter and stockier than Stefan, with black hair and dark green eyes. Both the girl and this man had the same physical characteristics a much harsher environment would bring. They must have come from there with him.

 Clarissa tried to sound dignified but was frustrated to hear her voice crack as she asked, “Where are my parents?”

The look that passed over the man's face confirmed that she needed to know they were not just dreams. 

“Your father did not make it,” Stefan said stoically, lowering his head in condolences.

Tears filled her eyes as her emotions began to rage. She was sad, yes. But she was also angry. Her father did not deserve that! She would see that the village hunted down whatever murderers were hiding in the forest! 

“But what about my mom?” 

Stefan sat down on the edge of the bed next to Clarissa. “Well, I am happy to say she is not dead. But I cannot say she is out of harm's way, either.” 

He paused and looked into her eyes. They were full of tears, and she could see the emotions rolling through his eyes. 

“My head hurts too much for your puzzles. What are you trying to say?” 

He let out a half-laugh and gave her a proud look. She wondered what he was thinking. “They have her.”

“They have her? They have… my mom? They… they, who?” Clarissa asked with a scowl. 

Her blood felt like it was going to combust! How dare they take her mom! She was defenseless and did nothing wrong.

“The werecats of bright moon rock took her.” He answered slowly.

“So I need to go rescue her,” Clarissa said and tried to push herself up from the bed. 

But he rested his hand on her shoulder and shook his head. 

“That is very dangerous. We would have to travel to the werecat caves. Then we would need to take down a whole village. If the other villages find out, they are likely to seek revenge. I have seen it done before.”

Clarissa cried out in distress. “Well, I can not NOT save her! She is my mother for the love of all that is holy! I’ll go alone if you are too scared.” She cussed at him.

Stefan was obviously amused by her words but did not relent. 

“They took her because they wanted something. We have not heard what their demands are yet. But I will send a messenger back to get the demands.” His voice held a cruel edge.

She blinked her eyes and shook her head; his willingness to be helpful confused her. She had not expected his support in this. What could they want? Her family was peaceful homebodies. They were quiet and poor. What was there to exchange?