Clarissa    Clarissa was still cradled in Stefan's warm, sturdy arms. His closeness affected her intimately.  “Why are you holding me like this?” She demanded. “Let me down.” His handsome smile grew teasing and larger. He let it hang around his lips lazily. His eyes sparkled with dangerous amusement.  “Well, you were not going to leave town otherwise.” He said, pulling his horse to a stop before helping her down to the ground. “Feel free to mount your own horse.” He waved at the mare behind him. She walked over to it and climbed upon its back. It was easier to maneuver on the horse in the leather armor than in her

Stefan   Clarissa swung her blades gracefully at him. With each swing, he blocked with ease. She went after him with her blades for a full half an hour. Not once did she come close to drawing blood. She grew more aggravated with every movement. Stefan enjoyed the physical activity. It wasn’t long before he was sweating. Clarissa aligned herself with her blades, moving swiftly and harmoniously with them.  But her lack of training was evident, allowing him to block, dodge or deflect without difficulty. He did not return her attack until the end. She swung her inexperienced blades at him, and he deflected it towards the ground.  Sliding skillfully along her arm, he moved behind her. From there, it was a simple maneuver to wrap her securely in his

Clarissa   After seeing the orb she manifested, Clarissa closed her eyes, and the fire diminished and burnt out. He stepped up to her and touched her shoulder. The flame suddenly lit again and then exploded, sending dangerous sparks everywhere. It left minor burns all over his face and arms, and her sweet face. Clarissa gasped and got up from the rock to see how badly she injured Stefan. “Are you alright?” He ignored the question as he examined the burns on her face. The red sores blemished her skin painfully and he flinched. He didn’t want her hurting. So he pulled out a cream from his bag.  “It will help start the healing and ease some of the discomfort.” He offered softly.

Stefan’s POV   When Stefan got back to the campsite, it was trashed. The fire looked like it was lit for less than 5 minutes. The track marks across the dirt filled him with worry.  He bit down on his bottom lip, as he followed both Clarissa and the demon across the forest floor. Blood dripped across the ground, leaving a sick feeling in his stomach. The blood itself did not bother him.  It was the thought of Clarissa injured, lost and afraid. There was not enough blood for her wound to be fatal though. Judging by the tracks in the dirt, Goristro had run off in one direction. But Clarissa fell afterwards and someone picked her up, carrying her out of the campsite. Several feet outside the perimeter of the campsite, all signs went cold. There wa

Clarissa’s POV   Clarissa embraced the darkness. It was quiet and unexpecting. The darkness understood her. It knew how to ease her stress and comfort her. It did not hound her for a necklace or pressure her for.. anything. She rolled over on the incredible softness the darkness offered her.  “Clarissa…” The voice was distant and floated to her like a melody. It added to the undeniable comfort she found herself in. “Clarissa.” The voice said again in a patient sing-song voice. “Oh, my friend.”  Imaginary or not, Mimi was always there with her. Usually, when Clarissa called Mimi imaginary, Mimi got mad. But right now, his concern was elsewhere. “I want