A woman's voice halted my spell. She had bright red hair and the brightest crimson eyes. She sported a white and blue uniform like the knights stationed at the gates.
"Get outta here, Terra! She's mine! I'm going to eat her corpse when she's dead!"
My arms were still raised, ready to trigger my spell and finished the bounded beast.
"Get out of the way, knight. I'm killing this creature!"
I warned.
But she rushed in front of me.
"Please don't! I'll put her away, so don't kill her, Feodora!"
The woman held out a silver amulet. It was shaped like a cross and glimmered in the twilight sky.
"Mellissa Ann Cafree, that's enough! Behave yourself!"
The knight pointed the rosary towards the demon. But she still thrashed about in my bondage spell.
"Fuck off, Terra! I want her! I want that nasty dark vessel in my teeth!"
"That's enough, Countess!"
The red-haired knight stepped into the battlefield. She had fiery eyes, but her tone didn't match appearance. Shakily, she slugged over with that cross in hand.
"You're not supposed to be here, Countess."
Her legs trembled as she hovered that silver cross over Countless Mellissa.
"You've disobeyed one too many times today, Countess Mellissa! You had enough time outside today! It's time for you to go dormant!"
The knight commanded like a priest doing an exorcism.
"Piss off, Terra!"
The devil pulled her body together and unleashed her wings. The intense gust of wind broke my concentration. My bonding magic spell was interrupted.
"Hey, get out of the way!"
I pushed the knight to safety. She fell over but was safe of the devil's next attack.
Free, the demon flew at me.
"Ah?!"
In a holy flash, everything went white.
The demon cried out in pain as a blade went through her back. The sharp edge nearly cut me too as it went through the devil.
"Get away from her."
In the twilight, I witnessed the demon pierced with a red blade through her chest.
Blood fell from her at dangerous rates. My eyes widened as I saw who it was. Her eyes were closed in pure concentration at first. But she opened them, revealing her golden iris.
I was marveled at how perfect her battle stance was. That black hair of hers danced in the wind only added to her charisma.
Again.
Jade made my heart pound in strange ways.
"Jade Opal! You're ruining my fun!"
The demon screamed.
The devil attempted to turn around, but the blade was cutting into her body. It was skewering her, so she couldn't turn her body around to even meet eyes with my savior.
"J-Jade! I'm so sorry you had to come!"
The knight, Terra, lowered her head in shame.
"Don't worry about it Terra. Go back to your post, I'll deal with Countess from here on."
The knight turned to me next.
"I'm so sorry, Feodora. I-I'm so sorry!"
Reluctantly, Terra did as she was told and ran back towards Radiant City. Jade watched momentarily before turning back to the demon.
"I said get away from her, Mellissa Ann Cafree!"
Wildly, the demon clawed behind her, but Jade stood there like the sword was her leash. No matter how forceful the demon was as she struggled, Jade stayed firm.
"What the hell?! I'm just trying to have a little fun!"
Annoyed, the devil screamed.
"You're attempting to strike down someone important. Stand down, Mellissa, else I'll put you in a world of hurt."
The knight warned.
"You wouldn't do anything and risk hurting her, Jade!"
The demon snarled.
Jade's expression changed to that of rage. It was the first time I've seen her break her calm composure. The knight twisted her blade, causing blood to rain from her chest. The demon screamed in agony as she lashed about.
"Don't you dare mention her! If you attempt to harm Feodora again, I won't hesitate to make you suffer! Do you hear me, Mellissa?!"
The beast fought back relentlessly as Jade held her body with her blade. After the long struggle, she wasted away all her pent-up rage as she tirelessly gave up.
"Fine, I'll leave your little dark vessel alone for a day or two… just let me go already!"
The knight twisted her mouth in disgust.
"You know what, you've had enough time outside today!"
Jade brought up her right fingers and snapped them. She pulled out her blade, causing the demon's blood to splash over my face. That tall body of hers fell on top of me, her larger chest pushed up against mine. The horns on her body dissolved into her skin, and the wound healed up in an instant.
"Ngg…"
In a panic, I tried to move, but the beast held me down. Her cold breath turned a warm sweet. I was met with beautiful garnet eyes. Her crazed demonic face wasn't there any longer.
In her place was a soft and slightly reddish look. Her eyes were lowered. As we gazed at one another. Neither of us moved as if we were in a state of shock.
"Oh, my. Are you hurt?"
She sat up and looked over at me. Her fingers didn't have claws or anything like. Gently, this strange woman traced my cheek with her nails. With her free hand, she dug in her pocket and took out a small black bottle.
Strangely, she looked gentle as she sat next to me and dabbed the contents of the bottle on a small handkerchief of hers.
"First, we must remove the clothing. I ask you to do that part."
Her voice was lighter, like clouds as she instructed me. I was still taken by what the hell was going on. I mindlessly watched her.
It was clear that I was in shock.
"You poor thing, you must have hit your head or something."
She petted my head then set her stuff to the side. Slowly, she pulled my jacket off my shoulders then forcefully unzipped my shirt.
"Eh?! What are you doing?!"
I squealed.
I held my chest with both my hands. My bra was exposed, and I didn't want Jade or anyone for that matter to see me like this.
"To treat your wounds, I must inspect you."
The knight approached and over us. The strange woman looked up at Jade as she sat comfortably on the grass.
"Oh, Jade. This beautiful woman is covered in blood. I'm lucky that I can treat someone so cute today."
She smiled as she turned back to me. Everything about this situation was eerie. I attempted to get to my feet, but she gripped my hand and kept me on the grass with her.
"Oh, you mustn't move so aggressively. You're badly injured."
Everything in me wanted to get away from her.
"I ask, what happened to you?"
Confused, I turned to Jade. She gave me a shake of her head. I didn't know what that meant, so instead, I answered her.
"Your less desirable half did this?"
As this strange woman tended to my wounds, Jade washed a light mist over me. The pain started to die down.
"Was she having a bad day?"
She asked me as she wiped the blood off my shoulder.
"Oh, no you wanted to kill me, didn't you?"
I answered, still unsure what was going on.
"Isn't it obvious? This isn't the same Mellissa you just dealt with, Feodora."
Jade finally opened her mouth after analyzing the situation. Here I was with a strange, beautiful woman treating my wounds who caused them in the first place.
"No, I don't get it, Jade. What the heck is going on?"
I begged for answers.
Tenderly, the tall woman rubbed my head as she continued to aid me. Her touch was gentle, and it warmed me up as she kept feeling my skin. I could feel her warm wet breath bask over me as she diligently aided each scratch and cut.
"Sorry about Mellissa Ann Cafree."
Jade spoke up.
"Who is Mellissa Ann Cafree?"
I asked.
"That would be me!"
In a bright, bubbly tone, she wiped the blood from my cheek as she answered. Suddenly, she kissed it, causing me to pull back.
My cheek grew warm, and a pleasant surge rushed through my bones. The thumping of my chest sounded as my heart was going to jump out and run away.
"What are you doing?!"
I yelled.
"Pain, pain, go away. With my magical spell, the wound will heal faster than ever!"
The stunning woman cutely said. Jade, seemingly noticing my discomfort, closed her eyes.
"Mellissa Ann Cafree is a human with a demonic side to her. I have patrolled the east side of the city. Her demon side, let's call her Count Mellissa, must have caught wind of your scent and searched you out on your way home, Feodora."
She then pointed towards the overly affectionate girl treating my wounds like a professional nurse. With every bandage she put on, she'd make sure to kiss it. Constantly feeling her warm lips hit my skin filled me with anxiety.
"This here is Mellissa Ann Cafree, a human and the true side to that demon you battled out with."
"She's a human?"
That would mean she wouldn't have a spectrum vessel. Humans are born without them. That might have been the reason why I couldn't understand her while we were fighting.
I still couldn't wrap my head around why she became that violent, sadistic beast that tried to kill me.
"I have a lot of questions, but how did you get here so fast, Jade?"
Concerned, I asked.
"I went to search for Count Mellissa to relieve her of guard duty. That's when I found out she wasn't at her post. She enjoys killing beasts too much to just leave."
The knight took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.
"The only logical conclusion I came to was she caught wind of you and went to feed on you. When I noticed Terra was gone, everything added up."
Bitterly, she answered my question. I sat there for a moment, only to be assaulted by another kiss from this strange woman. She kissed my elbow and giggled afterward.
I had never been kissed before until Mellissa pecked her lips all over me. W-Was I supposed to kiss her back? I wasn't sure if that was the right way to do things.
It felt like the order of these relationships were all off.
"I'm still confused on everything, but right now that demon is asleep in Mellissa Ann Cafree right now. The woman treating my wounds?"
Jade grumbled.
"It's more complicated than that..."
After a moment of watching her treat me, Jade crossed her arms and tilted her head.
"Do you think you're well enough to go home, Feodora? Ah… Mellissa, is she fine now?"
"Oh yes! She's fine now. Actually, she didn't have many wounds at all."
She poundered.
"I wonder where all that blood came from?"
"From you."
I retorted.
Her bright eyes shined at me. I could see her cheeks went bright red as her eyes shifted a little.
"She's more than fine, indeed."
She turned to Jade.
"Oh, Jade! She's really cute!"
Heat rushed to my face as she teased me. Momentarily, she dug around in her pocket and brought out an orange bottle full of bright red pills.
"Now listen, take three before bed and, I promise you all your pain will go away. Next time be careful. It's dangerous out here with all the beast running about. Ah… what might your name be?"
She didn't remember the battle we just had. Still in shock, I answered slowly.
"Feodora Cicer."
She held my hand. Her fingers were soft and warm.
"Oh, we must have tea at The Radiant City Brewery someday! I'm Mellissa Ann Cafree. It was a pleasure to meet you. Feodora Cicer."
She stood up, and Jade took her hand. Mellissa didn't look like that demon before. It was like they were night and day in comparison.
"Let's get you home, Mellissa. You need a change of clothing too."
Jade sounded like a mother as she tugged her alongside her. Before she they walked away, the knight turned back to me.
"Feodora, take a day off. I'll see you on the 4th."
Her eyes lowered.
"I'm sure after all these battles, you might want to spend a day recuperating."
I nodded.
A day away from this city would do wonders for my psyche.
"Bye, bye! I'll see you soon, Feodora Cicer! Don't forget, I want to have tea with you soon!"
Mellissa broke free from Jade.
"Do you have a phone number?!"
Jade grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
"She doesn't have a phone. She's a hermit, Mellisa."
"I-I'm not a-"
Mellisa waved, and I oddly waved back.
Hand in hand, Jade and Mellissa walked into the city. I stared at her back. Mellissa was very tall, beautiful, and had an elegant charm about her… unlike the demon only moments ago.
"I hate this city."
I put back on my jacket.
I would have to repair it when I get home.
I walked back over my groceries. They were ruined, likely hit by an explosion earlier in the battle. The area around them was burnt to a crisp.
"Mellissa Ann Cafree owes me money."
Bitterly, I walked away, back to my cabin near the forest.