Serafina slid smoothly into the shadows, paws barely leaving imprints in the soft dirt as she moved through the woods. She could smell the Slayers out and about, hunting, patrolling, whatever they wanted to call it.
On the subject of killing Vampires, she was slightly torn. She understood that the killing of innocents was wrong, but seeing as half of her yearned to join in, she had a hard time fighting the bloodlust. For all intents and purposes, she only slay Vampires who were actually feeding, or were close to doing so. She never slay any that weren't doing anything wrong - in her mind.
"Hush now."
A gruff voice to her right, followed by a whimper, and Serafina's ears pricked up.
"P-p-p-please..."
Serafina shifted upwards, a young girl gracefully standing, taking the place of the delicate tabby that had been there only moments before.
A hand curled around the stake in her back pocket, and she waited for a split second before striking.
"It'll all be over soon..." the Vampire leant in, tongue darting out to taste the skin.
"You've got that right," Serafina said, appearing out of nowhere, eyebrow cocked.
"Ah, a baby Slayer?"
"No," Serafina replied, snapping the first punch. "Something much worse."
The Vampire elbowed his victim in the face, then threw her aside. He approached Serafina, licking at the trickle of blood that was coming from his nose. "Much worse? Should I be scared, little girl?"
"If you're smart enough."
"So, this is how we play?"
"It is."
The Vampire lunged at Sera, and she ducked, rolling forward and flipping back to her feet, turning just in time to kick out, body twisting gracefully around in her fight. She dodged to the left, then swung her arm, catching his neck before bringing her other arm around, and felt her elbow connect with bone.
The Vampire grabbed a fistful of Serafina's hair and wrenched her head back, fangs extending as he sniffed her. She kicked behind her and his grip faltered for a second, before he caught the offending foot and tripped her up. She it the ground with surprising force and she oofed, trying to roll away until he grabbed her and pulled her to her feet.
"You smell good, lovely."
"Bathing, you should try it."
Serafina threw her head back against his, hand finding her stake again as she withdrew it from her pocket. She held it up as he charged at her, and they both fell, rolling across the ground, grabbling for the stake as they went. She reached out and felt her hand closing around it, then she heard something break as her wrist was snapped back, hanging uselessly from her arm. She let out a scream and her game face slid on.
"You're one of us!"
"No."
Serafina got to her feet and spat blood on the ground, then came at him, eyes flashing golden as she rammed the stake into his chest. She felt her features slide back to human as the Vampire exploded into dust before her eyes.
Then her head seemed to clear and the pain settled in, first dull, then pounding and burning, all within a few seconds.
~*~*~*~
Luke opened his door to find a bleeding and bruised Serafina standing on his front step, nursing her hand.
"Come in."
He closed the door behind them, locking it, and then ushered her to a seat.
"This might hurt," he said softly.
She simply nodded, and looked away as she offered her arm to him.
He took a breath, then without warning, he snapped her wrist back the other way, wincing slightly at the hiss she made. He then splint and bandaged her up, working silently before returning his eyes to hers.
"Why?" he asked.
"I trust you," she answered, her voice shaking.
Luke wet a cloth and gently dabbed at the cuts on her face, wiping away the blood. Her eyes did not leave his, and he could see tears forming in the corners.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No."
"I will not ask."
"Thank you."
Luke nodded and helped her to her feet.
"Do you need help getting back?"
"No," Serafina replied. "I'll be ok."
She walked gingerly to the door and stood there for a few moments, before turning and looking at him.
"I promise," Luke reassured her.
"Thank you," she repeated.