Chapter 4

"Don't you dare." I told her just as she began to raise the pan.

"Huh?" She seemed genuinely surprised.

Opening my eyes, I got up and took the pan from her. "You are a dangerous woman; you know that right?" I practically breathed in her ear. She blushed a beet red as I left to put the pan back in the kitchen.

"Good morning Mark!" Liz yelled happily.

"Good morning squirt." I leaned down and she kissed my cheek. Liz spoke into my ear, "you like her Mark..."

Before I could even reply she skipped away. Ugh, kids. Something touched my tail. I froze up and shivers were sent down my spine. Now instead of just a touch it was being held. An immediate flush fell over my body. Because my blood began flowing again while I was in demon form, I shifted involuntarily into the next stage.

Wings sprouted from my back. My incisors lengthened and my claws grew. I look the same other than I was no longer pale. Instead of dead blood, or even normal blood flowing through my system, my blood was excited. Seemingly endless adrenaline was coursing throughout my entire body. I felt stronger than I did in the previous stage.

Something, I am guessing I should say someone, was holding on to my tail. Now another hand was gently brushing my back in the space between my wings. I shivered again and my knees felt weak. The only reason I wasn't lashing out was because I knew who it was. Arisa. What she was doing, I don't know. All I know is I was completely in her control in this one moment, and I didn't WANT to do anything about it.

Helpless from the onslaught, my knees buckled and the hit the floor. She was still caressing the space, but she was no longer holding my tail. I shivered again in response. This time she used her other hand to lightly run her fingers along my wings. Something seemed to be building up in me, but I didn't want to stop.

Then something happened. I had never done this before. My wings grew longer and bigger. My tail, which normally has an arrow shape on the end, changed to three-pointed spikes. I felt my eyes change. To what, I don't know, but they felt different. I could see more clearly, even the darker places of the room seemed as clear as day.

I could control the length of my claws and incisors. This has never happened before; they are usually a fixed size unless when my demon is in bloodlust. I heard her gasp and she stopped touching me. The transition was still incomplete though. I could feel it.

"No, please. I need to keep going. More." I practically whispered, but she still somehow heard. She came up to me again, but this time she brushed my wings with trembling fingers. After a while she gained more confidence and continued. I could distantly hear Liz calling me in the background, but all I could focus on was Arisa's touch. Then I didn't feel incomplete anymore, but there, in my hand, was a black sword.

Arisa gasped and fell backwards.

"That's a demon sword! They are supposed to be rare and extremely powerful, made entirely of demon energy!" She looked shocked. I felt exhausted. Demon sword?

"Mark?..... Mark!" I heard Liz yell, but I was already falling forward. I felt myself hit the floor before darkness consumed me.

"Hey, did you see that? His hand......... Really? I think he might........ Mark? Hey Ma-....... Maybe you're right. Maybe he's not waking up..." I heard Liz's voice come in and out. It took all my concentration just to listen to that much. My whole body ached. Ugh. What happened?... Instantly the memory came back to me. The frying pan, Liz, Arisa, my second form, a brand-new different form, and.... A sword?

I moaned in pain. "Mark?!?" Arisa placed her hands on my arm.

"I told you! Mark is strong!" Liz exclaimed proudly.

"He was still knocked out for half the day!!"

Half of the day? Dang. Even though I have been lying down for so long I feel so sleepy. I felt Arisa slightly tighten her grip on my arm. Forcing some energy into my other arm, I managed to cover her hands with mine. I heard a small intake of air. I felt the right side of my mouth curve up, it was the closest I could come to a smile at the moment.

Liz giggled, "Mark looks weird."

Arisa chuckled softly, "yeah..." I could feel her brush some of my hair to the side. Guess I am slowly getting my energy back.

After a while I could feel more of my body, but I couldn't really move that much yet. Liz came and went, but Arisa stayed here. It more than just chipped at my walls, it cracked them.

Later, which I assumed was night at the time, I could finally move more. I opened my eyes to find Arisa asleep next to me. As I moved and sat up I could feel more of my energy returning. I knelt down and picked her up taking her to my room. I placed her in my bed. Just as I covered her she opened her eyes.

"Mark?..." She asked in a sleepy voice. I smiled down at her.

"Yeah?"

"I was so worried about you; I am so sorry." She lifted her arms and wrapped them around my shoulders.

"Th-thanks!... Ummm... I..."

"Look Mark," she said sounding a bit more awake, " I know this may sound a bit weird but.... C-could you maybe sleep.... Here?"

Before I could reply she continued, "like I know it is improper or whatever but... You... You really scared me.... Please?"

Well, there goes my brain. Poof, gone. "Alright but let me get some things."

"Things?"

"So, I can sleep.... You want me to sleep on the hard floor without a blanket or pillow?"

"The floor?"

"Uhh... Look Arisa... You are a very pretty... Ummm... Beau-cute! Cute, but I am going to sleep on the floor. Not you, it is definitely not you, it is just that I don't want to... Ummmm... Violate your personal space? No that's not it but... I-I am not very good with the whole.... Word thing and I..."

Arisa burst out laughing. "Mark it is fine. Stop before you hurt yourself. Go, I'll be here."

I walked away until I was out of her sight, then I made a run for the blankets and pillow. I rushed back and stopped before calmly walking into the room. Lame, I know. But I do want to have at least some of the little dignity I have left.

I set up my little "bed" by, well, MY bed. "Mark?.... C-can you hold my hand." I looked up at her. Her hand was extended back, but her face was turned away from me. Breathing out nervously I grabbed her hand.

I heard her release a sigh of relief before she fell asleep. I thought I would have trouble, but I fell asleep listening to her deep breathes. I think I might be... I passed out before I even finished the thought.