Ria walked into a small field and gazed up at the waning moon, a smile on her lips. She laughed softly and spun around, a blur of silver in the dark. She stopped her dance when she heard a snap in the woods. She turned quickly, the patterns on her arms swirling as balls of moonlight manifested in her hands, "Who's there?!" She demanded.
There was no answer, only the sounds of footsteps. A figure stepped out of the woods, wearing a long, black, hooded coat. He stepped towards Ria, his head low.
She stepped back, "Who are you?" She asked, quieter this time.
The figure looked up, lowering his hood. Ria recognized him instantly. He had golden blond hair and amber eyes that reminded her of the sun. On his handsome face was a sad frown that looked wrong amongst his features. It was Damon.
Ria stepped closer, "D-Damon? What are you doing here?"
Damon looked down at her, "Elphateria, They're looking for you. We must leave."
She raised an eyebrow and backed away some, "Leave? No, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
He ran a hand softly over her cheek, "Ria, we both know that isn't true."
Ria glared at him, her eyes turning black, "You'll find I've changed a lot over the years."
For the first time, Damon smiled, well smirked actually, "Somehow, I don't think you've changed at all."
She narrowed her eyes, "What do you want, Damon?"
"Come with me, Ria." Damon pleaded, "Please, They won't rest until you're dead. And I know a place that They can't find." He stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands, "Ria, please. Come with me."
Ria hesitated, "Damon... I can't. I..." She trailed off, her gaze locked with his.
Damon leaned closer to kiss her, and Ria was doing the same. But something on his neck caught her attention. A strange black mark... Their mark.
Ria shoved him away and she fought off tears, "D-Damon... No. Tell me that's not what I think it is..."
Damon looked at her sadly, pulling a dagger out of his coat, "You shouldn't have left us Ria..."
She shook her head and backed away, "Please, Damon. I had to. You have to understand!"
He got angry then, his eyes darkening, "I understand that you obviously cared nothing for me and the others! Just left us for no reason!"
"I had to!" Ria screamed, "What about the promise you made me?"
Damon looked away, "That was a long time ago, Ria."
Ria's eyes were pitch black with anger, "You promised me! You promised!"
"Ria. I-"
"I don't want to hear it! You're working for Them now, aren't you! You're no better than the rats who murdered Raven!" Ria spat at him, hatred filling her eyes.
Damon looked like he wanted to say something. Like he wanted to yell at her. To tell her she was wrong. But she wasn't. Of course she wasn't. He walked closer and crushed her in a hug.
Ria stopped, surprised. After a moment, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly. Damon held her close, a few tears escaping from him as well.
After a while of crying, Ria sighed, "I hate you." She whispered.
Damon stroked her hair, "I hate you too." He whispered sadly.
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his for something. Damon looked down at her for a moment before kissing her softly. Ria kissed him back for a moment, but then pulled away, "I never want to see you again."
Damon sighed, "Then close your eyes." He whispered.
Ria broke away from his arms and turned to walk away, "I suppose you have to kill me now?"
He shrugged, "I'll let you get a head start."
Without another word, Ria disappeared, leaving Damon alone in the field. He stuck the dagger back in his coat and walked the other way, running his hands through his hair.
