"So you're going on a date with the Sorcerer Supreme?"

"I guess I am."

Sura chuckled, using her one arm to prop herself up as she lay back on Tessa's bed, "Isn't he...a little old for you Tessa? I mean, ten year age gap?" She pursed her lips, whistling.

Tessa hummed playfully, "Just because you're jealous."

"I'm just saying he's only two years older than myself." Sura shrugged, grinning, "I'm kidding, you know I am."

"Well," Tessa said, pulling out two dresses from her wardrobe, "There are no guarantees this leads to anything so, if it doesn't, you have my blessing to go after him next."

Sura pulled her hand to her chest in a dramatic gesture, "Why, thank you." She paused when she saw the two dresses, "Oh, you best going for that lil saucy black number."

"Not the red?"

"No, black, definitely! Suits you more...and Tee, I guess."

Tessa's face fell at the mention of Tee as she turned to hang the red dress up in her wardrobe again. It had been weeks since she had felt Tee's presence and without her Entity's voice, she had felt oddly alone. She had even put this date off in an effort to meditate more in the hopes of finally coaxing Tee out again but with no such luck. She wondered if the Entity had left her, but then, if they had, surely she wouldn't still be as powerful and skilful as she was with her sorcery. Equally, if they had left, she was sure she would have felt the separation judging by the pain she had experienced the first time. Her worst thought was the idea that Tee had died somehow and that she had been completely oblivious to their cries of help or that their death had been as quick and as silent as snuffing out a candle.

The sorceress knew she couldn't keep thinking like that though and now, with the date rescheduled to tonight, she was just trying to move on.

"You still haven't heard from the Entity, have you?" Sura questioned softly when Tessa turned around.

"No." Tessa shook her head, a shine building in her eyes, "Sorry, I just, I know you two are friends - "

"We're friends too, Tess."

"Yeah, I know, but I just - I don't want you to think I'm purposefully depriving Tee of interaction - I just - I can't, they're - they're not there."

Sura put her hand on Tessa's arm, "I believe you...they may just be resting after everything that happened."

"Maybe..."

Sura sighed, letting a thoughtful silence settle for a moment before smiling, "C'mon, throw on that dress. You have a date with a very handsome Sorcerer Supreme and doctor." She smirked, "Two for one; I imagine that'll be fun in bed - "

Tessa's eyes bulged and her mouth dropped as she playfully whacked the Master, "Don't! That's not even where my mind's at - "

"Yet!" Sura wiggled her eyebrows.

The sorceress had no words and so rapidly grabbed the dress from off her bed and rushed into her little en suite to get ready. Sura chuckled as she watched the young woman race off and hide.

"Don't take too long." Sura rose her voice a bit as she strolled over to sit on the bed again, "Remember, you don't have to imagine it if you choose your words carefully tonight."

"Sura!" Came a muffled yell from the en suite.

Master Abara just giggled.

In the bathroom, Tessa had shut the door and with a low chortle, and had rested her head against the grain of the door. Of all the images she needed in her head, it certainly wasn't such a smutty one as Sura had suggested. But her laughter died down as she thought about Tee, about how she knew that if her Entity were still there, they couldn't have resisted in teasing her, even if it was just a small bit.

She sighed, disappointed that she appeared unable to preoccupy her mind with something else for long.

As she turned, she threw her hand over her mouth, yelping in horror at the sight in the mirror as she dropped her dress and stumbled back toward the door but the second she blinked, it was gone. Panting, she pushed herself away from the door, peering at the mirror cautiously but, clear as day, was her normal reflection.

The knocking at the door startled her once more, "Tess? Tessa? You okay?"

Gulping a mouthful of air, she tried to slow her breathing, "Yeah - yeah! Just thought I saw a moth!" She said, her eyes still fixed on her plain reflection.

"Tessa Hyde, scared of moths?" She could hear Sura's muffled chuckle, "Didn't see that one coming."

"Neither did I." She scoffed breathily.

Moving gingerly to the sink, she peered into the mirror. Again, only her normal reflection showed but she could've sworn she had seen...something...something horrifically like her but not her. Reasoning with herself that what she had seen may simply have been a drastic trick of the light, she continued to get ready.

A few minutes later, once she had slipped on her dress and washed her face, she peered at her complexion in the mirror once more. Smiling, she looked at both sides of her cheeks, then bared her teeth and smoothed her eyebrows over then, quietly laughed.

"Stop fussing, you look fine..." She muttered to herself hopelessly.

At hearing the sound of a drop of water falling in the sink, she briefly glanced down before looking up again.

Gasping sharply as she was faced with the nightmare version of herself once more, she backed away instantly. Those eyes were neither her's nor the Entity's for the iris was an alarming shade of crimson, and the veins around her eyes were web-like and coloured a harsh black, creating the most menacing look she had seen when paired with the sinister smirk upon its lips.

Her reflection's lips did not move, but a breathy whisper sounded by her left ear, "Patience."

Tessa jolted away, looking beside her, alarmed eyes as wide as could be even though there was nothing there. When she whipped her head back to the mirror there was nothing but her normal self once more.

The hybrid's brow bunched together. Wiping her hands across her face, she shook her head. Was she going mad? Or was that Tee?

"Tee? Tee, are you there?"

She waited.

But no reply came.

*  *  *  *  *  *

In Italy, the mystical pair enjoyed their long awaited evening meal under a dark blanket embroidered with diamonds. It was a comfortably warm night with a nice, cooling breeze running past them every so often.

At their table, once their plates had been removed, Stephen hummed an upbeat tune with a cheeky smirk as he awaited her answer. The sorceress bit her lip as she contemplated what the name of the song was.

"I heard it through the grapevine!" She exclaimed suddenly.

"Yeah!" Stephen grinned enthusiastically, "See, you're not that bad at guessing songs."

"Well...I don't know the artist..."

"You don't - " Stephen shook his head, mortified, "H - how? No wait, no: guess."

"You're going to laugh at me if I guess."

The sorcerer shrugged, "I need to know now."

Sighing, she pursed her lips as she considered this, "Martin...Gray?"

Stephen's mouth could not have dropped any lower as she smiled sheepishly at his reaction.

"You're so close and yet so drastically far away from the answer."

"Don't be like that!" She covered her eyes with her hands and peeked at him through her fingers, "Who's the artist?" Came her muffled question.

"Marvin Gaye."

"Oh God." Tessa shut her fingers in amused despair.

Stephen chuckled, "That was shameful."

"It really, really was." She shook her head, gently letting her hands fall back on the table, accepting her poor knowledge, "Is my poor knowledge of song artists a dealbreaker?"

Sharply inhaling, Stephen clicked his tongue, "Well, I don't know if I can really go out with someone whose music know-how is that poor."

"I see, I see..." Tessa drummed her hands on the table, "Well, I guess we better head back then before I fracture our friendship with more of my shocking musical knowledge."

The pair paid and left. Stephen had offered his arm to her as they strolled away from restaurant and down the brightly lit street. Noticing her shiver after a few moments, Stephen paused and offered Tessa his smart black blazer which she gratefully accepted with a warm smile. They continued walking in silence for a few moments more.

In their quiet moment, free from distraction, the hybrid couldn't help but think back to before the date, when she had seen that horrific image of herself in the mirror. Why did she have to be patient? Where was Tee? Were they okay or were they in trouble?

Was she in danger?

Stephen looked at Tessa as they walked, noting the rather troubled expression upon her face.

"Tess?"

She didn't respond, just kept staring ahead.

"Tessa?" He nudged her gently with his elbow.

"Hm?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." She nodded, pressing her lips together, "I had fun this evening."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Stephen paused, stopping their stroll and looked at her analytically for a moment longer, "The Ent - ?"

"I really loved the chicken parmigiana, didn't you?"

"Wait - "

She slipped the strap of her little purse off her shoulder and drew her sling ring out of the carrier, slipping it on her fingers as she said, "Maybe next time we can cook the recipe I have for it, the one my parents made - "

"Tess - "

She began to form a portal, almost grimacing at the rare sight of her amber eldritch sorcery, "See, now mine has a secret ingredient that makes it taste - "

"Tessa." Stephen gently grabbed her arm.

At the touch, she looked at his scarred hand (that was mostly holding his blazer but his finger tips brushed her bare skin underneath), and then looked him in the eye, her gaze lost. She shook her head and sighed, dejected.

"I'm sorry. I'm - have I ruined the night?"

"You haven't."

"I - I'm incapable - I can't go a few minutes without thinking about Tee, about what happened, about what might have happened...it's just so...quiet..."

Maybe the terrifying version of her reflection were a hallucination because she missed Tee so much?

"We'll work it out." Stephen spoke softly, gazing at her kindly as he offered her his arm again, "May I accompany the beautiful young woman back to the Sanctum?"

Her brows were bunched together but the second he asked that question, a smile broached her lips, "You may."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"I promise I had fun this evening." She repeated quickly when they were stood outside her dorm room.

"I believe you." Stephen smiled gently, "I know you're worried about the Entity but we can't do anything right now."

"I know."

"Promise me you'll get some sleep?"

"I will. I definitely will. Without Tee, it's easy to sleep."

Stephen nodded, "Well...we should do this again?"

"We should." She nodded contently.

"I believe next time you promised to make me your famous chicken parmigiana?"

She hummed a small laugh, "Yeah, yes, I did."

"Then, I will await this meal eagerly."

The pair shuffled tensely before each other, sharing a nervous gaze.

"Can I - " Both spoke at the same time and then laughed.

"After you." Stephen insisted.

"I was - going to ask if I could...kiss you."

Stephen grinned, "I was going to ask the same."

"Just a peck, I mean. Not like a full-on...you know..." She had gestured oddly between them with her hands.

"Of course. I know."  He nodded, his giddiness subtle.

"Right, well then," She stood up on her tip toes, resting her hands on his chest, to peck him on the cheek quickly, before settling back down on the floor.

Amused by the speed of which this peck had occurred, he couldn't help but wonder what the Entity might have said to her and to him right then. Would it have been protective over her? He wouldn't blame it. Then, his mind wondered more and it occurred to him that if he were to be with Tessa, it wouldn't just be her he would be dating but 'Tee' as well. Who knew what issues that co-dependent bond might present between them? But they would cross that bridge when it came to it. After all, they weren't really official yet.

And besides, he was fond of Tessa as it was.

"Goodnight, Stephen," Tessa smiled coyly before moving into her room and shutting the door.

Stephen stood there for a moment with a little sheepish grin on his face before walk away with a little spring in his step.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Glowing, Tessa stood against her door with a soft smile on her lips. Yes, she was still upset about the Entity but also - she had kissed the Sorcerer Supreme. Yes, it was a mere peck but it was still exciting. She'd truly never had a partner before as she had been too busy focusing on her training in the mystic arts - there were crushes on Masters here and there - but without Marcus drumming an exhausting schedule into her life, she now had the time to see friends and to try and develop a relationship. Her heart skipped a beat and she put her hands over her face as she let out a whispery squeal. So this was what it was like to be head over heels for a person and for that person to actually like her back too? It was a gorgeously sickening feeling that washed over her like a warm shower.

Of course, they weren't official yet.

But still, even with her little hiccough, things had gone well.

And Tessa had kissed him (well, pecked him)!

Pushing herself away from the door with a stupidly giddy smile upon her lips, she walked over to her bed, removing her heels as she went. She chucked the shoes by her closet as she unzipped her dress and hung it over the back of her chair before getting ready for bed.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Several more crimson lashings and again the Entity winced and faltered.

The other panted as it stood before the bright morning star that prevented its release. Now that it had broken from the glass cabinet, its form was no longer a small red worm but now a maroon amalgamation of energy in a more humanoid shape after having merged with the staff and tessen.

Eventually you'll break.

But not today.

You are weakening, brother.

That is merely your naive assumption.

It let out a frustrated snarl as it paced back and forth before it.

Let me out!

Never.

Never is an awfully long time.

Then isn't lucky that we're effectively immortal?

I wouldn't harm our host, brother.

You would. In a way you clearly cannot comprehend.

It paused, its head tilting to one side as it glared holes into its fellow Entity.

I'll get out again.

You barely got out earlier.

I got close enough to make her aware of me.

She's human. She'll rationalise the vision as a figment of her imagination.

In a fit of fury, the other ran up and beat it its hands, sent blasts of energy and used both the staff and tessen to try and inflict harm on its captor as primal roars of vexation left it. Tee held their ground intensely, albeit while experiencing a world of pain. But the agony was worth it if they could continue to protect their host, their Tessa, from the corrupt claws of this creature.

Let me out! Let me out!

The other barked at Tee in sheer desperation from being cooped up in such a small place in her mind.

I have already given you my answer.

She will summon us eventually.

She has no power to summon me. I summon myself.

What about when she is desperate?

It chuckled lowly as it sensed the unease in its brother.

Would you leave her to expire just to stop me? Leave her to the mercy of wicked men and malicious monsters without an ounce of care for her life and ours?

She...is strong enough to take care of herself without my possession.

You sound uncertain brother. What a fiendish thing to do: to leave your host in distress, to watch her writhe in pain...to let her die.

Enough!

One ethereal tendril ripped itself from the wall to swat at the irritating other. In it's humanoid form, unfortunately, the creature was more spry in its acrobatics. It ducked and leapt over the long, large, golden-white arm toward the bit of wall it could now reach. Once there, it placed its glowing red hands on the wall and attempted to break the surface.

However, Tee's tendril promptly impaled the subhuman figure through its middle, tossing it back into the room, flailing like a poorly-formed doll, before hurriedly digging its arm back into the wall in order to protect the exit of this hidden pocket once more.

Having hit the other side of the room roughly, the other laughed at the agony it experienced as the hole through its abdomen gradually repaired itself.

Hit a nerve, did I?

Its amused wheeze forever disturbed Tee.

Do you think you really have the strength to stop me if I did get out of here? To drag me back to this insufferable abyss?

Its question made Tee tense as the other stood once more and began to stumble back over to them.

Tee attempted to dig one of their loose arms into the wall a little more, bracing itself against the exit a little tighter as it approached, limping. Pausing in front of them, the other appeared to look at all of their arms, holding back a triumphant smirk when it noticed some of the red residue on the white arm it had been impaled with sunk into the grain of the wall. It only took a drop to poison the well.

The other scoffed.

The time will come when you will need to save her and then, I will be out and she will be mine.

____________________________

A/N - Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Some tough things are going on in my life right now so either my writing will be really sporadic or really erratic, I can't tell which yet. However, if you have stuck with me through the 1st book then I am sure you will already be used to my unpredictable update schedule.

I'm just a free spirit when it comes to schedules, what can I say? Lmao

Anyways, hope yall are having a lovely morning/afternoon/evening!