As my back slid across the damp grass, again, I started to have doubts. The sun was setting and the 3 of us were in the neighbouring woods. We had come as soon as the midday rain stopped but everything was still wet. I, still on my back, propped myself up on my elbows to watch Cake fling herself at Marshall. She had almost managed to claw his shirt before Marshall whipped around and grabbed her by the collar.

"You guys are going to have to do better then that" Marshall said, tossing Cake into a nearby bush. I spring to my feet, "don't worry we're just warming up" I reply with false bravo.

"Quite a warm up time" Marshall mutters. It's true, we have be sparing here for just over two hours now. "If you want to destroy Emrick, you have to at least be able to land a hit on me" called Marshall.

Cake rolled out of the bush next to me, fur covered with leaves. "We've beaten him before, why is it different this time?" Cake asked

"It's different now because I'm not playing" Marshall called. "I'm only the Vampire King, give me some credit."

"I'm also not using my sword" I answer to Cake.

"Yes you'll be all decked out when you face Emrick, but you don't want to have to rely on your sword in case you lose it. Also I don't feel like going home looking like Swiss cheese"

"Like what?" I ask swinging my fist at his face.

He catches it, "Nevermind'. My arm twists and I end up on my back again. Marshall leans down towards me as Cake zooms over his head, "You know you can back out at anytime and we'll go somewhere safe".

I roll away and stand, "No way" I respond. Marshall makes a face and sighs. We meet eyes then he jumps, clearing the distance between us. Cake, twice her normal size, landing where he was standing. I swing my foot, aiming for his head but he bends back and glides under my foot. I swing my fist back and feel a hand wrap around my wrist. Another wraps around my waist and suddenly Marshalls voice is in my ear. "To kill a Vampire, you have to learn how to control the fight, dance out of there reach and the close the distance to strike." The hand around my waist tightens. "I'm being nice but Vampires won't play fair. If you plan to kill one, you need to fight dirty. Or else…" his voice moves from my ear down to my neck, "you won't enjoy the outcome". Then he kisses my neck.

I feel my cheeks heat and my brain go fuzzy. He laughs bring his head up. I go completely on autopilot, whipping my head back. Marshall cries out in surprise and I feel the hand around my wrist let go and the arm around my waist loosen. I spin, grabbing him by the waist and push. I crash to the ground on top of him and before he can throw me off, I put my hand over his heart, where my "finishing blow" would have been. The clearing is quiet and then Marshall starts laughing.

"If I was human, you would have shattered my nose" he says in-between laughs. "That was better, keep that up and you might have a chance" He looks over at Cake, "you, however, still need work". Cake stops pulling leaves from her fur and hisses. Looking back at me, Marshall frowns, he reaches his hand up and around my head. I freeze, feeling his hands go through my hair then hiss when he touches the bump forming there. "Yep, you're gonna have a bruise" declares Marshall. He brings his arm down, plopping it on the grass. "Fi you're face is red, not that I mind" he teases. At that moment I realized I'm still on top of him with my hands on his chest. I squeak and leap off him. Marshall floats off the ground, eyebrows drawn together. "As good as you are, it be nice to give you and edge, and I know just the edge. Though, I wonder if it still exists" Marshall remarked.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, face back under control.

"I'm talking about upgrading your weapons a bit" answers Marshall. He quirks his head, "What do you say Fionna, feel like going on an quest?"