I don't own anything! Al, Rachel, and Pierce all belong to Kim Harrison.

You would've to of read Black Magic Sanction to understand this. So spoilers are included in this piece.

Damn my dame! I almost had her! Stupid wizard! When I made that bet with her it was almost 100% guaranteed she would be mine completely. She would screw up somehow. The witch's council isn't the forgiving type; the runt is a prime example of that. And when she had nowhere else to go she would be forced to come to me, as it should be. But as I learn as I go, you can expect anything from my itchy-witch.

I have to give it to her though; she is a devious little witch. She surprised me how she dealt with Nick. I thought she was going to practically beg him or whine until she got her own way, but no. She played him like a violin.

After she realized he wasn't going for her idea she began to get forceful. She grabbed his little pebbles and squeezed the life out of them! I thought I would die laughing then and there. Even when that wouldn't work she thought rather quickly, spouting some nonsense about a thief named Rose who stole the Turn Diamond. He hesitated at first and Rachel went all out with the 'I don't give a shit what you do' charade. He fell for it lock, stock, and sinker. He fell hopelessly into my little protégée's plan. I smiled. She really is starting to work and think like a demon, using blackmailing, threats, and false appearances to get whatever she feels needs to be done with.

And I was so close in getting her to. Half of me was proud that my itch-witch accomplished her little game with the little wizard, while the other half was frustrated that I lost a chance to get her into my rooms, especially when I saw her reaction when Nick went for her bait. When I ran my hand down her back she actually quivered, for the Turn's sake. She got turned on by the simple excitement of making a deal, much like a demon. At that moment I promised myself that she will damn well get in my rooms permanently, screaming in bliss under my sheets. I shivered just at the mere thought.

There is still hope. The witch hasn't completed her whole plan yet. Nick was just one tool she needed in the big construction of things.

I still wonder about what her complete plan is. She didn't give me all the details and you could never really guess what goes through that particular woman's head. She's as unpredictable as the Turn.

I am a little anxious to know what's happening. I have the unmistakable feeling that something is amiss, although that should be pretty standard for my itchy-witch. Well, she's not dead. I would know that since she bears my mark but really, that doesn't necessarily mean that something isn't wrong, especially with that runt being with her. I growled. If that runt did anything to jeopardize Rachel in any way he will be reunited with his empty grave. He will kill her one way or another if she keeps being around him. I chuckled. And she actually cares about me being killed by the whelp. I paused and thought back to when he almost got me with Rachel's charms. Though I hate to admit it, that was a close one.

I suddenly hear my line ring.

"Who is it?" I asked in my well-practiced British accent.

"It's Coma, and you have to get over to this party Al."

I rolled my goat-slitted eyes. Coma, short for Comatsumo, is one of the most annoying demons in the ever-after. He's always sniveling about something. I personally call him A Coma, hoping one day that will be his permanent state of being. I wonder what he's making muck about now.

"Pray tell, why do you think my presence will be needed?" I said in a bored monotone.

"Because the highlight topic is your star student and her recent activities. Everyone's getting a good laugh about it."

Fantastic, what the bloody hell did she do this time?

"Fine, I will be there in but a moment."

At least I could get some useful information on Rachel's shunning.

I jumped in elegantly and went about the crowds, catching bits and pieces about my infamous itchy-witch.

"And she was naked! On stage in front of the whole crowd!" I overheard one demon say loudly.

"I wish I could've seen that," another demon replied back.

The other demon simply smirked and said, "I hear someone around here has the tape and are auctioning it off. I hear he's getting a lot of offers that cost a very heavy price."

The other demon seemed very intrigued by this bit of information. "Really, who?"

I would like to know that to, anything containing my itchy witch is mine, after all.

"I have my sources," the demon replied vaguely.

Since I could see that he wasn't going to offer any more details I decided to make myself known.

"Why gentleman, isn't this a fine evening," I paused as if I was struck by a sudden thought. "What is this I hear about my student?" I asked with an undertone of threat.

The two demons paled considerably and I relished in there obvious fear.

I looked at the one who seemed to know the most about the tape with my piercing red eyes. The other one, seeing my attention on his friend, scurried off to escape from me.

He gulped and replied, "I hear that your little witch was caught on live television naked." He paused to see my reaction. I kept my face neutral.

He continued, "I also hear someone's selling the tape."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You hear a lot of things. But what I don't hear you saying are that you know things, like, say, the name of who has that tape."

The demon shook his head and got back his composure, thinking he was now in control. How wrong he is.

"Oh, I know the name, but do you have the means to know that name also? Last I heard you lost everything because of that witch."

""You've got to learn not to trust everything you hear."

The demon smirked, "My sources have seemed to work so far since the last couple of millennia."

This one is getting a tad too cocky for my liking.

"Celero inanio" I whispered the curse and the demon's collar started to smoke.

I smiled, showing my flat, blocky teeth. "Don't be too hot headed now, you're nothing compared to me. Tell me what I inquire to know and you won't be delivered to Newt as demon barbeque.

He looked at me and I could see the decision to say 'what the hell' and make his life easier and give me what I want.

"Comatsumo," he said and left hurriedly.

I sighed. Of course it's him. No wonder he wanted me to attend this party so badly. Do I really care enough to try and bargain with A Coma? I imagined the sight of Rachel stark naked in front of a whole crowd. Bloody hell. I keep telling myself she's high maintenance. I also keep asking myself is if she's worth all the damn trouble. I come up with the same answer every time: She damn well better be.

AN:

This is the start of another Al story. I always thought after Al left to let Rachel do her own plan, "what the hell is Al doing now?" I thought he was going to stay with Rachel until the end. I was kind of disappointed that he didn't. This is what is going on during and after Rachel interrupted Trent's speech. I started writing this story because I want to get to the part where Al finds out Pierce slept with Rachel and he beats the crap out of him. That will be in a later chapter, something I am really looking forward to. My other story is on hold for a while but I will hopefully get back to it. I hope you enjoyed the start of this story. Please review and tell me what you think! (The part where Al is having a bad feeling is when Rachel and Pierce is having sex. I thought it would be kind of funny if he knew subconsciously that they were doing something he didn't like:)