There were many rules that the servants of Downton Abbey had to follow, but one rule preceded all others: never venture into Lord Grantham's study. This was even more important than folding the linens or spacing the silverware correctly. Unless, of course, you asked Mr. Carson. He was very particular about the silverware.
Of course, Daisy was never known for her lack of curiosity or surplus of intellect. It only seemed natural that she would be the first to break the rule, as well as the first to die.
You see, Lord Grantham was a warlock of prodigious power, a gift he had passed on to his daughter Edith. As a warlock, his demonic heritage allowed him to perform magic and summon and bind his distant infernal relatives. He usually had one bound up at one time or another in the great pentacle burnt into the floor of his study. Daisy had been unfortunate enough to wander into his office at such a time that a demon was present, and Lord Grantham was not.
And so it was that Lord Grantham stood back to back with his wife, Lady Cora, doing battle with the spawn of hell that Daisy had somehow unleashed. Doubtless, the poor girl's remains were going to be difficult for Anna to clean up. Fire crackled and spat in Grantham's hands, and his dinner jacket was looking a bit worse for wear. His graying hair was plastered to his head and the hellfire he summoned cast a sinister glare on his face. Cora however, still looked immaculate. Her evening gown was somehow spotless, despite the fact that the heavy Calvary saber she held was covered in demonic ichor.
Cora was nephilim, a Shadowhunter. Just as the blood of demons ran through her husband's veins, Angelic blood flowed through hers. She was faster and stronger than average humans and was able to carry the runes that enhanced her abilities. She had passed on her gifts to her daughters, Mary and Sybil.
"Dear," Lord Gratham questioned "do you think we could possibly herd this creature into the second parlor before we kill it? The stains are terribly difficult to remove and we are having company tonight."
"Of course," Cora replied as she leapt to the side to avoid a lashing tentacle. "How could I have forgotten? We're dining with Magnus tonight." She raised her voice slightly, "Mary, could you be a dear and fetch a seraph blade?"
Mary entered the room, bearing her perpetual scowl as well as the requested weapon. She tossed the gleaming blade to her mother and drew the rapier that hung at her side, her usual weapon of choice.
"Can I help?" Edith asked timidly from the next room.
"No," Mary replied coldly. "We don't require any downworlder aid. This creature is practically your cousin." Cora shot her daughter a disapproving glance that was interrupted by another swipe of the demon's tentacle.
"Oh?" Edith said mildly from the next room. "Is it? My cousin is also your cousin. Maybe you should wed so you can inherit the estate."
"Girls!" Cora shouted, "Now is not the time!" With a practiced twist of her wrist, she severed the offending tentacle as her husband's fire hit home and finished the demon.
"Oh dear," Mr. Carson said as he walked in. "I'll get Daisy to clean this up immediately."
Lord and Lady Grantham glanced at each other. Cora spoke first.
"I don't think Daisy will be cleaning anything ever again."