After class, I returned to the Kaginuki house to prepare for the ritual Rem wanted to perform. The room stayed locked when it wasn't needed. Only Rem and I knew where the key was hidden. Inside the cold room, I lit the torches on the wall to light it.

Typical ritual room from what I'd studied. Two doors, the one I come into and a second leading to a supply room. Five altars all spaced apart so a symbol could be drawn in the middle of them. The bowls were empty until I put together all of the ingredients.

In the center of the altars was an open space that had four shackles in the ground, one for each limb, and Rem had already drawn the summoning symbol for souls he'd sent to the demon world. Having only done this a few times before, my nerves were going crazy. It would hurt like hell. My only comfort was that it wouldn't kill me. That's what all the training and binding rituals were for.

Everything seemed to be in order so I went to get myself ready. Being this shaken up about it would only result in a failed attempt. Taking a bath to relax and clear my mind should do the trick. Besides, I'd have to get out of my clothes for the ritual anyways. The warmth of the water relaxed my muscles.

When I returned in my comfy bathrobe, Rem had a book open in his hands. The floor felt cold under my bare feet. He flipped the book closed and nodded his head toward where I had to go.

"Are you ready?" He asked, walking over to me.

"Yes," I answered as confidently as I could. Hesitation wouldn't be received well. And I knew this would be over quicker if I just jumped into it.

"Lie down then," he instructed, taking the robe as it fell off my shoulders.

As I sat down and slowly stretched out, a shiver overtook my body. It's cold in here. Rem shackled my wrists and ankles. I think the idea of it kept me from running away since it used to be forced upon some people. Now it was just tradition, but it also made me feel a little safer.

My mother told me to shut my eyes, to block out the pain as much as I could, but I always liked to watch. Rem would speak in a foreign tongue and light each altar. The last one always made my heart race, because I knew what came after it.

A purple glow would illuminate from the symbol as it took life, twisting and winding to cover my body like tattoos. Then it burned worse than anyone could ever imagine. From that point, it all turned into a blur. Rem's voice sounded distant, drowned out by the noise. My screaming.

It would be hours before I would be conscious enough to speak. The ritual must have been a success. Rem continued to talk to me softly as he unlatched the shackles and put the robe back on me. Then he would carry me to my bedroom to sleep for a while.

Days like this, Rem ordered the others to leave me alone for the remainder of the day. It wore off slowly and I regained the feeling of my body piece by piece. Achy. I usually felt extremely achy but the only cure for that was to get up and move around and get something to eat.

The robe was still on me so I changed into loose sweatpants and a sweater. Something comfy. I'd feel the soreness for a few days. My stomach growled. The clock showed that I'd been out for almost six hours.

Down in the kitchen, I thought I'd be alone but Shiki and Mage were both waiting, sitting on various countertops like chairs didn't exist. I rubbed my arms and smiled. "Hey, you're not waiting on me are you?"

Shiki climbed off the island and leaned in close, looking over my body. "Does it still hurt?"

"Yes-"

"Leave her alone. You heard Rem. I made you some of your favorite soup," Mage pushed Shiki away and held up a bowl. Steam rose up from the top with an intoxicating smell.

"Thank you, Mage." I took the bowl and it warmed my hands. "That's very kind of you."

"Ah, don't mention it." He rubbed the back of his neck. He'd gone back to acting the tough guy. Sometimes I wondered how many people really knew him.

Mage looked at something past me and nudged Shiki. "Well, we just wanted to check on you. Later, babe."

"Thank you," I said again, this time to an empty room. They could just disappear and it was very inconvenient.

Alone again, I set the bowl of soup on the counter after I'd taken a bite. It warmed my whole body, making the pain dull for a moment. It's strange living with them. They can be so normal that I can almost forget that they're devils.

I took the time to wash and dry the bowl and spoon before leaving the kitchen. I should really try to get some more rest since we do have school tomorrow. Skipping wasn't an option. We couldn't have anyone looking too closely at us. My absence would not go unnoticed.

Walking down the hall, Urie's door stood wide open. That's odd. They all typically kept their rooms to themselves, coming to mine if they wanted me. Curious, I peeked inside. The room itself was completely as I imagined. Warm red tones made the room inviting and sweet. The king sized bed sat on a platform with tall bed poles that had sheer white drapes.

"Like what you see?" Urie asked from behind me.

As used to their games as I was, I still jumped and felt my heart race. "It's romantic." Very like him.

Urie took my hand and led me into the room once the door closed. With a snap of his fingers, the sweatpants and sweater were replaced with a white lace dress that fit my body perfectly. "That's much better," he said and smiled at me.

Music started to play from all around. He was always one for the theatrics. Urie held out his hand. "Dance with me, little dragon."

The dancing didn't last long because it wasn't what he wanted. My legs hit the end of the bed when his mouth found mine. "You could have just asked."

"Where's the fun in that? I enjoy seducing you," Urie replied with a smirk. He wrapped his arm around me and lifted me up onto the bed. "I enjoy watching you fall for me all over again."

So much for a relaxing night. It was well past three in the morning before I made it back to my own bedroom, slightly disoriented. I didn't bother to put on pajamas. I collapsed on the bed and pulled the sheet over me. Sleep took over quickly. Just another day being bound to the devils. Would it always be this way?