Hey there!
Thanks for still reading (that means you don't find it too terrible, right?). Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
FLASHBACK
She had been drifting for almost a month now. She had no purpose, no real destination. Father had, hoping to get her to start a new life, transported her to France. But she found her feet leading her back to London, even though she knew it was against his wishes. Her mind had come to the conclusion that if she returned to the area that was once in her protection, then she would somehow be accepted again.
Progress was slow. She would walk in a daze for hours and hours with no sleep, pass out in some cheap inn for a whole day, wake up, and repeat the process. Of course, she could've just taken a train or even ordered a carriage; Father had made sure that she was well supplied with money. But she felt like this was some excursion she had to make on her own, by herself.
"You need to go to Earth and understand demons. Your viewpoint of them is limited. You aren't like the others; you were raised to hate them. I can't let you be brainwashed any longer. Go and learn. Once you have, I'll let you return. If you choose to stay on Earth, that is fine as well." Father said from his bed, pain and sorrow evident.
"I'm not being brainwashed! I know my duties as a Protector. You can't do this to me!" Melody yelled, caught between betrayal and shock.
"Go."
The next thing she knew, she was staring at a farm in the French countryside.
Tears welled up in her eyes. It seemed like it was happening every day now. If she wasn't a Protector, what was she? How was she supposed to "understand" demons? Demons were the evil spawn of the devil, only interested in feasting on human souls. What else was there to learn?
Weeks later, she reached the outskirts of London. When she finally stepped onto the busy and crowded streets, the reality of her demented ideals hit her. What did she expect when she returned? A welcoming party from the rest of the Protectors? Did she expect Father to come up to her and say, "Haha, we sure fooled you!"
No. She needed to get a hold of herself. She needed to settle down and come up with a plan.
No more hoping that this was some sort of practical joke.
No more wondering if the other Protectors would take some sort of pity on her and let her back.
No more thinking that demons were solely the enemy. If she wanted to "understand" them, she had to open up her perspective of them.
There was so much to do.
Melody spent the rest of the day scouring the city for any available housing. Once she found a nice apartment in the heart of the city, she decided to stroll around until she needed to go back to sleep. As a Protector, she only needed to sleep occasionally, but she decided that she would need the strength. While she ambled the city, she suddenly realized that the only way to understand a demon was to interact with one.
Which meant that she had to summon one. She had to make a contract, the very thing the Protectors were against.
She was horrified at even thinking of summoning, but she slowly started to understand that it was the only way. Father had probably even expected this. Besides, should the demon attack, she could easily slay it.
It was nighttime by then, and she was the only one in the empty street. "Ok, I need a demon. How do I get one to come to me?" she pondered, still feeling revolted at the act she was about to commit.
Just as this thought formed in her mind, a black panther appeared in front of her. Her first instinct, fully aware of its true form, was to grab her weapons and assume a fighting stance. However, she put on a grim smile, took some deep breaths, and spoke to the panther,
"I know what you are. I want to contract with you."
She blinked and, where the panther was moments before, a man roughly six feet tall with spiky black hair and piercing brown eyes stood in front of her. No, not man. He was a beast.
The demon was looking at her with a disturbingly hungry look and her skin crawled.
He was silent for a few moments, but responded, still relentlessly staring, "That saves a lot of the formalities. Of course, you still haven't told me your wish. What will it be? Fame? Fortune? Love?" He said the last word with a twisted smile.
"To learn about demons." She said bluntly.
A hint of surprise tinted his face. "Well, I've never heard that one before. Why should you contract just to learn about our species?"
"I can't just learn. I need to experience what it's like. It's long story, and so long as you serve me, you have no right to question my motives." She glared at him, daring him to challenge her.
A small smirk appeared. "Very well. Let's not waste anytime shall we?"
He lunged forward, and before she had time to react, he had fastened his grip on her right forearm. Suddenly, a burning sensation enveloped the area, and she let out a small cry in pain and shock. After a few moments, it receded and he released her arm. She saw a black brand right where his hand had been. She examined it, a mixture of defeat and revulsion on her face. She looked up at him. "I'm assuming this is when I give you a name."
The fiend gave a small nod. She thought for a few seconds and a small grin appeared, one of the only times that he would ever see it.
"I'm going to call you Peter. One of the most famous saints and closest disciples to Jesus himself. The one who saw him walk on water, heal the sick, and had his feet washed. The name fits you perfectly, does it not Peter?" she said cheerily, the irony dripping from her voice.
"Of course my lady. I vow never to leave your side until your mission is complete." He bowed to her, with one arm crossed over his heart.
Melody chuckled, and together she and her new companion walked side-by-side back to her apartment.
Sorry for the short chapter! It was just to give some background info. Everything else will be explained in time (or will it? I still don't know if I'll continue). I found out that it takes a LOT more time to write than I thought it would. Reviews are, once again, appreciated.