Chapter Three.
Sienna softly smiled as she glanced into the mirror after changing, brushing down her dark blue jeans. She was thankful she didn't have to wear her office clothes today, the pencil skirt never to her liking. It was nice to be able to wear casual clothing for once, the woman grabbing a blue hoodie from the side before throwing it over her shoulders. She tugged at the sleeves, surprised the material still fitted her after the long years of being left in one of the spare guest rooms. Sienna had known the Anderson family for quite some years, at times working alongside the old man himself resulting to her staying at the mansion on business days. Sienna wouldn't claim she had a solid job, she did things here and there to get her by. If she had a permanent job then it would cause too many problems… Her smile faltered at the memories, knowing that things will never quite be the same again. When arriving at this town five years ago she hoped to escape the past, even the present yet as days passed it seemed that the woman was getting closer and closer to the things she wanted to escape. Sienna let out a sigh, tying her hair back in a messy bun as her eyes remained focused on the mirror for a few moments more as she fell into her own eyes. They were the usual soft, golden honey eyes that the woman barely even knew anymore. They seemed so distant, so disconnected from her soul. It had been a long time since Sienna could truly express herself, she had been pushed and shoved to set an example for others that she had long lost herself. Her comment to Erik hours ago popped into her mind, Sienna's face twisting in dislike for a second… who was she to advise others when she could not take advice herself? The woman shook her head, removing her thoughts as she turned and headed down the stairs.
Her footfalls were light as she entered the kitchen, the small figure of Matthew darting around the room. He looked on edge, the expression making the woman smile in mischief.
"Good morning Matthew" Sienna politely greeted, the demon jumping out of his skin at her voice.
"O-oh morning" Matthew called back, calming down when realising who stood nearby. It seemed that the stuffed toy had done its job and gotten the demon up, his jumpy behaviour confirming that it had scared Matthew half to death. Sienna headed to the kettle, filling it up with water before placing it on the hob to warm up.
"Where did James and Damien run off to?" Sienna asked, realising the duo were no longer present. She grabbed several things, the items being placed onto a circular tray to make tea and coffee.
"Damien heard Mika having bad dreams so they've run up to check on her" Matthew told her, serving up pancakes and omelettes onto different plates. Sienna halted in her movements, her brow furrowing in thought but she dismissed the shiver trailing up her spine, forcing herself to relax once more. Sienna returned back to the kettle, checking on it for a moment before returning back to the kitchen door.
"I'll go set the table" she informed him, moving to the dining room. The woman moved swiftly, the table set in a matter of minutes as James, Damien and Mika joined them, James being the only one to return back to the kitchen. It wasn't long before Sam and a very tired Erik joined them at the table, Sienna finally taking a seat once all the food and drinks had been placed on the table.
Sienna picked herself out a small meal, glancing over the notes Erik had made only a matter of hours ago. She hummed in confirmation that everything had been looked over.
"You did a pretty decent job" she cheerfully told the demon that sat to her left, hinting towards the paper. Erik tiredly grinned in her direction before scooping up another mouthful of food. Sienna couldn't help but wonder how long the demons would last without gaining power. Clearly in this situation they were not strong enough to tackle Malik… Would they use Mika to regain their strength? Sienna glanced in her direction for a second, feeling comfortable that the younger human had been wise enough to set the rules already.
"So Mika, Sienna, how long have you both known each other?" Matthew asked in curiosity, gathering the attention of everyone at the table. Mika pondered for a moment as Sienna took a sip of coffee, knowing she should be the one to speak.
"I've known the Anderson family for quite some years, I would babysit Mika now and again when she was younger. I mostly worked alongside her grandfather, sometimes at his company and sometimes here in preparation for things" Sienna informed them, setting her cup down. Mika nodded in agreement,
"Sienna would stay for a few days, she would stay longer if her work didn't take up so much time. After the first year gramps decided to give her one of the guest rooms, it saved her having to bring items and such whenever she stayed over" Mika told them, smiling at the memory.
"What do you work as? A secretary?" James asked, remembering the formal clothing from yesterday and Sienna stiffened at the direct question. She picked up her cup, taking another sip as she thought over her words.
"I worked as an event planner for the Andersons and some others, I do office work out of town now and again" she vaguely told them.
"Out of town? Seems a bit far for just office work" James murmured thoughtfully, having more knowledge about the human world than most demons would. Sienna shrugged off his comment,
"Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do" she offhandedly said, closing the topic of work politely. The demons looked at themselves briefly, question lingering in their eyes but they dared not to ask her more. Sienna finished up her breakfast quickly, standing herself up as she excused herself.
"I'll quickly pop down into the cellar and see what wines are there for tonight" Sienna told them, shooting off before they could utter another word.
As she went out of sight the demons glanced at Mika, surprised that she was the only one that didn't seem bothered by her behaviour.
"She's always been that way" Mika told them, already knowing what was going through their minds.
"Did I offend her with my question?" James asked, concern lingering in his voice but Mika weakly laughed.
"Not at all, Sienna's never been one to talk about her work… or about her life really. She's a mysterious one, gramps liked her a lot though and never pushed for answers. She was like the big sister I always wanted in life, even if there were times when it was months before I saw her again…" Mika told them, sighing at the end as she lowered her voice.
"If you want my view on it I don't think she only does office work… there's been a few times where I've seen gramps sneak her in the mansion late at night battered and bruised. She even helped me practice my taekwondo, well a bit of it at least to defend myself if I ever needed to" Mika continued on quietly, lost in her thoughts. Erik looked at her in surprise, Sienna not looking the type of woman who would fight let alone return home with wounds. To Erik and also the other demons Sienna seemed like the woman who would go to fancy balls, dressed elegantly in long ball gowns as she swayed her hips to each group of people with a bright, happy smile. Before the demons could dig deeper into the conversation Mika's phone rung, the girl excusing herself before they could ask her anymore questions.
Sienna re-emerged from the cellar 20 minutes later carrying several bottles of red and white wine, knowing they'll be up to Mika's fathers liking. As she entered the dining room to pass into the kitchen she noticed Mika and Sam were missing.
"They've already gone outside to start work" Damien told her, recognising the confused expression on her face straight away. Erik parted his lips to make a charmed remark but no words left his lips, the events from last night playing in his mind. He stopped himself in time, knowing that his charm had a negative effect on the woman.
"I see…" Sienna responded, pausing in thought.
"What tasks are left to do?" she asked the four, figuring they had already chosen their desired duties.
"We've got everything covered, you can go and relax if you wish" James politely told her but she shook her head in refusal.
"I can't leave everything for you lot to do; you're guests here after all. Find something for me to do; I'll go throw these in the kitchen" she told them, turning on her heel into the kitchen. She quickly placed the bottles to the side, passing by Matthew who entered the kitchen as she returned to the dining room. It seemed that Damien had already left, James and Erik the only ones waiting for her return.
"Well?" Sienna asked, folding her arms.
"Like I said we-" James begun but Sienna held up her hand, the eldest demon falling silent. James couldn't help but frown, a tingling sensation filling his throat and lungs. It didn't put him in discomfort or pain, it was quite to opposite… it was soft, gentle… He didn't feel in danger with the sensation, instead he felt comforted and at ease… but before he could truly register the sensation it was gone.
"I'm not taking no as an answer" she firmly told him.
"You're more than welcome to join me sorting the dining room out" Erik smoothly said, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively. Sienna's nose scrunched up at his mannerism but she nodded, looking at James.
"That seems acceptable" she noted making James sigh, shaking his head as he stood from his chair.
"Very well, I'll be out in the garden if you need anything" he informed them, giving Erik an unknown look before leaving the pair alone in the dining room.