So I decided that the Beast's Manor will look like the Vanderbilt's Mansion in Rhode Island USA, but a tower needs to be added to the east side.

XXX

June 10, 3051

24 Years & 3 Months After Transformation

9 Months Remaining

This fucking Brat.

The Beast turned full around to stare at the young man; his eyes shift from forest green to caribbean blue at the touch of light.

"What did you say?"

The young man rose from the ground and repeated what the Beast had already heard, "Take me, instead."

The beast stared into this boy's eyes and the realization registered to him, the boy is offering his life for her. He means it.

"If I let her go, you must promise to never leave here, and never ask for contact with the outside world."

The boy gaped up at the Beast, as if the weight of his own words had dawned on him. He opened his mouth, but then closed it, swallowed, and tried again. "No, I won't stay here forever. Why should I; over some book? You've done more damage to Mikasa then she did to you. No lives will be bargained for. You can have my labor, or some of my time, but I won't let either of us stay here forever."

The Beast's jaw clenched, what the boy said was technically true. The Beast folded his large arms over his broad chest. "What is this book for? Surely, it must be something important if you're willing to stoop so low as to steal it."

The boy hesitated before quietly replying, "It's information, and it's very important for a project i'm working on. It's something you have probably never heard of, but my mother gave her life for it; and I will not let her death for it go unannounced."

He squinted at the boy's face, and sighed. "If you stay here for one year, I will let your friend go and give you access to my library. That way we are both paid what we are due."

The young man ducked his head and grimaced at the floor, as if trying to find the answer there. After a moment he clenched his jaw, looked the beast in the eye, and said "Yes, but will you let me have one favor? Let me make sure Mikasa gets to my friend, he's outside the gate, at the road."

The Beast contemplated his offer, he could easily get into the car himself, but the Beast was sure he could hunt down them both. He looked the boy in the eye, and said, "Give me your word."

"You have it, I will take my sister to my friend and return here. No funny business."

"Done." And the Beast felt his fangs piercing his lip as a grin spread across his face.

OOO

Eren let out the breath he'd been holding, and the Master of the manor glided to the cell door and opened it wide. Eren ran into the room, and took Mikasa into his arms. Her breath was coming fast and sporadic.

"It's alright, Mikasa. You'll be okay, let's get you to Armin."

He pulled her to his chest and stood, running past the figure and straight down the stairs. He sprinted as he hit the ground level. Mikasa now passed out in his arms, Eren's breath was coming hard, but he pushed himself past his limit, not stopping. Not letting himself slip as he dashed down the stone driveway; straight for Armin's car.

Armin saw them coming and started running towards the manor but Eren yelled at him to get in the car and start it.

When Eren reached the car he threw open the back door, and laid Mikasa on the seat. He turned to Armin, "Get her to a hospital as quick as you can, she was coughing up blood and has been out for about 5 minutes. Mikasa can explain to you what happened."

"Eren-" Armin started to ask, his face was gaunt at the sight of blood and his hand shook as he reached towards Eren. "What's going on?"

"No," Eren told him, his voice cold. "Don't ask questions, do what i say; I can't come with you, I have to go back." Back to that Manor, back to a cold being that raised his hand against Mikasa and stay there for a year. Eren could make it through a year, but what about Mikasa? She'd be going out of her mind. She probably won't even let herself heal before coming after him; that is, if she recover from this. Who knows what she's fighting in her unconscious state, how much she could take while combating the onslaught of death.

Tears were streaming down Eren's face and he took Armin out-stretched hand, "Keep her safe Armin, tell her 'I love her' and whatever it takes, don't let her come back for me."

Eren slammed the door behind him, and run back up the drive, not allowing his heart an inch of control, as it screamed at him to turn around and go to her. He heard Armin's car roar as it raced down the road, leaving him completely alone.

When he was sure Armin was far gone, that he had no chance of catching up, Eren slowed to a walk. He forced himself to place one foot in front of the other and return to the keep.

He reached the front door, and it swung open as if in greeting. Eren took in the marble floors and Cathedral Ceilings, and in the middle of it all; stood a Beast.

Eren's heart stopped in his chest and he clenched his hands, his eyes going wide and the hair on the back of his neck stood on edge.

What is that thing? Eren realized it was the figure from the tower. Before, with a cloak to cover his features, Eren hadn't been able to tell. Now it stood before him, like an animal, with claws, fur and long snout. Scaled ridges started at a widow's peak on his forehead, followed along his jaw and neck, over his collarbones and met at his sternum. In the area enclosed by the ridges looked to be short white fur. Covering the rest of his body, was coarse black fur amongst patches of more scaled ridges that circled his arms and, from what Eren could see, followed the line of his rib cage around his side and towards his back. A feral grin spread over the Beast's face, showing large canines and black gums.

"Welcome back," the Beast growled. "I hope your friend will pull through."

That was not the right thing to say to Eren at the moment. Eren glared at the large figure standing before him, and stalked toward him, taking slow, careful steps. Eren's anger rolled off of him in waves, and his eyes bore into the beast. Between clenched teeth, Eren seethed a single line, "I may be here by proxy, but I will never forgive you. I don't think for one second that you are anything other than some sick, twisted, bastard."

Eren turned on his heel and left the grand foyer, he didn't care where he was going, as long as he got away. At least, as away as he could while staying in the building.

Eren's anger quickly burnt out, replaced with so much anxiety. Eren found himself counting windows and doors, stairwells that went up and stairwells that went down. He counted potted vases, and luxurious settees, not really taking it in, but just needing something to do.

Eren didn't want to think about the Beast; he wanted to believe he was on a tour, exploring a turn-of-the-century mansion. He didn't want to think about the strength the Beast most likely wielded, or the hot breath that had washed over him as he had stood before the Beast, and especially not his eyes. Eyes that were grey storm clouds and steel; eyes that were human. He wasn't going to think about Mikasa either. He didn't want his head filled with ridiculous fantasy and illusions, some good and some bad. He wasn't going to hope that Armin had made it to the hospital in time and that Mikasa was safe, that she was already healing. Maybe Mikasa's injuries were small and after a few days, she would be back to her normal self. It was better than thinking of other scenarios, like Armin crashing and both of his friends dying, or Mikasa pale, and cold on a surgical table; just a few moments shy of survival. No, no, he was done thinking. Done-

"Well, the least you could do with a pretty face like that is smile, dear."

Startled from his reverie, Eren gasped and look up from the holes he was burning in the floor. Before him, he saw a young woman, with deep red-brown hair and large chocolate eyes; her smile broadened at Eren's surprise.

"Well, come on." She said.

"Um, excuse me?" Eren made a face.

"Smile." She scolded.

"Oh, ah..." Eren gave her a half-hearted grin, closer to a grimace, and at the sight of it the young woman laughed. Her laugh was like a bell, high and pure; intoxicating. A real smile spread on Eren's face and she grinned at him.

"Good," she said. "Now I suppose you would like some food, yes?"

At her words Eren's stomach growled and he looked down, embarrassed, and said "Yes, please."

She waved him forward and they crossed the threshold into a large room that smelled amazing. Pots covered the stove tops, and fresh vegetables and salads were laid out on the counter. One whole corner of the kitchen was a display case, filled with cakes, piles of cookies, bread and cheeses. The room was orderly and was surprisingly like that of a factory. Prepping done at one station, cooking another, and plating and serving at the last; followed by food carts to take the food out the doors at the back of the room. Eren guessed it lead to a dining hall of some sort.

The young woman handed Eren a covered tray and led him to a small table not in use, and set down her covered tray, then left and came back with two more.

"Sorry, I have a need for dramatic flourishes." She grinned and removed the covers from the two trays in front of Eren.

On the trays, were shellfish, their black mouths pried open and welcoming; layered over steaming rice and sauteed onions and crushed almonds sprinkled on top. On the second dish was sliced bell peppers grilled with cheese and oregano, creating a lovely contrast of yellow, white and green.

"Wow." Eren breathed.

The woman scoffed, "Don't be too impressed, these are leftovers."

Eren sputtered at what this woman called leftovers, and cared to pick up one of the slices of bell peppers, placing it in his mouth gently.

He moaned as the flavors took hold of his tongue and gladly dug into the rest of his food.

The woman laughed at his vigor, "I'm glad you like it, Eren."

Eren paused and gave an incredulous look to the woman. "How do you know my name?"

"Word travels fast through the manor, there isn't a person here who won't recognize you."

"How many people are here? Are you all human?" Eren swallowed the lump in his throat, putting down his fork.

"Thirty, including you. And yes, Eren, we are all human."

"Why are you here?"

"Various reasons, but all because of one person." A far-away look over-took the woman's face, and she sighed; small and heavy, her eyes filling with sorrow . Eren had his suspicions of who this 'one person' is, but he didn't ask, he didn't want to think about it. Even so, he didn't think he could finish the rest of his dinner. What kind of monster was he, to do such terrible things to thirty people?

"Ah, I think I'm done. I'm just gonna head back up to the tower." Eren began to stand.

"Why? There's no rooms up there."

Eren stared at her, "Where else am I supposed to go? Am I not a prisoner?" Eren's throat constricted.

The woman frowned, "Well yes, but this is your home now Eren, you can go anywhere you'd like; except the west wing, of course, but other than that…" She trailed off.

"So I don't have to sleep in a dungeon?" Eren asked, just to make sure.

"Heavens no, we're not barbarians. Come on, I'll show you to your room."

Eren followed her out the kitchen and up a flight of stairs, he was trying hard not to think about the insults he wanted to make; 'We're not barbarians' sure. She lead him around a corner and opened the doors to a large suite. Eren lost his breath at the site, he had always had good things in life, but nothing like this. When would this place stop amazing him?

The carpets were lush under his soles, and a small dais held a four-poster bed, with deep red silk curtains surrounding it. There were two other doors, which the woman explained is the bathroom and closet. She left saying 'take a bath and find something nice to wear for tomorrow,' whatever that meant.

The woman closed the door behind her.

Eren kicked off his shoes, and threw his clothes on the end on the bed, crawling into the middle and clamping his eyes shut. Praying that this day was all a dream and he'd wake up and tell Mikasa, and she'd laugh at his ridiculous dream, asking him if he needed to see a doctor.

Mikasa's gentle smile was what finally calmed him to sleep.