I should be able to return to my normal publishing schedule, which is almost every other day, be it Paradigm or Timeless. With holidays calming down, work is becoming easier and I don't come home most days dead like I have been for the past month.

Thank you to those that reviewed the last chapter and I'm happy you have stuck with me during this odd gap in publishing. Its fun to hear from you guys, especially those that return time and time again to read my stories and comment. I look forward to reading your guy's feedback, so don't feel like your rambling because I love the ramble! ;D

Now then, on to the chapter. Its kinda short, as adding anymore would make this chapter way too big. O.O

Enjoy!


Sebastian spent most of his day tracking the prints to a neighboring town and with sigh he looked back at the small hound trailing behind him.

"Perhaps you can follow the tracks into town?"

Int's tongue rolled out and hung at the side of its mouth, clearly his reply. The demon shook his head "I'm not sure what I expected."

Tension laced through Sebastian's body, as he had ran all over the forest surrounding this small city. The woman he was following clearly had no idea where she was going and had spent the night in a nearby cave. It had made him laugh earlier when she had chosen the cave instead of the city. It would of taken her under ten minutes to make it to town, and yet she slept in a cave. However, that humor was lost after Sebastian had spent a better portion of his evening tracking her through the woods, zigzagging until she finally found the city. The woman had been lost and yet the city was always but a couple feet away, so tragic.

A group of guards stood a couple miles away and Sebastian stopped to turn back to Int once more.

"You must stay out here until I call for you. Humans will not be able to understand… what you are." Sebastian put out a hand, fingers spread high "Stay."

Int sat on the ground and licked at his lips before closing its mouth. Sebastian took a couple steps back, hand still outstretched in a stop like gesture. The pup remained seated and looked up at the sky, sniffing the wind.

Well then, perhaps it does understand some basic commands. Sebastian turned and walked towards the guards.

"Good evening, Sir. You're a brave soul to be wandering about on foot."

Sebastian offered a polite smile "my horse chewed free of its reins, it was most unfortunate."

One of the guards grunted "what a shame."

"If you follow this path up the road and take a right a little ways down, there is a stable" the other guard added, turning to point into town and slightly to the right.

"You have my thanks" Sebastian nodded to each of them and walked into the town. Once the men could no longer see him, he dropped his pleasant charade and glowered, noticing that the road of the city was now stone. The prints had pointed to the city so Sebastian had headed to it, knowing it would be his only clue, but with stone flooring his mission was become more and more irritable.

He took a right at the street the guards had directed him too, fulfilling his charade in case they were watching, but detoured down another street instead of heading towards the stable. People walked up and down the street, popping in and out of small shops along the way. Children pulled their mothers to windows so they could point out small affections that compelled them, only so their mothers would pull them away once more in rejection. It was a hobby of his, to observe humans, and he wished he could take the time to just sit and watch, but that time wasn't now. It wouldn't be for a long time if he didn't settle this matter quickly so with a sigh, he approached a pub.

Upon opening the door, a burst of laughter erupted. Sebastian sidestepped in order to dodge three men exiting. Two somewhat drunk men worked together to drag their limp friend out and the demon shook his head. It was astounding how easily mortals fell into intoxication. It took only a few bottles of brew to make the humans trip all over themselves. Resisting a chuckle, Sebastian walked towards the bartender and nodded to the man in greeting.

"What can I get for ya?" The man nodded back and resumed wiping the top of his counter.

"I am looking for someone. They may have entered town a few weeks ago and I believe the person to be female and rather delicate." No sturdy woman would run around lost in the woods when town was so close, nor would a woman accustomed to the outdoors where such heels.

The man grinned and gave Sebastian a flat look "you mean like most women in the city? Yes, I have seen many of them. Married to one as well."

Sebastian forced a laugh, the sound almost sounding genuine "it is most difficult to describe her, as I have never seen her face to face. Perhaps a better question would be has anyone entered town that has stood out?"

The man thought about the question and nodded to him "I may have some information for ya, but I don't have time for ideal chit chat." He nudged a glass near him.

"I see. Then I will take a drink, whatever you recommend." The man nodded in approval and grabbed a bottle near the top of his shelf. Sebastian didn't bother reading the label, no need when he wouldn't be drinking it anyway.

After setting a small glass in front of Sebastian the man leaned down to speak in a hushed tone.

"There have been attacks as of late."

Sebastian's eye brows lifted "attacks? What kind?"

"Murders, mostly at night, I myself have never seen one of the bodies, but I have over heard the guards that come here after their patrols. Quite stumped they are. The attacks seem to be by some animal, but no such creature has been found within the town."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed in thought "why would they believe it to be an animals"

The man grinned "because the corpses that have been found are mangled from multiple bite wounds, but that's not all" the man paused, taking a breath "there have been rumors that near the attacks, people have heard the sound of heels shortly after."

Sebastian leaned back in his chair considering this. His mental image of the woman didn't clash with the mystery of the town. Could a woman who was so useless in the wilderness truly be a murderer? Then again, she was an accomplice or the culprit in the murder of the hound.

"-down alleys mostly. Though when they investigate the area, all that is left is a mangled up corpse. No trace of the murderer. I heard they recently employed a monster hunter to follow up on this case. It's about time."

Sebastian looked up at the man "a monster hunter. It would be pleasure to meet him."

The man grinned and lifted a hand to point to the far corner of the pub "if you want to meet him, he's back there. I might warn ya that he has quite the tongue."

Sebastian dug into his pocket to retrieve some money to pay the man and stood with his glass. "I appreciate your help."

"I hope you find your lass." The man nodded once more and returned to cleaning the counter top.

Sebastian turned and walked towards the man seated in the back. Bright yellow hued hazel eyes locked onto him instantly and the man glared.

"Keep walking demon, I have no interest in making a contract with you." The man's voice was low and almost sounded like a growl.

Sebastian grinned and offered the glass in his hand to the man seated "may I offer you this drink then as you are well aware I cannot drink it."

The man looked to the glass in the demon's hand and reached out a hand to take it. Sebastian gave it to him and with a jerk the man brought it to his nose and took a whiff. The hazel eyes glided back to Sebastian and the man mumbled "this is good shit. You've got until I finish this drink to bribe me."

Sebastian took the seat across from him and didn't waste any time "have you seen the creature that stalks this town?"

"No." A sip.

"How long have you been investigating?"

"A week." Another sip.

Sebastian fought the burn of annoyance that flooded his forefront. He didn't have time to waste on arguing with the man.

"A man such as yourself must have a feeling as to who or what is plaguing the city."

The man twirled the glass in his hand, watching the liquid spin within "I have dozens, but it is too soon say; however, you're an idiot if you think I would tell you even if I did know."

Sebastian's eyes glittered, a wave of power encircling them "that is where you are wrong, hunter. You are the idiot for addressing a lord of hell so disrespectfully, but as I am seeking aide, I shall overlook such a matter."

The man's hazel eyes narrowed, hatred evident in his expression "you lords really do have too much time on your hands. What the fuck do you want?"

Sebastian grinned, liking this turn of events, being a lord of hell had its benefits "I am looking for a woman, she passed through this town. I am unaware as to if she still resides within the city or she has already left."

The man glowered over the glass he held "I'm not a damned detective. I chase monsters, not harlots."

Sebastian shook his head "this woman is not what she seems. I believe her to be some sort of monster herself. She may in fact be related to these crimes within the city."

The man never lifted the glare he had set on the demon, but after a few minutes, he sighed and tossed the drink back to guzzle down the rest of the liquid. He slammed the glass back down and nodded.

"Listen and listen well, demon. This is my job, take it from me and you're going to make one hell of an enemy."

"I only wish to witness the culprit and that is all."

The glare reset itself back on the man "I'm not making any pact with you either, get in my way and I'll run you down."

"I challenge you to do so, hunter." Sebastian's eyes flashed their demonic red, causing the man to almost snarl back in reply.

"The names Kincade, you would be smart to remember it." Kincade stood then, leaving the glass on the table. He stuffed his hands in his trench coat's pockets and returned his glare back to the demon. Dark unruly strands of midnight black hair covered most of his face, but his yellow eyes burned beneath as he watched the demon.

"I'd ask your name, but demon is enough." Grunting, Kincade pivoted and began to walk towards the exit. Sebastian grinned and stood, following the man out.

"You may call me Sebastian, hunter."


To be continued.

Again, if you have time, like if your reading this and waiting for the bus... or lying in bed like I do, please review! I love to hear your feedback, as its the one true way to get better. :D

Thanks for reading and I'll see you all next chapter!