Rosalina opened her eyes. Blinking, she sat up, holding the thin sheet to her naked body. She immediately glanced next to her, the pillow neatly fluffed, the sheets straightened. Her mouth formed into a frown. Looking around, she noticed her clothes had been neatly folded and arranged on the chair next to the window.

Letting out a disappointed sigh, she rose from the bed and crossed the room. She shouldn't have expected anything other than that. As she dressed herself, flashes of the night before invaded her mind. She laced up her corset and took one last glance in the mirror before walking out.

She took the stairs slowly, almost regretting the encounter that was bound to happen. She felt a small twinge of demonic energy nearing the house. Recognizing it, she went quickly to the door. As she opened it, she heard Sebastian come from the kitchens.

Nickola Luxor stood at the threshold, looking the same as he had days before. Rose stepped to the side, allowing him through. "Rosalina," he said, acknowledging her. "Michaelis," he nodded to the butler. "I wanted to let you know that your friend wants to meet with you. He sent word to me by my contact to tell you to meet him within the city; he said you'd know how to find him."

"Did he know anything about the Demon Blades?" asked Sebastian.

"My contact wasn't able to find anything definitive about what they're manufacturing, but, from what we know, he said that it's highly plausible."

"Thank you for getting that information to Johannes," she said to him. "Maybe he'll have some more information for us. I should go find him as soon as possible." She walked out the front door. As she took the steps, she pulled all her energy in, casting herself into her animal form.

Sebastian watched as the nimble black cat ran through the space between the gate's bars. He looked to Nickola Luxor who was staring at him curiously. "Could I interest you in a cup of tea?" he smiled.

"No, thank you. I should be going, anyways." Nickola went to walk out, but turned back, "Michaelis. Be careful with her; she's too young to be toyed with."

The comment took the butler by surprise. He simply smiled and closed the door. The night before had made him question a few things. This thing with Rosalina…what was it?

Rosalina rounded the corner into an alleyway. She'd been down several alleyways already and had yet to come across Johannes. They'd had to meet like this before, years ago, when he'd needed her help. She hadn't seen the familiar black rat yet lurking anywhere.

Just as she thought that she should go to another alleyway, she saw the small creature cross her path and lead her into an old warehouse. Once inside, the thing took shape into her friend's usual appearance. She followed suit.

"You weren't followed?" he asked, seeming paranoid.

"No, why?"

"Dragus Verrine was sent after you, Rosalina. I can't be sure, but I think he's somewhere in the city. Just keep your energy as low as possible from now on," he warned. Rose tried to hide her fear. "You were right."

"About what?"

"The Demon Blades; they're making them. I found this," he said, handing her a slip of paper. It had been torn from a larger piece, a letter by the looks of it. It was only the end of some sentences. "I went to this place where they're sending all those who are contracted to make the blades and broke into one of the offices."

…within genetic mutations…

…creation of…

…The reaction will…

…by blood exchange.

"What does it mean?" she asked him.

"I'm not entirely sure. I showed it to Carlyle, the demon we were in class with our first year. He's been contracted to do work with the research team. He said he thinks it might be something to do with demon blood exchange. You see, it's always been forbidden and unheard of to do, but he said that there was talk a while back about looking into what happens when it's done. I don't really know if it has anything to do with the blades or not, but I figured I'd show it to you."

"We can't let this get to anyone else," she said, letting out just enough energy to burst the paper to flames. "Thank you for your help, Johannes."

"Think nothing of it. You'd do the same for me. So, how's it going with Sebastian?" Rosalina didn't answer, but shot Johannes a look of disappointment. "Well, something had to have happened." He cleared his throat, "His scent is all over you, Rose."

She sighed and turned to leave. "Thanks again, Johannes. Take care." Rose transformed back into her feline form and began the walk back to the manor.

Rosalina walked through the doorway and, without glancing to the butler standing at the stairs, walked straight upstairs to her room. She wasn't ready to face him just yet. What would she say to him? Besides, now she had something else to worry about. Dragus Verrine.

Sebastian decided against following her. What would he say? He wanted to know if this friend of hers had any further information about what they were up against, but he figured that she'd tell him when she wanted to. He continued about his work and decided that, if she still hadn't told him by nightfall, he'd see her then.

Johannes still stood in the warehouse long after Rosalina had left. He'd been afraid to tell her that he was sure, at one point, Dragus had followed him. He'd only felt a demonic presence for a split second before it was gone again. He didn't want to worry her if it was just his paranoia.

Shaking his head, he walked further into the warehouse. Rosalina had seemed different than what he remembered. It hadn't been long, but she'd changed. He could see a more human side of her now. She didn't have her guard up so much anymore. Sure, it was still there, but she seemed like she no longer cared about keeping face.

Johannes sighed and started to pull his energy in completely to turn back into a rat, but felt a drastic change in the atmosphere that caused him to still. Fearful to turn around, he held his breath.

The voice came from over his shoulder, slicing through the air like a hiss. "Did you think I wouldn't find her? Or you, for that matter? I waited for you to go to her. I knew you would, you pathetic excuse for a demon," he said into the young demon's ear. A stabbing gush sound came soon after. Johannes let out the breath he was holding and looked down, seeing the bloody blade sticking out of his chest.

Dragus stood, watching the demon's body turn to ash. He straightened his jacket before turning to leave. He slung the blood off the metal with a quick slash in the air.

Night had come and Rose sat at her vanity, looking at her reflection. She wondered when Sebastian would come asking questions. She may have ignored him before, but she sensed that he had wanted to follow her. Why was it that she couldn't figure him out?

She stood and walked over to the window. She felt the stagnant air in the room choking her. Opening the window, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The cool air brought a chill to her spine. Rose turned to go back to her vanity when she saw a black figure sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Hello, Rose."

The voice, she knew, was that of the one demon she feared most. Her heart began to pound in her chest as he rose and walked to her. She couldn't feel his energy at all. How can that be? She swallowed. The moonlight illuminated his face. Those crimson eyes that were permanently burned into her memory were as bright as she'd ever seen them. He wore a sly grin.

He pulled his fingers through his wavy brown hair. "Shall we?" he held his hand out to her. When she didn't take it, he let out a sudden burst of energy, making her gasp. In a flash, he was behind her with a blade held to her throat. "If you come with me, I'll think about letting him live," he whispered.

The doors to her room burst open and Sebastian stood there, crimson eyes wide. "Sebastian," she gasped. Dragus pressed the blade a little more into her throat, still not piercing the skin.

"Last chance, Rose," he said into her ear. He felt her relax a little and he began to pull her back towards the window. As they fell, Sebastian ran to the window, seeing nothing below.

A/N: Note!: There may be some non-con in the next couple chapters, I'm not sure if I'll put it in or not yet. So, be warned if you don't like that. Let me know what you think! ^_^