A/N: Thanks to the readers who congratulated and wished me luck on the new job! Last night I worked 10pm to 7am, so you can bet I was tired when I went to my other job at 9am to 5pm... Oh well! I'm bringing home the bacon, baby. =) Plus, I had this little beauty waiting on my computer for me already! LOL. Anyways, as always I hope everyone enjoys the latest chapter, and reviews are always welcomed! P.S. - I love writing from Sebastian's point of view. That is all. =D

Warning: XXX!

I can't stay in bed for long.

When the sun has set, I push back the covers and search for Sebastian, intent on getting answers. I find him in the kitchen, finishing the cleaning from my two visitors. His back is to me, but I know he knows I'm there. I take a seat at the table and try not to let my emotions jumble the carefully cultivated list I've got waiting in my mind, content with watching him finish his chores first.

When the red-eyed demon turns and sits languidly at the table, there is still concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine," I say immediately, when he opens his mouth in preparation to speak.

Sebastian smiles, shaking his head. "I was going to ask if you were hungry, my Lady, but that is good to know all the same."

I bite back a snarky comment, trying to keep my serious mood composed. "I am, actually." Sebastian rises and moves to the icebox, pulling out a plate of sliced meat. He takes only a few minutes to prepare a cold meal for me; sliced roast garnished in a mango salsa with freshly buttered bread as a side. The demon knows my distaste for fancy, elaborate meals, and I appreciate the simplicity this one has. Sebastian pours me a glass of wine and returns to the table, intending to listen to what he can tell I want to say.

"I have a lot to ask you," I finally say around a mouthful of food. Sebastian smiles patiently, handing me a cloth napkin. "I have a mental list."

This makes the demon laugh and he shakes his head. "Ask and you shall find an answer, Mistress."

I swallow thoroughly, making sure my mouth is empty before I speak. The first question is the heaviest; the one pressing down most on my heart. It is the question I'm almost too afraid to ask, and the one I'm the most desperate for an answer to.

"Was my father's soul eaten by a demon?" I blurt suddenly, almost embarrassed.

"I do not know, my Lady. I have only seen a grainy photograph of him before."

That is not the answer I want, and I sigh. "You heard Detective Chaucer," I add. "He said my father's eyes were colorless. Does that mean his soul was taken, or could it be something else?" I know the answer, but it does not make hearing Sebastian say it any easier to hear.

"It is very likely that is the case, my Lady. I cannot think of anything else that would render his eyes to the state the detective described."

The crushing sadness that washes over me is so complete that the breath flees from my lungs for a brisk moment. I'm sure Sebastian senses my emotions, but he does not say a word. Merely, his eyes become an intense red that I can see, even while staring at my plate. I've momentarily forgotten my other questions, and Sebastian seems content to let me sit and try to compose myself for a few minutes. I look up finally and drain my wine glass – that earns a smirk from the dark-haired demon.

"Then the probability of a demon being involved in all of this is pretty high, right?"

"I would say so, Mistress. A demon will not take the soul from a dead body he happens to stumble upon – there is no way for him to for the soul will already be gone. We cannot freely take souls unless we're under order; otherwise there has to be a contract involved."

I feel my heartbeat accelerate and Sebastian hears it. My blood goes cold and I fear I might faint. "So does that mean my father was involved with a demon?"

Sebastian does not answer, and that's all the response I need. I lay my head on my arms, resting it on the table, and try to take deep breaths.

"My Lady?" Sebastian comes to my side and his hands touch my back. I shy violently away from him, because I've just realized something.

"You're the reason my father is dead," I whisper, staring with accusatory eyes. "Your kind. Does that mean a demon is responsible for all of this?" Sebastian makes to touch me again, and I jump from my seat. "Don't touch me! Your kind is the reason I've suffered for so many years!" Angry tears drip from my eyes, and Sebastian's face is impassive and hard.

"What did you expect, my Lady? They say contracts run in the family, and this certainly seems to be the case with yours."

"Did you know?"

Sebastian shakes his head. "I do not presume to meddle in the affairs of other demons, especially those that are below me. It is possible you do not know this, Mistress, but I am very powerful - one of the strongest of my kind. I am not the demon who is tempted by petty tasks, nor am I the one attracted to weak spirits. Only the wickedest of souls can get my attention, and yours, my Lady, is one that has me baited on a hook." Sebastian rises, eyes flashing. "And as such, I do not pay attention to much else. I have no knowledge of the demon that may or may not have been in contract with your father, Mistress."

Sebastian's long answer satisfies me, but it does nothing to quell the anger at my newfound knowledge. I grit my teeth and ball my fists together, sending a heated glance out the window. I'm sure if the intensity of my gaze were any stronger it would melt the snow outside. The sudden thought of becoming a demon to eliminate the one who quite possibly orchestrated the torture inflicted upon my life strikes and catches me off-guard, and that's when Sebastian acts again.

The dark-haired demon takes me in a hard embrace, pinning my body to his with one arm and using his other to hold my face still. I squirm and struggle in his grasp, but Sebastian's strength is absolute and I get nowhere fast.

"Let me go!" I beat my fist on his chest, but it only makes him smirk.

"Listen to me, my Lady. There is only so much I can do for you – and the rest you must do on your own. But I can offer you something no mortal has ever heard me speak of – the opportunity to become something like myself."

I tilt my head back to create some space between our faces and try to read the expression in Sebastian's eyes. "I swear you can read minds," I accuse, seeing humor flit across his face.

"I am so in tune with you, Mistress, that I can often sense your thoughts – but not read them."

"To be like you?" I echo, quirking an eyebrow. "That isn't possible." But even as I say it, I wonder if it is possible. To become a demon must be the greatest, most abhorred sin of them all; even greater than entering into a contract with one.

"And if there was? What would you say?"

I struggle against Sebastian's hold once more, but he lets me go this time. I collapse into my chair and give him a heated glare, trying to chase away the goosebumps that now decorate my skin.

"I'd say you were insane."

Disappointment flutters through the dark-haired demon's eyes, but only for a millisecond. He drops to his knees once more, placing his hands on my thighs and leaning in close to me, ghosting his lips over my skin. My back is pressed flush to the chair, so I couldn't move away even if I wanted to. My heart is racing nervously and I'm unsure of Sebastian's intentions.

"You could be the most beautiful creature to walk the earth, my Lady." His voice is but a murmur on my temple, and his breath tickles my hair. "Wicked lovely; a walking rendition of divine death."

I'm not sure what reaction Sebastian wants from me with his words, but I can't deny they're beginning to entice me. Of course, I'm in no position to make a decision just now… but I'll resign myself to the affection the red-eyed demon is giving me. I wind my arms around his neck and Sebastian seems to think that a green light; his hands tighten on my legs, disappearing under my nightgown to stroke bare flesh. His mouth moves to mine and is urgent and demanding – his teeth ravage my lower lip with abandon, tongue toying with mine.

All of this catches me so off-guard that I whimper in surprise, balling my hands into pitiful fists. It reminds me just how powerful Sebastian truly is – it's taken destroyed doors and bitten lips to bring me to this conclusion, and I push my fists against his chest to get him to back away.

"I can't." I offer him no further explanation and avert my eyes, successfully avoiding a loaded red gaze. My emotions are running high and I have no room for desire to be thrown into the mix, especially not after knowing a demon just like Sebastian was directly involved in my father's death. Sebastian stands and takes a careful step back, and I can feel his calculating eyes on me.

"My Lady, what ails you? Surely you are not truly sick," he muses, folding his arms behind his back.

I swallow, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. "No," I agree, "I'm not sick…" Sebastian can tell something else is on my mind, what with my trailing sentence, but he doesn't pry. He knows I'll share with him if I so desire, and the demon knows better that to get me to talk if I don't want to. Unspoken tension flows between us, and I know the sooner I speak up the quicker it will vanish, so I lift my head to study a shining button on his tailcoat.

"I'm a little uneasy," I admit. "I'll be honest. Obviously I know what will happen to me when my contract runs out, but knowing it happened to my father is difficult for me. Knowing the man I looked up to most was involved with a demon is difficult to find out."

"I know my Mistress is bothered by this revelation, but you must realize several things if you are to fully understand. What your father did was undoubtedly for the good of your family, although in the end he suffered a terrible fate. A man with three daughters and a wife would not willingly sign his soul over to a minion of hell if it were not something important. And not all demons are alike, Mistress. Certainly we are all after souls to claim, but there are some who search for more. Lasting relationships are impossible to come by when you are forever transient. Perhaps all of this has served a greater purpose?"

"I can't imagine something so important that my father would damn himself," I growl, balling my fists up against my thighs.

"Can't you?" Sebastian's voice is gentle, and I am reminded of a few things. The Augustine family came by their wealth from one source – stocks and bonds. My father was head of a company started by his father, and after my grandfather retired it was my father who was set to take over. And he did, but not before making several enemies in the process. A very influential man my father was, and it seemed he could win just about anyone over with his charm and intelligence. But a few years before I turned twelve a serious tragedy struck my grandfather's business and the threat of bankruptcy was very real.

And it seemed very strange that literally overnight, the tables turned and our fortunes improved.

All of this comes to me in a strong wave and something clicks – it must have been a demon. I know that almost anything is possible for a demon under contract, so wouldn't boosting the success of my grandfather's company fall into that category?

"The demon helped him," I breathe, feeling the rightness of my words. I can remember my father leaving our home at odd hours in the night; acting secretive and seeming to hide things from my mother. "It was the demon all along."

"And the debt was paid, my Lady. Albeit in a gruesome way."

"But that doesn't explain the five killers," I point out. "It doesn't explain their purpose."

"Perhaps your father's demon was not as obliging as he first thought. Perhaps he made an enemy of the contracted demon, and he or she decided to exact their own brand of revenge. It is not impossible for such things to happen, Mistress."

"But why?"

Sebastian leans against the counter, exhuming an air of dignity as he does so. His blood-red eyes look very far away and I wonder if he is remembering something. "Even while under contract, a demon still has his free will. Although we cannot refuse an order, we can act upon our own whims unless specifically ordered not to do so. My thought, Mistress, is that your father's demon grew to harbor a personal vendetta against him; perhaps through misused authority while still under contract."

I lift my eyebrow in confusion. "How is that possible? My father's demon shouldn't have been able to do that. My father was a good man!"

"Ah, but how much of your father's business were you involved in?"

"Little to none," I admit almost shamefully. "Stocks aren't exactly interesting to a young girl."

"Stocks, you say?" A peculiar smile crosses Sebastian's face. "The career where enemies are made just as quickly as money. It is a lucrative business, stocks. I wonder if your father got on the wrong side of his demon because of it? Money is of value to some demons, but not all, and if the one who served your father was interested in it then it certainly wouldn't be too hard for him to make another enemy. I do not doubt that your father was unwilling to share any of his newfound success with the creature that made it possible."

Sebastian's words make sense – my father was always tight with his earned money, especially when I turned fourteen. I wonder if that could have been the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, in his relationship with the demon. It isn't impossible, but I'm still reluctant to admit the demon's part in my father's life. It seems odd that my mother, sisters and I could have not suspected a thing when somewhere on my father's skin was the hidden mark of his demon.

"Does a demon mark stay on the skin after death?"

"No, my Lady. The instant the contract is fulfilled and the soul is taken, the mark vanishes without a trace."

Sebastian's answer soothes me, just a little. It's comforting to know the coroners who discovered my father's colorless eyes did not also discover an unexplained mark… other than the ones physically carved into his skin. I think of my own marks and my hands drift up to touch them; sliding my fingers under the collar of my nightgown and stroking the perfectly smooth skin. If I could not see them in a mirror I wouldn't be able to tell they were there at all.

The demon's eyes watch me carefully, possibly deciding if he's told me too much. While it can't be denied that my day has been trying, I'm feeling one hundred percent better now. In fact, I want to know more, but Sebastian has answered most of my questions without my ever having to ask them. I let silence reign between us for a few long minutes, wracking my brain for things I'd like to know.

"What will happen to my body after?" I know I don't have to elaborate to Sebastian on exactly what I mean.

"I will ensure your body is buried in the cemetery alongside your family and their memorials, my Lady."

"Are you required to do that?"

Sebastian smiles, closing his eyes for a brief moment. "No, Mistress. It is something I do only for the mortals I favor the most. Not many have had that privilege."

Even though I still know I'm going to hell, his reply takes a huge amount of weight off my shoulders. I sigh with satisfaction, knowing my body will spend eternity next to my family while my soul rots someplace I can't be certain of.

"What will happen to my soul? If you devour it, does it go to hell?"

Sebastian does not answer right away – he's mentally deliberating whether to tell me anything, that much is obvious.

"I want you to tell me, Sebastian. Answer any questions I give you – that is an order."

The dark-haired demon looks a little put-out, but since I've ordered him there isn't much he can do.

"Most of your soul will become a part of me, Mistress. Anything else is banished to hell for an eternity of suffering and torment."

Although I know his answer should bother me; it doesn't. Part of it rubs me the wrong way, but what he says isn't hard to hear. It's something I've wanted to get an answer to for some time now, and having one makes me feel a little better. That probably speaks leagues to my sanity, but I long ago abandoned any hope of being sane when I traveled to Paris for the demon masquerade. I've lost track of time since then – how long has it been? Days, weeks, months?

I glance up and notice how distant Sebastian looks; his gaze his rooted outside on the glittering snow and mental distraction is written plainly on his face.

"What are you thinking of? You seem distracted, Sebastian."

The dark-haired demon looks to me, smiling. "I was merely thinking of the offer I proposed to you earlier, Mistress, and how you quickly turned it down."

"The offer?" I echo, confused. It takes me a moment to remember, and when I do a flood of unexpected nerves flow through my veins. Sebastian offered to make me into a demon – a creature of hell, just like him. The idea is still enticing; unlimited strength, snakelike cunning and beauty… otherworldly beauty. "I wasn't sure if it was possible," I tell him. "I thought you were just leading me on."

Sebastian comes close to me again, dropping once more to his knees. "But it is possible, my Lady. How do you think my kind came to be?"

"A demon Adam and Eve?" I joke weakly, beginning to consider his prospect more and more. "Aren't you created in hell?"

Sebastian shrugs one shoulder, faintly amused. "I know not, my Lady. But I do know that if I had died in 60 B.C. like I was meant to, I would not have become what I am today. I would not be your demon consort, and you would not be damned."

"60 B.C.?" I echo, amazed. "I didn't know demons went back that far in history. I mean, the Bible mentions your kind, but still!"

Sebastian smiles almost serenely. "There can be no God if there is no evil," he tells me, sounding as though he's reciting something and I can't help but get the feeling he's said that line many, many times in the past. "And with no evil, a God is unnecessary."

"I still don't know how it's possible," I say, trying to come up with ideas and failing spectacularly.

"That is something I cannot tell you, my Lady. Even with your orders to answer every question, I cannot share that knowledge. It is for demons only."

Even though I'm a little annoyed he won't tell me, I reason that perhaps I'm not meant to know such things.

"Okay, well if you won't tell me how it's done, will you tell me what it is like being a demon? Don't sugarcoat things either, Sebastian, I want the full and ugly truth."

The red-eyed demon smirks at my word choice, rising from his spot in front of me in favor for the table chair. But before he does, he clears away my empty plate and refills my wine glass before settling in across from me.

"Being a demon is not something I would want for anyone, except for those who I am certain would flourish. You are one of those people, my Lady. I was not given a choice in the matter, because my creation happened when demons were much less civilized and contracts were unnecessary to collect souls. It is a difficult and despicable half-life, but one that I cannot imagine trading for anything. I had to learn to acclimate quickly to my new life, or risk death at the hands of another demon. We, as a sub race, believe in a natural selection of sorts – we will weed out the weak so the strong can prosper."

Hearing little bits of Sebastian's past is fascinating – even if it isn't much. I sip from my wine glass, waiting patiently for Sebastian to continue. He fixes his eyes on the swirling deep burgundy liquid in my glass, gathering his thoughts before he speaks.

"As a demon, you are tied to souls. They are your lifeline – what you need to survive. Although, neophyte demons may continue to eat mortal food if souls prove unavailable, but only for the first few years of new life. After that, food becomes tasteless and sickening. I will not lie to you – the first years of a new demon's life is challenging. If you aren't killed by a stronger, older demon, the lack of knowledge pertaining to how to gather souls will. You will starve without souls, and that will kill you."

I shudder with this new knowledge – it seems being a demon isn't all it's cracked up to be. But Sebastian isn't done, so I continue to listen patiently.

"You will become forever transient; not permitted to settle down in any permanent place. Mortals will learn of you and they will fear you, and that fear spreads like wildfire. You will be forced to roam the world – drifting from city to city, country to country, continent to continent. You will meet scores of demons who will take pleasure in testing you to your limits, and if that involves killing you in the process then so be it. You must be strong, ruthless, cunning and inventive if you are going to survive.

"And you, my Lady, are all of these things and more."

I pay no mind to the warped compliment tacked to the end of his speech and concentrate on everything he has just told me. It seems I was right about everything I've ever thought about a demon.

"To be a demon means to shackle yourself to souls forever," I say aloud, musing quietly. "But then what about you? Do you create me and then disappear?"

"I would remain at your side, Mistress, until you sent me away."

"Why would I make you leave?" I see a smile tugging at the corners of Sebastian's mouth before he answers; his eyes dancing with humor.

"You would grow tired of me."

I scoff instantly, dismissing that statement with the shake of my head. I don't think I can see myself ever getting tired of Sebastian, no matter how many years he is at my side, or vice versa. Even now, the demon's red eyes are mesmerizing, drawing me in.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.

"Of course, my Lady, the life of a demon is not an easy one. Only the strongest survive, and I will understand completely if you are not up to the task."

I bristle, and even though I catch on to the tactic he's using, it doesn't fail to get an instant reaction from me. "I am not weak." I say vehemently, narrowing my eyes. Sebastian grins with success and I turn my head away, a little embarrassed he was so easily able to rile me up and get a reaction like that from me.

"But even if it were something to consider, I have no time. There's still another murderer to eliminate, who is most likely arming himself with all the guns he can get his hands on after hearing about the deaths of his 'brothers'." I use the term sarcastically. "Not to mention the woman in the warehouse we have to find."

Sebastian seems a little disappointed in the shift in conversation, but takes it in stride. "She will not be difficult to find, my Lady. The detective's nephew gave us an adequate enough description, and I will have no problem locating the correct warehouse. I have traversed every square inch of London, after all."

"And what of when I sent you back to Driar's? Did you find anything of interest?"

Sebastian shakes his head, and my hopes of learning anything else about the mystery woman are dashed. "Regrettably, Mistress, no. I could find no shred of information on the woman or Driar's accomplices, which leads me to believe everything we're looking for is all in his personal annals."

I don't feel cheated or disappointed, really. Driar's personal annals are more than enough information on the five men, but the woman still remains a wild card. I can't imagine anyone dastardly enough to have orchestrated an attack on my family and friends, so I conclude that she must be the demon both Sebastian and I suspect to be involved. Who on earth but a demon could possibly have such influence over a band of men and persuade them to kill, maim and torture?

"At least raiding Driar's study wasn't a total waste of time, then." I haven't exactly scoured the annals with a fine-toothed comb, so for all I know there could be a ton of information in them about the woman. I instruct Sebastian to bring them to me and do just that – to look through every gruesome page and search for anything regarding the woman. But after an hour, it seems obvious that any information about her was kept off the pages and in Driar's mind.

"It is unfortunate that we cannot find anything, but do not forget that we still have one more man to go, my Lady." Sebastian closes the book in front of him and pushes it away to join the pile in the center of the table. I slouch down in my chair, feeling slovenly and hardly caring one bit. My spirits are low.

"My Lady, what do you intend to do if the woman is indeed a demon?" I glance up and meet Sebastian's gaze, knowing the reason behind his asking. "Surely you don't mean to try and kill her yourself?"

"I guess that wouldn't be a very smart idea, would it?"

"Not unless you have a death wish, Mistress." I smirk wildly at the irony in Sebastian's words, wondering where exactly the humor is in them that has me doing so. "Do not forget my proposal, Lady. I can give you the strength needed to kill her yourself."

I look away with a yawn, taking the dark-haired demon's suggestion to heart. I'm not sure what my decision will be just yet. Obviously I don't think it too terrible of a fate if I haven't refused it yet… but at the same time I'm a little reluctant to let go of my humanity. Of course, my humanity will completely vanish when Sebastian takes my soul, but even then I know I'll be moving on. Being shackled to the life of a demon does not seem too pleasant; but then again, it does mean I'll get to stay alive. I'm not ready to die quite yet – there are too many things I haven't gotten to do yet. I want to see the Americas and travel to foreign countries; I realize it won't matter if I do it as a human or as a demon.

I want to accept Sebastian's proposal, but my memories of my father stop me. I can't imagine him ever wanting me to wind up damned and a forever vagabond, but then again I'm sure he never pictured me under contract with a demon, either. I'm still not completely over learning that my father's death was orchestrated by a demon, but in time the shock and agony will fade. I know that the quickest way to make myself move on is to kill, and William Brigs has a big target pasted onto his forehead.

"William Brigs," I say aloud, draining my third glass of wine. The alcohol has my brain fuzzy and wobbly, but I know exactly what I'm saying. "He dies tomorrow night."

"Are you sure your injury is completely healed, my Lady?" Sebastian's crimson eyes drift down to my stitches, where the ripped one is crusted over with pus and dried blood. I'd completely forgotten to have Sebastian fix it earlier after the embarrassing wrestling match on the sitting room floor.

"I don't care about my injury," I say, glancing away from it. "I want him dead before he has too much time to come up with a plan of his own."

The demon's eyes continue to study my bullet wound, and he gets up to stand at my side to examine it earlier. "You did rip a stitch, Mistress," he muses, taking my arm in his hands. The sleeves of my nightgown are sheer enough that he can see through them, and the demon gently touches my stitches with one finger. I flinch – the injury site is tender and red, puffy from irritation.

"Did you think I was lying, Sebastian?"

Sebastian bites back a smile. "Of course not, my Lady. I merely thought you were trying to get out of punishing me." I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his statement. "Come, Mistress. Allow me to fix this." The dark-haired demon tugs me to my feet and I follow him into my bedroom, where he sits me down on the bed and goes about collecting the supplies he'll need. I have a feeling more unnecessary pain is going to be involved, and when he returns with the strangely curved needle and thick thread, my heart picks up nervously. Sebastian, who can hear it, lifts his eyes to mine.

"Pain is an integral part of the healing process," he tells me. "You have no reason to be nervous, my Lady."

"Oh, sure. Don't worry about me – I'm fine."

Sebastian smirks and soaks a small cloth in antiseptic; the sharp, sterile smell stinging my nostrils. He has me hold the cloth over my wound after making me roll my sleeve up, and goes about readying the needle. After a few minutes, Sebastian removes the antiseptic cloth and has me lie down, arranging himself at my side and pinning my injured arm down.

"Don't I get a rag to bite down on?"

Sebastian's eyes flash to mine, looking like rock-hard rubies. "Do you think you will need one for such a small task, Mistress?"

This is a test – so I shake my head no.

I do bite my lip, though, feeling how my heart pounds in my chest like it's trying to crack my ribs. There is a moment before Sebastian begins, and once he does I grind my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut. It doesn't take long, but the stinging tug of the needle and thread is sickening this time. I feel my stomach lurch dangerously and I will myself not to throw up – the people who tell you wine numbs your nerves and makes your braver are total liars.

Sebastian wipes down the site with a damp rag and cleans everything up, freeing my arm. "All finished, my Lady. Try not to rip another stitch, if you would. You have a beginning infection already, and I would not like to see it grow."

I sit up, watching Sebastian re-wrap my arm with gauze, making sure it is tight. He rolls my sleeve gently down and clears away the mess quickly, returning to the bed where I haven't moved.

"It is late, my Lady. You must get some sleep." Sebastian ushers me under the covers, but before he can leave I grab his hand to stop him. I don't say anything or look at his glowing eyes; instead, I hold his hand close to my face and pull his white glove off, letting it fall into my lap. I run my fingers over his own, studying his black nails and the way they stand out against the creamy pale of his skin.

"If I become a demon, will my nails turn black like yours?" My voice is soft, but there is serious curiosity burning behind it. Sebastian perches at the edge of my bed, close to me, and gently pulls his hand from mine to run it slowly through my hair.

"Yes, my Lady." The crimson-eyed demon allows his other hand to steal over my knee and drift up my blanketed thigh, pressing into my back. I feel the heaviness of this moment, and how I know he's going to kiss me. I know he will join me in the bed, and I know I will ignore my burning arm to take things farther than I should.

So I don't hold back when his lips brush against mine hesitantly, wondering if I'll refuse him again. I don't, of course, opening my mouth to invite his tongue in and curling mine around his. Sebastian makes a noise that I feel, rather than hear, and the demon moves closer to me. The hand in my hair secures my face to his; keeping me rooted firmly in place and his other hand roams my body. I push the covers back and move to straddle him, beginning to unbutton his tailcoat and shirt. It doesn't seem fair that I'm usually either naked first or naked in an instant, while Sebastian seems to stay clothed until the very end. This time I want him to be naked before me, just for once.

Once his buttons are undone, I slide my hands over his skin. Too often his beautiful pale skin is covered and clothed; I want to be able to enjoy all of it, as often as I want. I use one hand to angle Sebastian's head back, tugging his hair sharply and hearing a strangled groan from the demon in response. The amount of freshly exposed skin is too tempting – I run my lips over every inch of it I can reach. His collarbones, his shoulders and chest; no part of his upper body escapes my mouth. As I go, I can feel his erection growing until it's pressing firmly against me, demanding attention. I let my hand wander between his legs, rubbing over it in a rhythmic fashion until Sebastian is breathing heavily. I remove my hand and gyrate my hips instead, feeling my arousal grow until waves of pleasure wash over me.

I slide his shirt and tailcoat off his shoulders, digging my fingers into his shoulders with every swirl of my hips and breathy moan. Sebastian's hands firmly grasp hold of my ass, kneading my skin just hard enough to draw louder moans from within me. I use my legs to lift myself just enough to be able to unbutton his pants, encouraging Sebastian to lift his hips so I can pull his pants down. Once they're off, I don't let him enter me right away. Instead, I maneuver his hard length so I can rub over it. The sensation of his bare skin against me is almost equal to the way his warm cock feels, stroking over my slick, wet core. Sebastian's groans are getting little more heated, and the way his fingers dig into my skin is evidence of his arousal. Already I can feel the warmth in my muscles, spreading slowly out to every nerve.

Before I lose myself, I reach down and angle his length perfectly, watching the way Sebastian reaches down with both hands – burying a couple of his fingers inside my wetness and the other to stroke himself. The sight is surprisingly sensual, and I watch for a few moments as the fingers inside me work in such a fashion that quickly has me mewling. I can't take anymore – I pull his fingers out of my core and bring them up to my mouth, running my tongue over them and cleaning off my own flavor. Sebastian's eyes positively burn, locking on to mine, and I notice how heavily clouded they are with lust and desire.

He wants me – and that feeling is comparable to none.

Sebastian is ready; more than ready, as it so happens. His hand continues to pump his cock, unable to take my teasing any longer. I gently remove it and take his length in my hand, angling myself over it and slowly lowering onto it. I throw my head back and moan breathlessly, unable to keep from swirling my hips instantly. I had intended to take it a little slower, but I can't hold back any longer. Sebastian's groans come when I begin to rise up and down, picking up speed until I'm all but slamming myself down upon him. I lean my body forward not only to kiss him, but also so that the head of his cock hits the deepest, most sensitive part of me and makes me bite down on Sebastian's lower lip to keep from crying out in sheer bliss.

The dark-haired demon's violet eyes are half-lidded with desire now; I can see them when I risk a peek through my lashes. His mouth is impatient and urgent on mine, tongue toying with my own. I continue riding Sebastian as though my life depends on it, and it only takes a few more seconds of my quick pace before my muscles are coiling; bunching together and giving way to shout-worthy bliss that has my toes curling and my fingers digging into Sebastian's shoulders.

The demon is not quite done – he flips me onto my back and pulls out, stroking himself over my navel until he finally comes with a breathless moan, spilling pearly strands onto my stomach. His head falls forward; black hair falling into his blazing eyes as he reaches for his shirt to wipe up the mess on my belly. The demon then lowers himself gracefully next to me and waits a few long minutes before pulling the covers up, allowing our hot bodies to cool off. I take Sebastian's hand again, once more studying those black nails and feeling my eyes growing heavier with the second. Perhaps it's the sleep or maybe the wine – I can't be too sure where my next statement comes from.

"I want to be like you," I murmur sleepily, yawning. "Make me what you are." I close my eyes, but not before seeing Sebastian's shocked ones bore into my face.

There's no doubt he'll remember this in the morning.

SEBASTIAN

I have been toying with the idea of creating a companion for myself for a long time now.

My last master – Ciel – would have been the grudging cohort of mine, had I not killed him. Learning I had been cheated out of devouring his soul was maddening – so infuriating that after destroying the island and Claude, I destroyed my former master. The act itself was easy enough to do; I simply had to run him through with the demon blade pulled from Hannah and discarded after using it to end Claude, but preparation for it was excruciatingly challenging. A newly-made demon child or not, Ciel was still my master, but I reasoned that if Claude could kill Alois then what was stopping me from killing Ciel?

And once I made up my mind it was all too easy.

I could not stand Ciel and his complaining. Many times before his rebirth I had contemplated killing him, just to ease the headaches he gave me, but then I would remember the contract. His soul was the most worthy I had encountered at the time and I knew my patience would be rewarded – but then Claude had to fog things up. Stealing first his memories and then my young master altogether was too much; no soul is worth that much trouble.

But Valentina proves to be the exception to every rule. It matters not that her brain has been addled by not only a need to sleep, but by wine and a good fucking; she has agreed to join me in darkness. I will still be able to taste her soul through more fruitful means – no more blood. Because I will be her creator, part of her soul will still be drawn into me. She becomes tied to me in a way that is more intimate than any devouring ever done before; Valentina, in turn, will receive part of my soul to complete the process. My Lady does not have to die… but she will be reborn. I must get her to agree to these terms, because my instinct tells me she will not survive facing the woman we cannot seem to identify just yet.

And all of this seems strikingly familiar – as if history is replaying itself. But this time I will end up with a companion better than any ever created. I have seen it happen. Valentina has the potential to become one of the most ruthless demons in existence, and with me at her side there will be no end to the carnage and destruction she is sure to bring. I can see her needing no contract to take souls, and she will be feared for it. The general public is not ignorant – they know of my kind and what we can do and everything we can offer. Even though we, too, are feared, the mortals are comforted by the knowledge that they must create a contract in order for we demons to take their souls. But there have been stories of others, of demons who require no contract for souls.

And I can see Valentina becoming one of them. It is a good thing I am already so drawn to the mortal woman, for if she agrees to become what I am, I will not be able to end her life with my hands. I could end Ciel's, because I was not his creator. Hannah granted his wish to become a demon, but there was nothing stated in the contract that said I could not kill him. So kill him I did. And I enjoyed every second of watching those sapphire eyes widen in disbelief. I dumped Ciel's body into the canyon on the island that had once housed Claude's corpse, knowing soon enough it would evaporate just like the older demon. I kept the demon sword and hid it away, and kept nothing more.

All bridges to my former master have been burned.

Replaced by ones to Valentina.

She sleeps, now, lying peacefully on her back with her dark hair splayed around her head. Those emerald eyes are blocked from me for a few hours. When she wakes I will be certain to remind her of her agreement, knowing Valentina will almost surely argue it. But my Mistress is a woman of her word – that much I have come to learn. She will not let herself go back on a sp0ken request or vow. The beautiful and ruthless Valentina Augustine is mine forever; soon to join me in darkness to spend eternity at my side.

My patient waiting has come to an end – I have finally found the mortal to create into a perfect companion.