I just wanted to let you all know that I changed the last chapter, as I wrote myself into a corner. I'm sorry, but I dun goofed. It has been fixed, and mostly the only change was what Lara said to Isabel (WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT. SO SORRY! T-T) So I REALLY suggest you go back and reread the last chapter.

I'm on vacation right now, and my goal is to finish this story. Lets do it!

Now then, onto the next chapter!

"You must eat my lady" Kaile's concerned tone called after knocking at Isabel's door.

Food. She couldn't find the effort to eat, but that wasn't the whole predicament. It was more so a loss of appetite. She found she no longer craved food or any type of substanence, not even needing a glass of water. The very thought of food made her ill and when Kaile entered with a tray in hand, Isabel's stomach flipped. A hand shot to her mouth and Kaile immediately put the tray down and ran to her.

"You're still sick?!" Kaile rushed to her lady's side and assisted the woman to the wash room where Isabel fell into the trash bin, coughing and hacking.

It's disgusting… don't like it. Isabel quivered and wrapped her hands around herself as that child like voice echoed within her mind. Gentle fingers tugged through her hair and caught all the loose strands within their grasp. The touch felt so familiar and with a hiss she pushed Kaile away, not wanting the girl witnessing how pathetic she looked.

"Leave me…"

The girl sighed and from her peripheral she saw the girl bow and head for the door.

"Take the food… please." Isabel wiped her mouth and pushed herself back onto her feet. She stumbled a bit, but reached out to the wall to steady herself.

"You need help-"

"LEAVE ME!" Isabel shouted, swinging at the air between them "I need no one's help."

Isabel clenched her fists as the girl's expression appeared hurt and with another bow, the girl exited the room. Once the aroma of food was removed, Isabel could feel a bit of sanity return to her. With a grimace and a curse she stumbled back to looking into the trash. She knew what she would find, and it was the main reason she sent the girl away.

Blood lined the can and she tossed a rag over the bin to hide the atrocity.

Enjoy your remaining months as a mortal. Lara's words came back to her at full force. A delicate quivering hand touched at her abdomen and she stared out the window of the estate. It was dusk, which was her new wake up time as of late, and she stared down at the courtyard knowing he would be there. She pushed the windows opened and leaned out, enjoying the gentle breeze.

"I'll never understand why you wait until sunset to trim the lawn."

The man brandished a large scythe and swept the giant blade through an overgrown hedge. The bush split in half and twigs and leafs scattered the lawn in result. The man threw the tool over his shoulder and with a smirk he gazed up at Isabel.

"It is much too bright and humid to do so when the sun is up" the man tilted his head, mild concern showing in his features "still having fits?"

Isabel glowered and with a sigh she climbed the window until she sat on the edge. The man twitched and this made her smirk "I didn't think you cared, Issac."

"I don't, honestly" regardless Issac moved so he could stand below her "I am more concerned what your pet would do to me if I were to turn a blind eye."

"I didn't know you and the demon were so close." Isabel said, appearing bored "well, when you are done with your chores, meet me in the study. Vacation is over." With a whisk of raven colored hair, the woman vanished from the window.

Issac sighed and glanced down at the bush now exploded across the lawn. He lifted the tool again "I detest gardening."

"It shows."

A voice from behind had Issac turning the blade at his intruder instead of the shrub. Two ivory fingers snatched the blade mid air, pausing the onslaught. "Good evening, necromancer. You are ruining my plants."

Cain stood there holding the giant blade much like someone would reach out and block the sun. His eyes were bright and red and were glued to the window Isabel had just departed.

"What did Lara tell her?"

"Sorry, mum always told me not to talk to strangers" Issac pulled on the scythe "are you going to give that back?"

A dull fire burned in the demon's eyes as Cain turned to glare at Issac "you test fate, addressing a demon like such."

"You won't kill me yet, what with you being banished and all."

Cain snarled, pushing the hilt of the scythe into the man "I have not been banished."

Issac coughed a laugh as the wood slammed into his chest "Oh? Then what would you call this little charade you and Miss Crane are playing?"

Little threads of shadow swirled around the demon "I would call it a misunderstanding, however…" Cain looked up at the window once more, a humanistic expression settling on his face "what that misunderstanding is, I am unsure." The demon stood there, almost as if glued to the ground. He made no move to approach the house, but his body shook showing his resistance.

"It must be troubling you, to look after Isabel. Tell me what it is that Lara said, and I can take over once more."

Issac shifted the scythe over his shoulder once again and considered Cain. After a few moments, he grinned and brought the scythe over his head "seeing as I never finished my original job before, I think I'll stick around for a few more weeks. I mean if the position opens up, I wouldn't mind being our lady's second, so I'll wait and see what becomes of the two of you." The scythe swung near the demon's feet, but it was the shrub that it actually hit. The remnants of the tattered brush flew and left only a few roots, the only indication the shrub had ever been there.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've a meeting to attend."

Issac collected the scythe behind his head once more and tossed a wave to Cain before departing. The demon watched as the man strolled back into the house he had created for his spoiled Mistress. He could feel her within, walking around restlessly. Her aura was electrifying as of late, and the demon could almost imagine her if he closed his eyes. She paced the study and impatience all but dripped off her. Never had her aura pulled him as much as it did now, and it had all started right after their night of passion. How he craved to possess her.

The dark threads from before began to grow and touched the ground, only to bleed into the surrounding shadow and slitter towards the estate. It was foolish, this game he was playing, allowing Isabel to control him. There was nothing stopping him from simply walking through that door and cornering the woman until she broke down and told him everything, but when he moved to do exactly that, he recalled her eyes from before. Dull, pained, and apathetic. Again, his limbs began to quiver, annoyed he cared so much about breaking the woman.

What use is she if she is broken?

So this is how it was. He would watch and wait. It wouldn't be too long, he believed, as Isabel required his presence and power if she was to ever achieve her goal and if there was one thing he was certain of, Isabel never did anything half assed.

With a sigh, the demon melted into the last threads of shadow and vanished into the darkness.

"Alright, here's the plan" Isabel slammed her palms on the table in front of Issac and the man glowered.

"Was that truly necessary?"

"Silence rat" Isabel pushed an envelope at Issac and the man laughed.

"I see you have returned to normal. Now I understand why they allow you to sleep in."

"Read. The. Letter, Idiot" Isabel pulled the chair out across from him and sat down with a plop. "I need you on your toes and to get serious, we haven't a second to waste."

Issac blinked, confused by her tone and looked down at the envelope. He reached a finger in and pulled out the thick parchment in order to read it. His brows furrowed in thought, not quite understanding the woman's point.

"You would like me to attend a ball with you, I'm flattered, really, but didn't you just say-" again Isabel slammed her palms on the table, interrupting Issac.

"Focus Issac! It's more than just a ball, it is the king's ball."

Issac's eyes widened and he gaped at Isabel.

"You called me Issac."

A hand flew, a man chuckled.

"Now then, the ball is being held within a few days, so we need to strategize" Isabel tapped a finger on the table and attempted to ignore the giggling lunatic. "What do you know about the King?"

"I know about as much as any other citizen. He is of noble birth and was offered his crown at a late age" Issac shrugged. "Why so curious?"

Isabel drew in air, her expression sober "I plan to throw this kingdom into anarchy before the end of this month."

The lights within the room dimmed and the air grew cold, but neither seemed affected. Issac coughed a laugh "may I ask why?"

"The King has sat idly by while his people suffered from disease, abuse, and slavery. If he doesn't want to face the darker aspects of life, then I shall bring them to him." Isabel walked around the table until she stood next to Issac, leaning into him "and in order to do this, I need your help."

Issac shook his head, disbelief settling in "your mad. You ask for suicide."

"I ask for you to take a great risk, yes, but it would not go unrewarded" Isabel leaned back, moving to sit on the edge of the table.

"I cannot enjoy the reward if I am dead now can I?" Issac mumbled, looking up at Isabel "but since I'm curious, what would it be?"

"Everything." Isabel stated.

"Excuse me?" Issac's brows furrowed.

"Everything. The estate, my earnings, and even the business if you'd like."

Again, the lights dimmed and the room stirred with chilled air. The back window creaked and a pool of black material collected on the window seal.

"Why the sudden rush, Ib?" Red eyes glittered from the within the splash of black "time and time again you stopped me from rushing into his majesty's quarters, so why now do you wish to throw your empire into chaos?"

Isabel crossed her arms while she made obvious work of looking away from the window "good evening demon."

"Issac, would you give us some privacy?" Cain stepped away from the window, chunks of shadow solidifying and lightening with color.

"He needs to do nothing of the sort" Isabel pushed off the table and faced the approaching demon. It had been several days since she'd seen Cain and it had taken everything in her to not call the demon to her side, and yet, here he was. Her mind played with the idea that he may have in fact never left in the first place, but she forced away the useless thought when she met his indifferent expression.

"I believe I have been quite patient with you, Isabel." Cain reached out, grabbing a lock of her hair. He combed his fingers through the length before a sinister smile crossed his lips "let's have a talk, hmm?"

"I accept your offer, Miss Crane" the two looked over as Issac rose from his seat. The man smiled and nodded to Isabel "I will be retiring for the evening. When you are ready to set a plan into motion, send for me." He walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder to give it a supportive squeeze before making his way out.

Silence fell between the two and Isabel glared at Cain as she brought a hand up to move his away.

"I don't understand why you're questioning my methods. You should be thrilled that I am preparing to end it all."

Cain watched as she moved away from him, but he grabbed her wrist "look at me and say that you're ready to end it all."

Isabel dipped her head so her hair could hide her expression, but her body quivered beneath his hand "do not command me, demon."

"It's Cain, Ib" he released her arm and dropped his hand to hers, wrapping his fingers around hers. "Call me Cain like you always have."

"I cannot" Isabel looked up, her eyes dull "I am ready to end it all. My goal, this life, and this charade." Violet stirred within the women's eyes as moisture collected "I am ready for you to drag me into hell Cain. I tire of life."

Cain snarled and pulled Isabel to him, several fangs protruding "if this is your outlook, allow me to take you here and now."

Isabel smirked "I suppose Lara was right."

Cain's eyes widened and he released Isabel, the woman sinking to the ground before him.

"What did she tell you?"

Laughter filled the room, but the sound was humorless "that you are demon and I am human! Just like the sky is blue and animals eat to survive." Tears leaked from her eyes as she continued to laugh, her body quivering. Cain's eyes narrowed and with a growl he turned back to the window he came from.

"If you will not tell me, I will simply ask Lara. Be a dear and wait for me to return. If you purely rely on the necromancer you will kill yourself" the demon glanced over his shoulder at Isabel, a smile in his tone "do not think death will separate us, Isabel." He then leapt from the window as his color faded into black and vanished into the surrounding shadow.

Isabel's voice cracked in her laughter and within seconds the fitful giggles transitioned into painful sobs. She slammed her fists into the floor and screamed in frustration. Her body curled into a fetal position and she hugged her legs into her.

This is so pathetic, again my life is being led for me. She forced the tears to stop, blinking rapidly to trap them back beneath her lids. I've had enough.

Her body stirred into motion and before she realized where she was going, she was knocking on a door. The door slid open and Issac filled the doorway. For once the man didn't smile, but he moved aside and gestured for her to enter.

Isabel took a step forward "do you have clothes for the ball?"

Issac brought a hand to the small of her back and pushed her the rest of the distance into his room "no, but your a tailor, make some for me."

"Your such a sponge."

Issac grinned and closed the door.

To be continued.

See you all next chapter.