(I'm sorry it's been so long, guys! Work has been crazy! :P I've barely had a moment to call my own. But hey, at least this chapter's done! It's been a while in coming, so I apologize for the wait, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!)

The branch manager cringed subtly at the scent that filled his office once again. Giana stood before his desk, an innocent facade barely masking her underlying concern.

She had every right to be concerned! He thought crossly. A demon was hunting her!

The scent of the demon was strong on her skin and in her hair once again. He could hardly stand it. He was thoroughly torn between being angry with her, worried for her, and terrified that he would lose her.

It was only after the flame-haired girl cleared her throat softly that he remembered she was waiting for him to give her some case files for her to complete. Raising his raven head from his own papers he had been pretending to tend to ever since she had entered his office, he rose and collected her files from the cabinet.

He crossed over to her and extended them out to her.

"Thank you, William," she mumbled softly and stretched out her hand to receive them.

But the handsome man did not let go. His stunning green eyes bored into hers.

He was visibly struggling with biting back his words and nervousness flooded the girl at the thought of what those words might be. She would find out a moment later.

"Why do you continue to visit that... Butler?" He asked, the pause before the last word barely noticeable.

Her lovely eyes widened in shock.

"W-William, have you been spying on me?"

"No," he answered quickly.

"Then how did you know I had gone to see him?"

"Please, answer my question, Miss Sutcliff," he dodged smoothly.

"No, answer mine first!" She demanded, tugging the files back towards her.

"I believe I asked you first," he stated, pulling the files back in turn.

"Stop dodging my question! You're acting like a child!"

"And you're as stubborn and clueless as one!" He burst, shocking her into silence.

Though she had seen him become somewhat ruffled, she had never seen Will lose his temper before. She stared at him, uncertain as to how she should respond.

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean?" She asked crossly.

William closed his eyes and breathed deeply, clearly trying to regain his composure. After several moments, it became clear that Giana wouldn't receive an answer from him without pressing for one.

"William, what's gotten into you?!" She exclaimed. "Why are monitoring my every move? Why do you care whether I see Sebastian or not? Why are you calling me Miss Sutcliff?"

"I... I just think you should reconsider how much time you spend with that man... Giana," he told her.

"Why do you care?" She demanded, just wanting to hear his answer.

"Giana, please..."

"No, really, Will. Why do you care? Just say it!"

"Giana..."

The girl gave a growl and tore the files out of his hands entirely.

"For death's sake, William! If you're jealous, just say so!" She shouted.

The man fell silent. He was shocked.

Jealousy had never even occurred to him. He had been too concerned with her well-being to be jealous of that damned butler. With distaste, he stepped back from her. He felt anger brew within him and he wasn't sure why.

"I'm not jealous, Giana," he stated sharply, stepping close to her. "I'm concerned. Forgive me if it's a disappointment to you, but someone has to look out for you since your fool of a father doesn't even know to ensure the safety of his own daughter!" His eyebrows pinched together slightly and he resisted the urge to rest a gloved hand on her precious cheek. "Don't act blindly, Giana. Be mindful. Please."

Pulling on his overcoat and gathering up his death scythe, he strode past her and opened his office door and strode out, leaving the girl gaping in confusion.

He was leaving for the day. Usually, he would stay and begin on his work for tomorrow, but he needed a respite. He had much to think about.

Initially, he had headed for home, but his feet and his thoughts had become lost along the way. Soon, he found himself wandering through London, mulling over Giana's situation. At some point, he had ceased to see this messy triangle as his problem and had recognized it as Giana's.

In the back of his mind, he recognized the fact that he was harboring feelings for her, but the situation was quickly becoming more dire. Sebastian was manipulating the girl as easily as a plaything and Will was anxious over whether or not she would ultimately fall prey to his advances.

Therefore, it seemed ultimately petty and utterly ridiculous to worry about something so trivial as winning her heart when her life and soul was at stake. Romance quickly became secondary and Giana's wellbeing took priority.

The reaper stopped in the empty street, bathed in twilight. A stunningly obvious realization occurred to him. Giana had no idea as to what Sebastian truly was. If he told her that the man was a demonic spirit then surely she would begin to see right through him. At the very least, she might know to stay away from him. She might be safe.

"Well, well, well," a hatefully smooth voice sounded from behind the reaper, whose eyes hardened and narrowed. "What a coincidence encountering you here, William T. Spears."

The man turned to see the selfsame butler he had just spoken to Giana about. Venom laced his remotely civil tone.

"Mr. Michaelis," he acknowledged. His grip on his scythe tightened.

"What brings you to such a squalid part of London, reaper?" The demon eyed the man's scythe. "Out on a soul collection case? I thought you only tended to paperwork," he stated with a smirk.

"I warned you to stay away from her," Will told him, ignoring his last remark.

An insufferably melodious laugh rippled from the beast's lips; he was truly amused.

"Oh, I did," he answered. "But then, the little bird flew to me." He chuckled again. "Didn't I tell you she would? Already, she subconsciously knows who owns her."

Will lashed out with his scythe, but the agile butler nimbly evaded.

"You mongrel," the reaper hissed. "You do not own her! She would never allow herself to be a slave to anyone, let alone someone like you!"

"Perhaps not," Sebastian shrugged, then an odious grin spread across his features. "But out of the two of us, who has given her roses? Who has held her close and wiped away her tears of grief? Who has already tasted her lips, hmm?" The demon knew just how furious he was making the reaper. "You know... No... She knows it is I. You're losing, reaper. And soon you will lose her too. She is practically mine."

A strange wave of calm washed over Will as he stared into the butler's handsome, wild ruby eyes and a smirk rose on his lips.

"She won't chose you," Will stated certainly. "I'll see to that."

It wasn't his words, but his change in attitude that caught Sebastian off guard. Though, it didn't take long for him to work out what William planned to do. The butler chuckled.

"So, you think you've found your winning hand, eh, William? You think that you've found the solution?" He laughed wickedly and his eyes flashed. "Do you honestly think that informing Giana," the sultry way her name rolled off his tongue was vile, "as to what I am will keep her safe?"

There was an extremely uncomfortable silence as William anxiously awaited the rest of what Sebastian had to say. His confidence was wavering. The demon prowled around the reaper until he was directly behind him. Will's grip on his scythe automatically tightened defensively. He was entirely prepared to stab the demon in his face if he needed to.

Leaning over his shoulder, Sebastian hissed in his ear.

"Well, I suppose that is the only way you'll ever win her," he spat. "The only time any woman would find you preferable would be if your rival was a demon from hell." His soft chuckle was cruel. "You're pathetic."

William was trembling with fury and shame now.

"I don't care..." He whispered.

"Oh really? Ha... And if you're only concerned about her safety, I can make you a promise," he began gravely. "William, if you ruin our little game by giving Giana any unnecessary information... I will take her by force."

The reaper froze in shock and a horrid cold feeling of nausea swept through him.

"You said that demons never force people to do anything," he reminded him.

"That was when I thought she was half human," Sebastian stated slyly. "But it would seem I was wrong."

"She's not half human?"

"No, though she is only half reaper," he responded cryptically, refusing to reveal anymore. "And those aforementioned 'courteous guidelines' only apply to those who are human and those possessing a mortal soul." Suddenly, a silver knife was at the reaper's throat and Sebastian's voice was directly against his ear. "I assure you, if you tell her a thing, I will take her. Be it her soul or her body, I will take her from you. And when I do, I will explain everything to her, including how you turned her over to me to save yourself. She will die thinking you were the cause. This is my promise."