This time when I awoke, I could tell I'd rested. I sat up almost effortlessly and stretched my stiff limbs. As I sat on the bed rousing myself, I looked around the room and frowned when Sebastian was nowhere in sight.

I stood a few moments later and decided to change out of my dirty clothes. I hadn't packed much, but someone had clearly been keeping up with the laundry for me, and I was grateful. I pulled my purple shirt and a pair of jeans from the dresser and changed clothes, then brushed my hair and pulled it back before leaving the room.

I made it all the way downstairs before I finally found someone. It was Lisa. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a large tablet in her hands. She seemed to be scrolling through some kind of news website before she noticed me and locked the screen.

"Chrystal, you're awake. How are you feeling?" she asked, whatever she was reading now clearly forgotten.

"I'm fine. Where's Sebastian? And how long was I asleep?"

"The rest of the day and all night, dear. It's nearly eleven now. Would you like something to eat?"

I nodded, and Lisa stood and made her way to the refrigerator. I, however, didn't move. "Where's Sebastian?" I asked again, starting to worry because of how she'd avoided the question the first time.

She had pulled a couple eggs from the fridge before she closed the door with a sigh. "You're friends called yesterday evening. Not wanting to wake you or worry them, Sebastian answered the phone. He didn't say much after that other than that he was leaving and to watch over you. He's been gone ever since."

My heart stopped and I felt my blood run cold. He'd been gone that long? What was happening with my friends?

My visions of Jasmine getting killed played over in my mind again, and I lost my appetite.

"I'm sure everything will be fine, dear," Lisa said as she saw my expression change. "You know Sebastian is capable of just about anything."

I knew that, yes, but an order from over five years ago came to mind that I knew would stop him from protecting them to the full extent that he could. I looked down at my left hand, at the mark we shared, and thought, Sebastian, I'm okay, and I take back my order from all those years ago. Protect them at all costs, even if you have to reveal yourself to them. I just want all of you to stay safe.

I waited a long moment, but I didn't hear a reply. I felt myself begin to shake in fear.

Lisa was beside me in seconds, holding me to her, trying to comfort me.

"He's not answering me…" I told her quietly. "Why isn't he answering me?"

Lisa didn't answer, but her hold on me tightened.

I suddenly got an idea and pulled away from Lisa. "I'll call them. They'll answer if they're okay. Jasmine always has her phone on her."

Lisa protested, but I pushed her away and ran back up the stairs to my phone that was sitting on the nightstand.

I quickly grabbed it and found Jasmine's name. I called her and waited, counting the rings as I waited with bated breath.

She didn't pick up the first time. I called her again. And again. And again.

She finally picked up. "Hello?"

"Jasmine?!"

"Chrys?! You're okay!"

"What's happening over there? Are you all safe?"

Jasmine didn't answer for a moment.

"Jasmine?"

"Sorry," she replied, sounding like she was pulling herself out of a trance. "Yes, we're fine. Someone came to our room last night and wouldn't leave. The front desk wouldn't answer no matter how many times we tried to call security. I wanted to call you just in case something happened to us…"

"Did they get into the room? You're safe now, right?"

"No, he never got in, but he kept asking if we knew you. Chrys, what is going on? How did he know we knew each other?"

I looked up to see Lisa in the room with me. She was shaking her head grimly. Something wasn't right here.

"And how did Sebastian get here so fast? He answered the phone and was here within the hour."

I held my breath. "Is he still there with you?"

"Yeah," she answered, and I sighed in relief. "Chrys, who is he? What's going on? Who was the man outside?"

"Jasmine, I will explain everything to all of you as soon as I can, but I won't do it over the phone. Where is the man now?"

"Sebastian is out in the hall talking to him again. He hasn't left us alone all night. Sebastian promised to watch over us while we slept, but I don't think any of us were able to."

I sat in silence for a moment, Lisa watching me. I was about to say something when I heard Jasmine's voice on the other end. "Oh, he's come back!" Then distantly, like she'd pulled the phone away from her face, she said, "It's Chrys!" After a muffled conversation, and some shifting sounds, a new voice spoke. One I was all too familiar with.

"My Lady?"

I felt so much relief wash over me at the sound of his voice that I felt my eyes water. "Sebastian, what's going on over there?"

He avoided my question. "How are you? How did you sleep?"

"I'm fine and well rested. Now what is going on? Why didn't you answer me?"

"Because doing so would have broken that order."

"Sebastian, I don't care about orders anymore. Our contract doesn't mean anything anymore."

"I wouldn't say that. It binds me to you, after all."

I sighed. "We'll have to tell them soon anyway. I don't care if you have to reveal yourself to them anymore. I can explain everything once I see them again. If I see them again."

"You will, My Lady. Now please stay with Lisa and Evan while I get this sorted out. I will return as soon as your friends are safe."

I didn't answer. My mind was whirling with ideas of things I or Sebastian could do to protect the others from a demon.

"My Lady?"

Finally, I made up my mind. "Sebastian. Tell him where I am."

Lisa's eyes grew wide in shock as she quickly shook her head. "Are you crazy?"

"Chrystal, I cannot-"

"It's the only way to get him to leave my friends alone. I'll be fine."

"And what if you have another-" he stopped himself, probably looking at my friends. He finished "-episode?"

"Episode? What's wrong with Chrys?" I heard Jasmine's voice faintly in the background.

"I'll be okay. We'll send word to James and I know he'll come back. Plus, as soon as you know that man has left, you can come back. I'll be able to hold my own for a little while, at least. You know I can."

He didn't answer.

"Sebastian, I'll make it an order if I have to."

"Even if you did, I would have to disobey. I will not do it. My job as your servant is to protect you."

"And your job is also to do what I say and protect my friends. I don't want any of you getting hurt." I realized I was beginning to shout and quieted myself. Ever since the teleporting thing happened, I'd been trying to keep my emotions in check, but this was something I wasn't sure I could do that with. "Please, Sebastian. I'm in great health at the moment. Now is the best time for someone to come, and I know you'll get here in time to save me should anything happen."

I had no idea if what I was saying was making any kind of dent in his resolve. After several moments of silence, I was about to say something again when I could hear loud banging on the door from their end.

My heartbeat quickened. "Sebastian, please-"

"I must go."

"No, Sebastian, wait!" I tried. "I love-"

The phone clicked and hung up.

"No! Sebastian!"