Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters. I only claim Serena and Asta, as well as the demons and descendants that I introduce.

A Demon's Mate

Chapter Forty Six

Lucien looked up at the clock that hung in the kitchen as he flopped onto the couch and gauged the time that Serena and Teo had been gone. Edwin was still looking out the window even though he couldn't possibly see the two. There were several crests in the hill down to the lake and, as strong as they were, neither demon possessed the ability to see through rock. The blonde finally had enough of the quiet.

"Edwin, what are you doing?"

"I do not understand why the Elder would trust his mate with Teo."

"Well, why not?" The blonde shrugged. "He did save her from that reaper in the past."

"True." Edwin nodded. "But, the Elder knows which family he was from."

"He's from our family now." Lucien glared at his partner. "Besides, he's young enough to be re-trained. Like he has been for the last century."

Edwin looked up from the window. "He is young. He's very young. And he already had twenty years with his original family before he came to us."

Both were quiet for a moment. Lucien could practically hear the wheels in his partner's head turning. He jumped up as Edwin bolted out the door.

"Where are you going?"

"We're watching both of them. The Elder has kept Teo out of our home as much as possible until he can prove himself. He won't take the chance of Teo being in our home with Serena until he knows Teo can be trusted."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would he take such a chance with Serena?"

"He's not. Teo was not to approach Serena in school or in Tokyo. The Elder was here when he was in her classes and Gusion had always set another guard with him. He can see her now because we're here." Edwin stopped at the stairs leading to the dock. Both positioned themselves in the trees, able to see but harder to be seen.

"And the Elder knows that you are naturally suspicious of everyone except him and myself." Lucien hung his head.

Edwin put a hand on his arm. "He trusted me to protect his mate. But, he trusted you to be her companion."

"I guess." The blonde was still a little depressed when he looked up and saw Serena and Teo laughing about something as they looked down at the water below them. "What are they doing?"

The red head shook her head with a laugh and backed away from the edge.

Lucien turned to say something to Edwin but his partner was already walking onto the decking with an easy stride. The blonde hurried to catch up.

"What are you two doing down here?" Lucien smiled as Serena and Teo turned to him.

"Nothing." Serena glared at Teo. "Somebody here seems to think that I couldn't swim to the next dock."

"I thought that you were not a strong swimmer, my lady." Edwin leaned against the railing behind him.

"How do you...? Never mind." The red head stood a little straighter. "I can keep my head above water."

Lucien watched them, knowing that he needed to change the subject. Pride was seeping out of Serena and Teo was starting to look a little hungry. "Don't you still need to register for classes?"

Serena shifted a little, looking at the deck. "Well, yeah. But, I still have a few weeks before classes start and didn't you say that Sebastian was almost done anyway?"

"Did Elder Haagenti not tell you to go back into your life while you're waiting?" Edwin started to lead her off the dock.

Serena sighed as she let herself be escorted back to the house. "Yes."

Lucien grabbed Teo's arm as the other demon made to follow.

"What?" Teo asked as he tried to pull away but the older demon's hand only tightened.

"The Elder does not want his mate taking any unnecessary risks."

"What are you talking about?"

"You were encouraging her to get in the water."

"Yeah. There is nobody around and the water's calm." Teo finally pulled out of Lucien's grip. "What risk?"

"She is not a strong swimmer."

"And I was there. Maybe, you two need to back off and let her live a little bit before the Elder locks her up in that tower for the rest of forever." Teo didn't look back as he ran to catch up with Serena and Edwin.

Lucien growled as he watched him go and made his way back to the house at a slower pace.

Lucien slid back into the house to see Serena and Teo looking at a laptop screen while Edwin watched them from the kitchen. Serena held a sketchbook and charcoal that she was using to make a list of classes while Teo scrolled down the list of options.

The red head looked up for a moment before going back to the screen.

In the kitchen, Edwin had spread some flour on the counter that Lucien took advantage of.

'He saw no risk.'

Edwin read the note as he spread dough onto the counter and flattened it out.

'Too young.'

'Exactly.'

'He treated her like any other human. No more trips alone.'

'Agreed.'

Both looked up to see Teo staring at them from across the couch. The older demons stared back without a hint of shame.

"Damn." Serena pushed a hand through her hair. "I had made a list of the classes that I had to take when I first started. But, it's packed up."

Teo smiled as he turned back. "I know all the classes that you need to take."

"What?"

"That's why I played a dork." He shrugged. "You didn't notice that I've been in all your classes. We have the same major, the same required classes and the same adviser too."

Serena stared at him for a minute. "That's weird."

Lucien came around and took one of the overstuffed chairs. "Now, what classes does she have left?"

"Let's see," Teo started to scroll down the screen. "For the year, we still have to have a behavioral science, at least two history class, which could be I and II of whatever we decide on, and five more studio classes, again some could be I and IIs."

"Why do you have to take so many general classes?" Edwin leaned over the back of the couch to see the screen.

"To discourage the air-headed artist stereo-type, the institute has made an agreement with UCONN's local campus for all students to have a well-rounded education." Serena winced. "I put off most of the general courses the last three years and now, I'm kinda behind."

"It seems rather ridiculous," Edwin said as he pushed away from the couch.

"That's what most of us say." Teo nudged Serena's arm.

"Well, I mean I do like some of the classes that I've had to take."

"Really?" Teo looked at her like she was crazy.

"What classes did you like?" Lucien leaned forward with an interested expression.

"I was alright with the Lit classes." She shrugged.

Teo seemed to realize that he'd made a mistake. "Well, we have to take two extra classes both semesters to stay full-time. There is still a set of world lit classes that we haven't taken."

"No, no. We should probably look at the computer animation or something along that line." She nodded. "Greenville would be happier with that."

"Greenville?"

"Our adviser." Serena rolled her eyes.

"Why does it matter what he wants you to do?"

"After all this," she waved at the computer. "We then have a meeting with our adviser and he has to approve our classes before the semester starts."

"See, sometimes it's a good thing when Edwin's no-fun attitude rears its head." Lucien smiled at his partner's glare.

"I still have like three weeks."

"And it's that attitude that caused you to be behind in the first place." Edwin leaned over the couch.

Serena narrowed her eyes at the demon. "You were an honor student, weren't you?"

"My lady?"

"When you were human, you were an honor student."

"I was not a student or scholar at all. When I was human, my family were soldiers. Only those chosen to serve the gods were permitted to learn."

Serena was shocked by the matter-of-fact tone in his voice. There was no anger, no envy.

"You see nothing wrong with that?"

"My lady," Edwin started. "In the time that I was human, this" he waved at the computer. "This would do nothing for you. It would not create things to trade with, it could not feed your family, it would not protect you or those you cared for. People who studied were those that were taken in by the temples and spent their time learning to appease the gods that they would leave us in peace. Hunters and farmers provided food, while metal workers provided weapons and tools. They had no need for books as they learned what they needed from a master. And soldiers learned fighting from older members of the family to protect them all. We had no need for books as what we learned could be taught by a master and applied as soon as possible."

The redhead stared for a minute, absorbing what he had said.

"Well, now I feel worthless."

"Not at all. That was the time period that I was human. In this time, education is not only more accessible, it is a requirement for most. Times change and while there are many trades that are still master and apprentice, the majority of your people need to study. You could make a life without it, but it would be difficult."

"Wow," Teo looked at the older demon. "You sure know how to kill a mood, don't you?"

***********************A Demon's Mate******************

Serena knew there was something going on. Tension thickened the air around the four of them but it all came from the demons. Either Edwin or Lucien had an eye on Teo at all times and it was started to get to the point that even she noticed. After lunch, Teo had followed Serena out onto the deck and Lucien had followed him as Edwin picked up the kitchen.

Teo had backed himself into the corner of the couch furthest from the blonde, a strange pouting glare on his face. Serena tried to ignore them as she opened up the sketchbook that she had pulled out earlier.

It wasn't working very well, especially once Lucien's pocket started to jingle.

She started as he held the phone out to her and she realized that it was her phone to begin with. Teo looked at the phone with almost the same expression that she had.

"Hello?"

"Serena? It's Professor Greenville. How are you?"

The red head blinked for a moment, confused. "I'm good."

"Great. I saw that you registered for your fall semester."

"I just finished a few minutes ago."

"Yes. Since it is your last year, your choices come to me first instead of going to the registrar's office." She could hear some papers shift in the background. "Now, I am supposed to discuss the classes that you are taking with you, as well as your career path from here, but I would also love to hear about your semester in Tokyo. When would be a good time for you to come in?"

"I guess whenever's good for you." Serena looked over to Lucien and saw his nod. "I haven't really planned anything since I just got back in last night."

"Wonderful," She heard pages moving again. "I will be on campus all afternoon if you are available."

"What's the rush?"

A sigh came over the line. "Serena. This is your last year. You're about to graduate and you need to get all your ducks lines up. I'll soon be booked with everyone else that waited until the last minute."

"Last minute, there's still three weeks."

"I've already seen thirty students this week alone. Not to mention those that already registered right after the last semester ended and those that took advantage of the summer. You're a procrastinator Serena, and you need to move quicker if you are going to the New York Institute. Careers are made for those who act."

The red head fell back against the couch and stared at the sky. "Yeah, I can come in this afternoon."

"Wonderful. I'll see you then."

Serena didn't get a chance to say goodbye as the line hung up and she pushed the end button in a daze.

"Well, nothing like feeling you've been pushed onto a speeding train."

"He's right though." Lucien came and took the phone back from her. "You might as well get everything set up for your last year."

"I just don't get what the big rush is."

"You aren't doing anything else." The blonde shrugged.

"You keep her phone?" Teo looked shocked as Lucien slid the device into his pocket. "You let them keep your phone?"

"Well, I was talking to Undertaker and he said something that Lucien didn't like and he took my phone."

Teo didn't say anything but his expression didn't change and Serena blushed.

"It's not like I can fight him for it."

"You can just order him to give it to you."

The red head looked back to Lucien as he glared at Teo. "Really? Lucien, give me my phone."

He continued to glare at the younger demon as he pulled the phone back out of his pocket and handed it to Serena. She smiled as she looked at the screen.

"Check that out."

*****************A Demon's Mate******************

The campus was certainly beautiful. Large, mature trees stood together inviting anyone to take a seat beneath them. As they drove, Serena spotted the familiar bridge crossing the koi ponds that were maintained by students and heated through the winter.

Besides being the closest school of the arts to her home town, the campus itself had done a lot to make Serena dream of being accepted here. When she was young, her father had brought her to the school to see the summer production put on by the theater students and Serena fell in love.

'One of a handful of happy memories. Bet Dad wishes he had never brought me here.'

Edwin seemed to know exactly where he was going and needed no directions from her or Teo, who was back in his Michael disguise. There wasn't a hint of unknowing as he winded his way around the outer road, before turning into the parking lot closest to the building housing the paint and sculpting studios.

Serena stared at the imposing brick rising from the ground for a moment before starting to open the door. Edwin was already there with his hand out to help her get out of the car. The campus was not as deserted as she would have guessed. One or two people were going into the building and there were others moving between the paths around them. Down the road, the building holding the campus bookstore was practically buzzing.

"Am I a procrastinator?" She asked Edwin as they started up the sidewalk leading around to the front doors.

"Perhaps." He kept scanning their surroundings as he spoke. "You see no need to rush but that is not always a bad thing. Waiting to take in all your options can be an intelligent move. The problem is knowing when there is no more time to wait for more options. That skill can be a bit trickier to learn."

Inside, the halls were empty but they could still hear a few people moving around. Music from one room and the clicking of computer keys from another. Serena led the way to the stairs at the other end of the all that went to the office floor. Teo was quiet behind them, having received a call from Prof. Greenville as well, right after Serena's.

"Oh, Serena."

The trio turned to see a short, thin woman come out of one of the studios looking to be in her thirties. Pixie cut dark hair, framed her face as she smiled at the redhead and held out her hands that were splattered with paint. One finger was encased in metal that ended in a wicked looking point. The red head had always liked the strange ring that the professor wore and didn't miss a beat as she carefully took the hands offered and walked into the room with her. Edwin was a dark shadow behind her, slowly radiating more and more 'back off.'

"Professor James, how are you?"

"Oh, none of that Professor stuff. You know I don't like that. Call me Anita." She pulled the red head closer to the work currently taking up half a wall in the back of the classroom. "How was your trip? You went to London, right?"

"No, I was in Tokyo."

The woman looked confused. "I could have sworn that they said you were seen in London."

"I knew something smelled wrong here." Edwin jerked Serena back, moving to stand between the two women.

"What the hell, Edwin?" Serena tried to push him back but the demon had become as still as stone.

"She's a reaper."

"What?!" Teo came closer and pulled off Micheal's glasses to stare at the woman.

Edwin growled. "You didn't notice?"

Anita smiled. "I was so sure that you did. I thought that was why you never liked my class."

"Well, since we all know now. I never liked your class because you're kind of a bitch."

The reaper waved the comment off. "You just think that I'm a bitch because you have no talent."

Serena finally stuck her head around Edwin, cutting off Teo. "You're a reaper?"

"Was. I'm retired now." The professor leaned forward to see around the demons, a strange excitement on her face. "Did you really meet Undertaker?"

Still wierded out, the red head looked to both demons before answering slowly. "Yeah."

"Oh, I'm so jealous." Anita clapped her hands together and tried to come forward but Edwin shuffled Serena further away. "He's a legend. All reapers hear about him, but not many actually meet the man himself. What's he like?"

Serena stared at the stars in the professor's eyes and tried to ignore the feeling that she was looking at a mooney-eyed teenager.

"He's a little strange. It's a good strange though."

"Did you see his deathscythe?"

"Yes."

Anita squealed. "Oh, I hate you. Did you know he made it himself? Most scythes are made by the council, as there is some ingredient in the metal that only the higher ups know about. It's what makes them so strong. Undertaker is said to have made his own, forged in his own blood. Can you imagine how powerful he has to be for that?"

"Should you be telling me this?" Serena shot a speaking look in the direction of the demons but the older woman waved it off.

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure they already know that much."

Edwin nodded with Serena looked at him. "Indeed, we do. However, knowing what I do now about Undertaker, it makes the story of him forging his own scythe with his blood is quite interesting."

"Really? What do you know?" Anita turned her full gaze on Edwin but Serena grabbed his arm.

"Don't answer that. It's his secret that you found out by accident. It's no one else's business."

Anita pouted a little. "Damn. I was so sure that you would have some good stories about him."

"Sorry."

"I suppose it's alright. His legendary status is in part because no one knows much about him." Anita sighed with her hands on her hips. "It's just a little disappointing."

"We should be going, my lady." Edwin moved to push Serena to the door, keeping between her and the reaper.

"Oh, that reminds me."

Serena turned back around and was shocked by how close Anita had gotten. Edwin was stunned as well, trying to push the woman away, but she had a grip on Serena's wrist that gave him pause. That wicked looking point was resting against Serena's flesh and it would not take much for it to cut into delicate skin. If he pulled her away now, the reaper would slit her wrist.

The redhead looked down at the metal poised to cut into her and back up at the professor she had known since her first semester. Anita still carried the smile on her face, but something darker lurked in her eyes as she looked at Edwin before turning back to Serena.

"Should you change your mind, there are those that would help you escape him."

Edwin growled low, taking another step forward but was stopped by the red head's other hand.

"Will and Ronald already offered the same while I was in the past. Undertaker also said something when I was with him in London. Although, they were always smart enough to mention it quietly, in passing while there were no demons around."

"I find that hard to believe. There is always someone watching you." Anita shrugged and let Serena pull out of her grasp. "My offer remains, even if only to get you to Undertaker as he is far better equipped to deal with your guards."

She kept her hand on Edwin as she backed away from the woman. "I will remember it."

"Good. I believe you're here to see Greenville and I won't keep you any longer. I look forward to having you in class again."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Anita." The woman smiled as she turned back to her current project on the wall, waving them off.

Edwin was quick to pull the red head out into the hall, Teo keeping watch on the reaper as he followed. In the hallway, Edwin turned on the younger demon.

"How could you not have noticed that?"

"You never saw it either."

"I was never that close. You were in a room with her for hours and you never saw anything wrong with her?"

"I thought she was crazy. It's not like she was wearing a sign that said 'reaper here' on it or swinging one of their ridiculous deathscythes around."

Edwin's eyes flashed that swirling red for a moment before returning to gray. "That was her scythe."

"What?" Serena stopped in the middle of the hallway.

"What she wears on her finger. That is her deathscythe. I have no idea how she was able to form it that small, but it reeks of blood and death."

"Professor James also has a class on metalwork. No wonder she wants to know how Undertaker made his." Teo looked back to the door holding the reaper's studio.

"She probably used a piece of her original deathscythe and modified it."

"Do you really think that she made it herself? I figured it was something she bought from a shop. I kinda want to take the metalworking class now." Serena cocked her head as she thought about it. "I'll ask Greenville if I can change out Sculpture for it."

"What?"

"Well, I hate Sculpture." The red head pouted. "I'm really not good with clay or stone. Not the best mediums for me."

"You are not taking her class." Edwin started to head for the stairs at the end of the hallway again.

"Oh, come on. You should think of it like spying on the enemy."

"It's puts you in far too much danger to be that close to a reaper that already threatened you."

"She didn't threaten me. She was keeping you away for a minute."

"This discussion is over."

Serena glared for a moment before turning to Teo. "Does it work on Edwin too?"

He felt dread pooling in his stomach, but he couldn't not answer. "Well, yeah, but I think he has a point."

Serena held her head high and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm taking metalworking. Now, our discussion is over."

Edwin growled as he glared at Teo, making the younger demon shrink back a little. Serena ignored them both and headed up the stairs.

*******************A Demon's Mate******************

Professor Greenville's office was just as immaculate as Serena remembered when she stepped inside and took a seat in front of his desk. The man himself, was as perfect as his surroundings. His perfectly pressed suit hung well on his tall frame and the color looked good against his dark skin.

He smiled warmly as he moved around the large desk to take his own seat. "So, tell me about Tokyo."

"It was great. Some of the professors had wonderful techniques that I had never seen before."

"What drew you the most?"

She thought about it for a minute, remembering everything that she had seen before meeting a certain demon threw everything else out of whack. "I think the ink painting. It was so different than what I normally do. I normally make everything as detailed as possible but you have to use as few strokes as possible in ink painting. There really is no room to hide a mistake or change your mind. It's an art form that is truly permanent once your brush hits the paper."

"Wonderful. I'm sure that we will see some of what you learned during the Fall Festival." The man leaned forward and pulled a file from the holder on his desk. "To look to the future now. The classes that you have chosen are in keeping with what you need to graduate and I do not think that the course load would be too much to handle. Down to the wire, there aren't that many classes to take. I like that you have grouped classes together, leaving whole days to work. Also, each of the studio classes will give you opportunity to add to your portfolio, which is a smart move. Each one has a continuing class for the spring so you will need to make sure that you keep up. There is no more time if you slip up on a class to retake it. Are there any classes that concern you about keeping up with the workload?"

Serena shifted a little in her seat. "Actually, I was thinking about Sculpture I."

"Yes, I noticed that you had chosen that." He looked at her with a pained expression. "I worry about that class. If you fail, there is nothing for you to take in the spring. Which would leave you short to graduate."

"Clay and stone aren't really my thing."

Greenville nodded in agreement. "It is good to recognize where your strengths lie, as well as where they do not. You've already taken Sculpture I before and..."

"Crashed and burned?"

"Crashed, you didn't burn. But the fact remains that you did not score high enough to earn the credits for that class. There are many industries that will require sculpting. Game designers and such like to see a three dimensional piece. It may be prudent to take it again and try to improve. However, there are several instances of oils and sketchwork, as well as computer animation being used. Which, I have seen you are taking with me." He smiled. "I'm glad that you are looking at that."

"I knew you would be." Serena smiled and took a breath while pushing her hair back. "I ran into Anita on the way here."

"Who?"

"Sorry, Professor James."

"Right." Greenville rolled his eyes. "You really should not call her that, even if she says so. She's still your teacher, not your friend."

"I know. Anyway, I was thinking of taking her metalworking class."

"I know that it is a different medium, Serena. I also know that I know nothing about it. But, I fear that sculpture and metalwork have many of the same basic principals. They are both three dimensional mediums and I worry that you will have the same result."

"However, unlike stone, if I mess up I can just reheat it and start again."

"I believe that it is more complicated than you think." Greenville sighed. "I can't deny that I would rather you try something else though. I will approve the change, however if you start sliding the smallest bit, none of this fixing it yourself or going to another student. Go straight to Professor James and ask for help."

Serena put her hand up like she was in court. "I swear it."

He stared at her for a moment before turning to his computer and typing something in. "Alright. I have made your change and am approving your course path."

"Thank you." Serena fidgeted in her seat a little as the printer kicked on from the file cabinet next to her adviser's desk. She smiled as Greenville looked over the paper one more time, before handing it across the desk. He didn't immediately let go when she took the paper from him.

"I'm serious, Serena. The smallest problem, even personal, you need to talk about. You are too close to the end with too many offers to make a mistake now."

The smile dropped from her face and she looked serious at the man that had been her biggest fan since she came to the school. "I know. You'll be the first one to hear if I have any problems."

"Good." He let go of the paper. "I would advise that you head to the campus bookstore next. You can pick up what you will need for classes and have time to take a quick look through them before the semester starts. I would also tell you to start working on your piece for the Fall Festival now. There will be several people there and you want to show your best work."

Serena nodded. "I know and I already have some ideas to work on."

'And I already have enough personal problems to sink the Titanic.'

*******************A Demon's Mate*******************

The campus bookstore was already busy even with three weeks to go and Serena felt a little lazy again. Students packed the aisles, making it difficult to walk and most of them turned to look at Edwin. Some quickly looked away again, intimidated by the large man, but some kept staring as he walked past. Teo watched it happen with a pout. His disguise wasn't nearly as appealing and he was mostly ignored.

Serena found the first set of numbers on a shelf that matched the numbers on the paper in her hand. There were three stacks that matched the number and she sighed.

"Of course. Looks like it's going to be an expensive semester again. All of these are new editions this year." She looked back at Teo to see the demon staring at the girl helping another group at the end of their aisle.

Edwin leaned over and smacked the other demon in the back of the head.

"Ow," he rubbed the sore spot. "What was that for?"

Serena shoved the books into his arms. "What you're going to need for this semester." Turning back to the shelf she started pulling out books for herself. Edwin was quick to take the books from her arms.

"I can carry them."

The demon raised an eyebrow. "I can carry them easier. Besides, it is not proper for the Elder's mate to carry heavy things."

Serena hung her head. "Welcome to bubble world."

"That's right." Teo sung as his attention finally came back to their own little group.

"Let's just keep going." She moved around both of them and went back to checking numbers against the tags on the shelves.

After an hour, they walked up to the checkout line loaded with every textbook they would need for the coming semester. Serena felt a tension in the pit of her stomach looking at the stack that Edwin carried.

'This is gonna hurt.'

When they were finally waved over by a cashier, another student, Teo went with them and set his own books on the counter as well. Serena stared and felt her stomach clench tighter but didn't want to make a scene. She pulled her wallet out of her purse and noticed the demons staring at her.

"What?"

"What are you doing?" Edwin asked.

"I'm paying for my books."

The older demon turned his back to her and pulled a credit card out of his pocket. He heard her huff behind him.

"Are we going to have this discussion again?" He reminded her of the London hotel as the young woman rattled off a number.

"We'll have it later." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"And the answer will be the same."

Looking back to the cashier, something about the girl was familiar. It was hard to place since she couldn't really see the girl's face but the tall frame and natural blonde hair stood out. The cashier was far too enamored of Edwin to notice her looking. Or, at least Serena thought she was. The girl finally saw Serena as she was bagging the books to make them easier to carry.

"Oh, Serena. I didn't see that it was you." The girl smiled. "Are you ready for the last year?"

"Yeah." She tried to play off that she couldn't remember who the girl was. "Have you already chosen your classes?"

"I did that as soon as registration opened. I wanted to be sure that I got the classes I wanted."

Serena hung her head. "I see."

"You waited till the last minute, didn't you?" She didn't even wait for an answer. "You're lucky that you were still able to get the classes that you needed."

"Believe me, Professor Greenville already drilled that into me."

As she was watching, Serena finally got her answer.

"Nadine!" She spoke before she thought about it and then realized that she had given herself away.

"You remembered huh?"

The red head's face grew warm and she had a feeling that her face would soon match her hair. "Sorry. I knew that I knew you but I'm bad with names."

"That's alright." Nadine stopped for a minute, thinking about something. "I wanted to ask you..."

She stopped again and someone else in line filled the gap.

"Is this line ever going to move?"

Nadine glared at the man before turning back to Serena. "Never mind. I'll see you in the studio I'm sure."

"Alright. See you later." Serena waved as Edwin and Teo grabbed the bags and hurried her toward the door.

It took some time to get through the crowd at the door and when they finally reached the parking lot, Edwin stayed close to Serena.

"You should avoid her."

"Nadine? Why?"

"She wants something from you."

"Maybe she just wants to hang out?"

"She's isn't offering friendship, my lady. I can smell the greed on her."

"Is that why she was so enamored with you?"

"Yes." He answered simply and used the key fob to open the trunk. After stowing the bags, he turned back to see Serena with her arms crossed again.

"Let me guess, you feed off of greed. Like Haagenti?"

He led her around to the door and opened it for her. "That is correct, my lady."

After they were all in and headed for the gates, Serena turned in her seat to look at Teo.

"What do you feed off of?"

He winked at her. "The original, baby. Pride."

*******************A Demon's Mate***************

Not long after they got back to the house, Teo grabbed his books and took off. Evidently, he was in charge of something else for the Elder as well as taking classes with Serena and he needed to get back to it. When she asked what it was, he just winked at her and said she'd like it. Lucien helped her look through her books before finding a place to store them until classes began while Edwin was preoccupied with dinner.

Serena definitely had to hand it to the demon. He was a great cook. After scarfing down some kind of pasta with a creamy white sauce and broccoli, the red head wandered around her new home. She ended up on the deck looking toward the lake. Not really thinking about what she was doing, Serena started down the stairs leading to the woods, feeling like there was something down there. Something she wanted.

"Where are you going?" Lucien was suddenly beside her and made the red head jump back. He put a hand on her arm to steady her as she tried to calm the thumping in her chest.

"Don't do that." She smacked his arm before turning back to the trail. "I was just going for a walk."

The blonde smiled easily. "I'll go with you."

"Lucien, I get it. You and Edwin are supposed to protect me and make sure that I don't do anything stupid." She saw the look on his face and blushed. "Or any more stupid than what I've done already. But I really just want to do something alone."

"I really can't let you go alone." He spoke quietly, knowing it wasn't going to make her happy.

"Is there anything threatening around?"

Lucien stared at her for a moment before closing his eyes to feel the area around them. When he opened them again, she saw they were swirling for a second.

"No."

"Then why can't I go alone?" She was quiet for a moment. "I could just order you to let me go alone."

"Actually, you cannot. The Elder ordered us to protect you and to do that, I or Edwin must be with you. The Elder's orders supersede yours."

"Come on, Lucien. Even you said, there's nothing out there."

The demon sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Shaking his head, he waved out a hand to the path through the woods.

"Thank you." Serena smiled and hurried off before he changed his mind. She didn't see Lucien smirk as he melted into the darkness of the forest.

Walking through the trees, Serena didn't want to admit that she couldn't see very well and every noise made her flinch. There was no way that she was going back to the house now that she finally had a little time to herself.

She was glad for the railing, once she found it in the dark, and used the wood to help her down the stairs that she couldn't see. Something scurried across the path and all she could see was a darker version of the black around her. She stopped for a minute before shaking her head and continuing down the trail.

Serena breathed a sigh of relief when she finally reached the dock and the trees fell away. The light of the moon was almost as bright as the sun after coming out of the darkness of the trees and she smiled as she walked easily to the patio set that was placed on the dock. She smiled as the quiet wrapped around her.

Edwin and Lucien watched from the trees, both shaking their heads.

"She heads straight out into the open."

Edwin looked around them as he felt something move through the woods. Both demons felt the power brush across their skin as it glided through the trees around them and shared a look. They felt it waiting, watching, the same as them.

**************A Demon's Mate**************

Later, Serena looked at the moon once more before turning to the trees, figuring she had been here long enough. Still, she shivered as she thought of walking through them again to get back to the house.

'Why didn't I let Lucien come with me? I can't even see where I'm going.' She shook her head and stood with a purpose. 'This is ridiculous. I made it down here just fine, it will be easier going up because I won't be worrying about falling down.'

She stopped when the dock turned to stairs again. Something was moving through the woods, she could hear the leaves rustling as it came toward her and she put a hand to her racing heart.

'Stop it! Lucien already said there was nothing dangerous out here. It's probably just a raccoon or something looking for food. Of course, raccoons can be aggressive. But I already saw something earlier and it seemed more scared of me than I was of it. It's probably the same animal. I'll just get past where it's walking and we'll all be happy.'

Her hand gripped the railing but she still couldn't move. She heard it coming closer and backed up instead. Hurrying back to the couch, she looked up to the small bit of light she could see coming from the house as she berated herself.

'Great. Now I'm stuck here because I'm a scardy cat.'

Leaves rustled again and she looked to where she thought the noise had come from. She couldn't see anything even she knew it was there. She put a hand to her throat as she stared at the spot that had gone completely quiet.

Something dark leaped out of the trees and the scream she had been holding in lit the night.

Serena closed her eyes as she waited to feel teeth rip into her skin...but there was nothing. Opening her eyes again, she saw the familiar shape of Edwin standing between her and whatever had jumped out of the woods. She wanted to cry in relief but settled for leaning her head on the demon's back instead.

"It's a cat."

"What?" Serena looked around Edwin and saw, indeed a black feline, standing on the dock's railing and staring at them with gold eyes.

"You were scared of a cat?"

"No." She pushed her way around him. "I was scared of something that was going to eat me."

Edwin looked at the animal. "Perhaps, if it's hungry enough."

Serena glared at the demon before turning back to the cat and holding her hand out. "Hello."

The cat backed up a little, sniffing the air around him. After a moment, he meowed and rubbed his head on her hand.

"Oh, he likes me." Serena scratched behind the cat's ears with a smile. "He must be used to people from the lake cabins."

"Or he just wants a nibble."

"Let it go," she hissed back at him.

"Very well. We should head back to the house, my lady."

"I guess you're right." Serena gave the cat a final stroke and started down the dock toward the stairs.

Edwin came up behind her and offered an arm for her to hold onto on the way back. She stared at it for a moment before sliding her own through it.

"Thank you. I can't really see in the dark."

"If you had spoken, we would have heard you."

She gauged the distance to the house. "This far?"

"Of course."

"I'll try to remember that."

The trip back was faster with someone that could see in the dark. She only stumbled once and Edwin was quick to help her find solid ground again. She could finally enjoy the peaceful sounds of the woods around her and the red head admitted that she had gotten used to being protected.

Lucien waited at the bottom of the stairs leading to the deck when they emerged from the treeline, leaning against the bottom rail. He stood up straighter as they came closer.

"So, what was it?"

"A cat." Edwin answered simply.

Serena winced. "You heard me scream?"

"I think the entire state heard you scream."

She threw her hands up and started for the stairs with Lucien's laughter echoing around her. A meow in the dark made her turn back to see the black cat sitting just outside the tree line. She turned around and he came a little closer, still hesitating.

"Awe, I bet he's hungry." Serena gave him an encouraging smile as she knelt on the ground. When he rubbed against her jeans, she laughed and slowly slid a hand around his belly. Feeling no resistance, she gently lifted the cat and settled him against her chest. "We'll see if we can find something to feed you."

"Are you sure you want to bring him inside, my lady?" Edwin stared at the animal.

"Well, he's a forest cat so he probably won't stay. It would only be for the night."

Lucien came a little closer. "If you feed an animal, they tend to stick around."

"Maybe he'll just stick around then." She turned her back on both demons and started up the stairs, murmuring to the cat in her arms.

*******************A Demon's Mate******************

After making sure that he didn't have fleas and trying to feed him some of the meat in the fridge, which he wouldn't eat, Serena settled on the couch with the cat.

"You weren't hungry." She scratched underneath his chin as he laid against her chest. "I bet you just wanted to come inside, huh?"

The red head looked up to Lucien who had taken the chair again.

"As much as I hate to say it, people are known to just drop cats in this area. He's probably one of those since he really doesn't seem afraid of people."

Neither demon said anything as she smiled at the small animal.

"I guess we should name you. Just in case you stay."

"What about Fluffy? That's a popular pet name." Lucien smiled from his seat.

Serena sneered at the demon. "Ugh. How could you even think that?"

"Sorry." He held his hands up in surrender.

She looked over the couch to Edwin. "What do you think?"

"I think you should be the one to name him if you intend to keep him." He set the towel that he was holding down on the counter and came into the living room.

"Hmm. What should we name you?" The red head watched the cat as she scratched his cheeks with her nails. Everything about him was black, from his whiskers and nose to the furry tip of his tail. "I got it."

"What's that, my lady?" Edwin set a glass of juice on the coffee table in front of her before taking the other chair.

"We'll call him Noir."