Meditation was good for you they said. It'll help you get to sleep easier and deal with exam stress they said. What no one had said was that meditating had associated risks of being abducted by crazy wizards. If she had not been beaten into submission by Stunners and other curses this would have likely been Luka's thought process. However, the aforementioned mistreatment had knocked her out cold. Once the Obliviators had brought her down they notified their superiors about the apparent breach of the Statute of Secrecy. Still pondering why the aberrant 'witch' had decided to fight them without a wand they followed their orders to bring her into the Ministry whilst the Muggles would be sent to St Mungo's. As they arrived a couple of Aurors were waiting for them just in case she should wake. Seeing as she was still unconscious they performed the routine magic checks. To their surprise she didn't register as a witch on her charms. How was it she was masking her magic even whilst stunned? If she could accomplish wandless magic to this degree she would need to be put in the higher security holding area or preferably the ancient cells they had heard about from one Unspeakable who happened to be their drinking buddy. Once they were done discussing the particulars they dragged the insensible mass to the deepest bowels of the Ministry.

Within his cell Sebastian listened with interest. Whilst he couldn't put an exact number on it he was aware that his incarceration must now be numbered in decades, sometimes he wondered what had happened in the human world but for now he concentrated on the footsteps approaching his cell. Perhaps his long wait was finally over.

"Why do we have to come here? I never knew this part pf the Ministry existed," whined one wizard as he held Luka aloft with his wand.

"Scrimegour said to take the girl to a place she won't easily be found by those not in the know. No one wants to cause a panic by saying we have a possibly Dark witch who's capable of powerful wandless magic,"

"Right," replied the wizard sounding less than convinced.

"Just dump her in this one, my wand's showing that it has plenty of restraining charms on it,"

For the first time in years the door on Sebastian's door swung forward with a creak. Remaining still in the shadows the demon watched as to wizards allowed a young woman to unceremoniously flop from mid-air to the floor before the door was once again shut. During his imprisonment it had become infuriatingly apparent that Humphrey had laid his trap well. In addition to that blasted order to remain there until fed there seemed to be wards and enchantments that were specially designed to sap a demon's strength. Just for amusement he had tried starvation once and he had weathered nearly half a century with very little in the way of discernible effects except the gnawing hunger itself but here he was barely more than flesh covered skeleton and every inching movement towards his next meal was agony for his atrophied muscles. Finally making his way to the woman he gently inhaled her scent; young and so full of fear. This was going to be so easy.

Head hurting like it had been hit by a sledgehammer Luka stirred as she heard the rustling of cloth and a slight breeze tickled her face. Opening her eyes she screamed as she two red eyes hovering in the shadows in front of her. Kicking out she felt her feet connect with what felt like a human body but what the hell were those eyes? They seemed to be glowing. Scrabbling back on all until she felt her back hit a stone wall Luka looked around but it was in vain. Apart from a sliver of light coming from a grill in what she presumed was the door there was nothing but darkness. Just what the hell had she been locked in with?

"I didn't expect you to be awaken so easily," rasped Sebastian a little put out that his meal had more fight than he had anticipated, but then again he could use this to his advantage. Judging by her scent her fear was slowly giving way to anger.

"Who are you?"

"My name doesn't matter, our current predicament however does,"

"How do I know you're not with the ones who put me in here?" asked Luka as she blindly groped around the walls, perhaps there was a weakness somewhere…

"I assure you I am not one of their confederates," replied Sebastian as he hauled himself into the sliver of light.

Luka gasped at the skeletal face. It reminded her of Bram Stoker's Dracula in his unfed state. Nought but a skull thinly robed in paper like skin, shrivelled lips pulled tight over pale, receded gums from which inhumanly sharp teeth extruded and then there were his eyes. Deep red, they seemed to glow from their own inner light. Whoever, whatever he was he was clearly a member of a predatory species. Had he been going to eat her when she woke up? Luka fought to suppress the terror that was rising once again. Yes she had been kidnapped and was now trapped with a predator, her friends were nowhere to be seen and she was at the mercy of people who seemed to use magic but at least she was alive. Her first priority was to escape this cell but so far all her groping had been in vain. Had her cellmate any plans?

"Do you have any idea how to get out of here?" it never hurt to ask.

Sebastian smiled, she was slowly manoeuvring herself to where he wanted her, "Yes, make a contract with me and I'll free the pair of us,"

Luka narrowed her eyes, this sounded too good to be true, "What sort of contract?"

"Faustian,"

A Faustian contract? So that's what she was locked up with; a demon. Well, things may be bad but they hadn't gotten to the extent that she would sell her soul. No, she would just have to rest until morning and when the guards came she would counterattack. Until then she would just have to avoid being eaten.

Sebastian watched the look of realisation pass over her face, perhaps in his haste he had revealed too much. No matter, he'd woven more difficult webs before.

XXX

Luka awoke with a start when she heard voices coming from outside the cell. Scuttling over to the door as quietly as she could she waited for the door to open so she could ambush the guards. Unfortunately that wasn't to be. The guards had come prepared with their wands out. As soon as she jumped them she was immobilised and dragged to the Department of Law Enforcement.

On the way back to her cell Luka struggled to stay conscious, everything hurt. It had started off as a seemingly ordinary interrogation. A middle aged man called Scrimgeour had asked her over and over again why she had breached the Statute of Secrecy by showing the dragons to the Muggles and over and over she had told him she didn't know what he was talking about. When that answer had proven unsatisfactory he had somehow forced himself into her mind making her relive her memories. First it had been the incident itself and then her school life, back and back he went as if searching for something. When he finally retreated he waved his wand over her before calling for one of his underlings to message the 'minister'. Despite her blossoming headache Luka looked at him in disbelief. Why did she need a minister? She thought this was an interrogation not an exorcism. Minutes ticked by, it seemed like ages had passed before Scrimgeour returned by more wizards.

"Take her to the Department of Mysteries,"

That was where the true torture began. The new wizards worked in cycles. Each spell they fired was more painful than the last and just when she felt like she was about to pass out or if she actually did they would cease. Once they seemed her sufficiently rested they began again. When spells no longer sated their curiosity they tried potions. Once bored with those they went back to spells, this time focusing exclusively on lacerations. All the while Luka could see Scrimgeour watching with grim interest, behind him was a portly man. Unlike everyone else in the room he seemed nervous his hands constantly turning the lurid green bowler hat in his hands. It wasn't until she noticed how subservient the others were towards him that it clicked. Perhaps he was the minister, but minister to what?

Fuzzily retreating from her reverie Luka stumbled as she was thrown back into her cell. Crumbling to the floor still bleeding from the long, but shallow, wounds on her arms she managed to croak.

"What are your terms for a contract?"

From his corner Sebastian smiled, "Name your wish and in return for granting it I will claim your soul,"

"I want the power to destroy this blasted organisation with my bare hands and rain death upon them," snarled Luka.

"Very well, then let us mark our bodies with the covenant," replied Sebastian who was suddenly so near, "where would you like your mark?"

"Anywhere but the face,"

"As you wish,"

Extending his hand like a branding iron Sebastian caught Luka by the neck. As the new pain ripped through her Luka tried to pull away but she was held fast by the demon's iron grip. Once he completed the seal Sebastian contemplated his prey a moment, should he eat her now, sample and regurgitate or just take the edge off his hunger with her blood. The ire in her eyes put the first out of his mind, it seemed she would make an entertaining mistress. As for nibbling off a small section of her soul that was out of the question if he wanted his plaything intact, humans were never quite right after partial soul destruction which left him with her blood. It smelled wonderfully sweet and he happily lapped up the rich sauce despite the squirmings of his new contractor. Once he had fully cleaned the contract seal and the other cuts that littered Luka's body he removed himself from her person as purred with contentment. The bonds that had held him for so long lashed him to this cell no longer.

Lying on the ground where she had been flattened Luka looked upon the demon with surprise and anger. Just what the hell had he been playing at? Gathering her wits she managed to get herself into a sitting position.

"Why the blazes did you just lick me?"

"I've been tied to this place under the condition that I remain until I feed. It was your blood or your soul," smiled Sebastian, if she had been able to see him clearly Luka would have noticed that already the demon was regaining his former health and good looks.

"Fine, but I'm setting some ground rules. Until this contract is over you will not lie to me," demons were known for that right? "and you will neither harm me nor allow me to be harmed. Is that clear?"

Sebastian sighed, true he had formed the contract rather hastily but it was such a pain to have to keep teaching people the rules, "In order to coerce me with the contract you have to state it as an order,"

"Fine. You are ordered never to lie to me and to not allow me to come to harm," snapped Luka before she remembered another detail, "What do I call you?"

"You may call me whatever you like mistress,"

"In that case pick the name you like most. You're not a pet and I'm no good at naming things,"

"Very well, I will continue to go by Sebastian Michaelis,"

"Ok Sebastian, you've been fed now let's get out of here," said Luka as she limped over to the door, banging on the heavy wooden panels she called out for the guard.

As the hapless wizard opened the door to investigate Sebastian moved to intercept him ripping out both the human's heart and soul. The wizard was dead before he hit the ground.

Luka's eyes widened at how easily the demon had torn the man open. Walking out slowly she surveyed him in the light. 'Sebastian Michaelis'. He didn't look so inhumanly gaunt now and he was wearing a wing collared shirt and black tail coat.

"We had best keep moving," said he noticing Luka's hesitation.

"If we get out they might be able to track me down, we need to get rid of the records that show I was here,"

"Do you recall the way to the interrogation room? The records will probably be kept near there,"

"No," replied Luka sheepishly.

"No matter. I can track your scent trail," smiled the demon as he strolled over to pick her up.

"Wait! Hey-,"

"We need to move quickly and this is the most expedient method," said Sebastian silencing Luka's protestations.

The demon flitted as silently as a shadow through the green hallways until they reached the 'interrogation' room. The assembled mages looked up in shock at their arrival.

"Your orders mistress?"

"Erase them," snarled Luka as she recognised some of the faces.

"Yes, my lady," smiled the demon as he set her down.

Turning to the wall Luka picked the nearest, heaviest looking metal instrument from the rack. Hefting the cold mass she turned back to mages to find that most of them were already dead. Sebastian moved with such ease tearing apart bodies as he went it was like watching a film. Blinking to get back in the moment Luka charged into the fray. After taking such mistreatment how could their spells hurt her anymore? Alas, due to her weakness and Sebastian's speed she was only able to bludgeon a few of her tormentors to death. Once done she let the metal pincers fall to the ground, time to find and destroy the records. Scan reading the collection of ledgers that adorned the desks of the interrogation room and the adjoining chamber Luka found her own data. The details of her confinement had been written up in meticulous detail. Apparently they believed that she was an anomalous Muggle as she had too little magic to be a true witch but she still had enough to be a threat. The main worry that came through the report's conclusions was the possibility of there being more like her. There were also references to her friends. Apparently they had been sent to the psychiatric ward of St Mungo's where they were expected to remain for the rest of their lives. The initial diagnosis had been of complete mental breakdown, chances of recovery were slim to non-existent. Luka clenched her jaw. Her friends were as good as dead. These blasted mages would pay dearly for this.

"Sebastian, can you burn this place to the ground?"

"Technically no since this is a subterranean complex but I can burn all the combustible material within it,"

"Do it," growled Luka, she wanted every trace of this place destroyed.

Approaching the nearest set of candles Sebastian let his own brand of magic flow. For him creating an inferno from a candelabra was child's play. Satisfied at his handiwork he turned back to his new mistress.

"We should get going before the structural integrity of this area is compromised. I trust this is yours," he said as he proffered a rucksack.

Luka looked at her luggage I surprise, "Yes that's mine. How did you?"

"It was in one of the cabinets,"

"Thanks,"

"We had best be off," said Sebastian as he approached Luka with his arms extended.

Sighing Luka resigned herself to being picked up. Their flight from the Ministry was swift and all witnesses were neatly disposed of. Once out Luka looked around, she had no idea where they were until she saw a sign saying they were in Whitehall. Well, for her first time in London things had certainly been eventful, now she had to get back to Nottingham. Looking at her watch it was just past two in the morning and she was ravenous. After rummaging in her bag for a coat to cover her injuries so she didn't attract too many stares and with Sebastian in tow she set off for food and warm bed. Fortunately despite all their negatives fast food places can be counted on twenty four hours a day and a chain hotel provided her with a room. Sitting on the bed she blinked as she tried to stay awake, there were just a couple more things to do before she could sleep.

"Sebastian, is that what you really look like?"

The demon looked surprised at the question, "This is my human form-,"

"If possible I would like to see your real form,"

"I do not think-,"

"That's an order,"

Sebastian watched his mistress with irritation. He would have killed most humans for having the impudence to demand to see his true form but alas, she had already forbidden him from hurting her. Finishing the shift he waited for her reaction but none was forthcoming, she just seemed to be observing him. Suppressing the tiniest of shards of shame at having his full ugliness on show he looked back at Luka who had moved from the bed for a closer inspection.

"How can you walk in those heels?"

Sebastian blinked in surprise. This was a human looking upon a demon for the first time and all she asked was how he could walk in stilettoes?

Luka inched further forward. She hadn't known what to expect but she was still surprised none the less. Sebastian still retained a largely human appearance despite the addition of two black wings. Were demons really fallen angels? She'd have to ask later. That and his hair and nails were a little longer with the latter now more claw like. When he spoke Luka could see that his teeth had reverted to being the fangs she had seen in the Ministry but his gums had been fleshed out.

"Why do you not cower before me?"

Luka considered this a moment, "I'm not sure. If I had to guess it would be a mixture of fatigue and given recent events it may be possible that I'm using casual acceptance as a coping mechanism,"

Sebastian paused for a moment, "Am I not loathsome to look upon?"

"No," said Luka shaking her head, "by human standards you're very handsome. The only thing I really notice is the atmosphere of danger emanating from you. I suppose this is how a rabbit would feel sitting at the feet of a wolf. Now if you're done fishing for compliments I need a wash before I crash tonight. You can change back to human form when you want or you can stay in that one if it's more comfortable. Just make sure you're not spotted by anyone,"

As the bathroom door closed with a click Sebastian shook his head. He didn't know whether this human was going to be entertaining or infuriating.

XXX

Luka woke later than morning. Blinking away the bright sunlight that broke through the thin curtains she looked about her. Sebastian was nowhere to be seen and the bathroom door was open so he wasn't in there either. Hopping out of bed Luka quickly did her morning routine before descending to the lobby. Sebastian was sitting at one of the tables with a young boy wearing an eyepatch. As soon as she laid eyes on them they turned to face her. Sebastian rose from his seat.

"Mistress, may I introduce the earl Phantomhive, my former master," said he.

Luka paused a moment, "How come he's still alive? I thought once the deal was complete you would eat the soul of your contactor,"

"There was a slight hitch in our contract and due to the ramifications it would probably be best that the pair of you become acquainted,"

Luka nodded as she took a seat and had the situation explained to her. Sebastian would always be tethered to Ciel it would not be to the detriment of the current contract. In fact since her housemates were no longer available it would be a decided plus as Luka and Sebastian could rent one of Ciel's small properties in Nottingham. Once she had been brought up to speed Ciel bade them good day leaving a now hungry Luka to the hotel buffet breakfast. After check out they headed to the nearest train station. If the caving trip had gone as planned the students would have all headed back to Nottingham to return the club equipment before heading to their homes for the summer. As Luka began to panic on what was going to happen since she was the only member of the trip left and she had no idea where their kit was and it would be foolhardy to return to the cottage to look for it Sebastian just smirked and said he would take care of it. Luka sighed in relief as Sebastian left her at the station to attend to it after all she had other things to consider too. Like prepaid funeral plans and life insurance now her days were numbered.

The rest of the summer holiday passed as a blur of training and part time work. Sebastian's tutelage consisted of a gruelling regimen of armed and unarmed combat along with magical training. Luka had initially been sceptical after all the wizards had said she lacked magic but Sebastian said there was a small spark in her that with the correct fanning could turn into an inferno that would engulf the Ministry. As a result Luka had spent hours trying to tap into the power of the spark to perform small feats of telekinesis, pyrokinesis and attempt to reinforce her skin so she would take less damage. The latter was especially useful given the nature of the training and Sebastian's penchant for corporal punishment when she failed, which unfortunately due to his exacting standards was often in the first few weeks. It hadn't helped that Luka hadn't been sleeping well. Due to the nightmares she slept fitfully in the first couple of weeks but they mysteriously disappeared the night after Sebastian complained about her lacklustre performance. Soon however it would be back to work at university, how she was going to achieve a work, training, life balance she did not know.

Sebastian looked forward to the move to Nottingham. He had tired of the small village his mistress called home and whilst the local cats had their appeal he wanted some of his own. His mistress said he could keep a couple when they moved into their flat. The demon turned his thoughts to the young fledgling witch. As he had quickly found out she was indeed an odd one. In addition to asking to see his true form she had enquired whether demons could succumb to their own version of hypoglycaemia. His reply was that they would weaken as he had done but they would not expire. To his surprise she had responded to this by ordering him to eat should he feel himself beginning to deteriorate with the provision that he should pick his victims from HM Prison Shrewsbury. If one were to commit a murder one may as well make a public service out of it she had said. Sebastian couldn't remember the last time he had had a master who had shown concern for his health. Fortunately she also displayed some familiar characteristics. Like Ciel Luka suffered from nightmares. After one too many sleep deprivation induced mistakes on his mistress' part the demon decided to remedy the situation, after all he was never going to get her soul if she stayed as she was. At first he suggested that she should try warm milk with honey but his tone must have been too sarcastic given the response it engendered. So he turned to the solution that had worked for his other master. Stealing in through her bedroom window Sebastian had observed his mistress a moment. Through their bond he could sense that her stupor had deepened as if she knew he was there. Sighing he remained there, bored as hell, until he could feel her begin to stir. Night after night he returned. At first it was just to make sure Luka was rested enough to complete the next day's drills, and he appeased his boredom by taking a book, but soon he felt oddly compelled to stay. Perhaps his mistress wasn't the only odd one.

Once back at Nottingham Luka couldn't help feel as if she were on some hellish treadmill; lectures, laboratory classes, training with Sebastian, her own music practice and daily chores seemed to swallow up all her time with no time to breathe. It didn't help that foolish human emotions were now starting to interfere. Due to the vast amount of time they spent together she began to feel affection for the demon and when he wasn't being a sarcastic git he did seem inclined to be friendly towards her. No, Luka shook away the thought. His 'kindness' and attention were no more signs of warmer feelings than the actions of a housewife towards a roast. Still, her rose tinted glasses tried to force themselves onto her face and the feelings continued. She would simply have to endure it whilst the infatuation persisted after all she had more important things to worry about. With some of her funds diverted to life insurance, a prepaid funeral would have been too costly Luka had found, she had started to consider ad hoc employment. Unfortunately when he overheard her telling a colleague Sebastian had the perfect answer.

"Why not come work at the Funtom bar?"

At first she had been averse to the idea, she didn't want to be too deep in Ciel's pocket but she needed flexibility in her working hours which Sebastian assured her she would have. On the whole the demon seemed a little too pleased with the prospect of hr working at the establishment. As soon as she stepped into bar she could see why. The hellion was going to use this as part of her training. From day one it was breaking up fights especially on rough house night which was an absolute nightmare and then there were the weres. Luka had managed to greatly reinforce her skin and other tissues so she could endure longer sparring sessions with Sebastian but she still didn't think her skin was up to repelling claws. For this reason she always worked on inventory so she wouldn't have to deal with the weres. Not that they were all bad, she liked a couple of brothers who seemed to be quite low in the werewolf pack, but the alpha and beta females were foul. They dispensed sadistic punishments on a whim and Sally sexually harassed her underlings to a sickening degree. Watching the she wolf leer at one unfortunate male Luka cursed her slow progress. If she were stronger she could put an end to the malpractice that took place at the bar, just a little bit more practice. Once her shift was over she returned home to find a freshly baked apple pie. Since being in Nottingham Sebastian had developed the habit of baking desserts for her, she put it down to his years of being a butler and she could hardly complain, his cooking was excellent. Another one of his quirks was to offer massages after training sessions that left her particularly sore. She knew that such contact would mean nothing to him but despite her best efforts her infatuation had persisted and she didn't want to add more fuel to her emotional fire. Unfortunately her efforts to act normal around the demon hadn't been completely successful. Sebastian had noticed the increased heart rate and slight blushes. It hadn't come as a complete surprise, after the innumerable years he had grown quite accustomed to the consequences of being comely. Still, it was odd for a human not to act on their impulses.

"Do you find me objectionable?" he asked as he passed Luka slice of gateau.

Slowly Luka turned puce. He'd noticed? But how? She'd been so careful, wait, she shouldn't leap to conclusions. He might be thinking something else.

"What do you mean?"

"I've noticed your furtive glances and your raised heart rate whenever I'm near. Do you find me attractive?"

Crap, she needed to back paddle like never before.

"Remember, I know when you're lying," purred the demon.

"It's nothing. Just ignore it," Luka managed to bluster out.

"You are of course aware that should you order it I would willingly-,"

"No way in hell would I issue such an order! I'm not some sort of perv who would order someone to do that," snarled Luka as she stalked off.

Sebastian stood alone in the kitchen. In a previous conversation he had pressed her into admitting that if their situation had been different she would happily have counted him as a friend. Could the girlish affection she had for him be real? Regardless, it would be fun to corrupt this girl who despite her ambitions of becoming an avenging terrorist still held some innocence.

It had been just over a week since their little spat and Luka was glad that the demon hadn't brought up the subject again. On the other hand he did seemed to stand closer than necessary and when correcting her form in combat manoeuvres he had become a little more hands on. May be it was just her imagination.

Sebastian sighed as he browsed through cat videos. Either his mistress had more self-restraint than he had anticipated or she had no idea what a pass looked like. Time to kick it up a notch.

"Morning Sebastian," smiled Luka as the demon entered the kitchen.

"Morning, dear," smirked the demon as he stalked towards her.

"Hu-mph,"

Sebastian smirked as he slowly kissed his mistress, evidently she was too shocked to move.

"I thought I would give you a kiss good morning," purred Sebastian.

Coming to her senses Luka bristled and puffed herself up to maximise her lesser height. Alas it was to no effect, to Sebastian the effect was merely comical.

"I told you that I wasn't going to order you to do that so quit it," Luka ground out from between gritted teeth.

"I remember that well, however, never did you mention what was to happen if I were to initiate such things," smirked the demon, "what do you say?"

"It would be the wrong decision," squeaked Luka.

"Hmmm, why so?" said Sebastian running a finger down Luka's cheek.

"You have no loyalty,"

"I have my aesthetics,"

"You're going to eat me,"

"Just think of it as being together forever,"

"Our contract was just for my soul, nothing else,"

"I've decided to go 'whole hog' as it were, I desire a full monopoly," purred Sebastian as he leaned in a for a quick peck, "I've arranged for a table at the 'Otter and Piano' at seven tonight," said he as he strolled out of the kitchen.

To say the next few weeks were odd would be a gross understatement. Gradually Luka acquiesced to Sebastian's attempts to woo her. Given the fact that he was a heartless predator his imitation of an earnest lover was spot on and it was precisely that thought that soured each of the happy moments for Luka. Every time she smiled or laughed at one of his jokes she was compelled to remember their contract and his true nature. Whilst it was possible that he may be becoming fond of her in his own way did love her? No, his being a demon forbade that. On a professional note her powers were coming on in leaps and bounds. Once her ability to reinforce her tissues had progressed far enough she was able to apply for the job of an Executioner along with several other mages. Finally she would be able to look after some of the weaker members of the pack. For the larger part of the job she and the other Executioners just acted as marshals retrieving weres who'd somehow wondered off into a part of town where they were likely to get spotted or ferrying them around in a van for outdoor runs. As she revelled in her new power Luka accepted other commissions, one in particular earned her a beautiful custom rapier that thanks to Sebastian's she could now wield in conjunction with a dagger. In addition her magic could be used for less professional reasons. What started off as an alternative to the hair dye that gave her masses of split ends ended up in a minor case of shapeshifting with horns for Halloween. In fact, she liked her ram's horns so much she decided to keep them, although for obvious reasons they could never constitute everyday wear.

Howbeit, Luka's happiness was to be short-lived. Somehow the mages from the Ministry had managed to track her down. Despite how many she and Sebastian cut down they kept on coming, like a relentless march of ants to a picnic. Sebastian watched as his contractor felled the last of the wizards. The speed of her progress had steadily increased and as she fought her aura had shone brightly this time. With no small amount of pride the demon looked upon the powerful mage he had tutored the former wretch into becoming. This time around she had not needed his help dispatching the verminous mages, they had fallen with even their most powerful curses not even scratching Luka. His end of the contract was complete.

"Well then, it would seem my work is done," said Sebastian as Luka sheathed her sword.

Hearing those words Luka froze. It was over? Just like that her tenure on this planet was to come to an end. In a daze she nodded dumbly as the demon put his arm around and lead her home. Once there the demon paused a moment as he contemplated where the best place was to feed. Still in her own world Luka followed him to the bedroom. When he was still hers to control she had once asked if he could finish the contract somewhere she would be quickly found and not to mutilate the body, her body, too much. She wanted to spare her family the sight of a shredded corpse but of course her requests were no longer binding since the contract was complete. Could she rely on him to honour his word? It was probably best not to think about that.

"Will it hurt?" she croaked.

"There will be a degree of pain as your soul is ripped out," replied the demon calmly.

Lying down on the bed Luka tried to ignore the constricting in her throat and the stinging in her eyes. Damn it she mustn't cry. She had entered into this contract of her own volition, she had known that it would end like this. But why did it have to end so soon? She was too young to die, there so much else she could do with her life. But, she had forfeited that the second she had adopted Sebastian's seal and now the time had come. Throat getting tighter Luka focused on her breathing. She wouldn't cry, she would go out with some sort of dignity. As the demon leant over she tried to squeak out 'bon appetit' as a final, morbid joke but her larynx failed to produce a sound.

"Well then,"

As his lips touched hers she could feel something inside her being yanked clear of its anchorage. The pain was intense but brief. Luka's soul still in his mouth Sebastian mulled over the flavour without chewing. As he assessed the flavour and looked down at the lifeless husk he was struck by an unfamiliar feeling. He didn't want it to end like this. Already he missed the background thud of her pulse. The soul encapsulated in his maw was sweet from the affection she had held for him. During their time together he had doubted a human could be so foolish as to truly love a demon but here was the proof. However, the love was tempered with an undercurrent of regret and doubt that worked to subdue what would otherwise have been a sickeningly sweet taste. Such a strange creature his mistress had been and as his aesthetics forced him to admit he had enjoyed the time they had spent in each other's company. Perhaps, it wouldn't be too bad if he let her live a little longer. After all, he could just eat her as soon as he got bored. Bending down again he carefully reinserted her soul.

Luka woke up to darkness. Was this Sebastian's digestive tract? It couldn't be she could still feel her body despite not being able to see it in the pitch blackness. Futilely trying to look around she was stopped the sound of a chuckle. A very familiar chuckle that was no doubt accompanied by a fanged smirk.

"It's good to see you awake my pet,"

"Why am I still alive?" asked Luka with a thoroughly unwelcome tremble.

The clicking of heels told her that the demon was approaching and as she felt the mattress dip the darkness melted away from her immediate vicinity to reveal Sebastian in his true form.

"Because I wanted to play with you a while longer," purred the demon.

Crap. Being a demon's plaything sounded worse than being a demon's lunch. And so began Luka's time as Sebastian's dress up doll. Music lessons. More combat and to top things off Sebastian had paid off her university loans so now she owed him rather than the state. What should have been thirty years being taxed at ten percent of her earnings with the leftover being written off was now just like a normal loan where she had to pay back every last penny. Not to mention the red eyed git was a devotee of compound interest. To remedy her financial woes she had taken on more shifts at the bar. On the upside Sebastian had increased his tutoring efforts so hopefully she would pass her coming exams.

One evening after a draining shift Sebastian appeared to be in one of his more human moods. During these fleeting times he was slightly more affectionate although he strongly retained his predilection for teasing. A particular favourite of his was to force the truth that she loved him from her lips. Whilst she had been his mistress she had made sure to never that slip as that final admission would give the demon more power over her than she liked but now that the tables were turned she had no choice but to divulge it. For once however he did not crow over the information but smiled and pulled her close before they walked home arm in arm. Perhaps if she hadn't been so surprised she may have noticed that a certain wraith was watching.

Things moved quickly after that. The next day Luka was surprised to see Sebastian turn pale as he read a letter delivered by a crow. A short time later Ciel appeared and with sombre gravity Luka's master announced that they would be going to his home. The excitement in Luka's heart was quickly quenched by the look on Sebastian's face. He looked worried. What did he have to be worried about? Alas she soon found out. Sebastian's father smiled to greet his son, a more slightly built replica of himself, before his face set to granite. It had reached his ears that his son had fallen so far as to dally with a human. Before Sebastian could utter a syllable of explanation Michaelis senior bade entry to the one that had seen them. A smile danced around the mouth of Claude Faustus as he communicated all that he knew about the relationship between Sebastian and Luka. Michaelis nodded approvingly as Faustsus recounted the displays of possessiveness by Sebastian but his expression soon turned sour as the spider moved onto the affection of the previous evening. Such feelings were unbecoming to demons he said, especially when directed at food. Was it not bad enough that he had failed to eat Ciel after working for him for three years and now being rendered an eternal servant? No, no son of his was going to have relations with a snack. From that day their relationship would be a purely professional one although in demon terms that just meant that Luka was just to be Sebastian's toy. And thus Luka was brought to court for the pleasure of the Michaelis household. Violin practice, dancing and fights in court were added to Luka's already bursting schedule. Not to mention in the fights she had to wear ridiculous costumes, if it weren't for her ability to reinforce her tissues she'd have coin sized blisters from the heels she was given. Although, it must be added, that it was at court she learned how lucky she was to have Sebastian as her master. Whilst she was thankful that she was always victorious Luka could not help but flinch at the fatal punishments meted out to those she bested. As soon as a demon's toy lost its shine it was soon discarded. In permanent fear of losing a match Luka became stronger and the mages that still pursues her were nothing but irksome flies. Until the day that Sebastian wasn't there to protect her. Unbeknownst to the pair of them the mages had discovered her collar and it was that day they turned it to her advantage. Without the protection of her master she was brought to her knees by the agony in her neck and carried off. Returning from his father's castle as soon as possible Sebastian rushed to his servant's side but to no avail. Followed by his father Sebastian was dragged away and forbidden from contacting Luka.

"And the rest you know," smiled Luka a bit parched after her long talk.

"Well," paused Lupin as mulled over what he had been told.

Whilst he was still disturbed by her relationship with the demon it did appear that at least it wasn't a case of Stockholm syndrome. Making his decision he lowered himself to one knee.

"Luka Reginold, will you marry me?"

He took the asphyxiating hug as a yes.

Damn that took too long to write.