Talavera jumped as there was a sudden knock on her door, she hadn't felt comfortable going back home after talking to Vanessa's father, so she'd come back to the office. Not that having a few drinks helped… "Come in."

One of the officers stepped inside, "Officer Talavera? I brought you some coffee."

"Oh, thank you Williams." She gladly took it, thankful for the strong flavor, "What's on the schedule for today?"

"Well, you actually have a visitor."

"Really?" she sat up, "Send them in."

She was surprised as a man walked in, clearly of an eccentric personality, dressed in a rather unusual suit and wearing a mask that covered half of his face. "Hello Constable."

"I don't like being called that."

"Oh, my apologies." He sat down, "But I heard you were investigating the legend of the Black Lotus?"

"She's not a legend." Talavera banged her fist on the desk, "The thing's real."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because there's all this evidence, but still!" she threw the papers, "Still it's never been caught!"

"Why are you so desperate to find her?"

"Because, even though they've sent me here, that thing has killed hundreds from all around the world!"

"For what reason?"

Talavera glared at him, "Do not push your luck."

"My apologies, my wife said you were a bit cranky."

"Excuse me?"

"Where are my manners, Mrs. Williams is my wife, she told me that you would be interested in hearing a story?"

"About what?" Talavera snapped.

"Well, the child was born during the reign of King George II in the heart of London…"

England 1700…..

The boy struggled, fighting to break for the grip of the woman that his father had given him to in return for great fortune, "I'll never forgive you! Mother would be rolling in her grave!" He then turned to his kidnapper, "Let me go!"

She suddenly set him down, her face was hidden, but a single blue light glowed from the dark. Reaching out, he froze as her hand turned black, and the color moved to his own skin, slowly turning it darker and markings appear on his face. "I will care for you child, and if you so desire, they will be punished."

"By who?"

She cocked her head and they suddenly fell into a dark pit, where her voice echoed off the walls. "By you."

William counted his gold, reveling in the eternal wealth he would now possess. Via his deal with the shadow, he looked upon the dark flower that had been left behind, one that grew from where she had stood. In return for this wealth and moving up into high society, he'd given his son to the demon, sand now could truly please his wife. His stepdaughter could now associate herself with high society as her mother had for many years while her husband was still alive. It had been the only option he had seen to keep his ancestral home, to bring the name of his family back to its previous glory. Although he had been hesitant to do as he did, he felt no regret, but still felt as if the demon had not told him what it planned to do with his son. He indeed wondered what the demon had planned, but also knew that it was no longer any of his concern, the boy had only been a reminder of his wife who had died in childbirth.

There was only one conflict in his mind, was that he was not sure if it truly had been a demon, or a witch. The woman clearly possessed a dark soul, if she had one at all, but had showed no emotion. She had clearly known exactly what he had asked for, and had not hesitated to take his son, who had screamed at him as she drug the boy away. But he felt that there was something not quite right, what was to happen to young Alexander?

He opened his eyes, and found that there was a young Scotswoman looking over him, "Seems ya needed a day or two lad."

"Where am I?"

She looked down at him with amber eyes, "You're in a safe place, but you won't be able to return home."

"Why?"

"Because everyone thinks you are dead, it was what your father discussed to be cover for your disappearance. How do you feel?"

"My head hurts…."

"Ah, let me get you some water, perhaps that will ease your ailment."

"It's not an ailment," he took the glass she offered, "I'm just feeling a bit ill."

She raised an eyebrow, "If that is what you so believe."

"Who took me?"

"Her name has been spoken of legends for centuries, but is something you will find out on your own."

"Why did she take me?"

"I cannot say, perhaps she saw the way yer father treated you, and saw a chance to give ye a better life."

"Why do you talk like that? Accent's a bit annoying."

"As is yours Lad." She quipped back, "I began speaking like this after avenging me Papa, to honor his memory."

"I'm sorry for the loss."

"Thank you, but it has been nearly seventy years now. Me Ma is likely up in heaven with me Papa now. I hope that they are happy in the heavens."

He tried not to show his surprise, "Was the one who took me a demon?"

"It depends, many believe so, but it is not as it meets the eye. I understand how yer feeling, it was not easy for me either."

"You were kidnapped too?"

"Oh, no, The Lady brought me back from the brink of death. I had been running from the soldiers that took me Pa's life and took a fatal dive into a rocky outcrop, she brought me back from the dead and made me as I am now. Upon getting revenge for me father, I have since continued to guard the little family me Ma had, and helped the Lady interact with the world outside."

"What do you mean, the world outside? What's your name anyway?"

"Oh, where are me manners? Kelly McDonnell, how about we take a stroll through the square of London?"

"Won't I be recognized?"

"Nay, I have a solution for that, here you are."

She handed him a box that contained what appeared to be a garment that a wealthy merchant would wear, "What is this?"

"Well, yer certainly tall enough to pull off the appearance of a British merchant. Sit down, it'll do you some good to clean up."

He complied and looked at the garment as she manipulated his hair, "What exactly are you planning to do with me?"

"Simple little brother," she slicked back the wispy hairs from under his hat, "I'll teach you how to blend in."

"Blend in? Little brother?"

"You'll see Lad." Her laugh actually comforted him, "Come, let us go and see if we can find you a style you would prefer over your current outfit."

Walking through with Kelly, Alexander was shocked when he found that he was able to just pull gold from his pocket, or materialize the currency in his very palm. Kelly helped him not feel afraid to speak with the street merchants, and had brought him to a tailor that he was comfortable with. As he stepped out of the room after measurements, he bumped into someone. Quickly reaching out he caught the girl, "I am so sorry!" she cried out, "I did not see you there, Sir!"

He helped her up, "It's quite alright, I should have been paying attention."

"No, no," she gathered up fabric, "Father said that I must be less clumsy…"

He looked at her, "I'll tell him it's alright."

"Thank you, Sir."

"No problem," he helped her fold up the fabric that had fallen to the ground, "let me help you with that."

"Are you Lady McDonnell's brother?"

"I suppose, it's a new dynamic."

"Yes, the Lady Lotus told me that she had adopted a boy only a year or two younger, than Ms. McDonnell. You must tell me your last name so that I can address you properly."

He hesitated, knowing he couldn't the surname he had been given at birth, "My name is Alexander Benson."

"Of course, I will be glad to see you when you return for your fittings, Mr. Benson. I assure you my father is grateful for all the money and business Lady Lotus has given to us. My mother has been able to receive life saving treatment because of your generosity."

Alexander wasn't sure what to say, then saw the tailor walk out, "Elizabeth, you should be putting those materials in the storeroom."

"I'm sorry Father, I-" she began to say.

"Sir," Alexander broke in, "it was my fault, I crashed into her accidentally and was helping her pick up the materials."

"It is not necessary for a customer-"

"No." Alexander cut him off, "Sir, I worked hard as a child, and see the value in your craft. Although I was sent out to work with the animals, working with your hands is an invaluable trade, and it seems that your daughter has great interest. Have you considered sharing your craft with her?"

"I have, but her mother forbids it, she wishes for Victoria to become part of high society."

"I can tell you, Sir," he looked to the tailor, "the life is not as glamorous as it seems. It also seems that your daughter does not desire to be a part of that life, let me have my mother speak to your wife."

"If you so wish." The tailor put his face in his hands, "Just please be careful, she is still ill."

"I will be." They both jumped as the Lady Lotus suddenly appeared, "Where is your wife kind sir?"

It was the first time Alexander really got a good look at her, the dark hair, and the half mask she wore. Her clothes were mainly black with hints of deep color. As the tailor led her to the small house that was part of the shop, he found his way to the stockroom to speak with Elizabeth. "Hello?"

She jumped, "Oh, hello Mr. Benson."

"Please, just call me Alexander, or Alex will work as well."

"I can't do that it wouldn't be proper!"

He laughed, "I don't really care for proper; I would be much more comfortable with being called by my first name."

"Of course, if that is what you would prefer."

Alexander smiled as she left, "You like the lass?" He jumped when Kelly just showed up behind him, "She turned a fetching shade of red as you spoke with her."

He was about to argue, but then saw her walk out, quickly following, "Wait!"

The lady turned, "You need not shout, Alexander, but I must say I am impressed at your handling of the situation."

"Thank you, but why did you come to her defense?"

Lady Lotus cocked her head, "Sometimes, the fate we see for ourselves may not be as we plan. I do not show myself when watching, observing, or deciding if it is necessary to intervene. But should I see the need, I will be seen often when helping a youth find their path."

He saw Kelly walking out of the shop, and suddenly disappear into the alley, "Why did you take me?"

"Perhaps we should speak of this privately. Come."

He followed her to an alley, only to feel the air constrict his throat for a moment, then to find himself back in the strange room, "Where's Kelly?"

"I presume she had a job that called upon her, or was called upon to make a deal."

"Alright." He sat down on the bed, "But can you answer my question?"

"Yes, you have the right to know." Lotus suddenly pulled a cup of tea from the air, "Your father, he had been searching for a way to call me for some time, apparently he wished to fulfill the desires of your stepmother and her child. Am I correct?"

"How do you know that?"

"I know many things, many things that need not be of your concern." She offered him a biscuit, "Here, have a pastry while we chat."

He hesitantly took the pastry, "Thank you, but what do you mean by that?"

She laughed, a dark, haunting sound, "Worry not, eventually you will know. Now, I assume you have questions about what has happened to you."

"Yes, why did you take me?"

"I have many things that I do, child, but even it can become overwhelming for one such as myself. You were trapped in a place where you were mistreated, and I had been watching over you for some time, and was certain that I could give you a better life. I may seem to be a calculated, cold-blooded individual, but there are times when I show a caring side; one that I only showed with the family that has long since left this world. In a way, I suppose I am attempting to make my own family, by taking in those who need help."

He looked at her, there was a hint of melancholy in her voice, maybe even pain. "What are you?"

She smiled, "That is something you must find out for yourself."

The next morning, Alexander walked up to the tailor shop, and went inside. He saw the tailor there, and walked up to him, "Hello Sir."

"Oh, Mr. Benson, how may I help you today? Your garment will not be ready for a fitting until next week."

"No, no, take your time." He smiled, "I wanted to see if I could take Victoria out for a walk, to get her out in town?"

"You would associate with commoners such as us?"

"Of course, where would our society be without your work? I do my best to not be crude, and get to know people before I judge them."

"Well, it would be wonderful for her to get outside for a little while, let me go and fetch her."

As the tailor left, Alexander created a golden chain with a delicate cross with diamond accents, and was pleased with the product. The skills were new, but he didn't feel guilt for using them as it was to give her a gift. For some odd reason, he felt something was going to go wrong, and something bad was going to happen to her. Following advice from Kelly, he enchanted the necklace as to give her luck in anything she did, to give her a slight advantage over those who might harm her.

Hearing footsteps, he saw her coming down, "This is my best dress…"

"I think you look beautiful as you are." He said, "Let's take a walk."

"Yes, I would like that." She took his arm as they walked out of the shop, "It truly is a beautiful day."

"It is indeed," he smiled, "where would you like to go?"

"I always enjoy looking in the shops where they have the stunning gowns, a girl can dream…"

He smiled as they walked into the town square, and took her into the shop, "Pick one."

"Oh, no," she blushed, "I couldn't!"

"You said it was a dream, right?"

"Yes…"

"Then choose one, you've worked so hard for Lady Lotus and my sister, you deserve it."

"Well," she walked up to a simple corseted gown, "all the things I could do with this…. I could make my own embroidery, create my own design."

"I would love to see what you have in mind dear." A heavier set lady walked out, "Hello young Benson, I assume this is the young lady Ms. Lotus was speaking of."

He was taken aback, "I didn't realize she'd visited here before."

"Oh, no deary," the woman laughed, "we have been acquainted for some time. My family has known her for many years. But of course, she has traveled all over the world." She then turned to Victoria, "Tell me, what fabrics might you be interested in? We have the finest goods from Egypt, the Americas, France, would you like to take a look in my storeroom?"

A few weeks later, Alexander saw his stepsister, walk into the tailor shop. When Latisha began to taunt, it was clear that Victoria was scared, and was holding tightly onto the cross he had given her. "Victoria, you still look like just a peasant girl!"

Clearly taken aback, Latisha stared at the him, he appeared oddly familiar. "Why are you defending such a lowlife?" she sneered, "Can't you-"

Alexander pushed Victoria behind him, and held up a hand to silence his stepsister, "You are a cruel, heartless, and spiteful woman. You are no better than your mother or your stepfather."

She gasped, "How dare you!"

He glared at her, then saw his father step into the shop with his stepmother, "Go back to your parents, you have no right to treat others this way."

"Is there a problem here?" William stepped up, only to freeze, "Wait, how are you still alive?"

"Alive?" Alexander felt rage boiling up, "What made you think I was dead?"

"That thing, it took you!"

"Get out. You have what you wanted, now get out."

"Not until we get what we want." His stepmother's voice suddenly caught him off guard, "We've seen how fond you are of this girl…" she pulled out a pistol, and pointed it in his direction, "Now step aside, your stepsister is a far better match for you."

Bristling, Alexander glared at her, "You will regret if you even take action with the weapon, I am not weak as I used to be."

You say that, but are you really?" the woman smirked at him and cocked the revolver, "If you really are, show that you are not a coward."

Victoria watched as they argued, and tried to scramble away only to have her hair grabbed by Alexander's father, and to be thrown against the wall. Her father rushed out only to be shot in the stomach, "Father!"

He didn't respond as she cried out to him, but instead she found a gun pointed directly at her, "Now that you have no where to run…" Alexander's stepmother began to aim, "You die."

As the shot went off, Victoria covered her eyes, but suddenly felt someone grab her and opened her eyes to see that Alexander had used himself as a shield. The only thing was, he no longer appeared human, scales covering parts of his body and his eyes glowing a molten gold. Large wings protruded from his back, the feathers seemingly made of gold, "You attempt to harm her, you will face me."

Victoria watched as his father seemed panicked, but then saw a glint in the older man's eyes, "You know, Alexander, you are not truly invulnerable." Pulling out a dagger, he walked up to his son, "I knew that there would be a use for this." She wanted to jump out and protect Alexander as he had done for her, but stopped when the man was suddenly frozen in place, "What is this!?"

Suddenly, Lady Lotus appeared, "You know, William, I pull all the strings here. So hastily you agreed to my offer, you did not even hear the terms, did you not think that I would still be watching you?"

"What are you doing you monster?" Victoria and Alexander looked on and noticed that the woman held a simple marionette puppet in her hand, "You leave me alone!"

"Ah," suddenly the room went dark, and it was only the four of them, "you fail to understand, William. You made a deal with me, and I do not work for the devil, I would stake fear into his very heart." She played with the puppet, and William's limbs moved as the toy did so. "You are nothing but a hapless puppet, your spite and desire for wealth making you a poor excuse for a human being I see no use in you."

"I'll kill you. I swear it."

"No, but they will be aware of who led to your death." As she touched the wooden toy, it began to turn black, as did William's legs, "My mark will remain on your very bones that will be a part of the plant that grows within your home. Your flesh shall decay, leaving only a skeleton behind trapped in a wooden flowering tree, the black blooms as dark as your soul. You shall only be a restless spirt, never to find peace unless I allow it to be so, for the souls I may never enter heaven or hell."

Talavera was disturbed, and as the man chuckled, shook her head. What was this place, and why were the people so calm about these stories? Let alone unafraid? "You should hear my wife tell the other half of the story." Mr. Williams said, "She has such a wonderful way of telling stories, you must come over for dinner tonight."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Mrs. Williams walked in, "We would love to have you over, Ms. Talavera. There are many wonderful dishes I have made!"

"Oh, well…" she suddenly felt awkward, "I don't want to intrude."

"Of course not!" Mr. Williams laughed heartily, "We'll see you at seven."

Looking up at the house, Officer Talavera was confused, it appeared to be a Victorian style mansion. The home was looming, and gave her the creeps; it looked like it could eat her alive. Pulling on the heavy iron chain, she jumped back as what sounded to be mournful church bells rang, and the door opened. She was surprised when she saw what Williams was wearing, "Right on time!" she smiled and let her in, "I think you'll enjoy dinner."

All she could do was stare in awe at the home around her, there were portraits on the walls, "Who are they?"

"Family members, they don't visit often though."

Looking at the one that sat at the end of the hall, Talavera examined it, "But they all look so different."

"Of course, we all joined the family in different ways, so why would any of us look the same?"

"Is this the head of the family?" she looked up to the portrait of the woman in dark clothing, "She seems… I don't know, haunted?"

"Yes." Suddenly Mr. Williams stepped out startling Talavera, "That is a mild way of putting her spirit."

"Oh, is she dead?"

He didn't respond immediately, then deflected the question, "How about an appetizer or two?"

After eating, Talavera was stuffed, "The food was wonderful."

"I'm glad." Williams sat across from her, "I'm sorry my husband couldn't join us for dinner, he had late night business to attend."

"It's alright, what did you want to tell me?"

"Oh, of course, how could I have forgotten? When she saw the man decay before her…

England 1700….

Victoria couldn't draw her eyes from the scene, dark cracks forming on the man's skin and slowly spreading as it turned to black goo revealing a beating heart and organs that still beat as the rest of his body deteriorated. His face was filled with fear as his eyes watched the small, dark plants sprout, and climb up his bones. The branches grew quickly, and began to constrict his lungs and heart as the organs turned black and to dust. Now only a skeleton frozen in a pose of eternal torture and pain, she watched as the tree grew around him, making a sort of cage, and a flower bloomed from the branches that emerged from the skull that still seemed to be screaming. Looking at Alexander, she gasped, "What-"

He covered his face, "I'm ugly. I never meant for you to see this side of me, Victoria, I am a monster."

"No," she put a hand on his cheek, "you look fine the way you are, and you protected me."

"You just saw a man die, and you aren't afraid?"

She looked into the mismatched eyes, one golden and the other a bright blue, "You protected me, so why should I be?"

"Because of what you saw, you must realize what I am."

"So, what if you are a demon?" she saw surprise cross his face, "You have been so kind to me, treating me like a person, not an object as most men would have."

He looked at her, "I could never let you get hurt…"

Suddenly, it all went dark, and she found herself back in the shop. Everything had been thrown around, and the racks were destroyed, while her father lay there on the ground. "Victoria." He reached out weakly, "Are you alright?"

"Father!" she rushed to him, "No, you can't die, it's all my fault!"

"No, no, those people are thugs. You could have never known we were in debt to them." He couched up blood, "You have to stay away from them, especially the woman!"

"Please, you cannot-"

Suddenly a darkness appeared beside her, taking shape, and began to surround him. Victoria watched as blood was reabsorbed into his body, and the life came back to his eyes, "One who shows love, and to accept that they have met death, is one that deserves to survive."

She turned, hoping to see someone, but no one was there. The words echoed in her mind, "Victoria!" Alexander rushed in, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, but my father, how is he healed?"

Alexander picked up the tailor, clearly able to tell that the man was tired, "Let's get your father to bed, then I'll explain what I can."

She nodded, and followed him as he went into her parents' bedroom and carefully lay down her father next to her sleeping mother, then took her back to the main room, "What do you know?"

He sighed, "You know I'm a demon, but one thing I want you to know is that I wasn't always. My father gave me up, in return for wealth, and still was not satisfied. I only learned recently that my stepmother is a highly dangerous individual, a debt collector, but only from the money she loans out. She's taken countless lives, and my father has long since been an associate, her second-hand man. I am an incarnation of greed, but have no connection to the devil."

"Are you immortal?"

"Yes… But that is truly all I know, I am not certain of how your father was healed, but I would not doubt that there was good reason behind it."

Victoria nodded, "I believe so as well, but you can't just let your stepmother do this, we have to stop her! It sounds as if she has no remorse, or even cares if she takes away a parent or a child from a family!"

"But how?" He looked at her, and for the first time, appeared lost. "I do not know what she values most, all I know is that she is indeed involved with the devil."

"But I do. Your stepsister had been coming here for a while before you started coming here with Lady McDonell, as had your stepmother. They often came to see my mother, who was a renowned beautician until the accident that crushed her hands. You have no idea how much money that woman spent, on herself and her child."

"I do not understand what you are trying to say…"

"Vanity, they envy the high and mighty, and seem to strive to be the fairest in the land. It sounds as if your stepmother uses her looks to attract in wealthy suitors, and to convince people to take her offer, what if that was taken from her?"

"Then she would be lost as to what to do." His eyes lit up, but his face remained calm, "The only issue is, how?"

Victoria looked back to her parent's room, "I'll find a way…

She waited in the tailoring room, working on the gown that Alexander had bought for her, "You are very skilled, my dear."

Startled, Victoria turned and saw the Lady Lotus there, "I did not hear you come in."

"It is quite alright; I do seem to have a skill in working with the silence. However," their eyes met, "I believe we must speak."

"I suppose, I know you are not human."

"Indeed, and you need not fear me, for I could not harm you even if I wished to."

"What?"

"The charm you have been given by my son. It is one of protection, from any supernatural entity that might harm you, but also to hopefully protect you from any harm. He spoke to me of your hope to help bring down the woman, and I would be glad to offer a hand."

"Why do I sense that there is more to this than just generosity?"

"You are wise. I do not yet fully trust you, girl, but it seems that Alexander does so. Therefore, all I ask is that you do not betray him."

"I promise." Victoria closed her eyes, "I will protect him."

The woman touched her hand to Victoria's face, sending a shock of electricity through her system, "Then I bid you farewell, and good luck…."

It was a strange feeling, and she wasn't sure how to feel about being alone in the room, Lady Lotus having just disappeared. Getting up, she went to wash her face, only to see her eyes. The sunlight was fading, and they seemed to glow back at her, gleaming like a snake. Startled, she stumbled back and found that she quickly caught herself as she tripped over an empty pail, and quickly catching the bottles that fell off the shelves. She quickly realized that something was going on with her, that she had been changed, and by a single touch from someone she didn't even know.

After cleaning her face, she looked at the cross around her neck, what had the woman meant? Sitting on the settee, she continued to embroider upon the dress that she had purchased from the small shop in town. She wanted something unconventional, something that no one else had. Having tailored herself a fitted pair of riding pants, she had taken the full skirts from the dress so that it flowed, and to prevent herself from overheating. She'd also worked the garment to switch from dress to jacket if she needed to get away quickly. Alexander had purchased for her, something she still laughed about.

He'd taken her to the shop and asked for a riding outfit, and the men there had stared at him as if he were crazy in asking for such a thing for a woman, but couldn't refuse when he offered to pay them twenty times the price of a normal garment. They'd worked while he'd watched so that they weren't prone to try anything stupid, and it had made her realize of how protective he was of her. Looking at her work, she slipped the blouse onto the dress form and pulled the gown over it, buttoning the top down before replacing the corset and transforming the jacket back into a dress.

Sitting back, she felt restless, even though she should have been tired. For some reason she felt full of energy, and wanted to go out and do something, to go and explore the streets in the dark. Against her better judgement, she decided to do so, and slipped on the garb she'd just completed. "I need something to protect myself…" she rummaged through an old box, and found a couple pairs of shears, they would do. Slipping the blades into the hidden pockets, she opened the door, and pulled down the mask that she'd made to match Alexander's, it was going to be an adventure.

Walking through the alleyways, she found that it was surprisingly easy to stealthily move through the shadows. "Going somewhere?" she heard someone say from behind her.

Turning she saw a figure there, but realized that the woman was not speaking to her. There was an older man there, seemingly on his knees, "I beg you miss, just a little more time."

"Time is up, you need to return the money now."

"I cannot."

"Then I will tell everyone you attacked me in the streets, and who would believe that a man such as you would not do such a thing? I have enough money that I own the law here, not even the King could get his hands on me."

"Madame, you will regret your decisions, are you not now afraid after seeing what happened to your husband? He tried to please you and was destroyed, becoming ash, the place marked by his skeleton and a blooming tree in your home."

"Look, how about I give you a job then? William is dead, but now I have money, and an endless supply of it. Also, I have friends in high places, and work with Satan himself. He would do anything for me."

"Why must you be this way, Lily, how could you do this to your own family?"

"What family, you were always our parent's favorite." She pulled out the revolver again, "And now their gone, so make your choice."

"Yes, Malady…"

Victoria watched, but was startled when a hand suddenly was placed on her shoulder, "Shall we have a little fun Lassie?"

"Lady McDonell?"

"Call me Kelly, tell me, ye want to mess with them?"

"I don't know, aren't Scots known for their temper?"

"Aye, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

"I see, what do you suggest?"

Kelly laughed, and began telling Victoria the plan…

Lily sat in her room, taking money from the endless box and transferring it into her personal bag to use for the next treatment she planned. She felt badly in that she knew she would have to kidnap a child, but it was the price she had to pay in order to keep her youth. No one knew that she had been alive for over two centuries, and over time she had become numb to the ritual she had to commit each decade. The infant was crying, and she ignored him, knowing that soon it wouldn't matter at least, until it went silent. Getting up, she walked inside, and saw that there were clearly people in the room, two women and a man. Three sets of glowing eyes stared at her, green, red and gold. The baby was in the arms of a woman with fiery red hair, who quickly disappeared in a burst of flames, leaving scorch marks on the floor and wall that had been licked by the flames. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled, "You know who we are."

"You brat!" Lily lashed out, "How dare you come back here and defile your father's honor!"

"Honor?" the woman spoke, her eyes glittering in the dark, "What kind of honor did he have if he gave up his own blood to please you? We know what you have done, and that you use your appearance to get what you want."

"No, you don't know that."

"Oh, and what of your daughter? Does she participate in your activities as well?"

"You leave her out of this." Lily backed away as the two figures stepped out into the light, their faces hidden by the masks they wore, "You should not interfere with matters that you are not involved in."

"Should we?" the woman laughed, "What is your true desire?"

Lily was furious, enraged those two outsiders had entered her home and stolen what she needed to keep on her duty, "You will pay for this."

She called out and in a burst of flames, a man appeared, "What are you doing? Where is my sacrifice?"

Lily turned to him, "My Lord, they kidnapped the child I planned to sacrifice to you."

He turned to the two individuals, "You dare mess with the devil? You will pay for your-"

"Will they?" Darkness suddenly engulfed them, and a voice spoke with great poise, seemingly coming from all sides of the room. Suddenly dark strings attached themselves to the devil's limbs, "Let's have a little chat."

It horrified her how quickly her master was dragged into the smoke and disappeared before her very eyes, leaving her alone with the man and woman, "Spare me."

"I don't know about that," the woman turned to the man, who had removed his mask, revealing that half of his face was of a monster. "I think you need to learn a lesson or two."

Backing away, she could only watch in horror as the man transformed into a demonic looking beast, its scales golden and talons made of diamond. Looking to the woman, she quickly realized it was the little brat from the tailor shop, "YOU!"

Victoria laughed, "You should have never tried to hurt my father."

"That man should have never borrowed from me." Lily stood up and jabbed a finger in Victoria's chest, "You should have been shot instead of him!"

Pulling out her shears, Victoria made a quick movement and cleanly sliced off Lily's long braid, "You know, your age should be catching up with you by midnight…" Panic was clearly setting in from the look in Lily's eyes as they darted back and forth to the clock, "Unless, you want to make a deal…."

"That's all?" Talavera was surprised at how suddenly her subordinate had stopped, "I still struggle to see how this all applies to my investigation."

Williams leaned back, "Think about it. Have you ever really attempted to get a deeper look at our town, or the ones nearby?"

"What, there's more?"

"Oh yes, and if you really want to know about this place, or even the Lotus…." She took a map down from a shelf, "Why don't you explore?"

Taking the map, Talavera looked at her, "How? I don't know these people?"

Williams let out a light hearted laugh, but there was a slightly eerie tone to it, "You would be surprised, if you treat them with respect, you'd be surprised at what you might learn."


Please Read and Review, any suggestions of how to flesh out the story are welcome!