Chapter 8

J

The first few weeks of class have gone by pretty well, my teachers are good and the other students pretty much ignore me since the brothers stay around me. It was odd, having friends in school; normally I would spend lunch and free period studying or something but I have been sitting with Mammon, Beel, Asmo and Levi for lunch and during my free period I would read and talk with Satan. I began to feel like the normal schedule I had engrained into myself over the years was being taken up by these guys and at first I was upset that they were getting in the way of my usual tasks, but the more time I got to spend with them, the more I realized I was missing out on something and this...feeling was what I had been craving all along. I was finally accepted.

I was walking back to the house with Belphie; we were quiet, he doesn't usually have much to talk about and in honesty the silence was just as comforting as conversation.

"Hey Jetèa…do you dance?"

"I have practiced ballet…but I'm not adept; my sister is the dancer of the family really."

"Ah, I knew you would have that under your belt as well; I practice ballet, it takes a lot of strength and endurance."

"But it is a beautiful art form, I've actually seen you dance; you're form is amazing…" he looked at me and flushed.

"You're beautiful too…I mean I'm sure your form is beautiful too! Look what I'm getting at is-"

"What you're gettin at is that you need to get your hand off of Jetèa and back up!"

"Of course….hello Mammon, what brings you along?"

"It's my job to guide Jetèa around; this poor human would walk right off a cliff if she wasn't supervised then Lucifer would have a fit and I don't need that. I can't have him on my case, I'm a busy demon ya know?"

"I know you are Mammon, and I appreciate you looking out for me." I had gotten wind of Mammon's game; he was so used to being belittled that he shows indifference to everything and everyone.

"Yeah, well, just don't go and run off on me again alright? I don't need the trouble." I put my hand on his arm and smiled.

"I won't." He flushed and backed up.

"So anyway I wanted to invite you to this club called the fall; they have dancing competitions and I needed a partner."

"Who said you could ask Jetèa out dancing? You want to take her anywhere you have to ask me!"

"Why don't you go too? There is always room for more right Belphie?"

"Yeah…sure."

"I'm a model; I can't just go around giving my good looks away for free!"

"The winners of the competition receive a cash prize."

"You mean money?"

"Cold hard grimm."

"Well why didn't you say so, I can shave a few minutes to help you guys out being that I am so gracious and all." Belphie seemed indifferent but agreed anyway.

"Now there is one catch, we will have to sneak out past curfew to do it."

"We could get into big trouble; Lucifer would kill us!" Mammon was right, I had never snuck out ever in my life! But they looked at me like they truly wanted to go and I didn't want to disappoint them so I went against my better judgments.

"I'll go if you guys are up to it," They both beamed in delight. We went home and did our homework like normal and we had dinner without saying a word. Once eleven o'clock hit we rose from our beds and dressed. I put on a pair of black baggy sweats, a white tank and a black midriff jacket. I tied my hair up in a high ponytail and tried to complete the look with the black velvet choker of my mother's. I swear my mother has odd taste in clothing styles at times, it was like she packed my bag to force me go out and be adventurous. I applied some eyeliner just as Mammon slid into my room, he looked at me for several seconds before he cleared his throat.

"I…wanted to make sure you weren't running late; we have to get there in a half hour ya know."

"Nope, I'm good to go." He took my hands in his and looked at me for a long awkward moment.

"Um,…Mammon?" he put a pair of fingerless leather gloves in my hand.

"I think these will pull it off even better."

"Thank you." He touched my face and I felt nervous to be in my dark bedroom alone with him.

"I never told you how much I appreciate what you did for me. No one's ever really believed in me before, and you let me tutor you and everything. I just want to say thank you." He looked deep into my eyes and I felt a little self-conscious. I placed a hand on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Come on, let's go!" Belphie whispered in the doorway and Mammon let go of me quickly.

"Let's go through Jetèa's window we can fly out that way and Lucifer's room is on the other side he won't see."

"Uhhh fly? I can't fly!"

"I guess I'll take one for the team and carry you, even though it would be a hassle; I may just sprain a wing."

"Whatever let's just go."

"I want to go too!" Asmo slid into my room along with Levi.

"What are you guys doing? We can't ALL go!"

"Why not, Lucifer isn't leaving his room for the rest of the night and besides, Satan and Beel aren't going so it isn't all of us. As long as we are back in time for class tomorrow it'll be fine. This would be gold for my feed! And besides Belphie, how are you going to ask me for my limited edition Seven Lords wing glider and not invite me along? I just so happen to have another pair for me. In order for this plan to work you need my merch and therefore me."

"And you know I love parties, oh my little rose is so adorable! She's so punk rock, I love it!" Asmo held me close and nuzzled me.

"Hey Asmo, back off of her!"

"Keep it down! Look let's just go, we do the competition and we head back no detours, Lucifer will notice if all of us are gone."

"Like I said he isn't leaving his room, it'll be fine; let's go out the window hurry."

"Come on, I'll carry you. They all changed to their demon forms and though they were far from my first demons to look at I was still pretty surprised. Mammon put his hands on my waist and lifted me up a few inches and I put my arms around his neck, for the most part his torso was pretty bare and I could feel his muscles tense as he held me close. I felt his warm breath on my neck as he whispered to me.

"You could wrap your legs around me, give you a better grip."

"You would like that wouldn't you Mammon?!"

"I want to carry my rose, I bet she smells so sweet…"

"Way to make the most out of a moment; that is so unfair!"

"I just don't want her to fall alright, I'm her guide; it's my job to keep her safe!" it was silent a moment as I thought the action over, would it be appropriate? If I slipped from his arms the fall would injure me, but even if I caught my own landing it would only raise flags. I lifted my legs up and wrapped them around his waist I felt his heart quicken and I buried my face in his neck to hide my own flushed face. Before I knew it I felt wind whip around me violently and a whooshing so loud I heard ringing by the time it ceased. I looked down and saw that we were gliding hundreds of feet high…no, I would not be able to catch that fall, and I gripped Mammon tighter.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm alright, just don't let me go okay?"

"Don't worry…I would never let you go." I felt my heart skip and I gasped. I had noticed not long after I had arrived that the brothers showed a subtle interest in me on some level or another but I took at them being nice. But between Belphie inviting me with him, Asmo's constant affection, Satan's protectiveness and Beel's kindness I was beginning to think that I had made some really great friends. But Mammon seemed different…maybe it was gratitude he was feeling but I had a feeling I should be careful around him.

We got to The Fall within ten minutes and we got in without a problem the whole place was pounding with music and demons dancing everywhere like any club you would see in the human world but multiplied by ten! I had never been to a club at all so you could imagine I was a bit intimidated. Belphie took my hand and smiled to reassure me and I remembered that I was not to show weakness, I held my head high and moved to the music like everyone else. I wasn't much of a social dancer though, I have practiced ballet for a few years but I wasn't one for performing but these guys were so nice to me that I had to do something. I just hoped that I would do well; if it were my sister she would excel at this thing, she dances with her heart but I wouldn't know what to do. Don't move to the music move with the music, let it into your spirit and ride the beat. My Mothers words rang into my head and I accidentally crashed into another demon, causing them to spill their drink all over them.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! Let me buy you another! The demon flew into a rage and tried to swing at me with his claws but I dodged it easily and flung a nearby chair, knocking him out.

"What happened here?" Mammon was quickly by my side.

"He tried to attack me….i guess he was drunk and fell over the chair."

"Hey the competition is starting; are you ready for this?"

"Yeah I think so."

"Stay close, we don't need you to get hurt." Mammon, Belphie and I stepped on stage and the crowed began to cheer, some waving glows ticks and fans. When the music played my mind wanted to freeze and panic, there was no choreography no instructions, but I remembered my mother's words from years ago and simply moved. In all honesty I wasn't sure if I was any better than anyone but the crowd cheered for us the loudest and that granted us the winners. I was happy to see the joy on their faces as they celebrated their victory.

"We couldn't have done this without you Jetèa!"

"Yeah you were awesome!"

"Eight thousand grimm! Look at that sweet sweet cash!"

"You know we are splitting that right?"

"What? Oh of course, just let me hold onto it for safe keeping." Mammon laughed and for just a moment I wondered if I had found where I belonged. Mammon gave me 2500grimm and I knew I was to pay back Beel with interest even if he never wanted it back. I had to, it was principle. The rest I would just save for a rainy day.

"That is no fair, they cheated! This is a competition for demons, that's a human!" the crowd began to murmur and I felt an air of tension fill the club.

"What difference does it make what race she is? She's a better dancer than any of you and she proved it!"

"Stupid human coming in our club and stealing our money; we should teach her a lesson!"

"She aint stole anything got it, we won this Grimm, so you can back off and go run to your mamas unless you want to deal with the great Mammon!" Asmo and Levi jumped onto the stage as well and shielded me. it wasn't that they weren't powerful but this was a mob! And they all wanted me why, because I wasn't like them? I'm sure the preexisting prejudice and the drinks made them all reckless but even still to fight over a matter like this?

"Let's eat the human!"

"I got dibs on her legs!"

"You touch her and I'm ripping your horns clean off!" the mob rushed us and the boys began to fight, even if they were powerful forty on four wasn't fair and it was late and we were all tired. However they seemed to toss them back with ease Mammon particularly showing off but more of them kept coming and when he turned to me his faced turned to fear and he tackled me to the ground, I felt the whole ground shake and there was a commotion and when I stood back up it looked like an outright riot had broken out! This isn't what I wanted, we were supposed to have a good time and go home not get into fights! I couldn't bear it I had to make it stop! I reached into my hairclip and pulled out my seeds, I threw them into the crowd and put my energy into them, they spouted into vines and branches that bound everyone up and kept them separated, the guys looked confused and wondered what the heck happened I slowly released everyone and they calmed down, frightened at what happened and their initial anger spent. We didn't hesitate to run out of the place as quickly as possible not stopping until we were well into town.

"That was insane; what in the world got into those guys!"

"They were drunken idiots, if they were sober they would never have tried to come at us!"

"Exactly, they had the nerve to go for Jetèa like that, bastards."

"Speaking of Jetèa, I have to ask…that was you that did that, that stopped the fight wasn't it?" All my blood left my face the moment Asmo asked that question. Levi, Mammon and Belphie looked to him confused.

"What are you talking about Asmo, she's just a human. She doesn't have any powers, she can't do anything."

"Hear me out, those plants were Clematis; now I wouldn't have given it a second thought but you told me all about the ones you were growing in the greenhouse, you wanted to generate a new color."

"So?"

"Those flowers were teal, just like the ones you showed me. Only they were maxed out by some sort of power and I swear it came from you." They all looked at me now and I felt my heart stop and tears began to well. Was it all over? I had been in school just less than a month and I may be expelled.

"Jetèa…are you a demon?"

"I…I…not fully…" their mouths dropped and they backed up.

"Please…guys I'm the same girl…"

"The same girl that lied to us you mean? You went on acting all weak and you had that sort of power in you?! How could you do that, lie to everyone like that?!"

"It was the only way I could go to school here, I hated my life at home! I wanted to be around people that could maybe understand me, and like me for who I am! I found that here, with you guys; you care about me for me!"

"No, you never gave us a chance to do that. How could we care about you for who you are when we don't even know?"

"Levi I am half human! Is having demon blood in my veins make me less of a person?! Does being a little more like you make me that much of a nuisance? Do I not bleed, sleep, eat and care just like you do? If I told you I was half Jamaican would that make any difference? Nothing has changed; I cannot use my abilities in human world and until now I haven't used them here! Please…don't turn your backs on me!"

"I don't know, I mean she's right she half human so she didn't really lie right?"

"I don't think it's a big deal, but Diavolo may be furious if he finds out the documents were false."

"But she is half human, so it should be fine." They talked back and forth for a few minutes, Mammon was the only one who didn't say a word to me, he looked betrayed.

"Mammon…please, nothing has changed…" I touched his arm and he smacked my hand away. Then he seemed to stumble and I caught him; he was bleeding a lot he must have taken a hit when he shielded me.

"We can discuss this later we have to get back home now."

"You guys Mammon's hurt!"

"Oh that looks bad, he will heal but his wing is torn so he can't fly." I ripped my shirt into a strip and tied off his left wing like a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and used a needle from a plant and my own hair to stich him up. the three of them had to hold him down while I worked.

"You are quite resourceful."

"I have been in extensive training from the time I was four, be it combat, my plant weaponry, first aid or simple survival I was taught to be ready." I then pulled a salve of my creation from my purse and spread it evenly on Mammon's wing but it did sting him and he began to yell.

"I'm so sorry, I know it hurts; the venom in this salve works at your nerves but it will numb them in just a moment, and with this you will be healed completely in a day or so."

"We have to get back before word spreads of this incident."

"I'll carry rose and Levi you carry Mammon."

"Aw come on, why?

"Because you are the strongest of us after Mammon and you are faster with those doo-hickys." Levi groaned and motioned to pick his brother up who only shoved him back.

"Mammon we have to go!"

"I'm not going anywhere with her! You're a liar, you used me!"

"Mammon please, you're hurt, we have to get you home! I never intended to lie to you; and I certainly didn't use you!"

"You could have fought back all along, but you let us fight for you like you couldn't take care of yourself! I wouldn't even be hurt if you fessed up then!" He was right…I let them fight for me and I caused them grief I got him hurt when I could have stopped this when it started or at least kept anyone from getting hurt.

"Mammon…I never wanted you to get hurt; let me treat your other wound I have-"

"Don't touch me! You said you trusted me…" It was then I realized that I had caused more than just physical pain for my friend. And it hurt to see him glare at me as Levi lifted him up and took off.

"Come on rose…" Asmo lifted me up and I held on. The night started out so fun and ended in disaster; this could not be any worse.

We climbed back into my window exhausted and on edge; were they going to tell on me? Was my time here at an end? We all stood in my room looking to each other unsure of what to make of it all.

"Look we are all tired; we will discuss it tomorrow, its late and we have class." Belphie spoke up and we nodded in agreement.

"Yes you are correct; it is very late." I felt ice run through my veins and the others froze in absolute terror. Lucifer sat in the far corner of my room waiting for us to return, the only thing we saw at first there the glowering crimson eyes in the pitch black shadows. He removed his folded hands from his lap and uncrossed his legs before standing causing all of us to step back. He looked to Mammon and then over at us but when his eyes rested on me I felt nothing but rage…this was more than simply getting back at him or irking him, this was serious. We snuck out, we made a scene, we made the school look bad and were busted.