Author's note: Woo, third chapter already. I really had no idea this would turn into an actually story when I started writing it. But Karma just wouldn't shut up, demanding more screen time. Who am I to argue with the muses? Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me on this insane ride, I hope you're enjoying it!

I don't own DWD or the devils, much as I'd like to. Reviews and PMs are always welcome!

After several long halls and massive staircases, we finally reached a place that seemed alive. The atmosphere seemed cleaner, and not so hostile. Even the temperature seemed warmer. Mage stopped before the tallest doors I've ever seen, they must have been at least sixteen feet. He gave two sharp knocks, and the door opened after just a second or two.

I took a deep breath, and we walked in. It was like nothing I'd ever seen. We were in a huge room that looked like a cross between a medieval throne room and a lush Victorian mansion. There were sofas and chairs that managed to look ornate and comfortable at the same time, plush rugs with intricate patterns, wall sconces with real candles, and yes, a massive throne on a short platform.

Sitting primly in the throne was an attractive man with short, sandy blonde hair and rather intense green eyes. As Mage and I approached the throne, I noticed Urie to one side, and a new person to the other. The new one had dark purple hair and the strangest smile on his thin face. I mentally shook myself and set my gaze to the floor, making sure to stay a single pace behind my devil.

Mage stopped several feet away from the throne. I glanced up at him for the briefest moment, but stayed silent. A low, cultured voice spoke quietly.

"Mage, thank you for coming so quickly. But who is this strange woman?"

"My King calls, I obey. This is my...Karma. I couldn't leave her behind."

"You brought a human to our world."

There was the slightest hint of anger starting in that low voice. If this was indeed the new Devil King, he had to be extremely powerful. This situation could prove problematic, and quickly.

"Not just any human, Rem. Quite possibly the worst human he could have picked."

My head shot up and I glared at Urie. I was really going to have to hurt Red at some point. He smirked and blew me a little kiss. I bared my teeth and growled low in my throat. Mage laid a hand on my wrist, and I was silent. But the Red bastard kept talking.

"She's the one the vampires are so terrified of. They call her Destroyer. She is Karma, the one known as Shadow's Death, the Dark Stalker. She does nothing but destroy anything not human."

"Oh, what a load of complete and utter horse shit."

Oops. I hadn't meant to say that out loud. Mage's grip tightened the tiniest bit on my wrist, and I gulped audibly. The blonde King rose to his feet. Oh shit... He stared at me and spoke sharply.

"Do you deny these claims, human?"

"Only the 'worst human' one. Well, ok, and that last bit about destroying anything not human."

"But you admit to being the Destroyer."

"Well, yeah. I spend a good chunk of time cutting down the vampires. And yes, I admit, I've taken out a few devils. Well, and this one thing, I still have no idea what the hell that was, all tentacle-y and..."

The King they called Rem stepped down and walked closer. Uh oh. Stay frosty. Breathe. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, taking a single step to be by Mage's side. He let go of my wrist and held my hand instead, lacing our fingers together. I squeezed his hand gratefully and straightened my shoulders as Rem spoke again.

"Urie says that you also resisted his gaze. Just what sort of human are you, that you can resist devils and kill all manner of dark creatures?"

I was silent for a moment, contemplating what to tell this Devil King.

"It's ok, Babe. Rem was my friend before he became my King. You can trust him."

I looked at my devil for a moment. His eyes were clear, full of sincerity. I nodded and took another deep breath. I took a step back and unleashed my wings, spreading them fully as if preparing for flight.

"I'm only half human. My father was one of the Fallen."

There was a yelp from behind Rem, and everyone turned to look, but the purple-haired one had vanished. Before a word could be spoken, there was a hand caressing the space between where my wings sprouted from my back. I shrieked and whirled around, willing the wings away and palming the knife hidden up my left sleeve.

The purple-haired one had reappeared behind me. He looked absolutely thrilled, and I hissed at him. A blush crept up his pale cheeks, and he smiled at me in a way that completely tweaked me out.

"Your wings are beautiful, dear Karma. But tell me about those scars surrounding them, those looked so very painful."

He sounded way too happy about my pain. Actually, he didn't just sound happy, he sounded...turned on... It was far too creepy, and I shuddered, glaring at him.

"You have no right to touch me so intimately, and you have no right to know about my scars, you sick bastard."

"Ohh, now don't be that way, precious. We're the same, you and me."

The revulsion I felt must have shown clearly on my face, because he frowned and stepped closer. His hand was around my throat before I could blink. Mage growled beside me, but I waved my injured hand at him. The hand on my throat wasn't squeezing or cutting off my air supply, so I remained calm.

"Take your Goddamned hand off of me, or suffer the consequences."

He laughed softly and closed the distance further, his body far too close to my own. He leaned in and inhaled deeply. God, what was it about devils and sniffing me?

"Well, you are certainly brave, halfling. Especially for one with no magic. So tell me, my dear, just what could you possibly do to a full-fledged angel like me?"

His fingers slowly tightened around my throat. I kept a bored look plastered on my face until I couldn't draw in any air at all. I forced panic into my eyes, though I was calm internally. He smirked at me again and started to lean in even closer. Then suddenly he jumped back with a high squeal, his hands flying to his side, where the handle of my blade was sticking out.

"I told you to take your Goddamned hand off of me. Angel or devil or whatever the hell, that sweet little blade's gotta hurt like a bitch."

I bared my teeth in a feral grin and slipped my hand back into Mage's, and he let out a snort of laughter as he squeezed my hand. I thought that would be the end of it, but then the weirdest thing yet happened. The purple-haired freak pulled the knife out with a low moan of pleasure and handed it back, handle-first. What in seven bloody Goddamned hells?!

"That was simply wonderful, my dear. Thank you so much."

My jaw dropped, even as Mage picked him up by the collar and flung him effortlessly across the room. I looked up at my devil in confusion, and he shrugged, shaking his head slightly.

"Shiki's a masochist, Babe."

"I...Um... Oh. Well, that didn't work like I wanted it to, then. Shit."

"You came to my castle armed?"

Oh hell. I was so focused on the creepy Shiki dude that I had completely forgotten the blonde King. I whirled around at the biting tone, then decided, what the hell? Mage said I could trust him.

"I go grocery shopping armed. I have at least seven clans of blood-suckers after my head, I am never unarmed outside my home."

"I told you, Rem. The worst human he could have brought."

"Ugh, don't make me stab you again, Red bastard."

Rem was looking at me curiously. I straightened my shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. I wasn't about to be intimidated by anyone, Kings included.

"Of course I came armed. The only thing I have that could be called magic is the immunity to your gaze. I have wings, yes. I can fly. But I can't do that fun disappearing trick everyone else seems to be able to pull off. I'm not physically powerful. I mean, obviously, since I'm currently sporting three broken knuckles. So yes, I'm armed to the teeth. Wouldn't you be, in my place?"

"Hm. I suppose I would be, yes. But that doesn't exactly change things. I cannot let you stay armed."

"What?! Rem!"

"No, Mage, it's ok. You said I could trust him, right?"

"Well, yeah, but -"

"Then it's ok. I'm not here on a hunt."

I walked over to the nearest table and began disarming myself. Blade after blade after blade after blade landed on the table. I wasn't about to undress to take the sheaths off, however. The sword was a bit tricky, since I don't have much practice with the left-hand draw, but I got it after a moment. I stuck my booted feet, one after the other, on the arm of a nearby chair to slip the daggers from their hidden spots in each. I paused, thinking, then slipped the boots themselves off, disengaging the blades hidden in the soles under the toe-caps.

"Um, Mage? I uh...need some help with the last couple."

He snickered at the blush that crept up my cheeks, but walked over to shield me from sight as I took out the switchblades that he had tucked into my bra. After the slightest hesitation, I even slid the little scalpel out of my brace and tossed it onto the table as well. He looked shocked at that. I gave a little shrug and spoke quietly.

"You trust him. I'm not going to screw things up by lying and hiding weapons. He wants me unarmed, I'm unarmed. Just don't leave my side, ok? And don't let Shiki or that Red bastard near me."

"If they hurt you, I'll kill them."

I laid my head on his shoulder for the briefest moment, then stood up straight and faced Rem. The King seemed shocked and almost impressed by the amount of blades I'd taken off. I straightened my shoulders and held my head high.

"That's everything."

"How do I know you're being truthful?"

"Oh, for the love of - Look. You wanna pat me down, go right ahead, but I'm not lying. I even took my Goddamned boots off, and there's no way you would've found the toe blades. Or the damned scalpel."

"I'll search her for you, Rem."

I shot a glare at Urie and hissed. Cocky bastard.

"I don't need weapons to kick your pansy ass, Red. Touch me again, and I'll rip your throat out with my Goddamned teeth."

"That's my girl."

Mage sounded so pleased, and I couldn't help grinning at him before turning back to Rem. There was the barest hint of humor on his face, and he seemed intrigued. He switched his gaze between Mage and me for a moment, curiosity in his eyes.

"Alright, I believe you. Shiki, Urie, leave us."

"Are you sure, Rem?"

"Leave. Now."

Urie vanished without another word, Shiki following a second later. Rem gestured silently to a small group of ornate sofas a safe distance from my weapons. Mage and Rem sat on opposite sides of a low table, and Mage pulled me down onto his lap, curling one arm protectively around my waist. I snuggled into his embrace, but kept my eyes on Rem as my devil spoke.

"So what's the matter? What was so important you had Urie track me down?"

Rem sighed softly and pinched the bridge of his nose. After a moment, he looked up at Mage with weary eyes. He cleared his throat quietly before speaking.

"Are you sure this human can be trusted, Mage? The information I have is highly sensitive. Something like this could be used to destroy our entire way of life."

"Of course I'm sure, Rem. Karma is... I can't explain it, but she's different. She's not like anyone I've ever met. She's violent as all hell, but she's got the purest soul I've ever felt."

I blushed a little, I couldn't help it. I laced my fingers with his and squeezed his hand lightly. He squeezed back just as gently, and his arm tightened around me the slightest bit.

"I know you mean it, but if this information gets out..."

"Oh, for God's sake. Look, I don't give a damn about whatever you've got to say, dude. I couldn't care less about your kingdom, or your way of life, or whatever the hell else. The only reason I'm here is to be with Mage, because I literally can't stand being away from him. I only came so heavily armed in case I needed to stab that Red bastard again. I'm not after you or your people. As far as hunting, I only do what I have to do to protect my city, because it's crawling with those blood-sucking sons of whores."

Rem's face went through several expressions during my little rant. He looked fairly pissed off when I addressed him so casually, then shocked at my confession. I think I might have spotted the tiniest hint of humor when I mentioned stabbing Urie again, and he actually smiled a little at "blood-sucking sons of whores."

"I can honestly say, I've wanted to stab Urie myself on more than one occasion. What could have prompted you to?"

Mage issued a low growl, and I snickered a little. I shrugged slightly, it couldn't hurt to be honest.

"He pissed me off, plain and simple. He just appeared in my apartment, then he tried to enchant me. Then the Red bastard dared to touch me. He should consider himself lucky I only got his damned hand. And that I used a stupid fork, and not one of my blessed daggers."

"Blessed daggers? Do you work with the Exorcist Society?"

"Oh, hell no! Those pansies? Take their little beads and vials away, and they're nothing. Not one of those little bitches can fight worth shit."

"My girl's a one-woman ass-kicking machine."

I couldn't help the little giggles that bubbled up. I smiled up at my devil, and he gave me a feral little grin in return. I was sorely tempted to kiss him, but then I remembered we weren't alone. I turned back to the King across from us, who was wearing a decidedly curious look on his face.

"Honestly, you don't seem to be all that intimidating."

Mage burst into laughter, and I gave his hand a squeeze, grinning a little.

"Why would I? You haven't attacked or threatened me. You aren't terrorizing my city or killing innocent people. I save the anger and shit for the ones who deserve it. Right at this moment, I'm just sitting here with my man while he talks to his friend. I don't need to try to intimidate you."

"Hm."

"Trust me, Rem, she's plenty intimidating when she wants to be. And fast, damn. She's faster than any human I've seen."

He rubbed his shoulder as he spoke, and I felt twin pangs of guilt and humor. I laid my hand very gently over his, right where I knew his knife wound to be. But my voice was full of laughter as I spoke.

"Aw. You're just saying that 'cause I kicked your ass."

"Hey, I meant it when I said I hadn't been stuck like that in a long time. You are fast, Babe. But you didn't kick my ass. I had you completely unarmed."

"Yeah, yeah. And I was about half a second from biting your throat out, you know."

"Sure, Babe. Sure."

"I totally would have! It's your fault I got all distracted and shit."

"Wait. Mage, are you saying she stabbed you as well?"

I pursed my lips as heat crept up my cheeks. Mage just laughed and wrapped his arms around me again.

"Yeah, she got me a couple times. About two seconds after we saw each other for the first time. Told you, man, my girl is fast."

"Punched that pretty face of yours too, Blondie."

"Yeah, yeah. Look where that one got you, woman."

There was laughter in his voice, but his eyes were gentle as he carefully took my injured hand in his and raised it to his lips. My heart melted at the gesture, and I couldn't help the sappy smile that tugged at my lips.

"Hold on a moment. Your hand is broken because you punched him in the face?"

"Yep. His face is hard. Like a damn marble statue."

"And this happened when you first met?"

"Yeah. I was coming home from a hunt, and I could tell there was a devil near my apartment building. So I called him out, and Blondie pops up with some crusty dude's corpse. Well, I can't let that go. I mean, come on, that close to where I live? So of course I whipped a couple daggers at him, and we fought for a bit. I popped him a couple times. Really regretting that now, but he kept taking my blades away. What was I supposed to do?"

My devil burst into laughter again, and I poked him in the arm. We grinned at each other for a second, but Rem spoke again before we could say anything to each other.

"And your hand is still broken? Just how slowly do humans heal?"

He sounded so incredulous, I couldn't help the little snort of laughter. I rested my head against Mage's shoulder and giggled quietly, unable to answer for a minute. Once the stupid girly little giggles tapered off, I cleared my throat.

"Something like this usually takes about two months. Isn't that what that idiot doctor said?"

I looked up at Mage for confirmation, and he nodded, once again curling his arms lightly around my waist. I laid my hands over his, and he gave my uninjured hand a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah, he said between six and eight weeks."

"I am thoroughly confused."

"What's to be confused about? Humans suck, we take forever to heal. So I'm stuck with this damned brace for at least six weeks. Fairly straightforward."

Rem's gaze switched between Mage and me for a minute, the confusion just growing deeper. It finally dawned on my devil and me, and we both burst into laughter. Mage spoke while I fought to contain another round of idiotic giggles.

"All this happened last night, Rem."

"What? You're telling me you haven't even known this woman for twenty-four hours?!"

"I know, man, it's totally crazy. I can't explain it. It's like... It's just... I have to be with her."

The emotion in that last statement finally dried up my laughter. I looked up into his beautiful golden eyes and sighed quietly. I leaned up and brushed my lips over his for just the briefest moment, bringing my hand up to caress his cheek. After a second or two, I reluctantly turned back to face his King, and my own voice had gone soft.

"It's crazy, it's impossible, but it's completely true. One second we were fighting, ready to kill each other, and the next... It was like being struck by lightning, it was so fast, there was no warning, we just... I don't know how to explain it, everything just clicked into place."