Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Gargoyles characters portrayed in this story, except for Adam Maza, Tachia and Eosine. All others are owned by those geniuses over at Disney. As always, please don't sue me. Pretty Please?

All comments are most definitely appreciated!

5—Demonas Revenge Pt 2

Tachia's heart burned with anger and pain as she ran out of the hallway and through the castle until she reached the parapets. She opened her wings and allowed the air to fill them. As they did, Tachia allowed the first tears to fall since she had seen her love mounted on the human.

"How could he betray our vows? Our love?" She asked the wind that carried her away from the castle, if only for a few minutes. It wasn't like Tachia to run away from her problems, but this situation called for rationality, not impulsive anger and harsh words. She had always been the most logical of her clan back in England. She needed to soar through the air to gain a bit of perspective on the matter before returning to confront Brooklyn and Elisa.

After a few minutes, Tachia's anger hadn't subsided, and she decided that she needed to talk female to female to Elisa. When Tachia saw Brooklyn on top of Elisa, her expression did show that she was upset (or perhaps was it just that she had been caught?!). Tachia's rational side took over, and she decided to return to the castle and discuss matters with whichever of the two she found first.

---

Elisa rose from the spot on the floor where she had collapsed after being yelled at by Goliath. She couldn't tell if it had been mere seconds or minutes or hours since he had left her alone in that room, but she decided that she needed to get out of the castle now. She looked around the room for Adam's diaper bag and found it lying at the foot of his crib. She walked over wearily to it, inspected its contents to ensure she would have all she needed, and set out to find Angela to retrieve her son. Luckily for Elisa, Angela was standing outside the door to her bedroom with Adam. Elisa nearly ran into her in her distracted effort to find her son. Angela stared blankly at Elisa, unsure of what to say or how to react.

"Um, thanks for watching him, Angela," Elisa began, knowing that this situation was just as confusing for Angela as it was for her, and wanted to spare her a bit of the oddness of it all. Angela smiled ever so slightly.

"He's great to watch, Elisa." Angela began quietly, her voice hesitant and demure. She looked at the diaper bag slung over Elisa's right shoulder. "Where are you going? You need to talk with Father. I've never seen him so upset." Angela said, nearly begging Elisa to stay with the tone she used. Elisa closed her eyes to try to shut out the memory of Goliath's anger directed upon her.

"You and me, both. But I can't reason with him right now. I'm amazed he didn't break something in my room before he left. Anyway, I'm just not sure this is the best place for Adam, or me for that matter…at least until Goliath calms down and I can explain things better…" Elisa sighed. "He won't ask, but if he does, you can tell him I'm at my parent's house." Elisa repositioned the diaper bag over her shoulder to take Adam in her arms. Angela handed him over. He squirmed a bit before settling into Elisa's arms. Elisa kissed his forehead and nodded at Angela before turning and walking towards the elevator.

"Elisa?" Angela called from behind her. Elisa turned her head slightly to hear what Angela wanted to tell her.

"I believe you. Father will, too." Elisa sighed in sadness before pressing the down button on the elevator.

---

Tachia returned to the castle, eager to speak with either Brooklyn or Elisa, to find it empty. She walked swiftly to Elisa's bedroom, hoping to catch her there, but was disappointed to find no one at all there. She walked into the empty bedroom, trying to remember the way the scene looked before she and the rest of the clan had walked in, but failed. She didn't want to see that again, actually. Sadly, she took a seat at the foot of Elisa's bed, smoothing the bedspread beside her and trying to forget what might have happened on that very bed between Elisa and Brooklyn. Tachia had never been a jealous gargoyle, and never had had any reason at all to suspect Brooklyn of infidelity, but this tainted her image of him.

A tear trickled down her cheek and landed on the floor beside a crumpled piece of lined paper. Against her better judgement, Tachia rose from her seat and kneeled beside the paper. Lifting the ball of paper, and trying to set it straight as she raised it to her face, she began reading the words written on the paper by Brooklyn's distinctive cursive writing.
"My darling one, I have denied my feelings for far too long. I want you to be mine for all eternity…"Tachia gasped. She read on to make sure of what she was reading.

"By the Dragon and the North Star, in front of our friends, our family, and our clan, I swear my love for you is real, by all that I know, and all that is, and I vow my undying love and companionship until the day I stop breathing. You are now my mate," At this point, there were a set of brackets, inside of which laid the words, 'insert name here', and continued, "for always."

Tachia shook her head disbelievingly. Why was this in here? These were the vows she and Brooklyn exchanged more than six years earlier, when they were still in 1795. Why was this paper crumpled, and lying upon Elisa's floor? Tachia flattened the paper out in her palms and left the bedroom, determined to find Brooklyn now.

-
Meanwhile, on the parapets...

Goliath seized up his prey. Brooklyn cowered closer and closer to the wall, preparing to attempt feebly at defending himself, though he had a feeling that he would die trying against Goliath. Brooklyn's agility and fighting skills were obviously no match to Goliath's massive size and sheer raw power, Brooklyn knew. He saw the distinct features of a madman in Goliath's face and position; he was possessed with rage, anger, and irrationality. Goliath's eyes glowed brightly, and Brooklyn prayed at that instant that something, someone would come and save him.

As Goliath prepared to strike, quick paced footsteps could be heard approaching the two fighters. A blue-ish coloured gargoyle stepped between the two, with arms raised in surrender.

"Stop, Goliath!" It was Demona who came between them. Brooklyn and Goliath both stopped in their tracks and stared at Demona. Even in their enraged states, they couldn't help but wonder what on earth Demona was doing there at that precise moment. Goliath shook his head.

"Stay out of this, Demona! You have no idea what is going on here!" Goliath roared. Demona sighed. I know more than you think, she thought with an internal smile.

"That doesn't matter. Surely whatever this argument is about is not as terrible as that." She commented calmly. Brooklyn then rose from his cowering position against the wall, his arms still in a stance of defence. Goliath's eyes still burned white as he spoke.

"It is. This traitor must be dealt with accordingly." He said in his most dangerous-sounding voice, causing Brooklyn to back away again. Demona noticed this and walked towards Goliath close enough that she reached out and touched his shoulder.

"You need to calm down, Goliath. This is not the way you would normally handle this sort of situation." She said quietly, trying to solicit calm in Goliath. It worked, because his eyes slowly returned to normal, and he looked directly at Demona, paying no attention to Brooklyn. At this, Brooklyn let out a sigh of relief.

"You are right." He said simply. Demona patted his shoulder, and motioned towards the sky. "Let us go for a glide to calm you down." Goliath nodded, opened his wings and jumped off the edge of the parapet with Demona.

Brooklyn watched this and was suddenly exponentially grateful of Demona's appearance so suddenly. His mind seemed to be clearing of its fogginess at that moment. A thought entered his mind: why had Demona been there? And why didn't I defend myself properly instead of cowering in a corner? I'm second in command, after all! Brooklyn put his hands to his head and sat over the edge of the parapets to gather his thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the skies above Manhattan…

"So tell me, Goliath, what brought this fight on? Brooklyn is not one of my favourites in the clan, that is no secret, but he is your second. What has happened?"

Goliath sighed. "He has been having a secret affair with Elisa. I walked into her bedroom to find them together…" he trailed off. Demona did her best to put on a surprised face and turned in mid air to face him.

"By the Dragon! I knew that human was treacherous. It took her a few years to reveal her true nature…Goliath, I know that, for whatever reason, that human meant a great deal to you. I am sorry for your pain." Demona said with a tone as close to sincerity as she could intimate. She watched his reaction with curiosity and desire. She longed to hold him in his arms and comfort her with all that she had, like she had done more than a thousand years ago, when she was the only female he desired. She wanted to stroke his hair, touch the special spot between his wings, and pleasure him in ways he had long forgotten she could. The look on her face made her want to comfort him all the more. His brow ridges drooped down ever so slightly, and his mouth was set in a frown. Demona knew that this was the face he wore when he had been hurt deeply. I'm sorry, Goliath, Demona thought. This is for your own good and the good of our kind.

"Thank you, Demona," Goliath finally replied after gliding for nearly five minutes in silence.

Now is the time to plant the seed of friendship with him again, Demona thought. I must depart now…any longer, and he'd be suspicious as to why I was in the area before Brooklyn was about to be murdered.

"Goliath, I would love to glide with you further, but I must be off. I have Nightstone business to deal with. I was gliding by the Eyrie when I heard that commotion. It is a good thing I stopped you when I did."
"Yes, it was. Thank you for stopping me. That would not have been the gargoyle way."
"So you'll banish him then?" Demona said, trying to contain her joy at the thought.
"Yes, I must. He is a traitor, as is she." Goliath bowed his head is if in prayer, and then gazed at Demona again. "Thank you again, Demona." Goliath said sincerely. She nearly blushed when his eyes met hers.

"It was nothing, Goliath. Take care in your decisions to come, Goliath. May the Dragon protect you." She touched his arm briefly before waving goodbye and changing her direction to glide towards the Nightstone Unlimited building. Goliath watched until she was out of sight, and then began gliding towards the Eyrie.

Demona grinned to herself as she glided away from Goliath. Her plan to destroy Elisa and Brooklyn had worked to a tee. True, she had stopped Goliath from killing Brooklyn, but because of the actions of this night, he will probably be banished from the clan, alienated from his mate, and miserable for the rest of his days. Adultery was something gargoyle clans weren't particularly forgiving of. As for Elisa, she would be sent away from the clan as well as her bastard son, paving the way for Demona to swoop in and reclaim what was rightfully hers: Goliath.

---

As Goliath landed upon the parapet he slept upon nightly to find the entire clan gathered there, minus Tachia. Even Brooklyn was in the congregation, standing beside Angela. Each member of the clan wore concerned looks upon their faces, and watched Goliath carefully as he stepped towards them.

"What is going on here? And WHY is HE here?" Goliath pointed to Brooklyn. "You are a traitor and you WILL be banished from this clan for life!" Goliath demanded. Angela stepped forward.

"Stop, Father, something isn't right about this whole situation. I suspected some sort of magic spell has been cast, so I called Owen and Alexander to help us." She pointed to the entry way where the majordomo Owen held young Alexander Xanatos by the hand. It was way past Alexander's bedtime, but Fox had allowed the intrusion. She knew that Owen/Puck would take care of him, and she had been feeling a bit tired the last few weeks, and wanted to just sleep that night. Besides, Alex had been finicky that evening with regards to sleeping. It was as if the fey in him had told him that something had happened that would require his assistance in righting. Alex's eyes were wide and alert, ready to help in any way.

"I was told that my services would be needed in order to help." Owen said in his typical monotone. Goliath squinted in confusion.

"How would Puck help us?" He asked. Owen nodded, released Alexander's hand and turned into Puck effortlessly. He kneeled down to Alexander's level and put an arm around the toddler. He looked up at Goliath and the others.

"This is how, oh fearless leader," He turned to Alexander. "Ma boy, do your thing." Alexander's hands suddenly flew up over his head. The child's eyes fogged up and became white. Puck, too, waved his arms over his head, as if the magic that flowed through Alex's hands had to be interpreted through Puck. As quickly as this scene had begun, both Puck and Alex's arms flew down at their sides and their magic was done.

Puck's expression was that of mild shock, while Alexander didn't understand what he had sensed through his magic.

"My, my, Goliath. There is some fierce and passionate magic all around you!" He turned to look at Brooklyn, and sensed the magic strongly about him as well. "And you—the force is strong with this one, too," He quipped.

"You mean to tell us that a spell caused Brooklyn to jump on Elisa?!" Goliath roared.

"That's exactly what I'm telling you, big boy," Puck smiled. "Nothing in the last hour has been their doing, as far as Alex or I can see. Even your bursts of anger were part of this spell. It was designed to cause tears and pain, and I see it has done its job, unfortunately. Those are two things that are no fun at all." Puck concluded, shaking his fey head.
"Who couldda done this, then?" Hudson asked curiously. Puck and Alex closed their eyes again, trying to see who had cast the spell…

His mind's eye saw a sorceress casting the spell that caused this situation to come about. The spell had her personal signature written all over it, but only a sorcerer or someone of the Third Race would be able to detect that. She must not have known this; otherwise her signature would not have been as readily detectable to one as untrained as Puck or Alexander. But, instead of revealing who it was that had cast this spell upon Brooklyn and Goliath, Puck put on his most thoughtful face, and said, "I can't see exactly who, or what, may have caused this spell, but I can tell you that it has all but faded. Its intended injury has been done. What that injury was, I cannot see, but something tells me that it is reversible." Goliath shook his head with what little strength he had left. The strength of his rage had burned so much energy from Goliath that he was rendered exhausted.

"No, that injury will burn within my very core for all eternity. Besides, they WERE having an affair! Why were they being so secretive recently??" Brooklyn looked up at Goliath and began to protest again, but before he could even get a word in, Tachia suddenly emerged from the hallway with a slightly wilted piece of paper in her talons. The expression she wore had lightened greatly since the entire clan had last seen her, running away from the scene that led them all to that moment.

Brooklyn watched her sadly, knowing that he had to make up for what he did, though he did it not of his own volition. The spell, they knew now, had caused him to desire Elisa and act upon it. Before that moment where he envisioned her hair blowing wildly in the wind, he had had no unwholesome thoughts about her at all, save of course when she was turned into a gargoyle on the night the clan was introduced to Puck, but all the others had thought exactly the same thoughts.

Tachia touched Goliath's arm softly, urging him to look at her. "Goliath, I read this," The mangled, and yet nearly flattened paper in her talons was the paper on which hers and Brooklyn's vows were written. In his rage, Goliath had mangled the paper, thrown it upon the floor, and stormed out of Elisa's bedroom.

"Yes," Goliath began bitterly. "The betrayer wrote this to Elisa, though she claims they are the vows she wished to say to me on our wedding night." He scoffed at the thought, but stopped when Tachia nodded.

"These are the exact vows Brooklyn and I exchanged six years ago."

Goliath wore a surprised expression. "Are you certain? That is what she told me as well." Tachia nodded, and then motioned for Eosine to come and read the vows. The pink skinned gargoyle walked a few steps towards them, and took the paper in her hands. She smiled briefly. "Oh yes, Goliath, those are the same vows all four of us exchanged. We were mated on the same night, as you know."

Goliath felt almost faint at this revelation. His anger, created by a magic spell, was directed towards Elisa, but she had been telling the truth.

"Oh no," Goliath shook his head.

---

Meanwhile, at Diane and Peter's house…

Elisa arrived at her parent's house outside of Manhattan just before 2am. Adam, thankfully, was sound asleep in his carrier, and Elisa was exhausted after all that had happened that night. Though Elisa had called them to ask if she could stay the night, Diane and Peter knew little about what had happened between her and Goliath. They were going to barrage her with questions as soon as she entered the house, but decided against it the second they saw her face. Her coffee coloured complexion was lined with streaks left behind by tears she had cried on the drive to their house. Diane immediately wrapped her arms around her daughter, while Peter took the baby carrier from her hands and brought it into their bedroom, where he'd be staying.

Silently, Diane escorted Elisa to her old bedroom and sat her down on her single bed.

"What happened, Elisa?"

Reluctantly, Elisa began. "Goliath thinks I cheated on him, and I thought it was best for me to get out of the castle to let him cool off and come to his senses. I would never do that, mom. I love him far too much to ever even consider that," Elisa said. Diane was shocked at the news, but decided that Elisa shouldn't be reminded of this any further tonight.

In her most motherly voice, Diane said, "Elisa, you and Goliath will work this out. For now, you need to get some rest. We will take care of Adam for you. Wash up and rest," She smoothed the hair that fell down Elisa's back, kissed Elisa's forehead and left the room, closing the door behind her.

After washing her face with cold water, she returned to the bedroom she had lived in most of her life until she became a policewoman. It was a small room, just big enough to fit a single sized bed, a dresser, and a desk in the far right corner. The walls were still covered with the pictures and posters she had up when she was a teenager. Pictures of big hair bands Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Duran Duran were pinned up on the walls. These posters had to be more than ten years old, but they weren't faded or ripped. The room was actually pretty immaculate. The paint on the walls wasn't chipped or in need of a new coat, there was no dust on the furniture, and everything looked as if someone still lived in this room. Elisa chalked this up to her mother's great attention to detail, and cleanliness. Though Elisa had been living on her own for more than 7 years, she could see that her mother's near paranoia for a clean house hadn't dissipated.

On the dresser, there were a few bottles of perfume, and a picture of Elisa's graduation from the Police Academy. Her father must have put the framed picture there, Elisa decided, since he was so very proud of his first born daughter following in his footsteps. She smiled briefly before letting out a weary yawn that caused her eyes to water. She was going to check on Adam one last time before calling it a night, but she could hear her parents cooing over him, and she was pretty sure that they were capable of caring for him tonight. After all, they had raised three children in their time, and had done a pretty damn good job of it, too. Elisa stretched a bit before pulling back the comforter on her old bed and snuggling into the folds of the sheets and instantly falling asleep.

---

Back at the Castle…

"Where did she go?" Goliath asked aloud upon entering Elisa's bedroom in the castle and seeing Adam's diaper bag gone. Angela stepped behind him, and answered quietly, "Her parent's house. She told me before she left." Goliath turned to face Angela.

"I was so harsh to her," He sighed. "I need to beg her forgiveness immediately, before more time passes." The remorse on Goliath's face was unmistakeable. The spell had completely left Goliath. Angela noted this, and put a comforting hand on his forearm.

"Father, there is hope. She wouldn't have told me where she was going if she didn't have the slightest hope of reconciliation." This seemed to help ease Goliath's pain a bit. He smiled briefly at his daughter. "She loves you, Father. You know that," Angela continued. "She will understand what caused your anger once you explain it to her." Goliath bowed his head and closed his eyes.

"I sincerely hope so. If I were to lose her, I would have nothing in this world,"

Angela smiled. "Yes, that's how I feel about Broadway," She waved her hand to the window that had been smashed by Brooklyn after being discovered on top of Elisa. "No go to her, Father!" Goliath nodded determinedly and walked towards the broken window, jumped out, and spread his wings as he fell. Once the wind filled his wings, he glided towards the Maza residence.

---

"Brooklyn"
Brooklyn looked up to see his mate staring at him sweetly. "Tachia, I—"

She stopped him. "My mate, you do not need to apologise to me. The spell caused you to act in that manner, and you've been acting suspiciously lately because you were helping Elisa with the vows for the mating ceremony. I understand it all, my love. I understood the moment I read this," She handed him the formerly-crumpled, and now slightly straightened paper on which the vows were written. Brooklyn recognised the paper instantly and, taking it from Tachia's hand, frowned.

"This has caused me a lot of trouble tonight." He stated sadly. "But you're right. I was trying to help her, and it blew up in my face." Tachia took the paper back from him and let it drop to the ground. She then took his hands in hers.

"Brooklyn, this was not your fault. The spell is to blame. You did not act of your own accord. It was by the grace of God that Goliath did not kill you! I saw the look of Satan himself in his eyes this night, but now calm and remorse have taken over him." The light green skinned gargoyle rubbed his hands with her talons gently. "Before I knew the truth of the spell, I was crazy with grief and pain. To even think you would betray me was too much for me to bear," Brooklyn shook his head.

"Darling, I would never do that to you. Elisa is a dear friend, but that is it. No one else, for that matter, could compare to you, Tachia. Please believe me. You are everything to me," Tachia smiled, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"That I know. I love you, my mate." She embraced Brooklyn lovingly. Brooklyn buried his face in Tachia's long hair and inhaled deeply.
"I love you too, Tachia," Brooklyn replied, wrapping her in his wings. He then had a wicked idea; one he was sure Tachia would approve of.
"How about we go for a glide, darling?" His expression was devilish and naughty, causing Tachia to instantly know exactly what he was referring to. She nodded.
"I would love to go for a glide, Brooklyn."

---

Elisa slept lightly that night, and only half an hour at a time, for she woke every time she managed to dream. She forced herself to awaken each time because the dreams tormented her. Some were of Tony Dracon re-emerging himself in her son, while others were of Goliath's devastatingly harsh tone with her and his banishment of her from the clan, something she was nearly certain would happen. The last dream she had was just of this: Goliath was yelling at her, and calling her a whore. When she finally managed to wake herself from this nightmare, she shot up in bed, deciding that sleeping was not something she wanted to do this night. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she realised that the door to the bedroom had been left ajar. But that's strange, Elisa thought. I closed the door all the way when I went to bed. She leaned over and turned on the small lamp on her bedside table, rose from the bed and walked to the door. As she stepped closer to the door, she could hear the hushed voices of her parents speaking from downstairs in the living room. It seemed as though they had visitors. At this hour??

She grabbed a robe hanging behind the door, slipped it on and went to see who could possibly be calling. She took three steps out of the bedroom when she heard the most familiar voice in the world; Goliath's deep and gentle baritone was audible even from upstairs. She froze. What would she do? Instantly, she walked closer to the staircase leading to the lower level, wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation. She walked cautiously to the staircase and began her descent. The final step, however, caused a loud creaking noise that was certainly audible below. She froze again. Damnit, she thought. I forgot about that step. Maybe they hadn't heard me, she hoped. Her hope was proven wrong instantly because the voices stopped their conversation and she could hear one of them getting up from the sofa and walking towards the staircase. When she saw him, she took a step back. It was Goliath.

"Elisa, how long have you been standing there?" He asked quietly, almost embarrassed that he didn't come and see her first.
"Uh, just a few seconds...were you guys having a chat?" She asked, but then regretted saying it immediately. She frowned.
"Yes, but you were the one I really needed to speak to." The look of remorse took over his expression. "Can we talk?" Elisa nodded and motioned to the upper level. She turned and began to walk to the bedroom, with Goliath following her silently. Once there, she sat upon her bed and waited for Goliath to say something. He stood before her, his look heartbreaking.

"Elisa, I know you did not betray me. It was sorcery that caused Brooklyn to act as he did. And I know that he had helped you write your vows for our wedding ceremony." He waited to see what her reaction to this news would be. There was none. He continued.

"Also, the spell caused my suspicions and anger to multiply and be directed upon you. For that, my love, I am so very sorry." Elisa bowed her head so as not to look at Goliath. He noticed this, and kneeled before her. He took her hands in his and lifted her chin to make her look at him. A single tear rolled down her cheek at that moment.

"Elisa, please know that I trust you and love you far beyond all others in this world. I am sorry for all that I have done to cause you pain this night. Please forgive me, my darling?" Elisa looked at him sadly. "Are you sure you trust me, Goliath? I can't live without trust, and you need to trust me. I never betrayed you. I was planning a surprise for you for our ceremony…"

"Yes, Elisa. I trust you entirely, my angel, and I am sorry that you had to reveal that surprise to me." He smiled at her, causing a smile to creep onto her face as well. "Come back with me to the castle, my love?"

Elisa nodded, and leaped into his arms to embrace him. "I was so worried about us, Goliath. I never want to see you that angry again!" She exclaimed as Goliath picked her up in his arms and rose. His lips ached to touch hers, so as soon as she had finished speaking, Goliath leaned forward and kissed his beloved so happily that Elisa didn't speak again until they had reached the castle.

The clan had been watching television in the Great Hall together when Goliath and Elisa came walking in together, hand in hand. Instantly, the clan jumped up, full of questions, but decided against asking them tonight. The couple needed to be alone together to put the ugliness of the evening behind them and prepare for their mating ceremony, a little over a month away.

---

David Xanatos had been informed of the commotion in the lives of the clan, and Owen had filled him in on what exactly was the cause: A magic spell.

"Interesting, Owen. Well, you don't know who cast it?" David asked curiously.

"It appears an over thousand year old sorceress is at it again, I'm afraid. I don't think it would be wise to advise the gargoyles or detective Maza of this fact, however," Owen replied. David placed a hand thoughtfully on his beard.

"Well, it's of no consequence, anyway. I saw Brooklyn and Tachia gliding off together half an hour ago, and I just saw Goliath returning to the castle carrying the detective in his arms. It seems things are back to normal." David glanced at his watch. 4:13am. "Perfect timing. Now, I'm off to bed and to check on Fox." Owen raised an eyebrow.

"Is she still not feeling well, sir?"

"She's been tired lately. Alex has been tiring her out. And she hasn't been eating properly. I'm starting to suspect she could be pregnant, but I'll wait until December to ask her." David didn't seem perturbed by this possibility. Owen had to ask.

"Sir, you aren't worried about it? That is, if she is pregnant?"

David smiled. "Not at all, Owen. In observing my son, I think I have finally mastered the secret to immortality, and that is through my children. Besides, Fox has been pining for a little girl. Who knows, Owen!" Owen nodded and watched as his employer and friend walked out of the office and to his wife. He then decided to pay a visit to someone…

---

Demona was preparing for her transformation from gargoyle to human in her bedroom, as the sun was ten minutes from rising. Just as she was internally congratulating herself on a job well done, Puck appeared in a cloud of smoke and light, wearing a devilish expression and hovering closely over Demona's head. Along with Puck always came trouble. She sneered at his presence, but stayed silent until he stated his business. Afterwards, Demona concluded, she would pummel him into the ground. She was in such a great mood, but Puck's company could always manage to turn her disposition sour…

"Someone's been awfully naughty tonight, eh, old pal?" Puck asked knowingly. Demona raised a fist and took a swing at Puck, at which he ducked and moved gracefully out of the path of Demona's rage-filled swing. Her knuckles connected swiftly with the bedroom wall Puck had been hovering in front of, sending shockwaves of pain through Demona's arm. She cursed wildly and began tending to her hand gingerly. Her eyes suddenly blazed bright red.

"What in blazes are you talking about, Puck??" She screamed, looking up from her bruised hand.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Demona. Don't tell me you've already forgotten the spell you cast upon the oddest of couples in Manhattan," Puck teased. He then narrowed his eyes upon Demona, casting an annoyed look towards her. "…although, I don't think it very polite to continue the lie for much longer. It insults us both." Demona cursed again.
"How the devil did you find out??" She asked the fey angrily.

"I was sent for and SMELLED your signature magic all over Brooklyn and Goliath without even using what little magic I still am allowed to use! You are still an amateur, dear Demona!" He teased again, causing her eyes to renew their bright redness and a growl to escape her lips. Before she could say anything, Puck raised a hand, hovered a few more feet away from her, and began.

"Now, I haven't told the clan about who cast that spell"
"Why not? What's in it for you, you hovering annoyance?!" Demona exploded.

"Well, for one, I figure that it would be a good idea to keep you in debt to me. You see, who knows when I may need a favour from the immortal Demona," He smiled slyly, motioning to Demona as he spoke. "And secondly, it appears that it doesn't really matter who cast the spell, because the damage seems to be corrected all on its own, without my intervention." Demona was confused.

"How so?" She asked with one eyebrow raised. Puck seemed pleased that she asked this very question.

"Detective Maza and Goliath have just reconciled, and Brooklyn and his mate, Tachia, have also reconciled. All is well in Castle Wyvern this night," Puck concluded with a mirthful grin. Demona slammed a fist in her hand.

"By the Dragon, how is that possible?!" Demona asked loudly, the frustration seeping through her tone of voice.

Completely ignoring her question, Puck continued his train of thought. "I don't know why you did it, Demona, although I do have a suspicion. Could it be that I was right on the night we first met? Could you still be carrying a torch for your ex-mate? I am certain that would have worked, too, had the spell not been cast so hastily!" Puck teased.

To this, Demona rose from her seat, again cursing under her breath, stomping her feet and screaming incoherently.
Ignoring her again, Puck raised his hands above his head and said, "Demona, I BIND you to this promise! You will listen and obey!" Demona felt a shock run through her, and shook momentarily.

"Now when I call this favour in, you will NOT skimp out on fulfilling your obligation."

"What makes you—"

"I have good reason not to trust you, Demona. And who knows for whom this favour would have to benefit. I want to ensure your debt is repaid properly when the situation calls for it." With those final words, Puck disappeared, and the sun rose, causing Demona unmentionable pain as she transformed into Dominique Destine.

"Blast you, Puck!!! And blast HER!!"

-----
(Stay Tuned for the Mating Ceremony! And I sincerely apologise for the delay in writing this one! School has been hectic lately! )