Me: Now seems like a good time to update. Sorry guys, writer's block kicked me in the butt and on top of that, I got a job so my down time is very low. I will try to write and update when I can and on my days off. But anyways, yay! We see Ash again! He'll show up more later in the story but for now, we will focus on Sebby and Sarah. I only own Sarah. Hope you all enjoy!

I groaned as my eyes opened. I was on the floor of a wooden carriage that bumped along the road. A long black coat was draped over my body like a blanket that I faintly recognized. The sun was bright and it was nice to feel its warmth on my skin. I sat up and my hair that had fallen out of the ribbon spilled over my shoulders.

"Nice to see you are awake, My Lady." I looked up to see the man from before, Sebastian guiding the single black horse up the winding dirt trail. I pushed a piece of hair out of my face.

"Where are we going?"

"To the manor where Ash will meet us." I suddenly became aware that my dress was very thin and I shivered. Sebastian noticed this and pulled the coat over my shoulders with one hand.

"Thank you."

"Hmm?" His eyes made me slightly nervous. They were so dark they appeared to be a deep red, it was unnerving. I focused on my hands.

"I never got to thank you, so thank you." I said rather meekly.

He only nodded.

We were silent for the rest of the ride. I watched the flat fields of golden wheat become rolling deep green hills with clusters of trees that dotted the land. Soon we came to a three story manor nestled just out of sight. The grounds were massive and the white marble fountain served as a centerpiece for the ring of cobblestone that was the drive way. My eyes lit up when I saw him standing on the steps of the manor. Ash all clad in his white robes with his rapier at his side, he hadn't changed at all since I last saw him. The sun catching his white locks and his violet eyes toiling with emotions befitting a demigod that has known pain. Sebastian barely halted the carriage as I raced out and tackle hugged the angel. I knew that Ash was smiling as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

"It's good to see you again, Sarah." He pulled away, his gloved fingers ghosting over a fresh bruise from earlier, his smile disappearing.

"You're injured." I brushed him off.

"I'm fine, Ash. You always did worry to much about me." That brought a weary smile to his face.

"Can you blame me?"

I shrugged, a smile of my own on my face.

"As much as I would hate to break up this beautiful reunion, I believe we have a problem." Ash looked up at Sebastian.

"What are you talking about?"

"The demons that were controlling your friend were lesser demons. They are not the smartest and cannot escape hell unless granted by a higher power."

"What are you saying?" Ash asked and Sebastian took another step closer.

"I'm saying that only a higher demon would be able to release those lesser demons. Besides, they forced her into a contract, it was not a deal of servitude, it was meant to be a leash."

"A leash? Why would someone want to put her on a leash?" Something in the back of my mind flickered from the early days of my banishment. My legs felt like jelly and I fell forward, only to be steadied by Ash, who set be down on the stairs of the manor as Sebastian left for a moment to retrieve a chair.

"Sarah, you okay?" I shook my head.

"It was Victor. Victor was the reason why..." I dared not finish. Tears welled up in my eyes and Ash pulled me into a comforting embrace.

"Victor?" Sebastian asked, letting the lawn chair in his hand down.

"He's an Archangel and second in command of the Knights under Gabriel." Sebastian blinked.

"War angels."

"Ah." Ash turned back to me as I wiped my eyes.

"What do you mean Victor is behind this?"

"You know why I was banished. Because Victor is planning something." Ash pulled back.

"You were saying the same thing before the hearing, you didn't have any evidence and you know that-"

"Because it was so damn good at covering his tracks!" I snapped, making Ash wince.

"Look, I know that I'm right. He's a cunning bastard that wants something. I don't know what it is, but it's important to him."

"And it was something that the other angels couldn't find out about." Sebastian stated, rubbing his chin.

I nodded before turning to Ash again.

"Ash, you're a knight also, maybe you could find out what he is up to?"

Ash snorted.

"And risk the major consequences? No."

I gave him a look.

"Please? For me?" Ash gave me a look in return. I knew that what I would say next was a sore spot but I knew that I was right.

"For Jewels." That got him. With a sigh, he reluctantly nodded.

"I'll look into it, and I'll get back to you." He began to walk away, muttering something quietly to Sebastian before flying off. After, Ash had gone, Sebastian turned to me; A genuinely charming smile crossed his face. I likely went red like a cherry since he looked me straight in the face. Yes, he was handsome, a sort of devilishly good looks that my angelic instinct knew meant trouble.

"Now, I believe that it is only fair for me to give you a tour around the manor and the grounds. Would you kindly take my hand?"

I glanced at his hand for a moment before resting my hand in his. He gently closed his fingers around mine and guided me inside. The manor was huge, but Sebastian knew every inch of it. I felt dizzy and confused as we walked through the many halls. I likely would have lost my way many times if Sebastian wasn't there to guide me. We even stopped at his room, which was rather dull and void of any sort of personal items, this both struck with a bit of curiosity and I couldn't help but wander the room. Sebastian seemed to be rather amused by this.

"As you can imagine, I do not use this room often."

"Demons never sleep." I remembered being taught in Heaven about characteristics of demons. He had a smirk on his face.

"Indeed, and I am no different. I imagine that you will need some rest." He gently guided me out of his quarters and lead me to a guest bedroom upstairs to the right. I blinked when I saw the room. It was decorated with fine objects and the bed had soft cotton sheets spread neatly. Sebastian looked very pleased.

"I hope that it is to your liking?"

I was speechless. What could I say? After spending a year in a tent with a lumpy mattress and a thin blanket, this was luxury for me.

"I don't know what to say." I replied quietly.

Sebastian humbly bowed at the waist.

"I will take that as the highest compliment."

I blushed. All of this was so strange to me. It had only been a few hours ago, I was a prisoner forced to sing, now here I was being treated like a noblewoman by a demon, a creature I was taught to kill on sight. I felt light headed and I stumbled. Sebastian steadied me and guided me to sit on the bed.

"This is all so sudden." I managed and he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Perhaps you should rest. You have had long day." I managed a nod and lay down, passing out as soon as my head touched the pillow.

Sebastian lightly chuckled at the Fallen's exhaustion. He placed her body under the blankets and that is when he noticed the small birthmark on her collar in the shape of a diamond when her head lopped to the side. Sebastian felt his heart stop. He understood now why he felt so determined to protect her, to help, because she reminded him of someone he had known a long time ago. Sebastian quickly left the room and went to his quarters where he pulled a small painting from his nightstand. It was of a young woman that bore a striking resemblance to Sarah with long dark hair cascading over her shoulders and a slight mischievous smirk on her perfect lips. Her bright eyes twinkling like the artist and her had shared some sort of inside joke. Sebastian stared at the portrait for a long moment, his mind buzzing and spinning uncontrollably.

"Maria... Oh how I miss you." He muttered before slipping the portrait into his breast pocket, over his heart. While it was in part true that demons were not weighted down by the emotions that humans were bound to, they did know of heartbreak and suffering, those things were things that Sebastian knew well, more then he would allow himself to admit. He closed the nightstand drawer and left his room, the portrait in his breast pocket, out of sight.