Chapter Three

Rhiannon woke to an amazing male voice echoing in her mind.

Rhiannon, wake up. Don't want to be late for school do you?

She rolled over and caught the pleasant scent of fresh apple pie wafting towards her. Her eyes fluttered open and stared into a pair of green eyes, sparkling with mischief. Rhiannon couldn't help but smile sleepily at him.

She felt her eyes shut slowly, as she was lulled back to sleep. It was so gloriously warm this morning. She didn't want to get up.

Ever.

She snuggled closer to the warmth. Rhiannon knew she'd had a dream last night, something impossible but it had been so real. Imagine, a genie boy. She wanted to laugh at herself.

What's so funny about that? A voice laughed into her head.

Her eyes opened abruptly as she stared up at Devlin in shock.

So it wasn't a dream. He's real. She moved to touch him, but her hand just passed right through him. She had felt his hand just yesterday, felt how incredibly real he was.

What happened?

I didn't think you're grandmother would like it if she saw a half-naked guy in her granddaughter's bedroom do you? I'm in... stealth mode. He shot her a look that said he thought this was hilarious.

She jumped out of her bed, to see a half-naked Devlin sharing her mattress. A half-naked Devlin who didn't look too bad half-naked, she admitted.

Holy smoke, he's beautiful. The realisation hit her again and she knew she'd never get used to the idea of having him around like this. He was too... he was just too everything to be in her room, next to her scruffy blue teddy bear and huge pile of laundry.

And... HOW THE HECK IS HE SPEAKING LIKE A NORMAL TEENAGER ALL OF A SUDDEN! She thought when all the smoke had left her brain.

Devlin shot her a heart-stopping smile.

Rhiannon had to fight for control as her mind flew to more... entertaining, subjects. His golden chest was exposed to the sunlight streaming into her room and Rhiannon wished that he would just wear a shirt so that she wouldn't be so tempted by him.

Why does he smell like a God damned dessert? She moaned, rolling her eyes to heavens.

Why thank you. And is that an actual wish or just a request? Devlin chuckled and Rhiannon thought there was something wrong with this picture. She looked from herself to Devlin and discovered that he hadn't opened his full lips once.

"Y-you were talking to me in my mind!" She hissed. Rhiannon didn't want her grandma hear her talk to herself. There was no way she was going to a mental institution because Devlin forgot to tell her that he could read her mind.

"That I was. And I suggest that we return to that, because I think your dear grandmother may wonder what you're doing talking to yourself this early in the morning." Devlin had stopped smiling but she could still see amusement playing in his moss-green eyes like he found her endlessly entertaining.

It was starting to get on her nerves.

You took that straight out of my mind! What gave you the right to listen to my every thought? Rhiannon yelled. She didn't need some guy she had just met, seeing what she was thinking or how she thought it. There was just no way it was going to happen.

Answer my question first. The smile in his thoughts was obvious.

What question? She asked through gritted teeth, her eyes never leaving his witch-fire green eyes that almost made her forget why she was so angry with him. Almost.

Was wearing a shirt a literal wish or a request? Rhiannon blushed, bright red as she looked away from his chest on the bed. She couldn't believe he had been listening to her think that. He had absolutely no right. It was unfair.

A demand.

Then it shall be done, but I would rather wear my sarong. It's not like anyone else can see me in this form.

Rhiannon digested the fact that in Devlin's "stealth mode" he was invisible to everyone else, with ease. He was a genie after all there had to be some things that were out of the ordinary with him.

In an instant Devlin went from wearing his blue wrap, to a white t-shirt under a black leather jacket and jeans. Rhiannon had to admit it didn't help her case one bit, not with the way the shirt stuck to his chest like a second skin.

She felt just a little dizzy.

Mm. That's good. I think I like it better when you're not thinking straight. It brings out the thoughts I love to hear. Devlin gave her an arrogant wink.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. How can you read my mind?

Magic. He settled himself back into the bed, obviously getting comfortable. Rhiannon couldn't help but smile at his almost feline laziness.

She quickly masked her smile.

Obviously, it's not everyday people can talk to each other like this... Then again it's not every day that a person finds themselves invaded by a very annoying genie.

Rhiannon crossed her arms over her chest, staring him down. She was fighting to remain partially angry at him, refusing to look at him. She knew if he did that bone-melting smile at her it would all be over.

Trust me, it'd surprise you. He smiled.

Tell me now, before I claw the truth out of you. She threatened, pretending to consider it. She vaguely tapped her temple. There was an intent look in her eyes that made Devlin think twice about joking around with her.

Devlin actually looked worried. She struggled to control her mirth.

The locket. He replied, unsurely.

What about it?

As long as it's in contact with your skin, I can hear what you think. What you feel. Unless I'm in my solid form, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I don't know exactly how it works but that's about the gist of it. If you don't want me to hear every thought that ever flashes from your mind. I suggest you leave it in your pocket. Devlin suggested helpfully, looking as innocent as a new born lamb. Rhiannon didn't trust it at all.

But she had no choice.

Okay. Now I want you to go into the locket and not come out until I call you. Or I'll wish that you have donkey ears for the rest of eternity. She growled with mock menace.

Devlin wasn't even in the least bit scared and even had the nerve to roll his eyes at her. Rhiannon shot him a look that would've made a lesser man cry.

Come on. That's not even that original. Copyright infringement! Pinocchio would not be pleased.

Who's the master and who's the genie? She knew she had him now. Rhiannon smiled at him, shamelessly glad.

Killjoy.

I heard that.

Rhiannon dropped the locket onto her dresser table with a thump. So he could read her mind as long as she was in contact with the locket. Rhiannon didn't want to think of the thoughts that had flashed through mind when she'd first met Devlin.

Rhiannon was so caught up with her daydreams that when she finally noticed the clock she knew she was screwed. Deidre would have a field day, the day that perpetually punctual Miss Rhiannon Graceling was actually late.

Rhiannon ran into the shower before sprinting out soon after. She shimmied quickly into her jeans and she was glad that Devlin couldn't peak from the locket or she would've turned an embarrassing shade of red.

At least she hoped Devlin couldn't peak from the locket.

She ran her fingers through her hair, allowing it to air dry. Rhiannon hurriedly buttoned up her pale blue blouse. She snatched up the locket and her bag, running downstairs at speeds she didn't know she was capable of without tripping over. She slowed at the kitchen door.

In the kitchen her grandma sat eating her oatmeal. Her eyes squinted against the light and her dishevelled appearance made Rhiannon smile. Rhiannon waved a quick goodbye and then she dashed through the front door.

She didn't want to miss her bus today, she had a feeling that today was going to be fantastic and it was all thanks to her Devlin. Maybe his confidence, bordering on arrogance was rubbing off on her already.

I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult. Devlin invaded her mind again. Rhiannon would've rolled her eyes if she could've. But she was using her all her energy trying to get to the next block.

Hey! I thought I told you to stay in the locket. She exclaimed in her mind, her entire body in overdrive.

You summoned me, my lady. You thought about me hard enough that I could hear you even through your jeans. I must say you look absolutely breathtaking in that outfit, if a little innocent. Devlin said the word innocent like it was a dirty word, barely worth the breath it took to say it.

Rhiannon was miffed.

She ran down the street, to be met with a waiting bus. Rhiannon sighed with relief as she boarded the bus.

She walked down the aisle to see Kian sitting there talking with a tall, statuesque strawberry blonde. His step-sister Allegra sat behind him, laughing along with them both.

They fit so perfectly together. Like a dark prince surrounded by golden maidens.

Something inside her, twisted painfully and she had to look away.

How did that puppy of a boy, cause you pain, my lady? He doesn't deserve you if he's ever caused you pain. You deserve more than he. Devlin rumbled angrily in her mind and Rhiannon wanted to push him out.

She knew it was stupid to be jealous, but she was. Even with the strange tug at her heart whenever Devlin called her "his lady", she was still incredibly, stupidly, jealous. Rhiannon wanted be alone with her despair but another part wanted to make Kian feel exactly the way she did. She hated herself for it but that other part was winning.

It's not his fault he's better than I am, in a whole different league than me. Rhiannon sighed sadly.

She looked out the window, watching as the world passed her by.

It had seemed her whole life, she breathed, ate and existed but she had never truly lived. She was just as an observer as other girls met boys, made friends, went on shopping sprees. She was an outsider and they had all naturally known that.

At Devlin's silence Rhiannon realised that she needed his comfort and his warmth. She placed the necklace on her neck as the delicate locket hung between her collar bones.

Devlin. She called with her mind but there was no answer.

Devlin? Hello? And yet no answer.

Rhiannon started to get worried. Where had her genie disappeared to? Had he returned to the locket already? He couldn't have just left her with no one, with no ally to help her through the day.

The bus stopped at an unusual time.

There was normally no one at this stop. Rhiannon tried to see outside but the sun was in her eyes. She squinted and she thought she could see an angel, a golden halo surrounded his head and he seemed to shine from within.

He stepped on and Rhiannon couldn't help her confusion. Devlin? Her mind remained silent and she wondered what had happened to him. Girl after girl sighed as he passed. Obviously, they could see him now.

What has he done?

He was wearing exactly what he had been wearing in her bedroom, leather jacket and all, no wonder there was a lot of sighing going on around her. Heck, she struggled not to sigh herself.

Ugh, this guy isn't good for my reputation at all. Who are you kidding girl, since when have you had anything to protect?

She couldn't help grinning as he stepped up right to her seat, every girl's eye on him... and Kian's staring at her in a way that completely frustrated her. It was a mixture of disapproval and something she couldn't comprehend, but Rhiannon didn't want to think about it.

"Hey, I'm Devlin Thornton could I possibly share this seat with you?" Rhiannon had forgotten how impossibly delicious he sounded, just like the apples he smelt like, tart and sweet at the same time.

Boys should never smell like desserts. It screws with the rest of us too much.

"Of course, I just wouldn't suggest standing in this bus. It could get a little rough." Rhiannon smiled as he sat next to her. And that was that. Every girl had looked away in disappointment.

Devlin touched her hand and she was surprised to find how soft his hands were, especially for a guy. Rhiannon could feel the undeniable strength in his arms as they brushed her own and she shuddered. She had to admit, she had doubted that he was real but the fact that the whole bus had seen him, relieved her of all that doubt.

I must thank you. I was afraid for a second there that you wouldn't say yes to me. He actually sounded relieved. The sudden appearance of his voice in her head distracted her. Was there something wrong with her? Was she still working properly?

No, no. I can't hear your thoughts when I'm in my solid form. My visible form. Remember? I thought I explained this in the morning. I have to be in contact with you somehow otherwise nothing. The way you were looking at me I thought you had something evil up your sleeve. He grinned and Rhiannon shoved him playfully. Rhiannon thought that she liked him better when he was human, at least she could have a little privacy.

Who says I wasn't human before? Devlin asked seriously, all playfulness gone.

Because you're too perfect. She replied honestly, she shrugged at him.

He removed his hand from hers and her fingers felt empty without his. Rhiannon's entire right side burned merely because he was sitting next to her and she didn't know how to react. She opened the window, hoping for some air.

"Trust me, I am far from perfect. Besides perfection's overrated anyway." Devlin whispered into her ear and she felt her entire face blush bright red. He seemed to make her do that a lot, the bastard.

She grabbed his hand in hers and he looked back at her in shock. Why did you go into human mode anyway? I didn't make a wish or anything, did I?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you. But do not worry, my lady. Your three wishes remain. Devlin grinned at her wearily and Rhiannon wished he wouldn't. He was her genie, if he couldn't be happy then there was no use for the rest of them to even try.

Surely you do not believe that? You're sorrow echoes in my heart as it would in yours and I find I cannot bear it. I'm not accustomed to emotions, yet. You feel you're emotions too greatly and it... hurts me. He added, looking down as if he was ashamed of his pain. Rhiannon wanted to comfort him but he had no right to be digging through her emotions in the first place.

That is true, my lady. I will stop from now on. Devlin pulled his hand from hers and his face spread into a genuine smile.

"I can't believe I am going back to school, it's been too long since I've gotten an education." He breathed into her ear and Rhiannon couldn't help the shivers of pleasure that coursed through her body. Somewhere deep inside, she knew he didn't mean quite what she did when she thought 'education'.

"Get out all of you." The bus driver shouted over the noise.

She met Kian's gaze as she stood to leave but she had to look away as Devlin pulled her out of her seat allowing her to go first. It was some kind of gentlemanly gesture but Rhiannon couldn't help but feel like she was being mocked. Rhiannon had never felt like rolling her eyes more than when she was with Devlin.

She quickly forgot about what she had seen in Kian's stare when she saw all the eyes that found her as she walked in.

Rhiannon had never been more aware of everyone's gaze at her than just then. They all seemed to burning their gazes into the back of her skull, but then she realised who was walking along with her.

Devlin seemed to glow in the washed out walls, filled with ordinary people. He was a golden beacon of what every girl wanted to have and what every boy was ready to bash. Rhiannon was overwhelmed by the amount of adoration they gave him, and the confused looks they shot her.

Rhiannon was disappointed to see that Deirdre wasn't at school today and she couldn't help wanting to show off Devlin the first chance she got.

"She's still a loser. He'll come to his senses once he sees us, well me." Allegra whispered loudly to one of her cheerleading robots. Rhiannon couldn't help but smile, the only reason that Devlin was here at all was because he was her genie.

So Allegra could just go suck a toe.

Suddenly a thought seized her in her tracks.

"Wait. How is this going to work? You can't be enrolled here. You're freaking six thousand years old! How the hell are you going to explain that to the principal?" Rhiannon hissed at him.

"Will you relax? I'm a genie remember? Magical and all that jazz? The principal thought he met my parents, my two big brothers and I yesterday afternoon. Apparently I'm quite the strapping young man. I'm also in every single one of your classes. I didn't know you liked music. You seemed too uptight." Devlin beamed smugly at her.

He was the very image of the evil kitten that had just eaten the family goldfish.

"And when do I get my privacy? If you're there at home and there when I'm at school? Never that's when." Rhiannon slapped him playfully on the arm and rolled her eyes.

"Like I said too uptight."

"Whatever you say, dude."

"No, I think you'll find it's whatever you wish, my lady. I will arrange some classes to be apart from you, but when I'm not around I want you to wear the locket, in case of danger prick your finger and smear the blood onto it. It will call me forth no matter what form I'm in, understand?"

"Sshh keep it down, someone might hear you." She was kind of amazed at the protective streak in Devlin. But it wasn't like she would get into trouble in class. At least not the trouble he was talking about.

When he refused to move, she simply nodded and heard him sigh in relief.

"Let them, they'll just think I'm deeply devoted to the most beautiful girl in school. You're truly a diamond in the rough. Besides who in their right mind would think that I am anything but a normal human boy?" He shook his head depreciatively.

I would. But I suppose, I'm not exactly in my right mind.

She didn't know when they had decided to keep Devlin being a genie a secret, but it felt right as if by naming what he was would put him into danger. She felt so natural with Devlin it was like she'd known him her entire life. And she had the protectiveness to show for it.

She walked straight to her locker, pulling out her English book. Rhiannon immediately blushed when she saw the awkward amount of love hearts drawn onto it, and shoved it into her bag.

From the corner of her eye she could see Devlin smirking, that evil little smirk of his.

She sighed.

There was an eruption of giggling coming from directly behind them, and Rhiannon could've guessed who it was. She guessed her morning premonition wasn't too accurate.

Rhiannon wasn't surprised when Allegra sauntered up to Devlin, completely ignoring her even though she stood right in front of her. The tall blonde girl couldn't have been more annoying, Rhiannon didn't understand what guys found so irresistible about her.

Allegra gave Devlin a lustful expectant glance.

Rhiannon felt like gagging. Was Allegra always this bad? Or was it just Devlin? The eye rolls just kept coming.

Allegra stood there waiting.

She looked every bit the Queen Bee of the school. Allegra Hart would never make the first move. It would mean she had shown her interest before her prey could prove theirs.

Devlin hid behind a false smile, happy to let Allegra introduce herself. He wasn't in the least bit moved by her hatred filled eyes, nor the lust he found within them. He had met many like her, she thought she was irresistible. But in fact, he found her contemptible.

Rhiannon could feel the anger welling in Allegra, anger that would obviously be turned to her because she had failed to introduce Allegra to Devlin. She really didn't understand why everything was left to her, why she had to get things moving for Allegra. It just didn't make much sense.

"Devlin, this is Allegra Hart –" Rhiannon blurted out.

"Charmed, Dylan was it?" Allegra purred.

What was it with the girls at her school? Have they never met a gorgeous boy in their life? Must they jump them at the first opportunity?

You're one to talk. The reasonable part of her brain retorted.

"Actually, his name is Devlin Thornton. I know it's hard to remember but don't worry maybe someday you'll grow enough brain cells to remember someone's name." Rhiannon said the contempt clear in her voice. Her eyes widened when she realised she had said it aloud, and she placed a hand over her lips.

She had no idea where that had come from. There was something wrong with her, something had changed inside her and she wasn't so sure she liked it. Rhiannon stamped the thoughts down.

Allegra glared at her and Rhiannon could feel a chill slither down her spine. It seemed she could do nothing right in the eyes of this nasty cheerleader and she decided that she didn't care anymore.

"Did I tell you to speak?" Allegra snarled at her. It was bizarre, this hate that seemed to radiate from Allegra every time she was near. She couldn't remember what she had done to deserve such a strong emotion from the girl.

"What the hell is your problem?" Rhiannon sighed.

"I'm not the one with issues, that'd be you. You fucked up little nobody." Allegra retorted, obviously hearing what Rhiannon had said.

Rhiannon knew that this was just the way Allegra was, but another part, a darker side to herself, wanted Allegra to pay for every moment of pain that she had ever caused.

To her.

To anyone and everyone.

She wanted to slap her, hurt her in a way that completely shocked her. Rhiannon shoved her hands into her pockets, resisting the urge. She knew it would only make her as good as Allegra was.

"You know what? I don't care what you think. Despite what you may think, the universe does not revolve around you. I'm done."

"Get that pole out of your fucking ass, Graceling. In the universe, the world, this school I am everything and you, you're nothing compared to me. You. Are. Nothing." Allegra spat out. Rhiannon didn't care. She was true to her word. There was nothing Allegra could say to make her feel any worse.

Now if the bitch would only move out of her way, she could leave and not have to hurt anyone.

"How dare you speak to my –" Rhiannon could hear it in his voice, what he was about to say. He was going to say master and it would've earned them a torrent of questions neither of them wanted to answer.

Rhiannon cursed under her breath.

"Devlin, no. She's not even worth your breath. Come on, let's just go."

Rhiannon put a hand on his shoulder but he just shrugged it off. But that brief touch was enough, he was angry. Beyond angry, he was pure fury. He could barely think properly.

This was not good.

Not even giving her a second glance. If she were more like Allegra, she would've been pleased that Devlin wanted to fight for her honour, but she didn't want it to be at the expense of his secret.

"How dare you speak to my friend in that way, you disgusting little bitch? You have no right to talk to your superiors in that way, especially not Rhiannon." Devlin growled, his green eyes stained with black.

Allegra looked stunned. Rhiannon was pretty sure no one had ever talked her to in that way, much less some random guy she's never met before.

"Superiors? I am the Queen of this school. She's nobody, nothing. And you better watch your step or you'll be worse off than she is. You're either with me or against me. And if you're against me, I'll make your life a living hell. Trust me, I can do that. " She hissed at Devlin, folding her hands over her chest.

"Oh, believe me. You've got no idea what hell is. No idea, what I can do. So I suggest you disappear, before I get really mad." Devlin didn't lift his voice any higher than normal but the pure ferocity in his tone was there. Rhiannon would've believed he was capable of anything.

Devlin turned on his heel, capturing her wrist in his hand pulling her away.

"Bitch, does your little boyfriend do all your talking for you?" Allegra snapped against their backs, barbed towards Rhiannon.

But it was Devlin who tensed. Rhiannon looked up at him worriedly, to see his eyes had been dyed completely black. The whites of his eyes had disappeared. There was nothing left but darkness, they seemed to absorb the light.

Rhiannon felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as she watched Devlin slowly look back at Allegra.

He seemed to shimmer and turned towards Allegra, his cold, emotionless eyes staring her down. He took one menacing stride towards Allegra.

Allegra took an involuntary step backwards, shock and terror captured in her eyes. Despite herself Rhiannon actually felt sorry for her. There was definitely something dark about Devlin, and it went beyond his eyes. It seemed to hover over him as he towered over Allegra.

Was it dark enough to kill?

Rhiannon felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand on edge. There was something terribly wrong, something completely dangerous about Devlin. Gone was the playful guy from this morning, he had been replaced by a dark being, beyond her comprehension, beyond her control.

What was worse was that no one moved to help Allegra. It's as if they were stuck in their own little space, where no one could hear or help them. It was like they didn't see the way Devlin loomed over Allegra, or the evil glint of his inky black eyes. The other students merely passed them, emotionless.

"Apologise." His voice was guttural, barely recognisable. It sounded more like an animal than man. She would never admit it, but it terrified her to see him like this. Not because she was afraid he would hurt her, but because she was drawn to him like some kind of sick moth.

"I-I-I –" Allegra stuttered.

He growl from deep within his throat, his hand clenching around a handful of Allegra's hair, giving it a hard tug. Allegra's tough persona had drained away leaving behind a whimpering mess.

Devlin's teeth sharpened and they protruded from his mouth menacingly. His dark eyes held no mercy as they gazed down at Allegra. His whole body shifted with the raw dark power that surrounded him.

Tears threatened to overflow from Allegra's eyes. The poor girl was barely keeping it together, not a single person stopped to help.

Rhiannon couldn't take it anymore.

She stepped in between them, placing her hand on his chest.

"Apologise, now!" He roared over her head.

Rhiannon winced.

"Leave it be, Devlin. Please?" She murmured calmly, soothingly.

His chest tensed under her touch.

She could hear Allegra whimper but there was no time for caring about the stupid girl. Rhiannon had eyes only for Devlin. He was the one that truly needed help. She wanted to help Devlin in any way possible.

"Oh God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Allegra chanted, but Rhiannon just tuned her out, her eyes only for Devlin.

"It's okay. Sshh. No one is going to hurt you or me. Calm down." She whispered, leaning her head against his heart. His heart raced against her skin. He radiated heat and anger. She really didn't know what to do.

Sono bisogno tu sta' forte per mi, mio guerriero. Her mind whispered. She wasn't sure where it came from but it seemed to soothe something deep inside him. She didn't even know what it meant but she didn't particularly care as long as he was alright.

E Sono bisogno te, mia tesoro. Devlin said weakly into her mind.

Rhiannon could feel his breathing slow down, his heart beat return to normal.

He let go of Allegra's hair.

Allegra stared at him in fear, before running off. Rhiannon swore under her breath, surely people had seen what had happened. By God it was in the middle of a busy hallway. Rhiannon shot Devlin a fearful look, for an entirely different reason.

Her anxiety passed when everyone around her acted as if everything was going on as usual.

Nothing was amiss.

"Devlin, why isn't anyone panicking?" Rhiannon frowned.

"Because no one saw what just happened."

"What?"

"No one saw it."

"What the hell was it, anyway? What was wrong with your eyes, Devlin?" She reached up and pushed a lock of sandy hair from his eyes, which had returned to their usual green. But they no longer held any humour or a secret smile just for her.

"I... I can't tell you." Devlin moved away from her hand, no longer looking at her.

"Why not?" She asked, her arms falling lamely to her sides.

"I can only tell you its part of the trial. Everything, anything else is forbidden to be told until the day my soulmate passes the trial. I'm sorry, if I could give you this I would. But my lips are literally sealed, under penalty of death." Devlin stated grimly as if he had rehearsed this speech many times before.

"Why is this so difficult! Who trapped you in the locket anyway? Who would be so cruel?" She asked, angry that someone would be cruel enough to trap another soul in a locket to be alone and scarcely alive for six thousand years.

"And on the grasse her daintie limbes did lay,

In secret shadow, farre from all mens sight:

From her faire head her fillet she undight,

And laid her stole aside. Her angels face

As the great eye of heaven shynéd bright,

And made a sunshine in the shadie place;

Did never mortall eye behold such heavenly grace."

Rhiannon didn't recognise the poem, but it sounded beautiful. There was something about the woman that echoed beauty even through the words of the poem. She could feel the mystery and wonder of the lady.

Devlin closed his eyes, and leaned against the lockers. He felt so weak, all of a sudden. He grabbed Rhiannon's hand for support.

The hand that held Rhiannon's tightened, until the knuckles went white. It was painful but Rhiannon didn't care.

"Devlin, what do I have to do? What's wrong?" She held his face in her hand, studying his face. He opened his eyes staring at her fearfully.

"My powers are draining. She thinks I've told you too much, that I've betrayed my word and honour. Gods! Is this what it's like to feel mortal?" Devlin whispered tiredly, his eyes closing and Rhiannon feared they wouldn't open again.

"Who's 'she'? Who's doing this to you?"

"I can't tell you, Rhiannon. But the verse, that should help you. I'm sorry Rhiannon but I must go or I won't be of any use to you when you need me." He disappeared into the locket, leaving her completely bewildered.

The room smelt like dust, books and cigars. The scents mingled in the air. The air was so thick that the messenger was sure that he could've gotten a knife and cut through it. Darkness filled the entire room, except for the rare rays of pure sunlight that filtered through the holes in the windows. It was a place for secrets and monsters, where the lines that govern everywhere else were blurred at best.

"He's back, sir." The messenger stated emotionlessly into the darkness. He could barely contain his disgust but he'd been trained well. There was no way that he was showing any weakness to this monster.

He wasn't called the Tuer de la Ombre, -the Slayer of the Shadows for his kindness that was for sure. The messenger bristled at the thought that one person could possibly think he had the right to deign whether someone should live or die.

There was silence as a shape in the shadows shifted, obviously too caught up in his own greed to actually notice his messenger's hate-filled gaze.

"Are you sure of this?" A sharp reply cut through the silence.

"I'd stake my life on it."

"You've done well, my little demon."

"My thanks, Slayer." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He bowed mockingly, his eyes never leaving the shadows, watching for signs of movement.

The Slayer took no notice.

"A reward would be in order, I suppose. Leave me to think on an appropriate reward for such a service." The Slayer sounded more confident, relaxed.

"I want nothing but freedom for me and for those who are under my protection as was promised." The messenger glared at the Slayer in challenge.

The Slayer was notorious for his oath-breaking. He was a human after all. They couldn't help it.

The messenger had been loyal to his word for over a decade, but the Slayer had yet to keep his end of the bargain. The messenger hated the fact that he'd had no choice in the matter, that his own kin had bonded him to the Slayer. But he would gladly do it again, to save them.

"I said leave me, demon. I've lost my patience for your sick little games." The Slayer boomed, the desk drawers rattled from the impact of his fist on the table. The messenger couldn't help but flinch.

"You call my games sick, but it is within my nature to be bad. You do not have as much to say for yourself, Tuer de la Ombre." He hissed back bitterly.

"I'm warning you demon. Leave now or there'll be consequences. Not on your person of course, but who knows what could happen to those you hold dear. Oh, and keep your phone on I might need you for something or other, that's a good demon."

Fear grabbed at the messenger's heart. There was no need for any of them to get involved. This was his burden to bear. He shot the shadows a dark look, before turning on his heel and making for the door.

"And so the games begin." Dark amusement tickled his tone and the messenger couldn't help the goose bumps that erupted across his skin as he closed the door to the study. He didn't know what the Slayer had in mind, but he sure as hell hoped it wouldn't involve him or those he held dear.