Hey, here's chapter 2 sorry it's a bit short. I don't own HDM or any characters I only own the plot and any OCs. As always, read and review and tell me what you think. Sorry if this chapter is kind of boring and filler I just wanted focus on Marisa and Asriel sealing their 'deal' in this chapter. Anyway, please enjoy ch. 2. Thanks for your support :) ~Serria Spell23.

Ch.2-The Devil's Deal

11 years later

I walked down the aisle of the dining room of Jordan College. I'd been invited by the Master attend a formal dinner as a guest. Official events often were my specialty I loved all the attention I tended to receive. As I sat down at the table, I smiled politely at the Master. "Master, I would like to thank you for inviting me to join you tonight." I looked to my other side, my gaze focusing on the girl sitting beside me. Her tawny hair and blue eyes, their shade almost matching mine causing my lips to twitch into a small grin.

Asriel and I had agreed that she'd be safer if Lyra were raised without our influence—or rather mine —he didn't trust me I guess he never really had but that was fair since I couldn't exactly say that I trusted him either. When I got this invitation I figured I could finally get close to my daughter and save myself from concocting explanations Asriel wouldn't believe because he was in the middle of planning an expedition.

Lyra extended her hand as the Master gave her an introduction. "Mrs. Coulter, this is Lyra Lord Asriel's niece." I responded with a casual glance in his direction, seeming like I hadn't heard.

"Mhm," I muttered, feigning ignorance to the truth. I laughed at their stupidity they thought I could be fooled the substation of one word. Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "Pleased to meet you, Lyra."

My daughter shook my hand and we began talking. "…You've been to the North…I'll bet that's amazing I wish I could go," she said excitedly.

Smirking subtlety, I rested a finger against my lips. "Well, perhaps, Lyra I can arrange something." My daemon crouched by my feet under the table watching the door intently. A moment later, it opened as Asriel strode in Stelmaria at his side. Turning ever so slightly, we locked eyes and I felt seething rage fill me. When he got closer he spun another lie to prevent the guests from seeing his true intentions. He was checking up on me.

"Good Evening, ladies and gentlemen …I'm horribly sorry to be later but my invitation got lost in mail and I was only just notified," the man lied effortlessly. Winking toward me he sat in the chair next to me on the other side.

Damn you, Asriel! I thought.

I turned my body so I that faced him, a sly smile spreading across my features. "Asriel," I chimed as cheerily as I could, "are you tracking me?"

He chuckled barely making eye contact. "No of course not, my dear why would you think that?"

I blushed against my better judgement. "Let's just say experience. You have habit of needing to know my whereabouts. Are you here to stop me from spending time with Lyra?"

"No, Mrs. Coulter I'm not I just don't think it would be beneficial for her to miss her lessons…she has her studies you know. She shouldn't have the luxury of gallivanting allover creation."

I rolled my eyes. "Think of it as a bit of extracurricular activity, Asriel. If she has no exposure to the outside world she will never spread her wings, besides she's adventurous like someone else I know," I whispered, my fury cooling.

The Master glanced between us carefully, considering whether to interrupt our dispute. He decided against it, permitting the discussion to involve into a passionate quarrel curious of where it would lead. Under the table, the golden monkey caressed Stelmaria's paw as he sat next to her, mild purrs became audible a moment later symbolizing she was content. Pan, ermine formed on Lyra's lap stared at them, confusion dawning on his expression. He'd never seen two daemons act like that around each other before they seemed very familiar.

I sighed, letting my hand rest discreetly on my lover's arm. "What are you even doing here, Asriel? I was under the impression you had an expedition to plan."

"I do, Marisa," my friend purred, emphasizing my given name with purposeful sexy drawl, "but I must check on Lyra occasionally and it's good I came today seems like I thwarted a kidnapping."

Smiling, I shook my head. "Oh, Asriel, I would never try something so stupid much less abduct her right out from under your nose…not without your permission."

"Is that a challenge?"

I leaned in close to my lover's ear, my breath hot against the side of his neck. "Perhaps, a challenge to stop me." My tone was light, stubborn and had a hint malicious intention; a lethal combination to be sure however it ensnared him and ticked him by making him forget about my dangerous motives and their side effects. True, he was no saint either but Asriel preferred to think of himself as the lesser of our combined evils.

"Are you proposing I should hire twenty-four hour surveillance, Marisa?" questioned the man, winking at me.

"If you wish I won't hinder you." I winked as well our conversation was reminiscent of the old days when we didn't have to try so hard. "Or you could simply return to my flat and obverse me as if I were a test subject!" Asriel ran a hand through his hair agitated but he supposed Lyra's safety was worth the compromise.

The eleven-year old stared between us evenly. "I en't deaf, Uncle Asriel I know you're talking about me."

A small grin formed on my lips. "Eavesdropping is an extremely unladylike habit, Lyra," I commented, pushing some unruly strands of hair behind her ears. "So Asriel, do we have a deal?"

"For you to be my test subject of course, Marisa…if we can handle residing in close quarters again?"

Frowning, I glared into my lover's mocking expression. "Do not underestimate my powers of self-control. You'll regret it."

"No my dear, I believe you'll regret it when your resistance begins to fray."

I nodded, anger burning just under the surface of my eyes. Our daughter mumbled something to her daemon that was inaudible to us. Meeting Asriel's hard, cold expression I felt a rush of exhilaration and passion, I snuffed out the naïve cocktail hastily as if it were the frail flame of a candle. I wondered if this arrangement would benefit me in the future I supposed my enemy could deceive me—our relationship had been built on such dysfunctionality—he might betray my secrets to Lyra causing me lose the blossoming trust I had with her. All I could do was cross my fingers and always attempt to have to the upper hand.