Chapter 4

Serena

I feel the hair on the back of my neck rise. I force a smile and shake hands with the stranger. "I'm just looking for the signs on the buildings." I try to move past him but he steps in front of me.

"I can help with that. The signs, you see, are on top of the buildings." I frown and look up for the first time. I finally see the signs reading the name on the building. I look towards another building and see another sign. I sigh in frustration. I smack my head roll my eyes at myself. "Thanks," I mutter.

Once again I try and move past him but he step in front of me again. "Do you need any more help?"

I shake my head. "No, but thanks for your help." I finally move past him and make my way toward the science building. I glance back and see the stranger still staring after me. Chills run up my spine and I turn back and see Darien walking into the science building. I smile and hustle to catch up and to get away from that guy.

Dairen is waiting in line at the café. I tap him on his shoulder, "Hey."

Darin turns and grins, "Hey, yourself. Did you just get out of class?"

I shake my head, "Nope. I'm actually on my way to class but I had to get away from this guy outside. He was a bit of a creeper."

Darien narrows his eyes and glances around. "Is he around?"

I look around just to make sure that guy isn't around. "No he's gone."

"What happened?" He asks.

I shrug and stare at my shoes. "He was just overly helpful. I don't know I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing." I blush thinking how childish I sound.

Dairen gently takes my chin and forces me to look at him. "No Serena. Always trust your instincts; if something seems off then don't go along. It's the fight or flight in our brain. Usually the first choice is the right choice."

I smile. "Thanks, I don't feel so foolish now."

"So what's you next class?" He steps up to the cashier and places his order.

"I have an English class," I glance at my watch. "I actually need to go; I want to get there somewhat early. I want a good seat."

"What's the name of the class and the room number?" Darien pulls out his schedule.

I reach into my book bag for my schedule, "Advanced English; room 234."

I look up to see Darien smile. "I have that class as well!" He pauses for a moment then frowns at his schedule. "How did you get into A.E. as a freshman?"

I shrug and smile. "It's the only subject that I'm pretty good at."

Darien smile and grabs his cup. "Let's walk together."

We find the stairs and make our way into the classroom. The class is already pretty full so we take a seat in the back.

As Darien pulls his notebook and textbook out he glances over at me. "So how's the rest of your schedule look?" I grab my schedule from my bag and hand it to him. "Hmm, College Algebra, Advance English, World History, and Intro to Chemistry." He glances at me. "Quite a work load."

I nod. "Yeah, but I've planned all my generals for the next two years. This was the easiest way for me to get everything done in two years without taking a summer class."

Darien chuckles, "Where did you go to high school?"

I wince at the subject of my Gran. "I was home schooled. I took all of my classes online. I lived with my Gran out in the country so the closest high school was still too far away. So we saved up and bought a laptop and an internet provider so I could go to school."

Darien smiles softly. "When did she pass?"

My eyes widen in surprise, "This past summer. How did you know?"

"I had the same expression on my face when my mother past a couple years ago."

"Oh," I reply. "I'm sorry. How did she pass?" Something dark washed over Darien's face. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked such a question."

I watch him closely as he comes out of his dark place. "No, it's alright. She died of cancer. The place where we lived wasn't a good place for her."

I frown in confusion but I don't press the conversation any father. The professor then saved us from having to speak any more. I look towards Darien a couple of times and find that he's not really all there. He looks almost lost.

Darien

Bringing up my mother isn't something I wanted to do just yet with Serena. I'm not even paying attention to this class. I can't help but go back to the guy who was bothering Serena…

I decide to text Kunzite and ask him to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. He quickly replies that he might have seen Diamond. My heart is racing. Could Diamond be here on Earth looking for Serena?

As soon as class ends I turn to Serena. "Hey, Serena, what did that guy look like out in the quad earlier?"

She frowns in confusion. "Um, well, he had white almost lavender, he had lavender eyes and there was a strange mark on his forehead. He said his name was Diamond, an odd name don't you think?"

My breathing accelerates, "Oh god." I hear myself mutter.

"What is it?" I hear Serena asks.

I shake my head to come out of my stupor. "Serena, please, you must trust me."

Serena doesn't say anything but just stares at me.

I pull out my cell and dial Kunzite. "Kunz, he's here. Dad's letter must have been infiltrated. I can't believe this."

"Darien, you have to calm down. Serena is probably scared by the way you're acting." I glace at Serena and just like before she's just staring at me. "Darien, you might have to tell her sooner than you thought. I'm texting Mina and asking her to dinner. I'll cook here so we can both keep an eye on them. Darien you've got to come up with a plan."

I sigh in frustration. "Okay, I'll see at home." I close my cell and look towards Serena again. She's waiting patiently for me to explain. "Serena, will you allow me to walk you to your car? I'd like to explain a couple of things."

Serena still doesn't say anything but nods.

Walking to her car I try to come up with kind of plan. I hear Serena's phone chime.

"Oh, Mina is over at your place. She says we're having dinner there?" I breathe in relief.

I smile, "Yeah."

Serena smiles and laughs. "Is that what you wanted to explain?"

My smile drops. "Well, that was part of it. Would you mind if we spoke more about it at my place?"

"Sure, do you want me to follow you there?"

I nod, "Yeah, I parked just right over there."

I watch as she gets into her car and take a look around. Just to make sure no one is following us. I jog over to my car and pull out, making sure Serena is right behind me. It's only a short drive but that doesn't stop me from glancing in my mirrors every two seconds. I see Serena bobbing her head to the music she's playing in her car.

I laugh at her innocence but stop suddenly. I will be the one to take that innocence away by bringing her into my world. I groan and rub my forehead in fear of an oncoming headache.

I pull into our apartment complex and park next to our permanent spot. I direct Serena to park there under the car port.

I lead her up the stairs and to our door. Kunz is there waiting for us. His face a complete mask. I subtly shake my head, indicating that I hadn't told her. Kunzite nods and walks back into the kitchen. I place my head on Serena's back and motion her into the kitchen. Mina is already there sitting at our little kitchen table.

Serena and Mina hug each other and sit at the table together.

"Excuse us ladies," I grab Kunzite and make way to my bedroom. I shut the door and turn to Kunz. "He's really here, Kunzite. He's already made contact with Serena, she described him perfectly."

"Shit," he mutters and paces my room. "Alright, we're going to have a nice dinner then I'm going to take Mina for a walk. During our walk you need to tell Serena the truth. You need to make it clear she needs to stay close to you for her own safety." Kunzite pauses then stares at me. "You will tell Serena the truth and I'll talk to Mina."

I'm in shock. "Are you two that serious?"

Kunzite simply nods.

"Okay, let's have dinner."

Serena

"Something's going on," I state to Mina. Darien and Kunzite have already gone into the other room.

"I can sense it," Mina whispers. "What happened?"

I run through everything carefully. "So who do you think this Diamond is?"

I frown, "I don't know but I don't think Darien likes him. But there has to be something else. When Darien called Kunzite he acted like he knew Diamond. He really panicked when I told him what Diamond looked like and his name."

"Hmm, perhaps he'll explain after dinner. Kunzite wants us to take a walk after dinner." Mina narrows her eyes at Darien's bedroom door. "I feeling both of them have some explaining to do."

"I feel like we're in way over our heads." I chuckle and Mina joins me.

The guys finally emerge from the bedroom looking a bit more relax. "So, who's ready for dinner?" Kunzite says while grinning.

"I must say, Kunzite, you made a wonderful dinner." I gush. Kunzite blushes and bows his head in thanks.

"Good thing too because I can't cook for shit," Mina mutters. We all burst out laughing.

"I afraid it's true. When we were little Mina and I used to help Gran bake. Mina would somehow always end up burning the cookies or whatever we were making." I laugh at the memory of us standing on chairs and trying to stir without making a mess.

Mina laughs and blushes. "Would you like to take a walk?" Kunzite asks Mina.

"Sure," she replies and gets up with Kunzite.

Pretty soon they're out the door.

This leaves only Darien and I.

Darien

My palms are fucking sweaty. I take a deep breath and grab a beer. "Do you wanna come sit down in the living room?"

She nods and I lead the way. I take a seat on the sofa and pat the spot next to me. She sits and folds her hands. I take a sip of my beer and sigh deeply. "I really don't know how to explain this."

Serena frowns and moves her body to face me. "How did you know Diamond?"

I pause, "He's my cousin."

She's surprise, "Okay, then why did you panic when I said I ran into him?"

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. "Serena you have to believe me when I say he's not a good guy. He's more than that actually, he's… dangerous."

Serena takes a moment, "Why is he dangerous?"

"He thinks my father killed his father," I state coldly. "And he's had it out for me ever since."

"Okay," she whispers.

I take a quick glance at her and see she's thinking. "Serena there's more."

"I figured," she says.

I take a deep breath. "What religion are you Serena?"

Now she's definitely lost. "My Gran wasn't really spiritual. She believed in a higher power but nothing more specific than that."

"Did she believe in Hell?"

Serena pauses for a moment. "You know, I have no idea. I mean she never really spoke about Hell. She never used it against me or anything for punishment. I guess she believed in Hell."

I look at her. "But you know about Hell and the different versions?"

Serena shrugs. "Yeah, I mean, I do watch TV."

I nod. "Serena… the reason I'm asking about Hell is because I want you to forget everything you've ever been told about it."

"I'm so lost right now but okay."

I take another long sip of my beer. "Serena, I'm not from here." I gesture around the room. "I'm not from here…Earth."

She doesn't say anything.

"I'm the next ruler of the underworld. I'm the prince of darkness and all that shit. My father resides over the underworld. He sent me to Earth to find my bride." I stop myself from blurting anymore out.

Serena is just staring at me. "So you're the Devil?"

I breathe in relief that she's not in shock. "Kind of, Serena people have the wrong idea about Hell. It's not even called that. It's the underworld. The Greeks were more right about the underworld than these new Christians." I peek at her and see she's waiting for me to continue. "We don't preside over just bad people. It's like Heaven and Hell together. Think of it like a huge hallway. Inside every room is either Hell or Heaven."

"A room is for each person. However they spent their life here is going to judge how they spend the afterlife." Serena finishes for me.

My eyes widen in surprise, "Yeah, exactly." I continue. "It's not a place to fear. As long as you didn't murder anyone or cause trouble you're fine."

Serena nods in understanding. "So what is your role then?"

"We keep order. If the underworld was a large company my father would be the CEO." I finish my beer and set it on the coffee table.

"That makes sense." She takes a deep breath and fiddles with her hands. "So is there any way you could prove this?"

I smirk. I snap my fingers and hold the flame I created.

Serena smiles, "Sorry, I was just making sure."

I chuckle. "I'm really surprised you haven't either run away screaming or passed out."

Serena laughs. "I guess it's a good thing I don't belong to any religion."

We both laugh.

A/N: Pretty long chapter. A review would be very nice. Thanks!