Al and I were sitting in an area that looked almost exactly like the courtroom where I had my trial with the coven. The parallels between the two worlds were creepy. There must have been at least 300 demons moving about. This must be an important issue, I thought with a shudder. And they were all here to vote on my sexual freedom and Al's claim as my teacher.

A tall demon in a black robe stood in the front and raised his hand, waiting for everyone's attention. "Alright everyone, settle down. The sooner we get started, the sooner we can get out of here."

I leaned over and whispered to Al. "Is this the entire collective?" I asked.

Al grunted. "Hardly," he drawled. "There aren't many places that can hold the entire collective. These are the demons that matter though."

"Who's this guy?" I asked.

"Soled," said Al. "He's a politician."

I brought my attention back to the demon that was running the meeting. "As you all know, we are here to vote Algaliarept's ability to be a suitable teacher for the first demon born in over 5000 years. His standing came into question last week when he let Rachel Mariana Morgan slip into reality and nearly die."

A murmur of excitement went through the crowd but Al cleared his throat and stood up. "These accusations are outrageous," he declared. "She is here now, safe as you can see." He gestured to me and I felt myself blush. "Not only that, but she cursed Ku' Sox back to the ever after. Now we don't need to worry about that little brat destroying the ever after. We should be thanking her." His voice was full of confidence and seemed to fill the room. "She wears my mark," he continued. "And, it is her preference to continue as my student."

He nudged my foot under the table and I stood up. "Uh, that's correct," I said, wincing at the sound of my voice in the large room. "Any mistakes I have made are my own and Al has kept me safe for the better part of a year. I want to continue as his student."

Soft sounds went through the crowd and I thought I heard a few disappointed sighs. "Very well, very well," sighed the Soled. "Does anyone have any further claim against this matter?"

I held my breath and looked around the room. My gut clenched when I heard someone clearing his throat and my eyes landed on Jarzebak. He stood up. "I would like the records to show that Rachel Mariana Morgan was summoned out of Dalliances just hours ago. In the sun. I would like to know what Algalairept is doing to prevent further summoning."

Al's eyes tightened but his voice was light. "That issue has already been taken care of. Rachel won't be traveling back into reality without an escort. Besides, now that Ku' Sox is cursed, she should be quite safe there with proper protection."

Soled shrugged and turned to what appeared to be a court recorder, typing on an old typewriter. "Did you get that?" he asked. The demon nodded and Soled continued, "On to the next matter. Several members of the collective seek the right to secure our race without fear of retribution. The law of rebirth would prohibit anyone from killing another demon for wishing to procreate our species."

The way he phrased it almost sounded reasonable. The law of rebirth? It was so politically appealing. Oh crap. The demon's were looking over their shoulders and I followed the gaze. I saw Newt, sitting with her blond page boy cut in a red silk kimono. She looked bored and had her arms crossed in front of her.

"Are there any objections to this law?" asked the tall demon.

Newt spoke without moving from her seat. "It isn't even worth my effort," she said in her smooth voice. "I know I am outnumbered but we are fools to try to continue our existence in this filthy reality. The ever after is shrinking. Hope for our future is wasted emotion."

Silence hung in the air and I saw fear flash across the faces of a few demons. Damn, was the ever after really shrinking? I couldn't worry about that now. Demons were voting on the right to get into my pants.

"Um, I object," I said quickly. I heard someone laugh and I frowned. "I'm uh, okay with Newt threatening anyone who tries to sleep with me," I amended. I really wanted to say that I found demons terrifying and I didn't like the idea of hundreds of demons trying to woo me into their bedroom chambers but I didn't want to show my fear.

Someone else laughed but Al chimed in. "Let's me honest, shall we? Rachel's going to be chased like a fox on a hunting trip. She is understandably annoyed."

Al was standing up for me? That was unexpected.

The demon leading the proceedings nodded, seemingly undeterred. "I'm surprised you would object Algaliarept. But it is of little importance. So, I count three opposed to the new law. Are there any other nays?" The room was completely silent. "So, it is settled then. The law of rebirth passes. Meeting adjourned."

And like that, it was over. Al grinned down at me back I felt uneasy. What a creepy law. Al seemed to know my thoughts and his good mood fell slightly. "We'll have to be careful," he said. "Shall we go home?" I nodded, feeling dejected.

We appeared in Al's workroom and I sank into a chair. Al had his back to me and was looking over some of his ley line equipment. "Well, that worked out well for you, didn't it," I asked, not hiding the anger in my voice. "You get to keep me and now you can have sex with me without Newt frying you."

Al didn't turn around. "It wasn't my idea my little itchy witch. Personally, I'd welcome a little help in keeping them off you. This is going to be a little tricky. I need to teach you a few new curses to help you protect yourself."

"Al, those demons have been twisting curses for thousands of years. What can you teach me to go up against that?" I asked.

The air shifted and I watched as Jarzebak appeared in Al's workroom. Al glared at him angrily. "What do you want, pig's snot," he growled.

Jarzebak stood casually and looked around Al's room. "I heard you were a bit down on your luck these days Algaliarept," he said. He sniffed and frowned. "I just wanted to come and congratulate you on your success today," he continued.

"I doubt that, maggot," hissed Al. And then he sneezed. Al's eyes widened and he looked at me and then back to Jarzebak. "You!" he yelled. "Get out of here. This is your doing." Al sneezed again and he started to walk towards me. "Rachel, put up a circle," he cried out.

I sat, shocked and before I could react, Jarzebak yanked me out of my chair and held me against his chest. He smiled at Al and gave him a small wave. "Bye, bye Al. I'll take good care of your little demoness while you're gone."

I watched in horror as Al faded. Jarzebak's grip on me tightened and he nuzzled my hair. "I've been waiting for you," he murmured.

Luffy fan: So, I'm a little worried that this story might be dragging a little. Maybe there is too much dialogue. It may be worthwhile to go back and edit it down a little once I'm done. Thanks Dues, for the note about Rachel's father. Comments? Constructive criticism is welcome…

Thanks starlight for the name spellings. I listened to the books on audio so I wasn't sure how some of them were spelled.