A picturesque demon was standing in the middle of Trent's kitchen with a surprised look on his face. Trent and I stared at Al and the demon quickly wiped his expression blank. "Rachel, love," he said coolly. "I didn't expect to find you playing with a piece of elf crap."
I grimaced but was surprised by his lack of rage. Last time Al saw Trent he had done some serious damage. "Where is that little rat Nicholas Gregory Sparagmos?"
"How'd you find out he was the one who summoned me?" I asked.
Al shot me a mocking look over his glasses. "I have my methods, love."
Trent was standing tense, glaring at Al. "You aren't welcome in my home," he said through gritted teeth.
Al ignored him and strode over to me. "A riding uniform, how cute." He brushed a few strands of hair away from my face and straightened my jacket.
"I said you aren't welcome here demon spawn," Trent said.
A look of annoyance crossed Al's face and he brought his hand up as if to backhand Trent. His body jerked as if he had just realized something and then he lowered his hand. "Rachel, if Nicholas isn't here we really must be going." Al offered his arm and I reluctantly laced mine threw it.
"Wait, Rachel," said Trent with panic in his voice. "I don't think that's Al."
I blinked at him. "What do you mean it's not Al?"
"I think he just now realized that I have the protection of a freed familiar. The real Al would already know that." Trent reached out to pull me back but the demon grabbed me around the waist and spun me behind him. Trent's words were just starting to sink in. Damn, if this wasn't Al…
"Jarzebek," I exclaimed.
The demon looking like Al grinning a wicked smile at me and a wave of ever washed over him. Al's green frock and muscular frame were replace by a leaner man in a three piece Chicago style suite. Crap on toast.
"Al sends his regards," said Jarzebek. "I've gained temporary custody of you."
"I won't let you jump me to the ever after," I said quickly. I tried to bat the demon's hands away but he had a firm grip on my elbow.
Jarzebek sighed. "I was afraid of that. Why else do you think I popped in looking like that low class weasel? Really though, I think you'll be much happier with me. I can provide so much more for you." He smiled down at me like a loving father.
I shuddered. "The hell you will, where's Al? What happened to him?" I was starting to panic. Did the other demons arrest Al when I was summoned away?
"Not to worry, Al is quite comfortable. Once you were summoned, I approached him with a deal he couldn't refuse. Of course, he wasn't happy about it but I convinced him you would end up with Newt once the collective found out their precious start at a new generation was romping around in the reality. Al has his old mansion back and I…" Jarzebek paused for dramatic effect, "I have you."
His last words cut threw me like ice. I kicked at his knees, trying to get more distance between us. Jarzebek twisted my arm behind my back and I stumbled to regain my footing. "Now then, there is the one issue of you not letting me jump you," he said. "I really wish you would reconsider."
"Fuck off," I shouted. I looked over at Trent and could see he was as scared as I felt. He was edging towards the knife set on the counter. Jarzebek saw what he was trying to do and gestured with his hands. The knife set slid across the counter, out of reach.
"Last chance," he said. "I really don't want to do this the hard way."
I answered him with an awkward backwards kick. I barely connected and could tell I had probably done less damage than a mosquito bite. Jarzebek sighed again and twisted my wrist. Pain shot through my arm and I was force to spin around and face him. He had a fist in the air and I watched in dread as it came towards my face. The bottom of his fist connected with my jaw and I felt myself rock back. There wasn't anytime to feel pain before blackness seeped across my vision.
Luffy fan: I liked the twist in this chapter, hope you liked it too.