Sorry I took so long to update, I really can't give a proper justification for this lapse. I'm very, very sorry.
Once again I welcome you to the story Dark One and hope with all my heart that you enjoy it and give me your honest opinions about it.
I give my thanks to all the people who have reviewed this story so far.
To those who believe that Chrno's name is spelled Chrono and the other one was a typo; don't be fooled just because someone wrote that on Wikipedia. If that really was a typo they would have corrected it after the first episode, if in the first episode of Fullmetal Alchemist in the first minute they cut off Edward's wrong arm and corrected it seconds later, I'm pretty sure fixing the opening of one anime would be no big deal. I'm sorry if it seems offensive but it's true.
Disclaimer: Chrno Crusade does not belong to me, I want to but it doesn't.
When Rosette got out of the bathroom she quickly scanned the room, taking in her surroundings, after spending a good part of the night crying Azmaria had finally collapsed on her bed from sheer exhaustion, still in her brother's arms, Joshua tiredness surpassed his embarrassment and he too succumbed to sleep soon after. They had made such a cute picture curled up in her bed, Azmaria's small white hands still clenching Joshua's shirt while his arms were still holding her to him, they looked so perfect together, like they fit somehow, it seemed like they were to parts of a whole and Rosette knew that she couldn't possibly sneak into the other side of the bed without ruining this perfect image but she too was tired and eager to sleep to give a damn about the little couple.
And yet, when she awoke at sunrise, her dreams filled with images of demon children dying her own hands soaked in their blood, it disturbed her so much that she, the usual heavy sleeper, had woken up before everyone else. She stayed for a while in bed yet as she heard her brother's and friend calm steady breath she began to grow restless, the familiar feeling of emptiness coming back to her. She remembered all those times at work she had served happy couples, often too lost into their own lovey-dovey world to notice the lowly waitress trying to make a living, she didn't like the way couples called each other pet names like "sweetheart" or "honey" and she absolutely hated the way some couples decided to do in public things that she rather leave to the imagination but still she felt a bit curious about the whole "passion" stuff, people were always talking about it and sometimes it seemed like it was actually worth the trouble.
The last few weeks surrounded by Joshua and Azmaria's small, shy romance had made her feel like an outsider. Someone that was missing something wonderful… It was stupid and Rosette felt ashamed for feeling like this, especially when there were more important things to worry about.
Her brother had woken up and was watching the news on the television on mute, his face too serious to give Rosette any peace of mind, Azmaria still slept, dead to the world. Without saying a word her brother gestured for her to look at the screen
There it was, the destroyed arcade were yesterday they had played in so cheerfully. The title said "Explosion due to gas leak causes one mortal victim" before she could even question Joshua about it, she noticed Father Gillian in the background, trying to mingle in the crowd that was watching the fireman move the pieces of former game machines and walls. She understood immediately what was going on, and sighed at realization that they truly couldn't fetch their things at the inn.
-Damn it. They really move fast don't they sis?
-Yeah.
A knock on the door interrupted their sad musings quietly Rosette opened the door, just enough for her the person on the other side to see her, but not the two other occupants of the room, it was Florette dressed in a pale blue dress, her stare always blank.
-Excuse me Miss Christopher but I noticed that the doors to your friend and brother's room are open and the beds are empty are they with you?
-Yes. They're here.
-Is there something wrong with the rooms? Or are they not feeling well?
-No. No everything is fine.
-In that case, since you are already awake I will start making breakfast.
-Thanks but Azmaria is still asleep so…
-That is not a problem I will bring your to you when they are ready.
The strange woman walked away without another word, Rosette closed the door suppressed a shudder and looked at her brother, who had heard the exchange with interest.
-That woman gives me the creeps, Josh, she really does.
-You haven't been in her company for more than twenty minutes and she rarely speaks a word.
-Exactly! She is always looking at people with that weird blank face, she doesn't talk and right now she was acting more like a servant then the owner of a fortune.
-Leave it Rosette; we have bigger things to worry about.
That moment Azmaria blinked her eyes and sat on the bed a sleepy look on her face, Joshua quickly changed the channel to the morning cartoons, the last thing the poor girl needed after that night was a reminder.
-What time is it? – she asked, at least that what Rosette thought she had asked, Azmaria's half-asleep gibberish sounded all the same to her.
-Morning. It's still early so if you want to sleep go ahead.
-Okay. – Then she collapsed back on the bed snoring softly.
Joshua smiled softly and looked at his amused sister and walked to the door.
-The toothbrush they gave me and my clothes are still in the room, I'll change there.
Rosette nodded and turned her face to the girl on her bed, after a night like that she didn't have the heart to wake her up. She decided to take a look outside, it was a beautiful day, and the scenery was mixture of greens and light blue, beyond the green garden that surrounded the mansion there was nothing but pure, untamed nature. It was beautiful, there was no doubt about it, it reminded her of her youth in Michigan growing up in Seventh Bell, and however it made their plans very difficult.
"There is nothing for miles around, no one we can call for help. We are so screwed."
This was one of the reasons to why Rosette hated waiting, when people think too much on their plans they begin to see all the things that can go wrong with them. Last night the idea of them stealing a car and breaking the hell out of there had seemed great but now…
It was just stupid. There was no way they could get out of the immense forest back to civilization if Chrno decided to chase after them, she had seen how fast he could be, chasing a car would be child's play, unless they incapacitated him somehow, but he had a hole in his chest from the battle and bounced back in less than a minute, how could you knock out someone like that? And Shader was a demon to; even more according to Joshua those Harvenheit sisters had some sort of weird power themselves.
"Things just keep getting better and better."
To think that two months ago her greatest concern was how to make ends meet at the end of the day, and now here she was surrounded by demons, witches and a strange occult part of the church.
There was a knock on the door, she opened and Florette strolled inside pushing a little cart with two trays full of food. The doll-like woman glanced at Azmaria still sleeping on the bed then immediately turned to Rosette.
-When you are finished, please leave the cart outside the room.
-Yeah… sure.
The woman turned and left, her back always straight her face always blank, Rosette shivered and turned to the most attractive thing in the room: the food. Since she didn't feel like waking Azmaria and Joshua was still getting ready, there was no reason why she couldn't start eating without them.
After devouring two toasts, five pancakes and was in the middle of devouring a croissant when she heard noises from the outside, again she looked out the window there he was, the creature that was the reason for this mess, Chrno dressed in nothing but a pair of jogging grey pants, he held a sword in his right hand, very similar to the one Remington had used back in the first battle she had watched, he was not in his demon form. The Satella woman was with him controlling a crystal knight just like her brother had described. She watched as Chrno and the knight battled, it was amazing.
The knight was easily three times the size of the demon but it's size and lack of brain made it's movements clumsy and relying only on brute force, Chrno however was different, a mixture of strength and grace, his movements perfectly controlled, he jumped and swung the sword sometimes to simply clash with his opponent's, sometimes executing complicated maneuvers. It seemed different from the fight from yesterday, then he had no control, he seemed to be moved by anger only striking to kill, like a wild animal without any reason or mercy, then watching him fight had frighten her for he had looked so much like the monster the Order had described him to be, at that moment he was truly the Dark One.
But now she couldn't take her eyes of the battle going on in the backyard of the mansion. The movement of his sword was precise and deadly, his movements made to corner his opponent while his rival tried to corner him instead, it was almost like a dance.
-Rosette… Rosette!
The last yell broke her out of her daze; Azmaria was sitting on the bed looking at her curiously.
-Morning. They brought us breakfast a while ago, so help yourself.
-Good morning Rosette. Thank you, but where is Joshua? – She looked at the window again and Rosette felt her cheeks heating up, who knew how long she had been watching him before Azmaria woke up.
-He's getting ready in his room. I'm sure he won't mind if start eating without him.
Azmaria hesitated for a few moments before taking a jam covered toast; Joshua appeared at that moment, wearing the same clothes he had worn yesterday, apparently only she and Azmaria got clothes for the next day, since Florette had also given Azmaria one of her old dresses.
-Good morning Azmaria. Jeez Rosette you could have waited for five minute before devouring half the food.
-Sit down and zip it! I have to tell you guys something.
She needed to tell them about what she had seen in that painting room.
The knight disappeared in a second, leaving Chrno alone in the lawn with Satella leaning against the wall.
-Sorry Chrno, but that's it for the morning the jewels have to recharge now.
Florette seeing that the practice was over rushed over with two coffee mugs, she handed the first one to her sister.
-You should not practice so hard without having eaten any breakfast. It's bad for you.
-Thank you sister.
Florette then immediately turned to the demon that was resting sitting on the grass.
-Thanks Florette.
-I have delivered breakfast to Miss Rosette, her brother and friend.
The red haired woman made an angry growl and pushed off the wall.
-The nerve! First she behaves like a savage when you saved her, then she acts like we are her servants!
-I believe that both Miss Azmaria as Mr. Joshua spent the night with Miss Rosette.
-Why is there something wrong with their rooms?
Chrno stayed silent during this exchange, he knew that Rosette had had a rough night, it worried him. In many ways that demon attack had been a blessing in disguise, how else was he supposed to bring all of them here? If he tried to force them, besides Rosette's attempts to murder him, it would only enhance their distrust of him. Also the attack had showed them in how much danger they really were, if they tried escaping (knowing Rosette he wouldn't be surprised if that was not what they were planning right now), after fighting off the urge to read her mind and find out, he decided to pay attention to what Florette was saying.
-I believe that yesterday's events had taken quite a toll on the children. They needed each other's company. You understand, do you not Satella?
No one could silence Satella like Florette, the bond between the sisters was close and though Satella was usually confrontational and a bit of a stuck up she always had a high regard for her older sister, as such Florette had a power over Satella that few ever achieved, the power of respect.
Things would never go right if Rosette had no trust in him and if Joshua or Azmaria wanted to leave as well, but he knew he couldn't keep them trapped here against their will. He needed a way to give Rosette the feeling of freedom she enjoyed while, in fact, it was him who was in control.
The human world had changed him, the human's ideals and beliefs had influenced his own. He had been born powerful, praised as one of Pandemonium's strongest generation, trained to serve his Mother, to be a soldier and fight for his world, when he embraced the dream of the Sinners he served Aion and fought his own kind for the chance to escape Pandemonium he was a sword, the weapon that killed the enemies of his master, when his brother died and he was left for the first time in his long life without a master to serve, it had been frightening to live without a purpose, to serve had been his instinct he had been so lost in those first few years, the only person who understood his feelings was Magdalene, yet she refused to let him serve her instead she insisted that he observed the humans, to see past the obvious differences between the species, to see past the lack of strength, powers, their lack of purpose to what laid beneath. It was admirable how creatures that were so fragile in nature yet so resilient, so capable of the worst and best actions. When he learned to see them as in individuals, not single specie with the same instinctual behavior, soon he came to enjoy the freedom to make his own choices, the pleasure of the power to control his own fate.
A pleasure that he knew that Rosette also hold on to, for a girl who hated to wait the idea of someone else was controlling everything , of being trapped and having to sit still while others made all the decisions… it was the recipe for a disaster.
-Chrno, are you alright? You spaced out there for a while.
-Huh? I was just thinking about what to do with Rosette and the others. What are we going to do about them?
-What do you mean? They're here aren't they, and since this place is pretty tight on security and they're basically penniless it means that they are stuck here, right?
-I know Rosette; she won't let things like that get in her way… If she wants to break out she will, sooner or later she will find a way…
-That is so strange. Why would he have the portrait of Mary Magdalene?
-Maybe he is like those sick serial killers that want a memory of his victims, so he gets their picture.
-That is not very reassuring Joshua…
-It's a possibility! We're dealing with a psychotic demon that escaped from hell itself, who knows what he's thinking.
Azmaria was getting ready after Rosette told them what had happen before they came into the house, now Joshua were remained in Rosette's room discussing what to do next.
-Maybe we should just get out of this house; we'll find answers somewhere else.
There it was again, Joshua's undying optimism, refreshing but in no way attached to real life. Rosette sighed; she really should explain to Joshua that there wasn't much REAL information on demons out there, even less likely the existence of the manual "20 Ways to Break a Contract" the only other places that could possibly have any solution were occupied by the people that wanted to kill her.
-And go where? And with what money? Face it Josh we're trapped like rats.
Azmaria entered the room to catch Joshua's angry voice yelling:
-So I'm just supposed to sit back comfortably in my room while that thing just does whatever it wants with you!
She hated to see the two people she cared about fight so violently, but she knew this was something they had to decide, even if it did caused them anger and discord. While she was inclined to agree with Joshua, the thought of staying in the house of the thing that had destroyed the lives of two people that were so dear to her, the thing that she had been taught to hate, disgusted her but still Rosette had a point to attempt an escape now without a plan or options would be suicidal.
-Fine we stay until we can find something better.
Before she could even open her mouth to express her opinion Joshua had stormed out of the room and in a few seconds Rosette had followed, murmuring that she was going to take a walk, out of instinct she followed Joshua into his room, just in time to see him kicking his bed with violence.
-That dimwitted… bossy… stupid…
Joshua felt a pair of slender arms wrap around his torso a warm female body pressed against his back, he knew who it was, and only one person in this world could smell so sweet. He quickly put his arms over hers.
-She is right, isn't she? – He asked in a heartbroken whisper.
-Unfortunately yes.
-I can't do anything to help her…
-That is not true.
-Yes it is. I can't fight; I don't know anything about demons. Tell me Az what can I do?
-We can be by her side, Rosette might be strong but everybody needs somebody to rely on. And you are not useless we can search for answers.
-Thank you Azmaria.
The arms around him squeezed a little tighter as they both cried silent tears, comforting each other for nothing gave the same warmth as the feeling of knowing you are not alone.
Rosette Christopher was lost; again, not that she would ever admit it, in fact in her mind she was "exploring" the household, who cared that it seemed she was passing the same corridor for the third time? It was all part of the adventure.
She was angry at herself for the way she had treated Joshua, she knew her brother was concerned with her but somebody had to stay in touch with reality here. Az would follow her brother to bitter end and as much as hated to play the part of buzz kill she was the only one left to pull the others out of their delusions.
She went down an almost hidden flight of stairs; maybe somebody down stairs (somebody who wasn't the devil or his red-haired "friend") could guide her back to the bed-rooms. She wanted to make up with her brother, for them to think of a plan, she was sure that if they had a plan to escape to rely on they would feel a lot safer.
She explored the down floor of the house, finding the kitchen, dining room where she had been last night, soon she found the room filled with paintings were she stood behind the little worn out chair in front of the portrait of Magdalene, she stared at woman who had been the Dark One's contractor.
-If only I could talk to you… if only there was some way you could answer some of my questions… But then again maybe you were just as confused as I am.
It felt stupid to stand there talking to the portrait of a dead woman, but feeling stupid was the least of her problems. This whole mess was like being caught in a hurricane, having absolutely no control as the force of the wind threw you from side to side in an endless spiral, when she looked at the young sad woman she didn't feel so alone anymore, this woman had probably went through the same crap she was putting up with now and although Magdalene ending had been a tragic one it would have comforted Rosette to have the advice of someone older and wiser.
"This is stupid. No matter how much I stare into it, she's not going to answer."
Depressed and disappointed she left the room and began to wander around the house she passed by a living room, a drawing room, a music room all the rooms were bare and most of the furniture was covered in white sheets. It was disturbingly like being in an abandoned house, there were no people, no sounds only the chirping of birds outside, if she didn't know any better she could swear she was alone in this mansion.
She opened the most ancient door she could find it another room filled with art pieces, paintings, vases, statues the works. The Harvenheit dealt with art that was pretty much obvious, it was interesting after going through so many hardships and worries about money to see how the other side lives even if that other side was strange and reclusive.
The room was long and rectangular it seemed to hold the oldest pieces in the collection, she observed a collection of clay statues and moved on to observe a tapestry depicting a coronation, it was not the type of thing that caught her interest except that this tapestry seemed to be moving, waving gently at an inexistent win. Glancing around to make sure there were no security cameras or alarms, she pressed against the tapestry feeling the wall behind it.
"It's a door."
Carefully she pushed it aside revealing a heavy wooden door with a metal lock, there was a slight breeze coming from under it, to enhance her curiosity it was unlocked. How tempting…
She didn't even bother to look around to see if anyone was watching and pushed the door open a well lit stone staircase going under the ground it was freezing in there, too interested to care Rosette walked down it was a long staircase, her breath was forming vapor and she rubbed her arms for warmth, she had goose bumps all over.
The tunnel ended in great ample room, it must have been a wine cellar just now the walls were full of weapons, swords, knifes, axes guns of all shapes and sizes, and there were targets and what looked to be giant wooden boxes.
-Hello Rosette.
That deep male voice gave no doubts on who was sharing the same room with her, hiding her grimace she turned around.
"My god why? Why doesn't he ever wear a shirt?"
He was still in the same state he had been that morning, completely naked from the hips up, only now she was close enough to really appreciate problem with repressing feelings is that sooner or later they catch up to you; right now Rosette was really regretting her inexperience with males, maybe if had had a boyfriend in her life, or at least an active sex life she would have developed some sort of immunity to rippling pectorals, glistening due to the drops of sweat clinging, traveling downwards making a path for other drops…
-See anything good?
Oh! How she wished she could control the amount of blood that rushed to her face, it just wasn't possible to make a decent scowl when your face resembled a STOP sign. He smiled, but unlike the first times she was in a similar situation, this smile was shy and a bit embarrassed. He looked away and walked to the wall putting away the sword he had been using.
-Have you gotten lost again? Or you were just snooping around? Maybe both?
-What makes you think I was snooping? – Yes defensive was the way to go in these things.
-Well the door to this place is hidden behind a tapestry, in a room that is in the back of the house in the exact opposite corner of the house were you're room is… so let's c all it a hunch.
-Shut up .What is this place anyway?
-It used to be wine cellar but Florette's and Satella's great grandfather made it into a sort of training center for his descendents. I used it to get back into shape, when you don't move for two hundred years you tend to get a bit out shape.
She remembered the imposing figure in that cross, the way he had fascinated her even then, or the dreams he made her have since she was sixteen.
-I don't see much difference, it was not like you're out of practice, you were asleep and either way don't demons are born to fight.
He sneered disdainfully; making sure the sword was secure.
-I see the Order didn't waste any time spitting their poison. It's amazing the things they say to manipulate the masses with fear.
-What do you mean?
-This may surprise you but no one is a born cold-blooded killer not even demons, but I don't blame you, it's a popular misconception. Look at Shader, she can't hold a gun to save her life, build them yes but actually use them, she's incredibly peaceful.
She smiled at that, it really was hard to imagine Shader fighting like Chrno.
-We are all born with different personalities Rosette, but I didn't expect you to understand, after all every demons know that humans are slow to understand and boring creatures.
-Hey!
-See what I mean? Yes I was trained to fight but I wasn't born with it.
-Fine, you proved your point. Do all demons really think that humans are dumb and boring?
-Yes, but me and Shader have spent so much time with humans we know better. And by the way I wasn't sleeping.
-Then what were you doing strapped to that cross all those years?
-It is a sort of torture; you can't move, speak or feel anything. You could call it a sleeping but it was more like being stuck in a limbo, I didn't dream or rested I was just stuck there.
She really didn't know how to answer that, somehow "sorry" didn't seem to be good enough, to be trapped like that for two hundred years…
-How come you didn't grow insane during all those years?
-You know I have no idea. I was pretty close; there were times I had lost all hope that I would ever be free but I knew I had to stay alive and sane, there was the small chance someone would release me, I just never expected that someone to be a ten year old girl.
-I don't remember any complains.
-No complains, I'm just thankful it was you.
Silence fell over between them, there was nothing more to say, Rosette looked around uncomfortably, restless, she walked to the guns and picked up one that resembled the ones she used in the Order.
-Did the Order teach you how to fight?
-A thing or two.
-Did they teach you how to fight against demons?
For the sake of the almost the only civil conversation they ever had, she ignored the teasing tone in his voice.
-Of course they did, isn't that the whole point of the Order to fight against demons.
-Somehow I doubt the Order would give you any true means of being independent. What did they teach you exactly?
-Well, how to handle a gun, how to fire it, how to maintain it, how to reload it in record time…. I found out I have great aim.
-That's nothing.
-It's not nothing! I didn't even know there were demons before them.
-Alright it's almost nothing. Do you know your enemy? His strengths, his weaknesses, where to hit to cause the most pain?
-In your case I would say the groin.
She felt a childlike glee ran through her at the twitch in his eye.
-That is a sensible place for all males. But since you're so confident maybe you'll like to test those abilities.
-You want to fight now?
-Are you scared? Don't worry; I wouldn't dare to go all out on a novice like you.
-Then what are you waiting Dark One? Show me what you got.
He grinned and went to get the wooden boxes; they were as tall as a grown man, perfect to create a little maze, exactly what he started to do in the cellar. He knew
-What are you doing?
-I'm going to teach you about your enemy. Grab the gum on the right, they are just paintballs.
He watched has Rosette grabbed her gun and put herself into position, he saw how her eyes sharpen and became more focused, both hands on her gun, her body tense ready. Her attention was solely on him, which pleased him greatly.
-All you have to do Rosette is to hit me with one of those paint bullets, ready Rosette?
She nodded. For her this couldn't be easier, he was standing right in front of her, just a few meters away, the makeshift maze around them was useless if he was just going to stand there. She would win this and prove to him that she could fight, that she could defend herself.
-One.
She pointed the weapon straight to his heart.
-Two.
He changed into his demon form, the bone-tail coiling on the ground, black wings stretched out behind him. She only had to pull the trigger…
-Three.
BAMM!
The recoil of the gun made her take a step back; there it was the stain of red paint...
Marking one of the walls of the boxes.
-You didn't think it would be that easy, didn't you?
She turned around he was nowhere in sight, she kept her gun raised, her whole body on edge.
"Damn! Where is he?"
-Not all demons can fly…
A shadow passed over her and she shot towards the ceiling.
Nothing…
A dark chuckle echoed in the ancient walls.
-…but all of us are fast.
The intensity of the lights on the ceiling diminished until the room was filled with shadows and dark corners.
-You bastard this wasn't part of the rules.
-What rules?
Rosette moved around the room until she could press her back to one of the boxes, hiding in the shadow that way Chrno couldn't sneak up on her from behind.
-Most of our senses are sharper than a human's. For example…
She could feel him, it was weird but she could feel him watching her every move, waiting for the right moment to strike and win their little game. For he would win, they both knew that, she had just became aware of her numerous limitations, it was stupid to had ever thought she could beat him, but pride and stubbornness kept her going, she would not give up if she did she would never live down the shame.
-I can see you perfectly even when you try to hide.
So he could see her from where he was standing, her eyes quickly ran across the ceiling and then the boxes trying to get a glimpse of his form. Her eyes caught the shine of amber eyes and she shot, still nothing and now she couldn't see him.
-That was close, I'll give you that, but you need to be quicker. You also need to control your emotions better; I could hear your heart beat increase and your breath sharpen.
-Stop playing! You could have beaten me already if you wanted!
-What would be the point in that?
With a growl as fierce as any demon's she pushed herself of the wall, her sense of pride and the small amount of logic still left in her battled in a bloody battle, finally her logic won and she reluctantly followed his advice. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down she slowly spun around, eyes sharp, and hears waiting for the slightest sound.
"Make him talk. Keep him talking."
-Aren't you supposed to be teaching me something?
"Where are you, you son of a bitch? Where?"
-But I am.
"Got you!"
She moved like a woman possessed aiming the gun and firing without a second thought, it was good shot, quick, the aim was well done but that bastard was just too fast for her inexperienced self to follow. In the blink of an eye that tail had managed to wrap around her gun and yanked out of her grasp. She tried to deliver a kick to his stomach but before she had the chance to hit the warm feeling of a hand firmly securing her knee and pulling her leg making her lose her balance, and fall onto the cold ground.
Humiliated, she let anger out and from her place on the ground punched him in the stomach, unfortunately the only things that did was to make Chrno take a tiny step backwards and a painful jab in her hand. To her surprise Chrno released a growl; even in the dim light she could make out his white fangs so small but deadly. His angry eyes the color of melted gold, their beauty burning her, their intensity freezing her, unable to move and fight back; they were the even brighter than the lamps.
-Admit your defeat.
His voice was firm, much like of an older wiser figure scolding an unruly child. It made want to act even more childish, so she just sat there looking at him straight in the eyes giving him the silent treatment.
-Rosette…
The demon sighed, desperate, in all his over two-hundred year old life he never fully understood why human males die earlier than their females counterparts until now: it was because they wanted to.
He knelled down in front of her, his hand rose to touch her face, but he stopped half-way seeing the way her eyes sharpened and her muscles tensed ready to attack at the slightest touch.
"What am I going to do with you, Rosette?"
Never had he imagined in his wildest dreams that he would ever feel this attracted to the blond spitfire.
-To admit defeat in this kind of fight is not shameful. The objective is to learn, to learn you have to admit your mistakes. What do you think was the first one?
-To hit you in the stomach instead of your balls.
"Patience, patience."
-No. Your aiming was all wrong.
-What do you mean? It was going straight to your heart!
-When facing a powerful demon you don't aim to those are not the most important targets.
His hand surrounded her thin wrist, fully circling it, forcing the palm of her hand to rest on his heart.
-We are not from this world Rosette, we don't have cells like other beings, we have Legion.
-Legion? – she felt fascinated by these revelations, not cells but Legion, yet the skin beneath her hand felt no different from any human skin, firm and warm, she could also make out his heart beat strong and steady just like hers. Before he transformed that first time she could have sworn that he was just a regular human man, what secrets his body hid from her.
-They are like cells for demons, the multiply quickly if we aren't connected to a healthy, steady anchor we either die from lack of energy or our Legion loses control and multiplies at an uncontrollable rate, meaning we no longer have a defined shape or reason.
-By anchor you mean like our Contract? Sister Kate told that demons need to be connected to someone either the Queen or a human.
He sorted, making her actually feel the sound as his chest moved.
-At least the Order got that right. Most demons are connected to Pandemonium, our mother, but those who escape need to find a human contractor to live.
"Escape?"
That word echoed in her mind and she recalled that Sister Kate also told her something similar, that he had escaped. He talked about his world like it was some sort of jail. Was that why the other demons were after him? Because he had escaped or because he broke some sort of rule? The other demon had said he had murdered his brothers was that why? She wanted to know, she was dying to ask.
He must have seen her curiosity because he started to move the hand that was holding her wrist, dragging her hand slowly up his collar bone, his neck, and his cheek. She congratulated herself for not shivering or blushing but to respond to his intense stare. Her blue eyes clashing with his golden ones in a silent and intense battle, who would give in and look away first was a mystery.
-Legions multiply fest, meaning that we heal fast unless something in the bullet stop us, that is why shooting us in the chest or in the stomach, although it is painful unless we shoot us without stopping for long time it will only slow us down, never kill us. That's why you should focus on aiming here…
He moved her hand to his forehead.
-Or here.
He put her hand on one of his horns.
-Shooting the brain will either kill us or cause serious damage. But these horns function as the way for us to capture the energy we need, they are the source of our power but our weakest point. You destroy the horns and you destroy the demon.
She wrapped her hand around the horn; it was cold like touching a piece of white polished marble and there was a slight buzz to it. All that he was saying was fascinating, not to mention useful in case of a future escape, but still that comment about escaping was a fly buzzing in her ear, she knew she would spend the rest of the day wondering what did he meant.
-When you say escape, what do you mean exactly?
His hand released hers only to immediately attach itself to her cheek.
-I envy you…
-You envy me? Why?
-Not you! Humans in general… You have something that demons can never have, no matter how much they wish for it…
-And how I wished…
This shocked her, the great Dark One, the most powerful demon, over two-hundred and still young, envied humans. His was voice was barely a whisper, but in the deserted room it had the impact of a shout when she responded she found out that her voice was as quiet as his.
-Wished for what?
-Freedom.
-What you were some type of demon convict or something?
The look he gave her was too intense, there were secrets, more than she first imagined, the painting, and the other demons chasing them, all of this felt like a spider web, and every time she tried to escape she just got more tangled in the strings.
-One day, Rosette, I'll tell you everything, but right now neither of us are ready.
-Alright.
The moment was broken, he let go of her face and walked away. She sat there, watching him put away the objects used in training, wondering why the hell was she letting him go so easily, maybe it was the fact that she really wasn't ready to hear the full story behind the demon, or maybe, just maybe it had been the way his eyes had beg her not to push the subject further and the sadness in his voice.
He offered his hand to help her stand up. He, now in human form, held her hand firmly between his, a slight blush in his cheeks.
-If you agree I can train you in here every day. So if anything happens you'll be ready.
-What the hell is this?
Rosette jumped away from the demon like she had been burned, standing on the end of the staircase was a red faced furious Joshua, Azmaria was desperately trying to calm him down and hand him his inhaler, but her brother just pushed her away and walked furiously towards them, grabbing her hand he dragged to the exist, as Azmaria gently led her up the stairs, she heard Joshua's yells.
-Stay the fuck away from my sister!
"The strings around just get tighter and tighter."
I always imagined Joshua as being really protective of Rosette, just not showing it very much.
I'll try to make my next update quicker.