Chapter 9

alright this is the last pre-written chapter, the quizzes still aren't updated so i am a tad out of material for now so updates are bound to get slower sorry about that. also i really hope you like this chapter, i came up with it and it is not part of the quiz series. as for those of you reading angel wings i am still struggling with the last chapter! i know what i want to happen and just cannot find the words to get it down! i am so sorry about making you wait! please enjoy this for now.

"Why don't we go somewhere we can be alone, my delicate little dove?"

"Uh." I hesitated, glancing around feeling the eyes of not only Sebastian and Ciel but Alois and Claude as well. Their gazes unsettled me, causing my stomach to flip. I was just about to look back at the count when his hand slid down to my waist. My skin crawled from his touch and every nerve in my body wanted to rip myself away from him, instead he pulled me closer, guiding me towards the stairs. I didn't know who was worse, the humans or the demons. I shut my eyes reluctantly, knowing what had to be done, I had to get upstairs and search the manor.

"Excuse me sir, may I cut in?" a familiar voice asked. Panic streaked through me as I opened my eyes, slowly raising my gaze to my new partner.

"Oh yes of course." Druitt said, almost reluctantly.

No, please oh god no. I thought my mind racing.

"My dear robin, you seem to have yet another suitor." he continued, his hand falling from my waist as he stepped away.

Please, anybody but him.

"I am not surprised," the voice said. "It is only natural for such an angel to draw attention." the voice said as Druitt stepped away.

"Maybe some other time my robin." the count said, vanishing into the crowd as the man took my hand, placing the other on the small of my back. I looked up and found myself staring into the amethyst eyes of Ash Landers.

Ash pulled me into action, and I suddenly found myself dancing gracefully with him across the ballroom. We didn't speak for a moment, we just danced his eyes never leaving mine, my entire body was tense and my steps ridged. My mind was racing, my heart pounding so loud I could have sworn he would hear it over the music, echoing through the silence of our words. Was he going to kill me now? How would I escape? And for god's sake why was he being so silent?!

"Did you really think you could hide from me?" he asked, startling me.

"W-who said I was hiding?" I retorted with a childish pout. His never faltering smirk grew, but he pulled his gaze away from me, looking around the room.

"I knew that you would be here tonight." he told me. "Honestly it's the only place you would be...did you come to capture more souls?" he taunted, his angelic eyes flashing devilishly. I clenched my teeth, suppressing a snarl.

"Leave me alone Ash." I snapped harshly, how could an angel be so cruel. He was obviously behind the recent increase in fallen...a fact I wish I could have realized sooner, perhaps even the falling of my friend Angela.

"You know very well I cannot." he said with a light smile. "It is my job to clean up after the fallen...now what do you say we take this outside...make this a little neater."

"I am not stupid you know." I snapped. "You may have pushed me but I am not going to take your fall. I will redeem myself." Ash snickered, caressing my cheek with a gloved hand.

"What obscene lies you tell...my foolish little angel. He looked around, glancing Vi-count Druitt in the crowd as well as Sebastian, Ciel, Claude and Alois. "Such an impure group you've drawn." he snickered. "Though I suppose it is to be expected." I looked away, my raven hair falling over my shoulder. I was really getting sick of this guy. The song ended and both of us took a step back and bowing, however he did not release my hand.

"Let me go." I hissed under my breath as he rose to his full height, his grip tightening as he began to lead me away. "I said let me go." I snapped a little angrier.

"Don't make such a fuss." he said, glancing back at me as if I were an over reacting child, finally he pulled me outside, until we found our way to the gardens.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"To do my job." he said with a kind hearted smile but I snickered.

"You won't kill me...I won't let you. Now you better let me go." I said my tone growing dark, my new found demonic energy beginning to flow.

"Why?" he tested, grinning as if I were but a child.

"Have you ever seen the power of a fallen angel?" I said darkly, my tone threatening. He laughed lightly, chuckling.

"Yes." he said seriously, I was no more than a joke to him, a show he'd seen a hundred times. "And they are usually much more powerful than you."

"Doesn't matter." I demanded calmly, my voice floating eerily through the air and he pulled me closer, just to aggravate me.

"And why is that?"

"Because you will let me go." I said simply, without a doubt in my mind. "Or else."

"Or else what?" he asked lightly, nearly laughing at my threats as if they were no more than empty words.

"Or I'll scream." I said simply, a sly grin crossing my face, his eyes sharpened as I smiled up at him innocently. "If you attack me, I will scream...and everyone in that ballroom will come running...you would prefer to keep this...neat...right?" Ash growled in annoyance and I pulled away roughly creating some distance between us. The two of us began to circle each other, the way people would for a duel. I had never used demonic power before...I just hoped that they would come with instincts. Ash stepped forward, he was just about to lung when a yet another familiar voice cut in. we both looked up to see Alois sitting on a nearby bench, his legs crossed and arms spread out casually across the back of the bench. Claude stood tall behind him, his golden eyes skimming over me and falling on Ash.

"Is this man giving you trouble Crystal?" he asked, a clever smirk piercing his lips.

"No sir." Ash said his stance straightening as he turned to the Alois and Claude, his violet eyes scanning them like a fighter his opponent.

"Oh really?" Alois asked. "Because that is not what it looked like to Me." he said, his eyes sharpening.

"And how does this you?" Ash asked, watching Claude with sharp eyes even though his stance was relaxed and he was smiling. "Who do you think you are anyway?"

"An interested party." Alois stated, Ash's smile wavered as a sly grin spread across Alois's lips. He was getting under Ash's skin...and he knew it. "I am Alois Trancy...and I demand that you leave this ball."

"Oh really? And what gives you this power over me?" Ash asked defiantly, standing tall, his sword drawn at his hip. Alois smirked, not moving.

"Claude." he stated and in that instant the demon rushed forward, his golden silverware clashing with Ash's sword. I watched for a moment before turning away. No matter who the victor was I was going to have trouble, weather they wanted to kill me or not. I took off running towards the manor, pausing for a moment and looking back at Alois who was watching me carefully. His eyes met mine but he turned his head back to the fight, waving his hand in dismissal lazily. I wish I could have known what was going on in that little boys head, but for now...I would have to settle for the chance to escape.

I was back at the manor within a few minutes, panting as my eyes scanned the crowd and with no sign of Vi-Count Druitt my eyes settled on the stairs I edged my way towards them, smiling and greeting people as I passed as to make myself less conspicuous. I found myself at the foot of the stairs when a hand wrapped around my wrist. I turned around, and almost screamed until I saw it was the Count. He raised a gloved hand to his smiling lips, a sign telling me to keep quiet as he led me away, leading me up the stairs and down a hallway. I almost grinned. This was going to be so easy; he was leading me straight to the soul sword. The count led me to a small bedroom, my eyes widening in disgust as I caught a whiff of the strong scented candles. I raised a hand to my mouth, attempting to use it to breathe through the smoke covered room, there was something odd about it...it was so thick...so...suffocating. I wavered for a moment as my head began to spin. The realization of the candles hit me and I spun around to the Count who was wearing a face scarf to keep himself safe. He caught me, holding my elbows firmly as I struggled. My vision began to blur, and my stance wavered, the fog was infecting me until breathing became a chore. I pounded my fist on his chest lightly, unable to muster any more strength before I collapsed into his arms, his smiling face vanishing slowly into darkness.

"Yes, sleep my little robin."