There was no one there. The alleyway was completely and utterly abandoned. The only sound was the harsh breath of Penelope who was grasping her waist, regretting her corset. She was shocked to say the least that Lucy had disappeared and after her initial anger sizzled down, she composed herself. She made sure not to walk that far into the alleyway, and continued to glance around.
"You were just messing with me. weren't you?" She accused the emptiness, her voice echoing. There was no reply and Penelope suddenly felt very foolish. She had run off to some unknown place chasing the very thing that wanted her dead. And of course she had not told Claude. Not really knowing what to do with herself, Penelope rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"I don't know what I ever did Lucy to deserve so much contempt from yourself, but I wish we could have a civil conversation". She didn't know if Lucy could hear her but when she turned around, there came a thump from directly behind her. She stood completely still, her eyes wide and her heart pounding. With whatever courage she could muster she slowly turned and was confused to see no one there. But as she went to take a step forward her foot collided with an object. There sat in front of her was an old, worn looking book. A book that Penelope had not seen for years.
She kept her eyes focused on the alleyway as she bent down, and quickly snatched the book from the dirty floor. Walking backwards until she was completely out of the alley, she finally looked down at the book in her hands. On the cover in a slightly faded cursive gold was the words 'Fairy folklore'. Lucy had read the book to her many times, as had her mother. For some reason Penelope had never really known it had gone missing and seeing it in her hands brought back a flood of memories. She did not know why on earth she had been given it back, although she highly doubted it was from the kindness of Lucy's heart but she was secretly happy to see it.
Her reminiscing though did not last long when she suddenly realised she was still in the middle of god knows where and no doubt Claude would be ready to give her a telling off she would never forget. However, she was already planning on a retort considering he had disappeared himself. Knowing that she should just suffer the consequences and say his name, she begrudgingly called out to him, making a few passers-by give her perplexed looks.
But after five minutes of waiting, her butler was nowhere in sight. She started to worry and very slowly attempted to make her way back, keeping her head low and focusing on the task at hand. She had somehow managed to get onto the main high streets when she bumped into someone. She went to apologise when her eyes connected with golden ones.
"Claude!" She exclaimed, holding back the desire to jump into his arms. Yet he showed nowhere near as the same enthusiasm towards seeing her. Instead he looked rather cross.
"The carriage is this way". He spoke through gritted teeth and Penelope lowered her eyes, knowing damn well that the carriage journey would be the complete opposite of fun. When she reached the carriage, she was surprised at how dark it had gone and silently wondered how long she herself had been gone. She kept the book pressed against her chest and as she sat in the carriage, it was not long until she was greeted by Claude's presence. The carriage began its journey and Penelope took a deep breath.
"Before you start-". She was cut off when she felt a hand clamp over her mouth. His eyes were fixated on the book against her chest and he used the other hand to pull it out of her grip. She did not fight back but instead allowed him to continue, her curiosity getting the better of her. Although she did wish he would remove his hand from her mouth.
Very carefully Claude inspected the book and she watched with large eyes as it burst into flames. The flames consumed the book and suddenly the book began to melt rather than turn to ash, the dark grotesque liquid oozing between Claude's once white gloves. As it melted it sounded as though it was screaming, slowly becoming smoke instead of a liquid. The dark thick smoke was all consuming and Penelope felt her eyes water, coughing into Claude's hand. Yet before she could feel light headed, the smoke disappeared as though it was never there and Claude released her from his hold. She coughed for a long time, her eyes watering painfully. When she had regained her senses she could only open and close her mouth like a startled fish.
"Care to explain?" She finally managed to state.
"It was a charm". Was his only reply.
"A charm? Wow that has answered all my questions, I am very thankful you put that to rest". Her voice dripped of sarcasm and she didn't care when his eyes narrowed.
"They are used as a protection against demons. It makes the person who owns the book completely invisible to the demon. The demon will not be able to sense them, hear them, or smell them from afar". As he spoke, Penelope's eyes widened as she started to realise why Claude had not come to her rescue or even looked remotely concerned in the park when Lucy was present. But then she gave him a confused look.
"But I have always had that book, why have you only told me now? And why did you destroy it, surely it wasn't that dangerous?"
"That was not your book, well not your original copy anyway. The one you had just been given was disguised as something you are drawn to. Charms are sometimes used by others discreetly when they are trying to protect someone, that's why they are designed to be personal. As for why I destroyed it, I would have thought that obvious. For at least an hour I have been unable to detect you". As he spoke his eyes were fixed on her own and Penelope couldn't quite decide if he was relieved to have her back or angry that she had been gone. She nodded her head in response feeling as though she was in some bizarre dream. In one day she had effectively agreed to a courtship, failed at locating a contract mark and followed the one person who seemed hell-bent on killing her.
"I believe you have some explaining to do yourself?" Claude asked, his voice still tight and it took Penelope a couple of seconds to break from her thoughts. She was tired of the entire situation and she leant back into her seat, wondering how much she should tell him. After all he would most likely be annoyed at the idea that she chased after Lucy. Looking back, Penelope knew damn well that it was a ludicrous decision on her part but the idea that she had been able to finally discuss the matter with Lucy had completely removed whatever sense of sanity she had. It was with a sigh that she began to talk once again.
"When we were at the park, I had unfortunately spotted Lucy but I thought you were aware of the situation. After I said goodbye to Lord Davis, which I will discuss that situation later, I had seen her again". She stopped talking but Claude wasn't letting her get away with letting the situation drop.
"And then? You followed her didn't you?" He accused, his eyes darkening and Penelope audibly gulped.
"Well yes, but we were in a public place. And I know it was a stupid decision but I am so exasperated with this entire situation Claude! She killed those who I love and now she obviously wants me dead as well. How do you want me to respond? I think I've coped with the situation quite well so far. I ran after her because I wanted answers and not theatrics which I have no doubt will soon come. There is a storm coming Claude, and I fear that it will not go well for myself. I just want this entire farce to be over! And don't even start about the Lord Davis situation because I can't decide whether I should laugh or cry. And I could very well ask you where you had gone? I mean if you couldn't sense me that should have been a warning sign. You did leave me". As she ranted her hands flailed around, he frustration finally letting itself known. All the while Claude had sat there with his arms folded. When she finished, he gave her a look.
"I am glad you acknowledge your stupidity". Claude stated simply, ignoring everything else she had said. And that was when Penelope snapped. Before she knew what she was doing her hand had already collided with his cheek leaving a stinging sensation in its wake. The impact caused Claude's head to turn and his usually neat hair to fall out of place, partially covering his glasses. Penelope quickly looked out of the window and when the carriage came to halt she realised they were home. Turning back to Claude who had not moved, she glared harshly.
"A little bit of sympathy would have been appreciated Claude. I believe that is far better than arrogance. Perhaps I expected too much from you". And with that she stormed out of the carriage, and ran to the house. The minute she had gone through the doors, Victoria had been there and tried to talk but Penelope ignored her, instead walking straight up the stairs.
She was completely exasperated at everything. She couldn't decide what she wanted to do the most, cry or scream. Everything was too much. The Lucy situation, the courtship with Lord Davis and the odd relationship with Claude. She allowed herself to be annoyed at her situation and in her current state of mind didn't give a damn about hitting him. In her eyes he had deserved it, she could admit what he said was true but it wasn't something she exactly wanted to hear. As she burst through her room, she grabbed her vanity chair and shoved it under the doorknob, effectively locking herself in.
She then proceeded to hastily untie the corset from behind her, wiggling free of it when it was loose enough to get out and then threw her clothes angrily to the ground. She then shoved on her nightwear and threw her body onto the bed so she was facing the ceiling. Her eyes watered painfully as she started to realise that perhaps being in love with a demon wasn't right. He would never be able to act like a human and although she had defiantly seen him be compassionate, it was becoming clearer that he was not always going to act like that. A knock on the door made her head snap up and Victoria's voice came through asking if she was alright.
Her initial rage was decreasing steadily and the tears were starting to stream down her face. She was tempted to tell Victoria to bugger off and leave her to wallow in her misery on her own but she was starting to crave comfort. Something which she was obviously not going to get from Claude. Climbing to her feet, she wiped her tears and removed the chair from the door. She had absolutely no idea what on earth she was going to say to Victoria, maybe tell her she was missing her parents which was somewhat true. Opening the door, she narrowed her sore eyes when there was no one there. Very slowly her eyes got wider as she started to think of when Claude could impersonate others. Without turning around, she moved back and closed the door, her back arching slightly at how cold the room now felt.
"I would rather we leave the theatrics till another time". She whispered, her voice cracking towards the end. She turned her head and was not surprised to see the long figure of Claude stood silent at her window.
"I believe we had not finished our conversation". Penelope could hear the cold tone in his voice and flinched, wondering if there was any point trying to get away.
"Well I think it's over, so if you will be kind enough to leave me alone then I would very grateful". She went to open the door when she found herself suddenly on her bed. Looking up at him, he had no red mark on his face and his hair was back to the state it once had been.
"To answer your question on my whereabouts, I had been looking for the carriage which had been told by someone to wait elsewhere. Of course I was then suspicious. However, I had misjudged your maturity and had not expected you to run away". Penelope only glared at him, not wanting to have to hear him ranting about her stupidity. She went to move but was forced back down roughly.
"Did you even think about what you were doing or did you let your heart rule your head?" He snapped allowing Penelope to finally observe his anger at the situation.
"Well at least I have a heart! Apologies for being human" She replied childishly as her hand clenched around the bedsheets.
"If having a heart means behaving stupidly I am quite content with not having one. So what was your plan when you ran after her? Would you have talked it through?" He mocked, and his teeth appeared to get ever so sharper. Penelope in return went to move again and gave a cry of frustration when he shoved her back.
"ok ok ok, I was wrong! There! Are you happy now? I should not have done it. Now get off me and leave me alone". She shouted her eyes watering again. She was surprised when he went away from her and Penelope watched tearfully as he was about to leave the room.
"You know Claude, all I wanted was a bit of sympathy. A bit of comfort. Was that really too much to ask?"
"You are asking a demon". Was his only reply and before she could blink he had left the room. Her mouth opened and closed for a while but she was only able to let out a sob. She had no idea what to do. The only think she could think of doing was to sleep and hope for her sake she would wake up from the nightmare which was her life.