A/N: Hello everyone! I will be once again posting two chapters today! Yay! Just to let you know there are two parts that may be disturbing to some readers. There will be a line where it starts and where it ends.

To SailorSedna052- Thank you for your comment! That was part of what I had hoped to achieve! :) I do apologize for not thanking you sooner. I hope you continue to enjoy this story!

Chapter Twenty-Five: Learning to Deal with the Darkness

The following early morning, Frances awoke with a yawn as she stretched her body on his warm clothed covered chest. Her body relaxed. Her arms tightened around his neck as she snuggled deeper into his chest. She placed a kiss upon it as she felt him kiss her head.

"Good morning, my precious mate."

"Good morning, Malphas." She greeted.

She lifted her head to look into his eyes when something silky soft caressed her neck. She looked down to see that she was placed in the robe she got him for her birthday. The one to match his true form. She lifted her right arm to look at it. The sleeve falling way past her hand as she did. She smiled in amusement. She was swimming in it. She turned to look at Malphas as his hand trailed up her back. An amused glint in his eyes as well. She leaned her body over him, pulling the fabric until her hand was freed then gently placed her hand on his smooth cheek.

"This is supposed to be yours." She said.

His eyes crinkled as his smirk made its way onto his lips.

"Indeed. However, I'm wearing my other one."

Her eyes looked over his body. She smiled widely as she trailed a hand over the robe's edge. His red eyes trailed down her mostly covered body. With the way she hovered over him, the valley between her breasts were on display. He paused at her exposed chest for a moment before trailing down then back up to her amused and desired eyes.

"It looks good on you." They complimented one another.

She giggled lightly. She leaned down and kissed him. Malphas returned the kiss, his hand trailing up to her head to deepen it. They pulled away after a few minutes, breathing heavily. She lifted her head when her eyes caught sight of the black curtains that hung over the small window in Malphas' room. Her eyebrows furrowed. She looked around, confirming she was indeed in Malphas' room. She turned back to him with furrowed brows and a head tilt.

"What time is it?" She asked.

She heard the click of his pocket watch as he opened it. After a second, she heard it close. He set it back on his nightstand.

"Two fifty-seven."

His hand returned to her back. Her eyebrows furrowed further.

"What time did I fall asleep?" She asked.

Malphas sent an amused smirk her way. His hand running through her hair.

"About seven thirty."

Her eyes widened.

"What?!"

He chuckled lightly. His other hand cupped her cheek.

"Now, now, there's no need to fret. You were dealing with a lot of things yesterday, my darling."

She nodded. She looked at her hand. She could feel the darkness inside her. The thrum of the power his blood gave her. Her attention returned to him as he lowered his hand to her chin, tilting it towards him to look back into his calm, gentle, understanding red eyes.

"Would you like to test your abilities?" He asked her gently. His thumb repeatedly rubbing against her chin soothingly.

"Let me clean up my music room and then we can." She said.

"I have already taken care of that for you. Though, I did leave four of the columns and vases in the room. I think it adds even more beauty to your room."

She smiled. Her hand trailed down his cheek to his chest, lightly skimming over her mark on his heart. He shivered, his warble/purr grew louder until she trailed her hand down to his stomach drawing random designs.

"And what did you do with the remaining columns, vases, curtains, and candelabras?" She asked, looking at him through her lashes.

He smirked at her.

"Why, I sent them to our home in Hell and a few to our home on your Island. Though, I did keep one of the vases." He said, gesturing with his head to his desk.

She turned to see that indeed one of the vases filled with roses was on his desk. He had even added the roses he found throughout the manor into it as well. Next to it were the figurines of the cat and crow. She smiled softly. She turned back to him. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Let's see what I can do." She said.

He smiled softly at her. He leaned up and kissed her forehead. She leaned into the kiss, a sigh escaped her lips. He drew away. He rose with her, rolling them off the bed.

"Wait here." He said, sliding a hand down her silk covered arm.

"Yes, Malphas." She said.

He moved away to his closet. She looked down to see how far the robe went. Another smile of amusement crossed her lips. More than two feet of fabric pooled around her feet. She heard his clothes rustle as he changed. Then another rusting as she heard his steps approach her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her towards him. He knelt down and slowly pulled the silk ribbon that held the robe close around her waist. Once untied, the robe easily fell away, revealing her peachy skin. He was tempted to trail his fingers over her body and scars however, he pushed the urge back. He stood, pushing the fabric easily from her shoulders. It pooled at her feet.

"Arms up, please." He whispered.

She did as she was told. He pulled a black chemise over her body before pulling her black bodyguard dress over her. He guided her to sit on the edge of his bed. He moved her dress past her knees. He quickly placed on her black stockings then her black boots. Once he finished, he took her hand in his, assisting her to stand. The dress fell as it should have, dancing around her ankles. He turned her around, running a brush through her long hair. He decided to leave it down. He sent her brush to her room. He turned her around. He held out his hand.

"Shall we?"

She accepted his hand with a smile.

"Let's."

The world rushed past them, though not as fast as Sebastian ran. He was keeping with her speed. Frances noticed they were heading to the right of the manor and deeper into the forest.

*Stop.* Malphas sent her.

She stopped. He did as well, spinning her into his arms. He gently ran his hand down her arms.

"Listen." He whispered ever so quietly into her ears.

He took a step back. She glanced at him. He sent her an encouraging smile.

"Keep your eyes open as well." He whispered in the same whisper as before.

She nodded as she turned forward once again. She took a deep breath. Her eyes closing then reopening. Her head tilted when she heard a "Hoo". It moved to the left when she heard something burrowing into the dirt in fast little scratches. She could hear the slithering of a snake. The rustling of the leaves as the whistle of the wind blew around them. She couldn't help, but close her eyes and lift her head slightly, a smile upon her lips. She heard a raven caw causing her eyes to snap open at the sudden sound, her eyes suddenly heating. She winced slightly as her eyes filled with tears at the sudden pain. She was going to rub them when his gentle hands pushed hers down. She looked up into his calm eyes. She blinked rapidly. The heat was still there however, it was a slightly prickling sensation now that the tears were gone. He smiled at her. His thumb gently ran under her left glowing eye.

"Beautiful." He murmured, quietly.

She smiled beautifully at him. The glowing and heat disappeared as her eyes returned to her brown color.

"Let's move on to agility. (He turned to face the tree in front of them.) Try to hop from branch to branch until you reach the top."

She nodded.

"All right." She said.

She slowly approached the tree. She hadn't climbed one since she was a little girl. She focused the darkness energy into her legs and ran, pushing off the ground. She landed on a branch a few feet off the ground. She looked up calculating which branch to jump to next, finding the perfect one quickly and jumping on it. She laughed as she repeated the same thing a few more times until she was near the top. She landed on another branch when suddenly, it snapped! A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes heated. She grabbed the branch underneath the one that had just broke and was now dangling against the tree. She took a second to catch her breath.

"Frances!" Malphas called from beside her.

She swung her body back and forth a few times before swinging all around the branch, when her body went all the way around, she let go using the momentum she gained, she grabbed a branch a little ways in front of and above her. Malphas' jaw dropped as he watched her swing up and up until she reached the top where she gracefully swung her leg up and over the branch. She carefully stood and balanced upon said branch. She turned and looked at him with a seductive smirk, her eyes had returned to their brown color. He matched her smirk, jumping from branch to branch until he was beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, pushing her against the trunk of the tree.

"My little acrobat." He complimented.

She let out a quiet giggle as she shook her head in amusement.

"So many nicknames, my worried crow." She said, cupping his face.

His smirked widened as his hand moved up her backside to the sides of her breasts across her neck to cup her cheeks. He leaned down until their faces were inches apart.

"You deserve every single one of them. You never cease to amaze me, Frances."

She smiled fondly, moving her hand to run her two fingers over the top part of his nose and above his left eye. He gasped slightly, his eyes widening before he closed them and leaned into her touch, warbling/purring in pleasure. Her breath was at his ear.

"Expect the unexpected."

The demon opened his eyes just in time to see her drop to a lower branch then another then another. A smirk spread upon his face. He took off after his mate. Frances could hear the animals scurry away as she ran through the forest with Malphas on her heels. Suddenly, silver butter knives were thrown at her. She dodged them by jumping onto the side of a tree trunk pushing off another tree then running on the dirt covered ground just as she heard the knives embed themselves into the two trees she pushed off of. She held back the laughter that threatened to escape her, listening to her instincts and feelings. She paused the second she heard a lion's growl. She saw the lion take predatory steps towards her. Her stance became defensive, her eyes glowed hellishly as her nails and stiletto feet made an appearance. She glared fiercely with thin slits, a predatory hiss escaped her lips. The lion's entire demeaner became frightened. It slowly backed away. Once he deemed he was far enough away, he turned, running away from the higher predator. Her fuchsia eyes glanced behind her. She backflipped over the demon's tendril of darkness that shot out towards her, landing in a crouch. She quickly spun around when his tendrils of darkness wrapped around her wrists and ankles. She was about the fight against them when she felt his calmness entering her heart. Her eyes returned to brown as her nails and heels returned to their human features. She lifted her head to see him walking towards her. She could see and feel the pride, amusement, desire, and love. The flames inside her danced. He stepped in front of her. The tendrils of darkness gently caressing down her arms as he released her from them as he placed a hand upon her cheek. He leaned his forehead against her own watching her shiver with a smirk. Once they were off her, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Absolutely extraordinary." He purred.

She smiled.

"Thank you."

He reluctantly pulled away from her. He held out his hand for her.

"Come. We must return to the manor."

She nodded, accepting his hand.

"Yes, Malphas."

The days passed by with more training. As he said, she only needed a few hours of sleep now. So after going to bed at ten, she would wake up at two sometimes two thirty. They would dress then train. One of the training sessions started with dispatching a few intruders, whom she could feel their feelings which surprised her as she could only feel the feelings of those she's close to. Malphas explained that the demonic essence can sense the souls of humans which included their feelings, though she would feel it more since she could sense feelings already. Other than that one morning, the rest of the training remained the same. Malphas would take her into the forest, each day getting closer and closer to civilization and he would have her train using her instincts and new demon abilities. After training, they would return home, change, then do their tasks for the day. Sometimes Frances helped with breakfast, sometimes she would relax. It depended on how she felt. Though, with this half demon within her, she felt much stronger than she ever had before. She felt even closer with Malphas as he made her feel safe, strong, and so much love.

Tonight, was the same. They had just finished another round of chasing as she listened to her instincts and demonic senses. She was standing on the ground with Malphas in front of her.

"Now then, we must work on only making your eyes glow while maintaining your human appearance."

She nodded.

"All right.' She agreed.

"Focus on your anger." He instructed.

She closed her eyes as she thought about the man who was being a jerk to her and the waiter at Benekey's, Harold West Jeb who used Agni, men who would attach women…

She felt something.

Her fuchsia eyes snapped open. She ran off in the direction of town.

"Leave me alone! Let go of me!" A woman with blonde hair and light blue eyes cried.

She wore a light blue day dress with matching blue heels. The man—greasy looking with light brown hair under a green cap with hazel eyes wearing brown pants, a green shirt, and brown shoes, was grabbing the woman even as she tried to fight him off.

"Come now, lil' laddie, I just want to have a bit of fun."

He continued to pull her into the alley.

"No! Let me go! Someone, help me, ple-!"

She was cut off as her head flung to the side. He slapped her. The woman raised a hand to her cheek, stunned.

"She up, you lil' bi—"

He was cut off by a black blur. The woman blinked as she heard a thud followed by two screams and the disgusting sound of flesh ripping. It ended after a few seconds.

"People like you disgust me." A woman's voice spat with venom.

The figure turned to her. Her eyes widened as she looked over the woman. She was rather short with brown hair and brown eyes. She couldn't see the man anymore. She glanced to her right. Her eyes widened. The man's brown pants were shredded with… blood stains. The woman took a step towards her. The woman took a step back with her arms raised.

"Ple-Please, don't hurt me!" The blonde haired woman cried.

Frances stopped. She tilted her head in confusion. She could feel the immense fear from her.

"It's okay. He can't hurt you anymore." She said, calmly and softly.

"Wh-What are you?" The blonde woman asked.

"Help." She responded, taking another step forward.

The woman back away again.

"B-But, you just…"

Frances' eyebrows furrowed as she turned her face away.

*My eyes aren't glowing, right? I don't feel the heat anymore.*

She turned back to the woman when she took another step back. Her movement stopped when she realized Frances was looking at her. Frances stared into her eyes. She waited until all the woman's focus was on her, pushing down the urge to make her eyes heat in concentration. It didn't take long for the woman's attention to be all on her as usual. Frances made her way slowly towards the woman, never breaking eye contact.

"You will forget what happened to you tonight. After your stroll, clean yourself up then head to your destination. You will forget me and what I have done. Have a good day, Miss." Frances said, blinking and taking a step back, breaking the connection.

The woman blinked.

"You as well." She responded.

She turned and walked away, relaxed. Frances listened as the woman's steps got further away when suddenly, a metallic scent hit her nose. Someone was hurt. She turned around. Her eyes widened in horror.

The man's private anatomy (Still within his brown pants.) and hands had been completely severed from the man's body and were tossed in two separate directions while the man's body laid with slash marks across his legs, blood still dripping from them.

A look of pain, fear, and horror on his face. Frances took a horrified step back. She collided with a solid figure. His warm hand placed itself upon her right shoulder.

"I did this." She whispered, horrified with herself.

Malphas didn't respond. He knew she needed to work out these feelings. He would merely let her know that he was beside her. No matter what.

Frances thought back. She felt the pull to help after thinking of who made her angry. Right after feeling that pull, she felt the woman's fear and terror. And then… And then, she felt the man's amusement, lust, and arousal.

She saw red at that point and slammed him against the wall as she tore off his private anatomy. The man screamed in horror as she tossed it to the left. She could feel his utter pain, horror, and fear. She ripped off his hands with her sharp nails which caused him to scream again. She tossed them to the right. She dragged her left hand down his leg as her right clawed hand pierced his heart.

That anger. She's never felt that angry before. She knew it was because of the darkness inside her, but…

"I have to let it run through me to gain better control of it." She whispered.

Malphas wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"Indeed." He agreed, "For now, let us return home."

She shook her head.

"We still have time. Let's continue." She said.

Malphas' eyebrows furrowed. He knew she still felt guilty. He could feel it. She's killed before, but never mutilated the body like this. He didn't want to push her too hand, too fast. She turned in his arms, hands reaching up to cup his cheeks. His gaze focused back on her.

"I promise, I'm all right. The quicker I learn to deal with other people's emotions, the better off I'll be." She said, confidently.

His gaze hardened. He looked her critically in the eye. He knew what she said was true, however, he didn't want her to work herself to exhaustion. He saw and felt her determination. A small, proud smirk appeared upon his face. Despite having guilt over what she had done, she still wanted to learn about her powers. How very like her.

"Very well. (He took a step back and held out his hand.) Let us go."

She took his hand with a small smile.

William T. Spears watched the couple go. A hateful glint in his eyes. Even half demons were trouble, not as much as full demons, however, they were just as irksome. Though, he had to admit, he was surprised that the demon hadn't fully changed her. He pushed his glasses up with his Scythe as he turned to look at the mutilated body.

"You have poor taste now, vile hybrid." He muttered.

Malphas led Frances to a place that he knew would be teeming with people at three forty-one in the morning. They were on a smooth lightly grey roof across from a busy pub. They remained in the shadows to remain hidden from any humans. Malphas stood behind Frances, silently watching, listening, and feeling only her. Frances had her eyes closed. She could feel the raucous, playfulness, tiredness, and a few with… She shuddered in disgust, arousal and lust. It was overwhelming, especially since she could hear the clinking of glass, the occasional overly loud laughter, and grunts from patrons. She placed her hands on her heart and took several deep breaths in and out forcing herself to calm down and focus. She sang their song within her mind, sometimes even under her breath. She focused on Malphas' indifference.

After several minutes, her body relaxed as the noise faded into the background. She let out another deep breath as her eyes opened. She turned her focus on her own feelings. She was calm now. A small smile appeared upon her lips. She turned to Malphas. He was smirking at her. He walked up to her and placed a hand upon her cheek.

"Such a strong creature."

She smiled softly.

"Thank you."

They spent a few hours wandering through the city so she could get used to it. There were times she felt pulled to assist someone and was able to handle it as she normally would. Even if the anger towards the person hurting the other was consuming, she was able to calm herself by singing hers and Malphas' song.

The rest of the week went by with more training. By the end of the week, she felt confident about moving forward with her plans for Alois' birthday.