(Darius POV - finally!)

After Rose told me to hush, we heard the water turn off. Making sure that I was still hidden from human eyes, I watched as she talked to Sam. I also noticed a strange mark on her collarbone starting to disappear. As I watched her face crease into a confused frown, I heard Rose introduce me by an old nickname that Sam had used as a child. Coming out of the shadows, Sam's eyes widened in shock or horror, I could not exactly place the look. But it caused a pinch of pain to go through me. Taking a few steps back, she ended up tripping so I reached forward to catch the girl and sat her down safely.

I then noticed her staring at me, inspecting me almost. Little did she know, but Rose and I could hear every word that was going through her mind. One of the benefits of being Satan. She doesn't need to know that yet though. Then the questions started after her "inspection". But one had caught me off guard. She could identify certain beings by smell? Odd. Only demons can do that. Claire cannot even do that and she's paired up with me as my protector child!

As we explained the situation that was going on with us and wanted her to meet me and Claire formally, she seemed to understand and nodded her tired little head. Rose then lets her go to bed and she cuddles this red devil plushie and falls fast asleep. Watching Rose interact with Sam was, dare I say, endearing. Like she was her own child.

Rose then motions for us to go to the living room out of earshot just in case we could wake the sleeping human. Leaning against the counter, she twirls one of her daggers I had gifted her over 50 years ago in her hand. "So how do we want to do this, Darius? She has the mark now. And what in the Hells is that mark near her collarbone? I don't recall either of us having that one….." she trails off.

"I guess she doesn't remember everything again yet." I think to myself sadly. Aloud I answer, "that mark is actually a bit familiar to me. It seemed more elegant though. I used to have that same mark before I ascended as the new Satan." Seeing that she still wasn't remembering, I unbuttoned the top few buttons of my shirt and showed her where MY Satan mark was. "This is where it used to be, but when I agreed to be the new Satan, I got my own mark, destroying the original one."

"But who would give you that one?" Then it clicked for her. Wide-eyed, she looked up from my shoulder as I buttoned my shirt back up. "That was our previous Satan, Michael's, mark. But why would Sam have it? And why does it keep reappearing and dissapearing?"

That baffled me too. Why did this human girl have Michael's mark? It made me worried and angry. That being had been a terrible person who only cared about himself and what he wanted, when he wanted. And if he was displeased with anybody, there was hell to pay. Unimaginable torture usually followed. More often than not, the victim did not survive.

Noticing my anger, Rose touched my shoulder to get my attention. "Why don't you go see Claire? Explain to her what is going on, hmm? Then we can go from there. Let's see if she wants to come over here and meet Sam in person."

Snapping out of it, I agree to her requests. I could usually never say no to either her nor Claire. I didn't used to be this way. I still try to keep a cold exterior to keep others at bay. Even when I was first paired up with Claire. Over time, Claire had managed to thaw out my cold exterior and open up. I see her more as my own child than how I used to see her, just as a job. Picturing and feeling out to where my protector child was, I vanished and found myself in her cosplay room. Silly girl was dancing around, cleaning up her cosplays that were disarrayed everywhere. "Hmm." I thought to myself. "Sam's cosplay room is like this too." I am guessing she could hear or saw me in the mirror because she turned around with the biggest smile on her face.

"Darius! You're back! Did you have a good time? Is everything ok?" She rattled off without even missing a beat.

"Yes, Claire, I'm fine. I just went to see Rose and her protector child."

"Oh! Is she ok? And do I get to meet them soon?" She asks with an intense, excited look on her face.

"Calm down, Sally. You have actually already met her. Her name is Sam. And to be quite frank, you are very much alike in a lot of ways. I think you will get along just fine."

"Really? Do you think so?" She looked up at me with a worrisome glance.

" I know so. Now quit fretting. What are you up to anyways?" I asked, looking around the room. "It looks like a warzone in here."

"Well, I wanted to cosplay but I had too much stuff everywhere. So I figured I would clean up at least until mom calls me for dinner. I think she's making her three cheese baked mac n cheese. I might just wait until after dinner to cosplay instead. By the way, where are we going to meet up with Rose and her kid?"

"Well, how about you try calling her again later and then you girls plan that out. Not tonight though. I think she has a bit of information to sift through. As for you, young lady, you need to eat and then hit the hay."

"Ok ok ok," she giggles, shaking her head. "Fine. Have it your way. No cosplaying tonight. But then you owe me a movie tonight instead. Deal?"

"Yes. We can watch Dumbo. Now hurry up." You see even though Claire is only 23, I sometimes slip and treat her as if she is only a teenager. She doesn't seem to mind half the time though or at least never comments on it. Her mother soon calls her to dinner and I am left alone to my thoughts in her room.

As I turn to say good night to her little guineas, I remember back to the mark that was on Sam's shoulder. I eventually got so engrossed in what I was thinking, that I never realized that I had made my way to Claire's bedroom and sat at her desk. Eventually she came back up from dinner, got ready for bed, and put the movie on. But not before calling her boyfriend, Blaze. He was a good kid and good for her. She soon fell asleep when the cute little elephant on the screen started to learn how to fly. Turning off the movie, I tucked her in, made sure the surrounding areas were safe, and popped back down to my realm to deal with what had been on my mind all day. I couldn't stay long though, seeing as Demon time in Hell ran faster than the time does in the Human world.

(Back to Sam's POV)

Waking up the next morning, I look over at the empty side of the bed that my partner used to sleep on. Feeling the tears start to well up in my eyes, I try to push away all the negative thoughts that were trying to surface. Rose must have felt my emotions veer off because at that moment she walked through the door.

"You doin ok, kid?"

"Yea. Yea, I'm ok. What's the plan for today?"

"That is entirely up to you. What is it…" She was cut off by the sound of my phone ringing, playing Enter the Sandman. Looking at the screen, I see that there is a picture of Darius on the screen with who I assume is Claire cosplaying.

"Hello?" I answer, tentatively, not really knowing who this person was on the other end of the phone.

"Hi! Is this Sam? This is Claire"

"This is her. How can I help you?" I ask, again not knowing exactly what was going on.

"I was wondering if you would like to get together and hang out…..get to know each other?"

I looked over to where Rose was leaning up against the wall, listening in to the conversation. She nods her head in agreement, or encouragement. I couldn't really tell.

"Um sure. When would be a good time? And where?"

"Not to be weird but would your place be ok? I have a feeling that it would be better considering…."She asks and trails off. Again, Rose nods her head yes.

"Sure." I agree, looking at the clock seeing that it was barely after 9 am. "How does noon work for you?'

"That sounds like a plan. We will see you soon," she says.

We? I think to myself. Who the heck is she talking about?

"She is talking about Darius, you silly goose. Don't you remember yesterday?" Rose asks, walking towards me.

"Oh. I thought that I was dreaming." I then looked to my shoulder, and sure as shit, there was the new "tattoo" sticking out like a sore thumb. Not that it was ugly. I just have to get used to it now.

The next few hours rolled by a bit too fast for me. However, in that time span I managed to get dressed, do my hair, and somewhat tidy up the room and feed the fur babies. I was pulling out pizza from the oven when I started to smell the smoky cinnamon smell and feeling a protective aura again. Looking at Rose, I said "Darius is here." Quirking up a perfectly shaped eyebrow, she smirks and then the door is knocked upon.

"Coming!" I yell. I set down the pizza and went to open the door. I could feel that Darius was around, but I wasn't quite sure where he was at…. I then opened the door, revealing a girl with long pixie cut type hair cut that was black and red. She had, I'm assuming hazel colored eyes because they were changing colors. "Hi! Come on in," I said, ushering her into the house. I was hoping to hell and back that my home wasn't too messy. After she walked through the door, taking off her shoes, she looked up, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"Rose! Hi!" WTF?! I think in my head. How does she know Rose?

"Chill out, kid. I've known her since the day she was paired up with Darius. You will like her I promise. Now pay attention."

Turning to me, Claire has the biggest smile on her face. Instantly I feel so out of place, even in my own safe space. I then hear Darius laughing behind me. He then walks up behind Claire and does formal introductions.

"Claire, this is Sam. Sam, this is my protector child, Claire."

Then out of nowhere, I blurt out, "WHAT?!" God, that was embarrassing…

"You have a demon too?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Well, yea. It isn't something that I normally just say aloud. But yes."

"Sorry, I have a tendency to just blurt out random things that come to mind (true fact)", I apologized. In the background, I can hear my own demon snickering at my awkwardness.

With more awkwardness, I led Claire along with the two gorgeous demons following us into the living room/kitchen where the pizza was waiting on the counter. In the background, I had a movie called the Hunchback of Notre Dame playing.

(Rose's POV)

I was proud of her. Sam was able to pick up where he was without even trying. However at the same time, it was a little unnerving on how fast her abilities are growing. This was far from normal. Even Darius and Claire took years to be able to get to where they are now even after he became Satan. I need to have a conversation with him later. Right now, though, I need to make sure that she will be ok with everything that is going on. Turning back to the two girls, I see both with huge smiles adorning their faces. "Hmm. I might not have to worry as much as I had originally though. She has a real smile on her face and her emotions are leveling out." Then, like a physical feeling, I felt a "click" in Sam. Smiling, I realized what it was, although I am willing to bet she hasn't. She formed a bond. A strong one too, one that would last a lifetime if not more. I haven't felt that strong of a bond since after the first time I had my ass handed to me by Darius and we have been damn near inseparable since. Kinda weird that this one is between two humans, even if one is bonded to the Devil.

My attention is then cleared up when I hear Sam ask questions in the form of a game. Something along the lines of 20 questions I think. Then came a surprising revelation.

"Wait! You are going to go to the same school?!" Claire asked, excitedly. "What are you going for?"

"I am going for theater production, but more of the music aspect of it. I love music, especially broadway and classical music. My mother taught me how to play violin a long time ago before she passed away," Sam answered, getting a soft look on her face. Now that right there surprised both me and Darius. Both of us knew that her mother was a tough topic for her, but here she was telling Claire about her.

I started to get lost in my thoughts again how this was too perfect when both girls started looking expectedly at us. Not knowing what was going on, I looked to my friend next to me and he answered my questioning look.

"The girls are wanting to spend a few nights together like a sleep over. There is a Renaissance fair coming in town and it'll give them time to bond more. I have no objection to it," he smiled. The dude smiled a real smile! What the hell was going on today?!

"I have no objection. However, Claire, do you have any clothes with you?"

"Not tonight, Rose," Sam said laughing. "Next weekend! Plus I have to get my cosplays sorted out and decide which one to do."

"Ok ok you two. Claire, your mother is going to be expecting you home soon and you still need to go pick up your gift for Blaze at the post," Darius said, calming the two girls down.

"Oh ok! Well thank you for having me over, Sam. I had a lot of fun today!"

"So did I. Thank you, all of you for being honest and open with me. I know it does not seem like a big thing but to me it is." Sam had said as she was walking Claire to the door.

After a quick hug, Claire got into her car and drove off with Darius in the car with her. Turning to my human, I saw that she looked exhausted and worn out a bit emotionally, but in a good way. "Hey, kid, you ok?"

"Yea just really tired all of a sudden. But in a relaxed way. I like her. She is a good friend - if I can call her that already?"

"I am pretty sure you can. She is a genuine person. If she did not like you, she would not have given Darius those puppy eyes she was giving him to stay over," I answered laughing. "Now, why don't you get to bed? It is already getting late. You can call Taylor in the morning."

"It's kind of odd, though," she mussed. "She didn't call me or text me at all today. Not even once."

"Maybe she got tired from the flights? That is a very long time to be stuck on an airplane hun."

"Yea, you are probably right. As always. Ok then, I'll go to bed. Good night, Rose,"

"Have a good night kiddo." And with that she passed out with a peaceful look on her face.

—-

(? POV)

"Soon my master's plan will be complete. But how can I get close to the child when she has the current King as a friend and bodyguard?! Grrrrrrr….this is going to be more of a nuisance than I thought. Unless…."

Upon watching the scene before him, a devious plan started to form in his mind. "Unless, something or someone came into the picture and got the demons away from the girl. Yessssss. Hahahahaha. That would be MUCH easier!" And with an eerie fanged smile plastered on their face, they slipped into the shadows without a sound.