RECAP: (? POV)
"Soon my master's plan will be complete. But how can I get close to the child when she has the current King and his monster 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.
(Sam's POV)
It has been a few months now, and in all honesty, I could not have asked for anything better. I mean, I wouldn't anyways. I am so grateful for what I have as it is. I am going to go to a good school with my best friend and I had found out that I wasn't alone like I thought I was in what was going on in my life as far as being a protected child erm person. Claire and I had become fast friends. Who knew?! I mean, growing up I had people I would try to hang out with and thought we were friends, but ended up getting hurt instead. Claire, I was elated to find out, was not like that. She was a genuinely good person. We just "clicked". Same with that handsome demon of hers, who thankfully has not teased me TOO badly. He has taken a liking to calling me "Little One". I am guessing it was due to how short I looked when Claire and I were cosplaying as our demons and she had platform boots on to make her look taller like he was. I went from only being two inches shorter than her to almost a good six inches shorter!
As I was replaying that particular memory in my mind, my phone began to ring. "What the hell?" Looking down at the lit up screen, it was showing one of the hotel work numbers.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Rose asked, highly frustrated. "They can't leave you alone for more than one day?"
"I'm used to it by now, Rose. Don't worry about it." I answered the phone with a polite greeting and then had my ear assaulted with screaming and crying from my boss, demanding that I come in because she was going to quit. Believing her words, I raced to get ready, promising that I would be there soon to help her deal with whatever the problem was at hand. The whole time, my demon just stood there shaking her head saying that this was all a mistake that I was just being used again,
I reminded her of the fact that I had to have a job in order to pay for everything up here in the human realm. It's not quite the same as it was in Hell. "Fine. But if she gets out of hand again, I WILL deal with the situation. Understood?" Shaking my head, I silently agreed with her, No use in pissing her off. That was never fun.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I noticed that there were hardly any cars in the parking lot, So what in the world was she all worked up over? As soon as I got past the lobby, before I could even put my things in my locker, I saw my boss yelling at someone on the phone. Very unprofessional if you ask me. But hey that was the norm for her. As soon as she saw me, she hung up the phone with a SLAM and started yelling and telling me that she was sick and tired of the company and her job, yada yada yada.
I tried my best to not look bored or just downright tired, To be frank, I was. I had stayed up late the previous night reading one of my books till early dawn this morning. Taking how I was being as offensive she rounded her emotional drama and anger out at me. That was where she fucked up. With the feeling of being pulled back forcefully inside my own body, I yet again, took a backrow seat within my own body.
"Look. I am sorry that you are having a bad time. Maybe if you weren't such a bitch and treated your employees with at least a tiny bit of respect, your work life would not be so miserable. Maybe get off your ass and actually do your job instead of putting it all on me for once! However, seeing as that will most likely never happen, I quit!" Rose was letting her have it! Enough is enough, child, she explained.
After laying into my boss a bit more, we then took a deep breath, gathered my things from my locker, and drove home. But not without stopping at my favorite restaurant first. After getting the food, we head home and I eat as I wait for my girlfriend to call. She does not seem to like it when I call first. Granted the whole time difference up in Italy is a pain, but still….. I was missing her terribly.
"She does not want to call you, stupid. Her career is more important than a silly little girl like you. You don't mean that much to her. You'd just be an annoyance." Thoughts coming out of nowhere hit me like a brick. Was I really in her way? Shaking my head, I put the thoughts out of my head thinking she was just too busy to call and finished my food.
(Rose's POV)
Enough was enough. I was so sick and tired of this woman being an absolute bitch to Sam. She was always berating her and screaming at her every time something was not done by herself or another employee. She always expected Sam to pick up or fix everyone else's screw ups. I was finally sick of it. Saying a silent apology, I forcefully switched a shift to where she was in the back seat so to say. (One of our little tricks we can do, if needed, is to share her human body.)
I will admit, it gave me a rush to finally be yelling at her so called manager. That woman was a horror. I don't think even Hell would want her! After ripping her ass a new one - figuratively speaking - we gathered Sam's things out of her locker and walked out screaming, "I quit!"
After getting Sam some food from a local burger joint, we went home. Her mood drastically changed after that though. I racked my brain trying to figure out why until I remembered that she isn't used to not having her girlfriend around all the time. To be completely honest, she had been ghosting Sam lately. I mean, yea if you are really busy, you could at least tell said person that you are busy and not just ghost that person like what is and has been going on lately. (Note to anyone who has a partner or close friend that is an overthinker - Do NOT Do That! Can cause said person to self-destruct in a way or think that they did something wrong and will go down a rabbit hole.)
The phone then starts to ring, causing her to look over at the screen. Her face lit up as much as the screen did. Then her face falls and she puts on a fake smile and answers. I didn't hear much of the conversation but it did not seem to be too bad. After a few minutes, she hangs up with a somewhat apprehensive look on her face.
"What's up, kiddo?"
"That was Blaze, Claire's boyfriend. He was asking if he could come over with her the next time she came over. Kinda weird and out of the blue if you ask me. I don't like being around boys, at least human ones, for a good reason."
"Hey, hey, hey. It's ok. If Darius trusts him enough to be around Claire then he can't be all that bad right?" I ask, trying to keep her from having certain memories fly through her head.
"Yea." she sighs. "I guess you're right. I guess now would be a good time to go look for a new job, huh?"
"Why don't you start your baking business but from your home? You have your inheritance and you have not even touched it. That way you won't have to deal with anyone that you don't want to. And if things happen to keep going like they are, then it would be safer for the both of us, especially you." I tried to reason with Sam knowing that her love for baking and nature were a good spot for her. "Just think about it, okay?"
With a nod of her head, she goes to turn on the tv for what I can guess, another movie. Turns out it's Narnia. As she knelt down to grab the remote, I see yet again the mark of Michael. I still need to talk to Darius about WHY Sam has this mark. Somethin ain't right by all accounts. No human, even a bonded one, should have that mark!
Snapping myself out of thought, I looked over to see Sam passed out on the couch. Odd, I think. That's another thing with her….she's been sleeping more than usual too. Usually she has a hard time sleeping. Is she getting sick? Brushing my hand over her head, carefully as to not cut her with my claw like nails, I didn't notice much of a temperature change. She was barely even warm, almost cool. Pulling my hand away, however, caused Sam to make a kitten-like whimper sound. So I put my hand back to play with her hair. Almost immediately she stopped and settled down.
"Click!" The lock on the door unlocks and I hear, "Sam? You home?" What the heck?! Oh yea I forgot that Sam gave Claire the spare key. Getting up from the floor, I walk to the kitchen by the front door and see Claire putting down bags.
"Claire…..what are you doing here?" I ask, surprising the girl.
Spinning around, I guess I scared her judging by the look on her face. "Dammit Rose. Don't DO that!" After catching her breath she finally answered. "Sam and I were going to hang out for a few days because of the fair, remember?"
Oops. Completely forgot!
"Right now Sam is passed out on the couch. Make yourself at home ok? I'm guessing y'all are gonna sleep in the living room…..she didn't specify. Where is Darius by the way? He's usually with you….."
"He's out dealing with council stuff. Said it was really important but that he'll be here later."
Nodding my head at that answer I led her to the living room of where Sam was still passed out. "Is she sick? She's all red", Claire asked.
"No, not that I can tell. She's just worn out." I then tell her of everything that's happened the last two days, leaving out about the mark. Soon her eyes get sleepy as well and she falls asleep too. At that moment, Darius decides to teleport in. Walking over, he sees both girls fast asleep.
"Everything ok, Rose?" He asks, making sure Claire was situated and tucked in.
"As good as it can be….for now. Feel like babysitting while I go out for a bit back home?"
Nodding his head and settling down by the girls, he pulls out a book he's been reading that Claire gave him. Somethin about a snake? Anyways, giving my thanks I teleported back to Hell in my home. It wasn't much, by high ranking demon standards. But it was comfy.
The home was actually on the castle grounds. Not too far away, but close enough if he needed me, I could help. I had everything I could want. Books cluttered the office and library, weapons as well. The bedroom was simple enough. Big four poster mahogany canopy bed with black and red bedding, with the walls a soft gray color. Kinda dark, I know. My closet had a different array of clothes from fighting gear, assassins clothes, to more formal wear. By the realms, I hated wearing those damn gowns! But Darius insisted I have them. Just in case, he had said. Barf is what I say.
Getting into a more suitable outfit consisting of a not so formal dress and heels, I made sure to tuck at least two of my daggers in hidden places. Take a guess. I also made sure my pendant that I had been gifted was shown out in the open. As I headed to what could be considered a classy bar, I got a few speculating looks. Something told me that tonight was going to be very interesting.
Arriving at my destination, I settled in at the bar counter and ordered two doubles of straight up whiskey. After knocking back the first one, a scent fills my nose that I could only describe as heaven. Soft floral, rain, and a spice I couldn't place. Turning around to find where it was coming from, I am met with the most gorgeous cerulean blue eyes I've ever seen. Soft smile, long brown hair that reached her mid back, and legs to beat. In other words, gorgeous! Her tan skin just made her eyes pop out even more along with her long lashes. I could tell she was one of the fair folk. Her ears were a dead give away. She must have felt my eyes on her because she turned and walked to the seat right next to me.
"I'll have a strawberry margarita please. With firewater on the side." Turning to me she starts up with, "my name is Lyric. What's yours?"
Stuttering, I answered, "Rosalie Slade. But friends call me Rose."
She must have heard my name before because her eyes widened a bit. Odd. "Oh! I thought you looked familiar! You work for the King do you not? What are you doin in a dump like this?" She asked, in a soft voice.
As much as I appreciated her soft voice about my relationship with Darius, I found it a bit unnerving that that's how I got recognized. "Yes. Yes I do. He can be very trying sometimes."
With that comment, she burst into a fit of giggles. "Yea I'll bet. He's got a whole realm and then some to deal with from what I've heard. Anyways, what about you? Got any partners or kids?"
Wow. Straight to the point I see. "No. No partners to speak of. And yes I have one kid. She's great too." I was being as vague as I could about Sam. Nobody down here needs to know who she is except the very few who do - which was not a lot. Just Darius, the few workers in the castle, and a select few council members. I still don't trust Selene though. She gives me the creeps.
"Sorry if I'm being blunt. It's just I don't like beating around the bush." She then ordered another drink for herself while I sipped on my second whiskey. After a few hours, I had to leave, but not wanting to.
"Hey can I give you my number?" I ask. She nods yes, sending her hair into waves with a small shy smile. "I'd love that." After swapping numbers, I walk home and then teleport back to Darius and the girls. Seeing me, he notices the soft grin I had very apparent on my face.
"What's with that type of smile, Rosey. And why do you smell like whiskey?" He asked with a look in his eye and a lifted eyebrow.
"Nothing nothing. I'm fine. More than fine."
"I can see that. Waaaaiiit a minute. Did you get a date?!"
"Erm maybe? I hope so." I then continue to tell him what she looked like and how the evening went.
"She sounds lovely. Be careful about having other demons around Sam though, ok?"
"Yes I will. Don't worry." Looking at the two sleeping girls," how are they doin?"
With a soft smile he answered, "Claire woke up for a bit then fell back asleep. Sam hasn't moved an inch. She sleeps like the dead. No pun intended."
"Gasp! When did you learn to make dad jokes?"
Smacking my hand away, he shoos me to go on the other side of the girls and we both watch over them till morning.
(? POV)
"So how did it go?"
"Everything went as planned. She didn't suspect a thing!"
"Well done, my dear. Well done," answered a cruel sickly sweet voice. "Soon we will have the master's daughter in our clutches and there will be NOTHING that Darius can do!"
"Are you sure, M'Lady?"
"Don't worry. Everything will be just fine. Alright, Lyric?"
"Yes ma'am."
—- dun dun duuuuuun —