Chapter 5

"Are you sure you'll be ok without us?" Charlie asked as she stood with Scarlett in the hotel lobby.

"I'm sure," Scarlett smiled, "I'll just read all day and enjoy some TV. Don't worry about me."

"Just keep clear of Alastor." Vaggie said with crossed arms, and Scarlett smiled.

"I will," she said and Vaggie nodded. Angel messed up her hair as a goodbye before following the group out.

"Ok," Charlie gave Scarlett a hug, "we'll be back later tonight." Scarlett waved to the group as they all walked off. She waited until they got to the bottom of the hill before closing the doors and letting out a long breath.

Scarlett stood outside Alastor's closed door. She made sure the hidden blade on her arm was secure before pulling her sleeve over it and knocking on the door. The door opened and she walked into the large room that had deer decor all over. The door behind her shut and she glared at it over her shoulder for a second before looking over to a large area where the room ended and opened into the bayou. Scarlett raised an eyebrow as Alastor sat at a table in the middle of the swamp drinking some coffee from his red cup. She sighed before stepping out onto the grass and easily jumping from one dry spot to another before landing on the area where the table was.

"You do have such beautiful movements." Alastor said as he stood up and pulled a chair out for her. Scarlett stared at him for a moment before taking a seat in the chair and he returned to his. Her knife appeared in his hand as he crossed his legs and moved it between his fingers, examining the blade.

"This is a true piece of art," Alastor said, "such wonderful craftsmanship. Wherever did you get it?"

"It was a gift." Scarlett said through her teeth, and he smiled to reveal his teeth. He ran the claws of his free hand over the engravings on the blade.

"And what does this mean?" he asked referring to the engravings on each side of the blade. Scarlett glared for a moment before letting out a breath.

"Mors Vincit Omnia and memento mori," she spoke the phrases in perfect Latin. "it's Latin. Mors Vincit Omnia means Death Conquers All, a reminder that we all die. Memento Mori means remember death. The ancient Romans used the phrase after battle during victory celebrations, reminding the survivors of their mortality." She watched as Alastor examined the dagger before he looked up at her.

"Intriguing indeed," he said, "do all modern journalists go into battle often? Hm…No, your story is very convincing; but I believe there so much more to you. I'd wager your real story is far more fascinating than the life of a journalist. I'd like to hear all about it." She clenched her teeth as he smiled at her.

He flipped the knife around in his hand holding by the blade and out to her. She stared at him with suspicion before reaching out to take it. Just as her fingers brushed the hilt, it vanished and Alastor grabbed her wrist, his claws just barely scraping her skin through her sleeve.

"Before we continue," Alastor said, "I suggest you take that off." Scarlett stared wide eyed when he tapped a single claw on the metal of her hidden blade secured on the arm he was holding. He snapped his fingers, and the blade disappeared from her arm and reappeared in his free hand. He examined the device, never releasing his hold on her as she stood up.

"Give it back!" she snapped, and he smiled at her. He tossed it up into the air and it vanished into green light before she could grab it. He stood up then, pulling her closer to him by the arm he was holding.

"Show me your skills and I may just consider it." He said then released her, only to appear behind her, placing his hand on her shoulders, his claws poking at the skin of her collarbones.

"See that light in the distance," he said in her ear, and she looked out into the dark bayou to see a small flickering light, "make it there before lunch and I'll return one of your weapons.

"And if I don't?" she challenged, and he chuckled.

"Oh I have a feeling you will." He said before disappearing into the shadows. Scarlett let out a groan, running her fingers through her hair as she stared out into the bayou. She pulled her hair back before she jumped on some logs and tree roots, only making it a few feet before a shadow jumped out at her. She quickly dodged the attack but ended up landing in the water, making her curse as she glared at the laughing shadow.

"Fine." She muttered before pulling herself up onto the root then climbing into the tree. She jumped from branch to branch, easily dodging the shadows that appeared and tried to attack her, putting on a full display of acrobatics that would make professionals look like amateurs. She stopped on one branch after a while to catch her breath, she could now make out a small house where the light was coming from. She was not at all surprised that it was the house from the bayou the night she ended up here. Only this one looked new and not sinking into the bayou from time. In her moment of distraction, a shadow grabbed her and pulled her out of the branch and into the water. She quickly pushed herself off the bottom and surfaced with a few coughs before climbing out. She was now soaked and covered in mud as she stood up, cursing. Being in Hell had ironically weakened her. She couldn't train down here the way she could back home.

She dodged another shadow and spun around to kick it, her foot going through it, but it still disappeared at her kick. Her long hair stuck to her wet clothes as she glared at the house in front of her. She stomped up the stairs and just as she reached the door it opened. Alastor stood in the entryway holding out a towel to her with a big smile.

"Ten minutes to spare, bravo!" a cheering track played from him as she snatched the towel from his hand. He snapped his fingers, and she was suddenly wearing a robe with no clothes on underneath, making her face go red.

"Can't have you tracking in all that mud in here my dear," he said as he moved to be by her, placing a hand on her back and pushing her inside and towards the back of the house.

"The shower is already running for you," he said, "clean up and change into dry clothes, lunch will be ready soon." With that said, he pushed her into the bathroom and closed the door. Scarlett rolled her eyes, but stepped into the shower, welcoming the hot water. Once she got all the mud out of her long hair, she turned off the shower and dried herself off. Her eyes landed on a long red, short sleeve dress hanging on the door. With a sigh she pulled on the dry underwear left out for her and pulled the dress on, hating the lack of a bra. She looked at the 30s style A-line dress on herself in the mirror before pulling her long hair back into a clip and walking out. Alastor was serving up one bowl of jambalaya before turning to face her with a bright smile.

"Lovely." He simply said, pulling a chair out for her and she sat down with a sigh. The smell of food made her realize how hungry she was after her little adventure. Alastor sat across from her and watched as she ate the food, ignoring him. When she was done eating, she moved away and sat down on the couch in the living room while he cleaned her dish. He appeared in the armchair across from her with his legs crossed once he was done.

"Now then." He said as he tapped his claws on his metal staff, "I think it's time you tell me the truth, so shall we talk?"

"You promised to give one of my weapons back." Scarlett replied flatly and he shrugged. He snapped his fingers, and the hidden blade was back in place on her arm. She quickly inspected it, flicking her wrist down to make the blade shoot out quickly and retract as she moved her wrist back up. She looked up at Alastor who watched the weapon with enjoyment before looking at her.

"A very intriguing weapon," he said before standing up and she followed, keeping her eyes on him.

"I'll tell you what," he said, "you tell me all about yourself, answer my all questions truthfully whenever I ask, and I'll return your favorite knife. Do we have a deal?" for the second time since she's met him, he held his hand out to her it glowed green as she stared at it.

"How do I know you will keep my secrets?" she asked with her arms crossed.

"Oh! We're dealing in secrets now!" He smiled more, pulling his hand back and spinning his staff in his hand, "well now, the price for secrets is much higher."

"It's not worth my soul." She said flatly.

"No?" he hummed and moved to circle around her, "then what is it worth?" he stopped in front of her, much closer this time, leaning down a little.

"What do you want?" she asked, not backing away from him. He smiled, his hand resting under her chin and lifting her head so she could look at him.

"A good question," he said his hand moving from her chin, his claws ran through her hair pulling it forward and up to his nose.

"A soul is the most valuable currency down here," he said twisting her hair around his claws and moving closer. She finally took a step back and he followed her until her back hit the wall, his fingers still tangled in her hair. She quickly lifted her arm to use her weapon, but he caught her wrist in his other hand and pinned it to the wall next to her head.

"Not a wise idea my little fawn." He warned and she glared at him, irritated at what he just called her.

"It would seem Scarlett," he said, and her stomach flipped at hearing him say her name for the first time, "you are at a disadvantage right now. I am holding all the cards."

"It would seem." She muttered in agreement, and he chuckled. A gasp left her lips when he leaned down and licked her neck. She felt a small sting and that was when she remembered a branch had nicked her when she was dodging a shadow on her way here. How long had the cut been bleeding and she didn't notice?

"Delicious," Alastor purred into her neck and her heart skipped a beat. Why in the Hell did she find that attractive?! He moved away then, releasing her and letting her hair slip from his claws.

"How about this then," he said, "you tell me what I want, and I'll keep your secret. In return you keep your soul, but I get you." He gestured his hand over her, and she blinked at him.

"Me?" she questioned. "How's that not owning my soul?"

"Simple," he smiled, and he tossed his staff from one hand to another before inspecting his claws, "you own your soul, but I get the rest of you. You help me with anything I need whenever I need it. Whenever I call for you, you come."

"I'm not killing anyone for you." Alastor smiled at this.

"Oh I don't need you to do that," he waved his hand in dismissal, "you're skills are truly wonderful, but it's better to keep you a secret from hell. No, no I just want you to help me with other tasks of my choosing." Scarlett stared at him, and he spun his staff in his hand.

"Still not convinced little fawn?" he tilted his head, "then I'll sweeten the deal. I'll add on protecting you while you're down here. You call for me and I'll come to your aid. Well?" He held out his hand again and she bit her lip. He was sure getting a lot out of this deal, she had to get at least something else, other than him keeping her secret and her giving her dagger back.

"Only if you answer my questions about you whenever I ask. And you must tell the truth too." She countered, he pulled his hand away, his big smile turning into a smaller one.

"Hm." He turned his back to her, and she took the chance to move away from the wall, so she wasn't trapped anymore.

"What could you want to know about me?" he asked, his back still to her as he tapped his cheek with his free hand while twisting his staff in his other.

"What could you want to know about me?" she replied back, and he paused. He looked at her over his shoulder, his monocle concealing his eye from her as he tapped his thought about his options.

"I'll keep what you tell me a secret. And this deal stays a secret." She added. There was a moment of silence as he looked away. After another minute of silence, he spun around with a big smile, holding his glowing hand out to her.

"A deal then." He said. Scarlett hesitated for a second before placing her hand in his, knowing she would regret this later. But also knowing she didn't really have much of a choice. He grabbed her hand tightly, his claws scratching her wrist, before the room glowed a bright green. His appearance changed for a moment, towering over her. His eyes turning back to the radio dials and the small antlers growing. In the blink of an eye, it was over, and he was back to his normal self. Her hand burned and she yanked it out of his, turning it over to find a glowing green symbol on her wrist before it vanished.

"Well then!" his cheery voice broke the silence, and she looked up as he sat back down in the armchair and gestured for her sit on the couch. She sighed, but took a seat, crossing her legs and leaning back onto the couch.

"Alright." She muttered, "let's talk."