I woke up early to another note.

Tomorrow we take you to Hades. -Your master.

I crumpled it, sending it up in flames. I pushed my hair out of their ponytail, shrugging on my black hoodie over the ripped jeans and looked critically in the floor-length dirty mirror. I was tall, lean and olive. There were no special words to describe me, everything about me was boring.

Except for my eyes, unless you are standing close or you have good vision, they were half Saphire and half the ice blue, otherworldly colours. They glow in dark and I could see in the night.

That vampire, Hector was right, they were natural and not some contact lens.

I thought bitterly before making my way out of the basement, Master and Madam were out. I listened closely, allowing a smile to curl my lips. I took the stairs two at a time, bursting into his room.

"Ash!" I said, almost yelled at the sight of him tucked in his armchair, reading a book. His name left my mouth in a way that his parents can't say. He looked up from his book and passed me a gentle smile.

"Why haven't you woke me up, if you knew those bitches are out?" I said, sitting on the couch opposite to him. His smile didn't waver, "I knew you were home back yesterday late, didn't want to disturb you."

I shrugged, the smile leaving me, "They are taking me tomorrow." And just like that, his smile left him too, "I won't allow it."

"They are my parents," I said, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

"No, they are my parents. They are pieces of shit to you and now they are trading you with someone we don't even know. I hate them so much." He said quietly, not really understanding what I am saying. Despite his words, despite how much I wanted them to be true, there was no hate in his tone, only anger.

He closed his book and stood up.

I grimaced, "Fuck them right now, let's go to the market." He stared at me for a second before nodding.

No matter how much he wants to argue, they are his parents. He can't go against them, he loves them too much for that. I smiled bitterly, why would he? For a girl like me? I was nothing more than his friend and he could have many more. I reminded myself, no matter what, he is my friend and will remain as such. No need to drag him into my life when he doesn't want to.

No matter how much I want to.

After all, I don't matter.

I touched his shoulder and transported us to the busy market of Styx, immediately assaulted by a number of smell and music which were so second nature that I didn't almost noticed it. I grew up in these streets, nothing it can do surprise me.

I looked back at Ash and a tall dude with white hair in a braid collided with him. I reconised him instantly, "Hector, fancy seeing you here again." I said smoothly, blocking Ash from his range.

He smirked at it, "Oh if it isn't barbie-gone-emo from yesterday."

I cracked up a smile at it, "Oh yeah? And you have a wide array of emotional capablities of a teaspoon."

He shook his head, disappointed, "And here I thought you had better material. You stole that from Hot Topic too?" He raked my clothes with mock disgust.

"Sorry if isn't upto your standard, you highness, next time when I decide to join your boyband, I will come up with better material." I returned his disgust full gaze and stared pointedly at his hair.

He rolled his eyes, face going back to his laidback scrowling. He nodded his head at Ash, who I was surprised to see haven't interfered till now. I stood in front of him, shaking my head slightly.

No matter what, Ash comes first. I won't let anybody touch him without his consent. Atleast until I was with him.

I felt a pang when I remember I have only until today. Hector smirked, "Oh is this your dog? He is so obidient, here doggy." I felt a spike of irritation raditating from him.

Ash rolled his eyes, "And I might just bite your arm. Alaska, who is this?" I answered, "Ash meet Hector, he is new in town. Hector, Ash my friend."

Hector raised his eyebrows, "You weren't kidding, you really are a social butterfly."

I grinned, "Speaking of butterflies, where is that angel of yours?" He said nothing and shrugged like he couldn't be bothered. "Do you and your ah, friend want to join me for late breakfast?"

I grimaced, "What have you done to the rude dude standing over here just a minute ago?", when he didn't answered, I conceeded, "Yeah sure, we have time to kill."

Or maybe not. I rememberd that this was my last day and I should spend it with Ash but maybe because this is my last day, I shouldn't spend it with Ash. I started walking with Hector without looking back, because I know Ash always follows.

It could be a strom and he would follow me right through it.

I forced my expressions to go blank and followed him right into a popular mordern cafe/restraunt. He went in ignoring everything and sat in the corner. I followed his lead and gingerly sat down on his left and Ash sat in front of us. A pretty blonde imp came forward to take our order. He carefully avoided the place where a puddle of spilled coffee was, must be a clumsy mistake.

I glanced at the menu and felt my heart rate climb up.

A mix of warm melty chocolate and strong cold coffee. The picture of it was so captivating and mesmerizing that I spoke before I could stop, "This one!" I pointed for empahsis onto the picture of swirling browns.

Hector cleared his throat and recited, "Double expresso with mint chocolate ice cream brownie."

Ash shrugged, "I will have some lemon tea with melon cake." I rolled my eyes at that, he smiled brightly at the waiter.

Hell, even the blonde imp seems to giggle at that and rushed to get out order done. I grazed a bit dreamily at the picture in my hand.

Chocolate was my weakness, coffee was my exhiler. I wonder what good I have done in life to see the reunion of two.

Hector pulled the menu away from me, "Quit drooling."

I went to protest but Ash cut me off, "Sorry, she have a bit of chocolate obsession since forever, and have been a recently turned coffee adict as well."

Hector leaned back, "I figured because you looked as if you are about to make out with it, kid."

I rolled my eyes and went to reply, but a sharp voice cut me off again- "Oh you got to be fucking kidding me!"

I turned my head and looked at the intruder, he was pale as fuck and dressed in rip black jeans and a black turtleneck shirt, a mess of wavy red hair fell like art behind his head. He was also supporting a kitten in his arms who got tiny furballs on his paw, like socks.

He glared and I was struck by the red eyes that seems to summon hell and heavens in the same room. Suddenly his glare vanished and his eyes widened, and I glanced right back at Hector to see him staring fixedly in the eyes of intruder, like he was telepathically telling him something.

The shy meek voice of the waiter broke through, "L-lord Theo, whe-where would-d you li-like to sit?"

I heard Theo and I blanked out the rest. I pulled the hood up and leaned back on my chair, making a point of avoiding his eyes. He struted towards our table, his fucking cat still held gently in his arms and plopped his tushie onto the remaining seat, sitting next to Ash, who looked very uncomfortable at the company.

Well, more so than he was with Hector.

"So, why have you came back?" Lord Theo demanded, looking straight at Hector.

Hector just scrowled, "I was passing by, my lord. I have been nothing but good recently."

I wonder if it was just me or sarcasm was lethal in the sentance. I raised my eyes to Ash who looked equally confused. I glanced at Hector to find him glaring with the icy blue eyes at lord Theo. I paused when I realised I have seen the look before. I just couldn't place it.

I frowned at the table when the waiter came hurriedly, almost sliding on the floor. My eyes widened when I realised there was slightly spilled coffee at the floor. He forgot to come around it, I leaped into action. I teleported just before him and held him steady just as he was about to fall. I glanced at his tray and almost let him fall to his death.

It looked glorius.

I cleared my throat, "Um, is that for us?" My eyes didn't wavered from the cup of holy liquid gold. The imp giggled brightly and gently pulled away.

"Thank you, Miss." He said, daintly pushing his shoulder length hair behind his ears. I nodded in acknowledgement and went back to seats.

Theo and Hector were oberving me with rather sharp eyes and Ash shook his head when he met my eyes. I grinned before sitting down, the waiter put down our drinks and snacks before taking Theo's order (mild brew chocolate coffee with melon cake).

"Always a fucking hero, aren't you?" Hector mocked as the silence settled over us. I leaned back int my chair, relaxing the best I could with the fucking prince of Styx sitting right next to us, with the bloody cat.

Ash answered before I can, "There is not a soul more self-sacrificing than her." I froze at that, my eyes finding Ash's and I glared.

How dare he comment on my business.

Theo snorted, "Oh yeah? Why don't you elabrate? I can think of a person who can give her a run for her money."

"What I mean," he made a show of chewing his melon cake thoughtfully before continuing, " is this dumbass once threw herself into the river Styx when a random girl was drowning."

"Hilarious, the person I am talking about once went into a fucking warzone just to prove a point and save his kids." Theo smriked, glancing at Hector briefly.

"She have delivered more thugs to your mansion than the rest of your guards combined." Ash leaned back, getting comfortable in his conversation while my grip on the mug tightened, I drank a sip of heavenly mixture before keeping it aside.

Theo actually laughed at that, his laugh a pleasant loud and boisatarious sound, filling the table, "The person have ran off after the shifter when that thing attacted Hell." Hector rolled his eyes and was about to comment, when Ash stared straight at me.

"And now she is sacrificing everything for peices of garb-" I cut him off, standing up.

"Goodluck coming home." I sneered before vanishing.

I reappeared in front of the underground hovels of docks. The authority, scratch that, not even the secret agents know of it's existence. I licked my lips as a petite fighter kicked the other so hard in the stomach that the big muscly dude dry heaved.

I suddenly felt like I forgot somthing, somthing important. I paused when I realised what it was, feeling unsure but damn myself if I am not going to enjoy my last day here.

I vaished again in a slight array of black smoke. Ash looked at me amusedly and Hector just raised an eyebrow. Theo looked irritated as if he knew what I was coming back for. I awkwardly took my cup and vaished once more.

The underground looked better now than it was three years ago.

The person collecting money looked and nodded at me. I shoot him a smirk and nodded back. He imidiately grunted and went on to the left side of stage. The smirk and nod have become our signal, whenever I wanted a fight, I nod and smirk, in no particular order. His job was to arrange fights, give me half the money he made during betting and be on his merry way. I streched, the black t-shirt easy and soft against my skin. My feet light with only black skin tight but super comfortable slacks and the shoes made to fit.

I was in my element as I stared at my competitor streching himself across me, his body language too easy to read as he gave me a mocking smile. I ignored him and stood across him, done with the light streching. I didn't got into a stance, because I had become better than that.

Without a warning, except a stir in his eyes he lunged. I easily side stepped him, I strike swiftly onto the back of his neck, weakening his coordination capablities. There was a slight movement on my right and I dropped low to avoid getting punched by him.

How quick, I mused.

Yet he don't have ratshit on me. I fight for survival, while these bullshits fight to win some money. And maybe that money is what helped them survive, but if I get beaten, I won't live another day.

It was a threat made to four year old me and now even though, I knew I am cattle to be traded and not a killing machine to Ash's family, I couldn't shake those years when all I had been trained to kill, to fight, to win, or accept death.

With that thought, I lashed out dangerously, suckerpunching the guy straight in his face. I heard a satisfying crunch and I narrowed my eyes. It was an easy win after this. I went and chokeslammed the fucker, even though he weighted more than I had estimated, I managed with a bit of struggle. With the guy's razor sharp nails digging in my arms, I delivered the final blow.

He laid still and didn't moved. I finally allowed a smirk to curve at my lips. Good, stay down bitch.

Jeers and cheers filled the air, which I ignored. I collected my share of money from the guy earlier and did a one eightly when I caught sight of blood red in my peripheral.

Theo's face bore a smirk while Hector was leaning on the dirty underground wall with the familiar scrowl on his face. I spotted Ash with them who was supporting a rather guilty expression. I rolled my eyes and went to them.

It was easy figuring this out, Ash parents, being psyco fucks they are, have put a barrier around the house, one which can be only accessible to them and to me. Why me you ask, cause I am fucking powerful. I could shatter the barrier with just a pinch of my magic, so they made it the way that I was allowed in and out. However Ash was dependent on me to take him through it, so he is really helpless without me to take him back. Why he brought the prince?

I had no idea but there was no one paying him any mind as most people here haven't seen the brief glimpses of prince on the TV, hell I was one of them,

Ash must have figured, I would come to fight to clear my head. I was trying to avoid the topic of tomorrow while he was fixed on bringing it up.

But there was nothing I can do about it, so discussing it is useless and a waste of precious time I have.

I apprached the trio and stood up straight, my height a good two inches taller than Theo.

"How was the show?" I nodded at my still competitor.

"Quiet good!" Ash exclaimed.

"Quick." Theo acknowledged.

Hector stood silently, letting his eyes roam my face before settling intently on my eyes. I broke the gaze causing him to frown and stand up straight.

"Lord Theo, we have my living conditions to discuss. Let's get out of here." He said, looking straight at me.

"Yeah sure. Civillians and their damn paper work." Theo grumbled quietly before nodding at me and Ash. Hector gave a similar nod and then turned to me as if he had something to say before stoping himself. His scrowl softened just a bit before he and Theo vanished.

I looked at Ash and saw my reflection in his eyes as confused as I was. I shrugged and touched his arm vanishing before reappearing in front of the familiar modern one storey villa on the outskirts of Styx.

It was still six hours till we have to go to bed, I was sure that Madam and Master would be home for dinner today. I was not very glad of the fact, all I need today was Ash, so we made our way to his room and played trivail games in his laptop.

And with just a blink of an eye, the time passed.