Connie followed behind Steven closely, as he lead them through the crowd. His eyes focused forward, determined to get away from that area. She didn’t know why, but it was something about the corpse that caused his demeanor to change. It was a horrid sight, though it wasn’t the worst they saw admittedly. One thing that she sure he picked up on was the magic that seemed to reside on it. Human and non-human both vastly different and yet similar. 

‘ It had a sense of familiarity to it, that magic. ’ This was the thought that was pegging Steven as they headed to the train station. He didn’t know a lot of people personally, human or not but what was left behind caused him a bit of concern. He felt that presence before..he just couldn't recall where.  Still that wasn’t the thing that really got him.

That's the thing about magic;it could be so telling. From impersonal things, like rather the caster was a demon, a human, or a contractor. To the personal; things like identification, intention and emotion. all depends on who sensing  it and when. While Connie can tell what the caster was, if they were still close by and how strong the magic used was...She's still not at a level to sense something personal.

An empathetic demon like Steven though, different story. He got something that drove him to be on guard. The demon wasn't killed due to obligation, money, (which reminded him they need to cash in on some hunts) or even sport. This demons death was a gift, an offering...An attempt to earn affection.

The lingering emotions of lust and adoration leftover made that clear to him.That combined with the unknown yet familiar presence his mind screamed to protect his lady. Paranoid maybe, but he wasn’t taking no chance on the possibility that the ‘offering’ could have been for one of them. 

“Steven. Slow down.” 

Almost instantly Steven paused and looked back at his contractor, whose concerned glance caused him to look away.

“We should hurry, my lady. You said it yourself, we should leave this to the witches”

“That doesn't explain your pace.”

Steven didn’t answer, but held her hand a little tighter. He breathed deeply before giving her a smile. 

“I’m just trying to get home, beside it’s twilight.  I really don’t want to be around when night falls. Not tonight.”  

Connie growled at his false smile, that wasn’t the smile of her demon. She sighed .at the same time her stomach grumbled. She blushed in embarrassment but gave her friend a  pleading look.Steven growled gently as he heard his own stomach. 

“Let’s get something to eat, my treat.Maybe it’ll ease your deposition of yours a bit.”

Steven sighed, he couldn’t deny his lady..and maybe she was right. A little food could help him relax.“ Lead the way my lady”

Connie smiled..His smirk was the one she became accustomed to. With a point towards the east she spoke.

“Let’s go.. There’s a nice little restaurant that serves some real food  a few blocks away.”

Steven nodded as Connie lead the way. He stayed back as he took a few more sniffs..trying to sense anyone near them. 

“Nothing”

“Steven, let’s go or no food.”

Steven's eyes widen before chasing after her. The smirk on her face was betrayed by the worry in her eyes.He’d resolved himself to relieve them of it.

Upon a roof overlooking the city a teen stood, his hands behind his back in a closed fist. In his mind a memory of a few months ago played.

* 6 months ago*

They could only look on as the demon attacked their home. Its show of rampage and destruction. How it laugh and revel in scaring and harming humans. The weapons of their family guards only doing so much to slow it down. It giant wings swatting them away like flies. Some injured other dead on impact. They whimpered as they tried to hide from the beast inside of a closet..hearing it rip apart their parents with glee.The taunting his bloodline being descended from magic users, yet being so weak. The anger at his hopelessness. He closed his eyes as he heard footsteps getting closer . Suddenly he found himself tossed to to a pillar in his family manor, coughing as he slid down to the floor. He looked at the beady red eyes, bull like snout bat like wings, and humanoid body. He gave in ready to die. The demon pounced  toward him.

 And was  knocked away from it prey by a ball of flame engulfing it and knocking it to the wall. He heard the voice of a girl his age giving a command to attack the.monster. He didn’t see what followed her command.

He was too immersed in the beauty in front of him . Her pose, her strength, her magic...Her, brown skin, raven hair, black eyes full of determination..In his eyes she was everything he wasn’t and everything he wanted. After watching her shoot one more flame as her and her male compatriot end the demon..picking up a gem that was left behind, with a smirk. The girl walked up to him with a sad smile giving him an apology for everything..for not being there in time, before disappearing into the shadows with her male cohort..taking his heart with her.

*present*

"Master, I have returned." a cheerful voice said behind the teen. His hazel eyes still forward looking at the sights below.

"Still looking at your witch, I see.."

"Yes, what of it Azurite." 

The little demon of cobalt and ocean blue smirked at their master annoyed tone as they landed on bended knee from their flight. their butterfly like wings dissipating into bubbles, before  walking up to them.

"They saw the body..your offering."

"Do you think she'll be impressed? That I was able to kill such a demon." 

His hopeful and manic voice nearly made the demon laugh.

"Yes,  yes, a show of strength is always impressive to the tomboy types, though..Her demon may prove to be an obstacle.”  

Her master arched an eyebrow and scoffed. “Doubtful, I was able to beat what he couldn't, besides he just a familiar...Below her station, no more than a conduit, a path to power. Same as us."

Azurite balled her fist but kept her grin. Her master was a cocky one, but that is what made him entertaining. 

"Well, my master not everyone relationship is like ours. Some actually try to be more than business partners. They believe it makes them stronger."

"Your point?"

"He is quite taken with his lady from what I observed. The words and gestures all come from earnest feelings, master." She glanced at her contractor with seriousness.

"He's not afraid to kill any threat to his lady, if it means protecting her...Regardless of who or what they might be." 

Her master grimaced at the thought, before smirking."Be that as it may, I will not be scared off by anyone in my pursuit. After all I don't plan on fighting him directly..I plan on making her mines,on her own volition rather she knows it or not. Speaking off how long will it take for your spell."

Azurite smirked as she bowed "Soon master soon, just a few more demons and I will have enough to grant your desires.You will have her heart.."

"Excellent," He master laughed as he looked up in the sky a joyful look on his face. 

She grinned sinisterly as she watched his smile. 

 'Yes, you'll get her to be yours..If only temporary.  It will be the last thing you receive from me, weak brat.'

Azurite chuckled as her own plans for both her master and the city ran through her head.