Y'all, so for my next book I'm thinking about making it a comic. I'm not confirming anything yet, just asking if that would be something that interests any of you?

Aria's POV

My eyes shot open and I had to catch my breath for a second.

I put my hand to my chest, trying to calm my heart that was slamming against my rib cage.

Out of habit my hand drifted to Alastor's side, but he was gone. The bed where he'd normally lay was cold, and I furrowed my brows.

Then there was a bang downstairs.

My eyes shifted around my room, and I realized it's not my room.

Oh...

Oh, a dream...

Quickly I threw the covers off myself and jogged over to the door. I peeked out into the hallway and there were muffled voices coming from downstairs.

"Mow..."

A little meow caught my attention and I looked down. Dakota was sitting at my feet.

"Hi koda..." I whispered, and she started purring and rubbing against my legs.

Just then there was an especially loud bang and my attention went back to the stairs. Koda meowed again, and I shushed her.

I walked down the hallway, heading to the stairs. The closer I got, the louder the voices became.

Or...voice, rather.

Quickly I descended the stairs, and when I rounded the corner to go to the kitchen, I gasped sharply and stumbled back.

My hand flew over my mouth and my eyes widened.

There was blood everywhere, and Alastor was standing over a man on the floor. The man was trying to crawl away and Alastor had the most psychotic look on his face.

"When I make a deal, my friend, I don't cut corners," he said lowly, and then kicked the man, making him roll over onto his back.

"So...you thinking you could skip out on your end of our little arrangement...well, that just won't do!" He reached down and picked the man up off the floor by his hair. He was wheezing, blood was all over his face and some of his teeth were missing.

I could only stare.

The man coughed, and blood sprayed from his lips.

"A-Alastor— please give me—m-more time I—"

The man's words were cut off when Alastor slammed his head against the kitchen table, then let go of his hair. He slumped to the floor once more.

I swear to god I heard Alastor growl, and my eyes shifted towards him.

Then my eyes widened even further when I noticed his eyes were red. Like, actually red.

"I'm sorry, dear friend...your time is up. The day you shook my hand you must have known what you were getting yourself into. I spelled it out in your contract," he chuckled, "don't you read the fine print?"

After he said that, he pulled a revolver from his belt, and checked the chamber, then snapped it back into place with a smile. He pulled the hammer back and the man had just started pulling himself up off the floor weakly.

"I'm afraid playtime is over," he sighed, "oh, and don't think this means your tie with me is fractured...I'll call again for my favor. See you in hell, my good friend."

I screamed when he pulled the trigger. The blast was so strong brain matter flew everywhere.

There was a loud thud as the man's body hit the floor, and blood pooled around his head. My hands were shaking and I forced my gaze to train back into Alastor.

He had blood on his hands and the gun in his hand was smoking. He pulled it up and looked at it, making a little 'hm' noise as he observed it.

"Powerful little thing," he mumbled and then tossed it onto the kitchen table. He sighed and looked at the body.

"You were a real pain in the fucking ass, Paul. At least you'll make for some good meat," he said and I cringed.

"Gross, Al..." I grumbled and watched as he started to clean up his mess. As I watched him, I noticed movement by the big window looking into the kitchen.

It was night time, and I figured Dakota was over there, so I looked up.

But my mouth dropped open when I saw Rosaline...looking straight into the kitchen.

She had tears in her eyes and her mouth was open slightly.

Then she turned and ran.

I took a step, trying to go see where she went but immediately felt like I was thrown backwards and falling.

I gasped and then my body hit something soft and my eyes shot open again.

My body shot forward in bed, and I was breathing heavily.

My hand went over my chest, and I looked over at Alastor's side of the bed. He's laying there, sound asleep. Quickly I reached over and shook him.

"Alastor wake up!" I hissed quietly and he jumped slightly and his eyes shot open. They were glowing brightly and then immediately turned pitch black. He shot up and pulled me into his chest.

"What?! What's wrong?!" He said, and I pushed against his chest, prying myself away from him.

"Nothing is wrong, I had another dream," I said quietly and his eyes returned to normal, his eyelids dropping.

"Why would you wake me up like that for a dream?" He grumbled and I rolled my eyes.

"Because I hate you, now listen," I said and he waved his hand tiredly, making my lamps come to life.

He blinked and I paused to look at his cute tired expression and fluffed up hair. After that I took a deep breath.

"Alright, so you shot some guy named Paul in the back of the head," I started and he looked thoughtful for a moment. Then the tiny smile on his face widened.

"Oh yes...Paul...he slighted me on a deal," he said and I nodded.

"Yea, I caught that much while you were beating the absolute fuck out of him," I said and he chuckled nervously, looking off to the side.

"But Al...you missed something that night," I said quietly, and his eyes shifted back to me.

"Missed something...?" He said and I nodded.

I remembered the terrified look on Rosaline's face, and then the tears in her eyes. I grabbed Al's hand and held him tightly.

"Al...Rosaline was there...she saw you do it," I said softly and his eyes widened.

"No she wasn't, I would remember—"

"She was outside...looking in. I guess she came to see you...Al I'm sorry...I know you would've rather her not seen you like that," I said and squeezed his hand.

"Dear, frankly I'd rather you not see me like that either, but here we are," he sighed, and then shook his head.

"Well, there's nothing one can do about the past," he muttered, "but I suppose I know why she grew despondent, now," he finished with a shrug.

I blinked, "so...you're not upset or anything?" I asked and he chuckled.

"No, sweetheart...I'm not. Now, can we go back to sleep? You need your sleep, honey..." he said and pushed my hair back before swiping his thumb over my cheek.

I smiled, happy that he wasn't hurt by this new truth. I pulled myself closer to him and snuggled up to his chest as he settled back into bed.

With a snap the lights were out again.