"This seems like a terrible idea." Ryan commented from across the hall.

Shae leaned on the wall beside him, responding, "That's why we're here, for when this all inevitably goes south."

Dusk glared at them, "You could at least wait until I'm out of earshot to talk shit about me."

Ryan shrugged, "No point in hiding the truth. You're not the only bad thing in this equation, though. Ripper has come close to murdering me and other staff members."

"And you're a fucking psychopath." Felix replied bluntly as he unlocked the door, "It's really a catch twenty two, but I don't make the calls here. I just enforce them." He allowed one of the most dangerous doors to slowly creep open.

Ripper's red eyes cut through his confidence like a knife. From where he sat on the floor with his back against the wall, he glared angrily at his own brother for opening his door. He absolutely loathed anyone that disturbed his silence. When you have so many thoughts in your own head, you can't bear to hear another noise.

He rose to his feet with intent to harm. Even as fast as Felix's reflexes were, he couldn't stop his brother from grabbing him and throwing him into the hall. He threw him like a damn rag doll, as if it was nothing. At least he didn't try to straight out kill him like he'd done with Ryan. Ripper began to slam his door shut, but Dusk stopped him a second before he could. He looked at the thin fingers and long nails wrapped around the frame. She pushed open the door a little more until he could see her delicate face.

"I'm sorry. May I come in?" She softly asked.

"Only you." He sneered.

"Only me, I promise." Dusk slipped in through the small space left in the door. He slammed it closed not a second later, only startling her slight. She gently set her hands on his chest. "I wouldn't want the rest of them around anyways."

Ripper was hesitant to touch her, even though he wanted to. "You were gone. You left me, like the others."

"Oh, no, no, Baby. It wasn't my choice. They locked me up because I was a bad girl. I couldn't be trusted anymore." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "You've been a bad boy, too, haven't you?" She took his wrists and guided his hands to her small waist. "They've been punishing you, haven't they? Putting you in pain?"

"Yes..." He murmured, "They spill so much blood. I don't understand why we aren't allowed to."

Dusk rested her head against his chest. "It's because we spill the wrong blood, my love. That's why they lock us up like caged animals, but I don't believe it's all too bad. It makes the moments we do get together mean that much more."

She reached up and closed the space between them. There was a bit of a size difference between them. Nothing like Yuki and Shae, but it was still enough that Dusk was on her tip-toes to kiss him. He didn't have a clear idea of most of his life, but there was one thing he knew for certain. This was his woman, even if no one else knew it.

He tightened his grip around her. One of his hands ran over her ass, traveling across her thigh. Ripper continued under her skirt until he was making her gasp. It was almost like a natural instinct to love her. Maybe she'd implanted these thoughts in his mind to manipulate him. He didn't think so, though. It just didn't seem right. She wasn't a snake like that, at least not to him.

Dusk moaned sweetly, "Fuck- mmf."

Ripper was so broken. His soul was shattered and that was strangely appealing to her. The way she felt with his fingers inside of her was like floating on air. He removed his touch for a moment, licking across his hand. It was intoxicating. Her breath, her sweat, her tears, it all was like whiskey to him.

His back fell against the wall and he pulled her down with him. Their sinful pale bodies sank to the ground. Ripper pushed her hair out of the way and kissed her hungrily. While they shared their passion, she worked her way into his jeans. With just one touch, his mind was screaming at him to ravish her.

Dusk didn't waste any time. She didn't know how long she'd have with him and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Their bodies pressed against each other, she lowered herself down on his cock. Small gasps escaped her mouth. It wasn't just a fucking with him. She didn't feel like a dirty whore afterward either. They shared a raw, unspoken bond.

"Oh, fuck-" She murmured, "Fuck, Baby."

They were so close, they were sharing the same air. His grunts and groans accompanied her raising volume. She really didn't care who heard. Those that had been at the manor long enough to remember knew that they used to fuck. Hell, she fucked anyone she could get her legs around. Ripper was the only one that ever came back for more, though.

| | |

Elsewhere, in the light elf realm of Alfheim, three demons made their journey down the path the locals had guided them. It was a long walk up the mountain and the closer they got, the more they sensed that they weren't welcome. Thorny vines had grown over the trail. Along the greenery were flowers that would be poisonous to elves. Thankfully, the lungs of a demon can withstand it.

"Sixteen, may I ask you something?" Asher humbly spoke up.

"That in itself is a question, isn't it?" He responded, "Nonetheless, yes. What's your question?"

"If you're like us, that means you served humans at some point. What happened to make you leave? Were you driven away or did you choose to go?"

"It was, in a way, a little bit of both. Technically, I did choose to leave, but it was only because I could sense they wanted me to. My curse, if I don't bathe in blood often enough, I put off a pheromone that drives people around me to suicide. They wanted my strength but weren't willing to pay the price anymore." He explained. "And what of you two?"

"I'm not the original scarab. That was my father, and I honestly don't know why he decided to turn his back on our people." Drake answered.

"I was forced out." Asher replied, not wanting to tell the full extent. He may of told Ryan but that was different. To these creatures, he's so much less. He's the weakest of them and he damn well knew it.

Too distracted in his own thoughts, Asher didn't notice the vines at their feet begin to move. Thankfully Sixteen caught it and sliced them to bits before they could attack. Asher stood there stunned for a moment. He'd never been so out of it before. He was still in his own head too much, after all that's happened and all that's going to happen.

"Stay alert. He's become aware that we're here." He said, gazing up to the small cottage ahead, "I'm sure he can hear us, and if you can, we mean you no harm. I promise, Haven, we'd just like to talk."

They could see his silhouette in the frosted window. His delicate hand unlatched the shutter, peering out slightly. "I'm sorry." He murmured, "I didn't mean to attack you, Sixteen. I thought you were on Earth?"

"Not anymore. It's a long story. May my friends and I come in? I promise, they're trustworthy." Sixteen spoke in that calm as an ocean tone of his.

Haven pulled the window shut again and moved over to the door. He didn't like opening it from fear of what may come inside. As quickly as he could, he ushered them inside. For someone that needs sunlight to live, he sure hated the outdoors. Inside, it was now apparent that he had a massive skylight. The panels were turned to let in a little sun but not too much.

As for the creature that's supposedly the third most powerful demon alive, his appearance wasn't exactly intimidating. His skin was tan, as to be expected, and he was somewhat small. He had a thin frame that looked even more narrow by his incredibly long brown hair. Most notable was his lilac eyes that glowed like a fairy's light. His aura was the definition of calm.

"Again, I'm sorry. I wouldn't have attacked you if I knew it was you." He muttered.

"It's alright. It's good to see you again, but I can tell, you aren't at your full strength. That's part of the reason I'm here, but I'm getting ahead of myself." Sixteen said, "Let me introduce you to my friends. Drake, the new Scarab, and Asher, the Incubus. We were sent here by the Architect, Jasper Knight."

"Sent by the leader of the cursed prayers." He murmured in thought, "He would like me to join him, then? And if I don't, I end up dead, like the old Scarab?"

"Not exactly. Jasper is looking to help you with your curse, just as he's helped all of us. We are all going after Jupiter to kill him, but it's your choice if you want to join us on that journey. Our main mission in coming here was to convince you to take our help. I know you're intelligent, and you know you can't remain here. You're harming the life here."

Haven turned his head away from them to avoid the guilt of their stares. "I have nowhere to go. He may think he can help me, but I know even he can't."

"I understand that feeling." Drake replied, "Look up traitor in the dictionary and you'd find a picture of my father. I was his bastard son. Even if I knew better, I sinned for him. A lot, and I hurt good people. Jasper was still willing to help me. He can help you, too."

"If nothing else, you get to get out of this boring place for a little while." Asher added optimistically.

"The manor is peaceful, I promise." Sixteen extended his hand to Haven, "Please. I cannot stand to watch you suffer in seclusion as I once did."

Hesitantly, Haven reached out. His fine pointed fingers rested themselves in Sixteen's palm so delicately. This was the only friend he had alive even. He had to trust him, and getting over this damned curse did seem like a pretty good deal.