We didn't speak of the events which occurred only a few days previous. After Caspar's meltdown, the house had been lingering in a period of bliss. It was the calm before the storm. I could feel it within my bones that the current state of things was only going to be temporary. As it always did, reality was going to come knocking on our door sooner rather than later.

Caspar's night terrors had abated for the moment which meant he was at least getting some rest. The dark circles had gone from under his eyes so he did not resemble a zombie anyone. It didn't mean he was well. He wasn't and not by a long shot. Whatever had stopped haunting him while he slept was now haunting him during his waking hours.

Francesca Bridger truly was a Godsend. My white haired houseguest had spent a lot of time with my assistant when they could, the pair understanding each other in ways that I could never relate to. Yet even with her help, I knew Caspar was balancing on a treacherous precipice. His decisions in the coming days would be his salvation or his downfall. For the sake of everyone involved, I hoped he would make the right decision.

Smoothing down the lapels of Lucius' Tuxedo, I chose to forget my worries for a while and instead I took a step back and enjoyed the view. My appreciation left my lips in a satisfied sigh. There was no denying that the man looked good in a suit but in a tuxedo he was damn near perfection.

Letting my gaze wander upwards, I felt a blush flood my cheeks. His beautiful blue eyes twinkled down at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. I would have said it was impossible but in the grand scheme of things I had seen so many strange and bizarre things it wasn't too far of a leapt to think he could see or hear my thoughts.

"You look dashing, Mr Satani," I whispered softly.

I could feel the eyes of my other houseguests trained firmly upon us. They never stopped staring. I supposed they were waiting for the other shoe to drop. We had both spent so long dancing around the other we were a bit of a novelty to them.

"Thank you Miss Holmes," he charmed, his voice dropping to a smooth and seductive cadence which affected me more than I cared to admit.

Stroking his finger down my cheek, caressing down my neck and then dancing his fingertips across my collarbone, I tried not to react. He was watching me, his penetrating stare looking for a reaction. He brushed his fingers back along my collarbone and up the side of my neck. A sigh of pleasure escaped my lips a second before his warm lips claimed mine.

Gently. Patiently. It was almost as if he expected me to protest and push him away.

I did the very opposite. Moving closer to him, I slid my hands up from his lapels and lifted my hands and tangled them into his hair holding him to me as I deepened the kiss.

It felt good. It felt right. For the first time I felt completely at ease in the arms of another person.

"We're running late – again." Francesca commented, her sharp words cutting through the fog.

I pulled away and was greeted by a round of wolf whistles and jeers. Men never changed. I rolled my eyes at the group before turning to my amazing PR woman and offering an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, I just got a little caught up in the moment. You know how it is."

Shaking her head, she waved an arm towards the door.

"Get moving now before I push you out the door. You're giving me a bad name by being late to every event you attend." She chastised.

Grabbing my shawl and my silver clutch bag from the chair, I allowed Lucius to wrap an arm around my waist and lead me from the house. Our driver was there, the perfect example of professionalism. There were no signs that he was annoyed at us for keeping him waiting. He just nodded his head and held open the door for us both. I suppose it was the hefty pay package Lucius had offered him to keep him on retainer.

Leaning down, I picked up the bottom of my dress exposing my legs to the cold wind and then slid into the back of the car. Lucius slid in beside me before the door was shut.

"What about Ms Bridger?" I asked as the driver slid into the front of the car and the engine roared to life.

"I gave her the night off. I felt we needed some time alone – just the two of us." Lucius replied, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "As much as I love everyone..."

Lifting my arm, I twined my fingers with his. "I know exactly what you mean."

We both fell into a comfortable silence. So much was unsaid and lay between us but now was not the time for relationship discussions. I knew where we were headed. Fate for us was already set but just because we were destined to be together did not mean that we didn't have details and issues to discuss. He would have to return to hell at some point to begin his turn at ruling the underworld and it would be soon. Hades' marriage was due to happen in a matter of weeks and no doubt he would want some time off for his honeymoon period. Did Lords of the Underworld even get a Honeymoon vacation?

We arrived at the hotel just in time for the pre-dinner drinks reception. A red carpet had been laid out for the event and other glamourous clothed guests were still arriving so our late entrance was well disguised. It didn't stop a certain keen-eyed woman from noticing.

"Welcome Miss Holmes," the Prime Minister greeted, as she emerged from the crowds with a warm smile on her face.

"Thank you." I replied, before looking up at the man at my side. "Lucius this is Claire Tate our Prime minister and Claire, this is Lucius Satani of Satani Media."

The woman held out her hand, confidence radiating from her as she stared up at one of the richest men in the world. She knew who he was. She had probably researched every person on the guest list so that she was prepared for all eventualities. She looked beautiful in an understated manner. Wearing a simple grey floor length dress, the woman was dressed up enough to impress those who valued appearances while maintaining a hint of authority with the cut of the dress. Her hair had been swept back into an elegant chignon.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms Tate." Lucius spoke truthfully, his voice ringing loud and clear so that all of the attendees in the immediate area turned their heads to watch the exchange.

"I could say the same about you Mr Satani. I couldn't believe my eyes when I say your name on the guest list. Your name has been absent for a lot of functions in the last few years." She lowered her voice as she spoke the last words and there was no denying the woman was probing for information. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"The cause is one I care about," he offered in response, a charming smile on his lips. "It's very close to my heart and of course I am here to support my partner too."

"I did see a note about that in the papers," Ms Tate commented, a true smile on her lips as she watched him wrap his hand around mine and pull my hand up so he could kiss the back of my hand. "However it is difficult to know how much is truth and how much is just speculation. I am glad to see there is some truth to the rumour. You deserve happiness after all you have endured." She spoke the last words to me and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was touched by the look of concern which appeared within her gaze.

"Thank you. We're on the mend." I replied, aware that many were leaning closer in an attempt to overhear our conversation. "Unfortunately, I won't sleep well at night until all of the culprits have been apprehended."

"I think the same can be said for all of us." Ms Tate stated. "I've put together a task force to look into the matter but I'll admit it is slow going. They're like ghosts. I'm sorry to say that until they make an error we will not be able to do much else."

"We understand. I've employed security for my Savannah until this ordeal is resolved." Lucius face was grim as uttered his next words. "I won't be taking any risks with her safety."

I liked his protectiveness. It made me feel warm inside but I still couldn't let him get away with treating me like a delicate flower. If I did, he would wrap me up in cotton wool and try to shelter me from all harm. It wasn't how I wanted to live my life. I had become a fighter and I would never be a person who could sit back in safety.

So I elbowed him in the side. "Hey, I can take care of myself. I don't need to have a bodyguard to protect me. They won't stand a chance against these people."

Sensing an argument, the older woman cleared her throat delicately. "If you'll excuse me, I have to mingle. I'll get my assistant to give you a call to set up a meeting." Nodding her head at us, she glided away seamlessly to meet more of the new arrivals.

As soon as she was gone, I turned and pinned Lucius with a glare. I wanted him to shrivel under the power of my gaze but he just smirk, his lips twitching against the effort not to laugh.

"Hey, I'm serious here. Don't try to mollycoddle me. You couldn't do anything worse for me in the long run." I jabbed my index into his chest as I spoke to highlight my point.

Wrapping his hand around mine, he pulled his hand up so that he could kiss my finger. Then he met my gaze. There was a determined set to his jaw but without him saying it, I knew he would do as I asked, give me the space that I needed.

"I won't deny that you can handle yourself. I just want you to at least have someone to accompany you. It will make me feel better to know you have back up when you're out. Last time you were on your own you were captured." He paused, his words getting choked up. "I can't go through that again. I won't go through that again."

Leaning forwards, I pressed my lips to his in an attempt to soothe away the expression on his face. It was one I never wanted to see again. It was all so new – this fledgling relationship which was forming between us – but I could not imagine my life without him in it. He had been there through everything.

"One," I conceded as I pulled him away.

"One what?"

"One bodyguard, that's all I will allow. If I find out you have hired more there will be hell to pay." His lips twitched at my choice of words so I thumped him on the arm. "You know what I mean."

"I do. And thank you for allowing this. I know you don't like it but it will be better for everyone."

"Not a problem," I murmured. "Now come on, we're missing dinner and I'm hungry."

Laughing, Lucius took my hand in his and pulled me towards the large ballroom. There were at least thirty circular tables about the room, probably more. Huge centrepieces lit up the centre of each table. The floral arrangements were lit up by little fairy lights which had been hidden amongst the large blooms.

As we passed by tables, I felt giddy. "I can't believe we're here with a bunch of celebrities. Cole Traynor is over there."

I was practically giggling. It was probably why the tall dark haired man beside me was staring at me with such a peculiar expression upon his face.

"You do realise that you are a celebrity now? Have you not noticed all of the people staring at you?" Lucius asked, wrapping a possessive arm around my waist.

"I thought they were looking at you. I can't say I blame them – the tuxedo was a great choice." As I spoke, I allowed my gaze to roam over the other guests and felt a blush colour my cheeks as people hastily turned away under the weight of my stare. "And I am not a celebrity."

The man at my side just laughed the sound loud and beautiful on the ears as he procured us some seats at table that was mostly empty.

Sitting side by side, I allowed myself to get swept up in the glitz and the glamour. Items were auctioned off, some key speakers stood at the front to give speeches and my taste buds got to taste what it was like to be rich with an expensive three course mean.

Reluctantly, as we were leaving the ballroom to head home, I had to that maybe I had become a minor celebrity. A few persons had approached me throughout dinner to ask for an autograph. I blushed and stuttered the entire time. It was not real. It was some strange crazy parallel universe. This was not my life.

And yet it must be my life because the man at my side was real – my imagination just wasn't that good.

As we wandered towards the door, we were stopped by none other than the detestable Victor Lyle. The man had been strangely absent for the majority of the evening. I knew he was in attendance but I had not even seen a glimpse of the man until now.

On his approach, the man allowed his eyes to sweep up and down my form while a sneer appeared on his lips. He was a man who even in his finery could not hide the odious nature which lingered beneath.

Still he presented his hand for me to shake – his gloved hand.

Delicately I slipped my hand into his and shook it, keeping my face impassive as I did so. This man enjoyed all of the victories he could get over another person. He took great pleasure in them. And this man was positively brimming with excitement right now.

I gulped and left my smile in place even as I pulled my hand away. Not even attempting to be discreet, the man wiped his gloved hand off on a passing waiter.

I gasped and shook my head. "No matter how much you dislike me, that was just disrespectful."

"You forget yourself and your place. You belong with the dirt on the bottom of my shoes. If the eye of everyone in this room wasn't trained upon us, I would have spat upon you. Unfortunately the men and women of gentile society frown upon such crass behaviour." Victor Lyle then smiled, all of his white teeth gleaming. He looked as vicious as a shark. "For clarity, I don't just dislike you Ms Holmes, I abhor you. I think your entire existence is a joke. It doesn't matter anyway, all too soon everyone else will see how criminal you are."

"Good day Mr Lyle." I replied calmly, my face motionless and devoid of emotion as I tugged on Lucius' hand and pulled him way from the vile man.

"I'm going to kill him." Lucius muttered with dark promise. I jabbed him in the side. "Not yet of course, that would be too suspicious. But I will make sure he spends his afterlife in the deepest darkest level of Tartarus."

"You can't abuse the system like that." I chastised, snuggling into his side as I did so.

"I can do what I like. I am the boss after all."

I snorted and shook my head at him. "I'm sure Hades would have something to say about that."

"Hades Shmades. What is he going to do? Tell me off?" He threw his head back and laughed, walking us out into the night air.

I shivered at the cold and burrowed further into his side.

"Are you Savannah Holmes?" a voice called out as a man stepped into our path.

His uniform identified him as a policeman but it was the dozen or so men dressed in SWAT behind him which gave me cause for concern.

"Yes I am. Is there something I can help you with?" I asked, pulling away from Lucius as I did so. "Is there a threat I need to know about?"

"My name is PC Matthews." The tall muscular man advised, flashing me a quick glimpse of his badge. "I am arresting you on suspicion of attempted murder."

My mouth dropped open as I stared at the uniformed man before me. A quick glance up at Lucius revealed that he was just as clueless as I was but I could see his jaw clenching and his body becoming tense. I placed a hand on his arm and rubbed my thumb back and forth in an attempted to alleviate some of the tension.

"You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you so say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head and gulped, my palms getting sweaty as I did so. After all that I had been through, I couldn't believe I was getting scared at the prospect of being arrested by a group of very human police.

"Will you come with us quietly or do I need to restrain you?" PC Matthew's asked, looking away to stare at the SWAT team behind him.

It hit me then. He was terrified of me. The SWAT team were his back up.

"No, you don't need to restrain me. I will come quietly. I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding." I smiled at the policeman kindly, watching as he blew out a relieved breath.

Turning to Lucius, I stood up on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. I lingered for a second before pulling away and staring up into his eyes.

"I'll see you later okay. You may want to get your lawyers on it. They wouldn't have arrested me if they didn't have some serious suspicions." I murmured before pecking him once more on the lips and then pulling away.

The policeman and his swat team lead me back to the armoured vehicle and locked me in the cage at the rear.

Staring out through the bars I felt physically sick. The commotion had drawn out all of the other party attendees. They gathered just outside the hotel doors, gossiping to one another as they watched my humiliation. There was one face in particular which captured my attention.

Victor Lyle smirked from the front of the group, his glee obvious to anyone who was looking his way. He was stood only a few feet away from me and when he noted my attention, he lifted a hand and waved at me. His hand was gloveless. I had no doubt that he had removed and discarded his gloves as soon as we had walked away from him only a few minutes before.

His hand glinted with the moment and a second before the doors slammed shut, I saw it. I wouldn't forget that ring even if I tried. It was a yellow gold crested ring with ugly red stones. More importantly, I had seen it before.

Pushing up on my feet, I started to bang on the metal grilles separating me from freedom. But it was too late. The rear door to the van slammed shut and I was isolated from the outside world. I wanted to keep banging and shouting but it would get me nowhere.

Slumping down on the small bench, I stretched my hands out on either side of me to keep my balance as the vehicle started to move off. I would wait and then Victor Lyle would get what he deserved.