"Leaving already?" the Master questioned. His face gave no clue to my departure. Honestly, his hidden expressions had me purring with joy and a bit reluctant. This is why I hate Demons—can't read them—so don't piss them off.

"Sadly. With how time stretches here, I'll end up missing my late night drama if I forget about the time." I winked and rose to my feet. "I must know who Jake wishes to drag to bed tonight, or I won't be able to live tomorrow. A curse, really."

He chuckled with a grand smile forming across his lips. "Enjoy it. Do take the backdoor on your way out."

I nodded, fully understanding his words. Danger lurked outside.

"I'll be back again soon," I sung and waved a petite au revoir to the Master.

Rerouting our steps, we returned to the first room. Instead of continuing, I steered us towards the left side of the room where the high-backed bar and the steel stools stood. The wall was lined with any liquor type the heart desired, but mostly imported brands. The kind one didn't drink without undue consequences. Drinks procured from the Netherworld always had a special effect laced in.

Next to the bar, tucked in the corner, was the exit. A one way door. Those outside could not enter, but those inside could exit. A simple trick, yet one exercised substantially throughout supernatural holdings.

"Hey there, children. Did you come to the wrong place?" a woman next to the counter purred. Her black hair fell in waves, matching her lipstick. Her pinkish red eyes glittered in the dim light.

Which under-sink did she crawl out from? Please, mold is disgusting, why does it have to appear when I want that last cookie?

"Oh, wow! I didn't know they gave old ladies bouncer duty. Don't move too much, or you might break a bone." I placed a hand over my mouth and widened my eyes. A real shocker this one is.

Her gaze narrowed. "Brat, learn your place," she growled.

I dropped my hand away and crossed both arms. "Brat," I reiterated, "learn who has favor and who doesn't, before you pick a fight."

She frowned, glancing towards the back door. "No pride, Witch." She turned away, choosing a swift retreat.

"Who needs pride. If I had some, I'd lose every war I'd ever wage. A true fool."

The door beckoned me, and I muted my backtalk for once. An unknown Noble picking a fight with a Witch, please what better signal did I need to confirm our emergency. Death didn't need to knock on my door for the sirens to blare loud music.

We exited onto the quiet back street with buildings cramped together to form a concealed walkway. The tall limestone structures quashed any hope of light, or life. I raised my hands above my head, resting them against the wall. Thank Verdina I wasn't claustrophobic. For broken fairy wings sake, who's intelligent idea was this tummy sucking pathway?

"Damn Ancients, they think we're all twigs," I growled as I stubbed my toe on an overhanging block.

"What did you learn from that Demon?" Trevor asked, waiting for my foolish legs to kick themselves forward.

"Not now," I warned. "The walls have ears and we are in danger. Let's focus on getting out of here alive."

"Danger?"

I continued the trek, brushing my hands against the smooth surfaces. "They learned that you're here. I told you, Normals aren't allowed here, especially an unslaved. I thought if you kept quiet they'd brush it under the rug, but luck isn't on my side today."

Trevor went silent, his breathing barely audible. Oh, what I wouldn't give to flirt in this close space made for two. Yet, Verdina itself was trembling beneath the latest call to darkness.

"Normally, Demons and Witches don't mix, remember that. Miss. She-Devil had no reason to talk to me."

The building edge was two steps away, and I slowed my pace. Peeking around the corner, I spotted two men on the empty street. I jumped back, putting a hand to my heart to quell the thundering heartbeat.

"Shit," I mumbled. The men were scouts.

They had long, black cloaks with shirt collars sticking up. Shirt collars, really? What, were they trying to punk their enemies out? Not to mention, their grim and bony faces did wonders for their image. Oil stricken hair to their shoulders and those cringe worthy black mustaches right beneath the nose—gross.

"Listen," I whispered, leaning in close to Trevor. "There are scouts, I'll distract them, you move on ahead."

"That's not happening."

"Trevor, what did I say? You listen and do what I need you to do. I'll be right behind you."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Cheers, Trevor! I knew he had it in him.

I ignored his death stare, instead, focusing my life energy into my palms. The best I could do was a projection to silence the senses. My palms grew heavy, painful and cold. The darkness swelled to a breaking point, I couldn't hold my restraints anymore.

Walking around the corner, I pushed forward with my hands, releasing the energy in waves. The life energy took the form of dark, dense smog that hurtled towards my foes. It curled and twisted, gaining a conscience of its own. The scouts reacted too late, the energy swarmed their position.

"Go, now." I waved Trevor on and watched as he jogged down the street.

I followed on his tail, moving slower in my heels and glancing over my shoulder at their location. Good, they were still undergoing isolation.

My gaze latched onto Trevor's hardback as he stopped and waited for me. His eyes widened, and he pulled aside his jacket to expose his gun.

"Get down," Trevor yelled while readying the weapon and dashing towards me.

I hunched over, protecting my head with both hands. What the hell was he doing! Guns don't work on supernaturals. Gun shots rang through the air akin to sonic booms. The sound numbed my eardrums and made my hearing fade. This was bad, really bad. If they recovered already, they were old, and they only grew stronger with age. Dangerous—the Master was right.

Peering up at Trevor, my mouth dropped open, and the blood drained from my hands. A winter wind whipped throughout my body, numbing my heart. Was this real? Was the sight before me reality? Trevor stood there with a chunk gouged out from his lower chest. My missing blood was spewing from the wound, running in streams down his pants. His face paled, and he teetered.

"Trevor!" I cried, springing to my feet.

The moment I touched him, he leaned forward, all his weight barreled into my petite frame. A legit bear descended on my rabbit like body. I wide stepped, shifting my center to maintain some stability.

"Please Trevor, don't pass out. Stay with me. We need to move." I fired my words off in rapid succession.

He groaned and his eyelids fluttered from the dampening blow. "Leave," he voiced. The strain caused his normal smooth tone to crack and shake.

"Shut up! Stumble with me. Now," I roared.

Trevor complied and rounded the corner with me. I carried part of his weight, the mass increasing with each step. The chill of death crept up on him—though I couldn't sense the energy—the fading light swayed and flickered to darkness.

"Stay awake. Don't fall asleep," I warned as my breath hitched and my intake rate heightened. "For Verdina's sake Trevor, walk your sexy butt. My arms are breaking. Reduce the strain on this old woman."

"Stop it," he mumbled. His words were quiet, but still coherent.

"Baby cakes, I'll never stop. Maybe once I get a taste of you, only then."

I glanced behind at the approaching men. They were mere feet away, their hands raising. Pushing Trevor to the ground, I pivoted on my toes and forced energy meant for beauty to congregate and expand. With a flick, I sent another wave of darkness to null the senses.

All the salt coated caramel drops could be ripped from my sights, if only, Verdina granted me this one small wish. Stop these arrogant pricks from hurting my man!

My vision flashed and my legs shook as the fatigue from over magic consumption snaked around my gut. What the literal fiery pits of Hell. Of course, if luck fails once, luck fails twice.

I dropped to a knee, legs close and blood wetting my palms. My gaze trapped the scouts as they ripped apart the pitiful magic encasing them. So, now what?