They're Back

**Aileen POV**

Early morning had all the humans working hard to ensure everything was clean and ready for the demons they served. Frankly, the more time I spent here, the more some demons seemed human. Kind of like super powered humans, with a couple extra features. A few had horns, stone like skin, or random limbs sticking out; while others were very human in appearance. As the days past, I realized a handful here weren't so different from elemental members of the DSS. They weren't at all like the lower ranked demons I fought before. Sure there were several clearly evil ones, but the same could be said for humanity.

The dirty common tasks did seem to all go to the humans here, but they would never be asked to fight. Shiuku would never order that since they were to easy to kill. Any demon here could be sent out to fight with no notice. None would dare disobey Shiuku; whether from fear like Devon, or truly believing in his cause.

One thing I didn't like was the idea of human 'rewards'. If a demon did well on a task, they could be gifted a person for an allotted amount of time. The 'lucky' demon would pick any of the maids/servers here as a temporary 'play thing'. From what Sekai explained to me, the human could be used for torture, a bedtime mate, or whatever else their messed up heads wanted. I tried to stay away from the demons who would actually accept such an evil reward. I asked Devon if he had ever gotten a human prize. I was happy when he said no, he would never stoop so low.

For the most part, Devon had never left my side. Every so often he would have to make a call. He would never tell me who to. Sekai would take his place in those times.

I had heard no word from Shiuku in any of the time after our night together. It was hard to believe another week had passed. At least I had his gift to remind me he cared. Unconsciously, my fingertips twirled the hair below my bow. A smile tugged up on my face. The bow was truly the best present I had ever been given.

These last few days have been oddly relaxing. I thought I would be a mess after hearing Sir Alaric's voice that morning, but for the most part he had been hushed.

If I did start to succumb to my past trauma, Devon would talk to me about something stupid. He would ask light questions like my favorite animal, which was obviously a white tiger. Sir Alaric's dead voice would crawl to the back of my mind once again, with help from my new friend. My hands still felt twitchy wanting to write a letter though. Devon did not yield on that.

Sadly, I was not permitted any more phone calls either. I just had to keep faith that Trevor, Kalum, and my Father healed up in the infirmary. From the memories of their joking, they all were recovering quite well and quickly. If only I could see them.

While lost in my own thoughts I hadn't realized Devon had left my side.

It wasn't until my back was slammed against a cold wall that I noticed how deserted this hall had been. An elemental scent invaded my nose. A hand trailed up the side of my face. That same safe, familiar warm feeling spread throughout my body just like when I hugged Devon days ago. I looked up to see a pair of dark predatory eyes staring down at me.

"Miss me little one?" Shiuku's strong arms caged me to the wall. His chest pushed up against mine. His sinful lips were just an inch away from mine. Against my stomach, I could feel his hardness grinding teasingly. It felt like so long since we'd been together, my brain was being overruled.

There were hundreds of questions I wanted answers to that just vanished. My head was in a fog mere seconds after seeing my husband.

The demon lord leaned down and stole several short sweet kisses from me.

In between kisses, in a small voice I thanked him for his gift. Lines of confusion formed across his forehead, so I pointed to my family banner. "Sekai finished it quickly, so I could have it. I really do love it."

"Ah, well, I'm glad you enjoy it." Shiuku trailed his fingers down the cloth. I guess it would make sense. He had left before Sekai could show him the finished piece. "I will have to reward Sekai with something. Perhaps I will let her play with Devon a bit..."

That sent a bolt of realization through my hormone filled head. I tried to laugh at his joke. "Haha, you don't mean like you do the humans right? That's really cruel. I actually wanted to talk to you about that. I don't think-"

"Later."

"No, I won't sleep with you until we talk about this!" I retorted. Once the haze started to clear, I easily remembered how important that issue was to me.

Shiuku banged my body against the wall. The collision took the air out of my lungs. Pieces of stone fell to the ground. When I managed to regain my sight, I saw red irises. The protected feeling I always had around him dissipated. I'd seen those eyes in other demons. Blood-lust; when a demon's eyes go red he wants to spill blood. I was confused, this was completely different than Shiuku I went to bed with.

He lifted me up over his shoulder like an unruly child. I figured he would be taking me back to his bedroom, completely ignoring my wants. "No... you can...t...take me back there...but I will fight. It won't be...f..fun for either of us." I stuttered.

I was even more scared than when I first got here. Still, I refused to completely back down. I would not let myself be bullied into sex.

Shiuku swatted my butt before setting me back onto my feet. He took my hand and starting off in the opposite direction of our room. *Where the hell is he taking me?*

"I have a surprise for you." His tone went back to normal, but that secure feeling had yet to return.

"This better not be some lead way to sex. Not until we have a conversation like a real couple." I said in a huff. Damn my racing heart! I tried to keep my voice from wavering.

With a sly smile he wrapped an arm around me, leading his hand under my shirt. He cupped my breast. "That wasn't what I was thinking about at all my strong little one. But if you're ready..." He leered at me before slowly retracting his hand. "But no. Devon gave me an idea over the phone. A certain girl he thought I should bring here. I hope you enjoy what I've set up."

*So Devon was allowed to stay in contact with him?*

.

Well lit halls led the way to more staircases than I cared to climb. My limbs were still paining from being crashed into stone. I felt the pull going up all those stairs in every step. I silently wished he would pick me back up. I hated having to concentrate on every step to ensure I did not fall.

At the end of a long hall, filled with pictures of demons I did not recognize, was a large room. Right upon entering, that sheltered loved warmth spread throughout my body. I turned my head to see Shiuku's eyes had become normal again. He gestured toward the table.

There was a table lined with roast beef, rolls, green beans, and a wide assortment of fresh fruits. As mouth watering as those foods would normally make me, my attention was on a pair of people standing at Devon's sides. He gave a little bow and took a step back.

A sad slightly annoyed girl was on his left, and an awkward boy observing his torn shoes on his right.The girl bore no mark. The boy did. Fear hidden on her face, was plain on his. Neither one courageous enough to run away from the demon lord.

Tossing her hair back in a grand way, Sam reintroduced herself, "I'm Sam, now stuck captive in the clutches of a demon, to keep you company Your Highness." She may be a pro at attitude, but she couldn't stop the shaking from her legs. Unlike the man beside her, she was not a member of the DSS. Knowing the fear Shiuku's aura put in me, I could only imagine what an ordinary person would feel. The fact Sam was still standing was impressive.

The man next to her did not introduce himself. There was no need. He kept his head hung in shame. Good, he deserved whatever guilt was eating at him. Whether he was weighed down by the little girl he neglected to save, his new neck tattoo, or some other evil transgression; he had a lot of actions to be mortified about.

I knew he should have lost his title that day. People really should listen to me more.

*Being civilized is going to be a task*. Looking at him, all I could see was that innocent little girl hugging me, both of us covered in blood.

I knew that bastard Jacob had all the makings of a damn back-stabber! *I need to tell Lena!*