The Demon's Bride

The Departure

Isabella spends the following days in silence, even if for everyone around her it seemed like any other day.

She didn't want to steal the future of one of her loved children yet she couldn't back away from the deal with the man. She had made a pact with the devil, she swore that she would do anything for her house and her children but she had never expected such price to be asked in return.

A bride? Where had the demon got that idea, out of nowhere?

What made her job even harder was the rule he had set her: She must come willingly. This meant that she had to talk to the older girls about the issue - there it went the idea of not concerning them with the house's problems.

Isabella thought about the oldest girls in the house, not having that many options.

Her violet eyes immediately found Emma's figure, smiling a little at the wild bed hair that the ginger-haired still had, some of the waves of her hair left the lazy ponytail she had probably rushed to be able to help her younger siblings.

That girl sure was something, Isabella always thought. Even if she thought that all of her children were special, Emma always managed to stand out in a way or another. Her innocence was a contrast to her determination that often led to troubles but it also made her grow into the woman she was today.

Aside from Ray, her biological son and another of the oldest of the kids, Emma was another one that Isabella knew she could count on to take care of this place in case of her health to get worst.

If she knew what Isabella had agreed with Norman, Isabella had no doubts that the ginger-haired would go if it meant that her siblings were okay and safe but would Isabella really be willing to let her go to a demon?

"Mother?" A deep voice called out, making Isabella look up, acting like nothing was bothering her as she gave Ray her usual motherly smile.

"Yes, Ray? Is everything ok?"

"I'm the one asking you that. You're acting weird. Emma level of weirdness."

Isabella laughed at the definition "Is that supposed to be an insult? Or a compliment? You seem to enjoy Emma's weirdness quite a bit."

Using her hand to cover her chuckles when noticing the red tinge of the male's tip of the ears, making him glare at her. There he was, concerned for his mother and there she was, teasing him.

"Ray... I'm sorry."

Her action would be seen as selfish, taking away her son's best friend and practically selling one of her precious youngsters to demons but...

What else could she do?

"For what?" The raven-haired arched an eyebrow, not catching on with the mental struggle his mother had but she only gave him a melancholic smile.

"You'll see in time." Isabella sighed one last time, giving one last look at Emma who was cleaning Phil's mouth with her napkin, before getting up, having finished her meal, and started putting away the dishes of the children that had already terminated as well.

She couldn't underrate the urgency of the subject.

She had less than one week.

One week only to bid her goodbye to one of her precious children.

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"Mom's acting weird," Ray muttered as the two older kids of the house stood near the house, by the shadow as they watched the children play.

"You always say that." Emma replied immediately, not really taking the words of Ray too seriously.

"I mean it this time."

"You also say that."

With a sigh, Ray restrained himself from hitting the girl with his hand, instead, he just gave her a small glare even if it had no consequences on her.

"Just shut up and listen. I think mom's hiding something."

The ginger-haired finally turned her attention to him instead of the group of children that were playing tag near them. It was true that Mama wasn't usually open with the troubles she had but would it really be enough reason to show such concern?