Beauty and her Beast (Nokto)

A Devil's Summons

???: At last I've found you. 

A shadowy figure lurked in the back alleys, lips curving up in a slow, devilish smile. 

???: I imagine a little discipline will go a long way with you... hehe...

I made my way through the familiar streets of town, blithely unaware of any shadows lurking in the side streets. By the time I returned to the bookstore, the sun was sinking towards the west, painting the sky in shades of gold and magenta. (I didn't realize it was going to take me so long to find a gift for Rio! I hope he's not too mad at me...) I tried to think of the best way to apologize to him as I pushed the door to the bookstore open.

???: Welcome back, Veronica.

I was greeted, not by Rio, but by a stranger, sitting atop the counter with his legs crossed and a faint smile on his face. I stared at the stranger. He stared back at me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I slammed the door shut, blocking off the sinister aura emanating from the store. (...Am I imagining things, or was there a devil in the form of a man in the bookstore? No, I've got to be imagining things. I mean, devils don't actually exist, right? I'm tired, and it's dusk, and... I'm sure it was my eyes playing tricks on me. It was just Rio. Please, let it just be Rio...) I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and then pushed the door open again. This time, there was no devil sitting on the counter-instead, he was standing right in front of me. 

Devilish Man: That's a dreadful way to greet someone. 

Veronica: Ahh-nnnn-!

I spun about, ready to run, but an arm snaked its way around my middle, and another pressed firmly over my mouth. (What are you doing?)

Devilish Man: Shhh. So long as you remain quiet, I will allow you to keep breathing. 

I froze, my whole body turning cold as the full meaning of those words sank in. 

Devilish Man: Certain circumstances have necessitated me coming to collect you. 

The man lifted his hands from my waist, snapping his fingers, and several men appeared out of nowhere, surrounding me completely. (Where did you come from?! And-if those uniforms are anything to go by, you're palace guards! But-)

Devilish Man: For now, you are coming with us. 

Veronica: But-

(Wait, wait, wait-what on earth did I do to deserve this?! I'm nobody! I work in a bookstore! I-) But I knew I was no match for trained guards, and I kept my mouth shut as they bundled me into the coach waiting right outside. (Damn, today is not my lucky day!) Before I knew what was happening, the coach had taken me to the palace... a place I'd only ever seen from a great distance. (Wow, it's beautiful!) The palace was solemn and regal, its towers stretching up into the cloud, and I stared dazedly up at them for a long moment. (wait, this isn't the time for that! Why am I here?! What's going on, and-)

???: Hey. You're in my way. 

Veronica: Waah! 

I jumped, my nerves twanging wildly as someone tapped me on the shoulder. I whirled around, and found myself face-to-face with two young men, dressed in finery the likes of which I'd never seen. 

???: Hmm, you're a sight for sore eyes. She a friend of yours, Yves? 

Yves: Why would I be friends with a commoner? Are you sure she's not some past fling of yours, Nokto? 

(Okay, who on earth are you two?)