The Devil's Dragon

Chapter 1

They were here for the forbidden grimoire. That's all I'd been told. That's all I needed to know. My job was simple. As my parents and the generations before them, one of us was the link here on earth. We never had any official names, I don't think. Simply, my job was to serve them.

I'd been lucky enough to have met them all long before they came to earth. I'd even spent time in the demon world with Rem for a while. The time spent there helped me to understand how I would be useful. Being only human, it had been hard for me to see how devils would need anything from a human.

My father saw to my summoning ceremony. Every detail scrutinized and questioned to make sure that I'd learned everything that they could teach me. I hoped they were proud of how quickly and accurately I'd done the summoning. My father then finished the binding ceremony so that I would be bound to them.

Now, we'd all settled into Rem's house, the Kaginuki house as it was known here. They'd all been worked into the school system and made their way to being to the renowned student council.

Today was different.

Today, Rem had asked me to go with him to the school early and handed me a summons from his desk to take down to the main hall and post on the news board. Some girl named Ritsuka Tachibana. Usually, they were summoned in private, especially if soul taking was involved. I had no idea what Rem was up to. My confusion reading over the paper must have been extremely apparent.

"Is there something wrong with that simple request?" Rem asked looking over his game pieces. He spent most of his time planning.

"I...uh... no," I answered, nodding my head a little. I turned to walk away, still very confused about this approach, but Rem caught my arm.

"My father would say that it's not your place to question me."

I froze and looked back at him. "You're not your father, Rem. And I'm not refusing to do it." His father probably would have broken a few bones or something. I'd only had the misfortune of meeting him once.

"There's been some talk about the grimoire and Ms. Tachibana's name arose," Rem replied and released my arm. He returned to his chess pieces. "She's going to be a useful pawn."

"Kind of like me?" I joked with a half-smile. It was rare I got some time alone with Rem. The others, when they weren't busy, liked to mess with me. I had no problems with it. It was their right and I'd given my oath to be theirs. Sometimes, it was nice to hear about the progress of their mission.

"You're not a pawn, Kaida. You're one of us." Rem sat back down and opened a big book that rested on his desk. My mouth hung open slightly. "You may go."

I barely got my feet to move. Rem never says things like that. He acknowledged my usefulness from time to time and made sure I was always safe. He'd never said anything close to that.

As I hung up the paper on the board, an arm slid around my waist and someone's lips kissed my neck. Familiar purple hair was all I could see. "Hi, Shiki."

"What's with that stupid grin on your face, Kaida? You've been with Rem all morning," Mage said, folding his arms over his chest. He would say that Rem was boring.

"Nothing. I'm just in a good mood," I replied with a shrug.

Shiki pulled me close to him and took a deep breath. "You smell utterly delightful when you're this happy. The things I'd like to do right now." He kissed my neck again.

I laughed and untangled myself from him. "Students will be here soon, and Rem is waiting. You're already late."

Shiki frowned and hugged me tight again. "Later then, little dragon. I've already had so many delicious ideas." He sighed dramatically.

"Let her go, you stupid angel. You can't forget she's human." Mage grabbed Shiki by the collar and drug him off.

"We'll see you in a little bit. I'm sure you've got plenty of other things to do," Urie slipped a rose into my hand and followed after them.

I shook my head and laughed breathily. Roen barked at me, wagging his tail. I crouched down and petted his head. "It's not like I thought it would be, Roen. I guess devils aren't as scary as I dreamed." I scratched behind his ears. "I wish Rem would let you be in your human form here. These one-sided conversations make me sound crazy."

Roen barked.

"I work for devils. You're right. That does make me a little crazy." I nodded and checked to make sure the summons was tacked down. The last thing I needed was a reason for Rem to be upset with me.

"Want to come run errands with me?" I asked to him. He barked excitedly and trotted beside me as I went through the list of things I'd been given. Still, I made it back before classes began. The students were muttering about the Ritsuka girl being called to the student council.

I tried to avoid the crowd because they had a tendency to ask a lot of questions since I was rarely not around the student council. Also, I had some things that I couldn't explain in this bag. Someone almost stepped on Roen so I carried him up the stairs to the third library.

Whatever they had been discussing, stopped when I entered. "Everything you asked for," I said and set the bags on the table. Roen licked my face. "Roen!" I couldn't help but laugh. Being Cerberus in a Pomeranian body was adorable.

"You're always doting on that mangy mongrel," Urie scoffed. They tended to get a little jealous of Roen. I did favor him for company most of the time.

Rem carefully looked through the items in the bags.

"I have a soft spot for Pomeranians and besides, Roen is a sweetie," I grinned and kissed his furry head. Mage said something about Shiki being jealous but it was cut off when they all looked toward the door. Sometimes it was creepy how they just knew.

"She's coming. Kaida, if you'd take these out of sight," Rem instructed, not taking his eyes off the door. Strangely, I'd never seen them so captivated by a girl.

I did as he asked and watched from the side room. The girl didn't seem special. It was only when Rem used his powers and charm to enchant her and went in to claim her soul, something happened. It didn't work. Her pendant produced a bright burst of energy to protect her.

I'd never seen anything like it. My parents had taught me all about wards against devils and how to overcome them if I had to. I'd have to research this. Rem remained unfazed and his confidence calmed me. Whatever this girl had to protect herself would soon be rendered useless and Rem would get what he wanted. I'd make sure of it.