The Dance of Demons

A Price Must be Paid

Delicate wing beat through the silent spring breeze. The golden and brown moth gracefully glided towards the city. It's eyes scanned for it's prey, narrowing down it's location. With ease, it descended to an open window.

Archie morphed back into his human form and lounged on the windowsill. A moment later, the door to the room opened. A woman with soft red hair and gray eyes stared knowingly at the demon.

"Scarlet, my dear. I'm afraid we both know that your time is up." The man said softly and stood. Her eyes looked to the floor in thought before gazing at his face.

"But where is he? I looked everywhere. Where is my brother?" Her voice was mournful but still held her natural confident tone. Archie stepped closer to her and cupped her cheek. He fought back a chuckle and attempted to feign pitty.

"I tried to tell you many times, but you were so determined that I was wrong. Your arrogance has blinded you, my dear." His voice was soft but laced with smug satisfaction. Her heather gray eyes welled with tears. She shook her head, attempting to rid herself of the thought, and placed a hand over the gloved one holding her.

"Please. Please give me more time. Charles can't be...he wouldn't..." Scarlet's voice trembled. Archie swept his thumb across her cheek, drying a stray tear that had fallen.

"Dear, you know that I can only lengthen your time for so long. Our contract is coming to a close very soon. That is..." He trailed off and grinned down at her. His normally golden eyes glowed maroon. Scarlet backed away knowingly before closing and locking the door. Archie's grin stretched inhumanly wide as he closed the window and drew the drapes closed. "I must commend you. So determined to prove me wrong that you continue to give up your memories to extend the contract. Or perhaps you extend it out of fear. Oh well. I won't pry for that knowledge, my dear." The room glowed with a soft golden light as the two entities walked to the center of an appearing sigil. Archie removed the glove from his right hand. Scarlet unbuttoned the top two buttons of her white blouse and slid her left shoulder into the exposed opening. Identical marks illuminated as they stared at one another.

"I order you to remove any non-vital memories in order to extend the contract." Scarlet's voice was unwavering as she spoke. The demon crossed his exposed hand over his chest and bowed.

"As you wish, my dear." He uttered before doing as he was told. The woman collapsed as he finished his work. Archie replaced his glove and gingerly picked her up from the floor. He moved her to lie on the bed in the corner. Fixing her blouse, he carefully swept back a lock of red hair that had come out of place. An almost saddened expression claimed the demon's features.

"My dear, you knew this was the last time you would be able to extend the contract. You have given up so many memories just to try and find someone who is dead among the living. Our next encounter will bring an end to our contract. Enjoy what time you have, my dear." Archie's voice was soft as to not wake her. He brought his lips to her forehead before shifting back to his Hawk Moth shape and flying back to Phantomhive Manor.