Marked in Silver ๑ m.c. [The Bound: Book Two]

Chapter Two.

Chapter Two.

"A demon hunter? You think I'm a demon hunter?" She asked, voice full of disbelief.

Michael smiled. He knew the tone, and the act. That reverse psychology shit never worked on him; for all intent and purposes, he invented the damn trick. 

"You believe in that crap?" she pushed again. Michael said nothing, just continued smiling, something that unnerved Clarabelle. A few more seconds of this carried on until she couldn't take it anymore. 

"Fine! I'm a demon hunter," she said in a hushed exasperated voice. Michael's smile widened.

"Good girl," he cooed. 

Clarabelle pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to maintain calm.

"How did you know?" she questioned.

"I didn't know for sure, you just confirmed it. I only had my suspicions. Coming to a guy like me to get these bullets? A bit desperate, don't you think?" he asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"I like to think of it as determination," she said stiffly. Michael shrugged.

"Call it whatever you want, but not many would do it. You've got guts, sweetheart. I respect that. Which is why as payment, instead of the money, I want something else," he declared. 

Clarabelle didn't like where this was going. But she rose an eyebrow, "And what might that be?" she asked.

"Let me help you kill or catch the one you're looking for," he said. 

Clarabelle said nothing at first, instead she studied Michael with steady eyes. There was no indication that she could tell, that he was joking. In fact, there was something in his gaze that told her that he wanted to do this for more reasons than he would actually tell her. Which was fine by her because it's not like she was being completely honest herself. 

"If I say yes, I do not have to pay you. Is that what you're saying?" she finally inquired. 

Michael nodded, "That's exactly what I'm saying," he replied.

She sighed, a tired sound that had Michael looking at her curiously. She ignored this.

"You're clever, I'll give you that. You set the price for the bullets high because you knew I would protest and that way, any other compromise would look a lot better. Even if it's having you help me with something I don't need any help with," she said matter of fact. 

"Sometimes we don't know that we need help, but that doesn't mean that we don't need it," he said cryptically. His eyes spoke of many secrets, and of hard learned lessons.

"Fine," she finally said.

"So you agree with this deal?" Michael repeated for confirmation. 

"Yes," was all she said. It's not like she had many options. She needed those bullets. She just needed to play along for the time being and then find a way to get rid of him later. 

"Alright then. So how are we going to do this?" he asked.

Clarabelle was already standing up from the chair, but his question gave her pause. 

"Do you know a place called Aconite?" she asked him. Her informant gave her the name but she had no clue of where it was or how to find it. 

Michael smiled, "I know just the place," he said.

Clarabelle didn't know what to think of him, he was clearly planning something, I mean why else would he want to help her? But he apparently knew the place she was looking for, so she might as well take advantage of the help he was offering. 

"Great! Where is it?" she asked eagerly. Michael put a hand up to her.

"Calm down, there's no rush. I actually have something to go take care of. But how about we meet at the bridge downtown in say 2 hours, yeah?"

She huffed out a frustrated breath. She wasn't the most patient person out there, but she knew she would have to play by his rules if she wanted him to give her what she needed. 

"Alright," she said in agreement, "Can I at least get my bullets now?" she asked.

Michael smiled and she knew the answer, "I'll give them to you when we meet again. Scout's honor,"

"You were a scout?" she asked dubiously.

"No fucking way. I just thought you'd believe me better that way," he said with a laugh. Clarabelle rolled her eyes for like the third time that night. 

"Okay then, I'll see you in two hours," she said. As she stood up, she pushed strands of pink hair out of her face. Michael watched her as she did so, unblinkingly. She suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Michael stood up and stuck a hand out, Clarabelle hesitated a second before she extended her hand to shake his. 

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Belle," Michael said in a seductive kind of voice. Goosebumps rose across the skin of her arms at the words. She felt like she had agreed to more than what had been said. Or maybe she was tired and was hearing things where there was nothing.

Not replying, she pulled her hand back and moved past him to leave, but she didn't get far before she stopped and looked back at him. He was watching her, green eyes boring into hers.

"Why Belle and not Clara?" she questioned. She knew he wanted to give her a nickname, she just didn't know why he chose that particular one and was genuinely curious.

"Belle, like in the Disney princess. You're smart and brave, just like her," he began saying. At this Clarabelle found herself smiling, that was until she heard his next words. "And because just like Belle, you're going to fall in love with the beast". The smile died on her lips. She wasn't sure what he meant by it, but the smile he was wearing didn't comfort her. 

She then turned to leave, again without a comment. 

His words gave her pause.

"Or maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to call you beautiful without actually saying the English word for it".

Another smile crept unto her face as she walked out. 

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A/N: Michael is so cryptic. Lol. I hope this turns out like I want it it. And I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as you enjoyed Luke's. 

Stay Awesome,

Liz.x