Demon's Rampage

As Skylar offered her cloak, there was nothing touching it at first, as if the Spectre was hesitant to take it. But finally small hands started gently touching the cloak, at first just feeling the fabric, before taking what had been offered. The girl moved it around a bit, before gently laying it over her shoulders. It showed how short she was, only reaching to around Skylar's stomach, as she put the hood over her head. The cloak managed to touch the ground, but Mira lifted it, to clear it off the dirt, not interested in getting it dirty. She then danced around in circles a few times, letting the cloak make waves around her, the slight dimmer of warmth around them remaining.

Arch gazed up from the arrows, with a weak smile towards the dancing ghost, sighing slightly at what he had to say. "Remember to take it off, in a few minutes or so, dear." He said, looking towards the Spectre. The hood turned his way, and with a few happy nods, it crouched down, and draw a big 'THANKS' in the dirt, before she hopped over towards some boxes a few feet away from them. Arch then looked up to Skylar again. "She can wear clothes, only for a short while, before her weakened form steals it, to the barrier between this world, and the Underworld. Where the rest of her body is. I tried a few things, but what ever I do, it only takes a few minutes, before it enters that plane." He frowned slightly, looking towards the girl, trying to find the best apple, in the box of the like. "As a mater of fact. She's wearing a rather expensive dress herself. One of the first things I got her. So. Unless she took it off, she's still wearing that." He chuckled lightly, pointing her direction with the sharpened tip of a stick, before finishing it off with a blow, and then forcefully applying the metal end.

"So. Today, I suggest we try to find out, how far the footsteps you saw yesterday, leads from the house. It wasn't Demon prints, that is for sure." He suggested, nodding the arrow a few times, before checking it, and throwing it to the other bunch.

She smiled fondly at the ghost's glee, dancing off with the cloak. She was glad to be able to bring a little happiness to the sadness that was the ghost's existence.

Her gaze returned to Arch when he spoke and she nodded along to his words. "That sounds like a good place to start," she said as she let her eyes drift back to the dancing ghost. She was heavy-hearted to hear the girl wasn't allowed to keep things on for a long time, but if they returned to her former estate, perhaps she could grab a few of her clothes to let the child have. They may not fit her, but she could find some other use for them. Besides, she wanted to do something to bring more light to her darkened limbo state.

Could she do something for Arch?

Her fingers twitched against the folds of her skirt as she forced herself to keep from watching Arch. He was in a limbo, himself, being a vampire and Demon Hunter; he lived a hollow life, only a ghost as his company. It made her heart sink and she wanted to do something to put some sunshine in his life, since he, quite literally, lacked it.

Arch nod a single time with her words, glad she agreed with the plan. He was just hoping the tracks hadn't been deleted, and that they led far enough, for him to keep it up. But he should be able to. Just with a sniff of the blood, he'd be able to follow it, probably for a long time. So he agreed with himself, now counting his arrows one more time, before reaching for the long sheath behind him. The sheath was ornamented with various different runes, and running all the way up the blade side, was a long ingravement of a Dragon, ending up by the hilt of the sword, as it burst flames out. The hilt of the sword, was more simple, the guard being one, seemingly metal, line and the bud of it an emblem with a runic letter. He placed the sheath next to the arrows, and the gazed up to Skylar, with a somewhat worried expression.

"Are you alright?" He asked. He'd noticed her fiddling with the folds of her skirt before, and sometimes she did so when nervous. He pointed a hand towards a seat on the other end of the fireplace, just as a large, floating apple came through the air, followed by the cloak the Ghost had been offered. The apple was then reached up to Skylar, the ghost waiting with anticipation if she'd take it. And as soon as she did, the Ghost proceeded to remove the cloak, very neatly folding it together, placing it next to Skylar. She didn't want to steal it with her, into limbo. She'd gotten quite sad when that happened with the dress she was given. She did wear it in the limbo, but what good was something pretty, if others couldn't see it?

"Oh," Skylar was pulled from her daze by Arch's voice and gave him a reassuring smile that was a little forced. "I'm fine. Oh, thank you," she said to Mira with a bright smile as the apple bobbed before her. She accepted it and took a much wanted bite of the juicy fruit.

As she chewed, she watched the cloak fold and settle on the couch. She inclined her head to the ghost, the smile never leaving her lips. Flakes of apple adorned her mouth and juice made her lips moist and shimmering in the dense light.

Watching Arch with eyes more gray that blue, she memorized the way he moved, the flow of his limbs and the ease at which he handled his weapons. He was a weapon in and of himself and she could only marvel at his beauty and grace. Did he realize what a stunning creature he was? She never knew vampires could be so exotic.

Biting her lip, she forced herself to look away and her eyes landed on her bag. She had brought supplies with her-- of course. "Would you mind if I changed?" She asked Arch, making her way to the pack. "I'd like to keep this dress from getting further ruined."

Arch returned the smile with his own, and nodded a single time, as he returned his attention to the sheath he'd just put away, pulling it back, his long slender fingers gently encasing themselves around the hilt, before slowly pulling it from it's rest in the sheath, giving a rather loud and clear shearing sound. The sword was long, and straight. Only a slight dent on its length was by the base of it, where it needled in, making engravements of a Dragon, once again. He held the sword in hand, as if he was ready to strike with it, stroking a finger down the side of it. Skylar's ability would allow her to feel the enchantment put on the blade, and would also feel the strength of the enchantment starting to flutter away, being rather weak. Arch sighed slightly, staring at the sword with a shake of his head, before Skylar snapped him out of his though.

He chuckled lightly, and nodded a single time. "Of course. You can even leave that in the care of Mira. I'm sure she wouldn't mind cleaning it for you." He suggested, looking in Mira's direction. The temperature in the room didn't change, which meant nothing was disagreed upon, which was about as good as a clean 'yes'. "You can change over there. If you want to make sure I won't peak.." He smirked lightly, chuckling a single time at his own tease. And then wondering where all this cheerfulness was even coming from. A Demon Lord was use. A possible conspiracy against this woman's Master was about. And to make it even worse, the Demon Lord was hunting her. And yet he managed to chuckle. And he was usually hard to force a smile upon, on a silent night, with little more worries, then when to go home and sleep.

He turned his attention back to the sword, stroking his finger against the side of it again, sending off another gentle tone through the caves.

"She will?" Skylar beamed at the thought and said to Mari, "I'd much appreciate it."

She laughed at his other comment, too, as she made her way to the corner of the room to switch clothes. "I don't think you'll peek," she said with confidence as she shed herself of layers upon layers of fabric.

After meticulously folding and laying out her dress and all that consisted of, she began pulling clothing out of her bag. Fresh undies, bustier, several layers of skirts... It took some time to change, but she felt better now that the clothes she'd be wearing during the demon's attacks had been shed from her back.

Dressing in dark shades of blue, as to better blend with the night, she adjusted her skirts to flare around her body in compliments to her wide, shapely hips. Another few minutes were added to reset her hair and she couldn't help but giggle at her own vanity in a time like this.

But it always helped to look her best in front of Arch... why she wanted to, she still didn't quite understand.

Arch chuckled lightly a single time, looking towards Skylar, as she happily accepted Mira's help, shaking his head lightly at the two. In all honesty, Arch's clothes would probably never be cleaned, was it not for Mira. Mira cleaned his things, made sure there was plenty of dirt to write in, in the caves they resided and did everything else practical around his hideouts. If it wasn't for her, the cave wouldn't be in this state. Then it would've just been a pile of things in one end, and the bed he'd stolen from a nearby town.

He chuckled lightly a single time with her trust in him, tilting his head slightly to the side, however not looking back towards her. "That's a lot of faith to put in a male creature, Skylar." He added, grinning lightly, as he gazed back to his sword, sheathing it back in its place, before placing it next to the arrows. "I'll have to find a rune smith, some time soon." He mumbled silently to himself, as he got to his feet, pulling the shirt he wore, over his head, dropping it next to the log, leaving the marble white skin clear in the dim light. He didn't move out of the way, just to change his shirt. It was his cave...
He took a few steps to the side, being careful not to look behind him, in Skylar's direction, as he reached for another shirt, this one a more simple sleeveless, cloth shirt.

"Maybe," she said in response to comment about trust, "but you're no ordinary man." She hoped he didn't take that statement the wrong way; it was meant a compliment because, if anything, she saw him as a stronger man. The one who would peek at an nearly undressed girl.

She nearly gasped at the sight of his naked back and couldn't help but stare as he pulled on a new shirt. She watched the muscles around his ribs and back flex and move under moonlight skin. He was irresistible, that was for sure.

Face now a much brighter red, she found the ceiling interesting and gazed at it with no clear intent. Her pulse was racing. What was wrong with her?

He mentioned something about runes, mostly to himself it seemed, but Skylar knew of a good rune smith. "I know someone in the city," she remarked, "who is a rune smith. He's actually really nice; he'd take a look at what you need." She knew it was probably difficult for him to find people to accept his business; after all, he wasn't 'normal.'

He chuckled a single time through his nose at what she said, nodding his head a single time to the side. He surly wasn't the kind of man, who would do so. Which far from meant, that he didn't want to. Ooh, did he want to. But he contained himself, and kept his eyes focused on the things he had to put on himself. He got his gloves, slowly sliding them on his hands, as his fingers stretched, and the leather snatched in place. He'd felt her pulse rising. Again, the human was just teasing his fangs, causing them to grow forth again, as he moved his jaw slightly, to make sure they wouldn't cut him as they did. He sighed slightly, and shook his head at himself, as he reached down for the sheath, and the belt attached to it.

Then as she mentioned a rune smith, he turned his gaze to the side, still without gazing back at her, just yet. "Hm. How powerful is he? Or. Rather. How creative? The odds are slim, that he knows the rune I need. But I do have the incantation. I'd love to offer him the incantation, and a handsome amount of gold coins for the enchantment. Even though it'll take a wh.." he paused, turning his gaze a bit forward again, holding out his arms slightly. "Dressed yet? I'm kind of. Staring at a wall here." He chuckled lightly, turning his gaze just halfway again. If she'd agree that she was, he'd turn his gaze towards her again. "It takes quite some time to cast the Yildrith r.." he paused as he saw the new dress, forcing him to clear his throat, and keep a hold of himself as he tried to finish the sentence. "Rune. The Yildrith rune. It's a rune, originated from my homeland. Haven't met anyone with it here, yet. If we could go to him first, we could offer him the incantation, and he could practice it, whilst we search for clues. I don't want to miss my sword in the fight, and the current Yildrith, still has some kick to it." He explained, smiling lightly, his eyes giving her dress another short glance, before he cast his eyes away, and walked to get his quiver.

His gaze was thick as it took in her new attire and she wanted desperately to know what he was thinking. But she wouldn't ask and she wouldn't bring up her own feelings of... what? What was it she was feeling?

At his questions, she could only give a shrug. "I'm not entirely sure, but he's very good at his job. He's known for having glorious work and I've seen a lot of his handiwork. it's very powerful."

She moved to the vampire now, skirt rustling about her ankles. She wanted to reach for him, but with no excuse to do so, she kept her hands to her side, instead taking a hold of some fabric of her skirt.

She hoped going back into the capitol wouldn't provoke the demon into sending more hounds after her. Or anything worse. She didn't want a reassurance of yesterday, especially not if Arch was to be wounded so heavily.

As the two exchanged looks, Mira's happy footsteps, seemed to close in on Arch, as he'd taken away his gaze. He was nudged a bit on the arm, causing him to gaze down by his side, giving off a silent growl, as the temperature around them rose just a tiny bit again, as Mira laughed and danced away from him again. He cleared his throat, and gazed back to Skylar again, as she explained what she knew of this Rune smith. He nodded a few times, smiling gently at her, as he proceeded to pick up the fresh arrows, and slid them into the quiver.

"Very well then. We'll meet this rune smith, and ask if he thinks it possible for him, to create the Yildrith rune. I hope it so. It's quite powerful against Demons, and one of the few things that can take down a Lord." He explained with a soft smile, as he took a few steps to pick up his bow. And as he rose to his feet, after kneeling for his bow, he cast her a glance again, with the same gentle smile as he usually had when gazing upon her, nodding a single time, down her body. "Oh. And by the way. You look beautiful." He said, with rather short words, fighting to keep his composure, as he started making for the exit. "Let's go. And catch as much of the moonlight as possible." He said, trying his best to keep the subject off his longing to compliment her. To please her. To keep her smile as big as possible. To keep her blood warm, and scent thereby so sweet and aluring as possible. Now he even wanted himself to long for her, as much as possible. "Keep the cave safe, while we're out, Mira." He called without gazing back, as most of the lantern jars where put out, except the one nearest the exit. He picked up the torch they'd used earlier, during the day, offering it to Skylar, with a soft, warm smile. As warm as it was possible, for his kind.

Her face colored every so slightly at his compliment and she gave him a soft, "Thank you," that was genuine.

She said her good byes to Mira and followed Arch back out into the world. She wasn't ready to go back yet-- not after being attacked like that, but they had no choice. She needed answers and this was the only way to obtain them. Staying by Arch's side was a plus...

She wanted to say something to him, but wasn't quite sure what. The words died at her tongue and she gave up trying to make small talk on their way out. She was touched by his compliment of her; he seemed the type to not give them often, so she treasured it as a real gift.

Keeping close to him, the sorceress kept a steady gaze on their surroundings. Any demon could sneak up on them in the dense wood and she'd rather that didn't happen.

After some time of travel, they were back in the capital and Skylar steered them to the rune smith's shop. It was well kept and tidy, with a friendly sign outside proclaiming to be open at all hours of the night. She gave Arch a reassuring smile and stepped in.

Behind the counter stood a man built like a stallion, with thick muscles and a long face. He was covered in hair, with a giant beard that reached his slightly bulging gut. At the sound of customers, he raised his head and when he saw Skylar, his frown broke into a smile. "'Ello there, miss, I've been worryin' 'bout you. Sorry to hear about your master," he said with an incline of his head, "my respects."

She gave the man a grateful curtsy, saying, "Thank you. That's so kind. I was actually wondering if you could help..." What did she call him? "...my friend. He needs a rune, a very difficult one."

The man eyed the stranger with a look of curiosity rather than fear or suspicion. Not one for idle gossip or the on-goings of other's lives, he never cared much for judging a person at first meeting, whether they were a different species or not. "What is it ya need done, sonny?"

Arch smiled and nodded a single time, as he'd given his compliment, hoping Mira was happy that he confessed. He was horrible at compliments, and she was right in the assumption that he didn't often give them. In fact, he did it closely to never at all. He'd seen many pretty girls through his time, many men of great virtue, who all deserved praise for their greatness or beauty. But never had he given a single compliment. It just wasn't something he did. He rarely recieved, so he rarely gave. And often he found them pointless. She knew she was beautiful. Why did she need his clearance?
But for all his thoughts, he was in truth happy he had given her the compliment. It had caused her to smile, and her blood to stay warm once again. She appreciated the compliment. Perhaps he should indeed start working on those.

As they traveled through the woods, he as well remained silent, and made sure Skylar could follow him with ease at all time. And when ever they had to get over something, he helped her out. As if he he was escorting royal blood. What on earth was he doing? Even if she actually needed his help, which she obviously didn't being a strong woman on her lonesome, he still wasn't required to do all this. And since when did he perform favors?
The thoughts of denial and question in his mind, was starting to dim down. He almost didn't question his actions anymore, knowing it wouldn't really change anything. He did it anyway.

As they entered the shop, a small chuckle escaped his lips, as he gazed around. A rune smith. So seldom did he go to them, and never did they change. It was seen as a primitive art in the Magical society, Enchanting being much more used these days. Yet it remained an art form, and Arch would take a rune, over an enchantment any time.
And then as he saw the rune smith in person, he had to fight himself not to burst into laughter. However, his laughter would not have been as a taunt. It was the cliché in this wonderful man, that brought this undeads feelings array. He'd loved the rune smith he'd worked with back in his homeland, and this man reminded him very much of that man.

As he was introduced as friend, he smiled lightly, finalizing his focus on the large man, bowing his head formally, with a hand against his chest, as if introducing himself as, and to a nobleman. "My name is Archibald. I have a very special request. One you might find interesting, sir." As he spoke, he pushed his cloak a bit to the side, detaching the sheath of his sword from his belt, reaching it out on the table, before pulling the sword just far enough, to show off some of the blade. "Are you familiar with the Yildrith rune?" He asked. He'd pulled the blade out, to let the smith see and feel the rune. The rune had been engraved on the side of the blade, with a very rare mark. It was only the runes power that was fading, the rune would always be there. The rune caused the blade to be extremely harmful to Demons, their spawn and even Dragons. Even though very few of those remained. The Yildreth rune also caused the blade never to get dull, and made it light, almost like a feather to its wielder.
"I am willing to offer you the incantation for the Yildrith rune, and a handsome sum of money, if you could try and remake its effects, and re power my blade." He suggested, as he reached into his belt again, taking out a rather small pouch. But if it was opened, it would show only gold coins, and about twenty of those, being a quite handsome amount of gold in these times.

Skylar had come with her master many times to speak with this rune smith and knew he could do all manner of things. Nothing every changed his demeanor, which was why she was shocked to see surprised flicker across his face at the name of the rune.

Hand to his chin, scratching at his burly beard, his eyes widened at the sight of the sword, but he gave a slow and considerate nod. "Aye, aye, I'm familiar with that one. Not one many come askin' fer. I'll take the job." He gave a half smile to the vampire, and said, "Normally I don't do this kind o' work; somethin' I put down years ago, but since you're a friend of Skylar's, I'm willin' ta overlook that. Besides," he eyed Skylar with worry, "ya'll be needing it."

The sorceress was pleased to hear he'd take the job, even more so that he could actually preform.

Arch watched the rune smith, as surprise seemed to grow in his eyes. He smiled lightly as the man started speaking, nodding a single time at his realisation. It was an old rune, used mostly by Shadow Hunters, or others who often had contact with Demons. A very rare thing. Arch reached into one of his pockets, taking out a small parchment of paper, having written down instructions, on how to perform the Yildrith rune, without bursting the blade into flames.
"I thank you, sir. Please. Practice it on a few blades, of lesser importance first. I wouldn't dare doubting your ability, but the Yildrith rune does have its dangers, I am sure you know. And Jörmungandr means a lot to me. Family Heirloom. One would say." He explained, as he placed the parchment on the table, before sheathing his sword again, then leading it back to his belt, reaplying it where it belonged. He'd noticed that eye on the rune smith, with his own slightly narrowing. "You know she is being followed? Is there. Anything you can tell us about her Master, that might come of help?" He questioned, with the same searching gaze as before.

Skylar poked about the store with a mindless intent as the two spoke. She listened, very aware of their topic.

The rune smith took the parchment with sausage fingers and nodded grimly at the vampire's question. "Aye, I can tell ya a great many things 'bout that man." Giving Skylar a sidelong glance, "I'd rather not say in front of the girl."

Skylar's brows drew in at that and she spun on a heel to face him. "Anything you have to say about my master, I can hear." Her voice was stern and strong. Her jaw raised in stubbornness, as if to prove her point.

The man drew his fingers in his beard with a heavy breath, shaking his head. "No, your ears aren't ready to hear the truth."

Something piercing flashed through the stormy blue of her eyes and she crossed her arms, legs spread. "I'm not moving." The objects closest to her began to hum with slight movement and the air around her became erratic. Her skirts lifted and hair rose in soft coils. The workshop soon began to rattle with a tremble under their feet.

"Okay, lass, okay!" The rune smith threw up his arms, hoping none of his wares fell. "Calm down, child! I'll tell ya both everythin'. Just... stop that."

The chaotic air around her began to dissipate as her eyes became a soft misty-blue once more. She hadn't intended on doing that, but she wasn't surprsied at the slip. She was only shocked it hadn't happened sooner.

Still, she didn't expect to tremble the earth, too.

Arch narrowed his eyes a bit at the statement, that the man didn't wish to tell in front of Skylar. He then rose a brow slightly, as Skylar stomped her foot at the idea. She wasn't going to budge, no mater what the man said. But he kept on trying, causing Arch to roll his eyes slightly with a sigh, just about to protest, before he felt the tremble of the shop. His eyes quickly narrowed, and shot in Skylar's direction. At first they where narrowed, as if a bit angry, but soon they calmed, remembering she probably didn't know, and was mad. A mix of not caring, and not knowing.
"Calm down, Skylar. Please." He started, with a comforting hand out towards Skylar, before walking a bit closer to her, gazing to the shops own. "She's being hunted by Demons now. i'm quite sure she's ready for any truth you can give her." He said, with a slightly narrowed glance at the rune smith, stopping next to Skylar, to place a comforting hand on her shoulder, as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Using your powers, will only cut the time shorter, before the Demons find us. So. Try not to do that." He said, with a soft smile, trying to make sure she knew he wasn't angry, but still wanted her to try and. Not do it again. As his hand gently stroked down from her shoulder, proceeding to shortly stroke her shoulderblade, before letting his arms drop down by his sides again. "Now. What can you tell -us-?" He questioned.

Arch's words helped to calm her, but it wasn't until he touched her that she truly eased. A chill ran across her skin, trailing from his touch; she loved it. She hoped she hadn't leered, but may have. She didn't know. She obviously wasn't fully in control of everything at the moment...

The rune smith watched the two of them with an unreadable gaze. Bushy brows drawn in, he scratched the length of his beard. He knew a vampire when he saw one and there was no doubt he was a Demon Hunter. If he hadn't known when the vampire walked in the door, he would have the second he requested such a rare rune.

Now Arch was speaking to him and he nodded with his words. "I'll tell ye what I know. It's not much but speculation, but I got my reasons." He leaned against the counter, one beefy arm enveloping the tile. "He was always asking for strange runes. Almost as rare as this one ye're askin' for, sir," he pointed to the sword, "but ritual runes. Mostly harmless, unless gathered together. I pieced things together ova the years, but wha' do I know? I just make runes." He rolled his shoulders. "So I never said anything, but recently..." Now his eyes flicked to Skylar before returning to the vampire. "I think I know some of what he was doing. He was... stealing some of Skylar's magic. Bit by bit, slowly. I don't know if it was for himself or if he was storing it. I have no evidence, of course, just a list of all the things he'd ever ordered from me."

Skylar's hand was to her heart before she realized it. Her breath caught in her throat. Was it true? Had he been stealing her magic?

"I saw him the day before he was killed," he continued, "and he ordered something weirder-- even for 'im. I told him no." He rubbed his beady knuckles. "He threatened my shop. I caved in. It wasn't until after I gave it to him that I realized Skylar might be involved in his scheme." His eyes settled on Skylar with a deep sadness behind them. "I'm sorry, lass."

She couldn't find words. Part of her wasn't surprised, but a huge part of her was. Surprised and betrayed. The man who had taken her in had been stealing her very essence? For how long? Was this a recent thing or something he'd been doing since she arrived?

Her stomach lurched as her fingers curled into a fist.

Arch had very much noticed, how well his touch had worked. Again, he worried if it was his 'born-with' skill of manipulation, that had a hand in all this. Something, he wasn't sure he wanted to believe, whilst he also wanted to. He didn't want her to be drawn by him, by her own means. He wanted her to be a victim of manipulation, otherwise. Their feelings where mutual, and he feared they'd only get closer. Which would only, eventually, end in tears. At least, that was his assumption. And. He was rarely wrong.

Arch narrowed his eyes a bit, as the story started, and the shop owner started explaining his observations. And as it went on, he felt himself sorrowed by the cooling of her blood, and the sadness of the observation. He sighed softly as it went on, casting a worried glance down upon Skylar. Without even thinking, he lay a comforting arm around Skylar's back, keeping her gently nudged close. It was never a good thing, to hear someone you'd trusted, had been taking from you. Especially not this. It could only mean that her Master had been as power hungry, as most Masters where. He held Skylar close to him, as he gazed back to the shop owner, with a slight nod.

"Thank you. How ever horrid the news where." He started, stroking Skylar's back gently. "But.. What's even worse now. Is the thought of what happened to her essence. Skylar is powerful, and if the Demon got its hands on it, we can be sure it has empowered him greatly. But. Somehow. I don't think so. Which might mean, a third party is involved." He stated, gazing thoughtfully towards the ground, before looking to Skylar. "I think its time, we make our way back to your Masters house, and follow that blood trail, for as long as its still there." He said, with a single nod to her, but giving her the time she needed, as he gazed back up to the shop owner. "I think its best, if you place some defensive runes around your shop. The Arch rune. Do you know that? It should keep the worst of the Demons lackies out. And cast the Yildrith rune, on a weapon you intend to use. Keep yourself safe. The Demons might follow her trail here." He suggested the shop owner, waiting for Skylar to take the first steps towards the door.

The man nodded at his words and said, "Be done with yours before the night is over. Come back after you're done investigating." His eyes met Skylar's. "If, for some reason, you can't reach me, I'll get it to you. You understand?"

Skylar nodded, knowing his secret method to transport items to his customers if they needed things in a rush. She edged out of the shop with a soft good bye to the rune smith and felt comfort at Arch's gentle touches. It also caused an itch she knew she couldn't scratch; she wanted to turn, throw her arms around his neck, and bury her mouth in his. With every stroke he made on her back, the urge became stronger. She fought it, but only barely. Why did she feel so compelled to him?

They stepped into the night that was a dead quiet. Even the air that gently stirred was noiseless around them and Skylar wasn't sure she liked it. She inched closer to Arch, her steps light as she tried not to focus on what the rune smith had told them.

At the rune smith's words, Arch narrowed his eyes a bit, but only with wonder. He didn't think more of it, but gazed down to Skylar, as she started heading towards the door, keeping his arm around her, for just a moment longer. He cast a glance back at the shop owner, with a soft nod. "I thank you." He thanked, before heading through the door with Skylar.

As they'd exited the door, Arch gave her back one last stroke, before his arm returned to his cloak, his hand neatly placed against the hilt of his sword. The thick air, in the complete silence, caused him to narrow his eyes lightly, as he gazed around the darkness, with a stretch of his shoulders. "The night is still. It'll make it easier to detect trouble, at a distance." He explained, gazing back to Skylar, as they made their way towards the Mansion. "Try not to let it worry you. And remember that it just makes it easier for me to keep us safe." He tried to comfort, with a gentle smile. Her vision might be tested in the dark, but his was enhanced. And so was all his other senses, all keened on night fall, and the dead silence of the moonlight. It all worked in their favor, this night.

And so, they made it towards the Mansion, Arch making sure Skylar was close at all times, whilst keeping a keen ear on their surroundings. As they reached the Mansion, Arch stopped by the wall of a nearby house, gazing lightly around the corner at the Mansion, before back on Skylar. "Do you feel any presence? Any Demonic residue?" He asked. He so wanted her to say 'no, of course not. I can't feel Demonic powers', and thereby shrug his thoughts away, that she might have the powers of a Witch as well. It wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, if the Witches blood wasn't s damn alluring. Witches was quite powerful, and didn't always seek to summon Demons of the underworld. Often they became exorcists as well. Witches, weren't evil per definition.

Skylar stopped with Arch at the wall. At his request, she tried to sense what was around them. Concentrating, she envisioned her magic spreading over the area, searching and seeking. The mansion reeked of a foul stench she could only place as a foul kind of magic, but it wasn't even more evident than yesterday. "I don't think any demons are around," she said, "but my hom-- ah, the mansion is drenched in dark magic. It's not more so than yesterday."

She peered at the building that used to shelter her. Where would her life go from here? She couldn't run from demons forever and even if they caught it, what then?

Her gaze went to Arch and he looked exceptionally beautifully in the moonlight. It glazed on his skin like frost and she had to refrain from reaching out to stroke a chiseled cheek.

Arch let her work her Magic, watching as the woman focused. He realized he was staring at her beauty, but didn't quite stop. Her silken soft, warm skin was just as beautiful in the darkness of night, as it was in the light of day. How the hell, was anyone suposed to resist that? It clearly wasn't only her blood he was after anymore. But he knew he would be taking it, at some point, should he get any closer to her. He had to resist. He had to stay himself.

Then as she finished, his gaze moved towards the Mansion, and as she started, he was about to sigh in relief, but as she continued. He sighed anyhow, lowering his head lightly, trying to hide how heavy it weighed. It would be even harder to be close to her, if she truly was a Witch, and he couldn't contain himself for mentioning it. "You know. It's the abilities of Witch blood, to sense Demonic residue, and Demonic energy. Right?" He asked, gazing to her with a soft smile, before turning his attention back towards the Mansion. "Good. Let's go then. Let's not go inside tonight. Unless you think, your essence container, might still be in there?" He asked, gazing towards her, still with the same smile. He tried his best, to not make her uneased with the news, that she might carry a Witches powers. Afterall, it wasn't that bad a thing.

She nodded to his question about Witches. Of course she knew. But she wasn't a witch, was she? She didn't now what she was, exactly, except that she had a hell of a lot of power and it scared a hell of a lot of people. And none of them wanted to tell her just what she was.

she shrugged it off and agreed with Arch. "No, staying outside would be best. Even if... my master had such a thing, I doubt the demon would have left it behind." No doubt, that's what made the thing attracted to her. This was all too much.

But she followed behind Arch's well framed back, watching the moonlight spill across his cloak. She tried to keep her blood from racing, but heart kept pounding at the sight of him. Or skipping beats. There were butterflies in her stomach again...

Focusing on the murder of her master and all she'd learned tonight, she stopped the blood from flushing her cheeks. She couldn't focus too much of her rage; things would get out of control, like at the rune shop. If that happened here, it'd give away their location for sure.

As he saw her nod, he nodded lightly as well, gazing down towards the ground beneath them. Just his luck. Building feelings with a Witch. For better, or for worse. She was quite powerful, so with her by his side they'd have a well enforced arsenal against any attackers. They could've been quite the team, was he not constantly afraid of sinking his fangs into her. Once again, cursing his existence in his mind.

The deep, red, stormy eyes gazed back to her with a nod at her request, before gazing back to the Mansion, then walking around the corner. He could almost taste the shipped beats of her warm heart, against his lustful fangs, that once again grew forth. This was something, he could control. Now they where constantly at thread of being attacked. In these situations, he knew focus like none other, and kept himself slightly crouched, and ready to pull both his bow and an arrow, in a mater of seconds. This was his prime. hunting Demons and lackies thereof in the night.

As they reached the Mansion, he moved them around it, and bellow the window. They where at luck. The authorities had been slow to remove evidence, and there was still some blood spatter around. Arch crouched down, running a finger over a strip of grass, covered in blood drops. Then with careful fingers, he picked up a nearby shard of glass, leading it to his nose, taking solemn sniffs at the scent. This was what she'd mentioned. Foul magic. But not of a Demon, but an essence of a Sorcerer, or Sorceress. He sneered lightly at the realization, resting his wrists against his knees where he was crouched. "That foul Magic you mentioned? Not just the Demons works. There was another summoner here." He growled, raising the shard of glass a bit above his head, waving it a bit from side to side, before dropping it away. "Your Master, was clearly not the summoner, if you didn't feel a very powerful amount of Dark Arts around him. This.. Was a powerful summoner." He complained, before raising to his feet, letting his nose control his eyes, turning a bit from side to side, as he tried to pick up the scent. That was how he found Demons. Through their scent, of Dark Magic. As a creature of the underworld, he held a talent to find his.. 'Own'.