The Butcher's Bill (Prince x LeatrixSage)

Elisa had already been self-contentious about the state she was in. Finding Ethan formally dressed at the dinner table only made it worse. The sight of him sent butterflies swirling in her stomach. It brought a blush to her cheeks as she slid into the chair at her end of the table. She hadn't expected to feel this way. It was like being sixteen again and at her first ball. She was supposed to be angry at him, but she couldn't dig up the will to be angry. Nervously she bushed at her hair back away from her face, feeling completely out of her element.

'Don't let it show,' she told herself, and lifted her chin a notch higher than usual as her eyes met his. The idle tapping of his fingers caught her attention, and Elisa purposefully set her her wrists on the table to make the iron shackles on her wrists clank nosily. The noise disrupted the tension, and then seemed to make it all the worse. To be entirely honest, she had no idea what to say, and so, said nothing.

The wait was painful, even with a delicate wine to sip. If dinner was ready, then it would be served shortly, wouldn't it? Of course, she was accustomed to her live at the Lady's home. Dinner being ready meant it was on the table waiting for you. She thought back to her younger years and smiled despite herself. Of course, the wait, how could she forget the wait? First the dinner bell, then the seating, then the drinks, and then an obligatory wait for the food to allow for pleasant conversation. She wondered absently how many courses there would be and glanced at her forks to count them. One fork for each course, start on the outside and work your way in. A brief memory of her sponsor flashed through her thoughts and she smiled. The Baroness had been a strict woman, but kind. Not like the Viscountess and her need to cause torment in those around her.

"You realize, I hope," she finally spoke when the silence became too heavy for her, "That eating with these things on is even worse than asking me to dinner and not giving me the opportunity to dress better than this?" She let her question hang on the air, enjoying a moment of watching him squirm before she shook her wrists at him. At length, she was utterly pleased to watch him stand on her request. It was a small thing, but it made her feel bold again, quelling the nervous jitters that threatened.

Despite his apparently dark mood, she smiled pleasantly up at him. Her wrists ached when he jerked them up, but she made no complaint as one shackle was unlocked, and then the other. Her skin had suffered more than she'd realized, the pail flush a vibrant, angry red. "Thank you," she crooned gently, simpering simply for the purpose of being annoying. With the weight gone, her world expanded. She had been right about this house being empty of lines, but she could hear distant echos of what had been and what wait outside. It fanned her bravado, even if she couldn't reach them. "That feels much better."

Ethan stood formally as Elisa entered, hiding his sharp intake of breath at seeing her with her hair down. Her locks hung slightly curled around her pale face and framed its beautiful lines even better than pulled up. She was clearly under dressed for a formal meal, in a fairly plain everyday dress that was a little wrinkled from the day's activities, but still looked gorgeous as she sat across from him.

He sat and began to sip his wine, mind still racing with thoughts of how best to start the conversation. His improper kiss haunted him still, and felt like a white elephant in the room between them. Suddenly, before he had realized it, the silence had grown from a pregnant pause into a full blown awkward void that could not be filled by any simple statement. His maid and Handley's presence as they entered and exited the room, bringing the first course of tomato soup, made things even worse.

Then she raised her hands to the table and showed him her manacles and his face flushed. He had forgotten she even had them on. His father's house was well warded, both by his father when he had been alive, but also frequent visits by magician's to inspect and buttress the spells that kept leylines untouchable within his walls. And also made it near impossible for supernatural beings to enter. Despite that, he kept his more dangerous guests in chains out of physical safety concerns, but there were none such issues with Elisa.

He rose at her prompting and hurried to unlock her from the shackles. Her smooth, white skin was soft in his hands as he worked the locks open, and he noted the red soreness on her wrists from the rubbing of the iron. He held the manacles awkwardly for a second, unsure where to put them in the refined dining room, until Handley rescued him by taking them on his way out.

"My apologies, Miss Elisa," he said with a bow before he returned to his seat. "I forgot they were still on you. In this house, as you surely know, we are shielded from leylines and the iron is not needed for the protection of my staff."

Now that conversation had awkwardly lurched forward, he felt comfortable speaking and jumped in to his questions.

"Miss Elisa," he said as he ate his soup. "Pray tell me more of Claudia. I seek some clue, something even trivial that might help me. Perhaps there was someone, anyone, she mentioned to you. Even in passing. Also, you said she was an actress in a troupe. Did she, ever, use her magic in public or frequently enough that you could see the taint of her nature on her? Could others, perhaps have seen it?"

The tomato soup was actually a welcomed sight, and the smell a divine temptation that made Elisa's mouth water. Her stomach churned, suddenly very empty, and she felt ravenous. It took a measure of will to delicately sip from her soup spoon without making a sound. A much easier task on a full stomach, but a habit she had a hard time breaking.

"Of course she did, so did I," Elisa answered without thinking, simply caring on conversation. It felt more normal to just... talk. It even eased her stress levels a little. After being outed as... well... as a demon... (the thought made her shudder)... it really couldn't get much worse.

"Usually in simple things," she went on, chattering while she tried to keep herself from trying to reach out to the leylines she knew were just beyond the walls. "Making sure we get fair prices in shops, during interviews for work, and Claudia used her abilities often when she acted. It's why that heap of a theater is so popular. Even with some of the nobility."

She smiled ruefully at the memory as she took a generous sip of her wine. The gentle, dry sweetness spread a welcomed heat through her body, warming her blood and easing the tension out of her shoulders. "So of course, Claudia could have been seen by anyone like us, using her gifts there. She was quite the charmer. Men in particular loved her. She was not like most actresses, though. She knew less about men than even I do." She paused at the thought, blushing demurely as she smiled, sad but relaxed. "I thought she would find someone, though. I really did."

Elisa set her attention to her soup for a moment, letting her mind wonder for a time. A much more comfortable silence grew as they ate, one that let her watch him from time to time without the awkwardness of before. "Why are you on this case?" she asked him without malice, simply watching Ethan as his eyes met hers. "Why are you chasing... people like me?"

She waited a moment to see if he was going to answer, and when it looked like he wasn't going to, she laughed at him. "Really, it is only fair, Lord Colton." she teased him as she sipped again from her wine, drinking far to heartily for her own good. "You ask your question, I will ask mine. If you want answers from me, then you will be kind of enough to do the same, no?"

Ethan listened to Elisa talk about Claudia, nodding and taking notes in his head. With a visible role in an acting troupe, anyone with the ability to see or sense demon magic could have picked her out and targeted Claudia with ease. Just walking around London it was often hard to notice the taint on someone unless they were actively using a leyline, especially outdoors during the day. If the killer was targeting half-bloods, which Ethan now firmly believed, Claudia would have been an easy target.

His eyes narrowed when Elisa referenced that Claudia knew less about men than she did. Instantly indiscreet thoughts flooded him and he had to fight down a strong desire to inquire more about Elisa's own knowledge, before he realized it might be unprofessional. Still, he found his mind wandering imagining exactly what Elisa meant by that comment. And becoming aware, yet again, that he would have a beautiful but dangerous guest in his home.

When she asked him about his own interest in the case, he placed his spoon down and regarded her thoughtfully, his grey eyes growing troubled. The maid returned at that moment to take their soups and place the main course on the table, roast game hen, fingerling potatoes and some spiced leeks. As he prepared to eat, he started to talk.

"Well, this case is clearly magical. And such crimes are my mandate by appointment of her Royal Majesty," he said as he cut his food meticulously. "At every body there was the mark of a pentagram drawn using the blood of the victim. As well as other occult and dark magic symbols. Pentagrams have five points all bound strongly with two lines each. They are the most powerful symbol for controlling magic, used by summoners and all sorts of other magicians seeking to contain or redirect energy, including leylines. Such marks indicate the killer has knowledge of magic, either formal training such as at Blackfriars College, where I studied, or hopefully informal training, such as a hedge witch or warlock that has dabbled in curses and charms. Obviously the latter is a less formidable opponent. But I fear that whoever the killer is, they might be a highly trained and intelligent and it gives me grave concern. And all the victims have been half-blood demons."

He ate for a second as he let his words sink into Elisa, knowing she might realize her own danger. The Butcher was not a random killer or lunatic, but a powerful, diabolical and magical killer that was hunting for people like Elisa.

"I don't chase half-blood demons, or even full demons. I chase criminals. In Greater London I believe there are thousands, if not more, half-blood demons living. Some unaware of their powers, or weak enough to not realize, other very aware of their powers but in denial of their heritage, such as yourself, and other that are aware and choose not to use their gifts for evil. But there are many, especially full demons, that are corrupted. I speculate the very essence of demon magic can corrupt and pervert as the heaviest users seem to inevitably be the ones most tempted to crime."

He stared at Elisa again as he finished, wondering how heavily she used her own magic and what, if any, effect it had had on her.

"I capture criminals the constables can't deal with. Demons, Lycans, Vampires, Goblins, Sirens, Nymphs, Satyrs, Trolls, Fey and even stranger beings. If they can't live amongst us and obey our laws, they must be brought to justice."

He paused then, food finished and waited for the maid to clear his plates as he finished his second glass of wine, feeling a little light headed and more comfortable than he probably should.

"And this case is more personal than most. While the crimes are heinous enough to make me obsessed with justice and finding this Butcher, I have reason to believe my own father's murder seven years ago was linked to this very same killer. He was the Royal Magician General, you know, and I was at Blackfriars College on my path to following him when he died." Ethan paused, throat tightening still as he thought of that event. "He was investigating at the time a string of murders of half-blood demons, with occult markings and pentagrams at the death scene. After his murder, the killings stopped. Until this month that is."

Dessert was brought out as he finished, french pastries with cream filling.

"So you see Miss Elisa, I am quite keen to make sure I exhaust every lead and leave no suspect unquestioned. Now what about you. How did you end up at Miss Crowley's? I can see you have some manners and some proper upbringing. Yet you are ignorant of your own heritage... what is your story?"

Elisa found herself eating quietly as Ethan spoke. She hadn't expected to be answered at all. Certainly not with so much honesty. Part of her even regretted the asking. She had not really known just what had happened to Claudia.. but with the description of the murders... she shivered and set the images out of her mind. It was, however, interesting to hear about other Half-bloods and how they lived. Between a killer possibly after her and being a... monster.... she still couldn't bring herself to admit to what she was... she thought for certain her life was... over.

But, there were others, others like her. Living normal lives... then, she could, too, right? 'If you survive the butcher. She smiled with dark humor at the thought, and then sighed. The small amusement faded as Ethan went on. He told her some things she didn't really want to hear, as well as others that made her trust him more than she liked.

When he finally asked his next question, Elisa froze. His eyes seemed to bore into hers as he waited for an answer. She had been eager for dessert a moment before. Now... now she felt sick.

"You were honest with me," she muttered, likely barely loud enough for him to hear her. "At least, I hope you were so... so I will be with you." It took her some time to work up her courage, but, gratefully, he gave it to her. He did not rush her or push her to answer. He seemed to simple wait for her good time. When she was finally able, she looked up to meet his eyes again, her face ashen with remembered horrors.

"My name is not Elisa Radborn," her voice shook, and she cleared her throat before going on. "I'm Lady Elisa Birmingham." She said her name in a rush, her face flushing bright with color. She couldn't look at him, and instead, squirmed in her chair. "I'm sure you can remember the story. The Birmingham Murder Suicide. He.. my father killed my mother. I think he meant to kill me but, someone got there. Someone stopped him. He killed himself. I was sent to a charm school, had my debut but... that kind of stigma can't be married off." Her voice faded a little... it was an old pain. No one had ever wanted her. Not family, not men, not friends. Not until Mrs. Cromley. "When I began to old for marriage, I looked for work and found Mrs. Cromley... the girls there were like me... the world didn't want them. They became my family."

Elisa smiled sadly, and then shrugged. "If you are right then... then I think my father knew. He called me a Demon, and he called my mother the Devil's whore when he..." her throat closed, and Elisa took a long pool at her wine. Some appeared to refill it and then left again. Servants... they heard and saw everything, even when you did not hear or see them. She should know, she had been on their side of this world.

"Well, there," she sighed, blinking fast to clear tears from her eyes. "You know now, at least, you know as much as I do."

She looked at her dessert... but she still couldn't eat it. Instead, she let her mind settle, and then frowned as she forced herself to look at Ethan again. "I will submit to your... your examination," she forced the words out, ignoring the fire in her cheeks as she spoke. "But I must ask you to... to be gentle. I am not a naive girl, I know you must examine places that are... that are generally avoided in polite conversation but... Lord Colton, I am a virgin. I ask that you take care with my virtue." She blurted the last quickly, and then swallowed half her glass to try and calm her nervousness.

"Please, that is all I ask."

Ethan listened to Elisa's story and found his heart melting in pity. The violent and traumatic murder-suicide had indeed been front page news, rarely did society marriages end in such tragedy. And the surviving daughter had indeed been forgotten by the press and discarded as tainted by the upper class. Without wealth, family, and education a woman had few prospects in Victorian London. She either ended up in the lower class, marrying a laborer or shopkeeper, or perhaps if she was beautiful used her physical charm while it lasted to earn money in less reputable ways. It was a depressing and dark future that Elisa faced in the wake of her personal tragedy. A lesser girl might have taken her life or become a whore already. And now, homeless and cast out of the only house she had after her parents' death, and learning the shocking secret of her demon blood, Elisa still had not been reduced to tears like Ethan would expect of most women. He marveled at her strength and will and ability to hold up in the face of such adversity.

Then suddenly she brought up the examination again. It was a delicate subject and Ethan had been prepared to make it cursory and brief. Sufficient to follow protocol and protect his staff, but not as thorough as he might normally do. But then she had agreed to submit to it fully, and he felt his cheeks color and his loins warm in response to the thought. And she was a virgin still. He was torn. His own weakness in kissing her still haunted him and he feared he might have another lapse in discretion with Elisa naked before him. Perhaps a worse lapse by far. But more than anything, he wanted to be with this captivating and intriguing young woman with such resilience and fire. He wanted to get to know her and the thought of seeing her naked was consuming him to the point that he knew he couldn't resist.

"Very well, Lady... for you are still a lady always," he said in a soft tone. "Please be assured that your virtue and modesty will not be impinged upon. I am a professional and will be gentle in my examination. This I can assure you."

Seeing that Elisa was apparently done, he stood and walked to her, offering his elbow to escort her out of the dining room and back upstairs. He escorted her into the room and let off his elbow to stand before him. He kept his eyes on hers and in a casual tone that hid his intense desire, said:

"Lady Elisa, please disrobe for me."

Although it was good to hear him say it, Ethan's assurances did little to calm the the rolling turmoil just beneath the calm surface Elisa showed. Her heart leapt into her throat as he stood. Her pulse sounded so loud in her ears, she could swear he hear it, too. He offered his elbow and she took it without hesitation. She could feel her hands shaking as he lead her from the dining-room to the stairs. He was solid and sturdy next to her, wordlessly offering his strength to buoy her up. She thought for a moment that she might run when they stepped inside her pretty cage and the door closed behind them. The need to flea threatened to overwhelm her a moment later when he drew her about to stand in front of him.

"Lady Elisa, please disrobe for me."

Her cheeks burned as color flooded them, and then spread down her neck and over her chest. Something in his tone frightened and thrilled her, but she refused to acknowledge it. 'Don't be a coward,' she fussed at herself, taking an iron control over her emotions and forcing herself to be calm. 'You agreed to it.'

Sighing, Elisa turned away from him to walk farther into the room, getting a little space to let her head clear. With him so close, she could barely breath. At a distance, at least she could think. 'Nothing to be ashamed of, girl,' she heard Mrs. Cromley's kind voice in her head and she smiled. 'Nothing we haven't all seen before.' She laughed a little, took a deep breath, and began to work the buttons free from her blouse. Nervousness made her stand sideways to him, half trying to hide as she shrugged off the bit of fabric to reveal the cream colored corset beneath it. Her skirt was next. A simple loosen of her belt and a few strings undone to allow her to step out of it. As she did, her eye's caught Ethan's and her blush returned.

She was left in her corset, shift, stockings, and boots. The shift was barely long enough to hide her most feminine ares and so thin that a shadow at the juncture of her thighs left little to the imagination. She tried to reach behind herself to undo her stays, and then offered Ethan a rueful smile as she turned her back to him once again.

'Could you, please?" she asked lamely as she wrapped her arms around one of the bed posts. He seemed to understand because, a moment later, strong, sure fingers were loosening her stays. He pulled each piece free with an exaggerated slowness that made her breathing slow even as her heart sped up to a breakneck pace. She shivered when finally her corset fell loose, and was happy to let him push it down over her hips and to the floor.

Again Elisa stepped away... but this time found herself staring up at Ethan, just outside his arms reach. She could see a strain in him, an iron will controlling some other part of himself. The sight made her heart flutter. She watched him, almost curiously, as she pulled at the one small string that held her shift in place, and then shrugged. The wisp of fabric fluttered over pail, creamy skin to puddle on the floor. Her firm, pink-tipped breasts raised and fell along with her breath, her nipples taunt, rad buds at their peaks. A few minor scars marred her arms, little white lines that looked like pieces of lace. Her lean stomach led to gently flaring hips, and at their juncture, a small bit of fire as red as the rest. Her stockings were still tied in place at about the middle of each thigh, their soft white nearly the same color as her skin. When she stepped out of her boots, moving back into Ethan's easy reach, she suddenly felt tiny compared to him, and far too vulnerable.

Blushing darkly, Elisa smiled shyly and raised her arms to cover her chest and demurely adjusted her legs, covering herself as best she could for the sake of modesty. "As you can see... nothing hidden in my clothes." She made herself speak, more to ease her own nerves than anything else. Making this all a joke somehow... made it easier. "Feel free to test the linings and seams. I've known women to hide knives that way."

It took every ounce of Ethan's will to maintain a disaffected and impassive face as Elisa began to undress herself. He kept his eyes on her hunter green orbs, hoping that his cheeks didn't color and fearing that she could hear his own heart now hammering in his chest. His mouth felt dry but he feared trying to swallow lest he reveal how much just the anticipation of seeing her naked affected him.

His stifled a gasp as she slipped out of her dress and stood before him in just her corset, shift, stockings and boots. When she reached back to undo her corset, back arching and bosom pressing forward, he fought to keep his jaw from dropping. And then she asked for his help. Thankfully she turned away from him and couldn't see his trembling fingers as he slowly worked the complex stays and cords of her corset. Inch by inch he could see the pale white skin of her back coming into view as her shift was low cut, until finally the corset was free and he pushed it over her flaring hips, eyes drawn to the succulent curve of her rear barely covered in the thin fabric of her shift. He retreated a couple steps as she stepped from it and turned.

When she dropped her shift he fought to not make sound, muscles in his neck straining slightly and tongue feeling swollen in his parched mouth. He let his eyes go down her body slowly as the shift fell clear. The curves of her hanging breasts with the pink buds of her nipples caught his eye first. They heaved slightly as she breathed quickly, a gentle bounce almost noticeable at each sharp inhalation. Then his gaze drifted still lower, to her pale and flat stomach and that skinny waist, flaring out so seductively to her hips. He lingered on that tangled curl of red hair above her nether lips at the apex of her legs. It called him and he shuddered and forced his gaze lower. And those stockings, still tied around mid-thigh as she stepped from her boots, breasts swaying as she bent over slightly to kick out of them. He realized he hadn't been breathing and slowly exhaled, trying to recover his wits at this gorgeous and naked woman before him. She tried to cover herself more modestly with her arms, but the effect was more sensual and aroused him even further. He was very aware of the swelling of his cock in his trousers and moved forward hurriedly to circle Elisa, trying to hide his own excitement. He let his eyes study her backside, drinking in the curve of her back below her flowing red locks, and he lingered on her shapely buttocks, those two round globes suspended above legs.

He slowly returned to stand before her and gently grasped her hands, forcing them to her side.

"I'm going to have to look and touch a bit. I'm looking for demon blood signs," he said, voice dry and almost in a whisper.

He raised his finger tips to her head and ran them through her hair, feeling her scalp for any vestigial horns or bumps. He next ran them down her neck and behind her ears before taking her throat in his palms and gently rubbing that tender flesh with his fingers and thumbs.

He let his eyes guide his hands as he rubbed her shoulders and upper chest, picking up one of her pale and thin arms to examine the scars that latticed it.

"What are these Elisa?" he asked, eyes flicking back to hers. It was difficult to stare into hers without becoming entranced. He was so aware of how close she was, how naked, and her rising and falling breasts almost touching his body.

Elisa shut her eyes and made herself breath slowly as Ethan walked around behind her. She swore she could feel his eyes on her, and her skin seemed to burn everywhere he looked. She had seen the hunger in his eyes and she couldn't deny the thrill that had gone through her blood. Part of her commended him for having such restraint... and yet.. some primal part of her wanted him to loose that staunch control. Her eyes opened as he came back around her. Elisa forced herself to breath, commanding herself to look unaffected by this. She tensed as he grasped her hands but.. as he explained, she relaxed and let him pull them down. Somehow, it was even more intimate than when he had help with her corset and her body responded with a wave of liquid heat she could feel dampening the inner lips of her sex.

"I understand," she answered him, her voice far stronger than she expected it to be. That helped ease her nerves. She at least sounded unaffected. Of course, as his fingers slid through her hair and over her scalp, her eyes closed. The wine in her blood was surely getting to her by now.. but there was something intimate about the way her massaged her scalp. Afraid he would see lust in her eyes, Elisa kept her head down after that. His fingers woke ever nerve ending in her skin as they gently traveled over her neck over her neck and then down her shoulders. If he knew or not, she had no idea, but he was stoking a fire in her that she had never felt before without calling on a line.

She could feel his eyes travel over her skin, followed slowly by his hands. When they settled on the scars on her arms, she flinched as if pained. She had to breath to make herself relax, and then smiled sadly as she turned one arm over for him. "That's where he cut me," she answered quietly. "My father, he tried... I got away." It was all she could say, and she hoped it was enough as she let her arms fall to her sides. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had an idea of just what he may be looking for... and despite caution telling her to pull her hair aside and show him the back of her neck and the odd, almost moon shaped birthmark that was hidden there - usually by the high neck of a blouse or her hair - something in her made her stay silent.

Ethan nodded at her answer, taking a deep breath that sounded more ragged than he would have liked. His eyes dropped from hers and went down to her breasts, so perfect as they hung before him, gently rising and falling. He raised his hands to them slowly, expecting a reprimand and frankly not even sure if he had an excuse for what he was going to do. But he reached them perhaps before she could even process his intent. He cupped them both in his palms and lifted slightly, feeling their weight, before his hands squeezed gently on those twin soft mounds. He kneaded them, trying to appear professional as his fingers began to move and brush over her hardening nipples. Desperate to say anything to convince he wasn't just fondling her salaciously, he spoke up.

"I'm just looking for any harder masses.. sometimes there are artifacts of physiology from demon blood..." he said, voice getting husky towards the end, thick with desire now. His fingers had found her nipples, hard and erect nubs that he seized between his thumb and forefinger to squeeze and lightly pull. Good lord, he didn't have a remote excuse for this but he had to to do it.

Suddenly, he gave a loan moan and his eyes flicked back to hers. Their gaze's met for a second and he saw her own lust and desire flaring to mirror his. He leaned down, helpless again to resist her, and began to kiss her as one hand moved to circle around her nude body, sliding down her smooth back to cup an ass cheek, squeezing it and pulling her close. Her mouth felt as hot as fire to him as they kissed, her lips and tongue burning him with their heat. As her body pressed to his, the hand on her breast slipped lower, down her stomach, through the curls above her mound and his fingers slid over her nether lips. He found those other lips as hot and moist as the ones he kissed, his fingers sliding through her wetness as if mirroring his tongue sliding through her mouth.

"Mhmm Elisa," he murmured into their kiss, his own arousal now pressing through his trousers and against her thigh as he gripped her to him. "You are so beautiful... so captivating." Part of his brain was screaming at him to stop, calling him a fool and an idiot. Telling him that even if he did like her, taking advantage of her like this was a horrible decision. But he couldn't stop, at least right now, the feel of her, scent of her, warmth of her, and sound of her as they kissed were all too heady for him to think.

She couldn't help the sharp intake of breath, the widening of her eyes, or the way her body trembled as he palmed her breasts. Her mind shrieked that she should stop him, but her arms hung limp at her sides. It took everything in her not to moan as he lifted them. A blush spread down her neck and into the pale skin he was kneading so gently. Her toes curled and her eyes closed. 'Breath,' she told herself, 'just breath.'

"I understand," she answered him far too breathlessly than she would have liked. His voice was as husky as hers and she knew they were both treading onto dangerous ground. He found her nipples and seized them. The sensation made her gasp, and then whimper as he lightly pulled. 'It's the wine... she tried to reason it away, but she didn't even believe herself... there was no way anyone else would.

Ethan gave a loud moan and Elisa's eyes widened in surprised. His eyes were dilated with passion just as surly as her own were. As he leaned down, she thoughtlessly raised up on her toes to meet him. Her shaking hands settled lightly against his chest as their lips met. She told herself to push him away... but instead, her lips moved with his. Liquid heat flared up inside her and Elisa moaned against his lips. She yelped as if burned as their tongues met, and then sank further into him. The arm that circled around her body felt as solid and strong as the iron shackles that had been around her wrists and she couldn't resist being pulled tighter against his body. She trembled as if she were cold, but all she could feel was the heat of his body through his clothes and the fire of his palms moving over her skin. A shocked gasped escaped her throat as one of his hands cupped her ass and squeezed, dragging her all the closer still until it seemed only his clothes were keeping them apart. When his other hand found the delicate lips of her sex her body tightened. As the slid into her, Elisa's back arched and she broke away from his kiss to desperately gasp air into her lungs.

His lips moved against hers as he spoke and, slowly, her eyes opened again to stare into his. Desire was flooding her senses. She was locked into the sweet feeling of his fingers moving so gently inside her. 'We have to stop... she pleaded with herself. Her hands, still shaking, slowly pressed against his chest. It was small, gentle, so slight that she wouldn't have been surprised if he missed it completely. It was all she could muster up... God help her, she didn't want him to stop... she had never felt anything so sinfully wonderful as those two fingers gently stroking her so intimately. Finally, those fingers gently nudged her hymen, and the little shock of pain cleared the fog enough the Elisa blinked.. and then took a deep breath.

"Ethan, I..." she stopped, swallowed, and then tried again. "Lord Colton.. I think I know what you are looking for." She hated herself for it, but slowly, Elisa untangled herself from him. She gasped as if pain when his fingers slipped from her nether lips and everything in her longed to bring them back, to do anything to feel them inside her again. Instead, she made herself turn around. She could still feel the heat of him behind her. Her knees were shaking as she gathered up her long hair and pulled it over her shoulder. She reached back to lift the silken mass and tilted her head forward. "There is a mark there.. or so I have been told. I've never seen myself, of course." She sounded shy and nervous now. That's not how she felt. What she thought she felt... was her heart breaking.

Ethan had been consumed in his passion, mouth and hands exploring Elisa's body in a daze as they pressed together. He was dimly aware that he should stop, that this would lead to him fucking her in a matter of seconds if he didn't pull away, but he couldn't resist her. And she didn't seem to be able to deny him, her soft hands at his chest were the smallest token of resistance. They were hardly even a push, although he sensed she brought them up at first to stop him. His delving fingers felt burnt by her heat and were drenched in the juices of her arousal. As he ran them through her folds he teased her passage and brushed against her virginal barrier suddenly. That little contact made Elisa twitch in his arms and Ethan himself froze for a second.

It was as if they both were reminded at the same time of where they were headed, a path that would tear through her virtue and modesty in a way that both realized they might regret. Elisa moved first, pulling away from Ethan's now suddenly powerless embrace and turning around with a shudder. He stared at her nude back, jaw lowered and mouth moving soundlessly, struggling to find words as his mind spun with what he had done. No, what they had both done.

She seemed to tremble as she suddenly reached back and lifted her red locks, moving them from her neck and he barely heard her speaking. Her voice quavered as she told him about some birth mark that he probably was looking for. He felt numb and confused for a second and then seized on her offering as a graceful way out of this situation. By reflex, he leaned forward and raised a hand, the one not coated in her arousal, to touch and circle that red mark. It was clearly a demon blood sign, he knew, although no satisfaction or pride came from the discovery. Indeed, he could care less now as he heard his mouth move and make a strangely formal and distant reply.

"Ahh yes, Lady Elisa, I see it. Clearly a blood mark. It is confirmed. Thank you for pointing it out to me, I think I might not have found it otherwise, I was looking elsewhere.. I'm sorry, I was distracted...," he finished lamely, thinking he could maintain this ruse she had created that nothing untoward had happened between them; that his examination had been professional. With her back still turned, he decided to leave as he wasn't sure he could bear to face her and look into those eyes again.

"Very well, thank you for being so accommodating. I'll be off and see you in the morning," he said hurriedly before turning and leaving the room, letting the iron door clang shut loudly behind him in his haste to exit. Safely in his room, he stripped for bed. His stomach was roiling and his mind spinning, and not from the wine and whiskey he had consumed. His attraction to Lady Elisa was too strong, he realized. If his house wasn't so thoroughly warded he would wonder if she had beguiled him as the intensity of his emotion was foreign to him. Years of denial of emotions such as desire or, even scarier, love, had made him unaccustomed to handling them. And those hotter and venal emotions surged through him now, filling his thoughts and making his heart race in frustration and self-disgust. How could he be such a weak fool? What had he been thinking back there? How would he be able to look her in the eyes again? And Elisa herself, he trembled as he thought of her, she had seemed so willing, almost as eager as himself to meet his embrace. He was taking advantage of a distraught and vulnerable girl, he reminded himself. But he knew how strong and willful she was, not the kind of woman who would let herself be wooed by a man she didn't want. And on his own fingers he could still see the glistening traces of her desire for him and her scent filled the air. Oh god, what was he to do tomorrow?

His voice was so distant, so cold and formal from what had filled this room only a moment before. It was like the air was sucked out of the room and Elisa couldn't breath. Even the way he touched her now seemed cold. Something had been lost in that fragile moment. She let his statements rest without complaint or comments. It was better for both of them, she thought. Better that he not tangle with a woman scorned from society and tainted by demon blood. Better that she not sully herself and loose the last desperate grasp at propriety. In this world, how pure a single woman was dictated how eligible she was for any work. A sullied woman... had no respectable choices left to her. She waited until he was leaving to look up, but all she saw was his back, tense and rigid, as he left the room.

The Iron door shut with a bang and Elisa felt herself jerk as if she'd been slapped. She stood there naked amidst her discarded cloths in the empty room and felt a vise close on her heart. Her eyes burned, her throat closed, and Elisa held her breath as she waited for the emotion to pass. In that moment she felt more alone than she could ever remember feeling. Even as a child there had always been someone. But now... The room was as cold and empty as her world would be when all of this was done. She rubbed her palm over her heart to try and ease the pain there. It was stupid to feel this way. She barely knew the man. Only a few hours ago she had hated him and now... 'Now what?' she wondered.

With nothing else left to her, Elisa gathered her shift and slipped it back over her body. She tied the fragile garment into place and then did her best to organize what was left of her clothing in some semblance of order. With everything else his staff may thing of her, she did not want to appear to be a slob. Even so, no matter how many times she folded and refolded her cloths, they simply would not satisfy her. Eventually, she abandoned the task in frustration and submitted to the fact that she would have to sleep sometime. The bed, however, seemed even colder than the room. For the sake of her own peace, she blamed it on the on the iron.

It felt like hours before she fell asleep, and yet, it felt like days had passed when a gentle but persistent knocking woke her. Eliza blinked to find gentle morning light filling her room. Her clothes from the night before were gone and nightgown and robe had been left for her. She found herself smiling at the efficiency of his staff and the kindness of their care. Few guests in any noble house received such care without a personal staff on hand. Either they had a greater loyalty to their Lord than some or Ethan had very explicit directions on how to care for her.

'Ethan...' For a moment, she froze. When had she stopped thinking of him as Lord Colton and started seeing him as simply Ethan? The familiarity made her uncomfortable. Before she could dwell on her worries, the Iron door creaked and Elisa sat up to gather the blankets up to her chin. A young maid poked her head in, and Elisa smiled as she relaxed.

"Your things are here, Miss," the young woman spoke quietly, but with an air of authority that made Elisa's lips twitch with amusement. "Would you like a bath as they are brought up?"

"Yes, please," Elisa agreed quickly, eager to have a few of her own things about her. "I expect your Lord will want to examine them. We will have to leave them in the trunks until he is done with them. And, would you bring my breakfast up?"

"Yes, Miss," the maid seemed surprised, but pleased, as she closed the door and left Elisa to ready herself. She still felt drugged with sleep and stretched to ease her body awake before sliding out of bed. Habit made her stop and straighten the sheets before she discarded her shift in favor of the much more modest night gown and robe. Her timing was impeccable, for just as she pulled her robe closed there was another knock, and then the maid was peaking her head in again. "Ready, Miss?"

"Yes of course, do come in." It was a pleasant change of pace to be pampered instead of pampering someone else, and Elisa stayed well out of the way as a brass tub was brought into her room along with several buckets of steaming water. The offered her an array of bath salts and scents for the water and although it was not a normal habit of hers, she picked out a lovely scent of Lilly and Honeysuckle that soon filled the room and relaxed the last remnants of tension from her body. The tub was half full when her trunks began to be place in the room, and not filled completely until they were done. Of course, she had few belongings, and they only had to stack three at the end of her bed. Two maids remained in the room as she took her bath, seemingly simply to keep an eye on her. Wither or not they new that brass was a conduit for line energy, she was not certain... but she had her suspicions. of course, she could have told them the sheer amount of Iron in the room easily kept any line she wished to touch well out of her reach but.. what would have been the fun in that?

When she was scrubbed and her hair washed and combed, they took the tub away and brought her breakfast. She sat at her barred window as she ate, savoring the fruits they offered her most of all. It was still early when finished, but when she went for her trunks, the same maid that had been watching every little detail thus far stopped her. "I'm sorry Miss," she said, "but you can't open those, yet."

"Ah, yes," Elisa side and sat on the side of her bed. Her heart skipped a beat, and then started to ache. "Go fetch him, then."

Ethan had risen early and gone to his basement to exercise, a daily habit he acquired and believed helped his constitution. He had a large set of iron weights of various sizes and had devised a routine with the help of some strongmen that had kept his body muscular despite the relatively unstrenuous life of a London gentleman. The workout also cleared his brain and helped him get Elisa out of his thoughts, if only briefly. As he had bathed and changed for the day, she popped up again. He was taking his breakfast in the downstairs informal dining room when a maid came to him and said that Lady Elisa had asked for him. His stomach dropped and he fought to keep his face impassive as he casually stood up and walked up the stairs ahead of the maid.

With a last swallow, he knocked and entered Elisa's room, finding her in a robe and sitting with her trunks around her unopened. He gave her a short bow and a brief smile, the awkwardness of last night palpable in the air. He studied her for a second and then motioned at the chests.

"Ahh, I see your things have arrived. Very good," he said with a another forced smile. "I think you should make yourself comfortable as I believe you should stay here for a bit longer. For your safety of course, with the killer out there and your personal acquaintance with the latest victim..." He trailed off hesitantly. It was a fairly weak excuse in some ways, and he certainly didn't feel like holding her officially as a suspect which would the other option. He wondered if he should do that if she wanted to leave? He also wondered where she would go... without money, without a benefactor, with lodging, she would homeless and adrift in a cruel city!

He glanced around and finally turned to gaze into her eyes directly.

"Lady Elisa, I have to apologize about last night. Both incidents. I can assure you its not how I behave normally and I am a gentleman. I... I don't know what overcame me and I hope I haven't betrayed your trust in my integrity."

There it was out. He let out a sigh of relief that his apology was off his chest.

Anticipation had butterflies swarming Elisa's stomach by the time Ethan finally knocked, and then pushed the iron door open to step inside. She stood as he bowed, finding the formal greeting somehow familiar and yet distant. When he smiled it seemed stretched as tight as his shoulders were held. She couldn't blame him. She felt drawn tight as a bowstring herself. Everything in her wanted to reach out to him. To sooth the worry from his face and ease the weight he seemed to be carrying. Of course, propriety demanded she stand demurely outside arms reach and wait for him to leave the room. Those tight shackles of polite society held them both back. After all, what could she ever be to him. A ward? A mistress at best. She would spend the rest of her life tarnished. And what about him. Eventually he would need to marry and have children to pass his title to. What place did she had in that life? She could not give him children... she was tainted with the blood of a demon. Her name had already been drug through the mud by her father, and whatever money she may have claimed was stricken from her when she reached an marriageable age. It was all long gone in the hands of distant family relations that she would never know.

"You're right of course," she was brought back to the moment as his voice trailed away to hang on the air. He was trying to ask her to stay and trying to explain that it was not because of what had happened the night before. "As long as you will have me, I will greatly appreciate your hospitality, Lord Colton. As it is, I have no where else to go. So, until I find some employment somewhere and a new place to live, leaving your hospitality would simply be foolish." Part of her hoped that helped to ease him. She agreed that it was best, and there were many very true and obvious reasons why. Elisa really did have nowhere to go.

She was about to ask about her things and direct the conversation elsewhere when he spoke again. The apology jumped between quick and halting, but he got it out with dignity. Although once he had said it, she wished he hadn't. A vice closed on her heart and Elisa forced a smile to her lips, nodding graciously to accept his apology because she was afraid to speak. It all seemed to sordid now. The brief moment of passion could have cost them both dearly. But, where as last night it had lingered as a fond memory, now it seemed somehow... distasteful.

Elisa's eyes stung and she turned to lamely motion at her chests as she forced herself to swallow down the tears that threatened. She had no reason to feel this way, and she would not let it show. "We thought you may want to go through my things. I thought it best not to open them without your go-ahead. I don't have very much, so I doubt it will take you very long." Nervous and unsure, Elisa turned away from him to walk back to the window, giving them both much needed space. If she was going to make it through this, she was going to have to make it very clear to her own heart that she could not and would not love him.

Ethan's apology felt good at first, but he noticed Elisa seemed to stiffen as he finished. The smile was gracious, but looked forced and her eyes seemed brooding as she nodded in acceptance. He was confused, what did she want him to say? He had hopefully convinced her of the sincerity of his feelings and that he was going to be a gentleman. Wouldn't she be relieved that he wasn't going to continually assault her with immodest and lusty attacks while she was essentially trapped in his home with no where to go? He was about to ask her how she felt about the encounter, when she suddenly changed the subject to her belongings.

Ethan studied the trunks for a second, feeling awkward and in turmoil about Elisa's reaction. He didn't care about these items and had already gone through her room with her in chains next to him. He nodded, though and made a casual wave of his hand.

"I've searched them already, so please, unpack and make yourself at home," he said courteously. He turned back to her and felt the urge to say something more, anything to make this conversation less stiff and formal. Anything within the realm of decency that is, for his mind quickly filled with amorous thoughts again as he stared into her hunter green eyes.

"I-i... would appreciate your help on this case. You knew the victim, and have the demon magic gift. It could be helpful for me in investigating this killer and bringing them to justice. For your friend and the other victims," he said at last, thinking of his father and feeling his chest tighten. Ethan had never had a 'partner' in an investigation and he didn't even know why he suggested it. This young woman, while willful and capable of defending herself, was not a trained soldier or policeman and certainly not someone he should put in danger. Maybe it was another way to tie her to him? To continue to find a way for her to stay here that skirted at his real desires? And perhaps, just perhaps, she might be able to help him in some way.

Just then, Handley knocked and announced the magicians had arrived and were waiting in the parlour. Ethan gave Elisa a brief nod and turned to go.

"My lady, once you are dressed, please join me in the parlour. I am going to be discussing the case with two magicians from the Royal Society and your insight may be useful."

Surprise registered before much else and put a grinding halt on Elisa's thoughts. Out of the depths of confused emotion surfaced a sense of vindictive vengeance for the person that had taken Claudia and turned her life upside down. Of course she wanted the killer found, but if she had the chance to find that person herself... The thought hung there, unfinished in her mind. What would she do if she found him? Elisa gad never been a cruel woman, but a myriad of frighteningly satisfying and horrible things came to mind. Things part of her wished she had never thought of. She knew she was capable of horrible things but never had she contemplated actually doing any of them. The worst she had ever done was use the raw energy of the lines to defend herself. Pull enough through a normal person and it could turn a their mind in a pulped mess. But, she had never even taken it that far. Of course, most of what she knew had been learned instinctively and by chance events. At least until Claudia. She had actually taught her how to refine it. How to turn the energy into will and make it do things for you. Now that Elisa knew they were half-blood demons, she wondered what else Claudia had known that she had never told her.

Before she could agree, Handley was there, announcing guests she hadn't expected. Of course, she supposed she aught to have expected someone. Even so, magicians weren't exactly people she felt an overwhelming desire to meet face to face. She'd hear a few whispered horror stories, and none of those had ever had good endings for people like her. When Ethan asked her to join them, however, she could hardly refuse him, and so she agreed with as much grace as she could.

As soon as he left the room, her attention settled on her things. Unpacking completely would have to come later if guests were waiting. Therefore, she picked out the things she needed. She picked out simple ensemble along with her brush and a few pins. The same maid from before blessedly came back to help Elisa get dressed. She could not thank the girl enough. Trying to tie her own corset was a maddening task and the extra pair of hands was much appreciated. She was surprised, though, when the girl remained to hep with her hair as a Lady's maid would. She couldn't deny her skill as she deftly pinned her hair and yet allowed enough to fall from down her back to hide the mark on the back of her neck.

"Thank you," she hugged the younger women when she had finished. It seemed to startle the maid, but she laughed, even if a little uneasily, when Elisa let her go and left the room. Wither it was the hug, or the fact that the staff seemed to know exactly what she was, Elisa was not all together sure. Eventually, however, she knew she could make a place for herself here. After all, she had spent many years doing the same jobs they did. How could she not fit in among them?

Dressed, Brushed, Bathed and Feeling armored against the day, Elisa made her way downstairs and to the parlor room. Ethan and the magicians were already there and, it seemed, already deep in conversation. She waited patiently for a break before she walked into the room to announce herself.

"Lord Colton," she curtsied slightly before him, feeling surprisingly at home in the formalities. She offered a polite nod to the others before she took her seat and waited to see just what exactly was going to happen now that she was in the room.

The three gentleman all stood as Elisa entered, giving her respectful bows as they were introduced by Ethan.

"Lady Elisa, may I present Lord Macloud, Magician General for Her Royal Majesty and head of the Royal Society," he indicated the older of the two men. Silver haired with a long beard and kind eyes. "And this is Sir Dunlop, the Head Summoner of the Royal Society and Chair of the Summoning Department at Blackfriars. An expert on demons," he continued, eyes flicking to Elisa coolly. Sir Dunlop was much young, probably mid-thirties with a slight greying to his hair and the beginnings of a pot belly. His eyes were a bit sharper as they lingered on Elisa, narrowing slightly.

The two magicians gave her courteous respects and everyone sat down.

"I was just giving them the background on the Butcher and describing the pentagram," said Ethan. "Lady Elisa was friends with the latest victim and lived with her at a boarding house. I am going to use her to help identify suspects that the victim may have fraternized with before her murder. Perhaps the Butcher had made contact before the killing."

The magicians nodded and Sir Dunlop spoke up, continuing what he was saying before Elisa's arrival.

"Actually the pentagram is not only for summoning, as you remember. It is a binding diagram at its core, useful for binding a summoned demon or spirit. But it can be used to bind anything really, a sort of holding cell for magic before you funnel it into another spell or action..." he continued, sounding like a professor at lecture.

"That is getting very esoteric and boring for our Lady and Lord Colton, I'm sure," interrupted Lord Macloud suddenly. He turned to regard Elisa and smiled at her warmly. "Perhaps you can help share some knowledge, did she ever mention a man? Perhaps a recent courter? Anything that might indicate she had a date that night or was looking to meet someone? New jewelry perhaps?"

They were not at all what she had expected. For all intents and purposes they appeared to be and acted as normal men. They did not fit the nightmare she had heard whispered at all. It was strange, even a little unsettling, to be treated with the same respect and difference Ethan had been showing her. She listened to the little but a chatter with polite interest, but despite what Ethan had said about seeking her help, she was still surprised when Macloud turned to asked her questions. She stumbled for a moment, glancing between the older man and Ethan before her mind caught up to what he had asked her.

"She never mentioned any men to me," she answered in a bit of a rush, blushed, and then slowed herself down. "She was very private, relationships weren't something we often talked about. Neither of us had very many prospects. She was still young enough for marriage, though. I know some men were sweet on her, but, she never made any mention of returning those emotions." Elisa stopped to rack her brain, picking over every moment she could think of spending with Claudia in the last week. Some of the fond memories made her heart ache, but she merely smiled. "She did want to talk to someone that evening. I don't recall who. I assumed it had something to do with the troop. Ah," her eyes darted between the two men, Ethan, and back again. "She was an actress at the new theater on Fleet Street. I left her there the night... well." She let that go and refocused her thoughts. It was still difficult to think she was gone.

"She had been fiddling with ring that evening. Kept spinning it on her finger. I thought it was a prop and she was just nervous about the new play." Frowning, Elisa shrugged. "It didn't seem odd to me. I never even would have thought about it had you not asked."

A though slid through Elisa's mind, and her attention turned to Ethan. There was fear and confusion in her, but it was buried far behind a new trust she carried for the man. "Is that why he ransacked her room? He was looking for something he gave her? I didn't notice anything. Shouldn't have noticed a... a charm or something attached to the ring? How would someone hide that?" Just how little she knew about their magic and their ways settled over Elisa like a cold chill. She had no idea how their charms and spells worked. She knew they required prep time and ritual and weren't used so much on the fly the way her magic was. But, she didn't understand... she was starting to understand why these men could be so dangerous. They understood how she worked, but she knew nothing of them.

"If it was a demon, there would be leyline traces... wouldn't there?" The question hung on the air between them. Of course a demon could use a charm, but... it should have shown, been tainted. "If not a demon, who would have done this to her?"

As she spoke the three men nodded, both the magicians' eyes growing narrow and faces troubled as she continued on into the realm of magic and leylines. Ethan turned to them, face flushed slightly and nodded towards Elisa.

"Good Sirs, I should tell you that she has the blood. I don't know her powers, but I brought her here after I discovered her true nature at the boarding house," he said as the two magicians suddenly gazed back at Elisa with wide eyes. A smile crept to Macloud's face and he nodded in a friendly manner, but the younger Dunlop seemed a bit unnerved, stiffening in his chair and mouth opening as if to say something. Seeing his fellow gentleman nonplussed, he shut his mouth and didn't speak, but looked a Elisa with a frown.

"A half-blood then?" asked Macloud, still with a friendly smile. "At ease Dunlop, half-bloods hide in the shadows but aren't all evil. Not at all. Some are powerful, some are weak, some are even good. You'll forgive my colleague, Lady Elisa, his experience as a summoner is with full blood demons called to this world from their own. Dangerous and vile creatures with a tendency for violence. If Lord Colton trusts her, I'm sure she poses no danger and certainly not within this warded house."

"I know Lord Macloud," said Dunlop uneasily, a sneer coming to his face of disgust. "I just find it hard to trust them, that's all."

"She can be trusted, and will help bring the murderer to justice," chimed in Ethan suddenly, turning to Elisa now. "Thank you Lady for sharing, I think we should go talk to this actor's troupe. As for the nature of the killer, I'll let our esteemed Magicians dwell on that subject as we gather more clues."

The two magicians stood at that last and with kind farewells and formal bows to Lady Elisa retreated and left the house. Macloud was all smiles and twinkling eyes, while Dunlop remained a little stiff and uncertain as he passed Elisa.

"Well, I suggest we visit Claudia's theatre?" said Ethan as soon as they were alone.

It took a moment before Elisa realized she had made a mistake. She had simply assumed Ethan had already told his colleges about the demon he was keeping in his house. But as those two began too look troubled and Ethan turned red in the face, a little bit of panic went through Elisa. Her eyes swung back to the two men on the couch, wide and frightened as Ethan spoke. As Macloud's features shifted from surprised back to the welcoming, and open manor he'd had before, Elisa felt herself smile back at him. Dunlop, though... he seemed... afraid of her? That small revelation made her look at the pair of them in a completely different light. That young man though she was dangerous enough to fear. Macloud seemed either secure enough in his own ability or in Ethan's wards that he gave the revelation little attention at all, seemingly making a mental note and then going back to his usual charm and grace.

She blushed as they called her a half-blood, but did not flinch away from the title. After all.. it was true... Her lips twitched with amusement at the reverence to hiding in shadows. She had never in her life hidden from the world, she just hadn't known as all. Of course, the mental image of lurking in the darkness behind Dunlop very much amused her.

"Imagine how I feel," she piped up after Dunlop's comment. "All I have ever heard are horror stories of the things people like you do to people like me. And then you wonder why we attack you on sight? We know you as the monsters under our beds and in the shadows. Meeting you two men today terrified me more than the idea of meeting any demon." It was the God's truth, but wither or not it was a good thing to share with them, she wasn't entirely sure.

Her attention snapped around to Ethan as he spoke, her blush becoming worse as he vouched for her. She hadn't expected it, but his glowing recommendation chipped away at the foundations of the walls she was trying to build around her heart. She nodded graciously to accept his thanks before standing as Macloud and Dunlop made their exit. Macloud's charming demeanor had Elisa smiling right back at him, Dunlop's stiff mistrust made her want to shout and see how high the young man would jump. It left her giggling almost merrily as she turned to face Ethan again.

"I suggested it yesterday, remember?" She teased him gently before she swept from the Parlor. The maid from before was waiting, and Elisa couldn't help but laugh as she accepted the gloves, hat, and parasol. "What is your name?" she asked quietly.

"Mary," the younger woman answered crisply, making Elisa smile all the more.

"Thank you, Mary," she laughed as she placed the few pins to keep her hat in place. She wanted to tell the younger woman to relax, that the formalities weren't needed, but it didn't seem her place. Settled and ready, she turned back to Ethan with a smile. "Ready?"

In the merriment that had settled over her, Elisa did not wait for Ethan. She was quickly becoming accustomed to his efficiency and, sure enough, as the carriage with Macloud and Dunlop pulled away, Ethan's pulled up in it's place. Which meant either he had remembered her statements from before and prepared for them, or he had planned to leave the house no matter how that little meeting went. Whatever the case, Elisa found herself enjoying her day far more than she had originally imagined.

Ethan had been a little surprised at Elisa's admission of being of demon blood. He hadn't told the magicians as it was an awkward and sensitive topic. In truth, magicians as a rule distrusted demons more than any other group, primarily because they dealt with full-blood demons in the workings of their greatest spells. And those full-bloods were notoriously slippery, untrusthworthy, and evil. But Elisa had felt comfortable enough to admit her identity, and Ethan realized she might have assumed he had already told them. Truly, she didn't trust him yet. Maybe not anyone. She still thought the worst of the people around her. The revelation pained Ethan slightly and he gathered his belongings quickly to join her at the carriage.

He strode out in his long black jacket, bowler hat on his head, leather bag in one hand, and cane in the other. His revolver was strapped to his thigh, hidden by his jacket, and he was all efficiency and business as he assisted Elisa into the carriage and quickly climbed in himself. The driver had the horses off at a good pace before the pair were even fully settled.

"I'm sorry if I caused you embarrassment back there," he said once they had begun moving. "Trust that I won't reveal your secrets without asking you, or there being some emergency." He spoke slowly and kept his gaze away from Elisa. Afraid to linger in those hunter green eyes again. Working with her was going to tax his resolve, and he hoped to get her trust again, not make her think he was going to make improper sexual advances on her at any moment in time. He feared her gaze alone could incite him and as a result, had been avoiding looking at her directly this morning.

"I do want you to trust me, you need to trust me if we are to work together. And.. I need to trust you," he turned to stare at her for this last bit, risking her mesmerizing gaze to stare at her searchingly. "While I have some defenses against demon magic, out here, in the open, I put myself at risk in your presence. I hope you realize that and understand the faith I place in your goodwill and honor?" In truth, he should slap her in chains again to make sure, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Elisa's soul was singing. The lines welcomed her back like a long lost friend, seemingly enveloping her in their warmth. She reached out to touch the nearest one without even thinking. The tiny pull made her eyes sting with tears she refused to let show. It was as if she had died and found life again. Just feeling a tiny amount of the energy of the lines in her blood again was unlike any joy she had known before. She had felt so dead without them, so lost. And now, here they were again. Warm, red, glowing, and singing with a raw, primal power that awoke everything inside her to the savage, beautiful nature of the world. This was the blood and heartbeat of everything they knew. This was their earth's life force, and she could feel it again.

Elisa was so lost in the glory of it all that she barely noticed Ethan helping her into the carriage or even that they were on their way to the theater until he began to speak to her. It took far too much work to bring her mind out of the lines and back to him to listen to what he was saying. His apology took her off guard. She hadn't been upset, merely a little surprised. It had been a long time since she was treated with such difference, she simply wasn't used to it any more. She didn't expect it.

"There is nothing to apologize for," she told him, surprised he wasn't looking at her. "It seemed natural that you would tell those closest to you... I, just assumed..." Her voice trailed off as he faced her, the intensity of the emotion in his eyes making her go quiet. His words placed a chill in her, one that chased out the joy she had felt at being able to touch the lines again. For a moment she had forgotten the danger. What a fool she was, letting her emotions carry away with her like that. The small bit of line she carried filtered out of her. She was sad to let it go, but she felt she had no other choice. How could she ask him to trust her when she knew the never ending temptation to reach out and touch them? How could she deny herself the beautiful glory of feeling a line rush through her?

"I will share something with you," she whispered as she pulled her little lace glove off of her left hand. She didn't really need to take it off, but it was easier to feel this way. His hand seemed overly hot beneath her own as she touched him. "I know it is asking a lot to trust me but... for you to understand what the lines are to me, I must show you." Elisa searched his eyes as she spoke, watching for horror, disgust, or fear to rise in them. When none seemed to surface, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The iron in his bowler hate made it complicated, and she smiled in amusement when she felt it there, blocking the lines from his mind. "Your hat," she fussed in a playful voice, and then gently pulled at a line and pushed it through her hand into his. It was a small, gentle push, controlled and careful, like a shy lover reaching out to give him a small kiss. She let the joy and warmth they gave her bleed into him, let him feel how every nerve ending woke and stirred as the energy flowed from one to the other.

"This is my world," Elisa sighed, opening her eyes to look around to let him see through them. The ethereal colors of auras and the distant red glow and pulse of the lines. Every living thing had a color that shown around them. Lights that seemed to illuminate nothing. "This is what your iron took away from me." She illustrated the point vividly by snatching her hand away from him to end the connection. "You made my world like yours... dull and grey and dirty. You took all the life away from me." Her words fizzled out, went quiet as she found herself looking anywhere than right at him. Even without the line flowing through either of them, her heart was pounding as if she were again standing naked before him, waiting for his fingers to touch her skin.

Elisa shivered, and then made herself smile. "I find myself knowing that have no choice but to accept your hospitality," she said carefully, her heart aching painfully as she tried to put a deeper wedge between them. "But, I do trust you, Lord Colton. I am well aware that you can take it all away again whenever you would like. I am also very aware that you didn't."

They both rocked a little as the carriage stopped, and Elisa glance up at him and then quickly away again, terrified her eyes would give away what her heart was screaming. "Well, here we are."

Elisa didn't wait, she ran, getting out of the carriage just as quickly as she could. The theater loomed over them. A building as old as all the rest on Fleet Street, and yet carrying a strange air of newness from the fresh paints and new additions. Brass, wood, and glass doors dominated the front of the building. Behind them would be the front forye where spiral staircases carried the more fortunate to their booths and those of less wealth marched in droves into the lower seats. Here all classes and walks of life mixed and mingled, blended together and held there in their delight of the theater. Already it seemed a little faded without Claudia by her side.

"This is the last place I saw her," she spoke without thinking. Just feeling Ethan's presence behind her made the words happen. She wanted to tell him, to share her pain with him. Not to burden him but to share a part of herself with the only person she felt she could share it with. "We were back stage. I often spend time behind the scenes. It's a completely different world there, quite beautiful. It seems to have vanished without Claudia here. I can't see it anymore." She smiled sadly, and then, taking strength from his closeness, began to make her way up the stairs. The doors were opened by someone inside, and Elisa smiled at the boy that stood there.

"John," she crouched down to hug him. He had been one of Claudia's most ardent admirers. The red, puffiness around his eyes told her right away how badly he was handling the loss.

"Miss Elisa," he fought to sound strong, and she smiled for him. "I need to speak to Mr. Daniels. Is he in?"

"Of course, Miss," the boy wearily eyed Ethan as he pushed the doors closed, but waved them both on as if he didn't care a stitch. Elisa knew better. That little devil would watch their every step until they left if he thought something was strange. To ease his fears, Elisa linked her arm with Ethan's. "Thank you, love." The boy smiled a little at the endearment Claudia had always saved for him and relaxed where he stood. He wouldn't be nosy now.

"He is a good boy," Elisa vouched for him in a whisper as she drew Ethan with her. "He loved Claudia." She still wasn't sure why she told him, she just... did.

Here and there she paused to greet some friend or accept a kind word for the loss of Claudia, but Elisa's progression toward Jeffery Daniels's office rarely slowed until she stood outside his door. She rapped her knuckles gently on the wood until she heard movement behind it. The clanging of a bottle made her frown in worry. Jeff had always enjoyed the bottle, but she wondered now how he was handling the loss of his Dove. There was a spattering of courses from behind the door just before it swung open. Jeffery was not a very tall or handsome man, but there was a kindness to his features that endeared him to many women. His usually tidy brown hair seemed to be pointing every direction it could without leaving his scalp, his clothes looked old and wrinkled, food and alcohol stains spattering the dirty cloth. His loons hung half open, and Elisa felt herself blush over his disordered appearance. Jeffery's glassy eyes took a moment to focus before he straightened and cleared his throat.

"Elisa?" his voice came out horse, as if he had been screaming often, and Elisa felt herself begin to pity him.

"This gentleman is Lord Colton," Elisa stepped aside to get out from between the two men. "Ethan, this is the troupe leader, Mr. Jeffery Daniels." She paused a moment for the two men to measure each other, and then stepped between them again. "I swear we will cause you no trouble, Jeffery. We are simply looking for some sign of Claudia's Killer."

Jeff's eyes narrowed in hate and he opened his mouth to say something, but Elisa's hand shot out. She rested it gently against his chest as she spoke. "Everything is okay, Jeffery. We know you loved her. We know you had nothing to do with it. Everything is going to be okay." A trace of energy slid back and forth between them, Elisa reading through his emotions to find the man's thoughts. He was suffering at the loss, and a figure lingered there in his mind, on that made Elisa's eyes sharpen. Before she could look further, he nodded and shut the door in her face.

Elisa let out a long breath, and then turned to Ethan, her heart racing. "He blames a man he doesn't know," she whispered hurriedly, feeling exhilarated. "Claudia was being wooed by someone. We all knew Jeffery had a thing for her, but I had no idea he... He loved her. But, someone else was in his way. He knew about." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Elisa felt fear clamp down around her heart. He had been here. Whoever had killed her friend had been here.

Elisa had seemed distracted, almost giddy, from the moment Ethan had led her outside. As the carriage stared, she almost seemed to not hear his words, her eyes flicking around the street and the people that strolled the busy sidewalks. A smile was on her lips, small and secretive, and it lingered as she turned at last to regard Ethan.

Ethan's hair stood on end as she began to talk and then reached towards him with her bare hand. Her touch alone was enough to cause him consternation, especially as he knew how fragile his control of his emotions had been in her presence, but what she intimated scared him more. He had tasted demon magic before, but the cruel and evil kind. Demon's trying to lash him with pain, to bring him to his knees or knock him unconscious. Demon's trying to manipulate his emotions and trick and deceive him. Without thinking he steeled his mind against her as her fingers brushed against him.

As the touch happened though, he felt a strange rush of euphoria spreading from her touch. Against his better judgment, he relaxed his guard and suddenly her mind and senses flooded into his own in a wondrous fashion. He almost retreated again, prepared to harden his mental defenses and reject this obviously magical intrusion into his psyche. But the feelings she radiated to him, wonder, happiness and joy, made him relax and he opened himself more fully to that link she was building. Her senses flooded him and suddenly his vision changed. The drab, grey and overcast world around him was suddenly aswirl with color, light and energy. Lines that he could see with his eyepiece seemed to thrum and thob with tempting energy and life. They called to him and sang in the air. And all about him, every living thing cast an aura. Again it was a sight he had seen before with his eyepiece, but through her eyes and senses the auras seemed to pulse and glow on this coal darkened morning, giving energy and a sense of aliveness to the people that otherwise might move as background scenery to Ethan's regular vision. It was beautiful, intoxicatingly, vibrant and strangely dreamlike.

Then her touch was gone and his senses receded to normal. The world became dull and grey again and the inhabitants enigmatic and hidden figures that moved silently around him. The smell of London, smoky and at times disgusting hit his nostrils and the sounds became the clamour of groans and the clatter of hooves that were his normal background noise. Truly a dead and lifeless world now, by contrast to what she had shown him.

He was stunned as he regarded her for a second, both at her ability to share her senses and at what he had seen. The glimpse he got with this eyepiece seemed suddenly so flat and dull, like a still picture taken of a woman that captures her features but not the vibrant energy and animation that make her attractive. He regarded her and spoke finally, shaking his head.

"Thank you for... sharing... that glimpse into your world," he said with a smile in return. "I understand now what the iron chains must feel like and apologize for the discomfort. I also can sense, from your very essence, that you are not evil and my trust in you is now affirmed beyond a doubt."

And suddenly they were at the theater and the moment was gone. Elisa had such energy as she entered the old building, her eagerness to help Ethan solve the crime evident. She knew the building and the members of the troupe well, effortless leading him deeper into it and greeting many of Claudia's acting friends with more than casual acknowledgments. This had been part of her world, before Claudia's death and if anyone could help him find clues from these people Elisa would be the person.

The interview with Jeff was surprising, both because of his own unkempt and depressed appearance, but also the emotion he obviously felt for Claudia. Ethan's eyes narrowed in suspicion but he shut the door at Claudia's touch. When she turned an explained what she had obviously gleaned from that little touch, Ethan was surprised. His hand went into his bag and he strapped the eyepiece on while nodding thoughtfully.

"We need to find out who this man was that was courting her," he said as he started to scan the building and any passersby. "He is the best lead we have to the Butcher's identity." In his demon aided vision, Elisa glowed faintly and the taint of her minor use of demon magic was on her, faint due to the lack of power she used, but visible due to the freshness of her use. In the building itself, he detected older, fainter traces of demon magic as well. A day old, if not older at least.

"Did Claudia have any other people who might know who this mysterious gentleman was? Or perhaps we can get more information from Jeff?" Ethan asked, manner suddenly turning efficient and business like as his investigative instincts returned.

"Perhaps, but.. I don't like doing that," Elisa admitted quietly. "Feeling someone else's emotions is... very complicated. If I am not careful, they can effect my own." She blushed a little and move down the little hall to the right of Jeff's office as she spoke. "If I take a peek, I can get an idea. If I go digging, I can come out carrying a part of them. It's not an exact science, or... perhaps I am simply not that skilled." She teased him to lighten her own mood as she stopped in front of Claudia's door, and then gently pushed it open.

A long sigh escaped Elisa as relief welled up in her. There of course was some traces of magic here and there but, everything in her room seemed to be exactly as it had always been. Flowers from admirers lined the wall to her left, leading to a large wardrobe that hung half open, bits of costumes falling out a little. In the far left corner toward the back was a small desk, mirror, and all the trappings used to change an actors face into anything they wanted it to be. Along that back wall another wardrobe, small than the first, sat closed and obviously very well used. This is where Claudia kept her clothes and private things. Letters from john's with an affection for her filled one of those little drawers inside.

Without a word, Elisa walked over to it and gently pulled on one of the wardrobe doors. When it did not open, she smiled and ran her hand over the wood as if gently searching. What was left there was like a signature, an imprint of Claudia's own energy, barring the door better than any bolt could. Her smile deepened as Elisa reached out for a leyline. Her hair raised up and her clothes shifted as if caught in a breeze as the line pulled through her and was then pressed into the wood. She could not simply change her energy to be like Claudia's, but she could overload the small signature, confuse it, and force it to unlock. It took more than Elisa expected to force the wardrobe open, and when finally the door swung free, she was heady from the rush of energy. Her body ached to be touched, for the attention she knew Ethan was more than willing to give her. She could feel her neither lips weeping, but forced her mind away from what she so desperately craved.

"She kept private things in here," Elisa spoke breathlessly to Ethan when she could not focus. She wobbled just a little on her feet as she made her way to Claudia's make-up stand and pulled out a stool from beneath it so that she could sit down. She needed a minute to get her heart rate down and her body under control. "Letters, trinkets. I don't know what exactly you would be looking for, but if she wanted to hide it, it is in there."

Elisa avoided Ethan's gaze at all costs. Her head bowed and her eyes down. She could feel his lips burning hot against her own, moving in that ravenous, demanding way he had. She ran her fingers across her lips in an attempt to make them stop tingling, and then valiantly tried to force her mind to focus on the task at hand.