Charon held Crimson in her arms as she padded slowly and carefully along the dark corridors. Crimson had refused to open her eyes since the incident at the manor and even now, where Charon knew it to be safe, she still held her eyes tightly closed. Charon sighed. She understood. Why was her family always the targets of sick and twisted weirdo's? She found herself tiring of the whole thing. She wondered whether that had been the reason for Damiens disappearence, no matter what Spades feelings were for his brother, Damien had done his best to protect her and now she wondered what decision he'd had to make? As she approached the entrance two shadow demons appeared from nowhere and blocked her way.

"YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE IS THIS REALM HALFLING!"

Charon raised an eyebrow, it didn't matter to her whether she was dressed for the occasion or not - she wasn't on this occasion, she was still wearing a medical gown but to be called halfling? How dare they?! She shifted Crimson to her right arm.

"What did you just refer to me as?"

The demons stopped as though they realised they may have made a mistake. They stared at one another then back at Charon. The cockier one of the two, the one who'd called her halfling, was stupid enough to speak again.

"YOU ARE A HALFLING AND ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!"

The second demon began to back away as though he sensed the power coming off Charon. The cocky demon stood his ground and glared at her defiantly. Charon laughed. The second demon backed as far as he could and stayed there.

"Thats funny, very funny. I'm a halfling. Come here and read this piece of paper I have in my hand."

The first demon suddenly seemed unsure and looked to his fellow demon for back up only to find him cowering behind a large rock. He looked at Charon then puffed out his chest.

"I DEMAND YOUR NAME HALFLING!"

Charon now raised both eyebrows and looked at the second demon hiding behind the rock.

"Would you tell your funy little mate what my full title in this realm is please. I can see you recognise my being even if you don't recognise my current form."

The second demon mumbled something. The two demons had a very quiet but vigorous discussion which resulted in the first demon clearing his throat several times before turning back to her.

"MY APOLOGIES BUT I MUST HEAR YOUR FULL TITLE BEFORE I CAN ALLOW YOU TO PASS."

He had balls, even if he didn't have a brain. Charon sighed, it had been years since she'd had to speak this language, it was certainly hard on the throat.

"Ack nachanarana fidackaracknach Angelicknah Charonica Deathen."

She cleared her throat.

"Somthing along those lines unless you'd like it in English?"

The demon now seemed unsure but had the decency to bow his head in embarrassment.

"YOU MAY PASS MY CHARONICA AND SMALL OFFSPRING."

Charon shook her head as she passed through the entrance. Security was still shit then if they were still intimidated solely by her shadow name. Her journey through the dark corridors wasn't interrupted again until she reached a large iron door. A small demon with a clipboard stood outside.

"NAME PLEASE."

Charon knew you couldn't judge a book by its cover. This time she didn't argue but gave her full name in English, her throat hurt. The demon continued to look at her then gestured to Crimson.

"Crimson Death-Blood daughter of Kizmata and Angel Charon Deathen."

"WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS HERE PLEASE?"

Charon was surprised by the use of the word please and it genuinely threw her for a few moments.

"I hold contract with this realm and wish now to discuss its terms and conditions with the current Royal Head."

With no argument the demon swung the door inwards and beckoned for Charon to follow him. She did as she was asked, she was puzzled by the change of protocol.

"SIT."

Again she sat where she was asked. It was a few minutes before a figure emerged from the shadows and sat across from her, its face obscured as was the custom. Charon said nothing, instead she sat patiently and waited for the figure to speak first.

"NO VIOLENCE, NO RUDENESS AND ADHERENCE TO CUSTOM. WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED MUST BE SERIOUS. STATE YOUR CASE DEATHEN."

Charon formed her thoughts carefully before replying and placed a piece of paper on the desk between them. The figure reached across and took it, nodding for her to speak.

"I have always kept this realm secret from outsiders. I was given this open contract as a last resort. I understand its terms and conditions and if I opt to sign it then I turn myself over to you. However, I too have a condition to be added. The condition is that you take Crimson into your protection, to be taught your....our ways and to show her the right path."

"WHICH PATH DO YOU WISH FOR HER TO TAKE?"

"The one away from Lillith and the Limelight."

There was silence for several minutes as the figure scratched something down on the contract. Charon watched intently. The figure seemed to look up.

"QUEEN LILLITH?"

Charon sighed heavily.

"Back in this realm, She's grooming Crimson in her image. Crimson is a child, she doesn't yet understand that her choices are what make her who she is. I understand that I screwed up and allowed this to happen, which is why I am turning myself over to you and throw myself at your mercy. I will serve you for as long as you deem necessary."

The figure leaned back in the chair.

"YOU ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING INCLUDING YOUR HUMAN FORM AND YOUR SOUL FOR THIS CHILD?"

Charon put her head down and kissed the top of Crimsons head before looking up again.

"Yes. Everything."

The silence again.

"IT SEEMS YOU TRULY HAVE CHANGED. YOU SEEM TO HAVE TAMED THAT PART OF YOU THAT REBELS AGAINST AUTHORITY BUT YOU STILL HAVE A SELF DESTRUCTIVE URGE THAT STILL DISTURBS US."

Charon stayed silent.

"YOUR MISTAKE HAS SET IN MOTION A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT WILL INEVITABLY SEE US BATTLE QUEEN LILLITH IN THE PLANE OF THE ONE TRUE CREATURE OF MANKIND. THIS MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE WE MAKE OUR DECISION. IN YOUR FAVOUR, YOU KNOW AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOUR MISTAKE. YOU WILLINGLY APPROACHED US AND LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHICH GIVES US TIME TO PREPARE MORE FULLY THIS TIME AROUND. WE WILL NOW MAKE OUR DECISION."

The room plunged into full darkness as Crimson continued to sob into her mothers shoulder.
She wondered how long she'd have to wait in the pitch black when it lightened and she realised she was now surrounded by at least twelve figures.

"WE WILL TAKE THE CHILD CRIMSON DEATH BLOOD AS NAMED BY YOU ANGEL CHARON DEATHEN. YOU WILL BE IMPRISONED UNTIL WHICH TIME WE HAVE PREPARED A CASE FOR AND AGAINST YOUR PAST AND PRESENT ACTIONS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS RULING MEANS TO YOU?"

Charon nodded.

"Yes."

A figure moved forward and gently prised Crimson from Charon's arms, she screamed still refusing to open her eyes.

"Mum! No! I don't want you to go!"

Charons heart felt as though it was going to rip in half.

"Crimson. Its fine. You can open your eyes here. Nothing can be overheard in this place. Listen carefully to your teachers and don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Charo n didn't believe her own words but she made them sound as convincingas possible. Crimson opened her eyes, Charon smiled encouragingly. Crimson held her hand up as a wave goodbye. Charon mirrored the movement and stayed in that position until she heard the doors close.

"CHARON DEATHEN HOLD OUT YOUR HANDS."

She lifted her arms and held her hands out in front of her.