Chapter 17: I though I knew you.

A few hours later...

A burst of tentacles and ancient green fire exploded from inside the room Alastor was in. The stone door split into pieces and not a single trap was able to harm the angered deer, as he stomped through the eye covered hallway. His eyes were glowing red and his claws were bared sharp and menacing. He looked like he was out for blood and Lucifer was his target. All of it everything about that insufferable creature, was because of him.

That Bratty man-child was going to pay.

...

Meanwhile Lucifer was finally doing his work, well he was doodling and playing tic tac toe with himself but at least he appeared to be working. After loosing to himself for the fifth game in a row, his door was forced open by a raging power that eminated from the infuriated deer demon behind it. His teeth were needle sharp, his red glowing eyes were shrunken inside pools of dark black pits, his antlers branched out beyond his head in unnatural gruesome angles, and his body was much thinner and more distended.

Lucifer just smiled his goofy smile and waved casually. "So how was the read?" He said cheerfully. Alastor charged toward the king with a menacing aura until he was a few inches from his face. "YOU! YOU DID IT!" He seethed. "YOU'RE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT ALL!" The monstrous demon growled. "Now Alastor I was only responsible for her soul. How powerful she became was based solely on her own abilities, whether she meant to harm anyone or not." Lucifer explained still grinning like an asshole.

Some civil part of the buck had calmed down a bit but Alastor was still angry. "You bargained for an innocent soul, that's bad enough. But you had the audacity to model her form and powers after my own! Why?" He demanded. Lucifer just pulled out a fancy smoking pipe and blew bubbles from it. "Come now you know as well as I who's power was modeled after who's." He said. "She may have died before I did but she didn't manifest until after I, myself did. Was this your plan all along? Use that she-demon to throw me off and make me vulnerable? Let my guard down then strike when I least expect it?" The demon questioned.

Lucifer sighed before putting down his pipe. "Listen when you manifested with your powers you had already accumulated enough souls to broaden your strength and become what you are now. Allison was different, her soul was unwittingly sacrificed to me for trivial mortal desires." The king said being the most serious he'd been since Alastor got there.

The deer calmed down more and soon regressed back to his normal form. "I've collect many innocent souls throughout the centuries, but usually I would have to relinquish them to heaven. Allison was the exception because even she's had her fair share of sins." Alastor was silent at that statement. He read that part about what Allison did.

"What happened was necessary, she shouldn't have been damned for it." Alastor said after some time. "Even so God never asked for her soul. Besides it has nothing to do with the act itself, it was her reaction that kept her in damnation." Lucifer explained. This was the point where Alastor was confused. "Her-- reaction?" He asked, he hadn't read anything about Allison's personal feelings throughout the ledger of her life. He had only assumed a lot of her potential feelings all the way up till the end. Lucifer neatly stacked his papers together then placed them by his side.

"A mortal's true colors always shines through, when committing an act of sin, whether it is passion or power, one slip into that glorious mania and all that's left is euphoria and regret." He said cryptically.

Alastor gave a conflicted look. He'd read every detail of what Allison had to do. Every harsh action was necessary for her survival. He knew what Lucifer was trying to convey but it couldn't be possible, it just couldn't.

"If you want some confirmation ask her about that incident in the alley, ealier. Put enough pressure on her and she'll be honest with you." Lucifer suggested.

The deer's expression looked troubled and confused. He was almost afraid of what truth he might get from the doe. It was quite amusing, he came for answers only to end up with more questions.

Alastor masked his cluttered thoughts with a sneering grin as he scoffed in defiance and defeat. "Very well then." He said then summoned his microphone and turned to leave. Before he could reach the door Lucifer called out, one more piece of advice. "One more thing Alastor, if you still find yourself in stupor over her, may I make a small suggestion?" He said garnering the voodoo man's curiosity.

...

After a short talk Lucifer sent Alastor on his way, with even more to think about than before.

What Alastor learned from the king was indeed more than he thought he'd get but somehow there were still more questions to be answered. However this time he'd have to ask Allison herself and trust that she'll be completely honest with him. Whatever was left for him to know, he just hoped that it would be the answers he needed to get over the doe. Alastor couldn't take anymore of these surprises. He just wanted a reason to destroy that little nuisance and be free from the clutches of his superficial attraction to her.

...

"Alright it's ready." Allison said as she put the lid back onto the stew pot. Briskette looked back at the doe excitedly and smiled. "Great! I'll just go take these out to the others!" She said gathering the rolls onto a plate. "O-okay. Thank you dear." She responded before the cat finished setting the last roll on top of the pile. She set down her tongs, then carried the plate out like a server in a fancy restaurant.

Allison watched her go pleased that her friend has been less than a little troublesome lately. No drugs or disasters caused by her overzealous nature, unless you count her indignant driving skills. Other than that no issues have arisen. Not to mention Vagatha promised to help keep her busy with some other work whilst they and the rest of the staff take a break from the planning.

Everything seemed to be looking up so far. She did her best to not jinx it though, she knew her own luck too well. Allison then turned toward the main course of the evening. The cooked lamb leg baked in its meat juices and some onion slices. It had finished cooking a while ago and since the stew needed a few more minutes Allison set the meat out to cool off. It was still pretty hot to touch if you were human but Allison was able to stave off the blistering heat. She used a meat thermometer to check the temperature, it showed that it was cool enough to eat. After picking up the glass that contained the meal, someone startled her as per usual. "My that smells delectable my darling. I'm impressed."

It was of course, Alastor.

He was as per usual in Allison's personal space, his clawed hands resting on her hip as he smile at her deviously. "Mmm..." Allison didn't know how to react. So she did what she always did, shrink back into a submissive ball.

As she turned her face away from him, Alastor took in how Allison looked in her blue blouse, her collar undone, her sleeves rolled up and wearing a light blue apron. It was such a privilege to see her so underdress even if it wasn't much.

"I have yet to have tasted your cooking." He said. Allison gulped and replied. "Y-you c-could eat w-with everyone else-" she was cut of by a red-tipped hand holding her chin. Her face was then turned to look at the glowing eyed Alastor. "I am interested in the stew, but I'd prefer a different kind of meat to go with it." He said as he let go of Allison's chin. What was going on with him now? It's been like this since day one. Alastor would change on a dime when it came to his interactions with Allison. He'd go from jovial friendly company, to an intimidating/seductive powerhouse, or vice versa within hours or even minutes of their last encounter. It was maddeningly confusing. How was Allison suppose to get over this man if he consistently played these awful mind games with her? She had to get a grip on herself and get away. That's what she thought until she smelled something, something overwhelming, something metalic.

Alastor had reached into his coat and pulled out a small box, stained with blood. "If you don't mind dearest, please make me something with this. I'm curious as to how it'll turn out." He said. Allison wasn't sure that was a good idea. Whatever was in that box couldn't have been regulated and cooking it might not sit well with Vagatha. He handed it over to the trembling doe as he used his other hand to ease the roast out of her grip and put it back onto the counter.

Soon Allison's hands were empty of the glass tray, then it was replaced with the bloody box. "W-what i-i-is it?" She stammered. Alastor grinned then lightly tapped the bridge of Allison's glasses. "That's for you to find out." He said then turned while swinging his staff. "Do bring it up when you're finished." He concluded but Allison was not inclined to just cook for this man on his command, as if she were his maid. Annoyed and offended Allison transmutated herself in front of the demon's path and spoke up. "I've already cooked tonight why should I make anything with this when you could just eat with everyone else?" She scolded gesturing with the box. Alastor was a little taken aback by her sudden firmness but he didn't let it show. He then chuckled while adjusting his monocle. "Frankly it wouldn't be as special if I have to share but I suppose I can understand your point." He tried to keep his smile smug but it was starting to appear conflicted.

Alastor really did want to be the first to taste Allison's cooking but in truth he needed a reason to ask her more questions in private. However his attempt to make her cook for him did seem a tad rash, he'd need to come up with a different approach.

Allison tried to study the man's face but his expression was still hard to read. He finally snapped out of his strange demeanor and grabbed the doe by her shoulders walking her back over to the oven. "Perhaps another agreement is in order!" He said making Allison worried. "Once all is asleep, you'll roast this tasty little morsel and bring it to me during the night. In exchange I'll do whatever it is you'd like." He offered. Allison however was no fool. She turned toward the deer and crossed her arms skeptically.

"W-why do you w-want me to do this for you?" She questioned. Alastor's ears twitched in surprise. "My, you've become even more defiant than ever. I believe it's your turn to offer me something, after I so generously hosted you." He said. Alastor then started walking throughout the kitchen condecendingly. "And after all the trouble I went through to acquire such a fine meal. Oh, how unfair my darling." Alastor made a show of feigning his woefulness. Allison was not swayed but when she thought about it, she remembered how attentive Alastor was during their date. She knew he was probably lying or up to no good but he had a point. However she stayed firm in her resolve to know what he really wanted. "If you can give me an honest answer I-I'll c-consider it." She said slightly gripping the box as she held it at her lap.

Alastor's grandeur dropped to a more tired posture as he sighed in slight defeat. He enjoyed his games with this woman but as she was no fool and being more cautious now, it wasn't as fun anymore. He turned toward the doe watching her timid form shrink away from his side glance. How she tensed up from one look, it enamored the deer on some level.

He studied her dissecting her with his gaze, before fully turning and walking back to her smaller frame while she looked up at him with wide eyes. "Fine dearest, I'll tell you." He began. "I'm curious. I've been curious since you got here." He said bluntly without an ounce of humor in his tone. This more serious side of Alastor was enough to make Allison quiver, in both fear and excitement.

As Alastor approached further Allison backed away, all the while he kept explaining his reasons. He became more and more excitable like he was losing himself with every word, as static overwhelmed Allison's senses.

"It's as if you came from nowhere, like an unexpected wrench being thrown into my plans." He said. The doe was being backed into the wall now. She felt trapped, constricted and part of her liked it. This was dangerous she needed to get away but what she wanted kept her still, as she felt the wall against her back.

Alastor's hands rose in an almost threatening gesture like he wanted to strangle the blue dame. "You're a mystery Miss Allison Blue. A most infuriating, mystery." His radio filtered voice was becoming a tad distorted and monotoned. Allison's eyes began to flutter as she stared at the man. "I'll have my answers. I will know everything there is to know of you, if it's the last thing I do." He finished. Allison closed her eyes as the red claws brushed against the skin of her thin neck, it tickled a little causing her to shuddered. This snapped the scarlet demon out of his trance. He stared down shocked by the doe's willing and submissive form.

He then straightened himself up and flattened his ears, in confusion. 'What the hell?' He mentally questioned. He'd seen her like this before when he scratched her lip, did she really enjoy pain that much?

Allison then opened her eyes, seeming to have been free of the strange tension as well. Alastor was a tad perplexed by the doe's reaction to his slightly unhinged advances. Why did she look so wanton? It was like she wanted him to put his hands around her throat and- choke her.

The demons stared at each other silently entranced by one another's eyes of amazement. Strangely enough Alastor was the first to turn himself away from the confused doe. 'What is this woman doing to me?' He asked himself internally, his face bright red. This wasn't suppose to happen. What was suppose to happen was that Alastor would convince Allison to cook for him, then bring him the meal so that they could talk alone. That way he could ask her about the incident in further detail, like Lucifer suggested he should do.

Instead he ended up getting himself flustered. He hadn't expected this or at least he hoped it wouldn't have turned out like this. God, this is why he wanted to be rid of these feelings. It just wasn't him. Feelings weren't his forte, he just couldn't- or wouldn't- deal with this.

Allison became a little worried. Alastor was suddenly shying away, as though something was bothering him. This wasn't like him though she had only gotten a glimpse of this reaction maybe once before, it was more concerning now to see the deer like this.

Allison reached a hand out toward him cautiously. She wanted to see if he was alright but before she could say anything he sputtered out. "Nevermind! Do as you wish dearest!" Then he teleported away in a ray of green light and a cloud of smoke.

Allison was left alone and confused. What had gotten into him? Why was Alastor acting so strange? Of course he did tend to be a tad odd, though he would still never act as unsual as that. He said he wanted to know everything about her. Why? There wasn't much to know, or tell, was there? Allison walked over to the stove looking down in thought. As she made it over to the dinner, she realized she was still holding the bloody box.

Her eyes blinked in curiosity at what the contents maybe. She figured it was a pound of flesh or perhaps a parcel of cured meat from a butcher? She'd have to open it and see, though she was hesitant. Allison unintentionally held her breath and brought the box up, so she could see it better. It was a simple smooth white box, like a shoe box but it lacked any label or marks. Just the stain of blood at the bottom left-hand corner.

Curiosity won out despite the potential horror, Allison knew she'd find. She brought the other hand over the lid and slowly lifted it up. She took a peek at what was inside and gasped. The lid dropped, as she held her mouth in shock. Allison stared wide eyed at the thing Alastor wanted her to cook for him. 'How monsterous!' She thought as she stared at the bloody, thick red demon heart that sat on a purple silk cloth.

To Be Continued...