Chapter 4. A Devil's Summons

A shadowy figure lurked in the back alleys, lips curving up in a slow, devilish smile. "I imagine a little discipline will go a long way with you... hehe..."

I made my way through the familiar streets of town, blithely unaware of any shadows lurking in the side streets. By the time I returned to the bookstore, the sun was sinking towards the west, painting the sky in shades of gold and magenta. I didn't realise it was going to take me so long to find a gift for Rio! I hope he's not too mad at me... I tried to think of the best way to apologize to him as I pushed the door to the bookstore open.

"Welcome back, Ria," I was greeted, not by Rio, but by a stranger, sitting atop the counter with his legs crossed and a faint smile on his face. I stared at the him. He stared back at me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I slammed the door shut, blocking off the sinister aura emanating from the store.

...Am I imagining things, or was there a devil in the form of a man in the bookstore? No, I've got to be imagining things. I mean, devils don't actually exist, right? I'm tired, and it's dusk, and... I'm sure it was my eyes playing tricks on me. It was just Rio. Please, let it just be Rio... I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and then pushed the door open again. This time, there was no devil sitting on the counter-instead, he was standing right in front of me.

"That's a dreadful way to greet someone," said the man with a devilish grin on his face. "Ahh—!" I spun about, ready to run, but an arm snaked its way around my waist, and another pressed firmly over my mouth. What are you doing?!

"Shhh. So long as you remain quiet, I will allow you to keep breathing." I froze, my whole body turning cold as the full meaning of those words sank in. "Certain circumstances have necessitated me coming to collect you." The man lifted his hand from my waist, snapping his fingers, and several men appeared out of nowhere, surrounding me completely. Where did you come from?! And if those uniforms are anything to go by, you're palace guards! But—

"For now, you are coming with us." "But—" Wait, wait, wait-what on earth did I do to deserve this?! I'm nobody! I work in a bookstore! I—But I knew I was no match for trained guards, and I kept my mouth shut as they bundled me into the coach waiting right outside. Damn, today is not my lucky day!

Before I knew what was happening, the coach had taken me to the palace... A place I'd only ever seen from a great distance.

'Wow, it's beautiful!' I thought to myself. The palace was solemn and regal, its towers stretching up into the cloud, and I stared dazedly up at them for a long moment. Wait, this isn't the time for that! Why am I here?! What's going on, and—

"Hey. You're in my way." "Woaahh!" I jumped, my nerves twanging wildly as someone tapped me on the shoulder. I whirled around, and found myself face-to-face with two young men, dressed in finery the likes of which I'd never seen.

"Hmm, you're a sight for sore eyes. Is she a friend of yours, Ryan?" asked the man with silver hair and crimson eyes to the other one, whose honey blond hair glowed in the soft evening sun, and his deep blue eyes shone with elegance.

"Why would I be friends with a commoner? Are you sure she's not some past fling of yours, Dain?" said the man named Ryan.

Okay, who on earth are you two?