Chapter 15: I'll just have you

**human world**

"You're awake?"

Clover's light pink eyes blinked open, "Where am I?"

Sister Rena rose from the bedside table across from them.

"You're back in the royal palace,"

"What?" Clover stared at her in disbelief.

Clover began to rise but was forced back into the bed by Albaric.

"Easy," Albaric said flatly, "You were injured pretty badly. We didn't think that you'd wake at all."

Clover inhaled sharply and sat back annoyed.

"I'm fine. What happened with Michael and Kalandra?"

"Kalandra got away but we managed to apprehend Michael," Rena explained.

"Then what happened to the necklace?" Clover replied impatiently.

Albaric and Rena exchanged glances. For a moment there was silence. Finally, Albaric spoke.

"We don't know,"

"What?" Clover's eyes twitched, "How is that possible? Michael, he was the one..."

"When we found Michael, he didn't have it," Albaric interrupted. "But he was the only one there so we're guessing he knows where it is,"

"Brilliant," Clover scoffed, "Just brilliant."

"This is your fault in the first place, Clover," Albaric replied severely, "You made a deal with the Emperor but we both know you had no intention of following through. You let Michael do as he pleased in the demon world. Then he got away under your watch,"

"I'm sorry," Clover smirked, "Weren't you and the sister also on the last mission? Or did I just imagine that part? Why am I the only one to blame? Oh, don't bother to answer. I already know. So now what? Have you interrogated Michael?"

"Not surprisingly, he isn't talking," Albaric huffed.

"Are you sure you're really trying?" Clover's eyes narrowed, "How hard is it to torture someone? I thought the Empire can do that much at least,"

"We don't torture people, Clover," Rena said stiffly.

"Well maybe you should," Clover dismissed, "I'll do it. Just bring me to him,"

"Calm down," Albaric cut in, "We have other ways to get Michael to talk," he added gravely.

Clover glanced at Albaric suspiciously, "Oh really?"

"It's how we caught him the first place," Albaric explained, "When he was imprisoned, Sister Rena formed a covenant with him,"

"A covenant?" Clover looked at Rena with a smile, "I thought sisters were forbidden from using that magic,"

"I received special dispensation from the Emperor beforehand," Rena answered.

"So now you have a spell that can compel him to do your will as long as you can lay eyes on him. I suppose it was your intention to use that all along if it hadn't been for Kali," Clover scoffed, "Out of interest what was the original contract?"

"We made a deal that he would not speak in court if I allowed him to speak with Albaric," Rena replied.

"But he hasn't broken the deal yet has he?" Clover said dubiously.

" The wording on the covenant is very specific. The other part of the deal was that the decision must be Albaric's choice," Rena said in a subdued voice, "By not waiting for Albaric's decision, he forfeited the contract,"

"How sneaky sister," Clover grinned.

"That's enough, Clover," Albaric interjected.

"No," Rena shook her head, "Clover is right. It is a very underhanded method. I was hoping to never have to enforce it but ..."

"The Emperor commanded you," Clover surmised. "So you're going to force Michael to speak?"

"He's left us no choice," Albaric folded his arms and shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, what's the problem?" Clover shrugged, "We'll get the answer from him. What are you waiting for?"

"There's something else," Albaric said quietly.

Clover stared at him with unusual hesitation.

"It's Ace," Albaric began.

Clover's eyes widened, "Wait, what happened to him? Michael didn't..."

"Ace is gone, Clover," Albaric said in a low voice, "We don't know where he is or what happened to him,"

Clover flew out of the bed, this time Albaric wasn't quick enough to stop them.

"What do you mean he's gone?!"

"When we got there," Albaric faltered, "Kali, Bird and Ace were gone. Only Michael was left and so far he hasn't told us what happened. He refused to speak a word."

"Then what are you waiting for?!" Clover exploded, "Why are we just sitting around here? What if they hurt him and he needs our help?!"

"Clover," Rena said softly, "did Ace want to give the Empire the necklace?"

Clover halted. Their expression became very still.

"I see," Clover said flatly, "you think he helped them, that he betrayed us?"

"It's a possibility," Albaric said somberly. "What did you mean when you said the demon world is not good for him?"

Clover smiled, "What do you think?"

"Clover!" Albaric lamented, "We're trying to help,"

"No, you're trying to pin blame," Clover replied sharply, "Well let me give you some assistance and point you in the right direction. There's a certain wizard in your dungeon who is much more deserving of your efforts. So don't waste any more of my time. Take me to him,"

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**The demon world**

It felt like days but it could have been hours. Ace couldn't tell. All he knew was that suddenly there was light. The warm glow of candlelight burned before him temporarily blinding him.

The next Ace knew he was being dragged out once more. The toothless grin of the black fairy disappearing behind him. The guards dragged Ace into the great hall and threw him at Varseille's feet.

"Feel like listening yet?"

Ace stared vacantly up at Varseille.

"Good." Varseille said," Then let's continue our conversation."

"What do you want?" Ace's croaked. His throat felt dry.

"Bring him some water," Varseille commanded.

A moment later, Ace received the water apprehensively. He glanced up at Varseille suspiciously.

"Drink," Varseille commanded. "What would I need to poison you for? I would have killed you the moment you first attacked me if that was the case,"

Ace brought the glass to his lips and drank. Varseille waited until he had finished to go on.

"Now that you've had time to calm yourself we can talk," Varseille declared.

"What do you and I have to talk about?" Ace stared down dismally.

He didn't know what to expect but since he was in the palace of coins, it could only be bad. Would he really die? Was this the fate Lucia had warned him of? He would rather have died in the desert than here under this burnt gold.

"You were one of the ones brought here by lord Terre Sol?" Varseille asked.

"Yes," Ace answered subdued. Why was he asking that? He must know already. Otherwise, why would he have been brought here? What was he planning? Ace glanced up. Varseille was unarmed. Of course, he was still a demon lord, he probably didn't need to carry a weapon.

Ace cast a sideward glance at the guards. They had swords. He didn't have any magic but he might be able to get a hold of one and then....

"So where is the necklace?"

Ace's eyes shot up, "What necklace?" he said, alarmed.

Varseille gave a laugh. "Do you know much about me?"

For a moment Ace was taken aback, "I know you came to the human world and..."

"I took some little trinkets from the Empire," Varseille tapped the golden throne, "but they are just trinkets in comparison to that necklace. I thought it was destroyed when lord Terre Sol died but you can imagine how surprised I was to learn that it was very much still intact,"

" I don't know what you're talking about," Ace said flatly.

Ace didn't know how Varseille had discovered it but It was better not to tell him anything now. The necklace was safe for the time being. No matter what Varseille was planning, Ace felt confident of that much.

"Don't lie to me, Ace," Varseille replied,

"I said I don't know," Ace replied more adamantly, "You send your men to drag me here then throw me in that place and demand some necklace. I said I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. Don't you think if I knew, I would just give it up? You obviously have the advantage. Why would I lie?"

"You'd be surprised at the things people would do for love," Varseille said in a low voice.

"Love..." Ace faltered. "I don't..."

"It's common knowledge you're a pet of the lord of the west," Varseille shrugged, "Lord Yashtara's people have been gossiping about it to anyone who'll listen. I was surprised to hear it. A human and a demon. It's exceedingly rare, but the rumours about lord Clover must be true. They all said that the child was born differently. They don't follow the rules. Letting the demon king die, they sound like a very interesting person,"

"Then perhaps you should talk to Clover instead of me," Ace returned, "What you've heard is an exaggeration. The lord of the west has no real interest in me,"

"Another lie," Varseille stated flatly, "I'm quite proficient in the art of detecting when others lie."

"Well maybe they did before, but not now. If you've brought me here trying to provoke Clover, you're wasting your time," Ace dismissed.

"On the contrary, as interesting as the lord of the west is, I'm far more interested in you," Varseille chuckled.

"Me?" Ace's brow furrowed. "I'm telling you I don't have the..."

"Don't waste your breath with another lie, Ace" Varseille interrupted, "I know you won't give me the necklace so easily. You must have gone to great lengths to keep hold of it. Humans would sell their own souls for love."

"You keep saying my name like we're friends," Ace said slowly. " I don't know what you've heard about me but it's a lie. What even makes you think I have this necklace that you keep talking about?"

" A mutual friend told me," Varseille remarked.

"What friend do we have in common?" Ace scoffed.

"Guess," Varseille answered with a laugh.

" I have no friends. " Ace replied bitterly. "I threw them all away."

"That's not true," Varseille stepped down from the throne. "I could be your friend,"

"And who are you?!" Ace spat, "Nothing but a demon in a mask,"

"Do you remember a child here called Sena?" Varseille watched Ace carefully.

Ace froze, "How do you..."

"So you do remember," Varseille went on, "that's good,"

Varseille took Ace's hand in theirs. Ace stared back at the strange masked figure in disbelief, "Who are you?"

"Sena was my younger brother. " Varseille held Ace's hand to his lip.

Ace pulled his hand away and stared at Varseille suspiciously.

"How can that be? Sena wasn't a demon!" Ace snapped.

"I came looking for him in the demon world some time ago but then I became a demon myself."

"Sena never told me he had a brother, "Ace said, still doubtful.

"Because he was angry at me for some things that happened before you all were taken."

"All taken...You know how we came to be in the demon world? "Ace asked.

"I do," Varseille said slowly, "and I'd be happy to tell you once we become better acquainted."

"I don't know what trick you're trying to play," Ace's eyes narrowed, "but I told you I don't know where the necklace is!"

Varseille placed a hand to Ace's chin and tilted it towards him, "there are other ways you can gain my trust,"

"Other ways?" Ace stared up confused, "how?"

" It's quite lonely being the demon lord. Demons don't make for good conversation if you take my meaning. You've been keeping the demon lord of the west company. Maybe you can do the same for me? "

Varseille gazed a finger over Ace's lips. He flinched, falling back. "Like I said I don't know what you've heard..."

"Am I not to your taste?" Varseille questioned. "You are very much to mine,"

"I don't even know what you look like! " Ace exclaimed exasperated, "You've had me locked up for days. Just cause you know some things about Sena, you think I would bend over backwards to do what you want?"

" So you need to see my face?" Varseille repeated, " That can be arranged,"

" Did you just hear anything I said?" Ace began to pull away. "I don't give a shit what you look like, I'm not interested in whatever this is,"

Varseille grabbed Ace's tightly by the shoulders.

" You're hurting me, " Ace stared down apprehensively.

" Does it hurt?" Varseille laughed, " I forget my strength sometimes,"

"Let me go!" Ace tried to yank his hand away.

" if I can't have the necklace, I'll just have you," Varseille leaned in. "Choose."

"I said I don't know where it is!" Ace exclaimed.

" Then you choose the latter, " Varseille stood up.

"No! I don't! "Ace responded viciously.

" we'll see."