Make a contract? He knew what I thought of contracts. Why would he tell me to make one?

But it was a good idea. If I could prove to those hunters, or whatever they were, that I was on a leash, maybe they would leave me alone.

But in order to do that, I had to wait for someone to summon a demon. It didn't happen very often, and only the most powerful get to go to the unspecific summonings. There was no way I would get one anytime soon. The only reason I had gotten my last one was because Sebastian made sure I did. It was my first and only contract, and it lasted way too long for my liking.

No, I wasn't going to let Sebastian boss me around anymore. I was 16. I know it isn't the age of a full adult, but I wasn't a child, and I could make my own decisions. And my first one was to NOT get into a contract.

But what if he didn't think I could do it? What if that was the reason he told me to make a contract? He knew I wasn't strong enough to get one on my own.

So that meant I had a choice to make: either refuse a contract and prove that he didn't control me, or prove I was strong enough to form one.

Either way, I had until the next summoning to make my decision, so I decided to keep my word to Sebastian and wander the corridor.

It wasn't a very exciting trip. All of the rooms were servants' quarters, meaning all they held were the bare necessities. I was positive the rest of the manor had to look a little better than this.

I let my curiosity get the better of me and peeked around the corner into the next hallway. There was nothing but more closed doors. I sighed in defeat. This place was so boring.

I went back into Sebastian's room and looked out the window. I could see the back garden, with beautiful white roses opening back up after the horrible thunderstorm last night. The lush green trees just beyond them were tall, blocking out all sunlight with their full branches. I really wanted to leave this stupid place. I still had hunting to do.

But then I saw it: a man standing at the base of the trees, watching the manor. He was pretty far away, but I was positive it was one of the men from last night.

I ducked away from the window, hoping they hadn't seen me. I had to tell Sebastian they were there. But I wasn't to leave the corridor. What was I supposed to do?

With no plan of action coming to mind, I sat on the bed and waited. I couldn't let this "young master" of his see me, but I also couldn't let the man out the window know about me, either. All I could do was sit and wait for Sebastian to return.

After about an hour of waiting, the door finally opened. I didn't say anything until the door had closed and he had turned to face me.

"Have you-" he began, but I cut him off.

"Sebastian."

He closed his mouth and took in my appearance. I was sat on his bed, my face contorted with worry, and I had begun to rock back and forth out of boredom.

"Yes?" he asked.

"One of them was out the window."

He didn't seem shocked. "One was out front as well. Finnian spotted them."

"Who?"

"Nevermind. We need to figure out what to do with you."

"Here's an idea," I said. "Let me leave and I'll flee London. I'll go hunt in India from now on."

He gave me a serious look. "This is no time for jokes, Luna. You are in danger."

"And, believe it or not, I can handle myself."

"You almost died last night!"

"But I didn't!"

Sebastian stopped himself from screaming something else at me and took a deep breath. "Luna, please. Neither of us want to argue right now."

"You're right. Will you please at least tell me if he is still out there?"

He gave me a small smile and walked over to the window. "By the trees?"

I nodded. He wasn't looking at me, but he seemed to understand anyway. "Yes. He is still there. How long has it been?"

"At least an hour."

"Humans sure are persistent, aren't they?"

I smiled a little. "There are so many people in this world. You wouldn't think they cared if a couple of them never came back."

Sebastian looked to me. "Luna, you are killing them. They have family, and they haven't consented to anything. They would feel the same as I if they killed you."

"But that's-"

"It's no different."

"Ugh! Why do you always have to be right?" I complained.

Sebastian only chuckled.

There was a brief moment of silence before I asked, "So what do we do with them?"

"Nothing."

"What?!"

"We do nothing."

"Why? Do you actually want them to come and kill me?"

"Of course not. But if I were to go out there, it would only draw them closer."

"What does that even mean?"

Sebastian sighed. "If I were to go out there and ask them to leave, they would only become more suspicious about you and the fact that you could be here."

I was at a loss. "Just tell them your master doesn't care for trespassers."

"But none of them are actually on the property."

I stood and risked another glance out the window. The man was now leaning against a tree trunk and smoking a cigarette.

"What if he causes a forest fire?" I joked as he threw it to the ground and stomped it out.

Sebastian didn't laugh.

I sighed and sat back on the bed. "I don't want to be trapped in your room forever, Sebastian. Please, get rid of them."

"You are not trapped, Luna. There are no windows in this hall."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

When he didn't say anything, I stood. "Well, if you won't get rid of them, I will."

This caught his attention. "Luna..." he said warningly.

"You aren't in charge of me, Sebastian. I'll do what I want. And I want to get rid of these losers."

"You cannot go out there, Luna. It's too dangerous for you."

"Well, you aren't going to do it for me. I would do it for you. You know that!"

"Yes, Luna. But there is a large difference between those scenarios that you aren't seeing."

"What?" I asked, enraged. "Our age difference? Our level of experience? Is it because I'm just a little girl to you?"

He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. It was as if he was trying not to lose his temper. When he spoke next, his words made me lose my resolve.

"I am the only one left to protect you."