I didn't remember falling asleep, but when I woke up, I was covered with my black blanket, and someone had turned off the TV.

I sat up and pushed the blanket away. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I saw my bandages and was reminded of the events of the day before. I sighed, knowing everyone would be all over me as soon as I showed my face. Sarah would be asking about my feet, Maia would be trying to get me to eat, and Thomas would probably just be standing there, blank faced and quiet as always.

Sebastian, on the other hand, could be anywhere. He was just so unpredictable. Why couldn't he just act like all the others? It would make everything so much easier.

I stood and quickly changed, hoping when I made it downstairs, I would have a few moments to prepare myself for the horde of servants all bombarding me with questions. Taking a deep breath, I left the room, making my way to the dining room.

As I entered the room, I glanced around, checking for any sign of life. Shockingly, there was no one around. I made my way further in, and still heard and saw no one. Curious, I made my way to the kitchen, where I expected to see Maia cooking breakfast.

Only she wasn't in there. I searched the house, suddenly concerned. I checked every hall and room, double checking the main rooms of the house many times. No one.

Now that I thought about it, it was kind of odd that no one had woken me. I guess I'd just assumed they were letting me rest, but now...

Panicking, I did the only thing I could think of to do.

Sebastian?

There was a moment of silence, and in that moment, I feared the worst. I decided to go check the main hall one last time, before giving up.

As I entered, I jumped in surprise. Then I immediately sighed in relief.

"Yes, My Lady?" my demon butler asked.

My eyes welling with tears, I ran to him. I clenched the fabric of his suit in my fists, trying to fight the tears. It was no use. I quietly sobbed as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

Sebastian, to my surprise, held me while I cried. He didn't question it, and I assumed it was because he knew what was going on. All of my servants, my friends, were missing, and I had no idea why.

"What happened to them?" I asked through my sobs.

Sebastian's reply was shockingly gentle. "A man arrived late last night, demanding to speak with you. Maia and Sarah tried to explain that you were sleeping, but he refused to take no for an answer. He pulled a gun on them, and told the entire staff to go with him or he would find you and kill you. Of course, no one objected."

"Why didn't you just take him out? Isn't it your job to protect me?"

He nodded. "And I always will. But I knew it would just be easier to follow his instructions. You commanded me a long time ago to not reveal myself to the others, and following him was the only way I could do that."

I understood. I found it very important that the other servants never find out that Sebastian was a demon. They would go crazy trying to figure out how to break the contract and keep me safe. Even though the only way I knew of for the contract to break was my death.

I clung to Sebastian. "What do we do now?"

His hold on me grew more protective, but he didn't say anything.

Then something else occurred to me. "How did you get out without him noticing? Or the others?"

Sebastian smiled at me. "My little secret."

I gave him a small smile, slightly loosening the death grip I had on his suit.

"We need a plan," he said, as if to answer my previous question.

What kind of plan would a demon have to come up with, exactly? Couldn't he just pop in, kill the man, and free my friends? I was confused, and he seemed to sense it, because he proceeded to explain.

"There are many guards posted everywhere around the building where he is holding everyone, included many on the lawn around the house, inside, and in the basement where he is keeping them. For me to get past them all, I am going to need a distraction. Someone to keep your servants occupied while I take out the others."

I pulled away from Sebastian's protective hold on me, suddenly determined to help in anyway I could. "Well then what do I do?"

He smiled at my confidence. "I hate to do this to you, but I need you to distract everyone. No one can be looking away from you, or they'll figure everything out."

I nodded. Having the attention of all of those guards be on me seemed dangerous, but I would do it to save my friends. They were the only family I had left, and I wasn't planning on losing them.

"So when do we leave?"

Sebastian sighed. "They've most likely discovered that I've escaped by now. They'll be expecting us to come soon." There was a pause while he debated what would be the best thing to do. "I believe we should wait for the day, maybe attack at nightfall. We should probably train you a bit more before making you fight everyone there."

"But Sebastian, we can't wait! They'll-"

"-be fine until nightfall," he finished for me. "He won't hurt them, Chrystal, I promise you that. What he really wants is you."

I gulped. "What does he want with me?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good. For now, you need training. But first," he made his way toward the kitchen, "I believe a bit of breakfast would help you focus."

"Sebastian, I can't eat. I'm too worried about everyone else."

"If you want to be able to help them, you need your strength. I'll prepare a quick meal. Wait in the dining room, would you?"

I sighed and nodded, then went and sat at the table in the dining room.

Why would someone do this? What did they want from me so badly that they would kidnap everyone I loved? I felt my eyes well up with tears once again. What if I couldn't do it? What if I never saw them again?

Sebastian was back a moment later carrying a tray of breakfast items, and the sight of it made me feel sick. I glanced down at my hands, trying to hold back the tears. I needed to be strong, or else I definitely couldn't save them.

It would all be so much easier to just make Sebastian go back on his promise; to order him to go rescue them no matter what he had to do, but that would cause the others to know he was a demon. They would eventually come to the conclusion that I had sold my soul, and they would stop at nothing to try to save me. But there was nothing they could do, and they would feel that it was there fault when I was gone. I didn't want that.

Sebastian set the tray before me. "I will go set up your training equipment."

I nodded, but never looked up. Sebastian seemed to linger for just a moment, but then left quickly. It must've been my imagination.

I glanced up at the food. Never in my life had I wanted a dog so badly.

I ate half of a plain pancake before I couldn't eat anymore. I took the rest of the food and threw it in the trash, hoping Sebastian wouldn't find it.

I slowly made my way to the small gym where my swords were kept. I couldn't get my mind off of everything. Where were they, exactly? Why hadn't Sebastian told me that? Was he afraid I would go off on my own to find them? He would've been able to track me down, anyway, so what was the point?

When I made it to the gym, Sebastian was standing there waiting for me. He handed me my swords. "Are you ready?"

I didn't reply. No, I wasn't ready. There was no way that I could be a big enough distraction for Sebastian to get in and save everyone. I'd die within the first few minutes. But I had to try, or I would never be able to live with myself.

Sebastian sighed when he didn't get an answer. "You need to focus, Chrystal, or you will slip up."

I didn't answer him. I moved to my spot, and he moved to his, not before giving me a very worried glance. I did my best to ignore it.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded, took my stance, and prepared to fight.

(This update is to celebrate getting 1500 followers! I love you guys so much. Thanks for reading!)