Before the Storm

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

She knew it was stupid to leave. She knew she was stupid for thinking it, but when Cassidy had brought her home, she knew it was a sign. Cass had literally brought her the one place she knew she shouldn't go to. The one place she had no clue how to get to! In a sick way Aly took it as fate.

The girl had settled in at her bosses home. Carter had been quiet but kind to her and Lilly had been adorable, to say the least. She was enjoying watching the baby play and she chased her around. By late afternoon, however, she found it hard to keep her eyes open, and when Lilly went down for a nap, Aly passed out.

By the time the girl woke it was already evening. Lilly had long since gone to bed and she found herself famished. She ate a small meal with Cassidy, not talking too much. Cass wasn't prying, which was nice. She was respecting Aly's space to consider the situation she was in. What he hell was she supposed to do? She knew Sebastian was in this building and expecting her to come back. She knew there were potentially consequences if she didn't return. She knew she actually wanted to return. She also knew it was severely wrong to return.

She was going to do it. She was going to go back.

Cassidy had been kind enough to give her some pajamas to borrow, and she said when she got back out she would return them. She waited late into the evening, until nearly two in the morning, before quietly getting up. Cassidy would surely be asleep by now. As quietly as she could she moved to the door, opened it slowly and then let herself out into the hallway. She took a long breath, her body tense with anticipation. Would he be furious? glad? She had no way of knowing but she found herself almost excited with the anticipation.

She snuck to the elevator and went up as high as she could, and when the door opened it was a strange feeling. She knew where she was. She knew exactly where she was. Aly gulped and stepped out with trepidation, moving anxiously to the door. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest.

when she came to the door she simply stared for a moment. Now or never, Aly.. She gulped and raised her fist, knocking.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

When his little prisoner said she wouldn't drink anything he gave her he picked up the cup and tipped it over the cage, dumping the brandy down onto her and sending the straw to the floor. He didn't care if she drank it but he wasn't going to let it just sit there. If she didn't want to drink it then the bitch was going to wear it!

"You look pretty ordinary to me too," Sebastian agreed with what Maxi said about being plain. She looked like a dull, wet doll. Definitely not something that he would ever consider taking as a pet or playing with. She was too petite looking and her head seemed too small for her body in his opinion.

He didn't know what it was but something about her voice was like listening to nails scratching a chalkboard. It seemed whiny even when she wasn't whining and that bothered him. He stuck his fingers into the cage and was about to start rattling it about when he a knock at the door. He glared in the direction of the sound and stood upright. He couldn't be here already! He thought to himself and picked up the bottle of brandy and brought it to his lips taking a long swig straight from the bottle before he placed it back down on the table next to the cage.

Pointing a threatening finger, he wiggled it at the wet little lamb, "not a peep." Sebastian cleared his throat and casually made his way towards the front door and opened it up just enough to get a look at who it was. If it were August he was sure the other gargoyle was going to get inside no matter what the cost. But when he cracked the door open he was caught off guard by who it was.

It was her. Alyson. He had to let her go off on her own at the mall since the sun was coming up, and a part of him had expected her to not come back. He assumed he'd have to go looking for her, which he planned on doing after he got done with this ring business. Only, she'd beat him to it by coming back, and the shock was evident on his face.

"You're back." He said but he didn't budge and kept the door only open enough so that he was still blocking the way in. Sebastian wanted to drag her inside but at the moment there was a situation in a cage on the coffee table and that probably wouldn't sit well with Alyson. And things had been going so well, he thought to himself and pressed the top of his head against the door still watching her.

"Your timing couldn't have been any worse." He grumbled lowly and brought a hand up to push through his hair. Should he just let her inside or tell her to come back the next night? But would she come back a second time? He didn't want to take that chance.

Gritting his teeth he slowly pushed the door open all the way to allow her to come inside. He had a feeling she wasn't going to like what she saw but this was important. He needed that damn ring!

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi gasped when Sebastian dumped the cup of brandy on her head. Her hands came to her head instinctively, wiping it out of her eyes. It burned! She did her best to glare at him, but the alcohol was making her eyes sting. "You look pretty ordinary to me too." Maxi hadn't felt so angry since she was a child. "FUCK YOU!" she screamed, infuriated. It wasn't the insult. She knew she was plain. It was the fact that he had just dumped a cup of brandy on her and there was nothing she could do about it. She ran her hands through her still tied back hair, now stinking of alcohol, and wiped her hands on the back of her pants so she could dry them and then get the brandy out of her face. It was humiliating. The brandy soaked her white tank top making her white bra clearly visible. This time she didn't cry though. She was getting the fuck out of that cage.

She started to kick at the door to the cage, making it rattle loudly. If she kicked it enough, maybe she could get it open. The pain in her bare feet made her eyes sting, but she needed to get out. Even over the sound of the cage rattling, she heard a knock at the door, though. She froze, her eyes wide and wild. Could it be...? "August?" she whispered. Sebastian took a swig of brandy and pointed at her with a threatening look, as if telling her to shut up. Yeah, right! If that was August, she was going to scream her head off. She glared at him as he went to the door, watching him.

The person he was talking to seemed to have surprised him, judging from his tone. Maxi did her best to see who it was, but he didn't open the door all the way and he was blocking her view. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears, she could barely process the words being said. "You're back. Your timing couldn't have been any worse." It wasn't August, that was clear. Her heart sank, but he opened the door to admit the person. When she saw who it was, her eyes got even wider. It was the Montgomery girl! The one whose case Becky was working on! Why was she here? "Help me!" she cried, her fingers lacing in the bars of her cage. "He kidnapped me! Please help!" She was frantic and she needed to get out of the cage. It didn't matter why she was there, it only mattered that she was there. "Please!" she begged, so desperate. It wasn't August, but maybe this woman could help her escape.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Aly jumped a little when he opened the door. Her cheeks flushed when she saw him and the surprise in his eyes. She bit her lower lip, tugging at her fingers anxiously. It was clear he didn't expect her there and part of her wondered if he wanted her there at all. This had clearly been a mistake.

"You're back." The door was only partially opened and she couldn't help but look at it wondering why he was standing there like that. What was he doing? Did he want her to go? He didn't seem thrilled at all to see her. Cassidy was right; she should have stayed put.

"Your timing couldn't have been any worse." He grumbled lowly and brought a hand up to push through his hair. Her face fell and she scowled a little, taking a step back. He wanted her to go. Obviously something was happening inside he didn't want her to witness, otherwise he would have pulled her in, praising her for returning which was what she had hoped for. She had hoped for another evening of banter and weird captor/victim sexual tension.

Finally, when she thought maybe she should turn and leave and never return, he opened the door, allowing her access. Her eyes were on his, nervous and unsure before slowly moved past him into his home, her eyes not leaving his until she passed him. The picture that greeted her, however, was not one she expected at all.

Alyson felt her heart sink low into her stomach. He had been so convinced she wasn't coming back he'd gone and captured someone else? Did he think she knew this woman? Was he planning on torturing and killing her because she hadn't been sitting on his doorstep come sundown? Or perhaps she was his new toy to play with. Maybe that morning had been his way of releasing her, assuming she wouldn't find her way back to him, and that she would have gone to the police like a sane person would have.

She should have.

"Help me! He kidnapped me! Please help!" Alyson blanched and flinched at the woman's yells. She was clearly distressed and soaking wet. What was he doing to her? "Please!" She jumped, turning an eye to Sebastian, clearly wanting to know what the hell she'd walked in on.

"What are you doing?" She accused, her voice laced with venom. "Are you insane!?" She glared at him and then shook her head. "Of course you're insane! But know who's REALLY insane? Me! For coming back!" It was evident she was pissed and she stormed to the cage, having every intention of letting that poor woman out. Clearly she had forgotten who wore the pants.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

As soon as Sebastian let Alyson inside all hell started to break loose. Maxi was screaming for help from Alyson and Alyson was screaming at Sebastian. What was this, a fucking circus? Why were women so.. loud? When Aly headed for the cage he knew exactly what she was going to do and he began to see red. His face contorted with rage and a low growl escaped his throat.

Sebastian didn't waste any time. The last thing he wanted was to have two crazy bitches running around in his home screaming and trying to escape. He came up behind Alyson and wrapped one arm around her midsection then threw her into the couch with hardly any effort. She weighed practically nothing! But he wasn't about to forget about his captured lamb! He kicked the cage and caused it to slide off the table and go onto its side on the floor. Let her roll around in that for a while.

The gargoyle forced himself down on top of Alyson next while she was on the couch. He was going to trap her between himself and the cushions while a hand moved up to her curly blond locks and made a fist, letting it wrap in his fingers tightly. "Relax!" He hissed at Alyson and glared down at her, the fire still burning in his eyes. "This isn't what it looks like." Although he was pretty sure it was exactly what it looked like.

He remained tense and on top of Alyson but slowly he began to calm down and it was evident in his expression. He was sure that the lamb wasn't going to stop her screaming anytime soon or stop using profanity. Let her. Alyson had come back.

When he trusted himself not to bite her head off he leaned down and planted a kiss against Aly's neck before he let go of her hair but still didn't budge off of her. "Are you going to behave or is it going to be a night of punishment?" He chanced a look over to Maxi to make sure she was still in her cage. He hoped she'd get banged up a bit.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"What are you doing? Are insane?! Of course you're insane! But know who's REALLY insane? Me! For coming back!"

Maxi was baffled by the whole exchange. Wait...all that time the police were looking for her...she was with Sebastian? And she came back? She wasn't so sure about this one, but the woman seemed genuinely furious at Maxi's treatment. Maxi started to smile as the woman came to release her from the cage, her heart racing. Freedom!

But Sebastian took that away. He threw Alyson into the couch, which made Maxi gasp. Then he turned to Maxi and kicked her cage off the coffee table. Her fingers gripped harder to the sides, crying out, and she screamed with pain when it landed on the ground. The cage and her body landed right on her fingers wrapped through the thin bars of the cage. It took her a long moment to force herself to ram against the side of the cage and roll it over. As the pressure came off her fingers, warmth flooded through them, and she clutched her hand desperately in pain. They weren't broken, thank goodness, but it was hard to bend them. She knelt in the cage, gasping for air to relieve the pain.

When she looked up again, she saw Sebastian on top of Alyson on the couch, kissing her neck. She wanted to gag and made a semi disgusted face. How could Alyson stand his lips to touch her? "Are you going to behave, or is this going to be a night of punishment?" Maxi glared at him, turning away to look at the door to her cage. It was ajar. Not much, not noticeably to Sebastian hopefully, but it was being held open by the catch resting on the bars. Her heart leaped. One last uncertain look to the couple on the couch, and she was satisfied she could make a run for it.

Quickly, she sprung through the door of the cage, ignoring the searing pain in her fingers. She couldn't hear anything but the pounding of her heart in her ears. As she crawled out of the cage, she got her bare feet below her as soon as she could. Why did his apartment look so much like August's in layout? Regardless, she could see the door. She didn't even have the presence of mind to blur. She just bolted for it, stumbling as she got her footing. Her eyes were wild, reaching for the door handle. All she had to do was reach it.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Before she could get to the cage, Alyson felt Sebastian's swift arm around her, throwing her to the couch. Before she knew what was happening, the loud bang of the cage and the scream that followed had made her jump and then Sebastian was on her, trapping her to the couch with his body weight and his hands gripped tightly in her hair. She didn't say anything but struggled furiously beneath him, squirming as her teeth grit and her eyes slit, glaring up at him.

"Relax!" He hissed and the girl huffed at him. "Get off!" She growled, squirming harder beneath him, not caring that she pissed him off, but her movements were making her arm ache so she settled a little, at least on that side. "This isn't what it looks like."

"Oh?" She snapped, obviously pissed. "I don't care what it..." His lips were on her neck and she sucked in a sharp breath, the slight bucking she was doing ceasing. She swallowed hard, her body tensing slightly as her cheeks turned crimson. She wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time. This was why she returned.

"Are you going to behave or is it going to be a night of punishment?" Her eyes were defiant but she'd witnessed punishments before and they weren't fun. It was easiest to do things his way, but she didn't want to! "You're an ass." She said in defeat, her brows low over her hazel eyes as they pierced his storming gray ones. Who was the girl and why was she caged? How was this not what it looked like?

Before she could ask, the cage clanged and the girl was darting towards the door for dear life. Fear and pity struck Aly, wanting to call out for her not to do that, it would only upset him. She knew what was going to happen before she felt Sebastian move. He would pursue her and probably hurt her more than he had. "Don't!" She begged. "Don't hurt her!" She knew he probably wouldn't listen, but maybe... maybe he would. "Sebastian, please! I'll behave!" She used herself as a bargaining chip for the girl. Maybe she could distract him long enough for her to get away?

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Playing detective could be fun outside the bedroom just as it was in. Not that she'd played detective in either way since Lilly was born but Cassidy still knew a thing or two! She hadn't been able to sleep, knowing that Alyson was in their home and had said she wanted to go back to the monster who kidnapped her. Cass didn't want to let that happen and she'd sat up in bed, listening for any sort of movement in the other room. In fact, she had even put Lilly in the bassinet in hers and Carter's room that night and left the baby monitor out where Alyson was sleeping (well hidden of course) that way she would hear if anything happened. And her reasoning was simple; Cassidy had to look out for Alyson.

It had to be between 2 and 3 in the morning when she heard a bit of shuffling around on the baby monitor, the little red lights flashing to different decibels of sound. That's when she knew it was time to put her detective cap on!

She'd been cautious, following Alyson but staying far behind. Everyone else in the building were likely in bed asleep at this hour and there weren't many places to hide. So she waited by her door and watched as Alyson got into the elevator. Then she followed her going up. Why was she going up?!

When Cassidy finally found what floor Alyson had gone to she just caught a glimpse of her going inside of one of the condos. She was out of breath from taking the stairwell and made a mental note to start scheduling in spin classes again.

The girl waited, wanting to see if Aly was going to be coming back out but after what seemed like forever (when in fact it was probably only two minutes) Cassidy stormed up to the door and was about to bang on it but she could hear Aly shouting. She couldn't hear what it was and didn't wait to find out. Cass tried the handle and since it was unlocked she flung the door open and almost collided with someone who was standing right there AT the door!

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

"You're an ass."

He couldn't keep the smile from forming on his lips and the sly glimmer in his eye, "but you obviously like it or you wouldn't have come back," he told her in a flirty voice. His mood seemed to be going up and down like a roller coaster.

Sebastian caught sight of Maxi from the corner of his eye heading for the door and like a rabid dog he was ready to attack again. His foot dug between two of the couch cushions and he used it to push him off of Alyson and to scramble to his feet. The gargoyle barreled after the blurr but before he could get to her the door was opened by someone else! The girl looked familiar but he couldn't pinpoint where from but it didn't matter in that instant, and with her standing in the doorway he knew this would work to his advantage since it would slow the runaway lamb down.

He grabbed Maxi around the back of the neck and used his other hand to grab the other girl by the arm and pull her inside. This was getting out of hand! Kicking the door shut with his foot he kept a firm hold of the back of Maxi's neck before he gave her a shove towards the ground.

The gargoyle turned to the brunette who he'd managed to pull inside and was currently leaning against the wall. He looked at her and then over to Alyson, who had been screaming and pleading for him not to hurt the redheaded girl. It clicked how he knew her! She had been at the store the night that he took Alyson. But she looked gazed and confused for the moment and at the moment she was none of his concern.

His concern was Maxi and he took a step toward her and brought his arm around his chest, winding it up before he sent it down into a sharp backhand across his little lamb's face. "You don't run away." He snarled at her and that gleam of fire was back in his eyes making them look icy and made of stone. "You be a good girl and get back in that cage before I put you in there in pieces." Oh how his tone matched those cold eyes.

Sebastian's thoughts went back to Alyson and although he couldn't give her his full attention the way that he wanted to, he could still talk to her. She was going to be angry with him if he hurt anyone but he had his reasons, "I need her boyfriend to get something for me and to make sure he takes it seriously I took the liberty of holding onto his little pet," he explained loud enough for Alyson to hear.

"And as long as she does as I say then I won't hurt her. Just like I wouldn't hurt you when I listen, isn't that right?" His eyes turned to Alyson to reassure this redheaded bitch. Alyson wanted to help her? Then she would have to convince Maxi to stop freaking out and trying to get away. Maybe his own pet had a use in this situation after all.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

As Maxi reached the door, her hand almost on the handle, it opened and she was forced to stop before she barreled into the person opening the door. Her wide, shocked eyes got just enough of a glimpse to see it was a woman, just as surprised to see her, before she felt a hand grab the back of her neck. No. She was caught again. She heard the door slam, her chance at freedom, and despair ripped through her. Sebastian shoved her to the ground, making her fall on her face before she flipped over to get a look at him. For a short time she had forgotten the pain in her hand but now it was throbbing painfully. She stared up at Sebastian kneeling over her with fear and anger in her big, blue eyes.

His hand came across his chest and then firmly across her face. Her cheek seared with pain, her head whipping to the side with the force of the blow. It took a moment for her to bring her eyes back to his, stars fluttering in her vision. She tasted blood on her tongue. "You don't run away." Maxi felt a rush of fear initially at the fire in his icy eyes. "You be a good girl and get back in that cage before I put you in there in pieces." The anger flared back in her and she just laid there, defiant, glaring at him. She wasn't getting back in that cage.

He explained his reasons to Alyson, but she wouldn't look at Alyson for a reaction. Her eyes were glued to him. Briefly she looked to the woman leaning near the door, the one who had blocked her escape, but she quickly looked back to Sebastian. She wanted to see his next movement. "And as long as she does as I say then I won't hurt her. Just like I wouldn't hurt you when you listen, isn't that right?" His eyes were on Alyson, some meaning hidden there, but she didn't care. All she saw was her blind fury. Who cared about the pain? She wanted him to know just how pissed she was. She didn't want to go down without a fight.

As her eyes glared at him, she collected the spit in her mouth and flung it full force into Sebastian's face. She wasn't afraid. Perhaps she should have been, but she wasn't anymore. She was done being afraid in this moment. Her saliva was streaked with blood on his face and she watched it slide down his cheek with intense satisfaction. "Fuck you," she spat, her body tensing for his next move. At least August could say she put up a fight.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Everything happened so quickly! Before she knew what was going on Sebastian had flown off the couch after his new captive and right before she was able to flee the door opened, producing none other than the woman who had taken her in. Blood drained from her face and her jaw dropped as she stared at Cassidy. What was she doing there? Why had she followed her? Had she not heard her yesterday when had said he'd wanted to take her instead? She was beyond mortified and though her face was pale, her cheeks flushed pink, giving her an odd sort of look. She bowed her head, wanting to cry. This was all shaping up so terribly!

Sebastian pulled his hand back and whipped it across the redheads face and she gasped loudly, watching in horror. Cassidy needed to get out of here! They ALL did! Why had she come back? She wished she'd listened to Cass earlier, but she realized she had a great opportunity to save the girl that was on the ground.

"You don't run away. You be a good girl and get back in that cage before I put you in there in pieces." He was using her as an example now, explaining he wouldn't hurt her as much if she listened and Aly sat there blushing harder. Yes. She'd been the obedient little "pet", hadn't she. She behaved after the first couple nights and when he had freed her she had even come back like a dog. She felt like a fool, and despite his underlying threats and terribly cold eyes, she felt defiant. Maybe it was because Cass was there or because deep down she knew he wouldn't kill her, or even quite possibly because she was raging with jealousy, but she felt braver than she should. She wasn't going to help Sebastian make her behave, and she wasn't going to stand for any further abuse, so when the girl uttered a low, defiant "Fuck you," she knew she had to step in.

In a moment she had flung herself from the couch and dived in front of the redhead, blocking her from another blow as her hazel eyes moved, searching Sebastian's. She didn't care what reasons he had for having her there, there was no reason for this sort of treatment and he knew it.

"I'm not listening now and you won't hurt me." Her voice wavered slightly because deep down she was uncertain if he would hurt her or not. "You're not like this! ...At least you weren't last night." Her voice lowered with the second half of her statement. He'd been funny and kind last night, nothing like he was now. "Keeping someone against their will and beating them up unnecessarily are two different things. At least it was that way with me. I came back so you could trust me to, so you wouldn't hurt my friends and family." Her eyes flashed briefly to Cassidy and then back to Sebastian. "Don't do this." She pleaded with him. "Don't make me regret not going to the cops instead." She knew as well as he that the cops would have been useless. It would have turned into a massacre, but that didn't need to be said. the point was clear; she came back. She was there. And he needed to not make her not regret this decision.

[PRESTINE DAVENPORT]

Sebastian was making quite a racket out there in the living room. It was getting hard to concentrate on the task at hand, which involved Kitten whimpering like a little girl. Of course, there was little else he could do with the ball gag in his mouth and her fist clenched around his testicles. She loves making him sing! It brought a deep joy to her, but her brother was ruining EVERYTHING with his stupid little bitch! Why did he have her in the living room anyway? Maybe he'd finally fucked her... gave in and just tore her to pieces. Oohh.. now that would deserve a congratulations. That blond had been a tough not to crack, one she had been saying for days he should take by force, but he refused. Maybe he finally wisened up a bit and taken her advice! That would be a novel idea. That little cunt needed to learn a thing or two about respecting her owner.

"Sebastian, as pleased as I am with your conquests, you're disturb...." She couldn't help but stop at the sight. Oh, now this was a delicious turn.

"Oh, Sebastian.." There was amusement in her tone and she chuckled, sliding her hands on her hips. She peaked at each girl in turn and then shook her head, grinning like a moron. "I had a perfectly good woman to bring home for you! Honestly, you need three?" She noted the different shades of hair and giggled now. "One of every flavor! How fun! And a little kinky for you." She said girlishly, clapping her hands together.

Suddenly she sucked in a sharp breath of excitement. "Let me dress them!" She insisted, not realizing the strange situation at hand. It was as if seeing three women kneeling and a cage on its side didn't send some sort of signal to her brain that something was wrong. Quite the contrary, actually. She saw those things and thought "FUN! Let's enjoy this!"

"I have the perfect outfits! But you have to let me watch until you're ready to fuck them, because quite frankly I have no desire to see you stick your prick in anything, but I would love to watch them dance for you! Please?" She begged, jumping up and down. "OH! An orgy! You have to let me borrow one when you're through. But wash her first, because I don't need your nastiness inside her. Maybe I'll let kitten watch! He'd love to see a couple girls go at it!" She looked at the brunette who was closest to her. "Oh, we can have so much fun!" She gushed to the girl, clearly expecting her to agree as she made her way closer to the door, sliding the lock, bolt and chain lock shut. "No need for anyone to end the party too early.." She explained knowing sometimes things got out of hand and the little humans liked making a dash for it. Honestly, they were like dogs sometimes. If you didn't collar them and put them on a leash, POOF! They would just vanish! Silly little beasts.

"I think I like your brunette best. She's got the nicest tits."

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Cassidy didn't know what was happening! One minute she was opening the door to some stranger's condo, practically colliding with a little redheaded woman when a man came rushing for the girl and pulled Cassidy inside. She ended up hitting a wall to stop herself from falling and had both hands pressed against it to steady herself so she could get a grip and figure out what the hell was going on.

She listened to the the man and the girl spatting back and forth before the girl spit in his face. Her own eyes were wide with surprise and fear and almost forgot what she had come here for when Alyson came into view and stepped between the two people. "I'm not listening now and you won't hurt me." She heard Aly say to the man and her brain started to work again as she realized that this was Alyson's kidnapper!

"Keeping someone against their will and beating them up unnecessarily are two different things. At least it was that way with me. I came back so you could trust me to, so you wouldn't hurt my friends and family." It became clear why Alyson had to come back now. She was trying to protect her loved ones. But it still seemed foolish and reckless! She should have gone to the cops instead!

"What the hell is going on here?" Cassidy finally found her voice and spoke up in her smokey tone. She wanted to grab Aly and run but then the other girl was clearly being held here against her will also. Did he just go around collecting young women?! What kind of sick freak was this?

And being Cassidy she quickly moved to the redheaded girl's side and wrapped her arms around her. She didn't know this girl but she had a feeling that if this guy was as crazy as she was assuming he was then she might need a friend right now. And sticking together they'd be stronger than standing on opposite sides of the room. "Are you okay?" Cass asked the girl gently and tried to get her a once over with her eyes to make sure she wasn't too badly injured. She couldn't believe this monster had smacked this poor girl the way that he did!

Then what seemed to be out of nowhere, another girl appeared. Only this one was different. She talked and acted as if she lived here and that this was all just one big game. Her and the man also had the same eyes.. cold eyes that were so bright and seemed hauntingly beautiful. After briefly listening to her talk about 'dressing' them and orgies.. Cassidy felt a sick feeling growing deep down in the pit of her stomach and made a sour face. Was this what they did, stole women and raped them?

"I think I like your brunette best. She's got the nicest tits."

Cassidy turned away from the girl a bit as if to try and keep her chest out of the woman's view. Was this woman actually looking at her?! "Don't even think about touching me!" She shot at the freak who she was positive was this guy's sister and tried to keep as close to the redhead as she could.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Things took such a fast twist that even Sebastian was trying to figure out what was going on. Maxi gave her 'fuck you' again showing how extensive her vocabulary was right after spitting in his face. He was going into such a fit of rage that he couldn't even lift his hand to wipe away at his face. He was going to lose this ring not because August was going to take this little tart off his hands, oh no. He was going to lose his bargaining chip because he was going to kill this bitch. Just as his hand was balling into a tight fist and he was about to give her a taste of her own medicine he had to stop himself. Alyson butted in again and wedged herself between him and the blurr.

"I'm not listening now and you won't hurt me." "Won't I?" He growled at just about a hoarse whisper so it was just her that heard him, "move." "You're not like this! ...At least you weren't last night."

Sebastian decided for the moment he would relax his hand back down at his side and listened to what Alyson had to say. Why was he so compliant with her?! "Keeping someone against their will and beating them up unnecessarily are two different things. At least it was that way with me. I came back so you could trust me to, so you wouldn't hurt my friends and family." Alyson continued to try and persuade him not to torture Maxi but her next choice in words really was the last thing he was going to listen to from her.

"Don't make me regret not going to the cops instead."

His nostrils flared and he was ready to push Aly to the side and go to down beating on Maxi until there was yet another fucking interruption! "Sebastian, as pleased as I am with your conquests, you're disturb...." Great, he thought to himself, now her too, things were getting out of hand. He had one girl and now it tripled and now his sister was going to give her two cents on the situation which she'd have the wrong idea.

"Oh, Sebastian.." Here it comes, "I had a perfectly good woman to bring home for you! Honestly, you need three?" He gave his sister his best go back to your room look but she wasn't going to listen even if she did know what that look was for. "One of every flavor! How fun! And a little kinky for you."

The more Prestine spoke about the girls, wanting to dress them up like they were her little porcelain dolls, watching them dance around before he was able to take them in the dirtiest of ways he could possibly think he couldn't help but get aroused by the very thought. The girls weren't ugly at all. Even plain Jane had nice eyes and a lean figure which would be good enough for him to be able to get off.

"Oh, we can have so much fun!" When Prestine moved to lock the door the clicking of the deadbolt turning into position was enough to snap him out of his little sexual fantasy. "Prestine.." He said trying to get her to shut up long enough for him to get a word in, but she wasn't done yet.

"I think I like your brunette best. She's got the nicest tits." "Don't even think about touching me!" The brunette spat back. "ENOUGH!" He said over her little chittering and grabbed hold of Alyson by the arm as if it was his own way of saying that she was off limits because she was his. "You can take the redhead and the brunette and play dress up. You have five minutes and be careful of that one," he'd been talking to Prestine but his eyes were fixated on Maxi, "she belongs to August. Do you remember what I told you or were you too busy riding your mule?" Sebastian hated the pets that Prestine took in and she fell in love with them! It was disgusting. But he'd told his sister all about the ring that he'd heard about and how when they had it he'd be willing to share it with her as long as she swore not to try and push him off the balcony during the day.

"This one and I need to have a little chat," His eyes panned over to Alyson and narrowed as if he were about to give her a good scolding with his look alone. But it was only for a brief moment since he looked at the other two girls. One wasn't even suppose to be there and he knew it was someone that Alyson knew. He couldn't go back on his word to Alyson. He'd given her his word not to hurt anyone as long as she behaved, and although she was disobeying him at the moment by getting in the middle of a situation she shouldn't be, she did come back. "Don't hurt a hair on the brunette though. I mean it, Prestine. Not one single hair."

He began to tug on Alyson's arm so he could guide her out of there but his eyes lingered on the other three. That orgy would have been something. Hell, if August probably didn't want to tear him in half he'd even suggest that the other gargoyle join. But that wasn't going to happen. When he was sure that Prestine would be able to handle the other two girls he dragged Alyson to their bedroom.

All of the shopping bags that they had loaded from their trip to the mall were up against the wall near the piano and some even on top of the piano. The bench and other larger items that they'd bought hadn't been delivered yet. But all her clothes, her books, everything were still bagged and there for her to sort through. He gave them half a glance before he pulled her over to the bed and pushed her down onto it so he could stand there and tower over her. He enjoyed it when she had to look up at him. "Your friend followed you," he stated and although he was still angry with her he let out a sigh and even eased up a bit.

"Someone might have information on a certain item that I need, and he's not willing to get that information for me without a little persuasion. She," he tipped his head in the direction of the living room referring to Maxi, "is the persuasion. Now," The gargoyle took a step closer to her and just like he had the night before at the mall he grabbed the girl's knees and spread them apart so he could stand there between her legs and close the distance between them, "I'm very happy that you came back. But if this gets bad I want you to stay out of the way." He stroked the side of her face with his hand, "I wouldn't want to even think about what I would do if someone laid a hand on you," if Alyson was put into any sort of danger because of this he'd lose it.

His eyes and expression softened a bit as he cupped the girl's face in his hands and leaned down to plant a little peck on her forehead. "Don't ruin this for me."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Everything happened in such a blur. Sebastian raised his fist and Maxi could see how furious he was. Good. She wanted him furious. She didn't even care how badly he hurt her, she just wanted to get him good and pissed off. It was so unlike Maxi. Then again, the whole situation was odd. Just as she was preparing herself for Sebastian's fist, Alyson had flung herself between him and Maxi. The redhead had completely forgotten she was even there. Her heart swelled with gratefulness, though, as Alyson pleaded for her safety. Even if Sebastian simply flung her aside and maimed Maxi anyway, at least she would have tried. It was so kind and risky, but she could see the way Sebastian was calming. Perhaps he genuinely cared for Alyson. Beauty and the Beast flashed through her mind as she watched them.

When a lull came in Alyson's pleading, Maxi heard the other woman speak, and she turned her eyes to her. She was lovely and evidently friends with Alyson. The woman demanded to know what was going on and then moved to Maxi's side. Maxi sat up at last to meet her, her big blue eyes startled by her helpfulness. What startled her even more was the woman's arms coming around her protectively. Maxi was sincerely touched. How could she thank these women for putting themselves in danger to help her? "Are you okay?" the woman asked in her smokey voice. Maxi gave a small smile and nodded. She noted how very matronly the woman acted and thought perhaps she was a mom. It made Maxi feel safer to have two protectors. Then again, she had brought that fury down on herself. She couldn't let them get involved and potentially hurt because she refused to cooperate with Sebastian.

Just as she was going to nudge the brunette away, yet another woman came into the room. This one though...she looked a lot like Sebastian. Maxi's brow furrowed as she grabbed the other woman's arm protectively. Who was that lady with the icy gray eyes? "Oh, Sebastian...I had a perfectly good woman to bring home for you! Honestly, you need three?" Just the thought of what this woman was implying made Maxi's skin crawl. She wasn't going to be anyone's sexual plaything outside of August. He was more than enough for her and she wanted nothing that either Sebastian or this dark-haired beauty had to offer. It hadn't occurred to her that Sebastian was capable of forcing himself on her. That brought the fear back. "One of every flavor! How fun!" Maxi's lip curled a little. This woman was psycho. No doubt, this was Sebastian's sister. She had to be.

Then this crazy woman started talking about dressing them up. Dressing them up?! Like they were dolls! Did all Gargoyles prefer to see others as nothing but objects? When she first met August, he had wanted to see her that way. Thankfully that changed, but it didn't seem that way with these two. Sebastian and his sister seemed to genuinely think all they were was objects. She moved to bolt the door, making Maxi's muscles tense at the thought of being trapped again. "Prestine," she heard Sebastian say, bringing her gaze back to him. That must have been the woman's name. If it was, she didn't seem to hear. She was still blathering on about orgies and borrowing one of them, which made Maxi's skin crawl more. What the fuck was wrong with these two?!

Prestine continued, the woman holding her snapped, and then Sebastian snapped. "ENOUGH!" Maxi felt a smile fighting at the corners of her mouth. August liked to keep control on a situation too, and where she feared his anger at losing that control, she relished in Sebastian's loss. Good. Let them take away the control that he had taken from her. "You can take the redhead and the brunette and play dress up. You have five minutes and be careful of that one." Maxi's eyes glared back at Sebastian as he looked at her, waiting to hear what he had to say about her. "She belongs to August. Do you remember what I told you or were you too busy riding your mule?" At least Maxi couldn't be killed or even badly maimed. Sebastian lost his bargaining chip then. Anything else, she could handle. She was fighting Sebastian and Prestine at every chance she got.

But when Sebastian turned back to Alyson, saying they needed a chat in a threatening tone, Maxi felt afraid for her. She wanted to protect Alyson like Alyson had protected her. Her hand reached out to her, wanting to put her arms around her and form a chain of women that weren't going to follow orders. But Sebastian tugged her away too soon and Maxi was left wrapping her arms around the other woman. "Don't hurt a hair on the brunette though. I mean it, Prestine. Not one single hair." Where did that leave Maxi? It made her swallow hard as she kept the other woman close, watching Prestine warily. What would she do to her?

She turned to watch Alyson being dragged from the room, hoping she would be okay, but unable to do anything to help her. She couldn't overpower Sebastian, that much she knew. She had constantly been reminded of that this evening. She probably couldn't overpower Prestine, either, but she wasn't sure that Prestine would hurt her. She had gotten a feel for Sebastian over the last couple hours. There was very little she knew of Prestine besides the fact that she was psychotic and saw Maxi, Alyson and the woman who had followed her as dolls. Maxi didn't want to play dress up. She wanted to get back to August. What was the best way to do that?