Iblis tried not to huff when she felt the need to clarify that she had no loyalty to him. Even better, a woman with morals. Normally, he would accompany a statement like that with an eye roll. He was relieved when she caught up some, and he wasn't wasting his energy dragging her along. He felt them accelerate slightly and one side of him wasn't more tired than the other from pulling her along.

"Oops," was the only sound he wasted air on when she cautioned him about the safety. Good to know. Perhaps she was willing to fire the gun and he underestimated her. He stared at the ground with his brow furrowed. Oops? He was the King of Hell. Oops was not a word he should ever be using. It could completely ruin his image. The devils and demons would never let him live it down, and he wasn't sure if the angels would take him as seriously either, not that he minded their thoughts about him.

He was about to snap at her that asking those questions at this moment was very stupid. They had more pressing matters to worry about, but then he remembered that humans liked to rationalize their decisions. They wanted to feel good about themselves. Besides, she had gone out of her way. It was understandable if she wanted to know if it was worth it. The short answer was she should have kept moving. Iblis refused to feel grateful, but it was a hard thing. He told himself he was only thankful for the timing and not for the person. He realized he still hadn't responded to her, so he waved his other hand with the gun to silence her. He might explain himself later, but he certainly wasn't doing it now. "Save your breath, please. You wouldn't want to fall behind." He wasn't planning on returning the favor to assist her. The angels wouldn't hurt her. He didn't have to worry although she would probably see it as the ultimate betrayal. Then, he remembered he needed to use her car as the getaway car. She actually had a use, so he couldn't abandon her. Iblis couldn't afford any hesitation in using the gun. By then it could be too late.

Her scoffing way of command shut him up. He was not screaming like a girl. He made sure to get himself inside securely. There was no logical reason for her to wait and make sure he was inside. He even took a moment to buckle himself in. From his panicked screaming, he doubted she would be driving as safe as she normally did. Besides, he didn't know what those angels would try to do. He felt a little safer when she started driving speedily away. Perhaps they would manage to escape.

"By the way, I was not screaming like a little girl." He huffed. He was not one for telling the truth, and he didn't think she would believe him if he did. "Okay, so you're not going to believe me, but those men don't like me because of what I go around doing. I go around being a pain like when you saw me insulting people." He didn't mention that he was going around trying to corrupt people or tempting them to do bad things. "I've done lots of things. I can't keep track of it. But um...they would like to stop me from doing anything ever again. I guess....I guess I should say...I should say." He gulped. His Adam's apple bobbed. He could feel his throat. "I guess I should say thank you for helping me. You were quite something. Although I don't think they would have hurt you, you can never be too sure."

There was a long silence on Iblis' side. He hated to admit that he had needed her help. No one else had been willing to do it. It was more impressive after he had been a complete jerk with her. He broke it when he realized he had nowhere where they were going. "Do you have a safe place in mind? I should really be going." He looked up at the sky and was disappointed that he couldn't see what phase of the moon it was. After such a dangerous escapade, it was time for him to return home. He had some demons to tell off for abandoning him and some safety and comfort to find. "I hope you were able to get all of your grocery shopping done."

Oops.

That was it? That was all he said. Oops? Rylee resists the urge to sigh as she runs. Whoever this man was, he was an oddball. And clearly he had done something to piss off those other men. But had he pissed them off enough to the point they would come back? And would they come after her next? Especially if they thought she was working with him? This time she couldn't help the sigh that slipped from her lips. She probably just got herself into something that would most likely cost her life. Did this man deal with the mafia? Was that what is was? Did she just help a man escape from a mafia and become a part of their hit list?

Rylee spares a half annoyed glance towards him. Fall behind? She may be no track star, but she was decently fast on her feet and was keeping up well. Rylee focuses back forward so she doesn't run into anything. Her lips thin in both determination and annoyance. This was the reason she preferred to stay quiet and to herself. People were too... annoying? Cruel? Much? Yeah. People were too much. The social interactions. People who were always so cheery. Or in this guy's case, people who were too rude and only wanted to insult people. No matter what the person had done. Hell, that was exactly what he had been doing. Going around and insulting people for no reason.

She wasn't driving like a maniac, but she was driving faster then usual. She'd wanted to be a race car driver once, when she was younger. So she'd studied and looked at all things about cars. So she was doing pretty good at weaving in between cars and not hitting any. Her grey eyes flicker to the man briefly, skeptical. "You sure?" He had definitely sounded like a little girl when he had screamed at her to open the door and hurry up. Which again, made her wish she'd just left him behind. He did seem to have been pretty fine on his own... Outnumbered yes... But, surely he would have been fine. It didn't seem like he was a helpless man.

Rylee stays quiet as the man starts speaking. "Oh really?" The sarcasm in her voice was heavy. "Who would love to have someone go about and be a pain in the ass and insult people?" Her eyes flash briefly, though the sarcasm in her voice lightens slightly,"I don't know where you come from. But here in Soho, London, we don't go around being massive pain in the asses and insulting people." She grows quiet again, sure the people could be rude and annoying. But that was just the way of life. But, she definitely never met anyone who solely liked to pick on people for no reason... Well, until she met the man who was now in her car.

Rylee had to keep her expression neutral. The man who had been walking around insulting people for no reason just said thank you? Rylee answers,"You're welcome." She glances sideways briefly, hurt her? The look on those men's face, well... She didn't doubt that they would have hurt her. She wasn't sure why. But... Like he just said, you can never be too sure. "Do I need to drop you off somewhere?" She glances at the clock, she needed to get home soon. Maverick would be wondering where she was, and no doubt would be hungry and needing to go outside. She also wasn't sure if her cold items would still be cold.

Rylee notes the long silence, and she was fine with that. She didn't have anything to say. At this point of time, she didn't really want to know what had just happened. It was like that saying her mother always use to tell her. What you don't know, doesn't hurt you. Or, don't ask questions you don't want to know. By now, Rylee had slowed down back to normal and calm driving. "Yes. I have somewhere to go." Home. To the quiet and calm of home, so she could relax with her dog and, hopefully, forget everything that had just happened. But she doubted she would forget. "Yes. I got everything." She answers quietly. Her gaze fixed on the road. She just hoped nothing had gotten ruined.

Suddenly Rylee pulls over on the side of the road. She throws the car in park and gets out. She expected the man would follow a few seconds later. She stares off the side. Why did she pull over? Why not make him get out and give her her gun back. She mutters,"What in the world is happening." She turns, about ready to demand that he give her gun back. That he give her gun back and start walking. The next town wasn't that far away, and he could probably even hitch a ride with someone. Her mother had taught her never to talk to strangers, and yet here she was with a stranger. She states, this time louder, the car door still wide open. "Give me my gun... Please. And start walking." She gestures towards the next town,"Next town is but three miles away. You can make it, and you could probably even hitch a ride."

What was she doing? She had no idea. "Erm, now that I have helped you escape from... Whatever you were running from. I no longer want you in my car. So, uh, start walking." Was it a smart idea to demand he start walking while he still had her gun? Probably not, but she was starting to actually freak out and panic now.

"You have no idea what the power of being a pain is." He shrugged. "It works." He didn't think he should say more on the subject.

"When were you even able to load your groceries in the car?" He hadn't seen where she had come from when she had come to his rescue. She had been very brave, maybe even better described as foolhardy.

"If you could drop me off near a bus stop that would be great or some other mode of transportation." He sighed when he realized she was going to choose the side of the road. Oh well. He could understand. He didn’t hand her the gun, because although she had saved him. He was a little nervous that she might use it on him. While it seemed illogical to him, she had become more on edge the more they talked. He put the safety on and placed it on the dash of the car before he got out. Without another word he began to trudge along the side of the road heading somewhere else trying to make some distance between him and her.

~~~~~

Once he was out of sight of her, he returned home. It was nice to feel much safer, but he had some choice words prepared for his underlings. “Get your spineless bodies over here!” He caterwauled at the top of his voice. “Hurry up! Anyone who is in the last hundred will get extra punishment!” He waited as they filed in. No one looked particularly guilty. He started softly. It would probably through them, since he ahd been yelling at them moments before. “Why do you think you are here?” He waited looking some of them in the eye, cowing them. He gestured with his hands. “Come on. I expect a response. Don’t make me repeat myself.” If anyone hadn’t been paying attention to the question, they didn’t dare ask anyone for help. Iblis required everyone to maintain silence when he addressed them.

“Wallop that one.” He pointed to one in the back right corner. The answers were soft and hesitant, but they came now.

“We didn’t do enough while you were gone.”

“We weren’t efficient.”

“We weren’t listening.”

These were some of their common short comings.

“I couldn’t hear you.” His voice was dangerously soft. They had to lean forward to listen. “I said! I couldn’t hear you! Speak up when you are addressed so I don’t have to listen to your whiny voices twice. Now tell ne why are you here?”

The demons repeated themselves and they shouted at the top of their lungs.

“WRONG!” He shook his head disgustedly. “Where were you? Why were none of you in the area when I was looking for you? He refused to admit that he needed their help. That would encourage them to think of him as weak, but it made him wonder if there was a traitor in the midst. Nobody would look at him, and he couldn’t punish every single one of them. He moved on knowing that was all he could do was let them know he was displeased. “If anyone is slacking, you will be very sorry, because you will be caught.” Although he wasn’t omniscient and the demons could lie to him, he had a very handy network of spies. They never knew who was spying on who. They would inform him of unusual behavior. That’s what they were all required to do.

“In three days is a full moon. Let me know if any mortals make it through. I’d like to have a talk with them. Wouldn’t it be nice to convert some more?” He had a few specially trained demons who worked on that specifically.

~~~~~

A few days later he had most of them gathered together while he reassigned jobs. He heard some clattering in the back, and he let his attention turn toward them. “What’s going on back there? Were you even listening to me?” He crossed his arms and frowned petulantly. “Someone has made it through.” He heard whispers and muttering. The crowd shifted as the mortal was passed towards the front. His eyes widened stunned when he realized that it was someone he recognized. There was no way she wouldn’t be able to recognize him. “Out of the frying pan, into the fryer.” He muttered to himself.

He went down and grabbed her by the arm escorting her to somewhere private. He would sneak her to his private area afterwards when he knew there was no one looking. It would be very difficult and challenging to sneak her by everyone. News spread fast. Rarely was anything kept secret for long. Normally, Iblis managed to be one of the first to hear it. Everyone was trying to get an edge on the other.

“What in the world are you doing here?” he whispered harshly. “Wait. Don’t answer that yet. Don’t say a word. I’m sure you have questions, but it’s not safe here.” He shut a door. No one would disturb them here. "Okay. We can talk." He turned on her and tried not to act too surprised. "I was going to try to avoid seeing you for a very long time. Hopefully, I wouldn't see you at all. So what do you think of the place?"

Rylee replies,"Right before I heard you scream for help." Thank god she hadn't had anymore groceries left outside. But she was still starting to regret helping him. But what was done, was done.

She turns, about to get back in the car, compile, and actually take him to a bus stop when he got out and started walking. A frown flickers across her face, but she doesn't protest, simply watching as he walks down the side of the road. He'd be fine. Right? After a few minutes, she climbs back into her car, ducking into the front seat. She locks the windows and just sits there, her gaze flickering to her gun that he'd left on the dashboard.

With a sigh, Rylee puts the car and drives and starts home. Turning the radio all the way up until all she could hear was the music. It helped drown her thoughts to. She was so confused on what the hell had just happened, and she figured just drown out the thoughts. That would be easier.

Ten minutes later and she was pulling into her driveway, as she parks the car, she shuts it off and gets out. Already she could hear the barking of Maverick. A small smile flickers across her face as she heads to the door, unlocking it and opening it. Seconds later a large black shape comes bounding out. Rylee just barely manages to duck out the way as Maverick attempts to tackle her. Laughing, Rylee ruffles the fur on Maverick's head,"Hey boy."

The dog follows Rylee as she heads back for the car, getting as many bags as groceries as she could before heading back inside. She dumps them on the counter before heading back for the last few bags, shutting the door and locking the car. With Maverick on her heels, she enters the house, kicking the front door shut. Maverick prances around as Rylee dumps the rest of the groceries on the counter. She starts with Maverick's things, throwing him a treat, and then throwing his new toy at him.

After gobbling up the treat, he starts playing with the toy, tossing it around and chasing it. Rylee chuckles before she turns back to the rest of the groceries, unloading them and putting them up into wherever they were meant to go. Some stuff in the pantry, some in the fridge, and some just on the counter. Finally everything was done and Rylee goes to relax on the couch, throwing Maverick's toy for him as she turns on the TV, flicking through the channels trying to find something good to watch.

The rest of her day went by smoothly and as routine went, she fed Maverick again and then she changed into her PJ's and climbed into bed, opening a book to read. A few minutes later, Maverick came trotting in, leaping up on the bed. And then thirty minutes later, both were asleep.

The next few days went the same way, well except for Rylee having to save someone. She woke up, ate, showered, got ready, fed and watered Maverick, let him out for the bathroom and then made sure he was in and everything was secure and closed. And then off to work. She worked, sometimes all day, sometimes only half, and then she came home. Relaxed with Maverick, made dinner, and then just relaxed the rest of the night until it was time to go to bed. That was her routine until one night when she went to bed.

She woke up, well, she thought she woke up. She wasn't in her bedroom. She was dressed in her PJ's, some sweats and a random shirt she had. Where the hell was she? Her eyes flicker around, turning in a circle. She was surrounded by.... other people? What the hell? Was this because of her saving that man a couple of days ago?

Suddenly she hears a voice, a familiar one. "No way." She mutters. But then the crowd starts to part and soon a man emerged. No freaking way. He was dressed different and looked a little different, but this was no doubt the man she'd saved in the alley a few days ago. "What the hell." Before she could fire questions at him, he grabs her arm.

After a moment of hesitation she follows along, mainly so he wouldn't just drag her. Where were they going? She bites her tongue, resisting the urge to ask questions. Though her eyes were constantly on the move, looking around where she was. Did she get kidnapped? Did they hurt Maverick? Why did she get kidnapped? Was it because she saved this man? Did she really stumble into something that resulted in her getting kidnapped? That seemed most likely, perhaps she could find a way out. Or make a bargain to get out.

"What the hell do you mean?" Before she could add anything else, he cuts her off, telling her not to say anything, that it was't safe. What the hell? Now she was starting to panic. Once he closed the door, she yanks her arm out of his grip. "Yeah. I'm starting to think the same." She fires back. "Have I been kidnapped? Where the hell am I?" As he asks what she thought, she snaps,"It's hot and uncomfortable. I don't know why you kidnapped. But just let me leave. If you're worried that I'll tell someone what I saw, I won't." She had no one to tell anyway.

Rylee was half tempted to make a run for it. Surely there was an exit somewhere. If she ran long enough she'd get out. Wherever she was though, it really was hot and uncomfortabled. "By the way. I never caught your name." Why did she just say that? She didn't really care about his name. She just wanted out.

Iblis didn't think she would fight as she was surrounded. There was no point. However, he didn't expect her to follow so easily. He had expected some resistance because she wanted an explanation. His eyes widened with fear when she shot a question at him. He glanced around hoping no one was paying attention. He was sure his interest in her was striking up their interest. She easily yanked her arm out of his grip, because he let go of her to shut the door. "You haven't been kidnapped." Not that it made much difference. He was a liar. There was no reason to believe him.

"Oh dear..." he chuckled a little. "How accurate. Not that you'll believe me but the hell is where you are." There were a few chairs in the room and he plopped himself down in one. This would take a while. "I'm not worried. No one of consequence would believe you. This happens regularly. During a certain time of the month souls sometimes drift over to Hell. You never hear about it, because there is no way to prove it, and it's a very awkward assertion to make. You'll go back once it's daytime. You just have to wait. It can be very uncomfortable down here."

As if he read her mind, he shook his head. "Running won't get you anywhere. You are in another dimension. It'll just signal that you are doing something you shouldn't and attract some demon's attention."

With some drama, he stood again and bowed slightly to her. "Allow me to introduce myself. As a human I have people call me Seth. Here I'm called by a different name. I am often addressed as Your Highness, Your Majesty, or any other honoring honorific." He straightened waiting to see her reaction. "I didn't expect you to ever ask for my name." His brow furrowed.

“I suppose I’ll watch out for you. Demons are known for holding on to souls that get lost down here. I’m not sure if the rumors are true that you can do that, but I figure you want to return to earth. If you’ll be quiet and discreet I’ll sneak you to my private chambers. It’ll be easier to keep you out of sight and out of mind. Besides, it’s much more comfortable than this barren room.”

He kept his arm very close to her back as a guide and to keep her moving forward, but he didn’t touch her because he was sure that she wouldn’t appreciate it. It felt odd sneaking around his own home, but he knew he was making the right choice. Wait….was he? He was the King of Hell. He only watched out for himself. There was no good reason for him to help this girl. The King of Hell didn't do favors, because then everyone would want one from him.

Yet, he wanted to help her, mainly because she had helped him. She would probably be a complete pain if he let her loose in Hell. He would hear her whine and moan about how she had helped him, and he hadn't returned the favor. It wouldn't surprise his underlings, but it sure would make her loud. Of course, once the demons and devils got their hands on her, she would have a good reason to moan.

"On second thought." He had a reputation to uphold. "Let's make a deal. Kings of Hell are known for that. It'll be..." he searched for a word and not finding one that he was sure of he decided to leave the sentence hanging. He tried to think of something small to ask of her, but he didn't want to be caught helping her without getting something in return. "I help you and if I ever get bored and come to visit you don't kick me out, but you introduce me to whoever is living at your house and give me a glass of water." He knew it was weird. He wasn't very creative under pressure. "Deal? Then we can be off."