Chapter One: Eloquent Enemies

It was a Saturday night, around midnight, but many people were already starting to leave the bar I was in. I sat at the counter, tilting the shot of whiskey from side to side as I examined the ice at the bottom of the glass. The amber liquid reflected the dim lights that loomed over my head, and I let a sigh gently escape my lips before throwing back my head to allow the liquid the scorch my throat. I loved the way the alcohol warmed my veins as it coursed through my bloodstream, it always left me with a level of alertness I wasn't able to achieve otherwise.

If I didn't drink too much, that is.

My goal wasn't to get drunk. No, I had other matters to attend to as I nonchalantly continued to observe the man and woman across the way from me. She was fiddling with her curls flirtatiously, her lips formed into an unshakable smile, and her makeup overdone to the point where it looked borderline trashy. The man wore a charming grin and a finely trimmed beard on his face, hair dark and thinning around his forehead. He was averagely built, clothed in a finely pressed black suit that didn't have a stitch out of place, and he leaned casually against the counter. His hazel eyes held a familiar gleam, one I had seen all too often in my line of work as he looked straight through the woman before him.

"Let's get out of here, darling, and make this official." The man's suave British accent carried through the air. "I prefer to seal these deals in a more private setting."

They rose from their seats, and he put a hand on her back as he ushered her toward the door. I watched their retreating forms intently as they strode through the semi-crowded room, and I knew the time to act was now or never. Almost as if on cue, he glanced back at me, and smirked. I rose my chin, turning away from his curious gaze and trying my hardest to seem like I belonged in the bar. I perked up after the door swung close behind them, and quickly placed a twenty dollar bill under my glass for my drinks and tip.

"Have a good evening." The bartender nodded to me as I passed.

"You too."

The sound of my heels clacking against the floor drove me insane. I hated wearing these damn things. Seriously, why do some women willingly wear them? I would be so much more content with my usual attire, but tonight I had to dress the part. If I were to secure my target I needed to camouflage myself to the best of my abilities. Even if that meant wearing a low-cut cocktail dress and a string of pearls.

Once outside, I observed my surroundings, and I couldn't see the man or woman anywhere. I followed my instincts as I cautiously approached a dark alleyway, and I dug my pistol out of the purse that hung by my side. I let my finger hover over the trigger as I took a few steps into the dingy alley, and I could hear voices as I proceeded further. Soon I could see their silhouettes stretched along the ground, and his back was turned to me. Neither were paying attention as I slowly crept my way closer, putting the gun to the back of his head. An audible click filled the atmosphere as I did so.

"How welcoming of you." He commented calmly as the woman gasped in panic. "This is definitely not how I expected my evening to pan out."

"You're flattering yourself if you think I actually care about what you have to say." I remarked coldly.

The woman was obviously scared as she brought her hand slowly to her mouth.

"What are you doing?" She managed to utter out. It sounded like she was about to start hyperventilating as she eyed my gun fearfully.

"Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. Ten years comes a lot sooner than you think." I said, keeping my eyes on him the whole time. "Now, get out of here. Go!" I waved the gun, and she ran toward the safety of the street.

"Just you and me now." He turned to face me, looking down on me with amusement. "You really expect that to cause any damage?"

"And you really think I would go up against a demon with regular bullets?"

That arrogant smirk twisted itself back into his features. "Don't doubt that some people have tried, darling."

"Trust me, I'm not one of them." I assured as I held the gun steadily while he eyed me curiously.

"Well, considering your attire, I shouldn't be surprised by that. Some of you hunters have never went a day without wearing plaid."

"Very funny." I rolled my eyes. "You should be more concerned with what's in this chamber than wisecracks."

"And you should be more concerned with pulling the trigger."

As he said this the pistol went flying out of my hand, and clattered against the brick wall of the alley. I glared at him harshly, angry at myself for not taking the opportunity while I had it. Trying to recover from this turn of events, I made a dive for the gun, but he was much faster as he secured his hand around my wrist. Without a second thought I started throwing punches, only landing a few as he managed to dodge my maneuvers. I cried out in frustration as I swung out determinedly.

He smiled slyly as he caught my fist in his open palm. "Hand-to-hand combat is my favorite form of foreplay."

My knee connected with his crotch in response and he grunted in pain, finally releasing his hold.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Now you're just playing dirty."

"As if this were a fair fight to begin with." I remarked over my shoulder as I made another move for the gun, only to run into his broad chest.

The man let out a series of tsks. "Perhaps you should start by being more discrete. I saw you watching me from across the bar, and I knew I was either dealing with a hunter or getting laid." He rose his brows. "I was hoping for the latter, but the night is still young."

I ignored his attempts to get under my skin as I straightened my back.

He lowered his voice threateningly. "Do you even know who you're dealing with?"

No, I didn't know who he was, but I knew that he was here days before I saw him. All of the signs that you would expect from a demonic presence had come baring down on the town with striking force, including cow mutilation and strange electrical storms. I always made it a mission of mine to track down a demon when I could, and he was no exception. My leads had brought me to the bar that night, and my eyes went straight for the man who stood out in a crowd. He was hard to miss.

"I'm the King of Hell, darling." His said smoothly as he brought a hand teasingly to the curve of my jaw. "And I could strike you down this very instant, but that wouldn't be much fun, would it? I could think of hundreds of scenarios in which I could torture that fighting spirit right out of your very soul. And then some."

"The King of Hell?" I shot back skeptically, pulling away from his touch as though I had been burned.

"So I'm assuming you're not buddy-buddy with the Winchester boys I take it? Otherwise you'd know all about me."

"Not exactly. I know who they are, but I've never met them."

He took a deep breath. "How refreshing. A hunter who isn't in cahoots with them for a change."

"I don't exactly play well with others."

"Why do I not have a hard time believing that?"

"Just because you have the upper hand doesn't mean I'm willing to have a conversation with you." I pointed out, crossing my arms. "If it's true that you're the King of Hell, wouldn't you have better things to do?"

"Have you ever heard of a vacation?" You could practically see the sarcasm dripping off every word as he stepped back into my personal space. "Even I need a break every now and again. Yet, something always seems to get in my way. Like you for instance. What a perfect example."

I tilted my head defiantly as I gazed up at him. "Perhaps you should choose your vacation spots more wisely. I'm sure if you're as powerful as you say you already knew that there are quite a few hunters around here."

"You say that like I actually care enough to go out of my way. I have no problem dropping the occasional hunter if need be."

"Then why am I still standing here?"

"Good question." He rose his brows, leaning back. "It's much more pleasurable to play with the mouse before striking. Also, I find your gusto to be quite entertaining."

"Playing games isn't exactly my forte." I fiddled with my necklace anxiously as I eyed the gun that was just out of reach. "I would expect something more sinister from the devil."

"Lucifer has nothing on me, darling." The man assured as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "The name's Crowley. I suggest you don't forget in the event we do meet again. You don't want to go making the same mistake twice."

"No, I don't." I agreed, nodding my head. "I'll make sure you won't see it coming next time."

"Now that I've introduced myself, I think it's only fair you tell me your name."

"It's Scarlett."

"I'll hold you to it, then… Scarlett." The way he said my name was enough to send goosebumps chasing down my arms, and he gave me a small smile as though he knew it did.

That's when I made my move, and I landed a punch squarely against his jaw. Crowley growled in shock as I stealthily made my way around him, wrapping my hand around the pistol, and I turned on my heel as fast as I could to point it at him. He shook his head as he wiped away a trickle of blood that was making it's way down his chin, and his grin was filled will agitation as he faced me.

"Well played, but you won't be making your shot today." He said as he straightened himself up, composed and collected once more. The amusement still danced in his eyes as he analyzed me, and it made my skin crawl as they raked over my form. I didn't like what I saw. I wanted him to act like the everyday demon and charge at me without restraint. His words and mannerisms made it harder to pull the trigger. This man could probably talk himself out of almost anything.

Almost.

"We'll see about that." I said, and a gun shot resounded through the alley. In the blink of an eye he vanished without a trace, and I could hear the bullet make impact against one of the many trashcans lining the walls. Rain gently began to drip from the sky, landing on my skin and trailing it's way down my body. I stuffed the gun into my purse with an irritated sigh, and slung it back over my arm as I began walking in the direction I came from. Allowing one last look behind me, I took in where Crowley had once stood. He may have evaded me today, but he wouldn't be so lucky next time.

I was certain that wouldn't be the last I saw of him.