"So how do we know that we can trust you?" Joan stared menacingly at the self proclaimed demon in front of her. "Now that you've confirmed that you lied to us?"

"It is a very dangerous world out there," he started. "There are creatures far more dangerous than me that want nothing more than to feast on your flesh. We are offering our help because we want to. Whether you choose to trust me is your choice and your choice alone, but understand this, we have information that you could not hope to achieve on your own. The demon that you faced last night will begin to target you."

The room fell silent as Holly, Joan, and Joseph attempted to absorb the information they were given. The situation was pressing and dire, having lost a friend to a monster gave them very little room for opposition.

Joseph was the first to respond. "So, if we trust you, you'll help us find Marko? What do you gain out of this, Lunc? I mean. Why choose to help us?" Joseph looked puzzled and scared as the demon peered into his eyes. Lunc's bright red eyes gleamed in his face, sending icy chills down his spine. It was like staring face to face with a lion that could attack at any moment. Joseph felt no trust and no sense of safety, only fear and anxiety. His nerves ate at him like termites as he struggled to keep his composure.

"You look intimidated, Joseph. Am I really that frightening?" The demon spoke with a concerned but focused expression. "We want to help you because contrary to popular belief, most demons are not the evil soul leaching monsters you've been taught to think we are. Most of us only want to keep the peace between our worlds, and when there are those who threaten that peace, we have to stand against them."

"How are they threatening the peace?" Joseph asked

"It's simple really. Some are looking to colonize your realm. Others simply want to wreak chaos because that is all they know."

"So, I guess we don't have much of a choice, but to trust you then. What is our first step? What do we do?"

"First you must understand that each of you is special along with many others in this world. Many demons that are for our cause are attempting to cross in this world and aid you deliberately. They have begun to create a host pack with you."

"A host pack? What are you talking about?" Joan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That book you have will tell you everything that you need to know."

"The book doesn't say anything that we can understand." Joseph said with confusion.

"It will," Lunc started. "I have a task for you. Inside each of you is a demon waiting to be recognized. In order to learn more, you must first learn your companions name. This is a the second step for completing the dark pact."

"The second step? What the hell was the first?" Joan asked with a slight temper.

"Calm down, girl. You initiated the first step by accepting the demon's help, allowing them into your body," Lunc explained with a grin.

"When the hell did I? I don't understand." Joan was frustrated and confused, staring blankly into the table below her.

"Think about a dangerous, intense, strange, or pivotal moment when something you can't explain happened. That is most likely when the demon offered you help and you took it."

Joan, Holly, and Joseph, concentrated deeply about a time when this could have happened. They searched carefully through their memories for something that would align with this criteria. In just a few moments, it hit them almost simultaneously.

"I guess maybe it makes sense now," Joseph started. "That time my comforter caught fire. Remember when I was tell you guys about that? That had to be it."

"Yeah. Definitely." Joan said quietly. She stopped talking but it seemed like she had more to say as Joseph and Holly stared at her blankly, waiting for her to continue. She looked nervous or scared like she was embarrassed to talk about her experience.

"What's the matter, Joan?" Holly reached out sincerely with a soft look of concern on her face."

"It's nothing," Joan spoke softly, clearly hiding her true feelings.

"Something happened in the basement, right?" Holly suggested and the others looked at Joan curiously waiting for more details. Joan slowly raised her head and began to speak.

"I had never been so terrified in my life. I didn't know what was happening, but it was like someone else was in there with me, changing my music, whispering my name--" she halted briefly to collect her thoughts. "It was cold, daunting, and I almost dropped 135 pounds on my neck, but something just... lifted it right off of me. I don't know what or who, but it was scary. I could have died."

Joan was never one to scare easily. A natural born leader tough as nails, nothing seemed capable of getting under her skin like this. It was no surprise that she didn't want to speak up about it. She didn't want to look weak or vulnerable. These were sides of her that people seldom saw.

"It's alright, Joan," Holly began to console her. "Thank goodness nothing bad happened. It might be scary, but you made it out okay. Let's make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

"Thanks, Holly," Joan smiled lightly. "What about you? What was your experience?"

"I think it was the book. I mean, you heard the librarian, it came up out of nowhere, and it's freaky to say the least. When I found it, it was freezing cold too," Holly explained while gesturing to the strange book.

"Show me that book," Lunc demanded, staring intently at Holly. She looked at him nervously and obliged, handing it to him.

"Well, your next step is going to be rather simple, Holly." Lunc continued to exam the book as Holly raised an eyebrow.

"How so?" She asked.

"This book has already told me the name of your demon."