(Hey guys, this is a preview, well, the first chapter, of a new story I want to write. I want to know what you guys think, so don't be afraid to comment. I don't know when I'll be able to update, cause 11th grade is killing me slowly. And I've got a million other things to be writing. Hope you like it! Love you!)

"I will help you reach your goal in exchange for your soul. Agree to these terms and we have a deal," said the ominous voice looming around me.

"Wait! What do you mean, my soul? What will you do with it?" I asked, searching for its source.

The voice seemed to chuckle deeply. "Pathetic human. You're more clueless than my previous master. Human souls are food to us demons," it said. "Once your wish is granted, I will consume your soul and you will cease to exist, in this world or the afterlife."

"But my goal won't be achieved for another four years. Are you allowed to stay with me for all that time?"

"I shall remain by your side until the end, no matter how long it takes. Do you agree to the contract? I am becoming very impatient."

I gulped. I'd rather not die when I turn eighteen, but I'd also rather not go to the orphanage. That was my wish. I didn't want to live in a horrible orphanage for four years of my life. It was bad enough that my parents were gone.

"I accept the conditions of the contract," I reluctantly replied to the demon waiting in the darkness around me. He laughed suddenly, and I felt a burning pain on my left wrist. I screamed as the demon laughed, and suddenly...

"My lady!"

I awoke with a jolt and quickly sat upright. Breathing heavily, I glanced around the room. I was in my bedroom, the lights all turned on and no shadows to be seen. My dresser sat across the room, my closet door slightly ajar near the window, curtains pulled open. It was still dark outside, fireflies flashing and reminding me of yellow eyes you would see in horror movies.

Standing beside the bed, watching me worriedly, was my butler, the demon I had made a contract with several years ago. I glanced away from him and to my left wrist, where I bared the mark of our contract. I pulled my sleeve over it and sighed.

"I'm fine, Sebastian," I tried to assure him calmly, but my voice was wavering. "It was just another nightmare."

"They've been happening quite often as of late," Sebastian commented. "Do you wish to talk about it?"

I simply shook my head.

The demon nodded. "Well, it is almost dawn. Would you like to get up or go back to sleep?"

"I'll get up," I said, removing the covers from over top me and sliding my feet to the cold floor.

Sebastian nodded, then started to leave the room, knowing I would get dressed and come to the dining room in a few minutes. I stopped him.

"Sebastian?"

He turned to face me. "Yes?"

"Could you grab my dress out of the closet, please? And close the curtains?"

Sebastian smiled and nodded. "Yes, My Lady." Then he walked over to the closet and pulled out my favorite black and white dress that I thought went well with my white hair. He laid it across the bed, then went to the window and pulled the curtains closed. Once finished, he turned back to me. "Anything else?"

I shook my head. "Thanks, Sebastian."

"My pleasure, My Lady." He then left the room, closing the door behind him.

***

I quickly changed into my dress and found some black flats to match, then went to the dining room for breakfast. Sebastian had everything ready, with the help of Maia, my main cook. She wasn't the best, but with Sebastian's help, every meal was perfectly fine.

I sat at the table and was approached by my maid, Sarah. She looked slightly worried about something. I motioned for her to have a seat, and she did so.

"What's up?" I asked her, growing concerned.

"I'm deeply sorry, Chrystal, but, well.... I accidentally tripped while carrying the flower pots this morning, and they broke."

I smiled sympathetically at her. The flower pots had been hand crafted by my mother, who had loved flowers and everything in nature.

"Did you break all of them? Mother made quite a few of them."

"Goodness, no. Not all of them would fit in the car out front."

"Then it's fine. I was considering getting rid of some of them anyway. You just made my life a little easier." I smiled brightly at her.

Her spirits seemed to rise at my words, and she giggled and smiled back. She hugged me, then rushed to get back to work.

My servants were the only ones with me when my parents passed away. I treated them like family, letting them hug me and call me by name instead of by some silly title. I was comfortable with all of them except Sebastian. Even though he had been with me for three years, it's been impossible to get him to call me Chrystal. Did something happen in his past to make him not like my name? Or was he just stuck in the 19th century?

Maia brought out my breakfast, which contained waffles, bacon, an apple, and a glass of milk. I ate in silence, occasionally nodding to other servants, like the other butler, Thomas, and the gardener, Jasmine.

Once I finished eating, I took my dishes to the kitchen, where Sarah was cleaning up. She took my plate and glass from me and I thanked her. She simply nodded and smiled, then returned to work.

I went out front to sit in the garden. I sat on a white stone bench which was about halfway down a gravel pathway. The bench had violets on either side, my favorite flower. The sunrise cast an orange light on all the flowers, somehow just making everything much more beautiful.

I heard a twig snap behind me and jumped. I turned to see it was only Jasmine, trimming the bushes.

I sighed in relief. "Thank goodness it's only you, Jasmine. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"I'm sorry, Chrystal. I didn't want to disturb you."

"It's fine. I like the company."

I felt her gaze at the back of my head. "Something the matter?"

"Nothing more than normal," I told her honestly, turning to face her.

She frowned. "I understand how much you must miss your parents. They took me in after my mother died. True, it was only as a gardener, but..."

"Jasmine, your as much a part of this family as I am. You're like a sister, and I thank you for everything you do for me."

She blushed and smiled. "No need to thank me. I should be thanking you for accepting me. But I really should get back to work."

I nodded. "It's almost time for my training anyway," I said, standing.

Jasmine nodded and walked away toward the center of the garden to continue working, while I walked back toward the house. Truth is, my parents haven't been the only thing on my mind recently. I have one year left. One year before I turn 18, and the contract is fulfilled. How am I supposed to live knowing I'll be dead in exactly a year? Why does my self-defense training even matter anymore? I guess this is all because Sebastian's job is to make my life peaceful until the end, but how can it be when you know exactly how much time you have left?

Deciding to try not to think about it too much, I shook my head, trying to clear it, and then finally made my way inside.