A New Contract
Sebastian Michaelis followed behind his young lord, Ciel Phantomhive, and dutifully did his duties as they were requested. Even as Ciel spoke, the demon could hear the difference in the thirteen year-old's words; there was no true spirit behind them, just an emptiness, an unfathomable shadow that slipped along his tongue and released into the air in soft, dry syllables.
Dry as dust, but firm as stone, and Sebastian resigned himself to the fact that he would never have his Master's soul returned.
It had been lost. Alois had guaranteed it, and nothing would change it.
It was a unique situation…a demon bound to another demon for all eternity, a butler for all time, never again to truly be the fearsome master demon that he'd once been.
Every motion of Ciel's movements lacked something; yes, it was his body that moved, but the same as his words, the spirit was not there. Every motion was hollow and Sebastian could almost imagine that Ciel was nothing more than one of those macabre dolls that they'd once encountered.
He stopped walking when Ciel turned his head and tossed over his shoulder, "I'm going inside on my own as I have some private business to discuss and you are not necessary. Wait here."
"Yes, my lord."
Ciel left, and Sebastian stood in the steadily darkening street, ignoring the rain and wind that swept over his body, plastering his hair to his head. He would wait as ordered.
A pair of eyes flickered in an alleyway near to where the bound demon stood, but he wasn't sure as to who it was. It could be Grell spying on him as he usually did, but this was too stealthy, too silent…too still for the Grim Reaper.
He said nothing about the presence, waiting for the person…or creature…to make their presence known to him on their own. To follow a demon was to put your life in peril and this person, or being, must have had good reason to risk themselves in such a way.
He waited.
Several long minutes passed, the rain coming down heavier and in thicker sheets, almost as though it was trying to reach the demon's bones by melting through his skin…but unlike what many believed, water had no effect on demons.
And then he heard a voice.
"You're Sebastian."
It was feminine, but low, and it was obvious that she was not asking a question, merely stating fact, and he nodded.
There was a long pause, and then the eyes came forward and a figure became clear to his gaze. She wore a gray cloak that seemed to almost merge with the air and water around her, making her seem less human than she was; if she was. Her eyes were plain hazel, nothing remarkable, her hair was brown and windswept, and from what he could see of her figure, she seemed average…but there was something about her that seemed unique, special.
Something that he couldn't pin his demonic finger on.
He merely stared at her, waiting for her to speak again, and she finally did.
"I need your help."
He remained silent and continued to hold her gaze, slowly noticing that her eyes weren't hazel, but that they were slowly turning gray, matching the air around them.
There was a long moment of silence and then she broke it by saying, "I need you to get someone for me. Someone that only you have any influence over."
Knowing that the only person that he had any influence over was his master, left him wondering as to what this woman or being wanted. It was obvious that she was not entirely human and that there was something serious going on, and that it was no trivial matter that had this female asking him questions. Or, more accurately, making obscure statements.
"And who might that person be?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"His name is Grell. I need his particular skill set."
At that statement, Sebastian was unsure of how to respond, but he said nothing, thinking on the words that had just been said. So, someone wanted Grell and thought that he could help them. This meant they knew that he was more than simply one hell of a butler, and knew Grell's true identity as well.
Sebastian was quiet a second longer than was necessary and then said, "And who are you, exactly?"
She averted her eyes and then brought them back.
"Rhea."
He raised an eyebrow and said, "So, Rhea…why do you think I would help you?"
She was unfazed by his question and stared him straight in the eye, unwavering in her resolve, just the opposite that she had been moments before, and as she did so he dimly became aware of the fact that her feet did not touch the ground.
A grim smile crossed the young woman's lips, but he did not notice as he started to turn away from her, showing his disinterest in their conversation, but then he froze when he heard her say…
"Because I can give you your master's soul."
Part 1/?