In accordance with his orders that night, Sebastian was searching around the underworld for any clues regarding the disappearances of several middle class women from respectable families. There were whispers that they had been abducted by the same man, forced into becoming women of the night.

Sebastian was familiar with the concept; he had once contracted with a man who had the same idea. At the time, there was only a single woman from a well-to-do family, but the business concept was the same.

He waited, watching the women of the night take to the streets. Somewhere, the muscle behind the operation would be watching the women. But still, that was not what he was looking for. The women who disappeared would not likely be allowed to roam the streets.

From his experience with this field of the underworld, he would need to look in a bar for any clues. So with that in mind, he headed towards the tavern he'd heard in whispers. The Rusty Carriage was a place where men gathered to indulge their dark natures. Lately, he'd heard that there was more business than usual.

He arrived at the aging structure, just outside of the East End. The stone structure looked like it was one pebble away from crumbling. Regardless, it was bustling with people. He pushed through, entering the dark, hazy bar. Inside he found people of all backgrounds. A baron sat in the corner, smiling at the women on his lap. Poor men flirted with women, scraping together what funds they had.

Sebastian sat at the bar, taking in his surroundings. It reminded him of one of Lau's opium dens, with the scantily clad women and drunken, relaxed men.

"What can I do you for?" The barkeep asked. "A drink? A companion? Both?"

Sebastian watched as one of the richer men disappeared into a side room. He could sense that there were more lives underneath the room, but due to the size of the crowd it was hard for him to discern exactly how many.

"My needs are a bit more…unusual," he smiled suggestively at the worker.

The barkeep blinked, then nodded. "You'll want to talk to Raphael." He gestured towards the side of the room. "He'll have what you're looking for."

Sebastian thanked him, and then made his way to Raphael.

The middle-aged man watched him, puffing lazily from his cigarette. He smirked, pushing out a seat for Sebastian with his foot. "So, you've got the darkness."

Sebastian smiled eerily, closing his eyes. "I'm willing to pay whatever it takes."

Raphael nodded, examining his nails. "What's your type? You like 'em feisty? You look like a man who likes to earn his entry." He chuckled throatily before coughing.

Sebastian suppressed his disgust, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "What can you offer?" All he needed to do was get into the basement. Once he was down there, he could see if the missing women were there.

Raphael thought about it for a moment. "It'll cost you."

Sebastian paid his dues and descended into the basement. Raphael had another man lead him down the stairs. The narrow staircase opened into a long hallway. There were doors every 3 meters or so, secured shut with padlocks.

"So you got Em," the man said conversationally. "She nearly killed the last guy. Hopefully you can teach her a lesson. Bitch keeps hurting our guys."

Sebastian ignored him, absorbing as much information as possible. He could sense at least twenty lives in the rooms, not including the various guards that were apparently in the halls. The women were definitely there.

They turned down the hallway and stopped in front of a door. "You'll wanna be ready right away," the guy informed Sebastian as he flicked through the keys. "She's probably heard us by now." Once the door was unlocked, he turned to Sebastian. "You'll be locked in here with her for an hour. If you need to leave earlier, for whatever reason, you can call and someone will let you out."

Sebastian stepped into the room, and the door swung shut behind him. Before he had time to adequately examine his dark surroundings, a wooden post swung past his head. He barely dodged it, surprised by the ambush.

He grinned, peering at the silhouette. "You almost got me," he told her encouragingly. "But unfortunately, I don't have time for these games."

To his surprise, she didn't attack him again. She moved back into the far corner quietly, watching him. "Move into the candlelight." She ordered, her voice low.

Sebastian stiffened, suddenly recognizing the vaguely familiar scent in the room. The voice confirmed her identity. Em. Emelia Moore. He moved towards the candlelight, obliging her request. "What are you doing here?" He asked coldly, lighting the other candles as to brighten the room.

It had been three years since he'd seen her last. He had been hoping to contract with her, but she disappeared before he could offer. Now she stood before him again, angrier, hungrier, meaner. Bruises mottled blossomed where her skin showed, as well as aged white scars.

Emelia remained where she was, glaring at him. "I could ask you the same thing." She stalked towards the door, listening as she tapped her wooden post against her leg. It appeared that she had managed to wrench it free from her bedframe, which looked like it had been attacked by a wild animal.

"I'm looking into the disappearances of seven women. Perhaps you can help me, Miss Moore."

She snorted loudly, rolling her eyes. "My information is pretty limited." She gestured around the windowless room for emphasis. "Anyways, why do you care? You a detective now?"

"Hardly," he leaned against the wall. "I'm a butler for Earl Phantomhive."

Emelia looked him over. He was the same as ever, with his too perfect face and relaxed stature. He wore his hair down and around his face now instead of slicked back. She still remembered when he first came into her room, much like he had today. She was scared back then. Weaker.

"Don't worry," he looked at her weapon pointedly. "I'm not interested."

"Good." She flourished it, examining the splintered wood.

Sebastian thought about it. He already knew the women were here. He knew that Raphael was likely to be behind it. It was details that he lacked. He also knew that Emelia was more of a quid pro quo type of woman, and that seduction wasn't going to do it.

"When my master destroys this ring, he will be very grateful to those who helped him." Sebastian suggested. "Any information you have…"

"Look, Michael, I'm sure his gratefulness is great. Warm and fuzzy, no? But I'll be needing something a bit more immediate." She propped her hands on her hips, leering. "We both know you're plenty capable of getting me out of here."

So she wasn't here by choice. He closed his eyes, thinking it through. What an unlucky creature. He could break her out now, but that risked compromising the investigation. If Raphael realized one was missing, he could move the other girls. He should get Ciel's approval before acting rashly. Anyways, he already knew that the women were here. Did the details really matter?

"My name is Sebastian. And I'm afraid that's not possible."

Emelia glared at him, feeling nauseous. If only looks could kill. How dare he come back into her life? She was in a better environment with her previous captor until he murdered him. And everyone working for him. When she had went to meet him—this monster—she was snatched right back up. Turned out that Raphael liked his brother's idea and went for it. It took him time to build up influence and capitol, but in two years his enterprise really took off.

The rich loved the challenge, and the poor loved the women.

It was disgusting.

"Screw you," she muttered, swinging her post experimentally. "Uppity prick."


Sure enough, the demon left her alone in that place. Emelia was not pleased. She dragged her sheets to the middle of the room and laid down to rest. While her attacks on him were valiant, none of her blows landed. She had to admit she was impressed by his ability not to get hit. Her father had trained her how to fight, and yet she still couldn't hit the butler.

It was daytime now, she assumed. There were no new idiots in her room after he left, and business was slowest in the morning.

She rolled onto her side, curling up. It was strange to see him again, after all that they'd been through together. At the time, she had thought he was at least affectionate towards her. After all, he'd spared her from the slaughter.


Screams echoed through the building. Emelia shrank against the wall, sinking into the ground. Something was out there. Something was coming, and she was locked into this horrible windowless room. She couldn't even run. It would come in through the only exit. She was going to die.

Blood pooled under the door. Somebody took a rattling breath, coughing. "Ple—!"

Silence.

Emelia saw the shadow cross the door. She suppressed a whimper and hid her face in her knees. "Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name." she whispered, unable to control the tears. She continued the Lord's prayer. He hadn't helped her before, but maybe he would now. Maybe he would look at all the bullshit she'd been through, and he'd save her.

The door bust open, causing her to jump. Apparently whatever it was didn't bother with the lock.

Emelia squeezed her eyes shut, trembling. Footsteps. This was it.

It grabbed her arm, and lifted her to face him.

Michael. He was splattered in blood, his eyes glowing pink as he crouched in front of her. "Are you afraid?"

Sebastian. What kind of name was Sebastian, anyway? She flipped to her back restlessly. What a joke. Also, what kind of a man goes from working in a place like this to being a butler for a noble?

She brooded on it for a while before drifting into a brief, fitful sleep. Would she see him again?