Thanks for reading! This is the first story I've really worked hard on so I appreciate any feeback whatsoever, flames or not. The woman woke up completely naked in a medium sized room with very simple yet elegant decor spread around across the mahogany furniture. A pounding migraine threw every question she had in her mind away as she struggled to recall what had happened and why was she in such a strange place. She very carefully lifted the thick, silk bedding that was entangled her limbs and pushed herself out of the ensnaring trap of comfort that was the bed onto the cold, hard floor. The single wardrobe contained nothing but maid outfits, confirming her suspicions that she was inside someone's home and nowhere near the tavern, and judging from the material the servants wore, a very noble or honored family lived here. She turned her body from the clothes and continued to survey her surroundings, the constant nagging pain from earlier had let her completely walk past a door connected to the room. Warily she allowed her legs to carry her to the door and her hand covered the elegant door knob twisting it open, only to reveal a beautiful bathroom with a large porcelain tub and marble tiles. A scoff sounded from her,"How utterly terrifying," she muttered to herself. Before she could continue her amateur investigation, a white gloved hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around face to face with the intruder. She blinked. She blinked again. This man was unlike any other she had ever seen, never before had a man made her heart race or her palms sweat or allow her to let out that girly squeak she had earlier. A frown marred her features at the towered over her small frame at six feet, with a lithe yet muscular build hidden from sight by elegant clothes with a crest upon his breast pocket. His hair was coal black and unruly, long tufts framing his gorgeous face and marble skin. What she found unsettling about this man however, was not the devious grin of perfect pearly white teeth and full lips, his Adonis body or raven hair, but his eyes. They were crimson red, enchanting, unnatural. The bloody irises swirled enchantingly, bewitching her yet they seemed almost hostile, too clever and dominant to be a servant's. He waited patiently for her to become rational, obviously amused by her open attraction and used to it. Her eyebrows furrowed and her mouth went wide open as if she was going to yell, but thought better of it and settled with something simple.
"Why am I here?" She questioned curiously. She was aware that she was completely nude, but she was no proper lady,she also should have been frightened of this man and his intentions, of where she was, who he worked for, but she was still so exhausted from her previous battle.
"I believe the young master would prefer he tell you," Sebastian answered vaguely. "First, we must make you presentable for your meeting with him." Despite her many objections to this, the man had feral strength and was able to start a bath and force her into while he found suitable clothes. She sat wallowing in anger for the rude butler, feeling guilty for enjoying the lavish bath so much. It was such a change from simply wiping off grime with wet towels. Her body was so relaxed her keen sense had never picked up on the strange man's return, continuing to brood while she pondered what could appear in her near future.
Quiet as a mouse, Sebastian whispered gently in her ear, "Will you need help leaving the bath this time, my lady?",Causing her to jump out of the water and trip clumsily onto the marble, resembling an angered kitten.
"I've killed a man for less you cur," She sneered towards the chuckling butler.
"I'm afraid I'm no average man, but I welcome you to try," Sebastian teased.
Angry and wet, she stormed off to the bed where her attire for the day lie. A beautiful green silk dress with white cuffs sat next to a dangerous looking corset. The woman bristled with anger and gritted out through her teeth, "where are my clothes, you demon. And my weapons, more importantly where is my obsidian sword?"
"Demon? I'm simply one hell of a butler, though I am quite flattered," Sebastian retorted, completely disregarding her questions. "We must hurry I'm afraid, my lord is not patient when it comes to new games."
That did it, "A GAME? I'm no friendly game of chess, I'm a person! I have important work to finish and you and your fucking master can die for all I care," the woman snarled at the demon. His face never changed, it retained his serene and smug expression, but his words chilled her bones, "I'm afraid my master will be quite upset with your lack of gratitude." It carried an unvoiced threat, and she was submissive to his will after the heated exchange. She allowed him to tie her corset, which he acted out quite violently. She believed squeezing her organs to mush was his own way of acting out his revenge for the nasty comment she let out earlier. Once the task of making her presentable was completed, the uncomfortable silence only grew as Sebastian left the room, beckoning her to follow him down the expansive, winding corridors of the Phantomhive manor. Her eyes trailed on the walls, decorated in portraits of previous Heads and beautiful vases that any thief would die for alongside other rare and precious heirlooms. After what seemed like an eternity, the butler stopped and pulled open a door to a large study, waiting for her to enter. She confidently strutted into the room, eager to confront the little shit that decided to mess with her and her life. What she wasn't expecting to happen however, was that the man she had been dreaming of murdering since meeting his servant was a boy who couldn't be older than thirteen. The child had noticed her presence, and the eye that wasn't covered stared into hers. Before he had the chance to speak she interrupted him carelessly, "Well I'm sure this is some sort of joke. I think your father should be around here somewhere."
Ciel's face grew cherry red with embarrassment and rage as he attempted to stutter out a retort, "W-What?" Sebastian covered his smile and soft laughter with his hand before his master could create some wicked punishment like spending an hour with a stray dog. Sebastian shuddered at the thought.
"I'm certain you heard me child, you're too young to have hearing problems already," She replied bored.
"That's enough," Came Ciel's cold reply, "You're here because I ordered it, and you will not sit here and insult the head of the Phantomhive family."
"Listen kid, I don't care who you are or what your dog of butler is doing here still, but I can assure you I'm no threat. Now I'd like to leave peacefully," She groaned angrily.
Ciel's expression grew triumphant, and he smugly said to the girl, "I'm going to ask questions, and if you behave than you might leave here alive." At her silence he continued, " That creature you were stalking, I want to know what it is and why you were following it."
The girl shifted uncomfortably and crossed her legs, letting her creamy thighs be exposed to Ciel's innocent eyes, causing him to blush maddeningly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she muttered. She knew she was lying, that kid's eyes were far too old to be his and his butler was almost unnaturally good looking.
"Try me," came Ciel's flustered response.
"It wasn't human, it was a creature of the dark. The closest explanation would be demon. I heard of a few rumours about a beast of rotting flesh attacking prostitutes and the opium addicts, but no one believed them to be true. I wanted it dead," she ruefully told the two.
Sebastian and Ciel exchanged a masked glance,"How did you plan on killing it as a human girl?" Ciel asked without malice.
"It wouldn't be the first time I killed something other than a mortal," she continued, " I was raised for this."
Ciel's expression turned calculating as he asked his final question, "What's your name?"
"Valerica Thompson, but I usually go by Val," she answered truthfully.
"Well Valerica, you are to be one of the servants in my mansion." Ciel cut off her objections,"There is no choice, you're too dangerous to be kept out of my sight." Val was trembling and furious, who was this little brat to make my decisions for me? "You will be Sebastian's right hand, and if you do not obey my commands I will have you destroyed. Do you understand? Ciel gleefully ordered.
A permanent scowl was fixed on Valerica's face as she forced the foul tasting words from her mouth, "Yes...My lord."