Chapter 2

Sebastian stood in front of the large double doors leading into the throne room. As the heavy doors slowly opened, the loud creaking noise it made echoed around the room, alerting everyone to his arrival. He glided smoothly on the red carpet leading to the throne on the dais. All manner of beasts & monsters was gathered on either side of the room. As they knelt to show their allegiance to him, Sebastian knew that this was all for show. Indeed, as he passed by, they could barely suppress their hissing, growling and snarling. Demons only worshiped the strongest. Sebastian was well aware that at the merest hint of weakness, they would all pounce on him.

The throne which he sat on was made of black marble with red velvet upholstery. But it was the carvings on it that made it unique. They depicted different creatures in macabre settings: beheadings, brutal slayings, murder, and mayhem. And they all seemed to be moving, repeating the moment of their deaths endlessly.

Sebastian surveyed all who were gathered there and immediately noticed that Fenrir, the leader of the werewolves, took a step forward. Of course, Sebastian thought, he is the one most eager to usurp my throne so he would be the first one to make a move.

Fenrir, covered in fur all over, stood head and shoulders above the rest. His undiluted wolf blood made him bigger, stronger and faster than the rest of his brethren. But this wolf blood also gave him a penchant for violence. He is not particularly bright but his ambition and greed made him dangerous.

"My liege" Fenrir began in an oily voice "it is good to know that you haven't entirely forgotten us."

"Indeed that would have been quite convenient for you wouldn't it Fenrir?" Sebastian asked.

"What kind of a leader would abandon his own kind to go play with a puny human?" Fenrir roared. At this outburst, the other beings began to mutter among themselves.

I may be the strongest one here but I knew there was no way I could keep Ciel's presence a secret for very long, Sebastian thought. What a pity, I had hoped to keep them in the dark for a little while longer.

Unperturbed by the challenge to his authority, Sebastian answered in a level voice "And since when did I babysit you lot? I've often gone on long journeys and left everyone to their own amusements."

"But this time is different, isn't it my liege?" Fenrir taunted. "It is said that you have grown quite attached to this human, that is why you still haven't reverted to your true form even though you are now in your own domain."

An ominous air filled the throne room as everyone awaited what would happen next. Sebastian knew that he had to thread carefully. The slightest misstep could lead not only to his downfall but to Ciel's as well. If he became angry at Fenrir's insinuation, they would think that it is true no matter how much he protested otherwise.

Feigning indifference, Sebastian replied in a bored voice "It's true that it is for the boy's sake I have not reverted to my original form. However, I see no reason why I have to justify my actions to any of you."

At this admission, the rumblings of discontent from everyone present grew louder.

Even his loyal servant, Grovius had to protest as well "But my liege, why should you consider what a mere human would think? They are nothing but food to us."

"That is true" Sebastian conceded. "However, I have seen potential in him. As you can see, I took him from his parents when he is still very young. Since none here come up to my standards, I will mold him to become my next successor."

A deathly silence followed that announcement.

Fenrir was the first to recover from the shock. "Are you out of your mind?!" he roared. "How dare you think so little of us that we would accept a mortal as our next liege?!"

The cyclops, Aristed, normally so calm and calculating, seethed "I doubt he would satisfy my hunger even if I eat him whole!"

The lamias, women whose lower body were that of a snake, hissed angrily "We will never acknowledge such a weakling as our master!"

More threats and insults poured forth from the other creatures. Grovius, who was standing at the foot of the dais, looked ready to pass out.

Sebastian raised his hand for silence and it took a few minutes for everyone to calm down. Completely enjoying himself now, he smiled wickedly as he issued this challenge "You are all welcome to try and take him down. If you succeed, then he is not worth my time. However, keep this in mind. I chose him and I will train him. If you underestimate him, you may find yourself at the sharp end of his sword."

As everyone filed out of the throne room, Sebastian could hear them grumbling.

Uilleam, the black centaur, tried to keep his voice down but with Sebastian's acute hearing he was nonetheless heard muttering "That arrogant bastard! He's only doing this to amuse himself!"

Even Morphelio, the Mothman, who was usually silent, said: "He's playing with us like we're puppets on a string!"

When the great doors closed, Sebastian finally sighed in relief. Despite the hair-raising encounter, he was quite pleased with himself, having come up with such a good plan on the spur of the moment. Now I don't need an excuse to keep Ciel close and watch him like a hawk, Sebastian thought.

Meanwhile, back at the bedroom. As soon as the door closed, Ciel threw a pillow at it. "That jerk! He's just leaving me here like unwanted luggage without so much as an explanation! He didn't even have the decency to introduce me to the goat man!" he griped.

When someone knocked at the door, Ciel recalled his surroundings. Nervously, he opened the door. Behind it stood a cat woman. Tall and lithe, she was covered in short black fur that looked silky to the touch. Her ears twitched as she saw Ciel.

Of course, HE would have cat woman serving him, Ciel thought waspishly.

"Young master," she said in a voice that seemed to purr "I am Leinas, my liege sent me to serve you."

Ciel moved aside to allow her to enter and as she passed, her tail swished lazily behind her.

Leinas prepared a bath for Ciel. As she gently scrubbed his arm with a wash cloth, she stared intently at Ciel. Feeling uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny, Ciel tried to dispel the awkwardness with small talk.

"So uh exactly what kind of demon are you?" Ciel inquired.

"My kind is called weircat, young master" she purred. She lapsed back into silence and continued her leisurely ministrations, which seemed to stretch endlessly. When her whiskers twitched, Ciel had the absurd thought that she was sniffing him.

Distinctly unsettled now, Ciel asked her to finish and to fetch some breakfast for him. As she left, Sebastian returned.

"What exactly did you tell your servant about me?" Ciel grilled Sebastian as soon as he took one step into the room.

"Why did she do something to you?" Sebastian asked, his tone sharp.

"No…it's just that…umm" Ciel's voice trailed off.

Highly suspicious now, Sebastian closed the distance between them. "Tell me what happened" he commanded the boy.

"N-Nothing really happened" Ciel stammered. He couldn't quite look Sebastian in the eyes as he said this.

"It's unlike you to be hesitant" Sebastian observed, narrowing his eyes.

"Never mind it's not important" and as Ciel turned away, Sebastian grabbed his arm to stop him.

"I can always order the servant to return here" Sebastian threatened.

"No don't do that!" Ciel shouted.

"Well, this is new. While you've never been a cruel or malicious master, you've also never paid particular attention to a servant's plight before" Sebastian said, his voice dangerously low.

"Of course I don't care about her. I only met her today!" Ciel denied hotly.

"Then tell me what happened" Sebastian insisted.

"It's just that she made me uncomfortable. She stared a little too hard and although she didn't touch me inappropriately in any way…" Ciel muttered. "For a moment there, I thought she was sniffing me."

As understanding dawned, a smile blossomed on Sebastian's face. "I anticipated that some of my kind would also find you tempting, but I didn't think you could work this fast" Sebastian said smirking.

Blushing furiously, Ciel protested "I did no such thing!"

At the sight of Ciel's impossibly red face, Sebastian burst laughing which only embarrassed the boy more.

When it seemed that Sebastian's hilarity would never end, Ciel finally snapped "Did you bring me here just to make fun of me?"

Suddenly serious, Sebastian answered, "No, I brought you here to keep you safe."