AUTHOR'S NOTE

So, I don't know, this chapter feels short to me. It's mostly establishing and filling in blanks about their past and yadda yadda. I'd tried to make it sound nice (or look nice in this instance?) but I feel like it's not the best it could be. This chapter really is meant to set things up.

Also, never done this before but why not: Favorites, Follows, and Reviews make me smile :) so don't be shy!

Okay I'm done, enjoy!


She plunged herself into the scorching hot water, wincing slightly at the sting. She then began scrubbing madly at her skin with the soap in an effort to erase the memory of Andrew's skin against hers.

At least that's what she told herself.

In reality, Andrew wasn't what was bothering her. It was that man- she didn't even know his name! The man who'd tried to rape her all those years ago. The man had left her innocence in shambles. True, he hadn't actually raped her. But she was granted an understanding that she was too young to know at the time. She knew even then that she was wise beyond her years because of what almost happened.

And then there was what she found out years after...


"Merry Christmas, darling!" Her father bellowed in his deep and joy filled voice when he saw his daughter beginning to descend from the stairs, closely followed by her butler.

"Merry Christmas, Papa!" She squealed as she jumped into his waiting arms. They embraced tightly before stepping back.

"My, you've gotten so big! Look at you! How old are you now, thirty?" Her father teased.

"Thirteen!" Kate laughed along.

"No," he feigned protest, "no I'm positive that you're at least thirty. A thirteen year old could not be as gorgeous as you, my dear."

"Papa!" She giggled and blushed.

Her father smiled down at her before looking up to address Sebastian.

"Ah, and a merry Christmas to you as well, Sebastian." He said with a nod.

"Thank you, Sir. The same to you." He smiled slightly and bowed.

Kate looked back at her father and then shifted her gaze to her loyal companion. She had long since identified Sebastian as a friend and father figure- after all he did practically raise her. But now her father was back for the holiday and she had both of her favorite people back in her life. That was what Kate loved about Christmas. Not the presents or the sweets but at having two people who cared about her more than anything by her side.

They moved into the dining room to take supper. It was their family's tradition to have a ham as well as other side dishes on Christmas Eve. Sebastian and the other servants served the meal and he then stood by Kate's chair quietly observing.

"You'll simply adore the gifts I've brought you. There's something from every major city I've visited in the past year."

Kate pretended to be excited. His gifts were always lovely and she appreciated them, but they weren't her priority.

His look changed from joyous to a more serious expression.

"However, I do have some unfortunate news." He began. "I have a meeting with our factory manager from Italy. In order to make it there in time I'll have to leave first thing after you open your presents."

Kate's look of joy faded as well.

"Oh..." She looked down before plastering a fake smile on her face and snapping her back up in an attempt to feign happiness.

"It's alright. At least we get tonight and tomorrow morning."

He looked a little surprised. "Are you sure? You're not upset?"

"Why should I be?" She replied. "Getting upset won't change it. It's best to take it in stride, I say."

Her father gave her a look that told her she'd convinced him.

"Every time I see you, you are so much more mature. You're becoming just like your mother."

Kate's smile wavered and, for a moment, so did her father's.

"If you'll excuse me, my dear." With that he stood and exited the room.

He didn't come back to the table that night. And Kate sat quietly alone, as she did every other night of the year, with only her butler for company.

Later, as Sebastian was preparing his young mistress for bed, she asked him the question he'd known was coming.

"What happened that night?" She paused, looking up at him. "I know you know..."

He sighed. It was the question he'd prepared to answer, but hadn't prepared to hear. Answering this question would severely alter their peaceful existence forever. But there was no going back now. They'd reached the point of no return, and his mistress wanted to go even closer to the edge of the cliff. If this didn't push them both over the edge, he wasn't sure what would.

"I suppose you're old enough now..." Sebastian began, standing up.

"A few years after your parents were married, your mother met and fell in love with another man. To her face, he behaved like a perfect gentleman, from what I was told. But, what your mother didn't know what that he was a major crime lord involved with murder, theft, drugs, and prostitution. He kept the two halves of his life separate, as if he were two completely different men."

"Who was he?" Kate interrupted, curiously.

"It is rude for a lady to interrupt." Sebastian scolded. "Please try and keep your questions at bay until I've finished, My Lady."

She nodded apologetically and he then began again.

"However, though, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't keep his two lives separate; or rather he couldn't keep your mother apart from his gang. One day, as the two were parting after one of their secret meetings, and your mother stepped into the carriage to escort her home... One of the man's followers was witness."

"The word spread like wildfire among his men. He found he had no choice but to put these rumors to rest with aggressive action. He announced that, due to his brilliance in befriending your mother, the gang was in prime position to launch an attack on the manor."

Kate's interest had been peaked. "But why? If he loved my mother why would he hurt us?"

"You see, even before he became involved with your mother, this man had a strong disliking of your father. I'm not quite sure why. Though rumor claims that they had grown up together, and were even close friends for a while. The affair continued for several years as the gang prepared to invade the manor and murder both your mother and your father."

"Why did they wait so long?" Kate asked, even though Sebastian had given her a scolding look at her previous question.

"They were waiting for you." He stated ominously. "Your mother's lover wrote to her, offering to pay for an abroad education for you and insisting that they send you there as soon as you were of age. Your mother, however, refused. This exchange had gone on for nearly a year when the gang discovered the chest of hidden letters in the man's quarters. To say they were outraged would be an understatement. In their anger, they threw caution to the wind and attacked that very night, but not before murdering your mother's lover first."

"Does father know?" Kate whispered despairingly after a silent moment had passed.

Sebastian kneeled in front of her so that they were at eye-level with one another. "No." He stated, simply. "And he must never find out."

"Why?" Kate protested, confused. "I can't think of any reason not to tell him about this. What harm would it do? Mother is already dead."

Sebastian sighed. "For one so young, you hold yourself like an adult, and yet... Yet you maintain the initial innocence of a small child." He stroked her soft brown curls as he inhaled deeply.

"Your father must never know that your mother took a lover... Because, my Young Mistress, this lover was your father. Your true father."

Kate responded first with denial, but as Sebastian insisted and explained, everything began to make sense... The lover waiting until Kate had been sent safely away... The years of stalling for time, pretending to plan strategically when in reality...

"Did they know?" Kate asked bitterly. "Did they know that I was his daughter before they killed him?"

"I'm afraid so, My Lady."

She shut her eyes tight and a tear slid down her cheek.

"How do you know these things?!" Kate asked, desperately seeking confirmation.

"I figured that one day you would want to know what truly happened that night so I made it my business to find as much of the truth as I could."

"And who told you?" Kate demanded. "I want to see them!"

She was now clutching at his suit jacket as tears continued streaming down her face.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't do you any good. They told me everything they knew, and I have relayed that information to you. I have left nothing out."

"The name?" She whimpered, helplessly. "What was his name?"

"Charles Albright, Mistress."

"Albright..." She half whispered. "Kate Albright. That's who I really am, is it not?"

He cupped her flushed face in his hands and stared sternly into her watery eyes.

"Albright or Mitchell- it changes nothing. You are still my Young Mistress and I am still your faithful servant. I'm here and I am not leaving. And your father still loves you-"

"But he is not my father!" She all but shouted.

"Does it truly matter?" He continued softy after a moment. "Regardless of blood relation he believes you are his child and so did you until tonight."

"Everything is different now... How can I ever hug him or even look at him the same way I always have now that I know the truth?"

"Everything may be different but that doesn't mean everything has to change. Despite what you may believe, I know you love your father. That will not change, even with a revelation such as this."

He used his thumbs to clear her tears away. Kate looked at him like she had the night he'd first saved her life. It was a look filled to the brim with hope that was yet shrouded with uncertainty.

"What you said before... About remaining by my side. I want to be able to hold you to that promise, Sebastian."

He released her and stood, only to kneel down again and bow his head to her.

"Yes, my Lady. I will remain with you always."

She acknowledged him with the smallest of smiles before turning to gaze out of the nearby window. Staring up at the moon, she asked yet another question that he'd long since readied for.

"And another thing- how did you know to save me that night?"

Ordinarily, he would have answered her, but this was too much, far too much, for her to handle in one night.

"I promise to tell you everything tomorrow, after your father has gone." Sebastian moved to her bed and pulled open the white silk and lavender chiffon curtains concealing her lovely bed from view. "Now, it's late. You should get to sleep before you catch cold, My Lady."

She resisted a minute before silently realizing how tired she'd become and crawling under the soft covers. Kate muttered a quiet goodnight to her butler as he exited the room.

He turned to look at her, now sleeping, form. "Goodnight, my Young Mistress." With that whispered phrase he blew out the only lit candle remaining in the room and silently slipped out.


The water had long since grown cold, but Kate remained in the tub, staring without seeing at the marble flooring of the room. Her gaze drifted to the exposed scars on her arms and she traces the little lines lightly with her finger.

Then a knock came at the door.

"Young Mistress?" Sebastian called. "When you're ready, I've brought your tea."

She didn't respond. Merely stood and wrapped herself in her warm welcoming robe and exited the bathroom. When her eyes found Sebastian, he was standing by her reading chair, teacup in hand. Calmly she stepped towards him and accepted the cup, relaxing into the soft cushions of the chair.

Sebastian had been slightly concerned before, but that concern had grown to the point where he worried about her. She hadn't spoken a word since they'd left the Hensley manor and maintained a look in her eye that would make one think she was completely lost in her own mind.

He kept his concern to himself, however. If Kate wanted to talk about it, she would bring it up herself. That was just how she was. The two remained silent, and the only sound in the room besides the crackling fire was the sound of Kate's almost too steady breathing.

"I've had enough, Sebastian." She said after finishing her second cup of tea. He took it from her and replaced it on the cart.

"Is there anything else you require, My Lady?" He inquired.

"No. I'd like to retire for the night." She said dryly, staring into the fireplace.

"Very well. I'll leave you to prepare for bed, then, unless you require assistance."

"I'll be fine on my own." She replied.

Sebastian remained silent as he bowed and exited the room.


It was about two o'clock in the morning. Everyone in the manor was fast asleep apart from him. As always he remained awake and moved silently about the residence, making preparations for the day to come. Through making himself busy, he'd managed to forget his initial worry for Kate. But as the clock stroke two, he was hit with a severe sense of foreboding that hit him like a ton of brick.

In mere moments he was inside of Kate's room, gazing with horror at what he saw.

Kate's hands were cut to the point where they would need stitches. The razor was lying on the ground in a quickly growing puddle of blood. And Kate's wrists slashed open.

She was losing consciousness, and only managed to see Sebastian spring towards her before everything faded to black.


"Good-bye Papa! Be safe." Kate said as she hugged her father farewell.

"So long, my dear. Once again, I am sorry that I couldn't stay longer..."

"It's alright." She said, smiling. "It's out of our control."

With that, Kate's father smiled and kissed the top of her head before climbing into the waiting carriage.

Sebastian and Kate stood and saw him off. Even after they'd lost sight of him, they remained where they were.

"He's gone now." Kate said and turned to look up at Sebastian. "You said you'd explain things to me once he'd gone."

A part of him had been wishing she'd forget that promise, but the rational one knew she would hold him to it until she got what she wanted.

"Let us go inside. This could take a while and it's far too cold out here for you." He ushered her into the manor and sat her down in the modestly sized family room that had once been her mother's sewing room. Now it accommodated a sofa, love seat, and chaise lounge that were centered around a coffee table as well as less ornate decor than one would find in the rest of the house. Besides her bedroom, it was Kate's favorite room in the mansion due to how much it reflected her mother's warm, welcoming personality.

He had one of the maids bring her a cup of hot chocolate before he began the tale, deciding it would be best to avoid any interruptions.

They exchanged looks before Sebastian began.

"There's no way of telling you this that won't confuse, and possibly even frighten you, so I am not going to be gentle with the delivery."

She sent him a confused look. "I don't understand... Surely this is just a matter of-"

"No it is not." His voice intruded hers. "Once I explain, you'll understand."

"When you'd lost all hope that night, you turned against everything, even your faith and your family. You were crying for help and I heard you. You summoned me to your side for the first time that night."

"But that still doesn't explain everything. How did you know where I was? And how did you get rid of that- that thing that was in my room?"

"I heard your call for help, as I have heard many others before. However, your case, in particular, was and remains special."

Sebastian appeared as if he was talking to himself and not to Kate. She looked at him, puzzled and more than a little worried.

"Sebastian, stop beating around the bush. You said you weren't going to do that."

He looked at her with an approving smile as she interrupted his silent reverie.

"You're right, I did say that, didn't I." He chuckled before he continued on.

"Throughout my life, I have been an aid to many different people from many different places. As you did, they called out to me for help in a time of crisis. But what makes you different is that I did not form a Faustian contract with you."

"A Faustian contract?" Kate asked, now even more confused than before. "What in the world is that?"

"It's a special kind of contract, an agreement that eternally binds me to whomever I hold the contract with. That is, until I help them achieve their ultimate goal."

"But isn't that what you and I have?"

"No." Sebastian denied. "No, I'm afraid the contract we hold and a Faustian contract are quite different, my dear."

"You see, a Faustian contract is far more eternal. It's the sacrifice made by a human, and a promise made by... A demon." He hesitated.

"A demon?" She looked at him, horrified. "Come now, Sebastian don't make such crude jokes."

He sighed, dejectedly. "If only I was joking, my Young Mistress..."

Kate took a long time to process, and silence lingered in the air. Sebastian kept his gaze focused on her as she stared blankly into the fire. Though on the outside he remained calm, internally he was in a borderline panic. He couldn't lose her soul, not after how patient he'd already been! If she were to turn him away now, he would lose any and every chance at attaining what had quickly become very precious to him, that much he knew for certain.

"So it's true then... You're a demon?" Kate asked, slowly accepting the facts. "I suppose it makes sense... And it explains a lot of things about you that have confused me for so very long... Your speed and reflexes... How perfect your are at everything. I'm right in assuming these are qualities of most demons, am I not?"

When she looked up at him for an answer he gave he a simple nod.

"If you'll excuse me." Kate said, though she one it was completely unnecessary to excuse herself to her butler. She left the room and remained locked away in her study for the rest of the day. Sebastian had no choice, really, but to leave her alone. The suspense as to what her next move would be was driving him mad.

That night, when it was time for him to prepare Kate for bed, Sebastian was preparing to leave his own room to make the journey upstairs. As his hand made contact with the doorknob, the fort flung open and revealed the messy and tear stained face of his Young Mistress.

"My Lady!" Sebastian exclaimed, ushering her inside the room and retrieving a handkerchief to dry her face with. "What on earth has happened?"

Kate sniffled before replying. "I want..." She sniffled again. "I want to form a contract with you, Sebastian. I want a Faustian contract."

He looked at her in complete and utter shock.

"Are you sure?" Sebastian questioned. "If you were to form this contract with me, the price will be your soul. You will never enter the gates of heaven, and even hell will be beyond your reach. You will be forever in darkness. So I ask again, are you sure you want this?"

"I don't care the price!" She practically screamed, fresh tears staining her flushed face. "I don't care... I want this."

"And what is it you wish me to do in return for your soul?" Sebastian inquired a moment after.

"The men... The men that killed my father... I want them to suffer Sebastian! I want them dead. Their families too! Do you hear me Sebastian? I want them all to die!" She cried.

He suddenly grew concerned for her sanity, to the point where he questioned if she really had been old enough to hear these stories after all. Sebastian shook his head to clear the foolish thoughts. He was going to get what he wanted and that was all that mattered.

He stood and knelt before her, as he had done many times before, and uttered a phrase he'd said a thousand times. Only this time it meant so much more.

"Yes, My Lady."

Suddenly, Kate felt a searing pain on her neck, just below her left ear. She screamed out in agony before the pain subsided and she fainted from exhaustion.


Kate's eyes slowly began to flutter open. The room was so bright she had to squint in order to help her eyes adjust. She scanned her surroundings, only managing to register that she was in her bed and it was morning before her eyes landed on Sebastian.

From the way he was glaring at her, Kate knew he was angry. But she couldn't think of a reason why...

Then the memories came flooding towards her. The attempted rape, murdering Andrew Hensley... Attempting suicide...

She lifted her wrists up so she could examine her cuts... Only to find that the skin remained unscarred. Even her old scars from the previous years of hurting herself had vanished.

"You won't find them." Sebastian said, matter-of-factually. "I healed you."

"How?" Kate asked, her voice breaking from lack of use.

"It doesn't matter how." He brushed off her question. His eyes shot daggers at her as he continued. "What were you thinking?"

She looked away and focused on one of the bed posts as he ranted.

"What were you hoping to gain through killing yourself? Regardless as to whether or not the contract is carried out you cannot enter heaven, and that will never change. And after everything we've gone through to come so close to fulfilling your ultimate goal..."

"I didn't do it to try and go to heaven. I don't care about that."

"Then why?" He inquired.

"I don't know!" Kate cried, now looking back at him. "I don't know, alright! Everything's just been so difficult and- I don't know okay, I don't!"

He was taken back by her outburst, but now he understood.

"I see..." He said, daring to sit on the edge of her mattress and her face was hidden by her hands and she cried. "I promised to be by your side until the day our contract is complete, and yet..." Kate looked up at him now, sensing where he was going. One look at her tear stained face urged him to continue. "Yet I've left you alone in this.

"It's not your job to baby me, and I won't be coddled-"

"Even so, everyone needs human contact. Conversations that go beyond uttering orders and daily tasks..."

"We used to do that." Kate reminisced. "Before I knew... I thought of you more as a friend than anything." She almost smile, but hid her face so she wouldn't see.

Sebastian gave her a concerned look. "Do you regret finding out? Do you wish I hadn't told you?"

"No." Kate returned. "No I don't. I learned long ago to never waste time on such things. I won't regret the choices I've made, and neither should you. All it does is destroy you in the end."

"Wise words, My Lady." He looked at her with a level of fondness. "I shall see to breakfast preparations then?"

She nodded in reply. It was odd. The master-butler relationship barrier had so easily broken, even when he moved to serve her breakfast. They'd only uttered a few kind words, but suddenly, they were more like friends, and Kate felt as if she was thirteen once again, blissfully unaware to the amount of misery she would have to suffer to attain what she wanted more than anything.

"And one more thing, Young Mistress." He called from the ajar door of her bedroom. "Should you find the desire to seek your eternal rest again, come talk to me first."

She noticed the hint of laughter that invaded the overall sincerity of his tone. Any other day, Kate most likely would have snapped at him for mocking her, but today being the way it was, she simply smiled and nodded in genuine acknowledgement and gratitude.

And as Sebastian closed the door behind him, Kate knew that somehow everything she's thought she'd known was changed forever.