III
The rest of the night was boring, Sebastian wouldn't let me out of his sight and I needed to get back to Jacob.
I let out an irritated meow, at this point in time I could only assume Sebastian truly thought I was a cat, I assumed he must really have an obsession if he didn't want to put me down just once.
Sebastian patted my head, he kept saying random things, like how I was so unique, and how he felt a strange attachment to me. I think what he was really feeling was me being a demon, but since most demons don't just waltz around with a human and they aren't in another form in contract, he must really believe that I was just a special cat.
Finally Jacob came wandering into the room, he looked to be on high alert and he stared at me still in Sebastian's arms, we had never even left the kitchen.
"There you are!" Jacob said, surprised.
I looked up at Sebastian with an irritated glare and I noticed the warning in his smile, as if he was telling Jacob to stay away from something, that something I could only assume was me.
Jacob seemed completely oblivious to Sebastian's harsh glare and he sat down across the table from us.
"May I have her back?" he asked, "she's… she's special and I'd feel safer with her at my side."
I was close to Sebastian's neck so I was the only one to hear the soft growl even as he spoke, "Of course, I caught her walking about the halls last night and I just wanted to make sure she wouldn't get lost."
Sebastian finally let me out of his grip and I happily trotted over to Jacob. I sat by his foot and turned back to see a sad smile on the demon's face. He looked at us and stood, "Your friend seems very loyal."
Jacob looked down at me and let out a laugh, "If anything she saved me. She's my… she's my protector of sorts."
I let out a chuckle, I was a demon, I wasn't anyone's savior. Jacob stood and began to walk, "Well if you'll excuse me Sir, I have some business I must attend to with your employer."
We walked out of the kitchen and I felt happy that I could walk again.
Further down the hall Jacob leaned over a little and whispered, "Does something seem… I don't know off about him? Or is it just me?"
I whispered back, "He is a demon like me. Contracted demons appear in a human form I am in animal form so he must not have realized you and I are contracted, nor that I am even a demon though I'm positive he can sense it."
"He's a demon?" Jacob asked, worry written all over his face.
"Yes but he's contracted."
"How can you tell?"
"Demon's intuition," he sent me another look of worry, "it's just a demon thing, we can sense one another and it's very easy for us, like when humans sense they are getting hungry."
Now that I had put it into a bit of a perspective he seemed to understand and he stopped asking so many questions.
We walked into the study of our host and Jacob sat down in the chair across from him, I hopped up and sat on the desk.
"You said you had the codes, now where are they?"
Jacob looked at me, I blinked at him and curled my tail, I uncurled it in his hand and the little vile landed in his palm with a soft thud.
"Your cat had it?" he said distastefully. I turned towards the boy, he had an eye patch which I found strange yet oddly enough I thought it suited him.
I sighed and Jacob answered for me. "She's not an ordinary cat."
For a moment nothing happened, then he turned away from me and looked back at my contractor.
"Well, either way we must discuss some things. Also, not that I have any real problem with animals, but would you mind telling your cat to go somewhere else?"
"What's wrong with her being here?" he said nervously.
The boy blinked and gave me an irritated glare, "I'm allergic to cats."
Jacob's eyes flicked from me to the boy, "Oh… in that case I-I suppose so, Radiance, please go do something to occupy yourself."
I looked from the boy to Jacob before jumping off the table and making my way towards a still open window. I hopped from the sill and landed in a nearby tree. From there I went to the ground, landing gracefully.
As I explored the gardens I wondered if what he said was true or if he secretly didn't like cats. A butterfly entered my vision and I playfully began to swat at it. In cat form certain animal instincts were harder to ignore. While I chased the insect around I barely noticed the presence that appeared next to me.
"Radiance," said a soft voice. I jumped and turned to find Sebastian a few feet away, "What are you doing out here?"
He picked me up, here we go again, "I thought I sensed a demon out here," he said softly to himself while still scanning the area, "but there is nothing."
The moment he said 'demon' confirmed my belief that he did, in fact, know that there was a demon, but he didn't know it was me. I sent a meow his way and he patted me on the head, "I wouldn't have to hold you if you didn't run off, stay by my side for awhile little kitten."
I meowed again and decided why not, it was better than being held like a pocket pooch all day. Hesitantly Sebastian put me on the ground and I sat and waited for him to move. He took a few cautious steps back and I swished my tail and followed.
He smirked, "You're a smart one."
I followed the butler around the garden, the house, and everywhere in between. He had a glint in his eye that told me he was looking for something, or someone. He had to have been looking for the demon he was sensing.
I sent him a questioning gaze and when he finally caught my eye he let out a low sigh, "I cannot find where this feeling is originating, this demon must be much more powerful than I anticipated, they're moving everywhere."
I let out an internal snort, powerful? What a riot.
Sebastian suddenly stopped and I ran into his ankles. He pulled out a watch from one of his few pockets and looked at the time, "I must search later, it's time to serve my master his tea."
The butler made an abrupt three sixty and though he seemed to have lost interest in me I caught him looking over his shoulder to see if I was still there or not.
As we neared the kitchen a large explosion rattled the nearby area. I jumped and ducked for cover as the door was blown off it's hinges.
Sebastian looked completely unfazed and he walked into the smoke. A moment later he came out holding a man by his collar with a cigarette sticking precariously out of his mouth, "Hey let me go Sebastian!" the man punched the air and twisted this way and that to try and free himself from the butler's iron grip.
"Bardroy please refrain yourself from cooking in the kitchen, especially when it is nearing time for me to serve tea to the young master."
The one known as Bardroy deflated and Sebastian put him down, after a few seconds he noticed me. He smiled softly and put a hand out.
"Well hey there little one, what are you doing here?" I walked over and sniffed his hand, it smelled like charcoal and burning embers, a lot like hell actually.
I meowed up at him and he picked me up gently before going into the kitchen, "Hey Sebastian, is this one of your strays?"
Sebastian turned his head just enough so we could see his eyes flash a deadly red, "Put her down Bardroy," he said in a warning tone.
I felt a shiver go down my spine and I felt it go down the man's as well. The man set me down on the floor swiftly and backed away, "Sure Sebastian, s-sorry I'll be sure to leave your cat alone from now on okay?" with that he ran out the door, leaving a small dust cloud in his wake.
Sebastian's eyes returned to normal and I've never been more curious in my life. I didn't understand what was Sebastian's deal, was he crazy or something?
I meowed, but he kept his back turned. I meowed again a little louder, this time he turned heel and looked at me before sending me a soft amused smile, "What is wrong Radiance?"
"Meow…" I said softly.
In a flash a bowl of milk was placed before me, "Are you hungry?" I wasn't, but there was milk in front of me, and my cat half needed to eat just like my demon side. Usually the tasteless souls satisfied both sides but after one lick of the sweet drink I couldn't stop.
I licked the bowl clean and gave a satisfied yawn of approval.
Sebastian finished up the process of boiling the water and placed the kettle onto the rolling cart. He walked out the door and I followed just for the Hell of it.
After serving his master tea Sebastian continued to search for this now infamous demon he was sensing, while I laughed the entire time.
As he searched he seemed to only get more and more frustrated. He only paused briefly to send an incredulous look my way before saying, "It's not you is it?"
I was happy at first, thinking he had figured it out but instead I wanted to test him and I just blinked at him before meowing. I was mentally screaming at him that yes, yes I was but he didn't seem to get the full message.
He smiled, "No you are different, but I don't think you are different enough to stand at demon level."
Sebastian walked away and I sent him a glare. Frustrated I began walking the other way, he caught me in an instant.
Sebastian continued to carry me around the mansion, sometimes wondering aloud to himself and other times petting my head in silence. At one point he even admitted once more that he believed I was more than a mere house cat, in which to that I happily agreed.
When the day was drawing to a close I had finally managed to escape Sebastian's claws. I scaled the rooftop and found the window to Jacob's room partially open. I crawled in and just as I settled onto the bed Jacob came in with a towel around his waist.
I watched in amusement as Jacob started in surprise, trying to pull up the towel to cover his body like a female would.
"Oh Radiance you surprised me… how did you get in?"
I gestured my head towards the window and rolled around to get comfortable, "Tomorrow, I wish to stay at your side. The butler of the manor seems to have grown an unhealthy attachment to me and it has become quite tiresome."
Jacob nodded readily in agreement, "Yes I agree. I would prefer you close. I felt uneasy being alone with Ciel. There is nothing wrong with the boy it's just that… the mood of the room is always somber and I'm unsure if an unseen enemy will come crashing through that large window of his."
I nodded, "Of course Jacob, I will do what I can."
Someone poked at my side and my eyes opened widely. In the dark I could easily make out Jacob's tall silhouette.
"Yes Jacob how may I serve you?"
Jacob twisted at the bottom of his pajama shirt, "I wish to go for a walk I cannot sleep, unfortunately I don't know my around the mansion nor do I really feel safe. Will you escort me out on a quick walk around the garden?"
I nodded, "Indeed I will."
I hopped off the bed and made my way towards the door. When it did not open I turned to see Jacob a few feet away, "Would you mind changing back for this exploration? I'd feel safer with a human face."
"Of course, anything for you Jacob, may I suggest that you turn around and cover your ears?"
Jacob's eyes widened but he didn't question me further as I quickly changed back into my original state. I flexed my fingers and readjusted my bonnet. Curling my tail under my skirt I opened the door, "This way Jacob."
My contractor walked silently next to me and we crept down the hall clouded in shade. The moon wasn't present yet small rays managed to peak behind the thick clouds in the sky.
As I opened the back door for Jacob I noticed as he inhaled the fresh scent of air greedily. A faint sheen of sweat coated his forehead and I blinked in surprise. Jacob had had a nightmare.
We stood there for another moment before Jacob suddenly stood straight and began walking in an obscure direction.
As he walked he began to chat quietly with me, perhaps to rid the images still residing in the depths of his mind, "I have no medicine left Radiance. I'm unsure of what I will do should I fall ill before the code is cracked."
I sent him a sidelong glance, "Would you wish for me to retrieve more Jacob?"
He shook his head hesitantly, "No… no I don't think it's wise. I know you're fast but I don't wish to be unguarded for long."
I nodded, "I understand Jacob. May I ask what sickness befalls you?"
"Chelsea did this to me," he stated silently.
"So it is of demon origin," I said, more to myself than anything but he nodded in agreement, "How much time is left since the last injection?"
"A little over a month, and yes it's demon origin. The cure was from headquarters. I don't believe I've told you about my work yet have I?"
I shook my head, allowing him to continue, "It's a special organization. We work underground, we've been trying for years to unmask the mystery of supernatural beings. I've never made a contract before, it's usually unnecessary but in this case, things have run much to far for me to catch up. The-"
Splintering wood caught our attention. We turned towards the noise just as a second tree hit the ground.
"W-What's happening?" Jacob asked fearfully, "Is it… please tell me it isn't Chelsea!"
I narrowed my eyes, "What I am sensing is nothing nearly as powerful as her. Hmm, it seems as though they have a pet… I smell… dog."
My face crinkled with disgust and I readied for battle with the demon hound. In Hell it was a constant for me to protect myself from the Hellhounds, they wanted to destroy the cat within me along with whatever else they could get a hold of. Needless to say, over the many years I've gotten very good at fighting demon hounds.
A growl and the shaking of leaves was the only warning I got before the dog attacked. I turned and saw two rows of sharp teeth pointed in my direction. Gritting my teeth, I braced for impact. The hound crashed into me and sent me flying back into the nearest tree. He continued to chase me and I jumped over his head and let the beast run headfirst into the forest.
With a howl of dissatisfaction the pup gave chase again, leaping into the air towards me. I sent a kick towards it's abdomen and the dog fell with a yelp.
A jingle sounded in my ear and I noticed the small glint when the moon came out briefly. The animal had a chain and I smirked before grabbing the item and hurling the creature off into the forest.
Wiping the dirt from my hands I turned to Jacob who was shivering nearby, "What was that thing?"
"A demon hound Jacob, no need to fret they are virtually harmless," I folded my hands behind my back and smiled, satisfied that the fight had only lasted a mere minute. I was surprised that I had not sensed the beast before but the only answer I could come up with was that it had been too far away, there was plenty of woods for the creature to hide in and now that I had come to that conclusion I felt better that I hadn't inadvertently failed Jacob.
"C-can we go back in?" Jacob asked wearily, his eyes darted around frantically as if the dog would jump out suddenly.
"Certainly," I followed a few feet behind, lingering to make sure the demon hound would not make a sudden reappearance.
I could not sense Sebastian in the immediate area but just to be sure I changed back. I was afraid that if he saw me, right now as I was, he would attack with no remorse. Not even bothering to check that my contract was real.
I led Jacob back to his room quickly, waiting until he opened the door and darting past him to leap up onto the bed. Jacob, perhaps now used to me and my quirks, didn't even bat an eyelash as he fell on top of the sheets.
Jacob let out a short laugh and my ears twitched towards the noise, "Now I'd really like it if you stayed close after the encounter with that… uh thing, I don't wish to be killed just yet."
I laid down, "Certainly Jacob, now I assume you have a rather busy day ahead of you tomorrow so I suggest you try to get a good nights rest, I will be close by should you require my assistance."
"Yes, you're right… but I don't know if I can, I can still feel the adrenaline pumping through me. Do you have any tricks to help me go to sleep?"
I swished my tail, "I can sing you a lullaby if you wish."
The bed moved and Jacob got under the covers to get comfortable, "If it's not too much."
Sitting up I sat down and closed my eyes. I pulled up an old lullaby from deep within the recesses of my mind and I began to softly thump my tail on the bed, creating a soft surreal rhythm, "Dormi, amice, dormi –sunt qui dicunt vitam beatam esse: dicunt, dicant, nesciunt. Dormi, amice, dormi –veniet dies-"
"What language is that?" Jacob interrupted, from his voice I could tell he was growing tired and he most likely wouldn't remember what I say in morning but I answered him nonetheless, "It is Latin Jacob, now sleep. Quo tibi erit larga, largissima quies. Dormi, amice, dormi – aderit mox mihi, tum tibi ultima, optima nox.*"
I heard soft snoring and I smiled softly before lying down, and closing my eyes.
*Sleep, my friend, sleep –They say that life is blissful. They say, let them say, they don't know what they say. Sleep, my friend, sleep – The day will come that you will enjoy plentiful, most plentiful calm. Sleep, my friend, sleep – soon there will be the last, kindest night for you and for me.
Hopefully that's the right translation, trust me though if you Google translate it the words are all weird and stuff and I don't trust Google so if this isn't the actual translation, well it's damn near close! Sorry if you happen to be fluent in Latin.
