Sebastian considered how to move forward. There was no point in sitting and waiting for Malira to return, and yet he could not very well take his fragile master into the Dark Realm to find her. As strong a will as Ciel had, Sebastian knew that he could not handle the transition between worlds. He cradled Ciel close, rocking him slowly as he tried to decide what to do. It was a difficult situation. Another pitfall of searching for Malira in their own realm was the threat of her summoning her hoard of slaves just as she had before. It would be much, much easier for her there than here in the world above. At least here there would be a delay period before they arrived, whereas there they would appear at the snap of her fingers. The drawback of just waiting for her here was that she might discover Sebastian's escape and have time to summon her minions anyway, again, giving them enough time to arrive before Sebastian confronted her.
As Sebastian agonized over what move to make, his decision was made for him. His senses told him that their dilemma was over; Malira had returned.
Knowing he had little time, Sebastian whispered to Ciel,
"I have to leave you here, master, forgive me. Please trust me; I will protect you."
"I know." Ciel answered, as Sebastian laid him carefully back down in the hay. He trusted Sebastian completely, knowing that without those chains, he would make good on his promise to cause their enemy suffering.
Wasting no more time on words, Sebastian darted to the edge of the hayloft, positioning himself above the door of the barn. No doubt Malira's next move would be to check on her other prisoner. She would not be able to sense him until they were closer in proximity, such was the limited scope of her senses. All female demons had duller senses than males, for a very good reason; they were not made for fighting, but for guarding something, deep within their bodies. Therefore, the door flew open and the lovely woman entered the barn before she even realized she was being ambushed. Sebastian felt the surge of excitement as he swooped down upon her. She shrieked as his mighty hand seized her at once by the throat, hurling her over his shoulder and using the momentum to slam her into the hard floor. It cracked and the walls of the barn rattled as her body impacted, creating a depression into the earth. He straddled her, pinning her slender legs with his own so that she could not kick him off. With a loud, feral snarl Sebastian exposed his fangs and leaned in so close to her face that he was in danger of grazing her eyes with them. Malira thrilled him by looking startled, and even a flash of fear revealed itself to him as she gazed up at him.
"I was right about what I said," Sebastian growled, "without your magic and minions backing you up defeating you is so easy it is laughable."
He did not give he a chance to respond, but immediately thrust his hand into her mouth. As she choked and gagged, he forced his hand in further, reaching down her throat and into the hollow place where she held her only true value in his eyes. Every female had one, but there were a limited number of female demons to begin with, making the treasures within them even more valuable. Sebastian dug until he felt the smooth handle of his target. He wrapped his fingers around it firmly, and began to draw it out of her mouth. She retched and gagged, her body convulsing as he removed the weapon. When he had drawn it completely out it measured close to a foot, more of a dagger than a sword. It gleamed an evil purple in the light of the barn's lamp, the handle a pearlescent white. With Sebastian's other hand still about her throat, it was difficult for Malira to even cough in recover of such a traumatic experience. Removing a female's weapon without permission was highly taboo within the demon world, but Sebastian was far beyond caring. It was not as though there was any form of punishment for such an action. Not between demons who did as they pleased.
"Ah, just the right length for my purposes." Sebastian observed as he tilted the blade this way and that, feeling the weight of it in his hand. "Any long and it would be cumbersome to wield."
"How by hell did you break those chains?!" Malira demanded in a voice roughened by the hand clenching her throat.
"I would tell you, my dear, but I'm not one to reveal to a demon witch the weaknesses in her enchantments."
So saying, Sebastian instantly drew the dagger across her bare left shoulder lengthwise down her arm, blood instantly pouring from the wounds. She screamed, her body once more seizing under him.
"Yes..." Sebastian almost moaned the word with his pleasure. "We demons are unused to feeling true pain, the damages of the human world are as bites from an insect to us. But when a demon weapon is used upon our bodies..." Malira screamed once more as Sebastian actually plunged the blade into her shoulder. "I'm sure that is very painful."
The blade twisted in Sebastian's hands, deepening the wound. The black-haired head dipped and a hot tongue began to lap up the spilled blood, while the demonness shuddered. The tangy taste of it fueled Sebastian's energy, which had been all but drained from him due to his struggles over the past two days. His strength grew, and he felt his wings itching to sprout, his claws trying to grow. He wanted so badly to regress to his true form, but he knew that there was a possibility of Ciel seeing it. Sebastian did not want that, the boy had been frightened enough and did not need to fear him as well. With great effort he contained himself, and continued to drink the blood that was pouring generously from the open wounds.
"I can taste your fear." He muttered in between licks. "It is so delicious."
The dagger came away from her shoulder, her blood evaporating off the blade before it was buried deep into her hip. Her scream this time was more of a strangled cry, her throat still held fast. Sebastian knew there was no chance of her fighting him now, but he still did not want to risk letting her go. An idea came to him as he watched her cringing and biting her lips, her entire body shaking. If he was going to restrain himself and make this slow like Ciel wanted, he would have to be creative. Sebastian yanked the dagger from her hip, hearing the bone crack as he did so, and sliced it down the middle of her toga. He ripped the fabric aside and stared down at her naked body. So white and pristine...a perfect blank canvas.
Using the very sharp tip of the dagger, Sebastian began to cut her across her chest. He started just beneath her collarbones, working his way down between her screams and curses. He did not cut very deep, just deep enough to see blood and view his handiwork. None of these wounds would ever heal, she was as good as dead already. With a final cut, Sebastian leaned back and observed his torturous work.
"Ah, it becomes you." He chuckled, leaning down to lick a stray drop of blood from the middle of her chest. "If only you were a larger woman and I had more to work with..."
Malira turned angry, flaming eyes up toward him, every ounce of hatred shining from them to the point where he could almost feel the heat coming from them.
"My servants are on their way!" Malira hissed suddenly, "They will have you back in chains before you know it! I may die, but not before you are bound for all eternity by chains that cannot be broken!"
Sebastian paused at these words, and made a flash decision.
"You should not have told me that, my dear." He said with a falsely apologetic smile. "I was going to postpone this even longer, but since I have little time..."
With a wicked smile that held no levity whatsoever, Sebastian lifted the dagger high above her.
"No chain can hold me now."
Just then the barn doors were ripped open, and a flood of demons charged forward toward Sebastian. In the split second before they knocked Sebastian backward, the dagger came down and severed Malira's head from her body. Sebastian was thrown against the opposite wall by the force of the great number of demons, but as they held him there, suddenly their blank eyes blinked back to life. They began to look at one another as though they were not sure how they had come to be there. The spell over them was broken with their mistress's death.
"So sorry to inconvenience you," Sebastian said, politely, "but could you let me go now?"
The great crowd of demons slowly backed away from him, looking lost. They kept staring at one another as though the answer to the strange situation lay with one of them. Sebastian brushed himself off, which was useless considering his destroyed clothes, and began to walk forward. The crowd parted for him, and even began to disperse, muttering quietly as they slowly began to come back to themselves. Sebastian knew that soon they would be gone, fled back to their own lives. Sebastian had managed to keep hold of the demon dagger, and now he tucked it into his belt, knowing it might come in handy someday.
Ciel had nestled himself by the open stall door leaning curled up against the wall and watching all that Sebastian had been doing. He was grateful he had restrained himself and stayed in his human form now that he knew Ciel had seen everything.
Kneeling down by the boy, he reached out and brushed his hand down Ciel's cheek.
"Are you alright, master?" He asked gently. "I am sorry I could not prolong her suffering. I needed to dispose of her before her minions restrained me."
"You did very well." Ciel muttered, his tired eyes telling Sebastian everything he needed to know. The demon mustered up a smile, truly feeling exhilarated at what he had just done. While he grinned he noticed once more that Ciel's shoes were still untied. Without a word he laced them up, tying flawless bows to keep them in place.
"Let us return home, sir. The servants must be in a near panic with our absence."
Ciel reached out both of his arms to the demon, silently asking to be picked up. Sebastian obliged, hefting Ciel into his arms. While Ciel was still slender and weighed nothing to the strong demon, he was larger than he had been three years ago. It was not as comfortable for Ciel as it had once been for his legs to be draped over Sebastian's arm. Knowing this, Sebastian held Ciel chest-to-chest against him, Ciel's legs dangling beside his waist. Ciel's arms went around the demon's shoulders, his head resting there as well, pressed against Sebastian's face. The demon stopped a moment to press his own cheek more firmly against the boy's. The fur of Ciel's hood tickled the demon's skin, and made him smile faintly.
He carried Ciel out past Malira's body, unsure if Ciel would want to see it or not. But the boy tugged on him, urging him to stop. Sebastian obeyed, standing beside the mangled body while Ciel looked down at it over his shoulder. Her head had been tossed a great distance from the body with the force of Sebastian's swing, and her eyes were closed in defeat while her neck oozed blood. A very faint gasp escaped Ciel's lips as he saw what was cut into the flesh of her body. The bloody wounds were not random cuts, but letters. Through the redness pooled about the pale flesh, read the words 'for my young master'. The first word started up by the collarbones, and the other three descended down onto her chest , stomach, and abdomen. It was a gruesome tribute, but Ciel turned to look at Sebastian, and gave the sweetest smile the demon had ever seen upon those lips. It was only a flash, however, and then the young man hid the expression between Sebastian's shoulder and neck. Sebastian's heart leapt within him at this silent thanks and approval from Ciel, and continued on toward the entrance.
Wanting to put as much distance as possible between them and this wretched farm, Sebastian ran at the fastest pace he could manage with Ciel. Still it took such a long time to return home. They were far off the beaten track, and it took Sebastian a while to discern which way to travel. He did not let on, of course, not wanting Ciel to think that perhaps his demon was lost. Eventually the surroundings began to look familiar, however, even covered in a layer of snow. As Sebastian approached the manor, he slowed his pace. It would be enough of a shock just to appear looking as ragged as he was, the servants did not need to see him running as though being chased. Sebastian was surprised when he stepped onto the freshly-shoveled walkway. The path to the manor and around the fountain had been neatly cleared of snow, as had all the steps. He had expected the entire place to be in shambles from their two-day absence, but...As he opened the front door his red eyes actually widened at the sight of a polished and pristine foyer, nothing lying broken, no giant burnt-out holes in the wall, no sign of destruction whatsoever.
"Hello?!" Sebastian called clearly, his voice echoing around the mighty open room. It took about a half-second for the three servants to come stampeding from the direction of the kitchen. They halted just before Sebastian, however, taking in the sight with confusion and concern.
"What 'appened to you, Sebastian?!" Meyrin cried, "We were so worried, yes we were!"
"You told us you were only goin' away for the day, not stayin' for two!" Bard nearly accused.
"Did someone attack you?!" Finny wailed. "You're all torn up!"
"Calm down, all of you." Sebastian demanded, and this only barely soothed the blubbering and mumbling of the three. "I am afraid that we have been put upon by those who mean the young master harm. They detained us, but now we have taken care of them and are back. Young master is very tired and I need to attend to him."
This statement pulled another wave of concern and questions, which Sebastian refused to answer. Ignoring them all, Sebastian began walking toward the mighty staircase, trying to block out the noise. One sound he heard very well, however, and that was Ciel muttering to him.
"No, Sebastian...take me to your room."
This surprised Sebastian, but he obeyed, changing course and heading toward the servant's quarters instead. When he passed the doorway that lead to the rooms reserved for higher-ranked servants, Sebastian turned to address the three that had been following him.
"Listen up, all of you!"
Sebastian's tone made them all fall silent and straighten up. They looked fearful, as though he would scold them. But his face lifted in a smile and he said,
"It appears you all did exceptionally well in our absence. You kept this place up with a perfection that is far beyond my expectations. Wonderful job. Now, please, the master is worn out and I must follow his orders."
The servants were too busy being teary-eyed and happy about Sebastian's compliments to try and follow him as he turned and continued down the hallway toward his room.
"Thank god..." Ciel muttered into his neck, which made Sebastian smile once more. The chatter of the servants faded away as Sebastian closed the door of his room behind them. He very carefully sat Ciel down on the side of his bed.
"I'll start the fire, my lord." He said, bowing.
It was a strange, somehow numb atmosphere. Ciel sat where he had been placed, clutching his coat around him and staring blankly ahead. It concerned Sebastian, who kept glancing over his shoulder as he stacked and started the fire. Certainly, they had both been through a traumatic experience, and there was nothing they could say to each other at the moment. The pain was too fresh right now. When he had a warm blaze going, Sebastian returned to kneel in front of Ciel. Silently, Sebastian unbuttoned Ciel's coat and slid it down his shoulders. He laid it neatly over the chair at this desk. As he did this, he drew the dagger from his belt. He looked down at the beautiful, purple blade and laid it carefully atop the wood of his workspace. He would be sure to keep this treasure always. Demons did not tend to keep tokens through their lifetime, but Sebastian felt this was one he could.
"We should tend to your wounds, sir." Sebastian said quietly, returning to the boy. Ciel met his eyes wearily.
"You're filthy," he said, "I am as well after two days in that place. We should bathe first."
The implication of Ciel's words made Sebastian's head cock slightly to the side in confusion.
"Master, I have only a shower in my facilities, and without a tub I would have to join you in order to bath you."
"Yes?" Ciel asked, weakly raising an eyebrow. "Problem?"
"No, sir." Sebastian answered. "I'll start the water now so as to let it warm."
As Sebastian turned Ciel suddenly leapt up and seized his arm, a small gasp leaving his throat. The demon looked down upon the young man, slightly stunned. Ciel's eyes were wide, fearful, gazing up at him intently. They softened and lowered a split second later.
"Don't leave me alone." He whispered. "I...don't want to be apart."
The demon's surprised eyes softened as well, and he curled one arm around Ciel's shoulders.
"Come along, then, sir. Let us go together."
TCB
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