Why do these chapters seem to be getting shorter and shorter? I WROTE THREE FRICKING PAGES! AND YOU'RE TELLING ME IT'S ONLY 1,570 WORDS?! WHAT THE HECK?!

Bla bla disclaimer disclaimer, let's move on.


Arriving at the Phantomhive manor, the sun had placed itself fairy high in the sky though it was not yet noon. Hope had gotten off of the driver's seat to open the door for his master, but when he turned Sebastian had already done the honors. "My Lady? Are you alright?" The Phantomhive butler asked with a confused expression.

Ailey was fanning herself with her left hand and her right hand was clutching her chest. "I-I'm fine." She stuttered, stepping out of the carriage with Sebastian's help. "My Lady, allow me-" Hope offered with an outstretched hand, but it was slapped away by Ailey. "Stay away." She snapped quietly, leaning against Sebastian for support. The silver haired butler stepped back with wide eyes.

Hope faintly smirked when his brother led her inside and closed the door behind them. She had figured out that he was a danger, but it was too late. He had already chosen her as his target.

Leading Ailey to Ciel's study, Sebastian opened the doors and found everyone the way he left them. Ciel was sitting at his desk with an annoyed expression while Madame Red and Lau were sitting at the side table drinking tea. "Your guest has arrived Young Master." Sebastian announced, stepping to the side to show Ailey standing behind him.

Ciel stood and started to walk towards her, but Madame Red jumped up and hugged the young girl tightly. "Oh my! Aren't you the cutest little thing!" The woman cried. Ailey's face turned a bright shade of pink but at the same time she gave a small smile. Madame Red's actions reminded her of her own mother. "Madame Red, please let Miss Lavender go." Ciel said with a sigh.

Reluctantly, Madame Red did as she was asked with a pout. Ciel took Ailey's hand as she curtsied and kissed her soft skin. "Thank you for coming out all this way to talk business." Ciel said with a small smile. "Th-Thank you for inviting me Earl Phantomhive." Ailey stuttered with a blush. She followed behind Ciel and sat down at the chair in front of his desk.

"Now you know that I asked you to be here to assist me with ideas about my toy company. I want to keep the sales up as much as possible but they haven't been rising as much as they have been." Ciel explained, sitting back in his chair and turning towards the window. Ailey put a finger to her chin in thought. "May I please see a sample of your toys? Maybe the problem lies with them." Ailey asked.

Ciel nodded and stood, walking over to Ailey and holding out his hand to help her stand. Once she stood, Ailey's chest throbbed and she stumbled back a little. Ciel, never losing his grip on her hand, kept her from falling and gave her a concerned look. "Are you alright dear?" Madame Red asked, walking over to the young girl and feeling her forehead. "There's no need to trouble yourself. Just a dizzy spell." Ailey said quickly with a smile.

"You do seem quite pale My Lady." Lau spoke up. "I'm fine really." Ailey assured. Ciel nodded and led the three out of the room. Outside in the hall stood Sebastian and Hope, which the former had an invisible look of pity as he saw the young girl. "My Lady, you forgot this in the carriage." Hope said as he handed her a small porcelain doll, and it looked like her. "Thank you." Ailey said quietly as she followed Ciel down the hall as quickly as she could.

Sebastian, who made his way to the front of the group, opened the door to one of the guest rooms. Walking over to the desk with the three toys on it, Ciel gestured at these to Ailey. "These are a sample of the toys that the Funtom Company has to offer." Ciel said. Ailey walked over to the desk and looked at the three toys. There was a rabbit, a lion, and a dog. All had eye patches and dark suits. Brushing her finger against the cheek of the rabbit, Ailey gave a small smile. "Well there lies your problem right here." She said. Ciel gave her a confused look.

"Funtom Toys are mainly for boys. Add porcelain and pearls and you'll attract more girls." Ailey explained, placing down the porcelain doll beside the lion. "Besides," She whispered, "No child is more greedier than a young girl begging for a doll in lace and linen." Everyone in the room saw the far away look Ailey held in her eyes as she stared at the porcelain look alike. "Have you had the experience of such desire?" Madame Red asked, placing her hand on Ailey's shoulder. Ailey looked up at the older woman and gave her a small empty smile. "Once, but never again have I had the pleasure." She said.

Sebastian knocked on the doorframe and bowed when he had everyone's attention. "The meal had been prepared and is waiting outside in the garden." He announced. Ciel and Lau walked ahead with Sebastian and Hope trailing behind them. Ailey stayed behind with Madame Red. "You remind me of my mother. Though she had a passion for the color yellow, she had the same love and care that your eyes hold." Ailey said, turning and walking towards the door. "Your mother, is she…" Madame Red trailed off; afraid she already knew the answer. "Yes, she's dead. Along with my father and older brother. Not to be rude in any way, but come now Madame Red, you've read the papers." Ailey said, turning back to look at her with a pained smile.

Once the two ladies were outside and sitting at the table, everyone began eating. "I hope the deep dish apple pie is to your liking?" Sebastian asked. The three guests nodded. "This is marvelous." Lau said. "Absolutely." Madame Red replied. "I don't usually eat pie, but this is amazing!" Ailey exclaimed. After taking another bite, Ailey's throat closed and then throbbed. She put her fork down and rubbed her neck tenderly. "Don't eat to fast darling, you might choke." Madame Red said with a small chuckle. 'Just like Ciel; No matter what she's been through, she's still a child.' She thought as she watched Ailey cover her mouth and cough a little to clear her airways.

After everyone was done eating, Ciel, Madame Red, and Lau stood to go back inside. Only Ailey stayed in her seat with her hand to her neck. "Are you coming back inside Miss Lavender?" Ciel asked. "I think I will stay outside for a bit longer. I need a bit more air before I go back inside." Ailey said, not even turning around to respond. She had no more masks to disguise her pain. "Lady Lavender seemed a bit winded when I escorted her to the manor, the fresh air will do her good. As for the rest of us, let's get out of the sun shall we?" Sebastian explained. The nobles nodded and followed the butler in black back into the building.

When they were out of sight, Ailey stood and stumbled her way into the rose section of the garden. The aching pulse in her neck and across her chest became more frequent. A powerful pulse blurred her vision and sent her to her knees. Crying out in pain, Ailey quickly unbuttoned her shirt. Her inside corset covered what needed to be covered, but It didn't cover the phoenix tattoo that spread right above it. Intricate tattoos traveled up from the beak and wrapped around her neck. "He…. Help…" She whispered, before her world went black. Hope watched the entire thing from the roof of the mansion. 'Until midnight My Lady,' He thought, fading away with the coming breeze, 'Until midnight.'

Ciel sighed as he walked from the billiards room to his study for some peace and quiet. Passing by the large windows overlooking his garden, he gazed over each section, looking for Ailey. Ciel must admit, he was curious about her. She has a demon butler, but doesn't know he's a demon. She was fed the lie of being given a guardian angel, but doesn't know she's been fooled. Has she even made a contract yet? Is she just a snack? Is there something more about this seemingly innocent girl that he doesn't know about yet? Ciel frowned in confusion, and he didn't like it one bit. His eye stopped on the rose section of his garden, and spotted a figure lying in his silver roses. Ciel pressed his hands to the glass and leaned forward to get a closer look. 'Sleeping on the job? Finny I swear-… wait… that's not!" Ciel thought, each thought getting more frantic as he came to the conclusion of who was unconscious in his garden. "SEBASTIAN!"


I know you people love my cliffhangers and my plot twists :3 Don't forget to leave your thoughts!