Chapter Ten

I awoke to darkness, my entire head killing me. I felt a pressure on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Where was I? I gathered all my strength to slowly turn my head to look around, only to find darkness. Did the giggler have me? Did Claude? Was I going to die? My heart started racing and I instantly felt sick. Nausea was rolling in my stomach, and I groaned.

"Quiet Esther, you don't want to wake the rest of them. Just relax"

A hushed voice said.

I almost didn't recognize Sebastian's voice. Not over the ringing in my ears. I immediately felt relieved, if he was here then I was safe, no question about it.

"S-Sebas.."

"No words Esther, there's quite a bit of blood. Save your breath"

He said softly.

There was something off about his soft, tender, caring tone. Synthetic. As if he was faking emotion. Then again he was always like that, so polite that it looked fake. Maybe it was. But why? Why would he fake it? Does he really hate being a butler, despite of how he acts? Maybe he did. Maybe not. I didn't care too much right now. All I cared about was that Michaelis guy being a demon. Was he the stalker? Did demons really exist?

"Who's M-Michaelis?"

I forced out into the darkness.

"That's me my lady, my name is Sebastian Michaelis. Why do you ask?"

Came his tender reply.

I froze. He was a demon. He was a demon! The man who saved my life was a demon. It was surprising how little that really shocked me. His graceful and strong figure and tremendous strength? That explained everything. The man who saved my life was a demon. The man who helped me was a demon. The man who I was starting to love was a demon. What was it that the giggler said? Feasting on her soul? Do demons even feel hunger? Do demons even feel anything? His synthetic tone told me otherwise, but if he was hungry, I couldn't stand by and let him starve. I had to do something.

"Sebastian…"

Yes, I know it was dumb, but I didn't care. I wanted to help.

"Yes?"

He asked.

"Do…do you smell blood?"

"You're bleeding quite a lot my lady"

"Do you like blood, being a demon and all?"

Silence. There was hesitation in the air. In him.

"Yes."

"That kid said you were hungry."

"Yes he did my lady, I am formally contracted to my master so I can feast on his soul once he gets his revenge."

"So you're starving yourself until then?"

"…Yes."

"Sebastian…"

"Yes my lady?"

"I have blood… take some."

Silence again. It hung in the air like a thick blanket, suffocating me. I waited for his reply in anticipation. I could hear my heartbeat, pulsing through my body. I could hear my jagged breathing. I could hear everything, but saw nothing. I felt him moving, his footsteps silent. He was suddenly next to me, bending over and his cold gloved hand caressed my cheek. That's all I had of him, just a cold hand in the darkness, filling me with warmth and security.

"No."