"What the... argh!" shouted Ciel, attempting to get out from this strange woman's embrace. He managed it eventually though his hair was mussed and his face slightly pink. "Sebastian, who the hell is this?"
"You mean you haven't told him about me?" Lilith asked, pouting while leaning in to me further. I dared not move. "But I've told all my friends about you".
"I have not yet had the chance" I informed her.
"Mmhmm. Yet you seem to have had the chance for plenty of... other things" she said, pulling back and looking between us suggestively.
Ciel turned bright red. "Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?"
Lilith laughed, a bright, musical sound that didn't seem like it could possibly come from her. "Oh I see now why you wanted him as a pet" she told me.
"Pet?" yelped Ciel, outraged.
I could not afford to let this get out of hand. The ring glittered ominously on Lilith's finger and, despite her light tone, I sensed the danger.
"I anticipated more time after our last conversation, but if you would like me to take him back immediately and tell him all about the situation then I shall certainly -"
"Now, now, Seb. No need to rush back when we're all here together. You need to work on your people skills" she said, giving me a patronising little tap on the nose with her forefinger.
"You don't need to trouble yourself with -"
"Enough". She said in a firmer voice, stroking the ring subtly with her thumb. "Come and have a drink with me, both of you. That's an order".
My contract mark burned and I was bid to obey. There was a sinking feeling in my stomach. This could not end well.
Lilith strode forward confidently and I followed, guiding Ciel along with a hand on his shoulder. There was no point in him running since she could kill him instantly, regardless of where he might hide.
"Why are we going with her?" Ciel whispered, obviously confused at the situation. I dared not answer with her so close.
We were lead to a bar back on the main street. As if by coincidence, a table of people stood up to leave just as we got there and a waitress brought over three beers as we sat down, Ciel doing so reluctantly but picking up on the tone and co-operating at least.
"So, little pet. How do you like not being dead?" Lilith asked Ciel conversationally, taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes glowed a little and I knew that, as perceptive as he was, Ciel would have realised by now exactly what we were faced with.
"Errr... I suppose I'm... quite partial to it?"
She laughed that musical laugh again. "Good! Because you were quite dead indeed not long ago! Of course, you probably don't know that if he hasn't had the time to tell you".
"If I may -" I began, but she hushed me.
"No, I'm talking now, slut-sucker".
Ciel was as tense as I was now, and his leg bumped into mine and stayed there as though for some kind of reassurance. Regrettably, it looked like I would not be any help to him right now since I was trying my hardest to appease Lilith in order to keep him safe.
"Rude. Now where was I? Oh yes, your untimely demise. I can't believe Seb wouldn't even tell you anything about your saviour - since he left you there to die I had to go all the way back to get you, it was quite a bother. But here you are. I rescued you - isn't that right, Seb?"
I had no choice. His life was more important than my pride. "Yes".
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, Master".
The shock on Ciel's face might have been comical in any other situation. No one was laughing here, though Lilith looked like she might be on the verge.
"What's with all the serious faces? Did you not here what I said? I think I deserve a thank you at the very least". She looked at Ciel expectantly.
A strangled noise left his throat but no actual words.
"Seb, honey, what's wrong with him? If he's broken already then maybe you need a replacement. There's no use for a pet that doesn't work, is there?"
I kicked Ciel's ankle next to me and gave him a look, nodding encouragingly. He kicked me back, hard, and I was holding my breath now. If he remained stubborn then I could lose him again, barely a day after I'd gotten him back. All I could think to do was hit him again, this time with a subtle manifestation of darkness under the table. He gasped at the sudden shock and looked outraged, but my desperation must have shown in my expression as well as my actions. He did not fight me anymore and warily turned back to Lilith.
He cleared his throat. "I am most grateful if this is true. Thank you" he said and turned to me, looking for gratitude at his performance.
"There, that wasn't so hard now was it?" Lilith cooed, sipping daintily at her beer. "Drink up boys, I didn't pay for you to waste those".
She hadn't paid at all but I did as I was told, and was relieved to see Ciel do the same. He pulled a bit of a face at the taste but took a few gulps anyway.
"Now this is better. Look at us all, getting along so well. I'm so glad we could fit this little catch up in before you had to start your work again". She said to me. I closed my eyes in frustration.
"What work?" Ciel blurted.
"Oh of course, he hasn't told you that either". She put a hand by her own face and leaned towards Ciel across the table conspiratorially. "Pssst. He's helping me to end the world. Isn't that right, Seb?"
"No".
She seemed taken aback. "No?" She said, laying her ring hand on the table for me to see.
"Technically we are not working to end the world, as such, but fundamentally alter it".
She paused for a moment, giving me a harsh look, before she suddenly burst out laughing. "Fundamentally... alter... hahaha! Where did you find this one?" She asked Ciel. He looked unsure as to whether he should actually answer when she continued, her laughter dying off. "Call it what you want, slut-sucker. I still need ninety eight souls from you to complete the ritual. And then? Demons can walk the earth again as they please". She said this last part while looking straight at Ciel and I could sense him trying not to react. She downed the rest of her beer and slammed the glass back on the table. "It'll be quite the party. You won't let me down, will you Seb?"
She was fixing me in her piercing gaze now. I just needed to get this over with. "No, Master" I told her, bowing my head in submission.
"Good". She stood and reached forward to pinch Ciel's cheek like a loving Aunt or Grandmother might. "Remember what's at stake" she said gently, giving him a bright smile. "Oh and keep your phone on you" she told me. "I'll be in touch".
Just like that, she turned to leave, waggling her fingers at us before disappearing into the crowd outside.
The silence stretched out as we sat there alone. I tried to think what I could possibly say to make this okay when Ciel violently pushed back his chair and stood, not looking at me as he spun around and raced for the door.
"Wait" I called, barely remembering to pick up the shopping bags before chasing after him. Without our contract bond I might find it harder to track his whereabouts. Luckily I knew his scent well, so I was able to follow him through the throngs of people.
His sense of direction proved to be better than I had thought. It was either that or complete chance that brought him slowing down near our apartment building, pausing to catch his breath before his asthma could be triggered.
"Let me explain" I said, stopping beside him effortlessly.
"Just let me in, Sebastian" he ordered angrily, looking around at the various identical apartment buildings.
I did as I was told, worried he might run off again. We took the stairs awkwardly and I lead him to the right door and unlocked it before he hurried to his room and slammed the door behind him.
I approached cautiously and knocked. "Young Master, if you'll just allow me the opportunity-"
"Go away" he said.
"I rather think that we should talk about this" I pressed. I couldn't just leave it at that. I felt utterly wretched.
"I don't want to" came the reply.
"Very well, then I'll talk" I said desperately. "I was summoned by her, Lilith, during our carriage ride that day. It shouldn't have been possible but she is a far more powerful and ancient being than I; a legend among Demons. Her blood created an entire race of our kind, and she is revered and worshipped amongst us. There was nothing I could do. Do you understand what I am saying? She could obliterate me in a moment".
Silence came from behind the door and I could not sense his reaction at all. He must be so ashamed of me. To see me this weak must disgust him.
"She forced me into a contract and I could not return to you. I tried to, believe me I did, but my hands were tied. She realised that I wanted to leave and threatened you if I didn't co-operate. I am simply trying to protect you -"
The door opened a crack to show him standing there, his face pale. "You think that's what this is about? I'm angry because you have to obey some new Master?" He looked at me incredulously as I tried to think what he could mean. "Sebastian, you lied to me".
Lied?
"I apologise for not being more forthcoming when you assumed I was responsible for your transfer in time. I merely wanted to prevent you from being overwhelmed by troublesome information. I did intend to tell you of my new contract but I thought there would be more time".
He looked at me coldly. "That wasn't for you to decide, Sebastian. It would have at least prepared me for that... that woman, Demon, whatever. Just tell me one thing, and I need you to be utterly honest with me. Are you actually capable of getting us back to the right time? To 1891?"
I froze. My blood ran cold at the recollection of the blatant lie I had told him earlier.
"No" I said simply.
He took a shaky breath and gave me a the most betrayed, horrified look before slamming the door in my face.
"I just wanted to protect you" I called in after him.
I got no response.
"Please" I tried. I did not say that word lightly, but still it got me nothing. I was met with a closed door both literally and metaphysically; he had thrown his inner wall back up, blocking me out and closing himself off from me completely.
I reminded myself that he was alive, at least. He could hate me all he wanted but he was here. I clung to that notion as I slid down the wall and on to the floor, taking up residence outside his bedroom door for the second time. He may not want to talk now but I would wait patiently until he did.
I stayed there for a long time before a stray thought ruined my mantra: if Ciel's opinion of me was irreparably damaged, if he hated me now and could no longer trust me, then how could I ever be Sebastian again? Who was I? Would he even let me try to protect him? Or was everything beyond salvaging?
I was sure that if I had just told him everything slowly, like I had intended, it would have been all right. He could have gotten used to it, one thing at a time, told to him in the right way. Lilith obviously had no intention of allowing me that. I had seen her wicked joy as she had destroyed us with words.
How could we ever be safe if she was set on ruining anything that could ever be good in my life? I realised now that she would never leave us alone, we wouldn't be free even after my contract with her was complete. I needed to protect him.
I was going to have to kill her.