Chapter 10

Sebastian had corned some man into a corner in an empty back alley. "What can you tell me about the Amberwood family?"

"The Amberwoods? I used to be good friends with Richard Amberwood before he died. Why do you want to know about them?"

Sebastian smiled. "I'm just following orders, why would not be of your concern."

The man grew uneasy. "I-if you say so, um, what do you want to know?"

"Anything you can offer would be most delighted, Sir."

"Well, Richard inherited his money from his prestigious family, but he made a handsome income as a physician, and he even dappled in Chemistry for he patented a certain medication. He also married the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sarah Barley. She was a beautiful woman, exotic looking with her tanned skin and curly locks… They had a child. Though it was quite evident that the girl took after her father, she had no resemblance to her mother. It was later found out that she was a child from a Sarah's maid and from Richard. They were shot execution style for their treason on the family name and honor. Such a pity… Richard was a good man. I hear his child still lives."

Sebastian frowned. Most of this he knew already. "What about his brother?"

"Bram? He works closely with Sarah's father in the trading company. I believe he has taken in the child. He and I were never close though, so I don't know much more than that."

"I see…Thank you for your time." He let the man leave.

"Close friend of my father? I've never seen him before." Sebastian turned. Alice was looking at him from behind a crate. Her arms were crossed over it in a lazy fashion.

"What are you doing here, Miss Amberwood?"

"I could ask you the same, Sebastian, but it is obvious that you are seeking information on my family. And if you must, Lizzy took Ciel and me shopping."

Sebastian smiled in that unsettling way of his. "Ah, she wanted to find you dresses, did she not?"

Alice smiled back in the same manner. "Indeed. And I'm assuming information gathering was ordered my Ciel?" Sebastian nodded and confirmed her presumption. "You know you could always ask me. I'd be more forthcoming than uncle and most of society doesn't know about the shady side of my family."

"And why would you do that?" Sebastian asked, striding closer.

"Simple, demon. I have nothing to lose." Sebastian stopped in his tracks, the smile dropping off of his face. Alice perched herself on the crate, tapping just below her right eye. "Your master ordered you to something, and since you're just one hell of a butler, you better bring back the best results possible."

"Hm… true. So what information am I missing to bring back to my young lord?"

"My father was a physician, but not just for normal society. He checked out the slaves sold in human trafficking. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he had looked at Ciel at one point with that cult. Now my uncle works in that realm, not as a physician though, he isn't skilled enough for that, but he does have a way with words."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, even I would be kidnapped and held hostage if he seemed to be going against the ring's wishes. I'm sure you know how that can mess with someone." She smiled coldly as if remembering a bitter memory.

"Yes… But that does not explain how you know of my existence…or of the young lord's past." Sebastian said in a measured tone.

"Ah, my father had one of you, though I'm not sure of the reason. Anyway the demon is still around." Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Cyan, would you like to explain?"

A black haired man with silver eyes appeared out of the shadows. He wore a tailcoat similar to Sebastian's, only there were thin chains to decorate his suit. His bangs covered his left eye. "If that is okay with you, mila- I mean Alice."

"I've told you before Cyan, I'm not your master. I don't have a contract, so you don't have to treat me that way. If anything, you're my babysitter, or protector if you rather sound more dignified."

"A guardian?" Sebastian asked, looking at Cyan.

"It was her father's last command before he died. He commanded me to protect his daughter until the day she died. I received his soul, but must still follow his command. It is what we do after all."

"I'll leave you two be. I better find Ciel…" She stood and left the demons alone.

"It must be tough, staying longer than necessary in their world." Sebastian said.

"That was what I thought at first, but… there's just something about her that keeps me from abandoning her and it's not her father's orders. I don't know, maybe I love her, as a human would fall in love watching their child grow up."

Sebastian stayed quiet. He didn't understand entirely, but had an idea. Cyan had been with Alice all her life. Sebastian hadn't been with Ciel for what he considered a short time. "Do we really feel things like that? Don't we only lust for the taste of a soul?" he wasn't ready to believe such things yet.

Cyan only smiled and disappeared again.

"There you are. I was wondering where you went, Ciel." Alice said, appearing at his side. He flinched and turned to face her. He looked distressed. She offered him a pastry she had bought as cover for disappearing. "I saw a bakery and their pastries looked good."

He looked at it suspiciously, but took it from her. She smiled and bit into hers. "Not bad." She glanced at Ciel who was glaring at his treat. "It's not poisonous you know." She laughed.