Kiss Me
"Bloody hell!" shrieked the teal haired earl, his little legs moving of their own accord away from the beast. The mirror image of Ciel stalked towards the boy slowly and deliberately, a wide leer contorting its deceptive face.
"Who are you?" demanded the true Ciel, backing away with every step the intruder took towards him. The illusion cocked its head to the side, as if contemplating his words but uttered not a sound.
Then, a low rumble was emitted from the small body, animalistic and incoherent. The being lifted its left arm slowly, as if it were a puppet controlled by string, placing it upon its right eye and with its other arm pointed towards the Earl.
"Sebas-" Ciel's cry was cut short as his twin threw itself at him once more, teeth bared on full display. Yet before harm could grasp hold of the young earl, a silver butter knife glided through the air like a bullet and embedded itself into the false Ciel's shoulder.
A monstrous howl rung around the room and the attacker snapped its head around to spy the reason for the disturbance, finding Sebastian looming in the shadows by the doorway, silverware in hand; his vermilion eyes ablaze.
"Well," the demon's icy voice juxtaposed the fiery fury in his eyes. "what do we have here?"
The imposter's smile slid slowly from its face, its eyes widening in disbelief.
"Young Master," the black butler called softly but Ciel knew the danger that lurked behind such tenderness. "please come here." The boy did not have to be told twice and he scampered across the room, up into his demon's possessive hold; rage shone bright in fake cerulean eyes.
However, the emotion dimmed and transformed into a disconcerting smugness and before Ciel could open his mouth to give his orders, the doppelgänger melted like the wick from a candle. The young earl watched in horror as he saw himself form into a puddle of liquids and burning flesh before entirely disappearing through the wooden floor boards.
A few moments of silence passed before Ciel's rapid heart beat slowed and his breath evened out.
"What the hell...was that thing? Sebastian?" the boy turned his gaze upon his butler, who wore a troubled frown.
"That, my Young Master, was a demon. Well, a certain type of demonic being because it was more of a...monster than the type of demon that you're used to seeing."
"And what, pray tell, was it doing in my mirror?" The demon sighed unhappily and strode towards his Young Master's bed. Tucking him in, he replied.
"I believe it has something to do with trouble the Death Gods are facing at the moment; contracted souls are being stolen from their demons." Sebastian ran his fingers through fine teal locks. "It seems that we have the source of their problem, our rude visitor tonight."
Ciel leaned into his butler's gentle touch and closed his eyes.
"And it was after my soul? But why take contracted souls?"
"Who knows...for sport, a deal or bet with another demon or just to be a nuisance. Such behaviour is disgraceful but it is expected from such a lowly demon." Ciel mulled over this snippet of information and decided to regard it as valuable.
Thinking over the display that had just occurred, the earl could not shake away the ominous feeling that this would not be the last encounter from the demonic being. Sebastian called it a lowly demon- a monster...did this mean that Sebastian somehow had some power over it?
"Sebastian," Ciel sat up and studied his demon carefully. "what exactly happened between you and that other demon?" Sebastian feigned innocence and situated himself on the edge of the bed.
"What do you mean, Young Master?" Ciel glowered darkly at him which resulted in the demon laughing lightly.
"Do not take me for a fool, Sebastian! Something happened between the two of you; why did he not attack when I ran to your side?" Gloved hands gently pinched the boy's round porcelain cheeks and the demon snickered down at his Master.
"How could you possibly believe that you're threatening at all with that face, Young Master?." Ciel grumbled under his breath, turning his head away sulkily but gloved hands captured the Earl's miniature pair and pulled him forward until the teal haired youth was encased in Sebastian's arms. "Come now, Young Master knows how much I love teasing him." the demon whispered against a tiny shell ear, making the hairs on the back of the boy's neck stand to attention. "But, as you had noticed, I should probably tell you that it did not- could not harm you because I am extremely more powerful than it. "
"I supposed it was something as such but are you sure you're not just exaggerating?" cut in Ciel with a humorous snort. Sebastian rolled his eyes though it went unseen by his Young Master.
"No, I am not. Unfortunately it was just temporary paralysis and he made a swift exit before I was able to finish him but you should know that there are certain breeds of demons that are more powerful than others and I, thankfully, happen to fall into the category of being more powerful than our friend. However, he did not seem to realise until I had actually attacked him, which is peculiar because demons automatically sense a presence greater than themselves; this makes me believe that he was being controlled but by what I cannot say."
"Hmm," Ciel shifted so that he could place a delicate peck to his butler's pale neck. "so a possessed demon is rampaging England, thieving demons of their meals and- wait!"
Ciel bolted upright, staring at a startled Sebastian with a revelation in his clear mismatched orbs.
"Sebastian, do you not find it rather odd that there is a mass murder at the same time there is a mass soul theft? Damn it, that Alois Trancy was right! He said it himself: it is as if their souls had been taken. No physical signs of death, no obvious connection because there isn't one! The only connection between them was the fact that they all contracted demons and there was no sign of the contract because their souls had been taken so the contract had been broken! They have to be connected! I am right, aren't I?"
An approving smile from the demon created a smugly victorious expression upon Ciel's face.
"My Young Master is, as usual, correct in his assumptions. What is the course of action you plan to take now, my Lord?" The young Earl pondered for less than a minute before coming to the conclusion that they should question people associated with the dead contractors.
"They may have seen something – maybe our culprit- but are too afraid to speak up." the boy concluded. "So make sure you have a carriage prepared for tomorrow morning, Sebastian."
"Yes, My Lord."
"A-ah! S-Sebastian..."
"Hmm?"
"You...you're so insatiable!"
"Am I? I am sure the Young Master has no qualms about this though, am I correct?"
"Aah..."
"I am so glad you agree with me."
"E-enough!" cried Ciel, prying his demon's face away from his neck. "we are to be arriving shortly. What would people say if they saw the Earl of Phantomhive departing his carriage in a suspicious state; rumours would fly, Sebastian."
The butler smirked as he watched his Young Master rearrange his creased attire and could not help but anticipate the midnight hours in which they could enjoy each other with ease.
"I would never allow such rumours to even be born, Young Master." the demon promised, bowing his head. "What use would a servant of Phantomhive be if he could not uphold his Master's reputation?" Ciel hummed in reply, leaning against the window as the familiar view of London appeared.
The picturesque view of the English countryside faded, trees transforming into buildings and the world seemed to become more grey. Tranquillity was replaced by the harsh noises of the bustling city, people chattering away, street criers, the whining of the horses and yet despite the routinely rampage one would not suspect that a murderer was on the loose.
"What is the Young Master thinking about, I wonder." Sebastian eyed every flicker of emotion that crossed over Ciel's face with interest, trying to analyse and understand the boy's thoughts. Ciel glanced in his direction, throwing his butler a smirk.
"I was wondering how many people fall into temptation and contract themselves to demons."
"Many more than you would believe, Young Master." replied the demon. "Why do you ask?"
"I was attempting to estimate the amount of people who are at risk to the demon." Ciel then turned his attention back to the world outside the carriage and readjusted his gloves. "But enough about that, we have arrived."
The Estate that the Earl and his butler had arrived at was a rather modest town house, not even comparing in grandeur to Ciel's own apartment yet according to Ciel's notes, the family that resided were middle class citizens, competent and valued workers at a small London bank with two daughters; now reduced to one.
Strolling by the iron gates and up the narrow path, Sebastian rapped on the door and almost immediately a maid appeared.
"A Mr and Mrs Cunningham, I believe." Ciel declared in an authoritative manner. The maid glanced down at he short boy without interest.
"Who's calling, please?"
"Earl Phantomhive, I am here to question Mr Cunningham and his wife about the murder of their daughter." The maid nodded absent mindedly.
"Right this way please, my Lord."
They were admitted into the drawing room where a rather youthful couple sat on opposite ends of a cream coloured settee. They rose and formed polite smiles yet one could not mistake the pain that shone in their eyes.
"Earl Phantomhive for you, Master and Mistress." the maid curtseyed and made a swift departure. Mr Cunningham extended his hand to Ciel and spoke in a soft voice.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir; I understand you are here to discuss the murder of my daughter." The man turned to his sickly wife and smiled gently at her.
Taking a seat, Ciel surveyed his surroundings as the couple busied themselves with arranging tea even though he had refused. The room was surprising light and modest in taste yet its simplicity was calming and homely. How could a girl from this type of background become involved in such underground affairs?
"I shall waste no time in the matter, so tell me," began Ciel. "How old was your daughter?"
"Annabel was sixteen, nearing seventeen, my Lord." Mr Cunningham cleared his throat. "What a life she had ahead of her..." Mrs Cunningham sniffed grotesquely and coughed into a lilac handkerchief; the sound resembled an ill horse. Ciel cringed slightly but ignored the ghastly sound.
"Did you notice anything about her- physically or personality wise- that had changed drastically at all during her life?" The timid man paused slightly in thought but shook his head.
"I could not tell you, I was not with nearly as much as her sister. She always seemed bright and cheerful in my eyes especially when she brought that young man home to stay with us." Ciel sat up straighter.
"What man? When did your daughter bring him to you?" Mr Cunningham pondered once more but a new voice interrupted them.
"Anna brought Mr Sinnet home with her about six weeks ago." Four pairs of eyes turned to see a young girl poised by the doorway with a scowl upon her pretty face and cold, distant eyes.
"Evelyn!" cried Mrs Cunningham in her gravelly voice. "Come sit with us." The girl named Evelyn glided across the room and perched herself inbetween her parents.
"You other daughter, I presume." Ciel nodded his head in greeting but the sentiment was not returned. "Please carry on, Miss Cunningham." Evelyn's eyes narrowed as if she wanted to protest but when she spoke, her tone was as light as her father's.
"Anna brought home a young man with her around six weeks ago and told me that he was a close friend of hers; that he was going to stay for a while until they finished a project of theirs." Ciel glanced up at Sebastian giving him a knowing glance.
"Could you describe the appearance of this Mr Sinnet?" Evelyn's eyes travelled up to Sebastian and scrutinised him accusingly.
"Edward Sinnet looked strikingly like your companion does, Earl Phantomhive." Ciel smirked; jackpot. Leaning forward slightly, Ciel struggled not to smirk.
"Forgive me for this next question but...did anything out of the ordinary happen near the time of her death and where is Edward Sinnet now, do you know?"
"Earl Phantomhive," seethed Evelyn. "the whole entire six weeks since that man's arrival has been nothing but out of the ordinary. For we do not know where he came from or how he came to meet my sister- whom seldom left the house. My sister was anything but a social butterfly and then, within six weeks, two strange men turn up on our doorstep claiming to be a close acquaintance-"
"Two strange men?" Ciel interrupted with a frown. "Who was the second?" The young Cunningham girl, who had turned a bright shade of rouge during her outburst, blinked and attempted to regain composure.
"A few weeks after Edward Sinnet arrived, a second man made himself known to us while Anna was out with her friend." Though by the tone of her voice, Evelyn seemed under the impression that Edward Sinnet was anything but a friend. "He wore a light grey suit and was excessively pale with ashen hair; appearing almost...unearthly. He gave no name and was sporting a rather large, beastly dog. He was almost desperate to see Anna but I refused to let him in, naturally."
Ciel nodded, brooding over this information. Finally standing, he shook hands with Mr Cunningham once more and took his leave.
"What do you make of that, Sebastian?" The demon hummed to himself in thought, a finger placed by his lips.
"I believe that there is more to this mystery than we first thought, Young Master." Extending a hand to help Ciel into carriage, the butler followed suit but not without a cautionary glance around the perimeter.
Settling himself opposite his Young Master, Sebastian knocked on the carriage roof and the driver immediately took off.
"How do you mean?" inquired Ciel, setting his top hat next to him.
"That mysterious stranger with his dog...they are most definitely our culprits."
"Of course, I thought so too but why are you so certain?" The demon smirked.
"Weak demons do not have the power to change their animal form with variety, they are stuck in basic animal forms such as dogs." Ciel's eyes lit up in understanding.
"So the dog was actually our demon! Then, that means the person controlling the demon is the mysterious stranger who was so desperate to see Annabel Cunningham- to kill her." Sebastian nodded his head in agreement.
"Indeed, Young Master and our mysterious stranger, if I am to go by the description Miss Cunningham gave us, sounds like an angel."
Ciel blinked.
"An angel? Why on Earth would an angel descend to Earth, possess a demon and force it to kill humans?" Sebastian watched with interest as the wheels in Ciel's turned frantically. They were all contracted humans therefore against God- sinners, the angel was breaking the contracts...was he trying to save their souls? The boy pondered, A possibility.
But it is against the rules to interfere with souls like that...so has the angel fallen but refuses to become a demon? Either way, he attacked me hoping to break the contract through the demon but failed...he will most certainly be back to try again, as he's gone this far to clear contracted souls. But we need to deal with this as soon as possible...how can I lure him back?
"Are you sure that you want to lure them this way, Young Master?" Sebastian watched as Ciel unbuttoned the butler's shirt. Glancing up at the demon, Ciel nodded vigorously.
"Do you have any other suggestions, Sebastian? I am sure that the angel will be practically beside himself with anger to know that a human is fornicating with a demon of the same sex. Besides," a flirtatious smirk painted the boy's flushing face. "I thought we could at least enjoy ourselves...in case they do not actually show up." Running his hands up the demon's smooth chest, Ciel pushed the shirt off and let his hands slide up Sebastian's neck; tempting the butler for a kiss.
"Ah, so this is just an excuse to enjoy my company then, Young Master?" Sebastian smirked as he pushed the boy down flat upon his bed, positioned himself inbetween his legs and let his ungloved fingers trail patterns along Ciel's thighs, causing the skin to tingle pleasurably. The boy hummed and wrapped his legs around Sebastian's slim waist.
"Your company? Oh, please Sebastian, surely you know that you here just for sex?" teased Ciel as he watched the demon crawl above him until their noses touched.
"My Master is so cruel," lamented the demon, shifting his hips to make Ciel squirm from the friction. He bit gently on an exposed neck, marking it a faintly. Burying his nose into the crook of Ciel's neck, Sebastian whispered, "yet he should be aware that I can be crueler."
Capturing Ciel's mouth, their tongues danced together with an accompaniment of faint moans from each party. Pinning Ciel's arms down against the mattress, Sebastian sucked and nipped and licked at the boy's chest, leaving rosy markings that made the demon's chest tighten when he looked at them.
Dipping his tongue to Ciel's naval, to which the Earl arched his back and cried out the black butler's name with longing, Sebastian shot a hand to Ciel's behind, ready to prepare his little master for all the 'cruelty' that he could offer.
Although Ciel was vaguely aware that he should be prepared for an entirely different matter (such as: what to do in case the criminals did decide to intervene), he would not have to worry tonight. The boy and his demon were being watched by disgusted eyes, yet no attack was to be made upon them.
Oh no, only when the dawn would signal another day would the awaiting angel unleash his fury upon the sinners that polluted God's earth and more specifically, those who had destroyed his brother Ash.