Chapter 10

The horses of the Trancy family were trained to be fast. So fast, in fact, that only the servants had the strength to control them. Claude had a pair of them galloping at full speed, following the directions Hannah had given. Ciel, Alois, and Hannah sat inside the carriage while the triplets clung onto the outside of it, keeping it upright and correcting its course whenever the horses took a sharp turn.

It was early evening and the sun was just starting to set, but it felt more as though it were nighttime as they traveled through the forest.

Ciel was trying to keep himself stable inside the carriage is it rocked and shook, while at the same time he clutched and rubbed at his eye. The stinging sensation had escalated into a hot burning one, as if freshly made soup was being dumped in it. Not only that, but an uncomfortable pulsing sensation accompanied the burning, making it feel as though the eye wanted to jump out from the socket.

Alois did his best to comfort him, to no avail. Hannah could only watch in pity. The maid stood up and knocked on the roof of the carriage twice, signaling Claude to go faster. Sure enough, there was a loud snap, the horses screamed, and the carriage launched forward as they were forced to move faster.

They were running out of time, and they knew it.

Sebastian hadn't changed positions since he had turned onto his side the night before. He felt as though he were in a daze; drifting in and out of where he was. Aware and unaware of himself and what was going on around him at the same time. Feeling as though he still had a spark of life and him and as though he were already long gone, as well.

He felt cold, and he didn't even have the strength to draw up his arms and legs to trap whatever body heat was left. He could only let his head sink into the soft green grass that grew in a thick patch below his head. The wildlife around him was now a living, breathing spectacle of the finest beauty and enchantment whose purpose right now was to provide peace and comfort to the dying demon.

Small branches in the trees' canopies parted to allow a bit of light from the setting sun beat down on Sebastian's weakening form, bringing some warmth to him as the blackness of his tailcoat ate up what it could. The brambles thickened in an attempt to create a wall to block the cool breeze and keep it from reaching him. Blades of grass curled around his fingers, as if they were taking turns clutching his hand to comfort him one last time.

Sebastian's eyelids fluttered, losing their battle to stay open, until at last the demon found that peace all who are dying seek.

With a hushed sigh, he uttered his last words:

"Thank you."

"Ciel!"

Alois and Hannah were holding on tightly to the Phantomhive earl. For a whole minute, the boy had been clutching his eye, screaming as a white-hot pain plunged deep into it; poking, digging, and gouging it until it suddenly stopped. The pain, the irritation, all of it seem to vanish instantly.

"What was that?" Alois asked, letting go of Ciel's arm.

"I . . . I'm not sure," Ciel replied, trying to regain his composure .

"Hannah?"

The blonde quickly looked over to the maid, who sat there with a concerned look on her face.

"Lord Phantomhive, please take off your eyepatch."

Ciel nodded and slipped the bit of fabric covering his eye off and put it on the seat beside him.

Hannah had to refrain from recoiling in shock.

The seal was gone.

Even Alois carried a very grim expression as he looked at Ciel's eye; completely blue without the slightest trace of the seal to be seen.

Without a word, Hannah slipped out of the carriage, and crept up to the drivers chair with Claude. The butler was easily able to read her expressions. He whipped the horses to push them even faster

"Claude . . ." Hannah tried to reason, "It won't make a difference."

Claude shook his head.

"I don't believe that. Not until I see it for myself. There might be time."