Chapter 11

Grell stepped into Bella's room and placed a pile of neatly folded dresses on her bed. As he turned to leave, he noticed Bella's copy of Romeo and Juliet laying on the pillow. Grell shook his head fondly and picked the book up.

"She must've fell asleep reading it again and forgot to put it back," he stated to no-one, flipping the pages. Though, as he did, a splash of colour caught his eye. Grell flipped back a few pages and found a red orchid pressed against the pages. He smiled fondly, shut the book and slid it back onto the book shelf. It was quite sweet of Cyril to give her such a unique yet simple present. Grell started to wonder how the boy was doing as he left his daughter's room and headed down the stairs.

Cyril had sprinted all the way to the Manor and was now standing outside the property line. He didn't know if Sebastian would give him a chance to explain or not. Maybe Grell would allow it though? Cyril didn't know what would happen once he entered the property, but he hoped he survived it.

He sighed and walked closer to the Manor. Cyril felt a little better when he wasn't immediately killed and he hurried to the front door and knocked. Grell, helping MeyRin and Finny with the laundry, heard the knock and turned to Bard.

"Will you please get the door, dear?" Bard rolled his eyes slightly but nodded. He wasn't very fond of being called 'darling' or 'dear' but he had long since given up on complaining about it. He walked from the back room and opened the door. His eyes widened slightly at who was there.

"Oi, what are you doin' here?" he demanded, wishing he had one of his flamethrowers just in case. Cyril frowned slightly at the human chef.

"I need to speak with Sebastian and Grell," he said. "It's important."

Bard eyed Cyril with distrust.

"Mr. Sebastian told ya ta stay away from 'ere. Why should I let you in?" Bard was hardly keen on disobeying Sebastian's orders, especially when it involved the well-being of the family.

"Bard? Who is it?" Grell stepped up, eyes widening at Cyril. Bard stepped to the side to allow Grell next to him.

"He says he needs ta speak with you an' Sebastian, milady. Says it's important."

Cyril nodded.

"It is! It's about Bella," he insisted. Grell was a tad taken aback by the urgency in Cyril's tone but he stayed put at the door way, standing with quite a bit of menacing authority instead of his usual flamboyancy.

"Sebastian will be back soon. You are taking quite the risk coming here," he stated. Cyril sighed.

"I know, but I had to tell you. My boss, he's forcing me to try and lure Bella out on her own. He's got other Demons waiting to snatch her once she's away from you both," he explained, voice slightly panicked. Grell's eyes narrowed and he reached forward, grabbing Cyril by his shirt and pulling him close.

"I hope you don't expect Sebastian and I to think she will be safe in your hands," he warned menacingly. "Why is he so amendment on Bella? Or is that just your preference?"

Cyril gave an 'eep' as he was pulled close. His ears flattened back and he shook his head frantically.

"I just wanted to warn you! All I know is that he really hates Sebastian and all he told me to do was to get Bella for him. I don't know why he hates Sebastian. He said if I failed this time I would be tortured. But I don't want to have Bella go through that either," he replied, terrified. Grell glared for a moment more before releasing the boy and brushing non-existent dust from his red bodice.

"Very well, come inside and we will wait for Sebastian together," The red-head stepped aside but kept the rather intimidating look. Cyril nodded and walked inside, head down.

"Thank you for listening," he said. Grell hummed as he led Lucian to the lounge.

"Don't thank me yet, kid, if Sebastian deems your story untrue you will be killed on the spot." he stated emotionless. Cyril sighed.

"I figured," he said. Cyril hoped Sebastian believed him, and that if he didn't his death would be quick. Grell sat and raised an eyebrow.

"You knew this and still came?"

Cyril raised his head to look at Grell.

"I thought it would be better than being tortured for however long my boss feels is necessary. Considering how angry he is, it would probably last a century or two," he said with a grimace. Grell was shocked though he hid it quite well.

"The second Sebastian smells you in the house, all Hell is going to break lose. You'd better be ready with your story because I sure as Hell am NOT going to protect you," he warned. Cyril nodded and lowered his head again.

"Alright," he replied. Cyril gave start when he heard the front doors open. Suddenly the doors to the lounge slammed open and a very pissed off Sebastian stormed into the room.

"What the Hell is he doing here?" he snarled. Cyril yelped and hid behind one of the couches.

"Wait! Don't kill me! I have to tell you something about Bella!" he pleaded. Sebastian growled and easily leapt over the couch. He grabbed Cyril by the throat and lifted him into the air.

"I told you not to come back here," Sebastian snapped. Cyril struggled.

"Bella's in danger! My boss is still trying to get me to capture her! I came here to warn you," he exclaimed. "I didn't want to lure her away so I came to tell you!"

Sebastian's hand tightened around Cyril's throat before he turned to look at Grell.

"Did he tell you this already? What do you think?" he asked. Grell sat calmly on the couch and looked up at Sebastian with a nod.

"I told him if you didn't think he was telling the truth that we would kill him. But, clearly, it didn't faze him. I was waiting for you to come home and make the decision."

Yellow-green eyes jumped from the choking Demon boy to Sebastian. Sebastian looked back at Cyril and his eyes narrowed.

"My boss wanted me to lure her away so the other Demons he hired can take her to him! I don't want that to happen," Cyril choked out. Sebastian assessed him for a moment.

"You're stupid, but you don't seem to be lying," he said, dropping Cyril to the floor. Cyril gasped and rubbed his throat.

"Thank you," he panted. Sebastian sneered.

"I still don't know if I want to kill you or not just because you're trouble, so save your thanks," he snapped. Grell stood and helped Cyril up to sit on the couch. Although Sebastian had determined he was not lying, Grell kept his skepticism. Grell turned to Sebastian with a sigh.

"Might as well listen to him. If he's realized the stupidity in coming here and still insists, what does he have to lose?"

Cyril shifted a little to put some distance between where he was sitting and Sebastian was standing.

"I've told you everything," he said. Sebastian glared.

"What about the name of your boss? You haven't told us that," he replied. Cyril was a little surprised. He thought he'd said his boss' name at some point, but maybe he hadn't?

"My boss is Erasmus," Cyril said. Sebastian frowned. He knew Erasmus, but he didn't know why Erasmus hated him. Sebastian was quite sure he'd never done anything to the other Demon. Grell noticed Sebastian's reaction.

"Why would he come after you, dear?"

It was rare for Sebastian not to know such things but Grell had the feeling this Demon was one who was easily insulted.

Sebastian shook his head.

"I don't know. I've never done anything to him that should cause this," he said. Grell sighed and looked at Cyril. His skepticism was slowly falling away. The kid had guts for a coward that was for sure.

"Cyril said this Demon promised a special spot of torture should he fail to get Bella this time," he mentioned. Sebastian didn't seem fazed.

"I'll go to Hell and confront him. Obviously he's determined to get Bella as revenge for whatever reason he's come up with to hate me. But we need to bring Bella and Lucian back here," he replied. "It will be safer. Especially since we don't know how many other Demon's he's sent."

Grell nodded and stood.

"What do we do with him?"

He motioned to Cyril. Sebastian thought for a moment.

"I suppose he can stay here as well. I'll be dealing with Erasmus so he shouldn't pose much of a threat," he said. Grell was slightly surprised but trusted his husband's judgment.

"We should hurry to get the kids. They've probably just gotten to Undertaker's," he stated, looking at the clock. Sebastian nodded.

"Yes, let's go," he agreed. "I'll have Bard, MeyRin, and Finny keep an eye on Cyril while we're gone."

Sebastian hurriedly left the room. Grell followed Sebastian out of the lounge, giving one last warning glare to Cyril before closing the doors. He hurried up to Sebastian.

"Do you really think he's telling the truth?"

Sebastian looked down at Grell.

"I didn't sense that he was lying to me, so, right now, yes I do," he replied. Sebastian found the servants and instructed them to keep an eye on Cyril. They saluted and headed to the lounge. Sebastian turned back to Grell.

"Did you think he was lying?" he asked. Grell shrugged.

"I'm not sure. I mean he sounded honest enough and his stupidity surely spoke truthfulness," he was still surprised considering how much of a coward Cyril really was. Sebastian nodded.

"I agree," he replied, opening the front door and stepping outside. "We should hurry to the shop."

Bella sat on a coffin in Undertaker's shop, giggling and mocking her brother.

"You sure hit it off with that little auburn Reaper, Lucian~. Now, when are you gonna smooch him?" she teased, giggling like Undertaker. Lucian pushed her a bit.

"It's none of your business," he retorted. Undertaker chuckled as he brought over some beakers filled with tea.

"Be nice you two," he chided lightly. Bella pouted and looked up at Undertaker.

"You should have seen the two of them together~. All blushing and being adorable~!"

She wiggled on the coffin with a giggle. Lucian grumbled as he took the tea that was offered. Undertaker laughed and ruffled his hair. His laughter stopped abruptly as something caught his attention. Before he could discern what it was he was sensing the front door crashed open and several Demons charged into the room.

Bella's and Lucian's eyes widened and Bella gave a startled yelp. Undertaker's scythe appeared in his hand as he stood in front of Bella and Lucian protectively. He swung his scythe in a deadly arc as a couple of the Demons attempted to go around him. It caught them both and caused them to stumble back.

"Get out of my shop!" Undertaker demanded. The Demons ignored him and swarmed him, attacking from above and the sides. Undertaker slashed at them with his scythe but he could only hit a few. He dodged a couple of attacks and cut through a Demon that got too close to Bella and Lucian. The Demon snarled and backed off as another took his place.

Undertaker swore under his breath and continued trying to keep the Demons back but they were too fast. One clawed his back as another threw a knife at his leg. Three of the Demons jumped him and as he was distracted the others advanced on Bella and Lucian.

Bella gulped but held her ground. Though she was shaking, she grabbed a discarded dagger and attacked a Demon who tried to grab Lucian from behind.

"Get away from my brother!" she screeched, slicing the knife through the Demon's side. The Demon snarled and backed off for a second. Another Demon grabbed her arm and bent it behind her as a third held a blade to her neck.

"You're coming with us," the Demon snapped. Lucian cried out and moved towards Bella but was smacked on the head by a fourth Demon and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

"Lucian!" Bella cried out. She snarled and transformed, her black wings knocking the Demon's away. She hurried over to her brother and held him close.

"Lucian! Lucian, wake up!"

The Demons transformed as well and tackled Bella. The others left the heavily injured Undertaker to help out. One pulled her away from Lucian and a second quickly pushed her to the ground and a few others pinned her wings down. Another Demon pressed his heel down on Bella's neck to keep her still so yet another Demon could tie her hands behind her back.

Bella gasped at the pain and tried to claw at them but there were too many for her. She growled and snarled as she was forced away.

"No! Let me go!"

Sebastian and Grell arrived at Undertaker's shop rather quickly. Sebastian was immediately on the alert when he saw the door hanging off its hinges. He could smell Demons everywhere and he growled. Sebastian hurried inside and was greeted with the sight of a damaged shop, broken glass, and Undertaker and Lucian on the floor.

"Lucian!" he shouted, hurrying over to his son. Grell's mouth dropped and he hurried over as well.

"Undertaker! Lucian! What happened?! Where's Bella!?"

Tears started to gather behind his glasses. Sebastian checked Lucian's breathing and was relieved that Lucian was alive.

"He's unconscious," he told Grell. Sebastian heard a groan from where Undertaker was laying and looked over. Undertaker slowly sat up and hissed in pain, quickly clamping his hand against his side.

"Those damned noxious beasts attacked in a group!" Undertaker swore before spotting Grell and Sebastian.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't stop them," he apologized, gingerly getting to his feet. "They swarmed me and I couldn't get to Bella or Lucian in time."

Grell cradled his son in his arms as the tears flowed.

"T-They took..." the red-head couldn't finish. Sebastian wrapped his arms around Grell.

"I'll find them and get her back," he promised. Undertaker made his way over, though the wound in his leg made him a little unsteady.

"I'll help in any way that I can," he said. Grell instantly held a hand out to Undertaker.

"No you are going to stay here and take care of Lucian. You are hurt too badly to help, darling. Thank you though."

Grell gave a sad smile to the ex-Reaper then turned to Sebastian.

"I'm coming with you, Sebastian."

Sebastian nodded. Grell was an excellent fighter and it would be stupid to go without backup. Even though Erasmus himself was nowhere close to matching Sebastian in strength, he did apparently have a lot of Demons who would do as he said, and that could certainly cause problems.

"We should go immediately, then. If we're lucky we might catch up with them before they get to Erasmus," Sebastian said, standing up. Grell nodded and picked Lucian up, lying him on a coffin. He gently cupped the unconscious boy's cheek and kissed his forehead.

"We'll be back soon, dear."

Undertaker moved to stand by the coffin.

"I'll keep a good eye on him. Don't you worry," he assured them. Sebastian inclined his head politely.

"Thank you," he said as he led Grell out of the shop. Sebastian picked Grell up and began running as fast as he could out of London. Grell was silent the whole ride, clenching Sebastian's shirt tightly.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance to Hell, Sebastian leapt down into the hole. He landed in Hell and set Grell down before heading for the Gates. Grell wiped the tears from his eyes and summoned his Scythe. As they approached the Gates, the Reaper felt something off. His eyes widened when he saw a body lying in the rocks. His heart sank when he noticed the bat wings.

"Sebastian..."

Sebastian walked through the open Gates and over to LeeAna's body. He didn't even need to check to know she was dead. Sebastian may not have gotten along with the Gate Keeper, but he hadn't wanted her dead. He sighed.

"If you want, we can bury her later. We don't have time right now to do anything about it," Sebastian said to Grell. Grell nodded and his expression hardened. Whoever this Erasmus was, he was ruthless.

Sebastian led Grell to the city and through the streets.

"His business isn't too hard to find. We should be there soon," he told Grell as they went down an alleyway. Sebastian walked with Grell through the maze-like back alleys until he spotted a building with a sign that had torture implements on it.

"This is it," he said. Grell snarled under his breath and gripped the handle of his scythe. Sebastian changed into his true form and pushed open the door. He strode inside and walked through the halls and show rooms, ignoring the screams of the torture victims and the sounds of flesh tearing and guts hitting the floor.

"I imagine Erasmus is in his office. If he's not there he'd be in the main show room," Sebastian told Grell, heading up a flight of stairs. Grell's temper boiled and he rushed up the stairs with a growl.

"That bastard is going to pay for taking my daughter!"

Sebastian hurried after Grell.

"Grell, we don't want to draw too much attention," he warned, catching up with the red-head. "Besides the Demons he sent after Bella the other torturers he's hired might attack us as well. It might be best to surprise him."

Grell shook with anger as he stopped himself from kicking in the door to the office.

"...Fine." he ground out through clenched teeth. Sebastian listened at the door but heard nothing. He pushed the door open and saw that it was empty.

"He must be in the main show room then," he said with a growl. Sebastian had been hoping that wouldn't be the case. He turned and hurried back down the stairs. Sebastian opened the third door to the right and led Grell inside and down another hall towards two large double doors. He stopped outside the doors and listened.

"I hear him. Erasmus is inside along with some other Demons," Sebastian informed Grell. He stepped back from the door and kicked them open. Erasmus and the other Demons turned in surprise.

Grell rushed inside and held his scythe ready, glaring Death at the Demons.

"Give me back my daughter!"

The Demons jumped off the stage in the center of the room where Bella was strapped to a table and they spread out. Sebastian snarled and charged towards two of the Demons. They charged back but were thrown back by Sebastian's wings. He tackled one of them and tore his throat out and gave a roar when he felt his wing being scratched at. Sebastian turned and grabbed the other Demon by the throat and flung him across the room where he splattered against the wall from the force with which Sebastian threw him.

Bella gasped, her eyes red from crying.

"Mom! Dad!" She pulled at her restraints, trying to use her claws to slice the straps. Grell rushed forward and slashed through three other Demons.

Sebastian turned to attack another set of Demons.

"STOP! Or I'll kill her now!" Erasmus shouted from the stage, holding the tip of his poisonous tail against her throat. Sebastian froze and growled.

"Let her go! You have no reason to do this! If you have a problem with me then fight me," he snapped. Erasmus snorted.

"No reason? Don't make me laugh!" he snarled, pulling out a vicious looking blade. Bella gulped, watching the poison drip from the stinger.

"D-Daddy..." she whimpered. Grell instantly dropped his scythe and looked at Belladonna.

"It's okay, Bella," he tried to comfort his daughter, even though he was not positive himself. Sebastian glared.

"What do you think I did to you?" he demanded, at the same time he looked for a way to get to Bella without Erasmus noticing. Erasmus growled.

"You didn't pay! Just because you're an Upper Class Demon doesn't mean you get a free show unless I Say so!" he snapped. "Well, now you get a free show. You'll get to enjoy seeing your daughter tortured to death."

Erasmus snapped his fingers and the remaining Demons grabbed Sebastian and Grell's arms, restraining them. He walked around the other side of the table so he could see Sebastian and Grell and he ran the blade along his tail, gathering the drips of poison.

"What are you talking about!? I paid every time!" Sebastian protested. Erasmus sneered down at him.

"No you didn't! I keep a very close eye on my profits, and your payment was missing," he said, lowering the blade towards Bella's arm. Bella tried to move away but her restraints were too tight. Grell didn't have time to be surprised at Sebastian attending such a show; he tugged against the Demon holding him back.

"Let her go! Take me instead!" he tried to barter with the scorpion. Erasmus looked up and smirked.

"Oh, I'll get to you after. It will be far more entertaining to torture you after you've seen your daughter die," he chuckled. "Isn't that right Sebastian? That would be a nice show. I'm almost disappointed no-one else will get to see this."

Sebastian snarled and nearly threw the Demon holding him back off, but he knew that would only cause Erasmus to kill her instantly.

"I know I paid you! There's always a chance someone stole it before you could check it," he reasoned. Erasmus ignored him and dragged the blade against Bella's arm, not cutting but allowing the poison to spread.

Bella let out a scream as the poison burned and ate away at her skin. Grell quickly moved to kick the Demon holding him.

"NO! Bella!"

The Demon skillfully moved aside and tightened his grip on Grell. Suddenly, Erasmus was tackled to the floor by Cyril. He quickly thrust a dagger through the scorpion tail and into the floor, pinning Erasmus temporarily. Cyril quickly jumped off his boss and ripped Bella's restrains away and picking her up.

Without wasting a second, Grell slammed his head back, the sound of the Demon's skull fracturing sounding loudly. Grell quickly ran up and took Bella from Cyril. The red-head gulped and ripped a piece of his dress off, wrapping Bella's arm as she cried.

Sebastian shook off the Demons holding him and quickly tore them to shreds. Erasmus roared and pulled the dagger out of his tail. Before Sebastian could get to the stage Erasmus swung his tail down and into Cyril's back. Sebastian snarled and leapt onto the stage. He grabbed Erasmus by the neck and pulled him back, yanking the tail from Cyril's back.

Cyril gasped and fell to the floor; the deadly poison surging through his body and eating away at his flesh and organs. Grell gasped as the small puncture hole in the boy's back sizzled and grew larger and larger. He reached out to help but Cyril quickly slapped the Reaper's hand away.

"Forget about me! Get her help!" he demanded. Erasmus struggled in Sebastian's grip. Sebastian snarled and ripped his tail off. Erasmus screamed and Sebastian smirked before pulling him apart. He dropped the dismembered corpse to the ground and lifted Cyril up and over his shoulder, ignoring any protests.

"We need to go, now! Undertaker might be able to help them," Sebastian said, jumping down from the stage. Grell wasted no time in running from the building, Bella shaking in his arms. He hurried through the city and through the Gates. Bella gripped Grell's red bodice tightly, trying to fight back the growing scream of pain in her arm.

Sebastian wrapped his arm around Grell and pulled him close. He spread his wings and flew them up through the darkness and out of the hole back to Earth.

"I'll fly us to Undertaker's shop. Keep a tight hold of Bella," Sebastian instructed as he soared through the air towards London. Grell did as he was told and held Bella closely and leaned his cheek on her forehead, trying to keep the tears back as her whimpers echoed in his ears.

Sebastian landed on the roof of the shop before jumping down onto the ground. He allowed himself to change as he led them into the building. Undertaker looked up in surprise from where he'd been keeping an eye on Lucian who was still unconscious.

"What's going on?" he asked. Grell looked up, tears in his eyes.

"Bella's hurt... The scorpion Demon's poison..." he placed Bella on a coffin, untying the strip of cloth around her arm to show a large portion of her skin and flesh had turned black and been eaten away. Grell quickly looked away and bit his lip.

Undertaker grimaced and quickly looked it over.

"It hasn't gotten too far, and luckily it wasn't injected. I can stop it and it should only leave very minimal scarring," he said, rushing into the back room. "As for the boy, who I assume was also hit based on the way his back looks, I don't know if the medicine will do as much."

Sebastian put Cyril down on a second coffin and moved to Grell's side. Undertaker came back out with several vials full of different liquids and cotton swabs.

"These will cure most, if not all, poisons. So they should work on this," he said, opening one of the vials and pouring some of the liquid onto the cotton swab. Undertaker knelt down and began dabbing at the wound. Grell quickly turned into Sebastian's chest, letting the tears fall.

Bella grimaced when the swab touched the wound but let out a sigh when she started to feel relief instead of pain. Sebastian wrapped his arms around Grell and stroked his hair comfortingly. Undertaker set the swab aside and picked up another one. He poured some of the liquid from the second vial onto the cotton and spread that over the wound on Bella's arm as well. Undertaker repeated that step with the two other vials and then he went to gather bandages. He came back, spread the contents of the fifth vial onto it and wrapped her arm.

"There. Keep that on for a week, then it should be fine," Undertaker explained, smiling reassuringly at Bella. Bella looked up at Undertaker and gave a weak smile. Grell hurried over and helped Bella sit up, giving her a relived hug.

"Oh thank God! Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked. Bella gave a small chuckle and shook her head. She looked over at Lucian and her smile fell.

"Lucian. Is he alright?"

Undertaker nodded.

"He'll be fine. He was hit pretty hard, but I wouldn't be surprised if he woke up soon enough," he said. Undertaker turned and walked over to Cyril. "This one will be much more difficult. He'll have to stay here for a few days so I can extract the poison properly and patch him up. That is, if you want me to help him?"

Sebastian looked down at Grell and Bella before looking back at Undertaker.

"You may save him," he said. Bella looked at Sebastian in surprise. She hadn't expected him to keep Cyril around. Frankly, she was surprised Sebastian hadn't left the hyena to die on that stage. Grell shared his daughter's surprise.

Sebastian sighed.

"He did save Bella. I suppose he can't be completely hopeless," he allowed. Undertaker chuckled and lifted Cyril into his arms.

"You may go home if you wish. As I said, this will take a couple of days," he said, taking Cyril into the back room. Grell nodded and helped Bella off the coffin, cradling her arm gently. Bella leaned on her mother, grimacing slightly at a twinge of pain shooting from her scarred arm.

"I'm sorry," she hung her head slightly. Grell looked at her, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Bella, what in the world are you apologizing for?" The swan half-Demoness sighed, ashamed.

"For getting myself kidnapped. None of this would've happened if I hadn't approached Cyril on my own and listened to you two about the dangers of Hell."

Sebastian frowned.

"You didn't get yourself kidnapped. It's not your fault. It was Erasmus who decided he had a grudge against me, so he is the one at fault," he said, briefly petting Bella's hair before he turned to pick Lucian up. Bella looked up at her father and smiled.

"Thank you, Daddy. I'm so glad neither or you got hurt."

Grell held her close and kissed her head. Lucian's eyes blinked open and he groaned in Sebastian's arms.

"B-Bella..."

Sebastian looked down at Lucian with a relieved smile.

"Good, you're awake. Bella is here Lucian. Just relax until we get home," he said soothingly. Sebastian headed for the door. "Let's go home."