Chapter Eleven: Celia Phantomhives

There is a circus coming into town...again. I watched the circus parade from the window of my carriage. I saw people standing on both side of street as they watched the beautiful parade of the circus people. Everyone were laughing and smiling happily, except me. I sighed.

Sebastian looked up from his report paper he had been reading out loud for me. He stopped reading as he realized that I have not been listening properly. "What's the matter, young Mistress?" he asked.

"Nothing." I said as I looked away from the window and stared at my butler.

Sebastian heard the crowd cheered from the outside and smiled slowly. "A circus, huh? That brought back memory of that particular case years back…" he said.

I didn't say anything as I leaned back comfortably near the window, one hand propped up my chin from the window sill. That's right, a few years back, when I was thirteen year old, Sebastian and I was involved with a case regarding a string of missing children which somehow connected with a circus.

FLASHBACK

I was in my study room that day to check and sign some documents as usual when suddenly Elizabeth entered the room excitedly and ran toward me.

"Celia-chan, let's go to the circus!!" Elizabeth yelled with a huge smile. Her hands dropped on the table loudly making me wince.

"Elizabeth, please knock the door before you enter the room and please don't yell like that. It is so unladylike. Aunt Frances would have a fit if she knew you are misbehaving again." I said calmly as I tried to hide my annoyances at my dear cousin.

Sebastian walked into the room with a smile. "Lady Elizabeth is here to visit, my Lady." He said. "I shall prepare refreshment for the both of you." He bowed politely before retreating from the room.

Elizabeth grinned at me innocently as she waited for my answer. "Well?"

"I'm busy." I said coldly as an answer to Elizabeth.

"Oh come on! Why do you have to be such a bummer?" Elizabeth whined. "It will be fun. It has been a while since a circus coming into London."

"Why don't you go with your friends? I'm too busy to go to a circus." I said as I started to re-read the paper in my hands.

Sebastian entered the study room with the refreshment. He prepared my favorite Earl Gray Tea and some cheesecakes.

"Sebastian, please tell your Mistress that all work and no fun would make her grow old faster!" Elizabeth demanded.

Sebastian stared at Elizabeth in confusion then he stared at me. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Come on, Celia-chan! What harm would it do just by taking a break and go to the circus with your adorable cousin here?" Elizabeth pleaded.

"Ah, right, there is a circus in town right now…" Sebastian said.

"Yes!" Elizabeth said, no, yelled excitedly. "I mean it isn't everyday there is a circus in this town. Come on, Celia-chan, please? Pretty please?" Elizabeth asked.

I ignored her and tried so hard to concentrate on the papers in my hand.

Elizabeth glared at me and she turned to look at Sebastian. "Is she really that busy that she can't even have some fun?"

"Well, I suppose Lady Celia could use a break once in a while…" Sebastian replied thoughtfully.

"Whose side are you on?" I asked the butler with a mean glare while Elizabeth cheered.

"You don't have any more work or meeting after this, Lady Celia…and since Lady Elizabeth has come and be so kind as to invite you to go with her, you should really not decline her invitation." Sebastian said with a smile.

I glared at the butler. I swear he just love to see me getting annoyed. He knew full well though I do care for Elizabeth, the girl is always annoying me to the point that I would rather avoid her. I stubbornly said, "I told you I'm busy. I have no time for a break. Why don't you go with your friends? I'm sure they would be more than happy to come and have fun with you in the circus."

Elizabeth pouted. "They can't, it was forbidden by their parents. I think they said something along the line that Circus is not for high-class ladies or something and that we're not kids anymore."

"They were kind of right though. We're not kids anymore." I said with a bored look.

"Circus is a form of entertainment for all ages, you know!" Elizabeth countered.

I ignored what she said and asked instead, "So does that mean Aunt Frances also disapproved of you going to the circus?"

"Well, kind of… But it's alright if I go with you and your butler, right? I really wanted to go with you, Celia-chan…" Elizabeth said with cute puppy eyes. "We hardly spend some time together anymore…" She turned toward Sebastian as if asking support. "Right, Sebastian?"

"I think it is best that Lady Celia take the time to rest and going to the circus seemed like a good enough choice to enjoy a break…" Sebastian said with a smile.

"Ugh, you two… I would never hear the end of this unless I go, would I not?" I said with a glare at those two who only grinned at me. I sighed in defeat. "Fine. Now, leave me as I finish my paperwork." I said rather grudgingly at the two.

Sebastian bowed at me politely then led Elizabeth out of the study room. I supposed he would have to entertain her until I finish with my work. I hope Elizabeth managed to annoy him to hell and he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. He can't harm her unless I order him to, not that I want to harm her. But as long as I know Sebastian, he always calm, pleasant and nice to everyone. He has, like, high tolerance for everyone including Elizabeth and the other servants no matter how annoying or useless they are.

I would like to see him crack someday. Is that weird? He is too perfect that sometimes I just want him to make mistake or lose to someone. But he never did. He has that smug smile whenever he finished whatever it is I threw him into as if he knew that I wanted to test him to see his limit. I think the demon found it challenging and amusing.

Sebastian remained my loyal servant; fulfilling every wishes and desire I want. He is nice at times and comforts me when I am in the verge of breaking down. I know it was all just an act though, Sebastian being nice is just a trick or an illusion, after all, he is a demon. Demon has no heart, or so I believe. Everything about him is a lie. He has no sense of loyalty really, just his aesthetic based on our contract. He would continue be my loyal servant for as long as I have the contract and in return my soul would belong to him in the end.

I have finally finished my works. I stretched my arms and legs before I stand up. I walked around the room a bit. I stood by the window and I saw Elizabeth was in the garden with Maylene and Finnian. They were laughing happily and seemed to be playing tag. I suddenly recalled the last time I play tag with Elizabeth, Anthony and my deceased dog, Sebastian. My parents and Madam Red were always watching us playing while drinking tea and talking. It was a happy time, time that would never return to me. I sighed.

Sebastian entered the room with a smile. "You've finished your works for today, Lady Celia. Well done." He said. He walked toward the table and refilled my cup of tea then he gave it to me. As he did, he also look outside the window and smiled. "Lady Elizabeth looks like she is having a lot of fun, hm?"

I drank my tea slowly. I stared at Elizabeth's innocent smile, so pure. I wanted to protect that smile. I don't ever want her to experience pain and sorrow like I did. I want her to be always happy and protected from the dark side of the world.

Elizabeth noticed my staring. She looked up with a bright smile and waved at me. She was yelling now about going to the circus.

I sighed in defeat. "Sebastian, prepare the carriage. I will go change my clothes first."

"Yes, my Lady." Sebastian bowed to the waist. An amused smile formed on his lips as he watched me walked away.

And off we go to the circus, much to my dismay…

Elizabeth was excited as she watched every display on the circus. The circus is filled with many people who are as excited as Elizabeth is. There are clowns, iron-bending man, fire-eating man, magicians, fortune-tellers, animal-training performances, puppet shows and many others. My cousin couldn't stop walking here and there; only stopping for a few seconds, as if she couldn't decide which one she wanted to watch first.

I shook my head and put a hand over my forehead as if I'm having a headache. "God, this is such a waste of time!" I said with a groan after Elizabeth finally stopped dragging me around and busied herself in one of the games stand.

Sebastian coughed into his hand which sounded like laughter which earned him a glare from me.

"Why are you laughing? This is your entire fault!! Why did you have to say that I needed a break for anyway?"

"But you do need a break, Lady Celia. What harm could happen by just trying to have fun?"

"Well, for one thing, going to circus is not in my list of entertainment…"

"Kids like going to circus."

"I'm not a kid." I said as I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Of course." He said with a polite bow. However something on his tone seemed to be mocking me.

I glared at the demonic butler who only smiled innocently at me.

"Celia-chan, come over here!" Elizabeth called out as she waved excitedly at me.

I sighed and walked toward my cousin.

Elizabeth was looking at some sort of gypsy-like accessories on one of the stand. "Look! Aren't the beautiful?"

I stared at the accessories. Indeed, they are unique.

"I have bought these bracelets." Elizabeth showed me the bracelets she bought rather proudly. She had worn one of the bracelets on her left wrist. "Here, one is for you." She grabbed my hand and trusted a bracelet that similar with her toward my wrist.

"Eh?" I was surprised that she did so. My finger traced the pattern on the bracelet hesitantly. "You really don't have to…"

"I want to." Elizabeth said firmly. She tiled her head with a smile. "Now, we have actually one thing in common."

I smiled at her. "Thank you for the bracelet, I guess…"

"You're welcome." Elizabeth said with a happy grin.

The seller, an old woman, smiled at us. "That is a friendship bracelet. As long as you wear those bracelets, the bond of friendship between you will always be strong. May you two beautiful ladies be friend forever…"

Elizabeth grinned at the old woman. "Thank you, Madam." She grabbed my hand again. "Ok, next, let's go over there!"

"Eh? But…" I wanted to protest but was cut off when she dashed forward without releasing me. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Sebastian watched us with a smile. He then looked at the collection of the accessories with somewhat calculating look. He sighed and then walked toward us.

After that we went to get some snack then Elizabeth dragged me to enter a mirror-maze. Sebastian didn't come. He waited for us outside. Elizabeth also insisted to have our picture hand-drawn by an artist. The result is quite satisfying. Sebastian paid the artist handsomely reward. Then we watched magician show. Elizabeth was enchanted by the show. She looked happy. And let's just say her smile is quite contagious…a little. I must admit I am having fun right now.

There was a shoot-yourself-a-prize stand and Elizabeth wanted to get one of the prizes, a cute teddy bear. She then pleaded puppy-eyes at Sebastian to help her get it. Sebastian, being a gentleman he is, accepted and being an excellent demon he is, of course, he won her that prize. I frowned at the whole deal. Sebastian asked me teasingly if I have desire for one of the prizes as well. I glared at him. He knew full well that I don't like doll anymore.

We heard talk about a new attraction in the circus. Apparently there was a doll-house. It became a popular attraction for kids, specifically little girls. Elizabeth wanted to check it out but I don't want to. However, she didn't give me much choice in this as she dragged me in. Sebastian bowed at us as he just watched Elizabeth dragged me inside with an amused smile. I swear the demon really enjoy watching me got dragged around like a fool by my cousin.

Grudgingly, I have to admit that the doll-house is indeed very attractive and creative. The doll-house filled with various size dolls; there are even human-sized dolls. They are all beautiful and looked like a real human somewhat. It kind of creep me out but it seemed nobody but me noticed the strange feeling. They have a puppet shows here too.

The owner of the said attraction is a couple that dressed like a gentleman and a lady. They were middle-aged couple and acted nice. They were talking sweetly at us and asked the audience their name and age. They're quite chatty. I don't like being asked meaningless things by stranger and I refused to tell them my name and age. But Elizabeth happily answered their questions for the both of us.

When the couple learned there are at least four girls in their audiences on the age of thirteen, they asked those girls to stand up; including Elizabeth and I. Elizabeth dragged me to stand up, much to my dismay. The couple gave the four of us some beautiful red brooch. They said it's for the thirteenth anniversary of their doll-house.

I frowned. I thought the people said the doll-house is the new attraction in the circus. I asked them this. Apparently they were like traveler and they perform for every different circus each year.

Then the show had started. The light is made dim to create some eerie atmosphere. The doll started to move and the girls cheered happily. Some enchanting music was played by the couple for us as we watch.

I felt dazed when the show is over. Elizabeth and the other children have a dreamy expression on their face as they were totally smitten by the show. I could only shake my head. Elizabeth and I walked out of the doll-house when we saw Sebastian is standing outside with a smile that seemed to be etched on his face.

I really wanted to go home but Elizabeth is still not satisfied apparently. She dragged me again saying that we haven't seen half of it yet much to my dismay. I can't stand it anymore. I insisted that we go home right away. I don't particularly enjoy being here anymore.

"Sebastian seemed to be enjoying being here though…" Elizabeth said.

"What?" I looked at her in confusion. She pointed behind me. I turned around and I saw Sebastian is no longer by my side. He was standing in front of a tiger cage a few feet away from where we are standing. I sweatdrop as I saw the butler looked enchanted by the tiger. He was talking and praising the said tiger. I remembered that Sebastian has soft spot with cats and tiger is technically also a cat…somewhat.

Elizabeth giggled as she ran toward Sebastian. "Oh, look, there are little tigers as well. They looked like kitten." She said.

Sebastian's eyes actually sparkled when he saw the little tigers. Unfortunately he couldn't touch them since they are inside the cage but I could tell that he wanted to touch them.

I stared at those two. It seemed they share almost similar fascination toward those tigers. I shook my head as I put a hand over my forehead. I am seriously going to have a headache because of them, I just knew it.

A bunch of girls walked passed me and I heard what they were talking about. They were talking about a fortune-teller in the circus. They were talking about how accurate her fortune-telling are. I rolled my eyes at that. I don't believe in fortune-telling. I believe they were just telling lies or telling people what they want to hear.

I scanned around and saw the tent where the said fortune-teller is. The tent she was in has a display: The Magnificent Fortune-tellers, Madam Zip. I almost rolled my eyes at that. I saw an old woman wearing brown robes sitting behind a table that has a medium-sized crystal ball and snorted in disgust at the sight.

"You! The little Miss over there!"

I realized that Madam Zip actually called at me.

"Yes, you, little Miss…" Madam Zip said and waved me over to come to her tent.

I walked toward the tent she was in a little reluctantly.

"I saw something about you in my crystal ball…" Madam Zip said with ominous tone.

I held myself from rolling my eyes at her because that would be rude. "I'm sorry; I'm not interested in fortune-telling."

"That's alright. This one is for free. I need to tell you what I saw…"

I raised my eyebrow at that. "Really? For free?" I asked in disbelief. I chuckled. "Ok. What did you see?" I asked with a somewhat mocking tone as I crossed my arms.

"Sit down please." Madam Zip said and I did as I was told. She waved her hand around the crystal ball. "I saw darkness in your future."

I frowned a little. "Really? Well, that's unexpected…"

"Miss, your life seemed to be taken by the aura of great darkness of pain, sorrow and despair…"

Well, that would be the story of my life. But I refused to believe that she really is telling the story of my life. She is probably going to say a lot of bad thing then offered the way out but in the end she would ask me my money. I know it. After all, fortune-tellers are all fake psychics. I don't believe in them. But I decided to humor her. "Really? That sounded bad…"

"You don't believe me, do you? I'm telling the truth. I never tell lies on my fortune-telling…"

"Hmm, I suppose now you're going to tell me how to make my future better then…with that crystal ball of yours?"

"I can't."

That kind of surprised me. I raised an eyebrow.

"I can't." Madam Zip repeated. "I can't…because you are the one who welcome the darkness that shall cloud your future…"

I frowned. She couldn't be talking about my contract with Sebastian, could she?

"Even now, I can feel the darkness that surrounds you. It will eat on your soul to the point of absolute despair." Madam Zip said. "You…" She pointed her finger on me. "You need to find the light on your own. If you don't, you will lose everything, including the people you hold dear…"

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked icily. I do not like being threatened.

"It is true. You…endangered the people close to you because the darkness inside of you, the darkness around you… It will consume everything around you until you are the only one left in the darkness. Do not let yourself being pulled to complete darkness or all hope will vanish for you. You will…"

"That's enough!" I yelled suddenly as I stood up. I glared menacingly at the old woman. "You're only wasting my time. I'm leaving!" I turned around to left.

"Be careful, Miss. I never wrong with my fortune-telling…" Madam Zip said. "May God protect you from the darkness…"

I frowned at the mention of 'God'. "God does not care about me." I said coldly before leaving the tent.

As I walked out of the tent, I saw Elizabeth and Sebastian are looking around for me. Elizabeth saw me and smiled. She ran toward me and called my name. I stared at my cousin. Her smile is pure. She is not yet tainted by the dark part of the world. I hope she would never be tainted, to be forever innocent. For the first time, I envied her.

"Celia-chan, where have you been? You missed the show!" Elizabeth said.

"I'm sorry. I was pre-occupied with something else." I said with a weak smile.

Sebastian stared at me. He seemed to notice that something is off with me. "Young Mistress, is some…?"

"Let's go home, ok?" I turned to Elizabeth. "I'm tired."

Elizabeth looked like she wanted to object but didn't. "You did look a little pale. Are you alright, Celia-chan?" She looked genuinely worried.

"I will be fine once I rest." I said with a re-assuring smile at my cousin. I looked at Sebastian and remembered what Madam Zip said. Her description of 'darkness' seemed to point toward the demonic butler and the contract we made. I quickly turned around. "Let's go, Elizabeth, Sebastian."

"Yes, my Lady." Sebastian said with a bow.

"Ok~~!" Elizabeth said cheerfully and took my hand into hers.

I smiled at her cheerfulness.

Sebastian stared at me and then to the tent where he saw me got out from. A look of thoughtfulness crossed his face but I didn't see it.

We escorted Elizabeth back to her mansion before returning to my own mansion. All the way home I couldn't help but be troubled with the fortune-teller had 'revealed' to me. I told myself that the fortune-teller probably only talking nonsense to scare me or something. Beside even if what she said is true, it is something that I signed for. I do know what I'm getting into when I'm making the contract with a demon. However what troubled me is what Madam Zip told me about the danger I, or rather Sebastian, pose around the people I care about. I do not want anything bad happened to the very few people that I care about. I had lost Madam Red, I can't lose anybody else. I just can't. My heart ached just at the thought of it.

Sebastian stared at me with interest but remained silent.

I can feel his eyes on me. I looked up at him and said as cold as possible to mask the chaos in me, "What?"

Sebastian smiled suddenly. "I was just wondering what it is that make you feel troubled again today…"

"I'm not troubled. Stop speculating." I said with furrowed eyebrows. Why did he seem always to know when I am troubled? Am I really that obvious? Well, that won't do. I have to carefully guard my expression to remain stoic. I do not want him to get any read off me.

"My bad then. Forgive me." The butler put a hand over his heart and bowed a little.

I glared at him. There is unmistakable mockery in the way he spoke and carried himself. I hate him. I really hate him. But I held my tongue. There is no point in arguing with a demon that has no heart or feeling. I turned my eyes toward the window of the carriage. My hand went to my pocket and pulled out a red brooch I received from the couple in the doll-house. Elizabeth was excited to have another item that similar with me. I smiled a little as I saw the bracelet I wear around my wrist.

We finally arrived at my mansion. I retreated to my room. I felt tired and I just want to get some sleep. After I changed my dress into my night gown, I sat on the bed. I stared at the bracelet and brooch I put on the table beside my bed. I was a little startled when I thought I saw the brooch glow a flash of red-yellowish. I blinked and glared at it once more but there is no flashing. It probably a trick of light so I decided to shrug the strange feeling I have. I lie on my bed and put the blanket to cover my tired body. I quickly fall asleep, not noticing that the brooch is starting to glow again.

The next thing I know I woke up on the garden with Sebastian shaking my body. I saw the concern in his expression. I looked around and asked, "W-what am I doing here? How did I get here?"

Sebastian told me that I was somehow 'sleep-walking' into the garden. He said he sensed a menacing aura and decided to check on me and it is good thing that he did. Apparently I was about to leave my mansion without protection. Sebastian picked up the brooch on the ground that seemed to be controlling me earlier. It was glowing again.

My head felt dizzy as I looked at it. I felt like my consciousness is pushed away as my eyes turned blank.

Sebastian destroyed the brooch on his grip and I snapped out of the hypnosis.

I put a hand over my head. "What was that?"

"I think it has power to control your consciousness. It seemed to be designed to take control of certain people." The Butler said as he showed me the remnant of the brooch in his hand.

I gasped when I saw black smoke come out of the remnant and vanished.

"Where did you get this from?" Sebastian asked.

"It's from the circus…when Elizabeth and I went to the doll house…" I gasped in dismay. "Elizabeth! She has one as well! Sebastian, go and check on her right now!" I ordered him to go to Elizabeth's mansion.

"Yes, my Lady." Sebastian bowed at me and then with a flash disappeared from my sight.

I went back to my bedroom and waited for my butler.

Sebastian entered my bedroom and kneeled in front of me. "Forgive me, young Mistress. I was too late. Lady Elizabeth has gone missing."

I furrowed my forehead. I am quite upset with the turn of event. I remembered aside from Elizabeth and I, there are two other girls who received the brooch. I expected that they would have gone missing too. I remembered that the owner gave the brooch to girls who claimed their ages are thirteen year old. I concluded that they were kidnapping thirteen year old girls but for what purpose I didn't know.

"Sebastian, called the Scotland Yard official. Found out if there has been a case of missing girls whose ages are thirteen these few days starting from when the day the Circus came into town..." I ordered.

Sebastian simply bowed at me and proceeded to do exactly what I told him without question. An hour later, my butler came to me with the result. Apparently there has been nine girls of the said age missing these few days and their activities include on went to the circus the night before they have gone missing.

With Elizabeth, the total victims would be ten. Added two more of the girls who received the brooch the same time as Elizabeth and I, which would made twelve missing girls, if I am correct. It would have been thirteen if Sebastian hadn't interfere during the process of 'kidnapping' me. Thirteen. Thirteen girls, all of thirteen years old girls…that looked like a pattern.

Sebastian looked thoughtful; apparently he had reached the same conclusion as me.

"The circus." I said. "Take me there."

Sebastian pulled a long black coat to cover my night gown. He pulled me bride-style and jumped out of the window and moved with fast speed toward the circus.

We finally arrived in the circus. The place was poor in lightning here and there and it seemed everyone fast asleep, except, of course, the owner of the doll-house. We saw the doll house glowed in red-yellowish aura much like the brooch that was controlling me before.

Sebastian put me down then stared at the doll house with interest.

I glared at the doll house. I gripped my hand tightly. Those couple…they have better not harm Elizabeth or I swear they will paid dearly. "Sebastian, let's go…" I took a step forward toward the doll house when suddenly a shriek of familiar voice greeted us.

"Sebas-chan!" Grell appeared before us, more like launched at us from nowhere and tried to hug Sebastian who simply dodged to the side which made the Death God landed on the ground ungracefully.

"Grell Sutcliff." I muttered in anger. I remembered that this is the man that had killed Madam Red a few months ago. Why is he here?

Grell stood up and pouted. "That was mean, Sebas-chan. How could you be so cruel to a lady?" he said.

"What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked, voicing my question.

"I'm currently in a mission." Grell answered with a pout.

"Mission? What mission?" I asked.

"None of your business, bratty girl!" Grell said and stick his tongue at me childishly.

I glared at the annoying Death God.

"Is it involved the circus?" Sebastian asked.

"How did you know that?" Grell asked. "Yes, you were right. My, Sebby, could you have been reading my mind?" He asked teasingly.

I almost rolled my eyes at Grell who is trying to flirt with my butler.

Sebastian handily ignored the Death God. "What happened here?"

Grell pouted at being ignored but answered him, "Thirteen souls went missing and off our radar every thirteen years. After enough investigation, the higher-up had concluded that it has something to do with this thing." He pointed the doll house. "Last time, one of our agents tried to apprehend the owner of the doll house on the suspicion of stealing souls but before she can do anything about it, they just vanished into thin air right after they had completed collecting the thirteen souls."

"Were all the soul that has gone missing in the past is girls of the age of thirteen year old?" Sebastian asked.

Grell took out a notepad out of the pocket in his red coat. He flipped through them. "Yes… How did you know that?"

"They almost took my Mistress and they have my Mistress's cousin, Lady Elizabeth." Sebastian said and stared at me.

I looked up at the doll house. "They needed thirteen souls, right? That's mean they needed one more since they have failed to kidnap me. Then let's give them one. You guys wait here, I will come first."

"I can't let you do that." Sebastian said suddenly.

I blinked in surprise. Did he actually defying me? "How dare you…"

Sebastian stared at me seriously. "It is too dangerous." He cut off my speech.

"I have been in dangerous situation before. Hell, I have put myself in dangerous situation in the past. You never stopped me before. Why start now?" I said with annoyed and impatient tone.

Sebastian didn't answer. He looked, well, concern and protective but that's impossible. He is a demon. He did not care about my well being. He just wanted my soul. My soul…that's it!

"Are you afraid they will take my soul that I promised to you? Is that it?" I asked a little mockingly.

"I won't let that happen." Sebastian answered firmly, eyes glowing menacing red.

I was taken aback at how scary he looked like that moment. I regained my composure. "Good, because I have no plan on letting them takes my soul or Elizabeth's."

"I'm coming with you." Sebastian insisted.

I glared at him. "You…"

"The people you are dealing with are not normal human. It is for the best that we stick together." Sebastian said.

I know it would be a waste of time if I argue some more with him. I am worried for Elizabeth. "Fine." I give in. "Let's get in."

"I'm also coming with you, Sebas-chan~~!" Grell said.

We walked forward and the door opened by itself. I took a deep breath as we entered the doll house. The human-sized dolls looked scarier right now as if they were staring at us as we walked pass them by. We saw another door and as we walked in front of it, the door opened up by itself again.

I entered the room and suddenly the door closed down abruptly behind me before Sebastian and Grell can enter. I heard Grell yelped in surprise and Sebastian called me in concern. The door was pounded hard and with their strength it should have been enough to take down the door but to our surprise the door won't break.

"It is no use. They won't be able to break it." I heard someone said. I whirled around and saw one of the couple, the old woman, stood on the middle of the room. "Welcome, my girl." She said with a kind smile to me. "I've been waiting for you."

"Where are Elizabeth and the other girls?" I asked menacingly.

The old woman smiled. "You have your consciousness." She stated. She takes another look at me. "You don't have the brooch."

"My butler destroyed it and stopped it from kidnapping me."

"Your butler? He must not be an ordinary human to be able to destroy it…"

"I know about the souls you have taken in the past…"

"And how did you know about that? From the Death God that has been keeping an eye on us?"

"You know that Grell is investigating you and yet you still committed the crime? How stupid you can be?" I asked arrogantly.

"Not as stupid as you are who have come on your own free will here only to have your soul taken from you." The old woman said.

"You won't have my soul."

"Really now? You think you can stop us?"

"We have come here to stop you and your husband. Where is Elizabeth? You better not have harmed her."

"Would you like to see her?" She asked. "Come with me then." She turned around and walked toward another door.

I stared at her in suspicion but followed her. I have no other choice. As I entered the next room, I saw thirteen altars, the girls were all sleeping on it and there is one altar empty, I presumed it was meant for me. The altars were arranged to form a circle. The middle room floor has some sort magic circle in it. There is also a grandfather clock in the middle of it. An old man, I presumed to be the old woman's husband, stood on it. He was wearing a brown robe and was muttering some strange words. There is strange smell of incense on the room.

I saw Elizabeth and rushed to the altar where she was sleeping on. "Elizabeth!" I yelled. I checked her pulse. She was alive. I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned to look at the old woman who had crossed on the middle of the room toward her husband. "What are you planning to do with their soul?"

"You will see…" The old woman said with a smile while she was wearing her robes.

"You…" I wanted to yell but suddenly my eyes blurred and I fell to the floor. I realized too late that the incense was making me lose my consciousness. I was alarmed when the old man that has been in the middle of the room was suddenly on my side. He picked me up and laid me on the empty altars. I couldn't move or speak.

The old man walked toward his wife and they both chanted some strange words again.

It is getting harder to breathe. I felt the surrounding air turned heavy. I wanted to yell Sebastian's name but I could barely make a sound. Where is he? Where is Grell? What are they doing?

The chanting got louder and I saw white smoke of some kind slowly come out from one of the girls as the said girl's body trembled in some kind of seizure. The girl's eyes and mouth was opened but no sound come out. I could tell she was in so much pain. And then the next girl started to show the same symptom.

I felt fear gripped my body as I stared one by one white smoke come out of the girls and floating in the air and toward the couple. The couple's body started to glow and before my eyes it seemed almost like they regained their youth.

I saw Elizabeth's body started to convulse and I could feel something was torn away from my body. I screamed and to my surprise my voice came out. I yelled Sebastian's name.

Suddenly the door was blown up and a few knives were thrown toward the couple. The couple was unable to dodge the sudden attack and they screamed in pain. They had stopped chanting. The white smoke whirled around in the air above us all before re-entered the bodies they belong to.

A torn-up human-sized doll was thrown inside the room. I saw Grell walked inside the room with a maniacal grin with his Death God's weapon, the saw, is on.

Sebastian appeared beside me and helped me up then he kneeled in front of me. "I'm sorry for my late arrival. We've been pre-occupied with something else."

I coughed up in pain. Having your soul almost torn out of you will do that to you.

"Young Mistress, are you alright?" Sebastian asked in genuine concern which I am sure only for my soul.

I glared at the couple. "Kill them, Sebastian!" I said.

"With pleasure, my Lady." Sebastian said, eyes glinting menacingly.

The couple looked annoyed at the sight of Grell and Sebastian.

Grell stared at the couple. "Heya there! You two are under arrest on the crime of stealing soul!"

"Damn Death God!" The old man cursed. He pulled out the knives on his body. He raised his hand and a wand materialized in his hand. He rushed toward Grell and attacked him.

Grell was mocking the old man as they fought but soon realized the old man is formidable opponent.

The old woman faced with Sebastian. "You are not an ordinary human, are you?" she asked.

Sebastian grinned. "I am a demon and a butler."

"A demon? Here in this world? What concern do you have with the souls of these girls anyway?"

"I don't care about the other girls' soul, only my Mistress's." Sebastian answered truthfully.

"Mistress? That girl? I see… She is under contract with you…" The old woman is catching up quite fast.

"Yes, that's why I can't let you off easily. You almost steal and damage what is rightfully mine." Sebastian said, eyes glinting cruelly.

I stared at the fight before me in speechless.

The old man saw Sebastian had managed to corner his wife. He launched toward Sebastian almost suddenly but my butler saw it coming and stopped the attack.

Sebastian grinned. "I know what you two are. I always thought your clan has extinct hundred years ago…" he said.

"We are the last of our clan." The old man replied.

"Your clan will be no more after tonight." Sebastian said.

The couple looked distracted with what Sebastian said.

"Thirteen souls of thirteen years old girls to pro-long your lives and restore your youth for thirteen years. The sucking of their souls must be done before midnight before the clock strikes thirteen times. Time is running out for you two." Sebastian said in sing-song voice.

The couple looked frightened at this as they realized it was almost time and they haven't even sucked the souls.

"We're one of a kind. We both consume souls. Couldn't you do us a favor and let us have these girls?" The old woman begged at Sebastian. "In return we will give you anything you want."

"One of a kind? You and I? Don't make me laugh. Your clan is nothing to my kind. You should have perished with your kind long time ago." Sebastian said cruelly.

The clock started to strike as midnight came.

One. Two. Three.

The couple's body convulsed as if having seizure.

Four. Five. Six.

The couple started to scream as their skin turned into grayish color.

Seven. Eight. Nine.

Their face started to wrinkle some more and skins melted.

Ten. Eleven. Twelve.

Their body slowly turned into skeleton.

Thirteen.

They turned into dirty ashes on the floor.

I gasped at the sight before me and I looked away.

Sebastian walked toward me and smiled kindly. "It is finally over, my Lady."

"Are they…demons?" I asked.

"No, my Lady, they are…" Sebastian put a hand over his mouth as if thinking. "…other dark creatures…"

I can tell he didn't want to tell me anything about the nature of those couple. I could always order him to tell me but right now I am just so tired and sleepy. I just want to go home. I turned toward Elizabeth who still sleeping on the altar. "Elizabeth…"

Sebastian walked toward Elizabeth and pulled her into his arms. "Let's get Lady Elizabeth home before anyone noticed she was missing, hmm?"

I nodded.

Suddenly Grell yelled, "Oh my God, what have I done? I was supposed to arrest them. How am I supposed to arrest ashes?"

I rolled my eyes at that. I looked at Sebastian. "What about the other girls?"

"The Scotland Yard is on his way here. They can deal with the girls." Sebastian said. "We should just go home to avoid questioning. Our carriage is waiting outside."

I wonder when the hell he called the Scotland Yard or how a carriage would be waiting for us when we came here using his super speed. I sighed. I don't want to know.

Grell was still yelling and pulling his hair over the ashes. He mentioned about punishment and William over and over again.

Sebastian stared at Grell. "Do you want to avenge for Madam Red here?" He asked me.

I stared at Grell and then at Elizabeth. "Let just leave it as it is for now."

We left Grell who is still ranting by himself.

After Sebastian sneaked Elizabeth back into her bedroom, we went home. I retreated back to my room. I felt tired. I laid my head on the pillow and sighed. I couldn't help but remembered Madam Zip's words about how I would endanger the people around me. I almost lost Elizabeth today…to a creature of darkness but she was saved by another creature of darkness, by Sebastian. I sighed. Madam Zip's words are giving me headache and I hated it.

Sebastian knocked and entered the room. "I took the liberty to prepare you some milk. It will help you to be able to sleep comfortably tonight."

I sat from the bed and stared at him. How is it he always know when I have trouble sleeping?

"What kind of butler I would be if I can't even anticipates your needs?" Sebastian said almost seemed like he was answering me. He was smiling at me with eyes closed.

I took the glass of milk from him. I muttered 'thanks' to him. After I finished drinking the milk, I laid on my bed.

Sebastian bowed at me and left the room.

The next day, Inspector Aberline came to my mansion. He was asking if Sebastian and I have involvement in solving the recent case of missing girls. He had heard that Sebastian was asking information about the girls yesterday and at the very night the missing girls are all found immediately by an anonymous tip.

I put up a bored look and told him that I have no idea what he was talking about. I asked Sebastian if he know what Aberline was talking about.

Sebastian played along and said he did not know what the young police was talking about.

Aberline sighed and left the mansion.

"Are you sure? The Scotland Yard will get all the glory…" Sebastian said teasingly.

"I don't care much about glory." I said in bored tone.

The butler chuckled.

END FLASHBACK

"You never did tell me what sort of dark creature they are…" I said suddenly.

"Would you like to know, young Mistress?" Sebastian asked.

I gazed at him for a long while. "No, not really." I said finally.

"Why didn't you ask me what you really want to ask?"

"What makes you think I have questions for you?"

"They always do…"

I presumed he meant his previous masters and mistresses probably. The truth is I do have lot of questions I want to ask him but I am too afraid of the answer. Beside I felt if I ask him those questions, it would show him my weakness or lessen my resolve or something.

I raised my chin up stubbornly and said, "I have nothing to ask of you."

A slow amused smile etched on his face. "Very well."

TBC

A/N: My God, you won't believe how hard it is to come up with a good plot. Once again I suck at the plot. Grell appeared shortly in this chapter but I don't think I write him in character. Well, I am not good writing in character so in the future there might be a lot of OOC-ness. Please bear with me. The truth is I have other plot in my mind for this chapter but I decided to withdraw it after much mess-up thinking. I hope you enjoy reading this nonetheless.