A/N: Hello guys! I know the updates with this are a little erratic, but I had Geography and Computer Science tests yesterday and a German test today, and these are contributing to whether I'll be doing National 5 (the highest level), or National 4 (a lower level). Although I'm happy with either, I am aiming for N5, so obviously I've been revising all week for this, as it's so important. Ah, how frustrating real life can be! On the bright side, I know for certain I've passed my German! I should be able to update as per usual but I do have a Spanish test in a couple of weeks so... yeah. Just explaining prolonged absences. Another thing- I need a cover for this, but unfortunately my art skills resemble those of a four year old. And to say that's an insult to four year olds would be pretty apt. So... any of you guys good at art? If so... I really do need a cover. Let me know if you think you
tohru15: Ouais, haha, Ciel est convaincu que Tabby tient de Lizzie. Mais non, elle prend définitivement après lui!
Scotland'sPond: Naturally, it's no issue. After all, if I couldn't do a measly update, what kind of author would I be?
demoness of music: Yeah, I love Tabby. She's a sweetheart to write.
Arisa: Of course I love Doctor Who! And thanks, I really appreciate it.
Quote for this chapter: Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes.- H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Lily was at the door before the woman even had the chance to knock. She was eighteen years old, and increasingly she and Sebastian were having to play the part of brother and sister, when meeting new people, as Sebastian still appeared to be, at the most, in his late twenties or early thirties. She smiled at the woman there, demon senses able to tell she was in her mid twenties. She was a perfectly average human woman- red-brown hair, green eyes, pale skin, freckles. Nothing particularly exciting about her.
"Hello. I am Lilith Michaelis, and I am nanny to the Phantomhive family. Might I help you?" she asked, smiling softly at the clearly nervous woman.
"Sasha. Sasha Finlayson," said the woman. She had a Scottish-Irish accent, there was something musical about the way she spoke. Lily smiled.
"Lovely. And your business here?" she asked again.
"I am here seeking a job," replied Sasha. Lily nodded.
"I'm not aware if there is any employment available, however I can escort you to my master's study and you can ask the Earl yourself," she said, showing her into the study. Ciel waved them both in.
"Hello, Lily. Who is this?" he asked, looking inquisitively at the woman.
"This is Sasha Finlayson. She is seeking employment," Lily explained. Ciel nodded.
"I suppose we can accommodate that. She can work in conjunction with Mey-Rin and Bardroy," he said, and Sasha smiled.
"I can't thank you enough, my lord!" she exclaimed. That was when Sebastian walked in and Lily's world was turned on its' head.
When an older demon sees their mate for the first time, every demon in the room would sense it. When Lily found a mate in Gale all those years ago, it hadn't been noticed as she was so young. And, as Gale was another superior species to humankind, it wasn't sensed. However, Sasha was a human and Sebastian was an older demon. So Lily felt it. The bond that they created when their eyes met. Even Ciel, to a degree, due to the small demon part of his soul, could feel it. Sasha blinked, and her mouth fell open. Another part of the demon mating process- if the human didn't already know the demon was in fact a demon, they sure as hell would know when their eyes met.
"Y-you're a- and I'm your..." Sasha said, mouth gaping open. Sebastian nodded, obviously somewhat smitten.
"Indeed. Come. I'll explain," he said, offering his hand, which Sasha took. Lily turned back to Ciel, who seemed just as surprised as Sasha. Lily, herself, couldn't believe it. She knew where she would stand now- when a demon got a mate, they generally held the mate higher than their young. She would be in second place now. Although Sasha seemed oddly- accepting. Not only that, but this was Sebastian's second mate. That in itself was rare. She shook her head.
"Is there anything else you need, master?" she asked. Ciel coughed slightly and looked back to her.
"Yes. Could you take Tabitha and Isaac into town?" he asked. Lily bowed.
"Of course. Is there any particular reason?" she inquired.
"Yes. They need clothes in colors other than pink," he groaned. Lily laughed a little.
"Yes my lord. I'll get the shopkeepers to send the bills here," she said, and swept from the room.
Tabitha and Isaac were six, and, much like Ciel, determined to stand on their own two feet, despite being children. Lily turned into an alleyway, the two children holding her hands despite their assurances they were adults when they were leaving the estate. She turned around when she smelt it- the filth of an angel. She resisted the urge to hiss when one came around the corner. She smiled in a threatening way.
"Why hello, impure one. I've not seen you since- well, since my servant tried to make you into a puppet," she said, with a smile. Lily glared.
"That was you? But that's impossible, I know about Ash and Angela. My father killed them, years ago!" she protested. The woman shook her head.
"No, impure one. My brother and sister merged their bodies when they were young. I am the sister of Ash and Angela, Evangeline. And I do believe I should kill you and these two impure children!" she exclaimed. Lily felt her demon self threatening to appear. She breathed, using the last of her composure to kneel down in front of Tabitha and Isaac.
"Now, my young mistress and master. I need to ask that you close your eyes. Can you do that for me?" she asked. They nodded.
"But why?" asked Isaac. Lily smiled tightly, a fake smile.
"Because I need to kill this man. Turn around. And don't look back until I say you can," she instructed. They nodded and turned, and Lily's demon form took over.
"You, angel, have caused a lot of trouble. Enough to anger me into my true form. And I'll warn you. I shall kill you," she said. The angel pinned her to the ground.
"I don't think so. I don't think you should have told the children to turn their backs," she said. She got off Lily, who felt her demon form dissipate. She ran in front of them.
"You will not hurt the children," she said. The angel simply smiled.
"I'll just have to kill you first then!" she said, raising a sword. Lily cowered, eyes shut, awaiting the blow. But it never came. She opened her eyes, only to see a familiar mop of red hair, wielding a mallet of sorts. He turned to her, his face matured by his nineteen years.
"Hello, Lils. Long time no see. Are you going to stand and watch me fight, or are you actually going to help?"