"So you're angry because he wants to protect his family?" Alois asked as they walked aimlessly through the streets.

"No. I'm angry because It's obviously something important for his father to send messages like this, he's been doing this since before Evian was born." Ciel answered, despite his irritation, his mind wandered back to his son. He hoped the child was alright in his absence.

"Maybe It's necessary. He doesn't want you to worry. Especially when you were carrying Evian, it could have hurt both of you."

"Even so, he's had three months to tell me. This whole thing just-"

"He's finally let you out of his sight?" The cold female voice called from behind the boys. Nephthys made her way in front of the boys.

"Lovely, yet another annoyance, can anything else possibly come along to irritate me?" Ciel shook his head.

"Such a rude little thing you are." She took a step toward them. Ciel scoffed.

"What exactly have I done to you?"

"It's your fault, Mordred was next in line for the throne, then you came and ruined it all, you tained the royal bloodline with that abomination you call an offspring-"

"You will leave my son out of this, he's done nothing."

"He was born, continues to breathe, he has stolen Mordred's birthright."

"If you want to blame someone, you certainly could say I'm at fault, but he is innocent."

"We should go, everyone's probably looking for you by now." Alois said grabbing Ciel's arm and attempting to pull him away.

"No, I don't think so."

"I couldn't care less about what you think honestly, and you've picked a terrible moment to bother me, if I were you, I'd walk away."

"Ciel, stop."

"Your friend's got some sense." Neph grinned maliciously. Ciel wanted nothing more than to give her what she deserved but he thought of Ann and could only imagine that those actions would cause her pain. He turned to leave.

"Don't turn your back on me!" She shouted.

"Little late for that isn't it?" The boys began to walk away, a low, angry growl was their only warning. Neph seized Ciel harshly.

"Let go, and I'll let you walk out of here." Ciel said calmly.

"I don't fear things like you."

"I suppose I'll have to change that." The boy's eyes began to glow as he stared deeply into his captor's.

"You claim not to be afraid, your eyes tell a different story. I will not say it again" Ciel kept the eye contact and the female demon began to shake.

"Don't make me force you." He threatened. Neph slowly placed him on the ground.

"How did you-" Ciel made no reply but started back toward home, Alois at his side.

"What were you doing?"

"I'm not exactly sure, it worked that's what matters."

"Coward!" Neph screeched rushing up from behind, she clawed at Ciel, ripping his shirt sleeve. Ciel looked down at the crimson liquid now staining his jacket, he turned to face her.

"Just couldn't leave it alone could you?" He grabbed her throat and threw her to the ground. The fear was more noticeable in her eyes now as she looked up.

"P-Please, spare me." She pleaded. Ciel scoffed.

"Only cowards beg for their lives. Give me a good reason to let you go."

"I-I have none. I caused harm to you, you are within your rights to end my life. That is our law." She cried.

"Ciel!" Sebastian shouted from a short distance away. The boy released her.

"Stay away from my family Nephthys, if ever I hear you speak of my son in such away, or you should physically harm one of us, you won't walk away and I will make you wish Sebastian was the one to handle it. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes."

"Go, before I reconsider my kindness." Neph stood up and without a word vanished into an alley. Sebastian rushed to his mate.

'Are you-" His anger rose quickly at the site of the blood on Ciel's arm as it soaked his sleeve. The cut was deep.

"She hurt you, I will kill her." Sebastian vowed.

"It was dealt with, let it go." Sebastian felt a deep wave of guilt and remorse flood him. Perhaps if he had told Ciel, he wouldn't have left, he would not be hurt now.

"Ciel-"

"Be quiet. I don't want to hear from you, let's just go." Sebastian sighed.

"As you wish. At the very least, allow me to heal it for you."

"By the time we get back to the house, it will have healed on its own." Ciel said quietly. The journey back was filled with silence. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Hannah, who wasted no time wrapping her arms around Alois and checking him over.

"I was worried sick about you. Mustn't frighten me like that again."

"Sorry." He said sadly.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"You and I both know that is not true. What troubles you?"

"I'm a coward, Ciel was in trouble and not that he really needed it, but I did nothing. I'm a weak, spineless, coward, that's all I'll ever be. No wonder Claude hates me so much."

"You've learned to stand up to claude, this was different. Come, I shall take you home and you can visit with Ciel later. He and Sebastian have much to talk about."

"Young Master, I'm so glad you're okay." Finny smiled.

"How was Evian?"

"Good as gold, slept the whole time."

"Good. I'll take over from here." Finny nodded and left Ciel to his thoughts. The young demon sat down on his bed.

"Sorry Ann." He whispered. He knew the news would get back to her, he could already see the disappointment on her face.

"Ciel, may I come in?" Sebastian called softly. Ciel shrugged.

"I can't really stop you. It's your house."

"This is our house." Sebastian corrected.

"We aren't going to be mates anytime soon, It's your house, I still have my own."

"Ciel, I did not intend for this to happen. I merely wanted to-"

"No one ever wants something like this to happen, but what if I had taken Evian and she had hurt him?"

"I most certainly would have killed her."

"That wouldn't make Evian feel better, or bring him back if she had-" Ciel couldn't say the words, the thought was far too much to take.

"Is that what you were hiding then, your brother wanted to kill my son?"

"You as well, I would never allow it Ciel. I will keep you both safe. I swear it on my life." The boy didn't respond right away.

"If somehow, they manage to take Evian from me, as much as I loved you, father or not, I would not only kill them both, but because you withheld such vital information from me, information that may have prevented it, I would hold you accountable as well."

"Loved?" Sebastian's heart dropped.

"As in the past, yes. I loved you with so deeply, a fire that burned bright red, you were everything to me, that fire is beginning to turn blue very quickly. We were wrong, I couldn't possibly be your Mate. Forget what she did to me, if Evian had been there, I never would have forgiven you. He is my priority, I am a mother above all else. Why wouldn't you tell me something like this, you at least owe me that."

"You were pregnant, having a hard time not only accepting it, but physically as well. I wanted to protect you. And our child."

"I haven't been for the last three months, how can you justify your secret now?"

"I cannot."

"It's fortunate for you that the baby was here, I can't, I will not lose my son."

"He is my child as well."

"Your serious lapse in judgement is forcing me to rethink this whole arrangement, I should not be having this conversation with you. I am eternally thirteen, in case you hadn't noticed, thirteen is still very young, prone to our own errors of thought. You are so much older, you should know better, I should be looking to you, I-" tears ran down the young demon's cheeks.

"I can't be around you right now Sebastian, too muchh could have happened. Until I say otherwise, for your own sake, stay away from me. You'll have Evian only when someone is near by. It really hurts me to have to say and feel these things. I wanted this, I wanted you, and Evian." Sebastian felt as if Ciel had plunged a sword into his heart. Though he was sure the boy felt a similar pain.

"Is there nothing I can do?"

"Give me time to think. I will come to you with my answer when I'm ready, until then, just stay away from me."

"I-I understand, take all the time you require. Just know that both you and Evian are all that matter to me."

"The really sad part in all this, is that I know that. I know you love us, I'm not sure if I can return it."