They stayed one more night. By morning, the storm had subsided, and it was safe to go out. Bard and Finny fixed the broken wagon wheel, and Sebastian and Mey-Rin prepared a meal. As soon as everyone ate and everything was ready, Lily, Walter, and the others left the inn.

They rode a train back to London. Lily was quiet the whole ride home and refused to sit by a window, which puzzled everyone but Sebastian. Walter told all the Athelward servants, "You are all extraordinary! I would have never guessed you all were so skilled in defense!"

Sebastian said, "Mere luck and the urgency of the situation caused us to defeat our foes. We did what we had to do to protect our mistress; nothing more, nothing less."

Walter nodded, addressing Finny, Bard, and Mey-Rin, "I suppose you three aren't as useless as I thought you were."

"I'll have you not speak ill of my servants."

Walter turned around and saw Lily giving him a withering look. Walter ignored this and said, "Lily, I was just telling them how skillful they were."

"Indeed, but they are always prepared to defend me. The unfortunate incident that happened at the inn should not have transpired."

"Yes. They caused their own demise. How idiotic. Demons! Such superstitious nonsense!"

"I wish to talk no more about it." She looked at the servants. "You're all dismissed. Do as you like; it will be a long ride home."

The servants bowed, grateful that they had free time. Sebastian, however, stayed. Walter said, "You heard Lillith; you're dismissed."

"I will not follow orders from anyone except Lady Lillith. At this moment, my body and soul, to the last hair, belong to my mistress. My loyalty is solely to her." He bowed to Lily, slightly.

Lily smiled, slyly, at him. "You are dismissed, Sebastian."

"What am I to do with this time of leisure, my lady?"

"Whatever you wish."

"Very well, my lady." With that, Sebastian walked off.

Lily turned and looked at Walter. He shook once as a chill ran through his body. "His devotion to you is…disturbing," he said.

"Are you cold, Walter?"

"There's something that isn't right about him."

"You're being ridiculous."

"That man is obsessed with you. You have trusted him with so much information that he will use it against you. Why else would someone act so loyal?"

"I assure you, he will not betray me."

"How do you know that? As far as we know, he could be a thief and murderer, waiting for the right moment to strike."

"The stress from the vacation has made you paranoid. I beg you to rest."

"And I beg you to be sensible! Don't you see?! Sebastian Michaelis is a dangerous man! You're in peril every day he is around you! You must fire him and get police protection."

Lily was quiet for many moments. "Walter, if he intended to harm me, he already would have done it. Besides, he has sworn to protect me, and he cannot go back on his word. We are all dangerous in our own ways; no person is completely good. Now, if you'll excuse me, it is close to lunchtime, and I want to head to the dining car."

Walter began to protest, but stopped himself. Lily turned away and left the car.

"My lady, it is time to sleep. Why are you still awake?"

Lily was sitting up, and she looked at her butler. "I cannot stop thinking about Alois and Claude. I can't even look out a window without remembering that horrible night." Tears streamed down her face, and Sebastian wiped them with a handkerchief.

"Humans are such odd creatures: strong and fragile. One moment, they can win wars and the next, they can be brought to their knees by a simple tragedy. I suppose it makes you all interesting and amusing."

"I agree with you, although it is sadistic that you find suffering amusing. Of course, I should expect that from you. Everything about you is an illusion; you are nothing that you seem to be. All you actually feel is hunger, and that will be satisfied soon enough."

Sebastian nodded and bowed, slightly. "You know me all too well, my lady. Anyway, you should get some sleep."

"I cannot."

"Perhaps a story will help."

"Sing to me, instead."

"Very well."

Sebastian sang her a lullaby. His golden voice made Lily drift off to sleep.

At last, the train stopped in London, and Lily and her servants rode home while Walter went to his own. Lily was glad to be back, as were the others. She lay in bed as Sebastian unpacked her things. The butler looked at her and said, "I am sorry I failed you."

Lily weakly raised her head. "What do you mean?"

"I said I was going to make your vacation enjoyable, but it gave you nothing but misery. My failure is unforgivable."

"You cannot control everything, Sebastian. You couldn't control the weather or Mr. and Mrs. Gilley's actions or…"

She stopped and began crying.

"It wasn't your fault, either. I hope your mind is soon at peace with what happened to Alois and Claude. My lady, you will never be able to find your parents if you cannot move past tragedies."

Lily sat up and looked Sebastian in the eye. She hesitated, then said, slowly, "Help me. I can't do this alone. I need you."

Sebastian smiled, slyly. "All you have to do is say the word. Ever since we formed the contract, I have been at your command. However, I implore you to rest for the day."

"I am so tired."

"Sleep, my lady."

"But it's…early yet…" Lily said, drowsily. The next moment, she was asleep.

Lily came downstairs that night. She was greeted cheerfully by the servants. She smiled at them and said, "This is a wonderful sight. I am so glad you are all happy to see me."

"Of course we are, Lady Lillith," Bard stated.

"We were worried about you," added Finny.

"You slept so long that we thought you were ill, yes we did," Mey-Rin said.

"I am quite alright; I was just tired from the trip, but I am wide awake now. I am very hungry."

"We kept your dinner warm for you," Sebastian said. "Mey-Rin, bring the mistress's meal in."

"Yes, Sebastian," the maid stated, dutifully, and went into the kitchen.

Lily sat at the table and drank some water while she waited. She saw her own reflection in the glass, but there was also a glow a few feet behind her.

The angel.

She thought about attacking it herself, but most likely, making any sudden movements would prove immediately perilous for her. Besides, she doubted she was any match for a supernatural creature. She did what she thought was the wisest thing to do.

"SEBASTIAN!"

Sebastian raced in with unnatural speed. Lily turned to look at them, but all she saw was a knife hurling toward her.