"I'll kill it."
Elise's first words as they snapped out of the memory were simple. The cold horror that had previously filled her veins was gone, replaced by seething fury. The demonic mark on her brother's eye had tainted it purple; the sight of it made her feel sick.
Ciel blinked, looking disoriented and a little nauseated as he adjusted to the sudden change in surroundings again. As soon as his wits were restored, the eyepatch was hastily shoved back on.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" He demanded, though the waiver in his voice was evident. He had most certainly not planned on showing her that.
Elise's eyes burned into his, sapphire against sapphire, and the Earl began to look uncomfortable under her glare,"Elise? Are you-"
"I'll kill it," she repeated, venom dripping from the words."The butler, where is it? I'm going to rip it apart."
The witch stood up sharply, carding an irate hand through her hair. She didn't think she had felt this much raw wrath about anything since she had woken from death and remembered her family burning.
"Why would you do this?" Elise shouted, rounding on the young Earl."Do you have no regard for your life, you-you stupid child!"
Ciel's cheeks reddened; the young boy looking absolutely outraged,"Don't call me a child! And I am not stupid, how dare you! This is my estate and you will not insult me like that!"
"You are my little brother, I will insult you however I damn well please!" Elise snarled back, and the Earl flinched at her tone. She might have softened at that, perhaps apologized even, had the anger not been so strong.
How could he be so careless with his own damn soul?
"I should have known," Elise muttered, cursing her own blindness."Demons do not just serve as butlers out the goodness of their hearts..."
She turned to the door, violence the only thing on her mind,"It was in the kitchen, wasn't it? Good. There will be knives."
Before Ciel could react, she had thrown the door open with a wave of her hand, too hellbent on ending the thing that thought it could take her brother from her to do it properly.
Elise could hear the Earl shouting after her, but the words could not penetrate through the blood rushing in her ears, boiling through her veins, covering her vision with furious red.
The demon had leaked red, bright red, when she had last fought it. Good. Things that bled, could die.
She rounded the corner, and saw him.
"Ah, my lady," the vile specimen smiled at her, but the mask had no effect on her now, though it barely had before."My apologies once more for the delay, but be assured the fire is now-"
Elise cut him off with a violent uppercut to the jaw.
Perhaps it had not been the smartest, nor most elegant of ways to begin her assault...but the way the demon's head snapped back, face frozen with something akin to shock, was oh so very satisfying.
The downside, as she came to realize very quickly, was that demons were very solid. Pain blossomed over her knuckles, and the witch hissed, clutching the injury.
"Shit," Elise caught him straightening, an unamused yet ultimately unaffected look on his features, and realized with a jolt that she really should have planned ahead before picking a fight with something infinitely more dangerous than her.
Tyra Tarrow's mutilated corpse flashed before her eyes, and she flinched. That would not be pleasant for Ciel to witness.
It won't be pleasant for him to have his soul ripped out, either
For once, her inner voice was being useful, reminding her just why she had recklessly uppercut a demon. Renewed anger made her do it again.
This time, she wasn't so lucky.
The demon's gloved grip was harsh and unyielding, fingers curled around her fist like a vice. It's face was blank, unimpressed; with satisfaction, Elise noted the bruise already blossoming across it's perfect jawline.
Less satisfying was the realization she was now partially restrained and still had no plan to speak of, really, when it came to how she was going to fight this unholy thing.
Distract it. Distract it, and actually think rationally before you try attack it again. You aren't a boxer Elise, for christ's sake...
"End it."
The butler raised a brow, a dangerous smile touching his lips,"End what, my lady?"
His grip tightened, and she hissed. The bones in her hand ground together unpleasantly under the pressure.
"Ah...the contract," Elise spat, trying to pull herself away. Even with her augmented strength, however, her efforts proved fruitless."Find another child to prey on, I don't care; just not him."
The demon's head cocked slightly at her words, then an amused chuckle left his lips. Elise bristled; that smug bastard. She was going to enjoy killing him...when she figured out how, of course.
"I am to serve my young master, until the terms of the contract are fulfilled," his eyes glowed fuschia, suddenly, and before Elise could react she was flipped around, his arm around her throat, cold lips on her ear. His voice was a sinister, velveteen purr."I'm afraid I cannot have anyone or anything interfering with the covenant that binds us. You see, I am simply one hell of a butler."
Elise gripped the fabric of the butler's jacket, trying in vain to pull him off. Her head was beginning to swim, and the way she had stormed around the manor, baying for blood, had renewed the throbbing of the wound on her abdomen.
Why had she thought it would be a good idea to attack a demon of all things whilst still injured?
Ah, yes. Her brother. The brother she had defied an entire organisation of powerful witches to protect. The brother who she had burned to death for, pushing him out the way of flaming debris and getting caught herself. The brother that was, apparently, psychotically idiotic enough to make a Faustian contract.
"Let her go, would you?" Ciel had caught up by this point, looking wildly unamused. His sapphire iris flashed with authority as he looked at the butler."Don't make me ask more than once, I dont wish to waste my time."
Elise heard the demon sigh, sounding thoroughly irritated,"Yes, my lord."
Air rushed into her lungs again. Elise coughed, falling forwards as the demon released her unceromoniously.
Instantaneously, she reeled around, taking advantage of the demon being distracted by his master's presence and going for it's head. Her palm slammed into the butler's forehead, quick like a striking viper.
Fury coursing through her veins, the witch cursed him.
The demon tried to pull away, but Elise's other hand was in his hair, forcing him into place. She muttered, Latin spewing from her lips that she was certain he could understand. She could feel the curse as it tore through the flesh of the butler's brain, slicing and pulverising until red was dripping from the ears and nose of the demon's human shell.
"You will not take my brother," Elise hissed, holding his chin so she could stare into his bloodied eyes, red liquid trickling from them like morbid tears."Nothing gets to take my brother."
"Elise," Ciel was behind her, sounding...irritated."Stop it. There is no point to this."
"No, I'm going to kill it," the witch stated coldly. As if to prove her point, she threw the demon's limp form against the wooden panelling lining the corridor. It fell to the carpet, like a rag doll.
That wasn't enough. For good measure, Elise slammed her heel onto its neck and, mostly out of pettiness, it's pretty face.
Her brother sighed,"Sebastian, why are you playing this game? Don't be so dramatic."
The butler's form twitched. Elise blinked, and before she could stop it his fingers were around her ankle, yanking harshly. The witch landed heavily on her back, the plush carpet doing very little to prevent pain searing through her spine.
"Forgive me, young master," Sebastian gracefully rose to his feet, sighing as he calmly wiped the blood from his face with his pocket square."But I was rather unprepared for such an assault. I'll admit, I was momentarily incapacitated."
The butler loomed over the grimacing blunette on the floor, clicking his tongue with clear frustration,"You are quite a pest, little witch."
His boot pressed against her throat.
"Sebastian," Ciel's tone was arctic, the warning in his voice clear. She saw him pull off the eyepatch, and flinched."This is an order. I forbid you fromkilling my sister."
The demon's irises burned in that hellish fuschia in response, and Elise could see the anger blazing behind them at being denied his victory. Despite this, he bowed his head, removing his boot from her at once.
"Yes, my lord."
Though entirely inappropriate, Elise couldn't help but laugh,"What a good dog you have, Ciel."
Sebastian's hands twitched, like he was itching to put them round her throat; instead, he smiled an undeniably threatening smile,"A shame, then, that my master will not let me bite."
Elise's foot shot out, ankle linking around his own and destabilising his balance. Within seconds, she was pinning the demon to the carpet. Whether he had let her do it, or was just weakened from the attempted liquidation of his brain, the witch didnt know.
"Unfortunate," she sneered, her hand around his throat "Allow me to bite in your place
Sebastian smirked, his fingers curling around her her wrist,"Flattering, to know you are so eager for a taste of me."
"This is tiresome," Ciel cut in before Elise could retort. The Earl was watching them with a blank, if mildly disgusted, expression."I do not wish to see my sister and my butler flirting, thank you. Furthermore, this fighting is pointless. Let him go."
"I'll let it go when I am satisfied you are safe."
"No, you will let him go when I say," Ciel demanded hotly, her refusal to recognise his authority seemingly bothering him more than he impending fate.
Elise scoffed,"There is no contract between us, Ciel. I will do as I please."
To prove her point, she tightened her grip, nails drawing blood on the butler's skin.
To her irritation, Ciel still didn't seem to be inclined to help her. If anything, her attempt at saving his soul seemed to be an inconvenience to him. The Earl pursed his lips, leaning on his cane with a mildly frustrated frown.
"Our contract will remain in place," he spoke calmly, like he was discussing the weather."I shall find those responsible for my suffering, our suffering, and put an end to them. Then I will pay the price."
Elise couldn't believe the nonsense he was spewing. Her temper flared, again, and she let the butler go in favour of rounding on her idiotic brat of a younger sibling. Her head was a mixture of anger at his apparent nonchalance regarding his impending fate, and cold, sick panic. Elise wasn't certain if she wanted to hug him or slap him upside the head, like their governess used to.
"Do you have any idea what you have done to yourself, Ciel?" She asked."You won't just die. Not like I did. There will be no limbo, or heaven, or hell; it will tear out the thing that makes you...you, and you will be nothing. Not even dead. Just nothing."
Ciel's face might as well have been carved from marble; his pale, young features remained unmoved by her words.
Oh God, he was so young...
"I know."
Elise felt her heart break, just a little bit,"You...do you really not care for your life, that much?"
She saw the Earl hesitate, for a moment, before the coldness was back,"I will have my revenge, and that is the end of it."
No.
No.
Why hadn't she been there, to prevent this?
"Take mine instead," Elise turned to Sebastian, on his feet again, looking thoroughly entertained by this whole ordeal. Embarrassing tears pricked her eyes, but she wiped them fiercely before they could fall. Now was the time for solutions, not crying."You can do that, can you not? The payment is a soul, so when the time comes, take mine."
Sebastian surveyed her curiously, like she was some strange creature he had discovered, but before he could so much as utter a word Ciel cut him off.
"Wh-What?" His icy exterior had apparently shattered at her words. Elise pulled her gaze back to him; he was paler, even than usual, and look utterly horrified at her suggestion. That vulnerable look was back in his eyes, the one that betrayed just how much if a child he still was despite everything."You can't do that!"
"Watch me. I wasn't able to help you before but I can bloody well do it now," Elise addressed the demon, impatiently."Well? Can you do it, or not?"
"Are you out of your bloody mind, Elly!?" Ciel exclaimed, cheeks colouring as his voice grew in volume."Y-You cant just try to sign yourself away like that!"
Elise raised a brow,"A little hypocritical, don't you think?"
"I-that is beside the point," Ciel brushed her off hotly. He fixed the butler with a steely look."Sebastian, ignore her. She is being hysterical."
That was the last straw.
Like they were both children again, Elise grabbed his ear and pulled.
"GAH!" Ciel's eyes widened, a rather feminine yelp leaving his lips. He swatted at her arm, though his efforts proved fruitless."WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!?"
Childishly, maliciously, Elise gripped his other ear, pulling harder,"How is this for hysterical, you rude brat!? How dare you try to reduce me to that!"
"OW-SEBASTIAN! DON'T JUST STAND THERE, GET HER OFF ME!"
Within seconds Elise was pulled away from the Earl, the butler's arms clamped around her body to prevent her trying to attack again.
Sebastian chuckled, clearly incredibly entertained by the whole ordeal,"Young master, might I suggest you do not accuse your sister of hysteria, it is rather impolite. Besides, the outcome does not appear pleasant for you."
"I did not ask for your opinion, Sebastian," Ciel grimaced, rubbing his reddened earlobes. He fixed Elise with a scowl, scoffing."I should throw you out."
Elise scowled right back,"I should put you over my knee, Governess Grey style."
"You wouldn't dare, I am the head of this-"
"I would and you know I would," Elise sighed, slumping. The adrenaline was wearing off now, and her still recovering body ached."You are still my brother, Earl or not. Contract or not. Jaded brat or not. My little brother."
Were those tears again? Damn her emotions. She was becoming soft.
"You won't let me take your place, even if it were possible," it was not a question, it was a statement. Ciel pursed his lips, in wordless confirmation. Elise sniffed, cursing as ridiculous, unneeded teardrops fell, blurring her vision."Right. That's settled then, I suppose."
She grasped Sebastian's arm, tugging harshly,"There are plenty more curses up my sleeve, so unless you would like me to enact them I suggest you get the hell off me."
"Do as she says, Sebastian."
"Yes, my lord."
Elise immediately wiped her ridiculous, leaking eyes and wet cheeks once released, skin pinking. She despised crying, and definitely in front of family. Sobbing like a hurt infant in the presence of her younger brother was embarrassing.
"I believe you were going to help me dress?" She addressed the butler coldly, face a careful mask. No more crying, especially in front of a demon.
Sebastian blinked, then smiled angelically (the irony was not lost on her),"Of course, my lady. After all, if I cannot assist a Phantomhive, what kind of butler would I be?"
"Wonderful, I am dying to get out of this awful nightgown," Elise raised a brow at Ciel, who was watching her with narrowed eyes, suspicion dancing in them."I trust that is okay with you, as the Head of the Estate?"
The Earl flinched at the sarcastic venom in her words, clearly not used to his sister speaking so icily to him. He looked almost...hurt, but hid it under layers of practiced nonchalance.
"You seem to do as you like, regardless of what I say," Ciel rolled his eyes."But go ahead. I have business to attend to, anyway."
Elise merely nodded in acknowledgment, biting back the retort that threatened to leave her lips in favour of following the butler away from his still suspicious gaze.
The witch followed in silence, first to the room he had deposited her fresh dress for safekeeping, and then all the way back to where she had started the day.
Sebastian was neatly laying the garments out when she locked the door. The sound it made was sharp, and seemed to echo.
Click
"Now that we are alone," Elise smiled, and it was cruel.
"Let's have a little private discussion. Shall we?"
Okaaaaay.
Took a while, but I got there.
Next chapter is the start of the plot arc. I wanted to give Elise's full confrontation it's own chapter as I thought it was important. I think I captured the characters well...but who knows. I don't own any of this stuff.
If you have time or want to give any constructive criticism please review. My writers block seems to be lifted for now, but that might just be due to lockdown boredom.
Anyway, see you next time