Elise burst into her room, slamming the door harshly. Ignoring the reignited pain in her side, the witch scrambled around the room, praying that she hadn't remembered the objects within it incorrectly. She needed a specific set of items otherwise...well, she was probably going to be strangled in her sleep.

Or worse...

Oh, definitely worse...

"Candle, water jug, dagger...dagger...where is my dagger!?"

Elise scowled, knowing the answer. That damn demon must have confiscated it. Bastard creature.

"Alright, improvisation it is," the witch muttered. Thinking fast, she reached up and tugged a hair pin out of her curls. It would have to do.

Elise set the gathered items on the carpet, quickly making her way to the door. She wasted no time in taking the hair pin and starting to carve out the required symbol on it's varnished surface.

"This really would be easier with a proper blade!" The blunette hissed, bemoaning how troublesome it was to carve out a fully sized ward using a tiny pin.

When it was complete, Elise threw the damn thing to the ground and crunched it beneath her boot in a petty fit of anger.

The warding symbol stared back at her, scratched (a little untidily) into the rich brown oak. The simple part of the spell was over; now, came the unpleasant bit.

Elise walked to the mirror, sighing. It was a very nice mirror, really it was. Perfectly polished, full length and beautifully ornate.

She smashed it with her elbow.

The silver fractured. Large, jagged shards fell to the carpet with a tinkling sound, and the witch snatched up the biggest, wincing as the edges dug into her fingertips.

"It's just healed as well..." Elise grumbled, frowning down at the hand Timora Tarrow had put her heel through. It really was being rather mistreated as of late.

The witch pursed her lips, and drew the mirror shard across her palm. The soft skin split instantly, crimson spilling from the cut. Elise dropped the shard, and daubed the blood over the painstakingly etched lines of the ward.

"Alright, let's hurry this up Elise...do the elements, then it's done..." Elise paused, cursing. She had to call upon the four elements to complete the spell, but to do so she had to draw the elemental runes on floor. Normally, she would use charcoal, or ink...materials she didn't have at her disposal.

Elise scrunched her nose with irritation, staring down at her poor, abused hand. She stretched her palm, opening the wound up again with a hiss.

"Blood it is."

The crimson stained the perfectly clean carpet well enough for her to complete the four runes, though she felt a little bad for ruining it so grotesquely. She was also beginning to feel a little light headed; a side effect of using her blood as paint, she supposed.

Ignoring the stinging in her palm, Elise sat in the middle of the runes, and began.

"Fire, to the East of me," the witch lit the candle she had collected, thankful that her parents had deemed it necessary for candles to be in every room, in case the gas lighting went out. The rune glowed as she placed the candle onto it, to her relief.

It was working.

"Air, to the South," she waved her hand over the rune behind her, and it glowed in response. Air was simple; it was everywhere, all the time."Water, to the West."

The water jug was placed to her left.

"Earth, to the...shit," Elise froze, cursing at herself violently."I forgot Earth. Damn it!"

The witch slumped, pinching the bridge of her nose in an attempt to calm herself. Cursing and panicking would do nothing. She could resolve this.

A glint on the carpet caught her eye. The silver hair pin lay crushed on the carpet, dislodged sapphires winking at her in the light. Her brain lit up.

Gemstones. They were Earth, surely?

Don't waste time thinking about it, just try it!

For once, the snide voice was right. She needed to hurry up.

Elise grasped one of the little blue stones, heart racing,"Earth. To the North of me."

She placed it on the rune. The rune glowed.

Thank the lord!

"I call on Diana, the Triple Goddess, for protection," Elise chanted. She closed her eyes, focusing. She could feel the runes that surrounded her, feeding her the power she needed."Maiden, give me power. Mother, give me strength. Crone, give me wisdom. This, I choose to ask."

She felt nothing for a moment, then the familiar, tingling warmth of her Craft spread through her palms.

Elise stood, magic crackling at her fingertips. All she had to do was feed it into the symbol, and-

Knock. Knock.

"My lady," His voice was chilling."Are you quite alright? The servants say they heard...noises."

Sneaky bastard. She hadn't even heard his footsteps.

"My lady, if you do not answer I will assume you are in danger," the demon chuckled, darkly."I shall have to enter. For your safety, of course."

Elise slammed her palms onto the door.

"Cogitetur trinum, protegere me."

Triune, protect me.

The etched lines of the ward, daubed with her blood, burned with a fiery orange glow. The door, partly open as the demon tried to enter, closed heavily in his face.

Elise exhaled, backing away warily. Sebastian was silent, but she could feel him there, radiating malice and power.

"My lady?" The door knob turned again, but he did not enter.

Because he couldn't.

Sebastian chuckled again, though there was no amusement this time,"Ah, I see you have found a way to keep me out. How rude."

Elise was silent.

"Little witch..." Sebastian purred softly, dangerously."Will you not answer me, little witch? Where is the fire you showed before, hmm? Where is that violent soul?"

No answer.

He clicked his tongue,"Such cowardice. So... disappointing."

That got her attention.

"I am not a coward, this is not cowardice," Elise snarled, throwing the door open. Sebastian eyes flashed at the sight of her, pupils slitting briefly. The witch restrained herself before she lost her temper and crossed the threshold of her doorway to attack him. As long as she was behind that line, she was safe."This is not wanting a demon to have free access to the place I sleep."

Sebastian raised a hand, delicately touching the space between them; the air under his white glove glittered as it met the barrier cast by her ward.

"How amusing," the butler hummed, smirking as he drew a finger downwards. His fingertip left a glowing, orange line in its wake, the barrier holding steadily."Tell me, little witch...how do you expect to kill me, if you cower behind pretty walls?"

Elise narrowed her eyes, replying coldly,"I am sure I'll think of something."

"Oh?" Sebastian's eyebrow quirked, his gaze sweeping the room over her shoulder now. His smirk remained."And what do you plan on using to put an end to me, hmm? Murder by water jug, perhaps?"

Elise's scowl grew colder still,"I've killed people with odder."

The demon's eyes sparkled with crimson curiosity as he met her glare head on. His quiet laugh was incredibly entertained, and Elise felt a little offended.

Was he really that unthreatened by her?

"I have no doubt you have," the butler's eyes glowed again, and Elise tensed warily, praying her magic was strong enough if he decided to pounce properly."As have I. Humans, you are all so...fragile."

"Is that supposed to intimidate me?" The witch pursed her lips, his presence beginning to irritate her now."If so, then you really should try harder."

Sebastian grinned, teeth pointed,"Is that so?"

He stepped forward sharply, as far as the barrier would allow, and Elise jerked backwards out of instinct.

"My, you are rather jumpy, are you not? Like a rabbit," the butler chuckled maliciously, crooking a finger at her."Won't you come out, little rabbit?"

"I...stop that!" Elise snapped, pushing away how her heart had nearly stopped when he had pressed himself up against the ward. She refused to let him have any power over her.

Her lip curled into a sneer.

"I mutilated your brain before. Remember that? Rememder how the inside of your skull was dripping from your eyes? Well, I can do so much worse, I promise you that," Elise stepped forward, defiant."I do not know how to kill you. Not yet, I will admit that. But I can have you writhing in agony every single damn day until I do."

"Ah," the demon practically cooed at her, face bright with a strange sort of excitement."There is that violence."

Elise shivered; she did not like the look he was giving her, like he was staring straight into her soul...he probably was staring straight into her soul.

It made her feel disturbingly vulnerable, so she put a stop to it.

"What are the arrangements for tomorrow? I believe I am coming with you, am I correct?"

Sebastian blinked, and immediately resumed his role as dutiful butler, bringing his hand to his chest with a polite, closed eye smile.

"Of course, my lady," Elose frowned; his swift changes between malicious devil and perfect servant were rather frustrating."The young master requested we leave for the Cove at a quarter past 8 in the morning. Would you like me to wake you?"

"I can wake myself," Elise responded coolly. She set her chin, proudly."I can also pack for myself, before you suggest anything. There are no circumstances in which I will invite you into this room, so don't even contemplate it."

"I wouldn't dream of it, my lady," Sebastian paused, that damn smirk back again."Though I do wonder; you have erected this...protection, to keep yourself safe from me. How do you plan to protect yourself when you must leave this room in the morning?"

"That is simple," Elise smiled suddenly, and the demon's amusement faltered."I shall make sure my brother is in my company, of course. I very much doubt you would murder your master's sister in front of him. That would be most...improper."

"Besides," she continued, raising a brow."I doubt he would allow you to do so, even if you acted so rudely. If you are ordered to leave me be, then you must do so, I know the Faustian rules."

The butler was now staring at her with a face that was blank and cold, like marble. Gone was the arrogant smugness, replaced by clear irritation. She had ruined his fun, it seemed. Good.

Then, like a fire had been lit in her skull, Elise realized something.

"Wait..." she laughed, mirth shining on her pale face. Sebastian's brow furrowed, a mild disgust at her sudden happiness souring his handsome features."He did order you, didn't he?"

The butler's lips pressed together disdainfully.

"Yes," Elise was smirking now, eyes glittering dangerously."I remember now. You were going to crush my throat and Ciel-he gave you an order, to forbid you from killing me. You're still bound by that, are you not?"

She felt his eyes on her as she knelt down, grasping the jagged mirror shard from the carpet. Heart hammering, yet sure she was right, Elise stepped back towards the doorway. The demon moved backwards, eyeing the silver in her hand with a certain wariness.

The witch stepped over the threshold.

I...am not dead.

Sebastian was suddenly looming over her, his edges shifting and blurring dangerously. The corridor, previously filled with sunlight, was now bathed in thick shadow.

Correction. You are not dead yet.

Talons wrapped around her throat.

"Such bravery," the demon's voice was a distorted, sadistic purr. Through the encroaching darkness, she saw an infernal grin split his hellish form, mouth filled with sharp, white razors. Those damn eyes glowed at her again, but blindingly bright now."Such idiocy."

Elise stared at the thing that had been the butler, trying to remember just what the point of her leaving the ward's protection was in the first place. It was hard to think at all, when faced with an eldritch horror who hungered for your death.

Elise coughed,"Kill me, then. Go on."

The hellspawn snarled. It's grip on her tightened.

Still not dead, though.

The witch grasped the mirror shard in her hand more securely, the sting as it split her skin again barely noticeable as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Talons snapped around wrist as she raised it, the demon's laughter sinister and mocking.

"You believe I can be killed with broken glass?"

"No, not you," Elise breathed. The demon fell silent, abruptly, as she unexpectedly pulled the shard to her throat. It lay there, pressed against the delicate, soft skin, a shining promise of death."Myself."

She closed her eyes,"Go on. It'll be easy. Push the shard, cut my throat open. Leave me here to bleed."

Oh God she had better be right about this...

Another snarl. But no cut came.

She smiled,"What's wrong, butler? Afraid my blood will ruin the carpet, perhaps?"

The air...shifted. The talons on her throat were suddenly gloved fingers. Through her eyelids, Elise could see the sunlight shining again. Her hand was pulled away from her neck, the mirror shard dropping to the carpet.

When Sebastian spoke, his voice was that of a well spoken, English gentleman once more.

"It is true," she opened her eyes, to see his gaze burning through her skull."My master's order remains. Regrettably, I cannot directly end your life."

"Ah, what a shame for you," the witch laughed softly, privately relieved she hadn't completely misjudged the situation."Must be incredibly frustrating, to have to follow orders like a loyal mutt. What a good boy you are, Sebastian."

The butler sneered, and let go of her abruptly. Elise's feet hit the ground heavily and she lost her footing with a yell, crashing backwards into her bedroom in an ungraceful heap.

Bastard.

Driven by petty revenge, Elise grasped the jug of water still sitting on carpet as the demon turned away, and flung it's contents at his back.

The cold liquid splattered over him. The male spun around, wrath blazing in his eyes and water dripping from his silky black hair.

Elise smirked, satisfied.

"Bad dog."

Sebastian's glare was murderous,"When the time comes to take the young master's soul, I am going to enjoy splitting you apart, little witch."

"It's a good thing you won't be taking his soul then," Elise raised an eyebrow, the challenge clear."Is it not?"

He met her stare head on, unblinking,"You think me a dog; have you never been warned not to get between an animal and it's food?"

"When the food is my brother, I tend to ignore warnings."

"How foolish," Sebastian scoffed, with an air of superiority, which was rather impressive for him to pull off considering he was still dripping water."But not surprising. Humans have always been arrogant; arrogant, prideful, and falsely convinced of your invulnerability."

Elise's smile grew,"I'm still alive though, am I not, despite facing you three times. Does that bother you, demon?"

"Being lucky is not the same as being invulnerable."

"Ah, so it does bother you," the witch giggled as the butler's eye twitched irritably. Fleeting, but noticeable and rather amusing. She looked him up and down, blinking innocently."My, you are a state. If I were you, I would go dry off. What kind of butler walks around getting the carpet wet?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but Elise cut him off sharply.

"Get to it, there's a good boy," she closed the door with a snap before any words could leave his lips. She slammed her palm over her mouth, muffling the giggle that threatened to leave her, listening intently at the door.

There was a decidedly long suffering sigh, then silence. His shoes once again did not leave a discernible sound as he left, but Elise knew he had. The feeling of abbysal power outside her door had disappeared.

Once she was certain he had left, she sunk to the carpet, and allowed herself to laugh hysterically.

The laughter quickly turned to panicked tears.

That thing that had grabbed her...it was unlike anything she had ever seen. It was one thing reading about demons; it was another to actually see a being of hell with her own eyes.

That was the thing that wanted to devour Ciel's soul? An infernal, bloodthirsty horror with razors for teeth, talons for fingers and power that infinitely eclipsed her own.

And she had no idea how she was going to stop it.

For the first time in years, Elise Phantomhive was truly, deeply afraid.

Okay...proper shit went down here.

So let me explain quick about the magic. Elise follows the beliefs of the Order of the Triune still, despite being separated from them now, and so in turn worships and draws strength from the Goddess Diana. Diana is a Triune, or triple Goddess, meaning that there are three different parts that make her up as a whole, yet each individual part is also Diana. Sort of like the father, son, holy ghost etc.

These parts are Maiden, Mother and Crone.

The positions of the elements are based on what they usually represent in earth based Magick. How they are set out here is how they are set in the northern hemisphere, generally.

So...Sebastian cant actually, directly, kill her. Realistically this was the only way to continue the story otherwise it would have been Sebastian going 'oh you're a threat to me...yeah I'm just going to kill you'. Physically obviously she can't match him, even with witchy strength.

Please review if you have time :)