Lenora stood in the hall, a hand over her nose in hopes of protecting her from the smell. She hated hospitals and made it a point to avoid them as much as possible. It was overwhelming, the smell of sweet blood, the sting of antiseptic on her senses, the lingering stench of death she never seemed to shake. She had her eyes closed, trying to keep herself calm. She could leave, she could very easily slip away, but the young earl had questions. It would be rude to ignore him. That and the demon would hunt her down quick enough. Why bother with the chase?
The door creaked open and Lenora opened her eyes, watching the earl and his butler step out into the hall. The demon let the door shut quietly behind him and she quirked and eyebrow at his gentleness. As the two stepped into the hall, she clasped her hands together, letting them rest against her skirt.
Lenora and Sebastian locked eyes and the two stared at each other, silently sizing each other up, evaluating risk. Lenora wasn't a young creature of the night, but age seemed to radiate from the butler, as though he had seen it all. The sound of someone clearing their throat caught her attention and she glanced down at the young earl.
"I am the Earl Ciel Phantomhive." The young boy announced, pulling her attention to himself and she watched as his singular blue eye looked her over. "Who are you?" Lenora tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Most of it remained in the bun, but the encounter with the other had jostled her, sending some of her hair spilling from its place.
"Why does that matter?" Lenora asked. She saw his eyebrow twitch and she had to fight back a grin.
"Do you know this woman?" Ciel asked.
"Am I to assume you do not?" Lenora asked, wanting to push his buttons. He was too up tight for her liking and the boy was getting increasingly impatient.
"Are you going to continue to answer my questions with more questions?" The young earl asked through grit teeth and Lenora smirked.
"Are you going to ask any worth answering?" Ciel noticed her glance shoot past him and he turned towards his butler. The young boy scowled up at his smirking butler.
"Don't encourage her!" He hissed and the butler gave a polite chuckle. Lenora couldn't help but smirk at the two. This could be fun. With a sigh he turned his attention back to the woman covered in blood. "Why did you intervene?" Ceil asked.
"Why didn't you?" Lenora countered and the young boy ground his teeth in frustration. Lenora tried to keep her face calm, but the smell was starting to irritate her. She had been growing increasingly uncomfortable with the smell and the thirst. It was time for her to go. "As pleasant as it has been to meet your acquaintance," Lenora looked at the two, "I am afraid it is time for me to leave. Good evening." She dismissed herself and began walking down the hall. She looked down at her hands as she walked. There was still blood on her hands and clothes, leaving dark stains on the grey fabric. Though it was dried, she could still smell the sticky sweetness of it and her throat burned with thirst.
"Sebastian," The earl spoke and before she could even stop walking, she felt a rush of air brushing past her and a gentle yet firm grip on her arm, halting her. Lenora stopped walked and breathed in deep, savoring the smell of the demon holding her still.
"For a demon your touch is very gentle." Lenora teased quietly, turning her head and matching his polite smile.
"Would you care for a," Sebastian squeezed her arm and Lenora fought the urge to wince, "firmer grip?" He asked with his polite smile still unchanged. Lenora wondered if it would leave bruises.
"Unfortunately, we can't let a suspect in a string of strange murders just walk away." Ceil explained as he slowly made his way over to the two, looking completely at ease. "Surely, you can understand." Lenora's eyebrows rose at the word suspect.
"Person of interest I can understand," Lenora's lips quirked in mild amusement, "A suspect? Do you really think me capable of murder?" She asked Ciel. The child earl looked at her with a tired smirk. For someone so young he seemed so old.
"Anyone is capable of murder." Ciel stated, making her smile a bit.
"Very well." Lenora nodded. "Lead the way, young earl."
Lenora found herself sitting in the earl's well lit study in a comfortable chair in front of his desk. Sebastian stood behind and though she couldn't see him, she could smell him. The house smelled of many things, old and new. Blood rushed through the veins of those living there. She could smell the fire still, the fire that burned the home. As she was lead through the house she was assaulted with many different smells, but his study was a comforting smell. She could smell the old books and the tea that has been spilled and drank. But under it all was still the smell of fire and death.
"I asked you a question." Ceil stated, mild irritation lacing his voice. Lenora's attention was brought back to the conversation at hand and she giggled quietly.
"My apologies, it has been a long day." Lenora said gently to the child in front of her. "What was your question?"
"Your name, what is it?" Ceil sighed.
"Lenora." She answered. "Lenora Davis."
"What are you?" Ciel asked bluntly, making her giggle again. "What is so funny?"
"You are." Lenora answered. "What do you think I am?" Ceil stared at her for a moment. He could simply ask, but she could lie or deny it. He would need substantial proof. So he did what any irrational person would and put himself in direct danger, knowing Sebastian would be there. Ciel grabbed the letter opener from his desk and sliced open his palm.
Lenora watched and her eyes shot open wide in horror as she watched the young earl slice open his palm. Her hands clamped over her nose and mouth as she shot out of her chair, stepping back and knocking it over.
"What the hell!" Lenora hissed angrily as she retreated.
"Young master," Sebastian chided as he moved forward, fresh handkerchief in hand, "are you sure that was necessary?" Ceil didn't look away from the woman who stood across the room, hands over her mouth, her dark eyes now red as she glared at him. Ciel smirked. He'd got what he wanted and he let Sebastian press the cloth to his palm, intending to stop the bleeding.
"So you are one of them." Ciel accused.
"You cut your hand open for that?" Lenora shouted from across the room. "Are you insane? Do you know what you're dealing with?"
"No harm would have come to me." Ciel dismissed her worry.
"You sound so sure." Lenora spat, dropping her hands and placing them on her hips, her eyes were still red but she had it under control. "You're lucky I've fed recently. Not all of us can control ourselves."
"So you admit you are one of the murderers." Ceil stated flatly and Lenora blinked.
"I haven't killed anyone." She stated and Ceil looked at her confused.
"But you said-"
"I don't kill my victims." Lenora interrupted, "The human body has five to six litres of blood. I don't need to take all of it." Lenora paused and looked at the two on the other side of the desk. She considered moving closer, but the smell of blood was too strong. "Those who do, have no regard for human life and drink out of greed. Most of us just want to survive."
"Then explain to me why the morgues are piling up with your victims." Ceil told her. Sebastian lingered behind his chair. Ceil had closed his hand into a fist, holding the cloth. He rested his cheek against his closed fist.
"They are not my victims." Lenora answered and crossed her arms, thinking. "Every city has its underground community of vampires." She began, "But the living are starting to notice our presence."
"Is that unusual?" Ciel asked.
"Very." Lenora told him and pondered. She had a few suspicions, but no evidence to support it. "Why are you so interested?"
"It's my business." Ciel explained. "The queen is upset by the murders. It is my duty to ease her worries."
"And the demon is your little pet?" Lenora filled in. Sebastian glared at her in annoyance.
"Pet?" He asked quietly, distaste in his tone.
"So, why am I here?" Lenora asked, ignoring Sebastian.
"I require any information you have in regards to the murders." Ciel explained. "Tell me everything you know."
"I don't know much of anything in regards to the murders." Lenora shrugged. She hadn't heard of them until today.
"I think you know more than you are aware." Ceil said. "We need to know what we are up against."
"Doesn't your demon know?" Lenora teased, a smirk on her lips. Ceil looked up at Sebastian, irritated.
"Why didn't you explain earlier?" Ceil hissed and Sebastian smiled down at him.
"You never asked."
"Well, if that's all, I'll be on my way." Lenora dismissed herself and turned for the door. Before she could take a step, she was once more grabbed on the arm by the demon. She looked up at him and raised her eyebrows.
"You don't actually think we're just going to let you back out into the world, do you?" Ciel asked and Lenora looked over her shoulder at him.
"I do have work." Lenora pointed out. "If I go missing, people will notice."
"Wait, what?" Ceil asked, startled. "You mean you work with humans?"
"Yes, of course." Lenora answered, startled by his confusion. "What, you don't think I try to bite every human I come across, do you?" Ceil looked away and pouted, his silence gave her the only answer she need. She shook Sebastian's grip off of her arm. "What on earth have you been teaching him?" Ceil stood and slammed his hands down on his desk.
"He hasn't told me anything!" Ceil shouted and Lenora snapped her head to him.
"There's no need to shout!" She shouted back. "Even so, you don't just kidnap people!"
"Do you even count as people?" Ceil shouted at her, his face growing red with frustration.
"How dare you! You rude little thing!" Lenora shouted. She had grown tired of these two and wanted to be alone. She marched forward and picked up the chair she had knocked over before planting herself in it once more. The only way out was making sure he knew what he needed to know. "Sit down, young earl. You have a lot to learn." She instructed firmly.
The night carried on and Lenora told him all about Vampires. Ceil listened and asked clarifying questions. She answered simply and he found he much preferred getting information from her than Sebastian. Rather than play games, she seemed almost eager to correct his ignorance. Sebastian had remained by the door, watching the two interact and discuss. It had been a long time since he had the pleasure of crossing paths with a vampire.