Author's Note: I was tip-toeing around the internet and found Halestorm's Innocence. The first time I heard it, all I could think about was Sebastian and Ciel. I've also been watching a lot of makeup tutorials on youtube. They look fantastic, I look like a clown that just escaped the circus.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters. I only claim Serena, as well as the demons and descendants that I introduce.

A Demon's Mate

Chapter Fourteen

Serena sat in one of the chairs opposite the queen's butlers, next to Ciel. After breakfast, the Earl had invited them into the salon to discuss his newest orders. Sebastian stood quietly behind his master as Earl Grey seemed to take pleasure in making the other lord wait for the letter in his possession.

"I have to admit, Lord Phantomhive, I'm not sure that this is a good case for you. After the incident with Baron Kelvin, this made be a bit much." The other lord's cold smile was still firmly in place.

The red head got up and stood behind Ciel's chair.

"Lord Phantomhive is the best at what he does. Something that the Queen understands as well, or you wouldn't be here. I'm more than certain that the Earl can handle it."

Earl Grey blinked in surprise before his smile came back. Standing, he came to Serena and held out a hand. When she gave him her own, he brought her fingers to his lips, pulling her out of her seat.

"I forgot to introduce myself. Earl Charles Grey, at your service."

"Serena Walton."

He smiled at Ciel while still holding the red head's hand "I see the rumors about your engagement are true. Congratulations. She's definitely an upgrade from that loud girl always trailing after you."

"Actually, Miss Serena is a guest of my master. Nothing more." Sebastian came to hover at her side and noticed the slight easing in her shoulders.

"Even better." Grey's fingers moved to her wrist and pulled the red head closer. Green eyes widened at being trapped. Ciel jumped from his seat at the murderous expression on his butler's face, expecting to see the other Earl torn to pieces by Sebastian. Instead, Serena placed a hand on the demon's chest to hold him back.

It wasn't needed. Phipps had pulled the other man away and smoothly stepped between them.

"I must apologize for my friend. In the presence of such a lady, he seems to have forgotten to introduce me." The man bowed over Serena's hand while ignoring his partner glaring at his back. "Charles Phipps, my lady."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

Phipps turned back. "I think that we should finish briefing Lord Phantomhive and return. Before her majesty starts to worry at our absence."

Grey pouted but returned to his seat. Everyone else let out a deep breath as the dangerous atmosphere disappeared.

"Now then, it has come to her majesty's attention that a number of teenage boys have gone missing from London lately." Phipps sat down again by his partner noticing how Sebastian had placed himself firmly between the Phantom and red head. "Several of the lower titles have reported that their sons came to London for schooling or business for the family and have disappeared. Each family receives one letter after the young men have not returned on the expected date and then nothing more. Every one of the letters reads the same. They have met friends in London and will be extending their stay for a few days."

"They could very well have gotten caught up in the more seedy sides of London life." Ciel set down his cup to look over the letter from the Queen once more.

"That was what we thought at first. However, the men have completely disappeared. There is no trace of any of them at their lodgings and their friends say that the young men returned home as scheduled as far as they knew. Then yesterday, we received a report that the son of the Duke of Richmond has disappeared as well. The family received the same letter as all the others."

"Very well, I will look into it and report to her majesty if the men can be found."

"Then we will take our leave." Phipps stood and waited for Grey. The other man still watched Serena as if fixated on something. "Good day, Lord Phantomhive."

"Sebastian will show you out."

Ciel let out a breath as the door shut behind the three and saw Serena do the same.

"What an ass!"

The Earl rubbed his forehead and nodded at her assessment. "Grey is smart although lacking in manners. Thankfully, Phipps excels in both areas. I think that the Queen keeps him around to reign Grey in. With the way he keeps provoking Sebastian, I think he is also short on common sense."

"Yeah, I was really afraid that I was going to be holding an unattached arm for a minute there." She rubbed the red mark that was left behind on her wrist by the Earl.

"That may have been what Grey was after from the start. How were you able to hold Sebastian back?"

"I don't know." She shook her head. "I just told him to stop and he did."

"But you didn't say anything."

"Yes, I did. I said don't and he said as you wish."

"Serena, I was standing right here. Neither of you said anything."

***************************A Demon's Mate**************************

Serena sat in the library again after being unceremoniously kicked out of the earl's study so he and Sebastian could confer about their newest case. Figuring that she should work on everyone's Christmas present, the red head hadn't ventured from the room in hours. That didn't stop her from being annoyed with the two men.

'Don't want to upset the little lady, so she needs to go do woman things while the men talk business.' The red head scoffed and felt her anger rise again. 'Sexist pigs, each and every one of them.'

"Serena."

She looked up as Sebastian walked into the room. For some reason she noticed how smoothly the demon walked as he came closer. There was a grace that she had never seen any man or woman before. It reminded her almost of the panther she had seen in a zoo when she was little. All coiled muscles and gliding, silent footsteps.

"Serena."

She jerked back with a blush to see that he was standing right in front of her. The demon leaned over her, putting a hand on either arm of the chair. The panther came into her mind again. A predator eying its prey. Her heart sped up and she wondered if the rabbit was entranced by the beauty of the cat before it was devoured.

"That analogy is very apt in this situation. I do want to enchant you. I do want to devour you."

"How...how did you know what I was thinking?" She hated how breathless her voice was.

"It is not uncommon for a demon to be able to see the surface of their mate's thoughts. How else am I to know exactly what you desire?"

He leaned closer and she smelled the same scent of delicious spices as last night. There was something else, comforting, like warmed vanilla bean.

"What is that? That smell?"

"As I said, your analogy is correct. I am a predator, Serena and humans are my prey. Everything about me is designed to draw you in. To make you crave me. As I crave you." There was a quiet seduction in his voice. Her mind conjured up images of smooth, silk sheets warmed by flesh. "Again very aware, my mate. You feel what I want too."

"Stop."

"Is that what you really wish for?" Sebastian breath moved to her neck, stopping just short of touching.

"I...I..." Her hands clutched the material of her dress to stop from touching him.

"Shh. You cannot lie to me, Serena. You can put up all the bravado that you want, but I still know the truth. You know too. Your soul knows and so does your body."

She felt him smile next to her ear. It would be so easy to move that last inch. So easy to touch the warm skin right next to hers.

"Go ahead. I belong to you. Just as you belong to me. I will always welcome your touch, my mate. Crave it, as you do mine." Her head started to turn, drawn by the promise his voice offered.

A crash resounded through the halls. Serena jumped with a gasp and stared at the doorway, her heart in her throat. She heard a growl next to her. Sebastian was still in the same position leaning over her but staring at the hall too. His eyes had changed to swirling red, his pupils slitted as anger took over seduction. His moment was lost and they both knew it.

Serena took a shaky breath and put a hand against his clothed chest pushing lightly. "Back off."

Sebastian's gaze turned back to her and she could almost see him weighing the option of trying again. She shook her head and pushed harder.

"Very well." He stood slowly, with just as much grace as he entered the room. "Master wishes to go into the city this afternoon. He will need to use his contacts in London and plans to be based there for the duration of this assignment."

She nodded, still trying to calm her heart.

"The master has decided that you will come as well."

**************************A Demon's Mate*****************************

The ride into the city passed in relative silence. Ciel had brought the paperwork that he had been unable to look at due to the arrival of the Queen's messengers. This gave Serena ample time to mull over the happenings in the library this morning. The earl noticed how she would fidget every once in a while, seriously thinking about something. Emotions would pass over her face at a rapid rate whenever she shifted in her seat before going back to staring at the passing scenery.

'I can't believe he did that. I can't believe that I almost fell for it. Thank God that Mei-Rin is such a klutz.'

Serena chewed on her thumbnail as she admitted that what made her the most uncomfortable had been that Sebastian was right about everything. There was a part of her that wanted him to touch her and wanted to touch him.

'He had to have upped his game in there. I've been around him for days and haven't felt like that. I mean, yeah, I noticed that he was sinfully attractive. Pun intended. What else would you expect of the devil? But still, this morning was like a straight smack in the hormones. Almost like they were saying, "Hey, look at that and he's giving you open access! You just have to make that last little step. What are you waiting for?" The red head shifted in her seat again and didn't notice the irritated look Ciel shot at her. 'Do I want open access to him? It's unlike me. There has to be more than just sex. Oh, but I bet the sex would be good. He is talking a forever thing, which doesn't make me feel so much like a whore, but I'm still not sure what all he wants from me. And how do I get home, especially if he's talking a forever thing. Do I even want to go back home? Of course I have to go back home. I wasn't born in this time period and there must be a reason for that. But, there's a reason that I'm here too. Maybe I'm not supposed to go back. No, that can't be it. Sebastian was telling me about when he'll go home. Home is Hell, right? He can't expect me to go there in this forever scenario of his. I'm not Mother Teresa but I don't think I deserve to go to hell. Does that mean that I would have to die? Would he kill me to keep me? Okay, now I've officially freaked myself out.'

"Are you going to have any of your hand left by the time that we reach Undertaker's parlor?"

Ciel's voice shocked Serena out of her mental tailspin. She blushed when she realized what he was talking about. Chewing on her thumb had been a habit she thought she had broken in childhood. Dropping her hand in her lap, she went back to looking at the edges of the city they were entering.

"So, what is your problem now?" The teen huffed as he put his papers back into the leather case at his feet.

"I think I need to go to church more often." She mumbled depressed.

"What?" Ciel looked at her as though she had lost her mind.

"Nothing. Just demon issues."

"I highly doubt the church will help you. Unless you try to seek sanctuary." The earl scoffed. "Even then, they'll probably think that you're insane and send you to Bedlam instead. This is the age of reason."

"True, but it was still worth the thought."

"No, it wasn't. God isn't going to help you, Serena. Figure it out yourself." He looked out the window, the discussion closed as far as he was concerned.

"Not bitter or anything, are you?"

***************************A Demon's Mate***************************

The Undertaker's parlor was exactly as Serena remembered. The mortician, himself, was even leaning over another of his hand-made coffins. He looked up and smiled at the sight of their party. Placing the lid on the coffin, gently, he walked over to them.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, my lord? Twice in one week. I'm honored." He laughed into his long-nailed hand.

"I have a few questions about possible customers of yours, Undertaker."

"You know what that costs."

Sebastian stepped forward but was waved back by the silver-haired man.

"No," Undertaker stood in front of Serena and tapped her on the nose. "I want to know what kind of laugh the time-traveler can give me."

"Oh no, you're better off sticking with Sebastian if you want a laugh."

"Come on, give it a try. I'll even go easy on you."

'Think of the worst joke you ever heard.' The demon's voice echoed through her mind. She turned sharply to stare at him, sure that he had spoken. Ciel's confused look shot that idea down. Long black nails attached to a cool hand touched her chin and pulled her back to the scarred mortician.

"I'm waiting." The words were nothing but a whisper as she felt eyes she couldn't see bore into her. A low growl came from behind the red head as she shrugged.

"What does a wicked chicken lay?"

"Oh, I love these." He poked her in the side. "Tell me, tell me!"

"Deviled eggs."

The Undertaker erupted in loud laughter and draped himself over Serena's shoulder.

"Wow, really?" She looked at Ciel in amazement. The Earl just shrugged.

"That was brilliant!" His body continued to shake as he held her tighter. The growl got louder and Serena could feel the demon walking closer.

In an instant, Undertaker disappeared from her side and sat on the coffin he had been working on. His attention focused on Ciel as Sebastian pulled his mate close to his body.

"You can ask now." He laughed, still looking at the demon.

"I need to know if there has been an increase in your clientele of teenage boys."

"Ah, unfortunately no. Although I have heard that young men have been disappearing for quite some time."

"There have only been six."

"That were reported. For months, young men about your own age have been taken from workhouses and debtor's prisons. After they leave, no one sees them again. If I had to guess, whoever is responsible now wants quality versus quantity." He trailed a nail down the Earl's smooth cheek. "Make sure you keep that butler close. You're certainly fine enough to peak anyone's interest."

Ciel slapped the hand away. Serena saw the rare look of panic that crossed his face at the Undertaker's touch and stepped forward. Sebastian held her back. When she looked up, he shook his head. She watched as the Earl stood straight again.

"Thank you for your time, Undertaker." Without another word, Ciel strode from the shop. Serena and Sebastian hurried to catch up. "We're going to the townhouse for the night. It's too late to go to Lau."

The butler looked to the sun that was barely setting, but nodded anyway. "Of course, Master."

In the carriage, the Earl stared straight out the window and seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

"Ciel, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Serena decided not to push. As she looked at their surroundings, his quiet voice spoke in the dark interior.

"He always touched my cheek and said that my skin was like fine porcelain."

It took Serena a moment to understand what he was talking about. When it finally dawned on her that Ciel was talking about the first man that had bought him after his parents' murder, she tried to think of something that would make it better.

"Well, this time is different. You're not a child anymore and now you have an awesome demon butler at your beck and call. I highly doubt Sebastian would let anyone touch you with even a slightly malicious thought in their heads."

"Yes, you're right. He wouldn't let anyone taint his meal."

'Right, change of subject would be a good idea.'

"Thank you for bringing me with this time. It's a little boring at the manor without you and Sebastian there."

He scoffed, coming out of his mood for a moment. "Well, I couldn't leave you. Who knows what you would've decided to decorate next."

"Hey, never leave a woman alone in a house and expect to come back to it the same. That holds true in any situation."

"I suppose."

*************************A Demon's Mate**************************

By the time their carriage rolled in front of the Phantomhive London house, Ciel was somewhat back to his normal self. When Sebastian ushered them into the house, it was still quiet and empty. Both kept their outer wear on in the salon as the butler lit the fires in various rooms, before bringing in a tray of the Earl's favorite beverage.

'I swear, by the time I get home, I'm going to have tea leaves coming out of my ears.'

"So, do you know where we'll look next?" She rubbed her hands together in front of the fire.

"Undertaker said that boys had been taken from the workhouses and debtor' prisons. Lau will know more about that. Sebastian and I will go see him in the morning." Ciel took off his rings so he remove his gloves in the quickly warming room.

"I don't get to go with?"

"No, Lau's office is no place for a lady."

"And the Undertaker's parlor is?"

"The Undertaker at least has some manners." Serena and Ciel looked up as Sebastian brought a tray with tea to a nearby table.

"Exactly." The Earl took an appreciative sip from his cup. "You'll remain here."

"Master, shall I place the knocker on the door while we're in town?"

"No!" Panic came back over his face. "If we end up having to stay longer than a few days, we'll put it up."

"A few days? Everyone is going to be leaving London in a few days. Christmas is just around the corner and all the nobles will be going back to their estates until after the New Year."

"Then we'll just have to conclude this quickly."

*************************A Demon's Mate*****************************

Serena tried to take advantage of the fact that Sebastian was still attending to Ciel when she headed for bed. She had tried to shed the gown and all its trimmings to be asleep before the demon got there. That idea disappeared once she remembered that the dress she wore was fastened through a row of buttons down the back. Not to mention the corset underneath.

'Why can't these people wear normal clothes? I bet he planned this. Sneaky demon.'

Not willing to give up, she tried to reach the buttons again, but every time she turned her ribs would protest.

'And here I thought they were getting better. To be honest, with the corset, they haven't really bothered me except when I sleep.' A thought crossed her mind. 'Wait, who's going to re-wrap them after I take a bath?! If that demon planned this I'll...oooohhh, I don't know what I'll do. He's gone straight to perv now!'

A knock interrupted her fuming and preceded Sebastian into the room.

"Since Mei-Rin is not with us this time, I will draw your bath." He smiled before heading for the bathroom. "I'm sorry that I had to take care of my master first, but he was still shaken up this evening. He wished to retire early."

Serena followed and felt her anger rise with each step.

"Did you do this on purpose?"

"Do what on purpose?"

"Ciel had no intention of bringing me with at first, did he? Otherwise, he would have thought of bringing Mei-Rin and tossed the idea aside."

"I may have mentioned that you might try to update some others things in the manor." The demon's eyes glowed with the smirk he threw over his shoulder.

"You...you..."

Sebastian stood, smirk still in place. "You will need help with your gown, Serena."

"I'll do it myself!" She huffed and stomped into the bedroom.

He grabbed the back of her gown and ran a finger over the row of fastenings. "I believe that you will have problems with these buttons."

"I have a problem with a perverted demon."

"Perverted. I would not label myself that way." She scoffed. "I did not try anything while you slept last night, now did I?"

"I wouldn't know, someone made me sleep if you will remember."

"I did no such thing."

The red head spun around. "Yes, you did. There is no way that I would have slept next to you after what you did."

"What I did? Oh, you mean my reaction after you flirted with my master."

"Well...I..."

"What you did was wrong and what I did was, as well. I have already apologized and haven't asked you for an apology to me. I would think that you would let it go."

Serena started to say something but stopped. Finally, she turned back around and waited for Sebastian to start unfastening the buttons. She felt his gloved fingers brush her skin with each one that was released. As soon as the silk started to slide, she held the front of the gown to stop it.

"You will need help with the corset, too." She shivered at hearing the same cadence in his voice as in the library earlier. "I love the clothing in this time."

"That's because you're not the one who has to wear it."

"True, but the fun is not in the wearing. It's in the removing. Almost like unwrapping a gift."

"This gift doesn't have 'Sebastian' written on the tag."

Using the fabric in his hands, the demon pulled her back against his body. She felt the possessive growl come from his chest. "Just whose name does it have on it?"

"No one's but my own."

"Ah." He took a step away and returned to her gown. When he had undone all the buttons, Serena felt him untie the bottom of the corset. "I do not understand why you are so self-conscious. You certainly were not the other night in the bath."

"That was before."

"I see, that is a shame. Although, it is good to have a modest mate. With the dress you arrived in, I was sure that wasn't the case."

"What was wrong with my dress? I thought it looked good."

"It was good as something to wear for me. However, I do not like others to be able to see my mate's body."

'Wear for him, huh?' With each soft tug of the corset's laces, Serena's mind built a plan. She buried the devious smile she felt take over her face when it all came together. 'Since he went through all the trouble to set this up, I think that I should give him something for his trouble.'

"Sebastian," she looked coyly over her shoulder. "Could you run a little more hot water? With us talking I'm afraid that the water has cooled and I really want a hot bath with the weather outside."

"Of course, my mate." He slid the back of his fingers over the delicate bones of her spine. The look in her eyes was more receptive than it normally was and he was rewarded with no words of protest. Sebastian picked up the nightgown that Serena had already laid out before going back into the adjoining room.

As soon as he disappeared through the doorway, she quickly shed the gown and corset. Taking a moment to steel herself, Serena slid off the shift, petticoats and draws. She took the pins from her hair and shook the length so that it fell around her in a soft cloud. The red head kept an ear out for the water to stop as she put a leg on the ottoman to slide off her first stocking.

'There it is.'

Serena heard a choke as she slowly slid the second piece of thin silk down her skin. Letting it drape over the back of the chair with the other, she walked to the bathroom. Sebastian stood rigid in the doorway.

She raised an eyebrow at the shocked demon. "Can I go in?"

He stepped out of the way to let her pass and turned to follow. Serena stopped just inside the doorway and looked back over her shoulder.

"Thank you, Sebastian." She slammed the door in his face and dropped the lock for good measure.

Leaning against the wood, Serena let out a breath she hadn't realized that she had been holding.

'I can't believe that worked. What if he hadn't been so shocked?'

A deep laugh started on the other side of the door and steadily grew louder.

"Well played, my mate. Well played."

**************************A Demon's Mate*******************************

Where Serena emerged, fresh and clean, Sebastian had pulled the ottoman next to the fire and was waiting patiently to dry her hair. Neither said a word as he pulled the brush through the thick strands until they flowed softly down her back. The demon helped her from the seat and guided Serena to the bed that he had already turned down. After she was between the sheets, he took time in tucking the blankets around her as if she were a child.

When finished, he stepped back.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" Serena asked innocently.

"I think you have played enough and are moving into dangerous territory." He turned away. "I'll clean up the bathroom first. The water should be cold enough by now."

Giggling followed him from the room.

**********************A Demon's Mate***************************

Serena came down for breakfast the next morning with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. She had managed to find a soft round gown in her bags that didn't require the extra help that most of her clothing did. In the dining room she noticed how Sebastian would glare at her from time to time. It only made her smile brighter.

"I see that you are in a better mood today." Ciel commented as she sat down.

"Why shouldn't I be?"

The Earl shook his head at her change in behavior but decided to ignore it. "We'll be going to see Lau this morning. I trust that you will remain here and out of trouble while we are gone."

"Sure thing." She gave Ciel a mock salute as he stood and walked out of the room.

Taking a bite of a cranberry scone with clotted cream, Serena smirked at the butler picking up Ciel's plate.

"This is delicious, Sebastian."

"Thank you, my lady. I'm glad that it pleases you."

"I didn't see any feathers in my bed this morning."

"It was not a good idea for me to join you last night. I stayed in the chair."

She giggled. "Poor Sebastian, were you a little...over-excited last night?"

The demon glared at her, his eyes flashing an unearthly glow.

"You're the one who started it. Call it revenge for the library." She eyed him while taking a sip of tea. "You should know all about that."

"Indeed, I do." He leaned down. "That is something that I am most qualified for."

"Bring it on, Feathers." She looked him straight in the eye. "I'm not afraid of you anymore. Last night proved that you are just like a human man."

Sebastian smirked as he put one hand on the back of her chair and the other on the table. He had noted the spike in her heart rate yesterday when she was caged in and, as if on cue, the beating sped up again the closer he came. The demon growled in approval when she didn't try to back up or look away.

"I believe that you are wrong in that. I look forward to showing you just how wrong you really are."

Serena felt the words whispered against her skin and suppressed a shudder. "I thought we were playing revenge not seduction."

"But I think that it would be a perfect revenge to make you want me."

"Wanting you isn't the issue Sebastian. And the fact that you can't see that proves my point." Serena reached around him to pluck a grape from her plate. He watched her every move as she slowly slid the fruit past her lips.

"What is the issue?"

"I've 'wanted' several people in my short life, that doesn't mean that I'm going to have sex with them. It takes more than a pretty face, Sebastian. When you figure that out, our game will really begin."

The demon blinked at her. "I am your mate, Serena. There is nothing wrong with wanting or having me."

"It's not about right or wrong. It's about self-respect."

"I respect you."

"Really? When was that, I must have missed it. Could it have been when you were trying to intimidate me, or maybe when you were forcing your way into my bed? No, it must be when you were trying to dictate my wardrobe or when you think that I'll fall into your lap with some pretty flowers and shallow seduction tactics."

Sebastian took his hands back and sunk down to kneel at her feet. He cocked his head to the side, regarding the red head as if she was speaking another language. He placed a hand on her chest, directly over her heart.

"I feel your heartbeat pick up speed when I'm around. You enjoy my attention."

"Again, that's physical." Serena leaned back in her chair. "And I'm guessing that's all you have experience with."

She took the hand from her chest but didn't let go. Serena slid the white glove off to look at his black nails and the mark of his contract with Ciel. Gently tracing the pentagram with her fingertip, she looked back up.

"I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing that you have been around humans a long time. If the physical is all you think there is, that's a little sad and I feel sorry for you."

The demon jerked back as if she had hit him and stood quickly. "Master is calling."

Serena didn't watch him leave but heard his hurried footsteps, eager to escape the dining room.