Author's Note: Part II of a two part post tonight.
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 Nineteen
Serena pulled away when she heard someone cough. Peeking behind Sebastian, she saw all three men were still there. And all of them were staring at her. Undertaker and Haagenti were leering while Ciel was an interesting shade of crimson, all the way to the tips of his ears.
"Right." She untangled herself from a smirking Sebastian and ducked her head. "I'm just going to go upstairs and die of embarrassment. I assume that you're better now?"
"Very much so," the demon purred as he smirked down on her.
"Don't say it like that!"
Serena hunched in on herself and hurried to the door. The three moved aside quickly to let her pass. Ciel turned to follow.
"Finish your business quickly. There are other things to take care of tonight." The Earl walked out, his head held high, without looking at his butler.
"Very interesting." Haagenti mussed. "You've certainly found an amusing set of humans this time."
"If we're finished, I will report back to the council. I have my own business to finish this night." Undertaker giggled into his sleeve. "And I'm sure you do as well."
"You're correct. I will wait to see what punishment your Council decides for Sutcliff. However, I will have a hand in it." His eyes flashed for a moment. "If any reaper approaches my mate again, they're dead and damn your treaty."
"I will tell them."
Undertaker nodded to Haagenti before sweeping out the back door.
"I will take my leave as well. I'm sure the Fallen will be satisfied with your decision. Your mate made it very clear that she would not tolerate being the reason for demons renewing their hostility with the reapers. Which will satisfy the other Elders." He laughed. "A mate's wishes always come first."
"Thank you for coming tonight."
Haagenti came forward and put a hand on his former fledgling's shoulder. "I am very happy for you. Serena is lovely and well suited to you."
"Thank you." Sebastian bowed to the other demon with a smile.
The demon nodded. "Now, since this is settled, I will be getting back to my own mate and leave you to yours."
"Goodnight, Elder Haagenti."
"Goodnight, boy."
Sebastian shook his head as Haagenti swept back out the door. His tongue darted out to catch the last of Serena's taste on his lips as he heard his mate pacing in her room. Undertaker was right, there was unfinished business to take care of.
'But first, I must get my Master settled for the night."
**********************A Demon's Mate*********************
Serena bolted into her room and threw the latch.
'Not that I think that will keep him out.'
The red head walked to the window, but saw her reflection in the vanity mirror. After the night she had had, the girl expected to look like a wreck. Instead, her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. Her hair was tousled from Sebastian's hands running through it and floated around her body in a cloud. She put a hand to her lips, swollen and red from the demon's kiss. The rips and tears all through the precious silk that Soma had given her looked as though they belonged there, making the look all the more appealing. Patches of the gold dust that had been transferred from Ciel's skin made her look as though touched by some divine being.
'I look like I just went a round with a lover instead of reapers and demons and an emotionally stunted earl.' Serena rubbed her bottom lip. 'I bet it would be a great round though.'
She shook her head at the thought. On the small table next to the window sat a pitcher of water and a glass. Serena poured a glass and drank it all, but nothing was going to rid her the taste of sweet vanilla with a hint of heat beneath it.
'He tastes just like he smells. Delicious. Don't think like that! He's a demon, remember? Not long ago I was freaking out about him taking me home with him. But, I could have all the access that I wanted to him there. No Ciel giving orders, no contract to follow. No people to get in the way.'
Her mind filled with the possibilities of having Sebastian all to herself.
'Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Ciel isn't a problem and neither is anyone else. I've never been swayed by sex and I'm not going to start now.' Visions of her friends with their significant others flashed in her mind, as well as the wish that she could feel the same way. 'Maybe there's a reason that I've never been that interested? I've dated people, but it was never that big a deal. I was never preoccupied with anyone that I had gone out with. I even tried a girl, thinking that was the problem. But, it was just the same as everyone else.'
Serena held onto the curtain and stared at the back garden.
'Was I waiting for Sebastian?'
*********************A Demon's Mate*******************
Sebastian opened the door to Serena's room shortly after the Earl had fallen asleep. The master had ordered that his butler stay until he fell asleep again. The request was not unexpected after he had been so upset earlier. Thankfully, it had not taken long for the exhausted human to fall into sleep's comforting abyss.
Serena was still up, brushing her hair while seated at the vanity. She looked up as he came in. Because she had never changed out of the Indian clothing that Soma had given her, it had been easy to get into her nightwear without assistance. His eyes narrowed at the sight of one of the Master's nightshirts in place of one of the long nightgowns he had stocked her wardrobe with.
"Are you wearing one of my Master's nightshirts?"
"Yeah, it's easier to move around in than that long gown. Easier to breathe too, without that high neck." She smoothed a hand over the soft cotton as she stood. The red head twirled in a small circle and Sebastian was given a tantalizing glimpse of upper legs as the shirt lifted slightly with the wind. When it settled, the bottom hem of the shirt came almost to her hips on the sides. "And it's not so hot to sleep in."
"How did you get it?" He asked, his voice slightly hoarse as she sat back down. The shirt crept up her legs when she went back to her hair.
"I 'borrowed' it from the laundry. Is Ciel asleep?"
"Yes, I apologize for the Master's behavior tonight."
"I would think that his was more excusable than yours." A thin eyebrow raised as she looked at the demon through the mirror's reflection.
Sebastian blinked, not knowing what to say.
"You think less of him for breaking down? He just had a living memory of why he called for you in the first place and you think it's wrong that he lost it."
"My Master does not lose his composure so easily."
She slammed the brush down. "You don't get it."
"I'm sorry?"
Serena spun around on the padded stool, anger radiating from her.
"I know that you practically raised Ciel, and that he takes more after you then he probably ever did Vincent. Hell, he even thinks like a demon and I've seen that look on your face sometimes when he makes a decision that you would make." The red head stood. The roaring fire in the hearth gave a perfect backdrop for her mood.
"What look?"
"The same look a proud father gives his son when he does something right, or in your case, devious." She brushed past his shock. "But, at his core, Ciel is still human. He still has the same needs as any other human. He still needs comfort and to know that he's not alone."
"I believe that you are reading more into this than there is."
"You once told me that demons still had emotions, that they were just buried." She waited for his nod. "Ciel is just the same. He never moved past what was done to him. Inside, he's still that ten year old boy who watched his parents die and his home burn to the ground. He's still the child that was raped by some disgusting old man and then tossed away when he wasn't usable anymore. He's still the boy that was about to be sacrificed to a demon, but made a contract with him instead. He just swept all that under the rug and tonight he was breaking his own neck tripping over it."
Sebastian stayed quiet, letting her words sink in.
"You said that you still feel loneliness? Ciel is still tortured by what happened to him. Yes, he lost it tonight. So did you. You damn near brought the house down and killed all of us. But yet, you'll stand there and criticize him for the same thing." She looked him in the eye. "Do you get it now?"
Sebastian bowed, his voice quiet. "You're right. I apologize."
He stood as she brushed past him to look out the window again. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach as she stared out at the small garden he had created in the back of the townhouse. The demon picked up a piece of her now shorter hair, glaring at the cut.
"I asked before, but are you alright?" Sebastian laid his hands on her shoulders and moved to rub her arms slowly. He smiled when she didn't pull away.
"I'm fine. Teo was here to slow him down and Undertaker was ready to fight Grell. And...and..." She sniffled. "Where were you? I kept calling and calling and you never answered."
He didn't know what to say when she turned.
"Everyone keeps telling me how important a mate is. How important I am, but you weren't there. Teo was there, Undertaker was there, William was there." She shook her head as a tear fell down her cheek. "But you didn't come."
"I know, and that is something that I will live with for the rest of eternity." Sebastian slid a hand through her hair.
"Why weren't you there? I called for you. I kept calling." Serena finally broke and went into his arms.
"I couldn't hear you. Until our mating is complete, I have to be so close to hear you." The demon held his mate as she cried out her tension on his chest. He rubbed her back in circles that he hoped were soothing as she held onto him.
'Is this that need for comfort that you were talking about?'
'This goes better if you shut up.'
'Very well.' Sebastian laughed at her irritation.
A while later, Serena pulled away from him slowly. The red head wiped underneath her eyes and ran a hand through her hair to push it back from her face. She saw him smirking down at her.
"What?" She smoothed the shirt back down. "I know that I probably look awful but it's not a good idea to laugh at me for it."
"I wasn't thinking that." She heard a purr as he ran the back of his knuckles down her throat to the skin exposed by the two buttons that she had left open. "You look beautiful."
"Whoa!" Serena jumped back, waving her hands in front of her. "Don't even think about that."
"Oh, it's far too late." His voice dropped to a growl. "Especially now that I've had a taste."
Panic widened her eyes as he bent down to pick her up. The demon's smirk stayed on his face as he carried her to the bed. Her arms went around his shoulders on instinct.
"Sebastian, I really..."
He sighed as the blankets and sheets were pushed back by an unseen hand. Serena watched him carefully as he laid her gently in the cool sheets. She kept her eyes on the demon as she shifted further away on the soft mattress.
"Shh. I know." Sebastian laid a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Serena nodded and settled against the pillows. A yawn escaped before she could stop it.
"Sorry. Tonight's been kind of exhausting. A part of me wishes that I could just sleep for a week." She turned to lay on her side and smiled up at him.
"Master will wish to return to the manor tomorrow. I expect right after breakfast. So, there will be no time for sleeping." Sebastian pulled the sheets and blanket up to her shoulder.
"You could have humored me, lied a little."
"Demon's do not possess the ability to lie."
Serena sat up, awake again. "What?"
"Is that so shocking?" He watched her slyly, out of the corner of his eye as he knelt to stoke the fire.
"I thought that Ciel just ordered you not to lie to him."
"I cannot lie to anyone. I can twist the truth, omit certain facts, tell only half-truths or not say anything at all, but I cannot outright lie. Only humans possess that trait." The demon came back to the bed's side, almost laughing at her expression.
She flopped back on the bed. "Well, that's good to know."
"Go to sleep. There will time to talk tomorrow."
He started to leave but stopped when something tugged on his coat. The demon turned back to see Serena holding onto one of his tails.
"Stay."
Sebastian smiled. "Of course."
He stepped away to remove his extra layers. He could have easily willed the clothing away, but he was aware that Serena was still watching him. The demon took advantage of the eyes he could feel watching. He moved much slower than was necessary, exaggerating his stripping. He could hear Serena's heartbeat speed up as she watched. He could smell the sweet scent of her reaction to him.
When Sebastian was finally down to his dress shirt, trousers and silk socks, he slid into the sheets that Serena had pulled down for him. The demon was slightly surprised when she cuddled around his body, laying her head on his chest. His arm curled easily to rest on her hip.
"I was wondering something since I came in," he said quietly in the dark.
"What's that?"
"Why did I not see your undergarments with the high cut of the shirt."
Serena chuckled. "Because I'm not wearing any."
She heard the groan magnified through his skin.
"Are you certain that you are tired?"
"We're not there yet, Sebastian. So, just put a leash on yourself buddy." She yawned and rubbed her cheek against his shirt. "I don't like to rush a relationship into sex. It never works out well."
Serena gasped as she was flipped onto her back, Sebastian leaning over her.
"What do you mean, you don't like to rush into sex? Are you not a virgin?"
"No."
The demon bolted from the bed. Serena sat up and watched as he paced in front of the fireplace.
"This isn't right. No mate of a demon has felt sexual desire for any other. Before or after their mating."
"Well, that answers that question."
"What question?"
Serena couldn't look at him as she explained and instead picked at the fibers in the sheet. "I wondered why I never felt the need for sex that my friends always did."
"But you have been intimate with a man?"
"Yes."
Sebastian came back to lean on the bed next to her.
"You were forced."
"I didn't say that."
"I do not understand."
"Sebastian," she rubbed her forehead. "In twenty first century America, it's incredibly hard to find a virgin over the age of 15."
"The marriage age has come down?"
"The marriage age has gone up. It's kind of become the thing to do, marriage is not something to do until your twenties or even thirties, but sex is expected to happen in your teens."
"But, you said that you did not feel desire and were not forced."
"It was expected, Sebastian. I was sick of everyone calling me the Ice Princess because I never went out with anyone. I finally did and Brandon just would not let go. I thought maybe I would feel something if I did it, so I did. I never felt anything. It was just painful."
"So you did something that you didn't want to do because of social expectation."
"It's called peer pressure in the 21st century. And it's a bitch." She shook her head with sigh. "I still don't get what the big deal is. All my friends talked about how great it was, how connected they felt, but I felt more alone than ever. It was just awkward. It didn't help that he then told all of his friends and before the end of school the next day I had become the biggest whore in town. And why am I telling you all this?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow before smiling. The demon moved in close, pushing the hair she was hiding behind, away. He put his hands on either side of her body, caging her in once again. His voice was low, dangerous against her throat.
"I could show you what the big deal is."
She shuddered as his mouth moved against her skin. He left soft kisses against her throat, working his way slowly to her mouth. She sighed when he finally reached his destination. A warm tongue slid against bottom lip, asking for entrance.
Serena felt his purr over her tongue when she opened to him and it shot straight through her entire body. She couldn't stop the moan as that same taste of sweet vanilla with it's undercurrent of spices that she remembered from earlier flooded her mouth. Her fingers slid through the blackest hair that was softer than silk as she pressed her body against his, needing to be closer.
There was no sweeter feeling than being between the soft mattress and Sebastian. Smooth, leather gloves were no barrier for the heat of his hands on her skin. But, it was the feeling of butter soft leather instead of skin moving up her thigh and sliding under the shirt that struck her as wrong and pulled her out of the moment.
"Sebastian," she panted as she pulled away. The demon wasn't deterred. His mouth moved to press kisses along her jaw to running his tongue lightly over the throbbing vein in her exposed neck.
"Sebastian stop."
She gave him points in her head. The minute she had asked, he stopped. However, his hands remained where they had stopped. His thumb still brushed over her hip lightly and she grabbed his wrist.
"No."
Sebastian's head dropped to her shoulder. "You are certain?"
"Yes."
The demon sighed and rolled away from her warmth. Serena was afraid to look at him, expecting the same recriminations that had been heaped on her by every man she had dated. She rolled onto her side, staring at the wall as memories of Brandon rose and she wanted to throw up.
Sebastian felt the shift in her emotions. Smelled it, as sweet arousal and want changed to fear and then shame. Fighting his own want, the demon moved to curl around her. He felt his mate stiffen as his touch and smelled the salt of tears.
"Shh," he kissed her shoulder that had been exposed by the nightshirt. "I am willing to wait. It will make our joining all the sweeter when you do accept me, my mate."
Her voice was still thick with tears as she laughed. "Then what is that pressing into my butt?"
"Just a reminder. I am more than ready whenever you are."
"A reminder?" She laughed.
"If you don't wish to return to our previous activity, I would advise that you ignore it, as I am trying to do."
Serena laughed as he kissed her shoulder again.
***********************A Demon's Mate***********************
Sebastian had been right. As soon as she came into the dining room, Ciel announced that they would be returning to the country as soon as they finished eating. He had already ordered Sebastian to make the arrangements for their departure. She was happy to see that the Earl was back to his normal, bossy self, as though the night before had never happened.
The demon smirked while setting the red head's plate in front of her as if to say 'I told you so.'
Breakfast was mostly silent, Ciel was checking the paper for news of last night's arrest as he ate. He seemed to be a little embarrassed to look at Serena and she was happy to leave him be. They were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Both noticed the stiffness that surrounded the butler as Sebastian left them to answer it.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"Not that I'm aware of." Ciel took a sip of his tea and waited.
Sebastian came back in, a dangerous smile on his face.
"Serena. Ronald Knox has requested to speak to you."
"Isn't he a reaper?" She looked up as the demon pulled her chair back for her and held out a hand to help her stand.
"Indeed."
"Well, you're certainly not talking to him alone." The teen pushed away from his seat and stood. Serena was struck by the strangely protective tone from the usually cold Earl.
Ciel led the way into the salon. Ronald was looking at the various books that covered the shelves but turned when they entered. The reaper bowed with an easy smile and waited for everyone to take a seat.
"Now, I'm assuming that you come with some kind of message from your boss?" The Earl leaned back in his chair.
"Yes, I do. In light of recent events, the Reaper's Council wishes to give their apologies to Miss Serena, as well as the Elder of London for their failure to control the reaper Grell Sutcliff. His punishment is still being discussed, however Grell will be confined to the Council building itself until such time as a decision is reached. They also acknowledge the anti-demon sentiment that has become prevalent in the London offices and are looking into it as a possible situation to be diffused if necessary."
"That's nice." Serena said carefully. "I can't help but feel that there is more to it."
"Until such time as Miss Serena leaves London and the surrounding area, the Council has decided that they would rather be safe than sorry again and have assigned myself to be your personal bodyguard." Ronald dropped down to the other side of the sofa that Serena occupied with a bright smile.
"What?!"
Serena waved a hand to get everyone's attention.
"What exactly are your orders, word for word?"
"I'm supposed to move you and myself into the reaper's realm should Grell or any other reaper with the intent to harm you in any way appear. I'm one of the few that can carry another living being into our world. And even fewer have direct access to the Council Room." Ronald was all puffed up male pride until he deflated a little under Sebastian's glare. "But, I'm not to engage Sutcliff or any other, just move you out harm's way."
Serena winced. "The council doesn't think that you can take him, do they?"
The reaper sighed heavily and hung his head, a black cloud hanging over him. "No."
The red head rubbed his back, smiling at him in encouragement. "It's okay. You just haven't had a chance to prove yourself yet."
"And you won't get it now." Sebastian glared down at the young reaper. "You cannot simply decide that you will join this household and expect to be granted entry without a thought."
"I agree." Everyone turned to Ciel, who had been silent the whole conversation. "As amusing as I think it would be to have a reaper and a demon in the same house. It's inviting far too much chaos into my home."
"But, this is the order of the Reaper's Council."
"You're council does not rule me." The earl answered easily.
"You can't just ignore them."
"I can and I will. It is my home that they are wanting to put you in and therefore my decision."
Serena put a hand on Ronald's arm to stop him from speaking.
"You may not want to argue too much. Remember who has control of the demonic butler." She dropped her voice and pointed behind them. "It's probably not a good idea to piss him off."
The reaper turned to see Sebastian looking down at him with an evil smile that showed swirling eyes and fangs.
"Right." He stood. "Fine. I will report to the council that you have rejected their assistance."
"There's a good reaper. Run along now. Sebastian will show you out." Ciel waved Ronald off, ignoring the glare he was sent at his patronizing tone.
*********************A Demon's Mate***********************
The trip back to the manor passed mostly in silence. After a tearful good bye from Soma, who had returned to the house as they were getting into the carriage, Serena and Ciel left the crowded streets of London behind. Ciel's briefcase had reappeared and the never-ending stack of papers with it. Every time that Serena tried to start a conversation, she was shushed so the Earl could concentrate without her "chatter".
"You're a workaholic, you know that?" She huffed after being shushed again.
"I obviously have more things to occupy my time than you do." Ciel said dryly, not taking his eyes from the report in his hand.
"Well, yeah, but I mean seriously, you're going to be devoured by a demon in the future. This is the time to live it up."
"I have far too many concerns to 'live it up.'" He sneered at her.
"Ciel, this can't be healthy. Don't you have a hobby or something? You're going to die from all the stress that you put yourself under before you even get a chance at your revenge."
"This is my hobby." He said darkly.
"That's a little sad."
"Will you stop? I happen to enjoy my work." He signed the paper that he had been looking at and shifted the stack to show the next report.
She shook her head in defeat and stared out the window again. The stone pillar marking the beginning of Phantomhive lands was a welcome sight to the occupants of the carriage for different reasons. Serena stared at the fields and pastures that were steadily becoming a symbol of home to the girl from the future. She sighed, thinking that it wouldn't be so bad, staying in this time period. The air was cleaner, the clothes were great, once you got past the weight of all the layers, and she admitted that the chivalry was a nice change.
'And I don't have to look at some guy's underwear hanging out of his pants here.'
Two pillars marked the driveway to the estate and Ciel put his papers away as the swaying carriage turned. Serena smiled at the sight of the large manor house. The red head didn't notice Ciel staring at her as they approached the house. Bard and Finny were already waiting at the end of the drive to take the horses to the stables when Sebastian dropped down from the box. Both men called a greeting to Ciel and Serena as they were helped down from the vehicle.
The Earl led the way into the house, where Snake, Mei-Rin, and Tanaka waited to help the travelers removed their outer layers. Serena gasped as they started across the hall.
"It's Christmas Eve! I can't believe I just realized that."
"You're point is?" Ciel stared back at her with a blank face. Right behind him, Sebastian gave her the same look.
"Oh, nevermind you bunch of scrooges. I've got stuff to do." The red head waved them off and headed to her own room.
Mei-Rin had followed behind and was opening up her suitcases on the bed, unpacking the clothes that she had taken to London. The maid jumped back when the smallest case was yanked out of her hands.
"No! Don't look in that. It's for tomorrow." She held the case to her chest.
"Miss, the mansion doesn't celebrate Christmas. We're welcome to go to the church in town, if we wish, and we're all given the day off. Well, everyone except Sebastian. However, the master never does anything special."
"Ciel and Sebastian have the same view of Christmas, I suppose. Anyway, I'm not talking about celebrating per say. Just a little holiday cheer."
"Oh, this is going to be exciting!" The maid laughed and went back to the wardrobe as Serena gathered up the other papers that she had left in the room. "I can't wait."
*********************A Demon's Mate***********************
After gathering up everything that she needed, Serena made a dash for the library. It was the only room with a big enough table for her to spread out and shut the nosy staff out. She made quick work of separating her creations into piles when she remembered one very important thing.
'I don't have any boxes!'
'Is there a problem, my mate?'
Serena gasped at the voice and hoped that she hadn't just broadcasted everyone's gift to a certain nosy demon.
'How much have you heard?'
'Not much, just that you are currently in a panic over boxes.' The tone left her to think that he believed that it was a foolish thing to be worried over.
'It is a panic. I can't wrap what isn't in a box. That a huge hole in my plan.'
'Perhaps you should plan better next time.'
'Why do I get the feeling that you are enjoying this?'
'I don't know what you mean, my mate.'
'Sure you don't.'
Suddenly, the door to the library opened to let the butler in. Serena screeched like a banshee and ran to shove Sebastian back out of the room. To his credit, the demon did move when she pushed him.
"Out! Out! Out!" She kept pushing until they reached the hall and slammed the door shut behind her. "That's not funny. I don't appreciate the blatant attempt at trying to sneak a peek at what I'm doing."
"You expected me to not be curious?"
"No. I just expected you to be better about trying to find out."
The demon jerked back.
"I was trying to see what size boxes that you required." She continued to stare at him. "Besides, this is very unnecessary. It is not proper for you to gift to anyone other than your mate."
"Really? I'll apologize then. Because, I'm still passing these out."
Sebastian growled a little but Serena just shook her head. "That's not going to work."
"Very well. Since you insist on doing this, what size box do you need?"
She held up her hands to give dimensions.
"You're very serious about this."
"Gift giving is serious business. You have to find something that the person will like, then there is the box it's in, the paper it's wrapped in, the ribbon." She waved her hand. "There's a lot of thought involved in this and everything has to be perfect."
"I see."
Sebastian used his senses to make sure that there was no one nearby and waved his hand. He held out the boxes she needed in one and a roll of plain paper in the other. Serena blinked at the items that appeared from nowhere and smiled. She took the paper and looked at it for a moment.
"I suppose you don't have wrapping paper in this time."
"This is wrapping paper."
"Oh, well. I can make it work." She set the roll down and took the boxes. Leaning on the tips of her toes, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you. Now, go away."
The demon blinked at her as she made a shooing motion to him. She waited until he was down the hall a ways before opening the door again to take her bounty inside. He knew that he could easily rush back and see what this was all about, but feared it would raise his mate's anger.
Serena's head popped back out the door. "Oh, and I'll need to take over your kitchen later."
The head popped back in and Sebastian was left standing in the hall, wondering what that was about. Straightening his tailcoat, the butler went back to his work.
'We're finally making progress. Don't want to tear all that work to shreds.'
*********************A Demon's Mate********************
Serena checked both directions of the hallway before sliding out and shutting the door as quietly as possible. She had heard the servants retreating into their own part of the house hours ago and hoped that they were now asleep. Ciel was still keeping Sebastian occupied with his nightly routine before bed and the girl took this chance to sneak into the servants' portion of the house.
The door at the end of the hallway led into the back of the house and up to the servants' bedrooms that took up half the attic. She had seen the door when looking for decorations and Meirin had explained what lay behind it. Walking as quietly as possible, Serena was glad that this portion of the house was kept up as well. The bare floorboards hardly creaked with her steps and she hoped that if someone heard them, they would think that it was only Sebastian and not come out to investigate.
'Why do I hear the Mission Impossible theme in my head?' She laughed and flattened herself against the wall.
Coming to the first door, Serena opened it and peeked inside. The room was small, but still nicer than what she had expected and only held one bed, a nightstand, a desk, and a small wardrobe . The bed was occupied and the gray haired head she saw on the pillow told it was Tanaka's room.
'Good, he really should have his own room.' Taking one of the boxes from her stack, she left the rest in the hallway so as not to run the risk of dropping them and making a ruckus. Remembering what Undertaker and Haagenti had said about her ability to calm people, the girl thought only of Tanaka staying asleep as she tip toed across the room. She laid the box next to the bed and hurried out with a smile.
The next room held two beds and she assumed that this was where Bard and Finny slept. The two men were out cold as she crept in and out as quickly as possible. They didn't even move when she had knocked one of Bard's shoes. Picking up her remaining boxes outside the room, Serena stayed to the sides of the hallway as the boards creaked less.
'But where does Snake sleep? Wait, the manga said something about the greenhouse as it was the warmest room. He must be there.'
She moved his box to the bottom of the pile, there were only three left, and went to the next door. It was another room of two beds, both empty and stripped of sheets. The next two were the same way. It almost to the other end of the attic that she finally found Mei-Rin's room. The maid was sleeping with a book laying on her chest and a candle still lit on the nightstand. Serena smiled as she set the gift on the nightstand and took the book from the sleeping girl. She recognized the title as one of the romance novels that had been in the servants' parlor before. The red head shook her head as she blew out the candle and left the room.
The rest of the doors yielded nothing but empty rooms and Serena was left with two boxes.
'The butler's room is always on the first floor, duh. He's supposed to be the closest to the silver and the wine.'
Going back down, she decided to hit the greenhouse first before searching for Sebastian's room. She entered the warm and humid building expecting to see a cot or something. Instead, Snake was stretched out on the soft moss next to a little indoor pond. Several of his pets were coiled next to him as the footman slept easily and lifted their heads as she came closer.
'Well, they're not rattling or anything. But I guess that's only rattlesnakes that do that. I want to leave it where he'll see it, but how close will they let me get?'
Serena noticed a small branch that had fallen from one of the bushes and came up with an idea. Setting the box on the ground, she used the branch to push it closer to the sleeping man. All the snakes watched her, their tongues flicking out to taste the air around them. The box was only a foot away when one of the snakes, that she recognized as some kind of cobra, stretched out it's hood. She stopped and put her hands up while backing away. The hood came back down and she turned to hurry from the greenhouse.
'Alright, now to find Sebastian's room.'
Since the butler was supposed to be close to the silver and the wine, Serena figured that she would start with the kitchen and work her way through the first floor from there. Looking into the various doors, she found a set up that was close to the townhouse. At the very end of the hallway was a door that looked interesting. There was no possible room in the noble's part of the house that would be there. When she touched the doorknob, she felt a design under her palm. Stamped into the metal was the Phantomhive coat of arms.
'Okay, now that almost screams 'Ruler of the House.''
She turned the knob but it wouldn't budge.
'Of course it's locked.'
Still holding the package, Serena ran through other options of where to leave the gift. She could always leave it in her room. Sebastian was sure to come see her after Ciel was asleep. Or there was the kitchen, but what if one of the others went to the kitchen first. The box did have his name on it, but still, she didn't like leaving it in such an open space. She could leave it in front of the door, but again, what if someone else found it.
Giving up, she decided to take it with her to make cookies and if she ran into Sebastian, she'd give it to him then. In the pantry, she looked for the ingredients that she would need. After seeing the massive bag of flour and the thigh high container for sugar, Serena decided to just bring her bowl in here to get what she needed.
'Now, if I were a mixing bowl, where would I be? And measuring cups, I hope they have measuring cups. Then I still need to find the butter. That would be in that ice chest thing that Bard got the meat out of, right? I have a feeling this is going to be harder than I thought.'
*********************A Demon's Mate***********************
Sebastian could hear his mate sneaking around the manor as he bathed his Master. His mind wondered to what she could be doing, but the boy would constantly draw his attention back. He heard her move from the attic rooms and then felt the glimmer of her soul in the greenhouse. When he heard the curse in his mind as she found the door of his own room locked, the demon was glad that he was behind his prey and didn't have to explain his smirk.
When his Master had finally slid into his bed and the candles had been extinguished, Sebastian went straight to the kitchen where his mate had been for a long time. Serena was standing in front of the counter by the sink and appeared to be mixing something. The demon felt a flash of anger that his mate was walking around the manor in another of his master's nightshirts where anyone could see her, but forced it down. There would be time for that later. He heard her grumbling as though she were speaking instead of talking under her breath.
"Why don't they have electric mixers in this time?"
He decided it was his moment to step in. Coming up behind the red head, he slid his gloved hands along her arms and took possession of the bowl and whisk. Serena jumped a little when he touched her but calmed once she saw who it was.
"Thank you." She smiled up at him.
"I liked the way you thanked me earlier, better."
With a short laugh, she leaned up and kissed his jaw.
"Is that better?"
"Almost." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips, delighted when she smiled and melted into him. Sebastian let go of the bowl and used the hand to slide into her hair, holding his mate in place. His other snaked around her hips to keep her pressed against him. His fingers pulled the shirt up higher so he could touch skin instead of cloth and was rewarded with a small sigh.
"Cookies." She tried to pull away. "I need to finish the cookies."
Sebastian groaned at her timing and focus but allowed her to pull away.
"Is that what you are making? Cookies?"
"Christmas cookies."
He looked unimpressed and she remembered that he was a demon.
"You just don't get it. My great-grandmother always used to make these on Christmas Eve. It was the only time that everyone got cookies with breakfast. When I was old enough, she would let me help. It was our little annual tradition. When she passed away, I took over making the cookies and even though this isn't my home, I still want to make them."
Sebastian watched the light that had come into her eyes while she told the story and realized that this silly tradition was just as important to her as the gifts had been earlier. He honestly didn't see the point, but that was another matter. What really bothered him was why she wanted to celebrate God's holiday when her future was with a demon and therefore, almost as far away from God as she could get.
'Pure soul. Must remember that. Besides, I have seen a few mates that were devote for what little it did for them.'
Serena swiped a little of the batter from the bowl and tasted it.
"Almost there. I just need the cherries and the almonds."
"We do have almonds, but fresh cherries are out of season."
"Not fresh. We always used dried or maraschino cherries. The maraschinos were always better."
"I believe that I do have a bottle of those."
The red head clapped her hands together in excitement and brushed past him to get to the pantry.
"Why are they up so high?"
"To keep the others out of them." Sebastian spoke from right behind her and reached to easily pull the bottle down. He made sure to hold her hip as he did to keep her aware of him. The blush that shot over her cheeks told him it worked.
The large mouth jar made her laugh.
"They look like moonshine cherries." When she opened the bottle, Serena caught a whiff of alcohol. "That may be closer to the truth. Are you sure that these are maraschino cherries?"
"Of course. Marasca cherries that have been preserved in maraschino liqueur."
"Wow, that's not how they make them later. We'll go easy on these." She took the bottle over to the large cutting board that was set up on another counter and looked for a fork to fish the fruit out.
"Do you normally cook?" Sebastian pulled the almonds down from a sealed box in the pantry and set them next to the red head.
"A little bit. Not much."
"Would you like me to cut those?" The butler twitched at the sloppy chopping that the cherries were being subjected to and Serena had seen it.
"They don't have to be pretty."
"My mate should not have to strain herself."
"It's fine." She pulled another group of cherries over with a smile.
"Even so..."
The red head gasped as the sharp edge sliced the side of her finger while she was listening to Sebastian. The demon was there immediately, pulling her hand up to look at the cut. Red blood rushed down her palm to collect in the white cuff of her nightshirt.
"It doesn't look that deep, but you nicked a vein." His tongue darted out, running from her wrist to the wound, stopping more blood from staining the fabric. He heard Serena's heartbeat speed up as he took the finger into his mouth.
"Sebastian..."
The demon held her eyes as he let go of the finger.
"See, all better."
Serena stared at her hand in shock. There wasn't a trace of any injury and the finger wasn't sore when she flexed it.
"Well, that's handy."
"I do believe that you have done enough cooking." Sebastian took the knife from her other hand and lightly nudged her away from the counter.
"You know, I cut myself all the time. It's no big deal."
"My mate will not take the risk of such harm." He made quick work of the rest of the cherries and pulled the almonds over.
"They have to be slivered. You're not going to try to turn me into a bubble girl, are you?"
"A bubble girl?"
"You know, a bubble girl. That's not allowed to do anything or go anywhere or interact with anybody."
"You would interact with me." He smirked down at her.
"On a different note. I am a person who likes to do things herself." Serena ignored the twitch as she jumped up to sit on the counter. He didn't miss the blush that stained her cheeks a pretty pink.
"A demon's mate is waited on, not the other way around."
"Well, too bad."
He glared at her but the girl just smiled. "A little more almonds."
Serena reached across the sink to grab the bowl with the batter and felt and hand on her upper thigh. She gasped and slapped the gloved hand.
"If you are going to show so much skin, do not expect me not to touch."
"Is that your way of telling me that you don't like my nightgown alternative."
"In your room is fine. I don't like it where everyone can see what is mine."
"Really?" She crossed her legs, making the shirt ride up more.
Sebastian slid his hand over the skin it exposed and found the bowl she was holding in his face.
"Almonds in the bowl." She smiled.
The demon growled a little as he gathered up the slivered nuts and deposited them into the batter. He took the bowl from her before she could mix them in and did it himself.
"You know I think I'm beginning to interpret all the different growly noises that you make."
"Growly noises?"
"Yeah, you have one when you're angry. It's kind of more from the throat than the others. Then there's a completely different one when you're...happy. Normally when you're touching me. That one is more from the chest. And then there is the one when you're frustrated. Like that one a minute ago. Although it normally has a twitch with it."
A gloved hand gently swatted her leg. "Off the counter."
"Where are the pans?" Serena started to open a cabinet, but he stopped her.
"I will take care of that."
"You're taking over." She whispered.
"I know." He whispered back as he brushed past her to pull a pan out.
"Actually, I'm glad that you're here. I have no idea how to work that oven." Serena laughed over her shoulder as she grabbed a spoon to scoop up the batter. She started rolling the stiff batter into little balls and set them on the pan he laid next to her.
"I will take care of that, as well."
"I was sure that you would."
Sebastian watched his mate carefully. The entire time that she had been with them, he hadn't seen the same level of peace and happiness that making these cookies had brought her. When he felt the other souls in the house, he realized something very important. She was radiating her own emotions to the entire house.
He waited until she was finished and quickly took the pan away. The oven was already heated, but he checked it anyway. With how important these seemed to be to his mate, the demon wasn't going to risk burning them. When he turned back, Sebastian found a smiling Serena holding a box.
"This one is yours."
"Was that what you were doing, sneaking around the manor?" He accepted the box on reflex.
"Yeah. I didn't think that Ciel wanted a big thing tomorrow. I just left everyone's things so they could find them in the morning." She waited as he stared at the box. "Well, don't look so shocked. You were the one going on about not giving a gift to anyone but you."
Serena turned around and went back into the pantry. "We need melted chocolate too."
"Chocolate?"
"Yeah, you dunk half the cookie in melted chocolate."
When she came back out, with Funtom chocolate bars, Sebastian was still staring at the package.
"No one has ever given me anything."
She started to open up the chocolate bars and gave him a nudge. "Open it."
Serena heard him slowly unwrapping the paper behind her.
"This is beautiful." The demon ran his fingers lightly over the sketch he found inside. It depicted the corner garden as it would look in the spring. All of the plants, trees and bushes were full of blooms. In the center was his cat, with the new white kitten. Both were curled together, their heads resting against each other, under one of the large hydrangea bushes.
"I didn't know of anything else that you liked." She blushed.
"It's so realistic. They look like they could breath."
"It's really nothing." Serena picked up the knife and it was immediately pulled out of her hand. Sebastian was leaning over her, a strange expression on his face. His hand slid along her jaw as if handling something precious. The kiss he gave her had nothing to do with desire or persuasion. It was simple and sweet. Something that she wasn't expecting from him.
"Thank you."