Chapter Seven - Hunger, Part III

The carriage stopped a few steps from where a crowd was forming. Sebastian reached out to help his master down, but Ciel refused. The boy slapped the hand that was extended to him, still suspicious of what had happened earlier.

He walked towards the crowd. Men, women and even children huddled together. Low voices and whispers commenting on what had happened. Sebastian made way for Ciel, who followed him without words.

A policeman prevented the approach of civilians. He held up a hand to block the boy's entrance, but the boy simply walked past him. The policeman blinked a few times, confused, then followed the earl.

"Hey, only the police can get in there. Hey!"

But Ciel ignored him. He headed towards the house. They weren't in a wealthy neighborhood, but it wasn't a bad place to live. They were facing a large-windowed house with brown walls. The front door was open, giving a partial view of the room as well as movement inside.

"Hey!" The policeman yelled again, louder now.

Sebastian turned and stopped him, preventing the poor man from approaching his master. A grunt came from inside, followed by the figure of a man at the door. He was tall, with long hair tied in a ponytail. He had a mustache and wore a hat. The expression on his face hardened even more at the sight of Ciel.

"Count Phantomhive." Randall said. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Well, I came to settle the case for the Yard. Your incompetence bothers the Queen."

Randall's face burned with anger. His cheeks reddened at such audacity. That insufferable boy…

"We have everything under control."

"It's not what the queen thinks." Ciel took the letter from his pocket and displayed the royal seal to the man in front of him. Randall had no choice but to let him act.

"Do whatever you want." He said, leaving the house. His head throbbed with just that conversation. If the stressful day wasn't enough, he still had the queen's dog to deal with.

Ciel ignored the man and entered the house, followed by Sebastian. The simple room was untidy, but it didn't look like a crime scene. Police officers passed, voices came from the next room.

The boy climbed the stairs, going to the second floor. He walked down a dimly lit hallway, splashed with blood. The bloody footprints disappeared in front of the police movement.

He followed the opposite path, ending up in a master bedroom. The big bed was covered in blood, the body had been removed. He covered his nose and mouth to enter the room, the reek of death.

Red splatters covered the wall, a hammer lying beside the bed. From what he learned, the criminal killed his wife, then called the police.

Sebastian also entered the room. He stopped right behind Ciel, closer than usual. A shiver ran through Ciel's body and he backed away from the demon, then stopped beside the bed.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Nothing much. There's a weird smell in here." He took a deep breath.

"The room is covered in blood, you asshole. What do you think?" He raised his voice.

Sebastian ignored him, going to the window. He opened the curtains completely. He had a good view of the street, the crowd standing in the street. A black-haired woman caught his eye. She wore fine jewelry, in addition to an expensive dress for the region. She had a strange presence too.

He heard a grunt from his master and woke up from the trance. He shook his head and the woman was gone. He looked at Ciel. The boy held his right wrist, his gaze on the palm of his hand. He grimaced in pain.

"What happened, master?"

"Can't you see? I cut myself."

Sebastian stood still, watching the red blood contrast against Ciel's white skin. The boy, seeing the delay in a response from Sebastian, began to get annoyed.

"Don't just stand there, do something!"

Sebastian tugged on his master's hand in a not-so-gentle gesture. He looked from the boy to the blood, then back to the boy. He lowered his face, still not taking his eyes off Ciel. His tongue touched the blood, licking up every drop.

Ciel shivered. He tried to let go of his hand, however the demon held him tightly. His eyes flashed bright red, the hunger increasing as he tasted of his master.

Finally he released him. He licked his lips, enjoying the sweet taste on his tongue. The boy was still shaking.

"It sucks, Sebastian!"

"It stopped the bleeding."

Ciel looked at his hand, which was true. But that didn't stop him from slapping the demon hard in the face.

"Don't you dare touch me, demon."

Sebastian bowed, unable to speak. The flavor lingered in his mouth. He didn't remember being so hungry. Something inside him insisted on touching his master.

Ciel turned and left the room. He didn't want to be alone with the demon, not after what happened.

He went downstairs. He still heard voices in the house. He took a few steps and found himself in the kitchen. Abberline and another policeman escorted a third man.

His hands covered his face, but he looked to be in his 40s. His hair was thinning on top of his head, his gray hair sticking out here and there. His hands had red stains, as well as his clothes. His voice steady and calm as he spoke.

"I loved my wife. She has been by my side for the past 10 years. She has faced all the difficulties with me." A pause. "But I wasn't in love with her…"

"Mr. Weston, you have already told this story. I want to understand why…"

"I would like to hear from you." Ciel interrupted. Everyone turned to the earl.

"Earl Phantomhive." Unlike Randall, Abberline liked the boy, despite his attitudes. He nodded, as Ciel moved closer. The man continued.

"I loved my wife for 10 years, but I wasn't in love with her…"

It was a Thursday night. Weston was returning after a day's work. He had a small local business, just enough to survive. He was tired, the day was difficult. Without realizing it, he turned onto a different street. When he realized, he was in front of a huge house, but it wasn't his.

Colored lights blinked, and music played inside. Two embracing women passed him, laughing, and entered the house. He decided to follow them out of curiosity.

Once inside, he found it to be a den. Half-naked women, the smell of sex and booze in the air. Some danced, others served the customers.

Weston turned to leave, however a beauty came to him. She was a very young woman with long black hair. White skin and divine smile. A goddess dressed in black robes. Many called her, yet she went straight to him.

For years such a beautiful woman had been interested in him. Weston thought a drink wouldn't hurt. One drink led to another and, already intoxicated, the woman convinced him to go upstairs...

"We made love a few times, we met for several days. So she asked, as a token of love, that I take my wife's life."

Sebastian got to the point of hearing the story. He and Ciel looked at each other. The story was too vague, it seemed to lack details.

"What's this woman's name?"

"Lenora."

"Are there any more details you can give?"

"I loved her… but Lenora was perfect…"

Abberline cut him off. She pulled Ciel out.

"That's all Mr. Weston tells us. We've been trying to interrogate him for hours…"

"I don't think we'll get any more information here. Come on, Sebastian."

The earl left, with Sebastian following him. They were near the carriage and alone, just them.

"I, anxious for the sun, sought / To draw from those books I studied / Rest (in vain!) to the overwhelming pain / These immortal longings / For what now in heaven angels call Lenora, / And that no one will call more..." Sebastian recited. Ciel stared at him.

"No time for poems"

"Sorry, master. I remembered Mr. Poe's poem when I heard that name: Lenora."

"You are weird…"

Ciel said and got into the carriage. Sebastian took up his post and they left. He heard his master's voice say:

"Let's go to the Yard…"

Sebastian said a "yes, master" and they continued their journey. They still had a few hours until Elizabeth's ball.

Breaking into Scotland Yard headquarters was unthinkable to many, but Ciel did it whenever necessary. Since Randall didn't share much of his information with him, that was his way out. Also, he liked to piss him off.

They were in a large room, full of shelves and filing cabinets. Sebastian lit the way as Ciel searched for information. He went through some files, pulling out a thick folder. He opened it.

Inside were photos of the crime scene, much like the one that had just been. He read the case information. Male in his 40s, happily married, hardworking. He got involved with another woman, ended up taking his wife's life.

Ciel looked at some more information and put the folder away. He searched a little further and took another. History repeated itself: a crime scene, husband until then faithful, but he met another woman and committed a crime.

He found another similar case, this time a boy who took the life of his mother and younger sisters. What did they have in common? All of them would have known the "perfect woman".

Ciel put the folder away and rubbed his temple. Seeing so much blood disgusted him, but it was his job.

"Let's go, Sebastian. I've seen what I needed."

Sebastian nodded and blew out the candle. He took Ciel in his arms, descending with the young earl. He jumped from the great height like it was nothing. For him, it was nothing.

Ciel tried to free himself, but Sebastian squeezed Ciel's thigh.

"You smell so good. I've never noticed it before."

"Stop acting weird and put me down!" He demanded.

The butler took a deep breath, the wonderful scent of his master entering his nostrils. They were in an alley behind the Yard, and although it wasn't busy, Ciel didn't want to be seen in that situation.

"Damn it, Sebastian! It's an order, put me down!"

Reluctantly, he had to obey. It was a direct order from his master, so he put him down. Ciel straightened his clothes, looking strangely at the butler, who didn't take his eyes off him.

"What's up with you today?"

"I don't even know for sure, master. I just want to… it doesn't matter. I'll try to control myself."

Sebastian chose not to say his real wishes aloud. All he wanted was to throw the boy against the wall and fuck him senseless. He also wanted to drink his blood and taste his soul. He was going crazy just from the boy's scent.

He breathed in air once more. Ciel was already walking away, eager to stay away from the demon. He tried to ignore the racing heartbeat. His butler was weird, and he wasn't sure if he hated it at all.

He shook his head. The sky was already darkening, and he still needed to attend Elizabeth's ball. He didn't like the idea of asking her to marry him, but this was the deal. The queen's mission would be for another day. Now he needed to get ready.