A demon's blood was always black, like the night, like the lack of true soul they carried, always hungering for those of others to fill such a void. That blood pooled there on the ground, spilling from a chest that was losing its last breath as the light left his eyes. That body, staring up blankly into an eternal night sky. The Night Sword pulled back, gripped in the shadowy hand of a being just barely out of view, tauntingly so. "Phantomhive shall be next," a dark, demonic voice growled. "Hell is mine…"
Raevalen awoke with a start, sitting up panting with her long, dark brown hair a wavy mess behind her. The sheets were drenched in sweat, her body trembling as she gathered herself, thoughts still clinging to that dream… that vision. "Phantomhive," she muttered, swallowing hard as the woman rolled her shoulders back. Her senses were still ever at their greatest, and the demon could sense the coming child, feet padding closer to the door. Her gray eyes looked up, right as the girl stepped inside uncertainly.
"Sister?" Rose asked timidly, her bright red hair braided back out of her youthful face. "What's wrong?" Raevalen sighed, looking away as she went to grab a brush to tame her long locks.
"A dream. Just a dream," she assured quietly, her voice distant and lost, more troubled than she wanted to admit. "However, I must leave for a while."
"Not alone, and not until you tell me what's going on," Rose demanded. Silvery eyes stared at Raevalen with a timid determination. For her thirteen years, Rose was raised by her elder sister, and Rae had spent much of that time watching her be the antithesis of the cunning storm the older Eastwood girl could be.
"It was father," Rae finally admitted, swallowing hard as she got up and began grabbing her things. "He… He was…"
"The reason he's been missing," Rose sighed, wincing at the reality of what her sister was saying. Raevalen just stiffly nodded, the image of that body forever burned into her thoughts. She'd seen- and caused- plenty of carnage, but there was something eerie and disturbing about this now. Every inch of the older demon now felt like a live wire, still buzzing from the psychic vision, something that hadn't been experienced in years, not since… well, what did it matter? It was more thoughts that didn't need reflected on, not now, except… No, now is the best time. Stop fooling yourself, acting like you don't know the damn name.
"I should be going. No reason for you to not stay. Josephine and Raoul-" Raevalen began, shaking her head.
"No, please," Rose begged almost fearfully. "I… I'd rather be with you." Because that's all you've ever known. Just say it. "Where do you even have to go?" Raevalen weighed her options in her mind, pausing as she packed things off the vanity, looking up to see her sister in the mirror. It almost seemed the girl was more her daughter than her sister, considering Raevalen had been the only woman raising the girl since their mother passed giving birth to Rose.
"To a place I haven't been in some time," the older sister confessed hesitantly. "I family I knew back when I was last visiting London. There really isn't any need…"
"Please," Rose breathed, a sudden fear in her eyes. Raevalen was cornered. The knowledge that their father was most likely dead… Rose just didn't want to be alone. She needed her sister more than ever. Raevalen closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Phantomhive. That was the name I heard in the vision, and so that is where I'm heading," the woman confessed.
"Why does that sound familiar?" Rose questioned innocently, too innocently in fact. Rae didn't reply, grabbing a dress from the wardrobe nearby. Its black and white form was well suited to her figure, delicately adorned with lace. Practical yet fanciful, she supposed in her own thoughts as Rose just stared on for another moment before heading back to get her own things ready. Raevalen knew she should have given the girl more, but how could she? How could she let that sweet child in on all the games Rae had played? They were opposites in so many ways. Now, though, now it seemed that that wasn't going to matter, because everything was changing, and the games were about to be played all over again.
The morning was going well, or at least as well as could be expected. Sebastian had already still had to get the other servants back in place, but it wasn't like that was anything new. For now, he was simply tidying up rooms as Ciel locked himself away in his office… again. Summer was close enough, and Sebastian had come to terms with the fact that he'd been in his master's service for going on three years now. Three years and it's more entertaining than it should be. Still, that didn't mean there weren't things that Sebastian missed. Looking at the window, though, he couldn't even dwell on those as he worked, seeing Pluto pacing out in the front garden. "What ever could be wrong with it now?" Sebastian groaned, rolling his eyes as he decided it didn't matter. The demon hound needed to be the least of his concerns. All the same, there was something beneath the surface that just wasn't sitting well with Sebastian. He couldn't quite place what it was, but something felt off. The demon simply felt restless, in ways he couldn't find answers for. Maybe he'd just been sitting around too long playing butler for a boy who needed a severe attitude check some days. Maybe…
"Make it stop," Ciel growled from the doorway into the study. Sebastian sighed, looking back at the boy who was starting to grow up into an… interesting young man to say the least. And yet he reminds me of another. That must be why I'm so unsettled.
"Whatever shall I have stop, my lord?" Sebastian questioned.
"Pluto. His damned whining is reaching my office and I can't focus," the child snapped. Sebastian sighed, looking back out the window. Pluto, in his hound form, looked the picture of distraught as he paced.
"I'll see what I can do my lord. Shall you be wanting some tea this afternoon?" Sebastian inquired politely, ever the perfect form of dignified butler.
"Yes, bring it when you've dealt with him," Ciel huffed, acting like that was a given, all before he stormed off. Sebastian shook his head, turning and walking down the stairs, after of course a quick check of the time. Mid afternoon… I'll have to have dinner started soon. I don't need Bard…
A soft, calm knock stole Sebastian's attention. He could sense it in a second, that presence, both of them. No, there isn't any possible… The knock came again. His heart pounding, the demon made his way down the stairs, somehow keeping himself composed. As Sebastian went to open the door, he prepared himself from what he already knew he'd find. Gray eyes, a lithe figure dressed well in simple black and white, long hair tucked up in a simple braided bun… The woman's dark painted lips turned firm as she met his eyes, clearly trying as hard as he not to show the recognition they both had. Next to the woman stood a girl, maybe just a year younger than the young master, her red hair done in a crown braid, silvery eyes timidly looking all around with wild curiosity.
"May I help you?" Sebastian asked, his voice seeming just a touch too heavy on his tongue as he looked back at the older woman who seemed to be in her mid twenties. Suddenly all the restlessness, both his own and Pluto's, made sense.
"Yes, perhaps so," the woman cooed. "My name is Raevalen Eastwood and this is Rose, my sister. I'd like to meet with Lord Ciel Phantomhive." Sebastian glared at her, hating how easily she could pretend the two demons had never crossed paths.
"I am unaware as to whether or not my master is willing to meet with guests at the moment, but come inside and wait while I see," Sebastian offered calmly with a twist of a smile. He didn't dare hide the heat in his eyes as he looked over Raevalen while she passed, knowing it'd drive her as mad as she already was him.
"I believe he should already be somewhat prepared for me," Raevalen cooed. "I happened to send a letter ahead of our arrival." Sebastian cocked an eyebrow, but didn't acknowledge her other than a light hum as he led them to the drawing room, signaling for them to wait there as he bounded back up the stairs, cursing his luck today. Ciel was hunched over his work with a bored expression on his young face by the time Sebastian entered the room.
"My lord, there are guests here to see you. The Eastwood sisters," the butler announced. Ciel glanced up, letting out a grunt of acknowledgement before looking back down at his papers. "My lord? Will you see them?"
"Yes, soon enough," Ciel huffed, rolling his eyes. "What more do you want?"
"Simply curious. Just wondering for what purposes they are here?" Sebastian inquired.
"Raevalen is an old friend of my predecessor's, or so I'm told. She's recently back in England and in need of a place to stay. Word has it that she had quite a hand in the underground. I'm rather curious what she's back for," Ciel explained. Sebastian slowly nodded, leaving the room to inform the girls that the young master would be down shortly. One thing was for sure. It was going to be one hell of a day.
Raevalen didn't know how to feel, being there in that room. She knew the old manor had burned down, but this… this was too eerie a reconstruction. Still, it wasn't like Rae couldn't explain that in her head. As though to prove it, the Phantomhive butler stepped into the room. "Lord Phantomhive shall be down momentarily," he explained.
"Fair enough," Raevalen muttered. She looked back at him. "You seem to keep the estate in a fair order."
"As he should," a young voice cooed almost coldly. From the moment he stepped into the room, Raevalen knew just who he was. It was written in that face, in that hair, in those eyes… it all just screamed of them. "Welcome to the Phantomhive Manor. Forgive me, I'd forgotten to inform my butler Sebastian here to set up your rooms. I hope it won't be much of a bother to wait to get settled."
"An hour is all it should need tops," Sebastian cooed with only the slightest hint of contempt in his voice, so subtle that Raevalen almost didn't catch it. She smiled.
"But of course. It lets my sister and I get acquainted to this place," Rae answered warmly. "This is Rose. Forgive her shyness. We haven't socialized all to much in recent years." At least not here in the mortal realm.
"A pleasure," Ciel remarked, though it seemed to be in a tone that was meant to just scream business and little else. Sebastian took his leave, the other three now left alone in the room.
"You look just like them," Raevalen muttered, shaking her head. "Say, I heard this manor burned down some years ago. Is that correct?"
"I had it rebuilt to the exact previous standards," Ciel explained. "I assume you would pick up on such similarity?"
"Of course," Raevalen chuckled with a coy smile, looking around the room. "Rose here never met them, nor I you, but I was once rather fond of your parents, Vincent especially. We saw things in a… similar light, shall we say?"
"Tell me Rose, just how old are you?" the young earl inquired. A bright blush overtook the young girl's cheeks, her eyes widening until Raevalen gave her a little nudge.
"T-Twelve, my lord, almost thirteen," Rose stammered out. Ciel ushered for them all to sit a while.
"I have to admit, I was little surprised by your letter. My predecessor had indeed mentioned you from time to time, but the last I had heard, you had left England altogether," he remarked, keeping his attention on Raevalen.
"More or less," the woman sighed. "My family has settled… elsewhere, shall we say, and after some events, including the birth of Rose here alongside the death of our mother, it was deemed better that I stay at our estates there."
"So what changed? Why not then just keep what lands you had, Lady Eastwood?" Ciel questioned, a light threat in his voice. Let him try and figure us out. I already know his game anyways. The rebuilt manor tells me all I need to know.
"Simply put, situations are now leading me back to England. My sister was rather keen on wanting to join. See the world, all that," Raevalen answered, waving her hand as she spoke, giving the response a casual flare. Ciel leaned back, studying them both.
"Of course," he muttered. They started discussing business and catching Raevalen up on the latest changes in the world, including the fact that Madame Red was now dead. Rose would chime in on the occasion with a question or other remark. By the time Sebastian was back down, Ciel was already starting to chat with Rose about interests and the like. "Here," the youth sighed as he got to his feet, looking over the book shelves. "You might have an interest in this one." The earl handed Rose a book. Raevalen was shocked by the sudden warmth in the young earl, even if his voice still had that strange chill to it. By the look on the butler's face, it seemed she wasn't the only one a bit shocked.
"Lady Raevalen, Lady Rose… I've prepared your rooms," Sebastian announced with a gentle smile.
"And right at an hour. Impressive… you're quite efficient aren't you?" Raevalen cooed.
"My lady, I am simply one hell of a butler," the man replied, a strange spark in his eye. She smirked. Ciel just rolled his eyes, waving a hand.
"Feel free to view the grounds or whatever you'd like until dinner," he offered. "I have some work still to attend to so I shall be in my office if you need me. Of course, Sebastian and the other servants are right at your command. I'm sure they're around here somewhere."
Sebastian stood watching as Ciel crawled into bed. Thankfully the rest of the day had gone by smoothly, Raevalen telling Rose and Ciel stories of the old days with the boy's parents at dinner. Even the servants were captivated by some of the stories she'd shared, all watching slyly from the doorway until Sebastian noticed them. "You were rather kind to the girls today," the demon remarked, earning a glare from Ciel.
"They're guests, Sebastian," the boy growled. "Don't misread it. I find it strange that Raevalen looks so young. There's something about those two, something I can't quite place." Sebastian sighed, hoping he wouldn't be put on the spot and ordered to answer. "You seemed shocked to see them though, like you were at least aware of them."
"You do catch on to every detail, young Master," Sebastian sighed, moving to turn out the light. "Rest well. I shall be there if you need anything. Goodnight." A grunt from Ciel was the only hint of reply given as the butler walked away down the hall, knowing exactly where he wanted to be. His usual nightly rounds could be set aside for now, focus set on something, or rather someone else.
"Come in," the cunning voice allowed as soon as Sebastian knocked on the door. He smirked, stepping inside the room. Raevalen was standing there by the window, already dressed for bed, hair flowing down her back with figure illuminated by the single candle lit on the vanity and the moonlight outside. "Did you need something?" The woman reached for the nearby robe.
"Simply to make sure everything is up to your standard," Sebastian cooed. Rae looked back at him, her eyes as cold and haunting as ever. "I could ask, though, what a high ranking demon who rarely takes a contract is doing here of all places."
"And I what a demon such as yourself would be doing as the butler to the boy," she shot back with a smirk. "I suppose we can lower the casualties for now."
"Indeed," Sebastian agreed with a chuckle, stepping in closer. "You always make the fairest points." He didn't miss the small shiver that seemed to overtake the woman as he drew in right in front of her, looking down with what he knew had to be curiosity burning in his eyes.
"So let's stop the games then," she suggested in a breath. "Why are you really here?"
"Because, my dear, I have not forgotten you," Sebastian cooed. "I hope the same would stand for myself, but as Princess of Hell, I'm sure you have much else on your mind." Raevalen smiled gently. "You truly have no need in being here."
"And you truly have no idea why," the woman countered. She'd inched in closer, lips so close to his, her fingers gently tracing the collar of his tailcoat. "Tell me, why do we keep playing if we both recall where this always leads?"
"Because I would be remiss to forget to inform you that the young earl is already wondering just what you are," Sebastian cut back, gently brushing some hair out of her face. "As I said, I have not yet forgotten."
"No, no you wouldn't," Raevalen sighed, an annoyed look in her eyes. "Right now I fear it might matter little. What would you do if you knew that something might be coming that could drive together these two houses?"
"I'd follow your lead," the butler replied. Raevalen stiffly nodded, studying his eyes.
"You're shutting yourself in again. What stops you this night? What's changed?" the woman taunted. A dark flare flickered in Sebastian's eyes.
"You're reading me again," he growled. "I do not believe you have any right to." Raevalen smirked, turning back around.
"Then you may as well just try and stop me," she cooed, moving back to the bed. A single arm was suddenly in front of her, Sebastian quick at her side, leaning in towards her ear. He could sense the way her heart beat a little faster.
"Is that a test or a threat?" he asked quietly in her ear, feeling the way Raevalen fought that shiver. "As I said, I forgot nothing." A gloved hand slipped down to rest on her waist. "All those nights… all those games."
"Ever since the first night you came across my path," Raevalen echoed, meeting his eyes as the butler retrieved a butter knife that was always so eerily sharper than could have been guessed. He let it drift lightly across her collarbone before starting to cut down her nightgown, revealing the porcelain skin underneath. "The way we danced was always my favorite."
"For black is the color of night," Sebastian mused, brushing his nose up her neck. "And that is always the time you prefer."
"And the crow and the cat play again," Raevalen breathed out as he kissed a spot right there behind her ear, discarding his gloves. She shuddered again at his touch. "Oh Reniel, it is so wonderful to see you again."
"No, my dear," Sebastian corrected, pushing her down onto her back on the bed as he tossed aside his tailcoat. "You must understand. It is Sebastian now, for I am simply one hell of a butler."
A/N: Well, hello there! Been some time, hasn't it? I'll try and keep this quick, though if you'd like a fuller story as to why we're here, check out The Eastwood Chronicles on Wattpad too under my username arathian_angeleyes (which yes, I changed my username here too). After many years I find my return to this website with the rewrite of the fan fiction that changed my life, even if it was on my old account that is now scrubbed and not worth your time trying to find. I actually wrote this fan fiction with someone else at the time, but I do have her permission to be here doing this. Life has been... chaotic for me over the last few years, and it honestly feels to healing to be back doing this. I hope to rewrite this fan fiction, which for some parts includes ripping it up from the foundation and starting fresh to tell a better story, and maybe even finally give it the end it deserves. A huge reason for this is because now that I am a writer and co-owner with my start up, Multi-Strike Entertainment, the character of Raevalen is actually moving on as a character in a new, original, story of mine that actually stems from a lot of old fan fictions (some of which are on here) including its namesake, The Secrets We Hold. So, feel free to check that out too or check the social media links in my bio to see all I've been up to. It's good to be back, and I'm excited to see where this leads. Leave a review and a favorite, and I'll see you later this week with chapter two. Much love. Let's do this thing.