AN: The last few months have been insane for me. I thought I would have more time to write then my life laughed and said "bitch please". I've been reading more! Finished reading Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (crazy read btw!). But I had this huge job interview and writing wasn't on my agenda.

Any who I started writing this chapter a few weeks ago. It was a hard write because where we're going into this story is quite deep and dark. I want to make it awesome for you all and write a great long chapter instead of one that would take me a day to write. Therefore, I took my time and thought really hard about what I was going to place in here. Furthermore, I want to give you guys a small warning that this chapter is dark. I've started to experiment a bit on the horror genre more and here is an example. I would like to know after you finish reading...should I change the rating to M?

Enjoy my victims! ;)

Warning: Contains major spoilers between 126 - 148.

Chapter XII

The Dinner Party

Lotte stared deep into the dark, hungry eyes of who she searched so long for. The ruby colour glistened back like stolen gems from a museum, itching for the treasure deep in Lotte's chest. The bright orbs Lotte had seen herself flying beyond the crimson rows of hallways of the mansion, she could almost imagine them sputtering into the shadows. The remains of the deceased family that haunted her mind ever since she arrived at her inheritance would hide in the grass until the lioness passed.

Lotte knew the brightness deep inside her was the real reason this ruby-eyed figure stood staring like a predator. And indeed the woman in front of her craved what she saw.

No, not a woman.

A demon.

A soul-sucking Hellspawn, disguised as a mortal beauty any man would mistake for a Goddess. And in fact, any mortal man would fall at her feet, only to lay dead in the streets as blood and decay roamed the body and concrete beyond. A kill that would consider Jack the Ripper's style child's play.

There was no indication of decency. No gesture of emotion. The eyes of her demon butler who she felt a hint of humanity; this creature did not hold the same feeling. In fact the only thing Lotte felt staring into this beast's eyes was a cold death.

She was the pure definition of nihilism.

Lilith slowly walked towards her, each step of her red high heels pushing off the wooden floor with a loud tap. All Lotte could do was stare at the demon, her chest rising, her heart beat the same. All her life she has waited for the day to come face to face with the one who took her family from her; to finally kill and get revenge for her tired time fighting for her father. But now as the creature in front of her walked slowly around her body, Lotte couldn't even move, let alone grab her pistol attached to her leg.

She knew if she made a move to attack, Lilith would beat her, killing her without a slight breath of air. One blink, and Lotte would be dead on the floor like all the others rotting on the brick streets of London.

Lilith would win.

It wasn't as if Lotte could kill the demon anyways. At least, that is what Ciel had told her.

Why should I believe him? She asked herself, her eyes trying to follow Lilith circle her standing form, probably judging, calculating for the best state of action, and then pouncing. She was here for her, right? I am strong enough to handle her. Besides, Sebastian…

Then the demon was in front of her again, smirking slightly. Lotte held her breath as a voice of a woman left the mouth. "You must have a million questions for me."

Lotte swallowed. "Just one: what are you waiting for?"

The demon cocked her head to the side. "Pardon?"

"You're here for my soul," Lotte relaxed slightly, gesturing her arms out. "So here I am. Take your best shot."

Lilith laughed. "My dear little star, let's not jump to any conclusions just yet. The night is young! And there is a dinner party happening with some very lovely vintage wine." She moves towards Lotte's ear, freezing the young hunter with a cold breath. "I hear tell your butler makes one hell of an entrée. I am a fan of very. Rare. Steak."

What would Sebastian do? Did he even realize the demons lurking in the shadows of the manor besides him? He didn't seem all the phased when Lotte met Lilith's male friend in the foyer earlier.

Or was it all a trap?

Lotte couldn't even feel the presence of the creature in front of her nor the one who brought her to the office. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

Lilith let out a small laugh. "I can tell from your expression you're bit confused on why your little hunter radar isn't working as well as it should. You couldn't sense my accomplice's presence or mine could you, little star." She leaned in inches from Lotte again. "Don't worry about that. Let's just say my power is a little different than normal demons." She leaned away walking towards the bookshelves, browsing the selection as she continued. "Even your butler couldn't sense us…thank God."

"You know what Sebastian is, and yet you come when he's around," Lotte commented, her eyes dead on the demon's back.

Lilith paused and turned, leaning against the bookshelf. "You think your butler has the abilities at the moment to even make a scratch on me? Please, he'd be lucky to even touch me. He isn't even strong enough to even notice I came a little early. Either you need a new butler or a little better security."

Lotte felt a little sting in her mind. As if a small wasp had placed its stinger into her vein creating an immediate reaction of rage. "I wouldn't underestimate him," she hissed. "He's exterminated many demons that came through here thinking they were smart enough to try and kill me."

"Ah yes, those weaklings I sent to do a little reconnaissance. Throw-aways. I knew they wouldn't last long being the level they were at. They barley were able to keep themselves in their vessels. Such morons."

Yet Lotte remembers that night. The demons that crashed through her walls and took her by surprise. The demons that nearly buried her six feet underground. Those demons were enough to see Sebastian's true side – a dark mass of smoke that still haunted her mind. Lotte subconsciously touched the place on her arm where a scar formed from her attack. Looking back at the female demon, Lotte knew Lilith had higher expectations of power than what she had anticipated. That every demon Lotte came into contact with would've been nothing but an ant to Lilith. Meaning Sebastian wouldn't be thought of highly. Lotte knew she would have to be more careful.

"Does that mean you label Sebastian as…weak?" A daring question even for Lotte, but she needed it answered. Her anger boiled deeper into her blood. Her hands itched to release the pistol on her leg.

"Now you're not thinking very smart, little star." She crossed her arms and smirked. "How much do you know about him anyways? How much has he told you?"

Lotte swallowed. "Enough. Him being part of the Black Crows and needing to make a contract to make you happy then you…trapping him here."

Lilith walked forward, her smile growing. "Interesting."

The door opened and the same male demon stood behind it, no emotion - a total statue.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked him.

He nodded.

She looked at Lotte. "Seem as though we'll need to cut our conversation short. Dinner is ready, and I am starving. I can't wait to taste your butler's steak and other delicious things."

Lotte watched the demon leave, and looked at the male figure looking back at her. He was waiting for her to leave too, so Lotte swallowed and followed after Lilith, knowing they wanted to keep an eye on her.

A game of piggy in the middle? Lotte asked, following Lilith's figure behind. Fine, then let's play.

She could hear the male's footsteps behind her. Lilith was at least ten feet in front of her.

So she didn't hesitate.

Lotte took a hold of the small iron knife hanging on her ankle and turned around, running towards the male, and in a flash, slicing his abdomen. The male screaked, loud enough to alert the female. Lotte didn't care; she was going to show Lilith she was not to be messed with.

The male held his burning gut with his hand, glaring at the hunter that slashed his skin. Lotte breathed heavily with adrenaline watching the demon's eyes turn completely black. His mouth dripped blood as he screeched again, shooting towards her. Lotte held up the small knife in front of her, and stabbed straight into the demon's mouth. The demon froze, twitched, then when Lotte pulled the dagger out, a black mist escaped the vessel and the body dropped to the ground.

Lotte's right forearm and face was splattered with blood. Her dress the same. She cursed silently then forgot about her appearance, hearing rhythmic sounds of clapping behind her. She turned to the female demon standing and…smiling? Lotte blinked in surprised. She would've thought Lilith would be furious one of her own was killed.

The knife in her hand dripped with demon blood. Lotte still felt the adrenaline rush through her veins, itching to go full force and finally get revenge. But she held back.

"Bravo!" Lilith commented, still clapping. "I must say that was quite a pre-dinner show. I enjoyed that."

Lotte stood there, eyes narrowed, chest rising with every breath, still a little confused.

"What? Do you really think a low level insect like that was important to me? Please, little star, he was nothing more than a nuisance. I actually applaud you for getting rid of him for me. Saves me the trouble afterwards. Besides, he was more of a…test for you. And you did splendid. Just as I thought, you are a skilled hunter."

Lotte shook her head, feeling her rage grow and grow, and then finally she had it. Lotte raced forward, crying out in anger as she did so. And just as she was mere feet from ending it all, she felt a slight breeze and her right arm move behind her back.

Now the cold breath on her ear was the only indication that she failed.

"Now, now, little star, what did we speak about back in the office? There is a party happening downstairs. Let's not be rash now and start a fight. You have guests after all. Those who wish to hear about your little…toy factory. You don't want to disappoint them by being dead, now do you? Besides, the night is young and we still have much to discuss." The breath left and Lilith appeared in front of her. "Let's not fight and be on equal grounds for now, hm?"

Lotte bit her lip, staying silent.

Lilith came close, taking Lotte's right hand and the iron knife from it, whispering in Lotte's ear. "Oh, and if you think about telling your butler about what happen or who I really am, then I'll kill everyone in the dining hall faster than you blink." She moved away, her smile gone. "Don't think every shadow in this manor is on your side."

The demon slid the iron blade against her palm, her breathing and smiling deepening. And all Lotte could do was watch the smoke of the burn escape from the skin as it cut deep into it. Lilith barely showed pain. In fact, the creature showed more lust and excitement than anything. She enjoyed it.

Lotte watched as Lilith snickered, closing her bloody palm and throwing the knife on the ground.

"You might want to change your dress," Lilith sneered.

Then she turned and walked back down the hallway, leaving Lotte standing conflicted and confused. Lotte eyed the weapon on the ground, feeling the shadows start to swarm around her. Even with the amount of light still on she couldn't help but feel her heart beat faster.

Lilith was more than she realized. The stories she heard and read this demon was a lie. From what she witness proved she was in the presence of no demon at all. This creature was on a whole other level than Lotte ever read about.

Sebastian was right, Lotte was facing the devil…no, close but still…

Lotte had no match against this beast.

She knew she would not be able to defeat this creature of darkness alone.

And never once in her ten years of hunting did she ever amount to defeat.

"Fuck me…," she breathed.

xXx

Lotte had gone and changed her dress, trying to clean up the splattered blood painting her skin. And as she stood once again in the full length mirror, she realized Sebastian had yet to come knocking.

Probably occupied by the guests… and Lilith.

She didn't blame him, but still she itched for him to be there to protect her suddenly. For the first time the dark began to creep into her mind; even with all the lights on she couldn't help but feel watched. Having Sebastian there would have at least given her some sort of comfort.

But what kind of comfort, she was still trying to figure out.

She smoothed out the black dress that now snug her body. It flowed like a dark river down her legs shielding the weapons that meant nothing to Lilith. The female creature was something out of this world, and Lotte knew none of her weapons would defeat this dark queen. The iron dagger, the image of when it drew into the palm bled into Lotte's mind – no pain, only a smile. Lotte's hand started to shake as she began to play with the sapphire ring that wrapped around her left middle finger. Her chest rose from the anxiety creeping around inside. She bit the back of her lip, closing her eyes and breathing deep. For tonight she knew this was the beginning to her end.

She left her room quickly walking through the hallways, her eyes not moving far from what was in front of her. She would pay no mind to the shadows that followed, or whoever followed for that matter. She knew they were watching, and as Lilith commented, Lotte knew she believed they were probably not on her side.

But then she stopped, hearing a slight bang down the hallway she was passing. She looked down it daringly, knowing what was at the end of that hallway. The room that held the secrets of her family trapped in a destroyed space. The room where an act of sin and worship combined took place. The room where horror and peace blended together on the molded furniture and walls was written in blood.

Behind a locked iron door was a place where at the beginning she sought answers, got them, and left it with the memory of her dead father's decay-looking body following her out. She still had his rasping voice haunt her mind constantly. But now it was this bang.

It was rhythmic, repeating every three second. And every three seconds she found herself closer to the sound as if she was a marionette being controlled by an invisible master.

Then when she found herself standing and facing the iron door the sound stopped. It was quiet. And just as she was compelled to walk to the door, the same feeling made her place her ear against the metal.

And then there was a bang and the pounding of the bang against her ear.

Lotte shot back, breathing heavy, staring at the door. The banging continued going faster and faster. She backed up against the wall, watching.

And she watched it so closely it started to move.

It stretched out; two hands reaching towards her like the metal had become plastic. Then a face appeared, its mouth hanging open, trying to speak. And all she could do was silently watch, eyes wide open.

Then she shut her eyes opening them moments later to a still and quiet iron door.

That's what I get by following my own damn mind. She pounded her fist against the wall and walked back towards the dining area.

She entered the dining hall to see everyone standing, enjoying pre-course meals, drinks, and chatter. Immediately people greeted her, shaking her hand, introducing themselves only to have their identity leave her mind moments later. It was replaced by the long, blonde haired female smiling at her in the near distance. She gave Lotte a wink, placing her finger on her lips to indicate silence.

Another noticeable person that wasn't present was Ciel Phantomhive. His caretaker told her he had to deal with some last minute business and he would return when dinner was served. Lotte needed no more information about the matter.

The entire time Lotte was trying to act her way through the evening she could feel the deep stares of her demon butler. She would occasionally catch his eyes, only to focus back on the people in front of her.

Even when he offered her some wine, she merely shook her head at him, locking dead into his maroon-coloured eyes. In that moment she hoped he got the answer to his question that screamed in her mind.

Don't speak.

Keep quiet.

Everything is okay.

"Can you get me a glass of whiskey please? I'll need something stronger to get me through this night."

"Of course, but I must quickly tell you that Lawrence Wilson had to leave for an emergency and told me to give you his deep condolences for exiting unsuspectingly," Sebastian said. "I must tell you, Lotte, he was in a...hurry to leave."

He disappeared shortly after. She knew Sebastian would only continue to get audible answers from her sooner or later. He would want to know who the man was who dragged her away. He would want to know the mysterious buyer that waited for her in her grandfather's office. But he didn't know, and Lilith made that very clear from the beginning.

He returned, handing her the glass from his tray. The only one from the wine filled ones on there.

Then she came over, taking a glass of wine from the tray and sipping it.

"This is a beautiful wine," Lilith commented. "What year?"

"1889 France," Sebastian answered with a smile. "Only the best of the century."

"Mmmm, it's delicious." She smiled, holding out her hand to Lotte. "You must Charlotte Phantomhive, the owner of the toy factory. I'm so glad to finally meet you."

Her tone was different than before. An act. It sounded smooth and made an itch in Lotte's throat that made her want to scream. But the woman's eyes in front of her still held the darkness she saw before. It told Lotte the words spoken upstairs still held value. Everyone would die if she did anything off guard. So Lotte smiled and took the cold hand of the blonde.

"It's a pleasure, and you are?" she asked, going along with her acting.

"Oh yes," she giggled. "I'm Lilly Lucius. My father runs a small toy factory up in the Manchester area and hope to expand down here in London. I must say Ms. Phantomhive, I've been a fan of your family's work for years. I have so many toys that have been given to me by my family way back when. Even this house…this gorgeous house. How do you manage it all?"

Lotte blinked, trying to filter in all the words. It was like speaking to a whole other person. If Lotte didn't already know she was talking to the queen of demons, she would've been a fool and thought Lilith or Lilly as a regular human.

Besides, that's what demons try to achieve.

"Not without fail," Lotte breathed, trying to keep her smile.

"And this is your butler I presume?" She smiled up at Sebastian as he smiled back giving her a slight bow.

"A pleasure as well my lady," he said.

Lotte looked at him…he really has no clue?

Lilith giggled. "You sure are a handsome one. You never do find good looking butlers anymore. They're all old guys. It's nice to see one so…tasty. Ms. Phantomhive, you are sure one lucky girl getting someone so amazing."

Lotte felt like vomiting from Lilith's comments. The demon was doing this on purpose, snaking under her skin to see if Lotte could break. She burned holes at Lilith and she only smiled.

"I've noticed that you are the only one working here. Is there other servants?" she asked.

"No," Sebastian answered. "I am the only one. My mistress is somewhat new to this…lifestyle"

Lotte straightened back to her composure. "Oh yeah, I really don't need anyone else."

"Fascinating," Lilith commented. "That does make things easier I guess."

Lotte narrowed her eyes slightly at the female as she continued to smile.

"Well, it was a deep pleasure. I hope we can continue this talk after dinner. I do have good proposal for you, Ms. Phantomhive."

Lotte nodded as she watched Lilith walk away. By then the guests began to sit down at the dinner table. The mumbles of chatter still wore on. The clock struck seven and Lilith sat near the end, smiling and staring down at her.

"Lotte?" Sebastian spoke to her, gently touching her shoulder. "If you may."

He guided her to the seat at the end of the table, all the while feeling the dark eyes of the female devil behind her. As she sat down and Sebastian began to place dinner and pouring wine in front of the guests, she finally got a good number of the people in the room. Thirteen.

Oh goodness. Great! She rolled her eyes, but noticed something else. One person was missing. Ciel is missing…fourteen people.

And as soon as Sebastian placed the last dish and glass of wine, Ciel stepped into the room, announcing, "Sorry to hold up the dinner. I had a few matters to attend to."

Some strange looks and mutters from the other guests erupted, but all changed as Sebastian tapped a glass he was holding and stood behind Lotte at the end of the table. "Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for joining us tonight. I would like to introduce the lady and head of the Phantomhive family and toy company, Charlotte Phantomhive, whom you've all had a privilege of meeting earlier. My lady, do you have any words you wish to say before we toast and begin eating?"

Lotte looked up at Sebastian and back to her company. They all stared at her. For a moment, she paused trying to figure out who was human and who wasn't. Lilith's presence made her paranoid. She couldn't even feel the demon standing behind her. The mark on her back didn't burn. There was no sensation to reality. In that moment, she felt blind.

"Thank you all for coming. As you all know, I inherited this house and the toy factory from my late uncle who passed away suddenly a mere six months ago. From that I had no idea what to do with it. Hell," she let out a slight laughter, "I had no idea what to do with living here. Just a year ago I was living in a rundown apartment in Brooklyn, chasing people that I didn't know if they were innocent or not. I was the first woman FBI agent thanks to my great grandfather, but I knew nobody would know I existed. I was invisible. I was broke. No money for food and now…I'm here. He's not here tonight, but I would like to thank Lawrence Wilson for dragging my ass back to London. Back to my roots. Sorry, I'm rabbling. I know all of you are starving, and I'm excited to hear all your offers for the toy factory."

She lifted her glass up, feeling the weight of the material drag her hand down.

"So," she continued, "I would like to make a toast to…change…for the better."

Everyone raised their glass together in acceptance. Lotte looked down at Lilith who nodded at her in exchange. A shiver ran down her back as Lotte continued to smile.

"Cheers everybody!"

"Cheers!" Everyone rang.

But before they took a sip, another voice rang through the room. An elderly man stood up near the end of the table. Ciel gave everyone a warm smile as he gave everyone a tired expression. Still, his brilliant blue eyes continued to sparkle.

"I also would like to give a toast to Charlotte. You have given this old man a reason to fight a little longer and I thank you for what you are doing for the family; however, I do hope you know if you continue on what you are seeking, it will land you in only more darkness. I learned in an early age that even getting what I wanted wasn't nearly enough and sacrifices had to be done to get what was earned. Even your late grandfather would justify to my meanings. I do hope you continue on a bright path and I am glad to have met you in my time of dying." He raised his glass as Lotte still tried to sink in his speech to her. "To Charlotte Phantomhive."

"To Charlotte!" Everyone sang as their glasses touched their lips.

Lotte did the same tasting her whiskey and feeling the burn down her throat. At which she needed more than a simple glass of vintage wine.

Everyone gave chatter before they picked up their forks. That was when Lotte heard a fork clatter onto the table. She lifted her head to see a man pause, his expression stone-like and still, then his hands landed on his throat and stomach. Lotte eyed the man's strange actions as more people began to follow suit. Then people started to cough blood.

The blood and foam erupted from their mouths, spilling from their lips, drowning. All Lotte could do was watch as the horror in front of her continued until the coughing stopped only seconds later.

Everything was still. People's heads layed on the table, eyes open to nothing, mouths still spilling slight red tinted foam. Lotte stood up from the table looking back at Sebastian who had the same shocked expression as her. Then she saw Lilith still sitting at the end of the table, sipping her wine and Ciel Phantomhive staring back at the woman in front of him – the wine in front of him untouched.

"What a delightful taste," Lilith commented, placing the glass back onto the table. "I have never had such a memorizing fulfillment of wine. Was that a hit of poison?"

She was looking at the old man. Lotte's eyes narrowed at him who still stared at the demon.

"What?" Lotte muttered.

"I knew something had to be done," Ciel started. "The time was drawing closer and it was only necessary that you would be here tonight. However, what you looked like was something of a mystery. You do have the tendency to change your apparently every decade or so."

"So you poisoned the wine and killed everybody?" Lotte shot back.

The old man didn't look at her. "Only to eliminate what you would call the competition. I knew there were demons hiding and I needed to know who they were. The poison would never kill a demon, let alone the queen herself."

"I'm flattered," Lilith commented. "Always caring about youself, Ciel. Never about others. I always admired that about you. Even when you killed the East Indian guy's bodyguard back in 1889. What a beautiful show that was." She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I did what I had to do," he replied.

"So that's what you were doing," Lotte said, her eyes moving to his dead caretaker. "You went and placed poison into the bottle while Sebastian was occupied."

"He never knew, no. I know his ways as well. I've been around long enough to know that."

Lotte shook her head. "You son of a-"

"This is not the time for being angry, Charlotte," he said calmly, cutting her off. "This is family matters. And I knew the path you continued on would only end your life."

That was when he looked at Lotte

"Besides, my life is worth nothing compared to yours."

"So it is," Lilith commented, and Lotte watched the demon open her gleaming red eyes at the man.

In mere moments Lotte looked back at her great uncle, Ciel had taken the steak knife in front of him, and dug it into his throat, moving it along to open a gap large enough for blood to waterfall its way out.

Lotte's eyes once again shot wide, her mouth open, and breathing hitched. She watched in horror as the old man gurgled and drown in front of her like the others onto the table. Blood still continued out from the wound as Ciel Phantomhive's blue sparkle turned glass and pale, and the life left out of him.

Lotte felt her knees shake.

She leaned over the table grasping for air.

And all the while Lilith was smiling.

Please let me know if I should change it to M. It is quite gory and a little more than I think a T rated should be. I do thank you all for all your continued support. All your faves and follows are not without cause and I smile every time I get someone new! :)

Reviews are a beautiful thing! :)