Chapter 3: To Be A Sister
"Sometimes you have to get angry to get things done" - Ang Lee
I stayed completely still and stared at the ceiling in pure anger. I couldn't believe Marie! The conversation replayed in my mind.
"I just wanted to feel safe! I'm so tired of running. We've been running our whole lives. I wanted a normal life even if it was in the past! This world is as real as any! I just needed this!"
She didn't think I was tired of being stabbed, quite literally, in the back. Tired of running and not being able to have friends. Not that I would want to make any if I had been given the chance. But for her to sit there in front of all those people and make a scene like her life was some grand drama. I was nearly shaking with anger. It is one thing to want to be safe but it is another to drag everyone else into your idea of safe. Flashes of her face and then her eyes sprung to my mind. Fear. Want. Wishes and dreams that never got to be pursued. I sighed and just like that all the anger left me like steam. I didn't have the energy to be angry. Besides Kaoru didn't seem to be bothered at all so I would grin and bear it. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep but didn't feel comfortable. I realized that I haven't really slept by myself in a room unless it was by dire necessity. I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. I limped over to the door and swung it open only to reveal the butler freak standing there. He had that dumb smile on his face.
"I was placed here to ensure no one bothered you while you slept." I simply stared. Not in a dumbstruck or admiring way but in a I-know-something-is-up-with-you way. His smile faded.
If Marie's blabbering was any good and Kaoru's obsession with this butler and what I had watched was true then he was a demon. Which meant I most definitely did not like him lurking around my door. While I thought this, my stare did not waver. His eyes weren't completely brown but more of a reddish brown. More red than brown really. His eyes were cold and pierced me to the bone.
"Is something wrong, Miss Dahlia?" His voice was smooth like good chocolate. The type of voice that makes a woman want to sin. His face was smooth and pale and his lips were the lightest shade of pink. His shoulders were broad but I couldn't tell what his form was like in his suit. His black hair was glossy and perfectly tousled. I immediately became jealous. My hair probably was in the need of a good wash. I could almost feel the blood crusting up. I met his eyes again no longer finding interest in him. Kaoru no doubt with her sneaky self was already latching herself onto him in my absence. I narrowed my eyes. No child should be taken care of by a demon.
"You are the problem. Do not get in my way." I simply said and followed the voice of my obnoxious sister to a grand dining room. It had a fireplace on the right that was ablaze. To the left was a door where I'm sure lead to the kitchen. Behind Ciel was a large floor to ceiling window. Ciel sat at the farthest head of the table and Marie of course was chatting his ear off. Kaoru was on the opposite side next to him poking at her food.
"Miss Dahlia had decided to join us tonight." As a person on the shorter side of life at 5"4' I felt the looming presence of the butler's 6"4' at my side. I shivered and he moved to pull a chair out next to Marie. I made a point to sit next to Kaoru and glared at him across the room.
"Why are you not eating, Kaoru?" Kaoru as a quiet child simply crawled into my lap and cuddled into me. I tightened my arms around her and tapped her nose.
"You've been good with Marie?" She nodded enthusiastically.
"She is taking a liking to my butler. He carries her around quite literally all day until she goes to bed." Ciel said examining his food more than the one-sided conversation in his right ear. I glanced at the butler who was rolling around a silver plated cart and clearing away plates to set down a cherry cake of some sort. When he made his rounds to Kaoru's seat she immediately began to struggle out of my arms.
"You don't get cake. You didn't eat dinner." I scolded her. She pouted and crossed her arms. I raised an eyebrow and in response she gazed at the butler. I narrowed my eyes. So she did have him wrapped around her little fingers.
"Surely a small piece of cake will not ruin her appetite?" The butler said as he sat down some fancy foo-foo chicken dinner in front of me. Kaoru has already got her hooks into him. She'll rob the world blind if I don't watch her. I glared at the side of his head as he returned to standing at Ciel's side.
"It's a good thing I didn't ask you." I replied. I stared at the plate in front of me and nearly dry-heaved. I never really liked real food. I'd kill for the greasy stuff with hundreds of calories.
"Marie you had the bag of food didn't you?" She nodded.
"It's upstairs in my room." I nodded and began to get up.
"Sebastian, send Mey-Rin to get it. I would like to have a word with Miss Dahlia." I plumped back in my chair and rolled my eyes. Spoiled brat.
"You said you'd answer any and all my questions, correct?"
I nodded. "Correct. But I'd like my bag first." The boy looked displeased but nodded. His black hair wasn't jet black like sebastian but more of a natural black. His one deep blue eye looked over at me. His eyebrows to me were the perfect shape. He was short and thin to me but healthy. His clothes were made with high quality fabric and even his eyepatch had delicate embroidery. There's something off about this kid too. He seemed aged and tired of the world already. He looked as if he didn't care if he lived or died. He took notice of me analyzing him and stared back. I glanced at the butler who was staring back at me.
"Your bag, Miss Dahlia." Mey-Rin set it on the table and disappeared through the kitchen door. I opened the bag and dug for a familiar container. I pulled it out in haste and picked out its contents. I peered at it and stuck it in my mouth.
"Delicious." I moaned. "Now I'll answer any question you want."
"I swear you and your stupid peanut butter cookies." Marie sneered. I childishly stuck my tongue out and looked at Ciel who looked disturbed.
"Was the meal not satisfactory?" Ciel slightly frowned.
"No, she's just rude." Marie glared.
"And you should mind your business and shut up since you're the reason I'm even here." I snapped. Marie lapsed into silence. Serves her right. I looked at Ciel expectantly. He cleared his throat and folded his hands. Arrogance, I noted.
"What are you? Your wounds have obviously healed." His eyes gazed determined. I stuck another cookie in my mouth.
"My sister and I witches. I just have a faster healing rate than my sister."
"What about the little one?"
"No, she's a normal."
"How did you get here?"
"There's portals if you will that can be opened by certain mages. However they're tricky and more often than not, the location of the portal can be changed by small simple things like a whimsical thought." I stuck another cookie in my mouth. I could feel my sister glaring a hole in my forehead.
"How do you know so much about me?"
"I don't. My sister has prided herself on stalking every tidbit of information about you. All I know is the information she tells me and occasionally from watching you." I fibbed. I think telling a character they're only made up went against a universe rule of some kind.
"Your wounds and bags indicate you are on the run."
"We are. There are these people called mage catchers and they basically capture you, sell you, torture you, and then you're sold off to do others bidding. But since my sister insists we're safe here not anymore." Ciel became silent and closed his eyes.
"You kept firing questions at me hoping I'd slip up and give you some useful information but I'm about as useless as you can get. You should've asked my sister first. She is the eldest after all." I spoke as I examined my seventh cookie. I held the cookie in my mouth as I put the rest away. I bit down and met eyes with Sebastian. I licked the crumbs off my lips. His eyes moved down and I realized how sexual that might have been. To make up for it, I frowned at him.
"Momma, I'm tired." Kaoru rubbed her eyes. Ciel and Sebastian looked confused and I grabbed her and swung her onto my hip and grabbed the bag. I shot a look at Marie and she got up too.
"You're her mother?" I shook my head.
"She calls me when she needs something or she's bothered." I said carefully. There was no reason for them to know she always said that when she felt in danger.
"Thank you so much for letting us stay here. Goodnight, Ciel." Marie bowed to him. I stared at her. She had actually bowed. This was a completely different person in front of him. I rolled my eyes and walked to the door. I realized that after years of stalking someone you might actually begin to fall in love with them.
"Show them to more appropriate rooms." Ciel said sipping his tea.
"My lord." Sebastian grabbed a candle off the wall and gestured.
"This way." We walked the semi-lit hallways back to the room. Sebastian opened the door.
"Your room, Miss Marie." I frowned.
"We're not staying in the same room?"
"No. I'm afraid not. He said to find the appropriate room for each one of you. This one suits your needs." I eyed Marie and she nodded and closed the door behind herself. He kept on walking and all the while I looked at his broad shoulders. I looked at Kaoru sleeping peacefully in my arms. I needed to dodge the demon. Bound by a contract or not. Or at least talk to him and warn him that nothing but a slow death awaits him if he decides he wants to mess with Kaoru.
Yes, I would stop at nothing to protect her.
"Here we are." He opened the door and began moving around the room to light up other candles. Once the room was lit, I looked around. The room was a lilac purple and had white columns spaced symmetrically. In front of me was the bed dressed in deep purples with a white canopy. Off to the right was a dark wooden dresser and wardrobe. To the left was an opening that had been cut out and I could see the bathroom that was formed into a circle. A fireplace was settled right between them with a fashionable rug on the cream carpet and chairs and a coffee table. I walked over to the bed and laid Marie down under the covers. She wiggled and I sat at the edge of the bed and stroked her back.
"I imagine you would like to take a bath. I will run some water." I looked up to see him already bending down to start the water.
"Not all demons are bad, Dolly."
Nicky's words of stupidity echoed through my mind. Just because the guy ran me a bath didn't mean he was a saint. He stood and disappeared around the bend of the bathroom and came back with a towel, wash cloth, and body scrubber. He handed them to me and my hand brushed his.
"Be kind to everyone and everything. Even if they don't deserve it."
Great. Now my mother's words were haunting me. As a witch I didn't have the power to talk to the dead but sometimes in certain situations I would get like a cheat sheet in life. Like if I were taking a math test certain numbers would stand out to me as a hint to the answer. I stared up at him. What exactly did my mother want me to know about him? He walked over and opened the door.
"If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask." The door closed. I sighed and went to the bathroom with my bag on my shoulder. I opened the second compartment with my soap, razors, and other toiletries. I sunk into the steaming water and moaned. I grabbed my shampoo and began the long process of washing my hair. I conditioned and then began to exfoliate my skin. I shaved then washed my body. I looked at the anklet resting on my ankle that was keeping my power indetectable. If what Marie said was true then we were safe here. There was no reason to keep it on. It would be naive to take it off… To think we were safe but..
"I just wanted to feel safe! I'm so tired of running. We've been running our whole lives."
"I'm tired too." I whispered. I unhooked it and threw it into my bag. I gasped as my power wavered and then spread. As a witch I was a servant of the earth and I could suddenly feel everything. I could feel the ferret running on the forest floor, the ladybug resting on a tulip in a garden, Marie's vibrations from her light snoring, I could even feel….
Sebastian.
I could feel him sitting a ways into the forest with something hot in his hand. His aura was different. Everyone else's hummed but his pulsed. That should be expected from a demon. I relaxed my head on the tub's edge and just enjoying the feeling of being free from the power-binding anklet. Once the water got cold I climbed out and wrapped the towel around my body. I stared in the mirror. My black hair shinier, darker, and looked more soft. The mark of the witch on the center of my back. My tanned skin seemed to glow and my eyes… My eyes had gone back to their natural color of coin gold. I smiled. I glanced at the wall clock through the mirror. 12:30. I got dressed in shorts and a baggy sweater with my boots. I smoothed Kaoru's hair down and kissed her forehead. I grabbed a candle followed the pulse of the aura through the dark halls out to the front doors to the house. I glanced up and saw the sky was not as bad as it was when I fell through it. The snow crunched under my boots and the wind nipped at my bare skin. The forest was quiet with an occasional hoot from an owl. The animals could probably sense the demon relaxing in the forest. My skin got goosebumps but I pushed on to the pulsing. When he came into my view he was sitting calmly on a marble bench sipping tea like an old man. I nearly laughed. Some big bad demon. He turned and smiled, his eyes sparkling with delight. He looked me over. His eyes halting on my eyes. If he found anything wrong with them he didn't say anything.
"Tea?" He gestured to the bench across from him. I strolled over and sat. He stood and began pouring a cup of tea for me.
"Sugar, honey?" I nodded and I watched in irritation as he put a small teaspoon of sugar into the cup. As he turned back to go sit on his bench I grabbed the spoon and put three heaping piles of sugar before stirring. I tasted it, smacking my lips a little. Perfect. I looked up at the sliver of the moon in peace. I could even feel the moonlight seeping into my skin.
"I suppose that it's true that a witch can sense a demon?" I nodded, enjoying the feel of steam on my cold-bitten skin.
"What brings you out this fine evening?" I looked at him over the brim of my cup. His eyes on me, cup in hand. His tailcoat laid across the back of the marble bench. The sleeves of his white button up were rolled up exposing his pale skin. He blended in perfectly to the dimly lit forest.
'As a predator should.' I thought.
"I'm sure Kaoru has taken a liking to you. She has a habit of acquiring dangerous things. I would like to know a little know more about you before I rule you out as a target." He set his cup down and linked his hands politely.
"What would you like to know?" His reddish brown eyes were bright, the only color standing out in the night.
"Do you intend to harm me or my sisters in anyway?" He cocked his head in an amused manner.
"If my master orders me to then I will not have a choice." He was evading the actual question. I would have to ask a more direct question if I wanted to get any real answers out of him.
"As a demon without an order to do so, can you lie to a human being?" His eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second but returned to their natural size. There was silence.
"So you won't answer me or-"
"No, in that case I cannot lie to you." He smirked. "I must say I'm surprised by your question." He had a smugness of a person who knew something I didn't and it irritated me to no end.
"Perhaps if I answer your questions then I may ask some questions of my own?" He smiled. I eyed him but nodded. He stood and I watched him as he sat beside me. His arm rested on the back of the bench and his legs crossed. I sensed something dark in him and my witch blood was screaming 'danger'.
"I've seen a handful of witches in my time and they are always in captivity by some supernatural being. Why aren't you?" The question was fair enough.
"I was in captivity once." I said, keeping it short, not giving him any extra information.
"I suppose that is who you are running from then." He gaze was focused on the dark outline of the Phantomhive house in the distance. I took a sip from my cup not giving anything away.
"From the witches I've met, all of them had some incredible ability. Some could control fire, the earth, and do incredible things with spells that even puzzle me." I frowned trying to figure what he was trying to get out of all this.
"I know little Kaoru is telepathic." I stiffened. "That is why you protect her so viciously. You do not want her to fall into the hands of a demon and be used." I stared at him, trying to read him but his eyes stayed locked on the outline of the house.
"When did you find out?"
"She showed me. Little flashes of things like her favorite colors, foods, and blankets. Nothing strong enough to be put into use. She is not a witch. She only inherited a gift so I do not think her power will increase from there. However even if that were not so, I have no desire to harm little Kaoru." If Kaoru had shown him then she must have deemed him trustworthy which to me was worth a lick. And Little Kaoru? Why did he call her that? Like she was something precious. He looked down at me out the corner of his eye and then turned to me.
"Your obsession with children is unhealthy and disturbing. Why are you even here with Ciel?"
"I'm starving." As he said this his eyes glowed bright red. His expression was hungry for something I didn't want to think about. His eyes stayed like that locked on me until I looked away. I immediately dropped the subject not wanting to ask anymore questions.
"Be kind to everyone and everything."
"Now that I know you are not after Kaoru I will stop being so rude." I stood. "And if I have any more questions for you then I will come to you."
"May I ask you what changed your mind?"
"Not all demons are bad…"
"My mother." I said quietly. "Besides one of my best friends is a demon." He seemed surprised by this but stood and retrieved his tailcoat. I began walking and he followed in comfortable silence until he spoke.
"Perhaps we could be friends?"
"Not on your life." My automatic response came. He chuckled. I felt a familiar presence and paused then turned to follow it. In a clearing, the huge dog that carried me to the house laid upside down sleep, his paw twitching. I grinned and went to rub his belly. He immediately woke and wiggled.
"You're a good boy! Yes you are! My good boy! Yes you are!" He barked and then got up to prance around. Then he ran over to Sebastian and whined, lying on his back. Sebastian looked down, disgust evident on his face.
"He likes you. Pet him. Love him." I demanded.
"Dogs are useless and sloppy especially this one."
"Dogs are the most adorable animals on earth." I said, walking past him. We walked on with the dog in tow.
"They are not."
"They are too."
"They take up excess space and food." My anger flared. Dogs stayed cute for their entire lives. They came in different colors. They were loyal and sweet.
"Then what animal is better?" We reached the steps of the Phantomhive house.
"Cats." He said simply. I scoffed.
"Hardly! Those ugly little things that don't want to be loved."
"They do like to be loved. You wouldn't know the finesse of how to appeal to a cat."
"So now you're calling me ugly and unappealing?!" I shouted.
"You are quite the opposite." I paused to look at him. He stood there, his eyes bright and a smirk on his lips. I frowned, momentarily confused but then glared at him. I remembered Marie saying he was something of a pervert.
"You're trying to butter me up, huh? Well, you're going to have to do more than flatter me. I need a couple of dinners, some new jewelry, clothes, and shoes, and at least a romantic night on the beach." I ranted as walked through the doors of the house.
"I do not lie, Dahlia." I froze and turned. His smirk was gone but a look in his eyes that I couldn't identify was there. With our little talk, those words laid heavy in the air.
"Oh! I've been looking for you everywhere, Sebastian. One o' those special queen letters came, yes it did." The maid known as Mey-Rin floundered about.
"Thank you, Mey-Rin." I watched her blush and quiet down and smiled at how cute she was.
"Miss Dahlia. I recommend you go up to your room and rest for a bit. Breakfast will be ready in a couple of hours."
"It's just Dahlia."I said. Someone had to initiate an acquaintanceship. He smiled and bowed deeply.
"As you wish." I rolled my eyes.
"My god, you have no backbone, Sebastian." I murmured.
"I know so little about the god you speak of but I suppose it is because I'm simply one hell of a butler." I guffawed at his famous phrase. Marie would have killed to hear that and Kaoru would repeat it non-stop for 24 hours.
I made my way up to my room and found Kaoru still sleeping soundly in bed. I could see the sun already peeking through the curtains and I knew I wouldn't get much sleep. I sighed and grabbed one of the witch books out of my bag. The books were thick as a forearm and twice as heavy. I grabbed some peanut butter cookies and settled down in an armchair by the fireplace for some reading.
A couple of hours later when my eyes started to burn from focusing for so long I put it down and walked over to wake up Kaoru.
"Come on, Missy. Up up up!" She blinked rapidly but got up and scooted off the bed. "Let's get you a bath."
Twenty minutes later, Kaoru was freshly clean in her favorite Pocahontas dress with her hair in two braids. There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"Kaoru called.
"Sebastian, little one." Kaoru raced to the door and flung it open and jumped into his arms. He stepped in and smiled at me.
"'Lia this is Kaoru's bestest friend. He makes Kaoru food and plays wif Kaoru. Kaoru loves him! He stays forewer and ewer!" I laughed as she made her proclamation and clutched his head against her chest. Kaoru had always had trouble making friends with normal human beings rather she picked spirits and animals company instead.
"I thought I was your bestest friend?" I said as I unlatched her from him.
"You are! You are!" She nodded enthusiastically. I shook my head and kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Kaoru!" She giggled in delight before jumping out of my arms.
"Kaoru lubs you too! Bweakfast time!" She shouted as she ran down the hall. I focused my attention back to Sebastian. "Shall we?" I gestured. He smiled but his eyes seemed to shine more red. I cocked my head in question.
"You should dress more appropriately. There are many males that come through here." His gaze trailed down. I looked down to my shorts that might as well have been underwear and my sweater that was hanging off my shoulder showing a sliver of my bra. It was then I remembered which time period I was in and realized I would be classified as hooker. Sebastian walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a royal green dress.
"This dress would be admirable on your figure and bring out your eyes." I rolled my eyes and snatched the dress before I started walking to the bathroom.
"Don't forget your under piece and your corset." I looked at him in horror. He grinned and I slammed the door to the bathroom.
'Damn this time period to hell.' I thought as I tried to do the corset myself.
"Are you alright in there, Dahlia?" I huffed and almost began to cry in frustration. Sebastian opened the door and I froze in embarrassment as I had lace string in my mouth dressed over my hair and wrapped around my waist. I stared at him in the mirror watching his shoulders shake.
"Stop laughing and help me you demon!" I shouted.
"With pleasure." He purred. He stepped forward and undid my lace mess before taking the corset off to reset it. He paused and set it down on the counter. Then I felt silk fabric on my witch's mark and shivered. His gloves. Goosebumps rose on my arms.
"What's this?" He asked. I could feel him tracing the patterns lightly going lower and lower. I turned around sharply. We were about a thumb's length apart.
"It's my witch's mark and it's very sensitive." I snapped. His eyes seemed to glitter in amusement.
"Only witches of high power have this type of mark. Demons kill to get their hands on marks like these." I narrowed my eyes and turned around not answering him.
"Are you going to help me with this or not?" I murmured. He grabbed the corset and lace string.
"Your secret is safe with me. Every pair of friends has one." I simply stared at him through the mirror. After about 5 minutes with each pull on the lace and the loss of all breath in my body, I decided I hated Sebastian.
"Jesus, Sebastian. Go easy!"
"I am, Dahlia. I don't think you could take much more." He said smugly.
"Knock it off! I'm tired of you and your lewd-" Another tight pull. "Comments!" I yelped. I bent against the mirror painting.
"It is the truth." He remarked. Three tight pulls.
"I'm positive you've done your share of untying these so show mercy." Another tight pull.
"On the contrary, I've never been so pleased with tightening one before. Nonetheless I will be glad to untie it tonight."
"That's because you find sick pleasure in my pain." He paused and I looked up in the mirror and met his eyes. There was a fleeting expression on his face but it was gone before I could see what exactly it was so I pretended that I didn't notice at all. He simply looked down and finished tying the lace off. I would've sagged in relief if the shit was so tight.
"Let's get to breakfast before they come looking for us." I said and turned to him. He was still looking down at the floor.
"Sebastian?" He then stepped forward and I stepped back bumping into the counter.
'He's trapping me.' I thought dimly. A gloved hand came up and slipped to cup my cheek. He looked into my eyes, his eyes shining indecipherably. He leaned close and I thought for a moment he was going to kiss me but instead he tilted my head to the side with his thumb and inhaled deeply.
"If you ever wish for me to show you pleasure in your pain then all you must do is ask, Dahlia." He whispered sinfully. I opened my mouth to shout at his lewd comment but his wet tongue pressed against my collarbone up to my earlobe. I gasped at the coolness but then pushed him and glared.
"I said knock it off, Sebastian." He just stared at me with those same eyes before bowing.
"I will be waiting to serve you breakfast." He turned his back to me and walked to the bathroom door. "But please remember I would not dare lie to you, Dahlia." He closed the door behind himself. I glanced in the mirror and touched my neck, it was still wet.
Demons are not people to play with, Dolly.
'Damn you, Nicky.'
"What do you mean he isn't coming down for breakfast?" Marie said outraged. I rolled my eyes and stuck yet another cookie in my mouth. Kaoru was happily eating half playing in her apple oatmeal.
"He's received a message from the queen, milady." Mey-Rin exclaimed. They surely matched each other in enthusiasm. I was just grateful it wasn't Sebastian who came down to break the news. After that incident in the bathroom, I'd make sure to stay a couple of feet away from him and his devilish tongue.
"Well tell him I can help. I already know what's going to happen and everything. I can help!"
"Is that so?" A voice said. I looked up from my intent to focus on my cookies to Ciel strolling to his seat at the head of the table. Sebastian took up his spot standing next to Ciel. I kept my eyes focused on my cookie.
"We are not going anywhere today. I have too much to do with the company today." Marie squealed.
"Then could you give me a tour of the garden perhaps." He cocked his head, looking as if considering it for a moment.
"Meet me in my office." I watched a blush spread across her face with narrowed eyes. Pieces started to click together, the reason we were sent here, why she watched the show with an unhealthy obsession, why she put us in the company of a demon.
It was for a petty crush. There was a sound of glass shattering. I leaned back in my seat and glared with all the hate I could muster.
"Momma?" Kaoru asked quietly.
"Kaoru can you go find my favorite book?" I said sweetly. She nodded enthusiastically with her new-found task and skipped off. I watched her go and turned my gaze to Ciel. She put kaoru and me in danger for this stupid boy. She risked everything I worked for for a boy.
"Marie, I'm going to fucking kill you." I launched across the table but she was already on the other side in the split second it took me to cross it.
"Why are you angry?!" I appeared behind her, picked her body up and threw it through the window. I walked over to the hole in the shattered window and saw Marie sitting crouched with her hands and eyes aflame. I jumped and landed on the stairs, the granite splitting.
"This will be the last time you disrespect me!" I screamed. She extended her fist out and I swiftly sidestepped the flame that emerged from it. I stared at her and her body froze, shaking in utter fear. I ran like a bull straight towards her and roundhouse kicked her in her chest. Her body flew back and I grabbed it out of midair and slammed it on the forest ground. Blood leaked out the corner of her mouth when I clutched her hair and pulled her up. I raised my fist to punch her but then felt an intense burning.
"THAT IS ENOUGH, DAHLIA!". I narrowed my eyes and let go of Marie. I turned to see Nicky there with his hand raised to my frozen fist.
"And you! You think it's okay to skip out for a few years and come back out of nowhere! I thought you were dead!" I began to throw punches and kicks at him. I frowned as he dodged or blocked every one of them.
"Calm down. I'm here to explain everything." I stopped, panting but still on guard.
"Everything." I narrowed my eyes and looked over to my sister who was being coddled by the Phantomhive servants. I walked in the house without another word.