"Ciel, now may be a good time to try to get some sleep. The guard should be here any second now." Sebastian tried to soothe. Ciel had been nervously watching out the window for any sign of movements He looked back to his children who now slept in their parents' bed, Ciel had insisted that they keep them close. He had also insisted that everyone, for the time being, stay in the rooms on either side of his and Sebastian's room, hoping to not only make them feel safer, but to be able to wake them quickly if need be.
"I can't, not even if I wanted to. I have to be awake and know what's going on so I can be sure the children are safe. When he said he'd send them immediately, I thought they'd be here by now. Remind me to ask your father what his definition of that word is later." Sebastian wrapped his arms around his mate.
"I'm so sorry my Love. I know this isn't ideal by any means but we're still together as a family, as long as we can stay that way, we'll get through it, demon or not, our love hasn't changed." He assured him.
"Love is an amazing thing, but it can do so little to protect, it's not a shield or an army. I don't think it'll be enough this time. This isn't one of the stories we read to our children. Whatever is happening now won't go away by closing a book and saying goodnight. I'm afraid for my children Sebastian. Love can't stop this and it won't protect them if something-"
"It will give you the strength to do it yourself, just as it will so that I can protect you and the little ones, my father more than likely-"
"My family loved me." Ciel said softly. "My parents loved me very much but their love couldn't stop the fire, it couldn't bring them back. My parents couldn't save me no matter how much they loved me, I was the most important thing in the world to them. My biggest fear now is that I won't be able to- I can't shield them from this." Sebastian held him tighter.
"I know Ciel, I'm sorry. Every parent's worst fear is the loss of a child, in truth, I'm afraid too. But you are an amazing mother and -"
"It doesn't matter whether or not I am. My mother and father would've come for me if they could have, as I would for ours regardless of whether I die or not, sometimes love isn't enough, as badly as I want and need it to be, but if love really worked that way, no one would die and children wouldn't be taken from their families. I'm their mother, I promised to always keep them safe even from monsters, how can I do that now?"
"You don't have to worry about that, I will make sure you and the children are alright, even at the expense of my own life, you know that much my Ciel."
"I know you would, but I don't want to lose you either." Ciel whispered trying not to wake the children.
"I would rather die than lose my family, it's better that my life be taken if you may be spared, I know it's difficult to hear, I love our family very much." before Ciel could respond, a loud crash from the hall startled the pair. The sound was followed by a familiar voice.
"Damn it!" Alois cursed just loud enough to be heard faintly through the door. Ciel sighed.
"I'll go check on him, he probably ran into the stand." Ciel said picking up one of the candle holders , and walking to the door, he turned back briefly.
"you'll say with the children?" he asked.
"certainly, but be careful dearest, please don't stay out of sight for too long, it's best for all of us to stay together when possible." Ciel nodded and quietly pushed open the door.
Once in the hallway, he found Alois sitting on the floor, his head held in his hands, in front of the boy, an overturned stand lay surrounded by the white roses and vase that had been kept on it.
"You could've used the candle, that's why we put them in the rooms." Ciel said, Alois merely shook his head.
"I tried, but Lenora woke up and the dark scared her. I couldn't take that away from her.
"I understand. My little ones are thankfully asleep, are you alright?"
"No. I'm scared. I couldn't keep Luca safe the first time 'round, now I have a daughter, she's so small, what do I do Ciel?" Alois turned to face him, his bright blue eyes filled with concern and fear.
"The best you can, That's all any of us can do now."
"Has there been anything about the guard?" Ciel lowered himself down next to his friend.
"No. I'm hoping they're on their way now. If I find out otherwise, Sebastian's father should consider himself lucky I can't kill him."
"But he wouldn't do that would he?" Alois asked.
"A big part of me is saying no, but he is the devil." A long silence followed as the two sat lost in thought, Each at a loss for what to do for their families.
"Ciel?" Alois called softly,
"What?"
"I don't know if I can do this, I was such a failure as a human, what if-Ciel, what if I can't- if Lenora and Luca-"
"You're not who you were then, we're all different. You and I have children to think of, we can't afford to think about failing them. We have to do what mothers do best, comfort and protect the children as much as we can." Alois smiled sadly.
"Bet you wish you knew how to follow your own advice now don't you?"
"That's true, I can tell you all this but I'm just as scared s you are for the same reason. I love my children, and I know you love your daughter and brother, no one said it would be easy to be a parent but they have to come first, and if you and I are going to get through it we need to put them first like we always do."
"You're right, still, I can't help but-" A thunderous banging reached their ears causing them to jump. They listened quietly for a moment, they slowly got to their feet.
"What the hell was that?"Alois whispered fearfully.
"I don't know but it doesn't sound good. I think we should get back in the rooms." Ciel replied. Seconds later the bedroom door opened slowly.
"Ciel, are you alright, it sounded like something broke down the d-"
"Quiet, get back to the children, I don't like the sound of this. Alois, get back to your family. They'll be worried. Stay quiet."
"Right." Alois said making his way back into the room he had shared with his mate, brother and daughter. He closed the door silently.
"Ciel?" Lizzy called sleepily.
"Get back in there, if they're not up already, wake the staff, stay away from the door and windows unless you know its someone that belongs here, lock the door." The former Earl said as a series of deep growls and shrieks came from downstairs. Once he was sure Lizzy was safe inside, Ciel returned to his and Sebastian's room where he locked the door and turned to find Evian sitting up in bed sobbing and shaking.
"M-Mama, C-can I have up?" He cried reaching out to his mother as the noises continued now followed by thumps and crashes, the growling continued.
Ciel rushed over to his children, the younger ones were waking slowly. Ciel lifted Evian into his arms and felt the child wrap his arms around his neck tightly.
"Please Mama, do not let them in, I am so afraid, please make them go away." He sobbed against his mother's shoulder.
"It's alright Evian, it's probably just your grandfather's-"
"No..." He whispered "Mama, the monsters are here."