Chapter 8

Inquiries and Interviews

"Is that… even possible?" I felt like I was going to be sick. Disgusting, that was the first description that came to mind. In the most bizarre way, I felt violated. The image of reaper scientists perched over my cold, lifeless body like buzzards, poking, and prodding it in search of its secrets, it made my skin crawl. I could almost feel their hands on my skin, and I had to fight down the urge to shudder.

The Earl took a sip of his tea. "Well, you'll never know if you don't try." He replied. "So, Eliza, what is your answer?" I bit my lip.

I wasn't particularly fond of the idea of working with The Queen's Guard Dog of all people. However, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed I had no other choice. This was the only chance I was going to get to set things straight once and for all. Not to mention it was either this, or wind up alone and defenseless on the streets of London, a perfect target for hungry demons.

"Fine."

"Excellent." Ciel replied, with a sly smile. "For the next few days you will be staying here on the manor. Arriving there any sooner would look suspicious. During that time, I will personally see to it that you are training your skills. We have managed to convince Grell Sutcliffe to assist with that matter, as he is more experienced with the capabilities and limits of reapers. Otherwise, I leave you in full control of this task."

"That's a lot of responsibility for someone you just met."

"You're not completely stupid. That's good enough for me."

"Phantomhives never settle for just good enough. There's another reason isn't there?"

Ciel smirked. "You're sharp. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you" He replied. "The truth is, Grell told us about your trial, and I found the testimony of the reaper Eric Slingby particularly interesting. He said that whatever your power is, it mangled his death scythe. I figured such a quality would come in… handy when investigating the reapers."

"And when you have your information… then what happens?"

"We will destroy these beings, rid the earth of them by whatever means possible." I shook my head.

"I meant, what about me, what happens to me after I give you what you want?"

"Too early to say. Depends what suits the situation at the time." He said. "However, if need be, I will not hesitate to dispose of you."

"Hm, I knew you'd say that."

"You seem to know a lot of things about me." I shrugged.

"I guess I'm just intuitive." I lied.

"Seems like that's not you all are," Ciel said, "but I digress. There is much to do, so unfortunately I must cut this off here." He stood up, and began to leave, but as he reached the door, he stopped and looked at me once more. "Please feel free to wander around the mansion, though I advise you not get too curious." The door clicked shut behind him, and I was left sitting awkwardly in the parlor. I twiddled my thumbs for a while, unsure of what to do next.

Something moved in the corner of my eye, and my gaze shot towards the movement's source. Feeling quite stupid, I realized it was a mirror, and movement had been me looking around the room like an idiot. I lifted myself up from the chair, and intrigued, took a step towards the mirror. What I saw stunned me. This person wasn't me at all. It was as though, someone had stripped away everything that made me… me, and replaced it with something vastly different and indescribable. Sebastian had left my hair alone for the most part, aside from a headband adorned with a delicate white flower, which held most of my hair back. I was wearing what appeared to be one of Ciel's mother's dresses. It was pale blue, almost white, like the hydrangeas that my mother used to grow in the front garden, and trimmed with white frills and ribbons of deep blue. The neckline was far lower than I was used to, cut just above my midriff. It struck me then, why this look felt so different. This dress, this hairdo, all of it had once belonged to-

"Rachel Phantomhive…" I whispered to myself.

"You are indeed correct, young lady." I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Sebastian's voice. "My apologies, it seems I have startled you." He said with a slight bow.

"No, no, it's fine." I replied. "I just didn't expect you to be back so soon." Or ever…

"I was ordered to check on you once more before making preparations for dinner, however I couldn't help but notice your fascination with Lady Phantomhive's dress."

"So it really was hers then?"

"Of course." He said. "It was all we had on hand, I apologize if it does not suit your taste. Though I must say, you do bear an uncanny resemblance to its former owner."

"This woman, Rachel, what was she like?"

"I'm afraid I do not know much about Lady Phantomhive. The young master rarely speaks of her. You would have to ask him yourself, but I doubt you would get an answer."

"I guess everyone has at least one thing they don't want to talk about." I knew I for one had a few…Sebastian pulled out his silver pocket watch, and glanced at it before clicking it shut again.

"Please excuse me young lady, it appears it is time for me to proceed with dinner preparations." He said, and just as quickly as he had showed up, he was gone again. Feeling like quite the idiot once more, I realized I hadn't asked him for the time.

"William T. Spears…" The councilman paced as he spoke, his steps in time to the ticking of the clock on the wall. William sat across from him, wearing his usual indifferent expression, death-scythe lying across his lap.

"Yes sir. May I ask why you have brought me here? I have business that I must attend to."

"William, you know perfectly well why I have brought you here."

"Excuse my ignorance sir, but I am unaware of any misconduct on my part."

"The girl's record is missing." William raised a single eyebrow.

"Well, this is certainly news to me."

"You were the last to come in contact with her record were you not?"

"Obviously that is not the case." William retorted. The councilman struck the floor with his staff-like death-scythe. William showed no reaction, his face remaining remarkably indifferent in the face of the councilman's anger.

"Enough!" The councilman snapped. "We need straight answers William, and you're going to give them to us. Now let me ask again, you were the last to come in contact with her record were you not?"

"That I know of, yes."

"Good… Upon briefly reviewing her record, was there anything that… stood out to you?"

"She was telling the truth Councilman." Which William couldn't help but think was a concept the council could not understand. "The creatures she spoke of exist."

"Preposterous! There are only three types of beings in this world: Angels, Demons, and us The Grim Reapers. The existence of such creatures goes against the very laws of the universe we live in."

"And so did Eliza. She was the only recorded being in the history of time to possess such an extraordinary gift, and yet she was put to death anyways." William was beginning to lose his patience, but there was no way he was going to let it show. No, this was a game of lies, and he intended to win.

"Cease this foolishness at once!" The Councilman shouted. "The Board's orders are absolute. Do not question their decisions."

"My apologies, sir." William said, without a hint of remorse hidden in his voice. The Councilman's face was twisted into one of frustration. William could almost watch a struggle occurring on his face, and somewhere deep down, it amused him. It was obvious he had been hoping for a reason to keep yelling; however William had not given him one.

"Moving on then." The Councilman cleared his throat, evidently deciding to continue with a more calm approach. But the damage was already done, and William was sure he knew it. "In the time that you spent with her, did you pick up on any signs of… ah, 'potential' in her?"

"None. Apart from her strange abilities, she was a normal human girl" William knew this wasn't true, but thankfully reapers couldn't read much about each other beyond their presence. "I don't think she will become a reaper."

"And what makes you think that?"

"She is weak-willed, like most humans."

"Very well. Now I am aware you have spoken to this girl on occasion. Could you tell us what your conversations with her consisted of?"

"Business matters. Nothing more."

"So you mean to tell me that it was 'business matters' that compelled you to perform such a revolting display of sympathy yesterday?"

"My apologies sir. It will not happen again." The councilman leaned closer, a crooked smile on his face.

"My…William, could it be that you have become attached to this girl?"

"That is ridiculous."

"Oh we'll see, William. Nothing goes on in this realm that we don't find out about."

"Is that so?" He asked, eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"It is indeed." The Councilman stopped pacing. "I must say though William, you are quite a valuable asset. We are already short of staff, and finding a suitable replacement for you, well, that would be quite a feat. After all, it's only once every few millennia we find a reaper so willingly dedicated to the rules and laws that dictate our existence."

"With all due respect sir, I'm sure there are plenty of women in administration that are more than capable of replacing me, with adequate training of course." William said, ignoring the Councilman's underhanded threat.

"I do not need you to tell me how to do my job." The Councilman snapped. "Now. If you are finished with this ridiculousness, we are done here. We have been merciful in the past William, but should we find that you have been lying to us, I promise that we will be far less understanding. You are dismissed."

"Understood, sir." The councilman left, shutting the door behind him. William reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small silver pocked watch. "It should be about time." He tilted his head towards the ceiling. "Don't disappoint me Eliza." He said, as if somehow, somewhere she could hear him.