Chapter 2: Wings

" I have put in an order in for your new uniform." Ciel informs me. I had changed and now Ciel, Sebastian, and I were taking a stroll in the manor. Ciel and I were leading, Sebastian trailed behind. Ciel leads me to a verandah, where a small table and some chairs await. Sebastian pulls out a chair for me and pushes me in, somehow doing the same for Ciel simultamously. "so, Lily. Do you have any questions for me?" I looked at Ciel. Only about a million, I wanted to say. Instead, I ask, "how do you know about my … abilities?"

"well, it was very easy," Ciel stated, "I sent Sebastian over to America to investigate the sightings of a "bird-child". His search led to you. He saw you just as you were boarding a British cargo ship and conveniently followed you here, captured you, and brought you to me." I glanced at Sebastian and he flashed me a lecherous smile. I shuddered and turned back to Ciel, who had gotten up. I, too, got up and followed him to a large, spacious room with training equipment. "show us what you got!" he said. "W-what?" "you are the Guardian, you have to fight. Show us how you can kill!" Ciel shouted.

"what do you want me to do?" I said. "defeat Sebastian in weaponry." Sebastian then took off his coat, leaving him in his undershirt. He entered a room labeled "weapons". He then exited, pushing a cart displaying weapons. "choose." Ciel commanded. I approached the cart. There was multiple types ranging from broadswords and longswords to battleaxes and maces. Sebastian chose a longsword for its reach. I on the other hand chose a saxe knife and throwing knife.

I looked at the short throwing knife. Narrow at the hilt, it tapered out sharply, becoming thicker and wider for 3 quarters of its length to form a broad blade with the weight concentrated toward the tip then a steep reverse taper created a razor sharp point. The saxe knife was longer. The handle was the same leather disc construction, and there was a short, sturdy crosspiece. The blade was heavy and straight, razor sharp on one side, thick and heavy on the other. Originally called a sea-axe, it can block any sword stroke.

"begin!" Ciel yelled. We turned toward each other. Sebastian was the first to strike. He moved with blinding swiftness, but I was faster. I parried, crossing the knives, saxe on the throwing knife. The throwing knife gave me leverage to the forceful blow. He stepped back, only to dive in again and be blocked by me. He repeated this, until I dodged under his arm, causing him to lose balance for only a moment. That was all I needed. Not wanting to seriously injure Sebastian, I smashed the hilt of my saxe knife into the back of his sword arms' shoulder. He dropped his sword and I was able to press the throwing knife to the back of his neck and the saxe to the front. We stood there, breathing hard until Ciel ended the fight with a shout.

Ciel stared at me with a look of surprise. He motioned Sebastian over and spoke to him in hushed tones, gesturing to me occasionally. He then turned toward me. "is it true you have…. An evolutionary advantage?" "quite." I responded shortly. "well….. take off your shirt, then." He commanded. "WHAT?!" I shouted. "you have an undershirt, do you not?" he said with an exasperated sigh. "oh, okay." I slid the shirt over my head. I was now only wearing a black tank top and Finny's trousers. With a sigh of relief, I untucked my wings from my back, stretching them. Ciel and Sebastian widened their eyes with shock. I stood there, uncomfortable because very few people knew about my wings. They both did a circle around me, examining them, taking in their 14ft wingspan and the fact that they're so dark, with a purple glint to them.

"impressive…" Ciel mumbled, "can you do a demonstration?" "sure, sure." I launched myself into the air, beating my wings as I ascended. As I flew up to the support beam, I watched them. Even from all the way up here, I could see every detail about them. Then I lithely tucked my wings in and dropped feet first from the beam. I landed on all fours, just as my older brother taught me, somewhere in America. "are there others like you?" Ciel asked. I hesitated, "no." ciel noticed my hesitation, but did not act upon it. He then motioned me to a door off to his right. The door was bigger than the ones labeled "weapons". Inside was rows and rows of high class swords, knifes, and other tools of death. "for your job, you'll need plenty of…. Accessories." Ciel told me.

" oh okay…" I looked through the weapons. A sleek broadsword caught my eye. I went over and pulled it out of it's sheath, admiring the blueish tint to it. I hooked it onto my thin belt. The familiar weight of a sword settled on my left hip. Im best with my right hand, but I am ambidextrous. I looked to my left, and saw another pair of knives, but without frills. I take a double scabbard belt and set it around my waist. Then I placed the 2 knives into the scabbards. It all felt familiar to me.

Fatigue washed over me. Swaying slightly, I look into a concerned Ciel's face. "just tired.." I mumble and yawn. "oh, yes," Ciel said, "Mey-rin!" Mey-rin stumbled in and said, "yes young master, how can I be of service to you?" "escort Lily to her quarters." "yes, young master." I followed Mey-rin out into a long hallway and up some stairs. She then led me to a door and opened it, revealing a large parlor with 2 doors branching out. Mey-rin pointed to the door on the left. "this is your bedroom, and this," she said, "is your balcony. Your room is on the top floor, so do be careful of the long drop." She then took her leave, so I opened my bedroom door and flopped on my bed, not bothering to change.

I fell asleep thinking, "what have I gotten myself into…"


A/N: well thanks guys for reading and I finally figured out the whole updating chapters thing... major poo brain... so yea. until next chapter!