"I hope you'll sleep well my lady." said the maid tucking the blankets in around her mistress.
"Angelique? Why did you think our presence would inconvenience my cousin?" the girl inquired running her hands over the soft covers.
The maid sat on the bed next to her young mistress and explained "It is because of a slight problem that resides in this house." The girl looked at her quizzically.
"His butler is a demon that he is contracted to." The girl's eyes went wide and she seemed sad. "Oh, I see."
Her maid held her hand softly. "Don't worry about Ciel, he has his own choices to make." She smiled at the young girl and added "Please get some rest my lady."
She closed the door behind her as she left the chamber.
Walking softly down the hall she noticed a door open and a figure emerge ahead of her. The figure she quickly recognized as the demon butler.
He closed the door to his master's chamber and paused to look at her before blowing out the flames on the candelabra in his hand.
With hers still lit she continued down the hallway till she had passed him. "Is there some reason why you insist on staring at me?"
"I'm suspicious of you is all. You must understand my reasoning." He stated truthfully.
She turned slightly to look at him. "You needn't fear. I will not touch your young master's soul or corrupt him in any way. I am under certain limitations and he is subject to his own will and choice. There is nothing I can do for him without breaking our rules as guardians." Turning her back to him, she continued down the hallway, only to stop once more as the flames went out on her candles and she felt his presence approach.
"I will still keep an eye on you if you don't mind." He said softly nearing where she was standing. "I cannot help, but feel the prejudice so commonly reserved for one of your kind." He was close to her now not quite touching her, but very close. "So let's make this as quick as possible, and move on to our separate duties." He read her soul for that small piece he had sensed earlier and indeed it was there. He wondered how to reach it and manipulate it without her knowing.
He allowed himself closer.
Almost as though afraid to touch her, he lightly moved his body against hers from behind. She immediately tried to step forward away from him but he snaked an arm around her waist. "I've always wondered if an angel's soul tasted different than a human's." Lowering his head he whispered in her ear. "Do you think it does?"
He expected her to fight to run and want to distance herself from him at all costs. This was his way of trying to drive her and her mistress away from this house. What she did in reality surprised him.
She laughed. Quietly albeit, but laughed none the less. "I don't know what your game is, but you are currently contracted. Don't think I don't know your rules. Besides, I am staying here as long as I and my lady need to, in order to catch those rogue angels. Now if you'll drop the act and let me go I'd appreciate it."
Her coldness and callousness was what he wanted, and he nearly let her go before she spoke again "And considering what you are I'm pretty sure you think you can seduce any woman that crosses your path, but I will not be moved by your efforts."
Seduce? His intentions were to frighten….but now that she mentioned it…
"I assure you I have no intention or want, to seduce you Miss Angelique. That is unless you wanted it."
She pushed away from him turning to face him. "And why would I ever want such a thing from the likes of you?"
He smiled "There are many reasons. Stress relief, fun, boredom, curiosity to name a few. Whatever you would deem a good excuse."
She huffed "if I ever think of a good reason for doing something like that with someone so atrocious I'll let you know."
This time he didn't approach slowly and she noticed, swinging the candelabra at him in defense as he countered with his own, pulling her arm down and catching the back of her neck in his other hand. He stopped with his lips inches from hers and whispered "Be sure you do."
He released her and said cheerfully "Let me show you where you'll be sleeping for the remainder of your stay here."
She rolled her eyes and glared at his back as he led her to the servant's quarters.
The next morning they were preparing breakfast in the kitchen silently before she spoke softly. "Forgive my rudeness last night. I shouldn't have spoken the words I did."
He stopped what he was doing and looked at her. Her eyes rested upon her task and her face was set in a calm mask.
"You're an awfully strange woman you know?" He didn't move his gaze and continued "I treat you unbecomingly and you apologize."
She chuckled still not raising her eyes. "I suppose it stands to reason that I try to live being as kind to others as possible. I feel bad for calling you atrocious, so please forgive my actions. I also forgive you of yours."
He put down what he was working on and made his way to her side lifting her chin with his finger he gazed in her eyes. "I do not recall asking for your forgiveness. You are too kind angel. I wouldn't have expected that kindness to extend to one such as I."
She didn't pull away, but her eyes flickered away from his. "I do not expect you to understand, demon. I am however, in need of your help to find and defeat rogue angels."
He was the one that withdrew this time "Why on earth would I want to help you defeat them? As far as I'm concerned you can deal with your own kind."
She nodded, "Very well. However, if those traitors come after your young master…" she paused not looking at him.
"Do you know something of their plans?" he asked hurriedly.
"No, I just know they were involved with a lot of trouble a few years back in this area, including some odd cults, one of which targeted your young master's family. I do not know of their current plans however." She was still as calm as ever as she spoke and looked up into his eyes again. "I would do anything to bring them down. Even side with a demon."
He smiled "Then miss angel I feel we have come to an understanding. I would gladly help you rid the earth of them if they get near the master. Now, let's finish and get things ready for today."