Chapter 6: Ultimatum

Alarms were sounding all through my mind. No, no, no, this can't be happening. My gaze kept shifting from Katie to Ciel.

''How could you Ciel?!'' I screamed. ''You kidnapped my best friend!" I took a step away from the closet, my whole body shaking. ''I swear, if you hurt her-

''I didn't,'' The Earl said, ''when Sebastian brought her here, she was still unconscious. Traveling seems to take a lot out of you humans." He closed the closet door gently, leaning up against it. ''My whole purpose for bringing her here was to set up the deal with you." My stomach lurched. So this is what Sebastian meant by something of mine being involved in a deal.

''If you allow me to come to your world,'' the Earl continued, ''I will return your friend unharmed. But if you don't,'' he paused, a smirk forming on his lips, ''I think you know what will happen."

"This isn't a deal," I grunted, ''this is an ultimatum. It's not fair!"

"Ultimatums are deals,'' he replied, "just…not that kind you have much of a choice in."

I stomped my foot on the ground. "You have got to be kidding me!'' I dropped my head, anger pulsing through me.

''You can have a moment to think about it, if you'd like,'' I heard him say. ''I have all the time in the world, now."

I had been in difficult situations with Ciel before, but none as extreme as this. Now I was responsible for another person's life. And the person was my best friend. I can't let Ciel harm her. My only choice is to bring him to my world.

Finally, I looked back up the Earl. ''The old Ciel would have never done this. Never."

''The old me?'' he questioned.

''Yes, the old you! I was friends with the old you. I-I helped you back then. You looked out for me. Now, you're backstabbing me!'' Ciel looked irked, but remained silent. ''Have you really lost touch to who you are? Do you even remember why you called on me in the first place?!

''Enough!'' the earl shouted. ''I know who I am. I'm Ciel Phantomhive." He stepped closer to me, so we were only a foot apart. "But do you really think this is so out of character for a person like me? Someone who hunted down their enemies for revenge? Someone who made a contract with a demon?"

I bit my lip. As much as I didn't want to admit it, Ciel had a point. He glared at me, his eye flashing red. ''Think about it."

I took a step backwards, shaking my head. ''You could have been so much better than this, Ciel. So much better."

Just then, the office door opened up. Ciel and I turned around, and Sebastian stepped into the room. ''My lord,'' he said, bowing, ''would it be alright if I interrupted, and had a word with Lady Cynthia?''

At first it looked like Ciel was going to object, but then he scowled and crossed his arms. "You may. We've more or less finished here."

Sebastian stepped to the side, gesturing for me to walk out into the hall. Hesitantly, I made my way over to the door. We walked down the hallway towards the balcony. I noticed it had grown utterly quiet in the mansion. Either the servants were outside, I guessed, or they were feeling too glum to work. ''So what did you need to talk about with me?'' I asked, breaking the silence.

''It's more of what I wanted to show you,'' he said. He opened a side door, and stepped in the room. To my surprise, a lot of clinking and clanking came from inside. What is he doing in there? ''As you know,'' Sebastian continued from inside the room, ''I whisked you away here without so much as a warning, or apology in advance.'' Then he pulled out a cart and wheeled it towards me. My mouth dropped open when I saw what was on it. ''I managed to save your omelet and fruit salad from earlier. I also had time to warm the omelet up while you were talking with my young master."

I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or flabbergasted. ''Y-you're unbelievable,'' I stammered. ''But honestly, food is the last thing on my mind right now."

''Is something bothering you?'' Sebastian asked.

I looked at him, dumbfounded. Of course something was bothering me! ''Yes,'' I said, throwing my arms out, ''a lot is bothering me. First of all, you didn't tell me about Ciel. I had no idea he was a…a demon. Why would you keep that to yourself?!"

''I apologize for that,'' Sebastian said earnestly, ''it was quite unruly of me to leave such an important detail of the trip out."

''And not just that,'' I added, ''what about Katie? When you said Ciel had something of mine, I didn't think you meant my best friend! This is horrible!''

''It is quite unfortunate it's worked out this way,'' Sebastian answered, putting a hand on his chest. ''Even I am disappointed in the outcome.''

I sighed. "I guess I should go back in there and tell Ciel that I'll take him with me. There's nothing else I can do. I have to protect Katie." I started walking towards the door, when Sebastian put his hand on my shoulder.

''Before you make a decision, I urge you to think it over a bit more." I turned around to face him, and saw faint smile on his lips.

I narrowed my eyes. ''What do you mean?''

Sebastian didn't answer, and instead put his hand by my neck, lifting up the charm of my necklace. ''This is quite a lovely piece you wear. I'm very pleased I was able to give it back to you."

Heat rose to my cheeks. ''T-thank you,'' I stammered, as he let go of the charm. ''But what does this have to do with-", And then suddenly, it hit me. My mouth opened, but no words came out. Sebastian's smile broadened as he let the charm drop back onto my neck. ''S-Sebastian,'' I murmured, ''are you saying…'', but I didn't finish. His eyes remained locked on me, his smile not wavering. Then he wheeled the tray of food in front of me.

''Now, doesn't this seem more appetizing?''