Pleasurable Venom

Chapter 10: Phantomhive

I shuffled and looked around. A man, defiantly a man, Sebastian I would assume, was opening then closing several doors that were farther away from me but soon came closer. I stood and backed up, the rub of cold shakes against my ankles did nothing to reassure me I would have a chance at fighting someone. My teeth ached from being inactive for a while and lengthening my fangs proved to be extremely painful. I winced and opened then shut my jaw to ease the feeling away. A door, this time closer to mine, opened then closed and the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight on end. He was on the other side of the door.

The doorknob turned and pushed in, revealing a tall man in a tailcoat. A servant perhaps? He had black hair and pale skin matching mine. With an inhuman grace he took a look around the room and then located me, giving a slight bow. A waft of fresh linen and something else invaded my nose.

"Good evening, my name is Sebastian and I represent the Lord Earl Phantomhive. I was wondering if you would like me to remove your bonds?" He straightened and I looked him over. There was something off. I tilted my head and blinked. He looked ordinary save for the perfection of his uniform. Almost too perfect and it unnerved me. I hissed gently but nodded. Being released would be a blessing. I longed to see Undertaker again.

I made sure to keep my eyes narrowed in warning towards the man. In warning but not exactly defensive or offensive. I watched and felt as his gloved hands broke the shackles easily with a snap. This caused even more cautiousness. Those shackles were not easy to break and he had snapped them open without so much as a blink. It was something to be wary of. He stood and nodded. "Now, if you don't mind my master will more then likely want a word with you, miss." I narrowed my eyes once more and took a breath before nodding. The least I could do to repay them for releasing me, would be to speak with them. While the man, Sebastian seemed someone to be careful around, he hadn't demonstrated threatening behavior. He bowed again, and with perfect teeth, smiled as I stepped out the door.

The basement had a narrow hall. It had a small room as you walked out of the room I had been in. There was a hall branching off from that room and down it were several wooden doors. About five or six I would say. It have gave away to get yet another small open room and on the far wall was a staircase. I was sure to keep a distance of at least five feet from the man. My fangs ached but I kept them out in case something were to happen. As I walked up the stairs they made several groans under my weight even if I was light. Despite my best efforts the door leading out of the basement, squeaked and screeched when I gently pushed it open. I took a glance around and then behind me.

Sebastian was standing far too close to me for my comfort and I sucked in a breath. On his face was a smile that forced his eyes closed. "Do not worry, I have already made sure no one else was in the house before I had found you." He chimed and I took the last step out of the basement. I knew what he meant. There was an air about him that screamed to my instincts. He was deadly. I kept silent as I waited for him to lead me.

He turned and I managed the distance from him as he strode towards a door across the small house. As we crossed by the fire place a few things caught my eye. While, both of my captors had kept me here it was obvious they didn't stay often. There was only a few things, like a jacket and a few dishes. The fire was cold and hadn't been touched for a few hours. A layer of dust covered most of everything that wasn't near the door or towards the basement.

I was so focused on the items and cataloging the small house that when we reached the front door I almost hit the door. The one Sebastian wasn't holding open. I blinked at the out doors. It was dark. Just past dusk, if the thin sliver of orange behind the houses across the street was anything to go by. A large carriage sat on the cobblestone in front of the house and the glow of the street lamps showed a pair of mares. Both black in color. The dark wood melted into glass covered with dark navy curtains which were pulled closed.

Sebastian stepped up to the carriage door and bowed to whoever was inside. I was too unwilling to get close to Sebastian to see exactly he was talking to but it was the same voice from before.

"Young master, I have happened upon a young lady that was held captive in the basement. What shall I do with her?" He asked. I fidgeted with my fingers. The rich did not like the sight of me usually. I wouldn't be surprised if they rejected me upon sight. "Bring her to the manor with us. I am sure she needs clothing and food if she was being held captive." The young male ordered.

"Very well." Sebastian bowed again and turned back to me with a smile. He held out a hand and gestured towards inside the carriage. I looked at him with warning and slipped my much smaller hand into his gloved one. The fabric felt smooth and expensive. The contact gave me an odd feeling. Not sure if it was a good or bad thing, I stepped into the carriage awkwardly.

Inside was quite roomy. The carpet felt nice on the bottom of my feet. My shoes I removed some time ago and they were still in the house. Two plush seats were on either side of the carriage and one one was a boy. 15 maybe, and small. But the look in his eye showed he was serious. His teal hair was laying nearly under a small top hat and strands of it fell over an eyepatch covering his left eye. A short look rested on his lips and he say straight, a walking cane resting across his lap. Every bit of him screamed rich and serious. I didn't think he had a walking problem so the cane added to the effect.

I didn't know what else to do so I say sat on the very edge of the second seat across from him. Sebastian closed the door and I heard him get into the driver's seat. A slash of reigns, a neigh, and the carriage began moving.

"I am Earl Ciel Phantomhive. We are currently on our way to my Manor. I will question you there and if I feel you are honest, I will order my butler, Sebastian, to return you to wherever you wish to go. Do you understand?" His voice seemed more nature now that I was being directly spoken to and I swallowed before nodding. "Good." He muttered and looked towards the window despite it being closed.

I stared at my hands, going over the small cuts and bruises on the skin there. The boy and butler both, had unreadable faces. I wasn't stupid and knew that they were dangerous enough to kill me. Something about the butler rubbed me the wrong way and the boy was far too serious for his age. They were nothing like the Undertaker. He was happy and playful. The doctor was nice but her and her butler both gave off a bad feeling. I listened to the hooves on stone and dirt, sinking into my thoughts.

Undertaker...he was not at all like other people. He was good company and very generous. He always had a large smile and seemed to enjoy my company. I liked him very much. The doctor I didn't like. While nice enough and nonjudgmental, she was far too loud and seemed to busy worrying about things rather then paying attention to others and their feelings. The one that displays this best was Grell. Grell was like a dog. A beaten one at that and he was shy, timid, and tried his best. But there was something else there. He was hiding something. This caused me to be wary of everything he did but I had a feeling whatever he was hiding wasn't a threat to me. Sebastian gave off a haunting feeling. One that caused me to be alert and want to keep my eyes on him. Similar to when you are by yourself but feel someone watching you. Plus he was perfect, too perfect. The boy, Earl Phantomhive. The name was familiar but I couldn't place it. He was young but seemed authoritative and intimidating. He also seemed rational and calculating of everything he did. I didn't know how I felt about him.

The carriage came to a halt, a small jerk almost sent me off my seat. I waited a moment and the door was opened by Sebastian. I waited for the owner of the carriage to step out but after a moment I realized he was waiting for me. Not wanting to waste time or anger him I stepped out, again grabbing the offered hand and shuddering as I did. Once I was on the ground I waited for the Earl to step out and followed him and the butler to the front doors of a large manor. A very large manor.