Warning: This chapter gets pretty real o' clock towards the end and some readers may find it upsetting.

Sebastian offers me his hand and I step out of the carriage.

I'm still not completely sold on the idea of attending this ball but it's too late, I'm here now. How I long for the ability to make a decision on my own, every choice I wish to make is always taken from me and I am left with no option but to obey.

We make our way up the pathway towards the entrance of the plantation, and I can hear the ethereal rhythm of a string orchestra playing out a Viennese waltz in the background. I'm not ready for this nor do I even wish to attend but Sebastian places his hand on the small of my back and guides me in, it's as if he can sense my hesitation and is trying to reassure me – a gesture I greatly appreciate.

Once we go in, we stand in the foyer and wait for a moment. I cast my eyes over towards the main reception area and it is thronged with people looking absolutely resplendent in evening attire, suits with long tails and morning coats, tight feathery ball gowns that glide over the floor with each step taken – it is the picture of sheer elegance and I would expect nothing less.

An attendant reaches around behind me and unfastens the hook of my cloak from around my neck. I shrug it off, stepping out of it as I let them take it off of me. I turn to see Sebastian looking around whilst adjusting his white gloves, his eyes are wide with anticipation and his lips are moist, almost salivating. I can sense it; he is on fire and can't wait to just jump right into the thick of it all. This is Sebastian, he is a skilled hunter and this is his element.

Then again, I'm on fire too.

We can smell them from a mile away, the heady and intoxicating mixture of delicious, ripe and depraved souls. Whenever anyone opens their mouths, the sweet smell permeates through parted lips like words that spill out whenever they utter a sentence. Even though I don't agree with hunting here, I know I am going to struggle. Cybils' friends are like her in almost every way; vacuous and devoid of any moral credence. Then again, just like her, their souls also stand to be the most decadent of morsels. Thinking about it, I realize that I'm not hungry, I'm ravenous – I can charm anyone I want and make them mine for the taking, perhaps I can indulge in just one?

Chewing on my lower lip, I stop and stare for a target but as I search, two hands land firmly on my shoulders, pulling me back and squeezing them tightly.

"Well my lord, you can't tell me that this doesn't excite you." Sebastian purrs from behind me. He's right, it does. All of these beautiful, delectable souls – who wouldn't want to sample? But no, I must refuse my instinct.

"I won't lie, it does excite me but no, I'm not going to partake – not here." I may not be able to see it but I know he must be sulking. "If you want to, you can, I won't stop you this time."

"But what's the fun of it if I can't do it with you?" He coos as he runs his hands down my sides and lands on the talisman in my pocket. Deftly dipping in his hand and taking it out, he squeezes it firmly and spins me around to face him. "What is this?"

"I told you earlier, it's nothing." I step out of his grip and try to snatch it back, but he holds it away from me.

He folds his arms across his chest. "I didn't believe you then and I don't believe you now."

I need to diffuse the situation before it becomes a fight, which it very well will do if I can't get him to stop and leave it – I also need to get it back.

"Sebastian please, not here." I whisper as I place my hand on his crossed arms.

"Then when? You do a pretty good job lying and hiding things from me."

I shake my head. "I'm not hiding anything."

"There you go again." He snorts.

"I'll tell you about it when we get home, okay?" I promise him. I may not tell him the whole truth but at least I'll be in my own territory where I can spin the conversation into my favor, something I can't do here.

My hands drift from his forearms over to his hand and I'm so close to getting it back.

"My boys!" Cybil greets us as she walks over, Sebastian steps away from me and I lose my chance.

"Good evening Cybil, what a beautiful ball." He smiles at her.

"It is isn't it?" She enthuses, but then stops for moment as she regards what's in his hand. "Sebastian, what are you doing with gris-gris?"

"Gris-gris?"

"Yes, the thing in your hand. Why would something like you need a talisman for protection?"

"A talisman for protection?"

"Yes. Why are you repeating everything? Is everything all right?"

Cybil, just stop, please, stop.

Sebastian turns to me and I hesitate. "Protection, my lord? From whom?"

I plaster on the brightest smile I can and I turn to Cybil.

"Yes, everything is perfectly all right. We just got here and I'm a little apprehensive about meeting new people, you understand."

I can feel the burning gaze of Sebastians' eyes blazing two holes into me as I brush off his question. I don't know how I'm going to get out of this one, now he knows about the gris-gris, he will not be able to let it go. I stand closer to him and quickly snatch it back from him and stuff it in my pocket.

"I told you, I'll tell you about this when we get home." I mutter to him under my breath.

Cybil scans us but ignores the tension that is clearly brewing between Sebastian and I as she clasps her hands together with a light smile. She comes behind us, links her arms in ours and marches us into the main reception.

"Come, there are some people I would like to introduce you to." She titters.

"We're not done here." He growls at such a low level that Cybil misses it.

"I didn't expect so." I reply.

Cybil ferries us around from person to person like a hummingbird looking for nectar. All of them were quite the same, similar background, similar interests and similar mannerisms – all very droll and boring. It's hard for me to feign interest in things that I don't particularly care for; it always has been, ever since I was a child. Although, with that said, I used to be more adept to faking it then but now, I can't seem to concentrate enough to put the effort in.

Currently, I'm trapped speaking with a purely pompous individual, he reminds me of the Viscount Druitt a little but without the class, the charm and the disgusting deviancy. As we're talking, I watch Sebastian out of the corner of my eyes. He goes over to Cybil and leans over to whisper in her ear. She giggles; nods and they leave the main reception room together.

I have to follow them, I need to know what they're talking about, I have to know – especially as I don't trust Cybil alone with him.

Making my excuses to the world's most tedious man, I follow closely behind them, taking care to cover myself, as I know Sebastian will be able to smell me in the air, although, it's hard for me to track his scent. The smells of the room are so thick and intoxicating, it's a mixture of the sweetest chocolate and the richest most pungent red wine, it makes me salivate as I inhale it all in but I have to focus on the task at hand.

I creep ever so closely as I hide behind the corner, like a spy, watching them and trying to listen in on their conversation.

"What does it do?" I overhear him ask her as he rests his back against the wall.

"As I've said, it's a talisman for protection, it seems that he is protecting himself from you." She answers.

No Cybil, that's not true. Don't you know what Sebastian will do?

"Would something like that work?" He wonders and she nods.

"I've heard about them being used for this sort of thing. Sebastian, take my word for it, if you want to make him yours, then you have to take it from him. The gris-gris is the only thing standing in your way." She advises.

It's not what they think; it has nothing to do with Sebastian. In this instant, I'm scared - terrified. I don't want him to take this away from me because THEY will return if he does, but I also don't know what to do. I have to stop her; I have to go over there. I quickly maneuver my way away from the corner and try to rush over there. However, in my haste, I accidently crash into someone, sending him back slightly.

"My apologies, I wasn't paying attention." I apologize as I extend my hand out.

"Not at all, it was my fault." He says in return as he accepts my hand and shakes it firmly. I look up at him and he is a tall figure of a man with a refined ruggedness of him. His face looks strangely familiar as I think I may have made his acquaintance already.

"Pardon me but have we met before?" I inquire but he shakes his head no.

"Not that I remember, I tend not to make an appearance at my wifes' parties as I find them to be quite dull." He states honestly and my eyes widen, well prey, it's about time we meet.

"You must be Gideon."

"You must have heard of me?" He smirks and I nod.

"I have, you're infamous."

"And you are?"

"Forgive me, where are my manners? My name is Ciel, Ciel Phantomhive." I introduce myself to him and he looks me up and down, studying me.

"Then you are the guest of honor this evening." He bows slightly. "My wife hasn't stopped going on about you, she's told me so much, I feel like we're old friends."

So she does speak about me? Although, I'm sure she's left out an integral part.

"Forgive me for asking but if you tend not to make an appearance, then why are you at this one?"

"I had to meet the man who has caught my wifes' eye."

"Excuse me?" I am completely taken aback by that statement.

"The way she enthuses about you, don't tell me there is nothing going on between you, she's even told me as such. I'm not mad, you aren't the first and you probably won't be the last."

That little bitch. I curse to myself.

"I can assure you, Sir, there is nothing going on between your wife and I, we have just become good friends over the last few months and nothing more."

"Pity." He snorts callously, "If you were in the picture then maybe she would have been more accommodating to my wish."

"And what is your wish?" I can't help but say, it's almost second nature to me. I don't know how I must appear to him but his face softens as he looks back at me. I flash him my most charming smile and I can hear his racing heart rate start to slow – I've got him now.

"Since you're good friends with her, then you must know that I have been asking my dear wife for a divorce." He says rather flippantly.

"I am aware, you have someone else?"

He reaches out and quickly grabs my arm and squeezes it firmly.

"It isn't like that Ciel, you must believe me." His eyes lower as he looks at me.

"Then what is it like?"

"Cybil, she… you wouldn't understand." He sighs.

"Wouldn't I?"

"You're her friend; she's thrown this ball in your honor so it wouldn't be right."

"Gideon, may I skip the formalities and call you that?" He nods and I place my hand on his. "You can tell me, I'll keep your secrets." I reassure him.

I can see his whole body start to relax around me. I am good at this, Sebastian has taught me well. From the lightest touch, a look in my eye or the timbre of my voice I can command and control anyone – Gideon is no different.

"What has she told you about me?" His voice is low and calm.

"She has said that because she cannot give you a child, you had an affair with her best friend and now want a divorce."

"That's not completely true."

"Then what's the truth?"

"She uses Voodoo."

"Voodoo? Well I know that she has sought out the help of a Voodoo priest to help her have a baby-"

"Is that what she's told you?" I nod, "Well, it's a lie."

"What do you mean?"

"When she first fell pregnant, it's true that she lost our baby but she never meant to be pregnant in the first place, she used Voodoo to miscarry our child."

"I don't understand."

"Cybil has been using Voodoo to act as if she's pregnant but in all reality, she's not."

"Why would she falsify her pregnancy?"

"To keep me. Cybil will go to any lengths to keep what she possesses. She never even wanted a child, she just did what she thought would keep me around. You must understand, I would have done anything for her, whether she could bear a child or not, I loved her. However, now, after learning about the lengths she went to, just for a lie. I couldn't be with her anymore. I didn't carry on with Ruby because of the baby, I went to her because she was sympathetic to me."

"Stop, you needn't say more, I understand." I halt him.

And there it is, with that comment alone, I now know that I've been lied to and used. I think for a moment about what I want to do next and I realize what I must do.

"Run." I state coldly as he looks at me curiously.

"W-what do you mean?"

"I need you to leave this party tonight, you can return in the morning but for now, it's best if you go."

"I don't understand."

"Your wife summoned me to kill you but I have a better plan in mind." I smile deviously.

"Summoned you to kill me?"

"Yes, I am-"

"Ciel, chéri. What are you doing over here?" Cybil interrupts me as she comes over to over to us.

"Good evening Cybil." Gideon greets her and she smiles coquettishly at him.

"Gideon, my darling, what are you doing here?"

"This is my house too Cybil." He quips.

"Of course it is, of course." She pauses for a moment as she looks at him, and then turns to me. "Come Ciel, there is someone else I'm dying to have you meet." She coos as she yanks me away from Gideon – who looks at me curiously as I'm pulled away.

Cybil rushes through the party as she pulls me along. In truth, I can overpower her but I'm interested in where she wants to lead me so I willingly follow her, putting up no struggle.

After a while, she marches me into an empty bedchamber. I look around the room and notice that this must be their room. I have been through various rooms in this vast estate but I've never seen their room. It is lavishly decorated, as it would be being Cybils' home. There is an ornate marble fireplace on a nearby wall, lit with a crackling fire, and beautiful, lavish fixtures everywhere, along with portraits of the couple.

Once in, she flings me to the side and slams the door shut.

"What are you doing?" She scowls.

"What are you doing? Wasn't the purpose of tonight was for me to meet Gideon?"

"I am just not ready for you to meet him yet."

"Is that because this whole thing you concocted is a lie?"

"No – that's not true."

"You are a whore and a liar." I spit and she whips around and pushes me in the chest, I stagger back but find my footing.

"How dare something like you pass judgment on me." She hisses at me.

I can feel my eyes switch over from their usual blue to carmine, as I'm mad now, seething.

"You lied to me Cybil." I growl.

"Something you're familiar with doing, I'm sure." She jeers.

"Gideon is completely innocent."

"Does it matter? You're only here to fulfill my wish not his."

"I have half a mind to rip your heart out through your chest." I snarl as I leap over and throw her against the wall, hard. I pin her against it by pressing down on her shoulders.

"Please, you don't understand."

"That's the second time I've heard that this evening." I spit as I move my head closer to her. "If you think you can manipulate me as easily as you did Sebastian then you have another thing coming to you."

"Ciel, please, you're hurting me." She whines feebly.

"I'm going to do a lot more to you than this. Now, tell me the truth."

"You're a demon, why do you care?"

"Because I still have one shred of humanity left in me. It's thin but it's there and with it, I cannot kill an innocent man just for your pleasure."

"It isn't for my pleasure, can't you see? He's the love of my life."

"Then why?"

"Because if you kill him our contract is complete and then you'll have to kill me." Her eyes widen and glisten brightly as she speaks – it's hard for me to understand her reasoning, as she seems as though she's possessed.

"I don't understand, your wish is for both of you to die?"

She smiles sardonically as she nods.

"Don't you get it, he'll never leave Ruby, now that she's having his baby – he's chosen her but it should be me, I'm his wife. This is… it's the only way Gideon and I can freely be together, we can be together in the afterlife."

She's mad, absolutely insane but I can't help but smirk at her comment, "There is no afterlife Cybil, just death." I state as I push her deeper into the wall.

"Sebastian!" She chokes out.

Just like that, right on cue, I can here Sebastian right behind me. He puts his hand on my shoulder and grips it firmly.

"What are you doing my lord?" He purrs.

"What are you doing here?" I growl in return.

"You promised you'd help me if I helped you with Ciel." Cybil splutters out.

"I did." He agrees.

"What are you talking about?" I question as I look at the both of them. Sebastian rests his chest on my back as he swiftly reaches into my pocket and pulls out the gris-gris, presenting it to me in his open palm.

"What is this?"

"You know damn well what it is." I bark.

"I want you to tell me."

"It's gris-gris, Marie gave it to me before..."

"Before you killed her."

"Yes."

"And what's it for?" His voice is a low rumble that vibrates right through me.

"Protection." I answer as he gets off of me; my head follows him as walks towards the fireplace on the opposite side of the room.

"Protection from me?" He arches his eyebrow, as he gets closer to it.

"No."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying, I swear it's not." I whimper pathetically as I start to loosen my grip on Cybil and Sebastian holds his hand over the fire. "Please don't Sebastian."

"Do it, it's the only way."

"Shut up Cybil!"

"If you want him, then get rid of the only obstacle in your path." She taunts him.

"Sebastian, don't!"

He ignores me and throws the talisman into the flames, which start to engulf it. I watch motionless as it shrivels and burns. I let Cybil go and she slides her back down the wall, panting lightly and holding her shoulders.

"How could you?" I utter softly.

"I told you, I want all of you and I wasn't about to let some disgusting bit of witchcraft keep you from me."

"Don't you get it Sebastian? You already had me, I was always yours." I admit.

"Don't listen to him, he's lying. Like you always said-"

"Shut up Cybil! What do you know?" I hiss.

"I know more than you think." She replies mockingly.

That's it; I've had it with her.

"You know nothing, absolutely nothing about our relationship." I spit as I grab her by her throat and hold her against the wall. "I should have killed you when I had the chance, a mistake I shall rectify now."

"No." She cries out as she grapples at my wrists in an ineffectual attempt to get me to release her. "Sebastian please, help me."

"Sebastian can't help you."

Her eyes flick over to Sebastian who is now standing beside me.

"I'm sorry but my master is right." He shrugs.

"What do you mean?"

"He means that he is not going to do anything, because he belongs to me." I calmly inform her.

"But then, what about our contact?" She breathes.

"What about it?"

"You can't kill me until our contract is complete."

I smile wryly at her as she looks at me, pleadingly. I bend over and place my lips next to her ear.

"Would you like to know a secret?" I whisper. "The contract is for you, not us. We're free to break it whenever we choose. All it does is bind you to us."

"I don't understand."

I lean back and look her straight in the eyes.

"We're demons Cybil, what's there not to understand?" I state coldly. "There is no truth to us and as you well know, I do nothing but lie." I smile.

I start to rise and I bring her with me, holding her still against the wall. I can feel her pulse throb ferociously under my fingertips as I squeeze her throat tightly.

"What are you going to do, Ciel?" Sebastian asks me, and I hum to myself as I stare straight into Cybils' green eyes, which are wide with fear.

"I'm going to do what I do best Sebastian." I answer, completely nonchalantly as I smile sweetly at her, "This is good bye, Cybil."

She thrashes and squirms under my grip but I press her body hard against the wall, still smiling as my lips meet hers and she closes her eyes, constantly fighting me. I can taste it, potent and rich; the flavor goes straight to my head as I suck the soul out from her parted lips. I can see tears start to trickle down from her closed eyes as they fall down her chin and onto my chest, saturating my shirt.

Once I finish sucking her dry, I cast her lifeless body to the side and it hits the ground with a heavy thud.

"Well, how was she?"

"Delicious, not worth the struggle but well worth the wait." I look at the palm of my hand as our contract starts to fade and disappear. "We'd better leave someone will be looking for her soon." I advise and he nods in agreement.

We start to head towards the door but Sebastian stops for a moment, turning to me.

"It's a shame, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"Her death." He smiles wearily, "You know, I truly understand her."

"How do you mean?"

"The way she loved her husband."

"I thought your concept of love was warped and twisted." I snort.

"It is. Simply put, without realizing it, that human loved like a demon."

"How so?"

"She was so consumed with the love of one person that she was willing to lie, cheat and risk her life over it."

"And in the end, all she got was death."

"And isn't that a shame?" Sebastian wonders.

"You've asked the wrong person."

He gives me a knowing smile and dips his head slightly.

"Indeed, I have."

He leaves the room first and I follow after him. Stopping just at the doorway, I rest my hand on the frame as I turn to glance over my shoulder, looking into the fireplace and the burning embers of what is left of the gris-gris.

'Ciel, Ciel, Ciel.'

Hello again, Alice.