Chapter 8

Sebastian's POV:

I had thought that once I'd regained my strength, our situation would improve. I'd thought that I would be able to fight back against Augustus and somehow make our escape from this place, but that was not what happened.

I cursed myself for my naivete. I should have known that Augustus had already thought of containing me, a demon, and rendering me harmless within the confines of his home. As soon as I felt those wretched wards snap up around us, I knew that it would be some time before the young master and I broke free of the place.

After my healing, Augustus insisted we all go inside and that the young master and his daughter have something hot to drink and go off to their beds.

"I don't want anything," my master said firmly.

Augustus turned so quickly that even I missed it. "And why not? You didn't eat much supper, it is late, and having something hot will help you sleep."

My master gave him a long look. "I'll drink something hot if Sebastian prepares it."

"Ciel, that's rude!" Cecilia chided him, actually wagging a finger at him.

"Right now, I don't care," my master said flatly. From his tone, I could tell that he was in a dangerous mood. He was over-tired, irritated, and struggling to understand just what had happened. All of that plus the fact that he was Ciel Phantomhive was not a good combination. The wrong word or something said in the wrong manner could set him off and then he'd be impossible to deal with for hours.

"Sebastian is just now healed," Augustus protested. "You can't expect him to…"

"I wouldn't mind," I said quickly. "It will be nice to fulfill my duties for a change."

The look Augustus gave me could have withered a redwood. It was fortunate that I was not a redwood.

My master actually smiled. "I won't say no to some hot milk, Sebastian."

I moved before Augustus could say anything and in a moment I was heating milk and searching out the honey.

"I suppose I can't stop you this time," Augustus muttered ungraciously, dropping into a chair.

I kept my opinions to myself. "Now that I'm well, what will I be doing?" I asked, watching the flame on the stove carefully.

Augustus looked thoughtful. "Another pair of hands will be helpful," he said at last. "You'll be helping out around the house."

Helping around the house would be vastly better than lying on my back all the time and staring at the same four walls. "That sounds fine."

Augustus nodded while I stirred the milk. "You'll most likely be helping Mrs. Partridge in the kitchen. She's been asking for some knowledgeable helpers who can do more than just slice bread and butter and boil eggs."

Over the past few years, I'd come to enjoy cooking. It was certainly nice to see the young master's appreciation whenever I made something he liked. If I received a measure of the same appreciation in this place, then I wouldn't mind helping this Mrs. Partridge. I poured the warm milk into two cups, added a dollop of honey to each, and placed both cups in front of the young master and Miss Cecilia.

"Thank you, Sebastian," Cecilia said politely, taking a sip. "Mmm. This is good."

"You are most welcome," I answered. "I am glad you like it." I smiled when I saw that the young master was far too busy drinking what was in his cup to notice what was going on around him. Since warm milk with honey was one of the first things I'd made for him that he'd liked, I had the theory that it was also one of his favorites. At any rate, he was always glad to have some when he became chilled. A glass of hot milk with honey and a hot bath and his bed usually worked wonders on his mood if the weather was cold. It also worked when he had a foul day. More than once some hot milk had made my master go from "brat" to "civil."

"Is there more?"

My master's request brought me out of my thoughts. "Enough for you both to have another cupful," I said after checking the level in the pan. I smiled when two cups were held out to me and I divvied it up between them. I tried to make sure that both of them had an equal amount since I knew how testy children could be about those things.

Once my master and Cecilia had swallowed the last of their milk, Augustus insisted that they go to bed.

"I'm not tired," my master snapped. "Quit harping on about going to bed."

"Someone that testy is in need of some sleep," Augustus answered evenly. "Now, you can go on your own, or I will take you. Which will it be?"

Cecilia was looking from my master to her father and back again, as if curious about which person would win this particular argument. I knew which person I would put my money on, but a true gentleman did not wager on such trivial matters. I could tell that my master was thinking about this and weighing his options, and I saw him smile when he reached a decision.

"I'll go if Sebastian helps me get ready for bed."

I wasn't surprised. One way or another, my clever master would think of a way to bend Augustus to his will in some small way, rather than the other way around. It was likely that my master would be so subtle about it that the elemental keeping us both captive wouldn't realize just how my master had done it until it was already too late. If Augustus became used to giving way to my master in small ways, he would give way unconsciously later when it really counted and such a capitulation on his part, small though it was, might even win us our freedom. I could tell that my master already had a plan forming in his mind.

I was very surprised when Augustus agreed, but I was more than happy to see my master upstairs and help him prepare for bed. As he was settling into the pillows, he actually smiled at me.

"You're in a good mood, young master," I said quietly. "Looking forward to pleasant dreams?"

"Yes," he whispered. "I'll tell you tomorrow."

I nodded. I'd been right; he was already plotting. That was a very, very good sign. "Good night, young master. Sleep well."

"Good night, Sebastian."

Augustus was waiting for me as I left the room. "Hello, Sebastian."

"Hello, Augustus."

"Follow me."

Following an order without a contract made me feel as if I were trying to choke down a mouthful of ash, but I followed him. I was a demon, and he was an elemental. I had no choice but to follow him as he led me through corridors and downstairs to a sitting room.

"Have a seat, Sebastian," he said, sitting down on a sofa. "I'd like to talk with you for a bit."

I sat, certain that he was about to say something I would not like.

"Now that you are well, I'm sure that you know you'll be expected to help out."

"Yes," I agreed. I knew what he really wanted to say was yet to come.

"When you're around the adults and children here, you're not to allow any part of your demon nature to show. You're not to tell them what you really are in any way. Do you understand?"

"Completely," I answered. "One of my master's first orders was to be as human as possible."

"Good. Also, you are to obey me at once when I give you an order."

I knew he was an elemental and that he could kill me with little effort, but part of me wanted to rebel. Something in my expression must have told him my thoughts, for he smiled.

"I do want to keep you alive, for you interest me, Sebastian," he crooned, his eyes glowing with elemental light. "However, I expect your complete obedience. Do you understand?"

Despite myself, I felt a twinge of fear. "I understand."

"And you will obey?"

"I'll obey."

"Good."

Oh, what a bitter taste! Still, I would do what was necessary, for the young master.

"You will have to appear as human as possible here as well, and that means joining us for meals and appearing to sleep."

I would have to choke down food and be bored at night? Oh, wonderful. "Will I have to eat much?"

"Only enough to keep up appearances," Augustus said, smiling at my grimace. "I know that human food is less than appetizing for you, but do your best, all right?"

"I suppose I'll have to," I said, feeling less than gracious.

"I'm glad you understand," Augustus said. "In addition to helping out around the house, you'll also be expected to occasionally teach a lesson in the classroom from time to time as your duties permit. Due to your long time alive, you'll have gained an excellent store of knowledge, and we want our students to have the best education possible."

I would never admit it to any human, but teaching a human who had need of your knowledge was often fun. Teaching my young master was often so enjoyable that I looked forward to tutoring him when the lady governesses couldn't be present. If Augustus wanted me to teach, then I would teach. Teaching would also give me a chance to be near my master, which was important. We had to have frequent contact in order to plan our escape from this place. "All right."

Augustus smiled, elemental light blazing in his eyes. "You really need to work on hiding your thoughts, Sebastian. No human could discern them, and very few demons, but to me...Escape has been on your mind since your healing."

It wasn't a question, and denying anything would probably only make him angry. "Of course," I said, trying to be nonchalant about the whole thing. "It's only natural for someone being held against his will to want to escape, isn't it?"

He chuckled. "Yes, it is. It's also been known for someone to wish to remain with his captors after he's been with them for a while...I wonder...If I keep you here with me long enough, will you want to remain?"

I fought down a shudder. I knew just what he was talking about. One woman I'd contracted with had become obsessed with a young actor and she'd ordered me to "obtain" him for her and make sure that he would not leave her side. He'd tried escape several times over the next year and each time I'd pursued him and brought him back. He was absolutely frightened by me, but he was so terrified of her that she made him go numb. He was her prisoner until I took her soul and he was absolutely adrift after she died. I learned later that he'd ended his days in Bedlam, unable to cope with life after gaining his freedom. To become like that poor human wreck I'd helped create...it didn't bear thinking about.

"Well, enough talk for tonight," Augustus said. "I'll show you to your room, and in the morning, report to the kitchen at six, all right?"

My room was a small box of a room on the same floor where I'd found my master after making my way up all those wretched stairs when I'd been ill. In candlelight, the room looked even smaller despite the tiny window that looked down to the gardens. Because Augustus ordered me to, I undressed and went to bed and pretended to sleep once he left. I was in bed for maybe ten minutes before I heard him coming back.

"Sebastian," he said quietly, opening my door. "I forgot to say one thing."

"What is it?"

"Sleep well."

The next thing I knew, it was morning. An alarum clock on my nightstand was shrilling out the time of half-past five and piercing what early-morning tranquility there was left. I sat up, smacked the clock into submission (and blessed silence), and forced myself to my feet. While I made use of the washstand and pulled on the clothes Augustus had left for me, I thought about what had happened last night. He'd been able to force me to sleep without even touching me. I hated that. To make a human sleep, I had to touch him or her, but Augustus...I couldn't understand it. Why did he feel the need to make me sleep and what could possibly be the point of it? Verisimilitude was needed, not actual fact!

I pushed that thought aside as I made my bed and put my room in order. I made my way downstairs into the kitchen and found myself facing a formidable woman kneading bread dough at the table. She looked at me and I had to fight the irrational impulse to back out the nearest door. This was Mrs. Partridge? What had I gotten myself into?

"Are you Sebastian?" she asked, wiping her hands on the towel she had over her shoulder before pouring a cup of tea.

"Yes, ma'am."

She turned her head to the side, considering me. "All right, then," she said, pushing the cup of tea into my hands. "Drink that and then get to work. There are vegetables to be peeled and chopped and eggs to be gathered. Hurry up, now."

I choked down the tea and nearly winced at how bitter it was. How long had it been in the pot? It would be admirable as a corrosive, but not as a beverage. As soon as I put the empty cup down Mrs. Partridge shoved a large willow basket at me filled with straw and then pushed me out the door. I knew that in the kitchen garden there was a chicken coop, so I made my way there to gather eggs. The straw in the basket would prevent any eggs from breaking while I gathered them, but I was careful while I checked nests and loaded the basket. It looked as if Mrs. Partridge was planning omelets or some such for breakfast, so I gathered the needed number of eggs and took them back to the kitchen.

Mrs. Partridge ran an expert eye over the eggs before taking them and directing me to handle the vegetables. I was deeply thankful that I was already wearing work gloves, and while I peeled and chopped, Mrs. Partridge began to break the eggs into a bowl and beat and season them while a two-burner griddle heated on the stove. When directed, I took the bowl of cleaned and chopped vegetables to the bowl of beaten eggs and added them while Mrs. Partridge dropped a bit of water onto the griddle. It jumped about, signaling that the griddle was ready. In another minute Mrs. Partridge had sent me to the scullery to wash the mixing bowls while she set about scrambling the egg and vegetable mixture. I'd just finished washing the dishes when Mrs. Partridge called me back to mix and bake two batches of scones. Once they were in the oven I was sent to the dining room to help some of the other adults set the tables for breakfast. I'd just finished that task when the waking bell for the children was rung and I was sent back to the kitchen to help Mrs. Partridge put the food into serving dishes. Just as we'd finished carrying it all into the dining room and placing the dishes on the tables the children filed in, some half-asleep, others happy to be awake. I caught sight of my master and he looked barely awake, true to form. He wouldn't wake up until he'd had some tea. I sincerely hoped that the tea that he would be served would be far better than what I'd been given that morning.

It wasn't long before Augustus arrived and showed me where I was to sit. I took a little of each dish that was passed to me and pretended to eat when I could and choked down a bite or two when I couldn't. Breakfast wasn't far from ending when Augustus stood, drawing everyone's attention.

"I'm sure that all of you have noticed the new face here at the front table," he said, pitching his voice to carry out over the dining room. "This is Sebastian. He is the butler to a young earl named Ciel Phantomhive, but all of you know him as Stephen Browne." Immediately there was a rush of whispers among most of the children and more than a few incredulous glances at my young master. Augustus ignored this and continued. "Don't hold this against them; they were here undercover by the orders of the Queen. They were merely doing what they'd been told to do. I want all of you to make them feel welcome. Sebastian will be helping Mrs. Partridge in the kitchen and he will helping to teach all of you, so show him the same respect you would give all of us. Also, do not hold this against Ciel and don't change your behavior toward him. If I hear of any harassment of either, I shall be most unhappy. Now, please, continue with your meal, and then off to lessons."

Breakfast did not take long at all to finish and I had a strong feeling that the children wanted to get away for a good gossip about what they'd learned. Carefully, I made my way from the table and met my master by the door. "Will you be all right?" I asked quickly. I was willing to face Augustus' wrath and skip out on my kitchen duties and stay by my master's side if needed, but my master nodded. That was all I needed to see, so I hurried to join the other adults and some of the older children in clearing the tables and carrying the dishes to the scullery for washing up.

I was less than pleased to be assigned dishwashing duty by Mrs. Partridge, but I gave it my best effort. By ten o'clock they were finished and Mrs. Partridge put me to washing and peeling potatoes for lunch. It looked like we were having bangers and mash for lunch and I took a chance to slip out of the kitchen and upstairs to the classrooms to check on my master. He was deep in a book, so I hurried back the kitchen, but I met Augustus on the stairs. The look he gave me could have frozen flame.

"Shouldn't you be in the kitchen, Sebastian?"

"I'm on my way there now," I said, hurrying past him.

A hand with the grip of vise fastened on my arm and I froze for a moment before turning to look at Augustus.

"Will we need to discuss the issue of obedience again?" he demanded.

"We will not," I said quietly. "We do not need to discuss it now."

I could see him thinking about my words and he gave a bleak laugh. "I did not order you to stay away from your master or remain in the kitchen. I see. Well, this is now an order that I expect you to obey: Unless I say otherwise, you are to remain in the kitchen, in your room, or in any other room that your duties require you to be in. You are not to seek your master out unless I give you permission. If you disobey me...he will be punished."

My heart clenched and for a moment pure panic overwhelmed me. He was making my master responsible for my behavior?

"Do you understand?" he asked, his voice still quiet. No human would be able to hear it, but it was loud enough to reverberate in my ears.

All he would have to do to rip my arm off would be to tighten his grip a little and pull and I knew that caution was called for, so I gave the only answer I could. "Yes."

He released my arm. "Good. Now go back to the kitchen."

It had been a close escape. It was so close that there was no way it could have been closer. He was angry because I'd found a way around his wishes, but I knew that he wouldn't let me get away with it a second time. I would have to be very, very careful.

Things did not improve after that. Actually, they got worse. All of my time was taken up with my work in the kitchen. I was not called on to teach, so that meant I did not see my young master. Aside from meals or the few glimpses I managed to catch of him while he was outside, I did not see him. I was far too busy doing things in the kitchen. Mixing, baking, peeling, chopping, simmering, kneading, sweeping, scrubbing, scouring...I was constantly busy during the day. At night, I had perhaps half an hour from the time I got to my room before Augustus came to send me to sleep. He insisted that I go to sleep at night, but I still didn't know why. There was no point to it, really, but he insisted on it. I did wake up refreshed in the mornings, but that was beside the point!

I kept doing the chores that were assigned to me and I did as Augustus told me. I got sick of it rather quickly, but I kept my temper as best I could. The young master and I had yet to have a visit or even a chance to speak to one another, but eventually, we would manage it. We had to. I could tell that my master and I were both reaching a breaking point yet again. I could see it in the set of his jaw and the way he held his shoulders and the way he glared at everyone. I had a perpetual headache and I had to constantly tell myself to keep my demon nature suppressed. It was a challenge, though. If I could not meet the challenge, however, I could not call myself a Phantomhive butler.

Things changed when I found a note in my pocket one evening after dinner. I read it, read it again, and felt a smile start.

Sebastian,

I've figured out a way for us to meet. Every night there's a period of about twenty minutes when no adults go anywhere, at twenty after ten. All of them, even Augustus, are down in the staff sitting room until about twenty until eleven. That will give us enough time to talk and begin to plan. The safest place for us to meet will be on the stairs between the third and second floors. I'll see you there tonight. Don't disappoint me. Your master.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed with pride. I had no idea how he'd done it, but he'd managed to figure out the routines and rhythms of the people watching us, scout out a place safe for us to meet, and contrive to get a note to me informing me of this. I wasn't only proud, I was impressed.

It took ages for the time to pass until our designated meeting time. When it came at last, I crept out of my room and toward the stairs. I kept an ear on everyone downstairs, and I was thankful to hear Augustus and Lady Alyssa downstairs in the staff lounge, chatting away with the other adults. Lady Alyssa had been in London for the past few days and they were discussing her latest shopping trip. She'd brought back toys and sweets for the children and gifts for the other adults and they were all busy discussing that and saying their thank-yous. Even Cecilia was down there, talking with the others. If they were all down there, then there was a good chance that the young master and I would managed to talk as much as we needed.

"You were right," I said when I reached the meeting point. He was already there, and when he saw me, he grinned.

"I've been watching all of them for a while," he told me. "I still can't believe that I wasn't caught! Now, about an escape..."

That was my master, all business. We discussed the routines of the house, how we could get away, and whether we should trust the local police force or send for the Yard. We were just discussing the possibility of sending a wire from the train station to Sir Randall when...

"What do the two of you think you're doing?"

It was like hearing the voice of doom. The air around us went icy and hoarfrost formed on the walls and the stairs as mist formed around us. I scooped my master up and ran for the nearest window, but a brick wall hit us both and sent us flying down the third-floor hallway. I heard a sickening crunch as my master skidded on the floor, but by the time I regained my feet Augustus had already gotten to him.

"His arm's broken," he said, his voice a deep growl. "Why wouldn't the two of you do as I told you?"

"Why should two captives listen to their captor?" my master gasped, struggling to his feet.

Despite the fact the two of us were about to be killed by an elemental, I was proud of him. He was still Ciel Phantomhive, no matter what.

"Enough," Augustus growled. "I have had enough."

Even though I expected it, blackness came and took me by surprise.