We slowed to a stop outside a large manor and Sebastian lowered the boy and I to the ground. I let go of his neck and didn't look him in the eye as he opened the front door for us to enter. I could feel the blush on my cheeks but the embarrassment soon faded as I looked in awe at the furnishings of the house.

"Would you care for some tea my lord?" The boy agreed and waved a hand and Sebastian disappeared from our view. The boy turned to me and I couldn't help but wonder why he was in a dress.

"What is your name?"

"Celine Rose, and yours?" He smirked and closed his eyes.

"I am Ciel Phantomhive" I felt my eyes widen – I knew that name! His parents owned the largest toy company until they died in a fire...A light bulb went off in my mind. I tilted my head and stared down at Ciel.

"That's it isn't it?"

"What?"

"That's how you found Sebastian...when your parents died..." My voice trailed off as Ciel's eye widened slightly. He abruptly turned on his heel and walked up the stairs away from me. Not knowing what to do I decided to follow the kid until we reached what looked like a study and watched as Ciel sat behind a desk.

"Sit" He commanded and like a nervous dog I obeyed. Moments later Sebastian arrived and poured us both a cup of tea before moving to stand behind his master. After taking a sip of the hot drink and placing the cup back down Ciel raised his eye to mine.

"So you know about Sebastian. Tell me how you know him" My eyes flickered to the butler's and then back to Ciel.

"Sebastian used to work for my parents" Ciel gave no indication that this shocked him and kept his face stoic.

"He had a contract with one of them?" I shook my head and smiled.

"You misunderstand me – he had a contract with both my parents" Ciel turned to Sebastian.

"It's possible to have multiple contracts?" Sebastian nodded and his eyes seemed to glow as he explained. If I didn't know any better, which I supposed I didn't, then I would of thought Ciel looked almost nervous at that moment.

"It is unusual for a demon to have multiple contracts as it would mean he would have to serve more than one person, however if the two contracts are for a married couple of the same household..." Ciel nodded in understanding and turned back to me, clearly more relaxed with the answer.

"So he worked for your parents. I assume the contract was fulfilled?" I crossed my legs and leaned back keeping my eyes on Ciel.

"Yes. My parents were never satisfied with the life they lead and begged Sebastian for wealth and power" I couldn't keep the disgust from my voice and Ciel picked up on it.

"You didn't like your parents?"

"They were my parents of course I liked them, that doesn't mean I agree with what they did"

"Do you hold a grudge against Sebastian for what happened to them?" I laughed and shook my head, confusing the boy.

"Of course not! They knew what they were getting into when they agreed to the contract, why would I hold a grudge?"Ciel leaned forward, his head resting on his hands.

"How long was Sebastian serving your parents?" I thought back to those days long ago and bit my lip in thought.

"Oh I think it must of been around two years? He wasn't a butler to my parents like he is now – no he was their executioner" Ciel's nose wrinkled in disgust.

"How so?"

"If someone got in their way they let him cut them down...oh don't give me that look, child, I know you've used him to do your dirty work too" Ciel didn't look away and instead kept that bored expression on his face. It was starting to bug me. When I had put two and two together and realised Sebastian' master was just a kid I had begun to feel sorry for him but now I was thoroughly reconsidering it – the boy seemed quite stuck up and spoilt.

"Not that I'm an expert in the matter my lord but is it common for earls to wear dresses to social events?" A blush appeared on the boy's pale cheeks and he looked absolutely mortified.

"It was necessary for the mission" I held my hands up and smiled at the flustered boy.

"Of course it was! I'm not one to judge, kid don't worry – your secrets safe with me" I gave him a wink and in that moment I knew he wanted me gone. I took a small sip of his tea, glaring at me over the rim, and placed it back down on the saucer.

"How is it you are still alive miss Rose?" I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"I ask myself that every day, kid" Sebastian hid a smirk at the comment and Ciel let out a frustrated sigh. Clearly he was not one for sarcasm, pity.

"You know about Sebastian, enough that you should be dead along with your parents. My question is why did Sebastian spare you?" I looked pointedly at the butler behind him and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes why did you spare me, Sebastian?" Ciel turned to look at the demon too but the man didn't seem uncomfortable. He simply looked at me with a shit eating grin and amused eyes.

"Her soul was of no value to me my lord. I've set a standard for my meals and she didn't...doesn't...meet those standards" I felt my stomach sink as he said it but kept my face emotionless like Ciel.

"Why not simply kill her then?" The demon turned to his master and closed his eyes giving him a smile.

"I heard the cries of another lost soul my lord and felt the girl was not worth the time it would take to kill her" Ciel turned to face me again.

"In any case you know too much now so I will give you a choice; you can either stay and work for me or I will order Sebastian to kill you" I narrowed my eyes and drummed my nails against the arm of the chair.

"I will not have my fate decided by a child no matter what title you hold"

"It is your choice miss Rose – I suggest you make the right one" I stood and flicked my hair over my shoulder before walking to the door.

"I choose home little Phantomhive. I choose to go home and wait for the disaster that was tonight to leave my mind" Ciel chuckled darkly and I saw Sebastian move closer to me.

"You know we can't allow that. I let you get away once it will not happen again" I glared at Sebastian and rolled my shoulders back.

"You don't scare me demon. You're not him anymore" He stopped and I saw his eyes flash dangerously for a second. The insult had hit a nerve but I wasn't afraid, I refused to be afraid of him.

"What is she talking about Sebastian?" I opened my mouth before the butler could reply.

"When he was under the authority of my parents he was known as Marcus and god help anyone who got in his way. He was chaotic and feral and completely and utterly dangerous...this creature isn't the man I used to fear" And adore I added mentally. Sebastian was watching me with a cold stare as I spoke and when I finished he let out a slow grin.

"My master is of a higher class that requires me to act accordingly. I assure you Celine I am the same demon I was all those years ago" His eyes turned purple for a moment but it didn't faze me. Watching the demon pour this kid tea, call him 'my lord' and act like a lap dog irked me and made it clear he wasn't the same man. Instead of cowering like he wanted I crossed my arms and leaned to the side, looking around him to his master.

"I'm going to go home, Ciel. I won't tell anyone about your little adventure tonight but if you send your bitch after me I'll make sure the whole of London becomes aware of the company you keep" The boy stared at me for a moment before smirking yet again.

"Don't underestimate me. Alright go home I'll have Sebastian bring the carriage around and escort you" I nodded my thanks and turned around not bothering to say goodbye to the boy. I didn't even check to see if Sebastian was following – all I knew was that I wanted to go home and sleep the whole evening off. When I got outside I found Sebastian sitting atop a carriage. He leapt down and held the door open for me but I didn't want to ride inside tonight. So I walked past him and climbed to the driver's seat and he joined me. I told him where I lived and we set off into the night. There was only the sound of the wheels turning and the horses moving against the earth when the demon spoke.

"Why did you seek me out tonight?" I shrugged and kept my eyes on the road ahead.

"I spotted you when I was on the stage and wanted to see if it was really you" I could feel his eyes on me but didn't turn to look at him.

"Oh? I think you're lying miss Rose" I sighed and watched the countryside fly by as the horses gained speed.

"Believe what you want Sebastian" I felt his hand brush against my cheek and moved away from the touch. It's not him...it's not the same...

"Why so hostile? I remember you being more friendly..." I frowned down at the horses.

"I was friendly because I had a crush on you when I was a kid. You sure stamped that out fast though and I grew out of it" My voice had gone harsh and Sebastian's eyes had narrowed dangerously.

"I am many things, miss Rose, but I am not a paedophile. Your feelings would never of been returned and I think I acted appropriately" I glared at the demon and snorted.

"I didn't mean like that and you know it – I offered you my soul and you rejected it. I mean what kind of demon refuses a soul when it's offered to them freely?" The pain of that memory ran through me and my anger and humiliation at the rejection kept me going. Sebastian listened to my outburst with a smirk on his face.

"Your soul had no value to me – I had just devoured your parents moments before" I knew he was trying to intimidate and scare me but it wouldn't work. I knew him too well...or so I thought.

"Save it I told you I'm over it. I only looked for you to see how you were getting on and nothing more" The lie rolled off my tongue easily and Sebastian seemed to buy it. He secured his eyes back on the road and gripped the reins more firmly. I snorted as I realised what he was doing.

"And here I was thinking butlers just served tea and opened the doors" Sebastian let go of the reins with one hand to place it over his heart.

"Oh no, miss, what kind of butler would I be if I couldn't drive a simple carriage?" I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around myself.

"A normal one I would say" We didn't talk after that and when he pulled up to my home we said no goodbyes. He drove off and the darkness consumed the vehicle. I let myself into the house and after taking one step inside was grabbed by the wrist and harshly pulled into the house. I gasped and spun to land a punch to the intruder and was satisfied when I saw who it was. I raised my fist again to aim for his face when he let go of me and held up his hands in surrender.

"Easy there my dear! It's just me!" I kept my fist raised, poised to attack, and snarled.

"How the hell are you here, Aleistor?" He flicked his golden hair from his eyes and sighed at the floor.

"The police showed up moments after that...thing...knocked me out. It took a lot of talking and money to get them to release me" He sounded pissed and I felt utterly disgusted that he had been able to bribe his way out of jail. I pointed to the door I had just walked in from and stood my ground.

"You are not staying here! What you did makes me feel sick to my stomach...get out! I can't stand to look at you!" He seemed surprised by my outburst and it only fuelled my anger more.

"Oh come now, Celine. I thought I could count on you to shelter me while the police have my house under lockdown. You did seem awfully eager to have that girl"

"I was going to free her you lunatic! You honestly believed I would give you shelter after what you did?!"

"Just one night my sweet that's all I ask" I grabbed his arm and pushed him through the door.

"I don't care who you are, Aleistor, but if you come near me again I will make you wish you were never born" I didn't give him a chance to react before I slammed the door in his face and locked it, securing the bolt on the inside to prevent him opening it with the key Jacob had given him years ago. I leaned against the door taking a deep breath, calming myself, before heading straight for the bedroom. I didn't bother to undress myself before collapsing onto the bed and falling into a dreamless sleep.

~ ? ~

The next day it was all over the newspapers of the scandal that was Aleistor Chamber. I threw the newspaper onto the dining table and growled in frustration at the knock of the door. If this is someone asking about Chamber again...It had started early in the morning where folk had lumped me in with the viscount and had come to give me a piece of their mind. I had told them the truth and then they had begun to gossip and I had turned them away. I didn't have time for that crap today. When I opened the door, however, my mood only darkened.

"What do you want now?" Sebastian smiled down at me and gave a small bow.

"May I please come inside?" I crossed my arms and scowled at him.

"No. If you're going to kill me get on with it" He chuckled and shook his head.

"I am not here to kill you – I have a message from my master. He would like me to escort you to the manor"

"Whatever he wants I'm not interested"

"Oh?" I grabbed the edge of the door and narrowed my eyes.

"If you're not here to kill me then please leave I'm in no mood to be talking to you or your master today. Whatever he wants I'm sure he can get it without me!" Sebastian closed his eyes and bowed again.

"If that is your final answer, my lady" He turned and returned to the carriage. If I had known what was about to happen then I would of clung to him and begged for him to take me to the manor. But I couldn't see the future and I wasn't aware, as I was watching the carriage drive away, that a man had entered my home. A hand covered my mouth while another encircled my waist and I cried out in alarm. The man pulled me backwards into the house and kicked the door close. I thrashed in his arms and heard him grunt as my elbow connected with his ribs. The last thing I remembered was a sharp pain at the back of my head and then my world went black.

A.N

Sorry this chapter is shorter! Hoping the next one will be longer!