"But how?" Lucile asked still in shock that this beast of a man, the one who'd almost killed Lash, was her uncle.
"My brother married your mother." he stated as if she didn't understand the whole uncle thing. Lucile scowled at him, "You look just like your father when you do that." Her scowl softened.
"What does this have to do with kidnapped children?" Ciel asked bringing the attention back to the matter at hand. Barret stroked his scraggly beard,
"I have no doubts that it was the work of Lycans. It smells like 'em. But you're tracking the wrong Lycan, little one." he told them, "The one that took those boys was grey."
"You saw it?" Ciel asked shocked. Barret nodded, "Only once. I got a whiff of someone unfamiliar so I went to investigate. That's when I heard the screaming. I ran as fast as I could but only glimpsed the stranger. I started tracking them but lost 'em around Old Willow. Every time I tried to prevent it from happenin' again, the villagers would shoot at me. Sometimes I forget I'm a wolf most days." he ended the last statement with a grin. Lucile frowned, things just didn't add up. She hadn't seen a grey wolf around, in fact the only other one she'd seen was Lash and he was brown. Though the villagers did report seeing a big black beast she could only assume was Barret. Then there was the boy's scent...
"Are you sure you didn't take them?" Lucile asked blatantly. Barret frowned, "What need of little boys do I have? Besides, though I'm a rogue now, I still have my honor." He pulled his hair to the side to show the Aconitum Pack seal to emphasize his point.
"If that's the case, why does the boy's scent lead here?" Lucile asked narrowing her eyes at her supposed 'uncle'. She felt Sebastian's gaze shift towards her but didn't bother to acknowledge the look she knew he was giving her. Barret looked genuinely surprised at this new revelation, "It led here?"
"You didn't smell it?"
"Can't smell much in here. Air's too thick." Barret explained. Lucile didn't soften her glare; there was just something she couldn't shake when it came to this man. A feeling in her gut she didn't like. But that didn't deny the fact that he was right about the air. The boy's scent that had been so strong in the entrance of his home had been completely overwhelmed by the mildew and the general smells of caves.
"Be that as it may, how did you know Lash and I were here the other day?" she asked him. Barret shifted uncomfortably in his makeshift seat and cast his dark eye to the ground, "Well actually that was pure chance. I was getting ready to hunt when I smelled you both."
"You almost killed him, do you know that?" she growled, her anger boiling in her veins. Ciel stiffened beside her, "Lucile." he warned using his Earl voice. Lucile knew that she should back down but her stubborn anger persisted - this man, whether he be her uncle or not, almost killed her friend and she was not going to stand for it.
"He won't ever walk properly again because of what you did." she continued despite the glare from Ciel.
"Lucile, enough." her young master ordered her, the heat in his voice was scorching. Lucile backed down immediately, not wanting to give Sebastian another chance to beat her half to death again.
"No, little one, she's right. When I caught his scent all I could think was there was someone unfamiliar in my territory and I had to protect it. I only remembered myself when I saw you." Barret stood from his seat and dropped to his knees before Lucile, bowing his shaggy head in deep regret, "I am truly sorry for what happened to the boy." Lucile couldn't look at him; this huge man on his knees in front of her and look so ashamed almost made her heart ache. But the image of Lash lying bleeding and broken in the dirt made it impossible for her to feel sorry for him. He'd done that. No amount of apologizing would make Lash better. Beside her, Ciel sighed deeply and stood up.
"Honestly, I don't really care about him, but you seem honest in your conviction. Thank you for your cooperation and ...hospitality." he said in his aloof manner, signaling that it was time for them to leave. Lucile moved to stand, still feeling conflicted, angry and confused about the whole situation, but Barret stopped them all.
"Wait." he demanded gruffly then remembered himself and added in a more softer voice, "Please, wait."
"I'm sorry, but we have other appointments we must attend to." Ciel said as politely as etiquette would allow. Lucile was surprised he'd managed to stay this long in Barret's cave, but the filth was finally getting to him. Ciel wanted out.
"All due respect, little one, I wasn't talking to you." Barret said earning an arched eyebrow from the small Earl. The bear of a man turned backed to Lucile who now stood behind Sebastian.
"I know you're angry with me, but I'm probably the only one who can tell you about your parents. So please, Lucile, let me." Barret pleaded. Lucile closed her eyes and sighed, she wanted to know about her family more than anything but to trust a man she barely knew, a man who almost killed someone important to her, could she do that? Her mind flitted back to the Undertaker dressed in his greys and black with his insane grin and singsong voice. She trusted him and she didn't even know his real name. Then again, he didn't try to kill her. A subtle pain began to grow in her chest as she thought about her strange friend and she soon realized that she missed him more than she had first believed; he was the voice that guided her when she needed it and now, without him there, she was lost.
With vain hope that Undertaker would somehow be there in the small room with her, ready to give her advice and comfort, Lucile slowly opened her eyes, however in place of the grinning pale face she had envisioned, she was met with the sharp, crimson gaze. Sebastian was staring at her, his expression unreadable but that didn't mean he wasn't trying to tell her something. His unspoken thoughts emanated off him in waves, and with that one gaze he was telling her, ordering her, to stay and here her uncle out.
"Fine." she heard herself say before she had even made up her mind. Sebastian's gaze softened minutely, as if he was pleased she had agreed.
"Do as you please." Ciel muttered, "Sebastian, let's go."
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian replied faithfully as he turned his back on Lucile and followed their young master out of Barret's cave. Lucile stared at the butler's back until he was completely submerged within the shadows before taking a hesitant seat on the stone slab bed once more.

"I think Lucile is getting too invested in this case." Ciel Phantomhive stated as he and Sebastian picked their way back through the damp foliage, "And I can't seem to shake the feeling that all this may have something to do with her."
"I agree that it is odd for us to run into two Lycans when in the past we haven't had a whiff of any others." Sebastian replied thoughtfully, "Perhaps running into her uncle may not have been pure chance."
"Continue to investigate the gypsies but keep an eye on the bear as well. I don't want to rule out any possible leads. The sooner we find the truth, the sooner we can go home." Ciel ordered his faithful servant.
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian replied, as always. However his mind was else where, on things he had forgotten. Perhaps his young master was more correct than either of them realized and maybe his troublesome feelings for the wolf-girl were blinding him to the truth. Silently he cursed her for the hold she had over him, and himself for letting her. He wondered whether physically abusing her again would clear his mind of the rotten feelings that swirled within him? Maybe when she returned he could goad her into a fight?
But Lucile didn't return for several hours and as each hour passed, Sebastian grew more anxious than he would have liked. When she did finally return, the moon was high in the sky and Ciel was already fast asleep. His eyes found her easily as she silently opened the old wooden door to their new room.
"Find what you were looking for?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper but with her keen hearing it wouldn't pose a problem. Lucile sighed softly and removed her coat before moving to the sole window. The pale moonlight shone down on her pale skin, making her glow. The light caught the dew drops in her dark hair, reminding him of a cloudless night sky.
"I'm...I'm not sure." she confessed, her voice as soft as his, "He told me who my father was. Turns out everyone was right, I am royal." The tone in Lucile's voice made it very clear that she was not entirely happy with her new status.
"Your father was the Lycan King." Sebastian stated, he'd connected the dots as soon as Barret had mentioned Marcus.
"Marcus and Annamaria Conte." Lucile said nodding once, "I'm the only Pureblooded Lycan in the world and the last of the Wolfsblood line. Sad, isn't it." Sebastian didn't reply, instead he stayed where he was and just continued to silently watch her back. Lucile had found the answer to a question that had been plaguing her for years, but it hadn't been one she wanted. He knew that all she had ever wanted was a real family, to discover that she actually had one and hadn't just been abandoned on the doorstep of the Phantomhive mansion. Yet what she had found was an estranged and ostracized uncle and that there was no one else like her in the world. Yes, it was sad, but Sebastian had no idea of how she could be feeling. He didn't know of any comforting words, and if he did would Lucile even welcome them from him?
Suddenly she turned and padded quietly over to his seat where she sat beside him and rested her head on his thigh.
"I'm too tired for mind games and secrets." She whispered, "Just let me sleep here for tonight."
Sebastian was stunned; he knew there was more to what Barret had told her, things that she didn't want to tell him, but whatever it was had completely exhausted her to the point where she didn't want to keep her internal wall up. This was the one true moment of weakness Lucile Conte would ever show him. As he gazed down at her, he was reminded of how he'd found her with the Undertaker one night. She had been sleeping with her head in his lap. He had thought she'd looked peaceful then, but now, staring at her serene expression, he realized that this was what peace looked like. She had no defenses, no shields. She was happy to be sleeping in his lap. A soft, gently smile crept over his lips and Sebastian allowed himself one, singular moment of weakness. Pinching the seam of his glove between his teeth, he slid the silken fabric off his hand and touched her soft, thick hair, smoothing several strands behind her ear. She sighed softly at his touch and unconsciously nuzzled closer to him. This moment would be the only one to remain in his memory forever, no matter what the future held. This was his secret treasure. This was his only weakness now.

Lucile woke late in the morning feeling too hot and clammy. A thick blanket had been clumsily tossed over her small figure as she lay on what was supposed to be Sebastian's bed. She shoved the heavy blanket off her and sat up, trying to remember how she'd ended up there. Neither Ciel nor Sebastian were around and she could only assume from the noises coming from down stairs that they had gone for breakfast. The smell of eggs and bacon wafted up from beneath the floor boards and made her stomach growl violently. She was starving. When was the last time she'd eaten? With a stretch, she dressed quickly and made her way down to join her master and the demon.
"Morning, Lucile." Ciel greeted her from behind his newspaper as she found them at a secluded table away from the few men who had just returned from an expedition outside the country.
"Is that for me?" she asked pointing to the plate full of delicious breakfast food.
"I took the liberty of making extra for you since you haven't had a decent meal since the day before yesterday." Sebastian said slipping into his butler mode as easily as a glove. Lucile sat and thanked him before delving into the tantalizing food before her. There was many things she hated about Sebastian, and few she liked him for, however his cooking skill was one thing she adored. His food had a certain way of just melting in your mouth no matter what it was, and everything was always cooked to perfection. It was an insufferable talent of his.
"Did you uncover the answer you wanted?" Ciel asked her distantly. Lucile half choked on a piece of crispy bacon and had to drink several mouthfuls of tea before she could reply.
"In regards to what?" she asked him. Ciel put the paper on the table and looked at her like she was an idiot, "Barret and your family."
"Oh. Not exactly but it's something, I suppose." she said suddenly not feeling hungry anymore as her memory returned to her. She remembered Barret telling her stories about her father and how he and her mother met and fell in love. He'd done it to create a bond between them, but it only left her feeling heartbroken and empty. Barret had told her everything she had wanted to know, except for how the pack got wiped out. He had flat out refused to tell her. She had gotten angry and left, but her anger had disappeared when she'd run into Delphine on the way back.
"...And do a final investigation. I also want to see how Lash is doing." Ciel was saying to Sebastian when Lucile tuned in again.
"What?" She asked interrupting Sebastian as he tried to reply. Ciel turned to her and blinked once,
"I want to go back to the gypsy camp one more time." he repeated, annoyance creeping into his voice.
"You can't." she said outright, "They're not there. I saw Lash's grandmother on my way back and she told me they were leaving at dawn to get Lash better medicinal help. Apparently she didn't have anymore of the ingredients she needed to make him a remedy." Ciel frowned and exchanged a suspicious look with Sebastian,
"Coincidental." was all the young Earl said earning a single nod from Sebastian. Lucile glared at her plate; was she the only one who thought Delphine and the others were innocent? There was no evidence to support the theory that they were the ones stealing the boys, but Ciel and Sebastian seemed intent on believing they did it.
"Just to be sure, we'll stay one more night." Ciel decided as his clear, blue eye shifted to the group of men. Lucile turned in her seat to follow his line of sight. Amongst the men, perched on the table edge was a boy around seven years old. Lucile knew immediately what Ciel had planned. If the boy was taken it would make two things clear, the gypsies were innocent and Barret was lying. But if the boy remained, they had let the kidnappers leave. Lucile sighed, she didn't like using the boy as bait but there was no other choice. So they waited patiently in their room. By nightfall, Lucile was practically creating a groove in the floor from where she had been pacing back and forth.
"If you like, I can arrange some activities to keep you occupied." Sebastian suggested after serving Ciel his dinner. Lucile scoffed,
"I can imagine the kind of activities you're thinking of so believe me when I say no thank you." she replied leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest. The demon pouted, "Shame. It would be such fun."
"Enough you two." Ciel ordered, "I'm trying to enjoy my dinner and I don't need you spoiling my appetite."
"Apologies, Young Master." Sebastian said with an elegant bow. Lucile rolled her eyes and gazed out of the window. The horizon seemed less attractive and empty now that the light from the gypsy camp was gone. She wondered how Lash was doing.
Eventually restlessness got the better of Lucile and she decided she needed to go for a walk. Being under orders from Ciel not to leave the Inn was annoying, however she realized that there was more to the Inn than she'd first thought. The place was decrepit and falling down, yes, but it was half the size of the Phantomhive manor. There were many places to explore, paintings to veiw and even a library, though there wasn't many books. She was in the basement when Sebastian found her.
"Looking for a way out are you?" he asked stepping into the dim candle light. Lucile spun on her heel and glared at him,
"You aren't the only one who follows orders, you know." she stated. Sebastian chuckled and stepped closer to her, shortening the distance between them dramatically with one, long stride.
"So what are you doing down in the dark, secluded, soundproof basement?" he whispered, his voice getting huskier with each word.
"Looking for some good wine." she told him honestly, pretending his words had no effect on her. She turned back to the dusty wine case behind her and tried to resume reading the vintages.
"You won't find any." he said returning to his usual self. Lucile huffed stubbornly and picked up one particularly old looking bottle. She blew the dust off the label, but still couldn't make out the worn writing so she moved into the candle light. Unfortunately, it was right where Sebastian was leaning against a wooden pillar.
"Do you want to fight?" he asked after watching her try and make out the long faded writing on the bottle for a good several minutes. Lucile let out a long breath,
"Why?"
"Because, like you, I'm bored and since you are so against my other suggestion of what we should do to pass the time, I'm left with this as the only option." he replied taking the bottle from her and placing it on the shelf beside him, "So, shall we?"
"Is that your cure for boredom? Sex or violence?" she glared. Sebastian grinned beautifully at her,
"I am a demon."
"How could I possibly forget that." she rolled her eyes and went to step around him, but Sebastian's arms wrapped around her, immobilizing her instantly.
"Can you not?" she asked him.
"I don't think you understand just how bored I am, Lucile." he purred in her ear making her pulse quicken. She felt his tongue trail the side of her neck up to her ear lobe.
"Stop it." she told him harshly as she tried to get out of his hold. He smirked and held her chin with his thumb and forefinger while his other fingers held her neck.
"Make me." he replied. Her stomach clenched at the challenge in his voice, she didn't fully understand why she liked the way he'd said it. But she did. His lips began moving against the sensitive part on her neck, kissing gently while his tongue flicked out to lick her skin from time to time. Despite the feeling of pleasure growing steadily inside, Lucile resigned herself to stay calm and wait for the right time to break out of his hold. She was sure if she didn't give him the reaction he wanted, he would grow bored and let her go. The hand still around her middle slid up to rest between her breasts, she thought that she would be able to free herself easier if he'd changed his hold on her, but it was just as strong, and he still kept a steady grip around her neck.
"You're trying to keep your breathing steady." he purred as his thumb rubbed lightly over her nipple through her clothes, "Don't try to act like you don't like it. I will force it out of you if you do."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." she told him, glad her voice was as strong as she wanted it to be. She had to get away from him before she gave in to him, her stubbornness wouldn't let her show him what he did to her.
Sebastian smirked against her neck, almost as if he was glad she was trying to resist him. He probably was, she decided. He had told her before that he'd liked the way she'd resisted him, it was a game to him. Something fun to do when he was bored. Lucile swallowed the lump in her throat; Sebastian hadn't won yet and that wasn't going to change today. Pressed his lips against her neck again, but instead of kissing her, he sank his teeth into the soft flesh. Lucile gasped and went rigid against him, her eyes fluttering closed as a powerful wave of pleasure washed over her. How did he know? The creature that she kept in the deepest, darkest part of her leaped forward and took control of Lucile's mind and body. She turned in Sebastian's hold, partially surprised at how easily she could, and reached up to kiss his bloodstained lips. It was like a switch had flipped inside her and she was completely controlled by the lustful wench inside her. Sebastian growled softly as she sucked and bit his bottom lip, locking her fingers in his soft, dark hair. She thought it was ironic how he had been all for showing her up, yet now the roles were reversed, he was just as weak as she was. His hands gripped her slender waist as he pushed her against the wine rack, the few bottles on the shelves rattled noisily, one dug into her spine but she was too far gone to care.
Sebastian dropped his head to her neck again and bit her, harder than before. Lucile pressed his head closer, deepening the bite. Sebastian's arm snaked around to her back and pulled her lower half closer to his so she was flush against him and could feel the growing swell between his legs. The dark Lucile inside her writhed, this wasn't enough - she wanted more! More pain, more delicious agony. She was about to rip his vest and shirt open to claw at the porcelain white skin hidden beneath when she felt his long fingers loosening the ties on her breeches. In a flash, Lucile woke up from her lust-filled daze and pushed the demon away from her with all her strength. Sebastian stepped back and looked down at her with confusion. Lucile ran a shaky hand through her hair and shook her head,
"No." she said to his unspoken question, "No, don't ever do that again." Sebastian's confusion was gone and in it's place was his signature smirk,
"You seemed to be enjoying it." he stated. Anger, more at herself that at him, coursed through her veins.
"I would rather die than share your bed, demon." she growled as she pushed past him and stormed back upstairs leaving him alone in the basement.
Sebastian grinned as he watched her leave, the door slamming behind her. This was the third time she'd left him alone and unsatisfied. He really needed to sever that damned woman's hold over him before it was too late.

Yay update.