The morning had gone as routinely as it usually did. Lucile joined Finny, Bard, Mey-Rin and Tanaka for breakfast in the kitchen, listened to Sebastian's morning announcement of that day's duties, followed him to wake Ciel up, stayed with the boy until he had to get dressed and then she retreated back into the old office where her desk was. She was lying on her back, the morning sun warming her bones, with one leg crossed over the other and her hands behind her head just thinking about everything and nothing while staring up at the ceiling. She'd been taking it pretty easy for the past few weeks, it seemed there was nothing wrong in London since the Queen had sent no instructions and the Funtom Company was booming. Lucile sighed and rolled over, resting her head on the palm of her hand. Even though it was a rare peaceful time, she was getting restless. There were too many unanswered questions still suspended in the air and neither Sebastian nor Ciel seemed too concerned about them. She wondered if it was time to go visit her uncle...
Lucile sat up, there was a carriage approaching and it didn't belong to Ciel - they hadn't not long left. Moving to the other side of the mansion, she gazed down to see who the visitor was. Tanaka was standing in the entrance waiting to greet the mysterious person in his normal form. Lucile squinted, whoever it was they were expected by someone. The door opened and ice cold shivers ran down Lucile's spine. She knew this too clean scent, it was the same one she had been trying to forget for over a month.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" she growled to no one and as if he'd heard her, sharp amethyst eyes lifted up to meet her gaze. She stood her ground despite feel like she wanted to cower away from the window and lock the doors. She watched until Ash Landers disappeared inside with the old butler.
"That son of a..." she muttered feeling her strength and anger return to her once again. She may be physically sick whenever anyone even mentioned his name, but there was no way she was going to fear him. She was a Lycan, the last of the Wolfsblood line, she was stronger than any of her kind, and whether she liked it or not she had a demon by her side. Ash Landers, whoever he was, was nothing in comparison to her power. Armed with her new resolve, she marched downstairs, following his detestable scent, to the kitchen and slammed open the door making almost everyone jump, all except Ash.
"Miss," Bard said clutching his chest, "Gosh, you gave me a heart attack. Are you alright, Miss?" She ignored the others, her gaze locked solely on the man dressed impeccably in white as he sat with Tanaka.
"What," she growled pointing a finger at him, "The hell are you doing here?" Ash gave her a perfect smile as the room grew silent and awkward,
"Lucy, you can't talk to him like that." Mey-Rin gushed quietly in her ear. Ash waved a hand, having heard the maid, and continued to smile,
"No, no. It's perfectly alright." Ash said posing as the model of forgiveness, "Miss Conte doesn't much care for me, I confess." He rose just as gracefully as Sebastian and strode over to where Lucile glowered in the doorway and extended his gloved hand towards her. Lucile's eyes narrowed and she leaned back, not sure what his purpose was.
"I believe there was a misunderstanding when last we met, it was entirely my fault so I apologize for my behaviour." he said dropping his smile and trying to look serious, but he still looked fake to her.
"Misunderstanding, was it?" she asked fighting to keep her voice even and controlled, else she would probably try to bite his head off, literally. The corners of Ash's eyes crinkled, the only indication on his serene face that he was getting annoyed, and closed the short distance between them.
"This may be your home, Miss Conte," he whispered just low enough for her ears, "But I am still the Queens Aide. It would be in your best interest to reconcile with me, even if it is just for show."
"I surely hope that wasn't a threat, Mr. Landers." she said using his own words against him. Ash grinned at her, the malice within it was enough to rival Sebastian's. Lucile clenched her fists at her sides and tensed, ready for a fight.
"Think of it as a polite suggestion." he replied in her words. Lucile glared hotly at him, "Besides," he continued, his smile dropping once more, his amethyst eyes dulled and looked almost dead, "That man isn't around to save you." Lucile's breath caught in her throat as fear crept it's fingers up her spine. She saw Ash turn and start speaking to the others once again, putting on his Holier-Than-Thou act and sat back down, but the ringing in Lucile's ears was deafening. He knew, the bastard knew! She didn't know just how much, but she was certain Ash knew Sebastian wasn't human.
"Miss? Miss?"
"What?" Lucile asked snapping out of her daze at the sound of Bard's voice. He was standing in front of her, blocking Ash from view with his large form, and holding a teacup and saucer.
"I made you some tea." he said, his cheeks turning a dusty pink. Lucile tried to give him a smile, thanked him and moved to the other side of the kitchen. She wasn't going to leave her family here alone with that snake in the grass so she sat quietly by herself, sipped her tea and never took her eyes off the man. He ignored her for the most part, simply chatting happily with the other servants and even playing checkers with Tanaka. But there were times where his gaze would shift from what he was doing and slide over to meet hers. Half an hour passed and nothing happened. Bard had gone to help Finny in the gardens, Mey-Rin was cleaning upstairs - or rather, supposed to be cleaning upstairs, who knew what mayhem she was actually up to - and Tanaka had just disappeared somewhere momentarily, leaving Lucile alone with Ash. She considered killing him then and there, but decided that it wasn't the time nor the place. If she were to murder the Queen's Aide in cold blood, it would be troublesome for Ciel. So she would wait and bide her time. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't try something of his own against her. She watched as he stretched his long body in the chair, stood and began horbgorbling around the kitchen, trying to act like he wasn't slowly making his way over to where Lucile sat.
"If you're going to approach me, don't hide it behind pretending to be interested in the array of pots we keep." she muttered, recrossing her legs. Ash half turned to her and chuckled,
"You miss nothing, do you?" he said although it didn't really sound like a compliment.
"I'll ask again now that the others aren't around," she told him, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you again." he said closing the distance once more and looming over her, "I wanted to hear your voice, even if you were just cursing me." He extended his hand again and went to touch the side of her face, only he stroked the air deliberately instead, "I wanted to touch your soft, supple flesh and watch all the delightful faces you can make."
"You're being perverted again." she told him in a low, disinterested voice, but the choice of words he'd used made her queasy. He leaned forward, placing his right hand on the wall for support and lifted her chin up with his left,
"I blame you for that." he told her, his eyes darkening again, "You put this spell on me, Lucile Conte, and it won't stop until I have you."
"Sorry." she said glaring into his eyes, "I'm not interested."
"You're lying." he told her, "I can see how white your knuckles are, Lucile. You think it's because you're trying not to attack me, but that's not it at all, is it? You're afraid you'll succumb to me." A laugh erupted from Lucile,
"'Fraid not, Mr. Landers. The only desire you stir in me is to beat you senseless." she told him harshly but Ash remained unmoved.
"Oh? Is that not how your desire for Sebastian started out as well?" he asked her, knowing in his eyes. Lucile clenched her jaw: how the hell did he know all of this?
"I can see from your reaction that I'm right." he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, "You're still a virgin, are you not?"
Lucile's cheeks reddened against her will and she turned from him, "You can't hide it, I can feel it." he continued, "Why don't you let me take it for you? I promise it will be divine."
"I will only say this nicely once," Lucile said finding her nerve again and turning to glare at him once more, "Try anything of the sort and I will rip your head clean off your body." Ash straightened, closed his eyes and looked as though she'd just said something pleasing to him, his body shuddered from it.
"Oh Lucile," he said looking back down at her like she was his prey, "I do love it when you talk dirty." Lucile sensed his intent too late and in a flash he was pinning her against the wall, his mouth pressing hard against hers. She struggled to get free beneath him but his strength was as strong as Sebastian's. She felt his tongue force itself into her mouth and squirm all around like a worm. A deep, beast-like snarl rumbled in her chest and she sank her nails into his white coat, latching on tightly. If he wanted to play this game, she would have to go all out. Suddenly, she felt his body become rigid and he released her, standing straight and wiping his thumb along his bottom lip.
"I see..." he said frowning down at her, "Someone else has already placed their mark on you...You're tainted." Lucile shot to her feet at the insult, who the hell was this asshole to call her tainted? He'd just tried to rape her!
"I am exceptionally pissed off right now, Landers, so if I were you I'd be very careful about what you say." she growled. Ash shook his head and held his hand up,
"You misunderstand. You are, without a doubt, untouched and that is still very, very pleasing to me, however your body has been touched by evil. I shall have to cleanse you before I have you."
"Excuse you?! I have absolutely no intention of letting you do anything to me. You've overstayed your welcome, Mr. Landers, get out!" she demanded marching over to the kitchen door and throwing it open. Ash half turned to her,
"I'm afraid I can't do that. While seeing you again was my intention, it wasn't the reason for my coming here." His eyes turned hostile and he looked as though he was seeing through Lucile. She glared, wondering what it was he was looking at when the scent of something akin to antiseptic and sin covered her like a warm, familiar blanket. She never thought she'd be this glad to smell that scent.
"Mr. Landers, I must say this is terribly unexpected." his voice was polite but there was an edge to it, "If I'd known you would be paying us a visit today, I would have postponed my Master's engagement. I do hope you weren't waiting long." Sebastian floated into the room and stood in front of Lucile, half shielding her from the man in white, "How may I be of assistance?" Ash's gaze stayed locked on Sebastian a moment longer before he muttered,
"I see..." Lucile had the inkling that he was referring back to the topic of conversation before Sebastian arrived, however he was quick to put on his previous face and smiled perfectly at the demon, "The Phantomhive staff are very hospitable, you must be proud."
"I am." Sebastian's tone was clipped and cold and Lucile didn't need to see his face to know what expression he was making. The two kept eye contact for a moment longer before Ash spoke again,
"From Her Majesty." he said and produced a sealed envelope from within his coat and handed it to Sebastian then pulled out a fob watch from the front pocket of his coat and flipped it open, "Hmm, I must take my leave. I have another appointment." Sebastian, while still reading the elegant handwriting on the front of the envelope, stepped to the side to allow Ash to pass. Lucile followed suit and moved out of the doorway, finally happy that the cretin was leaving.
"Lovely seeing you again, Miss Conte." Ash said with a wink as he passed her. Lucile glared daggers at his back until he was gone.
"I should take this to Ciel." Sebastian said aloud and tucked the letter under his arm. Turning to face Lucile, he peered curiously down at her through his long lashes, "Did he do anything?" Lucile shook her head, it was a lie but she couldn't risk looking weak in front of him again. She'd cried, twice now, in his arms so she couldn't afford to rely on him to protect her in this. Not when she hadn't really fought yet.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." she said leaning against the open wooden door, "Although if you didn't turn up when you did, you'd have to clean up tiny pieces of Landers." Sebastian half chuckled at the image and started walking up the stairs,
"Honestly, I was rather surprised to find him in one piece." he said, "But it's probably a good thing nothing happened in the end." Lucile stayed quiet as she fell in step behind him. Ash's words about her being tainted by evil had started replaying in her mind and the look he'd given Sebastian was more than suspicious. And what was all that talk about cleansing?
"Lucile?" Sebastian called catching her attention.
"Hmm?" she asked him. He'd stopped in the middle of the foyer and was facing her. She looked up; was that concern in his eyes? "He did do something, didn't he?"
"Michaelis-" she began but he cut her off, "Don't lie, I can tell." She frowned at him and wondered if she'd always been that translucent to him. Yet his tone was annoyingly similar to Ash's.
"Fine." she said crossing her arms, "He kissed me and then looked as though he'd just eaten something he didn't like. He told me that I was tainted by evil and someone had put a mark on me. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that at all, would you?" Sebastian stroked his chin thoughtfully and slid his crimson gaze to the big front door. Lucile tapped her foot on the ground impatiently, waiting for an answer from the demon.
"Well?" she asked when he looked like he wasn't going to reply.
"What Mr. Landers said is true, you are tainted, or rather your body is. And you're correct in assuming it was my doing." he stepped towards her, lowering his voice in the large, empty room, "That night when you asked me to kiss you, although it wasn't my intent, I left a stain on you."
"You what?!"
"Shh, keep your voice down." he chastised, "That's not what we should be concerned about right now."
"Oh? And what is then?" she grumbled feeling as though now would be a great time to punch him but the look he gave her told her that she was wrong.
"How did he know?"

Lucile hugged her long coat tighter around her slender body and breathed into her scarf as she walked through the bustling busy streets of London. The layer of fresh snow crunched underneath her boots as she side stepped around an elderly man sweeping it off the walkway. She turned down several streets now etched into her memory and finally came to her destination.
The little bell sung out into the silence when she stepped inside and she waited for the welcome that usually followed. Sure enough, her strange friend poked his head out from the curtains leading into the room in the back and smiled at her.
"I didn't expect to see you today." he greeted her. Lucile returned his smile and loosed her scarf around her mouth so she could talk,
"I know." she told him, "I should have come to visit you these past few weeks but..."
"But?" Undertaker asked curiously. Lucile sighed knowing that she wouldn't be able to keep her thoughts secret around him, especially if she was going to ask him all the questions she needed answers to. She sighed and leaned against an open coffin out for display,
"I've been wanting to avoid London as much as possible." she confessed. Undertaker stopped adding to the cobwebs around his store and cocked his head to the side,
"Why?"
Lucile turned away from him. Despite having already told Sebastian, the one person she never thought she could find comforting, telling a friend like Undertaker what had occurred between herself and Ash Landers, physical and in the dream world, was mortifying. Sighing to herself and closing her eyes, she gathered her courage,
"It sounds ridiculous to say this but I'm trying to avoid someone. The chances of seeing him around London are quite slim but high enough for me to stay at home." she half laughed to herself at how weak and pitiful she sounded. She was running away. Undertaker drifted over to where she leaned and peered down at her,
"Something's scared you, hasn't it? Nothing scares you but this has...What could possibly have you so afraid, Pretty Wolf?" he asked reaching a slender finger out to caress her cheek gently.
"Ash Landers." she said closing her eyes and leaning her face into his touch. It had always calmed her down for some reason. Undertaker hummed tunelessly to himself, "Ah, the man with the face of an angel. I think I'm beginning to understand." he stepped away from her and moved to the center of the room, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"You feel conflicted because you want to fight him but every instinct in your body tells you to run whenever he is close by, is that right?"
"Exactly. Even hearing or speaking his name makes me feel sick." she told him.
"Well in this case I suggest you follow your instincts. Stay away from him, Lucile." Undertaker said turning to face her again, his smile had dropped showing his seriousness, "Let Sebastian handle him." Lucile frowned at her strange friend and pushed off the coffin. He knew more than he was telling her. But why? Why would he have any reason to keep things from her; he was her closest friend. Surely he knew that, why else would he have shown her those beautiful lockets he treasured? She started moving towards the grey man in the middle of the room, staring back at her with his green-yellow eyes under his silver bangs, but as she opened her mouth to speak, she froze. Her nostril's flared at the scent invading them.
"Luc-"
"Shh." she told Undertaker, moving closer to him and covering his mouth with her hand, "There's a wolf coming..." She stared at the door, watching, waiting for the creature to get closer. There was something mildly familiar about the scent aside from it being one of her kind, but the only people she knew like her were miles away and in prison. She tensed and prepared herself to lunge at this person invading her territory. The door groaned as it opened slowly and she saw a fingerless grey gloved hand reach through. Lucile attacked, lunging at the being in the doorway and pinned him to the snow covered ground, growling fiercely.
"Again, Lucy? Really?" the being underneath her asked in exasperation. Lucile blew the hair out of her face and looked at the face behind the scarf beneath her. She recognized the pale green eyes staring back at her.
"Lash?" she asked climbing off him and kneeling in the door way of Undertaker's shop. Lash sat up and grinned at her,
"Hey!" he said and then his smile faltered when he looked up at the being she assumed was standing behind her, "Uh...hello?" Lucile felt Undertaker's hand on her shoulder and then he was stepping around her to place himself between her and Lash.
"You." Lucile stared up at him, not recognizing the voice with which he spoke. It was nothing like the Undertaker she knew. He was mysterious and crazy, but this being in front of her now spoke with so much power and authority only a high-class shinigami could produce. Just who was he?
"What are you doing here?" he demanded from Lash. Lash blinked up at him just as confused as Lucile was.
"Undertaker," she said scrambling to her feet and clutched his long black coat, "He's a friend. What's with you?"
"A friend?" Undertaker scoffed darkly, "If you're such a friend why don't you enlighten us on why you're here?" Lash got to his feet and gave Undertaker a wary look,
"I was about to." he muttered before looking towards Lucile. She met his gaze and he smiled again at her, "Actually, I'm here for two reasons."
"This'll be good." Undertaker mussitated earning a look from Lucile that he didn't notice.
"Go on." she urged her friend as he shifted uncomfortably in the cold. He blew into his hands and rubbed them together,
"Well the first reason is because my grandmother kind of temporarily kicked me out..."
"Wait, what? Kicked you out?" Lucile interrupted and moved to take a step but Undertaker stopped her. She frowned up at him, why was he acting so strange?
"Uh yeah. It's not how it sounds, trust me. It's because of my wounds, she said that I'd find better help in London than with her. She's old and can't do a lot of the things she used to be able to. And I don't really want to be a burden on her, you know?"
"How convenient." Undertaker said sarcastically still keeping his hold on Lucile tight, "And what's the second reason?"
"You know, I don't really feel like explaining myself to you." Lash said, hostility gleaming in his eyes. Lucile glanced between the two men feeling as though she'd been transported back in time and was watching the stand-off between Lash and Sebastian again. Why were the men in her life always at each other's throats? Even Bard and Sebastian had their own little tiffs although they never turned violent. Mainly because Bard feared Sebastian's strength more than anything, a good thing in that case even if he wasn't aware of the truth.
"Can you two quit the pissing match for two seconds?" Lucile asked smacking away Undertaker's arm and moving between the two men, glaring at each. She turned to face Lash, a hand on her hip,
"What's the other reason you're here?" she asked him. Lash straightened and, though he kept a wary eye on the shinigami behind Lucile, returned to his normal self.
"I was trying to find you." he said, "I don't know anyone in London besides you so I was hoping you'd be willing to help me out a bit." Lucile sighed and pursed her lips, thinking. Lash had helped her so many times before, and even saved her life almost losing his in the process, and she wanted to help him but there was no way Ciel would accept her bringing home a vagabond even if he was one of her kind. And then there was Sebastian. There was no doubt in Lucile's mind that he would kill Lash before he even stepped one foot inside the mansion.
"I really want to help you," she told him before locking his gaze, "But there's just no way you can stay at the Phantomhive manor. My master would never allow it and Sebastian...Well I shouldn't have to remind you about his animosity towards you." Lash lowered his gaze and stared at the snow on his boots,
"I kinda had a feeling you'd say that." he said disheartenedly.
"But," Lucile said getting his attention again, "There is a townhouse owned by my master here in London. There's a prince and his manservant currently staying there but there's plenty of room. Ciel hates it there so he rarely stays. You'd be well looked after by Soma and Agni and closer to the medical aid you need than out in the country with us."
"I couldn't possibly afford something like that..." Lash said lowering his gaze again and looking ashamed. Lucile ignored the hole burning in her back from Undertaker and crossed the small gap between her and Lash, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"It'll be fine. Just leave everything to me and get well." Lucile said softly. Without warning, Lash wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a tight, warm embrace.

Undertaker glared hot daggers at this boy hugging his She-Wolf and the boy glared back protectively. So, he was the one not to be trusted was it? Undertaker smirked at how little the brat knew. It would take more than a sad puppy dog act and a hug to pull Lucile away from him, and more still to separate her from Sebastian. The demon had marked her now, although it wasn't strong enough for creatures such as Lash to pick up on it. Undertaker noticed as soon as he laid eyes on her that Sebastian had gotten to her, even as small as it was. There was no doubt that Ash Landers or whatever he was calling himself had discovered it. But this little pup had no clue, he still thought he had a chance with Lucile. How wrong he was. Though he hated to think about it, Undertaker knew he would have to convince Lucile somehow to open her heart up to Sebastian if things were ever going to go the way they were supposed it. Sure, they were moving fast, but not fast enough. At this rate the Blood Moon will be upon them and he still wouldn't have claimed her as his. Undertaker sighed deeply, disturbing the girl from her embrace with an old friend. She stepped out of his grasp and walked back over to where he stood in the doorway,
"I'm going to take Lash to the townhouse but I'll be back afterwards." she told him squeezing his forearm gently. He smiled at her,
"Of course, Pretty Wolf." he said turning on the persona she was familiar with but he knew better. She wouldn't return that day, or the next or even the day after. He watched her leave with the limping fool and, as soon as she was out of sight, retreated back into the warm darkness of his shop. He paced the length of the building, to the left, turn, to the right, turn and repeat. He should call Sebastian and tell him but what would he say exactly? A challenger has arrived to steal Lucile away, convince her to give herself to you so things go the way they should? No, that would never work. Sebastian would resist and question everything.
He stopped pacing, took his hat off and dropped it to the floor. He couldn't think, couldn't formulate any kind of plan that would work. Perhaps that meant it was time to cast off the facade and reveal his true self. Turning, he flipped open a standing coffin lid and stared at his reflection in the mirror embedded into the underside of the lid. He'd forgotten just how much he had changed since retiring. He shrugged off his long, heavy black robe and ran his slender fingers through his long silver bangs, slicking them back and letting them fall to the side allowing his face to be seen. He cracked his neck before looking at the new man in his reflection. He wore tight, leather black pants and no shirt. Before his retirement, he wore a fitted black and white shirt underneath a trench coat. However his new profession rarely saw the need for anything so dramatic. He'd kept the pants and the buckled boots with straps that reached all the way to his thigh, but everything else - glasses included - were tossed aside. He knew the time would come where he would be able to use his Death Scythe once again but for now he was content with these small reminders of who he once was. He smiled at his reflection, wondering how Lucile would react seeing him in his full former glory. Perhaps, if he'd been this man from the start maybe she would have chosen him over the demon...but then, maybe not.

"Agni, prepare some curry for this poor cold boy." Soma ordered despite both Lash's and Lucile's objections, "Trust me, it'll warm you right up."
"Jo agya." Agni said, placing a hand over his heart and then disappeared towards the kitchen.
"Your Highness, that's really not necessary." Lucile said protesting again. Soma raised his hand to silence her,
"Please, Soma is fine." he told her, "Anyway, Agni has learned the recipe that Sebastian used. One must eat warm food in the cold." Lucile sighed, knowing that arguing with the boy prince was useless. She gave Lash a sympathetic look and patted his shoulder gently,
"I told you you'll be well taken care of here." she said softly as Lash looked pale and overwhelmed by all this fussing over him from people he'd never met.
"What do I do?" he asked as the two followed Soma into the large lounge to pass the time until the food was ready.
"Just be yourself." Lucile told him, "And don't steal anything."
"Like I'd steal from you." he said nudging her arm playfully. Lucile rolled her eyes then raised her voice so Soma would hear,
"I can't stay long, I have business with Undertaker." she informed them both, "I just wanted to make sure Lash got here safely."
"We'll take care of him, don't worry." Soma said falling into the wing-backed armchair by the fire. She smiled and bowed to the prince,
"You have my thanks." she said before turning to talk to Lash again, "If you need anything call the manor."
"I really don't know how I'm ever going to repay you for this, Lucy." he told her. She shook her head and smiled at him,
"There's no need to do anything of the sort." she said, "You saved my life."
Lucile left after calling the doctor and scheduling a time where he could check out Lash's injuries. She was wandering through the cold city with every intention of heading back to talk more with Undertaker when a lavish carriage almost ran into her. She dove out of the way, landing in the dirty snow covered gutter, got to her feet and stomped over to where the driver had pulled the horses up to give them a piece of her mind when the door flew open. Lucile froze mid-step and stared in shock. It was the Queen. She knew she should do something like curtsy but instead she just stared at the black lace veiled woman staring back at her.
"Allow me to handle this, Your Majesty." said a familiar voice from within the carriage and then Ash Landers' head poked out and grinned at her. Lucile shock quickly evaporated and in its place pure hatred grew.
"Are you alright?" he asked feigning concern. Lucile glared at him and then remembered that she was still in the presence of Queen Victoria. Such attitude towards Ash now would be a very bad idea.
"I'm fine, my Lord." she said lowering her gaze and feeling disgusted calling him that.
"You're quite a ways from the Phantomhive estate, whatever are you doing in London in this weather?" he asked using his right hand to gesture to the sky. Lucile shifted uncomfortably,
"I was visiting with a friend." she told him but that was about all he would get out of her. The Queen leaned forward and whispered something in Ash's ear and he nodded.
"Well we'd offer you a ride home but I'm afraid her Majesty is going the opposite way and it would be a bother." he announced. Lucile breathed a silent breath of relief - thank God she wouldn't have to be in close quarters with him again. The carriage rocked getting Lucile's attention. Ash was climbing out of the carriage, "What on earth are you doing?" she asked.
"Her Majesty would like me to escort you home as thanks for your service during that dreadful curry contest." he stated with an elegant bow to the Queen.
"Your Highness, that's really not necessary..." Lucile began to protest but the Queen held up a gloved hand, silencing her. Lucile knew there was no arguing, especially with the head of England herself unless Lucile suddenly had a death wish. Trying her best not to show just how uncomfortable she was with the situation, she curtsied and thanked Victoria for her thoughtfulness and concern of her well being.
Ash closed the door and told the driver to move on, then once they were alone in the street, he turned to Lucile and grinned. She glared furiously at him and fought an urge to punch him right in his too handsome face. Doing so in public was a terrible idea.
"What?" he asked curiously when she turned abruptly and began walking home. No use going back to see Undertaker now that he was with her.
"Must you follow me?" she growled, "Even if your intentions are good for once, I am more than capable of taking care of myself."
"Would it shock you to learn that this was actually Her order?" Ash asked keeping his distance behind her. Lucile stopped walking and whirled around to glare up at him,
"You're lying." she growled. Ash placed his right hand over his heart and raised his left,
"On my life." he swore. Lucile narrowed her eyes at him trying to see any signs that he was lying but found none. Either Ash was telling the truth or he was a damn good liar. But she knew what it was like to follow a master's orders despite not wanting to. She sighed and pulled her scarf up around her face again,
"Fine. But if you try anything I'll kill you." she muttered.
"Wouldn't dream of it." he grinned back. Despite the twisting and churning of her stomach, the walk home wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Ash kept his distance and barely spoke to her but Lucile had the feeling that he was just biding his time. Waiting for the opportune moment to strike. But as they neared the Phantomhive manor she realized that, unless he had something else planned that involved Sebastian, the moment had long since passed.
"I should leave you here." He said getting her attention. Lucile frowned and turned back to face him, trying to figure him out, "I fear if I get any closer Mr. Michaelis will not be pleased."
"What exactly is your game, Landers?" she demanded outright. Ash's eyebrows arched in surprise,
"My game?" he asked, "I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what you mean."
"Don't bullshit me." she growled, "You know damn well." She glared at him, her heart pounding with the desire to leap on him and rip him to shreds like she'd done with Madame Red. Ash closed his eyes and sighed deeply,
"I already told you, Miss Conte," he said, shifting back into the persona Lucile knew well, "You're tainted. I have no desire to do to anything to you until you're cleansed, something I doubt would occur in that household. You make dangerous friends, Lucile, perhaps you should think about my offer more carefully." Before Lucile could demand an explanation, Ash turned and began walking back down the long dirt road towards London. Lucile stared after him in confusion; was that a threat just now? Just who was Ash Landers anyway? Lucile was reminded of Undertaker's words - Follow your instincts. Stay away from him, Lucile.
"Let Sebastian handle him...Tch." she muttered turning away from the man in white walking down the road and back towards her home, "What help you were."
"I figured I would let you decide whether you required my assistance or not." the demon said stepping out from nowhere. Lucile rolled her eyes and strode past him,
"I don't care. Do what you want with him." she said deciding to trust the advice of her grey, strange friend.

Lucile moaned, desperately trying to cling to her rare good dream about running in the snow with baby Ciel chasing her, giggling as he clutched onto her fluffy tail, but the outside force shaking her was relentless. She moaned again and moved to slap the thing away but she must have moved too violently because she was suddenly free falling. She landed on something warm and hard before she could open her eyes. She groaned and pushed herself up; sharp crimson eyes gazed back at her curiously smug.
"Good morning." he said. Lucile blushed and scrambled off him as fast as she could. Damn him.
"What the hell do you want, Michaelis?" she demanded still on her knees as he rose gracefully from the ground.
"We have orders." he told her extending a gloved hand down to help her to her feet. She took it reluctantly and he pulled her up. His strength was insane and soon she found herself face first into his chest again.
"Can you not?" she asked him trying to push out of his hold.
"Shh." he said holding her tightly to him, "I think there's someone outside."
"What? Who?" she asked trying to see but Sebastian kept her face against him. After a few tense seconds he released her.
"It's gone." he said turning on his heel like nothing had happened and strode out of the old study, "Let's go." Lucile pouted and followed him, readjusting her long hair over her seal. She was getting tired of his ever-changing moods and being manhandled by him. She was strong, she could handle herself. The only time she would permit him to do anything on her behalf was were Ash Landers was concerned but only because Undertaker had told her to. He knew more than he let on, so she'd decided to trust him, hoping that it was the right decision.
It was half-past two in the morning but Ciel was bright eyed despite still being in his sleeping clothes. He sat on his bed reading through a letter that must have been express delivery from the Queen - no one else had the power to deliver a letter this early in the morning. Lucile was about to ask what it said but the grave expression on the young boy's face told her not to.
"I knew this quiet was too good to be true." he muttered tossing the papers aside and sighing, "I can't be sure for certain but it seems as though your uncle may have been telling the truth." Lucile frowned,
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Children are going missing again." Sebastian said as he read through the letter, "From what is written here it seems strikingly similar to the case a few months ago." Lucile pursed her lips and stared at the ground.
"Well I assume we can rule out Barret and the gypsies since they're miles away." Ciel said stretching and falling back onto his bed to gaze up at the ceiling.
"That's not entirely true." Sebastian said, Lucile felt his gaze on her but didn't look up. Of course he knew.
"Oh?"
"One of them is in town. I caught a glimpse of him hanging around the grounds when I was retrieving Lucile." he said. Lucile frowned, that wasn't possible. Lash was in London, yes, but there was no way he'd be able to shift and travel all the way out here. Plus, she'd be able to smell him before Sebastian even knew he was there.
"Did you know about this?" Ciel asked sitting up again and staring at Lucile for answers. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't very well tell him that Lash was staying at the townhouse, especially now that children were going missing again.
"No, I don't believe she did." Sebastian said coming to the rescue, "Lucile hasn't been to London for a few weeks except for one occasion to visit with the Undertaker."
"Hmm..." Ciel hummed thoughtfully while Lucile gave Sebastian a curious look. She'd told him she was going to visit Undertaker two days ago, but she didn't expect him to actually remember.
"Well there's not much we can do right now." Ciel said, "In the morning we'll go see if Undertaker has any useful information." Lucile nodded and went back to her desk but she didn't sleep. Instead she sat, swinging her legs back and forth, and stared out at the night sky wondering what she was going to do. She wanted to believe that Lash had nothing to do with the boys' disappearances, but in her heart she couldn't deny the coincidences. The boys had started going missing in the small rundown village a few days after the gypsies had arrived. Now, two days after Lash had come to London, children were going missing again. Of course this wasn't the first case they'd worked with missing children - Lady Elizabeth Midford herself had been kidnapped by a mysterious person who turned children into puppets. Who was to say that these disappearances weren't the work of the same person? She hadn't read the report, but both Ciel and Sebastian seemed to be convinced it was the same as the village. If she remembered correctly it was only young girls taken by the puppet maker and only boys had been kidnapped in the village. Lucile sighed, no matter how she looked at it, it was the same mystery and Lash was somehow tied into it.
"I thought you would be asleep." Sebastian said stepping out from the shadows.
"Since when did you stop using the door?" she asked him, it was supposed to sound angry but Lucile just didn't have the energy that night. Sebastian leaned on the desk beside her and gazed out of the window,
"I didn't want to wake you on the off chance you'd be sleeping, not that being underneath you isn't fun." he said, "I'd rather not get hit in the face again." Lucile half smiled in the moonlight, "At least you're back to normal."
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"The whole 'kind and sensitive' act was wearing thin." she told him, "I was missing feeling like I wanted to punch you." Sebastian chuckled and closed his eyes. The two sat in silence for a long while, Lucile just enjoying the moonlight and who knew what Sebastian was enjoying. But despite the comfort the moon brought her, she couldn't shake the terrible feeling gnawing at her.
"Why did you lie to Ciel?" she asked him outright.
"I didn't." Sebastian replied with his eyes still closed, "You didn't know the gypsies were in town."
"I knew Lash was..." she admitted although she was sure that he already knew. Sebastian opened his eyes and moved to stand in front of her,
"Do you really think he would have the strength to be able to do anything like kidnapping little children? I'm fully aware that he is barely able to shift forms at the moment, not to mention his leg." he told her taking her hands, "No doubt he told you that he was alone anyway." Lucile pursed her lips again, thinking. Normally she would have questioned how Sebastian knew as much as he did but she figured he would have either heard from the doctor, Lau or Soma. It wasn't like he'd followed her into London.
"Changing topics briefly," Sebastian said getting her attention again, "You said Undertaker was acting strange, do you think he knows something he's not telling us?"
"It wouldn't surprise me. He always seems to know everything." she said softly. Sebastian gave her a curious look not really understanding what she was saying but didn't question it, instead he let her hands go and retreated back into the shadows.
"You should sleep. I get the feeling tomorrow is going to be hell." he said.
"I'm sure you'd love that." she muttered smirking at his choice of words.

Thank you so much to Stitch Kitty for the wonderful picture of Lucile - I truly adore it! If you wish to see it, please head on over to her Tumblr - terrapostsstuff. Also if you have any fan art please don't hesitate to let me know xx

What's to come in the next chapter: More LucilexUndertaker moments, Lucile finally being badass again and more fights with Sebby, exposed secrets and the truth about what happened to Lucile's family...dun dun daaaaah!