Chapter 12
"Ash." I choked out, taking a step back my white dress already dirty from the dusty paths. But when I turned around ghosts emerged, blocking my exit. I was trapped. Spinning back to him he held up a glimmering sword in the moonlight, lowering it with a twisted smile.
"The soul sword." I gaped. "But...how did you?"
"That Druitt really is a fool." Ash mused, twirling the sword in his elegant gloved hands. "I took the sword back ages ago...he still believes the replica he possesses is real...such a shame...He will surely burn in hell for his stupidity as well as...other vices."
Other vices? Was that all they were? Human trafficking seemed far more serious than mere 'devices'.
"Ash I can't let you walk away." I started, sounding foolish, after all...I was the one who was trapped. He chuckled at my words his lilac eyes glimmering beautifully in amusement.
"This sword could very well be your only chance to rise again." he told me, examining it lazily. "How long do you have before you are officially claimed a demon?" he asked, his eyes shifting to mine. "Two? Three hours? If I recall tonight is your last chance. You've wasted so much time with your demon pet that you let time slip away."
"Stop talking down to me!" I snapped my heart thundering in my chest. "You tricked me into falling."
"But you fell regardless." he smiled. "And idiocy is not allowed past heaven's gates. But let's not change the subject though, shall we?" he asked with a growing smile, leaping down gracefully from the tomb, landing several feet in front of me, his lush white hair perfect against his pale skin. "You're turning into a demon...I'm sure you've experienced some effects. mood swings, anger...come on tell me Crystal...have you ever wanted to reach into someone's chest?" he whispered, drawing himself close, his lips pressed lightly to my ear. "And rip there heart out?" he jumped back, the sudden movement causing me to recoil. "Perhaps with our little blonde friend?" I couldn't deny my hatred for Alois, and mere moments before I had longed for nothing more than to shut him up permanently. "And what does this sword sound like to you?" he asked examining it curiously. His eyes blazing with enthusiasm. It was like he was a little boy and I his new found toy, nothing more than an experiment. I could tell he'd done this before. He'd watched and laughed as angels fell, toying and tormenting them all the way.
"I'm sure it's become irritating." he told me. "Like a piercing cry...that's what demon's hear at least. What do you hear? Screaming? Crying? Only the purest of souls can hear the sword's true beauty...like a song, the notes just out of reach in the wind. But you're too far gone for that I suppose."
"You're the one raising the souls from their graves." I accused, desperate to change the subject. He was beginning to freak me out. His sadistic joy in torturing me as well as countless other restless souls.
"It's incredible...isn't it?" he asked, smiling. "Now I needn't lift a finger, just step back and allow them to tear you limb from limb for me. Or I suppose I could use the sword to end you right here and now." he raised the sword in a flash, its angled tip resting under my chin. Pulling it away with a wink. "But I'm not going to do that...now am I? I have a...far more suitable punishment in mind for you. Your demon friend will be more than happy to rip you apart for me."
"You're an asshole!" I snarled, lunging forward like some sort of animal, freezing mid step, collapsing to my knees as a piercing pain split my mind, my brain thundered against my temples. Groaning as I sunk further, pressing my head to the ground. The pain was horrible, the irritable screech was like nails on a chalkboard.
"It seems you're taking it well." he laughed, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he circled me, the tip of the sword tracing a circle in my back. "Why haven't you shown your wings yet?" he asked, not even waiting for me to answer, not even letting up on the pain, that horrible, horrible ear splitting noise. "It's because you're ashamed, isn't it? You're going to have to face facts sooner or later Crystal." he said, lifting the blade up into the air. "After all, this." He brought the sword down fast, the blade slicing through my dress, piercing my skin and leaving a long shallow slash along my back. I threw my head back, screaming out against the searing pain. "Is" he lashed out again "who." again. "You" again! "Are." AGAIN! I screamed, the back of my dress shredded, my skin burning from the inside out, each cut deep, but kept purposely non-fatal.
"You're..." I choked, gasping for breath as the screaming came to a halt, the entire forest seeming to freeze as Ash grinned down at me, like a child impressed by his own artwork. "You're a monster."
"Well at least I'm not a demon." he grinned, glancing up as Ciel and an irritable Sebastian emerged from the nearby path. The demon's eyes locked with Ash's before falling onto my pathetic and shriveled form. Still on my knees, my face pressed against my hands.
"You finally decided to show up demon." Ash snickered, taking a step away from me. Holding up his sword horizontally. "Demon...I command you to finish this angel." the sword resounded and Sebastian winced, he took a ridged step forward, his red eyes meeting mine. I was pathetic, silently pleading for help. but this wasn't his choice as he came closer, struggling to hold his head high he came to a halt above me, a dangerous and cruel fire burning in his eyes. He came to a halt, pulling out his knives, poised to strike. Sending one went flying, Ash was barely able to block it with his sword, the distraction postponing his controlling technique.
"But how...I don't understand." he questioned, glancing between Sebastian and his sword. The demon, obviously upset taking a threatening step closer.
"Did you truly believe I would become the victim of such a petty trick?" he snapped, irritated. "What kind of a butler would I be if I killed my guest?" A low growl escaped his throat, his eyes blazing red. The demon was fuming and even the most powerful angels knew to be weary of a raging demon.