Sebastian had been in teaching mode for hours now. The day had come and gone. He'd barely scratched the surface when it came to getting Ciel's energy under control. Sure, the boy had managed to pull it in, but the problem was keeping it there.

"Ciel, you must concentrate," the demon said lowly after feeling the energy release once more.

"I am!" the boy yelled in response, gripping the seat of his chair to keep from bounding out towards the demon.

"Not hard enough," he growled. Striding over to him, he placed his hands upon both of Ciel's shoulders, pushing him against the wooden spindles of the back. "How would you survive if I were to leave?" he asked seriously.

Ciel's eyes widened in response. He didn't know what to say; he was dumbfounded. "Y-you can't…you promised."

"I am no longer bound by that promise," he whispered, inches from the boy's face. Yanking himself away, he spun and walked towards the door.

"Wait!" he yelled, fearful that the demon truly would leave him alone. The demon stopped in his tracks. "You're going after her aren't you?" Sebastian was silent. "You…You love her, don't you." He spoke almost inaudibly, but he knew that he could hear him. There was still nothing, but silence. Ciel now understood his ex-butler's actions.

Truth be told, he'd been suspicious all along. Ever since she first showed up at their door, the way Sebastian had looked at her, the thought had lingered in the back of his mind. Whenever he had spoken of her, the way his voice would grow low at the memories, always gave him away. Ciel had always excused it, though, because Sebastian could never feel that way about anyone, truly. At least, that's what he'd thought…until now.

"I'll try again," he said, sitting back in his chair. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, concentrating.


Rosalina laughed underneath him. That last orgasm had finally sated her. Her body had become tingly and numb in parts. Her mind was slightly foggy, but she was recovering fast. Dragus nipped at her neck just before raising up on his hands.

"Are you ready to negotiate, now?" he asked, pulling out of her.

"Negotiate what, exactly?"

"You help me kill Sebastian and the brat and I'll get you back into good graces with Asmodeus." He stood and walked over to where his clothes had been left on the ground. Rose remained sprawled out on the cold stone floor.

"What makes you think I give a shit about being in good graces with anyone?"

"Have you never been told what we get the higher up the chain we are? To put it simply, we have the power. You can have anything and everything. You name it: Souls, Sex-"

"A blade," she mumbled, questioning. He raised an eyebrow while buttoning his shirt.

"If you like."

"Here are my terms if you want my help. Obviously you don't need me, but you know my past with Sebastian, so, you think my presence could help. Maybe my being there would throw him off his game. First, I want in, at the top this time. Second, I want to know everything about the blades…everything. Is there a way to become immune to its effects?" Rosalina wanted to know everything. The power within her was hungry, nearly gluttonous for more. She already could feel the demon side making her stronger.

"What is there to know? They can be replicated; they kill other demons. Well, there is one more thing…they heighten your demonic energy."

"I'm listening…" She rose up onto her elbows, drawing one knee up.

"The original blade didn't do it, but the way they've created the new ones basically pulls in your energy and multiplies it. You'll move faster, hit harder, and kill more effectively."

"Is there a way to prevent being killed by one?" Rose brought herself to her feet and put her hands on her hips, watching him pull his pants on.

"I've heard talk of them researching it, but nothing has been found yet." He buttoned his cuffs and let his gaze drift over her naked body. "So, that covers your thirst for information. However, I don't know if those terms are fair for what I'm asking in return. I'm going to need a lot more in return to get you back in. And I can only do so much. After what you did, I don't think I can get you at the top, certainly not equal to me."

"What do you want?" she asked seductively.

"Well, let's start with having you, anytime I want, however I want, until I decide otherwise." He walked towards her, pulling a strand of her hair to his nose. "Another thing, no shower before we leave, I want Sebastian to smell exactly what we've been doing. I want him to smell me all over you." He paused for a moment, smelling the air himself. "As far as what else I would require in order for me to get you back in, I'm not sure…what can you offer me?"

"If you can get me to an equal position, I'll get you Nickola Luxor. I can get to him, kill him, but I'll let you take the credit. Do we have a deal?" Rose slid her hands up the front of his shirt, feeling the stitching beneath her fingers.

Dragus studied her face for a moment. Grasping her chin, he smashed his lips against hers in an almost cruel kiss. "Deal."


"Now, pull in all your energy," Sebastian said, hoping it would be the last time. Ciel had seemed to have improved greatly that day. Though he was far from being proficient, what he had learned could keep him hidden for a little while.

He watched as Ciel relaxed his body, closed his eyes, and slowly began to inhale. His energy started to recede and fade from his surroundings. Sebastian closed his own eyes and focused on trying to find any trace of energy from him. When he found none, he breathed out in relief.

Sebastian took a few quiet steps forward. He wanted to test Ciel; he needed to see how well he could sense his surroundings and still keep his concentration. Ciel had learned to breathe while still keeping his energy drawn in, but he was so easily distracted.

Bringing his hand slowly up to the side of Ciel's face, he took two fingers together and snapped. He watched as the boy's eyelids fluttered slightly at the abrupt sound. Still, though, he could feel no spare energy.

"Well done," he said, trying to sound congratulatory.

Ciel opened his eyes and they faded back into blue. He looked at the demon next to him, noticing the look in his eyes seemed aloof. "How are you going to find her?" he asked softly.

"I'm not exactly sure. I'll have to call on a few favors, I suppose."

"And I'm to stay here," he said, looking towards the floor. Ciel wasn't at all happy about being left alone. In the back of his mind, all along, he'd known that Sebastian couldn't stay with him forever, but he'd hoped. How would he survive? He didn't know a damn thing about being a demon.

"You'll be fine until I return." That word had provided some relief for Ciel; the fact that Sebastian planned to come back was more than enough for him. "As long as you keep yourself hidden, no one will come after you. You're no threat; they'll leave you be unless-" He stopped mid-sentence when he felt an overwhelming energy suddenly within the room. Glancing down, he saw that Ciel was feeling it too; his eyes were wide as he stared to the corner of the room. Sebastian turned, feeling the presence behind him.

"Lucky for you both that I decided to bring the battle to you." Dragus held that conniving smirk on his face, the one he'd always wore when he thought that he'd won. Sebastian's eyes only focused on the demon's face for a moment before his eyes were quickly torn away to another form. Rosalina walked out from behind Dragus, her hand caressing him as she rounded his body. Sebastian's blood began to boil with fury.

"What have you done?" he growled to the male demon. Rosalina was obviously not herself. He felt the energy she was giving off and, realizing what had occurred, his heart sank. Her smile widened as she clung to Dragus in a sensual manner. "Rose, what-"

"I did nothing," Dragus said, putting his arm around his companion. "You did this, Sebastian. You walked out on her, left her. She tried to get you to see, but you refused, you denied. Now, she's mine; in fact," he said, his voice growing lower, "she's been mine many times over since last night."

His eyes flashed a brilliant red when the scent in the air caught him off-guard. Sebastian gritted his teeth and clenched his hands into fists, trying not to lash out. If he took one uncalculated move against Dragus, he'd surely lose. Ciel rose from his chair, preparing for any unexpected action.


A/N: Once again, I failed at being on time with a chapter. It's been a horribly busy past week or so, plus, my internet was down for a week. Everything is back to normal now, although my daughter is teething, so I'll try and get these last chapters out as quickly as I can.