Chapter 5 – Revealing the past
"You mean Alfred?"
"Yes Alfred! He screwed around with my memories and yours! I lost precious years and forgot about my revenge! But eventually I managed to cure myself! I remembered! Ha-ha!"
This man sounded like a real lunatic, stripped of reason. He was no longer sane...
"Fa..." I wasn't sure what to call him anymore... "we need to get out of here! The ceiling is going to cave in at any moment!" I said trying to talk some sense into the man.
"It's too late! My plan has come to a glorius end! Since Rudolph would have taken care of Miss Midford by now, there remains only one last thing. You will die here with me."
"I'm afraid I can't permit that," a calm voice said and I looked to see Alfred standing not far from me.
"Alfred! We all need to get out of here before it is too late!"
I picked up a chair and hurled it through a window, sending glass flying outside. Two things happened similtaneously. My 'father' fired a gun on me and at the same time Alfred appeared before me in seconds, taking the shot in his back. At the same time Alfred had picked me up and jumped out the window with me in his arms.
He let me down on the grass and I coughed to get smoke out of my lungs.
"Father! Alfred, we need to save him!"
"You know as well as I do that man is not your father any more, Anne."
"Alfred, what is this all about?"
He didn't answer me immediately when I looked at him.
"I know that you are not human...I can tell that much from what you just did. Please tell me...did you really mess with our memories?"
"There is a difference between "messing" as you so crudely put it or removing them. Everything I did was on order to fullfill my contract with your father."
"My father?"
"Your real father. Before he died he summoned me. My side of the bargain was to protect you from this man. Since I was not going to raise a human child by myself I removed his memories so that he accepted and raised you. I also had to remove certain of your memories to make it work."
"You mean, all these years I believed that this man who murdered my father was..."
I was in shock and couldn't speak.
"Yes. I am afraid my contract is now coming to a close so I will have to leave soon."
"Alfred, not you too! Please don't leave! I beg you!"
"Miss Cortez... I must say I had grown rather fond of you over the years... I am actually very tempted to take you with me, but alas...if it hadn't been impossible for me to change you."
"What are you talking about? Change me? You mean into a demon?!"
"The mark that you bore on your lower back was the sign of the contract between me and your father. Once it disappears I have no obligation to stay with you. It was also the only thing keeping you from... your other side. A barrier if you will."
"Please stop talking in circles, Alfred. What is this about?"
"Angelique, you have a very ironic name since you inherited something quite opposite from your mother. That is all I will tell you. The rest is up to you. As a parting gift I will do one last thing for you if you wish it."
"What is it?"
"Do you want your memories back? Some of it will be very unpleasant."
"I...I have to know the truth."
"Very well."
He touched my temple. I cried out and sunk to my knees. That was when I saw someone running towards us.
"Anne!"
It was Ciel. Sebastian was next to me in an instant, shielding me from Alfred.
"You know it is not protocol to interrupt with another demon's contract, you know," Alfred said to Sebastian.
"I do not sense a contract between you two."
"True... it had just expired."
I barely heard what they were saying to each other. All the memories of my childhood rushed back. My father dying. I pulled out the knife hoping it would somehow bring him back. That was when I first met Alfred and the man I had believed to be my dad. They were arguing and then Alfred did something to him and he fell down. Then he came to me.
"Don't be afraid, little princess. I will protect you."
He used the same words my father always had. That was when he had erased my memories. I could also remember everything before then with amazing clarity. The photo of my parents on the hallstand. My mother was very pale, but extremely beautiful. I remembered one time I had cut myself and put my bleeding finger in my mouth. It tasted nice. My father had been horrified and scolded me. I didn't understand why. He told me never to put blood into my mouth again because it would make me sick. Was I... perhaps a different kind of demon? Alfred said that he couldn't change me...perhaps something else?
"Anne?"
I only now realised it was Ciel. He was kneeling next to me.
"Ciel? This is terrible...the man I thought was my father was actually the murderer."
"I know."
I looked at him with surprise. He helped me get up and I turned to Alfred.
"Alfred, how could you lie to me like this for all these years?"
"I am a demon, Anne, not your father. Nor your friend. You will have to accept that and move on."
"What...if I don't want to?"
"Then you will be truly lost."
With that Alfred disappeared.
"Damn you!" I yelled. I didn't realise that I was crying until Ciel handed me his hankerchief.
"I'm already lost..." I whispered as I looked up at the still burning mansion. I was taken to Phantomhive manor to recover. The west wing and the part of the manor that housed the rooms were all burnt down, but since the servants quarters were still all fine the household staff could still occupy it.
"Anne...if you have a moment, we need to discuss something," Ciel told me two mornings after. Lizzy had been allowed to go home since the murderer had been killed. We had just had breakfast. I still felt like a wreck physically and emotionally, but did my best to hide it. I ended up being something like Lizzy around Ciel, irritating him. At least then he kept his distance. I was afraid of what might happen if he came to close.
"We both know you were not really a detective for her majesty," Ciel said as he both sat down in his study.
"I know that now, yes. It was all part of a farce orchastrated by my fake father."
"Her Majesty asked me investigate you as the stories about 'the queen's cat' reached even London. We tried to find a way to expose you but you kept playing your part flawlessly. Then Sebastian noticed the contract mark you used to have when he tended to your shoulder wound and it became clear that there was more than met the eye. The arrest was arranged to see if you would confess, but that failed..."
I was utterly shocked, but could not speak so I kept listening in silence.
"I then suggested seduction," Sebastian continued, "which normally is very effective on women."
Something inside me snapped.
"So, it was all an act?" I asked, getting up. Ciel also got up and was coming towards me.
"Anne...that's not how it is..."
"Don't come near me!" I shouted and moved away from him. He stopped in his tracks.
"I have had it with people and demons using me! I will take my leave!"
It had been several months since I had stormed out of Phantomhive manor. I regretted being like a spoiled brat, but knew it was no use crying over spilt milk. It was a bitter pill to swallow. I had thought that there genuingely was something between me and Ciel, but it seems like it was just me that thought so.
Cortez mansion had been fully restored and I decided to live here for a while. This had been the home my real father preferred. About a month after the whole fire incident I had received a visit from officials of scotland yard. Her majesty apparently requested that I joined forces with them as a detective for real, since she had been informed of my success in the past with other issues in the country and I accepted. This also contributed to my decision to stay near London for now since her majesty wanted me here. It would also mean that I might have to rub shoulders with Ciel again. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I hated him, but part of me missed him too.
I returned to my unsual routine of sleeping during the day and going out at night. None of the household staff questioned it. I also noticed that my appetite for food had declined significantly to a stage where I was considering seeing a dietician. I found that things I enjoyed eating before was becoming tasteless. Was this what Alfred meant? My other side?
"The carriage is ready, my lady," Rudolph told me as I descended the stairs. Since Alfred left he had taken over being the butler. I was on my way to attend a ball which her majesty also would attend and she requested that I be there too. Normally I avoided all social events unless it had something to do with a case and up until now I only saw Ciel and Sebastian from a distance when cases incidentally drew us together, but I never spoke to him. Sebastian always noticed me, but didn't say anything to me or Ciel.
Lily had helped me once again to dress up to the nines. I was wearing a dark emerald green dress and jewels around my neck and in my ears to go with it. I wore long black gloves and shoes to round it off. Since I came to live here I learnt a lot about the society here in London. It was all about appearance and I was planning to give them all something to talk about tonight. I had to establish a strong persona as the Cortez heir. This would make it easier for me to 'melt away' when I am on investigating duties as no one would dare think we are the same person. There were only two officials in scotland yard who knew about me and neither of them were the type to talk. And it they did they wouldn't be able to for long.
Rudolph walked me into the hall and accompanied me to greet the queen. After which I took a glass of wine and forced it down my throat. Even drinks now tasted horrible. Since I couldn't enjoy eating or drinking I decided to amuse myself with the people there. I knew all sorts of little secrets about the people and enjoyed seeing them squirm when they thought I knew something and was about to say something to expose their skeletons. Of course, then I would laugh and look at them like I had no idea. Their reactions were always so predictable.
Then a woman dropped a glass. It shattered, splashing wine on everyone nearby. She apologised and servants quickly came over to clean up the mess. I stood away, luckily I didn't get wine splashed on me. That was when it happened. One of the servants cut herself while picking up the glass. The smell of blood was overwhelming. I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Before I knew it I had crouched down next to the servant and grabbed her hand. She looked up at me in horror. What was I wanting to do? Why am I drawn to blood? Someone at the same time had grabbed my arm, forcing me to let go of the servant's.
I looked up and saw it was Sebastian.
"Lady Cortez was just worried that you might get yourself cut again Miss, please have it treated as soon as possible," he apologised to the servant in a loud voice so those around could also hear.
"My lady, will you be as kind as to let me escort you?" he asked, offering me his arm. I took it and let me lead me away from the people staring. I felt confused and dazed. Was I turning into some kind of monster?
I didn't really register where we were going. Eventually Sebastian opened a door and we went in. I only realised we were in a room when he closed the door behind us. This must be one of the rooms that were made available to guests.
"What is the meaning of this Sebastian?" I asked, suddenly feeling very tired and weak.
"I am protecting you and the people in there from each other."
"I...I don't know what came over me...I don't feel well...perhaps I'll rest a bit."
I sat down on the bed. My head was spinning.
Why was he still here?
"Aren't you going to make Ciel angry if you are gone for too long?"
Sebastian smiled in a way that showed he found it amusing that I was trying to shoo him out of the room.
"Lord Phantomhive can call me whenever he likes. Besides, he's currently with his fiance. I wouldn't want to invade their privacy."
That one stung.
"Bastard," I said under my breath as I turned onto my side on the bed, facing away from him.
"You still like him, don't you?" Sebastian said with a laugh.
"Just leave me alone," I replied without looking at him.
"May I ask what exactly it is you wanted?"
I could hear he was standing right behind me. Why was he talking about this now?
"Did you want his body? Or did you want...his blood?"
I sat up and turned to him.
"That's enough! You don't know what you are talking about and besides it doesn't matter what I wanted anyway!" I yelled feeling very offended. The truth was that he was right. I wasn't sure myself if I truly loved Ciel. I did feel something when he kissed me, but it could have been because it was the first time someone held me close like that...
"I am not convinced that what you think you feel for lord Phantomhive is love. I will prove it to you."
"What..." I started to say but then he had just slit his wrist with a knife. The smell was overwhelmingly...delicous... somehow reminding me of cinnamon. My eyes were fixed on his wrist and I could not look away. The wound healed up in front of my eyes.
"Do you want it?" Sebastian asked with a slight smile.
"Er...no, of course not!" I objected and forced myself to look away.
"Liar."
He cut his wrist again, the smell of cinnamon once again assaulted my senses.
"Leave me alone! I...don't want to...hurt you."
It took all I had not to attack him. I couldn't believe it, I was craving a demon's blood...
The next moment Sebastian pressed me down onto the bed. His movement was so fast that I had no time to react. His lips pressed on mine and his tongue forced mine open, forcing warm liquid into my mouth. Sweet delicious cinnamon. He must have taken some of his blood into his mouth. I could not fight my body any longer and gulped it down. My tongue swirled, trying to find every drop in Sebastian's mouth. My hands dug into his back, pulling him closer. I could feel warmth spread through my whole body and the dizziness I felt earlier melting away. Eventually he pulled back, holding me down. I groaned in protest, but he was stronger than me.
"Now, now, that is plenty to keep you going for a week or two."
My mind finally cleared and I realised what I had just done. I stared at Sebastian in horror.
"I'm a monster!" I cried and burried my face in my hands.
"You're a vampire, that is not quite enough to make you a monster."
"How can you be so calm about it?! I will crave human blood and almost attacked that servant tonight. This is seriously going to complicate things...not just for me personally but also in my work..."
I looked up in Sebastian's eyes.
"How did this happen? Why did I become this way?"
"I can't tell for sure, but it could be that you inherited it from one of your parents. There are a few very rare cases where a human/vampire union produced a child. You know...I could sense that there was something different about you from the first time we met, but couldn't put my finger on it. When I saw the contract mark on you I knew that it was shielding you somehow. It must have been suppressing this part of you."
"Oh great...now I will have to stay out of churches and not eat garlic," I said sarcastically.
"No...most of the things you read about vampires are actually not true."
"Really? So I won't fry in sunlight?"
"Well, not fry no, but I understand you will be very uncomfortable. Severe headaches and such."
"How do you know so much about vampires?"
"I asked a friend."
"A friend? Is this friend a vampire?"
"No, but he knows a lot about most non-human creatures. Here is his card, if you need to know more I suggest you speak to him."
I looked at the card, it said "The Undertaker" on it.
"Oh..."
I looked at Sebastian in silence. He was still sitting very close to me and I could see a trace of blood on his lip. I recalled when his lips were on mine and absentmindely touched my mouth.
"If you look at me like that I might not be able to control myself, you naughty girl," he said and stood up. I looked away embarrased.
"You should be okay for a while. As long as you don't let the craving build up too much you should be able to act normally around humans. I'm afraid lord Phantomhive is calling for me. Until next time."
With that he disappeared. I sat in shocked silence. This would take some getting used to. It made sense somehow, why I was more comfortable being awake at night. My eating 'disorder'. I laughed bitterly.
I made sure there was no trace of blood on my face before returning to the hall. The rest of the night passed without incident, but I was happy when I could go home.