Chapter Twenty-Three

"That infuriating demon!"

I growled lowly, digging my heels into the poor beast below me. Around me the english countryside blurred into an indecipherable mass. Under the cloak of night everything held a somewhat sinister edge, but nothing mattered to me more than the thought of decapitating that handsome head right off of that damned butler's shoulders.

How dare he leave me out of this! How dare he think himself so superior that he may order me about in any way he pleased! Oh, he would get it. Every inch of the punishment coming his way would be wholly deserved. I would make him wish he never even thought about using our blood contract to his advantage. With every ounce of power I contained, I would torture him right into the next life and then bring him right back out of hell to repeat the process all over again. It would certainly be one hell of an eternity for him.

The great Devil himself would shudder in terror at my fury.

"Oh just you wait, Sebastian," I chuckled dryly to myself. "Oh just you wait."

Before me to Phantomhive mansion materialized out of the darkness, looming before me like a fortress of power. Its blackened windows and gray stone walls looked carnivorous and hungry by the light of the moon, beckoning me to come closer so that it may swallow my being whole. I laughed at the thought, my mind could certainly twist even the most innocent of things into something horrid when I was furious.

I yanked the reins back, pulling my stead to a brisk halt before the first steps to the entrance. Beneath me the horse shuddered, its head bowing towards the ground as it snorted for breath. I grimaced at the white flecks of foam around the bit and the dark stains of sweat splotching the poor bay's glossy coat. It would have done me well to have considered the beast's stamina while I raced here from London.

Dismounting from my position astride, I rushed up the steps with my skirts in hand. There was no need to consider the animal wondering off, it certainly was too exhausted for such activity. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it laid down right there with the tack and all. A small amount of pity welled up in my chest, it was all my doing that the animal was in such a state, but Sebastian had made it sound urgent that I get here.

... And my anger might have played a small role in my carelessness of the horse's state.

Before the doors of the mansion, I slammed my fist against it. Someone would have to be up in the master's absences. The servants might be daft, but they knew of their master's occupation under the Queen. They'd have to have some consideration that he might show up late at night if something were to come up in a case that lead him back here. It certainly couldn't be uncommon.

The sound of rushing feet rung clearly from the other side and I took a step back expecting the door to swing open any minute. Instead there was a pause just behind the wooden entrance and a distinctive click. Before I was able to place the familiarity of the sound, the door swung open and I found my face well acquainted with the barrel of a gun.

"Pardon me, I had no idea I was that unwelcome," I muttered as I took a step aside and out of range.

At the sound of my voice the barrel lowered and I was able to see just who was behind the weapon. Bard's gruff face stuck out like a sore thumb against the blackness of the mansion's backdrop. He looked slightly startled to see me standing before him, but as soon as he was able to discern it was me the gun was dropped level with his side.

"What are you doin' here, Tessa?" Bard asked, scratching his head in confusion at the sight of me standing on the front steps in the dead of the night.

I giggled softly and removed the hood of my cloak. "Evening to you as well, Bard. I trust all has been well in the mansion while we have been investigating?"

Bard's cigarette drooped at the corner of his mouth as I brushed passed him and into the mansion without a single word as to why I was here so late. I wouldn't be offering much of an excuse either, he would be finding out all in due time just as myself. Sebastian hadn't been so kind as to why I was being banished from the fun and ordered like a filthy mutt back here. The demon should just consider himself lucky the Baron didn't reside too far from the Phantomhive mansion, as it was already distant enough to make me feel slightly uncomfortable and light headed. The urge to be close to my blood contractor was strong, leaving me feeling as if the end of a line were snagged tight around my waist tugging me back to him. It was fortunate that I wasn't any further, it the separation were much more than this I feared I would be rendered out cold thanks to our binding agreement.

But the bastard probably didn't care.

I glanced down at the white gloves hiding our agreement from view. The contract was tingling currently, every now and then spiking with whatever emotion was driving Sebastian at the moment. Whatever was happening back at the Baron Kelvin's manor was both setting him on edge and awakening the larger part of his sadistic side.

But he had been right in sending me here, even if I still was not pleased with being left out of the fun back at the Baron's manor. It looked as if entertainment had come to me. The presences drawing nearer to the mansion were just hovering within the outskirts of the estate's property. In a few moment they'd be inside the boarders and within the hour at our front steps. Hostility washed off them in waves and with each intake of breath I could feel it swell up with another tide of anticipation. This was no friendly visit, which made it all the more promising an aspect. My fury might just find an outlet for the evening.

"Bard, have Finny take my horse to the stables," I ordered briskly. "I fear I've run the poor beast into the ground on the ride here. Come back here once your done, I need to find Mey-Rin."

"Tessa, it is very important that you have the others prepare for an attack," Sebastian stated firmly. "Just tell them to brace themselves, they'll know what to do from there."

My lips drew downwards into a frown. "The servants? Sebastian, you must be joking. They aren't exactly capable at their jobs, what makes you think they'll be equipped in case of an attack?"

Sebastian's lips twisted upwards at the corners, revealing sharp fangs. "Oh, but these are the servants of Phantomhive. They wouldn't be worth their salt if they could not protect their master's home."

I shook my head as I approached the maid's door. Sebastian could be very cryptic when he wished to be. While I wanted to doubt his words, and there were plenty of valid reasons for me to do so, I couldn't. Something about it made sense, capable fighters hiding behind the charade of incapable servants. It would fit those three perfectly, but more importantly it fit what I knew of Sebastian. He'd be the type of demon to build up a facade such as that.

I knocked on Mey-Rin's door, waiting patiently for the pigtailed maid to stumble across her room to open it for me. She peeked through the crack in the doorway she'd made, her eyeglasses catching the gleam of light from the unnecessary candle I held in my hand.

"Ah, Tessa! I wasn't expecting you, no I wasn't," she fumbled, opening the door wider. " 'Ave you and the young master returned home from London?"

I shook my head, "Actually no. Sebastian sent me here to tell you this: brace yourselves."

I couldn't tell if she understood or not with her eyes hidden behind those thick lenses. But it seemed she did got the message when she quickly turned on her heels and marched back into her room with more grace than I'd ever seen come from her before. I couldn't help it, my eyes widened at the sight of her as she quickly reached under her bed and drew out a thick trunk. The worn outer shell wasn't familiar to me, but when she popped the lid open I understood what Sebastian had said earlier.

They truly were fully equip for an attack.

Endless rows of neatly cleaned and polished rifles laid within the trunk. A supply of bullets were buried in the top half of the trunk, where they were quickly snatched from as Mey-Rin expertly loaded each weapon with a quick and steady hand. I watched as they were all loaded and readied in less time than I'd ever seen a weapon loaded before. It was shocking to know that the bumbling maid of the Phantomhive mansion was actually an expert with firearms, it almost made me wonder what else the other two servants could be hiding.

"Were the orders specific?" She inquired.

I paused, not expecting her to talk let alone address me in a suddenly even voice. Mey-Rin almost didn't sound like Mey-Rin, but it was the final touch of the glasses being pushed up to sit on her head that was the undoing of all my pervious doubts.

Sharp brown eyes stared unyieldingly up at me.

So that was why she wore those ridiculous glasses. Her eyes were incredibly gorgeous, but there was a quick, calculatedness about them that made them dangerous. She was smart to keep them hidden. They could prove to be just as dangerous for her as they were for shooting rounds off at enemies.

"No, but he did-," I stopped abruptly, tilting my head as I heard a noise from outside. It was too faint for a human ear to pick up, but the sharp snap came again a few moments later. Our midnight guests had finally crossed the last barrier and they certainly weren't planning on having to come in and kill us all silently. They probably thought we wouldn't have time to get away and get help anyway.

"Then I'll take position as I see-."

"Take the roof."

Mey-Rin paused, her rifles poised in her arms as she turned to me with a questioning look. My shock at having spoken without thinking wore off by the time her full attention was on me and by then a smirk was building on my lips.

"Pardon me, Tessa?"

"Take the roof," I repeated. "The enemies are approaching from the back, they'll reach Finny first, but they won't expect an attack from above. I'm sure you've used rooftops to your advantage before."

Mey-Rin grinned and saluted me, a glimpse of her clumsiness peeking through. "Yes, ma'am!"

I laughed, "Good, now I have a few more things I need to get done."

Mey-Rin's heavy footsteps faded out behind me as I headed back towards the entrance hall. Before I could set up a little entertainment of my own, I had to find Tanaka, I trusted Bard and Finny would be able to figure things out on their own. However, there was a little lady in the house that would need some sort of guard and the old stewart should be capable enough to watch over her until the threat was disposed of.

"Miss Tessa? Have the young master and Sebastian returned?"

I jumped at the voice and turned to face an older man. For someone so old, he stood even straighter than myself, nearly towering over me by a foot. Actually I was sure he'd be quite near to Sebastian's height if the two stood next to each other. I had to take a step back to be able to see his face, surprised to find it a familiar one.

"Tanaka?" I gaped.

"At your service, Miss."

I couldn't help it; I burst into a small fit of giggles. It was a surprise that was all. I hadn't expected him to be in this form, if any. It appeared that I had greatly misunderstood the servants of Phantomhive, from Finny to Mey-Rin and even Tanaka. Apparently they all had their worth, whether this worth was seen at first glimpse or not. I had to hand it to Sebastian, he knew what he was doing.

"Pardon me," I chocked out, forcing down the last of the bubbling laughter. "I was just looking for you actually. Sebastian sent me back to inform you guys to prepare yourselves from an attempt of assassination here at the mansion, I have already informed Mey-Rin of this and soon Bard and Finny will know as well. The only task remaining is to keep the Lady Elizabeth from knowing about the threat approaching the manor. I ask that you watch her for the Earl."

Tanaka bowed, a small smile on his face. "Of course."

I grinned then, "Well now that this matter is settled, excuse me, but I have some other things to attend to."

Behind me, I heard Tanaka chuckle softly. He had to know of the other servants, so did he suspect something similar of my case? His laugh made me believe so, but think what he may, he'd never guess correctly. Though, I glanced back at his retreating form, I did have my questions about how much that man knew about Sebastian's true nature. If he knew more than he let on, he certainly didn't act like what would be expected of a mortal. I brushed the though aside quickly.

Focus.

I heard the first yell when I reached my destination. The sound of it breaking through the cloak of night brought a smile to my lips. Within time and if I managed to get myself some action, I might find it in myself to forgive Sebastian for banishing me here like that. It was a large might, for the wrath of a female is never completely erased unless there has been measures taken to even out the score. But for the moment a might was looking much brighter for him then a complete denial of forgiveness from me.

The door to Ciel's study was just around the corner and I figured perhaps someone, an particularly idiotic someone, would stumble into it. A parlor and other guests rooms lined the hall nearby it, so it likened the chance of running into some poor soul. As if to strengthen my earlier assumptions the doorway stood open a crack as if someone or something had already wondered inside. The corners of my lips leapt upwards at the sight.

I walked to it slowly, allowing bits and pieces of my human glamour to fade the closer I got to the doorway, so by the time I laid my hand on the sturdy wood I no longer wore a human like face. Just imagining the face of whatever mortal lay behind it was enough to satisfy the monster inside. It celebrated knowing that the poor fool would probably pass out from fear alone.

"Damn."

The curse was enough to draw a pause from me and I stood with one hand on the door, leaning forward so that I could hear better. Someone moved about inside Ciel's study, their movements quick and calculated. The noise of drawers opening and contents being shuffled about rang loudly in my ears, the sound not sitting well with me.

They couldn't be from the circus crew- or at least I highly doubted the likely hood of that. Those people had come here for one thing: blood. I couldn't believe they would want to find something in Ciel's study, nothing of value to them laid in the stacks of paperwork and deeds. My mind however offered the alternative that they could believe that Ciel had filled evidence against them somewhere in his room. It would fit the situation and would explain why they would send someone to find it. They obviously didn't want to get caught or else they wouldn't go to the lengths they had to cover their tracks.

Peering through the crack, I watched a shadow move about the darkened study. White splotches, which I suspected were papers, stood out against the darkness often being thrown by a shadowed hand. From the glimpses I could manage to catch, the shape was obviously feminine. A small creature, perhaps only slightly larger than Ciel but smaller than myself. Their movements were hurried, an obvious rush to them. Whatever they were looking for needed to be found and found quick.

I shifted my weight, hoping to catch a better look at the intruder when a bad floor board beneath my shoe groaned lowly. I bit my lip and sent a quick glance downwards before looking back up at the room. The shadow had frozen in their place, staring directly at the crack in the doorway... directly at me.

Our gazes met for half a second, brilliant jade eyes locking with mine before they vanished in a whirl of black.

Without further pause I rushed into the room, the light from the candle I held spilling across the contents. But other then the usual furniture and contents, the room was empty. There was no intruder.

They were gone.