Ciel's POV

I open my eyes and feel a dull ache in the back of my head. Looking around, I notice that I'm in my bedroom; he must of brought me here. Claude appeared, and knocked me out. Why did he come here? He must've come for Alois, and I was unconscious, unable to protect him. I try to get up but realize that my hands are tied to the bedpost, I'm completely defenseless.

"My apologies for being so rough Lord Phantomhive," a voice says and I turn to see Claude standing across the room.

"You," I say, rage biting into me. I activate the contract seal, "Sebastian, get here-"

I'm cut off by Claude putting a gloved hand over my mouth.

"Pardon me," he says softly, "But I'm not done here. And I'd hate for your butler to come and make things difficult."

"I assume you came for Alois," I say, changing the subject. Trying to call Sebastian is useless, Claude will just keep covering my mouth so I can't give him any orders.

"I've already paid him a visit," Claude tells me calmly, "Now I want to talk to you."

"What did you do to Alois?!" I yell, "You better not of hurt him!"

"He's alive, but barely."

"You son of a bitch!"

"I needed to slow him down somehow. It would be unfortunate if he stumbled across his lover's dead body."

"What?"

"I've decided in order to get Alois to return with me, something had to be done. But killing you isn't enough, no. I broke his spirit. I told him that if he didn't do what I said, I'd simply kill you. Alois really cares about you, he cried as I took him. And I wasn't gentle either. I wonder if he'll ever be able to work up the courage to tell you what I did to him."

"Shut up."
"He was pretty upset to learn that I never intended to spare your life. But he shouldn't be surprised, I am a demon after all."

"You son of a bitch! How could you do this to someone you're supposed to serve faithfully. You may be a demon, but you're also a butler!"

"I don't really care for the position, too be honest. I only care about making sure Alois fulfills his wish fastest so I take his soul."

"Demon or not, you still have a duty to ensure your master is unharmed! I'm sure Sebastian feels the same way, that he doesn't want to be serving me but he does. Because it's part of the contract he makes sure I'm safe and follows my orders. Whereas you're the one that keeps hurting Alois."

"I've grown tired of this conversation."

Claude pulls some gold plated knives from inside his jacket, "Any last words?"

Alois' POV

After a while of searching, I find my way to Ciel's room. I immediately recognize Claude's voice coming from behind the door. Ciel has to be in there with him, I just know it. I reach to open the door and dizziness clouds my brain. Putting my hand out, I steady myself on the wall. Claude miscalculated, I'm losing blood a lot faster than anticipated. At this rate, I'll-. I stop myself there, I can't die, not until I make sure Ciel's safe. I toss the door open, and see Claude standing not far from Ciel, gold plated knives glittering in his hand. He draws his hand back and I muster what's left of my strength and jump between them. I feel several of the knives dig deep into me and I fall to the ground.

"Alois!" I hear Ciel shout, "No!"