Claude puts Sebastian in his room and goes to attend to Kei, however he doesn't expect to be faced with a new problem. Alex returns home only to discover something unsettling.

What will Claude do when Kei dumps and envelope filled with photos on his desk?

Why is Kei so interested in Alex?

What does Alex return home to?

What has the Undertaker been hiding?

I hope you enjoy,

~Kuro

Chapter 71: Nevermore

Claude looked down at Sebastian and then to the threshold where Tonoin once stood, there was honestly no end to the amount of work which he was expected to do that day. He slowly picked Sebastian up in his arms and briskly carried him up the stairs. Some how having Tonoin see such a display frightened him. Not many people were willing to work with people who were gay, which was why Claude always worked to hide it. He opened the door to their room and placed Sebastian on the bed before grabbing a damp towel, he wasn't going to leave him a mess. There was a knock and he stared at Timber who entered timidly. He was standing in one of the new uniforms Sebastian had selected for formal events. "Why are you dressed like that?" asked Claude curiously as he continued to wipe away the evidence of their love making. "Thompson, Canterbury and my self felt that it would look better for you to have a fully functioning house, despite our guest's untimely presence," responded Timber, he sounded formal and Claude smiled. He could remember what it had been like with Alois; he was no where near as polished then as he was now. He looked over the demon and nodded, "Please bring up a bottle of white wine, Preferably Simi. I would also like you to make a basic side dish," he commented. Timber bowed and turned to leave in a hurry only to meet Canterbury at the door. He entered soundlessly and Claude returned to tending to his lover. "He is currently in the study, sir. Will you require anything else?" he asked formally. Claude pulled the duvet over Sebastian and then turned to his closet. "Yes I need you there as my assistant, not servant," he commented Canterbury looked at the matching uniform in confusion. "Sir?" he asked, there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Claude opened his closet and quickly pulled a pair of slacks and a plum dress shirt, he smiled and hummed. It was made of a soft silk; Sebastian had selected it and given it to him as a gift. Claude honestly wasn't one for purple, however when ever Sebastian selected anything for him in the color, he was always impressed by how well it suited him. Claude turned to Canterbury and responded, "Your brothers are very capable, however I need a paralegal and secretary, so far you have done a fine job. I was going to speak to them as well soon enough about this." Canterbury stared at the him and nodded firmly. He moved to the side and allowed Claude to pass him and continue to the study. The golden eyed arachnid paused at the door and slowly opened it; oddly having a human in the house, other than Alex frightened him. Tonoin was looking at the books on the shelves and turned to face him. For a split second he looked like Sterling, the very way he carried himself was so similar to his father, it was frightening. Canterbury entered behind them and closed the door, "Good evening Tonoin, may I assist you," Claude asked, he had managed to regain composure after the incident in the kitchen. Tonoin looked a little shocked and turned his attention to the pair of golden eyes which seemed to bore a hole into him. "I wanted to meet Mr. Michaelis, his office informed me he was here and would more likely than not see me. However," he paused and laughed a little. His gaze softened and he slowly loosened his tie. "Mr. Faustus I'm not going to dance around the fact that I witnessed you two in a moment of intense passion. To be honest I was surprised to say the least," he commented and looked at the desk. Claude watched his expression and noticed how casual this young man was becoming, "I never expected to walk in on my attorney and the president of Artistry in that heat. I'm surprised really; you two are so good together." Tonoin paused and smiled listlessly, "I wish I had a relationship like that," he commented.

Claude laughed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "What did you want to speak to him about?" he asked after a moment and smiled. He was always nervous about what others may think of their indecent relationship, that it never occurred to him that there might be someone who wouldn't be as biased. "Well, I was wondering about the contract which he had with Sterling. As well as I was still interested in attending the auction," he replied with ease. Claude sat back in his seat and asked, "This required a visit?" Kei was silent, there was clearly something else he wanted to know. He wouldn't have even thought of venturing to their home at this time of day without there being a more pressing matter at hand. Kei reached nervously into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. He placed it on the desk before Claude, his emerald eyes were cold and void of any and all emotions. "Mr. Faustus, tell me who that girl is," he demanded, he looked like Sterling had when he demanded information. Claude's golden eyes narrowed and he rose from his seat, "She's a Stark and your graphic designer," he replied sternly. He wasn't going to budge, not on this. Kei looked into Claude's eyes and continued, "Faustus I could destroy you at this moment," he breathed. Claude looked at Kei in confusion and began to wonder where he was going with this. He was always certain to keep his past hidden, unless another demon assisted him in finding information he wouldn't know where to look. There were even demons which couldn't track him, "How so?" he snarled, "From where I stand I am the one who could destroy you."

Kei laughed coldly and commented, "Open the envelope, I found those in my study, you lied to me." Claude noticed how confident he looked and reached down and pulled out the drawer of his desk. With a snap he had one surgical glove on and was about to proceed when Sebastian opened the door of his study, Kei's eyes widened as he watched the silk bellow behind him. Sebastian was dressed entirely in black, he looked sleek and rather sensual. Claude leaned back in the chair and watched as he lover entered the study bear foot, carrying a bottle and three wine glasses. "It's a bit late to be shouting at one another," he said sweetly as he placed the bottle on the desk along with the three glasses. Sebastian reached over and picked up the parchment, "I see Sterling manages to give us a hard time from beyond the grave," he said with a note of irritation as he slipped Claude's golden letter opener under the lip of the envelope and opened it. Claude looked at Sebastian and asked, "What does it say?"

Sebastian's red eyes lifted and he looked at Kei, "Did you read this?" he asked after a moment. Kei's hair swayed as he nodded and Sebastian drew a deep breath. He looked at Claude and then back to the page. "It says one fraise," he replied, "What happens to butterflies when they loose a wing?" Claude looked confused until Sebastian dumped the contents of the envelope on the desk. Kei glared at Claude who was now staring in shock at the photos. "No matter how far she runs they will always catch up to her," said Sebastian slowly. There were photos of Alex all over his desk, shot from parties and events. Other shots taken of her while she was getting her coffee, a few with her working at her desk and finally those dreaded photos from so long ago. Kei was fuming and Sebastian looked at him, it was clear that Kei liked her. "Tonoin-san I think we need to talk, and not so hostilely," he responded as he slowly picked up the wine bottle and glasses once again and walked over to the sofa which he usually perched on. Claude took the bottle from Sebastian's fingers and made quick work of opening it. The scent of the dark red liquor filled the room and seemed to put everyone at ease. Kei slowly took a seat across from the sofa and watched as the golden eyed spider poured a glass of the dark red wine and handed it to him. "It's far too late for tea," he commented with a smile.

Kei had never been faced with someone like Claude, from what Sterling had told him Claude was the best in the field. There was nothing this man couldn't obtain. He slowly took the glass with rested in Claude's hands and looked at the attorney before him, he seemed different around his lover. It was as though he was untouchable in this house, and yet vulnerable at the same time. He handed a glass to Sebastian and then took a seat beside his lover on the white sofa. Kei stared at Sebastian's fingers which were wrapped around the glass. He watched the man swirl the red wine and slowly inhale the smell, he looked so different compared to the photos of him. His green eyes shifted to Claude who looked as though he were made of marble, he was intimidated by this man in his office and yet now he was slightly more uncomfortable. Sebastian looked at Kei, "Now then let's start, I assume you are looking for Alex's file," he commented. Sebastian's voice seemed even more intimidating than Claude's in an odd way.

Sebastian's eyes seemed to hold his, and Kei shivered, "I want to know about her," he replied, it was taking everything he had to keep his voice from shaking. Sebastian's lips quirked up into a smirk, which never went past those keen crimson eyes, "You should honestly talk to her," he responded coldly. Kei looked at him in confusion, he couldn't understand what that expression meant. "I want to know what I'm getting into," he replied. Sebastian's shoulders lifted as he heaved a sigh, "Alex's past isn't a fairy tail, in fact, it's more of a nightmare. A dark and dangerous one which she has yet to wake from," he said softly as he placed the glass of blood red wine on the table. Kei looked at the pair in confusion and watched as Sebastian crossed his long legs. "You've probably asked for her file and found only six years of her life. Alexandra Stark has only existed for that long," he paused and noticed how Kei's eyes shifted to the desk. "Yes that occupied two years of it, she's fragile like proclaim. With a past darker than any dynasty, she can't handle a man's touch, it took us months to simply shake her hand," Sebastian continued. Claude took a sip of his wine and slipped an arm around Sebastian. "What are you two in her relation to her?" asked Kei curiously, no employer would go so far out of the way to protect and employee. A smirk caressed Sebastian's lips, it was one of pure amusement and he replied, "Guardians, we watch over her." Kei relaxed a little and nodded, however he had a feeling this wasn't the end.

The apartment was dark as Alex slumped onto the sofa, it had been a long day. She had run to the studio to escape Sebastian and Claude, only to meet Sterling's heir. She sighed and leaned back, the leather groaned as she moved, "Such a mess," she commented. There was a tap on the window and she jumped, it hadn't rained earlier. She slowly left the sofa and wandered into the kitchen from which the sound had emanated. "Lin?" she called curiously. There was silence, suddenly her heart began to pound, and she felt like a child again. That terror of the dark still plagued her, she shook violently and chanted, "It's a nightmare, that's all it is," her voice trembled. Since Sterling and his ice spiders had nearly killed her and Claude she couldn't seem to force the memories out of her mind. She drew a shaky breath and blindly reached for the light switch. The wall was cold and damp, she narrowed her eyes as she flipped it. Her breath hitched in terror and she felt her heart pound in her chest. Her entire body shook violently and she stumbled backward as her eyes fell on the sight before her. Hanging upside down from the ceiling was a mangled body of what had once been her cat. Black and white hair covered the floor and blood was all over the room. She lifted her hands to her mouth and noticed the bright crimson color. "No, this can't be happening," she muttered as she pressed herself against the wall. Her eyes drifted to the wall and noticed an unusual symbol written on it, a pentagram with words in Latin. She fell to her knees and screamed in agony, it ripped through the air and she looked at what was left of her cat. Alex's stomach churned with discomfort and without warning she vomited on the floor.

"Run," she whispered, "I have to run." Her brain went into overdrive as she attempted to process what happened. If they could get into her apartment with ease, that meant they could get to her. Alex managed to stagger to her feet and picked up her work bag, she had to get away. She had to go somewhere they couldn't touch her, she left her apartment, tears were streaming down her cheeks as she locked the door and walked into the streets. The rain began to fall and she shivered, of course it was going to rain. She could feel the cold water seep through her shirt and hit her skin. It felt as though she were being stabbed repetitively with knives, working their way into what little warmth she had managed to gather. "I have to run," she muttered again as she staggered through the street, her white shirt now translucent and she could feel the water in her shoes. Her first thought was to run to Jodi; however she would then put her and her family in danger. Alex shook her head and crossed her arms in an attempt to keep warm. Jodi didn't deserve to be treated like she had been, neither did her children. They were too clean and pure for that. She dropped her gaze to the street bellow and continued to trudge, she had no idea where she was going. She just had to get out of London, somewhere far away so that she would never be seen again.

To escape the joy she felt to save those around her. Alex could see the smiling couple in Rio, Claude's arms wrapped around Sebastian as they soaked up the sun. Affectionate glances and a gentle touch, warmth and a home, all things they had taught her. They may have been hiding the truth, however they had sacrificed themselves on many occasions, Claude nearly died for her. Alex heard a car roll by on the street and she shivered, she could feel the cold working into her skin, the cold night air was going to claim her. After she had fought for so long, it was going to have her in the end. She sighed and smiled, "Once upon a weary dreary, while I ponder weak and weary," she began to recite. Her eyes glistened with pain and she continued, "Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, while I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping." The sound of the tap on the window pain plagued her memory, she simply allowed her feet to carry her through the streets. "As if someone rapping, gently on my chamber door," she breathed, "'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping on my chamber door,' only this and nothing more." Her mind became clouded as the cold slowly began to steal the air out of her lungs, she felt the pain sear through her chest and yet she continued.

The verses of Poe filled her mind as she attempted to find some semblance of peace. Her chest became even tighter and a cough racked her body. All she wanted was to escape, to leave this nightmare, "Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy to smiling, By the grave stern decorum of the countenance it wore," her voice filled the air and she remembered that look in Sebastian's eye. That darkness which was welcoming, peaceful and serene, such a place she could get lost. So lost that she would never have to worry about dreaming, "But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of the bird, and bust and door;" she whispered. Her chest felt as though someone were taking a vise and squeezing every last breath out of her lungs. Her jeans were soaked and her shoes sloshed as she continued down a road, "Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—what this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore," she gasped for air. She looked up to find herself standing on the door step of Shadow Pont. The very last place she wanted to go and yet she was there. She lifted her hand and knocked on the door, there wasn't a reply. Alex's mind was in a haze; her entire body was shaking with a concoction of fear, agony and the cold. She commanded her arm to lift her hand only for her legs to buckle and she began to fall toward the stoop, "Meant in croaking 'Nevermore,'" she murmured. The darkness which she prayed for swept in and she felt pain wrack her body. Perhaps now she understood what the bird meant which Poe spoke of.

Claude's eyes glanced in the direction of the door and he held his hand up to stop Sebastian. The pair looked at the spider as he slowly got of the sofa and commented, "I think I heard a knock on the door." The pair was silent as he left his study, without a word Sebastian followed Claude through the house. Kei diligently was on their heels, and Claude began to wonder where the triplets were. There was a distant tap on the window, he could hear the rain pelt the glass, it was a sound which brought back memories of Alois and his nightmare. He slowly opened the front door and blanched when he found Alex on the ground. "Shit!" he hollered and Sebastian stared at Claude, "Sebastian, get the triplets! I need a towel!" he barked. Sebastian stood there in confusion until he watched Claude pick up something; his eyes examine his position until he watched his lover turn around. Sebastian's red eyes widened as he looked at the wet and blood covered girl. Kei watched as Sebastian sprinted down the hall and shouted, "Canterbury, Timber, Thompson!" He had never seen anything that fast in his life until he looked at the three.

Each of them stood at attention before Sebastian, "Timber, prepare the guest room, Thompson, take care of the fire places and Canterbury, draw a hot bath for her," commanded Sebastian. Kei was silent as he watched in awe, Claude carried Alex with grace and Sebastian asked, "Is she breathing?" there was a note of concern in his voice. Kei looked at the pair and asked, "What?" Sebastian looked at him as he slowly reached to touch Alex's pail face, "She has horrible asthma, being out in the cold rain isn't good," he responded. Kei gaped at them and asked, "What was she doing in the rain!" Claude's golden eyes narrowed dangerously, it was clear he didn't like being accused. Canterbury returned and responded, "The bath has been drawn." Claude nodded and proceeded up the stairs, Kei was shocked as he watched the house come to life. He was well aware that this house was a fully functioning estate; however he had never seen three servants run it with such ease. Claude continued up the stairs and Sebastian looked at him, "I'll grab the nebulizer, her inhaler isn't going to do a thing for her now," he commented before turning on his heel and sprinting to his study.

Sebastian had purchased the nebulizer as well as her prescription in case something of this nature had occurred. He picked up the heavy white case and walked to the guest room with it. Thompson had finished with the fire and Timber had just turned down the bed. His crimson eyes darted to the bathroom where he heard the water from the tub being displaced; he slowly knocked on the door to see Claude tending to her. His glasses were gone and he gently lifted her arm and began to wash it. The room is warm and Sebastian can smell the lavender in the air, it was a soothing scent. "How is she?" asked Sebastian as he slowly walked over to Claude and knelt on the floor. It was cold and slightly damp from the water which had lapped out of the tub. Golden eyes were locked on her pale complexion and he replied, "Not as well as I hoped." Sebastian's red eyes softened as he looked her over again, they were fortunate that they had been able to heal her after ht spider. If they hadn't worked as quickly she would have been marred with scars from the acid which coated the webs. Scars from the abuse she had endured which ran so deep that they had managed to touch her soul covered her. "Where's Kei?" asked Sebastian. Claude looked up in confusion, "He was sitting in the room," he replied. Sebastian was about to get up only to hear a soft moan, he immediately wheeled around to see a pair of dull ocean blue eyes opening. "Hey," he breathed with a smile and fell to his knees at the side of the tub. Sebastian couldn't ignore the feeling of relief which swept over him. He slowly reached out and touched the side of her cheek, it was warmer and he smiled. "Thank goodness you're safe," he whispered. Alex hummed and simply stared at him, her gaze softened and she cried, "They killed Lin, Sebastian, she's dead!"

The crimson eyed demon stared as she her body shook violently, coughs filled the air and Claude slowly stroked her back. He was still and watched as Claude grabbed a towel. "Can you stand?" he asked curiously. She was silent and Sebastian realized that she had returned to being a small child. "Alexandra?" asked Sebastian slowly and he noticed how her eyes seemed empty. It was a painful and listless look; he began to wonder how many times she had curled up with that small black and white creature at night. The number of times it had watched her cry, all those times it comforted her. He watched the girl before him cry like he had after loosing Claude, without thinking Sebastian pulled her close to him. He crushed her to his chest, "Please, don't cry," he muttered. Claude tapped Sebastian's back and commented, "Let's get her medication in her and then let her sleep." The smaller demon slowly released the girl and watched as Claude picked her up and carried her to the bed. Much to his surprise he spotted a young man sitting on the edge of the bed. He was lost in thought, and didn't move until he caught sight of Alex. Sebastian pulled back the blanket as Claude slowly placed her in bed, she was wrapped in a silk robe and Kei noticed how the pair was careful when they placed her in the bed.

The sound of the nebulizer filled the room as Sebastian set it up and Claude placed the plastic mask over her nose. "Breath," he whispered as he gently caressed the side of her face. "Just breathe, slowly," he commented. Alex closed her eyes and Kei watched her as she slowly inhaled the medication. "Will she be alright?" he asked nervously, it was clear he had never seen an asthmatic or someone in that condition before. Sebastian looked over and noticed how Kei was no longer in his suit jacket. His tie was gone and his shirt was creased with wrinkles. "She will be, once this treatment is over," said Claude coolly. Sebastian nodded and looked at Kei, "Now you know how fragile she is," he whispered as he slowly rose from the bed and took a seat in the chair across from her.

Kei looked at the end of the bed and spotted a drenched bag, it was dark brown and he slowly flipped open the leather satchel. His eyes fell on a silver Mac book and a black sketch pad. Claude sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his fingers around her wrist, he looked at his watch as he did so and hummed. The sound of the stiff book slowly opened as he opened the black cover. His eyes widened as he slowly flipped through the images, they were numberous sketches of people, places, items and even fanciful dreams. "Wow," he whispered as he looked at the drawings of Claude and Sebastian dancing, and then the finished advertisement sketch. The paper was slightly rough and he noticed coffee stains, the different mediums, pencil, ink, marker and even water color. His eyes fell on the image of Sebastian on a surfboard ridding a wave, Claude standing in a suit, and products such as perfume. The dull rumble of the nebulizer died down and he continued to flicker through the pages, sketches of the champagne commercial and concept drawings for their product. He looked over at her and whispered, "Is this her world?" The pages were colored in bright colors and whimsical designs. Claude nodded as he removed the mask from her face. "That is her world," he replied, Kei's eyes were captured by two massive pages. He had never seen something like it, the face of a woman covered in flowers and a number of animals. It was as though she had captured the product in the most creative way imaginable. None of the designers in Asia had been able to produce something just as dream like.

Claude noticed how his hands stopped and asked, "Tonoin?" Kei looked up, his green eyes were filled with wonder and affection for the unconscious woman. "I want to extend the contract," he said softly as he looked back down at the image, "I want you to keep her as our designer," he commented as he looked at the resilient colors on the page. Sebastian looked at him and smiled, "I will have the paper work drafted," he commented, "Once she is awake." Kei closed the sketch book and looked at her; she honestly was nothing like the others. He slowly felt as though he were falling under her spell.

The Undertaker looked at Ash, his eyes narrowed and he asked, "What do they know?" Ash was stiff, the Undertaker was the last person he had expected to appear before him. They never worked together, in fact in the past they avoided confrontations. "Only that no matter what they do, she is bound to pain," he replied softly as he watched the Undertaker pick up the tea pot and pour another cup. He hummed and crossed as he watched the brown liquid hit the bottom of the white porcelain cup. The Undertaker drew a deep breath and looked into the brown liquid, "Someone stole Sebastian's Tome, Ash. You and I both know, that this will only end poorly," he commented as his fingers caressed the lip of the cup. Ash stiffened and looked at the Undertaker in confusion, "What do you know?" he asked after a moment. It was clear he knew far more than he would care to tell. Ash's violet eyes were locked on the silver haired shinigami. The Undertaker looked up and asked, "What would you do if I told you who Alex was sold by?" Ash looked at the Undertaker in confusion, he knew the story however that was the one detail in which no one spoke of. No one in heaven, hell or the in-betweens, knew how she got there. There wasn't a trace of the decision, "She was sold," said the Undertaker after a moment. He lifted the cup to his lips and Ash looked at him in confusion, "What?" he asked. His mouth went dry, someone sold a little girl to monsters. "She was sold, and bought by a member of the group to be given as a gift," the Undertaker commented as he placed the cup on the saucer which rested on the table. The sound of rain hitting the roof filled the air as the tension grew. "A gift?" he asked and his stomach curdled, "Who would do that?" he asked slowly. Ash had never been one to protect humans or demons, yet knowing that someone else was responsible for the way in which she had been treated. He felt the world spin and he looked at the Undertaker, "You, how long have you known?" he asked after a moment.

The Undertaker sighed as he reached for a scone, "You will never tell them, this organization was created for one purpose," said the Undertaker. Ash watched as the Undertaker slipped the scone between his lips and slowly began to nibble on the edge, like he had the dog biscuits the first day he met. "To destroy both Lucifer?" asked Ash. The Undertaker's lips curled into a smile and he laughed, his pointed white teeth showed as he released a cackling sound. "Lucifer is part of the plan; however this group wants to do even more than that," he commented, "They desire to make Sebastian miserable." Ash's mouth popped open at some point and he paled, "What?" he asked in shock.