I'm sorry for not posting this sooner, I've been contemplating what to do next, and now that I have a direction you'll see more chapters. Warning! This chapter is by far one of the most violent I've written. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone.

I hope you enjoy,

~Kuro

Chapter 76: Wingless Flies

Sebastian stared at the image, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed and smiling was a young man with blond hair and ocean blue eyes. His lips parted in shock as he looked at him, "What?" he asked in confusion. Nothing made sense, he felt as though everything had been turned upside down, "Alex's brother?" he asked curiously. His eyes looked over the image, and suddenly he realized that this man's build was very different from hers, "No, her father," he whispered before dropping the image to the floor. He shot up, his jaw hit the floor as he looked at his father. Sebastian felt himself become nauseous, everything was colliding, Allen was a faithful employee, and yet her he was sitting across from Alex's father in a café which had been owned by Max. Allen the one who had pointed out the accounting issue, Sebastian paused and looked at the images. The chances of Allen even looking at the accounts were one million to one and he knew that. His eyes narrowed, he was being played, and one of the pawns was in his own employ. "Sebastian?" asked Lucifer as he hesitantly reached out to touch him. Sebastian pulled away and hissed angrily, he thought he had been the master of games but he wasn't. "Just how many players are there?" he whispered. His long slender white fingers slipped into his messy black hair. "As many moves can be made," said Lucifer softly.

Sebastian was about to reply when he felt a familiar pull on his hand, it was the same as when he was contracted to Ciel. Someone was handling his tome. His eyes flickered as he turned to Lucifer, "Tell me what is going on, you must know something," growled Sebastian. His red eyes were locked on his father's, and his hands had grasped the demon king's shoulders. He looked at his son in confusion, "I don't keep track of the mortal realm," he replied curtly. His slander shoulders were firm and Sebastian noticed the sincerity in the demon's voice. "Tell me who she is," he said swiftly, he had to know. Lucifer drew a deep breath and responded, "That is a question for the Undertaker, a Shinigami would know far more than a demon on these matters." He paused and looked at his father, this didn't make sense he had thought to ask the Undertaker however he didn't realize how evident it was. "You must know something, ever since she did that design she had been in danger," Sebastian stated. Lucifer was about to answer until Sebastian felt that familiar pull once again. He looked at his hand, he didn't have a Faustian seal, he knew he didn't have an open contract. "Canterbury, where is Alex?" he asked after a moment, his eyes never left Lucifer.

The young purpled haired demon entered the room and replied, "I have no idea. She isn't at the office." Sebastian slowly released the demon king and grabbed his phone hastily. With this auction she would be in more danger than ever, to not have her within his sight was nerve wracking. In moments he was dialing Alex, he listened to it ring only for her to not answer. In a state of panic Sebastian hung up and called Jodi, she must have known where Alex had gone. In two rings she answered, "Mr. Michaelis it's a bit late to be calling," she stated sleepily. He hadn't paid attention to the time, at this moment all that mattered was finding Alex. "Have you seen Alex?" he asked quickly, the urgency of his question could be detected in his voice. Jodi seemed to rouse quickly and replied, "The last thing I knew was she was heading to see Tonoin, something about helping Claude." Sebastian felt his heart stop, and he stammered, "What?" He could hear the bed in the background creak as Jodi sat up and replied, "Yeah, she was going to see Tonoin Kei." Sebastian felt his rage bubble, and for the first time in a long time, he was seriously angry. Not only was she going to aid Claude but she ran to Tonoin who was probably at the auction. "Thanks Jodi," he said curtly before hanging up. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone and stated, "She's at the auction."

Tonoin raised his paddle again and called, "4 million." His voice caused the room to freeze, yet he felt this familiar tingle run up his spine. He turned to see the glint of a silver sword, his hands wrapped around Alex's arms, and he pulled her out of the way before the sword could hit its target. His green eyes narrowed as he watched the blade slice through the wooden chair. Standing in a regal black coat with a top hat and a wide smile, Alex felt her heart pound. "The Master of Ceremonies," she whispered in terror. Soulless grey eyes looked back at her, his copper hair was as unruly as ever, and she trembled. A panic broke out in the room as guests scrambled to leave, "Hello again, puppet," he greeted with a broad grin. Kei noticed her panic and glared at him, "What do you want?" he asked harshly. He pushed Alex behind him in an attempt to protect her from the man's reach. "So you are the prodigal son of Sir. Arnold Richard Sterling," he drawled as he pulled the sword from the chair and lifted it elegantly so it's tip was pointed at Kei's throat. The rapier was perfectly balanced and rested in the palm of the man's hand. "Yes, and you are?" he asked curtly, he didn't appreciate the way in which this man had been treating him. He watched grey eyes turn their gaze to Alex, "She knows however, I'm not certain how much she remembers," he commented as he turned his attention back to Kei.

The auctioneer had long fled, and the room was still, the only ones who remained were Grell, the Undertaker, Kei, Alex and the man before them. "I'm not fond of games," Kei hissed as he grabbed the tip of the rapier and pushed it away. He could feel the sharpness of the blade as his fingers touched it. "I don't expect you to be," he jeered as he raised his blade again, "however the tome and girl leave with me." Kei could see the redhead make his way closer to them, he had a feeling he was a friend of Alex's. His eyes were locked on the attacker and from what he could tell this man was ready to lay it all on the line for her. He turned his attention to his attacker and asked gruffly, "If I refuse?" His voice carried an ounce of venom, and he was well aware that he was going to make it sting as much as he could. "Simple, I shall kill you both," he replied with a smirk. Kei smiled darkly and responded, "I was hoping you would say that," he replied. In a swift motion the sword jabbed forward as Kei dodged it and pushed Alex out of the way. "Run!" he shouted as he pushed Alex toward the door. Grell's scythe classed with the sword as he attempted to snap it. Kei watched the redhead struggle with the sword as he tried to block.

"What the?" he asked in shock, the sword didn't even bend when it hit his scythe. "Why isn't it breaking?" he asked in confusion. Kei stared as the redhead attempted to bash the sword back with a chainsaw. None of this made sense, a chainsaw would chew apart a sword no matter how well it was made. He turned to sprint away only for Grell to fly backward and the swordsman to lunge at Alex. "Kei!" she screeched as she attempted to doge only to feel the sword bite at her back. His eyes widened as he placed himself between her and the swordsman as he lined up to run her through. His sword pointed squarely at its target. Kei's eyes closed as he waited for the blow, his ears were ringing, and he felt his entire body enter a state of panic. All of his training told him to get in a defensive position, yet if he did that Alex would receive the blow. He waited only, the blow never came, there was a loud whistle, and he felt a gust of air hit his face. He opened his eyes to see the pristine blade of a silver rapier. Staring back at him was an emerald green Japanese man with an ocean blue eyed English woman behind him. Kei's eyes glided up the beautiful staff which the blade was connected to, it was a beautiful silver. The sheer detail of the skeleton enthralled him, he was never one for gothic items, yet this one had saved him. He stared in shock at the face of the Undertaker, his green and golden eyes were locked on the swordsmen, and he smiled deviously. "I'm afraid I can't allow that," he stated.

A pair of silver glasses rested on his nose, and a hand held back his silver bangs. Kei stared in shock at the scar which had split the man's face. "I may be retired but there are still some things which, I can not allow," he responded. He could feel Alex slowly released all the tension in her body and said, "The Undertaker." Kei felt a shiver of fear run up his spine; the thought of this man saving them with a silver rapier scared him, as did his occupation. The sword had been shattered to splinters, "Leave now, go to Shadow Pont," the Undertaker directed. His eyes never left the swordsmen, "I will take care of this, postulants." Grey eyes narrowed as he looked at the Undertaker, and he laughed, "You haven't changed in all of your years Undertaker," he commented as he whistled. The sound made Kei's ears ring, and he stared as a number of dogs appeared, "Hell hounds," whispered Grell in shock.

They were in their collars, and he knew well enough that they were going to tear apart whatever they sank their teeth into. The crimson reaper slowly backed away and looked at the pair on the ground. He harshly grabbed their arms and forced them to their feet, "They won't make Shadow Pont, it's too far," Grell stated hastily. The Undertaker adjusted his blade and looked at the five hounds which were stalking toward him, with the swordsman laughing. "They have to try," he stated as he drew his rapier back to attack. Attacking a hell hound was a serious crime, yet not protecting those who weren't scheduled to die was even more so. Kei grabbed Alex's wrist and pulled her out of the room, another hound came from the back. Grell jumped in front of them and hissed, "Damn it." He couldn't believe this was happening, everything was spinning out of control as Zion attempted to collect her. Part of him simply wanted to hand her over, while the other part told him that if he did so serious damage would be done. "Get back," he shouted over the roar of his chainsaw.

Kei pulled Alex back into the room, and they stared as the Undertaker battled both the swordsman and the hell hounds. His movements were swift and graceful as he dodged and attacked, "Why aren't you gone?" he asked in irritation as he attempted to prevent a hound from sinking it's teeth into him. Alex replied, "We're trapped!" The swordsmen leapt over the Undertaker and landed in front of them, his grey eyes made her shiver as she looked into their depths. "Remember me now?" he asked with a smile. Alex shook her head, "Too bad," the swordsmen commented before attempting to attack, he had managed to produce a second sword which confused her. Kei grabbed a candelabra from the side and used it to block, his swordsmanship training took over as he artfully blocked each attack. Alex was well aware he couldn't do this forever; her eyes darted about the room before settling on the tome. If she could summon Sebastian this would all end, her ocean blues fell on the slivers of metal which had once been the swordsman's blade. It was a long shot, however at this moment they needed it. "Please hear me," she whispered as she picked up the blade and slit her wrist. "What the hell are you doing?" shouted Kei in a panic. A few drops ran from her wrist and hit the floor, "Help me," she whispered.

Sebastian stared at his father, "You must know something, you're the demon king!" he hollered in rage. His tome was calling him, however he had to know, everything was revolving around one girl who didn't know what was going on. "She isn't the heir of the Campbell estate, she is it's sacrifice," Lucifer stated, slowly. The word it's self was like poison, "Sacrifice?" he asked in confusion, his eyes widened as he looked at the door. That was why she had been nearly killed so many times, "I'm protecting a lamb," he whispered and looked at Lucifer, "which has been reared for slaughter." He watched as Lucifer nodded and looked at his son, he was about to say more until Sebastian heard a familiar cry which even Lucifer picked up on. "Alex, how?" he asked in confusion. He ushered his questions out of his head as soon as he had heard her plea and opened a portal. All that mattered was that she was calling.

He slipped out of the portal and stared at the Undertaker who was attempting to keep all five hell hounds at bay. Their massive white teeth gnashing as they lunged for the silver haired reaper, with black eyes wide and silver fur standing on end, it was clear they were under another beings control. His gaze fell on the droplets of red on the floor, and he looked over to see Alex cradling her wrist, "You injured yourself again," he said darkly. The swordsmen looked at Sebastian, he smiled, "An angel, a true pest," he commented. Sebastian felt his control slip as he allowed the demon to fully take control of him. His rage and power mixed into a heady cocktail which could only end in pain. He could feel his aura flicker as his eyes changed their signature pink, he didn't understand why he was compelled to change, all that mattered was that he did. "Enough," he shouted. The hounds bowed their heads as he held his hand out and commanded them, his eyes shifted over to the angelic swordsmen. He smiled darkly as he looked at Kei, who simply dropped the candelabra and backed away. "Select an appropriate opponent," said Sebastian as he smirked, "one which will be able to give you a real fight." He could feel his black wings open behind him as his heels clicked against the floor. The angel scowled as he raised his sword and slipped off his coat. "It would appear this is no longer necessary," he stated as he through it to the ground. A pair of white wings spread, and Sebastian smiled, "The fallen against the righteous," he commented.

The Undertaker watched as the demon drew closer, he looked at Alex who didn't tremble, she never wavered. Kei was at her side and tying a handkerchief around her wrist to stop the bleeding. "Go, you do not want to see this fight," said the Undertaker quickly as he watched the prince himself rise to the call. Kei wrapped his fingers around her arm and was about to drag her out only for Alex to jerk free, "Wait the Tome," she said in a panic. Before the Undertaker could register what was going on Alex had pulled herself out of Kei's grasp. Her dress bellowed as she sprinted across the room, the sound of her heels echoed in his head and his green and golden eyes widened with shock. "Don't touch!" shouted the Undertaker as he scrambled to cut her off. Alex's fingers reached out to touch the dark brown leather volume which was resting on the podium. For a split second he felt the air kicked out of his lungs, he had no idea what would occur if she touched the volume. None of them had thought of a human touching it, the one which would know had lost his sense of reality. Her fingers were a breath away from the binding, stretched out to snatch the volume and claim it as hers. There was a loud crack, and his eyes widened as he watched her delicate fingers brush the lid. The lid glowed as Sebastian's Faustian seal burned in the lid. The demon's head turned, and he faced Alex, blood trickled down her hand, the Undertaker had managed to grab her in hopes he could prevent contact. "What the hell? Let me go I have to grab the tome," she shouted as she squirmed in his grasp. He was shocked by how valiant her efforts to pry herself from his grip were.

Sebastian smiled darkly as he attacked the angel; his movements were faster than even the Undertaker had anticipated. White feather flew at the demon, only to be dodged and returned with a pair of black. It was clear that Sebastian had tapped his heritage for this battle. "What is he?" asked Kei in shock as he slid next to the Undertaker in an effort to avoid the feathers which had been slung at Sebastian. "A demon," replied Alex calmly, her eyes were locked on him; every movement was swift, calculated and unyielding. "Demon?" asked Kei in shock as he watched him battle. Alex simply nodded as Sebastian's lithe body bent in inhumane ways. "The other man?" he asked after a moment, "The one with golden eyes?" The Undertaker attempted to take them out of the room only for the doors to slam closed before him and lock. It was clear he wasn't going anywhere. She was silent as she watched Sebastian pin the angel to the wall with a single hand. The angel cried in agony as his face was crushed against the bricks. He was covered in his own blood, gashes and bruises had begun to form. "He is also a demon," replied the Undertaker, "not as powerful as Sebastian but older." Kei was silent again as he watched the man he had thought to be a beautiful human grin darkly.

He ground the angel's head into the wall further, drawing blood from his forehead and Alex could hear the sound of his skull fracturing. A black claw gripped it with crushing force as his free hand gently traveled down the angel's neck, only to pause at the base of its wings. "Such a beautiful white, too bad they won't stay that way," he breathed as his fingers wrapped around the base. Kei felt his heart pound with fear as he watched Sebastian swiftly yank the appendage. The angel's scream rang in his ears as he heard the crack of bones. The demon had pulled with such force that he was tearing it off the angel as though it were a wing which belonged to a fly. Sebastian's grin never faded as the angel cried in agony. "You can't do this," he whimpered as he ripped the wing off his body, blood seeped through the angel's white shirt as though it were ink and slowly fell to the floor. Tears were in the angels eyes, and yet Sebastian didn't stop, he wrapped his fingers around the other wing and whispered darkly, "Even angels must pay for their sins." Despite the angels whimpers he ripped the second wing off, his scream was louder this time and Kei trembled violently. He felt like a leaf on the wind as he watched as Sebastian grinned with delight at the agony he was causing the creature. His emerald eyes shifted over to Alex who looked a little paler and he realized that the bleeding hadn't stopped; it simply soaked through the handkerchief and was now falling to the floor.

The demon tossed the white wing to the ground, the room was filled with snow white feathers, which were mixed with blood. The angel crumpled to the floor, "Kill me," he croaked as he fell to his hands and knees. Sebastian's bright pink eyes were locked on him, "Beg," he spat as a crooked smile curved his lips. "Please, kill me," the angel whimpered as he looked up at Sebastian. Sebastian reached down for the sword which the angel had been using, his eyes swept over the blade analytically. "You killed a reaper to get this," he commented as he looked at the craftsmanship of the blade. The Undertaker was well aware that the angel had killed a reaper to gather it, in fact he even knew the reaper's identity. He slipped the sword under the angels chin and forced it to look up, "You are no longer an angel without your wings, you also aren't a demon since you haven't fallen," he stated with a hint of mirth. It was clear Sebastian was savoring every drop of this, it was as though he were devouring Ciel's soul again. "Tell me who you are and who sent you," he said darkly as he pressed the tip of the blade further into the angel's neck. The blade stunk as it pierced the angel's skin; the creature visibly winced as several red beads fell from the tip of the silver blade. "The messenger," he managed to say as the blade nipped into his skin.

His eyes narrowed and his stance was as beautiful as any swordsman if not more. His gaze never left the angel on the floor, "Messengers don't carry swords," he spat. The angel laughed grimly, it was true they didn't. He reached into his bag and pulled a scroll, "It's addressed to you," he said weakly as he held it out to Sebastian. The demon ripped it open, and the Undertaker watched as his expression soured. "It's blank," he stated as he turned his attention to the angel. The angel visibly paled and stammered, "What?" Sebastian slowly turned the scroll toward him, and the angel stared in terror. "Looks like you have been played, tell me who the sender is," he hissed as he stretched the angel's neck. The being closed its eyes as it was going to reply, the sound of broken glass filled the air as a long golden rod whistled through the air. Sebastian leapt out of the way and stared as the rod impaled its self through the outstretched neck of the angel. Blood splattered as the angel gagged, it was a remarkable shot and wasn't made by a human. It was a long arrow with a golden shaft and white feathers as a counter weight. He turned his attention to the window as he attempted to find the shooter. Only to discover that they were long gone, he looked at the arrow again and slowly felt himself falling back into his normal form.

His red eyes returned, and he swept his fingers through his black hair in an attempt to tame it. He looked over to see Kei, Alex and the Undertaker together near his tome. His eyes fell on Alex's bleeding wrist, and he sighed with relief, he had thought the damage was worse. Sebastian's shoes clicked against the floor, they were immaculate, and his clothing was even more so, Kei felt an eerie ping of déjà vu as Sebastian drew closer. There was something about the way in which Sebastian presented himself, he was in a beautiful black suite with a white shirt and blood red tie. His long black coat bellowed as he drew nearer, he was smirking as he drew nearer and the Undertaker slowly released his grip on Alex. "What the hell, we should run," shouted Kei as he looked at the Undertaker. The silver haired man shook his head and responded, "Well done Michaelis." Sebastian smiled as he looked at him and then to Alex, "She looks rather ragged," he commented, "Although the dress is gorgeous." Kei stared at the gentleness in Sebastian's eyes as he slowly knelt on the floor, disregarding the fact that he was standing in a puddle of blood.

It was as though he had returned to being a gentleman, a genuine caring creature, which confused Kei. Demons were vindictive and yet here was one kneeling on the ground to take care of a human. His fingers slipped under her chin, he gently tipped it up to look at her complexion, "Pale," he remarked. His fingers were gentle as they caressed her cheek and slowly released her chin to grasp her wounded wrist. He hissed as he slowly slipped the handkerchief off, he backed off a little as though he had been hit with a repulsive odor. Yet his eyes said otherwise, they flickered a little and he smiled, "Why do you always cute yourself so deeply, you always spill your blood," he commented. His gaze had softened even more, he slowly began to look like a concerned parent. "Why didn't you call me?" he asked softly and Alex opened her eyes. They were dim, but no where near as dim as they had been at the club which settled his nerves a little bit. "I forgot it at Kei's hotel room," she responded. Sebastian smiled softly before touching the side of her face, "So Kei gave you the dress?" he asked sweetly. It were as though he was trying to erase the incident which had occurred.

Alex nodded and looked at him, "It suits you, it's beautiful," he commented as he looked at Kei. His eyes were slightly threatening however it was more like a father protecting his daughter than the power which Kei had witnessed. "He asked me to come with him, he didn't know," she replied hastily. Sebastian chuckled and slowly slipped a strand of lose hair behind her ear, "I understand," he paused and looked up to see his tome resting on the block. "I see you found my tome," he commented after a moment. She simply nodded, he rose from the floor, his fingers wrapped around the book as he picked it up. A visible wave of relief washed over him, and he looked at Alex, "Thank you," he said sweetly. His sincerity startled Kei, it was as though the demon he had seen and Sebastian were two different entities. It was hard to believe that they were both wrapped in the same body. She smiled and sighed as she slowly leaned on Kei's shoulder. A smile of amusement caressed Sebastian's lips as he watched her. "Perhaps there is hope for you yet, Tonoin-san," he remarked. Kei was confused; once again this man didn't make any sense.

"I'll explain one day," said Sebastian as he watched Alex snuggle into Kei, "Be careful with her, she's far more fragile than she looks," commented Sebastian. Kei felt as though he had been struck by lightning and his body stiffened as she snuggled into him, she smelt divine and he watched her ocean blue eyes open slowly. Kei shifted as he slowly picked her up and began to carry her, she was lighter than he had anticipated. She looked beyond gorgeous in the dress, "Mr. Michaelis," he called as he strode after the demon who had turned and was beginning to leave. Sebastian paused and watched as the young oriental caught up to him, "What did you mean?" he asked curiously. Sebastian looked at Alex who had fallen asleep, "You'll understand soon enough," he commented as he watched Kei's car pull up. Before he could inquire what the demon meant he watched him vanish, it sent chills up his spine and he slowly slipped into the back of the car.

A golden bow glistened in the light of the city as a woman clad in a bright white dress stood on the roof of a near by church. She was perched on top of a bell tower, "I see you're still as quick as ever," she commented. Her lips cured as she looked at her arrows which rested in the quiver. "We lost the tome," called a young man, her gaze fell to see the face of Allen Platt. She drew a deep breath and sighed, "No matter, once he inspects it he will realize something important is missing," she commented as she jumped from her perch. There was a soft tap as she landed on the railing of the tower, her violet eyes seemed to make him shuttered, "Mrs. Blanc," said Allen as she smiled. "It's Angela, don't worry, we will have her soon enough," she commented as she hopped off the banister.