Chapter 23: Danny POV

I pulled on my glasses and blinked. I couldn't see. I took them off and looked across the room. I could see the small ivy print on the green walls and could make out the dust on top of the dresser. I looked at the spectacles and placed them back on the side dresser. I got ready and pulled my watch out, checking the time. I was running ahead of schedule. I walked down the hall as the Earl and the Demon were walking towards me.

"Good morning, Mr. Hyde," the Earl said. "I haven't had the opportunity to come by and thank you for what you did for my son." He eyed me for a moment and added, "If you can come to my study before breakfast?"

"Yes, Sir," I replied, letting him descend the stairs ahead of me. The Demon - no, Sebastian - stared at me for a moment and leaned in.

"Your glasses, Mr. Hyde."

"I don't need them, I can see perfectly fine," I said smiling a bit, whispering back. "And thank you, I'm not hungry anymore."

He smiled and bowed his head, trailing after me as I shifted to walk beside the Earl. The Phantomhive gestured to the couches and I joined him, sitting opposite of where he sat and Sebastian stood.

"I wanted to clear somethings up. Sebastian has been keeping me abreast of your current, condition. I do thank you for saving my son, however it seems like you paid a price, a rather unexpected price."

I looked briefly at Sebastian and then back at the Earl. "Yes, I… it seems I have. Unintentionally, I assure you." I looked at him and leaned forward a bit. "About the young Master, will he still need a Tutor?"

The Earl looked taken aback. "Of course. I hired you until the end of the year, and I will honor that. As you… recover from any injuries you may sustained, please feel free to communicate any of your needs." He looked up at Sebastian and had a slight smile on. "I venture we have an expert on Demons even."

I looked down at my hands, my vision so clear and sharp i could see the smooth skin and how it moved over my bones and muscles. I felt a blush rise even and I looked back up. "How is the young Master?"

"His fever broke when you saved him," the Earl said. "He has been in bed for the past three days, as you, but he is slowly regaining his strength and has asked if you are back from your Holiday."

I smiled. "So no memory damage?"

"None that I am aware of," he said after a moment. "Perhaps you can visit him after breakfast and see for yourself?"

"I would like that, thank you." We stood and I pulled at my vest. "Earl, I… I am sorry I came into your house under false pretenses."

"You mean you are not a Tutor?" the Earl asked. His eyes twinkled and he guided me to the door. "I'm not above deception myself, as I am sure you know. I do have a question, if I may."

"Least I can do."

"Do Reapers keep files on those they… Reap?"

"They are stored somewhere," I said as I frowned. "When we Reap, we watch the Human's Cinematic Records, recording any unusual activity or occurrences." I turned to them and smiled softly. "My last Reap was your House Steward, Tanaka. That is how I found you," I added, looking at Sebastian. "Demons burn white hot in memories, Hell's Fire, I assume."

Sebastian nodded a little. "Yes, that would make sense."

"Well, I feel like we are on a better understanding," the Earl said a moment later. "Mr. Hyde, you have employment and a place to stay as long as your transition is happening. Sebastian has impressed upon me that this is a delicate time and you becoming… a Demon, is rather new experience within Demon Society."

"Thank you," I said. I cleared my throat and Sebastian opened the door for us to leave. I excused myself and walked to the small alcove under the stairs, and sat on the small bench. I sighed and blinked as my vision clouded. How could it be so sharp and clear, and now I was getting blurry eyed again? This becoming a Demon was a big change from one moment to the next.

"Mr. Hyde, are you quite alright?" I heard Sebastian ask as he sat beside me.

I turned and he was blurry. "It seems I still need glasses, for now."

I felt his gloved thumb sweep over my cheek and my vision temporarily cleared. I made out he was frowning and there was concern in his gaze as he looked at me.

"If you stop crying, perhaps that would help."

"Crying? I can't -" I reached up and noticed that my face was wet. I rubbed my right eye and blinked, my vision clearing. "But I can't cry."

"Nor should you be feeling hungry. But you did eat enough to feed the staff for a few days," he chuckled. "Do Reapers also have no emotions?"

"We feel - I felt - a little. Sadness sometimes when I watched the Records, or when I had many names in one location. You know, to add to my oddity, I am the only female Reaper to have existed so long."

He narrowed his eyes and I could see him recalling any encounters with Reapers over his long life. "Why is that?"

"There were some female Reapers at one point, briefly, but, regarding to the emotions, we feel too much, remembered much more of our Human lives and let it sometimes consume us," I frowned. "I still remember my Human life. I remember being a Reaper. Will I keep all these as I turn into a Demon?"

Sebastian sighed and shifted. "I don't know. Again, I was Made, not Born, so much of what you are going through I can't tell if it's normal or not. However," he added as he slide his hand down to my shoulder, "I promise you I will be there. No matter what."

I looked at him and brushed the fresh tears away. "Thank you Sebastian."

I saw the surprise in his eyes and bit my lip. I had addressed him by his name, not by his title. He smiled and stood, offering a hand to help me.

"Any time, Danilla," he said.

"Please, it's Danny. Just Danny."

He nodded and looked me over. "You are most welcome, Danny."