Disclaimer: I only own Faye.
Claude stared at the strings binding him in surprise. His eyes started to glow and his teeth elongated. Faye's magic interfered with a demon's ability to maintain human form. "I haven't seen an ability like this in centuries," he murmured before raising his gaze to meet Faye's. "Is this how you've enthralled me? With the use of your magic? You must be very powerful to have cast such a spell on a demon like me."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Faye said, her heart racing in fear. The only demon she'd ever fought was Sebastian, and that had been months ago. She'd forgotten how frightening the creatures could be. "This binding spell is the only spell I've ever cast on you."
"Truly?" He questioned, tilting his head. "You've known for months that my master Alois desired something from your brother and demon butler. You must have taken precautions with the aid of your partner in an attempt to control me."
"What partner?" Faye demanded sharply, feeling off kilter. She had no clue what this demon was babbling on about and it made her nervous. She didn't like situations she couldn't control.
"It doesn't matter," Claude said, a slow smile curling his lips and showing off his fangs. "Whatever your plan, I don't mind what you've done to me in the least. I've never desired anything other than souls before. These new feelings are…" he paused to inhale deeply. "Intoxicating."
Faye paled at the familiar tone of the words. She had heard a speech frighteningly similar to this before. "I have no knowledge of one word that you have spoken," Faye declared. "Explain yourself, demon!"
"Milady!" A voice called. Faye dropped her binding spell and looked past Claude. Finny stood on the porch, waving his hand high in the air. "The competition is over! Sebastian and the Master won. Come back for treats!"
Faye looked back at Claude to see what he would do. He gave a low bow, that same insufferable smile still on his face and gestured for Faye to go first. "This is your home, after all, Lady Faye." His voice caressed her name and she stiffened at the use of her first name. She would not be intimidated by this creature. Especially not in her own home.
Faye stiffened her spine and gazed coldly at Claude. "That is Lady Phantomhive to you." Claude merely smiled and bowed again. Faye skirted past him and stalked her way to the others. She focused all her concentration on the sound of Claude's footsteps to keep track of how close to her he walked. She stayed poised for an attack at any moment, but they made it back to the main party without incident.
Alois smirked at Faye when he saw her. "There you are, Claude," Alois said. "I wondered where you'd gotten off to. Did you have a nice talk with the Countess?" Ciel's eyes flew to Faye in concern at Alois' words and Alois turned to smirk at Ciel. Faye narrowed her eyes at Claude. Had everything he said just been a game? Lies to unbalance her and make her nervous?
"I'm afraid we were interrupted before we were able to speak of anything of much interest," Claude said, moving to stand by Alois. Faye clenched her hands into fists, trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind Claude's words. What was Alois' game here?
"Is everything all right, Faye?" Elizabeth asked cautiously, her face suddenly appearing in front of Faye.
Faye stepped back in surprise. "Yes, of course." Faye turned to Ciel and tried to smile past her nerves. "Congratulations on finding Elizabeth's egg. All these years and that still hasn't changed." Elizabeth smiled, obviously pleased, though there was still a shadow of concern in her eyes. Perhaps her cousin was more perceptive than Faye gave her credit for. "What treats did you have made for our Easter party?" Faye asked to distract Elizabeth. The young woman burst into a long explanation of everything she'd ordered made for the occasion and all the nobles sat down to eat.
Sebastian twitched from his post behind Ciel. Claude wasn't even being subtle about focusing nearly the whole of his attention upon Faye. He would remove his attention for a moment to pay attention to Alois, but it would invariably travel back to Faye. They had all been mistaken in thinking that Alois would target Elizabeth to make Ciel comply with his wishes. But why make their targeting of Faye so obvious? The earlier exchange between Alois and Claude and Claude speaking with Faye in the garden was enough of a threat to get the message across. Why did Claude feel the need to carry things so far?
Ciel's hand tightened on his fork and his stabbed his cake as though trying to kill it. If they'd been alone, Sebastian would have chastised him for such ungentlemanly behavior. The sharp clack of the fork on the plate was hardly appropriate for such a setting. And Ciel was being far too obvious in his rage at the attention Claude was paying to Faye. Perhaps that was Alois' hope, to make Ciel lose control in front of important guests. Or maybe just to get across that he was serious in his threat.
"Mr. Faust," Sebastian said, staring at Claude from his post across the table, "since you are here, would you be so kind as to help me take some of these dishes to the kitchen?"
"Allow me!" Agni insisted, getting up from the table.
"No, no," Sebastian said quickly, gesturing for Agni to sit back down. "You are our esteemed guest and today is a holiday. I wouldn't think of making you work on Easter while at the Phantomhive Manor. Please, enjoy yourself to the fullest." Agni smiled, and placing his palms together gave Sebastian a small bow before sitting back down. Alois fumed at the slight that Sebastian considered asking his butler for help to be perfectly appropriate while he refused help from Soma's butler.
"Of course," Claude agreed, finally turning his attention to Sebastian. "We butlers must stick together, mustn't we?" Sebastian gave Claude a brilliant smile and led the way. Sebastian worked to get his emotions under control on the way to the kitchen. Claude and Alois were threatening Faye to ensure Ciel's cooperation. If Claude realized how Sebastian felt about Faye, it would make her a far more enticing target and put her in more danger than she already was.
"You're very lucky," Claude said as the two entered the kitchen. "The Phantomhives are both superb specimens of human souls. Your privilege to live with such enticement is enough to make any demon jealous." Sebastian carefully relaxed his tight muscles and gave Claude his classic butler smile. Not only was Claude threatening Faye, but he also had the gall to have designs on Ciel's soul?
"Only the soul of one of the Phantomhives belongs to me. Though I have noticed that it is far superior to the soul of the human you have contracted with. It's almost sad to see one such as yourself slumming with such an unpalatable soul." Claude twitched at the jibe.
"Lord Trancy has his moments," Claude stated before getting to work putting dishes full of delicacies onto trays. "But surely you did not bring me here just to discuss the quality of our Masters' souls."
"I'm curious about your choice in targets to ensure my Master's cooperation. Surely, Lady Elizabeth would make a more appealing target than Lady Phantomhive?" Claude twitched again and looked up at Sebastian.
"What difference does it make to you who we target?"
"Oh, none at all," Sebastian said with a shrug. "I'm merely voicing what appears to be the more obvious choice to me." One could say that Sebastian held some affection for the Lady Elizabeth. That did not mean he would not sacrifice her in a moment for Faye's sake if need be.
"I'm afraid Lord Trancy's ways are higher than that of a base servant. I wouldn't expect you to understand his choice in targets." Sebastian was the one to twitch that time.
"And just what is so important that you would go so far to harass my Master and myself? We still know nothing of Alois' goals other than that you are incapable of accomplishing it by yourself."
Claude gave Sebastian a cold glare before regaining an emotionless look. "I'm afraid that is a matter my Master wishes to discuss with both you and Lord Phantomhive. If you truly wish to know, you will have to seek an audience with my Master at Trancy Manor."
"What utterly poor manners," Sebastian sniffed, piling the rest of the dishes onto trays and exiting the room with a tray balanced upon each hand. "You come to us begging for help and then demand we come to you to discover the reason why."
Ciel and Faye waved goodbye to their guests an hour later as they all entered their carriages. Elizabeth and Soma returned enthusiastic waves while Edward refused to acknowledge either Phantomhive sibling. Claude stared at Faye as he handed Alois into his carriage. Faye shivered and was silently grateful to watch them drive away.
"What happened in the garden?" Ciel demanded the moment they were alone.
"Nothing much," Faye said, looking off into said garden. "Claude threatened me, that's all. I suppose we miscalculated when we assumed Alois would target Cousin Elizabeth." Faye had no intention of mentioning the strange things Claude had said to her. It was probably nothing, just a tactic to frighten her. She wouldn't worry Sebastian and Ciel over nothing.
Sebastian stared critically at Faye and she wondered if he suspected she wasn't being entirely truthful. She kept his steady gaze, keeping her eyes neutral.
"You need not worry yourself overly much, my Lady. I will not allow any harm to come to you." Sebastian placed a hand over his heart, or where a heart would be if he had one. "I will protect you even if it means watching you every moment day and night. Fortunately, I never tire of the sight of you." Ciel's eye twitched.
Trancy Carriage
Claude felt like every step farther away from Faye made it harder to breathe. His existence was quickly beginning to spiral around a new center. Faye Phantomhive. She was his sun and he was the moon and stars, drawn to revolve around her. He'd only gotten to touch her for the briefest of moments before she threw him off. He wanted to drown in her scent and lose himself in her softness. Her magic had surprised him, but Claude was sure it nothing he couldn't handle. Magic such as that was easy enough to counteract if one knew how.
"Well?" Alois demanded. "What did that demon butler say to you when he dragged you away?"
Claude reluctantly turned his focus to his Master. Alois was becoming an increasingly annoying distraction. Claude did not appreciate being pulled away from his thoughts about Faye. Alois' petty vengeance hardly mattered in comparison. Still, Claude had performed a contract with him.
"Sebastian questioned our choice in targets. He suggested Lady Elizabeth might be the better choice."
Alois looked surprised for a moment before settling smugly back into his seat. "Obviously, that means we chose the right victim. Why else suggest someone else to take the place of Ciel's sister? Did he say anything else?"
"He inquired after why you wanted his and Earl Phantomhive's help."
"Good," Alois crowed. "We're making them nervous and they're already beginning to cave. What should we do next? Kidnap Faye and send Ciel a lock of her hair? Or perhaps an unessential body part would be more appropriate. Like a finger. What do you think, Claude?"
Claude's eyes darkened, but he quickly hid his anger as he considered what he should say. The idea of a kidnapped Faye in his clutches was very appealing. "The key," Claude began, "is to frighten the Earl enough into helping us, but not so much that we enrage him. We do not want him and his butler turning on us after they help you accomplish your goals. Kidnapping Faye and entrusting her to my care is the best way to proceed."
Alois studied Claude. "You're not afraid of Sebastian, are you Claude? That statement of yours sounded a bit cowardly to me. Your purpose here is to serve me. Not to worry about the consequences of doing so. I think we'll hold off on your plan for now if you're so worried about the Earl's reaction."
Snapping Alois neck would be so very easy. Was it worth it to aim for the soul of this cretin when he had Faye to look forward to?