A/N: I like to stay a couple chapters ahead so my updates are on time, and the story is now about finished. So, that means you can expect a chapter most days for the next week

Disclaimer: I only own Faye.

Phantomhive Carriage

Faye, Ciel, and Sebastian drove to Trancy Manor in solemn silence. Ciel and Sebastian were still unnerved that a demon confronted Faye when she was alone, and none of them knew what to expect from Alois.

"Stay close to Sebastian, Faye," Ciel said as they arrived at their destination. "Alois might try to use this as an opportunity to hurt you in order to threaten us into helping him." Faye fought the urge to say, 'But that ruins my plans to gallivant about the manor on my own.' Ciel only spoke out of his worry for Faye and they were all on edge. Ciel and Sebastian had wanted to leave Faye at home, but feared the possibility of the female demon returning.

Claude opened the door shortly after Sebastian's knock. His eyes zeroed in on Faye before turning to Ciel. "Lord Phantomhive," he said respectfully with a bow, "my Master is most pleased to welcome you into his home. Please, follow me."

The trio trailed after Claude until they ended up in a drawing room decorated in red and gold. Alois sat in the middle of a couch with his legs crossed at the knee and a triumphant smile on his face. He jumped to his feet and threw his arms in the air. "My dear Ciel, how good of you to come see me. May I ask what has brought this unexpected visit about?"

Ciel's eyes narrowed as he handed his hat and cape to Sebastian. "Your problems are starting to interfere with my family's welfare. I want it to stop. Now."

"Why Ciel, whatever do you mean?" Alois asked, his head tilted to the side.

"A female demon came crawling around the Phantomhive estate a few days ago. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

Alois eyes darkened and he dropped his jovial act. "Hannah came to see you, did she? What did she want?"

"Tell me who she is first," Ciel demanded imperiously. "Then I'll tell you what she wanted."

"Perhaps you would all like to take a seat first," Sebastian interrupted, looking at both earls as though they were behaving shamefully. "Standing around is no way to discuss business. And perhaps Mr. Faustus would care to bring in some tea and snacks? I realize we were not expected, but surely a good host can manage something on the spur of the moment."

"Very well," Alois said with narrowed eyes, his hands clenched into fists down at his side. He slowly unclenched his fingers and gave himself a shake, the mocking look returning to his eyes as he clapped his hands. "You heard the man, Claude. Go and get some tea and refreshments. We must treat our honored guests properly or they won't wish to return."

"Yes, your Highness," Claude said with a bow before leaving the room.

"Now," Alois said, settling into an armchair and crossing his legs again, "before we begin, she must leave." He started pointedly at Faye. "This business is between men like us and our butlers, outsiders are not welcome at this discussion."

Ciel stiffened, halfway to sitting down on the armchair opposite Alois. "You made her a part of this when you threatened her. And when Hannah confronted her."

Alois blinked in surprise. "Why would Hannah go after her?"

Ciel stayed silent, crossing his arms and glaring at Alois. Faye remained standing with Sebastian behind her, uncertain what she should do.

"No matter," Alois said with a flick of his hand. "This still doesn't involve her, not really. Collateral damage and all that."

Ciel's grip on his cane tightened. Sebastian broke in again, a brilliant smile on his face. "Earl Trancy, you do not believe we would be so stupid as to leave the woman you have been threatening alone whilst on your property, do you? I would think you'd give us more credit than that."

"I give you my word that she won't be harmed while we talk," Alois said in a bored voice. "Why would I do something like that when I finally have you sitting here and willing to listen to my story? Your sister can go out and look at the gardens. Women like that sort of thing, don't they?"

"You honestly believe I would take your word?" Ciel asked tightly. "Everything about you is a lie."

"What's the matter, Ciel? You don't think your butler could protect her from my butler if it came down to it? I know good help can be so hard to find these days."

Faye was getting tired of being talked about as though she weren't in the room. "Perhaps Ciel would have already heard your story by now if you didn't insist on prattling about nothing for so long every time he sees you."

Alois glared at Faye before looking away from them all petulantly. "I won't talk so long as she's in the room. You'll learn nothing about Hannah until she's gone."

Claude walked back into the room wheeling a tray and Faye swerved around him towards the door. "I'll go out and walk the gardens," she said. "Hopefully, you'll manage to learn something while I'm gone."

Sebastian and Ciel frowned as Faye walked out. Ciel struggled to contain his anger as he turned to glare at Alois. He didn't like this situation at all, and he wasn't happy Faye had left. It gave Alois the upper hand to have her acquiesce to his demands.

"Now then," Alois said, wriggling in his chair, "shall we begin?" Ciel merely stared at Alois balefully as Claude wheeled the refreshments between their two chairs. Minutes ticked by as they sampled the tea and Alois again lost his mocking air. "She killed my younger brother," Alois said softly, staring at the floor. "Hannah did." Ciel struggled to keep his face impassive. Did Alois truly believe Ciel should care about this in the slightest?

"We were orphans, Luca and I. Everyone in the village hated us for it. I wanted them all dead. We both did. I guess Luca summoned Hannah with that desire. Made a deal with her to kill all the villagers. She did, and then she took his soul."

Ciel fiddled with a cookie while waiting for Alois to continue, but Alois only continued to stare at the ground. "So then you summoned a demon of your own in your desire for revenge?" Ciel guessed. "What does that have to do with me?"

Alois threw an irritated look at Claude who ignored it. "Claude isn't powerful enough to take on Hannah by himself, not and be sure that he will win. He needs help." Alois stared earnestly into Ciel's eyes. "Hannah destroyed Luca's existence. Erased it entirely, as though he were never even born. I will do the same to her."

The words 'You've yet to give me a reason why I should bother helping' were on the tip of Ciel's tongue, but he withheld them. He couldn't say it with Faye right outside Trancy Manor. "So, what will I get out of helping you?" Ciel asked, leaning back in his chair as though he were actually interested.

"The Phantomhives place great value on wealth and power, do you not?" Alois asked eagerly, leaning forward. "The Trancy family has both in abundance. Once I'm gone, I can have all of it transferred to you. It was part of my plan from the beginning," Alois said gleefully. "Would you like to hear how I become the Earl to this estate that has nothing to do with me?"

"Not particularly," Ciel muttered, resting his cheek on his hand.

"Your Highness," Claude said, stepping forward, "allow me to get more refreshments for you." Sebastian perked up as Claude wheeled the almost empty cart away. Was he going to capture Faye and use her as leverage to force the young Lord's compliance? Sebastian's eyes flicked to Ciel, waiting for an order, but Ciel only stared with boredom at Alois.

Trancy Gardens

Faye wandered around the rose garden maze, wondering how long Alois' story would take. Since he seemed to love the sound of his own voice, she imagined it would be a while. She picked a rose bloom and dropped it on the ground each time she made turn to mark her path. If Alois had a problem with it, he shouldn't have sent Faye here in the first place.

When she reached the center of the maze, she gazed up at the fountain adorning the large circle. It was the strangest fountain she'd ever seen, with a towering formation of rocks covered in moss the dripped down into a pool. Had the previous Earl Trancy truly found such a thing to be appealing?

Faye felt a tingling on the edges of her senses. She looked around anxiously and found Claude standing on the other side of fountain. Gripping a knife in one hand, she backed up slowly. "Negotiations not going well?" She asked lightly, backing up until she hit the hedge behind her. Where was Sebastian?

"I'm not here on behalf of my Master," Claude said, taking slow, even steps towards Faye.

Faye's heart jumped to her throat. "Come to garden then? What a diligent butler you must be. Or a poorly prioritized one. Shouldn't you be aiding Earl Trancy in obtaining his greatest desire? That is the point of the contract between you two." She didn't like the way Claude looked at her. It was an unwavering, determined gaze.

He reached her and placed one gloved hand on either side of her, boxing her in. He leaned forward and inhaled deeply before letting out a low moan and slumping. "This is as close as I'll ever get to Heaven," he mumbled in Faye's ear. She flushed and moved the point of her knife to under his chin. He backed up, but continued to box her in.

"What are you babbling about, demon?" Faye's heart raced in fear, with the terrible thought that she knew exactly what was going on. But how could such a thing be possible?

"I've been bewitched by you, Faye Phantomhive. Something I never thought would happen in my long, long life." His head titled up awkwardly under the point of her knife and he grabbed her arm, pointing it towards the ground before squeezing so hard Faye winced and involuntarily dropped the knife. Claude smiled and brought her captive hand to his lips, slowing running his lips over her palm. Faye tried to jerk her arm back, but Claude was much too strong.

"Hoctum irarae—" Claude slapped his other hand over her mouth and pushed her further into the hedge before she could finish her spell.

"There's no need for that now," Claude murmured, craning his head down to nuzzle Faye's neck. "I don't plan to steal you away. Yet." He moved back just enough to stare down into Faye's face. "The agony of being away from you is too delicious, and makes the sight of you that much more satisfying. I'd rather take my time and enjoy this hunt. See how long I can tolerate not having you in my presence."

He leaned down to nuzzle Faye's neck again and she stomped on his foot with the heel of her boot. It accomplished nothing, of course. Claude chuckled and brought Faye's palm to his lips again. "I'm afraid I must return to my master. He'll be expecting more refreshments for himself and your brother." He stepped back slowly and bowed. "Until we meet again, Lady Faye."

Faye collapsed to the ground after Claude disappeared and wrapped her arms around herself. This shouldn't be possible. How many beings in the world were capable of casting an infatuation spell on a demon? And who in the world would desire for Claude to be obsessed with Faye? Could it all be an act? Part of Alois' plan to force Ciel to help him?

She shook her head in irritation at her own fear as she dragged herself back to her feet. There was only one group of people who might be able to answer her questions. She needed to pay a visit to the grim reapers.

Only a few more minutes passed before Ciel and Sebastian left Trancy Manor. By that point, Faye stood outside the Phantomhive carriage, more than ready to return home.

Ciel strode toward the carriage, a disgruntled and disgusted look on his face. "Did you find out what Earl Trancy wants?" Faye asked, accepting Sebastian's helping hand into the carriage.

"Nothing more than petty personal vengeance," Ciel said with an annoyed wave of his hand. "Alois believes Sebastian and I should help him destroy Hannah, who ate his brother's soul. In return, he promised all the Trancy's money and land and business holdings after Claude took his soul."

"How does that explain why Hannah threatened us to stay away from Alois?"

"I don't know," Ciel said with a sigh and a shake of his head. "Hannah seems to have an obsession with Alois. She tried to make a deal with him and gain his soul as well, but all he desires is her destruction. I don't know why she's after him, or why she cares if we get involved. What we need is leverage to get them all to leave us alone."

They sat in silence for a moment before Sebastian asked, "How was your tour of the garden, my Lady?"

"About as interesting as your discussion with the Earl," Faye replied, staring out the window. She didn't want to say anything until she had a better idea of what was going on. After talking with William she would decide what to do.

"Is that why you smell like Claude?" Sebastian asked, a pleasant smile covering his face.

Ciel whipped his head around. "What?! Did he threaten you again?"

"Nothing more than what he did at Easter," Faye said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Nothing even worth mentioning." Sebastian's eyes bored into Faye and she turned to stare out the window again, ignoring his attention as best she could.