The End
of
A Charade
For those who haven't read it yet, I added more to the previous chapter. Any confusion, please refer to chapter 22. Sorry to do this again. LOL ;)
Moving on.
xxx
Saved by the stroke of tea. Hannah escaped by the skin of her teeth, leaving Alliahnna in a fowl mood. She was tempted to lop Claude's leg off for interfering. Or slit Hannah's throat for holding back. Thankfully Sebastian was present to calm her down. Tea time is very important. They could all benefit from taking a moment to dine. Or so he thought. Nothing grinded Alliahnna's gears more than being interrupted. Zanosuke and Jasper seconding the motion for lunch put her protest to rest, but hadn't quelled it. For now, Sebastian got permission from Claude to make use of the Trancy kitchen. Tending to their master's refreshments was of great importance.
Cooking stations were arranged in the arena. Sebastian and Claude dressed in their chef garb to prepare a lunch and tea perfectly complemented. No corners cut for their masters refined tastes. Jasper saw to removing the triplets from their stake. He put them on the ground, but left them stuck to the lance for his own amusement. Zanosuke saw to the rubble, clearing it before the intermission ended. Ciel, Alois, and Druitt waited in audience seats, watching Claude and Sebastian finish their prepping. As Alliahnna went to retrieve her weapons, Claude's hard stare stalked her across the arena, then moved to the bored Ciel.
(Claude POV)
Desireable souls...Claude poured fresh egg yolks into a stainless steel bowl. He whisked them into a fine putty. Luscious souls...He proceeded to add a creamy paste congealed by flour, baking soda, and butter to the yolk, whisking them both together into a thickening batter. These souls do vary in taste. Then one obsessively pursued by a demon, He diverted attention from his still whisking hand to haze upon Ciel again, A soul like that of Ciel Phantomhive. Still can he not fathom the allure of the boy. Granted one revenge and then a second, coveted by a demon long starved for years. And then there is her...Alliahnna wrenched her daggers free, The soul of Alliahnna Phantomhive. Blood spilled profusely as Hannah raced to mend them. A once substitute granted a choice. Soul or humanity. Her soul desired, but willingly spared. Humanity sacrificed and is now under tutelage to becoming a proper demon. Zanosuke and Jasper lectured her on her form and tactics. No newborn has been deemed worthy of such effort. Yet here she stands. Cultivated, nurtured, and maturing. Cared for in the bosom of a demon who is now her lover. Demons and humans crossing that threshold. Such a leap from master and servant is unprecedented, but not unheard of. But why? Alliahnna's skin crawled. Why such a fuss for these two souls?
"Can I help you with something?" Alliahnna snapped, breaking his focus.
"Perhaps." He let his hand stop, folding both hands behind his back. "Curb my curiosity. But what means did you go by in order to secure Sebastian?"
"How do you mean?" She folded her arms, approaching cautiously.
"He is obsessed with Ciel Phantomhive's soul. Servant to him currently, and yet still steadfastly loyal to you." Alliahnna grimaced. She disliked what he was implying. "Are there plans for splitting Ciel's soul?" He hardened his stare. "Or is the loyalty a guise for what he will never obtain?" Zanosuke and Jasper exchanged thoughtful glances. The identical roses Sebastian, Claude, and Alliahnna wore hadn't gone unnoticed. A deal has been made in secret. The focal point being Ciel.
"If you're asking me if I'm deceiving Sebastian," She flicked her thumb. Claude stopped a bullet between his fingers, "Our conversation is over." She stormed for the manor. Hopefully the balcony has fresh air she can inhale.
A master whose soul he craves. A lover whose body he craves. Hungering for both. Only one will be his meal, the other a treat. He returned to preparing the refreshments, if not taking a glimpse of the side by side rested a hand to her knee, fussing over her. She reassured him she was fine. What is the allure? Ciel plucked rubble from her vest. She puffed her cheeks pouting. What is it about these two souls that drives a demon's obsession?
(POV End)
Cream splattered to Claude's glasses. "Oh! Do excuse me?" Sebastian feigned innocence. The cream doused whisk dripped with his guilt. "It's just the way you were looking at my Master and Lady was beginning to concern me." Zanosuke recognized the irritation in his smile. "I do believe your were assessing the tastes of their individual souls."
Claude, abashed by the childish fling of food, sent batter flying in return. Sebastian easily weaved out of the way, and sent another scosche of cream Claude's way. Claude dodged that time and returned the favor. A war raged on as cream and batter darted left and right. The two demons showing little strain in cooking while attempting to pelt one another. Druitt watched enamoured by the flawless tosses. How the butlers never lost focus in cooking, or dodging the attacks. Jasper and Zanosuke were stunned to see Sebastian behave childishly like this. Claude must be getting under his skin to make him throw food. Alliahnna ogled in awe. The pair are just flawless when compared to her. The distance between their skills grew all the more wider.
"Make other dinner plans!" Sebastian commanded, evading Claude's batter whilst finishing the base of his entre. "You won't lay a finger on My Master's soul." He sharpened his glare, "Or give My Lady any lip!"
Claude let the whisk fall and slammed his empty bowl. Sebastian ceased his onslaught and looked beside him. A golden yellow batter confectionary model portraying a ravenous, fanged serpent snaring a frightened woman in its coils. Behind Claude, a tinted cream base molded as a Valkyrie who has slain the mighty serpent.
"Well that was just a whole lot of pointless." Ciel droned. Demon butlers seemed to possess an affinity for showing off.
"I found it funny." Alliahnna chimed like a cherub.
"You find roadkill funny."
"That was one time and the face was mauled in a funny way."
Ciel rests his case. "By the way, are you and Sebastian fairing better?" Alliahnna tilted her head inquisitively. "You two seemed off for a short time."
"Oh that!" She should have known he would notice. "Yes, we're fine…" She pulled her hair over her shoulder. A nervous tick coaxed her to stroke the locks. "No relationship is smooth. Gotta have bump to keep it interesting."
"As long as you both are happy, that's all the matters." Ciel said with a smile, but his reluctance murmured in his tone.
"Happiness...right…" Odd. Thinking about happiness made her stomach tighten. She doesn't understand the reasoning...but...what is it right now that's making me happy? She pondered. Is she happy? She seems to be. And yet...there's something. Ciel, Sebastian, Alois, Claude - something about this...this...grouping is not sitting right with her. Something she can't quite identify. And it's bothering her. What exactly is bothering me?
xxx
Arm twisting, food dueling, and the accidental spilling of tea to smocks - a half hour later, lunch was prepared. Naturally Sebastian and Claude prepared their own dishes. Fine pastries for their masters' refined taste. Desserts oozing tangy fillings, and teas wafting with sweet, honeyed aromas a blossoming product of their disagreement. The deciding factor to determine which dish is the better of two remained fell on the unbiased Viscount Druitt. Sebastian and Claude cleaned their food war and left the gardens sparkling. The proper atmosphere befitting the standards of their masters.
Alois and Ciel indulged in the desserts, sipping some tea to wash it all down. Either expressed minimal delight in their butlers dishes. Biting a bullet to save face for the sake of competition. Alliahnna's cheeks flushed exuberantly. She loved Sebastian's food, but Claude definitely had a flare. Note: she will never admit it to Sebastian. Druitt himself found it impossible to deem which item was the better. He was so overwhelmed that he needed direly to go powder his nose. Claude directed him to the nearest water closet. Never will that man cease to be certifiable.
xxx
Tea time was over. The afternoon was setting upon the Trancy Manor. It was time to recommence the duel and bring their dance to a close. Sebastian eagerly entered the chess arena, unable to describe how long he's waited to show his mettle. Zanosuke, Jasper, and Alliahnna, having already exhausted their turns, supported Sebastian from behind. Claude was also anxious to begin his bout with Sebastian. Alliahnna kept on her toes. Hannah was at Claude's side.
"Now then, let us resume." Claude decreed.
"Indeed." Sebastian clacked his heels together. He opened a welcoming hand to his opposing partner. "Shall we dance?"
"Dance we shall. But first." Claude removed his glasses. He drew Hannah close by her hip. He used his teeth to tear his glove off.
"Are you certain?" Hannah wavered. Claude's cold hand tilted her chin, twisting her head to him. "Alright…" Hannah submissively closed her eyes, letting her mouth open as wide as it will go. She took in a deep breath.
Claude traced two fingers up her chin, dancing them to her purple lips. Alliahnna and Ciel blinked confusedly. Claude was holding her awfully close. The purpose of his hand in her mouth eluded them. Zanosuke, Jasper, and Sebastian looked on with intrigue. Hannah exhaled a moan. Claude's icy fingers sliding along her tongue, dipping past the uvula. He grasped the back of her head, and moved in. Soon his whole hand and most of his arm slide down her throat. Zanosuke, Jasper, and Sebastian were unable to tear their eyes away. Hannah gagged profusely on the arm. Her eyes watering as the reflexes begged for regurgitation. A crack made her stiffen. Claude gawked in eureka and pulled. Hannah gasped for precious air, choking on saliva. A long, gnarly twisted green sword unsheathed from her throat.
Alliahnna stifled a gasp behind her hands. Her stomach in knots. Terrified tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Alois stuck his tongue out in a mockful gag. Ciel leaned on the edge of his seat. "What's he doing?" He gasped.
Hannah lost strength in her knees. Claude pulled Hannah by the hair, drawing the ridiculously long sword further. Zanosuke was thrown for an unexpected loop. "I don't believe it. It's not possible."
"And yet, there it is…" Jasper shared his awe. Claude ripped the last foot of the sword free, erecting it toward the heavens. "Laevateinn…inside that young woman for all these centuries!" Hannah choked on the air, spitting up a bit. Alliahnna's stomach lost resolve. She ducked behind Jasper, vomiting off the edge of the arena.
Claude flicked the fine weapon free of saliva. "Goodness, look at that." Sebastian whistled impressed. "The ancient sword Laevateinn and its curse of eternal darkness." What a delightful treat amongst the pile of presents. "I never imagined you had such a fine article."
"Naturally I thought your invitation to dance deserved a suitably grand response." He erected the blade in posture, then extended it challengingly to Sebastian.
"You honor me." He bowed. Alliahnna coughed up the sticky phlegm, spitting it into the planter. "Feeling better?" He teased.
"You ever stick something that long inside me, I will snap it in half!" And she is a girl of her word. Every male in proximity cringed drearily, blocking their manhood.
"Promise heeded." Sebastian returned attention to Claude. "Shall we begin?"
"Yes. Let us begin." Claude's eyes flickered pink to gold. "The Danse Macabre."
Claude and Sebastian charged headlong at full speed. Claude began their duel with the first strike. He drew the sword and thrust. Sebastian clapped the tip, diverting it wayward. Claude was undeterred by the parry and effortlessly countered with expedient slashes. Sebastian dodged the strikes, weaving his body in tune to the controlled swings. He flipped to his hand, springing from the sword's range. Claude closed the gap in seconds. Sebastian drew his famous dinner knives to parry. The sword cut clean through them. Sebastian grimaced and proceeded to dodge. Claude cornered him to a rook. He sliced just inches above Sebastian's head, removing a couple of hairs. A thin line slit the rook. Half of it slid and collapsed to the ground.
"That was close!" Zanosuke exhaled, touching his pounding chest.
"Too close." Jasper wiped sweat on his sleeve.
"So...what's the story about that sword?" Alliahnna had to force her eyes to pry from the battle. "You two looked as if you saw a ghost."
"Consider us starstruck by a relic not seen since the era of the vikings." Zanosuke marveled windedly. Claude's seemingly flawless strikes put Sebastian on the ropes. "Laevateinn. The cursed, ancient sword of eternal darkness. Forged by gods, stolen by demons - Laevatein is the only other weapon besides Reaper Scythe capable of cutting a demon's life short." Sebastian bent all the way back. Laevateinn gliding above him. A breeze teased his cringing face. A small cut opened in his chin. "Jealous of our exceedingly long life spans, the gods created this mighty weapon so they may control and dominate us." Claude planted his feet. He flipped the sword and thrust it backwards. Sebastian twisted in midair, spinning on a hand planted to the sword. The tearing of his flesh and glove made him regret the brash act. "Distracted by their superiority and ruled by their pride, one demon trespassed and stole the sword, bringing it to a plane he knew the gods could not venture."
"Dominance for this blade raged for hundreds of years." Jasper inserted himself, watching the fight closely. "Each owner murdered in their sleep, and the next successor in possession for a short time." Seeing that sword for himself, watching it be used in a duel by relatively exemplary demons. An honor and a curse in itself. "One day the sword simply vanished. No one knew what became of it. Until today that is."
"So what you're saying is…" Alliahnna was enthralled by the tale, but was frightened by a small detail threatening her skipping butler, "That sword can kill Sebastian in a breath."
"My poor naive girl." Jasper moaned with regret. "That sword will kill Sebastian before he breathes."
Sebastian's agility gave him small ground to utilize. Claude's ownership of Laevateinn was slowly encroaching on his edge. A burden to weild of weapon of that size and caliber. His movements are respectively limited. But not even Sebastian can dodge the blade forever.
With a furrowed brow Ciel watched. The thought that his butler would lose to Alois' sickened him. He ordered Sebastian to win. And his orders are absolute.
"What do you think of Claude's sword?!" Alois joined Ciel on his side of the balcony. "Pretty impressive, eh?"
"I'll admit it is a fine weapon." Ciel eyed Alois. This Danse Macabre by demons was nothing more than a distraction. Time for his move to be made. "Perhaps you could give me a little tour of the Trancy Manor. If it isn't any trouble."
"Do you need to use lou?" The request baffled Alois. Nevertheless, he was happy to oblige. "I'll show you the way."
Alliahnna arched a curious brow of the two boys vacating the fight. No coincidence that the final duel of the night is when they'd excuse themselves. "Be careful, Ciel." She whispered. She prodding fingers in her stomach. There's that feeling again.
"Well Master…" Sebastian snickered, simultaneously dodging the sword, "I'm disappointed you'd run off and leave to find your butler like this!" He joked. He'd expect nothing less from his master.
"I'm disappointed in YOU for letting your eyes wander!" Claude scolded. The sword broke ground, hurtling chunks in each direction. Sebastian, as expected, escaped the blunt strike, and now was out of Claude's reach. "You know, your obsession with that human's soul is getting you into trouble!" He taunted, propping the sword on his shoulder. "I think it's beginning to DULL your demon instincts. Demon instincts, by the way, you are trying to teach to that newborn!"
Sebastian edged back to be in place to counter. Then, freezing him in stride, a thin wire cut into his cheek. "Oh dear…" He analyzed the arena. "However did that happen?" Sebastian was surrounded by steel wires. Trapped in Claude's spiderweb.
"When the Hell did he arrange that?" Alliahnna gasped. She was watching the fight the whole time. There's no way he could set this sort of trap while engaged with Sebastian. Everyone would have seen it. "Did I miss something?" Zanosuke shook his head. He missed it as well.
"This spider of ours is more clever than he looks." Irate chuckles escaped Jasper. Zanosuke and Alliahnna glanced to him for answers. He masked the irritation behind a hand. "I see now why he chose to fight last." A horrific realization hit Zanosuke and Alliahnna on the head. Claude had all the time in world during the first two fights. "Perhaps Sebastian's instincts are dulled."
"Don't talk about him as if he's lost!" Alliahnna bellowed. "And if you're so intune with your instincts, why didn't you say something?"
"Because the mentor cannot watch over the student all hours." He leaned in. A darkness hued his eyes, "A lesson you should know well." Alliahnna grimaced venomously.
Claude gracefully leapt to a wire, strutting along it without complication. "These are the spider threads of Trancy House. They can cut through steel." Sebastian barely twitched to escape him and the thread tensed to his body. "One careless moment and then…" He swept fingertips at his neck with a twisted, triumphant smirk, "Off with your head."
"Just what I would expect of a spider." Sebastian hide his self loathing in sarcastic comebacks.
"I wonder," Claude hovered the tip at Sebastian's nose, "Which piece of you should I reserve for your Lady?" Sebastian grit his teeth. He let his eyes wander to her. He was pleased to see she was holding faith in his victory. However, he wished he was in a better state. "Why not let her decide after I've finished?"
xxx
The tour of the House Trancy was directed on a subtle detour. After the costume ball, Ciel retained a good image of the manor's layout. Thus he prolonged his walkabout with Alois, coming to the very ballroom where a melody of death almost claimed a gaggle of innocent lives. The dusk light pierced the windows, alighting the ballroom in a foreboding shade. Still can the wails be heard. Wails conjured by Alois and his indiscriminate path to claim Ciel for himself.
"Ciel…" Alois suspiciously hissed, "What is this? Where are you going?" He demanded.
The charade was over. Ciel stopped in the middle of the room, tugging at his glove. "I've seen enough of their silly performance." He threw the glove at Alois' feet. The boy sneered at it with insult. "Alois Earl Trancy, you have crossed a line." Ciel declared formally. "You have robbed me of my pride and have disgraced and demeaned me. I cannot accept this! Thus, here and now, I challenge you to a duel."
Alois was amazed Ciel would be so bold. "Oh-ho…" Amazement twisted to crazed joy, "So you didn't just want me to come in here and piss with you?" He was almost disappointed. Here he thought they'd reached an understanding. He fumbled a sword that was tossed in his hands. Ciel squeezed the hilt of his sword, angling the blade for Alois precious neck. Alois indifferently tapped the blade to his palm. "I've never actually had the opportunity to duel before. How do we proceed, you'll have to tell me."
"We stand back to back and begin walking at the count Ale. We pivot on the tenth step and begin the duel." Short, simple, and to the point.
"Simple enough." Alois gushed. "Sounds like fun, let's duel." He agreed.
The two boys stood back to back. Ciel with his sword raised in the proper form. Alois casually angled his at the ground. "ALE!" The two called. And the paces began, "One...two...three...four...FIVE-" Ciel spun and was met with a sword in his face.
"Now, now," Alois crooned, "Let's not have any cheating." Another rouse. The Trancy boy knows how to duel.
Ciel ground his teeth, seething in humiliation. "WHY YOU!" He growled, letting the rage blindly swing his sword. Alois stepped back, leading the bout.
Alois laughed tauntingly, sprinting up the steps to the second level. Ciel was right on his heels, taking a swing each time Alois stopped to laugh at him. Each time he missed only fueled his anger. His swings losing control that was never there. Alois barely lifted his sword to parry. He simply pirouetted and skipped about like a dancer, loving Ciel's flaring temper.
"You always lose your temper so quickly!" Alois mocked, running away. Ciel was running out of breath. "Come! Let's enjoy our dance!"
xxx
Claude, still standing to his webs, relentlessly swung Laevateinn in any given direction. He savored Sebastian squirming in his rooted place. Sebastian, trapped in the webs, maneuvered as best he could. The threads tensed all the more, limiting him from even spanning his lungs for breath. A grievous step back and one wire ripped to the back of his bicep. Another tore into his planted heel. Scratches from where the sword managed to hit stung from sweat on trailing from his brow.
Alliahnna wrapped her arms tightly to her shivering body, losing her breath the closer Claude's sword drew. Her glossy eyes unable to look away. Glossy with fear. Her fingers dug in her sleeve as the wire cut his skin to ribbons. Come on...come on! She cried. Do something! Anything! Tears gathered in her eyes. He can't kill you...he can't! Jasper and Zanosuke sympathized with her, but alas were unable to intervene. Code of conduct and honor for a duel.
Claude decided he would stop playing with his food. He's bled him enough. "Here we are, Sebastian Michaelis!" He proclaimed with the sword aimed for his head. Sebastian braced himself for the final attack. Claude jumped high in the air.
"SEBASTIAN!" Alliahnna screeched, darting forth.
"NO!" Zanosuke restrained her by an arm.
"YOU CAN'T INTERFERE!" Jasper grabbed the other.
"LET GO!" She thrashed. They held her by the torso and waist as well. "LET GO OF ME! HE'S GOING TO KILL HIM!" Claude flipped about, putting both hands on the hilt. The sword drove for his skull. "SEBASTIAN!"
Swords clashed in the distance. Claude's sword halted. Shrill clangs of steel reached Claude, Sebastian, and Alliahnna's ear. Zanosuke and Jasper gawked as everyone froze in place. Not a body moved. No one dared to breathe. Swords were exchanging blows. Alois and Ciel...they were fighting...and Ciel was losing.
"The young master!" Sebastian fret.
"CIEL!" Alliahnna threw Jasper and Zanosuke off, sprinting for the manor. Zanosuke and Jasper chased after her. Claude and Sebastian shared begrudged glances.
xxx
"THAT'S IT! ONE-TWO-THREE, ONE-TWO-THREE!" Alois' vicious strikes bucked Ciel back, driving his back against the upstairs railing. Ciel locked sword above his head, using the railing to push him back. "AND DOWN YOU GO!" Alois squeezed his neck, throwing Ciel over the side. He hit the floor on his back. The wind robbed from his lungs. Alois landed beside him, stalking above his winded prey. He traced the sword dauntingly up his chest to his cheek, giving it to light taps. The helpless boy finally at his mercy. "They you go, Ciel. You're finally mine." He claimed victory. He sat on the boy's hip, holding the length of the sword at his neck. Ciel's head tilted feeling the icy steel at his skin. "Sebastian wants so very badly to devour your soul. But he won't get to! Because I'm going to tear your soul to shreds and feed it to the spiders of my mansion." Alois can see Sebastian's face now. "Poor thing! I know it's going to irritate him terribly. And that sister of yours will fly into a frenzy too. Claude will take pleasure in putting her down like a dog." He cackled in the excitement. He can hardly stand it. "This is going to be a lot of fun!"
"A spider killing a bat. You're as delusional as you are vile!" Ciel snapped. "Alliahnna has lost me once and rose from those ashes! She will do so again, and the ashes will be that of you and your spiders!"
"Oh you think so?" Alois cooed bitterly. "She's a full blooded demon, Ciel! Robbing you of your soul will send her to a new pit!"
"The Soul of a Queen's Guard Dog isn't cheap!" Ciel countered placidly. "A trifling little spider like you could never afford a taste." His smug smirk furrowed Alois' brow. "But if you don't mind having your legs ripped off, by all means give it a try. I'm sure Allie will relish taking your legs rather than breaking them!"
"I see you still have enough energy to be cheeky!" Alois lifted the sword. "It's useless to keep struggling! Just GIVE UP and SUBMIT TO ME!" He drove it for his heart. Ciel's bare hand stopped the blade in it's tracks.
"Submit? I'm the one who has you!" Blood spilled from Ciel's palm. Ignoring the searing pain he pushed Alois back. He recovered grip on his sword and drove it forward.
"MASTER!"
"CIEL!"
Sebastian, Alliahnna, and the others burst through the doors, finding Ciel on the floor and Alois on top of him. Alois' breathing huffed jadedly. His face twisted in agony. His shaking hands twitched at the sword piercing the side of his stomach. He rose on his knees. Ciel ripped the sword out of him. Blood soaked his green vest, pooling to his lap. Ciel released a strained breath. The deed was done.
"WWAAHH…" Alois writhed on the floor, clutching at his wounded side. He howled in abject agony. Screaming and blubbering as blood continued to pour from his stomach. "PLEASE! HELP ME, CLAUDE!" Alliahnna's trembling hands lifted to cover her ears. They wavered halfway. "HELP ME!" The pitiful wailing of the little boy tore her heart apart. Worse is that nagging feeling blossom to full nauseous guilt. "I'M DYING!" Guilt? Why do I feel…
"Yes, Your High-"
"HALT SEBASTIAN!" Ciel's command stopped both butlers from advancing. His sapphire eyes gleamed with absolute hate. The revenge her craves is writhing at his feet. He will not be denied. NOT AGAIN! "Until I've killed him STAY BACK!" Zanosuke, Jasper, and Claude gasped. The passion in his eyes was...invigorating in a sense.
"Very good, My Young Lord." Sebastian praised.
What? Alliahnna gaped sickened by Sebastian's response. Bound by orders or not...how is this only affecting her? Zanosuke, Jasper, Claude, none of them showed the slightest bit of concern, remorse- NOTHING! Why am I the only one here...feeling sorry for him? Claude is his butler! He should feel something! Claude...why aren't you doing anything? He was watching like the rest. Your Master is dying! Why aren't you doing anything?
Ciel turned back to the sniveling boy, aligning the sword to his skull. "Die! Alois Trancy!"
"Wait...please…I don't want to die!" He wriggled like a worm. Tears and saliva spilling to his face. " It hurts! Spare me, Ciel!"
"You are truly pathetic, Alois! You killed my parents and you want me to SPARE YOU?" He should cut that vile wretch into pieces for so much as conceiving the plight as a thought.
"WAIT! No, listen to me! You don't understand!" Alois beckoned his ear. "You're being tricked by a demon! I'm telling you, beleive me!"
"By a demon…?" A trick...that's all this was. A silly ruse concocted in the throes of darkness.
Bump-bump...What is that? Alliahnna stiffened. Bump-bump...A heartbeat? Bump-bump...who's heart is that? Ciel's precious features twisted in madness. Bump-bump...is it mine? Alois sobbing and pleading. Blood spilling from his mouth. Tears pooling from his eyes. Snot leaking from his nose. Bump-bump...Why? A boy...twisted by horrors none know of. On his knees, quibbling for his life. Bump-Bump...bump-bump...Why do I-why AM I…? Alois buried his face in Ciel's shorts, begging for an ear to reach. Why am I feeling sorry for this monster?!
"My parents were killed too, you know." He caused a close friend of mine to lose her leg. He orchestrated to have Ciel taken. "My family burned to death along with the whole village!" Alois pulled on Ciel's clothing, climbing to his knees. "Someone stole them from me!" Elizabeth, Schneizel, Phoebus - because of him those I love almost died! Alliahnna's fingers balled to fists, puncturing her skin. He doesn't deserve mercy! "Can't you see we're basically the same? I promise I won't bother you anymore! I apologize for everything!" He doesn't deserve mercy...but… "Just please, Ciel, please spare me! PLEASE LET ME LIVE!" Ciel scoffed at his confession. His heart of stone was not touched. He raised his sword.
No, this...Blood stained the sword. This isn't right...Blood on his hands. This shouldn't be happening. Not like this. Fire tainting pure sapphire eyes. Sky blue begging for their light to be spared. He's no saint...but he doesn't deserve to...not on his knees. A body trembling. The mind and limbs betraying a strong urge...to save Alois...from paying for a crime...that is not his to pay. That other man...The man from the coast...He was on his knees...and he wasn't. Alliahnna clamped a hand to her mouth. He was innocent...of everything...just a pawn of demons! Tears flowed like a river. She choked on vomit begging to erupt. But the deal...I made a deal!
"Through your actions…" It's part of the deal... "You have damaged my pride." Ciel obtains his revenge...then there's a duel for his soul. "And now…" But the revenge is false… "You will atone…" Alois...hasn't done anything! "WITH YOUR DEATH!" HE'S INNOCENT!
"Please hurry, Claude! HELP ME!" The plunging sword stopped just as the tip touched Alois's skin. Shock displayed from Sebastian, Zanosuke, Jasper, Alois, and - yes - Claude, who was rooted. Ciel shot an enraged glare to who stopped him, only to gasp in dismay...at Alliahnna gripping the blade.
"A...Alliahnna?" Sebastian breathlessly awed. Zanosuke and Jasper needed to balance themselves. This stunned them to the brink of fainting. Alois collapsed on his side, circling a drain of relief and abject horror. Claude, however, became fully enthralled. Marveling at the girl who advocated for Alois death...but postponed it. Why? Claude mused. Alliahnna heaved heavily, tightening her grip. Her blood trailed the blade. Why save him...when you despise him?
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Ciel roared.
"STOPPING YOU FROM MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE!" Her watery eyes matched his glare. Claude and Sebastian went rigid, exchanging anxious stares.
"A MISTAKE?! HE MURDERED OUR FAMILY!" He wrestled for the sword, bumping violently against her. "HE MUST BE MADE TO PAY!"
"AND HE WILL PAY! JUST NOT LIKE THIS!" Alliahnna fought for the sword, driving Ciel away from Alois. Not for a murder that's not his! "YOU CAN'T...YOU CAN'T KILL HIM LIKE THIS!"
"WHY NOT?!" Ciel wrenched the sword between them. The blade rocked back and forth, narrowly evading their necks. "DON'T YOU CARE AT ALL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FAMILY?!"
"DON'T YOU CARE AT ALL ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU?!"
"AS LONG AS I OBTAIN MY REVENGE NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!"
"IT MATTERS TO ME! YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE YOUR SOUL! I WON'T LET YOU LOSE YOUR HUMANITY!" Not like how she lost hers.
"LET GO!"
"NEVER!"
"THAT'S AN ORDER! YOU HAVE TO OBEY!"
"I AM NOT A DEMON UNDER YOUR THRALL!" HeR dmon strength breached briefly, jerking him back. "I DO NOT TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU!"
"I SAID…" Ciel blindsided her with a slap, "LET...GO!" The sword slashed outward. Ciel froze in horror.
Sebastian, Zanosuke, and Jasper staggered. Claude continued to look on in astonishment. A graze opened in Alliahnna's cheek. Her aghast eyes trembled. The warm blood trickling. Ciel looked at his sword and back to her wound, unable to believe...he struck her. Alliahnna gazed upon the hyperventilating boy. She was shaking. He actually struck her. Ciel's mouth bobbed, throat searching for a word. Any word to reconcile his act. There was nothing.
Ciel turned his back, lowering his head with shame. He punctured his lower lip with his canines, fighting the urge to scream. "Sebastian! Hold, Alliahnna!" He marched to Alois.
"Huh? What?!" Alliahnna gasped.
"Master...I-"
"THAT'S AN ORDER!" Ciel shrieked. And a Master's order is absolute.
"Yes...My Lord…" Sebastian grudgingly adhered.
"CIEL-" Sebastian whisked in her path, grasping her by the wrists. "SEBASTIAN! YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM!"
"I am sorry, My Lady." Sorrow clung to his eyes. "But...he is my master. I must follow his orders."
"I DON'T CARE!" She kicked and thrashed. Sebastian moved behind her, restraining an arm behind her back. "I CAN'T LET HIM DO THIS! IT ISN'T RIGHT!"
"You agreed-"
"SCREW THE AGREEMENT!" She tore the flowers from her hair. "THERE IS MUCH HE HAS TO ACCOUNT FOR, BUT THIS ISN'T IT!"
"WHY ARE YOU GETTING COLD FEET AFTER COMING SO FAR?" Sebastian snarled.
"BECAUSE I CAN'T LET HIM DO THIS! NOT FOR A SERIES OF LIES!" Lies screeched in Sebastian's ear.
Ciel stomped on Alois' shoulder, aligning the sword with his head. "CLAUDE, HELP ME!" Alois wailed. The sword dove.
"CLAUDE!" Alliahnna's voice broke through. "STOP HIM!"
Claude stopped the sword, bringing it away from Alois. Alliahnna relaxed in Sebastian's hold"You...saved me…" Alois was overcome with joy.
"LET GO, BASTARD!" Ciel wrestled for the sword. Claude had no trouble keeping grip.
"YOUNG MASTER!" Sebastian darted from Alliahnna, racing to his side.
Ciel's bloody hand slapped Claude across the cheek. Crimson streaks staining his cheek. Sebastian tackled Ciel from him, shielding the boy from the irate demon. The blood started to drip to Claude's lip. As he normally does he licked it before it could stain his uniform. The taste… BUMP-BUMP! Claude was thrust in rapture. The taste sparking his demon impulses. Sebastian gasped in dismay. Claude was breathless in the face of such a refined taste. Is this it?
"IT'S NOT OVER!" Ciel clawed. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Fatigue from his wounds was too powerful. Even if he wanted to, Ciel was in no condition to fight.
The commotion seemed to die with the stress. Alliahnna cleared her throat, shakily rising to her feet. "We're leaving! This ball is over!" She decreed sternly. Zanosuke and Jasper fully agreed. Claude was broken from his daze, finding Alliahnna mere feet from him. The other obsession… "Another stunt like this, and the bargain will follow! Am I clear?"
"Trans...parently…" He acknowledged breathlessly. The blood leaking from her cheek's graze entranced him. Twins - Phantomhive Twins. Two obsessions cherished by the same demon. I wonder…
Alliahnna went rigid. Claude moved in fast, placing a hand at her shoulder and gripping her jaw with the other. "What are you-" Claude wrenched her head sideways. The precious crimson liquid oozing down her pale skin. "CLAUDE? WHAT ARE YOU-" He brought his head down. His long tongue traced slowly to the wound. "WAIT! STOP IT!" She writhed. The tip slurped the last bit at the end. Zanosuke swooped in and stole Alliahnna back, wrapping his arms protectively around her. Sebastian's stomach knotted. The urge to rip Claude's tongue from his mouth pulled at him. But Ciel needed him.
Claude let the blood savor to his tastebuds. Another throbbing pulse of rapture sent him staggering back. This is it! This is why he -
"Given the current circumstances I am afraid I cannot allow this dance to continue!" Sebastian interfered. Both of his masters are wounded and tired. Their health risks a serious turn should they remain. "Terribly sorry, but I am afraid we will have to excuse ourselves for the remainder of the day. Do-you-hear-me-Claude?"
"Oh...yes…" Claude shook his fuzzy head. "I...understand…" He fixed his glasses. "Another time then."
"Good."
Just like that...it was over. Alliahnna lurched, clutching her mouth and stomach. The adrenaline dying in her system. Her legs, stomach, and arms buzzing like a hive. Her head was spinning. She threw herself to a corner, vomiting yet again. She choked expelling the waste sticking in her throat. Three more waves gurgled, driving her to her knees as she sullied the floors. When her stomach had nothing left to give, she planted a hand to the wall. Her body wanted to collapse. She panted heavily. Her body heavy.
Jasper urged Zanosuke and Sebastian to see Ciel to the coach. He came up behind and scooped Alliahnna into his arms. For the first time since their meeting, he saw a weary child driven to her breaking point. Exhaustion wrapped her in a lead cocoon. Balling into the fetal position, Alliahnna nestled into his arms. Hazy sapphire eyes desperately pleading the man to get her out of that house. Away from...the lies.
xxx
Upon returning to their home, Zanosuke and Jasper wished to stay in the guest rooms so they may be close in the event trouble strikes again. Unlikely, given the circumstances. But better to be safe than sorry. A series of disasters have struck without warning too many times the past couple of weeks. Zanosuke and Jasper will be able to sleep better knowing they were near to help intercept. Sebastian welcomed their company.
During the trip, Alliahnna and Ciel recovered most of their energy. Their power nap must have granted them a second wind. Enough to make it upstairs to one of the parlors. Their rooms were too far for their weary. Sebastian wished to tend to their pairs wounds there. Their rooms will be bombarded by the other servants, disrupting their treatment.
As Sebastian readied a wet cloth to clean Ciel's wound, Ciel punched Alliahnna's cheek. Her head turned but she remained still. Her composed, deadpan feature met his furious, enraged pants. Sebastian gaped horrified between the two. The blood of his fist stained Alliahnna's cheek. She refused to lick it off. Lest she be in a rapture Claude was consumed by.
"Why…?" Ciel rasped venomously. Alliahnna stayed quiet. Ciel yanked her by the collar. "TELL ME WHY! WHY DID YOU SAVE HIM?" He shook her violently. "WHY DID YOU DENY ME MY REVENGE?"
"I don't know…" She moaned
Ciel clawed her vest, tearing the fabric and buttons. He threw Alliahnna onto the couch. "I refuse to look at you for the rest of the night!" Ciel marched for the door. "Apparently our parents death matters little to you!" The door slammed before a protest could be raised. Not that Alliahnna had one.
Sebastian extended a hand. She declined it, sluggishly returning to her feet. "Care to tell me why you interfered?" Sebastian tried his luck. Unlike Ciel, Sebastian knows she's lying. There was a reason.
"Because Alois hasn't done a thing." As sickening as it is to defend him, Alliahnna couldn't' stand seeing the boy blubbering on his knees. "This whole mess is a charade fabricated by starving demons." Fooled by a demon. That is what Alois said. If only he knew how true those words were. Ciel is being played by not one, but THREE demons. "Alois has a lot to answer for, but I will not allow him to die for a crime that is not his! Least of all to sate your hunger!" She whipped her anger to him. She refuses to play dice with two boys' lives.
"You may have discarded the petals," Sebastian curtly tapped the crooks of his ears, "But you agreed to the terms as equally as myself and Claude."
"I know what I agreed to!" She doesn't need to be reminded. Least of all by him. She sucked on her lips, roughly shoving her hair back. "But what Alois said - you're being fooled by a demon - got me thinking. And I decided that Alois will live for one more day."
"That is not your decision." Sebastian hissed.
Those words stabbed Alliahnna deep in her core. "A lot doesn't seem to be my decision these days!" She tore he ruined vest off.
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" He folded his arms.
"Lets go over the last six years up until I had to eat that man and then I will let you ask me that ludicrous question again!"
"Had you not consumed that man's soul you would have gone on a rampage!"
"Funny how you mention that now after the damage is done!" Seems to be a pattern with him. Telling her the important stuff after it's too late. "Reminds me of when you neglected to mention my sub demon half was consuming my humanity! Thanks for that, by the way!"
"You chose to be a demon!" He barked.
"Did I, Sebastian?!" She challenged him. Her heart was pounding. "Or did your pheromones coerce my cooperation?"
Sebastian's skin caked with ice. He shook with rage. "You are honestly accusing me of-"
"Since day one it's been about Ciel!" She howled. "Every day, well past when I learned he was alive, this whole thing has been about Ciel!" This is a conversation they've had before. Ciel being the prime subject of Sebastian's motives. It was resolved. The wounds are reopening fresh. Sebastian taking the brunt on the punishment. "You turning me, falling in love - our relationship is built around Ciel and the soul you crave! You only got your precious master back because I was a lovestruck idiot!"
"If you are seriously standing there and assuming I deceived you for six years…" He clamped his forehead, clawing at his scalp. Hot breath fumed past his grinding teeth, "Then perhaps the only farce here is the supposed relationship we have!"
"Cold, hard fact of it is THIS," She gestured to her and Sebastian, "Is possibly one of many illusions you've constructed to get what you want! Which worked up until now!"
"Then let us bring this illusion to an end!"
"I couldn't agree more!"
"Fine!" Sebastian stormed out and slammed the door.
In a fit of rage, Alliahnna grabbed a vase and threw it at the door. "FINE!" It shattered into hundreds of pieces. She frothed at the mouth, exhaling fire with each heavy breath. "Fine…" Her stomach bubbled. She emptied her gurgling stomach into a bin.
To be continued.