Lilliana felt at ease for the first time since arriving in this awful village. How could she not when she was immersed in the warm embrace of her favorite element? She drew energy from the water and swam with the others for what must have been an hour, but felt like minutes. The others tired out quickly and took their seat on the blanket around the picnic basket with Angela. Lilliana couldn't bring herself to leave the water yet, especially when the alternative was being near that insufferable angel.
Instead, she floated on the calm surface of the water, eyes closed and hair floating around her. The sun warmed her from above while the water held her from below. A gentle breeze drifted over her skin. She could almost forget all the horrible things that had transpired in the last 24 hours.
"We got him! The bad dog's been caught!"
Instantly the serene peace was shattered by the yelling that came from the village. Lilliana quickly swam to the shore and took her place by Ciel's side. Sebastian had left quite a while ago and had not yet reappeared.
"Hurry! The punishment is about to begin!"
Lilliana's eyes narrowed dangerously. The group followed Angela to an ancient arena built into a hill, old stones forming a crescent-shaped wall against the earth. Here the ground was tainted so deep with blood and suffering that nothing would grow. Lilliana felt a slight influx of energy from her pendant reacting to the negative energy in this place and her locket warmed against her skin in warning. Her hand briefly rose to touch the spot where it rested beneath her bandeau. This can't be good, she thought.
It was soon made apparent that these brainwashed villagers intended to punish the sixth dog of the man, James, who had been murdered the night before. Lilliana felt herself growing very angry. The skies became overcast as dark clouds moved in. She felt Ciel touch her arm and looked down at him. He cast a pointed look at the sky and then back at her.
"Calm down, Lilliana," he said quietly. "And whatever you do, do not reveal your magick here! These ignorant fools would not hesitate to kill you."
She closed her eyes and concentrated on taking deep breaths. He was right, it was too risky.
Her heart pained for the poor dog that was being beaten and attacked, but she could do nothing. She was surrounded by a horrified silence until Finny rushed forward with a shout and pulled a massive wooden stake from the ground to defend the poor pup. Lilliana was shocked by the display of brute strength from this innocent young man, but she ran forward with the rest of the Phantomhive household to then defend him from the angry crowd.
The old woman fainted and villagers screamed, but all her attention was focused on the face of Lord Barrymore. That smug bastard was just watching them, pleased with his mindless mob. The villagers advanced and she moved in front of Ciel, ready for a fight. Thunder rumbled threateningly across the valley.
"Ciel," her tense tone held a question.
"No," he answered firmly.
She huffed at him, muscles tight, as the first villager reached them and latched onto her arm. She was moved away from Ciel and chained to the wall, her arms restrained above her head and her feet shackled. The locket felt hot against her skin and her familiar touched her mind with wordless panic.
Calm, Zeela, Lilliana projected through their mindlink. She kept a watchful eye over the villagers who were currently restraining the four servants to make sure they weren't being too rough. All will be well. I have missed you, friend.
Her familiar half-grumbled and half-purred at her in response. You always seem to find trouble, madam. Why do you allow yourself to be held captive?
The little lord fears for our safety and forbid me to reveal my magick to these mindless, canine-loving fools.
Zeela growled at the mention of the canines. Fools indeed. As soon as we return to the manor, madam, would you consider releasing me from the locket? My confinement here, even if for safety purposes, is not exactly conducive to me fulfilling my role as your guide and companion.
Of course, Zeela. You know how much I've missed you.
Lilliana could sense her familiar smirking at her through their connection. Besides, I heard your soulmate loves cats.
The mindlink was severed before Lilliana could offer a retort. Her cheeks were a light pink as she blinked and tuned back in to her immediate surroundings. The gray clouds loomed overhead and the villagers shouted their demands for the outsiders to be punished. Adding to the raucous din were the course growls of the mangy attack dogs. Lord Barrymore finally spoke.
"Not so powerful now, are you?" he taunted.
"Master, I beg you! Show mercy this one time! These people don't deserve the punishment!"
Lilliana's face twisted with disgust at the maid's shrill voice and fake dramatics. Another reason to get the hell out of this village as soon as possible, she thought. Angels, even fallen ones, hated witches and their magick, believing them to be heathens who threatened the faith that gave angels life. In fact, they were usually the reason behind the many persecutions and crusades against her kind. Ironically, this was why witches and demons tended to coexist peacefully.
"...If he can be made to see reason, perhaps I'll decide to let him go." Lilliana caught the end of Barrymore's reply. Her eyes narrowed at his cruel smirk. They both knew that Ciel wasn't going to bend to his will. Where the hell is Sebastian?! Shouldn't he be here protecting his contract?!
Barrymore walked forward until he came to a stop a couple feet in front of Ciel. Lilliana's eyes flashed and she pulled against the chains that held her, growling when they held firm. The man turned his head toward her and tilted it, seeming to consider something. His eyes roamed over her figure and she remembered she was still in her bathing suit. Thunder crashed and lightning split the sky.
The ugly bully stepped closer to her and reached a hand out to touch her cheek. When he spoke, his grating voice chilled her. "It would be a shame to waste such beauty. Perhaps I'll keep you, poodle."
Lilliana spit in his face. Barrymore stumbled back, shouting, and the attack dogs were let loose. She was reaching for her magick when a streak of black appeared in front of them. She vaguely registered that Sebastian had finally arrived and subdued the dogs, but her hate-filled glare was still focused on Barrymore.
"Lilliana!"
She blinked and turned when Ciel called her name. She turned away from his stern gaze when he firmly shook his head side to side. Her fists were clenched and her jaw tight. Lilliana was absolutely disgusted by that sad excuse of a man and she was livid that she couldn't retaliate.
"Your pitiful farce ends here, Barrymore!" Ciel shouted from beside her. He and Sebastian continued presenting their evidence of his heinous deeds to the villagers, who grew more and more upset. Lilliana was forcing herself to keep her eyes closed and take deep breaths to calm herself. Gradually the clouds lightened and Lilliana opened her eyes just in time to watch the villagers carry off Lord Barrymore to the prison. She sighed.
Sebastian released the shackles holding Ciel before moving to do the same with hers. He did not look at her or speak to her, just performed his duty and moved on to break the rope restraining the other servants. Lilliana rubbed her wrists and found herself wishing she could gain some manner of comfort from her soulmate after such a horrific ordeal. As usual, though, Sebastian only attended to Ciel. She looked longingly at the butler's back, wrapped her arms tightly around herself, and turned to slip away from the group. There was something she wanted to do.
Taking a deep breath to clear her mind, Lilliana summoned her black-velvet cloak and green cotton dress with a soft-spoken spell. Her bare feet drew strength from the wet earth and she danced through the fen. As always, she felt a thrill at being able to connect with the elements and embrace them. Tonight, though, she would be doing more than just dancing. While her pendant converted the negative energy around her, Lilliana was singing a cleansing ritual in her ancestors' tongue. The decrease in negative energy naturally stimulated growth, which was aided by both the rain and Lilliana's magick. She felt her connection with the earth element deepen as she healed the land around the village of its many scars and diseases over the next several hours.
Lilliana's cleansing was interrupted when she sensed the demon hound's aura quickly moving away from the town. She frowned, puzzled by its sudden appearance. Cautiously retracing its path, Lilliana found herself at the entrance of the arena. A flash of lightning lit the sky long enough for Lilliana to see the mangled corpse of Lord Barrymore propped against the stone wall. She sighed. Well, you can't say he didn't have it coming.