A/N: As always, thanks all of you so much for your comments and support! Replies are at the end of the chapter.

WARNING: This chapter features some more detailed references to child rape and death. Also, quite strong PTSD symptoms mentions.

Chapter Eight: Hiring. Part 3

That night, Ciel couldn't sleep. He tried to force the unpleasant images from his mind but they kept returning, stubborn and acidic, devouring the strength of his resolve.

He didn't want to have nightmares. Preferably not ever, but at least not tonight. Tomorrow was going to be a difficult day as it was, he didn't need any additional complications, any reminders that failed to fade from his memory no matter how hard he tried.

The sleep finally came, but as he'd expected, nothing good came with it. The shadows haunted him, whispering things that Ciel tried to ignore, and then, suddenly, he found himself back in his cell, with other children, watching the room and everything happening there.

It's not real, he thought, but terror already paralysed him, destroying every link to reality he had been clinging to. A tall man in the grey coat stepped towards the cell and started to open the door, and paralysis instantly morphed into half-forgotten, terrified instinct to throw himself into one of the corners, trying to blend in and become invisible. Sobs, cries, and pleas filled the cell, and the man took off his mask, grinning.

"So?" he asked. "Any volunteers?"

Ciel shook in his corner, pushing his knees to his chest as hard as he could. His teeth were chattering and he hoped that the sound wasn't too loud, that it wouldn't draw attention to him.

The man grabbed one of the boys and dragged him out, and the boy immediately broke in hysterical screaming, clawing at the hand that held him and trying to get free.

A choked sound of relief and despair left Ciel's chest and he closed his eyes, praying to God, begging to be saved.

When the boy's screaming changed into piercing, pained yells, Ciel looked up involuntarily and shuddered when he saw what was being done to him. At another choking gasp, his own eyes filled with tears and he cried, not wanting to be chosen next. His whole body ached, as if it was him being torn in half, and he was filled with a sudden, maddening desire to claw at the walls until they let him out, until he left this place, until he ran and ran, far away from here.

There was one word that could save him. The knowledge of this was intrinsic, but no matter how much Ciel tried, he couldn't remember it. He recalled the words of all prayers his mother had taught him, but they felt empty and worthless now, when he was confined to this pit of hell.

Several more people took the weakened boy and dragged him to the other corner of the room. The man in the grey coat walked back to their cell and Ciel began to shake again, knowing, feeling that this time, he was going to be chosen.

To his horror, the man's eyes did focus on him, and then he moved towards him and Ciel screamed even before he touched him, his mind filling with white-hot, primitive panic.

And then the word came, the only word that made sense, that was powerful enough to put a stop to everything.

Sebastian. How could he forget?

Sebastian. Sebastian. Sebastian.

"Sebastian!" Ciel shrieked. "Help me! Sebastian!"

The man finally grabbed him and the touch felt burningly real, more real than the boy's screams had been, more real than what was still being done to him and what was apparently waiting for Ciel.

He wouldn't survive it, not again.

"Sebastian!" his voice broke to the point where he no longer recognised it. "Sebastian, please!"

The last word was unfamiliar, almost foreign, and utterly useless. Sebastian didn't come.

"Sebastian!" Ciel's scream was so loud and shrilly that it deafened him.

"I'm here," the man drawled mockingly, still holding him and grinning that half-crazed, lustful smile at him. Ciel shook his head, refusing to believe it.

"Sebastian!" he howled. He didn't care if calling him was hopeless — this name was the only real prayer he knew.

"I'm here," the man said again, but this time, his voice sounded achingly familiar. Ciel blinked through his tears and the room changed, transforming into the bedroom of his London house.

Sebastian was kneeling in front of his bed, watching him with confusion and concern. The very sight of him was so heart-stoppingly comforting that Ciel threw his hands around his neck before he could think about it, hiding his face in the familiar black jacket.

"Kill them," he murmured. "Kill them, Sebastian. Kill them all."

"I already did, Master."

"Good," Ciel inhaled Sebastian's smell deeply, revelling in the safety it provided. "If they return, you will kill them again, yes?"

"Of course. I will do anything to protect you. Until the very end."

Ciel nodded and tightened his grip around Sebastian's neck, pressing even closer to him — and then the reality broke through, bringing an understanding of what happened, of who he was and what he was doing.

A nightmare. Just a simple nightmare, like he'd expected. And instead of dealing with it maturely, like he taught himself, he was clinging to the demon who would only mock his weakness, despise him for it.

Unless he had to carry him, Sebastian never held him back. The thought clearly never even occurred to him, so why Ciel's mind saw him as the source of physical comfort was beyond his ability to understand.

He hesitated, strangely unwilling to let go even if his consciousness had returned to him, and Sebastian suddenly raised his hand and touched his back once, then twice, in a slow, hesitant caress.

For a moment, Ciel was too stunned to react. His shock began to melt into disbelief, then into stupor, and then he recalled how he himself had been comforting Finnie just a few days ago, right in front of Sebastian.

Sebastian was mirroring him, repeating his own movements, even preserving the awkwardness with which Ciel had stroked Finnie's back.

The knowledge felt surreal. Shocking.

And yes, it probably didn't mean anything to Sebastian, but his attempt at comfort, whatever provoked it and whatever personal gain was hiding underneath, did mean something to Ciel.

Maybe he could allow himself to enjoy it. Just tonight. Just for an hour.

Ciel shifted, pressing his chin against Sebastian's shoulder and taking another deep breath, slowly calming under the cool, soothing touches. Something at the door attracted his attention, though, and when he looked up, he saw Finnie's, Mey-Rin's, and Baldroy's pale faces.

Sebastian had forgotten to close the door. Had he been hurrying in response to Ciel's screams or had he done it deliberately?

For some reason, Ciel doubted it was the latter, but fury and embarrassment still crashed into him, and the touch that had seem so comforting just a moment ago suddenly became a brand of weakness and helplessness.

"Don't touch me!" he hissed and pushed Sebastian away with all his strength. For a brief second, something akin to confusion and embarrassment flickered across Sebastian's face, but it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by the usual coldness.

"And you," Ciel turned to stare at the servants again. "Get out! Now! NOW!"

All three gasped and obeyed immediately, but it was already too late. They had already seen that sickening display of weakness. They'd never look at him like he had wanted them to.

"How could you not close the door, you idiot!" Ciel spat, glaring at Sebastian. He had to clench the blanket in his fists to keep himself from lashing out physically. "What, you can't do two tasks at once? What kind of butler are you?"

"I apologise, my lord," Sebastian bowed, but this impersonal demonstration did nothing to soothe Ciel's rising rage.

"I don't want you to apologise! I want you to stop making mistakes and stop embarrassing me!"

Ciel regretted his words as soon as he saw the mocking gaze Sebastian gave him. He almost heard him say, "You've embarrassed yourself," and even if this accusation didn't sound aloud, he still knew it was true.

He was the one to get scared because of some nightmare. He was the one who had latched onto Sebastian and refused to let go.

"Get out," Ciel ordered, quieter this time. "I don't want to see you for the rest of the night."

Sebastian's lips thinned but he nodded and left, this time closing the door properly.

The room immediately felt empty. Ciel shivered, wrapping the blanket around himself. The clock showed half past three — he still had some time to sleep, but even looking at his pillow filled him with dread.

He didn't need sleep tonight. Those several hours he had already wasted on it would have to suffice.

Ciel left his bed and walked to the window. A chess table stood there, the game prepared yet still untouched.

It had been ages since he had played chess. The game always fascinated him but he rarely had patience to see it through. It had seemed wasteful to spend a lot of time on it when so many more entertaining activities waited for him. Now, though?

Ciel took a seat, watching the pieces thoughtfully, his eyes finally focusing on the king.

The most important chess piece that refrained from active actions for the majority of time. An observer who gained utmost relevance only towards the end of the game.

Symbolic. Almost ridiculously so.

Maybe he should practice his victory — and his inevitable demise. Playing against himself wasn't going to provide him with a productive game but it could be a start. Later, he could use Sebastian as his opponent, and if — no, when he managed to beat him, he would be able to beat anyone.

Comforted by this thought, Ciel chose his first piece and lost himself in the game.

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During breakfast, Ciel still didn't feel sleepy in the slightest, and although his temples began to pulse painfully, it was most likely in reaction to their upcoming trip.

Sebastian hadn't said much to him this morning. Was he actually insulted by Ciel pushing him away at night and telling him to leave? Since when did such trivialities offend him?

Sebastian was annoying whenever he was in one of his moods so Ciel steadily ignored him. His breakfast was served by Mey-Rin and Finnie, with Sebastian closely monitoring them, and since nothing was dropped and no one looked at him differently after tonight, he began to feel optimistic.

Until he noticed that Mey-Rin had brought wine and started to pour an entire glass for him.

"What is this?" Ciel demanded. "Why would I think I'd drink wine for breakfast? An entire glass of it!"

"Oh, Young Master, I'm so sorry!" Mey-Rin recoiled and her hands began to shake. "I didn't, didn't think, not at all. I'll take it back to the kitchen!"

"No, wait—" Ciel knew how it was going to end even before it happened. Mey-Rin tried to grab the glass of wine and missed it, knocking it over instead. The red liquid spilled across the white tablecloth. Ciel jumped from his chair to save his clothes and then stared at the table, feeling a familiar sensation of his mind slowing down before coming to an abrupt halt.

In this dim lighting, it was easy to confuse wine with blood. Blood staining the table, the pool growing bigger as more children were sacrificed. Then being cleaned — only to spill again the next day.

He must have made some sort of sound because Sebastian's eyes focused on him, attentive and amused.

"Come, now, Young Master," he drawled derisively. "It is merely wine. Surely you don't expect it to pose any danger to you?"

Ciel flinched from the viciousness of it, absurdly wounded and humiliated. His heart still tried to climb up his throat, making breathing and thinking difficult, but he opened his mouth anyway to retort when Baldroy exclaimed, "Hey, don't talk to him like that!"

Both Ciel and Sebastian stared at him. Baldroy glowered at Sebastian before walking to Ciel and casually squeezing his shoulder.

"It's all right," he said, and when Ciel was about to explode and start yelling at him, he added, "It happens to me, too."

At this, Ciel found himself at the loss for words. Baldroy must have interpreted it as doubt because he repeated, "It sure happens to me. The memories wake up and you can't tell what's real and what's not. I was at the battlefield, you know, I saw many people die. Saw my friends die. It messes with your head. I can be smoking a cig outside and then I see myself back at the field, surrounded by the dead. There is no controlling that. Those who haven't lived through it wouldn't understand, aye, butler?" Baldroy glared at Sebastian who just looked back at him sourly.

Ciel briefly considered denying that he'd been in any way affected, but then he recalled Sebastian remarking how his approach to Baldroy hadn't been intricate enough and changed his mind.

If his humiliation was needed to establish trust between them, then so be it.

"Thank you, Baldroy," he forced himself to say, watching how surprise and pleasure crossed his servant's face.

"Never mind that!" he said enthusiastically. "And do call me Bard, Young Master. Now, let us clean this up real quick. Mey-Rin, Finnie!"

Intrigued, Ciel observed how Bard easily gained control over others. They managed to remove the glass and the tablecloth, but the plate with his breakfast was dropped in the process, breaking into several pieces.

"This is the epitome of foolishness," Sebastian stated coldly. "Was there ever a plate that you hadn't dropped?"

Bard, Finnie, and Mey-Rin all lowered their heads guiltily, looking like scolded children. Ciel's lips twitched in a mirthless smile.

He couldn't summon the energy to be angry at them. He was too tired. He was still too upset with Sebastian.

"I'll serve Young Master his breakfast by myself," Sebastian concluded. "You three, go to the living room and finish reading the books I've assigned. It must teach you at least something."

"Yeah, about that," Bard exchanged glances with others before daring to look at Sebastian again. "I'm not that good at reading and Finnie and Mey-Rin can't read at all."

"Can't read?" Sebastian asked after a pause, and the bewilderment in his voice made Ciel smile again, this time more genuinely. Seeing Sebastian taken aback for whatever reason was always fun. "Well. We can't have that."

Bard's, Finnie's, and Mey-Rin's faces fell, but lit up again when Sebastian continued, "I'll have to give you lessons on reading. The servants of the Phantomhive house cannot be illiterate."

"Sebastian!" Finnie and Mey-Rin looked like they were about to throw themselves on him in their joy and Sebastian's eyes widened in alarm. This was obviously not the reaction he had been expecting.

"Later," Ciel said sharply, although he would have enjoyed seeing how Sebastian would deal with being smothered in double embrace. "Sebastian, I trust it you remember that you and I have work to do."

"Of course, my lord," Sebastian sent the last wary glance to Finnie and Mey-Rin before focusing on Ciel entirely. "What did you have in mind?"

Ciel waited until the servants left the room before taking off his rings and thrusting them at Sebastian.

"Here," he said. "You're going to wear them."

"Master?" Sebastian accepted the rings automatically but he looked utterly clueless.

"We'll have to change places for our visit. Undertaker said that this Lyndon has bought himself a title recently. It means that he's unlikely to know me, my age, or even about my predecessor's death. You'll play the role of Earl Phantomhive who is investigating the crime as per the Queen's request and who is checking every businessman with ties to India. You have to make it seem like you don't really suspect him and are visiting him out of obligation, to ask basic questions."

"You want me to play you?" Mischief and anticipation entered Sebastian's eyes and Ciel looked at him coldly.

"We don't have any other choice," he said. "I can't go as myself because in this case, unless Lyndon is a complete idiot, he won't go near me. And we need to use me as a bait."

Sebastian's mouth fell open and he stared at him astonishment. Amusement was gone, replaced by surprise and disbelief.

"You wish to be a bait?" he asked slowly. "While your courage is certainly admirable, Master, are you sure you will be able to play your part?"

"Do you have any doubts?"

"You've panicked at the sight of a spilled glass of wine just a moment ago. I hardly think that—"

"It's a good thing that you don't have to think, then, isn't it?" Ciel snarled. "You're my pawn. I'm the one who makes decisions. If I said I can handle it, then I can."

"As you wish," Sebastian lowered his head, hiding his eyes from Ciel. It was for the better as Ciel had no desire to know what he was thinking right now. He had been embarrassingly weak during the last twenty four hours and this had to change.

He would prove that he's capable of handling all kinds of difficulties maturely. Whatever the cost.

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Not having his rings on was irksome. Standing outside in clothes that befitted a servant was mortifying. Having Sebastian pose as an Earl, all smug and smartly dressed, was absolutely intolerable.

"Our main task is to learn whether he has this drug," Ciel said, trying not to sound as upset as he felt. "He is likely to deny it, especially if he's guilty. My presence will distract him — we'll be able to tell if he's the one we need based on his reactions. If he is, you'll excuse yourself and you'll search his house. Remember, he mustn't think that we suspect him."

"And you are certain that he will react to you even if he's the killer? Are you so confident in your charms, Master?"

Ciel flushed, sending Sebastian a murderous glare.

"It will be clear," he hissed. "As soon as you are sure, you will locate the drug in whatever closet he's hiding it and the case will be over."

"What if he asks me an unplanned question? Should I be silent?"

"Don't be an idiot, of course you shouldn't! Obviously I wouldn't be able to give you instructions there, so say whatever you think will benefit our investigation most."

"Understood," Sebastian sent him a mysterious smile that made Ciel immediately wary.

He didn't like that smile. It never resulted in anything good.

But there was no time for delays, so he nodded and Sebastian knocked on the door.

Lyndon was a surprisingly tall man around thirty. He greeted them himself, in something that resembled pyjamas, and Ciel started to sneer before he remembered his role.

No actual nobleman would allow himself to be this impolite. Didn't Lyndon have servants?

"May I help you?" Lyndon asked, and then he glanced at Ciel and his eyes widened. His look changed into something Ciel could easily recognise, something that made him instantly nauseous. He tried to breathe, to stay in the present, but the gaze kept burning holes in him, sending the sickening, clammy fear through his very bones.

Sebastian stepped forward, shielding him from the view.

"Are you Frederick Lyndon?" he asked. Hidden behind his back, Ciel quickly regained his control.

Everything was fine. He could do it.

"Yes," Lyndon replied finally. "And you are?.."

"I'm Earl Phantomhive," Sebastian sounded so haughty that Ciel rolled his eyes in exasperation. The bastard was clearly mocking him, trying to imitate his tone of voice. "I'm investigating the case on behalf of Her Majesty. I know you are cooperating with Indian traders, so I'll have to ask you a few questions."

"But of course. Come in," Lyndon moved away, peeking behind Sebastian's shoulder and giving Ciel another long look. "And who would you be?"

He hadn't thought of the name!

Ciel opened his mouth to blurt the first thing that came to him when Sebastian interjected smoothly, "It's Finnian, my servant. I had to take him with me. The other servants will be gone for this weekend and he's not experienced yet to trust him with my house."

Finnian? Did Sebastian think it was funny?

"Oh, I understand," Lyndon laughed. "As you can see, I had to dismiss my servants myself. I have a cook but it's difficult to trust anyone these days, especially new people."

They walked into the house and Ciel quickly surveyed the interior. Cheap, with the owner trying to make it look more presentable than it actually was.

Lyndon had either spent all his money on his title or he had other frequent sources of expense.

Ciel took a seat in the armchair that looked less atrocious than the rest of the furniture but jumped back to his feet, flushing, when Sebastian said sharply, "Finnie, stand up. Who told you that you could sit?"

Mortified, Ciel murmured an apology, hanging his head and hoping it would pass for regret.

His role wasn't that difficult. Why was he failing?

"Do forgive his manners," Sebastian turned back to Lyndon. "I found him in the midst of the winter, when he was on the brink of death. Such a small, pathetic thing — I couldn't help but feel sorry for him, so I took him home and tried to nurture him back to health."

Ciel gritted his teeth, forcing himself to count to ten in his head to calm down. Sebastian gave him an amused glance before sighing theatrically.

"Unfortunately, he is not very bright," he uttered sorrowfully. "I still can't find any use for him. He fails at everything he tries to do."

This time, Ciel had to count to twenty before he trusted himself enough to look at Sebastian and not try to murder him.

"You did a good thing by saving him," Lyndon encouraged. His shoulders relaxed and he smiled more genuinely, probably deciding that if Sebastian was sharing something personal with him, he wasn't a suspect. "Children are precious."

Ciel stared at him and Lyndon, having caught his gaze, smiled wider.

"What is the case you're investigating?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I cannot share the details with you. They are confidential."

"But why did you decide to come to me?"

"Her Majesty," Sebastian drawled, and Ciel wanted to hit him from how falsely adoring he sounded, "thinks that the perpetrator has close connections with India."

"I wouldn't say I have close ties with that country," Lyndon laughed again, but this time, the sound was fake. "I'm just purchasing some toys from there for children. Charity and all."

"Count Lyndon, may I be frank with you?" Sebastian leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I have no desire to bother noblemen like you. I'm sure that whomever the perpetrator is, he is among the East End dwellers, maybe even the Indians themselves. But the Queen," Sebastian filled his words with mocking reverence again, "wishes for me to eliminate any chance that my suspicions might be incorrect."

"I understand," Lyndon relaxed again. "So, your visit is more for appearance's sake?"

At this point, Ciel finally prepared himself enough for an act. With a sigh, he leaned against the chair, tilting his head and massaging his neck slowly, and with the corner of his eye, he saw how Lyndon drew in a sharp breath, staring at him and not looking away.

Sebastian's lips stretched in an eerie, close-lipped smile.

"Yes, it is," he said, and if Ciel hadn't heard him speak in this exact tone before, he probably wouldn't have recognised the seductive deadliness of it. "I apologise, may I use your washroom?"

Anticipation lit up anxiety and excitement in him and Ciel tensed, knowing what those words signified.

He would have to spend some time alone with Lyndon. But it also meant that this meeting was coming to an end because he had no doubts that Lyndon was the murderer they needed. He had to keep the drug somewhere in his house, and once Sebastian found it, the case would be closed.

Lyndon's eyes stopped at him again, offensive and admiring. The weight of his stare felt almost physical but fighting the onslaught of memories was easier now that he knew the end was close.

"Finnian," Lyndon said, and Ciel struggled to keep his face impassive. "How old are you?"

As if it matters to you, Ciel thought darkly.

"Twelve," he said aloud and Lyndon nodded.

"I thought so. You look just about this age. Does your Master treat you well?"

"He is most kind," Ciel had to force every word out, knowing that Sebastian was undoubtedly listening and enjoying it. "Although he's lazy and incompetent," he added. "He even hired other people to handle his own responsibilities and failed to educate them prior to that."

"How interesting," Lyndon took several unhurried steps to him, still devouring him with his gaze. "Quite bold of you to speak that way of your Master. What would he do to you if he heard you?"

He stepped even closer. Rage and disgust threatened to overflow his bowl of self-control, but Ciel still managed to keep his mask on.

"Did he do it to your eye?" Lyndon closed the distance between them, raising his hand, and Ciel flinched from the sudden burst of fear, knowing that he wouldn't be able to bear this man's filthy touch yet that he also couldn't strike by himself, not until Sebastian arrived.

Then Sebastian cleared his throat behind them and Ciel nearly staggered from relief.

Finally. It was over.

As soon as he saw Sebastian's face, though, he tensed again.

Sebastian didn't look like the case was finished.

"So, Count, may I ask you several questions? Where were you yesterday in the morning?" he asked, as carelessly as if nothing happened.

Ciel listened to useless questions and even more useless answers, growing more anxious by the second.

Something was wrong. Why was Sebastian continuing this game? Was it possible that he hadn't found the drug? It couldn't be it, could it?

"That would be enough," Sebastian uttered at last. "I don't think the Queen will have any questions for you."

"It's good to know it," Lyndon grinned and glanced briefly at Ciel. "If you ever need anything else, the door of my house will be open for you — and for Finnian, of course."

"Oh?" Sebastian raised a sceptical eyebrow. "His lack of grace doesn't appal you?"

"Not at all. Children are lovely and innocent creatures. Sometimes, to achieve their full potential, they simply need a little push. Some warmth, some understanding."

"You must have experience in such matters," Sebastian tilted his head and his lips curled in a smile that Ciel could only call malicious. "Do you think you could teach Finnie something? As your servants are away, I could leave him with you for several days. Maybe a change of places will make him more organised. In fact, I would be grateful if you accepted him — he could help your cook while I'm gone. I will pay you, of course, and I assure you, my payments are always generous."

For a second, Ciel was caught between shock and disbelief, unable to speak or to even think. Then horror came, fuelled by the sense of betrayal so intense that it blinded him temporarily, filling his head with white noise.

Sebastian couldn't have just said it. Surely even he wasn't demonic enough to suggest…

"Oh, I'd love to!" Lyndon's palpable elation almost made Ciel vomit right then and there. "It will be an honour for me to assist you, Earl. I promise I'll take the best care of him."

"Then it's decided," Sebastian sent him a fleeting smile and focused his attention on Ciel. His gaze was expectant, as if he was waiting for Ciel to say something.

What? What could he possibly say without screaming and without throwing every curse word he knew at Sebastian?

How could he do that to him?

"I'll be going," Sebastian said, still staring at him. He spoke slowly, as if giving Ciel time to react.

Did he think it was another game?

Game.

The wheels in Ciel's head began to turn again, and even though he could feel tremors vibrating through him, weakening his already shaky self-control, somehow, he managed to stand up straighter.

It was a game all right. Sebastian must have been sure that he would be shaken enough to break down, to abandon the investigation in his panic after his 'offer'. But to risk doing something as outrageous, he must have actually failed to find the drug — otherwise, he would have had no choice but to obey Ciel's initial order.

And if the investigation wasn't finished, then Ciel would do whatever was necessary to complete it. Disregarding the implications of such betrayal, the bastard's plan wasn't that bad.

"I will do my best to please you, Count Lyndon," Ciel said as calmly as he could. He was rewarded by Sebastian's eyes growing wide in shock. The bastard almost backed away, clearly stunned and unsure now that his plan had failed.

"You were leaving, weren't you? Master?" Ciel drawled, staring at him in contempt. Sebastian nodded slowly, still hesitating, so Ciel turned to Lyndon.

"I will see him out," he said politely. "If I'm to be your servant, I'll prefer to start right away."

"What a good boy," Lyndon said, pleased. "It's fine. Do that and I'll show you your room. Earl Phantomhive," he bowed to Sebastian. "I'll be waiting for your return but please do not rush. Finnie will be happy here."

Sebastian didn't even bother to reply, not taking his eyes off Ciel. Finally, he moved to the door, putting on his coat and still throwing glances at him. Was he anxious? Just surprised? Indifferent?

Who could tell with Sebastian?

Ciel took great pleasure in slamming the door in his face before he turned to Lyndon, hoping he looked collected enough.

Now that Sebastian was gone, the room had gone colder. Lyndon was openly leering and Ciel tried to ignore it, looking at the middle of his forehead to avoid his eyes.

"My room?" he asked.

To his relief, Lyndon didn't touch him as they made their way upstairs, but he was still walking unbearably closely, making every hair on Ciel's body stand up in agitation.

He just wanted to find himself behind the closed door. He would decide what to do and how to react then.

The room Lyndon brought him to was already prepared for someone. Ciel studied it critically, noting the made-up bed and candies on the side of the shelf, and then his gaze fell on the toy elephant waiting on a small table and he froze.

"Please, enjoy my hospitality," Lyndon said with a grin. "I'll go tell my cook to prepare dinner for one more person for today. I'll call you when it's ready and we'll discuss your responsibilities, yes?"

Ciel nodded, unable to speak. Lyndon insulted him with one final look before he disappeared, closing the door, and Ciel exhaled, stumbling and nearly falling on the bed.

This day was proving to be much more terrible than he had expected. On the one hand, Sebastian did the right thing — hadn't Ciel given him an order to say whatever he needed to solve this case? But making him into a bait like this…

Ciel could have let it pass, but he knew that the case had nothing to do with it.

Sebastian had done it deliberately, wanting to break him. Like he'd thought, Sebastian found his nightmares and his panic attacks irritating, a sign of weakness that deserved only contempt. So now he was locked in a house with a man who violated and murdered children, and unless he was ready to let Sebastian win, he had to hold on long enough for Lyndon to reveal himself.

Slowly, Ciel pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes and held them there until he saw nothing but sparkles.

The mere thought of it sent a new wave of nausea up his throat, but he still hoped that Lyndon would attack today. If he was forced to spend an entire night in this house—

Misery and bitterness threatened to engulf him again and Ciel tried to swallow them down.

If he wanted victory, he had to stay strong. Sebastian was undoubtedly nearby, probably somewhere on the roof, waiting for his orders — or for him to change his mind and demand to be taken home.

Ciel wouldn't allow him to win and he absolutely didn't want to see him right now. Let him come when he would be in danger. Until then, the farther away Sebastian was from him, the better.

Ciel hid his face in the pillow, breathing like he had taught himself to, counting three and a half seconds before each breath.

Sebastian hadn't found the drug and he wanted to provoke Lyndon into direct assault. That was all.

If he could believe this lie, maybe everything would be easier…

But he couldn't allow himself such luxury, not again. At this point, he was too old to hide in illusions.

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When Lyndon called him for dinner, it was already getting dark outside. Ciel went downstairs, forcing a small smile on his face.

"Sit down," Lyndon waved at the sofa. "I'll bring us some tea."

The way he was acting, it didn't seem like he even had a cook. Was that a lie, too?

Ciel took one look at the dinner and wrinkled his nose in disgust. No respectable cook would make such an appalling mass of whatever this was. Even Sebastian had done much better when he was only starting to—

The thought brought a surge of hurt with it and Ciel forcefully banished it from his mind.

Lyndon returned with only one cup of tea, setting it in front of Ciel and smiling his disgusting smile again.

"You wouldn't mind if I sat next to you, would you?" he asked, taking a seat nearby without waiting for his answer. "You haven't replied before, what happened to your eye?"

"An accident," Ciel said quietly, staring at the tea. Was the drug already in it? If yes, then Lyndon must have retrieved it and Sebastian must have heard it. Why hadn't he come yet? Or maybe Lyndon didn't intend to use the drug on him at all?

"Drink your tea," Lyndon pushed the cup closer to him, making the distance between them even shorter.

What a caring host. So, there was a drug in this beverage, or whatever it was. Where was Sebastian?

A new thought came to Ciel and all his fears about Lyndon faded in comparison to the wave of horror it evoked.

What if Sebastian had already grown tired of him? Maybe he didn't want his soul any longer and wasn't interested in their contract. Maybe his plan involved abandoning him with Lyndon and amusing himself by watching Ciel's realisation, drinking in his terror and grief.

Black spots flared beneath his eyelids and Ciel barely kept himself from jumping to his feet and running away. It didn't even matter where — he just knew he had to get out of here.

Everything in him tensed when Lyndon leaned even closer, raising his hand and moving to touch him, and while Ciel forced himself to keep still, he knew his control was in shreds. If this man touched him—

Lyndon suddenly disappeared. Ciel blinked, his mind too numb from fear to register what had happened, but when he looked to his right, he saw Lyndon lying next to the door, moaning and holding his bloodied forehead. Sebastian descended to the floor smoothly, and immediately, darkness crawled into the room, filling every corner with whispery shadows. Something clicked when he landed, and when Ciel craned his neck, he noticed the heels that had replaced his usual boots. Black feathers coloured the room in even darker shades, creating an ethereal-looking carpet.

Sebastian had taken his true form? He must be really angry.

Only then the realization that everything was over came to him, and the relief it brought was staggering. Ciel's muscles went slack and he curled in the corner of the sofa, watching Sebastian but unable to do anything. He felt like he had been injected with the drug, after all — he couldn't explain why his body chose to stop working now that the danger was over.

Sebastian turned to him and for a moment, Ciel was hypnotized by the redness and unearthliness of his eyes. Upon approaching, Sebastian kneeled, taking his hand in his carefully.

"Your rings, Master," he uttered, and his voice sounded strange. Eerier but softer.

Ciel waited until Sebastian put his rings back on his fingers before pushing out, "So what was it about my order that you've twisted?"

A fleeting smile touched Sebastian's lips, baring his fangs.

"You ordered me to search his house," he purred. "You didn't order me to search him. He had the drug in his pocket the entire time."

Oh. Well, Ciel had expected something exactly like this.

Bitter words rolled on his tongue, demanding to be let out, but he pressed his lips together tightly to avoid the temptation.

Nothing had to be said. He knew Sebastian couldn't be trusted — it was his own fault for loosening his wariness.

"Why didn't you stop me?" Sebastian was still holding his hand and Ciel thought about snatching it away. For the reason he couldn't understand, though, he didn't.

"Why would I back down from the challenge?" he snapped instead, suddenly furious. "Did you think I would be too scared to be left alone with him? I've lived through worse! I wasn't sure about the drug and I was curious how long it would take for you to interfere. You endangered me."

"I didn't endanger you."

Ciel scoffed in disbelief, but the burst of strength he had felt was already leaving, so he said nothing.

"I would have never let him touch you," Sebastian said gravely. His eyes were still burning brightly, alight with admiration and fascination, and Ciel hated himself for how good this cheap display made him feel.

"What would you like me to do with him?"

This was a much safer topic. Ciel considered it carefully before replying, "Break every bone in his body. Don't leave even one whole."

Sebastian smiled again and then pressed his lips to Ciel's hand.

"Yes, my lord," he said.

Ciel watched how he turned and began to approach Lyndon, every step measured and deliberately slow. Lyndon, who was sitting up at this point, looking dazed, stared at him open-mouthed before letting out a scream.

"What are you?" he yelled. When Sebastian didn't reply, his voice became more hysterical, "D-don't come any closer! I'll give you money, I'll—"

"Even if you had money, I couldn't be possibly interested in such utterly human things," Sebastian said condescendingly. He was still walking, his heels clicking steadily, and Ciel pulled his knees to his chest, watching.

The room darkened further. A few more feathers fell and Ciel wondered where they disappeared to afterwards. The only feather he had ever seen remain was the one he had managed to grab during his first case, the one that was still tucked safely in his bedroom. Others vanished as soon as Sebastian regained his human form.

Sebastian's heels clicked for the last time, and then there was a snap that made Lyndon scream. The sound was deafening but Ciel drank it in, smiling almost against his will. The second snap was louder, accompanied by shrieking so piercing, you would think Lyndon was being torn in two.

"No!" he wailed. "Please, please, no! Don't! Whatever you are, you can have the boy, just leave me alone!"

"I can have the boy?" Sebastian repeated, chuckling derisively. "That boy is already mine."

Not until you help me fulfil my revenge, Ciel thought, but he didn't feel invested enough to say it aloud. There was another crunching noise and Lyndon screamed again, this time also sobbing openly.

Exhaustion started to press against Ciel's eyelids. He blinked twice and then closed his eyes, listening to Lyndon's incoherent begging and to the sound of the breaking bones. To his ears, there was no music better than this.

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He woke up from the feeling of fingers brushing against his cheek. The touch was instinctively familiar, with its coolness and the promise of safety, and Ciel knew it was Sebastian even before waking fully.

"My lord," Sebastian called, and Ciel reluctantly looked up.

Oh, right. Lyndon's house.

He peeked at the body sleepily but it seemed to be drowning in darkness, so he failed to distinguish anything but its vague shape.

"I must have done a poor job if you've managed to fall asleep despite all that screaming," Sebastian said, amused.

"It was passable," Ciel replied curtly. He tried to get up but his body still felt too numb and weak to cooperate. Frowning, he tried again, but nothing happened.

"Why can't I move normally?" he asked. "Did he give me the drug somehow, after all?"

"No. I believe it's simply stress," Sebastian took his face in his hands and tilted his head back, studying his eyes and then touching his forehead. "You don't display any other physical symptoms. Perhaps—"

He suddenly stopped talking. Then, before Ciel could understand what's going on, he was grabbed, placed on his feet, and turned so he would be facing the door. It burst open a second later, with several police officers preceded by Randall storming inside. They all came to a halt upon seeing them.

"Phantomhive?" Randall asked slowly. "What are you doing here? And… what are you wearing?"

Sebastian stood behind him, with one of his hands pressed against the middle of his back to hold him up, hard and immovable like stone. After momentary confusion, Ciel leaned against it, knowing that to Randall, it must look like he was standing normally, without any help.

"Completing the case," he said loftily, glad that at least his voice was working properly. "And my clothing is a reflection of that."

"What case?"

Ciel furrowed his eyebrows.

"Are you implying that you've forgotten what case I, and you, have been investigating? With such memory, I'm not surprised you had failed to find the murderer until now."

"What are you talking about?" Randall growled. "We were informed about someone being tortured here. The neighbours said that there was an incessant screaming lasting for more than an hour. Unlike you, I'm investigating several cases at once and this one is—"

Ciel snorted loudly, interrupting him.

"Then you can go find something else to focus on. This house belongs to Frederick Lyndon. He's the one responsible for the series of child murders. And since he's dead, there is nothing to investigate."

"Dead!" Randall gaped at him and then, for the first time, his eyes fell on the floor. Ciel could tell the exact moment he realised what he was seeing as he took a step back in clear shock before coming to his senses. The other officers also approached, studying Lyndon and then backing away, some of them gasping.

Randall stared at Ciel like he had never seen him before.

"What did you do to him?" his voice was hoarse. "How in the Lord's name can you explain it?"

A surge of weakness sent black spots dancing in front of his eyes. Ciel leaned against Sebastian's hand even more to reduce the strain that his body was claiming it felt before concentrating on Randall again.

"Why would you think I'd be willing to explain anything to you?" he asked. His word were somewhat slurred but Ciel hoped it would pass for sounding deliberately lazy. "I've found the murderer. The task the Queen has assigned to me has been completed. Lyndon won't have to waste the Her Majesty's time further by having more costs spent on him. East End children are safe again."

"You little mons—"

"Commissioner!" One of the officers stepped forward, touching Randall's sleeve carefully. Then he whispered something into his ear, so quietly that Ciel hadn't heard it, but judging from how Randall's face flushed angrily, he didn't like it.

"He cooperates with the underworld!" he barked. "This is how he solved this case."

"'Solved' is the only word that matters here," Ciel commented coldly. Despite Sebastian serving as the wall he could lean against, his legs were slowly giving out, and unless he wanted to become a laughing stock in front of these people, he had to end this conversation soon. "You know who I am. You know what my role is. What else did you expect?"

Randall said nothing, seething silently, and Ciel smirked.

"I'm not finished here yet," he said. "Take your people outside and wait for me to come out. Then you can have his body if you need it. You'll find the Indian drug in his pocket and you'll find the toy similar to the one retrieved from the last body in one of the rooms."

If looks could kill, he would undoubtedly be dead right now, considering the hatred and disgust Randall's glare emanated.

"You can't command me," he spat. "Neither I nor my people have to obey you."

"Well, you do obey the Queen, don't you? And since this is my case and I was the one to find the murderer, I have to finish everything for my report to her. Leave, now. I won't repeat myself."

"Be assured that I'll be talking to the Queen as well," Randall promised grimly. Then he nodded at the other officers and they all left, some of them throwing wary glances at Lyndon's body.

As soon as the door closed, Sebastian scooped him up and Ciel sighed in relief, leaning his head against his shoulder.

"Finally," he murmured. "Take me home now. Use some other exit."

"But you told Lord Randall that you would call for him once you're finished."

"Let him wait," Ciel's eyes closed by themselves. "He'll enter the house again soon or later."

On the brink of his fading conscious, he heard, "Yes, my lord," and buried his face in Sebastian's jacket deeper.

Finally, safety.

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Nightmares plagued him throughout the night, but he woke up only in the morning, which meant that he hadn't made any noise to attract Sebastian's attention. He still felt weak and lightheaded, but at least his body started to cooperate again.

Ciel looked forward to leaving London. What he didn't expect was to be mauled by all three of his new servants who jumped on him the moment he walked into the dining room.

"Young Master, it was so smart of you to solve the case!" Finnie exclaimed. Out of the three, he was the only clenching the side of Ciel's coat gently, probably afraid to do more.

"It was so brave of you to confront the murderer by yourself!" Mey-Rin echoed, and Bard shook his shoulder enthusiastically.

"That's what I call strategy!" he announced. "Sebastian told us all about it! Good job!"

Ciel was dumbfounded for a moment, torn between the desire to push them away and yell at them, forbidding them to ever touch him, and feeling strangely pleased at being praised.

Not that he needed it, but it was nice, to hear that his success was appreciated.

His servants really weren't that bad.

"It was nothing," he said coolly, untangling himself from their grip. "I was doing my job, that's all. Will I be served breakfast today?"

"Certainly, Master!"

"Right away!"

Ciel watched them run from the room, almost tripping in their still-palpable excitement, and shook his head, feeling strangely fond.

Then he caught Sebastian's knowing look and scoffed.

As if that demon understood anything about emotions.

Later, back at home, Ciel tried to focus on his correspondence, but his thoughts kept changing direction, dragging him back into the past.

The case was over. There was nothing to worry about. He could remove it from his memory and go on.

But no matter how many times he repeated it, he failed to get rid of the nauseating thoughts, of the crippling, infuriating fear that attacked him in short but intense bursts, making his hands grow clammy.

He felt in danger. Even now, sitting in his office, knowing that Sebastian would come as soon as he called, he felt threatened, to the point that he hadn't experienced before, at least not after several months of his return.

Upset, Ciel left his office and went downstairs. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, wasn't willing to acknowledge the longing to be in someone's presence, but when he reached the living room, he stopped, with all his thoughts ending abruptly.

Mey-Rin, Finnie, and Bard were sitting at the table. Sebastian was standing in front of the fireplace, wearing his glasses, which meant that he was in a teacher mode.

"Wrong, Mey-Rin," he said patiently. "Please check the notes again. Finnie? Your answer?"

"Uhm… 'sh', as in 'shovel'?"

"Good example. The answer is still wrong, though," Sebastian turned to Bard. "Bard?"

"I don't have any answer yet," Bard grinned sheepishly. Sebastian sighed, and Ciel, instantly recognising this sound as a sign of his growing annoyance, smiled.

Sebastian was a good teacher. Strict and demanding, but efficient and surprisingly patient. If anyone could teach Mey-Rin, Finnie, and Bard something, it was him.

Allowing himself one last look, Ciel backed away quietly, still smiling.

The smile left him when the distance between them grew and coldness replaced the warmth again, followed by familiar hollowness.

A/N:

Crockett Rocket, thank you so much for your another wonderful comment! Yes, Ciel's penchant for manipulation is definitely growing and will grow even more in the future. And seeing Sebastian make a rare mistake is always a unique experience, lol :D His desire to be absolutely perfect is going to backfire quite a few times. The case is fortunately finished in this chapter — honestly, as someone who experienced Lyndon's 'approach' to children, I was disgusted to even write about it, but I feel like it's important for Ciel's future development and his increasing strength and confidence. He acted much more calmly in response to Druitt's advances later and I think something had to happen in the middle to make his reaction so (relatively) controlled, after everything he's been through. Thanks again!

22rubens, thank you, I'm happy you think so! I was worried about their portrayal because I watched Kuro with Russian subtitles, but when I checked English ones, I noticed that their patterns of speech differ quite a lot. Still can't figure this issue out, so I'm just trying to use a mixed approach :D

Guest, thanks, I'm so glad you've enjoyed the chapter! Hope you'll continue to enjoy the story in the future!