The Scourge of the Demon Hunters—Act 21

The next morning Louisa walked into a very subdued breakfast room; even Elizabeth was markedly quiet.

“Good morning cousin, Elizabeth,” She said as she took her seat.

Sebastian served breakfast, as usual his face a perfect emotionless mask; which instantly suggested that all was not right within the house. The feeling deepened as Paula stifled a yawn as she attended to Elizabeth.

“Good morning, Louisa,” Replied Ciel, “how did you sleep?”

The emphasis he placed on the last word was lost on Elizabeth and Paula, but was enough to warn Louisa that things were far from okay.

“Very well, thank you, cousin,” she answered, keeping her voice light.

“You heard no strange noises in the night, no howling at all?”

“No cousin, why do you ask?”

“Elizabeth and her maid are convinced that they heard wild animals in the night.”

“Oh, how terrible,” turning to Elizabeth, she continued, “sorry Elizabeth, but I heard nothing unusual.”

Elizabeth looked less than impressed, “well I heard something, it was awfully loud, like animals in pain or prey being devoured, it kept me awake most of the night.”

Ciel glared at Louisa and Sebastian before speaking, “I will have Finian and Baldroy check the grounds this morning; however, I am certain they will find nothing.”

Louisa smiled sweetly at Ciel, and continued with her breakfast. She avoided making eye contact with Sebastian for fear that the rush of memories that were already rising in her would give them both away.

****

The ride to London was uneventful and quiet. Elizabeth was seemingly too tired to make conversation, and Ciel was grateful for that at least. The silence in the carriage calmed his temper, and gave him time to consider the rush of emotions that he felt every time he thought of Louisa and Sebastian together. Sebastian was just a servant, worse than that, he and the contract were simply a means to an end. He silently cursed Louisa for waking feelings in him that he didn’t realise had existed, especially towards a man, a servant, no, the demon who would devour his soul the moment the contract was fulfilled. He had always believed demons incapable of feeling anything except hunger, but the connection between Louisa and Sebastian was real enough, and mirrored the love that had existed between her mother and father. Then there was the reverence that was present whenever Sebastian spoke about Louisa’s father. Demons were far more complex than he had given them credit, at least the ones that were now shaping his life were. The thoughts made his head pound, and clouded his judgement, and that was something he could not afford, not when he was so close to his goals.

At the front of the carriage, Sebastian sensed his young master’s confusion and anguish. He felt a degree of pity for him; none of this was knowledge he had when the contract was formed, even demons cannot know everything. Sebastian contemplated the options that he had before him when the contract came to an end, yes there were choices, but despite his affection for Ciel, he would do nothing that risked his relationship with Louisa.

They reached London in good time, and delivered Elizabeth to her parents before going on to the Phantomhive’s London residence. The townhouse sat in a crescent of similar houses, and was much smaller than the manor. It was overlooked by its neighbours, and offered little in the way of privacy for its occupants.

Sebastian went about his duties, aided ineptly by Mey-Rin, while Ciel showed Louisa the house.

As they entered, he simply said, “you will need to be much more careful here. The whole of London is watching and listening.”

“I understand cousin, and I will,” She replied.

“Good, let that be the last word on it then,” While his voice was stern, he managed a small smile, he would never admit to understanding her attraction, but he did not want to hurt her feelings either.

Without warning, Sebastian appeared behind Ciel, “My Lord, forgive the interruption, but now may be a good time to visit our acquaintance, before Miss Elizabeth finds renewed energy and insists on shopping.”

“Yes,” said Ciel, snapping out of his thoughts, “you are right, Louisa, would you join us please, we may need your help.”

“Yes, of course, cousin,” she said, taking his arm, and allowing him to lead her out onto the London streets for the first time.