The Hunt for Jack the Ripper (The Phantomhive Diaries #1)

40. Ciel Phantomhive

It's over. It's finally over. For Vanel, at least. As Sebastian untangled the binds that held Ciel captive, the young lad cast his gaze towards the lifeless form of Azzurro Vanel. The wretched scoundrel now lay motionless on the floor, a ghastly hole in his chest where a heart once resided. Ciel, relieved of this nuisance, exhaled a breath of respite.

He was promptly freed from his restraints. His digits were nearly numb because of the constricting leather bindings around his wrists, and his ankles throbbed with discomfort. Although he experienced great relief, his torso and abdomen ached from the relentless blows he endured. Furthermore, his jaw pained him. This was no fun at all.

"Can you stand, my lord?" Sebastian asked. He held Ciel by the arm, just in case he fell while trying to stand.

Ciel looked up at Sebastian. The demon's eyes returned to their warm brown color; his presence no longer appeared menacing.

Thankfully, Ciel was able to stand on his feet once more. "Yes...Is everyone dead?" he asked. Ciel was well-aware of Sebastian's tendency to descend into a primal frenzy, transforming into a savage beast of untamed violence. The thought of Jan falling into the clutches of the merciless demon sent chills down his spine. The grim reality loomed over him like a dark cloud. If Jan had not already met his end at the hands of the mafia, the mere idea of facing Sebastian's wrath was a fate more terrifying than death itself. A bullet to the head would have been a much kinder fate than what Sebastian had done to Jan.

"Indeed," Sebastian confirmed. "All of Mr. Vanel's men are dead. Well, almost everyone. One of them escaped unscathed. A Chinese boy."

Ciel glanced back at Sebastian with a surprised look on his face. "Jan?"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "You know his name?"

Ciel sighed. "That's the name he gave me, but I'm quite certain it's fake. He hesitated when I asked him." He rubbed his aching wrists. "I was this close to convincing him to help me escape. But no thanks to Vanel, that plan didn't work out."

"Well, you were quite convincing. After all, he was ready to return for you."

The boy fell silent for a moment. "...He was?"

"Indeed. He even told me where you were without hesitation."

"You should have kept him here then."

Sebastian's smile fell. "Forgive me, my lord. But your well-being was more important. Even that boy knew it."

"I know," Ciel said. "But we needed him. He could have told us whom he was working for."

"You believe Jan is working for someone else?"

"I don't believe so. I know so. Even Vanel mentioned his boss. They are all working for someone else. Someone who also wanted control of the opium. Whoever they were, they were the Head. Vanel was the Mule. And Jan was the eyes and ears. Someone is giving orders from the shadows. Most likely from the Limehouse District."

"How could you tell?"

"Most of Vanel's men were Italian or English. Jan was the only Chinese boy here. That means that the Head of this operation must be in Limehouse District. Besides, his clothes smelled of the docks and opium smoke."

"Should we go after him?"

"...No. If I'm correct, Jan would most likely inform his boss of what happened today. Unless he accepts my offer and betray whoever he's working for, it's best to maintain a low profile. With our luck, he'll come to us."

"Hmm." Sebastian rubbed his chin, thinking. "And I suppose no one else knows who Vanel was working for?"

After a moment of thinking, Ciel's eyes widened in realization. He never thought of it until now. "The man who dragged Jan away...You didn't kill him, did you?"