WANTED (Sequel to One Hell of a Maid)

Chapter 36: Anything but Angelic

There are going to be three updates today. One is a chapter (this one), the other is an epilogue, and the last one is an Author's Note.

Simon smashes into the ground. His oversized body and the last remnants of his tattered clothes soaked in dripping crimson. His face is so bruised and smushed that his bulging eyes seem to be sucked deep into his skull. It's enough to make nearly anyone's stomach churn.

Still, I watch as those large eyes blink once more before closing. The beast, Simon, then becomes very still.
No one sheds any tears.

Sebastian turns around, melting back into the form I know him best. The same devilishly handsome form that makes many a woman swoon, not me.

When he sees my turquoise eyes uncovered and trained on him his magenta eyes widen slightly. They still hold glimpses of that demonic power I saw him wield as easily as a butter knife.

We just stare into each other's eyes for a moment. Understanding flickers through his eyes and to my surprise he grins a closed eyed smile that makes me sputter in laughter.

In a millisecond the butler zips over to me and tilts my chin up with an ungloved finger. "What's so amusing?"

"Don't act so innocent." Is my answer accompanied by a soft smile.

"I'm not."

At those words his lips meet mine in a passionate kiss, however it doesn't last long.

"Can I bloody uncover my eyes?" Ciel asks angrily.

With a wink Sebastian back up an appropriate distance from me. "Yes, young master. The deed is done."

"Finally." Ciel says, rolling his cyan blue eye at his raven haired butler.

This causes me to crack a smile. The movement causes Ciel's eyes to meet mine. Veiled mirth twinkles in his eyes. "Ebony." He nods. "I assume you'll be returning to England with us as my maid."

I take a deep breath, hesitating.

"Actually, no." I say, smiling sadly. "I may be considered one hell of a maid but I see now that that life is no longer mine"

Ciel raises a brow, keeping his cool. "Then what will you be doing?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know yet, but I'll escort you and Sebastian back to England."

Much to my surprise and even shock Ciel smiles a tiny smile. "You are welcome to visit the Phantomhive estate whenever you want to and if you change your mind the position as head maid will always be open to you."

I wipe the shock from my expression, settling for a grateful smile. "Thank you, Earl Phantomhive."

"In the meantime call a carriage, we'll catch a ship to England. And if there are none available I'll pay them off as long as we can leave this damn continent as soon as possible."

〰〰〰

Ciel sits inside the carriage as Sebastian, the carriage driver, and I lift his and our bags into the trunk. He has not spoken to me, not since I announced I would not be staying as a Phantomhive maid. However, I'm unsure if it is because he's upset with me or because of the pure fact we haven't gotten a chance to talk. Hopefully I'll find out soon enough.

When we finish the driver climbs up to his seat up front while Sebastian and I make ourselves comfortable in the plush carriage.

Once I get situated I notice Ciel has already made himself very comfortable. His head leans against the window, his eyes are closed and he breathes deeply in his sleep. He needs the rest. Despite it all he is still a growing boy and has gone through much today.

"The young Earl's sleeping." I whisper with a small smile.

Sebastian takes notice of the boy and smiles as well. "It's been a long day."

"That it has."

We fall into silence until Sebastian pushes through it with the sound of his velvety voice. "You're leaving."

I look him in the eyes. Magenta and turquoise. "Yes."

The butler leans a head on the palm of his gloved hand. All of us had changed into our England clothes. However, what I wear is not my uniform, my old uniform.

"You're a peculiar woman, Ebony." He states. "Why?"

"I didn't plan this, I promise you that." I say before continuing. "I don't think I could be a maid anymore, not with all that has happened. I need to discover myself, make my own voyage."

Sebastian nods slowly, thinking over my words. "Alright, but you'll return, correct?"

"How about you come and find me when you finish following through with Ciel's contract. However," I hold up a finger, all of a sudden serious. "Don't forget about ours."

Sebastian holds a hand to his chest in faux hurt before smiling. "Me? I could never forget a deal. However," he holds up a finger, mocking me, "Ciel Phantomhive's soul is a high quality soul, one of the best I've seen. And because your going back to England it is technically breaking your part of the deal."

My heart sputters in my chest. He's going to devour Ciel's soul still, through it all he's still going to do it?!

Sebastian continues. "Unless we restructure our deal. I will not devour Ciel Phantomhive's if....."

I lift an eyebrow, looking at the butler suspiciously. "If what?"

"If you promise to become my mate."

I nearly sigh in relief, however I quickly regain my bearings. It is now my turn to mock him. I put my hand up to my chest in faux hurt. "Me? Am I not already?"

Sebastian flashes me a grin and swiftly kisses me on the lips in answer. That's when a question surfaces in my mind.

"Why did you want me to stay away from England in the first place?" I ask, suddenly curious.

If Sebastian can look embarrassed, at that moment he comes as close to it as I've ever seen him before. "At the time you completely loathed me." Sebastian explains. "I didn't want to have to see the person I care so deeply for hate me so much."

My face heats up and my eyes dart to the floor. "I'm sorry I put you through that."

"It's the past." Sebastian says in answer.

I look up at him and smile tentatively, a smile he returns.

At that moment the carriage stops as we come to our destination. I can't believe I didn't notice how close we were getting earlier, usually I am able to smell the salty air from miles away. Apparently Sebastian makes a good distraction.

I can feel the carriage wobble a bit as the driver slides from his seats.

"We are here." He states, opening the carriage door for us politely.

I allow him to assist me out of the carriage and Sebastian comes out after me, a sleeping Ciel cradled in his arms. Some workmen from the ship help us with our bags and we follow them to pur cabins.

The ship we are currently on is actually a merchant ship heading to England. They kindly allowed us to travel there with them, of course Ciel's money and status played a part as well.

I watch as Sebastian lays the young master down in bed to rest. Dim light filters through from a port above the bed, causing Sebastian to appear to be glowing angelically. In realty he is anything but angelic. This causes a smile to find its way to my face.

After Sebastian is done helping Ciel avenge his parents he will come to me. And when that happens, I'll be waiting.