The Assassin (Black Butler/Sebastian Love Story)

Chapter 24

It was about three weeks after Christmas, and we had returned to the Manor. My twenty-third birthday had went by without a hitch, mostly because I made sure Sebastian was the only one who knew. He had given me a small cake so that the others wouldn't find out about it. Honestly, he was too kind to me.

Sebastian and I had grown very close over that amount of time. With that, so had my feelings. I had hugged him more than once since that day and I might have kissed his cheek again, which he never got upset about. I refused to kiss him, though. I was too nervous about that, and at least doing the other things, it could just seem like we were good friends. That was what people did, right? I didn't have any friends before then, so I wasn't too sure.

Sebastian and Ciel had just returned a few days before after leaving to work on a case for Queen Victoria. All I knew was that it had to do with some cult, which Sebastian told me when I asked. He had refused to tell me anything else. I was just happy they had returned safely.

I was sitting in the library reading a book since I had nothing else to do. I had finished my chores earlier than expected, and Sebastian had nothing left for me. I was in the middle of a good part when the phone rang. When no one answered, I was forced to lay my book in my lap. I sighed before answering it, "Earl Phantomhive's residence."

"Happy anniversary!" Martin's voice wished me. My lip twitched. It was January 16, the day my parents were assassinated. I was trying my best to forget that it was the day, but it seemed Martin wanted to be extra cruel.

I ignored that statement, "It's been a while, Martin. What? Three weeks, maybe? I thought you had forgotten about me."

Now, it was his turn to ignore me, "You know what would really honor this death day? Another murder! Like, the one you were supposed to do one month ago!" He sounded angry towards the end.

I raised an eyebrow, "You've been counting the days? Are you really that bored without me?"

"You need to do it today, Widow," he said.

"First of all, my name is Willow, not Widow. Second of all, I can't today. I don't have a plan ready," I explained, trying to stall. I didn't know how I was supposed to kill Ciel and Sebastian when I liked them so much, but it was an issue I had been trying to push to the side. Unfortunately, it came to light once again.

"Aren't you just full of excuses lately?" Martin sniped. My mouth fell open. How dare he talk to me like that!

"Excuse me? You better not talk to me like that if you want to keep your own life! And why does it have to be today anyways?" I questioned, irritated.

"Lau from Kon Ron got caught in a drug bust," Martin told me.

"Yeah, I know. It was a concentrated form of opium disguised as candy named Lady Blanc and put into one of Funtom's warehouses to frame Ciel. He almost got put into jail by the whole thing! Plus, a detective from Scotland Yard died protecting Ciel. That could have caused a lot of problems for us," I raged. Lau had gotten tired of waiting for me, so he tried to take care of it himself. What a fool.

It didn't strike me until I heard the news how much danger Ciel puts himself in. I knew he was just trying to honor his parents and prove himself, but what good was that if he ended up dead? I guess I shouldn't have cared so much, but it was hard not to. Ciel was like a younger brother to me. I wanted to protect him.

"Lau has disappeared."

I shrugged, "He's probably hiding out in his opium den in the East End."

He told me, "Lau was one of my most important business partners, Widow." I growled at the wrong use of my name. "Oh, get over it! That kid is ruining my company! Kill him and the butler soon!"

I teased, "Why should I? Maybe I like seeing you fall to the ground. Maybe I enjoy watching you struggle, trying to pick yourself up when you can't alone. What if I find the thought of you begging at my feet for help hysterical? What if I just want a bit of fun?"

"Then, maybe I won't give you the money," he threatened.

"Ha!" I laughed. "Then, I wouldn't do the job for you. And we both know that if you thought that this mission could have been carried out by anyone else, then you would have sent them in the first place. You've got nothing on me, Martin. As much as you'd like to think you're the one running this game, we know it's really me. The cards are in my hands."

"Willow!" he shouted in my ear. I cringed and pulled the phone away from my ear slightly.

There was a light knock on the library doors and jumped. I immediately dropped the phone behind me, out of sight. I picked up the book and pretended to read it as the door opened. I looked at the threshold and smiled. "Hello, Sebastian," I greeted.

Sebastian told me, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I was wondering if you would help me prepare dinner."

I narrowed my eyes playfully, "We both know you don't need my help."

He smiled sheepishly, realizing I hadn't bought it, "Yes, well, will you still come with me, at least?"

I giggled, "Of course, I'll help! Just let me return my book."

"I'll be waiting for you in the kitchen," he said and closed the door again.

I picked up the phone and said, "I must go now, Martin."

"You sounded awfully happy talking to him," Martin commented.

"What? Whatever. I don't have time to deal with your idiocy," I rolled my eyes and hung up on him. Then, I quickly put the book away and ran off to find Sebastian, forgetting entirely about Martin.