The One || Sebastian Michaelis x Reader

➙ Chapter Fifteen

Swords clashed against each other with sparks flying once they collided. You were exerting yourself each step you took and each time you swung the sword around to battle against your opponent, but you had to take this opportunity as if it were your last.

"It is almost as if you're trying to kill me, Miss," Claude said boredly as you tried to take off his leg.

"Funny. I was going to say the same," you replied, dodging a blow to your stomach that could have been fatal if landed.

"Well, it is true that if you were to meet your end by an accident, I am still able to eat your soul," he revealed smugly.

"And it is also fact that if I am able to kill you that I am released from the contract," you added.

Sweat was dripping from your face as you snapped your fingers to indicate the end of the session. You put your cap on your demon sword to make it back into a walking stick and threw a glare at your butler.

"You are a despicable demon, Claude," you spat.

Claude stepped forward without any indication he had just been battling for his life. "Why? Because I tricked you into making a contract since Sebastian was not present?"

"You know that is why," you retorted, wiping your face with a towel.

"But look at you," he responded, "cozying up to a demon when none of us are around as if you are ashamed."

You halted your movements, then turned to face him with rage burning in your eyes. "How did you know about that? I sent you far away from here."

The smirk on Claude's face only grew. "I am in charge of your wellness and I was watching your pathetic date from afar to ensure Sebastian did not attempt to kill you."

"You know he can't, you poor excuse for a--"

"Oh, but he could," Claude claimed. "If he had enough willpower and drive, he could end your life in a second."

You rolled your eyes. "But he wouldn't. Sebastian would not hurt me if he had any control over it," you said confidently.

"Do you not care about the lives he has taken and the vial things he has done?"

You sat down on the chair that was adjacent to the window and gazed out in the garden as the wind softly blew the flowers to the side and occasionally ripped off the petals that afterwards splayed across the lawn.

"The thing you couldn't possibly understand yet, Claude, is that Sebastian and I are literally made for each other. I have the same demonic mind he does and none of what he has done or continues to do bothers me because we are both absolutely merciless unless there are special circumstances. I wouldn't expect you to understand until you find your mate," you said monotonously.

Claude laughed humorlessly. "What makes you believe I haven't?"

Your head snapped over to look at him. "What are you saying?"

Claude casually took off his glasses and wiped away the imaginery marks before returning them to his face. He was obviously teasing you and you were utterly sick of his games at this point.

"She was a pretty thing named Aurora, but I knew I wasn't cut out for feelings and love, so I cut off her head."

Your mouth dropped open and you instantly stood from your chair with furosity.

"How could you do that!?" you exclaimed angrily. "You could have just broken the bond!"

Claude shook his head. "No, I couldn't, you see. I did not want her but seeing her with someone else was far too painful to bear, so ending her was the only option."

You let out a shaky breath to release some of the tension in your body. "You are more despicable and disgusting than I could have ever imagined. I would rather have rotted alone on the streets of London than make a contract with you," you sneered.

Claude walked over to the closet and put his sword back in its holder before addressing you. "Well, it is too late for that now, isn't it? Not only only do I get to eat your soul, I also get the esteemed pleasure of taking away the only human Sebastian Michaelis has ever cared for. It must be my birthday."

You exited the room at that last comment and bounded through your mansion and up the staircases until reaching your chambers. You slammed the doors and went over to your window seat before sliding down to the floor and having your back against it.

You knew Claude had been relentlessly more evil and cunning than you could imagine, but he took the life of his own mate--something that was said to be the most difficult thing for any supernatural being. He was a demon of zero feeling and it unnerved you to the peek of wondering what else he would do to you if he succeeded in taking your soul.

You wondered if Sebastian was secretly just as insane as Claude and if he would succumb to the same and--no. He would never. Sebastian has made it clear that he does want you in his life and he has made a great effort to show you just that.

Claude was a leech sucking the life out of you every chance he got and you were breaking from the loss, but you knew you had to remain strong for Sebastian, for Damien, for the children, and for Ciel. There had to be a way out of this, you just had to find out what it was.