The World As We Know It

Chapter Nineteen

Sebastian wouldn't let me walk back to the mountain village. He ignored my protests while helping me change into the simple, brown dress he had procured while I slept. Huffing, I sullenly snacked on some crackers while he packed up the burlap bag of food, debating if I could run fast enough to make it into the forest. Gingerly, I tried to stand. The bottom of my feet throbbed when I put any weight on them, and sharp pain zig-zagged from my legs up to my shoulders when I took my first step. Grimacing, I took another wobbling step. I must have been completely out of my mind last night to walk up here without shoes. A third step caused my knees to buckle, and I yelped as I went down. Strong arms swept me up before I hit the ground, carrying me bridal style as my Demonic partner began our descent down the mountain.

With his inhuman speed, we were at the train station within mere minutes. The train had just pulled up, and I was carried on board. We sat in the back, secluded from the other passengers. I could feel Sebastian's eyes on me as I stared out the window. He was waiting for me to speak, but I didn't know what to say. I had been more than vague about what had happened with Kane, and I'm sure he had questions about my lack of identity, but the words wouldn't form. Maybe I was trying to avoid the scolding I deserved. I knew it was coming, even if it was less severe and excluded some harsh punishment. I rested my chin on the windowsill. I didn't want to discuss what happened to me in the forest. That memory needed to stay firmly in the farthest reaches of my mind.

"There will be questions."

Sebastian's calm voice washed over me. He was referring to Ciel and Damion. It would be easy to deflect Ciel's questions, but Damion was still a Prince, and I knew he wouldn't rest until he knew everything. Heart heavy, I slumped into my seat, avoiding the Demon's eyes. I just wanted to forget everything that happened yesterday. Couldn't things just go back to the way they were?

A hand on my shoulder told me it was time to get off. Hanging my head, I followed Sebastian off the train to where two pissed individuals sat. Ciel was fuming, his small body shaking with rage as he jumped up.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" he yelled, hands balled into fists at his side.

His fiery outburst didn't bother me. I had prepared myself for it. It was the silent anger from Damion that scared me. Expressionless, Damion looked calm sitting next to Ciel. He had his legs crossed as he read from a newspaper, barely glancing at me. His eyes betrayed nothing of his emotion, and even his tone was level.

"We should return to the manor," he said flippantly, folding up his paper, "There is much to discuss."

The drive back was awkward at best. Ciel continued to shoot dark looks my way, his single eye a cold fire. Damion seemed to ignore my presence, though his eyes never left me for long. I knew him well enough to know that he was thinking of the best way to verbally cut me down in private. Quiet words would stab at vulnerable spots until I felt as small as a bug. Why raise a hand to me when he could do so much worse with his tongue? Ciel, on the other hand, would probably slap me. His hands were already twitching while he unsuccessfully tried to text someone on his phone. Sebastian was the only one in the car not ready to tear me apart. He spoke softly to me, telling me about each district we passed through. The Art District appealed to me with its many karaoke bars brightly colored buildings, though I wouldn't mind visiting the Diamond District and the beach it was named for.

There was something sitting at the front door when we returned to the manor. Ciel and Damion were preoccupied with their quiet, heated debate to notice, so I started to walk across the lawn. A large bouquet of flowers sat on the doorstep, a card slightly hidden beneath it. Intrigued, I picked up the card. The neat handwriting twisted my stomach into knots.