♟Pieces of Darkness♟

♟Healing and Party Plans♟

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He slowly cupped my face in his hands, his eyes were now stern and unkind. I shivered at his touch.

"Ciel's soul...and your soul...they are special....they make any demon's heart fill with pleasantries untold....but why take yours over his?" he asked. I bit my lip, scanning his unsmiling face, those auburn eyes so intence, so real, a shiver ran up my spine.

"I do not wish that Lizzie be left alone...you know, her and Ciel are betrothed...it would devistate her." I said. Sebastian nodded in understanding, as if pondering over this was actually a great accomplishment.

"You are wise. But wouldn't you leave them alone when Master says 'Check Mate'?" he asked. I looked at his sharply.

"Yes, but they have lived without me in their lives for years. They could pretend I still live in America....re-read my letters to think I am still writing to them....please Sebastian, take my soul instead of Ciel's." I begged. Sebastian frowned deeper.

"But lying to themselves only poisons their minds and if there is one thing I will not tolerate one's begging for a favor." he shoved me away. I slapped his face.

"I do not beg for favors of myself sir, only of those I care about." I said. He arched an eyebrow.

"So would you ask a favor for me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play coy, I know that you care about me...more than just a butler." he said, smirking.

♞♘♞♘

I shot up in bed, panting from the pain in my ribs and the scratches on my arms. How long has I been asleep, how long have I been dreaming?

My mind was hazy, like when fog rolls over the lawn and I cannot see my way to the lane. I touched my arms and inhaled sharply. The scratches were real. My bruised ribs were real...so that much I know happend.

Unless this was a dream too?

"Lizzie?" I called out in the dim light of my bedroom. No reply. I hesitantly swung my legs over the side of the bed and stumbled to the door. I could hear muffled sounds, possibly voices, on the stairs.

"Sebastian?" I said, opening my doorway. The hallway was dark, sending chills up and down my body. I grabbed a candle stick beside the door and lit it with matches inside my nightstand. The hallway glowed with golden shadows seemingly lurking behind every wall. I slowly limped my way to the staircase, my sides aching and I knew I should go back to bed but I was determined to find what was real and what was not.

"Ciel?" I called. The sounds were no longer on the stairs, nor anywhere. All was silent and only the creak of the wood beneath my feet made me grip the railing in my shalow fear.

"The young master is asleep, can I help you m'lady?" I jumped at the sound of Sebastian's voice behind me at the top of the stairs. I shivered and slowly sank to my knees on the stairs.

"Se--Sebastian..." I trembled as he came toward me.

"What are you doing out of bed at this hour? Tisn't good for ones health I propose." he said and put out my candle as he scooped me up in his arms.

"I had a dream...maybe I still am dreaming." I whispered as he slowly carried me back to my room.

"Let me fetch you some tea and then we can talk if you so do wish m'lady." he said, slowly opening my door with his foot and laying me gently on the bed. I nodded and watched him leave.

After a few minutes, Sebastian came up with some tea and sat in a chair beside my bed. I sipped the tea and almost choked, the spicy flavor matched the one in my dream and I quickly wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.