Chapter Seven
The next morning Maria pulled herself sluggishly out of bed before Sebastian even came to wake her up. Trying to sleep last night was an epic failure, and no sleep showed on Maria's face as she walked over to her mirror.
She winced when she saw her tired face, then slipped the sleeve of her nightgown over her shoulder and looked at one shoulder. When she saw it, she nearly screamed.
It was perfectly healed.
Maria looked at her eyes in the mirror, then screamed as her eyes flashed pink.
The same pink that a demon's eyes turned into.
In a moment Sebastian was there, crouching next to the slumped girl on the floor. He saw her bare shoulder, as the sleeve was still pulled down, and his eyes widened as he saw the healed skin.
Maria looked up at him, and her hazel pleaded for help. The next moment they shifted to catlike pink eyes and Sebastian stepped back, his own flashing in response. They were the same exact eyes.
She's transforming too fast. He thought grimly, then said, "Lady Maria, I think it is about time I tell you what's happening."
Maria nodded and stood, and in a few minutes the two were with the already-dressed Ciel in his room.
Sebastian briefly explained to Ciel what he had found when Maria screamed, and then started explaining to Maria.
"You see, m'Lady....well, may I be frank? We don't have much time."
Maria hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.
"Alright. The medicine that William has given you for years is actually composed of human souls. You constantly taking it every day is turning you into a demon."
Maria couldn't breathe, and her mouth went dry. Ciel stood next to her for support, looking concernedly at her every so often.
"How is that possible?" Maria found her voice eventually.
"I don't know. But I do know that when you run out of medicine..."
"I'll die from the sickness." Maria finished, but Sebastian shook his head.
"No, you will undergo transformation."
"So, I just need to finish the medicine he has given me then-" she swallowed nervously, "I turn?"
Sebastian nodded, then added, "Well, you will die and awaken a demon."
Maria stared blankly at the wall. I am going to die.
"Isn't there anyway we can... stop the transformation?" Ciel asked, paler than before.
He'll hate me when I'm a... monster. Maria thought desolately.
"I suppose finding William would be the first solution." Sebastian ruled, carefully choosing his words. "He would be able to tell us if there is an antidote."
Maria nearly laughed. An antidote for demon transformations.
Then she remembered what Sebastian had said earlier.
"Wait, so for my whole life I have been eating human souls as medicine?!"
Without waiting for an answer she turned and ran to the nearest bathroom before emptying her already-empty stomach. She collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily.
"You must breathe, Lady Maria. Hyperventilating now won't do us any good." Sebastian spoke quietly before scooping her up into his arms. Maria slowly relaxed as he carried her back to her room. He tucked her back in turns to leave.
"Sebastian?"
The demon turned. "Yes, m'lady?"
"Please stay... just until I fall asleep."
Sebastian smiled. "I'll stay for as long as you need me, Maria."
Maria realized he hadn't called her "Lady Maria" or "m'lady" right before she fell asleep.
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