Sebastian's Mate (Book 1)

Act Two: The Mark of The Order

"Young master, I need to check the rest of the grounds and dispose of the mess that is currently decomposing by the trees."

Ciel screwed up his nose at the very thought of what was still out there.

"Yes, go, I will stay here and watch over her."

"Yes, my Lord, I'm sure you will," Sebastian smirked.

Ciel turned to reply to his impudent butler, but Sebastian had already gone.

Sometime later Sebastian appeared at the bedroom door, carrying a tea tray.

"Young master, how is our patient doing?"

"She is breathing more steadily, but she hasn't woken yet."

"I fear it may be some time before that occurs my lord. In the meantime, I am happy to announce that the mess in the grounds has been suitably disposed of."

"Excellent, did you run into any trouble?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle my Lord. There were two further messes, both quite deceased."

"So, we are no closer to the truth?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that my young Lord. Each of the three had this mark tattooed on their skin."

With that, Sebastian handed Ciel an item from the tray. Without looking Ciel reached out to take it from him, only to drop it in disgust as the sticky, cold, wetness touched his skin.

"What the hell Sebastian? What was that?"

"Human skin my lord, cut from one of the bodies."

"Why did you bring it here?"

"It seemed the most prudent course of action, my Lord, particularly given the meaning of the mark."

Ciel looked towards the piece of skin that now lay face down at his feet.

"Sebastian you delight in torturing me, explain yourself."

Placing the tea tray on the table, Sebastian dutifully retrieved the skin and turned it over so that the mark was clearly visible.

"This is the mark of The Order of Demon Hunters, my young master."

"But they are just a myth."

"No, my Lord, they are no more a myth than I am. They were once revered as peacekeepers, keepers of the balance between the race of men and the demon race. However, something changed within the order and it took it upon itself to rid the world of every otherworldly being it encountered."

"Why have I never heard of them?"

"They do not announce themselves or their intentions, young master, and those that encounter them rarely live to tell the tale."

"So how is she connected? Were they hunting her? I mean, you said she wasn't entirely human!"

"That is what I am surmising my Lord, however..."

As he spoke, Sebastian walked around to the far side of the bed. Gently he rolled the girl onto her side and lifted her hair away from her neck. The look on Ciel's face told Sebastian exactly what was hidden under her matted locks. Leaning over, Sebastian looked more closely at the mark.

"The same, yet not."

"Stop speaking in riddles Sebastian."

Lowering the girl back down onto her back, Sebastian returned to his master's side and explained.

"While the mark has the same basic form, there are differences, barely perceptible, but they are there."

"What does it mean?"

"I am unsure at the moment my Lord. We will have to wait for her to wake up."

Checking his watch Sebastian stated. "Oh my, would you look at the time. I fear the tea has gone cold and dinner will be late."

Without taking his eyes from the figure on the bed, Ciel replied, "that's not good enough Sebastian. Remove this mess, bring fresh tea, and see about dinner immediately."

As Sebastian left the room, he took one last look at the bruised and bloodied creature. He could not shake the feeling that he knew her, but he could not place where from or how that was even possible. But that was not it, it was the fact that he wanted to care for her, her very presence made his breath catch and his heart beat quicker. Ciel looked up and caught the gaze. Screwing up his nose in disapproval he commanded: "Now Sebastian."

Ciel settled into the chair by the bed and watched the rise and fall of the girl's chest as her breathing became less laboured and more regular. He remained in the seat by her bedside until he was called for dinner.

However, once his master was settled for the night, it was Sebastian that stayed with her, watching her and taking in every detail. Still, he could not shake the feeling that he knew her. The desire to protect her was so strong, completely out of character for him. There had never been anyone of real consequence in his life, save the masters that he had served until each reached their goals. But there was something else, there was such beauty behind the bruised and ripped skin, such purity despite the damage that had been done to her, it stirred something in Sebastian that had been dormant most of his long life, and he wasn't ready to admit it, even to himself. And, then there was the strong sense of fear and foreboding.

Rubbing his temples, he quietly confessed to himself that it was a lot to deal with, even for a butler of his capabilities. He knew of only one way to try and find answers. Settling into the chair he reached into the realms beyond the physical world. If he could not find answers, if he was right about the girl, he may at least be able to guide her back to this world.