Sebastian's Mate (Book 1)

Act 29: The Cost

"Is he dead?" Asked a worried Ciel.

"No cousin," said Louisa, kneeling beside Sebastian's limp form. "The enchantments were weakened when the sword was no longer whole. Even without that, it would have needed to pierce his heart to kill him."

Louisa carefully removed the shards from Sebastian, who finally groaned and moved. "Regardless, my Lord, it still hurt. An unusual feeling for a demon to experience." As he sat up, Louisa threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"My love, you said yourself, it could not kill me." Said Sebastian embracing her and placing a kiss on her head.

"I know, but what if I had been wrong?"

"You were not, and that is all that matters." He kissed her again before getting to his feet and pulling her up with him. "Come, we have many more miles to cover before it gets dark."

They returned to their horses, leaving the demon sword powerless and shattered amongst the trees.

They journeyed onwards through the rugged countryside, with Sebastian and Louisa constantly scanning the horizon. The destruction of the sword would have sent shockwaves through anyone close enough to feel its magic. Louisa knew they were close; it was just a matter of when they would attack, rather than if.

The sun was low in the sky when Sebastian sensed they were no longer alone. He could feel no magic, no power, but there was someone on the other side of the ridge close by where they rode. Sebastian indicated his findings to Louisa and motioned for her and Ciel to keep riding. He leapt off his horse and ran to the ridge. Humans on horseback matched their journey on the other side. It was a hunting party; only they weren't hunting food. A cage at the back of the horse line held two young children, and the horse beyond that had what looked like the remains of an adult human slung across it. He contemplated taking care of it himself but decided it would be unfair not to let Louisa enjoy herself too; plus, he could not risk any of them getting away. He ran back to join Louisa and Ciel.

"There is a small Order hunting party on the other side of the ridge. I counted five humans, two captured children, and a dead or severely injured adult. Ciel's mind was made up at the mention of the children, "you already have your orders; I believe this is covered."

Sebastian grinned, his eyes glowed, and leaving Ciel and the horses in the shade of a tree, Sebastian and Louisa moved swiftly over the ridge. Sebastian removed the butter knives from his pocket as they moved while Louisa quietly formed an ice shard. They moved in unison to the head of the hunting party and stood close to the front horse, making it rear and almost unseat its rider.

"What the hell, get out of the way," screamed the rider.

"No, I don't think so," sneered Sebastian letting two of the knives fly, hitting cleanly between the eyes of each of their intended targets. Louisa took out the third, the ice shard slicing through his neck, leaving him dead before he hit the floor. The remaining two riders made a break for it; one was met by a butter knife between his shoulder blades, the other was dragged from his horse by Louisa. As she turned him over to face her, his fear was palpable. It only grew as he recognised the face that loomed over him.

"You," he managed.

"Yes, me," sneered Louisa as she dragged the ice shard across his throat. Blood spurted from the gaping wound, covering her clothes. She watched as the life drained from his eyes before leaving him and moving to join Sebastian at the cage.

As they released the children, Sebastian felt a different presence; seconds later, Louisa felt it too. Both knew it was already too late, even as they left the freed children to find their own way back to safety and moved at full speed back to Ciel and the horses. They heard Ciel scream and saw movement in the sky above them. Louisa started to uncase her wings, but Sebastian laid his hand on her arm.