Stuck in Kuroshitsuji

Chapter 47: The Hound

Sebastian POV

I was brushing down the young master's clothes when we heard a brief knock at the door to bedroom.

"Come in." He said plainly.

The door opened to Henry Barrymore's servant, Angela. What could she possibly need at this hour?

"I apologise for calling so late." She said. Ciel didn't even bother looking at her as she entered his room.

"What is you need, my young master is about to retire for the evening." I said, sounding the slightest bit exasperated.

"I have a request to make." She declared. "Leave the castle, leave the village completely. You mustn't stay here." Angela said, pleading. Why would she want us out of here so quickly?

"Why's that?" Ciel asked, clearly uninterested.

"I can't say." She said.

Suddenly we all heard a long and deep howling. Angela gasped and shuddered.

"No. The demon hound. It's coming!" She practically cried out. My young master stood up.

"The what?" He asked.

Angela cried out and we turned to see the shadow of what looked like a dog, being cast on the curtains.

"Sebas-!" Ciel started saying.

He was cut off by a woman screaming. That was close by. Wait that sounded like-

"Master." I called to him.

He turned to me. In that brief moment I knew that he knew it as well. We ran out of his room and out of the castle. I burst through the front doors and began to look around frantically. I quickly noticed a figure on its side by the dead tree. I ran over to find Aviva unconscious under the tree. I turned her on her back and instantly noticed the three bleeding claw marks across her chest. Shit! Why was she out of the castle this late?! I pulled out my handkerchief and applied pressure to her wounds.

"Master!" I heard what was distinctly Mey-rin's voice.

"Angela!" There's Finnian.

We all turned to see Mey-rin, Finnian, Baldroy holding a pillow, and Tanaka rushing out of Barrymore Castle.

"What's going on here? What's all the fuss about?" Baldroy said.

He looked down at me and noticed Aviva. His eyes widened and ran to her side. He gently lifted her head and placed the pillow under her.

"What happened?" He asked me, turning very serious.

"It was the demon hound." Angela said.

"Demon hound?" They said in unison.

"It's brings great catastrophe to the village. Anyone who dares to defy my master will be punished by the demon hound. That's the law here there is no way to stop it." Angela said.

I can sense some sincerity in her words. However, I am highly uninclined to believe anyone blindly. I looked back down at Aviva and gently took her cheek. She groaned and began to stir.

"Aviva." I said softly. She groaned softly

"Huh? Sebastian? What-?" Aviva said before attempting to sit up. She winced in pain and stayed down. "What happened? Where am I?" She asked.

"You're outside Barrymore castle. It would seem you've been attacked by the demon hound." I explained. She turned and noticed Baldroy.

"Bard?" She said, confused.

"Hey kid. Try not to move so much." Baldroy said calmly.

"Angela!" We all turned to see a large group of villagers approaching the castle. They came bearing torches and various weapons. "Please wake Lord Barrymore at once. The demon hound has come again." The leading villager said.

I quickly looked down and noticed Aviva trying to get a look at what was going on. She sighed in defeat and turned to me. I offered my hand to help her stand; Baldroy did the same. We slowly helped Aviva to her feet.

"Who was the punished one?" Angela asked.

"Come. We'll show you." The lead villager said.

Everyone began to follow the mob of villagers. Aviva began to step forward and I quickly stopped her. She can't be serious. She must return to bed and rest. Aviva looked at me, obviously offended.

"You are not coming with us Aviva." I said bluntly.

"You can't stop me Sebastian." She said before trying to take another step. I stopped her again and smirked. It's so fascinating to see what she's willing to fight for. Truly, fascinating.

"And is that a challenge Miss Faye?" I asked, very curious to see what her answer would be. She tried not to show it, but I could tell my question made her nervous.

"N-no!" Aviva said, stuttering slightly.

"Then why must you be so stubborn?" I asked pulling her closer to me, practically asking her to defy me. I could see her internally panic for a quick moment before relaxing. Her face slowly twisted into a cocky smirk.

"Because the young master ordered that I be by his side with you. And you wouldn't dare defy Ciel now, would you?" She said.

Touché, Miss Faye. Very clever.

"I would not, Miss Faye." I said, letting my guard down. "But please, allow me." I said before taking my coat off and wrapping it around her.

She put her arms through the sleeves as I turned around and knelt down, offering my back. She reluctantly obliged and wrapped her arms around me. I stood up with Aviva on my back. I quickly caught up with the crowd, perhaps too quickly.