Ancient is the Love of Life

Chapter 3 ~ Unknown Variables Equal Deadly Additions

TW: Blood, Death, Angst, Battle.

Ciel ~

I leave the crime scene and Sir Randall behind in an internal huff, but keep my stride confident and the blank mask firmly upon my face. Sebastian, Aunt Red, and Lau trail after me followed closely by Grell, Madam Red's irritating butler.

"Well, there seems to be only one place else we can go to get the necessary information." I declare as I lead the group down cobbled streets and around corners.

"You don't mean?!" I hear Lau gasp.

"I do indeed."

Ten minutes later our party stands before the funeral parlor entitled 'Undertaker'. "So... why are we here?" Lau asks, his lips unturned in an innocent smile as Madam Red rounds on him. I ignore their bickering and push into the shop, Sebastian's presence firm against my back as I take in the gloomy atmosphere. "Undertaker, are you here? I have need of you!" I call out just before a cackle reverberates through the atmosphere and the lid of a coffin against the wall slowly inches open.

My companions startle and stare in shock as the owner of the shop steps forward, eyes gleaming behind his hair. "Welcome, little lord! I was hoping I'd be seeing you here. Have you come to try out a coffin?" The silver-haired man asks, voice slightly raspy yet airy with amusement.

"My master comes on business." Sebastian supplies, stepping up by my side. Like an ever-faithful hound. I silently mock.

"That's right. I'm here for information on the Jack the Ripper Case. I need to know what you know please." I say more command than a plea in my voice.

"Ah, so you are the Queen's Guard Dog then?" A new voice rings out from the shadows. I whip around in shock to come face to face with the greenest eyes I've ever seen. Sebastian sucks in a barely audible breath and stiffens, which in turn immediately makes me wary. The man before me appears young, with long black hair tied back at the nape and dressed in hues of green and black. The stranger tilts his head in a curious manner as we continue our staring contest, the emerald depths of his gaze seeming to suck me in despite my will.

"Who are you?" I demand harshly, fists clenched by my sides in a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

The man simply turns his head, a silent dismissal and I seethe, vision tinting red. "Answer me!"

He has the audacity to laugh! "You are a force to be reckoned with, Ciel Phantomhive, especially with the company you keep." He murmurs in a melodic, slightly liting accent.

"Indeed! The little lord has such an amusing drive!" Undertaker chimes in.

"But you would do well to keep a more cautious air." The stranger says with a pointed look as he steps around me to lean against the counter. He surveys everyone in the room, lingering especially long upon both Sebastian and Grell and they, in turn, do not look away from him. Almost as if he were some predator stalking them, and though I am loathed to admit it, even to myself, that is the feeling I get from this newcomer.

I clear my throat pointedly and turn back toward the Undertaker and the reason why I'm here. Time is of the essence. Undertaker giggles at my expression and I twitch. "You know my price, my lord. A single pure laugh is what I require, nothing more."

I sigh in exasperation. When was the last time I truly laughed or smiled? How can I give someone else what I can't even recall?

First Lau tries to appease the Undertaker when he notices I remain silent. His abysmal joke falls flat and earns the Chinese man a snort from the stranger. Madam Red gives it a go next and Sebastian thankfully has recovered enough to block my ears from what must be truly lecherous gossip if the raised eyebrows around the room are anything to go by. In retaliation Undertaker slaps tape with a large red X over my Aunt and Lau's mouths before turning to me, not even acknowledging Grell who is still keeping vigil over the emerald-eyed man.