Ancient is the Love of Life

Chapter 5 ~ Establishing the Boundaries

Ciel sighs tiredly and mumbles something about Sebastian showing me to my quarters. Without another glance, he makes his way back into the manor just as the last of the light dips into the inky darkness of dusk. The butler gives me a polite nod and gestures for me to follow. I fall into step with him and we make our way silently across the grounds and through the grand manor.

"You're not human," Sebastian states matter-of-factly as he peers at me from the corner of his red-brown eyes.

I smile. "No." I agree.

Sebastian leads me up a staircase and down a long hallway, the flames of the candelabra in his hand sending flickering shadows skittering across the walls and floor. Silence descends once more for a few more steps before he speaks again.

"What are you? You have a strange... aura about you."

I hum softly as I shove my hands into the pockets of my silver cloak. "I'm not really sure what I am anymore," I admit softly, keeping my gaze fixed ahead. "I'm a lot of things, but I'm not sure if any of them are me." The Demon does not comment on my riddle-like answer. Instead, he opens a door at the end of the hall and ushers me into a moderately big bedroom. There is a simple but comfortable looking bed against the far wall with a nightstand accompanying it. A window on the westward wall grants me a view of the forest sprawling across the grounds with a wardrobe and chest of drawers on the opposite side of the room.

Not too shabby. I think in satisfaction as I step further into the room and run my hand against the soft blue blankets upon the bed.

"This shall be your quarters while in the manor. I shall introduce you to the other servants tomorrow morning at breakfast after I tend to the Young Master." Sebastian says, keeping close to the doorway, almost as if he's afraid of crossing too near my territory. Interesting. I need to ask Death more about Demon nature and custom. I make a mental note as I give a nod of acknowledgment to Sebastian's unspoken order.

"I'll be up around seven am, will that suffice?"

"Yes. I shall lay out your duties in detail and give you a more in-depth tour of the house and grounds tomorrow. I don't trust those idiots not to get lost or break something." Sebastian scowls briefly and I cover my smirk with a yawn.

"Well then, I believe I shall bid you goodnight now. You did quite a number on me and I'll need my rest to repair the damage done." I give a little mocking bow and Sebastian rolls his eyes but smiles nevertheless.

"Flattery shall get you everywhere but here, Mr. Odon."

I chuckle at that as I begin to shrug off my cloak and unbutton my shirt in preparation for sleep.

"Hadrian." I pause at the Demon's stern use of my name and raise my eyes to meet his. He's paused through closing the bedroom door halfway, hand resting on the handle and half his face framed in shadow and candlelight. His eyes, however, are a glowing vermilion and narrowed in a glare. "If you do anything that will put my Master in danger or do not aid him I will make your life a living Hell before I end it."

The threat is heavy with promise and I know Sebastian will keep his word on this.

My smile is all sharp edges and bitter irony. "I won't harm the lordling. Your meal is safe from me, Demon." I reply calmly, hiding the way my pulse spikes slightly as Sebastian's power weighs down the air, asserting his dominance on this. Sebastian stares me down for a few moments, judging my sincerity most likely. I hold his piercing gaze and force my body to quiet.

It is not my place to interfere in their Contract. I'm only here to find my humanity again...

Finally, Sebastian steps back and his features soften once more into his usual calm mask, apparently satisfied by my response. "Pleasant dreams, Mr. Odon. We shall talk more in the morning." With barely a sound he eases out of the room and closes the door with a quiet click.