The Scourge of the Demon Hunters—Act 19

The time passed slowly for Louisa that evening. The more she focused on Sebastian’s plans for her, the more the anticipation and frustration grew. By the end of dinner, her underclothes were uncomfortably damp, and her mind was awash with so many thoughts that keeping track of the conversation was almost impossible. The whole process was made even more difficult by the devilish grin that Sebastian shot at her whenever no one was looking. It came as a great relief when Elizabeth began to tire.

Soon after dinner, Elizabeth announced her intention to retire for the night. Louisa fully intended to do the same, but she was stopped in her tracks by Ciel.

“Louisa, I need to speak to you before you retire for the night. Will you join me in my study?”

Elizabeth was about to drone on about etiquette again when Ciel cut her short.

“I believe as the head of the family; I am Louisa’s guardian, it is therefore perfectly acceptable for her to be alone with me.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but Ciel, realising how sharp his tone was continued more softly, “I just need to go over some of the finer details related to family affairs, of which Louisa will be unaware, and that would bore you greatly.”

Satisfied with the answer, Elizabeth left with her spirits once again lifted. Louisa followed Ciel to his study, where Sebastian joined them. Ciel sat at his desk with Sebastian, his ever-faithful servant, standing at his side. Louisa took the seat opposite Ciel. He waited for a moment before speaking.

“I understand that you have news that may impact our trip. I am assuming that it is something that is not to be shared outside the three of us!”

Louisa nodded. “Given that the news is that my father is alive, I think that is best.”

Ciel sat bolt upright in his chair and stared at Louisa.

“Alive? How is that possible? How do you know?”

Louisa told him everything that Sebastian had told her, delicately skipping over the details of when and where she had been given the information. When she had finished, she looked at Ciel. He was paler than usual and looked more than a little frightened.

“Alive, I cannot believe it, does he blame…” he left the sentence hanging in the air, frightened to finish it, in case he did not particularly like the answer.

Louisa smiled at him, and answered, “No, dear cousin, his vengeance, like mine, is focused solely on the Order. Sebastian ensured that my father was aware of your kindness to me and of your assistance in this matter.”

Ciel relaxed back into his chair, relieved that he did not have to fear Louisa’s father or pit his demon against him; he was still unclear on how that might turn out. That thought raised another fear.

“Does he know about you and Sebastian?”

Louisa laughed, “Yes sweet one, and he will take up any concerns he has with Sebastian when all this is done.” This did little to comfort Ciel, until Louisa laughed again and added, “We have his blessing, so you can stop worrying, he is not baying for your blood because your butler ravished his little girl.” Now it was Sebastian’s turn to look a little pale, which brought a bigger smile to Louisa’s lips.

Sebastian returned the smile before turning to Ciel and looking suddenly very serious.

“My Lord, if I may, there is one piece of information that I was given that I have not yet passed onto Miss Louisa.

“Well spit it out, Sebastianm,” said Ciel, slightly irritated that more had been kept from him.

“Typhon, Louisa’s father, imparted specific instructions and a warning before his connection to be faded.”

“Yes, go on.”

“We are to find and destroy the demon sword that was used to take his physical life. However, we need to proceed with caution as the Order possess a greater threat than just to Louisa or demonkind.”

Louisa stared at Sebastian, unsure how she felt that he had kept this from her. Seeing her uncertainty and unhappiness, Sebastian said.

“Miss Louisa, I am sorry that I kept that from you. I simply wanted you to have time to digest the wonder of your father’s existence before giving you more to worry about.”

Louisa sat, contemplating the warning and Sebastian’s reason for keeping it from her. Then she looked from Sebastian to her cousin and replied, “I understand, and I have something that I have not told either of you yet. As long as the site remains undiscovered, I know exactly where the sword is.”

Ciel and Sebastian both stared at her, completely lost for words. She continued, “I stole it when I ran from the Order and hid it in the ruins of my old home.”

Ciel was the first to recover the power of speech. “Why did you not bring it here with you? You may have got here sooner, without being so badly injured.”

Louisa looked at him and said gently, “My darling cousin, I knew nothing about you apart from your surname. I was hardly going to place one of the most powerful weapons known to man in unknown hands, now was I?”

“You make a fair point,” Ciel conceded, “but now it must be retrieved and destroyed for good. Do we know how to achieve that final part?”

“No cousin, I do not, although I will gladly see it done.”

“Sebastian, any ideas?” ssked a rather tired and exasperated Ciel.

“None, my Lord, hopefully, our contact in London can help.”

Ciel sighed, “One more thing to achieve without arousing suspicion during our London season with Elizabeth.”

Rubbing his head, he continued, “I am tired, I will retire now. Good night, Louisa. I suggest you get some sleep too, tomorrow promises to be very trying.”

“Good night, Ciel,” replied Louisa.

“Come Sebastian,” ordered Ciel.

As Sebastian passed Louisa, he whispered so quietly that only her demon hearing could make out the words.

“Come to my room at the top of the house when everyone is settled for the night.”

She nodded and made her way upstairs where she found Mey-Rin waiting to help her change for bed.