Ciel moaned as he slowly came back to himself. His head ached, his limbs felt heavy, and his wrists...his wrists were tied behind his back. While shifting his numb body about, trying to gain more feeling in his limbs, Ciel wondered how on earth he had managed to be captured yet again, and by whom. How had this even happened? He struggled to think clearly, feeling as though he had been drugged. His mind was working very slowly. Through the thick mire of thought, he pulled up a memory of riding in his carriage back to his manor from London. That's right...he had Sebastian draw the curtains on the small windows. The morning sun had been giving him a slight headache with its brightness against the snow. That one image became sharper in his memory. He had been speaking with Sebastian about convincing Lizzy and her mother to stay only three nights instead of the four they were planning on next week and then...then...he thought he remembered the carriage pitching suddenly to the side, and the sensation of falling. Wait, or was that just how he was feeling now? It was all too confusing and he cursed whoever had dulled his brain this way. Ciel groaned with anger and frustration. Sebastian would definitely hear about this when he rescued him; for all that the butler teased him about being captured, if he was more vigilant Ciel had to think that it wouldn't happen at all. Yes, Ciel was certainly going to lecture him about keeping his young master safe.

Stale-smelling hay was pricking Ciel in his cheek and neck, urging him to sit up and escape the irritation. It was difficult with his arms behind him and his head swimming, but he managed as best he could. As he blinked his eyes open his dim surroundings spun about like mad. He had to close and open them several times before the world stopped spinning and he could see where he was. Locked in the stall of an old stable. Ciel would have rolled his eyes had he not been so dizzy. These were amateurs. He was used to being held captive in fine rooms speaking of wealth and refinement but...this was just disappointing. Probably some disgruntled Funtom employee who mustered up enough men to take Sebastian on while others took Ciel away. Who else would keep their captive in a barn?

There was very little light to speak of, but there was enough for Ciel to see by. He attempted to climb onto his knees and stand up, but when he did the entire stall seemed to pitch to one side and his balance was thrown into shambles. He eased back down into his sitting position, crossing his legs and leaning back against the wall. Ciel cringed to think of the dust that might have collected there. A few more moments passed and he began to shiver. It was mid-January and the air was filled with the scent of snow even through the musty scent of the old barn. His thick, fur-lined coat had been taken from him and he was left in his wool suit jacket, shorts, and stockings. Wool though they might be, they were not enough to stave off the winter cold. Ciel began to grumble angry nothings into the cold air, begrudging his damn demon for making him wait so long and in such uncomfortable conditions. He knew that Sebastian prided himself on his entrances but sometimes he seemed to wait purposefully until the last minute just to try and see Ciel squirm first. He was doing a fine job of it this time. Where was he?

Ciel was just about to open his mouth and call for him when he heard the creaking screech of a wide barn door being opened. Light flooded through the bars of the stall, and Ciel winced as a gust of cold air and flurries cut through the spaces in the old planks and swept over him. Footsteps echoed off the tall walls of the building, approaching the stall. The bold young earl lifted his head, determined to look his enemy in the eyes. The face that appeared at the bars of the stall was not at all what he had expected. It was delicate and feminine, sporting full lips and big doe eyes. Indeed those eyes were so dark that Ciel could not discern pupil from iris. Her black hair was up in an intricate bound braid style with a few short strands draping free about her face. She was not at all dressed for the weather, wearing what looked like a toga over one shoulder but for the deep purple color. Ciel was instantly suspicious, and felt that his assessment of the situation was entirely wrong. There was something off about her from head to toe.

The discordant sound of the stall door being slid open made Ciel wince as she entered, her bare feet seeming uncaring of the hay covering the floor. He had to wonder what her part was in this situation; she did not seem capable of being his kidnapper; she was slender and a bit delicate looking despite her tall stature. However, Ciel knew more than to judge anyone based on appearance alone.

"So you are awake, Ciel Phantomhive." The voice that escaped her was so much deeper than he had been expecting. "I am glad. I have been wanting to speak with you for longer than you know."

Ciel scoffed lightly. His voice came out more gravely and weak than he would have liked.

"You could have just rung the manor and made an appointment."

A smile curved her lips that Ciel knew well; it was the smile that he gave when he knew that his plans were falling into place. He didn't like the sight on the face of his enemy.

"No. No I don't think so."

Ciel raised his eyebrows.

"And why not? I do take callers if they're important."

The strange woman knelt before him, leaning her elbows on her knees and cupping her face in her hands, as though she were a child observing something interesting.

"That demon would not have welcomed me. We have, shall we say a...resentfulness toward one another."

Ciel kept his face as neutral as he could, but it was difficult considering the revelation she had just given him. His sharp mind was cutting through the haze still entangling it, and managed to work quickly. For once this kidnapping was about Sebastian somehow...not himself. Interesting...and certainly more serious. She somehow knew that Sebastian was a demon, and it did not seem to affect her in the slightest.

"What cause would my butler have to resent you and turn you away?" Ciel asked, making a point to look absolutely bored with the conversation, as though it were beneath him. He found this was the wrong decision when The Woman's hand suddenly darted forward and seized his throat, shoving his head back against the wall. Her pretty face was twisted into a snarl and her eyes...her eyes were lit with flame...just like Sebastian's.

"How dare a speck of earth like yourself ever lay claim to one such as him?!" She growled, her voice suddenly deeper, rumbling through the stall with a power that was not contained by her willowy body. Ciel began to choke as she gripped his slender neck tighter. "Your butler?! I could rip out your heart right this second for even uttering those words!"

Ciel began struggling to breathe, his lungs burning for air and his eyes going wide. A second later The Woman's face relaxed and she released him. As Ciel coughed and gasped, gulping in lungful after lungful of cold air, she sighed sat back on her heels once more. Her face seemed to have completely relaxed into a calm exterior once more.

"Then again, you're too lowly to even know what you're saying, poor thing. My wrath is wasted on one such as you."

Ciel could not keep his heart from thumping with fear. She was a demonness. A demonness who had captured him. Never before had he been so wrong about a situation. This was about something that had happened between this woman and Sebastian at some point during their long lives. It had to be. And Ciel had no idea what to do. He therefore resorted to what he did know very well from years of constant practice; bravado.

"I'm not used to being insulted so blatantly." He rasped out, still gasping. "I had no idea that speaking of Sebastian, my servant, would incite such anger."

He saw her hands curl into fists and her face harden, and he grinned up at her.

"What? Going to try and strangle me again?"

Ciel braced himself for another attack, but The Woman simply gave a dismissive look and brushed one of the free-flowing locks away from her face.

"I moved rashly before. There is no need to squander such efforts on you. Besides, I'd like to talk about other matters. Like why you're still here and your precious...hmmm what did you call him? Sebastian, is it? Isn't here to save you."

Ciel closed his eyes confidently.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be along. He only lets me get roughed up a tad before finally consenting to stop it. I think he enjoys seeing me a bit bloody."

She moved so quickly again that Ciel gasped as she pushed him up against the wall once more. She did not look angry this time but was simply looking him over. Her black eyes wandered over every one of his features, studying him with an intensity that made Ciel's stomach turn over. A long, cold finger began brushing his cheek.

"Of course, there is nothing more lovely than your human-" she drew her nails quickly over the flesh just beneath Ciel's eye patch, and sharp pain bit him-"covered in blood."

Ciel felt the hot blood trickling down his cheek but he said nothing. He stared right back into the black pools of her eyes, needing to maintain his bravery...or stupidity. Ciel shivered as she leaned down and lapped delicately at his spilled blood.

"You're brave for one of your kind, I'll grant you that." She brought one hand to hold Ciel's chin harshly so she could examine him even closer. "I wonder if that is what drew him to you. Then again, you're just a child...perhaps your strength at such an age could be the allure...I am just not sure."

"Or maybe he has a taste for British." Ciel deadpanned. She considered him with a wickedly amused face for a few seconds before humming to herself.

"All this conjecture will get us nowhere." With a fluid movement she pulled Ciel's chin up until his neck was straining and he was wincing. "We should just go and ask him ourselves."

Ciel tripped and nearly fell as the demonness dragged him along at her side. His balance was still uneven and the world continued to pitch and swirl. He knew he must look like a drunkard, and he struggled to keep himself upright. It was difficult with his hands behind his back. Even though Ciel was aware that this woman was not human, his pride was hurt that she was keeping him on his feet with just one of her delicate hands, while he was barely able to walk. Ciel's vision was still scattered but he was aware of where they were as they left the barn and his booted feet sunk into the deep snow. She all but carried him to a dilapidated farm house that stood apart from the barn. They were far out in the country, nothing but forest and snow-coated land for miles. Perfect secrecy. Of course. Apparently even demons chose the same kinds of locations for affairs like this.

"Why are you taking me into some hovel?" Ciel demanded, trying to scrape up his dignity at least in part.

"I told you," She stopped and turned her entire body to lean down and smirk at him, "we're going to see your precious Sebastian."

"Nonsense." Ciel scoffed. The Woman gave another of those girly, but deadly smiles, and turned with a flounce to keep dragging Ciel forward onto the old porch. Ciel attempted to dig his heels in, determined to disbelieve her.

"I doubt Sebastian would so easily consent to sit about and wait until you brought me to him. Let alone-"

Ciel's words died in his throat as he was forced through the doorway of the house. The old front room was completely bare but for where the ceiling had caved in and dropped debris into one corner. In the center...stood Sebastian. His back was to a strange pillar that seemed to sprout from the floor, and a strand of thin chains wound around him from his shoulders to his knees. Both the chains and pillar were glowing an eerie, unearthly red, giving off what looked like smoke of the same color. Sebastian's clothes were in a bad state, torn and stained with the blood of wounds that had already healed. The size of the tears that went straight through his tailcoat to his skin were disturbingly large, revealing great portions of his pale body that must have been injured. The demon's face was smudged with blood and dirt, his hair disheveled and frankly a mess.

Ciel had only seen him look worse when he had been sliced by Undertaker's scythe all those years ago. That scenario if nothing else should have prepared Ciel to accept that regardless of what he might think, Sebastian was not entirely invincible. Yet still, Ciel was thrown into shock at the sight of just how beaten Sebastian looked. Oddest of all was just how flimsy those chains looked. There was no conceivable way that the demon could be restrained by something so...delicate.

Sebastian did not lift his head as The Woman drug Ciel further into the room.

"You have a visitor, Sebastian." The Woman trilled happily. "Your little morsel didn't believe me when I told him that you were here."

Sebastian said nothing, nor did he move. Ciel pushed down his growing fear by resorting to anger, the one course of action that always gave him a sense of control.

"Sebastian, what on earth are you doing?! This is unacceptable! Break those chains right now and get me away from this woman!"

The demon's body shuddered violently, causing Ciel's eyes to widen as it twisted and jolted in ways that no human could manage, almost like something was bubbling beneath the shell of his body, trying to get out. The slender chains remained unmoving, cutting into the body that struggled beneath them and spouting blood in a few places. Finally, Sebastian let out a small cry and his body stilled, the shell shrinking back into place, blood dripping onto the floor around him.

"Seb...astian..." Ciel said quietly, stunned at what he had just seen. A tinkling laugh distracted him as The Woman pulled him back against her body, embracing him as she spoke happily into his ear.

"He cannot obey any of your fancy orders, little earl. Those are no ordinary chains binding him." Ciel flinched as her cold fingers stroked through his hair, her breath brushing his ear while she whispered to him. "You see, it took an entire fleet of my demon slaves to bring him down. Even then he put up an incredible fight. You managed to find a very strong demon to contract, human. By the time we had him immobilized more than two dozen of my slaves were piled, one atop the other, over his back. Even then it was all we could do to get the chains on him."

Sebastian gritted his teeth, turning his face even further away from them. Ciel felt a stab of pain as he realized it was shame that turned his butler's face. Shame that he had been defeated when so many times before he had triumphed. The very idea that Sebastian would be ashamed...it terrified Ciel.

"What...what are those chains?" Ciel forced out the question despite his dangerously dry throat.

The Woman gave a small laugh before tugging Ciel forward, moving them closer to Sebastian. She reached out and stroked one graceful finger along one length of chain, right across Sebastian's chest. It glowed brighter where she touched.

"They are forged from the souls of demons."

The young man sneered.

"Demons have no souls."

The words were out of Ciel's mouth before he could stop them. He knew that it was not true but the need to try and deliver some form of insult, any form of insult he could at that moment was too overwhelming for him to think about what he was saying. A swift blow to his cheek was his reward. As he tried to recover from the strike, The Woman faced him and pulled at his collar so they were nearly nose to nose, lifting him slightly off the floor.

"What would a human child like you know about demonkind!?" She railed at him, shaking him a bit. "Hold your profoundly ignorant tongue! If demon's have no souls, what part of us do you think is damned to hell for eternity, you infant mortal?! Your plebian human mind cannot even begin to understand-"

"I understand that you think I'm an idiot!" Ciel shot back loudly, interrupting her in his anger. She looked so surprised that she did not respond, and Ciel continued, "But whether I am or am not I will not be insulted by anyone, human or demon, who threatens me and my servants. So either cease your rambling about how pathetically stupid you find me, or tell about the damned chains!"

While facing The Woman he could not be sure, but Ciel thought he saw in his periphery the corners of Sebastian's mouth lift in a grin. Even the idea that he had caused Sebastian to make that expression of 'that's my young master' made Ciel's own lips curl up in a proud smile, staring The Woman down. He half expected her to strike him again or worse, and for a moment he thought she was going to the anger blazed so fiercely in her eyes. But then she laughed that tinkling laugh that would have been beautiful had she been anyone else, and lowered Ciel back completely onto his feet. She ruffled his hair and then embracing him almost lovingly once more.

"Now I see why you chose him." She said, stroking Ciel's hair again like an overly-affectionate aunt. "He's quite the brave, stubborn little thing, isn't he?"

Sebastian remained silent, still keeping his eyes downcast.

"I was telling you about those chains, wasn't I?" The Woman asked, her tone completely normal once again. "You see, child, only the souls of demons given up willingly can bind another demon. We are a selfish kind, and so there are very few of these chains in existence. Only those like me who have mastered the manipulation necessary to gain slaves can obtain such willing demon souls. Once these chains are bound to their prey only the one who forged them can release it."

Ciel felt sick suddenly, and his mind screamed that it must be a lie.

"Still don't believe me?" The Woman asked, seeing the hardness in Ciel's eyes. "Go ahead, Sebastian, try to free yourself. Show your precious master how hard you will fight to save him."

The butler did not move, but his body did tremble with anger. The Woman laughed again.

"You know, the little earl and I were talking earlier about what it is that attracted you to him in the first place."

She stepped forward until she was only inches away from Sebastian, and tilted her head to try and meet his eyes. When this did not work she took his chin in her hand and tried to force his head up. Lightning fast Sebastian's jaws opened and snapped down hard, his fangs severing three of her delicate fingers as easily as a knife cutting through butter. He snarled like a beast, panting with rage as her blood ran down his chin and onto the chains that bound him, where it sizzled and evaporated. Ciel was startled by the suddenness of the action, and of just how animal-like Sebastian had become at that moment. He was also pleased that his butler was fighting back as much as he was able. The attack did nothing to The Woman. She had not even jumped back. She slowly pulled the bleeding stumps of her fingers up to her face to study them.

"So violent, Sebastian, really." She scoffed lightly, and her fingers grew back within seconds, healthy and pristinely white. "Let's try that again."

So saying, she suddenly tore through Ciel's bonds and seized one of his arms. Against his struggles, she forced his hand to reach up and hold Sebastian's chin. By pushing up on Ciel's arm, she made him lift Sebastian's face. The butler's eyes were squeezed shut against the disgrace of the situation, his elegant features contorted into an almost pained expression. Ciel had never even imagined that his Sebastian could look like that. Ciel's fingers twitched as The Woman's blood smeared onto his hand from his butler's skin.

"Now, Sebastian." She said. "Tell us, what exactly was it that made you want your beloved Ciel, hm?"

Sebastian's upper lip curled back and revealed a gleaming fang. Ciel actually feared keeping his hand so close to it, but The Woman's grip was firm upon his arm. She knew that Sebastian would never harm Ciel, but that did not stop him hating her all the more for using his master against him.

"Was it his stubbornness? Or his bravery or stamina?" She asked. "Or perhaps...it had nothing at all to do with those kinds of traits...perhaps what drew you to him...was his sweet little body."

For the first time, Sebastian's eyes flashed open, hellfire blazing so brightly Ciel swore he could feel the heat burning his hand. A deep, vicious warning growl rumbled up from Sebastian's chest, the primal sound vibrating against Ciel's trembling white hand. Both of Sebastian's fangs were bared now, and they grew past his bottom lip as he opened his mouth to let the sound of his growl reverberate even louder.

Ciel was unsure if he was surprised or relieved when The Woman pulled his hand back and drew him away a pace. Sebastian continued to stare at her with those blazing eyes.

"Did I touch a nerve?" She asked, pulling Ciel to her side and once more stroking his hair. Now that his hands were free Ciel tried to fight her but she took no notice of his struggles whatsoever, continuing to pet him. "Is it this delicate little human body that you truly crave, Sebastian?"

Ciel gasped as her hands found their way inside his jacket, stroking over his chest.

"This milky white skin? So flawless in its youth?"

"Let me go!" Ciel cried angrily, hating the feeling of her hands on him.

"This silky hair?"

The floor shook as Sebastian's body began to flex and struggle against the unmovable chains, stretching and twisting unnaturally for a moment before it eased back down and Sebastian spoke for the first time in a voice unlike anything Ciel had heard before.

"Take your hands off him!"

It was as though Sebastian's voice had hundreds of others behind it, speaking in unison to increase the weight and command of his booming words. Ciel ceased to struggle as that voice literally caused fear to quake through him. He knew it was not meant to frighten him, but he was unable to keep the fear at bay. Just as the attack on her fingers, however, this roaring voice did nothing to sway The Woman. She smirked at him instead, and tossed her head slightly.

"Touchy, aren't we?" She asked. "It cuts to the quick to see another demon handling your prey, doesn't it?"

Ciel did not miss the slight stiffening of Sebastian's shoulders as she said that.

"It burns your heart, doesn't it? The lovely scent of your human being clouded by an enemy? Filthy fingerprints being laid all over your food? After all your hard work cultivating the soul, now it is being stolen away by someone else."

Her words started off light and teasing, but the more she spoke the harder and angrier her tone became. Ciel was beginning to piece together a background story from her words, one that might explain why she was interested in doing this to them both. But his speculations were cut short when she suddenly gripped his face and turned it up toward her own.

"To see the soul you crave being taken from you, and swallowed by another...that pain is so very deep even to a demon."

She lowered her face, as though she were leaning in to kiss Ciel. The boy struggled, fearing that his soul was indeed going to be sucked right out of him and into this dreadful demonness' mouth. As her lips nearly brushed Ciel's, the entire foundation of the house trembled with Sebastian's rage.

For an incredibly long moment the ground vibrated beneath them and The Woman wavered with her lips just a breath away from the frightened boy's. Finally, however, she pulled back. The trembling in the earth decreased, but remained as Sebastian watched The Woman with hatred that would put the devil himself to shame. She gave him a decadently wicked smile, and ran her hands over Ciel's shoulders.

"I can't tell you how very tempted I am to do it, Sebastian. To swallow down this little one's soul and watch you fall apart. However...that would be far too easy."

"What are you going to do to him?!" Ciel demanded, his entire body shaking as much as his butler's now. He could sense the hatred and resentment flowing between Sebastian and this woman, and the power of it overwhelmed him.

The Woman looked down at him and pinched his face between her fingers, pursing her lips like she was talking to a very young child.

"Don't you worry about that, little earl. Worry about yourself." So saying, she began pulling him back toward the doorway. "I'll be back, Sebastian, I just have to have a bit of fun with your master for a while. Don't kill yourself on those chains, I'd hate to see you die before I am finished with you."

Ciel was now unable to see Sebastian, but he heard the ungodly roar that shook snow from the roof and caused another part of it to collapse. It was a terrifying sound, even to him. Not because of its violence or deafening volume, but because the underlying tone was so utterly, utterly helpless.

TBC soooon!