"A-Ash L-Landers...?" I whimpered. Sebastian had told me about this. Ash and Angela were the same person; a hermaphrodite I think he called them. From what Sebastian had said, Ash was the more dangerous one.

Ash took his hand off my mouth. "So, you are Sebastian's latest contract. You certainly do remind me of that meddling little Earl."

Meddling litte Earl? Did he mean Sebastian's previous contract? I remember Undertaker mentioning him, I think his last name was Phantomhive...

"Your demon has interfered with my plan many times in the past," Ash went on. "But no longer. This time I shall rid myself of him and finally purify the world." He smiled sickly at me. "But first I want him to suffer. And since you appear to be the most important thing to him..." he drew a rapier. "The best way to make him suffer is to kill you."

I quickly shot from my bed, grabbing my dagger off the nightstand. I brandished it in front of me, ready to defend myself.

Yes, I knew I was sick. So what? Did that mean I was just supposed to lay there and let him kill me?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Ash lunged at me, his rapier gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the window. I quickly stepped to the side, blocking his thrust with my dagger. There was a shower of sparks as the blades collided, and my arm hurt from the impact.

Nngh! He's strong! I can't let him beat me! I thrust my own dagger forward, and Ash winced as it grazed his arm.

"Impressive for a human," Ash smirked. "But you are only delaying the inevitable." He knocked my arm away with a flick of his wrist, and began to unleash a flurry of thrusts and swings. I blocked and parried the best I could, but being sick wasn't really helping much.

Finally, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I stumbled. Ash took the opportunity to trip me with his rapier, and I fell to the floor.

I groaned and started to call for Sebastian, but Ash silenced me with a kick to my side.

"Even being ill, you showed very impressive skills," Ash said. "But even so, a mere human like you could never hope to defeat me." Ash raised his rapier. "Now, to get you out of my way."

No!

Ash started to bring down his rapier, aimed for my head. But before the rapier made its impact, something happened.

I saw a flurry of black feathers, like I had when I first met Sebastian, and a figure appeared, stopping the rapier with its hands.

"You!" Ash gasped.

I looked up and saw a boy. He appeared to be about thirteen years old. He had blue hair and was dressed like a noble. One of his eyes was covered by an eyepatch, and the eye I could see was a deep cerulean blue.

He was...beautiful, for the lack of a better word.

The boy shoved Ash back, then knelt down to me.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head. "Who...who are you...?" I asked, my voice hoarse from my illness.

The boy helped me to my feet before drawing himself up with dignity.

"I went by many names in the past. The Aristocrat of Evil, the Queen's Watchdog...but you may call me...Ciel Phantomhive."