The Return of the Order: Act 33

Act 35: A Wolf in the Stable

Once again, formalities were set aside in the Birch household. Lord Birch marvelled at the array of individuals that shared his table that night. As he gazed around the table, it dawned on him that he now was the only human at the table. Even the two hounds that slept, one at the feet of each of the twins, were not from the human realm.

Typhon’s voice boomed across the table as he held court, he had the attention of everyone at the table and was regaling them with stories of Malphas’ time as a young demon. When he had finished embarrassing his protégé, he moved onto stories of Ciel’s early months in the demon realm and how he had hidden in his chambers whenever Louisa and Malphas left the realm. Ciel grew redder as dinner progressed, making Typhon laugh all the louder. However, as Sebastian served dessert, he changed tack.

“Now I have thoroughly embarrassed the boy, I must add that your warning worked wonders, Louisa. He took to his training the moment you left the realm, which is why he was not present when you came for William. It is partly due to his newfound enthusiasm for the life he was granted that we were able to come at all.”

“How so, father?”

“We set out to hunt down the last of the Wolf Demon’s supports and quell any remaining thoughts of uprisings. Ciel joined us on the hunt and took out several mid-level demons by himself. He even transformed while fighting, although he still clings on to his human form for comfort.”

"So, I did not make a grave mistake, after all, Ciel, maybe now you are better pleased that I did not consume your soul?" Asked Sebastian.

“My lack of gratitude at the time was just one of many mistakes I made with you Sebastian, which I am now trying to set right.”

Sebastian nodded towards Ciel, but any reply was lost as Typhon turned his attention to his grandchildren.

“Now, onto something much more important, my grandchildren’s choice of mates.”

The colour drained from both William’s and Grell’s faces, which was not lost on Typhon. His laughter boomed out around the room once more. “If you two are going to have demons as mates, I suggest you grow backbones very quickly.” He laughed again before continuing, “however, Undertaker, I believe we will need to revisit the accords between the realms, especially if they should produce offspring from these unions.”

“Hehehe, quite right Typhon, demon/reaper matings are not covered, it was never considered necessary.”

“I’m sorry, but what are the accords?” Lord Birch asked.

“They set out the rules of interactions between the different realms and the races that inhabit them. They cover demon contracts and other feeding methods used by different demon sects, the rules that bind the reapers, including non-interference, and the binding of demons against their will. Something that by all rights, you should never have been able to achieve Lord Birch."

"I do not know how my wife came across such information. Sebastian explained that all tomes had been destroyed along with anyone that attempted to resurrect the incantations."

“Indeed,” Typhon thought for a moment. “Do you have a likeness of your wife?”

“Yes, here.” Lord Birch rose from the table a took a framed picture from the dresser. Handing it to Typhon, he said, “this is her with our newborn son.”

Silence drifted over the table while Typhon studied the picture, “well, at least I think I can solve the mystery of how she knew Malphas and myself and put a name to her.”

The entire table stopped eating, and all attention was focused on Typhon. He looked at the surprised faces that now turned to him, waiting for him to continue.

"When Louisa and I were captured by the Order, there were others. Other children of demon descent, some were more aware than others of their ancestors, and of those that were aware some were stronger than others. While my focus was on guiding Louisa, I was able to converse with some of the other children. One of these was a young girl, probably a little younger than Louisa. Both her parents had been killed when her home was attacked. We spoke many times over the years, and as with Louisa, I shared knowledge of our realm. As the time came for Louisa to face her final test with the Order, I ensured that the girl had mine and Malphas' names so that should she escape, she could find safety. The woman in that picture is the same person, her name was Sophia, and from what I gathered her mother was the demon, Leandra."

“But, Typhon, Leandra was…”

“Yes, Malphas, of my house, as were many of the others that were taken. I would guess the same to be true of many of those being killed now. Whoever is behind this is not just wiping out those with demon blood. They are targeting those of my house, who have been under my rule and protection. What I don't know is how Sophia escaped and came into the knowledge needed to bind you."

"Her escape I can answer, after Louisa's 'death' at the hands of the angel, Ciel ordered the death of every being connected to the Order that resided within the walls of the castle. I tore through the place, leaving nothing alive until I came to the dungeons where the children, including Louisa, had been held. Her scent was still there, it brought me to my senses enough to see that those within the dungeons were held just as she had been. I freed them before returning to Ciel."

“Then the rest of the information must have been in the possession of the Order,” stated Typhon. “Did you ever go back, Malphas, to see what else they had gathered?”

“No, my Lord Typhon,” Sebastian, looked at Ciel before continuing, “the young lord’s own grief for his cousin and desire to carry out the Queen’s orders did not allow for it.”

Ciel lowered his head, it was one more thing to add to the guilt and pain he still carried with him from his cousin’s fall at the hands of the angel. He had acted horribly towards Sebastian after her ‘death’ blaming him for her sacrifice, that she had died carrying new life within her, and for his still confused feelings towards his onetime butler.

The silence that reigned over the table was broken by giggling. All eyes turned to Undertaker whose giggling was turning into raucous laughter. “Ah, little Lord, carrying that weight all this time, your life will make a perfect tragedy play one day.”

Typhon joined in the laughter, his voice booming around the room. "Well, let us move on from this morbid talk. We face much greater enemies, but for now let us enjoy good company, good food, and Lord Birch's excellent wine cellar."

****

A rustling at the estate's edge alerted Peter to the presence of the one he had been waiting for. "Master you summoned me?"

“Yes, I do not have much time, so listen carefully. Our plans have changed?”

“Why, Master?”

“I have come into new knowledge, information that has been hidden from me all too easily. It would seem that at least one of the party is not quite what they seem. It explains why the attack at the library was so successful, though."

“I don’t understand, Master.”

“You don’t need to. If you had done your job properly in the first place instead of letting your cock do the thinking for you, then we may not be in this situation.”

“And I have been punished for that Master,” spat Peter, he paused, not missing the growl that emanated from the figure in the darkness. He checked his tone, knowing how much more his insolence could still cost him, “are you calling off the attack?”

The lone figure in the dark grinned, white teeth and emerald eyes shining in the darkness, “on the contrary, we are bringing it forward before they grow any stronger and before they spring any further surprises.”

“Yes, Master. What do you need from me?”

“Gather all those capable of fighting, strengthen the enchantments, I intend to finish this once and for all tomorrow night.”

“But, Master, so soon, many are still injured.”

The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the still night as the back of the master's hand struck Peter's face. "You will do as commanded. If all goes to plan and I gain the access I need, then they will be in such disarray that our victory will be swift. Do well, and I may still allow you to take the little hybrid whore to play with after I’ve had some fun with her first, of course.”

“Yes, of course, Master.”

“Now, go. I must return before my lack of presence is noted.”

The two parted ways, leaving the night as silent as they found it, neither noting the pair of small blue eyes that watched from the nearby roof. As Peter disappeared from view, the eyes’ owner spread its wings, dropping black feathers as it silently took to the sky and entered the manor by an upstairs window.