A Demons Mate

She swore that she wouldn't go that far!

Serena popped out behind William into an alley across from Undertaker's shop. Ronald brought up the rear and waved his hand over the hole to make it disappear. She looked back at the untouched brick, running a hand over it.

"Okay, even as freaked out as I am, that's pretty cool."

"Quite. Shall we go?" William waved to the shop.

"Right." The red head took a deep breath before going across the street. Ronald moved in front to open the door for her and was rewarded with a smile. "Thank you."

Behind her, William glared at the wink the younger reaper shot her.

"Oh, hell!" Serena backpedaled out of the doorway, bumping into William.

"Harlot!"

"Honestly, what are you doing here?" He glared at Grell standing in the shop as he pushed the girl behind him.

Undertaker laughed at the scene in front of him. "The council asked me to watch our friend here after they caught him trying to escape."

"Maybe this isn't a good time." Serena popped her head over William's shoulder.

"Oh, it's alright. He's harmless without his deathscythe." Undertaker held up the chainsaw, bands around the deadly sharp chain.

"Give me that back! I'll get rid of that man-stealing hussy right now!" Grell made a dive for the weapon but the other reaper merely held it behind him. Undertaker danced around the shop, over coffins and in front of shelves of urns, as Grell chased and dived after him. Every time the red reaper missed, the ancient would laugh harder.

"Sutcliff!" William walked forward and smacked his underling in the head with his logbook. "Stop being such a problem."

Grell sunk down with a hand on his head, looking pitiful. "But, Will..."

"But nothing. I'm sick of dealing with you. I'm sick of your mood swings, I'm sick of cleaning up after you and I'm sick of hearing about that damned demon!" He grabbed Grell by the arm and hauled him to one of the coffins. "Now, you are going to sit here and be quiet. Is that understood?"

"Oh, William. Perhaps I've been pursuing the wrong beast." He pawed at the manager's jacket with a sly smile.

William let out a heavy sigh as his shoulders slumped.

Serena tried to stifle a laugh but it wasn't working. She and Ronald snickered like school children until the manager's gaze came to them. Both straightened and had the decency to look apologetic.

"What brings you my way?" Undertaker pulled Serena to another coffin top and took a seat next to her. He picked up the same lock of hair with a seriousness that was strange from the reaper. "Someone's had a spiritual experience."

"You could say that." She pulled the hair back.

"Why are you here?" The silver-haired man stroked the same piece of hair. His head fell to the side and Serena could finally see the glowing green eyes of the ancient reaper.

"He said that I should ask you about the origin of demons." She shivered under the sudden scrutiny those eyes subjected her to.

"Ah, it is a secret that I stumbled upon a long time ago." Undertaker snickered when he saw he had everyone's attention. William and Ronald had taken a seat on either side of Grell and waited. "Demons originally played for the other team."

Sebastian entered the Miss Nina's shop to hear the last of Lady Elizabeth's words.

"Oh, Ciel. I'm sorry." The blonde looked up as he entered the shop. "And there's Sebastian. Why don't you go back to the house? Miss Nina and I will figure this out."

"Thank you for understanding, Lizzy." The Earl bowed a little to his fiancé.

"Not at all. You can't help that you're a man. Now, leave us. I'll have a dress for Lady Elizabeth that will knock you off your feet." The tailor picked up a bolt of cloth and turned her back on the Earl.

"I'll send Sebastian back."

"Say about three hours?" Nina was already putting different patterns together, waving the men off.

"Alright. We'll see you then." When Ciel got to Sebastian, he quickly brushed past the butler. "Let's get out of here while we can."

Once they were on the street, the earl sighed in relief. "I can't believe that actually worked. It went almost exactly as Serena predicted."

"Master, where is Serena?"

"She should be in one of the shops nearby." Ciel waved a bored hand down the street.

"She is not nearby. I cannot feel her at all."

"You can feel where she is?" He blinked at the demon.

"Yes, and she is not in this area."

"Bloody hell! She swore that she wouldn't go that far." The Earl rubbed a hand over his face, trying to calm down. Sebastian was already looking up and down the streets, hoping that he was wrong. Finally, Ciel looked around. "Serena turned this way when she left the shop."

"I will take you home and return."

"No, I'm coming with you. Stupid girl. She'll be lucky if I don't thrash her." He set off down the street, the demon trailing behind him.

"We are in accord as always, Master."

The two moved through the crowds that had picked up with the midday sun. Ciel looked in each shop window they passed, hoping to see a flash of red. Sebastian kept his senses open, calling out in his mind but received no response each time. When they passed an alley, the demon stopped.

"What is it? Did you find her?"

"Reapers. They used a pathway near here. I can feel Serena's essence with them." The demon walked down the alley and stopped where the hole had been.

"They wouldn't have taken her to see that Council that Knox was talking about would they?"

"I do not believe the Reaper's Council would approve of them taking her without my knowledge. And why would Serena go with them? There has been no fight in this area." Sebastian finally stepped away from the wall.

"Undertaker's parlor then, he has to know what's going on." Ciel started out of the alley, not waiting for his butler.

"I will get the carriage, Master."