A Contract

A Contract  

Darkness. Pure and unchallenged. It came from everywhere, entering into all private matters and seeing all things. The deepest dreams of mankind . . . the nightmares of the innocent and fearful . . . the most depraved hopes of those who were too timid to reach out and take the possibilities in hand. The Darkness saw it all.

For every dark spot or shadow, there was a creature to guard its secrets- as any demon knew well. Currently one such being basked in it, though as the minutes ticked by on the scene before it, it became more aware of its surroundings. With each second the dark being focused on the large room that it had been summoned to, taking in the grandeur and excellent décor of what appeared to be a stately house. From the fashion style, the demon could tell it was somewhere in England- but the detail meant very little as the creature of hell’s attention was drawn to the people inside the room.

A male and female- the woman in her early twenties, the man in his thirties- both obviously noble born, and both lying on the Persian rug with lifeless eyes. This wasn’t all that surprising to the demon, and it unhurriedly took in the multiple stab wounds on either of the fresh corpses. Rigor mortis had yet to set in, so the deed had been done quite recently. There was no sign of a struggle with the man- it was fair to assume that he had been the first to fall- but with the woman it was quite the opposite. Her arms were covered in defensive wounds where she had tried to protect herself, and there were several bruises forming on her fair face from where her attacker had struck her.

The demon wondered on which relation or friend had done the deed- though the creature was only somewhat curious as it swiveled its gaze to the far side of the room. Though there was mystery and intrigue to be found in the murders, the creature wasn’t interested by it. Oh no, petty death didn’t engross the demonic one in the slightest, despite it being a bringer of human demise.

. . . It was the small, internal voice that had awoken the being from its slumber that was important, and the demon wasted no more time in finding the owner. After several more seconds, the demon spotted her. Hiding silently behind the mammoth midnight blue drapes, was a little girl of no more than four years old, crying noiseless tears as she held onto herself and wept. She was truly a beautiful little thing, with brilliant blue eyes and hair so black that it was closer to blue. But it was the soul that pulsated from inside the child that made the demon call her beautiful. Her essence was so innocent and fluttery- like a fresh breeze on a fine summer’s day, or a mockingbird with a broken wing. And as the demon saw the true length of the girl’s spirit it made a decision.

“Little one,” it called out, still without body or true form.

At the gentle voice, the girl raised frightened eyes up and held in her breath trying to remain unseen.

“Come out, child.” The demon’s voice was tender and comforting, as the creature finally began to become itself once again. Between contracts, demons more often than not, became formless beings who went into hibernation until they were called by a new human. They lost their gender and default bodies when they did this, but most were willing to do so in order to stay unblemished for the time when they were present in the human world. Most contracts took years to complete, and a demon needed down time, just like any other living creature. But for this particular demoness, the time for relaxation was over.

“Come out, little one. You are safe now- he is gone.” The nameless one was completely assuming that the child’s parents had been murdered by a male acquaintance, but when a broken voice answered back, the creature knew that she had guessed correctly.

“W-Who are you?” the girl squeaked, between choked tears. 

“I am a friend, Alice,” the demon crooned softly, as her form began to pool from the depths of the shadow, becoming physical for the first time in years. “I’m here to help you.”

“H-How do you know m-my name,” the girl cried out, still shaking pitifully from behind the drapes.

The demoness knew that telling her the truth was out of the question. Demons garnered human’s names out of the abyss, and the child would only be frightened. So, the dark one did the only thing she could in the situation.

“I came because I heard you call to me. I am here to help you, love.” When the girl was silent, she continued, “I am here to take you somewhere safe. And I will stay with you because of your parent’s death.”

As the demon had spoken, her transformation back into her form of choice had finished, and now as she fell silent she looked down at her handy work. Demons always suited their appearances to fit the needs of their contracts, and this time was no different. Though her hair was as black as a raven’s wing, and the woman laying on the floor had blonde tresses, the demon looked eerily like her. The face was so similar that it would have seemed to an outside source, that the demon and the child’s mother might have been related.

The demon lifted her now blue gaze up from her inspection, and silently moved towards the drapes. With micro-movements she entered into them herself, and crouched down so that she was the same height as the little girl. For several moments, the four year old didn’t realize that she wasn’t alone, but then as she opened her teary eyes she spotted the demon. For a long moment, Alice stared at her, before a wail of despair escaped her little mouth and she wrapped her arms around the demon as far as they would go. The action took the creature by surprise for a second, before she reacted in kind and held the little girl close.

“You have been so brave, Alice,” she said sincerely, planting a kiss to her small forehead. “So very, very brave.”

“M-Mommy,” Alice cried out, holding the demon tighter. “M-Mommy!”

The demon smiled softly at the child’s mistake, but didn’t correct her. There would be time for the truth, and time to make a contract. . . But it wasn’t now. For now, the demon would play mother and keep little Alice company. And when the girl was older, the demon would iron out the details.

“Yes, dear one,” she comforted Alice tenderly, thinking of the future that lay ahead of them. “I’m here.”

**

**

~ Two Years Later ~

It was quite early in the morning, when Alice Phantomhive opened her blue eyes to greet the world. In truth, this wasn’t much of a surprise, seeing as the six year old often awoke with the sun. For several moments she stared at her ceiling, blinking back sleep from her lids as she stretched her little legs and arms under her covers.

“Good morning, Alice.”

The child turned to smile at the woman who had just walked through her bedroom door, and sat up fully. Though the girl awoke at a different time almost every day, her ‘Aunt’ Ellie always seemed to know the exact moment to come to help her get washed and dressed. To most it would have been uncanny, but to the little girl it was something she had happily come to rely upon.

“Good morning, Ellie!”

The demoness- who had two years ago taken the name Ellie Shaw- smiled at the child and began their morning ritual. With brush in hand, she combed out Alice’s blue-black hair and began to pull it back into two matching pony tails, before she went to retrieve a dress from her wardrobe. As she returned with a beautiful purple dress, Alice looked up at her with confusion. The purple frock was probably the nicest one the girl owned, and it was saved for parties or public outings with her cousin.

“Why did you pick that dress?” She wanted to know.

As Ellie helped her place it over her head, and then button up the back, she said simply, “Today is a special day, little one. I thought it would be nice if you wore something to match the occasion.”

Alice’s nose scrunched up as she tried to think back on what today was. For several moments she thought on it before giving up. “What’s so special about today, Ellie?”

The demoness finished with the buttons and turned the child around to face her, looking directly into her pretty eyes. “You will find out later on today, dear. But first what do you say to some breakfast?”

Despite her curiosity, little Alice cheered and clapped her hands together. “YAY, BREAKFAST!”

Ellie laughed softly at the outburst, before she took the girl’s hand in her own gloved one and led her from her bedroom. “Come then, Alice. We mustn’t keep your cousin waiting.”

**

**

It was several minutes later that Ellie and Alice entered into the dining room of the Phantomhive Manor, joining the two figures that were already there. Alice, upon seeing the one sitting at the large table, let go of Ellie’s hand and rushed over to him, wrapping her little arms around him in a big hug and smiling.

“Hello Cousin,” she chirped giddily. “Did you sleep well?”

Her cousin- Ciel Phantomhive- sighed as he continued to eat his breakfast scone, but patted the much younger girl’s head with his free hand. “Yes, Alice. I slept fine.”

The child beamed at him before kissing his cheek- surprising him, though he hid it rather well- before she walked over to her normal seat at the table and let Ellie put her breakfast in front of her.

Once Alice was completely settled and had started eating a scone of her own (she always ate what Ciel did because she claimed she wanted to be big and strong like him when she grew up), Ellie silently walked over and stood beside the Earl’s Butler. She inclined her head to him as she began to prepare her Mistress’s morning tea.

“Sebastian.”

The demon returned the nod as he stood at ease behind his Masters chair. “Ellie.”

To put all doubt to rest, having two demons living in the same human household was a rarity and in most situations never would have worked. But somehow, Sebastian Michaelis and Ellie Shaw had made it work. They both had their own agendas- respectively Ciel and Alice- but they had figured out a system that allowed them to serve their masters without delay or compromise.

When Alice’s parents had first been murdered, Ciel Phantomhive (Alice’s only living relative) had had her come to stay with him. It was a kind act on the Earl’s part, but he had never said another thing about it- and tended to ignore praise on the matter. So Alice had come to live at the Phantomhive estate, and Ellie had followed her. At first, Ellie had stepped on Sebastian’s toes- seeing as she served her Mistress faithfully, and it was his household and kitchen. But as the months passed, the two demons had worked out ways to live harmoniously. And now, after two years, they had both become responsible for the Phantomhive Heirs. Ellie would assist Ciel at times, and Sebastian would play with Alice- and after some practice the switching never caused problems anymore. (Much to everyone’s relief.)

As Ellie finished pouring the tea, she placed the steaming cup before Alice, then she returned to stand beside the Butler. The two were silent and stoic as their wards ate their breakfast, though as Alice chattered happily with the solemn Ciel, the demoness leaned to whisper in the demon’s ear.

“Would you mind watching Ellie for an hour?”

Though his posture didn’t change in the slightest, Sebastian’s wine eyes turned to regard her. “What calls you away, Ellie?”

“I have a surprise for Alice that she cannot know about,” was the simple reply. “And she will find out if she has time to realize I’m gone.”

Sebastian was silent for a moment, before he gave her a tight-lipped smile. “She shall be taken care of until you are ready.”

“Thank you.”

He accepted the thanks before asking quietly, “Are you going to make the contract today?”

Ellie let her blue eyes travel towards Alice who had successfully gotten jam all over her cheeks, and knew that if she had had a heart it would have been breaking.

“The decision will be Alice’s. . . But yes, I had planned to ask her today.”

“And what if your Mistress says no,” Sebastian asked curiously, finally turning his head enough to look directly at her. “What will you do if she denies you?”

Ellie had thought of this already, and for once the demoness had no absolute answer. She didn’t know what she’d do if Alice didn’t wish to make a contract. She had had young contracts before, but Alice was by far the youngest . . . and she still had someone who could take care of her. Alice might tell her to leave and never come back.

“I do not know,” Ellie replied truthfully.

Sebastian studied his fellow demon with sharp eyes before he turned back to the two humans. Ciel was still drinking his Earl Gray, and Alice was copying him with her little pinkie poking out as she sipped at her own freshly brewed drink.

“Young Mistress.” Ellie’s face remained impassive, though internally she was surprised that Sebastian had spoken so soon.

Alice looked up at him with a curious expression. “Yes?”

“How would it please you to join me in the gardens this morning?”

Alice’s light blue eyes twinkled with excitement. “Can Ciel come too?”

Ciel was still for a moment, before he gave a noncommittal noise. “Why not. I suppose some fresh air would do us all some good.”

Ellie and Sebastian both internally chuckled, for it was a well-known fact that Ciel Phantomhive could have cared less about fresh air. The only reason he had agreed was because he secretly had a soft spot for his cousin, and had lately had a hard time denying her the things she wanted.

“Then it’s settled,” Sebastian said with a smile. “Let us retire outside to enjoy the morning.”

As Alice cheered and got up to hug Ciel again, Ellie silently took her leave- though before she did she couldn’t help but notice Sebastian’s pointed look in her direction. . . Though he didn’t say another word to her, she could sense what he would have said.

Good luck, My Lady.

As Ellie continued to walk away she replied, Thank you, My Lord.

Then she disappeared into the recesses of the kitchen.  

**

**

It had been an hour and Ellie’s surprise had turned out perfect. With calculating blue eyes the demon looked at the chocolate cake before her, eyeing the frosting she had just formed into roses. When she was satisfied that her work would indeed be unquestionably wonderful, she placed the cake on a platter and put a cover over it. The cake would be for later. . . Now came the hard part.

The demoness walked from the kitchen, and unhurriedly made her way out into the Manor’s gardens. She had waited for two years to have this conversation with Alice, and now that it was finally here and the outcome was unknown, the demon wondered what would happen. Would Alice be afraid, or would she still want her Aunt to stay by her side? It was impossible to tell, and Ellie knew that if she hadn’t been a creature of darkness she would have been worried by it.

Slowly, the woman made her way through the labyrinth of hedges, towards the herb and flower gardens- and that was where she found her makeshift family. Ciel sat underneath a tree reading a book, while Sebastian and Alice played tag. When Sebastian was it, he would give her time to get quite a ways away before he’d give chase- and she’d laugh whenever he got close, pushing herself to run faster. And despite the fact that the demon could have caught her within a second of thought, he refrained and let the chase last. Just before he’d catch her, he would slow down enough where she would get away again, before he’d renew his efforts. Ellie watched them with amusement as Sebastian finally caught the child, and brought her up into his arms. Sometimes Ellie wondered if her fellow demon hadn’t lost his heart to the little girl as well, though she kept the thought to herself.

“You caught me!” Alice squealed happily, as she wrapped her arms around Sebastian’s neck to hold him closer.

He looked at her with a smirk, “Yes, Mistress. But my lady is an excellent athlete. She would have won, if my legs were not so much longer.”

“I’ll get you next time, Sebastian!”

“Of that I have no doubt, my Mistress.” At Sebastian’s encouraging words, little Alice leaned in and planted a kiss to his cheek just as she had earlier with Ciel. The demon looked surprised, before he gave her a little smile.

“My lady is in a cuddly mood today.”

“You have soft skin,” Alice complimented with a giggle. “Just like Ciel!”

The demon chuckled as he once more placed her down onto the ground. “My Mistress is too kind.”

Ellie who had been waiting, now moved past the hedges and came out into the clearing. And almost instantly, Alice spotted her and cried out happily.

“ELLIE!”

The woman couldn’t help the positive emotions that rose to her face as she walked over and joined them. If things didn’t work out, she would miss this . . . more than she would ever care to admit.

“Me and Sebastian were playing tag!”

“You were? That’s wonderful,” Ellie said before turning to Sebastian and thanking him silently. To which he nodded.

“Yes! And Sebastian won!”

“Well you are an awfully good sport. Not everyone is so happy when they lose.” Ellie looked down at the child for a moment, before she knew that it was time.

“Alice,” she said taking the child’s much smaller hand in her own. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

When the child looked worried, Ellie gave her a reassuring glance. “You are not in trouble. I just would like to talk to about something.”

Once she was assured that she hadn’t done something wrong, the little girl nodded and turned to wave at Ciel and Sebastian. “We’ll be back!”

Sebastian bowed to her, while Ciel looked up from his book to acknowledge their absence. Then Ellie led Alice some distance away from them, to where a large willow tree looked out over the rest of the Phantomhive estate. Ellie lifted the branches of the droopy tree so that that child could enter, before she joined her.

For a long moment, the demon was silent thinking about how she would say what she wished to say, before she once more looked to Alice. The six year old was watching her intently, her light blue eyes patient as she waited for her Aunt to speak. And it made the empty space in the demon’s chest ache.

“Alice,” she began. “There is something that I wish to discuss with you. . . It’s something that you alone need to decide.”

“Is this about the contract, Aunt Ellie?”

Ellie’s face turned surprised, before her brow lifted. “ . . . You know about the contract? You know what I . . . am?”

The child gave her a light smile as she nodded, her blue-black curls bouncing gaily around her heart shaped face.  “Yes, Sebastian told me.”

Ellie knew that her face was an open book in that moment, but she couldn’t bring herself to reign back the emotion. Sebastian had told Alice . . . to save her from having to. . . He knew that she didn’t wish to, so he had helped her with it. He had given her the greatest gift possible.

“W-What did he tell you, Alice?”

“That if I want you to stay I have to make a contract with you today. He said that you’re different from him, though.” Alice’s head tipped slightly to the side, mirroring the action she had seen Sebastian and Ellie do countless times since they had come into her life. “Instead of having the contract end with a goal, you want me to stay with you forever.”

Ellie felt three tears leave her eyes- black and sparkling like a midnight lake- as she knelt down to be at the child’s level. There was such beauty in her . . . such light. So much innocent perfection; the likes of which the demon had never seen.

“Yes, little one. . . You would live a full life. You would have children and grandchildren of your own, and then when you were old- instead of dying- you would stay with me . . . always.” The demoness searched the little girl’s face, trying to see what she was thinking. “I would like that very much, Alice. But in the end it must be you who wants this . . . it must be your decision.”

Alice was quiet for a long moment, before she placed both of her little hands on either side of the demon’s face. The touch was gentle, and Ellie reached up her own hands to hold the child’s. For a long time they stayed like that before the six year old spoke.

“I always want to be with you Ellie,” she said. “I never want you to go.”

Ellie studied her face calmly. “You will never be able to turn back once the decision is made, child. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Alice smiled softly then. “You’re family, Ellie. Just like Sebastian and Ciel. And you don’t leave family, no matter what.”

Ellie felt more black tears trickle down her cheeks as she took the girl’s right hand away from her face, and placed a kiss to the wrist. As she pulled away, their contract seal appeared on the little girl’s skin- and Ellie’s eyes glowed their natural magenta. Alice watched with wide eyes, though she wasn’t afraid- and as the demon’s eyes returned to their regular shade of blue, and the seal became solid, the child hugged her.

When Alice had first lost her parents, Ellie had been there with her. And though the demon couldn’t love, she had shown the child the closest thing to it. With Ellie’s help, Alice had come out of hell- she had found a place to belong after losing all things familiar. She had found a home and a family- and she would never let that go.

“I love you, Aunt Ellie.”

The demon cuddled the child, seeing her soul (the beautiful china bird with the broken wing) soar high into the heavens with absolute light shading her feathers. And in that moment, the demoness felt what was left of her heart beat in gratitude. After centuries of darkness she had witnessed something truly beautiful . . . something pure. And for that, the demon would always be contented.

“I know, little one.” She said with a small laugh. “I know.”

**

**

Ciel who had been peacefully reading his novel, looked up as his Butler returned from the house with a large platter in his gloved hands. For the last minute or so, Sebastian had been running in and out of the house- bringing a table, eating utensils, a tablecloth, tea trolley, and finally the tray.

“Sebastian, what are you doing?”

The demon butler looked up from where he had set his spoils down, and regarded his master with a knowing tight lipped grin.

“Setting the table, Master. They shall be back in a moment.” As Ciel snorted, Sebastian’s wine red eyes turned back to the rich confection that Ellie had made with such care, as he began to cut the first slice for Alice. “And nothing goes better with a contract then a demon’s chocolate cake.”