Episode 44 - Murder on Edward Avenue
Yumi watched me curiously as I lightly brushed a small handkerchief along her face, wiping off the blood from that insolent “Claudia” girl.
Yumi’s face was covered in red, and she was also injured, so I set her on a small bench to clean her face. It wouldn’t be nice of me to leave her alone without cleaning her first, would it? I was her butler, after all. My master’s health and safety took priority over battling another one of my kind to death.
“Almost done,” I said gently, brushing away some blood left under her eye patch. “There. All gone.”
She kept staring at me when I tossed the handkerchief away and stood, brushing off my clothes.
“Is it time?” she said then, gazing up at me curiously. “Are you going now?”
“Almost time,” I said, adjusting my cufflinks. “A couple more minutes. Edward said at two o’clock, it is one-fifty-seven.”
She then looked around to the other servants who were scattered among the room, leaning on benches and walls while immersed in a conversation neither me nor her cared about.
Grell left about ten minutes ago, Yumi scolded him for murdering Eileen and he just winked and said goodbye.
Honestly, I knew that Grell had to kill her.
It was his job as a reaper to collect souls on the “to-die” list and store them in archives before the soul transferred to someone new. And this thing that had been happening with Claudia making people live when they weren’t supposed to… my guess was that his boss sent him to end this problem which was why he came with us.
He was always trying to get on his boss’s good side. Especially after the “Jack the Ripper” incident.
Eileen was his target and so he ended her and went to do his job elsewhere.
Edward made it clear that at two o’clock this afternoon I was to meet him in the courtyard of this church, and then we battle to the death.
It was an honest game us demons played, setting a time and place for battles and fights. He was a newer demon, as well, so he was getting accustomed to our style.
He wanted an honest fight, but he didn’t know that I never played nicely.
“Sebastian,” Yumi said then, “you don’t look scared.”
I smiled down at her. “Why would I be scared?”
She stared at me for a moment before a small smile formed on her lips. “I never should underestimate you. You always have a trick up your sleeve, don’t you?”
“You haven’t seen the worst of me, master,” I stated then, kneeling down to her level. “And I will keep it that way.”
She kept watching me as I tipped her chin up and ran my thumb along her bottom lip.
Her lashes fluttered, and she gazed up at me.
I just pulled away and stood, bowing before her as I set my hand on my chest. “It is time, my lord. I shall be back soon.”
She caught my arm before I could leave, making me gaze down at her.
“Take me with you,” she said then, eyes glowing dangerously.
I shook my head. “No, it’s not a good idea. You would only hold me back.”
“Is the infamous demonic Sebastian saying that he cannot handle a little inconvenience?” she said then, lashes lowering as she smiled. “Are you saying you cannot take him with me holding you back? That’s depressing.”
I just sighed and smiled. “You’re testing my confidence, aren’t you?”
“Take me with you,” she said again. “That’s an order.”
I just gazed up then, smile widening a bit. “Yes, master.”
And I scooped her up, hearing her breath catch when I carried her toward the back doors.
“Ey!” Carter said then, raising his fist. “Where you going?”
“We will be back soon,” I said calmly, stepping toward the back doors with her. “Just try not to bomb anything, yes?”
“Why did you bring them along if they weren’t going to fight anything?” Yumi asked him then.
I kicked the back door open and carried her out. “It was a precaution. In case there was an army of those robot fiends.”
“I see,” she said as I carried her further down the path.
We continued forward in silence, until I met the courtyard, and I kindly set Yumi down onto a bench so she could watch.
She gazed up then, watching curiously as I stepped further into the field where Edward stood, body tightened as his hands remained at his sides.
His hair blew over his features, although I could see the red in his irises blowing.
“Are you a hundred percent sure you’d like to do this?” I asked Edward kindly. “I am a very older demon compared to you. Very powerful.”
“You only think you are,” he said then, voice dark. “You know the rules. Whoever wins gets the girl’s soul.”
I just gazed up, smirking. “You’re in for a rude awakening.”
He just gritted his teeth, but I parted my lashes. “Excuse me for a second before we start fighting. We have one minute left anyway.”
I then turned and walked back to Yumi, watching her iris beat when I stopped in front of her and knelt down.
She gazed over at me, confused, but I just leaned forward, breath dusting her ear. “Master, I must fight this lowly lifeform. And in order to do so in a quick and orderly fashion, I’m afraid I have to do things drastic.”
“Why?” she said then. “Can’t you take your time?”
I shook my head. “You need ice and elevation for that sprain, my lord. I’m afraid time is shortened for me.”
She just blinked and lowered her lashes, nodding.
“Master,” I said then, tucking some hair behind her ear, “I must ask something of you.”
Her uncovered eye glistened curiously.
“I am your butler,” I said to her then. “My job is to serve you and follow orders, protect you, and save you. This task before me requires me to become something dark and horrifying. My master shall not see me this way. I do not want to taint my view as your butler, so as I do this… please, close your eyes.”
Her brows drew together, and I watched her fingers twitch as if she was thinking about reaching toward me.
“It will be over soon,” I told her, smiling. “Close your eyes.”
Her lashes fluttered shut then, and my eyes flickered to red again.
“You are in pain,” I stated quietly, brushing her hair away from her eyes. “Can you hold on for ten seconds?”
She nodded.
“Good,” I told her, lightly dusting a kiss along her neck and hearing her breath catch. “Count to ten, and it will all be over.”
I then stood, smile widening when I turned toward Edward and stepped casually over to him. “I’m afraid I will have to cut this time short.”
He glared at me. “Then I automatically get her soul.”
I just chuckled, shaking my head. “Ah, no… I meant… I cannot take my time killing you.”
He blinked then, brows drawing together.
My smile grew wicked, and I gazed up, feeling my pupils slit as my eyes glowed a dark red.
Shadows covered my form, devouring every inch of human skin that I had, blackening every part of me.
My body grew in size, the darkness devouring the sunlight that covered the sky.
I was truly, the angel of darkness.
I felt my hands morph into thick, blackened claws, and I gazed down at Edward as his face paled.
His breath shook as he stared up at me. “No…” he shook his head, “no, it can’t be.”
My smile spread across my face, feeling like sharp needles inside my mouth.
He took a step backward. “You’re Satan!”
I just chuckled, the sound echoing through the neighborhood. “I go by Sebastian now.” And I glanced over at Yumi who still had her eyes closed, and her hair blew across her face with a sudden wind.
“Master,” I said then, smile darkening, “it’s time to start counting.”
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