アニーの遺産

I kept on replaying the words of Erin's letter in my head. I was found and would be attacked soon... what exactly will I do once I am caught?

I washed the dishes calmly, Meylene by my side, and taking the wet dishes and drying them up. "My, my, your doing so well! Yes you are! I'm so happy we have another girl in the manor now, it was so lonely being the only girl, yet it was!" She doted, and I smiled. "Yeah, well I'm glad. I hadn't been able to talk to you guys because I've just been so busy with helping Sebastian with Cie- ahem, I mean Young Master." I said, correcting myself. Meylene took the plate from my hands and dried it quickly, placing it on top of the pile of plates next to her. "Ahh, your so lucky, working with Sebastian! He is such a good looking man, yes he is!" She said, a light blush spreading on her cheeks. "Yeah, he is rather good looking, isn't he?" I mumbled, and handed her another wet plate. "Say, how old are you, Annie? You look young, but I can't really tell..." she asked, and I blinked underneath my blindfold. "I'm turning sixteen soon..." I said simply. Meylene squeaked, "Really?! You look so much older!" She gushed, and I shrugged. "I don't look much different from when I was younger. Only now my hair is shorter..." I said.

Before Meylene could ask any more questions, the bell to Ciel's study rang. I jumped at the sound as it seemed to come from no where, but quickly went into maid mode. "Excuse me, Young Master is calling for me..." I said, and stopped doing the dishes quickly. Drying my hands on my apron, I walked out of the room, instantly having a tea set in place and already hot pre-prepared tea in place. Wheeling the cart quickly, I knocked on Ciel's office door before going in...

"Young Master, you called?" I asked, and Ciel looked up from his work. His eyes wondered over to the tea cart, and then to me. "Yes, I would like a snack..." he said, and I smiled slightly. "Sebastian had put a pie in the oven a little bit ago, Young Master, may I serve you tea while the pie cooks?" I asked, already pouring it. "Yes." He answered, and soon the cup was in his hands.

I was getting good at this.

But then, there was the sound of shattering glass. It resonated around the room, the echo hurting my now sensitive ears. Feral triggered immediately, I jumped up to protect Ciel. But soon found something shoved over my nose and face... is this... chloroform?

Shit. Just when I started getting good too.

-

The room was so bright. It was just this, blinding white that I was met with. He first thought was that I was dead... but in knew better. This place was all too familiar. I turned my head, to find a familiar pair of deep golden eyes blinking at me. They were startled.... shocked at first. But they quickly calmed and turned cold.

"Well... took you long enough."

I groaned at her response, "Imogen... I'm unconscious." I said, and lifted myself up off the floor. My head looked down at my lap now, I was not in my maids outfit anymore. I was in my old outfit. A short skirt, with a large belt buckling in the front, and a loose T-shirt tucked inside it. On my body was a long, white tail coat. Covering my arms, and some of my legs.

"That you are my friend." She said. Her barefoot feet made their way towards me, bent down, and helped me up. "What trouble are you in now?" She asked, and I shrugged. "Not quite sure..." I mumbled, and the tiny woman before me gave me an unamused look.

She was a lot shorter than me, despite her being almost a century older than me. Imogen then folded her legs, her body staying in place in the middle of the air. "Well, think about it for a moment sweetie. There seems to be a lot on your mind right now..." she said, then she paused, her face changed from calm to shocked. She stared at me for a long time, her mouth opened slightly, and her golden eyes searched mine for a moment.

"Annie... did anyone taste your blood?" She asked suddenly, and I paused, a bit startled by the sudden question.

"Uhhh... yeah." I answered, and Imogen blinked finally. Letting a sigh escape her lips, she seemed to jump off her invisible perch, her feet touching the ground. Her hand touched my face, and she stared into my eyes for a moment. She sighed loudly, seeming relieved.

"I could tell when I smelled you. You had someone else's scent in your head for a moment," she said, then faced the other way, then making a circle with her hands. Immediately, a pale pink light formed, taking the shape of an oval. Without warning, she takes the back of my neck in her hand, and pushes me forward into the oval. I sputter and cough as I discover quickly that this is full of water. Pink water. I accidentally swallow some and I choke. Pretty soon, I am pulled back, and the pink oval of water disappeared, Imogen shutting it with just the swipe of her hand. Soon, she makes a pulling apart motion, and a blue glowing screen appears.

"What the heck is that for?!" I screech, catching my breath. She looks back at me for a moment, then turns back to face the screen, which now had a picture and some writing on it. "Seeing who you were connected with..." she muttered and I blinked.

I straighten myself up, and move my wet hair out of my face. "What is that anyway? Connected?"

"The Cantet..." she muttered, her voice a whisper. I blinked, and looked at the screen, and almost choked at the picture that was in place. Though I shouldn't have been so surprised...

It was Sebastian. Pale face, narrow eyes, long lashes and all... wispy black hair, and a bored expression on his face. "The Cantet... otherwise known as the Crow. Or Raven, depending on what you prefer. Currently under contract..." she muttered, and I blinked. She knew all of that? "Ahh, that's Sebastian..." I said, and Imogen nodded. "I know. He has rather picky taste... though it seems he has warmed up to you rather quickly." She said, her tone expressing her displeasure. I looked away, and frowned.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" I muttered. She sighed, and shut off the screen. "That means he will be crawling back to you for more. Despite what happened the first time he had your blood... demons are so moronic sometimes, its disturbing." She said, and turned away, walking to a large throne in the room. I frowned and I watched as she sat down. A floating crown at her head that followed her where ever she went. A mark that she was an Ancient.

"What do you mean? Please elaborate..." I asked. There was no beating around the bush with Imogen. I just wanted to know as much as I could right now. I could be awakening anytime now. "When Cantet swallowed your blood, he reacted didn't he? As a Phoelmogen, your blood has both mine and your mothers characteristics. It should be obvious to you the... what you call 'kasaii' part of you, made its way to Cantet? You blood just naturally rejects anything that isn't your body. In effect, Cantet got a little bit of... what's that word? Feral, right? Yes, he was attacked by Feral. And Kasai. He got both... usually, if a demon was to just taste and not swallow, he would have been fine. Though your blood isn't supposed to be swallowed or tasted anyway... by a demon in particular." She said, crossing her legs.

I kept this in mind as I felt light headed suddenly. "You're waking up hon. Don't worry, you will figure it out soon. There's a lot you need to learn..."

I nod and soon feel myself lift off without warning.
-

Opening my blindfolded eyes, I adjust I look at my surroundings. I note the way my hands and torso are constricted. Ugh. This can't be good. I looked around to find Ciel, only a few inches away from me. I can feel his hot breath brush over my face, and his eyes are half closed. He looks so tired. I nudge him with my forehead, "Young Master." I wince as something digs into my side, and rolls me over onto my back. "Oi. No talking," a rough voice orders. I look up at the man who was now looking at me with distaste.

I stay silent and burn holes in his head with my eyes. I could do that, but my job is to protect the boy. Not kill this man. Though I could take this guy, and whoever else is guarding this place in a second. It would all be over and I could escape with Ciel just like that.

I look away from the man, and then look at Ciel, his eyes were now wide open and are watching me.

"Phantomhive, the very name strikes fear in all underground agencies alike... what an ironic appearance too. A kid? Though I suppose it makes sense to have a kid as a toy manufacturer." The man says. I notice he has a scar on his face. Ugly and bright, for everyone to see. I also notice his think accent. Italian. Italian and other languages come easy to me... since Imogen had a sense of humanity... though I wonder sometimes what she's thinking. She has so much power... why doesn't she just rule Rosebund herself? Not to mention, she made me all extra dangerous...

My eyes widen at a sudden realization.

Being a Phoelmogen, I am a combination of both my mother, and Imogen. Having the memories of Phoelli and Imogen's knowledge... it suddenly makes sense why Sebastian has such a reaction to my blood. My blood burns and tears him from the inside out. That's what was happening. That's why he was so hot... though why did he feel cool only when he touched me? Probably because I am the host of said blood... that whole mind reading thing was probably the "connection" Imogen was flaking about. Everything is so confusing while talking to her, but once I am out of her presence, I get it.

I'm an idiot.

I mentally face palm myself for not realizing this, and I look at Ciel. He seems to have taken a bit of a beating...

"Hmph, I have no interest in petty conversation. Azzurro Venel." Ciel answers, sounding as much as a spoilt brat as he really is. "So your the rat..." he mumbles, a smirk spread on his face. I rest my chin on the floor, watching Azzurro prepare himself a cigar. "You know, the Italian Mafia finds this country bothersome. Its such a pain dealing with these tea stained brains of you English people... maybe you agree? That maid of yours looks like she came straight from the south of America. Have you, maid?" He said, bending down, and lifting my from one of restraints. His breath smelled terrible and I had the immediate inclination to throw up on him. I don't grace him with an answer, and only mentally hurry Sebastian to hurry up.

I don't think Feral would take kindly to Azzurro touching me much longer.