SIX| Down, Down, She Goes

Curiosity led Alice down the rabbit hole and it led Reina to the Hopping Frog.

Instead of taking the bus, the young woman opted to walk, trying to delay as much as she could, but it felt like it only took a second to arrive. Her mind was a mess, bombarded with uncountable 'what if's and 'should's. Eyeing the entrance, she gnawed on her bottom lip.

Why did she feel like walking into a famished lion's den?

The rendez-vous was nothing serious, a fair exchange of information. But Ciel already knew too much of her while she knew nothing about him except for his preference when it came to coffee. Not to mention, she was already indebted to him. Twice had Ciel stopped a vengeful spirit from bringing her misfortune.

As soon as she stepped in, she noticed how empty the place seemed to be except for a middle-aged man drinking a pint of beer at the bar and a couple occupying a table for four next to the window.

Ciel was sitting in the center of the room. His lips curled into a smirk and worry seized her heart painfully. "I see you've taken the long way," he said as she sat across him.

"How did you know my grandmother?"

"Don't you want something to drink first? I'm sure all that walking has gotten you thirsty."

Reina felt as though Ciel was deliberately delaying his answer, enjoying the way she squirmed, cheeks aflame.

Tch, sadistic bastard.

As soon as the waitress placed a pint of Monaco on the table, Reina took a large gulp, hoping the woman would leave faster than she currently was, giggling at Ciel. She batted her thick eyelashes at him, hoping the short moment would be enough to entice him, but, per usual, he didn't pay attention.

"I don't like repeating myself over and over, Ciel."

Her gaze hard, she wore the most intimidating look she could manage but Ciel found it absolutely laughable. She resembled a cross kitten at best, hissing and threatening to scratch him with its claws. He leaned back into the banquette, crossing his legs.

"And I thought patience was a virtue for you humans?"

"I'm sure you've seen at the coffee shop how thin my patience is." Reina ground her teeth. "Also, I couldn't care less about virtues right now. Not when a guy who seems to be in his 20's says that he knew your grandma who has been dead for over a nearly two decades."

"But don't you think you're perhaps asking your questions in the wrong order? You should be asking me who Christine was."

Reina became rigid as she pondered deeply, racking through her brain as she clung on the fuzzy memories of her late grandmother. She didn't bake her cookies and read stories to her before bed. Instead, she chain-smoked every waking minute and told her not to believe everything she saw. That the 'things' waving at her were not something to be messed with.

Clairvoyance was a heredity trait among Delalande women, the only exception being her mother.

The woman whom she deemed as the worst person to have ever existed in this world.

"All I know is that my grandmother had the same... ability as I. The only useful advice she has ever given me is 'don't let them know that you see them'. Not even a year after her death, spirits plagued my life every waking second."

Ciel chuckled. "And? Don't tell me you didn't figure out that it was her who kept them tame and pretty?"

"!"

"All this time, I assumed you were smarter than the average." He shook his head in mock disappointment. "Christine had better control over her powers, cultivated them and learned how to use the spirits, to keep you safe."

"And that's why I consulted her all those years ago. She was the best Third Eye and I needed her help for a personal matter." Smiling lazily, he placed his chin on top of his folded hands, slightly leaning towards her. "Too bad that nasty temper of hers shortened her lifespan."

At the unpleasant word choice, Reina frowned. She stared at him as though he had just grown a second hand and a third arm. His lack of empathy was quite disturbing, especially if he had sought for her help.

In a blink of an eye, before even her brain could process what she was about to do, Reina grasped the beer jug and chugged the remaining liquid into his face. Although, much to her dismay and luck, Ciel dodged by simply moving slightly to his left, the beer staining his black shirt. He clicked his tongue in discontent and used the small square to napkin to dab the large stain.

"Now I know that temper is also a heredity trait."

Ciel's gaze had hardened, not a speck of emotion visible on his face. There was a shift in the air but Reina couldn't tell what got her senses tingle in such a worrying way. The hair on her arms seemed to rise, a single drop of cold sweat running down her spine.

Nevertheless, she maintained her strong façade. "First, you answer my questions with questions, and now, you speak ill of my deceased grandmother. Is there even a point to this meeting? Or did you call me down here just to show me what an ass you are?"

"Very well." He regained a straight posture. It was unsettling to see how dark his eyes seem to become, reminding her of bottomless holes. "The only reason I have not been straightforward was because of a promise I made to Christine and contrary to popular belief, I am a man of my word."

"What promise?"

"But I can't stop you from finding out the truth yourself," Ciel continued as if he had not heard her question. "So, I'd like to propose a deal. I'll help you learn more about your family secrets, keep you safe from whatever spirit that comes your way. In return, you will-"

Reina didn't want to hear the rest of that sentence. "Why does it sound so ominous and dangerous? Are you going to ask for my soul?" Correction, she feared he might request the impossible.

He merely smiled, eyes closed.

"I just need you to find a key for me."