Act 35: A Wolf in the Stable

                                    

                                          
Once again, formalities were aside in the Birch household. Lord Birch marvelled at the array of individuals that shared his table that night. As he gazed around the table, it dawned on him that he now was the only human at the table. Even the two hounds that slept, one at the feet of each of the twins, were not from the human realm.

                          
Typhon's voice boomed across the table as he held court, he had the attention of everyone at the table and was regaling them with stories of Malphas' time as a young demon. When he had finished embarrassing his protégé, he moved onto stories of Ciel's early months in the demon realm and how he had hidden in his chambers whenever Louisa and Malphas left the realm. Ciel grew redder as dinner progressed, making Typhon laugh all the louder. However, as Sebastian served dessert, he changed tack. 
                          
"Now I have thoroughly embarrassed the boy, I must add that your warning worked wonders, Louisa. He took to his training the moment you left the realm, which is why he was not present when you came for William. It is partly due to his newfound enthusiasm for the life he was granted that we were able to come at all."
                          
"How so, father?"
                          
"We set out to hunt down the last of the Wolf Demon's supports and quell any remaining thoughts of uprisings. Ciel joined us on the hunt and took out several mid-level demons by himself. He even transformed while fighting, although he still clings on to his human form for comfort."
                          
"So, I did not make a grave mistake, after all, Ciel, maybe now you are better pleased that I did not consume your soul?" Asked Sebastian.
                          
"My lack of gratitude at the time was just one of many mistakes I made with you Sebastian, which I am now trying to set right."
                          
Sebastian nodded towards Ciel, but any reply was lost as Typhon turned his attention to his grandchildren. 
                          
"Now, onto something much more important, my grandchildren's choice of mates."
                          
The colour drained from both William's and Grell's faces, which was not lost on Typhon. His laughter boomed out around the room once more. "If you two are going to have demons as mates, I suggest you grow backbones very quickly." He laughed again before continuing, "however, Undertaker, I believe we will need to revisit the accords between the realms, especially if they should produce offspring from these unions."
                          
"Hehehe, quite right Typhon, demon/reaper matings are not covered, it was never considered necessary."
                          
"I'm sorry, but what are the accords?" Lord Birch asked.
                          
"They set out the rules of interactions between the different realms and the races that inhabit them. They cover demon contracts and other feeding methods used by different demon sects, the rules that bind the reapers, including non-interference, and the binding of demons against their will. Something that by all rights, you should never have been able to achieve Lord Birch."
                          
"I do not know how my wife came across such information. Sebastian explained that all tomes had been destroyed along with anyone that attempted to resurrect the incantations."
                          
"Indeed," Typhon thought for a moment. "Do you have a likeness of your wife?"
                          
"Yes, here." Lord Birch rose from the table a took a framed picture from the dresser. Handing it to Typhon, he said, "this is her with our newborn son."
                          
Silence drifted over the table while Typhon studied the picture, "well, at least I think I can solve the mystery of how she knew Malphas and myself and put a name to her."
                          
The entire table stopped eating, and all attention was focused on Typhon. He looked at the surprised faces that now turned to him, waiting for him to continue.