Redemption

Chapter 7

Walking in silence, Azalea kept repeating the scene in her head. She experienced a lot in life and saw a lot as an assassin, but never that; it shook her to her bones. Yet she kept a straight face as they walked back to her apartment, Acrux deep in thought.

Probably wishing he was the one to kill it. she thought.

Entering her apartment, she slouched on her couch, Acrux nowhere to be seen,

"He must have sneaked away while we were walking; damn, those unnaturally quiet footsteps." she thought.

Staring at the ceiling, she pondered. Drifting off, she fell asleep.

"Flames consumed her consciousness. The heat blistered her skin. Her mother's voice whispering her name.

"Azalea. Azalea."

Her dad and Sameal scream, piercing the sky."

Gasping, she jerked up, sputtering as ice-cold water ran down her body. Glancing up, she found Acrux standing at the foot of the couch with a large bowl in his hand.

"You had a nightmare," he stated.

"And is dumping cold water the only logical solution," Azalea seethed, shivering. She paused, "where you watching me sleep, fucking creep," she said, hissing. Tossing the covers off.

"Wait, I did put that on. Did Acrux? No, no," Shaking her head free of those thoughts and the uncomfortable feeling in her chest, she walked to her bedroom.

Acrux's voice rang behind her," I would have been delighted for you to stay in your misery, but your restlessness was disturbing my thinking."

Marching the last few steps, she slammed, her anger simmering.

"Immortal men and their audacity," she muttered.

Slipping out of her drenched clothes, she switched into another pair of leathers and ensured all her weapons were placed correctly. Splashing her face with water, she stared into the mirror. Straightening her shoulders and stabbing g straight, she smoothed down her face into an unreadable mask and strolled out.

"Let's go," she announced.

It was barely dawn as they walked down the cobble streets towards the lower-class cemetery. They walked silently; Azalea could feel Acrux's eyes drifting to her occasionally. She brushed off the funny feeling in her chest, trudging on.

"Would you like to buy flowers for your lover?" the old woman croaked, shoving a sprig of colourful lilies into Acrux's chest.

He paused, unsure what to do; snickering, Azalea handed the woman a few coins taking the flowers from her.

"Shame, men nowadays are not the same," the woman chided, wagging her finger at Acrux.

They moved on, Acrux scowling.

"Have you never brought flowers for anyone," pausing, she continued? "Inferis probably has none anyways."

Acrux glowered, "And I thought you were a quiet little shit who never spoke a word and lived such a pathetic life."

Any mirth was instantly wiped off her face; once again, Axrux reminded her of who he really was and his purpose. Arriving, he shoved open the wrought iron gate, the wheels scraping against the pavement. Slowly they crept in, careful enough to stay low; moving forward, they examined the graves, looking for anything strange. Footsteps sounded behind Azalea; snapping straight, she pulled Acrux to the nearest tomb; bending down, she gently placed the sprig of lilies at the tombstone, sniffling. Acrux placed his hand on her shoulder, head bowed as if in mourning. The lady passed by without a passing glance. Shaking his hand away, she resumed her investigation.