Redemption

Chapter 17

Azalea's hand drifted to the closest knife, shifting her feet. "This is not what it looks like."

"It looks like you found the identity of the resurrector on your own, did not bother to share that crucial information, and then met him on your own." he glowered, shadows tensing behind him.

"I was going to tell you I just needed time."

"Time for what. To break off your end of the deal. To join your friend in his little revenge. For all of our sakes, I hope you get to Caelum."

"I am still going to golf up my end of the bargain, if I wasn't your god would let the earth swallow me and then send up another tortured soul to complete the task. I'm replaceable and I will do whatever I can to kill him," she said, her anger rising.

"You would kill your friend that you just got back. You will not do it. You may be a heartless assassin but you will not kill him."

"And you know me so well," Azalea said.

"Darling, I know you more than you think."

Taken back she stared.

Clearing his throat Acrux continued, "We know his identity and I have his scent, if you won't go through with the kill. If I find him first, I will, regardless of your decision, including if I have to send you back to Inferis myself before I slit his throat." he stated, his face blank.

Azalea's hands flexed against her leathers, watching as he disappeared. Slamming the palm of her hand to her forehead she cursed. If I will kill him his death will be at my hands, at least it will be merciful. I have to find him first before Acrux then. She thought.

Her sense of scent was not as strong as Acrux so she couldn't depend on that to guide her to him. Recalling Samael's revenge, she set out to the nicer parts of the city, hoping that if she hung around the houses of nobles he might creep in and murder some of them. Choosing the most extravagant house she climbed up onto a roof across, crouching down and waiting for a sign. Time bled, her anxiety spiking at every passing minute. Drowsiness enveloped her body, as her eyelids slowly shuttered. A crash on the street woke Azalea from her nap, groggily bent over to see the source of the sound. She sighed annoyed, it was just a flowerpot. Frowning, she realized there has not been any movement in or outside the house, suspicion pricked the back of her neck.

Sliding down the roof she made her way to the nearest window at the huge house. Pausing in her tracks she noticed a crack of light bleeding through the front door. Unsheathing her swords, she crept forward, slope; ey pushing the door as she listened for any sound. Nothing, pure silence filled the dimly lit hall. A faint smell wafted over, Azalea's nose scrunched, the smell familiar. Following the scent she was led to a sitting room, lowering her swords she surveyed the scene ahead of her, and swore. A middle-aged man and a woman; presumably his wife, were on the floor, eyes glassy. The husband had his limbs at awkward angles, clearly broken, and a decorative axe with a finely detailed handle protruded from his head. A broken vase lay a step away from the wife's head, blood pooled beneath her, the red stark against the white carpet.

"You were too late." Samael's voice was sharp.

Whipping her head around she shifted into a fighting stance, raising her swords.

Laughing, he said. "They weren't a loss if you were wondering, it is a shame they did not put up any fight." he sighed, spreading his blood-soaked hands.

"You are insane."Azalea hissed out, disturbed by the sight of her friend.

"Growing up the way I did, does that to someone, you would not know that though," Samael replied.

"That's not an excuse. Samael do not make me do this, make me believe you will stop and i'll let you walk out unharmed," she said, tightening the grip on her swords

.

Scoffing, "You, let me walk out unharmed. I think you overestimate yourself a little. What would I say if I found you interfering with my work, Azzy?" he said, tilting his head as he snapped his fingers.

A pair of cold hands wrapped around her neck. Squeezing. Azalea struggled, caught off guard as the undead cut off her air supply. Trying to twist her sword to rid herself of the undead, her grip slackened the loud clang echoed as her swords fell on the marble floor.

"You should have minded your own business and not come after me tonight, that was an oversight on my part though."

Pushing the walking corpse off her she stumbled back, only to be tackled onto the floor by another one. Wrapping her legs around its waist, she was about to roll herself over, when a heavy object slammed into her head. Sitting still, she cracked her neck finding undead behind her the butt of a large sword to her face. Eyes blurry, she swayed her, falling her cheek kissing the cold floor, her consciousness slowly ebbing away. The heavy footsteps stopped by her head, and she felt Samel crouch down.

"I did not want to do this, but you gave me a choice," he whispered. That was the last thing she heard before it went black.