Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 19 Part 3

Behind me I could feel the Empress trembling, the only person she'd shown fear towards was me. Since I wasn't currently a threat to her, I could only assume she shook in anger. General Bai remained inside but stayed close to the door. Guarding the entrance lest one of his underlings see something they shouldn't and suffer the consequences. My voice wasn't quiet, but it shouldn't be overheard outside.

Taking another step forward, I smiled seductively. My hand was full of energy, I reached out to grab Spectre just under the collar. I pulled on his robes until he moved forward slightly. At this angle he was almost the same height as me. My moist breath was hot on his neck as I leaned into his ear, I could see bumps rise.

"I already took the contract and you can't go back on yours." I whispered. His eyes went wide, sweat appeared on his forehead. He jumped backwards but I followed. Every attack he tried, I easily blocked. My energy grew stronger, I continued channeling and pushing him back into a wall. There was nowhere left to fall back, I grabbed his wrists with my hands and slammed him hard into the wall.

Using my energy, I channeled a small amount into my mouth and used the back tooth to create the smallest opening. A small drop of blood emerged and coated my tongue. I looked up at him, pressed against the wall, and slowly breathed into his face as our bodies touched. He went limp, the smile on my face spread as I let him go.

I swayed towards the General, who reflexively backed away from me with nowhere to go. Thinking the cat lost interest in one mouse and decided to kill the more lively one, sweat beaded up on his face. Despite the modest wardrobe I wore, my movements were far from demure, hinting at different intentions.

"What.. what are you doing?" He asked. His eyes flashed to Spectre who still stood motionless in place. I didn't reply, there was fresh blood lingering in my mouth. It would be too much for him to handle. I pulled his sword straight from the sheath that hung at his side. He went to block but I easily swatted him away. It seemed like there was just enough poison in the air to minutely affect him. With the General's sword in hand, I moved back towards Spectre.

"Run to me." I called coyly to Spectre. Bracing myself in one place, I channeled my energy and held my ground. I held the sword straight out towards Spectre, he ran towards it fast enough to impale himself. I let go of the sword which was now hilt deep in his stomach. Using one hand, I grabbed his chin and pulled him towards me so I could look into his eyes.

"Good boy." I cooed, his body quivered with joy as he heard the satisfaction in my voice. Blood quickly poured out of him, his knees began to wobble as he started to slump down. "Is there anything you want to tell me?" I asked while holding him up.

"Thank... thank.. you.. Sin.." His voice was barely a murmur. His eyes tried to stay open to look at me, even as his last breath left him. As I let go of his chin he slumped to his knees. I pressed my foot on the end of the hilt and pushed him backwards to lean at an odd angle. The sword prevented him from falling all the way back.

Residual blood still lingered in my mouth, I walked over to the table near the Empress. There was still an empty cup, presumably for the elder Midwife who hadn't been alive long enough to enjoy the tea I made. I knelt down gracefully, despite my clothing being splattered in blood. The soles of my feet were so saturated from walking through it, blood stained the entire shoe. I poured a cup of tea and drank it slowly, while I appreciated the flavor, it would have been richer had I tried it while it was a bit warmer.

"Good tea." I gently raised the cup in the Empress's direction to show my appreciation. A choked sound came out of the Empress as her brain tried taking in what had happened. After a second cup I was confident the poison in my mouth was gone. I had purposely made the cut as tiny as a pin prick, so small I was able to immediately seal the tissue up again by channeling energy through it.

"General Bai, I'll need you to walk through the blood and retrace my steps." I said offhandedly, extending one hand outward I gently curled my finger to point at the ground. I took another sip of the tea, it really was delicious. General Bai was able to snap out of whatever thoughts he'd been stuck in and ran to the largest puddle of blood. He bent down and took a quick look at each body, while also tracing the steps.

"Where is he? I know you saw him. Did you.." General Bai's face was as rigid as a rock, it suddenly occurred to me that I'd left Ryce behind the screen.

"That way." I pointed. "Just so we're clear, if either of you mention I was here.. well... " I trailed off. "As far as I'm concerned, that person (I pointed to the dead elderly Midwife's guard) killed most of the killers, but died in the end. Fortunately General Bai arrived to protect the Empress. Killing this unknown killer." I motioned to Spectre and a few guards. "You're both heroes today, congratulations to you for being the only hero alive." General Bai was looking towards the screen, but unable to move forward, not knowing if I'd left Ryce alive or dead.

I stood up, walked towards a saturated area of blood and laid my chest down in it. I looked down at my robes, ensuring the splatter marks were hidden. The scene left General Bai gasping and the Empress choked again. I grabbed a nearby sword that had fallen on the ground, and watched as General Bai instinctively backed away again. I swung at midair a short distance from him, effectively covering him in splatter.

"It looks like I fell in the blood while fleeing for safety." I added. "Stop looking like a mother hen, he's alive, just passed out. If you mention this to him I can't guarantee he'll live. I happened to knock him out before he saw me, in case you need him in the future." I added, explaining why he was alive. I knew it would nag on General Bai if he didn't know, slowly causing him to doubt Ryce.

I turned my head once more, until my eyes landed flatly on the Empress. Her body trembled slightly and sweat appeared on her brow. Her breathing was labored under my scrutiny. I hadn't even stood within a meter of her since I'd revealed my identity and she was acting this way. So much for being brave, I thought to myself.

"Do you have anything to say before I go? I trust you won't be calling me on purpose going forward?" I asked, raising an eyebrow towards her questioningly.

"Why... Next to the Crown Prince?" She stammered out.

"I took a contract to protect him." I answered.

"You.. won't betray him?" She asked.

"We don't sell out on our contracts." I stated plainly, as if it shouldn't have needed an explanation in the first place.

"Who are you?" The Empress asked.

"Sin." I replied. Spectre had already said my name, it was likely she wouldn't forget it. The banging at the door started again, it had been quiet inside for too long. I ran like a scared girl, tripping myself to the floor as the door finally opened. Crawling and slipping forward, I acted as if I was trying to pull myself up in a panic. I ran towards the guards.

Relieved to break the reunion with me, General Bai rushed behind the screen to check on Ryce. He found him lying there comfortably, not a drop of blood around him. Scrambling out of the door, I ran towards the servants bath house. Nearly running into Blake along the way.

"Ryn?!" He called to me, his voice sounded scared as I pretended not to notice him.

"I need.. I need to wash it off.." I trailed, looking down at my blood soaked robes.

"Are you hurt?" He asked, voice shaken.

"No. I'm okay, I just.. I need to wash it off. General Bai saved me." With that I ran towards the servant bath house, trying not to smile as he ran towards the Empress's room.