Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 34 Part 1

As we approached a wooden structure several men dispersed, running out from the inside. Some were still tying their robes together. I fixed my eyes forward, walked to the door and stepped inside. The room was full of steam, hot and humid, further inside were tubs of water to rinse off. In the back was a door that led to the natural hot springs, the spring water brimmed with minerals and medicinal properties.

"Leave or die." I called out in front of me. A sudden commotion of splashing and running came from further in as more men scrambled to escape with their lives. Torch was waiting outside, he arrived shortly before us.

"They thought I was joking." He explained. I raised an eyebrow at him, I suppose he did his best. It wasn't like he had any power over anyone and we didn't officially have any standing between each other.

"All of you can wash up here, enjoy the hot springs, they're good for your body. You get in too." I pointed at Torch, knowing he still needed to rest. I turned around abruptly and walked out.

"When should I bring them back?" Torch called after me.

"Whenever they're done." I used tender whisper to reply, refusing to yell something so trivial. Using light step, I flew to the treeline not far from the spring, easily able to peer inside in case they needed help. I sat on a tree branch out of sight and rested my back against the trunk and closed my eyes. I would at least attempt to be decent and take take advantage of the view. A smile crept across my face as I realized I was becoming more like Torch every day, staring from afar. I stilled my thoughts and listened to them talk.

"So.. you're free to use the bath house and springs, nobody will come back for.. a while. I'm Torch." He said awkwardly. "Oh, and I brought you clothes to change into afterwards, someone will come gather your robes and wash them."

"How long have you worked for her?" Blake suddenly asked. Hopefully they were all making progress with the bathing part, it would make life easier for my maids. Filling the tub over and over in my room would make grueling work.

"Work for her?" Torch asked in question.

"Don't you work for her? Isn't that why you were in the city that night?" Blake questioned.

"Oh.. um.. I think you misunderstand. I want Sin to teach me. I thought maybe if I'm useful she'll take me as her disciple." Torch explained, still uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Why her?" Blake asked.

"She's the best!" He said enthusiastically. Mm he has a good eye for talent, I thought, with a smile on my face.

"Have you trained with her before?" Lei suddenly asked, sounding more inquisitive than I thought he should.

"No, she trains alone and has never taken a disciple." Torch sounded defeated again. Too emotional, I thought. Soaking in the springs, they seemed at ease despite knowing a murderous killer was nearby. Near the wall behind the spring, a female disciple darted forward and jumped up to get a better look. She showed no signs of hostility, likely just curious.

I'd already given ample warning. Regardless of the intention, she'd crossed my bottom line. I pulled a hair pin from my hair, letting part of my hair fall down. Channeling a small bit of energy, the hair pin flew through the air and stabbed into the back of her neck. The poison contained within the pin released on contact, her body flinched once then fell forward to land on the stone path below. The sudden sound of a body dropping from the air startled them. None of them even realized she was even there to begin with. They were still fully submerged in the water as they stared at the pile of female clothing in horror.

Using light step, I jumped down and landed on the wall where she crouched moments before. They looked up at me in alarm. I noted Lei still wore his hair up properly even in the hot spring. My gaze swept over them, all of them were hidden nearly to their chins in the water. Were they blushing? Why would they blush over a dead body?