Divine Deception

Kiah

In the course of 24 hours, he'd fucked me and was responsible for my murder. The grim thought repeated over and over in my head as I lay tied to a large board in the hot Corinth Gulf sun. The crimson pool growing larger underneath me was fed by the endless stab wounds and cuts to my body. My throat was tight and raw from screaming in pain as they tightened the ropes cutting off all circulation to my limbs. The man I loved that I thought loved me, betrayed me at the first opportunity and that cut deeper than anything they'd done to my body.

Suddenly I bolt upright in my bed, disturbed from sleep by the memories of that that day. Drenched in sweat and trembling, my deep breaths are a vain effort to calm myself. The dreams are back, haunting me, shadows in my room of the day I died and was reborn something else.

"Fuck I thought I was passed these," I curse in a breathy whisper, throat feeling raw. I wonder if Mother is trying to tell me something. Absent-mindedly I rub the scars on my wrist and glance at the clock. Midnight, slightly earlier than I needed to be awake so I guess I better get up.

Swinging my legs off my bed, I feel stiff all over and start to stretch in my matching pajama top and short set.

"At least the clothes have gotten better" I smirk to myself.

Back then, there weren't nearly as many options as we have now. A perk to my longevity, I get to experience the benefits of a changing world. Grabbing my leathers from the chair I discarded them into, I swap the softer feminine clothes for ones better suited to my needs tonight.

Dressed in a black linen shirt that dips into a V, I shrug into my leather vest. It's designed to model a corset style, rich brown in color and supple from years of wear while still providing protection. Next is a pair of sturdy black leather pants which are becoming harder and harder to find outside fashion houses. It may look out of place in modern society but in my centuries of existence, it is the most functional clothing I can use for my work.

Padding over a few steps to my floor length mirror, a necklace hangs off the decorative scroll work of the frame. I don't wear any other jewelry, so I have no need for frivolous things to keep it in. The gift from my mother that I've had since I was an infant. The one thing I was left with on my mortal parent's doorstep. I replace the leather strap it hangs from now and then, but it remains the same otherwise.

I put it in its proper place around my neck and tuck it into my shirt. It has more than decorative and sentimental purposes. The night's uniform is complete when I strap on black gauntlets that conceal knives and my belt that carries the sword my father had made for me. I could carry modern weapons but they're so messy and loud. My sword and plethora of knives suit me just fine.

Going over my appearance, I make sure I haven't forgotten anything. That nightmare has set my nerves a little on edge and I don't want to walk out unprepared. My frame is what the world considers "curvy" now. When I was young this is what every lady strived to be. Filled out in all the right places as proof her father was affluent enough to made sure she could enjoy the finer things. I eat and drink what I want and don't give a shit even if it doesn't fit for the time. Gods know that I put in enough physically that anything soft is welcome to hide the attention my muscular frame would give.

A quick braid in my auburn hair and I'm heading out the door. My eyes stop at the silver showing at my temples. Eventually, the wavy shoulder length hair will go completely silver in color. A side effect father failed to mention. In the grand scheme of things, there are worse. That's a worry for another time.

Stuffing my feet into boots I head for the door to my studio apartment. I grab my keys and a monster energy drink from the fridge, throw on a leather jacket to hide my weapons, and head down the stairs. The stairwell always smells like piss and cigarette smoke but once you're used to it, it's not overly noticeable. In truth money isn't an obstacle, I could live anywhere, but the hunting is more plentiful in the seedier parts of a city. The more targets I take care of, the calmer this blazing fire of hatred in me becomes. I didn't choose this life, it was gifted to me, and I plan to make every asshole that deserves it, pay the price.