Scars of Redemption

Chapter 1: A Prelude in Moonlight

I sighed as I laid on my back in the shaking carriage. I hated human transportation, always finding it much more comfortable on the velvet seats when I was three sizes smaller and covered with fur.
I was quite happy with my ability to change form, always thankful of the Creator for my gift of melding that I could use so well. Still I was muttering long strings of curses under my breath as the rain thundered down on the wooden roof, keeping me from both sleep and from ignoring my long distance sibling's sinister letter.
Kira often employed me to deal with her entertainments; to console and care for them, see how hurt they were, if they had accepted their punishments. Punishments. That wasn't the right word for her victims. I despised what she did, it was absolutely revolting, mistreating the lives of completely innocent mortals, merely her property for their involvement in a cult they weren't even joined to.
All of them were simple sacrifices, unneeded for no purpose but for her entertainment.
When she grew tired she'd usually call for me, have me see that they haven't grown compliant or, worse, happy. Although, my goal was to free them of the horrors they faced yet I had a low rate of success. Still I sat there in the clanking carriage growing closer and closer to the next poor human I longed so greatly to help.
The tall tower of the mansion the man had once died in filled me with a sense of dread. I despised rich men in this age, yet the children of rich men were the most elegant creatures I'd ever known. They were always so well made and reverently free spoken. I had quite a fondness for the beauty of rich boys, their youth worn on their face like proud portraits projected on black canvas. I'd shaken hands with Dorian Gray, with their cherry smiles and soft skin, not even a scratch of imperfection upon their gentle fingers or a word of any vulgarity nor shame passing over their lips. Yet, when alone I knew of their wants and convictions, their forbidden needs.
I shook as I saw how the rain outlined a lone figure in white, a woman's whose dress fluttered around them elegantly, seemingly untouched. Kira adored torturing woman with great passion, viewing them as overly soft and breakable, thus a challenge to keep them from cracking too early. She would be covered in blood and scars, I could sense it.
As the cart lurched closer, I slowly sifted back into my more distinct human form, the fur retracting inward as my figure grew. Soft caramel skin with abundant freckles over my body with shining auburn hair and radiant green eyes. My first love told me that I needed to view myself with more radiance, I liked how he thought of me when I was young. I missed him honestly but, he didn't miss me.
I sighed softly, adjusting the clothes that hang loose on my shoulders, as my body widened to it's usual well made form. I never was one to stand out, only look different while looking wholly unimportant. Still, I needed more mass to calm whoever was in there, they always needed a strong body to lean on. The cart began to slow, lurching up the steep hill before screeching to a stop at the tall gleaming gate, pure iron and steel.
I pulled my traveling cloak around me tight as the small door opened, a bright blond lass holding out a parasol with my briefcase at her side. "'Ere ya 're, Sir. 'Ight in front of the gate. You be needin' 'ny help goin' back?" I shook my head smiling gently as I took the handle from her. "Not at all, miss. I have a long appointment to uphold." I asked for my case, which she handed over with a nod and a soft hand shake. "As ya wish, sir. 'Ave a safe night." I gave her a curt nod as she darted out from the parasol and pulled the canvas covering the cart over her head. She was gone with a crack of a whip and a cackle as she shifted through the bag of change I'd given her as payment. That should last her a good week with a small trinket or present. I sensed she was fretting over some trinket for some person.
I breathed in heavily as I opened the steel gate with ease, unlatched and unguarded. The figure on the balcony cleared itself when I steeped closer, the large marble steps climbing up the few meters upon the hill where the grand house sat, growing ever wider and bleaker with each step.
The hand carved door showed biblical epics with frozen effigies burning with passion and falling into flight. I ran my hand over the fiery Lucifer, how small and afraid he seemed. I never quite understood Catholicism but they were one hell of a group of storytellers.
I knocked on the wailing Marley knocker, the face a contorted mask of bronze shaped into a portrait of the fallen son. Lucifer most have been a motif in the owner's life, wondered how misunderstood or spiteful he was.
A few scattering footsteps resounded behind the wooden sculpture, interrupted by the wailing creak the doors let out as they were opened. A bone thin woman in corsets with her night gown covered in a black velvet robe smiled at me shyly; her dress was so white I could see through to bruised skin a large wound shinning on her collar. A bite mark.
           "Um... Hello. How did you get here?," the frail woman whispered softly. She was gripping the hard wood with white knuckles as she observed me with caution. I pulled down my parasol, closing it slowly as I spoke, rain soaking into my skin. "I was called here by an acquaintance. I'm here to help with your curse. I can see that my caller choose to make you immortal." The meek girl nodded her icy blue eyes wide. Most immortals were pale and blue eyed but her long platinum blond strands made her appear etherial. It fit her well.
       "I'm here to break that, to let your souls rest. May I come in, if you were so kind and perhaps have a spot of tea before we discuss depressing realities?" She opened the door as I held out my hand to her, face void of joy but calm and placid. "I do employ you to come inside, away from this heartless nightmare of a storm. But know this, I am not the person who is truly being cursed. I am the curse, for him."