Chapter 1

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Two sparkling blue eyes stared down at the woman with such kindness and gentleness it was hard to imagine them ever holding evil intent. A hand was extended to the small lady crumpled on the floor and she immediately began to weep tears of relief and spew words of thanks as she took the hand, ignoring the heavy scent of gunpowder, blood and death that hung in the air a short ways away from her.

A group of seven to eight men laid dead within the abandoned building, their eyes and mouth wide open in surprise and their guns still warm in their palms. One man had a sword protruding out of the side of his neck, blood oozing out of the wound and creating a red halo around his head.

A slender foot placed itself on the dead man's shoulder while a hand wrapped around the hilt of the sword. Pulling with little effort, the sword exited the wound while slowly emitting a small slink as it scrapped against the cold floor.

"Maria, our job is done."

Forced to glance back with sword in hand, the image of a soft smile bathed in the dark glow of the moonlight filled Maria's vision, taunting her.

The glorious silhouette cast by the moonlight belonged to the man known as Vincent Phantomhive, the Queen's Guard Dog, and her master.

Maria turned her gaze back to the corpses, their lifeless bodies befitting of scum like them. There was not an ounce of sympathy for the men; they were rapists and killers who preyed on young women.

Maria's fingers itched to bury her blade into their bodies once more but she fought these urges. They were dead and that was enough. Her black heels were covered in blood and the hem of her dress was covered in small holes caused by bullets. She frowned and turned away, struggling to return her heart to its passive state. It was difficult remaining untainted in a world filled with sin, and as she approached her master who watched her silently, she couldn't understand how he could look upon such sin daily and remain pure.

"Maria, there's no need to look unpleasant. Thanks to your efforts, ladies in England can sleep better now knowing they are safe."

"Master, You should return home. It's well past your retirement date and you must return to Weston tomorrow," She responded, her voice while soft and sweet, void of all emotion.

A small chuckle, "You worry too much," he said, turning away, "besides, my job comes first."

As the words left his mouth, he walked forwards and wrapped his arms around the trembling lady who was struggling not to look at the unpleasantness behind her.

"Everything will be fine, I'll escort you home," he said to her, slowly walking with her and leading her to an open carriage.

Maria watched them enter the carriage and waited for the carriage to move out of sight before turning away. She approached the corpses slowly at first, as if they could awake at any moment, then more quickly. In the middle of their chests was a faint white glow, undoubtedly their souls. She knew she had to work quickly, the grim reapers would be there soon to collect their souls and cinematic records. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Spreading her arms out wide, a sudden burst of light appeared out of nowhere to surround her as two long and majestic pairs of wings sprout from her back. Opening her eyes, her maid attire melted away to be replaced with a white dress and around her head the soft glow of a halo.

She said nothing and merely held out a single finger. The glow from the corpses chests lifted out of them in the form of small orbs that were drawn to her finger. Placing her palm out, the orbs landed one atop another in her hand and melted into a single large orb. As her eyes stared into the orb,  dark red swirls appeared across its surface before vanishing.

Maria shut her eyes, and quickly popped the orb into her mouth like candy. The sweet yet dark taste rolled across her tongue like bitter coffee. Once the taste subsided, Maria opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, nearly doubling over. She could feel the dark taint inside of her and the very thought of having to put such dirty souls inside her body disgusted her.

As the men's cinematic records flew out from them uncontrollably, The roaring sound of death scythes in the distant snapped her back to the current moment and she immediately stood upright. Grabbing her sword, she took flight in the opposite direction.

A small and slender white feather fell from where she had departed; a feather that's end was painted black.

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