MURDER OF CROWS - CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II - TWO FOR MIRTH
WORD COUNT - 4642
CHAPTER LIST HERE
It was like the air was sucked out of the room and the ground collapsed under you. Like you were in free fall with your blood rushing into your ears drowning out any other thoughts. Instincts were rushing through your bones, your magic leaping to defend you. Instincts you were taught, that were beaten and burned into you made your fingers twitch for knives that were strapped to your hips. The room was silent, the weight of their expectations crushing.
“I can’t help sorry.” You choked out. Murdering Crows, someone was out there murdering Crows, the most feared killers out there. In their homes kidnapping them then torturing them. You certainly could not help with this, maybe you could help if it was outright slaughter like what you had done. But this was methodical. Not something you had any experience in unless it was dealing with a contract. Your eyes met Lucanis’. His eyes were dark brows lowered as he watched you.
“I am afraid this is not a request.” His tone was calm but the threat in those lovely brown eyes remained.
“Take her to the crime scene, Lucanis, see if she can see something we cannot.” Caterina ordered, you looked at her bewildered.
“Should she have any information that could be of any use we will house her here. She will be allowed to see the children she saved, and we will pay her handsomely.” Caterina offered you a lifeline. A life back with the crows, a life you should have grown up in. Yet the 1st Talon had to know that if given a second chance you would bolt, never to be seen in Treviso again. But glancing at the handsome 2nd Talon you knew if you tried that you might not ever be seen again anywhere. Without a word then the meeting was over, tension in the air was released. Teia approached you, placing a hand on your shoulder.
“They are safe? Cared for?” You asked her, your eyes searching hers for any sign of distress regarding those children you had saved.
“Yes Hermana, they are safe, they are here.” Teia said softly. A weight you did not know you carried lifted. You did the right thing. They were all safe, cared for, and grew up in this warm mansion filled with music and laughter.
“Thank you.” You sighed pulling her into a bone crushing hug. Her quiet laughter shook you as she held you in return. It wasn't until Lucanis cleared his throat did she let you go, alone in the room Lucanis watched you from several feet away.
“You told them to ask for her, or to ask for me. Why?” He asked. His eyes were narrowed at you as he waited for your answer. Trying to detect any form of deceit.
“You were kind to me once, when we were very young. But you were still kind.” Was all you offered. “To the crime scene then?” Lucanis nodded before brushing past you to lead the way, the smell of espresso fresh in your nose as you followed.
The stench of the dead was overpowering. Iron and decay. Night and despair. Piss and gore. You crinkled your nose in disgust as you approached the scene, carefully stepping behind Lucanis as to avoid stepping in the remains of the deceased Crow at your feet.
“How long ago?” You asked examining the splatters across the wall. Splinters of bone were scattered among the scarred flesh. This was not at all like what you did all those years ago. Where you had made deaths quick, this was a ruining of this person’s spirit and body. Destruction almost down to the molecule. You were trying not to throw up all over the poor person.
“He went missing 3 days ago and was found this morning.” Lucanis plied you with information. You tilted your head trying to piece together exactly what was done to this man.
“From his home?” You inquired.
“...From the Diamond.”
Time stretched around you. Crows being snatched and slaughtered was one thing, but from the Diamond.
“We are knee deep in shit then.” You sighed, Lucanis only grunted his agreement. You examined the man further, using your magic this time. Terror still radiated from him, but no traces of any magic new or old remained.
“What do you see?” His tone was firm.
“I’m trying not to throw up all over your pretty shoes oh mighty Talon. Give me a minute.” You mused, letting your magic scan the body feeling for any other hints. Mind whirring as you sought any clues. Anything new. Any hint of a motive, your blood was chilled as the wind ran past you. “Let’s go.” You stated, drawing your magic back behind your ribs. It was no mage who did this. No venatori or enraged client. Your very bones knew what kind of person committed this murder. What kind of Crow.
You had slaughtered them all you thought. Wiped away their cruelty, cleansed Antiva of them with thunder and lightning. Of your former brothers and sisters. Lucanis’ hand was a brand against your cold arm even through your leathers. You turned to face him, your eyes wide and face drained of color. Lucanis searched your expression, those eyes softening for a single moment before taking your arm and hauling you away from the crime scene.
Instead of taking you back to the Diamond, he took you to a small cafe along the river that ran through Treviso. You could smell the coffee blocks away, bitterness paired with notes of chocolate and spices filled the evening air. It was cold, or were you cold? You could not tell really, feeling like you had been pulled from yourself. Yet steady in his lead, Lucanis did not speak to any of the employees who smiled at him, only sat you down at a table. He placed a cup of black coffee in front of you and sat directly across the table from you.
“Drink.” He ordered. You took a slow drink, feeling the warmth from the cup warm your stomach up into your chest. When you placed the cup down you sighed, sinking into your chair and looking up at the sky as it began to give way to the sun.
“I killed every single Crow in that tower. Every one of them. Yet one still lives.” Your voice cracked. “That night, I still dream about it. I replay it in my head every time I close my eyes, yet one still lives.” Lucanis watched you, his dark hair was dark as crow feathers in the night. But here as the sun began to spread its rays you realized it was actually the darkest of browns, like the shade of the cup of coffee he had placed in front of you.
“What happened that night?” Lucanis asked, his voice was soft.
Crack.
Snap.
Slice.
Burn.
“You must endure, Heir of Shadows.”
Crack.
Snap.
Slice.
Burn.
“Endure it. Embrace it.”
“I couldn’t endure any more of it.” You confessed. It felt like admitting you had done it, speaking about it to someone felt like slicing your own throat open. It surprised you, when Lucanis nodded in understanding and ordered you another cup.
You walked in silence to the Diamond. Lucanis wordlessly leading the way, Illario stood at the front doors waiting for your arrival. He watched you with the Dellamorte stare.
“How did it go?” He asked, taking in your pale face and exhaustion that limed your stance. Lucanis only shook his head, sparing you from a conversation and bringing you into the warmth of the building, leading you up and up and up a spiral set of stairs. It felt familiar to climb those stairs, felt like Tower Pesadilla. Shaking the thought away you finally spoke since telling Lucanis of your revelation.
“Where are we going?” You asked.
“We ensured you would have your own quarters prior to arrival.” They were offering you a room here, it had to mean something, yet you thought of your small apartment in the slums of Treviso a few blocks away from your favorite place in the world.
“I have an apartment.” You complained, Lucanis fixed with a look.
“You are our only hope of solving this, we would not let you return to that.. Apartment.” Lucanis explained. Annoyance sparked in your chest.
“Don’t talk about it like that, it is my home after all.” You snapped. Granted you had rats for neighbors and lived on the top floor so the ceiling leaked in the summer. But you did not mind it.
“I’ve seen the outside of that building, are you sure you rent an apartment and not some strange part of the sewers?” Lucanis joked. You sighed in annoyance, grumbling to yourself as he opened the door to your ‘quarters’. Honestly you had expected a cell. Not a roaring fireplace and a monstrosity of a bed, the curtains were black and already drawn over the windows to block out the sun, The bed covered in black silk blankets the hardwood floors covered with plush rugs. Bookcases lined the walls and somewhere back in the room you could hear a bath being ran.
“Teia?” You asked
“She insists on the bath, you smell like the slums.” Lucanis grumbled, the warmth in his tone did not get past you.
“Rude.” You hissed, stepping into the room and unlatching your cloak, letting it fall to the ground the fabric sighed against the floors.
“She will be here in the morning to get you for breakfast.”
“Thank you.” You called after him as he walked out leaving you to enjoy the warmth of the fire and most likely leap into the bath.
Lucanis left you in your room, clicking the door shut behind him. He did not mention his room was next door in case you tried anything during your stay in the Diamond. Did not speak as he lingered outside your door and listened for any hint of escape. He also did not mention the flush of his cheeks at the groan of relief you let out following the hiss of clothes against the floor. Lucanis did not trust you in the slightest. You were a nightmare told to young Crows when they were misbehaving, a brutal reminder of how fragile even the most powerful of them were. Yet turning around, seeing your pale face as your magic charged the air, you were still like him. Pressured with the entire weight of a House, shoulders beginning to bow. While he lived with the weight of their lives, you lived with the weight of their deaths. Lost in his thoughts he did not realize when Teia walked down that hallway, her steps silent as she watched him.
“How is she?” Teia asked. Lucanis met her sharp ever seeing eyes. One of the advantages of the elven.
“She stinks.” Was all he offered before disappearing into his own quarters with a sigh. Teia’s laughter followed him.
Sinking into the hot bath was the first thing on your agenda, then collapsing into the monstrous bed was your second. You were soaking all the night's wine and filth of Treviso off your skin when a knock sounded. There was only one person who would come see you, the single soul could take your company and you would not grumble about it even a little bit. Your grin was unfaltering when Teia strode in with two glasses of wine and a very large plate of food.
“Thank the Gods you are in the bath.” She teased, setting the food on the marble vanity by the sink to drag a chair to sit beside you while you soaked.
“I did not smell that bad!” You whined. Teia only raised an eyebrow making you laugh, then she handed you a glass of deep red wine and placed the platter of meats and cheeses on her lap. The bath sat low enough you had to look up at her but you could still reach the foods she brought. “Hello Teia.” You smiled.
“Hello hermana.” Teia said quietly back, sister, she called you. As she always had since you were only fledglings. “I have not seen you in a long time.” She scolded. You only rolled your eyes at her, focusing your gaze at the ceiling.
“Too long.” You agreed.
“Tell me everything.”
“It will be a long morning.”
“Good.”
So later on in the afternoon when Lucanis went to check on you, he knocked on your door several times to wake you. No answer. More knocks, not even a grunt of acknowledgement. So he opened the door, only to find you and Teia curled up under the covers sound asleep. Of course now you both had been woken by his ‘disturbance’, earning him multiple pillows being chucked after him while he tried to make his escape. A part of his chest warmed reluctantly, amusement curling his lips.
In the twilight hours Lucanis dragged you from your bed with his incessant knocking once more. Teia had slipped from your bed most likely to check in with her lover, so you groaned the entire walk across the frigid floors of your quarters. They had supplied you generously with clean linen pajamas the shade of nightlock blooms, you did not bother to redress in your leathers only throwing the doors open. Only it was not Lucanis who woke you.
“Illario.” You greeted, mouth twisted into a scowl.
“Is that how you greet the 3rd Talon?” His tone was light, but there was something in his eyes, his stance that made you on edge.
“My sincerest apologies, your royal highness.” You said sarcastically. “How can I assist you?” The amusement faded.
“My grandmother has questions for you.” Illario provided. Vague, strange, it felt like a threat in that handsome face of his. There was something in his energy that made your skin crawl, something that was not there earlier.
“What kind of questions?” You leaned casually against your door frame, racking your brain for what was different. But your very bones seemed to whisper wrong, do not go Shadowmaker.
“I am not privy to her every thought.” Illario was graceful, charming, perhaps shy from what you remember of your childhood. Now he seemed on edge almost angry while he looked at you. “Let’s go.” He ordered. You backed a step into your room. Wrong wrong wrong wrong.
“At least let me get dressed.” You sighed, hanging your head in faux resignation before slamming the door shut before Illario could protest. A child preparing for a scolding. But once inside your room, instincts kicked into high gear. That was not Illario. It could not be, your magic recoiled against it, your instincts that were carved into you revolted against him, yet your mind was curious.
Opening up the wardrobe you found what you presumed were some of Teia’s clothes, midnight black leather pants and a dark shirt you haphazardly buttoned up. Rolling the sleeves up and pulling your hair away from your face you strolled back to the door, armed to the teeth and your magic slowly rising to protect you. Hauling the door open, ‘Illario’ stood proud, seemingly annoyed at the delay. You clicked your tongue at him.
“Patience dearest 3rd Talon, I am not going to see your grandmother in my pajamas.” You explained, annoyance clear in your tone as well. Illario reached to grab you by the arm but you moved out of his reach. “What’s going on?” You asked.
“We have questions about the prophecy.” Was all Illario offered. Your blood went cold and every thought scattered in your skull and suddenly it was like you were 18 again. Barely a woman, on a contract in Dock Town.
The smell of fish was permanent in your nose with hunger prevalent in your belly. You despised Dock Town, the little fishing area of Minrathous. Leaning against a crumbling building you watched for your target in the market, want to track the old man’s movements before the slaughter. He moved from stand to stand and rounded a corner, you went to follow but a grip on your wrist stopped you.
“I have sought your audience far and wide, Heir of Nightmares.” An old crone had stopped you, her hands calloused and wrinkled. Your heart dropped in your chest as you looked down at her.
“What do you mean?” You asked.
“Would you accept the words of an old oracle?” She pondered, her hands were like ice, her eyes not seeing as if blinded by smoke held you hostage. A rabbit in a trap.
“Who are you?” You demanded.
“Heir of Nightmares, Heir of Lightning. Have you felt it in your blood? The pressure of such magic is a lesson your Masters have been neglecting you of.” The crone sighed with pity, patting your hand gently.
“Let go of me.” You snapped trying to withdraw your hand only for the woman to tighten her grip of ice.
“Hear me now.” Those smoke gray eyes cleared to iris’s of white ringed with gold. “Shadowmaker they will call you, you are your people’s salvation and their downfall. The power of a God lives in you, use it as I use mine. Your every breath shall be a robbery of theirs. An eye for an eye, a crow for a crow. Do not let them break you, Goddess of Death.”
Then she was gone. You told no one of that day or of the words that haunted you.
Until now. Until a man reaching for you with hands of ice and steel spoke of them once more. It launched you into action, you were quick to rally your magic holding this imposter by the shoulders and you slammed him into the wall.
“Who are you?”
“Heir of Nightmares, Heir of Death, they all cursed you, with their last breath.” He grinned. The hair on the back of your neck stood as he began to laugh, his hands gripped your shoulder. Ice cold like it moved through your veins. “Face your destiny, oh lovely reaper. Face me.” And then he dissolved under your fingertips. Like dew in the sun like shadows into sunlight. He was gone.
By the time Lucanis and Teia found you, you found their training room on your own. They knew you were raised in a house of brutality. A house of crows renowned for their efficiency, nothing could prepare them for the sight of you on the mat. A circle of young crows watched you move in awe as you sparred their trainers. A grin on your lips but something was wrong. Your knuckles were raw and your breathing was ragged, one of your ankles was clearly injured, yet you sparred a crow twice your size. There was something in your eyes, a feverishness that made your movements cruel.
The match was over almost as quickly as it started. You were fast as an adder, grounded and confident in the ring. They truly stood no chance. Watching you faint to your right and then collide your palm upward against his chin. The side of your foot against his temple was enough to take him down. Three moves. That was all it took for you to take down someone who trained crows to fight. Lucanis watched you and he knew then how you slaughtered those crows, how you did it so easily. Teia moved to step toward you and Lucanis stopped her.
“I’ve got this.” He was solemn as he rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the ring.
The ring was silent. You didn’t understand why until you saw Lucanis prowling toward you, his eyes were dark with a question and a promise. Lucanis was the second talon for a reason. A good reason at that, you grew up watching him and Illario spar. The Patron of your house thought it good to learn how they fought, how they moved. It seemed that knowledge was going to come in handy today. But back then they were only boys, today this was a fully trained Crow. An assassin and a predator. The wickedness that lived in between your ribs purred at the challenge in those beautiful dark eyes. Based on the quiet excitement in his eyes, you knew he felt the air around you charge.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” He called, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows as he stretched his arms out.
“I have never been more certain.” You grinned. The energy was catching, rookies and crows alike gathered to watch. They had only seen him spar with Illario, now the sparring room became an area for a legend to fight a legend. The flash of silver coin caught your eye, people placing bets.
“Do not hold back Shadowmaker.” He tossed your title like a taunt. You were all too eager to bite.
“Would not dream of it, demonio.” You teased. While your tones were light and eager, your movements were the opposite. You watched him stretch his arms and the way he rolled his shoulders. Feet flat on the ground, shoulders width apart as you cracked your raw knuckles idly. Lucanis knew better than to underestimate you, something your opponents lacked.
He moved the second you blinked, he moved fast. You knew he was watching you so you anticipated him to slam into your left side, the side you were limping on, which he did much to your glee. Opening your eyes you twisted, slamming your fist into his exposed ribs before spinning away. Lucanis moved facing you, his eyes narrowed as he examined you closer dancing on his tones.
You were not trained to fight with honor, or dignity. You were trained to win. So when you moved against him you did not feint left or right, you sprinted at him launching yourself, you hooked a leg around his hip and swung your entire body weight while holding onto his strong shoulder to use his own weight against him to slam him into the mat. You pinned Lucanis’ wrists to the mat with a wide smile.
“That was not sparring.” He groaned, making you laugh.
“I was not trained to spar.” You said simply, sharing his breath for a moment, you allowed yourself to just take in his lethal beauty.
Lucanis then took the chance to lift his hips and throw you off of him flipping you into the mat, pressing his body into your injured hip hard enough to make you hiss in pain.
“You want to tell me, what has you like this?” Lucanis whispered in your ear. Anger seized you, and you shoved upward on him tiny sparks flew off your fingertips as you moved before hobbling to your feet. “I will take that as a no.” He mused quickly getting to his feet as well. The lights in the room flickered, one of them popping in the corner of the room. The doors opened, but you did not take your eyes off of the 2nd Talon.
“That is enough, everyone out.” Caterina’s voice snapped you out of it. The 1st Talon stood at the edge of the mat, Teia and Illario flanking her. Concern was clear in Teia’s eyes, but now you were focused on Illario. Electricity crackled in your palms. “I will not have you slaughtered for sport Lucanis.” She scolded.
“I wasn’t going to kill him.” You pouted, you felt Lucanis’ eyes on you but you did not stop looking at Illario. Examining his body language for any sign of the intruder from earlier. The icy death grip they had on you made you grit your teeth.
“I expect you did not share the news of the intruder with my grandson?” Caterina sighed. You dragged your eyes from Illario to meet the 1st Talon’s light brown eyes.
“I didn’t have time.” You whined, exhaustion was beginning to tug at your muscles. The pain in your hip started to gnaw on you, every breath felt ragged. The anger and rage that fueled you was sputtering out.
“Face your destiny, oh lovely reaper. Face me.”
“An intruder? In the Diamond?” Lucanis was bewildered, he moved towards you and you were quick to step away.
“I didn’t tell anyone if it hurts your feelings less.” You shrugged.
“An intruder, who apparently wore Illario’s skin.” Caterina added on, you groaned, unable to stand anymore you laid down on the sparring mat. It was not your new luxury bed but it would do for now.
“Tell me everything.” Lucanis demanded, leaning over you.
“Ask your grandma, she seems to know.” You mumbled back. Lucanis only squatted down so he could look you square in the eye. Not wanting to look at that devastatingly handsome face any longer, you closed your eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“That is all I know seeing as Illario saw the copy cat but could not follow it very far. He only saw it heading in the direction of your quarters we gave you.” The 1st Talon lectured you. Anger sparked in your chest cavity at the same time as despair.
“Ask me tomorrow.” You grumbled.
“This is not a game, Shadowmaker.” Lucanis snarled. His tone forced your eyes open, forced you to prop yourself upon your elbows and look up at Teia for help, only to find her scowling down at you.
“Face your destiny, oh lovely reaper. Face me.”
Heir of Nightmares.
Your every breath shall be a robbery of theirs.
“I know it is not a game, I am just as confused as you that someone who looked and spoke like your dearest cousin tried to kidnap me.” You snapped back, anger igniting in your veins once more. Lights flickered, Lucanis could see the storm in your eyes.
“How could you not tell us?” Teia asked, you ignored the question focusing your eyes on Lucanis.
“I was supposed to trust you?” You spat back at him.
“Yes. After I did not gut you in that establishment you called a tavern.” Lucanis seethed. You rolled your eyes at him.
“How righteous.” You scoffed.
“Do not act so pious after you have withheld this from us.” Lucanis snapped, grabbing your arm and hauling you to your feet. You stumbled along the way hissing in pain.
“Get fucked.” Your words echoed in the room. Nobody had ever spoken to any of the talons in such a way. Well nobody ever spoke like that to them and lived anyway. “I said, ask me tomorrow.” You hated the way your voice broke on the last word, hated how you had searched the Diamond high and low for the intruder. How fear pushed through your veins until you stumbled upon the training rings and found a way to work through it. You had not trained in a long while, maybe it was that lack of training that allowed the Illario copy-cat to take you by surprise. So you stepped into the ring and mouthed off until their trainers decided maybe you should be put in your place.
So you let them push you, allowed their hits to land to remind you what awaited you should you fail. Until of course Lucanis and Teia arrived. A part of you deep in your chest was afraid he was another copy. Another intruder with the ability to swap his face. Yet the spark in his eyes had called to you. So you let him into the ring. Let him push you as far as he could.
Looking into the dark eyes now, the spark was long gone, hidden behind a sneer. You looked at him for a long while, then limped out of the training room.
Not a single one of them followed you, and you swore a dark laugh followed you through the halls.