Northern_Lights_2016

33 “Don’t think about it,” I told myself aloud. Just because I hadn’t wanted to kill people for a living then didn’t mean anything. I was okay with who I was now, I actually found myself smiling and happy on multiple occasions, which didn’t happen before I became a Blood Lily . . . before I had a family. I slipped off the bed and quickly packed my now dry clothes into my pack and slipped it on before draping my cloak over my shoulders, clasping it at my throat. I slipped out of my room and went downstairs. “Sleep well?” The same wench was behind the bar and I gave her a small nod. “Good thing you did.” “What do you mean?” I asked taking a seat at the bar. She hesitated before leaning in, motioning for me to come closer. I leaned in, pretending to be the curious person she would expect. “Seems there was a murder last night,” she whispered. “They believe the Blood Lilies were involved.” I widened my eyes and made an ‘O’ with my mouth as if that news frightened me. I stood quickly. “Then it seems I must be on my way,” I stated, making my voice shaky, turned and walked out, a small smile on my face. I went around to the stables and found Astrid where I left her. The stable boy jumped when he saw me and grabbed my saddle, getting Astrid ready to go. I petted her as I waited, pulling some oats out of a pouch on my belt. “She’s ready, ma’am,” the stable boy stated a few moments later. I pulled out a few coins and passed them to him. His eyes widened then a smile broke across his face. “Thanks,” I stated as I pulled myself onto Astrid. I pulled up my hood, making sure all of my dark locks were in the hood. “No thank you ma’am!” he gushed, “Have a safe journey!” he called after me as I rode out of the stables and on my journey home. A few days later, I arrived at the stables. I dismounted Astrid and handed the reins over to a stable boy. “Make sure she’s fed,” I ordered and he nodded as I brushed past him heading for the city gates. The guards on ei- ther side watched as I approached but did not stop me, only opening the doors as I reached them. I walked into the city, the cobblestone streets crowded with people moving from shop to shop. I walked right through the crowd, not even breaking stride as I walked out of the shopping district and towards the church in the center of the city. I ducked into the cemetery, glancing around to make sure I was alone before moving to a gravestone towards the back. I threw back my hood and stood before a gravestone that read: Lily Daniels RIP 4E 206 – 4E 256 Her blood will never stop flowing Blood lilies grew in abundance around the grave. I reached to my throat and removed the gold lily from the clasp and pressed it into the calla lily shape on the tombstone above her name. It fit without effort and the sound of stone grinding against itself filled the air. I glanced up and watched as the stones on the back of the church moved and re- vealed a black door. I replaced the lily at my throat and walked to the door, pushing my way inside, waiting as the stone moved back into place, shutting me in darkness. The door was on a sort of mechanism that was able to sense when it needed to close or open. It didn’t bother me; I was home when I was surrounded by shadows. I walked down the stairs and and entered into the Blood Lily Sanctuary. Vanya was waiting for me when I reached the bottom. She was wearing a black tunic, black leather pants and boots, but no cowl — we never wore them in the sanctuary, we had no reason to hide here. Her blonde hair was braided down her back. Her grey eyes sparkled when she saw me. “Welcome home, darling,” she purred, holding her arms out as if she wanted a hug, which I knew she didn’t. “I’ve just received word from my contacts in Trispire, apparently a man of great influence was found murdered in his home. The only evidence was a blood red calla lily left on the night stand,” she gave me a small smile. “Well done.” “It was almost too easy,” I replied, smiling back.