How to Make a Sinner Sleep - Chapter 64: Chapter 64

"I find that boy who follows you much more adorable." remarked Lux casually, dark red gaze sweeping over the empty streets. "Compared to this little brother over here."
Skye glared at Lux viciously, pouting.
He spun his head to stare pleadingly at Kaden. "You absolutely can't replace me, Kaden! You're my older brother. Mine!"
To think that such immature behaviour could be displayed by a 16-year old boy.
It was easy to forget Skye's age, by the mere fact that he was in his second year and had grown at a rapid pace. When he was quiet, he seemed like a beautiful youth that was studious and calm.
The pink-haired man paused, the clatter of his shoes stopping along the abandoned streets. His voice was gently but firm, carrying a mocking note. There was no amusement in his pale gaze, sharp in the darkness. "Older brother?" He whispered. "Can we be family so long as you look down on me? Can we be family if we're not equals?"
Rather than family, he would be better off deemed a disobedient toy that Skye wanted.
Had they become family, the events wouldn't have ended as tragically as they did. There were no winners in his past, not a soul that achieved happiness except for those uninvolved. But perhaps Kaden's cruelty to his younger brother meant this was a family he deserved.
In the beginning, when he smashed the mirror in horror as his rebirth, he would've believed it. That he deserved this, that this was the forsaken fate he was destined for.
But the kindness of his friends had told him what was genuine, and what was false. The division between kindness and cruelty.
As they were, Skye and Kaden could never be real siblings.
"...that's not fair. And I don't look down on you!"
Kaden said nothing in response. Lux, hands tucked in his pocket as he loosely followed, observed the pair. Both young, and although he was only two years Kaden's senior he lived a life that was the furthest thing from normal.
The indifference and chill that was marked in Kaden's gaze was so unlike the one he had with his friends—but this was the obedient dog that he'd heard of.
"Those two spoiled princes, both the youngest and oldest..." Lux muttered under his breath, staring past the wisping fog. "Aren't they miserable?"
If Lux hadn't sworn his loyalty to Reed... if he didn't need that crazy Crown Prince... He stared at the back of Kaden's head, straight and unmoving, and laughed to himself.
What would he do? Save the puppet caught in the strings of two princes, twisted and spun every way?
It was an entirely obscure and impossible thought.
He pitied Kaden, but at the end of the day, they were strangers bound by an unlikely relationship with Reed. Servants that followed his obnoxious command.
The image of the arrogant blonde haired prince flickered in his mind.
If he wasn't so twisted, it was undoubtble that Reed had been born with the blood of royalty. He'd been born to rule, to be a leader. Lux had thought so the moment he laid gaze of the prim and elegant back.
Kaden, oblivious to the thoughts of the following man, noticed that Lux had fallen further to the back. Taking it as an opportunity, his steps picked up pace in an attempt to lose the troublesome bug. Predictably, it failed.
He tugged at the cloak around his body tighter, drawing it against his neck as the cool night danced up his skin. Turning down another alleyway, the distinct stench of blood filled his nose.
Kaden stopped in his tracks, holding Skye from proceeding into the scene.
It was a narrow street, wedged between two old buildings that were worn at the walls. There was water running along the streets, through the cracks in the ground. And there, slumped against a wall, was a corpse curled into itself.
The woman's eyes were left wide, and blood smeared over her pale yellow dress. There was blood on her arm, and an unhealthy hollowness to her still face.
"Hm, let's see now. It appears she was coughing and likely slipped on the stone." Lux deduced, glancing at the exposed knees that were smeared with red. "The town isn't wealthy—they avoid the sick and pray the illness doesn't spread to them."
Skye scrunched his nose. "What a ghastly sight."
Kaden was quiet before stepping closer to the corpse, careful not to touch any blood. Reaching into his cloak, he tugged on a handkerchief, dropping it carefully over the woman's face.
For a second, he closed his eyes as if praying—but Kaden had stopped praying almost a decade ago.
When he opened them, another shadow stood on the opposite side.
There were no fluctuations in Kaden's voice.
"Mr. Mask. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Lux tensed as the figure materialized, the outlines clearer in the night. Skye narrowed his eyes, fidgeting with something in his pockets, alert.
Mr. Mask stared at Kaden silently, cloaked in black as his mask covered every inch of his face, save for the dark gaze that observed from narrow slits.
"Hand." A voice said, slightly hoarse.
Kaden was confused, but he flipped his palm upright and held it out. Whatever the case, it was highly unlikely that the mysterious person before him would make any trouble.
There was a low, muffled chuckle from behind the mask. It lasted for only one second, and Kaden thought he'd imagined it.
"Obedient." remarked the man, a touch of amusement in his tone.
Kaden scowled. "Although it's a pleasure to see the wonderful fellow who requested my services, I unfortunately have little time to spare—"
As he spoke, something was firmly pressed into his hand.
Kaden stared blankly. "......"
It was a round, tempting bun that was slightly warm. There was a faint flower fragrance to it, dulled by the weather. A light sheen that was the brush of yolk, adding colour to the surface.
Kaden visibly gulped. "......"
Was this some sort of secret code?
His hand, with the bun placed on his open palm, remained held out as he spoke. "I've been meaning to find you—"
"Eat."
"Ah?"
"It's not poisoned."
Before Kaden could tell the other that the bun being poisoned was the least of his confusion, Mr. Mask had stepped over the corpse, tugging Kaden's wrist as he brought the bun—held in the other's hand—underneath his mask.
Kaden felt a slight, soft warmth brush over his finger tips and jerked his hand back. There was a neat bite taken out of the bun.
"...is this supposed to be a joke?"
"I don't joke."
For some reason, Kaden believed it.
Kaden didn't want to harm the relationship between his employer and dare to risk his payment. Therefore, he put aside his confusion and lifted the warm bun to his lips.
A bite, and there was a subtle sweetness to the fluffy inside that filled his mouth. Kaden quickly finished the bun, smiling leisurely. "I wasn't aware that feeding me was in our deal?"
"Do you want it to be?"
Kaden paused, eye twitching. "No. Anyway, I've been meaning to seek you out. I have information on the missing dragon you've inquired about."
The air stilled, and Mr. Mask seemed to be restraining some emotions as he asked in a strained voice, "Tell me."
Kaden felt a little curious about the relationship between his employer and the murderous dragon, but decided not to ask. It wasn't any of his business—just as Mr. Mask's identity shouldn't be discovered, regardless of whatever suspicions he had.
As long as he didn't confirm his suspicions, this man before him remained a mere stranger.
He shrugged, moving back to distance himself from the corpse a little further, his gaze lingering on the covered face before he turned away.
Briefly, he summed up the meeting he had with the young dragon.
The malicious intent that radiated, how he'd been found in a fork within the Faerie Forest leading to their lands. He briefly brushed over getting temporarily lost despite following a group, and the man had nodded solemnly, interrupting with a low warning.
"In the future, do not stray in the forest alone. It takes a second to wander off the path, for the forest to twist and lure you deeper without knowing."
"It wasn't intentional."
"I assume you got distracted and left the path? Perhaps you should tie yourself to somebody with rope."
"...that's hardly the point. Anyway, let me continue, alright?"
By the time Kaden explained everything in detail, the other party had silently ruminated over his words. Lux had long retreated, finding a spot to rest by the corner, pretending to see and hear nothing. He'd dragged Skye long too, lest the little prince interrupt his eavesdropping.
Although could it be called eavesdropping when it was in fact blatant observation?
Kaden didn't care to hide his conversation with Mr. Mask. It was within the jurisdictions of things that Reed would know regardless, so there was no point stressing about it.
Mr. Mask sighed finally. "I'll give you your payment. I've heard and seen nothing about him for a long time."
"Oh?" Kaden's eyes gleamed as he continued shamelessly. "Then I deserve double the amount, don't you think? It really took all my effort... and perhaps we'll have another encounter in the future?"
Kaden was half-joking, half-serious. He didn't think Mr. Mask's character would be one to get offended by it, so even if he rejected, it didn't matter.
The man appeared slightly startled at the request.
Kaden paused. It couldn't be that his employer was secretly poor, right?
Then, without another word, the masked man dropped a small bag of gold in Kaden's hand—more than the amount they'd originally planned.
Kaden felt wooed, charmed, on the verge of falling in love. The bag was slightly open, and after seeing the glimmer of gold inside, Kaden debated if this wallet was fatter than the one he had at home...
He lamented in his head. Only the rich would agree to such a request, of course.
At the side, the man observed Kaden's debating expression quietly, not saying a word. Lux raised his chin, glancing sideways at the mysterious figure shrouded in the dark. The person reflected in that man's eyes, through the narrow slits of his mask, was obvious.
He snorted when he felt the sharp glare that darted to him briefly, waving lightly. The masked man seemed displeased with his presence, but what could he do?
Displeasing others was one of Lux's favourite hobbies.
Since there was nothing more to say, Kaden turned on his heels, the tap of his shoes echoing down the alley as he walked away. The masked man trailed behind like a lost puppy, obediently following after Kaden's every turn.
Skye was no help either, jumping close to cling to Kaden once again, while Lux remained thoroughly amused the entire time.
The odd group, now four, continued to wander down the streets.
There were various corpses found, twisted and bloodied, or with rotting skin. The symptoms varied, odd when in an epidemic, similar traits should be displayed. It appeared as if it were not a single, constant illness spreading, but various.
Some were disfigured and more grotesque than the others, shaping into something odd and twisted. Kaden thought he'd seen one of the fallen fingers twitch.
Interrupting them, a rumble came from around the corner and in the next second, curved claws raked across the air. Kaden leapt backwards, dragging Skye by the collar as they narrowly avoided the sharp nails that would'ved torn through their bodies.
A chunk of his cloak was sacrificed as he quickly bent down, slipping two blades wrapped by his boots, spinning them in his hand.
It was a grotesque thing, the creature that staggered forth as if drunk before lunging at impossible speeds. Their skin was patchy with exposed holes in their flesh that revealed a murky black blood inside.
Kaden sidestepped another slam of the creature's claws, ducking underneath to slash his blades against their legs.
The skin was fragile—his knives broke through easily.
Kaden was fast; without hesitation, he rolled between the staggering and bony legs, diving the blade through the creature's back. It gurgled, foam frothing at its mouth before crumpling to the ground.
He gasped, staring in a daze at the collapsed creature.
Lux's voice was somber. "...One of the corrupted. That isn't something that should exist here."
"Corrupted?" Kaden flicked his blades as the black blood splattered against stone. "What are you talking about?"
"You'd learn more about it in your third year. It's the accumulation of negative emotions, to put it simply, I suppose." A sigh. "Though there's nothing simple about it. There's no helping it, I shouldn't tell you—"
"All the more reason to tell me."
"A rule-breaker, aren't you, puppy? I do like that."
"I can't say messing with me while I have a knife in my hand is the best idea."
"Oh, a threat?" Lux smiled, but there was caution in his gaze. "Corruption, see, is something that especially occurs in the Blessed. The Reversal happens when they use their abilities more than they should, but corruption happens easily, naturally."
He paused. "Though for it to accumulate to an extent like this is rare. We, the lovely Blessed, have many things wrong with our blood. This is one of them. Feel too much, and it overtakes you. Transforms you."
"And this isn't something that the professors assume we should know?"
"You're monitored, little puppy. We're monitored, 24/7 to make sure that doesn't happen. Telling fresh younglings who've only just learned about their abilities would only stir panic—having opposing results."
Lux shook his head. "Regardless, this is very rare. And the people here should be common townsfolk."
"What if they're a Blessed that haven't been found by the Academy?"
"It's possible. Unlikely, however. Let's keep that option open, regardless. The coincidence that there was a hidden Blessed in this town that happened to be corrupted."
"You're being sarcastic."
"I'm making an effort to speak your language."
Kaden sneered. "Enough nonsense." He tugged his cloak at his neck, peering at the gory corpse. "If you have nothing else to say, then we'll continue investigating."
"Not eager to turn back?" wondered Lux.
Skye pursed his lips. "Mn, Kaden, maybe it's safer to go back?"
The masked man only said two words. "Go back."
Was he being chased away from his own investigation—one that none of the other three had been invited to, might he add.
He turned around again, ignoring the stalkers behind him. Past windows, the muffled groans of the ill that came behind thin standing walls. He pulled out another handkerchief, covering his nose and mouth from inhaling.
It was a risk, stepping into a town with an illness running rampant, but Reed wouldn't allow him to sit idly. Lux and Skye followed his movements after understanding he wouldn't leave.
Several lower windows glowed with a dull, flickering light as they passed. Kaden heard whispers, quiet mutterings in the dark.
There, inside the homes of the townsfolk, several faeries were spotted. A healing pulse gathered in their hands that slowly streamed from their fingertips like floating strings, flowing into the bedridden's bodies.
Lux peered inside nosily, humming to himself. "I'd heard that the faeries were involving themselves, but didn't believe it until now. I must wonder their motive. They're likely to be scheming something."
"All we can do is discriminate against those who are willing to help." said Kaden dully, walking past without glancing twice.
Skye skipped behind, hurrying to catch up as he yawned, disinterested in the hollow and sick bodies. "I learned this, Kaden! The Fae are rarely without tricks. Without intention. Deceptive creatures—be careful, okay?"
Kaden halted in his step, causing Skye to bump into him. The younger teenager rubbed his nose, frowning. "Ah? Did something happen? Kaden?"
A cold gaze raked him. "Deceptive? I should be careful?"
"Of course! I worry for you, Kaden."
"And yet they do more for us with their deception than we do for each other with honesty."
Lux had found a rock somewhere, tossing it in the air casually. "That poses a question I'm curious about, little puppy. Say, your friend has deceived you impossibly, for your sake. What would you do?"
It was only because Kaden knew they'd continue to bother him, that he responded. "Be more specific."
"They sweetly play the role of your most trusted companion, spending day and evening with you. But their friendship comes with an end goal, a motive. A friendship based off deception."
Kaden swung his head around, and Lux smiled pleasantly.
The chilly wind billowed around them, a whistle in the night.
"Might I predict your answer? That you'll say a friendship like that is best rooted, pulled and burned. That a person who would do such a thing is terribly cruel—a person unforgivable."
But, my question isn't asking your opinion of yourself." The rock sailed high into the air, disappearing into the darkness. "What if—cough!"
His eyes widened as he hunched over, coughing heavily into his hand. The crimson eyes were round and then squinted in a burst of sharp pain before he squeezed his eyes shut and then smoothened his expression.
There was still red on his palm, and a weariness that wasn't there before.
"There are so many things you don't know, aren't there? Don't look at me, I don't know them either. I've been chasing after only one goal this entire time."
Kaden furrowed his eyebrows. It would be troublesome if Lux collapsed on the streets—he really didn't want to carry the other person back. "Your hand..."
"Worried for me? But this is nothing," Lux wiped away the blood nonchalant. "I'll let you know a secret. My bloodline, we've a history of falling prey to the Reversal. Whether it occurs faster, or that we're more compelled to use our abilities, it's uncertain."
He straightened his back—tall and broad, with a resemblence to Reed. They both had the sturdiness of future leaders, unmovable in their path.
For such a person, he could've become much more than a sneaking man following another's orders.
Kaden wondered before he could help it, "Why do you stay by Reed's side?"
Lux wiped away the blood, fiddling with another rock he found on the street. He tossed it in the air, shrugging. "He was the only option I had. The only guarentee that I'll succeed in finding what I've been looking for. I know that—trust that."
"Is that the only reason?"
It was inexplicable, but Kaden felt as if there were another layer to that answer.
"More?" Lux parted his lips before tossing his head back, laughing at the thought. His red hair fell around his face wildly,. "Now wouldn't you like to know?"
"I wouldn't."
"Ah, but wasn't it you who asked?"
Kaden scowled. "I was making conversation. To be polite."
"Of course, little puppy. I believe you." Lux flashed his teeth, a sly grin appearing on his face.
There it was, the other's special talent of making Kaden regret ever making conversation. He clamped his mouth shut and hurried away, ignoring those trailing behind him. Then, in his peripheral view, a clumsy shadow tumbled around the corner.
A person sneaking around in the night. They evidently lacked the skill to do so proficiently, thought Kaden as his eyes narrowed.
He didn't hesitate, changing his trajectory as he followed behind.