The Blood Of The Covenant Is Thicker Than The Water Of The Womb

 Minta had left Jack to be cared for by Constance. She had spent several days in the cave caring for her brother, making him a bed, helping the witch make him clothes, and helping him learn to walk. 

 She stayed away from the city after her brazen display. The thief had relayed to her the outrage it had sparked within the diamond sector. The song that the king's heart sung had become shaken and hesitant over the last week. She was doubtful that she was solely responsible.

 Her travels took her to the far south of the country where hamlets were spread few and far between. The trek had taken her days but she came to a small settlement atop a cliff overlooking the sea where whales breached and birds frolicked.

 A guard opened the gate for her and she tied Thunder to a post and looked over the hamlet. A tavern stood beside the front gate to the fence that walled in the city. To the right was a large mine. The rest was occupied by seven log houses. Throughout the streets chickens wandered among two cows. 

 She wore a black velvet choker, a white puffy shirt under a corset and black leather pants. The hood of her cloak was pulled down and the cape was tossed aside to bare her arms under the unrelenting heat of the day.

 For the first time she had to focus to tune out the music that threatened to make her head explode. She finally couldn't hear the call of the king but the town now threatened to deafen her. She didn't know how she'd pick out a target when she was forcing her gift into silence.

 Taking a deep breath she walked into the tavern. The room only had several people. She sat atop a stool before the bar and ordered a whiskey neat. She sipped the warm fire. The tavern smelled of smoke and booze but that wasn't all that hung thick in the air. She tried to focus on one heart but she was hit with all of them at once, a shudder running through her. She gave up for good. She downed the whiskey and ordered another.

 "Not often we get drifters," The bartender commented as he set her drink before her, "What brings you here?"

 He wasn't much older than her but his gray eyes were tired. His tan skin was rough. He was tall and thin. 

 "Work. Hope."

 "You talk odd."

 "Never knew."

 The man's eyes narrowed. She held his gaze as she finished off her drink that was decidedly her last.

 "Rent room?"

 "Three gold for the night."

 Minta dropped the gold on the counter and the man pointed to her room. Up the stairs and to the left was a line of doors before an indoor balcony. She walked into her bedroom and laid down. She stretched out across the bed and removed her corset. In that moment breathing had never felt so divine.

 She lifted her shirt to look down at the closing wound. She had been stopped by a band of highwaymen but she only managed to devour the heart of one.

 Before closing her eyes she committed the room to memory; in the far left corner was the door. Her bed sat in the corner of the room below a window the same width. Against the left wall, slightly obscuring the door, was a tall closet that matched the dark wood of the nightstand. 

 Taking her dagger from her holster she laid her hand under her pillow, gripping the weapon in her fist. Her mind brought forth visions of raven hair and twinkling eyes that soothed her to sleep.

 She awoke to the sensation of cold air gliding into her room and the scent of a man. In the silence a pin drop could be heard. She felt the blanket move. She didn't quite feel his fingers as they slipped into her pocket, she more felt her clothes tighten to accommodate the intrusion.

 She opened her eyes to survey him within less than a second and gave him a right hook to the temple and threw him off of her. His head smashed against the wooden floor. She climbed atop him and held her blade to his throat. He was too dazed for fear to register just yet. Though, as she sat atop him, his eyes unfocused and his expression unenthused she considered that he didn't fear death.

 "Why?"

 He closed his eyes and lifted his chin. She stood. She stared at him as he struggled to sit up. He rubbed his head. His shaggy black hair reached his shoulders. His olive skin was marred with scars. His dark eyes were almost a perfect circle with long lashes. He had a square face, a wide nose, and hollow cheeks. He was somewhere between manly and boyish.

 She pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit it before handing it to him. She then lit her own. She sat down on the bed and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.

 "I pay for information."

 He scoffed, "You're better off killing me," He said, and when she raised her eyebrow he elaborated, "Don't be nosy, just get the fuck out."

 "Name?"

 "Don't worry about it."

 He started for the door only for her to stop him. He turned abruptly, his expression one of exasperation.

 "Look, lady, I'm sorry I-"

 She pressed her hand against his mouth and took a step closer to him.

 "Need to know," She paused between each word, growling as she forced them out one by one.

 He forced her hand away, "Why?"

 "Tried rob. Owe me."

 "A robbery is the best thing that's gonna happen to you here."

 "Like what?"

 He glanced at the door and back to her before his gaze fell to his shoes. He gathered his resolve eventually to again face her. He opened his mouth and shut it again. He tried to pass her to walk to the window but she grabbed his wrist. He turned to her.

 "Please."

 "In danger?"

 "No."

 "Can help."

 "I can't understand you."

 She rolled her eyes, "Ca-I can help you if d-you're in da-danger."

 He slouched, "I'm sorry. I'm being an ass."

 "Yes."

 He smiled, "I need to leave before sunrise. If you insist on talking you can meet me at the bottom of the cliff."

 "Fine."

 She watched him slip out the window and climb onto the roof. She returned to the bar and ordered a black coffee. A middle aged redhead smiled as she tended the bar, her body jittering with every movement.

 Minta brought the coffee to her lips once and felt as though she was being punished for the sins of every soul wandering the earth by being given a boiled ashtray to drink.

 "You're new," The woman commented, "I'm Verona. Edison told me a new girl came by."

 Minta nodded with an awkward smile as the woman dried a dish.

 "What brings you here?"

 "Lodging."

 "Where ya from?"

 "Drifter. Everywhere. You?"

 "Born 'n raised here!" She chirped, her smile stretching her face to strain her ears.

 Suddenly the woman dropped the dish with a yelp. Minta watched her clean the mess with her bare hands, her smile spasming as though fighting to leave her face. Once the broken glass was in the trash Verona leaned her arms on the counter. Her bloody hands created small pools on either side of her but she appeared unaware.

 "What like?"

 "Pardon?"

 Minta's jaw ticked, "What It-is it l-like h-here?"

 "Something wrong with you?"

 "Many."

 A dry chuckle came through, Verona's nostrils flaring, "How long are you staying?"

 "Not know. Saw black haired boy way in. Dark eyes, scarred, pale. Know?"

 Verona's eyes darkened. Her grin fought to fade yet again but it simply flickered as her muscles spasmed.

 "He's a bastard. Don't trust him. He isn't allowed in this town he's such a menace."

 "Oh?"

 "He's a bastard."

 "Looked nice."

 "Now you listen," She leaned closer, turning to the door before speaking in a hushed tone, "That boy has been stealing from the good workers of this town since he killed his own mother and father. She was pregnant. Now he has the nerve to sculk about and pick pockets when no one's looking as if he hasn't terrorized everyone enough. You see him, you bring him to us. That boy needs to face justice."

 Minta nodded lazily. She stared into her reflection through the mug. She watched as her encounter played over in her mind again and again. He didn't have a weapon, he didn't try to hurt her, if anything he seemed to have wanted her to kill him. He looked to have accepted death. Though, the mistress of the orphanage accepted her death when it came and she was far from innocent.

 "Apologize," Minta said sincerely, her hand on her heart.

 "You didn't know."

 "Why kill her?"

 "Don't know," Verona sighed, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall of liquor bottles, "He raped the sheriff's daughter. Killed her after. He was just a damn demon."

 Minta nodded. She gazed through her coffee, tapping her finger on the counter.

 "Look for him?"

 "What?"

 "I look for boy."

 "You a detective?"

 Minta shook her head, "Father is. Learned him."

 Verona shrugged, "It's good enough for this place. The sheriff's house is right by the mine. You can go talk to him. He'll appreciate the help."

 "When awake?"

 "Sunrise. Just listen for the rooster."

 "Thanks," Minta nodded.

 Verona's shaking hands set down the dish and she lost her balance. Minta Jolted up, running around the bar to steady her. She felt the woman's muscles spasm under her hands. She eased the quivering body onto her back. She held onto wracked her brain for anything she could do as she crouched before the woman, the words 'stupid' and 'useless' bouncing off the walls of her skull.

 "Go on, I'm fine."

 "Are sure?"

 She chuckled, "Yes."

 Through hesitation Minta straightened her legs. She left the tavern to be captivated by the morning sun that bloomed bright in the sky, it's flaming petals spreading pink over the light blue and painting the clouds the color of Jack's cheeks. Every surface was kissed by gold. The morning air smelled refreshingly of dew, the wilderness, and the indescribable scent of life.

 Minta walked about the little hamlet. She came to a cow. Showing the cow her hand she slowly pet the animal's muscular neck. Her fur was smooth. It glistened under the morning light. She was a glorious, majestic animal. Something about her energy felt matriarchal. It spoke to her so deeply she felt her chest constrict. She pet the cow's snout. The cow closed her eyes and made a soft humming sound that rumbled through her immense body.

 Minta turned to tend to Thunder only for her shirt to be pulled and for her to stumble. She quickly righted herself before she fell and turned to the cow. She placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. The cow nuzzled her stomach. She bent to hug the animal, rubbing her neck as she did. After giving the cow more attention she walked to Thunder without obstruction. He greeted her with a grumpy sounding nicker, something she didn't think could exist. She grabbed some hay and filled his trough but he didn't respond to the treat. Those that she reanimated only had to feed once or twice a day so it wasn't surprising. 

 "Bored?" She asked, stroking his mane, "Home soon."

 He screamed and stomped his hoof onto the ground before pulling at his reigns. She spoke soothing words as she ran her fingers through his coarse fur. He took almost all of her torso into the curve of his neck. Though she knew the illusion of safety was just that, an illusion, she felt truly separate from her mortality. Knowing Thunder she understood what horses represented; they loved deeply and all the while held the potential for the destruction of life to be forced within a moment.

 Suddenly she heard the rooster's call and she started her own timer by leaning against Thunder and lighting a cigarette. She felt her body sway with every breath he took. Once she finished her cigarette she started for the sheriff's house only for Thunder to scream for her. She turned and pet his snout.

 "Be back," She pressed her forehead against his as she made her promise.

 She knocked on the door and soon was met with a withered old man. His face sagged and his eyes drooped. His crimson hair was greasy and messy.

 "What brings you here?" The sheriff greeted her.

 "Search for thief."

 A series of emotions crossed his face before he stepped aside. She walked into the living room and sat on the couch, her back straight and her legs crossed. He sat in the armchair across from her, hiking his legs up onto the coffee table and interlacing his fingers together on his stomach.

 "How'd you hear about that prick?"

 "Grew not far. Rumors."

 He grunted, "So you're some bounty hunter wannabe?"

 "Essentially. Talented."

 "We need what we can get. He's young and I'm old. If you're willing to sit and listen I'll tell you all about him."

 "Willing."

 "Well. His parents moved here when his mom was pregnant. His dad went to work in the mine. We treated him like our own. Didn't matter. He killed livestock constantly. We had to beat him to get him to stop. My daughter was his friend. He raped her. Killed her. My son found them. After we drove him out of town he found a way in and did the same shit to his pregnant mother and killed both his parents. Like that isn't enough we keep having shit go missing; livestock, food, clothes, gold. He can't be far away but these woods are too dangerous to send someone out to find him. Can't be far, though. Cocky prick."

 "Else talk?"

 "My son. He's guarding the gate."

 "Thanks."

 She stood and walked outside. She saw the boy. He looked to be in his late teens. He wore the guard uniform and stared into the sky with his wrists crossed behind his back. He looked like his father but with bloodshot eyes and a very long face.

 "What know about thief?"

 "What?" He snapped.

 "Thief stealing from town. Need talk."

 "Can you talk like a person?"

 "No. Speak."

 He growled and shook his head, "He raped and killed my sister. Why would I want to talk about him?"

 "Justice."

 "Justice is impossible. Not unless killing him will get me another sister."

 Minta maintained her poker face and braced herself as she asked, "Why hurt her?"

 "She was going to marry someone else."

 "Who?"

 "Someone a lot better than him. Not that it matters now."

 "Thanks."

 Minta started for the front gate only to stop and turn when he called to her.

 "Yes?"

 "Where are you going?"

 "Searching."

 "Don't go too far."

 "Thank you."

 She opened the gate and made her way to the edge of the cliff. She leaned forward to stare down at the docile waves that massaged soil from the earth. She crouched and leapt forward, wind rushing past her as she flew downward and sliced through the waters below. Needles penetrated her deeply enough to crack her bones and displace her organs. Fighting her body she swam to the surface. She gained a high when she finally found air. On the land she saw the thief.

 She made her way into the alcove that he had molded into a home complete with a bed of hay, a fire, a fishing nook, and piles of things with which to pass the time. He sat atop a boulder with an amused smirk on his face.

 "There was an easier way to get here."

 "I know."

 "Then why did you dive?"

 "I know."

 His lighthearted expression turned sullen and he pleaded, "Listen to me? Please?"

 She took the dagger from it's holster and secured it in her fist. An air of foreboding passed over her, leaving the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.

 She rushed him, raising the dagger and he dove out of the way as she brought it down toward his neck, nicking his other shoulder. He raised his hands in surrender. She spun on her heel and before he could react she shot her foot between his ribs and he collapsed, gasping for air and clutching his stomach. She used her other foot to kick him in the face and send him onto his back, grasping clumsily for consciousness. As she approached he lazily dragged himself backward, gravel scraping harshly under his desperate hands.

 "Please!"

 Minta stopped in her tracks, her eyes shifting to where the stone wall met the gravel below. Swaddled in blankets was a redheaded girl. Her body was bloated and her flesh was purple. Her hair was like bloody straw.

 She looked down to the boy. He had followed her gaze and now globs of tears welled in his eyes. Even in the flurry of emotions that ravaged him his eyes were clouded with confusion. His body trembled with fear that would either contract or expand depending on his innocence.