Sin Eater

They brought her into the circular building through the opposite door he had come in. Leading her by that damn collar she wore for the purpose of the ceremony. As was the nature of the beast, she would look down, avoiding his eyes until she could not stand alone- then she would reluctantly lock eyes with him. It tore at his soul, he wanted to help her through the whole battle, he was strong enough. His jaw clenched, muscles rippling in his cheek as he ground his teeth. The escorts of the sinner followed her in, with Clement trudging behind. He was a wealthy merchant in the city, well liked, well respected, and he had more than enough to buy out the minimal punishment. But it was his 5th time he had dalliance with a young girl, so he would now be subjected to the consuming of his… appetites. Clements stood in front of Dawn- her collar was now fixed to a post they would ground the magic she channeled. Giving her a place to push extra power if her control of it weakened when she was flayed. The judge was reading through ceremonial bull shit, and Jacob willed her to look up earlier, but her head stayed resolutely fixed on Clements shoes. “And for the taking of a virgin, before her coming of age, being the fifth offense.” He was concluding the ceremony as they wrapped Dawns hands palm down to Clements hands. “It is the will of Kyn that 25 stripes must be had but 5 felt- each unfelt costing 5 Rayen.” No, Jacob’s heart caught in his chest. He could feel the anxiety rising, 20 stripes, damn Clements. He barely registered the money changer grabbing Clement’s coin purse and laying the 100 Rayen between the two in the ceremonial plate, “to be consumed leaving you vacant ever more.” The judge finished, slamming the tomb closed and stepping back to witness that everything proceeded as necessary.

The ceremony was rooted in deep magic and blessed only by Kyn if it was performed perfectly. Otherwise, Kyn may see it as an offense, the magic could run wild and they may all be consumed by it. Two escorts held Dawn by her arms so she could not collapse- as the third escort cracked the whip across Clements back. It ripped the shirt, but the skin remained unblemished. Jacob knew that a long red, bloody, welt just marked Dawns back. 2… 3… 4… With each lash, the binds around their hands glowed, a glow that began to spread up Dawns body, and pulsing into the collar. She didn’t make any noise but her small frame shook with exertion. 5… 6… 7… Her forehead beaded with sweat. 8… 9… 10… Jacob knew the small shards of glass tied into the tail of the whip made it hard for her to heal. 11… 12… and 13… she looked up, unable to take it alone anymore. Their eyes locked and Jacob threw a wall around her fraying psyche. In this, he didn’t feel the physical pain, but the magic and emotional damage was like a hurricane force in his mind. His body tense in effort. 17… 18… 19… Dawns fragile consciousness wept behind his shield. 20 and the last 5 were for Clements. Jacob took those moments to touch mind to mind, letting her know he had to pull away, but their eyes remained locked.

As the whipping ended, Jacob walked up behind Clements. The escorts pulled their hoods low, completely blocking him from view, the money changer was already turning away with the judge. No one would see but her and she never flinched from the monster he was. As he unhinged his jaw, long, black fangs seemed to grow from his teeth, consuming them. He grabbed the smaller man, the coward in a vice grip and bit down on the base of his neck. Blood bubbled up into his mouth, but also a fowl black miasma. Magic flowed from Dawn as she held his eyes, but now the wall that shielded her, blocked her from his mind. He would not let her stand with him in this darkness. He fed on Clements dark appetite, feeling out the spots in his soul that were stained with it. Letting Kyn guide him on what needed consumed, he consumed passion, sexual desire, in parts where the appetite might reform. And after excising it completely, he released Clement and collapsed onto the floor. The escorts quickly unbound Dawn, leaving her to droop to her knees, blood still running in rivulets but much staunched by her bodies more rapid healing. With great haste, the money, and Clements, the party left Dawn and Jacob alone.

Jacob pushed up onto his hands and knees and vomited blood and black thick tar. His face was almost back to a normal human face, black on the edges of his teeth dissipating. She crawled over to him, still not able to stand, and cautiously touched his hand. He sat upright and looked at her. All the sickness of Clements sin, swirling in those brown eyes. He grabbed her arm roughly, nails digging into her skin. But she held his gaze. “Jacob, you are not his sin- you are the sin eater.” For a few eternal heart beats, his nails continued to press into her skin, his grip crushing her arm. Finally, Jacob’s hand slackened, holding her green eyes until he could find himself in Clement’s bile. Then, tears filling his eyes, he bowed his head and broke.