Xiang

In another life she was an oddity, a rare and exotic beauty that was coveted by a cruel master.

"Sing for me, pretty bird." He would croon to her. "Dance and sing to the courts of how I own you."

And as she was commanded, she would dance and she would sing. And when he grew displeased with someone, he would point them out and command her to kill, and she would kill. But she was not an empty vessel only to hear his words and carry out his will, she thought, she planned, and she waited.

And then one day, when he called her close, and commanded her to kill he who was as a brother to her, she tore out his throat.

His court had scattered and fled to the far corners of his palace, hoping to hide from the monster he had made.

The time of waiting, however, had passed, and they could not be allowed to live to become new masters to snare her and hers. There would be no more masters, she would ensure it. So they died, some quickly, some quietly, some so sweetly slowly. But they all died. And when the sun rose on an empty palace of all that would threaten what she loved, she lead them away.

There was no place left for them in a House painted with blood.