The Sin's Virtue

There have been several occasions where I had to be in Sins’ presence. Like those núcleo meeting we are required to attend together to discuss the progress and issues of our respective states or those several balls, right here in this estate. But it never felt this nerve breaking, like it does now.

Maybe because my sisters were with me then and they aren’t now. Maybe because I never bothered to look directly in the eyes of my counterpart. Maybe because I never gave a thought about how the same shade of our eyes, the same specks, the same pupils can hold some very different emotions. A very different story. A very different existence.

The power in me right now does not help either. You would be happy to see what others can not when you can notice such details but then looking into those deep eyes, I could see nothing but superiority. A Sin that is too proud to be Pride. And right now, too smug to catch a Virtue at fault.

Even though I wasn’t ready to step away, refusing to feel intimidated by his presence, I am sure he was able to see past it. With the mirth sailing in his purple ocean, it was clear he was enjoying this way too much.

“I am intrigued.” He said tilting his head slightly to one side not relenting his gaze on me.

I am intrigued myself. I know I was being reckless but I am sure I wasn’t there for too long for him to sense me already. When I didn’t elaborate any further he narrowed his eyes on me. I am sure he has a way with the people back in Impío. I mean who wouldn’t give in to that menacing gaze which was contradicting his amusing smirk.

But I always believe in eyes over any other gesture. Eyes never lie.

But then again, he is a Sin. I am not sure if the underlying glee of catching me red handed behind his smirk is true or that thunderous promise to kill me for breaking the rules, that shone brightly in his eyes.

Río cleared his throat from behind me and I was more than happy to break the contact with Pride. Río came to stand beside me and shook hands with the Sin standing in front of us.

“Pride.” He nodded. “I would be lying if I said I did not expect you to show up. However not this fast.”

Pride smirked. Does he smirks at everything thrown his way?

“Ah you see I had to come and stop a Virtue who decided to leave a little too early.” He said glancing at me. My mouth twisted in a scowl. Río nodded.

“Why don’t you guys have a lunch with me and we can talk about it?” Lunch? Is it noon already? Without waiting for our replies, Río turned towards the staff members who were standing at door and asked them to lay a table out in the backyard.

I felt a little dizzy, the powers were taking a toll on my senses. My body felt suffocating. I wanted to sit, standing wasn’t helping either. But I stayed quiet anyways.

We made our way towards the lunch table set outside and suddenly I was thankful to be standing in open. The air inside was thick with the Pride’s presence, here however it was not as hard to tolerate as it was back in. We sat opposite to each other with Río on the head of the table and between us.

I wasn’t looking at anyone but past the table and at the Reveria that floated calmly around the estate. The lunch was already served and the delicious smell of it was mouth watering, however I didn’t touch it.

“What were you doing in Impío?” Cut to the chase? I looked at Río who was silently watching me. I sighed. I have to tell this. I can not ‘not’ tell this to Pride. But there is one thing that is keeping me from jumping right into the explanation part. Something that is keeping me from justifying my action.

What if I tell him the truth and he takes advantage of it? I mean he can after all stop me from tracing the process back to gain his lost strength? Does he know that I am keeping the balance up all by myself and that other Virtues are gone?

How can I know that this will not go down the hill?

“I wanted to talk to you.” I said carefully approaching it, my voice calm and collected which was surprising, even to me. Pride raised a brow at me. He didn’t expect me to say this, did he?

“Why?” He asked arrogantly. I frowned at his rudeness. I glanced at Río but he was too busy in stuffing his face with food. I know he does not want to do with any of this. So I decided to just get it over with.

“Because I wanted to know if you and rest of the Sins could help me with something.” I said and watched his expression changing from one of that pure haughtiness to classic amusement. “I would really appreciate it if you could.”

“You mean the Virtues want our help?” He asked, his mouth twisting into an ill disguised merriment.

“No. Not the Virtues. Just me.” I said looking down. I balled my fists to stop myself from leaving the table rudely. Thats just not me. I felt him watching me so I looked up to meet his eyes. His face was blank. How is it that he can swap his expressions so quickly? Its so hard to keep up.

“Are you going to explain or just sit there staring dumbly at me?” He snapped making me flinch. My mouth opened and closed like a fish.

Rude much.

“Don’t use that tone on me.” I said barely keeping up with my humble nature. Not bragging of course.

“Touchy. Are we?” He said tilting his head to one side. Is it a habit of his?

“No. But I can do with some manners.” I said softly. He didn’t say anything but continued to stare.

“And I can do with the two of you out of my home. So help me with this and talk.” Río said snapping us out of the staring contest.

“What do you need our help with?”

I hate this. I hate this already.

“Can you slack off on the balance?” I asked biting my lip. I was expecting an outrageous reaction but none of it came.

“Why?” He asked sitting up straight in his chair. Ah so I have finally got his attention. Me being in Impío was merely an entertainment for him. But this, this is not what he expected. I took a deep breath.

Just say it.

“The Virtues are missing.” I said but that plain expression didn’t change.

“You are a Virtue.” He said. I closed my eyes due to the throbbing pain in my head.

I never knew that immortals were capable of this pain.

“I know. I am talking about the rest. Somebody kidnapped them.” I said opening my eyes.

“Do you think I am stupid?” He asked getting up abruptly. There it is, the one reaction I was anticipating. Río and I followed his action. He rounded the table and came close to me. So close that there was only an inch between us and I wished that the ground could just swallow me up already. What he said next, it was a threat in a deadly whisper.

“The next time I sense you in my state, be ready with a death wish.” With that he turned back and started walking away.

“You don’t leave without my consent, Pride.” Río said in a warning tone.

“Oh yeah?” Pride turned around with a glare etched on his face.

“As absurd as it may sound to you, she is telling the truth.” Río said. I gave him a silent thank you. “The Virtues are indeed missing.”

“Care to explain why I didn’t feel the balance shifting?” He asked folding his arms across his chest.

“I used the mark of Virtue.” I said. I saw him stiffening slightly. His eyes, they narrowed on me once again. “I didn’t have any choice.”

“I am sure you know the consequences, don’t you?” He asked making his way to me. That soft but lethal scent of his filling my senses again. I nodded.

“Then why would you do that?” He asked standing right in front of me. Does he not understand the concept of ‘personal space’?

“As I said, I didn’t have a choice.” I whispered looking down.

“Choice huh? And now you want us to step back. Powers, such as that, not doing good with you?” He asked, his sinister tone finally showing up from the lost world it had hid itself into. I didn’t answer.

What should I say anyways? I can only admit to it with a nod. I looked up to see his satisfaction in my agreement. He knows how burdening it feels.

“Listen to me Pride, this isn’t funny or the petty fight that goes on between the Sins and Virtues. She has only a month with herself and I want you to help her.” Río snapped at Pride.

“And why would I listen to you? I can just wait and let the balance tip in my favour. Can’t I?” He said with a shrug grinning at Río like it was a treat for him.

“Nothing is in your favour here. I thought you were smarter than that.” Río said and I frowned. What does he mean?

“I am not the one who used the mark.” He said with a shrug, jabbing at me.

“True. But thats done. You got to help her in finding her sisters.” Río said as a matter of fact. Which made him raise his brow at Río’s authority.

“You sound like I care about your orders.” He said. “I will be waiting for the news of your failure. Enjoy your quest though.” With that he turned around to walk away again.

I swear if this time, had he walked away, nobody would have stopped him. Not me, not Río either. But he didn’t walk away. Not because he changed his mind but because something made both of us flinch. When he turned around, his hand accidentally brushed mine. It hardly approved for a contact but then again it didn’t take much for the mark to heat up and shoot sparks throughout my body.

My eyes went wide and I brought my hand to my chest. He stayed still. Very still. But his eyes, they were emitting something I couldn’t catch on, only that, they were just as wide as mine. He felt that too, didn’t he?

None of us said a word, I am not sure if that was required given the revelation we just felt.

This is not possible!

How can it be?!

I can’t be!

Why now?!

I refused to believe the taunting reality that slapped me across my face.

But then the spark did happen, didn’t they?!

I took a step back inhaling sharply. Shaking my head, I kept putting as much distance I can between me and the Sin that stood in front me stock still.

I felt like throwing up. So in a haste, I ran out of there. Away from the sickening truth. But not before hearing a quiet whisper which echoed in my ears sharply. His voice.

“Mate...”

-*-

First off, this is not a werewolf story! You will however find the concept of MATES in here.

When an immortal finds his/her mate, their skin fires up sparks but when an immortal that ranks in the hierarchy finds his/her mate then their mark burns and spreads sparks throughout the body as you saw above.

Comment down below your opinions on it.

Also Vote!

-Lia