10. Who is the Sin Eater?
10
Who is the Sin Eater?
T HE entire way back from the hospital, Nadia kept glancing at her, worried, but Roselin wasn’t ready to talk. Her friend could’ve died— she could’ve died —because Ryu was… jealous? Groaning, she bumped her head against the headrest of the passenger seat.
“Are you in pain?” Nadia asked, looking at her from the corner of her eye.
Roselin was, and not just her arm. “It stings a bit, but I’m okay.”
“Don’t forget to take the painkillers before you go to bed.”
“Yes, mother.” She rolled her eyes, but was grateful for having Nadia with her. Roselin pulled on the white bandages that concealed the stitches on her forearm. What was she going to do now? Actually, she knew what she needed to do, but it hurt.
As soon as she was back at the apartment, Roselin closed the door of her room and nestled onto the bed. She called all the numbers Ryu had contacted her with. The generic voicemail came through.
“You’re an ass, you know that? I don’t care how many numbers I have to call, or how many times, so you understand you’re an ass.” She sat up on her knees, leaning closer to the phone, as anger flushed her face. “Keep ignoring me. Ignore the person you tried to kill, whose friend you tried to kill.” The words rushed out of her. “How could you? I didn’t need you to save me. I was safe. Abasi is a friend. He wouldn’t have done anything to me, but you did.” Her voice broke, and she cursed the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Why— damn it, Ryu—” She took a deep breath. “You said you would protect my trust.” She yelled before disconnecting.
Roselin fell back on the bed, burying her head into the pillow, and screamed. Shit, she was angry, disappointed, hurt, mad, sad, all of them! How could she be so stupid? She’d known there was no way this would end well for her… but still. Still, a part of her wanted him to make her forget the pain he caused her.
Everything was too contradicting. Ryu killed people. Nevertheless, she still felt safe with him—and scared, but only in the beginning or with the shadows. He was kind and sometimes a bit mean. Ryu was close and distant. When he was with her she felt seen and not so alone, but when he ghosted her she felt like the loneliest girl on earth. Shit, she even told him bits about her mum, which she shared before. Not even with Nadia. And yet, she knew nothing about him.
“Let bygones be bygones,” she whispered to herself as the last few tears rolled over her face.
Nadia knocked, pushing the door ajar with her foot and hip as she held a bowl of soup— Roselin didn’t deserve her as a friend —and quickly after, Roselin fell asleep. Ryu and his shadows haunted her dreams; Abasi who wanted to draw her naked, the blue painting, the dagger, and blood. Her eyes fluttered open, and exhaustion washed over her.
Stupid sun, waking her up.
What the? Something pricked the skin of her leg. A note? Was the piece of paper here last evening? Must be, or some creeper came in the middle of the night and placed it with her in bed. Nope, someone must have left it when she was gone.
Beware of the Sin Eater
Roselin blinked at the message, reading it over and over as if the five words would change and explain everything. What or who was a Sin Eater? She took her phone from the nightstand.
Roselin: Did you leave a note on my bed yesterday?
Abasi: Go fuck yourself. Seriously, you’re asking me about a note, while you almost got me killed?
A pang shot through her heart. She never wanted Abasi to get hurt. And he didn’t! She did. After what happened, he didn’t even ask her if she was okay.
Perhaps it was all her fault. Roselin could’ve dumped Ryu after she saw him murder someone, but she somehow understood his logic—she had experienced Ryu’s reasoning and wished he had been there to help.
The blood drained from her face. What if the message was a warning from one of Ryu’s enemies? They might have seen them together. He sat at the park watching her paint. Anyone could’ve sneaked into the apartment and left the threatening note. Her fingers raked through her hair. Shit, shit, shit, what was she going to do?
With a trembling hand, she called Ryu. Should she mention it was about a Sin Eater? What if the line wasn’t secure, and this Sin Eater would take revenge for saying their name? What if the Sin Eater had Mageía powers, too?
Please pick up, please pick up—of course, voicemail. Shit. “Ryu, you need to call me back. I’m serious,” she said with shaking hands.
Roselin: Please come and see me.
Roselin: Or return my calls. It’s important.
What now? Wait until Ryu may or may not be interested in helping her? Fuck. All of this could have been avoided if she immediately went to Nadia when she found out Gale cheated. Roselin was an awful friend, and now she faced karma. Or was she still being punished for what happened years ago…
Mum.
Roselin pressed her shaking hands to her chest and breathed the sobs away, wishing her mum could be here. Even though Mum wouldn’t be able to help—just a hug, a kind word, anything was enough. But her mum wasn’t here, and her friends might hate her now. But even if they didn’t, she couldn’t put them at risk with the Sin Eater.
She was alone. Again.
Screw Ryu !
Why did he decide when they meet and talk? He was the one who got her into this mess, he should get her out. After all, Ryu owed her after everything he did.
She quickly changed into her yoga pants and a jumper. From the bottom of her closet, somewhere behind her shoes, Roselin grabbed a cap. Better be safe than sorry.
“Brunch?” Nadia said as Roselin marched through the apartment.
“I have something to do first.”
Nadia rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I won’t take you to the emergency room when you pass out.”
“Liar. You totally would,” Roselin said with her hand on the doorknob. Nadia stuck out her tongue as Roselin left laughing.
She took the tram to the Dutch area. Although she didn’t exactly know where Ryu lived, she could always try. She remembered a Dutch-style building, so New Groningen was an excellent place to start. The information board showed photos of the New Groningen and the Original Groningen in the Netherlands. It switched to a photo of Mister Visser, the heir of the Dutch founder. She’d love to hear the story of how Ryu and Mister Visser met.
The tram stopped. Lost, Roselin looked around. Wasn’t there a mill close by? Someone must know it. How many mills could there be? Her stomach rumbled. Shit, she should’ve eaten first. At least there were enough people milling about that she seemed safe enough. She walked up to a little stand selling something called… Stroopwafels. Syrup waffles? They smelled delicious.
“Next,” the girl with braids said to her.
Roselin stepped forward. “Hi, could I get a basket with eight stroopwafels,” she butchered the languages. A peace offering, even if she didn’t fully mean it, might persuade Ryu to help her. “Could you tell me how I can find the mill?”
“The baker or the one out?” The girl handed her the basket. Roselin opened her mouth only to close it again. “I guess the baker. If you continue down this street, there is a canal on your right. Follow it and go turn again by the pancake-ship.”
“Pancake-ship?”
The girl smiled. “It’s a restaurant in an old flagship that sells Dutch pancakes.”
“Right. Thank you,” Roselin said as she handed the girl the money.
She followed the instruction—damn, she should go to the pancake-ship someday—and reached the mill, which indeed was a little bakery. Mental note: visit the Dutch area more often.
As she walked up and down the street, attempting to find the way from the mill to Ryu’s, she found a narrow alley leading her to another backstreet. She followed the cobblestone path. The canal ran on one side, and a small deck made it possible to enter the building from the ships.
The house—if you could even call it a house—looked similar to an old warehouse or maybe a factory with three or four floors. On the front was a stabbed gable, wooden shutters, and, at the top, a pulley to lift things to the higher levels. Like the original Groningen photos, but constructed newer for the New Arcadia.
Roselin hit the door knocker. A bell sounded through the building, but no one answered. With a sigh, she tried again and again, hoping to annoy someone inside enough to come to the door. A car honked behind her, and she twirled around.
The Driver rolled down his window, holding up a small whiteboard. ‘Miss Bessette, can I help you?’ the board said.
“Do you know where Ryu is? I’m looking for him.”
He wiped the board and wrote something new. ‘He’s at the office.’ Another deep sigh pushed past her lips. Great, the office was on a whole different side? The diver tapped against the board. ‘I can take you.’
“Oh, yes, please.” Done with sitting in the back, Roselin stepped into the passenger’s seat. The Driver pointed at the bandages around her arm. “Little accident. Didn’t Ryu tell you?” she answered as she tugged on the bandages. He shook his head. Of course not. Ryu wouldn’t tell anyone anything. She leaned back in the chair, letting her mind drift off.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the tall modern building. “Thank you,” Roselin said to the Driver as she stepped out. “Oh, here, take a stroopwafel,” she handed him one.
This time, other people were working in the office, too. The question was, could she sneak past the secretary and security behind the counter? She pulled the cap further down and took a deep breath. When she reached the low turnstile gate, she ducked under the bar and rushed to the elevator.
“Hey,” someone called out to her.
She quickly repeatedly pressed the button for the elevator. Come on, come on. The doors opened. Yes!
No! A firm hand grabbed her shoulder. “Miss Bessette,” a voice said.
Roselin twirls around, looking into the eyes of Ryu’s bulky security. At least, one half of it. “Hugo?” Were they on a first-name basis?
The door of the elevator closed again.
“No, that would be my brother. I’m Gunter Richter.”
Right, twins. At closer look, that explained the different haircut.
“What are you doing here, Miss Bessette?”
“I need to speak to Ryu.” She tried to shake off his stern grip.
“He’s busy,” Hugo said, stepping out of the other elevator. He nodded to his brother, who let her go and left. “Mister Botan will contact you when he wants to.”
Great, so now she was Ryu’s prostitute without payment. Roselin hugged herself to keep her from screaming at him. Tight enough for pain to shoot through her arm, but she tried to ignore the aching wound. “This is an emergency,” she hissed through her teeth. Hugo cocked an eyebrow. “I received a note with a threat, and since Ryu is the only person I know who may have enemies, I thought he might know more.”
“Can I see the note?”
“No.”
Hugo sighed. “I can take the note to Ryu, and he can respond to you later.”
Roselin scoffed. “I would like to give it to him myself,” she said, but she saw Hugo wasn’t giving in. She stared at her feet. “I didn’t bring the note.”
“Come back later.” Hugo turned around.
“Wait, please.” She bit her bottom lip. “I really need Ryu’s help.”
“He’ll contact you, Miss Bessette.”
“Ass,” she yelled at him. People in the lobby turned to them. Tears stung in her eyes. He shot a quick glance at the cameras aimed at them and the elevators. Was Ryu watching? “Whatever happens is on you,” she said as Ryu told her once, pointing at the camera and possibly Ryu. Another security guard strode their way. “Don’t bother. I’m leaving.”
Her hands trembled as she stepped out of the building. Her eyes darted around. What if they came for her? What if the Sin Eater wanted her dead? Did nobody care if she lived or not? Nadia, probably, but how on earth was she going to explain this to her? Fuck, Nadia would be pissed. Rightfully so. They lived together. She might even ask Gale for help to save Roselin. No, this was her mess and no one else’s.
Why did she think Ryu would care?
Biting back her tears, Roselin walked down the street. She kept glancing over her shoulder, afraid someone followed her. With no idea where to go, she continued walking until her feet hurt.
A car honked, startling her, and a pain shot through her arm. A shriek left her lips.
“Rose.”
She met Ryu’s kind brown eyes. “Ryu,” was all she could respond.
Her heart pounded in her ears. Fuck, why was Ryu still this handsome? Roselin blinked at him, unsure if she wanted to yell at him or hide in his arms. His gaze fell on the bandages wrapped around her still healing wound. Automatically, she tugged on them.
Ryu threw open the car door. “Don’t,” he said, taking her hands in his warm one as he pulled the cap off with his other.
A tear escaped her eye. “You—” Her mind drew blank, the words she wanted to say gone.
He took her into his embrace. A bit of her fear faded with Ryu’s presence. “I know,” he whispered into her hair. His hand rested on the back of her head, holding her against his chest. “Let’s get in the car.” His safe arms left her as he pulled away. He held open the door for her, and she slid in.
There was no driver this time, only Ryu and her. His fingers inched towards her leg, but he changed his mind halfway and gripped the steering wheel instead. “Where do you need to go?”
“The art shop.” She wasn’t comfortable taking him home or going to his house. The art shop was her safe place. Ryu nodded as the car filled with silence. “You ignored me,” she stated after a long pause. “I left you messages.”
Ryu clenched his jaw. “I saw them.” He passed over her first statement.
“And it was too much trouble to answer?” She pulled on the bandages again.
“Stop that.” He took her hand in his. “It needs to heal.”
“How do you know it needs to heal? You ignored me.”
“The doctor told me,” Ryu said. She raised her brows, and he laughed, but it failed to reach his eyes. “You think I wouldn’t check up on you?”
No, she did not. Her lips formed a thin line. “You ignored me,” she repeated, not knowing what else to say. Guess the abandonment stung more than she thought.
“What am I supposed to respond to, you’re an ass ?”
“Convince me you’re not. That you didn’t try to murder my friend… or me ?”
“I would never try to kill you,” he quickly said, but putting power in every word.
“And my friend.”
At that, his knuckles turned white as his grip tightened around the steering wheel. The car stopped. “We’re at the store.”
Roselin twisted in her seat to Ryu. “So that’s it?” Anger seethed through her voice.
His fingers wrapped around her chin as he stared into her eyes. “I didn’t want to kill your friend. I wanted to hurt him.” Her stomach churned at Ryu’s words. “I had my reasons.”
“You have to tell me.”
“Oh, I have to?”
She grabbed the wrist of his hand that held her in place. “Yes, you have to.”
“What does it matter to you?” Something lingered deep inside his eyes. It wasn’t anger, threatening, or the tough act—perhaps sadness.
“You may not want to share anything with me, but I will resent you for the rest of my life if you won’t explain this to me, and I don’t think that’s what you wish.” How could she forgive him if she didn’t know his reasoning? She needed something to convince her she could trust him.
His hand let go of her chin, but instead of pulling away, he cupped her cheek. His lips brushed softly against hers. She couldn’t help but kiss him back. The warmth flowed through her body in a need she shouldn’t feel.
“I’m scared of you.” Her words came out as a whisper. No, not of Ryu, of his powers… perhaps a bit of Ryu, but she knew deep down he wouldn’t hurt her. Was that stupid to think?
“I’m sorry, my white Rose.” His breath fanned her face. “But he pushed you into taking off your clothes.”
It took her a second to realise he was talking about Abasi. “No—it wasn’t like that—” Maybe it was. It made her uncomfortable, but that didn’t permit Ryu to attack him.
He stared into the distance. “I understand if you can’t forgive me. You can leave me, never see me again, and I won’t bother you again.”
She nibbled on her lip. Her heart ached at the thought of not seeing him again.
“I’m not proud of what happened… My sister—” His Adam’s apple bobbled up and down.
“You have a sister?” Roselin perked up.
An asymmetric smile with an underlying sorrow covered his face. “Not anymore. There were people who pushed her into things she didn’t want to do. In the end, they took her,” Ryu said, and she watched the emotions wash away from his face. Without warning, he stepped out of the car. Seemed like the conversation was over. He walked to her side and opened the door for her. “You need to get your art supplies.”
Roselin didn’t actually need more stuff, but if she was here anyway, she might as well. She strolled through the store. Ryu followed her from a distance, his eyes darting around as if he expected something to happen. Who would try to do anything against a Mageía, let alone a Mageía like Ryu? She put some acrylic paint in her basket and glanced at the pretty sketchbooks. Too expensive. A new pencil, two brushes, and some watercolour markers joined the paint. For the second time, she walked past the sketchbooks with mixed media paper. Even though she had Ryu’s money, she probably shouldn’t, but she’d keep it in mind for her birthday. Leaving the pretty sketchbooks behind, she made her way to the checkout.
“Did you find everything?” the woman working the counter said with a smile.
Roselin nodded, trying to find her wallet in her bag. “This too, please,” Ryu said, laying the expensive sketchbook on the counter. Roselin glanced up at him. “Is it possible for me to set up an account so I can pay for whatever she buys in this store?”
“Ryu,” she whispered to him, pulling his sleeve.
“I… uh… I’ll have to ask my manager,” the woman stuttered.
He placed his business card on the counter, together with enough cash for the supplies and more. “Let me know.” Ryu took the bags and left.
“What are you doing?” She followed him to the car.
“You shouldn’t carry bags with your arm.” He nodded to her bandages.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’m being a proper patron.”
“Ryu,” she said as she grabbed his arm.
“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to bribe you. You can still dump me.”
“It’s not about that.” Sighing, she slid into the passenger seat as Ryu held the door for her. “I can’t pay you back.”
He slid into the driver’s seat. “I can think of a way.” He smirked at her, his fingers drawing little patterns up her leg.
She shouldn’t, yet she wanted to. Another sigh left her—no self-control. Roselin’s lips locked on his. He grabbed her waist as he moved her onto his lap, making sure she wouldn’t bump her head on the roof. His hand slipped under her shirt.
“I’m being a terrible friend,” she breathed against his lips. Her fingers intertwined behind his neck, and she ignored the ache in her arm.
“No, you’re having a disagreement because you’re more knowledgeable about the situation compared to them.”
“That’s a big disagreement.”
To shut her up, he tugged her into a kiss, leaving her breathless. Her body reacted to Ryu’s every touch. Thank God for tinted car windows. The world around them disappeared as she ground on his leg. Right when she lost herself in the build-up sensation, he pulled away.
She pouted at him, and his eyes glanced over her figure. “Guess you’ll have to come over soon.”
“I’m still angry.” And now also unsatisfied. She sat back in the other seat, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
“I’ll make it up to you.” He kissed her cheek. “Are you coming home with me?”
She tilted her head. “Am I safe?”
He furrowed his brows at her. “I won’t hurt you.” His eyes fell on her arm. “It was an accident, and I won’t hurt you again.”
“Didn’t Hugo tell you?” Do they not communicate at all? God, they were infuriating. It was her life they were playing with.
“It’s why I tracked you down, darling. You were concerned?”
Concerned was an understatement. Roselin shook her head and turned to Ryu. “Who is the Sin Eater?”
His face fell. The muscles in his jaw flexed. “What did you say?”
She fidgeted with her finger. “The Sin Eater? Is it bad?”
“Where did you hear the name?” he said, his words as sharp as daggers.
A weird shadow crept up behind him, and she squirmed away. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest. Her eyes widened, and Ryu took a deep breath. As quickly as the shadows came, as fast they disappeared again.
“Where did you hear the name?” Ryu repeated with a calm, low voice.
“Someone left a note on my bed.” Her face turned ashen. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
He didn’t reply, but started the car and drove.
“Ryu!”
“I want that note.”