Murder Mystery

“I think this year’s satanists’ ball will be our best in years.” Corrosion’s husband said. He gently untangled her hair, gliding the antique brush through her floor length locks. She mumbled something to feign interest, but her newest beau was already losing his sparkle. Sure, he was young, only stage one corruption and still plenty energetic, not to mention flexible and eager to please. But he wasn’t her soul mate. She touched the ring around her neck, the one Demone had given her when they had finally wed. Tears prickled behind her eyes, but she kept them at bay.

”I’m ready for bed.” She said, pushing the chair back suddenly.

”Oh, okay.” Her husband sat the brush aside and moved to kiss her. She turned her face and his lips barely grazed her cheek.

”I’m tired dear. Goodnight.”

His disappointment was poorly contained. ”Goodnight.” He said.

Corrosion walked him to the door, then quickly locked it behind him. She knew he would likely find himself in the arms of her second most recent husband. They made a stunning couple and Corrosion almost wished they’d leave her alone entirely and develop eyes only for each other. She lugged her tired body to the bed and lay down. The effects of the corruption were taking their toll. She was nearly middle aged and deep into stage four. Her closest advisors suggested naming a successor, but that would have to wait. She wasn’t prepared to leave and see Demone again, not until she had completed his life’s mission. Corruption cases were rising and their clan was larger than ever, but Corrosion was determined to do more.

She pulled the sheet up to her chin, mind racing with plans and strategies and things to do. Then someone knocked on her door. Corrosion swore quietly. Didn’t these stupid men know what a locked door meant? She hoped they would go away, but the knocking grew more insistent. Eventually, she extracted herself from her cozy bed to yell at the disrupter.

”What?!” She hissed before the door was fully open.

”I am so sorry, ma’am.” The woman bowed slightly. “But there- well something’s happened.”

”Spit it out.”

“In the- You- please come with me.”

Corrosion threw on a robe and followed her aide down the hall. They got to her head assistant’s room and stepped inside. Blood stained nearly every surface in the room. One of her other advisors was poking around the room. Her assistant lay inside her shredded nightgown, face down on the carpet.

”Who did this?” Corrosion said through gritted teeth. “My advisors are off limits.”

”I- Well I know that, ma’am but obviously-“

”Obviously someone broke that rule.” Corrosion snapped. She knew her followers often got into physical fights, sometimes even resulting in deaths or serious injuries, but her advisors were supposed to be off limits. They especially weren’t allowed to be murdered. This went beyond letting off steam. “Well, haven’t you started looking for the perpetrator?”

”No, I thought first I should get y-“

”Are you incompetent?!” She asked. Her corruption flared up and she couldn’t hold her temper back. “Look for the person covered in blood! It’s not that hard. I didn’t realize when I hired you that you were so dim. Apologies, darling, that word means stupid. Are you stupid? Find whoever did this and lock them in the pit until I feel like dealing with them.”

”The pit? Are you sure?” The woman asked.

Corrosion stared her down until she nodded and left the room. “Jax, hun.” She sighed. He looked up at her. “Tomorrow morning I want to see a list of all potential replacements on my desk.”

”Yes, ma’am.”

”Make it a big list.” She said, heading out the door. “There will be two new openings.”