#baltasar03

Spies have always been a tricky problem within the Court of Miracles. Under her father's influence, any spy that was discovered was presumably killed, but Simone didn’t see it quite so black and white. When she uncovered a spy, she preferred to observe them and learn what she could about them such as common meeting places and anything else that might be useful to her later. It was only when they uncovered something critical or outlived their usefulness that she chose to act. Most could be reasoned to work for her for a high enough price, but if not, then she silenced them. After all, a mute man was a walking reminder of what happened to people who put their nose in her business, whereas a dead one can easily be forgotten. And for the special few that muting them would be too problematic, there were still hundreds of men who would gladly kill a spy.

Simone grabbed a fist full of his dirty blond hair and pulled his head back. Their eyes met, both shooting sharp glares at the other. "I assume you already know what I do to spies that enter the Court of Miracles." She saw no fear in his eyes, but she caught the slight bob of his Adam's apple.

She kicked him in his ribs, forcing him to topple flat on his back. His grunts and moans were quieted the minute she pounced on top of him, pinning his arms down with her knees. The tip of her knife pressed against the corner of his mouth and she could feel him shudder under her.

Before she could act further, however, she spotted a piece of white peeking out of the corners of his coat. She took out the parchment from him, her eyes scanned the half written letter the man wanted to send to a woman named Cosette. "You know how to write," she stated. Well that changed things.

This has happened before, but during those times, she had back up. It was a planned event with bloodthirsty people behind her to finish what she started. But this was different. She was alone, except for a few and she didn’t want any of those people to get their hands dirty on her behalf. And to run to the nearest tavern to get someone to kill him for her was not worth the risk of his possible escape or the inevitable hit on her reputation within the Court of Miracles. Really, there was only one option. But she’s never really done this before...

Without blinking, she pressed the knife to his neck and made a deep, clean cut right across his throat. The resulting blood splatter drenched her dress as he frantically tried to free himself from her and cover his wound. But she made sure he did not budge as he flailed below her.