The heat was simply overwhelming, clouding my senses in thick waves. Each second spent in the blistering sun was a second too much, especially with the lack of a cooling breeze.

I licked at my lips, almost instantly feeling my saliva disappear into the midday heat. There was hardly any movement going around as people tried to avoid the scorching heat outside.

All that could be heard in this overwhelming heat was the insistent buzzing and humming of the cicadas in the background.

Of all days to host a party? Why in this hellish heat?

Sweat beaded on my forehead and disappeared into the thin cloth that protected me from the glare of the sun. If my research hadn't made me fully aware of how stubborn the elderly woman was, I would've been certain that the festivities would be pushed to another day.

Instead, she seemed more than eager to keep them for today and had been more than willing to accept my aid in helping her set things up.

There were several other men and women helping, setting up the tables and raising sails to catch the worst of the heat and provide us with some shade.

And everyone around was moaning and grumbling about the heat. It seemed all that was stuck on our minds; this overwhelming clingy heat that made you struggle to get a decent breath and left you weak with the slightest exercise.

My stomach growled audibly and I flushed, hearing some of the men chuckle as I held onto the rope whilst they secured the wooden beam. Once the beam was in place, the metallic ring at its base could be raised to pull up the large fabric sails to create an impromptu tent.

Brushing the sweat of my brow, I leaned on my knees for a few moments to catch my breath, feeling the muscles in my arms and shoulders quivering painfully.

"Manual labor is hard, isn't it?" My eyes flitted to the side at the old voice before I smiled politely at the old woman, Sarafina.

The hostess smiled bemusedly, eyes lingering on the markings on my wrists before she patted me on the back. "Come, take a seat. I had figured you have quite a story to tell and I'm bored out of my mind, child."

She guided me to a finished tent that was already decorated to her needs with a table, soft seats and a kettle warming over the fire.

"Sit, child, sit. I'm old, not incapable of pouring myself and a guest some tea." She grumbled gently when I wanted to prevent her from lifting the kettle.

She lifted it with seemingly no effort, pouring a decent amount of the near boiling water into a smaller, glass kettle. "Now, where did I- Ah yes, there it is!" She muttered to herself, rummaging through bags before withdrawing a small vial with grey bulbs.

My eyes recognized the shape and I fought to keep the surprise off of my face. It was the same kind of tea that I had brought along with me, or at least a similar kind.

Because mine would make sure that Daliah would take her last sip of tea in this world.

Sarafina smirked slightly as she plopped the bulb in the kettle, allowing the plant to unfurl and seemingly bloom in the hot water.

"Here we go my dear. Whilst we let this tea soak for a moment, I'd like to have a little chat with you, just you and I." She hummed, wrapping her fingers together before resting her chin on them, watching me closely.

A slow smile slipped on her face as she nodded to herself, old eyes warm yet calculating. "You see, a little bird told me you have special interest in Delilah."

My stomach jolted as I kept my eyes blandly on her face, controlling my expression as much as I could. She didn't even seem to care to gauge my expression, merely rummaging around before placing a few cups on the table.

"Sugar?" She asked politely, adding a few cubes to my cup when I silently nodded. "Honestly lad, you're good, really good. Most daft idiots around here are fooled by your charm and friendly banter."

Reaching for the tea, she poured both of us a cup before taking a spoon, stirring her tea and inhaling the floral fragrance with a sigh.

"Don't be shy. It's just tea. Nothing at all like that special concoction you have ready in your pockets." Sarafina grinned with a wink as I felt my muscles tense.

How much does she know? And how did she find out?

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid you're mistaken..." I started but got interrupted as she waved her hand in the air, as if to wave away my attempt at regaining my cover.

"You're the one mistaken if you think I'll believe one bit of this poppycock. I know what kind of woman Delilah is and to be frank, I'm overjoyed someone is finally going to set that bitch in her place. Permanently, I hope."

Sarafina sipped from her tea as I slouched back in my seat, stunned to silence. This old lady, seemingly frail and covered in soft and gentle fabrics, knew of my plans.

Knew I wanted to murder Delilah. And she'd let me. Even more, I had the suspicion that she knew more than she let on and was willing to help me.

"Let's put all our cards on the table yes?" Sarafina spoke grimly as she sat up straighter in her seat, pushing part of her graying hairs back into her shayla.

The green gem in her ring flashed in the sunlight as she interwove her fingers together with a thoughtful expression. "You see, I only have had one child in my entire life. A daughter, which according to my late husband, brought shame upon his family name." She sneered before sniffing.

"A shame he died at such a young age, a hunting accident if I recall. Soon after he suggested to sell our child to Aakif too, which would've made him quite a profit." A cold smile slid over her eyes, reaching for her cup of tea.

She shot me a knowing look as I couldn't stop the scowl from sliding over my face. "I see you know of him. Good. That means I don't have to inform you of what kind of monstrosity that man was, may Allah punish his soul till the end of time."

A shiver ran over my spine because I knew she was right. The younger the offering, the more Aakif had been willing to pay. "A pity he choked on an appetizer, last I heard." I mocked, making her guffaw as she nodded.

"Yes, it was absolutely dreadful I hear. Clawing at his neck for air, foaming at the mouth. A painful, gruesome death I heard. Though I had wished you would've sliced off his member and fed it to him."

I cringed at that, automatically clenching my legs together at the very mention of that happening. "I take it that Aakif has wronged you in some other way."

Sarafina nodded. "You see, when my daughter was of age, she was betrothed with Delilah's son. The poor girl was young but in love, throwing the boy puppy eyes whenever they crossed." She sighed sadly, shaking her head.

"He was a good lad, don't get me wrong but heavily under the influence of his mother. My sweetheart became expecting with child but had some... problems along the way. It became clear that the child would be too big for her frail posture, but..."

I sighed, nodding in understanding. Her mother instincts had kicked in and she had refused to abort and try again later. It wasn't uncommon but still, carrying life in your belly and sacrificing it wasn't the same as shopping for clothing and returning to the store later if you didn't find anything to your liking on your first visit.

"She died giving birth to my grandson. A frail little thing just like his mother. Delilah grew sick of the idea that such a frail boy would carry her name." Sarafina's eyes grew solemn and bitter. "But she found herself a perfect solution."

"Aakif." I cursed, clenching my fists on my knees. Of course Delilah would do such a thing, as she was proud and vain. Anything that could slander her name would be swiftly removed without remorse.

"Your son in law didn't try and stop her?"

Sarafina snorted un-lady like, flicking the shawl over her shoulder. "Oh, he did, begrudgingly and too late. His son was already sent off to Aakif by the time he protested and the perverted bastard pretended he never heard of the boy."

Of course he did. Why would he admit of having child slaves at his beg and call? No doubt the boy had long since outgrown Aakif's preferences and had been sold off to any willing slaver.

"You want revenge." I stated calmly, making her snort as she drank the last of her tea. "Boy, they told me you were smart. Act like it. Of course I want revenge."

I chuckled slightly, brushing over my wrists. "How much do you know about me?" At that she grew silent, her facial expression turning soft, warm. Motherly.

"Enough to pity what happened to you, child. I've seen many things in the world; marvelous things. Wonderful things. Terrible things. But nothing quite dreadful like your life's story."

Her hand landed on the table, palm up. "Let's see it then." She added with a flick of her fingers, eyes on my pockets. Reaching into my pocket, I withdrew the small vial and handed it to her, watching her observe the delicate bulbs inside before she uncorked it and took a hesitant sniff.

"Yes, can't smell a hint of poison, very pleasing to the eye too. I'm guessing it'll bloom wonderfully when presented to her as well?" I nodded at her question, watching her plop the cork back in and hand over the poisonous vial.

She stood up suddenly, walking to one of the cupboards on the other side of the room before rummaging in it and came back with another empty vial and a few tea bulbs identical to the ones I just showed her.

"I want you to use this poison." She spoke, twisting open a small bottle before dropping three drops on each bulb. "What you have in mind is delicate and far more noble than what Delilah deserves."

She looked me in the eye as she put the bulbs in the vial and handed it over to me. "I want her to suffer for days, wondering if she's going to die or if she's going to make it. To hope, thinking she's getting better only to have her sudden illness take a turn for the worse. I want that bitch to beg for forgiveness and mercy and not receive it."

Gulping at the bitterness and raw anger in her tone, I slowly nodded because I understood. Delilah may have never directly killed someone, but all her actions were premeditated, planned meticulously.

She knew what kind of monster Aakif was and yet sold children to him. Knew all my former masters and bought slaves from Saemus to "free" them, only to discard them at her earliest convenience and hand them over to cruel masters without regret.

And I agreed with Sarafina. A swift and sudden death was too kind for Delilah. She had never cared what horrors she cast upon others. Why should we?