Chapter 6 – Fire in the Silence
601 Words
The next morning came like a thief. No knocking. No warning. Just a sharp knock on her door followed by the sound of it opening before she could answer.
Amira sat up in bed, the covers tangled around her legs. Her hair was messy, her thoughts worse.
A woman stood in the doorway. She was dressed in black with silver earrings that dangled like blades. Her face was calm, unreadable.
The boss wants you downstairs
Amira blinked
Lucien
The woman didn’t answer. Just turned and walked away
She hated the way they did that. Like she was just a piece of something bigger. Never a person. Always a pawn
She got dressed in silence. Plain black pants. A soft long-sleeve shirt. No makeup. She looked at herself in the mirror and didn’t recognize what stared back
The softness was fading
Downstairs Lucien stood in front of a table with maps and red-marked folders. A few other men were there too. No one spoke when she entered but all eyes flicked to her
Lucien looked up
You’re late
You didn’t say I had a time limit
He ignored her answer
Sit
She didn’t. Not right away. But when his gaze sharpened she sat
He handed her a file
Read this
She opened it slowly. It wasn’t about her. It was a profile. A man named Cole Romano. Dark hair. Age thirty four. Smuggler. Arms dealer. Known for betrayal
This man’s moving in on our routes Lucien said watching her closely
And what do you want me to do about it
He smiled just barely
You’re going to meet him
She looked up fast
Why
Because he requested a sit-down. And he asked for me. But I’m sending you
Her stomach twisted
And what if it’s a trap
That’s what I’m counting on
The room fell quiet. Only the clock ticking behind them
You want me to walk into a trap
Lucien stepped around the table slowly stopping in front of her
I want to see how well you can lie
And if I can’t
Then you won’t come back
He said it like it was weather. Like it was just something that might happen. Rain. Sun. Death
Why me
Because you’re the last person he expects. You’re new. You’re untouched. You’re underestimated. That’s your power
And what if I say no
Then I’ll send someone else. And when they die I’ll remember that you could’ve done it better
She stared at him long and hard
I hope you choke on that power of yours someday
He didn’t flinch
You’ll be picked up at noon
The meeting’s tonight
You’ll wear red
Why red
Because it’s loud
She closed the file and stood
Fine
But when I come back don’t expect me to play quiet anymore
He gave her a look that said he didn’t believe she ever had
She left the room with her heart racing and her jaw clenched
In the hallway she paused
The woman from before was standing there waiting
What’s your name Amira asked
Rhea
You always spy like that
Only when he tells me to
Do you agree with everything he does
Rhea didn’t blink
No. But I understand why he does it
Amira nodded once
Tell him I’ll be ready by noon
And I don’t need a driver. I’ll find my own way
She walked off before Rhea could answer
Because in that moment something inside her had shifted
She was done being a pawn
Tonight she’d walk into danger wearing red like fire
And if she burned
At least they’d remember the color of her flames.
- Writer
