ROOK'S GIRL.

ROOK. If I had three words to describe human beings I'd say. Deplorable. Greedy. Predictable. We're all bad, some hide it better. The degree of decay is the only difference. Strip away the pretense, and we're no better than animals. Trade truth for comfort, loyalty for survival .Every smile hides a motive. Every hand? A dagger. Watch long enough, you'll see it– everything breaks. Everyone begs. Everyone lies. I just know where to look.There is a strange satisfaction in watching people play roles I expect of them. I don't hate them. That would require expecting more and energy. And love? God – if it isn't power or possession, then no. A weakness any smart man avoids. That's why people like us marry by arrangements. Less risk. Less illusion. Something I learnt from my lovely daddy dearest. Apparently I'm the villain. Funny. Since every job comes with a set of requirements– an eye catching resume. And mine just happens to be one that's craved with blood. The kind that stains. No matter how sharp the suit is. And well, socially unacceptable. But then I'd be lying if I said I was chasing universal glory. Or heaven. If I must be known. It will be for the wrong reasons. Why be peaceful when you could stir chaos... I stopped pretending a long time ago. People already decided who I was. Or more accurately who I'd become. Which is pretty smart from their part. There are five families in Rookhaven that form the Conclave. And mine? Just happens to be at the top– the most powerful one. The name they whisper when something goes wrong. So I can't really blame them. Those who point fingers. Some of us don't have the luxury of believing in rainbows and sunshines. Nor wish for it. Some of us just smoke on cliffs to just feel the wind bite back. I exhale through my nose, watching the gray turn into twilight. Below me, the sea claws at the cliff like a starving thing. I've always liked it here– I can't decide if it's because it's where I got rid of a thorn that ruined my life or because the water screams louder than my thoughts. On the second thought? I can. It's definitely the latter. I flicker away some ash from my hand, " Checkmate," I say to no one. The world never responds. It's almost sad from a second point of view. But if I'm honest, there's freedom in solidarity that one can't enjoy when they're with people. My path was crooked at birth. Apparently having control of your own destiny or– hell forbid, reshaping it, is a scam. From a young age I was trained to be the perfect Motimer heir. The dark prince of the conclave. Some may hate it but hey, I'm not the one who played God with a drop of reckless sperm that decided my existence. I often wonder if there's an end to this. A different colour to my gray life. Aside from my cousins making it somewhat fun, I can't say I enjoy much. Things are normal. Repetitive. Like some twisted routine for a loner seeking a change. My phone rings besides me. " Is there a reason you're distrupting my peace this quiet evening," I say pushing out some smoke from my lungs. " Well if it isn't my favorite cousin," he says with a chuckle. " You have one minute," I inform him staring at the cliff. It's high. Sometimes I get tempted to just... Jump. But something always stops me. " Well cousin..." His voice in the line bring me back. " Someone has a mission." Now this quips my interest. " And pray tell dear cousin. What could it be?" I ask, more curious now. There's a brief pause and then his tone shifts, low , almost amused. " Graven Hollow. In one hour." A beat of silence. I glance down again at the cliff's edge, snapping my cigar in half. Maybe this might be my motivation to jump. The height... The water beneath it, who knows I might just survive or hit a rock. Who knows... Of all places... Graven freaking Hollow. " Boss's order," Kyle deadpans. Instinctively I clench my jaw. " You're joking," I say flatly, although I doubt he is. " Sure I can. It's not like I'm the one who recommended the bored heir. Your father knew you'd be the only one bored enough to go. And how right he is. Plus you're competent enough." Ah– like I didn't already know. My father made me work for the name I have. To cover the weakness I had... I was like my nickname itself, a Rook, move him right, move him left- never diagonally. Never free. A piece with teeth but still a piece. I glance below... Again, I really may just jump today. The wind hisses through the grass. Somewhere below, a rock breaks loose and shatters on the cliff. Living as a puppet isn't exactly a kind of lifestyle I look forward to. Being the syndicate's Blade. " There's a traitor," his tone changes from calm to deadly. And my back straightens. " We have word he is in Fesbury. Waltzing in Graven Hollow mines no less." " Of all places," I mutter, distaste dripping from my core. There's a gap between us and Fesbury. They're animals. They find joy in rolling in dirt. My hands reach for the knife tucked in my pocket besides me out of instincts. " The boss wants him dead or alive," he hangs up. For a moment I stare at the broken cigarette in my palm. Before letting the wind take it. Looks like vacation is over. And of all places he could hide he went to the place we'd least check. When I now think of it . It's smart. I'd definitely do that if I were him. The only difference I'll be smart enough to remain hidden until I feel like playing cat and mouse. And him making me chase him isn't something that sits well with me. " I never play mouse." Ever. Kyle sends me the details with a plane ticket already booked. They knew I'd go anyway. B*st*rd. I go through the file sent to my phone regretting letting that cigar fly away. Its better than people or more specifically women. The latter isn't even a joke. I have had three women pull a gun on my head. And long story short that's one of the many reason I ended the hookups. They weren't many. I'm a picky person. I just don't do the first girl in see in jeans or short skirts. The guy had enough balls, nerve to steal ten million from the Conclave. I smirk. I'll make sure to find him and throw him at father's feet. And maybe just maybe. Who knows. He'll give me the recognitions I deserve. Not as a son but the next leader of the conclave. So yes, I'll play the perfect puppet for the Conclave. The thorne will be mine and I intend to repay them back... Twice? I'm thinking thrice.