BLOOD OATH

CHAPTER TWO: THE MISSION

Silence settled over the office.

Michael rested his elbows on the desk while Nicholas continued staring at me as though I were some rare treasure.

I hated that look.

Men always stared.

Some with admiration.

Some with desire.

Some with curiosity.

None of them interested me.

If anything, they only made me want to rearrange their faces.

"She's even more beautiful than the rumors," Nicholas murmured.

I resisted the urge to sigh.

There it goes.

Again.

Michael chuckled before leaning back in his chair.

"I warned you."

Nicholas smiled sheepishly.

"I couldn't help myself."

"You should."

"Or what?"

Michael looked him straight in the eye.

"She'll gouge your eyes out."

Nicholas laughed.

I didn't.

If Michael hadn't spoken first...

I probably would've done exactly that.

"You sent for me," I said, looking at Michael instead.

"I did."

His smile disappeared.

The atmosphere inside the room shifted immediately.

Whenever Michael became serious...

Everyone listened.

"I have a mission."

My eyes brightened slightly.

"What kind?"

"One that will determine the future of Black Shadow."

That caught my attention.

Michael slid a thick file across the desk.

I picked it up.

The first picture made me raise an eyebrow.

Ethan.

The most feared mafia boss in Thorns.

Every child had heard stories about him.

Some called him a monster.

Some called him a king.

Some believed he couldn't be killed.

I turned the page.

A younger man smiled back at me.

Warm brown eyes.

Dark hair.

A gentle smile.

Cassian.

His son.

I frowned.

"He doesn't look like a mafia prince."

"He isn't."

Nicholas answered before Michael could.

"That's the problem."

I looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Ethan built his empire with blood."

Nicholas folded his arms.

"His son would rather feed hungry children than spill blood."

"He's weak."

"No."

Nicholas' smile faded.

"He's dangerous."

I tilted my head.

"I don't understand."

"You will."

Michael spoke calmly.

"For now, focus on the mission."

I nodded.

He stood and slowly walked toward the large window behind his desk.

"You are going to infiltrate Ethan's empire."

My lips curved upward.

Finally.

Something interesting.

"You are not to reveal your identity."

"I know."

"You are not to kill anyone without reason."

My smile disappeared.

"...What?"

Michael glanced back.

"You heard me."

I frowned.

"So..."

"I'm just supposed to walk around?"

Nicholas laughed loudly.

Michael ignored him.

"You will gather information."

"Boring."

"You'll become someone else."

"Boring."

"You'll earn Ethan's trust."

"Boring."

"You'll locate every weakness inside the empire."

"Boring."

Michael smiled knowingly.

"Then..."

He turned around completely.

"You'll kill Cassian."

A grin spread slowly across my face.

"There we go."

Nicholas shook his head.

"I knew she'd react like that."

I couldn't stop smiling.

Now this...

This sounded like fun.

"You'll make it look natural."

Michael continued.

"No poison that can be traced."

"No obvious assassination."

"No witnesses."

I nodded after every sentence.

"So..."

"What happens after Cassian dies?"

Michael's eyes darkened.

"Ethan will lose control."

"He'll become vulnerable."

"And that's when Black Shadow strikes."

Nicholas smiled with satisfaction.

"The strongest mafia empire will finally crumble."

I looked down at Cassian's picture once more.

He still looked...

Ordinary.

Too cheerful.

Too harmless.

I tapped the photograph lightly.

"This one?"

Michael nodded.

"Yes."

"He doesn't even look like he knows how to fight."

"Never underestimate appearances."

"I won't."

I closed the file.

"When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"Too late."

Nicholas blinked.

"What?"

"I can leave tonight."

Michael laughed.

"I expected that answer."

"I don't like wasting time."

"I know."

He reached inside one of his drawers before placing a small silver pendant on the desk.

It was shaped like a wolf's fang.

I picked it up.

"What is this?"

"It belonged to your mother."

My fingers froze.

The room suddenly became unbearably quiet.

"My..."

"Mother."

Michael's voice softened.

"I've kept it all these years."

I stared at the pendant.

I barely remembered her.

Only fragments.

A warm hand.

A lullaby.

Long black hair.

Nothing more.

"You'll need something to remind you who you are."

I slowly wrapped my fingers around it.

"I already know who I am."

Michael watched me carefully.

"Do you?"

I slipped the pendant into my pocket.

"I'm Rana."

"The best assassin Black Shadow has."

"I don't need reminders."

For a brief second...

Something unreadable crossed Michael's face.

Regret.

Maybe.

It disappeared almost immediately.

"There is one more thing."

"Hm?"

"No matter what happens..."

His voice became unusually firm.

"Never trust Ethan."

I nodded once.

"I won't."

"And never forget why you're there."

"To kill Cassian."

"And?"

"Bring down Ethan."

He smiled.

"Good."

I stood up.

"I'll begin preparing."

As I reached the door...

Nicholas suddenly spoke.

"Rana."

I looked over my shoulder.

"If you succeed..."

He smiled.

"The whole world will know your name."

I returned his smile.

Cold.

Dangerous.

"I don't kill for fame."

Then I stepped outside.

The cool evening breeze brushed against my face.

Somewhere in the training yard...

Metal clashed against metal.

Someone screamed in pain.

Life continued as though nothing had changed.

Yet everything had.

Tomorrow...

I would leave the only home I had ever known.

Tomorrow...

I would walk into the lion's den.

Tomorrow...

The hunt would begin.

Far above the fortress walls, hidden among the shadows of the tallest tower, a woman watched Rana disappear into the distance.

Her silver hair danced gently in the wind.

A faint smile touched her lips.

"So..."

she whispered.

"The pieces are finally moving."

Her fingers traced the faded scar that circled her wrist like an invisible chain.

A scar only one kind of person possessed.

Someone...

Who had once sworn the Blood Oath.

And lived long enough to break it.

"My little wolf..."

she murmured.

"I wonder whether you'll destroy the board..."

Her smile deepened.

"...or become another piece in Vivian's game."

The wind swallowed her voice.

When another gust swept across the tower...

The woman was gone.

Only a single white flower remained where she had been standing.