BLOOD OATH

CHAPTER FIVE: INTO THE LION'S DEN

CHAPTER FIVE

INTO THE LION'S DEN

Morning came with a scorching sun.

I stood before the cracked mirror in the small inn, adjusting the simple floral dress I had changed into the previous day. My assassin's clothes were neatly folded inside my bag, hidden beneath a few ordinary belongings.

I stared at my reflection.

The makeup had done its job.

The girl looking back at me no longer looked like Rana, the assassin whose beauty often drew unnecessary attention. Instead, she looked like an ordinary young woman searching for work.

"Still prettier than most," I muttered before rolling my eyes.

I picked up my bag and left.

The roads leading to Ethan's empire were crowded.

Women from different parts of Sundown City walked in the same direction, each carrying ingredients or small baskets. Some discussed recipes while others rehearsed them under their breath.

"They say Young Master Cassian personally tastes every dish."

"I heard only one person gets selected."

"I hope today is my lucky day."

I quietly listened as I walked among them.

The excitement on their faces was almost contagious.

Almost.

Unlike them, I wasn't here to chase a dream.

I was here to destroy one.

Ethan's empire stood proudly behind enormous black gates guarded by heavily armed men.

For a moment, I stopped walking to study the place.

The walls were tall enough to discourage intruders.

Watchtowers overlooked every corner.

Armed guards patrolled in groups instead of alone.

Good.

At least someone here had a functioning brain.

I joined the line and looked ahead.

Then looked again.

The queue stretched unbelievably far.

"What the..."

There had to be over a hundred women waiting.

I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Just to hire a cook?"

The woman standing before me laughed.

"It happens every year."

"Every year?"

She nodded proudly.

"Working here changes lives."

Mine certainly would.

If everything went according to plan.

Hours crawled by.

The sun showed no mercy.

Sweat trickled down countless faces.

Some women fanned themselves with pieces of cloth.

Others complained loudly.

A few even gave up and left.

I stared blankly ahead.

Did I really call this mission thrilling?

This wasn't thrilling.

This was torture.

By the time Ethan died, I'd make sure he suffered for making me stand under the sun for this long.

Finally, a man wearing a black uniform stepped outside holding a list.

He began calling names one after another.

Applicants disappeared through the gates while new names echoed across the courtyard.

"Isabella Morris!"

He called once.

Twice.

Three times.

Holy cow.

I had forgotten that ridiculous name was mine.

"Here!"

I answered quickly.

The man frowned.

"You should pay attention."

I simply smiled.

If only you knew.

After passing through the gates, I found myself inside the empire.

It was...

Beautiful.

Flower gardens stretched along stone pathways.

Water trickled peacefully through elegant fountains.

Servants moved about calmly, smiling as they greeted one another.

It looked nothing like the home of the most feared mafia boss in Thorns.

Disappointing.

I expected blood.

Not flowers.

A woman in a clean white chef's uniform approached us.

She appeared to be in her forties with sharp eyes that seemed capable of noticing the smallest mistake.

"I'm Olivia," she introduced herself. "Head chef of the empire."

Everyone immediately straightened.

"I'll explain the rules only once, so listen carefully."

Silence fell.

"You'll each prepare one dish. Young Master Cassian will personally taste every meal. The person whose cooking impresses him will become one of the empire's chefs."

Simple enough.

"Before entering the kitchen, everyone will be searched."

Two guards immediately stepped forward.

One by one, each applicant was thoroughly searched before being allowed inside.

When my turn came, a tall, stern-looking guard stopped in front of me.

His face remained expressionless.

Professional.

His hands moved over my sleeves first.

Then my waist.

My legs.

He had obviously done this hundreds of times.

Without hesitation, he continued the search.

Then...

His hand brushed against my chest.

His entire body froze.

For the first time since he began searching everyone, his emotionless expression cracked.

His ears turned slightly red.

I almost laughed.

Even beneath layers of makeup...

Some things couldn't be hidden.

The guard quickly cleared his throat and stepped back.

"She's clear."

His voice sounded far less confident than before.

Olivia glanced briefly at him before speaking as though nothing unusual had happened.

"Next."

I walked past the guard.

Poor man.

The kitchen was enormous.

Rows of polished stoves lined the walls.

Fresh vegetables, herbs, spices and different kinds of meat filled every shelf.

For a moment...

I forgot why I had come.

Now this was a kitchen.

Olivia clapped once to gain everyone's attention.

"You have one hour."

"The ingredients are in front of you."

"Cook whatever you believe best represents your abilities."

The room instantly became chaotic.

Everyone rushed toward different ingredients.

Some grabbed fish.

Others reached for vegetables.

Several women immediately started preparing pastries.

I remained still.

Thinking.

What kind of food would someone like Cassian enjoy?

Everyone described him as gentle.

Kind.

Cheerful.

Which meant everyone would probably prepare light meals.

Safe meals.

Predictable meals.

I smiled.

Perfect.

I walked toward the spice shelf and picked the hottest peppers available.

Someone beside me gasped.

"That's far too much."

I ignored her.

Another woman looked into my bowl before scoffing.

"Hmph. One less competitor."

I didn't even spare her a glance.

Competition only existed between equals.

As I began cooking, the aroma slowly spread across the kitchen.

The sizzling sound of meat hitting hot oil filled the room.

Garlic.

Butter.

Fresh herbs.

Then...

The unmistakable scent of hot pepper.

Someone coughed.

Another sniffed the air.

Olivia walked over.

She glanced at my ingredients before looking at me.

"You've used quite a lot of spice."

"I know."

"It may overpower the dish."

"It won't."

She studied me for a few seconds before nodding.

"I hope you're right."

She walked away.

Not long after, a young girl wearing the same chef's uniform approached me.

She looked about eighteen with bright eyes and an easy smile.

"You really aren't afraid," she said.

"I shouldn't be?"

She giggled.

"Young Master Cassian doesn't like overly spicy food."

"Oh."

I calmly added another spoonful of pepper.

Her eyes widened.

"You... added more."

"I did."

She blinked several times before laughing.

"My name is Maria."

I looked at her briefly.

"Isabella."

"It's nice to meet you."

She smiled so brightly that I almost frowned.

How could someone smile that much?

"I'm already one of the cooks here," she continued. "Lady Olivia asked me to keep an eye on everyone while you're cooking."

I nodded.

"So... if you don't mind..." she hesitated. "I think you should reduce the spice a little."

"No."

She looked genuinely worried.

"I just don't want your efforts to go to waste."

"They won't."

For some reason...

She smiled again.

"I hope you get selected."

I stared at her for a moment.

That was strange.

She sounded...

Sincere.

Before I could reply, Olivia's voice echoed through the kitchen.

"Time's up!"

Silence immediately fell.

One by one, servants collected every completed dish.

Olivia walked toward me.

"Isabella."

"Yes?"

"Bring your dish."

"You're coming with me."

"Why?"

"In case Young Master Cassian has questions about it."

Exactly what I wanted.

As I picked up the tray, the corners of my lips lifted slightly.

The mission...

Had officially begun.