The Royal Assassin

Chapter One

Kelcie Nassandra Ezra Dagon, a daughter of high-paid assassins, had no choice but to be born in such an offensive family. She was getting ready for the biggest night of her life. She was getting ready to be The New One.

Every new year there is a recruit in the mafia society. Any child born in this society is obliged to show themselves and surrender to the world of murder. On the sixteenth birthday of a mafia's child, the child attends the Novus Ones Robora Ceremony. The phrase meaning "Encourage the New Ones."

During this ceremony, the latest mafia leader opens with words of encouragement then the recruits are presented. When they all sit down, former members of each mafia group pick their recruits. After the choosing is confirmed, the New One's make an oath to commit to their new family. Then the training begins in the next few weeks.

Kelcie, unsure if she was fully ready, laid in bed thinking of her next decision. She turned her head towards her mirror, staring carefully at her reflection. She spoke softly to herself.

"It is not difficult. It cannot be..." She paused to think, "They say it is easy when you don't think about it." She sighed, knowing that it was exceptionally challenging. But she was willing to make that sacrifice to please her family.

Pushing away her consciousness, she rolled to the side to rid her thoughts.

It's wrong; Illegal; Inhuman!

Unable to tolerate the voice she had inside of her, she tried to stop it by asserting, "Shut it."

Don't drive it elsewhere. You understand it is wrong. You have to stop it. Don't go tomorrow.

Cringing because of the discomfort of her emotions, she punched the wall next to her. The wall showed no sign of damage. She yelped in shock and pulled her hand away.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

Trying to suppress her tears, she bit her tongue only to be in worse pain. She stated aloud, "I'm weak, I shan't be an honor to this family. I cry when I slightly hurt myself. And I always tend to overthink things." She continued, "If I were about to kill and whomever I tried to kill hurt me instead, I'd cry. But if I attempt to stab them, I'd hesitate, then I would have failed my one duty!"

Yelling in frustration, she grasped her pillow and threw it across the room. Her eyes widened in sudden panic when she saw the object hurtle into another. She flinched at the sound of glass being broken and started to regret her anger.

She felt it, the trepidation feeling she felt whenever she knew her parents were coming. She shut her eyes and tried to think of a quick excuse, story, or lie that she could pull out of her sleeve.

Hearing the heavy footsteps nearing her room, she shot up and dashed towards the scene. During all of her commotion, she squeezed all the tears she had left.

The door swung open, allowing her to encounter her brother's angry face. Sighing in relief, she started to get up but sat right back down when she saw who was behind him.

Lincoln Mercer. The Lincoln Mercer. The young but most gifted murderer Lincoln Mercer.

Kelcie wasn't one to obsess though she allowed herself this one person.

She stood, straightening herself, and put on her coldest expression, "My apologies, I was not aware we had a guest."

She turned her head one side then diverted it back towards the two men. She scowled when she saw the pure amusement that appeared on both faces.

"You both may leave now." She imperceptibly demanded.

Lincoln chuckled and began to leave, turning slightly to add a smart-mouthed remark,

"Aye, m'lady. I suppose we do give you time to clean your mess up. Have a good evening."

She frowned in apparent disappointment. She did not imagine Lincoln to be the immature type. Although it did make sense, he was a young man who is given no rules or boundaries in life. She let out a wavered sigh and began to pick broken pieces of glass off the ground.

After hours of explaining, Kelcie was finally able to convince her parents that all was well. It annoyed her that her parents were as strict as they were. She understood what made them stern.

Her family was wealthy and drowned in fame, they are recognized to make no mistakes, and they were the most good looking family in their city. They lived in a large mansion with many servants, maids, and butlers that go along with it. They lived in the most preferred city, Caershire, of all the Askador Kingdom, even though it wasn't the capital. To every person's appeal, they were the ideal family.

Her mom was especially tough on her, reminding her that she was once in her place. She remembered always watching her mom get ready to go and kill some man or woman. She remembered how bitter she seemed, how swiftly moved, how tediously practiced, and about every detail of that woman she took.

Kelcie wanted to be like her mom, but her gut always told her differently. She ignored her emotions and told herself every day,

I am determined. I am ready. I will be what I tell myself to be. I am to kill, and this sharp knife cannot tell me any different.