Bloodguilty // FIVE HARGREEVES

15. Downfall

It appears many agents have already assembled themselves in the main hall, and it is making shivers go down Elisa her spine. Every and each one looks at her, their eyes not leaving her, actually. Smirks everywhere, but Elisa makes eye contact with all of them. She won't fall back and stare at her feet. She won't appear a coward.

"How do you feel, seeing all your assassins again, Elisa?" Hazel asks, amusement audible in his voice. He's standing in the middle of them, on a spot where all the agents are circling around. All the agents make it bigger when Cha Cha leads Elisa into it. Fortunately, the siblings aren't forced into the empty circle. They're allowed to stay in between the many, many agents. And they don't receive any murderous glares—which is good for them.

Elisa earns them all. Still, she allows her hands to fall in place next to her waist, showing them without a problem to the others. It's a habit that came with growing up at the Commission. All these agents will be looking for her weaknesses, and at the moment, many of hers are visible. But by standing tall, locking eyes with them and showing her hands, she looks at little more confident. And that might save her life . . . for the next few moments.

Wanting a proper response, Hazel tilts his head slightly when he watches Elisa halt in place next to him with her chin high and her lips pressed into a thin line. She doesn't even flinch when he places a hand of his on her shoulder. "They're all very happy to see you, though," he whispers, but the silence makes sure all the agents have heard his words, too. Elisa thinks it has never been this silent in here before. Other times, many are arguing, complaining, swearing, or just overall making annoying noises. These agents have a rough time, keeping quiet. But it is silent now. Because they know something is about to happen. And Elisa knows it, too.

It is almost sensible. It could be the fire burning inside of her, but the tangling sensation could be from the tension in the main hall, too. They're all waiting for the next move, doubting whose it'll be. Not Elisa's. If she moves even a little, the siblings could get hurt at any moment. And she can't have that. That is why she only allows her body to move in order to breathe properly. For the rest, she stays completely still.

After having watched all the agents' approving smirks, Hazel looks at Elisa again, who's watching all the smirks, too. When she turns her head to face him, too, their gazes lock. Cockily, Hazel wets his bottom lip before he says, "I think we're all very eager to see some action." Many nods fill his ears, encouraging him to get on with whatever he plans to happen. It is only early in the morning, and the agents are already ready to see bloodshed. They crave it.

And Elisa realizes all of this won't end well for her as the many eyes don't leave her. She should feel terribly afraid, and somewhere deep down there's indeed fear. But she's glad and relieved, too. Because the siblings haven't caught the stares. No agents wish to see their downfall—not now, at least. They only want to see the Elisa Brookle fall. They want to break down her reputation brick by brick.

She'll let them, if it means making sure the others stay unharmed. That is if you can call Klaus' condition unharmed . . .

"Let's play a game." Hazel laughs loudly, and this time, Elisa does flinch away from his touch. But his fingers return to her shoulder again as he crunches up his nose and narrows his eyes at her. There's no light in them. While Hazel used to be so bright and kind, this Hazel is darkness itself. No sparkle is noticeable in his eyes. Only pure hatred—towards Elisa.

And why? Elisa wishes she knew the answer. Why does he hate her so? Because the handler gave her the title? Because the handler choose her? Elisa wants to scream that he'd never have survived the way she was treated throughout her childhood. Never. It was close to impossible. And now Elisa will land right back in such impossible circumstances. And she'll do so without a single complaint. She'll do so without moaning out of pain. Because she is used to it all.