Red's Demise

The Unnerving Stare Of A Feline

Red

Ivar didn't relax until we were in the forest again and despite going for an almost twenty-minute run, he seemed even more wound up than ever. His behavior reminded me of when he was a young colt as he jumped at everything as we strolled through the wooded path.

The scenery was the same, including the animals that filled the environment around us. The usual bunnies, deer, birds, etc... Ivar found a reason to jump at every one of them. He was less jumpy as we got back into town, however, his head was high and he continued with his periodical snorts of anxiety. We rode past many people, though none of them took a particular interest in us.

Everywhere I looked people averted their eyes, but for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. That feeling still hadn't disappeared even after I put Ivar in his stall. I was not afraid of whatever was stalking me, however, I was unnerved by its ability to stay out of sight. It was usually I who had the impressive ability to disappear in shadows and move within them. I was not pleased with being on the other side of that coin.

"Sorry boy," I apologized to him before leaving. As much as I wanted to stay with him through the night, I really needed to sleep in my own bed. After all, I had spent nearly a week curled up in the corner of his stall and I probably smelled something fierce.

I pulled my cloak down as I entered through the back door of the manor. Almost immediately after entering, I felt the constant feeling of being watched disappear. Strange.

Then, after a quick mental battle, I decided to make a quick stop in the kitchen where I was not surprised to see Rye and Sye had left me out a meal which was wrapped in a sack and had 'Red' written on it with messy hand-writing. Something about that threatened to thaw my frozen heart.

Even though it was late - nearly an hour past the middle of the night - there was still a low buzz of activity throughout the manor. Tenderfoots trained, fucked, and talked throughout the hallowed halls of the Shadowed Manor, hoping and praying that they would one day get to stay on the top floor with the best. That was the ultimate goal after all. It was the highest honor for an assassin in the capital city.

My footsteps were silent as I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. That didn't matter though as somebody set their gaze on me almost immediately after I stepped onto the fourth floor. I knew where the stare was coming from though and from whom. I turned to my right and was not surprised to see Zeke leaning against the wall to his study. His green gaze was angry as he simply jerked his chin in the direction of his office.

There was no question of what that action meant and I couldn't help but wonder what I had done this time.

"Shut the door," Ezekiel hissed as he sat behind his desk, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

I guided the door shut with one hand while refusing to turn my back towards him. That would be a rookie mistake. Then - before he could command me to - I took a seat in one of his overstuffed, ridiculously expensive, armchairs. For the sake of appearances, I crossed one leg over the other and sat straight-spined. He was not looking for Red - The Royal Assassin - so I did not give him her. I was sitting proper and watched diligently as he collected himself.

"Have you gathered any news?" He inquired as he sat back in his chair and looked me over. With most, that scan would've been intimidating. Typically because he would be sizing up his opponent and gathering as much about them as he can. But with me, it was an almost caring action. He did that when he was looking me over for injuries or my general appearance. Ezekiel missed nothing with his green gaze, he was by far the most perceptive male I have ever known.

"No," I said quietly, though I knew he heard me.

"Where have you been?" He questioned calmly, though the slight twitch of his finger told me he was excited that I had vocally answered.