Don't Fear The Reaper *Izana x OC x OC* (COMPLETE)

Mother Dearest

Reza--

Roman and I make it to the compound gates and I pat his back to have him let me stand on my own again. We made it I think. It's hard to tell based on my perception of sunrise versus Mother's. I tell Roman to go wait for me at home... and to make sure our 'go bags' were ready and to make sure we had some food to take with us... just in case. We always knew there was a possibility we would be hunted so we had a system in place. I leave him behind and hurry toward Mother's office. I enter her house and brush past the attendants without meeting their gaze. I enter her office and bow like usual before meeting her cold, uncaring gaze.

"The job is complete."

She doesn't answer for a moment as she glances at the large clock in the corner of the room. The sky looked fine when I came in, I can't be-

"You're late."

"No, I'm here by sunrise on the third day like I was told."

"Sunrise was five fifteen. It was five sixteen when you came into my office."

I clench my fists to my side and take a calming breath.

"It's a minute, possibly even just a second or two late! You seriously can't call me late for that!"

"As the daughter of the Family Head and the acting Reaper, you are held to a high standard-"

"I am aware of that but seriously how could you fault me for being possibly one second late!?"

"You violated your deadline, Rezallia. I am disappointed. I had such high hopes for your success."

My heart drops at what she's implying.

"You're not calling Failure, are you?"

"Rezallia-" She starts and I know my fate is sealed.

"That's bullshit Mother! You're seriously going to have me killed for one second!?"

"You knew what it meant to be part of this family. I will not have you disrespect me."

"Respect? You're asking for my respect when you raised me to be your perfect little killing machine and had my brother killed for getting in your way!"

"He was killed because he was disturbed in the head and tried to kill you because of it!" She snaps, getting to her feet and slamming her hands down on the desktop.

"Stop lying! I know what he said before he died. I know why he stabbed me and he wasn't wrong. Mark me as Failure if you want, but I'm not going down so easily. You wanted the perfect killing machine and you got one. The only question is what happens to you when it's grown tired of taking orders?"

"Do what you will, Rezallia, but you can't fight the one who made you and even if you do succeed, the order is already out."

I draw my sword and slice it across the desk toward her but she moves with ease and pulls her weapon from the table behind her. It is wasting time to attack her like this when the entire compound is mobilizing themselves to kill me, but she deserves to die. Big Brother Mieren died because of this family and the way they raise us all for slaughter. He died trying to make sure I didn't become a cold, closed off monster like Mother, but I became what he didn't want me to be. I think I became so close to Roman and kept him around because his outgoing personality kept me from being completely devoured by the darkness. I could feel things and enjoy life with him around, even if he drove me crazy. I am so irreparably broken and messed up because of this family... this woman I'm clashing swords with. Killing Mother would make me feel so much better but if I do, will it just be further proof that Mieren was right about me...? I left Roman at home too and he has no idea that I'm targeted now. I duck Mother's sword and manage to land a non-lethal hit to her side before sheathing my sword and leaving the room.

I can feel my heart trying to beat out of my chest as I rush out of Mother's office and casually inform Lythia and Cahull that Mother is bleeding out along the way. They go to take care of her and it gives me the opening I need to get out of her house safely. There are dozens of eyse on me as I hurry through the compound but I don't see any of them, I simply deflect the few daggers and needles sent my way. Thankfully with most of the family being thieves and runners, there aren't many assassins in the group. They're still skilled and deadly, but I'm better. I can make it out of the compound and to the house to meet with Roman, then we'll disappear into the wind. We very briefly discussed taking off and leaving the family behind but it was while we were very drunk and it wasn't serious. It's time now and we have no plan beyond just having bags packed.

Roman is waiting patiently on the couch for me when I rush in and he casually asks how it went. I shoot him a look and he nods and gets to his feet. He tosses me my go bag before putting his on. We have everything we need to disappear and try to survive. Roman himself is not a target but if I leave him here, they'll use him to try to get information and kill him. He checks the door before we slip out and race off into the forest away from the compound.

"Roman, I just want to remind you that you don't have to stay-"

"Reez," He cuts me off, "I'm going to tell you one time only- in the most respectful way possible since you're my Miss- shut the Hell up. I made a life vow to stay by your side and protect you."

"That was when I was Reaper. I'm not that anymore so you're free."

"I never vowed to protect the Reaper, I vowed to protect you. Vow aside, you're stuck with me for life. What kind of man would I be if I left the world's most beautiful woman to fend for herself?"

"Don't make me regret it." I sigh as he winks at me.