Daughter of Blood and Nightmares

11: I'm More Of A Psychological Terror

An apartment complex. That's where The Order is holding up.

The second we come to an abrupt stop at the brick building's front doors, Oliver exits the car and is quickly joined by three others that file out from inside. I hop out before Greggory has to order me to. Two of the three Order members that greeted us as we arrived lead the way followed by Oliver, I'm then signaled to proceed, Greggory and the final soldier follow behind me.

So many uniformed soldiers. How many do they need to escort one girl? Am I that menacing to them? I know I shouldn't boost my ego with these theatrics, but it helps calm my nerves.

The car door slamming shut causes me to flinch. I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but I shake the humiliation off and put on a stoney expression.

Another soldier opens the complex's door playing the role of bellhop. It might be harder to sneak out of here than I thought. However well security is, I'm not impressed. The apartment complex isn't gorgeous or grand. It's average. I had been expecting it to be or maybe wanting it to be something more, something for them to rub in the face of those they take hostage. Something to make those that ravage the street quiver in their boots.

We walk the first floor and sadly, but thankfully nothing jumps out at me. When I walk too slow Greggory jabs me in the back with something hard. A weapon maybe? I debate on how far I can push him...or any of them before they would use their hidden weapons on me.

Is it awful that I just want to get this done with and skip to the torture.

We come to a halt at a set of large ornate doors. The first two men open them and Oliver leads the way inside. He struts in his delusional glory of bringing in some abomination at his almighty leader's request.

My two newfound buddies flank my sides as I come face to face with the man I assume is in charge. A man with a stern brow and unsmiling lips. Eyes that have crows feet at the corners, surely not from smiling but from glaring. He squints his beady eyes now as he looks me over. Those blue eyes could give Winston a run for her money. He obviously takes care of himself, because his physique is that of a warrior, someone to be out on the battlefield with his soldiers.

Is that why it's unsettling to see him sitting at the elegant wooden desk in an oversized, throne-like chair. However, charming or menacing the man is to look at, my eyes are drawn to the person at his side. Carden. He looks older, more stern and serious standing at the head of the room in his Order marked clothing, definitely not the bumbling idiot that ran into me.

I don't know why I'm surprised. It was probably all an act anyways. All he did was set the trap.

The leader's disturbingly deep voice snaps me aggressively back into reality. "Ah, the Mysteria girl I've heard so much about. Quite an impressive list of abilities you have." His eyes linger on me. From this distance I can't tell if his eyes are roaming over my body or trying to leer the truth out of me.

Or maybe it's Carden's eyes that I feel on me.

"Do you know who we are, Ashton?" The leader says bringing my attention back to him. My name on his lips creates a painful chill down my spine.

"Killers." I throw a glare at Carden, but he refuses to meet my eyes. Is he suddenly feeling guilty?

"To only those who are a threat."

"And you think I'm a threat." I am a threat and I've proven just that over the years.

"Oh, no. Quite the opposite actually. I think you're an asset. An asset I paid top dollar for." He mumbles the last part under his breath, but not quiet enough so that I can't hear it, because he wants me to hear it. "You would think that woman would've been grateful to get rid of one of you." He jokes.