Time Astral | Sirius Black

19||The Publishers

April 15th, 1995

"You are going to be appointed your next task."

Alasia nodded firmly. "Didn't I just get one this week?"

"There were complications." The Prime narrowed his eyes. "It seems as though the man was not alone. He has comrades. They have robbed Dubois of his dignity after the press article. He'd expected it to stop, but there is another one today. We've found out the exact names of the group who's after this, and you'll need to have them all gone. By tonight. Each and every one, do you understand me?"

She nodded again. "Will Rhen be joining me?"

Prime's lip curled. "Have gotten friendly with my boy, have you now? No, he won't be joining you. Alex will. There will be reinforcements. You know how to call for them."

"Yes, I do. Is that all?"

"That is all." He said. "Leave, and send Edwin once you've left."

"I will." She replied, moving back towards the door.

Only once she was out, did she dare breathe loudly. The Prime was a cruel, cruel man. She hated him more than she hated anyone. And she hated a lot of people, most of them resided in the centre.

Rhen fell into step beside her. "Your next dosing would be in a week. I've secured all the vials and have replaced them. For extra measures, now that you're getting your magic back, I'll have the food tested, too."

"I have a task tonight."

He halted. "A task? But you already got one for the week."

"I know." She scoffed. "But he's the head, he does what he wants. I have to kill the Press secretory."

"Didn't we already take care of it?"

"We killed one person. They were a group. And now, they're angrier than before."

"Shit." Rhen sighed. "Who're you teamed up with?"

"Alex." She scowled. "And Edwin will heed the reinforcements most likely."

"That's so fucked up. Will you be alright?"

"I have to be." Alasia bit her cheek. "I have no other choice."

"I – " Rhen frowned. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," She smiled and hugged him. He hugged her back instantly. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

***

She had to do nothing more than infiltrate Press.

It was easier to get in through the door only the cooks and maids used. It went straight to the pantry and from there, there were five corridors, two of which led to the owner's and the other to the literary agent.

The maids were to supply them with coffee and scones every three hours and the best part? There was no formality. No uniforms. No titles. The maids were maids because they wanted to be maids.

The group she was supposed to exterminate was made of the editor, copy editor, assistant illustrator and the publicist.

The other best part? They drank coffee together at sharp seven in the evening every day in the editor's office. Planned their next reproach there, and sneakily got the articles printed, even though the owner had advised them not to a few times before.

Well, they'd know not to disrespect orders now, she assumed.

Alasia was lounging on the Editor's large black chair, her legs crossed on the table in front of her when the door finally opened and in stepped four people.