The Key to the Oleander

Chapter Seventeen - Athena

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Please don't kill me, please!" I watch as the man in front of me begs on his knees for his life.

"You should've told her that after you raped her." I grit out before pulling the trigger without any hesitation. His body flies back against the chair behind him, blood splattering everywhere around him, including me.

I sigh as I put down the gun on the table beside me before walking out of the chamber in Ace's basement.

As I'm about to turn the corner, something pulls me and I instantly know who it is.

I giggle as Ace kisses down my neck. I finally break away and turn around before intertwining my fingers, my hands rest on the back of his neck.

"You look gorgeous as always, love." He murmurs, his eyes darken with lust.

We haven't done anything other than making out, he hasn't even asked either. I think we both have silently agreed that we're taking things slow.

He shakes his head and clears his throat, I almost laugh at his attempt to clear the dirty thoughts he's probably having at the moment.

"Another rapist, down and dead in chamber forty one." I sigh though I smile with pride. It's unfortunate I even need to do this, but I proudly will.

He nods in response, but I can tell something's bothering him.

"What is it?" I ask, frowning.

"We're going to war with Slater, Athena." I'm taken back by what he just said but also somewhat pumped with motivation.

"Okay, I'm in." I nod my head slowly. He shakes his head instantly.

"No, there's no way I'm allowing you into war, Athena. You could die." He exclaims.

"Well there's no way I'm allowing you to go out into war without me." I take a step back.

He sighs heavily, dragging his hands down his face. After a few seconds of silence he takes my hand and leads me down the hallway and to the door I've seen a couple times but have never been able to get in.

He places his hand on the wall to the left of the door and after just a moment I hear a beep and the door's unlocked. He opens the door before taking my hand again and walks in.

I gasp at the sight of people fighting, shooting ranges, sword fighting, people in science coats talking with serious looks on their faces, there's too much happening I don't know where to look. There's about a couple dozen people I can spot at each station.

"Welcome to the Nethilor Faction, where we train anyone who wants to fight alongside the Nethilor Mafia. Some need to start a new life, some have the common enemy of Slater, and some owe favors. I'll show you around and introduce you to some people." He explains before moving left toward a boxing ring. A small crowd of people surround it as they watch two women box.

"Stop." He commands loudly, his voice echoing through the whole building, and they do. Everyone turns, even the others in other sections.

"This is Princess Athena, my soon to be wife. I expect everyone to treat her like she's one of us and with respect. She is now one of us, warriors." The crowd falls into whispers.

"Quiet!" He shouts after a few seconds, the room silences. "Do any of you have a problem?" He asks, raising his brows as he dares for anyone to object.

"She's not one of us. She's just a princess!" A woman with the straightest blonde hair I've seen and blue eyes steps forward, her arms fold against her black leather jacket that she's wearing.