Shadow of Trust

Chapter 24 - The Menace

Chapter 24 – The Menace

Padmé stood frozen in the doorway, unable to move or even speak. For a moment the eyes of the two women met. A shudder ran through Padmé's body, but she couldn't flinch.

"So you're Skywalker's jewel," she remarked, smiling slightly.

Not a second later, Anakin was at the door, hiding Padmé from the assassin's eager gaze. "Ventress," he hissed angrily. "Dare even think about harming her and it will be your last thought!"

Asajj managed a throaty laugh and pushed the door open a crack. "I didn't remember you being so rude, Skywalker. How lucky your student isn't following your example too much, isn't it?" She nodded to Ahsoka, who was still sitting on the mattress.

"Master, don't be like that now! She won't harm anyone, will she, Ventress?" Ahsoka's voice was confident, so Anakin broke his defensiveness and gently hugged Padmé while motioning for Asajj to come inside.

Padmé sat back down on the mat while Anakin eyed Asajj uncertainly. "What brings you to us? And don't try any tricks!" His voice sounded unfriendly and curious at the same time.

The assassin ignored him completely. She stood in front of the mats and seemed to think for a moment. "My agents have learned something," she said in a velvety voice. "Something that will affect you, too." She hesitated and fixed on Anakin. "What do I get if I share it with you guys?"

Ahsoka exchanged a quick look with Anakin. They knew the assassin's tricks. Asajj only thought of her own needs and would only try to get the best for herself. The young Jedi laughed grimly. "And what guarantees us that you really stand by your word?"

"Hm, let me think about it for a moment." Dooku's former student turned her gaze to Padmé, but the senator remained calm. She returned the gaze with a sure superiority. "Nothing, really," Ventress said. "But I'm sure you want the information, after all your senator is also affected." Asajj's smile wasn't friendly, but rather demanding.

But before anyone else could react, Anakin lunged forward and grabbed the assassin's arm. His face was contorted with anger, his eyes blazing with anger. Padmé gave him a reproachful yet worried look that he didn't even seem to notice. "How dare you?" he ground out, trying to keep his voice under control, failing. "This is idle chatter from a person who has only her own interests in mind and is fine with other people being harmed by it." He hissed the last words at her.

"Would you please let me go, Skywalker?" At that, Asajj jerked herself away from him, looking at him in amusement. "You Jedi always try to see the bad in people, but you're wasting your time on the wrong person. That's why you haven't been able to unmask Palpatine, because you never doubted his qualities. It's usually the ones that seem perfect that actually have evil in them."

Those were wise words, though Anakin didn't want to admit it to himself. Padmé smirked slightly and Ahsoka nodded appreciatively. If she trusted the assassin, then so should they, right?

"Just a word of warning," he said firmly. "No games."

Asajj nodded halfheartedly.

Anakin, meanwhile, sat down next to Padmé and watched Ventress.

She turned away from the two and looked at Ahsoka. "You know why I'm here, I've already told you. Did you tell the others?"

The Togruta nodded humbly but didn't dare to speak or look at her Master. This must have made him even more angry than he already was.

"Well, then I can state my condition." She grinned. "I demand the official protection of the Jedi and if it should really come to a war against the Emperor, that you and the Jedi fight at our side."