A Dangerous Desire

15| Death Around The Corner

<Deathbringer>

For the past two days, I have been watching my back. Morrowseer would be here tomorrow and the mission will have been failed.

I didn't sleep at all that night. I sat crouched in my bed, analyzing my room for anything that seemed out of the ordinary. I needed to stay asserted and awake.

I could not fall asleep.

"*"

I sat up so quickly that I fell out of my bed, painfully landing on my chest as I collided with the floor.

Flame, who was in the same sleeping quarter as me, peaked over his pillow to glare at me.

"The hell's wrong with you?" he demanded. "It's too early for this, so do me a favor and shut up."

I groaned, pushing myself off of the ground. "Sorry, I just—I was trying not to fall asleep last night but I—"

"What part of shut up do you not understand?" Flame growled.

I scoffed, standing up as I gazed around the room.

Nothing was different.

Absolutely nothing happened.

Morrowseer will be here in a couple of hours. I just have to stay alive until then.

I had tried to visit my mother numerous times already, but Morrowseer knew better than to leave the keys here while he was out. I didn't know when he'd be back, though.

There was one thing I did know: whoever wanted me dead was a fellow assassin.

I had to watch my back.

"*"

No one who was an assassin went to Glory's school other than myself, but even that was just for a mission.

I still knew I wasn't safe.

It was smarter, actually, killing me outside of the base. That way if they're successful, Morrowseer would have no proof that it was anyone in the base.

I turned the corner sharply, preparing for any sneak attacks and eyeing windows with distaste.

"What the hell is up with you?" Glory demanded, suddenly stepping in my tracks.

I tried to play it cool. "I'm just... very observant."

"Yeah, but only to me," Glory observed. "It seems as if you're afraid of something. Are you hiding from someone?"

"Uh, I'll see you after school, okay?" I didn't mean to dismiss her like that, but the longer I stood there conversing with her, the closer she'd be to the target—me.

I slipped past her. It wasn't like I was afraid, but recently my skills in the art were weakening.

To my surprise, the day went as normal as any other day. There were no plotting, or schemes, or sneak attacks.

Am I going crazy? Was I just hearing things? Morrowseer's going to be here tomorrow... if I can just stay alive until then, I'll be in the clear.

I think.

Suddenly, Glory slipped in front of me, but in a confrontational manner.

"Oh, uh, hey, Glory," I quickly said, innocently smiling at her. "How are you? How was your day?"

"What's up with you today?" Glory demanded. "You haven't flirted with me once. We've barely even spoken."

I grinned at her. "Don't worry that pretty little head of yours. I still love you."

Glory rolled her eyes, annoyed. "No, that's not the point. I've never seen you like this."

"Aww, so you do care about me. Cute."

"I'm being serious, Deathbringer."

I sighed, looking away from her and trying to come up with a believable excuse. Nothing came to mind.

"I'm just stressed," I explained, which was a shitty reason, but it was the only one I could come up with at that moment. "I have a lot to do, that's it. I swear, I'm fine."

Glory crossed her arms, looking for anything that hinted I was lying. She scoffed when she didn't find any. "Would coming over after school help?" She asked that question painfully, as if being nice to me was physically impossible.

I grinned at her. "Yes, it would." I thought for a second. "Or I could take you out for a date again."

"Absolutely not," Glory muttered, and I laughed quietly.

"Okay, I'll come over," I gently said.

"*"

As usual, Grandeur greeted me with freshly made tea, sitting me down on their sofa. Sunny was also there, sitting cross-legged on the carpet as she hand-made bracelets. Glory had her legs crossed on the sofa behind me, clicking through the shows for us to watch.

"Don't you guys find it weird?" Sunny suddenly asked.

Glory glanced at her. "What?"

Sunny shrugged, still making bracelets. "I don't know, I just feel like someone's watching us. Maybe not, though."

I stiffened slightly, realizing that I had let my guard down and I had been an easy target that entire time. And I brought the attacker to Glory and Grandeur... Great, Deathbringer, you're a certified idiot.

"It's getting late," I quickly said, standing up in a fast motion. "It was fun hanging out with you guys, but I should really be going."

"What?" Glory asked. "You haven't even been here for an hour. Also, it's only 8. It's not that late."

Shoot, she's right.

"Yeah, but I'm pretty busy today." Grandeur, who was in the kitchen, poked her head into the living room.

"Leaving already?" she asked.

I kissed the top of Glory's head. "Yeah," I said, not realizing what I did until after I did it, but it was too late to be surprised at myself. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Goodnight, Grandeur, and you too, Sunny."

I hurried out of the house, and as I stepped outside, I could feel nothing but death around every corner.

I may die today.

<3