Rohakiloe - The Assassin And The Prince

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She made her way to Charvi's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in"

She couldn't get a read on Charvi's voice, it made her nervous. She tentatively opened the door and stepped inside.

Charvi was sitting facing her. His tan face was flushed with anger.

"You very nearly cost me my best operative! What were you thinking?"

Catherine took a step back.

"Zahra was never in danger. She's perfectly fine."

Charvi shook his head in disbelief, "I'm talking about you Catherine. What you attempted was suicide. If I'd heard what you were planning a few minutes later, if Zahra had arrived a few minutes later...The Vrazei can't afford to lose you."

Catherine was startled by the anguish in his eyes. Surely she couldn't be so important to the Vrazei. Even as she had this thought pride began to swell in her chest. The Vrazei needed her.

She smiled mischievously at Charvi, "Does this mean I'm your favorite?"

Charvi studied her face for a moment then sighed, "This is about your feud with Zahra, isn't it."

Catherine shrugged, "Maybe a little."

Charvi studied her face for another minute, "You're my favorite Vrazei," he said quietly, "but if Zahra ever asks I'll deny having said so."

"I guess I can live with that. I'll find some other way to put Zahra in her place."

"Couldn't you two find some way to put aside your differences? You're the best Vrazei I have. The two of you alone have killed more Rohakiloe than everyone else combined. If you only worked together--"

Catherine cut Charvi off, "It's not happening, Zahra is a self-important jerk who wouldn't know manners if they hit her over the head."

"Just think about it, ok?"

"I'll think about it, but you already have my answer, and I can assure you it's not changing. Now, what's my next assignment? Any more Rohakiloe posing as political figures or will I be dealing with something more mundane?"

Charvi dropped his gaze, "About that, I think it would be best if you laid low for a while. You're the most wanted person in the kingdom right now, there'll be no way for you to move freely. Frankly, I'm also worried about you. You just about committed suicide today. Taking a break will do you good."

She stared at Charvi, unable to believe he'd suggest something like this.

"This is so not happening. You need me. You just told me that I'm the best you have!"

He reached out and grasped her hands in his. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she had to fight to keep her expression neutral.

"Cathrine, it's precisely because you're the best that you need a break. I can't afford to lose you. The entire kingdom is after your head, and you've worked yourself so hard that you seem to have forgotten what your life is worth. Please, take a few months off for me, then you can get right back to killing Rohakiloe."

"A few months!" Catherine stared at him, again unable to believe what he was saying. She'd imagined he only wanted her to take off a few weeks, but he was suggesting an eternity.

"Absolutely not, I have a job to do. I can't just go on vacation while people are being murdered. I appreciate your concern, but I'll take my next assignment now."

Charvi shook his head, "Catherine, this isn't a request."

She stared at him, angry heat flooding her cheeks, "Fine. I'll kill them on my own. Let me know when you want me back."

She turned and tried to stalk off, but Charvi caught hold of her wrist.

"I won't have you risking your life needlessly. You're too valuable."

His voice was almost calm, but there was an undercurrent of chilly anger.

"You're not in your right mind. If I have to keep you here by force until you recover then that's what I'll do, but please," His voice softened, "Stay here of your own free will. Wait for things to calm down. Take time for yourself. You'll be back to hunting Rohakiloe before you know it."

I pulled free of his grip and spun around.

"People will die while I'm taking a break. Those deaths will be on me because I couldn't kill the Rohakiloe before they killed those innocent people. You really think having that on my conscience will help my mental health? You can try to keep me here, but I can guarantee that I'll find a way out. I'll find the most powerful Rohakiloe and fight them in the most public places just to spite you."

Charvi met my eyes, his expression was pained.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. I might not be able to keep you here, but there's one person who can."