ACOTAR one shots, imagines and short stories

Part 1 - The Spymaster's Apprentice (Azriel x OC)

Word count: 3872

Characters: Azriel and Elara (OC)

Warnings: Violence

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The night was cloaked in a deep, velvety darkness as Azriel and Elara slipped through the shadowed streets of a town on the outskirts of the Night Court. Their mission was perilous, involving the infiltration of a rogue faction rumoured to be plotting against the fragile peace of Prythian. As they moved with practiced stealth, every step calculated and silent, the tension in the air was palpable. This wasn't just another operation; it was a critical assignment that required not only their skills but their unwavering trust in each other—a trust that had been forged over years of shared battles and hardships.

For Elara, this mission was yet another chapter in a life defined by struggle and survival. Left an orphan at a young age after a skirmish on the borders of the Night Court claimed her parents' lives, she had been thrust into a harsh world with no family to rely on. Sent to one of the Court's orphanages, she quickly learned the realities of life, developing the resourcefulness and quick wit that would one day catch the attention of the Night Court's Spymaster. These qualities, along with her natural ability to blend into her surroundings, had not only saved her in the past but had also made her an invaluable asset to Azriel on missions like this.

Life in the orphanage was tough, but Elara thrived in its challenges. She was often overlooked by the caretakers, who were too busy managing the larger, rowdier children. This allowed her to explore Velaris on her own terms, slipping into the shadows and observing the world around her. It was during these excursions that she began to develop the skills that would later define her—watching, listening, learning to move silently, and piecing together information that others overlooked. She became something of a ghost, unnoticed but always present.

Her life changed the day she tried to pick the pocket of a passing nobleman. Elara had chosen her mark carefully, a man who seemed distracted and burdened by the weight of his own thoughts. But as her fingers brushed the coin pouch, the man's hand shot out with lightning speed, trapping her wrist. Startled, Elara looked up to meet the cold, calculating gaze of Azriel, the spymaster of the Night Court.

Azriel had been on his way to a meeting when he felt the subtle tug at his belt. His instincts had kicked in, and he caught the would-be thief before she could slip away. But when he looked down and saw a young girl, not yet in her teens, staring up at him with defiant eyes, he hesitated. There was something in her gaze that intrigued him—a sharpness, a cunning that was unusual for someone so young.

Instead of punishing her, Azriel asked her why she had chosen him as a target. Elara, sensing that this was not an ordinary man, told him the truth—that he seemed preoccupied and vulnerable, the perfect mark. Impressed by her observation and boldness, Azriel let her go, but not before giving her a small silver coin and a piece of advice: "Next time, pick a target who's truly unaware."

That encounter stayed with Azriel. He couldn't shake the feeling that the girl had potential—potential that, if nurtured, could be invaluable to the Night Court. He began keeping an eye on her, watching as she continued to survive on the streets, using her wits and agility to outmaneuvers those around her. It was clear that she had no formal training, but her instincts were sharp, and her ability to move unnoticed through the city was impressive.

Months later, when Azriel was tasked with recruiting new spies to bolster his network, he remembered the orphan girl. He sought her out, finding her once again lurking in the shadows of Velaris. This time, he offered her something more valuable than coin: a chance to train under his guidance, to learn how to hone her natural talents and use them in service of the Night Court.