Shadow Betrayal: An Assassin's Story

1 - SHADOWS, BETRAYAL, AWAKENING - 1

Song: Saint

Raven's POV:

My eyes snap open, heart pounding like a trapped animal. Am I losing it? Nasir always warned me about the crazies in this place—the ones who went mad in the shadows, dangerous and unpredictable. He said they were never to be trusted, never to be taken lightly.

I blink in the dim room, trying to clear my head from the pounding rhythm in my chest. It's too quiet. Silence isn't normal in the underground prison city. The constant background hum of dripping water, distant murmurs, and scurrying creatures should be there. But now? Nothing.

Tap, tap, tap.

That's no figment of my imagination. Sitting up, the thin blanket falls away, and the cold air wraps around me like a suffocating second skin. It's freezing down here, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and takes hold. The temperature sharpens my senses. The footsteps again, louder this time, echoing off the stone walls. Whoever's out there isn't trying to be stealthy.

I throw my legs over the edge of the bed, fumbling for my shoes in the dark. Pulling them on, I grab the blades resting against the wall. Weapons are a must down here. Faolan, Kaemon, and Nasir are on the other side of the building—too far for a yell to reach them, but close enough to help if things go sideways. Whoever's outside my door won't give me that chance.

Strapping the blades to my waist, I creep toward the door, pressing my ear against it. My heart hammers so loudly I can hardly hear over it. I strain to catch any hint of movement, any sound at all.

Nothing. Just silence. Either they're waiting for me, or they've already slipped past. Either way, it's a gamble.

Slowly, I crack the door open and slip out, shutting it quietly behind me. I move like a ghost, light on my feet against the cold stone. Every few steps, I pause, straining to hear something—anything—that could hint at who or what is lurking in the shadows. But there's nothing. No skittering rats, no creaking wood, nothing. Only the dangerous ones survive here, and they tend to be much quieter than rats.

I'm almost at Faolan's door when the sound changes. Footsteps—fast and heavy—charge up the stairs toward me. The moment I hear them, I spin around just as a shadow lunges from the darkness, slamming me against the cold stone wall. Pain shoots up my spine, but I grit my teeth and keep hold of my dagger, swinging it across the attacker's face. The blade slices into his cheek. He recoils with a grunt, giving me enough time to drop the dagger and unsheathe one of my long blades.

The long blade feels right in my hand—light and perfectly balanced, the edge honed to razor-sharp precision. Intricate patterns along the steel reflect the dim light. This isn't just any weapon; it was made for me. I raise the sword and strike, aiming for his midsection. He dodges with ease, drawing his own sword in a smooth motion.

"Who sent you?" I demand, swinging again. "Think you can just barge in here?"

"Orders are orders," he replies, his voice devoid of emotion.

I push forward, my blade clashing against his with a sharp, metallic ring. "Tell me why you're really here!"

"I don't owe you an explanation," he snaps, forcing me to jump back.

I grit my teeth, trying to stay aggressive, but he's fast. Too fast. "If you think I'll just let you take me," I shout between swings, "you're dead wrong!"

He sidesteps, his movements practiced and smooth, as if he's been doing this all his life. "Believe me," he says, deflecting another blow, "I don't want to hurt you more than necessary. But I've got my orders."

I swing hard, forcing him back. "Tell me, or I'll make you regret it!"

He dodges again, this time with an almost lazy efficiency. "You're making this harder than it needs to be," he growls, stepping in close to throw me off balance. "I'm only here to bring you back."