Shadow Betrayal: An Assassin's Story

16 - PEACE, JOKES AND CHAOS - 16

"In the calm before the storm, we often find a fleeting moment of peace, only to be reminded how quickly it can all come undone."

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Enjoy!

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Raven's POV:

The garden was a sanctuary of serenity. The air was perfumed with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, while the soft rustle of leaves accompanied the harmonious song of birds. As I wandered through the tranquil scene, a rare sense of peace settled over me, something I hadn't felt in longer than I could remember. It was almost unsettling how easily the calm washed over me, like stepping into a world far removed from my reality.

The vibrant colors of the flowers, the gentle sway of the trees, and the subtle movements of the forest around me felt like a warm embrace, inviting me to let my guard down for just a moment. A small smile tugged at my lips as I soaked it all in, but the peacefulness only deepened the unease that lingered in the back of my mind, a quiet reminder of what still weighed on me.

"Raven!" Lucian's voice pierced the calm, snapping me out of my reverie. I turned to see him and Koen, busy setting up the picnic. My smile faltered slightly, but I quickly composed myself and made my way toward them, the peacefulness of the garden already beginning to fade.

As I approached, my smile returned, though not without a trace of reluctance. The beauty of this place was a brief escape, but I couldn't forget the mission that loomed over me like a shadow. There was no room for distractions, not even here.

We settled down to eat, and just as I was about to take a bite of the most perfect-looking chicken sandwich, Lucian wasted no time in starting with the questions.

"So, where are you from?" he asked, his curiosity barely disguised.

I glanced at him, my sandwich hovering midway to my mouth. If you knew where I came from, I thought, you'd likely have a heart attack right here. And your friend over there? He'd probably draw his sword and finish me off before you could blink.

"Doesn't matter," I replied bluntly, taking a bite and forcing down the satisfied sigh that nearly escaped me. I had to admit, the food was amazing. From the corner of my eye, I caught Lucian and Koen exchanging glances, but I ignored them.

"Well, what do you like to do?" Lucian pressed on, clearly not deterred by my initial brush-off.

I shrugged. It's not like I could say what I really did in my spare time. Killing people probably doesn't count as a hobby.

"How do you not know what you like?" Lucian asked, disbelief clear on his face.

I shrugged again. "I guess I just haven't figured it out yet," I lied easily.

Lucian and Koen exchanged another look, one that didn't escape me, before Lucian pressed further. "Do you have any siblings?"

What is this? An interrogation over a chicken sandwich? I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Two older brothers. I don't really get along with the oldest, but I saw my other brother recently," I replied, keeping my tone casual.

Lucian leaned in, curiosity lighting up his face. "Oh? So you've got family. What's that like?"

I gave him a tight-lipped smile. "It's... complicated."

Lucian chuckled. "Complicated is an understatement. Sounds like you've got a lot of stories to tell—if you ever feel like sharing."

If you knew my stories, they'd haunt you. I'd rather throw myself into a fire than recount any of them.