His Ultimate Favor Is Me

VII. Test of Loyalty

The tension in the room was palpable as Adrian's words hung in the air. A test of loyalty. My stomach twisted with uncertainty. What did he expect from me?

Master Navarro stood silently near the door, his gaze hardening. I felt his eyes burning into my back, but I refused to look at him. Adrian's smirk grew wider, as if he enjoyed watching me wrestle with the weight of my decisions.

"What kind of test?" I finally asked, keeping my voice steady despite the rising dread in my chest.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the suspense. "Oh, it's nothing too complicated," he said casually, as though we were discussing something trivial. "But it will prove where your true loyalties lie. Come with me."

Without waiting for my response, Adrian turned and strode toward the door. The two men flanking him followed without a word. I hesitated, glancing at Master Navarro. His expression was grim, but he gave me the slightest nod, a silent reassurance or maybe a warning.

I took a deep breath, pushing down the fear and uncertainty, and followed Adrian into the unknown.

We drove in silence, the city lights flickering past the windows like ghosts. Adrian's men sat on either side of me in the backseat, their presence cold and unfeeling. The weight of the black card in my pocket was a constant reminder of the choice I had made, and the one I couldn't undo.

After what felt like hours, the car finally stopped. We were in a desolate part of town, far from the glamour and luxury of the mansion. The streets were empty, the buildings crumbling with age and neglect.

Adrian stepped out first, gesturing for me to follow. As soon as my feet hit the pavement, a wave of cold air washed over me, biting at my skin. The place felt wrong, like something dangerous lurked in the shadows.

"This way," Adrian said, leading me down a narrow alley. His voice was low, almost conspiratorial, as if we were about to embark on a secret mission.

I kept my eyes on him, trying to ignore the growing sense of dread. What was this test, and why did it feel like I was walking straight into a trap?

We stopped in front of a rusted door at the back of an abandoned building. Adrian knocked twice, and after a few moments, the door creaked open. A man stood there, his face hidden in the shadows. He stepped aside, letting us in.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old wood and damp stone. I could hear faint whispers from deeper within the building, but I couldn't make out what was being said.

Adrian led me down a series of winding hallways until we reached a room at the very end. The door was slightly ajar, and as we stepped inside, I saw a lone figure tied to a chair in the center of the room.

My heart pounded as I realized what this was.

The figure a man looked up as we entered, his eyes wide with fear. His clothes were torn, and there were bruises on his face and arms. He looked like he had been here for days.

Adrian walked over to the man, his expression cold. "This is your test," he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I stared at him, not fully understanding. "What do you mean?"

Adrian turned to me, his eyes gleaming with something dark and dangerous. "He's a traitor," he explained, gesturing to the man. "He gave information to our enemies. Now, it's your job to make sure he never does it again."

The blood drained from my face. "You want me to...?"

Adrian's smile was chilling. "Kill him."

I took a step back, my heart racing. This wasn't what I had signed up for. I had expected something difficult, something challenging, but not this. Not murder.