In the dark and relentless world of assassins bound by codes, hidden allegiances, and unbreakable oaths, Blood Oaths and Shadows offers a thrilling collection of interconnected short stories set within the legendary universe of John Wick. These stor...
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Kai Zhang stood in the marble-floored antechamber of the Continental Dubai, adjusting his collar in the reflection of a gold-framed mirror. The desert heat outside made the air conditioning feel arctic on his skin, but he didn't shiver. Seven years as a professional killer had taught him to control such tells.
His phone vibrated: a message from an unlisted number.
*Dinner invitation. The Adjudicator requests your presence. Tonight. 8 PM. Private dining room.*
Kai's reflection betrayed nothing, but his pulse quickened. The Adjudicator only appeared when the High Table needed to restore order. Someone had broken the rules—or was about to pay for breaking them.
The Continental's private dining room occupied the entire 40th floor, offering a panoramic view of Dubai's glittering skyline. Kai arrived at 7:55 PM to find four others already seated at a round table of polished ebony. He recognized them all: elite assassins from different corners of the globe.
Sophia Rousseau, the French poisoner, elegant in a red dress that matched her lipstick. Viktor Petrov, the Russian close-quarters specialist, his scarred hands resting on the tablecloth. Luna Ortiz, whose skill with a garrote had earned her the nickname "The Silencer" throughout South America. And Thomas Bishop, the British former SAS operator whose efficiency with a sniper rifle was legendary.
They all looked up as Kai entered, their faces masks of professional courtesy. But he felt the assessment in their gazes. In their world, every meeting could be your last.
"Mr. Zhang." The Adjudicator's voice came from behind him, making him turn. They wore their customary black suit and circular glasses, their gender and age impossible to determine. "Please, be seated."
Kai took the remaining chair, noting that it put his back to the floor-to-ceiling windows. A tactical disadvantage. Not that anyone would violate the Continental's no-business rule, but old habits died hard.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the Adjudicator began, remaining standing, "thank you for accepting our invitation. The High Table has a matter of utmost importance to discuss."
A waiter appeared, silent as a shadow, pouring wine into crystal glasses. No one touched them.
"We have confirmed that sensitive information about our operations has been leaked to an outside organization." The Adjudicator's voice remained neutral, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "One of our own has betrayed us. Someone with access to the highest levels of our hierarchy. Someone, we believe, in this very room."
Kai kept his face carefully blank, but his mind raced. A setup? A test? Or was there really a traitor among them?
"Rather than handle this through... conventional means," the Adjudicator continued, "the High Table has decided to implement a more elegant solution. We call it the Traitor's Game."
