Assassin [#ProjectWomanUp]

Chapter Twelve: Jocelyn

Analise hurried to complete her morning routine. She needed to finish before everyone else, for obvious reasons.

Asterodea had requested everyone in the central square — for reasons she did not reveal.

Analise was the first on the balcony to take her place beside Asterodea. Slowly, she watched as the square filled up.

Around ten o' clock, according to the position of the sun, Asterodea held her hands up and the chatter instantly died.

"Jocelyn Irwin."

A woman stepped forward, holding a small child.

"Jocelyn Irwin, you have been accused of betraying the Order. Do you accept these claims?"

Jocelyn nodded. "These claims are true. Your rule is oppressive and unjust. I demand freedom!"

Asterodea nodded. "Your child."

Fear instantly overcome Jocelyn. "Val– Valorie?"

"Yes, your child. Set her down."

Instead, she clung tighter to her daughter. "Valorie has done nothing!"

"Guards, take the child!"

Four guards instantly came up on her. Jocelyn conjured a shield to ward off her attacks, but the guards eventually broke through.

"Valorie!" Jocelyn screamed. "Valorie!"

Valorie squirmed, trying to free herself from the guards' grasp. She couldn't have been more than four years old.

Analise instantly understood what was going to happen. "You can't do this!" Analise shouted before she could check herself.

Asterodea wheeled around and struck her across the cheek. The impact sent her stumbling. "You'll keep your mouth shut," she hissed at her before she turned back.

The guards had set Valorie down and were holding her still. Jocelyn was sobbing now, calling Valorie's name.

Asterodea examined the child. "Lovely daughter you have. Shame her mother was such a criminal."

Valorie choked and fell to the ground. Jocelyn was screaming again, Valorie's name lost in her desperation.

Asterodea closed her fist and Valorie lay still. As soon as she turned, the crowd instantly dispersed. Jocelyn ran to Valorie's side. "Val... Valorie..." she muttered weakly.

A woman with raven black hair walked to Jocelyn's side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She helped her to her feet and let her sob into her shoulder. Even from this distance, Analise could see the anger in her eyes.

~~~

"Hey!" a woman's voice rang across the square. Almost as one, Analise and Asterodea turned to see who it was.

It was the raven haired woman from earlier. Now that she was closer, Analise could see that her eyes were a peculiar lavender color.

She stormed up to Asterodea. "You had no right. Valorie Irwin was an innocent child!"

Asterodea smirked. "Miss Lambe, I had every right. Her mother–"

"Josie was the guilty one. If you're going to punish someone, punish the guilty one, not her innocent daughter."

Asterodea laughed lightly. "You have a lot to learn about the way my system works, Lambe." She turned.

The woman watched her retreating back. "You won't remain in your position much longer. We will conquer!"

That was the final straw. Asterodea turned back and slapped the woman.

She merely grinned and slapped her back. "You want to try me?"

Asterodea glared at her. "Ebony Lambe, mark my words, you will pay for your insolence." She turned back and grabbed Analise by the arm. "Come with me, Analise."

~~~

Analise had never felt terror like this before. How did she know? Had she slipped?

That didn't matter now. Asterodea knew, and Analise was chained to a wall.

After a few minutes, Analise remembered the knife. She had started to reach for it when she realized the sheath was too light.

~~~

Hello Lizzie,
I have your Apprentice. Analise, was her name? I highly doubt you genuinely wanted to sell her as a slave, so I can only assume she was sent as a spy.

Eliza dropped the note there. How did she know? Well, that didn't exactly matter now.

She picked Hollene's note back up.

I'm willing to give her back, if you're willing to come get her. And come as Eliza. We don't need anymore of this "Lady Alyss" nonsense.
I await your arrival.
Holly.

Eliza paced, not knowing what to do. Of course she'd go and get Analise, but every way she looked at it, it screamed, "Trap!"

After an hour of planning and scheming knew what she was going to do. And she wasn't going alone.

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. 709 words in this one.
I really hope you're enjoying this as much as I am.
Once again, I am lost for words.
~Patchesmimi