Assassin [#ProjectWomanUp]

Chapter Thirteen: Ebony

Eliza knocked tenatively at May's door. It was midnight, and she had no idea why she had chosen this time to call for May.

May opened the door, and it didn't look like Eliza had interrupted something important — sleeping, for instance.

"Lizzie, is there a reason you're at my threshold at midnight?"

"Lisa's been taken captive."

"How do you know this?"

"Asterodea sent a note."

"Usually if that happens, the receiver is meant to go alone."

"Nothing was specified in the note."

"Okay, let's go."

~~~

Three nights later, the two Assassins — they had elected to leave Lynn behind — stood once again at the entrance of the forest. May had left a brief note explaining their absences and they had set out immediately.

"Here we are, once again," Eliza muttered. A sudden movement caught her eye.

"Over there."

As one, the two fanned out and readied their weapons.

A sorceress stepped out of the trees, her hands up in surrender. Instantly, Eliza had her up against a tree, her knife at her throat. "My Apprentice," she growled. "Where is she?"

"Liz!" May shouted, but it didn't do much. Eliza merely acted as if May wasn't there.

"My Apprentice," Eliza repeated, just barely refraining from cutting her skin.

"I'm on your side," the woman said.

Eliza narrowed her eyes. "Why should I trust you?"

Her lavender eyes burned with rage. "Asterodea killed my niece."

Eliza loosened her hold. "What's your name?"

"Ebony. Ebony Lambe."

"So, Ebony Lambe, what do you know about a hostage Assassin Apprentice?" May calmly inquired.

"The other day — the day Valorie died — Aster took a captive. I don't know if she was Assassin, though. I remember her name — Analise."

May and Eliza exchanged a glance. "Tell us everything you know."

~~~

"I'm sorry, you did what?" Eliza asked incredulously.

"I slapped her."

"Why... why in the world would you do something like that?"

"You should have heard how she was talking about Josie and Valorie! You would have done the same!"

"I highly doubt it. Do you realize how powerful she is?"

"Yeah. Why else would she be in her position?"

"So what on Earth made you slap her?"

"It was a spur of the moment decision!"

"I've made better spur of the moment decisions! And I make bad spur of the moment decisions!"

"I can confirm that," May interjected.

"Okay, do you know where Analise is?" Eliza continued.

Ebony nodded. "I have a fair idea."

"Great, let's go," Eliza said, standing up to leave.

"Lizzie, wait," May grabbed her arm and pulling her back down. "We need a plan."

"And it's not like I'm well–liked by the general public," Ebony added. "I slapped her, remember?"

"Holl– Asterodea said she was expecting me. I'll go and request an audience with the queen. You two follow behind me, and stay hidden."

"Lizzie..." May started warningly.

"May, Lisa's in there. Who knows what Asterodea's doing? The longer we wait, the more risk she's in. Now, I say we go in."

"I agree."

The two Assassins turned to face the Ebony in surprise. Her eyes conveyed anger and hatred.

"Asterodea needs to be taken down."

Hellos! So chapters twelve through fourteen were originally supposed to be one chapter. I might go back when editing and put it in, but to type all that up would have taken forever and I wanted to give you guys updates.
In case you didn't notice, I submitted this, and one other (Damsel in Distress) for the #ProjectWomanUp campaign. #ProjectWomanUp is all about empowerment of women in literature, and I figured this would be the perfect campaign for my writing, seeing as my main characters are already strong female characters.
Hope y'all (no, I'm not Southern; I'm actually Midwestern) enjoyed.
Patchesmimi