The Assassin's Mask (On Hold)

3 | "Don't look back."

Recap (of Chapter 3): Danny and Ren approach Idor, where the assassins' guild is located. Ren wonders of Danny's secrets, but believes she feels too much and tries to stop the pain. They exit the ship and go to the assassins' guild.

Alaric, master of the assassins' guild threatens Danny but she tells him he's a coward and a liar. Danny leaves his office and goes to her room. She removes a brick from her wall, which held a purse of coins. She begins to escape from the window, but Ren knocks on the door. Ren convinces Danny to let him leave the guild with her.

⚔ Copyright © Reilly 2016 ⚔

Renier unsheathed his dagger as silent as the dead while beside Danny Storm's silent figure. They sat crouched on the beams that lined the walls of the hallways. Danny's leather-clad feet padded across the marble with grace and stealth. Silence. It was all the two assassins below heard. Ren and Danny shared a look, darting their eyes at the two. Danny nodded, pulling her sword out, but this time, sound reached the assassin's ears.

The guarding assassin's heads flicked up as Danny and Ren descended in mid-air, plunging their blades through the guard's hearts. Clean. Quick. Danny's feet hit the ground as their opponents' bodies dropped, darkening the red carpet even further. Ren instantly felt a pang of guilt in his breast.

Traitor.

"Ren," Danny said nodding down the corridor, "Let's go." He nodded at her. There was no going back; Alaric would already have their heads or whatever other parts he demanded until he was satisfied. Danny, too, was second guessing her decision to leave and bringing Ren as well. He would likely get her killed, or worse...

"Did you hear that?" Danny heard a voice float down the hall, a man's voice.

"No," Another voice responded.

"Check it out," Danny knew that voice. "Now," Alaric screamed at his men.

"Yes, Master!" The two men said.

Danny instantly took off down the hall, unsheathing both her blades. She was determined to leave; she could not stay another day. Not in this prison. She'd been there far too long. Ren strung his bow and plucked an arrow from his quiver, notching it to the rope. The two sprinted down the halls, away from the assassins that would soon catch their trail. Danny's calves burned from the exertion of energy; she exhaled a breath.

She began to turn the corner, but an arm pulled her back and she was flesh against the wall. Ren raised a finger to his lips, shaking his head. There had to be more assassins around the corner. Danny nodded and looked around the corner into the great hall. Her eyes went straight to the large steel doors that were the only way in or out of the guild. She knew that very well. Then she shifted her gaze over the crowd of fifteen or so assassins, armed to the teeth with steel blades and arrows that could kill anyone.

Danny let out a small breath and then pulled Ren around the corner, hoping her plan would work. Instantly all the assassins trained their gaze on the masked assassin, several reaching for their daggers. "Alaric needs you all in the southern wing. A skin walker has invaded the guild. Its appearance is unknown and it could be anyone." They stayed still, watching her intensely. "Now!" She growled, sending half of them down the halls while the others remained.

Danny heard Ren shuffle beside her, "What are you waiting for? Move." Danny said, "You know what Alaric does to those who disobey him." Ren shifted uneasily again.

A tall, red haired, rough man stepped forward and Danny recognized him. Alaric's brother, Raphael. A sharp pang vibrated through her chest "Well, well Daniella," Raphael began, drawing his sword. Danny glared and hissed at him, grasping the hilt of her dagger that hid in the folds of her cloak. She wanted so badly to gut him right then and there for his betrayal. "My brother's kept you locked up for some time. What has it been?"