The Assassin

Chapter 2

I quietly open the door to the Cowick Manor, praying I won't be in to much trouble when Malik finds out that my mission didn't go quite as planned.  I crept silently to my room, which is on the second floor.  I know I can't avoid Malik forever, seeing how he will be expecting a full report about my mission, but I hope that I can at least get some rest before talking to him.  Finally reaching my door, I turn the knob slowly, so not to make a sound, and then swiftly crawled under the covers, clothes still on.  Sleep came almost immediately, the last thought of my newest scar leaving my thoughts as slumber claimed me as its own.

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I peel my eyes open as the colours of the dawn streamed in through my window.  Throwing the covers off, I walk over to my mirror and brush my hair.  Grabbing a piece of leather, I tied my hair up in a ponytail at the back of my head.  I take a deep breath, thinking about what I will soon have to tell Malik.  

I walk into the dinning room, only to be dragged by Malik out of the room and into his office.  

"Won't even let me have breakfast, I see." I started, trying to lighten the storm in his eyes.  He knows me too well.  He knows that if everything had gone according to plan last night, I would have already reported my mission to him when I had gotten back.

"What the hell happened, Maya?  You came back and didn't report to me immediately like you normally do."  Damn, he is going to be pissed when I tell him that I was spotted.  That I didn't even manage to kill the unexpected visitor.

I dramatically sit down, waving at him to do the same.  "Make yourself at home, Malik.  I don't need an old grump like you passing out from lack of nutrients due to you not eating breakfast."  I smirk at him, knowing I am not helping my cause by pissing him off.  Plus he is only about 10 years older than me.

"Spill it, Maya.  Now.  No more of your taunts and jokes."  was his only reply.

Taking a deep breath, I start my report.  "Everything was going fine.  I found the Royal Advisor's home no problem.  He was drunk out of his wits when he finally decided to come home.  The Advisor went to his bedroom, I followed, prepared to make the kill.  Then an... unexpected visitor came.  I don't know who he was, but he was definitely a soldier of some sort.  He had definitely been trained and knew how to fight.  I hid in the room beside the bedroom and overheard the visitor told the Advisor that he was to leave his house immediately for his own safety.  The man said that the King had reason to believe there would be an attempt on the Royal Advisor's life, soon if not tonight.  The drunk idiot wouldn't leave, so the man carried him out into the foyer.  By then I had left the room and was hiding around the corner by the foyer.  The soldier had heard movement and left the drunk to stand unarmed in the foyer.  While the soldier checked the room I had previously hidden in, I quietly and efficiently killed the Advisor.  The only problem was that the man came back to see me.  I threw a knife at the soldier, ran out of the house, injured the man's horse, and then hid in the forest.  Unfortunately, the blow I delivered to the soldier wasn't enough to kill him, just injure him.  I waited until the man left on his injured horse, carrying the dead Advisor, before I came back to the Manor."

I was only met with silence.  Silence, and the death stare that Malik was shooting my way.  "So, let me get this straight.  Instead on following my instructions to get rid of the body and not let a single soul witness you, you did the exact opposite, correct?"  I nod my head, still meeting his stare, not willing to let him make me weak.  "So, right now there is a man who saw you commit a murder, and he has the body to prove it."  I nodded again.  "You know you are one of my best assassins."  I hold his stare, but don't nod.  "You won't be punished.  We all make mistakes, even the best."  I blink, not sure what he is getting at.  There has to be a catch.  With Malik, there is always a catch.  "Bring Cassandra to my office, and we will talk about your new mission."

"Cassandra?"  What the hell could he want with her?  She was now more than 10, basically my little sister.  I wish that she could leave the Manor, have a normal life.  No child should have to endure this place.  The Manor seemed like a dream at first, but quickly proved to be otherwise.  Once you get your first mission, every death takes a part of your soul away from you.  Pieces of me have been stolen every time I steal someones life.

"Yes, Cassandra.  Now be back here in five minutes."  I nod and walk out the door, dreading whatever it is Malik has in mind for Cass.

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I'm back!  Sorry I haven't upadated in forever, I have been busy with life.  I will try to do better on updating not only this story but my other one, The Girl With Scars.  You guys are going to get introduced to a new character next update: Cass.  She is 10 and basically Maya's little sister.... Guess you will have to find out more next chapter!  I would love to have more readers for this story, so share it with others if you like it!  Also feel free to comment WHATEVER YOU LIKE.  I LOVE getting feedback and being able to grow as a writer.

QOTD?  What do you think Malik has in mind for Maya and Cass?  Did Malik let Maya off the hook, or is there something else going on?

Please: Comment/share/vote

- Jess