The Midnight Assassin

Chapter 9

I was feeling so much better when I woke up, stretched and got out of bed instantly.

The doctor told me that my wounds were healing and my fever had gone down enough to return to work, but to not go on any missions for today and tomorrow.

Well I bet I wouldn't be allowed, as I brought my reputation down by a lot.

Not my fault... Not really.

"There is also a Court meeting in a few minutes." The doctor added.

I nodded to the doctor, turning and heading out of the infirmary, only to be greeted by two silhouettes.

"What do you want Nix?" I asked. Well demanded would be a better term, I'm never usually polite unless I choose to be.

"Oh. Midna I was just checking in on you. Well meet Jessica, she wanted to meet the famous Midna." Nix replied calmly.

I stiffened at the sight of Jessica.

My instincts told her to rip her throat out.

Jessica was around Nix's height and... All over him.

Her short red hair was off her face, freckled and slightly tanned. She was a lower-classman.

"Why would you take her to me? Not like I have any use for her." I noted.

Jessica's smile hitched slightly, her gaze shifting from Nix.

Wait wait wait.... What?

Why is she looking at Nix fondly? Why is she batting her eyelashes? Why is she scooting closer and closer to him?

My fists clenched in frustration. That idiot, being played so easily. It's not that I cared, I just don't like her.

"We have a Court meeting now." I grumbled out to Nix, completely unaware of Jessica.

"Aww can't you stay for a little bit? We were just getting to know each other." Jessica pouted, flinging a strand of hair off her face.

"Yeah well we have important things to do other then 'getting to know each other." We aren't allowed to reveal secrets either. Or at least I won't." I grouched at Nix.

Yeah, Jessica was totally flirting with him. I have read enough books to know the signs.

"I better go now Jess. See you in class." Nix smiled.

Excuse me? Did he just give her a pet name? What the hell. They can't have known each other for... Uh... I'm not quite sure. Could've been a day. Could've been a week.

I stalked over, grabbing Nix's sleeve as I pulled him along from the clutching grasp of Jessica. Or 'Jess'. Whatever he preferred.

"Don't you understand she's playing with you?" I whispered in his ear.

"Are you jealous?"

I stopped.

"No. I just hate her more then I hate you." I replied evenly.

Lucky for him he didn't answer, but let me haul him along before we entered the room, I sat down in my place. He sat down in his.

Yet I still couldn't get that scowl off my face. Eugh.

"I have come up with an idea." Blade announced, I suited my gaze towards him.

"We shall have Assassin Partners, if you will. A companion, going on quests together. Someone watching your back, not only will this enable teamwork, but two heads are better then one." Blade said. I swear his eyes lingered on me.

My face flushed with shame.

"Hunter and Whisper. You'll be each other's partners." Blade started, not even bothering to get our opinions on this idea.

I don't like it, I'm independent and an assassin. I'm not suppose to have a buddy.

"Slash and Scar." Blade continued on.

"Uh... Blade. Can my partner be Hayden?" Dia asked numbly.

The were a few murmurs. Honestly I don't care.

His eyes were thoughtful for a second before nodding, as the captain of our clan he had to make fast decisions.

"Wait. Wait a minute..." I started, noting off the people in the group. It was obvious Blade wasn't going to have a partner... That meant...

"Yes. You're with Nix. Is there a problem?" Blade demanded icily.

"Yes. There is. He can go with Jessica. I'm sure she would love to be his ally. His equal." I spat out the last word like it was poison.

"Midna." Blade warned. I knew that tone of voice. Maybe he was having a bad day? "It is your role as one of my assassins to obey my every command without question. Not only that hit Nix is a level headed young man who is sure to be able to keep you in line."

There was a long silence.

"I work alone." I demanded, attempting to bargain when it was obvious I would lose.

"Midna. No more discussion. This is final. Now shut your hole, stop complaining, and suck it up." Ouch. Well fine. That settles it; something really pissed Blade off.

"You're pairing me with someone who is under my training. Won't that hold me back?" I asked.

"No. Now you will be teaching him your training. And he will do the same in return. You can go to his normal classes and tasks, learn to shut your mouth. May do you some good practice before the ball." Blade reasoned.

Fine. I will shut my mouth, the more I'm saying the worse the situation is becoming.

"Whatever." I growled.

Nix sat there in complete silence, his eyes darting from me and Blade like a tennis rally.

I scowled at him.

"Anything else? Why are you so edgy?" I directed to Blade.

"There has been another death. One of the guards, with the exact same mark on his forearm as in Kel's." I tried not to flinch at the name.

"Any connections?" Scar asked.

Blade shook his head in defeat, "Barely any. This victim was slashed apart brutally, with what looks to be long claws, according to the doctor. Long, metallic, claws. So, Slash. Where were you last night?"