Assassins

Prologue

He walked through the doors and down the long corridor with the worn wooden floors. The group itself wasn't that old, but the building was. It was the headquarters as some called it. Others had another name. Most just called it the one place where the "family" could gather safely, away from the suspecting eyes of the police. He looked out one of the large windows to the endless night that watched him from above. The stars being his only innocent witnesses to what was about to happen.

The man looked down at was he was carrying when he was sure he was safe from the worried eyes of the owners. No. Of his son and his new wife. He smiled as he saw the moonlight reflect off the baby's face. He kept the rest of her wrapped up. Five generations of the family name carried on through all sons and his son had to have a young girl. Although it was the love of everyone's lives, it wasn't what was needed. He needed a grandson, not a granddaughter. However, what he was thinking could work with a girl. She'd need to be strong, tough, and a fighter.

"Don't cry, little one," he whispered to his granddaughter. "You'll be safe in your bed before you know it. Just quiet for a little while."

He gently kissed the baby's forehead as he neared the large set of doors at the end of the corridor. He took in a deep breath. Even he, as one of the heads and founders of the group, was nervous for the precious granddaughter he held in his hands. She was one of the first few. He knew it was time if he wanted her to have a set future in an unforeseeable world.

"Forgive me, Luke," he said as he looked up and opened one of the large doors. He knew there was no forgiveness from his son. James came to peace with it.

"Ah, James, you came through," the other head said as he stood up from his chair to greet the other founder.

"Yes, but it wasn't easy. Getting my son's little girl is like robbing the U.S. Treasury when it's armed to the teeth," the man said as he smiled looking at the baby and returning his attention back to the co-founder.

"I know what you mean." The co-founder, his partner, peered down at James's granddaughter. Since he himself had no children, he always valued James's children like they were his. "She is as beautiful as her mother, with her father's genes. She'll definitely be a fighter."

"She better be or this night may, perhaps, be a waste." James looked down to his granddaughter and back to the night sky through the windows.

"Well, shall we get started?" the co-founder asked as he stepped toward the door on the other side of the room.

"Yes, before they know she's gone and the police come after me for kidnapping," he said as he walked through the door the co-founder opened for him.

He walked with her up to the alter they prepared for the children. The first was the son of one of the higher ranked members, Daniel Hallom. His son was already six when the idea was tossed around. Daniel, James remembered, still wanted his son to have a set future. Daniel knew, by the way his son acted in school, would benefit most from the Vitani.

"Come on, son," Daniel said as he guided his boy to the alter.

The boy was dressed in all black and still tired from his father waking him in the middle of the night. It had to be done. His wife would thank him later. His son would be set for life. The Vitani paid it's subordinates well as far as Daniel was concerned.

The boy was half asleep as they cut the palm of his hand enough to make blood drip from his hand. The boy hardly flinched. He was used to pain since he was one hell of a fighter. A perfect future member of the Vitani for sure. James and the other co-founder looked at Daniel's son with pride, knowing he could easily be a head if he played his cards right.