Defect

1.2 Hera's 'Death'

"No, just pretend I did," Lillith murmered before she had time to actually think.
"R-really? But you're part of that assassins guild right?" The woman's voice was nervous sounding.
Instead of replying Lillith walked around the spacious sleeping room, testing for weak spots in the walls and floors.
"Please, I know what you are. Just answer me!" Lillith rushed over to the woman- Hera, the contact had said- and covered her mouth with a hand.
"Shut up. We don't want anyone to hear your noise and come to investigate. It'll end badly for all of us. Any stronzino could find their way up here and find us both here, yeah? So stay quiet."
The woman's eyes widened and and filled with fear. "I will try, just don't hurt me, please."
"I've already said that I won't," Lillith growled. Why couldn't this woman understand she wanted to help her? "Where do you keep the spare pillows?"
"W-what? Why do you need pillows?" Hera's voice was soft and questioning. Lilith had only heard a voice like it once, in a dream. There was a man in a dark-- no, Lillith, concentrate. Right. She had a job to do and she would do it well. "I need to make it seem like there's a body here. You can't just go missing with no explanation."
"Y-yeah, I guess that makes sense. I-I'll go get some."
Hera put on a pair of slippers from next to her bed and pulled on a gown. She slipped out of the door silently in practised motions and padded down the long hallway.
"Thank the gods," Lillith muttered as she took off one of her gloves.
Her pale white skin shone brightly in the moonlight. Her one curse. How can an assassin do well if they glow? But it came with a blessing. She went over by the window and absorbed the moonlight, its calming nature filling her.
Parts of her mind she had locked away came to life and tore away the bindings she had placed.
She gasped and stumbled backwards onto the bed.
It had been so long since she had touched the power. Her power.
Before she could revel in the feeling anymore she heard the whisper of cloth on cloth and the dull chink of steel hitting a wooden sheath.
Moving fast she saw the top of the massive wardrobe and climbed on top of it, putting her glove back on before she did.
She had barely settled in to the shadows when a guard opened the door to the room and escorted Hera in.
"Please, miss, how many times do we need to ask you to stay in your room at night?" His voice was impatient, like Hera going on walks at night was common.
"I am quite aware of your duties, Captain. I am also aware of the fact that I have freedom in this household. It is not my fault that the cleaning ladies forgot to put my extra pillow back." Her voice was much different than it was before. It had a sharp tone to it, like it expected to be listened to. This was the voice of someone used to having their demands met.
"Please, miss, we've talked about this before," his tone was strained and he had to keep the sighing out of his voice. "You can't just go running about at night with us not knowing. It's not safe."
"Really? You've endlessly assured my father this place is absolutely impenetrable."
"Uh, it is, but we can not control the people that well. Uh, whilst we do use what methods we can to make sure no one can, uh, infiltrate our ranks it's still not impossible."
"My father won't be happy to hear about this, which will happen if he hears about my having to get my own pillow tonight."
The guard sighed and hung his head. "I get what you mean, miss. He won't hear a word."
"Good. Now, leave. I am tired and wish to get some sleep before dawn."
"Yes, miss. Good night and please don't walk on your own again tonight." The guard bowed and left quickly.
Hera look around her room slowly, trying to spot Lillith.
"Hey, wherever you are, it's safe now." Her voice was back to being soft and nurturing, ringing  in Lillith's mind.
As Hera was looking under the bed Lillith slithered down from the top of the wardrobe. Hera must have felt someone behind her because she turned around and let out a small gasp.
"Where... Where were you hiding? Do... Do you have magic? Your kind are meant to."
"My kind? What's that supposed to mean?" Lillith asked, dodging the question.
"It's just something that the assassins are all meant to have. The stories... They all say you have magic."
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear. Especially about assassins." Lilith's voice was cold.
"Uh... I'm sorry?" Hera said hesitantly.
"It's common, don't worry. Now, get into travelling clothes and pack a small bag." Lillith turned to the bed and started to arrange the pillows like a body. Using her recently unlocked powers, she changed the appearance of the pillows to an exact likeness of Hera in her sleep. Lillith fussed with how the hair rested and how her illusion breathed. And the circle of blood surrounding the illusion, the majority of it looking dried. She spent what seemed like hour in deep concentration which was only broken by another one of Hera's gasps.
"That... Is magnificent. How did you get it to look so much like me? We've only been speaking for twenty minutes!" Her voice was a strange mix of fear and envy.
"It's nothing unusual for me," Lillith muttered, feeling uncomfortable. "Have you finished packing?"
Hera looked surprised at the sudden change of subject. "I have, indeed," she hefted a small-ish cloth bag full to bursting.
"What did you pack?" Lillith asked, looking doubtful.
"Only the essentials. Some dresses, a few shirts and skirts, my makeup and some of my jewelry and brushes," Hera said, seeming proud of herself.
"That won't do. Chuck it here," Lillith extended a gloved hand. Hera looked upset but nonetheless handed the bag over. Lillith tipped it all out onto the bed and sorted through it. Only one skirt, the shirts and a hairbrush remained.
"Do you have riding trousers? And jewels you aren't attached to?" She asked as she rummaged through one of the clothing chests.
"Um, yes. The trousers are in the one closest to the window and I will get the jewels." Hera pointed a shaky finger to a dark mahogany chest with runes carved on its lid.
Lillith turned to it, and promptly withdrew several pairs of riding trousers. She checked them over and shoved them into the bag.
"Jewels," she said curtly, back turned away from Hera.
"Here," she said softly, walking up to the bed, hand full of bracelets, necklaces and brooches.
"Wow... That's a lot," Lillith said before she could stop herself. She quickly put them in the bag, hiding them in-between different clothes.
Lillith walked to the window and checked the streets. All clear.
She turned to Hera.
"Follow me," she said, lifting herself onto the roof.