I'd kill for you

Part 4: Winter Dance

"You nervous?" laughs James who is accompanying us in the car.

"Should I be?" I murmur looking out the window at the blurry city lights

"You'll be fine, don't worry" he smiles "you look beautiful "

The maids had fun dressing me in a strapless grey gown made of soft, silky fabric, long and loose. Although I protested at first I decided it would be better to fit in tonight.

Charles is sitting next to me, his face stormy and irritated . James looks over and laughs "don't worry" he says "he just really hates these kind of events"

"Who wouldn't" mutters Charles under his breath pulling at his velvet tie which matches his stylishly cut dinner suit. He looks almost handsome, but telling him that would just feed his ego.

The winter dance is held in the centre of the city but it's underground, only those with passes have access. The people with the passes are the elite, wealthy and famous. I know walking in will be dangerous for me, seeing as I've assassinated many of their relatives. I'm careful on my assassination jobs, I have to be, so they most likely won't recognise me. If they do...

"We're here Miss Ophelia"

"Honestly James, just Ophelia is fine"
I sigh, not used to the sycophantic terms of addresses amongst the elite.

We're guided to the entrance and my uncomfortable designer heals tread on the satin red carpet. The ballroom is huge, a silver chandelier in the centre lighting up the dancers who dance in gorgeous dresses that float when they twirl. I've never seen anything more luxurious and beautiful.

"Care to dance, m'lady?"  smirks Charles, his hand held out

"In your dreams" I reply indignantly

"I'm offended" he laughs "most girls would kill to dance with me"

And just as I'm about to retort I spot two men who appeared to be having a deep conversation but were whispering, their eyes darting around nervously.

Charles notices my eyes narrowing
"What's wrong?" he asks quietly

"I think I may have to take your dance offer after all" I say seriously

"Knew you would" laughs Charles and the music starts

"do you know the men over there" I ask while we dance so only he can hear me

"I must admit that I don't" his eyes widen "how strange, must be a coincidence"

"One thing I don't believe in" I reply as I hear the sound of a gun firing "Coincides"

The whole ballroom starts panicking as the two men bring out their guns and start to shoot. The chandelier crashes to the ground as the musicians stop playing and start to run. The air is suddenly rent by the sound of breaking glass. Other than a gunshot there is nothing that gets my attention sooner or heart accelerating faster.

As always I'm first on my feet, first to be armed, back against the cool plaster of the wall. In days gone by we would have assumed the an innocent origin to the sound - not anymore. Breaking glass almost never heralds anything good.

"Leave" I order Charles "I'll handle them"

"Are you kidding?" he yells over the sound of terrified cries "You'll get killed!"

"Hasn't happened before" I respond with a smile

Although my dress was not made for such occasions, I dodge the bullets expertly and as I reach the men I draw out my gun.

"Who are you" I say my voice calm but they don't reply "answer me" I yell

"Look girly" the tallest man said "run away or get killed, we don't talk with the likes of you"

"I gave you a chance" I say and take out the gun from behind my back and shoot, he falls to the ground.
"Are you going to answer me?" I ask his friend "Or...not" I slowly bring the gun up level to his head

"I'm sorry" he whispers, a bead of sweat drips down his forehead
"He said he'd kill us if we didn't"

"You're sorry?" I laugh "for killing these innocent people?" I pause "who said?"

"Come on" he says and looks into my eyes "you hate the elitist rich just as much as we do, don't you" a pause "Ophelia"