PANDORA'S BOX ▷ s.rogers [2]

(12) IF I COULD BREATHE

THE WOMAN WOVE WORDS OF SILK and made promises of gold.

Eris had been put in her charge shortly after leaving the Red Room. It was a memory that had always been beyond her fingertips, or maybe it was something she'd never wanted to remember.

Something she did her best to forget.

But when something hard met her skull and Eris knew no more, she was thrust back in time. Standing sharply at attention, hands pressed behind her back, chin raised and ready. 

She didn't know what her new handler would bring. But she knew she had to be prepared for anything.

She'd killed the Madame.

Eris could remember that. She could still feel warm blood on her hands. Distant screams and the sound of alarm. 

She could still feel the rage and hatred in her veins.

And she'd been moved along.

The woman that entered the room had long raven-black hair and a sharp jawline. She eyed the line of soldiers, moving slowly down the room. Taking them each in. Searching for one that struck her interest; or maybe one that she could see as weaker. 

Or stronger.

Her green eyes fell on where Eris stood.

Ice moved through her blood.

She didn't know if she was the weak link, the stronger soldier, or simply standing out enough to have caught the woman's eye. But she knew better than to act.

Better than to draw more attention to herself than necessary.

Eris didn't expect the woman's words, though. Nor the gentleness in her tone as she suddenly spoke.

"What is your name, soldat?"

The question took her off guard. Eris fumbled for a second; a second too long. Even as she spoke, she braced herself for punishment.

"A soldier has no name."

The woman's eyes quirked. Eris couldn't tell if she was displeased or content. "Try me."

That was unexpected. Again, she flailed for an answer.

"Pandora's Box."

"Pandora's Box?"

Eris didn't know how to answer. So she only nodded.

The woman's eyes glittered. "The daughter of the Red Skull."

Something in the back of her mind twisted. But Eris continued to gaze forward, unsure how to react to the words. The Red Skull, the Red Skull—

"Her," the woman turned around. Addressing one of the soldiers standing further behind. "I want her."

"This one is... a risk, Madame Hydra."