A Life in the Shadows: The Story of Two Assassins

Chapter 2

I lean my back against a large tree trunk, slowing my breathing as I silently count down in my head, loading an arrow in my bow.

I turn to the side, letting go of the drawstring.

Uphill, my arrow lands, releasing a vapor made from a powerful sedative as I pull my mask to cover my nose and move forward, already loading another arrow.

Masked men run down the hill, each receiving an arrow in the arm or leg. More keep pouring from the temple at the top of the hill.

I put my bow away, unsheathing Jade's sword, raising it to meet the first blade.

I fight my way up the hill, my blade glinting in the sun as I reach the temple, leaving a trail of unconscious masked men and women behind me.

"You have done well Artemisa. Few initiates make it to this temple." My mentor says, exiting the temple with a smile.

I bow my head, then gasp as my side and lower back flare with pain.

"Yet you are sloppy. Thinking that because you are Daughter of the Demon you should live."

I drop my sword, placing my hand to my side, withdrawing it to see red as I look at my mentor. "Almarbiy? Why?"
(Nurturer; Arabic)

"You were always so trusting Artemisa, so naive." My mentor says as a man walks over from behind me, carrying a bloody dagger.

"You will die for this." I gasp as I'm forced to my knees.

"Perhaps, but my death is meaningless. I'm but one part of a greater hive, one that I am more than willing to die for." My mentor says, gently setting one hand on my throat and squeezing.

I slam my fist against his arm, repeatedly trying to break the vise-like grip cutting off my oxygen.

"Almarbiy, please. . .don't. . ."

"Please don't struggle child, it will only prolong the pain."

Spots cloud my vision as I take in less air.

"Artemisa!"

The hand on my throat relaxes, letting me suck in much needed air as the sound of swords clashing comes from beyond my line of sight.

My former mentor lets go of me, tossing me to the dirt as he draws his own sword, a wicked sharp, curved scimitar, the edge stained permanently red with the blood it has spilled.

"Another step and I will run her through."

Hands seize my arms, pulling me up to where I can see Jade, standing across from Almarbiy, her own sword dripping red.

"Why did you leave?" She demands, her eyes burning with anger, locked with mine. "You had nothing to prove!"

"She had everything to prove, and she failed." Almarbiy sneers.

"You don't get to speak, unless it's on your knees to confess your crimes to the Demon's Head!" Jade exclaims.

"Wedajē," I rasp. "Wedajē, ibakihini yik'iri belenyi."
(My friend, please forgive me; Amharic)

"Hush child, save what little breath you have." Almarbiy says, tenderly setting one hand on my cheek.

"Step away from her, hãkīmi!" Jade orders.
(traitor; Amharic)

I watch her trail her gaze to the man holding me, subtly tapping her upper right leg, almost at the hip. I barely move my head in a nod to show that I understand.

I thrust my elbow back, connecting with the abdomen, loosening the mans hold on me. I take advantage of the slack, twisting around and thrusting my left hand, palm up, against his chin, snapping his head back as I grab the dagger on his leg, slicing across his torso.

Jade springs into action, slicing through the air with her sword, parrying Almarbiy's strikes with grace and deadly precision.

"Artemisa, get out of here!" She yells as I launch myself at one of my mentor's men, slashing and stabbing.

I near my friend, raising my stolen dagger to attack from behind as Almarbiy twists, striking me across the face with such force I fall, landing on my side in the dirt.

His sword reflects the sun over my head, glinting as it scythes down, slicing across my back.

I scream in agony as he slices again, then a third time before my body turns limp, the pain unbearable as I slip unconscious.