The truth About cypher ✓

The brawl

Laila blinked at the flame of the lighter and watched its tremble fainting, the initials A & I faded out. She let out a slow breath. It was stupid to look for warmth from things like a tiny flame, especially if you knew it can't bring back the warmth inside you. But she was cold. Laila had been cold ever since Dimitri cut contact with the pair. He was right to do so; he had a family to look after. His family was Kaila and the baby, Laila was just his student and so was Brutus.

Laila turned the chair around before leaning in the seat, blinking lazily at the sight of Kazan from the windows of Proshchay. The sun was setting, the sky turned scarily dark faster than she expected. But she predicted it, it was gonna snow sooner or later. The thin, white clouds were becoming heavier and darker, a layer of grey covered Kazan.

It won't be long before she'd step in the streets for her runs, venturing for crack addicts who love money.

It won't be long before she'll see Brutus again.

Ever since they came back from Dimitri's house after dinner, the boy had left her alone. Even when they were referred to as The Pair, they didn't work that way anymore. Brutus was a runner for the moshchnost; the Keres had grown an interest towards him as well. Laila was loyal to Agoniya. It almost felt like the family had hired her.

But the one who was suffering the most was Igor.

He had to handle the pair and their childishness without Dimitri. Needless to say, he never missed him so much. He had other trainees who needed equal attention and Proshchay was packed with early snow events such as Halloween. The man had a life of his own, but that part was a joke.

At least he had pepper for company. The black feline would curl up beside him because of the stormy weather. She used to meow at his sighs almost as if she understood what he was going through. Igor received a call from an unknown number for work.

It was that phone call, which turned everyone's life upside down.

Proshchay turned cold that day.

Laila was with Alex discussing the benefits of yoga for his project when Igor called her for a sudden practice round. The Pair was assigned to work with a drug lord in Novosibirsk and apparently, it was even shadier than just drugs.

"He works with Mogilevich under the five families. They've got a lot of enemies so the work won't be easy." Laila guessed that would be the case.

The Russian mafia has a dark history about the five families who controlled Asia's underworld. They were the celebs of the mafia, the untouchables. One of the families was Mogilevich. The families had internal troubles which led to losses, but they were still active. Alone but alive.

"Have you been practicing brawling?" Igor twisted a look as he spoke.

"I have. Not like the rest but I know my skills." Laila answered, tying her hand wrap.

"Good, cause the person you are brawling won't be easy." Laila nodded in response. She did not question the psychopath tendencies Igor possessed to get her killed every day, she just hoped he liked her enough to keep her alive. Walking towards a metallic table were pieces of equipment displayed, a set of Smith & Wesson throwing knives, Glock G43, a Kimber Custom from 1911 edition, hunting knives, and finally a double-edged dagger.

"Take your pick."

"I can use weapons? Is the other person ready for this?" Laila questioned her shady trainer as he took a seat.

"Oh, he's more than ready. You're brawling with Brute today."

What the fuck?

A part of her wondered whether she was ready to fight the boy, the other was curious to see how good he was. Whichever option prevailed, Laila was scared shitless.