How to Raise an Assassin

CHAPTER 43: THE FINAL STAGE

I opened my eyes and the car broke to a halt in front of the abandoned factory.

"We're here Miss Mata," I heard Xavier's voice.

I woke up sluggish, rubbing my eyes and realizing I was lying on Ash's shoulder and his head was cradled on top of mine. After he awoke, stretched, and yawned, we helped each other out of the car.

I told Xavier he could go home, since I'd be staying the night at Ash's house. He nodded and pulled out of the driveway.

It was nearing 2 A.M. The hive was quiet. Security patrols marched through the tunnels. Urgent care clinics were still open, their white lights pouring into the tunnels where lighting had switched to hibernation mode allowing every other rod to illuminate the eerie tunnel ahead. Stumbling in the shadows, we made our way back to the atrium where we found the tattoo parlor closed.

"It's about time you two showed up," we heard Auntie's voice sprout from behind us. We turned and she kept her arms crossed and was tapping her foot. "Where's Jazz?"

Ash and I looked to each other with long faces that told Auntie everything she needed to know.

"So you failed then," Auntie's shoulders dropped.

Ash pulled out the journal and handed it to Auntie. "She died holding this. It has everything on the place."

Auntie took the journal and scanned through it. Her expression changed to something I've seen countless times before I dashed it—hope.

"This will be their downfall," Auntie said. "Jazz sacrificed a lot, but she will save lives. As for you," she looked at me while pinching her chin with her long nails. "This was a rescue mission, and although you failed to rescue Jazz, you managed to rescue all of her work. I'll overlook the setback if you both can successfully complete stage eight."

I looked to Ash. Why did he have to do stage eight? Didn't he already do it? And why was Auntie suddenly okay with including him in the initiation after fighting to prevent him from accompanying me on stage seven?

Ash explained. "I never completed the last stage. I have no clue what it is," he said with baggy eyes. If he weren't so tired, I'd imagine he'd be shaking with anxiety.

"We'll tackle that in the morning," Auntie said. "Be back here at nine for your second tattoo. Then you'll embark on the final stage. Now go get some rest." She held up the journal. "I've got some reading to do."

As she left, Ash and I stepped to the closest table, sat down, and died. We fell asleep right there, heads down on the table like a pair of school students slumbering in class.

The early morning movements of the local shops opening up, people grabbing breakfast, and some morning chatter, woke us up around seven. We retreated to Ash's room, which was my first time inside. It was like any other Locust room in the hive. It appeared like a college dorm room, furnished with a wooden desk, bed, sink, and wardrobe. Ash didn't bother decorating the place because he spent so little time there. His father preferred that he spent his nights at his proper home.

We both showered (separately of course) and changed into the olive clothing they provided all members (it was the only clothes around). After that, we returned to grab breakfast before making our way to the parlor.

It was there that Devin had his station ready. He welcomed us in and inked both of us with a second Locust next to the original one we received back during stage one. Once he was done, he called for Auntie to come.

She strode in with a cup of coffee in her hand, her eyes sunken like blasted battleships, and her hair, which was usually flat-ironed to the point that not even a single strand was loose, appeared like she fought a losing battle with a tornado.

She held the book in her hand almost like it was a textbook she needed to study up on moments before the exam. "The Reapers," she muttered. "They're demons." She stared at me and I understood, since I was one of them. I had the brandings to prove it.

"Which is why," she sipped her coffee. "I always enjoy it when initiates make it to stage eight." She looked at the both of us. "Upon completion of this action you will be shaved of your hair again and I will sign my name next to the logo on your scalp to claim you as a member of the Royden Hive. Now, two members working on stage eight at the same time is rare. We would normally have each of you complete a separate mission individually, but considering the magnitude of the mission, I want both of you to try your hands at this opportunity we'll never get again," she said looking straight at me.

"Stage eight goes to the core of our rivalry between the Locusts and the Reapers. Their downfall will better our society, end corruption, and save those who can't fight for themselves. Stage eight will require you to get your hands dirty because both of you will have to kill a member of the Reapers."

She took another sip of her coffee, just enough to awaken a smirk. She looked to Ash and then to me. "To complete stage eight, you both need to lap off the head of the beast."

My face was expressionless. This was the contract that I had secretly dreaded getting, but subconsciously always wanted to receive.

"Zaslay," Auntie repeated. "I want you to kill your father."