Circle of Shadow and Fury

Chapter One

It's been four hours, Kastyn wasn't even sure there was any blood left circulating his body from the cold night air in Argenti. He took a silent steady breathe, contemplating moving from his post. That's when he finally saw it. Her black hair swished in the moonlight peaking in through the warehouse window. The only sign that Cahaya was still there. Then he saw her honey-toned skin, followed by her eyes speaking to him on their own. Get ready pretty boy she glared at him then jumped down from the catwalk. Not even a patter of her feet as she got up and walked back into the shadows.

A moment later the door crept open, followed soon after by slow footsteps and low voices. Kastyn nodded his head once at where he last saw Cahaya. He knew she would see it before she moved, even in the darkness. He allowed himself one last look at her before he cross checked the information he was given prior to what he now saw in front of him. Six bodies, two guards for each of the business men, now standing at the entrance of the building. Bags in their hands like they plan on going anywhere but The Company's morgue.

"Well hello gentlemen, fancy seeing you here," he heard Cahaya's voice fluttering through the air before he saw her step out of the shadows. As the guards rush to the door they meet Gora's long knife at their throats.

"Not so fast," he hears his sister spit. "Don't you want to stay and talk?" she continues. Gora takes a step forward pushing them back into their employers who are now staring at Cahaya with wide eyes. It's unusual to see anyone that looks like Cahaya in Argenti. Kastyn begins walking to the steps of the second floor, sending a silent prayer to their forgotten gods that he doesn't trip. When he reaches the last one he hears Cahaya release a breath, she was probably praying the same.

"We have money," he hears one of the men speak, believing it will get him out of what's fate.

"Isn't that the reason we're here in the first place?" He hears Cahaya drawl. She always changes her voice when they're on missions. It's understandable why, but even after all this time the wicked tone she picks up still gives Kastyn chills. "So what will it be? Do you want to start pleading now and we all pretend like it will fix something or you just go ahead and say your last words?"

"What are you girl? Sixteen? Seventeen? You think you and this band of criminals will clean up Argenti? Do you honestly believe killing us will help you?" The guard retorts. Kastyn mentally points out the mistakes in his head, as he does every time a target underestimates Cahaya.

As if she read his mind she speaks them to these men. "One, I'm eighteen in a month. Two, we are not a band of criminals even though that may somewhat make you feel better about yourself. We're from The Company, I'm guessing people in your business have heard of it?" Seven pairs of eyes widen at this tidbit of information including Gora's. She must be surprised that Cahaya would share this. Assassins are never to claim their missions to the public, that lets everyone in here know that Cahaya is confident no one save for their circle is leaving here alive. Despite Gora showing her emotions Cahaya continues, "Three I'm going to give you one last chance to say your piece, repent to your gods, scream if you'd like."

None of the men speak. Kastyn growing tired of still being without heat and hearing Cahaya's wicked tone says, "Well it really has been a pleasure but I'm growing tired of the cold and would like to get some sleep before I see the sun."

A murmur comes from Gora in agreement as she turns her wrist backward before letting in fly towards one of the guards head releasing a blade. Gora's wicked smile shines through even in the darkness. As if she timed it perfectly Cahaya slashes two of the men across the throat when it's apparent that Gora's skill helped them once again. Kastyn then guts one of the men while Cahaya is taking down another at this back.