Chapter Twenty

The sun shone brightly as she bid Lilac farewell and began her final journey home. Her black eyes had regained their natural color, and her emaciated body recovered some well-needed muscle tone. She looked more like the old Krinna. Joy filled her heart. The dark nemesis had not struck since she awoke in the pine forest. She hoped he had gone away or succumbed to the poison of another assassin. A foreboding cloud of doubt lingered in the back of her mind. She fulfilled her contract. He would finish his.

They wept sorely on each other’s necks. Lilac didn’t say much, but Krinna knew she would never see her again. She stood on the porch and waved as Krinna disappeared into the woods. Slowly turning into the house, she leaned against the door jam. She felt his ominous presence. He was in the room behind her. She didn’t know how or when he entered. Mustering her courage, she said, “Please, I love her as my daughter. Do you have to kill her, too?” Silence ruled the house. Had he gone? She feared turning around and seeing him in person. She waited.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“When I finish with her, there will be one less assassin in the country. I have a contract to fill and money to spend,” the soft voice said.

“She said she loved the man she murdered. Doesn’t it count for anything? Can’t you let her live? She is the king’s daughter.”

“What is that to me? I owe her or the king nothing. I fulfill my contracts.”

Desperate, Lilac cried and slumped down to the floor. “Will you take my life for her? I freely give it.”

Soft, sarcastic laughter filled the room. “I appreciate your concern and commend your noble offer; however, I can’t accept it. It goes against the Assassin’s Creed. Should word get out that I killed a substitute mark, everyone would laugh at the Myth. He would become the butt end of everyone’s stinking joke. Then he’d be forced to kill many of his associates and acquaintances.”

“I’ll be dead. Who would tell anyone? Please kill me instead of Krinna.” Lilac wept sorely for an hour. The shadowed voice never responded to her request. As he had entered, he departed.