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Essa pressed her lips together in a thin line, not daring to interrupt whatever thoughts occupied the mind of the man before her. She didn’t understand much of what was happening, but she knew it was serious. Knew it was potentially deadly. So she didn’t dare do anything to distract him. Not even breathe.
She nodded rapidly as he gave her instructions, knowing he would keep her safe. It was his job, of course, and she had seen enough to know he took his work seriously. He took his loyalties seriously. Once she might have thought he would only save her so he could have the pleasure of ending her life himself. Now... part of her thought it was more than that. They had connected and shared something... well, special.
Not that she was some stupid school girl. She knew there was no love between them. This wouldn’t be some star-crossed romance, nor would her love save him from the darkness within. It wasn’t that kind of story. It wasn’t a story at all, it was real life - even if it felt too strange to be real half the time. At best they would part ways at the end, and she knew that.
But she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened. That it hadn’t changed something in her. She had seen the way he looked at her, felt the difference in the way he touched her. Even now. His grip was firm, but he wasn’t dragging her along the way he had when he brought her upstairs. He was trusting her to follow.
She did her best to follow his lead. Fortunately, her small height made it easier to hunch without sacrificing her stride - which was still far shorter and slower than his. She froze at the bottom, crouched as closely as she could to him. She could hear people moving - was it the enemy already? But it wasn’t until the sound of gunfire that she truly knew the threat they faced. She gasped, even as she threw her free hand over her mouth. She kept it pressed there, trying to stay calm and brave for Kyros. Trying to make him proud as he stood and pulled her after him. She took two steps for his every one, but she kept pace with him. Only one thought was present as they moved towards the uncertainty of the situation. .
God, let them survive this.
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Essa pressed her lips together in a thin line, not daring to interrupt whatever thoughts occupied the mind of the man before her. She didn’t understand much of what was happening, but she knew it was serious. Knew it was potentially deadly. So she didn’t dare do anything to distract him. Not even breathe.
She nodded rapidly as he gave her instructions, knowing he would keep her safe. It was his job, of course, and she had seen enough to know he took his work seriously. He took his loyalties seriously. Once she might have thought he would only save her so he could have the pleasure of ending her life himself. Now... part of her thought it was more than that. They had connected and shared something... well, special.
Not that she was some stupid school girl. She knew there was no love between them. This wouldn’t be some star-crossed romance, nor would her love save him from the darkness within. It wasn’t that kind of story. It wasn’t a story at all, it was real life - even if it felt too strange to be real half the time. At best they would part ways at the end, and she knew that.
But she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened. That it hadn’t changed something in her. She had seen the way he looked at her, felt the difference in the way he touched her. Even now. His grip was firm, but he wasn’t dragging her along the way he had when he brought her upstairs. He was trusting her to follow.
She did her best to follow his lead. Fortunately, her small height made it easier to hunch without sacrificing her stride - which was still far shorter and slower than his. She froze at the bottom, crouched as closely as she could to him. She could hear people moving - was it the enemy already? But it wasn’t until the sound of gunfire that she truly knew the threat they faced. She gasped, even as she threw her free hand over her mouth. She kept it pressed there, trying to stay calm and brave for Kyros. Trying to make him proud as he stood and pulled her after him. She took two steps for his every one, but she kept pace with him. Only one thought was present as they moved towards the uncertainty of the situation. .
Essa pressed her lips together in a thin line, not daring to interrupt whatever thoughts occupied the mind of the man before her. She didn’t understand much of what was happening, but she knew it was serious. Knew it was potentially deadly. So she didn’t dare do anything to distract him. Not even breathe.
She nodded rapidly as he gave her instructions, knowing he would keep her safe. It was his job, of course, and she had seen enough to know he took his work seriously. He took his loyalties seriously. Once she might have thought he would only save her so he could have the pleasure of ending her life himself. Now... part of her thought it was more than that. They had connected and shared something... well, special.
Not that she was some stupid school girl. She knew there was no love between them. This wouldn’t be some star-crossed romance, nor would her love save him from the darkness within. It wasn’t that kind of story. It wasn’t a story at all, it was real life - even if it felt too strange to be real half the time. At best they would part ways at the end, and she knew that.
But she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened. That it hadn’t changed something in her. She had seen the way he looked at her, felt the difference in the way he touched her. Even now. His grip was firm, but he wasn’t dragging her along the way he had when he brought her upstairs. He was trusting her to follow.
She did her best to follow his lead. Fortunately, her small height made it easier to hunch without sacrificing her stride - which was still far shorter and slower than his. She froze at the bottom, crouched as closely as she could to him. She could hear people moving - was it the enemy already? But it wasn’t until the sound of gunfire that she truly knew the threat they faced. She gasped, even as she threw her free hand over her mouth. She kept it pressed there, trying to stay calm and brave for Kyros. Trying to make him proud as he stood and pulled her after him. She took two steps for his every one, but she kept pace with him. Only one thought was present as they moved towards the uncertainty of the situation. .
God, let them survive this.
Ky had no doubt in his mind that he would indeed survive this. It’s what he did. Survive. He’d been through a lot in his twenty-two years. He’d come out of the other side of all of it, more or less better off most the time. This family war would be no different. For that’s what it was. Drakos hiring the Guintolis to retrieve Essa was just a catalyst for something that had been brewing for years. Kyros was a survivor, he would make it through. But would Essa Drakos?
They arrived unhindered at a non-descript door at the end of a hallway in the back of the house. Kyros looked over his shoulder to make sure they weren’t followed. He reached for the door only for it to fly open before he touched the knob. Shit. Kyros jerked Essa to the side of the door, out of the line of fire, released her hand, pulled a knife, and rushed the men that were coming up the stairs behind the door. He got in close before the two could take aim with their rifles. Ky moved swift and fluid, confident. Deadly. He grabbed the wrist of the first guy, slicing the forearm the rifle was in, flipped the knife in his hand and slammed the pommel into the guy’s nose. While that one was reeling, blood spurting from his arm and face, Kyros turned his attention to the second. He ducked under an uppercut and jabbed his knife to the hilt into the thug’s thigh. He jerked it out violently and shouldered him in the gut, knocking him backwards down the staircase. He came back up to his full height, reached above his head for the outer door jamb above the threshold. HIs nimble and sensitive fingers found a solid hold. He lifted his weight and kicked out with both feet, effectively sending the bleeding man down the stairs after his comrade.
Kyros landed back on his feet, slammed the door shut and locked it. He turned to look for Essa. “You okay, princess?” He huffed, he hadn’t expected a fight so soon. Goddamn it!
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Ky had no doubt in his mind that he would indeed survive this. It’s what he did. Survive. He’d been through a lot in his twenty-two years. He’d come out of the other side of all of it, more or less better off most the time. This family war would be no different. For that’s what it was. Drakos hiring the Guintolis to retrieve Essa was just a catalyst for something that had been brewing for years. Kyros was a survivor, he would make it through. But would Essa Drakos?
They arrived unhindered at a non-descript door at the end of a hallway in the back of the house. Kyros looked over his shoulder to make sure they weren’t followed. He reached for the door only for it to fly open before he touched the knob. Shit. Kyros jerked Essa to the side of the door, out of the line of fire, released her hand, pulled a knife, and rushed the men that were coming up the stairs behind the door. He got in close before the two could take aim with their rifles. Ky moved swift and fluid, confident. Deadly. He grabbed the wrist of the first guy, slicing the forearm the rifle was in, flipped the knife in his hand and slammed the pommel into the guy’s nose. While that one was reeling, blood spurting from his arm and face, Kyros turned his attention to the second. He ducked under an uppercut and jabbed his knife to the hilt into the thug’s thigh. He jerked it out violently and shouldered him in the gut, knocking him backwards down the staircase. He came back up to his full height, reached above his head for the outer door jamb above the threshold. HIs nimble and sensitive fingers found a solid hold. He lifted his weight and kicked out with both feet, effectively sending the bleeding man down the stairs after his comrade.
Kyros landed back on his feet, slammed the door shut and locked it. He turned to look for Essa. “You okay, princess?” He huffed, he hadn’t expected a fight so soon. Goddamn it!
Ky had no doubt in his mind that he would indeed survive this. It’s what he did. Survive. He’d been through a lot in his twenty-two years. He’d come out of the other side of all of it, more or less better off most the time. This family war would be no different. For that’s what it was. Drakos hiring the Guintolis to retrieve Essa was just a catalyst for something that had been brewing for years. Kyros was a survivor, he would make it through. But would Essa Drakos?
They arrived unhindered at a non-descript door at the end of a hallway in the back of the house. Kyros looked over his shoulder to make sure they weren’t followed. He reached for the door only for it to fly open before he touched the knob. Shit. Kyros jerked Essa to the side of the door, out of the line of fire, released her hand, pulled a knife, and rushed the men that were coming up the stairs behind the door. He got in close before the two could take aim with their rifles. Ky moved swift and fluid, confident. Deadly. He grabbed the wrist of the first guy, slicing the forearm the rifle was in, flipped the knife in his hand and slammed the pommel into the guy’s nose. While that one was reeling, blood spurting from his arm and face, Kyros turned his attention to the second. He ducked under an uppercut and jabbed his knife to the hilt into the thug’s thigh. He jerked it out violently and shouldered him in the gut, knocking him backwards down the staircase. He came back up to his full height, reached above his head for the outer door jamb above the threshold. HIs nimble and sensitive fingers found a solid hold. He lifted his weight and kicked out with both feet, effectively sending the bleeding man down the stairs after his comrade.
Kyros landed back on his feet, slammed the door shut and locked it. He turned to look for Essa. “You okay, princess?” He huffed, he hadn’t expected a fight so soon. Goddamn it!
As they approached a door at the hallway’s end, Essa felt the first hint of relief. Perhaps they would escape this unscathed somehow. Of course, all thoughts of that vanished as the door opened just before they reached it. Ky jerked Essa towards the wall, and she followed the motion through, pressing as tightly against it as she could, as though she could merge seamlessly into the wall itself.
What came next happened so quickly, all she could do was stare. One moment she saw two men raising rifles, the next, Kyros had rushed forward. This was what he had warned her about.There was no denying his precision or skill. He moved with all the grace of a predator, striking out to incapacitate his foes. They were too preoccupied with the man attacking them now to be concerned about the girl cowering against the wall.
Essa was a pacifist. She couldn’t stand to hurt an insect, let alone a person. She had been scared before, but this was a true threat before her eyes. She was petrified. She ought to have been horrified by the violence she was witnessing and yet... she found herself marveling at Ky. He truly was impressive, and in this moment, she couldn’t help but view him as a warrior. As her protector. And her body was responding to that notion in a way that was highly inappropriate to the current situation.
It wasn’t until the door slammed shut that she realized - her fear wasn’t just for herself. It was also for Ky. She didn’t want to see him get hurt either.
As he turned back to her, she wasted no time, rushing forward to throw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest for a moment. Just breathing in his scent relaxed her. She pulled back slightly, not quite ready to step away entirely. “I’m not hurt,” she reassured him, knowing that was what he was really asking. Her shaking betrayed the fact that she was very much not okay. Not that she was trying to hide it from him any longer.
“What about you?” she asked, her brow creasing as she looked up at him. Neither man had gotten a shot off, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t injured necessarily.
Her eyes shifted back towards the door and she found herself clutching him a little tighter. When she looked up at him again, it was with wide eyes filled with complete trust. “What do we do now, Ky? Are we trapped up here?”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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As they approached a door at the hallway’s end, Essa felt the first hint of relief. Perhaps they would escape this unscathed somehow. Of course, all thoughts of that vanished as the door opened just before they reached it. Ky jerked Essa towards the wall, and she followed the motion through, pressing as tightly against it as she could, as though she could merge seamlessly into the wall itself.
What came next happened so quickly, all she could do was stare. One moment she saw two men raising rifles, the next, Kyros had rushed forward. This was what he had warned her about.There was no denying his precision or skill. He moved with all the grace of a predator, striking out to incapacitate his foes. They were too preoccupied with the man attacking them now to be concerned about the girl cowering against the wall.
Essa was a pacifist. She couldn’t stand to hurt an insect, let alone a person. She had been scared before, but this was a true threat before her eyes. She was petrified. She ought to have been horrified by the violence she was witnessing and yet... she found herself marveling at Ky. He truly was impressive, and in this moment, she couldn’t help but view him as a warrior. As her protector. And her body was responding to that notion in a way that was highly inappropriate to the current situation.
It wasn’t until the door slammed shut that she realized - her fear wasn’t just for herself. It was also for Ky. She didn’t want to see him get hurt either.
As he turned back to her, she wasted no time, rushing forward to throw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest for a moment. Just breathing in his scent relaxed her. She pulled back slightly, not quite ready to step away entirely. “I’m not hurt,” she reassured him, knowing that was what he was really asking. Her shaking betrayed the fact that she was very much not okay. Not that she was trying to hide it from him any longer.
“What about you?” she asked, her brow creasing as she looked up at him. Neither man had gotten a shot off, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t injured necessarily.
Her eyes shifted back towards the door and she found herself clutching him a little tighter. When she looked up at him again, it was with wide eyes filled with complete trust. “What do we do now, Ky? Are we trapped up here?”
As they approached a door at the hallway’s end, Essa felt the first hint of relief. Perhaps they would escape this unscathed somehow. Of course, all thoughts of that vanished as the door opened just before they reached it. Ky jerked Essa towards the wall, and she followed the motion through, pressing as tightly against it as she could, as though she could merge seamlessly into the wall itself.
What came next happened so quickly, all she could do was stare. One moment she saw two men raising rifles, the next, Kyros had rushed forward. This was what he had warned her about.There was no denying his precision or skill. He moved with all the grace of a predator, striking out to incapacitate his foes. They were too preoccupied with the man attacking them now to be concerned about the girl cowering against the wall.
Essa was a pacifist. She couldn’t stand to hurt an insect, let alone a person. She had been scared before, but this was a true threat before her eyes. She was petrified. She ought to have been horrified by the violence she was witnessing and yet... she found herself marveling at Ky. He truly was impressive, and in this moment, she couldn’t help but view him as a warrior. As her protector. And her body was responding to that notion in a way that was highly inappropriate to the current situation.
It wasn’t until the door slammed shut that she realized - her fear wasn’t just for herself. It was also for Ky. She didn’t want to see him get hurt either.
As he turned back to her, she wasted no time, rushing forward to throw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest for a moment. Just breathing in his scent relaxed her. She pulled back slightly, not quite ready to step away entirely. “I’m not hurt,” she reassured him, knowing that was what he was really asking. Her shaking betrayed the fact that she was very much not okay. Not that she was trying to hide it from him any longer.
“What about you?” she asked, her brow creasing as she looked up at him. Neither man had gotten a shot off, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t injured necessarily.
Her eyes shifted back towards the door and she found herself clutching him a little tighter. When she looked up at him again, it was with wide eyes filled with complete trust. “What do we do now, Ky? Are we trapped up here?”
Kyros was taken aback when she rushed him, threw her arms around his waist. He couldn’t help the smile and soft chuckle, despite the situation. He slid his arms around her, replacing his knife up his sleeve as he did. “I’m tougher than I look.” In truth, he’d rushed the thugs quickly enough, that they hadn’t gotten a solid hit on him. He may not be so lucky next time. When she looked up at him, with that worry on her face, the underlying terror he saw there. It made him frown. He could feel the way she was shaking. But it wasn’t in him to comfort. “No, princess. We’re not trapped. I’m not so easily defeated. But it is going to be much more dangerous than I was hoping.” He let out a sigh and took her hand in his again, starting back down the hall. There was one more way they could try before they would be forced to resort to either climbing out a window or fighting their way out the front door.
The muffled sounds of gunshots and cries of pain could be heard as he led Essa back down the hall. He kept the pace fast, his long strides moving them along even faster. They needed to pass back by the main stairs to get to the next possible route. But they didn’t make it by. As they neared the stairs, three Guintoli thugs crested the landing. Kyros skidded to a stop, pulling Essa behind him.
‘Give us the girl.’
“Over my dead body.” Kyros growled. He narrowed his eyes on the men before him, all of them had guns - two with pistoles, and the one in the middle held a rifle, still pointed at the ground. Thugs. Each of them. They weren’t highly trained assassins like Ky. But he was out manned, and out gunned. Fuck it all to hell!
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Kyros was taken aback when she rushed him, threw her arms around his waist. He couldn’t help the smile and soft chuckle, despite the situation. He slid his arms around her, replacing his knife up his sleeve as he did. “I’m tougher than I look.” In truth, he’d rushed the thugs quickly enough, that they hadn’t gotten a solid hit on him. He may not be so lucky next time. When she looked up at him, with that worry on her face, the underlying terror he saw there. It made him frown. He could feel the way she was shaking. But it wasn’t in him to comfort. “No, princess. We’re not trapped. I’m not so easily defeated. But it is going to be much more dangerous than I was hoping.” He let out a sigh and took her hand in his again, starting back down the hall. There was one more way they could try before they would be forced to resort to either climbing out a window or fighting their way out the front door.
The muffled sounds of gunshots and cries of pain could be heard as he led Essa back down the hall. He kept the pace fast, his long strides moving them along even faster. They needed to pass back by the main stairs to get to the next possible route. But they didn’t make it by. As they neared the stairs, three Guintoli thugs crested the landing. Kyros skidded to a stop, pulling Essa behind him.
‘Give us the girl.’
“Over my dead body.” Kyros growled. He narrowed his eyes on the men before him, all of them had guns - two with pistoles, and the one in the middle held a rifle, still pointed at the ground. Thugs. Each of them. They weren’t highly trained assassins like Ky. But he was out manned, and out gunned. Fuck it all to hell!
Kyros was taken aback when she rushed him, threw her arms around his waist. He couldn’t help the smile and soft chuckle, despite the situation. He slid his arms around her, replacing his knife up his sleeve as he did. “I’m tougher than I look.” In truth, he’d rushed the thugs quickly enough, that they hadn’t gotten a solid hit on him. He may not be so lucky next time. When she looked up at him, with that worry on her face, the underlying terror he saw there. It made him frown. He could feel the way she was shaking. But it wasn’t in him to comfort. “No, princess. We’re not trapped. I’m not so easily defeated. But it is going to be much more dangerous than I was hoping.” He let out a sigh and took her hand in his again, starting back down the hall. There was one more way they could try before they would be forced to resort to either climbing out a window or fighting their way out the front door.
The muffled sounds of gunshots and cries of pain could be heard as he led Essa back down the hall. He kept the pace fast, his long strides moving them along even faster. They needed to pass back by the main stairs to get to the next possible route. But they didn’t make it by. As they neared the stairs, three Guintoli thugs crested the landing. Kyros skidded to a stop, pulling Essa behind him.
‘Give us the girl.’
“Over my dead body.” Kyros growled. He narrowed his eyes on the men before him, all of them had guns - two with pistoles, and the one in the middle held a rifle, still pointed at the ground. Thugs. Each of them. They weren’t highly trained assassins like Ky. But he was out manned, and out gunned. Fuck it all to hell!
The way his arms slipped around her, the sound of his soft chuckle in her ears, it was all the comfort she could have asked for. It was such a simple thing really, and yet from Kyros... it was everything. She expected nothing more. She nodded as he assured her that he was tough. She gave a small nod towards the door. “Clearly,” she agreed with a soft chuckle of her own. She knew he was strong, but that didn’t make him impervious. Still, it was enough to melt away her worry. For now at least.
She nodded. “I believe you, Ky.” She knew he’d take care of her. He’d already done so much for her. She had every reason to trust him, and nothing would make her question that.
He took her hand once more, and she found she breathed all the easier for it. She followed him, cringing slightly with each gunshot and cry she heard, but not allowing herself to lag behind. She gave a small squeak as he came to an abrupt halt, peeking around him to see three large men who she was fairly certain were not friends.
‘Give us the girl.’
That caught her attention. They wanted her? How did they even know she was here? Why did her father have to have so many enemies? If he cared about more than his mound of riches and the endless accolades, maybe her life wouldn’t be on the line right now. But it was what Kyros said next that caught her attention most.
He was willing to die.
She had every faith in him, but she could feel the tension in his body, in the growl of his voice. There were more of them, and they all had guns. Even if he could take out two of them, the third would likely shoot him. She didn’t want him to die. Not at all, and especially not for her. She tugged at the back of his shirt before placing a small kiss along his spine, hoping he would trust her now. With that, she pulled her hand free of his, trying to catch his eye as she moved to the side.
“Please, please help me!” she cried as she ducked under Kyros’s arm and ran forward towards the enemy. She seemed every bit the terrified damsel in distress. Which is why they never saw her plan coming. As she closed her distance with one of the pistol wielding thugs, she lifted her knee with practiced precision right for his crotch. He doubled over instantly and she grabbed for his gun, even as she pushed at his shoulder, hoping to put him off balance enough for a tumble down the stairs.
She didn’t dare look behind her. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as adrenaline raced through her veins. She could only pray Kyros had caught on to her distraction and made the most of it. At least two against one, she knew he had a chance. After all, she’d already seen it with her own eyes.
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The way his arms slipped around her, the sound of his soft chuckle in her ears, it was all the comfort she could have asked for. It was such a simple thing really, and yet from Kyros... it was everything. She expected nothing more. She nodded as he assured her that he was tough. She gave a small nod towards the door. “Clearly,” she agreed with a soft chuckle of her own. She knew he was strong, but that didn’t make him impervious. Still, it was enough to melt away her worry. For now at least.
She nodded. “I believe you, Ky.” She knew he’d take care of her. He’d already done so much for her. She had every reason to trust him, and nothing would make her question that.
He took her hand once more, and she found she breathed all the easier for it. She followed him, cringing slightly with each gunshot and cry she heard, but not allowing herself to lag behind. She gave a small squeak as he came to an abrupt halt, peeking around him to see three large men who she was fairly certain were not friends.
‘Give us the girl.’
That caught her attention. They wanted her? How did they even know she was here? Why did her father have to have so many enemies? If he cared about more than his mound of riches and the endless accolades, maybe her life wouldn’t be on the line right now. But it was what Kyros said next that caught her attention most.
He was willing to die.
She had every faith in him, but she could feel the tension in his body, in the growl of his voice. There were more of them, and they all had guns. Even if he could take out two of them, the third would likely shoot him. She didn’t want him to die. Not at all, and especially not for her. She tugged at the back of his shirt before placing a small kiss along his spine, hoping he would trust her now. With that, she pulled her hand free of his, trying to catch his eye as she moved to the side.
“Please, please help me!” she cried as she ducked under Kyros’s arm and ran forward towards the enemy. She seemed every bit the terrified damsel in distress. Which is why they never saw her plan coming. As she closed her distance with one of the pistol wielding thugs, she lifted her knee with practiced precision right for his crotch. He doubled over instantly and she grabbed for his gun, even as she pushed at his shoulder, hoping to put him off balance enough for a tumble down the stairs.
She didn’t dare look behind her. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as adrenaline raced through her veins. She could only pray Kyros had caught on to her distraction and made the most of it. At least two against one, she knew he had a chance. After all, she’d already seen it with her own eyes.
The way his arms slipped around her, the sound of his soft chuckle in her ears, it was all the comfort she could have asked for. It was such a simple thing really, and yet from Kyros... it was everything. She expected nothing more. She nodded as he assured her that he was tough. She gave a small nod towards the door. “Clearly,” she agreed with a soft chuckle of her own. She knew he was strong, but that didn’t make him impervious. Still, it was enough to melt away her worry. For now at least.
She nodded. “I believe you, Ky.” She knew he’d take care of her. He’d already done so much for her. She had every reason to trust him, and nothing would make her question that.
He took her hand once more, and she found she breathed all the easier for it. She followed him, cringing slightly with each gunshot and cry she heard, but not allowing herself to lag behind. She gave a small squeak as he came to an abrupt halt, peeking around him to see three large men who she was fairly certain were not friends.
‘Give us the girl.’
That caught her attention. They wanted her? How did they even know she was here? Why did her father have to have so many enemies? If he cared about more than his mound of riches and the endless accolades, maybe her life wouldn’t be on the line right now. But it was what Kyros said next that caught her attention most.
He was willing to die.
She had every faith in him, but she could feel the tension in his body, in the growl of his voice. There were more of them, and they all had guns. Even if he could take out two of them, the third would likely shoot him. She didn’t want him to die. Not at all, and especially not for her. She tugged at the back of his shirt before placing a small kiss along his spine, hoping he would trust her now. With that, she pulled her hand free of his, trying to catch his eye as she moved to the side.
“Please, please help me!” she cried as she ducked under Kyros’s arm and ran forward towards the enemy. She seemed every bit the terrified damsel in distress. Which is why they never saw her plan coming. As she closed her distance with one of the pistol wielding thugs, she lifted her knee with practiced precision right for his crotch. He doubled over instantly and she grabbed for his gun, even as she pushed at his shoulder, hoping to put him off balance enough for a tumble down the stairs.
She didn’t dare look behind her. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as adrenaline raced through her veins. She could only pray Kyros had caught on to her distraction and made the most of it. At least two against one, she knew he had a chance. After all, she’d already seen it with her own eyes.
Ky felt the tug on the back of his shirt. He took it as Essa being scared, and widened his stance. He felt the kiss to the middle of his back. His grey gaze of death hardened, but he made no other move. He felt her pull away. He lifted an arm to grab her, but she ducked underneath, yelling for help. Help? Fuck! His anger rose instantly, He couldn’t - wouldn’t - fail at his job. He bent low, pulling a set of throwing knives out of his boot and started throwing. He had to keep them from getting their hands on her. He rushed in behind his knives - all aimed at the thug’s trigger hands.
His scowl of anger turned to one of a wicked smile when one pistol wielding would-be ‘rescuer’ stumbled back, grabbing at his junk. Oh, that clever little minx. He shook his, laughing. He ducked his head as he rushed forward to face off with the two still standing. A low swing, a deft chop, the flash of a blade. As fast and skilled as Kyros was though, he was not escaping untouched this time around. His focus at first was the one with the rifle, Mainly because the guy tried to use it as a club against Kyros. A slash across the throat dispatched that one as the thug fell back, gasping and trying to hold back the tide of his life’s blood. And then there were two. Kyros spared a glance to Essa. The one she’d kneed in the groin had stumbled down the stairs. He was down, but he wasn’t out. One to go. He turned back to the fight in time to knock wide the pistol aimed his way. Not wide enough. The bullet cut through his bicep, slicing through the leather sleeve of his jacket. Ky let out a growl of pain and moved in a blur, disarming the thug and shooting him between the eyes with his own gun at point blank range. Blood splattered him - face and chest. And he reveled in it as he watched the man crumple to the floor.
He felt more than heard a movement behind him. He spun on his heel, leveling the gun. But he quickly lowered it when he saw it was Essa behind him. One corner of his mouth quirked up in a smirk. “Ballsy move, princess.” The smile faded and his gaze hardened. He moved forward, his free hand coming up to lightly wrap around her throat, his thumb tilting her chin up. He didn’t squeeze her throat at all. But he could. He lowered his head until his lips were barely an inch from hers. “Don’t do it again,” he growled.
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Ky felt the tug on the back of his shirt. He took it as Essa being scared, and widened his stance. He felt the kiss to the middle of his back. His grey gaze of death hardened, but he made no other move. He felt her pull away. He lifted an arm to grab her, but she ducked underneath, yelling for help. Help? Fuck! His anger rose instantly, He couldn’t - wouldn’t - fail at his job. He bent low, pulling a set of throwing knives out of his boot and started throwing. He had to keep them from getting their hands on her. He rushed in behind his knives - all aimed at the thug’s trigger hands.
His scowl of anger turned to one of a wicked smile when one pistol wielding would-be ‘rescuer’ stumbled back, grabbing at his junk. Oh, that clever little minx. He shook his, laughing. He ducked his head as he rushed forward to face off with the two still standing. A low swing, a deft chop, the flash of a blade. As fast and skilled as Kyros was though, he was not escaping untouched this time around. His focus at first was the one with the rifle, Mainly because the guy tried to use it as a club against Kyros. A slash across the throat dispatched that one as the thug fell back, gasping and trying to hold back the tide of his life’s blood. And then there were two. Kyros spared a glance to Essa. The one she’d kneed in the groin had stumbled down the stairs. He was down, but he wasn’t out. One to go. He turned back to the fight in time to knock wide the pistol aimed his way. Not wide enough. The bullet cut through his bicep, slicing through the leather sleeve of his jacket. Ky let out a growl of pain and moved in a blur, disarming the thug and shooting him between the eyes with his own gun at point blank range. Blood splattered him - face and chest. And he reveled in it as he watched the man crumple to the floor.
He felt more than heard a movement behind him. He spun on his heel, leveling the gun. But he quickly lowered it when he saw it was Essa behind him. One corner of his mouth quirked up in a smirk. “Ballsy move, princess.” The smile faded and his gaze hardened. He moved forward, his free hand coming up to lightly wrap around her throat, his thumb tilting her chin up. He didn’t squeeze her throat at all. But he could. He lowered his head until his lips were barely an inch from hers. “Don’t do it again,” he growled.
Ky felt the tug on the back of his shirt. He took it as Essa being scared, and widened his stance. He felt the kiss to the middle of his back. His grey gaze of death hardened, but he made no other move. He felt her pull away. He lifted an arm to grab her, but she ducked underneath, yelling for help. Help? Fuck! His anger rose instantly, He couldn’t - wouldn’t - fail at his job. He bent low, pulling a set of throwing knives out of his boot and started throwing. He had to keep them from getting their hands on her. He rushed in behind his knives - all aimed at the thug’s trigger hands.
His scowl of anger turned to one of a wicked smile when one pistol wielding would-be ‘rescuer’ stumbled back, grabbing at his junk. Oh, that clever little minx. He shook his, laughing. He ducked his head as he rushed forward to face off with the two still standing. A low swing, a deft chop, the flash of a blade. As fast and skilled as Kyros was though, he was not escaping untouched this time around. His focus at first was the one with the rifle, Mainly because the guy tried to use it as a club against Kyros. A slash across the throat dispatched that one as the thug fell back, gasping and trying to hold back the tide of his life’s blood. And then there were two. Kyros spared a glance to Essa. The one she’d kneed in the groin had stumbled down the stairs. He was down, but he wasn’t out. One to go. He turned back to the fight in time to knock wide the pistol aimed his way. Not wide enough. The bullet cut through his bicep, slicing through the leather sleeve of his jacket. Ky let out a growl of pain and moved in a blur, disarming the thug and shooting him between the eyes with his own gun at point blank range. Blood splattered him - face and chest. And he reveled in it as he watched the man crumple to the floor.
He felt more than heard a movement behind him. He spun on his heel, leveling the gun. But he quickly lowered it when he saw it was Essa behind him. One corner of his mouth quirked up in a smirk. “Ballsy move, princess.” The smile faded and his gaze hardened. He moved forward, his free hand coming up to lightly wrap around her throat, his thumb tilting her chin up. He didn’t squeeze her throat at all. But he could. He lowered his head until his lips were barely an inch from hers. “Don’t do it again,” he growled.
Essa didn’t have a chance to look back at Kyros as she ran forward. She could only hope he didn’t believe she was betraying him, didn’t believe she was actually running. But if they were after her, surely they wouldn’t be willing to hurt her. That, and no one would expect a tiny girl like her to attack. They’d think she was some frail porcelain doll.
And that’s exactly what happened.
She went for the man’s gun as he bent over in pain, but his grip was still firm, and her strength to push him wasn’t enough. Finally, she stomped as hard as she could on his foot, aiming for the instep more than his toes. The shock of that pain - while shorter-lived - lasted long enough for his grip to weaken and his balance to falter. She watched in shock as he tumbled down the stairs, almost unable to believe she had done that herself.
It was only then that she turned to look at Kyros. One of the two men was down already. That made her smile oddly enough. He had reacted quickly to her improvised plan at least. Maybe that meant he had understood all along. Or at least that he’d have to admit it was a good idea when all was said and done.
She threw a hand over her mouth as she heard first the gunshot followed by a growl of pain. A sound she recognized all too clearly as Kyros. Oh no, he’d been shot! Panic instantly leapt to her throat, but an instant later it seemed, and he was standing over another corpse. She ran towards him, squeaking slightly as he turned the gun on her. She saw recognition flash in his eyes as he quickly lowered the gun.
Essa couldn’t help the tiny smile of pride that his smirk and praise earned. Yet even as his hand moved to her throat, tilting her chin up as he bent down to her, she didn’t recoil or squirm under his touch and gaze. Instead, she stared up at him unflinchingly. She knew he was deadly, she’d seen that for herself now. He surely could kill her before she even blinked. But that did nothing to diminish the trust she had in him. She knew he’d keep her safe. Hopefully now he understood she would do the same for him. Yet there was something else in her hazel depths as well - a spark of defiance.
“I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys,” she said, her voice calm but firm. She absolutely would.
She wanted to fuss, but now hardly seemed the time. “Let’s get out of here before anyone else shows up, okay? Then maybe I won’t have to do anything ballsy again.” She smirked up at him even as he released his hold on her. He knew she would follow.
Or, well, she would have.
Instead, she felt a hand wrap around her ankle with a forceful tug that pulled her down. She couldn’t help the sharp shriek that tore from her lips as she tumbled down, the stolen pistol in her hand falling out of reach as she fell down the stairs. When her eyes opened, the man she had shoved loomed over her, rage etched into his face.
“Thank God this was damage control and not a rescue mission. If we can’t get you out of here, then Daddy gave us permission to eliminate you ourselves. A dead hostage is hardly leverage after all.” He spoke as he leaned down over her, a knife in his hand that quickly pressed to her throat. The meaning of his words sunk in and her face turned ashen - more at the realization that her father had not only sent these men, but given them permission to murder her themselves. “You chose the wrong side, bitch!” he said with a laugh and she felt the edge of his blade pressing into her skin.
Was this really the end?
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Essa didn’t have a chance to look back at Kyros as she ran forward. She could only hope he didn’t believe she was betraying him, didn’t believe she was actually running. But if they were after her, surely they wouldn’t be willing to hurt her. That, and no one would expect a tiny girl like her to attack. They’d think she was some frail porcelain doll.
And that’s exactly what happened.
She went for the man’s gun as he bent over in pain, but his grip was still firm, and her strength to push him wasn’t enough. Finally, she stomped as hard as she could on his foot, aiming for the instep more than his toes. The shock of that pain - while shorter-lived - lasted long enough for his grip to weaken and his balance to falter. She watched in shock as he tumbled down the stairs, almost unable to believe she had done that herself.
It was only then that she turned to look at Kyros. One of the two men was down already. That made her smile oddly enough. He had reacted quickly to her improvised plan at least. Maybe that meant he had understood all along. Or at least that he’d have to admit it was a good idea when all was said and done.
She threw a hand over her mouth as she heard first the gunshot followed by a growl of pain. A sound she recognized all too clearly as Kyros. Oh no, he’d been shot! Panic instantly leapt to her throat, but an instant later it seemed, and he was standing over another corpse. She ran towards him, squeaking slightly as he turned the gun on her. She saw recognition flash in his eyes as he quickly lowered the gun.
Essa couldn’t help the tiny smile of pride that his smirk and praise earned. Yet even as his hand moved to her throat, tilting her chin up as he bent down to her, she didn’t recoil or squirm under his touch and gaze. Instead, she stared up at him unflinchingly. She knew he was deadly, she’d seen that for herself now. He surely could kill her before she even blinked. But that did nothing to diminish the trust she had in him. She knew he’d keep her safe. Hopefully now he understood she would do the same for him. Yet there was something else in her hazel depths as well - a spark of defiance.
“I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys,” she said, her voice calm but firm. She absolutely would.
She wanted to fuss, but now hardly seemed the time. “Let’s get out of here before anyone else shows up, okay? Then maybe I won’t have to do anything ballsy again.” She smirked up at him even as he released his hold on her. He knew she would follow.
Or, well, she would have.
Instead, she felt a hand wrap around her ankle with a forceful tug that pulled her down. She couldn’t help the sharp shriek that tore from her lips as she tumbled down, the stolen pistol in her hand falling out of reach as she fell down the stairs. When her eyes opened, the man she had shoved loomed over her, rage etched into his face.
“Thank God this was damage control and not a rescue mission. If we can’t get you out of here, then Daddy gave us permission to eliminate you ourselves. A dead hostage is hardly leverage after all.” He spoke as he leaned down over her, a knife in his hand that quickly pressed to her throat. The meaning of his words sunk in and her face turned ashen - more at the realization that her father had not only sent these men, but given them permission to murder her themselves. “You chose the wrong side, bitch!” he said with a laugh and she felt the edge of his blade pressing into her skin.
Was this really the end?
Essa didn’t have a chance to look back at Kyros as she ran forward. She could only hope he didn’t believe she was betraying him, didn’t believe she was actually running. But if they were after her, surely they wouldn’t be willing to hurt her. That, and no one would expect a tiny girl like her to attack. They’d think she was some frail porcelain doll.
And that’s exactly what happened.
She went for the man’s gun as he bent over in pain, but his grip was still firm, and her strength to push him wasn’t enough. Finally, she stomped as hard as she could on his foot, aiming for the instep more than his toes. The shock of that pain - while shorter-lived - lasted long enough for his grip to weaken and his balance to falter. She watched in shock as he tumbled down the stairs, almost unable to believe she had done that herself.
It was only then that she turned to look at Kyros. One of the two men was down already. That made her smile oddly enough. He had reacted quickly to her improvised plan at least. Maybe that meant he had understood all along. Or at least that he’d have to admit it was a good idea when all was said and done.
She threw a hand over her mouth as she heard first the gunshot followed by a growl of pain. A sound she recognized all too clearly as Kyros. Oh no, he’d been shot! Panic instantly leapt to her throat, but an instant later it seemed, and he was standing over another corpse. She ran towards him, squeaking slightly as he turned the gun on her. She saw recognition flash in his eyes as he quickly lowered the gun.
Essa couldn’t help the tiny smile of pride that his smirk and praise earned. Yet even as his hand moved to her throat, tilting her chin up as he bent down to her, she didn’t recoil or squirm under his touch and gaze. Instead, she stared up at him unflinchingly. She knew he was deadly, she’d seen that for herself now. He surely could kill her before she even blinked. But that did nothing to diminish the trust she had in him. She knew he’d keep her safe. Hopefully now he understood she would do the same for him. Yet there was something else in her hazel depths as well - a spark of defiance.
“I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys,” she said, her voice calm but firm. She absolutely would.
She wanted to fuss, but now hardly seemed the time. “Let’s get out of here before anyone else shows up, okay? Then maybe I won’t have to do anything ballsy again.” She smirked up at him even as he released his hold on her. He knew she would follow.
Or, well, she would have.
Instead, she felt a hand wrap around her ankle with a forceful tug that pulled her down. She couldn’t help the sharp shriek that tore from her lips as she tumbled down, the stolen pistol in her hand falling out of reach as she fell down the stairs. When her eyes opened, the man she had shoved loomed over her, rage etched into his face.
“Thank God this was damage control and not a rescue mission. If we can’t get you out of here, then Daddy gave us permission to eliminate you ourselves. A dead hostage is hardly leverage after all.” He spoke as he leaned down over her, a knife in his hand that quickly pressed to her throat. The meaning of his words sunk in and her face turned ashen - more at the realization that her father had not only sent these men, but given them permission to murder her themselves. “You chose the wrong side, bitch!” he said with a laugh and she felt the edge of his blade pressing into her skin.
Was this really the end?
‘I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys.’
That fire in her eyes, in her voice. That defiance. His first instinct was to squash it, here and now. His hand was already wrapped around her throat. He could snap her neck with a flick of his wrist. Crush her windpipe before she could scream. But there was something else rising in him. A fire of his own flared in his grey eyes as he remembered the innocent passion they’d shared just hours before. He wondered how much of the defiant fire she held now he if he could convince it to come out in other ways.
He released his hold on her at her suggestion that they get out of there before more Guintoli soldiers showed. Right. More pressing matters needed tending to before he could entertain such… intimate thoughts. He turned to continue down the path they’d been headed before their latest fight had halted them. He didn’t bother with holding onto Essa this time. She’d had her chance to escape him just now. And she’d chosen to fight with him. Besides, having both hands free would make this go a bit smoother. He started down the hall, checking the clip in the gun he’d commandeered.
A shriek.
He froze, his head snapping up. He slammed the clip back in place and spun around. He’d already made it nearly a dozen paces from her. He was nearly a dozen paces too far away as he watched the man she’d knocked down the stairs pin her to the floor and put a knife to her throat. For a split second, his breath caught in his throat.
For a split second, Kyros - one of the deadliest assassins of his day - stood frozen in panic.
But only for a split second.
“Hey! Get your hands off her, you sorry sack of shit of a Guintoli!” He was running now. He pulled back the hammer of the gun, fired. He shot high though, the bullet flying just above the guy’s head. But it was enough to get his attention off Essa. “If anyone is going to get the pleasure of killing this bitch, it’s gonna be me.” He never stopped advancing towards them, running now. He wasn’t going to give this fucker a chance to get the drop on him. He reached them, in just a few long strides, launched himself into the air, flipping and twisting mid air over the top of the man pinning Essa to the floor. He landed on the other side, facing the guy’s back and standing to the side. He snapped a foot out impossibly fast, kicking the guy in the face and launching him off Essa to skid across the marble floor.
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‘I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys.’
That fire in her eyes, in her voice. That defiance. His first instinct was to squash it, here and now. His hand was already wrapped around her throat. He could snap her neck with a flick of his wrist. Crush her windpipe before she could scream. But there was something else rising in him. A fire of his own flared in his grey eyes as he remembered the innocent passion they’d shared just hours before. He wondered how much of the defiant fire she held now he if he could convince it to come out in other ways.
He released his hold on her at her suggestion that they get out of there before more Guintoli soldiers showed. Right. More pressing matters needed tending to before he could entertain such… intimate thoughts. He turned to continue down the path they’d been headed before their latest fight had halted them. He didn’t bother with holding onto Essa this time. She’d had her chance to escape him just now. And she’d chosen to fight with him. Besides, having both hands free would make this go a bit smoother. He started down the hall, checking the clip in the gun he’d commandeered.
A shriek.
He froze, his head snapping up. He slammed the clip back in place and spun around. He’d already made it nearly a dozen paces from her. He was nearly a dozen paces too far away as he watched the man she’d knocked down the stairs pin her to the floor and put a knife to her throat. For a split second, his breath caught in his throat.
For a split second, Kyros - one of the deadliest assassins of his day - stood frozen in panic.
But only for a split second.
“Hey! Get your hands off her, you sorry sack of shit of a Guintoli!” He was running now. He pulled back the hammer of the gun, fired. He shot high though, the bullet flying just above the guy’s head. But it was enough to get his attention off Essa. “If anyone is going to get the pleasure of killing this bitch, it’s gonna be me.” He never stopped advancing towards them, running now. He wasn’t going to give this fucker a chance to get the drop on him. He reached them, in just a few long strides, launched himself into the air, flipping and twisting mid air over the top of the man pinning Essa to the floor. He landed on the other side, facing the guy’s back and standing to the side. He snapped a foot out impossibly fast, kicking the guy in the face and launching him off Essa to skid across the marble floor.
‘I’ll damn well do it again if it keeps you from ending up like one of these guys.’
That fire in her eyes, in her voice. That defiance. His first instinct was to squash it, here and now. His hand was already wrapped around her throat. He could snap her neck with a flick of his wrist. Crush her windpipe before she could scream. But there was something else rising in him. A fire of his own flared in his grey eyes as he remembered the innocent passion they’d shared just hours before. He wondered how much of the defiant fire she held now he if he could convince it to come out in other ways.
He released his hold on her at her suggestion that they get out of there before more Guintoli soldiers showed. Right. More pressing matters needed tending to before he could entertain such… intimate thoughts. He turned to continue down the path they’d been headed before their latest fight had halted them. He didn’t bother with holding onto Essa this time. She’d had her chance to escape him just now. And she’d chosen to fight with him. Besides, having both hands free would make this go a bit smoother. He started down the hall, checking the clip in the gun he’d commandeered.
A shriek.
He froze, his head snapping up. He slammed the clip back in place and spun around. He’d already made it nearly a dozen paces from her. He was nearly a dozen paces too far away as he watched the man she’d knocked down the stairs pin her to the floor and put a knife to her throat. For a split second, his breath caught in his throat.
For a split second, Kyros - one of the deadliest assassins of his day - stood frozen in panic.
But only for a split second.
“Hey! Get your hands off her, you sorry sack of shit of a Guintoli!” He was running now. He pulled back the hammer of the gun, fired. He shot high though, the bullet flying just above the guy’s head. But it was enough to get his attention off Essa. “If anyone is going to get the pleasure of killing this bitch, it’s gonna be me.” He never stopped advancing towards them, running now. He wasn’t going to give this fucker a chance to get the drop on him. He reached them, in just a few long strides, launched himself into the air, flipping and twisting mid air over the top of the man pinning Essa to the floor. He landed on the other side, facing the guy’s back and standing to the side. He snapped a foot out impossibly fast, kicking the guy in the face and launching him off Essa to skid across the marble floor.
She saw that spark of fire in his pale eyes and it made her smile just a little smugly. He didn’t scold her or tell her not to be stupid. He just looked at her with that burning light in his eyes. He liked her answer. Which was good, because she meant it. She would do it again in a heartbeat if it kept both of them safe.
The trust he offered her didn’t go unnoticed either. He walked away without grabbing her hand, knowing she would follow him. She had always known that, but now she had proven it to him. And then the whole world seemed to turn sideways for Essa.
She was pinned to the ground, with nowhere to go, no weapon to defend herself, and her only protector halfway down the hall. There might be no escape from this. And yet it wasn’t fear that filled her in that moment. Regret, surely. But more than anything it was rage. She had suspected her father would be willing to let the timer run out on her life to save his business. Arranging a fight that not only could lead to her death was bad enough, but giving the okay for her assassination... it was a new low. She almost couldn’t believe it, and yet, a small part of her wasn’t that surprised. Just angry she had tried so hard to please a man who cared nothing for her.
Essa felt the blade’s edge bite into her skin only for the motion to pause at the sound of a gunshot, followed by a shout. It was only then that her eyes shifted back towards Kyros. The words that followed twisted at her heart in the oddest way. She was grateful that he was rushing to save her, of course. But the notion that it was still just vying for his own right to kill her was... well, uncomfortable. She had thought they were past that somehow. That doing so if his hand was forced would no longer be a pleasure. That there had been some sort of connection between them.
Plus she found she didn’t like when he called her anything other than Princess. It felt... wrong.
Now wasn’t really the time for such thoughts though. She watched as he leaped over top the man and her both, only to land and kick him off her. She winced seeing the way his foot collided with the man’s face right above her. As he slid over the floor, her hand flew to her neck, trying to judge how badly she had been cut before Kyros’s interuption. Keeping pressure there just in case, she rolled over onto her stomach and lifted onto her knees, hurrying to get behind Kyros.
Her breath came in labored bursts, and only when she was safely behind her protector did she dare look around her. She pulled her hand away tentatively, seeing not an insignificant amount of blood, but nothing life-threatening. Placing her hand back over the wound, she looked around, trying to see where that damn gun had slid to.
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She saw that spark of fire in his pale eyes and it made her smile just a little smugly. He didn’t scold her or tell her not to be stupid. He just looked at her with that burning light in his eyes. He liked her answer. Which was good, because she meant it. She would do it again in a heartbeat if it kept both of them safe.
The trust he offered her didn’t go unnoticed either. He walked away without grabbing her hand, knowing she would follow him. She had always known that, but now she had proven it to him. And then the whole world seemed to turn sideways for Essa.
She was pinned to the ground, with nowhere to go, no weapon to defend herself, and her only protector halfway down the hall. There might be no escape from this. And yet it wasn’t fear that filled her in that moment. Regret, surely. But more than anything it was rage. She had suspected her father would be willing to let the timer run out on her life to save his business. Arranging a fight that not only could lead to her death was bad enough, but giving the okay for her assassination... it was a new low. She almost couldn’t believe it, and yet, a small part of her wasn’t that surprised. Just angry she had tried so hard to please a man who cared nothing for her.
Essa felt the blade’s edge bite into her skin only for the motion to pause at the sound of a gunshot, followed by a shout. It was only then that her eyes shifted back towards Kyros. The words that followed twisted at her heart in the oddest way. She was grateful that he was rushing to save her, of course. But the notion that it was still just vying for his own right to kill her was... well, uncomfortable. She had thought they were past that somehow. That doing so if his hand was forced would no longer be a pleasure. That there had been some sort of connection between them.
Plus she found she didn’t like when he called her anything other than Princess. It felt... wrong.
Now wasn’t really the time for such thoughts though. She watched as he leaped over top the man and her both, only to land and kick him off her. She winced seeing the way his foot collided with the man’s face right above her. As he slid over the floor, her hand flew to her neck, trying to judge how badly she had been cut before Kyros’s interuption. Keeping pressure there just in case, she rolled over onto her stomach and lifted onto her knees, hurrying to get behind Kyros.
Her breath came in labored bursts, and only when she was safely behind her protector did she dare look around her. She pulled her hand away tentatively, seeing not an insignificant amount of blood, but nothing life-threatening. Placing her hand back over the wound, she looked around, trying to see where that damn gun had slid to.
She saw that spark of fire in his pale eyes and it made her smile just a little smugly. He didn’t scold her or tell her not to be stupid. He just looked at her with that burning light in his eyes. He liked her answer. Which was good, because she meant it. She would do it again in a heartbeat if it kept both of them safe.
The trust he offered her didn’t go unnoticed either. He walked away without grabbing her hand, knowing she would follow him. She had always known that, but now she had proven it to him. And then the whole world seemed to turn sideways for Essa.
She was pinned to the ground, with nowhere to go, no weapon to defend herself, and her only protector halfway down the hall. There might be no escape from this. And yet it wasn’t fear that filled her in that moment. Regret, surely. But more than anything it was rage. She had suspected her father would be willing to let the timer run out on her life to save his business. Arranging a fight that not only could lead to her death was bad enough, but giving the okay for her assassination... it was a new low. She almost couldn’t believe it, and yet, a small part of her wasn’t that surprised. Just angry she had tried so hard to please a man who cared nothing for her.
Essa felt the blade’s edge bite into her skin only for the motion to pause at the sound of a gunshot, followed by a shout. It was only then that her eyes shifted back towards Kyros. The words that followed twisted at her heart in the oddest way. She was grateful that he was rushing to save her, of course. But the notion that it was still just vying for his own right to kill her was... well, uncomfortable. She had thought they were past that somehow. That doing so if his hand was forced would no longer be a pleasure. That there had been some sort of connection between them.
Plus she found she didn’t like when he called her anything other than Princess. It felt... wrong.
Now wasn’t really the time for such thoughts though. She watched as he leaped over top the man and her both, only to land and kick him off her. She winced seeing the way his foot collided with the man’s face right above her. As he slid over the floor, her hand flew to her neck, trying to judge how badly she had been cut before Kyros’s interuption. Keeping pressure there just in case, she rolled over onto her stomach and lifted onto her knees, hurrying to get behind Kyros.
Her breath came in labored bursts, and only when she was safely behind her protector did she dare look around her. She pulled her hand away tentatively, seeing not an insignificant amount of blood, but nothing life-threatening. Placing her hand back over the wound, she looked around, trying to see where that damn gun had slid to.
Calmly, the assassin dropped the gun to the floor and drew his knives from his sleeves, flipping them over in his skilled hands. His steely gaze followed Essa until she was out of his immediate view and safely behind him. He cocked his head sharply, cracked a few kinks in his neck. He waited until the other man made it back to his feet. The man’s hate filled face was covered in blood from a busted nose, courtesy of the kick Kyros had delivered him.
The killer stalked forward, slow. Methodical. He recognized this particular goon now, even through the blood. The middle son of the Guintoli don. And a personal rival of Ky’s. “Enjoying that face lift I just gave you, Vince? Come at me. I’ll even let you get a free shot.” He thrust his arms out wide, blades in hand still. “O sei troppo codardo, dopotutto?”
That got the other man moving. He rushed Kyros and it seemed like Ky was simply going to stand there and take the hit. But Ky turned aside at the last second - unnaturally quick - and slammed an elbow to the back of the shorter man’s neck. “Oops. I lied.” Kyros shrugged as if it was an honest mistake as the other kneeled on his hands and knees, dazed. Kyros then lifted both feet off the ground and kicked out hard and swift with his right, connecting with VInce’s ribs and nimbly landing back on his left foot. “You never could get the drop on me, Vince. Why would you even try it again?” His tone was full of amusement, taunting as he crouched down next to the gasping rival as he lay on the floor, holding his possibly cracked ribs.
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Calmly, the assassin dropped the gun to the floor and drew his knives from his sleeves, flipping them over in his skilled hands. His steely gaze followed Essa until she was out of his immediate view and safely behind him. He cocked his head sharply, cracked a few kinks in his neck. He waited until the other man made it back to his feet. The man’s hate filled face was covered in blood from a busted nose, courtesy of the kick Kyros had delivered him.
The killer stalked forward, slow. Methodical. He recognized this particular goon now, even through the blood. The middle son of the Guintoli don. And a personal rival of Ky’s. “Enjoying that face lift I just gave you, Vince? Come at me. I’ll even let you get a free shot.” He thrust his arms out wide, blades in hand still. “O sei troppo codardo, dopotutto?”
That got the other man moving. He rushed Kyros and it seemed like Ky was simply going to stand there and take the hit. But Ky turned aside at the last second - unnaturally quick - and slammed an elbow to the back of the shorter man’s neck. “Oops. I lied.” Kyros shrugged as if it was an honest mistake as the other kneeled on his hands and knees, dazed. Kyros then lifted both feet off the ground and kicked out hard and swift with his right, connecting with VInce’s ribs and nimbly landing back on his left foot. “You never could get the drop on me, Vince. Why would you even try it again?” His tone was full of amusement, taunting as he crouched down next to the gasping rival as he lay on the floor, holding his possibly cracked ribs.
Calmly, the assassin dropped the gun to the floor and drew his knives from his sleeves, flipping them over in his skilled hands. His steely gaze followed Essa until she was out of his immediate view and safely behind him. He cocked his head sharply, cracked a few kinks in his neck. He waited until the other man made it back to his feet. The man’s hate filled face was covered in blood from a busted nose, courtesy of the kick Kyros had delivered him.
The killer stalked forward, slow. Methodical. He recognized this particular goon now, even through the blood. The middle son of the Guintoli don. And a personal rival of Ky’s. “Enjoying that face lift I just gave you, Vince? Come at me. I’ll even let you get a free shot.” He thrust his arms out wide, blades in hand still. “O sei troppo codardo, dopotutto?”
That got the other man moving. He rushed Kyros and it seemed like Ky was simply going to stand there and take the hit. But Ky turned aside at the last second - unnaturally quick - and slammed an elbow to the back of the shorter man’s neck. “Oops. I lied.” Kyros shrugged as if it was an honest mistake as the other kneeled on his hands and knees, dazed. Kyros then lifted both feet off the ground and kicked out hard and swift with his right, connecting with VInce’s ribs and nimbly landing back on his left foot. “You never could get the drop on me, Vince. Why would you even try it again?” His tone was full of amusement, taunting as he crouched down next to the gasping rival as he lay on the floor, holding his possibly cracked ribs.
Essa didn’t pay much attention to Kyros for the moment, scrambling instead for the gun. She was too afraid that it would end up in the wrong hands to be used against them or else she’d be caught entirely defenseless again. Only once she had it in her grip did she shift to her feet, one hand wrapped around the gun and the other still pressed to her throat.
Her eyes widened as Kyros spoke to the man with familiarity. They knew each other? Well, he had said it was a rival family. It made sense that to be rivals, interaction was required at least on occasion. Her eyes narrowed a little as she heard the foreign tongue he spoke in. Was that... Italian? She wasn’t overly familiar with it, but she had always excelled in her Latin classes. Enough to at least get the gist that he was calling this Vince too cowardly to take him up on his offer.
He rushed towards Kyros, and for a moment, she truly believed that he was going to just stand there and take it. Why??? That didn’t make any sense or seem like the Ky she knew.
But then he stepped aside, hitting the man down to his knees. Ah yes, there was the trick. That was more like it. Still, Essa couldn’t help but take a step back, her hand tightening on the gun she held, preparing to use it if this Vince came at her again. Ky didn’t waste any time, lashing out at the man once more. She flinched a little at the sound of what she could only assume was breaking bones. Kyros was taunting him. Usually she might berate him for that, never having the stomach for suffering, but just now... she couldn’t find it in herself to forgive.
Not when he had just been prepared to kill her. Not when he had just gloated over the fact that her father was willing to pay for her death. Was it wrong - surely. But that didn’t make her feel any less cold towards this man. So instead she just stood there, listening, watching, waiting - finger on the trigger as she stared her would-be attacker down.
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Essa didn’t pay much attention to Kyros for the moment, scrambling instead for the gun. She was too afraid that it would end up in the wrong hands to be used against them or else she’d be caught entirely defenseless again. Only once she had it in her grip did she shift to her feet, one hand wrapped around the gun and the other still pressed to her throat.
Her eyes widened as Kyros spoke to the man with familiarity. They knew each other? Well, he had said it was a rival family. It made sense that to be rivals, interaction was required at least on occasion. Her eyes narrowed a little as she heard the foreign tongue he spoke in. Was that... Italian? She wasn’t overly familiar with it, but she had always excelled in her Latin classes. Enough to at least get the gist that he was calling this Vince too cowardly to take him up on his offer.
He rushed towards Kyros, and for a moment, she truly believed that he was going to just stand there and take it. Why??? That didn’t make any sense or seem like the Ky she knew.
But then he stepped aside, hitting the man down to his knees. Ah yes, there was the trick. That was more like it. Still, Essa couldn’t help but take a step back, her hand tightening on the gun she held, preparing to use it if this Vince came at her again. Ky didn’t waste any time, lashing out at the man once more. She flinched a little at the sound of what she could only assume was breaking bones. Kyros was taunting him. Usually she might berate him for that, never having the stomach for suffering, but just now... she couldn’t find it in herself to forgive.
Not when he had just been prepared to kill her. Not when he had just gloated over the fact that her father was willing to pay for her death. Was it wrong - surely. But that didn’t make her feel any less cold towards this man. So instead she just stood there, listening, watching, waiting - finger on the trigger as she stared her would-be attacker down.
Essa didn’t pay much attention to Kyros for the moment, scrambling instead for the gun. She was too afraid that it would end up in the wrong hands to be used against them or else she’d be caught entirely defenseless again. Only once she had it in her grip did she shift to her feet, one hand wrapped around the gun and the other still pressed to her throat.
Her eyes widened as Kyros spoke to the man with familiarity. They knew each other? Well, he had said it was a rival family. It made sense that to be rivals, interaction was required at least on occasion. Her eyes narrowed a little as she heard the foreign tongue he spoke in. Was that... Italian? She wasn’t overly familiar with it, but she had always excelled in her Latin classes. Enough to at least get the gist that he was calling this Vince too cowardly to take him up on his offer.
He rushed towards Kyros, and for a moment, she truly believed that he was going to just stand there and take it. Why??? That didn’t make any sense or seem like the Ky she knew.
But then he stepped aside, hitting the man down to his knees. Ah yes, there was the trick. That was more like it. Still, Essa couldn’t help but take a step back, her hand tightening on the gun she held, preparing to use it if this Vince came at her again. Ky didn’t waste any time, lashing out at the man once more. She flinched a little at the sound of what she could only assume was breaking bones. Kyros was taunting him. Usually she might berate him for that, never having the stomach for suffering, but just now... she couldn’t find it in herself to forgive.
Not when he had just been prepared to kill her. Not when he had just gloated over the fact that her father was willing to pay for her death. Was it wrong - surely. But that didn’t make her feel any less cold towards this man. So instead she just stood there, listening, watching, waiting - finger on the trigger as she stared her would-be attacker down.
Vince had one arm wrapped around his abdomen as he fought to keep his vision clear and his breathing steady - which was difficult with his nose full of blood. He wasn’t lying idle though, his other hand was reaching for another knife he had strapped to his hip, for he’d dropped the one he’d held to Essa’s throat when he’d been kicked in the face.
Kyros was aware of the hand reaching for the knife, trying to discreet. Kyros was aware of the sounds of battle raging throughout the house. He knew that he shouldn’t take the time to mess with Vince. He needed to get Essa out of here and get to the safe house. He had a job to do. But VInce had always been a pain in his side and the way he’d handled Essa… Ky felt that anger rising inside his chest once more. VInce had his hand on the hilt of the knife now and was easing it out of the sheath. That was close enough. Ky’s hand flashed out, the long blade of his knife diving right through the injured man’s forearm, earning a loud cry of pain from Vince’s lips. Kyros left the blade there, and grabbed Vince about the throat with his now free hand. But unlike the way he’d held Essa minutes before, Kyros squeezed now - a look of pure sadistic revelry in his eyes, a wickedly dark smile on his lips. Ky shifted his weight, putting more pressure on the man’s windpipe, and slid his other knife into the man’s side. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. You will deliver a message to your father for me.” And indeed the stab he’d delivered to the man’s side was not going to prove fatal, as long as he didn’t let it get infected. Ky had studied enough anatomy books to know exactly where and how deep he could stab someone and not hit anything vital. He pulled the knife back out if VInce’s side - he couldn’t cry out in pain though it was etched on his face, for he couldn’t get enough breath past the grip Ky held on his throat. Vince did move his hand from his ribs to the now bleeding wound.
Behind Essa, a man came running up the stairs. Ky heard the footfalls and looked up to see Bateman coming up the stairs from the second floor. He looked like he’d been in quite the fist fight, but more or less he was in one piece. He also realized Essa was holding a gun. “Freeze, princess! Bateman! Take that gun and watch my six.” Bateman may have been a perverted asshole, but he was trustworthy. Loyal. Mostly. Kyros left them to sort it out and turned his attention back to Vince. His face was turning blue, so Ky let go of the neck and grabbed the arm that had his other knife sticking out of it. He jerked it across, into a more usable position and started carving a message into the man’s skin. ‘She’s mine.’
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Vince had one arm wrapped around his abdomen as he fought to keep his vision clear and his breathing steady - which was difficult with his nose full of blood. He wasn’t lying idle though, his other hand was reaching for another knife he had strapped to his hip, for he’d dropped the one he’d held to Essa’s throat when he’d been kicked in the face.
Kyros was aware of the hand reaching for the knife, trying to discreet. Kyros was aware of the sounds of battle raging throughout the house. He knew that he shouldn’t take the time to mess with Vince. He needed to get Essa out of here and get to the safe house. He had a job to do. But VInce had always been a pain in his side and the way he’d handled Essa… Ky felt that anger rising inside his chest once more. VInce had his hand on the hilt of the knife now and was easing it out of the sheath. That was close enough. Ky’s hand flashed out, the long blade of his knife diving right through the injured man’s forearm, earning a loud cry of pain from Vince’s lips. Kyros left the blade there, and grabbed Vince about the throat with his now free hand. But unlike the way he’d held Essa minutes before, Kyros squeezed now - a look of pure sadistic revelry in his eyes, a wickedly dark smile on his lips. Ky shifted his weight, putting more pressure on the man’s windpipe, and slid his other knife into the man’s side. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. You will deliver a message to your father for me.” And indeed the stab he’d delivered to the man’s side was not going to prove fatal, as long as he didn’t let it get infected. Ky had studied enough anatomy books to know exactly where and how deep he could stab someone and not hit anything vital. He pulled the knife back out if VInce’s side - he couldn’t cry out in pain though it was etched on his face, for he couldn’t get enough breath past the grip Ky held on his throat. Vince did move his hand from his ribs to the now bleeding wound.
Behind Essa, a man came running up the stairs. Ky heard the footfalls and looked up to see Bateman coming up the stairs from the second floor. He looked like he’d been in quite the fist fight, but more or less he was in one piece. He also realized Essa was holding a gun. “Freeze, princess! Bateman! Take that gun and watch my six.” Bateman may have been a perverted asshole, but he was trustworthy. Loyal. Mostly. Kyros left them to sort it out and turned his attention back to Vince. His face was turning blue, so Ky let go of the neck and grabbed the arm that had his other knife sticking out of it. He jerked it across, into a more usable position and started carving a message into the man’s skin. ‘She’s mine.’
Vince had one arm wrapped around his abdomen as he fought to keep his vision clear and his breathing steady - which was difficult with his nose full of blood. He wasn’t lying idle though, his other hand was reaching for another knife he had strapped to his hip, for he’d dropped the one he’d held to Essa’s throat when he’d been kicked in the face.
Kyros was aware of the hand reaching for the knife, trying to discreet. Kyros was aware of the sounds of battle raging throughout the house. He knew that he shouldn’t take the time to mess with Vince. He needed to get Essa out of here and get to the safe house. He had a job to do. But VInce had always been a pain in his side and the way he’d handled Essa… Ky felt that anger rising inside his chest once more. VInce had his hand on the hilt of the knife now and was easing it out of the sheath. That was close enough. Ky’s hand flashed out, the long blade of his knife diving right through the injured man’s forearm, earning a loud cry of pain from Vince’s lips. Kyros left the blade there, and grabbed Vince about the throat with his now free hand. But unlike the way he’d held Essa minutes before, Kyros squeezed now - a look of pure sadistic revelry in his eyes, a wickedly dark smile on his lips. Ky shifted his weight, putting more pressure on the man’s windpipe, and slid his other knife into the man’s side. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. You will deliver a message to your father for me.” And indeed the stab he’d delivered to the man’s side was not going to prove fatal, as long as he didn’t let it get infected. Ky had studied enough anatomy books to know exactly where and how deep he could stab someone and not hit anything vital. He pulled the knife back out if VInce’s side - he couldn’t cry out in pain though it was etched on his face, for he couldn’t get enough breath past the grip Ky held on his throat. Vince did move his hand from his ribs to the now bleeding wound.
Behind Essa, a man came running up the stairs. Ky heard the footfalls and looked up to see Bateman coming up the stairs from the second floor. He looked like he’d been in quite the fist fight, but more or less he was in one piece. He also realized Essa was holding a gun. “Freeze, princess! Bateman! Take that gun and watch my six.” Bateman may have been a perverted asshole, but he was trustworthy. Loyal. Mostly. Kyros left them to sort it out and turned his attention back to Vince. His face was turning blue, so Ky let go of the neck and grabbed the arm that had his other knife sticking out of it. He jerked it across, into a more usable position and started carving a message into the man’s skin. ‘She’s mine.’
Essa’s grip on the gun tightened a little more as she saw him reaching for the handle of a blade. Before she could even open her mouth to warn Ky, he was already reacting, stabbing Vince brutally enough to make Essa wince. She lowered the gun to her side, finger easing off the trigger. It looked like Kyros had the other man more than handle. She kept her eyes on the stairs instead, hoping no one else would be coming up.
Still, she heard every bit of Ky and Vince’s exchange. Every cry of pain and struggle for breath. It was enough to twist her stomach. Not that she felt sorry for the man who had tried to kill her. It seemed more than fair, all things considering.
She straightened as she heard footsteps coming from below, raising the gun once more. Only to sigh in relief as she recognized Bateman. She jerked towards Ky as she heard his voice, offering commands to them both. “Seriously!?” she exclaimed, though she didn’t fight the larger man as he moved to take the gun from her. She knew that he was more likely to be helpful in a fight than her, but she didn’t like being totally defenseless. Not after being pinned with a knife to her throat.
Essa crossed her arms in a huff, glaring towards Ky, only to blanch a little as she saw him carving into the man’s skin. So that’s what he had meant by delivering a message. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder just what the message would be. It sounded like there was more than a little history between them. It wasn’t something she particularly wanted to watch though.
Her gaze wandered around the hallway until a glint of silver caught her eye. Moving slowly, she walked over to pick up the blade, still with the crimson of her blood on its edge. Well, it was better than nothing. Next time someone tried to slit her throat, they were getting stabbed. She wiped it on the clothes of the nearest corpse even as she tested its weight in her hand. She hesitantly pulled her hand away from her neck to find most the blood appeared to be dried. She’d ask Ky to check it out later, when they were safe, but for now it should be okay.
Nervously glancing over at the taller man once more, she moved closer - enough to see what he had written on the beaten man’s body.
She’s mine.
Something about that made her flush. She knew it was a message that no one was stealing her from Moretti. But still, he had said ‘mine’ instead of ours or something more generic. Maybe she was at least a little more than just a job after all. Either way though, she was anxious to leave this place already.
“Ky? Are you done?”
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Essa’s grip on the gun tightened a little more as she saw him reaching for the handle of a blade. Before she could even open her mouth to warn Ky, he was already reacting, stabbing Vince brutally enough to make Essa wince. She lowered the gun to her side, finger easing off the trigger. It looked like Kyros had the other man more than handle. She kept her eyes on the stairs instead, hoping no one else would be coming up.
Still, she heard every bit of Ky and Vince’s exchange. Every cry of pain and struggle for breath. It was enough to twist her stomach. Not that she felt sorry for the man who had tried to kill her. It seemed more than fair, all things considering.
She straightened as she heard footsteps coming from below, raising the gun once more. Only to sigh in relief as she recognized Bateman. She jerked towards Ky as she heard his voice, offering commands to them both. “Seriously!?” she exclaimed, though she didn’t fight the larger man as he moved to take the gun from her. She knew that he was more likely to be helpful in a fight than her, but she didn’t like being totally defenseless. Not after being pinned with a knife to her throat.
Essa crossed her arms in a huff, glaring towards Ky, only to blanch a little as she saw him carving into the man’s skin. So that’s what he had meant by delivering a message. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder just what the message would be. It sounded like there was more than a little history between them. It wasn’t something she particularly wanted to watch though.
Her gaze wandered around the hallway until a glint of silver caught her eye. Moving slowly, she walked over to pick up the blade, still with the crimson of her blood on its edge. Well, it was better than nothing. Next time someone tried to slit her throat, they were getting stabbed. She wiped it on the clothes of the nearest corpse even as she tested its weight in her hand. She hesitantly pulled her hand away from her neck to find most the blood appeared to be dried. She’d ask Ky to check it out later, when they were safe, but for now it should be okay.
Nervously glancing over at the taller man once more, she moved closer - enough to see what he had written on the beaten man’s body.
She’s mine.
Something about that made her flush. She knew it was a message that no one was stealing her from Moretti. But still, he had said ‘mine’ instead of ours or something more generic. Maybe she was at least a little more than just a job after all. Either way though, she was anxious to leave this place already.
“Ky? Are you done?”
Essa’s grip on the gun tightened a little more as she saw him reaching for the handle of a blade. Before she could even open her mouth to warn Ky, he was already reacting, stabbing Vince brutally enough to make Essa wince. She lowered the gun to her side, finger easing off the trigger. It looked like Kyros had the other man more than handle. She kept her eyes on the stairs instead, hoping no one else would be coming up.
Still, she heard every bit of Ky and Vince’s exchange. Every cry of pain and struggle for breath. It was enough to twist her stomach. Not that she felt sorry for the man who had tried to kill her. It seemed more than fair, all things considering.
She straightened as she heard footsteps coming from below, raising the gun once more. Only to sigh in relief as she recognized Bateman. She jerked towards Ky as she heard his voice, offering commands to them both. “Seriously!?” she exclaimed, though she didn’t fight the larger man as he moved to take the gun from her. She knew that he was more likely to be helpful in a fight than her, but she didn’t like being totally defenseless. Not after being pinned with a knife to her throat.
Essa crossed her arms in a huff, glaring towards Ky, only to blanch a little as she saw him carving into the man’s skin. So that’s what he had meant by delivering a message. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder just what the message would be. It sounded like there was more than a little history between them. It wasn’t something she particularly wanted to watch though.
Her gaze wandered around the hallway until a glint of silver caught her eye. Moving slowly, she walked over to pick up the blade, still with the crimson of her blood on its edge. Well, it was better than nothing. Next time someone tried to slit her throat, they were getting stabbed. She wiped it on the clothes of the nearest corpse even as she tested its weight in her hand. She hesitantly pulled her hand away from her neck to find most the blood appeared to be dried. She’d ask Ky to check it out later, when they were safe, but for now it should be okay.
Nervously glancing over at the taller man once more, she moved closer - enough to see what he had written on the beaten man’s body.
She’s mine.
Something about that made her flush. She knew it was a message that no one was stealing her from Moretti. But still, he had said ‘mine’ instead of ours or something more generic. Maybe she was at least a little more than just a job after all. Either way though, she was anxious to leave this place already.
“Ky? Are you done?”
Kyros revelled in the sounds of VInce’s pain filled whimpers. Until the man seemed to be passing out. That made his smirk. Vince had always been weak. He finished his ‘art’ just as Essa came to stand over his shoulder. “Yeah. Finished.” He cleaned the blade on Vince’s shirt and slipped it up his sleeve, jerked his other knife free of the man’s arm and did the same with it. He patted the unconscious man on the cheek, like one would pat the head of a dog for doing a good job. He got to his feet then and reached for Essa’s hand. Apparently he couldn’t let her get out of arms reach. Ky looked to Bateman, who was vigilantly watching for anyone to come from down stairs. “Bate… is there any route still clear?” The other man shook his head, an apologetic look on his face. ‘But they are getting pummeled more than we are.’ Kyros sighed, trying to think. “We go back to the service entrance. At least it’s a tighter space and I can fight them off one or two at a time. Cover our backs until we get to the wall.” Bateman nodded and followed after Kyros as the assassin started back for the first door they’d tried to leave through. Bate paused and scooped up the rifle one of the other guys had along the way.
They were accosted twice in the stairwell, but Ky made quick work of them. The door at the bottom let out directly into the side yard of the compound. The ten foot walled perimeter was a good two hundred yards away and there was not a scrap of cover to be had. Ky peered out the open door, Essa still safely behind him inside. “Looks clear. But that could change at any second.” He ducked back in, looking pointedly to Bateman who nodded silently, a resolute look on his face. Kyros looked to Essa, met her gaze. She was so much shorter than him. He could run this stretch a hell of a lot faster if he was on his own. She was going to slow him down. His gaze left her eyes and traveled down her body, only now realizing she was wearing the school uniform skirt she’d been in yesterday. And him with no time to appreciate it. Damn. “You’re not gonna like this, princess. But it’ll be faster than you trying to keep up with me.” He didn’t wait for whatever question or protest she could muster up. He bent his knees, dipped down, and put his shoulder to her belly, lifted her up as he stood so that she was over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He wrapped an arm around her legs at the bend of her knees. He spun around and ran for the wall, full speed. The pressure of holding her like that was not going to help the gunshot to his arm - in fact he could feel it throbbing already. But he ignored it and pushed forward. He heard shots behind him, but had to trust in Bateman to have his back.
Once at the wall he shifted his hold on Essa hoisted her up. “Grab the top. Jump over.” His tone was clipped, hurried, an edge of pain in his voice, though he did well to disguise it. “I’m right behind you, just go.” He was going to have to back pedal and take a running jump at the wall to catch the lip of it and hoist himself over. But he was confident he could. He’d scaled taller things in the past.
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Kyros revelled in the sounds of VInce’s pain filled whimpers. Until the man seemed to be passing out. That made his smirk. Vince had always been weak. He finished his ‘art’ just as Essa came to stand over his shoulder. “Yeah. Finished.” He cleaned the blade on Vince’s shirt and slipped it up his sleeve, jerked his other knife free of the man’s arm and did the same with it. He patted the unconscious man on the cheek, like one would pat the head of a dog for doing a good job. He got to his feet then and reached for Essa’s hand. Apparently he couldn’t let her get out of arms reach. Ky looked to Bateman, who was vigilantly watching for anyone to come from down stairs. “Bate… is there any route still clear?” The other man shook his head, an apologetic look on his face. ‘But they are getting pummeled more than we are.’ Kyros sighed, trying to think. “We go back to the service entrance. At least it’s a tighter space and I can fight them off one or two at a time. Cover our backs until we get to the wall.” Bateman nodded and followed after Kyros as the assassin started back for the first door they’d tried to leave through. Bate paused and scooped up the rifle one of the other guys had along the way.
They were accosted twice in the stairwell, but Ky made quick work of them. The door at the bottom let out directly into the side yard of the compound. The ten foot walled perimeter was a good two hundred yards away and there was not a scrap of cover to be had. Ky peered out the open door, Essa still safely behind him inside. “Looks clear. But that could change at any second.” He ducked back in, looking pointedly to Bateman who nodded silently, a resolute look on his face. Kyros looked to Essa, met her gaze. She was so much shorter than him. He could run this stretch a hell of a lot faster if he was on his own. She was going to slow him down. His gaze left her eyes and traveled down her body, only now realizing she was wearing the school uniform skirt she’d been in yesterday. And him with no time to appreciate it. Damn. “You’re not gonna like this, princess. But it’ll be faster than you trying to keep up with me.” He didn’t wait for whatever question or protest she could muster up. He bent his knees, dipped down, and put his shoulder to her belly, lifted her up as he stood so that she was over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He wrapped an arm around her legs at the bend of her knees. He spun around and ran for the wall, full speed. The pressure of holding her like that was not going to help the gunshot to his arm - in fact he could feel it throbbing already. But he ignored it and pushed forward. He heard shots behind him, but had to trust in Bateman to have his back.
Once at the wall he shifted his hold on Essa hoisted her up. “Grab the top. Jump over.” His tone was clipped, hurried, an edge of pain in his voice, though he did well to disguise it. “I’m right behind you, just go.” He was going to have to back pedal and take a running jump at the wall to catch the lip of it and hoist himself over. But he was confident he could. He’d scaled taller things in the past.
Kyros revelled in the sounds of VInce’s pain filled whimpers. Until the man seemed to be passing out. That made his smirk. Vince had always been weak. He finished his ‘art’ just as Essa came to stand over his shoulder. “Yeah. Finished.” He cleaned the blade on Vince’s shirt and slipped it up his sleeve, jerked his other knife free of the man’s arm and did the same with it. He patted the unconscious man on the cheek, like one would pat the head of a dog for doing a good job. He got to his feet then and reached for Essa’s hand. Apparently he couldn’t let her get out of arms reach. Ky looked to Bateman, who was vigilantly watching for anyone to come from down stairs. “Bate… is there any route still clear?” The other man shook his head, an apologetic look on his face. ‘But they are getting pummeled more than we are.’ Kyros sighed, trying to think. “We go back to the service entrance. At least it’s a tighter space and I can fight them off one or two at a time. Cover our backs until we get to the wall.” Bateman nodded and followed after Kyros as the assassin started back for the first door they’d tried to leave through. Bate paused and scooped up the rifle one of the other guys had along the way.
They were accosted twice in the stairwell, but Ky made quick work of them. The door at the bottom let out directly into the side yard of the compound. The ten foot walled perimeter was a good two hundred yards away and there was not a scrap of cover to be had. Ky peered out the open door, Essa still safely behind him inside. “Looks clear. But that could change at any second.” He ducked back in, looking pointedly to Bateman who nodded silently, a resolute look on his face. Kyros looked to Essa, met her gaze. She was so much shorter than him. He could run this stretch a hell of a lot faster if he was on his own. She was going to slow him down. His gaze left her eyes and traveled down her body, only now realizing she was wearing the school uniform skirt she’d been in yesterday. And him with no time to appreciate it. Damn. “You’re not gonna like this, princess. But it’ll be faster than you trying to keep up with me.” He didn’t wait for whatever question or protest she could muster up. He bent his knees, dipped down, and put his shoulder to her belly, lifted her up as he stood so that she was over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He wrapped an arm around her legs at the bend of her knees. He spun around and ran for the wall, full speed. The pressure of holding her like that was not going to help the gunshot to his arm - in fact he could feel it throbbing already. But he ignored it and pushed forward. He heard shots behind him, but had to trust in Bateman to have his back.
Once at the wall he shifted his hold on Essa hoisted her up. “Grab the top. Jump over.” His tone was clipped, hurried, an edge of pain in his voice, though he did well to disguise it. “I’m right behind you, just go.” He was going to have to back pedal and take a running jump at the wall to catch the lip of it and hoist himself over. But he was confident he could. He’d scaled taller things in the past.
There was no denying the relief that came when he confirmed he was done, returning his knives to their hiding place all the while. She took his hand without hesitation, finding its warmth comforting. She found herself leaning towards him without even thinking about it, finding reassurance just in his nearness. He would keep her safe. He knew it.
However, Bateman had less than ideal news for them. She looked to Ky, seeing the wheels turning in his mind as he determined the safest choice. She kept close to him, taking small hurried steps to match with his long strides. The stairs were nerve wracking, narrow as they were, but tiny Essa was certainly safe sandwiched between the two larger men. Their path wasn’t clear, but Ky didn’t seem to struggle with the few they came across.
She peered out the door around him, noticing how empty the yard ahead of them was. Even she knew that wasn’t a good thing. They would be wide open for attack. Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, realizing the risk was still far from over. He turned to look at her and at first she thought nothing of it, but something about the look in his eyes... She was blushing once more. Not that it was terribly hard to do. At least not around Ky.
His words brought her gaze back to his eyes. She understood his concern - she couldn’t keep up with him. Not if he was at full speed. She had to walk twice as fast to match his pace as it was. Still, before she could even ask what he had in mind, he was bent over, throwing her over his shoulder. She had to bite back a squeak of surprise at the sudden move. Granted, her blush only deepened as she both marveled at his strength and at the sudden closeness between them.
She clung tightly to him as he ran. It was hard to fight the urge to squeeze her eyes shut in fear as shots began to fire. But she wanted to warn Ky if she could. She couldn’t see where the bullets were coming from, but Bateman was returning fire, and it seemed to work as they soon reached the wall. She shifted in his grasp, reaching to grip the top edge of the wall. She pulled herself up, only struggling a little. She swung one leg over the wall, gauging the jump down when a thought occurred to her.
So instead, she stayed sitting astride the wall, one leg on either side holding her firm. She leaned forward so her upper body was pressed flat to the top of the wall and she extended one hand. “You only have one good arm and there’s no time to argue,” she said, that same defiant strength in her voice as before. She wasn’t about to go ahead without him when she knew she could help, and besides she had no chance getting away without him. “Come on, just take my hand, Ky. I got you.”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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There was no denying the relief that came when he confirmed he was done, returning his knives to their hiding place all the while. She took his hand without hesitation, finding its warmth comforting. She found herself leaning towards him without even thinking about it, finding reassurance just in his nearness. He would keep her safe. He knew it.
However, Bateman had less than ideal news for them. She looked to Ky, seeing the wheels turning in his mind as he determined the safest choice. She kept close to him, taking small hurried steps to match with his long strides. The stairs were nerve wracking, narrow as they were, but tiny Essa was certainly safe sandwiched between the two larger men. Their path wasn’t clear, but Ky didn’t seem to struggle with the few they came across.
She peered out the door around him, noticing how empty the yard ahead of them was. Even she knew that wasn’t a good thing. They would be wide open for attack. Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, realizing the risk was still far from over. He turned to look at her and at first she thought nothing of it, but something about the look in his eyes... She was blushing once more. Not that it was terribly hard to do. At least not around Ky.
His words brought her gaze back to his eyes. She understood his concern - she couldn’t keep up with him. Not if he was at full speed. She had to walk twice as fast to match his pace as it was. Still, before she could even ask what he had in mind, he was bent over, throwing her over his shoulder. She had to bite back a squeak of surprise at the sudden move. Granted, her blush only deepened as she both marveled at his strength and at the sudden closeness between them.
She clung tightly to him as he ran. It was hard to fight the urge to squeeze her eyes shut in fear as shots began to fire. But she wanted to warn Ky if she could. She couldn’t see where the bullets were coming from, but Bateman was returning fire, and it seemed to work as they soon reached the wall. She shifted in his grasp, reaching to grip the top edge of the wall. She pulled herself up, only struggling a little. She swung one leg over the wall, gauging the jump down when a thought occurred to her.
So instead, she stayed sitting astride the wall, one leg on either side holding her firm. She leaned forward so her upper body was pressed flat to the top of the wall and she extended one hand. “You only have one good arm and there’s no time to argue,” she said, that same defiant strength in her voice as before. She wasn’t about to go ahead without him when she knew she could help, and besides she had no chance getting away without him. “Come on, just take my hand, Ky. I got you.”
There was no denying the relief that came when he confirmed he was done, returning his knives to their hiding place all the while. She took his hand without hesitation, finding its warmth comforting. She found herself leaning towards him without even thinking about it, finding reassurance just in his nearness. He would keep her safe. He knew it.
However, Bateman had less than ideal news for them. She looked to Ky, seeing the wheels turning in his mind as he determined the safest choice. She kept close to him, taking small hurried steps to match with his long strides. The stairs were nerve wracking, narrow as they were, but tiny Essa was certainly safe sandwiched between the two larger men. Their path wasn’t clear, but Ky didn’t seem to struggle with the few they came across.
She peered out the door around him, noticing how empty the yard ahead of them was. Even she knew that wasn’t a good thing. They would be wide open for attack. Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, realizing the risk was still far from over. He turned to look at her and at first she thought nothing of it, but something about the look in his eyes... She was blushing once more. Not that it was terribly hard to do. At least not around Ky.
His words brought her gaze back to his eyes. She understood his concern - she couldn’t keep up with him. Not if he was at full speed. She had to walk twice as fast to match his pace as it was. Still, before she could even ask what he had in mind, he was bent over, throwing her over his shoulder. She had to bite back a squeak of surprise at the sudden move. Granted, her blush only deepened as she both marveled at his strength and at the sudden closeness between them.
She clung tightly to him as he ran. It was hard to fight the urge to squeeze her eyes shut in fear as shots began to fire. But she wanted to warn Ky if she could. She couldn’t see where the bullets were coming from, but Bateman was returning fire, and it seemed to work as they soon reached the wall. She shifted in his grasp, reaching to grip the top edge of the wall. She pulled herself up, only struggling a little. She swung one leg over the wall, gauging the jump down when a thought occurred to her.
So instead, she stayed sitting astride the wall, one leg on either side holding her firm. She leaned forward so her upper body was pressed flat to the top of the wall and she extended one hand. “You only have one good arm and there’s no time to argue,” she said, that same defiant strength in her voice as before. She wasn’t about to go ahead without him when she knew she could help, and besides she had no chance getting away without him. “Come on, just take my hand, Ky. I got you.”
