Page 39 of Rising from the Ashes

“We should keep him.” I offer, trying to hide the desperation in my voice.

Everly scoffs, waving her hand.

“We need someone with his expert skill in persuasion. He’s meticulous in his methods. I think he could still be beneficial to The Society.”

“I recruited you for persuasion, Calista. Are you losing your touch?” An evil smirk plays across her mouth.

Walking up to Everly, closing the distance between us, I glare at her as my nose barely misses hers.

“Don’t question my abilities.” I snap. “I just think having a partner in persuasion would make assignments run more smoothly. Intel would be easier to obtain in the field.”

Everly stays quiet before responding, “I had no plans of letting him go, Calista. The money Craye transferred was laced with a virus. Luckily, the security measures Tavish had set in place blocked the virus.

“We need to do something that will bring Craye out of hiding.” She chuckles, leaning over in front of Shado, his eyes attempting to meet hers, “You’re going to kidnap Craye’s daughter.”

She leans back up to face me, “Surely, only a monster would leave his daughter to die.”

She stares at me before continuing, “Ohhh, that’s right. Yours did,” she hums.

Clenching my fists, I attempt to hold back the need to deck this bitch in the face.

Knowingly, she smiles, looking at Shado again. “Good. Channel that anger. Someone still needs to learn a lesson. Once Craye is out of hiding, I want him and Enzo off the board for good.”

She clicks her tongue and looks back at me. “But if he gives The Society up to Reign, I will see to it that both of you will meet your end, Calista.” She sneers. “I suggest you keep him on a tight leash.”

A mischievous grin plays across my lips, “Hmmm. I love an empty death threat.”

Pulling a bow from my quiver, I look around the room at Everly’s men, “Now, all of you get out, or you’ll be on the receiving end of this session.”

Everly turns on her heels, sauntering away as her men follow, leaving the room.

Turning to Shado, I pull an arrow from my quiver, watching the crimson arrow glisten under the dim light as I turn it in my hands.

“W-why would you save me?” He grunts out.

He’s breathing heavily still, I’m almost positive he has a few broken ribs. His right eye is swollen but the bleeding has slowed, and the blood on his lips is beginning to cake.

Ignoring the pain and hurt I am feeling at his betrayal, I take Everly’s advice and allow myself to feel the anger that is also billowing inside me like the heat of the flames I felt that night. I stride over to him, place my sharp heel into his thigh just above his knee, and slowly dig it into his flesh.

The pain wakes his senses up as he screams in agony. “Agh! Fuck!”

“Oh, no no no. You don’t get to ask the questions if you’re the one tied to the chair, remember?” I croon, pushing his hair out of his eyes.

He looks up at me, and I can see the regret in his dark eyed gaze.

His breaths are rapid as he grunts out, “B-but you aren’t here to torture me, you’re here to save me. I can s-see it in your eyes, Calista.”

Rearing back my left hand, I shove the arrow into his right shoulder with as much force as my body can muster.

His screams ricochet off the walls of the room as I step back, removing my heel from his flesh, letting go of the arrow as it dangles in his skin.

Picking the small crumpled note out of my pocket, I throw it at him, “You wanted The Huntress? Well, here she is, in the flesh.”

Holding my arms out to the side, I spin around and mock a curtsy.

“You won’t kill me, bunny,” he groans out, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Bold assumption from someone who lied to me.” I scoff, “I told you, I either train you, kill you, or fuck you. I’ve already trained and fucked you. So, I believe you’ve made your choice.”

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