Page 4 of Stalking His Assassin

“Did you enjoy your trip to Germany?” Tomas asks conversationally a few minutes later.

The only way I keep from giving away my surprise is through my years of training. “It was disappointing.”

He nods in understanding. “Chasing a ghost is maddening, I’m sure.”

I can’t stop my reaction to his words this time. Not the way my eyes widen or how my hand flexes around my glass. Definitely not the way my heart starts pounding in my chest. Tomas knows that I’m looking for Eris. How does he know my little wolf?

“Beyond maddening,” I admit, downing the rest of my drink.

“Hmm. Yes, ghosts are fickle things. Haunting us mere mortals. Driving us to go to extreme lengths to find out their secrets.”

It’s only by sheer force of will that I manage to keep quiet and not demand answers. Tomas isn’t someone to cross, and berating him with questions will get me nowhere. If he wants to tell me something, he will do so in his own time and only if he feels I deserve the information.

“The question is: are you worthy of those secrets?”

The question is spoken aloud, but I know that’s not an answer I can give. Especially since I know I’m not worthy of the ground Eris walks on, no one is, but I still want her. I want to take care of her in a way I’ve never craved before. She’s mine. I think she wants me too. Why else would she seek me out and leave me gifts? I finger the black hair tie on my wrist. I never take it off. It lost her fresh apple scent long ago, but it’s the first. The one I earned. The rest are hidden away in my home, the sweet smell of apples still clinging to the little pile of black elastic. That she leaves me the hair tie from her beautiful hair must mean something. She could easily leave a new one but takes them from her hair instead.

Tomas’s shrewd eyes narrow on the hair tie wrapped around my wrist, and he nods. He heaves a sigh, and the formidable assassin looks troubled for the first time ever.

“The Syndicate requests your presence,” he says quietly, sliding a matte black card across the bar top. “Don’t be late.”

I look at the card and find a gold-embossed address and nothing more. “What time?”

“Don’t be late,” he repeats.

“Thanks, Tomas.”

“You really shouldn’t thank me,” he says with a shake of his head.

three

GRACE

I’ve been homefor three glorious days. I haven’t left my fortress, and it’s been great. The only reason I’m leaving today is because Harper begged and pleaded until I agreed to dinner and drinks at my choice of restaurant. Only dinner for me because I don’t imbibe. No matter if I’m being entirely normal every day, Grace Silva or brutal assassin Eris, I don’t drink. Being impaired isn’t something I would ever allow. I’ve stayed alive this long by remaining alert. My life isn’t worth a few drunken moments. Besides, if I’m sober, I can watch over Harper. She’s a handful when drinking.

I’m absorbed in my work when an alert appears on my screen. I close my work and open the encrypted notification, excitement burning through my veins. Even though I just returned home, I can’t help getting a thrill when the Syndicate sends me a job. The Syndicate isn’t what everyone thinks it is. Sure, it’s a group of the best assassins in the business, but ones with morales. The Syndicate invites worthy assets for various reasons, but the common thread is that no innocents ever fall victim to their skills.

I was watching my Uncle Steve’s mansion burn when Tomas approached me on behalf of the Syndicate. I was skepticalbecause I had just escaped the Agency, and getting involved in another organization wasn’t high on my priority list. After some convincing, I listened to what Tomas had to say and agreed to meet with the others.

It only took me five minutes to decide to join, but I listened to their whole spiel and asked dozens of questions before giving them my decision. I’ve never regretted my decision to join. What they do is necessary in the greedy underbelly of the world. There is such a thing as too much power. Too much evil. The Syndicate acts as judge, jury, and executioner for people who cross the line. I’m the one they send to fulfill their punishment.

The message on my screen is not at all what I expected. Usually, it’s information about things like the Germans or people to watch for one reason or another or an assignment. Instead, it’s a cryptic message from Tomas:

It’s been decided. Best of luck, Eris.

-Carver

I’m tempted to call the old man, but that’s not how it’s done. When the Syndicate messages, you listen even when it doesn’t make sense. Pretty sure they like fucking with people, and since most of them are retired or semi-retired assassins, this is how they get their kicks. I will find out soon enough what’s been decided. That doesn’t mean I won’t pay Tomas a visit next time I’m in New York City. He knows I hate the unknown. Knowledge is power, and I’ve made a living by learning the secrets of others.

“Why the hell would Tomas wish me luck, Potato?” I ask my cat. That’s the most concerning part of the whole thing.

Of everyone that works with the Syndicate, I’m the best. I don’t need luck on my side because I have skill. I’m not saying it to brag, but I am the best assassin alive right now. Only oneperson comes a close second… Christos. My guilty pleasure. I’ve watched him for years. At first, it was to determine if he was worthy of breathing since he was tied to my Uncle Steve, then because I became infatuated.

I’ve wondered if he remembers me as a little girl or if he’s only chased me all these years because the ghost assassin intrigues him. I’ve considered sticking around in his hotel room to talk with him, but our game would be over if I do that. Only two things can happen when it ends: I kill him because he has nefarious intentions towards me, or we become besties. Considering he’s an assassin, I’m guessing I’m a challenge for him, and he wants to be the one to end the mysterious Ghost. I can’t see him chasing after me all these years because he wants to be my friend.

The whole needle full of sedatives four years ago definitely didn’t scream, “Let’s be BFFs!” It’s better this way. He chases me and ends up chasing his own tail. I leave him a new hair tie as a gift any time he gets close. It works for us. A challenge for him and entertainment for me. Though, if I were being honest, it’s more than a source of entertainment. I’m obsessed with him as much as he is with me.

If things were different…

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