Page 23 of Daughter of Shadows and Ash

"Oh, this is going to be interesting," Lucas said, his eyes lighting up as our blades met in a fierce dance.

We sparred until we both dripped sweat, matching each other's skill. Lucas switched between weapons to test me. My guard training showed - I wielded swords with passable skill, moved like liquid grace with daggers, and my arrows found their marks with deadly accuracy, drawing an appreciative whistle from Lucas.

"You're a natural," he said. The praise felt empty - I'd chosen this path from desperation, not desire. But when Lucas grabbed the battle axes, my skill faltered. Their bulk made them impossible to control.

My confidence wavered when Lucas hefted the battle axes from the weapons rack. The weapons proved too unwieldy, their weight hampering both my strikes and defensive maneuvers.

Throughout the match, shadows beckoned at the edges of my awareness, tempting me to slip into their embrace. I could have danced through the shadows, emerging wherever Lucas left himself vulnerable. Vanya's motives for pairing us remained unclear - had she told him about my... abilities?

Despite my initial reservations, Lucas was growing on me. His endless chatter and easy smiles masked a lethal precision that emerged with each weapon he wielded.

Like watching winter frost claim autumn leaves, his transformation from jovial companion to hardened killer was mesmerizing.

"That's enough for today," he said, his killer's mask melting back into an easy smile. "Get some food and rest. We move at nightfall - be ready."

I nodded, helping Lucas rack the weapons before heading back. Near the manor, I spotted Donovan in the shadows, hissingle eye gleaming with hate as he watched me, arms crossed over his chest. Though a chill ran down my spine, I kept my head high until he disappeared from sight. I was beginning to regret my clever quip about his depth perception.

Chapter 18

As the last rays of sunlight faded, I slipped into my black leathers Vanya had left for me during my training. Upon returning to my room, I discovered several sets of the same items, a few tunic options, and some extra daggers and arrows.

I braided my hair tightly on the sides of my head to keep it out of my face. I lined my eyes with the kohl left on the vanity. The dark substance made my violet eyes pop. It seemed unnecessary, but it was for me. Looking at myself, I felt fierce. For the first time, I didn't see Alora the village huntress, Alora who followed Maël around like a lovesick puppy. I was...more. I was vengeance, I was power, and with newfound confidence, I was beautiful. This transformation felt like shedding an old skin, revealing a deadlier, more confident version of myself. For once, I wasn't defined by my past, I was forging a new identity with every breath.

A knock came from the door, and I grabbed a black cloak, securing my bow and arrows over it and placing my daggers in every sheath on my bodice, along my thighs, and in my boots. Lucas arrived as promised, just as darkness fully settled. Looking me up and down, he let out a low whistle.

"Did you dress up just for me, sweetness?"

"You wish," I rolled my eyes and pushed past him through the doorway.

"You have no idea, but we have a job to do and we can discuss fun later." He winked. We made our way out of the manor and traveled down the dirt road leading to the gates leading to town. Lucas told me we're doing some recon on a meeting, we're not supposed to engage yet unless necessary. The client wanted intel on their target's meeting and motives. Simple enough - I could ditch Lucas briefly and use my power to find a good spot to observe.

He led us towards an old barn, worn with age, the main doors sagged into each other. We dropped into the bushes a short distance before, making our final strategy.

"Can you climb?" he asked as he watched the building.

I nodded, and he smiled.

"Good, get up on the rafters and listen from up there, I'm going to sneak in from the back and try to get close enough. Remember, don't engage unless necessary. Meet me back here once they leave and try not to get yourself killed."

With that, we split up, and once he disappeared around the bend, I willed shadows to wrap around me, blending me into the natural shadows of the building. Walking around the opposite side of the large barn, I found a couple of barrels stacked by the loft opening. I climbed atop them, wary of their ability to hold even my weight, before leaping up towards the opening. My fingertips barely grasped the ledge as I swung my legs over to gain purchase into the loft. Thankfully, no one was already hiding up here as I checked my surroundings. Not that they would see a person, but I'm sure a moving shadow would create some havoc.

I took light steps as I tiptoed towards the end of the platform, looking out over the rest of the barn. I didn't see Lucas on the farside ahead of me, so either he's hidden really well or he's hidden somewhere below the loft. I crouched on the railing near the ladder, a dagger already poised in my hand just in case.

Two cloaked men entered, speaking quietly. They discussed a trade while unaware of us watching. Though they spoke in code, it became clear this was about human trafficking, not drugs. They set the next exchange for the docks in a few days. I wanted to shoot them both, but our mission was intel - the client needed to find where the victims were held. Killing these men now would only delay the next exchange and leave the captives unfound.

Once they left, I waited a few beats before banishing my shadows. Moving out of the loft to head to our meetup bush, Lucas wasn't there yet, so I crouched and kept an eye out towards the road. A twig snapped behind me, and I turned, thinking it's him, but before I could lay eyes on Lucas, I'm struck from behind. My vision faded to black, the world spinning into a kaleidoscope of shadows. The last thing I registered was the cold bite of metal against my skin and the acrid taste of fear rising in my throat.

Wake up,Lor. You need to get up right now. Please, gods, wake up.

I woke bound to a chair in a musty barn. The ropes at my wrists were tight, unyielding. Lucas sat tied across from me, groaning. My stomach dropped as reality set in. Those two men had somehow overpowered us, dragging us here. Past Lucas,the barn door slid open and Donovan entered with his men, smirking like they'd won a prize.

"Well, well, look who's finally awake," Donovan sneered, his face inches from mine. "Ready to introduce yourself properly to Jasper and Erick? It'd be a shame to kill you before they had the pleasure."

"Back off, Donovan," Lucas snarled, straining against his bonds. "Can't handle a little teasing from the new girl? Your ego that fragile?" One of Donovan's goons - Jasper or Erick, I couldn't tell which - silenced him with a vicious gut punch.

Donovan's eyes gleamed with malice as he circled Lucas. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long. I won't make the mistake of letting you live again." He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a cruel whisper. "I wonder, will you beg as sweetly as your sister did?" His blade flashed in the dim light, pressing against Lucas's exposed throat. "She was so eager to trade her life for yours. What a waste."

"Stop!" I screamed. "Your issue's with me, Patches." I knew provoking him was stupid, but I couldn't watch Lucas die for my mistake. Donovan spun toward me like a predator spotting prey. Two strides and he was there, his blade slicing my thigh, blood soaking my pants.

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