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“I fear you’ll become blinded by your loathing for the Thuvrol family.”
“That’s exactly what Sythar said to me in his office, so I’ll explain to you what I explained to him,” I say defiantly. “My heightened emotions are going to act as my fuel going forward with this. It’s what's going to get me through it successfully.”
“You sound so full of rage,” says Callista worriedly.
“Listen, Callista. I know what I’m doing, alright?” I growl.
“Stop for a moment,” she orders, placing a hand on my belongings.
I snap my glare at her, burning a hole with my eyes.
“Can you consider the possibility, just for a minute, that you’re taking all of this way too personally? I know you got hurt in the past, but Ocuri is dead! Why can’t you let it go?”
“I need to do this,” I tell Callista, removing her hand. “You wouldn’t get it.”
“But Ocuri is not Denve!”
“I know that.”
“Look, I’m not saying Denve is innocent. I’m sure there’s a reason that there’s a bounty on his head, but leave the job for someone else. Going back to the Thuvrol’s territory might not end well for you.”
“If I didn't know any better Callista, I’d think you were making a threat.”
She sighs, shaking her head in frustration. “That’s not what this is. The Thuvrols are way too powerful for graduates like you and I. Something like this should be left to a more seasoned member of the brotherhood. What if you get caught?”
My hands freeze as if her words arrest me in place. Her words replay in my mind, causing me to question if she’s right, if this really is the wrong move.
What if you get caught?
I can’t deny my emotions have no part in this, not even to myself. I’m an assassin, not some damned actor. Sighing, I lower my head, caught in an internal debate between my heart and my head, One is pulling me to stay and the other pushes me to go.
For a moment, I rest perfectly balanced between my choices. Raising my head with a certain mind, I turn to face my friend, laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder. In her eyes are a glimmer of hope. My heart breaks, for I’m about to shatter it.
“Callista, I’m going to Vhoig. I’ll be back soon.”
My friend is silent as I pack the rest of my gear in my bag. Zipping it shut, I throw it over my shoulder and walk out. I stop at the doorway, glancing over my shoulder. Callista stands with her back turned to me.
I brush off the urge to say anything further and leave Nakam, making my way to the docks. It’s too late for me now. If I back out, I’d only be letting myself down, and that’s not something I’m willing to do.
DENVE
WHY CAN’T HE LEAVE ME ALONE?
Iam not sure what Ocuri’s agenda is. Maybe he just wants to annoy me or be extra abusive.
Maybe he is trying to foil your plans.
I don’t know. All I know is that since receiving the invitation from the King and formulating my plan to finally prove myself to my family, Ocuri has been bothering even more than he usually does.
I wouldn’t expect anything less from him. He has been a bully our entire lives, no doubt a trait developed because of the way my parents spoiled him.
That is another reason why I am relieved when Ocuri travels to far away places. Because it gives me a reprieve from the constant verbal and emotional attacks.
I can vividly remember moments from my childhood when Ocuri would bully me during our lessons. He would taunt me about everything. The clothes I had decided to wear that day, or my handwriting, or my pronunciation of certain words.
On the days that he was feeling particularly vicious, he would kick me off my chair at random moments during lessons. It got worse as we grew up. During training sessions, he’d ensure that he would corner me, get me on my back, and then pummel me with his fists.
And no one did anything. Not our tutors, trainers, or any of the servants. And our parents certainly did not do anything.
