Entwined

Chapter Twelve (12)

**One week before the last training with Chaston and Miss Trinity. **

Mira

I felt the heat getting closer and closer to my body causing my heart to thump. I was never one to show pain so I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. In and out slowly, Mira.

"Arghhhhh!" I yelled as I felt the heated metal pierce against my back extracting my blood. Why would I ever think that I could've somehow, get accustom to this excruciating pain? I opened my eyes as I breathed heavily, looking up at my hands that were tied up towards the ceiling.

"Untie her Soji" Namari commanded and Soji nodded and gently began to untie me. As the tight, harsh grip against my wrist loosened, I felt relieved sensation.

I watched as Namari made his way over to a barrel of water with the piece of heated metal that extracted some of my blood, and dunked it into the barrel, causing it to fizz.

Namari faced me and bowed before exiting the secluded area.

"Are you ok babe?" Soji immediately dropped the rope and towels that was in his arms and held onto me in a comforting manner but it pained me.

"Ouch" I groaned and he quickly released me.

"I'm sorry babe" He apologized frantically. "I wish they could find an easier way of doing this"

I sighed, me too.

"How's my back?" I turned around so Soji can and tell me if it has healed yet.

"It's healing but slower than usual"

I nodded as I was aware. Removing blood every day is affecting me. I'll need to ask them to do it less. Soji brought over my black long sleeved cropped, dingy top and aided me in putting it on.

"How's Layla?"

"She's fine, they won't harm her Naosu"

"Soon they will"

"In a few years... She's way too young for them to do this to her and plus they aren't so sure she's a healer as yet" Soji saw that I was worried and he held my cheeks and gave me a peck on the lips, creating a smile on my face.

Soji is the sweetest guy I've ever met. He's new to here so the league hasn't fucked him up as yet. But this boy heart is made out of gold and I hope it would never change. I took this chance to admire his features, like I do every time I see him.

His very smooth, chocolate, dark brown skin was pure with no marks or scars. He had a clean shaved face and beautiful light brown eyes. His pearly white teeth were perfectly structured and his lips had a pink blush on them; when he smiled, It'll brighten anyone's mood. Soji was the kind of man you'll dream about. He had a heart of a lion and the soul of an angel. He's a beautiful being.

I realized that he was admiring me also, but somehow I was comfortable with it. I was also curious as to what was going on in that mind of his.

"C'mon, let's go see Layla" I nodded and we made our way out the room.

We entered the dark corridor that was poorly lit with torches. We passed a few assassins that wouldn't make eye contact or say a word.

So antisocial.

Soji pushed open a door and allowed me to enter first and my heart fluttered as I made contact with Layla.

"Mira!!" She sprung her body off the bed dropping her crayons and running towards me. I dropped my knees to the ground and outstretched my arms as her body collapsed in mine. I hugged her as I was in glee and allowed the happiness to sink right into my bones. I closed my eyes and savoured the moment.

"Hey Layla" I giggled "What you been doing today?"

"I was colouring! Come see" She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bed. I was pleased with my dad for giving her a girly room to feel comfortable. The walls were grey but everything else in the room was white and pink.

"Look at this dinosaur I coloured!" She flipped through her pages with excitement and I entertained it. I looked back at Soji who was leaned against the door frame with a light smile on his face. I couldn't help but smile back.

-

"Naosu, how are you my daughter?" My father questioned with a smirk on his face.

I rolled my eyes "What do you want father?"

"I need you to go out, back to your hometown and bring back Asa" He said while pacing the floors. "You and Soji will go together and if you don't return willingly I'll have Soji's head hanged as an ornament"

I shook my head in disgust. How can someone be so heartless and selfish?

"Agreed?"

"I don't have a choice father" Was all I said before walking towards the exit of the dungeon but before I can reach to the door Namari and another assassin busted threw the door with an outsider in hand.

I immediately drew my sword as they released the outsider and we began to brawl.

The slashing of our swords echoed in the room and I was able to tell that this was a low experienced assassin I was fighting. I could've killed him a while ago but I knew he was young by his techniques.

With the given opportunity I kicked his sword out his hand and spinning around to use my other leg to kick him to the floor; I then grabbed his sword as it was in mid-air.

I heard my father whisper "Well done" behind me.

The assassin removed his face scarf and I was right. He's young; There's his mother breast milk on his lip.

"Kill me, you dumb bitch!" He swore at me. He seemed tired with life and I could understand that. He was angry and aggressive and killing him might be me doing him a favour. This life we living isn't pleasing.

I dropped his sword before turning to walk away "I won't grant you the satisfaction" I said over my shoulder.

Before I can exit the door I squirmed as I heard a sword piercing through him.

God, may his soul rest in peace.