The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 35 [who is saved?]

“No pain, no food, you know how this works, daughter.”

 

My hands gripped the knife anew and brought it down. The man screamed.

 

- - -

 

My hands pulled on his hair, sobbing and screaming. The boy stared at us with glassy eyes, blood trickling from the gash at his temple and the cut on his throat. Father roared and flung me from his shoulder, causing me to slam against the floor. His eyes on mine, he took the knife with the point turned down and smashed it down.

 

- - -

 

“I won’t always be here to make sure you’re obedient, Dizelde,” my father said sternly. “Remember the power you have. Life is the precious jewel that only the most talented and powerful thieves can steal.”

 

- - -

 

“Take it! FINISH HIM!”

 

My hands trembled. I dropped the knife. He picked it up and shoved it back into my hands. “Why are you taking so much longer than him?” he hissed. “Take his life, child, and I’ll introduce a friend for you. Don’t you want a friend?”

 

A tear dropped from my eye and landed on the vest of my wide eyed victim. She whimpered and twisted her head around to look away from me.

 

“I can’t,” I whispered.

 

I jumped as he snarled and yanked the woman up by her lapels, slamming her into the wall and tearing her clothes, buttons flying everywhere.

 

- - -

 

“That’s it girl.”

 

The skin wobbled, blood escaping eagerly. It covered my hands and some splashed up to my face. I gagged, I could go no further. But the small opening was enough.

 

“Yes, the air will enter his bloodstream and finish him off. Well done.”

 

- - -

 

“Fuck you all! I’m more powerful than you know!”

 

A body rolled down the stairs, stopping far from where I was crouched in the corner. He was alive, his chest was moving, but his eyes were closed and there was blood on his forehead. But I daren’t move.

 

BANG! BANG! BANG!

 

I trembled and huddled down further, covering my face with my knees.

 

“Oi! Grant’s still with us! Send for a medic!”

 

I heard a shuffling of feet and then a pause.

 

“A female medic!” The person called again.

 

I peeked between my legs and saw a man staring at me from the bottom of the steps. He wasn’t as big as my father but I still felt the rush of hope that he would be able to save me.

 

“Come on, little one. Can you tell me your name?”

 

** **

“She’s stirring.”

“You’re damn lucky.”

“Look, Beau, my men may be trained killers but they have control. She held a knife and he didn’t even disarm her and take the blade like he could have.”

I turned my head, registering the pillow beneath my head and breathed in. The smell made me gag and the gagging made tears come to my eyes. My throat was raw, swollen and throbbing.

A cool hand touched my cheek and lifted my head up a little. I felt a glass touch my lips but refused to open my mouth.

“Come on, Dizelde.” It was that husky voice. The man with my father’s eyes.

The fingers squeezed my jaw and popped my mouth open. The liquid, a slightly minty fluid, washed down my sore throat. I could hardly swallow but was forced to in order to avoid choking.

I opened my eyes.

Scythe and the man looked down on me. Scythe looked hurt. The man looked irritated.

“I’m dissatisfied, Dizelde,” said the man. “Now I’m forced to train your will again.” He turned his glare to Scythe.

“There was nothing that I did to her that was any different to what I’ve done to the other men and women at my compound,” Scythe said defensively. “She was always reluctant but I never knew how much until she ran away to get help rather than turning to you. If you had of been there on time, there would be less unwillingness anyway.”

“Leave.”

Scythe opened his mouth to argue some more but changed his mind, leaving the room with his head held high. The man went to follow, his hand on the light switch.

“The doctor says you’ll be able to begin your training at the end of the week. Don’t forget that things will go a lot more smoothly if you are obedient.”