The autumn air was cold and crisp. Alyssa dug her hands in her jacket pocket, keeping them from freezing.
"You need to have your first kill. The training will be easier after," Jonathan said as he opened the door to a coffee shop. "Pick anyone you want," he whispered and walked up to the counter and ordered two cups of coffee.
Alyssa looked out the window of the shop, taking in the view of the Thames. She felt a warm cup being placed in her hand. "I won't kill anyone tonight."
"Yes, you will," Jonathan said as they walked out of the coffee shop. Jonathan drew a knife from his belt as they sat down on a bench, facing the river. "This knife has been in our family for hundreds of years. It's only been used for first kills. It's an Angel blade." He gave the knife to Alyssa.
"So it's special then?" she asked as she sipped from the coffee, looking down at the blade.
"When a normal human being is cut with it, the person evaporates. Poof. Ashes to ashes," Jonathan said as he moved his fingers down through the air.
"I won't do it," Alyssa said as she rose to her feet, clutching the cup with one hand. She gave the blade back.
Jonathan stood up, balancing his cup on the bench and walked over to a man.
Alyssa looked at the man as his face went clear. "What did you do to him?" she asked as Jonathan came back pushing the man gently forward.
"Persuasion. You're the Angel's child. You can do whatever you want to a human being," Jonathan said as he gave the knife to Alyssa. He went back, standing behind the man with his hands on his shoulder. "Go on. Kill him."
Alyssa stared at the man with clear eyes. The man's face was expressionless. "No," she said. "I won't." She stared passed the man and into Jonathan's cold eyes.
"I am happy to stand here all night if we have to," Jonathan said as he shifted on his feet. He dug his fingers into the man's shoulders.
Alyssa stepped forward, knife in hand. She raised her hand up to his neck and cut. The man disappeared. She let out a scream, dropping to her knees. The tears coming out like a waterfall. Her whole body was shaking when she felt Jonathan's hands on her shoulders. "See, that wasn't so hard." He swung Alyssa up in his arms and walked home.
Alyssa were crying against his shoulder. What have I done?
The next day, Alyssa were sitting on her bed, staring blankly at the wall as Jonathan came in with a sandwich in his hand.
"You need to eat something," he said as he put the plate in front of her. "I know how it feels. Taking a life." He sat down on the bed. "You need to get over it. The next one will be easier. In the end you will enjoy it."
"Enjoy it? How can I enjoy this? I killed an innocent man!" Alyssa shouted. "I just want to kill you." She pushed the plate away.
"Okay," he said as he stood up and drew out a knife from under the nightstand, handing it over to Alyssa. "If you really want to, go ahead." Jonathan lifted his hands up.
Alyssa stood up in front of him and threw herself against him.
He caught her hand. "You need to do better than that," Jonathan said as he pushed her back.
Alyssa went for him again, feeling the tears coming.
Jonathan flipped her over on the bed and Alyssa lost the grip on the knife. "You're not focused. That's why you miss. You're too slow. Let the guilt go away," he said holding a dagger to her throat. He drew back. "Eat." Jonathan left the room.
Alyssa took the sandwich and bit into it and let herself cry.
Sam knocked on the front door, waiting for someone to open it. As he raised his hand to knock again the door opened.
"You again," Jonathan said scanning the boy.
"I'm looking for Alyssa," Sam said trying to push past Jonathan.
"She is here, but I'm sure she won't see you," Jonathan said and pushed Sam out of the way. He went out on the steps closing the door behind him. "Listen to me, okay? Whatever you want, you can leave it. You just finished filling the iris. You're unstable. You can't control yourself. Alyssa is not done yet. You know the rules," Jonathan said staring into the boy's eyes.
"You know she hates you, right. Killing in public? What's the matter with you?" Sam said.
"You need to leave. Go home," Jonathan said and went in locking the door. He laid the dagger he had in his pocket on the table and headed up the stairs.