The kiss she shared with Malich played over and over again in her mind whenever she was alone. Thankfully she wasn’t alone for very long. Her days were rigorous. When she wasn’t training, she was hanging out with Lumi and Rayu trying to find anecdotes to Preceptor Azure’s chosen toxin for the day. Whoever brought her the correct anecdote would earn high marks, necessary for graduation to the next level in her course. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY4xhhvzFm 維尼
When they weren’t working on Preceptor Azure’s tasks they were gathering items from Preceptor Treva’s list. Preceptor Treva’s specialty was stealth. They’d have to capture these items undetected, without getting caught using what he’d taught them. Preceptor Cadmi had yet to give them a task to complete. Her specialty was using ones own body and beauty as a weapon. Needless to say, Lumi was her top student. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9FgI0ijcX 維尼
Lumi had it easy. She was exceptionally beautiful. Her sun-kissed skin, honey colored eyes, and her confidence only added to her allure. She practically oozed sex appeal, unlike Arya. Where Lumi had discovered her sexuality could be a weapon a long time ago, a skill she acquired at the pleasure house she’d been rescued from, Arya was just now becoming comfortable with her sexuality. Where Lumi honed her beauty like a razor sharp blade, Arya had just begun to find features she actually liked. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8XMv52mh 維尼
Arya was taller than Lumi, but Lumi had more curves. Where Lumi’s skin was a golden brown, Arya’s was more of an olive tone. Her hair wasn’t dark like Lumi’s either; it was a lighter brown with natural auburn highlights, slightly coarse and curly. It fell to her waist, but she often wore it tied back in a fish braid. The only thing Lumi and Arya had in common was the color of their eyes.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAcXDn1Bch 維尼
Preceptor Cirrus had yet to give them a task and neither had preceptor Nyx. Cirrus’ skill was that of knowledge. She expected you to take in the knowledge around you and lotsof it. She’d challenge you to find answers to her riddles. Nyx’s skill was the knowledge of every weapon ever invented. He’d give you the name of a weapon, expect you to find it, know what weapon would best be used against it and what defense one might be able to have against such weapon if disarmed.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gg5l5qMVF 維尼
The day would end with another lesson with preceptor Mekhi and then a trip to the bathhouse to soak aching bones.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ3Cvzmr5Z 維尼
“I hear they keep them in a dark tomb beneath the towers,” Arya heard Rayu whisper to Lumi and a group of others.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj43gnrnlL 維尼
“Who?” Arya asks, joining them in the bath.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkchPclIZI 維尼
“The alumni,” he filled her in. “We’ve been here for at least three turns and we’ve yet to see any of them.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk2Zl2bgbF 維尼
“And I keep telling him, an assassins anonymity is what makes them most effective,” Lumi rolled her eyes.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tqjlJ0PpF 維尼
“You don’t set eyes on the alumni until you become one,” a handsome stranger with his eyes locked on Lumi informs us. He invites himself to sit beside her and extends his hand to her. “My name is Jax.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxUwcqQb3q 維尼
Lumi hesitates before shaking his hand. Arya gets the feeling this isn’t the first time he’s made a pass at Lumi. She sees both apprehension and intrigue in Lumi’s eyes.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO46byctrW 維尼
“Wait, I thought us being sent here means we are already alumni,” Rayu’s brow knit together in confusion.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxaaSU25wp 維尼
“Yes and no. It’s true, you’re the newest member of the alumni, but you must be exceptional to be one of its assassins. They have four openings and only the top four disciples will make it to become assassins next term.” Jax explained.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡL05LoqjG01 維尼
“Next term?” Arya’s head whipped in his direction.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5hh2ry85G 維尼
“Ah yes, the new recruit…Arya correct?” Arya nods. Jax still hasn’t taken his eyes away from Lumi. “You’re a few turns tardy to the party. The new term started a few turns ago. You have about a turn left to surpass the other students and rank at the top of all your lessons.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs0g924POm 維尼
A turn?Lumi, Rayu, Feria, Anwar and the others had three turns on her. Combat, the dark arts, stealth and knowledge were more than likely all in the bag, but using her God given assets as a weapon was her Achilles heel. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2yqz1s1AL 維尼
Shit…8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnGuU9Rez7 維尼
Malich had to know this when he brought her here. Why hadn’t he told her? Then it hit her…he held her back on purpose, knowing it wouldn’t last but hoping it lasted long enough for her to be at a disadvantage when Mekhi finally came for her.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8IWoGna4Z 維尼
“I need to study,” Arya quickly stood. She grabbed a towel from one of the servants as she exited the bath and wrapped it around her. She could feel eyes on her, both male and female, carefully watching her frame. Some were sizing her up and others were admiring the view.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1kHmUmGqc 維尼
“Arya wait,” Lumi stopped her. “What’s wrong?”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HOdxosG0A 維尼
“If what Jax says is correct, I’m seriously behind and everyone has at least a three turn head start over me.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUMHSBNcLk 維尼
“Yeah, so what. Arya, you’ve been doing circles around everyone since you picked up a sword…you’ve got this.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡwseuvVM0l2 維尼
“It’s not that…it’s Malich. He did this…he held me back on purpose. He’s hoping I fail because at best I’ll be a servant or a guard. What kind of existence is that?”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6TJvaZDhx 維尼
“It’s actually not all that surprising,” Lumi shrugged, “our revered Majii has had an itch in his cock for you since your chest swelled. You’re just the last to figure that out. Why do you think he killed Ihsan? Ihsan was the greatest soldier the Red Dragons had ever come across. You’d have to be a fool to get rid of a soldier like that. Any man would think twice…unless he stood to lose something he felt were more valuable.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡIatMm9FLt8 維尼
Realization set in as Arya whispered, “Me…he killed Ihsan because of me.” Lumi nodded and offered Arya a comforting smile. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4nl4iWdZA 維尼
“He’s hoping you fail so you’ll come back to him. Don’t let him win.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡScYcmA98cV 維尼
“I need your help then. Preceptor Cadmi gave me an impossible task. In order to obtain a high mark in her class I must be able to obtain preceptor Mekhi’s stiletto from his person, but he never takes the damn thing off. He’ll see me coming from a mile away, but you…”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SS6k7s80W 維尼
“Say no more,” Lumi smiles wickedly. “While we are on the subject of preceptor Cadmi’s impossible tasks, I’m to relieve you of the medallion around your neck.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡavbTH7Vlul 維尼
Arya placed her right hand to the medallion at her neck, twirling it between her fingers. It was the one thing Malich found her with. It was carefully placed beneath her Malich had told her. There were symbols on it she didn’t understand and a crest she didn’t recognize. She’d worn the medallion for as long as she could remember. She found the thought of parting with it harder than expected. Still, she needed Lumi’s help. Removing the medallion from her neck she placed it in the palm of Lumi’s hand. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlz49Mj2TH 維尼
Arya quickly dressed and headed back to her chambers, only the door was slightly ajar. Arya knew she’d closed and locked the door. With weapons in hand she slowly pushed the door open. From first glance nothing looked out of place, but she could feel someone in the room. They had to be hidden in the shadows of her room because they weren’t in plain sight. Standing still, she waited, her eyes searching the room. Whoever it was had to take a breath at some point and when they did, she would send her stiletto flying.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRJkpR5JcM 維尼
And there it was...A breath so quiet it almost didn’t register…two. With a flick of her wrists she sent her stilettos soaring through the air. Two thuds and then a round of applause as preceptors Mekhi, Nyx, Treva and Cirrus appeared from the shadows. Arya had counted two breaths, not four. All four were wearing chest plates but only two bore her stilettos, Mekhi and Nyx. The stilettos were imbedded in their chest plates just above their hearts. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rjMuDvzkM 維尼
“Very good disciple,” Mekhi inclined his head to her. “Not only did you pass the test of knowledge in this lesson, but you managed to only hit the targets that posed a threat.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08BU9X6uwM 維尼
Confused, Arya searched them with her eyes. Treva and Cirrus were unarmed. Her choice of where to strike had been purely instinctual and coincidental. She hadn’t heard Treva and Cirrus at all, but it worked in her favor so she kept that bit of information to herself. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡka9uo91FuO 維尼
Treva, Cirrus, and Nyx all left her chambers but Mekhi stayed behind. “You’ve excelled faster than any other candidate we’ve ever had except one,” Mekhi praised, “which makes me wonder why Malich hasn’t sent you to us sooner.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm9nqYpFgA 維尼
His eyes searched hers for answers. Answers she got the feeling he already had. Sighing, she sat down at the foot of her bed. “If you’re implying what I think you’re implying, perhaps you should speak to Malich. All I’ve ever wanted was to be alumni, it wasn’t my choice not to come.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSyC2QoQK3 維尼
Mekhi nods, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMQ6sd8aAd 維尼
“Preceptor, Malich owns the Redlands…everything and everyone in it, including the Red legion…including me.” 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OCEDvX77k 維尼
“And I know him well enough to know Malich gets what Malich wants,” Mekhi studies her with a careful glance. “You have nothing to do with that I suppose?”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdwwlVEBx 維尼
It was less of a question and more of an accusation. “For the most part Malich has been nothing more than a father figure to me, but something’s changed. He’s made it clear that he’s not my father and that his interest in me are…intimate. And then there was Ihsan…”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qUj2lbSOK 維尼
Mekhi perked up at that name. “What of him…Ihsan?” 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx6yhtHXX5 維尼
“He was my first love…my first kiss. Malich had him killed because of it.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbSCf4hCIF 維尼
Understanding sparked behind his eyes. “Thank you for your candor disciple.” Arya nods and Mekhi hesitates to leave. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGIyPoA1tv 維尼
“Is there something else?” She asks.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡbejFLxTfO1 維尼
“Be careful with him,” Mekhi warned before leaving the room.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡy62r9tXqtL 維尼
Arya knew how dangerous Malich could be. It’s what made her apprehensive to return his affection. He tried to impede her progress because he found her attractive. If she were to enter into something more intimate with him there’s no telling what lengths he would go to in order to keep her. She had more pressing matters at hand, however. She needed to pass preceptor Cadmi’s class.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEsscpCRtu 維尼
Arya left her room, double-checking the lock before leaving and heading down to Cadmi’s training room. The door was open and preceptor Cadmi was rummaging through a rack full of night garments. She smiled when she saw Arya approaching. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Cadmi asked.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR5xVYM31x 維尼
“I’m at least two turns behind everyone and I was wondering if you could counsel me after hours?” Arya asked.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6VH4HKAPb 維尼
“I’m not allowed,” Cadmi offered an apologetic smile. “If I could, I’d tell you that you already possess that which you seek. You’re very beautiful Arya, you’re just inexperienced. Perhaps a little experience might do you some good.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJylCgIpPK 維尼
Great. Preceptor Cadmi’s great advice was to copulate with a male. Why didn’t she think of that? Oh wait…she did…but sharing a bed with anyone but Malich would mean certain death for whoever was unlucky enough to take that offer. The only other alternative was to sleep with the Majii himself, and although she loved him, she also feared him. Malich had far reaching hands. He’s one of the most feared and most powerful men within the planes.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgYroOuHwE 維尼
“Is there a problem?” Cadmi asked. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjrfJ2X9AM 維尼
“I am not…allowedto take a male to bed. It would be a death sentence for whatever poor soul agreed to it,” Arya explained, choosing her words carefully and trying to be discreet.8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4fVZ1Oh1p 維尼
Cadmi raised a brow, surprised. “I see…preceptor Mekhi?” She guessed wrong. Arya shook her head. “One of the other disciples then?” Again Arya shook her head. “What male has claimed you as his own?”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz4tsfimkC 維尼
“I can’t say.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx3TzKwsex 維尼
“Well whomever it is, the Majii can set him straight. All I need is a name.”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡWESzbQ9h6A 維尼
Arya’s lips wouldn’t move. She regrets coming here for help. No one could help her. No one would dare challenge Malich on her behalf and she wasn’t sure she wanted them too. He’s the Majiifor Anan’s sake. And although he killed her first love, ordered her beaten more times than she could count on two hands, and holds her on a tight leash, she’s drawnto him. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf336Klr5s 維尼
Cadmi took Arya in with a careful eye and understanding flashed across her face. She could see Arya was nervous…afraid almost, and confused. Whoever Arya was afraid of, he had to be more powerful than the Majii himself…but the Majii was the most powerful person in this plane. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XuH946wsw 維尼
As if she’d been struck by lightening Cadmi’s eyes grew wide and she whispered, “Malich?”8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUYMBhpZs 維尼
Panicked, Arya turned to leave, “Forget I came, I shouldn’t have come,” she practically bolted from the room. 8964 copyright protection345ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Aerfw2HtI 維尼
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