After an hour of watching Athena sleep, I felt it was safe to carefully remove myself from under her frail frame. I slowly replace my body with a pillow and bundle her up making sure she’s secure and then quietly exit her room, closing the door behind me. I give a nod of acknowledgement to Athena’s diligent bodyguards down the hall, who both nod with a look of relief and appreciation on their faces. To their credit, they are good men and would lay down their lives for Athena. They’re probably as happy as I am that she let me in and managed not to scream. Hopefully she’ll start to improve and when she’s strong enough I can start training her just as my mother trained me, only with some upgrades.
I was hoping to see my father again before I left, but I can’t seem to track him down and I don’t feel like staying around here longer than I have to, especially when I have botanicals that need my attention. So, instead, I make my way back to my car stopping at a full-length mirror to give my hair a bit of a tussle.
I’m well aware of my looks and they have served me well on many a contract. It’s quite sad – though beneficial to me – how easily a man is willing to let down his guard for a beautiful face. I’m 5’7” which puts me closer to my mother’s height which is 5’8”. I have dark brown hair bordering on black much like what my father’s looked like before it began to grey from age. It flows down in waves past my breasts and is styled with bangs that sit neatly on my eyebrows. I have the same high cheekbones as my father but my mother’s thin nose and full lips. She also graced me with her chocolate brown eyes and her glowing white skin. I would have preferred to have a little tan to my complexion like my father but despite my many hours bathing in the sun, there have been no changes. My body is the perfect hourglass shape with both the front and the back plump and round to perfection with my breasts a decently impressive C-cup.
On any other occasion, I probably would have dressed for today’s events, but Dimitris didn’t exactly give me a heads-up and so I had no opportunity to change. That being said, I think I still make an impression. I look like sin in my zip-side point-toe stiletto-heeled leather boots that come up just past my knees, my deep purple stretchy flared mini skirt and black long-sleeved lace-up front crop top. Not what I would call business meeting attire, but one that I’m sure had all the Drakos heads asking, ‘Is she here to kill me or fuck me?’ and I think we know which it was.
I make my way out to the car noting that most of the cars had disappeared leaving only a handful left in the driveway. I walk up to my car twirling my keys in my hand and as I go to slip the key into the lock I see the latch on the side of the car door is up. Now I know for a fact I locked it when I got out because I wasn’t born ass backwards. A sly smirk graces my lips as I pull the handle, slide into my car, and close the door. I begin to push the key into the ignition when I feel a firm hand grasp my neck from behind and pull me back against the seat.
“Didn’t I teach you to always check the backseat?” Says a familiar low and husky voice. I smirk and relax back against my seat as I feel my assailant's thumb brush teasingly against my carotid.
“Why bother checking when you made it so obvious?” I say, looking up into the rearview mirror and meeting the pair of hazel eyes I would recognise anywhere. He looks back at me through the mirror with a curious look on his handsome face. “You forgot to lock the door when you broke in,” I say, answering his unspoken question.
He smirks, “So much for taking you by surprise.”
“Shouldn’t you be guarding my father, Castor?” I ask teasingly.
“He’s busy handling paperwork, and after seeing you in this little getup…” He trails off, his eyes dipping to look at my cleavage in the mirror, “I'd much rather be handling you”
“And in the open like this where anyone can see. How daring,” I smirk seductively.
“I know you, Dasha,” he says, leaning in so his lips brush against the shell of my ear, “Nothing soaks that pussy faster than an added sense of forbidden danger.”
His fingers squeeze infinitesimally at the sides of my neck making my head feel light as if I’ve had one too many drinks. His free hand slides down my chest, his rough hand grazing my smooth skin as it moves lower and lower until cupping my breast. Just like he said, my juices begin to soak through my panties and my pussy begins to throb with need as my pulse races beneath his hand. My hardened nipple is nestled between his digits and as he pinches my nipple between his fingers, he tightens his fingers against my neck sending another gush of juices to dampen my panties further. I squirm and gasp for hair, my heartbeat pounding in my skull as I crave to feel him buried deep inside me.
For the past two years, Castor and I have been sexually involved. We’re not madly in love and keeping that love from my parents because we fear how they will react. We’re just two adults with an itch to scratch, and by God does this man know how to scratch. Castor is 48 making him 25 years my senior and I don’t give a flying fuck. That just makes him more skilled at what he does. Would my parents murder him if they found out that he’s been fucking the girl he has guarded and helped protect for the past 23 years, every way imaginable time and time again? You bet your fucking ass they would, so we keep it a secret. My parents don’t need to know who I fuck, and it’s not like I plan on settling down with him.
Besides, knowing the danger we’re in if we get caught and the tabooness of our situation just makes it that much more sinfully delicious that I crave it all the more. Just like I crave his cock inside me right now.
“Take off your panties,” he instructs as he tweaks my nipple making me mewl. I slide my hands up my skirt and hook my thumbs into the waistband of my panties as I slowly take them off and twirl them around my finger. “Now what?” “Now get that sexy ass back here right now,” he orders, releasing my throat as he sits back. I eagerly climb into the backseat and straddle the 6’3” bodyguard whose muscular physique nearly fills my entire backseat. He immediately takes a firm grasp of my ass and pulls me close so I can feel his hardened cock press against my pussy through his slacks. Chocolate eyes meet hazel as I stare at the man who doesn’t look a day over 35. He’s wearing his usual black suit over a fitted black tee with black slacks, his body smelling of this intoxicating cologne that has lingered on my clothes on more than one occasion. He has lightly tanned skin that gives him just a hint of colour, a sharp square jaw framed by his trimmed and surprisingly soft beard while his thic
I have been buzzing with a sense of accomplishment this week. Roughly a year ago I managed to obtain Hippomane mancinella seeds and have been cultivating them ever since. This particular fruit tree is native to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean Sea Islands and so it’s taken time to create the perfect environment for it to flourish in, and after months of hard work, the tree is finally bearing fruit! Now, it’s not the fruit from this tree that is of interest to me. The manchineel tree is also known as the Tree of Death or the Chamomile of Death. While the fruit smells heavenly and has the appearance of a mini apple, the tree is highly toxic. It’s actually considered the most dangerous tree in the world. The tree itself produces a milky sap that contains phorbol, an organic compound that when exposed to the skin can feel like someone is setting your skin on fire, to the point it can even cause blisters and eruptions in the epidermis. However, if the sap is ingested it will lead to severe vo
It’s 5 minutes to 1 and the crisp night air brings with it a cold breeze as I stand here under the Eiffel Tower, waiting for my mystery pen pal to arrive. I’m not a big fan of cold weather. I much prefer the warmth we were starting to experience again back home in Greece. I will always jump at the chance to take a job in a warm and sunny climate. It doesn’t even feel like work if you get to enjoy the sun after a long day of murder and mayhem, but my mystery person chose this location, so here I am.At least I am dressed enough to keep myself somewhat warm. My hair is down to keep my ears covered, while my black long-sleeved turtleneck shields my neck from the elements. My cropped, wide-sleeved mustard yellow cashmere jacket with a wide collar that hangs over my shoulders, provides an extra layer of warmth to my torso, while my legs fend for themselves with only black high-waisted leggings and black suede pointed-toe scrunch 3-inch ankle boots to act as barriers between me and this unp
My senses are shocked back to life when I hear the obnoxious sound of the telephone. I reach my arm out from under the sheets and feel around the nightstand until my hand connects with the phone. I pick up the receiver and place it to my ear, while I continue to keep my eyes closed, holding onto the last remnants of sleep. “Dobroye utro, Gospozha Medea, this is the front desk,” greets the masculine and contrite voice on the other end of the line, addressing me by my current alias. It takes a moment for my semi-asleep brain to translate the Russian being spoken to me and realise I have to respond in kind. This is the one downside to international travel. While I speak many languages fluently, I am not a fan of being woken up in order to do so. “Dobroye utro,” I say back tiredly, a yawn escaping me. “I apologise for the disturbance, but a phone call has come through for you. Would you like me to patch it through?” The man asks warily. Who the hell is trying to reach me? Who the hell
I tighten the belt around my long white coat, steeling myself against the cold Moscow air and step into the cloud-filled coffee shop. I think I was better off out in the cold. Heavy smokers fill the room, permeating the air with the smoke from their cigarettes. I may be used to the smell, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Even if I get my clothes dry cleaned it’ll probably still take multiple tries to get out the smell of smoke. I’m kicking myself for choosing to wear all-white today. Cigarette smoke stains like a bitch. Nevertheless, I make my way to an empty table and get myself situated, ignoring the smoke as best I can. I remove my white leather gloves and slip them into my pocket as a waitress comes over, looking like she’s been working back-to-back shifts for the past month. “What can I get you?” “I’ll just have a belyash, thank you,” I say pleasantly. “Anything to drink?” She asks tiredly. Note to self, leave this woman a large tip. “Maybe later.” She walks off to get my
This isn’t the first time I’ve been on a date with a target. Sometimes the best way to get close enough to poison someone is by going on a date with them. Posing as a waitress or pretending to be a patron are the next best possibilities, definitely the ones that lead to the least amount of suspicion. If the police are called to investigate a death and everyone reports he or she was spotted having dinner with a woman no one can find, then that woman – rightfully – becomes suspect number one. In this case, Silas – or Nicolae – willingly placed himself in my crosshairs, so it seems foolhardy not to seize the opportunity. All that said, I still intend to look my best. The least I can do for him is give him something to admire before he dies. A final glimpse at beauty as he takes his inevitable last breath. Thankfully, I pack for all occasions. I’ve gone with a long-sleeved, turtleneck black thigh-high dress with white satin ribbon travelling in an elaborate stitch pattern down the left s
The drive is short, pleasant, and not remotely uncomfortable. His cologne fills the car with a woodsy aroma with floral undertones that make it warming to the senses. He looks relaxed, with not a care or worry that this is his final night on Earth. In no time at all, we’re pulling up to a dimly lit building, where he parks and gets out handing the keys to a valet standing outside. He walks over, opens my door, and extends his hand to me. I graciously take his hand and get out of the car, smiling as he wraps his arm around my waist while closing the door behind me. With a firm but comfortable grip on me, he escorts me into the building revealing a surprisingly elegant restaurant. The lights all around are dimmed low creating a romantic ambience while a burning fire at the far end of the room offers guests warmth from the harsh Russian cold. The smell of the roaring fire fills my mind with pleasant memories while the scent of food wafting from the kitchen awakens my stomach like a snarl
With dinner paid, he stands and offers me his hand, and I once again gladly take it as I retrieve my purse and sling it over my shoulder. “Would you like to join me for a walk? If you don’t find it too cold,” he clarifies. I hold his hand and hold his arm close, “A walk sounds perfect,” I say softly, smiling up at him. He smiles down at me, but something about it doesn’t quite reach his eyes this time. Nevertheless, he escorts me out of the restaurant, and we begin walking down the streets of Moscow. The air is cold and unpleasant, but his body warmth is acting as a very welcome portable heater. “I’m sure you do this with all the women,” I tease. He shakes his head with a reticent smile on his face, “No, I definitely don’t do this with all the women. You’re different.” Well, I already knew that, but it’s nice to know he knows that. Aside from lying about my name, I’ve been myself all night, and that should unsettle me, but it doesn’t. I’ve never felt so comfortable being myself
I tuck my sunglasses into my shirt as I stare at the modest, Brâncovanian style castle before me, its terracotta-coloured stone almost glowing in the light of the afternoon sun. The bees are buzzing as they fly from flower to flower in this charming garden that reminds me of something pulled out of Alice in Wonderland. I expect a deck of cards to pop out with cans of paint to paint the roses red.“What do you think?” asks Silas, coming to stand beside me.I look towards him, his face calm and serene as he looks upon his family home. Home being the keyword. The size and status of this stone structure means nothing compared to the memories he has made inside its walls. This is his home, and I can tell how happy he is to be back.I smile, taking his hand in mine. “It’s not at all what I was expecting, but it’s absolutely beautiful.”“I was hoping you’d like it,” he says, a giddy ere to his voice. He almost looks child-like in this moment, and although it’s a side to him I never even thoug
Topaz eyes watch me with hesitation as Athena and I circle each other slowly, the plastic mat beneath our feet crunching under each slow step we take. I twist my hands around my staff, tightening my grip as I assess Athena’s poor hand positioning.Quickly I strike to the right, and although her body language is tense with apprehension, she successfully blocks my strike, the sound of our two weapons colliding resounding around the room. Without pausing I strike to the left, but she quickly manages to block me again. She has better reflexes than she thinks, but she doubts herself. She’s so focused on anticipating pain and being overpowered that it’s keeping her on the defensive.I hold both ends of the staff and thrust forward, aiming for her torso. She scrunches her eyes tight, pushing her staff out to block me, and though she’s successful her relying on luck to get her through is starting to aggravate me. I shift my hands, grasping the centre of the staff as I swing it down towards he
Sathariel stares at me, skin sickly grey and dripping with sweat, his eyes wide with fury and his body shaking as he leans on the table. “Kill her!” he snarls, deadly intent shining in his eyes. With a serene smile on my face, I tap my finger on the table, then clench it into a fist. A moment later one of Sathariel’s men drops to the floor, the pristine white furniture now redecorated with his brain matter, the other guards looking at his corpse in surprise as he lays on the floor, blood spilling from a bullet-size hole in his forehead. I’m sure the back of his head looks even worse. “Even think of pointing those guns at me and you’ll be joining your friend before you can even lift your arms,” I warn, glancing over at Sathariel’s men. “You might be good, but my guy is better.” They look from Sathariel to me then to the window and after a moment’s pause, they take a step back, lowering their weapons. “Are you crazy? Do your jobs and fucking kill her!” Castor screams, but no one pa
FLASHBACK 3 DAYS AGO “Follow through, and the deal stays. Reneg… and you both die,” Sathariel warns as he gets up and steps back. I roll onto my front, slowly propping myself up on my hand and knees, groaning as I clutch my chest, discreetly untucking my locket from under my shirt and using my hair to shield myself. I quickly open the locket and let the capsule fall into my hand. I take a breath, coughing to mask the sound of my clasping the locket shut as I slowly rise to my feet, swaying a little as the ache in my skull makes my head spin. I slip the capsule between two fingers as I finally lock eyes with Silas, who hasn’t said a word. His eyes are frozen, watching my every step as I slowly stalk towards him. “I bet you regret telling me you trust me now, huh,” I say smugly, earning barely a glimmer of a reaction from him as I try to convey a silent message to him. He said he trusted me with his life, I just hope I don’t let him down. I haven’t had a chance to test this out on a
He reaches up, squeezing my breast firmly as he licks and sucks at the top of my breasts when the sound of a throat clearing interrupts the moment. “What?!” he snaps, turning to glare at one of his men. “Forgive me, sir, but your guest is demanding to come up.” Sathariel takes a deep breath and looks up at me, as he fights against his hormones. “I have a gift for you.” “I can tell,” I smirk as I grind my pussy against his rock-hard cock. He groans, his eyes briefly rolling back before he opens them to look at me. “A different gift, one I think you’ll like even more.” With a curious look on my face, I get up off his lap and smooth out my dress, “This better be good.” He gets up, fixes his appearance, and comes to stand behind me, holding my hips as he presses his cock against my ass. “Trust me, you’ll enjoy this. After this we can celebrate,” he says, biting into my neck and thrusting his cock against my ass. I let out a soft moan as I reach back, cupping the back of his head.
I slowly step into a gorgeous two-story penthouse apartment with a surprisingly breathtaking view of the city skyline through wall-to-wall windows. The sun is almost entirely set, giving the white furnishing a stunning, electric purple and pink glow. As I go to take another step, I’m held in place by my pervy escort. He spreads my arms wide, kicking my legs apart as he begins to pat me down. Overly thorough if you ask me. I glare back at him as his hands cup my breasts. “One needs to be wearing a bra to hide something in it, Einstein.” Fucker couldn’t have done this before we got on the plane? Once satisfied that he’s violated me enough, the chauffeur disappears behind the elevator doors as I step further into the luxurious penthouse only to see a table for two set up just past the living space. I register the popping of a cork as I look towards the open kitchen, only to see Sathariel pouring two glasses of champagne. “I take it your journey here was comfortable,” he greets warmly
Exiting my apartment I’m greeted by a tall chauffeur standing by a luxurious town car. His clothes are immaculate and his demeanour I would describe as friendly, but unassuming. As soon as he sees me, he opens the door to the backseat and holds it open for me. “Miss Aconite, I have been instructed to be your escort for the evening,” he says with a Peruvian accent, tipping his hat politely. “The entire evening?” I query as I walk to the car, tucking my clutch under my arm. “Yes, ma’am. I am to drive you to the airstrip where a jet will fly you to Germany. From there, I will drive you to where you will join Mr Guardian in Berlin for dinner this evening.” Mr Guardian. My mother will love that she was right in picking up on a third alias, but I’m still not sure if Lamar Guardian is Sathariel’s real name, or just another alias in a long line of aliases. While every assassin in our world is made infamous by their work and known by their codenames, Sathariel is a wholly different entity.
The sound of dripping water stirs my senses as I feel myself coming to. My body feels cold, a fact only intensified by an unpleasant draft almost making my teeth chatter. I struggle to open my eyes, my surroundings appearing dark and blurry. I try to move only to groan in pain when I feel my movements restricted. It’s only by the second attempt to move my arms and legs that I realise I’ve been fucking hogtied. My head is throbbing along with a growing pressure in my skull that is making me feel nauseous. I’m pretty certain I have a concussion. I try to think about how I came to be here, but it’s all a blur. As I lay on this cold, dirty – what feels like concrete – floor, I try to get my eyes to focus. Eventually, they seem to adjust, and I can now see Silas, unconscious and hogtied just a few yards away. That’s when the fog seems to lift from my brain, and I remember the men who broke into my apartment. I’ve definitely seen Silas look worse, but he doesn’t look great. His lip is bust
I lower the mask from my face, breathing in – somewhat – fresh air as I lift my goggles onto my head. Carefully I pick up one of the capsules from the tray in front of me, holding it up, admiring it with the pride and joy a mother would have for their child. Over a year of failure after failure has led to this moment, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. One of the things I love about chemistry is that it teaches you how much good can come from failure. Failure isn’t the absence of success, but merely a stepping stone on the path to it. Through my many failed experiments I discovered so many new ways to mix and bind proteins that have now become useful with many of my other poisons. I learned even more about the plants I was working with on a molecular level, and while week after week things may not have gone my way, I never gave up and I’m glad I didn’t because if I had I wouldn’t be holding the future of science between my fingers now. I place the capsule down, remove my gloves and th