A group of girls swarmed around Mia, their taunts and jeers cutting through the air. Mia picked at the grass, her eyes locked on the retreating figure of the young man she had just met. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, wondering if she had truly lost her senses. The usually cold and ruthless Mia had shown mercy to a complete stranger. But as his indifferent silhouette faded into the distance, she felt no regret, only a sense of resignation.Against all odds, Jensen found himself staying with the wealthy McCray family, enduring the relentless brutality of the training camp. Each assassin-in-training had their own room, nestled in the nearby courtyard, the boys' and girls' quarters arranged in parallel rows. The elegance and serenity of the McCray estate belied the bloody, vicious reality of their daily lives.As dusk settled, Hayes's bodyguards came to escort Mia away. She braced herself, knowing that she might never return. As she followed them, her heart caught in her throat when sh
As Mia stared in disbelief, Hayes' lips twisted into a wicked smile."Spend one night with me, and you can avoid the Velvet Vagabonds."Mia's shock intensified, and she could not help but feel repulsed. Rumors swirled about Hayes, with many girls attempting to seduce him, but none succeeding. She was at a loss as to why he was suddenly making such a proposition to her.The cigarette between his fingers burned away, and Hayes fixed her with an impatient stare."Well? Make your choice. I don't have all day."Mia's hands clenched, her heart warring within her. If not for the captivating young man she had met, she might have been tempted by the offer laid before her now. However, that young man had become a ray of hope in her heart, and she longed to pursue that light unblemished.As if a sudden resolve gripped her, she gazed at the formidable man before her with a fierce, unwavering determination for the first time."I... I'll go to the Velvet Vagabonds."To her surprise, Hayes sh
Mia's heart raced as she was repulsed by the touch of an unfamiliar man. With a surge of adrenaline, she wrenched herself free from his grasp and retreated a couple of steps.The man, Kenneth, was instantly incensed. His sneer was icy as he spat. "What's wrong? Can't handle a little attention from me? Don't get cocky just because you're a little easy on the eyes. You're not special. I could throw you in a cage and let the dogs have their way with you!"Another man laughed menacingly. "Kenneth, she just finds you repulsive. Now, if you looked like Hayes, do you think she'd still push you away?""True," chimed in another voice. "It's a shame that Hayes isn't interested in women, though. No matter how beautiful, they don't seem to catch his eye."Truth be told, this group of privileged young men was striking, especially Hayes. The McCray family's genes were undeniably exceptional. Hayes had a brooding and terrifying air about him, yet his face was more captivating than most women's. H
The deadly archery contest they referred to was far from ordinary; it involved using living, breathing human beings as targets. In the past, this chilling game had claimed lives and those who survived were left crippled for the rest of their lives. Their shooting skills were nothing to brag about; they played for the adrenaline rush it provided.In no time, Mia found herself bound and spread-eagled to a large spinning wheel. Fear surged through her veins as her hands clenched into fists. Yet, compared to the prospect of being thrown into a cage to battle a wild beast, this option seemed marginally more bearable.The men swiftly split into teams. One of them stared at Mia's hauntingly beautiful face, lamenting, "Why'd you have to be so stubborn? If only you'd been like the woman earlier, just a single night with one of us would have granted you your freedom. Such a senseless choice!"Mia bit down on her lip, internally agreeing with the man's sentiment.'Yes, why be so obstinate? It
The wheel spun wildly, faster than they could handle. They were all terrible shots, except for Hayes' one perfect arrow. Mia, though unharmed by Hayes' shot, was left bloodied by the others. Some arrows merely grazed her arms and legs, while others pierced her shoulder deeply. By the time the game ended, Mia was soaked in blood, resembling a gruesome, bloody figure. Her teeth gritted, sweat dripping down her spine and forehead, her face was as pale as paper. Yet, despite all of this, she did not appear the least bit broken. Instead, she exuded a fragile beauty and an undeniable, captivating resilience.The game's outcome was soon clear. Hayes' team had won, all thanks to his one arrow. Mia was released from the spinning wheel, struggling to stand and collapsing to one knee. Kenneth glanced at her and then sidled up to Hayes, chuckling. "Hayes, this woman's got some luck on her side, surviving that ordeal.""It's all thanks to your mercy," Hayes replied with a wry smile.The other me
Hayes smoked quietly, his calm expression impenetrable, causing Mia's anxiety to skyrocket. After an agonizing silence, he still had not uttered a word. Taking this as his approval, Kenneth reached out to seize Mia's hand.Despite her injuries, Mia's agility remained intact. Fueled by sheer determination, she swiftly rose to her feet and delivered a lightning-fast kick as Kenneth's hand drew near. Her movements were so fluid that everyone was caught off guard. Kenneth tumbled to the floor, dumbfounding everyone—except for Hayes. He watched the young woman with intense interest, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips."You damn bitch, you're begging for it!" Kenneth snarled, his face twisted with rage as he leaped up and lunged at Mia. She retreated with lightning speed to the side of a coffee table, her eyes catching a glimpse of a paring knife. With a smooth, practiced motion, she snatched the knife just as Kenneth's fist closed in on her. The blade sliced across his arm, eli
"Did you all hear that? Hayes just claimed her as his own," one of the men blurted, eyes wide."I knew there was something different about the way Hayes looked at her. How could he let such a breath-taking beauty face death?""Must be that she messed up big time, and Hayes brought her here for a dose of punishment."The crowd's gaze on Mia shifted in an instant. Kenneth's heart seethed with resentment, but he dared not speak further."Alright, you guys carry on. I'm heading out," Hayes said, a smile playing on his lips. He then took Mia's hand and led her downstairs.The men stared, dumbstruck, unable to grasp that the usually detached Hayes could be smitten with a woman. Once they left the Velvet Vagabonds, Hayes released Mia's hand. His voice dripped with casual indifference."Think you can manage? If you can, then come back to the McCray family with me. If not, well, you'll have to fend for yourself out here. The McCray family doesn't take in the half-dead."Mia clenched her
It was late at night, yet a crowd of astonished onlookers encircled Mia as she returned.Several young men beamed with excitement. "Incredible, Mia! You're back, against all odds!""Are you alright? You've lost so much blood from those wounds.""Get yourself cleaned up before infection sets in."Mia smiled warmly, moved by their heartfelt concern. Scanning the surroundings, she desperately searched for the young man she had met earlier, but only caught a fleeting glimpse of a retreating silhouette. She wanted to chase after him, but hesitated, self-conscious of her disheveled appearance. Expressing her gratitude to the concerned group, she retreated to her room.After a soothing hot shower, she tended to her injuries and slipped into clean clothes. Her heart racing, she ventured out, eager to find the young man who lived in the room behind hers. She wondered if he was asleep. He had promised her that if she survived and returned, he would share his name. Now, she could not wait to