Maryam Durrani - Assassin: The Battle for Astodia (The Assassin Series)

ASSASSIN

Copyright 2015 by Maryam Durrani

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1511859113

ISBN-13: 978-1511859113

To my parents, who never gave up on me.

The king stepped off the dais, pacing. His adored wife, Queen Celeste, sighed softly. Please sit down, dear. All this pacing is giving me a headache.

The king shook his head. Leave me be.

The queen caressed the silky braid that hung over her shoulder as she leaned back on her throne, waiting.

Suddenly, the doors flew open. The sound of a child wailing was heard. A man in his late twenties walked through hurriedly, holding a baby in his arms.

Theyll be looking everywhere for her, he said, his breath short.

The king stepped down from his throne, taking a look at the baby. We need to hide her somewhere shell never figure out who she is. Give her to a family. I will give you the coordinates, he said. The man nodded.

Are you sure this is the right thing to do? the queen asked.

Yes. This is our only chance to take out the rebels once and for all, the king replied, stroking his dark beard. We will take her back when shes older. Then, she shall start her training.

The queen nodded, closing her golden eyes for a moment. Let me hold her. The man brought the child closer, and as he set her in the queens arms, the wailing ceased.

Her eyes are beautiful, she whispered. Theyre the most peculiar shade of gray.

Take her away, the king ordered. The man took the child from the queens loving arms and hurried out of the room. King Sadims eyes fell on his wife. Dont become too attached, he warned. Not yet.

I hope you know what youre doing. The queen frowned at him. He sat back on his throne.

She shall bring peace to this kingdom once and for all.

Seven Years Later

Stop! the queen ordered. Stop the carriage!

The entire line of horses came to a halt. People waved and cheered as their beloved queen returned to the kingdom.

A soldier riding a horse pulled up next to the carriage. Whats wrong, my lady?

Theres a little girl who almost got trampled by the horses in front! The queen threw open the door, skirts in hand, hurrying out. A little girl, around seven years old, crouched on the ground. She looked up at the queen with her misty gray eyes.

Hello, the girl said as she got to her feet.

Why did you jump in front of the carriage? the queen asked gently, bending down to take the little girls hand. You couldve gotten hurt. Youre old enough to know that. No one made a sound.

I was saving the kitten. It was about to come under the wheel, the girl explained.

Wheres your family?

I dont have one, she shrugged. The kitten is my only family now. Her name is Blackberry. Isnt she beautiful? The girl raised the dark kitten up for the queen to get a better look. Her heart ached for the little girl.

Come with me, she said, reaching out her hand. Lets go. Ill find you a family.

The girl nodded. She saw the king watching her from the carriage warily as she followed the queen. The kingdom erupted into cheers.

In the carriage, the queen bent closer. She smelled like roses.

Whats your name? she whispered.

Adalia, the girl smiled, braiding her dark hair like it was

an old habit. My name is Adalia.

ONE

I bent low at the balcony, slipping out my bow. It was the dead of night. A cool breeze swept through my hair, and I fought the urge to shiver. I kept my eyes open for any signs of movement, staying hidden in the shadows, a bow in my hands. One slip-up could cost me my life.

The king couldnt afford to ruin his reputation by letting out the fact that he had a secret weapon. The secret weapon, I must say, was a brilliant one. A master of disguise, beautiful, stunning, dramaticyou got the point. Right now, the secret weapon was in use and in action.

I waited for the target, bored out of my mind. He was supposed to meet someone out here. Slowly, I nocked an arrow onto the bowstring and exhaled, crouching.

Suddenly, I saw the slightest movement out of the corner of my eye.

A tiny shadow.

The barest twitch.

I rolled to my right as fast as I could and cursed under my breath as an arrow pierced the place my head had been just a few moments ago. There was no time to move.

I heard a loud laugh as someone approached me, their shoes clicking on the floor.

I knew you were coming, the man said, amusement col-

oring his voice.

I shrugged, slowly getting to my feet. As I did, I slid a small knife out of my boot, hiding it up my sleeve. Dont get too excitedthis will probably be the last time something like that happens to you.

Drop it, he ordered. I tossed the bow in front of his boots, holding up my hands. Dont tell me youre the one the king sent, the man laughed humorlessly again, his voice echoing against walls of silence. His weapon of destruction? Thats right, he said as he took in my surprised expression, I know about you. Well, that was a first.

What does it matter to you? Are you afraid of a little girl? I pouted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I exposed the knife, the silver blade glinting in the moonlight, causing him to take a step back. He eyed it warily.

Give it to me, he ordered. Youre not the only one with dangerous instruments here. He pulled out his pistol. I calculated the chance of my blade hitting his heart before he could pull the trigger, but even I couldnt perform miracles. I slowly put my hands up, irritated.

Drop the knife. I gripped it tighter.

What do you want? I asked.

What do I want? He burst out laughing, slapping his knee as if it were the funniest thing in the world. The real question is; why are you here?

My face fell. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I dropped the knife. It clattered to the floor. Hell kill my family if I dont do as he says. Hes holding them captive.

He lowered his pistol just slightly, his eyes softening. His lips were still set in a hard line. I could see him struggling with himself internally, trying to make a decision.

You can run. Run now, but dont kill me. Im doing this for my family. Wouldnt you do the same if you had to save your mother? I whispered.

I suppose, he sighed, lowering his pistol altogether. I wont shoot you now, but you have to get out of here, he scowled. You