Meanwhile

Nigel looked out at the falling snow in the fading light. An icy chill coursed through him. Eva stared at him with curious fascination.

“I’ve always been on my own,” Eva said.

“I thought Dahlia raised you.”

“Madam took me in when I was seven.”

“Were you an orphan? What happened to your parents?”

Eva’s eyes glazed over as if traveling to a far off place.

“Papa came home early. He had brought a fresh loaf of bread to me. It was my birthday, and he knew I loved the bread from the village bakery. Mother was making a beef stew. I was to have a perfect birthday.”

“What happened?”

“Ruffians barged in as I blew out my birthday candles. They hit papa over and over until I didn’t recognize him. They took my mother into the bedroom . . .” Eva trailed off. Nigel regretted bringing up the topic. Eva had enough problems without dredging old memories up.

“I think they are gone,” Nigel said.

“We will stay here for a moment longer. Let me finish the story.”

“You don’t have to tell me if it’s painful,” Nigel said.

Eva continued her story. Nigel cringed as she explained how she had bided her time and waited for just the right moment to strike.

“After they finished with mother, one man took me. My mother defended me. She struck the man. He took out a pocketknife and slit her throat. I will never forget that sound she made as she died.”

Nigel felt a chilly hand touch his spine, and it wasn’t the weather.

“They took me to the bedroom and the man who killed my mother had his way with me. When he was finished, I bit into his throat as he slept.”

Nigel listened, but didn’t know what to say. A sense of overwhelming empathy washed over him.

“I have not gone through anything like that. I’m sorry you had to. No girl should ever have to experience that.”

“I’ve never kissed a boy before. Will you give me a kiss, Nigel?”

A pang of guilt and regret washed over him. If he could give Eva a little joy, then he wanted to do so.

“I didn’t think you like boys—”

Eva was kissing him before he could complete the sentence. The experience was as electrifying as kissing Blanka or Jet. He knew in his heart he didn’t have the same feelings for her as Jet, but it was his duty to help Eva in her time of need.

He returned her kiss. She gasped as they separated.

“I want you. Take me Nigel,” Eva said.

What am I doing with this teenaged assassin? I know I shouldn’t but I want her too.

“There you are,” Vedrana said.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Nigel shot Vedrana a glance. She was peering into their hiding spot. Her face revealed nothing, but he wasn’t sure how much she had seen.

“Why don’t you join us, sister,” Eva said.

Moments later, Vedrana was atop Nigel, kissing him all over. Passion from a well buried deep within him rose and fueled his desires. He was terrified of the possibility of falling for one, if not all three female assassins. His connection with Vedrana and Eva was raw and visceral. At the moment, he gave himself completely. He wanted to become consumed by their lustful yearning and to satisfy their every craving.

An hour later, the trio was sifting, staring at the remains of the chateau.

“Do you think they got out?” Nigel asked.

“Madam always has a plan,” Eva said.

“You mentioned a shelter earlier. Is there another entrance? Like a tunnel?” Nigel asked.

Vedrana’s eyes went wide. “There is. Follow me.”

Nigel and Eva followed Vedrana into the woods. About a hundred yards north of the chateau was a cave. Nigel followed the assassins into the blackness within.

Nigel followed the assassins into the blackness within. Eva reached into a jacket and took out some clear tubes. She bent them slightly, and after a snap, a green light emanated from them. Even with the light tubes, the walls of the cave were barely visible. The cave curved slightly, then ended. Vedrana gave her light source to Eva, then placed her hands on the cave wall. She pressed different sections until she found what she was looking for. A rock lifted and a metal keypad was visible. She tapped some numbers, then the wall seemed to come loose. As she pulled back on the wall, Nigel noticed a dimly lit passage beyond. Moments later, Nigel found himself in a long, featureless corridor. He watched Vedrana secure the door, then followed her and Eva. The corridor was a slight improvement over the cave, but it reminded Nigel of some passages that were carved into mountains. The corridor ended at some kind of shaft. Nigel zipped up his jacket as a chilly breeze blew in from the shaft. Vedrana was descending using some kind of ladder. He waited for Eva to clear it before he descended. He didn’t know how many feet they’d climbed, but he estimated it was a hundred or so. The shaft narrowed as they reached the bottom. After traveling through another quick passage, a steel door with no handles or even a keyhole was visible. Vedrana pounded on the steel door; a booming sound echoed.

“Maybe they didn’t make it,” Eva said.

Vedrana pounded again. After another moment, Eva joined her.

If they are straining to open the door, it must be heavy.

“Need any help?” Nigel asked.

“Wrap your arms around my waist,” Vedrana said.

Nigel obeyed.

“Pull and give me all you got.”

For someone so thin, he marveled at how hard her body was. He pulled on her mark, but the door seemed stuck. Eva began pulling his midsection. For a moment, Nigel had a feeling of excitement. It was not every day that he was sandwiched between two beautiful girls. Something gave way, and the door opened. He stumbled back, Eva lost her footing, and he spun around, catching her just before she fell on a nasty-looking rock. She gave him a playful grin as she took his hand.

“You’re strong for a runt,” Eva said, giggling.

It was good hearing her laugh after all the trauma she had experienced. Dahlia stood there with an impatient look.

“You made it, good. Come in. We have much to discuss—”

“Where’s Blanka?” Nigel interrupted.

“She’s here, but not available right now. Now come inside.”

Nigel entered the bunker last. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. A row of monitors filled one side of the room. He estimated that the bunker was about the size of his mother’s garage. They crammed into this space with every piece of surveillance gear imaginable.

“Girls, we need to discuss our next steps. Show Nigel to his quarters first,” Dahlia said.

“Don’t we need him?” Eva asked.

“No, the attack changes everything. His services will no longer be required.”

“If you no longer require me to hack into the cabal’s wallet, is there something else I can do for you?” Nigel asked.

Dahlia gave Nigel a thoughtful look. “I will take any offer of help under advisement.”

“Wait, you don’t think I had anything—”

“It’s still early, but all evidence points to cabal. But they had inside information. Everyone’s under suspicion until I rule them out. Get a meal, then get some rest. You may be called upon in the morning.”

Nigel followed Eva into a sub area of the bunker. She brought him to an area with several cots.

“Food is there,” Eva said, pointing to some kind of supply closet.

“Thank you Eva,” Nigel said, smiling.

She gave him the briefest hint of a smile, then left him to his thoughts. He noticed that she acted differently when she was near Dahlia.

Something is going on. I hope I’m not under suspicion. It sounds like she is looking for a scape goat.

Nigel found some ready-made meals in the storage area, then laid on one of the cots. He was asleep in seconds.