E

place with precision. My small, dirt-streaked hands moved in and out of pockets and bags with the specificity of someone far older, plucking wallets and c

me, but when I turned back, there

CH

hing her for three days now, curiosity growing with each passing hour. Most kids her age had families, or at least a group to cl

it wasn't quite h

ly vendor, clutching at his ap

rame darting between legs and under carts. The vendor gave chase, j

d calm. It took me seconds to intercept the vendor

voice low and commanding

ndor snapped, but his anger f

ving no room for opposition. The seller flinched b

art pounded against her chest. She was used to running, used to hiding, but something in that man out in the marketplace gave her a

," I said, cal

g as she spotted me at the mouth of the

king up. She glanced over her

tinued as if she hadn't spok

t need yo

you think you can keep this up? Stealing scraps, runn

she snapped, though the crack

t to spook her. "Fine isn't living

m bed and three meals a day? Is

wn to her level, his piercing eyes meeting hers. "No. I'm of

trust him for a second. There was something in h

ch?" she asked, h

stealing. No more running. You train, you learn, and you survive," I said simply. "Or you c

possibly, the cold grip of fear wrapped itself around her heart as she breathes hars

re?" she asked, bar

ee potential in you. And because no one helped me when

her to run. But something she couldn't quite

ce trembling but firm.

t in, standing and exten

y hand which was rough and calloused, but steady and strong. For the first time i

EB

life with M

talgia, but just indifference. That city is where my boss, Michael, found me when I was six, living under a bridge. I was so good at picking pockets tha

sible in our world-it's too dangerous. His wife was killed during one of his missions, and he's been emotionally shut off ever since. We live in the shadows, working for governments, privat

whose seal it was-a blood-red crescent moon, a dagger planted dead at the centre. Only one group uses that symbol

ne walls of the Crescent's fortress? Harsh training grounds that promised punishment if I fail

I am a weapon. They taught me how to kill, to disappear, to wield silence like a blad

crashing over me. Once I had escaped, all the while I knew I couldn't ever be free. If t

worse or for better, they were

g a house, gorgeously decorated, of course, but none in it had been chosen by me: neither furniture, nor the arts, and not the house. Moving often, I caught interest or attached myself to nothing. B

Bows) welcome

the tub. Two maids enter the room and begin wrapping me with towels. None of us ever q

my colour-bold, striking, and dangerous. I let the stylists do their job with my hair, makeup, and jewellery. By the time they're fini

e rings.

ael: H

el: H

es it feel go

Not so mu

d. Now remember, no traces, no clues. Get in, make sure you are seen, deal with y

Will keep in touch w

l: Stay

e Daddy (lì

. No problem. I strap a small pistol to my thigh just in case and smile to myself. At twenty-fiv

he trembling figure, smile before the little female can breathe down, I turn around and snap her neck, then use the same knife in h