The director had been right about her. Ivy Reed had become the greatest assassin the world had ever seen. And what did that mean? That people were willing to pay fortunes to hire her.
It only took her two years of training before she was topping the charts as the best assassin.
Fifteen years had passed since her parents' deaths, and for thirteen of those, she had been a killer. To the public, she was the CEO of Reed Tech. But in the underworld, she was known by many names: "The Red Widow. Blood Siren. The Night Reaper. Crimson Shade. Veil of Vengeance. Scarlet Fang. The Shadow Butcher. Death's Empress. The Grim Rose. Silk Executioner."
Personally, she preferred "Blood Siren." But it didn't really matter.
Ivy nearly jumped when her phone rang. She didn't even need to check the caller ID—there was only one person who would be calling her at this hour.
The Director.
No one knew his real name. All that was certain was that he ran the largest assassin organization in the world… and that he was her mentor.
"Where the hell are you?!" His voice barked through the earpiece.
"Don't worry, I'm outside the office right now," Ivy lied smoothly.
"What do you mean you're outside the office? Your GPS tracker shows you're still in your apartment!"
Placing a hand over her chest in mock offense, she replied, "I can't believe you'd trust a mere computer over me."
"Whatever. Be here in five minutes."
The call ended.
She rolled her eyes. Five minutes? Did he think she was "The Flash?"
After a quick shower, she dressed in a sharp business suit. The organization was a secret, and like any proper secret organization, it had an elaborate cover. In this country, that cover was her parents' tech company.
When she had joined, the Director had conveniently introduced himself as her long-lost uncle, stepping in to "help" run the family business.
Grabbing her car keys and a slice of toast, she set off.
It took nearly an hour of battling traffic before she arrived at the company building. She hurried inside, barely slipping into the closing elevator just in time.
A familiar voice greeted her. "It's not every day I see the Night Reaper running late."
She sighed. Jack.
Jack was her partner. Assassins in the organization worked in pairs—one hacker, one killer. The hacker handled intel, security breaches, and ensured clean escapes. Just like when the Director had killed her parents—his hacker had been the one to cut the power.
Jack and Ivy had been working together for two years. Though he was older by two years, he had joined after her. A notorious hacker before the Director recruited him, he had quickly become one of the best.
"You're one to talk," Ivy shot back. "You're even more punctual than I am. What gives?"
"Traffic," he shrugged.
They stepped into the office.
"You both sure took your time," the Director said, clearly annoyed.
"Sorry, Director. There was mad traffic," Ivy replied, not sounding apologetic at all.
He sighed. "Whatever. I don't care anymore."
She leaned forward. "So, who do you want me to kill?"
No time for pleasantries. Besides, it had been a whole week since her last mission—she was itching for another.
The director slid a picture across the table. A man in his forties.
"That's Mister Lorenz. He owns Pure Diamonds, a jewelry empire, and one of the country's largest casinos. Apparently, he pissed off the wrong people, and now there's a hefty price on his head. Your job is to take him out. Ivy, make me proud."
"More like make you money," she muttered.
The Director ignored her and walked out, leaving Ivy and Jack to plan the assassination.
Later, after finalizing the plan, Jack did something unusual, he invited her for coffee.
Jack never did that.
Still, Ivy brushed it off. Maybe he was just feeling off today.
At the café, they ordered coffee and sat in silence, sipping. The air between them felt… strange.
"Jack, is everything okay?" she finally asked.
He looked up, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. Why?"
His response was so natural, so casual, that she almost felt stupid for asking.
"Screw it," she thought. "I'll bring it up after the mission." He had a weird expression after she said that but she brushed it off. Jack has always been a weird fella anyway.
That night, the target was hosting a welcome party for his daughter at one of his casinos. She was returning to the country after completing her studies abroad.
The plan? Your typical, "Seduce, then kill."
So, Ivy dressed for the part, a sleek red gown, her hair cascading in loose waves, and makeup that whispered "irresistible."
Jack arrived outside her apartment in a black Rolls-Royce, disguised as her chauffeur. As she slid into the car, he handed her a small velvet box. Inside, diamond earrings gleamed under the dim light.
Of course, one of them was an earpiece.
"You look beautiful," he murmured.
Ivy put on the earrings and checked the earpiece. "Everything working?"
"Loud and clear," he confirmed.
With that, they drove to the casino.
At the entrance, security checked the guest list and let her through without issue.
Inside, she scanned the room, then spotted her target.
"Jack, I've found him," she whispered.
"I see him too. Lead him to room 308 on the fifth floor. I've cleared the way for your escape."
Easy.
Approaching Lorenz, Ivy let out a drunken giggle. "Oh my, you're so handsome, I just couldn't resist."
At first, he looked annoyed, until he got a good look at her. Mesmerized by her beauty, he completely forgot why he was annoyed in the first place.
"Do you need help with something, Miss?"
"Of course," she purred. "Would you share this drink with me?"
Hook, line, and sinker.
As she led him upstairs, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her gut. The hallway was too… empty. Yes, Jack was good at what he did, but something was definitely not right.
"Jack, are you sure everything's clear?" she whispered, masking her words with a soft hum.
"Trust me," his voice came through.
She sighed. Maybe she was being paranoid. Jack had never failed her before. Yeah, they've only known each other for two years, but the organisation values loyalty over all else, so he wouldn't betray her... right
But the moment she stepped into the room,
She was surrounded.
Eight men.
Rival assassins.
Mr. Lorenz smirked, stepping behind their leader. "I see why they call you 'Blood Siren.' Your beauty alone could lure men to their deaths."
Panic flickered in her chest. it was a trap. "Jack?" she tried again.
Silence.
The leader chuckled. "Oh, were you trying to reach your partner? Don't bother. He's the one who set you up. He has probably already gone into hiding, your organisation isn't known for pardoning traitors"
Betrayal hit like ice. Jack… betrayed me?
Why?
How? Wasn't he afraid of the consequences of betraying a partner in the organisation?
She quickly reached out for her weapon hidden under her dress, a metal spike disguised as an ornament.
The man stepped closer, amused. "You do realize my men have guns, right?"
Ivy smiled in defeat. "Well, you got me. So, what do you want?"
"Someone's paying a fortune for your head."
She let out a humourless laugh. Of course, they've been many that have wanted her head for quite some time. But none, got close. Any and every assassin sent after her met their end.
She sighed. "Business is business, huh?"
The leader raised an eyebrow. "That's it? No begging?"
She met his gaze with cold indifference. "Would it make a difference?"
He grinned. "No. Out of respect for you, any last requests?"
She thought for a moment. "Just one."
"Name it."
"Make it quick." If she was going to die anyway, she'd rather die a quick and painless death.
He smirked, "What a bold request, seeing as how you never grant your victims a quick death." Ivy smiled, "What can I say? I am shameless."
"Well, you're in luck... Giving my targets a quick and painless death is my specialty." He said, drawing a katana.
She got on her knees bending her head to give him clear access to her neck.
The cold steel pressed against her neck.
A bitter smile ghosted her lips.
The blade flashed.
And then...
Darkness.