" I don't know about a locket" he replied, forcing his weak body up from the bed.
" Really?" A second shadow pulled out from behind the first figure.
Alistair's face went ashen. How bad could the day get?
He noticed a sigil of identity tugged to their black lapels. Raven head with a knife stuck to it's throat.
" How did you get in?" He asked, his gaze landing on the exit.
The first intruder smirked, drew closer. His footsteps short and terrifyingly slow. " That doesn't sound like an answer" he said, his voice menacing. " I ask again, where is the locket?"
" I know nothing about a locket" he repeated, his gaze lingering on the exit.
The other figure threw a dagger towards his right chest. His eyes widened as his body moved on its own , dodging the attack.
The dagger stuck into the wooden wall behind him. His face paled.
On a normal day, he wouldn't mind a fight. But he just walked miles to get here. Fighting people as skilled as them was a death sentence.
" a writer ? Skilled ?" The second guy asked, words simmering with surprise and–disdain.
" Hm, his uncle was too. Took a few blows, died still" the first guy said. Voice dripping with boredom.
Allistair's face darkened. His uncle ?
He stormed towards the door in an attempt to escape but the second guy was fast . A dagger lunged at him, keeping him away from the door. He moved backwards, trying to steady his swaying figure.
But, he was brutally kicked from behind. He dropped to the ground, his bones wrecking from pain.
" Two …against one ? Scared of taking me on alone?" He croaked
One of them yanked him from the chin, his gaze cold and chilling, "what's the fun in that?" He asked and smashed his head on the wooden floor.
Pain struck his jaw, crimson smeared all over the floor. His palms burned as he clenched his hands firmly.
People who knew him, knew what clenching his hands meant–massacre.
He forced his body up, throwing a punch but the second guy caught it effortlessly and kneaded him.
Sweat broke out, pain burning throughout his body. He groaned and fell to the floor, his legs clasped together.
This was the second time he had ever felt so helpless. First was as a young boy kicked out by his uncle after his parent's death. Now, this.
" Do you want to talk now ? The locket!" The first guy barked, grabbing him by the chin.
His body trembled from weakness. " I don't know anything about the locket"
Slap, slap
" Lies" he said and brushed his chin away.
Allistair's cheeks burned. Wave of anger welling up within him. His eyes reddened, his tongue curling in bitterness.
The second guy drew a knife, " just kill him. The dead cooperates more" he handed the knife to he first, who immediately took it and swung it at Allistair's throat.
Allistair's throat bobbed, panic settling at the pit of his stomach. " Caedmon" he said, "I gave it to Caedmon Poe, the merchant" he said, trying not to swallow too hard as the knife was close.
Too close.
The first guy flicked his tongue and took off his hood. A mix of English and American race. Very evident.
" Who are you?" Allistair asked.
" No importance, since you are going to die anyways" he replied.
" I told you all I know" Allistair said, exasperated.
" Which we appreciate" he said, the knife edging closer.
Allistair's heart sank. His heart hammering around inside his chest.
He would die for only a piece of jewel? How undignified.
He awaited his death…then came a slash.
His body froze in place. He waited to fade into nothing, awaiting the pain to leave him gasping for air but …it never came.
Who was slashed ?
He opened his eyes and there he was ….Kieran ?
What was he doing here ?
He looked at the man who had been slashed holding his stomach while leaning backwards.
The first guy trembled a bit. A look of disbelief laced on his expression.
" You ..how?..." He trailed, then readied his stance.
Kieran only gave him a smirk. " Are you sure you want us to do this?"he asked, raising a brow.
The guy held his dagger firmly, staring at his companion with worry, then flung his dagger at Kieran.
Allistair wanted to speak. To tell Kieran to leave and save himself as the men were strong, even stronger than Tyron.
But the words caught in his throat as Kieran caught the guy's hand, twisting it cruelly.
" Guess you made a choice" he whispered, snatching the dagger, in one swift motion, he stuck the dagger into the guy's arms earning a deep painful groan from the man.
Allistair froze. Kieran …was actually strong ?
Kieran walked slowly towards the man.
Slow
Steady
.. the air suddenly seemed clammy and heavy.
" Who sent you?" Kieran asked but the second guy forced himself up, darting towards Kieran in an attempt to take him out.
Allistair's lips moved but–
Kieran grabbed onto the second man's head. His fingers digging into his eyes.
Allistair's blood ran cold at the scene.
Kieran pushed him backwards, took off the dagger from the other guy's hand and slashed at the second man.
A neat cut. Crimson smeared the bed, the man falling to the floor in a loud thud.
The other guy appeared too shocked as he drew farther away.
Kieran walked, the woods creaked under him.
He didn't look ordinary anymore. He looked different. A demon with an angel's smile.
Allistair suddenly felt that their meeting wasn't a coincidence, it might have been carefully layered to perfection.
The guy drew a different dagger and struck himself to death, shocking Allistair.
The assassin's lips moved but no words came through. His gasps were short and soon, he faded.
Kieran returned his gaze to him.
Allistair saw his hardened feature slowly dissipate to something else—concern.
" Are you okay ?" He asked .
Allistair blinked and forced himself up, rejecting Kieran's help.
His head was a jumbled mess. Who were these guys?
He knew they were trained assasins but who sent them ? Wasn't it just Caedmon ? Who else was after him? He remembered they said something about his uncle…Kieran should know, since he saw his uncle die.
But ….what was he doing here ? And how …was he that strong ?
"Who the heck are you ?" He asked, the words, coming in short, tampered breathing.
" You need to get your wounds treated" Kieran sai
d and Allistair fumed.
" I'm not your responsibility. And I demand answers! Who the f*** are you?" He barked.
" A merchant" Kieran dropped.