Chapter 2

Chapter 2

>Solstice Manor. Library. Night<

Eisendrath sends a car to pick me up from the arena, which is located within his vast estate. I barge into his library where he´s waiting for me, seated behind his desk of caved mahogany.

“What do you want?”

Eisendrath sighs with exasperation upon being graced by my presence. It is evident that he´s grown tired of my feistiness. Not that he is able to do anything about it.

“Nice of you to pop by, Laura Rose.”

“Again, what is it that you want, old man? I know that you didn´t summon me here to congratulate me on tonight´s win.”

“May I remind you that you a bound to me. And that bond is commensurate with literally owning you, therefore a little courtesy would be nice.”

I continue staring at him. The man may own me, but he doesn´t own my respect. He certainly doesn´t warrant any courtesy from my end.

“You´ve developed quite a proclivity for insolence ever since I found you. You´re so different now from that women without memory. You were so helpless and innocent then.”

“Two years in a cage can change a person.”

“Apparently so.”

I trudge towards the desk and take the seat in front of it.

“I have a task for you.”

I roll my eyes. “Not again. What is it that you want me to steal this time?”

“No, you´re not stealing another artifact for me.”

Eisendrath returns my stare. The silence that ensues is deafening.

“You want me to kill someone?”

Eisendrath nods.

“What if I say ´no´?”

“You know what will happen if you say ´no´ to me. Relax, Laura Rose. It´s not as if you haven´t kill before.” “Killing monsters inside the cage is different.”

“Well, this time, you´re killing a different kind of monster. But a monster nonetheless.” 

“His name is Marcus Walker. He is the billionaire CEO of Walker industries.”

The man in the photo appears young. Maybe in his late twenties. I must say he is also rather handsome.

“He is linked to the murder of several young women in the past.”

“He looks too young to be a psychopath. Is he supernatural?”

“I´ll leave that for you to discover.”

I shoot Eisendrath a suspicious look. “Last time I checked, we´re not in the business of doling out justice for the innocent. What´s your stake in this?”

“Let´s just say that I must settle a particularly personal vendetta with that man.”

I stare hard at Eisendrath, attempting to determine whether he´s being less than truthful. But I can never tell with him. Not this time, at least. 

“I´ll do anything to keep Barry safe. You don´t need to remind me.”

“Very well.” Eisendrath throws a folder on to the desk.

Just like with my operations previously, it contains the details for the mission. I snatch up the folder from the desk, then walk out of the library without another word.

>Hotel room<

Actually, I prefer to be acting like a spy, at least I am not in a cage. I need to determine which outfit will provide the best mask to catch my target´s heart. Time´s running out, I need to make a quick choice. I bet he would like this kind of type... I grab a long casual black dress with a neat jeans jacket.

>Nightshade City. Hotel Alastair. Lobby. Night<

The following night, I find myself lounging in the lobby of the Hotel Alastair as part of my reconnaissance. I have to observe my mark prior to moving in. According to his itinerary, he´s about to have dinner this evening in the hotel´s main restaurant. Following a few moments of waiting, my target appears at the top of the grand staircase. There´s nothing that could have prepared me for what happens next. The very second that I lay my eyes on him, I am... Enthralled. There´s no other word for it. Perhaps his photograph didn´t do him justice, or I hadn´t been paying attention before. He is indeed the most handsome man I have ever seen. Everything about him seems to invite me in. There´s something about him that draws me towards him. Like I have this irresistible attraction towards him that I am unable to explain. I shake my head, as if to clear my mind. I need to focus. I´m here to assassinate this man. Clearly, this beautiful facade is meant to conceal the real monster within.

>Hotel Alastair. Main Restaurant. Night<

I maintain a close eye on him as he enters the restaurant. As I enter the restaurant myself, I see that he´s been seated inside a closed off section of the restaurant that is reserved for VIP guests. A glass wall separates him from the rest of us.

“Pardon me, ma´am. But you are being invited to our private dining area by Mr. Walker.”

“Mr. Walker?” I attempt to play it dumb.

I am surprised that he had noticed me, as I was being particularly careful and maintaining a safe distance.

“He owns this hotel, ma´am.”

I maintain an unimpressed look on my face, as I flick a glance towards Marcus Walker, who´s gazing at me from afar.

“You can tell Mr. Walker that he has my gratitude, however, I´m declining the offer. I prefer to dine alone.” “Very well, ma´am.” The host leaves and I stan up to sit on the other chair, giving my back to Mr. Walker.

I give it a few moments, then begin counting internally. Five...Four...Three...Two...

“I guess there is a first time for everything.” His deep voice is like the sound of angels coming down from heaven to sing me a splendid ballad.

I resist the urge to turn around and look at him. Yet I can feel his presence behind me. Powerful men have a difficult time taking ´no´ for an... My thoughts trail off as Mr. Walker steps towards the seat in front of me. And for the first time, I am able to see him up close. He´s even more beautiful than I thought previously. For a moment, he simply takes my breath away. Somehow, this triggers another vision. Although it's not of the same man I had a vision of before. This is a different man. Whereas the first man has long silver hair, this second man has short-cropped hair as black as night. And there´s an image of a beautiful lake. Then the image vanishes. 

“Excuse me?”

“You were holding your breath.” Mr. Walker shakes his head.

“I´m sorry. I´m losing my social graces.”

He extends a hand for me to shake. “My name is Marcus Walker. And you are?”

“Laura.” I take his hand. 

Fuuucckkk. I am not supposed to use my real name. However, that vision, coupled with his presence, got me distracted. I try my utmost to brush aside the thoughts and images that have been creeping into my mind, enabling me to focus on the task at hand.

“What a beautiful name.”

Mr. Walker bends forwards slightly to kiss the back of my hand. I pull my hand back, embarrassingly aware of the blush coming on both of my cheeks.

“Would you mind terribly if I joined you, Laura?”

Now that he´s in front of me, there´s something about him that I am simply unable to resist.

“Well, you´re here now. Might as well. Please, have a seat.”

I guess I will have to adjust my plan.

“Bring us the finest wine in the house.”

The maître d´ nods and moves away. Mr. Walker stares at me and I seek to hold his gaze.

“So, Laura, what is it that you do?”

“I´m a headhunter.”

Mr. Walker raises an eyebrow, intrigued. I say nothing further. He should understand what I´m talking about.

“And it pays well also. How about you, Mr. Walker. What is it that you do, aside from dining with total strangers?”

I need to get him alone if I want to proceed with my plan. I most certainly cannot carry it out in public. So, I need to maintain his attention.

“I run a conglomerate of businesses. Maybe you´ve heard of it? Walker Industries?”

“I might have.”

Mr. Walker looks at me warily.

“Wait a minute. You´re not here to poach one of my managers, are you?”

I laugh. “Oh, I´m not here for business.”

Mr. Walker offers me a meaningful smile.

“So, you´re here for pleasure, then?”

“Perhaps.”

I can see that I have his interest piqued.

“Will my invitation to go up to my penthouse be met with another resounding ´no´?”

“If you play your cards right, then I may just take you up on your offer.”

“No games. Just pure pleasure with no strings attached.”

A man after my own heart. I could do with the distraction anyway. It will make it easier for me to carry out what I came here to do.

“I say you have them send the wine to your penthouse, Mr. Walker.”

Mr. Walker smiles widens. “Call me Marcus.”

Marcus takes my hand, and we both make our way out of the restaurant and up the grand staircase, towards a bank of elevators.

>Elevator. Interior. Night<

We enter an elevator, and Marcus swipes his card that enables him to push the button for the penthouse. The elevator doors close. I decide to play it cool, as Marcus moves to stand behind me.

“I´m a very upfront man, Laura. And I want to establish expectations. The moment those doors open to my penthouse, I am going to kiss you.”

I can sense him move closer towards me. His breath caresses my ear as he speaks. The lust that´s been stirring within me emerges to the surface, but I try my utmost to maintain my composure.

“Then I will tear off you dress. Ravage your neck with kisses.”

I clutch at the hem of my dress, struggling to keep myself from doing some ravaging on my own.

“Then I will tear off your panties. And seize your pussy in my mouth. I will make you cum like no one´s ever made you cum before you met me.”

I turn my head slightly to Marcus, and I can feel him breathing in my hair.

“There´s only one problem, Marcus.”

“And what is that?”

“I´m not wearing any panties.”

I don´t have to look at him to know that he´s smiling from behind me. It´s apparent when he speaks.

“I like it when a woman comes prepared for anything.”

I just stand there, counting the seconds before Marcus claims me. Or I claim his life. Whichever comes first. He won´t see it coming.