The Assassin's Hesitation

Ronan’s POV

I moved stealthily, slowing my breathing. The guards doubled before I could get to where Sienna was. 

I watched their routines and focused on their weaknesses. I knew when to push forward, when to pull back. The timing had to be right. 

A guard stepped inches from where I stood by the stone column, his boots crunching gravel. My fist tightening around the dagger on my belt eased. One mistake, one sound, and I'd have to kill him.

Not yet.

He passed by, oblivious.

I crept forward, my form slipping between the spaces in their line, unseen with slow steps. 

My muscles tensed in purpose as I inched to the edge of the building, hugging the icy stone. I was familiar with the formation; three in front, two at the stairs. They would have no clue what was coming their way.

The first man never saw me. A sharp flick of my wrist, and my knife cut across his throat, catching him before he could have hit the ground. I dropped him, silent.

The seconds came too fast. I whacked him on the head with the hilt of my dagger to his temple before he ever had an opportunity to perceive the danger.

The third never had a chance to reach for his gun when my arm wrapped around his neck, strangling him. His body jerked. Then his body went limp.

I laid him down on the ground.

Three were eliminated. And two more were still inside.

I walked in, crouching low on the marble. The hallway was silent as I moved.

One of the guards was squatting at the half-dozen feet, yawning and reclining his weight idly. He was a slothy one.

His mistake.

I followed him back, knife flashing in the darkness. One strike and he was silent, stealthy. He was dead before he even had time to realize he had been hit. 

I dragged him around the corner statue.

The last one was tougher, standing at Sienna's door. I needed a diversion.

I looked around, finally spotting a loose rock by the base of the wall. I kicked at it with my toe, and it rolled away.

The guard turned, and I hit him.

My knife slid into his side, deep before he was able to scream. His breathing stopped, and then betrayed him as he leaned against me.

I shoved him up against me and walked him to the ground quietly.

The path was open.

I breathed slowly, trying to calm myself. Nearly one step further.

Then I sensed it.

A shift in the air.

My heart was racing. It was kieran.

His scent met me before his footsteps.  

I hid in the dark, pulling the dead guard with me and the door opened.

He must have noticed the missing bodyguards. 

I stilled my breath.

He inhaled, frowning.

His head turned slightly. A heartbeat away from looking in my direction.

He stayed for a moment, with a stern look on his face and turned his gaze at Sienna's door. 

I stood still, waiting until he turned and walked away. His footsteps were fading with every second. 

I breathed. That was close. 

I moved silently to the door, pushing it open by an inch before I slipped in. 

I noticed her. She turned to the other side of the bed, backing me and slid under the blanket. 

She looked. peaceful.

I suppressed the thought.

I drew out my silver dagger, its cold heft a comforting familiar weight in my hand.

This time I would be quick. 

I slipped in, breathing calmly. 

Her scent enveloped me, flooding my mind. I ignored it and drew out the blade.

All I needed to do was make one fast cut. 

And then her eyes snapped open.

“Ronan,” she gasped. 

My body tightened.

How did she know who I was? Did she know all along? 

I hesitated for a moment then brought the dager down with force. 

The door burst open, and Kieran stepped in. 

Shit!

A snarl ripped across the air as he strode towards me, too quick to get out of the way.

I felt pain as his fist crashed into my ribs and sent me crashing off my feet, and into the wall. 

I blinked quickly, my eyes glaring with anger as I hit the floor with the shock running through me.

I barely had time to wriggle out of his path before he was on top of me again.

His claws descended, shaving my neck by a hair as I rolled clear just in time.

I rolled over, striking with my knife, but he grasped my wrist on impulse, twisting hard that my bones cracked. 

I fell to my knees, groaning and doubled up. 

He didn't stop, throwing punches after the other and I fell to the ground with blood in my mouth.

I was boiling with rage. He kept ruining my plans. I aimed, slicing his shoulder with my knife. 

He barely flinched, and caught my neck around his arm and tossed me to the ground. 

His eyes turned a darker shade of red and his fangs grew longer. “I should rip you to pieces for trying to hurt her,” his voice thundered.

I held his hand tightly, struggling to get free. My body was weakening and I had no other choice. 

I groaned, letting my wolf take control to give me a better chance. 

This time, I broke away from his grip, attacking with my claws and teeth as he easily dodged. 

He attacked, a little faster than I had expected and held me down. His other hand raised to deliver a deadly blow. 

“Kieran, stop!” Sienna yelled. 

His hand froze, and he slowly turned his gaze to her. 

I was panting, my wolf weak from all the fight. 

She moved forward, holding his bicep. “Please,” she begged. “Don't kill him.”

I was going to kill her, and she pleaded for me. 

Kieran slowly released his grip and I hit the floor, panting, gasping as the pain washed through my entire body. 

I ran my fingers over my ribs and bit down on a moan.

Sienna's gaze shifted to mine, and she crouched down to my side. 

Kieran breathed out, and glared at me with coldblooded eyes. “You are lucky she stopped me.”