24. ASSASSINATION

Kate watches as her sister walks away looking sad and at loss. She felt terribly sorry for lying to her. But everything was for the best. She hardened her heart. Not wanting to feel any emotions. 

“What if she finds out that all this was a lie?” John walked forward to where Kate stood. He took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. 

“She won't, she trusts me,” Kate replied, taking the cigarette from John. John frowned at her action. He took another and lit it. 

“Trust your family first, but never forget that familiarity breeds the easiest deception.” John puffed out. Looking at the sky, no one knew what was on his mind. “Now I know why my father told me that. 

Kate’s fingers trembled slightly as she raised the cigarette to her lips.

“Sigh, I am just tired. I wish all this would end quickly.” John said the thought of going back crossed his mind. He wasn't as optimistic as he was when he first came here. And he definitely knew the reason. 

“Is it because of that little mate of yours? Of all the vampires that you could have Mark, you had to mark a human. So shameless.” Seeing the opportunity, Kate decided to taunt John. 

The cigarette stopped midway to John’s lips, the tension between the two grew. Zero sat in a corner cleaning his sword, diligently and carefully. His face looked peaceful and quiet, as if the tension outside wasn't of his concerns

Kate sighs slightly, she redrew her gaze and took a drag of her cigarette. “The alpha king will be coming out of seclusion. And it will be very bad for that” Kate said, surprising John  and finally getting John's attention. 

“How do you know?” John asked. He hardly believed what Kate said, he didn't trust her either, nor zero. To him that demon was very dangerous. He seems to be hiding his strength. And John knew he had a plan outside their plans. 

“I have an Intel inside. But you do have to believe me.” Kate guarantees them. 

“So let's say we believe you. What are we going to do? The alpha king is coming out. And the mission isn't yet over. We haven't gotten what we want  and if the alpha king successfully comes out. His eyes will automatically be all over the academy. And our chance of getting what we want will go to vain.” 

“That's why I lied to her. I don't want her to start having feelings for someone who doesn't give a damn about her.” 

“Oh, I see what you are doing there” John smirks. “What do they call it again? Delusional! You just wanna prove that what you are doing is fvcking right. But let me tell you something. That this thing will surely bite you in the face.” 

“Oh. Can you stop being petty! Let's get this mission over with and we go our separate ways.” Kate looked at John with disgust. “Now, the prize for this tournament is every one got to ask for something and it will be given directly. No matter what. So we have to win. Then I will request a present with the alpha king. And zero, you come with us. I hope the invisible skill your clan taught you can be able to avoid the kings detection. Because after that you must find the location of the vault where what we seek is kept. And report back immediately. We can't take matters to our own hands. Are we cleared on that!” Kate spoke flatly. Her years in the battle field caused some murderous aura to leak from her. 

John bit his tongue, keeping to himself. But his eyes couldn't deny his reluctance. But he could only clench his fist and look the other way. He placed the cigarette back to his lips. “What if…” 

“There's no what if. It's either this work or not. But in case anything goes South, when we get there, we will cross that bridge. Now am I clear on that?” 

John scoffed, puffing out smoke. He hated the fact that he hasn't healed up yet. And he couldn't face her yet. 

Kate looked the other way, placing her cigarette in her lips to hide the Victory smile. To her, John 's submission was all that matters. Zero wasn't a problem. The boy doesn't even have any emotions. His training has always been harsh, that was why he never felt any emotions. Nor have any decision on his own. He had grown up following orders. So basically he was partially on her side. Because he was told to follow her orders. 

“Someone is coming” Zero who has been silent since John and Kate beef finally spoke up. 

This alerted the teams, making them be on guard. 

… .. . . . … … . . 

A black hooded figure jumped through the trees. Its movement was so precise,careful and fast. that the trees hardly felt any weight on it. 

“Strangely, I felt some presence right now.” Mia jumped down from the tree. She was now at the place John and the team were a few seconds ago. 

Looking around she was sure someone was here. The footprints on the ground proved that. 

She was focused on trying to trail the footprints that she didn't see a flying sword coming her way, by the time she saw it, it was already too late.