–Sophia–
The door burst open—clean, hard, like a warning shot. The slender assassin was faster than I expected. He came at me with all the grace of a shadow. I flicked a dagger toward his neck—reflex—but he deflected it with a Bichwa. Smooth. Too smooth.
What I didn't expect was the paper that sliced his throat instead.
He froze mid-step, the surprise still etched on his face as he dropped to the floor like a puppet with cut strings. Blood gushed from the deep slit, spurting like a ruined fountain over the elegant floral-motif floor.
"Oh, fuck," I muttered under my breath just as Kai rushed to my side, gripping my arm tightly.
"You're not hurt, right?" he asked, breathless.
I nodded coolly. "Perfectly fine. But seriously... who the hell's cleaning that up?"
Francis pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I've already called the team."
I crossed my arms. "Lovely. Still doesn't explain why they're after me this time."