My body tensed with anticipation and I rose from my seat, ready for the fight that was surely waiting behind the doors.

Ever since I was young, anticipation for a good fight always made me a little giddy but fortunately it only made me a tad kill happy rather than prone to impulsivity and crucial mistakes during battle.

I addressed the knock with my best just-got-out-of-bed noble impression.

“Who dares disturb me at this unholy hour?” I inquired, my annoyed facade fed by the fact that they were later than expected. 

Veron shifted his broadsword onto his lap as I spoke, my voice covering up any sounds it may have made. 

As the three of us had spent the day cooped up in my quarters, playing catch up on each other's lives and watching the sun transverse the length of the sky we had essentially spent the day doing nothing. These fools better not think we’re remotely tired or they will pay hell for their assumption. 

Liv shifted her position and wordlessly reached under a cushion to her hidden dagger. 

“Better late than never,” I mouthed, catching her eyes open as she re-adjusted to the light  briefly. She smirked.

“Obnoxious assassins and their arrogant charades.” She mouthed as she fell back into her facade of sleep, knowing full and well she fit into that category. 

There was a shuffle of feet behind the door, and then a familiar, infuriating voice,“I do hope you will let me in, it's been such a long time, no?” 

Red hot rage coursed down my spine, I would fucking kill that bastard for being within a ten foot radius of her. 

“You!” I snarled, any element of surprise going out the window as I dropped my act. 

A vivid memory flashed through my mind, Guild Virzas’s dungeon, Liv chained to the wall, the metallic shine of the barbed whip, her screams. I would never forgive those responsible for that day. 

The pricks who jeered at her predicament. The traitor who could have prevented it all. 

Leon.