OPENING

Hey, guys, this is Niniane Wordsmith .Well this is my pen name.

PEACE IN THE DARK is the first book that I am writing and I hope you like it.

I have been putting a lot of my time on making this book a success and I believe that you would engross yourself into it.

With lots of love Niniane

🖤🖤🖤

.............................................................................................

This book contains scenes with descriptions of brutal and inhumane acts. You will be a witness  through the par abundance of cruelty here but also how love prevails persistently in all conditions.

My main motive to write this book was to depict each facade of life and how life keeps on working. No matter how much one has been through life always keeps it balanced if only you are stubborn enough to go through anything and everything.

Once again I hope you will love this book.

🖤🖤🖤

............................................................................................. .............................................................................................

Incense of night hides in it's darkness. Darkness that plays safe harbor to demons and monsters. Its veil engulfs those who can only be their true selves in the dark. Dark which shrouds evil, hatred, and pain from the rest of the world, preventing them to reach the frail and sensitive, do they could sleep well without nightmares. Beauty of the night is only meant to be attained and endeavored by the brave, the monsters or the lifeless souls.

Tonight was no different, monsters traveled the grounds while angles slept. Pitch black, no moon and the light of those flimsy teeny-tiny stars never reached the grounds or was never enough to fan away the dark gloom. No hope was meant to reach the eyes searching for it. Today was the perfect night for POISON to spread penury.

Around 1 at night, five assassins strolled precautiously - the most secure place in Alasa - Oscar's estate. Dressed in all black with the word POISON embedded into it in white. They were the minions of Satan, the bringers of death and misery. Yet this time they had a different motive.

A child's play it, felt entering Oscar's mansion, from now onwards the real game begins. Driveway was lined up with Cherry trees on both sides. With these many trees is was certain to have a variety of annoying pests and bugs buzzing in the vicinity. The bugs which buzzed here-there were Oscar's personal patrol guards, who if stung would cause too much of pain and irritation. It was like Oscar had opened a sanctuary to pests and bugs for them to be buzzing in the vicinity and also inside of the mansion. Ancient Elizabeth street lamps shredded enough light to illuminate the whole driveway. To ensure their safety they had to make sure, the rest of these guards were undisturbed forever.

The five of them were secure, hidden in trees by branches and leaves. Shooting at fixed intervals, whenever a guard entered the dark zone left illuminated by the lamps. Ten bodies laid motionless within a minute, blood ruining the perfectly tailored suits.

They crept into the compound, this time choosing silhouette of the mansion as their refuge. The landscape would have been beautiful lit under the streaks of light but in the dark, it played ghastly games to the eyes of normal beings. Shadows of trees were a perfect cover for them. Guards patrolled surrounding of the mansion. Silent air void of any footsteps or anyone's breathes, held the splash of water from the fountain as music to ears. They killed anyone who passed them through the dark. Guards were either being shot or the cold blade of their knives found pleasure in being sprayed with the warm blood oozing from their neck.

Protectors were no longer protected. With all adversaries dead next phase was taken into action. Lily- an assassin - hacked into the security system with ease. Cameras, alarm systems any type of security device was dormant for the next ten minutes. From now onwards they had to complete the mission and get out in ten minutes before the security system sets back alright.

All the five were standing right at the porch, their M1911 pistol stationed defensively in their hands. To be true, the mission so far went smooth, well too smooth to be true. Their subconscious self lingered at the thought. Time was ticking and they had to move, complete the mission and vanish as if nothing happened. It doesn't look easy, right, but felt like one. So far, so good.

"Head in, I will provide cover," Lily whispered turning her back at them, to provide security from the unknown. Such times felt so ironical when the unknown itself was defending against the unknown.

The rest of them fidgeted with the doorknob,'click'. The door wasn't locked. Something surely was off. Why would someone keep their door unlocked in the middle of the night when they were so worried about their safety. Maybe they relied too much on the security team. Still, the opened door was a simple indication to their not so well being. Door pushed. It breaks open. Lights are off. Room in is it too dark, to even consider stepping in. For these people, they had befriended darkness to the extent for it being a part of them.

They move in, creating little sound as they are able to see. One, two, three, four in, with Lily out. They move further in. Through the outlines of furniture, they could make out, on their left must be the parlor and to their right a bar or something like that. Clearly, there was no guard, no one that they could see but their senses said otherwise. They scattered across the left side of the room to search the vicinity for any looming danger.

They heard someone descending the staircase. Moving their gaze towards the source of the sound they tightened the grip on their revolvers. Two of them moved silently - guns held high - to welcome the newcomer.

"Oh, are you searching for someone gentlemen, " he spoke. Pin drop silence. "I am really sorry to disturb you in your search, but I am sure I can help you with it." No one moved or spoke. They tried to recede, to blend in the surrounding even holding their breath, but to no avail. They felt a barrel each, pressed against their head. Lights flickered on. Painfull light entered their eyes.

A man of something around 20 to 22 years of age, standing tall with around 6 feet 2 inches of height. "What you have been searching is here. It's me, "  his voice once again reached their ears and this time he was standing right there in all his glory. His hands stretched out in opposite directions. Well if it was yo be anyone, else, they would have looked hilarious, holding such position and wearing pajamas, printed t-shirt, and white, fluffy bathroom slippers. He folded his hands in front of his chest. Should be funny, it wasn't.

At the current state, assassins were helplessly surrounded by enemies. There were almost 20 guards in that large guest room. Showing hostility to their guests and the host smirking at their faces. Host - their target, target - their host. The target which, was to be abducted for headquarters. Here tables have turned, they were captive and he standing tall, all free.

He sat there on the couch, his right leg stationed on his left one and arms stretched either side resting at the backrest of the sofa. He held an aura of regal. Inviting them to his empire. Where he ruled.

His demeanor attracting the attention of each eye. A wide, welcoming yet mischievous grin adorned his face. Such a gentlemanly, charming face held the most beautiful shade of green eyes. Eyes which if implant their essence in you will conquer you for the whole of your life. Those eyes depicted nothing - neutral - watching each of their moments and enjoying this show of their life hanging off a thread and him having all the power in the world to let loose of that thread. 

This was his world. He ruled it.

The king Draven Alessandro Oscar.

.............................................................................................................................

..........................

Draven's POV

Tonight his plan begins. Revenge that he has been planning for the last 10 years, will take its toll from today onwards. What did they even think of themselves - invincible??? - breaking into his mansion. Must have thought of themselves as heavenly to reach in till here without a drop of blood oozing, unaware that each step if theirs was preplanned. Idiots dropped to there death ground. They will be dead.

Man closest to the sofa whispered in his earpiece," Lily we have been found. There are almost 30 men in the living room. We need back up quickly." He had shoulder lengthed hair, which he thought could hide the earpiece. This crackpot wasn't aware of his whispers being audible to him.

"1,2,3,4, "Draven counted, glancing at each one of them. He started the 4th assassin, straight in the eye. No reaction, this was not expected and that too from a girl around his age. He wanted shock and submission registered in those eyes. " Where is the 5th one? Did you fools lose her? Where is she?" He turned the glare towards his guards, a ting of mockery adding to his tone.

Click, clack, click,  clack

All of them turned to the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor. Their heads turned up to see the door opened and Lily walking through it up to them. She walked past them standing in front of Draven.

"Just where you wanted me to be, " Lily bowed and stood beside the sofa. A wide contagious grin crossed Draven's face looking up at the assassin's expressions. Those 3 faces shocked to see Lily by her side we're deciding on which expression to stay put with. They settled on a mixture of shock and realization. He narrowed his eyes when 'she' was simply looking back at Lily. What was with her wasn't she shocked, irate rather than being eagle-eyed, observing Lily.

"Lily, what are you doing there by his side? What are you talking about?", gasped the lofty guy. Draven shifted his attention to him. He had expected this. Another uproar started.

"Lily are you backstabbing us?", e brute cried out.

"Do you even realize what you are doing you, backstabbing bitch!?", shouted the man with shoulder lengthed hair.

No reaction from 'her'.

"You are gonna pay for betraying, bitch. Boss will get hold off you."

"Start praying for your death, because if we get out of here alive you go through hellish torture."

'She' grimaced a bit.

Their shock seemed to morph into anger. Voices turned from low growls to loud shouts. This satisfied him. They were to be silenced with their voices moving past the designated limit.

"Sir, may I?", whispered Lily.

Draven nodded.

"Shhh! keep it down guys, Lily has something for you." Draven commanded. Lily made her way to the front, stopping at the center made of them.

They saw the change. From the submissive girl who bowed to her master to a girl ready to rip their heads off.

A girl they believed with their lives to a girl ready for the kill.

She wasn't wearing her black leather jacket with 'POISON' embedded in white. She wore the same tailored suit and black pencil skirt instead if pants as everyone if Draven's guards with black stilettoes. From an assassin, she changed to one of 'them'.

Changed into one of his many dogs, meant to bite or wag their tails once ordered to.

Simply Draven's pet.

Lily faced them, he couldn't see her face but her body shivered, he knew her face to be confirmed with anger, her eyes blazed fire. "Dare you to talk to me of trust, " her voice cracked. He knew what tormented her, the reason behind it. He knew her eyes were brimming with tears, yet none would stray. She was strong.

What do you know of trust, you unfilial filth's, " her voice venomous, her face several shades of red, anger reflecting in each and every movement of hers, "Morons, you bastards how can you forget what betrayal is, so easily, after you betrayed me." If looks could kill he was sure those 3 would be riled with deep plunges of her eyes holding daggers. Those 3 would be dead, they were to be dead. That 'girl' was dragged in the death game for no reason. Well, no reason enough for Lily to kill her. Enough from the blood-covered hands of 'her', enough to be a part of POISON, more than enough for her to be a part of his attackers.

"Remember how you left me to the mercy of those monsters. How they tried to tear me apart just to soothe their lust." Her voice no more audible than a whisper, " they tried to claw me open, rip me piece by piece..." her voice wavered. She drew in a long breath...breath hitched in...she coughed. Something was clogged in her windpipe, words she wished to speak, memories trying to force their way out. To force open the sealed shut corner of the brain, to show their pain, their marks. No words came out, there was no need to, everyone required in the audience knew every part. Words that were meant only for their ears, words that also hid the whole truth. Truth where he became her knight in shiny armor and her a damsel in distress.

He was there to save her that night when her cries we're tearing apart the chill air reaching up to his ears. And him reaching to her where she was almost raped and those cowards nowhere in sight. Greedy men who for their cheap lives to be spared traded with her body.

He knew she let a tear slip. Her head hanging low. She was strong, still tried to be that damsel in distress to be saved by her knight in shining armor. While life didn't always follow the same path.

"Leaving me in their hands. Did you think I forgave you when I joined you a month after in POISON?, " she picked her head up, " Yes, I forgive you, " Lily held her gun at that brute's head. He went pale, eyes popping out, he gulped, his lips quivering. That 'long hair' and 'lofty' both wearing the same expressions.

"Lily I am really sorry it wasn't my idea to leave you, I...I..I even tried to help you, but these two held me back."

"You fucking liar it was us who tried to help her. Lily... Lily don't listen to him it was me who went back, but you were not there."

"No Lily, remember we are best friends. I will do anything for you. Ki..kill them but spare my life. I will serve you for the rest of life. Please leave me."

Draven held back his laughter with some efforts.  Their faces, their pleadings for life, oh,  they would prove to be the best court jesters. What were they expecting this friendly reunion of their's other than death? Well,  for the records they were not even expecting their ambush to turn to this chain of events. They were hilarious, maybe he could keep them to entertain him. Na, Lily wanted her revenge,  she would get one. The turn of events was back on track, the only barrier in his plan was turning out to be 'this girl' who wouldn't budge to fit in with these nincompoops. What is with her, ain't she sad,  angry on hearing Lily's monologue. Ain't she worried off her safety.  Ain't she afraid to lose her life. And why ain't she even looking at the danger looming over her head.

All this while long either she has been eyeing the surroundings finding an escape route - getting none - or staring back at him. Her eyes bored into him.  Those light chocolate brown eyes,  eyes that were meant to provide warmth and comfort.  Providing none, they were icy cold.  Could turn a happy living man into a dead corpse. But to him, they provided familiarity with death shimmering up to the edges.  Those eyes were beautiful, piercing straight into him making him uncomfortable. They reached deep into him. He had to look away, this was his limit.  Yet he found himself rooted deep into that brown soil.

"Remember this, my name is Lilith."  BANG----THUD!.  Changed. Draven was pulled out of his trance.  That 'brute' was lying dead with a bullet lodged in his forehead slightly to the right.  BANG, BANG--------THUD!! THUD!!! Next that 'long hair' accompanied by 'lofty'.  Lilith spits on them,  cursing them.  She motioned the guards forward with a flick of her hands, "Dispose them." Bodies were dragged off, leaving a trail of blood behind. To the remaining guards left she motioned them to retire to their beds. Guards glanced at Draven asking for permission while he nodded them so. He knew this was foolish but Lilith had to learn her lesson, being cocky and undermining your opponent always takes you down.

Lilith now eyed the 'girl', mock satisfaction mapped her features.  " I am sorry N to drag you in all of this but boss insisted you be a part of this," Lilith was floating in her bubble of happiness, gun raised at N's head, "No personal feelings involved baby girl,  just your bad day. "

It felt like hours had passed away and when her fingers transitioned themselves at the trigger time started moving fast, unbelievably fast.  His brain running in circles,  time slipping away like sand, she could be dead at any moment. Now, a second later or even a Nanosecond later. Her eyes darted to the open, unguarded door then back at the funnel.  Next, everything was blur. N's right hand gripped Lilith's right wrist moving swiftly as the wind,  her back facing Lilith's face and her handheld the gun. N jabbed her with her elbow smacking her down and down went the gun with a clatter. She sprinted for the door.

All in a matter of a second she was off towards her freedom and Lilith still was on the ground cupping her nose, wincing in pain and nursing her shattered overconfidence. Right on the cue Robert and two other guards flanking at his steps blocking her path. She recedes. Each step she took back mirroring the grace of a wild cat before attacking its prey.  Out of nowhere, Lilith tugged at her right leg forcefully, pulling her down headfirst, while she scrambled back at her feet. Ouch! that must have hurt.  Well,  why should he care,  stupid subconsciousness.

In the next instant Lilith was on top of 'N', the dagger Draven gifted her held, dangerously close to that illogical girl's daring and stubborn eyes. She stared at Lilith, as if teasing her to come on - show - some - guts.  Poking death in the butt to infuriate it further towards one's own demise.  Or was she unbothered by the ghost of threat straddling over her?  But still, she could die. She has to die. Does she have to ---- die???

Nearer the dagger went to piercing her heart, faster his heartbeat.  This beating of heart, this anxiety, him panicking was lien to him. He couldn't count the days when he last panicked and those memories were unbidden, disturbing his equilibrium.  Something has to change,  she has to stop.  Why is N at peace - ugggh - this girl.

Lower...... Dhak-dhak...... Lower...... Dhak-dhak....... Lower

Lilith is wrenched off,  by her collar.  Skidding with force she hits the bar, wine and beer bottles toppling on her head.  Breaking at the impact of glass against the skull.  Streams of blood emerge from the deep crater of blood, coloring the facial topography to red. Drip by drip blood falls off the eyelashes,  her eyes wide open in disbelief. Disbelief of his knight in shining armor helping a 'no one'. She was hurt both physically and mentally but he wasn't sure if she wasn't struggling to identify the right source of pain. Her fist tightened against the blood-red dagger. His gifted dagger was not to quench it's thirst with N's - why? He had no idea of- blood. Draven could not help being unbothered off the blood he was the cause of,  but his anger deepened on seeing that blood-splattered dagger, she was the cause of.

Draven looked down at her. Thank goodness she is alive. He did not realize he was holding his breath until he inhaled in a deep breath. N's eyes were clenched close, teeth's gritting. A deep cut lining her left forearm. Her right hand fruitlessly trying to stop the bleeding. Slowly he bend down, fingers keeled towards the wound. His fingers soaked in slick blood. He felt sick rubbing the blood between his fingers. As if he was afraid of blood. Ironically when a lion is afraid to hunt. This lion was afraid to hunt this particular feline. A wet hand smacked away his fingers. Those eyes were open now, face scrunched din disgust. She was disgusted by him.

His touch.

In an instant, she was suspended in the air with her shirt clenched in Draven's fist. He slams her against the wall. Her head bangs against it with a thud. Air heaves out of his lungs. Her expressions change faster from shock to pain than a chameleon changing its colors. He gripped her neck, tightening it. He demanded her to feel fear towards him. Fear from each ounce of his being. He will make sure she feared him. He could feel his grip tightening against the silky smooth skin of her neck. How would it feel to you..... Na! Stop, concentrate.

Her eyes were filled with tears. Her fingers clawing at his hands. Deep, her fingers clawing deep into him. Her dangling leg lands a blow at his abdomen. He staggers but doesn't loosen his grip. That blow was strong. Everything is practiced, repeated many times. What has she been through? Her showing no him of fear only and only pain. "You will die," Draven whispered sinisterly inner ears.

His voice creeped into her. Draven tightened his grip squeezing slightest of air from her. Her hands and legs thrashing, had nails scratched his face and neck red. Her face red from lack of oxygen. Her eyes went wider than the sockets could accommodate. And in those eyes, he saw himself. Face red from scratches, breathing heavily. Eyes blazing with fire. Hatred, mystery and his hormones adding fuel to it. Hands stretched outwards, veins clearly visible. Image of a demon. Her eyes rolled in. With a thud, her body sprawled to the ground. Blood emotion had almost stopped, deep crimson marks adorned her stationary neck. She lay their as depiction of POISON. It was reduced to nothing. This was what he wanted but now something continuously nagged at a corner of his brain.

Even at the climax, she transmitted no fear towards him, only leaving a deed unione screwed her features to fear.

He picked her up and moved away

"Death is a horrendous reality from which souls ply to a nurturing dreamy life praying every second for short-lived mortality to breathe, " a lie to the face. Maybe this is the pretext to the lie - living the life of Riley. Naah! to me - back to where I could recall - it's always been -'Life is cheap'. Just that simple. Avarice for power feasts on its source and the source is always after power as a moth lured off the flame, ending blazed into chars of its hunger.

Astrid's whole body ached. Every muscle in her body was sore. There was a still splitting pain with a slight bulge on her head. Her throat was painful - too many attacks annihilated towards them - it was painful to even swallow the phlegm. The deep cut on her left forearm starting to heal and she was to make sure of doing no rash runs out to her freedom with no success or the cut would open again causing infection. And one more injury added this not-so-healthy list, a badly sprained ankle. These were the aftermath of her three trivial attempts to run away in the last three days.

Right now she wanted nothing more than a long restful sleep. Her patient turned body needed it real bad after her recent failures, reaching till the porch - fighting those pests - and tripping over on her own, resulting in a specific pair of hands-on her throat _ _ _ _ works blacking out _ _ _ _  next few hours and she is back to living. This annoying cycle darkening the almost irreplaceable fingerprints.

All she would beg for now was an undisturbed sleep. Not so lucky. The next moment she felt glint of sun pelting against her eyelids. She dared peeping at the light source. Those heavy royal purple curtains were drawn apart.

" Uggh!! close them, just dim that sunlight, " she screamed hiding under the covers. Someone chuckled softly. Agghh, so annoying, huh, what is it with them can not they just leave her alone or even better kill her. Silence continued taking advantage of which she dozed off totally ducked in the covers, all curled up.

"Hey! wake up, " that voice called, covers lying halfway on the floor. A shadow loomed over her face dampening that sunset orange haze all over the skyline and through the window. She had slept for only 5 hours and her fatigued body destitute for more.

With a drowsy yawn, she asked, " Now who are you an why are you here?!" she knew she was important to them to be living and they must be desperate for something she could have her hands on to be sleeping in such a luxurious, fluffy bed.

"You have to ask!?" he feigned surprise, "You are at fault, all of your trial run-outs. I am to keep you put and get you on your schedule, " looking at his watch, " And you are almost out of time for dinner if you ain't ready in an hour. Draven's order - 'Tell her to be at the table by 7 sharp 'o clock, " he shrugs with a polite smile.

Astrid gazed at this cherubic guys' features. Around her age, about a year or two younger than Draven. Same almond-shaped eyes, deep oceanic blue with a grey speckled black ring around it, long eyelashes blinking felt oceans blue waves splashing against black rocks. Eyes so pure, if indulged in would reincarnate the soul of anew beginning. His features just as perfect as Draven's, aiding to his boyish features were his blonde hair. Astrid giggled.

"What! is there something on my face?" he touched his face tentatively brows rising up in confusion.

"No, you are too cute to be keeping an eye on an assassin and also isn't it impolite to be in the same room with a lady oblivious of your presence, " she smiled at him.

"Ummm.... I...., " he blushed starting at his feet to eternity.

"I am Astrid by the way, " offering her hand, standing up next to him. So soft, babyish and warm hands, she could crush them if held tightly, he beamed at her.

" I am Galen Nevada Oscar nice to meet you, Astrid, " no surprise he was Draven's brother when he could charm anyone, " And if you don't get going Draven will eat me alive, well.... even worse he would come for you."

Astrid's face scrunched in distaste, " What does he want now?" her fingertips grazed the fingerprint trail left on her neck.

Galen shrugged, "Half an hour. Freshen up, change and meet us at the dining hall." He turned to leave, stopping at the door he called, " Astrid the walk-in closet is next to the bathroom you will find everything you need in there, bye." he left blithely, the door closed with a soft thud.

"Ahhhh! I hate that stupid, arrogant mutt. I don't want to leave this heavenly bed. MONSTER." Astrid stared longingly at the bed, with a diffident sigh she dragged herself into the bathroom. Monster won once again.

Bathroom was designed extending calm and beauty of deep oceans. Walls and floor were constructed entirely of stones found inside the oceans, shells adorned the basin and bordering that large mirror.

Astrid shivered from the unfriendly brackish breeze cutting against her bare skin. Overlooking the ceramic midnight black bath, she turned on the shower, mild-warm water poured on her bared skin. Her disheveled hair now damp, water coursing through her features in streaks. One, two, three, then a rapid continuous fall dripping as raindrops down her firm eyelashes. Splattering against her chest from the upheld chin, deep into gorges revealing out into the vast stretched plain. Leaving its traces draining into the massive basin of nothingness.

The huge sleek mass of flesh and bones heaved down. Astrid was now crouched, leaning against the stone wall, hands tightly wounded around, tucking her feet in close to her chest. Hair sprawled all over her while her head laid in peace on her knees. Astrid shuddered, a  harsh low gasp left her lips and few drops of tears left the ocean brimming eyes being herded in the continuous downpour. Warm water soothed her body, scars, tiredness, yet her heart and mind clenched hard against a thought.

No relief to the throbbing pain settled deep stratified. What she remembers, what she had been through and what she could not remember wholly. Those fleeting moments, burdened by a vague car accident. Suffocating under its debris, no light not hope could find it's way prying away from the dark.

Astrid remembered nothing but the horror of fire and heat all around her. Shouts of horror shredding from the throats of the people she learned could only spread laughter - but who were they she never remembered. She remembered suffocating from the black smoke emanating through the fire, spreading through their car to where she was. A vague remembrance of her windpipe choking, guttural coughing, blood-red teary eyes. Lungs longed for air, providing relief to the sizzled lungs and some relief to her body from the unbearable heat. A small figure lying unconscious by her side. She fainted.

Astrid left the bathroom feeling all clean and toned with that flowery perfume of the body wash that she had a deep hatred towards. She dressed leisurely opting for plain blue rugged denim jeans, grey full-sleeved shirt, and black jacket identical to her official POISON jacket - ripped from the knife clash, smelly with her dried blood - too significant to be trash. Astrid was already running late from the intensely distressing shower and herculean mastering through the delicate-vogue fabric sea emptied in a walk-in closet. It be even worse after a few days stay with nothing normal left to wear.

10-minute interval each and 3 knocks, even the maids robotized to function punctuality.  They better be getting new functions cause Astrid was stubborn enough to have her way - she has not come this long to be shoved around.

A maid unnecessarily escorted her to the dining room. Security tightened and laughter bubbled in her. Hostile gaze twice the number of guards, starting at her relaxed no-shit-given face. It was now even strenuous with three times the security, hovering pest 24/7, neither the shifts had any loopholes nor did false alarms end with a way out.  Three flunked attempts equal one fatal chance for escape in the most incidental suitability.

She entered the dining room, illuminated through the bright sun rays filtering in from the large windows. Maids atoned to leisurely pleasures to Oscar's demand. Two of the ten seats were occupied of the dining table, Draven and Galen immersed in their pudding. Galen constantly chattering with that charming smile of his, Lilith reciprocating his syllables with a somewhat dull smile, her eyes flitting back and forth to Draven's concorded hand-mouth coordination. Pudding until made its way to his mouth, he would hold the old Grumpy Boss look - 'Capricious epicure'.

Astrid cleared her throat deflecting their attention towards her, she reached in front of boys dragging the chair back, accomodating herself to the mahogany antique table and lustful food. "You're welcome, " she smiled politely and started gobbling up her food whatever it was not bothering off table manners. She tore steak against her canines, flaunting her greasy teeth through her bright smile. There passive faces poignant from their static - stagnant expressions. Lilith's eyes widened disgust clear on her face, totally unprofessional to her forced labor of standing as a guard, envying the prisoner's liability to live like masters. Galen started laughing almost tripping his chair over, one hand gripping table and other weightlessly pressing against his stomach. His shiny blonde hair all over his face, so angelic. And devil king sat with his hands in the table, right hand supporting his slightly tilted head providing with the best framework of Astrid's vicious grin. An enjoyable-bemusing very small smile disclosed his expression.

" That was....agghh.....hilarious, " Gale spoke between his coughing and teary eyes.

Astrid finished with her greasy show of barbaric eating. Now we're the most decisive words were to be spoken, to whether this was her last meal me another chance for identically different demonic master to slave her around - wherein she still hoped to slave until she was settled with her duties and dues. Whether anyone has done their duties towards her or if she had this in her future, she did not care. She has to live, no matter what it takes, she will do everything she has to.

"What is to be done?" Astrid spoke in a businesslike tone, leaning back against the plush cushioning of those antique royal chairs, placing her folded hand on her crossed legs. From her ruffian ways, she morphed into a businesswoman. The bustling air rushed out of the long open windows and estrange winning over its territories.

"To live, you will be loyal to me, " Draven's voice cut through the air, aiming straight to Astrid's motive, " Or you'll die a miserable SLOW DEATH, after killing so many of men and allies for last few years. If you chose to live by working for me full-heartedly, you will be receiving all kinds of benefits but if you chose to differ even a step you yourselves will be agreeing to the death warrant.

All were on the track, only she wouldn't be loyal to anyone buying her. She had been POISON's most valuable merchandise, auctioned once every month for the last 3 years. The case or murder or destruction of any sort which needed urgency was dealt with by her - only if you have shit loads of money and connections. This was no different than those auctions - for some time she would be Draven's until boss had her back in his hold. A mysteriously cunning smile slide into Astrid's features, her mind brewing something funny maybe, some kind of irony.

"I will work for you, only there won't be no loyalty expected, neither by you nor will I. If I slip from under your vise, if your peril of death hovering like a halo over my head is dispelled by someone else's in the near future, I am a turncoat, " Astrid stared straight into Draven's sea-green eyes. They were her favorite in all that perfect mess of his debonair features - 'so convinced to win anyone over'. But not her, she would make sure of it. And right now for the first time, she would make sure of being her own seller for the first time, she would make sure of being her own seller proposing her own terms-of-use.

"See, I already told you, she would never work for us, I am your best shot. This bloody betraying wit...' pop', " a pea popped itself into Lilith's mouth.

Her eyes widened equally as Galen's expressions brightened, "I want her in team, pleassseeee brother." he pleaded Draven with his puppy eyes, left unaffected for his eyes trained at Astrid's challenging gaze with hostility.

She looked at Lilith with amusement, " Can you down that hypocrite screech of yours, that loyalty monologue does not suites your shriveling ratite face."

"You. ..... you...how dare y..., " Lilith spoke enraged.

"Cut the crap girl. That is my condition to work with you, or here I am at your service to the road to hell, you can kill me on spot."

Astrid's voice turned grave with each syllable. A heavy silence filled in the surrounding. All eyes stationed at Draven anticipating his final call. Astrid could not read his thoughts penetrating that stubborn poker face with two icy-cold eyes, all she knew was his mind racing a hundred miles/second, calculating what his words would cost him. Astrid too harnessed these same thoughts, lest the stacks here were her blood, flesh, and bones. Was this condition stupidity on her part? Did she step out of her role in this world of being an item worthy to be bought and sold? -

' Please, please don't kill me. I am ready to back down, kneel down to any condition you put forward, ' she repeated these words in her head, confirmed now the mayhem she had caused would silence her forever.

"Alright, " Draven's deep voice boomed disrupting their, ambiguous thoughts. He stood to his full height profounding merit of his decision. He walked across the table towards Astrid, his regal aura looming over her head now. She stood to face him straight at head. She was 5'8 and still felt petite, he must have been 6-6'1. He was less than a few inches close. Astrid could see his neck at line straight, his slow breath enhanced out its veins and a deep upturned triangle at the base.

Draven's index finger traced a pattern over Astrid's jaw to her chin, tilting upwards a surge of tingles running through her spine, it actually shocked her to experience something so new to her. It might have vouched for a romantic scene, two livers about to kiss passionately after a heated argument. Only here were no lovers, only enemies filling up the proxy of boss and servant. But those eyes told a different story Draven was delighted instinctively, whereas Astrid rapt under it's effect.

"Darling, 11'o'clock sharp I would be waiting  by the driveway and don't be late this time, your work starts tonight. And yeah, do wear something fancy, not too classy and not too slutty, " Draven walked away teasing her, with a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed by some familiar feeling longed to be forgotten.

Astrid was standing there in a trance until Galen tapped her shoulder welcoming her into the fam, well, more like 'welcome into the goons happy party as their puppy'. Well at least someone was happy, unlike ms. she-is-the-reason-my-life-is-miserable. Astrid was still looking over at the door, only now she had to make sure to be sure of herself, to be able to earn her living in here.