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instead of fight, as your
father would’ve wanted,” Karl said. “My sponsor will ensure he
remains untouched, as long as you agree. Once the job is done, he
will pay for Rocky’s freedom.”
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll do anything for
Rocky.”
    “The two of you are similar to your father
and me,” Karl said approvingly with a faint smile. “You will make
an excellent Guild leader some day, and Rocky your right hand.”
    Aveline could not smile in return. Knowing
Rocky was in danger, and she had put him there, left her feeling
sick to her stomach. Betraying a man who would not show his face
was surely forgivable by her father, if it meant saving Rocky.
    Integrity. The voice of her father was in her mind, and she
recalled his lecture on honoring every oath. The man she had
promised to serve had saved her life, another consideration the
Guild took very seriously.
    She had never heard her father require an
assassin to break an oath, and her father would kill any assassin
who failed to honor a life debt. But Karl would never ask her to do
something her father would disapprove of, would he? At least,
before this moment, she had not considered he might.
    What was so important about her target? And
why would only the Devil’s blood be able to either protect, or
kill, this person?
    What were Karl and the masked stranger
keeping from her?
    Did any of it matter, if Rocky’s life was on
the line? Aveline studied Karl, troubled by the request and just as
concerned about Rocky. The night that started as the worst in her
life had turned into a morning more bizarre than any she could
remember with two men asking her to perform actions that ran
counter to her training.
    “My sponsor will contact me when he wants
the murder to take place. I believe it may not happen until
spring,” Karl said, oblivious to her inner turmoil. “This will give
you time to earn the trust of those you need to in order to isolate
your target.”
    She nodded.
    “Your father would be pleased to know you
will soon become an assassin. It was his deepest desire for you to
follow in his footsteps.”
    Some of her doubt melted. “It’s all I’ve
ever wanted,” she admitted.
    “I believe, once a new leader is chosen for
the Guild, I might be able to convince him or her that this task
should be considered your final trial.”
    “You would do that?” she asked, startled by
the offer.
    “My … our benefactor will be swept away with
gratitude. His money will support the Guild for years. In honor of
your father, it only seems right that such a task is rewarded in a
way benefitting you as well,” Karl said.
    Aveline smiled. “I’d be forever grateful,
Karl, if you can speak to the new Guild leader about this. And …
please take care of Rocky.”
    “My pleasure.” Karl bowed his head again.
“Consider this a sign of good faith.” He pulled the strap of the
satchel he wore over his head and handed it to her. “Standard
assassin’s tool kit, awarded upon acceptance into the guild.”
    Aveline accepted it. “Thank you, Karl,” she
whispered, starting to tear up once more, this time out of
gratitude edged by exhaustion. Her father had made her a kit when
she was younger and taught her how to use the herbs, poisons,
weapons and other tools of the trade within.
    “I must leave before they notice I’m here.
I’ll contact you through the standard Guild methods in two to three
weeks. Rest assured I’ll speak to our benefactor immediately about
Rocky,” Karl said.
    She nodded eagerly.
    Karl pulled his mask on and opened the door,
exiting the carriage the same way he had entered.
    Aveline closed the door behind him and sat
back down, her mind whirling with everything that had happened. Her
father’s death, her narrow escape from the brothel, Rocky’s capture
… and the promise of becoming a full assassin. The events of the
past twelve hours were some of the worst, and potentially best, of
her life.
    All she had to do to turn her life