Chapter 2: First encounters

"Be wary of what comes, for as sweet as it may please your ear, it will claw at your heart."

~Tasmiya Shaik

ITALIA, SICILIANA

South East Abandoned District

Underground Labyrinth

Order of the Silver Shadow Creed

The robed figure in red emitted an aura of both mercilessness and kindness, rather contradicting aspects; however depending on the manner of a situation he portrayed both accordingly. Voice hoarse and deep, composed like those noblemen of the archaic generations. He turned around to confront the assassin who removed their hood and unzipped the high collar.

"You are messy as always, Francesca," The older man sighed as he sighted the smears of blood on her face and descended the dias. "As a young woman, you ought to take care of your appearance, no?"

"Master Javiér, may I present my report regarding the mass murder case on Bishop Carlyle?" Francesca sought permission, her gaze lowered in respect despite avoiding her master's remark.

"Have you found anything useful? A location, perhaps?"

"I regret to inform you that the Bishop's assistant was of little benefit and use. Judging by his responses, he was just as brainwashed as the others that we captured, I doubted that he was aware of Bishop Carlyle's location. What I did gather from other sources is that eighty six werewolves, thirty seven dhampyrs, and fifty shifters of unidentified origin were slaughtered in a span of two months," Francesca reported with a grimace. There was a brewing rage coiled in her heart, and the more untamed and severe the mass murders escalated, the more she cultivated that wrath within.

"I understand your anger, Francesca. Your kind as well were slaughtered by the templars of the church, you will seek your vengeance for the blood beasts, but I require you to act rational. Is that understood?" Master Javiér warned sternly. "On the other hand your burning rage can be used as a great weapon."

"What measures shall we take regarding this matter? All factual evidence in forms of documentary has been obtained; however we cannot convince the people with words alone or pieces of paper. Bishop Carlyle's influence extends as far as entire North of the Eirengard continent. Even if we were to instigate solid evidence or magically erase the doctrine from his followers, we lack the political connections to peform such a large scale plan," Fran bit her lower lip as she voiced her analysis.

"Hmm," Master Javiér hummed and narrowed his gaze.

"Ah Fran, you're back," announced the male assassin as he arrived through one of the arch entrances. He flipped his hood back to reveal a quirky grin, a light tanned complexion and thistle shaded eyes. He assumed his kneeling position beside her and ran his fingers through his black hair that was cut shoulder length. "Greetings, Master Javiér." He focused his attention to Francesca with a warm-hearted smile. He gently clasped her left hand that was missing its glove and honoured her with a soft press of his lips to the back of it.

Francesca averted her gaze for she was already accustomed to the young man's gentlemanly gesture that he had carried out several thousands of times. His half-lided eyes observed her with evident interest. She undid his clasp politely and smiled in way of greeting.

"Ahem," Master Javiér cleared his throat. "Nikolaus," He nodded at the young man in greeting. "You're in time."

"If you're referring to Bishop Carlyle, then I already suggested a while back that we dispose of the bastard," Nikolaus shrugged and sighed. "We are a creed of assassins, killing is what we do."

"You seem to forget that when the rioting and civil wars begin due to Bishop Carlyle's death, this country will resort to a warzone as it was in the past," Francesca reminded him, a subtle tone of exasperation in her words.

"Well I suppose you are correct, bellisima," Nikolaus raised his hands in defeat.

"Nikolaus, you will take charge of Bishop Carlyle's case with your squad," Master Javiér declared with a simple gesture of his hand.

"What?!" Francesca lost her composure and raised her head sharply. "Why? Have my efforts been inadequate? I have already found other ways to discover his location, please give me another chance!" She desperately demanded.

"Calm down," Master Javiér walked a few steps forward. "Bishop Carlyle's case is a long-term investigation which we've only just begun a month ago. Our creed has implemented measures to prevent a severe impact of the mass murders, thus during this past week the number of supernatural creatures' deaths have been reduced."

"But why expel me from this case?" Francesca's brows furrowed.

"Your services have been requested elsewhere."

"Leave this to me, bellisima," Nikolaus winked reassuringly at her.

"What could be more important than this case?" Francesca enquired.

"The Grand Duke Alessandro Ambrosini of Milanvia will be attending the Siciliana ball that will be hosted at the City's Great Banquet hall tomorrow even tide. Just as he previously requested your services as a bodyguard for his daughter, the manner of the task is the same. As you are aware, that the Siciliana ball is an exuberant event for which all supernatural shifters and creatures are likely to attend," Master Javiér informed, emphasizing the last of his words. "The Grand Duke and his daughter hail from a family of dhampyrs, he is aware that they are potential targets."

"So of course the templars will strike there since it is a mass gathering of their desired targets..." Francesca deduced from the information. "If that is the case, should the ball not be postponed or cancelled? The case of the mass murders is no secret, shouldn't they be taking precautions?"

"It is a risk they are willing to take," Nikolaus snorted. "People's lives are expendable to the upper class of society, the noblemen hosts of the ball are practically inviting the templars to create an opportunity to deal with them."

"Precisely," Master Javiér agreed. "Francesca, you will escort the Grand Duke's daughter. Nikolaus will oversee outside operations against the templars, while you will use this opportunity to elicit more information. See? It is not completely unrelated."

"You could have told me that in the first place," Francesca clicked her tongue.

"It is rather thrilling when you lose your temper," Master Javiér afforded his attention to Nikolaus. "You may leave, there is another guest that will be arriving quite soon. They have pleaded an audience with Francesca."

"As you wish," Nikolaus lowered his head in respect before his form dissipated into the darkness behind the surrounding pillars, and exited the chamber.

"With me?" Francesca roused from her kneeling position and arched a brow. "Another client whom I've served before?"

"No. You will see. Be respectful to them, be wary of what you say and do not ask unnecessary questions, understood?" Master Javiér advised sternly. "Get yourself cleaned up before they arrive."

"Yes," She replied solemnly. Who would want to meet with her and for what reason or manner of tasks?

"Forgive me, have I arrived too late?" An unannounced figure breezed through one of the entrances of the chamber. Clad in a dark blue leather coat with several buckled straps that ran across their torso. Thick rubber sole boots that emitted an echoing thud with their graceful stride. Their face was concealed by a black theater mask of sorts with only the area around their mouth revealed, a polite smile formed when they stepped into the beams of light radiated by the jewels.

"Just in time," Master Javiér bowed the upper half of his body in greeting.

Francesca was somewhat astonished by the unusual gesture but she followed suit, mindful of the fact that her master bowed to no one so perhaps their guest was someone of extremely esteemed and honorable status that earned her master's respect. Why were they here already? She didn't even have time to refreshen or cleanse herself from the smears and stench of blood. Instead, she hurriedly zipped up her high collar to block the blood stains from sight; however there was no solution to deal with the stench.

"Greetings, my Lady," The man uttered those words so smoothly and naturally, as if he were routinely accustomed to it. He bowed and placed a hand over the region of his heart, then clasped her hand on which he pressed a kiss. "The pleasure of our meeting is mine."

Francesca politely retrieved her hand that quivered from the softness of his lips. She had adjusted herself to such a gesture that was a routine courtesy of Nikolaus; however the man before her incited uneasiness, as well as a gelid sensation that chilled along her spine. No matter how exotic his features appeared, hair like liquid silver or perhaps starlight that was slightly longer than shoulder length, her ingrained assassin instinct cautioned her to maintain her distance. It was a intuitive feeling she did not like but nonetheless she would be wary.

"I have matters that I must attend to," Master Javiér lowered his head in farewell. "Do feel free to consult her as you see fit."

She would be consulted alone? What kind of guest was this man if her Master afforded him enough trust to leave them alone? Who exactly was this man? What connection or relation did he have with her Master? Judging from his appearance and eloquent speech, he was undoubtedly a nobleman or upstanding aristocrat. His eyes appeared to emit a subtle amber glow, they were predatory and long slit which observed her curiously. Her body felt immobile, if she were to take a single step forward, there was no inclination as to what would happen to her.

The man blinked once, but the intensity of his gaze was overpowering. Was he a creature or beast of some kind? What were his intentions?

"Lady Francesca," He called her name as if it were some exquisite masterpiece art or as if she were some royal lady. "You're wavering, my dear."