The Eighth Chapter

1214 Words
I opened the door to the pub, storming over to the bar. Estella looked at me with a guilty expression, “I am so, so sorry about abandoning you-” “Rest assured, Estella! I hold you at no fault.” I called out, and sighed. “But I need your help- have you heard anything about this ‘Nike’?” “The woman from yesterday?” She asked, her guilt-ridden expression fading to relief. “It was the first time I’ve heard of her.” “Oh, well… can’t you ask around?” I asked, looking around. “I mean, she’s a… what do you call it?” “I’m not sure. A secret guard? A vigil woman?” “I suppose.” I shrugged. “Do you know of people who hear these kinds of things?” “Yes actually. Those men over there- they’re always going on about current events.” Estella pointed to these patrons in the corner, and I walked over immediately. I had even made sure to wear my horse-riding and brown leather outfit. My heels clicked against the wood floor as I walked over to the men. One of them had brunette hair with amber eyes- he seemed brutish. I raised a brow as I slammed my hands on the table, “Tell me what you know about the woman named Nike.” “And what do we get in exchange, gorgeous?” I scowled, appalled. “How about this?” I asked, placing a couple of gold coins from the pouch on my waist. He tried to remain unfazed, but his jaw clenched. I smirked. “Now how about you tell me what you know?” It didn’t take me long to find the place they had described. I went up to the abandoned manor’s gates, crossing my arms when I spotted the chains that held them closed. I inspected it further and smiled triumphantly when I saw that it had enough leeway for me to squeeze through. I grunted at the way the metal scraped across my cheek, and huffed as I finally managed to get inside. My hand went up and I felt the small cut, wincing slightly at the sting. A small hint of blood rubbed onto my skin, and I shrugged it off as I heard a distant voice of a woman. I exhaled in disbelief before breaking into a run. I ran around the broken down fountain in front of the manor- going around the side of the property and towards the back of it. It was a lot of ground to cover for sure, but I managed to make it to the back as I panted to catch my breath. There she was- Nike practiced against some dummy, slicing against its cotton with grunts. I suppose it was like muscle memory to her, slashing with poise and a smirk on her pink lips. Her body was clad with baggy white sleeves, a black corset, leather pants and boots. I slowly walked over, hesitant but determined. “Nike!” I called out, and she stopped as she looked to where I had called out. My boots against the concrete clicked, and I could feel my chest burning at her calculating eyes gazing at me. Her hair was held up in a braided ponytail- elegant yet messy. I stopped a couple feet away from her, raising a brow. “I know this must seem like an odd request, but I need your assistance.” “And how did you find me, exactly?” Nike laughed, shaking her head as she placed her sword on the concrete as if it was some kind of cane. I spoke harshly, “You’re the only one who could help me. I need that necklace, Nike.” She turned to me, a raised brow on her features as she grinned. “Necklace? The one those men nabbed from you?” “Nike, please.” I begged, feeling tremendous guilt. “Fine, fine. But only… if you win a duel with me.” She smirked, going over to this small holder of sabres and pulling another out. She grasped it by the blade, holding it out to me for me to grab. I scowled, “That’s not fair- I’ve never even wielded a blade before.” “Just try.” She giggled, walking backwards and getting into a fighting stance. I scoffed, “Just don’t kill me.” She only smiled widely as I mimicked her stance, and I frowned in annoyance. She suddenly lunged, and I shrieked as I jumped backwards. I pathetically repelled her attacks, squealing with each clang of the swords between us. I tripped on myself as she swung again, and gasped as I stumbled back from the blow. The cut on my cheek bled, and I scoffed as my hand went to touch it. Nike somewhat chuckled, before spotting the way my eyes turned up to glare at her. She raised a brow as I screamed, and charged. She only grinned as I slashed without proper form, and she only blocked my attacks with ease. She suddenly and harshly knocked the sword away from me, and threw away hers as I stumbled back and literally fell on my arse. She stalked forward, gently sitting onto my lap. I looked up at her with a face of awe- Nike’s lips smiled as she grasped me by the collar. I wanted to shout- I wanted to yell that I was a princess, that she couldn’t mishandle me like this- She c****d her head, “How about you allow me to teach you to fight in exchange for this?” She reached into her breasts, and I averted my eyes. She held my iconic necklace up to me, and I gasped at the sight of it. “You had it all this time?” “Of course, gorgeous.” I groaned in annoyance, snatching the necklace out of her hands and getting out from underneath her. She chuckled in amusement as I took a couple steps away from her. “I’m sorry! I couldn’t resist, Tina.” “It wasn’t funny.” I said, turning back to her with a glare. “This necklace is important to me, Nike. I can’t even begin to think about living without it.” Her smile faltered, and she sighed as she got up and approached me. I scowled, my gaze leaving her as she spoke, “I truly am sorry. I didn’t know it meant so much to you… But you’re also welcome.” I scoffed, smiling despite the anger. I raised a brow at her, “I didn’t say thank you.” “I knew you would eventually.” She teased, and I shook my head. “How could I ever repay you, Nike?” I asked, truly grateful. She grinned, and hummed in thought (mockingly), before biting her lip as her gaze travelled to me with her eyes lit up with mischief. “How about by joining me?” “Join you?” I asked, confused. “Be my partner in crime.” Her hands grasped mine, and my eyes widened in realization. “Pardon me?” I asked again, almost unsure if I had heard right.
Free reading for new users
Scan code to download app
Facebookexpand_more
  • author-avatar
    Writer
  • chap_listContents
  • likeADD