Unleashed

Mission Seduction

Aliyah

Entering the chamber, I find myself engulfed in darkness and blink so my eyes can adjust. I look around to find the space empty, a chill crawling up my spine as I close my eyes and take in a deep breath. Five people stood together; four scents known to be the council members, including my father and a foreign scent advising me the visitor from New York was present.

The slight crinkle of a shoe bending as if getting into position to charge, sounded to my right and I instinctively reached my hand down to clasp the dagger on my hip. I felt the rush of air as the intruder came towards me at pace, I could feel the intent of their action to cause harm and didn’t hesitate as I bent at the knee to enforce enough power to draw my shoulder up into their solar plexus, winding them. At their gasp of breath, I sliced their leg with the blade and heard the satisfying thump as their knee slammed hard into the ground.

Completing with a roundhouse kick to get the intruder onto the floor, I held the blade at their throat as I growled out, “Who sent you?”

The sound of clapping and the sudden flicker of the light temporarily blinded me as I blinked to see properly again. All five of the council members had stepped forward with stoic looks on their faces, but it was the visitor who surprised me the most.

“Very impressive,” he smiled genuinely down at me as he reached his hand out as though offering to help me to my feet.

Looking down at the person beneath me, I found a solidly built man looking embarrassed by the situation of being taken down by a woman. His eyes wide in uncertainty as though he didn’t trust me to release him.

‘I guess I’d feel the same way with a blade against my throat,’ I thought to myself. Removing the blade and replacing it in its sheath, I clasped the visitors’ hand and allowed him to guide me to my feet to stand beside him.

“She’s perfect,” the visitor complimented as he looked me over with a satisfied smile.

Frowning back, I looked to my father for answers, but he refused to meet my gaze, so I looked back again at the visitor questioningly.

“You my dear, are being called upon for a very important mission.” He stated as his hand clasped my shoulder. I waited desperately to hear more, but the man just gave a satisfied sigh and walked over to discuss arrangements for my transfer with the Chief Council.

Looking in their direction, hoping to listen in to their conversation, my father chose this moment to approach me. “You’re work here is done. I’ll meet you in my office.”

When I didn’t move straight away, I felt the pressure of his hand squeeze my shoulder tightly, “Now.” he demanded, leaving no question in my mind what it would mean if I disobeyed. With one last quick look towards the visitor, who was once again eyeing me like a prized possession, I turned tail and left the chamber.

*

With my head bent down in thought, I walked into a solid wall of muscle and gasped as I felt hands enclose around my arms. Looking up I was relieved to find Ralph standing there holding me steady.

“I’m being sent on mission,” I informed him lowly as I grabbed his elbow, directing him to continue walking. “I have to go straight to my father’s office for details.”

“I’ll go with you,” Ralph stated, and I knew he’d follow me to the ends of the earth given the chance, but I didn’t know if he was allowed.

Swallowing the lump in my throat at the possibility of having to leave him behind this time, I gave a simple, weak smile, acknowledging his statement. But if I was being completely honest, I was a little worried at the prospect of going it alone.

*

When we reached my father’s office, Ralph reluctantly left me at the door, and I entered awaiting my father’s return to receive details of the mission. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it anymore. Testing me to ensure I was worthy; what if I didn’t pass? Would they have killed me with my father just standing there watching? Our relationship always confused me.

One minute I’m certain he cares, it’s the look he gets in his eyes when the mention of the masked bandit arises, then the next, he’s indifferent to my mere presence, like it would be a relief to be rid of me. Is that what this is? His way of being rid of the child who caused her mother’s death. The child who can’t manage to silently take down a flea ridden wolf?

Hearing the click of the door, I place down the paperweight I don’t even remember picking up, so lost in my thoughts and turn to face my father and the New York visitor, Mr Black.

“There she is,” Mr Black grinned at me welcomingly and I was torn between smiling in gratitude at the genuine welcome and caution because no one is that friendly. Ever.

“Jamison, take a seat and let’s discuss,” my father stated monotone, and I remained standing awaiting further instruction as he took his seat behind the desk.

“Now, what is the mission and your expectation of Aliyah?” I frowned at his choice of wording.

‘Wouldn’t most parents state ‘my daughter’ to ensure better protection? As a sort of underlining threat of ‘if anything goes wrong, heads will roll for hurting my child’?’ I thought to myself but didn’t dare say aloud. Besides, he’s not exactly the maternal type.

“In a word… a honeytrap,” Mr Black stated confidently, his smile never slipping as he once again looked me over. “Our plan is simple. A beautiful girl, who you’ve so readily weaponised, acting as our damsel in distress to lure the soon-to-be Alpha of the Blood Moon pack in, to his death, of course.”

‘The Blood Moon Pack?’ I thought to myself, ‘why does that sound so familiar?’

“As you are aware, the masked bandit has destroyed thousands of lives and overthrown countless covens,” he continued to deliberate, “we are led to believe the masked bandit has strong ties to the Blood Moon Pack and could be conspiring with further packs. Having the awareness of her proximity to this coven could be the perfect advantage we have to take down their ally and reduce resources to continue this massacre.”

“And what makes you think he’d be interested in mating with a witch,” the way he said it made my skin crawl. Not only from the manner of disbelief anyone could possibly be interested in me, but because they made it sound as though I was a prostitute willing to spread my legs for their cause. The shame of it all swelled up inside me until I couldn’t contain it any longer.

“f**k you,” I spat. “Both of you.” I stomped my way to the door, but as I reached to open it, my arms were stuck, effectively glued to my sides by an invisible force. My father casually sat behind his desk with his hand raised in an almost bored fashion, as he spun me around to face the two of them in the room.

“I will not sleep with some dirty wolf just to suit your needs,” the words were forced out through gritted teeth, my eyes glaring at them filled with hatred. “I am a warrior not a prostitute!”

“Oh, heavens no, angel.” Jamison uttered in shock, “you will be but an object of desire. A temptation if it were, to draw him in so you can gut him like a dear. I know the Blood Moon pack has taken more from you, than most.” He looked towards me sadly and that’s when the penny finally dropped.

The Blood Moon pack was responsible for my mother’s death.

“I want Ralph on the mission as well,” I stated, looking directly at my father, who having seen my previous anger replaced for a rage of vindication, released me from his magical hold.

“Unfortunately, at this stage we cannot allow anyone else in this plan, however, I do have someone to work closely with you from our coven. We will provide you anything you need to get this done.” He informed me.

Reaching my hand down to feel the dagger strapped to my leg, I looked up at him with conviction blazing in my eyes, “I have everything I need, right here.”