Chapter Nineteen

Silas took Kora's arm, bringing her close to his side as he spoke, "My apologizes but now I must escort you out of my house."

Kora didn't struggle as the older man's grip dug into her arm as he walked her out of his office like a scorned child. He closed the door and walked her down the staircase, at the very end of the stairs stood Beryl White watching Templar men escorting someone out the back door.

Beryl looked at her husband and spoke, "Ah, I see you have found his accomplice."

Silas replied, "A deal has already been settled between us. I was just escorting her out of our home."

Beryl wafted a hand and scowled lightly, "Very well. I shall not stand in the way of you and your little games." she beckoned her hand at two other Templar guards in suits, "But let the guards escort her out instead. We are far too busy with the masquerade to worry about some meddling party crashers. Take this woman out with the other buffoon. Teach them a lesson to remind them to never come back."

Silas turned to Kora and said, "Forgive me but you will not be leaving as I had planned. I bid you good night and farewell. I will await your answer."

He released Kora as the two tall, suited men with goblin masks each took one of Kora's arms and forced her down the empty hallway on the right. They passed the large kitchen that was handled by the house staff and out the back door into the back yard. The small area was modest with a tall iron fence and a garden following along it. The ground was decorated with steppingstones with a small four seated patio set close to the house. Kora could see ahead of her was Jacob encircled by two masked Templars. The ones escorting her roughly threw her forward. Jacob grabbed her arm carefully as she tumbled into him and pulled her up onto her feet.

The four masked Templars chuckled as some pulled out brass knuckles and others warmed up their fists by cracking their knuckles. Jacob smiled at the group of Templars before giving out a loud and sharp whistle. After a second, Kora heard something impact the ground and caught a glance of a metal orb before it exploded around them in heavy clouds of smoke. Kora covered her mouth and coughed as she saw Jacob dash forward into the smoke, his hidden blade ejected as he ran with full force towards the Templar men. Through the smoke, Kora caught glimpses of the assassins fighting swiftly to avoid blind attacks from the Templars, and their take downs, but everything else was clouded. All she could do was listen to the grunts, the fluttering sounds of movement, and the cries.

Kora backed out of the clouds of smoke to see it slowly vaporizing until it had cleared. Evie and Jacob stood over the four Templar men laying face down on the ground and Kora was relieved to see that they had taken out the men so fast.

Evie looked at Kora, "We must leave now before reinforcements come."

Kora nodded as Jacob retracted his hidden blade and took her hand, guiding her towards the fenced gate. Jacob unlatched the metal lock and swung it open as they made their escape into the street. The three of them walked as fast as they could down the street to the front of Mr. White's mansion and down the left street. Jacob's hand still clenched around Kora's, guiding her towards the carriage ahead. Jacob opened the passenger door and helped Kora into it before getting in himself. Evie jumped up on the driver's seat next to Henry and He drove the carriage onwards back to Lambeth.

Mr. White

I inform you with great satisfaction that I have completed the task. Joseph Hales is no more. Unfortunately, my wife and I have come to realize a major flaw in our plan. The flaw being that once we have murdered Joseph Hales, I could be at risk for being suspected as I had recently done an amputation on Mr. Hale's leg. But not to worry, my clever wife had a brilliant idea. We pinned the blame on another nurse, a chambermaid my dearest claims she saw recently abusing Joseph in his room. It was perfect. Even more so when we later found out Ms. Hart had been planning to escape the hospital to become a charlatan doctor on the streets. Can you imagine? A woman doctor working with very little experience on the streets. She will never be taken seriously, and no one will go to her unless they are truly desperate for death. That dream of hers will be short lived as she is now a charged mad woman awaiting the noose.

Nevertheless, I await payment for my completed task, and should you ever need my services, I will always be available to assist the Templar Order.

To your health, William Hardy

Kora finished reading the letter out loud to the three assassins in her kitchen.

Jacob beamed as he opened his arms, "Excellent! This is the proof you need! Your free, Kora!"

Evie smiled as the twins approached Kora, "I must say, I had my doubts on this plan, but it seems it went a lot better than I expected. Congratulations on your freedom, Kora."

Kora smiled weakly but she could feel it crumbling as she remembered the deal she had made with Silas White. She wanted to bottle it up and keep every piece of it to herself, but she remembered the promise she had made with Jacob. That she would tell him everything and they would work together on any problem. She couldn't do that to Jacob again. It was almost like breaking his heart and she never wanted to see him that way again. The deal was that she would do this alone, but Silas never said anything about telling them though.

Evie caught on to Kora's odd silence and took her arm lightly, "What's wrong, Kora?"

Kora hesitated as her hands folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope. Her fingers smoothed the letter against her chest as she took a breath and replied, "I met Silas White in his office. He offered me a deal along with the evidence I need against my case. If I don't hand in this letter, He offered to assist my case with the leading detective and free me. But if I hand in this letter... He will not help me, and I will be hanged."

Jacobs eyes widened, "You didn't shake on it, did you?"

Kora frowned sadly and nodded, "I did. This evidence is exactly what I've been looking for to put the blame on the Hardy's. I couldn't say no to a chance of being free."

The male assassin shook his head, "But Silas was the Templar who started this whole mess. And he will keep using people to do his Templar work. He is our target, Kora."

Kora dropped her arms, "Aye, he is to you! But I am not apart of your creed!"

Jacob huffed angrily, "You're a Rook! You're as much apart of us-"

"Jacob!" Evie said sternly, "This isn't our call! Clearly it is Kora's decision whether she chooses to fight or not!"

A tension filled the silence, mostly from Jacob as Evie attempted to calm him. Kora grimaced as she placed the letter back into her dress pocket and folded her arms, resting her hip against the kitchen table.

Jacob extended his arms, enlightened by an idea, "Fine! Don't hand in the letter. I will personally deal with Silas myself."

Henry spoke up from his seat at the table, "Then you will be jeopardizing the deal between Kora and Mr. White. If you make an attempt to kill Silas, then Kora's life could be at more risk."

Jacob quirked a brow, "But wasn't it called off when he sent his henchmen at us?"

Kora shook her head, "No. Silas said it was not his intention for that to happen. He was going to escort me out of his house when his wife had other plans. Besides, if I ask for your help, he may very well kill you."

Jacob sneered, "He can bloody try."

Evie scowled at her brother as she crossed her arms, "Whatever Kora chooses, we should respect her decision. If Silas gets away," she glanced at her brother, "... there will always be another time to strike him."

All three assassins laid their eyes on Kora as the Irish lass froze in her spot. She chewed the rim of her pinkie finger with a heavy thoughtful expression. This was a heavy decision on her mind. She could safely play along with Silas' plan or completely go against him and fight him head on. This was not something she could solve over night and realized she would need a lot of heavy thinking to make a choice. Silas did give her three days. He must have assumed this would weigh so heavy on her mind.

Kora dropped her hand and stood up straighter, "It's late. I need time to think this over. I appreciate all of what you've done. I couldn't have done all of this without your help."

Evie smiled, "Think nothing of it. I was happy to help in some way. Good night."

Evie walked over to Henry and they left through the front door of the house. Leaving Kora with Jacob in the dim candle lit kitchen. Jacob approached her slowly with a hard expression as Kora looked up at him, "You surprised me. I didn't know you could sing so well."

He replied, "I'm full of surprises, love."

Jacob's expression softened with a smile as he took her hands and guided her to the empty space between the kitchen and the sitting room. He lifted one of her hands to his left shoulder and clasped her right with his other hand, his free hand slipping around her waist as he pulled her in closer to him.

Kora smiled at him as he started a slow waltz and she felt herself get lost in his hazel eyes. They held so much character and they soften ever so sweetly the more she stared into his orbs. She could feel blush flush across her cheeks, and she smiled genuinely at him as she lowered her voice, "Have you been brushing up on your dancing skills?"

Jacob returned the smile and raised his brows, "Maybe a little."

His hand on her hip brushed her lightly, "Ever since we danced in that pub, I've wanted to hold you like that again." He shifted his leg to dip her back and pulled her up slowly to spin her around once and clasp hands again.

Kora chuckled as her free hand brushed the flap of his suit jacket.

Her mind flickered from the moment to the idea of Jacob helping her fight against Silas. She knew he could fight very well but she would be a sitting duck if anything were to turn on her. Then there was the chance Jacob could be killed and she felt her heart ache in her chest. Her eyes were downcast as Jacob waltz her from one side to the other, his voice was husky as he asked, "You don't have to do this alone."

Kora grimaced, "I can't let him kill you if we try."

Jacob grinned, "That won't happen. If you didn't know, I am considered a God to many."

The Irish lass' tone became serious, "And what if Silas' uses me against you? What will you do then?"

Jacob's brows furrowed as he used his free hand to brush aside a loose lock of red hair behind Kora's ear before replying, "That won't happen. Because I won't let you fight against a Templar. Besides... it's not in your nature."

Kora frowned but smiled, "You sound like you know me well."

Jacob smiled as he pondered for a moment before replying, "Maybe I do."

He slowed down the waltz as Kora smiled and rested her head against his chest, Jacob in return held her close against him. Silence filled the room, but it was a peaceful and calming to the two in the room.

"Jacob, I need to know." Kora asked softly. "Will you support me and my decisions?"

Jacob lingered a moment, his hand caressing her back as his voice reverberated in her ear off his chest. He replied softly, "I will. If there's room for negotiation."

Kora lifted her head and placed her arms on his, which were holding her hips.

She replied, "You mean to talk me out of horrible choices?"

Jacob nodded his head as Kora lifted a finger, "As long as you allow the same for me?"

He chuckled as he added, "Fine. If you're with me, you can talk me out of it."

Kora nodded in agreement and Jacob slowly brought the waltz to a halt. He drifted his hands from her sides to her arms and held her as he spoke, "Then I think it's a horrible idea to not hand in that letter." He lifted a finger to her lips to stop her, "I think you should hand in that letter and allow me to cut the head of the snake. You will be free; the charges will be switched to the Hardy's and we will rid London of another Templar. This way we both get what we want."

He lowered his finger as Kora frowned worriedly.

Well played, Jacob.

She thought for a moment on the strategy and how many causalities it could cause. It was risky, as usual. But it sounded like the only option that stood perfectly compared to the other ones that lingered in her head. She gave a sigh and met his eyes with her reply, "Allow me to think it over first before agreeing to such a plan. Please?"

Jacob released her and gave a nod, "How long did Silas give you?"

"Three days." Kora replied, "I'm suppose to surrender myself in with all the evidence."

"Two days should be long enough." Jacob mused, "Leave the last day for when your absolutely ready."

Kora nodded in agreement and Jacob returned her a smile. The night was almost coming to an end and Kora could feel fatigue weighing her down. She wondered if Jacob felt that way too, but she didn't see any bags under his eyes. He must be used to burning the midnight oil on his missions and tasks. Jacob must have sensed her fatigue as he said, "It's late. I should head out. Call for me when you've made a decision."

Kora walked him to the door, and he turned to give her a kiss. Or two. Or three.

The Irish lass chuckled, "Goodnight, Jacob."

He gave her one last smile and headed out into the night ambiance of the safe district.

Writer's Note: Thank you for reading! Don't forget to leave a review! I love hearing what my readers think and it motivates me to continue. Questions and Critic are very much welcomed! xoxo