It is a swift move, in and out. I retrieve a golden ring from a house here, an old urn there, or even a model of something simple like a ship. I change the numbers in business ledgers and I steal from Holds without being caught. I move like a shadow, just like Delvin Mallory taught me.

But then, it happened. Snow Veil Sanctum is coming up, as in, I have to go on a mission with Mercer all alone. I hate that idea. He hates me, and I know it. He's likely going to kill me, just so he can be rid of me. He's likely going to either do that, or make my life a living hell.

I take a deep breath and face Mercer, where he stands before Snow Veil Sanctum, a dead horse laying in the snow at his feet. Memories of Nuala, the horse I lost to that random werewolf attack, come flooding back to me. I do not react to his behavior, no, instead I approach him with a lethal and shadowy calm, like how this damn Guild has made me out to be.

I was an assassin. I was in the Dark Brotherhood, and I answered only to Astrid, and then the Night Mother. Have I mentioned how much I loathe and despise Mercer Frey? I clench my fists and jaw, looking at him with as much anger as I can muster. I don't believe him. He's lying about what has happened with Karliah and Gallus.

I've always been able to tell lies and deceptions being told to me since I joined that Brotherhood.

"Took you long enough to get here," Mercer grumbles.

"Well, I'm here. Now what?"

"I found Karliah's horse. I'm certain she's still inside. But don't worry, I've taken care of it. She won't be getting away from us this time. I've scoured the ruins and I am certain she's still inside. Now, let's go, you should take the lead on this mission."

"I'm sorry, what?" I ask. "You want me to lead you through a foreign place that I've never been in before? Why?"

He sneers at me. "I thought I was the one in charge, here. So yes, or do I need to hold your hand through here, too?"

I growl low in my throat, but turn away, counting my breaths. "Fine. But don't slow me down or get into any traps."

He chuckles. "You forget yourself, Emmeranne. I'm in charge here. You do as I say."

"Let's go then."

Once we finally get to the end of the line, entering the final Hall of Stories, I turn to Mercer. He's been clomping around behind me the whole time, but snapping at me that I have been too loud or too slow, which is beyond frustrating.

"There's a secret to these puzzle locks," Mercer says, looking at me with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. I see a flash of turquoise in his hands as he babbles about how if you're good enough, you can unlock the door with ease. He then opens the door, and looks at me. "You ready? Karliah is certain to be ahead, so be ready."

I nod and step over the threshold, but then, something hits me in the chest with so much force that I collapse to the ground. I black out.

When I wake up, my vision is blurry and I cannot move. I can only watch as Mercer confronts a Dunmer woman who must be Karliah. Mercer practically confesses that he is the one who killed Gallus, not her, and that it is her fault he did it, somehow. But as Mercer draws his blade, Karliah vanishes.

"I'm no fool, Mercer. Crossing blades with you would be a death sentence. But I promise you, the next time we meet, it will be your undoing."

Then, she's simply gone. And I am wounded, alone, unable to move, with this psychopath. Mercer plays with his sword, swinging it about as he approaches me. No!"How interesting... it seems history has repeated itself, and Gallus's tomb becomes your final resting place. Karliah has provided me with the means to get rid of you..." He laughs. "But you know what intrigues me the most? The fact that this was all possible because of you. Farewell, I'll be sure to give Brynjolf your regards."

And then, he plunges his blade into my chest, right below the arrow that is protruding from it, and then he rips it free, if I could scream, I would. But then, blood pools around me, and I fall deep into darkness.