It wasn't until the thick scent of cigar disrupted her strange dreams, that Gabriella even realized she was alive. Mingling with the sterile air, the cologne and cigar smothered her in their entirety.

"My daughter." Came the cool explanatory tone, as muffled voices of nurses and doctors inquired and interrogated the man before her. "An abusive relationship I'm afraid…when he passed she didn't know what to do with herself. We found here there in the shower half dead."

She swore that moments later, when he had stroked her cheek paternally, it must have left an acid residue. Lies, lies and more lies. She was acutely aware now, of the crisp sheets, the sunlight that dappled through the window, and the burning embarrassment that he had seen her.

One by one, the creatures of the hospital left her and the man, satisfied with his reasonable answers. This happened all the time in the darker streets of Esthar. Nothing they hadn't seen before, though it was rather unusual that her guardian seemed so well off. However, just as any decent citizen, they didn't look into it any further. Only when they had left did Gabriella make the mistake of opening her eyes.

Damien Manus looked down at her with a cruel scowl, eyes demanding not an explanation but repayment. The rage hollowed within the grayish eyes made him seem younger, though he was a man of 35. Life had treated him well, with an angular face that many deemed handsome, strong cheek bones and a smooth visage.

He had a sturdy build, neither lean nor large; he was simply built. Thick black hair was in a stylish cut, shaving years of the man's appearance. Wordlessly, he snatched up her left hand, and turned it over to watch the scar tissue gently ebb away, as the I.V in her opposite hand kept pumping high potions into her blood stream. With her blood so excellently reforming, she would be home in the evening, the doctors had promised the man.

Damien was obviously not her guardian, though he liked to think of himself as such. Having taken her of the streets 3 years ago, this young woman became one of the greatest assassins he had ever found. But then again, when given the right inspiration, anyone could kill.

They simply put her in the situations, and told her to kill. It was simple and inexpensive. With his instructions, and training some of his officers provided, these people became very efficient in the art of death. Having noticed the clever intelligence in the girl, he poured his assets into her favor, and she repaid them with every life she took. However, this sort of employment is never simple.

It was a nightmare. Gabriella Thalione Meleficare. The assassin.

"If you ever make me go through that again, you unappreciative bitch, I will kill you myself." Came the curt reply, as the girl just under him almost hissed. Seeing the change in her demeanor, he almost grinned. "Oh Thali, Thali, Thali." He murmured almost affectionately, looking down on her.

"I'm not your pet." She hissed back, teeth slightly bared. In a moment, she felt the hot graze of his fingernails on her scalp as he grabbed a large portion of her hair. Pulling her body into a sitting position, he caused Gabby to yelp loudly and open her eyes wide with fear.

"You may not be now, but I will have you." Damien whispered into her ear, turning his head to let his breath trickle down her jaw line. A whimper fell from her lips, as her eyes fell to the floor. She was alive, but for how long?