Chapter 5

"You can tell your king that I refuse to do the job!" Phoenix yelled at the mousy little maid that she had nearly killed.

The maid's eyes opened wide at the thought of delivering such a message to the ruler of Lennox. "I will do what I can, Lady Phoenix." She bowed and walked out of the room as quickly as her little legs could take her.

Phoenix shook her head and sat down, sighing heavily. Who does he think he his? She thought with contempt, to make me his whore, his queen! She threw a vase and it crashed against the wall loudly.

"Temper, temper assassin," Garrett said clucking his tongue.

Phoenix glanced at him nonchalantly, "I did not even hear you come in."

He started to pick up the broken pieces, "That is because you had just broken an ancient vase when I opened the door."

She got up in a huff, "Well, maybe your king should not have made such an announcement. Marry him! That will never happen! NEVER!"

The tall, slender woman sat down by the window, staring down into the garden. The sun was setting and the light made her seem ethereal. Her black hair was surrounded by a halo of gold and her pale, hazel eyes shinned with the rays of the dying sun. Her strong, radiant face was calm, showing no emotion. Garrett breathed in, she looked like a goddess, descended down to earth for the purpose of tormenting men with her untouchable beauty.

"Very well then, Phoenix, you can kiss your revenge good bye."

The killer whirled around rapidly, eyeing the lieutenant with hot rage, "Fine, I can live with that. I have for many years, what's a few more? I will get my way Garrett, even if I can't have it right now."

He shook his head and walked briskly out of her chambers. She was a dangerous one alright, and definitely someone who should not be toyed with. He found Rordan sitting by a large, Greek statue, reading some sort of manuscript.

"What did she say, Garrett?" The blonde haired king asked without even looking up.

Garrett stood at attention, "She said she would, and I quote, 'That will never happen! NEVER!'"

Rordan, still reading the scroll, sighed heavily, "I can not make her do anything against her will. But perhaps I can change her mind, yes?"

"That woman will never budge an inch. She hates you almost as much as she hates that man that killed her family." Garrett stated firmly.

Rordan's golden brows shot up quizzically, "You men you don't know?"

"Know what?"

His majesty laughed, "That is not the man that killed her family. Well, it was not just him. He was simply there when she awoke. No he barely had anything to do with their deaths."

Garrett's brown eyes filled with questions, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, brother, that I know who is really to blame for it."

"You do?"

The Lord of Lennox laughed, "Garrett, you fool, I lead the attack on Ameria that night."

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Phoenix strolled down the palace halls, observing the paintings on the wall. Most of them were of previous royal families who ruled Lennox, and others were of very powerful nobles or generals who brought their country glory and riches.

"Oh, look." Phoenix heard a female voice say sarcastically, "It's little miss assassin."

The assassin turned around to see 5 women standing around, scowls on all of their painted faces.

She eyed them calmly, "Oh look, it's all the king's sluts. So good to see you again, although I hardly recognize any of you with so much paint and make up on your faces. I would think you were going to a carnival, not a walk through the palace. But I am sure you were hoping to catch the eye of the king. Didn't you realize it, though? He is already bored with you."

The woman in yellow stepped forward, "I wouldn't be so coy, killer. You are among the most powerful ladies in Lennox, so I would watch what you do and say."

Phoenix sneered, her scarlet lips twisted in anger, "Is that so, Duchess Clydia?"

Clydia nodded, her curly head bobbing up and down, "I am warning you, commoner. If you make one move I don't like I will-"

Phoenix laughed, cutting the duchess off, "You will what? Higher Lennox' best assassin to come and kill me. Oh wait! That's me!"

The sable haired murderer was now face to face with Clydia. Fear flooded out of the young woman's eyes as she eyed the most lethal thing in the kingdom. Clydia straightened up quickly and walked away, her group of painted dolls following. Phoenix sighed and continued to critique the many paintings.

She got to the last one, a picture of an oddly matched couple. The man was a tall, dusty haired noble with kind eyes and handsome features. The woman was also very tall. She was dark, a hunter of the safari lands, with long thick hair and a fierce stare. The couple held hands tenderly, and one could see the warmth they shares and the love present in their marriage.

The killer gingerly touched the canvas, a tear sliding down her tan face, "I will avenge you."

A hand shot out of no where and covered her mouth. It held her tightly and whispered into her ear, "Boo!"

The assassin let out a strangled cry…