The Guardian

Chapter 12

*

"Okay. This is it. Once we step through these gates there's no turning back until we finished what we started. Anybody who can't go through with this, now is your chance to back out" I scanned the gathered group of assassins in front of me. The sun was disappearing behind the trees now, leaving darkness to cover The Brotherhood Headquarters.

"I'm amazed and proud of all of you" I smiled when they all remained standing. I scanned their faces, feeling guilty. I didn't know most of them. I didn't even know the names of over half of them. Yet here they all were. Willing to fight with me.

"Today you aren't recruits. And you aren't just assassins. You're warriors. Now let's finish this" I raised my fist and smiled as they cheered.

"Rose! Rosie don't go!" Sammy's tiny legs carried him with speed I didn't think he had.

"Sam!" Sarah chased after him frantically. He threw himself into my arms, crying hysterically.

"Sammy you should be inside" I smoothed his hair.

"I'm scared" he cried. "What if you don't come back?"

"That won't happen" I lied. I was terrified. Anything could happen. I could die in battle.

"But what if" he continued.

"I'll still be with you Sammy. Just because you can't see someone when they die, doesn't mean they're gone. Right here Sammy. They'll always be here" I pointed to his heart.

"Promise me you'll come back"

"I promise" my voice cracked with emotion. "Now go back inside to your safe spot and stay there. Don't come out unless mommy tells you to. Okay?"

"Okay" he nodded.

"See you soon" I kissed his forehead and let Sarah take him from me.

"Be safe Rose" Sarah touched my arm before walking back toward the building.

I glanced back at the army standing in front of me. Raven and Chris were whispering quietly, stealing last minute kisses. A lump formed in my throat.

"I'm sorry. That all of the things leading up to this had to happen. That you lost loved ones" I swallowed painfully. "That you'll be risking your lives today. I am so sorry for the pain and the loss" I let out a shaky breath. "Just know that if I could change all of this, I would" a tear strayed down my cheek. I wiped it away and held my head high.
"Lets go kill that heartless bitch" I walked with the strength of an army of assassins.

The army was bigger than just the physical troops that walked bravely behind me. I knew that they were all with us, cheering us on. I liked to believe that I could feel the guys with me. Adrian's protection. Hunter's strength. Lynx's skill. Pyro's wisdom. I felt my power sizzling just below the surface. I held my head up higher and smirked.

*

"Okay everybody wait for my signal. My group is going to sneak inside to break out Fane first before we cause any chaos" I directed. We stood on top a cliff that overlooked The Fraternity Headquarters below.

"We'll climb down and secure the zip lines and everybody can get into position" Stone added.

"Zayne, Raven and Chris, you'll be group leaders" Stone started giving detailed instructions while I got lost in thought.

I studied the building below and the different parts that branched off. I tried to figure out where the dungeon might be. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, eager to free Fane from the prison down below. The guard towers and wall surrounded a vast landscape. The headquarters branched off into huge housing areas. Searching the entire place for Fane would be difficult.