I wanted to wonder why Ferdinand's father had moved so quickly to shut down the investigation into his son's death—but I couldn't. I already knew the answer: he'd closed it to clear the path, to seek revenge without interference, to avenge the death of his only child. A week had passed, but it felt like ten centuries. No one at the school acted as if a crime had occurred recently. Even stranger, two days after Ferdinand's assassination, everything began returning to normal, as if nothing had ever happened.
At first, I thought Governor De Guzman had realized the power of Trixie Hipolito's father and acted cautiously—but it became clear he had intended to kill me rather than imprison me.
That morning, someone had sent me a lavender flower. It arrived in a small, black box, stained with drops of blood. A note accompanied it, written in red ink: pay your debt. I sighed and tossed the box into the trash at the edge of my dresser.
Should I be afraid? Threats like this were hardly new. After years as an assassin, I had never met a target whose friends or family hadn't tried to retaliate. I didn't need to guess who had sent it—or who I would face next. I knew it would be Ferdinand's bodyguard, the same one Ace had taken out for his own meddling.
I had no energy to stand and shower or change. Classes waited for me this morning, and by nine that night, I returned to the dorm. Leo was asleep in his bed; Ace was reading, calm and silent. The eldest of the demons hadn't returned yet, and I had no idea which corner of the world he was sowing chaos—or worse, indulging in vice. I cursed silently.
Ace's quiet glance caught me, but I ignored it. Drying my hair with a towel, I glanced toward the balcony. Shadows lingered below, and for a moment, I froze. I thought I saw a figure hiding among the trees.
"I saw the flower box," Ace said, drawing my attention. "Someone's threatening you."
It was not a question. He knew, and I knew he would interfere.
"Mind your business," I snapped, turning back to the towel.
"Xena—"
I didn't wait for him to finish. Tossing the towel onto my bed, I met his gaze with a blank stare.
"I'm an assassin, Ace. This is part of my work. Please, stay out of it."
He stared a moment longer, sighed, and returned to his book. I opened the small drawer by my bed and retrieved my pistol. The clock read nearly ten. Most students were asleep. I slid on my jacket, secured the weapon at my hip, and prepared to leave.
I was dressed in pajamas—an inconvenience—but it didn't matter. Sleep would have to wait.
"I understand it's your business, but please, Xena, stay here and—" Ace began again before I could open the sliding door to the balcony.
I stopped, didn't turn. "Would you tell your father to schedule a drug drop or a robbery? This isn't office work, Ace. If I let the sun rise, I won't live to see the next day. Your father will kill me."
I opened the balcony, scanning the shadows. The descent wasn't difficult, but I avoided being seen by the students below. From the darkness, a figure appeared—the one I expected. He stopped, looked up, smiled, and walked toward the field where Ferdinand had died.
No time to waste. I followed. He was waiting, as anticipated.
"How are you?" he greeted when I was a few meters away.
"Wrong question," I said with a sly grin. "How angry is your father? How much is on my head? A hundred thousand? Two? Five? A million?"
He scowled. His eyes darkened, sharp as claws.
"Even five pesos, I'll kill you. Even free, I'll kill you," he said.
I smiled. "Ah, loyalty. Didn't get the memo."
"Shut up!"
The night broke with his roar, hands coiling as if ready to strike. Judging by his movements, he was close to the governor's family.
"You killed my brother. You'll pay with your life," he hissed.
"So that's why," I murmured. "But Ferdinand was the governor's only child… so… you're the illegitimate one?"
"Shut up!" he bellowed, pointing his gun at me. I drew mine.
Then ten more men emerged from the shadows, surrounding me. I hadn't expected this. One false move, one shot, and it could be over.
I surrendered my gun when a man seized it, kicking me to my knees. He struck my head with it, and I staggered, dizzy, eyes fixed on him.
"You're right," he sneered. "I'm the governor's illegitimate son. Benedict. Pleasure to meet you, Xena—the deadliest of the Fontanilla assassins." A kick to my face confirmed his brutality.
Blood filled my mouth. Rage surged.
"This night, you'll experience my brother's death," Benedict spat, yanking my hair to force me upright. "Tonight, I'll take your life—"
He never finished. Ace appeared behind him, gun trained, and the tension exploded.
"Touch him and I'll blow your skull apart," Ace warned.
I exhaled, powerless to intervene except to watch. Benedict's audacity only grew as he laughed insultingly at Ace.
"And who are you?" Benedict demanded, eyeing Ace. "Your pet?"
I shrugged. "Don't try to find out. You'll get his family killed."
Benedict squinted, then laughed. "Ah! You're Damian's youngest."
"Not important. Release Xena, and I guarantee you survive tonight."
Ace's eyes flicked to me, sadness there, but I was furious. I couldn't afford him to be caught in this mess.
"Get him out," I said flatly, not looking at either of them. "You won't even touch his shadow."
Benedict shoved me, mockingly, but Ace restrained him. Chaos erupted. I seized a gun from one of Benedict's men, silenced their shots with his body as shield, and in under a minute, the room was clear—except Benedict and one remaining thug.
"Didn't I warn you?" I spat, striking Benedict in the head with the gun.
Ace called my name, but I ignored him, eyes locked on Benedict. I knew the governor would finish him when he returned empty-handed. I tossed the bloodied gun to the side.
"Go home to Kiel. I'll handle this," I said.
"Get out of my way," I snapped, but Ace grabbed my arm.
"Sorry!" he whispered.
I glimpsed his pleading eyes, like a lover, but it only made me angrier. Benedict rose, grinning through the blood, pointing his gun. My fear for myself was minimal—fear for Ace and Kiel was another matter entirely.
In a blur, Ace pulled me down, shielding me from the gunfire. Time collapsed. I barely registered it. When I opened my eyes, I found him bleeding, lifeless, and my heart went numb.
I froze. For the first time in my life, I felt genuine fear looking into lifeless eyes.
"Ace…" I whispered, finding the courage to touch his cheek. Leo arrived, dropping his gun, tears streaming. "Ace!" he screamed.
I urged him: "Hospital, Leo! Now! He's dying!" But Leo clutched Ace's hand, refusing to let go.
I turned back to Benedict, gun in hand, heart empty with rage. The bastard had no clue what was coming.
"Warning given," I whispered through tears, straddling him. The gun pressed to his chest. I shoved the barrel into his mouth. He struggled, but my fury made the trigger my slave. The first shot silenced him, but I wasn't done—again, and again. Each pull was precise, merciless, demonic. His body went limp.
"Xena!"
Leo tried to stop me, but I couldn't. I remained perched over Benedict, tears burning, the weight of Ace's death a crushing storm in my chest.
"I'm sorry… Ace, I'm sorry," I whispered, collapsing against Leo's chest, letting the grief consume me.