The next two days seemed to pass by in agonizing speed. After selling her soul to Rheynoak, Onyx had shamefully excused herself out of his office to ponder on her next move, taking breaks in between to cry in the dark.

The dread in her stomach was too much for her to bear and every time she looked up at the sky, she could feel the ancestors eyeing her, confirming her suspicions that she had signed herself on a mission with death.

Rheynoak had announced the mission to everyone the following day during breakfast, effectively humiliating her.

But the humiliation she felt was no match to the look Venix gave her when she found out with everyone else, her violet eyes watching her with disappointment. She kept her distance and avoided her gaze during training, ignoring when Onyx greeted her.

The feeling of dread stayed with her as she rose out of bed the next day, looking out her window at the dark sky, the silhouette of the pyramids grey under the morning fog. She looked around her space, eyeing her packed bags and her brandished weapons.

It was unusually quiet as she gathered her robe and a few clothes before venturing out into the morning cold, stifling a yawn as she made her way to the bathhouse.

The bathhouse was silent as she slipped inside the door, the scent of jasmine filling the air as she stepped into a dim candlelit room, a small pool waiting for her.

After several trips between the well and the pool and throwing hot stones into the cold water, she sunk her body into the warm embrace of the water. Her muscles screamed in relief as she stretched, a groan escaping her lips. Onyx delved underwater, submerging herself in the water before emerging, brushing her short hair aside.

Resting her head against the edge of the pool, Onyx closed her eyes, running through all the possible outcomes of the mission.

They all pointed to death.

Death was always an option and she had brushed shoulders with it too many times to consider herself lucky. Death was her partner, always following, always invading her. Waiting, silently waiting for the perfect opportunity to dispose of her.

This wasn't her first mission. She had killed and slaughtered many at the hands of her blade and not an ounce of sympathy had slipped through her soul in those moments and the mysterious woman was no threat to her sword.

But the thought of never coming back was what stopped her every time. The thought of leaving the tribe grounds, leaving Venix, made her freeze.

The fact that her friend wasn't talking to her made her ache more.

Onyx sighed, resting her hand on her chest as she steadied her thoughts. "Get a grip of yourself, Ashrevion" she whispered to herself, shaking her head.

She took a deep breath, slowing down her heart. For the sake of her friend, she would do it.

Even if death met her halfway.

Making up her mind, she finished bathing herself and dried off, slipping into a pair of black pants and an emerald green shirt. She strapped thick black bands around her legs, waist, and arm. She laced up her boots and shrugged on a black cloak, clasping it tightly. Finally, she strapped a leather holder to her belt.

Gathering her dirty clothes, she made the short trip back to her hut, throwing her clothes in a basket before walking over to her bed. She peered down, pulling out a box that contained her sword. The lock unlatched, the sword embedded in a bed of velvet as she removed it from its home, admiring the sharpened blade, curved handle, and the garnet that sat in the middle of the hilt.

She sheathed the sword in the leather holder strapped to her hips before pulling out another box from her bed, this one containing other weapons she admired just as much.

By the time the knock on her door sounded, Onyx was adjusting the last of her dagger in the thick waistband she had secured over her shirt, carefully pinning one throwing dagger in the shape of a barret into her hair.

"Are you ready?" Rheynoak's voice broke through her thoughts as she turned around, frowning at his smirking face. Beside him was Lucien, his eyes wandering around her room.

"Because my morning wouldn't be complete without seeing the two of you" she hissed with sarcasm, her eyes darting between them.

"You wound me, Onyx" he purred, tilting his head to the side as he eyed the thick bands around her body.

A cunning smile lingered on his lips as he strayed near the waistband, his smile faltering when he saw the glint of a dagger hilt peering from one of the holders.

"Are all these weapons necessary?" he asked.

"Yes, they are. Hence why I have them" she said, strapping one bag over her shoulders while holding another in her calloused hand. "If I am to survive, I need all the help I can get."

"Confidence is a great look on you" he teased, earning another glare from her.

"I know you are itching to start your mission but before you leave, a couple of ground rules have to be established," he said, folding his arms over his shoulders.

Onyx rolled her eyes but nodded. "We will stay in constant contact," he said, pointing to the Ruge on her arm. "I'll check on you every day, and monitor your progress. You don't have much time to complete this mission."

"How much time are you allowing me?" she asked.

Rheynoak passed a look to Lucien, flickering his eyes up and down at his right-hand man. "A month. You have a month to complete this mission."

The Siphon rolled her eyes, her arms crossing her chest but she stood still as she listened more. "While I do expect you to find the girl, I don't expect you to keep long. So, Lucien and I have compromised and have decided to give you a month."

"A month in Serius? I'll be dead by then!" she explained.

He shrugged, pressing his lips together. "I give you a week before the witches and hybrids tear you to pieces" he rebutted. Onyx scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I despise you" she hissed at him. "I don't need a month anyway," she said, clicking her tongue against her teeth. "I'll be done in two weeks maximum."

"No, trust me. You'll need a month" he objected.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Anything else?"

"Yes. Lucien will be your captain for this trip" he said, pointing to his right-hand man. "He'll make sure you arrive safely. Any details of this mission, you can ask him. I've made sure to tell him as much as he needs to know."

Lucien nodded, bowing his head. "I look forward to being acquainted with you" he spoke in a soft tone, offering her a smile.

Onyx blinked twice, taken aback by the deep bass in his voice.

How had she not realized it earlier?

"Better him than you. Is that all?" she asked, once again.

Rheynoak nodded, stepping back from her door. "For now. Let's begin the mission."

Taking a deep breath, Onyx took the first steps outside, feeling the cold air burn through her lungs as she breathed in and exhaled once more. Lucien took the head start, leading the way for her to follow.

As she began to follow him, the tribe leader caught her wrist, pulling her back until she was pressed against his chest.

The rapid beat of his heart thrummed against her shoulder, his grip tightening as he stooped down and whispered in her ear, "Try not to die."

He grabbed her chin, turning her head back so she could meet his hard gaze. He gave her a stern look to cement his words, raising a brow for confirmation.

Onyx sighed and nodded, wrenching her wrist free from his grip as she did a slight jog to catch up with Lucien who was halfway to the gate.

She looked over her shoulder but Rheynoak was gone, leaving only her hut straying further and further into the distance.

"You're fast" Onyx breathed to Lucien as she managed to catch up and match his steps, looking up to see him. He turned to meet her eyes, a small smile on his face.

"All in the days of being immortal," he said, his eyes bright with humor. She felt herself smile, chuckling as she lightly hit him with the bag in her hand.

"Let me help you with that" he offered, taking the bag away from her and hoisting it upon his shoulder.

"Thank you. You should talk more" she advised, earning a side-eye from him. "Your words are much more intelligent than the putrid filth Rheynoak speaks."

"I'm talking to you now. Consider yourself lucky" he teased, shaking his head.

They shared a laugh as they made their way towards the gate, the sand crunching underneath their feet as the tall head of the gate came into view.

But Onyx's laughter died when her gaze panned down to see the silhouette that leaned against the brass bars, violet eyes peering out from the darkness of the morning.

Lucien followed her gaze, stopping in his steps as he saw Venix lean off the gate, her white hair coming out from the hood she wore over her head. A frown was on her face as her gaze shifted between the two.

Inside, Onyx felt her blood run cold and her heart stop beating, the excitement she once had dying to a mere tangible feeling of regret as she looked into her friend's eyes.

"Venix" she whispered, feeling her throat swell shut. Her friend shifted her gaze back to her at the sound of her name, a sigh escaping her lips. She crossed her arms over her chest, taking a step forward.

"You're really leaving? With him?" she asked, eyeing Lucien carefully.

"I'll be back before you know it. I'll be fine" Onyx reassured, taking a step forward as well. She extended a hand out to her, hoping for her to take it.

But Venix simply looked down at her hand, frowning slightly.

"Have a safe trip" she said, pushing her hand away.

She turned to Lucien, a frown on her face as she glared at him.

"Try not to kill her before the mission starts. Even if it is out of your hands" she hissed at him, furrowing her brows.

He sighed deeply, veering his eyes down to the floor as he nodded. "Of course."

Without another word, Venix turned around and left, her back to the wind as she retreated to her hut. Onyx turned around, calling out for her friend but it was no use. Her silhouette had disappeared before she could call out to her again.

"Is she going to be okay?" Lucien asked.

Onyx sighed, nodding her head. "Yes. She always is. Let's go."

Without thinking twice, Onyx slipped her way through the crack of the gate and breathed in the desert air, the brass door sealing shut.

"I have the ship ready. It's a seven-day voyage so I hope you are ready" Lucien warned, passing her a tentative smile.

"It's not my first mission and hopefully, it won't be my last" she replied, returning the smile. "So lead the way, Lucien."

All these tests coming up and attacking me and I'm just sitting here like

But with all of that, Chapter Thirteen is now complete and ready for you all. I know this was a rather short and crappy chapter but I really wanted to update for you guys so please enjoy! (And excuse the crappiness)

So Onyx's mission begins now! Are you nervous, excited, scared, or just sitting there with a bag of popcorn ready to shit blow up?

Onyx Ashrevion...I bid you good luck!

Tell me what you think of this chapter and don't forget to vote if you liked it! Until next time Lovelies!

With Love, May