The Assassin Thief

by Madeline Te Whiu

‘Always knew there was somethin’ about you,’ the remaining twin pants, ‘with your queer looks and your penchant for death.’

‘I swear on a blade to my heart,’ she murmurs, ‘what an odd way to say “I promise”.’

Better to hide with them among the shadows than light a beacon announcing our presence.’

Something in her hesitates as if a string inside her soul is tethered to these looming goliaths that have stood watch over her for many winters.

When he licks his lips, her adulterous eyes flick towards them, before her traitorous mind joins in.

To hurt or kill and forget is the way of a monster,

‘Bett’r them than me,’ the woman replies. Telium curls back her lips and snarls in the bandit’s face. ‘Better no-one!’

With the grace of an old crone,

perhaps it was not the isolation that caused her peace but being among those who did not baulk from her darkness.

To hurt or kill and forget is the way of a monster.’

sheep they have been circling turned out to be a dragon.

‘And if we choose wrong? What if we fail?’ the male shoots back. Telium’s smile is wicked, full of dark promise. ‘Ah, but what if you fly?’