Chapter Text
"Monroe wishes to see you." A faint female voice called from outside my door. I sighed. It was only a matter of time before my peaceful morning was ruined by him. I glanced over at my brother still laying soundlessly asleep. When he slept, curled in a ball, he looked so small, so innocent to the world. I wanted to keep it that way. I wanted to keep him safe here, asleep, where he didn't have to worry about this cruel life we were living.
"Thank you, Jules." I called back to the women. Reluctantly, I rolled out of bed. I knew I couldn't keep Monroe waiting on me or he would get angry. I walked quickly out of my room making my way to the dinning room, which just happened to be a long wooden table surrounded by an assortment of whatever chairs we could find. We had taken base here in an abandoned paper mill, which just happened to be perfect. There were many escape routes, if someone happened to find us, and plenty of room for us to work. Monroe sat at the head of the table; his head was bent down looking at a tablet. His short, curly black, military cut hair was slicked back showing off his bushy eyebrows and the one thin scar across his forehead. He looked up, his dark almost black eyes staring me down. Around the table sat the six Phoenix's, the people Monroe trusted the most. I took a seat next to Jonah, who gave me a small, warm smile.
"Careful," He warned. "He's on a rampage this morning."
I rolled my eyes. What was new. There was always something going wrong. While it seemed small and trivial to me, for Monroe, it was like the world was ending.
"Good morning my sweet Kya." He said, his voice was soft and smooth like butter. "Nice of you to join us. Sleep well?"
I nodded as my hand reached for a piece of bread, sliding butter on top of it.
"Great, well now that everyone is here, we can begin." Monroe took a sip of water before standing in front of us. "Where are we at with our friend in the other room?"
"We were able to recover him quickly." Thomas spoke, his voice was a low rumble. Thomas was a burly man with long, shoulder length blond hair. He reminded me of a dirtier version of Thor. His face was slender with a long patchy beard, and you could see his body was sculpted neatly through the tank top he never took off. He was proud to work for the Phoenix Society. Always flaunting his brand whenever we went out. Something I could never do...I took a bite of my bread watching as Monroe began pacing. His brow was pushed into a single line. I saw it twitch slightly, telling me that he wasn't pleased with our work.
"And?" Monroe prompted waiting for more information.
"We ran into some trouble when his family came out, but we were able to apprehend them quickly. They won't be a problem." Jonah said before taking a bite of bread.
"Why weren't they taken care of beforehand?" Monroe asked. His eyes scanned us. I looked down at my half eaten bread, hoping his eyes would move past me. His footsteps moved as he walked behind each of us. My heart pounded as they moved closer to me. He knew it was my fault. "Does someone care to explain to me what happened?" He footsteps stopped behind me. "Ah, Kya. I believe you were supposed to clear the area, weren't you?"
"Yes sir." I told him quietly. Monroe had this way of making you question everything you have ever done. Any confidence I had, completely vanished around him.
"Care to explain to me what happened!" Monroe's voice boomed, causing me to jump back.
"They had a child sir. I couldn't find her." I told him. My eyes were facing forward. They locked onto a large metal beam across the room as I did everything I could to avoid the eye contact of those around me.
"So you just threw it all away? Everything we had worked for. I need that money."
"I-I'm sorry." I stuttered out.
"Sorry doesn't fix the fact that I now have three more dead bodies on my hand!" Monroe yelled. He was frustrated, I get it I messed up. I take full responsibility. After a second, Monroe sighed leaning down by my ear. "Lucky for you I have a new task for you. Because I now have to work on making sure no one finds those bodies, I need you to talk to our dear friend. I need you to get me my money back."
I didn't respond. I sat with my hands placed lightly on my thighs, my eyes not straying from the beam in front of me. I felt Monroe's face pull away from mine as he straightened back up.
"Do you understand me?" Monroe said again. I stayed silent, for a moment not knowing what to say. My finger unconsciously traced me wrist where PS was permanently burned into my skin.
"Do you understand me." Monroe's voice boomed again; this time louder. I nodded quickly. "You do whatever it takes to get me the money I am owed."
"Yes sir." I said quietly. I felt Monroe's firm hand grab my chin forcing my face upwards. My eyes now were forced to look straight into his. His hand made its way down from my chin to my neck where he squeezed tightly. My hands tighten on the arms of the chair as I did everything I could to breathe through my nose. My eyes watered as his hand squeezed harder. A single drop of water fell from my eye. Monroe leaned down to my ear.
"Do not let me down." He whispered; his breath was hot as it hit my ear. Within the next second he let go of my neck. I breathed in quickly, happy to be able to breath clearly again. I wiped the drop of water from my face, careful not to let anymore fall. Tears were a sign of weakness, and I was not weak.
"I don't want to have to remind you what happens to your dear brother when you let me down."
Monroe said before exiting the room.
* * *
I am slowly awakened by the soft sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. I rubbed my eyes as I sat up, listening. These footsteps were different than those of the guards who had previously been down here. They were softer, lighter almost, like someone was tiptoeing. A small head peeked around the corner and peered into the cell. The figure in front of me was small. She had light, light blond hair, that was almost white, that was was brushed nicely falling in locks that fell halfway down her back. She had porcelain skin that, along with her hair, made her curious green eyes stand out. She wore all black, which made it pretty impossible to see her completely in the dim lighting. She held herself strong, and confident, much like the others. However, the longer I stared at her, I realized she was young. She couldn't be older than fourteen or fifteen. The girl stared at me, taking in every inch, suddenly making me feel very self-conscious. Her eyes landed on my wrist. She tilted her head in curiosity.
"What does that marking mean?" She asked watching as I quickly glanced down at the marking. "I'm Marley." She spoke again not waiting for my response, which I was silently grateful for.
"Kya." My voice was steady as I spoke as my eyes continued to assess the girl. The girl crossed her legs as she sat outside my cell. I sighed not yet ready to face the reality that I was still locked in this damn cell. I lay my head back down taking a deep breath and allowing the dream that still tugged at the back of my mind to fade away.
"Are you okay?" The girl, Marley, asked.
"Peachy." I gave her a shaky thumbs up. Another pair of footsteps sounded in the hallway. These were ones that I recognized. They were the same footsteps that were there yesterday when I awoke. They were the ones that belonged the Banks. I groaned silently. He was the last person I wanted to see right now. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to make it all go away.
"Banks..." Marley said, startled to see him walk down the hall.
"Mar, you know you aren't supposed to be down here." Banks said, his voice was right outside my cell. I heard a sigh.
"I just wanted to say hi. I felt bad that she was down here by herself."
"Go." Banks told her sternly. "Before you're late for training."
I heard another sigh, then the dragging of feet as Marley left. Even though I was now staring at the ceiling, still hoping for him to leave, I could feel his attention turn to me.
"I brought you some food."
"My hero." I sat up, turning to face him. He set down a plate filled with eggs, bacon, and toast. I watched as he slid the plate under the bars to me. He, then, sat outside the cell. Ever so slightly, I moved the sleeve of my shirt down on top of my wrist to cover the etching on my skin, suddenly nervous what he would think. While he already knew I worked for Monroe, there was something about having his marking on me that made me uncomfortable. They already had enough reasons to keep me here, they did not need another.
"You really should eat something." Banks said when I didn't move from my bed. He motioned to the plate of food sitting untouched.
"Pass."
"You know there are hundreds of people out there who would be ecstatic to have this warm food."
"Great why don't you give it to them."
Banks just sighed leaning back against the wall. He sat with his arms outstretched on his knees. After a minute, I sighed as I made my way over to the plate. I grabbed a piece of bacon, suddenly hungry. I glance over at Banks who now was leaning his head against the wall, looking up. I could tell he was frustrated at my stubbornness and for a moment I felt bad. He was just trying to do his job.
"Where did the name Banks come from?" I asked him with a raise of my eyebrow as I took a bite of bacon. That isn't a name you hear every day.
His eyes looked over at me, his head still connected to the wall. "My father's name was Ethan. It made it easier when he was working here just to call him Ethan and me Banks."
"Was?"
"Hmm?"
"You said your fathers name was..." I trailed off as my fingers picked at the bacon still in my hand. Banks sat up, his eyes were soft and sad as he gave me a small smile.
"You're not the only one with demons in your past, Kya." He spoke quietly. I looked down. "He died a couple years ago, heart attack." He chuckled. "Can you believe it...the work we do here, and the old man dies of a heart attack."
"You must miss him a lot."
"Everyday." Banks nodded. "But it's why I do what I do. It's what he would have wanted."
I took another bite of bacon. Banks watched me steadily. Maybe I had this all wrong. Here I was thinking they were the enemy, but maybe Banks was right. Maybe we could help each other.
"Banks!" A voice called from down the hall. Banks groaned at the sound of the women's voice.
"What do you want Lillian?" He asked not moving from his position against the wall. I watched as the women walked up next to him. She had long, red hair that was brushed so smooth it was shiny. She wore a little black dress that clung tightly to her body showing off her curves. Her high heels made her stand so tall that it made me feel even tinier than I was. Her makeup was done dark. She had on brown eyeshadow that accentuated her deep brown eyes and her lips were a dark, matte marron.
"What are you doing down here?" She asked, distinctly annoyed she had to come down here. Banks nodded his head toward me.
"Bringing our guest some food." He told her. I had to keep myself from laughing as he looked up at her. I took another bite of bacon watching the conversation in front of me.
"If it were up to me, I would have left her bleeding out in the ally." Lillian grumbled. She stared me down, her eyes piercing into me.
"And that is exactly why it is not up to you." Banks said as he stood bringing her attention back to him.
"Tyler wants to talk to you. He said he needs to go over something with you."
"Tell him I'll be there in a minute." He told her. Lillian nodded. She shot me one last look before she stalking out of the hallway, her heels clicking with every step.
"She seems nice." I muttered out. A slight smile crept across Banks's face.
"You going to be okay down here?" He asked.
"I don't need a babysitter."
"I'll be down in bit to check on you." He said with a smile. His eyes twinkled with amusement, which annoyed me. I wasn't sure what I was doing that was so funny.
"Can't wait." I rolled my eyes as I watched Banks leave. I waited until his footsteps had let the hall before I let out a big breath. I sat back, closing my eyes, letting myself relax. Then they shot open as I launched into action. I had to get out of this cell. I had to get to my brother if it was the last thing I did. I squeezed my hands together trying to get them out of the bind that was still wrapped around my hands. I figured by now it would be loose enough for me to squeeze them through. I was wrong. They had tied my hands tight. I couldn't move them. I crawled over to the barred door that kept me trapped and jiggled it. It creaked but didn't budge. I reached up and snagged one loop of the rope on the handle of the door, then I pulled. As I pulled, the rope synched around my wrists. I could feel it cutting off my circulation. I gave one last tug and the loop fell off loosening the rope around my wrists. I shook the rope off as I stood, then went to work on the handle. I pulled a pin out of my hair and stuck it into the lock on the handle. I jiggled the pin until I heard a click. I smiled to myself as I pulled the pin out and pushed open the door. Adrenaline was pumping through my body with each step I took.
"She's getting away!" I heard a voice yell as a body came into view. I smiled ready to take him on. They had kept me in that cell for too long. He came running at me swinging his arm; I ducked under it whipping around kicking his legs out from under him. The man fell to the ground with a grunt. I turned to run but was instead met with a body. A man's arms wrapped around me. I struggled against him, but when he didn't budge, I brought my knee up into his groin. The arms loosened around me, as they did, I threw my head back smashing it into his. The man's arms completely let go of me as he stumbled back. My feet took off down the hallway leaving the two men in my wake.
"Damn it! Banks she got out!" A female voice now filled the hallway as more guards started running after me. The ground shook as their feet carried them through the hall.
"She's running toward the north corridor!" I heard Banks's yell echo from down the hall. I noticed as I ran that the hallway, I was in began filling with light. It wasn't much at first, but the further I got from my cell, more light filled the path in front of me. As I reached the end of the hallway, I saw a wooden door. I was almost out. I threw my body against the door and stumbled out of the hallway. I stood up, catching my breath as the door latched shut behind me. What I was met with, nearly caused me to faint.
I breathed in taking in the sight. I ran my hand over a railing as I walked down a small set of stairs from the ward I was in. As I did this, I became in tune with the amount of people that were here. There were hundreds of people bustling around me, some holding papers in their hands, others holding tables. No one seemed to even notice the escaped prisoner. My heard began pounding harder as I walked through the hall. My eyes glanced over to my left, and I froze. I stood in front of two huge ceiling to floor windows that cast in an enormous amount of natural light. I was at the top of a Victorian style staircase that seemed to run up the center of the entire building. My hand brushed over the smooth, varnish finish of the railing at the top of the staircase.
"I was wondering how long it would take you." Someone said from beside me. A man stood next to me. He was not much different then Elias and Banks. He had floppy dark hair that he wore slicked back and wore a black leather jacket that looked like it had seen better days with its worn sleeves and zipper. His deep brown eyes looked at me, searching over me as if checking to see if I was okay.
"What the hell is this place." As I asked this the sound of guards running down the stair filled the room. They came from every direction. The man held up his hand, stopping the groups from coming over to us.
"Kya, I'd like to be the first to welcome you to the Estate. Headquarters of the Order." The man responded.
"Holy shit." I breathed. What I was looking at was unbelievable. This place was breath taking. It reminded me much like a castle that had been modernized. From the corner of my eye, I saw the man nod his head slightly. I felt two hands grab my wrists, normally a scenario that would cause me to fight back. But right now, I was too stunned to do anything. The two assassins grabbing my wrists began placing a zip tie around them.
"Walk with me Kya." The man said as the assassins finished. "I think we need to talk."