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One arm to keep the target in place, one hand to silence his gasp of surprise, the other hand guiding a dagger between the ribs where it would puncture the lung and the heart at the same time. He had done this countless times before, it was a routine. The body in his grip twitched for a few more seconds - a last stand in a losing battle - then the man slumped to the ground in front of him and fell straight into the river. How convenient that he had chosen this spot of all places for a nocturnal rendezvous.
Illario checked his clothes for traces of blood. The dagger followed its victim into the water and would remain at the bottom forever. The dead man himself would probably reappear in a few days, miles away from where he had died. And people wouldn’t dare to ask questions. They never did. Contract fulfilled.
Satisfied with himself, Illario put his mask back on to return to the ball through the gardens. A glass of wine was in order, now that his work was done. He had almost reached the villa when he heard footsteps on the gravel beneath his feet and looked around carefully. His gaze fell on an approaching figure - another guest, it seemed, as they were also wearing a mask. Judging by their movements, they were male and probably still young. The hair, however, fell in soft, blond waves around their cheeks. A colour that was rarely seen around here and Illario could not deny that his interest was piqued. Nevertheless, he remained cautious and waited for the other to speak first.
And they did, revealing a rather high but definitely male voice: “Oh, excuse me, Sir. Have you seen Señor Héctor? I think he wanted to go for a walk.”
“I'm afraid not,” Illario replied and ventured a few steps closer. The other's mask was nothing more than artfully curved black lace that could barely conceal the young man's large blue eyes and handsome face. Perhaps the evening had even more to offer than wine and gossip. “I’m sure you don’t need to worry about him,” he went on. “With so many guests he surely just got lost in conversation.”
The blonde seemed indignant, if only a little. “Well, he's my patron, so I should be worried about him.“
Illario smirked. In these circles, patron meant nothing else than an older person who kept one or more young people in his household to pass the time. Depending on the person, it wasn't the worst way for a pretty girl or boy to live free of charge.
“In that case, would you allow me to accompany you in your search?” he offered, showing his most seductive smile and tilting his head ever so slightly before he added, “Or... Perhaps I can be of service to you in another way?”
The other's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but Illario didn't miss it. Nor did he miss how he briefly let his gaze wander along his body and seemed not averse to what he saw - because the next moment a gentle smile danced around his lips.
“Are you always so straightforward, Sir?” he asked politely but with a hint of playfulness.
“Only when I meet someone who’s so irresistible.” Illario walked even closer to him, close enough to run a gloved finger over the expensive buttons of the robe in front of him. The young man was barely noticeably shorter than him and smelled of flowery perfume and light-coloured wine. And in the dim light of the torches, one could almost have missed the faint blush on his cheeks.
“You flatter me,” he said, eyes half-lidded.
Illario let his gaze wander deliberately slowly to his lips. “I am tempted to do much more than that.”
The corners of the other’s mouth twitched and he huffed, “What do you have in mind, Sir?”
“Whatever it is that you would like to give, I will certainly enjoy it very much,” Illario murmured sweetly and it made the other smile even wider. “So?”, he went on, now grazing the jawline of his counterpart with the backside of his fingers and closing the last distance between them. “Do you know somewhere more - private - we could go?”
“I certainly do,” the blonde whispered, almost leaning in for a kiss. But then he withdrew and walked a few steps backwards, reaching out a hand. “Follow me.”
“With pleasure,” the Assassin agreed and took the hand that was offered to him.
What a perfect way to end a job.