3. Compromised

As an assassin, I have been taught that the mission always comes first, and that I need to be prepared for virtually anything. But the curse this witch cast on me is not something I was ready for, I'll have to say.

I can't say I want to die per se, but I would much rather face death than have to go through life blind – and thus useless and vulnerable.

As an assassin, I have been taught to adapt to any given situation – losing one's sight was not in the curriculum though.

Cordellus gets me inside a cab almost as soon as the fresh air of night hits my face. Sadly enough, I have to rely on him… and this doesn't sit well with me to say the least.

I don't know what to say to him. He isn't quite a partner but he isn't a stranger either.

Thanking him seems out of place and yet damn right too.

"I guess I'll have to treat you to some fancy chocolate soon," I tell him, only half in jest.

His tone is teasing as he retorts, "Is that your way of saying thank you?"

I roll my painfully unseeing eyes and click my tongue in dismay. I often forget that the man can read minds.

"Can you stop that?" I bite out.

"Stop what?" He retorts and I can almost picture the smirk on his face.

"Reading my mind, what else?"

"Can you stop breathing?" He retorts.

The cab driver must have gotten quite intrigued with our conversation for he soon chimes in, "You can read minds? You're a psychic of sorts?"

"You're thinking this is some kind of trick," Cordellus retorts matter-of-factly. "And I'll have to admit that I'm in no mood to humor you."

I tune out their exchange… I only realize halfway that my next target will have to be assigned to another assassin. And thus, I have to make a few calls – quickly.

"Are we there yet?" I ask, my impatience rearing its head.

"Not quite," is Cordellus' answer.

I recall how Cordellus, the all powerful and immortal being that he is, was basically trembling when facing the witch earlier, whereas I, like the ignorant fool I can be, tried to take her head-on.

Whoever said ignorance is bliss is a fool.

Information is the key to understanding this world. And I neglected some vital information when taking on my last target – all my targets really. I was never given names and never cared to know them.

Many questions are roaming my mind when the cab finally comes to a stop.

I get off, and almost fall to my knees. If I had not caught the door in my near fall, I would have been a sight for sure.

Cordellus whispers a sympathetic, " Wait for me."

But I don't do as I am told and instead stumble onto the sidewalk. I could do without his pity.

Soon enough, he is by my side, guiding me into the building. We are both silent till we reach the apartment, the hideout that was made available by the organization.

I fish my phone out of my pocket, and then as I remember my situation, I have to repress a growl of frustration.

"Need help calling someone?" Cordellus offers in a kind tone.

I hesitate at that. Should I allow him to have possession of my phone? Can I trust him?

"You can wait till morning to call whoever you're so eager to talk to," he says in mild teasing.

"It cannot wait," I tell him in a firm tone. I hand him the phone and say, "Look for John Smith and dial his number."

"Wow, quite the original name," he quips, and a throaty chuckle follows.

"He's my liaison agent," I feel the need to tell him as I glower at him.

"You're glaring in the wrong direction." His words make me even more aware of my situation if that were possible. I heave a silent sigh.

"I shall retire to the next room," is what he says next as he gives me back the phone.

I am glad he is considerate enough to give me the space I need to talk to my superior without having to ask that of him.

It might be night or even morning wherever John is but I could care less. I have to relay to him what happened.

This is an emergency, and it naturally calls for drastic measures.

"Hello, Kade," he greets me cheerfully, not using my real name for some reason.

The line is secure. Why would he feel the need to use my go-to name instead of my real name?

I dismiss my paranoia, and then tell him matter-of-factly, without beating around the bushes, "I have been compromised."

"I beg your pardon?" It doesn't take a genius to know he is taken aback.

"I have lost my sight," I explain. "But it's a temporary condition where I only lose it once night falls."

"You encountered a witch?" He asks on a sigh.

I stiffen at the reminder and say, "Yes, sir."

"You'll have to wait for instructions."

And with that, the line went dead.

It isn't long before Cordellus comes back into the room and helps me find the bed so as to lay down and get some rest.

Sleep, however, evades me for the longest time.

And just as I am drifting off, my least favorite pest comes to wake me up. He is shaking me quite vigorously.

"We have company," he announces, his words ominous.

It doesn't immediately sink in, but when it does, I jump off the bed, and ask, "How many?"

"I'd say four or five," he answers.

I stand there, partly flabbergasted and mildly honored. They've sent a team to eliminate me, not a lone assassin.

I consider my options but then realize I am completely useless and totally vulnerable since I lost my sight.

"The sun comes up in about two minutes," Cordellus announces, bringing me out of my stupor.

I smirk at that.

I won't go down without a fight.

"Can you hold them off?" I ask the one-million dollar question.

"My pleasure," he chuckles darkly.

Coming back to the hideout was not my smartest move, all things considered. But where were we supposed to go on such a short notice? Also, John calling me Kade instead of Jeremy should have tipped me off… I was obviously careless.

Now, I am ready to face the consequences of my carelessness.