‘‘The kingdom does not care who we kill, only that we kill.’’
‘‘Failure is not an option. Hesitation is a death sentence.’’
I learned that early.
The first time I saw blood on my hands, I was just a kid. Too small to understand what it meant. Too young to ask why the kingdom needed warriors like me.
Now, I don’t ask questions anymore.
I don’t hesitate.
I just survive.
Until tonight.
My name is Saphira Valcrow, a warrior of the Crimson Order—trained to kill without thinking twice.
I look down at the number inked on my wrist.
Only one more kill.
Just one more name… and then I’m free.
Every warrior like me is born with a mark. It’s burned into our skin, tied to our blood. The number on our wrist shows how many people we have to kill to stay alive. It decides everything—our worth, our future, our life.
Every time we kill, the number goes down.
And when it reaches zero,we are free
Most of us never make it out.
Almost no one truly escapes.
But me?
I have one kill left.
And for the first time… I’m not sure if freedom is real.
Maybe it’s just another lie the kingdom told us.
I should feel happy.
I should feel relieved.
But when they hand me the name of my last target, my world spins.
Killian Veyne.
The warrior people whisper about in war camps.
Some fear him. Some admire him.
All know his name.
He is the leader of the Kingdom’s Phantom Blade
I’ve heard the stories. He appears out of nowhere, kills in a blink, and disappears before the blood hits the ground. They say his sword doesn’t just take lives—it steals fate.
I’ve seen what he leaves behind. Warriors lying dead, eyes still wide open, as if they never even saw him coming.
And now… I have to kill him.
I’ve never failed a mission.
I’ve never said no to an order.
But now… I don’t know if I can do this.
“You’re hesitating, Saphira.”
The voice snaps me back. I look up and see Commander Rathos. His eyes are cold, like always. He holds a paper with the name written in bold black ink.
“No, sir,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm.
I force myself not to clench my fists.
“I’m ready.”
“Good. Because if you hesitate, you die. And I won’t waste time burying another failure.“
I nod quickly, but my mind is screaming.
I don’t fail.
I can’t fail.
But as he walks away, that name keeps echoing in my head.
Killian Veyne.
My final kill.
The streets are quiet as I walk through the lower city.
My daggers feel heavy at my sides.
Lanterns flicker above me, and I can hear guards talking in the distance.
I’ve done this before.
Find the target.
Strike before they see it coming.
End it fast.
But something’s different this time.
I don’t feel calm.
My heart is beating too fast.
My hand won’t stop gripping my dagger too tight.
I curse under my breath.
I’ve never met Killian, but I’ve heard enough.
They told me I’d find him tonight at the Black Iron Tavern.
A loud, messy place.
Perfect to hide a quick kill.
But as I get close to the tavern, I freeze.
He’s already there.
He’s sitting at the back, watching me.
His eyes are dark. His lips curl like he knows something. Like he’s been waiting for me.
He doesn’t move.
But I feel the danger rolling off him like a storm.
He’s dressed in black, big and calm, with a long cloak hanging behind his chair.
His fingers play with a metal cup. But his eyes stay locked on me.
Sharp. Focused. Dangerous.
And in that moment, I understand something terrifying.
I am not hunting him.
He is hunting me.
