Misted (Team Zero #5) by Rina Kent

My fingers surround the teacup as I stare at the amber liquid, my shoulders hunching. I don’t even remember my victims' names or faces. I shouldn’t get that privilege. I shouldn’t forget what it’s like to be a monster.

But again, is it so wrong to forget?

Every nerve in my body itches to take a full shot just so I can erase it all.

It's been a week since Ghost left for his holiday.

A whole week of seeing Hawk's broody, silent presence around and wishing I could erase him.

It doesn't matter that he barely says a word. His mere presence pushes me into irrevocable chaos. One look into his emotionless turquoise eyes and I start running.

Not knowing his agenda puts me on the edge of my seat. I barely understood him years ago, but now, he’s as foggy as the smoke coming from his cigarette.

A black book.

A closed-off enigma.

Not that I have the right to reach him anymore.

I lost that privilege long ago even if it still pulses under my skin with every breath I take.

My only concern is my mission and keeping the girls in Le Salon safe.

Hard metal digs into my side before fake accent drifts in the air. “Keep yo hands where I can see ‘em.”

I place the cup on the table and smile up at Molly. “Stop playing around.”

“You should be more careful, Mist. Someone else would’ve killed you.”

“Someone else wouldn’t have gotten this close.”

“Touché.” She laughs, the sound loud and carefree, as she flings her backpack on the table.

Molly throws her weight on the chair opposite me and tries to subdue her wild mane of fluorescent pink hair. She’s wearing jean overalls with fishnet stockings and basketball trainers. Her bright brown eyes are outlined by darker shadows. A piercing rests in the corner of her violet-painted lips and another at the tip of her nose.

“What did I say about drawing attention?" I motion at her. “Assassins should always remain in the shadows and keep a low profile.”

“Pfftt. That’s narrow and old-fashioned, Misty.” She grins. “Actual predators hide in plain sight.”

I shake my head. She’s probably the only one who thinks that way in The Pit.

I already ordered her favourite strawberry milkshake. She retrieves her phone, covered by a skull and glitters case, and snaps a picture of the table’s setting. Molly leans back in her chair and taps in her phone, probably sharing that on Instagram. She has thousands of followers on social media.

Once done, she leans over with both her elbows on the table and takes a long swig from her milkshake.

I lean over as well, gliding my cup aside. This might be a safe place – compared to Le Salon, where Hades has countless spies. However, since someone is trailing me, I can’t be too careful.

“Did you do what I asked?” I whisper.

“Done!” She murmurs back with a mischievous gleam. “It took me a lot of networking, but I’m ya gal when it comes to sneaking around.”

I release a long breath. “Are you sure Poison’s disciples won’t get the upper hand?”

“They can try.” She smirks, twirling the straw in her drink. “I’ll keep squashing them, though. Many of the second generation assassins owe me favours and it’s time I call for them.” She hits her chest with pride. “My people will stop Poison’s people from killing more than Ink’s people. Okay, that was so many people in one sentence, but you know the drill. Anyway, Ink will be out, Misty!”

I tap my fingers against my forearm that's resting on the table. “I’m sorry you had to call in your favours, Molls.”

She’s like Flame. Both of them do so much to acquire favours. While Flame only does it to manipulate the hell out of everyone, Molly is different. It’s her way of survival. She was never a strong fighter, and if she didn’t smarten up, she would’ve died a long time ago.

It eats at me that I’m making her sacrifice some of her lifelines, but I need Ink out under any circumstances. As for protection, I’ll provide that for her.

“It’s the least I can do! Besides, Ink owes me a tattoo. He left an unfinished skull on my butt. It’s so not cool.” She grins and snatches my cup to gulp the tea down in one go. “Why do you want him out so much, though? Did he leave you with an unfinished tattoo, too?”

“Ink and I have always been friends. Why is it weird that I want him out?”

Molly narrows her eyes to slits, obviously not believing me, but she shrugs and goes back to slurping her milkshake.

It's better this way. The less she knows, the safer for her.

“Don’t use up all of your favours,” I say in a stern tone. “Never put yourself in danger for me.”

“Mistyyy! I told you it would take me a lifetime to use up all my favours. Networking, remember? Besides…” she looks at me from underneath her lashes. “I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t save me at that time. I owe you my life.”

“Molly... I didn’t do it so you would owe me your life. Anyone would’ve done that.”

“But no one did. You’re the only one who stepped in.”

I hang my head. If only she knew I saw myself when I saved her. She was barely twelve at the time, all tiny and bony. A few guards ganged up on her, ripping her clothes while she screamed and thrashed. They hit her, punched her, and kicked her in the ribs. I was frozen. Terrified. However, the moment I saw her blood, I morphed into a crazed animal.