"You know what to do."

It wasn't a question, but Naqam knew from experience that he was expected to answer anyway. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he said, "Yes, Naktis."

"Tell me."

With a small sigh, he recited, "Go to the Spades. Gain their trust." He paused, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Kill them and reduce their empire to ash."

"Why?" Naktis finally stepped forward from the shadows cloaking him. His scarlet hair was close cropped and neat. The stylized J within a heart was barely visible above his tightly buttoned collar. Everything about this man spoke of power, ruthlessness and military precision.

Naqam shook his head, unable to stop his sarcastic remark. "Would you like the reasons alphabetically or chronologically?"

His vision sharpened to a point that was almost uncomfortable as he watched his mentor's hand flash out. To everyone else, the strike would look lightning fast and brutal.

But Naqam wasn't everyone. He was the Ace of Hearts.

And he forced himself to stay still as Naktis' hand cracked into the side of his face, making the skin sting unpleasantly. Naqam blinked, but gave no other reaction. He knew that avoiding the strike would have resulted in a greater punishment.

He battled fiercely to keep his anger off his face as Naktis hissed, "Answer the question."

Naqam bared his teeth and snarled, "Because the Hearts should control Wonderland. Because Killian murdered our Queen. Because Madison Hatter killed our Ace. Because the Spades have allowed a Real Worlder to usurp a throne of Wonderland."

His eyes narrowed dangerously as Naktis' hand came up again, but this time all he did was pat Naqam's cheek gently. Looking thoughtfully at the young man, Naktis said, "Don't ever forget your hatred, Naqam. It makes you who you are. It makes you strong and will carry you swiftly through every obstacle that might present itself."

Naktis' hand was too warm and made Naqam want to pull away. All he did, though, was nod, letting a small smile flicker over his mouth. He shivered when he thought of what tomorrow would be.

It was the beginning of the reason for his entire existence.

Tomorrow, he would set into motion a drama that had years of planning and the hopes of an entire Deck invested in it. The thought was thrilling, as was the idea of finally leaving the walls of Heart Palace by himself.

Naqam's muscles quivered, every fiber of his being aching to set everything in motion. He shook back his collar length crimson hair and asked, "Can't I just go now?"

Naktis smiled at the Ace in a manner that was only indulgent. Then, he sighed and said, "While your blood-lust is admirable, Naqam, the answer is no. This is to be your final lesson in patience, Ace. Learn it well, for that is what will be required above all else for you to succeed."

Naqam's mouth pressed into a thin line as Naktis' expression darkened. The Jack's hand slid from Naqam's face down to his throat, then lunged forward, shoving the Ace into one of the stone walls. Choking at the sudden pressure applied to his windpipe, Naqam met his mentor's gaze coldly.

The pressure increased until black spots started to dance at the corners of his vision and Naktis hissed, "You will succeed, Ace. Or you will not return."

Naqam gasped when Naktis finally released him, his oxygen deprived muscles forcing him to slump against the wall behind him. The stone was cool and damp through his shirt and he hated it. The Jack's words rang in his ears, not encouraging, but rather threatening.

Naqam coughed, then nodded. Hoarsely, he affirmed, "I will not fail you. I will not fail our people, nor will I fail Tamsus' memory."

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Naqam is Hebrew for revenge

Naktis is Lithuanian for night