Arya stood outside the tavern in the bustling merchant district, her heart racing. The plan was in motion, but time was slipping through her fingers like sand. Valen was stationed in a nearby room, swearing he wouldn't come out unless she called for him. But as she took a breath to steady herself and prepare for the meeting, she felt a sudden rush of panic. She had been too close to him, too entangled in the web of the Imperial family. She needed to act quickly.

Just as she reached for the door, a figure lunged from the shadows, yanking her into a hidden corner. A knife was pressed against her throat, the cold steel biting into her skin. Arya's instincts kicked in, ready to fight back, but she froze when she recognized her assailant—one of her own brotherhood members.

"Where the hell have you been?" he hissed, shoving her against the wall. "Are you anywhere close to getting your target?"

Arya glared at him, a dark fury rising within her. "You think it's easy to infiltrate the Imperial Family? You think I've been wasting time?" She pushed him away forcefully, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You're straying from the mission," he growled, his grip tightening on the knife. "The Grand Master is growing impatient."

"Tell the Grand Master that I need a few more weeks to deal with Kael," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "He's tangled up in something bigger, and I need to get close enough to figure it out."

"What does Kael have to do with this?" The assassin's brow furrowed with interest, the knife lowering slightly.

She took a breath, weighing her words carefully. "Kael's been in contact with someone, a plan is brewing. I need to gain the Imperial family's trust to eliminate him. Once I've done that, I can strike."

The assassin raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Arya leaned closer, her voice low and urgent. "If I can use the Imperials to take out Kael, we'll eliminate the threat entirely. Then, once I've earned their trust, I can kill the Prince on the night of his birthday in two months."

A chilling smile spread across her face as she spoke, the darkness creeping in. "Imagine it—the heart of the prince placed in the Grand Master's hands. It'll send a message to everyone."

The assassin nodded slowly, contemplating her words. "I'll inform the Grand Master," he said, lowering his weapon. "But you better make this work."

As he slipped away into the shadows, Arya leaned against the wall, her mind racing. The burden of her mission felt heavier than ever. She had to eliminate both Kael and Valen, the very thought tightening her chest. But she needed to focus on the task at hand. She took a moment to breathe, regaining her composure.

Shaking off the encounter, she returned her attention to the tavern, her heart pounding with determination. She had a plan to execute, and she wouldn't allow herself to falter now. Kael's life was on the line, and she needed to work quickly before the Grand Master lost patience.

~

Arya's heart raced as she slipped into the dimly lit meeting room, her senses heightened by the pulse of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She tugged the hood of her cloak down and adjusted her mask, transforming into the Blood Angel. She felt a mix of fear and resolve; if they knew she was here, her presence could strike terror into their hearts and buy her time. For now, she had to be careful. The Prince must never discover her identity.

As she crouched in a shadowed corner, Arya took a moment to steady herself. She had to keep the facade intact. If anyone recognized her, it would spell disaster for her plans.

The door creaked open, and she stilled, her breath hitching as six figures entered the room. Peering out from her hiding spot, she was taken aback to see the familiar face of the book merchant among them. The others she recognized as members of a clandestine society known for their ruthless ambition and treachery.

"Let's get to business," one of them said, his voice low and gravelly. "We all know why we're here."

Another spoke up, a sly grin forming on his lips. "The princess is currently in our possession. With her as leverage, we can draw out either the Emperor or the Prince."

Arya's heart sank, dread pooling in her stomach. They were planning something sinister, and she needed to hear every word.

"We know the Blood Angel is in the city," one of them added, leaning forward, "but we can't risk her interfering with our plans. If she kills the Prince, it could jeopardize everything we've worked for. We need to eliminate him and the entire Imperial family—clean and simple."

Arya clenched her fists, barely able to contain her anger. They had no idea who they were dealing with.

"Let's not forget the ball at the end of the tourney in two weeks," the merchant chimed in. "That's our opportunity to take out the Queen. The chaos of the event will mask our actions perfectly."

Arya's mind raced. They were plotting an attack not just against Valen but against the entire family. She had to warn the Grand Master about this society of thieves and assassins, and she needed to do it fast.

"Once the Queen is gone, we can bait the Emperor or the Prince to come rushing in," another conspirator said, his voice dripping with malice. "We'll have them right where we want them."

A chill ran down Arya's spine. Their ambition rivaled that of her own Brotherhood. The stakes were higher than she had imagined, and the threat of losing everything she had worked for loomed over her like a dark cloud.

"Remember," the first conspirator cautioned, "the Blood Angel may have her own agenda. If she interferes, we need to be ready."

As they continued plotting, Arya's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Her purpose, her identity—everything was at risk. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest. She had to balance her mission to eliminate Valen while also ensuring his safety from this new threat.

Finally, the meeting concluded, and as they filed out, she waited patiently, ensuring no one was left behind. Once the coast was clear, she lowered her hood, taking a deep breath as the tension slowly ebbed from her shoulders.

But she was still on edge, knowing that Valen must never see the remnants of her Blood Angel armor. She had to remain low, out of sight, hidden in the shadows, and she couldn't afford any slip-ups.

As she stepped out of the hidden corner, she made her way toward the exit, every nerve in her body alert, her heart pounding in rhythm with the weight of the secrets she now carried. Time was running short, and she had to inform the Grand Master before the dark plans could take shape. The fate of the Empire—and her own—depended on it.

~

Arya moved quickly through the corridors, her heart still racing from the intense meeting. She had managed to change out of her Blood Angel attire just in time, ensuring there were no traces left that could connect her to the deadly assassin. When she finally reached the room where Valen was staying, she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She had to be careful—one slip, one wrong word, and her entire identity would be exposed.

Valen looked up as she entered, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside her. He was lounging comfortably, but his eyes sharpened as he saw her. Arya wasted no time in relaying what she had overheard at the meeting, carefully omitting any mention of her confrontation with the guild member. She spoke of the society's dark plans to eliminate the Imperial family, the capture of Marissa, and their concern about the Blood Angel's potential interference.

"They know about the Blood Angel," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "They're worried she'll disrupt their plans. But they don't know where she is or what she's planning. It's an advantage we can use."

Valen leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "And what do they want with Marissa? Is it just leverage?"

"They want to draw you or your father out," Arya explained, keeping her tone measured. "If either of you makes a move to save her, it's an opportunity for them to strike."

Valen's gaze darkened, but then he surprised her by suggesting, "Why don't we meet with the Blood Angel? If she's a wildcard in all this, maybe we can turn her to our side."

Arya's heart stuttered in her chest. She forced herself to take a slow breath, her mind racing for a response. "That's...complicated," she managed, choosing her words carefully. "The Blood Angel is a rogue assassin, and I'm... well, as an operative of the Empire, I can't be seen collaborating with someone like her. It would compromise my position, and she doesn't exactly trust the Imperial family."

Valen's eyes narrowed slightly, studying her. "But you have contacts, don't you? You've been in this world long enough to know how to reach her."

The lie tasted bitter on Arya's tongue, but she forced herself to continue. "Maybe," she said cautiously. "But even if I did, there's no guarantee she'd listen. She's unpredictable, dangerous. If she senses any trap, she'll disappear."

Valen seemed to consider this, then suggested, "You said they're worried about her. Maybe that's something we can use. What if I made a direct appeal?"

Arya's pulse quickened. "You can't," she said quickly, trying to mask her panic. "The Blood Angel isn't someone you can just summon. But..." She hesitated, the plan forming even as she spoke. "If you want to try, you could leave a sign. Something subtle, that she would recognize. Maybe... paint a white holly leaf on your door."

Valen raised an eyebrow. "A holly leaf?"

Arya nodded, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. "It's a symbol that might catch her attention. It's... something she used to leave as a calling card."

She could see the curiosity in Valen's eyes, but he nodded slowly. "And you wouldn't be able to be there?" he asked, his tone probing.

Arya shook her head, desperately trying to hold her composure. "I'm the new spymaster, Valen. If I'm seen with the Blood Angel, it could ruin everything. I have to maintain my cover."

He seemed to accept this, though she could see he wasn't entirely convinced. "All right," he said finally. "But if I do manage to meet her, you'll be close by, right? In case things go wrong?"

Her stomach twisted at the thought of having to lie again, but she nodded. "Of course. I'll be close. I just... can't be in the same room."

The tension in the room was palpable, each word feeling like a razor's edge she was balancing on. One misstep, and the truth would come crashing down around her. She had to keep Valen at a distance, had to maintain the illusion that she was just an Imperial operative, dedicated to protecting him and the Empire. The irony of it almost made her laugh.

Valen gave her a long, searching look, then nodded. "All right. I trust you, Arya. Just... be careful."

The words cut deeper than he could ever know. Arya forced a smile, feeling the weight of her deceit pressing down on her. "I will, Valen. I promise."

As she left his room, the enormity of what she was doing crashed over her. She was balancing on a knife's edge, and one wrong move could cost her everything. But she had made her choices long ago. Now, she just had to see them through, no matter what it took.