The quiet of the reception room felt as fragile as thin glass. The old man sat across the low wooden table, holding the delicate porcelain teacup in his frail, wrinkled hand.
It was an offer that any sane person would have taken without a second thought. A chance to be protected by one of the most powerful, untouchable assassin clans in the world, and more importantly, a guaranteed, indefinite stay of execution for Risa.
All he had to do was kneel, pledge his absolute loyalty, and become a weapon for the Sihue family.
Hide looked at the old man.
A quiet, almost imperceptible scoff escaped Hide's lips. He leaned back in his wooden chair.
"I refuse,"
From the corner of the room, Enji let out a sharp, mocking laugh, but it died almost instantly. The old man did not laugh. The serene, highly amused smile that had been plastered across his wrinkled face slowly melted away, replaced by an expression of utter, chilling indifference.
