The room was dim, lit only by a single lamp.
Lisa lay on the leather couch, her shoulder bandaged, her breathing steady but shallow.
She hated this.
She hated lying down.
She hated being still.
She hated being weak.
But most of all—
She hated the look on their faces. Like that.
When Lisa moved, all three reacted instantly.
Alan:
"Don't sit up."
James:
"You lost too much blood."
Adam:
"Please… just rest."
Lisa ignored all three.
She pushed herself up, teeth clenched, breath sharp.
Alan Blocks Her
She tried to stand.
Alan stood in front of her immediately, blocking her path.
"No."
Lisa glared at him.
"Move."
Alan didn't.
"You collapsed. You almost died."
Lisa's voice was ice.
"I didn't."
James muttered under his breath.
"Only because we were there."
Adam added softly,
"You scared us."
Lisa looked away.
She didn't like hearing that.
The Attack Begins
A sudden explosion shook the safe house.
The lights flickered.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The walls trembled.
James grabbed his gun instantly.
"They found us."
Adam moved to the window.
"There are too many. At least thirty."
Alan looked at Lisa.
"Stay here."
Lisa stood up.
Her legs shook.
Her vision blurred.
But she stood.
"I'm not hiding."
Alan stepped toward her.
"You can't fight like this."
Lisa lifted her gun.
"Watch me."
The Elite Assassin Appears
The door blew open.
Smoke filled the room.
A tall figure stepped inside — masked, armoured, moving with deadly precision.
Not from her past.
Not connected to her family.
Just a weapon.
Number 01.
The highest rank.
James whispered,
"…That's their top assassin."
Adam's eyes widened.
"They sent Number One for her."
Alan stepped in front of Lisa.
"Stay behind me."
Lisa pushed him aside.
"No."
The First Strike
Number 01 moved faster than anyone they had fought before.
He aimed straight at Lisa.
James fired first.
Adam fired second.
Alan charged forward.
But Number 01 dodged all three attacks.
He wasn't here for them.
He was here for her.
Lisa raised her gun—
Her shoulder burned—
Her vision blurred—
Her knees buckled—
And Number 01's blade sliced through the air toward her.
Alan Catches Her
Lisa's legs gave out.
Alan caught her before she hit the floor, pulling her against him.
His voice was a growl.
"You're not dying today."
James and Adam stepped in front of them, guns raised, ready to kill Number 01.
The assassin tilted his head, studying them.
Then he spoke for the first time.
"The queen falls tonight."
Lisa's eyes snapped open.
Her voice was a whisper.
"Not tonight."