Daddies’ Little Assassin (Femme Fatale Freakshow)

6. The Takedown

Chapter six

The Takedown

K arel followed the cab through the city's winding streets, weaving in and out of traffic with ease. The tension in the car was palpable, the air thick with anticipation. My heart raced in my chest, my body humming with a strange energy I hadn't ever felt before. Maybe it was the mate bond, or maybe it was the adrenaline, but I felt... connected.

Up ahead, Sapphire's cab came to a stop in front of a sleek, towering apartment building—one of those ridiculously fancy ones with tinted windows and a doorman who looked like he'd been hired straight from a catalogue.

"She certainly has a taste for the finer things," Henry muttered from beside me, his voice low, eyes narrowed on the building.

"Looks that way," I agreed, unbuckling my seatbelt as Karel brought the car to a smooth stop a little further down the street. The building was all steel and glass, its exterior gleaming under the city lights. It screamed wealth and power—perfect for a succubus like Sapphire.

My hands shook slightly as I reached for the door handle, but as soon as my feet hit the pavement, I was relieved to find that my legs finally seemed to be cooperating. No tripping over my own feet, no sudden wobbles. Finally, I feel like I have some control over my body. I wasn't sure how long that would last, but I'd take it.

The guys piled out of the car behind me, their presence grounding me as they fell into step on either side. I was used to working alone, but something about having them at my side... it just felt right. It was a new feeling, but I couldn't afford to get distracted by it now.

"Normally, I'd shift and follow her in, but that will not help us now," I say, watching the building carefully. "Any suggestions?"

Lang snorted, making me look back at them. Henry smirked, the corner of his lips twitching up in an understated way, like this was all just routine. "Cloaking's a speciality of mine."

With a wave of his hand, a shimmering darkness settled around us, almost like a veil. I blinked, looking down at my body, which was now blurry and indistinct. I'd heard about angels and their cloaking abilities, but seeing it in action was something else.

"Stay close," Henry murmured, his hand brushing mine as we approached the front entrance.

We slipped past the doorman with ease, his eyes gliding over us without a hint of suspicion. Sapphire was already heading into the elevator with her victim—an attractive brunette who looked dazed, her movements sluggish as Sapphire draped her arm around her. She was draining her already, just enough to keep the brunette compliant.

My blood boiled. The Guild might have hired me to eliminate her, but this had become a smidge personal. She wasn't just some mark anymore; she was a monster, and she needed to be stopped.

We watched as the number rose on the elevator, and I wasn't very surprised when it went all the way to the top floor. I wasn't worried about losing her trail. I had her scent, so as soon as we got off on the right floor I'd be able to track her.

Karel pressed the button for the next elevator, and we followed Sapphire's trail up to the penthouse. The ride felt interminable, the silence heavy with the weight of what was about to happen. I tried to focus on the task ahead, but my pulse pounded in my ears, and my skin prickled with the awareness of the men surrounding me.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing an opulent hallway lined with marble floors and ornate light fixtures. Turns out I didn't need my tracking abilities at all, as there was only one doorway at the end of the hall. I could hear voices faintly from the other side.

"We need to be quick," Lang whispered, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. "She'll be strong now, especially so soon after feeding."

I nodded, steeling myself as we reached the door. I appreciated that none of the men tried to stop me or warn me off. Karel flexed his hands, his fingers brushing over the hilt of the blade hidden beneath his jacket. Henry and Lang flanked me, their presence a solid reassurance. I wasn't alone in this. Not anymore.

Without a word, Karel moved forward, producing a slim tool from his pocket. He worked the lock with practised ease; the door clicking open with barely a sound.

It seems these men had some stories of their own to tell. It's one thing having the natural abilities gifted to you by your species type, but a whole different thing knowing how to pick locks.

We slipped inside, the low lighting of the penthouse helping us hide our entrance.

The scene that greeted us was worse than I'd imagined. Sapphire stood in the centre of the living room, the woman sprawled out on the couch, her face pale, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Sapphire hovered over the victim, her eyes glowing with an eerie light, her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she drew on the last bits of energy.

Sapphire looked up at us as we entered, her eyes narrowing as her smile twisted into a sneer. "Well, well, well," she purred, her voice dripping with venom. "Looks like I have company, and just after I've had a snack. What a lucky demon I am tonight."

Before I could think, before I could even second guess myself, I was moving. I leapt forward, my body reacting on instinct as I launched myself at Sapphire. My fists connected with her chest, sending her stumbling back with a snarl of rage. She was fast—faster than I'd expected—but I was quicker. My shifter instincts kicked in. My Lucky Foot might have been gone, but my training quickly kicked in, and luckily the bad luck from earlier seems to have passed.

Sapphire hissed, her fingers curling into claws as she swiped at me, but I dodged, ducking low before slamming my knee into her midsection. She howled, stumbling back toward the window, her glowing eyes burning with fury.

"Not so tough without a crowd of people to drain, huh?" I taunted, circling her, my heart hammering in my chest.

She lunged at me, but before she could close the distance, Karel stepped in. He was like a force of nature, his blade flashing through the air in one smooth, deadly motion. Sapphire barely had time to react before the blade sliced clean through her neck.

Her head hit the floor with a sickening thud, her body collapsing in a heap beside it. The glow in her eyes faded, leaving nothing but a lifeless husk.

For a moment, there was only silence, the weight of what had just happened settling over us. I stood frozen, staring down at the body of the succubus who'd wreaked so much havoc, the adrenaline still coursing through me.

"We need to take care of the escort," Henry's voice broke the silence, calm but firm. He was already kneeling by the couch, checking the woman's pulse.

Lang joined him, his expression grim as he examined the victim. "She's weak, but will survive."

I exhaled a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Relief flooded through me, but it was tempered by the weight of what had just happened. I'd killed before, plenty of times, but this felt different. This time I didn't do it alone.

Karel wiped his blade clean, sheathing it with a nod of approval. "You did good, Little bunny."

I swallowed, the adrenaline fading as exhaustion crept in.

"Thanks... but you did most of the work."

Henry gave me a soft smile, his hand resting on my shoulder. "We're a team now. You don't have to do this alone anymore."

I blinked up at them, the truth of those words settling deep inside me. I wasn't alone. For the first time in my life, I had someone with me, someone I could rely on. And that thought, more than anything else, gave me strength.