My heart slammed against my chest and my mouth was dry.

"Enough of all this! I'm sure Evelyn is tired from her long journey." He clapped his hands and a young girl, who couldn't have been much past her sixteenth year, appeared. She wore a long black dress with a white apron trimmed in lace. "Please, show the dear princess to her accommodations."

"Of course," she said, bowing low to him. "This way."

I followed her up an expansive staircase to a long hallway of doors much larger than they needed to be. She paused in front of the last door, remaining silent the entire time.

"This is my room?"

She said nothing. Her eyes were downcast and her lips seemed to be in a permanent frown.

"Um, thank you."

Still nothing from the girl. I shook my head and entered the room unsure of what to expect.

The chamber was scarcely furnished. A bed rested against one of the walls, a desk sat in front of the window, and a stand with a washing basin completed everything. I wasn't so used to a basic room. The vast differences between what I had now and everything I grew up with put what I'd done into perspective. My life of luxury would be over as I continued with the Guild.

I suppose assassins do not need opulence, but not even a wardrobe for clothing.

A pair of black trousers, a black tunic, and a black sash lay on the bed with black boots sitting nearby. I picked up a piece of paper that rested atop everything and unfolded it.

Sweetest rosebud,

I am so thrilled you have decided to join my little family here at the villa. You've made the correct decision. I understand your accommodations may not be what you are used to as a former princess, but I assure you they are more than enough.

Do change into the garments provided. There is no uniqueness here. Everyone is the same. As I told you, you are no longer a princess. You are an assassin and that is all. Change and join us for supper.

I tossed it to the side, feeling the anger rise in me. He had no right to tell me I wasn't a princess anymore.

Deep breaths, Evelyn. Remember you need to stay calm and play along. They will get theirs in due time.

I stripped out of the dragon armor and into the much softer, and lighter, black garb. I wasn't sure what to do with the sash, so I tied it about my waist. Pulling the boots on, I stood quickly when the door opened.

"I did not give you permission to enter!" I hollered as a girl, older than I, approached.

"There is no need to knock. You're going to have to get used to the fact you're no longer the reigning power. It'll be hard, trust me I know."

"Forgive me, this is all very new to me," I said, sitting.

"I understand. May I help?" She motioned to the outfit.

"Please do."

The girl untied the sash from about my waist and wrapped it around my face, covering everything below the eyes.

"It's our mask. When we are out on a mission, we also wear a black cloak with a hood. If times do not call for that, it can be maneuvered to cover all but your eyes. Anonymity is our greatest weapon."

"I'm Evelyn. Former princess of England."

"I'm Anastasia, baro...former baroness of Russia, a future assassin for the Russian prince."

"A former baroness?" I asked.

She nodded while tucking in the shirt. "Very good. This is how we dress. The same outfit daily. Breakfast is at sunrise. Do not be late or you will not eat. After breakfast is weapons training. Once you finish with that it is one on one with whomever you're assigned. It'll be hand-to-hand combat. If you do well you'll get lunch. Otherwise, you will practice until you get everything perfect. After lunch, you practice riding. Followed by more weapons training. Dinner is an hour after sundown then you sleep."

"Is that our life?"

"It's how things have been since I've been here," she said, sitting beside me.

"How long has that been?"

"Most of my life," she said before sighing heavily.

"Are you happy?"

"Nobody is truly happy here. We're honored to have been chosen for such a destiny. We train hard so we may be sent to protect our kings upon our eighteenth birthdays."

"How were you chosen?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. All I know is my father sent me here shortly after my mother died."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It must be hard."

"At first it was, I didn't understand what happened. I knew my mother was gone, my father sent me away, and they expected me to do horrible things."

"You don't like killing?" I asked.

"I haven't actually killed anyone yet. We're not sent on our first mission until the year before we are sent to our kings," she informed me.in

"I see."

"Is it true about your mother?" she asked.

"My mother?"

"That she disobeyed the edicts and murdered one of the brothers?"

"Um, I think so yeah. She fell in love with my father, King Cassius, and had to go through a lot in order to marry him. She doesn't talk about her past life much. She always tells me not to dwell on what has been, but to focus on what can be."

"I see. She's a legend amongst all of us here." Anastasia put her head in her hands and looked forlornly out the window.

"You wish to marry?"

"Of course. It's every girl's dream to marry and produce as many sons as God may allow. We're not meant to do this. To be so alone."

"No, I suppose we're not."

"Why did you come? You were free to do as you pleased."

"I did it to save my parents and the prince of Scotland," I replied, standing and strolling to the window.

"Why the prince of Scotland?" she asked.

"We are...well were...to be married. The Guild attacked us. They killed one of the servant girls and nearly killed a dear friend of mine. When someone attacked me, I realized I had no choice but to join in order to save everyone."

"You were the one who killed Agnes?" she asked

"The dark-haired girl who was good with daggers?"

"Yes. She was our eldest trainer. She was set to go to her king in a few months."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Don't worry about it. She was a terrible person. Nobody misses her much."

"Oh. Okay."

"You do not ever let them know you question what they do. They will not hesitate to kill you."

"Of course not. What is said between us stays between us." I reached out and grasped the girl's hand.

My perception of things changed drastically. These girls did not wish to be here. They didn't want to kill, they had no choice. I chewed my bottom lip as a bell rang in the distance.

"Supper."

She stood, leading me to the dining hall. There were so many more assassins than I'd expected. Three, long, dining tables were set up in the large room. Girls filed in from every door, taking their seats silently. Platters of food were brought out by the serving staff and placed sporadically around. A fourth, smaller table was set up in front of the others. The two brothers and a few other adults came in last, sitting down at the head table. Once they took their food, still everyone silent, everyone else began taking food.

I sat beside Anastasia wanting to say something, but I didn't dare. Everyone stared at their plates, sitting an equal distance away from each other, never saying a word. My heart hurt so much for everyone here. There was so much sadness about.

As the plates were cleared away, Agnolo stood, facing us.

"Good evening, ladies. Another day is finished. Unfortunately, there is one amongst you who will not be going on."

Whispers started. A few gasped.

"What does he mean?" I whispered to Anastasia.

She shook her head and stared up at the man.

"Marie, come forward."

An older girl stood, her head hung low, as she approached him. I looked around, wondering if anyone was going to do something. Or what would be done to her?

"Marie, Lance has told us of your insolence. You refuse to listen, and you continue speaking of your former life. You've been warned and yet you refuse to listen. You know the consequences for not following our instruction."

She nodded as she knelt before Agnolo.

"What's happening? I'm confused," I whispered.

The younger girls looked away as the older ones kept their eyes down.

He pulled out a dagger and shoved it into the girl's chest.

She gasped and grabbed the dagger. Tears slid down her cheek as the girl

Slowly died in front of me.

This is how they control them. Listen or die.

Agnolo removed the blade, which dripped with blood, from her body as she fell to the side. I put my hands to my mouth to stifle the scream that wanted to come out.

"Return to your chambers and remember what happens when you don't follow instructions."

I stood, following the rest with shaky legs. Vomit rose in my throat, threatening to escape with each step I took. Once in my room, I sunk to the floor.

This was a mistake.