Fifteen years ago

Eli, Charles and Moose were walking in a close formation. Moose was on point, clearly the one most suitable for the position. The enormous girl was very professional out in the field, unlike the other students she didn’t joke around or shoot at random targets.

She put a fist in the air, signaling the two boys behind her to stop. “Two enemies, standing on the eleven and two, target at twelve.” She rapidly signaled. Both Charles and Eli nodded. Eli’s heart was racing, it was like gaming, only better. The weapons they were using were for training purposes, the bullets couldn’t wound or kill, but they hurt like hell. The danger of feeling pain when shot made the stakes much higher. “3. 2. 1. Go!” The three turned around the corner, shooting at the targets. It went off without a hitch, Moose was good like that.

The girl came from a prestigious military family, planning missions and executing them exactly according to design was in her blood. Charles and Eli had quickly realized that, after two major fuck ups. Charles’s plans were too complicated, it’s many moving parts seldom going according to design. Eli’s plans were the direct opposite. He wasn’t one for grand strategies or plots within plots. He liked things to be simple, effective and quick, but his game plans were too predictable. Moose used a perfect mix of the two styles.

Eli had been surprised when Dobber had divided them into three men strike forces. He felt less like a ninja, sulking in the dark, preparing to eliminate the enemy, and more like a marine. Even though Dobber was a hard ass he was fair. You did your pushups and jumping jets and you would get through the day with a minimal amount of yelling. Really it wasn’t all that different from soccer practice. The whole purpose of the training was just a bit more sinister.

“Students de Winter, Kingsburg and Bancroft, please report for your scores.” We jogged towards Dobber, who was on the edge of the practice terrain, holding a loudspeaker. They were a short time later followed by the students they had shot. “That was a fine performance. Bancroft, good plan, smooth follow up. De Winter, fine shooting, confirm your hit next time. Kingsburg, be a bit sparser with you ammunition. Your aim is true, trust that you got the job done. You all pass, dismissed.”

Eli was sweating as he jogged towards the barracks. “I’m going for a shower and a drink.” Charles announced. “Can I join?” Moose asked. “Shower or drink?” Charles wriggled his eyebrows. Moose didn’t respond, smiling instead. “Break it up love birds, we still have that assignment for diplomacy.” The disdain dripped from Eli’s voice. He absolutely hated diplomacy. It was like history in high school, boring, long winded and mostly about people who died a long time ago.

Moose and Charles both gave me a mean smile. “Already finished it.” They both announced. “You got to be kidding me. You’re seriously going out, leaving me to work on the world’s most boring assignment by myself?” There were more mean smiles, followed by some bickering.

It had been almost two months since Eli had stranded in this new world. Yet, he felt as if he had been here for years. Cabaneri Incorporated was a lot like his old high school. He had fit in easily, made two friends, done a couple of really cool things. He suffered the occasional bout of homesickness, but he was far from the only one, together they pulled through. The whole ordained assassin business had become an afterthought at this point. After all, he wouldn’t have to use any of the things he had learned after he got home.

As Eli was taking a shower, Charles standing a few meters from him doing the same, they noticed something strange. The veins in their arms were slowly turning black.

⤊

Now.

“Jesse can you run a few errands for me?” Jesse answers in the affirmative and her boss gives her a list. None of the assignments fit with her job description, but she’s used to it. Eli de Winter is a very strange man. He disappears back into his office, a short while later the sound of music reaches her.

When the bureau assigned her to Eli she hadn’t known what to expect. Ordained assassin de Winter, former member of Cabaneri Incorporated. Once found guilty of being obsolete, now redeemed. The Bureau’s file on him was extensive but lacked rather crucial details. Such as where the man had come from and how he got to Mercia. There were no records before his sudden appearance at the immigration office.

Even though the assignment was dangerous and strange she had taken it. She had inserted herself into Eli’s life as his secretary. The first thing she found out was that Eli kept his secrets close. He talked little about himself and even less about his contractors. All his correspondence was in code, one she cracked after a while. However, even decoded, the letters were hard to follow. They were all about amounts of money being transferred from one account to another. The accounts themselves, or the institutions they belonged to, were never named. Even upon closer inspection there wasn’t a single crown that moved on Eli’s registered accounts. The whole thing had been infuriating.

In the five years Jesse had been Eli’s secretary she had made one appointment. There wasn’t a single reason for the assassin to even have a secretary. He did everything himself, unloading meaningless jobs on her. Had she really been an ordained novelist doubling as a secretary she would have quit ages ago. But, Eli was her assignment. So, she kept her head down and did what he asked. The Bureau didn’t recall her, even when she reported that he didn’t do anything strange or especially criminal. Now, five years later, she was still at his side.

She would be lying if she said she doesn’t like him. He is polite, occasionally funny and surprisingly empathetic when it comes to her worries. For a former criminal and a professional murderer, he is surprisingly human. She looks at the list, there is grocery shopping on there. She sighs, then goes to grab her coat.

It is cold outside, winter is dragging its feet. At least it isn’t snowing, Jesse fucking hates snow, it makes everybody’s work that much harder. “Jesse, over here.” From the other side of the street Amanda waves at her. A few seconds later the woman joins her. “You’ve been shopping?” Jesse nods at the bags Amanda is carrying. “There is so little to do these days, now that Benjamin is out of the country.” The other woman sulks. “So you decided to empty the stores?” Jesse’s arched eyebrows make Amanda pout. “It’s not as if I can’t afford it. Benjamin won’t even notice transactions this small.” Amanda seems disappointed by that, maybe she wanted Benjamin to notice.

“So, you’re doing mister de Winter’s groceries again?” Going by Amanda’s tone she disapproves. “Yes, I am, what about it?” Maybe Jesse is a bit aggressive, but she doesn’t want to hear Amanda badmouth him. The other woman gives her a knowing smile. “A bit protective, are we? Tell me, how are things going with mister de Winter? Have you found out how to get closer to him?” The question is an awkward reminder of the conversation the two of them had two years after Jesse started working for Eli.

At the time she had been desperate to get him, so that she could move on to the next assignment. After seeing how Amanda dealt with her frosty husband she had asked the woman for help. Amanda had, of course, misinterpreted the question as Jesse trying to seduce her boss. Ever since that conversation the woman kept asking if Jesse had succeeded in her efforts. The most annoying part of it was that Jesse blushed every time Amanda asked. Apart from that repeating bit of awkwardness she actually liked Amanda.

The other woman chuckles upon seeing the expected blush, then mercifully moves on to another topic. They chat for a bit as Jesse posts two letters, picks op dry cleaning and shops for groceries. Amanda is excellent company, she asks the right questions, has countless entertaining anecdotes and knows the latest gossip. The two of them are so engrossed in their conversation that time passes without the two of them noticing. Before Jesse knows it, she is standing in front of the office again.

“Now then honey, you should come over for dinner some time.” Amanda says, as she kisses both Jesse’s cheeks. “You should bring mister de Winter. Maybe a social event where you show up as a duo will awaken something in him.” Jesse grins awkwardly. “Yeah, maybe, you never know.” She mumbles. “Give my best to your brother. Tell him I would love to see him once he returns from the front.” It is an inappropriate request, but Amanda was never fazed by that sort of thing. “I will.” Jesse says as the other woman turns to leave.

Quietly Jesse enters the building that doubles as her boss’s house and office. It is a nice building, with an arched roof, blue steel window frames and polished wooden door. It must have cost a fortune, considering that it was built on the first level, a short walk away from city hall. Where Eli got the cash from to buy it is a mystery. It has something to do with the contracts he completed when he worked for the Cabaneri corporation. The Bureau never got to access those files. The entire case is locked behind retributory seals, nobody will ever see them.

Inside the doors to Eli’s office are closed, but sound comes from behind them. A woman’s voice, clearly upset, and Eli’s, calm and reassuring as usual. Jesse puts the groceries away, returning just in time to see a crying woman exit the office. She is followed by Eli, who looks concerned. “It will all be taken care of ma’am. I will call you when it is done.” The woman sniffles a thanks and disappears through the front door.

“A new case?” Jesse casually asks. Eli is lingering by the front door. “Hmm? Yes, indeed, a new case.” She is hesitant to probe, Eli gets prickly when asked too many questions about his business. “Today or later?” He looks up. “I just want to know whether I will be cooking for two tonight.” She quickly adds. He considers her answer, even after five years he doesn’t trust her. She doesn’t take it personally, he trusts nobody.

For as long as she has known him he has never brought anybody home. There have been clients, but those visited the office. As far as she’s aware she’s the only one who has been invited into his home area. It makes her feel a tiny bit special, even when she knows it makes no sense to feel that way. Eli is paranoid. But within his profession the question is not whether you’re paranoid but whether you’re paranoid enough.

“Later, this contract will take time.” Jesse nods and a silence falls over them. She wonders what he is thinking. Is he worried, angry or something else? It is like looking at a mannequin, his face never reveals anything. There have only been a handful of times she saw the mask come off. Only one of those times it was due to happiness. She sometimes wonders whether he’s happy. There is no reason he shouldn’t be, he’s fulfilling his destined path, he’s rich and he’s healthy. Yet, his smiles so seldom reach his eyes.

“How’s you brother?” He asks, breaking the silence. “My brother? Oh, he’s fine. There’s currently a ceasefire in place so his unit is doing nothing.” She’s relieved, it doesn’t take much for her to admit it. She never stops worrying about her brother, always fearing for the news that he won’t make it home. “That’s good. The war should be over soon, he might even get stationed in the city.” If only she was that lucky.

“On an unrelated note, what do you know about the Silver Bell cartel?” Jesse is surprised by the question. “Not that much. They sell Breath and some other drugs on the third and fourth. They’re not from Mercia, almost all are here illegal. That is what the bureaucrats say at least.” He seems to think about her answer. “I thought Breath was going out of style?” She nods. “Yeah, it is inferior to Snuff. Rumor has it that the Silver Bells are being pushed out by the Aksokovs and some new player.” Jesse shrugs. “Not that it matters. The Syndicate doesn’t allow other activity than their own in the higher districts. As for the factory district, there are no clients.” Eli looks at her questioningly. “The factories ban workers who use for life, nobody is willing to risk it.” He nods, it makes sense.

“So, if you wanted to find a member of the cartel you would need to search in the lower districts.” Jesse shrugs and nods. “I’m not an expert, but I guess so, yeah.” He grunts a thanks and disappears into his office. He leaves the door open and she can see him rummage around, opening drawers, picking up weapons and putting them down again. What exactly he is looking for she doesn’t know. Eventually he picks up a small gun and nods appreciatively.

He comes back. “Listen, I want you to take this, do you know how to use it?” He hands her the gun and she takes it. “My uncle thought me on his farm.” She lies smoothly. “But why would I need one now.” Eli gives her a worried look. “I’ve heard how the cartels deal with people they have a problem with. They go after their friends and family, cut them up and send them back in parts. I don’t want you to be without protection, seeing you’re a close associate of mine.”

Jesse wonders what the hell kind of cartels they have wherever it is that Eli comes from. The Silver Bells may be conscienceless dealers and ruthless, but even when making an example they kept it somewhat civil. The kind of barbarism Eli described was beneath them.

“Are you coming?” Eli asks as he walks towards the door. “Coming?” She asks, the gun still in her hand. “Yeah, I thought it would be nice to go out for dinner. To spare you from cooking.” She was about to say that she didn’t mind cooking for him when an imaginary Amanda smacked her on the back of her head. “Yes, I would love to, let me grab out coats.” There is a slight smile on his face as she hurries to the coatrack. “Don’t you dare to bring back that stupid hat.” He calls after her. For once she doesn’t, even if it looks good on him.

⤊

It’s been two days since Jesse and Eli had dinner together. Eli has been out mostly, chasing leads. She looks at the clock, it is already late, but she has a feeling it will get later before Eli gets back. Normally she would have gone home hours ago, but he had requested that she stayed until he got back. It was an unusual request, which made her worry.

About two hours after midnight a car stops in front of the house. Jesse walks towards the door, ready to take Eli’s hat and coat. He stumbles in however wearing neither. “Call the surgeon.” He croaks. Blood is seeping through his right hand, leaving a trail on the floor. As Jesse rushes to the phone she notices that he’s clutching something in his left hand.

“Doctor Devehlin’s office, how may I assist you?” Jesse concentrates. “We need the doctor’s assistance, name is de Winter.” She faintly hears the rustling of paper on the other end of the line. “De Winter, indeed, I assume its urgent?” The woman’s calm is infuriating. “Yes, it is fucking urgent, he’s bleeding badly, damn it.” There is a chuckle on the other end of the line. “They always are. The doctor will arrive shortly. Please try to keep pressure on the wound.”

The woman on the other end hangs up. Hadn’t she been on the verge of panic she would have remarked on the rudeness of the doctor’ secretary. She rushes to Eli’s side; the bleeding is getting worse. He is profusely sweating and there is something wrong with his eyes. The whites are turning yellow. “Cat?” Eli suddenly rasps. “Keep pressure on the wound, the doctor is on his way.” Jesse says. “Cat, how’s mom?” Eli ignores her completely, it isn’t her he is seeing.

The doorbell rings and Jesse stands up. “See, the doctor is here, everything will be okay.” Her voice is shaky, she is talking to calm herself down. Suddenly he grabs her arm in a death grip. “You can’t tell mom Cat, not this time.” There is an intensity to his voice that scares her, even though he isn’t talking to her. “I won’t.” She squeaks. “It would ruin our vacation.” He releases her.

The doorbell rings again and Jesse runs to let the surgeon in. The doctor is a man of average height, bald, wearing tiny round glasses. “The patient is in the side room I presume?” She nods, and he marches past her. “Mister de Winter, do you know who I am?” Eli mumbles something intangible. “This is going to make things harder. Miss secretary could you hold mister de Winter down, I’m about to sedate him.” Eli struggled as she tried to keep him down. “Now now mister de Winter, we’re just trying to help.” Eli grunted and spit at the doctor, before slowing down, finally settling. “Going by mister de Winter’s responses to minor stimulations I assume he was poisoned. I will now examine the wound.”

It is light when the doctor is finally done. Eli is peacefully sleeping on the couch, his waist covered in bandages. “Mister de Winter was holding on to these quite tightly, I suggest you keep them safe.” Doctor Devehlin hands her a pair of silver bells, covered in blood. “He is to move as little as possible, least the stitches rupture. I left him three tinctures, the green one he is to take in the morning, the red and blue ones at night. I expect the usual payment in the regular account within the week. Please let mister de Winter know.” He nods at Jesse and leaves.

She checks on Eli, who is still asleep. God in heaven, she’s so tired, she’s been up for hours. This isn’t the first time she scheduled an appointment with the surgeon. There was another incident three years back, a contract gone bad. But it hadn’t been Eli who had done the bleeding back then. She folded the bloody bells back into his hand, then headed off to the spare bedroom. It was going to be a busy few weeks.

⤊

Thomas Aksokov is a happy man, a rich man as well, these days. He whistles happily as he strolls through the rather nice safe house. “You know, when El started up this whole operation I thought it would be a temporary thing. Just a way to fund the project she was working on. However, I’ve found that I rather like being in charge.” He smiles at the men kneeling on the ground, rifles pointed at their heads.

“But, to be in charge means that you have to have an idea where you are going. Because your trusted soldiers don’t know, do they Dimitri?” Dimitri, Thomas’ second in command grins. “Just here for the fighting and the money.” Thomas nods at him, before turning his gaze back to the kneeling men. “Right he is. So I thought long and hard of what I wanted. I found just the thing. Why stop with just a few blocks, a couple of dealers and some snuff? Why not take everything? The entire district, gambling houses, brothels, fight pits, bars, everything.”

Thomas throws his hands in the air. “But, all these things are already owned by others. So, I figured that instead of building these enterprises I will take them from others. Which brings us here, to you, proud Silver Bells.” He grins at Dimitri. “Is it a good speech? I thought of it on the way over.” Dimitri gives a thumbs up. “Good mix between intimidating and familiar, I like it. Next time, maybe you shouldn’t tell them the plan.” Thomas nods appreciatively at the feedback. “I will keep it mind, Dimi, thanks. Good that this was a test round.” He gives the signal and the kneeling men all get shot.

“Now, to send the right message, I want you to cut out their eyes and replace them with their bells. Hang the bodies by the neck around the borders of our territory. Between us and the green scarfs the sound of bells will soon go extinct.” He chuckles. “You know, I’m enjoying this far more than I expected.”