Chapter 9 The Assassin's Choice

Marcus barely dodged. The dagger grazed his shoulder, cutting through cloth and skin. He rolled backward, putting distance between them.

"Not bad," the assassin said. "Most people don't dodge my first strike."

She attacked again, both daggers moving in a deadly dance. Marcus blocked with his sword, but the impact sent shocks through his arms. She was much stronger.

"You just broke through," the woman continued, circling him. "Your energy is unstable. You can't control your new power yet. This fight is already over."

She was right. Marcus's body felt strange, like wearing clothes that didn't fit properly. His energy surged unpredictably, sometimes too much, sometimes too little.

But he couldn't give up. If she reported to Cassian, everyone at the academy would be in danger.

"I don't need perfect control to beat you," Marcus said, trying to sound confident.

The assassin laughed. "Brave words. Let's test them."

She moved like a shadow, appearing beside Marcus in an instant. Her dagger thrust toward his ribs. Marcus twisted, but not fast enough. The blade pierced his side.

Pain exploded through him. Blood soaked his shirt.

"First blood to me," the assassin said. "Want to surrender now?"

Marcus gritted his teeth. "Never."

He counterattacked, his sword moving in patterns he'd practiced thousands of times. But his movements were sloppy. His new power made everything feel wrong.

The assassin dodged easily. "You're wasting energy. At this rate, you'll collapse before I kill you."

She was toying with him. Testing him. Why?

Then Marcus understood. She wanted to see how strong he really was. Information was only valuable if it was accurate. She needed to gauge his potential before deciding what to do with him.

If that was true, he had a chance.

Marcus stopped attacking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, ignoring the pain in his side.

"What are you doing?" the assassin asked, confused.

Marcus focused inward. His energy was like a wild horse, bucking and fighting. He needed to calm it. Control it.

He remembered Grandfather Octavius's words. Don't force it. Understand it.

His breathing slowed. The chaotic energy began to settle. Not perfect, but better.

When Marcus opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with golden light.

The assassin's expression changed. "That energy... what are you?"

Marcus didn't answer. He attacked, but this time his movements were smoother. His sword sang through the air, creating arcs of condensed energy.

The assassin blocked, but her confident smile was gone. "Impossible. You just stabilized your breakthrough in the middle of a fight?"

Marcus pressed the advantage. His sword strikes came faster, each one carrying more power. The unstable energy that had been his weakness became his strength, adding unpredictability to his attacks.

The assassin retreated, actually defending now instead of playing. "You're a monster. A true prodigy."

Their weapons clashed again and again. Sparks flew in the moonlight. The forest around them suffered from their battle. Trees fell. Earth cracked. The noise would surely wake someone soon.

"Enough!" the assassin suddenly said, jumping back. "I've seen what I needed to see."

Marcus kept his sword raised, ready for a trick. "What?"

"You're definitely the lost prince. No ordinary orphan has that kind of power or that energy." She sheathed her daggers. "And you're worth far more alive than dead."

"You're not going to fight anymore?"

"Why would I? I got my information. Besides, killing you now would be a waste." She smiled strangely. "You're going to shake the entire empire, boy. I want to see how that plays out."

"So you'll tell Cassian where I am?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on who offers the better deal." The assassin turned to leave, then paused. "Word of advice. The tournament in six months? Don't go. It's a trap. Cassian will have dozens of assassins waiting. You're not ready yet."

"Why warn me?"

"Because I'm a professional, not a fanatic. I kill for money, not loyalty. And dead princes are boring. Living ones cause chaos." She disappeared into the shadows. "We'll meet again, Marcus Aurelius. Try not to die before then."

Then she was gone, as if she'd never been there.

Marcus collapsed to his knees, exhausted. The fight had drained him completely. His breakthrough was still too new. He'd pushed himself too hard.

Blood dripped from his wounds. Nothing fatal, but painful. He needed to get back before someone found him like this.

He struggled to his feet and started walking. Each step hurt. His vision blurred. Maybe he'd pushed too far this time.

"Marcus!"

Lydia's voice. She ran toward him with a lantern, her face full of worry. "I felt the energy surge and came to check. What happened? You're hurt!"

"Training accident," Marcus lied weakly.

"Don't lie to me!" Lydia supported his weight. "You're covered in knife wounds. Someone attacked you."

Before Marcus could respond, Grandfather Octavius appeared with several teachers. His face was grim.

"Marcus, tell me the truth. Was it an assassin?"

Marcus hesitated, then nodded. No point lying now.

Octavius's expression darkened. "Then it's begun. They know who you are."

"Grandfather, what are you talking about?" Lydia asked, confused.

"Not here. We need to get Marcus treated first." Octavius looked at Marcus with a mix of concern and something else. Respect? "But after that, boy, you're going to tell me everything. No more secrets."

They helped Marcus back to the academy. As they walked, Marcus realized something. The assassin could have killed him when he collapsed. She'd been close enough. But she'd left him alive.

Why? What game was she playing?

And more importantly, if Cassian had sent one assassin, more would follow. The academy wasn't safe anymore. Nowhere was safe.

Marcus looked at Lydia, who was crying as she held pressure on his wounds. At Grandfather Octavius, whose face showed genuine worry. At the teachers who'd rushed to help him.

These people cared about him. And because of that, they were in danger.

Theodore had been right. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. Marcus's choices affected everyone around him.

As they entered the medical building, Marcus made a decision. It was time to stop hiding. Time to stop lying. Time to face the truth about who he was and what that meant.

But first, he needed to survive his wounds and explain everything to the man who'd saved his life three years ago.

That conversation would be harder than any fight.