The world is a funny place.

And so are people.

Between the people and the world there is one obvious difference. We do not know how to read the world.

From one look at a person, we can read their whole life.

Sometimes it is as easy as to recognize black and white. Other times it's not so easy

But the truth is always in the eyes.

It was always easy for me to read the eyes.

So why can't I read hers?

They're the only thing I can see on her. Two radiant green emeralds.

Her head is covered with a hood and her mouth with a mask. But I can still see that she's smiling.

The laptop where I had important stuff, was under her arm, while she was sitting at the edge of a window, ready to jump.

"Bye handsome." She winked at me and saluted, before she jumped.

I ran to the window, trying to find her beneath. To my surprise, the only people on my property were my man. Not her.

"Secure the perimeter!" I screamed at one of my men. He immediately announced it to everyone. "Fuck." I screamed as I threw the lamp on my desk across the room.

On that laptop I had my whole life. Every little information on there could be used. In the wrong hands, it could destroy every alliance across the Globe.

And a woman stole it from me, Straight" from under my nose.

Three years later...

"Killian Acker. I'm so glad you found some time on me in your busy schedule." With an amused voice, Simon walked over to me.

He is one of the people I have known since forever. The first time we met was when I was fifteen, and he was twenty-seven. I tried to steal money from him on the street. Long story short, we became great friends.

Since then, we both got into better positions in society.

He has eyes and ears everywhere. He knows about everything that's happening. Sometimes even sooner that it happens.

Some people would call him dangerous because of everything he knows. I'm happy to call him a friend.

If he's not with you, he's against you. And you do not want that.

"I expect you to not waste it."

"I liked you better when you were younger. And shorter." He shook my hand.

"And your grip is weaker. You're getting old Simon." I tried to hold a smile.

"I'm sure I'm still able to kick your ass. Wouldn't be the first time either."

"That was a draw." I cleared my throat.

"If you sleep better thinking that." He smiled, showing on the seats behind him.

Both of us sat on them. A waitress came, not too long after, with two drinks. And by the color of it, it must be whiskey.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Simon winked at her and she just smiled.

For such an old man, he still has his charm.

"Can I get a cup of water?" I stopped her before she left.

"Of course."

"Water?" I looked back at Simon. "Still no alcohol? What are you, twelve?" He frowned.

"I don't think it's something I need."

"Whatever. More for me." He took the drink that laid before me.

"I don't want to rush you, but I'd be glad if you told me why you wanted to talk."

Before he answered, a waitress with my water came and put a cup in front of me. I thanked her before she left.

"I wanted to ask you for a favor." He straightened up and from his pocket he pulled out a card, which he handed me.

It was a black card with a dark purple text. 1Oak. On the other side, there was an address.

"Is this supposed to mean something to me?" I frowned.

"It's a new club, opening here in New York."

"And?" I still don't know where he's going with this.

"I wanted to ask you, if you wanted to sponsor it."

"Let me guess. You're the owner." I laughed.

"Maybe."

"Send me the documents and I'll have a look." I drank a little water.

"Send me the documents and I'll have a look." He repeated after me. "How did you become someone like this? I still remember you as a little kid, who snuck out of his house most of the time."

"I had to grow up."

"Faster than you should've. How are your siblings?"

"Sebastian and Finn hadn't changed since the last time you saw them. Kai, on the other hand, started to take everything serious. Sometimes he's worse than me."

"And what about Val? I bet she is even more beautiful."

I immediately look at him. I know what guys like him think about. I don't really care as long as it doesn't concern my baby sister.

"Sorry. Sorry. My bad." He put his hand in a defensive gesture.

"I'm gonna have to leave you alone, I have other things to tak care of in the city." I stood up and buttoned my suit.

"Of course. And not to forget...." He stood up and took the card from the table. "Friday is the opening day. I'd be more than happy if you decided to show up." He handed me the card. "You can also take an escort." He winked, hinting, that the escort could be a female.

"It was nice to see you Simon."

"You too."

Simon thanked me one more time and promised, I won't regret sponsoring him.

Even if the club went bankrupt I wouldn't care. I owe him more, than I can ever give him back.



Seventeen years ago...

"Lukas!" With open arms, I began to run to my brother. He bent down and opened his arms, which I jumped into and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Well someone has definitely grown up." He laughed and hugged me tightly.

"I've missed you." I buried my head in his neck.

"You, too, Lyss. Come on," he slowly lowered me to the ground. "Let's go inside." He picked up his travel bag from the ground and held out his hand, which I grabbed. "You definitely grew up." He said as we walked towards the house.

"I'm still eleven, but you look five years older with that beard, than you actually are."

"Well thank you." He laughed. "Where are mom and dad?" We stopped in the hall.

"In the office." I pointed to the room on the left.

"I'm going to say hello, is that okay with you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"On one condition." I folded my arms across my chest. "We'll bake gingerbread." Lukas grabbed his stomach and burst out laughing.

"I thought that was a clear thing." He put his hand on my hair and tossed it.

"Stop!" I laughed.

"Wait for me in the living room, okay?" I nodded and ran to the living room behind us. I jumped on the couch and picked up one of the books from the table.

"Miss Lyssa. What do you think you're doing?" Maria, my educator, came to me. "These books are out of your age category." She took the book from my hands. "Weren't you supposed to be waiting for your brother?" She put her hands on her hips.

"He's already here. He went to see mom and dad." I explained to her.

Because of Lukas' visit, I got out of class. Mom doesn't know about it yet, otherwise I'd be grounded.

It is important for her that I have a good education, but Miss Maria says that I am really wise for my age.

"And why didn't you go with him?"

"I'm sure they'll talk about adult things, and I really don't need to listen to that." I stood up. "But Lukas promised me we'd make gingerbread later." I said excitedly.

"That's a great idea." She leaned closer to me. "Could I join?" She smiled.

I would like to say she would go for me, but I know she is going for my brother. I'm sure they've already kissed. And not on the cheeks, but on the lips.

"Of course." I smiled. "But it's a secret recipe, so it's going to have to stay between us."

"I won't tell anyone." She put her hand in front of her mouth and closed as if she had locked her mouth and threw the key away. She straightened and adjusted her skirt. But her smile dropped and she closed sourly. "Do you smell that?" She wrinkled her nose.

"Do I smell wha..." Before I could finish the sentence, the warm air knocked me to the ground and also to a slight unconsciousness. My head hit the floor and the world was swallowed by darkness.

I tried to open my eyes, but it hurt. My whole body hurt. I heard one sound in my ear. It was the same sound as when I sat by our fireplace and listened to the crackling of the wood as it burned. Or like our evening campfires with Lukas at the back of the house.

Slowly I managed to open my eyes. Smoke entered my lungs, hovering above me, complicating my breathing. I coughed and tried to move. But I felt too much weight for myself. When I looked, Maria was lying at my feet. I tried to shake her and shout her name, but she didn't respond.

I sat down and put my hands under me. I crawled out from under her and moved with the help of my hands to the corner of the room.

Flames were everywhere. Slowly, pieces of furniture and roofs began to crumble.

I tried to scream. Tears running down my cheeks and smoke in my lungs. I had nowhere to run. I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my head in them, unable to look at my home on fire.

"Lyss!" I heard my name through a crumbling house. A silhouette appeared in the doorway, nodding and approaching me. "Lyss." Lukas turned to me. "Are you okay?" I nodded with tears in my eyes. "I'll get you out of here." He took my hands and picked me up. "Breathe through this." He ripped a dark blue white-patterned bandana from his hand, which he had never put down.

He started walking to the door with me when he stopped in the middle of the room. Maria. He recovered quickly and began to run outside.

The front door was jammed, so he kicked it out. I was overwhelmed by the air that immediately reached my lungs, for which I was grateful. I started coughing even bigger and taking oxygen in.

We walked a few meters from the house and he put me down. "I have to go find our parents." His hands rested on my shoulders. "Stay here."

"Lukas!" I shouted for him as he returned to the house.

I started running after him when I heard another explosion. The windows flew from the inside out and the house became a burning torch. I heard a scream. Mom.

She screamed from her full lungs on the second floor. I had chills on my body. More tears welled up in my eyes and I had a stone in my throat. Uncontrollable to shout or do something else. I was just standing there. Looking at my home that is on fire.

I tried to find a silhouette of a figure in the fire, but nothing. I heard nothing but minor explosions and a crumbling house. No shouting or calling for help. Nothing.

I took a few steps back. They are gone. Everyone.

Before I knew it, I was running. With every last drop of strength, I ran straight into the forest, where there was a forest road that leads to the road.

I ran with my bare feet over the dried leaves and fallen branches that stuck in my feet. The lower branches cut my face and hands, but I still ran. The pain seemed primitive.

The sun coming through the treetops shone on my way.

I stopped when I came across an asphalt road. The car that appeared in front of me and almost killed me began to honk, but continued on its way.

I stood in the middle of the road. Legs are dirty from clay and bloody. Yellow dress is torn and dirty. A black-colored face full of dry, but also fresh tears.

One car stopped. A worried woman stepped out. "God, honey, are you okay?" She ran to me. She bent down and grabbed me by the shoulders, looking at me from head to toe. "Honey?" I couldn't tell her anything. Words could not come out of my mouth. "I'll take you to the police station." She straightened up and took my hand before pulling me into the car.

She sat me on the seat and closed the door behind me. She talked to me, but I didn't listen to her. I just stared at the black smoke above the treetops and pressed the bandana tightly in my hands.

"Everything will be fine. The police will help you."

After a while we stopped. People walked around carelessly. Not knowing I lost everyone a few minutes ago.

"Come." She said with a kind smile as she opened the door. I jumped out of my seat and stared at the huge building in front of me. "It will be fine." She calmed me down. "They'll help you find your parents." She put her hand on my shoulder to calm me.

I looked up at her. She means well. If only she knew they wouldn't find them. They are gone.

I shook her hand and started to run in the opposite direction.

People were yelling at me as I ran around them, rather bumping into them. They tried to catch me, but I didn't give up. I ran away. I don't even know where.

I went around the corner and bumped into someone. The tall figure stood in my way. "Hey. Hey. Hey. Where are you in such a hurry?" An older man stopped me. His brown hair was combed back and he was wearing a formal suit. A sharp stubble adorned his sharp jaw. His gray eyes looked at me curiously.

"Thank God you caught her." The woman who tried to help, caught up with me. "Come on, honey, they'll help you find your parents. You have nothing to fear." She came to me, but I took a step back to the man behind me. She looked at us both confused. "You know him?" I didn't answer.

"She's my niece." He lied. He put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure my brother is already worried about you." He leaned over and turned me to face him. "Am I right?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I found her standing in the middle of the road, deep by the forest. No one was around." She clarified. "I wanted to bring her to the station, but she ran away."

"Thank you for finding her. My brother will be really grateful that nothing happened to her." He straightened up.

"Honey, are you sure you know this gentleman?" She leaned closer to me. I looked up at the man. I do not know him. I've never seen him in my life. Still, I nodded. After all, I can always run. "Well, okay then." She ran her hand over my face.

"Thank you again."

"Of course." She gave me one more smile before she turned and started walking away. She looked behind a few more times, checking on me.

"Let's go." I looked at him as he held out his hand. I don't know why, but I took it. I feel like I can trust him. "That's a good girl." He smiled at me. "What do you think of the name Eris?" He raised an eyebrow. "It fits you. You have chaos written all over you."

"Eris." I whispered. "I like it."

"That's good. Come on, let's go." He started walking. "I'm sure you'll fit where I take you. I'm Charles, by the way."

The presence...

"Isn't this a nice surprise?" I heard a familiar voice coming from the bar. "Hi Luna, I'm sorry I didn't call you for two years. I've had a lot, but look, I'm here now and that matters. Also, I have nowhere to live, can I sleep at your place for a few nights? Yes? Thank you. " She said sarcastically as she tried to imitate my voice.

"Nice to see you too, Aceso." I walked over to her and hugged her. At first, her hands were folded heavily on her chest, but later she gave in and hugged me. "Good to see you." I repeated and buried my head in her neck.

"I hate you. I hope you know that." She pulled away. "And I don't use the name Aceso anymore. It's just Luna now."

Her long blond hair was pulled back into a tall bun. Her bright green eyes were full of anger but also love. Full pink lips and sharp cheekbones. She looks exactly like she did years ago. Some things never change.

"I still like Aceso better." I laughed.

"How did you even get here, Eris? Shouldn't you be on a mission or something? I don't think they'd like to find out you're meeting me." She turned back to the bar and sat down. "The outcast." She rolled her eyes at the word.

Luna and I met a long time ago. She was the first person to make me laugh. She was fired after an incident, which was not her fault. She was supposed to die like everyone who messes up, but that's when I came in. A few people owed me.

"Then it's good that I don't work for them anymore." I sat down next to her.

"What did you say?" She looked at me in fright.

"I left."

"You left?" She looked at me in surprise. "You can't just walk away from them. When did that happen?"

"It'll be a few weeks." I waved at that hand. I stopped for a while in Italy, where I met really great people. After that I went to Norway, Spain and so on.

"And they just let you? What did Charles say?"

"If you see him, ask." I waved to the bartender to bring me water with lemon.

"You realize they won't just leave you, do you?" She snorted. "Just because of that." She nodded at my bare hand, where there was a black snake tattoo above a dark blue bandana "You're important."

"Look." I turned to her. "Every person there, who even moves in that circle, has the blood of the innocent on their hands. And I'm no different. I won't work for them. Never again."

"Eris ..."

"Can I ask you for something?" I looked at her questioningly. "Housing."

"For Christ's sake, of course you can stay with me." She put his hand on my shoulder. "You're my best friend."

"Thank you."

"Of course." She smiled and we both turned back to the bar.

We started talking about everything that has changed in the last two years. I found out that Luna was engaged. To some idiot who didn't deserve to even look at her. She said she was the one to end it. But something tells me that's not quite true.

"Then I bought a place here. In the center of New York. I tried to cover my tracks, but since you found me, it probably wasn't the best." She laughed.

"I would be lying if I said it was hard." I looked in front of me at the bartender, who placed two glasses of what we drank in front of us and said this one was on the house.

But later my eyes fell on the glass behind the bottles. A person reflected in it.

"It could have been anyone." I mumbled under my nose. Luna looked at me confused as I drank the content of what was in my glass. "Hi Nyx. How have you been?" I turned and Luna with me.

I quickly placed my hand on Luna so she wouldn't run after her and scratch her eyes out. "You little bitch." She said a little drunk.

"Keep her on a leash, Eris." She came a little closer to us. Her short brown hair above her shoulders jumped with each step. Chestnut's brown eyes were full of hatred for me. It was to be expected.

"Maybe I'll let her bite you." I smiled falsely at her. "What do you want here?" I have already said strictly. "I don't expect you to have a girl talk with us."

"I have an offer for you."

"And I am not interested."

"You don't even know what it's about."

"I'm not coming back." I emphasized. "You're just wasting your time here. You and your sidekicks."

"What sidekicks?" She frowned.

"The two women who have been watching me since Spain." I nodded at the women in the corner of the room and glanced back at Nyx, who looked like she wanted to kill me.

"If I don't come back with you ..."

"That's not my problem." I jumped out of my chair and walked over to her. "It's just yours. Now get out before I make you. And believe me, you won't like it." I looked into her eyes.

"Fine." She swallowed hard. "I'll tell Ada your opinion."

"I'm pretty sure she knows it, but be a good puppy and tell her again. You're not good for anything else."

She looked at me from head to toe. I could only think what was going on in her head. She shifted her gaze to Luna, who watched everything carefully, waiting for me to beat the shit out of Nyx. I don't think anyone would mind. "Two failures. You were made for eachother." She turned on her heel and began to walk away.

I shot my hand to the right, catching Luna, who wanted to run after her.

"Nyx!" I shouted for her. She stopped, but didn't turn. "Don't forget your sidekicks." I reminded her.

She continued walking and stopped at the door. She nodded at the women who were to follow me, and they came to her. All three then disappeared from the bar.

"Why didn't you let me kill her?" I turned to Luna

"Because then she wouldn't be able to get back to France." I smiled. "She had a mission. And she failed." A smile began to form on Luna's face.

"I'd pay a million, that I don't have, to see Ada's reaction."

"Me too." Ada was our 'teacher'. Better said, the one who trained us. She had strict regimes, such as no conversations in training, no waste of food and no delays at all. But what she hated most was failure. On the contrary, she preferred punishment. She was brutal. She still is, as far as I know.

"I'm gonna throw up." Luna said suddenly.

This will be a long night.

*****

First chapter is out!!! 🥳

Thoughts about Killian and Eris so far?

I hope you enjoyed it. <3