Bound To You: Marcus Volturi

Chapter 75: Assassin

Liam's P.O.V

A conversation between two guys happened in 2009. One was in his mid fifties, ex military, grey haired and appeared boring. The other one was a small, timid, ten year old boy. Me.

Project X not only had a shitty code name but also messed up my head and probably my life in your opinion, but to me, it made me perfect material for MI5, CIA, the army, anything.

The project was to help young boys such as myself. Boys who had been raised in prison. When the man approached me, shortly after being released, I wasn't imagining the project to have anything to do with assassins.

"What's your name, son?"
"William Matthews, sir."
"William. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother."
"It's fine. She wasn't very nice to me."
"Still, it must be a shock to find out she died in that fire. How are your injuries?"

Ten year old William looked up at the man and shrugged. "I'm okay." He decided after a moment's hesitation. The man leaned his face closer to William's. "You're a survivor, son. Do you know what that means?" He challenged and the boy shook his head.

The man smiled. "It means you can come through anything at all. No matter what you face, you can pull through." He patted the boy's arms and squeezed. "You're strong. You'll build muscles. You're perfect for the project." He nodded.

"Project?" The boy stammered and the man laughed. "Don't look so afraid. We're taking boys like you and training them. To be soldiers." He leant closer. "Assassins." He whispered. The boy blinked in surprise, shifting closer. He'd heard of assassins. Playstation games were rife with them. He sighed. He'd always wanted a Playstation.

"That could be cool." He decided and the man stroked his head. "Good lad. We'll train you up nice and proper."

        **********************

And so they did. One by one we were trained, tested, broken. Brainwashed. They knew what our answers would be before we even uttered them. We were educated killing machines.

"What university will you go to, Liam?"
"Oxford, sir."
"Will you always be an assassin?" "Yes, sir."
"And why do we assasinate?"
Twelve year old Liam looked at the man, who, two years on, was now even more grey and hair even thinner.

"Because...." For once he hesitated. "Because...we're bad people." He said softly and the man pulled him against him. "That's not true Liam." He insisted. "We kill the bad people. We never hurt the good." He educated and the boy nodded and continued the man's sentence.

"We remove the evil from the world." He finished and the man smiled. "Good lad." He patted his cheek. "You're turning into a good mastermind. You're stronger than the others. Sharper. You never leave anything behind."

It was true. I was good at what I did. I still am. When the other boys broke down and cracked, I didn't. I stayed strong. While they were plagued by voices, mine supported and cheered me on. I was invincible and I was Arthur's favourite.

Arthur was our mentor. Our friend, teacher, enemy. He was everything we needed, feared, wanted. He was what shaped us into what we are now. There's three of us left. There's me, there's Carter and Daniel.

Where they are now, I don't know. But they are in the past. I'm in the present and I have to save Lee.

When I arrive at Vampire Headquarters, so to speak, the lady who owns the clothes shop is alseep as always. I tiptoe past her into the changing rooms, and along the corridor into the control room. I pass the geeky vampires that are still plugged into their headsets at the TV screens.

Through the wardrobe where I almost stumble and get tangled by stupid clothes. Throwing myself forward into the apartment, I pull myself up amd head into the living room where the guys are sitting.

Priest welcomes me with a warm smile and prepares to kiss me but Marcus's face falls as he realises Lee isn't with me. He waits, looking expectantly at the entrance to the appartment, but of course Lee doesn't come through the door. "There was a man." I inform and they all gather around to listen except Felix.

Felix has already rushed off to retrieve his cloak in preparation. "I'm so sorry, Marcus. He grabbed Lee but let me go. It's obvious that Jeanie only wants her." I explain and Marcus seems to collapse inside and out. No doubt he's reliving when he lost Didyme all over again. A hundred years on.

"Marcus," I go to his side. "It'll be fine. I'm sure." I run my fingers through my hair. Marcus doesn't reply but acknowledges me with a curt nod. "Will you be joining us as we finish this once and for all?" His face holds a determined look and I can tell he's thinking of ripping Jeanie's head off her shoulders.

I've had the same thought but I guess I'd better leave the honours to him. "Of course I'm coming." I scoff, tilting my chin, but Priest eavesdrops because he's a nosy bastard and intervenes. "No way. This is not your time, Liam. It's too dangerous." He steps in but Marcus goes to defend me.

"I think Liam would be an extra pair of hands." He points out and I smile at him for the compliment though Priest looks outraged. "Absolutely not! It's too dangerous for Liam." He shakes his head, hands on hips. "I won't stand for it." He adds firmly.

"Oh my God!!! This isn't fair. I've known Lee before all of you and it's only right that I help to bring her home as well." I glance at them with a glare. "Dickheads." I mutter, going to change my clothes before we leave.

When I emerge, Priest is still complaining and protesting at me joining in. "I'm made for this. I'm an assassin in case you've forgotten, I'm going whether you want me to or not." I fold my arms across my chest, a confident position and Priest sighs at my persistence.

I go to retrieve my weapons but Priest stops me, his hand closing around my wrist so I face him. "Please don't do this, mon cher." He pleads, his other hand reaching up to carress my face. "Please." He adds, his voice soft.

I don't even think about giving in. Priest's pleading eyes search mine in the hope I'll change my mind. But, his gentle touch on my face is tickling me and it's making me want to sneeze. I shake him off.

I think back to Arthur's words: never back away from what you're good at. I look at Priest again and shrug, pulling away from him. "Sorry, but I have to do this."

I see his face harden and his eyes become cold. "Fine then." He says darkly. "Have it your way." He shoves past me in anger, practically stomping into the other room to get away from me.
"Priest, don't be a drama queen! How about Netflix and chill?" I suggest and I hear the door slam in response. "Okay, maybe Demetri's up for it!" I shrug, flouncing back onto the sofa.

Why does no one have a sense of humour? Where's Lee when you need her?