One Thousand & One Lies (Reapers of Beauty Book 1) by Yumoyori Wilson (11)

"My eyes are on the target," I announced, sipping on the orange margarita in my hand.

Today was the day of the anticipated assignment we'd been preparing for the last couple of days. Master explained that two groups wanted to make an exchange of a powerful serum and it would be in a small gold briefcase.

I didn't know exactly where he got his information, but Minso had done some digging and had discovered that they planned to seal it in a gold suitcase. I didn't know how she did it, but Minso had the activation code ready for when we had to open it and retrieve the syringe that held the demanded liquid.

It was going to be the first "official" trial of the drug being performed on a person. Minso wasn't able to find whether it had worked or not, but we all agreed that neither side could get a hold of it. Not even our Master.

I was still trying to figure out an excuse or way to destroy it without essentially committing suicide, but I'd yet to think of a way of avoiding the inevitable. 

Either destroy the serum and die or give it to Master and take the chance of him growing even more powerful and harmful to the remaining Reapers of Beauty. That includes Minju and the others. 

I decided to finish my drink, gulping down the remaining alcoholic beverage and hoping it would help my nerves. I was calm and collected in all my past missions, not being nervous unless I was in a serious jam. 

However, tonight I'd been a bundle of nerves, and I had no idea why. Is my magic trying to tell me something?

"Xia! This is your chance. They're going to go separate ways. The tall man with silver hair holding the case is a total womanizer. Do your seductive thing and distract him. Their plan is to meet on the roof that's opposite of this building. There's a connecting pathway between both buildings on the fifth floor of the club. Use that pathway to get to the other side and take the south stairwell up to the roof. You and Minju can hide in the outside electric box. We've turned the power off, so it won't be dangerous," Minso explained.

"Got it," I replied, scanning the room for Minju who was on the other side of the room in a red dress. I wore a simple black dress that hugged every curve; Minsu had instructed for it to be strapless to show off my amazing cleavage. Perfect for distracting men and women.

I placed my tip on the counter and stood, my hidden weapons strapped on both thighs. I could easily use magic if needed, but it was always good to have a few weapons handy when your magic took too long to cast.

"I'm on the move." I made sure my hair ornaments were securely in my bun. I passed right by Minju who slipped something in my hand as she gave me a seductive smile.

To anyone on the outside, she was just checking me out, and I hid the small needle that would inject a sleeping serum into my first target.

"When you knock silver hair out, switch your outfit. Do a bright color so that you look completely different, and if you can change your hair, that will be perfect," Minsu ordered.

"White dress, red hair. Anything else?" I asked, following my man as he left the group with the gold case. I made sure I looked like I was going to the washroom, feeling the group’s eyes currently on me. Or should I say my ass?

"Be very careful, Xia. We're not the only group here," Minso confirmed.

"Of course. Who wouldn't want a fancy serum that gives powers to themselves and those who fuck them? Talk about underrated," Minju commented.

"Sex is power. It’s just going to promote more rape," Minso grumbled.

"That's why we need to destroy it. Master can't get it. No man, actually," Minju declared.

"Agreed," Minsu and Minso replied. I mentally nodded, knowing they would pick it up with their telepathic abilities. I waited a minute in the washroom, applying a dark red lipstick that I would need for my next outfit.

When the coast was clear, I left the washroom but continued down the hall to the stairwell, knowing the security guards that were there previously were making a switch. 

I went through the stairwell and began my move up the stairs, knowing my target would be waiting to go down the pathway. I grinned when my eyes landed on him, his eyes currently focused on his phone. 

I quietly approached him, making sure my heels didn't make a sound until I was three steps away. He turned around, looking upset at first, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out, his blue eyes scanning my body possessively. 

"Hey, big guy. What are you doing here by yourself? Waiting for some fun to happen?" I purred, moving right next to him. He eyed my cleavage, and I watched his Adam's apple slowly move up and down as he swallowed. 

"Just chilling. You shouldn't be here Miss. It's dangerous." He gave me a smile, and I had to admit he wasn't too bad. Not super attractive but he reached my decent level. 

"Is it? I wanted to play a little," I whispered, leaning up and tugging his ear with my teeth. He moaned right away, and I used my knee to rub his groin. 

Within a minute of teasing his neck with kisses he moved and pinned my body with his, the bulge of his pants pressed right against my lower region. 

The only difference from my many previous encounters with men was I wasn't in the least bit turned on. In fact, I almost felt disgusted that I had to be anywhere near this idiot or doing these kinds of intimate things with him. 

Without a second thought, my instincts kicked in and I injected the tiny needle in his neck, pushing down on the plunger and watching the shock drift on the man's face before his eyes became droopy. 

With ease, I caught him and took the gold case from his hold, lowering his deadweight body to the ground. I didn't see the need to kill him, knowing his team would dispose of him for being foolish enough to lose the gold suitcase. 

My legs were moving down the connecting stairwell before I knew it. "Switch time. Cloak the cameras," I instructed Minso. 

"Got you, DragonFly. Do your thing," Minso replied with amusement. 

I reached the middle of the pathway and pushed my dress down my body, lifting my legs up to remove the dress immediately. With a flick of the material and a hint of magic, it went up in flames and I tossed the remnants behind me as I urged my magic to make the flames larger and more powerful. 

Smoke clouded the area in seconds, giving me the perfect diversion as I continued my way down the hall in only my underwear. 

When I reached the doors, I snuck into the small supply closet that was to my left, closing the door right when I heard a number of footsteps. I locked it in place and turned around to concentrate, envisioning a white dress to cloak my body. 

It would be another glove hugging dress but in pearl white, the cleavage section designed to dip low but still hold my breasts up. It would have short sleeves that were laced to match the bottom half of the dress that would reach my knees.

I pulled the hair clips from my hair and released my hair down; it immediately changed into a bright red. With a few finger strokes, my hair was now in loose curls, giving me a brand-new look. 

Placing the gold suitcase on one of the empty shelves to my left, I took a deep breath. "I need the code." 

"45979220," Minso revealed. I inputted the numbers and saw the green light as the locks flipped open. I slowly lifted the top half of the case, revealing the rather small needle that was filled with a weird red and gold liquid that continued to shift colors. Weird shit. 

"Xia. Hurry. You need to get to the South stairs," Minso reminded. 

"On my way," I declared. Being very careful, I took the needle into my hand and made sure the safety lock was in place. If I pressed it the wrong way, it would shoot out the needle, and that would just be more troublesome to carry when I was trying to kick ass. 

Closing my eyes once more, I created a protective spell that would allow only me and the triplets to break the protective barrier and let the needle be used. 

Once I was finished, I smiled with confidence before I snapped my fingers which created a flame. I flicked my hand to the case, setting the inside on fire. 

"Moving along," I announced and unlocked the door, sliding out of there and closing it behind me. It wouldn't be long until things got a bit explosive, and I didn't want to be here for it. I noticed the large group of people screaming and shouting in the pathway, but the smoke was so thick that there was no way they would see me. 

Making my way to the roof was easy, but when I arrived, Minju wasn't there yet. "Where's Minju?" I asked. 

"She's still on her way. It's hard to see through the smoke." 

"Aww shit," Minso cursed.

"What?" Minsu and I said in unison. 

"Xia. Get your ass anywhere but the roof! Two groups approaching. Hide the injector," she ordered. 

"Where the fuck am I supposed to hide it?" I demanded.

"You're a woman, Xia. Use what your mama gave you! BOOBS!" Minsu huffed. Oh right!

"If I get pinched by this damn needle, I'm blaming it on both of you," I snapped, sliding the needle between my cleavage and hoping I wasn't doing the stupidest thing I've done on a mission. 

No, slipping a gun in my underwear was the stupidest thing I've done.

I pulled out the gun that was still strapped to my thigh, turning off the safety as I waited. The fire alarms went off, and I could hear screams and chatter from below, but I was looking for a second getaway plan, and my only option at this point was jumping off the building and using a wind spell to boost me up to the rooftop of the opposite building. 

It was double the size and risked me getting shot at, but it would be my only option if I wanted to live. When the footsteps were only inches away from me, I whipped around, pointing my gun at the male intruder.

I was ready to pull the trigger before they did, but I immediately stopped. My mind was left in a confused haze, wondering why I'd paused, but when my eyes met a pair of pink ones, they reflected the same sense of bewilderment as I.

He stood at 6'6", and his shoulder-length white hair flew wildly with the breeze that just passed us. He had a slim build and wore all black, a white gun in his hands was directed at me, but he was trembling.

I met his pained expression as he gritted his teeth, those wide pink eyes still locked on mine. Who the hell is this guy and why can't I shoot?!

"XIA! MOVE!" Minju's loud voice boomed through my head. 

I turned my gaze and noticed the three long-range shooters that were now visible and aimed their guns directly at both of us. FUCKING SHIT!

My brain told me to run as fast as I could to avoid the onslaught of bullets that were about to be launched at where we stood, but that would leave this guy wide open and no chance of surviving.

With a mental curse, I turned my gun to them, focusing 100% of my attention on the three men. With a normal gun, there would be no way my bullets would reach them from this distance, but my magic wasn't going to let me die without casualties.

I pulled the trigger at the same time the first set of bullets soared towards us. I multi-tasked the best I could, trying to create a protective wall of wind and the water particles that lingered in the air's atmosphere, but I could feel a few shots go into me, and I gritted my teeth at the sudden burst of pain that rang through me.

My first shot hit its target, one shooter down for the count. The other two noticed immediately and shifted their attention to me. With a split second, I turned back to the guy who was completely shocked, and his eyes slowly trailed down my dress which I knew was stained with blood. My blood.

I outstretched my free hand to my side, creating a large barrier of wind that stopped the bullets. I was ready to run towards the edge of the building and begin my wind stunt, but my eyes moved to lock onto a pair of wide silver ones, and I gulped as I realized Xander was at the doorway of the rooftop, standing there in shock as his eyes slowly took in my appearance.

"XIA! Another shooter!" Minso screamed. My head turned fast enough to see the shooter was aiming for Xander, the red dot exactly on his head. NO!

I lowered my hand that was creating the wind barrier and swiftly did a 180-degree turn, my gun now shooting bullets aimlessly at the three shooters while I sent out the strongest wave of wind I could towards the newcomer and Xander. 

The guy cursed, his whole body was lifted and flew straight into Xander. Both of them shouted, crashing into the ground and my eyes locked onto Silas and Dante, who both looked stunned to see me. 

Before I could react, a scream tore through me, feeling three bullets hit me at once. I gritted my teeth but focused on closing the door to the roof, Dante and Silas having no time to rush forward as the door shut and I locked it with a spell. 

My legs moved before I could even think, running towards the edge as fast as I could. The world was spinning, but I didn't care, I needed to reach the second rooftop and give the serum to Minju. That way if I died, at least none of these guys would get it. 

I felt something shoot through my leg and I cried out and lost my balance. I fell forward, and my head bumped into the roof ledge, almost knocking me right out. 

"XIA?! Xia!!"

I groaned and gritted my teeth once more, gathering enough strength to get on all fours. I caught the sound of a gun being reloaded and that was enough of a push to help me stand, using my strong leg to push off the ground and over the ledge.

With as much magic as I could muster, my body stopped its descent and began to rise up at a rapid pace. I heard the gunshots; a few of them shattered the windows a few inches below me as I shot upward, but they weren't fast enough to reach me. I didn't have enough energy to reach the roof, so I crashed right into one of the office windows.

"Xia. Stop! You're going to kill yourself!" Minju's desperate voice rang through my head that was pounding from the hit I took. 

The warm liquid sensation of blood fell from my head to the floor, just like the numerous gunshot wounds that had run right through my body.

Must get to the roof. Will not fail…

With a bit of rejuvenated energy, I fought to stand, deciding to hop my way there as I tried to put no pressure on my wounded leg. I used a bit of wind’s assistance to make it so I hovered forward with each little hop.

I felt the vibration of my phone in my bra, having forgotten I'd slipped it in there before all of this fiasco began. I reached out for it as I entered the stairwell, making my way to the roof. Xander...

I picked up the phone to hear his screaming. "XIA! Are you fucking crazy!" 

"Hey, Sexy," I replied, ignoring the anger in his voice. 

"Xia! Where did you go?! You need medical attention!" I heard Silas call out. 

"That’s Xia?!" an unfamiliar voice asked. 

"Ace! Go to the next fucking building and get to Xia before she does something stupid," Xander snapped. 

"Xia, we're coming, hang on!" Dante called out.

I smiled before I began to cough uncontrollably. I ignored the spurts of blood, looking up to see the door of the roof. 

When I reached it, I stalled, needing a moment to catch my breath, but I knew I was struggling to breathe not because of all the energy I'd expelled, but the loss of blood. 

"Xan...der. Do me a favor," I panted weakly. 

"No favors. We're coming to save you!" Xander huffed. 

"Please, Xander. The serum. I have it...Must...destroy...it. Dangerous...very bad." I tried to explain, but I could feel my body was beginning to lose the battle. 

I pushed the door of the roof open, slowly making my way towards a little spot between the electrical storage and the wall of the little lower part that held a bunch of satellites. 

Pressing my back against the wall, I slowly lowered to the ground, trying my best to breathe. "X...Xander." 

"Xia, hang on baby. Just fight and breathe." 

"Serum. Destroy. Please," I begged, trying my best to stay awake. My hand was losing strength, and I knew it wouldn't be long before I lost all feeling in them.

"Xander. I have...to...go. One more...call. I...love...love...you know." I gave up trying to finish as I leaned over to my right side and fell onto the cement floor. I was struggling to breathe and began to cough up more blood that had been pooling in my mouth.

There was already a puddle of blood under me, and I gathered enough strength to turn onto my back to stare at the sky that filled with stars on one side and smoke on the other half.

"Xia! Xia!" Xander called out, but I pressed the end button. I wanted to say thank you to Xander. To tell him that the few days of freedom I experienced were all thanks to him. He'd given me the courage to try and enjoy the little things in life, even though I hadn't gotten the chance to do a lot.

It was thanks to him I'd met Dante and Silas. My gut told me the new guy who I couldn't pull the trigger on was Ace, and I had to laugh at the irony. Tears were gathering in my eyes at the thought, realizing why I couldn't pull the trigger.

My magic wouldn't let me kill someone I had a connection with. Another one’s magic that was able to connect with mine and stop me from doing what I should have done.

Minju's words had come to my mind, and I wondered if she'd seen this happening. If she knew that I was going to meet another guy and end up risking my life to save him and the others. 

I wasn't surprised by the fact they were there, knowing Xander's duty and his role of neutrality. He most likely was there to destroy the serum before it got on the good or bad side. 

Too bad it was currently with me in my cleavage and I was about to die. Whoever found my body was going to be the lucky winner if they could figure out where I hid it. 

I clicked the screen a few times, and I dialed someone I never expected I would during my last moments. 

The line picked up at the first ring. "Have you finished your Mission, Xia?"

"No, Master," I whispered, my heavy exhales were making it hard for me to speak. I need to make this quick. 

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I heard a hint of worry in his voice. 

"I won't...make it...Master. Overestimated groups. Three...different...long range sho...shooters. I’ll send serum with Minju...if she gets...here on time," I explained the best I could. 

"Xia. This better not be a joke." 

"Dad..." I whispered, my voice choked with tears. "I'm...not...lying."

He was completely silent at my words, and I sighed. "I tried...so hard. I really...did, but...too much blood. Too- too...much loss."

I spat out some more blood, the world around me spinning as I fought to keep my eyes open. "I failed, Master...but please...please, I beg you. Let...let the triplets live. Please..." I choked on tears and closed my eyes.

"Let them be free. That's...all I ask. As a Reaper--and a daughter. Let them enjoy freedom."

I tried to open my eyes, but it was as if they were glued shut. I didn't bother anymore as my breathing slowed.

"Dad...I wish...you were good. I wish...I knew what side...we're on. I pra- pr...pray you become good and let the triplets...be free. You...you still owe me a bonus...lie. That...makes...1001..."

My hand finally became numb, and I heard the phone drop to the cement floor. I didn't hear his response, my hearing beginning to fade along with my consciousness.

"XIA! XIA?!"

I wanted to respond back to Minju's cries, but they sounded so far away. Maybe I was far away? I kept drifting in and out and felt my body being shaken by something, but I couldn't respond.

"Xia. No! You will not die!"

Minju's voice was closer, but it almost echoed compared to being right next to me. Something punctured through me, the tiny hint of pain was only absorbed by the numbness that was taking over me.

A weird sensation swept through me, making me wonder if this was the final step before death. I fought to open my eyes one last time, to see the world I wished I'd gotten the chance to enjoy and see what it had to offer me.

My heavy eyelids opened slightly, and I was confused at the sight. It was me. An exact image of me, my red hair and white dress that was stained with blood.

I smiled, looking at my reflected image that had a sorrowful look on her face. "Angel of death. Sure...love to tease." I struggled to say the words, only finding it more amusing that my eyes were already fighting to stay awake, but I wanted to hear the angel's answer. 

"Xia. I'm sorry," she declared, her voice just like mine. 

"So-rry?" I choked and noticed her pick up the phone. She tapped the screen and Master's voice blared through the speaker. 

"Minju! Where's Xia? She better be alive!" 

"She won't make it, Master...and neither will I."

I merely giggled weakly, finding it a little too hilarious that my ghost was talking to Master like he was an idiot. 

"Minju. Don't you dare let Xia die." 

"Because she's your everything? Prodigy, future, ultimate weapon? She was perfectly made to be exactly what you wanted. Why couldn't you let her enjoy the freedom she deserved? There's a small chance she'll survive this, Master, and if so, you will do one thing. You'll leave her the fuck alone. "

"How dare you speak to me lik-

"I have the serum, Master. I took it from Xia's body, and I will get rid of it."

"You wouldn’t dare."

"You're right; I won't," she whispered and laughed. "Guess that's not good enough for the 1000th lie, is it?"

"Minju."

"How does it feel to be in a desperate situation like you are now?"

The line was silent. "Feels pretty shitty, doesn't it? Now, you know damn well I'm far past 1000. In fact, I'm at 1200 lies. Those lies will be transferred to Minso and Minsu and you will let them both be free, Master. You won't bother them, or try to kill them, just like you'd leave Xia if she's saved. You should know what voodoo is, Master. I've sacrificed my blood and soul to ensure you do no harm to Xia, Minsu, or Minso."

"What did you say?!"

"You heard me. Voooodooooo. Don't believe me? In this world of magic, you really thought I'd let you continue taking control of me without a backup plan? Each time you came inside me and fell asleep, I gathered your sperm and used it against you. Go back on your word and trust me, my damn ghost will make sure your empire burns and you will be the one to die."

The look-alike reached out to stroke my cheek, her eyes filling with tears. "My sisters will not be used any longer. All 3 of them will be free, even if it's a small amount of time. Now, excuse me, Master. It's time for me to bid farewell, with the serum included."

"NO!"

The line went dead, and the woman sighed. She rose, and I looked at her with weak eyes, wondering where she'd go off to. She was my ghost, so maybe she'd meet me halfway to heaven.

I noticed the needle in her hand as she lifted it up to give it a final look. There was only a tiny amount left, which only made me feel confused as to where it had gone. The clone me struck the needle in her arm, pushing the remaining contents into her veins with ease.

"There. That way if a bit of my body remains, they'll know I took the serum."

"Where....where...go." I tried to speak, but it was weak and muffled. 

The woman lookalike looked down at me with sad eyes, a tear leaving her eyes and falling onto my cheek.

"I love you, Xia. Take care of Minso and Minsu for me. Don't die. Xander and the others would be mad to lose out on a girl like you."

I watched her red eyes wink at me and heard the loud thumping sounds that I knew were somewhere nearby, even in my foggy state of mind.

"The show must go on," she whispered.

I watched her stretch her hand in front of me, and I wondered if she'd made some type of barrier. She began to walk away, and I rested my head back and tried to watch her from upside down as she walked towards the edge.

Ah. She's going to fly to heaven and meet me there.

"Here. She's here!" I heard a voice and footsteps, but I didn't remove my gaze from watching the other me as she turned around and looked back at me. 

It felt like it was going to be the last time I see my other half and it saddened me. I lived a life that I know I regretted, the only happiness I felt was from my times with the triplets and my recent time with Xander and the guys.

I heard a loud boom and screams. "STOP RIGHT THERE."

My copy was standing on the edge and slowly turned around to face the group of men that gathered on both sides, still giving me a direct view of the woman who looked like me.

Her red locks flew gently through the wind and her white stained dress fit her perfectly. She lifted her hand and presented the needle that I knew was empty.

"Sorry, boys. It's all gone now," she announced loudly. 

I felt myself being lifted up, making me wonder if I was finally ascending to heaven, especially now that my copy had proven her point.

"GIVE US THE SERUM!"

"I injected it inside me." She shrugged, and my mind told me she'd just lied. She hadn't injected it into herself. Not entirely. Where did it go?

"We need to go now. The barrier she put up will fade the moment she dies."

Xander? I knew it was Xander's voice, but it only left a bitter sadness in me. He thinks I was going to survive this, but in reality, I was about to die with my copy. I was just the physical body. My spirit was there taunting those men one last time before we both ascended and left this world behind.

"Let's go," Xander ordered. I continued to watch as my body began to move further away from the scene, my head bobbing up and down from being slung over whoever was carrying me princess style. Probably an angel to help me ascend to heaven.

My copy’s eyes locked onto mine, and I noticed hers were now pink. I didn't get why they were that color, especially when there was nothing romantic about what was going on. I felt my eyelids grow heavier with every waking second.

"Xia. Fight for me. Live for me. Breathe for me. Don't let the serum kill you and make my death worthless. Protect my sisters for me and learn to love. Learn to experience joy. Enjoy the freedom you're about to be granted."

"SHOOT!" 

Loud gunshots rang through the air, and I watched my copy be shot by multiple bullets. She stood her ground until the majority of her body was filled with holes. Her eyes never left mine as tears rolled down her cheeks and blood pooled out of her mouth. 

"I love you...all of you. Goodbye." 

The voice sounded different, almost reminding me of Minju, but I didn't understand why she was saying goodbye. I was dying, not her, so why would she say bye? 

My copy’s body went backwards, falling off the building. I wanted to watch her fly back up and into the sky, expecting her white wings to spread out of her back as the angel me flew towards heaven to meet me there. 

I never got the chance as I was carried into a dark room, the door closing shut and leaving me in nothing but darkness. 

"Hang on, Xia. Don't you dare die." 

I wanted to listen to Xander's words, or I hoped it was Xander's, but my consciousness wavered and my eyelids began to close. When they shut, I didn't fight anymore, envisioning a woman waiting for me.

My mind drifted at the moment, and for a split second, I saw something. I stood at a gate; a glorious, bright gate that was filled with diamonds coated with a golden material. It was safe and peaceful here. 

I lowered my gaze and it landed on a beautiful angel. Her wings were pure white and large, making me wonder how fast or high she'd be able to fly through the sky.

The angel turned around and I was left in confusion, not seeing my copy, but Minju standing there.

"Minju?" I whispered.

She smiled, and flew towards me, her feet barely touching the ground until she landed in front of me. She wore a simple white dress that cloaked her chocolate mixed skin and her long hair was perfect, not a strand out of place.

Her hand raised up and pressed against my heart as a wide smile formed on her face.

"I reached 1001 Lies," she whispered as if it was an accomplishment. "It's time for you to go back before it's too late."

"What about you?" I asked, feeling a wave of dizziness. Her arm hooked around my waist, stopping me from falling, but she continued to press her right hand exactly on top of my heart.

"I'm free, Xia. I told you I'd make it. Make sure you celebrate for me."

"Okay..." I whispered as my eyes began to close, feeling a burning pain in my chest. "Minju."

"Yes, Xia?"

"Will you come to celebrate too?" I murmured, my consciousness already beginning to fade.

"Yes, Xia. I'll be right there." She choked on the words, and I wondered if she was crying. "Guess that makes it 1002."

That was the last thing I heard when a shock of pain ran through me, and my mind plunged into darkness.

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