Sisters of the Shadows by Ai Matsumi (free ebook reader for android txt) 📕

Raven threw her white hair over her shoulder and dipped her hand into the river. Her eyes looked like melted gold as she stared into the murky river. Another girl with icy blue hair leaned against a weeping willow, her eyes closed and her breathing light.
“What time is it?” asked the blue haired girl softly, her voice light and sweet as honey.
“It’s almost time Ice. Patience.” Said Raven, her voice high and even.
“Do you think she is alright?” whispered Ice.
“Crow is fine. We just have to finish this job.” Said Raven gently. Ice opened her eyes revealing her dazzling golden eyes and smiled, baring her perfect white teeth and pointed fangs.
“Crow is here.” Said Ice pushing herself off the tree. Raven smiled and stood up. The hedge split apart and a girl stepped inside. Her hair was pitch black and braided loosely. Her dress swept the ground and was made of crow feathers. Her dull gold eyes gazed at them, emotionless. Her skin was white as snow and seemed to radiate a glow.
“Crow.” Said Ice nodding at Crow with a smile.
“Where are Nix and Terra?” asked Crow in a rippling voice.
“Not here yet.” Sighed Ice. Crow sighed and pushed a stray hair away from her face with her delicate hand. Raven smoothed her gothic Lolita dress with puffed sleeves and scowled at Crow.
“Hello sister.” Said Crow raising one black eyebrow.
“Sister.” Said Raven crossing her arms. Suddenly there was a flash of orange light, a puff of black smoke and a girl appeared beside Crow. Her skin was black with lighter marks all over her body. She was wearing a sleeveless corset tied in the back tightly with strings. She was wearing a very short skirt and was carrying a silver gun in her belt.
“Hey Nix.” Said Ice smiling.
“Ey. Where’s Terra?” asked Nix in her thick Jamaican accent.
“Not here yet. She has two minutes before we leave for the job.” Said Raven sighing.
“What’s the job?” asked Nix.
“We don’t know yet. Alpha is paying us big bucks though.” Said Ice.
“How much?” asked Raven.
“Enough for all of us to get paid over half a mill.” Said Ice.
“Half a mill?” cried Nix.
“Whoever the target is must be valuable.” Said Crow. Suddenly the hedges split open and a young girl bounced in. Her silvery blond hair was pulled into pigtails and her skin was bright white. She was wearing a tight black dress. Her cute heart shaped lips were bright red and she had a lollipop in her mouth.
“Hello everyone.” She said in her babyish voice.
“Terra my girl!” cried Nix.
“Hey Terra.” Said Raven. After all the pleasantries were over, everyone was quiet. Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning and a shadowy figure appeared. It was hazy and smoky and dressed in long robes. The five stood close together, tense.
“Welcome Sisters of the Shadows.” It said, it’s voice rough and gravelly. Raven stepped forward as the leader.
“Alpha. What’s the job?” she asked.
“The usual. I need you all to kill the royal family.” Said Alpha.
“The royal family? Why do ya need them dead?” asked Nix.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business. Also, I have a new member to join you all.” Said Alpha calmly.
“What? Oh hell naw!” said Nix.
“I have more jobs for you all. If you would like, I can hire someone else.” Said Alpha chuckling.
“No! We’ll do it.” Said Raven bitterly.
“Good. Now, I want everyone dead.” Said Alpha.
“Everyone?” asked Ice.
“Did I stutter?” hissed Alpha. Nix scowled and crossed her arms.
“Come on guys.” Said Raven. Crow morphed into a large crow and took off. Raven, Terra, Nix and Ice leaped over the hedge and raced across the field.
“Raven, are you sure we should do this?” asked Ice beside her.
“I’ll always follow Alpha’s orders. Won’t you?” asked Raven giving Ice a murderous look. Ice looked away and nodded. Suddenly Crow appeared in front of them.
“I found some tunnels that lead into the castle.” She said joining them.
“Where?” asked Raven.
“East side of the castle. Meet you there.” Said Crow before taking off.
“You heard Crow. Let’s go.” Said Raven. They quickly ran to the east side and met Crow. She had pulled the grate up and was waiting.
“Nix, Ice scale the towers and go into the bedrooms. Kill anyone.” Said Raven. Nix and Ice nodded and started to scale the wall. Nix grunted as she pulled herself up the wall. Nix opened the window at the top of the tower and slipped in followed closely by Ice. Nix slithered stealthily to the door as watch.
“Do it Nix.” Whispered Ice bitterly. Nix nodded and slunk to the large bed. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Slowly, her hand burst into flame. Nix quickly slit the woman’s throat quickly followed by the man. Nix quickly sucked up the blood and looked at Ice.
“I’ll leave you be.” Said Ice. Ice slipped out of the room, ignoring the slurping sounds from the other room. She slipped into the room across the hall. The room was pitch black except for a ray of moonlight coming through a window. As Ice examined the room, she heard a high pitched cry. Ice let out a battle cry and froze her hand into a blade. She settled into a defensive stance and waited for her attacker but no one came. She relaxed and slowly the Ice melted. She walked towards the sound and stubbed her toe on a crib.
“Son of a!” cried Ice. There was another loud wail from right in front of Ice. She looked down and saw a baby. It was probably a year old. Ice lifted her up. The baby was quiet and looked at her with her bright blue eyes. This was probably the infant princess. Alpha wanted everyone dead but, Ice couldn’t kill her! Suddenly Nix walked into the room and saw Ice.
“Ice, who’s the baby?” asked Nix.
“The princess.” Said Ice desperately.
“Are…Are you going to kill her?” asked Nix.
“No. I can’t.” said Ice. Suddenly Raven, Crow and Terra burst into the room covered in blood.
“Nix, what’re you doing? Kill her!” said Raven. Ice stared at Raven wide eyed.
“I can’t kill her! She’s an infant!” cried Ice.
“If you won’t I will!” said Raven charging toward Ice at full speed. Without thinking, Ice kicked Raven full force. Raven flew through the air and crashed into the wall, knocked unconscious.
“Ice…” said Terra.
“Ice! What’re you doing?” cried Nix.
“Nix, you can’t side with her! She was going to kill a baby.” Whispered Ice in horror.
“She was going to do her job!” said Crow harshly.
“Ice, you know what this means.” Said Nix. Ice backed away from them, holding the baby close to her.
“Ice, please.” Whispered Terra. Suddenly Crow rushed Nix and grabbed the baby.
“Crow please!” screamed Ice.
“No Ice! You’re not doing this!” yelled Crow.
“Please! I can save her!” cried Ice.
“No!” said Crow harshly. Quickly Crow sliced the child’s throat, killing her instantly. Crow threw the body aside and walked out.
“Come on guys.” Said Crow. Ice collapsed to the ground, tears dripping down her cheeks. Terra glanced over her shoulder and walked over to Ice.
“Ice, what were you thinking?” asked Terra rubbing Ice’s back.
“I thought I could save her! I didn’t want her to die!” sobbed Ice.
“Ice, do you really think that Crow and Raven would let a target live?” asked Terra softly.
“I hate this! I want out!” cried Ice.
“Ice! You know we can’t leave. We are bound in servitude to Alpha.” Said Ice sadly.
“I don’t care! I want to leave! I don’t want to kill any more.” Wept Ice.
“Ice, I cannot escape from this life but you might have a chance.” Said Terra.
“What do you mean Terra?” asked Ice wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Ice, you’re the youngest of the group! You haven’t been trapped as long as I! I was one of the very first members here. There’s no chance of me ever leaving but you’ve only been here a few months. Ice, please run away while you can!” whispered Terra.
“But, what about you guys? You all are like my family.” Said Ice.
“Ice, sometimes you have to think of yourself. Run away!” said Terra. Ice hugged Terra tightly.
“Goodbye Terra.” Whispered Ice. Ice opened the window and climbed out and jumped out. Terra watched as Ice disappeared into the night. Terra turned around and raced after the others.
“Hey guys.” Said Terra.
“Terra! Where have you been? Where’s Ice?” asked Raven sharply.
“She’s gone…” said Terra.
“What?” cried Nix.
“What the hell do you mean gone?” yelled Crow.
“She left. She doesn’t want this life anymore.” Said Terra calmly.
“Ice can’t just leave! She’ll be killed!” yelled Nix.
“Ice is the newest of the group. She still might have a chance unlike us and I told her to take it!” said Terra.
“You’re an idiot Terra.” Said Nix. Terra looked crestfallen.
“Nix, I thought you would support me.” Said Terra.
“You should’ve gone with her.” Said Nix. Terra smiled at Nix.
“Terra, according to Alpha, anyone who leaves or encourages others to leave is a traitor. Traitors are to be executed on sight.” Said Raven.
“Raven, you can’t be serious.” Said Nix.
“I’m deadly serious.” Said Raven, Crow nodding in agreement.
“Terra!” screamed Nix.
“Raven, hold her back.” Said Crow. Raven nodded, pinning Nix to the wall.
“Terra run!” she screamed. Crow picked up Terra by the neck and pushed her into a wall. Terra screamed and struggled.
“Nix!” she screamed. Nix kicked and screamed.
“Don’t Crow!” shrieked Nix. Crow’s nails extended into long blades.
“Crow stop!” screamed Nix. Crow ignored her and stabbed her nails through Terra’s stomach. Terra’s eyes widened as Crow’s nails pierced her stomach.
“Terraaaaaaa!” sobbed Nix. Crow pulled her nails out and licked the blood clean.
“You little bitch!” screamed Nix.
“Raven, take care of Nix.” Said Crow. Raven stuck a needle into Nix’s throat. Nix burst free and ripped the needles out of her throat. She punched Raven in the face. Raven collapsed as of Nix knocked her out. Crow backed away from Nix but she was ready for a fight.
“How could you kill her! She was our comrade! Our sister and you slaughtered her!” cried Nix, bursting into flame. Crow looked shocked by Nix’s powers.
“I thought you cared about her but I was wrong! All you care about is killing other human beings for money!” yelled Nix, the flame growing brighter.
“We’re not human! We’re better than them! Humans are dirt and deserve to die! Think of all the people that hurt us!” cried Crow.
“These people we are killing never did anything to us! Now you killed Terra!” cried Nix. Suddenly Crow slashed Nix’s shoulder with her claws.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen!” cried Crow, her eyes filling with tears.
“Just kill me already you little bitch!” yelled Nix. Crow shook her head and kicked Nix in the head sending her flying. Nix crashed into the wall, covered in blood and unconscious. Crow turned around and lifted Raven up, leaving the bloody scene.
Raven opened her eyes and looked around. Crow and Raven were back in the garden.
“Where is Ice?” aske Raven sitting up and holding her head as she groaned in pain.
“The little rat escaped.” Said Crow.
“Where’s Alpha?”