HAZEYN'S WHOLE ATTENTION was now on the people who were talking behind him. The mention of the adoptive heir of Grand Vizier Esad piqued his interest.
The first soldier who spoke rebutted the second soldier. "It is none of our business anyway. The more they seek pleasure, the more akce for us." The crowd erupted, and the fight between Macit and a new challenger ended with the latter being dead as always. "Oh, the fights ended. I have to go and prepare Macit. You guide the rich hanim to the VIP room. Make sure to know your boundaries when the client shows her fetish."
The second soldier grumbled. "Of course, I know that."
The footsteps scattered and vanished but Hazeyn chose to follow the soldier who would fetch Macit. After spending a lot of time in the fighting pit, he knew how notorious Macit the Slayer was even as a child.
'And the Grand Vizier's adoptive heir knows that fact too.'
Hazeyn knew the structure of the fighting pit like it was the back of his palm so he knew where to hide and follow as the soldier dragged the chained Macit.
'He did not even have his wounds checked.'
He followed them until the two figures vanished inside a VIP room where clients wanted to meet with the fighters for their grotesque fetishes.
As someone who knew the blueprint of the fighting pit, Hazeyn swiftly entered the VIP room adjacent to the room of interest. He walked straight to the wall that connected the two rooms and adjusted a painting by tilting it a little – revealing a curtain that separated the rooms. He knew that this was made for espionage, but he was making use of it for his gain. He could see the happenings beyond the red silk curtain if he wanted to but he opted to listen first.
A loud thud echoed inside the room of interest followed by the soldier's voice who brought the chain and wounded Macit. "The good is here, hanim. Just as I promised." The pride dripped from his voice as if he was showing off a piece of meat.
Silence ensued before a soft yet somewhat familiar voice replied, "Will you leave us for a moment?"
Another girl's voice intercepted. "Hanim, please –"
"It is okay. I just want to get to know him more. I am sure that Macit Bey won't do something like that." Though her tone was soft like a flower, the edge was hidden beneath her words laced evidently for the soldier and the attendant to notice.
"Please be careful, hanim." The other girl replied dragging the soldier with her followed by the sound of the door closing after.
"Macit the Slayer, I like your amber eyes. It reminds me of the golden desert. Your hair as dark as the starless night is something worth envy and your delicate features will question if you can kill your opponent – ah really. Macit is such a fascinating person, hmm? But I am not here to write sonnets about your beauty. I am here to give you a choice." She trailed before continuing. Her voice was sweet and full of adoration that it made Hazeyn think that she was doing this on a whim.
But her next words sharpened the young sultan's eyes. "Macit, do you wish to destroy the person that killed your sister? Do you wish to find the culprit who ruthlessly violated her before killing her like livestock? If you do, grab my hand and kill for me."
Hazeyn slowly reached for the silk curtain. His growing curiosity about the beast behind the sweet voice burned like a moth to the flame. The voice that replied to the cruel words of a young girl dropped the temperature of the room. "How did you know about her? I will kill you if you dare talk to her like that. Filthy spoiled brats like you dare to tarnish my sister's name. Isn't her death enough for you?" Hazeyn's eyes widened as he witnessed Macit snapping the chains around his ankles like a twig. Macit's heaving body blocked Hazeyn's view of the mysterious adoptive heir.
'Run. Call for help.' He urged at the back of his mind.
Instinctively, Hazeyn commanded the adoptive heir as he felt Macit's murderous intent whipping the room like a storm. "I think you don't understand your position, young hanim. So stop playing this sick game and hide behind your parents." Macit loomed over the sitting heir.
'He is going to kill her.' Hazeyn read Macit's stance and he knew this would end badly.
'But isn't this favorable for me?' Hazeyn pondered critically.
With the news of Grand Vizier Esad's adoptive heir, the faction would have a dagger to point at Hazeyn.
The sound of a body tumbling to the ground echoed and the next thing Hazeyn witnessed was Macit's body strangling the young hanim's neck. The cold crept inside Hazeyn's body like a vice grip. His rationality and morals clash as the scene unfold in front of him. He expected the young hanim to cry for help but the next thing she said in a strangled voice piqued his interest more. "Bad. I should teach you the carrot and stick system." The strained voice coughed before she continued. "Of course, you will be angry. After all, your dearest sister is alive. Then let me change my question. Do you want her safe?" The coughing stopped like the magic word was uttered.
"Ask me, Macit. Ask me the right question one more time, hmm?" Hazeyn froze as he gazed at a familiar face hugging the young fighter's neck – whispering as her peculiar eyes shone with pure malice.
The once cold voice of Macit flipped. "Ca-can you save my sister?" His voice laced with helplessness and worry which made her eyes shine more as her small lips stretched into a knowing grin.
Grasping his nape slowly back and forth, the young girl who plagued Hazeyn's nights smiled in triumph. "I already did," whispered the girl as her teeth grazed Macit's earlobes.
Hazeyn let go of the curtain before he staggered to the floor. His eyes were devoid of emotion while staring into oblivion.
'Is that the reason why you knew about the drugged sherbet? Are you one of the Grand Vizier's puppets?'
As if mocking him, the image of the young girl flashed into his mind.
"Why? Because I like Zeyn and I don't want him to die!"
Only one conclusion was conjured up in his mind. She is an enemy and must be eliminated.
"Ha! You came up with a different approach this time, Esad. I commend you. You did surprise me."