Prologue

She crept cautiously through the shadows, her hands gripped tightly around the hilt of her Sai, preparing herself should any fool try to surprise her. She hated surprises.

She bent down, looking down the corridor. Four guards, each armed with either a machine gun or some sort of close combat weapon.

Taking a breath, she stood up and stepped out, slinking down the hall. They didn't see her until it was too late. She slit a throat, sliced one open from chin to waist, snapped the others neck. The last one seemed to be better than the others. But she was better. When he had to stop to reload, she ran up, stabbing him in the abdomen.

She thrust her Sai into the lock of the door, twisting it until it popped open. A spacious room was inside, a man sat at the end by a crackling fire. Her ponytail swung from side to side as she walked, slowly, anticipating any sudden moves he should try to make.
"I've been waiting," he said at a just audible volume.

"Good," she replied "I like my targets prepared," she spun her Sais around in her hands, as she reached his seat.

He turned to look at her. He must have been around thirty-five, thirty-six with grey eyes and a thin line of a mouth.

In one liquid motion, she stabbed him straight through the chest. For a second, his head stayed upright, then flopped into his chest.

The job was done.