Breaking Deception

**Natalie POV**

**(10 years ago)**

Why were my instincts going crazy?! My body was hyper-aware and my mind was drunk on the tingling sensations coming from beyond the tree line. Not good.

I had to ignore that oh so strong, alluring aura. Focus on the task at hand, or disaster strikes. I can't fail here.

Stay low to the ground, don't inhale the smoke, keep your guard up, and pay attention.

Just as my Mom taught me, I observed my surroundings. The grassy hill offered fairly great coverage for a petite thirteen-year-old body. There were thick bushes to hide and blend into. At least, it was until the graveyard was abruptly lit ablaze in the dark of night.

Conceal, or death, was the life of an assassin. I had no interest in following in my mother's footsteps (I planned on living a simple life as a baker or housewife!), but the threat would always be there.

Had I known what was waiting for me, I would have paid more attention to her lessons on the field than to our baking sweets sessions afterward.

Fire whipped around my face, burning my cheeks lightly. I tightened my brown ponytail and mentally readied myself. This wouldn't be the first time Mom had put me in a position where I had no choice but to endure some mild pain.

The licking flames caught hold of bushes. It was time to change locations.

I squatted low and ran as fast as possible in the awkward position. Hunched over like a scurrying aardvark, I made my way to a tree at the top of the hill. It wasn't the best hiding spot as Mom's hawk eyes were sure to spot me up here.

I could hear her scolding me already. Had I thought ahead about the fire, I wouldn't have to risk being out in the open. Disappointing Mom and letting her win was a tad better than becoming barbeque in the bushes. Guess I'm not picking the desert and movie tonight. Priorities and all that Jazz.

At least I was confident one of her sniper colleagues wasn't hiding somewhere nearby. A red dot would be dancing on my forehead. Then I would hear the cocky laugh of my first crush.

'Killed ya again, tike.' he would say with a finger slicing across his neck. He was an arrogant asshole, charming and older. What teenager wouldn't crush on him? A good thing he wasn't interested in me. Mom would have literally cut his balls off. She did that to pedophiles free of charge to her employer. Pro Bono, she called it.

As I thought about my Mom's friend, the fire was getting worse. Ash stung my eyes and started to enter my lungs. Our training sessions were never this dangerous. Hiding, self-defense, or a game of assassin was as far as she usually went. This time I could really die in the heavy arms of smoke! With a whip of that heavenly aura to comfort my way.

"You win Mom!" I coughed out, raising my hands in defeat. I may have to watch Labyrinth for the twentieth time, but I couldn't handle any more smoke or dry ash scratching at my throat.

Something wet splashed across my cheeks. Wet? I glanced up to see a reckless tidal wave of water coming straight at me. What was Mom playing at? It was not funny!

I crossed my arms in front of my face and used my ground ability to dig my feet firmly under the dirt. Taking a quick last gulp of air, I held my breath.