“The assassin is somewhere in this castle, this very room, even!” The oracle declared to the king.

I feel my blood pressure soar as guards stand at the doors, preventing anyone from leaving.

I still have blood spatters on my clothes, and had to scramble into my disguise after the deed was done. The prince is covered with a sheet as the oracle closes her eyes.

“They are disguised, but the blood on their palms is still fresh… they will strike again soon…”

“Hands out!” Shouts the angry king. The room full of guests do as they are told.

Good thing I wiped my hands on my breeches. The oracle inspects everyone as the king consoles his crying queen.

When the oracle looks at me I think she can read my mind. She seems to slide her black-rimmed eyes down to my shoes.

I follow her glance and see a dark blotch on the fabric. My heart is as loud as a blacksmith’s anvil.

But she sweeps away and continues looking at everyone’s palms.

I’m going to be found out. It was my first high priority job and I screwed it up.

The oracle, to my surprise, grabs a serving boy who is just as confused as I am.

“Behold your assassin!”

The king strides over, boots making the floor quiver. “This boy?”

“Yes, my liege.”

The king draws his sword and the boy shouts, but it’s too late.

A blade has sliced a smile on the king’s neck, and he chokes on crimson, sword clattering to the floor.

The queen stands behind him as he falls to the ground, kitchen knife held in a steady hand.

The serving boy is still trembling when the queen towers over him, stepping neatly over her husband’s corpse.

“You shall be spared if you stay silent about this matter.” She looks around the silent room, “and the same to you all, dear guests. The party is over and the king and his son are dead. The assassin got away.”

For a second I swear she nods at me. The oracle motions to the guards and they open the doors obediently. Guests file out and I go as well, feeling those dark eyes on my back the whole time I’m leaving.