Blinking away the blur in my eyes, spitting out a poorly tied gag and swallowing the bitter taste of whatever my unknown kidnappers used to knock me out, I slowly survey my surroundings. The only light came through two thick draperies positioned over what I could assume were windows. Stupid to have windows here, but my kidnappers were no fools, the windows must be barred at least. The carpets were russet brown and looked new and expensive. I checked the walls to see if they matched up. Yes, new paint. I could smell it in the air, if only faint. The other scent that assaulted me was coffee grounds. None visible, but the stench had seeped into the room. Possibly meaning my kidnappers liked coffee but most likely used to mask the scent of drugs or other illegal substances to throw off any cop dog inspections. So my kidnappers were careful, possibly in the drug industry and rich. Common enough traits in my business. A flicker of light pulses on one of the door hinges. A sign of a fingerprint lock. Any fingerprint lock would also have a key or standard keypad lock as backup.

Feeling around the rope that bound my hands I almost sighed. I’d been getting out of knots harder than these since I was 12. A little disappointing. Yet again, I had been underestimated. My kidnapper’s sources had probably mentioned how much money my mother could pay for my ransom. And my mother could pay any amount they threw at her, but she wouldn’t.

If I didn’t escape by myself I didn’t deserve to be part of the family. Or at least, that’s what mum has always drilled into me. I wriggled slightly and hunched over, checking how many of my daggers they had taken. They took the daggers in each of my boots and the ones strapped to my forearms… leaving only the dagger strapped to my thigh. A deep weariness settled over me. I was sick of all the power games between the clans, I was sick of the life I’d been born into. Quickly shaking I off my melancholy, I focused on the job of untying my hands.It wouldn’t be a challenge but then I’d have to find out who my kidnappers are. Unbound, I twirled the knife in my hands and basked in the momentary feeling of power it brings. I was my mother’s daughter, there was no changing that.