Page 124 of Hum For Me

Whoever this is, they are far more trained than anyoneIhave ever taught.

We circle each other like animals, and attack like animals. My fist connects with the right side of his face, while he punches me in the stomach, right where my fucking wound is. Our fistfight is brutal, bloody, and a mess. It also feels like we are dancing together.

Two trained killers.

Before I bleed out from my wound, I kick him in his left knee now and headbutt him. He stumbles backward, yet he quickly regains steadfast composure. He then lunges at me. I catch his arm, twist it behind his back, and slam him into the wall. He kicks back, sweeping my legs—unexpected, like he knows my style too well.

We crash to the ground, and all hell breaks loose. This asshole is strong as he is pinning me down with his legs and putting immense pressure on my wound. That makes my vision slightly dizzy and causes a loss of focus.

Fuck.

He starts swinging, and I catch almost every punch. With whatever little strength I have, I block one punch by grabbing his arm, and I do what I need to do. I stare into the black mask, trying to read anything—but there is nothing.

“Who trained you?” I grunt. He shifts his weight, voice low and calm.

“Switzerland did,” the voice tells me.

No, no, no.

Sweat is dripping down my spine, and my muscles burn with the kind of fire you can only get when you are close to the truth. Themasterlifts his mask just enough so that his actual voice can come out. Or should I say,hervoice.

“Don’t shoot him, he is mine. Mine to punish. Mine to finish.” A soft, strong feminine voice penetrates my mind, and I start breathing heavily.

“You weren’t honest, M, or should I call you…” She licks her lips as she takes a knife from the back of her waistband. “Noa?”

My real name. She used myrealname.

She takes the knife and pushes it against my throat, drawing blood.

“You took away the only person who ever loved me.” The knife starts moving slightly, and I can’t even take a sharp intake of breath. I’m pushing my throat harder against the knife.

This is it, I’m going to die.

My body is starting to shut down, and my will to live is going with it.

“I only have one request before you die,” the woman says as she pushes herself forward onto my body. The sharp point of the knife is now starting to slice my neck. I look and… wait, what’s that?

“What?” I ask her.

“Hum for me.” This can’t be it. Please, let me be wrong.

“At least show me who you are,” I plead with her, and she obliges.

The woman grabs the mask and starts revealing herself. Every second of waiting is killing me. This woman is the most talented killer I have ever encountered, and I need to know who she is.

The mask is off.

All pretenses are gone.

And I’m at a loss for words.

I muster up the strength to do one more thing before I die.

“Lana?”

THE END.