A Red Symphony

They’ve been together for over ten years, and they were only now on their first date. Absolutely pathetic. Unfortunately, the schedule they shared wasn’t pliable in the least; ergo, dating was an impossible feat. Being spies for the government revolved solely around their next hit and their next big check; there was no such thing as vacation or hiatus. Rest is for the dead, as Alyssa liked to state. The woman loved everything about her job, but what she preferred was working with Kieran.

They had met when they were 9 years-old, both abandoned at an orphanage that turned out to be a training base for secret agents. Naturally, being the youngest made them easy targets for their seniors, so they’d latched onto each other and have not spent a day apart since. Kieran and Alyssa quickly became the deadliest duo, many countries vying for their employment. There was no denying their effectiveness. They worked in perfect harmony; Kieran was the planner, enjoying the chase; and Alyssa was the executor, craving the kill.

It was by a stroke of luck that they found a two hour break in their schedule this evening. Alyssa jested that they have their first date and of course, Kieran had jumped on the offer, elated to finally go out with his lovely wife. The couple found themselves at an upscale restaurant in New York, where everyone who was someone appeared at. Undoubtedly, it was pure coincidence that their target was sitting a table away from them, giving “killing two birds with one stone” a whole new meaning.

The rich, smoky filet mignon with a mushroom sauce and roasted vegetables that Alyssa ordered had just arrived. The meat was perfectly cooked, its heavily smoked flavour filling her mouth. The waiter had suggested an aged merlot to pair with the meat; she admitted they paired exquisitely. In a dance of heavy and light flavours; the red berries, baking spices, and violets of the wine twining with the rich and decadent taste of the filet mignon. Alyssa lifted her gaze to her partner’s, shivers ran down her spine at the intensity she found in his eyes. Humming in delight, “Oh you have to try this wine, it’s the best I've ever tasted.” Alyssa cooed at her husband, offering him the glass excitedly.

Kieran levelled his stare to the front of her dress, he hadn’t been able to stop gawking. Everything about her this evening set him on edge. Firstly, the dress she chose was backless, exposing the silken planes of her flawless skin, taunting him to drag his fingers down the length of her spine and relish in the gooseflesh he knew would chase his touch. Secondly, the gown was a black so dark it seemed to suck the light out of the room, contrasting sinfully with her unnaturally fair skin. The fabric was thick, hugging her body down to her thighs where sheer organza flowed to the floor, marking each of her graceful steps, like an empress. Needless to say, she looked divine, every mouthwatering curve and dip on display for him, begging to be worshipped.

Kieran knew she had her favourite dagger strapped to her strong thigh; the deadly thing hidden under her gown. It was Alyssa’s most prized possession. The long and wicked blade was adorned with emeralds and gold, its beauty traitorous and deadly, like its owner.

His sharp jaw clenching, Kieran purred, “I’ll have to take your word for it, love. I’m not entirely sure it mixes well with my plain pasta.” he smirked evilly at her eye roll, knowing what game she was playing. His violent, cunning creature for over a decade, the embodiment of perfection, would be the death of him one of these days. Not that he would ever complain. She was his lifeline.

Alyssa ran a manicured hand through her voluminous chestnut curls, the message clear, He’s still staring at me, pushing its length off her shoulder and baring her neck. They had found this silent way of communicating during their training years, when ears were constantly listening in on them. Every movement had a meaning. Kieran tilted his head predatorily, a groomed eyebrow arching, I know, he’s listening too. He’s also been filming you. Trepidation seized her body at the implication. A compromised spy meant certain death. His honeyed stare fluttering in calculation, his genius mind formulating a plan, You’ll have dessert, then lure him to the bathroom hallway. Marvelling at his intelligence, Alyssa bit her lip slyly, tracing her jaw with a delicate finger, the movement depicting what she would do to their target. Perfect, give me 15 minutes.

Their scheme settling into her, she took the time to ogle her husband for the thousandth time that evening. The suit that clung to every hard muscle was an immaculate dark green, its gorgeous colour doing wonders for his naturally dark complexion. Kieran looked inhuman this evening, the incarnation of death. His raw and elegant scent of cedarwood and pepper swept over her every so often, simultaneously soothing her and lighting her senses on fire.

Leaning up on her elbows, the movement deliberately displaying her cleavage, the jasmine and honey smell of her wafted over to him, he couldn't help his deep inhale. Alyssa cocked her head with playful swagger, “Is this first date to your satisfaction, husband?” She chirped, barely able to control her twitching lips in amusement.

He leaned toward her on the table, bringing his face closer to hers, sending her a smirk he knew had a wicked effect on her. “Not even close, wife.” he claimed, in his usual low tone. Kieran’s voice as dark and cold as death given form, its almost flat timbre made something deep in Alyssa awaken every time she heard it.

With a daring tilt of her brow, she swirled her glass and brought it to her nose, drinking in its addictive scent. “This Merlot really is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted, can we get an extra bottle, please?” her voice lilting. His wife looked at him defiantly over the rim of her glass, the mirth in her eyes further set him on edge. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she was loving it. The devious creature.

“Of course love, anything else you want?” he rasped tightly as his topaz eyes glowed with adoration and dominance. The corner of her mouth quivered at his tone, she knew all too well what awaited her at home. Even after all these years, they never grew bored of playing like this, enjoying every taunt and jab, making the other melt with need.

Alyssa pursed her lips, making a show of thinking up another demand as her eyes narrowed. “I want my dessert.”, she demanded, mockingly insolent.

With a look of pure need, he snarled “Yes me too, that’s why we’re leaving, now.” his burning gaze setting her core ablaze. “You’ll get your turn, my love, I want my chocolate covered strawberries now.” Alyssa intoned obscurely. There was no way she was leaving without her dessert, she’d been drooling over them ever since she saw the pictures on the restaurant’s website. Using them as more temptation for their target was merely an added benefit.

Kieran ordered her dessert tensely, his eyes burning with lust and anger. The restaurant’s service was astoundingly quick because the chocolate covered strawberries arrived only a couple minutes later. Almost like they’d planned for it. Alyssa bit into one of the plump and juicy red berries and a burst of sweetness filled her mouth, its acidity tingling down her throat. A sinful explosion on her tongue. She hummed in pleasure, barely able to stop her eyes rolling into the back of her head. It was even better than she’d imagined. The thick chocolate was decadently sweet and velvety as she took the fruit between her lips again. The juice dripped down her chin as she bit into the ripe strawberry, her tongue darting out to catch the drop of syrupy liquid. The dark concoction was stuck to her red painted fingers, so naturally, she took one between her lips and sucked off the sticky residue, the movement hollowing her cheeks as she fixed her ravenous gaze on Kieran. Now. Follow me after 30 seconds. She signaled silently.

It was finally time. A delicious chill ran down her spine at the excitement, adrenaline rushing through her blood as she sauntered toward the bathrooms. There was a vicious pleasure she took from her kills, each and every one was different, yet innately the same; it was music for the senses. Especially with Ruby, the blade forever strapped to her thigh was an orchestra in and of itself. Pulling the most glorious and epic melodies from its victims, the dagger was named after the colour it constantly bathed and thrived in. Alyssa wondered if she’d guessed correctly about how much time it would take the target to reach her. Finding a small alcove, she dipped into the shadows and waited patiently for her prey.

A proud smile graced her face as the footsteps approached her after ten seconds, she’d guessed correctly. Alyssa pounced on him as soon as the scent of alcohol on his breath hit her nose. Grabbing him by the lapels on his jacket, she twisted and shoved him into the wall behind her. “I was hoping you’d come find me.” she whispered softly, her lips grazing the shell of his ear. His excited shiver made her want to stab him in the eye, but that sadly wasn’t the plan. Alyssa wasn’t allowed to play this time. Stepping closer to him, she let her hands drift lower on his chest. She didn’t need to look to know that Kieran was already blocking the hallway, talking animatedly on the phone. The perfect distraction. Sensing the eagerness in the man pinned to the wall, she wrapped her thigh around his leg, the movement pulling a disgusting groan from him. Alyssa could feel his blood pounding through his veins, matching her own; although the reasons were completely different. Her hand glided down his body to her thigh, gripping Ruby’s hilt.

She distracted the man by sweeping her tongue along his unshaved jaw. Alyssa had to physically stop herself from gagging at the ashy taste of the man’s skin. His pupils were blown wide with arousal; this man was panting already. It was decidedly a good thing that she couldn’t play with him. He was foul. Even so, blood was blood, and her needs were going to be satisfied. Alyssa brought Ruby to his neck, pressing the cold blade into his skin. “Our time is about to run out, but it was delightful nonetheless.” She purred gravely. The killing calm tumbled over her like a cresting wave. Alyssa could feel his heart beat, the pounding of a drum, booming in rhythm with her own. His stale breath tingled her skin, like a harp being played skillfully. She could feel the need building into her as she dug Ruby into his neck. The comforting warmth of her dagger ran through her, setting her core afire as the crescendo built. She could hear the violins and the piano joining in as a drop of blood slithered down his neck. Closing her eyes for a second, she inhaled the sounds of impending death. And as the wave crashed, the symphony reaching its climax, she dragged the dagger across his neck. The angelic melody of the instruments singing through her bones as the thick blood oozed onto Ruby.

Still reeling from her high, Alyssa turned to her partner, finding him right behind her with a look of utter adoration. “That wasn’t nearly satisfying enough. Take me home, husband.” she cooed lovingly, leaning into him. “Anything for you, wife.” Kieran murmured in her ear as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her toward the exit. A thing of traitorous and deadly beauty indeed.