Snippet #2484801

The Madame kept her smile, ordering the drink the girl had requested. The drink came, and the trio were able to get down to the business at hand.

"Your initiation would require you to pass our trials; a rather grueling path for only the truly dedicated. Normally we would make you join our subordinate family and work your way up from there, but Kenji's words mean a lot to me, and his words say you might have what it takes. Be warned, though: failure to complete our trials will not only earn you shame among our ranks, but death by our blades as well. If you still wish to continue, we can arrange for you to take the trials."

She held her smile the whole time. 'Kenji had better be right about this girl. I haven't the time for failures,' she thought, casting a sideways glance at her lieutenant. He shot a her a sly smile, as if he knew what she were thinking. Her focus returned to Mataiya, her eyes once again sizing the girl up.

"Just tell me when you'd like to begin."