? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 2.5: A Brother's Sacrifice

"So do I," Terrick told her. "I asked you to stay home because the whole thing feels off."

As if waiting for Terrick's signal, the lights snapped on. Street thugs, thirteen by her quick count, stood at around the room, cutting off windows and doorways. She remembered the fear, she still felt it now and hated herself for it. Terrick had practically dragged her while running towards the main entrance. Leena tripped over her own feet looking back.

"Terrick!" she screamed, as one of the men brandished a wicked looking curved sword and started towards her, licking his lips.

"I think I'll have fun with this little rat," he gargled through rotten teeth. One of Terrick's throwing knives bit his arm and he let go of the sword, stumbling back.

"Angel," she heard him shout. "You have to run!"

Words caught in her throat as she saw the main exit....and more ruffians.

Terrick spoke softly to Leena while pulling a couple of knives from his sleeves. "This is Alaken's doing. Don't trust him."

"Alaken," Leena said, tears welling. "Why? What's going to happen to us?"

"The guy in front of you with one eye," Terrick said, unblinking. "When I tell you to go, I want you to run through him." Terrick, looked over his shoulder. "I want you to run home. Get our stash and go."

"But," she started.

"I'll find you," Terrick said, voice stammering. "I love you sis. Go!"

"Like you're...," the guy began to say as the knife bit into his throat. Leena ran as she was told, determined to believe in her brother and not to disappoint him again. Distracted by suddenness of a dying fellow, no one grabbed for her. She ran home, not looking back.

She arrived home to find the door smashed open. The inside was trashed and the floorboards under which Terrick had kept their money was pulled up. In contrast, was the table, upright and clear but for a note held in place by a dagger.

Terrick,

Estala did not send you for the Gold Falcon. I did. Take a boat to hell.

Alaken

**

She tapped the dagger on her hip, while looking Sabin in the eyes. It was the one Alaken left. The one she'd kill him with.

"I waited two cycles for him," she continued. "Long after the zen ran out."

Sabin sat there, brown eyes wide with shock.

She knew he wanted to say something. But what could he say, really? "Alaken ruined our name, so I couldn't join Estala. The only other option for a 13-year old girl was prostitution." She shivered and hugged her while saying the word. "I wasn't willing to cross that line, so I left.

"I have been traveling from town to town ever since, moving when Estala gets wind of my location. It was near time for me to leave Rosera anyway."

"I'm sorry," Sabin said, clearly searching for words.

"Don't be," Leena cut in. "I almost have enough to pay his bounty. I've tried to go back, because I know he's there, but Estala is unforgiving. There aren't many blue-haired Hruh-yites in Acadia and Estala thinks it's my bounty, despite the fact that I'm a woman." She paused for moment emphasizing her words. "I know he's there and he's still alive. I know it."

"With the Merchant's Promise," Sabin added, scratching his chin, "we could just get enough to pay it off. How much is it?"

"Ten thousand zen. Thanks to you and your generous down payment, I'm at eight thousand, six hundred and twenty-four."

"Don't mention it," Sabin countered, obviously annoyed.

"Look kid," Leena said. "I'm sorry okay. Things aren't always as black and white as you types make it out to be. I plan on getting my brother out by any means necessary."

Sabin tossed a coin purse on the table. "That's the rest of your pay. That should be enough to pay off the bounty. I'll go with you to find your brother."

"You're very trusting," she said, giving him a wink. "How do you know I'm not giving to a false story for sympathy?"

"I don't," the boy said. "But I don't believe you made that story up. Even if you did, if we're to be Seriens, friends, even, we have to start somewhere. And I'd rather start believing in the good in you, even if you don't."

Leena dropped her spoon into her bowl, and smiled to herself. There was something...charming about the kid, she had to admit. "I'm heading to my room. Don't wander into my room by mistake," she said, wagging her finger at him. "Just because I told you my deepest secrets doesn't mean we're Partners." She got up and walked upstairs.

She sat in the room, half-expecting the boy to come up, like some hero out of a novel. She had no idea why she told him that, but it felt good to share it with someone for once. Truth be told, this boy, someone that she stole from less than a day ago, was the closest thing to a friend she'd ever had in her life.

With that final thought, she cried herself to sleep. She cried for Terrick, hoping he was still alive. But mostly, she cried for herself.