Paul Herrman dismounted the black filly in a perfect jump and immediately set his eyes to the intimidating palace just before him.
His female companion seemed to already have someone eager to help her down the animal. Even when she still shivered in fear, Miya had steadily lowered herself into the Prince's arms.
But as her feet touched the grass, she almost shoved him away while she ran to her brother. "Sam," she shrieked again as moisture filled her eyes.
His arms came around her limply in an emotionless embrace. If he was pleased to see her, he didn't show it.
Questions ran through his mind.
What did she want?
How…did she find him?
It was the continuous jerking of her body against his that made him finally notice her tears.
"Are you alright," the man pulled away with a small frown looking down to meet her gaze.
For a moment, she continued to let the tears glide down her cheeks, seemingly thinking of how to piece the entire drama she experienced in one, meaningful sentence.
But all her cries could let her say was. "Family…wolves! Where's Razia?"
Then she surrendered her face into his chest again.
Of course he understood the meaningless blabbers quite painfully. Consequently, he felt his own share of tears tease the back of his eyes, pushing to flood out.
Martin felt his throat sink at her words. For that moment, the aura of flirtation left him, replaced by something…something more real.
He met Sam's shocked gaze, then the scene we he clutched his sister close. Silence reigned for several moments, just the right amount of time for any son to swallow the news of the death of his entire clan.
Now…he squeezed his eyes shut and let go of her.
The end of all mortality might not really have gotten to him until then.
He dug his fingers helplessly through his brown hair, pacing up and down and muttering to himself.
"They burnt every single one of them," Miya want on sobbing. "And I watched it happen helplessly because I hadn't seen anything that occultic in my entire life."
"This is your doing!" Her brother interrupted with a barking tone. Just after he'd set confusion in the air, he went on. "If you all weren't so persistent in sending Razia away, none of these would have happened!"
Paul Herrman finally got distracted from the walls of Decresh; and slowly, he stalked to them. "Let her be. We have a common set of foes here."
He stopped when he came eye to eye with Sam. After a stern set of his jaws, he spat the words. "Demons. It's either we stay and keep on fighting one another like they want us to or we find a way to stop them."
"You know nothing about who's friend or foe," Sam Singh barked, comfortably switching his anger to the Priest who'd ridden the horse that brought his change of mood. "My other sister is a demon, but she doesn't go about sending wolves to end mortality!"
That was when the black clothed man noticed the low growl from his dog. At Sam's last words, he set a hand upon his sword, returning his grey eyes to the palace walls.
"Your sister is a demon," Paul said quietly. "That explains a lot."
He waited no second more before he pushed past them all and headed straight for the entrance doors with the dalmatian striding along.
***
The rhythmic stamps of boots spoke of his arrival even before he stepped into the courtroom.
"Someone's in a bad mood," Abraham smiled, having sensed Jeremy's advent through the doorway. However, his eyes never turned away from what he was so focused on.
As his index claw traced down Razia's wrist, the King smirked at the line of blood that came with it. He'd been picturing himself drinking it all day, admiring that deep red liquid every single time he scarred her.
But they had healed instantly…much to the annoyance he was successful at hiding.
Jeremy marched to them with intentions of striding past what he assumed to be a queer interaction between King and guard.
"Do you mind to share?" Abraham turned to look at him, something like impatience on his face.
His brother paused at the words, letting out a frustrated sigh afterwards. Slowly, he looked down on the pair seated at the long table and forced himself to ignore the fact that Abraham was continuously drawing images with his claws on Razia's skin, giving her a tiny wound now and then. Or the more exhilarating fact that each and very one of those wounds healed.
"Someone I assume to be your sister has just arrived," he informed Razia who immediately shot him a frown.
Afterwards, he faced the King. "And you, baby brother. Inform me whenever you're done doing what you do best. We need to have a serious conversation."
"Am I granted the chance to understand what this…" he made a nonchalant, dismissive gesture with his face, "…conversation is all about?"
Jeremy wanted to give an immediate reply to that. But against his wish, his focus returned to the King's claws. "How do you sit there and just let him do that to you," he shrugged innocently, eyes on the lady.
Razia blinked uncertainly. She seemed to be void of an answer. "He seems to like it. And it's my duty, isn't it."
His glare shoved from the water demon to the fire djinn, but deeper and more concentrated. And all he received was a teasing smile.
That was it…he was done talking!
The first son gave him the last of his disapproving glares just before he marched away.
At that instant, Abraham paused his actions, having sensed the discomfort in her veins. How perfect she was at keeping still even in the worst moments.
"Go see your sister," he gave the order and suddenly rose from his seat, walking away afterwards.
Alone now, the gloom in her seeped unto her face. And consequently, she narrowed her eyes.
***
"So, mother is dead," Razia muttered, arms crossed, eyes forward and spine straight.
To be honest, Sam hadn't even expected anything more than that from her. While he was having a hard time coming to terms with it, she looked like she'd expected it.
"Could you just…" Miya continued, "…forgive me, Razia. I'm sorry I let you go. I just…"
Razia shrugged and gave a weak smile. "There's nothing to forgive. That was God's own way of making me help save mankind. I'm just sorry my clan had to be sacrificed for that."
She bowed her head in silence. But suddenly, something wasn't right in her gut. "How come you escaped the wolves of azarath." Suspicious hazel eyes studied her older sister.
So that was what they were called…
"The Priest," Miya grinned suddenly and gestured towards the palace. "I'd be a heap of soot now if he hadn't been there with a talisman."
The word Priest rang in her head like it was death itself. And he was in the palace!
Somehow, she imagined there was more to this than just seeing a lass safely to her destination. Something was going on.