The Alliance

Chapter 3

My head leaned against the cold glass of the French doors that lead to the backyard as I stretched my jaw. My father's words as prominent as the ache I felt as my fingers pressed lightly over the still healing purple bruise I'd tried to cover with layers of foundation. I hoped it hadn't discolored my face- makeup had never been my strong suit.

I wanted to turn my back towards the door and forget about the meeting. Today everything would be finalized. I would be arranged to marry Imaan Gani. The thought made me nauseous, and I was close to rushing towards the closest washroom and puke my guts out. But I couldn't because excluding my father's plans that relied on me to follow through with the shit show- I had six hundred and thirty-eight others that were looking to me to avenge them. They were my driving force.

And so latching onto my anger and pain I opened the door. Gaining everyone's attention as I did. My eyes glided over the left side of the table, scanning only a handful of unfamiliar faces that looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and decided distaste. I didn't blame them. I couldn't blame them. We were from rival mafias, had been taught to hate one another for as long as anyone could remember.

That wasn't going to change overnight. I cringed as I imagined how hard of a time they might give me once I'm made into the Scorpion House. They'd no doubt belittle me any chance they'd got. You're not here to make friends. My mind reminded me, chin raising as I went to take my seat alongside my family.

The meeting seemed to drawl on for hours. The fact that we were seated outside was the only thing keeping me sane. I could smell the faint scent of flowers from mother's garden and feel the cool spring breeze as it blew past. Despite the sun being in the sky, it was a windy day and at times when the sun would disappear behind the clouds you could almost smell the promise of rain.

It's no secret that I've found the weather of all things more interesting than today's events, but still I smile at the camera dutifully when pictures were taken. A forced smile but a smile, nonetheless.

We were nearing the end. The Scorpion's head of relations read through the peace treaty before she set it down on the table in front of Ebrahim Gani, then in front of my father. I noticed the hesitance he fought with as he picked up the black pen and signed the dotted line. The camera capturing the moment they firmly shook hands.

A photo that would be remembered throughout history.

Sahar Gani, Ebrahim's brother and trusted underboss stood up making his way to the front. It took me a minute to realize just what he was reading. He approached Imaan first placing the paper before her and placed his large hand- in what was probably meant to be a comforting but looked anything but-on her shoulder. She signed it without a care and Sahar began to stalk towards me. If I thought Ebrahim Gani's eyes were cold- Sahar Gani's were frozen.

He dropped the pen and bent down to pick it up. I stared at the contract in front of me, as he whispered into my ear. "After you sign this contract, you'll be tied to the Scorpion House." He reminded me, placing the pen in my hands and I began to sign my name. I'd finished it off with the swirl of the 'h' of my surname when he chuckled, "Let's see if you make it past initiation."

***

My home had been invaded by wolves in sheep's clothing.

Scorpions and Phoenixes didn't co-exist.

It was a fact.

This, being in one room was breaking several laws of mother nature.

I watched on with a dim scowl on my face. The unnaturalness of being in the same room with a Scorpion and not have a weapon pulled out messing with my head. The knife on my thigh brought me comfort, the only thing that kept me grounded.

"I didn't know that something so right could feel so wrong." A voice spoke from beside me. I turned my head. The woman beside me was unfamiliar- a Scorpion, I mentally declared. She had strawberry blonde hair that was pinned up and feline eyes the color of black coffee. "I take it that was the reason for the look on your face."

"What look?" I feigned not knowing. She breathed out a laugh, "You can drop the act, Ariah Rmah. The cameras are off." She made herself comfortable by my side.

My eyes scanned over her appearance again, "You know my name. But I don't know yours."

"Everyone knows your name." She diverted, "Even before all of this." Her hand gestured towards the full room. "You were quite the topic." I sent her a look.

"Safa." She said curtly.

"No last name?" My eyebrows furrowed, my guard building. You're not here to make friends.

"Gani. Safa Gani."

"Ah, there it is." I nodded, pressing my lips on the rim of the flute that held my drink. "So, tell me what are you to my future wife?" The title left a sour taste on my tongue.

"Other than her favorite," the sarcasm was not lost on me, "cousin?" She found Imaan standing amongst my mother and her friends. "Absolutely nothing." My eyes analyzed the blonde carefully. She had sharp features, yet her face held a softness that- God, I really hoped I was wrong- looked a lot like humaneness.

She turned her gaze towards me, and I felt my face flush with the embarrassment at being caught. Those once longing eyes became teasing. "I should probably go. She wouldn't appreciate me standing next to her fiancée." Safa sighed dramatically at the end.

I handed her a drink from the table behind me. "Oh, then please do stay."

"Well, since you insist." She leaned closer, "But I have to warn you- my cousin can be quite the jealous type." I got a whiff of the coconut scent she carried.

"I guess we should set boundaries then, shouldn't we?" I placed my hand lightly on her forearm. Her brown eyes dangerously meeting my own.

"You're quite the troublesome one, aren't you?" A smirk formed on her face.

"You tell me." My hand slid lower. I could feel a hole burning in the side of my head from a hot glare.

"I think your reputation fits you far too well." She chuckled, her eyes diverting. My head turned a fraction to get a glimpse at what it was that had stolen her attention, only to be guided back by warm fingers on my chin.

Heat rose to my ears as her eyes looked into my own, before she took my free hand into her own and brought it to her mouth. "Until we meet again, Ariah Rmah." I furrowed my eyebrows, "I'll leave you two to it." Safa smiled mischievously and she glided away. Disappearing with a toss of blonde hair as she took one more look back into the crowd.

I brought my stray gaze forward only to be startled by a very calm-looking Imaan Gani.

She took a step towards me. Her hand moving to my waist. Her mouth to my ear "What the fuck were you doing talking to my cousin?" Imaan spat.

I turned my head to look directly into her steel gaze. "We were just getting acquainted."