The Blue Flames And Rusted Swords

Chapter 12

Erinthes placed the cup down and copied my gesture. He did his infamous grin, to which I wasn't appeased.

"A little birdie told me to meet you here. Nai gedern na say lu hain yackune? ( I'm guessing you've heard the news?)" Erinthes said with his accent showing, tapping his fingernail on the table.

I knew that he was trying to communicate with someone through Morse code and immediately grabbed his hand. I held it up for him to see, and I noticed him clenching his jaw.

"Just because we're in jail doesn't mean I can't break your hand. I know what you're doing. Dell yien mar vo lenon, dena lu von ye e bardeno. (Tell your guy to leave unless you want me to break his hand, too)."

I replied, tightening my grip on his hand and my other hand going over to bend his finger. His eyes widened, and immediately, he nodded.

"Fine, fine."

Erinthes obeyed, and I let go of his hand, being cautious and wary of his movements. He knocked on the table in Morse code and then stopped. He looked over at me, and I nodded.

"Good enough."

I said, rolling my eyes. He scowled, but he stopped when his eyes looked past me. I knew who he was eyeing, and I knew it was Icarus who was still eating.

Erinthes dropped his voice in a low whisper as he kept glancing at Icarus.

"Maybe this isn't the right spot to talk..."

I looked back at Icarus, and I noticed him glancing up in my direction before proceeding to eat as normal. I sighed and looked back at Erinthes.

"Maybe it's because you keep looking. As long as he doesn't understand, then I could care less."

Erinthes glanced at Icarus one more time before darting his attention back to me. He still spoke in a low whisper.

"So? Are you considering it?"

Erinthes asked, a hint of hope glinting in his eyes.

"No, I'm not."

I turned down his offer, much to his dismay. He scowled and combed his fingers through his hair.

"And why is that?"

"You know why. I'm not into that kind of shady stuff."

Erinthes scoffed at my reason and grabbed the cup again. He examined the cup, not taking one glance at me.

"Lu yar de caddanah kani. Beh lu yar adeo stavar. (You're a clever kid. But you're also stubborn)."

Erinthes replied, glancing up at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"You should've known what my answer would be, and knowing you,  you would be asking to meet me at some point for my answer. Nai yed e premi e yeri dah ye novin ganad. (I promised myself never to join a gang)"

Erinthes scoffed at my answer and continued.

"Why's that? We could be like brothers."

"I may steal, damage things, and run away. But I'll never go far as cutting somebody's throat when they owe me debt."

"But you've certainly used your blade before, haven't you?"

"Either for training, self-defense, or when it comes to 'blade' fights. We use our blades for mostly different reasons."

"And what about that Veri kid?"

I was taken aback when he mentioned Veridian. It had been a bit since I've even thought Veri and June's well-being, and the guilt coursed over me. I quickly regained my composure and focused on the topic.