🐲 Dragon and Phoenix (Path of Light and Fire Book #2) (Completed) 🐲

Chapter 34

Alaina tensed as the man wrapped his arms around her. It wasn't because she feared him, or even because she hated the touch of strangers. It was because seconds ago, this man was pissing into the earth upon which they now stood.

Leena's older brother Terrick, commissioned during a bathroom break to 'keep them out of sight,' had forgone basic hygiene for empathy. Most days Alaina would appreciate the sentiment. Just not right now.

"I'm sorry, mi amiga," he said. The blue stubble on his cheeks made the back of her neck itch. "No one should lose their sister."

Alaina pried him away, careful to not contact his urine-stained hands. "Kianna is alive."

Terrick frowned, his bushy eyebrows inching together. "Sabin said that she was dead."

"She was dead, but not anymore."

Terrick scratched his beard for several moments, opening and closing his mouth, but not uttering a word.

Yulan snickered. "I think you may have broken this man."

Alaina turned to her companion to chide him, but instead found her eyes sliding towards Yulan's chest of their own accord. His hand was the one that hurt Kianna to start. That thought was her buffer, when she ogled his broad shoulders, or that gold and red tattoo on his chest. Even in the dawn's light, she had no issue making out its details.

Terrick turned his stare onto Yulan. Gone was the humor in his blue eyes he'd shown to Alaina. They were replaced by a calculating, intense glare. Yulan had a good four inches and fifteen pounds of muscle on Terrick, but none of that seemed to bother him.

Terrick pointed to Alaina. "I know her. Who are you and why did Sabin leave you on my doorstep?"

Yulan folded his thick arms and sneered. "I am the Reincarnation of Yua."

"And I'm the Empress of Hruh," Terrick snapped. He kept his eyes on Yulan, but his next words were for Alaina. "Who is he really?"

Alaina touched Terrick on the shoulder. "His name is Yulan."

Terrick sneered. "Sabin's brother? The one who killed your sister?"

Alaina forced herself in between the two of them and nudged each of them back. She pulled on the surrounding wind, ready to stop them if things escalated any further. "He is with us now. He is a Serien."

Terrick tossed his hands in the air. "Of course he's a Serien. Sabin couldn't just drop a buxom maiden in my lap." He put his hand on his chin. "One with a sultry voice that would say, 'Oh, Terrick, you wondrous warrior, thanks for saving me.' Then, I'd smile and say, 'Anytime, my dear. It was my honor and privilege.' And then, she'd say-"

"Terrick," Alaina interrupted. "We can we go inside?"

He dropped his hand. "Yes, you need me to hide you." He held up his hand before Alaina could protest. "I need not know why or care, but Disa will. After that encounter with First Blood Ira, she's made me swear off aiding the Seriens again. Save your arguments for her."

Alaina ran her hand around the white, braided whip on her waist. Wade, the weapon of the Seriens had conformed many times during their journey. He was once Sabin's sword, then a dagger for Leena and now he was a whip. He was a boundless reserve of knowledge, and something Alaina suddenly needed.

"You can convince her," Wade said. "You are capable of so much you do not know."

"Like what?" Alaina said.

"Use your charisma and charm her," Wade said. "Remember that."

Charisma? Me?