Thirteen Rings

Chapter Four

Gasping for breath, Darius burst through the front door to the house, leaving it swinging on its hinges behind him.

"Sylvia!" He called anxiously, darting into the living room.

"In the kitchen." She replied calmly, her voice instantly soothing his emotions. "What's got you so worked up?"

"Something happened." His grim response fell on deaf ears.

"I told you it would." She giggled as he entered the kitchen and came face to face with Lyria. "It always does." Sylvia explained to her, nonchalantly handing her a steaming mug of tea.

"You!"

"You!" They both exclaimed simultaneously. "What are you doing here?" He demanded, glaring incredulously at the dark skinned woman.

"Be nice." Sylvia interjected, staring daggers at him.

"So this is your sister?" Lyria grinned, eyes darting between the two of them as Sylvia placed the kettle over the fire again and Darius stalked to the table, slamming his hands on the smooth wood.

"Why are you here?" He repeated, staring into her lilac eyes. She opened her mouth to reply but was immediately cut off by Sylvia.

"She was being attacked by Sebastian's thugs in the market." She began, calmly sitting down opposite the other woman. "I simply helped her out and let her hide out here."

"You got into a fight with them?" He stared incredulously at her.

"I only pushed one of them over."

"Down a flight of steps." Lyria chuckled. "You should have seen it."

"I think I killed him." Her eyes fell to the table.

"Nonsense," the other woman began, "he was still moving when we left."

"You pushed someone down some steps?"

"He deserved it." Sylvia replied, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, clearly no longer feeling guilty about the man's fate.

"Honestly, I'm still surprised you broke Sebastian's nose." He chuckled despite himself.

"So how do you two know each other?" Sylvia asked, arching an eyebrow in curiosity as she rested her head in the palms of her hands.

"He's the guy from last night." Lyria answered.

"Darius!" Her voice screeched throughout the house. "You should have at least given her something to cover herself!"

"Her shirt covered most of her. Besides, she's got new pants on now I assume." A smile briefly lit up his face. "But seriously though, she can't stay here."

"Course she can!" Sylvia argued, rising to her feet, a defiant look on her face. "We have plenty of rooms."

"It's not about if we have the rooms or not."

"Honestly, if it's any bother I can survive alone." Lyria cut in.

"No." Sylvia hissed quickly before he could respond. "She is staying. End of."

"But she can't." He insisted. "Can I talk to my sister in private please?"

"Whatever you've got to say to me can be said in front of Lyria." She insisted.

"It's family business." He argued.

"I don't care."

"Sylvia." An exasperated sigh escaped his mouth. "We really need to talk."