The Ties that Bind Me Book 1

And Thus the Battle Ensues

I felt oddly lighter by her death, it didn't seem to matter to me that I had killed her. I finished preparations for the trip knowing that to leave anything out would mean out deaths. After everything was in place I went and met with Sarki one more time, a precaution and a way out if needed. He met me at the east wall and was a bit antsy, pacing and worried. I knew something wasn't right, but still I needed what he could give me so that at least I would have the last bit of my supplies covered.

Imiri* شكرا جزيلا على لقائي. هل تمكنت من الحصول على اللوازم التي أحتاجها؟ (Thank you so much for meeting me. Were you able to get the supplies that I needed?)

He nodded and handed me a bundle wrapped in a canvas material and tied with rope. I nodded to him and turned to leave when Ghassan appeared right in front of me.

"So good of you to be so predictable my dear. I knew sooner or later you would need weapons, how else did you think you were going to get out. I paid very well for you and I think I got the raw end of that deal, so my dear why don't you put those weapons down and come with me quietly and I need not kill you. It would be such a waste." His oily smile spread across his face and he placed his hand out for me.

I grasped the bundle in two hands and undid the knots without anyone the wiser. I didn't think my good fortune would last long, but still I had to fight. I didn't go all this way just to give in to him. I looked past Ghassan to see Melina and Nastia, Thaman and Saqib. My chances weren't great as they were all seasoned fighters, but I wasn't going to just back down.

"I won't put the weapons down, but temporarily I will allow you to detain me from my training." I followed them back into the building, the bundle resting on the back of my neck with my hands resting over it. I had The Nasty Twins following me watching my every move. I wasn't going to go for the weapons yet, but I wouldn't be backed into a corner.

The hallways were winding and I knew they were trying to confuse me so I couldn't find my way out. I knew though, studied map after map of the compound. I knew they couldn't get one over on me, but I made sure to look as oblivious as they would have liked. We finally walked into an office and Ghassan placed himself behind the desk, while Saqib and Thaman set up on either side of him and the twins tossed themselves down on a couch getting comfortable.

"Sweet Imiri, won't you please sit, we are still expecting one more person. He should be along with us soon." I shook my head no and stayed standing in the office awaiting the last member of this so called "party". In my head I silently prayed, prayed so much that it wasn't Lolek we were awaiting, prayed that he was safely away from all of this until we both left. After what felt like hours the door opened and a girl walked in, it was Veata. Her little black dress cut up to her thigh and her hair was cut and disarrayed. She moved over to sit with Ghassan and smiled as he toyed with her. I was absolutely disgusted, but the scars on her body showed that she loved the attention and the pain.

The door opened once again and my fear had come to life, Lolek was escorted in and the door firmly shut behind him. Ghassan smiled even more while Veata was making quiet pleasure noises on his lap. "Good afternoon Lolek, so good of you to join us so quickly. Come, sit down and relax." Ghassan waited for a moment and saw that Lolek wasn't going to move. "No, well then on with it then. It came to my attention that at your encouragement my little Imiri sought training after the wonderful session that we had and then you worked very hard to keep her out of my tender care and out of the beds of others. You grew affectionate towards her and turned her against me, not very smart now was it Lolek."

He stayed stoic and still as Ghassan talked but his face showed a bit of concern. I moved towards him and grasped his hand making him look at me. I nodded to him and he quickly grasped the throwing knives that I had sticking out of the bundle instantly killing two of the three gun holders. It was down to one and a lot of muscle for us to work past. I grabbed two swords and started to fight my way through as he worked to get the last gunman, well woman. My eyes moved towards Ghassan and I smiled wickedly at him.

"Come play my dear, come and I will show you the meaning of true pain and pleasure." I rested on the balls of my feet and awaited his advance. He moved slow but sure and I licked my lips in anticipation knowing that this was going to be a hard won battle, but it was our only shot a pure unadulterated freedom.

As he reached me he grasped his think cane in both hands and pulled off a sheath to two swords. He then advanced quicker than his build should have allowed. The sound of clashing steel was deafening as we clashed and moved trying to gain an advantage over each other. I felt steel cut into my side as I misstep giving him just the right amount of movement. The pain was sharp but I paid it no mind and kept advancing on him. It wasn't easy to keep him out of reach and in range of the swords, but I worked the best I knew.

Before I knew it Lolek had joined in my fight with Ghassan, having him beside me worked out well. Our movements were fluid and in sync as we pushed Ghassan back and cornered him. Lolek disarmed him and then moved in for the kill. In one fluid motion Lolek took his head clean off his shoulders and I watched as it rolled across the floor and under the desk before his body spasmed and fell over. Lolek looked over at me and I moved both swords into one hand, grasping his hand with the other one as we moved to get our gear so our long trek could begin.