Lady of the Rose

Explanations

"Who is this with her?"

A familiar and murderous voice growled this question, which caused Michael to stop abruptly and Brynna to run into him. The girl felt every cell her body shout to run from what awaited her. Drake's threatening voice still echoed in her ears after several seconds of silence fell over the house.

"Who are you guys?" Michael asked, his voice far more serious than Brynna would've expected as he entered the room, pulling her along behind him in a protective manner, while somehow still managing to seem angry with her about picking up the small stone as she had done. "I'll let you know that I'm not going to let you harm her."

Brynna's heartrate increased as if she was in a panic as she looked around the room at Ryder, Drake, and James.

Four...all four of them are together...

Why did that scare Brynna so much? Besides breaking and entering, the girl didn't see why she should be concerned when James was around. If he hadn't been there, it would have been vastly different. Even though she'd only known them for about two days, Brynna had already seen more than enough of Drake to last a lifetime.

"You think we would really harm her, elf-boy?" Drake spat as he drew forth a dagger, the silver blade glinting threateningly as it caught the light. "You're as imbecilic as the others of your kind I've met before. Luckily for me, you're all easy kills."

"Draeconis, behave yourself," James stated as his expression became confused while looking at Michael. "I don't think this boy is the threat that you're taking him to be. He's being more protective of Brynna than you are, at least."

The dangerous boy sneered, his nostrils flaring in an anger that he seemed reluctant to otherwise express. "I haven't hurt her, nor have I let any that have get away without some form of punishment."

Michael snorted softly, his gaze not leaving Drake. "You're not worthy to be a guard to the Lady of the Rose, draconian filth," he spat, gripping Brynna's wrist behind his back.

"You want to challenge me, elf-runt?" the more violent boy retorted, scales appearing across the bridge of his nose.

"Quit it, you two!" Ryder shouted, causing everyone in the room to turn their attention to him. He held himself taller than he normally did, and his gaze was narrowed. "Brynna is clearly confused and worried, and the two of you arguing isn't helping matters. Everything has to be explained to her before any of us can even begin arguing about who's a worthy guard and who isn't."

Brynna was more than a little uneasy as she was forced to sit down in the midst of the four boys-all of whom seemed more than mildly dangerous at the moment. "Please...don't hurt me...my mother should be back tonight...If I can't get you whatever it is you want, I'm sure she can!"

"Some Lady of the Rose this one is...I don't see how she'll survive until she's twenty-one," Drake muttered, not bothering to pause in insulting the girl. "I mean, look at the last one. She barely lasted a month, and she knew of the role she was expected to fulfill."

"Will all of you shut the hell up if you're not going to explain what your demands are?!" Brynna shouted, causing the others to turn and look at her with mild surprise. "I'm freaking out right now because I don't understand a single thing about what's going on! My best guess in that you four are part of some cult that needs me for one sacrifice or another."

Drake's gaze flickered to her as an amused smile crossed his lips. "It seems that this one has figured us out," he replied as his smile only grew.