CHAPTER 123: TRUE HUNTERS

It was time to leave.

Rhane had waited until the sky turned dark, then he prepared to leave. If any ambush had been planned, he had a better chance in the dark. That was when he fought better. Fastening the buckle of his boots, he stood. He had used the entire day to work on his body so his injury wouldn’t be noticed.

After learning that not just Percy had arrived to escort him but the council had also sent their men, Rhane understood what it meant, he was being watched. He didn’t know by who, but his guess was Nikolai.

Kali leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded on her chest. When she saw the carriage gathering, she had immediately returned to Rhane’s room.

"You will remain here, Kali." Rhane remarked, checking the edge of his daggers before he strapped them into his boots.

Kali groaned, she had actually intended to have Rhane change his mind. "But—"

"Kali, you will listen to what I say." Rhane cut her off with a glare. And he saw it. The girl part of Kali, she always tried to hide with a snarl.

Her eyes rounded and her lips pouted. She didn’t want Rhane to leave.

"I’ll return in no time." Rhane promised, his voice even gentler instead of the harsh voice he had wanted to use.

Kali sniffled, turning her eyes away. "You left not too long... no matter the letters you never wrote back. And I waited though worried of how you are... now," she stared down.

Rhane stared at his sister for some time, he understood her. It had always been them, they had each other. They built the life they wanted and now it was at a risk of being lost.

Closing the distance between them, Rhane now stood in front of Kali. He bent down, reaching her height.

"I swear I’ll be back with Jenna, I’ll protect our home."

Before he could explain further, Kali crashed into his arms. Her head pressed on his chest.

"Please don’t die, Rhane... don’t die no matter what." Kali begged, her eyes tightened shut. She didn’t like the feeling but it still bugged her. Something about the whole thing seemed suspicious.

How the council had agreed to her words, and even Nikolai approved. If anything happened to Rhane, she was going to blame herself forever.

"Tch tch," Rhane tutted, though he smoothed her disheveled hair gently. "And I thought I’d get married, now my little Kali is all grown who knew she’d be crying to stick with me."

Kali nudged Rhane but didn’t let go, "Bloody hell, crying is for children. I’ll kill all if they touch you."

"Uh..." Rhane shuddered mockingly, he grabbed Kali’s shoulder and pulled her back. "You don’t need to kill anyone, sister. Stay back here and prepare my wedding, that is all I ask."

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Kali nodded, but deep down she was still ready to kill for her brother.

"Rhane are you—" Percy stood at the door with his mouth open.

Either he was stuck with ill luck or the universe was alerting him that his time was near. That was the only explanation Percy could come up with for walking in on an emotional Kali. He knew hell was about to break loose, and it was inevitable.

"What are you staring at?" Kali asked coldly.

Percy’s shoulders stiffened. He lowered his gaze, "Nothing."

Kali let out a scoff. "If you’re going to lie, do it with your eyes open. You look pathetic like that."

Rhane adjusted the strap of his jacket, and didn’t bother looking up. "Kali."

Kali raised her chin, ignoring Rhane, still fixing Percy with that sharp stare. "What? You trust him too easily, Rhane. He listens where he shouldn’t, lingers where he isn’t wanted. The boy needs to learn."

Percy gripped his shirt. He didn’t know why but it felt like Kali now hated him even more and it hurt him bad. He had been grateful to the young woman for saving his life once. Though Kali had never been nice and sweet to him, it got worse now.

Percy wanted to know why, he deserved to. At least, he thought without letting it show on his face.

"I only came to make sure Rhane was ready. Nothing more."

"Is that so?" Kali took a step closer. "Then why do you look like a thief about to be caught?"

Rhane slid his gloves on, finally glancing at the two of them. With a weary sigh, of a father of two, he ordered. "Enough. Let’s leave now, Percy. Are my men ready?"

Percy gave a quick glance at Rhane, a sigh of relief slipped from his lips. But it didn’t last. Kali was still watching him, and her eyes didn’t blink.

"T-they are ready," Percy stammered, touching the collar of his shirt.

Kali scowled, taking a step even closer to the young man like a cat timing its suffering prey. "The fo—"

"Kali." Rhane’s voice was firmer now.

Kali stopped walking and turned, meeting Rhane’s eyes. "I’ll escort you to your carriage." She noticed the tilt in Rhane’s head. "You won’t let me do that?"

"If you’ll leave poor Percy, then fine." Rhane replied, grabbing a bag from the table.

Kali raised her hands dramatically. "I’ll leave him already. I don’t have time for idiots." She let out an exasperated sigh before storming out of the room, shoving Percy in the process.

Rhane caught Percy before he could fall. "To have a woman like that, you need to match her madness too." Once Percy was standing tall, Rhane let go.

"W-hat?" Percy asked, now walking beside, mostly behind Rhane whose taller legs matched ahead.

Rhane glanced at the young man, "If you’re afraid of her it won’t work. Reverence is good, but fear never. Women can sense fear... they’ll tear you apart once they know." He replied with a smile, now looking ahead.

"Ever wonder why it’s the female animals that hunt mostly? Those lots have the strongest instinct, the wisest. True hunters. Especially ones who have honed... dangerous," Rhane chuckled when he remembered Jenna.

Percy swallowed hard. He gave a stiff nod but didn’t say a word.

"All I’m saying Percy, don’t let her sense your fear first." Rhane shook Percy’s shoulder.

Once they stepped outside, all the workers of the estate stood outside with their heads bowed, not one raised an eye.

Kali stood beside the carriage meant for Rhane, her expression blank. Her eyes staring at nothing.

"I am leaving to bring glory to us," Rhane began, "Upon my return we shall no longer fear the flush of deserters... all of us will be housed here. No longer to be sold as slaves but family with a name. Protect what we shall call home."

"We await your victory, master." The crowd echoed.

Rhane nodded with a wistful smile, they had all begun as a group of runaway slaves... created a house that opened doors for the rest like them.

Kali opened the carriage door for Rhane, with a quick glance at Percy.

"See you, Kali cat." Rhane ruffled her hair, despite her angry grumble. He entered and sat down.

Percy followed, but before he entered he bowed to Kali then jumped.

"If you die, I’ll find you and kill you myself." With that Kali banged the carriage door shut causing Percy to jerk.

"She meant I mean the world to her." Rhane teased, resting on the carriage couch, with one hand holding up his chin and his eyes closed.

Percy sat opposite him, stiff as wood, his eyes darting anywhere but Rhane’s face. The siblings were strange. He wasn’t one to always be quiet and he would have spoken, if he hadn’t seen them killing.

He would be foolish to provoke either of the siblings.

The silence stretched until Rhane spoke. "You’re shaking." Same time the carriage began to turn, leaving the estate.

"I’m not," Percy muttered quickly. What he meant was, he wished he wasn’t. It was only human of him to even shake!

Rhane’s gaze dropped to his hands. "I prefer the Percy that had no fears."

"I was a fool then." Percy confessed, he wanted to take the moment to apologize for the times he spoke to Rhane as he saw fit.

Rhane gave a short nod and leaned his head against the side of the carriage. "You’ll be fine, Percy. We all will be."

The carriage squeaked against the stones, jerking their movements at intervals. Percy pressed his lips together, stealing a glance at Rhane. The man looked calm. Too calm. Compared to the things he could do. But if this man could put down muscles and blood just to stay beside Jenna, he was worth it.

Nit long after, the carriage slowed suddenly causing Percy to lurch forward. Then the door opened just enough for a guard to lean in. He didn’t speak, only slipped a folded letter into Rhane’s hand before stepping back and closing the door.

Rhane turned the letter over once, then broke the seal. It was from the man looking after Jenna. Rhane scanned through the letter then he was done, he folded it and slid it into his jacket.

"Bad news?" Percy asked, trying to peek into whatever that had just been sent in secret.

Rhane didn’t answer right away. He simply looked at Percy, long enough to make the boy shift again. Finally, he said, "It’s not news meant for you."

Percy pressed his lips shut, though his curiosity burned through his nostrils, but he remained calm.

The carriage began moving again, and silence returned. In another hour, it came to a halt.

"We are here..." A guard announced.

"They are here," Gerald’s voice came from outside.