Sister's Rebellion

Inside the house, Jenna chewed on her food slowly. No matter how shaken up she was, she still needed to eat.

Percy returned to the room with a refilled jug of water; he placed it on the table beside Jenna's bed, then sat on the floor watching his mistress curiously.

"You mean Rhane owns this place?" Percy asked, rubbing his forehead.

Jenna dropped her almost empty plate of red bean porridge. "You're not surprised? You already knew he didn't lose his memory?" She narrowed her eyes.

Percy inhaled deeply, dropping his shoulders in defeat. Though he felt bad he had to keep such a secret from his mistress, he was also glad he didn't underestimate Rhane, because the man had just been sparing his life. If he owned the entire place and was really the scourge people reveled in, then he, Percy, was saved out of Rhane's goodness.

"It doesn't matter," Jenna continued with a sigh. "He lied to me, that's all that matters, and he is Gerald—" Jenna's throat hitched; she hated more than anything to say the man's name.

"He is brothers with that thing of evil."

Percy pressed his lips, moving over to the table to pour water into a cup for Jenna. "Did he say anything else? I mean, Rhane?"

Jenna turned her face away. She heard his words clearly. He'd said he'd never hurt her and he would protect her, but she would be foolish to believe a man's words. That was how men acted, say things you want to hear and lure you into their world. And she'd been there before never going back. In response, she said,

"What do you expect? They're blood-related, of course he'd be like his own brother... even worse." Jenna remarked, with her fist tightened.

Percy twitched his lips. "But Rhane isn't like that... he always said he wanted to protect you and has never hurt you. Even when he threatened me... he still wanted to protect you... did he treat you like..." His voice trailed; he knew Jenna knew exactly what and who he was talking about.

"Percy," Jenna took the cup of water and placed it back on the table, "He doesn't need to tear things apart or beat me to know he's dangerous. He lied about his identity because he's now good news."

Jenna pressed her lips. "Look at this place... he's the one, the ruination of trade. You think he got that name by running around and being someone's hopeless servant?" Her heart ached even as she said those words—some part of her wanted to believe Rhane.

Believe that he's still that kind servant that would go to the end of the world and back for his master. But the scarred part of Jenna warned her seriously, screaming and clawing at the back of her mind, even reminding her how difficult it was to escape her former husband. She needed to face reality, that the fantasy of having a loving man would never be hers.

"We need to run, Percy," Jenna said with a deep breath. "We have to escape from this place... I'll think of a way."

Percy nodded. He would do anything for his mistress. She's the only one he would ever serve.

"Then rest up and think of something," Percy stood up. "You've only passed the critical stage, and the physician will come back in the morning."

Jenna laid back on the bed, covering her body with a blanket. She would not deny that Rhane brought light and warmth into her life, but this phase of her life was putting herself first, and running away from harm's way, no matter how good the harm looked.

Percy blew out the candles in the room, then left the room after closing the door quietly.

Walking down the hallway in the dead of night, the candles lit along the hallway were already dim, casting Percy's shadow long ahead of him. When another shadow added to his own, Percy increased his steps, from quick to a small run.

Kali, who had been trailing the young man since he left Jenna's room, increased her pace too. Getting close enough to his shoulder, she grabbed.

"Ah!" Percy let out a shout that was quickly muffled by Kali's palm covering his mouth.

"Shut up, you willy fool," Kali cursed, pushing his back against the wall. "It's just me- what scares you so?"

Percy swallowed his scream, but his eyes were still wide with terror and his heartbeat loud enough for Kali to hear.

"All the big talks about protecting your mistress," Kali scowled. "She must be in distress to have you as her guard." She dropped her hand from his mouth and took a step back.

Percy's chest rose and fell as he tried to catch his breath. "Why did you sneak up like that?"

Kali moved her head to the side. "Have you never had a lover sneak up on you at night?" She gave him a knowing look. "When you want to hide from your mistress?"

"I... why?" Percy stuttered, his eyes going back to their normal size. "Why would I meet my lover in the night?" He asked seriously.

Kali moved her head back and scanned the young man. "Don't tell me you haven't—" she shook her head. "Never mind... I'm going to offer you something you won't be able to resist." She bit her lips and grinned.

Percy gulped, his mind making up things with the way Kali was looking at him. "H-here?"

"No, idiot, let's go." Kali tugged his hand, and both of them left the hallway, stepping outside into the cold night.

Percy sneezed once they were outside, his eyes darting around in fear of what the young woman had to offer outside the house.

Kali rubbed her palms together. "We don't want people hearing us," she winked. "Now let's—"

"I've never done it before!" Percy confessed, shivering with his hands on his chest and his eyes closed.

Kali's upper lip pulled up in confusion. "Done what- ah, that..." she nodded slowly. "Of course I know an inexperienced man when I see one," she hit his shoulder playfully.

"I wasn't planning on wasting my time on an innocent lamb. Now get your mind out of filth and listen to me." Kali sucked her teeth, slapping Percy's cheek like he was a child.

Slowly opening one eye first, then the other, Percy saw the young woman holding back her mocking cackle by biting her lips. "You... why did you bring me here?" His ears burned red with embarrassment.

"To help you help your mistress," Kali replied, with her hand on her waist. "Help you both escape."

That was a dangerous offer, no matter how precious she was to Rhane. She knew doing this was crossing the line, but Kali didn't want to sit still. Jenna didn't like her brother and never would. Leaving her around would only ruin Rhane. He needed to focus on what was necessary, and that getting their family name.

And if Jenna breaks Rhane's heart, it might lead him to being destructive.

"He's been protecting me. Now I have to protect him in my own way," Kali muttered to herself.

Percy rubbed his neck, the blush on his cheeks slowly fading. "Who? Protect who?"

"I can help you and your mistress escape tomorrow afternoon," Kali ignored his question and continued. "I'll have horses ready for you to leave with. Rhane will be busy tomorrow with dealers and the council. While he's there... you can leave."

Percy didn't understand what was happening. "Wait... but why—"

Kali hit the young man's chest gently. "Think about what your mistress wants!" She looked around the place to be sure nobody was watching.

"You can return to your normal life."

Percy nodded. "What if we get caught?" He worried what Rhane would do to them if they tested his patience.

"You won't. My brother knows just when to give up," Kali said matter-of-factly. "Now are you going to do it or not?"

Percy bit his lips. "Why tell me and not my mistress?"

"Rhane has a lot of people watching over her right now!" Kali remarked. "And also, she won't believe anymore." Looking around the place, Kali took a step closer to Percy and slipped something into his hand.

"Be at this quarter of the mansion tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry about anything else. I'll handle it... and him. I'll take care of Rhane's wrath."

Percy stared down at the rolled parchment. It didn't feel right, but he heard his mistress. She wanted to leave.

"And get yourself a woman after you leave," Kali teased, before turning to walk back inside the house.

Percy rubbed his neck, blushing, though the parchment on his mind now weighed him more than what would be their fate the next day.

Not far from where Percy stood, Gerald stood behind one of the walls. His eyes wrapped with white pieces as well as his hand, yet he grinned, like an injured soldier offered a hero's award.

"See you soon, Jenna," he whispered in the dark.