"But you will be. That’s what matters right now."
He quickly made his way towards his ho.
When he finally looked up, clearing his vision enough to focus on his surroundings, he saw two familiar figures approaching from his house.
Sigora and Swana.
Relief washed over him like cool water, though it did nothing to calm the storm inside his head.
Sigora took one look at his face and knew sothing was terribly wrong. Her perpetually calm expression flickered with concern.
But she was already moving with unusual urgency, checking sothing on a communication device Jorghan had rarely seen her use.
"I need to get back to Turtle Rock," she said quickly, her words clipped and efficient. "Sothing’s co up. Ergency situation with the isle beast. I’ll be back in a few days."
Though she wanted to ask who the girl was, her urgency made her leave.
She barely glanced at the girl in his arms, which was unusual for soone normally so observant.
Whatever was happening at Turtle Rock must have been serious.
"Sigora—" Jorghan started, needing soone who understood his situation.
"No ti," she interrupted, already turning away.
"I have to go. Now. Keep your head down until I return."
And just like that, she was gone, disappearing into the shadows with the kind of supernatural speed only she possessed.
Swana gave him a glance before disappearing into the streets.
He didn’t try to stop them. If she was going in such a hurry, then the matter regarding the turtle rock must be dire. And also, Jorghan thought it was better if she wasn’t present here.
He breathed in and exhaled heavily, calming himself down.
Jorghan looked down at the girl in his arms, then back at where the ship still hovered in the distance like a tal vulture.
Jamie was probably still there, still watching.
-
As they stood in the modest house, he carefully set her down on the worn couch.
The girl winced as she settled into the cushions, her injuries making every movent painful. Jorghan moved to the small kitchen area, returning with a cloth and a bowl of clean water.
"What happened?" Jorghan asked as he began cleaning the cuts on her face. His movents were gentle, trying not to add more pain.
"Who were those people? Why were they after you?"
He wanted to know about that ship, those people, and the man.
Scarlett looked at him for a long mont, as if deciding how much to trust him.
Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet but steady.
"My na is Scarlett. Scarlett Moorne."
Jorghan’s hand froze for just a mont before he continued his work, his expression carefully neutral.
"That man who yelled from the ship... that was my father, Jamie Moorne. The young man who fought you, that’s my brother, Lukas."
She paused, watching Jorghan’s face for any reaction.
When he remained silent, she continued.
"My father brought here to this planet, to the Holy Empire, because he wanted to marry the son of Duke Harrington. So political alliance thing. I’m supposed to be the bridge between your world and mine."
"You don’t want to marry him," Jorghan observed, more statent than question.
"No," Scarlett said firmly, a flash of spirit showing through her injuries.
"I don’t even know him. I’ve never even t him. But my father thinks it’s necessary for our family’s position, for our family’s relationship with the Holy Empire."
She laughed bitterly.
"Everything changed on Earth seven years ago. Life as we knew it just... ended. And people like my father, they saw opportunities in the chaos. New worlds opened up, and new powers erged. So people got abilities, like my brother."
She looked at Jorghan with curiosity mixed with gratitude.
"I assu you’re from here, from this planet? Or maybe one of the nearby ones? You helped when no one else would. The people here, they’re so bound by their rules and hierarchies. They saw those soldiers hurting and just looked away."
Jorghan remained silent, letting her talk.
His mind was racing, but his face showed nothing.
"I tried to flee yesterday," Scarlett continued, her voice growing tired.
"I made it pretty far, I thought. But they found . The duke’s n, working with the soldiers my father hired. They were bringing back when you... when you saved ."
She reached out, touching his arm lightly.
"Thank you. I know I said it before, but really. Thank you. You didn’t have to get involved."
"You needed help," Jorghan said simply.
"That’s enough."
Scarlett smiled weakly, then winced as the expression pulled at her split lip.
"I’m so tired of running. But I can’t go back. I can’t marry soone I don’t know just because it’s politically convenient. I’d rather die first."
"You’re safe here," Jorghan told her, his voice firm and certain.
"No one will co for you. I won’t let them."
In his mind, the truth echoed like thunder in an empty room.
She was his cousin.
The daughter of the man who had killed him.
And that young man back there, Lukas, was also his cousin.
Family? No, they weren’t anymore.
Now here she was, injured and vulnerable, seeking shelter in his ho without knowing who he really was.
The irony was almost painful.
But he couldn’t let her go; her father was the one who needed to die, not her.
Just looking at her state, he couldn’t bring himself to let that happen.
And what kind of father and brother would let her beco food for the wolves?
A cold glare crossed his face, thinking that man hadn’t changed in the past years.
Jorghan was already making his plans to kill that man in the back of his mind.
A satisfied feeling crept up in him, just by the thought. The unattainable revenge, which he thought wasn’t possible, was now present before him. And he would definitely have his vengeance by killing that man slowly.
"Rest," he told Scarlett, helping her lie down properly on the couch.
"I’m going to get so food. You need to eat and regain your strength."
"You’re leaving?" Scarlett asked, a note of panic in her voice.
"Just for a short while. There’s a market two streets over. I’ll be quick."
He paused at the door, looking back at her.
"Lock the door behind . Don’t open it for anyone but ."
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