![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
“You’ll be better off with me,” he said, whispering into Mirica’s ear, “because there’s only so long your brother can keep you hidden. I know you don’t want this and I know you’re going to hate me for a long time, but you’re an asset I can’t leave behind.” With his free hand he squeezed her wrist in such a way that she dropped the knife. “Just try to play along, okay, so I can keep you safe.”
Mirica wasn’t sure how they managed to get from the house to what appeared to be the reception of a hotel, but obviously he’d used some form of magic that she knew nothing about. That wasn’t a surprise. Even though she’d wanted to learn her brother had said it would be better for her not to and, after what had happened, she couldn’t tell if he’d been right or wrong. If she’d learnt how to use them she would have been able to fight off the thief, but maybe it was not learning about them that had helped him to keep her safe from the thieves ever since she bloomed.
“Play along with what?” she asked, aiming for her voice to be as neutral as possible.
“This is the thieves’ hideout.” He released her and she turned to look at him. “I first came here with my older brother. Almost everyone who comes here is guided here by someone, but there have been a few who found their way here because it’s the only place they could be safe. Due to the way the magic that created this place works you won’t be able to leave unless you have a pass, which is something only I can give you as I’m the one who brought you here, and I doubt very much that you’ll be able to find it again from down there without someone’s help.”
“So I’m your prisoner?” Mirica sighed, wishing she had her knife, as she glanced around. “Why did you bring me here?”
“I live here.” He bit his lip. “Unlike my brother I was sensible enough to keep my head down, earn enough to rent a room, and survive this place. He died because he couldn’t do that. He picked a fight with the wrong person and lost, which could easily have led to me being in the same position, but thankfully the woman he took on realised I wasn’t like him, so she gave me a chance. Now you have a chance to become the person you should be, instead of being protected by your ignorance.”
“My brother will come looking for me.”
“Of course he will. Siblings always do, but by the time he finds you you’re going to be a different person to the one he knew.”
Shaking her head Mirica let him take hold of her wrist and guide her away from the reception. “You can’t know that.”
“Rica…”
“How do you know my name and why have you shortened it?”
“I know your name because I touched you and I’ve shortened it in case someone else knows about your brother. From what I heard I doubt they’ll have any idea that you even exist, but we need to be careful. You’re now my younger sister, Rica, and I’ve brought you here because there’s no one else around to teach you how to use your abilities.”
Mirrored from K. A. Webb Writing.
Feedback
Date: 2013-11-19 04:19 am (UTC)