The house, which Daniel and his sister Braya just purchased with their gold coins branded with an R, wasn’t the greatest house in Rosepost Kingdom, but it was enough for two of them.

“Do you think they’ll find us here?” Braya asked, looking at her brother with mass worry, a churning feeling in her stomach.

Daniel, the cold wind blowing through his brown hair, stood there gazing upon the small, wooden house with his grayish blue eyes.

“They shouldn’t,” he stated, smiling at sister to hide his own worry. “I don’t think anybody saw us when we left.”

Braya turned around, startled by the feeling of somebody brushing against her back. Though she didn’t see anyone behind her, someone did catch her eye.

A man, brown hair and hazel eyes with a tattoo on his wrist, talking to another man with curly blonde hair. Something about the dirt on the man’s muscles, the way his eyes glowed, the brightness of his smile, and his joyful demeanor made her heart.

As he finished his conversation, he looked at Braya, both of them staring into each other’s souls, locking eyes as well as hearts.

I wonder who he is, Braya thought as the man smiled at her and then followed the blonde haired man.

“He’s not your type.” Daniel stated, pulling Braya back into reality.

“What?” Braya asked. “He’s not yours either.”

“Listen,” Daniel began, disregarding what Braya said, “I need you to be careful around here. Just because we left the Purifiers doesn’t mean we’re done with them entirely. We’ll probably have to move again soon.”

“I know, Daniel,” Braya said. “But we’re not up north anymore. And nobody followed us, right?”

“We don’t know that for sure.” Daniel sighed. “Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid. Please.”

“I’m not a child anymore, Daniel,” Braya answered. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“You’re my sister. Of course I’m going to worry about you.” Daniel stated.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“I understand but-”

Sending shivers down their spines, the door to Braya and Daniel’s new house opened slowly, creaking ever so slightly, and slammed shut, but there was nobody there to do it.

“Do you think he followed us?” Braya asked, her heart beating rapidly.

She followed her brother as he crept to the door. Upon opening it, a scaly, green man, with the head and body of a lizard, standing there, arms crossed and his lizard-like eyes glaring at Daniel and Braya.

“Did you think I would just let you leave?” the man said with his unpleasant, slick voice.

“We don’t want any trouble.” Daniel said, reaching for the dagger in his pocket. “We just want to be done with your guild.”

“Did you both forget your contracts? It clearly states that I own you.” the man-lizard stated, briefly sticking out his yellow, forked tongue.

“We’ve gone against our own morals since we were children to do stuff for you,” said Braya, also reaching for her dagger. “You can forget about our contracts and just let us go. Please.”

The man sighed. “Alright, fine.”

He uncrossed his arms and stared deep into Braya and Daniel’s eyes.

“Steal something for me. Something of value. It doesn’t have to be from here. It’s December, is it not? Have it by the end of the month and I’ll let you go. If not, don’t ever show your face in any kingdom if you wish to keep it.”

“NO!” Daniel shouted. “We are done doing this for you-”

“Do you want out or not?” the man said, creepily smiling, showing all of his sharp, glistening white teeth as he vanished.

The door behind Daniel and his sister once again opened and closed.

“Daniel.” Braya stated, noticing the redness of his face and the tenses of his eyebrows.

“There’s no way we’re doing that.” Daniel stated, wiping his hands with his face.

“What choice do we have?” Braya asked, torn between doing what is right or doing one last wrong thing.

“It wouldn’t be that hard to kill him.” Daniel stated.

“We aren’t doing that.”

“Fine,” Daniel sighed. “I’ll do it. You stay here.”

“When have we ever done things like this on our own?” Braya asked, eyebrows raised.

“Never, but I’m not going to risk you getting killed. Again.”

“Too bad. I’m coming with you.”

Mouth gaped slightly, Daniel stared at Braya in confusion. “I’m older than you. You’re supposed to listen to me.”

“I’m also an adult.”

If you get hurt, don’t blame me.” Daniel sighed, partially giving up on his sister’s safety.

This is the last time, Daniel thought as he and Braya stepped back outside.