Chapter Fourteen
Samira trotted down the dimly lit hall on her way to her room, humming something to herself.
And then there was sudden movement in the corridor to her right…
With no warning, the shape lunged at her; she was thrown against the wall…
A stabbing pain blazed like a fire in her skull… it hurt so badly…
The dark shape was coming toward her… reaching out for her… stars exploded in front of her eyes… she was going to pass out…
And then, out of nowhere came a snarl and a silver flash, and her attacker was slammed to the ground with a grunt. The wolf –now Ramla- unsheathed a deadly sword and thrust it downward. Samira winced as the man let out a last sigh before expiring.
The wolf stepped down from the bloody kill and looked at her sister disapprovingly. "You know you're not supposed to wander the halls at night. You're very lucky I was here." She let the unspoken realization of what could have happened hang forebodingly in the air for a moment before continuing. "I will escort you to your rooms… but what exactly were you doing out here? It must be past midnight!"
Samira looked at the floor and did not answer.
The wolf harrumphed disdainfully. "I don't think I even want to know anyhow. Come on, let's go." She started off down the hall.
She continued to lecture Samira as they journeyed to her rooms. "Marik had to hire some pretty iffy characters since he had to come here on such short notice. Samira, that was some of the worst judgment I've ever seen from you…"
"Well, sorry," Samira snapped. "But I'm my own person, Ramla. I can do what I want; you don't have to be running around scolding me all the time-"
"If I weren't always 'running around scolding you all the time,' you'd be dead, or worse."
Samira snorted. "And what's worse than death, may I ask?"
Ramla gave her a cold look. "Maybe one day you'll find out if I'm not around, little sister." She turned and with a flick of her silver tail, disappeared into the blackness.
Sighing, Samira put her hand on the doorknob. Ramla was right… Ramla had saved Samira's skin countless times…
But what she would give to not be weak, to not have to depend on others…
It sure was hard, being a falcon.