Abrahams released Ren's hair, turning to the brothers. "Dear Matteo, I thought you wouldn't speak tonight."
Matteo repeated, more questioningly than mockingly, "So that's your pathetic excuse, you pervert?"
Abrahams' smile widened. "Correct. The underbelly's property laws differ from the surface's. And five children won't override them. A whore's daughter is destined to become a whore like her mother."
"Then we have no reason to stay here any longer. What's wrong, Ren?" Matteo asked. Ren lifted her eyes to him. "Why submit to this pervert's ownership so easily? Haven't you grown used to freedom?"
No. Yes. Maybe a little...
The unsteady words stuck in her throat. Her brothers' confident faces brought back memories of the day she'd first met them. The only difference now was Dai's gaze on her. But wait—why was Abrahams still smiling? Hadn't he just said he expected her to be angry?
Abrahams clapped gleefully. "Such confidence! I'd say you'd do anything to save her."
Matteo frowned. "Of course I would! I chose Ren as our sister. I don't care about this place's laws."
Colin, Sai, and Dai watched Matteo, who stood as if Abrahams' status and their near-zero chances of defeating his men in an unknown place meant nothing. He was angry but composed—matching Abrahams' odds of winning, though reality dictated otherwise.
Colin began violently twisting his shackled hands. He wanted to stand beside Matteo now. He didn't know why, but something compelled him to rise, not kneel. Sai and Dai followed without hesitation, resisting until Abrahams gestured for the men to release them. The three stood proudly beside Matteo, declaring they'd defy the impossible to save their sister. Abrahams' teeth gleamed, his enjoyment palpable.
Dai watched Abrahams' ever-present smile with disgust. Had the man been born with it carved into his face? Or did he have a congenital defect preventing his muscles from relaxing? If given the chance to study it, Dai would gladly dissect Abrahams' face.
Ren, however, felt a new unease. Why did this man grow happier the more they resisted? Suddenly, it hit her. I've been a fool from the start.
Abrahams turned to the fireplace, retrieving iron tongs. He stirred the flames, finally settling on a burning ember. His dog lifted its head, tracking his movements. He stepped past Ren, who eyed the ember warily, and stopped before Matteo, holding the glowing coal inches from his face—close enough to singe his eyelashes. But Matteo didn't flinch. "Then prove your words," Abrahams taunted. "You said you'd do anything to save your sister. Surely sacrificing an eye is no issue?"
I've been a fool from the start. He could've kidnapped me from the stable without anyone knowing. He didn't need to reveal he knew me from the beginning. He didn't need to kill Al-Dura and her foal. He didn't need to drag Dr. Hans into this mess. He did it all to provoke them—through me. By torturing me, making me cry and whimper like a spoiled child. And I played my part perfectly. He doesn't just want me. This charade is part of his plan too—stirring their emotions, provoking them, then claiming them by exploiting my pitiful state.
I won't win my freedom by enslaving my brothers. Enough. I must do something!
Sweat beaded on Matteo's forehead. He knew Abrahams wouldn't hesitate to press the ember into his eye. But he wouldn't back down from his word—nor would he give Abrahams the satisfaction of his pain. Abrahams' dog watched Matteo intently, as if waiting for something. Matteo realized the dog responded to his distress instinctively. Dai and Colin noticed too. They wouldn't be surprised if the dog—loyal as they were to masters—turned on Abrahams for Matteo. It was a power their brother had always possessed, one that had let them live safely in the forest all this time.
Dai shot Colin a look—they had a chance now. Matteo could turn Abrahams' challenge to his advantage. Burning the man's face might soothe their fury, even slightly, for what he'd done to Ren. He glanced at Sai to confirm he'd caught on—but froze at what he saw.
Sai's expressions were always limited to joy, anger, and confusion. Fear wasn't among them. But now—no, he wasn't just afraid. He was trembling with fear.
Dai didn't know what to do. The unshakable Sai—the strongest among them, physically and mentally, in a continent that scorned Easterners like him—was shaking. Then he noticed Sai's gaze fixed on Matteo's face. Is he afraid of the ember?
He didn't know what to do, but blocking Sai's view seemed a start. He stepped forward slightly, obscuring Matteo's face. "Pull yourself together, Sai!" he whispered. He didn't know if it helped, but he prayed this would end quickly. Damn it, Matteo, stop staring at the ember and finish this!
Abrahams brought the ember closer, grazing Matteo's lashes. "Changed your mind, dear Matteo?" Matteo ignored him. All he had to do was play the victim until the dog lunged at Abrahams' arm. Then he'd seize the tongs and take Abrahams hostage to escape his men. But first, he had to shift his shackled hands forward. Colin was poised to strike—good. With his brothers, he could overpower a man twice his size.
Matteo smiled. "No. An eye is a small price for Ren." Abrahams didn't hesitate—he swung the tongs back, ready to strike. The brothers braced to flip their shackles—but their plan was interrupted. Abrahams never landed his blow. "Ren, what are you doing?" Colin asked, astonished. She didn't answer. She stood before Abrahams' ember-holding hand, head bowed, hair covering her face.
After a moment, she spoke. "That's enough."
Abrahams lowered the tongs slightly, moving the ember away from Matteo. "What did you say, red-haired bastard?"
Ren's voice grew firmer. "I said, that's enough. Stop using me as a puppet to manipulate my brothers."
Matteo sounded confused. "Ren, what are you—"
"I said enough, Matteo. You've all done more than enough." She turned to Abrahams, her voice steadying. "You killed Al-Dura and her unborn foal. You threatened Dr. Hans. And now you threaten my brothers with this ember. Was I supposed to scream and cry from the sidelines so Matteo would submit to your demands, letting you enslave them?" Abrahams said nothing. She knew she'd struck true. "Enough! I won't let you exploit my family's emotions any longer!"
The brothers stared, stunned. They'd always believed it was their duty to protect Ren from any threat. She'd never needed to show courage as long as they lived. Now the roles had reversed—the frail girl they'd rescued from the capital's filth had become a free sparrow fighting to protect her nest.
Colin stepped toward her. "Finally, you've found your voice, little sister."
Matteo joined her. "I knew Ren wouldn't stay silent forever. After all, she's the sister I chose."
Dai glanced at Sai—his expression had returned to normal, perhaps replaced by awe at Ren. He'd ask later. For now, Abrahams' next move would dictate theirs. Could they take him hostage? At least they had the dog on their side.
Abrahams sank into his leather chair, tossing the tongs and ember into the fireplace. At first, he bowed his head—then laughed softly, deeply. The brothers tensed. His dog whimpered beside him. "Ah," Abrahams said, laughter fading. "You've surprised me, Ren. The open air has poisoned your mind. Very well—I won't claim you." Their mouths fell open at his sudden concession. "If you can beat me in a game."
Matteo frowned. "A game? What kind?"
"A simple one, quite popular here. A personal favorite." The brothers exchanged uneasy glances. A game famous in this corrupt underbelly—and Abrahams' favorite—didn't sound promising.
Colin eyed him suspiciously. "And if we lose?"
Abrahams' eyes gleamed. "You'll all become my slaves."
It was an obvious trap. This man wouldn't propose anything that didn't benefit him. Matteo looked to his brothers—exhausted, hungry, mentally drained. Despite knowing it was a trap, they nodded. If there was even a sliver of hope to escape Abrahams, they'd take the risk.
Matteo agreed. "Fine. We'll play your game. But you'll honor your word, no matter what."
"Of course," Abrahams said. "I'm a man of my word."
Ren wasn't sure what she'd seen as they were led out, but she thought—perhaps felt—Abrahams' hateful glare. Had it been her five minutes ago, she'd have recoiled. But now...
She didn't know how to describe the feeling coursing through her.
She was simply happy to have angered him.