CHAPTER 99: FAIR TRADE

Meanwhile, back at Rhane’s estate....

"Not bad," Nikolai rammed his fingers against the wall, "What Rhane has built here all by himself... not bad at all," he sucked his teeth, nodding in approval.

Kali’s eyes followed her father’s movement, still narrowed, her shoulders raised in defense, both hands on her dagger.

"Is this pure gold?" Nikolai leaned in, using his teeth to bite the tall candelabra, then he pulled back and smirked. "Coated, but still looks great." He turned and gave Kali a wink.

"You remind me so much of your mother, I didn’t think I’d recognize you immediately." The man remarked with a soft hum, his eyes fell on the young man behind Kali, and he tilted his head.

"Does Rhane also put you to work around here? I’m guessing it’s not daily as when you stayed with your mother, hm?"

Percy frowned, though he’d been made to stand behind Kali while she used her body to shield him. He still caught a glimpse of the man that arrived— Lord Nikolai. Percy met the man a few times, during Jenna’s wedding, and that was it. Now that he looked closer, the man had a remarkable resemblance to Rhane, especially his height.

Percy was nothing but a servant; noble matters weren’t his concern. He lived blank, not a single thought behind his eyes. All he ever had was respect, an instinct to respect and bow to men of higher status, of which Nikolai did fall under. But hearing the man speak ill of his own daughter, Percy was disgusted.

"You don’t talk to Kali—"

Kali jabbed Percy’s stomach harshly, cutting his words short. Percy winced but took the hint not to say a word.

To her father, she said— Kali asked slowly, "Why are you here?"

The sly curve on his lips stayed put. Amusement flickered as his gaze moved from Kali to the young man behind her.

"Isn’t a father allowed to visit his own children at least?" Nikolai coughed softly, "I heard my two sons are going about digging for one same woman. Tch," he smacked his lips in disdain.

"A disappointment, in my time... I was the most sought after."

Kali stood straight, her hand clutched to the hilt. "We are fine... We’ve no use for you here."

Percy noticed how slowly Kali spoke and even with less confidence. Her strong voice was no longer there, but also her rough way of speaking.

"You’re all polished now, like a fine proper lady." Nikolai raised his thumb up. "If I had known you could be tamed easier, I’d have taken you with me, save myself the stress of having two of your brothers going after the same woman. Don’t you think?"

Kali’s jaw ticked. Using the corner of her eyes, she tried to search for help. "Rhane is not home... you can visit when he returns."

"He has gone out with Jenna, right?" Out of somewhere in the dark, Gerald hopped out, pointing accusing fingers at Kali.

"That dirty whore! I knew she was being done by other men, just couldn’t prove it... who could have known it was my brother."

Nikolai drew in air through his teeth when he heard Gerald’s voice, "I told you not to speak unti—"

The movement that happened the next minute caught everyone off guard as Kali slid on the ground, wrapping her leg around Gerald’s neck until he fell, then she pinned him to the ground with her knee, holding the edge of her dagger to his throat.

"Woah," Percy gasped, hand over his mouth and eyes shooting out slightly.

Nikolai let put a slow breath tiredly, rubbing his sweaty forehead. "Let go of him."

"The bastard near gutted me." Kali tightened her knee so that it pressed Gerald’s ear to the ground.

A soft cry was heard from his mouth, "Father, help me," Gerald cried, struggling to move.

"Push closer, and I’ll spill your throat. Don’t think I’ll save you." Kali’s rough speech returned as her breathing got heavier.

Nikolai would have known what to do if it was Rhane, but not with Kali. He didn’t know until the moment that his so-called daughter could wield a knife.

"Aside from warming beds, did you also whet swords?" He began retrieving a white handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hand. "Do you still consider me your father?"

Kali raised her eyes for a moment, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"Your mother didn’t entertain one man, you see." Nikolai began licking his upper lips. "I had accepted Rhane because he had my qualities, but you? When your mother said she was with a child. Another child of mine... I visited her bed only twice after my marriage. Do you get my meaning?"

Kali chuckled deliriously, her eyes glistening like she had lost it. "I’d rather have my father be among the filth mother took to her bed. But not you, Nikolai. Your blood isn’t worth to course through my veins, if you catch my meaning."

Nikolai rolled his tongue inside his cheek, trying to hide his brewing anger. His words weren’t working on this one, she was his daughter alright.

"Get the young man."

Before Percy could understand they meant him, two men dragged him from both sides, pinning him to the ground.

"Let Gerald go, or I’ll kill the young man."

Kali exhaled tiredly, "Do me a favor, spill him. Save me the trouble later."

"What?!" Percy cried, already trembling down on his knees. "Please don’t kill me..."

Nikolai narrowed his eyes, "Was I wrong to think you were going to kiss this young man earlier?"

"I’d tear off my own hands than to touch that swine’s mouth." Kali spat, gripping Gerald’s neck tightly.

Percy clamped his mouth shut, "Oh... you didn’t have to say it like that."

"Shut your trap, fool." Kali scowled, glaring at Percy.

Nikolai sucked his teeth, "Very well then, one useless servant won’t make any difference, would it?"

"It won’t." Kali added more fire, "He’s only a drunken cur, more bother than worth. Cut him lose from this world, and we’ll owe you one."

Percy sniffled, "I’m not... I’m Lady Je—"

"And the idiot is delirious... away with him quickly." Kali interrupted. She tried to signal Percy with her eyes to stop speaking. Maybe her father would be convinced and let the fool go. She didn’t know how else to save the young man.

But Nikolai wasn’t just anybody, he noticed even the slightest shift in a person. When he saw Kali wink, he smirked.

"I’d be glad to do away with a fool." He turned to the men. "Kill him."

Kali gripped her dagger, her eyes darting from Gerald to Percy. She cursed under her breath,

"Wait!"

Nikolai’s smile grew even wider when he heard his daughter’s voice. "It was an affair, alright."

Kali released Gerald, and before she let go, she struck her dagger into his arm.

"That’s for stabbing me, bloody fool."

The cry burst from Gerald like a slaughtered hog, tearing the night apart. The guards flinched, their hands slapping over their ears for protection.

Kali rolled towards Percy, pushing him far away from the men that held him.

"Run," was all she said.

"Get her!" Nikolai ordered.

Kali didn’t struggle or fight, she watched with a quiet smile as Percy scrambled like a doe that had just learned to walk out of the place. When she turned, Nikolai’s fist connected with her stomach— the same spot she was stabbed.

"Ssss," Kali hissed. Staring at Gerald with her teeth covered in blood she grinned. "You gave me blood, I give it back. Fair trade, bastard."

"That’s enough nonsense for tonight, you’ll sit still and wait for your brother to return." Nikolai said, staring down at her, "Find that young man and bring him too."

Gerald, who hadn’t stopped crying, held up his bleeding hand. "She stabbed me... the knife is stuck!"

"And shut up!" Nikolai could no longer hold his disgust, "Have him treated immediately."