Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon

that. “How? Syn would never trust her again after what she did to him.”
    “Maybe, maybe not. But if anyone in the universe exists who can accomplish this feat, it is she. I’ve never known anyone more resourceful or cunning. I believe if you give her a chance, she will prove most worthy.”
    Still Uriah wasn’t convinced. He didn’t like dealing with unknown people he couldn’t control. “Why would she do this for us?”
    “She has a family she helps support, one of whom has a severe gambling problem, and another with congenital medical necessities. Dagan is desperate and poor, and in grave need of money. For, let’s say, a million credits, I’m sure she’d do anything. And ask no questions.”
    Jonas sucked his breath in. “I don’t know, Father. She’s a seax, sworn to their oaths. Why would she—”
    “Traysen is also a seax,” Uriah said with a smile.“Their loyalty can be bought. Is that not right, Traysen?”
    “Yes, sir. Everyone has a pricetag. It’s just a question of how much.”
    Jonas crossed the room to stand directly in front of Traysen so that he could give him a menacing glare. “You better be sure of her greed.”
    “I’d bet my life on it.”
    “Good, because that’s exactly what you’ll pay with, Traysen, if you’re wrong.” Stroking his chin, Jonas looked back at his father. “Do it then and let’s hope it works.”

CHAPTER 5
    Shahara paused in the doorway of her sister’s hospital room that had cost her in ways Tessa had no idea of. Tessa lay on the bed looking so pale and weak. Her blond hair was mussed while the bruises still marred the beauty of her face. Several different types of monitors beeped and whirred. One to monitor her kidneys, which had been damaged during her beating, and Shahara wasn’t sure about the others. All she knew was that they terrified her.
    But even more horrifying than their presence was the fear that the doctors would order them removed for lack of payment, and condemn Tessa to the slow, agonizing death their mother had suffered.
    At twenty-four, Tessa was almost the exact duplicate of their father. When not in pain, her green eyes sparkled with life and her curly blond hair was often unruly. Shahara had spent countless hours with Tessa as a child experimenting with different hair ointments and gels to try and tame it into a style. They’d finally admitted defeat and just grown it out long.
    Shahara swallowed. She loved her siblings more than her life.
    Still unaware of her presence, Tessa was lying on her bed while her boyfriend, Thad, sat next to her holding her hand. Only inches separated their faces and he stroked her cheek tenderly with his left hand.
    A strange ache pressed against her chest as she watched them. How she longed to have someone look at her like that. To touch her cheek and make her smile even while her life was falling apart.
    But those dreams were for fools. Nothing in life ever lasted.
    Watching the two of them, she began to feel like an intruder.
    What was she doing here?
    Tessa didn’t need her prudish sister around. Besides, she made Thad extremely nervous. He always acted like he was afraid she’d throw him to the ground, handcuff him, and arrest him.
    Backing away, she turned to leave.
    “Shay?” Tessa called. “Is that you?”
    With a deep breath, she forced herself to reverse course and enter the room. “Hi.” She moved to kiss Tessa’s forehead. “I wanted to check on you. And,” she held up the plastic bag in her hand, “I brought you some things I thought might help you get better.”
    Grabbing the bag, Tessa beamed.
    Shahara looked away from her battered face as rage whipped through her. She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone hurting her sister that way. God help those beasts when she got her hands on them.
    And she
would
get her hands on them. There was no doubt about it.
    Thad laughed as Tessa held up her ragged childhood doll. “You even brought Molly?”
    Shahara shrugged. “I know you