Brothers In Arms: Earned In Blood Novels & Stories

"I am only here to help since I sensed the smell of blood. Forgive me if I have frightened you." Summoning his godly weapon, the thyrsus, would not guarantee his safety from the swiftness of a bow and arrow. Serious wounds and injury would do him no good, even if he's a god, for it'll require him ambrosia, the heavenly food of the gods, for him to recover.

The stinging pain in my finger was nothing compared to the deep throb in my arm. With a loud pop, the buckle slid free. My right hand was finally loose. I didn't waste a second. I pulled my hand out of the cuff and reached across to fumble with the strap on my bleeding left arm. My fingers were slippery with blood, making it hard to get a grip on the metal. The smell of copper and burnt plastic filled the air. I wiped my palm quickly on my jeans, grabbed the strap, and pulled. The buckle finally gave way, and the sudden release sent a sharp ache up to my shoulder.

He played nice opening the car door for me to enter before turning around to enter through the other side. He stretched his hand to the backseat and landed a huge sum of money on my laps. I beamed with surprise. “What for?” I raised my brows on a high level. “This is a compensation for the email you sent to me,” he snarled . “ You’re paying me for sabotaging your brother. He’s your brother for Christ sake,” I snapped furiously. “ Half-brother. Besides, I don’t care,” he hissed, “the only thing important to me is that I’m the rightful owner of the inheritance . Period.”

His voice didn't have any form of humour or sarcasm in it, I turned to face him. “Huh?” I asked, wearing a confused smile so I don't seem foolish to another brother. “Anything you need to get to Justin, ask me. If it requires using my name, my body, anything at all… You can use me.” Okay… can someone tell me why my brother-in-law is offering himself as a human shield all of a sudden? And seriously, why did he ever think about that? My eyes go endlessly around random objects in the study, trying to avoid his eyes. I gave a polite nod and opened the door.

“I read your email of the story you came up with. We will work with that. I’ve also signed the marriage contract and had it delivered to your address. From A.P.” I soon realized it was from Adam and a proud smile slipped through my lips. I strangely felt good by his seeming approval. I quickly saved his number with A.P. But my version didn’t stand for Adam Phlem. It stood for Arrogant Prick. Still wearing a small smile on my face, I relax and enjoy the remaining parts of the ride.

With Bridget’s blessing, we began the wedding plans. That was when Noelle claimed that she had racked up huge debts and had lost her job. To cover her supposed debts, I took on multiple part-time jobs. Bridget worked herself to the bone, the exhaustion etching deep lines into her aging face. Little did I know, the company belonged to her. I smiled wryly to myself. Just then, Noelle strutted through the door. Without acknowledging her, I went to grab my printed resignation letter. Noelle approached me.

We would face the darkness together. I looked at my bandaged arm, a stark white slash against my skin in the dim morning light. It was a physical reminder of my brother, of the blood we shared and the blood I now intended to spill. The memory of his escape, of his taunts, was a bitter pill. He had won the first battle. But the war… the war was just beginning.

“Ten Thousand Armies?!” When he heard those three words, Jeremiah’s younger brother, James’ body shook uncontrollably out of fear as he said with incomparable panic, “How could… How could it be Ten Thousand Armies?!” After saying that, James looked at Jeremiah with a fearful expression on his face as he blurted out and asked, “Brother… You… How did you offend Ten Thousand Armies?!” Jeremiah originally did not know much about Ten Thousand Armies, but some time ago, there had been news about Ten Thousand Armies all around and so, he had also learned quite a lot about Ten Thousand Armies.

What the heck was happening? “Come on, brothers fight all the time,” Ronin shrugged, as if it was no big deal. “Sure, you went a tad overboard with those mercenaries, but you were in love. If nothing else, I get that,” he glanced over at Carmen, his expression softening. “Apparently, people do stupid things in love. I did my fair share, trust me.” Tears wobbled in Eric’s eyes, it was all so unexpected for him. He never thought himself to be redeemable. But alas, his brother didn’t think so. He tucked the gun behind his back and threw his arms around Ronin, hugging him tightly.

His fingers lingered briefly on the back of my hand, as if in silent apology, before walking to the window and dialing a number. “Dad, Harry’s already found that mechanic from back then.” There were two seconds of silence on the other end before Danny’s cold voice came through. “Take care of him.” … Suburban auto repair shop, 3:15 a.m. A scar-faced man kicked the iron door open, his dagger glinting under the moonlight. The mechanic cowered against the wall, trembling. “I-I won’t say anything!” “The boss says only dead men won’t talk.” Scarface sneered, raising the dagger high.