149 Trust

Vanessa walked steadily with V at her front and E in the rear. She couldn't figure out their angle. Couldn't they have just killed her and take the map. While at it, could they ever stop bickering. It wasn't clear if they were lovers, sisters, or friends. But hearing them was reminiscent of Dani and Logan.

Neither was hostile. Rather they simply wouldn't stop complaining about each other and their past decisions. The shrine was down a slope. When jumping down the rocks, V was sure to walk his lady down gently.

Bugged by their relationship, Vanessa had to ask, "Are you two married"?

E's face crinkled like that of an old hag, "...That's my brother".

"Ah, so...".

"Oh God, no," said the man, "We are not practitioners of inner family relations. We are merely bound by blood and cursed by power".

"What do you mean?" asked Vanessa, hopping down the hill.