164 A pledge of loyalty

"Sister, I will go first." Kiki volunteered eagerly. Chi Lian could see that the girl's entire caprice had changed. She was no longer gloomy and hopeless. She appeared to be entirely full of hope for the future.

"First have some tea, let one of your brothers talk." She shut Kiki's offer down. Kiki was willing to follow her; her brother's attitudes were yet to be determined. She needed to hear directly from the other involved parties. Especially the buff older man, from all signs, he was the leader of the group. "I am sure Kiki has filled you in on the proposal I made. I am extending the same proposal to you all; I will take you in, fund you, protect you, arm you and defend you. That is if you offer me your loyalty wholeheartedly." Her voice was euphonious, not because she was offering them shelter and relief but because it was magnetic and charming. Even the devil could be tempted to sign a deal with her.