Strumming it

[Sage]

The girls listened and when Ezvrin put away his guitar at the end Mackenzie was standing in front of him with a smile on her face, but her hands were on her hips as she glared back at Sage. Morgan was sitting and watching though Sage was certain the girl was turning in on herself as her sister looked ready to fight.

Mackenzie tugged on Ezvrin's sleeve and waited till he was paying attention to her -- and only her. "You aren't friends with him."

Sage laughed. "I think she means Nox. My friend who sent me to look in on the girls."

She turned and glared at Sage and he held up his hands in surrender. "Fine, I'll shut up."

"Would you trust someone who says they want to help, but who's only ever done bad things. Or who has friends who lie for them." Mackenzie asked.

"Wait a minute. He's done a lot of good things for you too. Yes. He killed your mother, but she was going to try to kill you later. Yes, he tried to hurt Morgan, but he didn't know she'd chosen that spot to hide in when you were playing a game. He's given you warm clothes, he offered to give you a roof over your head and feed you."

Mackenzie laughed. "And he sends his friends to bribe us with fancy toys and goodies."

"That's me. Not Nox. He just wanted me to watch out for you, didn't even say to come see you. So don't even start with that you little brat! He wants to help you, make up for what he did. He even offered to teach you how to fight so you don't hurt yourself. And he knows if he teaches you, you'll come after him one day in revenge and he still teaches you." Sage growled.