âDonât touch her, you filthy jackal!â
Both Razoul and Alanna were surprised by the deep voice, and both stopped to look up at the speaker. Razoul still had his meaty fist around Alannaâs thin wrist hard enough to bruise, but neither was paying attention to that. Only to the man in front of them.
âOh? And whoâs this little streetrat to you?â Razoul sneered, unintimidated by Cassimâs imposing figure or the command in his posture and voice. Of course, the sound of Razoulâs voice jarred Alanna back into the present, and she started trying to pull out of the captain of the guardâs grip again.
âShe is my daughter,â Cassim growled, stalking over to them and grabbing Razoul by the collar of his vest and pulling him so they were eye to eye. The guard released Alanna in shock at the thunderous fury in the older manâs eye, sending the young woman tumbling to the ground. âAnd if I see you lay a hand on her again, you will lose much more than that hand.â
âSo the streetrat has family after all, eh?â Razoul sneered again. âYou better make sure I donât catch her stealing again, then, got it?â he snapped, jerking himself out of Cassimâs grasp.
âAre you all right, alilun jawaher?â Cassim asked quietly, helping Alanna to her feet. She could see and hear his concern, and he was careful to grasp her forearm  instead of her bruised wrist.
âIâm fine, Abba,â Alanna replied, sounding a little annoyed and jerking her arm away once she was on her feet, but she could see the hurt her father tried to hide. She wasnât an ungrateful brat, just unused to being protected without her protector wanting something in return, so she quickly wrapped her arms around Cassimâs waist and hugged him, resting her head against his chest. âThanks for helping me,â she whispered, meaning it with all her heart.