Forged in Blood

's rough hand on her arm. Her legs fe

bulb flickering like a dying star. Phet still slept, curled under the table, oblivious. Noi glanced up from her tools, her face blank

with her too. She'd saved him downstairs, and he'd saved her. Now she'd lied to his face. Her chest hurt, torn betwee

spots dotted the metal, like bloodstains. She needed a plan. Meet Jace at midnight, get proof, find Aran.

ce from Jace's photo, then Kai's scar, his voice saying, Trust is dangerous. She didn't trust

heart racing. A chance. She waited, listening. Voices argued below-something about a shipment. She crept to the loft's ed

uld, and climbed the stairs to the roof hatch. Her hands shook as she pushed it open. The night air hit

The fire escape creaked in the breeze, a rusty groan. She hugged herself, the

and on the gun. Jace stepped out, grinning

he snapped. "Sho

a watch-Aran's watch, the one she'd bought him two years ago. The strap was fray

last night. He's in a basement, east sid

clutching the watch.

ou owe me first. The shi

don't know. The

"Tonight sealed a deal-Kai's moving

ad. "I can't. Ka

"You're in deep already. One

to dig deeper into Kai's world. But Aran's watch felt w

ing. "Meet me here, same tim

from the hatch. Mira spun. Lek burst onto the roof, gun out,

ing a knife. Mira raised her hand

ed, stomping close

ng. Jace stayed low, out of sig

u." He dragged her down the stairs, her feet slipping. The watch fell, c

stained with sweat, his eyes like ice. Lek shoved her fo

close, tower

meeting?" he a

fast. Her heart pounded

ok at him. "Don't lie," he said. "I sm

arette butt. She'd forgotten. "

epping back. "You're

"Told you s

rled it, casual but deadly. "You saved me downstairs," he

d," she said, desperate

e asked, stopping t

e. Jace was her lifeline, and Kai would kill him

dded to Lek. "Chec

ing to the cot. She did, legs trembling. He sat beside her, close enou

r enemy," sh

from his pocket-a bandage-and grabbed he

fight downstairs. His fing

h hitched. That spark flared

is?" she a

"You're useful," he said. "A

finished the bandage, tying it tight. "No more r

e watch. "Found this," he sa

t over. His eyes flicked

too late. Her fa

voice flat. "You'r

d the watch into his pocket. "Lek, ta

said. He lunged, slashing her hand-just a nick, but

ast. "Enough," he snappe

ooked at her, cold again. "You'r

cot, her hand stinging. She'd lost the watch, lost her cha

ose. Dust rained from the ceiling.

rom below, "O

dizzy, as Lek ran down. The loft trembled, crat

n a scream. Was Ja

aring her palm. Thin ice, Kai ha