Anji thought of the Dredger Hectate had shown her, dragging its snout against the floor of its cage, its scaly gray hide scratched and seeping dark blood, the frustrated animal whimper as it snorted up dirt. A log cracked in the fire, bringing Anji’s attention back to the common room and the man standing before her. She looked at the dusty rafters, at the poster above the fire, running her tongue along her teeth.

“I thought she had more time…” she said, the words trailing away.

“How often is she using?” said Jared.

“I don’t know,” Anji said. “I’ve only seen it a few times.”

Jared nodded slowly, though her answer didn’t seem to satisfy him. Anji couldn’t fault his concern. The Hawk had puked up something vile on the steps outside, then passed out and hadn’t yet woken up. If that Maxia, Alphoronse, was correct about his description of the drug’s enhancing properties, it explained a lot about the woman’s prowess despite her old age.

She’s likely dosing herself as often as she can afford.

As though he were reading her mind, Jared adjusted his glasses, then took Anji’s hand and set the vials clinking into her palm, closing her fingers around the glass.

“The change is visible on the torso first,” he said, placing a hand to his chest. “Then the arms, hands … you’ll see it in her neck soon, as it’s the only bit of skin she’s got showing. Since you’re traveling, she needs to keep the mask on in public. Her eyes will turn bloodshot, then the irises will go red too. The teeth will lengthen. Her face will be the last to transform.” He sighed and pointed at her hand. “This stuff is expensive. See that she parcels it out till you … till you get where you’re going.”

Anji gripped the vials tight in her hand, then looked up at Jared as she stowed them in her coat pocket. “How did you know?”

Jared shrugged. “I treated addicts for years. Not Dred—” He swallowed. “Not Rail addicts, specifically. But you don’t need to be an expert to see her time is running out.” He inclined his head at the vials in Anji’s pocket. “That’s to start weaning her off. If she doesn’t quit soon…” He chewed at his lip.

“She mentioned something about quitting,” said Anji, surprised at the defensive tone in her voice. “Once she got back to Linura…”

Jared clenched his jaw, his eyes cast toward the crackling fire and the creature depicted above it. Then he sighed and pointed to Anji’s pocket. “Well, see she gets that. If she stops too quickly it could kill her.”

“Why don’t you give it to her?” Anji asked. “You think she’ll take my advice?”