“Grab everything you can,” said Kit. “There will be money—lots of it. We have a few minutes, but I’m not sure when the other will return.”

“What are you—”

Kit released Anji and began rooting around the room. She grabbed up the leather case and checked the locks before stepping over Devas’s limp form and swinging open the doors to a broken cabinet. Anji watched her pull another case out from the cabinet’s depths, crack it open, and swing it around to Anji. It took her a moment to process just how much it held.

Half a million Rhoda, at least.

“If you’re planning on telling me what just happened,” Anji said, her mouth dry, “I’d really love to—”

“Not here,” Kit said. She slung the blue bag over one shoulder. “Wipe what blood you can from your hands,” said Kit, slamming the case closed. “Time to find a ship.”

Chapter 40

40

“I didn’t know when we arrived which Spur we’d be dealing with. I had to take the chance it was my own, or an ally to my own, but it was not.”

They’d rushed out of the bathhouse and down a maze of alleyways, Kit stumbling with exhaustion, Anji breathless with fear at her side. The few people they’d passed walked by without a word to either of them, though a fair number spared a curious glance for the Hawk and her charge as they hobbled past.

“So Gina tried to kill you?” Anji said.

“It’s an old rivalry. There are a dozen Spurs around Makona, and not all of them friendly. If we ever meet, we’re to offer unpoisoned food or drink and exchange certain—pleasantries, before fighting.”

Anji’s arm ached with the weight of the leather case banging against her leg. More money than she’d ever seen in one place, right there in her hand.

“You knew the whole time you’d have to fight,” Anji said, trying and failing to keep the mix of awe and disgust out of her voice.

“I didn’t know until we sat down,” said Kit. “This way.” She directed them down a short set of stairs and onto the docks proper, then paused at a bench facing the waves and sank into it with a heavy breath.