“Don’t call me that,” the woman snapped. She ripped her mask off as though she’d just remembered she was wearing it and clipped it back to her belt.

Anji lifted a brow. So she doesn’t like her old name. She’d pack that away for later. For now she balled her hands into fists, and said, “Fine, but why are you—”

“We’re leaving. Get your things.”

“Ah, of course, my things,” said Anji, scanning the ground. “Oh that’s right, you stole everything I own.”

The Hawk ignored her gibe and twisted the canvas sack closed.

“Hey,” said Anji, pushing down an anxious flutter in her chest. She’d never seen the woman so flummoxed. “Can you relax? We haven’t even—”

“She might have bought the note, but the Wardens have a protocol. They’ll send word to the others as soon as they reach Silverton. Bear hasn’t disclosed my absence, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Wait, the others—”

“I said get your things! We’ve precious little time. The Bear knows Lynx is dead, which means they’re on our trail now. They’ve likely split up to cover more ground. We have to make the pass before—”

“Wait a moment—”

“I am speaking, girl, not you! Shut your mouth and do as you’re told,” said the Hawk, bounding toward Molli, who jerked away at the woman’s approach. “We’ll have to ride together,” she said, her breath rasping. In one fluid motion she bent and grabbed up the saddle and heaved it jangling over Molli’s back, forgetting the half pad lying in the dirt, which should have gone on first. Molli whickered and stepped farther away. The Hawk stomped after her, grasping for the dangling girth strap.

“Stop!”

Anji’s voice echoed across the tundra. Her throat ached with the force of her yell. The Hawk actually spun around, her face showing the first hint of surprise Anji had ever seen it hold.

The bounty hunter cleared her throat, her eyes flicking to the wall of clouds now closing over the distant sun. Black smudges marred their light-brushed-edges.

“We have to leave,” said the Hawk, enunciating every word like a school teacher, locking eyes with Anji. “Right now.”

But Anji was through taking orders from this old bitch, not without some sleep at least.

“I walked all fucking night,” she said, clenching her hands into fists. “I haven’t slept more than a couple hours since Linura—”

“And whose fault is that—”

“I’m likely to drop at any moment,” Anji said, raising her voice. “Our horse is—”

“My horse—”

Anji groaned and yanked at her remaining tufts of hair. “Your horse is dead on her feet.” She gestured to Molli, whose head was now drooping far too low for Anji’s comfort. “Is it Menagerie policy to ride your horses into the ground? Just look at her!”