The Hawk’s face was choked red—blotches of purple blooming at her cheeks. A dribble of ink-black spit trickled down the side of her mouth and onto her wrinkled chin. It began to freeze. Anji sank to one knee.

“The words, Hawk!” she yelled, shoving the mask into the woman’s lap—it felt much heavier in her hand than she’d imagined. She squared up, glared into those sea-green eyes. “If you’re going to die out here you can at least let me have my things back.”

The Hawk gave her head a quick shake, pawing at her chest.

“And take this fucking tether off me!”

The wind gave a hard push at Anji’s back, harder than any she’d felt since taking the pass, and she stumbled forward. Sharp pain blossomed in her cheek as the Hawk backhanded her. She fell on her ass into the snow, eyes wide.

“Keep,” the Hawk gasped, “quiet.” She sputtered and spit into the snow. Then she sat up straighter and began digging around in the folds of her clothes, chest heaving like a punctured bellows. Anji felt fresh tears burning at her eyes and wiped them away as the Hawk took out a green glass vial and shifted so the wind blew at her back. She tipped the opening against one slender, shaking finger, then held the contents to her nose and snorted hard before tilting her head back, blinking at the sky.

Anji felt her jaw drop as the Hawk stood, knuckled her nostril, then slipped the gleaming, snow-crusted mask back over her face.

“Come on,” she said, turning south once more.

Anji gaped at her. “Where—” she stammered, climbing to her feet. “What the fuck was that?” she yelled. Her feet seemed to be moving of their own accord again, following after the old woman. “What did you just—”

Like a snarling beast, the Hawk spun on her heel and marched the few strides to Anji, grabbing up her shirt in both fists. The mask was close enough to kiss the tip of Anji’s nose.

“This is the last time I tell you before you get the gag,” said the Hawk through gritted teeth. “Shut. Up.”

“Thought you didn’t like gags?”

“I could—”

“Cut my stinking tongue out, yeah.” Anji mimed buttoning her lips, then whispered, “Quiet as a mouse.”

“I’m getting awfully sick of your cheek, girl.”

Anji cocked her head and grinned. “What was that you were snorting? Was it that Rail stuff?”

The Hawk only grunted and released her, but Anji hissed a curse. How had she not guessed?