“We’re not trying to defeat you, you idiot,” Fairy said, exasperated. “We’re trying to save you. That Dragon Prince of yours might have damned you.”

Hana shot her a nasty glare. “I know.”

“Wait, what? You know, and you’re still serving him?” Fairy winced as more blood poured from the knife wound Menagerie had inflicted.

“I was in the study when you and Wolf read ‘Kitari and the Curse,’” Hana said, closing the distance between them. “Emperor Gin confirmed that it’s true the ryuu are damned. But you and Wolf said there might be a way that the gods can forgive us. I need to know more.”

“Then why are you here instead of in a library, researching?” Fairy tried to inch farther from Hana, but it was hard to move with a knife in her side. She didn’t want to pull it out, though, because then she’d bleed so much she might pass out. Fairy very much needed to be conscious right now.

Hana’s breath seemed to speed up, as if she was working hard to keep her composure. Or maybe she was just getting madder. “I’m here because I thought you and Wolf might have more information than I have.”

“And you thought that attacking us was a good way to get us to share what we know? Prince Gin really did a poor job of teaching you social skills.”

“I’m getting impatient.” Hana twirled Fairy’s stiletto blade between her fingers.

“You know,” Fairy said, still scooting slowly away on the dirt, “Spirit still wants you to join us.”

Hana’s entire body visibly tensed. “I already told her no.”

“So you’re still loyal to the Dragon Prince?”

Hana hesitated. It was only half a breath, but Fairy caught it.

“I am a ryuu warrior,” Hana said, her face growing hard again. She took a stride forward and erased all the progress Fairy had made in inching away. “Tell me what you know about undoing the damnation.”

Fairy laughed without humor. “Why, so you can destroy Kichona but redeem your soul right before you die? No, thank you, I’ll pass.”

Hana darted around Fairy and pushed the tip of the blade against the nape of her neck. “Tell me, or I’ll kill you.”

“Lucky for me, then, I don’t have anything to tell,” Fairy said. She’d been close to death so many times in the recent past it was surprisingly easy to remain calm. “Wolf and I don’t know anything yet, but we’re going to figure it out, somehow. And when we do . . . we’ll tell you.”

“You will?” Hana let the knife point slip.

“Of course,” Fairy said. “If you join us.”

“You’re just as infuriating as my sister!” Hana slashed the back of Fairy’s neck.