King Verrain hadn’t been subtle in his actions. If he wanted to kill an enemy, he made it obvious. But this …

Ryuu continued, voicing her thoughts, “It was covered up, to make it look like an accident that happened when Verrain attacked. Which means that whoever did it was probably a Steel. I was too young to understand, and my brother didn’t tell me the truth of their deaths until I was older. But Kouta … he was ten when he had to take over our business, and he started looking into their murders. He’s been trying to uncover the truth for years. He said he’d tell me more once he found out what this Black Diamond project was, but then you came along before he could. I want to know what he discovered, and I want him to be safe.”

As his voice trailed off, she stared at him for a moment, considering his words. His brother might be a Steel, but he hadn’t lived a completely pampered life. He’d had to start managing a business and investigating his parents’ murder at an age not much older than when she’d found herself on the streets.

But no matter what his life story was, nor why he was being targeted, his survival meant her death. She had to find and kill him.

A heavy knock sounded on the door, making them jump. Someone began shouting, “Master Hirai!” over and over.

Ryuu stood, opening his mouth to call out to the guard, but she kicked him in the knees so he fell to the floor with a huff of breath. She withdrew a dagger and placed it under his earlobe while pinning him to the floor. Leaning close, she whispered, “Try to shout, and I’ll cut off your ear. Try to move without my telling you, and I’ll search for more appendages to remove. How does that sound?”

He froze, then gave a stiff nod.

“Open the door a crack,” she whispered, freeing him from the floor. “Tell them everything is fine. I’ll be right behind you, ready to press this blade into your heart if you give them any hint something is wrong.”

Gulping, he stood and walked slowly to the door with the tip of her blade at his back. She stood to the side as he opened the door and conversed in a low voice with the guard, who informed him of the bodies outside his door and the guards who’d been knocked unconscious downstairs.

“I’m safe in here,” Ryuu declared, his voice surprisingly steady. “Lock down the house and post new guards outside my door. Remain calm and keep vigilant. Whoever it is, they’re after my brother, not me.”

The guard replied affirmatively, and Ryuu shut the door with a weary exhale. When the guard’s footsteps faded away, Ryuu turned to her, and she backed him into the wall and placed her knife under his collarbone. He’d told her enough. She tightened her grip around the knife.