“Let’s get out of here,” she told Teo and Ryuu, her voice not sounding like her own. “She’ll try again, but I can’t kill her, or Kohl will come after me. I have to—”

“Stop being afraid of him!” Teo’s large hand fastened above her elbow. Only then did she realize her whole body was trembling. “Can’t he at least control his own people from coming after you? That’s the least he owes you. Show him he can’t throw you out like you’re nothing, Aina. Show him he’s wrong!”

But she was already shaking her head so hard, black strands of hair fell out of her ponytail and waved in front of her eyes. Something broke inside her. She no longer cared if anyone, even Ryuu, thought she was weak right now.

“What if he’s not wrong?” Her voice cracked as she tried to wipe the blood off her arm.

Kohl had taken her in from the streets. Kohl had helped her keep her mind off glue with endless training. Kohl had made her the best Blade in Kosín. Kohl had become her idol and her obsession. Kohl had given her their best job yet and promised her all she’d wanted. She owed him.

Kohl had hit her. Kohl had shot at her. Kohl had left her to the mercy of the city. She still owed him.

She had to kill Kouta before Tannis did. Otherwise, she’d never regain her position and respect. All of this would only stop once Kouta’s heart stopped beating, and by her blade alone.

Looking away from them so they couldn’t read the thousands of emotions she was going through, she said, “Let’s go meet Raurie’s aunt.”

As they pushed through the crowd, Aina wished she were alone. The rooftop would be safer, her favorite hiding spot, the only place that was always there for her. As quickly as she’d regained her confidence last night, it left her now.

The image of Tannis’s vicious golden gaze burned through her mind. Her chance at any kind of future had fallen out of her grasp like water cupped in a skeleton’s hands.

One hand trailed to the bloodstained scarf she wore and tugged impulsively at the loose strands. She should just buy glue from the nearest dealer and drown herself in it. Then she wouldn’t have to think. She couldn’t fear life on the streets if she were too high to even realize which street she was lying down on. She couldn’t feel Kohl’s bullet slamming through her brain if she was too numbed from glue to feel anything.

A warm hand touched her back, and for once, she didn’t feel the need to punch whoever had done it. Glancing to the left, she saw Ryuu gazing at her with concern that was nearly palpable. Focusing on his face only, Aina’s nerves eased.

She couldn’t understand him. He hardly knew her other than the fact that she’d tried to kill his brother, and she’d given him no reason to trust her other than her word. She’d just shown so much weakness, yet for some reason, he was comforting her instead of taking advantage.