Page 136 (1/2)

I watch the Duke, my ears filled with the scream of memory

“Let the Obsidian girl up,” the Duke says Released by the thorns, Volga stury than afraid “Only that one was loyal in the end I appreciate loyalty So her life is ift to you A proven, true friend You are lucky Such is e”

I face the Duke and s back the bile

“Then I thank you for your patronage, Duke I trust our business is concluded”

“For today”

I turn and help Volga limp away

“Ephrai another twist “I wonder, where will you go now?”

“To sleep”

“Alone? A pity But after that…?”

“Don’t know Haven’t thought that far ahead”

“You have h to retire To do whatever you like But I know you, and you’re not the sort to gather dust You need this life Need it to feel alive To feel anything at all We alant ive you what you crave I can give that to you”

I spare a look at Gorgo, then ask the Duke, “Are you offering me employment?”

The Duke so, who brings it to row bored I’ hand”

Gorgo holds on to the card with his long nails as I try to pull it from hiather up the pieces and put the in our power not to run as fast as we can In the back of my mind, I wish rabbit a swifter end than Cyra’s Rat or not, the Green was one of mine And now a debt is damn well owed

MY SHOES POUND WET PAVEMENT The sound of the scorchers echoes in round around my feet as the Obsidians rushed me in the industrial tower Scarier than the bloodydamn Red Hand There were three of them in black Their hair white as bleached bone Theyoff walls and support beaht I was dead, cornered on a level with only open air behind me