I embraced that hope for a moment, grabbed onto it with both hands, and held it close like the rare treasure it was. Then I let go of it, let it float away like a butterfly on a bright day, because the darkest part of the night was yet to come, and there was no place for it here.

Always take the most unexpected route

Breaking into the building was easy.
Too easy for an assassin like me.

For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Then the bitch blasted me with her water magic, and I got over it.

Y’all might as well come on out,” I said. “I know you’re there. I can smell you.”
“Smell me? But I just took a shower this morning!” an indignant voice drifted out of the shadows.
There was a loud sound, like someone was getting smacked upside the head. Then another voice let out a low mutter.
“Shut up, idiot.

I shrugged the questions away. I’d find out the answers soon enough—body by bloody, bloody body.