—Thump!
A small body slammed lightly into my side.
At first glance, it looked accidental.
A clumsy stumble.
A child too thin for his age.
Then I felt fingers close around Amelia's wrist.
Fast.
Practiced.
Desperate.
"Ouch!" the boy yelped theatrically as Amelia reflexively tightened her grip.
His eyes—too sharp for a child—burned with venom inside a gaunt face.
I clicked my tongue.
"Poor technique," I said calmly. "Do you know who you just tried to steal from?"
The boy froze.
Around us, the street subtly shifted.
Shadows leaned closer.
Breaths paused.
In the dark district, nobles received only two kinds of treatment.
Prey—
or monsters.
And the difference was decided in the first heartbeat.
I smiled.
Not warmly.
"Ladies," I said lightly, glancing at Emma and Amelia, "what do you think? Shall we cut off his wrist?"
The air went dead still.
That did it.
