The Hybrid was eyeing her hungrily. “Are you sure I can’t have some of her yangqi?” he asked Ten. “A little sip for old times’ sake?”
“Mind your manners, Feng,” Ten said. “Besides, you are here for a different reason.” He turned to Rui. “One condition has been fulfilled. I have brought you your mother’s murderer. Now, we have other things to—”
“Wait a minute, what’s he going on about?” Feng interrupted, glancing nervously at the other Hybrids.
The five stayed silent, their expressions blank. But Rui noticed they were now blocking Feng’s path if he wanted to leave.
Or escape.
Clearly, Ten had struck more than one deal. What had he promised the Hybrids in return for surrendering their comrade?
Ten sighed. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted—”
Rui flung her hand up.
Tiny coins shot in the air.
All eyes focused on the shiny balls of light.
Rui slid forward. Swept her leg across, catching Feng’s ankle. He stumbled. She rammed into his chest, knocking him off the platform.
The Hybrid slammed onto the tracks below. Foul-smelling water splattered everywhere. She heard Ten’s squeals of disgust, punctuated by smallblasts of qi bombs exploding. Shrapnel filled with yangqi pierced the Hybrids’ flesh. Screams echoed.
But Rui was focused on only one thing.
She jumped onto the tracks, knifing a knee into Feng’s sternum, pinning him down on the dirt. With a snarl, she caught his throat and squeezed. His jaw opened—just enough—and she shoved a handful of fizzling coins in, forcing him to swallow.
Rui didn’t know if the qi bombs would kill him. But his life was in her hands, and as she looked into his once-arrogant eyes, now filled with fear, she let herself enjoy the moment—however brief.
“Enough of this!” Ten raised a hand.
A force threw Rui off. She hit the wall. A broken tile sliced her forehead. Blood ran down her face. Dazed, she saw Feng spitting the crimson coins onto the ground.
“You little bitch—” Feng wheezed, clutching his chest.
Rui laughed hysterically. A few qi bombs must’ve gone off inside of Feng. He was shaking uncontrollably and the skin on his throat was splotchy purple.
But he wasn’t dead. Not at all. She would kill him with her bare hands if she had to.
She hurled herself at Feng.
Ten moved his fingers almost lazily.
This time, the force caught Rui in midair, flinging her back onto the platform. She landed on her side. Pain exploded in her shoulders and neck. Black spots appeared in her vision. She tried to stand, but she only got to her knees before collapsing.
“Stay down, Rui,” Ten said. “I do not wish to hurt you more than I must. All I ask from you is a bit of patience. You will have your revenge.”
“We should kill the brat,” said a Hybrid in a green bomber jacket. She was about Surin’s age, with dark hair piled on top of her head in a ponytail. Her forehead and neck had been burned a painful red by the qi bombs.
The other Hybrids growled in agreement, each showing varying degrees of damage.
Feng hissed, “She’s mine.”
“Know your place, fool,” Ten said calmly. “She is nobody’s. I tire of you and your nonsense, human.” He spat the last word like an insult.
Rui tried to focus, her breath ragged. Why did Ten call the Hybridhuman? Feng wasn’t—
Twisting his wrist, Ten clawed his fingers into a fist.
