“And you got an answer,” he says. “Drop it. You didn’t win the Favor, remember?”
“I remember that, thanks for reminding me. I asked if you’d heard anything. That’s not the same as being granted the Favor.”
“And I’m telling you it’s not our concern,” Armen says. “Rothwell politics don’t matter in the Rot.”
“They mattered enough to ruin my life.”
“That happened outside,” he snaps. “You’re here now.”
Sting steps into the corridor from the side passage behind me, filling the space in a way that makes my shoulders tighten. He doesn’t crowd me, but his presence pins the moment in place.
There they are, all three of them, all in the same half-masks.
Sting’s gaze flicks from Armen to Rogue to me. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Armen says. “We’re done.”
Sting looks at me. “You don’t look done.”
“I’m not,” I say.
Rogue exhales. “Vi?—”
“I’m not asking you to help me,” I cut in. “I’m not asking you to dig up files or shake down old contacts. I just want to know if heard anything. Anything real.”
“Real doesn’t survive long down here,” Sting says.
“That’s convenient.”
“Careful,” he replies.
“With what?”
“With how far you push men who don’t owe you anything.”
The words land like a smack across the face. I take abreath, steadying myself. “I know you don’t owe me. I know I haven’t been here long enough for that. I’m not stupid.”
Rogue watches me closely now. Armen’s stance is rigid. Sting doesn’t move at all.
“I just wanted to ask,” I finish. “That’s it.”
Sting steps closer, not touching but close enough I have to tilt my head slightly to keep eye contact. “You keep pulling on threads,” he says. “That’s how people get noticed.”
“I already am.”
“That’s not the kind of attention you want.”
“Then what kind do I want?” I ask.
His eyes darken. “Not this.”
Rogue clears his throat. “Look, Vi. You’re new. That’s already more attention than you need. Don’t add to it.”
“So just… shut up?”
“Yeah,” Armen says. “That’s exactly what we’re telling you.”
Anger flashes like a kick in my ass, but I bite it back. “Fine.” I push off the wall and step back, forcing space between us.
