She grins from the access hatch above, crouched like a spider, limbs coiled, twin pistols glinting in the flicker-light.
“Long time, boss,” she purrs.
“You always did like the air vents.”
“They’re cleaner than your sense of loyalty.”
She fires again.
I duck. The bolt hits the console behind me, exploding sparks across my back. I roll under the panel, draw the blade from my boot, and throw it.
She dodges—barely. The knife scrapes her side, slicing fabric and skin.
She hisses. “Should’ve aimed for the throat.”
“I never miss on the second try.”
She drops from the vent with a snarl that earned her the name, blades out now, teeth gleaming.
We clash in the narrow hallway—feral, brutal. She’s faster. I’m stronger. Her twin daggers flash, but I’ve wrestled beasts with more grace. I block one strike with my forearm, spin, elbow her in the ribs. She grunts, stumbles, recovers.
“Vrek offered usfreedom!” she spits.
“No,” I growl, slamming her against the wall. “He offered youpermission.There’s a difference.”
She twists free, slices my arm. Blood trickles, hot and sticky. I don’t flinch.
“You gave up the stars for awoman!” she shrieks.
I lunge.
We crash into the engine corridor, bodies smashing into grates, wires tearing loose. The engine hum roars around us, the thrum of energy filling every crevice like a war drum. The heat makes the sweat roll down my back. The blood makes my grip slick. Her foot catches my knee. I stumble.
But she hesitates.
That’s all I need.
I grab her by the wrist, twist, and slam her to the deck with all the fury of two years lost.
She coughs. “He’s got the boy, y’know.”
“I know.”
“He’ll trade him.”
“No,” I whisper, breath ragged. “He’llbleedfor him.”
Her eyes go wide.
And I drive her own blade into the metal floor beside her skull.
Hard enough to pin her braid to the deck.
“Stay down.”
She doesn’t move.
I step over her, blood still dripping from my arm, fury humming in my bones.
