Page 137 of Elite Metal: Warriors

He blinked. Stared at her with those beautiful blue eyes. And frowned.

Her expression dimmed, just a little. “Are you not going to tell me?”

“It’s supposed to be secret.”

“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”

He snorted a laugh and then flinched. “Ow.”

“Is it a deal?”

“All right,” he muttered grudgingly. “But you first.”

“Of course. My code name is Chernyy Voron.”

“Black Raven? Nice.”

Yes. She thought it was appropriately intimidating. “And what is yours?”

He hesitated and for a moment she suspected he wasn’t going to tell her, but then he sighed. “Cesium.”

“Cesium?” She barked a laugh.

“It’s not funny.”

“No. No. Of course not. You chose it because of your eyes, of course.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Cesium… Named for the sky blue streaks in the metal. Like your eyes.”

“Sure,” he said. “Yeah. That’s why I chose it.”

She frowned at him. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“All right. I thought it was cool that Cesium blows up if it gets wet.”

How like a man.

“But we’re off topic,” he said.

“Are we?”

“I was telling you I love you.”

Oh yes. That. She shifted uncomfortably. If he discovered the truth about her, he would run. “I am not a woman comfortable with such sentiment.”

“You think I am? I didn’t expect this. I didn’t ask for this. But I cannot ignore it.”

“You cannot ignore the truth either.”

“And what truth is that?” His beautiful blue eyes bore into her soul.

“I’ve…done things.”

He snorted. “No more than I, I suspect.”

She frowned at him. “Have you killed a man with your bare hands?”