Page 253 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

No one who knows Riley by reputation alone would believe such a thing.

Then, before Lachlan can draw breath to cast doubt, Riley speaks again, this time with a cool confidence Kade recognises well.

‘Sorrenko’s people came through the tunnels for one reason only. He was only ever trying to avenge or rescue Julian.’ Kade winces as a brief flash of pain passes through his middle, but he’s surprised at how little it hurts compared to other times Riley has said that name. ‘I met his attacks with force and retaliated when necessary, but only ever at street level. The Accords are fragile. Half the outfits that signed them are always looking for an excuse to walk away.’

‘So you tolerated the tunnel attacks?’

‘An underground war is mine to manage,’ Riley tells him. ‘Open war is everyone’s problem.’

Lachlan watches the road for a long moment.

‘Varrow’s crime rate is the same as it was ten years ago,’ Lachlan informs Riley. ‘Your Accords haven’t done shit.’

‘Sometimes,’ Riley says, ‘you can’t make things better, but you can stop them from getting worse.’

‘That’s a bullshit half-measure, and you could have told Vasily that Kade was alive at any time. You could have let him help.’

‘Vasily Sorrenko was never working alone.’

Lachlan snorts. ‘Are you afraid of Blaire Montbelliard?’

‘I know things you don’t.’

‘Well, now’s the time to share.’

‘I’ve shared enough. We’re trapped in the city together, Tanner. Nowhere to run and hide if shit goes sideways, only the Tower.’

‘Sure, not like you were using Kade’s power or anything.’

‘We do the best with what we’re given. Next right, pull up and park.’

Lachlan drives them down a narrow side street, killing the engine once they’re in place. ‘Walk from here?’

‘Yeah. Listen,’ Riley adds when Lachlan touches the handle. ‘If your hunger gets bad in there, tell us.’

Kade goes very still.

Lachlan snorts. ‘Why? You got more steak on you?’

‘Just tell us.’

‘I’m not a fucking animal, Harker.’

‘I’m trying to help.’

‘Well, I don’t need your help.’

Riley gets out first. The rain is pouring. Thick, heavy sheets falling from dark skies above, almost instantly drenching Kade.

Lachlan gets out last. ‘He’s a real peach.’

‘I said no bullshit,’ Kade reminds him, casting around.

They’re down the narrow side street beside an old movie theatre.

The building occupies half a block, its old stone frontage stained black by decades of rain. Empty poster cases flank boarded doors. A tarnished marquee hangs above the pavement with most of its lettering removed, leaving pale, sunless outlines where words used to be.

‘This is it?’