I think you’re going to want to be awake for this.
Morning sex ? I say, perking up.
I’ve never liked mornings, but I like this idea.
My eyes open
Huh.
On second thought . . .
I think it might be the three Japanese ninjas at the foot of the bed.
Maybe they’re friendly ?
But . . . I have the faintest sneaking suspicion that they might not be friendly as they position their swords and attack.
Tell them to go away, I groan. I can’t deal with gun-toting hooligans before 12 p. m.
Veah, standing at the edge of the bed, is wearing a leather jacket, pants, and an unbuttoned shirt.
She must have been just in the middle of getting dressed.
It’s a really good look on her.
Not as good a look as her without any clothes, but
The Japanese ninjas. Right. I should probably be paying attention to that and not my girlfriend
Shit. Why do I keep thinking of her as my girlfriend ?
Just because we fucked like rabbits yesterday doesn’t mean we’re dating.
And just because she said she likes you, and you like her, and she won’t kiss any other girls for you because you told her you didn’t want her to, it doesn’t mean that
Kaya ?
Right. Japanese ninjas.
I thought Okami said no one would interrupt us !
Veah unsheathes a sword from under her pillow. She’s testing me.
What kind of test is this ? If you fail this, we die !
Oh, I won’t fail, Veah says grimly.
Before I can ask about the fact that she sleeps with a sword under her pillow, she attacks.
And I understand exactly why it is she is so confident she won’t fail.
Silver cleaves through the air, and Veah is a blur. Dancing around each of the three men until she is shadow and storm, blood and fury. The first man collapses to his knees, impaled.
They don’t wait their turn to attack her, like in the movies. The remaining two lunge for her at the same time.
My hands clap over my mouth. Veah ! I scream.
But she kicks the other one between his legs without looking back, and he grunts, falling backwards.
The opponent in front of her has a thick, jagged blade. The clash of steel against steel makes my ears ring.
And then they are fighting, so quickly I can barely tell where one meets and the other ends.
Their strikes are precise. Lethal. As swift as the movement of a viper, as certain as a killing blow.
Veah moves like lightning, but he is a serpent, a cobra, and each of his hits are meticulous
Behind Veah, I see the man she kicked begin to stand.
There is a small, sharp dagger in his hand.
Veah is still fighting, wild and ferocious, an untamed hurricane. She doesn’t notice.
The man’s face splits into a depraved grin as he pounces
I am moving before I know it.
I am moving before I even know why.
I am moving because that small, sly dagger is aimed right for her back, a wound that will pierce her spinean injury that will kill her instantly
I can’t let that happen.
A scream rips through my throat, and I feel itthe dagger tearing through the flesh of my arm, through soft skin and tissue
Steel meeting bone.
I swear I feel it scrape.
I think I might be screaming.
Veah roars, Kaya !
Dizzy, I see the blur of her as she beheads the second samurai. Shinjimae ! But the third is already running, already gone
I know the choice she has to make. Me or him. She can help me, or she can run after him, chase after vengeance
It takes her less than a second to make the decision.
Veah kneels beside me, her face twisted. Warring emotions. Anger. Grief. Why did you do that ? she says harshly. Why ?
He wasgoing to stabyour back
Veah closes her eyes. I would have stopped him, Kaya. I would have seen it coming. She lowers her forehead against mine. Idiot.
And I want to smile, I do, but as she scoops me into her arms and begins to run, all I can do is ask, Veah ?
Shh, Kaya.
Justone thing
Anything.
I can call you my girlfriend now, right ?
But before I can make out her answer, unconsciousness claims me.
Ren, you could try and be a little more gentle !
I’m being as gentle as possible, I hear Ren’s voice snap.
There is a sharp, needle-like sensation in my arm. Stitches.
Is it possible to hyperventilate myself to death ?
Look at her ! Can’t you see that ? She can feel it. Give her more anesthesia or I’m going to put a bullet in your ankle.
I’ve already given her enough anesthesia for a five-foot-one, 130 pound girl.
She’s in pain. If you don’t give her some more fucking medication, I’m going to break every single vertebrae in your spine until she’s better.
All you have done since you brought her to me has been to fuss over her bedside. You’re not helping anyone. Now, get out before I make Mai drag you out.
It’s the last I hear before I sink back into sleep.
You look like shit, Maiko tells me when my eyes finally open.
Thanks, I mutter, pressing a hand to my forehead.
Mai shrugs. I like being honest. There’s no one else here who’s going to tell you. Ren probably hasn’t noticed, and Veah . . . She rolls her eyes, but with a little bit of fondness. She looks at you like . . . like she’d never get tired of looking at you. Like you’re the entire fucking galaxy.
My laugh is raspy. You know, Ren looks at you the same way.
I expect her to scoff, but a faint sadness darkens her eyes. I know. But I don’t deserve him.
He doesn’t think he deserves you.
Mai shakes her head lifelessly. But it’s true for me. I don’t deserve him. After the things I’ve done . . . but that’s a story for another time. They’re waiting for you.
They ?
Veah told you the plan, didn’t she ?
That brings back the memory of Veah’s head between my legs, her tongue on my