Bastian’s lips curve into a wide, artful smirk.
From deep in the crowd, I hear someone holler, Pick up the knife, baby !
Pierce picks up the knife.
The fourth, Bastian whispers, can be used as biological warfare. While the drug is in your system, you can be commanded to do anything. You are susceptible to any orders and any demands. You will obey everything that you are told.
That’s what’s happening to Pierce, I realize. Oh, my Godwe have stop thiswe have to
Without warning, Bastian claps a hand over my mouth.
I scream, I bite against his palmbut he doesn’t move. He doesn’t even flinch.
I am helpless to stop it as another voice from the crowd shouts, Drag the knife across your throat !
I should have known.
I should have guessed.
This is much worse than I imagined it.
Because if this drug gets sold to Europe, like Veah said it would, then this will be all over the world. A one-in-four chance.
Death.
Hallucination.
Adrenaline.
Susceptibility.
Do you believe in magic ?
I kick and writhe in Bastian’s grip, but it is no use.
Pierce drags the knife across her own throat.
Yes, I think, almost hysterical. I do believe in Magic.
This is what Okami does to her enemies. If Bastian knows, if he suspects what I am, then I have no doubt he will do the same to me. Pierce’s blood sprays over the club’s walls, and there is the sound of cheering. How did they know Pierce was from the Cais ? How did they figure it out ?
I’m not getting out of here alive, I think.
I just saw a girl drag a knife across her own throat because someone told her to.
If Bastian figures out I’m not who I say I am . . .
And that is when I smell it : smoke.
Veah.
I called her name. I called her name, but I didn’t think she would hear
If anyone in there hurts you, I will burn this church down to the ground.
I hear her before I see her. Kaya !
Veah !
Bastian’s arms around me jerk in surprise. I hear the faint whisper of his horror. Heaven Tanaka. But I can barely hear him over the sound of my own blood roaring, the relief singing in my veins.
Holy fuck. She’s here, someone says. Chimei-tekina megumi.
Fatal Grace. I don’t know enough about Japanese to understand everything, but I’ve picked up something along the way : the swear words.
The sight of Veah alone seems to be enough to make the entire crowd panic.
Bastian sounds horrified. Do you know her ?
Someone yells, Run !
Bastian’s arms tighten over me. Chaos erupts in the club.
And I can’t help it. I smile, because my girlfriend is going to burn down a church for me.
Do you know her ?
Bastian’s question. Raw with fear.
Yes, I say proudly, as Veah pulls out two swords. That’s my girlfriend.
There is chaospandemonium. I see people running as bullets begin to fly, and it is a free-for-all war with only one way out.
In order to get out of here, they’re going to have to go through Veah.
There must be a hundred people here.
But Veah isn’t alone. Ren and Maiko push through the curtains, exchanging a glance with each other.
Mai gives the crowd a bloodthirsty smile.
SomeoneI recognize him as the man who ordered Pierce to take off her shirtpounces on her. Maybe he figures she is a weakness, an easy target. For a moment, her name forms on my lips in an attempt to warn her.
But before my voice can even escape me, she throws something at him.
It is sharp and silver and shaped like a star.
Tommy probably would have died on the spot. He loves badass weapons more than he loves pistachio ice cream. And I know from watching movies that what Maiko just threw is called a shuriken. A throwing star.
It rips across the man’s throat. With a splutter of red, he goes down.
From across the neon lights of the club, my eyes meet Veah’s.
I am still locked in Bastian’s grip. His forearm tightens over my throat, as though he realizes he has found leverage.
Despite the music and the new sound of screaming, Veah tilts her head. A question. Did you get it ?
Without looking away, I nod. I got it.
It isn’t the written formula, but there was a reason I tried to help Pierce. I saw the blue trail of crystal powder on the edge of the table, and I slipped a few beads into my pocket.
We have something to work with.