Bastian told me that adrenaline would cause something like superpowers. Incredible strength, incredible speed.
The girl looks at her raw, freed wrists.
Adrenaline, I realize.
The girls licks her lips. Smiles. And she rises to her feet, her face the portrait of cold, vicious rage.
To Okami, Veah says, I want to stop you from spreading Magic all over the world.
But Okami only shakes her head, still amused.
Take a sip, I think. Take a sip of your wine . . .
That is still not the whole truth, ai, Okami says delicately. You must always be truthful with me. I will ask you again : What is it you want ?
Too fast, too sharp, Okami has pulled free one of her axes.
She’s going to kill Veah, I think desperately.
If she doesn’t drink the wine, then this is all over.
I’ll never get to tell the pretty girl that I love her.
I’ll never get to hold her in my arms again.
I probably won’t even survive two minutes afterwards.
And Ren and Maiko . . .
It’s not even just about us anymore. If Okami survives to make a deal with the Italian Mafia, Magic will spread all over the world.
Drink the wine, I plead in my mind.
Tell me the truth, Okami whispers.
I want you to suffer, Veah grits out in a low, raw voice.
And then I notice there is a dagger in her hand as well.
That was not a part of the plan.
If she kills Okami now, there will be all-out war.
Please, please drink the wine.
And as if my prayers are answered, as if God himself decides to finally listen, Okami drinks the wine.
Veah’s eyes lock with mine, and the relief between us is so sharp, so sudden I let out a breath. The plan worked.
Okami’s ax clatters to the table.
The cup in her hand shatters, wine and glass dripping through her fist.
There is a sound like surprisea sound like a cough. The long sleeves of her sky-blue kimono ripple like water over the table as she leans forward.
It worked. It
But then she turns to me. There is a dark, bittersweet smile on her painted lips.
There is a word you should know, Okami whispers. Her slender fingers curl over the handle of her ax. There is a trace of wineor bloodon the corner of her lip. Mithridatism.
And then she swings the ax.