Manshu stilled.
“A single shot,” the man continued, stepping closer, “and his body turns to ash. Nothing left to heal. Nothing left to bring back.”
Silence stretched.
Then, slowly, Manshu’s mouth began to curl into something deranged, dangerous.
His fingers tightened around the weapon, reverence replacing disbelief as something darker flickered behind his eyes. Hunger. Obsession.
“And what do you get?” he asked, dragging his gaze up to the man in the shadows.
The man leaned in, close enough that his voice dropped to a whisper.
I couldn’t hear it, but Manshu’s reaction said enough.
His eyes widened. His lips parted slightly, shock cracking through his usual arrogance, before he pulled himself back together and nodded once, sharp and decisive.
“I understand.” Manshu ran his hand over the gun lovingly.
“And you’re sure?” he pressed, tightening his grip again. “This will work?”
“Would I be here if it didn’t?” the man replied, slamming the trunk shut.
Moonlight shifted across his face as he stepped forward. Older lined features and gray hair caught the pale moon rays.
Human.
Shock filled me as I leaned just a little further, trying to see more.
Creeeak.
The metal beneath my weight groaned and both heads snapped toward the sound.
“What was that?” the man hissed.
Manshu’s posture changed instantly. Shoulders rolled forward, eyes sharpening as he started toward the dumpster. “Relax,” he muttered. “It’s safe.”
My breath came too fast, too loud, and I tried to pull back, but it was too late.
A hand shot out, fisting into my shirt and yanking me forward. The world lurched as I was dragged out into the open, light hitting my eyes hard enough to make me squint.
“Oh.” Manshu’s grip tightened as recognition lit his face. “Look who it is.” His lips stretched into something ugly. “It’s my red-tipped pet.”
He gave me a rough shake, eyes flicking over me, then dropping to the backpack, the trash bag crumpled at my feet. Understanding clicked.
“Were you trying to run?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “From me?”
His fingers twisted tighter in my shirt, jerking me closer as his chest rose and fell, quick and sharp. His eyes glowing hypnotically against the night sky.
Behind him, measured footsteps approached. The other man stepped into view, his flat, unimpressed gaze sliding over me once.
“Human,” he said dismissively. “The magic won’t work on her, but the gun will.”
He tilted his head slightly as if the solution were obvious.
“Shoot her.”
Manshu’s head snapped toward him. Something combative flashed in his eyes, but the man didn’t flinch. Not even a little.
