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The attack.

Dante.

All of it.

A line of dominoes Noir tipped over with my body.

My sister’s death.

My return.

Dagger’s love.

Everything used.

Everything contaminated.

Noir’s smile sharpens when he sees me understanding.

“There she is,” he murmurs. “Smart girl.”

My skin crawls.

“Don’t,” I whisper.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t call me that.”

Something flickers in his face.

Annoyance maybe.

Then it’s gone.

Dagger’s voice drops dangerously.

“You killed Mikey because he was innocent.”

Noir looks at him again.

“No. I killed Mikey because he was starting to make you think.”

That lands even harder.

Dagger’s face shifts with it.

The rage becomes something pure.

Something final.

Noir sees it.

And instead of backing down, he smiles wider.

Because he’s insane.

Because he’s always been insane.