Page 41 of The Only Way Out Is Up

“You didn’t back me up in there,” she says conversationally, once we’re outside.

“I’m not a thug.” I’ve seen too many Heapers go down the road of hurting people for money. That way you end up either dead or turning into someone like Rekas. “Just because we’re working together doesn’t mean I take your orders.”

“Hmm.” She looks at me thoughtfully, and doesn’t seem entirely displeased. “Noted. It doesn’t matter, really. I was just doing it to bust his balls.”

“Bust them more, you mean.”

She grins.

“You two have a strange relationship,” I note.

“Weslai’s all right for a miserly coward. At least he’s honest. You just have to make sure he stays motivated. Carrot and stick, right?”

“Remind me not to choose the stick.”

Ky laughs, then her face turns serious. “How long will you need for Star’s new body?”

“Three days, maybe?”

She nods. “I’ll get Weslai to arrange a fight. We can meet at the top of Stair #3.” She puts her head on one side. “Will you be able to get Star up there?”

“I’ll think of something,” I tell her.

“Here.” She hands me a small leather wallet.

It’s a Malkuth pass, a real one, embossed and signed by some Arbiter. I’d seen her get it from Weslai, but I still can’t quite believe it. Down below, I could sell this for a fair sum. Once I tuck it away, she hands me a sack heavy with bits with equal nonchalance.

“Morning of the fourth day,” she says. “I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll be there,” I tell her. And I think I mean it.

FIFTEEN

When I come in the back door, Spike is so startled she drops her spoon in a bowl of sticky mash.

“Taj!” She shakes her head, quickly regaining both spoon and sangfroid. “I’m not going to be able to cover for you this time. Somi knows you were gone.”

“That’s because I told him this time.”

“Oh.” She looks vaguely disappointed. Her swollen eye is open now, but the bruise around it has turned various spectacular shades of purple, yellow, and green, like half her face is covered in sickly clown makeup. “You’re still doing the toilets.”

“I figured.” I sigh. “Got you a present.”

Her eyebrows shoot up as I dig a paper bag from my pack. It contains small hard balls, virulently green in color; Spike holds one up and peers at me quizzically.

“Bearings?” she guesses.

“Candy.” The word is barely familiar; I mime putting something in my mouth. Hesitantly, Spike sets the green ball on her tongue. “Suck, don’t swallow.”

She closes her mouth, still expecting a trick, and then gives a sudden squeak of delight.

“It’s sweet!” she manages.

I grin. “Enjoy.”

“Where did you get these?”

Weslai gave them to me when I asked him for something to bring my family in the Heap. The gesture improved my opinion of the fixer considerably. To Spike, I simply waggle my eyebrows mysteriously and point upward.