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“We get to eat you. And you look like a good meal.”

Behind me, Jacob makes a disgusted sound. “Absolutely not.”

Joanie calls from above, “I vote no on Leon becoming brisket.”

Trish adds, “Seconded. I am medically opposed to this plan.”

“I’m emotionally opposed,” Jacob snaps.

I don’t look at any of them. If I do, I might have to acknowledge what this is. Not strategy. Not smart. Not clean.

This is me choosing the fastest path between my hands and the people who hurt my family.

Clair shakes her head as her mouth forms the word without sound.

No.

Jacob turns on me. “Leon, this is not the plan.”

No.

It’s better.

I nod at Bryant.

The crowd erupts.

The sound slams through the mall, wild and hungry. People stomp their feet until the tile trembles. Someone bangs a pipe against the railing hard enough to send flakes of rust raining down. A woman near the front laughs with blood on her teeth. Another voice starts chanting.

Meat. Meat. Meat.

Others pick it up until the word crawls over my skin.

Clair’s face goes white beneath the blood.

Poppy screams, “No!”

The sound nearly breaks me.

Bryant claps his hands, delighted. “Wonderful. Now pick your opponent.”

I don’t hesitate.

I want Bryant.

But Bryant is surrounded by people who follow him, fear him, feed because of him. If I point at him now, the whole place could snap before Jacob gets to Clair and Poppy. Before Lyla and the others have position. Before we know how many guns are aimed at my girls.

Not him.

Not yet.

I need someone the crowd will allow. Someone low enough to lose without breaking the fragile stalemate.

And besides, I have a personal interest in this one.

I point right at Russ.

He has been trying to make himself small since I walked in. Not enough to hide. Just enough to avoid being noticed. Coward’s instinct. Same as always.