Sneak Peek

Cynthia cocks her head. "Ah, the street rat," she says as if you'd believe she had forgotten. You see the flash of fury in the guard's eyes. She still takes it personally, how Beka managed to run away. How she did so with your help. "Do you know where that filth is? Maybe you could keep each other company in the barracks."

*if Hadrian_Romance

You stiffen, but before you can open your mouth, Hadrian's hand squeezes your elbow. "We can't antagonize her, ${Name}," he whispers by your ear, lowering his head next to yours. You glance at him, and his eyes piece yours with concern. His whole face is desperate. "Look at her. She's on edge. All she wants is a reason to run you with that sword."

"He is right," Alessa hisses from beside you. She hides the worry better than Hadrian, but you can hear it in her voice nonetheless. "If we wish to escape this, we must play to our strengths."

She lifts her chin and addresses Cynthia in a louder voice. "I know not what history you have with my companion." Alessa pauses. "But you have asked us to stop, and stopped we have. What do you wish of us?"

*if Alessa_Romance

You stiffen, but before you can open your mouth, five sharp fingers squeeze the bone of your elbow. "'Twould be foolish to antagonize her." Alessa's cold voice rings by your side. She's stepped closer to you so she can whisper by your ear without barely moving her lips. "Truly look at her. She seeks only an excuse to unsheathe that sword of hers."

"Alessa's right," Hadrian mumbles from your other side. He's looking at the Captain with a hardened face, his brows pulled into a grim frown. "We need to be smart here." Hadrian pauses, glancing at you. "If we have any hope to make it alive."

He looks back at the Captain again, one hand on the pommel of his sword. "I wasn't aware you knew our companion, Captain, but whatever history you hold has no bearing on tonight. You ordered us to stop, so we did. But why?"