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His fingertips stung against her skin. She winced, fisted her hand, and jerked her arm free.

The revelation of her strength twisted a smirk across his face. “I think our business is done.” And with that, his arm shot up.

Naia barely had time to register the beer lifting off the table. Its contents splashed over her face. Ronin shoved himself into her side, pushing her out of the way.

She staggered and caught herself on the chair at the next table. Blinking through the foam and burning alcohol in her eyes. She glimpsed Ronin’s gaze, wide and full of fear, on her before a sea of glasses and plates levitated behind the man from the bar.

The bartender screamed and got down on the floor. Porcelain fired across the room, aiming at Ronin. He deflected each one with a flick of his fingers, bursting the glass into smithereens.

Naia picked up the chair and slung it at the man with all her strength.

He ducked and the piece of furniture crashed into the wall, splintering into pieces.

Balling her fists, she started towards him. Fractured shards of the exploding dinnerware sliced across her cheeks and arms.

“Naia!” Ronin snarled.

She nearly laughed, holding her glare on the man as she grew closer. What kind of game was this? A war of broken glass. The sooner she knocked him out, the sooner it would all cease?—

His hand came up and his fingers curled like a claw. The sapphire gemstone in his ring glowed.

Naia’s airway constricted. She stopped and brought her hands up to her neck as pressure pushed behind her eyeballs. A shockwave shuddered through her. Her knees shook. She bent over. Agony twisted down her throat and into her chest like a corkscrew. Control over her body weakened, and she wasn’t sure how long she could stay upright. She could hardly see the linoleum or her black boots through the stars in her vision.

I am not afraid of pain. I am not afraid?—

The floating dishes crashed to the floor.

Breath hit the back of Naia’s throat and the pressure gave way in her skull. She lifted from holding onto her knees. Her vision cleared. The torn muscles in her throat spasmed and she coughed.

The man stumbled forward, as if he’d lost his balance, his shoes crunching over broken glass. He slapped his palms down on the sticky, porcelain littered table.

The backs of Ronin’s shoulders tensed beneath the material of his black button up.

“Naia, look away,” he demanded.

The venomous look on Ronin’s face paralyzed Naia as he inclined over the man. “Color me impressed. The arrogance of a man thinking he could fuck me over and live to tell the tale.”

The man stifled out a ragged, breathy laugh. “Informants are not loyal beings. I don’t give a shit who you are.”

Ronin’s eyes narrowed, and the man winced, slapping his hands on the sides of his head. “Tell me what the fuck you know, or I promise I’ll make it hurt.”

The man looked up at Ronin through bloodshot eyes. His spit foamed at the corners of his mouth and his teeth bared in a deranged smile. “They’re watching you.”

Naia’s blood went cold.

She had been right to worry. Marina and Solaris were in the city, observing Ronin to figure out what his blood could do.

“Naia.” Ronin’s voice rose and his eyes flashed over at her. “Look away.”

“Go ahead, but they will find you and kill you without my help?—”

The man choked on his words. His mouth fell open and his eyes bulged. Sounds sputtered out from the back of his throat. Trails of crimson oozed out of the orifices of his face.

“Look. Away,” Ronin said with violent intensity.

Tingles festered in Naia’s chest and prickled up her neck at the sight of the bright, red liquid. She couldn’t turn away. It was disturbing and disgustingly fascinating to witness the true power Ronin wielded with a mere look.

He tugged her into his side by her waist and covered her eyes with his palm.