The bell rang once more. My knife still at his throat, he waited for my answer. Eleven years at this, and I'd never taken so long to pick one.

Say it's for the deal, and I give away the deal. Say it's for the people, and I give away the people. An assassin who shows her cards is finished.

KageroYour face… I haven't seen it yet.

I'd told him before that I wanted his face. Nothing he didn't already know. He didn't ask again. He just closed his eyes once and opened them, as if he knew.

When I drew the knife back, the bell's tremor left my palm too. All at once, my hand felt empty.

SojoboCome to the root path.

He didn't even touch his throat where the blade had been. Once again, I was the one who left the rock first.

KageroTwenty-eight nights left. Seven talismans. Still…