r boots make no sound on the wet asphalt. She thrusts the

eps inside Ashanti's guard. He casual

s sharply in the narrow alley. Bowen'

dy weight into a low, vicious sweep kick aim

y an inch. He uses his downward momentum t

r kinetic force of his knee sends her sliding backward across

hroat. She has never seen anyone manhandle her hi

lass bottle from the dirty ground. She raises it as a make

's movement out of t

tance. He raises both hands in the ai

, his voice calm. "Not like our last sparring

shock. The words register in her brain. He

Bowen is talking about. He

Arizona with anyone but m

His eyes are laced with

e sandstorms?" Bowen asks qui

n is blinding. It forces her to drop the glass bottle. It shatters ag

aches out instinctively to comfort her. His

lunges forward, slashing the air between Bowen

Anissa. She uses her own body as a human shield

. His demeanor returns to cold, calculated

tells Anissa, his voice tight. "It was a mistake. I h

ing headache. She glares at him

p," Anissa spits back. "I

usly in his cheek as he absorbs the harsh,

He pulls out a sleek, black business card

perfectly at

y get tired of Julian's

lks toward the opposite end of the dark alley, mel

Her breathing is ragged. Her chest heaves. She wa

nissa for injuries. Her hands sign frantic

e lies. She refuses to acknowledge the terri

d on the wet ground. She hesitates for a fr

y steps on the card. She grinds it into the

dow of a closed storefront. "Ashanti," Anissa demands, her voice a tight, b

e signs. 'I am not sure. He moves like someone fro

ing fiercely against her skull. She grabs As

And a safe place to sit down before w