Chapter 81

My shot was true.

Thomas went down, struck backward with the blow of my arrow, but I was the one who cried out in pain. I held to my chest as my lungs seized. I didn't dare open my eyes to look at him, or Archer.

"The great thing about this game," Faust said, a victorious smile in his tone, "is that there's really no need for you to choose who gets released. It's been done for you by default."

I forced a swallow as I backed away from him, away from what I'd done.

"Oh." Faust clapped his hands. "The Scratching Post is hiring whores, if you happen to survive out here all alone."

"Good luck with that," one of his men muttered as he passed me.

Luck would have nothing to do with my survival, only my cold, determined will. He would learn that soon enough.

Faust took Ronin from the man's arms and angled her toward Archer as he strode toward him. "You'll release Archer to me. Time to make him pay for helping to burn down Old Man's Den."