“Is there a reason you gentleman are blocking our way?” she asked. “Not you.” One slapped the wood against his palm and pointed the weapon at Akstyr. “Him.” The two men wore brands on the backs of their hands, human eyes with Xs through them. A rival gang. “We heard you was using magic,” the bigger of the two said. “Magic ain’t allowed in the empire, and we sure not gonna stand for you Arrows using none. We gonna smash it outta you like a potato.” “This man is working for me,” Amaranthe said. “I need him fully functional, not smashed like sort of food item.” “Who talked to you, woman? You can
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