She stood up, reached for Nezha’s hand, and curled his fingers around the handle of the knife. He stiffened. “What are you—” “Get their respect,” she said. “Tell them you killed me. Tell them everything they want to hear. Say whatever you need to to get them to trust you.” “Rin—” “It’s the only way forward.” He understood what she meant him to do. His eyes widened in alarm, and he tried to wrench his hand away, but she clenched his fingers tight. “Nezha—”
