Anostiamus walks right up to her while her bat hovers only a few inches from his face and says, “If it’s money you want, then I can help you, but you’ll have to use your words first. Tell me: what is your name?”
He offers her his hand, and Thokozani laughs. “If you try to shake my hand, I’mma bash your head in.”
“Well, that’s not very nice.” Anostiamus chuckles and scratches the back of his head. “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. You seem very capable, after all.”—his eyes flash brightly as they grow wider, and, in an instant, I notice a barely transparent trail of tau move toward her, “Before I die,” he says, “can I at least know the name of my assailant?”
Thoko tightens her grips, draws back her spiked bat, and raises her voice to shout, “Thokozani! Death Officer: Rank One! You’ll
