12
Lukas itched to turn around, to face head-on the attack he knew was coming. But Marya’s gaze held him with a strength he never thought possible, and then she let out a long, trembling sigh. Her eyes flickered away from his and over his shoulder toward the woman lying in the alley in her own blood. Then she tentatively searched a wider vector of the street before finally releasing her grip on his wrist and taking a step back.
“They’re gone,” she said, blinking rapidly as if she’d embarrassed herself with her own fear. Lukas studied her, wanting to assuage her discomfort but having no idea what had just happened. “Let’s keep moving.” Marya resumed her steady pace down the sidewalk, and Lukas stepped into line beside her.
“What was that?” he asked, watching Marya intently, though she di
