the dormitory. She scrubbed the mud from her hands, the co

edge of the market, discarded by a merchant who thought it was too bruised

om the apple's skin. Just as she was about to take a bi

tory, was standing there. She had already taken a huge

, chewing loudly. "Perfec

They turned to watch, their eyes gleaming with the anticipation of a sh

deways, a sharp twinge in her side forcing her to catch her breath as she blocked the on

low but sharp enough to cut throu

exaggerated laughter. "Are you crazy? D

ks on her only source of sustenance, a cold, calculated anger completely overpowered her fear. In this brutal world, stepping back meant death. She couldn't retreat anymore. She took a deliberate step f

watching females sucked in a breath. No one

early slipping from her fingers. "Y

and cold. "Theft of a laborer's rations i

emales. "If I report this to the patrol, what do you think? Will

y chance to climb out of the laborer class. If she was sent to

e tried to argue, her voice shaking.

inst the rough stone trough, the sound like nails o

," Carin said, holding out her

hatred, she reached into the leather pouch at her waist. She pull

crazy bitch,"

lump of coarse, grayish-white crystal. Salt. Unref

er pocket. With her other hand, she tossed the boning knife

to be told twice. She threw the half-eaten apple into the

g away the fierce, dangerous look she had worn. She touched the salt packet

settlement. It was the warning signal: the a

, her eyes dark and focused. Her