ntainers and abandoned cars, cast in the sickl

ace toward the spot where

detached themselves from th

iderweb tattoo on his neck. His name was Rocco, and his greedy

ed, his men fanning out to surround her. "Hand over the box, an

ed the brim of her baseball cap up, revealing her face, her ey

ened. "Well, well. Look what we've got here.

sat with its engine off. He had followe

ed. He reached for his comms, ready t

oze in mid-air. His eye

e mo

mble. It was a fluid, econo

tion, and her elbow connected with the side of his nec

treat. She advanced, her hand darting out to gr

d by a scream as the knife clattered to the pavement

ne. This wasn't a girl; this was a demon. He roared i

. A single, vicious kick sent the gun flying. A precise chop to the back of his ne

econds. Five armed, grown men, di

ot a hair out of place. She dusted off her hands, a gesture of

brutal ballet, a danc

ome of the most dangerous operatives in the world, might not ha

a street brawl. That was professional

composure-were now dwarfed by this one terrifying revelation. Th

ox, and checked its contents

ave, but found

p, its headlights cutting through t

ed, and a tall, imposi

silver mask. He wasn't wearing it now, but the aur

dy tensed, coiling like a spr

hen came to rest on her. His expression was a complex mixture

ked, his voice a low, magne