Silence followed his words. The Ghost Wolf was motionless. The scarred man coughed, and his twin looked away. Christoff lowered his arms, but refused to lose the confidence in his unblinking eyes.

The Wolf turned aside. “No.”

“What?”

“No, Christoff.”

“Oh, just think about it!” Christoff gestured to his crew. “We’re a band of merry fellows, scouring the country for evil-doers and death-dealers alike, doing right by the folks that dream of a peaceful life without worry of war and destruction, thievery and treachery. That is the world that Daggerpoint aims to achieve: it is our very purpose!”

The unblemished twin scoffed. “You give us too much credit, Christoff. And why should the Ghost Wolf’s decision surprise you so? He’s a killer, a death-dealer in his own right.”

“Untruths! Slander!” Christoff seemed wounded as though they were insults to his own virtue.

“Then what say you of the Bloody Bridge? Their families still lay flowers where they were slain.”

“A terrible tragedy, Rudy…” Christoff murmured. “We can’t be sure it was him…”

“Then why shouldn’t we ask? Hey, Wolf! Do you enjoy slaughtering innocent people, or just when they get in your way?”

The Wolf was again silent for a moment before turning his back to kick at the debris that now buried whatever remained of Madoc’s body.

“I don’t have time for this. Why are you and your people here, anyway?”

“Well!” Christoff puffed up. “To combat the forces of evil, of course!”

“I meant, who sent you?”

“A tip! That is, by the advice of a trusted informant.” Christoff sniffed. “But a good man never reveals his sources!”

“Was it Isabel Haines?”

Christoff nearly fell over at the mention. He did his best to recover his poise, and began to overact feigned ignorance. “Isabel Haines, you say? Never heard the name in my life, Mr. Wolf.”

The masked man cursed under his breath. He was going to have to deal with this matter at another time.

“Alright.” The Wolf motioned to leave. “I appreciate the help earlier—”

“A near-fatal mistake, sir! The volatility of men that seek the power of the Spark when they themselves are not already gifted… ‘Tis an act against God and one’s own soul. The flesh of a dorobou is hazardous, indeed.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you, Wolf?” Rudy called out with contempt again, ignoring the look of alarm on his brother’s face. “Seems like you should be thanking us for our part. How about a little gratitude?”

Christoff turned around and opened his mouth to suppress the hostility, but it was in vain.

“It has been given. Goodbye, Christoff.” The Wolf finally turned away.

“Wait!”

And the Wolf stopped. But not on the command of the man behind him, but because of the woman that stood in front of him. She whispered, repeating the word:

“Wait.”

“Good heavens!” Christoff exclaimed. “Where did she come from?”