Debra and Amos?"
West nodded. "They safe?"
Zu Li leaned against the railing. "Yes... I got Nightingale off their trail."
West's brow rose. "You… got an awakened assassin off someone's trail."
Zu Li said it like discussing weather. "I spoke to the right people."
West crossed his arms in astonishment. "…Sometimes I forget how terrifyingly connected you are."
She ignored that.
"More importantly…"
She turned fully toward him.
"Dragon Fang is declaring war on Frankincense."
West straightened. "…War?"
"Yes."
"Open pressure."
"Economic."
"Operational."
"And if necessary…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Violent."
West almost pitied Frankincense... almost... because there was no way they were getting out of this without acquiring grave loses.
Zu Li continued. "They won't have the resources to send more assassins."
"Or hired awakened."
"They'll be too busy defending themselves."
West let out a slow breath. "Thank you."
Zu Li looked away. "You don't need to thank me."
"Yes I do."
