Red Star

[Nhysa]

Kao was like a puppy, prancing all over her paws seeking a reaction to all those sultry glances and winks. But he would be disappointed; he was unlikely to get a rise from Li, even corralling him like a plaything with that thick arm strung about his neck. She could tell Li liked him regardless.

For Nhysa’s part, she knew the name, though her face did not betray it. She kept enough of an ear to Moscow’s shadows to hear all about that particular big splash, but if Li visited those dark places sometimes, they were not of the same world. She preferred it that way. Li showed no indication he understood who Kao was, though she did not think it would take him long to put the pieces together. The Custody condoned its shadowy underworld, and Nhysa had no problem with it. Nor did she concern herself with pandering to power. All men died the same, whatever illusion of control they amassed to themselves.

She made a tsk at Li’s apology but did not seem mortally wounded. It was not like she hadn’t had free reign to intrude upon the spar if she’d wished. Instead she only watched to see if Kao would make anything of the tooth decorating Li’s bag.