'If she hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have suspected a thing,' Su Xiaobai thought, irritation simmering under his skin.
Xiao Hei was his ace, his trump card. If even the faintest whisper of her abilities leaked out, vultures would descend, claws out and ready to rip him apart. 'Good thing Xiao Lu and the Devouring Thorny Flower are still hidden. They're safe… for now.'
His gaze shifted to Ling Er. A mischievous smile danced on her lips, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that sent a chill down his spine. 'Unpredictable. A playful kitten with the claws of a tiger.'
Ling Er's grin faded, her lips pulling tight as she rested her chin on her knees, eyes distant and locked on the silver glow of the moon. "I don't care about his filthy politics," she muttered, her words tinged with bitterness, "Always scheming, always pulling strings. I hate it…"
Her voice, usually light and teasing, was now filled with sadness.
