"Ah Ling…"
Grandfather Ji rose from the couch the instant his granddaughter re-entered the room. His weathered hands tightened into fists, as if that could hold back the years of fear and worry that always shadowed her steps.
Lin Hui and Xu Long had returned ahead of her, briefing everyone on what had happened to the man they captured. The man they'd captured was dead. Before his end, he'd confirmed what many had already suspected—Yue Ling had been the target all along.
Grandfather Ji had known for years that his granddaughter's world was painted in darker shades than most could bear. She had killed before—too many times—and yet the weight of that truth never lessened. Each time she walked through fire, he feared she left more of herself behind in the flames.
He took a step toward her, wanting nothing more than to close the distance, to check her hands, to hold her as though that alone could shield her from a life she never should have been forced to live.
