Vanessa, Ann, and Kelly stepped back slowly.
They didn't need to be told. The moment Lilith took one quiet step forward, the space became hers.
Vanessa crossed her arms and leaned back against a rusted pillar. Ann folded her arms too, covering her mouth slightly, still trying to block out the smell of the place. Kelly stayed alert, her hand resting loosely on her hip, eyes never leaving the four men now circling Lilith.
Lilith flexed her fingers. A few joints popped. Her eyes scanned them calmly.
They each held small knives—jagged, old blades pulled from pockets or belts, stained from God-knows-what. No one looked trained. But desperation made people dangerous.
The first man lunged.
Lilith didn't even blink. She stepped in with him, her timing perfect. As his hand came forward, aiming a thrust straight toward her gut, she slapped his wrist sideways with the back of her palm, sending the blade veering uselessly off course.
