Every time three or four gathered, she stepped forward and cut through them before their numbers increased.
Yan Cijin stayed behind her shoulder.
When one slipped through, she dealt with it.
The rhythm they had developed outside the mall returned immediately.
Bai Li created the opening.
Yan Cijin closed it.
Yan Cijin identified threats.
Bai Li removed them.
They did not need to speak much anymore.
A glance was enough.
A shift of the shoulder was enough.
A single sound from Yan Cijin could make Bai Li turn in exactly the right direction.
After several floors, they reached a hallway with shattered windows.
Moonlight entered through the broken glass.
The city looked distant.
Bai Li paused beside the window.
Yan Cijin joined her.
"We're getting a reputation," Yan Cijin said.
Bai Li looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because every time we go somewhere, something starts chasing us."
Bai Li laughed.
"That's not a reputation. That's bad luck."
"There are too many coincidences."
