William shoves past me with an eager grin, thrusting out a filthy hand.

  "Evenin', m'lady," he says brightly. "Name's William, what could we do for a beautiful lass like yourself? I'd be more than happy to help you with anything you need."

  He flashes a crooked grin, bold and unafraid.

  But Luna barely spares him a glance. Irritated, she snaps, "Get out of my face, you mongrel-blooded knave. And keep that dirty hand to yourself."

  William recoils slightly, caught off-guard. Hamza shakes his head in silent disapproval, at her or him I'm not sure.

  I step forward, shoving William out of my way, to stand once again, directly before Luna.

  "What are you doing here? Where's Ren? We were expecting to see him here."

  Luna folds her arms across her chest, expression cool.

  "Ren decided to infiltrate the brigands his own way," she says, her face twisted in annoyance. "He won't be joining you."

  "He what? How?" I ask, confused, looking to Hamza and William who just shrug.

  "I wish I knew. But don't worry, I received the mayor’s instructions in his place. And I'll be taking his position among you."

  She'll what now?

  Her offer catches me off guard, but I recover quickly, shaking my head firmly.

  "No. Best you didn't," I say. "It'll be hard enough convincing the brigands we're one of them without a woman in our group."

  William pipes up with a grin. "I don't mind pretending she's my woman. I could make it real believable."

  Hamza smacks him lightly upside the head, quieting him.

  Luna rests her hand on the hilt of her short sword, her glare sharp enough to cut. "I'm here for the mayor's reward," she snaps. "I'll see to his request personally. Besides, I'm better with a blade than any of you."

  Luna draws the fine steel and raises it challengingly, her eyes glinting with defiance.

  "Anyone want to test me?" she taunts, her voice cold and daring. "Go ahead."

  I consider it for a moment, Philip’s spear comfortable in my grip.

  She's a woman. And not like Zaenith is.

  She’s tiny.

  I should be able to beat her easily, even if she has some training...

  Luna meets my gaze, eyes sharp with provocation, and I feel the desire to meet her challenge ripple through me. My grip tightens, ready to rise and meet her.... but I pause, the moment stretching between us, my instincts warring with caution.

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  Then again… I still have no idea what she's capable of. What it the conventional rules of battle don't apply?

  She is some sort of demon hunter after all...

  My grip on the spear loosens as I turn to a more diplomatic approach, "Even if you're a good fighter," I say evenly, " the task will be more dangerous and more difficult having you with us."

  She narrows her eyes. "So what? Be good enough to succeed even with me here then. It’s rather simple."

  What in the hells does that even mean? What a ridiculous woman.

  Balking at her unreasonable demand, I open my mouth to argue, but before I can speak, Luna sheathes her blade and jabs a finger hard into my chest.

  "That idiot Ren is my partner," she snaps, voice fierce. "He's running into that camp alone, which I wouldn't mind, if that monstrosity you call a brother wasn't there also."

  I hesitate, caught off guard by the unusual hint of emotion behind her words...

  And the mention of Two.

  So she continues, eyes burning hot. "Should I just wait? Leave him to the danger? Pray?" She accuses, poking me again.

  "Fuck you. Fuck no. Fuck off."

  For a moment, we stand there, locked in silent battle.

  "Make it easier on yourself and accept it. I shall join your little band, whether you want to have more or not. Unless,” she growls, her hand returning to the hilt of her short blade, “you want to try and stop me."

  I rub my temples, letting out a weary sigh.

  …I hate women.

  Or this one at least.

  I miss Emily, she was never this unreasonable... I think.

  I glance to the side, meeting Hamza’s eyes first. He offers a resigned shrug, clearly leaving the decision to me. Then I turn to William, who flashes an eager grin and gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, nodding vigorously in approval.

  Turning back to Luna, I exhale through my nose, defeated. "Fine. You can join us," I say grudgingly. "But you'll need a disguise. We'll pass you off as a boy we picked up in the last town. Try not to speak."

  Luna nods and pulls a strip of cloth from her pocket, wrapping it tightly around her nose and mouth to serve as a crude mask. She yanks her hood up over her head, shadowing her features.

  "Look convincing enough?" she asks, her voice muffled.

  I shrug, unimpressed. "Good enough, I suppose. Long as you don't take it off... and long as no one asks to have a look."

  William sidles up beside me and whispers into my ear.

  I nod in agreement, crouching down and digging through the snow until I reach the damp earth below. Luna leans over, curious. "What are you doing?"

  Without a word, I rise and thrust a fistful of soft mud square into her face. It squelches obscenely against her mask and skin. She squeals in fury, stumbling back.

  "What in the- You base-born cur!" she shrieks.

  I shrug, struggling to suppress a smile. "Best learn to make your screams sound a bit more manly, if you don't want to get us caught."

  She wipes at her face furiously, her glare murderous. "What in the hells do you think you're doing?!"

  William chuckles, scooping up a handful of muck himself. "You look too clean, love. Need a bit o' filth on ya. Look at us, filthy as swine in the trough. That's a real man."

  Like me, he flings the mud across her fine cloak, leaving a long, slimy streak.

  Hamza, silent but not unsympathetic, simply shrugs, stoops down, and tosses a second handful onto her boots and hem.

  Luna trembles with rage, fists clenched tight at her sides. But she says nothing, teeth grinding audibly beneath her mask as we paint her in dirt.

  William chuckles, "Don't look so sour, miss. This is the sort o' thing we all did when we were lads. Good for you to get a taste early. Chances are, the lot we’re joining’ll ask for worse."

  Hamza gives a nod, tossing another handful of mud. "This is true."

  I pull open her cloak and smear a few more patches of dirt onto the layers beneath, dulling the finer fabric.

  "That should do it." I say, wiping off my muddy hands on the shoulder of her cloak and giving her a hard slap on the back. "Works well actually, can hardly tell you're a woman." She shoots me a sharp glare, before turning and sitting on the edge of camp. Ignoring us for the rest of the night.